Twenty-Seven: Off Kilter

Author's Note: Chat's carefully planned New Year's with Marinette doesn't quite go as intended... in any way, shape or form.

I was as angry and frustrated as I'd ever been as I perched atop the Metro station sign directly opposite the Agreste Mansion. My full day plan for New Year's Eve had been obliterated, first with Marinette being called in at the last minute to help with preparations for costumes Chateau Le Blanc had provided for the French National Parade taking place tomorrow. I'd seen her for all of five minutes over coffee; I was pulling my breakfast quiche out of the oven when she got the call. It was unlikely I'd see her before lunch the next day – if then.

Then the first of two ill-timed akumas had appeared and wreaked major havoc on Paris, this one destroying nearly every major landmark the city offered before we were finally able to stop it. Less than an hour later, I met up with Ladybug again at the main rail station, for the second akuma of the day seemed to enjoy feeding off the iron rails (and thus disrupting travel plans for hundreds of thousands of Parisians). In a multi-hour affair that forced both of us to recharge more than once, we finally restored the transit hub in time for the mid-afternoon holiday crush.

Ladybug had seemed distracted through both and had not lingered beyond a quick "pound it" before bugging out each time. I'd returned to the apartment and had just finished cancelling the last of my plans when my baton rang. Already in a foul mood, it didn't improve when I saw it was my Father; since I spent so much time as Chat these days, I'd forwarded my civilian phone to the Cat Phone.

Frowning, for it never bode well for me when he called, I thumbed the audio-only mode before answering. "Father," I said, pitching my Chat voice slightly to sound more like Adrien.

"Adrien," I heard. "Is there something wrong with your phone? I'm not getting any video."

"Bad coverage," I replied. "What can I do for you?"

"Dinner this evening," he said curtly. "I'll expect you at nineteen-hundred."

"I have plans," I said icily, despite most of them being toasted.

"Cancel them," he replied and then hung up.

I stared at my baton, feeling like steam was coming out of my feline ears.

Twenty minutes before my designed arrival found me perched on the classic Metro sign, tail twisting angrily; my mood had not improved in the least, presaging a dinner that would require every ounce of my model training to prevent a nuclear war. Our relationship had been tolerable while my mother had been around; after her disappearance, he'd become remote, and in my teenage brain, something of a totalitarian. He'd never blessed my attending public school, had fought me going to Lycée, and had tried to freeze my funds for University. I'd managed to outfox him each time, but it had only added to the distance between us.

Having moved out of the mansion for University, I'd rarely visited since; unfortunately, we did have to interact in order to run House of Gabriel, though even those meetings had been kept to a minimum – and had always been at our corporate offices. Father knew I resisted returning to our family home, and though he didn't respect many things in my life, it was one area that he'd accepted. The fact he'd summonsed me on the eve of a major holiday was meant as a message, of course, and I took it as such.

My feline ears pivoted, and I groaned; a moment later, I heard the zing of Ladybug's yo-yo. Wondering how much worse this evening could get, I turned to watch her land next to me. "Kitty," she smiled. "What's up?"

"I didn't expect to see you again this evening, Milady," I smiled back, feeling a bit of my gloom evaporate in her presence. I cocked my head and narrowed my eyes. "Are you following me?"

"Always," she laughed as she scooted to sit next to me. "Honestly? I managed to sneak home after a very, very long day for my civilian persona; I'd hoped to surprise my boyfriend with dinner before having to get back to the office, but he wasn't home." She looked at me for a moment. "I admit I was at loose ends and wanted company. I hope I'm not intruding."

I smiled; I'd known for a bit now that Ladybug had someone in her life, too. "I'm sorry to hear that," I said truthfully. "And I'm always happy to have you by my side. I sort of have the same problem. Marinette had to work today so I wound up cancelling all of my secret plans."

Ladybug's eyes widened. "I'm sorry, too. Those akumas didn't help my schedule today, either," she continued. "The glamorous life of a superhero."

