Story note:More of a continuation of Chapter 3 than a new chapter.

Chloe was fuming inside. When she had woken up she had rushed to check her phone, half believing the entire conversation had been some strange dream. But there it was and she wanted to die. All through breakfast she had waffled on hoping it had never been delivered and angry at not getting a reply. By the first bell she'd settled on angry and never looked back. The necklace was stuffed into her bag. Her senses had drifted back to normal which left everything feeling a bit dull and grey, but on the plus side she was no longer ravenously hungry.

Sabrina had been hovering more than normal. Chloe knew she'd been prickly to her friend, but she was really running up to the limit of her very newly developed good behavior. At lunch she broke silence to ask between bites,"Has the brown haired ogre texted you today?" She tried to make it sound casual, and failed miserably.

Sabrina shook her head over her PB&J,"No. Not since last night. Is this about tomorrow?"

Chloe picked at the Sichuan chicken thigh in front of her. "Tomorrow might not happen at this rate. Who asks someone out then ghosts them?"

Sabrina choked on a mouthful of sandwich,"Ask. Out?" She took an overlong pull at her milk.

Chloe rolled her eyes,"Out. Hang out. Whatever you want to call it. He could take social lessons from Adrien's bodyguard. One does not toy with Chloe Bourgeois." she stabbed the thigh with her fork and left it there,"I have plenty of other very important places I could be tomorrow," that was a bad lie.

Sabrina was shifting gears. It was clear as day on her face. "Maybe. Maybe he just got busy. He's not very good at texting sometimes."

"Busy? Busy!?" Chloe drummed her fingers on the table,"Oh, I forget you two have been chatting for weeks. You're best pals now." Why was she taking this out on Sabrina? It was all so stupid.

Sabrina slipped right back into habit in the face of Chloe's disapproval. She clenched her hands under her chin worriedly,"Should I not?"

"Do what you like Sabrina." Chloe countered loudly. "It just goes to show you. I give some nobody the chance to bask in my presence and this is the thanks I get." Chloe made a deep study of her nails, her voice raising even higher,"Just don't expect to hang out in my presence. No one gets a second chance." Chloe was livid. One part from the obvious, and another from being able to see just how she was acting from the outside now. Being stuck with that knowledge added a third layer to her anger. Why was everything so difficult?

Sabrina swallowed and went silent. Chloe's anger kicked around in drawn out seconds before she found an outlet,"Don't make any plans after school. We're going shopping."

"Shopping?"

"Yes shopping." Chloe gestured to the jacket Sabrina had brought again today,"If you're going to wear my clothes then you can at least do it properly. Designer brands aren't meant to mix with common rack bargains." There was an old lurking power here,"Besides. We need to get something for tomorrow in the UNlikely event Dev gets his act together and offers a good enough apology."

Chloe flipped an internal switch, pushing everything out and leaving only the surface emotions behind,"and if not, then we'll still look absolutely fabulous."

Shopping glorious shopping, it had never betrayed her. Sabrina trailed behind her loaded with skirts, blouses, pants, jackets, and two pairs of shoes. The difference this time was that these items were all for Sabrina.

"We need to get you out of those leggings at some point Sabrina." Chloe turned back over her shoulder,"though perhaps we had better get you some sun first so we don't blind anyone." Chloe stopped in front of a new boutique. "Ooo This looks promising."

Sabrina caught up, panting slightly,"Chloe. I'm super grateful and all-"She shifted her load, trying to avoid losing the shoeboxes,"but why are you doing this?"

"Because." Chloe snapped off sharply, then mellowed her tone,"You've been a good friend for a long time. It has been past due." Chloe managed a brief sincere smile but something stabbed at her inside and it quickly fled. She turned and pushed into the Boutique,"Besides. It's about time you complimented my look rather than bringing it down."

They entered a world of meticulous cleanliness. There were few clothes on display with lots of space between them, all good signs. Staff came forward to take, refold, and bag the clothes Sabrina was carrying. Chloe let out a blissful sigh,"My people." she murmured.

"Good evening Mademoiselle." the head assistant greeted them,"Refreshment? How may I help you today?"

