A/N My deepest apologies to my readers for the lateness of this chapter. I learned (the hard way) to back up documents in not one but two or more places. I accidentally deleted this chapter while writing the next and final one, then found the online site I had it saved a back up copy to was no longer free so I had to start it from scratch.
Chapter 64
"But in refusing to give him my miraculous and defeating him, I think I've condemned her to either death, or never recovering from her coma, or whatever it is she's in." Chat turned to look out the window. "All because I don't love her enough to use the power to bring her back."
"No, Chaton, because you love her enough not to use it." Marinette's voice said weakly. "Because you love her enough to honor her by letting her go."
Chat spun around, his face split by a huge smile. "Milady!" he cried happily, and quickly stepped over to the bed to put his hand on her good shoulder.
"Mari!" Rena gasped. "You're awake!" she added, pressing the call button.
"It's good to see you awake, sweetie."
"Maman? But how?"
"I'll explain later." she said, and fell silent as the doorknob rattled and the door opened.
"Ah, good, you're awake and he's here so you're calm." the doctor said as he entered the room. "So, Ladybug, how do you feel?"
Marinette was silent for a moment, until she saw the look her mother was giving her.
"Um, okay." she said. "When I woke up I learned not to move my left shoulder, other than that and a slight headache no complaints." she went on. "Oh, and thank you for putting my shoulder back together."
The doctor smiled and reached across the bed to pat her good shoulder. "My pleasure, young lady. An honor to have helped the heroine of Paris." he said. "In all honesty, it was the least I could do for all that you've done for us. Now, I'll leave you to rest, and I'm sure there are things you need to discuss with your team." he added, then turned to look at Sabine. "You appear to be the eldest here, so I'll trust you to make sure you don't overtire her."
"Yes, Doctor." she said, and the physician left, closing the door behind him.
"Not to contradict him, but I am the eldest here." Fu said, drawing a chuckle from everyone. "I am sorry to bring this directly to business, but I need you to drop your transformation, Chat Noir."
Marinette and Sabine both saw how Chat's face fell at the request.
"Of course, Master. I understand." he said. "Plagg, claws in." he looked over at Plagg when he appeared, and gave him a chunk of Camembert. "You okay, buddy?"
"Yeah, kid, I'm fine." Plagg said then turned to Master Fu. "Why did you have him drop his transformation?" he asked. "You're not taking me from him." he added sternly.
"Whether I do or not, will be my decision." Fu said.
"You misunderstand me, human." Plagg said. "You may be the Guardian, but you are not taking me from him."
"Hey, easy buddy." Adrien said softly, rubbing Plagg's head. "I'm not sure what all he knows, but he may be right and I may not be worthy anymore."
"I don't believe that!" Sabine snapped.
"Thank you, Maman." Marinette said. "and neither do I."
Fu cleared his throat. "Maybe it would be best if you two rested your kwami and let them recharge."
"And leave him with no defense?" Rena asked, standing. "Not happening." she said, facing Fu. "You may be the Guardian, but I've known Adrien far longer than you and I know him to be a true hero."
"Would a true hero want to use his powers to kill his own father?" Adrien asked softly.
"You may have wanted to, but you didn't." Marinette said.
"She's right, Gabriel is still alive. You kept control." Sabine said.
"And that's not easy, Adrien. You're my first chosen that's been able to pull me back when I manifested through you." Plagg said.
"After Marinette reminded him that heroes don't kill." Fu said.
"And later when we were alone." Plagg snapped. "After he had left the lair I pushed to go back and deal with that. . .person my way, but he resisted and left." he explained, then turned to Adrien. "Sorry, kid, but nobody hurts Tikki's bugs."
Fu was thoughtful for a moment. "I can see you are certain of him, Plagg, and that he has earned the trust and protection of his team." he said. "The use of such power leaves it's mark, and I can tell it's left it's mark on you, Adrien, although not any physical ones."
"That might be here." Adrien said, lifting the hair off the back of his neck. He dropped down to ne knee, so that Fu could look.
"Indeed." the old man said as he looked. There on the skin just below the hairline was a black spot, with a domed top and like a ragged hem at the bottom. He sighed and motioned for Adrien to stand. "You are to be commended, young man." he said. "As Plagg has said, you are the first of his chosen that has been able to handle his power." he sighed, then turned to Sabine. "I believe you were going to explain to Marinette, how you have Tikki."
"It was mainly because of your injury." Sabine said, taking her daughter's good hand. "We needed to get you to the hospital, and the delay waiting for an ambulance would have been to long. I was surprised when Tikki told me she would be honored to help me help you."
"She and I are still transformed to keep your identity secret." Rena said.
Marinette nodded. "Well, with her interest in Ladybug being well known, Alya could be here without revealing my identity any further." she said. "To be honest the same could be said about Adrien." she added, then looked over at her mother, still getting used to seeing her as Ladybug. "As much as I want my mother here, as your civilian self your presence would give me away instantly."
