"That helped some, Tikki. I might end up doing that more often." Marinette said as she sat at her desk with her school tablet out, "of course it's not the same as talking to him in person, but it's really better than nothing."

"Right, Marinette! Your mood has definitely improved since then!" Tikki nodded, "but what about Ladybug? You saw the news, didn't you?"

"I know, but I'm still off my game. I don't know if I'd even be able to recover." Marinette sighed, "who knew something like this could really affect my life in this way..."

"It's ok--"

But they were cut off when they heard tapping on the door of her balcony.

"What's that?!" Tikki gasped.

"I don't know. Only one way to find out." Marinette said, "hide Tikki. Just get ready to transform in case things go bad."

Tikki nodded and hid in Marinette's jacket. Marrinete climbed the stairs and opened the door cautiously. She peeked around, stepped out, and looked out over the railing.

"I don't see anyone Tikki..." Marinette said as she looked around.

"Who are you talking to?

Marinette jumped and turned around as soon as she heard a voice behind her. Squatting on the roof a little bit in front of her, was the same dark figure Tikki had seen.

"Cat Noir?! Wh-what are you--"

Before she could finish her sentence, Cat Noir hugged her.

"Heard about Adrien... I'm so sorry..." Cat Noir whispered.

Marinette just stared and looked down at his shoulder as tears stung her eyes.

"I heard about Ladybug's disappearance... I'm sorry, too." Marinette whispered as she wrapped her arms around him. Then she gasped and shoved him away from her, almost knocking him over the rail, "but what happened at the fire?! Where were you?"

"I, uh, was called somewhere else..." Cat Noir scratched the back of his neck.

"I'm sure Ladybug was humiliated, then. She couldn't save the boy's cat. I'm sure she felt like a failure." Marinette planted her hands on her hips.

"Oh, believe me, I'm sorry. And I regret that this one might be on me. I might be the reason for her disappearance." Cat Noir replied.

"... Do you still love her?"

"Of course, sure." Cat Noir shrugged, "but I don't know. She may not realize I'm taken." Cat Noir winked.

"Haha, wow. That's a first." Marinette muttered as she rolled her eyes, "now if you don't mind, I need to go finish my homework."

"I've got nothing better to do. Can I stay and help?" Cat Noir asked, "after all, cats aren't called 'clever' for nothing."

"Ha." Marinette chuckled as she opened the door and let him in, "how old are you! Don't you have your own homework to do?"

"I'm fourscore and seven years old." Cat Noir smirked as he sat on the second pink swivel chair next to Marinette, crossing his legs.

".... You're 87?" Marinette stared at him.

"But still got the looks of a 16 year-old, am I right?" Cat Noir winked.

"Do you flirt with everyone?" Marinette chuckled as she got out her stylus and started writing in answers to the questions on her tablet.

"Only the best." Cat Noir smiled as he leaned closer to her and looked at her homework, "ooh, photosynthesis."

"Yeah. Leaves, plant cells, all that fun stuff." Marinette rolled her eyes, "do superheroes like you ever go to school?"

"I'm sure I'm supposed to, but I just don't feel like it most days." Cat Noir shrugged.

"You should try it. It could really help you up here." Marinette smirked as she pointed at the top of Cat Noir's head.

"Haha, you're funny. Adrien really was a lucky guy." Cat Noir smiled.

"...Adrien...." Marinette looked down.

"Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to--"

"It's okay. I just need some time alone." Marinette said as she looked away.

"No, Mari..."

"Sorry Cat. can you please just go?"

"But--"

"GO!!!" Marinette shouted, startling Cat Noir a little. He sighed, looked down at the ground, and left.

Marinette looked back at the window as she watched Cat Noir jumping from building to building, then she turned back to her homework.

"Why don't you just give him a chance, Marinette?" Tikki asked.

"I can't. No one can replace Adrien." Marinette sighed.

"I didn't really mean as a love interest. Maybe as a friend? Someone you can really use right now?" Tikki shrugged.

Marinette thought, then turned back to her homework.

"We'll see."