Prepare for the pronoun game to be played.
"Are you sure about this, Marinette?" Tikki asked from the girl's purse.
"Yes, Tikki. This is the only way to get what I need." Marinette responded.
"There are other ways, Marinette. Plus, what about Chat? He'll be waiting for you." the kwami asked.
"He can handle one night without me." Marinette said as she sat in the bathroom stall, waiting for the bank to close.
"But what will you tell him?" Tikki asked.
"I'll tell him I went to the store or something. You worry too much, Tikki." Marinette responded.
"I could argue that you don't worry enough." Tikki replied.
Marinette checked her watch. "It's almost time." She whispered. She pulled her feet up onto the stool as she heard the door to the bathroom creek open. She stayed as silent as possible while she sat, hoping the individual wouldn't try to open her stall. After a moment, the bathroom light turned off. Marinette smiled at her luck as she let her feet down. "Now I just have to wait for a bit longer for everyone to clear out and the guards to finish their first round." She stated.
"I still think this is a bad idea." Tikki replied.
"Well, how else am I supposed to get this information?" Marinette asked.
"You could just not get it." Tikki responded.
"Not an option, Tikki. This might help me to figure out why Mayor Bourgeois had them killed." Marinette said. "Plus, if I do this just right, no one will ever know that I was here." She added.
"I sure hope you're right, Marinette." Tikki said. After half an hour, Marinette transformed and snuck out of the bathroom. She made her way quickly up a set of stairs and to the office of the worker that she'd watched. She reached the computer and turned it on. She pulled out her paper and quickly typed in the username and password.
"Access denied?" She asked before typing in the information again. "I know this is right!" She said as she typed it in a third time. "Lucky Charm" she shouted, hoping for something that would help her to get into the computer. A rubber band fell into her outstretched hand. "How is this supposed to help me, Tikki?" She asked, frustrated.
She looked around the room, but nothing lit up. She tried the username and password again, but it was no use. That was when she heard a tap on the window. Slowly, she turned around knowing what would be there, but hoping she was wrong. And there he sat, perched on the end of his staff looking at her with a smug smirk. She didn't know how, but somehow he'd ruined her plan. She made her way to the window and opened it. Alarm bells started to ring and she heard her earrings beep for the first time.
"What the hell?" Ladybug asked.
"Must be national password change day." He said with a smirk.
"That's not a thing!" Ladybug responded.
"It is when when you get a feline someone's going to claw their way into your account." He said. Ladybug wished that she could wipe the smirk off of his face as she heard one of the security guards start to pound on the office door.
"Out of the way, Kitty." She said as she hopped onto the window sill, her face inches from Chat Noir's. Suddenly the butterflies appeared again as she attempted to stare him down.
"You know cats. They're terribly difficult to move when they've found a comfortable spot." He said. Ladybug's eyes narrowed as she reached out and pushed him. She dove out of the window as the guard entered the room and threw the yoyo before she could fall. She watched as Chat used cat-like reflexes to twist and catch himself with his staff. Then she watched as he followed her swinging form.
She tried to speed up to get away from him as her Miraculous beeped again, but found that he would speed up as well. She looked around for anything that she could use. After all, she still had the rubber band. That was when she saw a bag of marbles on a rooftop balcony much like her own had been. She snagged the bag after landing briefly on the roof and proceeded to open it. She took a moment to look around again and saw a forked stick light up and smirked as she got an idea. Soon she had a makeshift slingshot and shot a marble through the night air at Chat.
"Hey, that hurt." Chat said as he came to a stop on the rooftop with her.
"Then maybe you should back off." Ladybug replied another marble ready to shoot across the space between them.
"Ladybug, I couldn't let you get whatever you're looking for. Whatever it is, it wouldn't bring them back." He said.
"I'm not so stupid as to think it would. I want to get revenge for them." Ladybug replied.
"Revenge is only going to hurt more people." Chat replied.
"It's like you don't care." She responded. "Mayor Bourgeois and his wife murdered them and you are telling me not to go after them." She said.
"There are other things you can do, Ladybug. You don't have to break the law to get the information you're wanting." He said. "Look, just give me your Miraculous and I'll take you home. No one ever has to know who was behind the mask. I'll take up looking for information on why the fire was started." He said.