"Do we really need to stay secret?" Adrien asked. "Now that Hawk Moth is gone."
"While it is true that Hawk Moth was your biggest, most powerful opponent, the city has become used to your being around, and you do perform a certain service in keeping some of the lower key criminal activity down." Fu said. "While most of the city likes you, there are elements that would like to bring you down."
Sabine nodded. "He right about that." she said. "I'm just glad that with akumas no longer a problem, that we don't have to worry about the ones who know giving you away." she added, then her expression darkened. "Except that snake Fiona."
"She has already been dealt with." Fu said. "The proper herbal combination, when made into a tea, can do wonders. Her memories of the last three days have been erased." he explained. "I was most surprised when Mister O'Hanlin asked about it." he moved over to stand at Marinette's bedside. "I know that you wish to have your miraculous returned to you, but before that happens I must get a promise from you." he said.
"What is it, Master?" Marinette asked.
"That you will not transform for the next week, at least, possibly the next two weeks." Fu said. "This will give your shoulder the time it needs to heal properly and completely."
"Yes, Master, that is a promise that I gladly give." Marinette said with a wide grin.
Fu chuckled softly, then turned to Adrien. "Now what is this about your mother?"
Adrien swallowed nervously, then went on to tell about his mother's disappearance and the information Alya found. "After I left my father's lair, I found myself in a similar room with the stasis chamber in it surrounded by the plants. That confirmed for me that my father wanted our miraculous to bring her back from the coma or whatever it is she's in." he concluded, then hung his head. "Now I've sentenced her to staying that way."
"And as Marinette said, it's not from any lack of love that you have for her, but rather proof of that love." Fu said softly. "Your father would claim that it was his love for her that drove him to become Hawk Moth and do what he did." he explained. "In reality he was thinking only of himself, disregarding how your mother would feel about the cost for her being alive."
Adrien was thoughtful for a moment, then nodded. "You're right." he said. "From what I remember of her, my mother would be very upset that so many had to suffer for her to be brought back."
"Now I do not wish to get your hopes up, but I will have to consult with the masters at the temple, but there may be a way to bring her back without such a terrible cost."
"If that's possible, I would be in your debt. I can't think of any way I could repay you."
"As Sabine has said; where there's life there's hope, but understand that I make no promises." Fu said. "As to payment, that is not necessary, it is my duty as a Guardian to try to fix this."
"I think it's time we left the two of them alone." Sabine said. Rena and Fu both nodded, and soon left.
"Marinette, I'm so sorry that I wasn't here when you woke up." Adrien said, pulling a chair over and sitting beside her. "Until I saw that video from Rena I thought he had killed you, like in my nightmare."
"It's okay, Kitty, I understand." she said, then they both looked over at the door when Tikki phased through it, carrying the earrings. "Tikki!" Marinette squealed, holding out her hands for the kwami to land on. "Oh it's good to have you back." she said and quickly switched out the fake earrings. She sighed softly when there was a soft pink flash.
"Mmmmmmm, yes that feels much better." Tikki said, twirling in the air, relishing the feeling of her bond with Marinette reforming.
"So, how long have you known my mother?"
"I knew of her through Lonng, when he was returned to the Miracle Box, and as soon as you put the earrings on for the first time I knew there was someone nearby that had been a Miraculous holder." Tikki explained. "It wasn't until you were in her presence with me that I knew who she was."
Adrien smiled softly when Marinette fought to suppress a yawn, and failed.
"Well, Princess, that's my cue to let you get your rest." He said, then transformed. "I'll be back tomorrow." he said then leaned in a gave Marinette a kiss on the cheek."
"Good night, Kitty." she said, and watched him leave through the window.
Almost immediately there was a knock at the door. "Is he gone?" a feminine voice asked.
Marinette chuckled softly. "Yes, I'm alone now."
The door opened, and a nurse entered the room, a vase of flowers in her hands.
"This is for you." she said, setting the vase on a small table beside the bed. "Now don't worry about your being here getting out." she said quickly. "Every hospital in the city is getting a huge number of flower arrangements, all addressed to you."
"Please distribute the others to the other patients please." Marinette said.
The nurse smiled softly as she straightened the blanket around her patient. "We thought that's what you were going to say. We started with our geriatric patients that don't get visitors, then moved to the same group in pediatrics, and we left the sender anonymous." she explained. "Ooo, I see I won't have to offer you a sleeping medication." she added with a laugh as Marinette yawned. She stepped into the bathroom and turned off the light. "Sleep well, sweetheart, and on behalf of all of us, thank you." she said then switched off the room lights and left the door open a few inches.
In a moment Marinette was fast asleep.
A/N So this is the last numbered chapter, next up is the epilogue. Thank you all for reading, and the comments.
