BREAKING NEWS!

The Louvre Museum was put into lockdown yesterday morning after a rare artefact exhibition was tampered with and the automatic alarms set off.

It is yet to be confirmed if anything was stolen, however eyewitness accounts have stated that a rare 'siren' feather, which was one of the key artefacts in the display, has been missing since the lockdown yesterday. It is uncertain whether the feather had been taken off display for safety reasons, or it was the removal of the feather which had triggered the alarm. The feather has been rumoured to hold hidden powers, powers that the siren's used to lure sailors into the path of destruction.

The display will be closed from today for the foreseeable future, the entrance blocked off with an additional 'Mona Lisa' gift shop.

In other news, Ladybug and Chat Noir have unsurprisingly been nominated once again for 'Couple of the Year', however those checking out the other finalists will see the lack of the 'Agreste's' making it into the top three. It seems Vivica Agreste's, 23, 'pregnancy' announcements have stirred her fan base with the majority supporting Adrien Agrest, 24, against his wife's cruel joke. Could this be the end for France's favourite civilian couple?

Adrien is due to fly out to Argentina to film scenes for his upcoming movie 'Legal Blue' next week, and we are yet to have confirmation that Vivica will be flying out with him. This comes with rumours that Adrien has moved out of the material home and is now living in an apartment in Paris' city centre, alone.

Maybe life in paradise isn't as wonderful as we all thought?

•••••

'Don't you dare look back, just keep your eyes on me, I said no holding back, she said shut up and dance with me.

Adrien danced around his kitchen as he prepared his breakfast. As usual, he was following his morning routine, including asking Alexa for a selection of feel good tunes, and by God could she belt out some bangers if you asked her just right. This morning is definitely one of those days.

'This woman is my destiny, she said oh oh oh, shut up and dance with me.'

Milk. Check.

Eggs. Check.

Flour. Check.

Blueberries. Check.

Strawberries .... He picked up the punnet and stopped a smile stretching over his lips. The red fruit called to him in new ways. In ways that reminded him of Marinette's glossy, plump pink lips. Lips which were the perfect fit for him.

God, he was still riding high after his kiss with her yesterday.

It was the perfect restart to what would hopefully be a new and improved relationship between the two of them, he just had to get through these next few weeks and finally finalise his divorce. Jess had done a great job setting everything up, he could see why she was such a success story. The deal was pretty much signed, sealed and delivered ready to go to court. Even as far as the prenup was concerned Jess had covered it all. Only one more thing was needed to complete the deal, the decline of Gabriel Agreste.

Adrien knew he'd need to speak to Nathalie at some point, just for the clarification of what he already knew ... but that could wait. There were far more pressing matters at the moment.

Firstly, Argentina ... two whole weeks with Marinette away from everything and if it was up to him their relationship would be drastically changing over those two weeks. Away from prying eyes he could make his move, let her know exactly how he felt about her, how he'd always felt about her, even during those three years they were apart. He'd already started packing, making sure he had his best clothes ready; from underwear to lounge wear, he was dressing to impress.

Next, he needed to check in with Max again. The game had skyrocketed, with over a million online pre-orders of the game. Max was in the middle of testing the capacity of the servers, making sure they could take the demand. They also needed to film a couple more promo videos with Chat Noir and Ladybug, making sure it was well advertised as being legit with the heroes themselves.

Finally, he needed to speak to Nino.

Adrien was still shook by what had happened at the party, and he couldn't help but think there was something Nino wasn't telling him, something important. Seeing Alya so broken at Marinette's apartment hit him hard. They may not have been the best of friends over the past years but Alya still meant a lot to him and she was broken, exactly as he'd remembered Marinette when he'd left her.

Marinette.

Sweet, innocent, everyday Ladybug, Marinette.

He was so grateful for the second chance he was getting, for being able to befriend her again, after everything that had happened for her to want to be with him, to want to spend time with him, it meant so much.

Loading the different ingredients into the mixing bowl, he prepared everything ready for his pancakes. He couldn't cook much, but his American style pancakes were top notch ... even if he did say so himself.

