AN: Thanks for the lovely reviews for chapter 1. I'm glad you all seem to be enjoying this. Just wanted to give you a heads up: I've seen every episode out in English and most of the French episodes (all but the beginning episodes that were already out in English when I started watching it, so basically I've seen every episode in one language or another), so for those of you not watching the French dubs, this story will contain spoilers. My plan for this story was for it to take place shortly after the season finale, so basically every episode of season 1 is fair game for me to make reference to. This one, for example, has spoilers from The Gamer and Vulpina. So if you haven't seen Vulpina especially and don't want to be spoiled, I recommend watching it before reading this chapter.

Marinette

I walked into school, expecting the day to be just like any other. Everyone was talking in hushed tones throughout the school, but all I really managed to hear was "Adrien" numerous times. There were plenty of people named Adrien in the world, I was sure, but it didn't stop my heart from feeling like it was going to explode.

My beating heart slowed as I remembered yesterday. He had seemed off all morning, and then during the pop quiz, he had gone to the restroom and never returned. It wasn't like him to just walk out like that. And, before he turned in his quiz, I caught a glimpse. He hadn't even answered a single question. None of this seemed like Adrien, and it was troubling.

In class, I took my usual seat beside Alya. Nino was turned in his seat, talking to her. Adrien wasn't here yet.

"I don't know where he is. He's not answering his phone," Nino said.

"What's going on?" I asked. A sick feeling crept up into my stomach.

"I'm sure everything is okay, Marinette. Adrien just isn't here yet," Alya said.

He had been late before, but something felt off this time. It was irrational for me to worry, though. He had to be fine.

When the teacher started talking, Adrien still wasn't there. Her expression was serious.

"I've been asked by Mr. Agreste to spread the word on Adrien's disappearance," she started. "He left school early yesterday and was last seen yesterday afternoon at a photo shoot, which he had also abandoned early. Anyone with information on his whereabouts should alert Mr. Agreste or the local police." She gave a pointed look at Nino, as if she suspected he might know, but he seemed as stunned as the rest of us.

"What? No! My poor Adrien has been kidnapped! I need to call daddy!" Chloe cried.

Normally, I'd roll my eyes at Chloe, but my heart hammered too hard for me to process what she had said, or what anyone else was saying for that matter.

Something was shaking my shoulders, or someone. I managed a glance at Alya. Her lips were moving, but I couldn't understand what she was saying. Adrien . . . he couldn't have just disappeared. Why? Who would kidnap him? He was a semi-famous model, sure, but wouldn't his father have security at his photo shoots?

I felt the blood draining from my face. Hawkmoth. What if he or one of his victims did something to Adrien? What if he was akumatized himself?

"Hello, earth to Marinette." Alya's shaking was getting impossible to ignore, and I finally snapped out of it.

"S-Sorry, Alya," I managed.

"You look like a ghost," she commented. "I know you're worried about Adrien, but you sitting here freaking out won't help things."

I nodded, giving her a thanks as our teacher tried to calm down the rest of the class. I would have to wait until after class to talk to Alya.

At lunch time, Alya and I walked out together. I wasn't sure if I should go home or what I should do, but all I could think about was finding Adrien. Maybe if I turned into Ladybug, I could join the investigation?

Yes, that was perfect.

"You might be a mess, but I think you're holding it together better than Chloe," Alya said. I glanced over at her, finding her sobbing and freaking out while Sabrina tried to calm her down.

Nino looked back at us, worry clear on his face. "I don't think anyone took him. If he left, it was voluntary."

"How do you know?" Alya asked.

He shrugged. "He puts on a good mask in front of people, but I know this isn't the life he wants. He has no freedom. He doesn't want to be a model. I mean, the guy had to beg his father just to let him attend a regular school. It's like his dad is trying to keep him locked away, and he probably just couldn't take it anymore."

A pang of guilt struck my heart. How did I not realize that he was unhappy? He was always so nice and sweet . . . But then, people wear all kinds of masks, some just masks of emotion.

"Poor Adrien," I whispered. "Do you have any idea where he could be?"

Nino shook his head. "He never talked about running away."

I looked around anxiously, wanting now more than ever to be able to transform and get to the bottom of this.

There was a deli across the street from where we were. Perfect. "I uh gotta go pick up some things for my parents. I'll see you later."

I ducked inside the deli and watch as Alya and Nino continued walking and talking, and I waited until they were out of sight. Then, I ran to the little alley beside the deli and Tikki flew from my purse.

She had a worried look on her face. "Marinette, I don't think an akuma is involved in this, but you should know that, something else really bad could happen if he's not found."

My eyes widened. "What?"

She shook her head. "Just find him."

I nodded. "Tikki, spots on!"

I leapt from building to building, giving my yo-yo a decent work-out as I headed for the Agreste mansion. People below looked up as I passed by, but I didn't stop for anything. They probably thought something bad was going down. I finally stopped several yards away, enough to see the front doors. Several police officers stood outside, taking notes and probably trying to find evidence. The front gate was open, but I still went to the camera, anyway, to be polite.

