Chapter 55

Surprisingly Adrien and Marinette were awake, and lounging on one of the couches as they watched the sunrise together. Now, Adrien sat on one end of the couch with Marinette laying along its length, her head and shoulders supported by Adrien's chest.

Adrien smiled softly as he trailed his fingers through Marinette's hair. "Well that was my last night of freedom." he said with a sigh. "In a little while you go and join your folks back home, and I'm not sure where I'm going to go. I know I legally have to go home but I really don't want to."

"I'd say come home with me, but my parents wouldn't let you stay." Marinette said. "And they would be right, unfortunately." she added sadly.

"Five more months, just less than half a year and I'll be legally able to leave him." Adrien said with a sigh. "Unless, of course, we take Hawk Moth down before that."

"Well, tomorrow, Ladybug and Chat Noir are going to pay a visit to Inspector D'Anjou, to see what progress has been made on the investigation into Gabriel." she paused for a moment and craned her head around to look at Adrien. "Not to sound heartless, but I'm hoping that by the weekend, the threat of Hawk Moth and his akumas will be ended."

Adrien sighed heavily. "Which means I'll have to face my father, and fight him." he said sadly. He was surprised when Marinette sat up. He watched as she turned and face him.

"Aid, I could have you sit that fight out, Rena, Carapace and I should be able to handle him. To be honest, I'd rather keep you from that fight, sparing you the heartache."

Adrien reached up and brushed his fingertips over her cheek. "I thank you for that, but I'm going to be there, to see for myself that Hawk Moth actually is my father." he said. "Besides we're strongest when we work together as a team."

Marinette pressed her cheek against the tender touch. She closed her eyes for a moment reveling in the contact, then looked at him. "And making sure I'm safe." she said softly. "An action I don't get the opportunity to do with you."

"Sorry, Buginette, that's just the way I am." he said.

"And don't ever change, kitty." Marinette said, returning to her laying against his chest, then snuggled closer to Adrien, and she smiled softly when she heard his frustrated growl when there was a knock at the door.

"Come in." she called, thinking it was room service with their breakfast. They both turned their heads and watched as the door opened, and were surprised when Alya came storming into the room with Nino on her heels.

"Babe, this isn't a good idea." he said to Alya.

"Yes it is, and she's right here too." the redhead said as she marched over to the couple on the couch. "What do you have to say about this, Agreste?" she demanded, slamming a newspaper down on the coffee table.

"What do I have to say about. . ." he began as Marinette picked the paper up and turned it to look at. "What the hell?!" he gasped when he saw the article that Alya had left it opened to. "Where did you find this?!" he demanded.

"In the lobby, along with fives other copies." Alya replied.

"Mari, that's not what it seems." he said as Marinette had stood up and was staring at the photos with the article. He could see the tears trailing down her cheeks.

The trio of photographs showed Adrien, hugging, kissing, then looking lovingly at someone, the headline reading "Has Adrien Agreste found a new girlfriend, even as he is supposedly with another?" Below the pictures was a single shot of Marinette.

The girl in the three photographs wasn't Marinette, and even worse it was. . . Lila Rossi.

"Not what it seems?!" Marinette asked tearfully. "You're kissing HER of all people!"

Adrien stepped over to her. "Princess, that's. . .(slap)" he began but was cut off when Marinette's hand connected with the side of his face. He saw her tear her gaze away from him, and his heart sank when he saw her look over at the bed for a moment, then back at him.

"I. . .you. . .we!" she cried then ran from the room.

"Mari, wait!" Adrien called and started to follow her, only to be stopped by Alya's hand on his upper arm.

"Oh, no you don't! Not until you explain."

"Get your hands off me!" Adrien shouted as he ripped his arm from Alya's grasp. He took two steps, then realized that he wouldn't be able to catch up to Marinette. He turned and saw the simmering anger in Alya's hazel eyes. "That. Never. Happened!" he shouted pointing at the stack of papers.

"Photos don't lie, Agreste!"

"They damn well do if they've been photo-shopped, Cesaire!" Adrien shouted back. "The only time that I've EVER been involved in a kiss with Lie la, was when she was the Chameleon, and even then she kissed me!" he looked over at Alya, then looked at the closed door, and groaned. "Why, Alya, why did you HAVE to bring this to me with Marinette here, and now of all times?" he paused for a moment, and his face darkened with anger. "I know why." he snapped. "It's the blasted reporter in you. You saw this and boom, you had to get to me and see how emotional a reaction it would bring out in me." he ranted. "Then you came in, and even better, Marinette was here, and you could show her just what kind of a bastard I am, that I can't be trusted, and even better you'd get to see her reaction! Well congratulations, paparazzi, you got you wish, you saw your best-friend's heartbreak caused by the trash news you brought! I hope you're happy!"

"That's not. . ." Alya began, but stopped when Adrien took a step toward her.

