Marinette tore the page from her sketchbook and crumpled it into a ball before throwing it into the trashcan in frustration. She had been sitting at her desk for nearly an hour, trying to come up with a Red and Black themed design for Adrien's contest, but her brain had nothing. She'd contemplated designing something similar to Chat Noir's sleek, leather catsuit, but gave up on the idea almost immediately - it would reveal her interest in Chat Noir, not just to Adrien but to the entire world. Of course she couldn't let that happen.

And so, she was back to square one.

She glanced at her desktop computer, which had been playing the news channel in the background while she worked, when a Breaking News! Sign flashed across the screen.

"This is Nadja Chamack with TVi News. A middle-aged man was found dead on Rue Nicolas Flamel at 6:00PM Friday evening," Nadja Chamack, a well-known news reporter and the mother of Manon, a young girl whom Marinette sometimes babysat, announced gravely. "Police have been unable to identify him due to the nature of his wounds, but we believe he may be involved with a gang or criminal organization. We advise citizens to stay away from the area, and try not to go out at night for your safety. We will keep you updated when we're able to find out more information about the case."

Marinette shivered. She couldn't imagine what it must have been like for his family and friends, to come home only to find one of their loved ones brutally murdered...She could only hope that he was now in a better place.

Hearing about the crime made her think of a certain cat. She plopped down on her bed, hugging her home-made black cat plush tightly. The stuffed animal was a little worn now – she'd made it when she was fifteen - but to Marinette, it was still perfect because it reminded her of him.

As she thought about him, she pulled out her necklace and toyed with the ring, her thumb tracing the emerald paw print embedded in the center. Chat Noir...What was he doing now? Was he living a normal life during the day and acting like an ordinary person? Did he do everyday things, like watch the news? She wondered what he thought about the man's death.

She had so many questions she wanted to ask him, but she couldn't get the answers to any of them. She sighed.

She longed to go out and take a walk to clear her mind, but considering the recent increase in crime rates in the city, she'd rather not risk it. Instead, she pulled down the ladder that led to her rooftop balcony. If she couldn't go outside, this would have to be the second best option. She climbed up the steps and onto the roof, sucking in a deep breath as she took in the crisp night air. She loved the view from her balcony - she could see Notre Dame in the distance, and the Place des Vosges park down below.

As she marveled the tiny cars and pedestrians below, she had a sudden urge to call her best friend - perhaps Alya could help her out with her current predicament. She took out her phone and dialed Alya's number.

The bubbly journalist picked up the phone after the third ring. "What's up, girl?" she asked curiously.

"Hey Alya! I'm trying to come up with a design for Adrien's contest, but I can't think of anything!" Marinette complained, her lips forming into a pout.

"Ahh. You've got writer's block. Do you know what you need, girl?" Alya said conspiringly. Marinette could almost picture her wagging her eyebrows as she spoke.

"And what do I need, Alya?" Marinette asked, eagerly waiting for her friend's answer.

Much to Marinette's annoyance, Alya took her time before responding. "What you need, Mari, is...a party!" she revealed dramatically. "You know, Kim is having one at his place tonight. You should come!"

Kim was their classmate and a typical jock, the type who only hanged out with the cool kids. He also had a crush on Chloe, a fact he didn't hesitate to make known to the world. Marinette could guess that the only reason he was hosting a party was to impress Chloe, too.

She had to admit that she was a little jealous of Kim. Not because of his crush on Chloe, but because how simple and innocent his crush was. No one would judge him for who he liked. But there was no way Marinette could tell anyone her secret crush...

"But Alya, you know I'm not a fan of parties!" she protested. It would be typical Alya to suggest partying as a solution to her problem. Unlike Marinette, Alya was a huge fan of parties, claiming that they were a great resource for her blog. Marinette, on the other hand, didn't see the appeal in them. "Besides, didn't you just hear the news about that man? It's not safe to go out at night!"

"What's the harm in parties, girl? This is our last year of high school, you should live a little! And we'd be together the entire time, I promise! Don't think of it as a party, think of it as a source of inspiration," Alya persuaded.

"Well...if you put it that way..." Marinette said reluctantly. Her friend did have a point. Besides, it wasn't like she had other plans. "Fine. I'll be there."