Just as Adrien was coming up to completing the delicious fluffy treats, the intercom buzzed alerting him to someone's presence outside the main door. He placed two stacks on separate plates covering them in the blueberries and strawberries before licking the juice off his fingers and heading over to the box near his front door. Unlike Marinette's apartment block, nobody was getting in here without being verified.

"Alexa, turn off." The music stopped as Adrien made his way down the hallway and towards the front door.

Placing his thumb in his mouth and sucking off what little juice lingered, he pressed the button on the intercom, the screen lighting up and Félix's face appearing."Hello," Adrien greeted.

"Hi Cousin, are you going to let me in? It's cold out here this morning." Adrien rolled his eyes, finding the button to release the lock on the door and allowing Félix to head up towards his apartment.

Even when Adrien was expecting Félix, his nerves were still on edge. His cousin was rash, smart and unpredictable, and even though he'd do anything for Adrien, his main priority was always himself. As much as Adrien would like to be angry about that, he couldn't blame his cousin, after all, it was the one personality trait he wished he'd picked up during their time together all those years ago.

Five minutes later, Félix appeared at Adrien's door signalling his arrival with his usual playful, and musical knock.

"Hey," Opening the door, Adrien greeted his cousin and welcomed him into the apartment, guiding him towards the kitchen where the pancakes were waiting.

"This place looks good, small, but nice." Félix made his way through to the kitchen giving the walls a good eying as he walked. He shrugged his coat off his shoulders and placed it around the back of his chair. "Ha!" He exclaimed, "So you can cook now? That's one for the books."

Picking up his fork, he dug into the fruit covered flat cake, filling his mouth and closing his eyes. One trait the two did share was the knack for over dramatics.

"What's the news then?" Adrien asked, sitting opposite his cousin and digging into his own pile. He really was getting better at this whole cooking thing, and he hoped one day he would be able to do this for Marinette, maybe even serving it to her in bed with a red rose on the tray. He just needed to get through Argentina.

"Did you see yesterday's 'Mode Mania' story?" He said, taking another huge bite of pancake before letting out a moan. "Seriously cuz, this is awesome. You've outdone yourself."

"Yes, and did she take the bait?"

"Like hell did she! She knew it was me as soon as I opened my mouth. Didn't stop her though, and to be honest, I'm not surprised since you haven't tried to fuck her at all since you've been married." Félix looked to Adrien before taking another bite.

"So why did you continue to go through with it if she knew it wasn't me?"

"Because I'm horny and she was dead set on having sex. Come on, I know she's a Grade A bitch but she's as sexy as fuck. What's a guy to do?"

Adrien sat perplexed as he stared at Félix. How could he still be such an asshole?

"Forget about me though. Did you fuck Marinette last night, or was it Ladybug? You've cooked and had a shit eating grin on your face since you opened the door, which means only one of three things; your divorce is final, Gabriel has finally fucked off to the afterlife, or you had your dick deep in your little Lovebug last night?"

"Don't you dare say her name. You might be helping me with this but don't think you're forgiven from the shit you pulled years ago. The only reason you're here is because you want the same result I do."

Félix held his hands up in surrender. "Point taken."

"So what's next?"

"Well, I have proof that she fucked me, which I am certain she didn't know about, hence why she let me in your matial bed," he held up his phone waving it in front of Adrien's face. "It's always worth while filming your playmate when you have sex. The names they scream out tell you a lot. Your prenup has been void for three days little cousin, go have some fun."

Smiling, Félix picked up a strawberry and popped it into his mouth. "Turn your phone on," Félix said through a mouth of red fruit, "and I'll airdrop it over to you."

"I'm not going to watch it," Adrien said, crossing his arms over his broad chest and leaning back into the chair.

"I hope you don't. After all, I don't think you'd want to hear the name I'm calling out whilst buried balls deep into your wife."

Adrien didn't lose his temper often, usually he was quite calm and collected but his cousin knew exactly how to push it - how to take him from zero to cataclysm in nothing short of a second.

"Plagg," Adrien growled, his little kwami appearing by his holders since, both now eyeing the blonde on the opposite side of the table.

