This sorta ends on a cliff hanger... sorry about that. Get ready for some fun running around though!

sweetXDmelody... Your wish is my command... minus the akuma tho. Enjoy!

TheLastPilot... Plagg says kit instead of kid because Adrien resents being called kid. Also because of the miraculous Plagg swears that Adrien acts like a kitten at times so Kit.

(Slow Burn Detective AU!) Marinette is used to working alone on the streets of Paris as she strives to take down the Hawkmoth gang. When the thief Chat Noir comes crashing into her life things are bound to get magical, especially when co-detective Adrien returns to Paris and seems to want to be her new partner. Will their fated partnership end in a capture or a kiss?


Enemy Territory

The moment Marinette hung up with Adrien, guilt gnawed at her. She hadn't lied to Adrien per se, that she would call for backup if needed, because she really would. However, she wasn't just going to be doing a quick reconnaissance of the place either. If she found Chloe here tonight she would back off and make a plan, but for some reason Marinette had a hunch that this island had just been a temporary place to hold the poor woman. Instinct also told her to approach from the rooftops and she was glad she did. There were several unsavory characters wandering around the bridge and Marinette had little doubt who they were working for. She recognized one flunky as a man she had arrested for drugs and knew for a fact that he was in the Hawkmoth gang. Gritting her teeth, Marinette wondered how she was going to get across to the island since the bridge was far too visible. Then a boat passed under the bridge, illuminating the pylons. Marinette realized it was currently low tide, and with the river being low already they made the perfect stepping stones. The pylons could be crossed fairly easily with her manriki, all she had to do was get under the bridge which was child's play. The thugs wandering around on street level didn't even notice her slipping past them as they investigated a noise she made with a well-placed rock throw. Slipping across the pylons was harder since she was trying to be stealthy and keep herself totally dry. Taking a dip in the river was not in her plans for the evening and she was quite happy to get to solid land once more. Slipping through the shadows, Marinette made her way into the cluster of warehouses, noting the condemned signs on more than one. This area should be totally deserted, and yet Marinette found herself dodging at least one flunky who was slinking through the shadows. Marinette took pictures with her phone and peered into more than one warehouse window trying to find what had so many of the Hawkmoth gang in one place.

Dropping silently from a ladder, Marinette saw the shape of a man turn the corner nearest her. Marinette froze and the man rushed at her, making Marinette wonder if she hadn't been as stealthy as she had thought. Thankfully, the man was not a prize fighter and she simply melted to the side, a single kick to his gut dropping him to his knees and knocking the air right out of him. Her elbow to his temple put him out cold and Marinette stayed silent for several minutes, waiting for an alarm call or another attacker to show up. Neither happened. Marinette had to wonder if the man she had just taken out got lucky in spotting her or if she was wandering freely right into a trap. The thought had her pulling out her phone and dithering as to whether she should ring up Jackady. At this point she had enough proof of something shady going down on the island. She could call it in since this place was supposed to be deserted and the buildings abandoned, but Marinette simply didn't want to raise the alarm quite yet. Stripping off the unconscious man's belt, Marinette made quick work of hogtying him and then stuffed a wad of rags in his mouth for good measure. Stashing the guy behind some old crates was too easy and Marinette continued on her way, staying extra vigilant as she neared the center of the buildings.

The main warehouse was before her so she slipped into the shadows, able to hear muted voices nearby. As she came around one side, a shape peeled itself from the darkness and Marinette spun her fist, lashing out. The one unconscious idiot near the water had already tried this with her, and it would seem another would learn their lesson soon enough. Unfortunately, an arm blocked her punch surprising her for the briefest of moments. Then moving so fast she couldn't hope to counter, they twisted her arm behind her back, their other hand pressing across her mouth to keep her silent as they drug her resisting form further back into the shadows. Pissed, she sank her teeth into the leather-covered hand over her mouth and a hiss echoed behind her.

"That hurts, my Lady."

Instantly she relaxed as she recognized Chat's voice and released his hand from her teeth as they came to a stop, although she was a little miffed that he had been able to subdue her so easily. She was getting far faster now, though she wasn't sure how much her strength had increased. Strength had never been an issue for her, even with her small stature. And as of yet, she hadn't had the chance to really test herself to see how far the Miraculous stone had affected her. Not many people could get the drop on her, period. She was also a little miffed that for once, the stone in her waistband hadn't given her a warning. If it had, she wouldn't have bitten Chat. Although considering how fast he had incapacitated her, it soothed her ego a little that she had at least managed something. Speaking of Chat, he still had her pressed against him, her arm pinned, though not painfully, behind her back. Oddly enough, he hadn't released her. Just as she was about to start wiggling to break free, a man slunk forward crossing the tiny alcove that hid her and Chat. Tensing, Marinette realized that the man would have come upon her unexpectedly and Chat had just pulled her safety. The moment Chat relaxed behind her, Marinette reached up to tug his hand from her mouth. He let her and curled his fingers around hers.

