After much consideration I have decided that I will be taking a break through the summer to work on DLB and hopefully get the rest of the story details mapped out. There will be one more Chapter after this and then I will see you guys next in August. I hope everyone is doing well out there!
Guest... You are not a bother at all! Always feel free to ask questions! That is how we learn. Roger will be an important piece to the story as we continue but if I tell you his role it wont be as enjoyable. He is a coward though and he doesn't like Marinette because she refuses to put up with his nonsense.
(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?
Awakening
Dinner had been fantastic and Adrien decided that he really needed to do something nice for Marinette's parents when they returned. So far they had invited him to their home twice, and made him feel more welcome in those few hours than his father had his whole adult life. Not to mention they kept feeding him.
"Your parents are amazing Marinette. Is there something I can do for them? Get them something?" Adrien finally asked as they settled onto the couch to play some video games.
Marinette shrugged, handing him a cookie before swallowing a bite of her own. "They don't really need anything…"
Adrien pouted, making Marinette roll her eyes. "Fine… Papa loves puns as you well know, Mama likes glass figurines, and obviously they both like to cook even in their spare time. I know how you are though. Don't go trying to buy them expensive things… gifts only really matter if they come from the heart."
Adrien nodded eagerly, "Don't worry Marinette I totally understand. My Father has gotten me a pen for the past two years on my birthday. Don't ask me why."
At that little tidbit Marinette frowned and made a mental note to do something extra special for Adrien on his birthday. For now she slid onto the couch next to him as he gathered the two controllers. They played for well over an hour battling each other first, (Marinette kicked his butt until Adrien realized he could distract her by whispering sweet words in her ear) then they played co-op to work on their teamwork. They had a blast and eventually Marinette bowed out so she could reply to Alya who had been impatiently texting her for 15 minutes. Relaxing against the armrest, her feet across Adrien's lap, Marinette was enjoying watching Adrien have some fun when her phone buzzed in a very specific pattern. It was Fu's vibration and she quickly glanced at the screen hoping that no one had randomly been injured in the past few hours.
"Oh!" Marinette gasped, jerking upright as she read the message on her screen, "Mime's awake!"
She waved the phone at Adrien who'd paused the game and tried to follow the screen, but was unable to read it due to Marinette's erratic movements. After a moment Adrien grabbed her arm so he could read the message without her waving about. "So Mime wants to talk to us?"
"Well me at least... Do you think he remembers?" Marinette asked nervously.
They had been waiting for Mime to wake up for over a full day since Marinette had healed him the rest of the way, and the lack of response from him had begun to make Marinette nervous. Fu had run tests to determine whether or not Mime was brain dead, and the results had just told them that Mime was in a coma like state. His brain was alive and fine as far as the specialist could tell, but the lack of response from Mime still made her wonder if she really hadn't been in time. After all, the only times she'd connected mentally with another person was when she had purified the two Akuma. Both of those men had died, or been technically dead when it happened.
"Well Fu didn't say what he wanted, only that he needed to see you. Do you want me to come as Chat? I know we talked about it but you didn't really say yes or no."
Cringing because she had purposefully been trying to not think about it, Marinette nodded and swung her legs off Adrien's lap. "Yeah, you should come. You were there after all and Fu has probably already told Mime that you brought him in. If Mime remembers anything odd I kind of like the idea of putting the blame on you."
Adrien grinned happy that Marinette had settled down with their plan. He had noticed that when Marinette was stressed and not able to punch out whatever was stressing her, she tended to rile herself up until she couldn't even think straight. Even though he hadn't been around an incredibly long time, Adrien found that he was getting better at breaking her out of her 'panic spirals' as he called them. They were becoming a real team and they were both getting very good at reading the others' emotions and helping out when they became overwhelming.
Watching Marinette stand and stretch Adrien had to force himself to not reach out and haul her back down onto his lap. He had been incredibly comfortable, content, and he wished that Mime had waited till morning to wake up.
Grumbling under his breath Adrien stood as well then asked, "So do you want to take the rooftops or is someone coming to get us?"
Marinette grinned, her eyes alight, "We can take the rooftops. I've been wanting to see if my jumping ability has improved at all!"
