When the next akuma struck, it had been about a a week since their fight. Ladybug hadn't seen nor heard anything of her partner at all. Often times he would go for late night runs across the Paris roof tops a few times a week, or see if she wanted to meet him somewhere and just watch the city lights. But there had been no sign of Chat Noir anywhere and now he wasn't even answering his staff. The spotted heroine had a terrible feeling that she was truly on her own this time.

So much for still being partners...

Ladybug frantically dodged in circles around a man calling himself 'The Boulder'. He was enlarged to the size of a three story building, talking exclusively in third person about being beaten by a 'little girl', and smashing everything in his path while making rock puns. She wasn't really sure what his deal was, just that it had to do with the fighting championship belt he now wore around one giant finger like a ring.

Unlike most akumas, this one actually knew how to fight even before being given his immense size. Many well practiced moves only missing due to the size difference between him and the heroine. Ladybug made sure to keep moving, or risk being smashed like a literal bug. All she had to do to stop him was get a little closer to that belt.

That was easier said than done without Chat Noir, though. He was a born melee fighter and always the perfect distraction. Ladybug on the other hand knew she was often at a disadvantage at close quarters, her yo-yo string making contact more than the weapon itself. And while she could handle a normal sized person in a straight up fight, this was getting a bit...

SMACK!!!

Thoughts of her partner were cut off completely as she misjudged the speed of her enemy's latest strike and was sent flying down the street at an incredible speed. The heroine finally came to a stop as her body caved in the side of a, luckily empty, crashed minivan.

Ladybug did her best to stand, but her body was wracked with pain. Head spinning, she barely made it more than a few steps from the van before collapsing to the ground in a groaning heap. Her yo-yo rolled up and came to a stop mere inches from her face.

As the thundering footsteps of a now monologuing Boulder started down the street, Ladybug's vision began to clear. Pushing through the pain, she reached out and grabbed her tool, calling Chat's staff. It rung for a few moments before sending her to a still pun filled voice mail he hadn't bothered to change.

She tried again.

Nothing.

The foot steps were getting closer.

Again.

Still nothing.

As the akuma reached the intersection two blocks ahead of her, he stopped to swat at group of courageous civilians that were risking themselves to buy Ladybug time to recover, she pressed call once more and this time let it go fully to message.

'... Please leave a message and have a PAWsome day!' Beeeeep!

"Chat Noir, please just listen! If you hear this, I really need your help! I know you're mad at me, you have every right to be. I was a horrible partner, but an even worse friend! I let all my own insecurities get in the way of being there and really listening to you're feelings. That was wrong of me. Recently, a friend of mine showed me how much of a difference just being there to listen can make, and I should have done so much more to be there for you... You are honestly one of my best friends... And however much you needed me that night, I KNOW that if it half as much as I need you right now, then I really REALLY messed up!"

Thundering footsteps echoed through the streets as the akuma got closer. Ladybug heard the screams of innocent bystanders and forced herself to stand. "I'm sorry, Chat Noir. I guess I can't wait any longer. If you get this..." Her voice trailed off as she took one last deep breath. "I love you, minou."

"I love you too, bugaboo."

The second Ladybug had closed her compact, Chat Noir leapt from the other side of the van and landed between the akuma and his partner. The fire in his eyes had returned, as well as his signature smirk.

"The Boulder? More like the pebble if you ask me!" The hero taunted before launching himself into the fray.

Ladybug felt like she was gonna cry. Chat was back! Her partner was back! He was here when she needed him most.

Like always.

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When the fight finally ended, championship belt returned to its rightful owner, Chat Noir held out his fist and smiled brightly at the heroine beside him. "I think we just ROCKED his world, aye M'Lady?"

Throwing tradition to the wind once more, Ladybug pushed past his out stretched fist and instead nearly tackled her partner to the ground in a bone-crushing hug. "Mon Minou... I knew you wouldn't abandon me! I'm so sorry..."

As the spotted heroine broke down in his arms, Chat Noir realized that the middle of the street was probably not an appropriate venue for the talk to follow. Scoping his lady up, bridal style, and winking at the fan-girling 'ladyblogger' filming the whole thing, the feline hero launched them up to the Paris rooftops and found a quiet place to rest.

