[Marinette's POV]

My class had a lecture first thing in the morning. It was so boring but I had to force myself to stay awake because the information was important. We're doing a report on marine biology for our science assessment. Luckily that's over now. We're just about to start our tour of the aquariums, I can't wait to see all the cool fish. I'm gonna take tons of photos to show Cat Noir when I get home.

"You seem pretty happy for someone that just sat through two hours of some old guy talking about fish." Alya says.

"I just can't wait to see the aquariums!" I reply excitedly. "And then I get to go home and tell—" I cut myself off and quickly calm down. "A-And tell my parents all about it."

"Haha, you're such a cutie." Alya says.

Alya and I are right up front next to the tour guide. We pass a door from which loud voices are erupting.

"What's going on in there?" I ask.

"Unfortunately, some staff are being let go today. Our organisation is going through some budget cuts." The tour guide answers. She turns to the rest of the group and raises her voice. "This way please!"

The tour guide leads us through a large archway and down a long, winding passageway but instead of walls, it's the glass tank of an aquarium. It looks like we're walking through a tube on the ocean floor—it's amazing! I'm frantically snapping photos from every angle as we walk. We are just past halfway when all of a sudden the fish around us scramble away into hiding.

"What's wrong with the fish?" Questions Alya.

The tour guide looks around uneasily. "I don't know."

I hear the sound of smashing glass in the distance. It is growing louder and louder.

"Students get back to your cabins!" Ms Bustier yells.

Our entire tour group runs past me towards the exit but I follow my instincts and go towards the danger.

A young man wearing a long, dark blue lab coat is calmly walking through the hallway. The glass is cracking and smashing as he passes but instead of flooding out, the water just swirls around him in the air.

"You can't fire Aquamarine." The man says. "I'm nothing but water, baby."

As I thought, an akumatized victim. But where can I transform? I'm in the middle of an open hallway and I don't know which exit is closer.

A familiar voice echoes through the hallway. "I knew something around here seemed fishy."

I would recognise that sense of humour anywhere!

Cat Noir leaps down out of nowhere and kicks Aquamarine in the face. He grunts angrily and throws violent gestures and Cat Noir. The water around Aquamarine shoots at Cat Noir, who flips around dodging each attack.

"Hey chummy!" He yells. "Don't you know that the fish need this water? You're being very shellfish."

I let out a small giggle. That stupid cat, joking around at a time like this.

Aquamarine whips round to the sound of my laughter. He sneers and turns towards me. Cat Noir follows his gaze, eyes widening at the sight of me.

"Mari!" He yells.

Aquamarine raises his hand but Cat Noir tackles him to the ground. He quickly sprints towards me and scoops me off the ground.

"Woah!" I say in surprise as Cat Noir starts running away with me in his arms.

"Don't think this means I'm letting you off the hook!" Cat Noir yells back at Aquamarine.

"You're puns are terrible." I say even though I'm smiling.

"I know I'm irresistible but it's too dangerous for you to be here." Cat Noir responds jokingly.

As soon as we are out of the aquarium passage way, Cat Noir kicks open the closest door and plops me inside.

"This is a janitor's closet." I point out dully.

"I need to get back to the fight. Please, just stay in here and hide." Cat Noir gently brushes a stray lock of hair behind my ear. "You'll be safe. I promise."

Cat Noir steps back and closes the door slowly. I stand in the darkness silently. After a few seconds I reach up and touch the cheek that Cat Noir had touched when he fixed my hair. It's warm. Am I blushing?

"Marinette!" Tiki squeaks, snapping me back to reality. "Marinette, the villain! You have to transform!"

"Oh, right." I say. "Spots on."

Bright pink light illuminates the small closet. I open the door and step out as Ladybug. I sprint back into the aquarium to find all of the glass is now shattered. There is water flying everywhere. I can barely see anything.

"Cat Noir!" I call out. "Cat—"

"Rose!" Shouts a voice.

I follow the yelling to find Juleka trudging through the hallway, throwing her arms around to wade through the water.

"Rose!" She cries. "Rose, where are you?!"

I didn't even know Juleka could project her voice this loudly.

"Juleka!" I run towards her and take her hand. "You have to get out of here, it's not safe."

Juleka rips her hand away from mine. "Not until I find Rose."

I hear a sharp scream from close by but as quickly as it rings out, it is suddenly muffled.

Juleka runs towards the sound, and I follow. We come to a dead stop when we catch sight of Rose. She is trapped in an orb of floating water.

"Rose!" Juleka turns to me, eyes wide. "She can't breathe. You have to save her! PLEASE!"

I've never seen Juleka show this much emotion before.

"Don't worry. I'll get her out." I assure her.

Before I can do anything, Cat Noir jumps down and swipes the water sphere with his staff. The bubble bursts and Rose falls down into his arms. She coughs and sputters as Cat Noir gently puts her down.

"This Aquamarine guy has a real bubbly personality." Cat Noir jokes.

Juleka rushes forward and takes Rose's face in her hands. She wipes Rose's wet hair from her eyes and looks at her closely.

"Are you okay?"

Rose nods and wraps her arms around Juleka, who returns the hug.

"I was so frightened." Rose says weakly. "I'm glad you're okay, Juleka."

"Will you two be alright to get out on your own?" I ask.

"Yes. Thankyou." Juleka answers, her voice as calm as usual.

She takes Rose by the hand and leads her towards the exit.

"Thank you Chat." I say, turning my attention to Cat Noir. "I'm sorry it took me so long to get here."

