"Good meowing," the first thing I see when I open my eyes is Cat staring at me and holding two cups of tea. I giggle, slowly sitting up and taking the cup. "Good meowing to you too, love."

I warm my hands around the cup, and I can smell honey and spices. "How did you sleep?" Cat asks. "Deeply. But I would love a snuggle buddy after I drink this," I tell him. "I'd like nothing better. Though it would be good to get some food in you. Think you can handle some oatmeal?" Oatmeal is soft, warm and nice-sounding on my tummy. "That be great." "Okay, I'll be back soon."

I lay back on the pillows with a contented sigh. But inside I'm kicking myself, and I dig out my bug phone. I hate to tell Cat a little white lie, but I need to make a private phone call, and it would not be good if Cat walked in on the conversation I'm about to have.

I close my eyes, hoping he'll forgive me as I tap out a message.

Ladybug: Cat, I'm in the bathroom and will be awhile. Can you bring food in about a half hour? Thanks

Cat: Thumbs up. Just let me know if you need anything!

I sigh. Then I dial a number. "Hey, how's the butterfly hunt going?" Felix answers. I giggle, and gasp. Maybe I'm not so recovered after all. "Marinette?" "Its been delayed. I got sick, really sick. But going to get better." "Have you told him?" I bite my lip, and silence crackles between us. "That's what I thought. Marinette, what if something happens, and you don't get the chance to tell him?" "I didn't think of that." "Hawkmoth is ruthless, and will stop at nothing to get what he wants. If he succeeds, you won't hesitate to toss you aside." I narrow my eyes. "Do you know something I don't know, Argos?" "Yes. Hawkmoth is Gabriel Agreste."

White hot fury fills me, and I squeak out the next words. "All this time you knew and didn't tell me? I thought we were on the same side!" "Hey, calm down. I am on your side, and always will be. I only found out myself, the footage is pretty grainy."

A new kind of sickness spreads through my body. Cat was suspicious that is was Gabriel, but then seemed to dismiss the idea. Like the very idea terrified him. And that could only happen if….Adrien Agreste is Cat Noir. "You still there?" "You don't know who Cat is do you?" "No. I really don't, I'm sorry." "Argos?" "Yes?" "What happened to my parents? Its been months, and I'm not always in the suit." "Marinette, they….." A snake coils around my stomach, lashing out. "They didn't make it. I guess they had just got back to Paris before the fire happened. Since you put me as your emergency contact as Marinette, and they haven't been able to reach you to tell you the news, the authorities told me instead. I only just found out myself, I'm sorry." "You mean…" I ask in my softest voice. "I'm in orphan?" "Marinette, I need to see you." His words are becoming garbled and disjointed, but I need to stay strong. "Give me five minutes and I'll come get you."

I sit up, tea forgotten and pen a quick note to whoever finds it. Then I slowly stand, and reach into my yo-yo. "Voyage!" I step through the blue tunnel, hoping my legs won't collapse before I find Felix.

I'm crying so hard, and he catches me as I begin to fall. "Its was my duty as Ladybug and as their daughter to save them! Its all my fault!" I wish I had the power of Cataclysm right now, destroying whatever I touch, for me, my world has been destroyed. "Shh, its not your fault, Marinette." "I feel like I've failed everyone!" My throat is raw from crying, and Argos lifts my head, wiping my tears away with his soft suit coat. "You haven't failed anyone, Marinette. And you can still defeat Hawkmoth, with Cat at your side. But the longer you keep secrets, the harder it will be." I snuffle up the last of my tears, but the pain in my heart is fresh, like thorned flower, a rose. "Thank you for helping me, and being my friend."

"Kagami and I are right here, Ladybug. Don't push others aside, even if you think you can do it alone." I stand, making the portal. I look back at him one more time, and he nods at me, a confident smile or maybe a smirk is etched on his face. Then I disappear.

