As the sun began to light up the sky in the early hours of the morning it found Adrien already awake. Sitting on his couch, staring into space, the model's leg bounced rapidly in agitation. Five days! Five days he had been locked up in his room, not even allowed to leave to eat, his meals being brought to him, and Adrien had had enough. And with the dawn of his sixth day in solitude he had doubt that he was about to do something drastic.

He ran a tired and angry hand through his hair, making it stand in all different directions until it looked like Chat's hair except hit by lightning. The bags under his eyes resembled the deepest of shadows and the eyes themselves were horribly bloodshot. Adrien had not fared well in his current circumstances, every thought waking and sleeping, occupied by Ladybug.

Despite the scenes that showed up in his dreams Adrien knew that Ladybug was in good health, physically at least. Mentally and emotionally he wasn't so sure and that's what had him terrified. He had complete faith in Ladybug. He knew how strong and brave she was but he also knew that she struggled to see herself that way. Adrien knew that she doubted her abilities outside of the suit despite his assurances otherwise. Now without the power of Ladybug to give her confidence and him as Chat Noir to give support he worried of where her thoughts would take her and convince her of.

Lost in his fears and his frantic state of mind, Adrien didn't notice when the door opened and someone else joined him in his prison.

"Adrien?" The voice was nervous and cautious, almost as if the person knew that the blond was a bomb that could explode at any moment.

"What do you want Natalie?" he ground out, his leg picking up speed.

Adrien hadn't seen Natalie since she dropped the news that he was to be kept a prisoner. He often imagined her cowering in a corner in guilt for locking him away when he wanted someone to blame. Truthfully he knew that the assistant was innocent, just the messenger for his father's demands. But Adrien had yet to see his father since the incident in his office and so Adrien found his anger directed to Natalie instead.

"Your father has finally consented to allow you to go back to school."

Adrien's leg stilled, his heart leaping in hope even as his brain took longer to register and accept.

"What?" His voice sounded rough with his raw emotions making plain his desperation and hope that he was terrified to feel.

"I have finally convinced your father to agree to allow you to go back to school."

The model was on his feet instantly, rushing the assistant only to hesitate three steps away. "Really?"

Natalie let out a small laugh at the look on Adrien's face. "Yes," she said, a tear slipping free at the joy she saw transforming the boy's features.

"Thank you, Natalie!" Adrien closed the rest of the three foot distance to throw his arms around the woman in gratitude. Natalie accepted the enthusiastic hug in stride, another laugh escaping at the relief she felt for being able to take away some of Adiren's pain.

"Now hurry up. Get dressed so you aren't late."

Adrien gave Natalie one last squeeze before rushing to his closet. He was going to school! He was getting out of the house! He was going to be able to look for Ladybug!

"Just know that your father wants you home right after school," the assistant called. "No dawdling. That was the only way I was able to get him to agree to this."

"Okay," Adrien responded even though he hadn't heard a word. He was already lost to the hope that was practically bursting from his veins."

He was finally free! Ladybug was practically at his fingertips now. It was only a matter of time before he found his lady and everything became right with the world.

With his new hope Adrien had a big burst of energy. All of his previous drowsiness had disappeared, not an ounce of sleep deprivedness remaining. All of his fears flew out the window and Adrien began to wonder what had been so bad before. Nothing could be bad because he was going to find Ladybug today.

In a just a couple of minutes Adrien was dressed and rushing out the door (one that was fantastically free of a Gorilla wall) with his backpack in tow. Sprinting down the stairs, the front doors in sight, he was suddenly reminded of the first time he became Chat Noir. It was the same rush of adrenaline, the same barely contained excitement at the prospect of freedom.

The reminder of the memories and lost adventures dimmed Adrien's enthusiasm and slowed his momentum until he came to a stop right before the front door. He stood there staring at the wood, breathing heavily.

I'm no longer Chat Noir. It was as if it was sinking in for the first time. Adrien had been so focused on Ladybug he hadn't really thought about his own situation except to curse the fact that he couldn't transform to find his partner. Now it was hitting him full force and the model found he wanted to curl up into a ball and just sob.

Plagg, his mind whimpered. You're really gone and I'm a terrible friend. Goodness, I've barely even thought of you until now.

Adrien ran a hand over his eyes, trying to keep the tears at bay.

Get ahold of yourself Agreste, the perfect son side of him scolded. Now is not the time.

But Plagg… I'd never thought I'd say this but I miss that awful kwami. His constant complaining and teasing. Gosh! I even miss his stinky cheese!

The tears formed faster and Adrien had to push harder to keep them in place. He would not cry no matter how much he wanted to. He didn't want to give Natalie a reason to change her mind about allowing him to go to school.

"Adrien, are you alright?" Natalie asked from behind him, placing a hand on his shoulder.

Adrien jumped a little and ducked his head to keep his emotions hidden.

"Of course." He cleared his throat. "I just, uh… I forgot something in my room."

Adrien shrugged out from under Natalie's hand and circled past her without making eye contact.

"Oh. Okay." She sounded confused but Adrien didn't acknowledge it. "I'll be waiting in the car. Be quick."

Adrien hurried upstairs and ran straight to the mini fridge. Opening it and seeing that it was still fully stocked was further testament that Plagg was gone. Instead of standing there to let himself think over it too much, Adrien grabbed several pieces to slip into his bag before rushing back downstairs.

