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Redemption	By : Cat_Eyes Category: +M through R > Miraculous LadyBug Views: 2815 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Miraculous Ladybug. Miraculous Ladybug is the intellectual property of Thomas Astruc and released by Zag studios. No profit was made writing this story.

Chapter List
- 16
- 17
- 18
The police came to question Marinette and her family that evening. They were assured they were not under suspicion, the police were there only to gather as much information as possible. They did, however, spend an uncomfortable amount of time questioning Marinette about Adrien's day-to-day habits. She resented the implications of that line of questioning, and her ire showed.
The woman questioning Marinette often digressed, alternating between reassuring her it was just procedure, and asking about her personal relationship with Adrien.
'We're friends,' Marinette told her flatly, for the seventh time. 'I'm worried about what this fiasco is doing to him.'
'Of course,' the policewoman replied, with a strained smile.
Finally, the two police officers left, leaving their contact details with Tom, should anything more come to their attention. Marinette forced a smile and waved, as Sabine closed the door.
'That was exhausting,' she sighed, as she moved to sit on the couch.
Marinette threw herself down beside her. 'Poor Maman,' she sympathised.
Tom sank down on Sabine's other side. 'It's a procedure, all right,' he agreed.
They sat in silence for a moment, too mentally fatigued to engage in conversation. Marinette's phone buzzed when Alya called.
'Are you alive?' she asked, by way of greeting.
'Barely,' Marinette groused. 'Did the cops see you, too?'
'Yeah, a man and a woman. They questioned us for ages, even the twins. Mum was furious.'
'Are you guys ok?' Marinette asked, concerned.
'Yeah, yeah, we're fine. The twins were more confused than anything, and Mum's just angry. Dad's annoyed that they took so long, and right at dinner time, no less.'
'They just left here a few minutes ago,' Marinette told her. 'It took way too long. We're all just tired.'
'Wow, it sounds like they grilled you longer than they did the rest of us.'
Marinette pushed herself upright. 'How many of us did they see?'
'Our whole class, including the teachers, according to Sabrina.'
'Damn, they really are being thorough.'
'How's Adrien doing?' Alya asked, her voice softening.
Marinette let her head fall back. 'I haven't spoken to him since this morning, but he seemed in good spirits, if a bit tired. His examination ran super late.'
Alya hummed in understanding. 'You sound pretty wiped, too. Go to bed early tonight, and get some sleep, ok?'
Marinette gave a wan smile. 'Yes, Mother.'
'Damn straight. G'night, Girl.'
'Night.' She hung up with a weary exhalation.
'Do either of you mind if we just have sandwiches for dinner?' Sabine enquired.
'I think we still have leftovers which need to be eaten,' Tom suggested.
Marinette waved a limp hand. 'You guys go ahead. I'll be along as soon as I can feel my face again.'
'Sure, Sweetie. Whenever you're ready,' Sabine replied.
They ate quietly, lost in their own thoughts. Marinette hoped this latest development wouldn't negate all of the progress Adrien had made thus far.

Alya was absent the following day, texting she had caught the virus Etta and Ella had brought home.
Hopefully, those nosy cops caught it, too, she sent.
Marinette shook her head. They're just doing their job. It's a pain, but it can't be helped.
Alya took a long time to respond. I know. I just want someone else to be sick. You know I hate to suffer alone.
Marinette raised an eyebrow. Your family isn't enough?
Family doesn't count. They're a given, especially since it's their fault.
Marinette huffed a weak laugh. Such uncharitable thoughts, you unfilial daughter. I have to be off. Rest well, and stay hydrated.
Yes, Mother. Have a good one.
Marinette sent a last goodbye text, and finished getting ready.
Sabine looked worried when she came down for breakfast.
'You doing all right, Maman?' Marinette asked, in concern.
Sabine stared into the sink full of soapy water. 'You don't think Adrien knew about the breakout, do you?'
'Of course not,' Marinette gasped. 'How could he? He doesn't have his own phone, he hasn't been to see Nathalie, and his visits with his father are all closely monitored. He's never had the opportunity to learn anything.'
Sabine shook her head. 'You're right, I know you are. I knew all of that.'
'But?'
'I don't know,' she admitted, her shoulders sagging.
Marinette clenched her fists on the benchtop. 'I know he had nothing to do with it. He may have been Chat Noir once, but he's grown since then. He's a good person. Besides, the cops have already ruled him out as a suspect.'
'I know, Sweetheart,' Sabine said. 'I suppose it's just a mother's instinct to be worried for her only child.'
Marinette's face softened into a smile. 'You know I can take care of myself.'
Sabine turned to her, and held out her arms. Marinette circled the counter, stepping into the embrace.
'I know you can, my Sweet.' She let go and pointed Marinette back into her seat. 'Sit and eat. I think today is going to be a long day.'
At school, Adrien wasn't in the courtyard, or the locker room. Instead, Marinette found him sitting on the step beside his desk, elbows resting on his upraised knees, as he hung his head.
'Oh, Adrien,' she murmured. She knelt between his feet and pulled him into a hug.
His reaction was slow, but when he returned the hug, Adrien clutched the back of her shirt and buried his face in her shoulder.
'Talk to me, Adrien. Tell me what you're thinking,' she crooned, as she rubbed his back.
'I'm scared,' he confessed.
'Of what?'
He gulped. 'Nathalie. She's strong, tough, resourceful, and extremely competent. She's intelligent, and not afraid to get her hands dirty. She's going to help Father escape, I just know it.'
Marinette squeezed him tighter. 'You told the police all this?'
He nodded.
'What do you think she'll do?'
'I have no idea, and that's what terrifies me,' he replied.
Marinette didn't know how to respond to that, beyond empty platitudes. She whispered to him soothingly until the bell rang, then she let him go to take her seat.
He had collected himself by the time their classmates arrived, greeting each of them in turn with a smile, a nod, or a polite wave. The tension drained out of Marinette's shoulders, as none of them had reverted to their former, hostile suspicions.
As Sabine had predicted, the day was torturously long. In class, the time moved so slow, it felt like it was running backward. Between classes, her peers asked endless questions about herself, Alya, and Adrien. Marinette heaved a sigh of relief as the final bell rang. She walked with Adrien to the front steps.
'You see your psychiatrist today, right?'
'You know it,' he replied, with a feeble smile.
Marinette hesitated, fiddling with her bag strap. 'You know, if you ever need me to be there, or for anything,' she trailed off, looking away.
Adrien put a hand on her shoulder. She looked up to see him smiling at her. 'I know. Thank you, Marinette.'
Warmth flooded her cheeks. 'See you tomorrow?'
A car sitting at the curb gave an impatient beep. Adrien turned to wave at the irate driver. 'That's my escort. I'd better go. See you tomorrow, Marinette.'
Her hand shot up to wave frantically at his retreating back. 'See you tomorrow,' she called.
He looked over his shoulder once, gave a two fingered salute, and climbed into the car to be driven away.