"I really hope it is, Cesaire!" he shouted. "The only other explanation I can come up with is that you're jealous of how things with you and Nino have been working out, and you don't want any competition for that happiness, so when you saw this you saw a way to put an end to Marinette and my happiness! Well again, congratulations, you succeeded!" He stood there, breathing heavily as he looked from the door to the bed. "God, how she must hate me now!" he sobbed. "Thank you, Alya. Thank you so very fucking much! Now get out!"

"Adrien, I. . ." Alya tried.

"No! You've done enough! Now. Get. Out!"

"Adrien, listen, please." Alya said. "I SAID, GET OUT!" he bellowed. "NOW!"

"Hey, bro, come on." Nino said softly. He winced when Adrien turned his back to them, his fists clenched. He gasped when he saw just how tightly his friend was clenching his fists, trying to control his anger, when he saw a few drops of blood fall to the carpet from his fingernails biting into his palms.

"Alya, we'd. . ." he began but trailed off as Adrien gave a cry of pain, then ran for the open balcony doors.

"Plagg, claws out!" he called, transforming mid stride. Using his baton, he vanished into the rooftops. At least that's how he planned it.

What really happened was he stumbled after only one step, and ended up on his hands and knees beside the coffee table by the other couch, only managing to say his kwami's name.

"Kid, you've got to calm down." Plagg tried to sooth his chosen.

"She. . .she thinks I. . .and with. Oh God I'm gonna be sick." Adrien said and felt the bile rise in his throat, the image of him kissing Lila vivid in his head.

"Come on, Bro." Nino said softly, and jerked back when Plagg flew and smacked into his forehead with a hiss.

"Back off, Turtle!" he spat. "Get your girlfriend outta here. Adrien's right she's done enough." he said angrily, then sighed sadly when he heard Adrien take a huge shuddering breath. "If you really want to help, convince pigtails that those pictures are fake, like you should know they are." he added.

Nino looked over when Adrien got back to his feet. He stood there for a moment, then took a ragged breath.

"Alya, go to her, calm her down." he said softly. "I doubt you'll bring her back here, or that she'd want you too, but she needs your support." he glanced over at the incriminating photos. "You have to believe me, that never happened, I wouldn't do that to her, especially with Lila."

Alya sighed heavily. "You're right I do know better, but when I saw those pictures, and that headline. . ." she said and let the sentence hang.

"Did either of you think to read the article?" Plagg asked. "I mean just looking at the pictures doesn't tell you when they were taken."

Alya picked the paper up, and Nino stepped beside her, their eyes scanning the text. "Last night, right after the gala." Alya said a moment later, and she looked over at Adrien when he gave a relieved sigh, and a chuckle.

"I can tell you that I was here last night." Adrien said. "Actually I've been here since the gala closed down." he added, and Alya noticed that he glanced over at the bed. "And Marinette was here as well."

"She'll remember that?" Alya asked.

I certainly hope so." Adrien replied. "I know it was memorable for me, I hope it was for her as well." he said softly.

It took only a few seconds then Adrien saw the realization wash over the redhead's face. "You mean. . .you and Mari?" she stammered, and Adrien nodded. "Oh Adrien, I'm soooo sorry."

"Yeah, well you didn't know."

"But I should have know that you'd never cheat on her, and I should have waited to confront you with that." Alya said, then looked up when Adrien's phone sounded off.

"What the?" Adrien wondered after about a minute of his phone sounding. "Well it's a cinch that those pictures are out." he said, scrolling through several messages. "With the exception of you two and Chloe, they're from our class, and screaming for my blood."

"Let me see." Alya said, and he handed his phone to her. "Right." she said handing it back and taking out her own. "Time for a group chat."

[Classgroup] Alya here. Those photos are a confirmed fake.

[LCKim] How do you know? They look legit to me.

[Alix] I kinda pegged Agreste as a player

[Ivan] I'm gonna pulverize him when I see him.

[Classgroup] I know because I'm here with him, and he explained how they are fake. Also Rossi had to leave the gala early.

[LCKim] Like he wouldn't lie to cover his ass.

[Modelboi] I know they are fake because Marinette and I were together all night last night, even after the gala.

"That caught them by surprise." Alya said after a moment of silence. "What?" she asked when Adrien's head snapped up and he looked out over the city.

"She's transformed and south of here, moving fast." he said softly

Alya's phone chimed a different sound. "Ladyblog alert." she said checking. "Sighting! Rue de Perichaux, near Parc Georges Brassens. Reporting source lost track of her when she went between two buildings."

Adrien nodded. "She's detransformed." he said, the looked at his phone when it pinged another message.

[Kira] A are you alright? Saw Globe photo spread.

"Dude, I get how you know where Mari is, but how do you know if she's the bug or herself?" Nino asked.

Adrien looked astonished at the idea. "Plagg, have you got an answer?"

"The short answer is that with what you did last night, the bond between myself and Sugar Cube, got stronger and so has the bond between the two of you. Look, Tikki can explain it better than. . ." Plagg replied, then trailed off when he saw the color drain from his chosen's face. "Hey, Kid, what's the matter?"

