The cluster of friends gathering at the restaurant filled two full tables, Ivan and Mylène brought their two children and smiled from the end of the first table as the young boy and girl played nearby. To their left sat Marinette, slumped over her drink and twirling her straw around the ice in the glass as she avoided the glare of Alya who was seated directly in front of her. She would glance up every few seconds to see the other woman glaring at her as if she had personally offended her by going home when they left her alone in a store the day before. Marinette supposed she could have tried harder to find them, but she also wasn't lying to Chat when she told him she had to study for an upcoming test.

"Hey, you're all here, cool." Marinette, like everyone else, looked up when Luka spoke. Seeing him standing there with Rose and Juleka standing behind him was so reminiscent of the years they spent playing in the band on their mother's houseboat that she could feel a slight pang of nostalgia pulling at her chest.

"Not everyone." Nino, who had been sitting in silence and sipping at his drink, spoke up without so much as turning to look at Luka. There was a collective silence as the group looked at Nino, each one not ready to cross the line he set with his words.

"Am I late?" The question hung in the air as Nino slowly turned in his seat. The look on the DJ's face when he spotted the tall blonde standing behind Luka was a mix of happiness and anger. Marinette could tell even at a glance that he still hadn't forgiven his old best friend for missing one of the most important days in his life.

Nino stood, his eyes hard as he pushed in his chair, and placed his hand on his wife's shoulder. Silence lay between the group, heavy with implications of just how far apart the two old friends had grown. Just when Marinette was preparing to break the tension, Nino licked his lips and spoke.

"Yeah man, you're late, by oh… Three or four years give or take." His words were firm but Marinette could see a hint of a smile on his lips as he said them.

"Traffic is terrible man." Adrien chuckled and scratched the back of his head as he spoke. His chuckled died away, overrun by the silence around him as Nino continued to stare, then a soft 'pfft' reached their ears followed by Nino's own chuckling.

"Where were you coming from? Atlantis?" He asked after calming himself down. Adrien smiled a small smile and gave him a shrug.

"Something like that." he murmured as he glanced around at the seats remaining. One beside Marinette hadn't been claimed yet and she rested her hand on it to indicate there was a spot for him, but a second later Juleka slid into it.

"Hello again Marinette." The dark haired woman murmured under her breath as she rested her hands on the table.

"Hey Juleka, how've you been?" Marinette gave her a warm smile as she leaned forward to rest her hands on the table as well.

"It's going pretty well, we are working through a mountain of paperwork to adopt." Rose answered for Juleka as she stepped up and rested her hands on her wife's shoulders.

"Adopting?" Marinette's brows raised as she asked the question. Rose gave her a wide smile as Juleka nodded.

"We're all settled, and that's what's next right? I mean we could…" Juleka's words faded away into an illegible murmur as she spoke. Marinette smiled at the thought that at least that hadn't changed about her old classmate.

"Luka is going to help us paint the nursery, I was thinking yellow would be a good color because we don't know if it'll be a boy or a girl." Rose spoke up yet again, the smile still on her lips as she spoke excitedly about their plans.

"Green would be nice." Marinette said before she could catch herself. "I- I mean green is a unisex color as well and if you use a pastel pallet then it would be very nice for nursery walls.

"Of course she would go with green, that girl is obsessed with our resident superhero after all. Surprised she didn't say to put little black paw prints around the border." Marinette fought against the heat in her cheeks as all her friends eyes turned to her.

"I'm not obsessed with him, he's our hero right? Everyone would like green, right?" Without meaning to, she turned her attention on Adrien for help. He held her gaze for a second before looking away and scratching his neck.

"Green is a good color." Luka came to her rescue instead, sitting down on the opposite side of Alya from Nino as he did so. "I had my hair green for about a year, when I was opening for Jagged Stone."

"That must've been fun." Ivan said as he draped his arm across the back of Mylène's chair.

"Personally I like the Zombie Skull Crushers, but… well…" Mylène smiled as she glanced up at her husband who chuckled and scratched his chin. The group did a collective 'awe', which left the couple pink in the cheeks, before everyone settled in at the table. Adrien ended up in front of Marinette but still couldn't seem to look her directly in the eye as the conversations around them continued. Marinette toyed with her food when it was brought out, and one glance over the table told her Adrien was doing the same. He seemed nervous and out of place amongst the crowd of old classmates laughing over old times.

