A/N: Frazie303 has created some fan art for this story and it is MIRACULOUS! Thank you so much for making it, it's amazing! :D Here's the link for you guys, but remember to remove the spaces: art/ On-the- prowl -Chat -Noir- to- the-rescue -fan-art- 6223 68435

Or, you can look through the reviews and get the link there :)

Btw, I wanted to confirm that, yes, I am a girl xD ;)

Also, one more quick note. This story is going to stay T, I'm not bumping it up to M. The farthest Marinette and Adrien will go is heated makeouts, they won't be venturing into the nasty (kudos if you know which show I'm referencing with that word ;) )

On with the chapter! :)

Chapter 17

Marinette had been expecting a top secret club, held in the shadiest part of the city. She expected Chat Noir to knock on the door, then a small panel would open and only a man's eyes would be visible. He'd speak in a gruff voice and ask for a secret password. Then Chat would confidently say it, and then the door would open. Inside there would be a bar and a few tables around, with the pungent smell of cigarette smoke in the air while men leered at each other over their mugs of beer or playing cards.

What she wasn't expecting, was a warehouse. It was in a shady part of Paris, that part she got right, but still.

"A warehouse?" Marinette asked in confusion. "You said you're taking me to the club, not an abandoned warehouse."

"Not everything is as it seems, Princess," he answered smugly. He pulled open the door and waited.

When she didn't move he turned back and called tauntingly, "well? Are you coming?"

Marinette, still puzzled by all this, reluctantly went inside. Chat Noir shut the door behind her. Moonlight seeped in through the windows, or rather, what was left of them. Most were just holes in the wall, glass shards littered the floor under them and all around the big, empty space.

She turned and saw Chat press his hand against the wall. She heard a low creaking, and suddenly the flooring in front of her parted to reveal a hidden staircase. Marinette bit back a startled gasp.

"Extra security," he explained casually over his shoulder, descending the steps. "You coming, My Lady?"

"Yeah, I'm coming," she replied in wonder as she followed behind him. Low bulbs decorated the walls, providing just enough light so they wouldn't miss a step.

After so many steps, low beats of jazz music crept into her ears. Marinette felt a bubble of excitement and anxiety swell in her chest, they had to be getting close!

Finally they arrived at an open doorway, accompanied by a single, burly man. He reminded her a bit of Ivan, only bigger and with a deeper scowl.

"Who's that?" He demanded, gesturing with his head at the red-clad girl.

"My guest," Chat Noir replied. Honest, but just vague enough.

The bouncer gave her a once-over, as if looking for any signs that she was a spy or something. But he relented and stepped aside to let them pass.

Marinette's eyes widened behind her spotted mask.

Chat Noir chuckled beside her. "What were you expecting? Some hole-in-the-wall with barfights like those old movies? Come on, we criminals have more class than that."

She scoffed in amusement. Chat led her to one of the many tables, choosing an empty one close to the stage where the jazz band was playing. A neon purple sign was lit above the stage, the letters spelling out, 'Akuma'.

"Akuma?" Marinette mumbled to herself in curiosity.

"That's the name of this place," Chat, having heard, informed her. "Good food, good music, what more could you want?"

Marinette had to actually remember that most-no-all the people in here were lawbreakers of some sort. She stared at all the tables, which were covered by a snow white tablecloth and a candle providing intimate lighting in the center.

A waitress came over, wearing a grin that unsettled the blackette. She wondered what her crimes consisted of, or maybe she was a family member of a criminal and freely worked here.

"Haven't seen you here in awhile, Chat Noir." She handed the pair a menu each.

"I've been..." his voice trailed off, his emerald irises sliding over to Marinette. He smirked. "Busy."

"I see." Her grin never wavered. "So who is your spotted friend?"

Marinette looked into the waitress's brown eyes. "I'm Ladybug," she replied with confidence.

"Ladybug. I look forward to seeing news of your crimes. You look promising." She snickered, probably picturing Ladybug's wanted poster already, and walked away.

Marinette paled in the sudden realization once she glanced down at the menu waiting to be opened.

She forgot to bring money. How could she forget to bring money?!

She bit her lip and placed an elbow on the table, supporting her cheek with her fist. Looks like she isn't eating tonight, now she just had to wait for Chat Noir to order.

The thief looked at her from above his menu. "Don't you want anything?"

