14: The Other Enemies

It's been almost two weeks since New Year's and a week since I started not to wear my wig and contacts in public. Including school.

It was a hand sweating moment when I crossed the classroom doors.

For a few seconds no one seemed to recognize me until Adrien said my name.

"Whoa, is that really how you look?" Alix asks as she and the majority of my classmates surround me.

"...Yeah," I say with a nervous smile. "Did you expect that?"

I received so many compliments that it left me blushing and feeling much more relaxed than I did after leaving my apartment.

Kathy and Chandler were so happy for me that they told Dr. Babineux, who called me if I wanted to have a short session with her about my achievement.

At first I didn't want to, but then I went along with it.

She was very encouraging and also said that it was okay to wear wigs and contacts again if I start to feel uncomfortable. It's my decision and it shouldn't be influenced by others opinions.

Things were going wonderful, until Kathy and Chandler and the rest of the American Embassy were starting to feel nervous.

But they didn't want to say anything about it.

"What's going on? You guys look like something bad is happening at work," I commented as they came over for 'coffee'.

Well, I did make them coffee for all of us, but they have been visiting over every other day.

Sometimes together or just one of them.

Today they were together, but Mr. Walker was here too, which was a big surprise.

The three of them were sharing looks, before Walker shook his head firmly as his lips pressed into a thin line.

Their eyes looked, dare I say, haunted. But I wasn't sure what could have scared them. Or that I even wanted to know.

"Jolene," Mr. Walker says with utmost seriousness, making goosebumps already on my arms, "There is a delicate situation where American civilians are involved. As you are part of the Witness Protection Program, we just want to make sure you are… alright."

My gut feeling was telling me that this situation is way more delicate than they want to admit to me.

"I'm safe," I reassured. "I tend not to be alone. My friend Adrien or Nino or both are with me most of the time.

"I am reachable most of the time, not that I get called a lot," I added wryly. "But is there something else that you want to know?"

"Have you recently received any strange mail or messages of any kind?"

"Or felt like someone has been watching you?" Kathy adds.

"You all know that I still have some PTSD and I can feel unnaturally paranoid in the most random of times," I pointed out.

"We know," Chandler says softly, "But have you felt like that anyways?"

I shook my head, "I've been fine. Really."

Except that I am doing everything to deny my romantic feelings with my best friend, but those are not important to talk about.

"For the first time in years, I feel very happy. I have friends that I love. I do activities I didn't think I would continue. And I don't have the urge to physically hide my features under a wig.

"Things are going so great for me," I finished earnestly. "But please tell me what's happening."

"We will let you know when the situation becomes serious," Walker sniffs as he stands up. "Thank you for the coffee. It was good. Better than what they serve in the office," He chuckles wryly as Chandler and Kathy do the same. "I'm off to work. See you at a later date, Jolene."

"We better be going too," Kathy says, making Chandler groan.

"I'm not looking forward to paperwork."

"Oh, suck it up," Kathy rolls her eyes. "Take care, kiddo."

"See you later, alligator," Chandler waves as the three adults get out of my apartment.

Just as I put the mugs in the sink, I heard the tell-tale taps of Cat's feet behind me. When I turned around to face him, he and Plagg became separate beings.

"You had company? Without us?" Plagg gasps teasingly.

"It was Aunt Kathy and Uncle Chandler, plus their boss," I replied easily as I started washing the mugs. "They were checking up on me."

"Didn't your uncle visit you yesterday?" Adrien points out as he leans on the counter.

"Yeah," I answered softly. "I think something is going on in the Embassy, but they don't want to tell me what."

"What makes you think that?" Plagg tilts his head to the side.

"They are giving off bad vibes," I explained as best as I could as I wiggle my fingers in front of me. "Bad juju or however you want to call it."

"You feel it?" Plagg asks.

I shrug, "Whatever it is, they want me to be careful. Which I am," I state firmly. "I am very cautious when I do something new."

"I believe you," Adrien laughs. "But do you have any idea what it could be that is making them worry like that?"

I shook my head, "No clue."

Walker implied that because I'm part of the Program, I am of interest to them compared to the regular American tourists. Or it's just in my head.

"Let's see a comedy," I deflect. "I'm up for something to make me laugh."

"Okay, but I pick," Adrien grins.

