Nathaniel was once again thankful for his ability to just fade into the background and remain unnoticed. It probably wasn't something to be proud of – and indeed, he had hated his inability to stand out for the longest time. Just because he didn't like being the centre of attention didn't mean he liked being forgotten, you know?

Then something silly happened – he watched an anime about a loner who claimed that unobtrusively disappearing into his surroundings was one of his 108 special skills. It was something silly but had for some reason stuck with him enough that he found he didn't mind as much anymore.. in fact, sometimes it was downright useful. Like when you want to secretly observe a girl who might or might not rip you into pieces, both verbally and physically, if she thought you were staring too much.

Chloé Bourgeois.

She was.. an enigma. A few months ago he would have used a much more unkind word to describe her, but she had been trying to be better – he could respect someone trying to improve themselves. She had started apologising to everyone she had ridiculed or put down with unnecessary cause. Which included a lot more people than he would have expected – their entire class, for one.

Still, her apologies largely consisted of gifts and so most of the class wrote it off as bribery and assumed her only input into the gifts were the money she gave Sabrina to buy them. Everyone he had talked to said while they wouldn't be bribed, but saw the attempt at apologising as close to being good as she could come – and most had also picked up that she hadn't bothered to apologise to Marinette, who probably deserved one the most.

To be honest, he wouldn't have really disagreed with them..

If it wasn't for the fact that he had spotted Chloé buying his gift – okay so that was a bit thin. She might deign to buy her own bribes.. Thing was, the store he spotted her in was by no means high end. It was in a more run down part of town, small and easy to miss if you didn't already know where it was.. but it carried some of the best paints and other art supplies he had ever found in the city.

Long story short, she really had no business shopping there, unless she had wondered in by accident. Nathaniel himself didn't even shop there (though that was due to the prices), he just like browsing through it.

Then he received his apology and gift from Chloé – the exact painting set he had been looking at when he had spotted her the previous day. He would have wrote it off, except for a throwaway comment by Nino about how the headset he had got was the exact one he had asked about the previous week.. one intuitive leap later, and Nathaniel had a theory.

She had been following everyone.

It seemed.. out of character. Except the more he thought of it, the more he became sure that none of the class likely knew anything about her true character – which is why he had gone to speak to Adrien so he could ask about his suspicions.

"Would Chloé sneak around, following people in some strange over the top plan to find out what kind of gift they would most likely prefer?" Adrien asked in a neutral tone.

"Okay, I realise when you phrase it like that it sounds..-"

"That is absolutely something she would do, in fact, I'd guess that is exactly what she had been doing. So I guess you spotted her, huh?"

His surprise must have been clear on his face, because Adrien laughed out loud, before calming down with a fond expression on his face.

"Look, I get that most people don't like Chloé – with reason, I know. She can be cold and rude, and she's brutally honest in her opinions of people.. She didn't have the most caring parents. Her mother is in my opinion.. well, a frigid bitch. Her father really does love her, but he also loves his job and the power he wields as mayor. Her mother rarely has time for her, and whenever she does it's to either belittle or critique her. I've always felt that was why Chloé can act so cruel – that she hoped mimicking her mother would gain her some form of approval.

Her father has more time for her, but is more likely to just buy her expensive gifts than actually show he loves her. It has created the idea in Chloé's mind that emotion can only be expressed as either criticism or expensive gifts. Take my word for it – this really is the best way she knows to show she's sorry. Accept the gift as the apology it is, rather than the bribe it comes across, okay?"

Nathaniel just looked at Adrien. That.. was a lot to take in. Actually it was a lot more insight into Chloé than he had expected.. it was actually surprising Adrien would share this much with someone who isn't that close to either him or Chloé.

"Why are you telling me all of this?" he finally asked.

Adrien looked at him with his head tilted to the side and his eyes slightly narrowed – for some reason the action struck him as extremely feline in nature.

"I wouldn't have just told anyone – the reason I told you is likely the same reason you had for being the first person to ask about how Chloé thinks.. or at least I hope so for her part.." he finished in a mutter – softly enough that Nathaniel almost hadn't heard it.

Nathaniel pursed his lips and frowned in confusion. Why was he asking? Does it really matter to him, considering that he wasn't exactly on close terms with her? He didn't know.. and yet this new knowledge sat in the back of his head as unmovable as a sleeping Snorlax.

