We don't have to wait long for the ambulance or the fire truck to come. I clutch my father's hand as Mama helps with Adrien and talks to the firemen. Maybe that's where I got my calmness during akuma fights is from my mother. Then I have a horrible thought. "Inky! Where's Inky?"

Luckily, the little cat must been prowling outside, because it runs up to me, rubbing against my legs. Letting go of my father's hand, I scoop my cat and bury my nose in her soft fur.

Mama comes back over. "Their taking Adrien to the hospital, and the fireman thinks the bakery can be repaired. Tom, let's get to a hotel and get out of the way. Tom?"

Papa stares at the bright orange flames, and my throat constricts as I see tears in his eyes. I feel a surge of anger towards Gabriel Agreste. Why would he do this to my family? If I'm the one he hates, make me suffer, but not my family.

When I wake in the morning, Inky is curled up in my arm, and Tikki must be elsewhere. Its after ten, and I mentally kick myself for sleeping in when I should be with Adrien. I find a note taped to one of the lamp tables.

"Marinette,

We're with Adrien, come when you can. And make sure you eat breakfast.

Mama and Papa

I can still smell the smoke in my long hair so the first order of business to order eggs and toast, and hop in the shower while I'm waiting. Its hard to make decisions though, and I didder on what sweater to wear. "Wear the blue one, Marinette. Its Adrien's favorite color on you." I smile gratefully at my Kwami, and step into the shower.

I crunch my toast and eat my eggs quickly, and head downstairs. Its a beautiful day, despite everything that's happened last night and the crisp air makes me feel calmer. Starbucks is on the way to the hospital, and I pick up drinks for my family and myself.

I feel shy when I enter Adrien's room, and my cheeks heat as he catches sight of me, a smile rising to his lips. My parents excuse themselves no doubt they knew we want to be alone.

"So, what's the verdict?" "I'm fine, but I have to rest my voice for a few days because I inhaled smoke." I giggle. "I shouldn't laugh, but does that mean your not going to meow at the fridge every time I'm in the kitchen?"

the lightness in the room vanishes, and Adrien's smile dims. I sit down beside him and take his hand. "Adrien, Ladybug has no reason to be mad at you. You saved my family's life." "I love you and your family, Marinette mask or not." "Are you going to tell her soon?" "Yeah. I don't like keeping things from her." I'm quiet, playing with his fingers.

I know its time to tell him who I am under the mask as well. Maybe not at this moment, but when he tells "me". "What is it, Princess?" "You really love me?" "I more then just love you," his sweet voice is soft, but I can hear the raspiness in his voice from the smoke. "I'm in love with you.'

I wipe at my ears, finding tears running down my cheeks. "Even if you hiss at me in the tub," I choke, "I'm in love with you, too. Adrien?" "Hm? "What are we going to do about the bakery and my parents home? And why would your father do that?" "I thought he would have changed after Ladybug took the butterfly Miraculous from him. He wants control, Marinette, control of me. He sees you and your family as a threat." "He'll be charged with arson, Adrien. He's not going to go to jail willingly."

Adrien is released in the afternoon, and we find that Gabriel Agreste was arrested on charges of arson, thanks to the pin Cat picked up in the fire. Apparently, Ivan had a hand in it too, for he showed Gabriel the perfect spot to light the match. Everyone is surprised when Gabriel surrenders willingly, everyone expect me.

Papa takes us out to dinner, but with the fire, the last almost 24 hours seemed to have burned away my Papa's livelihood, and he barely talks at dinner. I keep my thoughts to myself for the time being, but a seed of an idea is planted in my mind, though I want to run it by Cat first.

I'm the first one to meet at Eiffel Tower, and I sip hot chocolate as I wait for Cat. My heart thuds in my chest as I hear the small thump! Of him landing near me.

"My Lady, I have a confession to make," he says, a few feet away of where I stand his green eyes glowing in the darkness. "Before you confess, Kitty, I have something to show you."

Be brave, I tell myself, closing my eyes. "Spots Off." A pink glow swirled around me, then the sound of silence expect for my rapid heartbeat. I hear the gentle sound of footsteps, and Cat raises my chin. "Princess, you can open your eyes." I slowly do so. "Yes, Cat. Your Princess is your Bugaboo. After you saved my family from the fire, I knew it was the right time. Do you...do you still love me?" Cat places both of his hands upon my cheeks. "My love, I never stopped."

Can I call this our first kiss since this is our first with knowing who each other without the masks? Yes, yes I can. I weave my hands into his hair, and he clutches me tight, this kiss so sweet, so tender, so right…..

"Cat, I have an idea to save the bakery. We could hold some kind of festival at the nearby park and raise money. Of course, we'd have to ask the local business's…." "There's my girl. Always coming up with a plan." "That's why I'm the one in charge," I tease, nudging him gently. Cat smiled back.

Even if things were far from perfect, the last few minutes had been. And Cat had a plan of his own. Without secrets and walls between them now, it was time to get Marinette a ring and make her his own.