"Plagg. Plagg," I sit up in my warm bed. "Would you turn down the snoring, please?" Plagg does quiet down, but its no use, I can't sleep. Maybe Marinette is still awake, after all, she's just in the next room.

"Marinette?" I tap slightly on the door. Its quiet, to quiet and I can see a light on underneath the door. Quietly, I enter her room, but she's not in bed, not even the sheets are distributed. She's not in the bathroom either, and my heart starts pounding, where can she be?

I dash back into my room, shaking Plagg vigorously. "Plagg, you need to get up now. Marinette's missing." "Okay." "Plagg, Claws Out!"

Once my door is secure, I dash to the elevator, pushing the buttons. "Come on, please," I say. Thankfully, it must have been on a nearby floor. The lobby and restaurant are closed down for the night, dark and silent. I exit quickly onto the street, pulling out my baton. "I'm sorry, I didn't want to do this," I whisper, pulling up her tracking device I installed while she slept on the plane. I would never use it, unless it was a extreme emergency, and this definitely qualifies.

She's not far, but I don't like the section of town she's in. I've been there before when I was younger, and you don't want wander there alone. I take off, thanking my cat senses that I can see even with the fog rolling in.

"Please, don't hurt me. What do you want me from me anyway?" My breath dies in my throat, as I hear Marinette sounded scared. "We're poor, sweetheart. And you have such beautiful earrings. Would fetch us a pretty penny that's for sure." "Let go of me! If you want my money, go ahead and take it, but my earrings belong to me!" "That's right, hold her still, Brick."

I crept quietly along the wall, using the element of surprise and the darkness as cover. Even before I'm near the gang, I can smell their foul odor. "Take your hands off her!" My voice is sharp as ice as I slam my baton over the thief's head. He falls to ground, taking Marinette with him.

"Oh, a cosplayer here in shining leather? Let's see what you got, Cat Boy!" A red tint of rage fills my vision, and I lift my left hand high. "Cataclysm!" At once, the swirling dark mass of destruction fills my hand, and who seems to be the leader of group backs away. "What are you, some kind of magical being?" Huh, that's a new one. "You don't want to find out."

The leader shakes the man on the ground, and Brick slowly gets to his feet, moaning. "Boss, couldn't we have picked a softer area for an ambush?" "Quiet, its just get out of here."

I growl under my breath as I can hear their heavy footsteps running away. I kneel down to Marinette at once. "Princess, can you hear me? Princess?" I shake her gently, and I sigh in relief as there's a muffled groan. "I think I hit my head. What are you doing here?" "Never mind the questions. Can you walk?"

Marinette wobbles as she stands, and I have to catch her. "Up you go," I say, lifting her easily into my arms. Her scent of vanilla and strawberries calms me instantly. "We'll talk once we get back to the hotel."

Once back at her room, I can already see a few bumps and bruises forming, but it could have been much worse. "Cat, I ache all over." "I'll run you a bath, and I can see if you have any more injuries." She's looking at me, but her eyes aren't focused. "Stay there. I'll be back in a moment."

I run some warm bathwater, filling it with bubbles. Gently, I pick Marinette from the bed, carrying her into the bathroom. Filling a glass of water, I hand it to her. "Here, this will help with the spinning. Drink it slow." She does as she told, and I'm happy when a hint of color comes back in her cheeks.

"Take those dirty things off, Marinette. I need to check you for injuries." Her hands are shaking as she tries to slip off her T-shirt. "I can't, Kitty. Can you help me?"

Even if this is not a romantic situation in the slightest, I gasp when her creamy skin is revealed, a bright Heaven and earth, she's beautiful, but what's not beautiful is the little red marks on her stomach. "What possessed you to take off like that?" I ask. "If Adrien hadn't told me you were missing, you could be dead, Marinette." "I only wanted to go for a short jog and I got lost. It was childlike and irresponsible of me." Her scent is stronger now, now that I'm so close. "You must promise never to do that again, Marinette." "I promise." "Now, stand still a moment."

Running my gloved hand up her leg, my hand feels for injuries, making a mental note of each one. Let's wash you off, and you back to bed."

The water temperature is perfect and Marinette sighs as she slips into the water. I get in her after her, pulling her to my chest. "Its good to see you, Kitty," she says, as I reach for the shampoo bottle, and start lathering it onto my hands. "You too." "What are you doing here anyway?" "That's a secret." I start to massage her hair, bubbles are forming already. "Everything's a secret. Do you know how much I want to tell Adrien, but haven't yet?" "When the time is right, you'll know.

I move to her shoulders, her stomach. I wish I could touch her without gloves, but for now this will have to do. After she's clean and dry, I find a nightgown in her suitcase and slip it over her head. "You'll be feeling sore in the morning, so make sure take some Advil." She nods, her eyes already slipping closed.

I change back into Adrien in my room, but there's no way I'm leaving her alone. I crawl in beside her, cuddling up to her.

Morning wakes me with bright sunlight, streaming in the hotel window. Marinette is still asleep, facing away from me on the pillow. I curl my arm around her waist, whispering in her ear. "Good morning, my love. Rise and shine!" "The only rising I'm doing is whacking you with a pillow," comes the sleepy reply. "Oh?" My hands find her stomach. "I was going to get you your coffee so you could have a few more minutes in bed. But if your going to be whacking me with pillows…."

