The whirring of wings and clicking of teeth rent the morning air. With so many aphids chewing at the rose stems, its not long before Cat and I began to see daylight pouring into the glass windows again. Even though I want celebrate, we are no means free for a path of thorns still stands in our way.

"At least we have the suits to protect us," Cat says, standing beside me. "Follow my feet exactly, Kitty. Yes, we're in our suits but our faces are still vulnerable." I take a deep breath, send a little prayer and start walking through the thorns. It takes all my concentration, and each step because a single task. Step. Step. Listen for Cat's breathing beside you. Don't get distracted. Eventually, we make it to the exit and we grin in jubilation at each other. We've broken free of the prison! Tossing my lucky charm in the air, the greenhouse is soon standing tall and proud, sparkling in the sunlight.

Cat grabs me and lifts me into the air, swinging me around. I laugh in exhalation, loving the feeling of the wind in my hair, Cat's warm hands at my waist. When he sets me down, I wrap my arms around his neck and kiss him, and he kisses back, one hand on the back of my head, the other low on my waist.

"Grrowl!" Cat stumbled backwards, pretending to be frightened. "My Lady, I believe there's a tiger in your stomach!" he touches my tummy lightly. "I know the perfect place for food."

Cat and I hold hands, our fingers intertwined as I push the door open to my parents bakery. Mama is ringing up change for a guest, and Papa is pouring a cup of coffee. "Ladybug! Cat Noir!" Mama rushes to give us hugs, and I have to fight back tears as my mother hugs me. Cat seems to be savoring Papa's bear hug, how many hugs does Cat get expect from me? Though I don't know how long he'll last, Papa hugs tight. "Tom, Cat isn't a plushie! Let the boy breathe!" Mama reprimands Papa firmly but gently, and I burst into giggles. "Sorry, Cat Noir. Tom can be enthusiastic," Mama says. "No worries, I don't get many hugs expect from M'lady here, and Marinette." My stomach rumbles again, and Mama hears it. "Goodness! You two must be famished! I'll make you breakfast! Imange being trapped in that greenhouse!"

"It wasn't all bad, was it, Bugaboo?" I giggle and shake my head as the image of Cat being towed around by a giant fish comes to mind.

Sunlight the color of butter floods the kitchen and the pink curtains flutter softly in the breeze. "Now, I'll have your tummies full as soon as I can!"

Cat helps me onto one of the high stools and sits down across from me. I sigh happily, and let myself relax. Being at home with my parents causing the pain and stress of the last few days drain away. I catch Cat staring at me, and a pink blush floods my cheek.

"Here we are! Pancakes for the finest heroes in Paris!" Cat cocks his head. "Aren't we the only heroes in Paris?" I snort, cracking up and Mama wrings her hands on her apron in embarrassment. "Even if they're were, your our favorites!" Before we can say anything more, Papa comes in with a bouquet of pink roses in his hands and singing for all he's worth. Now, I want to crawl under the table, as I watch my father swing my mother around in a little jig and she laughs heartily. "Tom, really!"

But then, the embarrassment fades away, for I can see how much my parents love each other. I glance again at Cat. Will it be that way for us, if I can ever tell him who I am without being scared?

Its one of the best meals I've ever eaten, and Cat tells Papa he'll help him downstairs for a bit, while I help Mama with the dishes.

"He's sweet, you know," Mama says, as she hands me a dish to wipe. I am a blushing machine. "Who? Cat?" "Your in love with him, aren't you, Ladybug?"

If it was anyone but my mother, I'd deny the question, or flatly refuse to answer it. "Yes, I am in love with him. But how I can tell him that when he doesn't even know who I am?" I play with some bubbles. "I'm afraid if he knows who I am, he wouldn't love the girl behind the mask."

"If he truly loves you, he'll still love you when the mask comes off." "Maybe you should know me too. After all, you've known me for quite awhile." "Ladybug, are you-" "Spots Off."

I have to tell her before I get scared. Mama covers her mouth with a gasp. "Marinette, honey? Is it really you?" I nod, tears falling now. "Yes, its really me. I'm Ladybug." "Honey, I don't know what to say expect for, now whenever you deal with a villain, I'm going to get few more gray hairs." I laugh wiping my tears away. "Well, we are dealing with a few right now." "Sit down, and all make some tea while you tell me everything."

