The charity event was going according to plan.

The Ballroom at Le Grande Paris was simply glittering in the soft light of the room! Crystal chandeliers hung opulantly from the ceiling, giving off little prisms of light. Tables were set up all around the makeshift runway, covered in white lace, with gorgeously towering centerpieces of white calla lilies and orchids in tall, slim vases. More vase arrangements could be found at the bar, flanking the dessert table, and at every entrance.

The runway itself was a collapsible stage, with white curtains draping to the floor to cover up the legs, and a small glass podium to one side, which Gabriel had used for announcements.

The mini fashion show had gone off without a hitch, as well as the auctioning off of each individual outfit that had been modelled. The liquor was flowing freely, making wallets even more generous than usual.

But then, everything was going to charity. And most of the guests in attendance were rich, influential people, with money to spare! And it also helped that it was a tax write off as well!

Dinner had been delicious, and the desserts were just being set out by the bakery they had selected- Tom and Sabine's Boulangerie and Pattiserie.

Chloe had thought it was quite comical that his father had requested that particular shop. And she hadn't cared to fill him in as to why. Simply stating, in her usual hauty tone, that if he didn't know by the time the event finished, than he was simply oblivious!

He had given her the middle finger as his response!

He stood on his tip toes in order to search the packed ballroom for any sign of Ladybug. His father would scold him for putting a crease in his leather dress shoes, but he was feeling too rebellious to care these days.

He kept turning a slow circle, finally locating her raven hair at the bar, and he started to make his way towards her.

And just like when he first saw her descend the stairs at his house, he was reminded how absolutely stunning she was! Her expertly styled curls piled high, with tiny ladybug gems scattered throughout, complimenting her ladybug red sheath dress that hugged all of her curves purrfectly! With a slit running up one side to her knee, giving a partial view of her dainty feet in black peep-toe heels. A sweetheart neckline, with black shear straps that flowed over each shoulder to meet in a v between her shoulder blades, before continuing down to her waist.

It was so simplistic, but at the same time, absolutely right.

Her only accessories were her ruby red lipstick, and black onyx earrings with tiny red rubies that he had given her as a gift before they left. For good luck.

Because while she might know her name and profession now, there were still alot of blank holes in her memory that needed to be filled.

She wasn't here in any work capacity, although his father had made mention of her name, since she had designed half of the outfits that were modelled tonight before she disappeared. But ladybug had made no move to stand at the announcement, or draw attention to herself in any way.

Which Adrien could Definately understand!

Now, as he drew up beside her at the bar, and signaled for another cocktail, he found his gaze unwilling to stray from her for too long.

While she was beautiful on any given day, tonight, she was radiantly breathtaking!

He placed a hand at the small of her back, to let her know he was there, and she lifted her face to smile warmly at him, bluebell eyes glittering in the dim lighting.

She lifted her champagne glass to her lips as his cocktail arrived, and ignored it, in favor of watching her sip at the bubbly in her glass.

"I hope your having as much fun as I am," she broke into his thoughts.

And with a sheepish smile, he glanced around quickly, then, "as well as I can, given its almost like work for me. But knowing your enjoying yourself makes it a bit better."

Laughing softly, she grabbed his hand, and slowly started to pull him away from the bar.

"Come on, let's get some dessert! I definately have a sweet tooth!"

He was helpless to resist. Not like he really wanted to. Hearing her laugh always made him a little weak. And she had taken his hand! Was currently threading her fingers with his! It was like, with knowing she had no unremembered boyfriend, she was becoming a bit more touchy feely. And It was the best feeling in the world!!

Plus, sweets!

They threaded their way through the crowd, and stood a bit back from the dessert table, to let the crowd in front of them finish. No reason to be greedy and shove!

Adrien couldn't tear his thoughts away from ladybug. The feel of her small, delicate hand in his. The way she would give a small squeeze every so often, or used the connection to pull a little closer to him when someone else wanted to get by.

And Lord help him, the way her chest brushed up against his arm when she was close was almost torturous! But he thought he was handling it pretty well, given everything.

Then she turned her laughing eyes on him, and he knew. What she had been doing right there, well, all night, honestly, had been intentional. Was that just her way of letting him know it Was ok?

Was he finally allowed to let out every cheesy and korny thing he thought about her?? Because boy, did he had a Stockpile!