"Great! I'll text you the address! See you in a few, girl!"

Marinette stood outside Kim's house - it was more like a mansion - wearing a knee-length red dress with kimono sleeves and a matching dark red shawl. She was proud of her handiwork, considering that it was something she'd thrown together last minute. After she had agreed to go to the party, she'd hastily dressed up and applied some quick makeup before dashing out of her house.

Her hand reached for the doorbell, then floundered. Was coming to this party really a good idea?

Perhaps she ought to just go home and spend the rest of her night safely tucked away in her room. But then again...she'd already promised Alya she would be there. It wouldn't be fair to her friend if she just went home without an explanation.

Just for a few minutes, she decided. I'll just go in for a few minutes. If I don't like it, I'll go home.

She rang the doorbell. It took a few minutes before anyone opened the door for her. She wasn't surprised, considering how loud the music - which she recognized was by a popular singer named Jagged Stone - was booming inside the house.

"Hi Marinette!" Her classmate, a blond-haired girl named Rose, greeted her by the door. "I didn't think you'd come!"

"I'm glad I could come," she said politely. She scanned the room, but couldn't see Alya anywhere. "Who else is here?"

"Almost everyone from our class, and a few of Kim's old friends," Rose replied.

"I see. I'm looking for Alya. She should be here..." Marinette trailed off awkwardly.

The petite girl looked thoughtful. "Maybe she's getting a drink in the kitchen. Come on, I'll take you there!"

Marinette followed her, glad that she had met someone she knew. The hallways were so crowded that she accidentally bumped into Kim as she tried to squeeze by a group of students. "Oh, sorry!" she apologized quickly.

Kim managed to duck out of the way before she crashed into him. "Hey Marinette! It's cool that you can be here! And no worries, it's all good! Hope you have fun!"

She smiled in return. "Thanks, Kim. You too!" She quickly made her way down the hall, successfully avoiding hitting anything this time. She entered the kitchen after Rose, and spotted Alya talking to an older, dark-skinned boy - perhaps he was one of Kim's friends that Rose had mentioned? - by the table. Of course Alya would be striking up a conversation with boys.

"Alya, there you are!" Marinette said, breathing a sigh of relief when she saw her friend.

"Mari, I'm so glad you came! And your dress is so cute!" Alya gushed as she hugged her friend. Her smile broadened when she saw the gold chain around Marinette's neck. "Isn't that the necklace Adrien had been asking about?"

Marinette froze when she realized that Alya had noticed it. "Er, this? It's just a boring old family heirloom, really!" She would have to be more careful with the necklace in the future...

"Did someone say Adrien?" the older boy who Alya had been talking to asked, joining the girls by the table. Marinette secretly thanked the gods that he had interrupted them before Alya could ask about the necklace. "I'm Nino, by the way. I'm Kim's friend, and I also happen to be a DJ!"

"Marinette," she introduced herself with a wave.

"Did you just say that you know Adrien, Nino?" Alya demanded, getting straight to the point.

Nino nodded, his thick-rimmed glasses slipping down his nose due to the sudden movement. He quickly pushed it back up. "Yup. We've been best friends since grade school."

"No way," Marinette gasped at his revelation. It really was a small world.

Nino grinned. "Yes way. He asked if I would come speak to your class, too, actually! I might hit him up on that offer."

"That would be great if you can come!" Alya said, her eyes shining eagerly. Marinette smirked at their exchange - it looked like her friend was developing a small crush on Nino. Marinette didn't want to impose on Alya when she was having fun. Maybe she would let them have their moment, and go back home by herself...

"Hey Alya! I'm actually a little tired, so I'll go back by myself first. Have fun with Nino!" she tried to tell Alya, but her friend was already lost in her conversation with Nino and hadn't heard her over the loud music.

Marinette shrugged. She would just text Alya once she got home. She turned and headed back the way she had come, passing by various couples making out on her way to the front door. She rolled her eyes. Talk about PDA.

She successfully located the front door and let herself out into the night, instantly grateful for the silence now that she'd left the scene of the party behind. Her ears were still ringing from the music.

