The rest of the week was a complete whirlwind. Marrinette's international themed proposal for Style Queen was snapped up quickly by the style icon herself. Audrey Bourgeois demanded that she simply had to have the designs ready for the New York runway. The entire complex in the fashion industry began to simultaneously panic. Marrinette's initial designs were to be only the tip of the iceberg. Each continent would be represented, and only authentic, handmade fabrics would be permitted. Although being the inspiration behind the initiative could propel Marinette's fledgling career, it also marked her. Failure of this single show could decimate any chance she had in the fashion world. If it didn't come off just right, Audrey herself would guarantee Marinette didn't even sweep up sample scraps off the design floor. The pressure was on!

While her internship was demanding more and more of her, the expectations at school didn't get any less. She was now in the heat of finals. Graduation was the light at the end of the tunnel, but there were essays, readings, and multiple choice questions to wade through before they all made it. Chloe had surprisingly organized a study group for the group of friends to prepare for the end of the term. (Marinette was (not so secretly) thrilled that Liela was apparently once more "out of town" with her mother and couldn't crash the study group). Even though most of the ground work was done by Sabrina, Chloe herself threw herself into the task master role. She seemed preoccupied by something, and seemed to be using the study group as a diversion.

Adrien had asked Chloe privately after one particularly intense study session if everything was okay. She had tossed her golden ponytail, and patted his cheek claiming that she was "quite fine...in fact absolutely inclement!"

Sabrina had whispered to Chloe that "Inclement actually means the opposite of "fine"...stormy even." To which Chloe had glared at Sabrina and stalked out of the room. "Her model/actor boyfriend Komar has just been pretty busy lately," Sabrina whispered to Adrien. Then Sabrina had grinned, "but now she and I have so much more time together again!"

"Sabrina!" Chloe had shrieked from the hallway summoning her.

"Coming!" Sabrina scooped up the pile of books weighing her down, and panted around the corner after Chloe.

Ladybug and Chat Noir were at least relieved that the new Butterfly villain, Falfalla seemed to be staying low for this crazy week. There wasn't a single akumatization or alert. Both of them were wary though. A lull in crime for super villains usually meant that they were up to something!

They still had night patrols, but even they had become make-shift study sessions. Chat Noir swung his foot down one rung, up on the Eiffel Tower. Ladybug leaned against him, pouring over a history book. She would quiz him, trying to stump him in trivia for their test. He would be rewarded with her glances of admiration each time he recited the answer from heart.

"You really are brilliant!" Ladybug sighed, finally closing the book on her lap.

"Come on! You always knew your Kitty was clever," Chat Noir purred.

"I'm serious!" Marrinette looked him in the eye. "You could really do anything! Be anything!"

"I can't think of anything I'd rather do than be right here with you," he leaned his head against her, hoping that she might be tempted to run her fingers through his hair like she sometimes did. This time though, ladybug turned around to face him. Her face was serious, but he nudged against her hand demandingly, and she couldn't help but giggle.

"I'm trying to talk to you about the future, and all you want is head scratches you goofy cat!" Ladybug gave in and rubbed him behind his folded cat ears, making him close his eyes at her touch. She watched him lovingly as he shifted so he could lay his head on her lap. Her hand slowed, and his breathing relaxed under her calming strokes.

They sat there like that for some time, till Ladybug had started to think that he might have actually fallen asleep. It was then that Chat Noir murmured thoughtfully. "I always thought I might teach."

Ladybug didn't respond, but her hand stopped a moment before retracing her path through the folds in his hair. He opened his eyes looking up at her. "You're not...disappointed I didn't think of something more exciting or something in fashion so that we could keep on working together?" Chat Noir asked cautiously.

Ladybug leaned over him, with long strands of her midnight hair draping over him. She pressed her lips against his upside down, and raised her face up from his with a smile. "My love, you could never disappoint me! You are a natural teacher! You always know how to come along side people and encourage them...pushing them to accomplish more than they realize they are capable of!"

"Thank you!" Chat Noir said quietly.

"For what?" Ladybug asked, tilting her head slightly.

"For believing in me," Chat Noir replied.

Oooo

Marinette put down her pencil, and sighed deeply. It was finally Friday and she had just completed her last exam...well... last exam until college at least! Their teacher signalled that they only had 15 more minutes and Marrinette leaned back in her chair. Poor Kim was still frantically scribbling on his test across from her, and Ivan stared frustratedly at his page like he wished he could force it to internally combust. Mylene across the room looked over at him sympathetically. Rose was methodically taking her time, while many of the others had completed their work. Max was straightening papers on his desk, impatiently checking his watch. By his calculations there was only 13.46 minutes left in the test, and the professor's faulty timekeeping made him grit his teeth. Alex seemed cool as a cucumber, and was so bored, she was flicking bits of her eraser toward the garbage bin. Chloe was pulling her gum out of her mouth slowly, stretching it out between her two manicured figures (supplied every so often with more gum by Sabrina). Nathaniel was sketching on the corner of one page with a dreamy sort of look. Julica was just staring off into space twirling her hair around her finger nervously. Nino was leaning against his arm, like he was about to pass out, and Alya and Adrien were smirking at Nino.

Marrinette smiled to herself. She was going to miss this. As much as they were all excited to get through school and move on to the plans for next year, it was hard to believe that they would never all be in the same class together!

When finally the last paper had been turned in, they were dismissed. The class let out a whoop, trading high-fives and fist bumps all around before they raced for the door.

"Mi'Lady," Adrien held the door for Marinette,with a slight bow. He shot her a wink, and she elbowed him on the way by.

"Your Chat Noir is showing Mr. Agreste," she hissed in his ear with a raised eyebrow.

Adrien chuckled, and offered his arm, "nonsense Princess! Adrien Agreste couldn't possibly compare to the dashing hero of Paris. After all, didn't you say after that Clara Nightengale's music video we were "Worlds Apart!" Adrien used air quotes and smirked.

"I don't think I ever said it quite like that!" Marrinette crossed her arms, and closed her eyes in denial.

"I think your exact words were that I was "more lame as Cat Noir than in real life, and that I didn't look a thing like him!" Adrien poked her sides teasingly, and she popped her eyes open, grabbing his hands from tickling her.

"I didn't...okay, I did...but I was...you were..." Marinette squirmed. Then she burst, "you said I didn't look a thing like Ladybug, and that Marinette was funnier!"

Adrien laughed heartily, and dropped his arm over his riled up girlfriend's shoulders. "True, true...I had spots in my eyes!" he shook his head.

Then Marrinette rolled her eyes, with a smile up at him, "I hope you used that steel trap memory of yours on the test, rather than just giving me a hard time!"

"Why of course! Last exam down in our high school journey. Nothing can stop us now!" he held out his fist for her to bump, and she obliged.

"Ember was pretty ruffled when he found out what happened with Oubliee. I guess he is insisting that we move full steam ahead on the trials tonight," Marinette said under her breath as the walked down the deserted hallway arm in arm.

Adrien nodded, drawing her in closer, "where to this time My-Lady-Love?"

"It is going to be wild!" she squeezed his hand in excitement, "We're heading to the Amazon Rainforest in Brazil!"