Thanking Adrien, he turned and walked to the school's exit – only for Adrien to call out:

"And Nathaniel? I'm pretty sure you're a good guy, but know that if you use any of what I told you to gossip or hurt her.. Well. Trust me when I say the Agreste temper is far worse than that of the Bourgeois.." and seeing the unusually serious expression on Adrien's face he realised something – Chloé may not have many friends, but her friendship with Adrien was real and he would always look out for her.

For some reason he couldn't fathom that thought made him surprisingly happy.

He was shaken out of his memories and stopped sketching when he realised he was no longer sitting alone on the courtyard steps.. in fact, the person now sitting next to him was the one he had just been thinking of.

The one he had spent most of the morning since he arrived at school sketching.

And she was staring right at the sketch without any expression on her face.

For a moment he considered doing something ridiculous like putting it away and pretending he hadn't just been working on a sketch of Chloé mid-transformation to Queen Bee, even if she was staring right at it.

The moment stretched on for an unknown period with him holding his breath and her eyes roaming over every detail on the page, before she suddenly looked up at him and smiled.

Suddenly Nathaniel went from being frozen because oh-shit-the-very-scary-girl-caught-me to oh-shit-the-pretty-girl-is-smiling-at-me-and-my-brain-stopped-working.

He was still in the process of restarting his brain when she suddenly got up and headed in the direction of their classroom, Sabrina falling in beside her. She looked back at him just before entering the class with one eyebrow raised for a fleeting moment, before disappearing from view – likely to talk with Madame Bustier.

She had been meeting with their teacher just before class for almost a week now – a fact he most certainly did not know because his eyes had been following her every morning for almost two. Nope, he definitely was not being distracted by her at all.

Caline Bustier watched with an expectant smile as she saw her class enter for the last period of the day. It had taken some convincing for Chloé to convince her, and then even more to arrange everything with Principle Damocles, but he had given – she suspected largely because of how Chloé used to get her father involved whenever she didn't get her way.

She was exceptionally proud of how much Chloé had changed this last year, even if it seemed there weren't many people to realise or acknowledge how hard she was trying. Granted, she wouldn't have expected the catalyst for that change to be a magic piece of jewellery or a role-model in a Ladybug-spotted one piece super suit – but whatever works, she supposed.

Still, I know there is something about this whole thing that isn't what it seems. I don't believe Chloé is intending anything malicious – actually I don't see how it could be malicious. Regardless, I'll keep a close eye on everyone today. It's such a shame that Marinette will be late today, but her parents had made arrangements almost a week ago.. something about a rare visit from a relative? Still, she should be back before Chloé's surprise is over. Speaking of.

"All right class, settle down please, I have an announcement to make," she said, waiting until everyone had quieted, "now today we won't be continuing with the week's work, as Chloé has arranged a surprise for everyone.. Chloé, how about you come up here and explain?"

"If I must," she said with an exaggerated sigh, but wasted no time in coming to stand at the front and turning to face the classroom.

"Long story short, because I honestly couldn't be bothered to share it, Jagged Stone will be holding a surprise, indoor charity concert at the Le Grand Paris – and you are all invited, no charge. You're welcome," she finished with an air of indifference.

The class was silent for a moment, before everyone started talking excitedly, discussing their favourite songs and how much fun it might be.. and then the attention was suddenly shifted when Rose spoke up, addressing Lila loud enough for the entire class to hear:

"Oh Lila, you must be so excited to see him again! I'm sure he'll want to catch up with you, but do you think you could introduce us to him? We won't act too much like starstruck fans, we promise!"

Oh that's right, Lila has befriended Jagged Stone when she saved his kitten! Such an extraordinary life this girl has lead. Well, it should be a happy surprise to see him again for her at least. But then.. am I imagining the look of apprehension on her face?

Before Lila could answer however, Chloé had spoken up:

"I am sad to say that Jagged has expressly requested no backstage visitors or friends, as he is also taking this opportunity of being in Paris to visit his honorary niece.."

There. I definitely did not imagine her Lila's relief at this announcement. Maybe she just doesn't know how to tell her friends no..? She is still relatively new, so maybe that..

Her thoughts were distracted however by something strange – Sabrina had her phone out and was staring at it intently, before making a 'go ahead' motion in Chloé's direction – and suddenly Chloé shot a victorious grin at Lila, whose eyes suddenly widened in apprehension.

