Marinette had received a frantic phone call from her mother at around six o'clock, demanding she come home immediately. The girl had gotten so caught at Madame Jocelyn's shop that she hadn't realized night had fallen. Brushing off Madame Jocelyn's concerned offers to call a taxi, the girl had hurried home under the cover at night. She was wary as she passed dark alleys but soon felt more comfortable once she got to the brightly lit streets.

As she strode purposefully towards the bakery, a dark shadow dropped in front of her, causing Marinette to shriek and leap backwards. The shadow rushed forwards and caught her as she stumbled.

As Marinette lay in the shadow's arms, breathing heavily, she saw a pair of glowing green eyes staring down at her, and heaved a sigh of relief. "Thank god it's you, Chat Noir. You scared the daylights out of me."

He helped her to her feet and bowed. "Nothing could ever take your light, princess."

Marinette chuckled as she tried to slow her heart rate. "Smooth," she said.

He quirked an eyebrow at her. "Of course it was. What are you doing out on your own, anyway?"

Marinette sniffed. "I'm a big girl now, Chat Noir. I can look after myself."

Chat shook his head. "I don't doubt your capability to take care, Marinette. But there are people who wouldn't hesitate to….take advantage of you." He grinned, teeth brilliant in the darkness. "Besides, you're not such a big girl. Aren't you five foot two?"

The bluenette huffed. "We can't all be as tall as you, Chat. Besides, the best things come in small packages, you know."

Chat just smiled. "Of course I know that, princess. Ladybug's a shorty too."

Marinette ignored the shorty comment. "To answer your original question, Chat Noir, I was simply taking a walk to clear my head when I got caught up at a friend's place. My mother called me to tell me to come home."

"A friend's, huh?" Chat leaned against a lamp-post and raised his eyebrow. "What kind of, ahem, friend?"

Marinette swatted at him. "Not that kind of friend, you dumb cat. For your information, she's a sixty-plus-year-old woman who owns a little fabric shop. I'm not having any secret rendezvous with a boy."

"I knew that," said Chat sheepishly. "Anyway, have you seen Ladybug around? I really need to talk to her."

Marinette flinched, then regained her composure. "No, I haven't seen her. You seem awfully serious about it."

"It's life or death." Chat looked so unusually solemn that Marinette got the feeling that he wasn't kidding.

"Well, I'd better be going!" chirped Marinette. "I should have been home by now. I'll tell you if I see Ladybug. Bye, Chat!" She turned and practically ran home, heart pumping.

Chat stared. Had his life-or-death comment scared her? Probably. When the superheroes of Paris were in a life or death situation, people tended to get scared. But Chat couldn't think about Marinette now. He had to find Ladybug before it was too late.

MLBMLBMLB

Marinette paused just long enough for a short conversation with her mother, assuring her that she was fine, and hadn't gotten into any trouble. Then she climbed the stairs two at a time, desperate to get to Tikki. The little pink kwami was dipping anxiously around Marinette's room as her chosen burst in, panting.

"Marinette!" cried the little kwami, rushing over to her. "Chat Noir's been calling nonstop! You should never have left me here, I was so worried! How are you?"

Marinette held up her hand for silence, still panting. "I know, I know," she puffed. "I just ran into Chat, and he said it was a life or death situation. And I'm coping okay. Not akumatised yet," she added jokingly.

"Marinette, this is no laughing matter!" admonished Tikki. "You need to transform and get to Chat right now!"

Marinette closed her eyes, and took a deep breath. "Tikki, spots on!"

MLBMLBMLB

Chat Noir was getting desperate. He'd called Ladybug a dozen times, leaving voicemails that grew increasingly panicked. He'd asked everyone he'd seen, the question leaving his mouth before he'd even landed in front of the civilians.

Have you seen Ladybug?

They would look baffled, or surprised, and always say no. Chat would disappear to ask another person before the person could ask any questions. Every time he approached a new Parisian, there was a small flicker of hope in his heart, and every time that little flame was extinguished, ready for him to light another one.

But the light was dimming with each 'no'. No one had seen Ladybug. What if something terrible had happened? What if she'd been akumatised, and was lying helpless before Hawkmoth, bleeding and in pain as he forced her to give up her miraculous? What if she...wasn't even living? Ladybug would never give up her miraculous to Hawkmoth, even if it meant pain and suffering. Except if it put her loved ones in danger….

