Dun dun dun! The fall out from rescuing Chloe has arrived! Will they get off scott free or do I have something more devious planned? Read on to find out!

In other news my Mom is a force of nature and in a two week period I have gone from helping coach middle school soccer to teaching Math full time... I never planned to be a teacher so uh... its been eye opening. Unfortunately this also means that I'm not going to have as much time to write so if I have to drop back down to posting one Chapter a month after January that's why. I'm going to try and keep it at two but I also don't want the story to suffer content wise. Hopefully it wont be a problem but I just wanted to give you faithful readers a heads up in case it does happen.

SunshineMLB... I'm happy to hear my crazy adventures have inspired you! We tend to do things on a whim and a prayer at times but we always have a blast where ever we go!

(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?


Retaliation

The precinct was quiet since most people were out having late lunches or resting so no one really noticed the two of them arriving. Both Marinette and Adrien figured it was better this way since they were not sure how this meeting with Gabriel was going to go. After stopping by Marinette's office to drop off some papers and her jacket they went to Gabriels office. Natalie was waiting for them and she ushered them inside Gabriels office as soon as they arrived, even though the two of them could clearly hear raised voices from within.

"They are here sir." Natalie called as she swung the door open and the angry voices briefly cut out.

Gabriel and Roger were standing across the desk from each other clearly in a heated battle although they both looked up to see who was walking in. Gabriel's face closed off even more if that was possible, while Roger looked furious the second he realized it was Marinette and Adrien.

"Who in the hell do you think you are?" Roger snarled stomping towards them as the door clicked shut behind them.

"A better detective than you apparently." Adrien answered mildly brushing past Roger to approach Gabriel's desk.

Roger gaped clearly taken aback and Marinette stuffed her amusement into the furthest corner of her mind, although she would think on this moment at later dates and understand that it was times like these that made her fall even more in love with Adrien. For now though it was time to face the music so ignoring Roger completely Marinette followed in Adriens footsteps to face his father. With the exception of Roger spluttering in the background silence reigned and Marinette had to wonder who would break it first. Adrien could have been an impassive block of stone while Gabriel was in observation mode. She had seen far cooler customers than her falter and fray under Gabriel's gaze so it was a relief when Roger broke the mounting tension by screeching, "What do you mean a better detective?!"

Marinette swore she heard Gabriel sigh and Adrien's eyes rolled so far back in his head Marinette guessed he could probably see his brain. Stomping back to the desk, Roger wisely slammed his hands against it instead of Adrien.

"You two just ruined more than a weeks' worth of work and observation because you wanted the glory!" Roger sneered, his fury coloring his face a rosy tint.

"You. Were. Focusing. On. The wrong. Place!" Marinette snapped right back. "You would have led the charge into a death trap! There would have been fatalities for all precincts involved and you wouldn't have even been able to rescue Chloe because She. Wasn't. Even. There!"

"If anything you should be thanking us. All those deaths would have been on your head and the Hawkmoth gang was getting ready to kill Chloe any way. You would have lost everything." Adrien commented his tone hinting at disappointment.

Roger made a sound somewhere between a squawk and a hiss but before he could screw up any further verbally Gabriel spoke. "That is ENOUGH."

The room froze as everyone looked to Gabriel and Marinette swore she could see the fury radiating off of him. Slowly Gabriel tapped the desk before him his sharp gaze sending mental daggers into all three of them. Neither Marinette nor Adrien flinched though Roger did, his gaze falling to the floor.

"This was a farce from start to finish." Gabriel hissed. "I am beyond disappointed and the only reason you two have a job still is because the press would have a field day if I fired you right this second."

Marinette and Adrien stiffened while Roger snorted drawing Gabriels deadly attention on to him. "Do not feel so amused Roger. I should fire you for being so incompetent that your coworkers decided they couldn't trust you when they discovered Chloes actual location! Speaking of which, explain to me how you found, planned and executed a rescue in such a short time. I thought you had learned your lesson about doing things that quickly with Theo Marinette."

