"I hope you have a good explanation for why I am now trapped in a giant lemon tart, Chat Noir." Ladybug growled. She squirmed inside her sticky prison while Sugar Rush disappeared around the corner. Ladybug stopped twisting for a moment and watched her go, and felt she might cry. They had been chasing Sugar Rush for so long, and Chat Noir had disappeared, and she had been so close to pinning Sugar Rush down, but had gotten ambushed by a pastry.

Now, here she was, watching her partner run to her aid just moments too late. Where he had been, she had no idea, but she was glad to see him.

Chat Noir gave her a cheshire smile, "Because you are so sweet, My Lady. If I were the akuma, I'd make a cake out of you too."

Ladybug sighed, "You know what would be sweet? If I wasn't in a pastry, and if I knew where her akuma was hiding. If I wasn't missing a whole day of work to run around Paris."

Chat Noir held his hand high and swiped open the large pastry. Sticky sweet filling spilled from inside the tart, and Ladybug sprang away as soon as she was able. She tried in vain to get the powdered sugar out of her hair, and to wipe the filling from her suit, but ended up making more of a mess. She grumbled. She would just have to wait until they defeated the akuma and everything returned to normal. Chat Noir's hand was covered in goo as well, so at least she had that going for her.

"It was a little late," Chat Noir grinned, shaking his hand, making the filling hit her in the face, "But I did come to save you."

Ladybug's expression changed, "Oh Chat," she cooed, and Chat Noir felt the floor fall out beneath him. She was going to kill him. He didn't dare move. He wanted to. He felt his legs try to pull him away. But instead, he stood still as she walked up to him and put her sticky hands in either side of his face, wiping the slime of her suit on his face and in his hair, "I know that you will always come to save me."

Chat Noir swiped at her, rubbing at his face, but she backed away, "My Lady, that was quite rude."

Ladybug glared, "So was letting me get trapped in a lemon tart. Now we have to chase her around again." Ladybug sighed, and threw her head back, "I'm so tired. I mean, I have superpowers and I feel like I'm going to pass out. It just shouldn't be this hard to find her akuma. I have taken every utensil she has thrown at me, and broken it. Still no akuma. I've broken her necklace and bracelets, and still nothing. For real, where is this thing?"

Chat put his hand to his face, remembering too late that it was sticky, "Well if I were to make another guess I would say it's in the batter. Of all of her powers, it seems the most mysterious. Batter that takes whatever shape and taste she likes? That can't all come out of one bowl."

Ladybug was starting to feel defeated, "You're right about that. Making that many different sweets out of just one batch of batter is impossible."

"So we destroy the batter." Chat Noir offered with a smile.

Ladybug shot him a look, and gestured to the mangled tart she had been trapped in, "Yeah, except for we've already done that."

Chat Noir frowned, and looked around. People were starting to gather and they were starting to stare. The streets were slowly filling with battle-worn sweets, and this was easily the longest it had taken them to ever fight an akuma. They needed a place away from the noise, where they could focus. He grabbed ladybug by the waist, and pulled her close, "Hold on tight. This is gonna get sticky."

Ladybug groaned as Chat Noir extended his staff to raise them both up above the roofs of the buildings around them. Ladybug didn't try too hard to push herself away. She may be annoyed, but Chat Noir was strong and safe. He wouldn't let her fall, and he was smarter than everyone thought he was. She trusted him. She smirked. And, now they were both covered in lemon flavored filling.

"What's the plan, Kitty cat?" She crossed her legs and wrapped her arm tighter around his waist. She noted with a light blush that the last time she had done this, her arm was up and able to rest on his shoulder. She was not even close to tall enough to do that now. How tall was he anyway?

""Do you see her?" He put a hand to his forehead, blocking the sun so he could see more clearly.

Ladybug opened her eyes a little wider, and scanned the area. They had chased Sugar Rush all the way to the Agreste mansion before she'd run out of batter in her piping bag. Sugar Rush had used every imaginable baking or cooking tool to try and stop Ladybug and Chat Noir from getting too close. Though Ladybug couldn't quite say why, since Sugar Rush didn't seem to have any other possession that could house an akuma. Ladybug had destroyed her hat and her apron, as well as most of her tools. She glowered. She needed to fight different. What she was doing obviously wasn't working. They needed a plan.

