Back in Business

(What Marinette's wearing^)

BridgetteI have always sorta envied my cousin because everyone liked her more than me, even my own friends. She was always so...outgoing, confident, courageous and fought for what she knew was right. When kids got bullied at my school and she came with my parents to pick me up, I'd always stay away from those kinds of kids because I didn't want to be a part of it. But Marinette actually ran in and help the poor kid up.

She dusted her clothes off and asked her what was wrong. Being bullied in London is no surprise. There are high class people aka the rich kids aka Felix, the middle class kids aka me, and then the lower class kids who were just plain poor aka the prey for the bullies. Marinette would always go out and help others, that's who she was.

"Don't let those bullies tell you what to do! You're pretty, you're smart, so I don't see why they'd bully you. You have to stand up for yourself or else it'll keep happening and sooner or later you'd be dead from the amount of beatings. Fight back, show them how strong you are, k?"

Stuff like that. Now that I think about it, why wasn't I bullied? Probably because Felix was my friend and that sorta gave me a shield. I knew how to fight and so did he. His father was in the army after all. Though...he died and wasn't able to return home. Aunt Amelie was devastated. Add that to loosing her twin sister from her disease. She's had it rough. Felix and I tried everything we could to bring her spirits up.

In the next few months she was handling it very well. When he met Marinette I thought she was taking him away from me, he was the only friend I had. But then there was Adrien. This was the time the two finally came over and met her for the first time...before uncle George passed. Adrien and Marinette stuck close to each other so I thought they liked each other, but I don't know why I think that them not being soulmates right now is very reassuring.

She was always such an overachiever. Adrien and Felix came over every thanksgiving after that and we played and had fun. Then there was that accident with Marinette and her mother fighting. She never called, texted, visited, nothing after that. I thought she was dead. But..Uncle Tom sent us mail from Gotham so you could say he kept in touch. I can say that neither he, nor Marinette has changed.

The way Marinette got out of her wheelchair and spat out orders at everyone meant that the true burden of the vampire warrior belonged to her. She was so determined to get back in shape and recover. The look in her eyes...I've seen it somewhere before...the look of revenge, hate, despair...anger...the lust for death. Honestly, it scares me. The last thing she told me was in the kitchen when we prepared those wontons for dinner.

She said, "I had always envied you, Bri. I was jealous that..you got to go to school from an earlier age, in-fact the right age, had a friend and a loving family. The way you would always smile brought happiness to my heart. My favorite day in the entire world was coming over to visit for thanksgiving. The way you would have people crowd around you, always cheerful and wanting learn...I craved that feeling and wanted it so badly. If there was a chance to switch places with someone...I'd have to pick you, Bri."

I never believed that for one second. But I understand, if I look at things from her point of view, things haven't always been so crystal clear. The way I see her now...was more than just her cousin, her best friend...rather her follower.

Felix: Ok, you've all gotten your orders. Let's get to it!~~~~~

Felix: Is everything ok, Bridgette?

Bridgette: ...W-What..oh, yeah just p-peachy.. Why do you ask?

Felix: You were spacing out the entire time. Is it something she said?

Bridgette: Oh no, not in the slightest...just...had a few flashbacks from a long time ago.

Felix: I see. Everything's different now. It all changed but it's not like we can turn back time. If we did..then...maybe we wouldn't be a 'thing' right now and..-

Bridgette: I can't imagine me not having you in my life, Felix. It wouldn't be the same.

Felix: That's why we have to work with what we have now. And..i-if there's one thing I've learnt from your cousin is to never doubt yourself. She helped me build up the courage...to...give you that flower pin I gave you when we were kids for your birthday.. *blushes*

Bridgette: *grins* If Marinette brought us together...then I have to thank her now that you're my soulmate. *kisses* thanks Felix, you always know how to make me smile.

Felix: What are soulmate for..right...*blushes even more*~~~~~~~~~~

The week was almost up and I haven't seen Marinette during the time that has gone by. Is she ok? Damian and Jerry said that she's fine and she's taking her medication and resting and walking and exercising. It was Saturday morning. I usually wake up early so I have the training deck for myself. I unlocked the hidden passageway and went in through the doors to see Marinette punching the dummy with a picture of Lila on it. What the... She's recovered that fast..? Dang.

Bridgette: And I thought I'd get the deck for myself this morning.. *sigh* But a human lookalike beat me to it.

Marinette: *punches* And good morning to you too, Bridgette. *pants* And I think you're the copy since I was born first... End training sequence. The floor is yours.

Bridgette: How about you and I do a little friendly sparing exercise. Of course...if you don't want to..-

Marinette: Ok..what's the bet? Maybe a trade..?

Bridgette: *chuckles* You were always like this. How about if I win, you stay home for another week and heal. If you win...I have to wait on you hand and foot plus I can't leave the house for a fortnight to go on patrol. Deal?

Marinette: You seem overconfident in yourself, alright. Deal!