"Marinette, Tikki, something's wrong!" Adrien gasped. "Alya, tell the class." he snapped. "She's south of the Eiffel." he snapped, then started typing into his phone.

[GroupModels] This is Adrien. Marinette is in trouble, 15th arrondissment, near Parc Georges Brassens. Can any of you help?

[Kira] I'm with Jenna and Jake, not far from there. Any better idea where to look?

[Adrien] Check alleys. Help will be in the area soon.

"Plagg, claws out!" Adrien shouted, and Alya and Nino followed suit, and their friend.

MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM

Marinette touched down, for safety's sake she had to leave the rooftops. She knew that billboards didn't move, her near collision with one made her realize that. She checked to see if the alley was empty, and seeing that the coast was clear, she dropped her transformation. She started to walk out to the street when she saw a copy of the gossip rag that was open to the pictures. She leaned her forehead against the cool bricks that made up the wall of the building as she let her tears fall.

"Hey now, a pretty little girl like you shouldn't be here all alone." a voice said.

Wiping her eyes, Marinette turned and saw two shabbily dressed men.

"Anything we can do to help?" the one on the right aasked.

"No, thank you. All I want is to be left alone."

The face of the man on the left suddenly brightened with recognition. "Hey, Marcel, you know who this is? This is that one that they're raising all that fuss over from that fashion show last night." he said.

"So we have us a actual celebrity, Claude." Marcel said with an evil smile. "I wonder how much money she has on her."

Before Marinette could react, Claude snatched her purse from her.

"Hey! Give that back!"

"Ah ah ah, dearie." Marcel said grabbing her arm and twisting it up behind her back. "We won't take much, just what you have in there."

"Bah!" Claude scoffed. "Nothing in here except her phone, and a stuffed toy." he said.

"Jenna! Jake! Over here!" a voice called out. A moment later Kira came into view, her phone out and recording. "Let her go!"

Marinette saw Claude start to swing her purse, and almost broke away from Marcel. "No! Don"t!" she screamed and watched helplessly as he swung it and slammed it against the wall, twice.

The first time there was what sounded like a small cry from the purse, that was not repeated on the second swing.

"Well she won't be able to use her phone, so now we get the one from her.' Claude said and turned toward Kira.

Marinette finally broke free, but stepped on a bottle which rolled and she fell backwards into the side of the building. She rebounded and ended up on her face on the ground, struggling to remain conscious.

"Tikki." she said weakly, reaching out for the bag, then blacked out.

"GET AWAY FROM HER!" Chat Noir's voice bellowed, and his collapsed baton flew in and smacked Claude in the forehead. Chat landed on his hands and knees, bridged over Marinette, and he quickly extended his baton and knocked Marcel out before he reached Kira.

"Chat Noir, thank God you're here." Kira said, stepping around Marcel's prone form. She pulled up short when Chat Noir arched his back and hissed at her, brandishing his baton.

Kira froze, and saw that Chat's cat ears were laid flat back and his tail was standing straight up and vibrating. She held her hands about chest high, palms out toward him.

"Easy, Chat Noir. I'm not going to hurt her." the brunette soothed. "My name is Kira, and I'm her friend." she added as she inched closer. She sighed as the hero seemed to calm down a bit, his cat ears perking up.

"Yo, Kira! Where are. . .whoa!" Jake called out then gasped when he saw what was going on.

Just then Rena and Carapace landed, and Rena went directly to Chat. "Easy, Kitty." she soothed, putting her hand on his back and gently rubbing. "It's gonna be alright, we're here, and she's safe now." she crooned. "That's it, easy, chaton."

Kira watched as Rena's ministrations seemed to work, as the glow of Chat Noir's eyes dimmed back to normal and he blinked, and gave his head a shake.

"Chat?" Rena called softly.

"Rena?" Chat mumbled then gave his head another shake. "Marinette!" her gasped when he looked down. "Rena, take her home, I'll talk to these three and deal with the police." he said as he stood.

"Right." Rena said and gathered Marinette into her arms, and she and Carapace leapt away.

"Hello." Chat Noir said as he walked over to where Jenna, Jake, and Kira stood, picking up Marinette's bag on the way. "I see you were recording." he said nodding toward Kira's phone in her hand.

"Umm, yes I was." the brunette replied. "I thought the police might want something for evidence."

"I appreciate it, but I need you to delete that video off your phone." Chat said. "If it gets into the wrong hands, Hawk Moth could go after Miss. Dupain-Cheng to get at me." he looked at his claws for a moment. "Let's just say that I'm not going to let that happen."

"And neither would we." Jake said, then let Chat watch as he deleted the video from his phone. "Jenna, Kira." he prompted.

"How do you know her?" Kira asked.

"She's helped Ladybug and I with a couple of akumas and I've rescued her a few times." Chat replied. "Ah, Lieutenant Raincomprix." he said when several police officers came up. "Those are the two you want, and these are the ones that called it in." he had a quick conversation with the senior cop, then left.