When Ladybug arrives for our midnight mission, I stare at her outfit. "Do I have something on my face?" she asks, when she catches me staring. "No, no. For some reason I was thinking since we'll be sneaking around you'd be wearing a black jacket and a black cap." Ladybug rolls over her eyes, gently punching my elbow. "Adrien, we're looking for clues about your mother! Not robbing a bank!"

Even though we're in my own home, I feel the need to tiptoe down the stairs, until Felix opens his door, and looks at us suspiciously. "Hey, if you two didn't get enough kissing in this afternoon, don't let me interrupted. I'm only after a glass of milk. And what did I hear you two whispering about sneaking around?" I look at Ladybug, and she nods, giving me the okay. "We're looking for clues about Mother. We had a hunch there could be clues in the portrait of Mother in the office." "Oh, please let me come," Felix asks. "I could even provide a lantern." Ladybug steps forward. "Okay, but we'll have to be quiet."

When Felix flips on the light to the office, it takes a minute for my eyes to adjust to the bright light. Ladybug is already at the portrait, running her hands over the painting. Suddenly, she stops and looks at me. "There are hidden buttons in the painting. Felix, stay here in case we get in trouble, but give Adrien the lantern. Will be back soon." I stand beside her as she presses in the button, and in a instant were going downwards, and we fall in the tube-like elevator shaft. We scramble to our feet and with a gentle bump the double doors slide open.

I turn on the lantern, and Ladybug finds my hand. That is, until the stench of rotting dead plants reaches our noses. "Here," Ladybug takes a bandanna out of her small bag at her waist. "Tie this around your mouth." I do as instructed.

Its not just the dead plants that have an awful stink, but sludge in the water below adds to the smell. We start to walk down a small, but long walk away, looking two and fro. Then Ladybug nudges me, and indicates to point the lantern up on the wall.

A huge window shaped like a akuma sits in the center, and I horrible thought crosses my mind. If that's a akuma and not some random butterfly, does that mean my father was Hawkmoth? So occupied with my thoughts, I didn't feel Ladybug let go of my hand. "Look at this."

A huge hole sits beneath the window, and I wonder what could have been there. "It almost looks like there could have been some kind of grave here," Ladybug's color is gone. "But whatever or whoever was here, is long gone."

I find my chest heaving, and my stomach begins to churn. "What if it was a grave or perhaps a resting place for my mother?" "That's highly possible, love, but why…."

My stomach can hold the contents no longer and I vomit again and again, as Ladybug rubs my back and whispers soothing words. "Ladybug," I try to catch my breath. "Do you think my father is Hawkmoth?" Ladybug holds up her hands. "Whoa, let's get to the surface, we're we can get you cleaned up and think more clearly." My stomach sloshes and I vote its a good idea.

While I stand under the warm rain of my shower, Ladybug is relying to the news to Felix in the kitchen as she makes us both some tea. I scrub the scent of vomit away, then grab my towel, drying off in front of the mirror. The warmth of the shower wears off quickly, and I begin to shiver violently. I dress with chattering teeth, a hoodie and thick jeans and walk over to the bed, curling up in a blanket.

"Adrien, you ready for some tea…." Ladybug's voice trails off as she me huddles under the blanket. She sets our drinks and snacks on the nightstand, then asks, "Got room for one more under there?" I open the blanket, and the shaking slows when she cuddles up by my side. "What we found wasn't what you were expecting, was it?" she asks, holding hand. I shake my head. "I was scared." "I was scared too." "Ladybug, where is my mother?" "Adrien, I…." Ladybug sighs, leaning her head against my shoulder. "I wish I knew."

The room is now so quiet, only the sound of the ticking clock by my bed can be heard. Plagg must have fallen asleep long ago in his cupboard. "I want to stay, but since its after Midnight, I should be in bed." I smile a tiny smile. "Huh, you were out after midnight, and you didn't turn into a pumpkin." "Do I get a gold star?" I lean over to kiss her. "No, but you get your coffee of choice in the morning. By the way, the ball is tomorrow night." Ladybug grins and stands up, keeping my hands. "Don't worry, Prince Charming, I'll be there, glass slippers or not." "Good. Cause I can't wait to dance with you."

