Hi everyone,

I hope you can bear with me and my tendency to skip in time. Hope you enjoy it!

Disclaimer: I don't own Miraculous Ladybug

The trial was today. At least the part in which he was needed. Today he would decide if his father was to stay in prison or get out. Everyone would believe every word that came out of his mouth. The choice was simple, really. He loved Gabriel. The idea of lying shouldn't even be in the back of his mind, yet there it was, nagging him. That was were years of emotional abuse lead. Too much had happened in the Agrete's household. Not that he would ever admit the hell he'd been put threw. He would not fracture his family even more. Being strong was his only option. For Mother and for yesterday.

Revenge was still tempting though. Today could be payback day. No. It wouldn't. He had to rise stronger. Again. It was getting harder every day: keeping the facade now that he didn't have Ladybug and Plagg seemed pointless. His actions didn't matter anymore.

His classmates had all payed him a visit at one point or another. He guessed someone cared. Even if it was just a little. More likely was that they saw a pity case on him. Who didn't? The poor boy without a mother, whose father ignored him and whose brother hated him. Honestly every time someone came he felt worse. They all seemed so worried. He didn't deserve that. Much less now that he had let all of Paris down. He had literally abandoned them and his Lady. And look how that ended up: all the kids in the city had disappeared and more than a hundred persons were killed. It was all his fault. He couldn't do anything right.

But that day everything would change. He would defend the fashion designer. At least HE would be safe. And then things could go back to normal. Or so he hoped.

The court was silent when he was asked to the stand to testify. The world was holding its breath. He was too for he had no idea what he would choose: his father and his love or freedom and health. A lie or a truth. This could define everything.

"Adrien Agreste do you solemnly swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing else?" asked the judge handing him a copy of the constitution. This was it. The moment of choice. He couldn't come back. "I do solemnly swear." The words burned his throat. He wasn't sure he could uphold his odd. Probably not.

"Is it true that your Father has neglected you ever since your mother disappearance as testified by Miss Sancouer?" Yes. "No."

The choice was made. If he couldn't protect Paris, he would at the very least defend his family. Fuck the promises and the chance of something better. This would stay the same. It would be the constant in his life. Even if it was a painful one.

"Care to elaborate?" insisted the lawyer and Adrien just wanted to punch him for making him lie so much. Breath in. Breath out. "Father has been reclusive ever since my mother's death. It was a huge trauma for him, so he took a little distance. He didn't want to affect us with his grief. But he was still there for us everytime we needed him. He would make sure we wouldn't be missing anything. It might not have been the best way to react but it was a decision made out of love." At least that statement was partly true. He had cared but had also forgotten about him completely. There was breach between them that could never be healed.

"You are saying you haven't felt an emotional abuse from his part like your brother did?" Why couldn't they just ask him if he had abused him physically and get this thing over with? Apparently not. "Distance doesn't mean abuse. Plus, Felix is not a good witness. He's barely been home since Mother died. What can he know? My father isn't the monster you've all been accusing him to be." If things were like before he would feel horrible talking about his brother like that. That was over.

"Are you denying your father inflicted these wounds?"

"Yes"

"Then tell us, how did you ended up this hurt?" Shoot. He hadn't think of an excuse. He'd been to wrapped-up in his grief. He had to react. Fast. This could be the end of the charade. Think. Think. "During the latest akuma attack. I didn't leave fast enough and ended up getting in the middle of the battle field. Chat Noir saw me." The last sentence seemed like a good argument. He would just have to repeat the lie as Chat…. Fuck. He didn't have access to his other persona anymore. The war was lost. "If that is the case we will ask him to come and tell us the facts." Declared a lawyer signing his death condemnation. Shit. Whoever had his miraculous, no Plagg's miraculous, wouldn't do this.

They called it quits for the day. They would communicate with Paris superheroes over the night. Great. Who knew who would come? Ladybug hadn't shown her face ever since the third terrorist attack, most likely embarrassed she couldn't deal with it. And Chat… he didn't even know if there was still a Chat. It was a better that way: Adrien didn't know how to deal with that. Most probably another breakdown would ensue.

Next day the session had already started when he mustered the courage to go in. A million of "What if" s kept him busy the whole night and part of the morning. It was hard to even get close. No one noticed him, though. All the eyes were on Ladybug, who came flying through a window. A sight that use to recomfort him was now like a punch in the stomach. He had abandoned her. It was almost betrayal. Well not almost. It was betrayal.

"Ladybug, I'm afraid we were waiting for your partner." Criticized the judge. Seriously? She took the time to be here and they were going to just ignore the effort? Bastards. "I know. That is why I'm here. Chat Noir is gone. His miraculous disappeared with him. I've been trying to trace them but it's impossible. I'm afraid we won't see him again. Most probably they were taken by Hauk Moth." Adrien's heart broke. She was crying. He had made her cry. Imbecile. How did he manage to break the most wonderful and strong girl in the world? But it was for the best. He couldn't live being jealous of himself anymore. Hating one and loving the other. He'd been selfish. Horribly so. Looking around him, he realized he wasn't the only one chocked or dismayed. The whole city felt lost without half of their protectors. Maybe letting Plagg had been stupid. Maybe. But he couldn't do anything smart, could he? Wait. What if Plagg was really in the clutches of the super villain. He had to do something but what could simple and boring Adrien do?

Once the shock wore out, the judge called for attention once again. Without Chat Noir to testify they had nothing to do but think over what had already been told. "It's time for…." Started the judge. "Wait! I have something to say. I might've not seen the entire fight but there were no civilians there when I left or when I came back. I don't think Adrien could've been caught in the fight. I'm sorry." The young model was about to kill her. Chat being gone was his opening to defend his father. And she had ruined it. He guessed it was carma.

"Listen, I was there. I was in one of the buildings that collapsed when a constructor hit it. I ran and that is how I ended up in the middle of the battlefield. Plus, why would I lie? Out of love? If your story was true my father would've abused 'till the point where I would hate and want him to be as far away as possible from me. I would take this as my shield. But I'm not. This whole thing is a misunderstanding because a friend overreacted. He did nothing to me." He knew the chances to make things right were slim to say the least. Everyone had testified otherwise. His lies could easily be placed as an act of love towards his Father. Of loyalty. It was true but Adrien hoped the jury thought otherwise.

"It is time for the jury to make a decision." Announced the magistrate. Next thing everyone knew they had already came back.

"It's time for the sentence."

So, what did you think? I hope you liked and please take the time to review. By the way, I want to hear your opinion: should Gabriel stay in prison or get away safely? Let me know what you think.