"You're sure you have time?"

Gabriel's eyebrows knit, but he nodded. "Of course I have time to play a duet with you, Adrien. I know I haven't always been here the way I should have been, but I… you're very important to me."

Adrien couldn't hold back the smile that split his face. He settled on to the piano bench and laid out the sheet music. His father sat next to him and counted off the beat, and the music poured out of Adrien's Steinway.

"You're very accomplished, son."

"Thanks, dad."

"Your mother was a very talented musician as well."

"Tell me about her?" Gabriel hesitated, the music halting abruptly. "Sorry, if it's too painful… I just… the memories aren't as clear as they once were."

"No, no, it's alright. Your mother is the most beautiful, talented woman I ever met. Trust me, I meet a lot of women. I miss her every day. You remind me so much of her."

Adrien smiled at that warm thought. "I know she wouldn't want you to be sad."

Gabriel stiffened. "Perhaps not. But that does not prevent me from being sad."

"Would you… tell me what happened?"

"That's not your concern!" Gabriel snapped, slamming the keyboard lid shut. Adrien yelped in shock and flew backward. "I mean, I'm… It's hard to discuss."

Adrien was panting from his Father's sudden outburst, but tentatively returned to the bench, opened the lid, and pointed to a starting place on the duet. They didn't speak as they finished the piece. Once silence had filled the room once more, Gabriel quietly spoke, "She was a headstrong woman. Lovely as the day is long, but very stubborn. She insisted I take her on a trip… something about always wanting to visit China, so I consented. I never could hold back anything from her. But something about it worried me tremendously. Besides, she'd been… ill… for some time, and I wasn't sure her health would hold up. We arrived. She insisted on a dangerous expedition into the mountains. I pleaded with her to slow down, but she became very angry and left without me. Her tour guide, an old woman called Mei Jian, came back from the trip alone. We searched for days but found nothing. Mei Jian turned on me, claiming that Emilie had deserted us, but I knew that couldn't be true. I had distrusted the old woman from the start. She was interested in Emilie—Emilie's fortune, most likely, or maybe it was Emilie's twin rings, which the woman thought might hold magical powers… preposterous, of course—and when Emilie didn't come back from their hiking expedition, I feared the worst. But I had no evidence against her, and my visa expired. I was forced to come home alone, never knowing what happened. I hired the finest investigators in China to search for her, but every time I get an update, it is a dead-end. I apologize, Adrien; I should have told you this a long time ago. I just… couldn't bring myself to place such a heavy burden on your young shoulders."

Adrien's head was spinning. "You think… this Mei Jian woman… murdered Mother?"

Gabriel was quiet. He placed a hand on Adrien's shoulder. "Your mother listed in her will that, when you come of age, you would inherit the Graham de Vanily twin rings, as well as the lion's share of her family fortune. I'm afraid that Mei Jian isn't the only threat to your future. Perhaps you can understand, now, why I have been so hesitant to allow you to attend public school or encourage fraternization with those who would use you for their own sordid purposes."

Adrien's spine tingled. "My friends would never do that!"

"Are you quite certain? Mei Jian and your Mother were very close. You are so like her, Adrien, so quick to trust and slow to fear. But I have always watched over you carefully. As long as you are with me, I will ensure that you are safe. I will never let something happen to you like what happened to Emilie. You're special, Adrien. You are important." Gabriel started picking out a few notes of the duet again. "This is lovely music."

Adrien's brain was spinning. "Father?"

"Yes, son?"

"You… don't think it's safe for me to go to public school?"

Gabriel scratched his chin thoughtfully. "You wanted it so badly; I could never hold something so dear to you back. And, you have your bodyguard, and Nathalie, and me."

"Y-yeah…" he swallowed hard.

"And you're well-trained in fencing and martial arts; you are strong and smart. Certainly, you won't go looking for trouble."

"R-right."

"Yet… I feel I must warn you—a few months ago, someone stole your Mother's twin ring."
"What? Why didn't you tell me?"

"I didn't want to worry you. However, it seems the threat against our family is stronger than ever." Adrien's stomach was lodged somewhere behind his tongue. "There, now, son, it is alright. I will keep you safe, as, I'm sure you would for me as well."

"We could ask Ladybug and Chat Noir for help. They seem to know all about magic and mysteries and things like that!"

Gabriel pondered, "That may be. But forgive me if I don't implicitly trust two teenagers who hide behind masks and don't even use their real names. I've learned from painful experience to be very wary of people. The media enjoys calling me a recluse, but it is better than being taken advantage of. Take your school friend, Miss Rossi, for example. I took a chance and trusted her to be our top model, and how did she thank us? By running away, stealing money and goods from the company, and in the end, being indirectly responsible for harm coming to you. If she hadn't run off, Nathalie could have kept a closer eye on you and prevented you from getting caught up in the Sentimonster attack on London. You, yourself, admitted how terrifying that was. That is why I am very cautious in whom I trust, and I recommend you do the same." At some point during their conversation, Adrien had started shaking, and he couldn't stop. Gabriel squeezed his son's shoulders, "Oh, I'm sorry, I'm afraid I've made you nervous. My son, you don't need to fear. As long as you're with me, you're going to be safe."