"However! He loves his fans, and therefore has agreed to have a meet-and-greet with our class.. right now!" and with timing so opportune that she realised Chloé and Sabrina had to have planned it, Jagged Stone entered the room with a grin, followed by Penny Rolling and Marinette of all people.

Wasn't she meeting a relative..? Maybe they just ran into each other outside of school.

The moment Adrien saw Chloé shoot a victorious smirk at Lila just after Marinette came in with Jagged Stone, he started laughing. He didn't care that Nino and Alya were looking at him funny, or that Marinette had that cute frown on her face she got when she was trying to work out a problem – he could worry about looking sane later.

Trust Chloé to do something so.. over-the-top and convoluted in order to apologise to someone. He hadn't actually told Chloé that Lila was.. whatever the hell you'd describe her as, but it didn't surprise him that she saw through all of the lies. Considering how everyone knew about the issues Marinette had with Lila (even if most of the class believed Lila rather than Marinette) – in Chloé's mind, revealing that Marinette had been telling the truth the whole time would be the perfect apology..

Though he should probably just inform Marinette of that fact. Not many people get Chloé.

"Good afternoon rocker gals and rocker gents! Are you all excited about the concert tonight?!" Jagged demanded, going so far as to jump on top of Madame Bustier's desk while addressing the class.

Seeing how everyone was gathering around Jagged Stone, he figured it was probably his best chance to talk to Marinette. He reached where she and Madame Bustier was standing just soon enough to catch the tail end of a question:

"..parents had a visiting relative?"

Marinette got a sudden abashed look on her face and said in an almost exasperated tone:

"Well that's not strictly true.. Jagged just sort of proclaimed himself my honorary uncle?"

Adrien had to try and hold in his laughter at the gobsmacked look on their teacher's face – a task that became infinitely more difficult when Penny interjected:

"The honorary part isn't precisely voluntary, he just couldn't convince your grandfather to adopt him – and believe me he tried. I believe the last time your grandfather chased him off with a rolling pin, yelling something about the English invasion."

He saw how Marinette covered her face and started incoherently mumbling about older people trying to embarrass her- though whether she was referring to her grandfather or to Jagged Stone he didn't know.

Still, he had a fun conversation trying to explain to Marinette that the chaos of today was probably Chloé apologising for everything – he was unbelievably happy that he and Marinette had gotten closer this last year. She used to almost always find an excuse to leave when it was just the two of them, and he had worried that she either disliked him or found his father too intimidating.. he never did find out why she stopped though.

The adorable way she could get her sentences mixed up, before blushing furiously? Those he missed.. When was the last time that happened anyway? He and Marinette had fallen into a comfortable silence, just watching Jagged interact with the rest of their class while Madame Bustier and Penny Rolling were making small talk in the background, when the conversations around Jagged got suddenly more interesting when Rose asked about Lila's song.

His face now sporting a Cheshire grin, Adrien grabbed Marinette's hand and pulled her along so they could stand right at the back of the group still excited about meeting a music icon.

Nathaniel was starting to get really confused. This whole day had been one confusing mess actually, culminating in meeting his favourite musician and for some reason having Sabrina keep moving between him and Alix or him and Juleka.

Changing seats, pushing into conversations.. it was weird. Added to that, he was still trying to figure out what that look between Chloé and Lila was about – not one he had seen because his eyes were almost constantly searching her out, obviously.

Yeah I'm several different kinds of screwed, and none of them are pleasant.

Luckily he was distracted as Rose chose that moment to ask:

"Mister Jagged Stone sir, are you going to be trying to see Lila while you're in Paris?"

The rest of the class fell silent – most out of curiosity, but some out of a sort of excited apprehension.

Jagged seemed to blink at the bubbly girl, before shaking his head and saying:

"Well I suppose that depends – the devil is a lye-la?" in a confused sort of tone.

Nathaniel felt his eyes widen, and looking around saw that most of the class was mimicking his expression. Except Chloé (obvious coincidence he looked at her first), Sabrina, Marinette and Adrien.

Huh, that's kind of weird. What's going on?

It was at that moment that Lila stepped forward and spoke in an uncharacteristically hesitant tone:

"I.. I'm Lila. Lila Rossi? We met a few years ago in that airport in Egypt?"

He seemed to take a moment to study her face, before pursing his lips.

