Hello! Thank you all so much for the reviews, and the wonderful words of encouragement. This week was a rough week! Conferences, plus I got to go to the urgent care Cuz my insides hates me! Hurray! But I am healing and all is good. I think I can pick up my regular schedule though which is just as fast as humanly possible. You all are great! Thank you so much. I love all comments, reviews, messages, and pictures, whatever.

Traditional Twist

Chapter 9

Alya realized what she was doing was extremely risky. Tikki had asked her if she was sure about this three times in the middle of the night when marinette had fallen asleep. She gave the kwami her phone charger and told her to hide it until the reporter had left. Marinette would call her and tell her she had forgotten her phone charger, and they would have to meet up again to get the phone charger back. This would hopefully give her an opportunity, or at least give two kwamis the opportunity to talk, and one report back to her.

There was a second Alya knew she had to contact Adrien. She would need to "borrow" Plagg from him. She realized she could not leave Marinette without Tikki, fore it seemed that Tikki was keeping her focused and optimistic. Adrien on the other hand could keep himself busy for some time without his kwami. That is why she texted Adrien to pick her up instead of a cab the next morning.

Alya: Adrien, I am sending u Marinette's address.

I need u to pick me up. stay on the car. text when u get here

Adrien: Ok

That was all Alya needed to say to Adrien. Adrien looked at the time on her phone; seven in the morning. The reporter rolled over to her friend. Marinette was curled up next to her on the bed. Alya couldn't help but smile. They always shared a bed with sleepovers, and Marinette always took up the tiniest amount of bed. It would take Adrien about fifteen minutes to get over here.

Alya gently shook her friend. "Marinette, I need to get up, so I'm waking you up. This is not a one night stand."

"Alya, it's so early," the blue haired girl grumbled.

"Seven isn't that early. PLus you should be used to this Mrs. Super hero."

"You would think I would get used to it, but swear it just got worse with time." Marinette sat up and rubbed her eyes.

Alya looked around the room. The collection of black and green haunted her vision. "It's alright to miss Chat, you know? I bet he misses you too.

"I don't know. I think he misses Ladybug. If he knew who I really was I think he would despise me."

"You won't know that until you try."

"That sounds like an awfully large try."

"What if I arrange something?"

Marineets eyes widened. "What?"

"What if I was able to get you and Chat together? Maybe for a reunion interview for the Ladyblog since I am in town. I could even send you questions early and you can cross off ones you don't like."

"Alya..."

"I'm sure I could track that cat down. If you don't like the interview I could invite you both to where I am staying. You two could catch up and i could mediate."

Marinette bit her lip. "Let me think on those alright?"

"Of course!" Alya smiled, "I'm not asking for a decision now; just that you think on it."

"Okay." The designer smiled.

Alya felt her phone vibrate. She flipped it over to see a text from Adrien saying he was outside. The reporter smiled at her best friend. "That's my ride, but I will come back soon. Also, when I come back here I want to see all this Chat stuff picked up. You can't do this to yourself. At least make a dent so I can see what color the walls are."

"I will try," Marinette said with a smile. She hugged her friend. "Should I walk you out?"

Alya waved a hand in the air. "Hun, I know you are just going to fall again. You lay back down and go back to sleep."

"Thank you. Text me when you to your apartment."

Alya flashed a thumbs up. "Will do!"

The reporter waved goodbye and headed out of the apartment. She went down to the parking area of the complex. It didn't take her long to spot Adrien standing next to his car. He looked at Alya, waved, and wore a sheepish grin.

Alya rolled her eyes. "I'm pretty sure I told you to stay in the car."

"Technically, you text said on the car," the blonde corrected, "But I also wasn't sure you would find me. All the windows are tinted."

"Agreste, I think you forget finding things is my specialty," Alya responded opening the passenger car door.

"Very true," Adrien nodded as he entered the car.

Alya waited for Adrien's door to be closed. "Besides, I think you had other intentions for hanging outside of the car."

The blonde hung his head. "I just hope Marinette is alright. I didn't mean to chase her off."

