Adrien and Marinette's POV:

"Marinette, where did you get the pecans?"

"Pecans?"

"Yes, the ones that could have gotten you killed!"

"A-Adrien, calm down. I know you did not mean to cause me harm. It was an honest mistake."

Adrien gives her a puzzled look. He has not the foggiest idea what she is going on about now.

Marinette sees the perplexed expression. She pulls out a slip of paper from her pocket.

"Did not you leave me this note?"

"Marinette, I swear I did not leave that for you. I would never type one when I could have hand-written one instead."

"Wait, if you did not leave it for me, then who did?"

"Hmm, that is a good question. One I intend to get to the bottom of soon."

"Were the goodies in the chair from you? "

Adrien thinks fast. He cannot tell her that Chat Noir left the apple and orange, not when she is sore at him. Yet, he cannot lie to her about it either.

"A good friend of mine left the fruit. He definitely did not buy any nuts though."

"Alright, well, then, it seems there is a mystery when it comes to the note and the pecans then."

"There sure is."

"A-Adrien?"

"Y-yes?"

"Why did you come to check on me the night I almost froze to death?"

" Why did you come tonight?"

"It is because that is what friends do. They look out for each other." Adrien tells her. He sighs as he cannot find himself able to speak the truth about how he feels about her.

"Yeah, friends."

"I am glad you are my friend, Adrien," Marinette says rather softly.

"I am glad you are my friend, too, Marinette," Adrien replies. He thinks maybe someday we will be more than friends.

Adrien notices Plagg is rather quiet. He is glad.

At least this way, she does not have to know he is Chat. He cannot let her find out. Not yet anyway.

Marinette is deep in thought. She knows for sure if Adrien did not bring the fruit it must have been a certain black cat. Now, why do you suppose Adrien did not say his name?

"Adrien, I know it was Chat who gave me the apple and orange."

"It was?"

"Do not act like you are surprised, boy. Adrien I know it was him."

"What makes you say that Marinette?"

"He is the only other person who tries so hard to befriend me." Marinette breathes a sigh of relief, she did not slip up and say impress me. Although she did think it.

Marinette hears Adrien sob.

"Why are you crying?"

"I c-could have lost you! I almost did not come tonight. I changed my mind, and now you are still here. I know it would have been my fault if you died."

Marinette shakes her head no.

"Adrien, you did not poison me! You said yourself you did not leave the note or nuts."

"Marinette!" Adrien holds her close, and sobs more.

Marinette feels herself relax. She does not understand. The last time she let someone touch her it was Chat Noir, and she had to go ruin it with her bad mood. She shudders to think, Adrien will leave her. Just like Chat did already, and like everyone else has.

"Adrien, promise me something, please."

Adrien hears the pleading in her words. He wonders, what brought that up?

"What In the Tar Nation are You talking about Woman?"

"I am talking about you. Promise you will not abandon me."

" I cannot handle it if I am all alone."

Tikki remains hidden within her clothes. She thinks what am I stuffed pork chops?

She cannot believe Marinette is going on so much to a boy. Blah! Who needs them?

Not this kwami that is for sure.

"I promise. Marinette, I know how you feel. My mother died years ago, and I have felt alone since then.  I do my best to keep her memory alive. My father does not seem to care."

Marinette thinks strange Chat Noir said the something once.

The story continues in Chapter 13 , until then,

Bye-bye owlets!

-Summer out!