"No thank you." Chloe slipped into business mode,"My friend." she gestured to Sabrina who straightened up nervously,"Day wear fashion. I am thinking Pine or Grass green knee length. Do you have off the shoulder? Clutch with... gold accents." Chloe put thumb and forefinger to her chin, squinting at the nervous Sabrina,"Derby hat, if you have a suitable one. Gloves, at least elbow length. Possibly white, we'll have to see." If the dress doesn't have a waist we'll need to do something about that as well. Belt? Cord? Let me see what you have on hand."

The attendant recovered from the initial barrage with cool professionalism,"One moment mademoiselle." he went to have a conversation of hurried whispers with his assistants who disappeared into the back.

"Can I help Chloe?" Sabrina offered.

"You." Chloe lanced her with the word,"You can stand up straight and lift your chin. We're dressing you to turn heads, you can't let the clothes down." Ice flowed in Chloe's veins. "Just watch me and absorb what you can."

An assistant came back with a lovely green sleeveless dress, with an integral belt, spreading it out across both arms for examination. Chloe stalked over and plucked at it,"This isn't Pine, it's Emerald." She grabbed a fistfull of fabric and lifted it up, jabbing a finger back towards Sabrina,"Do you SEE her hair? Does it look crimson to you? No. It's Carrot, or Autumn Apricot on a good day! If she puts this on it'll flatten the colors right into her ruddy complexion. Are you TRYING to hide her face?" Chloe threw the dress back into the arms of the assistant."Try again."

The attendant shuffled forward,"Mademoiselle you cannot-"

"I can. Do you know who my father is? Do you want to keep your license? Then. Bring. Me. Something. Better."

They fell back into a huddle again and Soon the assistants disappeared once more. Chloe fumed, not even at anything in particular. It was a familiar place, simmering waiting for the next excuse to boil over. She distracted herself by examining the small selection of bracelets on offer in a glass case. Sabrina was watching her. Chloe didn't need to look to know that. She could talk to Sabrina, reassure her, but Chloe didn't want to lose the mood she had now. It hurt, but in comfortable well worn ways.

A second round came out, multiple dresses this time and Chloe set to work. The look came together slowly. Sabrina was being fitted now in a new dress at least with accessories a work in progress. Chloe ended up buying one of the gold bracelets because there were no clutches with accents. She was deep in explaining to the attendant that no, satin gloves were not a suitable substitute for kidskin ones when she caught Sabrina waving out of the corner of her eye. Sabrina had her phone out and waved it, pointing to Chloe's bag before one of the assistants gently pulled her arm back into place to measure for taking in the dress around the chest.

"Use your WORDS Sabrina." Chloe drawled. She pulled out her phone nonetheless. Trouble blinked at her from the screen. Chloe stoked her anger before stepping away and opening her phone.

Dad's trip was extended. It's been a day trying to find a workaround. He's more paranoid than usual. Talking to mom didn't help him this time. Managed a car. I should be back in Paris in 15 hours.

Most of this bounced off Chloe's newly reformed armor. She decided he needed a barb.

Sleeping in a car? You'll smell terrible.

No problem there. The car isn't self driving.

"No…" Chloe stared at the words in disbelief. She backed out from the conversation and hit call. Looking up as it rang she locked gazes with Sabrina who mouthed ,"What?" looking so out of place right now in the finery Chloe had curated.

The line picked up and Chloe waved Sabrina off while striding towards the door for some public privacy,"Tell me that was a joke. You're not driving here."

"That was a joke. You're not driving here."

"Not FUNNY. You can't drive!"

"Fifty Kilometers out from the city says otherwise. Now if we're going to split hairs about being allowed well that depends on if anyone asks. Thanks for calling, trying to juggle texting was a bit of a problem."

"Why on earth are you driving?"

"It's a long, wet walk."

Chloe threw her hands up in the air and let out a strangled cry,"What are you trying to prove?"

"Right now? That I can navigate a roundabout while getting yelled at. Annnd, Yes, I can; Good to know."

"You're not going to stop are you?"

"Is my persistence charming?"

Chloe slumped back against the storefront and let herself slide down to the sidewalk. Shards of her freshly forged armor clattered around her. Her voice slipped to wistful, "You'll get a big head if I say yes."

"Well, ogres are supposed to have big heads aren't they?"

"Sabrina tattled on me?"

"I had seventy two messages when I checked my phone half an hour ago. She's worried about you."