"She's going to be okay. She was just shocked at how nice you were. She's kind of developed some low self-esteem."

Adrien's mouth gaped. "Why would she be so low on herself?"

"There are a few reasons. I think Marinette would prefer to keep private. However, she was absolutely overwhelmed with your offer to go see her work at the studio, and would love for you to stop by at some point," Alya grinned.

"Cool, maybe I will stop by later today? Or is that too soon?" The blond shrugged with guilt for asking.

"I will get back to you on that, though I think that could be a good idea. I could even go with you."

"Yeah that would be great. You always keep Marinette calm."

Alya raised her arms over the headrest of the seat. "It's one of my many talents." She inhaled, knowing that she was about to bring up a touchy subject while Adrien drove. He was much better in the daylight. Especially since the two hadn't a schedule to follow perfectly. "Adrien, I need to borrow something?"

"What do you need? If it is an item I'm sure I can either just give it to you or give you the money for it."

"That's a sweet offer, but I don't think Plagg would like being sold."

"You want to borrow Plagg?"

"Yeah is he with you now?"

On cue, the black cat poked its head out from Adrien's pocket. "You want me?"

"Yes" Alya lowered her glasses to look at the Kwami.

"Why?" Plagg squeaked. "I've never left my chosen."

Why was a question the reporter had overlooked? When she and Tikki were discussing how to get the two kwamis in the same location. Alya realized she would have to lie, and lie quickly.

"I... umm want to ask about some Kwami things, and also get some information about Adrien. There has to be some personality quirks or identifiers that make you two a specific to be Chat Noir. If I can identify the similar aspects of your personalities, then I can use that to try and find Ladybug."

Alya sighed on the inside. That lie was too natural, but it worked out well, but did Adrien fall for it?

"Okay, but I don't want to leave you alone for too long." Adrien parked the car outside Alya's apartment. His hands were shaking on on the wheel. "How long will you need?"

Alya could see the anxiety growing in his face. "It wouldn't be long. Maybe two or three hours at most."

"Can you just talk to Plagg while I'm like in another room? I'm in no rush today, because I finally decided to take a day off." His breath grew heavier. His skin seemed paler as well, as he tightened his grip on the wheel. Alya watched as he closed his eyes. She had never seen him appear so defensive.

"I'm didn't mean to upset you, Adrien," Alya cooed. "We can talk in another room."

Adrien exhaled. "Thanks. It's just, he's always there for me. Everyone one else has left or gone. You can say I've become rather dependent on him. He's the only family have."

Alya smiled softly. "That's exactly why I want to talk with him. Why don't you come upstairs and Plagg and I will talk up in the apartment?"

The blond nodded. He parked the car and the two entered the building. Alya couldn't help but feel slightly guilty for asking Adrien to part from his Kwami. Alya knew that Marinette wouldn't last without Tikki, so why did she assume Adrien would be so open and willing? She continued to ponder in silence as they reached the elevator of the apartment.

_oOo_

Alya picked up her laptop and handed it to Adrien. "Here watch a movie, go to Reddit, read fan fiction, do whatever to entertain. Plagg and I will be in my room."

"Thanks," Adrien kicked off his shoes and made himself comfortable on the couch.

"Plagg, you're with me," Alya pointed towards the bedroom. The black Kwami zoomed through the door. Alya followed and quickly shut the door.

The brunette sat on the bed and covered her face with her hands. She let out a deep breath. "This is not what I planned."

"You didn't expect a cat to act possessive?" Plagg squeaked.

Alya's phone beeped. She looked down to see a text from Marinette informing her she had "left" her phone charger. Another sigh left Alya's mouth.

"I was supposed to take you and wait until I got this message. We would go to the studio, and you, me, and Tikki were going to talk."

Plagg's mouth hung open."Wait, Tikki? As in the kwami?"

Alya nodded. "Yes, I found her."

"You found her!" Plagg repeated.

"Yes, and she's extremely vulnerable right now."

"So is Adrien!"

