In seconds Sabine had him pinned to the floor, his arms behind his back. She fastened a pair of handcuffs around his wrist but he wasn't resisting, just lay there looking lost and not saying anything.

Sabine looked up at Marinette from where she had her knee pressed firmly in the small of his back.

"We'll talk when we get home," she said and Marinette had the good sense to look a little contrite. They had left the compound with no warning. But then, it was what she had been given the Miraculous for, wasn't it?

A couple of elves hauled Gabriel to his feet and carted him away. All around them the unconscious kidnapees started to stir, their quiet groans filling the air. Marinette looked around until she found Alya, just sitting up and rubbing her face, her glasses askew.

"Alya!" she cried, running up to her and throwing herself at her best friend. Alya just barely managed to catch Marinette into a hug, the both of them falling onto the floor. Across from them Nino and Adrien were having a similar reunion.

"What happened, girl? Last thing I remember was the alarm. How did we get here?" She looked around at all the people. She patted her pockets and pulled out her phone, already taking pictures. "Where are we? What is this place?" She looked up. "How is there a tree in here?"

Marinette smiled. It seemed Alya was back to normal.

"Well," she said, putting her hand on Alya's phone to get her attention. "You were kidnapped by the Krampus and this is his lair."

"What? No way! Really?" Marinette nodded and Alya looked around again. "So where is he? Where's the Krampus?"

Marinette looked around but Gabriel had already been taken away.

"We got him, Alya. Everyone's safe now."

"Oh man." Alya flopped onto her back, her arms spread out beside her. "I was really hoping to get a look at him. What did he look like?" She pushed her glasses up her nose, giving her laser focus now to Marinette.

"Oh well, you know, pretty much how the stories describe him. Horns, hooves, birch twigs."

"I can't believe I missed it. Where did he keep the elves he kidnapped?"

Marinette pointed to the baskets which were all broken and littered the floor around the base of the tree.

"You were all in those, up in the branches." All around them army elves were starting to lead the victims out of the room, ready to take them home. Sabine came to stand next to Alya and Marinette.

"You two can catch up later," she said, offering a hand to Alya to help her up. She took it and Marinette also got to her feet. "I need to get Alya back now."

They finally made it out of the observation window and there on the roof in all it's glory was Santa's sleigh. In front of it stood two reindeer, stomping their hooves impatiently. There was plenty of space for everyone and attached to the back was an enclosed cell. The elves couldn't see inside.

"Is he..?" Alya asked, wide eyed but before Marinette could answer Alya was handed up into the sleigh. Nino was already there waiting for her as was Juleka, Nathanael and all the others who's faces were pinned up at the radio station. There were hugs and tears all round as they were reunited.

Sabine stood now between the sleigh and Adrien and Marinette.

"Well then, you two. I imagine you can find your own way back? We only have enough room for these lot," she indicated the group of elves behind her with a tilt of her head. "And you seem to have got here just fine."

She climbed into the sleigh and grabbed the reins.

"No detours now. I need you to head straight home. There's lots to do and time is running out."

Turning to face the reindeer she shook the reins and they stood to attention.

"Oh and Adrien, Marinette? Good job. I'll see you at home." And with a dash away all they were gone, leaving the two of them in the middle of Paris alone.

Marinette shivered. Tikki and Plagg were completely out of it and she hadn't dressed for the cold weather. Adrien wrapped one arm around her shoulders and she leaned into his warmth.

"It's gonna be a cold ride back to the Pole," he said, looking up at the sky where grey clouds were accumulating, soft white flakes beginning to fall. "This weather really is snow joke!"

Marinette raised an eyebrow at him.

"I noticed this earlier, but you really do like bad puns, huh?"

Adrien smiled. "Hey now, there's snow need to give me the cold shoulder. Chill out. Why don't ice see if there's anything in the house we can wear."

Marinette rolled her eyes.

"If it wasn't so cold out here I would not put up with this but I really do need a coat so that is the only reason I am following you."

"Cool beans," he quipped and she hit him on the arm. He smiled at her again then turned to face the front door. She took his hand and he squeezed it and they went in.

It didn't take long to find what they needed. The house was filled with designer clothes including a full range of winter wear. They donned faux fur coats over thermals and thick, lined boots and when Adrien stepped out of the bathroom as though it was the pages of a magazine.

She blushed, hoping he'd put it down to her being too warm.

Back at the base of the Eiffel tower the bike was still where they left it.

"Think you can get us home, mon Chaton?" she asked him, taking the helmets out of the storage box and handing him his. He took it and shot her a cocky grin.

"Snow place like it." And he laughed as she groaned.

He kick-started the engine and she held on tight and together they flew back to the North Pole.

A/N Thank you so much to everyone who has enjoyed my story so far and especially those who have commented. You have no idea how happy it makes me. I just wanted to wish you all a very happy Christmas eve eve!