Adrien rolled his eyes, barely suppressing a groan. "Your speed is already off the charts Marinette. Jumping isn't just a speed thing though, it has to do with strength too. You just don't have the power to jump as far as me yet."
"I know…" Marinette interjected, a complaint in her tone. "I'm not going to go crazy or anything. I just want to test myself."
"Oh just let her run Kit." Plagg sniggered from the couch cushions. "Just be sure to get her splatting against a wall on camera so I can watch it later."
"Oh stuff it Plagg." Marinette snapped, not bothered in the least by his barb. From the first day she had taken up Parkour she'd had her share of spectacular spills. A few of which were already caught on film. She also knew that Adrien had his share of spills and so had Plagg when he was alive. Unfortunately, it was all part of the learning process.
Tapping out a return message to Fu Marinette darted into her room to change into running clothes. Adrien on the other hand glanced down at Plagg. "Do you mind? I don't have to run over there costumed."
With a huge yawn Plagg stretched out all his limbs before taking to the air. "Nah let's go see the injured moth. Hopefully he will flip and give us some juicy information."
"Good point. Alright Plagg, Claws Out!" Adrien called.
Green light flashed and a few seconds later Chat Noir stood shivering a little as the suit settled into place like second skin. Slowly Chat stretched as he waited, the power of the suit infusing him with greater flexibility than he had as Adrien.
"You know, I don't think I am going to get used to that anytime soon." Marinette called from her doorway as she pulled her hair back into pigtails.
Coming upright, Chat grinned, "The flexibility or the suit My Lady?"
Marinette blinked, a light blush flashing across her cheekbones as she thought about how good he'd looked while stretching. "Uh both… Let's uh… Let's get moving."
Bending into an ironic bow Chat said "After you."
This time Marinette rolled her eyes and she strode past him as she headed for her skylight.
Their run across the rooftops was uneventful and the two of them dropped down into an alley 15 minutes later, making little noise as they approached the door they needed. The door itself had been painted to look like the wall and since it had no hinges it blended seamlessly with said wall. Unless Chat was to cataclysm it they would have to wait to be let in, especially since the door was locked from the inside. Marinette had texted Fu as they walked up so they only had to wait a few moments before a woman dressed in scrubs opened the door to let them in.
"This way please." She softly said and moved off down the hall expecting them to follow.
Chat shut the door behind them as Marinette followed the nurse. Catching up quickly Chat remained Marinette's silent shadow until the woman stopped at a seemingly random door.
"Thank you." Chat said as he opened the door, allowing Marinette to enter first.
The woman inclined her head before moving off and Chat followed in Marinette's footsteps, the door swinging closed on its own behind them.
Mime was sitting upright in the hospital style bed frowning at Fu who was speaking to him in a low voice. As Marinette moved to his side, Chat decided to remain a background figure and slunk a little further into the shadows that hung about the edges of the room.
"Mime" Marinette greeted her voice warm and gentle, "How are you?"
"Alive… somehow…" Mime answered, his voice a little husky as he instinctively rubbed at his neck.
"I will leave you two to speak." Fu said, backing away, "We can continue discussing options later."
"Thank you Fu. I know you didn't have to do any of this. It seems I owe you a debt." Mime called to Fu's retreating back.
Fu simply raised a hand before exiting the room leaving Marinette, Mime, and Chat alone.
"Are you really ok Mime?" Marinette asked, her worry obvious as she inched closer.
Looking at Marinette he rubbed his throat again. "I… I don't know. I should be dead. I know I should be dead. Fu tried to feed me some nonsense about nightmares and concussions but I remember… That bastard slit my throat as the other one laughed. I managed to nail the one holding me one last time and I remember trying to put pressure on the wound… I was going to die though. I knew I was going to die and then you came."
Marinette's breath caught. Mime remembered. He remembered her arriving and she had to force herself not to panic, to remain silent as he continued.
"There… there was someone with you when you got there and then… my memory goes a little haywire... but, Marinette… I shouldn't be alive… I am your enemy… What did you have to do… What price did you have to pay to... to save me?"
"P-price?" Marinette stuttered, not really understanding Mime's question.
