22: Simon Says

When Cat arrived in my room later in the afternoon, I immediately made him sit on my bed.

"Jolene, you're starting to worry me," He said as I sat down next to him and grabbed his hand. My body started to shake.

"…I got scared," I admitted as I looked down on my lap. "Reflekta chased after me and I hid."

Cat only hugged me and rubbed my back. "Hey, it's okay now. I'm here."

I only nodded as I hugged him. We stayed like that for a while, neither of us speaking.

"…When I hid from her, it triggered a memory that I've been desperately burying," I started softly.

Cat only continued to rub my back soothingly, "You don't need to talk about it if it makes you upset."

"But I want to," I stressed as I pushed back far enough so that we were facing each other. "Maybe next time I might lose it and get an episode like when you visited me at the hospital that night," I frowned. "I'm not going to tell you everything, just enough to not keep it a secret anymore."

Cat only searched my eyes and nodded slowly, "I will not tell a soul."

I took a deep breath, "My birth name isn't Jolene Baudelaire."

"…Okay," Cat's eyes widen as he slowly breathes out. "I have a feeling you are going to tell me why."

I nodded, "Back in California, my twin and I witnessed some bad guys doing something really bad. And because of that," My voice cracked as tears fell from my cheeks, "Those bad guys killed my family."

Cat immediately pulled me over his lap and hugged me and kissed the top of my head.

"I'm sorry," He whispers as he squeezed me a little. "I- I have no words."

"You don't need to say anything," I whispered as more silent tears fell down my cheeks. I hugged him tightly and buried my head on his shoulder. "And as you can tell, I was the only survivor.

"I survived out of pure luck. I was visiting my grandma's house when they invaded my home."

"Wait… your grandma?" Cat asks.

I shuddered. "In order to protect them, the rest of my surviving family was told that I was dead with my parents and twin."

Cat's hand cradles my head, "…So when you said you can't go back... It's because you can't see them. Or risk that they recognize you."

I only nodded as I felt my body become limp, "I sacrificed my identity so I could protect my grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins." I sniffled. "I wanted to say goodbye one last time. But I couldn't- I never could.

"I can't allow myself to return. The people that killed my family belong to a dangerous organization.

"And they know I'm alive."

Cat stiffened and slowly pulled back. I looked at him, my eyes still pouring tears, "That's why I moved to a different country with a new name and why I changed my appearance a lot back then. And why I was so-" I was stopped as Cat kissed my cheeks, no, my tears until I felt myself stopping.

"I'm going to make sure that you are safe," He states as his hands cup my face, his thumbs rubbing soothingly against my cheekbones. "I know that I can't do anything to change what happened in the past. That you will have this scar hidden from everyone, but I'm glad that you trust me enough to let me in.

"I love you," He says softly. "No matter what your name is. I'm in love with you, the girl in front of me. And you are so brave, and kind, so passionate about the things you care about. You're beautiful, inside and out."

He leaned in and kissed me tenderly. I wrapped my arms around him, as I felt the love between us. I wasn't sure it was possible, but I think I love him even more.

I didn't notice that as we still kissed we fell back onto my bed. We let our bodies do what felt natural to show how much we loved each other.

When we took a break, our hair was a mess. Our cheeks were flushed a delicate pink. Our breathing heavier than usual. The zipper on Cat's suit was down to the point I could see his bare chest. And his hand was under my shirt, touching the middle of my back as I could feel his leather gloves.

The only thing that I could say was, "I love you too. You are my piece of heaven."

Cat's eyes started to water. I returned the favor and kissed his tears away.

We pulled into each other's arms and snuggled. It was the best snooze I ever had. The only reason I woke up was because I felt Cat's chest vibrate. Then it hit me that he was purring, just like a cat.

I smiled fondly as I caressed his face. He purred louder, then his eyes opened wide.

"Wait- that was me?" He says as he sits up.

I lazily sat up and smiled at him, "I think it's cute."

Cat blushed, but he smiled at me as he Eskimo kissed me. "I want to stay."

I hummed, content that he wanted that, but I knew that he was busy.

"But you have things to do, remember?"

He groans as his head lands on my shoulder, "I'm gonna ditch."

