Disclaimer: I own nothing but my ideas and characters
A.N. Hey everyone I hope you are all doing well
Thanks as always for reading and reviewing :)
Chapter 9
"Why is he taking her to the hospital?" Luka asked, slightly panicked. Adrien glanced at him and sighed. He transformed without a word and went to leave. Luka panicked and shouted he was coming and followed. He nearly lost sight of Chat but hurried to catch up. Chat sighed and quickly jumped down to grab him. They made it to the hospital in ten minutes. Adrien released his transformation before darting in with Luka close behind.
"What happened" Adrien asked Jordan as soon as he saw him
"Panic attack" Ro said, "they had to sedate her"
"She's going to be pissed when she wakes up," Adrien said, rubbing his hand over his face, "Kagami sitting with her?"
"Yes," Ro answered, "Chloe and Juleka will be here shortly"
"How did it happen?" Adrien asked, " when I left she had cried herself to sleep"
"It was the nightmare again" Ro said nodding to Luka, "she was screaming for him and it hit to quick to pull her out"
"Damn it," Adrien swore. "Okay well nothing we can do now. Good thinking getting her here"
"I called Ty," Ro sighed, "he will be here as soon as he can. He is feeling bad he didn't sense her state until it was too late. Tikki is with Master Fu recovering. Nette unconsciously tapped to much"
"Okay," Adrien said, moving to find a chair. He sat down. He groaned as realized that the meeting would have to be postponed. He stepped out to call and talk to Master Fu. "When they get here, have them send a message to the others postponing ice cream tomorrow.
"When did they start" Luka asked softly
"Go sit for a bit Luka," Ro said, walking away. He was angry and scared and knew this was not the time or place for his own breakdown. Luka nodded and went to sit. He placed his head in his hands and just sat there. An hour later Ro noticed Luka still waiting. He quietly walked over and next to him.
"Tell me Luka how do you feel about Marinette?"
"Why"
"Because I know how she feels about you and I know the backstory. So before I let you anywhere near her again. I need to know where you stand, because whatever happened tonight between you two could very well have killed her if I hadn't been there already"
"She the melody playing in my head on loop and I can't stop it" Luka shrugged, "I tried but it keeps playing and even though it changed I can still feel her in it"
"I see," Ro sighed, "if it was up to me I wouldn't let you anywhere near her. But she is an adult. One who knows how she feels about you. But if you keep hurting her I will end you"
With that he walked away. He could feel Marinette's pain and knew he needed to be there. He walked down the hall and into her room. He took a moment to look at her before walking in. He pressed a kiss to her cheek and walked out. He could sense what she needed and it wasn't him. He looked at Luka. Luka was obviously miserable and he could almost guess the cause. He looked him up and down before letting out a sigh.
"She is in room 216. She can't answer but needs to hear you. So talk, sing, whatever," Ro said, leaving. Luka watched him go before standing up and heading to her room. He sat next to her, taking her hand in his. "I am sorry". He watched in surprise as she relaxed. He heard footsteps and looked up to see his sister standing there with his guitar. She wordlessly handed it to him and walked away. He let Marinette's hand go and immediately pulled the guitar from its case. He began to play randomly. She whispered his name before relaxing completely. He sat there for hours playing and talking to her. When she finally woke up the following day he was asleep in the chair holding her hand and his guitar was on the ground. She smiled as she watched him sleep. He slowly stirred awake. She considered pretending to be asleep but instead decided to watch him wake. He squeezed her hand tighter, muttering something under his breath. He finally opened his eyes. He looked at her for a moment as he woke up and suddenly his eyes widened in shock.
"Thank god you are awake" he said, "I was so worried"
"Luka," she said as she finally looked around, "why?"
"Why what?"
"Why am I here," she asked
"Jordan brought you in," Luka said, "he left a few hours ago to get some sleep. I think Rose and Juleka are still in the waiting room. I don't know about Adrien and Kagami though"
"Why did he bring me here" she asked
"I don't know exactly" Luka said, "he said something about a panic attack and that someone named Ty would be here when he could,"
"Oh" she sighed as she pulled her hand away, "so what are you doing here"
"I was worried," Luka said, "I am sorry Marinette. When you told me you were Ladybug and were hesitating to say anything I thought you were trying to let me down so you could go after Adrien,"
"What but why the hell would I go after Adrien," Marinette said, "I haven't like him in years"
"I know that now," He said, "but you were so unsure I thought for sure you were ending it before we even had a chance that is why I told you to go"
"Luka I thought I had made it pretty obvious how I felt"
"Yes well I am stupid" he said, "or at least that is what my sister tells me everyday"
"Where is Tikki?" Marinette asked when she realized the kwami had yet to make an appearance
"She is with the guardian," Luka smiled, "and I have your earrings here"
"Thanks Luka" she smiled as she took them from him and placed them back in. He felt a wave of music pass as she did. He smiled as her melody righted itself.