"This was not the same Sir, and you know it." Marinette hissed back through gritted teeth more than a little surprised that he would bring up such a subject here and now. Gabriels eyes narrowed but before he could say anything Marinette continued her voice clipped. "I had a bad feeling about the Warehouse raid. Too many variables weren't adding up and I needed something to do so I went to look at the outlier calls again since that's how I managed to find Chloe the second time. Adrien came along to help and while searching we found a woman named Poppy getting attacked. She was someone we recognized since she had been one of Chloe's handlers the last time we had found Chloe so we stepped in to help. The Hawkmoth gang had apparently decided to cut ties and kill her so she was grateful that we lent a hand. She knew where Chloe was and how to get to her. Since Chloe was not at the Warehouse I did try and call you sir but you didn't answer. Then Poppy told us they were probably going to kill Chloe so I made the decision to recapture her on our own. I knew the building they were in had a basement entrance so we took it and the rest I'm sure you have already heard."

"I have heard Marinette. I have heard many things that make me question your motives and loyalty to this precinct." Gabriel stated coldly making Marinette's eyes widen in surprise. "Besides all that however, this run of yours however is something I cannot afford to let pass without judgement. Even though all came out well and you rescued Chloe without injury, this was not sanctioned. Therefore, Marinette you will be suspended with pay for one week and when you return we will discuss your next placement."

"That's not fair." Adrien snapped and Marinette echoed him.

"Fair?" Gabriel demanded his words practically dripping with fury, "You were warned the last time you did an unsanctioned run that next time could result in your expulsion from this precinct Marinette. The only reason why that isn't coming to pass is because you are being lauded as a hero and the mayor would cause a fuss if I took your badge permanently."

"Gabriel there wasn't a choice!" Marinette snapped

"There is always a choice Marinette. You just didn't want to share in the glory." Roger sneered gleefully.

"Shut up you arrogant fool the adults are talking." Marinette snapped turning her ire on him so fast that Roger sidestepped a little even though Adrien was between them, "And by the way there is no glory in saving someone who needs to be saved. It's our god-damned job to save people, try remembering that once in a while."

"Enough Marinette." Gabriel barked

"No, it's not enough." Marinette snarled jabbing a finger at Roger "The only thing I have heard out of Roger's mouth this whole time is him whining about the glory of rescuing Chloe being taken from him, like child who's had a toy taken away. He couldn't even do his job properly to know that Chloe wasn't even at the Warehouse. He is lazy, selfish-"

"Two weeks." Gabriel hissed cutting Marinette off so suddenly that her jaw simply dropped open.

"Father!" Adrien cried causing Gabriel to glare at him.

"Do you want me to make it three Adrien? Or perhaps three weeks with no pay?" Gabriel growled, letting the silence stretch out as Marinette and Adrien seemed to struggle with themselves.

"No sir." Marinette and Adrien finally ground out even as Marinette balled her fists to keep herself from shaking.

Gabriel loomed behind his desk, his cold gaze flicking between the three of them. "Clearly some rearrangements are needed. Marinette do you feel Adrien is ready for a partner or at least ready to take on a real case assignment?"

Marinette flinched in surprise because out of anything Gabriel could have said next THAT was definitely not it. "Of course he is ready. I would have never let him come with me if I hadn't thought him ready."

Gabriel nodded once, "Very well. Adrien your partner will be Roger for the foreseeable future. I expect you two to get over your differences and work as a team. Marinette, since you are now suspended for two weeks you will hand over the Hawkmoth case over to Adrien and Roger. It cannot be left on standby for that long since the gang has decided to step from the shadows once more. You have the rest of the day to finish and collect your things Marinette, then I don't want to see you in this precinct unless you are specifically called in."

The words leaving Gabriels mouth were precise and left no room for refusal. Dead silence filled the void left by Gabriel's words until Marinette weakly managed, "Sir you cannot be serious."

Before Gabriel could say anything Roger busted out laughing. "Looks like I'm gonna come out ahead even though you tried your best knock me out of the loop! I guess I'll be able to teach Adrien here a thing or two. Hopefully you haven't ruined him yet!"

Something like a snarl slipped from Marinette and Adrien turned to the side more than ready to step out of her way to rip Roger apart. Roger suddenly realized the danger he was in and his eyes widened backing a full step back as Marinette turned towards him. Gabriel's hands slammed into the desk making all three of them pause before Marinette could make her move.

"There will be NO altercations in this office. Roger I suggest you leave before Marinette spills your blood on my new carpet." Gabriel advised.

