I stroke Ladybug's cheek as she sleeps, her eyes twitching with dreams. I do wonder what she's dreaming about. Me as Cat? As Adrien?

Every so often, I rub her arms and feet, letting her know I'm here. The doctors say that its good that I talk to her, even if they don't know if she can hear me.

"Cat?" I look up from vigil, to see Aria standing in the doorway with a tray. Breakfast. "Would you like some breakfast? I thought we could have it down in the gardens." I perk up. Gardens? I've always thought gardens were one of the most peaceful places on earth, to sit and think, beauty everywhere you looked. Of course, I loved helping Mother in her flowerbeds when I was a child. I look at Ladybug, hand in mine. "I want to, but…." "The doctors will let us know if there's any change. Besides, you need a clear head to help her." I lean forward and press a kiss to her forehead. "I'll be back soon," I whisper.

The sun is just rising the morning chorus of birds is chirping. Aria is right, I do feel better in the fresh air. "Down these steps," she guides me. I gasp as we descend the staircase for hundreds of blooming yellow daffodils meet meet my eye. "Come, eat up, and get your strength back."

Everywhere I look is color, like a artist who didn't know what colors to use for his masterpiece, so he decided to use them all in a creative way. "What is Ladybug's favorite flower?" Aria asks, sipping her first cup of coffee and sighing happily. I dig into my porridge before answering. "Roses. Red roses. But you if you asked Marinette she would say forget-me-nots." "We have beds of both flowers in a garden not far from here. I'll take you there later."

I set down my bowl. "Aria? Ladybug is going to get better isn't she?" Aria takes my hand, squeezing it tightly. "Poor Cat, do you feel all alone without your Lady?" I nod, throat constricted. "Seeing her lying there so still, she…." I clear my throat looking out at a fountain in the distance. "She reminded me of mother when she got sick. No one told me what was going on…."

"Is Mother going to be all right?" I ask, but no one answers me. "She's fine, Adrien. She's just dizzy and has a headache. Shouldn't you be practicing the piano now?" No, I don't want to! I want to yell at my father. I want answers, and I want to protect my father. I'm eleven, far old enough to know what's going on. But no, everyone keeps me in the darkness.

I turn invisible, even after Mother's funeral. I don't leave the house often, under Father's strict orders. At first, I'm to numb, and I don't want to leave. But every time I try to comfort Father or get comfort, he pushes me away. I started dreaming of a friend who loved me, who never kept me in the dark. The day I met Marinette, I had a dream that night we were holding hands in the rain. The pain wore off some, and each day I grew a bit more happier in her presence and Ladybug's. My girls were my sun.

"So, your real name is Adrien?" "Claws In." "Yes, my name is Adrien." This is the safest place to reveal my identity so I don't know why I waited so long. "I can tell Ladybug loves you very much. Even she's shy about showing it, she is very much in love." "How can you know that?" Aria smiles, standing up and offering me her hand. "Let's just say I have ways. Come, let's go get that flower."

Twenty minutes later, I'm back in Ladybug's room. I open her hand, pressing the flower into hers. "I brought you a flower from the garden, love. And this rose doesn't have thorns. Doesn't it smell lovely?"

Her eyes flutter and open, and her lips move. I have to lean forward to hear her. Look in my diary. Volume 3." She collapses back on the pillows, and I lean back in my chair.

There must be something important she wants me to see if she's giving me permission to read her private journal.

Giving her a light kiss, I exit her sickroom and find the nearest person who can direct me to her room. I find her bag on the floor next to her bed, and dig through it till I find volume three. I sit down in the big armchair and flip to a place where's its marked.

Dear Diary,

Cat Noir gave me some gifts today. No, its not my birthday and its not Christmas, even though I love Christmas! Diary, it was better then that. Cat surprised me with a rose and a kiss on the cheek. He said the rose would go well with my costume. Diary, even if I in love with someone else, he is the sweetest kitty I know. But the last gift he gave me, was on the day we first met, the gift of friendship. I may not admit, but Cat is my very best friend. Sometimes I even think…..arrgh, never mind, Diary!