Chloe sighed again,"God. I feel like a total witch now."

"Maybe you were."

"Excuse me? I'm going to give you the next ten seconds to explain that in honor of your pulling this stupid stunt."

"What? You could have been. Everybody is sometimes. I should have messaged you earlier but I wanted to have a handle on the situation before I did and time got away from me. It's more about trying to minimize witch-time."

"Yeah? Well I am pretty sure I've been clocking overtime for a chunk of my life."

"That's why sunrises are better than ledgers."

"You're being weird again."

"Seriously. Some people think about life like a ledger. Do good, do bad, add it up and hope you're in the black. Your whole life is the sum of everything you've done. I like sunrises better. No sunrise remembers the one before, it just tries to be the beginning of the best day it can."

Chloe chewed on that in a long silence,"Is this another attempt at being charming?"

"Only if it's working."

Chloe smirked at her phone,"I should let you go. Stop if you get tired, or in the less likely event you come to your senses."

"See you tomorrow Chloe."

"Take care of yourself Dev."

Chloe hung up and dropped her phone into her lap. She was shaking again; not crying just a shivering that hung on too long. She wasn't mad, or even sad, she was just feeling entirely too much.

The door to the boutique opened and someone stepped out. The swath of green told her it was Sabrina even before she crouched beside Chloe. Sabrina reached out and stroked Chloe's hair tentatively.

Chloe stilled,"He's on his way. He'll be here if he doesn't get himself killed or arrested."

Sabrina didn't question that statement. She just said,"Is everything better now? I'm sorry if I did anything that made it worse Chloe."

The complete sincerity in Sabrina's voice was the final straw. Chloe took both Sabrina's hands in hers and drew her around. Sabrina sat facing Chloe, 2800 euros worth of dress on the sidewalk.

"Sabrina." Chloe squeezed Sabrina's hands, suddenly afraid,"I've been a horrible friend."

Sabrina opened her mouth in protest, beginning to shake her head but Chloe cut her off, giving another squeeze,"Let me finish. Please. I don't think I'll get another chance at this. I've been a horrible friend. I didn't know it at the time but I'm just starting to figure it out. Honestly, I don't know why you're still here." Chloe hiccupped, her voice getting thick,"I wouldn't blame you if you didn't. You'll do fine." Chloe's words were starting to slur,"You're smart. You're pretty. You don't need any of… This." Chloe was full on ugly crying now. She gasped for air between sobs,"But- If- you- Do- I- could - use- friend- Sorry-." Chloe was done and done. This wasn't some slow awakening, this was a floodgate and there was no getting it shut. Sabrina might have said something, but Chloe couldn't hear anything over the rush of blood in her own ears. She felt Sabrina pull her hands away and had never felt a blow so crippling in her life. She felt herself falling, but Sabrina was back, she was hugging Chloe and Chloe clung in return. She grasped at Sabrina like a drowning woman.

Eventually it subsided. Chloe dug her stash of tissues out of her bag and cleaned herself up as best she could. She was committing the cardinal sin of being seen without makeup now, but after bawling in the streets, small concerns.

Sabrinal let her go,"I kind of knew. I mean I've heard it from people before. I just. I don't have the right words. It wasn't all bad. You *are* my friend. I've always known that, through everything. I don't know what I'm supposed to do or say here. So I'm just going to say I'm not planning on going anywhere. Maybe I should? I don't think if I did though that it would be the same if I ever decided to come back, so I don't want to run. I'll help you Chloe, any way I can. I like helping you. You help me too."

"Promise me one thing?"

"Sure. what is it?"

"If you ever realize you're just staying to help me, get out. You deserve more than that."

"Promise."

That was both a weight off Chloe's shoulders and a noose around her heart. Chloe looked up at Sabrina,"Oh God…" she dabbed inneffectively at the front of Sabrina's new dress,"I'm ruining things left and right today."

Sabrina made a sound not-quite like a laugh and smiled,"Well, I'd probably do it a disservice if I wore it anyway."

"Ridiculous!" Chloe said hoarsely,"Utterly Ridiculous." She finished with a dry laugh. She rose to her feet unsteadily,"Come on, let's see if they know a cleaner who can work magic."

Sabrina stood and Chloe took her arm, stepping up beside her,"Now. Shoulders back, Chin up. Long flowing strides." Chloe led them back into the boutique to finish what they'd started.