But if Hawkmoth didn't use her family and friends, and just used torture, then Ladybug would be dead. She would never, ever willingly give up her earrings. Hawkmoth would have to kill her to take them from her.

Chat choked back a sob as he imagined his Lady lying at Hawkmoth's feet, covered in blood and not breathing as the villian rached own to take her earrings. She couldn't die! He loved her too much, and he wouldn't be able to live without her. Even if her miraculous was recovered, Chat wouldn't be able to bear having a different Ladybug at his side, no matter what.

He tried to shake those horrible thoughts and images from his head, but the more he tried to escape, the harder it was, like his thoughts were some kind of giant Chinese finger trap.

He had to think. He had to find a way to get to Ladybug. But how?

He needed to make sure everyone in Paris knew that Chat Noir was looking for his partner. He had to find some way of broadcasting it to the city. The more he thought about it, the easier it was to forget the possibilities that tormented him.

Not wanting to waste even a second, the superhero began to run, using his baton to propel himself forwards, until he was positioned in front of a familiar building, one he'd visited a handful of times with his friends, usually Nino. Swinging over to one of the balconies, he knocked on the glass sliding door. Curtains stretched across the glass, but there was a brightness around the edges of the material, coming from an inside source of light.

The curtains twitched after several moments, and a bespectacled face peeked out at him, mouth falling open in shock as the girl realised exactly who was knocking on her door.

"Chat Noir!" Alya flung open the door. "Come in, you must be cold. Is everything okay?"

Chat stepped into the warmth gratefully, looking around her room. He'd been there several times before, and it was exactly the kind of thing one would've expected. Books, technology, maps and a massive desk were key features in the space; perfect for the blogger. Alya's computer was on, displaying a website that Chat visited often- the Ladyblog, Alya's pride and joy and possibly the solution to Chat's problem.

Alya stared at him, waiting. It was then that Chat realised she'd asked him a question. "Well, no, everything's not okay."

Alya peered at him. "What do you mean?" she asked. "And where's Ladybug?"

"That's just it," said Chat hopelessly. "I have no idea. And I really, really need to see her."

Alya looked solemn. "And you want me to put it on the Ladyblog, so that she can see it."

"Yeah. Well, that's if she can see it…"

The flannel-wearing girl turned to her computer and began punching commands into the keyboard. Soon, a message box had popped up on the screen, ready for someone to start typing. Alya moved to the side and motioned for him to start writing. "Be my guest."

Chat began typing furiously, not bothering to check his grammar. Once he had finished, Alya moved in and quickly fixed up his spelling and punctuation errors. Chat expected her to crack a joke about it, but Alya seemed to have gotten the message that this was actually a really serious situation.

"So, why exactly do you need to find Ladybug?" she asked, uploading the message. "I swear I won't tell anyone."

Chat sighed. He trusted Alya, he really did, but this was difficult to explain to a civilian. "It's complicated."

Alya folded her arms across her chest. "Try me," she shot back.

"Long story short, she might be akumatized and possibly even d-dead. If Hawkmoth has her under his control, well….cue the doomsday music." He felt tears began to prick at his eyes, and forced them back. Superheroes didn't cry. They had to stay strong, always.

Alya looked both shocked and horrified at the same time, and also faintly ill. "How horrible. Chat Noir, you have to believe in Ladybug. She's brave and strong. She'll fight this."

"Of course she will," replied Chat. "But if she was akumatized, then it's all my fault."

Alya now looked extremely sorry for him. "Chat, you need to pay the TV station a visit. Get them to broadcast this. I'm sure they'll help. Everyone loves you and Ladybug."

MLBMLBMLB

Nadja Chamack was just finishing her catchphrase when the studio door flew open, and a person dressed in black barrelled in. At first she was terrified, but then realised that she had been graced with the presence of one of Paris' own superheroes.

Moments later, said superhero was standing right in front of the camera, spotlight now on him as his message was broadcasted across the city.

"People of Paris, this is Chat Noir. I need your help urgently. If any of you see my partner, Ladybug, at any time, please tell her to come to the Eiffel Tower immediately. While I can't go into details for many reasons, I can tell you that this is of the utmost importance. And Ladybug, if you're watching this, please come immediately. Thank you, Parisians, and goodnight." Chat finished and quickly moved away, allowing the cameras to swing over to Nadja Chamack, who continued going through the evening news.

