Master Fu stood watching Cat creep up on Ladybug, a grin on his face. He started to step forward, but then stayed hidden, wanting to see what would happen…..

"Cat Noir! Would you please stop sneaking up on me like that! I'm going to get gray hair before I'm thirty!" Ladybug held her heart, and glared at Cat. "But then I'd miss that adorable little pout!"

Ladybug growled under breath. She had taken a walk to clear her head and rest her tired sewing fingers. All she wanted was some peace and quiet, and now this! "Isn't a lovely night in Paris?" Cat asked, green eyes glowing. Ladybug opened her mouth, then closed it.

She looked around at the glowing streetlights and the sweet scent of cherry blossoms in the air. Master Fu knew that if these two were going to work together, he had to see them work as a team. And the perfect test was making a cherry pie. "Wayzz, get me two buckets and bring them here quickly." Wayzz hurried off and Master Fu stepped out of the shadows. "What am I, the Big Bad Cat?" Cat asked, towering over Ladybug. "That's better then being called a watermelon."

"Ahem!" The two heroes jumped. "If you are going to be a team, you need to work together and not argue so much." Cat's ears drooped and a small pout crossed his face. "Who said anything about arguing?" Ladybug giggled. "Ha, who's pouting now?" "I have a test for both of you. Here are two buckets to make a cherry pie. If you can complete the mission without burning it and working together, I'll know I picked the right ones for the job."

"One pie, coming up, Master!" Ladybug grinned. She was a baker's daughter, what could wrong?

"See, Bugaboo, in the future we'll cherry-ish time together." "Keep holding the ladder, Kitty." Plunk! Plunk! But then Ladybug giggled and Cat heard it. "See, you do like my jokes!" Ladybug climbed down the ladder. "Yeah, but can you crack a yoke?"

"May we use your kitchen? Its for a very important mission," Ladybug asked her mother and father. "Why, yes of course, Ladybug. Just let us know if you need anything." "Thanks," she said, sweetly. "Cat, time to make the pie. Cat!"

Cat had his nose pressed against the glass, longingly looking at all the yummy cakes and pies. "If your good, maybe I'll buy you a cupcake." "Goody!"

It actually was fun baking with her partner, even if he did manage to cover himself with flour, even before the pie went in the oven.

While they waited, Ladybug's curiously got the better of her. "Why do you joke so much, anyway?" Cat sighed and gave her a sad smile. "My father isn't around much, and my mother isn't around. When I miss her I tell jokes."

Cat begin straightening things up, as Ladybug took in the information. The news had come as a surprise. "Cat, come here where its warm." Cat walked over and she slipped her hand into hers. "If you ever need a friend, I'm here. Or if I'm not, right here is a safe place." Cat squeezed her hand. "Thanks." His eyes begin to glow. "So?" "So what?" "Was I good? Do I get a cupcake?" "Okay, one cupcake."

The pie turned out beautiful and it was still warm when they got to Fu's. "Good job, you've past the test. Now, shall we cut a slice?"

Later that night, with warm tummies on patrol, Ladybug looked at Cat. "I really had fun tonight, Kitten." Cat smiled at her in the darkness. "this is only the beginning of a beautiful friendship with lots of love to come."