For once Roger took him at his word and sped from the office tail between his legs. Marinette followed him with her eyes until the door snapped shut and then turned her attention to Gabriel ready to lay into him. Before she could Gabriel held up a hand stalling her words before she could make a sound.

"I am serious about those three weeks, and the no pay. Choose your words carefully." Gabriel intoned coldly.

Somehow Marinette managed to hold her tongue and the stone at her waist pulsed soothingly drawing her attention away from Gabriel even though she really just wanted to tell him how wrong he was. The office was silent again and Gabriel let it stretch for several minutes as if he were testing the limits of their patience.

"Marinette you may leave and just know that even though you did well rescuing Chloe I am very disappointed in the way you went about it. This is your final strike. For now you are dismissed and I will see you back in two weeks." Gabriel said

Marinette gave a short nod, not trusting herself to speak as she yanked her badge from her back pocket and laid it on the desk. Gabriel looked strangely pleased since she didn't slam it down but he didn't say a word as she turned away, walking swiftly to the door. Adrien moved to follow her but Gabriel spoke again. "Adrien, a moment."

Marinette didn't pause and to both men's surprise the door closed quietly behind her instead of slamming like expected. Furious at his father's treatment of Marinette, Adrien turned back to him ready to snarl out something that would probably get him suspended too but paused at Gabriel's pensive look. He held Marinette's badge in his hand gazing down at the smooth leather like it would tell him something he desperately needed to know.

"Sir." Adrien prompted wanting to get this whole thing over with.

"You defended her. Had I not threatened her expulsion you would have continued to defend her." Gabriel stated sliding Marinette's badge into a drawer. There was no real inflection in his father's voice but Adrien knew him, could hear the curiosity in his tone.

"Of course I defended her! Your treatment of her especially after she saved Chloe and indirectly saved you is ridiculous!" Adrien hissed throwing caution to the wind.

"This is not a game Adrien. There are consequences to your actions and Marinette clearly accepted those consequences when she moved forward on this run! You are lucky I didn't demand the same price of you!" Gabriel fumed his sudden anger a sharp blade between them, "However, this is your first transgression and even though I know you knew exactly what you were doing I must treat you as if I would treat another of your caliber. You know you got off easy boy. Do not make me rethink my position."

"So you stick me with Roger? Is that my punishment then? Dealing with that womanizing buffoon?" Adrien snarked.

"And who else would you have me pair you with? Marinette?" Gabriel scoffed "Why do you want her as a partner anyways? You have demanded her the second she walked in on your first day!"

"I want her because she is the best. Wasn't it you who always told me to take the best and only the best?" Adrien asked his quiet steady voice just as sharp.

Gabriel actually paused at Adrien's words and eyed him with a strange appraising look in his gaze "Go on."

Adrien hesitated his stone face as Marinette referred to it giving no hint to the shock that was cascading through his mind. Keeping his posture perfect and his gaze steady Adrien spoke again. "Doing that run with her made me realize several things. Marinette can hold her own in a fight against just about anyone no matter their size or weapon, she has unique abilities she uses to her full advantage, and she has an incredibly determined attitude. She is quick, intelligent, and most important of all she can keep up with me which is more than I can say for just about everyone else in this place. You also said it yourself. She is the best detective in this precinct and she isn't intimidated by me or trying to suck up to me because I am your son. In fact mostly she seems to enjoy putting me in my place and teaching me the way this precinct actually works."

"I see." Gabriel said his eyes giving nothing away.

Adrien didn't continue even though his father had given no sign for him to stop. Even though he could go on and on listing Marinettes good points, he had felt Plaggs claws prickle against his chest which meant that Plagg sensed his father had heard enough. Although now that he was still and watching his father closely Adrien could tell he had just barely stopped before he had truly angered Gabriel. It was satisfying to see his father perched on that edge unsure as to which way he wanted to fall. So Adrien waited, the silence in the air between them as tense as a guitar string. Unfortunately, it was always a waiting game when it came to his father and unlike most people who broke under the intensity of his father's gaze, Adrien merely tuned it out having had years of practice.

"I will consider it. For now though you will work with Roger." Gabriel said finally ice lacing his words when Adrien showed no sign of backing down.

Adrien nodded once not letting the sheer fire of jubilation rushing through him show at all. "Sir."

