AN: So as it happens I was productive tonight and managed to get this next chapter out. Hope you like it, don't forget to comment also I wont be terribly offended if you point out any mistakes I've made in typing or otherwise! Enjoy!

Chapter 5: Empty Walls and Clean Slates

Marinette had spent most of the day working on her new project. It was coming along nicely so far; she had managed to trace and cut out all the pieces of the dress and still had enough fabric to spare in case she needed to make alterations or any accessories. She had only stopped working briefly for lunch and to call Alya to tell her she wasn't going to make it to the movie.

"Are you sure girl? I feel like I haven't seen you all week?" Alya gave Mari a concerned look from the screen of the mobile phone.

"Really don't worry about me Alya!" Marinette gave what she hoped was a reassuring smile, "We'll hang out soon, okay?"

"Definitely! I'll Txt you later and tell you how it was!" Alya gave a wave and a smile and hung up.

Marinette had been working for several hours and didn't notice the sky outside growing darker. She was so immersed in her work that she didn't notice when a certain cat stuck his head through the door to her balcony. Instead of just bursting in Chat thought he would observe for a moment. Marinette was hunched over a sewing machine, feeding a length of fabric through gently. She had a look of utter concentration on her face and a few pins held between her lips. Chat decided it was time to make his entrance. He pulled the door all the way open and leapt through skipping the small stair case and landing straight in the middle of the room.

"Good evening Princess." Chat said as he landed, Marinette who had been absorbed in her work looked up surprised.

"Ch-OW!" she jerked her hand back from the machine. She had been feeding the fabric under the needle when he had dropped in and the shock had caused her hand to get jabbed by the machine. Marinette cradled her hand to her chest.

"I'm sorry! I didn't mean to frighten you!" Chat crossed over to where Marinette was sitting and reached out for her hand, "Is your hand okay?"

"Its just a prick, I'm used to it really-" Marinette tried to shake off his concern but Chat snatched her hand and examined the bleeding digit. In reality it was a little worse than just a prick. The machine had been going fast and the needle had punctured her skin a few times and rather deeply before her reflexes kicked in. For a guy with claws he was extremely gentle with her hurt hand.

"Do you have a first aid kit?" Chat asked his eyes full of concern; Marinette was surprised for a moment.

"It's um in my bathroom, just under the sink…" Chat dropped her hand an walked to the bathroom only to return with her first aid kit. Because the dress and all its materials were stroon about her desk, Chat carried the kit over to the bed and began rummaging through it. Marinette got up from her desk and followed him over still holding her hand to her chest.

"Here," Chat held out his gloved hand, it took Marinette a few seconds to realize he wanted her hand.

"Really Chat you don't have to-" but his determined look cut her argument short, and she gave in placing her hand in his. His hands were warm under his suit and Marinette hoped her palms weren't sweaty. He pulled out an antiseptic wipe and carefully cleaned the blood from her hand. Then he took a small pad and some hydrogen peroxide and pressed it to the wound.

"Sssssssss-" Marinette let out a little hiss as it stung.

"Sorry…"Chat cringed with her like it was him that felt the sting.

"It's fine."

"I'm really sorry about scaring you. I shouldn't have just come into your home like that, and now you're hurt- " Chats eyes were downcast not meeting hers, Marinette laughed and chat looked up. She was smiling.

"It's not your fault you silly cat!"

"But-"

"I wasn't paying attention and my hand slipped its no big deal!" She smiled and Chat met her eyes. She really wasn't mad at him?

"Besides I'm the one who invited you here anyway, I should have been expecting you." She cringed a little as he removed the pad. Chat reached for a band aide out of the kit and placed it over the puncture.

"See there, " Marinette held up her hand "Good as new, thanks kitty."

"No problem Princess." Chat said returning to his usual self.

"Now, " Marinette walked over to her worktable and scooped up the half finished dress, "Down to business" she gave and evil grin, and Chat gulped.

"Stop Squirming." Marinette Said for what felt like the millionth time.

"How do girls wear these?" Chat whined.

"Well they're a lot more comfortable when the are finished now stop moving or I'll end up sticking you with the pins!" Chat had his arms outstretched with the rough cut of the dress draped over him. Marinette hovered around him pinning the fabric together in places and taking it in in others.

"Can I put my arms down yet?"

"Not yet, hold on."

"But they're getting tired!" Chat complained.

"You know for a superhero you really should be able to hold your arms up longer." Marinette scolded.

"Can we take a break?" Chat said and Marinette sighed, "Fine let me help you out of that though I don't want to loose any of the pins!"

Marinette slowly helped chat shimmy out of the dress, then carefully placed it on her desk. Chat stretched dramatically and flopped onto her lounge chair.

"You know I've never had one of my mannequins whine so much." Marinette snickered.

"Yeah well it's harder than it looks!" Chat sat up and smiled "But I think I'm getting better at it."

"Hmmm well that's debatable," Marinette joined him on the lounger, "but I must say you didn't look half bad in that dress." She giggled as she said this.

"You think so huh?" Chat laughed with her.

"If only I had gotten a picture I could send it to Alya for her blog!"

"You wouldn't!" Chats eyes went wide but he was still smiling.

"Or maybe I did," Marinette said dangling her phone in front of his nose, "And maybe I will!" she said winking.

"Oh no you don't!" he said making a dive for her phone she quickly snatched it away and retreated to her the other side of the room. Chat chased her as she fled and he knocked her onto the bed.

"AH Chat!" She laughed, he pinned her with one hand reached for her phone in the other. She held the phone just out of his reach above her head.

"Give me that photo!' He laughed still reaching for the phone his body pinning hers down; Marinette suddenly realized what a compromising position they were in. A blush crept up her cheeks and she meet chats eyes, causing her to drop the phone altogether. Chat noticed her discomfort and quickly got off her.

"Ahem-I uh…" Chat cleared his throat; Marinette straightened her jacket and reached for her phone.

"I wont send it to Alya I promise." Marinette said still slightly flushed.

"I trust you." Chat scratched the back of his head nervously.

"Um- well I had better be going to bed-"

"I should probably go-" they both said at the same time, then they both gave a sheepish laugh. Chat regained his composure first, climbing the stairs to her balcony door.

"Until next time, Princess!" Chat gave a salute wave and was gone.

Marinette took a moment to process what had just happened. Was she flirting with Chat? Or was he flirting with her. Both maybe? She wasn't sure. She glanced over by her desk wall; pictures of Adrien still decorated the space. Suddenly she felt sick. Had Chat seen those? Well either way it didn't matter. She walked over and began to rip them down off the wall. She couldn't bring herself to throw them away, so for now she put them into a notebook in her desk drawer. She flipped through her phone to the picture of Chat wearing her dress and looking uncomfortable, she smiled slightly. The wall looked blank and empty without all the photos. No not empty. Clean, Marinette decided, a clean slate.