A/N: No excuse…just busy as usual these days.

Enjoy.

Take My Hand

Chapter 7

Marinette stood under the bridge with Tikki, who was floating nearby. Alya was fiddling with Marinette's cell phone, and Nino was keeping an eye out around the surrounding areas, just in case someone came by. It was nearly three thirty in the morning, and the city was mostly asleep. Marinette was sure that Chat Blanc was nearby, but they had agreed to do this as quickly as possible and get out of there before he figured them out. Luckily they were very close to Nino's where they could slip away.

Alya had put on as much makeup on Marinette's face as possible to help hide the claw mark that would no doubt expose her to Chat Blanc. It was still faintly seen, but Alya assured her that Nino or Alya herself could touch that up on the computer to make it impossible to see. Chat Blanc wouldn't be able to see it and put the pieces together.

"Are you sure this will work Tikki?" Marinette asked.

Tikki nodded. "Yes, as long as you use your Lucky Charm, then Miraculous Cure will work."

Her heart raced in her chest as they prepared. Alya got the angle just right, so in the background was just where the Eiffel Tower had once stood. Alya had said it would have a much bigger impact this way. Nino stated that the coast was clear, and so the Marinette turned to Tikki. "Tikki, transform me!"

With a flash of light, Marinette was transformed. Alya let out a delighted squeal as she saw this, having never seen Marinette transform before. Even Nino was gasping and uttered how neat it was. Marinette blushed a little, feeling pretty embarrassed by the sight of her two friends looking on at her as Ladybug. She turned to Alya. "Alright. I'm ready."

Alya gave her a nod and then motioned her, letting her know that the phone was now recording. Marinette took in a deep breath and then began. "I'm here to bring an important message to the people of Paris." She looked at the camera and tried to look as serious and heroic as she did every time she become Ladybug. In reality, she felt fearful of being caught and unsure if her message could have the desired effect. "I want to let all of you know, that I have not forgotten any of you. I'm still here, and I promise I am working on fixing all of this."

She turned slightly to show that she was in an area where the tower had once stood. "The destruction we saw in Paris, is one that I want to personally take responsibility for. I didn't act, and I should have." She positioned herself back to the front of the camera. "I will make this right. I swear to you all."

She now glared at the camera. "Now I want to address Hawkmoth. The man who has sent these Akuma's to take over the innocent people of Paris, who has been creating these villains. You may think that you can use my own partner against me, and you may think that you'll win. You may feel every bit confident about your victory, but I am here to tell you, that you're wrong. You made the wrong move because turning my own partner against me, making him hate me, and the people of Paris, who adore him. Making him believe disgusting lies. In fact, it has just dug your grave."

Ladybug flashed her hand to the camera and revealed Adrien's ring that she was wearing on her costumed hand. She giggled to herself. "And you will never get my miraculous or Chat Noir's. I will protect both with my life."

Marinette took out her yo-yo now and raised it above her head, "Lucky Charm!" A light came forth and a small pink butterfly toy dropped into Marinette's hand. She smiled as she looked at it, and then at the camera. "You thought I was a pain before, you have no idea what I'm capable of. I am a force to be reckoned with."

She grinned at the camera before she threw the doll in the air, and then shouted out. "Miraculous Cure!"

The doll disappeared, and her red light spread through the city. Ladybug grinned at the camera, and then moved, revealing that the once destroyed Eiffel Tower was back in its place. It lit up and sparkled in the background. "Hawkmoth, you better hope that I don't find you, because when I'm through with you, you're going to regret the day you ever heard my name."

She heard her earring beep in her ear, but she still smiled at the camera. "And Chat. I haven't forgotten about you. You and I will meet again very soon." She stepped closer to the camera and knelt down to eye level as if she were kneeling down beside him if he was present. "And I will free you. Just hold on."

Alya cut the camera, and Marinette stood, releasing her transformation. Tikki flew out beside her. Marinette sent her a smile, before opening up her purse and Tikki jumped inside. "He's going to notice that the tower is up again, let's get going. If he sees us he will put two and two together I'm sure."