"I suppose I should say 'thank you'," Marinette said, her voice lowered so it couldn't carry far.

"You bit me," he grumbled and Marinette chuckled, her back still pressed to his chest so she could feel the deep rumble it created.

"You grabbed me. What did you expect me to do? You're lucky I didn't…" suddenly she squeaked as Chat's teeth nipped the top of her ear just barely hard enough to hurt. His hands released her almost in the same instant and she jerked away, one hand flying to her ear as she faced him.

Chat let her, his bright green eyes glowing in the darkness. "Now we're even," he said, enjoying the blush that swept across her face.

"Damn cat," Marinette muttered, rubbing the spot although it didn't even hurt. "Do that again and I'll knock your teeth out."

Chat grinned again since she had said that without heat, even if it was a threat. Watching her glance around, a calculating look on her face, Chat felt his smile slowly fall into a bit of a frown. Perhaps he shouldn't be but he found that he was overly concerned since Marinette shouldn't be out here this deep in enemy territory. The last thing she had said to him as Adrien was if things got too dicy she would call for backup. He had promised to help her look the area over as Adrien later if it proved to be too dangerous and at this point the area screamed with danger everywhere he looked. What in the world was she doing out here still?! Even if she hadn't called him, Chat had hoped she would call in backup from Jackady.

Chat's curiosity was too much and he found himself asking, "What are you doing out here anyways, my Lady? This is hardly the kind of area you should be running around in alone."

Marinette shrugged, "I'm fine on my own, Chat. I can move through the shadows just as well as you and I'm doing my job."

One of Chat's eyebrows rose. "I thought you were grounded?" Chat asked playing dumb, causing Marinette to glare at him.

Folding her arms, Marinette huffed, "I don't have my badge so I'm not breaking the rules, and technically I've been reinstated while my real boss is out of town. Besides, what are you doing over here?"

Chat chuckled realizing he could never admit to wanting to check this place out and make sure she stayed safe. In all honesty he hadn't planned to reveal his presence to her at all. However the moment he found the island he had found Hawkmoths people swarming and he knew Marinette would need all the help she could get. Chat was really quite impressed with the fact that no one had found her slinking around yet and it was a testament to her skills that even he had a hard time locating her. In the end Chat had to rely on his sense of smell to pin her location.

Since he couldn't say any of that however he decided to lie. "Probably the same thing as you. The Whisperers have their feelers out searching for Chloe same as every other gang in the city with that prize on her head."

Marinette groaned "Please tell me you won't interfere Chat I need to get her to safety and this prize money the mayor has promised is a huge mistake on his part."

Chat eyed her a little shrewdly "So does that mean you're not out for the reward Marinette?" he was 100 percent certain that she wasn't but thinking something and hearing it directly from a person were two totally different things. Plus his relationship with her as Adrien was too new for him to feel confident enough to ask her a question like that.

"I wouldn't take Chloe's daddykins money if I were a poor and destitute homeless person." Marinette scoffed "Matter of fact I wouldn't be searching for her at all if it weren't for the fact that its my job, and Adrien is worried sick about her."

Chats ears perked "Adrien?" He asked curious to see what Marinette would do or say.

Marinette glared at him. "Chloe is an old friend of his but I didn't want to take him out here until I made sure everything was safe. Well safe for us anyways and now that I am here I'm kinda glad he isn't." That said she turned her back to him moving down the alley as she listened out for any stalkers. Besides Chat that is.

"You don't trust him?" Chat asked feeling a touch of dread wiggle into his chest. Even if she was trying to keep him 'safe' he had thought they were past this. At least he'd hoped that they were.

"Of course I trust him but this isn't a matter of trust. As I said, Chloe is a dear friend of his and if she is here I don't know what kind of condition she is going to be in. Also he had something to do this evening and I wanted to check this place off my list tonight rather than in the daylight since the way I came in would be under water had I come tomorrow. Plus, shadows are hard to hide in when they don't exist and there are far too many people around here tonight for this place to be empty like it's supposed to be. In any case this is the last building I have to check. I just have to find a way in the building, then I will be getting off this island to call in the rest of the police force." Marinette easily answered slipping out of the alcove.

Relief blossomed in place of the dread and Chat bounded out after her acting as her shadow while they toured around the outside. Unlike the other buildings on the tiny stretch of island there were a half a dozen people monitoring the outside and making looping circuits. With Chats instincts, heightened senses, and Marinette's knowhow it was easy as breathing to avoid the other guards. Having seen the whole outside the two of them came to a halt in a shadowed niche.