"It's Chateau Canon." She jumped at the sound of Adrien's voice. She had zoned out staring down at his drink as her brain filled with questions about her roommate. Anytime she thought of the past he would always pop up. The smirk, the smile, the quick witted puns, they were always there, waiting to be pulled forth by some memory of long ago.

"What?" She asked, realizing that she was now staring at Adrien himself rather than his wineglass.

"My drink, Chateau Canon. It's a Bordeaux Red blend. Goes great with heavy meat." He motioned to his wine as he spoke and toyed with his uneaten steak with his other hand.

"I guess I'll have to try it sometime." Marinette gave him a small smile before glancing down at her own meal. A simple chicken stir fry on a bed of salad that she had moved around to the point it looked nothing like it was meant to.

"Do you want to?" He asked as he leaned back in his chair and prepared to flag down one of the wait staff.

"No! No, no… I didn't mean now, I was just…" Adrien looked back at her with one eyebrow raised in confusion as her words died away. "I just, I was making conversation. I haven't seen you in a while and…" She sighed and ended her thought there, accenting it with a shrug.

"Are you sure? It's no problem." Adrien said before turning to the server who had come up behind him, "Can we have a bottle of the Chateau Canon for the table?" he asked the young man who simply smiled and nodded at him.

"None for me, thanks." Alya spoke up then, pulling everyone's attention to her, "I'm, well no better way to put it, I'm expecting." There were a few cheers and good luck wishes thrown her way, until a very sharp cough cut everyone off.

"I'll take her glass, I don't mind." Chloe Bourgeois stood just behind Adrien. Her long honey colored locks tied up behind her neck in an elegant bun and her body draped in a dress that would make her late mother beg her for fashion advice. She gave the group a warm smile before stepping around the table and accepting a seat that Nino pulled over for her, sitting herself down right beside Marinette.

"Hey Chloe." Adrien gave her a small wave before lowering his hand, which he had been awkwardly holding up during his short conversation with Marinette.

"Adrien, it's been too long." The blonde said in an almost dismissive tone before turning to give Marinette a large grin. "Oh my goodness, look at you!" She exclaimed then, reaching to run her fingers down Marinette's ponytail, "this hair, long hair looks fabulous on you. And this dress, it is utterly ridiculously beautiful! Who are you wearing?" Taken aback by her words Marinette could only blink for a moment before smoothing down her skirt.

"Oh, erm, no one. I mean, I made it myself." She murmured as she toyed with her food once again.

"That is absolutely-" Chloe gave a small gasp before grabbing onto Marinette's wrist, "You have to design me a gown for my summer retreat, it will blow minds." All eyes were on them as Chloe gushed on and on about Marinette's dress. It was such a change from their school years that it had them all in silent shock.

"I… I guess I could…" Marinette said slowly, unsure of where this would lead.

"Great, give me your cell and I'll give you my personal number so you can reach me on the details." Chloe held her hand out expectantly as she spoke. Marinette felt as if she were struggling through a pool of sand as she reached into her purse and pulled out her phone, all the while expecting to see the other side of Chole to come out, or anything to change in the other woman's demeanor.

It barely brushed Chloe's manicured nails before the loud ringtone of Jagged Stone's last single filled the room. Marinette pulled the phone back quickly and glanced over the number flashing across her screen.

"Sorry," She said as she stood, she didn't recognize the number on her phone and thoughts of who it could be, particularly thoughts of a blonde in a mask, filled her mind, "I have to take this, excuse me." She moved away from the group and quickly through the dining room as she swiped to answer the call.

"Hello?" She said as soon as she was outside.

"Is this Marinette Dupain-Cheng?" a woman's voice asked from the other end.

"Yes, this is she." She said slowly, leaning against the wall to protect herself from a sudden gust of cold wind blowing past her.

"I am a nurse here at Hospital Saint-Louis Ap-Hp, your grandfather, Mr. Lou, was admitted here an hour ago due to complications with his heart. You are his emergency contact." Marinette's blood ran cold as the woman's words sank in.

"I'm on my way right now." She assured the nurse, already turning to head down the street.

"Just ask for Louise when you check in."

"Okay, thank you."

