Nadine lounged on the couch, her legs curled up under her, The Count of Monte Cristo forgotten beside her, staring at the blank television screen. Two hours she had wasted, watching nothing in particular. It was too much – she couldn't keep going like this, even if it helped to keep her mind occupied and off of… other thoughts. Sighing quietly to herself, she sipped the cooling tea she had made herself, probably a little too long ago for it to be any good, and willed herself to open the book and return to her reading. Philippe had left to meet Ivan and go over to their current construction site just after breakfast that morning; he'd asked if she would be okay, and she had assured him that she would be fine. Mylène had called around ten; Nadine had told her the same thing. All she had wanted to do today was read her book, then make something for dinner that would be ready when Philippe got home – he was always so exhausted after working construction for a full day. But it was no use. Nadine just couldn't focus on what she was doing. Every time she looked down at the book, all she could think about was Lila: trapped in prison with nothing to do but plot her revenge. Or about herself: locked up in a cold, sterile apartment-prison for months – years, even, if Philippe and Mylène hadn't rescued her – to waste away under Lila's cruel neglect. She gulped back a sniffle.

Why had she picked this book, anyways?

Shaking her head to push those intrusive thoughts away, she looked around the apartment for a distraction, her eyes pausing on the pictures of herself and Philippe with their friends, a picture of them with Ivan and Mylène at Sabrina and Max's bachelor/bachelorette party prominently displayed on the mantle. That had been fun – some of the first fun she'd had since this whole nightmare had started. She had been so nervous about going to the party, but it had actually been such a nice time, spending the evening together with their close friends. No one there had said a word about Lila to her – if she had paused for a moment, she could even have imagined that nothing bad had happened, that it was all just the way it should have been, the way it would have been before she had let Lila get her claws into her. But reality was still there, staring back at her when she least expected it. Looking down at the book, she groaned and flipped it upside down.

Philippe was out working, and here she was, scared of a stupid book. Maybe Philippe had been right when he suggested calling the gym to see if her old job was still available – at least then she would be doing something outside of the apartment. But no. She chuckled humorlessly to herself. Who was she kidding? Who would want to learn gymnastics from her? She had been a criminal! She had been "Killer Bee's Secret Weapon," and now everyone knew that "secret." She could just imagine it: her first gymnastics lesson, teaching a little girl how to do the cartwheel-backflip combo that she had used against Sent-Bee the first time she'd met her. What parent would want that? And even if the parents didn't know, she would know. Everyone knew the truth now.

Ever since she had testified against Lila at the trial, there had been no way for her to pretend that no one knew what she had done. The papers had run a week of exposés on her: "Killer Bee's Secret Weapon," "the Girl who Enabled a Monster." And, honestly, Nadine couldn't find it in her to disagree with them. Sure, the Heroes of Paris said it wasn't her fault, that they didn't blame her. Yes, Ladybug had even revealed her identity to Nadine. And they had given her a suit… but that had just been for the one day, hadn't it? When they had brought her to Lyon because they thought she might know something that could help them capture Killer Bee once and for all. But that was the only time she'd worn the thing; the Heroes hadn't ever invited her again. Of course they hadn't been serious. How could they have a former criminal working with them?

So much of Lila's reign of terror had really been her fault. If she had only spoken up sooner, maybe none of it would have happened. Maybe Lila would have been arrested before she nearly blew up half the city, before she terrorized a bunch of their friends and classmates, before she unleashed Amun-Vatar on the city! People had died that night… and it had all been her fault.

Nadine swallowed, blinking back tears.

This line of thinking wasn't right – this was exactly what Sabrina had warned her against. The "what ifs" could tear her apart if she let them. But what else was there? She looked down at her hands. Mylène had told her that she could call if she ever needed anything. Nadine's hand was on her cellphone before she could even think about it, but she hesitated, her finger hovering over the button. She really shouldn't bother Mylène, should she? Mylène had so many other things going on right now. She had a new baby on the way! She didn't need to hear about Nadine's problems, about how Nadine was too weak to read a stupid book on her own. Reluctantly, she started to place the phone back on the end table next to the couch.

Before she could let it go, however, the phone vibrated in her hand. Nadine jumped, nearly dropping the phone in her surprise, let out an involuntary gasp, and turned the phone around to see who was calling her. "M–Mylène?" Nadine paused, coughed to clear her throat, and repeated, "Mylène? Um, hi! I, uh, I was just thinking about you!"

"Really?" There was a hint of surprise in Mylène's voice. "Well, I'm glad I called, then! How are you this afternoon?"

"Oh, you know," Nadine replied breezily. "I'm fine. Just… reading. Trying to start The Count of Monte Cristo."

Mylène hummed. "I haven't read that one yet. But I loved The Three Musketeers."

Nadine smiled. "That was the first of his books I read. There's just something about D'Artagnan's that resonates for me."

Mylène hummed. "You'll have to let me know what you think of The Count of Monte Cristo; I might try reading it myself when you're finished."

"I'll…" Nadine frowned. "Yeah. I'll let you know when I, um, finish it." Her voice trailed off, and her lips dropped down into a frown.

After a long pause, Mylène cleared her throat. "Hey, um, I was wondering if you could help me with something tonight…"

"Oh?" Nadine cocked her head curiously. "What do you need help with? I can be right up."

"No; it's not necessary to rush up right away," Mylène answered quickly. "It's not going to happen until after dinner."

"Oh." Nadine furrowed her brows. "I, um, yeah! I can help out!" She paused. "But… with what?"

"I'm going to need some backup," she responded, a hint of eagerness in her tone. "Important hero business!"

"Wait… what?" Nadine froze, certain that she must have misheard.

"I've been following the news lately, and there have been a few reports from the past week or so about a string of burglaries around the neighborhood," Mylène explained. "A bunch of petty thefts, though there were a few valuable things stolen."

Nadine's eyes widened. "Really? I hadn't heard anything about that!"

"They haven't stolen anything too big, and no one has been hurt, so it really hasn't been a major story. But the police haven't been able to put together any leads on it." Mylène paused, and Nadine could almost hear the smile. "I was thinking that maybe Multiplice and la Gymnaste could look into it, see what we can find out about these burglars."

What? "You–you want to go out on a patrol?" demanded Nadine, blinking several times. "Tonight? With me?"

"Of course!" Mylène confirmed cheerfully. "Who better to come with me? This is our neighborhood: we know the area better than just about anyone. If they're going to be anywhere near our building, then we can track them down and corner them and arrest them, so much easier than the police could do it. But the only ones who can do it are the two of us. You know how tired Philippe and Ivan usually are when they get home from work…"

Nadine flushed, looking down. That was true. Philippe did so much; she could barely bring herself to make dinner some nights. Compared to him, she was nothing but dead weight lately. She needed to do more, to carry her own weight. But still… "Is… um… is that a good idea? I mean, you are pregnant, after all."

"Well, that's why I'm bringing you along!"

Nadine blinked. "Er… right." After a long moment of silence, she cleared her throat. "Uh… sure. Yeah, okay. I'll come with you."