Hello everyone and welcome to my newest story Detecting Ladybugs! This story is a Detective AU and boy is it fun to write. These characters are older and will probably…most definitely… be OOC in some areas because of it. Also in this story we will be using what I like to call cartoon physics so if things don't follow natural laws blame cartoons and anime for giving me an unrealistic view of reality. This one has been a long time coming like since I first began Cats Closet, so I am excited to finally share it with you guys. These chapters are all pretty massive like 3000 words or more kind of massive so it's a big, big arc. I am going to try and update this at least every month although updates may be more or less frequent depending on what I have going on. I will still be writing in Cats Closet too so no worries there. Let me know what you think!

(Detective AU!) Marinette is a detective who can't keep a partner while hunting down the notorious Hawkmoth gang. Chat is the new cat burglar on the streets who never gets caught. After Marinette gets handed his case it's it won't be long before their fates collide especially when monsters start roaming the streets

Partner-less Again

Marinette walked into the precinct on a mission, papers in hand. Her newest so called partner had broken it off with her and she just knew that she was going to get blasted by her boss. It was to be her fifth partner since losing Tiki a year ago now and everyone avoided her gaze as she moved to her small office on the second floor.

Marinette was a detective and a dam good one but for some reason she just couldn't seem to hang on to partners to save her life. She butted heads with almost everyone that could work with her in the precinct and this fool hadn't been any better. This particular partner had been a lazy jerk that had decided she was cute. Marinette didn't want to be cute. She wanted to be intimidating so people would leave her the heck alone but her size had never helped her. At 5'4 give or take a few centimeters, with raven black hair and bright blue eyes she was thin but very strong. Marinette wasn't overly curvy and what curves she did have she effectively hid with loose pants and a denim jacket. Most of the time her no nonsense attitude prevented guys from hitting on her but her newest partner she had decided, was a complete idiot. He had tried and failed to flirt with her even trying to be smooth as he put an arm around her. Marinette hated it and made her position very clear, NO TOUCHING, and yet it had continued. Annoyed but wanting to try to get along Marinette had gone to her boss. Unfortunately he had seemed uninterested simply saying to handle it on her own. Well she had certainly handled it last night. Unfortunately she had been working the streets with said partner and as they were getting ready to bag a criminal her partner had the audacity to slap her butt. Marinette had turned on him furious and the criminal of course had gotten away. Instead of being contrite the jerk had laughed and asked if she wanted to play around since their job was done. Having had enough of his stupidity Marinette punched him in the face… twice. Throwing the papers to the desk and herself into a chair Marinette sighed, she just wanted a decent partner who could keep up with her and watch her back. Was that so much to ask for?

"Girl you are in so much trouble." Alya said from the doorway her voice soft.

Marinette flinched glancing up at her "What are you doing here? Aren't you writing some super important story for the paper?"

Glancing around Alya slipped in and closed her door wincing as the hinges squealed. "Yeah I was picking up some photos for Nino. I heard them talking by the door though. This is what the fourth partner?"

"Fifth" Marinette said glumly head hanging over the back of the chair and Alya rolled her eyes

"That's right you arrested your third partner yourself."

"He was accepting bribes from Hawkmoths goons! There was no way I was going to let that fly especially not after Tiki…" Marinette cried waving her arms in an adorable dramatic way as she sat up.

Alya sighed. She loved Marinette like a sister and she appreciated her somewhat black and white view of the world. While she saw the world in ranges of grey probably due to her career as a reporter Marinette saw the world as either good or bad and Marinette was most firmly entrenched on the side of good. She refused to accept bribes, which in the police force was unheard of and that fact had landed her early on as a rookie with Tiki as her partner in the first place. Tiki had been a veteran on the police force and they had been an incredible team. They had closed cases that no one else could manage, brought criminals to justice, and when it all fell to pieces they had been working on a case centered on the largest most elusive gang in Paris. The Hawkmoth gang.

Between Marinette and Tiki they had always had enormous luck with cases, fighting, and taking down the bad guys in general. But just over a year ago now their luck had finally run out. Alya still didn't know the full story because Marinette had refused to tell her due to confidentiality and her own safety. What she did know was that Marinette and TIki had gone to check out some lead they had on the leader of the Hawkmoth Gang. It had been a trap and only Marinette had made it out alive though she had carried her gravely injured partner to the hospital where Tiki had perished later that night. Marinette had been stuck in the hospital herself for almost a week and a half due to her own injuries and she had been crushed by her partners death. Since Tiki had lived in a shared flat with Marinette and had no family they had released her effects to Marinette. Tiki had loved ladybugs and now Marinette wore her dead partners ladybug earrings as a tribute to her. When she finally got out of the hospital Marinette had dove right back into her work even though they had restricted her to desk work only for the first few weeks. Marinette had been chafing at the bit by the time they let her off desk duty and they had assigned her a new partner once her wounds had fully healed. That first partner had lasted a week before quitting saying that she was too hard a case for him to manage. Her second partner had lasted the longest nearly 5 months but then he had been transferred for unknown reasons. Alya secretly thought it was because they had been a decent team and were actually solving cases. However, they had upset some of the other veterans by stepping on their toes. Of course Alya had no proof of this but she saw the way Marinettes coworkers eyed her friend and the fact that her next three partners had been bottom of the barrel shmucks only encouraged that idea. Marinette was a pretty popular detective out on the streets and this morning when she had heard the rumor of another lost partner she had jumped at the chance to come check on her friend. Now though she had question that she wanted answers to.