"I know! And stop yelling. That's why I wanted to talk with both of you to figure out a reveal plan, but now that's out the window."

"Forget any plan, you have to tell Adrien you found her!" Plagg was flying up in Alya's face. "Who is she? Does Adrien know her? He needs to see her!"

"He does know her, and that's the problem."

"Who is she?"

"Marinette."

The Cat's eyes dilated. "The girl who always stutters around Adrien?" Alya heard his voice squeaked with hints of optimism.

"Yes. She thinks Adrien hates her because of Hawkmoth's arrest, and she thinks Chat Noir hates her because she spoke at the trial. Marinette ran out on Adrien last night because he was being Adrien."

Plagg's ears fell. "This does seem problematic, but you still need to Adrien."

"But won't he just go talk to her? Try to confront her? She's not ready for that?"

"Not if we will tell him not to. Alya, you got to understand. This is the best news this kid will have received in years. You can't hide this from him. I can't speak for Ladybug, but as Adrien's Kwami I can tell you he needs to hear this, and he needs to hear this now. This is a kitten I can save."

Alya nodded. "Alright, I will tell him. But you are still going to have to meet with Tikki today. I can sneak you over to where she is hiding."

Plagg flew towards the door of the bedroom. "And how do you plan on doing that with him in the other room?"

"We will have to bring him."

"So you're going to tell him who Ladybug is, tell him he can't see her yet, and then drag him along while you go see her?"

Alya stomped her foot. "This is why I wanted to discuss this with you and Tikki!"

The two paced. Each fuming at the unfortunate situation. Alya continued to mill over the question at hand. Tell Adrien now or tell Adrien later. He was normal around her last night. He had to be normal around Marinette, and if he knew she was Ladybug he would not be normal.

"We will tell him after we visit Marinette and you talk to Tikki," Alya decided. "I don't trust he won't freak out, and you, Tikki, and I need to figure out if we are going about this the right way." The reporter hit reply and told her friend she would be the studio.

"You have to promise to tell Adrien when we get back." Plagg's green eyes were stern.

"I promise," Alya raised her hand like a scout. Her phone buzzed, and she saw a reply from her friend to see her soon. "We are good to go."

Plagg nodded and flew through the wall. Alya followed, opening the door. "Okay Adrien, we are going to the studio."

Adrine jumped at the sudden movement. "I thought you said you needed a few hours?"

"Plagg is good at explaining," she said.

"Ok, I know that's a lie," Adrien raised an eyebrow.

"I left my phone charger at Marinette's and she agreed to bring it to the studio. You want to go to the studio so this is just serendipitous."

Adrien stood up. "That makes sense." The three left the apartment.

_oOo_

The trio arrived to the studio in record time. Adrien parked the car and then began to look around the car. "Plagg?"

The black cat popped his head out Alya's hair. "Her hair is so soft!"

"Thank you?" Alya flashed a questioning look at Adrien.

"Plagg, get out of Alya's hair," Adrien ordered.

"No, her hair is like the best blanket ever!" The black cat snuggled into her hair. Whatever you are doing, Alya, please tell Adrien."

"Plagg, Alya is our friend. Please don't make her smell like stinky cheese too."

"Its fine Adrien," Alya reassured. "Let's go inside."

The three walked up to the entrance of Evillistator Ink. The door chimed, as Adrien, Alya, and the now hidden Plagg walked into the center of the studio. Adrien gaped at the art and dresses that surrounded him. Alya smiled at his admiration for the arts. She watched as his eyes latched onto a stone colored dress with gold trim. The underlining was an almost perfect representation of the insides of the Gothic Cathedral Sainte-Chapelle. It was a beautiful piece of work. He walked over to the design.

Marinette appeared out of the black curtain hanging in the back of the open space. "Hello! Welcome to… Alya! You are here." She began to walk to her friend, but froze when she saw the blonde Model staring at one of her dresses. "A-adrien!"

"I brought him along. I needed a ride and he wanted to see the studio," Alya smiled at the blue haired girl.

Alya saw Marinette's eyes grow. "Oh, okay."

