Wow. Two updates this weekend. I've actually started on chapter 6 and have starting outlining the last few chapters. I'm planning on this being about 9 chapters, but it things change I'm open to adjusting my outline. Next chapter will have some references to some of the Season 2 spoilers. I want to say it will be nothing major, but it's basically an entire chapter based on one screen cap with lots of fabulous angst. And Adrienette.

Thank you for all of the supportive comments and I'm sorry I was kinda moody. I think I've mentioned on my tumblr or even here that I'm not comfortable writing multi-chapter fics and I prefer to stay with one-shots. More often than not, those one shots tend to become monsters. Anyway, once this bad boy is finished, I will work on another mutli-chapter that will involve my favorite things ever: Two Chat Noirs thus double the Marichat! I will be taking a note book with my on vacation next week to hopefully write some while I'm away. I'll also try to post chapter 6 before I leave.

Part 5

The memory of Fu's words had Marinette pushing Chat away with a wild gasp. Chat somehow managed to stay on the furniture as her fingers dug into his shoulder blades. The girl shook her head. "No. We can't do this," she hissed.

His jaw locked and something dark flickered in his toxic eyes. His hands slipped from her face to plop into his lap. His wet, plump lips twitched before he frowned deeply. "A kiss is supposed to save the princess," he finally rebutted.

Marinette folded her legs beneath her and used Chat's shoulders to push herself over him. Now that she was hovering over him, she felt more like Ladybug. She could control the situation. "What is the matter with you?" She snapped. "I just told you I liked Adrien and then you kiss me? What about Ladybug?" Her voice warbled at the mention of her other half. She was forcing herself to give up Adrien because Fu said they needed to be stronger to defeat Hawk Moth and Chat was wooing other girls? She always knew Chat's advances were a farce and it hurt her that she had to relinquish her sweet Adrien for a playboy? And that was why she fought so hard against Fu and Tikki. Chat was never serious about anything. Once the akuma was defeated, he was nothing more than a tomcat. Sure, she trusted him with her life, but her heart was something else entirely.

Chat was her best friend, but she could never love him.

She knew taking on the Ladybug mantle would change her life, but she never thought every choice about her future would be taken from her. And that scared her. She was supposed to marry Adrien and have three children, a hamster, and a dog. She would be a world-renowned designer. Marinette was still a child in every sense of the word. She was barely fifteen and every day she danced with death. She knew there was a very real possibility that she may not come home after the next battle. And now what little freedom she had left was being taken from her. Her dreams. Her hopes. Everything gone because she was supposed to be in love with Chat Noir; her soul mate.

Chat gazed up at her and she trembled. He could be serious and scary if the situation called for it. And now that she had mentioned Ladybug, she wondered if he would sprout more garbage about how great she was. Well, guess what, Chat, this is the real Ladybug. A crying mess. A clumsy baker's daughter. He would be so disappointed.

Her heart squeezed painfully and she closed her eyes against the fresh onslaught of tears that threatened to fall. Why did that upset her? Who cared if Chat was disappointed that she was Ladybug? She didn't want Chat. But, she didn't want to hurt him either.

"I know," he finally said.

Marinette's throat constricted agonizingly as her eyes flew open. He knew? Did he know she was Ladybug? Was that why he kissed her? Did he also know they were soulmates?

She couldn't speak past the dryness of her throat and mouth. But he continued, "I know you like Adrien." He spat the name with hatred and venom. "And Ladybug likes him too. I know I'm no match for him. Adrien's a perfect poster boy, isn't he?" His tone of voice left the question unanswerable even if she could force out words. He chuckled darkly before moving her arms away. He stood from the lounger and Marinette fell back onto her rear. Turning away from her Chat, paced away. "Adrien's not that great, anyway. I don't see why you want him, Princess. He's not good enough for you. He would hold you back. You and Ladybug. You both would be trapped. But you want him."

He whirled on her and she gasped, the air scratching her dry throat. Marinette could clearly see his tears as they reflected her fairy lights. "I loved her so much. But she risked everything for him!" He howled. "She was going to kill herself on that damn Tower just to save him!"

Chat stalked towards her and she flinched when he reached her, but he only cupped her face again. She blinked up at him. He held her so lovingly and every time he touched her surprised her. She never expected him to touch her, Marinette, this way. When he reached for her as Ladybug, he touches were fierce. He was either pulling her from danger or he was desperate to escape his own peril. Even when he touched her shoulder or took her hand, he did it with confidence. His grip was sure.

When he saved her from Max when she had caused him to be akumatized, he held her so close in his arms. He had carried her so far away from the scene. And to this day she still didn't know why she had called out for him. She could have easily escaped down the alley and transformed, but she didn't. And when Tikki asked her about it later, she didn't have an answer then.

Her hands trembled as she placed them over his own. She applied the tiniest of pressures to better feel his leather clad hands against her cheeks. "And you…" He whispered. "He…" He leaned his head down to rest his forehead against hers as he closed his eyes. She felt and heard his warm trembling breath. "You want so much in life, Mari. But Adrien would never be able to love you completely. His father would never want you. You have so many dreams and so much life, Gabriel would want you so far away from Adrien. You're exactly what he needs. And that's why…" Marinette watched as more tears fell from his eyes.

She danced her fingers across his arms to reach his face. This time she wiped away his tears. "But what about you?" She murmured. "What do you need?"

His lethal gazed snapped onto hers. "I don't know anymore," he admitted.