Chloe shifted the pins in her mouth unconsciously, focused on setting one just right in Sabrina's hair. She'd bitten off more than she could chew with this style but Chloe wasn't about to admit that. Some things I won't ever change. Sabrina was a good sport. Chloe had been tugging, twisting, and combing her hair for a full 45 minutes and aside from some involuntary twitches there had been no fussing. Chloe had braided all but two locks framing Sabrina's face, multiple braids down each side. There was no way to sweep all of Sabrina's hair back together so instead Chloe was sweeping back each short braid in turn, the front onnes tucked under and pinned into the ones further back. The overall effort was to narrow Sabrina's rounded face just a bit.

Another braid tucked in place and pinned. "Chloe, how come we're doing a new look?" Sabrina asked, watching the slow transformation in the mirror.

"I've never taken you to anyplace sophisticated before, Shame on me."

"That makes a difference?"

"Sabrina." Chloe let a little exasperation seep into her voice, it was hard enough to talk around a mouth full of bobby pins,"There are proper hair styles for everything. Brunch, tea, premieres, runways, there's probably a right look for a trip to the bathroom." Chloe secured another braid and switched sides.

Sabrina quieted, watching Chloework in the mirror. Two more braids wrangled and Sabrina lifted her phone to check a new message without moving her head.

"Dev's in Paris. He says he is getting a shower."

"Thank God."

Sabrina giggled.

"Ask him where we're eating. Paris is a big city to guess."

Sabrina typed away. Chloe finished the final touches, the last two side braids looped up under a central back braid,"There." She scooped up Sabrina's hat and settled it in place. It covered most of Chloe's work, but it was the principle of the matter, and what showed looked good,"There."

Sabrina beamed in the mirror,"It's so pretty Chloe." she bounced in the chair a little until Chloe gripped her shoulders to still her,"None of that. You need to be careful with something like this in." Chloe loosened her grip and patted Sabrina,"Just, try to keep calm"

Chloe turned her attention back to herself. Her own hair was done up in a much easier french braid. Everything was still in place.

"He says Cafe Lateral."

"What?" Chloe's indignant cry broke several octaves,"Get him on speaker phone right now!"

Sabrina complied. Chloe sorted her own dress and accessories while she waited, at the muffled 'Hello?' She rounded on the phone.

"Care Lateral? We're dressed to destroy high society and you are taking us to a street cafe? I think Sabrina's dress costs more than their entire menu." Chloe left out how much the overnight cleaniing had added to that price.

"You'll be the best dressed ladies there then. Outside there will be all the more eyes on you."

That mollified Chloe, a little. "Why Lateral of all places?"

"I wanted to see the Arch."

"The Arch? It's a big stupid stone block just sitting there."

"For someone who hasn't been in the city thirty days it's still pretty new."

Chloe huffed, but Sabrina covered the microphone with her hand and whispered,"I think it's cute!" Shetook her hand away and Chloe changed what she had been about to say.

"Fine, but I'm demanding a second meal at some point, and next time I want Michelin Stars."

"Yes my Queen."

Chloe froze, and Sabrina did too. Three little words and a lot to unpack. Did he know about Queen Bee? Was his tone sarcastic? Sabrina was bouncing in her chair again, biting her lip.

Chloe killed the unexpected butterflies in her stomach,"One hour. We will be there." She made a cutting gesture.

Sabrina hung up the phone on cue and then bit the corner with barely contained excitement.

"Don't start." Chloe warned but it was a lost cause.

Sabrina's excitement turned into a squee and in moments she boiled over,"Ohmygod Chloeee! That was so cute! What about Adrien?" Sabrina put a hand to her forehead,'My Queen' EeEEeee." Sabrina giggled,"When did this happen?" She was about to start bouncing again. Chloe lamented all her work coming undone under that hat.

"Sa-Sab- Sabri-" Chloe put her hands on Sabrina's shoulders to still her,"Sabrina! It's not what you think." Sabrina immediately stilled. She stared questions at Chloe who flapped her hands helplessly,"It's just him being- himself. I mean, if he was serious he'd obviously have good taste." Chloe affected a regal posture,"but just because a peasant falls for a queen doesn't mean she even knows he exists."

