"Adrien!" I feel a rush of joy as I see him through the crowds and its as if my feet hardly touch the ground. "Marinette! Oh, I've missed you!" He kisses me, and I stare into his green eyes, his smile like the sun rising at dawn.

"New York is a fun place to visit, but its not home." I'm glad when we get to the car, all the noises and beeping are left behind us. "I think we should wake your mother tomorrow," I say, seriously. "Something's going to happen, I'm just not sure what." "And here I thought I was the only one with feline sense," he grins. "I have picked up a few habits from you over the years."

We fall quiet and I study Adrien as he drives. "Love, you okay? Your very quiet." "Maybe its the jet leg. I just couldn't stop thinking about you and kids…" his voice trails off. I smooth out a wrinkle in my jeans, out of a nervous habit. "Adrien, are we still going to be in Paris next year?" "I would love to spend the holidays with your parents, but I already have a home for us, Bugaboo. Paris just isn't home anymore." Even if I feel the same, the words sting a little. "Did...did I do something…." I don't know why the tears spill over and I don't finish. "Marinette, hey. Its okay."

Adrien pulls over into a quiet parking lot and as soon as we've parked, he gathers me in his arms. "None of the dark memories I have include you, love. In fact, you were my shining light in the darkness. It was my father who stained my memories, and the loss of my mother. Little did I know she's been alive."

Though I have not lost a parent or has one turned evil, I want to leave for different reasons. Even as Ladybug, I still feel invisible. "Adrien?" "Hm?" "Are you going to be okay if…." I look out the window for a moment, then play with his ring. "There's a good possibility that your mother won't wake up." "I said goodbye to her a long time ago, Marinette. And besides, I'm not alone. I have Mama and Papa. So I have people around who love me." "How do you do it?" I ask, as Adrien pulls back out into traffic, now that I've calmed down. "Those days before I knew you. Its a miracle you didn't become evil too, or at least cold-hardhearted." "There were days when I didn't want to get out of bed. But Mother wouldn't have wanted that. She'd want to see happy, smiling, living my life. I felt so awkward on that first day of school. Remember how mad you got at the chewing gum?" I laugh. "If only I would have known it wasn't you."

"After I handed you that umbrella, I knew things would be all right. I was shy to get to know you, so at first I saw you with my mask. And of course, I had that massive crush on Ladybug." "Trust me, your not the only one." "School and patrol became my favorite parts of the day. And as we grew closer and closer, I starting falling in love with you. All of you."

"Even as Ladybug, after we became best friends, I hated that we had to keep secrets from each other. But looking back on it, we weren't ready yet. There's always been a secret side of Ladybug that was in love with Cat, for he was the one who stuck by my side in my darkest moments. At times, all it took was a gentle smile or wink from you, to clear my head." "And my puns?" "You still need to work on your timing, but yes, I do love your puns." "Bugaboo, I know your going to regret saying that later, but thank you."

"What's this place?" I ask, later as Adrien pulls into an empty spot near a alleyway. "Oh, just a little surprise. Come on, and we need to transform."

Adrien takes me down into the sewers, and he takes my hand. "Just follow me and trust me." I nod, but mystified of what he could show me down here.

The sewer stink clogs my nostrils at first, but eventually the smell seems to die away. Cat turns to me. "Now, close your eyes and no peeking." I giggle. "Okay."

I can hear the lapping of water, and I hold Cat's hand tightly. "Open your eyes, love." "Oh, Cat."

We're on some little ledge, looking out at the Seine, the full moon floating above us. "Soon we'll sail away, and create a new life for ourselves. We'll begin anew." "I'm ready," and the words feel very right in my mouth. "But there's still work to be done."

Back at the car, we decide to try the potion on Adrien's mother tonight, rather then wait till morning. Besides, I doubt I would be able to sleep anyway. My mind seems to working very clearly tonight, and very fast.

My heart pounds like a drum as Adrien guides me down to the secret basement. My hand trembles as I look upon the beautiful face of Emile Agreste.

"Ready to do this?" Cat asks me, and I nod. He pushes the button and the glass panels slowly open. The vital cork gives a little popping sound as I unscrew the lid. Cat opens her mouth and I pour the mixture in.

Minutes tick by, but nothing happens. Twice Cat has to remind me to breathe, and I let out my breath. Just as we're about to give up hope, a crash makes both of us jump with fright.

"Ladybug and Cat Noir, fancy seeing you here." "How did you escape?" Hawkmoth smiles at me, a cruel and chilling smiling. "The tunnel system." "And you've taken back the Butterfly Miraculous."

I feel strange, and I start to walk towards Hawkmoth. "You don't have to do this, you know. You can still have a change of heart." I reach out my hand, palm upwards, reaching out towards his. Cat catches on and does the same thing.

Time is suspended, not moving forward or backward. And then I hear a voice that doesn't belong to any of us. Not Hawkmoth, not Cat, nor myself.

Cat and I turn and there stands Adrien's mother, Emile Agreste.