"Finnne," I sighed dramatically. "But it's my turn to lay my legs over your lap."

Adrien pouts, "Fiiinnnne."

We both chuckle as we prepare for another movie night.

When the movie was over, I couldn't help but notice that Adrien had taken at least at least three seconds longer to remove his hand from my shoulder. And that he was wearing cologne. The one that I mentioned that I think smells good.

But that doesn't mean anything. It shouldn't mean anything.

Today he and Ladybug fought some Akuma, it was probably for her.

I'm probably the practice girl.

When I'm not hanging around Adrien and Nino, I do plenty of other things that keep me busy.

Like working out with Anansi.

"Keep it up, don't slow down!" She yells as I continue jumping. It was part of the warms up we do. To get the blood pumping and all that. "Annnnnd stop!"

I stopped and proceeded to climb towards the ring and put on the protective gear.

"Coach," I say once I adjusted the straps of my helmet, "Can you teach me more incapacitating and offensive moves?"

Anansi got to the ring and raised an eyebrow, "Why? Your defense is very solid and I thought you just wanted to run away from trouble… Is someone bothering you?" She frowns. "Because if they are you tell me their name and I-"

"No, nothing like that," I quickly state as I put my hands up in surrender. "It's just… for emergencies. What if I am in a dangerous situation and I need to do something more drastic."

Anansi nodded in understanding, "I like that type of thinking. Usually I wouldn't teach anyone these types of moves, but I know you will use these responsibly and not start a fight or something stupid."

And so she taught me how to potentially break someone's bones if I had the necessary strength (which I don't). But with that knowledge I left that place a bit calmer.

I don't know why Chandler's and Kathy's visitations keep getting on my nerves, but they just bring these bad vibes that get me on edge until Adrien and Plagg come over and calm me down with their own better vibes.

Something bad is happening in the Embassy, but they don't want to spill one bean. And it worries me.

Good thing I have other things that help me relax.

One of them is that I occasionally accept Max's and Kim's invitations for a friendly video game competition that all involve playing Mecha Strike III. We are helping train Max so that he could represent the school for the video game competition coming this March.

And he's really good. He beats both of us all the time. The only reason we stand a chance against him is when Kim and I team up to go against Max.

My other distraction is when Nathaniel and I both agree to do speed sketches challenges over the internet. Those are fun.

We pick a random song on shuffle and we have thirty minutes to sketch what comes to mind that relates to the song. We don't really have a winner since we both can't decide who is better. But we have shown them off to our classmates and they are so sweet.

It leaves me with a smile on my face when they say such nice things about them. It's flattering.

Hanging out with friends is always fun, but there are things that I like to do alone.

Like grocery shopping.

I do it at least once a week since I'm not the only person that I feed anymore. Not that I mind.

Before leaving my apartment, I make sure to bring my bags and my personal folding cart. I've learned my lesson after carrying a watermelon from point a to point b. My arms were sore and my fingers felt like they were going to fall off.

So grocery shopping is something that I regularly do. Something that is so routine and mindless and easy. Something that I didn't think I needed to worry about.

Was I so wrong.

It started with a bad feeling.

At first when I was out of the apartment, I felt it and I thought that I left the stove on or didn't lock the door. So I went back in and triple checked everything. I made a list and everything to make sure I went over those things and didn't forget anything.

When there was nothing wrong I cautiously headed out again and started my trip.

As I walked, that bad vibe didn't want to go away.

And then I saw it as I passed a TV store. There was an akumatized victim that was spraying graffiti in national monuments and making spray paint balls or something similar. It kind of reminded me of Splatoon.

I ignored everything else as I continued my way. It's not like it's in this area. And now, I found the answer why I was a bundle of nerves.

Just as I was in the middle of an empty street, I heard screeching tires. I turned to the side to see a white van opening its doors and two men jumped right towards me.

I did what I thought was the most natural thing to do in these situations. I screamed and threw the cart at them as I made a mad dash towards anywhere that had people.

I was so focused on running away that I didn't see that in their hands they had guns.

They shot near me, making me stumble and fall harshly to the ground.

It hurt as I got up, but that was all it took for them to catch up on me.

The two men grabbed me so I did everything I remembered to not be easy prey.

I kicked, punched, scratched and screamed for help.

But they muffled me with their hands as they dragged me inside the van.