"Marinette!" She was already tucking her phone into her purse when, once again, Chloe's voice filled her ears. "Are you taking off without saying goodbye?"

"Sorry Chloe, family emergency." Marinette said, not even turning fully to look at the other woman.

"What's wrong? Talk to me Dupain-Cheng." Chloe jogged until she was walking beside Marinette, then fell into step with her.

"It's my grandfather, he- he had a heart attack."

"Which hospital?"

"What?" She finally turned to see Chloe staring at her with a serious look in her eye.

"Don't mess around, this is important, tell me the hospital." Chloe had her phone out and was texting someone furiously as she spoke.

"Saint-Louis Ap-Hp." Chloe nodded at her words and finished what she was typing before grabbing on to Marinette's arm. "Hey!" Marinette exclaimed as the blonde pulled her towards the parking lot.

"Come on, I'm giving you a ride. It'll be a lot faster than walking there. What were you thinking? Walking in an emergency? Ridiculous."

Adrien glanced behind himself as Chloe took off towards the door a minute after Marinette went through it. Back when they were in school she wouldn't have cared much about what was happening to anyone other than herself, it surprised him to see how far she had come in the few short years since he'd seen her last. Certainly far enough to be invited to this lunch in the first place. The thought that she had grown dramatically even in the short time she was Queen Bee didn't cease the itching feeling that something terrible would happen if he left her alone with Marinette.

He knew he had to think of something quickly, everyone around him had settled into their idle chatter and he knew it would look odd if he just left. Luka deserved better than that after getting everyone together again, Nino deserved better after the years they spent apart. They all deserved the dinner with old friends that had been planned just for them.

Being so tied up in his own thoughts, it took him far too long to realize that Plagg was pulling on his shirt to get his attention. He looked down to see the black kwami hanging halfway out of his jacket pocket with a bundle of his shirt between his paws. He raised his brows as Plagg motioned to the hallway just past their table furiously. Looking up to see none other than the turtle kwami ducking in and out of a decorative plant and looking at Nino nervously before turning his eyes on him.

The green kwami waved, then motioned to the sign stating the bathrooms were down that hall. It vanished into the plant once again just as Plagg ducked back into his pocket.

A cold sweat popped up along Adrien's brow. Something was wrong, why else would Master Fu send his kwami out to find him? He hadn't seen the short old man in years, or any sign of his magical companion that he would loan to the team from time to time. If he needed an excuse to leave the little reunion then he had it.

"Bathroom." He mumbled as he stood, making his way quickly to the hall and noting how strange it felt when the green kwami ducked into the collar of his shirt as he passed it by. The bathroom was empty, but he still slid into the last stall in the back just in case someone else walked in. He pulled his collar to give the green kwami room to escape as Plagg flew out of his pocket to rest on his knee.

"Finally, I thought you'd never notice us." Plagg complained in his usual way, chewing on a camembert chunk with an air of superiority about him. Adrien paid little attention to this as he looked to the floating kwami in front of him.

"Chat Noir, I am Wayzz." Adrien bowed his head as the turtle kwami, Wayzz, did the same. "I came as fast as I could to find you."

"Did something happen to Master Fu?" Adrien asked as he leaned back on the toilet seat, already preparing for the worst. If the master died of old age without Ladybug around then it would be up to him to guard all the miraculous in their stead, wouldn't it?

"He suffered a heart attack during a break in." Wayzz was straightforward in his delivery of the bad news. "He fought off the attackers for a long time, unfortunately the heart attack set in and they made off with many of his belongings, including the miraculous box."

"They took what?" Adrien was taken aback, he thought that he would have to take charge of them but this, it was so much worse than he expected.

"The miraculous box, it houses both the Kwami's and their corresponding miraculous within it. If someone finds a way to open the box, if they discover how to use the great power stored within-"

"Ladybugs-" Adrien cut him off.

"Ladybug never returned her miraculous to Master. Her earrings as well as Tikki are safe from the robbers." Wayzz returned the favor. The kwami looked irritated for a moment before letting out a soft sigh. "I have Masters miraculous with me. Other than Ladybug and yourself, it's the only one that is safe."

"What happened to Master Fu?" Adrien asked as he ran a hand down the side of his face.

"Luckily a customer came in shortly after the attackers left, Master has been sent to a facility to heal."

