Ladybug and I share a moment as I stare down at her from the rafters. I want to Cat Noir again, but being rejected over and over, I can't don the black leather right now, and it brings bad memories. And even with the distance between us, I can see the longing for her Kitty in her eyes. No, Adrien, I scold myself. Cat Noir will return to Paris someday, but only when you and M'lady are ready. I hear a muffled thud and spring down from the rafters to find her sprawled out on the floor.

"Plagg, Claws In. Ladybug!" I run over to her where she sits on the ground, still staring upwards. "Are you okay? Is something up there?" "I thought," her voice is quiet and I have lean forward to hear her. "I thought I saw Cat Noir, but that's impossible." she sighs. "If Cat were here, I'm sure he would have said hello by now. Can you stand?"

Luckily, she isn't hurt, just a little dazed and I check my watch. "Do you have any plans for the rest of the day?" she shakes her head. "Would you like to go out for lunch? I know a great little place that sells the best soup and sandwiches." "Lunch sounds good. Let me change and we can head out."

The sky has grown overcast, and I step onto the sidewalk groaning. "What's wrong?" Ladybug asks. "I jogged here this morning, and didn't bring the car." "No worries. I came in Papa's van which we deliver cakes. We can take my car, but be careful. Potholes are not this car's friends." I laugh.

I give her directions and I'm glad its a quiet part of the day. Once we've ordered I ask, "So, any friends still here in Paris?" "Well, Alya and Nino left for college in the States, and I haven't heard much from my classmates since I graduated." "Ladybug," I lean forward, lowering my voice, "do you have any friends at all?" she gives me a weak smile. "I have my Kwami." It comes out before I can stop myself. "Aren't you lonely?"

I mean, life is slightly brighter now that Ladybug is back in my life, but who knows how long that will last and I miss Marinette every day. Sometimes I even dream of her cute button nose her cute laugh. "Adrien, you had it a thousand times worse then I did. I don't know how you didn't go evil yourself being trapped by your father." "Felix had it worse," I mumbled, thinking of my evil uncle who's long pasted now. "I had you and I had Marinette. I was happy, Ladybug. I am happy."

Our food comes and Ladybug tucks into her corn chowder, dipping the roll in the soup. "You were right, this is delicious!" Mine is good too, a broccoli cheddar. "Could I come over this afternoon? I'd love to spend more time with you." "Yeah, I'd like that. I'll have to sewing for a bit, but maybe we can put on a movie or something."

I pay the bill, but Ladybug insists she'll buy the coffee in the morning. Its starting to drizzle when we reach the car. We pull out into traffic and this part of Paris is a bit busier so we don't talk much so she can concentrate. I pull out my phone, checking e-mails then freeze as I glance in her review mirror.

I can't be sure but I'm certain Corvus or someone is following us. "Adrien, what's wrong? You haven't moved or blinked in two minutes," Ladybug snaps me out of my stupor. "Don't freak out, okay? But we're being followed." Her only reaction is she grips the steering wheel tighter and nods. "Can you help me shake them?" Oh, M'lady, you and me it was meant to be. A team! We're a team! I pull up my Google maps.

"We'll have to go out of Metro Paris and loop around. Hopefully you have a good tank of gas." she nods again. "Filled this morning."

She keeps calm, though our pursuer is slowing gaining on us. "Ladybug, your going to have to put the pedal to the meddle." her ribbons bounce as she whips her head around to look at me. "You mean speed?!" "Eyes on the road!" I yell, and she swerves. "If we get pulled over, I'll handle it. Trust me. Go."

The car begins to whine a bit as we speed up and we have a clear patch of highway, and Ladybug stomps her foot down. The road and scenery blur by, and I signal her to pull into a small park off to our left. Our purser doesn't seem to be following anymore.

Ladybug pulls into a parking spot, shuts off the engine, and sighs. Rain is now splattering the windshield and soon it will be coming down hard. "Let's take a breather in the back," I suggest.

I grab a comforter from the back and Ladybug explains that its in here for emergencies. Right now its perfect for cuddling and calming down.

"You doing okay?" I ask, as she snuggles into my chest. "You were so brave and didn't lose your cool once." "I was scared, but that's what superheroes do. They keep their cool."

This close I can smell her strawberry and peach scented hair, and I want to kiss her. "Ladybug?" she looks up at me. "With-"

Her phone rings and both of us jump, giggling and flushing a pink color. "Hello? Yeah, I'm still with Adrien. We went for a drive. Yeah, hold on I'll ask him." Ladybug covers the speakerphone. "Mama wants to know if you liked to come for dinner?" "That was the original plan, wasn't it?" I ask, my eyes sparkling. "Yeah, he said yes. What? Mama I am not asking him that!" She clicks her phone shut and groans. "What? I'm curious." "She wanted to know if you'd like to stay forever. Her and Papa just watched Mulan the other night." "Funny, I have a friend who's a lot like Mushu." "If I can get over my embarrassment maybe we can watch it after dinner." "Whatever you'd like, Little Bug. Would you like me to drive back? You've had quite the thrilling adventure."

Ladybug shrugs her shoulder. "Heh, its every day in the life of a superhero." I laugh and head for the front seat. She falls asleep on the way home tucked in the blanket in the back, and she looks even cuter when she begins to snore softly and has a bit of drool.

I switch the wipers to their highest setting, and peer into the rain. You'd need a swimsuit if you were out there now.