"As much as I would like that, I have no doubt this will be the first place your father will tear down brick by brick just to find you."

He only groans, but he pulls back and gives me a wry smile, "And I can't let that happen. Not to my little lady."

I blushed as he kissed me deeply as he laid me down on my bed.

When we pulled back, there was a trail of saliva between our lips. Cat had caged his body on top of me, but I didn't feel trapped. I felt safe and loved.

"I'll see you for dinner?" I asked hopefully.

He smirked, "No. But maybe if you are up for a late dessert?"

"I'll wait for you," I answered wryly as I gave him a quick kiss. "And leave before it gets any later."

He pouted, but gave me a quick kiss. Quickly, he got off of me and opened my window. Before leaping off, he looked back at me and winked.

I smiled fondly before closing my window.

My legs led me back to my bed and I laid down on it. My body relaxed as I took in Cat's scent.

Yes, there's no way I'm going to let him go. Not when he is the reason for my happiness.

I'm sorry Marinette, and anyone else, but I'm going to fight to keep him.

Cat hasn't been able to visit for dinners, but he has for late desserts. And I could see that the late nights are starting to affect him.

"No, I want to come here," He insists as we are cuddled on the couch. He wrapped the blanket around us tighter and laid his head on my shoulder.

In front of me, I see Plagg weirdly enough paying attention to the screen. Never thought that the Aristocats would be the movie to get his interest.

"I love having you here, you know that right?" I told him as I grabbed his hand.

Adrien smiled, "Now I know."

"But just as you worry about me, I worry about you too," I told him softly. "So I'm not going to push it because I did the same a couple of weeks before."

"Hey, how's it going anyway?" Adrien asks.

"It's finished. Just need to get Jagged Stone's stamp of approval," I answered immediately. "Wait, don't change the subject," I faux scolded.

Adrien had the nerve to give me a cheeky smile, "I don't know what you mean."

I laughed as I snuggled on his shoulder. "Just promise me that you will get a good night's rest soon. I'm sure your dad will not be happy to know that his super star model is starting to have dark circles that can't be concealed with makeup.

"And he'll overreact and blame that school and hanging out with Nino and me are keeping you up," I frown softly.

I know I shouldn't be so judgmental against Mr. Agreste, but there's something about him that just doesn't sit right. It could be that he's grieving, but there's a desperate hope very deep within him.

I ignored it as best as I could when I visited him for Christmas. But one thing I can definitely tell is that he deeply cares for his son.

Kind of reminding me of the same love my dad had for me. Kind of.

Gabriel could never compare to my dad.

Adrien has yet to tell me what happened with his mom, but that's okay. When he's ready to tell me, I'll be there to listen.

"Are you ready for tomorrow?" He asks.

I smiled wryly as I laid my head on his shoulder. "As ready as I'll ever be. But I'm happy for Nino more than anything."

Adrien laughed softly, "You and me both."

My mom was the type of woman who had a little of everything in her purse. And she liked big purses a lot.

She must have rubbed off at me because I had lots of things in the satchel that Marinette gave me for my birthday.

"Chill, Jolene," Nino chuckles as he lets me comb his hair. "I'll be fine."

"Do you need more chapstick?" I said as I pulled it out, "You don't want to lick your lips on live television. And umm, breath mints? You want to make a good impression on the host."

"Jolene," Adrien placed a hand on my shoulder and I looked at him sheepishly. "I think Nino is more than prepared. You've been doing this since the moment we picked him up."

"I'll take a breath mint," Nino said and I quickly handed him one. He popped it in his mouth and smiled at us. "You guys act like an old married couple."

My heart skipped a few beats, but I decided to play along.

"Look at him Adrien, our Nino is going to be on television," I fake cry with a proud smile on my face.

Adrien pulls me into a one-arm hug, "That's our boy."

We stood like that for a couple of seconds before laughing it off.

"You guys are the best buds I could ever have," Nino pulled us into a group hug that I readily accepted.

When we pulled apart, I hesitated for a moment before giving him the 'Sign-of-the-Cross'.

"You are going to do great," I said softly, glad that Nino accepted my blessing.

He grabbed my hands and gave it a firm squeeze, "Thank you, Jolene."

And so we waited behind the cameras as the TV host, Alec, started his introduction.

