A fine mist of perspiration dotted Ladybug's forehead as she smiled awkwardly for the cameras. Beside her stood Cat Noir seeming at ease as weather girl Mireille continued, "So enjoy a sunny Saturday in Paris."

"A great day to take your lady on a picnic," Cat Noir winked at Ladybug.

"Or to take your dog for a walk," she shot back.

Mireille beamed at them. "Once again, thank you Ladybug and Cat Noir for joining me for this morning's weather."

"It's been a pleasure," Cat Noir replied.

"And cut," said the director.

Ladybug's shoulders drooped and she let out a breath, "I'm glad that's over."

Cat Noir smiled at her, "Not a fan of showbiz, my lady?"

She pointed upward, "I feel like I'm being cooked under those lights."

"Like a bug under the microscope," he said with a cheeky grin.

She rolled her eyes, "Not funny."

Mireille passed them both bottles of water, "I can't believe how awesome today is turning out to be."

"What do you mean?" Ladybug said as she opened her bottle.

"Today is my birthday and two of my dreams are coming true. The first was sharing a spot on the weather with you guys. The second my friend Theo has organised, a date with Adrien Agreste." She sighed.

Ladybug choked on her water, "W-what?"

"I'm a huge fan of Adrien's. Theo used some of his connections in the art world to line up a dinner date for us tonight. Just me and Adrien, can you believe it."

Ladybug's mouth opened and closed a few times before she clamped her jaw. Her mind was busy running through a number of scenarios that had her heart racing in panic.

"Sounds like Theo is a great friend," Cat Noir said with a pat on Mireille's shoulder.

"Oh, he's the best I'm so lucky. Who knows I might even win over Adrien tonight."

Ladybug gasped and Cat Noir turned to face her. "Everything okay or is my bug-a-boo a fan of Adrien's too?"

She blinked and put a hand to her chest, "Me, a fan of Adrien's? Yes, no, I mean he's…"

Cat Noir's brows lifted as he prompted, "He's what exactly?"

"He's really great, I mean a great guy."

He nodded, "I can't disagree with you there. But if you're looking for a date I'm free for lunch."

She rolled her eyes at his broad grin, "Thanks, but no thanks. And I'm not your bug-a-boo."

His cheeky expression faded as he turned to Mireille. "Well we better be off. I hope you have a fantastic birthday."

"Yes, happy birthday," added Ladybug.

"Thanks," Mireille said, "today's outcome is looking fabulous."

Ladybug dropped into her room and transformed. "I can't believe it, Tikki. He's going on date tonight, Adrien and Mireille. What if he falls for her? I can't let that happen."

"Marinette, you can't control who Adrien sees or how he feels. You can only do your best to show him how you feel."

She sighed and sank into her desk chair, "I know Tikki but Mireille is so sweet and pretty. She's so easy to like and I'm not even on his radar."

"He's your friend and he's getting to know you. A date with Mireille may be nothing more than a single dinner out."

"But what if it becomes two dates or more. What if she becomes his girlfriend!"

Alya's voice sounded from downstairs, "Marinette." Tikki took refuge in Marinette's handbag. The door flung open and her best friend's head popped up. "Did you see Ladybug and Cat Noir on the TV this morning? It's already on my blog. I was hoping to catch them before they left the studio but I had to finish my homework."

"Um yeah, I caught some of it."

"I thought it so cute when Cat Noir suggested a picnic with Ladybug."

Marinette cringed, "Wasn't it a generalisation?"

"I don't think so Cat Noir seems completely wrapped up in her."

"He's a flirt, Alya."

Alya waved her finger, "Only with Ladybug."

"He flirted with me during the Evillustrator saga."

"He was probably trying to put you at ease."

Marinette shook her head, "I doubt it."

"Jealous?"

"Hardly, you know my heart belongs to Adrien. Speaking of which I heard he's going on a date tonight."

"What, no way. Details girl, tell me."

Marinette relayed what she knew, making sure to leave out the finer points of how and where she'd garnered the information.

Alya drummed her fingers against her chin. "Well you could go and see Adrien."

"What? How would I even justify that? Hi Adrien, I hear you're going on a date. Please don't go."

Alya chuckled, "Not exactly. I was thinking you could use that whole drama around his father's latest line as an excuse." Marinette blinked in confusion. "Honestly girl, did you not see the news? There's a fiasco about real fur being used apparently, it's a load of rubbish but it didn't stop the protesters. Just go over there and say you wanted to check he was okay."

"That's a possibility." Marinette glanced at her handbag, "Hmm, Alya I think you're onto something."

Adrien adjusted his jacket as he viewed his reflection. He gave a weak smile, wishing he were getting ready for a date with Ladybug rather than Mireille. Plagg floated at his shoulder looking on as he clutched his latest piece of camembert. "Going to another photoshoot?"

"No, I've got a date tonight."

"Ooh did you finally convince Ladybug?"

Adrien closed his eyes and shook his head.

"I didn't think so."

He looked up sharply, "It's only a matter of time."

"If you say so," Plagg said as he took a massive bite of his cheese.

Adrien started to respond when he heard a tap on the window. Glancing up he saw Ladybug hanging from her yoyo string, smiling and waving at him. Plagg made himself scarce as Adrien opened the window. "Ladybug, to what do I owe the pleasure?"

She smiled, "I heard there was some controversy around your father's latest launch so I thought I'd come by and check everything was okay."

"Um yeah, nothing his security can't handle. But please come in."

Ladybug landed gracefully on the floor and retracted her yoyo. Her gaze darted around his room. "You've got quite a collection of books."

He tore his attention away from her to glance at the expansive bookcase high above, "I was home schooled for a long time, so I ended up with a lot of books."

She nodded, "Do you like going to school?"

"Yeah, it's far better than being stuck at home without friends."

She stepped towards him, "So you were lonely?"

He shifted closer to her, "Yes, very much so."

"But you're not now?"

He looked into her eyes for a long moment, "I feel like the empty space in my heart has been filled."

The buzz of his phone stole his attention, "I've got a da- an appointment I've to go to."

"Oh okay."

He rubbed his neck, "I can stretch it a few more minutes. I'd like you to stay, if you don't have to go straight away."

"I can stay for a little while." She said as she sat down on the end of his bed.

His heart shifted gears and he felt heat touch his cheeks. She was on his bed. Nothing would make him leave his room now without a fight. He cautiously sat beside her, fearing she'd move away the instant he was near. As Cat Noir, he'd grown used to her pushing him away whenever he was too close. She only adjusted her position to face him and his gaze dropped to her lips. He swallowed as she leaned towards him.

A knock at the door startled them both. Nathalie's voice called, "Adrien the car is waiting, you're going to be late."

Adrien let out a frustrated breath, a muscle in his cheek twitched, she'd moved off the bed and his fingers dug into the quilt. "I'll just be a minute."

"Looks like it's time to go," she said in a voice that was a little unsteady.

He stood and walked to her, "Yeah I'm sorry. Another time?"

She gave him a warm smile, "Of course." Then she was out the window and into the night. He frowned, "Goodnight my lady."

Thanks for reading the first chapter. I hope you enjoyed it. I wanted to make this story to feel like an actual episode of the show. There are another three chapters on the way :)