A great weight lifts from my shoulders, and I feel the protection of a loving home and protection of my loving parents. Above all us, I must protect them and Cat with everything I have.

I jump just a little when Cat knocks on the door. "Oh, am I interrupting anything?" he asks, seeing us sitting at the table. "No. You two relax upstairs and I'm going to check on Tom."

I lead Cat upstairs to my pink room, and cuddle in a blanket on the chaise. He seems stiff and formal, and I wonder what's wrong. "So, I may have told Tom who I am," Cat says. "Don't worry, because I told Sabine." I sigh, playing with Cat's hand. Mama didn't stop loving me after I told her I was Ladybug. In fact, I hope she tells Papa. "Your not mad, are you, Bugaboo?" I shake my head. "No. I want to tell you but I don't know how." "No rush, love. The right moment will come."

Suddenly, a chill goes through my body and I need to tell Cat now. I can feel an evil force coming. "Cat, the time is now."

I untangle myself from his arms and stand. My hands are sweating and my knees knock together. Cat kneels, taking my hands in his. "Don't be scared, Ladybug."

"Spots off." There's silence in the room, expect for our breathing and the thud, thud, thud of my heart like a drum. I peek through my lashes, Cat smiling up at me, his eyes are wet. "Marinette, love? Is it really you?" I can only nod, tears trickling down my face. "Yes. Do you still love me?"

Cat stands taking my face in his warm palms. "Of course, silly girl. Now, let's get rid of those tears." "Aren't you forgetting something? Aren't you going to tell me who you are?" Cat grins. "Well, Claws In."

I turn a beet red color as Adrien Agreste stands before me. "Adrien?" "Yep, its me." I let out a half groan, half laugh. "All those years when we were younger and I kept rejecting you because I had a crush on Adrien, and it turned out to be you the whole time!" "Well, my puns have improved over the years."

I pull him into a hug. "Even without a gold bell, you are still a fur ball." "As long as I'm your only fur ball, Princess, I'm totally cool with that." "I can only handle one of you, thanks very much."

"Adrien, we need to transform and get downstairs. I can feel something evil headed our way." "Your Ladybug sense?" I nod. "Its never lied."

It feels so good, so right to transform together, and we run down the stairs together. We burst into the bakery, weapons drawn and whirling.

"Cat, put away your baton, their not here yet, but be ready." I walk over to the bakery door watching and listening. I don't know what's coming, but whatever it is we have to be ready and on guard.

A dark car pulls up to the curb, and idles. Then Gabriel Agreste emerges from the car and walks into the bakery.

"May we help you?" Mama asks, as I step back and Cat takes my hand. My eyes never leave Gabriel's face. "I've heard you been having some problems with mice here." "Oh, nonsense, we run a clean and efficient bakery. But your welcome to look around."

I narrow my eyes. What is he up to? "I don't need to, for when I tell the Mayor he'll shut down the bakery. Unless these two give me what they want." He points an accusing finger at us. "Ladybug and Cat are pure and good. All you want is power and greed. Where is the love in your heart?"

"I don't need to answer, but I'll take my leave. Your bakery will be gone by morning." Papa is just coming out of the backroom with a tray of muffins when I hear the tray clatter to the floor. I scream as my father hears Gabriel's cruel words and faints dead way on the floor. "The only way you'll change my mind is giving me your Miraculous!"

Mama is looking pale and frightened, though she tries to stand her ground. Fear of what's happened to Papa and my mother looking so scared draw me forward. "Don't hurt them, its me you want! I'll give you my Miraculous and Cat's too, just don't hurt them!"

"My Lady, what are you doing?" Tears stream down my cheeks. "We have too, Cat. The bakery is their livelihood."

Cat slowly takes off his ring and I remove my earrings. I place our Miraculous in his outstretched hand as he grins evil now knowing our identities.

A growl of thunder rumbles as I rush over to my father, but my eyes stay glued to the man who now has our Miraculous.