Ladybug

I'm just about to close the diary when I dried petal slides out into my hand. A postscript catches my eye.

P. S.

I pressed and dried the flower Cat gave me. Even if it loses it scent, I always want this memory.

"Thank you for keeping the roses, M'lady," I whisper when I'm back in the room. I hear her make a small sound. "Cat," she whispers. She's still very deeply under, but I know what I have to do. I crawl into bed with her, and cuddle her to my chest.

"I'm here, Bugaboo." I stroke her cheek, pressing my forehead against hers. Then, suddenly, she stirs. "Cat?" she croaks. "What happened?" "Sh, your sick, and you need to rest. But I'm right here, right here."

"Cat," she's crying now, and I wiggle closer, licking her salty tears away. "Your going to get better and together we'll find Hawkmoth's castle and defeat him."

I'm startled when the people in the room start clapping at my little speech. I rise from her bed, and blow her a kiss. "Sleep well, my love.

I spend most of the rest of day with Aria, tending the gardens. I'm hoeing in one of the rows when Aria makes a sound of disgust. "What's wrong?" I ask, leaning on my hoe. She points to a nearby tree. "That's what's wrong."

In one of trees, three huge crows watch us with great interest. One is bigger then the rest and it fluffs its feathers as if it can sense us watching them. "Those three birds hang around waiting for crumbs. But I have a feeling they want more then a free meal."

"I may be allergic to feathers, but cats do like to play with birds," I tell her with a confident smile. "Cat, you need to be careful. Ladybug may be awake now, but she's still mending. For now, let's just watch and observe."

The birds fly away as if they've heard our conversation and have grown bored.

"Ah, my black beauties, you've returned. Learned anything valuable?" Hawkmoth asked, as the biggest of the three crows sat perched on his arm. The bird spread his wings, cawing loudly. Hawkmoth looked to Papagino, who held his feathered cap in his hands. "Well?" he demanded. "What did it say?"

"The black cat is aware of them, but has been given instruction to only observe, my lord. And Ladybug is ill, so Cat must heed the order."

"That's excellent news. But we must not be to hasty. Fetch biscuits for the crows here, while I think of names for him," Hawkmoth ordered.

Papagino sighed as he walked to the kitchens. He secretly admired Ladybug and Cat Noir, but had been taken prison to do Hawkmoth's bidding. If ever he escaped, he'd help the Black Cat and his Lady.

"Here your are, fresh biscuits, Sire," Papagino said, then walked away quickly. Hawkmoth crumbled the biscuits for his friends. One of the birds cackled with glee and begin gobbling up crumbs. "You'll be Gackle," Hawkmoth declared. The biggest bird waited quietly, fixing Hawkmoth with its beady stare.

"Your name is Watcher, because you watch before you strike." And the last bird, who sat with his head cocked. "You'll be Jester, because I think your a funny bird."

Hawkmoth talked to his new companions, but he didn't know there was someone besides the birds that were listening.

Papagino hid under the stairs, gleaning as much information as he could. When the time was right, he'd escape and help the beautiful Ladybug.

Snow fell gently over the mountain were the young Guardian slept, gaining strength. But she was also thinking. Thinking of her partner who in her weak state, had still loyally stuck by her side. Maybe it was time to start gathering courage, maybe it was time to take off the mask…

She shudder lightly, still feeling shy. But she could do this, for she knew that Cat loved her. The fear was all in her head she told herself.

Little by little she regained her appetite, and walked a few steps each day. Soon, this Ladybug would fly away, stronger and more in love then ever.

She sat in the open window, with her cup of tea at sunset, breathing in the sweet smell of roses and watched her kitty care and tend to the gardens.

At least I can share my hopes and dreams with him, she thought to herself. As soon as she thought it, she knew she could at least do that. He'd make a wonderful father, she thought as she watched some children run up to Cat and watched them dance in a circle.

Yes, the time has come to share my dreams with Cat.