She looked to Chat Noir, "I think we need to switch up our game. The akuma are getting smarter. So we should get smarter too."

Chat Noir turned to look at her, "Are you calling me dumb?"

She smiled, "What do you think?"

"I think people do dumb things when they're in love, and I love you, so you could say that I'm dumb." He smirked, even though his heart raced every time he told her that he loved her.

Ladybug didn't even miss a beat, "In the past, the akuma were simple. Powerful, and sometimes hard to catch. But once we figured out who they were or why they'd been akumatized, they were easily defeated. Brooches and pencils and hats were the main targets. Recently, they've started to be smarter, and harder to find. They attack us openly, but finding the akuma is harder and harder. So I think we need to be on defense. Wasting energy running after them and guessing where the akuma is, that's only increasing the likelihood that the akuma will multiply."

Chat Noir grinned, "Then let's spy."

"Hmm?" She blinked.

"Let's spy on her. You know," he gestured with his free hand, "Didn't you ever pretend to be a spy when you were little? Hiding behind things with binoculars?"

Ladybug made a face, "Binoculars? Don't you have like, super good eyesight?"

Chat Noir shot her perturbed glance back at her, "Can't you fly?"

Ladybug groaned, "Flying won't help us defeat this akuma. Now, tell me again why we're playing spies."

"I've been thinking. If we think the batter is what is giving her power, then we figure out where she's getting the batter from. We know it's not the piping bag, since we've destroyed a few of them already. So, let's lay low, and hide out for a while." He looked around for the akuma, hoping to catch a glimpse of her bright yellow outfit, "If she thinks that we've given up, maybe she'll let her guard down, and reveal where she's hiding the akuma."

Ladybug hummed, and grinned back, "You're a clever kitty aren't you?"

"Cats are known to be lazy and smart. If I can catch this thing without having to run all over the city, I will. That's my kind of crime fighting." He sighed.

Ladybug felt the fatigue of her body deep down into her bones, and tried to remember that this was her job. The people of Paris were counting on her to keep them safe.

"She was headed back to the park last I saw her, let's head there." Ladybug shrugged.

"As you wish, My Lady." Chat Noir grinned, and lowered them down to the street, setting Ladybug down gently. She took off running towards the park.

"I thought we weren't wasting energy." Chat Noir sighed, but took off after her.

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Robyn looked down at her phone. It was a number she didn't recognize. She looked at it for a few more rings. She didn't hand out her personal number to many people. All of her model friends and admirers were connected strictly on social media. She could count on one hand how many people had her actual phone number, and they were saved in her phone. All of her other contacts went through her agent. She looked down at the number. It wasn't a marketing call, or a sales call. She slid the green icon over.

"Hello, this is Robyn." She said hesitantly.

"Miss Handen, this is Nathalie. I am calling on behalf of Monsieur Agreste."

Robyn felt her face get hot and her feet start to burn. She was going to snap her phone in half. She did not want to hear from Adrien. Not now, not ever.

"I'm sorry you wasted your time, I do not have any desire to speak with Adrien."

"Pardon, Miss, I should clarify. I realize where there could have been confusion. I am calling on behalf of Gabriel Agreste."

Robyn's mood lightened, "Oh?"

The voice on the other end of the line seemed calm but short on time, "Gabriel Agreste has matters to discuss with you. When is your next available time, Miss Handen?"

Robyn stuttered, "I-I'm not sure I'd have to check with my manager."

"Are you free this afternoon?" Nathalie asked quickly.

Robyn blinked. Nathalie was so abrupt. She had not had too many encounters with Nathalie before. All of her interactions with Adrien had gone through his manager. She knew that Adrien had asked Nathalie to do many things for him, but Robyn had never really known her.

"I think so?" Robyn answered weakly.

"Excellent. I will send a driver for you promptly. You will not need anything other than your basic personal effects. We will see you soon, Miss Handen." Nathalie hung up the phone and Robyn heard the phone beep in her ear to tell her the call was over.

Robyn looked down at the phone, confused. Adrien had made it very clear that they were over when he'd left that horrible morning. Gabriel had invited her to stay for breakfast, but she had thought it was only out of pity. She had packed her things and left in a hurry. She had cried all the way back to her small, lonely apartment, and then slept and eaten ice cream and watched American shows on her phone for the whole two weeks she had cleared out for her trip with Adrien. Her coaches and managers were furious, but she had been too heartbroken to care.

