Marinette sat on the edge of her bed, Tikki on her lap, as she waited for Adrien to let her hand go. He continued to sleep, his phone dinging with texts from an excited Chloe, who was now part of Beatrice Roberts' show, The Swindling Sparrow.

"Now what, Marinette?"

"Now we wait for someone to come pick him up," she replied quietly so not to accidentally wake him up, "hey, maybe Chloe will come by and see him holding my hand…wait, never mind. That'd only cause more problems."

The duo watched Adrien's peaceful expression. "…," Marinette smiled, "I wonder what he's dreaming about."

"Maybe he's dreaming about being with you."

"Yeah, right. He's probably dreaming about some beautiful model girl, or someone he deserves."

"Oh, Marinette."

Ding.

Another text from Chloe asking him to respond. "I wonder why she suddenly decided to join the show," Tikki pondered, "seems out of place, even for someone as strange as her."

Marinette chuckled. "Whatever gets her more attention, though this will involve more work than she's ever been used to-?"

The hatch door to her room opened, giving Tikki little time to slip behind Marinette. Natalie poked her head in and sighed. "So this is why he hasn't called for a ride yet. I'm sorry for the intrusion."

"Oh, it's okay," Marinette stood, "it's just, uh…," she held their hands up, "I didn't want to wake…him…up."

Natalie stepped into the room and have his shoulder a shake. "Adrien, it's time to go home now. Your father's been worried."

"Hm," his eyes fluttered open as Marinette finally slipped her hand out of his and hid it behind her back, "what? Oh, hi, Natalie," he yawned, sitting up and looking around, "how long was I asleep? I…oh, wow, Marinette," his eyes widened at the sight of the costumes, "those are coming along great! Dragon Hop couldn't ask for a better designer!"

"You think so?"

He picked his phone up. "I know so…oh, Chloe. Part of a ballet performance? Odd that she never mentioned any interest in it before."

Natalie gestured to the stairs. "It's time to let the Dupain-Cheng's have their house back. I've got the limo waiting outside."

"Thanks, Natalie," he waited for her to leave the room before giving Marinette a thumb's up, "and thank you, Marinette, for making these costumes…and letting me help out."

"O-Of course, anytime!"

He stepped onto the stairs and closed the hatch door behind him, but not before giving her one final smile. "See you tomorrow?"

She nodded. "Y…Yeah. Tomorrow." One the door was shut and she was alone she fell back onto the bed. "Tomorrow…oops," she sat up, remembering Tikki behind her, "sorry about that, Tikki!"

The small Kwami flew out from under her. "Ouch."

"Did you hear that, Tikki? He's coming back tomorrow."

"And tomorrow you'll have the costumes done, right?"

"You bet," she stretched, "but for now, I think we need to get some shut eye. Can't work if I spend the entire night up worrying about Raven and the others."

"Do you think they found anything out?"

"Maggie will tell us what they've learned. I just hope Chloe doesn't get in the way of their investigations."

~THE NEXT MORNING~

This is your time to shine, Chloe, she stood in front of Miss Tiara's Dancing Scene with her change of clothes in her bag, time to show Raven and Ladybug that you're more than just a gorgeous face.

She entered the studio and walked to one of the smaller back rooms, passing halls of whispering and stretching dancers that gave her wary glances as she kept her eyes ahead. She wasn't going to give them the time of day. She had a mission to focus on.

Let them think what they want. Sure, I'm an intruder on their performance, but I've got good reason they can't know. Curse the secrecy of heroism! Beatrice is the only one I need to focus on. She's bound to be suspicious that Raven asked her to teach me how to dance. I've got to divert her attention before she puts the pieces together.

She found Beatrice in the room of mirrored walls and light wood panelling, basking in the sunlight as a small radio played a delicate tune of flutes. "Good, you're here," she put her bag down and opened it up, pulling out a bright yellow leotard and white tights, "so we can start right away."

"As soon as you've changed into the appropriate attire," she responded as she gazed out the window, "changing rooms are to your left down the hall…?" She turned to find that Chloe had somehow already slipped into the leotard and tights, putting her black ballet shoes and a bee comb in her pigtail. "…Never mind, then."

"So," Chloe stood, giving her outfit a twirl, "which role am I going to be playing in the show? Daddy spent a good amount of money on these clothes, and I want to make sure my costume for the performance costs twice as much, so it'll be twice as beautiful."

"Seeing as how you're new, and there's only a few days until the show, Miss Grammar has asked me to give you a couple option for smaller but just as vital parts. I do have a suggestion, though, based on what I've seen."

"Oh?"

She stepped over to the radio and stopped the music. "You may play…the busybody bee. Sound appealing?"

"Not on your life." Beatrice's eyes widened ever so slightly as Chloe sauntered over to her and the radio. "I won't be caught playing the role of…of…a bee."

"You don't like bees?"

"I like the idea of the bee, their colours and style," she admitted before crossing her arms, "but I don't like the way they move, and the mere thought of working for someone else like my life depended on it? EW. You won't catch me in the same room as a bee."

"…No," Beatrice seemed to loom over Chloe, "I suppose I won't ever find you and a bee in the same room."

…Uh…this may be backfiring…

Chloe. Oh, Chloe, why. Some people just aren't meant for undercover work; if only Raven could have foreseen the troubles arising. But I also don't want to make him the perfect hero, because then he wouldn't be interesting, right? And yes, I'm trying to put more Adrien/Marinette moments into this story while still covering the story of the American heroes. Hope you guys are liking it!

Until the next chapter!