She leaps up suddenly, the soft pillow hitting me squarely in the face. "Sneak attack!" she leaps up, and runs to the other side of the bed, giggling. Oh, she's playful this morning. I get up, hugging my pillow to my chest as I give her a pouty look. "Not even a good morning kiss? Physch!"

For the next few minutes, we're giggling like crazy, going at it with our pillows. Finally, I have to call a truce. "I give! I give!" Marinette drops her pillow. "Good! I'm Queen of the Feathers!"

I catch her arm. "Now, about that kiss…." at first, our kiss is tame, but after last night, I start to intensify the kiss. "Marinette…" I whisper, nibbling on the sweet little lip. But then we jump apart as there's a knock at the door. "Be ready for breakfast in ten minutes!" We hear Anya say.

"Yipes! We better get a move on!" Marinette grabs her suitcase, and runs to the bathroom. Exactly, ten minutes later, we're seated at one of the tables at the restaurant. Marinette squeezes my hand. "My head hurts. Do you the Advil?" "Right here," I mummer. "Take with your orange juice, okay." she nods, swallowing both pills easily.

Good, that should make her feel better. The pancakes and eggs are heavenly, and Anya goes over today's schedule. "First, we'll have a short dress rehearsal But before we get to the show, Marinette. I was wondering if you'd be intersed in modeling a few spring garden pieces for a magazine?" "I'd love to! Just tell me where to go." "Excellent."

On the car ride over, I'm trying my hardest not to think about the swarms of black cameras that look like locus. Sure, I know the people are just doing there job, but when you felt like an item and not a human when you were younger, its hard to love the paparazzi.

"Adrien, you okay?" Marinette breaks into my thoughts. Anya looks up from some paperwork, peering over her glasses. "You do look a bit pale, dear. Here, drink this water."

The water does help, and I focus solely at helping Marinette out of the car. "Are you nervous, love? Your hand is sweating," Marinette murmurs to me, and I look at her at the wrong moment. Flashes like lighting fill my vision, the clicking of cameras is like insects on a warm summer night. "I need to get away from here," I look around for a exit, but people surround us like bees hovering around a flower. I feel a gentle hand on my shoulder. "Adrien, come with me." Anya says. I look at Marinette watching us. "Who will take care of Marinette?" I ask. "I will." A man with blonde hair and sunglasses steps forward. "Just feel better."

Anya leads me to a hidden door, and the brightness fades away as we find a small bench. There's few people in this hallway and Anya waves one over. "Get Adrien a juice, please. Make sure its cold."

The attendant nods, her heels tapping away musically. "What's wrong, dear?" I can't answer, as tears start to slip down my face. It bursts out like a dam, and I tell Anya about last night and my intense dislike of the cameras. She hands me a tissue, listening quietly. "Your Emile and Gabriel's son?" I blow my nose, nodding. "I used to know your mother when we went to fashion school together. Your mother was one of the kindest girls at school. You have her looks and personality, Adrien." "Thank you." "I don't want you to feel uncomfortable, so take this pass for backstage access. You'll still be able to help Marinette, plus…." she pauses as she draws a small map. "Here's where the side door to the stage is. Pop in through here, and you'll be able to avoid the cameras." I smile. "Thank you for your kindness. Is there anything I can do for you?" Anya blushes, fiddling with a strand of her curled hair. "I do need to pick out a suit for my husband. But I'm terrible at men's wear. Perhaps you could help this afternoon?"

I give her a genuine smile. "I'd be happy to help." "When your ready, head towards the stage area." I nod, watching her go. I take a deep breath to steady myself. "You okay, Adrien?" Plagg floats in front of me. "I'm fine now. Can you believe it, Plagg? Anya knew Mother!" "I'm glad for that, Adrien. But this afternoon you have more important things to do then pick out a suit!" "And what would that be?" I grin at him as I stand up. "Finding New York's finest cheese shop?" "No, finding Marinette a ring. You may not be ready to propose, but it never hurts to start looking." "Your right."

I find Marinette wearing a purple dress up on stage as Anya gives directions. "I'm surprised you didn't recognize me, cousin." The man in the sunglasses is back and as he slips off, I know my cousin instantly. "Felix!"

"I'm covering the event for one of my college classes, though I'd someday rather be in the library. Oh, this is for you and Marinette."

He hands me a thick printed paper and as I scan it, I see that it is an invitation to a ball at the Grevin Museum back in Paris. "We'll be there."

After the shoot wraps up, Anya strolls over to me. "Marinette is going to grab some lunch, then head back to the hotel. You did wonderful, my dear!" "Thanks."

We eat at a small outside bistro, ordering soup and sandwiches. Marinette holds my hand tightly, being quiet throughout the meal. "What's going on in your thoughts?" I whisper. "I'm just tired, I guess." "Get some rest when you get back. Your body took a beating last night." "Adrien?" "Yes, sweetheart?" "I truly am sorry what I did last night. I hope you can forgive me." "I already have."

Picking out the suit doesn't take as long as I thought, and Anya asks if I'd like to look in any of the nearby shops. "Could we stop in the jewelers, perhaps?" "Of course."

The air in the shop smells like lemon polish, and I walk up to the counter. "Could I do a custom order on a ring, please?" I ask. "Of course. What did you have in mind?" Slowly, I start to describe the ladybug ring I've been wanting for quite sometime now. Anya smiles at me then walks deeper into the shop. It takes awhile, but eventually we come to a design and a deal.

Though I don't know when or how I'll propose, I'm prepared.