"You punched your partner?" Alya demanded unable to contain herself any longer.

Marinette sighed "He slapped my butt."

"What?!" she yelled and Marinette jumped to feet scrambling over to her side.

"SHHHH!" she hissed and slapped a hand across her mouth before glancing through the crack between the door and the wall.

No one had heard her outburst. Either that or they didn't care.

"Mppp" Alya managed and tried unsuccessfully to get Marinette hand off her mouth. The girl was shockingly strong and an excellent fighter so Alya stopped struggling waiting until Marinette slowly pulled her hand back.

"I CANT MHPPP!" Alya started again full volume before Marinette slapped her hand back over her mouth.

"Alya!" Marinette complained "Chill out girl. I am going to talk to the director today. Hopefully I'll be able to talk him into letting me stay partner less for a bit and it won't be a problem."

Alya glared at her as she finally pulled her hands away from her mouth. It wasn't unheard of for detectives to work alone. Tiki had worked alone for years before teaming up with Marinette. However Marinette was a bit of a loose cannon and she was dam good at slipping off unnoticed so the higher ups demanded that she have a partner to as they claimed 'keep her on track'.

"Yeah girl I don't…" Alya began before being rudely interrupted by the door flinging wide open. They both jumped at the sound of squealing hinges and turned to find the directors aid Natalie standing in the doorway.

"The director has requested your presence. Please be at his office in five minutes." Natalie said her voice and manner so painfully formal that Alya winced.

"Thank you Natalie I'm coming." Marinette sighed and moved to collect some papers on her desk. Alya watched as Natalie walked away without a backward glance and looked to her friend who seemed resigned.

"Don't you need to be getting back to your own office?" Marinette asked softly as she made her way to the door.

Alya followed her "Yeah but your life is far more interesting than my job. If Mr Agreste isn't fair I can totally run a story on him. I'll still expect you to tell me all the details later you know."

Marinette shrugged and lifting the door slightly she swung it closed without causing the hinges to shriek in agony.

"You should ask for a new door." Alya muttered and Marinette chuckled recognizing her friends attempt of a subject change.

"Nah Tiki and I decided a squeaky door was best so no one could sneak into the office. Or sneak up on us to listen through the cracks." Marinette said offhand ignoring the twinge of sadness that sparked through her. God she missed her partner and she couldn't fully hide the tremble in her hand as she locked the office door.

Alya patted her shoulder "Well girl I'm off to play with fools. You have fun with your own and don't forget to text me later." She darted back across the precinct to the stairs avoiding people and desks with ease.

Marinette steeled herself ignoring the looks that were thrown her way as she made her way to the director's office. Whispers followed in her wake and at one point she even made out the question "I wonder who will deal with her next?"

The question stung and she was barely able to look Natalie in the eye as she knocked on the Directors door. "Mr Agreste is ready for you now." Natalie said her eyes never leaving the computer screen before her.

Opening the door to allow herself entry Marinette walked into the office wondering what to expect. The office was a wide open space lined with bookcases and maps. A single large desk sat front and center with two chairs placed before it. A double wide full length window behind the desk let in a wonderful amount of natural light and gave an excellent view of the streets of Paris below.

Gabriel Agreste sat in his high backed comfortable leather chair his hands clasped before him as Marinette entered the office. The door shut with hardly a sound behind her and she stood awkwardly papers in hand as she took in his office for the sixth time that year. Little had changed overall although it looked as if a new shadow box with what looked like a paper butterfly pinned inside had been added to the walls since the last time she had been in the room. She had been working with the precinct for six years now and until Tikis death she had only ever been in the office once when she was hired. Now it seemed as if she were being hauled to the director's office on a monthly basis.

"Good Morning Sir." Marinette said trying her best to start off on the right foot.

"You may sit Ms Dupain" Gabriel Agreste said ignoring the pleasantries altogether.

Internally Marinette winced, since it looked as if she were going to get blasted with both barrels. Then as she walked forward she steeled herself. It was clear her idiot partner had beaten her to the punch but two could play at that game. Walking right up to the desk Marinette forewent sitting to hold out the papers she had in her hand. Gabriel Agreste made no move to take them so she sat them down on the desk before him.

"These are my request forms for a new partner." Marinette said happy to note her voice was even and firm.

There was a flicker of some unknown emotion in Gabriels eyes before he answered her his voice cold. "This makes your fourth partner since Tiki Ms Dupain."

"Fifth Sir." She corrected automatically then winced

She heard a noise that almost sounded like a snort echo from right behind her but she didn't dare turn to look as one of Gabriels eyebrows rose dangerously.

"So it is." He said reaching forward to look at her papers. "And what is wrong with this partner?"

Marinette was surprised, she had expected anger or annoyance from him since those seemed to be the only two emotions he seemed capable of ever showing other than the cool indifferent mask he wore the rest of the time.