"Sorry lass, I ain't got no head for names or faces.. hold on a moment. Oi! Penny! Do I know any Lila? Think Egypt!"

The entire class turned as one to watch Penny, whose eyes seemed to stare of into the distance before starting to flicker back and forth, like she was watching the world's fastest tennis match.

"Got an eidetic memory that one – remembers almost everything. Very handy for someone like me that travels all over meeting new people," Jagged whispered to them.

"None that I recall. It is the sight of your next expedition with Miss Lovegood, though I doubt you'd confuse her name for.. anyone really. Why do you ask?"

Nathaniel was starting to put a few things together from today, and if he was right.. well he'd probably have to go to Chloé for tips on how to properly apologise. Him and the rest of their class!

Jagged turned, frowning at Lila before he continued speaking:

"Well this lass here supposedly knows me – but neither you or I can recall her. Probably means that..-"

"Oh Jagged don't be silly," Lila interrupted, "Penny wasn't there when I met you. In fact she wasn't around any of the times we hung out!"

"Not there when..?" he started in a tone of disbelief, "In what world would Penny not be there? Runs my life, she does! In fact, I see Penny more than me own Mum – bless her rocker raising soul. How on Earth do you claim we met?"

Nathaniel instantly picked up on the fact that Jagged said claim rather than just asking about how they met. Yep, warning bells going off all around now, judging from the rapid paling of Alya's face.

"Dude don't you remember her saving your kitten? I would definitely remember someone saving my pet – especially as heroically as Lila did!" Kim suddenly spoke up, likely hoping to be helpful.. although Nathaniel now realised he was nothing short of damning.

"Saved my pet kit..?" Jagged managed to sputter out, before yelling in indignation, "I've never owned a kitten! How would a kitten be Rock 'n Roll? It's just not done! My beloved pet Fang is a crocodile, and if you little rockers have been believing this.. this.. techno-lover's lies, a much better judge of character than most of you too!"

The class had varying reactions – some just had shocked looks on their faces, Juleka seemed to be saying something to Marinette, Sabrina was still standing at his side like a sentry (with Chloé beside her), Ivan appeared to be consoling Mylene who had tears in her eyes and Alix and Alya had spun on Lila and was now berating her with a vengeance.

"..'course Fang loves Marinette, but then again who doesn't?" Jagged continued, completely oblivious and seemingly looking around for something – though the end-of-school bell chose that moment to ring.

"Aha! Marinette, why are you hiding here at the back..? Oho! Because you're keeping a boyfriend to yourself, eh? We'll just have to take him along! Your parents are putting me and Penny up until the concert tonight, so I can take that time to see if this boy is good enough for my favourite niece!" and so saying, he threw his arms over each of their shoulders and steered them out of the class, unnoticed by anybody else – the last thing he heard was Marinette exclaiming she wasn't his niece, and Jagged countering something about that being her grandfather's fault not his.

Shaking his head in amusement, he turned around to go pack up his things and go – only for his bag to be pushed into his arms by Sabrina followed by her pushing him in the direction of the door.

He was still reeling from the strangeness of the act when he exited the class, only for his free hand to be suddenly grabbed by Chloé while she pulled him along to their empty science lab and closed the door behind them.

"Alright Scarlet listen up – I'm going to ask you a few questions, and you're going to answer them quickly – got it?"

Nathaniel just stood there staring at her. Honestly, what else was he supposed to do? They maintained contact for long enough that it should have become awkward, but it didn't – and suddenly something sparked between them.

Chloé started blushing, a scene he would most definitely be painting when he got home, and he gulped before nodding at her to show he would answer her questions.

She looked momentarily startled, like she hadn't exactly expected him to agree, before speaking:

"Right, okay. This is.. this is great. Okay, first question – are you romantically interested in Alix?"

"Is.. is that a joke..?" he started, though seeing her honest confusion, he explained, "Haven't you ever wondered why she and Kim are constantly competing? They have a wager – the one who loses the most contests has to ask the other one out. They're not exactly together but.." he shrugged, "They probably will be soon."

"Okay, that's utterly ridiculous, but whatever works for them I guess. Second question – Are you still romantically interested in Marinette?"

Gulping nervously, and strictly focusing on not wondering about why Chloé was asking these questions, he answered more honestly than he normally would have:

"No.. not sure if I really was to be honest, but she is so good and friendly, it's hard not to get drawn in by it."

