A small noise wakes me in the morning and I go out to check on Marinette. She's looking at something on her phone, wiping her eyes. "You okay?" I ask. Marinette jumps, pausing the video. "Yeah. Just a bad dream." I crawl under the covers and pull her to my chest. "What are you watching?" "One of Emile Agreste's old videos."

Before I can stop her, Marinette unpauses the video, and Mother's voice fills my ears. "I remember what it felt like to be alone wondering if I was good enough. Usually, when we feel the most alone that's when we need the people who are close to us the most. Don't push them away and refuse help. It might be hard to tell what you need, but you'll feel better in the end." "Emile Agreste is one of my fashion heroes. Not only did she do everything in the fashion business, she was kind and good. Cat, are you crying?" I try to smile but find it difficult. "No, no. Just allergies." Marinette brushes her fingers against my wet cheek. "Cat, these are tears. What's going on? We're you close to her?" I nod. "Its okay to cry. I was crying earlier since I had a nightmare." I lean forward giving her a soft kiss. "I'm sorry. You doing okay?" "Its better now that your here," she whispers, snuggling against my chest.

By now, the sun is starting to brighten the living room. "I have an idea. How about we go out for breakfast and get some fresh air? It'll make us both feel better." "Great idea." she giggles. "What?" "How can you wake up looking like a model? My hair is all over the place." "I could help you with your hair, if you'd like." "Okay. My brush is the pink bag next to my backpack."

Marinette sits cross-legged on the bed as I work the brush through her hair. Its long, almost to her waist and I decide to put it in a french braid. "Your hair is so shiny," I grin, teasing her gently. "I remember when we were younger, you'd bat at my pigtails." "Ah, those were the good old days."

I finish with her hair, and I'm sure she's getting hungry as we walk along the sidewalk holding hands. I can see Starbucks in the distance, but there's a place I want to show her. "Would you be up for something different today? There's a bookstore not far from here, and its very cozy." "Okay."

The bookstore is like an old library, high shelves vaulted up to the ceiling, comfy armchairs, and purring table lamps on side table. "Oh, Cat. It is cozy in here." Marinette is taking it all in, her bluebell eyes looking every which way. "You must be impressed if you've even forgot about your breakfast and coffee." Just as I say it though, her stomach grumbles and I laugh. "Come on, let's get you fed."

My favorite thing here is the quiche and Marinette and I both get a slice of both the spinach and the ham. Marinette smiles as a young family comes in, three little girls and their mother in a row like little ducklings. "Do you hope for a family some day?" I ask, slicing into my quiche. "More then anything. I would teach them how to garden and sew, cook and clean. How about you, Kitty?" "Kids seem to love me. At least they don't cry when it comes to pictures." "They probably are fansicated with your ears and your little gold bell," she giggles, leaning forward and giving my bell a flick. "I'm glad you want to teach them to sew, but maybe you should start out with toys first."

One of the girls up front gives a little cry asking for up, and Marinette and I both smile as she burrows her face in her mother's shoulder. Marinette gives a soft sigh and scoots her chair closer to mine, resting her leg against mine. I'm not sure if she's trying to flirt, or just wanted to be close to me. But when I look at her, her eyes are locked on mine and I know exactly what she's up to. She wearing a loose pink blouse and its not a short-short skirt, but short enough that I can see her leg. Casually, I rest a hand on her knee then begin to run my hand up and down her leg, watching her. "Mm, that's that," she tells me softly. A loose curl comes undone and I twirl it around my finger. "Cat," she whispers. Before I tuck in behind her ear, a nibble gently at her earlobe. "Your kisses tastes better then the quiche," she giggles. She still has half of her breakfast on her plate. "Let's not have this go to waste, shall we?" I pick up a piece on the fork, and raise it to her mouth. "Go on, eat your food." When she's done, her eyes dark. "I was good and finished my food. Do I get kisses now?" "Oh, I think that-" My voice cuts off and I slide my chair quickly back from her. "What's wrong?"