"Ladybug?" I heard the secretary, Nathalie say. "What are you doing here?"

"I was wondering . . . if I could be of help?" That came out weaker than I had anticipated, but my nerves were already getting to me. What was I thinking? How could I really help them unless an akuma or Hawkmoth was involved? If he ran away, how was I supposed to find him?

She stepped away for a minute, but then she returned with a sigh.

"Mr. Agreste says you shouldn't concern yourself with this investigation," Nathalie said. "But, thank you, anyway."

I stumbled back, unsure of what had just happened. I couldn't remember a time when someone had refused my help, as Ladybug anyway. Wouldn't they want everyone they could get to help with the investigation?

I swung my yo-yo and leapt onto a house across the street, then another, and another . . . Once I reached one out of sight of the Agreste mansion, I stopped.

"What just happened?" I asked myself.

There was a noisy thud from behind me. Footsteps approached, and I whirled around.

"What were you doing there?" he asked.

I fidgeted, looking down. "It's Adrien . . . he's missing."

He leaned against his baton and sighed. "And you wanted to help find him?"

I nodded.

His smile was grim. "Milady, what is it with you and this teen model?"

My cheeks warmed and I crossed my arms, looking him in the eye. "He's someone that I know . . . outside of Ladybug," I admitted. His face shifted to surprise. I knew I was probably saying too much, but I needed a good enough explanation. "People were saying he was either kidnapped or ran away, and I would just feel better if I could help with the investigation." Then, a thought came to me. "Why don't we do our own investigation? I just want to make sure an akuma isn't behind this."

His face paled. "I don't think that's such a good idea." He straightened up, regaining his composure. "I mean, sometimes people don't want to be found. Besides, I'm pawsitive we would know by now if an akuma was involved."

I shook my head. "I want to help. I can't just sit around and wait for him to just show back up."

He raised his brow. "Should I be threatened, milady? Has another man stolen your heart?"

A light blush spread across my cheeks, but I rolled my eyes. "This is serious."

He nodded. "Well, whatever you want to do, unless there's fighting akumas involved, count me-owt. I'm not really interested in finding runaway teen models. Let the police handle this one."

He leapt away, as if he wanted to get away as fast as possible. I stood there for a few more minutes, a bit dumbstruck. Something was up with that cat, but I had enough boy drama to deal with without worrying about his.

Adrien

I tried to approach my home, as Cat Noir, but I could barely be on the same block with it. I couldn't go there again, not in any form. But then, I had watched Ladybug going toward it. I had stayed hidden, waiting for my chance to talk to her. After our conversation, all I could think about was one thing.

Outside the costume, I knew Ladybug.

The fact that I knew who she was made me happier than I'd felt in a while, but then came another revelation.

Ladybug knew Adrien, enough that she cared that he was gone.

Sure, when she thought Volpina had him dangling from a building, she had been willing to give up her miraculous to save him, but, as superheroes, we needed to protect people in general. Although, something about the way she had acted just made it seem like it was more personal than that.

I frowned. If she cared he was gone, she would try to find him. What if she found out I was Adrien? Maybe telling her to investigate on her own was a bad idea, unless I could throw her off my trail somehow.

I waited until students would be back in school before de-transforming in a park restroom stall.

Plagg looked exhausted. I felt kind of bad, but for once he didn't complain.

"Are you sure you want to do this? You can't hide forever, you know," Plagg said.

"Adrien just needs to go away for a little while," I said. It was weird referring to myself in third person, but at the time, I just didn't want any association. "It's only temporary. Until I figure out what to do."

"But, you said one night." He took a bite of Camembert.

"I know, Plagg, but now there's a new problem." I didn't consider my father involving the police. The media was involved. They would want interviews the moment Adrien returned home. What would I tell them? That I was taking a vacation by being my alter ego, Cat Noir?

When I returned, I just needed to be ready. Right now, I felt far from it.

As soon as Plagg was done eating, I transformed again and left the park. I went from building to building until I reached the school. There, I found Nino, Marinette, and Alya walking in together. Nino was staring at the ground, barely seeming to acknowledge the girls. Marinette was hugging herself, and Alya's hands were on her shoulders. I looked closer at Marinette's face . . . She was crying.

"Marinette, they'll find him. It'll be okay," Alya said.

A pang of guilt struck my chest. First my lady, and now my princess . . . they were both worried about Adrien. But, why?

Still, I felt bad, especially watching Marinette. She was a bit awkward at times, but she was always nice to me, despite our rocky beginning. I had done something to hurt and upset her, and that was inexcusable. Somehow, I had to make her feel better.

I roamed the city all night, partially disappointed for no akuma attacks. All I could do was watch people, not interacting with them, and it was getting boring. But, I'd rather be bored than miserable.

Eventually, I found myself on Marinette's balcony. She was sitting at her desk, looking at something in her hand. Before I could think twice, I knocked on her window. She jumped and whirled around. The paper in her hands dropped to her desk.

She opened the door. "Cat Noir, what are you doing here?"

Before I answered, I took her hand and kissed the back of it. Her eyes widened with surprise. "I was in the neighborhood and thought I hadn't seen my princess in a while, so why not drop in?"

