Forty-Nine: Nine Sharp

Author's Note: Despite being on a twenty-four hour clock in France, Alya realizes Chat never specified whether the function at the Grand Palais was in the morning… or late evening. The answer comes from an unexpected source.

Special note: I don't normally insert a POV change in the middle of a story, but my dear friend MalcolmReynolds made an astute point in the comments from the prior chapter. My original snarky response turned into a short interlude of a chapter instead – because, well, why not? -ep

Alya slid the door to the balcony shut, slightly muting the glow of the setting sun. Turning, she could see the receding form of Chat Noir soaring over the skyline of Paris; her frown at his unusual favor softened as she watched him gracefully dance across the rooftops. Chat's movements had such a pure expression of joy to it that she found herself actually chuckling softly at the sight. He could really be a goofball at times, but she also couldn't deny just how in love he was with Marinette. It was infused into every part of his being, making her extremely happy for her best friend of many years.

She felt an arm snug around her waist and she turned to see Nino by her side. "Do they need us for something?" he asked.

Alya shook her head. "Not exactly," she replied, her hand automatically going to the Fox Miraculous at her neck. She was struck by the faith Ladybug still had in her despite what had transpired a few months earlier with Manon. "Chat wants me to cover an event at the Grand Palais on Tuesday."

"Really?" Nino's eyebrows went up. "Is he expecting trouble?"

"That's the funny part," she sighed. "He wasn't very specific. Chat wants me to be there around nine, but now that I think about it, he wasn't specific about whether it was a morning event or some black-tie high roller event. I think he's got something cooking for Marinette, though, so it might… what?" Alya caught the look on her fiancé's face.

"Next Tuesday?" he asked with that half smile she adored.

"Yeah," Alya nodded as she looked at him askance. "In the gardens."

Nino smiled wider. "It's unusual for me to be in the know and scoop you, my love."

"Spill it," she said pointedly.

"House of Gabriel called earlier and booked me to do the runway music for a fashion show next Tuesday. Nine a.m. sharp at the Grand Palais." Nino rocked on his toes. "Adrien personally asked for me. They are rolling out a new line as part their partnership with Chateau Le Blanc."

Alya's eyes widened. "House of Gab—" she started, before turning back and catching (literally) the tail end of Chat as he disappeared over a building and into the sunset. Long forgotten puzzle pieces suddenly snapped into place, and she felt the dawn of recognition.

"Uh oh," Nino said. "I've seen that look before."

She swung her head around, the waves of her hair shifting at the movement. "What look?"

"The one where a story gets ahold of you." His eyes followed hers to where Chat had been. "Are you sure you want to follow that one?" he continued softly. "After everything they've done for Paris? For us?"

Alya looked back out the window and felt the answer in her soul. "No," she smiled. "I think that's one mystery I am happy to leave a mystery." She turned back to Nino, and pushed his hat back so she could run a hand over his rather sexy shaved head. "I owe them – him – at least that much."