A.N.- Another day, another chapter. Originally this and the next one was combined, but I decided to split it in two. If you are on pins and needles wanting to know if Adrien's dad is ok, he's not dead and that's the important part. But you won't see him till the next chapter. Thank you for your continued lovely support!

"Amelie, these past couple months have been great, but I think things would be better off if we're just friends." Adrien was sure Plagg could secretly hear him and was laughing his head off. If he didn't care about the fallout from the break up, this wouldn't be as much of an issue for him. Amelie had been so sweet to him, and he still cared about her; he just wasn't in love with her.

The best way that he could prove that he was serious about what he promised was to break up with Amelie and wait till either Marinette's situation changed, or she was in a place where he could reveal that he was Chat Noir.

It would be a long summer not living in the apartment and seeing Marinette every day, but it was a sacrifice he was more than willing to make if it meant he could take a couple steps in the right direction. In retrospect, he had already waited this long, so they could be together; what was a little more time?

He gathered the courage and burst into his room...only to stop short at the sight of Amelie packing a suitcase. A thousand questions raced through his mind, was she leaving him, did she know about the stunt that he pulled at the party?

"Going somewhere?"

"To Milan with my father. It was kind of a last minute decision by my parents but they discussed it and felt I was ready to take on more responsibility within the company." Her face was glowing with excitement. "I'll be gone the summer, we have to finish our designs for fall after all."

The whole summer, she was going to be gone. If he broke things off now by the time that she got back she would have calmed down. The sounds of zippers closing and horns honking drew him back to his focus.

"Wait Amelie, there's something that we should talk about." As soon as the words left his lips his mind went blank. All the practices that he had done meant nothing if he couldn't deliver.

"My ride is downstairs and if I don't go now I might miss my flight." She leaves in and gave him a peck on the check.
"Whatever it is we can talk about it later."

"But Amelie,"

"I've got to go Adrien. Tell Marinette that I send my love and she better not do anything I wouldn't do while I'm gone." Before he could utter another word she was gone. When he found that he could feel his feet again he rushed to the balcony. Amelie managed to blow a kiss in his direction before stepping into her father's limo.

It had been three days since she left and he had decided that this summer would be torture, not because of her absence, but for another time in his life, he was trapped.
He couldn't break up with her over the phone; he cared about Amelie, and she deserved the conversation in person.

That was only half his problem.

He still didn't know why Marinette couldn't date him. She didn't say that she didn't want to be with him and from the tone, it sounded like her issue was more than he dated her roommate. Her voice has broken when she said it.

"Have you ever had a secret that you wanted to scream from the top of your lungs, but you can't, so it just sits there like a heavy weight on your chest?"

Why Marinette's words circled back through his mind, he couldn't figure out. She couldn't have been talking about her relationship with Chat that had already been aired. Adrien promised himself that he would figure out what she was hiding, even if it took all summer.

He glanced towards his closed door. It didn't matter much anyway, Marinette wasn't speaking to either side of him at the moment. He deserved it. The worst part was she was the one he wanted to confide in about his father but he couldn't get the words out. He missed her and there was nothing he could do about it until she was ready.

It was the only way to make him understand. She made a decision to tell him who she was and then he could understand why they possibly couldn't be together. And yet the assurance that it was the right choice, it was day number 5 of standing at his door, arm poised to knock as a petrifying fear was pumped through the course of her body. What would he say, let alone think? There were very few opinions that she cared about, but Adrien Agreste was one of them.
Tikki gave her warning that it would be dangerous to tell him, but Marinette didn't care. For the past twelve excruciating long days, Adrien was nothing more than a shell floating in and out of the apartment as he pleased. Twelve days of radio silence beside the occasional head nods and grunts as words as she was feeling the effects. She never meant to hurt him like she did. Chloe's words ran through her mind on a continuous loop driving her to sleepless nights.

Don't lead him on and be a friend to him.

If there's a tiny bit of you that holds actual feelings, then don't lose hope.

Why would she say that knowing that she was Ladybug? For someone who knew the dangers and risks that they faced everyday how could she possibly suggest there was a chance Adrien and her could be together.

Confessing her alter ego wasn't the only reason she wanted to see him. Alya has slipped two days ago that M. Agreste was currently in a small coma due to a car accident that occurred at the time of her birthday party. She needed to be there for Adrien, no matter what occurred between them.

Which was the reason why she was standing there with sweaty palms and a twisting sensation in her stomach wishing nothing but to be able to see through the door. To hug Adrien and let him know that it would be alright, that she was there for him.

What he needed was a friend.