Deciding he'd had enough of defiant children, Gabriel waved his hand in clear dismissal. To his surprise Adrien made no further comments and strode from the room, closing the door behind him without the slightest sound. Natalie was sitting at her desk managing who knows what but there wasn't anyone else there. It surprised Adrien a little to find neither Roger nor Marinette waiting for him outside the office. He had expected one of them to have something to say to him at least. Not that he cared about Roger. In fact he would be happy if he didn't run into him for the rest of his forced partnership. The person he wanted contact with was Marinette but she wasn't anywhere to be seen. Deciding to hunt her down Adrien moved forward knowing better than to sit around outside his father's office. You only did that if you wanted trouble. For now he wanted Marinette so before his loitering was noted he strode off down the hall making his way to a now very familiar office. His pace slowed as he neared Marinette's office his jubilation falling off into a fine simmer as he realized that while he had made his father acknowledge the idea of Marinette being his partner Gabriel had essentially put her on probation and a forced vacation. Sure it was starting tomorrow but Adrien realized that she probably wasn't going to be in the best of moods.

Feeling a bit nervous but not hearing any cursing or the sounds of objects being thrown Adrien poked his head into Marinette's office. It was quiet and her lights were on but her jacket still sat in her chair which most likely meant that she had not yet returned to her office. Brows crinkling Adrien slipped in deciding to wait in case she had gone to the bathroom or something. In the back of his mind a kernel of information niggled at him and instead of sitting Adrien paced the floor. Marinette had been pissed at Gabriels announcements, pissed enough that she had argued her way into a suspension. She had been ordered to finish up today and then she was to not return unless asked for the two weeks that Gabriel had demanded. Then, instead of punishing him as Adrien expected, Gabriel had handed him a partner plus the Hawkmoth case probably infuriating Marinette even further. How she had managed to hold her tongue especially with Roger acting the ass Adrien didn't know. If it had been him in Marinettes position Adrien knew he wouldn't have been able to do the same and there would have been blood on his father's carpet. Either way there was no way he would have been able to return to the office and simply gone back to work.

"She isn't going to come back here is she?" Adrien muttered softly

"She was all contained fury and if Roger had said anything more she might have just mauled him. I would actually be surprised if she returns to her office at all today." Plagg answered then flew out of his pocket since he knew that the office was safe.

"If Marinette didn't come back here where did she go?" Adrien wondered then his he shook his head at his own foolishness. "She went to the gym to blow off steam. That's what I would have done."

Plagg flew in front of Adrien as he started moving towards the door. "Wait you are going to go after her?"

Adrien blinked a little surprised at Plaggs question. "Of course I am. What else would I do?"

"Not get yourself killed. Or beat to a pulp." Plagg snarked "You could let her calm down and let her come to you if she really wants to."

Adrien shook his head having already thought it through. "I didn't defend her when father chewed her out. I didn't stop her in time either to prevent her from being suspended. I know it's not my fault but Marinette might be upset by it. I wasn't acting like the partner I keep claiming to be. If I go to her now maybe I can keep her from blowing up on the completely wrong person. It will be worth a few bruises for that."

Plaggs ears drooped and he shook his head "Kit how many time do you have to be slapped around before you learn to keep your nose out of someone else's business?"

"Till it kills me probably. Are you coming or do you want to remain here?" Adrien asked holding his jacket open slightly in invitation.

Plagg pointed a tiny paw at Adrien his tone resigned "Do not get into a fight with me in your jacket. She is stronger and faster thanks to her stone so unless you want to come out bloody, fight her like you used to fight me."

Adrien rolled his eyes. "Unlike you, she isn't going to have knives strapped to her hands and besides I don't think she will attack me on sight just because she is in a bad mood."

"Go ahead and underestimate her. Your funeral kit." Plagg sniffed and dove into Adrien's jacket to hide.

Adrien shook his head but he also took Plaggs words to heart feeling suddenly grateful that Marinette didn't have her jacket with her. He had witnessed her using it several times now and had no desire to face her pissed off while it was on her. Exiting Marinette's office he headed for the staircase that would take him down to the gym. The moment his feet entered the stairwell he went into stealth mode staying as quiet as possible as he moved towards the gym. He could hear sounds of cursing and thwack of fists hitting something long before he even made it to the gym. With a bit of a wince at the sound of something snapping Adrien turned the corner to find Marinette standing in the center of the room. A staff was in her hand and dummy of some kind was hanging limply before her the inside structure apparently broken.