The group took off, running through the streets. There was no one around, and the three watched the rooftops, but nothing was seen. They made it to his home and they moved inside. Nino escorted them up to his bedroom, where Alya collapsed on the bed. She yawned heavily. "Marinette, how can you stand being up this late…all the time?!"

"Coffee…lots of coffee," she stated.

Nino took a seat at his computer and plugged Marinette's phone into his desktop computer. Plagg who had been hidden under Nino's bed for this venture, came out looking at Marinette with a grin on his face. "Well, I think you'd be happy to hear, Chat Blanc is freaking out."

Alya's face lit up. "Yeah?"

"Yeah, he's running all over near the Eiffel Tower, looking for a sight of Ladybug," Plagg explained. Tikki giggled and looked at Plagg. He had been a lot livelier since Adrien had snapped out of it for that short time. Marinette pulled Adrien's ring from her finger and passed it to Plagg who snatched it up protectively. She had borrowed it just for the video, but she could tell that Plagg was glad to have it back safely with him. The idea was she knew that Hawkmoth would freak out when he saw the ring. He might slip up. Chat Blanc would no doubt become angry, and make mistakes. Much like Pantomime had. If Marinette could get them worked up enough, perhaps she could trap one of them.

Nino was busy working away on editing the video, but he chuckled at any comments that were made. Alya had long fallen asleep on Nino's bed, and Marinette had pulled a chair up with Nino who was almost done brushing up the video himself, having decided to let Alya rest. Marinette and Alya had designed the blog earlier in the evening, and now Nino was uploading it. Marinette was on Nino's phone now, emailing the blog link to as many TV stations as she could. When down, Marinette sighed happily. Glad that it was over.

Nino had made a little bed for himself on the floor, as neither wanted to wake Alya. Marinette climbed into the bed with her friend, and while still in her clothes, decided to fall asleep. The team, all went to sleep, calling it a day. All knowing that when they woke up, the video would be everywhere and would be seen by everyone, including Chat Blanc and Hawkmoth himself.

8 8 8

He had been extra exhausted due to his broken ribs and the bruising. Sleeping on the broken pew wasn't helping matters either. So when it was early morning, hours before the sun would even begin to crack the horizon, he walked over to the open balcony of Notre Dame. When he looked over, his eyes fell over the city that at this point would just be beginning to wake up. The milkmen, the newspapers deliveries, and police shift change. It was not even four in the morning. He brushed his messy hair out of his face and sighed. Another day of hunting would begin shortly.

A flash of light in the distance caught his attention, and his eyes followed to bits of red that moved about the city. His eyes went wide and he froze. And his shock only worsened, when he saw the tower that he had just destroyed a day before, go from its ruined state to its once former glory. Then it lit up.

Only one person ever had that power. "L-Ladybug."

He straightened up and leapt from the balcony to the roofs below. He hurried along the buildings, looking for his enemy. He moved to the tower, searching for the sight of Ladybug. There was nothing. He hissed. "Where the hell are you?" he yelled. He screamed in frustration. She had to be somewhere nearby. She was finally coming out of hiding, and he was going to find her. If he had to flip this city, he would find her.

He told himself that, but as the hours passed, it became obvious to him that she was long gone. He had only become angrier about this. She was a coward in his eyes. A good for nothing coward. It was only until he heard Hawkmoth's voice that he knew something else was up.

"That good for nothing Ladybug made a video last night. She fixed all the destruction you've done, and has declared war on us."

"What are you talking about?"

"Check your staff, her video is all over the media."

So he did just that. It didn't take him long at all to see what Hawkmoth was going on about. All the news outlets were talking about it. It was all over social media and everyone was talking about it.

Chat Blanc felt a sickening feeling in the pit of his stomach. Though he didn't understand was it was. Fear? He didn't think so. He knew he could take Ladybug out every day of the week. She was no match for him. Was it the way she smiled at the camera? She seemed so sure. Did she really not know what she was getting herself into?

He watched the video again, this time zooming in on the ring. His small screen didn't show all the details. It couldn't possibly be his ring. Except there was one thing that stuck out to him. Ladybug didn't know what his ring looked like when he wasn't transformed. This ring was plain and silver. Just like his. His frowned. Plagg had found Ladybug. The little bastard knew where to find her this entire time. He gripped his golden staff and cursed. He would make sure he would give it to the kwami when he got his miraculous back.