The rest of the week passed in tense silence. Everyone waited for Nathalie to make her move, but she remained quiet, biding her time. No one could fathom what she was waiting for, but the longer she hid under the radar, the more strained everyone became. Adrien in particular had become increasingly twitchy, flinching at sudden noises, and warily watching passing cars. Marinette was certain he wasn't getting enough sleep, either.
Alya returned on Monday, swearing the virus had run its course, and she was no longer contagious. The girls greeted her with hugs and expressions of sympathy, but the boys kept a prudent distance.
'Nino,' Alya cried, in exasperation. 'Get over here, and welcome me back properly.'
Nino shook his head, holding his arms up in a cross. 'No way. Not until I see proof that you're one hundred percent healthy, Typhoid Mary.'
'Oh, for the love of,' Alya grumbled, with a roll of her eyes.
With Alya's exuberant presence, the class regained some of its former energy. Marinette smiled as they bickered, good-naturedly, around her.
By Friday, everyone was behaving as they always had, except for Adrien, who still waited on tenterhooks, for Nathalie's next move. He hadn't been sleeping well, as evidenced by the bags under his eyes, and Marinette suspected his appetite had dropped off, as well. She watched on in concern as he talked to Nino on the front steps of the school, after classes had ended for the day.
Nino leaned against the stone bannister, while Adrien stood before him, his back to Marinette. Even from this angle, she could see how his shoulders sagged under the weight of his fatigue.
'You need to talk to him,' Chloe said, planting herself directly in front of Marinette.
Marinette recoiled. 'What?'
Chloe huffed, and put her fists on her hips. 'He's overtired, stressed, hungry, and depressed. You need to make it better.'
'How am I supposed to do that?' she asked in astonishment.
'I don't know,' Chloe exclaimed. 'Do your goodie-two-shoes Marinette thing, and make it better. It hurts to see him like this.'
'Then why don't you do something?'
Chloe shot her a level stare. 'Because I'm not you.'
Marinette gaped at her.
Chloe sighed. 'Look, I'm not asking you to work miracles, but you've always been able to make him feel better before. I'm asking you to do that again, to be the friend I can't be.'
Marinette closed her mouth, and regarded Chloe carefully. It was true she wasn't known for her patience or understanding, but it surprised her to hear that Chloe was self-aware enough to realise what she lacked. It was even more shocking for her to see those qualities in Marinette, then ask for her help.
Marinette opened her mouth to respond, but was cut off by a loud screech of tyres as a van pulled up at the curb. Two figures leapt out, a tall, slender woman, and a large, stocky man.
Marinette recognised Nathalie immediately. She looked grim and determined as she ran across the small distance to snatch Chloe by the arm, and drag her back to the van.
The man, Marinette realised with a start, was Adrien's former bodyguard and current chauffer. He threw open the van's rear doors as Nathalie approached.
'No,' Marinette yelped. She lunged forward, grabbed Chloe around the middle, and threw her weight backward.
Chloe shrieked, slapping Nathalie as hard as she could from her awkward position. The rest of their classmates came out of their shock, then raced over to help.
Natalie scowled, and clouted Chloe over the head with a closed fist. Chloe slumped, but Marinette held on as she screamed for someone to call the police.
The Gorilla loomed over them all, then. He gripped Marinette and Chloe by the scruff, before unceremoniously throwing them into the back of the van. He slammed the door shut, then he and Nathalie climbed into the cabin.
Marinette and Chloe slid around the back as they sped away, crashing into walls and each other, as they turned corners at perilous speeds.
Holding on to Chloe as best she could, cushioning her head from the bare, metal floor, Marinette hoped someone had caught the number plate, and notified the police. She also hoped Adrien didn't blame himself too much.
- 16
- 17
- 18
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Redemption