"He is constantly hitting on me though I have made it very clear I do not wish to be touched. Last night he slapped my butt and the criminal we were hunting escaped." She said feeling her face heat up as the fury she felt began to bubble up. "He is arrogant and lazy and the next time he tries to touch me I will do far worse than simply punch him." She was just starting to work herself up and as she opened her mouth to speak again Gabriel raised his hand halting her.

"That will do. Please sit." He said his cold tone cutting through Marinettes anger.

She did as he asked and turned walking the two steps to the chair only to freeze. Marinette caught a glimpse of a persons silhouette in a chair off to the side almost directly behind her. She must have walked right past them when she came in but since they were in the shadows where the door opened she hadn't noticed their presence. Keeping most of her attention forward in case Gabriel required anything answered she observed this new person wondering if they were the reason for Gabriels indifferent mood. Whoever they were they would be at least a head taller than her standing and she could make out blond hair that was expertly slicked back. They wore a grey and black suit that was clearly well made and helped them blend in with the shadows. At this distance and cloaked in the shadows like he was she couldn't make out the color of his eyes but something in the shape of his face rang a bell deep in her sub consciousness.

Gabriel sighed allowing the papers to settle back to his desk snapping her full attention back to him and swiftly she sat realizing she had been staring at the stranger.

"Ms Dupain, I understand your desire to work alone however all detectives must be partnered especially with how dangerous the streets have been getting as of late. That being said we do not have anyone available right this moment to be partnered with you." Gabriel said and Marinette read between the lines. She had seen the list on his desk the last time she had been in here. There wasn't anyone in the precinct who wanted to work with her. There was a rustle of cloth then a voice she almost recognized spoke up.

"I could be her partner father." Adrien Agreste said as he strode forward to stand next to her chair.

Marinette felt her jaw drop and her heart stop as she looked up at him. Adrien was as handsome as ever with his green eyes and blond hair. His face was more defined now that he was older and the suit hugged his tall muscular frame. When Marinette had been starting in college she'd had several criminal classes with Adrien and she had developed a massive crush on the boy. Unfortunately she'd never worked up the courage to talk to him before his father had shipped him off overseas to complete his schooling.

"No." Gabriel Agreste said the tone of his voice so final it snapped Marinette out of her stunned trance. Adrien scowled "And why not? Just earlier you were saying she was one of the best detectives here."

Marinette felt a blush stain her cheeks "I-I" she started only to be cut off

"You are not ready to be out on the streets Adrien. Your time in America has given you a poor view of the way police systems work." Gabriel snapped

"I was out on those streets in America for three years thank you!" Adrien snapped back and Gabriel Agreste stood suddenly.

His body blocked the light casting the chair on which Marinette sat, in shadow. Adrien stiffened beside her and Marinette understood why. Fury was clearly defined on his face as Gabriel Agreste loomed over them even behind his desk two steps away. It didn't help that the bright light from the windows cast him in an eerie almost menacing way.

"My answer is final." Gabriel hissed and Marinette stood jostling Adrien before he could say another word.

"Should I come back sir?" Marinette asked breaking the mood completely and out of the corner of her eye she saw Adriens shoulders slump.

Gabriel blinked his indifferent mask practically snapping back into place "No Ms Dupain there will be no need. I will speak with your previous partner and will try to find a better fit. Until then you are on day desk duty."

Marinette almost groaned. She hated desk duty.

Ignoring her Gabriel leafed through several files on his desk before pulling three out. Marinette strode forward to take the files and paused as he held up a hand to stop her from retreating. "There is one more… Ah yes here it is."

A slightly thicker folder appeared in his hands from a bottom drawer and Marinette eyed the packet with interest. "Chat Noir?" she asked reading the title scrawled across the top of the plain folder.

"A thief that has been causing a ruckus all over Paris." Gabriel intoned his voice cold. "He has also murdered several people."

Marinette nodded "I'll see what I can do sir."

Gabriel waved a hand "You are both dismissed." He said and Marinette turned to see a furious Adrien still standing by her chair. From the look on his face and his body language she could tell he was about to do something very rash. Gut clenching tight Marinette pretended to trip as she took a step forward and crashed headlong into him nearly sending them both to the floor. He caught her and managed to keep them both upright though one of the files slid free of her arms to hit the floor.

"Sorry!" Marinette squeaked and bent to pick the file up. "I-I got it sorry. Pl-please go ahead" she stuttered as he released her and with an annoyed glance at his father strode to the office door and walked out.

"Ms Dupain." Gabriel Agrests voice rang out and slipping the file back into her arms she stood facing him a mad blush staining her cheeks.

"Sir?" she queried wondering if he was upset that she had just crashed into his son.

He gazed at her a strange appraising look on his face that told her he knew she had tripped on purpose. "Please be more careful and remember paperwork only." He tapped his desk on those last two words while pinning her with his gaze. Marinette stood frozen until he sat down and waved his hand at her once more signifying she was dismissed.

Marinette nodded jerkily "Yes Sir." She managed realizing she hadn't spoken then practically ran from the room.