He slowly drew her hand that was clasped in his up to his lips and kissed the back of her hand softly.

"I've waited to be able to touch you for weeks, my lady. If we weren't in public now, you wouldn't be able to get away from me." he spoke quietly.

Her eyes continued to dance mischeviously. "Who said I wanted to go anywhere?!"

His breath got stuck in his throat at her admission, and he fought so hard not to hasten to the nearest exit!

"Besides, there were alot of promises made these last few-"

But ladybugs words were cut off by a strangled scream, and an equally strangled "Marinette?!?!"

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Ladybug was started by the harshly called name, and glanced around to see who was calling out to who.

It took a few moments to Realize that- that was her! She was Marinette!

She glanced behind her to spot the culprit, and spotted a bespectacled woman with brown- orange hair, pulled away harshly from her face in a bun on top of her head.

She was dressed in a white button up shirt, black vest, and black pants, with a white apron tied around her waist.

Must be one of the wait staff hired for the event. But then why did the woman look so familiar to her??

No matter how hard she tried to Wrack her brain, she simply couldn't place why.

So instead, she calmy walked towards the woman, asking "Hey, do I know you?"

She felt Chat following close behind her, never having let go of her hand. To which she was extremely grateful.

But the aforementioned woman just continued to gape at her, eyes comically wide and clearly in shock.

And just as ladybug was starting to feel weirded out, the woman finally shook her head.

"Marinette?! Is it really you?!"

With a shrug and glance at Chat, ladybug responded. "I guess? I mean, that's what Chloe told me."

The woman seemed to become even more confused.

"Chloe? Like, Chloe Bourgeois?! Daughter of the Mayor of Paris??"

A quick glance at Chat, she asked quickly, "Chloe's dad is the Mayor?! When was anyone gonna tell me?!"

Chat just laughed and patted her hand gently. "One thing at a time LB. Too much information at once will confuse you."

Well, that made sense then.

She turned back to the new woman.

"I'm sorry, I don't believe you said if i knew you or not? You seem familiar, but i cant place from where?"

"God" the woman groaned, scrubbing her fist against her eyes quickly. "nobody is gonna believe me without just showing them."

She grabbed ladybugs hand then and pulled her aways down the ballroom, to a door that she assumed was the kitchen.

It was bustling with at least half a dozen people. A few piling treats onto trays, another couple decorating desserts and cakes, and a few washing dishes, or heading for the door with full trays.

One woman who was icing a cake looked up as Chat entered the kitchen and called out loudly.

"Adrien! Lovely to see you again! I hope everything is going well out there? I haven't had a chance to go check on it, but Alya there assures me it's running smoothly."

"That's because it is Mrs. Cheng! But that's not why I came back in here! You'll never guess who I found in the ballroom!"

And then ladybug was dragged away from the door and closer to Mrs. Cheng, non to gently.

"Who was that dear?" the older woman asked while piping a line of icing. At the end, she glanced up at Alya, I believe it was said her name was, and the older woman promptly dropped the icing bag on the counter and covered her hands with her mouth.

"Marinette!! Where have you been?!?!"

And then she came rushing out from behind the counter and engulfed ladybug in a huge hug. Mrs. Cheng was a good 6 inches shorter than her. Which was saying something, considering how short Mari was herself!

Ladybug gave a panicked glance in Chats direction, but continued to stand in the woman's arms awkwardly. Chat just shrugged, unsure of what was happening, just as she was.

Giving a weird pat to the older woman's shoulder, "Uh, there there. It's, uh, fine. Everything's fine. But um, can I just ask, who are you?"

Incredulously, Mrs. Cheng drew back.

"But Mari-" Mrs Cheng cut helpself off abruptly. Then glanced at Chat.

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Adrien took pity on Mrs. Cheng, and stepped forward, placing an arm around ladybugs shoulders. She glanced at him gratefully.

"Mari was in some kind of accident, and has amnesia. She has remembered a few things, but not too much. Chloe Bourgeois found her at my house and recognized her, so we know her name is Marinette, but not much else."

"Altho," Mari stepped in, "Alya looks familiar."

Stepping forward, Alya states quietly. "We went to school together since we were 13. You've been my best friend ever since. And you've been missing for the last 2 months!"

Then Mrs. Cheng stepped in. "And I'm your mother, Marinette."