"I don't want to die down here," I tell Ladybug, reaching for her hand. "Cat," she starts to say. "Can we sit down a moment? I need a minute," I reply. "Of course," she says. "When I was younger, I was always terrified of small spaces. Being trapped, never feeling like I could be truly free." Ladybug squeezes my hand. "You….don't feel like that now, do you? Did I ever make you feel trapped, Kitty?"

Even though I know she can't possibly see me, I shake my head. "No, no, love! It was my father. From a young age he dictated everything I did. My schedule was always arranged by him, and I never had a say, no matter how much I stood up for myself. Sure, some things I came to enjoy, for instance, did you know I play the piano?" "No. You'll have to play for me sometime." "Consider it done. But whether it was piano, or fencing, or whatever the event, I came to dread them. More I came to dread my father's disproving look, when all I wanted was for him to say he loved me needed a smile. Mother used to come to the events, but when she got sick, everything changed. Even I changed."

Ladybug's is soft as silk in the darkness. "How? After all, you've always been my ray of sunshine in my darkest moments." I rest my head against her shoulder. "I withdrew into myself for a time. Was frosty with the people I loved and trusted. Oh, I heard the whispers. I didn't want to be like that. I didn't want to become what my father became. But no one was around to love me, and I felt so alone."

"How did you break free?" "Well, meeting you certainly helped. And Plagg, and…." I have to clear my throat several times. "Marinette." Ladybug shifts besides me. "Did you ever have a crush on Marinette?"

"I don't think I'm allowed to answer that. But yes, I did think of her as more then a friend." "Oh. I'm glad she could be there with you, when I couldn't." I feel her lips brush my shoulder. "You think your ready to find a way out?" "Yes. Thanks for listening, love." "Anytime. After all, you've done and will do the same for me."

We find another rock wall, and something clatters to the floor. Then Ladybug starts laughing. "Sweetheart, I hardly think this is the time for giggles." "No, Cat. I dropped my yo-yo. And what do I use my yo-yo for?" "Lucky Charm!"

A small burst of light flashes above us, and a small tube-like drops into Ladybug's hands. "Perfect! A flashlight!" she clicks on the small beam and suddenly we can see ahead of us. "Don't get to excited yet, Kitty. We still need to find a way out."

"Here's a path we haven't tried before," she says. She calls out, and you can hear that the tunnel goes a long ways, which is a good sign. When we take a break a hour later, Ladybug lays her head across my lap. "Cat, I'm so cold." She starts coughing, and her cough concerns me. "Your not getting sick, are you?" "Don't be ridiculous. I don't have time to get sick," she finishes with a small sneeze. "Ladybug," I tell her seriously, "Don't play around with me. How long has that cough been going on?" I know I've been with her, but I just noticed today the little cough, and a slight raspiness to her throat. "A few days. I know I need to eat too, but I don't feel hungry."

"Let's keep going," I suggest. "The sooner we're out of here, the sooner we can find food and you can rest."

I hear water trickling down ahead, and we enter a "room" and I can see a small stream of water trickling down from an entrance hole. The ground is a bit damper here, and small green plants grow ahead.

"How do we know those plants are okay to walk through? What if its poison ivy?" Ladybug mumbles, her voice now slurred. She's more sick then you realize, I think to myself.

"Cat, what are you doing?" she asks, as I lift her into my arms. "Finding a way out." She doesn't protest, just rests her head against my chest.

And then I smell it. Fresh air. Freedom is close by. I shiver slightly, for it might be fresh air, but it has a bit of bite to it.

At long last, I find the entrance to the cave, and for a moment I stand at the entrance, taking in my surroundings. Snow blankets the ground, and in the not so far distance, a large palace like structure sits perched upon the hilltop.

That's were I need to go, I tell myself. I need to go there so Bugaboo can get better. Luckily, there's enough light to see by, and its not snowing, though the snow crunches beneath my feet. Though I'm strong and even in my suit, Ladybug is starting feel heavy.