"I-" Her cheeks colored from embarrassment as she looked away from his concerned gaze. "I didn't bring any money."

He paused. Then the jerk had the audacity to laugh! "Even if you did I wouldn't let you use it."

Her sapphire eyes flickered to him, an eyebrow quirking up in confusion. "Why not?"

"What kind of gentleman doesn't pay for his lady's meal?" He flashed her a smirk and winked.

He wanted to pay for her?! "No, no!" She hurried out. She didn't want him wasting his money just for her. "You don't have to do that! It's okay, I don't have to get anything."

"I'm paying for you and that's that," he insisted, still smirking. "Now pick up that menu and get whatever you like."

She frowned.

He leaned his face closer to hers. "If you don't I'll just order for you. And if I wind up getting something you don't like and you don't eat it, then I'll just be throwing money away. Your choice, My Lady."

Marinette scowled and picked up her menu, only furrowing her eyebrows when she noticed a clear detail that seemed to be removed after every dish listed.

"Chat?"

He glanced up above his menu. "Yes, My Lady?"

"There's no prices on this."

He lowered his menu slightly and laughed. "That's because it's the women's menu."

Woah. Only fancy, not to mention expensive, places did that. "I don't know what to order then," she softly said. She didn't want for him to be broke all because of some food.

Chat grinned. "Whatever it is you desire. If you want it, get it."

Marinette's eyes bulged at his blatant disregard to the prices. "B-But I don't know what anything costs!"

"That's the point, so you won't feel bad ordering it." He rolled his eyes. "Trust me, I can afford everything on this menu. Is that what I'll have to do, order everything on the menu to find the food you like?"

She shook her head furiously at such an absurd suggestion. Her eyes began studying the menu, all the while she ignored his chuckles of amusement.

At long last the waitress returned, notepad in hand. "Have you decided on anything yet?"

Chat rose an eyebrow in Marinette's direction, silently asking her for the answer.

"I'm ready," she replied quietly. She still felt guilty for him paying for her.

"What will you have to drink?"

The pair ordered their drinks and food. Marinette made sure to pick something that she both liked, and was sure that was low in cost.

Out of the corner of her eye she noticed a man walking closer to their table, wearing a strange green and purple suit. A black mask was painted over his eyes, matching the large black bowtie on his suit.

Marinette could barely bite back her gasp. It was Jackady, notorious for hypnotizing his victims, mostly store employees, to get money from his robberies. Was he going to hypnotize Chat?

"My Lady? What's wrong?" Chat Noir asked, sounding worried. Marinette didn't take her eyes off the approaching criminal to see her companion's face.

"Oh, that's just Jackady." He chuckled after breathing a sigh of relief. He must've followed her stunned gaze. "He's a friend of mine. Don't worry, he won't hurt you."

She tore her eyes off the smirking man and turned to the feline rogue. "What if he hypnotizes me?!" She whispered shrilly.

His mouth morphed into a line, showing he was serious. "I'd rip his face to shreds before that could happen. I promise I won't let anything ever happen to you."

Marinette tried to hide a smile at his declaration but ultimately failed. Chat Noir gave her a playful wink and turned to the approaching Jackady.

"Chat Noir! Haven't seen you in awhile, how have you been?" The criminal greeted with a laugh. His voice was high, the laugh even higher. Marinette glanced down, not wanting to meet his eyes. He was still dangerous, despite Chat's reassurance of her safety.

Chat Noir chuckled. "I've been good. It's nice to see you, too. So, I hear you've developed a partnership with The Mime?"

Marinette held back a gasp of surprise. The Mime was another criminal, famous for not saying anything during his crimes. His face was painted like a mime and his weapons were all devoid of color, giving the appearance that he wasn't using a weapon at all, rather just 'miming' them.

"Yes, and I have to say it's coming along splendidly." He gave another laugh, then looked down at Marinette. His lips curled into a leering grin. "And who is this fetching woman?"

"I'm Ladybug," she announced boldy.

"Pleasure to meet you, Ladybug." He grabbed her hand and tried to kiss it but she pulled it away.

"I don't let just anyone kiss my hand," she teased with a grin. Chat Noir's eyes gleamed with amusement and his lips twitched.

"Feisty, I like her!" Jackady proclaimed, chuckling. "I think she may be able to tame even you, Chat Noir."