"Welcome back to everyone's No.1 game show, The Challenge. Let's give it up for our next contestant, Nino!"

Nino's face got worried, but I patted his shoulder, hoping that I could send my good vibes to him.

Soon he smiled and gave us a thumbs up and fixed his cap as he walked towards Alec.

"So, Nino," Alec started once Nino stood next to him, "You're a student and a DJ, pretty awesome. Check out the decks we've got for you."

Behind them, the TV crewmen brought in the deck. Nino immediately got behind it and started to check it out.

"So the challenge our viewers have chosen is…" Alec then opens an envelope, pausing just enough to create a little bit of dramatic suspense before announcing the Challenge. "…to get the mayor of Paris, André Bourgeois to dance!"

The big screen behind Nino shows the Mayor's face, in the background I could tell that he was in his office.

"Thank you for agreeing to play with us," Alec brings the Mayor's attention to him. "What are Nino's chances?"

"Zero, I despise dancing," Mayor Bourgeois states confidently. "The last time I danced, Madonna was in kindergarten."

Nino fixed his cap as he grinned. At that moment, I just knew that he was going to be just fine.

The awesome tune Nino was jamming, was making me sway my body to the beat. I could feel his great vibes vibrating through the air, infecting me with that goodness.

So much positive energy.

So much that I almost gasped when all of sudden, Giles pushed Adrien into me and got between him and some neon pink tux-wearing stranger.

"No, it's okay," Adrien said softly as he placed a hand on Giles' chest.

Giles frowned, but he did back down from getting confrontational with the man. Though, he was still carefully eyeing the man from his position behind us.

I was about to grab Adrien's hand, when Alec shouted, "Victory!"

Nino's eyes widened and I grinned as I gave him a thumbs up. He grinned back as he took his hands off the deck.

"Challenge conquered by Nino. You moved to the beat Major, that counts as dancing," Alec grinned triumphantly as he looked at the screen.

"What? That's not true," Mayor Bourgeois sputtered, "My neck was itching, that's all."

"Relieving an itch to the beat counts as dancing too," Alec replies easily as the connection to the Mayor was cut off. Then he focused back on my friend. "Nino, congratulations. You'll return in one week for your next challenge." He gently nudges Nino away, a subtle hint to get him off the stage that Nino immediately caught on.

"And now for our next contestant, welcome Simon Grimault!"

The neon pink tux man immediately walked towards Alec and Nino had finally reached us.

"Awesome, dude," Adrien fist bumps Nino.

I simply hugged him and whispered to his ear, "I knew you were going to do great."

Nino hugged me and whispered back, "I'm really glad you both came here to see me."

We pulled away so the three of us could see the remaining show.

"Mr. Grimault, you're a hypnotist. You hypnotize people to get what you want," Alec comments.

"Well… yes. I'm a hypnotist, but I don't use my skills to get anything," Mr. Grimault says rather softly as he looks down at his cards.

"So, your Challenge is to use your talents to bring a very elusive celebrity to our TV set."

Oh no. I already have a feeling who this elusive celebrity could be…

"Give it to the King of Fashion… Gabriel Agreste!"

Already I feel sorry for Mr. Grimault as Gabriel's ever-somber face appears on the screen behind the.

"What is this show? I was told this was an interview," Gabriel was already annoyed, and that never was a good thing for the receiving end.

"Dude, your dad," Nino whispers to Adrien.

"Do your thing," Alec encourages Mr. Grimault. "Let's see if you can bring Mr. Agreste here with your powers."

"I told you, I don't make p-" Mr. Grimault started softly, but was quickly interrupted by Alec.

"A shy hypnotist. How funny is that, Gabriel?" Alec attempted to break the ice that incarnated Gabriel's being.

"Hilarious," Gabriel's short answer was dry as the Sahara Desert. "Your show is pathetic. And so is your contestant. Control me? Never."

And soon the connection was lost.

"That's my dad alright," Adrien replied softly.

Immediately I grabbed his hand, not caring who could see us. Not like it matters, I'm sure no one is going to get the wrong idea.

I gave it a gentle squeeze once, and Adrien repeated the action.

"Looks like Mr. Agreste turn down your Challenge. Game over!"