My heart felt like it was going under cardiac arrest and that my blood was injected with nitrogen.

It's been a while since I've been this frightened. Not that I ever wanted to feel like this again.

"HELP!" I screamed as loud as my lungs were capable as soon as their hand was out of my mouth.

I felt a sharp pain across my cheek.

They just punched me.

"Shut up," They growled. "Or I'm going to-ugh!"

I had head butted the guy, breaking his nose, and kicked another in their groin very hard.

But the third guy had grabbed a metal rod and hit my shin and across my ribs really hard.

Naturally I cried in pain, but I was hit in the head with the butt of a gun.

My vision started to get blurry and I knew that my leg was broken just by looking and oh God, it's difficult to breathe, I'm going to die.

I'm going to die.

And no one is going to find me.

Oh God.

I don't want to die.

There are so many things that I wanted to do. Places to visit. People to meet.

I want to see Adrien again…

It's getting darker…

"Catalysim!"

The van lurched forward, making me grunt in pain as my body was jostled.

Then I felt like I fell down and let myself just lay on the ground, barely acknowledging what was happening.

"Jolene!"

"Shit, he knows her!"

"Run you idiots!"

"What did you do to her?" I've never heard Cat sound so furious before. It sounded like he was a growling tiger against his opponents.

I heard the sounds of a fight and I thought some gunshots, but it was all over within a minute.

There was a soft groan somewhere, but I heard metal hitting flesh before it was quiet.

...I could sleep now.

"Jolene!" I heard Cat call as I felt him close by. "Jolene?" He whispers. Then his arms carefully wrapped around my shoulders and under my knees.

I whimpered at the pain jolting me to some awareness.

"Jolene, don't close your eyes," I hear him say. My eyes lazily looked up and oh wow, we were moving.

"It hurts," I whimpered as he landed.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, but you need to be awake," He sounded urgent. "Don't close your eyes."

"But it's hard…"

"We are almost to the hospital," He says. "Do you know who hurt you?"

"I never saw them before," I answered truthfully. I'm starting to feel numb. Wasn't I supposed to feel pain? "Am I dying?"

"Don't you ever repeat that," Cat growls and through my crappy vision I swear I thought his pupils silted. "You are going to be fine. You just need to go to a hospital."

"...I thought you need to be with Ladybug. There's an Akuma loose." I slur. I sound drunk. Is this how being drunk feels like? Because if it is, then I have no interest in getting drunk. "She's the love of your life. I thought that you wanted to be with her every chance you got."

There was a moment of silence.

"There will be other days," He answered and I whimpered again when he landed a little too roughly. "She needs medical attention!" He yells and soon I hear two other voices and I feel hands on me.

"Felino…" I whispered before feeling his hand slip away from mine. I know it's his hand, I can tell after many times holding them.

"What's your name?"

"...Jolene Baudelaire," I answered.

"How can I contact your parents?"

"You can't," I answered slowly. "But I have Kathy and Chandler on my phone. They work in the American Embassy."

They asked me more questions that I think I answered correctly before I was given the sweet gift of sleep.

Adrien's POV

The second we defeated the akuma, I raced out of there.

Ladybug shouted after me, but I don't care. I needed to see Jolene. She has to be fine.

My time was up and I felt the distransformation.

"Adrien, calm down," Plagg says quietly.

"I can't," I whispered as I looked up at him and I was surprised at what I saw.

I have never seen Plagg like this before. It looked like Cataclysm Power was all over his body.

"Then you won't oppose that we figure out who hurt our friend," Plagg's pupils were needle thin and his little fangs were more prominent.

"No. I want to see if the police picked up the trash," I said as I gave Plagg a piece of Camembert for him to refuel.

As soon as I left Jolene in the hospital, I gave a call to the police hoping that they did get them all. I'm pretty sure I knocked them out good, they shouldn't have woken up to escape.

However, before I could transform, my phone rang.

It was Jolene's number.

"Jolene?" I answered. Please be her. Please be her.

"Adrien, thank goodness you answered," It was Chandler, her uncle.

"Where's Jolene? What happened?"

The pause was killing me. The image of Jolene in that stretcher will always haunt me. "She's been attacked and currently in the Notre Dame Hospital."

"I'm headed there," I hung up before he could say anything else.