"What uh, facility, was he taken to?" Adrien asked around a worried frown.

"Hospital Saint-Louis Ap-Hp I believe." Ways lowered his head in thought as he spoke. Adrien nodded and held his hand out to accept the bracelet he was offered. He pushed it deep within his pocket and opened his jacket for both kwami's to hide inside.

"I'm sorry to run out on the meet up." He said directly to Luka as he approached their table, "an emergency popped up at the office and I have to be there to decide what to do about it."

"Oh, I hope it's not the new designs. My concert-" Luka stopped short as Adrien rested a hand on his shoulder.

"You're concert will be perfect I promise you that." Adrien said firmly before looking to the rest of the table. "Sorry to cut out early everyone, I'll pay the bill at the front. Order whatever you want."

"I hope that your emergency isn't…" He caught the first half of Juleka's words but knowing how she always talked he nodded his thanks anyway.

"We need to try a get together again when everyone is free, seeing you all again is delightful." Rose spoke up then.

"We saw each other last week- owch." Ivan replied to Rose, and was nudged roughly in his ribs by his wife who tilted her head towards Adrien. "Oh, yeah we should do this again when we can get a sitter."

"I don't think our sitter would be available." Alya chuckled, "I mean if she even still is our sitter, girl's been acting weird lately."

"Is your sitter okay? We could hook you up with ours." Mylène offered in her usual sweet as honey way.

"Oh no, I just mean that I am about to wring my besties neck if she doesn't talk to me." Alya was chuckling again, but anyone who knew her as well as Marinette or Nino could see the malice on her face. She was still beyond angry at her best friend for keeping secrets.

Adrien stepped away from the table and was surprised to see Nino standing and making his way over to him. The other man sighed through his nose as they fell into a silence that surrounded the short walk to the front door.

"Thanks for coming, I wish that Marinette hadn't taken off." Nino sighed as they exited the building.

"I do too." Adrien nodded and slipped his hands into his pockets. "I promise I'll talk to her, I just don't know how much it will help. I've talked to her less than I've talked to you these days."

"Yeah we all sorta pulled apart."

"Yeah." they were quiet for a beat, Adrien leading Nino towards his waiting car and praying that the other male didn't notice the whispering of the kwami's in his pockets. Nino looking off into the distance ahead of them with a stern expression that his old best friend wasn't aware he could have.

"Missed our wedding." The simple statement stopped Adrien in his tracks. He could feel the icy hot wave of guilt rushing through him as he stared at Nino's back.

"Something came up." Adrien began, then when Nino turned to look at him over the shoulder he added, "I was in surgery, it was a thing I couldn't avoid. Dude you know I wouldn't have missed your day if I could help it but it was unavoidable."

"Unavoidable?" Nino's eyes narrowed, it hurt to see him so untrusting after the many years that they were friends.

"Appendicitis." Adrien said quickly, "It wasn't pretty."

"Dude." Nino's eyes widened at the word, "I had no idea man." Adrien shrugged and let out a soft sigh.

"I felt terrible man, came to a few hours after your ceremony ended and it was worse than a gunshot wound to the stomach. I wish I could've been there for you, I really do." the two looked at one another before nodding and sharing a smile just like they used to. Nino walked him the rest of the way to the car and they waved their goodbyes to one another as he watched Nino return to the building. He sighed and set back in his seat as the doors shut behind his friend.

Wayzz and Plagg flew out of his coat as he pulled onto the main street. There was quiet in the car as he sped along, following the flow of traffic and grinding his teeth as the urge to just change into Chat and take to the rooftops invaded his mind. He hissed under his breath when stopped by a sudden red light, and slammed his hands against the steering wheel.

"You have to calm down Chat Noir," Wayzz urged in a gentle tone. Adrien turned to look at him before letting a soft 'tsch' escape him and turning back to the traffic.

"The miraculous' aren't safe and Master Fu is stuck in a hospital room alone and vulnerable." Adrien said around an angry snort. "Ladybug isn't around anymore so if someone decides to pull off being the next Gabriel and attempts to bring back akumas we are all fucked." He glanced between the kwamis as he spoke, "I can't destroy akumas, I can barely use cataclysm more than twice without Plagg being so worn out that I transform back in half the time as the old days."