"You mean to tell me that I've been gone for two weeks and you're suddenly dating Adrien Agreste? Who are you and what have you done with my best friend?"

Marinette's nose wrinkled in delight. She was grateful Tikki and Trixx had worked out how to produce a two-way screen-like device for communicating even while not transformed, since phones were definitely off-limits. "We're not dating. I said we kissed two days ago. He hasn't called me since—I suspect he's been too busy and that's ok—but we're not officially dating."

"Still, I've been trying for months—years!—to get the two of you together! Now you're kissing and one measly phone call away from a public announcement. I should've moved away months ago!"

"Didn't I tell you I could handle it? See, I handled it!" Marinette proudly declared.

Alya giggled. "That you did. That sounds just like something that happened here the other day—"

"No, Alya, don't say anything," Marinette interrupted.

Alya halted mid-breath. Her face fell. "That's right. Sorry."

Marinette sighed, "I'm sorry, I just feel so out of control. In every aspect of my life. My best friend is in the newly-minted Ladybug witness protection program, my fashion career just got a huge bump, school is… well, school, behind the mask, we're scrambling to figure out what Hawkmoth is up to with very little success, and the boy I've been in love with for a year and a half just kissed me."

"Why is that out of control?"

"Well, because we had that crazy week with all those akuma attacks—the last one being so horrible that you had to, you know, leave, and then Hawkmoth went silent. Nothing for two weeks! It's like he found out what he needed to know and is now planning his next move. It's terrifying. I never thought I'd say this, but I really miss the ridiculous, predictable akumas."

Alya rolled her eyes, "No girl, I know all that, I meant why is Adrien kissing you out of control?"

Marinette bit her lip. "It's just that… ugh… I kind of have been thinking about…"

"Oh my gosh you're in love with Chat Noir!"

"I said nothing of the sort!" Marinette's blush gave her away.

"Marinette!"

"Alya, keep your pants on. I am not in love with Chat Noir."

"But you can't stop thinking about him."

"We've been partners for the last year and a half. He's one of the most important people in my life. We've grown so close now… He's always there for me when I need him. Like, the night you had to leave, he held me for hours and let me cry. He understands this double life. Sure, he's a total goofball, but he's serious when I need it and he's a great listener. I doubt anyone would be able to build that kind of relationship and not think about them."

"So why don't you ask him out?"

"Did you hear me? Adrien just kissed me!"

"Adrien just kissed Marinette." Her eyebrows lifted suggestively.

"You're sick. I don't care what twisted sense of decency you have; I am not going to date two boys."

"Fine, then, have it your way. So, who will the lucky winner be?"

Marinette swallowed and looked at her hands. "You know what Chat's secret was—the one he revealed to Hawkmoth?" Alya's face turned questioning. "That he was in love with two girls. I know one of those is Ladybug. The other…"

"Is you, Marinette."

"You don't know that for sure. I mean, sure, he kissed me last summer, we hang out and flirt like crazy, but it might be someone else. Someone who could make him happy. Someone he could be himself with."

"Marinette Dupain-Cheng don't make me climb through this screen and throttle you. What did you say he told you last summer… that if it weren't for Ladybug, he'd choose you?" Marinette nodded solemnly. "That doesn't sound like a boy who's in love with someone else."

"I wish it were someone else. I wish he had someone who could be his whole world."

"Sounds like your heart has made its choice, then."

Marinette tried to muster the energy to reply, but suddenly Tikki dropped the screen, shaking too violently to hold still. "Whoa, Tikki, are you ok?" Marinette cried. "Sorry, Alya, something's wrong with Tikki. I'll talk to you soon!" Alya nodded her understanding. The device evaporated as Marinette scooped up Tikki, who was still shaking.

"Ma-Marinette, help me to the Miracle Box."

"Of course, Tikki." Marinette opened the wardrobe where she hid the Miracle Box and extracted it. She let Tikki slide into the box.

A minute later, Kaalki and Xuppu phased through Marinette's window.

"Master," Kaalki cried, "we are being called!"

Marinette held up the Miracle Box for the two Kwami. Longg, and a moment later, Plagg came whizzing into Marinette's room and were instantly drawn to the Miracle Box. Marinette waited on bated breath and stared at the quiet box.

Her silver cell phone vibrated in her pocket.

Kitty: What's going on? Plagg just freaked out and flew off!

Marinette tapped out her response, then copied and sent it to the rest of the team in their secure group chat:

Milady: Something is happening in the Miracle Box. Your Kwami are safe. Please stay where you are for now; I will let you know as soon as I know more.

The other texts flurried in faster than Marinette could respond, especially because she barely removed her eyes from the silent Miracle Box.

It was only ten minutes, but it felt like hours. The kwami emerged, exchanging meaningful looks, and acknowledged Marinette before zipping through the window into the night.

"Tikki! What's going on?" Marinette demanded.

