Marinette felt terrible in more ways than one. She missed Tiki greatly, a hole in her heart for the loss of her friend. But that wasn't the greatest pain, the biggest reason she felt guilt. After hours of crying in the middle of the empty apartment she had been able to pick herself up and slowly start to make her way home. It wasn't until she had reached the street that it hit her. Chat! In her grief at losing her kwami Marinette had completely forgotten about the black cat. How could she have been so insensitive? Chat was her partner, her best friend. He had just lost his kwami as well and she had completely forgotten about him. He hadn't even crossed her mind. The realization stabbed her in the heart and twisted far more painfully than losing Tiki had.

Immediately she had set her feet in motion again, this time her frantic pace for a totally different reason as she headed towards the Eiffel Tower. Her stride and heart had taken up a new tune to accompany the image of her partner that stayed at the front of her mind.

Please let him be there. Please let him be there, she prayed frantically. All the while Marinette tried not to let her thoughts wander off too far. She told herself that he was going to be there, worried and shooken up sure, but there with his blonde hair making it easier for her to spot him instantly. Marinette imagined him pacing back and forth, green eyes searching the crowds, every so after checking his watch. But then as soon as he saw her all of the worry and sadness would just drain away as his face lit up in a dazzling smile. He would run to her and scoop her up in his arms as they relished in the knowledge that they weren't alone and they hadn't lost each other.

Now though, hours later, Marinette was the one pacing underneath the Eiffel Tower. Marinette was the one scanning the faces of every single person who passes by for even a flicker of recognition or familiarity. Marinette was the one religiously checking her phone every few minutes although she long stopped registering the time. The sun was on its way to soon disappearing and Marinette had long since been on the verge of tears. Finally giving up, Marinette found a bench to collapse onto and with her emotions and mind raw and exhausted she was no longer able to keep back her flood of thoughts. She was finally forced to face the truth.

Had she been too late? Had Chat already come and gone before she had even arrived, giving up on her ever showing? Had she somehow missed him? Had he somehow passed just outside of her line of vision and she was just a second to late? Had something had happened to him? Maybe he had been on his way home, still transformed and running over rooftops when he had lost his kwami? Was he somewhere hurt, injured, possibly dying? Or even dead?

Then Marinette's mind started to unload all of the worst case scenarios and her greatest fears. The ones she hated thinking because of how scared and miserable and hurt they made her feel, even worse than the thought of Chat being dead because of the light it shined on her insecurities. But she didn't have a choice. Now that the gates were open she couldn't stop them.

What if Chat had seen her but hadn't liked what he had seen and so had left? Or worse, what if he hadn't shown up at all, convinced that she wasn't going to show up herself? That she didn't care enough because she had always insisted that they keep their identities secret?

Marinette's stomach rolled violently at that thought and more importantly at the thought of the pain that must have caused Chat. Oh why had she been so stupid? Why had she insisted that they keep their identities a secret? Now they were without their miraculous with no way of contacting each other and no idea who they were. They were alone and it was all Marinette's fault.

"Oh Chat," Marinette sobbed while she buried her head in her hands. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I was an idiot, a fool. Please come looking for me. Please don't leave me alone."

For a few minutes Marinette allowed herself to just cry, body trembling greatly, as she thought about her partner. Her mind recalled all of the adventures that she and Chat Noir had had together over the last several years. All of the Akumas they had fought together. All of the times Chat had jumped in front of a hit meant for her so that she would be able to save the day. His glittering green eyes that were constantly smiling, constantly sincere. His easygoing smile that was usually accompanied with a laugh and bit up his whole face every time. His neverending over the top flirting and terrible puns that, while they were annoying, let her know that Chat cared about her and somehow helped to keep her grounded.

Oh what she wouldn't give to hear him make one now! Marinette could practically hear it now, rolling easily off the infuriating cat's tongue; his eyes conveying just how proud he was even as he eagerly awaited her response to it, his whole body all but vibrating with the happiness he felt.

"Chat!" Marinette wailed louder as the knife from her own actions and choices thrust itself deeper into her heart, leaving nothing but jogged little pieces behind.

"I love your puns. I love that I can always count on you. I love everything about you!"

Then, unspoken because Marinette could no longer form words, You're my partner, my best friend. I feel empty without you, cold. Lost and alone. I need you. You're my home. The sobs once again increased in volume a violence. I want to go home.