I climb back into bed, shivering, curling into a small ball. "M'lady?" I feel Cat get into bed beside me. "Something dreadful has happened. My parents didn't make it. I only just found out." I'm like a leaky tap that refuses to shut off. Cat gathers me to his chest, and puts his strong arms around me. "I'm so sorry." Tears trickle down my cheeks, and I rest my palm on Cat's mask. "I'm so glad your here, Kitty. I love you." Cat rocks me back and forth until I fall asleep.

When I wake, Aria is in the room, sitting in Cat's chair. "I heard the news, I'm so sorry." I sit up. "Thank you for your kindness. My go outdoors to the gardens? I'd like to get some fresh air." "Of course. Cat, can you help me?"

I'm wobbly on my feet at first, but then I find my footing. I'm surprised its already mid-afternoon, and I squint in the afternoon sunlight. "In two days time, they'll be a meteor shower passing by. The best place is in the forest in the big pine tree." "Cat and I wouldn't miss it." "M'lady, I like to show me my favorite place in the garden, if you'd like?" I nod, and holding hands he leads me to a beautiful fountain.

The sound of water relaxes me, and Cat leads me to a little bench. I rest on Cat's shoulder, listening to the watery music. Words aren't needed at the moment, anyway, and my thoughts tumble around in my brain.

Argos is right, and I keep putting off and putting it off. Don't I know that Cat loves me? How many times has he told me he'll stick by side? And there's proof, for Cat's here. I don't know what will happen after I remove my mask, but I'm ready to leap into the void. Didn't Aria say something about a shower? That will be the night the masks come off, and whatever happens after, come what may.

"My lady, I'm all for napping, but maybe we should wait until we're inside." I sit up, realizing I was sprawled out across Cat's lap. I sit up. "Let's head back inside."

I go into the bathroom and turn on the taps, for a bath sounds divine and it will soothe my aching muscles. I pour in just the right amount of bubbles, though a few go into the air, gliding around the room. I crack open the bathroom door. "Cat, can you come in here?"

"Bugaboo, you know cats hate baths," Cat grins at me, and I playfully punch his arm. The ache I'm feeling might never go away, but having Cat here is a soothing balm. "Spots Off," I stare into eyes. I lean back against the counter. "You know what to do, Kitty."

I'm still in my flimsy gown, and Cat lifts over my head slowly, and a cool draft washes over me. Soon, we are both naked in the tub, still with our masks on, and I lean back against his chest.

"I had a dream about us," I ask, as he rubs my back with soap. "Oh, did you now? What was it about?" "Our feature. There was this door and when I stepped through, a child came running up. She told me that Daddy was being buried in the sand. The person looked like you." Cat pauses to kiss my shoulder.

"I felt so happy there," I explain, "But yet I couldn't wait to leave at the same time. I guess if I stayed, I would never want to leave. The girl was a copy of me, and the boys looked like you, though so different in personality." I smile at the memory. Cat sighs. "I want nothing more then to give you kids, a family, but…." I reposition myself to look at him. "I worried I would be to much like my father."

Though I don't know much about Cat's father, I can tell he hasn't been there for him. "Love, you don't have to be your father, and you never will be. Just be yourself. You have a gentle and kind heart, and I think you'd make a wonderful father." Cat stares down into the water, then back at me. "Even if I teach them puns?" he grins, a million dollar smile and I groan. "I walked into that, didn't I?" "Yep."

After our bath, I slip back into bed. "Could we do a tea do-over? And can I have coffee?" "You can anything you want, Ladybug. I'll be back soon."

The rest of the evening passes quietly, and Cat reads me stories, and I listen to his gentle voice until I fall asleep once more. Very soon, we must be back on our mission and leave this place of peace.

Hawkmoth watched as the crows flew back, a cloud of feathers and cawing. "They say that the heroes weren't out much today, my lord. But one of birds did pick up that Ladybug was rather distressed."

Well, that was something, Hawkmoth thought. "Tell the birds that they must bring back three shiny objects, two red earrings and a black ring. You and the birds will be well rewarded." Papagino felt a surge of anger towards the Butterfly that never showed his face. But in two days time he would be talking Ladybug if he could get away.