Ladybug's eyes narrowed. "I don't have a home, Chat." She said through clenched teeth. "You're not going to stop me." She added before letting the marble go and watching it pelt him in the chest. She immediately grabbed another. "Stay away or I'll call something deadlier than a slingshot." She said before stashing the makeshift weapon and jumping off the roof, flying through the air with the help of her yoyo as another beep rang through the air.
She made her way quickly into a dark alley and transformed, not even sure if Chat was following her. She quickly placed Tikki in her purse and started sprinting away from the alley. "He must have gone straight to the bank instead of to the apartment, Tikki." She said as she ran. She was too far from her apartment to run the entire way and quickly ducked down into the train station. She looked around nervously for Chat while she waited and was relieved when she was able to get on the train and leave before his arrival at the station.
She didn't look at the other passengers as she sat down and waited for her station. She just kept her head down as the train made multiple stops before her own. She hated using public transportation as she knew that someone might recognize her. She wasn't ready for people to know that she was alive, but she also knew that she wouldn't be able to walk back to her apartment.
She waited anxiously until her stop where she rushed off of the train and up to the street. As she was walking toward her apartment, she heard someone walking behind her. She felt her stomach clench as she picked up her pace and heard the person behind her do the same.
She ducked into an alley two blocks from her apartment and rushed to the dumpster, hiding behind the bin while waiting for the person following her to come to the end of the alley. She stared intently while she waited, knowing that she would be able to see who was following her in a moment, preparing what she was going to do.
The person, however, was taking longer than she thought to reach the alley. Marinette started to think that she was paranoid when the person tentatively stepped out into the open. Marinette's breath caught. She hadn't expected to see him again as herself. "Marinette?" He asked hesitantly as Marinette ducked back behind the bin so that she wouldn't be see. "Marinette, I saw you come this way." He added.
Marinette bit her lip, hoping that he would think she just rushed down the alley and fled into the night. She heard him take a few steps into the alley and held her breath. She shrunk back as far into the wall as she could, hoping that he wouldn't find her. However, he was more determined than she thought. He continued to creep down the alley until he came into view again and looked down at her, shock covering his face.
"Marinette. I…" He started as Marinette sprang from her hiding place and sprinted into the night. She rushed to the end of the alley and turned, heading as quickly as she could toward her apartment. She didn't think he would be so fast as he followed her. She didn't think he would be able to catch up to her. However, when he gently grabbed her arm and pulled her to a stop she kept her face away from him.
"Let me go." She said simply. She chided herself for getting caught. She didn't remember him being so fast when she'd been in school with him.
"You're here. You're really here." He said.
"I said let me go." She said, yanking her arm away from the tall, lean boy causing him to pitch forward as he lost his balance. He fell gracelessly to the ground, his tablet striking the ground next to him and stylus flying a few feet away.
"Marinette" He said as she looked down at him, unable to mask the worry on her face. He didn't even get up. He just stared up at her with his mouth open slightly.
"Just forget about me." She said, looking away and willing herself to move forward as her feet suddenly felt like they were stuck in concrete.
"But why?" He asked.
"Because I'm dead." She replied.
"No, you're not. You're right here! Why did you let us all believe you were...gone for the last year?" He asked, scrambling to his feet and moving in front of her. He bent so that his face was level with hers, his icy blue eyes staring into hers even as she tried to look away he only followed her movements.
"No one can know that I'm...here." She said, avoiding admitting the truth. Suddenly, she stopped avoiding his gaze. "You can't tell anyone, Nath."
The redhead nodded briefly. "I have so many questions." He said. Marinette looked around briefly.
"I've got to get off the street. Come on, my apartment isn't far." She said. Nathanaël grabbed his fallen items and rushed after Marinette as she made her way to her apartment. She realized that it was no use trying to just get away from him at this point. She just wanted to make sure he didn't tell anyone else about her. She made her way up to the apartment and held the door open for the red-head.
"How did you survive?" He suddenly blurted out as soon as the door was shut.
"I had snuck out earlier that night. I found out what happened later." She said simply.
"Where have you been?" He asked.
"Here" She said.
"Why haven't you reached out?" He asked.
"I'm not sure that it would be safe to. I know that fire wasn't an accident, but I don't know why." She said.
