"So, what was your favorite part about New York?" I ask Marinette as we fly back to Paris. She leans her head against my shoulder. "My favorite part was being together. And I've been in my first fashion show and I didn't trip once! I say, the trip was a success!" "I can see it now," I grin down at her. "Your name and picture in magazines all over the world. You'll be so busy, I'll hardly see you." Marinette smiles at me. "Actually, I'm not sure if that's what I want anymore." My mouth drops open. Marinette has always wanted to be a design, what could have changed her mind? "Don't get me wrong, I love designing. But I think I want to stick to a much smaller scale. At least for now. I'm only twenty-one, after all, and there are so many things I do."

Some giggling kids hold hands as they toddled back to seats, reminding me of little quacking ducklings. Marinette has a soft smile on her face as she watches them. "Oh? And what are these things you want to do?" "Have my own little place with my future husband. Raise a family." "You and I have similar goals then." "But I want to leave Paris. As much as I love the City Of Light, I still have the wandering itch that refuses to be scratched." "And I take it that New York isn't that place is it?"

Marinette shakes her head. "No. A little island perhaps. Sure, I'd hope their would be a market nearby, but on the island it would just be my family and me."

We get back to Paris after midnight, and after I get home and unpack, I'm finding it hard to sleep. If I'm wanting to propose to Marinette before she leaves Paris, I'll have to do it soon. I'll also somehow have to get permission from Ladybug to tell her.

I get up from bed, sitting down at the little desk and open a drawer for a paper and pen to write some ideas down. I'm searching for a pen, when my hand closes around something small and rough. I pull it out, switching on my desk light to see it better. My Kugatama. Suddenly, I realize there is someone I can seek advice from, without endangering my secret. I remember when we were teenagers, Ladybug had a reunion with one of the past holders at the Louvre. Maybe one of the past holders of the Black Cat will have answers for me.

In the morning, after grabbing a Starbucks, I head over to the Louvre. "This is one of the best ideas you've ever had, Adrien! Well, that and that unlimited cheese store card you got." I smile at him. Plagg whispers the way, and I'm glad that this part of the museum is vacant.

I stop in front of a knight in shining armor (yes, armor, not leather). His face is covered by a helmet as he rides his horse proudly carrying a banner. "Is this the one, Plagg?" "You need to find the seal, and then say, "Reunion!"

Its hard to find, but eventually I find the seal as my Kugatama starts to glow. Dozens of pictures of Black Cat holders appear in front of me. "This one, Adrien!" Great, even the glowing profile picture the holders face is covered. I hope he is nice.

I leap up, tapping the picture, and falling to the floor. A man appears in front of me, pointing at me with his sword. "Did you need my help in battle? No one is a match for my trusty sword!" "No battles to fought today, I'm afraid. Though I guess you could say I'm a knight in distress." "No damsels? What a shame." "Er, could you remove your helmet so I could hear you clearly?" "You cats. So demanding."

"I just want to make my lady happy," I whisper. The mood shifts and the man slowly removes his helmet, shaking out his hair. His hair is a glossy black as are his eyes. "I wanted to make my maiden happy too, young lad."

He gestures to a small bench and we both take a seat. "First, tell me your name." "Adrien Agreste." "Ah, young Adrien, I can see that you've had many happy moments in your life, but there's a shadow over you too." "The past is in past. Ladybug is afraid I'll reject her, if she shows me who she is under the mask." "Then you must show her who your are." "I don't understand. She already knows me as Cat Noir." "Not as Cat Noir, as Adrien. Be Cat Noir, but without the mask." "I don't know if I can do that. Sure, sometimes my Cat personality shows as Adrien, but most of time it feels like we're different people."

"I think you'll know what to do when the time is right." "Thank you for advice. You have my name, but I don't have yours." "You may call Gib, Adrien. If it all works out, let me know." I nod. "Now," he says, standing up. "Go out and be a knight in shining leather!" I laugh as I end the reunion.

Not only as Gib given me advice, he's solved my problem about how to dress for tonight's ball. The day slips away quickly, and I quickly dress then head over to the Museum.