*shakes hands*

Bridgette: May the best cousin, win.

Marinette: You're going down, Bri. ~~~~~

FelixI woke up and got ready realizing that Bridgette wasn't here. Probably in the briefing room on the training deck or something.. I exited the room and walked down the stairs to the living and saw Damian running the hallways and corridors. He spotted me and ran right over. I swear..if it's Marinette..-

Damian: It's Marinette! I can't find her! Have you seen her!?

Felix: uhh...no..I just got up. Haven't seen anyone other than you so far.

Damian: Aww man...she keeps doing this.. and with her not being a supernatural..I can't sense her and her smell is off. Why is your damn mansion so big and confusing!?

Titus: sniff sniff *barks* *scratches the wall*

The werewolf's dog barked and tried to dig its way through the wall. But that wall leads to the briefing room. Could he be talking about Marinette and/or Bridgette? I unlocked the passageway and walked through the door and saw the two cousins fighting in combat. It's too earlier for this sh*t. Marinette was actually fighting Bridgette and looked more alive than ever. Was she back to normal..?

Looks can be deceiving, she looks pretty tired. I watched Damian for a while and he looked concerned...so I decided to make things a little more...'interesting'. I started, "How about we make a bet? I bet 1000 dollars that Bridgette is going to win. What about you?" He looks surprised by my statement. He rose a brow then looked back at the girls. He sighed, "I bet 2000 dollars that Marinette is going to win."

He's betting so much..?! He must really be confident in Marinette. I looked back at them and Bridgette herself was looking out of breath and a bit tired. How long has this been going on? Marinette dodged, backflipping away into a tuck landing on the ground. She looked up at Bridgette running at her. She was ready to pull a punch bunch Marinette grabbed her hand and flipped her over as she landed on her back on the ground.

As she still had a hold on her hand she got on the ground with her, her legs around her arm, pushing down her neck while twisting her arm. "Ok ok ok ok..you win you win. I Surender!! Have mercy.." she admittedly pleaded. Marinette released her getting up, panting as she leaned on her knees, Bridgette coughing. "Hah, now you *pants* c-can't go on patrol..*pants* for two weeks *pants*..plus you have to *pants* be my maid..for the same amount of time..*pants*"

So then I looked at Damian who was now gone. He was on the deck with a towel for his soulmate. He dropped it on her head then petted her. He then turned to me, "Looks like you owe me 2000 dollars in cash, hair gel." He grinned as he towed Marinette along out of the room. Aww man... I walked over to Bridgette and sat next to her as she laid on the ground.

Felix: You did good, Bridgette.

Bridgette: Not good enough if my human cousin managed to beat me and wasn't even full healed yet. It's embarrassing...not to mention humiliating...

Felix: Hey, don't fuss over it. It's in the passed so there's no point in crying over it...

Bridgette: *sniff* I'm not c-crying..*hick*..*pouts*

Felix: *chuckles* Don't worry, Bridgette.

I bent over and kissed her forehead, brushing away her bangs. I then sat back down and dropped a towel on her face. I know how to get her up, just by doing a little teasing. "I just felt like returning the favor for what you did this morning..unless...you want more than just that, bluebell~" She covered her face, her hands on the towel, immediately after I said that. I chuckled lifting the towel a bit to see her blushing like crazy. I love this girl...~~~~~

Marinette: I..did great..didn't I, Dami?

Damian: *sigh* Great enough that I bet 2000 dollars on you. Now Felix owes me money. But please don't do that again, you're not fully healed yet. You really worry me sometimes...

Marinette: You should..expect that from me by now.. I'm hungry...

Damian: ...*sigh* I'll see what I can do.

Back in their room

Damian: Go take a shower, Emilie please keep and eye on her.

Emilie: *meow*

Damian: I'll go get something from the kitchen. When I get back you had better be in some comfy clothes. Don't. Move.

Marinette: *yawn* Ok...

DamianI went to the kitchen to find some food when I saw Bridgette with a plate in her hands gestured to me. It had scrambled eggs, toast slices with jam and sausages and some orange juice. "Sorry about earlier..I challenged her even though I knew she wouldn't turn it down. This is all I could've prepared under a short time." I nodded and returned to the bedroom after I had a little bump into my brothers...ugh.... after I chatted with them for a while I finally got black to my room.

I groaned as I saw Marinette on the bed, sleeping with Emilie on her stomach. I told this cat to keep and eye on her, not to help her fall asleep. I sat on the edge of the bed, resting the plate of food on the side table. I shook Marinette head a bit as I ruffled her hair in sync. Her eyes fluttered open and looked at me.

Marinette: Sorry Damian, I guess I got a bit tired, the bath felt nice and while I waited..I kinda got too comfortable on the bed. What's for breakfast?

Damian: *chuckles* You really surprise me at times... your cousin made you some scrambled eggs, sausages and toast with jam. Now sit up so you could eat. You need your energy back after that fight.

Marinette: *yawns* Ok...