"Dammit." Marinette snarled tossing the staff before driving her fist into the dummys softer side, plowing the whole thing over.

Realizing Marinette hadn't heard or sensed him Adrien stepped forward ready to catch a face full of fury. "It looks like you need a better target."

Marinette spun around her surprise devolving back into annoyance at his presence. "Go away Adrien I'm not in the mood for company."

"Obviously." Adrien stated moving over to the cubbies and slipping behind the screen that hid them. Once there, he slipped his jacket off and his dress shirt so he was topless. "Do you always snap helpless dummies to pieces when you get this upset?"

"Not everyone can suppress their emotions into a cold block of ice." Marinette retorted her eyes like razorblades as he glanced around the top of the screen while pulling his workout shirt from the cubby before him.

Adrien winced realizing his mistake and ducked back down as he laid his jacket and dress shirt in the cubby, slipping on his workout shirt. This was going to come to a physical fight, he just knew it. Sure he could walk away now and leave her to continue snapping equipment but that wasn't how partnerships were supposed to work.

"The cold block of ice certainly is my thing. You are too vibrant of a person to ever suppress your emotions." Adrien replied coming out from behind the screen ready to face her no matter the pain she inflicted.

His words made Marinette stiffen even though she kicked the dummy hard, making it roll towards the edge of the mat. Adrien withheld a wince. That dummy was weighted so it couldn't easily be toppled much less rolled like it only weighed a few pounds.

Marinette's eyes met his as he lifted a weighted staff from the wall and walked onto the mat. "You really, really don't want to do this Adrien. I'm pissed and in no mood to hold back. I will hurt you."

"As long as you don't break anything I'll be fine. Besides you are far less terrifying without your jacket on." Adrien quipped watching as her eyes darkened.

"Fine." Marinette hissed hooking her toes under the discarded staff on the floor.

In a single fluid movement she kicked it into the air catching the staff in a show of skill that had Adrien wondering if this had been a good idea after all. He didn't have long to think about it though because Marinette was suddenly rushing him the staff flashing down towards his skull. Truly Marinette was pissed and realizing that she would brain him just to prove a point he jammed his staff upwards catching her crosswise. The blow had been a strong one but he managed to halt her forward momentum, pinning the two of them in place for a split second practically nose to nose since Adrien had leaned down.

"Promise when I win you go irritate someone else. Provided you can walk after I suppose." Marinette growled pushing down on her staff, trying to force his further into him.

"Fine, when I win you can tell me who Theo is." Adrien answered twisting his body out from under the staff allowing Marinette to stumble forwards.

As she did he swung out with the end of the staff moving to catch her in the back and hopefully knock her into the ground. Most people would try to windmill their arms to recover their balance possibly even dropping their weapon. Instead of wind milling Marinette went with gravity, allowing herself to curl into the ground. His staff missed completely and somehow in the middle of her tumble Marinette still managed to swing her body around, her feet hooking one of his ankles. Adrien swore as he fell, twisting midair like a cat to prevent himself from landing flat on his back. Landing on his fingertips and toes instead Adrien tossed himself to the right as Marinette's staff came down. The solid thump of the staff hitting the matt left no doubt in his mind that Marinette was fighting for real and that he needed to step up his game.

"Since when are you so good with staffs Princess?" Adrien asked with false cheerfulness, darting to his feet to block another blow directed at his knee this time.

"Just go away Adrien!" Marinette snarled but her movements followed his as he danced around her furious attacks.

It didn't come as much of a surprise that Marinette was good with a staff but her speed, stamina, and strength of her blows were now beyond a normal person. Marinette was holding nothing back unleashing her fury fully onto Adrien who was having a slightly difficult time keeping up without striking back in any way to injure her. So far none of Marinette's heavy blows had struck home as they danced around each other but soon one would and Adrien was not looking forward to the pain. As if on cue Marinette twisted under a feint of his, planted her staff, and kicked out, her two feet slamming into Adrien's chest. The wind whooshed out of his lungs as his feet left the matt and he landed hard flat on his back. Instincts screamed at him and Adrien somehow managed to roll back up to his feet in time to block a blow to his skull. Sweat slid down the side of his face and Marinette fairly shimmered with perspiration as well. Fury still burned in her eyes however even as her chest heaved and he realized she was simply attacking blindly while not controlling her power at all. Marinette should wear out fast fighting like that and then maybe-

"Stay down!" Marinette snarled as Adrien surged fully upright, knocking her back several steps.

