The sun streams in the window, stirring me into wakefulness. I turn over to look at Ladybug, still asleep beside me. She was tossing and turning during the night, and I was afraid she was having nightmares. I held her in my arms and finally she settled down. Though we need to be on our way soon, I'll give her more time for sleep.

Rising carefully, I walk out into the kitchen where the smell of coffee fills the air. "Why, your an early morning riser, Cat. I have yet to get breakfast on, but here's a coffee for starters," Hubbard says. I smile at her, taking the cup gratefully. "Thank you. I'm going to head outside for a few minutes."

I like how the woods brush against Hubbard's cottage like the trees are sentries, ready to defend. I walk into the trees and release my transformation, pulling out my phone. I may not be able to see Ladybug as Adrien yet, but that doesn't mean I can't send her a message.

Ladybug,

Sorry its been so long since I contacted you, but I want you to know your on my mind all the time.

Even if we are physically apart, we are together in spirit, and I haven't stopped caring about you.

Adrien

I press send, hoping she'll see the message when she wakes up. I slump down against the tree, sighing. She seemed so scared last night of dropping her transformation. Is she afraid I won't love her, once I know who she is? My thoughts tumble around like a pebble in the stream nearby, but then my head jerks up as I hear my name. "Cat! Cat, where are you?" Ladybug. If she sees me now, she'll see Adrien. "Claws Out!"

Just in time, for she steps around the corner, finding me. A smile lights her pretty features and my heart pounds in my chest. "Has my Lady arisen from her bed of flowers?" She giggles. "Silly Kitty. Hubbard told me you were out here. Come on, breakfast is near ready."

We hold hands as we go back to the cabin, and the smell of breakfast makes my stomach growl. "I'll be right in, I want to my hair first," Ladybug tells me. "Take your time. Cat, could you set the table?"

As I set the table, I wonder if Ladybug got the message. Usually, she shares almost everything with me. I hear a thump in the other room, and go to investigate. "Can you finish this?" I hand Hubbard the rest of the silverware, rushing back to our room.

"You okay?" I ask Ladybug, shutting the door behind me. "Oh, Cat, my hair seems to be in knots, and my hands are so shaky this morning. I don't know what's wrong with me!"

I pick the brush up, gesturing to the bed. "Nothing's wrong's with you. Here, I'll do your hair and you can tell me what's bothering you." "I had a nightmare about you last night, and then this morning I got a text from Adrien. That should be a good thing, but now I miss him more and-oh, I'm being silly!"

I brush her hair in long gentle strokes before started to work on a French braid. "Its not silly. I miss a girl, too." I can feel her stiffen ever so slightly. "You-you do?" "Yeah, even if I didn't see her often, she was my best friend. I hope she escaped the fire."

I give her a hug before we go back out, cradling her to my chest. "Remember, the people we love never really leave us, for they are always in our hearts."

Ladybug smiles at me. "Thanks, Cat. You always know the right words to say."

When we get to the kitchen, Hubbard has a map spread out on the table. "There you are! Help yourselves!" "Sorry we're so late to breakfast." "No worries. I figured you might want to look at a map to help you with your travels. There's a village not quite a days journey from here, and they have a nice inn."

"You've been so kind to us, Hubbard. And your woods are so peaceful," Ladybug says, taking a sip of juice. "It wasn't so peaceful not many moons ago, for the Hawkmoth passed through here, nearly starting at a fire." "Don't worry, its Cat's and my mission to find him and take back the Miraculous," Ladybug tells her, a blue fire in her eyes. "I admire your determination. Best of luck to you."

Back out in the forest, the climbing starts back up, but we press on. From here, you can see caves staring down at us like dark eyes, and it feels like we're being watched. I mention this to Ladybug, and she nods. "This is only one mountain we have to cross. And who knows where Hawkmoth's castle lies?"