"They have the doors covered but I don't think they have the roof." Marinette murmured so softly even Chat had a hard time picking it up.

"Sloppy of them if they don't." Chat answered his voice just as low. "If you want we could always go in from the top. If there is someone up there I will cover you."

Marinette glanced up at him her face holding a look of disbelief but then after a moment she softened "Of course you would even though I can take care of myself."

"That is questionable My Lady. I have heard several hair raising stories about you from multiple people including the Whisperers. Hell from the stunts I've already seen you pull I'm inclined to believe them." Chat chuckled making Marinette pout at him.

"All lies and exaggerations I'm sure." Marinette huffed as she looked around them with a keen eye. After a moment her eyes brightened and she pointed to a spot just below the roof line. "Does that look like an open window to you?"

Chat squinted then grinned "It certainly does. Lets check it out shall we?"

Hooking an arm around Marinettes waist Chat was relieved when she simply rolled her eyes and hung on as he extended his staff. They came even with the opening and found it to be a broken out window set into a recessed part of the wall. The space was cramped but both of them were able to fit side by side and peer inside the warehouse like space. The inside was an absolute mess. Steel shelves broke up what should be an open floor into a labyrinth of walkways. Some shelves had boxes on them while others had sheets covering the openings. Paper and other trash covered the floor in random patches while old equipment of questionable nature was shoved towards the outer edges. A thin high walkway ran around the inside although like the rest of the building it had seen better days. Parts of the structure were rotted through but thankfully there didn't seem to be anyone on it. Honestly, they were all probably afraid the whole thing would collapse if they did try and walk on it Marinette was certainly dubious of the whole thing. The warehouse also stunk terribly. The smell of gas and oil was unmistakable in the air and she noted all the fire hazards present making a shiver run down her spine. Marinette didn't like fire very much and she knew all too well that buildings like this burned hot and fast. Frowning at the scene before her Marinette slipped her phone out of her pocket to take a few snapshots of the area.

"None of this should be here." Marinette whispered leaning a little more forwards to get a better picture of some people wandering between the shelving.

Chat hooked a clawed hand into her jacket to help her balance and she shot him a thankful grin as he asked "What do you mean?"

With a bit of a frown Marinette tried to explain. "These warehouses were supposed to have been cleared out over a month ago. The other warehouses on this island have been cleared out at least. Or maybe whoever cleared them out decided to put everything in here... Its part of a new beautification project the mayor has started. He wants all these building to be taken out and a park to be placed here instead. Most of these warehouses have sat empty anyways and a good bit of them should be condemned so not many people fought the idea. I think Roger has the reigns on clearing these places out which would explain why it hasn't been done yet."

Chats eyes narrowed "It's funny how Roger keeps popping up in all this. Maybe I should go have a little chat with him."

"You can't. Roger is a detective. Besides I have a few questions for him and I won't be able to ask him anything if you kill him or put him in the hospital." Marinette drawled then went silent as she noticed something off in the corner. "Does that look like a yellow dress over there?"

Chats head whipped around following her finger and a growl slipped out of him. "It looks like there is someone in it."

Marinette couldn't believe her luck. That dress was definitely Chloes dress and if there was someone in it then it was a fairly good chance it was her. If they could get her out right now and end the search before Gabriel even got into town… swiftly she glanced around the crushed space they were in and moved to wrap her chain through a beam that stuck out at an odd angle. Seeing what Marinette was about to do Chat tugged on her jacket stopping her. Marinette shot him a questioning look wondering what he could possibly want now.

"I know this is a stupid request but can I go check it out alone? I promise if it is Chloe I will bring her right to you." Chat begged giving her a wide eyed and pitiful look.

Marinette scowled at him trying to figure out why he would want to go alone until a sudden idea deepened her frown more, "You just don't want me getting into danger."

"I can't easily run holding two people at the same time. Much less use my staff." Chat admitted "If it is Chloe I'll return to here and we can get out of here the same way we came in. Or if everything goes to hell I'll bust out the side of the building and bring her to one of the Whisperers."

"Bring her to my house if you can." Marinette answered making Chat raise an eyebrow at her causing her shrug. "I can check her injuries there and I know my home is safe. Besides there is a lot of money out on her for a bounty and not every Whisperer can afford to be honorable."

"I'll do as you wish My Lady." Chat said somehow managing to imitate a bow even in the cramped quarters.

