"How could you say that Bridgette? My secret identity is a serious thing. And now, both Chats could figure it out!" Mari squeaked as she paced her room. She had finally settled down about Bri's health and was now panicking about her cousin's slip of the tongue.

"Will you relax? If he hasn't figured out by your looks, I doubt that your Chat will figure it out now." Though Bridgette wasn't entirely sure of that, but Adrien was fairly clueless about more things. She didn't really see what the big deal was anyways. They clearly loved each other.

Mari huffed, "What about your Chat?"

Bri opened her mouth, then closed it. Her Chat was definitely smarter than Adrien, more attentive. It was possible, if he was close to either of them, which is possible since he knew Adrien's alter ego, that he could deduce who they were. "I...I'm sorry Mari. I wasn't thinking, but….would it be so bad? Them knowing?"

"Yes," she said automatically. Tikki settled on her shoulder, nuzzling her chosen.

Bridgette sighed. There was no getting through to her baby cousin. Her self image issues ran too deep. She didn't see herself as Ladybug. She didn't see the amazing things she did even without the mask. "I'm sorry Marinette. I'll be more careful. I can even throw in a few false trails."

She shook her head, grabbing her sketchbook and heading to the balcony. Bri knew better than to follow. She needed space. And both girls respected each other enough to give space when it was truly needed. Maybe Bri could make some cookies, as a peace offering. She looked at the tiny fairy that was staring at the trap door in concern. "Want some cookies Tikki?"

Tikki turned ageless blue eyes to her, "I have a stash up here, thank you Bridgette."

She nodded. Nothing for it then. Bridgette went downstairs, grabbing a glass and some pain meds. While she downplayed the whole thing with Marinette, her head was fuzzy and a dull ache persisted. She needed to give her kitty tips on evasive maneuvering the next time they met.

Settling in a chair by the computer, Bridgette continued on her latest project. Her and Alya were setting up a website for Mari's designs. While Alya had the brains and eye for web design, Bri had the business know how. She was sure she could get baby cousin off to at least a modest start. They were planning on revealing it at her birthday next month.

Working on business was so familiar, easy. It let her mind focus and declutter, working through the day's events. It was so strange for an akuma to hit at night. Her fingers paused on the keyboard, a strange thought crossing her mind. Something Alya had said perhaps? What was it...Villains were only dangerous when they broke their patterns. It meant they either knew something or were getting desperate. So which was Hawkmoth?

There was a crash on the balcony, Bridgette whirled around, not seeing the tell tale flash or bell like laughter. How long had Bri been zoned out? She was even still in her costume, sans mask. She scrambled into the roof, "Mari?!"

A hand covered her mouth and her world went black for the second time that night.


Felix was very interested in being early for school the next day. There was a growing suspicion in his mind. One that needed to be resolved. Quickly. And to do so, he must speak with Bridgette.

Oddly enough, that thought didn't make him cringe or shudder, as it would have months ago. She had...grown on him. Seeing her break, seeing her strength was...odd. He decided that was it. She was still shrill and obnoxious but...he shook his head. That was not the priority right now. Perhaps he was the one who hit his head.

No, it was most likely the lack of sleep. Adrien was bouncing off the walls into the wee hours of the night. He obsessed over every word the Ladybugs said last night, pouring on every syllable and intonation. To no end except a sleepless night of course. Adrien was just as clueless to her identity as he was a week ago but now he agonized over it. Felix rubbed his temples, peeking up only when he heard voices.

Not her. He sighed. This would be a long day.

Minutes passed and her cousin walked up, dark circles under her eyes and alone. He frowned. Felix stood and intercepted her before her friends.

"Is Bridgette on her way?" He asked bluntly. Marinette blinked at him, biting her lip.

"We, um, had a fight. I thought she was already here actually," she looked around for a sign of her cousin.

Alarm bells ringed in the back of his head, a growing knot in his stomach, "She wasn't at home?"

"No. But...she has to be here. I mean, Bri wouldn't just run off." Her brows furrowed, "I'll go find her."

Fear shuddered down Felix's spine. Bridgette was dramatic, but her dramatics would do nothing if she didn't have an audience. Running out without some sort of show was not like her. And he was here quite early, she would have had to pass him to get in.

Still, he ran through the school calling her name and her phone. There was no answer on either end. He met up with Marinette at the front of school, her eyes wide, her hands shaking.

"She wasn't anywhere. I don't understand. We fought but this isn't like her." Marinette's hands went to her purse, fingers twitching.

"But she was there last night? After the fight?" he asked, desperate for any confirmation that she was fine. That his fear was misplaced.

Her mouth opened, then closed. Her eyes darting as she recalled. "I-I don't know."

Felix cursed, about to run to Adrien to get him searching the city when his phone buzzed. He pulled it up, paling as a voice roared over the speakers.

"Hello Parisians." Hawkmoth began, his face and voice broadcasting over every phone, tv and tablet. Smugness radiating from every pore. "You may all rest easy after tonight. Because after tonight, I will no longer plague you. After tonight, I will have my prize. After all, I already have half my aim."

The camera faded out and zoomed to someone else. Unconscious, but recognizable. How could one miss the red and black heroine? With just a glint a gold around her waist. Gold...Felix's heart wrenched. His Lady.

But there was something else. Something he had blatantly ignoring since Hawkmoth began. Something he didn't want to recognize. Something he was going to have to face.

Felix spotted Adrien already running. The broadcast still going. Ignoring the growing horror on Marinette next to him, he chased after him. Grateful for his longer legs, he caught up with his brother quickly, grabbing his arm and leading him aside.

"Adrien, stop! It's not her! Calm down for two seconds and really look at her. She's not your lady!" He hissed, showing him the video, thumb just under the gold belt to make it obvious.

Adrien fought with him a moment, breaths coming out ragged while the words sunk in. The wild look in his eyes lessened and he looked at Felix in horror, "Then that's…"

Felix didn't want to say it, not yet, "Call Ladybug, team up with her and lay low! I'll call you with the location."

He didn't wait for an affirmation. He didn't wait for words of comfort. Feet pounded the payment and blood rushed in his ears as he ran. Felix knew exactly where to go. Felix knew exactly who Hawkmoth was.

Hawkmoth was Gabriel Agreste, his very own father.