"Yes Marinette price… debt. It's all the same. What did you offer to save my life? Who did you offer it to? I know I was as good as dead and yet I am alive, damn near fully healed and it's only been a few days. It's not possible to heal this fast. Please… This city needs you. You are too good of a person to throw your life away for someone like me. Tell me who you owe... I must set this right." Mime sounded desperate for an answer but Marinette had no idea what to say.
It seemed like Mime remembered her being present but didn't remember that she had been the one to heal him. Instead he seemed to think that she had cut a deal with someone to save his life and now he wanted to know what she had traded to keep him alive.
"I… I-it's not that simple…" Marinette managed feeling the slightest touch of panic. She and Adrien had discussed numerous outcomes of Mime waking but this wasn't one of the outcomes they had guessed at. Most of her plans hinged on accusations or confrontations. She'd never expected to be faced with this sort of desperation.
Mime scoffed, "Whatever it is they took from you I fully intend to get it back. If it's servitude so be it. I will not have you indebted to someone because of me."
"She owes no debt." Chat rumbled from the shadows, his green eyes alight.
Mime gave an involuntary shudder, realizing for the first time that Chat was present. "You… you were there too… How can Marinette not owe a debt?"
Chat snorted, "Marinette has saved my life and has helped the one who healed you. She owes nothing. You however… you owe Marinette everything. The energy needed to save your life had to come from somewhere. Marinette volunteered. You're one lucky little moth."
Mime looked from Chat to Marinette who looked more worried than anything. "That's why… How is this possible?"
"You can't know." Marinette stated, even as she got the oddest sense of dejavu.
Mime seemed to feel it too since he went silent for a long moment, his gaze bouncing from Chat to Marinette, "I...I don't know what's going on… I don't really understand how I am alive. I am though and I seem to owe you a great debt Marinette. I owe you more than my life, how can I ever repay you?"
Marinette took a deep breath and slowly let it out. It was time to lay down her cards, her demands and she wondered if Mime would even consider what she was about to ask. "I need to know everything you know about the Hawkmoth Gang Mime. Anything that is going on within the Hawkmoth Gang, numbers, alliances, people in charge, shell companies, anything I can use to shut the gang down. Your leader needs to be taken down before he becomes even more erratic. His little stunt with the Zone has set off a domino effect through the gangs in the city. Attacks are already starting as the other gangs go on alert, some gangs are shifting their alliances… it's becoming a giant mess. Why were you attacked and why was the Zone attacked? Do you have any idea what your leader is doing or thinking? Or do you know where or how they might be making Akuma? I know you didn't know about the Akuma being made by the Hawkmoth gang until I told you but… Have you found anything useful out?"
"I can't…" Mime started, then broke off making a frustrated sound, "If you had asked me for this information two months ago I could have given you everything with full confidence… Now the best I can give you is guesswork. I don't even know the exact reason I was targeted by my own gang. Although, technically I have several strikes against me at this point."
"Strikes?" Chat hissed, "What is this, baseball?"
"Chat I don't think that's what he is saying." Marinette placated, "What counts as strikes Mime?"
"I voted against Hawkmoth. I was helping people out of gang life where I could… I-I became your friend… of sorts. You saved me from the one Akuma…" Mime froze realization dawning, "Damn I still owe you for that too… Just call me your indentured servant Marinette, Hawkmoth has utterly lost my loyalty."
Marinette chuckled, "Sorry if my presence caused you to lose your standing but I still need to know what you know."
"Any information is useful Mime." Chat persisted, "So you can't tell me that you have nothing. I won't believe it. You are too good of a fighter and you are too visible of a person within the Hawkmoth gang to be a simple, lowly thug."
Mime rubbed at his throat again all the while keeping an nervous eye on Chat who had slunk closer. "You are correct Chat. I am not a lowly thug but neither am I in the higher ranks. I chose to remain out of the higher ranks because those people have a tendency to… disappear when they become too popular. I also knew I could help more teens and people like me if I remained outside the ranks. Technically I am a simple accountant but because I have been a part of the Hawkmoth gang for so long I know a lot more. That knowledge usually made me an asset but it no longer does. Hawkmoth's plans have shifted suddenly leaving many of us in the dark. Then for the past two months all the people I trusted within the gang have gone missing or turned up dead as an Akuma."