"Fur sure," I punned.

She looked over toward the mansion. "Strange place for you to be spending New Year's Eve, though, Chat."

Deliberately misunderstanding, I replied: "Atop a Metro station?"

"No, silly kitty, here at Agreste Manor."

I looked up as if it was the first time I'd noticed it. "Ah," I said. "So it is." I looked back at her. "I've not been here in a while; Adrien has long since moved out."

"Same here," she said, "and I don't visit Adrien like you do, so I don't actually know where he lives now."

Closer than you think, I thought to myself. "It's partly why I'm here," I said, suddenly realizing how I could use her appearance to my advantage. "He's been summonsed to speak with the old man tonight."

"And you're doing what, exactly?"

"Keeping watch." I yawned, widely. "Lending him an ear afterward. But to be honest, I'm kinda toast."

Ladybug put a hand to my arm. "Let me take it from here, then," she said. "Go home and get some rest."

"Are you sure?" I asked.

"Yeah," she smiled. "I don't have to be back to my 'day' job until a little after midnight."

I narrowed my eyes. "That's a bit of an oxymoron."

She smiled. "It is. Go."

I leaned in and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. "I owe you," I smiled.

"And I'll collect," she laughed as I leapt away.

I worked my way a few streets from the mansion, circled, and de-transformed so I'd approach as Adrien from the opposite direction. My hope was that Ladybug would resist checking the tracker since I was ostensibly heading home; as I rounded the corner to the mansion, I saw she was still atop the Metro station and waved to her.

Using her yo-yo, she dropped next to me on the sidewalk. "Adrien," she smiled.

"You're not Chat," I smiled back.

"No," she laughed. "He was here, but I sent him home."

"Look," I said, "I feel bad about asking Chat to hang out – worse now that the Hero of Paris is here."

"It's not a problem," she said. "I could use an easy assignment, given the kind of day it's been."

I arched an eyebrow. "You underestimate my father," I said.

"Maybe." She pointed to the Metro. "I'll be over there when you get done."

"Ladybug-"

She leaned up and gently brushed a kiss to my cheek. "We're both here for you, Adrien," she said. "See you in a bit."

Nathalie closed the door to the dining room behind me, leaving me alone in the empty space. The long table had been set for two – one spot at either end, just as always. Smiling at the irony, I went to the buffet and poured myself a glass of wine, then piled my plate with a little of everything on offer. I might not have enjoyed the company, but the food had always been excellent – what little had been provided to me, for growing up as a model, my calories had been strictly supervised.

As had everything else.

Settling into my usual position, I slipped Plagg a slice of Camembert just for old times' sake and then decided to throw my manners to the wind and not wait, tucking into my meal with abandon. I'd been busy enough that I'd actually not stopped to refuel myself. I also knew that Father preferred a dramatic entrance, one that was generally delayed to heighten my anxiety. It had been a long, long time since he'd had that effect on me, though.

I was just polishing off a slice of strawberry-rhubarb pie when, some forty-five minutes later, Father burst through the far doors. "My apologies," he said as he moved directly to his chair without looking at me. "I hope you didn't wait."

"I didn't," I replied as I dabbed my napkin to my face and then stood to retrieve a cup of coffee. "You look pale, Father," I added with a trace of snark. "You should come to the office more."

"I'll take that under advisement." He wrapped his long fingers around his already-filled wineglass.

"What did you want to talk about?" I asked as I sipped my coffee and leaned against the banquet.

"Can't a father simply have dinner with his son?" he countered.

I sighed. "Look, I'm tired and more than a little cranky this evening," I said.

"I know," he replied with that odd enigmatic smile I'd seen from him over the years. It was one that always put me on high alert, as it did once more that evening.

"Do you?" I said, smiling my broad model smile. "That would be a first," I added quietly, pushing in the dagger just a bit.

His eyebrows went up and he nodded appreciatively. The battle had been joined. "I've always cared about you, Adrien."