"Adrien?" His name clung to the inside of her throat. Her hand knocked gently on the door. Silence. Maybe he wanted nothing to do with her, and she wouldn't be able to blame anyone but herself. But if being Ladybug taught her anything it was to never give up.

She called out his name again, this time the door swung open and her breath hitched.

She would have never been able to guess that the man before her was a model. His hair was disheveled at best, stubble lining his jaw, his lifeless eyes stared straight into her soul.

The heaviness in her chest sunk to the pit of her stomach. She wrapped her arms around him ignoring how his body tightened beneath her touch. Tears welled into her eyes as she began whispering an apology repeatedly into his chest.

Eventually, his arms circled back around her. And her words died out although the tears prickling her eyes did not stop flowing.

"It's not your fault." His voice cracked with vulnerability as he rested his head on hers.

"Adrien..." she peeled her body away far enough to study his face some more. "About what happened between us. There's something that you need to know"-

"I don't need an explanation Mar." His voice was tender if she wasn't careful she would get sucked in. She needed to stay on mission.

"But"-

"But nothing. I was the one who crossed the line." Marinette would never know how much he mentally beat himself over his choices since that night. He didn't regret letting her know how much he cared about her, but that kiss was haunting his dreams. He craved her touch even in the tiniest amounts, which made it that much harder to have her in close proximity. "I don't regret how I feel about you, but I should have never put you in that position. Your friendship means everything to me. I don't want to jeopardize losing you. If you're happy with Chat Noir I need to accept that the better man won."

Except, had he? Marinette hadn't reached out to Chat despite the texts that he had sent out. The combination of that and Marinette not talking to Adrien was driving him mad. He was afraid he lost her.

"Maybe one day in the future things can be different, but if all I receive is your friendship, that will be more than enough." His words caused her breath to catch. She allowed herself to drift off into a reality where things were different. Hawkmoth had been defeated and Paris was safe once more. But that's all any of it was, dreams.

"I can't let you sit around for something that might never happen. You deserve to be happy. What about Amelie? I'm sure that in time-"

"I meant what I said that night," the sight of his throat constricting sent chills down her spine. "Things aren't going to work out." What? He was going to break things off with Amelie?

"Why?" She whispered. His eyes shown for the first time since he opened the door.

"You know why." Her heart skipped a beat. Her knees grew weak against his gaze, but she couldn't bring herself to look away.

The sound of Adrien's cell phone ringing snapped the two out of the trace and he didn't wait until the second ring to answer it.

"Nathalie, how is he?" Marinette watched as his eyes knit together and he began to pace. His shoulders slumped as if the weight of the world was dropped on him. "But I want to go visit-" he was cut off and one hand ruffled through his hair in frustration. "No, I understand, if that's what's best." The second he hung up the phone he threw it on his bed in frustration.

"Your father?"

"Still in a coma," Adrien replied letting out a sigh. "I wanted to visit him tonight, but Nathalie and the company finds it in their best interest if I attend the fashion show."

The fashion show.

With the fight with Adrien preoccupying her mind, she had forgotten all about it.

"Something about being a pillar and face for the Agreste name. Show the media that I'm strong, and this isn't affecting me."

"I wish I could be like them sometimes, pretend that it doesn't matter that he's hurt as long as the company is ok but..." his voice gave out on him and he forced himself to look anywhere but her.

Marinette reached out and grabbed his hand out of instinct. The touch warmed his whole body.

"Look at me Adrien." She said softly, and he complied without any resistance. "Don't even be like that. You are one of the kindest and compassionate people that I know. Becoming a corporate robot doesn't suit you." She squeezed his hand softly trying to be comforting. "You don't have to be strong all the time, no matter what anyone says. He's your father, you have every right to be upset." He nodded silently, and Marinette wished that she could read him better. She was always an open book to him but at that moment, she didn't know if she was helping at all.

"Will you accompany tonight? I don't think I can go on my own with the reporters and their questions." Marinette offered a kind smile and squeezed his hand. It was impossible for him to give him what he wanted, but she could give him what he needed; a friend.

"Of course." She replied. "Besides I was promised to be paraded around in front of your competition." She cracked a smile repeating his words from the previous week.

"We can even visit your father together in the hospital tomorrow if you would like." She begrudgingly released the hand she was holding instantly missing the contact. Her inner mind chided herself, she had slipped into more than friendly behavior almost as if it was second nature.

"I would like that." He replied as if he could breathe again.

"Are you sure you're ready for this?" Adrien asked eyeing her warily. Marinette had been his friend for years, but this was different. He had managed to keep the damage of fame away from his friends so far, but without his father present, the press might draw some conclusions about them. She had already agreed to the night, but he was afraid that somewhere in the drive that she had changed her mind. He wouldn't blame her if she had, it was a normal response; the thought didn't help the sweat that was gathering on his palms.