Ladybug nods, shy, and backs away. "I'll text you in the morning. Sweet dreams, love." she stands in the window, radiant and the moon weaves a sliver crown through her strands of her in the moonlight.

Then she's gone. I plug in my Ipod, hoping a little Taylor Swift will calm me down, and yes, I'm listening to her newest album. Which seems fitting since the title is called Midnight.

Slowly, my body stops shaking, and when I wake I'm not even in my bed, but somewhere on a snowy peak. I struggle in the blinding white snow, grateful to at least have a warm green cape. I raise my head suddenly, as if someone has called my name. I slowly turn in a circle, but no one is nearby. The blinding sun doesn't help, but I struggle onwards.

When I wake, I'm cold, and I look out the window to not snow, but a heavy rain falling over Paris. M'lady hasn't texted me yet, so I go down to the kitchen to make some hot chocolate.

I'm glad Felix is still asleep when I head back to my room, and after I dress and grab an umbrella, I head out into the rain. The fresh smells of rain and wet grass makes my spirits feel a bit better, and I head to the park. I sit in one of the gazebos, just watching the rain come down and wait for Bugaboo's call. I don't expect to hear from her till at least nine, and the gentle sound of tapping lulls me and soon I'm asleep.

Instead of snow, sun beams down around me, and I hear the same sweet gentle voice of a woman calling even if it isn't M'lady. But who is calling me, and I can't I see them? "Where are you?" I yell, listening with baited breath for an answer. "You may not see me now, but you've always been in my heart!"

As the woman's words die away, I know instantly who she is. Mother. And she's right. Even if I cannot see her, she is my heart. "Why can't I see you?" "When the time is right, you'll see me again!"

My phone rings, startling me into wakefulness and back to reality. "Good morning. Meet me at Starbucks in...let's say, a half-hour?" "Sounds good. But I only have until the afternoon, with the ball tonight." "Okay. Kisses."

I smile as I hang up, and settle back down into my nap. I still have some time, for from this park, Starbucks is only about five minutes from here. Heh, guess I got a cat-nap in, and its still well before noon.

Ladybug greets me with a kiss and hug, and we settle into conversation once we grab our drinks and find a quiet corner. "So, how did you sleep last night?" Ladybug asks with concern. "Hopefully no nightmares." "No, no nightmares. But I did dream about a woman. I think it was my mother." I tell her all about the dream, and a thoughtful look crosses her face. She taps something into her bug-phone then slides it shut.

We head back to my place, and Felix is nowhere to be seen. But that's okay, we just hang out in my room, cuddling under a blanket and watch movies, especially Disney. At noon, we order pizza which we devour.

To soon, its time to send her on her way, and I sigh, calling for a Uber to go to the make-up salon. I chat with the stylist, but mostly my mind is on the dance. Sure, I'm going as Adrien, but that doesn't mean Cat Noir can't save a dance for Ladybug. After all, this is a masquerade and masks are required.

Back home, I change into my suit, thinking of new cat-puns. But on the way to the hotel, I see a lone man, talking to a young girl, and I stop the car, let it idle on the curb, as I dash into an alleyway and creep closer.

"Why should I help you?" I hear the girl say, and she wears a green dragonfly mask. "Because I make you a design now, if you play your part right. Just handle it with care." From inside the man's black coat, he produces a jar and I gasp at horror at what's inside it. A akuma flutters around, trying to break free, and he hands the girl the jar along with with a piece of jewelry. I'm to far away to tell, but could that be the long lost Butterfly Miraculous?

The girl nods, accepting the jar. "I don't want revenge on Ladybug, but other girl who wouldn't dream of missing the party. It would be my pleasure to serve you." The man grins and bows. "Complete the mission, and a designer you shall be."