"Which means they are probably all dead." Marinette stated understanding dawning. "Your group, they were people from the old Hawkmoth gang weren't they… You all had a gang within a gang, a faction, and you kept the balance of power between you and your leader."
Mime gaped at Marinette, shocked that she had grasped what he and his people had been doing so quickly. "Yes… we were the counterbalance. Now though… that counter balance is gone. Whoever our leader is, he now has utter dominion."
Marinette blew out a frustrated breath, "Why didn't they ask for help? Why didn't you?! Like you said, we are friends of a sort..."
Mime shrugged, his face starting to show exhaustion, "We all have too much blood on our hands Marinette. None of us were worth saving and the few who are left have scattered. I stayed to try and attone for the things I have done. It's taken time to get members safely out who didn't actually want to be in the gang but were forced to. It wasn't hard to see the shift happening but none of us wanted to believe it. When you gave me your warning I passed it along, but it was already too late I think. I never even knew the attack on the Zone was coming until it happened. A group showed up on the rooftop and simply told me that I had outlived my usefulness and that my death had been ordered by Hawkmoth himself. Thank god those idiot kids had left a while earlier. If they had been there…" Mime shook his head. "I fought as hard as I knew how. Even incorporated some of your moves Marinette. I managed to get the alert off for the rest of the Zone and then… I went down. I should have stayed down."
Marinette could practically feel Mime's pain and she reached out to put a comforting hand on his shoulder. Mime flinched under her touch but he looked up at her with renewed determination.
"My information may not be good but I know where you might be able to steal good intel." Mime confided. "I know of an office where they have all sorts of documents and electronic data stored. I came across the location by accident and when people started to vanish I checked into it in case I needed the insurance."
"Tell us." Chat ordered, his voice practically a growl. "We will go collect what we need."
Mime shook his head. "I'll have to go with you."
"Absolutely not." Marinette snapped, she could keep up with Chat if something happened, Mime wouldn't stand a chance.
Mime raised an eyebrow at her, "I have to go. You don't even know what you are looking for. The files are hidden in plain sight amongst thousands of other files and things. It would take you a week to even locate Hawkmoth centered files."
Marinette frowned, "You said there was electronic stuff though. We could just steal the computer or the data."
"You could but they will know they have a breach and could possibly destroy the data remotely. Or at least corrupt it. Plus they don't store everything electronically." Mime admitted, "Look, I promise I need to come to at least get you into the computer data. I know passwords and backdoors into most Hawkmoth files. I can make sure they will never know the data has been compromised until it's too late. Give me a day and we can go after the data then. I will get you everything you need to take down the Hawkmoth gang… Financially at least."
"I don't know Mime…" Marinette said hesitantly, not liking the idea of him being up and running around so soon. "You won't be rested enough to pull something by tomorrow night. The earliest will have to be the day after tomorrow."
"If he does come Marinette, you cannot." Chat stated his tone so absolute that Marinette turned to him in surprise.
"Excuse me?" She hissed, and Mime cringed under her hand. It had clamped down on his shoulder at Chats words and it was just a hair past comfortable pressure.
Chat was not intimidated, "I can only carry one person on top of a bunch of documents and computer stuff. If this idea goes to hell in a handbasket I'm going to have to move fast and I don't think you will forgive me if I leave him behind to die."
What Chat didn't say was that if this was somehow an elaborate trap, only one of them should get caught. The last thing he wanted was for Marinette to get injured because he couldn't protect her fast enough.
"Then you stay behind and I'll go!" Marinette snarled, furious at Chat for having even brought this up.
"Weapon proof suit My Lady…" Chat hummed satisfied with the way this conversation was going.
Marinette palmed one of her weights tossing it lightly in the air making Chat freeze. "Want to test that theory Kitty?"
Chat's ears went flat in worry but before things could escalate Mime broke in, patting the hand on his shoulder in the hopes she would release him. "Marinette, forgive me but Chat has a point… The fewer people the better for this at least and I think Chat's skills as a burglar will be better suited than yours as a detective."
His logic was sound and Marinette couldn't think of a single reason to refute him except for the fact that she really, really wanted to go. Letting other people walk into danger, trusting them to get what she needed… Marinette wasn't used to letting people get this close. At least not since Tiki. Sliding the weight back into its proper position Marinette returned her focus to Mime who winced.