The car ride to school was quick and silent, Adrien's leg having found its familiar agitated bounce. He was still happy and hopeful that he could finally look for Ladybug but Plagg's absence was definitely dampening his spirits. What he would give to hear a piece of poor advice followed by a declaration of love to a piece of camembert.

When the car pulled up in front of his school, Adrien wasted no time in getting out and hurrying up the front steps, missing Natalie's reminder that he was to be taken home right after school.

Adrien didn't see any of his friends on the front steps or in the courtyard, so he continued to his classroom. Finding his friends' seats empty he slumped down into his own to wait.

What am I doing here? he wondered. I should be out looking for Ladybug and mourning Plagg, not here couped up in a classroom.

Don't be an idiot, the logical part argued back. You just barely got let out of the house. Do you really want to jeopardize this and lose your chance? Besides, for all you know Ladybug might not be looking for you right now. She's probably in school herself.

"Adrien man, you're back."

Adrien looked up to see Nino enter the room with a wide and relieved grin on his face, effectively ending his internal debate.

"Hey Nino." Adrien sent him a tired smile.

"Man you look awful." Nino slid into his seat, concern quickly replacing his earlier good feelings. "What happened?"

"I-"

"Adrikins!"

Chloe barrelled into the room, throwing herself into the model's arms, almost knocking him over.

"I'm so glad you're back! You have no idea how awful last week was without you." A fake pout was placed perfectly on Chloe's lips.

"Not now Chloe. I'm not in the mood." Adrien's response was tired, lacking the fire and bite he had hoped to but in it.

"Nonsense, Adrikins. You-"

"I said not now Chloe. Back off!"

While it still wasn't very strong, Adrien's words and small display of annoyance were still enough to shock the girl. For a moment she stayed in his arms in silence, her mouth hanging open and her eyes wide. She blinked and then she slowly got up, her face changing from surprised to angry.

"How dare you speak to me like that! Obviously you are struggling since you haven't been in school. We're not talking until you're out of this funk."

"Gladly," Adrien said under his breath as Chloe flounced to her seat.

While the mayor's daughter missed the comment, Adrien's best friend didn't. Nino proceeded to start in surprise, drawing Adrien's attention.

"Seriously dude, what happened?"

Adrien could understand why Nino was astonished. Never had he told Chloe off, no matter how bad the girl got.

I guess after losing Ladybug and Plagg I just don't care much anymore.

"Let's just say it was a long week."

"Hey boys."

Adrien looked to see Alya with a mixture of relief and concern gracing her features.

"It is good to have you back Adrien."

"Thanks Alya."

Adrien was surprised that the journalist hadn't said more. He had expected her to launch into an interrogation as to where he had been and why he currently looked like crap. But then Adrien moved his gaze a little to the right and he suddenly understood. Alya currently had her hands full, her concern not only for the blond model.

Marinette was at Alya's side and it looked like the poor girl was barely standing even with the support of her best friend. Her eyes were bloodshot with deep shadows underneath that looked like they hurt. Against the purple bruise color Marinette's skin was even more pale, giving her the appearance of the deathly sick person. As if to give testament to the fact that the girl should most likely be in a hospital or the very least at home, her hair was a rat's nest of a ponytail and her clothes were probably the comfiest but also rattiest ones she owned. Adrien had never seen the girl less put together or out of it despite all the times she had shown up to class sleep deprived.

Concern immediately crashed into Adrien and he quickly stood up to lend a helping hand.

"Marinette, are you okay?"

The blond carefully grasped her arm, supporting her on the side that Alya wasn't occupying. Marinette just sent him a blank stare, not seeming to register what he said or that he was standing next to her. Seeing the empty eyes and the lack of a smile Adrien's concern increased. He had always know Marinette to be the brightest, happiest, most optimistic person ever and to have all of it gone, leaving the despair and loneliness in its place didn't sit right with him.

Adrien helped take Marinette to her seat, gently lowering her before Alya pulled him back to his own seat. He shot another worried glance at the girl who just stared into space.

"She's doing better," Alya whispered to him.

The model focused back on her only to notice the bags the journalist was sporting under her own eyes. She ran a tired hand through her hair and for a moment she looked like she was about to cry.

"Alya, are you okay?" He placed a careful but comforting hand on her shoulder.

The girl shook her head, somehow managing to dispel the tears. "Yeah. I'm just worried about her."

They both looked at their friend. She was actually showing signs of life, a paper in front of her as she slowly wrote on it.

"What happened?"

"I don't know. Her parents said she left from the house Tuesday afternoon. She came back super late that evening and apparently she broke down crying. Ever since she's mostly been out of it except for the nightmares, but she won't tell anyone what happened."

Adrien frowned at the thought of something terrible happening to Marinette. She didn't deserve anything like that and he desperately wished he could do something to help her.

"I tried texting you to let you know."

Guilt settled into Adrien's stomach at that. "Yeah, the last week hasn't been the greatest for me either."

He shot another glance to Marinette.

"Hey, don't worry." It was Alya's turn to extend a comforting hand. "She'll be okay."

Adrien nodded and Alya left his side to go to her own seat. He moved to sit down as well, directing one final worried gaze at the girl behind him. For the first time in a week, Adrien's mind was occupied by something other than Ladybug. He just hoped that the girl would be okay.