"Always" he said, "but I have to ask what caused the panic attack"
"Something that Ladybug prevented from happening" Marinette said with a haunted look, "it is hard to explain"
"Don't worry about it I don't need to know" he said taking her hand, "let's just focus on here and now"
"Luka" Marinette said softly before they were interrupted by a knock at the door. Before either could answer a man walked in. Luka looked up from Marinette.
"You need to leave" he said to Luka
"He stays" Marinette said
"No"
"Ty he is staying"
"Marinette do not argue" he sighed, "it will only be a few minutes but he needs to go."
Luka watched as they went back and forth Marinette kept a tight grip on his hand. Luka took a moment to study the man. He was tall, athletic looking, he wore an expensive suit, his orange hair was stiff and pointy. Luka looked at them both before giving a defeated sigh.
"Mari how about I go get a cup of coffee and come right back" Luka said trying to keep the peace
"No I..." Marinette squeaked, "please don't go"
"I think it is best if you stay," the man suddenly said, "Marinette, relax and breathe. He is staying with you"
"Hey Mari" Luka said, noticing her distress, "take a breath and relax. That's right, just like that. Recenter and relax"
Ty watched in bemusement as she instantly relaxed. It finally dawned on him who the guy with Marinette was.
"This is Luka?" he asked
"Yes" Marinette smiled
"He is different than I expected" Ty said "okay you may stay"
"He was staying weather you liked it or not" she said looking at Ty, "now quit acting like a baboon and introduce yourself"
"I apologize my name is Ty Long I am the miraculous healer" Ty said, "Marinette I think you may be on to something. I can feel a life hanging in the balance. The life of someone pure of heart. No, there are two lives. The first so pure the second so selfless"
"I was hoping I was wrong," Marinette sighed, "Ty you should probably go. I will call when we are ready"
"Very well," he said, leaving with a smile. He was barely out the door when Juleka, Rose, and Jordan walked in. Jordan looked at her, studying her closely. He noticed her and Luka's hands. He took a seat.
"Are you okay" he asked
"Yes brother dear" Marinette teased
"Good" he said
"Rose, Juleka you may as well pull up a chair" Marinette smiled, "we are going to be here a while"
"Why?" Rose asked, "you seem fine now"
"Because they will probably send someone down from psych to talk before they consider discharge" Marinette shrugged
"Because of a panic attack?" Juleka asked
"Because this isn't the first hospital visit because of a panic attack" Ro said
"Is this because of Lila and her bullying?" Rose asked
"No," Marinette said, "it's something that happened afterwards. I can't talk about it right now though"
Jordan shot her a look before signing
You have to tell them
And how would that work exactly Ro. Huh? They have no idea about my mask. They need to know that first.
So tell them
I planned to last night. But shit happened
You have to tell them everything. They need to know you are Ladybug and they need to know about the potential threats
I actually have an idea of how to deal with Tiny
"Wait hold up you are.." Rose started before Luka realized what she was about to say and jumped up covering her mouth with his hand. Juleka looked at them in shock. Marinette quickly looked up in shock and Jordan groaned.
"So some of your friends know sign language and I have totally blown your secret" Jordan groaned. Marinette looked at him before bursting out laughing.
"Yeah we are gonna have to explain as soon as I am out of here. Juleka do you have your phone on you?"
"Yes"
"Okay good," Marinette grinned, "Text Adrien and Kagami and get them to meet us at the bakery at 3. For now Rose pretend you know nothing and Juleka be patient"
"I will see if I can get the doctor to release you," Ro said, walking out the door. Ten minutes later he walked in to find Marinette and Luka talking quietly and the girls were gone.
"Hello Miss Dupang-Chang I am doctor Olly" he said introducing himself, "you look much better than when you arrived. How are you feeling?"