"Fine…" She hissed in exasperation releasing his shoulder, "But you are telling me the location of this information gold mine and if it's in a dangerous area…"
Mime shook his head, "It's in an office building not even located in Hawkmoth territory. The place has only the most basic security and no guards. It's why no one has ever suspected it. We can be in and out of the building in 30-40 minutes with enough information for you to take apart the Hawkmoth gang piece by tiny piece."
"Now that sounds too good to be true." Chat muttered, shutting up as Marinette tossed a glare in his direction. Hiding his wince, Chat realized that she wasn't going to forgive him for essentially cutting her out of a raid-like mission. He remembered her reaction the last time he'd suggested they split up and Chat realized he would have to pull a little damage control once they were out of Mimes hearing range.
"Talk Mime. While you rest I will discreetly inquire about this area and when you are ready in two days Chat and I will have everything planned out." Marinette grouched, deeply unhappy about being left out.
Mime started talking and Marinette took notes on her phone as Chat slunk back and forth across the room. Fu came in as Mime was finishing up and he frowned as he approached the bed.
"I hope you are not planning anything strenuous for tomorrow."
"No he has two days to rest and if Mime's information is correct the most strenuous thing he will have to do is walk a block and climb a ladder." Marinette answered as she saved what she had typed out and stuffed her phone into her pocket.
Fu chuckled his gaze warm, "Already planning on stirring up more trouble Marinette?"
To his surprise Marinette pouted, crossing her arms and Chat was the one to answer in her stead. "This mission only needs two and since I am the better burglar, Mime gets to play with me… Marinette is a little salty."
"I'm going to kick your ass Chat. Literally and figuratively." Marinette stated shortly, moving away from Mime to walk over to where Chat stood in the shadows once more. He had moved there the second Fu came in. The room was a bit small with three extra people standing around and he hadn't wanted to be in the way. Besides this way Marinette was out of arm's reach so he was able to get his digs in.
"Any time My Lady." Chat hummed, his voice tinged with laughter. He cut himself off as Marinette stomped towards him. With a yip he dove for the door but he laughed as Marinette called "Coward!" After him.
Turning Marinette inclined her head at Fu. "Thank you for contacting me and for helping Mime. I'm going to work up a plan with Chat to pull off this infiltration and we shall see if Mime is capable in two days. Whatever information we manage to get… would you mind helping us look it over? If we can get all the information Mime here is promising your teams will be able bring Hawkmoth to its knees far faster than we'd ever hoped."
Fu nodded, "I would love to be a part of this process. Have a good evening and try not to be too harsh with your kitten. He only wishes to protect you."
Marinette rolled her eyes, "Fine, I won't kill him till after we get the information. Have a good night Fu, and Mime? I'm glad you are awake and well. Rest easy because you have quite the daunting task to complete in two days."
With that slightly ominous warning, Marinette walked out of the room, leaving Mime in Fu's very capable hands.
Mime simply watched her walk out, awe in his gaze. "She has tamed him."
Fu chuckled, "Marinette has a gift. She can turn the worst of enemies into friends because she treats everyone as something precious."
"She makes people feel safe." Mime said quietly. "I had noticed that about her when I started running at the Zone. She draws people to her and makes them want to be better. You know, that's one of the main reasons Hawkmoth wants her gone. She is one of the few people that could single handedly tear apart his regime by simply existing. The fact that she has the intelligence and skills to back her up makes her dangerous enough for Hawkmoth to target. To kill."
"They have tried and failed." Fu said somberly, "Their failure has cut at Marinette but it has also allowed for hidden powers to come to fruition. The city is changing Mime."
"War?" Mime asked in hushed tones, as if he were afraid that asking such a question would make it real.
"Inevitable. There are worse things than a simple gang war though." Fu answered cryptically. "Do not worry about such problems. They are in the future and the Whisperers have measures in place for when the inevitable happens. Rest Mime. Chat will need you fully functioning in a very short time."
Mime yawned on the tail end of Fu's words. The exhaustion that had been creeping up on him seemed to settle into his very bones now that Marinette had left and he relaxed as Fu let the bed down. Within moments he was asleep and Fu made sure to turn the lights off as he left the room.
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