Adrien on the other hand, had practically disappeared off the face of the earth. His social media accounts were gone, and his phone went straight to voicemail. He hadn't called her or texted her or even tried to make amends for how horribly he'd treated her. He'd merely vanished. She was beyond sadness now, and was only angry with him. He was the spoiled rotten son of a man who had given his son everything. Robyn, on the other hand, had been born to a poor family in the south. The South being a place of mostly beauty pageants and cowboys and little chance of ever going anywhere. She knew she was beautiful, and when her chance came to run away forever, she took it, and never looked back. She worked hard for her life, and defended her reputation with vigor. But Adrien. Adrien had been a model his whole life. The gorgeous son of a fashion kingpin and a beautiful mother, whom Robyn had never truly heard much about. She only knew that she was gone. And that Adrien missed her more than he let on. Adrien had been given his place in the world of fame. Yet, despite all that, she was going to go see his father. Maybe he was going to make Adrien apologize.

She stood up from her couch and slipped on her shoes. She grabbed her designer purse, making sure all of her self defense and on the go beauty items were in their proper places. There was a buzz from her doorbell, and she walked over to the video screen. She pushed the transmit button.

"Hello?" She called.

To her surprise she saw a large man on the other end of the camera, "Your ride, madame."

"What driver?" She asked.

"From the Agreste Family, my lady. Nathalie said you'd be expecting us." He bowed a little.

"Very good." Robyn smiled, "I'll be down in a jiffy."

The video connection ended, and Robyn double checked that she had her keys. She locked the door and slipped into the elevator. She rode down to the first floor and slipped her sunglasses on before exiting the building. She stepped outside, and looked at the large man, startled. He was even bigger than he seemed in the video.

"Miss Handen?" He bowed again.

"Yes." She smiled.

"I am the personal guard for Monsieur Agreste. It is my pleasure to escort you this afternoon."

"Thank you. I'm ready to go." She held the strap of her purse a little tighter.

The man nodded and opened the back door for her to get in. She elegantly slid into the car, and the door shut quietly next to her. She buckled her seatbelt, and felt the panic start to set in.

"We'll be there in about twenty minutes, Miss." he didn't turn to look at her.

Robyn nodded and sat back in the seat. The car started quickly and pulled smoothly away from the curb. Robyn looked out the windows. The whole of Paris passing her by. She had been a little sad to realize that living somewhere is the same as living anywhere. There were nice people and poor people and rich people and mean people. There were places to eat and places to go with friends and places to go with lovers. There was always the same sky and the same stars in the heavens. And that made the world a very small place.

She looked down at her hands. They were still, but only because years of practice had taught her not to tremble when she was nervous. Gabriel Agreste had called for her. She could only imagine what he was going to say to her. He was going to yell at her probably for not being good enough for his perfect son. Or maybe, he was going to tell her that because Adrien didn't want her, he was going to destroy her career. She sighed. Why did it always have to be that people with power always abused it? She frowned.

If Gabriel Agreste thought for even a moment that he could pick on Robyn Handen, then he was in for a very big surprise when she chewed him out like the southern belle she was. Her accent was gone, but her temper wasn't, and she'd been mad for a long time. She felt more calm. If this was a game, then two could play. And she aimed to win.

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Ladybug sighed, and leaned on Chat Noir's shoulder, "I can't figure this out. She never runs out of batter."

"She seems oddly protective of that table. Maybe it's on there. Like, pastry zero, the first of many." Chat Noir raised an eyebrow.

Ladybug laughed a little, "The Pastry that started it all. The stupid lemon tarts."

Chat Noir hummed, "We've been sitting in this tree for almost an hour. You would think she'd done something with her akuma by now. She would need it to use her power, which is obviously infinite frosting roses." He gestured to the strangely perfect cakes with immaculate decorations.

Ladybug looked down at the table of goodies and the people surrounding the table. Just like before, she determined that no one was really in danger, which was strange. Usually the akuma needed people for something. Power. Minions. Weapons. What did this akuma need people for. All they seemed to be giving her was praise. Ladybug sat up straight. She needed praise.