"Really great actually" Marinette smiled
"Are you aware of the reason you were brought in last night"
"Yes"
"Miss Dupang-chang" he started
"Marinette please" she interrupted
"Okay Marinette I noticed from your records that you have been hospitalized previously with panic attacks"
"Then you also noticed that it has been over a year since then and that they were caused by a traumatic event" Marinette said, "last night I had a flashback in my sleep the methods my counselor and I have agreed on cannot help in this rare event"
"So you have access to outside help?"
"Yes"
"And I assume that you want to leave"
"Yes"
"Very well" he said, "please do try to make an appointment with your counselor soon"
"I will"
"Okay I will get you the paperwork" he said leaving.
"How did you do that" Jordan groaned in relief
"They can't force me to seek help here if I have outside help" Marinette said, "Ty made sure I knew that before he left"
"When did he do that?" Luka asked confused
"Ty can speak using Telepathy" Marinette smiled, "he only uses it when he deems it important"
"Okay so now what?"
"Now we get the hell out of here and head to the bakery. I doubt anyone is going to wait until 3" Marinette shrugged, "then I have to fill them in on everything"
"Yeah" Jordan said doubtful she would tell them everything. They sat talking quietly for a while before a nurse came in with the paperwork. Marinette quickly filled it out and they were on their way. When they walked into the bakery Marinette smirked at Jordan when she saw everyone waiting.
"Told you they would be waiting" she said walking upstairs. She smiled when she heard them follow. She plopped down on the couch Luka immediately sitting next to her and grabbing her hand. Juleka looked at him but didn't say anything.
"So I guess let's start with the big reveal," Marinette said looking at Adrien he grinned and jumped up.
"Plagg claws out," he said. He was quickly replaced with Chat Noir. "Your turn m'lady"
"I am Ladybug" Marinette said, "Tikki is with the guardian or I would show you"
"Wait" Juleka said laughing, "I am sorry but that is hilarious"
"What is?" Adrien said, returning to his normal self.
"Ladybug spent years turning down Chat because Marinette was in love with Adrien and Adrien was oblivious to Marinette's crush because of Chat's affections for Ladybug" Juleka said
"Talk about a love square" Rose said, "wait does that mean you have to be together?"
"Absolutely not," Marinette grinned snuggling into Luka's side, "while the ladybug and cat miraculous are soulmates it has been known for their holders to not be the same. Adrien and I are only destined to be best friends and partners, nothing more. I am just glad we got that end of the deal. It could have led to us being enemies outside the mask"
"Interesting" Juleka said, "however I am sure that isn't the whole story"
"Of the miraculous no," Marinette said, "it would take days to explore that,"
"I think she was talking about the reason for the hospital visit" Jordan said
"Where should I start?" She said looking to Jordan
"Good question: how much information do they need to get the gist?"
"Right," Marinette agreed, "okay so you all know I left for New York and that I stayed with Jordan and his family. Jordan's family are all miraculous holders. As are most of his friends. They also don't hide it from each other. So imagine my shock. I finally got used to the difference and seeing everyone's kwamis. Well Tikki and I made a mistake."
"It wasn't your fault and you know it" Jordan glared
"I know I didn't say it was. It was a mistake though." Marinette said, "anyway I had noticed this guy around at a coffee shop I stopped at while Ro and the others were at school. Anyway I noticed that he had a kwami with him every day. Well one day I walked over and asked him about it. Turns out he wasn't a good person and tried to take advantage of my trusting nature"
"Take advantage HE ALMOST KILLED YOU," Ro said losing it
"Ro chill remember he failed" Marinette soothed, "but well he is right. Turns out the kwami I saw him with everyday was a time turner. Kinda like sass. However what I didn't know was that he also had a kwami that could read minds and create illusions."
"Marinette you don't" Ro said, feeling her emotions waver
"It is fine," Marinette said softly, squeezing Luka's hand, "we had been spending a lot of time together while Ro was in school. So he got to know me pretty well and I thought I knew him. We were walking towards the school so I could introduce him to the others. Next thing I know Tikki was shouting at me to watch out and I was hit with a light. He trapped me in an illusion time loop. I watch you guys die over and over. I am going to guess that he had used the mind reader to find out you were all holders too. Because in some of the loops Luka was Viperion trying to save us. I managed to change into ladybug somehow"
"Marinette take a break" Ro said sensing her emotions turning, "let me tell them the next part"
"Ok" Marinette nodded
"She never showed up at the school. It took us 3 hours to find her," he said, swallowing hard, "she was a mess. Tikki was barely holding the transformation. We couldn't get her to snap out of it. Ma finally called another friend and the next thing I know we had 4 holders at the house trying to pull her out of it. We finally called Master Fu and the next thing I know Adrien, Chloe and Max are walking through a portal into the room. We didn't know what she was seeing but she kept screaming for Luka. Adrien started talking and she went still. He had the idea to play one of Luka's songs. Next thing we know she is waking up."