"I still think it's cute." Sabrina mumbled defiantly.

"Besides, I thought you liked the ogre yourself. 'Mysterious' was it?"

Color shot right up all the way to Sabrina's hairline. She sank in embarrassment. She really wasn't made for wearing expensive clothing. Chloe reached down to catch her arm,"Don't Slouch." she corrected,"And you don't need to worry about answering. I think I can guess."

Sabrina tapped her fingers together,"He seems nice. You didn't hate him. I don't know." she tilted her head far enough she almost lost her hat.

"You barely know him, girl. Take a breath." Good advice "Now let's finish getting you ready for this show." Chloe sat Sabrina around right in her chair again and tweaked things back into place. Foundation, highlights, pencil, shadow, a light gloss instead of lipstick; she felt comfortable working. "Speaking of show, I thought of what we can do for the talent show. I hunted up a good song from your playlist. We can put on a dance routine."

Sabrina's head snapped towards her and she had to be quick with the mascara applicator to keep from turning Sabrina into a cyclops."Dance?" Sabrina was white-knuckle gripping the chair.

"Y-yes?" Chloe was suddenly unsure. It had seemed like a good friend-like idea. "You are into videos with dance routines, so I thought maybe you'd like to do one yourself."

"I couldn't!" Sabrina didn't even shrink this time, her eyes just got wider and wider.

Chloe tried the hand-on-shoulder approach again,"You can do it Sabrina. I'll be with you. We can do it together."

"No. No. No." This wasn't right. This wasn't normal Sabrina embarrassment. Chloe watched in horror as Sabrina's pupils dilated. She just kept repeating 'No' in an ever smaller voice between ragged gasps.

"Okay, okay. We won't Sabrina." Chloe tried to hug Sabrina as best she could considering their mutual state of made-upness. She patted Sabrina's back and whispered,"Shhhh it's okay, it's okay. We won't. It's okay."

Minutes passed. Finally Sabrina let go of the chair and brought a hand up, touching Chloe's back,"I'm- okay now."

Only then did Chloe let go. She stepped back, taking Sabrina's hands in hers,"I'm sorry Sabrina." that WAS getting easier,"I didn't mean to upset you that badly."

Sabrina put up a brave smile,"It's okay, I mean, I'd love to be able to dance on stage, but I just can't. Whenever I think about being up there I-" Sabrina made to brush hair back behind her ear, which availed her nothing since it was all braided up. She turned the motion into a vague gesture,"I have an attack." She gathered herself into a smile,"But don't worry, I always pull through."

Chloe let one of Sabrina's hands go, but clasped the other one,"Attack? A panic attack? How have I never seen this before?"

Sabrina pinked a bit and looked away,"I don't feel as nervous and out of control when you're around."

Chloe let go of Sabrina's hand and stood, brushing down the front of her clothes self consciously,"So much going on lately." she mused, then,"At least we can both have a turn kicking one of the main causes under the table soon." They shared a friendly evil grin at that,"Now, let me sort myself out and try to keep from…" Chloe considered her next word, but took a shot hoping it would be okay,"Sabrina-ing your makeup." She got a small grin and repeat of that hair gesture in return. That seemed like a good sign.

Lunch began much better than Chloe had feared. On a whim she had put the necklace back on. It clashed a bit with the creme color of her dress and the pillbox hat she had perched jauntily atop her braid, but she realized as soon as she had it on she had missed the tapestry of subtexts scents offered.

Dev was already seated when they arrived. Chloe had missed him entirely until he approached them. Who would expect him in a navy double breasted suit, black rollneck, well groomed hair and his usual brace replaced with an etched decorative silver affair. Sabrina tugged at Chloe's elbow and threatened a squee. "Composure Sabrina." Chloe mumbled out the side of her mouth.

"I'm sorry sir." Chloe said by way of greeting,"We're here to meet our friend. Ogreish, scruffy fellow, looks a little slow on the uptake. Have you seen him?"

"No miss." Dev frustratingly didn't miss a beat,"However my table is empty and while the city Paris is lovely to a foreigner's eyes, I'd consider myself blessed to spend the day looking upon the two of you instead."

