It was dumb really.

Stuck in an elevator, deja vu, arguing on who would come out to save them.

How she ended up stuck in an elevator with Adrien? She was just dropping off Mannon, and, naturally with Marinette's luck, Adrien would just be finishing his "exclusive" interview. Adrien of course would small talk, and wait for her like the gentleman he is rendering her a puddle of nerves. Like how anyone would expect her to act casual while she is on the verge of melting is beyond her, but it's safe to say she nailed it.

Somewhat.

It was all going fine. It really was. Only one floor to go. Until you know, Hawkmoth decided to be a dick and akumatize some poor unfortunate soul. And this poor unfortunate akumatized soul decided to stop the elevators…somehow. She wasn't quite sure what this Akuma was or what they did…she was stuck in an elevator, but she was sure it was an Akuma judging by the chaos she could hear, and thus she knew she could blame Hawkmoth for everything. That bastard.

So the powers off, the elevator stops and she's thinking how in the world is she going to survive being in an elevator with Adrien this long without spontaneously combusting just by being in his presence because, oh my god how is Chat going to fight this one oh my god how long is this going to take oh my god I need to help oh my-

"Guess we'll just wait till Ladybug finds us, if she doesn't finish that akuma first that is."

What.

She just wants to laugh. Poor little Adrien, Ladybug shall not be finding or defeating anyone anytime soon. Until she figures out how to cope with the situation of being stuck in an elevator with a cute boy and not being able to transform. She wonders what would happen, how he would react if she did transform in front of him. She doesn't want to entertain herself to much with that idea so she settles on a snort.

"I think we'll be relying on Chat today." Adrien's back stiffens at the thought and she thinks maybe it's because he must really want to see Ladybug. Well, she really wants to not be stuck in this elevator, but hey that's not happening anytime soon from the looks of it. She doesn't even hear fighting. Where is Chat?

"I'm pretty sure Ladybug's got this. She is usually the first one to show up, and she takes care of business. She's can basically do it all herself before Chat even arrives."

Skirrrrrrrt No.

"Actually, Chat is usually the first responder, he's quicker too. And they're partners! Ladybug would struggle so much without Chat. He's got the power and cunning to get it done. That's why he'll be the one saving us today"

At this point Adrien's eyes have narrowed and she doesn't care because she's sure she's giving him a stank face and if she has to slap some sense into his pretty little head so be it.

"Look, I admire your devotion to Chat, and he's a pretty cool guy." Adrien sighs "but trust me Marinette, Ladybug always saves the day." She crosses her arms at the infuriating, I know something you don't tone she picked up from what he just said and thinks this just won't do.

"And how do you know?" Marinette ask haughtily. "How do you know Ladybug isn't stuck somewhere so she can't help. I mean look at us stuck in an elevator! We didn't choose to get stuck in the elevator when an Akuma showed up, it just happened. What if she's in that position (she is), where she can't save the day? That's why she relies on and believes in Chat, because he can also save the day"

Adrien seems to accept this, and she thinks finally this conversation is over, and they can just settle on waiting for Chat. She sees Adrien close his eyes, leaning his head back to the elevator wall and sigh.

"Then we are screwed"

"Huh?"

"If Ladybug is in that type of situation while Chat Noir is in the same type of situation then that Akuma has been running wild for the last fifteen minutes."

Marinette feels something. It's not a bad feeling but she feels like the ground is about to disappear from right under her despite being in this elevator. She has that feeling she gets when she gets her tests back and she sees she second guessed answers she shouldn't have backs she thought too much and for them wrong.

"How do you know.."

At first nothing happens. There's no moment on Adrien's part, but she's sweating bullets because she feels it. Decision made, Adrien lifts his head and looks at her.

"Because I am."

And just like that. The green, the blond, the ground, it's all too familiar she thinks as she feels herself fall. However, she doesn't fall because Adrien is there on his feet and he's shaking her now, asking her if she's ok. FYI, she's not.

She's learning how to input this data in her skull without crashing her system because there is still an Akuma

The Akuma!

The civilians!

No time for these games! She thinks as she pushed Adrien off, now able to stand on her own.

"You mean to tell me, there still an Akuma out there, I'm stuck in here, you're stuck in here, but you're also Chat, who I was counting on because I couldn't transform in front of you?"

"Yes..?"

"Kitty! We have to get going! Can you imagine the mess?! I cannot believe, Tikki, spots on!" And just like that Marinette is Ladybug and Adrien just can't. But she's right. There's still that pesky Akuma.

"Plagg, Claws out!" Now he's in front of her, Adrien, Chat Noir and she's staring at him. He knows she's also processing it. And he wants to talk, but they'll have to talk about this later. And he's fine with that, besides, a little birdie has hinted that Marinette might have a crush on him, and now that's Ladybug too and this Akuma has to go because he can't wait for this talk.

"After you my lady" Chat smirks at her before looking at the top of the elevator, their exit. She can't help but start to flush, and hopes he doesn't notice because they have to save Paris, dammit. She rolls eyes at him instead.

"This better not be an excuse to stare at my ass"

"I would never."

"Sure you wouldn't, kitty."