"We received a message from a fellow miracle box. The other kwami are going to explain this to their holders now. I've made sure Trixx is aware, also."

"What was the message?"

"Their box has been unlocked… Let me back up. This is kind of complicated." Marinette sat down as Tikki launched into her story. "You know that there was a Guardian's Temple in Tibet about two hundred years ago, and that they protected many of the Miracle Boxes as well as trained holders, right?"

Marinette nodded, "Yes, that's where Master Fu went."

Tikki continued, "Yes, the very one. Of course, you also know about Feast, and how the temple was destroyed. The other miracle boxes were swallowed by Feast, except for ours—the one Fu saved, and we've both been preparing for a trip to the temple ever since you defeated Feast and restored the temple."

"Yes, I know. I've been trying to learn Chinese just for that purpose."

Tikki patted Marinette's hand knowingly. "Well, the curators returned to the temple in the restoration and the Miracle Boxes came back, but the Kwami have not been able to leave the Miracle Boxes because of the magic they had used to protect themselves against Feast's wrath. You see, they had sealed themselves inside the box. It's one of the few defense mechanisms we Kwami have. If we're not with a holder or sealed in a Miracle Box, we can't focus our magic or protect ourselves. When danger comes, we can lock a box down so that none of the Miraculouses can be removed. Once the danger passes, the Guardian can unlock the box and release the kwami."

"But," Marinette interjected, "the temple was full of Guardians, wasn't it? When it was restored, they should have had the power to unlock the boxes."

Tikki shook her head, "That's the thing—they weren't Guardians. Master Fu was the guardian. They were trained to care for the Miracle Boxes and to wield Miraculous, but there was only one who held the keys of Guardianship, and that was Master Fu. Then, of course, he relinquished that power and passed it to—"

"Me." The overwhelming, achy weight of responsibility hit Marinette again as it hadn't for months. "But I haven't unlocked any Miracle Boxes. Oh Tikki, we should have gone to Tibet straight away. We should have helped them. I just didn't know! Oh, I'm such a disaster. How could I have overlooked—"

"Marinette! Stop! It's fine, the Kwami are safe, the Miraculous are safe, and you are not required to halt your life or leave Paris to open those boxes at this time. We were going to get there when it was safe, remember?"

Marinette massaged her head, trying to focus on the task at hand. "You're sure they're safe and… and… happy? Not… bored or scared?"

Tikki grinned. "Time is meaningless to Kwami. There's been centuries that I've been in the Miracle Box, but as long as we are with other Kwami, it feels like mere hours. I promise that they are well."

Marinette sighed in relief. "Wait, what happens if the kwami is locked in a Miracle Box but their Miraculous jewels are not with them?"

Tikki shrugged, "The jewel goes latent. It still has residual traces of the magic, but it patiently awaits the return of the Kwami. I believe that's what happened to your friend Alix's watch. The owners sometimes recall the stories of the magic, and sometimes those stories are forgotten. Depending on the strength of each individual Miraculous, the jewelry might still bestow some interesting effects. For example, if I were locked in this box, your earrings might give you abnormally strong creative talents and a drive to heal things. You'd make world history for achievements in art or medicine and probably attribute your success to personal genius, never knowing that you were assisted by a latent Miraculous."

Marinette fingered her earrings absentmindedly. "Are you saying that I like design and fashion because of these?"

Tikki smiled softly. "You were incredibly talented long before I came along, and Miraculous or none, you are a special girl, Marinette. You have always used your gifts to serve others, and I am excited to spend a lifetime together serving humanity on both sides of the mask. But that's not as important right now. Like I said, one of the other Miracle Boxes was unlocked."

"Hang on, I thought you said only a guardian could unlock a box, and I'm the guardian."

Tikki struggled, "I'm as confused as you are. I'm sorry Marinette."

Marinette stood and started pacing. "Do you have any idea who unlocked it?" Tikki shook her head. "Tikki, when you and the other Kwami were called, you were all drawn to the Miracle Box. What about… Nooroo?"

Tikki's eyes bulged. "I hadn't thought about him. Yes, he would have felt the call every bit as strongly as the rest of us."

"But he didn't come."

"Hawkmoth must have ordered him not to move."

"Does he have the same information as the rest of us?"

"He wouldn't have the details we discussed together in the Miracle Box, but he will know another Box has been unlocked."

"Tikki," Marinette concluded, nervously fiddling with her pigtails, "I think we need to speed up our trip to Tibet."

Author's note: I hope life is getting easier and calmer for all of you! I know as we've adjusted to schooling from home and I've completed some of my work for my classes (I'm set to graduate in just a few weeks with my bachelors degree!), I've been able to calm down and get some of my creativity back. I'm working hard on finishing this story, although the end is increasingly complex and therefore I am trying to write 7-8 chapters out so I can guarantee better continuity. Thank you SO much to my betas, Airie, Scoobers, and my LBSC friends for reading and helping with everything from grammar to glaring plot holes. I hope to post more frequently as this story accelerates. Thank you so much for reading and I hope you are enjoying it thus far!

~Mommadon