"I think I know who the akuma is." She said sadly.

Chat Noir's ears perked up, "You do?"

Ladybug sighed, "I think it's a girl who used to work at that bakery there," she pointed towards her parent's bakery, "I know the family that owns the bakery. Their daughter is home for the foreseeable future, and they let this girl go so their daughter could take her place. She must more upset over it than they thought." She explained with heavy words.

"That's terrible. That's the best bakery in Paris. Anyone who had worked there would have no trouble finding another place to work. Especially if the family recommended her at all." Chat Noir mused. He also knew the family that ran that bakery. The Dupain-Chengs were some of the nicest people he had ever met, even if he had only met them briefly.

Ladybug gasped, "I think I may know where the akuma is, but I don't see it." She looked frantically through the table of sweets.

"What?" Chat Noir beamed, "What is it?"

"It's a large bright yellow bowl. The owners of the bakery give them to all their graduates." Ladybug looked through the audience.

"Hmm," Chat Noir mused, "Perhaps we'll have to get down out of this tree and get a little dirty. Don't lose your footing though," he grinned, "Or you might fall for me."

Ladybug groaned, and stepped lightly down to the ground. Chat Noir landed next to her. She looked at the crowd. It was full of all kinds of people. She thought of what would happen if she confronted Sugar Rush as Ladybug. It would be another chase. Ladybug tossed her yo-yo and whispered, "Lucky Charm."

Into her hands fell a blonde wig, and she stared at it for a moment before she realized what Tikki was trying to tell her. She set the wig on her head and tucked her own dark hair inside. She turned to Chat Noir, "How do I look?"

To Chat Noir's surprise, he was quite put off by the blonde hair. He looked at her and tried to be flirty, but couldn't find it in himself, "I like your dark hair better."

Ladybug rolled her eyes, and turned towards the crowd, "You hang back, until I have the bowl. Then you'll have to keep her busy while I purify the akuma."

"Understood. And make it quick. The sooner I have my Ladybug back, the better off I'll be." He sneered.

She adjusted the wig one more time. She walked through the crowd, and right to the front of the table. Sugar Rush turned around and yelped.

"Yes." Ladybug smiled, "I'd like to know how you make such delicious batter. Surely you know that you outshine every bakery in Paris?"

Sugar Rush eyed her suspiciously, "Ladybug?"

Ladybug laughed, "Oh no! I could never even dream to be as great as her. I'm just a fan. But, my brother sent me a picture of one of your delicious looking sweets, and I just wanted to know", Ladybug twisted the blonde hair around her finger, "how do you make so many delicious things so quickly?"

Sugar Rush grinned, "That's a secret, my darling."

Ladybug looked at her with big babydoll eyes, "Please? I just have to know."

Sugar Rush caved, and leaned down. She stood back up holding the bowl. Ladybug grinned. She whipped off the wig, throwing it into Sugar Rush's face. She leaned forward and snatched the bowl from Sugar Rush. She slammed it down to the ground, and spilled batter and broken pieces of the bowl spread across the concrete.

"NO!" Sugar Rush cried as a black butterfly appeared from the pieces of the bowl.

Sugar Rush roared, and picked up a ball of dough from the ground, "You won't win, Ladybug."

"She already has." Chat Noir appeared with his cataclysm at the ready, and swiped at Sugar Rush. She jumped back, and he set his hand on her table of sweets. She was distracted by her lost pastries. And missed the wash of red light that fell across the park. Standing in the place of Sugar Rush, was the sweet girl from the bakery. Chat Noir frowned. He's seen her before. How unfortunate it was that she'd been akumatized.

Ladybug appeared next to him, "Are you alright, Miss?"

Hayley seemed dazed, but focused slowly, "Where am I? What happened?"

"You were akumatized by La Papillon. But don't worry. Everything is okay now." Ladybug smiled.

Hayley frowned, and her green eyes filled with tears. She crashed into Ladybug and held her close, "Oh Ladybug, thank you. I didn't want this. I was just so upset. I wasn't thinking. I. I didn't mean to let him in. But he just. He was so clever. I'm so sorry." She cried.

Ladybug held her close, "It's alright. It's okay."

