Feeling the broach Gabriel had entrusted to her on the proviso that she would not use it, Nathalie walked determinedly to her room. Duusu was her companion, and the only reason Gabriel had allowed her to keep wearing the Miraculous was because they had seen her health deteriorate quicker without the power attached to it. Nathalie enjoyed the shrill little being's company, and it was always nice to have someone to talk to when there was something on her mind.

Nathalie closed the door to her personal quarters with a click behind her. A scowl resting on her face as Duusu emerged from her collar, sensing their Mistress's distress, the small being looked up at Nathalie with concern. The Kwami's usual excitable demeanour had diminished when she saw the look of anger on her holder's face.

"Miss Nathalie," the Peacock Kwami greeted in their shrill voice, "what is the matter?"

Nathalie threw her shoes into the waste bin before grabbing a similar pair of shoes and slipping them on. Looking intently into the mirror of the large oak closet, she was seething. "Something about seeing the two of them in his office has unnerved me. I think he is walking straight into a trap."

"What! Oh no! Miss Nathalie what can we do?" The high pitch voice of the Kwami only added to how panicked they sounded.

"What can I do Duusu," Nathalie's eyes shifted with calculation, intently watching the small deep blue creature's reflection as they flitted around behind the assistant. "Duusu, you know all of the Kwami don't you?"

The Kwami stilled in mid air, Duusu's expression changed instantly to joy at the mention of their friends, "oh yes my good friends! I know the Kwami from my box very well! We've spent an eternity together." The blue being stared off at nothing in particular, remembering the fun times they had shared together before they were separated. The Kwami's eyes dimmed slightly, "I do miss them."

"Once we have achieved our goal, you will be back with your friends Duusu," Nathalie soothed and the Kwami perked up once more. "Can you tell me please Duusu," Nathalie narrowed her eyes as she thought to herself about what Adrien said, "you like nuts don't you," Duusu nodded happily, "then what food the Ladybug and Chat Noir Kwami like?"

Duusu's eyes went wide, "oh you will never guess Miss Nathalie!" The Kwami shrieked fondly as she flitted back and forth between Nathalie and the mirror. The jerky movements were starting to give Nathalie a headache, and she made her way over to sit on her bed. "Plagg, he is the Cat Kwami, he just loves cheese! He was always talking about how the smellier the better!" The Kwami laughed fondly, "and Tikki has the biggest sweet tooth ever! She really enjoyed any holder who was able to get hold of sugar-Miss Nathalie, what's wrong?"

Duusu flew over to Nathalie, who's eyes had widened with realisation. Her suspicions were correct. Peering at her stunned holder, the Kwami started to panic. "Oh no! Oh no! Miss Nathalie what is it?"

The frozen assistant stared in horror at Duusu, she had her suspicions but the information which she had just been given proved them. "It's him, how else would he have gotten out without being seen?" She questioned, and the small blue Kwami shook her head with no other explanation. "He didn't come in through the door, he must have come through the window. The Camembert, it was for his Kwami...Adrien is always asking for it!" Nathalie started joining the dots together and her realisations kept coming.

"The girl, Marinette, she-she's Multimouse, she has to be, but the Ladybug Kwami must be here-oh my goodness Dusuu!" Nathalie stood up abruptly, "what if she is Ladybug? And has tricked Gabriel!"

"But Mistress, he didn't seem-"

"Quiet Duusu," Nathalie snapped, causing the Kwami to jolt away from her. "I have to stop them."

Duusu felt the need to reason with Nathalie, "but Master was the one who ordered the cheese and cookies, Master must know-"

"They have fooled him Duusu," a darkness descended over Nathalie's features, "I must protect him from them!"

"Miss Nathalie!" Duusu exclaimed, flying abruptly into Nathalie's face, forcing her attention to focus on the little blue being. "Tikki has been here since last night."

Astonished by the Kwami's demanding behaviour, Nathalie stared at her taken aback. "You knew?"

"Yes," the sheepish Kwami answered, hanging their head in shame. "Nooroo brought her to me once Gabriel had retired for the night."

"Why didn't you tell me? Why didn't he tell me?" Nathalie was hurt. Her lips pursed and she breathed aggressively through her nose, "I have been there through it all! Why didn't he trust me?"

"Perhaps he was worried," Duusu offered in their high pitched voice, "neither knew it would go so well."

Nathalie felt betrayed. Her and Gabriel's relationship had noticeably changed for her since they had been wielding the Miraculous together. Their partnership had grown and they had become a formidable team when fighting against the heroes of Paris, even though Nathalie was somewhat stunted since her conditioned had worsened.

"I guess he never needed me after all." The previously angry and protective assistant became downcast and sad with the prospect of not being needed in that capacity anymore. "Duusu, maybe we should get you reacquainted with your friends."

The Kwami smiled sadly, "if you are sure Miss Nathalie."

"I am sure Duusu," Nathalie held out her hand with the palm up for Duusu to land in. Nuzzling the small being to her face, Nathalie smiled fondly at her little companion. "I'm gonna miss you. Hopefully they can get the broach repaired too."

"I will miss you too." Duusu smiled fondly back, "what about your health Miss Nathalie?"

Nathalie's smile changed, the gesture not quite meeting her eyes and the thorough assistant did not reply.

The holder and Kwami made their way back to Gabriel's office, where four little Kwami were currently exchanging stories and reminiscing about times many centuries ago. When the door opened they shot into hiding, Nooroo however, came out when he saw Nathalie and and an emerging Duusu were the only ones to enter.

Thank you for reading this fic so far, I hope you are enjoying where it is going.

Thanks for the reviews, follows and faves. Another story will be updated tomorrow, but I haven't quite worked out which one yet =^.^=

Take it easy =)

Lady Rhi X