-Present-

As soon as they were both buckled in the car, Adrien leaned over to Marinette. His oaky scent washed over her. "What's going on, who is that bald guy?" His voice was serious as he looked intently at Marinette.

Marinette knew she had to be careful. She was always being watched. She couldn't give anything away. "He's just a creepy neighbor. He's not very nice." Marinette said, not exactly lying. He was creepy and anyone who is willing to follow someone else for a living can't be that good of a person.

Adrien leaned in a little closer. "Is that all? He hasn't… tried anything, has he?" he said carefully.

Marinette blushed and shook her head. "No, no it's nothing like that!"

Adrien still wasn't convinced about the man. The way Marinette tensed around him made him worry. "If you want me to talk to him, I can." He offered.

Marinette smiled. He hasn't changed a bit. Things like this are why she had fallen so hard for him. She couldn't get sucked in again. He was just being nice.

"It's okay. Thanks though." she said softly.

The drive to the venue was quiet as Marinette stared out the window. Adrien kept glancing over wanting to say something but didn't know what he should say. When they arrived Adrien insisted on carrying in the bags for her. Marinette tried to refuse but Adrien was already carrying them up the steps into the building.

Everything was in the process of getting set up, making the venue loud and hectic. Designers were working at their desks sewing last minute adjustments and steaming garments. The stage was getting built, the tables and chairs were being set up, and the sound system was playing electronic club music that could probably be attributed to the younger interns.

As Adrien followed Marinette to her desk, she could feel eyes watching her. Girls pointed and whispered as the famous model, Adrien Agreste, carried her bags for her.

Once Marinette got settled, Adrien excused himself to meet with the other designers to do his final fittings. She watched him go, wanting to watch what a final 'Adrien' fitting looked like first hand. 'Snap out of it!' she thought turning her attention back to her work.

It was hard to focus. The designer's desks were all out in the open, all within viewing distance. She may have stolen a few glimpses of Adrien changing in and out of outfits.

A couple times Adrien would lock eyes with her and smile, causing her blush and look down embarrassed.

Marinette finally got into her rhythm. She had been working for several hours before she got a tap on her shoulder. Expecting to see Adrien she turned already smiling. "So you have missed me," Alex said smugly leaning in for a kiss. Marinette was caught off guard as he planted his lips on hers.

"Alex!" Marinette squealed pulling back covering her mouth. She looked around and met eyes with Adrien who was half dressed in an ensemble from another designer. His expression was one she had never seen before. Was he angry?

Marinette got up and pulled Alex to the changing area and closed the curtain behind them.

"Woah, you were really happy to see me, weren't you?" Alex whispered misunderstanding Marinette's intention. He leaned in to plant another kiss.

"What? Oh no! No! I just wanted to talk!" She said pulling away and quickly realized what this probably looked like to Adrien. God, what a mess.

"I haven't been up front with you Alex. I'm sorry. I don't want this..." Marinette gestured to the both of them, "... to go any further. I'm sorry if I made you think otherwise. I hope you can understand."

Marinette braced for Alex's reaction.

He simply laughed and put his hand on her shoulder. "So, Adrien Agreste stole you away, huh? I should have known when I heard that you guys came in together."

Marinette opened her mouth to protest but Alex put his finger on her lips, shushing her.

"I don't need the details, it'll only hurt me more. I can't compete with an Agreste. Their family is loaded. They are all gifted. I haven't reached my peak but when I do..." He trailed off in his own fantasy.

It took Marinette a lot of restraint not to roll her eyes.

"...anyways, you two are cute together. You have my blessing."

Marinette wanted to correct him but she didn't think he would believe her. "I'm sorry Alex. I hope we can still be friends."

Alex crossed his arms and rubbed his bearded face dramatically. "I don't knowww, I'll consider it."

He paused looking down at Marinette, "I guess if you use me in your next show, I could consider it."

Marinette laughed. She should have guessed as much. "Consider it done."

Alex held open the curtain for Marinette as they left the changing area. Adrien was sitting at her desk staring in their direction. He was wearing a shirt from another designer but had neglected to button it up.

Alex kissed Marinette's cheek. "Go get em tiger," he whispered and he walked away leaving Marinette awkwardly standing there.

Marinette blushed and made her way back to her desk. Adrien stood up as she approached.

"Um, hey." Marinette said leaning against the desk.

"Hey. I just wanted to make sure you were okay... but from the looks of things, I guess you're doing fine." Adrien quipped, nodding his head towards the changing area.

"Oh, I'm fine. I just had to talk to Alex. But we're good now. He thinks you and I are together by the way. In case you start hearing rumors from other models. They love to talk and ..." Marinette was stopped by Adrien suddenly, removing his shirt.

"What are you doing?!" Marinette squealed, quickly turning around while covering her face.

Adrien laughed.

"Marinette, I have yet to try on any of your pieces for me... I'm doing my fitting..." Adrien said. He grabbed her shoulders and slowly turned her to face him.

"Right! I'm s-sorry. I just wasn't ready for t-this, no, I-I mean for you. I mean, a little warning would've been nice!" Marinette felt fifteen again. She was a professional for God's sake! She was around half naked people daily. She wanted to crawl in a hole and die.

"Sorry, would you prefer I use the curtain?" he teased.

Marinette shoved the blonde and laughed. "Shut up, let me grab your set."

Marinette unzipped the black bag hanging from the rack next to her desk. She carefully pulled out a textured grey suit lined with little bits of black velvet first. The second was a light brown peacoat ensemble with a black turtle neck and tailored grey pants. She had drawn these outfits years ago for Adrien. She never thought she'd actually get a chance to bring them to life. She paused looking over her work, making sure everything was how she envisioned.

