Three days had passed, and Marinette was standing with Adrien in her bedroom.

Well, the truth was that Marinette was standing with Chat Noir in her bedroom, and Marinette was trying not to laugh.

'So that's your transformation dance? Do you do it every time?'

'What, and you don't?' Chat pouted.

'No way, I'm usually too busy clambering out the window, or something,' she flushed though, and was seen through immediately.

'I'm sure yours is just as cute,' Chat returned. 'Or would you like for me to wait for you on the roof?' He asked with a grin.

She glared straight into his eyes as she muttered, 'transforme-moi!' and the red flash filled the room.

'See, now that wasn't so bad, was it?' He poked his tongue out at her a moment later.

'I'm going to steal all of your pillows tonight,' she threatened.

'You wouldn't do something so harsh!' He grinned, turning to open the window next to them. 'You want this kitty kat to get his beauty sleep.'

'Nope, I've decided it. I'm going to make a nest of pillows in my room and you're not invited.'

With a flourishing bow, he motioned for her to the window first.

However there was a beat of silence, and he looked up to see her staring at him.

'What?'

'It's, so weird seeing you act like that even though I know you're Adrien now.' Her hands were hesitant, raised slightly.

His ears drooped, and he straightened. 'Is this not okay?'

'I mean, it's not not-okay, I just,' she paused. 'Chat Noir's always been this flirty, fun-loving, slightly impulsive guy,-'

'Not to mention devilishly handsome,' he added without thinking, before pausing.

'But knowing you're not super like that in real life just means that superimposing this image onto that is kinda weird.' She did tilt her head in acknowledgement, however.

'Do you want me to tone it down?' He asked, running nervous fingers through his hair. 'This is kind of my escape; Chat Noir doesn't have to worry about consequences the way Adrien does, or did, anyway.'

She smiled a rueful smile, before taking a step forward and brushing the hair out of his eyes. 'Chat Noir can be whoever Chat Noir wants to be. And if Chat Noir wants to be the dork who thinks he's super slick, then he can go right ahead.'

'I'll have you know I grew out of my dork phase,' Chat grinned back, immobile under her scritchings. 'I'm exactly as slick as little Chat ever dreamed.'

'And besides, can't have you changing too much, otherwise Alya'll think something's up.' She smiled, and defeated any response with her fingers tracing against his jawline as she retracted her hand.

She turned and braced against the window, missing his involuntary shiver. 'Race you to Notre Dame?'

'Uh, yep,' he managed to not squeak. 'Y-you're on.'

'Chloé has her bee signal up again,' Chat called into the wind ahead of him, the evidence high above them in the sky.

'You're just trying to distract me!' Ladybug called back, eagerly taking her advantage.

'Me? Never! I can do that with good looks alone!' They were approaching the signal fast, aiming to fly right on ahead for the famous cathedral. 'But it's been a forever since she used it,'

'She hasn't been Queen Bee in years, she quit asking ages ago.' Ladybug landed and pushed off again, forgoing her yoyo for a straight jump across the buildings.

'Yeah, so isn't it weird?' Chat was only a heartbeat behind her, as she slowed slightly.

'Chat, what's got you so worried? It's Chloé Bourgeois, whatever it is I'm sure it's fine.'

His eyes were fixed on the roof of Le Grand Paris, where he could see Chloé pacing on the rooftop by the spotlight. 'We're only a few streets away, I'll give you a three second head start when we get back to our race?'

She landed on the next building and stopped. 'Pfft,' she scoffed. 'Like I need a head start. You should be saving it for yourself.' She landed a hand on her hip, looking back at him. 'We can stop by, but if it's something like she's broken a nail or she wants another autograph then you owe me big.'

'For you, my lady? Anything.' He grinned, running his fingers through his hair dramatically.

He made to leap again, but saw she was not moving to follow, her face turned away.

'Everything ok?' He questioned, re-stowing his baton.

She span on her heel to raise a finger at him, approaching a step, flushed red. 'Chat Noir!'