Placing his cutlery down on the table Félix stood up, fully aware their conversation was over. "Just joking, Adrien, geez, where's your sense of humour gone? I'll see myself out."

Turning in the direction of the door, Adrien called Félix back. "There's one other problem," Adrien stated, knowing he'd gotten his cousin's attention by the slow turn of his head. "The feather of the siren is missing."

The face Félix pulled sent terror down Adrien's spine. Félix never showed fear. It was a well known fact, so when you saw any type of horror in his reaction you knew to panic. "When?" The one word was laced with so much tension Adrien felt himself recoil a little.

"Two days ago."

"Shit!" Félix made his way towards Adrien's couch and sat down, elbows resting on knees and hands in his hair. "You need to tell her. Ladybug needs to know, Adrien. If you know who uses it, if anyone uses it ... fuck!"

He rubbed against his eyes fiercely, Adrien watching on. He knew the effects the Siren feather could have on him, but he also had Jess and Aeon - two allies that could take down the wearer, but he wouldn't let Félix in on that information. That was his secret, one his cousin didn't need to know about. Félix knew too much already.

"If Lila gets out ... if she gets her hands on that feather ... we're screwed."

Adrien didn't want to say too much, but his cousin was screwed anyway. He just didn't know it yet.

•••••

"We knew this was a possibility, and in a way it's a good thing you have an answer now. You can choose what you want to do."

Alya had spent the evening at Marinette's apartment, not having the courage to go home and speak to her mother or sisters. The girls had stayed up all night, Marinette being the best friend she could be and attending to Alya's beck and call, including holding her hair back as she threw up in the toilet.

Marinette didn't deal well with sickness, usually following through with the motion herself if she came within an inch of the stuff, but here she was, helping her friend as she was actively puking.

"I'm keeping it," Alya said in between wretches, "I can't kill an innocent baby just because its dads a fucking moron."

Marinette stood silent. She knew it wasn't her place to say anything regarding Nino's behaviour. He'd told her not to tell her best friend, that he just needed time, and to be honest she didn't feel like it was her place to say anything to Alya anyway. It wasn't her story to tell. But maybe she could placate things a little, maybe she could try and make sure Alya didn't give up on Nino too soon.

Tikki, Trix and a couple of other kwami's flew into the room, each holding a different item for the fox hero. A flannel, ginger biscuits, mints, mint tea, tissues ... each kwami trying their hardest to be helpful in some way or the other. Every kwami that is, except Wayzz.

Marinette looked to the green kwami before heading out of the room and into the kitchen, indicating for the God of protection to follow her.

"If you need anything, send Trixx," Marinette said to Alya, closing the door too as she left. The sounds of wrenching continued from behind the closed door.

"Is it my holder's?" Wayzz asked, watching as Marinette moved around her kitchen, cleaning and placing away objects.

"Yes," Marinette said, trying her hardest to hold in the tears.

When they were at collége nobody would have thought this was how their life would be. Happily ever after just seemed like the only way, the only option ... but now ... well it was all going to shit.

The 'Friends' theme tune had never made more sense than at this moment.

Yes, nobody told you your life was gonna be this way.

Yes, your job is a joke.

Yes, you're broke (well, the budgeting was tight but she was living.)

But yes, her love life was DOA.

"Is she going to tell him?"

Marinette shook her head, letting an exhale out through her nose.

"I don't know." She whispered, before looking down at her phone on charge. She needed to talk to someone about this, she needed another opinion on it, and only one person came to mind. Only one person would know the other side of this story.

Unplugging her phone, she pulled up Adrien's name and typed out a message, hoping he was available.

Marinette
Are you free to talk?

So the message wasn't exactly one of two people who had kissed last night, if anything it looked as though Marinette wanted to talk about that, and worst of all, it looked like she might regret it.

But oh how she didn't!

Her lips still tingled when she thought about the pressure of his lips on her own. The way he'd cupped her face and pulled her in with such tender force. She wanted more, so, so much more ... but reality was a bitch and unfortunately because she couldn't control herself last night she had successfully trapped him. She'd done the one thing she swore she wouldn't do.