"As long as you're with me every step of the day."

"Always Princess," he whispered underneath his breath and then froze. The nickname just slipped, maybe she didn't hear him.

"I'm sorry?" Marinette's eyes were wide, and her lips dropped ever so slightly. If he didn't act quickly then she would put together that he was Chat Noir seconds before the press would swarm them with pictures.

"I said always Mari." He countered quickly flashing one of his model smiles. He didn't like lying to her, but if her party was any indication, she wasn't ready to learn the complete truth yet. He didn't know if she believed him before he could add anything else the driver turned his head back towards them.

"Sir, we're here." All thoughts of the last minute erased through his mind. This was it, the chance to make his father proud. All eyes would be on them sensing how the future of the Agreste name would fair in the fashion industry. He couldn't be happier than Marinette had agreed to join him, her presence always put him at ease.

"After you," he said. The tension sprawled across her face faded and a smile took its place in her features.

"Mr. Agreste, over here!" Marinette didn't take in account how overwhelmed she would feel the moment that she stepped out of the car. Between the camera's flashing and the shouting for attention, she didn't know how Adrien put up with this his whole life. She could feel Adrien hovering close and resisted the urge to grab his hand for the instant comfort that it would provide. It would send the wrong message.

"Mr. Agreste, who is your lovely date for the evening?"

"Mr. Agreste, any comment on your father's condition?" The questions came at a rapid pace from all different directions it was hard to keep track of them all. Thankfully most of the questions were directed at Adrien. There was one journalist that seemed fixated on her repeating the same question.

"Miss Dupain Cheng, any comment about the rumor of your relationship with Chat Noir?" Marinette's whole body tensed and couldn't speak. Out of all the questions that she was thought she would be asked, that wasn't one of them. She had figured that the world had forgotten all about them. She flashed a distress signal in Adrien's direction hoping that he would come to her aid. He didn't disappoint.

"Miss Dupain Cheng is here as a guest for the Agreste company. My father is growing stronger every day, and who we are dating is no concern of anyone. No further comment." He pushed his way through the remaining people making sure he didn't lose Marinette in the process. The shouting died the second they entered the door of the venue.

"How do you deal with that on a weekly basis?" She asked. it was like he flipped a switch to become this calm collective guy in the midst of a stressful situation. Adrien shrugged nonchalantly in return.

"You get used to it." He replied as a boyish grin formed and he bumped her shoulder with hers. "Ready to see the summer dresses?" Marinette didn't hesitate a single second before her answer slipped from her tongue.

"I've been ready since I saw the designs."

The way that Marinette smiled would never stop warming his heart. She resembled a kid on Christmas morning with the designs everywhere. He led her to a front row seat which was originally for his father and himself, but he didn't see the harm of allowing Marinette to snag the seat. The host came out and welcomed everyone to the night, she reminded him of the girl who occupied the seat next to him. Not in appearance, but the way she was welcoming from the moment that she opened her mouth. The lights dimmed, and Adrien became highly aware of how close his hand was to hers. It wouldn't be so hard for him to scoot his arm over and no one would be the wiser.

His hand inched closer and then he stopped himself and drew back. To honor Marinette's wishes he promised that he wouldn't pursue her as Adrien, something that he intended to keep no matter how much it stung.

The one thing that still confused him was her response to the press when asked about Chat Noir. She seemed hesitant, which would make sense if no one knew about the relationship, but that wasn't the case. Paris was divided between a civilian and a superhero and disappointed that LadyNoir wasn't a thing. It warranted enough worry that he decided right then that he would be visiting her that night. If there were problems with their relationship he would rather know so he could fix things. Something had to bother her in order to not to respond to her texts.

He didn't realize that instead of watching the show his eyes were set on Marinette. When she caught him, his face turned and fought the heat rising to his cheeks. Thank goodness for the darkness otherwise the entire building would witness his embarrassment. In his state, he failed to notice a small smile play Marinette's lips.

"Miss Dupain-Cheng, a word?" There was a chill laced with Mrs. Malone's words that spread to the room. Despite Amelie's reassurances, ever since the dinner at her house Marinette was sure that Mrs. Malone didn't care for her or her talent. She didn't want to leave Adrien alone, but it appeared that this wasn't a request. The model flashed her a reassuring smile while gave her enough courage to follow Amelie's mom away from prying ears.

"What are your intentions with Adrien Agreste?" Her question caught Marinette completely off guard. Her lips parted, and she was sure she looked like a gaping fish out of water.