Said criminal laughed and leaned back in his chair. "Who knows? She's already got me doing things I wouldn't think about doing normally."

Marinette stifled a giggle. It was true, after all. For example, he'd never have saved those people at the bank if it wasn't for her.

Jackady smirked. "Watch that you don't turn into a housecat, now."

"Wouldn't dream of it," he assured with a simper.

"Well, I must be heading off to my own table. Me and Mime are working on our next heist." Jackady turned to Marinette and smiled. "It was an honor meeting you, Miss Ladybug."

She found herself smiling back and nodding. "Likewise."

Jackady turned and walked to a few more tables over, where Marinette instantly recognized The Mime. She turned back lest he look at her, she didn't want any attention.

"See? Told you he wouldn't hurt you." Chat's arm reached across the table to take her hand and rub his thumb on it in small circles. She melted at the affectionate gesture.

"I know," she replied softly.

"And now, Akuma presents, Lucie!" A hidden announcer shouted. Instantly all the men in the vicinity started hooting and hollaring, some even making wolf whistles. Chat Noir only rolled his eyes and thanked the waitress who had delivered their food.

Marinette looked towards the stage to see that the dark blue curtains were drawn, the jazz band that was playing earlier had completely stopped.

"Who's Lucie?" Marinette whispered from across the table.

He didn't bother giving her a glance as he stabbed at his meat with a fork. "A singer," he answered, obviously not caring at all about this Lucie who all the men were catcalling over.

Low, slow music began playing over the speakers. A woman's voice began to sing, matching the music's tone. Suddenly the curtains were drawn, revealing a woman wearing a spaghetti strap dress that clung to her impressive figure and ended just below her butt.

A few men whistled but soon quieted down to listen to her sing, or simply to gaze at her body in lust.

Marinette's gaze was drawn to Chat Noir. He kept his head down and was eating his food, acting completely normal and not looking up at the stage for a second. She lowered her eyebrows in confusion. Every male in the vicinity ogled this singer, so why not him? She was obviously very attractive.

She returned her eyes to the stage, where the woman was singing while also doing a sensual dance. Her feet glided across the stage, marveling Marinette on the fact she was doing it all in sky-high heels.

Finally, her song ended with a flirty note, and men stood and clapped while letting out more wolf whistles and cheers. Chat Noir gave a few polite claps, not looking away from his food, and resumed eating.

Marinette rose an eyebrow. "Why?"

He peeked up at her, a stray lock of hair hung over his forehead. "Why what?"

"You didn't look at Lucie the whole time!" Marinette explained.

He rose an eyebrow. "So?"

"So?" She repeated in surprise. "So, all the guys were staring at her and whistling at her. But you didn't seem to care about her."

"That's because I didn't."

"But, but she was flirty and talented and-"

"The only woman I'll ever be interested seeing on that stage is you." A corner of his mouth lifted deviously. "But you wouldn't even get to sing, because I'd pounce on you before you could even open your beautiful mouth."

Marinette's breath hitched as she felt her face warm at his words.

Chat Noir nonchalantly returned to his dinner, acting like he didn't just make the girl sitting across from him speechless and flustered. Marinette shakily grabbed her fork and began eating as well.

The jazz band started playing again, and Marinette couldn't help but let her eyes soak in all that was Akuma. It was a place criminals frequented, but you wouldn't even know it if someone didn't inform you of that face. Fancy tables, food, a stage and singers and dancers? Chat Noir was right, criminals do have class, after all.

Still, it doesn't excuse their actions when they're outside of the place.

"Hey, Volpina!"

The random man's words reached the blackette's ears, followed by more cries of greeting. Chat perked up, eyes narrowed and trained on the entrance of the club. This would be their first time seeing the new criminal.

A girl, looking no more than their age, sauntered through the door. A long flute was attached to her back, and her long hair was held back by a tie near the end of her locks. She wore an orange, white, and black suit resembling a fox, like her namesake. She smirked prettily at the men's calling, even winking in a random direction.

Her green eyes trailed around the place before settling on their table. Marinette looked back to see her companion's reaction, but he remained openly glaring at the vixen beauty.

She turned back to Volpina, whose eyes didn't move from Chat Noir's. If anything, her smirk curled deeper.

Volpina began walking to their table.

A/N: Please don't kill me for leaving it here ;)