Moving around her kitchen, she began to clean up and place objects away, every now and then stopping to think that she'd once again been successful at her job, and how much she now hated it. She used to thrive off the success, the feeling of helping another scorned woman out, but she knew the truth now. She learned that the Adrien in her head was nothing more than a fake, a projection of fear.

The feelings circulating around her body made her feel raw, like such a horrible person. Adrien was going to hate her and she wasn't sure that she'd come out of this without hating herself either.

Finishing the last of the cleaning, and with no sign of Alya, Marinette moved to the couch and found her latest book to carry on reading. 'Dare to Desire', oh yes. She was fairly certain Olivia and Dylan were about to have sex and she was ready ...

"Marinette?"

... and that was the end of that.

Marinette placed the bookmark back in and closed the book, placing it on the coffee table she hoped she could return to the land of make believe later.

"How are you feeling? Can we get you anything?" Shooting from her seat, Marinette made her way to Alya guiding her back down onto the sofa from where she was standing in the hallway.

"No, I'm okay for now, I think. I need to speak to Nino. I can't keep this from him and we've never kept secrets before." Alya's hands went to her stomach, cradling the home of her and Nino's unborn child, tears rolling down her cheeks.

"Do you want me to be with you when you tell him?"

Alya shook her head. "I'm not ready yet, maybe in a few weeks." She sighed and rested her head against Marinette's shoulder, just as the latter girl's phone vibrated against the table.

Adrien

"It seems you two have definitely kissed and made up." Alya said, slight amusement in her voice and a little glimpse of the old Alya shining through.

"Something like that." Marinette laughed, wrapped an arm around her friend and placing her head on top of Alya's now sweat laced hair.

"Did you kiss him? It looked like you did but you never know with you two. You could have been doing some weird shit like a staring contest or something."

Marinette's body went still. If she admitted this out loud, admitted that she had kissed Adrien then it would be out there. Out there for Vivica to find. She knew Adrien wouldn't say anything, and until she spoke to him about what they were, or what they could be, she would once again be keeping a secret close to her chest.

"We were close, if you'd been a couple of seconds later I think it might have happened." Marinette lied through gritted teeth once again.

"So, what does he want?" She indicated down to Marinette's phone. "A second chance at locking lips." Marinette attempted to laugh at her friend only for it to come out forced and fake. She trusted Alya. She trusted her with her most sensitive of secrets so why was she suddenly so afraid to tell her she'd kissed Adrien. It was just a damn kiss, it's not like they'd made out or anything. Friends kissed after all - what was so wrong with that?

Pulling away from Alya, she stretched forward grabbing her phone off the table praying to God that Alya couldn't tell something was wrong from her body language.

Adrien
I am a totally free (secret) agent today. Call me whenever. Though I am on the lookout for Paris' most wanted croissants.

She rolled her eyes before letting out a little snicker. What a fool!

"I'll leave you to it," Alya said, standing from her spot on the sofa. "I need to go home and take a shower. Then I need to call the doctors to see if I can get an appointment, and I think I'm going to tell my maman. It's great I have you, Marinette, but I think I need some additional support, you have enough going on without worrying about me."

"I'll always worry about you." Marinette responded, wrapping her friend in a tight hug. As they released each other her attention turned back to her phone, her fingers itching to call Adrien.

"Shall I call you later? Or will you be busy?" Alya's eyes glowed with mischief and Marinette was glad she could give her friend some light relief.

"You know I will always answer you, even if I am riding the man of my dreams."

Alya let out a huge laugh, before moving back to Marinette and embracing her one more time, reminding her to lock the door after she'd gone. It seems Adrien's anxiety of the apartment building was rubbing off on everyone, including her.

Once Alya was out of sight, Marinette went to close the door and lock it, however a sudden feeling of unease took over her, almost as though she was being watched. The hairs on the back of her neck sticking up, and goose bumps coating her arms.