"Not a problem, m'lady." Cat Noir takes my hand and kisses it. "Could I just say that you are looking fin-tastic today?"

I smile and roll my eyes. "Stop messing around. We have to defeat this villain."

"Right," Cat Noir smirks. "Water we going to do?"

"Stop it." I giggle and push Cat Noir playfully.

"Ladybug. Cat Noir. Surrender your miraculouses." Hisses the voice of Aquamarine.

"Never!" I shout.

I sling round my yoyo and Cat Noir whips out his staff. We stand back to back, searching around us for any sight of Aquamarine.

He chuckles. "Are you sure? I think I have something that you might want..."

"Get your hands off me peasant!" Comes a familiar voice.

Aquamarine emerges clutching Chloe by the wrist.

"You've made a big mistake. Ladybug and Cat Noir are totes gonna beat you up; we're like this." Chloe smirks proudly and holds up two crossed fingers.

"Chloe!" Cat Noir exclaims.

Chloe waves flirtatiously. "Heeey Cat Noir!"

Cat Noir places a hand on his forehead and groans. Since when has Chloe been interested in him anyway?

"Ladybug's number one fan as well as Cat Noir's girlfriend. How's about a trade?" Aquamarine grins evilly.

"She's not my girlfriend!" Cat Noir argues. He immediately turns to me. "She is definitely not my girlfriend."

I sling my yoyo into my palm. "Let's get this over with. Where do you think the akuma is? Lab coat?"

Cat Noir observes Aquamarine. "What about the ID card pinned to the lab coat?"

"Nice catch." I reply.

"Do we have a deal or not?" Aquamarine says impatiently.

"I think not." I reply. "Lucky charm!"

I throw my yoyo up into the air and a spotted fishing rod appears from thin air.

"Looks like you're going fishing." Cat Noir says with a chuckle.

Aquamarine scowls and tosses Chloe aside. She tries to run but is instantly engulfed in a bubble of water.

A blast of water shoots towards Cat Noir and I. We peel away from each other to dodge the attack. Cat Noir goes straight for Chloe and I occupy myself with distracting Aquamarine. He repeatedly fires water at me from every angle. I know exactly what to do with this fishing rod, I just need a chance to aim.

"Come on Ladybug." I say to myself. "It's just like slinging your yoyo. Just go with your gut!"

I leap up and swing my fishing rod towards Aquamarine. The hook goes flying through the air and latches onto his ID card. I rip it back towards me.

"Yes!" I exclaim as I catch the ID card.

I tear the item in half and open my yoyo as the akuma flies out.

"No more evil doing for you, little akuma. Time to de-evilise!" I sling my yoyo at the nasty moth to capture it. After releasing the purified butterfly, I throw the fishing rod up into the air. "Miraculous Ladybug!"

The fishing rod pops in a burst of red magic. The water returns to the aquarium and the glass fixes itself until everything is back to normal.

"Pound it!...huh?"

I look around for Cat Noir. He is kneeling beside Chloe, who is lying on the ground unconscious. I quickly run over and crouch down next to him.

"Is she alright?"

"I think she just swallowed too much water." Cat Noir says frantically. "I have to give her mouth to mouth!"

Cat Noir leans forward but my hand shoots out to catch his shoulder. "No! I-I'll do it."

"What?" Cat Noir turns to me. "Do you even know CPR?"

"No..." I answer shamefully.

"Then why..." Cat Noir's mouth suddenly stretches into a broad grin.

"What? How can you be smiling in a situation like this?" I ask.

"You don't want me to kiss her!" Cat Noir says with a cheeky laugh.

"Wha—?"

Cat Noir starts poking me. "You don't want my mouth on her mouth, do you Ladybug? Do you?" He teases.

I slap his hand away. "Chat stop joking, this girl's life is in danger."

"This is no joke. You're jealous!" Cat Noir replies.

"Am not!" I deny.

Chloe suddenly starts gagging. She rolls off her back and coughs out a mouthful of water. I let out a breath of relief. Looks like neither of us will have to kiss Chloe.

"Chloe, are you alright?" I ask as I pat her back.

"Ladybug...?" Chloe groans weakly.

"Yes, I'm here." I answer.

"You know she's not actually my girlfriend, right?" Cat Noir continues to my annoyance.

I frown and make an irritated grunt. My earrings beep but I'm in no mood to feel stressed. I stand up and help Chloe to her feet.

"Thanks Ladybug." Chloe rests her hand on my shoulder. "Listen, I'm not here to step on any toes. I know you and Cat Noir have a thing so, like, you don't need to feel threatened by me. I'm totally cool."

"Uh..."

Before I can respond, Chloe pats my shoulder and walks away. Cat Noir snickers to himself as he stands.

"Hey. Hey Ladybug." Cat Noir giggles breathlessly in-between words. "If you were a fish right now, you'd be a jellyfish."

"Oh shut up." I snap.

Cat Noir finishes his last chuckles with a sigh. He suddenly becomes calm and genuine as he wraps his arms around me from behind and rests his head on my shoulder.

"There's nothing to be jealous about Bugaboo." Cat Noir whispers. "You're the only fish in the sea for me. The only one in the whole tunaverse."

I can't help but laugh at that ridiculous line. I giggle so much it makes my stomach hurt.

"You're so lame." I say.

"Hey," Cat Noir grabs my hips and turns me around to face him. "I think that's the first time you've laughed at one of my puns."

He's gazing at me with that cheeky grin of his. It makes my heart skip a beat. His hands are still placed on my hips. I turn away to hide my flushed cheeks.

"Whatever..." I smile.