The girl clung to his chest tightly as Chat Noir landed and sat himself down, keeping his exhausted partner cradled in his lap. They sat like that for a several minutes before Ladybug managed to find her words. "How much of my message did you hear..?" She twiddled her fingers together nervously, embarrassed that he might have heard such a personal outpour in person at all.

Chat looked down and smiled at her. Not one of his usual smirks or cheshire grins, but a genuine, loving smile that sent familiar shivers up her spine.

"Almost all of it actually... I only got the people out of that van moments before you crashed into it." Chat scratched the back of his neck and sighed, his expression turning serious. "I'm sorry I wasn't their sooner... I was mad and broken-hearted, but you're more than free to want to keep your identity a secret, I pushed way too far. I was being selfish because I was hurting, but that wasn't an excuse to treat you that way. And it was NEVER an excuse to leave you in a fight like that alone. I could have lost you right then... I don't think I'd ever forgive myself if-"

Chat Noir's brain ceased to function in that moment, as Ladybug's lips crashed into his own, her fingers curled around the bell on his neck. When she pulled back, there was fire in those bright blue eyes.

"Don't you DARE apologize to me right now, you dumb cat! This was all my fault! I never listened to you! I never took into account how the kind of stress I've felt on a daily basis could possibly be affecting you more than me. Or if I was doing enough as tour partner to help. If either of us was being too selfish, then it was me! I was just so wrapped in my head about my own insecurities that I wouldn't even let myself fully trust my bestfriend with my name..."

The girl looked down at her lap, "I'm sorry, Chat... I hurt you so much, so I know you probably can't just forgive me that easily."

Chat Noir pulled her into his own embrace as tears began rolling down his cheeks. His forehead coming to rest against her's. "Of course I forgive you, bugaboo... You're my bestfriend too, after all."

Their embrace only ended at the rapid beeping of Ladybug's earrings. Chat Noir stood up quickly, helped his partner to her feet. "I guess this is where we part, M'Lady. See you for patrol tomorrow?"

"Chat, wait." Ladybug nearly yelled. Her eyes pleading for him to stay as she grabbed his hand. Her earrings beeped again, almost questioning if she new what she was really doing.

"Ladybug, if you don't go, then I'll find out who you are." Chat said, frantically looking for an easy place to move where he couldn't see her, but the roof he'd chosen was unfortunately barren.

"I don't care, Chat... I want you to know."

Their eyes met for a moment before a bright flash of pink caused the feline hero to shield his own with his free hand.

"Earlier this week, my friend Adrien helped me realize that being there for the people you love is one of the most important things you can do... And I want to be here for you, kitty. As Ladybug and me..."

Chat Noir felt frozen in place, but she gave him the time he needed. The name Adrien had already tipped him off, but he knew he had to see to be sure it was really her.

He could never be that lucky.

Slowly the hero opened his eyes and saw Marinette standing before him, an adorable nervous expression in her eyes. He spotted her kwammi wave at him briefly before diving into her purse to let them talk it out.

As the tension of the moment peaked between them, Chat let out a hearty laugh and grinned with delight at the confusion on her face. "Well purrrrincess, I'm glad to know you really are keeping your promise to me."

And before she could respond, Adrien dropped his own transformation.

Marinette gasped, "A-AdRIEN?! You're my Chat Noir?!" Her hands went to cover her mouth as tears flowed anew.

Adrien rushed forward, scooping her up and spinning his petite partner in circles before pulling her tightly against him. "I have and always will be your Chat Noir." He wore his famous cheshire grin, as if to prevent any doubt, but it quickly melted away into a loving smile. "And I'm so so happy that My Lady is someone as wonderful as you beneath the mask."

It was one of those weeks, like Adrien said, but they only grew stronger because of it. And promised to always be there for each other no matter what the future brings.

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Bonus points if you get the akuma reference and remeber the episode of Drake and Josh I stole the plot from! Haha.

Thanks to everyone who are apparnetly already reading this. I left for work and came back to so many email notifications! It was crazy. Hope you liked it and hopefully I'll post again soon now that I've finished this monster. - M