Before I answer, Gabriel Agreste walks into the room. There's a man with him, but its not the bodyguard I had as a child. Besides, this man looks more like a magician then a guard. "Ah, just the girl I was looking for. Marinette Dupain-Cheng?" "Gabriel Agreste?" Marinette asks it like a question. "I've come to ask you to come work at my company. I've noticed your a exceptional fashion designer."

"Marinette doesn't need you to be exceptional! You need to leave her alone!" I growl, leaping ahead of Marinette and pushing her behind me. "Why, Cat Noir, I'm only offering her a job. Why don't you let her decide?" "You just stay away from us!" Gabriel narrows his eyes at me, pulling out a business card. "Marinette, here's my card if you'd like to give a call in your own time. It seems right now things are a little…." his face darkens but I don't take my eyes from his. "Heated." He strides out, the man following behind.

"Thanks for having my back." "He sours my mood like sour lemon," I growl. "Maybe I could help sweeten the mood? Are there any hidden rooms here?" Her eyes are devious now, and I smile. "Oh, I can think of a few."

We head to the second floor, and into the shelves. I run my hand along a particular shelf along the back wall until one book sticks out further then the rest. Pulling it out gently, a small door swings open and I gesture for Marinette to go inside. "Sure is cozy in here," she says. "But dark." "I can see fine."

"Keep talking and I'll follow your voice." She gives a little oof! When she bumps into me. I guide her arms around my neck, placing my hands on her back rubbing it in little circles. "I thought you and Gabriel were going to get into a cat fight," she giggles. "Stay away from him." I find her neck, trailing kisses to her collarbone. "I mean it." "Okay." her hands find my hair, tugging gently her expert fingers weaving through it. I gentle turn her so her back is pressed against my front. I place my hands at her waist, tugging the blouse out the way so her tummy is exposed. "Do you know how irresistible you are?" Her tummy is warm and soft and I can smell a faint hint of strawberries. "Cat, I'm not catnip!" "Maybe to me you are. You make me happy, Marinette."

Then we're kissing and I can't stop. Not only does she smells of strawberries, she tastes like them too and sunshine and I can't get enough of her sweet perfume. "Claws In." I help her toss the shirt over my head. "I think we found the romance section," she tells me, her hand placed on my chest. "Only we're the story."

We stare at each other a minute, then I slip my shirt back on. "Come on, let's check out the actual books." "Yeah, that's what people usually do when they go to bookstores." I check to see if the coast is clear, though I can one of the shelving carts nearby. I hear someone humming Vivaldi under their breath and suddenly I know exactly who it is. But I can't talk to him as Cat, it would give to much away. "Be right back," I sprint away, leaving Marinette for the moment.

When I come back, Marinette is talking to Felix like their old friends. I peek around the bookshelf. "Have you told him yet?" Felix asks, but Marinette shakes her head, looking sad. "These things don't happen overnight. You know that." What are they talking about, what does Felix know about Marinette that I don't?" "You still have it, right?" Felix reaches underneath his tie, unpinning a small brooch and sets it in Marinette's hands. "Never go anywhere without it. Besides, things seem quiet in Paris these days." "I wouldn't be so sure about that. Keep your eyes open and stay alert. You still have my number? Both of them?" "Of course." Marinette looks around. "Where did Cat run off too?" "So, your dating Cat Noir?" "Yes. Though I wish I could tell him….."

"Well, you going to stand there all day?" A shelve keeper snaps at me. Marinette steps around the corner, but I flee ducking into a alcove and transforming. "Cat, were you spying on me?" She crosses her arms, but there's not a hint of teasing in her voice. "So what if I was? What's going on with you and Felix?" Marinette steps back as if she's been slapped. "I...I...nothing." "Oh, really? I have both of your numbers? Have you told him yet? I thought I could trust you, Princess! But you led me down a path of deceit!"

I run from the room, her voice trailing in my ears. "Cat!" I pause for an only a moment, turning my head slightly. "Please." Then I'm off again, and I don't look back.