"I won't, attack all you want, I will not stay down until you do." Adrien replied evenly as she drove the staff at his lower body aiming for his legs.

Sliding to the side Adrien slanted the staff across his body blocking Marinette's strike and as her momentum drew her into his striking range he torqued the staff out sweeping her feet out from under her. Dropping her staff Marinette twisted like a pretzel landing flat on her back. For a brief second Adrien thought he had her until suddenly her feet were flying into his face as she used what was left of her forward momentum to drive her body upwards off her hands.

With a curse Adrien just barely got his arm up to take the blow instead of his chin and even still it caused his arm to hit his jaw hard enough to see stars for a second. Stumbling back Adrien shook out his now numb arm and head trying to refocus as Marinette landed on her toes. She was all deadly grace as Marinette flicked the staff up off the floor into her hands for the second time that day and Adrien realized he had to make a choice. Foolishly he had been holding back hoping that trading a few blows would be enough to ease her fury so she would just sit down and talk with him. It was obvious to him now that Marinette's anger wasn't really burning off and she probably wasn't going to stop until she ran out of energy or he knocked her out. Fu had once told him that Marinette's fury was a thing to behold when unleashed and like Fu had claimed Marinette really was dangerous like this. If he had been any other person Adrien knew he would have been on the ground by now either whimpering in pain or unconscious. Shaking his arm one last time Adrien gripped the staff his decision made. Marinette wanted a drop down drag out fight and he was fully prepared to give her one. Part of him wished he were in costume so the blows wouldn't hurt quite as bad but it was only fair since Marinette didn't have a Kwami or costume to buffer the blows he struck.

Marinette's eyes narrowed at him, sensing the change in his body language. "Bring it on sunshine."

For the first time in the fight Adrien charged at her, wielding the staff like a rapier as he struck at the pressure points in Marinette's upper torso. Bending out of the way Marinette smashed the end of her staff into his jolting it out of his hand before planting the other end so she could slam a kick into his side. Dropping his elbow Adrien protected his exposed ribs and took the blow. In most people the blow would have been enough to force them to stumble to the side, or even knock them over but Adrien had known what was coming and dropped his center of gravity so that it wouldn't knock him back into next week. Suddenly he was in Marinette's space and he slammed his empty hand forward landing his first blow into the side of her rib cage. The air whooshed out of Marinette as she was knocked back into the mat and she rolled bringing her staff up into a blocking position as Adrien bore down with his reclaimed staff. The two weapons crashed together creaking under the strain and for the first time Marinette wasn't so sure she was going to win. She was in a bad position barely on her knees with Adrien above her bearing down and using his strength to try and pin her. He was close enough for her to feel his breath as he panted in time with hers and Marinette decided a rather stupid gamble was in order. Dropping to her butt Marinette rolled back dragging Adrien forward and down as she folded under him. As Adrien's staff slammed into the mat next to her head she kicked out of her ball catching Adrien in the chest and throwing him over her body.

Pushing up to her knees Marinette could literally feel her fury abating as Adrien hit the mat, rolled, and popped up to his feet managing to hold onto his staff the entire time. Swiftly turning Adrien leveled the staff at her then raised an eyebrow as he realized she hadn't moved.

"Are you… back… in control?" Adrien panted easing into a more secure position.

Planting her staff Marinette flowed to her feet before pointing her staff at Adrien again. Technically yes her fury had abated enough that she no longer wanted to brain him or go hunt Roger down so she could turn him black and blue. However she was still plenty pissed and the best way for her to deal with her anger was exactly what they were doing.

"Keep going." Marinette managed and threw herself forward.

