"Can I help you with anything?" I look up from Adrien, to see the young girl standing in the doorway. "Yes, some plants we can put on these bumps. Oh, I wish Felix were here to help." "There's a boy who looks just like him that comes around everyday. Should I send for him?" "Bring him down if its safe, and these plants." I tell her slowly and carefully hoping she'll understand. Just before she heads for the staircase, I grab her arm. "Wait! What is your name?" "Sumac. Are you really Ladybug?" "Just call me Marinette, please." She nods and scurries off into the darkness. I hope she comes back soon with the medicine.

Adrien's breathing evened out during the night, but I still don't like the look of those bumps. His eyes have been fluttered all day too. Is he dreaming? What kind of signals is his brain sending him? I wonder if he can hear me telling him I love him.

I squeeze Adrien's hand, and my heart beats painfully in my chest. His hand feels limp and lifeless, and a tear splashes down onto it. I dash a palm across my face, angry with myself. I shouldn't be crying, but it feels like a release. I look up when I hear footsteps treading down the passageway, and I put on an emotional mask.

"I brought the medicine you asked for," Sumac says quietly. "And the boy." "Felix? Is that you?" His hair is longer, tied back in a ponytail and dyed a dark green color. He catches me staring at his hairdo. "I had to disguise myself." I catch Sumac watching us. "Thank you for bringing him down. He will be a big help to Adrien." She melts back into the shadows, and I whisper to Felix.

"She seems very sweet, but for all I know she could be working for Gabriel." The medicine is a green color, but its smells herbal and clean. "Can you help me sit him up, Felix? Then I can take it from here."

Felix helps me, and gives me a kiss on the cheek. "I'll be right down the passageway. I'll be back a bit." I nod, and wait for him to go. I have to remove Adrien's clothes for the bumps are all over his body.

He's beautiful and I carefully dab the medicine onto the bumps. Adrien jerks here and there, and I press kisses to his lips to calm him down, using a soothing tone. "I know it hurts, love, but you have to endure it."

Once Adrien's bumps are dressed and so his he, I lean my forehead against the wall and sigh, At least the wall is cool, for dressing Adrien's wounds is hot work.

I raise my head when I hear the merry tinkling sound of water coming in from the back of cell. Slipping out of my clothes I stand under the gentle stream letting the water run over my face and then I open my mouth. The water is good and clean, and I feel slightly better. The darkness is tiring, but I'm managing. Adrien moans a little, and at once I'm over checking on him. I don't even care if sees me naked, we're well past those formalities now. I murmur soothing words and he settles down, so I quickly change back into my clothes.

I'm just walking back, squeezing the water out of my wet hair when I hear Felix clear his throat. "Hey. Any change?" "No, but I don't expect the medicine to work instantly." I sigh, thinking of Emile. "Felix, do think the monks at the temple could fix her? I'm on pins and needles waiting for Gabriel to make the wish. Why hasn't he done yet?" "Who knows how that monster's mind works, Marinette. But maybe that's the way to get your earrings back and Cat's ring." I jerk my head up. "You mean like a trade." "I think he would do it, Marinette." "I can't even begin to think of that with Adrien right now."

Though once the seed of the idea has been planted, I begin a rigorous routine of making sure Adrien gets his medicine and slowly the bumps begin to turn pink and fade away.

I'm waiting for the daily food ration when I hear a rasping sound. "Princess?" "Adrien!" Warm tears slide down my cheeks as he looks at me. "Welcome back." "How long have I been out?" "a few days. You were very sick, but I nursed you back to health."

When the bread rations come, I give a message to Sumac. "Tell Hawkmoth Ladybug would like a word tomorrow morning." She nods, and I start to give Adrien my bread. "No, Marinette, you need to keep up your strength." "You need it more then I do," I tell him. "You'll be no good if you pass out from hunger. Don't worry, I'll be alright."