At last, I reach the gates, staring at the giant red doors and the dragon head knocker. Rap! Rap! Rap! The sound echoes around us, and we wait.

The door protests on its hinges and a man with a gray beard stares at us curiously, before his mouth drops open. "Ladybug? Cat Noir? I didn't think we'd ever see you at the Guardian's Temple." "Please, Ladybug is sick. Is there a infirmy here, a sick bay at the every least?"

He opens the door wider. "Come in, come in, out of the cold. We'll take care of Ladybug." Ladybug who has been quiet for quite some time now answers. "Thank you." "I'll be back soon, Cat. Just have a seat by the fire and warm yourself."

I watch her walk away, and a cold feeling settles into my chest. I'm happy she's getting help, but its bringing back memories of when Mother went away, all lies saying she would be better and back soon.

No, no, don't think that. Those are lies, they only want to help you here. "Well, well, looks like we have a visitor!" I spring from my chair as a woman with dark hair pulled back in a braid walks into the room, clapping her hands. "Cat Noir, its so nice to finally meet you! I'm Aria." "Nice to meet you." "You must be famished. Come, I'll show you the dining room and I'm happy to answer any questions you might have."

I just want my lady, I want to say, but I bite the words back. As we walk into the dining room, my stomach snarls. A few people are scattered throughout the room. "Get in line, and come find me when your done."

I get in line helping myself to rice, chicken, vegetables, a big glass of milk. My mouth is watering as I sit down across from Aria. I force myself not to scarf the piping hot food down, making myself sick, but going so long without food makes it hard.

"We heard about the terrible fire in Paris," Aria begins once I've started eating. I could cry, the food is so delicious. "Ladybug and I were traveling to Hawkmoth's castle when she got sick. I wonder how long we were trapped in that cave." I shudder silently, glad to be free of its cold clutches. "And now she's sick," I sigh. "Don't worry, soon she'll be back at your side. But you need to rest and take care of yourself too, Cat. After you finish your meal, I'll show you to your room." I look up in surprise. "I have a room here?" Aria laughs a musical laugh. "But, of course! And so does Ladybug! After all, it was you two that bought the temple back to its former glory."

I take another bite of chicken. "We we're just doing our job." I wonder how Paris is faring, after the fire. My emotions must show on my face, because Aria lays a gentle hand on mine. "Don't feel guilty for what happened. Hawkmoth will stop at the nothing to get the Miraculous and make his wish."

The image of a purple cloaked figure running out of former home still haunts me. "Cat? You okay?" I shake my head, clearing it. "Yeah. Just tired."

Aria shows me to my room and I thank her, and she says she'll see me in the morning. At last I'm alone and can drop the suit.

I walk over to the closet finding a set of warm pajamas and crawl into bed shivering. What if I'm getting sick as well? Who will take care of Bugaboo? Hold her hand and tell her it will be okay? I need to be there for her, protect her. And right now I feel so weak.

I curl in a ball, shaking. Is Ladybug awake right now? Sleeping? Is she scared? Arrgh, why did I think I could sleep, and I toss the covers back, wrapping myself in a blanket and walking over to the window seat.

I sit there like a cat, waiting for the sun, watching the stars moving and dancing across the sky. Eventually, I grow tired enough to sleep, and I clamber back to bed.

Sleep grabs me and holds on tight, I can't fight off sleep any longer.

At Hawkmoth's castle…..

"You idiots! You were told how clever and smart Ladybug is! And you just let them get away?" "She tricked us with that sleeping potion, and Cat is fearsome enemy with his Cataclysm." "Because of your foolish blunder, you'll be added to the guard/sentry position. Maybe a few nights out in the cold weather will help you think more clearly."

Hawkmoth stood, ignoring the complaints and grumbles. Sweeping his cape dramatically, he left the room with a chilly draft.

"Bumbling fools! I must think of a clever spy, one that they wouldn't come to expect." Hawkmoth headed to the ramparts of his castle, he had a plan hatching and would not be deterred….