Man... I'm upset because these keep coming out rushed. Anyway, hope you like the trash. Please give reviews! Also, if anyone is concerned about Hawkmoth discovering secret identities, don't worry. A little background info: Since this is a quiet and sneaky akuma, it wouldn't be any use communicating, since it would reveal a bright, obvious butterfly on their face. So Hawkmoth is leaving it up to the akuma and is not currently transformed, therefore he did not see Ladybug's secret identity.

Adrien stared at the library door before turning to Marinette, who was still shaking on the ground.

"Marinette…" Adrien kneeled beside Marinette.

Marinette lifted her hot face, and tried to speak through numb lips, "O-oh, Adrien, I didn't know you were still here-" she covered her face suddenly, "S-sorry… I just-"

"No, I'm- it wasn't me. I would never do something like that to you- I'm. Not. Like that," Adrien took hold of Marinette's shoulders urgently, he was blinking more frequently than usual.

"It's ok, I'm not mad or anything… I wasn't really prepared-"

"You don't understand. It really wasn't me. I don't want you associating that memory with me, just- please," Adrien seemed to be on the verge of tears.

"What do you mean it wasn't you?" Marinette squinted more in confusion than disbelief.

"Look Marinette, there's a lot I have to tell you, but it has to be in private. But, for now I think you should know, your earrings are gone," Adrien scanned her face for a reaction. He wasn't 100% sure yet, but he couldn't ask directly either.

Marinette touched her ears, "W-what?! How- oh, I knew I felt something! Oh God… wait, so you're saying you're not the one who took them?"

"That's right, I'm sorry, this probably sounds crazy…"

"I've been through crazier… but I really need those earrings, right now!"

"They're pretty important, aren't they?"

"Um… yeah,"

Adrien looked at the ceiling desperately. He sighed, looking into Marinette's worried eyes. "Try to calm down. Go home, I'll meet you there, and I'll tell you what I know- and what I need you to know."

Marinette nodded slowly, still bewildered. Adrien helped her to her feet and put his arm around her shoulders. He walked her to the bottom of the school's front steps.

"Don't stop anywhere, just go straight home. And don't tell anyone that I'm coming over. I'll see you in ten," Adrien waved his hand low at his hips, then went into his car.

Marinette walked straight home without questioning Adrien, after all, she was far to terrified over what had taken place in just minutes.

Marinette decided she felt too stuffy inside her room, so she waited out on her balcony for fresh air. She kept the trapdoor open so that she'd be able to hear if her mother calls, announcing that Adrien had arrived.

"Oh, Tikki, this is insanity. Adrien kissed me… but it wasn't really Adrien… what is happening?!"

Silence.

"Tikki?" She looked inside her jacket, "Oh… right."

Seconds later, Marinette saw something approaching her balcony from the corner of her eye. She glanced over.

"Chat Noir? What are you doing here?" She tried not to sound guilty and worried.

Chat Noir took a deep breath. "I… told you I'd be here."

Marinette took a moment for the reality to hit, "Oh my God. Wait-"

"Yeah."

"You're…?"

"Yup."

"You?!"

"... um, yeah, why? How am I supposed to take that?"

"Oh Lord…" Marinette lost her balance and Chat caught her.

"Ok- so, while I'm supporting you… I guess it's a good opportunity to tell you that I also know that you're Ladybug."

"... This is all too much for a girl to handle."

Chat Noir smiled softly, then frowned, looking at Marinette solemnly. "Back to the reason I'm here. We've got a serious problem."

Marinette stood up straight. "Yeah, what's going on?"

Chat crossed his arms. "All I know is that I was walking into the library, and I saw you with a guy that looked exactly like me. It's gotta be an akuma, and we're either dealing with someone that looks exactly like me-"

"Again." Marinette snorted.

"-Or… illusions I guess?"

"Or like, a shapeshifter!"

"Oh, yeah - God, please no - point is, he's got your earrings. I'll go get them back for you."

"Be careful…"

"You can leave it to me, Princess." Chat winked, though he felt deeply insecure.

Marinette blushed, "Thank you."

Chat turned to the edge of the balcony. "I don't know when this guy is gonna show up again, but tomorrow I'll meet up with you and we'll do a search party together. I think you should be there if I get your earrings back so you can take them immediately. For now, just rest up a bit ok?"

"If I can rest up." Marinette rubbed her arm.

Chat's boots shifted, "Do you… want me to stay?"

Marinette looked up quickly, "Uh! Oh… I- no, it's ok."

Chat just nodded, then leapt off of the fence at the edge of the balcony.

Adrien slammed the car door behind him and waved at Nathalie, with a bit of an extra radiant smile this time, to keep Nathalie from raising suspicions at the forceful slam of the door. He was stressed, but he didn't need Nathalie knowing that.

As usual, Chloe was immediately by his side. "Adrikins! What took you?! It feels like I've been waiting forever!" Chloe took Adrien's right hand.

Adrien glared at Chloe, slipping his hand from her grasp. "Please don't touch me, Chloe."

Chloe gasped, but focused on his hand sliding back to his side. "How could you say that, Adrikins?!"

"Forget it, I'm not falling for it," Adrien walked past Chloe and started up the stairs.

"Hmph, well aren't you in a great mood?" Chloe clenched her fists.

Adrien peeked behind him and smirked. "Sarcasm? With me? That's not like you, Chloe."

Chloe froze, then frowned and walked away.

Adrien continued up the stairs and scanned for Marinette.

When Adrien entered the classroom, Lila was sitting on his desk, waiting for him. "Adrien… hey, you don't look so good, are you upset about something? Maybe I can cheer you up," Lila's fingertips lightly tapped Adrien's collar.

"I'm not gonna even bother dealing with you today, Lila." Adrien stared at Lila with a deadpan expression.

Lila smacked her lips.

Marinette walked into the classroom. Adrien instantly turned his attention to her.

"Marinette! We have to-" Adrien paused to glance at Lila, who was eyeing his right hand intensely, "-why don't you sit next to me today…"

Marinette's face reddened, "U-um, s-sure!"

"Don't be nervous around me anymore, Marinette," Adrien smiled gently, "Besides, we have other things to worry about."

"What do you mean?"

Adrien lowed his voice, "Well… don't be alarmed, but, Lila over there? I'm pretty sure that's our akuma villain... we've got ourselves a shapeshifter."