Chapter Forty-Five: Without Back-Up

Marinette wasn't entirely sure how she wanted to dress for her meeting with Gabriel, but it was one of the more daunting tasks to figure out. Did she dress professionally? Dress down? Nice casual? She didn't want to dress overly provocative and give him the wrong idea if he didn't already…have one. She didn't want to draw Mayura's attention either, since apparently, she was already crazy by the sounds of it and thought Mari was after her man.

The bluenette settled on black slacks with comfortable ballet flats, just in case. She pulled on a pink short sleeve lace up peasant top and piled her hair into a strategically messy bun on her crown, leaving a few strands to trail free. Mari touched the bandage on her earlobe, and then the earrings that Chaton pierced through her upper ears, taking a deep breath.

"C'mon Tikki," she murmured. "I'm as ready as I'm going to be to face him."

***Gabriel's office***

Nathalie wasn't looking well when she walked out with her clipboard, coughing several times into the elbow of her perfectly tailored suit as she approached Marinette.

"He'll see you now," she said, rasping through her teeth, and the bluenette quirked a brow as she stood from her seat in the waiting area. She had an appointment, but the stern assistant insisted on speaking with the mogul before allowing her to proceed.

"Thank you, Nathalie," she murmured politely, but the woman only offered a hollow stare from beyond her dark spectacles, making Marinette shiver as she hurried by to the giant office. She gripped her art portfolio bag up to her chest as she entered, and smiled as Gabriel stood from his large marble desk.

Her eyes strayed towards the stationary windows off to the side of the room, admiring the view of Paris. The city was crowded, yes, but it still took her breath away when she viewed it from a higher vantage point. His office was on the top floor, of course, and she licked her lips, feeling the sudden urge to be leaping over the rooftops before the tycoon's voice snapped her attention back.

"I can take care of it from here, Nathalie," he said softly, and the infallible woman made a noise in her throat, drawing Mari's attention. Nathalie was an unwavering force when it came to maintaining decorum, but when the bluenette looked now, her dull blue eyes pierced daggers into the spotted heroines soul. They were judging, accusatory, and full of…hatred?

Marinette opened her mouth to ask what she had done, but Nathalie nodded in compliance to her boss, pulling the door closed with a little bit of a snap. "Is she okay?" The bluenette asked softly, drawing closer as the blonde ushered her forward.

His lips turned downwards a fraction before he caught himself, smoothing his face back into a placid mask. "She's fine," he said evenly as Marinette took the plush leather seat in front of his desk, setting her portfolio carefully on the sleek surface.

The secret heroine nodded slowly. "Thank you for meeting with me," she offered a tight smile as she opened her bag. "I have most of the design work done for your winter collection Monsieur Agreste."

"Gabriel," he corrected gently, leaning forward and dropping his chin on a hand propped up by his elbow. The gesture wasn't completely different to something Chat might do. If the man had grinned in a broad manner she might even realize the two shared some sort of relationship.

She paused, sliding her eyes up to meet his, watching the way his smile spread slowly over his lips. Okay, now, she was getting a weird vibe. "I think professionalism would be best," she whispered, pulling the leather bound pad from within her carrier, holding it out for the man.

"Oh?" He feigned confusion before she watched a darkness slide behind his cold blue eyes. The smile returned as he reached for her offered booklet, his fingers brushing hers enough to make her yank her hand back as he took it with ease. "I'd think you'd want to get," he tilted his head a little, dropping the item heavily on his desk with a thud as he stood. "A little more personal," he whispered as he rounded the piece of her furniture.

Mari's heart leapt into her throat, making it impossible to swallow as her eyes widened. "M-Monsieur?"

"Gabriel," he whispered, walking behind her chair. "You know, Mari," he breathed, trailing his fingers along the back of her chair close enough for her to feel, shivering with…fear as ice slid down her spine. "Watching you has been difficult," he admitted, coming to lean his backside against the desk in front of her, leaving little room between her knees and his.

"I-I—" She shook her head as the words failed to spill up her throat, and panic began to set in amidst his actions. He was definitely being too intimate with her, but it was also making her brain shut down. Flashes of Luka dominated her mind, flickering like a strobe light in between any coherent thought she might have. Each time she thought she had a grasp on her courage, an image would scatter her mind, or Gabriel's voice, or touch would leave her frozen.