People are dressed to their finest and there are guards at the door. However, there's only one face I wish to see. After getting in, I spot Marinette and head over. "At your service, My Lady. Are you ready for a evening of dining and dancing?" "Dining, yes. Dancing maybe. I haven't worn heels to dance in years. I would accidentally trod on those shoes of yours and injure you!" "Don't worry, I wouldn't let that happen." "What's your outfit supposed to be, anyway? Its a costume ball, remember?" I pretend to look hurt. "Why, I'm a knight in shining leather of course." "A ladybug, with her wings still folded. I'm not quite ready to fly." "Well, shall we go in?"

"No, I'm, not ready yet. Let's go down to the heroes." Sh slips her hand into mine as we descend the spiral staircase together. Its quiet down here, and a bit cooler.

As we round the corner, Cat Noir and Ladybug the wax statues come into view. "Any reason you choose to come see them?" I ask. "I could just use some confidence, that's all."

Marinette is gazing at Ladybug statue with an expression I can't read, but her eyes are sad. "Marinette, watch this!"

I go into my classic Cat Noir pose, wearing a goofy grin on my face, "So, do I look just like him or what?" Marinette walks over, studying me critically. "Well, for starters, you'd need cat ears, a bell, a tail. Your suit color matches, but I don't know where you'll find the rest." "Go on, try to match Ladybug's pose."

"I'm going to look ridiculous," she laughs as she plants her legs wide, and clenches her fist, wearing a serious expression before bursting into giggles. "Let me try one more time," she tells me.

Closes her eyes and taking a deep breath, I'm caught off guard at what happens next. "Spots On." A pink glow swirls around Marinette, and I stand transfixed. And then Ladybug, My Lady, stands before me as if her statue as come to life.

"Marinette? Your Ladybug?" She's keeping her eyes closed. "Yes. I don't want to hide anymore, Adrien. Maybe I should have told Cat first, but I want stop hiding the hidden side of me."

"Oh, I wouldn't worry about telling Cat first. Plagg, Claws Out!" The black leather of my suit envelopes me almost like a second skin. Ladybug covers her mouth, gasping. A moment goes by, without her saying anything. "What's the matter, Bugaboo? Cat got your tongue?"

Ladybug squeals and pounces on me, knocking me to the floor. "Adrien? Your my Kitty?" I grin as we sit up. "The one and only." "Thank goodness," I can hear her say under her breath and we catch each others eye, and burst into giggles. "I'm so happy its you!" We both say together. Ladybug takes my hand, now serious. "So, now that you know who's under this mask, do you still love me?" "Bugaboo, I've loved you since the first moment I saw your flying towards me." "How is that romantic?" I shrug. "Cat logic." She narrows her eyes at me. "Are there going to be more puns, Kitty? Even when the mask isn't on?" "As soon as I find the purr-fect one, I'll share one with you." "Your a dork." "Yep, your dork. A dork who has a question for you, but needs you stand."

She looks confused as she scrambles to her feet. "What are you still doing down there, love? Its not like there are cookie crumbs!" I go into a kneeling position, detransforming. It feels wonderful to do that in front of Ladybug. Marinette. My Lady is Marinette. I'm the happiest fur ball on the planet.

Reaching into my back pocket, I pull out the ring. Ladybug quickly detransforms. "What's happening?" "Marinette Dupain-Cheng, I've loved you since the day I met you and want to share the rest of my life with you. Now that we have no more secrets between us, would you do me the honor of being my wife?"

"I'll say yes on two conditions." she wipes happy tears from her eyes. "I get to call you fur ball and no stealing my yarn ball." "I think I live with that." "Then yes, Adrien Agreste. I'll marry you."

I slide the ring onto her finger, delighted when its a perfect fit. "That was the errand I had to do back in New York, See, its jewels in shape of a ladybug." "Its perfect, and I'll wear it proudly." "Speaking of wearing things proudly, we have a ball to attend."

"Its the perfect night for dancing and celebrating," Marinette says. "Thanks for loving me, Adrien." She gives me a soft smile as we ascend the steps together, our secret identities no longer in shadow. "Always, Little Bug. I'll love you forever."