He might have imagined it, but he thought he saw her smile a bit at that.

"Are you romantically interested in Juleka?" she asked softly.

Rather than answer out loud, he just shook his head in the negative. She stepped closer to him then, closer than he was usually comfortable with people getting, and he noticed for the first time that with the heels she usually wore they stared almost directly into each other's eyes.

Finally, she asked in almost a whisper, "Could you be romantically interested in me?"

Without conscious thought he nodded, because what was the point of denying it? Seeing the smile she wore after that admission made him change his mind – the blush could wait, this smile would be the thing he stayed up all night working on.

Marinette had just finished making everyone coffee, and returned to her living room to find the only seat available next to a nervous-looking Adrien – Penny sharing the couch across from him with Jagged who had his guitar out and was distractedly strumming a few notes every once in a while.

"Now Marinette, tell me why you haven't handled this Lila Rossi yet?" Penny's suddenly stern voice interrupted her thoughts, "It is clear to me that she is nothing but a bully, and from the stand-offish behaviour of your friends it is also obvious that you are her main target. It may be nothing serious now, but how long do you think it will take before she escalates to something physical?"

Marinette wasn't quite quick enough to hide the wince on her face, judging by the narrowing of Penny's eyes.

"Unless it already has..?"

"Of course it hasn't!" interjected Adrien suddenly, "Marinette would have told me if something like that happened, right?" he finished, looking expectantly at her.

She watched his face go completely blank upon seeing the expression on her own face, before changing.

It was something intense, and a little bit frightening – something she'd never seen on Adrien Agreste's face yet was almost achingly familiar.

"Marinette."

She resisted the urge to shiver at his tone; it wasn't a question. It was a demand; a demand to know about something that might have hurt her – which was giving her all sorts of funny feelings to think about.

"It's not as bad as you think, I swear! She may have slapped me once, but I punched her in the nose right after, and she hasn't tried anything like that since!"

If the situation wasn't so serious, she might have laughed at the strange mixture of anger and relief on Adrien's face.. although it seemed Jagged had no qualms about chuckling.

"Bloody girl's got the luck of the devil though. A knock on the nose is getting of easy for someone messing with the Cat's Lady.." he managed to get out between chuckles..

Before stopping his guitar strumming suddenly bolting upright and with wide eyes.

"Shouldn't have said that. Should not have said that," he said in a nervous tone, with Marinette staring at him in confusion.

"Who is messing with Lady Bug?!" Adrien growled out at the same time Marinette demanded "Who told Chat Noir ?!"

Their outbursts only seemed to make Jagged even more nervous, as he kept switching his gaze between the two of them before finally stuttering out:

"You.. you mean you haven't told each other yet..? Oh bugger! I definitely shouldn't have told you that!"

Marinette frowned in confusion, trying to make sense of the last few moments of conversation.. and suddenly she knew where she had seen that intense expression before. It was the one Chat Noir wore every time she got hurt or was threatened directly by an akuma.

Could Adrien be my Kitty..?

Unbeknownst to Marinette, she had asked that question aloud – and in the time she took considering the possibility, Adrien had already connected the dots.

The next thing Marinette knew she was bodily lifted from the couch and spun through the air.

"My Lady! I can't believe I've been this close to you this whole time!" Adrien exclaimed, his voice a strange mix of joy and laughter.

"I really want to kiss you now," he said after he finally put her down, and she was still forming the words to say that she had other guests to entertain Penny interrupted with a smirk:

"Marinette, Adrien, sorry to trouble you, but would you mind waiting in your room for 30 minutes or so? Jagged and I have some.. work to discuss, which needs to remain private."

Marinette had barely waited until Penny finished before she grabbed Adrien's hand and started pulling him up into her room.

A few seconds later, Adrien stuck his head back down and said:

"We uh, don't want to intrude on any of your private business, so we're just going to close the trapdoor, okay?" and not even waiting for an answer shut it after himself.

Penny shook her head in amusement.

"If those two don't end up marrying, I'll lose all hope in the concept of true love."

"Well that's not fair, luv!" Jagged pouted, "I haven't even proposed yet and you're already so cynical.."

Leaving Penny to just sit there, completely dumbstruck.

Suddenly he slapped his hand to his forehead and looked at her from the corner of his eyes:

"Shouldn't have told you that.. I should not have told you that."