Then she knelt down and smiled at the camera. "And Chat. I haven't forgotten about you. You and I will meet again very soon. And I will free you. Just hold on."

He almost threw his staff down in frustration. That pain in the pit of his stomach grew. What was wrong with him? It wasn't nerves. It almost felt like he was…excited? Except it wasn't the type of excitement he expected to feel. He should have been excited to meet her again so he could end her, but this felt like an excitement to see her again. It seemed that the wimp he had been trying to hide away was fighting to come out. He growled. "Don't get so excited," he told himself. "I'm going to rip her to shreds when I see her next. They'll be nothing left when I get my hands on her."

"You better find her. The city is talking about holding a candlelight vigil tonight at the tower. You need to get me these miraculous before then!"

Chat Blanc rolled his eyes. "Yeah, because clearly, I haven't been trying hard enough."

"Don't you dare give me that attitude! Ladybug is nothing without her partner. You just need to draw her out somehow."

"Any bright ideas then?" Chat Blanc stated rolling his eyes. "I could destroy the tower again, right in front of the candlelight vigil. I'm sure she'll be there in her civilian form."

"No! She had something planned when she posted that video. The Vigil is something she counted on. She is planning to use that to her advantage. We must finish her earlier. Kidnap someone high profile. The public will demand that she appears."

Chat Blanc rolled his eyes. "Fine. How does the Mayor's daughter sound?"

A deep laugh echoed in his ear, and that let him know that was just who Hawkmoth had in mind. He rolled his eyes and turned back to look out over the cityscape. The tower was still brilliant in the distance, and he could see the media helicopters flying around, taking shots of the tower. He turned in the opposite direction. He had to get to the school. An old friend was waiting for him.

8 8 8

Alya was pretty much dead in class, and Marinette and Nino felt no better. They had barely slept and were now in class. Their classmates were chatting away excitedly about the Ladybug video. Marinette was too tired to really listen, though. She had barely slept in three days, and it was catching up with her now. It wasn't until their classmate, Nathaniel came up to them, and asked if Alya was going to the candlelight vigil.

"What vigil?" Alya yawned.

"The one by the Eiffel Tower. The city is holding on to celebrate the return of Ladybug. To show our support for her," Nathaniel explained.

"Oh, really?" Nino replied, turning around, to join in the conversation.

"Yeah, haven't you all heard?" Nathaniel asked. He seemed to look at the three of them. "Hey, you guys look really exhausted. Are you all alright?"

Marinette yawned by nodded at him. "Yeah, we were just up late. We ended up late talking on skype. Helping Alya with the Ladyblog and all."

Nathaniel seemed to get excited. "Oh yeah! Alya have you seen or heard anything about Ladybug? Any scoops?"

Alya shook her head. "Only what I've seen on TV. Besides Chat Blanc, there hasn't been any real news. She's keeping a low profile I think."

The conversation was cut short, by a scream. It had been Rose who had screamed. They all looked over to her to see her pointing outside the window. They all turned and could clearly see Chat Blanc standing on the roof across the street. He was clearly looking into their classroom. Whatever sleepiness Marinette was gone as her blood ran cold. She stood and looked at her classmates. "Everyone, get out now!"

They all turned to her, and she motioned for them to run. Many of them grabbed their things, but it was too late. Their attention was drawn back to the windows when there was the sound of glass shattering. Chat has just crashed through the classroom windows and had landed as gracefully as ever. He rose to his feet with a grin. Marinette stepped in front of Alya protectively. She expected him to look at her, and attack, but his attention was on another student. It was Chloe. He stepped closer to her, and Chloe let out a scream, but he was already reaching for her and grabbed her.

"No! Get your hands off me!" Chloe screamed.

He had easily flipped her over his shoulder and was able to ignore her as she kicking and punched at him. He turned and looked at Marinette. A grin was on his face. She wanted to act. She wanted to protect her classmates, but his words from before filled her. If she acted now, he'd kill everyone in the room. There were too many people for her to protect. He waltzed right up to her. "What? Aren't going to try and plead with me today?" He laughed at her, and her body tensed up. She was powerless at the moment.