Adrien and I cuddle close that night, and he no longer feels far away from me. Last night, I told my plan to Adrien and he thinks its worth a shot.

At daybreak, I'm waiting by the door listening for footsteps. Hawkmoth cuts an impressive figure in his purple robe. "I have a deal to make with you. I know how to bring your wife back." His laugh is evil, bouncing along the walls and I have to hold back a shudder. I wish Adrien could hold me, but I have to be strong.

"Your just bluffing." "No. Give me my Miraculous and Cat's and let us free. I promise I'll bring her back." My voice is crisp and clear and I'm glad it doesn't shake. He leans forward and I can smell his breath, rank and evil.

"You have one week to bring her back, you hear. Otherwise the Miraculous will to returned to me and I'll make my wish." "Even if I fail, you do realize the consequences that would cause." "I'll take those chances. You'll have your precious earrings back within the hour."

I nod, and Hawkmoth turns to leave, his cape swooshing behind him. I feel my legs start to feel like jelly and slide down next to Adrien. "I'm glad you have so much faith in the Guardians, love. But what if they can't find a cure?" I rest my head in his lap. "They have thousand of years of cures and redimes. If they can't bring her back, no one can."

When Hawkmoth returns for the second time, Adrien is standing with me and we are both holding hands. I could cry when he hands me the little wooden box, but I don't. "Remember your promise, Ladybug."

I nod, and we walk behind him into the light. As soon as we're free of the mansion's clutches, Cat and I are off to one of our hiding spots.

There's no time to lose, for the countdown clock has started. I transform and make a paper crane, and Cat looks at me with puzzlement as I send it up into the sky. "It will reach the Guardian's Temple before we do. But we can't sit around, Kitty. We have to pack."

And pack we do, though we keep glancing for a portal to appear and yet nothing comes. Though we stay busy my tummy sloshes with nervousness. We're packed and ready to go. We jump up as we see the glow and Marmie steps through.

"We got your message, and one of the Guardians thinks we can cure your mother, Adrien. But she'll have to wait until tomorrow." "Tomorrow? But we don't have that long." "I'm sorry, Marinette, but its the way it is. Just enjoy yourself tonight." The portal opens and she disappears before I can argue.

I pace the floor, until Adrien reminds me not to wear a hole in the rug. I smile. "Well, you've always wanted to take me to a movie, Kitty. Shall we?"

Despite everything going on, I do enjoy the movie, especially when there's popcorn and Adrien snuggle in the same chair. The night flies by quickly.

Marmie quickly leads us through the portal and I take Adrien's hand as we all look at Emile Agreste. Two other Guardians join us and Gabriel opens the chamber. "Take of care of my wife." He walks away slowly, looking back at us maybe wishing he could go to.

The Guardians carry Emile through, but Marmie instructs Adrien and I to use a second one. I'll be glad to leave the smell of decay and rot behind, I'm eager to see those beautiful mountains again. The portal opens and Adrien takes my hand.

"You ready, Bugaboo?" "Spots On. Kitty, transform." "You know we don't need to do that to get through the portal." "I just have this feeling….." Adrien does transform, and a good thing to, because as soon as we step through the portal instead of stepping into Tibet, there's only a wall of blackness.

The dark is heavy, and I snap my teeth in frustration. Didn't I just get out of darkness? I don't have time for this!

"Maybe its a test?" Cat's voice is at my ear, and I breath a silent sigh of relief. If my partner is here, there are two good things going for us. One, we're together and two, two heads are better then one.

I wish I could see something, anything but its just a solid black wall. "Can you see anything with your night vision, love?" I ask. "Nothing. Looks like we're stuck, M'lady." Oh, I need some luck right now, but I'm trapped in this blackness, like a moonless night.

"Do you think we should try walking forward?" Cat asks. "No, what good would it do? What if we were wandering around in circles and using up precious energy?"

"Good point. Maybe we should just try staying in one spot for awhile?" I slump down, defeated for now. "Looks like we have no choice, love."