Before she could say another word or change her mind Chat moved, leaping from the space they were in and grabbing one of the beams that ran the length of the building. Slapping a hand over her mouth Marinette watched her heart now in her throat as Chat made his way down the beam to one of the main pillars and slid his way down to the catwalk that ran around the whole building. Reminding herself to breathe she actually lost sight of him in the shadows until suddenly he was on the floor creeping towards the patch of bright yellow in the corner. Letting a slow breath out Marinette vowed to tie his tail in a knot for scaring her even though she had just watched him perform an impressive feat in total silence. Even still she sorta wanted to kill him for it.

Chat on the other hand was preening. The warehouse was the perfect place to test his stealth skills and he had felt Marinette's eyes on him the whole time. He knew she was watching him, watching his back and even though they were in a rescue mission Chat hadn't been able to help showing off just slightly… It took him longer to navigate the trash covered floor that it had the upper beams and after a slow practical crawl across the floor Chat reached the pile of yellow fabric. The scent wafting off of it was unmistakable and he instantly recognized it as Chloes dress.

"Chloe?" Chat hissed softly his instincts telling him that something wasn't quite right.

The skirt had been half pulled up as if she were cold and a grubby piece of cloth was draped over what would be the upper torso and head. There was no way Chloe would ever let something like that touch her skin no matter the temperature and besides there was no movement in the pile of cloth that would signify someone breathing. Fear pierced his heart and Chat lunged forwards into the slightly lit area ripping the grubby cloth away to reveal a blow up doll of questionable use. With a snarl of disgust Chat dropped the thing as the shriek of metal echoed around him. Bars slammed down around him trapping him in a cage about five feet square and six feet high.

"What the hell?!" Chat roared spinning around in a circle seeing no way out and wondering how he had missed a cage hanging above his head.

"You like it Mr. Black Cat? We weren't sure who we would be expecting if anyone but you falling for the trap is quite the nice surprise."

Chat spun around dropping into crouch and saw a pudgy man standing far too close to the bars. "Who are you and what's with the doll?"

"Ever play Mario? Your princess is in another castle." The man laughed taking his eyes off of Chat to gloat.

That was a total newbe mistake and it was one he paid dearly for. Chat lunged moving faster than any human could manage and his arm shot through the bars to ensnare the Pudgy mans clothes. Before the man could even register Chats claws he was jerked forwards painfully into the bars. He would have screamed or at least yelped but Chats free hand had already fastened itself around his throat cutting off that option.

"Don't" Chat snarled low and even as the man tried to struggle his hands reaching for Chats. "I have a few questions for you and if you answer them I won't kill you. Sound like a deal?"

The man opened and closed his mouth silently like a fishes and Chat realized he was holding a touch too tight. Easing his grip ever so slightly he allowed the man to squeeze out a tiny breathy "Yes."

"Very good." Chat purred taking note of a purple butterfly behind the guys ear "Now… are you are part of Hawkmoth?"

"Yes." The man squeaked again sweat popping up all across his bald head.

"Why did Hawkmoth take Chloe?" Chat asked curious.

"I don't know… money probably." The man gasped his hands fluttering uselessly at his sides. At Chats narrowed look the man continued. "I'm not high enough on the food chain man I just know she was here at some point but they moved her. They move her almost every night."

"Why would they move her every night? That's foolish since she could be accidently spotted." Chat hissed letting the man feel the tips of his claws a bit more keenly.

The man turned white "S-somethings in the works! I don't know what but Hawkmoth is tired of the police staying on his back! This kidnapping is giving him the opportunity to fix some people he doesn't like and making some cash on the side!"

Chat didn't like the sound of that at all and Marinette's tales of police raids ran through his mind. The raids were hectic things where everything that could go wrong usually did and sometimes people got hurt. "Where are they keeping Chloe now?" Chat finally hissed

The man clammed up suddenly and Chat shook him slightly, "Do not make me ask again."

The man managed to shake his head slightly and Chat released the front of his shirt raising his claws into the meager light where he could see them. "Cataclysm." Chat hissed and black flames lit up his glove making the man struggle in his grip. "I believe I asked you something… or would you rather lose a limb?"

"64th!" The man whimpered "They had her in a building there but they probably already moved her! They were going to main next I think though I might be wrong cuz I wasn't meant to hear any of that!"

With a sneer Chat slashed his hand across the three bars between them turning them to rust almost instantly. With a swift jerk Chat yanked the man into the cage through the busted bars bruising and cutting the entrapped man in several spots. "I hope you are not lying to me."

"It's all I know…" the man babbled truly terrified now, "Its all I-"

His words cut off into a gasping burble as a bullet slammed into him killing the poor man instantly. Chat blinked in shock then snarled as a bullet slammed into his shoulder from a different angle swinging him to the side and making him drop the dead man. Both of their bodies hit the ground and neither of them moved.