One of the technicians put a hand on Chat Noir's shoulder. "Are you all right, sir? Is there anything I can get you?"

Chat shook his head and offered a tired smile. "No, thanks. I'll be heading off now. Thanks for everything."

Outside, as he headed towards the tower, Chat checked his baton, and tried calling Ladybug again, and as the call went to voicemail his hopeful flicker died once more.

MLBMLBMLB

Ladybug checked her yo-yo before she swung off her balcony. No less than twelve missed calls from Chat Noir, with a voice message to accompany each one. There was also a Ladyblog update alert, and a news alert. After a moment's hesitation, Ladybug tapped on the first of her partner's messages. There was a beep, and Chat's familiar voice came through, sounding slightly desperate. "Ladybug, call me back ASAP. I need to know that you're okay."

Biting her lip, the superhero then looked at the Ladyblog update. It was a single message, titled 'IMPORTANT!'

'To everyone who is on this site, this is a message from Chat Noir. I am urgently seeking out my partner, Ladybug. If you know where she is, or have any information on her whereabouts, please tell her to call me immediately. Ladybug, if you're reading this, meet me at our usual spot. This is a serious situation. Thank you.'

Ladybug flipped the yo-yo closed, very aware of the mess laid out in front f her. Something was very, very wrong. And she intended to find out. Flicking her wrist, she cast her yo=yo as far away as she could, and tugged. As the wind whipped her face and she danced over rooftops, she wondered what she was going to say to Chat Noir.

MLBMLBMLB

Chat Noir paced the beam of the Eiffel Tower, muttering a prayer his mother had taught him over and over again. He hoped with all his heart that Ladybug was safe, that she had gotten his messages, that she was on her way here.

But he didn't know, and it was killing him. She wasn't answering his calls, and no one seemed to have any news. He hated being like this, so helpless when his lady's life was in danger.

Then he heard a sound that filled him with joy.

Never in his life had Chat Noir been so happy to hear someone say his name. Never in his life had he felt so many emotions tangle up inside him. Never in his life had he felt so hopeful.

He turned around, and raced forwards. Ladybug stood a few meters away from him, concern etched into her perfect features as she tied her yo-yo around her waist. Chat crushed her in a hug, holding her so tight that she could barely breath.

"Chat- Noir," she gasped, "You're crushing me."

He released her, and she massaged her ribs. "What's going on?"

Chat Noir forgot that superheroes never cried.

Ladybug stared at him in shock as a tear trickled down his face and he tried to brush it away. Then she stopped staring, and simply hugged him.

She was small, but so warm and comforting. She didn't care that her shoulder have getting wet from his tears, or that her partner was crying right in front of her. It only made Chat love her even more.

When he'd calmed down enough to speak properly, she asked again. "What's going on? Why were you so desperate to contact me?"

Chat had to think before he replied. "It's a long story. Basically, my kwami started to attack me today. He got really mad, and said that I'd hurt you really badly… somehow. Started yelling about how miraculous holders can be akumatized. I got scared because if you were akumatized, it would mean disaster. So I tried to contact you, to make sure you were okay. When you didn't pick up, I started imagining all these horrible possibilities. You, dead at Hawkmoth's feet as he took your earrings. You being tortured for your miraculous, and me having to fight you because you were under Hawkmoth's control. I was terrified, Ladybug. I don't think I'd be able to live without you."

There was a look on his partner's face that Chat couldn't quite name. It was the kind of expression people had when they were holding a baby and it smiled, or when they saw a cute puppy.

"Chat…..that's really, really sweet of you. I don't think I could live without you either." Chat got the feeling that she wasn't just being nice. Ladybug was actually telling the truth, and it made Chat feel like he would explode with happiness.

Then Ladybug frowned at him. "There's just one thing I don't understand...why did your kwami think that you had hurt me?"

Yay, another chapter is done! This was actually pretty easy to write, maybe because I just finished reading this really good (but pretty damn sad) book. If you're looking for a really well-written young adult novel, I recommend The Beginning of Everything by Robyn Schneider. I would compare it to a John Green book, as it's the kind that makes you laugh and cry at the same time. It made me cry anyway, but that might just be me being an emotional teenager. Anyway, bye!