"I told him to just ignore the mayor and use his power as much as he needed to build up tolerance, but 'Paris needs to stay in one piece Plagg' was his response every time." Plagg grumbled around a chunk of camembert. Adrien simply shrugged as he turned into the parking lot of the hospital. The engine was turned off and the three of them sat in silence for a moment as he stared up at the large building with growing unease.

"I know this place." When Wayzz turned towards him he continued, "the hospital, that wall over there, it's… it's where she left me for the last time."

"Are you gonna be okay kid?" Plagg asked as he looked up at Adrien with wide eyes.

"I'll…" Adrien took in a deep breath and let it out slowly, "I'll be okay, this is about Master Fu, not about me."

"He goes by Mr. Lou around civilians Chat Noir, remember that." Wayzz warned him as he opened his door and placed one foot on the pavement below him.

"Right, okay, asking for Mr…."

"Lee Lou." Wayzz nodded.

"Lee Lou, got it." Adrien shrugged and opened his jacket for the kwami's to fly into his waiting pocket. Once everyone was where they needed to be he stepped out of the car and took in another deep calming breath. He could still see her standing over him as he bled out against the wall that now set clean of any evidence he was even there, could still hear her tearful goodbye to him as she disappeared into the hospital never to be seen again. It was overwhelming, and for a moment he let himself be taken away by the emotions it left inside him. A quick pinch to the side of his stomach, Plagg biting him to catch his attention, pulled him back into reality and got him moving towards the Hospital doors.

Marinette sat beside the man sleeping in the hospital bed. Her leg thumped nervously as she shot glances at his bare wrist. He didn't have the turtle bracelet when he was admitted to the hospital, and the civilian who called in his heart attack told the police that his place looked ransacked when he discovered him.

"Marinette…" She jumped at the sound of her name and leaned forward so he could easily see her without having to adjust his position on the bed.

"Master, where's your miraculous?" She asked in a hushed tone, she didn't know when Chloe would come back from the cafeteria and didn't want to risk the blonde overhearing them.

"Chat Noir should have it by now, it's safe." His response just put her more on edge and the strange sensation that she was being watched overcame her.

"What, erm, what happened exactly?" She asked nervously.

"Some poor souls came in looking for anything I had that would be of value to them, I fought them off then-" He vaguely motioned to his chest. Her face warmed with sudden anger as she stood from her chair.

"You listen here! A heart attack isn't something you just brush off. It's WORSE than that time you had stomach issues and you're here acting like you chipped a nail." She was so in the moment, reprimanding him, that she didn't notice the door opening or Chloe and Adrien stepping into the room.

"Marinette?" She turned quickly to the door, her eyes still wide and her lips still forming an angry scowl. Her face softened immediately as her eyes darted between the two blondes.

"Look who I found downstairs!" Chloe smiled as she motioned to Adrien, "Come to find out your grandpa is his old chinese teacher." Marinette's mouth slowly closed as she turned to look down at Master Fu. He gave her a small shrug before turning and speaking to Adrien in chinese. Adrien replied something back that once again Marinette couldn't understand, the exchange left her feeling very removed from the situation.

"You never told me he was a student of yours." Marinette looked back at Master Fu as she spoke and he gave her another shrug in response.

"Never told me he had a granddaughter." Adrien commented as he narrowed his eyes at the man.

"It is healthy to keep personal and business relationships separate I believe." Master Fu spoke up then.

"Well, this is awkward." Chloe drew the attention in the room to herself, "Well since Grandpa Dupain-Cheng seems alright now I'm gonna take off. You have my number Marinette, I'm serious about that dress so call me as soon as you can alright."

"Yeah, no problem Chloe." Marinette nodded to the woman as she watched her go, then felt her shoulders relax slightly. With Chloe gone, she only needed to wait for Adrien to leave so she could figure out what happened to Wayzz and Master Fu's miraculous.

"I'm glad you're alright Mr… Lou." Marinette's eyes widened when Adrien moved to sit beside Master Fu as he spoke. "Your associate told me you were in the hospital and I rushed right over to give you my support. They said your home was ransacked?"

"Yes, they took my precious gramophone." Fu sighed around his words. "Anything else would have been replaceable but…" He glanced at Marinette who had her eyes locked on him as she slowly tilted her head first to one side then the other, telling him that she didn't want her identity given to a civilian, especially since she was retired. "But it was an heirloom, something that can never be replaced."