"Someone had your parents killed?" He asked with wide eyes. Marinette nodded. "Oh, Marinette. I'm so sorry." He said as she sat down on the couch and he sat next to her. "Do you know who did it?" He asked. Marinette just shook her head. She didn't want to involve him more than she had to.
"No. And I need for you to not tell anyone about me." She said.
"But…"
"No one" Marinette interrupted.
"Alya at the very least deserves to know." Nathanaël said.
"I'm the one who gets to decide who knows and who doesn't." Marinette responded. She looked over at Nathanaël and her face softened. "I'm just not ready yet." She said.
"Marinette, I…" Nathanaël was interrupted by a tapping coming from Marinette's bedroom window. Marinette sighed.
"Guess I better answer." She said.
"Who's that?" Nathanaël asked.
"You've heard of Chat Noir?" Marinette said as she walked into her room without waiting for an answer.
"Princess, you didn't grab the gift I left yet." Chat said indignantly, holding up the plain brown sack as Marinette opened the window.
"I've been kind of…" Marinette watched as his eyes flicked to something behind her and the smile fell from his face. "...busy." She finished before looking behind her to see that Nathanaël had arrived at the open door to her room. She backed up for Chat to enter the apartment and he did in a swift motion.
"So, I see that you have company." Chat said shortly.
"I...guess…" Marinette responded.
"Pleasure to meet you, Chat Noir." Nathanaël said, holding his hand out for the hero to shake.
"Of all of your classmates, you chose to tell him? Even over the rich model?" Chat asked, turning away from Nathanaël's outstretched hand so that he could exclusively face Marinette. Nathanaël slowly lowered his hand as he looked back and forth between Marinette and Chat.
"Train saw the he me on." Marinette responded, the butterflies stirring as she looked at the hero. 'Stop it, Marinette! Just stop!' Marinette told herself as she saw Nathanaël's eyes narrow into a glare toward Chat.
"Hm…" Chat said, looking at Nathanaël out of the corner of his eye.
"Nath, I think it would be best if you left. Don't tell anyone about me." Marinette said to the redhead as she looked away from Chat and composed herself. Nathanaël nodded.
"Alright, Marinette." He said. "But I'm going to come back and see you again." He added. Marinette could see Chat tense up at the statement. "...to make sure you're okay." He added.
"I'm sure she will be." Chat said at the same time as Marinette said, "okay." Nathanaël looked back and forth between the two again a few times before leaving the room. Marinette waited a moment until she heard her front door shut. She then turned back to Chat, her cheeks going red.
"I was walk out for. Didn't paywhereattention was Igoing. Train. I neededtotrainride. Nath me followedhome." She said quickly in a jumbled mess.
"Princess, Princess. Slow down. One word at a time." Chat said, visibly relaxing.
"I was out for a walk." Marinette said, focusing on the words. "I lost track of time and needed to take the train home." She congratulated herself on her second sentence. "Nath saw me and followed me." She finished.
"Still. You told him? Over everyone else in your class?" Chat asked.
"Jealous, Chaton?" Marinette asked, giggling.
"Never." Chat said. As Marinette gently grabbed the bag from him and looked inside.
"Sushi?" She asked. Chat smirked.
"What cat wouldn't like fish?" He asked.
"Still." Marinette said as she fished the containers out of the bag. "Nath no you worried need." She said as he came just ever so slightly closer to her. "I-I mean Nath doesn't need to be worried about you." She added, her face turning red as she realized she messed up again. "You!" She shouted. "You don't need to worry about Nath!" She added before putting her head into her hand and groaning. "What is wrong with me?" She muttered right before she felt a warm hand on her shoulder.
"It's okay, Marinette." He said, looking into her eyes. Both of them stood as still as statues, getting lost in each other's eyes.
'He's the reason you're like this! He wasn't there for you!' She shouted to herself as she looked away from him. "I should...ahem." She cleared her throat as she moved away from his touch. "Th-thank you for the sushi." She said, avoiding eye contact.
"It was nothing, Princess." Chat said with a smirk as he took his container. "Well, I am glad that you told someone. Even if it was the tomato head. And even if it wasn't on purpose." He said, grimacing as he referenced Nathanaël.
"Y-You seem upset...that it was Nathanaël." She said as she walked back out to the couch.
"Nonsense." He said as he joined her. She noticed that he was sitting closer to her than he normally would and found that she had no more room to scoot away from him on the couch.