Adrien turned to the frozen girl. "Marinette, did you make this?"

"Y-yes," Marinette managed to stammer. "I designed and crafted it myself."

"It's amazing," He almost whispered. Alya smiled as she saw her friend blush.

The reporter put her hands on Marinette's shoulders and shoved her towards the model. "Why don't you give Adrien the tour? Show him all your dresses, and I will go grab my cellphone charger."

Adrien smiled. "I would love to know about your work."

"Sure," Marinette squeaked. "What do you want to know?"

"How did you pick the fabric?" He asked.

Alya took this moment to rush into the back behind the black curtain. She saw Marinette's purse and opened it up. "Tikki, we are here."

The red kwami fluttered up holding a white cord. "Here is you phone charger, Alya."

Plagg stuck his head from Alya's thick hair. "Tikki!" The kwami shot out of the air and talked the red one.

"Plagg! I missed you." Tikki squeaked.

"I missed you too, Tikki, but we need to talk about our holders. I don't know if I can keep Adrien happy for much longer. I'm not supposed to that. I'm the embodiment of Badluck."

"Wait, Chat Noir is Adrien?" Tikki exclaimed.

Plagg looked to Alya. "You didn't tell her?"

"There was never a safe time!" Alya cried. They heard the doorbell chime and voices of other people enter the studio. "We can't stay back here too long." Alya turned to Tikki. "Tikki, I am telling Adrien I found Ladybug. The kids in shambles."

"What?" Tikki almost screamed.

Plagg put his paw over the kwami's mouth. "Sorry Tikki, but if Alya doesn't tell Adrien, I am. I'm not losing another to isolation."

Tikki blinked solemnly. "I understand. I am extremely worried about Marinette, especially now that I know it is Adrien." The red bug buzzed and thought for a moment. "She needs to get comfortable with him. At least one side of him."

"Well Adrien is in love with her fashion so that shouldn't be too much of a problem." Alya paused in thought. "I think we need to get her in mask. I told her I could get them together and she said she would think about it. Tikki, I need you to start pushing that."

"Okay, I'll try." Tikki chirped.

"Plagg, we gotta keep Adrien on emotional check," Alya ordered. "Who knows how he will react to this."

Plagg opened his mouth to speak when loud shouts began coming from the other room.

"What's going on?" Tikki asked.

Alya's brows furrowed. "Don't know, but It's not good. You guys better hide." Tikki went back into Marinette's purse, and Plagg flew back into the nest he made in Alya's hair.

The reporter who walked out to see Adrien and Nathaniel squaring off in the center of the studio. Behind Adrian, cowering blue hair designer was softly asking them to stop. On Nathaniel's side, his girlfriend Lila stood behind him and encouraging him to be louder.

"You can't just offer Marinette a job in front of me. What kind of dick move are you pulling?" Nathaniel shouted in the blondes face.

"First of all you do not speak for Marinette. She has her own mind and can make you own choices." Adrien defended his case. "Second, I only asked if she would be interested in a job."

"Why do you need her so badly? Does no one want to work for Hawkmoths son?"

"You deadbeat artist." Alya could only watch as Adrien pulled his right arm back. His hand in a fist. When a smaller set of arms latched onto his forearm. "No!" Adrien turned to see Marinette holding him back. His green eyes stared into her bluebell eyes. He took a deep breath in through his nose and exhaled.

He dropped his arm. "Do you have your phone charger, Alya?"

"Yes," she said quickly. "Let's get going."

She followed Adrien out of the studio. As they walked to the car, Adrien tossed Alya the keys. Alya questioned the gesture, but then she saw Plagg peak out of her hair.

"Adrien just wait a minute. Let's not be rash," Plagg tried to ease the festering blonde.

Adrien looked around to see nobody in sight. He reached an arm over to Alya pulled her down so they were both crouching behind the car. "Claws Out!" Adrien called. The green light blinded Alya for a moment's. She blinked the green spots out of her eyes in time to see Chat Noir bounding off on top of the nearby buildings.