I don't know why the tears begin to well up in my eyes. And I don't like to cry around others expect for my family and Cat. "I-I need a moment. Spots On." Before Cat or anyone can stop me or say anything, I'm heading off into the trees.

I swing up into a tree, the smell of pine all around me. I settle onto my branch and see that I'm overlooking a clearing with a great view of the sky. But all I do is hug the trunk, shut my eyes and cry. Sob, even, though I'm not crying for myself, I'm crying because I feel I've let everyone down. Each time we we're about to taste sweet victory, it sours right before our eyes with a mistake or a surprise mishap.

"Why can't I just bring her back with the Lucky Charm?" I yell into the already darkening sky. Adrien, if anything deserves his mother back, and all I do is fail. I hear footsteps in the woods, and shift back a little in my hiding spot. I don't want anyone seeing me with red puffy eyes, and a defeated look on her face. Besides, I'm suppose to be the symbol of hope and courage, and here I sit, just the oppisate.

"Its not your fault, M'lady," The sound of Cat's voice whips me around that I nearly fall off my branch. I'd forgotten how quiet and stealthy cats can be, and Cat is a perfect example. "Kitten?" Another tear betrays me, trickling down my face. "Mother wouldn't want you to feel sad. Your doing the best you can." He reaches forward to wipe the tears from my face, but I swat away angrily. "I don't want your comfort, Cat! Its not just now, I should have cured your mother years ago. Your father was right, if I really loved you, I would have brought her back."

Its getting hard to see, and the tears are coming like an angry torrent of rain. Cat pulls me close, me at first trying to resist. "Ladybug," I try to look at him through my tears, so serious is his voice. "Since when has Hawkmoth ever been right? I know you love me every single day since you fell into me the first day we met." "But I…" "shh," Cat strokes my lips with his thumb and cuddles me into an embrace.

"Your doing the best you can, and that's all anyone expects of you." At last my eyes are dry, safe and protected in Cat's arms. "Now, your probably getting hungry, I know I certainly am. Marmie was getting a fire started when I left."

Cat looks up at the tree when we hit ground level. "We might want come back to this tree later, Marmie told me there's going to be a meteor shower."

We walk into camp, holding hands, and everyone is smiling at me. I clutch Cat's hand tightly and silently repeat to myself that yes, I am doing the best I can. "You look like could use this my dear," Marmie ladles up two cups of tea and I can smell the fragrant mint. The smell relaxes me, and I find my place by the fire. Another Guardian hands Cat and I bowls of soup, perfect for this cold day.

"Eat up you two," she says, smiling kindly at us. I look down into my bowl finding an alphabet of meat, carrots, peas….I giggle and ladle some carefully onto my spoon. "Time for veggies," I sing. Cat gives me a wink and shakes his head. "Come on, open your mouth." "My meow-" Ha, as he makes the pun or joke I slip the spoon into his mouth. We find each other soup, and soon we have warm and full bellies.

I like to listen to the hiss and crackle of the fire, watching the colors. I could watch it for hours, but Marmie clears her throat. "Its been a long day and we should be getting some sleep. Good news however, the car has been fixed and we should be back at the Temple in the morning." A rousing cheer sweeps over us, and I feel hope budding inside me, like the first spring flower. "M'lady," Cat whispers in my ear, "You want to watch that meteor shower?" I nod, liking where this is going, and we sneak off into the shadows. Cat is caring enough to grab a blanket, which we cuddle in as we wait.

The wind in the trees sighs a lullaby, and but Cat and I are anything but tired. He points out different constellations, his arm snug around my waist, and when the first meteor streaks across the sky, I squeal with excitement. Yes, I'm disappointed the car broke down, but without that happening I wouldn't have seen this spectacular show in the heavens.