The need to transform overpowered her, her fingers heading straight to her earrings and twisting around in her lobes. This was ridiculous! It didn't matter what anyone said, the apartment was safe. The whole building was safe! That's why she got the room here! It had state of the art security ... it was pushed in all the brochures and sold to her when she came for her viewing. It ... was ... safe!

After one last look up and down the corridor, she slammed the door shut, locking it before deciding to add a little extra security of a chair against it. It wasn't much, but if someone did try to get in at least it would make a lot of noise as it clattered to the ground.

What was up with this?

Making her way back to the lounge area, she grabbed her phone from the table and walked into her bedroom, again closing and locking the door. Searching through her phone she found the number she wanted and dialled, praying he would answer his phone.

•••••

"Tom and Sabine Patissiere, how can we help you?" Tom answered the phone in his usual, cheerful voice.

For the guy's size he was such a softy, and Adrien couldn't help but marvel at the big teddy bear wishing that Gabriel possessed even a bite size amount of the love and adoration Tom sent oozing off him. The guy was wonderful and Adrien couldn't help but smile.

"Marinette, slow down." The smile was soon wiped off his face, as Adrien's ears perked at the sound of Marinette's name. Was she okay? Why did she need to slow down? His heart began to beat wildly. Nothing had happened to her? Had it?

Sabine passed Adrien over his macarons as she watched Tom's eyebrows crease into a frown.

"Listen, sweetheart, your apartment is fine. There's no need to worry, you know yourself it has the highest security rating, no one can just walk in."

A hand touched Adrien's, causing him to jump back. It seemed he had gripped the macaron box slightly harder than he intended, the cardboard structure no match for the steely grip of a man in distress. He looked to Sabine who looked back just as worried.

"Honey, honey, slow down. Woah, Marinette, just stop, calm,"

Adrien's heart was racing rapidly in his chest, his lungs clutching for whatever air he could pull in, the fear more than any akuma he'd ever faced. What was she saying on the other side of the phone? Why was she so scared?

"Tom," Sabine's voice was laced with panic as she spoke her husband's name. The big guy waved her off, concentration fully on the phone in his hand.

"Marinette, is that the fire alarm? You need to get out of the building. I'm coming over now."

Before Tom had spoken the last words Adrien was out the bakery and heading towards the nearest alleyway.

"Plagg," he called, signalling his kwami to appear beside him.

"Let's go get her, kid."

Calling his transformation, Adrien Agreste was once again replaced by his alter ego, extending his baton and rising high up into the sky. With only two or three bounds he reached the building opposite Marinette's where he settled and searched down below for her.

The height came in handy as he looked over the crowded street in search of her raven hair. It seemed the building was quite full by the amount of bodies outside, including one who was walking like a man possessed. Adrien watched as Dominic stalked along the pathway, a determined glare on his face.

Adrien knew had two options; he could go down and grab Marinette, or he could remain here, leaving her to the psychopaths clutches. It was a no brainer really, but he was going to do this as Adrien, not as Chat Noir ... not yet. His alter ego shouldn't be used for personal gain, but if this douchebag kept appearing he'd have no choice, a threat of a cataclysm to the ass soon scared people away.

Jumping down into the alley between the buildings, he released Plagg from his ring, and made his way out onto the street. The crowds parted as he walked, moving out of his way and pulling out their phones. Of course they'd want pictures, just another thing to post online about Adrien Agreste, another story to sell, but right now he didn't care. The only thought in his mind was to get to Marinette as quickly as possible.

"Marinette," he called, making his way closer to his intended target, moving people out of the way as he walked. "Marinette!" He called again, this time his voice reaching its intended target causing her to turn around and meet him eye to eye.

She rushed forward, launching herself into his arms and wrapping tightly around his midsection, her body fitting perfectly against his.

"Why are you here?" She whispered in his ear. He turned his head, noticing the back of Dominic's head as he moved in the opposite direction, obviously diverting his movements after seeing Adrien appear by her side ... good.

"I was at the bakery when you called, your parents are worried sick."

"How did you get here so fast? M-m-my father said he was on his way but he's not here yet."

"I'm a fast runner," he said, berating himself internally for not thinking of a better plan.