To Chloe's surprise Sabrina continued the farce,"Oh my. How could we possibly refuse such an offer? Shall we Miss Bourgeois?" Sabrina extended one gloved arm languorously. Chloe entwined her own with it,"Of course Miss Raincomprix." then extended her other hand to Dev who managed to lead them back to the table without breaking character. Chloe could feel the eyes of several of the diners following their out-of-place trio. She gave Sabrina's arm a little squeeze just in case.

Chloe felt a bit abuzz during the meal. The rush of scents didn't help. She remembered giving Dev a little grief for the obvious circles under his eyes, and carrying that into a conversation about his ill advised trip. She remembered just drinking in the experience while Dev and Sabrina talked about music videos. She'd listened to the songs they were mentioning but for some reason the need to be in on it didn't push her to interject. She remembered sipping tea and quizzing Sabrina on her feelings about her first 'Fancy Party' during a few minutes when Dev actually fell asleep sitting up. She remembered counting three and both kicking him in the shins to wake him up. Most of all she remembered the gaping absence of a tension that had followed her for years.

It all came to a screeching halt; literally on the screeching part.

From the circle around the Arc came the squealing of tires and a monsterous black car sporting a wedge plow blade and belching flaming exhaust roared into view. It swerved and juked hitting every single car in its path, sending them spinning or even flying, and then tearing off down a side street. Right on its heels heroes in red and black vaulted and ran through the circle in pursuit.

All of Paris knew what this meant by now, Akuma. People rose quickly from their seats, tourists helped by locals, and filed inside; ushered in by the cafe staff for an orderly lockdown.

Chloe stood with the others but didn't move. Instead she looked out to the circle, twisting her napkin in her hands. Dev pulled her chair out of the way,"Chloe? Shall we?" he didn't seem surprised. Of course not, that damn ladyblog. Chloe twisted her napkin again,"We have to do something."

"What can we do?"

Sabrina stepped up and touched Chloe's arm,"It'll all be fixed when they catch the Akuma."

Chloe looked between the two of them,"That's not the point!" she yelled in frustration. She looked back out to the circle, her eyes locking with those of a man suspended upside down in his still rocking car. She mouthed"They're scared."

Dev followed her line of sight then without another word vaulted himself over the low rail for the cafe seating and took off towards the nearest overturned car. Chloe yanked the hat off her head, pins flying, and grabbed a double handful of dress and ran after him. It warmed her exceedingly when she heard Sabrina's squeaky efforts as she followed suit.

Chloe overtook Dev and made it to the first car, battered and fetched up against a concrete barrier. She pulled on the door handle- locked. The Driver was conscious but looked dazed. Chloe slammed a fist on the window to get his attention and pointed to the gearshift. Dev and Sabrina arrived just as the car shifted over into park and the locks popped. Chloe pulled the door open, looking over her shoulder,"Don't wait, go find others!" She leaned in and unbuckled the driver's belt. He was mumbling incoherently. He reeked of an acrid scent Chloe felt more than understood as fear.

"Are you hurt? Your neck? Back?" the others were gone.

"No, I don't... Think so."

"Come on then, easy." Chloe helped him out,"Get to one of the buildings." He was unsteady but mobile. She left him and rushed to find another.

Dev was on top of a car on it's side. He had his jacket left around his left hand and as Chloe watched punched the driver side window out and leaned down in. Sabrina was intercepting wanderers who'd already gotten out but were too dazed to orient themselves.

Chloe moved on to the next one. A mother and child.

The next, a lone driver.

Everyone's heads snapped up as the squeal and roar sounded again. It was impossible to pin down from where.

"Chloe!" Dev toward her. Sabrina was crossing to them as the mad driver swerved into the circle once more. Cat Noir and Ladybug were in close pursuit this time. Chloe knew enough to recognize the dark aura of Cataclysm in Noir's hand. The driver was careening too madly though. Pounce, miss. Ladybug snagged Noir with her yoyo and hurled him at the car, miss. They zigzagged their way crazily across the circle. The driver was still smashing into any and all vehicles he could, even those already hit.

People scattered. Dev was nearly hit, and threw his jacket at it. It was almost funny, but then Chloe saw with horror that Sabrina was in the path. She reached out too slowly, helplessly.

Ladybug landed nearby and aimed a spotted remote at the nearest traffic light. It flashed from green to red and the car turned unnaturally quickly, Driving hell bent at the red light. Noir made his move but the car careened again, smashing up onto the sidewalk, through a planter, and finally running the red light back out of the circle.