At noon, we eat some cold leftovers that we can eat by hand for we had a late start this morning. Then suddenly, I hear a rustling sound and Ladybug holds up her hand. Rustle, rustle. "What is that?" I whisper, the hair rising on my back on my neck. "Perhaps the wind?" she whispers back, but this sounds to big, and is certainly no small creatures.

Then a chocolate colored bear wanders onto the path, making us both freeze in our tracks. Its powerfully built, and could kill us with one swipe of its massive paw. Immediately, Ladybug slowly draws her bow and arrow, notching the string and pointing it at the bear.

It growls deep in its throat, but doesn't rise up, just continues to stare at us. Its lips are dark blue, and for a moment I wonder if it could be a injury, but then it clicks. That's no injury, this bear has been feasting on blueberries and we're standing by his favorite patch. But that doesn't help us get past. Bears like honey, don't they? If Ladybug can use her lucky charm, we might be able to get a bottle of honey, or some sweet treat. "Honey," I whisper in her ear. "This really isn't the time for sweet nothings," Ladybug hisses, keeping her eyes locked on the bear. I groan under my breath, she thinks I'm calling her honey. "No, think bees, flowers. Golden." "Your a genius. Lucky charm," she mutters. A bottle of golden honey drops down into her hands and she talks to me from the side of her mouth. "When I say, run, run."

She waggles the bottle in front of bear. "You want some honey? Go get it!" she turns, and chucks the bottle, and grabs me and runs. We don't stop until I start to feel a sitch my side.

We find a secluded shaded area, and we drop to the ground, our legs wobbling. "I'm sure I got a few gray hairs back there," Ladybug laughs a shaky laugh, and she wraps her hand around mine. "Honey, why didn't I think of that?" "Because your sweet Kitty thought it instead?" she giggles and I join her, the tension draining away. She lets go of my hand, but her fingers brush my arm, and I let out a soft gasp. "You know what would calm my heart?" I ask her. "A kiss?" she's blushing now, and I nod. At first brush, sparks start to fly. My lips leave hers, trailing kisses down her neck, and she lets out a soft moan as I suck at a spot on her neck. "Cat," she breathes. "Lie down," I tell her, and she does instantly, panting. Finding a blindfold, I tie around her head, then drop my transformation and my clothes.

We lose ourselves in each other, happy to be alive, and happy to be together. "No," she groans, holding me as I pull out. "Tonight we'll have more time," I promise her, for we must keep going as the sun shines.

We're still traveling when the purple shadows are lengthening along the ground, and birds are twittering goodnight. Tiny golden lights shine out in the distance. "That must be the village that Hubbard was telling us about."

Fifteen minutes later, we enter the village which even at night is teeming with people. Though the market stalls seem to be closed for the night, everyone seems to be heading for the inn and the small pub next to it.

"The Lion's Tap," Ladybug reads. "Shall we go in and get some food?" I nod, and when we step inside, its like stepping into another world.

Round wooden tables are scattered throughout the room, loaded with food and people. But what catches my eye is the dance floor, with people singing and dancing, skirts swirling, boots stomping.

"Greetings, weary travelers!" A man comes over to greet us. He's in good shape, and a hard worker for his grip is firm. "I'm Bootes, and this fine place is the Lion's Tap! I could tell your not around here from your costumes."

Ladybug's mouth drops open, but I whisper in her ear, "That costume suits you." "Come, come! Feast, then dance! Lyra, bring fresh clothes for our new friends!"

Lyra beckons us to follow her, and I whisper into Ladybug's ear. "I think we should drop our transformation while we're here." "But how will I be able to find you?" Ladybug whispers back, her hand on the dressing room door. "Don't worry, we'll find each other."

It does feel good to change into a suit, and the color is a forest green. I find Ladybug's stall already empty, and I come back into the main dining room. "I didn't get your names earlier. My apologies…." "Cat and Ladybug," I smile at him. "Ah, she must be the girl standing over there."

My eyes follow Bootes finger, and when our eyes lock, the world shrinks down to the size of a pin. Her dress is a cranberry color, and those eyes pull me in….oh, this night will be a night of romance and the night is still very young.