His fingers snared her chin, tipping it up with an almost tender touch. "You really are beautiful," he moaned softly, licking his lips. "If only it were another time or place, hm?"

She yanked her head free, shoving to her feet so hard she knocked her chair over. "I th-think I'm going to g-go," she muttered, trying to still the fine trembling in her body.

His fingers encircled her wrist, like iron, and he yanked, hard enough for it to hurt, and the bluenette yelped her surprise. He spun her around so her back hit his chest, and one of his arms crossed her torso to pin her, the other covering her mouth as she let out a shriek of horror.

"No, please, stay. After all, I've been waiting for this moment for a long time," he growled and she managed to get his index finger between her teeth, biting down as hard as she could, drawing a holler of agony from the older man.

His grasp loosened, and Marinette stomped her foot on his, but Gabriel shoved her forward using a palm in the space between her shoulder blades. He grabbed her wrist just as fast to keep her from falling as she stumbled, and she half turned before the violent blow struck her face, forcing her to the floor in an impaired fog.

"Wh-Why," she slurred, blinking back the obsidian spots as a hot wash of fluid spilled down her nose and lips, trickling from her chin. She tasted copper on her tongue and knew her mouth and nose were bleeding from his strike.

"Hm, why?" He sighed, chuckling as she tried to get to her feet, but in her daze, she fell back on her ass, making him chortle louder with callous disregard.

Fingers touched her ear, and yanked, nearly ripping the earring from her cartilage, but the backer came out, wrenching the jewel from her flesh as she shrieked in surprise.

"Because he needs your Miraculous," Lila chuckled darkly, palming the single item.

"T-Tikki," Marinette screamed, but the Italian kicked her in the back, throwing her forward onto the floor.

"I'm surprised you didn't bring my son with you. After all, when does Ladybug go anywhere without her Chat Noir?" Gabriel taunted softly, and she lifted her heavy, unsteady head to blink at him through a film of tears.

"Spots off, permanently," Lila hissed kicking her in the back of the head so the world went black.

***POV Change***

"An Akuma has taken hold of Paris, and anybody caught in the crosshairs has been," Nadja quivered, clearing her throat. "Anybody caught by the villain has gone to great lengths to harm others or themselves. Please, stay inside until Ladybug or Chat Noir show up to cleanse the scene," she urged.

Chloe cringed, staring down at the unconscious man. "Oh, God, seriously?" The blonde woman bit her nails nervously as she nudged Adrien violently. He snorted, made an unintelligent sound and continued snoring softly. "Fuck off," she growled to the empty room, staring at the television again.

"Several individuals have th-thrown themselves off the top of buildings to take their own lives, while other people seem focused on attacking those closest to them. Ladybug, Chat, please, if you can hear me, please hurry!" The experienced woman frowned, holding her ear for a few moments before she visibly swallowed. "To our junior reporter in the field…"

"Hey, this is Xavier P—!" The trembling man dove out of the way behind a parked car as a glittering pink blast missed him by inches. "Th-The villain's name is Shatter Sight, and she turns your love into a broken heart!" He yelped as another blast shot overhead. "When you t-try to help the people affected there's an invisible barrier preventing you from getting close enough! Nobody has figured out what this shield is, but…but…"

"No more rose-tinted glasses in this city!" A woman's voice shrieked, and the camera panned towards the glowing crimson and obsidian female. "If Chat Noir and Ladybug think they can beat me, I'll be atop the Eiffel Tower, with my hostages." She tinkered. "For every twenty minutes I have to wait, I'll let one of them throw themselves off," she warned. The entity moved closer to the obvious news camera, staring pointedly. "Hawk Moth is tired of waiting. The first girl I allow to die will be a friend of both heroes," she said softly. "Mademoiselle Marinette Dupain-Cheng."

Chloe's blood froze, and she reached her hand back, slapping Adrien. "Wake up!" She screamed, crying, but the feline didn't budge. Paris needed him! Marinette needed him!

Author Note:

Don't worry, there ARE explanations coming. Lol, I won't leave you guys in the lurch. We still have a few chapters to go…especially if Lila is going to get the beating she deserves!

Trying414, just try to remember to breathe!

Italian Guest, Yeah…Adrien is going to KILL her…truly.