A warm presence leaned in behind her, pulling her out of her thoughts.

"Is something wrong?" Adrien asked a little too close to her ear. Chills shot down her spine.

"Just making sure it's how I wanted it. Here." She said handing the hangers to Adrien.

Adrien smiled and ran his hand down the length of the suit. "I'm sure they're perfect." He retreated to the changing area, not wanting to startle Marinette again.

Marinette couldn't wait at her desk any longer. She got up and paced in front of the curtain as Adrien got dressed. He was taking too long. He didn't like it or it didn't fit right. She chewed her lips waiting for him to say something like 'it wasn't going to work out.'

"Everything okay in there?" Marinette called.

Silence.

"Adrien?"

Marinette leaned next to the curtain, listening. A hand emerged out of the curtain, grabbing her arm and pulling her inside.

"Hey!" She yelped.

The hand holding her arm tightened. "Quiet girl." The bald man said in a low raspy voice. "I have a message from Hawkmoth."

Marinette ripped her arm away. "Don't touch me. I should scream right now and give you away."

"Go ahead, I'll just have my friends pay your friends a visit." He sneered.

Marinette didn't say anything, She pictured the worst. "What do you want?" She whispered angrily.

"He said to tell you after the show tomorrow... time's up." The bald man didn't wait for a response and disappeared out of the back of the curtain.

What did he mean by 'times up'?

-Past-

Adrien and Nino dropped their bikes outside of Master Fu's house. The door opened as they reached the front steps. " Hurry inside," Master Fu said waving them in.

They made their way into the living room and before Adrien could speak, there was a silver ring in the palm of his hand.

"We must keep this brief. I don't know if she was followed here. We all could be compromised." Master Fu said as he closed the blinds.

"Who? What's going on?" Adrien said in a low voice. "Where's Ladybug? Is she here? Was she able to stop Trou..." The small red earrings sitting on the table made Adrien stop dead in his tracks.

"W-where's Ladybug?" He whispered, gently picking up the earrings.

"Forgive me. I cannot say. In her fight with Trou Noir, her identity was compromised. She decided it would be safest ... to go into hiding. As should we all." He said in a somber tone.

"Compromised?! What happened, how could this have happened?!" Adrien yelled, tears welling in his eyes.

He knew how it happened.

He lied to Marinette. He got her akumatized. He lost his Miraculous during a fight leaving everything on Ladybug to fix, once again.

Why was he so useless? He stared at his ring and her earrings in his hand. " I did this. " Adrien growled. "This is all my fault."

"No Adrien, you cannot blame yourself. Do not loose hope. This is just a set back but time will give us the solution. I have become accustomed to the passing of time, as will you. This is not the end for Ladybug. Or Chat Noir. " Master Fu reached in his pocket and pulled out a note. "She asked me to give this to Chat Noir."

Adrien took the note, placing it in his pocket without looking. Whatever it said, he didn't want to read it in front of the others, fearing he would loose control of his emotions.

"We should leave, dude. If what Master Fu says is true, this is the last place we should be." Nino urged. He slid off his own Miraculous bracelet, handing it over to the old man. "See you soon, little dude" Nino said tipping his hat.

Adrien squeezed the jewelry in his hand. The guilt of the whole situation punched him in the gut. "I'm sorry, Master Fu." Adrien handed over the earrings and turned to leave.

"I have one thing left to do," he said as he put on his ring and ran out of the house.

Marinette sat in the darkness of her room. She felt alone and empty. Tikki's little jewelry box where she slept was vacant. She curled her knees to her chest and ducked her head. Visions of people screaming and running filled her head. She tried to shake them but the flashes of Trou Noir kept coming. Why did she remember it all? Was it because she regained control when she figured out Hawkmoth's true identity?

A small tap came at her trapdoor. Was Hawkmoth coming for her already? Marinette pulled her blanket up to her face. She felt helpless without her Miraculous.

"Marinette! Open up!" A familiar voice called. "Princess, it's me! Please open up, I don't have much time!"

Chat Noir? He shouldn't be here. Marinette quickly made her way over to the door and unlocked it. Chat silently jumped down, neglecting the stairs. "Thanks." he said straightening up.

"What are you doing here Chat?!" Marinette whispered. She was worried but also grateful. She thought she wasn't going to see him again.

"I-I had to make sure you were okay. Everything that happened today, it-it was my fault." he said taking her hands in his.

Marinette looked down at his looked at his gloved hands. She felt terrible. Why was Chat taking responsibility for her? She was the one who lost control. "Don't say that Chat Noir. You did everything you could. I should be apologizing to you. I hurt you and- and took your ring." Tears started rolling down her face.

Chat cupped Marinette's face, using his thumbs to wipe the tears away. "Don't cry, Princess."

Marinette leaned into Chat, wrapping her arms around him and burying her face in his chest. "I'm going to miss you so much." she sobbed into his chest.

"How-how did you know I was leaving?"

Marinette pulled away, looking into Chat's green eyes. "Um, Ladybug. She said you two were going away for a while. She told me not to worry, that there won't be any more akuma attacks."

"Oh. Right. She told you all that? Did she say where she was going?" He asked, a false sense of hope building in his chest.

Marinette wanted to reveal herself right there. She didn't want to say goodbye to her partner. But she had to protect him. "No, I'm sorry Chat."

Chat's shoulders dropped and his face went dark. "I didn't get to say goodbye. I didn't get to tell her..." he turned away, clutching the stair railing.

"Tell her what?" Marinette said. Her heart aching for her partner.

"It doesn't matter now. I should go, I've been here too long." Adrien turned and gave Marinette a pained smile. "So long, Princess." He took her hand and kissed it gently. Then he gave a dramatic bow and activated his baton, launching himself through the trap door and out into the night.