"I'm sorry?" Maybe she heard wrong. Although Mrs. Malone didn't like her she was never that forward with her line of questioning.

"Don't act coy; Adrien Agreste." The redhead took dominant steps towards her. Her glare could almost rival M. Agreste's in the way it sent chills down her spine. "I've seen how you two interact, let alone the way he looks at you. No doubt you've heard the rumors that the press started to circulate tonight." Each word acted as a needle pricking her skin. "No need to remind you how this would affect Amelie, so I wanted to hear it from your lips. Do you, or do you not have feelings for Adrien Agreste?" Her voice finished in a haunting low tone. Marinette's body clenched, she wasn't willing to admit her answer to Amelie's mother of all people. A new sense of courage sprung through her body.

"Adrien and I are just close friends, If the press is talking about Adrien and Amelie's relationship, it is either fabricated or a reflection of their reality. Either way, you don't need to blame me for the cracks between them." Each word pointed and concise giving no room for twisting her words. There were several reasons why Adrien and Amelie's relationship wouldn't work out that didn't include the blonde's feelings. Mrs. Malone's eyes narrowed.

"Do you know who you're talking to?"

"Yes, Mrs. Malone, and believe it or not I am a friend of Amelie. She has shown kindness and loyalty over the years that I've known her. If she was here I'm sure she wouldn't appreciate the tone and what you're implying." Marinette had enough of her accusations for a decision that was hard enough already. "If you excuse me, I have other to return to Adrien. He wanted to introduce the Agreste's newest employee to a couple other designers." Ok, so it was a lie. She hadn't officially gotten picked yet. But she did find it strange that none of the other interns were invited. That had to mean something. She captured the priceless expression on Mrs. Malone's face before disappearing into the sea of people.

It didn't take long for her to find the blonde through the crowd, but he was deep in conversation with a couple designers. She didn't want to intrude so instead she stood off to the side and waited patiently for him to finish. The time allowed her previous conversation to completely sink in and tears started to threaten to spill over.

Moments later she felt him by her side, his hand hovering just off her skin as if he was afraid to touch her in her fragile state.

"Hey, what's wrong?" His eyes searched hers for a second before flickering over to where Amelie's mom once was. "Talk to me Mari."

"Can we go home" She couldn't bring herself to glance at him. If she did, then maybe she knew that she would break down completely attracting more attention to herself. " Please." Her chest clenched, and her breaths became shallow.

"Anything for you." He placed his hand on the upper back and guided her through the crowd towards the car.

Marinette's heels were kicked off the second she stepped back into her apartment. Adrien would be back in a moment which gave her a second to collect herself. Her head was spinning from the ups and downs of the night to the point she could barely keep her thoughts straight. None of that mattered.

What did was how at peace Adrien was tonight, a complete turn from the previous week. He had taken control showing her around and introducing her to designers.

The only sore of the night is the conversation she had with Mrs. Malone. She understood why she was defensive of her daughter, her mother would have done the same thing. It wasn't her place to announce Adrien's intentions with Amelie. From the sound of it when the two break things off she would be to blame in the mother's eyes. Not that Adrien's news could mean anything, it still didn't change her predicament.

She allowed herself to scan the apartment silently. It had been a couple days since Amelie left on her business trip and her lack of presence was felt. Marinette was happy for her, this was a big opportunity that her parents provided her with.

She took off her necklace and allowed her hair to fall back down to her back. The bed in her room was calling her name. Marinette was sure of one thing, it wouldn't take long to succumb to her dreams...Until she reached her room and found the window open that was closed when she left. As she hurried across the room her adrenaline started to kick in.

"Hello?" If was a burglar, they should have realized that there wasn't much in their apartment worth stealing.

"I don't know what I should worry about more," Marinette gasped as familiar green eyes gave away his position perched on her bed. "That my girlfriend is avoiding me or that she's spending nights with supermodels." His smirk grew as the cat who caught the canary. "Care to weigh in on the subject, Princess?"

A.N.- Already have started on the next chapter, think you all will really like it. I DO have a request. I'm looking for recommendations of really good fanfics to read. ( I read mostly ones that fall within the love square.) HIT ME UP BELOW! I've read a lot of the mainstream popular ones but looking for more. (heck feel free to drop yours below, it's shameless promotion. I think I'll start recommending them within my author's notes (JUST NOTE which site it's on) Also bother me on tumblr! (Rose Garden Twilight ) I'm getting ready to work on one-shots that will be released after this story is done. I'd love to even just talk about MLB theories. That's all for now. Let me know what you think!