This chapter is late and sloppy. That's what I get for treating the entire week like it was New Year's Eve. I suppose a little partying is fine but I should probable refrain from posting stories the final week of December from now on since the holidays have proven to be so enticing.

Regardless, I hope you enjoy this third chapter. It ended up being the same length as the second despite taking me three times as long to write. Diminishing returns is a talent of mine. Please review if you get the chance, and I mean critically. You can even PM me hate mail, I love attention.

Marinette Dupain-Cheng was not in the best state of mind this night. The sun had long since set and she had been at her room's desk for upwards to two hours and yet her history assignment was sadly unfinished. To the casual observer the assignment didn't even look as if it had been begun. If grades were given out based on brainstorming then Marinette would be one hell of an honors student, but for now, she needed more than anything to write something down.

However, her clouded mind was having trouble forming concrete thoughts about ancient Greece. Her mind was preoccupied with thoughts of Chat Noir. These thoughts were not related to his fall onto her terrace last night, not at all. They were focused on what she had said to him (okay, somewhat screamed) as Ladybug.

Marinette set down her pencil for the umpteenth time that night, another momentary surrender in her battle against homework. "Tikki…was I wrong to do what I just did?"

There was a subtle movement under the covers of Marinette's bed followed by a blur of red. A small, and admittedly incredibly cute, creature emerged from the blanket. It seems that Tikki, Ladybug's kwami, had awoken from a nap.

"Marinette don't you think it's a little late in the day for regrets?" yawned Tikki.

"This is driving me crazy though. He looked so sad when I left!"

"If you really want my opinion," said Tikki as she floated lazily towards Marinette, "you could've handled yourself a tad better."

"Just a tad, huh?" sighed Marinette as she blew a loose strand of hair from her face.

"If it's any consolation I agree with your…umm…general thoughts on the matter?"

"Did you just ask me a question? That was a question wasn't it?"

"Life itself is like one big mystery Marinette. Don't go panicking over one question or you'll throw off your vibes."

Tikki was trying to dodge the subject. Great. Even the kwami, supposedly older than 5000 years, didn't know what to do about Marinette's actions. It was during times like this that Marinette wished Ayla was around the most. Too bad she couldn't even begin to dare to bring up the subject due to the parties involved…

Maybe she was going about this all wrong. Why think at all? If Ladybug could improvise how to beat an akuma with a spoon, talking to Chat should take no effort at all. Too bad there was no evil to fight against this time though. No amount of yo-yo slinging and lucky charms was going to help her. Derring-do and a can-do attitude never seemed to fit the bill when it came to personal problems. This was not Ladybug's problem, it belonged to Marinette.

And Marinette Dupain-Cheng was not at all impressive.

Marinette Dupain-Cheng was frustratingly ordinary. She was okay at school. She was fairly fit yet a bit clumsy. She baked cookies. She liked fashion. She had a hopeless crush on Adrien Agreste. She…

…

Was she really cut out to be a hero?

When Marinette first took on the role of Ladybug she made the decision to conceal her identity solely because she thought she ought to. If she were to become some sort of comic-book super hero then she would play the part. Besides, keeping her parents out of the loop would save her a lot of trouble anyway. This immature view faded as time passed however. Fighting evil tended to do that to a girl. In the place of her naiveté came an overbearing doubt.

Wouldn't everyone be disappointed if they found out?

Marinette was just a girl, but Ladybug…she was a figure that all of Paris looked to in times of need. How could she live up to that? Even if by some miracle someone needed her help she wouldn't be able to do a single damn thing.

Marinette's train of self-deprecation was cut short by a gasp from Tikki. In the blink of an eye the kwami zoomed into the inner pocket of Marinette's coat. The cause of Tikki's panic soon became apparent to Marinette when a tapping began to emanate from her window.

Adrien was enjoying his window ledge perch much more than he had expected to. Paris was beautiful at this time of night, the lights of the city accentuating the architecture. A residual smell from the bakery's day operations tickled his nose and made his mouth ever so slightly drool. Best of all, however, was the dumbfounded look on Marinette's face once she noticed that the Chat Noir was right outside her window. Good lord, he was feeling better already.

Marinette was able to get over her shock long enough to open the window and Adrien was greeted with an acerbic "What is it kitty?"

"I was just taking my nightly prowl when I realized I hadn't seen you for 24 hours," purred Chat, "such a long time spent apart is terrrrrrrible for the mind. I came right over."

Marinette crossed her arms. "I seem to recall inviting you back if you dropped the jokes. There wasn't a clause for just dropping by."

"Then I suppose we'll take this time to perform negotiations," said Adrien as he stepped across the boundary of the window into Marinette's room.

"I'm not really in the mood at this very moment actually," groaned Marinette. She moved in front of Adrien in an effort to block his advance into the room but there was very little conviction in her motions, as if she was uncertain about something. Underneath her eyes were the beginnings of dark circles and breaks in her lips' skin suggested she had been biting them before his arrival.

