Chapter 1: The Gala Part 1

The invitations for this particular gala had been sent out several weeks ago. The occasion was honoring Paris' two most brave and courageous heroes to have ever graced its streets: Ladybug and Chat Noir. The gala was invite only, which disappointed Alya Césaire who happened to be a very big fan of Ladybug and had even held a private interview with her in the past.

"Marinette, we must get into that gala." Alya insisted. "This could be the opportunity of a lifetime, I mean, we'd get to see Ladybug all dressed up and she'll probably dance with Chat Noir and she'd look so beautiful and-"
"Alya, it probably won't be that great, I mean, you've seen her in action! That's got to be better than seeing her dancing for a couple hours." Marinette was busy cleaning up pieces of red fabric from a recent project she had been working on.

"Oh please! She'll look like a movie star," Alya slumped back in her chair just thinking about it. "I wonder what kind of dress she's gonna wear, oh boy, I can't wait!"

"Who knows! I mean, I have… absolutely- not a clue," Marinette said nervously.

"Adrien is so lucky…" Alya sighed, "Nino told me that he and his dad got invited because you know Mr. Agreste is such a fashion icon."

"What!" Marinette gasped, "Adrien is going?"
"So now you want to go?" Alya laughed. "Sorry Marin- invite only." She winked at her before gathering her bag and her cell phone. "I need to head home and grab some stuff to sneak into the red carpet at least. This will add SO much to my blog! Bye Marinette, text me if you want to see your Adrien." Alya smiled and waved good-bye to her friend that seemed to be in more of a panic than usual.

"Bye Alya!" Marinette watched her go and shut the door behind her. "Tikki!"

"Yes Marinette?"
"How did I not know that Adrien was going to the gala?"

"Well of course! His father is one of the most influential people in all of Paris! You even know that."

"I know, I know, I do! But I didn't even think about it…" Marinette quickly ran to her closet and pulled out the red ball gown she had spent all week crafting (in secret of course). It was quite simple in terms of structure. The lace bodice was tight but flared out at her waist and the skirt spread out in folds brushing across the floor. It was long-sleeved and lacey and a vibrant red color, the same as her Ladybug outfit. The back, however, was both elegant and sexy and open, revealing her shoulder blades, all the way down to the base of her back. A small button pulled the top of the dress together at the base of her neck. Marinette was very proud of it, but upset because she could never accredit herself. "Do you think Adrien will like it?"

"Marinette, everyone will like it, it'll be the talk of the city, I'm sure of it."

"I really hope so," she sighed. "I wonder what he's going to wear…"

…

"I'm sorry Nathalie, you'll have to tell my father that I have plans for tonight."

"Adrien, you know how important this gala is, it's honoring Ladybug and Chat Noir, who just happened to have saved his life. The least you can do is attend it."

"I have plans with friends," Adrien lied. "I'm sorry, but I can't go." Obviously disappointed, Nathalie stormed out of his room and shut the door.

"Your father is not going to be happy!" She yelled from the hall.

"When is he ever." Adrien flopped onto the couch.

"Ha! Never!" Plagg interjected, "Now do you have any more camembert?"

"Yeah," Adrien groaned, getting some from his backpack that he hadn't opened since the school day. "Plagg, what do I do? What should I wear?"

"Beats me," he mumbled, "This seems like quite a big fuss to me."

"Well, your opinions doesn't really matter." Adrien got up and began search through his closet. "I need to find something to wear, you'll have to transform me so I still have the mask and the ears, just so you know."

"What! Are you serious? I was hoping for a relaxing night at home…" Plagg sighed.

"Sorry," Adrien hardly sounded sympathetic. He picked out a simple black tux, a tux that his father wouldn't recognize. "This should do." He took off his white shirt and threw it on chair. "Maybe Ladybug and I should arrive together. Does that sound like a good idea?"

"A good idea, to me, sounds like eating camembert, but I'm not sure you'd agree."

"Yeah I don't." Adrien shook his head. "I'm excited to see what Ladybug will wear…" He smiled at the thought. "Maybe this should be the night I tell her… since Valentine's Day ended so badly…"

"Oh boy, not this again! Of all the girls in Paris you choose the most popular one to love? Sheesh!"

"I can't help it," Adrien defended himself. "I love her."

"Yada-yada-yada," Plagg rolled his eyes, "Just get dressed, we'll see if you have the courage to actually do it."

Adrien rolled his eyes, "Plagg, claws out!"

…

Getting into the dress as well as getting to the gala had been tricky, but with Tikki's help, Marinette arrived a little early and was able to wait for Chat Noir a couple blocks away. Her hair was down and came to just above her shoulders, her mask circled her blue bell eyes, and her Miraculous sparkled in the sunset.

"M'Lady!" Chat appeared from around the corner and his green eyes widened through his mask. "Hel-Hello!"

"Oh thank goodness Chat," Ladybug sighed with relief, "I was getting worried, I thought you weren't going to show up."

"I wouldn't miss this event for the world," he smiled offering her his arm. She had to admit he looked dashing.

"Thank you," she smiled, "You look very nice Chat, but your hair is still unbelievably disheveled." She reached up and fixed it a little, but it moved back into it's original place.

"What can I say? It has a mind of it's own." They walked along the pavement, attracting attention from pedestrians as they neared the gala. "You look absolutely stunning Ladybug." Chat commented, "I love your dress."

"Really? I made- I mean, um- I had to look all over the place to find the right one." Ladybug laughed awkwardly, "I really hope it's formal enough."

"Oh it's definitely formal enough… you look purrfect my dear." Chat grinned.

"Oh stop," Ladybug smiled, "Just one night without cat puns is all I need."

"No paw-mises."