"But… that's not fair. I didn't even get time to …" Mr. Grimault was immediately pulled away by members of the TV studio and they pushed him until he was out of the room.

That wasn't fair to set Mr. Grimault like that. Nor right.

I wanted to check up on him and- and what then? We don't know each other. And I never been particularly good with making an instant and meaningful connection with strangers.

That's more Adrien's and Nino's department.

"Hey, are you okay?" Adrien whispers.

"I'm okay," I reassured him as I pat his shoulder, but then I froze as I felt very bad vibes coming from the door.

Slowly I turned my head towards it and a second later those doors were slammed open and out came an Akumatized victim. Immediately I recognized him as Mr. Grimault.

"Simon Says the show is not over!"

I felt Adrien pulled me behind him as I simply stared at the transformed man.

"What the-?"

"Silence! Simon Says you're lame, as lame as a duck," Simon pulled out a card and threw it at Alec straight on.

A second later, Alec started quacking and acted what a typical duck would.

Giles immediately got in front of all of us, and went to attack Simon.

"Simon Says stop!"

Giles froze in place once a card hit him.

"Simon Says you are a gorilla."

Giles hunched down on his knuckles as a card hit him again, he turned around and the first people that he saw were us. Immediately he stood up and screamed like a gorilla before he charged at us.

It was a split second decision, but I knew what I had to do.

I grabbed Nino and separated from Adrien.

Adrien looked back at me briefly, and mouthed to me 'be careful' before running down the hall.

Giles briefly took a moment to look which one of us to follow, before he chased after us.

I pulled Nino down on the first thing that would provide us cover from his line of sight.

My hand slapped over his mouth to keep him quiet as I used my other hand to tightly grab his wrist.

There was some commotion as I heard Giles make destruction from the other side of the room.

I heard Simon say something, but I wasn't paying attention to his words.

My mind was thousands of miles away.

"Be quiet, Perla."

I jumped as Nino carefully put my hand away from his mouth and he pressed his finger against his lips, nodding at my silent plea.

I tried to calm down, but my body was shaking.

Dear lord. I can't have an episode now.

Not again.

Not again.

I was starting to hit my closed fist against my chest as my breathing was starting to get out of control.

But then I felt something warm wrap around me. It was like being hugged by music and it smelled like mint.

I looked at Nino's face and he was silently demonstrating to take deep breaths.

I followed his example and in a couple of minutes I was a lot calmer than before. I carefully looked around to see our side of the room was intact, but when I peeked to the other side, it was a complete disaster.

But then I pressed my back against the trunk we were hiding behind, when I saw Giles being used as a platform for Simon Says.

"Gabriel Agreste turned down my Challenge so he'll pay for it," Simon announces to the camera. "By midnight tonight, he will entertain us in this very TV studio. Gabriel, I'm coming to get you!"

I heard metal tapping lightly above us. Nino and I lifted our heads to see Cat Noir on the ceiling lights.

I smiled relieved that he was finally here.

He pressed his finger against his lips and we both nodded.

Immediately I felt relaxed now that he was here. But that didn't mean I still wasn't worried as he pounced from the ceiling towards Simon.

I didn't see anything, but Nino peeked for me and it was up to my imagination what was happening.

"Cat Noir says zip it and give me those cards."

I heard cards shuffling and landing on the floor.

"My gorilla will take care of you. Simon Says knock him out."

I heard Cat fighting with his staff and Giles grunting. There was a door slamming open and then closing.

Nino immediately pressed his back against our cover as Simon passed us dangerously close.

"Time to gather an army," He mutters as he shuffles blank cards before leaving the room.

Now it was just the two of us.

"Are you okay?" Nino whispers as he squeezed my hand.

"I'll be okay," I answered softly as I squeezed back. "Sorry if I hurt your wrist."

"No prob, Jolene," He said. "Afterall, I'm your buddy in awesome glasses."

I cracked a smile, so grateful to have a friend like him. And I love him for that.

We sat in silence for a couple more seconds before the doors were slammed open, revealing Ladybug, twirling her yo-yo around her, ready to fight.

When she realized that it was just us, she put her yo-yo down and walked towards us.

"Hey, you guys okay?" She asks us.