"Princess…are you okay?" inquired Chat, halting his advance.

"What? Oh…," she said in a low voice, "Nope! Perfectly fine!" exclaimed Marinette in a rather insincere, peppy fashion.

Adrien wagged his finger in front of her face. "Come now. It's purrfectly fine to tell me. Don't tell me it's about your prince we discussed last night?"

"Don't go sticking your nose into my business Chat Noir; I have a squirt bottle you know?"

Adrien laughed at this. At least she still had her wits with her. "Okay, okay. But really Marinette, what's wrong,\? he said, this time while placing his hand on her right shoulder.

Marinette stared at his hand, lost in thought. Wherever she was right now, she was far away from him. Adrien didn't know whether to be happy that she seemed to have stopped hiding how she was feeling or sad that she was feeling this way.

Slowly but surely, Marinette brought her right hand up her torso until it was resting on Adrien's. "Chat Noir," she started, "I could ask you the same question."

Adrien pulled his hand from her grasp. "I'm not quite sure what you mean," he babbled defensively, letting his hand flail around in the air.

"I'm guessing you haven't looked in a mirror recently?"

"Why? Is there something on my face? I washed it this morning I'll have you know."

"It's not a matter of dust and grime or anything like that kitty."

"…"

"It's your eyes."

His eyes? Had he been crying or something? What was there to be gleamed from those green eyes of his, peering out at her from beyond his mask?

"They look very tired."

Adrien turned towards the window. Perhaps it had been a mistake to come here. He wanted to lift his mood, not worry his classmate. He would have to just up and leave like an indecisive cat unable to settle on a lap.

He was stopped by a firm grip grasping his wrist. He tried to pull his hand away but Marinette was not willing to let go just yet. "Princess," he growled, "I think it best that I leave."

Marinette did not falter. There was no reaction to Adrien's words. Only her eyes staring into his, probing him for answers.

"I saw you earlier today."

That wasn't what Adrien was expecting her to say. "Sorry?"

"You were at my school today. There was a big green wolf that you and Ladybug stopped. It was pretty cool."

Perhaps Adrien could salvage this night after all. "Oh but of course it was. Everything Chat Noir touches becomes cool."

"I don't think your argument with Ladybug afterwards was very becoming though."

Salvage the night? Never mind. "Well Princess, even heroes have some things they need to scream out."

Marinette finally let go of Adrien's hand and began to fiddle with one of her pigtails. "Were you hurt earlier? I swear I could see some blood."

"Yeah I got nicked earlier," confessed Adrien as he brought the knee of his previously injured leg to his torso, "but Ladybug's power fixed it right up."

"She 'fixed it?'"

"Yeah. Ladybug always reverses whatever happens when the battle's over. It doesn't matter at all if I'm injured."

Marinette's canines dug into her lower lip. Adrien noticed too late that he probably made a mistake with his wording.

"It does matter," whispered Marinette, barely perceptively.

Adrien ran is hands through his hair. He had no desire to repeat his argument with Ladybug. "Princess," he crooned, "I'm your-no-this town's hero. Throwing myself into perrrrrilous situations is my M.O."

Marinette opened her mouth to object, but Adrien was quicker than she was this time around.

"I want… I NEED to protect people. It's why I'm here. It's why Chat Noir exists; and I will continue to do so no matter what. If I can defeat an akuma at the cost of some blood, then I'll pay that cost. If I can beat one more monster, help one more person, then I'd give my life."

Shocked, Marinette placed her hand over her mouth. "Your life?" she groaned. "Just what do you think such a thing is worth?"

"Meow?"

"You're not a knight in shining armor Chat. You're a person. A talented person, sure, but a person all the same. You can't just go around willing to pay such a cost. You need to be realistic. You can act like a knight all you want but in the end you're Don Quixote."

Adrien did not like what Marinette was saying. She didn't understand him. How could she? Chat Noir was a being of both freedom and responsibility. If the world needed him to stop gallivanting around Paris and put his life on the line he would do it; even more so if it meant assisting Ladybug.

And yet…

Marinette was being incredibly considerate. There was more she wanted to say, he could feel it radiating off of her, but she kept it in check. He was at a loss with her.

"As long as I help Ladybug nothing else matters."

Adrien turned to leave once more. Marinette's expression had begun to contort and he had not the gumption to see the change through to completion. Before he was able to vault through the window something came down on top of him and blocked his sight. Marinette had thrown the comforter from her bed over him.

Adrien felt the comforter restrict his arms, pinning them against his body. Marinette had thrown her arms around the massive bundle in a desperate hug. Her weight began to pull down on Adrien as he realized that she was probably sinking to her knees. Adrien let himself go and followed Marinette's lead. Being underneath the comforter was a tad uncomfortable, but it was warm. Now on his knees, Adrien explored his new environment. It smelled nice; he was enveloped with Marinette's scent. She smelled of irises and certain sweetness, like cookies baking in an oven. His back felt heavier and warmer than the rest of his body; Marinette was resting herself against it. Even through the comforter he could feel the contours of her lithe figure pressed against his back. There was more push to Marinette's physique than expected, an indication of a secret fitness Adrien did not know of.