88888888

Ladybug sighed as Hayley walked away. She looked up at Chat Noir. He looked as distraught as she did. Her earrings were bleeping, but she couldn't bring herself to walk away. Chat Noir was looking back at her with the same appalled look on his face. This was their first akuma they'd encountered who was truly remorseful about being akumatized.

Ladybug looked at Chat Noir, "I have to go. But we need to talk."

Chat Noir's ring beeped, "Me too. I'll see you tonight?"

Ladybug nodded, and thought for a moment before she smirked at him, "It's a date."

88888888

Robyn stood in the large entryway of the Agreste home, in awe every time at it's grandeur and classic style. It was beautiful. Adrien had always talked about how so much space made him feel strange. But, as she stood looking up at the grand staircase, the size of it all only made her feel more free. She imagined herself standing at the top of the staircase in an elegant designer gown, getting ready to be picked up to attend a grand gala. She could only dream that one day she would get to live in a palace like this. She had always wanted to be a princess.

The door to her left opened, and she was pulled from her daydreaming. She straightened herself, and clutched the handles of her bag. She almost fainted. She had been expecting Nathalie to come for her, but Gabriel himself was standing in the looming doorway. She reminded herself to be brave. This was not the first time she had met Gabriel. This was not the first time she'd been in his home. She had been a member of the family for almost two years. But this was the first time she was here without Adrien. Her respect for Gabriel made her fear him a little.

"Miss Handen." Gabriel Agreste smiled at her.

She relaxed a little, "Monsieur Agreste." She curtsied, "It's an honor to be welcomed back into your home."

Gabriel bowed, "Truly the honor is mine."

Robyn cleared her throat, and put on her brave face, "Nathalie made the matter seem rather urgent. What could be so pressing?"

Gabriel smiled, and swept his arm out to her, "Step into my office. I have a business offer for you my dear."

Robyn walked into the large room, feeling more and more relaxed as the time passed, and marveled at the elegant desk and paintings that hung around the room.

"Please sit." he offered her a chair.

She sat politely, "Thank you."

Gabriel sat down across from her, "Miss Handen. My son's behavior has been unacceptable at best. His disregard for those around him, his responsibilities and his work is inexcusable. I would like to apologize on his behalf, and offer you my support should you need it. Since the day that he left I have not heard from him. I would be surprised if it is any different for you."

Robyn blinked. That was not what she was expecting. She shook her head slowly, "You're right. I haven't heard from him."

Gabriel sneered, "He has lost my respect as well as my financial and business support. My money is better spent on new prospects, rather than fueling the childish dream of an ungrateful wretch. I have had to distance myself from him, since he has been exhibiting such reckless and risky behavior. In doing so I have found myself in need of someone to sponsor. I need someone to be the face of my company, and since my ungrateful son has left me hanging, I have decided to employ someone with more talent and a better, brighter future. I have my heart set on," he paused for a moment, "adopting you, in a way my dear Robyn. I would be your sponsor and you would rise to the top of your profession. We would be a team unstoppable. And you would take Adrien's place as the successor to my wealth and mansion."

"I don't," she floundered, "I don't know what to say." Offered her dream job and a home in the palace she'd always wanted seemed a little too good to be true.

"You will of course be expected to cut ties with all other labels, and be an Agreste exclusive. Could you handle that, my dear?"

Robyn nodded, and then stopped, "I would have to confer with my manager, but I'm sure she would be thrilled. May I call her?"

Gabriel held out his hand to her, "Of course. While you call her I will have Nathalie start the paperwork. We'll only need a few signatures."

Robyn nodded, turned in her chair, and dialed her manager's number. Behind her she heard Gabriel calling for Nathalie.

It rang for two rings before a snappy voice answered, "Ginger May."

"Ginge, it's Robyn. I have great news. Gabriel Agreste has asked me to take over the role of poster child for Agreste Designs."

"Why haven't you signed the papers?" Ginger asked shortly.

"I wanted to be sure it was a good choice." Robyn stammered.

"Sign the papers. We'll work out the details later. Have Nathalie email me and we'll work it out." Ginger hung up the phone.

Robyn spun around in her chair, beaming, "I accept your offer. I think this will be the beginning of a beautiful partnership, Monsieur Agreste."

"Please," he grinned, "Call me Gabriel."