However loving my partner can be, I have to whack Cat with my pillow as he snores loudly. "Meow's wrong?" he asks, plumping his pillow and I have to giggle. "You. Snoring has to stop." "Okay, Claws In." I give a little shriek of laughter as Adrien rolls on top of me, shedding his shirt. I stare up at him appericately. "Its a nice view from down here," I grin up at him. He leans down to whisper in my ear. "Not as good as the one I'm about to have." He shuffles off me, only to help me out of my nightgown. "So, is the view better?" I ask, as his eyes dilate. "Hmm, I think we could use a few more improvements." My underwear is next to go, then my bra. "Adrien, its cold. Think you could warm me up?" he dips slowly into me, and the next few hours are quite toasty…..

I wake to find Adrien stroking my hair gently and it looks like he's been laughing about something I've done. Oh, no. I duck under the blanket. "What's wrong?" "Please don't tell me I was sleeping talking again. I did that when I was younger too." "Hm, could it had been about a certain fragrance commercial…." "Dear Kwamis…" I groan, as Adrien pulls back the sheet and begins to recite. "How did it go again? Oh, yes," he begins to kiss me down to my belly. "Radiant. Carefree. Dreamy. Adrien, the fragrance." I whack him with my pillow. "This isn't dreamy, fur ball, this is a nightmare." "Well, if you want to stop kissing you, I can…." "No, I didn't say that! Come back here!"

We scramble out of the tent, giggling and we walk over to the fire. "Good morning, lovebirds." Marmie winks at us, as does the cook who puts some of gruel in our bowls.

Soon, we're moving again and I laze across Cat's lap as Marinette. Once again, he plays with my hair. "What are you thinking about?" I ask a little while later. I've been watching his face change from a playful grin, to a more serious expression.

"My mother. Just think, Marinette, if she has been cured by now, she'll have been asking all sorts of questions. What if she's scared?" "Then we'll comfort her. Both of us." Cat kisses my cheek, and I lay back down.

"If she is, we'll comfort her together." We're quiet the rest of the journey, and I'm glad Adrien falls asleep, for he needs all the rest he can get. I must have fallen asleep too, for Sumac has to wake us.

"Greetings, Ladybug, Cat Noir. I'm sorry to inform you that your mother isn't awake," A stern looking Guardian tells us. "But she is mending, and we have people working around the clock." "Thank you for letting us know."

"I-I think I'm going to take a walk," Cat says. "Will be okay on your own for a bit?" I nod, squeezing his hand. He hides his emotions so much better then me, but then again its understandable.

I watch him leave then head to my room, going immediately to the window seat. "Spots Off." The picture window has changed again, and the sweet smell of cherry blossoms hangs in the air, and you can see the trees dripping with pink blossoms.

Normally, I would love to go look at the trees, but hold no joy at the moment. Be strong, I tell myself. Be strong for you and Cat, and for his mother.

A knock at the door startles me, but I paint a smile on my face. "Come in." "How are you holding up, Marinette?" Its Sumac, come to check on me. "I don't know. I just feel so lost. It must be even worse for Adrien."

"I could go talk to him if you'd like." "I'm sure he'd like that, but its better to give him some space for now." "I understand."

I watch the sun dip below the mountains, and wait to hear about supper and Cat's return. Maybe some fresh air will be good for me, and I wander along the boardwalk.

People bow and smile at me, a sign of respect. Cat and I brought back the temple long ago, and this is one of there ways of showing thanks.

I find a small tree and once again scramble into its branches. The view is beautiful from up here, but then I see a lone figure. Cat. My heart goes out to the one I love, and I wish on a star that everything will be go back to normal.

"Starlight, Star bright,

Make Cat happy again tonight."

Okay, that makes me feel slightly better, and I start to head back in the direction I came. Where's the dining hall again?

I get in line with the other Guardians, and find a small back table, lost in my thoughts. Looks like I'll be eating alone tonight.

I make my way back to my room soon after I've eaten, and fall into a dreamless sleep. Sometimes during the night, Cat joins me and at last I feel like I can breathe again.