Marinette shifted her weight a little, a move which removed the potion of the comforter covering Adrien's head. He craned his neck to the right and his vision was filled with the light blue of Marinette's eyes. His heart sunk to his chest when he noticed the tears welling up in them.

Marinette opened her mouth to speak but had to stop to swallow before she could get her words out. "I care about that person."

"What person?"

"The one right here…the silly kitty that thinks it doesn't matter if he gets hurt." Marinette nuzzled her head into the crook between his right shoulder and neck, leaving Adrien's chin resting on top of head.

"Just as much as you don't want others to hurt…I don't want you to hurt." With every word Marinette spoke Adrien could feel her breath on his neck. It was hot and tickled a little, but Adrien wouldn't dare laugh under such circumstances.

"I'm sure that…that Ladybug feels the same way about you," exhaled Marinette, "I'm sure she wouldn't want you to get hurt kitty."

Adrien laughed at this. "We're partners Princess. Ladybug knows what needs to be done just as much as I do. She's the hero and I'm the helper, nothing more."

"I don't think that's true, you're more important than that."

"…I wish."

There was nothing more to be said. Adrien remained still, allowing Marinette to rest against his body. Periodically he felt a damp heat on his shoulder as some of Marinette's tears fell from her eyes. It was excruciating. He had been too careless with himself and this was the result. All of the words in the world meant nothing when there was a girl crying on your shoulder.

Slowly he brought his right hand to rest on the top of her head. He nuzzled and patted her hair, quite ironic seeing as how he was the cat. "Princess..."

"Chat?"

"This won't be the final time you see me, not by a long shot, but I need something from you."

"What is it?"

"I'll protect myself just as much as I protect everyone else as long as I never have to see you cry."

Marinette pushed upwards against his hand, once again giving him a view of her eyes. He hadn't noticed them before, but there were freckles sprinkled sporadically across the bridge of her nose. He was having trouble seeing them through the flush on her face that had come about due to her crying.

"Are you going to say that to Ladybug as well?"

"I suppose I should, shouldn't I?" laughed Adrien. "It would make a purrfect opportunity for a hug as well."

It was Marinette's turn to laugh now. "Slow down kitty! This is serious business."

"I suppose Princess. I should think with my head instead of my heart for once."

"So your heart thinks about Ladybug?"

"I'm pretty sure every heart in the city thinks of her," sighed Adrien. He noticed a slight blush independent from the crying coming on, giving Marinette a rather odd expression. "But you're very pretty as well Princess! You should be a model!"

"Calm down kitty, don't go falling for a boring girl like me," said Marinette as she relinquished her hug on the comforter and stood back up. "I'm interested in a much better boy anyway."

Adrien stood up as well. "Ooh yes! The Prince! Care to tell me about him."

"Don't go getting competitive with someone you've never met. You boys are all the same."

"View me however you like Princess, but a healthy girl like you probably has his picture around here somewhere." Adrien began to scan the room. Lots of pink, but where would Marinette keep a photo? He saw some squares taped to the wall near her desk and made a beeline for them. Marinette tried to stop him but his animal instincts allowed him to easily evade her flailing arms. Arriving at the desk he leaned in to get a look at who he could only image was the mystery boy.

"…"

"Chat Noir?"

This wasn't good, was it? No, it was fine. No it wasn't! Okay…maybe it wasn't so bad. It could certainly be worse. Chat Noir seeing this shouldn't mean anything to Marinette. It kind of meant something to Adrien though.

Because on the wall was a picture of Adrien Agreste.

"Chat?!"

Marinette's voice brought him back from his panic. Everything was going to be all right, he just had to play it cool. Chat Noir wouldn't care about this, would he?

"Sorry Princess, just admiring his good looks. He seems familiar," crooned Adrien, his voice a tad higher than usual.

"He is good looking, isn't he? His name is Adrien. He's in my class but he's also a model." Marinette sounded vaguely proud that she was somehow associated with this boy.

"Wait…this is Adrien Agreste."

Marinette pursed her lips. "You know him?"

"At the very least I recognize him. I never forget handsome faces."

"Umm…"

"It's like my mind takes snapshots of them. Timberlake? Beckham? Agreste? All in my head."

"And here I thought you had enough self-restraint to only go after girls. I had you pegged all wrong."

Both Adrien and Marinette laughed long and hard at this. Adrien had been lucky to visit the pink room above the bakery. It had calmed his mind over what had happened, and unbeknown to him, Ladybug's as well. Lots had happened over the course of the night, but most of all, he was lucky that Sabine and Tom were so deep in their sleep that they hadn't heard the commotion in their daughter's room.