"We're fine," Nino answered for us. "But my boy Adrien is still here."

"Don't worry, we'll find him," She nodded as she motioned for us to follow her.

We went down a hallway and we heard noises of a flight in the next hall.

"Stay behind," She whispers as she grabs her yo-yo, but then once she saw what was happening, she put her yo-yo away and motioned for us to follow her.

When Nino and I turned the corner, we just finished witnessing how Cat threw Giles into the elevator and did Cataclysm on it. The elevator broke and I heard Giles yelling.

Cat grabbed his staff and was swinging around him (rather impressively) and turned to face what he thought was his next foe, Ladybug.

"Nice seeing you too, Cat Noir," She teases.

"Sorry," Cat immediately puts his staff away and notices that we were with her. "I thought you were Simon Says."

"We heard him," Nino says. "He's getting a whole army."

Cat frowns, "He's looking for Gabriel Agreste. We'd better get to him fast."

Then his ring started the warning beeping.

"You're about to change back. I'll have a look for Nino's friend," Ladybug comments.

"Forget it. He's probably hypnotized," Cat quickly replies.

"But he's our buddy," Nino says as he looks at him.

Oh. If he only knew…

"You're right. Maybe he's hiding," Cat says as he gives me a knowing look. "I'll leave you to look for him. Let's meet at Gabriel Agreste's place."

And he quickly left before he could give Ladybug a chance to agree.

"I think we should look at this side," I suggested as I pointed to the opposite hall. "It's the place with the least destruction. Adrien is smart enough to know to run away from danger."

Ladybug and Nino nodded. I was about to lead, but Ladybug cut in front.

"I have to make sure that you guys are still safe," She said firmly and I conceded as we ran behind her.

The hallway led up the second floor where there was a catwalk that ran above a littler higher that the TV studio's lights.

And there on the opposite side, was Adrien.

When he saw us, he started running towards us.

"Adrien!" Nino shouts as we push ahead of Ladybug who had suddenly stopped when she saw him.

We all gathered in a group hug that was released just as fast.

"Dude, you okay?" Nino asks.

"I'm fine," Adrien says. Then he looked at me and squeezed my hand. I squeezed back and had to let go when Ladybuy joined us.

"Hello," Adrien greeted with a sheepish smile. "Thank you for keeping my friends safe."

"H-h-hello," Ladybug greeted back. And something about her tone made me remember someone. I just… can't remember who. It's on the tip of my tongue. "I was doing my job since I'm a superhero," She blushes as she rubs the back of her head and breaks eye contact with Adrien.

Something was bothering me with that reaction, but I just couldn't identify why.

"We must go to my house," Adrien said urgently. "My father's in danger."

"Let's go. Cat Noir will meet us there," It was like a switch as Ladybug returned to her fearless hero as we all ran out of the studio and towards Adrien's house.

We didn't stop running until Adrien pushed open the doors and let us in.

"Nathalie, where's Father? He's in danger."

"He knows already," Nathalie replied coolly as she walked towards us and closed the door behind us.

"Good afternoon, Ladybug," Gabriel's somber voice sounded from above. I looked up to see him on top of the stairs, right in front of Adrien's and his black clothing portrait. I have to give it to the artist that they did a good job, but Adrien looks so unlike himself. But he definitely got Gabriel's essence on point.

"Father, you've gotta get out of here," Adrien pleads. "Simon Says is coming after you."

"What? And be dictated by a madman? Certainly not," Gabriel scoffs as he makes his way down the stairs.

"But he's dangerous. Who knows what he'll do?" Adrien tries to convince him. But he might as well have a better chance at moving a stubborn mule.

"Go up to your room," Gabriel commanded as he made it down to us. "You've had enough excitement for today. Nathalie, make sure they stay there."

Nathalie gently touches Adrien's shoulder and leads him towards the stairs. Nino and I follow him.

"You sure your old man isn't a robot?" Nino whispers once we let Nathalie get ahead of us.

"Where my father is concerned I'm never sure."

It didn't take long for Nathalie to open Adrien's room.

Nino gasped once he saw inside, "Dude, I've seen stadiums tinier than your room!"

I smiled wryly as Nino looked around the place.

