"If any of these poison me, its your fault," I tell Marinette. Dozens of vials are scattered around our campfire site, and Marinette looks exhausted. "Look, it can't get any worse, Kitty, and I'm exhausted." "Then make yourself a Starbucks," I grin at her, leaning forward so I can peck her on the cheek.

She finishes braiding her hair back and glares at me. "Oh, ha-ha, love, so funny, and yes, I will." I juggle the vial between both hands as if I'm playing a one-player hot potato. "Tell you what, I'll drink these if you make that delicious berry cake you made for dinner last night."

"Or, I can tell you what," Marinette says sweetly, snatching the vial out of my hand. "You drink it before I snatch your ring, and cataclysm you." "Ooh, so scared," I pretend to shiver. "Cat! Just drink it!" she barks. "Yes, M'lady," and I uncork the thing and take a whiff. Oh, even Camembert cheese smells better then this! But I chug it, sticking out my tongue for dramatic effect. "Yuk."

"Love, its not like there going to taste good!" I sigh, wanting food. "How long before we know it took effect?" Marinette giggles. "When you don't know how to pun!" I glare at her. "That's not funny, you take that back!" Her eyes sparkle with mischief. "No."

"Then...then...I'll pounce on you!" She gives me a mock gasp. "You wouldn't dare!" Pounce. I knock her gently to the ground, supporting her back with one of my arms. "I may have a cute face Princess, but don't let the fluffy cuteness fool you. And I'm not quite down with my revenge!"

I begin to lick her cheeks like an actual cat that has waited all day for its owner to come home, for I adore Marinette. "Stop, stop, its like sandpaper!" she shrieks, laughing. But I ignore her. Just then, she sighs, and shifts, settling into a more comfortable position. I stop, watching her. "Cat…" she whispers.

I move my free hand, gilding down to her stomach, and begin to knead gently, loving the softness of her skin, just peeking through. Marinette makes quiet noises, face glowing. Then she sighs, and I help her into a sitting position. "I don't think that one did the trick." I make my face look hopeful. "So, biscuits?"

"Fine." I down another vial while she's not looking, and stretch out, the world growing fuzzy…..

"Claw? Claw?" Ouch. I have a wicked headache. "What happened?" I groan. Then I notice Marinette. "Princess?! When and how did you get here?" Marinette rolls her eyes. "I've been here the whole time! Now, shut up, and eat your biscuit." I grin through a mouthful. "You haven't changed a bit, Cockroach."

"Welcome back, Fleabag," she hugs me around my middle. "Don't choke me!" We laugh together, then turn serious. "The Supreme was behind this, wasn't he?" Marinette finds my hand, nodding.

"He's as slippery as an eel," I tell her. "One moment he's in Paris, the next Tibet. How are we going to capture him?"

Marinette sighs, laying a head on my shoulder. "I've thought of that, but I don't know if your going to like it." "Just tell me, Princess."

"We split up." "No." My voice is forceful. "No, we've been apart for to long, and we're stronger together." "Claw, you know as well as I, when it comes to defeating a super villain, sometimes you have to take risks." I sigh, kissing her hair. "I don't like it when your right."

"I'd stay here and see if The Supreme comes back, and you'd go to Paris. And don't worry, its not like we wouldn't be without communication. We have our powers."

I take Marinette's hands. "All those things are true, but that doesn't mean I wouldn't miss you." I kiss her knuckles. "I've figured that that too. Here."

Marinette reaches into her pack and draws out a bracelet, slipping it on my wrist. "Think of it as your Marinette lucky charm." "Great minds think alike, Bugaboo, for I made you one too."

She looks up at me as I slide her own bracelet on. "When did you make this, Adrien?" "I wanted to give to you on your birthday, but with everyone going on…." she cuts me off with a kiss. "Its wonderful, your wonderful. I mean, I'll wear the charm."

"Heh. Your cute when you babble, Princess." " Only when I babble?" "You know what I mean." "Come on," I tell her, standing up and offering her my hand. "Let's go watch the stars come out before I have to say goodbye to you."

She slips her hand into mine, intertwining our fingers. "Its only a see ya later."

Wearing our suits, we make out of the cave and into the treetops, waiting for darkness. Toxinelle shivers and cuddles into my side.

One by one, the stars come out and we make wishes, the beauty of the heavens taking our breath away.

We return to our campfire and drink hot coca, and I watch Marinette go after I kiss her goodnight. I'm going to marry her when the time is right, and going back to Paris hopefully I can find a ring for her.

I can't sleep, and I scrawl a note to Marinette.

Its to hard to say goodbye in person,

So I leave you with a I love you.

Stay strong, and stay alert.

Think of me.

Loving you,

Claw Noir

(Adrien)

I place the note where Marinette will find it when she wakes, and I peck her cheek softly. Goodbye, Princess.

Its hard trudging out of the cave that has been my refuge, back to the Temple where surely they can find a way for me to get back to Paris.

But even before I reach the Temple, a portal opens, and I step back into Paris, consumed by a thick fog. Is the Supreme here? Either way, I need a disguise.

Carefully, I exit the alleyway, in search of breakfast and then a new look that the Supreme didn't make for me.

== REESE