"I'm so glad you're here." She squeezed him harder and he knew the crowds around him would be having a field day with the pictures they could snap and the stories they could now sell, but he didn't care. She was safe in his arms and that's all that mattered.

•••••

Marinette felt the stress slowly evaporate as she was held in Adrien's arms, and when her father had appeared she was reluctant to let Adrien go. Finally releasing him from her iron grip she moved to her father. The strength she felt with Adrien disappearing and the emotions overcoming her. Safe and cared for in her fathers arms she crumbled into a thousand pieces.

Two emotional breakdowns in two days. That had to be a new record even for her.

"Have they said anything?"

Marinette could hear her father talking to Adrien over her head. Each word vibrating in his big, warm chest as he spoke. She was safe here. Her father and Adrien in protect mode, making sure no harm came her way. The feelings she had whilst locked in her bedroom vanished as she settled into her male sandwich. Two men who cared for her dearly, and two men she loved. There she'd admitted it.

She was sure someone was there watching her, looking on as she said goodbye to Alya and closed her door, leaving her alone and vulnerable. Someone was inside her apartment building for the sole purpose of coming after her.

She grabbed a hold of the bag hanging at her side. The bag that contained all of the Miraculous jewellery, every tiny piece of power that she owned. If whoever was there had come with the purpose of stealing the box then they were doing so without any Miraculous inside. She'd learned her lesson the first time, and she'd never lose them again.

She continued to listen as her father spoke with Adrien, keeping her head down but her ears open.

"They're still waiting for the all clear before they can let the occupants back in. They're quite sure it was a false alarm, they think someone on the second floor signalled it."

The second floor? Her floor. A shiver coursed down her spine. Was she right? Was there someone coming after her?

"Tom," Adrien said, speaking to her father. "I saw Dominic in the crowd."

"Where's the fucker?"

She'd never heard her father swear. Never! But the venom of which the words were said sent a shiver down Marinette's spine.

"I got to Marinette first, he disappeared into the crowd."

"Do you think it was him?"

"No," Marinette's words were small and quiet. "No, he tries to be threatening but he doesn't scare me. This was someone, or something, else."

She looked up just in time to see Adrien flinch back. Did he know something? Or did he have an idea who it might be? His reaction was obvious ... he was feeling uneasy, unsure of how to react.

"You're coming to stay with me." Adrien's voice was demanding but not aggressive. The voice of an Alpha male trying to protect his own, of a man trying to protect his woman.

"I appreciate the thought, but I wouldn't feel comfortable, sorry Adrien. Papa, any chance I can move back into my old room for a bit." She looked at her father to see him nod in agreement.

"We'll get your things when you can go back in."

Moving away from her father, she walked back to Adrien, hugging into him once again.

"Thank you for being here." She was back in the security of his arms, her body relaxing as he traced his fingers up and down her back. She closed her arms, basking in everything Adrien Agreste, wishing she had had the guts to go back with him. To go back to his apartment.

"Would it be okay if I helped you back to your parents?" He said, placing his chin on the top of her head. "I won't rest until I know you're safe."

"Sure."

"Did you want to talk about the message you sent me?" She shook her head against his chest.

"Not today."

"Okay." He didn't push and she was grateful for it.

"Thank you for waiting. The building is now safe to return into." The fire department began to leave allowing the occupants to make their way into the building and to their apartments.

She needed to get in and now, praying that this had nothing to do with her. She once again stepped away from Adrien's hug, missing the warmth of his body.

The three made their way back into the building before heading up to her apartment. The door was open, just as she'd left it when she'd exited the building and everything, so far, seemed in place.

"I'll just go to my bedroom and then we can start packing my things. Can you two just check everything in here?"

Adrien and her father began to look around the kitchen and her lounge leaving Marinette to her own devices heading for the bedroom. Closing the door behind her she noticed everything was where is should be, nothing had been messed with or moved.

Climbing onto her bed, she stretched up to the loose panel in the ceiling, moving it and feeling around.

The air left her lungs, and she closed her eyes.

It was still there.

As far as she could tell, nobody had touched the Miracle box.