Ladybug was off in a flash and Chloe could only shake her fist in her wake,"Hurry up! Useless, utterly USELESS!"

Sabrina and Dev converged. Dev was panting, hands on knees,"Need to get you to safety."

Sabrina added in,"I think almost everyone is out."

Chloe might have listened to them, but the sight of Ladybug stoked anger deep inside of her. Chloe was on the rooftop again, begging to help. Begging to be worth something. "I'm not leaving until we're sure. They could be back at any moment."

Sabrina spoke first,"Chloe we should let-"

"Go!"

Sabrina jumped as if stung and obeyed old instincts. She began running back away from the car's exit street, sweeping past every upturned car as she went.

Dev stepped over closer, getting his wind back.

Chloe braced for argument,"What?"

"Two things." He panted,"Dress shoes suck for running." he straightened up, leaned close, and whispered in Chloe's ear,"and you are absolutely stunning right now." He turned and ran off around the circle in the direction opposite Sabrina, leaving Chloe with her mouth hanging open.

Adrenaline took back over quickly. One more thing to sort out later. She turned and split the difference between Sabrina and Dev. She'd cross under the arc and get to anyone on the far side before either of them.

She didn't get more than a handful of steps before the squeal of tires came back with a vengeance. She watched the signals this time. One suddenly switched to red,"Dev! Near you!"

She'd intended it as a warning, but his reaction wasn't what she expected. She was getting used to that. Instead of heading for cover Dev squared off against the intersection. As the akumatized car(acarma?) roared into the circle Dev… charged.

The car swerved once then seemed to register him and revved bearing straight at the frail human challenger.

"YOU IDIOT! RUN!" Chloe was in motion, laughably slow motion. The distance between Dev and the car disappeared by heartbeats. The car was an unerring missile and Dev seemed determined to win this insane game of chicken. Fifty feet. Twenty. Ten. Dev had an arm back as if he was going to deliver a haymaker. A flash of black, and the car exploded in a puff of rusty brown dust as Cataclysm claimed it. Cat Noir emerged at a flying leap from the cloud, driver over his shoulder. Dev's momentum carried him into the cloud, but he stopped abruptly.

Ladybug landed beside Noir, the thinning dust cloud revealed a fluttering Akuma. Ladybug purified it with practiced ease just as Chloe staggered onto the scene. Noir was slapping Dev on the back,"Hey thanks for keeping him on the straight and narrow buddy, but maybe don't go chasing cars if you're not a dog?" The reprimand was pretty obvious even under Cat Noir's usual humor.

"Seriousl-" Whatever Noir had been going to say was lost as Chloe shoved him right out of the way.

She stood disheveled and shaking with rage then punched Dev square in the chest,"What." Punch. "Were." Punch."You." Punch."Thinking!" They weren't for show either. Her knuckles hurt by the second one and her wrist ached by the last. He didn't budge. Why didn't he react? She needed to hurt him.

Dev just spread his arms slightly with an unreadable expression,"Sorry." He half raised his arms for what might have been a hug but Chloe pulled back.

Chloe caught Ladybug's uncomfortable expression and shifted her glare. Ladybug didn't shrink like Chloe wanted. She spoke up, her tone infuriatingly gentle but firm,"Chloe, thank you for clearing people out. It did make catching the Akuma easier, but you really should seek cover."

Ladybug stepped back and called out the familiar,"Miraculous Ladybug!"

The wave of spotted magic swept through Paris. Cars were righted, planters fixed. Chloe's dress was cleaned of the grime and rips rescues had inflicted on it. Even Dev's coat was restored to him.

Ladybug's Miraculous chirped and she touched it before nodding to Noir and spinning her Yoyo up. Noir vaulted away but Ladybug paused and looked back to Chloe and in that same gentle warning tone,"you're not a hero any more Chloe."

Ladybug zipped away and Chloe screamed after her,"I AM QUEEN BEE!"

Story note:For reference the akumatized individual was just a driver trying to get through a day of hellish traffic. Akuma name:Road Rager. Priorities:Break all traffic laws, smash other cars out of his way, and run over heroes if possible to claim the miraculous. It's not Hawkmoth's best work, but better than Mr. Pigeon at least.