I raised my own eyebrows. "You have a funny way of showing it." I sipped again. "As much as I am enjoying our witty banter," I added before he had a chance to counter me, "I really do have plans this evening."

"So, you are seeing someone, then," he observed.

"That is none of your business."

"Is it that Dupain-Cheng woman? From Chateau Le Blanc?" He sipped his wine again. "That would literally be sleeping with the enemy."

"I shouldn't be shocked that you think so little of my virtue." Keeping my face impassive, I stared at him coldly. "I've known Marinette for years, Father," I answered, wondering why he was attempting to rile me up. "She is an old friend. And a brilliant designer – something we used to look for at House of Gabriel, I might add."

"We have an image," he said. "If it were to get out that you were seeing her, romantically, what would that do for our stock price?"

"I guess we'll never know," I smiled, but it held no trace of humor. "And we call it 'dating' now, Father. Something I am definitely not doing." I paused for a moment, let it stretch to two, then added: "With anyone."

Father looked at me and then down to the leather portfolio he'd carried in. With a quick movement, he tossed three eight-by-ten photos at me, which I caught as they slid down the table. "These say otherwise."

I examined them and tried to keep my anger and shock from being visible, for Father had clearly been keeping very close tabs on me. Two of the photos were of me and Marinette having lunch months ago in the atrium of her company's headquarters; the third was the two of us, not more than a week ago, during our chance encounter while shopping for Christmas. I looked up. "I worry about your math skills, Father," I said, working overtime to keep the anger from my voice. "These don't add up to anything."

"I have more," he said quietly.

That prompted an arched eyebrow. "Seriously? Of what, exactly? Us having coffee together?" I tossed the photos back at him. "I don't understand the point you're trying to make here."

"You are too close to our business partner."

I rolled my eyes. "You clearly don't read the Ladyblog, do you?" I asked.

"No," he said just a little too quickly.

"Ah," I said as I put my coffee down. "Well, if you did, you would know what the rest of Paris knows."

Something shifted in his eyes, and what I saw suddenly worried me. "So, it's true, then," he said triumphantly.

I realized he'd played me masterfully into confirming something for him and cursed internally. "Why is that important for you to know?" I demanded.

"It's a pressure point," he smiled as he sat back. "One that... House of Gabriel... can use to control her. Control Chateau Le Blanc."

My blood ran cold, for his very attitude made it feel far more important – and more dangerous, both for Marinette and, potentially, Chat. I'm not sure why, but it occurred to me that it was somewhat helpful to have discovered the seeds of whatever Machiavellian plot Father was cooking up.

Unfortunately for him, he'd just tipped off the feline superhero. I gave him a dangerous Chat smile that he misread as acceptance of what he'd said. "Control her? What exactly are you talking about?"

He smiled again, like he had found a missing piece of a puzzle that had long frustrated him. "I'm talking about winning, about finally getting what we want." He pushed back from his chair. "It was pleasant seeing you Adrien. Good night."

As he started to leave, I called after him rather sarcastically, "Happy New Year, Father."

He paused at the door. "It will be, indeed," he nodded, and vanished.

Ladybug was right where I left her when I exited the tall wrought iron gates to the mansion. I must have been giving off massive sympathetic vibrations for she was at my side within moments. "That good, eh?" she asked.

"And then some."

She looked at me and before I realized what she was about, Ladybug wrapped an arm around me and tossed her yo-yo into the air.

"Ladybug-!" I started.

"I'm going to cheer you up," she said.

"As much as I appreciate the sentiment," I said, "I'd rather just go home and have another glass of wine."

"This is far better," she said and tightened her grip around me.

I sighed. In my "helpless" state as Adrien, I wasn't about to change her mind so I settled in for the ride. Normally I was the one to carry people, so it was a bit odd being ferried. Not that I didn't mind being close to Ladybug.

Some feelings never go away, really.