"And you m-mentioned Adrien." She said. Chat paused, his piece of sushi held inches from his mouth for a moment.
"So...that's the model's name?" He asked.
"O-of course it is. Adrien Agreste." Marinette said. She smiled a little as she thought about him. "His father was my idol." She added.
"I could arrange a meeting if you want. Between you and Adrien." Chat said before taking his bite.
"W-w-what?! I mean...I mean no. Want he wouldn't see me." Marinette said quickly as her face turned bright red. "H-he has s-so much more important things to do. He wouldn't w-want to waste…."
"Marinette, you wouldn't be a waste of time for anyone. So don't you dare say that he wouldn't want to waste his time." Chat said, fully turning toward her, his normally flirtatious face set in a dead serious expression.
"O-okay." Marinette said, finding that she was unable to look away from Chat. They stayed in that position, both becoming noticeably uncomfortable until Chat turned away.
"Anyway, if you want a meeting, all you have to do is ask. And that goes for any of your classmates. I'm sure they could be convinced to meet you." He said before continuing his meal. Marinette are in silence. "Oh, before I forget…" Chat trailed off as he unzipped a pocket in his suit and pulled out a flash drive. Marinette gave him a puzzled look as he handed it to her. "Mayor Bourgeois's and your parents' bank statements from the last year." He said.
"How did you…" Marinette trailed off as she stared at the small flash drive.
"Ladybug was trying to get the information. I figured she might have a lead. So, when I stopped by today to make sure that the bankers changed their passwords, I may have snuck this in during a break to get the information." He said with a smile.
"Chat...I…" Marinette felt herself starting to tear up, happy to have the information she needed. She suddenly sprang toward him and wrapped her arms around him. Chat had clearly not been prepared for Marinette's hug as he stiffened briefly before hugging her back. "Thank you." She said.
"It was nothing, Princess." He said as his arms circled around her, pulling her close to him. She felt warmth radiating off of him as she buried her face in the crook of his neck.
"It wasn't nothing, Chat." She mumbled against his neck.
"Okay, Princess." He said as he rubbed his cheek against her hair gently. They stayed like that for a few minutes until Marinette pulled away.
"S-sorry. I just...this is really important…" Marinette started, looking down at the floor, but was cut off as Chat reached out and gently brought her chin up to look at him.
"You never have to be sorry with me." He said, staring into her eyes. "Marinette…" He trailed off, indecision in his eyes. "I…should go." He finished as he looked away.
Marinette let out a deep breath. "Oh...r-right. Y-you probably patrol to need." She said shakily. She saw Chat smirk and instantly clapped her hand over her mouth.
"It's okay, Princess." Chat said, leaning forward and slightly to the side to give Marinette a kiss on the cheek. "I'll see you tomorrow." He said as he stood. Marinette just nodded as Chat walked away.
Moments later, Tikki phased through Marinette's purse. "Oh, Marinette, I'm so proud of you!" Tikki said.
"For what?" Marinette asked.
"For telling Nathanaël that you're alive. You could have told him that you were your cousin." Tikki said.
"I panicked. The thought didn't even cross my mind." Marinette replied. "If I'd have thought about it, I wouldn't have told him anything." Marinette said as she fiddled with the flash drive in her hands.
"Chat really cares about you, Marinette." Tikki said. Marinette glared at Tikki. "He risked a lot to get you those files." Tikki pointed out.
"He abandoned me, Tikki. For all those years." She responded.
"And now he's here and he's helping." She said. "And from how you've been acting around him, I'm thinking someone might have a bit of a crush." Tikki said with a wide smile.
"Tikki, don't even start." Marinette said. "I'm going to get some sleep so that I can go to the library with this in the morning." She said.
The floating kwami shook her head as Marinette walked into her room.
A/N: I hope you enjoyed this chapter. I had been debating whether to use Nathanaël or Luka as the person who found her. In the end, I decided to make it Nath as I don't want the story to get completely lost in a love triangle. I'll leave that for future stories.
Mayuralover: yes, he certainly did recognize that valentine. And, as you can see from this chapter, he did take steps to keep Ladybug from getting the information she needed, but also got it for Marinette.
Ddkeac: I'm glad you liked it. I will try to update quickly.
Sayaka M: I'm glad that you like it so far and hope you liked the update. I hope you keep reading for the rest of the story.
