"So, what happened?"

Marinette shifted nervously under Adrien's gaze as she sat on her bed. She couldn't tell him why she was out so late. It was almost midnight and her day had been long and exhausting.

"I... forget?" Marinette grinned awkwardly, shrugging.

Adrien frowned, his shoulders drooping. "Please tell me the truth. I know you didn't just magically forget."

Marinette dropped the smile and looked away. If she told him, he would find out she was Ladybug, no doubt. I mean the note specifically said she was Ladybug, so showing him that was out of the question...

"I can't tell you," Marinette whispered, staring at the floor.

"Mari," Adrien said quietly, grabbing her hands. "You can tell me anything."

"I can't," she repeated, the phrase sounding more painful than she had anticipated.

"Please. You've been acting strange today. Let me help you," Adrien pleaded.

"I'm okay," Marinette nodded.

Adrien huffed, leaning back in Marinette's desk chair. "You could've gotten hurt out there. Why didn't you call a taxi or your parents to drive you? Heck, you could've called me."

"Please stop grilling me," Marinette snapped, pulling away from Adrien. "I was almost robbed today, so I'm a little distraught. My mind is fuzzy."

The blonde let out a stifling sigh, collecting his thoughts.

"I'm sorry," Adrien said sincerely. "I'm just worried about you. Especially since this wouldn't be our first run in with horrible people."

"I know, but I'll be okay," Marinette lied with a half smile, placing her hand on his cheek. "You know, this girl is especially keen at kicking butt-- on video games, that is."

Adrien laughed, placing his large hand on top of hers. "Don't have to tell me twice, Mecha Strike champion." He then kissed her on the forehead and stood up. "Well, I better let you rest after such a taxing day. Let me know if you need anything."

"I will," Marinette smiled widely, criss crossed on her bed.

Adrien stood there for a second, admiring her beauty. His emerald green eyes danced upon her rosy cheeks and toothy grin. "Ya know, you are so freaking beautiful."

"Why thank you," Marinette replied matter of factly. "So I've heard."

Adrien chuckled, shaking his head. He opened up the hatch to her room and begun climbing down the ladder. "Love you," he winked.

"Love you too," Marinette waved.

Once Adrien left her room, she let out a sigh and flopped onto her bed. So far she managed to act somewhat normal around him, but she had a feeling Adrien wasn't through asking her questions.

Their lighthearted banter saved Marinette from Adrien's suspicions. For now.

She reached over and turned her light off before pulling her blanket up to her chin. She hoped she could sleep without any more nightmares.

*

The next day at school was going by agonizingly slow.

Marinette felt watched. Like someone was going to blurt out her secret identity during class. She was certain it was Louise, but she didn't have any definite proof. The more she thought about it, it could be anyone.

Someone who could get their hands on two different miraculous and combine their power to create the ultimate cure in removing the magical barrier that protects Ladybug's secret identity.

Marinette was going to see Master Fu right after school so she could get to the bottom of this. And this time, she would be taking Tikki with her as well.

The last bell rang and Marinette ran out of her class. She texted Adrien, telling him she had to go straight home to help her parents clean. She felt bad lying to him but, once again, she had to keep the situation a secret.

Marinette hid behind a tree and opened up her purse. Tikki flew out with a determined look on her face.

"Time to transform," Marinette nodded. "Tikki, spots on!"

Ladybug jumped out from behind the tree and launched her yoyo towards a light pole. The string latched onto it and Ladybug soared through the air with ease towards Master Fu's therapy building.

Swinging herself through the air, she finally spotted it in the distance. She landed on the sidewalk outside of the building and walked casually towards the entrance, whistling. Sure, it was strange to see a superhero walking into a therapy office, but she was not risking walking alone on the streets of Paris anymore, especially not after almost being mugged.

Ladybug opened the door to the building and walked in. The person at the front desk blinked in shock at the superhero strolling in.

"Hello," Ladybug waved awkwardly. She so should've detransformed before walking in...

She silently walked to Master Fu's office, trying to remember which room was his. "I think it was..." Ladybug mumbled to herself, "This one!"

She twisted open the doorknob and, voila, she entered Master Fu's room. He was currently in the middle of a therapy session, standing in front of a man who was laying on his back.

"Sorry!" Ladybug quickly apologized as Master Fu looked up at her.

"Nonsense," Master Fu said hurriedly. He patted his patients shoulder and guided him out of the room. "You are cured, sir! Thank you, come back soon!"

"Is that Ladybug?" the man asked as he was almost out of the door.

"No, you are seeing things! That is apart of the ritual, of course!" Master Fu laughed. "Goodbye!" He slammed the door, breathing heavily.

"Spots off," Ladybug said, a pink flash lighting up the room and returning her to normal. Tikki floated beside her head.

"Is something wrong, Marinette?" Master Fu asked, folding his hands behind his back.

"Actually, yes," she replied frantically. "Somebody... knows I'm Ladybug."

Master Fu paused, clearly taken aback by this confession. He then cleared his throat. "Are you absolutely certain?"

Marinette pulled out the note from her pocket and showed it to Master Fu. "I found this laying outside the class I was in."

"Oh dear," Master Fu mumbled, scratching his chin. "How would someone make this discovery? I trust you did not tell anyone your identity..."

"Of course. I would never tell!"

Tikki flew over to Master Fu, chiming in. "I told Marinette that I think someone combined the power of two miraculous in order to break the shield that protects her superhero identity! But I'm not sure which two..."

"Of course," Master Fu mumbled, pulling out his smart phone and swiping through pictures of the ancient Miraculous book. "The Peacock and the Moth miraculous. When combined, they are able to give the user an all-knowing mind."

"Great," Marinette huffed. "So Louise knows I'm Ladybug!"

"I hope this Louise is a friend of yours!" Master Fu stated, wagging his finger.

Marinette winced. That's right, he doesn't even know who Louise is! Maybe she should keep the whole "Louise hates her" thing a secret for now. After all, telling him would only make things worse.

"Totally!" Marinette grinned. "So, do you know how to reverse this or...?"

"Unfortunately, reversal cannot be done," Master Fu admitted. "I truly hope your friend does not reveal your secret identity to anyone else. I wish there was a way to erase her memory, but there isn't."

"Me too," she gulped, feeling the blood in her veins run cold.

*

Heels clicked on the stairs up to the Agreste mansion. The door slowly creaked open with Nathalie standing there in the doorway.

"Come inside," she nodded, opening the door fully to allow the guest in.

The person walked all the way up the grand staircase and made a bee line for Gabriel Agreste's office. There, the man was sitting at his desk, typing away at his computer. His glasses lowered on his nose as he took notice of his guest.

"Well?" he asked in a deep voice, scooting away from his studies.

Suddenly, the Peacock and Moth miraculous were tossed onto his desk, landing right in front of Gabriel. He tensed up, awaiting the news.

"I know who Ladybug is," Louise grinned. "And you are going to love it."