At length, Ladybug landed on a familiar rooftop that had a magnificent view of the Eiffel Tower. So good, in fact, that it was where I'd originally planned on bringing Marinette to watch the fireworks at midnight. "This is a favorite of mine," she said as we sat down on the slanted tile facing the lit tower. "Best seat in the house, in fact."

"Is it that late?" I asked, wondering a bit about the odds that Ladybug would like this particular spot, too.

"Nearly," she said. "You were in there a long time."

"I'm sorry," I said. "You really didn't have to wait."

"I know."

We sat companionably for a bit, though without my super suit, I was a bit underdressed for the chilly evening. Ladybug noticed my shivering. "You're freezing!" she said and sidled a bit closer.

"A little," I smiled. "I normally dress better when I expect to be out at night," I said truthfully.

Without saying a word, she scooted even closer and wrapped an arm around me, pulling me into her costumed torso. I automatically ducked a bit to fit into her better, allowing her to lean her head against mine. It was a move I did regularly with Marinette, though again, it was weird being on the receiving end.

"I can keep you warm for a bit," she said, turning to put her chin on my shoulder. "But If you get too cold, I'll take you home."

I nodded for that was about all I could manage. Ladybug had never been this intimately close to me – in either guise – and I was struggling with emotions I didn't realize I still had. As the tower began to glow with the start of the New Year's celebration, I reminded myself that I was already committed to Marinette; my feelings for Ladybug, while still strong, were not of the same order.

Or were they? Try as I might, I was having trouble focusing on the fireworks; my slightly enhanced sense of smell picked up the most obvious notes that were Ladybug, and I could hear her breathing softly beside me. Maybe it was the wine I'd had with dinner, but for some reason, it felt so purrfectly correct to be cozily pressed into her that I closed my eyes and savored the moment.

As I heard the fireworks reach their finale crescendo, Ladybug gently pressed her lips to mine. For a moment, I found myself leaning into it, hungrily devouring their softness before my guilty heart reminded me who I was currently kissing.

My eyes snapped open. "Mila-Ladybug," I said as I quickly pulled away and put a bit of distance between us. I knew my face was on fire with embarrassment. "I'm... flattered, but..."

She sat back herself, and I could see a bit of a blush forming. "I'm sorry," she said. "I think the moment carried me away there."

"It's New Years," I said, trying to lighten the moment. "Look, I should get home."

"Yeah, me too." She stood up. "Where can I drop you?"

I landed on my balcony railing at the apartment a bit after three, having prowled Paris since Ladybug left me back at the mansion. I was ashamed, angry and embarrassed, and had no idea how I was going to face Marinette. As long as we'd been together, not once had I even looked at another woman; the fact my transgression had been Ladybug seemed to make everything worse.

I knew it was only a kiss, but I also realized it could have gone far further; I'd seen the look in Ladybug's eyes, something I had long dreamed of as Chat. What made me even angrier was that, if I were truly being honest with myself... I'd enjoyed the kiss. Immensely.

And that worried me for what it implied.

Slipping off the wrought iron, I stepped to the wall and slowly started to bang my feline head against it, tail twisting with angst. I knew I loved Marinette – there was no doubt in my heart of hearts about that. But the evening's activities had uncorked something I thought I'd packed away; I paused mid-head-bang to remind myself that Ladybug had kissed Adrien, not Chat, before banging it slightly harder at the insanity of the situation.

I was torn on what to tell Marinette about the evening – and not just about the kiss with Ladybug.

Sighing, I slid the door open to my bedroom, then snuck to the door to the main space. I couldn't hear anything, and cracking the door open slightly, my feline night vision confirmed the space was clear. I crept far enough out into the main space so I could strain my feline hearing enough to determine if Marinette had returned from work, but her bedroom was quiet.

As I skulked back to my bedroom, I decided that maybe it was a blessing that she was putting in overtime, for it would give me a few more hours to figure out just what I was going to say to her. Leaping onto my bed, I laced my claws behind my mane and stayed transformed, for I knew I wasn't going to be getting any sleep.