"Are you seeing this?" Nino shakes my shoulder.

I laughed and nodded, "I had a similar reaction when I visited Adrien for Christmas." Well, once I stopped worrying about Adrien that day.

"Dude," Nino pouts, "So not fair."

"Make yourself at home," Adrien says as he closes the door behind him. "I'll take a shower."

"Now?" Nino jaw drops.

"What can I say? It's the model in me," Adrien says sheepishly as he makes it to the bathroom and closes the door.

I looked around, almost nothing changed since the last time I was here.

Except…

"This is new," I said softly as I looked at Adrien's computer screens.

Two of them were still his mother's face, but on the one of the right, it was a picture of the three of us.

Nino stood beside me and stared at the screens.

"That was a fun day," Nino agrees.

Giles took the photo for us. We were in Parc Monceau on the carousel. It was one of the rare days that I was wearing a casual dress (green knee high swing dress with a white Peter Pan collar and elbow length sleeves). I was sitting on the horse sidesaddle, revealing my cross-strap black dance heels.

It was one of the rare days when the three of us had a free day after my cast was off. And both of them asked what I wanted to do.

And I wanted to visit the dance studio that was a block away from my apartment building. They were offering a free class that day for first time visitors.

The thing is it was a couple's dance. But to Nino and Adrien, it was fine. They took turns on the dance floor as the instructor was teaching Charleston, swing, and rock 'n roll.

After that class was over, we ate at a nearby café. Giles took us later to the park as per my suggestion.

And that day, Nino revealed one of his deepest (and shocking) secrets.

"I'm sorry that Marinette couldn't make it," I told him softly.

Yeah, I was surprised (and yet not) that Nino has a crush on Marinette Dupain-Cheng. We encouraged him to invite her and he did.

The only thing is Marinette didn't make it.

"It's okay," Nino rubs the back of his neck. "It turned out better that way. Or she could have been in danger with Simon Says."

I pat his shoulder gently before leading him towards the couch.

"You'll have a chance to confess," I told him softly.

It's been killing me that I don't have the guts to tell him that Marinette has a crush on Adrien. But I'm scared that if I say that, then Nino might not want to hang out with Adrien. Do you see where this is going?

I don't want this friendship to end.

We both jumped when metal screens dropped down the windows, making the room dark for a second before the lights turned on.

"What just happened?"

"…Adrien mentioned that his house has a security system," I said as I pulled my knees up and hugged them. "Guess this is what he was referring to."

"Hey, we'll be okay," Nino says as he pats my knee. "We got Ladybug and I'm sure Cat Noir is here by now."

I nodded quietly as I sighed.

Should Nino and I have just run towards my house instead? That way Adrien didn't have to worry about us.

There was a loud crash from outside and soon the lights went out.

I grabbed Nino's hand and I felt him squeezing mine back once I grabbed it.

"Emergency power on," A computerized voice speaks out from the room as red lights illuminated the room.

I would be lying if I didn't start to think of dozens of horror and thriller movies with apocalyptic themes.

"Hey, we'll be fine," Nino says as he pulls me into a side hug. "Take deep breaths. I'm here."

Just as I was calming down, the door slams open. I jumped out of the couch and faced the newcomer.

It was Ladybug, followed by Nathalie.

"Ladybug, what's going on?" Nino asked as he stood beside me.

"We need to get to safety. Where's Adrien?" Ladybug urges.

"Taking a shower," Nino replies.

"Now?" Her reaction was exactly like Nino's not too long ago.

"It's the model in him," We both replied at the same time.

Ladybug walked towards the bathroom door and knocked. Then she pressed an ear against the door before facing us.

"Go to the atrium. I'll get Adrien. Leave the control with me," She orders.

I could see Nathalie hesitate before giving a remote control to Ladybug.

She motioned for us to follow her and we did.

Though I did look back to see Ladybug staring at the bathroom door.

Again, there was a weird feeling settling on my stomach.

But I forgot it once we arrived at the atrium.

"Where is my son?" Gabriel demands as he sees us.

"He'll be here. He's with Ladybug," Nino says confidently.

"He's in good hands," I added, hoping to reassure Gabriel.

He frowned, but didn't say anything as he went towards his desk.

He typed something before a secret trap door opened.