She walked the first four blocks without incident, humming softly to herself. But then she turned the corner, and stopped when she noticed that it had become quiet. Too quiet.

She gazed around warily. But when she saw that there was nothing there - there were no cars, no pedestrians - she shrugged and continued down the street. If she quickened her pace, she would be home in no time.

That was when she heard footsteps come up behind her. Too late, she gasped when a man lunged forward and wrapped his arm tightly around her neck. She didn't even have time to react.

"Don't move, bitch."

The closeness of his voice made a shiver run down her spine. She craned her neck to try and see her attacker, but he was standing behind her and blocking her view. Out of the corner of her eye, she could make out the faint outline of a hood that covered his entire face.

"Give me everything you have. Do as I say and I might let you go. After I'm done with you..." the man growled threateningly, suggesting that he had planned something far, far worse.

No, no, no.

This couldn't be happening.

Was this how she was going to die? The party really had been a bad idea...if only she had just stayed home. But now her parents would lose their only daughter, and Alya would lose her best friend. Tears threatened to spill from her eyes.

"I-I don't have anything. J-Just my phone," she croaked, her voice dry. It was true. She hadn't brought anything besides her cell phone. She shakily reached for her purse and pried it open. Maybe if she could distract him long enough, she would be able to call the police. Or...her heart skipped a beat. Perhaps she could call him. Just thinking about Chat Noir gave her a rush of hope.

"You lie. What about that necklace?"

She winced when he reached for the necklace, his hand brushing too close to the nape of her neck as he yanked it out. He suddenly let out a string of curses and let go of the necklace as though he had been burned.

"Damn bitch. You're Chat Noir's woman, aren't you?" he practically spat out the name of the criminal, his voice laced with venom. His eyes darted around nervously, almost as if he was expecting Chat Noir to show up right there and then. Then his grip on her loosened, and he turned and scurried off.

Marinette sank to her knees. For a moment, she could hardly breath, her mind still reeling from shock at the unexpected turn of events. She had almost lost her life...and then he had just up and ran away. What the hell had that been about?

She did know one thing though, and that was to get out of the alley as quickly as she could. She forced herself to stand up and run all the way home, even though her legs were shaky and she felt like she was about to collapse at any moment. But she didn't stop running until she was safe within the walls of her beloved bakery.

She let out a breath as she leaned against the counter, trying to calm her racing heart. Now that the threat was gone and the adrenaline had left her system, she suddenly felt exhausted. She could close her eyes and go to sleep right there -

Her phone rang just then, almost making her jump in surprise. She quickly pulled it out of her purse to see that the caller was Alya.

"Marinette, is everything okay?" Her best friend demanded as soon as she answered the call. "You just left the party and didn't say anything! I was worried sick!"

"I'm sorry, Alya," Marinette apologized quickly. A part of her longed to tell Alya about what had happened to her that night. But Alya sounded like she was having fun, and Marinette didn't want to worry her. She decided against it. "I tried to tell you, but it was too loud. I was going to text you when I got home."

"As long as you're safe," Alya said, sounding relieved. "Girl, I gotta go. But I'll talk to you later?"

"You bet," Marinette agreed. "Have fun, Alya!"

She ended the call, then slowly trudged upstairs to her bedroom with her feet feeling like lead. She collapsed face-first into the bed, not even bothering to take off her dress.

She was acutely aware of Chat Noir's ring pressing against her neck. She couldn't believe that it was the ring that had saved her life. Her mind wandered to the night Chat Noir had given it to her. "Other criminals wouldn't dare hurt you while you're under my protection," he had promised. Perhaps that was why the man had ran away after he recognized his symbol?

He had even called her Chat Noir's woman, too…her cheeks warmed at the thought.

Chat Noir…he had inadvertently saved her that night. "I owe you one, huh?" she murmured into her pillow. I wish I can see you again, Chat Noir...

His handsome face was the last thing on her mind before she drifted into the land of dreams.

A/N: Thank you again for all your amazing reviews and support! There haven't been many Marichat scenes yet, but their reunion will be coming up soon, I promise (if only she knew what Adrien is hiding xD) ! The plot is thickening ;)

Hope you liked this chapter! Let me know what you think with a review?