"Change of plans, Plagg. Jolene is more important."

"Couldn't agree more."

I called the Gorilla to pick me up and drive me there. On the way I called Nathalie and informed her why I'm going there.

I'm glad she didn't try to convince me not to go. Because if she or my father did, I would not obey.

Then I hesitated on calling Nino. If Chandler called me, he might have called Nino too.

But if he didn't, then it means that maybe I should be the only one that should know. For now.

Once Jolene gets better, which she will, we'll tell Nino.

The moment we were in the hospital I raced towards the receptionist and asked for her.

"I'm sorry, but Miss Baudelaire can't receive visitors from friends yet," The nurse smiles sadly. "I can inform-"

"There's no need," Kathy interrupts as she suddenly strides beside me. "He has permission from me."

The nurse nodded and gave me a visitor badge.

"Follow me," She said and I did.

We were on the top floor, and as we got closer my stomach was churning.

There was a police officer right by the door.

"Kathy, what happened to Jolene?" I asked her before I entered.

She sighed before looking directly into my eyes, "She's been attacked. She has a broken leg and ribs. Her head was hit, but thankfully the skull wasn't cracked, but she does have a concussion.

"Some scratches and bruises, but she'll live." Kathy stopped, but then she exhaled slowly, "She's just really scared right now. The doctors had to put a sedative to put her back to sleep."

I remember her scream, the reason why I was even able to save her. If she didn't-

Kathy opened the door and there I saw her.

She was lying motionless on the bed. Her dark chocolate hair spread out like a halo.

She looked pale as the ugly red and purple bruise was huge against her right cheekbone.

There was a cast on her left leg. And an IV was hooked on the back of her left hand.

She looked so… frail.

My legs automatically walked towards her and I grabbed her free hand.

She feels cold. And scratchy. Slowly I turned her hand so I could see her palm. It was skinned, showing off an angry red color.

"Do you know who did this to her?" I ask, barely masking my anger.

Who would dare hurt her? She is the sweetest person you would ever meet. Those men have no heart and they are lucky I am more focused on her than them.

There wasn't a response and looked at Jolene's relatives who were silently communicating with each other. "Who did it?" I repeat.

"The suspects have been apprehended," Kathy says. "Cat Noir gave the police the tip."

"Adrien," Chandler says as his arms are crossed in front of him, "Did you know that Cat Noir and Jolene were friends? Or well acquainted?"

Shit.

"Jolene, mentioned that they have talked before. I never asked her for details," I answered.

"We were hoping that maybe you did know him," Chandler sighs. "He could have given us a statement on how things happened."

I didn't say anything for a while, "I wish I could do something to help."

"You can," Kathy says, getting my attention, "Have you noticed anything suspicious or unusual going around between New Year's Day and today?"

"It doesn't have to be unusual, more like out of the ordinary," Chandler adds.

My eyes looked at Jolene and tried to remember anything that could help.

"...On Wednesday, almost three weeks ago, Jolene got a phone call from the Embassy," I start. We were riding on the way back from the Club. I remember that Jolene looked surprised when she saw the number.

Jolene doesn't answer her phone if it's from numbers she doesn't have a name to it. But she said she recognized that it was a number from the Embassy. One that she said comes from a department she almost doesn't get involved with.

"Did you hear what it was about?" Kathy prompts.

"Jolene explained that she needed to update her photograph on her green card. She said that the person who called her updates every American's picture every six months for accuracy.

"Jolene wasn't convinced, but to her it sounded reasonable. Is this true?" I ask them.

They both shook their heads.

"If Jolene ever needed to be summoned to the Embassy, one of us would have told her. Even if it was something as simple as retaking a picture." Kathy frowns. "Thank you for telling us this."

There was a knock and the door opened revealing a doctor.

"Adrien, I think it's best that you get back home," Chandler says softly.

"I want to stay."

"He can stay for five mintues," The doctor says from the door. "I wish to speak with you two in private," He points to Kathy and Chandler.

They nodded and the three of them left the room, shutting the door behind them.

Plagg left my blazer and he floated in front of Jolene's face.

He was silent, as his paw touched Jolene's uninjured cheek. Then he rests his head against her forehead.

"Jolene," He starts, "I promise that I will do everything in my power that those humans will not go away unpunished."