She pulled her hand away. "I've got a lot on my mind right now. I don't need to deal with you, too."

I frowned. "Me-owch. And here I thought you'd be happy to see me. Actually, I found something for you."

About two hours ago, when Plagg was eating, I managed to scribble a note that I had planned to give her, claiming I "found" it. I had wanted to give it to her, hoping she wouldn't cry over Adrien anymore.

"It was outside the bakery," I said. "It was addressed to you."

Marinette took the note out of my hand and read over it.

I wasn't kidnapped. I'm just fine now. I can't continue to be the poster of perfection you all see me as. I need to be free. I hope you understand, and I'm sorry.

I hadn't signed it, in case Marinette turned it over to the police. But, she had to know it was from Adrien.

I had thought she would stop crying, but then a tear rolled down her cheek. I brushed it away with my thumb.

"Don't cry anymore," I said. "I thought this note would bring you relief. You know Adrien is okay."

She looked at me, confused. "How did you know I was upset over Adrien?"

I racked my brain, trying to think of something to cover me, and then I remembered. "When The Gamer attacked, you were worried about your friend Adrien. I saw the news that he was gone, and I thought you might need some comfort."

She nodded, slinking down onto her bed. "I'm just so angry with myself. Nino knew how unhappy Adrien was, but I didn't have a clue, yet I called myself his friend? Some friend I am. I can't even speak a coherent sentence when he's around."

Swallowing the lump in my throat, I sat next to her. "Princess, it was his choice to keep secrets. It was his choice to run away. Don't beat yourself up about it."

She shook her head. "I know, but . . . I wish he felt like he had someone he could talk to. I wish I had been someone he would've thought to talk to before he did this."

I looked away, afraid that if I looked at her for too long, I would break down. I glanced at her wall behind her computer. Pictures of me-Adrien- were plastered on it. My cheeks warmed, and I was glad my face was partially covered by a mask.

"He considers you a good friend," I said, looking back at her.

She raised her brow. "How do you know that?"

"I saw you with him when the gamer first attacked. He protected you. He must care about you."

She rubbed her arms. "I don't know. I just . . . hope he's okay and that he comes home soon."

I reached out and touched her cheek. Her breath hitched, and when I realized what I did, I quickly removed my hand and adverted my gaze.

"You care about him a lot," I commented.

She nodded. "I do. Very much."

I cocked my brow, looking back at those pictures. "And judging by the looks of your room, I'd say you have a crush on him."

Her cheeks turned red. "I . . . I . . . No! We're just friends!"

I placed my head on her shoulder, grinning. "You don't have pictures of your other friends up."

Her cheeks grew redder. "If I say I do will you drop it?"

My grin widened, to the point it almost hurt my face. "Of course, Princess. For now, anyway."

I stared into those deep, bluebell eyes, the same eyes as . . . I shook my head. No thoughts of Ladybug right now. Right now, I just needed to focus on cheering up Marinette.

She sighed. "I have a bad feeling he won't be coming back. I couldn't say I blame him. What would he have to look forward to if he did come home?"

I didn't want to say anything, but I couldn't stop myself, "A great friend who cares about him . . . and who wants to have his babies."

That may have been crossing the line a bit, but I just loved making her flustered. Her face turned as red as Ladybug's suit.

My miraculous beeped its first warning. I sighed.

"Well, Princess, its time for this cat to go. It was a pleasure seeing you again." Taking her hand, I pressed it to my lips. "Hopefully your friend will turn up. I'm sure he's okay."

She looked at the floor. "I hope so."

I rounded a corner and released my transformation.

"I told you this was a bad idea," Plagg said.

I breathed hard, as if I had been running, but I hadn't really been.

"I'm not going back," I said.

"So, you're just going to let Marinette worry about where Adrien is, not realizing he was just in her room?"

I shook my head. "Cat Noir was in her room. Adrien is gone."

"Really? Because I'm looking right at him."

I gritted my teeth. "It's better this way. I love Ladybug. I'd only break Marinette's heart."

"Mhmmm. You don't have feelings at all for Marinette, which is exactly why you call her princess and kiss her hand. You only flirt like that with one other girl."

I pulled the Camembert from my pocket and slunk against the wall as he ate. Plagg was wrong. Marinette was my friend. I cared about her as my friend. Her crush on me came as a bit of a surprise, but I couldn't return her feelings. Still, I never wanted to hurt her, in any way.

When Plagg finished, he floated up to eye level. "How would you feel if Ladybug suddenly disappeared and didn't tell you anything?"

I stared at my hands, swallowing the thick lump in my throat. "I would worry that something happened to her."

"Remember that feeling, because that's what Marinette will feel every second until Adrien returns."

I winced. "That can't be. Ladybug is my partner. Marinette is my friend. It's different."

"You're right. It's worse for her, because she knows what's under your mask and likes Adrien, even if she doesn't know you're also Cat Noir. You don't even know who Ladybug is under the mask. She could be someone you can't stand."

I groaned. "Marinette will forget me. She has to. She'll move on."