He grabbed her by the chin, and lifted her face to the side, and examined her wounded cheek. She had used as much make-up as possible to cover up her wound. He chuckled and then looked her right in the eyes. He stared at her blue eyes, and he grinned. "Just pathetic. You faced death fearlessly the other day on the tower, then tried to save me, but you are standing here scared out of your mind. You thought you were so brave, didn't you?"

Marinette formed her hand into a fist, and she tightened her grip until her knuckles turned white. Her eyes burned, but she wasn't going to let him see her cry. Not in fear, but in complete frustration. She wanted him back. And she was going to get him back, one way or another. And as much as she wanted to act now, she knew she couldn't. He flashed her a toothy smile. "Poor, pathetic little Marinette. You actually thought you could save me. Then what, I'd fall in love with you and we'd ride off into the sunset? Who would be stupid enough to love you?"

Something snapped in Marinette, and she let that fist fly. Not into his smug face, but his stomach, hitting his bruised side. It knocked the breath out of him, and he dropped to the ground, dropping Chloe with him. Marinette reached over and grabbed Chloe by the hand and pulled her to her feet. "Come on Chloe, run! Everyone run!"

The students began to disperse, and Marinette joined them, sticking close to Nino, Alya and even Chloe, who she knew Chat Blanc would be going after. He had come to her for a reason, and she needed to be protected. They left the school, and Marinette, who was still holding Chloe's hand began to drag her off. They jumped into an alleyway, and much to Chloe's protesting, Marinette pushed her into a large garbage bin. Marinette climbed in after her as did Alya and Nino. They closed the lid and waited and hoped for the best. Marinette ended up, placing a hand over Chloe's mouth, attempting to silence her protests.

"Chloe, if I were to ever ask you one favour that you follow through with, it's that you keep that mouth shut just until we know he's gone," Marinette pleaded. "If he finds us, he will kill all of us, you included."

Marinette surprisingly felt her relax, and she released her mouth. Marinette was thankful that garbage day had been the day before the bin only had two bags of garbage in it. This gave them more room and less garbage to be kneeling down in. It was pitch dark, and they were silent. Listening and waiting for any sounds to let them know he was nearby. There was silence, but still, they waited. And waited. Marinette's heart raced in her chest. She had no idea when they would know it was safe. So when Marinette's phone buzzed, she carefully took it out and looked at it.

It was a phone call from her mom. It was past lunch now, and her mother was probably wondering why she was late for lunch. She answered the phone and tried to act casually. "Hello? Mom?"

"Guess again, princess."

Marinette nearly dropped the phone. "C-Chat…"

"That's right. Hey, I must say, you have one hell of a right hook. I knew you couldn't just stand by," he laughed. "So, I'm at your family's bakery. I needed some hostages since you kind of ran off with Chloe. Good escape, very hero like. Sloppy, though. You didn't even think about your own parents. What kind of daughter are you?"

"If you hurt them-"

"Oh please," Chat Blanc laughed. "Like you could actually do anything to me. So I decided I'm taking your parents out tonight. To the candle light vigil. If you want them back, I want you to get hold of Ladybug. I have a feeling you'll be able to find her. Tell her to come tonight and face me. We're ending this tonight. If she doesn't show up by eight tonight, your parents are dead."

The phone clicked and Marinette lowered her phone. Everyone in the garbage bin had heard. The small space allowed them to hear the call perfectly. Alya reached for Marinette. "If you go, he'll kill you."

Even Chloe seemed to grasp the severity of the situation. "Don't be stupid! Stop trying to play the hero! Ladybug will take care of this."

Marinette climbed to her feet, and pushed open the garbage bin, and climbed out. The other three joined her. Marinette let fresh tears fall from her blue eyes. She turned to Alya and Nino, she was biting her lip. "I'm sorry. I'm going. If something happens to me…I'm sorry."

She turned and ran, even as the group she left behind called out to her and protested she didn't stop. She had to prepare herself. Tonight was it. Ready or not, she had to face Chat Blanc tonight.

Ready or not, the city of Paris would be watching.

A/N: There we go people. Two chapters to go! I'll try to have another chapter edited by the weekend.