I gently squeezed Jolene's hand, "I promise that too."

Plagg then rubs his nose against Jolene's and moves away.

"Adrien," Plagg says after a brief moment of silence, "You love her, don't you?"

My heart skipped a few beats. Wait, why am I reacting like this?

"I… do love her like my friend," I say as I look at a strangely serious Plagg. "You know that I love Ladybug."

"You can't hide how you feel from me," Plagg states with narrowed eyes, but then he softened, "Remember I've been around for a very long time. I know how to differentiate the multiple types of love.

"You love Ladybug, but… you also love Jolene more."

Plagg wouldn't lie to me about something like this. And I try to think, but I can't. I could only feel.

Right now, I feel sad, angered, desperate.

But most of all, I feel empty and scared.

If we didn't rescue her when we did…

No. That's too terrible to think. Just imagining it makes my blood turn cold and my heart threatening to jump out of my chest.

"She loves you," Plagg whispers, my ears barely catching it.

"What?" I looked at him, but he was observing Jolene.

"She's scared, but she loves you a lot. I felt it, and it was the beautiful type of love that makes you want to cry in pure happiness," He sniffs as he blinks rapidly.

However, before I could ask him more, there was knocking and immediately Plagg hid in my blazer, just in time for Kathy and the doctor to come in.

Kathy moved her head from the door and I nodded.

But before I left the room, I looked at Jolene one last time and leaned over and kissed her forehead.

That felt a natural thing to do.

Kathy led me to the waiting room where Chandler was rapidly talking on the phone in English. Giles had stood up and walked towards me.

"Is there anything that you can tell what's happening?" I ask her.

Kathy looks at me and frowns, "I can't tell you specifics. But," She adds, "What I can say is that this is rather politically sensitive and we would really appreciate that you don't mention it to anyone. However, we will have to talk to your father, since you are here and know something."

"I… understand," I sighed, "But is there anything that I can do?"

"Not at the moment," Kathy sighs, "But we will keep you updated on Jolene's condition. I think it would be great if she saw you and it would calm her down."

I nodded slowly.

"Will there be any trouble if I want to visit her?"

Kathy shakes her head, "You're approved. Now I think you should head back."

Giles then walked me out and we went back to the car.

"Take me home," I told him and he obeyed.

When I went back home, I told Nathalie that I don't want to be disturbed at all.

"Is there something wrong, Adrien?" She asked.

I looked at her, my frown not once disappearing, "My friend is hurt." Then I went to my room and locked it.

Plagg ate a piece of Camembert and without further ado, we transformed and headed to the Embassy.

There are some things that need to be fixed.

Omake 7

"How do you see her, Babineux?" Kathy whispers.

I heard a long sigh, "She's traumatized, that much is clear. But what I worry most is that she wants to emotionally distance herself.

"She's already showing signs of shock, but she is still aware of the things around her. Just… I'm worried that she's going to throw away all the process she's done in opening up to her friends and to others that she trusts."

My breathing didn't change pattern as I continued to stare at my hands. I can see the small veins running across them. I can see the veins that travel through my wrists.

"Tell me the truth, is she able to testify?"

"I wouldn't recommend it-"

"I will do it," I suddenly say. Getting their attention. I don't look at them. Instead still I look at my hands. "I've done this before. I'll do it again."

There was a brief silence and I heard the soft clinking of heels across the floor getting closer.

"Are you sure?"

"They hurt other people besides me, didn't they? They need to be brought down," I frown as I grip the sheets of my hospital bed.

They were silent again.

"I survived, again," I let the tears come down, "Those other people didn't. They deserve justice. Their families deserve that too."

If it was God's will, or some type of luck that I live again, then I'm not going to let it go to waste. I'm going to once again testify. But this time, I want to stay here in Paris.

There is something that I need to say to a boy that I love.

AN: Sorry for the late update. Hopes this makes it up for it.

Thank you so much to Bbygirlky18, Cylon One, TheScarletPen13, starrat, MysticMoonx, Vale Herondale, RinPekoGakkuri, Tavialover14, AmariMalfoy, Skallord, HoneyGrl, DesertBlueOasis and qwerty1410 for following and/or favorited this story. You guys really made my day.

And to Shadowing, starrat, why56, for the reviews. You guys gave me a pleasant surprise.