"This is a panic room," Gabriel says. "In these circumstances, I would want my son's friends to be safe as well."

That was… touching.

"Get inside, quickly," Nathalie said as she motioned for us to climb down.

We didn't waste time.

It was a tiny room, hardly any room to stand.

Nino and I looked up to see Nathalie closing it.

We were plunged into darkness for a couple of painful seconds before lights turned on.

There were dim lights, but it was enough for me not to panic.

"Do you think Mr. Agreste believes that an apocalypse is coming?" Nino wonders as he sees the shelves filled with canned food and water bottles.

"He seems like a man who likes to be prepared for anything," I commented quietly as I looked at the first aid kits and large flashlights and an emergency radio.

"Sounds about right," Nino hums as he lays down on the futon. "I hope we aren't stuck here for long. It's going to be pretty boring."

"Hey," I half-heartedly say, hoping to break the tension inside me, "Are you trying to imply something?"

"Maybe," Nino teases as he looks towards me as I lay down on the futon next to him. "So… what now?"

"…Want to play 20 Questions?" I offered.

"Eh, why not," Nino shrugs. "Category?"

And so Nino and I played, making time go faster.

And we were none the wiser when Simon Says broke inside the atrium. I didn't know until Cat told me later that night.

Ladybug and Cat Noir saved the day, like always.

Nathalie got us out of the panic room and told us to leave.

Right after saying goodbye to Adrien who was hiding in his bathroom.

When we hugged, Adrien whispered into my ear, "See you tonight, little lady."

I nodded before breaking away and left the Agreste Mansion with Nino.

"Today was definitely not how I had imagined," Nino comments wryly.

"Yeah. I can agree," I retort. "But we will be with you next week. Let's just hope there isn't a repeat."

Nino laughed, "Yeah."

And so we separate ways, heading into our respective homes.

But I was stopped, as a familiar car pulled to the side.

The window rolled down and I saw Gabriel. Huh, already heading out? Well, he is a busy man.

"Is my son home?" He asks.

I nodded, "Ladybug had him hide in his room. He's safe."

Gabriel only nodded and rolled up his window before leaving.

And not for the first time, Gabriel has left me wondering what the hell he's thinking. I doubt I will ever want to know.

Omake 11

There isn't a doubt that Adrien is the love of my life. But I don't know if Adrien will return my feelings when I actually have the courage to confess.

When I saw Adrien's computer screen, I saw a picture of his mom, but also of Nino and Jolene.

I knew they hung out a lot, they're friends. But there's just something about how Adrien looked so happy in that photo that made my heart skip.

"They're my best friends," Adrien told me as he got out of the shower. "Do you recognize them?"

"Yeah," I said without realizing. "I mean, that girl. Jolene," I pointed out. "Cat Noir has mentioned that they are friends."

Adrien looked down, "And I'm glad he has a close eye on her. If he didn't…"

We both knew what he was referring to. I never seen Cat look so... mad and hopeless. It scared me that I couldn't do anything to help. My Ladybugs only heal people if they were injured because an Akuma, not from an outside source.

"Well, I'm glad she's okay now. And happy."

Adrien smiled as he stared at the picture.

"She makes me happy."

Before I could ask more, Adrien's room was under attack.

The next time I saw Jolene and Adrien at school, I couldn't help keeping a closer eye on him than usual. The way he inched closer to her and Jolene just looked a lot more relaxed around him.

They smiled more often.

When I confess to Adrien, I hope I could make him even happier than when he's with Jolene.

AN: It took me a lot of rewrites, but I manage to get something that I wanted to publish more than the first time I starting drafting this chapter.

Thank you to starrrat, Shadowing, and Aminelover for reviewing. It always makes me happy to read them.

And talking about happiness. Wow. I am overwhelmed with how many people started to follow/favorited this story. To Sunnysinghz, sierranevadas84, Ice Wolfdragon1999, Gat3way, roggerlopez99, TheRageOfTheSea, juanarellano1402, indiebreakseven, plumpeaches, kipper2208, and PrincessKnight2302 so many thank yous for doing just that.

I never thought I would get so many notifications so thank you again!

PS: Next chapter is an original chapter... and things will be T-Rated spice.