"Chat."

"Sorry."

"Ladybug and Chat Noir have arrived!" A swarm of photographers gathered around them as they stepped onto the red carpet.

"The heroes of Paris are here!" "Look over here you two!" "Are you two an item now?"

"I didn't realize these things were so invasive…" Chat Noir leaned over and whispered into her ear.

"Yeah, tell me about it," Ladybug smiled through clenched teeth.

"Ladybug! Chat Noir! Over here!" Alya was closer to the front entrance of the gala, jumping up and down waving her hand enthusiastically. "Can I get a few pictures for my-"

"Blog? Say no more Alya, it's a pleasure to see you!" Ladybug pulled Chat along with her and they posed for a few personalized pictures.

"I love your new hair Ladybug!"

"Oh, thank you, I really wanted to try something new!"

"Where are you keeping your yo-yo and staff?" Alya began videotaping.

"I have a built-in pocket for my yo-yo," said Ladybug, "custom made." She winked into the camera.

"It's just in my coat," said Chat with a grin.

"Super creative," Ladybug joked.

"Well, you know me, I'm just that good." Suddenly, photographers and reporters turned their heads to the beginning of the carpet.

"Gabriel Agreste has arrived!"

"What!" Ladybug yanked Chat's arm out of her way to see Gabriel Agreste arriving alone, without his son. "Oh, I thought Adrien was coming…"

"I think he may have had a previous engagement." Chat added quickly.

"Like what?" Ladybug asked. "Do you know him well?"

"Well enough," Chat laughed nervously before they both spotted Mayor Bourgeois and his daughter, Chloé. "Ladybug!" She screamed from across the red carpet.

"Oh boy," Ladybug groaned. "Come on, let's go inside. Good-bye Alya!"

"Good-bye Ladybug!" Alya waved to them until they were completely inside the building.

"How do you know Adrien?" Ladybug pestered, forgetting about Chloé for the moment.

"I don't know him that well, m'lady, but I think he may have been busy tonight. That's all, why do you ask?"

"I was just curious… I've met him a few times, it would have been nice to talk to him some more." Ladybug's cheeks burned red, but her mask, luckily concealed at least some of her embarrassment.

"I see…" Chat stroked his chin.

"What?"

"Nothing, nothing…" he smiled lightly at her as they were brought to a table on a platform. The platform was in front of a large empty space, presumably left for dancing and socializing. "Anyway, are you excited for tonight?"

"Yes, I think it should be quite interesting. I've never attended anything like this before." Ladybug was in awe of the arrangements. The room was beautiful decorated in black and red and the mayor was to dedicate an entire monument to her and Chat's work as public servants. The rest of the night would be made up of dancing and speaking with Paris' finest individuals. Marinette was squealing inside of a cool, collected Ladybug. (I mean, she had already been complimented on her dress at least a dozen times).

The two sat down and conversed for a while. Chat couldn't take his eyes off of her. He already thought she was irresistible, but the dress and her hair, she looked absolutely stunning.

"Ladybug I need to talk-"

"Welcome to Ladybug and Chat Noir's official honor's ceremony!" Mayor Bourgeois stood on the platform speaking into a microphone. "I am proud to welcome Paris' two most dedicated public servants!"

"What was that Chat?" Ladybug whispered as they stood up and the entire room clapped for them.

"Nothing," he whispered back, "I'll tell you later." The look on his face concerned Ladybug, but she ignored it for the time being.

The ceremony was quite simple in procedure. The mayor made a long speech that was hardly interesting, but still very kind and thoughtful. Chat Noir said a few words, but Ladybug did most of the talking (which was fine by him) and then they commenced to the dance floor for a slow dance.

"Now I must warn you Chat, I am a terrible dancer." Ladybug laughed as he spun her around.

"Not as terrible as me, I promise," he kneeled down and kissed her hand, "M'lady." Ladybug smiled even though his constant gentlemanliness did irritate her (in a good way anyway). He placed one of his hands on her waist and the other held her hand. They waltzed for a few moments before Ladybug began conversation.

"That was a nice ceremony-"
"Ladybug!" Chloé Bourgeois practically sprinted towards them, interrupting their dance. She was in a mid-calf length, tight yellow dress with white flowers on hem of the skirt. "Hey! I missed you on the red carpet, but I'm here now! You bolted out of there pretty quick, but it's okay, I'll have my photographer take a picture of us together, Roger! Where are you?"

"Chloé, do you mind if we do that a little later," Chat Noir asked nicely, "Ladybug and I have some stuff to talk about."

"Yeah, some very important stuff," Ladybug agreed.

"What?" Chloé sounded offended, "Well fine, whatever! Whatever you want, hrmph!" She pouted and stormed off.

"I wasn't that harsh, was I?" Chat genuinely sounded concerned.

"No!" Ladybug laughed, "She has the tendency to overreact… to everything. Don't worry about it, you'll sweet talk her and she'll be back to normal in like a second." She grinned at him

"Well, you're not wrong." He smiled. "Ladybug, I… I have something I need to tell you."

"About Chloé?"
"Oh, no, of course not." He said quickly, "It's about you."

"Oh… what, what's up Chat?" He blushed and his face continued to get more and more red.

"I've… I don't know I just need to get this off my chest and I figured this is the best place to do it, cause, it just seems right and I-"

"What is it?" Ladybug smiled, "You're blushing."

"Oh, am I?" Embarrassed, he looked away for a moment.

"Come on, Chat, you can tell me. We're a team remember, you can tell me anything!"

"I know…" he sighed and smiled anxiously, "Ladybug…" She gazed up at him with her blue bell eyes, anticipating what he was going to say.

"Chat?"

"Ladybug, I'm in love with you."