'Y-yes?' His grin faltered, and he raised his hands defensively.

She opened her mouth, before glancing down at the street below. 'How dare you smile at me that way?' She hissed instead. 'I'm going to have a heart attack over here!'

'W-what?' Gears whirred in his head, before the cheshire grin returned. 'Sorry, Ladybug, is my face bothering you?'

Two red hands pushed against his face, and he peered through the gloved fingers to see her flaming the colour of her suit.

'I'm trying to focus, here!'

'I didn't know I could be so distracting to you,' he grinned.

'Y-you're not! Chat Noir is not distracting,' she emphasized. She took a deep breath, retracting her hands. 'S-sorry, I shouldn't-', she hung her head, letting out a sigh. 'Sorry, my head's not in this properly just yet. Maybe I should go home, and you can talk to Chloé.'

'No, no, it's my fault,' he took a step closer to speak a little quieter, 'I'm laying it on a little thick. My bad.'

She shook her head, and patted her cheeks. 'Chill, chaton. You wanted to talk to Chloé, though I may need a stiff drink after.'

He moved to take her hand again, but hesitated halfway. 'Right, sorry. I'll make it up to you?'

She smiled. 'Start a tab. Now let's go talk to Chloé.'

They traversed the few remaining buildings, and landed behind the girl in question, who was adjusting her spotlight angrily.

'Been a while since we saw that spotlight,' Chat started loudly as they crossed the rooftop towards her, 'sort of makes you nostalgic, doesn't it?'

'Oh thank God, finally you're here,' Chloé snapped, spinning on her heel towards them. 'What took you so long?'

'Well, Chat, what a lovely fine day this is. Shall we keep moving?' Ladybug prompted, rolling her eyes.

'No, wait!' Chloé pinched the bridge of her nose. 'Look. Jeez. Sit down, or something.' She flapped at the nearby table and chairs. 'Whatever. Jean-Whoever said he'd be bringing sandwiches and tea. For me, of course, but he's lazy enough to over-cater.'

Ladybug and Chat Noir looked at each other for a moment, before looking back at her.

'Thank, you?' Ladybug started. 'I think? What is this about?'

'Ridiculous. Sit down, I want to talk to you two. That's all.' Chloé stalked over to the delicate chairs, and slammed herself down into one. 'I won't even talk about Pollen, though I still argue that you need me.'

'Not going to happen.' Ladybug followed her though, seating herself delicately.

Chat passed behind her and sat on the other side, just as Jean-Luc came out of the elevator with a trolley of snacks.

'Oh, good, you're finally here,' Chloé said loudly. 'I can't believe I still keep you around. I should have sent for one of the luggage boys, at least they're faster.'

'And yet, I am still here.' Jean-Luc was unfazed by her brashness, but turned his attention to the two superheros. 'Might I-'

'Offer them something, do I need to make you do everything myself?' Chloé glared.

'We're fine,' Chat raised his hands in surrender.

'I'll tell you what I'm not nostalgic for,' Ladybug muttered.

'Did you say something, Ladybug?' Chloé turned back to her, as the butler produced three teacups.

'Nope, nothing at all!' Ladybug waved her off. 'Now what did you want to talk to us about, then?'

Chloé glanced at Jean-Luc, before speaking. 'Can't I just want to hang out with some of the superheroes of Paris?'

'Well, not usually,' Chat pointed out. 'Can you-'

'Let me guess, you wanted to talk about being Queen Bee again, right?' Ladybug cut across him, as Jean-Luc started on his cup. 'I've told you a thousand times, no.'

Chloé looked at her. 'Oh, yeah. That. You can't possibly be treating Pollen how she deserves, and by they way, she deserves the very best.'

Chat looked between the two with confusion. 'What? You said-'

'Drink your tea, Chat Noir. Or should I call for a ball of yarn?' Chloé pushed back.

'Alright, alright, a cat can take a hint.' He raised the china cup to his lips sourly.