"I woke up in the hospital with Ty nearby three days later" Marinette explained, "I told them everything I knew about the guy who had told me his name was Andrew. Ro and Master Gideon found him going by the name Tiny a few days later. They took his miraculous and blocked him from using a miraculous again."
"It left some mental scars and Ty said it was a miracle that it hadn't killed her" Ro said "we left New York a week after she was released. We spent a month working with Ty and another Master to control the damage and strengthen our mental walls so that another holder couldn't get in."
"You all should have had similar training" Marinette said
"We did," Adrien nodded.
"And now Tiny is here in Paris and he knows you live here" Rose said
"He does but he is powerless'' Marinette shrugged, " he is hoping I will make the ones who blocked his abilities to change their minds. He isn't really a threat. Other than having the potential to expose us."
"However we have lead on hawkmoth" Ro grinned, "I have been watching the ladyblog closely and I have a theory"
"Wait really?" Adrien said
"We need to follow the butterflies" he said
"The butterflies...oh" Luka grinned
"Next week the rest of Jordan's team will be here and I want to have a meeting with all of us to strategize and plan." Marinette said
"There is also the slightest possibility that Lila is working with Hawkmoth of her own free will," Ro said, "I did some digging into her after Marinette moved in. I found out some interesting things that lead me to believe that she could be helping him"
"Alya won't like you looking into her" Rose said,
"Don't worry about that" Marinette said,
"Okay" Rose nodded
Marinette smiled as she leaned against Luka. His arm was wrapped around her and he was lightly tracing notes on her arm.
"Adrien we should be going soon" Kagami said softly
"She's right" Adrien said, "we'll talk to you all later"
"I have leave soon to," Ro said blushing, "Chloe and have plans"
"Have fun Ro," Marinette teased, "but not to much fun I am not ready to be an aunt"
"Screw you" he laughed,
"No thanks," Marinette grinned. Jordan pretended to glare before huffing and taking off laughing.
"How about you guys any plans tonight" Marinette asked
"Nope" Juleka said
"Movie night?" Marinette asked
"Sure," Rose and Juleka answered
"Luka?" Marinette asked
"Not tonight," he said as he stood up, "maybe next time"
"Okay suit yourself" Marinette shrugged, turning to the girls, "So rom coms, tragedy, or action?"
"Action" they both answered
"Okay pick a movie I will walk Luka out and order pizza" Marinette said opening the movie cabinet that contained the genre they chose. She smiled as they argued which movie was the best. She and Luka walked silently to the door.
"I am sorry," he said trying to find the words
"Luka," Marinette started before pausing
"I need some space to think" he finally said, "it is a lot to process you know"
"Take whatever time you need," Marinette said softly, "I am not going to be at school next week. I have some other responsibilities that I have to take care of"
"Right" he said as she opened the door, "listen umm...just..take care of yourself alright?"
"I will," she said as he walked away. He took off down the street not looking back. Marinette sighed and walked back in. She missed him turning back as she walked in. She stopped at the bakery counter to ask her dad if he would make some pizzas for their movie night. He grinned and said he would bring them up when they were done. She thanked him and dashed back upstairs. Rose and Juleka were cuddling on the couch and with a laugh Marinette plopped into her favorite recliner and started the movie. They watched movies and ate pizza and had a good time. Rose and Juleka passed out around two and Marinette followed shortly after.
Jordan walked in as quietly as possible trying not to make a noise. He snuck past the den but froze at the scene. He smiled. She was sleeping peacefully and her friends were close by. He noticed though that a certain boy was missing. He stood there for a few minutes watching them before he dragged himself up the stairs. He plopped down on the bed. He leaned back wishing he could go for a run. He and Chloe had spent several hours talking and he really wanted to expand some energy. With a groan he laid down and let himself relax. He was soon fast asleep.