Their staffs collided with an impressive crack and now that Marinette was no longer trying to grievously wound him she realized just how much Adrien was trying to hold back on her. Instead of infuriating her it made her curious and as she disengaged she decided to see just how fast Adrien could move. They traded rapid blows back and forth with Marinette throwing random kicks and punches as she wove through Adrien's defenses. Even though he didn't appear to be built like a tank, Adrien was a solid layer of muscle and he could take her hits in stride. His own blows were impressive, just shy of brutal, and Marinette knew that she would have more than one bruise to show for this battle. One such jab sent Marinette stumbling back off balance and as Adrien charged she threw herself into a controlled tumble kicking up backwards to see if the same trick would work twice. At the last second he saw the kick coming and with the reflexes of a cat managed to completely change directions. He avoided the blow, landing on his toes several feet away from Marinette who came to her feet as well. They were both panting hard neither really willing to back down although both of their bodies were smarting at this point. Deciding a final rush was in order Marinette shot forward, kicking off the ground with the staff she gained several feet of air to drive up her power for what was basically a final blow.

Seeming to recognize it as a last attack Adrien brought his staff up to block instead of dodging and the staffs connected sharply with Adrien managing to hold his position. Unfortunately, the weapons they were using were not made to hold up against the kind of strength the two of them were wielding and as Marinette's feet descended to the floor Adrien's staff snapped in half. Eyes going wide Adrien reacted faster than Marinette was able, twisting out of the way of the end of her staff while kicking out as he did so. The blow caught her in the ribs sending her flying several feet to the side before she slammed home into the mats.

"Dammit." Adrien snarled darting to her side as Marinette rolled over onto her back, the fight having been literally kicked out of her.

"Don't." Marinette snapped raising the end of her weapon so that it prevented Adrien from coming any closer.

Instantly Adrien drew the broken pieces of staff across his chest in a protective measure but Marinette let her staff and head fall back to the mat as she said. "I lose."

Adrien froze in place unsure that he had heard her correctly even as she threw her one arm across her face curling the other arm around her ribs. "Are you… sure… Marinette?" Adrien asked catching his breath.

A silent nod was his answer and Adrien blew out a breath before collapsing to the mat with a groan. "Jeez Marinette… you kick like… a horse on steroids."

"Good, your bruises… will match mine then." Marinette snorted not sounding the least bit apologetic.

They both went silent as they regained their air and Adrien flopped back to the mats taking a mental assessment of the damage he had taken. Things were… bruised. His whole chest throbbed as did his right arm since she had managed to land a lucky blow to the bicep plus the kick. Nothing felt broken although it hurt to draw in a deep breath and it made him wonder if Marinette was ok. He had gotten in several blows of his own especially when he stopped holding back on his power so much and just fought like he should have from the start.

"How bad are you injured?" Marinette asked her voice a little wobbly.

"I'm merely bruised Princess." Adrien reassured "It will take more than your love taps to put me down."

Marinette huffed not the least bit charmed. "I should have hit you harder."

Adrien couldn't help but chuckle, sitting up with a wince as he did so. "Next time Princess."

A bit surprised Marinette lifted her one arm over her eyes slightly to stare at him "Will there be a next time?"

"Of course there will be a next time Marinette. Anytime you need to spar just ask. I'll be happy to work with you. It's what partners do after all."

"You're not my partner though." Marinette whispered her voice holding a touch of bitterness.

Adrien could hear the pain in it too and unable to just sit there he crawled closer. "Marinette no matter what my Father says I will be your partner. We may need to kill Roger off but I'm sure we can arrange something. Your Whisperers don't like him much either."

"Don't even give them any ideas." Marinette hissed her gaze just shy of a glare

"I have no idea what you're talking about Princess!" Adrien remarked while flashing a bright grin at her. "Besides just think I can be your inside man until I can get my father to change his mind!"

It was supposed to be a light hearted comment. One that should have made Marinette smile or at least scoff but instead she seemed to shut down her one arm falling mostly back across her eyes. It was such a surprise that Adrien froze wondering what in the world he had said wrong. Before he could ask any awkward questions however Marinette spoke, her voice so soft that he scooted even closer to hear her.

"Theo used to say things like that."

Her words had Adrien tensing remembering what he had requested offhand before he had engaged Marinette in battle. "Marinette you don't have to tell me anything." He started only to be cut off as she put a finger to his lips. The touch surprised him a bit since he hadn't realized he had gotten so close and that Marinette had allowed him to.

"You need to know. I should have told you when I confirmed the Akuma are being spawned by someone in the higher levels of the Hawkmoth gang. I just… It will never be the right time."

Marinette pulled her hand away letting it drop to her stomach and Adrien settled at her side bracing himself on his forearms while he waited for Marinette to collect herself.


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