'Anyway,' Chloé said sharply, 'Yes. Pollen. Hand her over. You need Queen Bee.'

'I've told you before, and I've told you again, it's too dangerous.' Ladybug took a sandwich calmly. 'We can't put your family and the people you care about in danger. The answer is no.'
'Will there be anything else, mademoiselle?'

'No. Go polish the banisters or something.' Chloé sniffed, waving him away. 'But my power of subjugation-'

'We're handling things just fine, Chloé, leave it alone.' Ladybug watched the butler push the trolley back into the elevator, and the doors close with a ding.

Chloé let out a breath. 'Finally. Can that man work any slower. Ridiculous.'

'So what is this actually about, Chloé?' Ladybug sat forward in her seat.

'I need Pollen back.' Chloé said simply.

'Don't make me say it again.' Ladybug sighed. 'Why do you need the bee miraculous?'

Chloé leant forward over the table, right in Ladybug's face.

'I need to protect Adrien.'

Chat choked on his sip, and started coughing, his eyes wide.

'Yeah yeah, laugh it up,' Chloé blustered. 'Let's all have a joke at the massive cow who suddenly cares.'

Ladybug looked at her carefully. 'Why does Adrien need protecting, Chloé?'

Chloé pinched the bridge of her nose for a long moment, before pressing her eyes delicately and taking a long breath. 'Look, I need a favour, if you're so dead set against giving me my miraculous back.'

Chat managed to compose himself by taking a few gulps of tea, flinching at the heat.

'But it's absolutely top secret, I don't want anything to get back to his old man.'

'What's the favour?'

'Adrien's fallen off the grid. Well, I think he jumped, with some enthusiasm.' Chloé amended. 'It's been about a week.'

'This is very serious,' Ladybug started.

'Hasn't he contacted you?' Chat questioned, setting down his saucer.

'Well, yes, but it's absolutely top secret that he has.' Chloé shook her head. 'He said he's safe, he's with that damned airhead Marinette Dupain-Cheng.'

Ladybug and Chat Noir exchanged the tiniest glance. 'So what do you need us for?' She questioned.

'His dad's going absolutely ballistic. I can't believe it, and I'm the reigning champion of getting what I want.' She looked up at them. 'I need you two to make sure that Adrien stays out of his hands.'

'That's, really nice of-' Chat started, but was cut off with a scoff.

'Don't even use that word around me,' Chloé stuck her tongue out. 'I hate it. I think he'd be better here in his own private room with all the security Daddy can afford, but I think he'd absolutely hate that. He'd jump for the window before I'd reached for the catch.'

Chat looked at her. 'Why do you think Adrien left?'

'I don't know,' Chloé said, her voice falling as her eyes did to her teacup, 'but I can imagine.' She looked back up at him, the fire returning. 'Gabriel Agreste is the absolute worst. The. Absolute. Worst. If you get the chance, kick him in the teeth. No Miraculous Cure.' She snorted. 'It could only improve that mug.'

'Strong words,' Ladybug said, as Chat's hands clenched his teacup. 'You must care a lot.'

'Of course. Nothing but the very best for my Adrikins. He deserves to be happy.' She rested her chin on her upturned hand. 'So if you wont give me my miraculous, then the very least you can do is promise to watch after him. Guard him with your lives.'

'I'm sure we could manage that,' Chat half-smiled, but was shocked as Chloé snatched forward and seized his bell.

'I mean it. If anything happens to him, you'll be sorry.' She said dangerous tone.

'Right. Got it.' Chat leaned back, and was relieved to be released.

'Great. You got it through your skull. Now eat something,' she shoved the plate of sandwiches at him. 'You'll never get the fanclub on your side if you're so skinny-looking.'

Chat took a breath. 'I'll have you know that at least a quarter of the Ladybug and Chat Noir fanclub drools over me,' he sat up straighter, and casually flexed.

Chloé snorted. 'Sure. A quarter. you go right ahead and think that.'