"I'm sure that the robbers will be caught Ma- Grandpa, we just need to hope nothing is… damaged." Marinette looked down at her lap as she spoke, unsure of what she should do.

"I'm sure that everything is fine Marinette, I have my… ways of insuring my property is returned to me." Fu glanced towards Adrien after he spoke and let loose a long sigh, "Though I must say, if the team of Ladybug and Chat Noir was still around I think that my property wouldn't be in such danger."

"I'm sure the police could help just as well Grandpa, I know you're a big fan but-"

"Marinette's right, I mean Chat Noir is still around and I'm sure he would be willing to help you find your heirloom, but Ladybug abandoned Paris a long time ago." Adrien cut her off, leaving her to stare at him, in shock at his words.

"I wouldn't say she abandoned Paris, it didn't need her anymore." Marinette snapped back once she pulled herself together, "Chat Noir is doing perfectly well, no he's doing better on his own than with her around. Not to mention there hasn't been an akuma attack in years, no need for Ladybug when there's nothing for her to do."

"What else would you call it but abandonment? She was a symbol to so many people and she just decided one day that she didn't want to help anymore. I call that Abandoning Paris." Adrien crossed his arms and narrowed his eyes at her as he spoke. She could feel her lips curling into a snarl at the confident gleam in his eyes.

"Well maybe if she wasn't used as the symbol and was able to share the spotlight with her much stronger partner then the pressure wouldn't have built up, ever think of that?" Marinette crossed her own arms and looked away from him pointedly. "Not much she could do to help in a straight fight and she knew it."

"She still had her yoyo and her fighting skills. I didn't see her being the one beaten up every fight!"

"Well maybe that's because HE was the one actually fighting!"

"Stop!" Marinette and Adrien turned to Master Fu, who was now sitting up in bed and looking ready to hit both of them on the back of the head. "What good is bickering over this subject doing for either of you, or me for that matter?"

"I think I should go, I'll see you tomorrow though." She pointedly said this to Master Fu as she stood to leave.

"Then go." Adrien snapped, situating himself in his own seat and looking as if he planned to stay the night if needed.

"I am." She sneered.

"Then go." He repeated.

"I'm going."

"Good."

"Bye." She practically growled as she reached the doorway.

"Bye then." Was the response she got back. With a huff she slammed the door shut behind herself and stomped off down the hallway.

….

"You didn't have to go that far Chat Noir. She said nothing bad about you." Master Fu said once the door was shut behind her. Adrien sighed heavily and leaned forward to cup his forehead in his hands while the kwamis flew out of their hiding spots.

"What's the deal with the gramophone?" Adrien said without looking up at him, "You mentioned it specifically but she was here so I can only assume it has something to do with the miraculous."

"You would assume correctly Chat Noir, it's very important that box be returned to me." Fu frowned around his words. "If they discover the secrets of it and another Hawkmoth attacks, or worse more people are given miraculous' with malicious intents then-"

"Ladybug would feel wanted again if that happened, maybe she'd show up at least once." Adrien grumbled.

"She has her reasons Chat Noir, maybe not reasons we can understand right now, but reasons nonetheless. She will return if she feels the need too."

"I need her to! What happens if they do figure out what they have? What am I supposed to do, hand your bracelet over to someone and tell them to build a shield around the akumas?" Adrien ran his fingers through his hair in frustration as he spoke. "Is there any other way to cure akumas, Queen Bee-"

"Unfortunately no, though she is versatile, I can assure you Queen Bee would be as useful in cleansing akumas as you are. Only the Ladybug miraculous can cleanse them." Fu said sadly.

"She can't do anything if she isn't around to cleanse them!" Adrien looked up from his hands with a deep frown creasing his brow.

"Patience Chat Noir, she will return when she's ready."

"Yeah, you've said that before."

Hi! Ad here, Just an update. I plan to add a few more chapters to this. I'm currently working on Chapter 10 for it and plan on finishing this story. Not soon, the plan is for it to be a long going story. I hope you are all enjoying it. To my new readers, thank you so much for taking the time to read my little story, I hope it will be something you can come back to over and over again.

Much Love,

Ad