WARNING: This chapter contains bad language, implied attempted rape (not too graphic), Mild violence and death.

The inability to communicate with her captures was driving her insane, she could hear them chatting about mundane topics, completely unrelated to why they had kidnapped her. she wished they would tell her what on earth was going on, where they planned on taking her and why. The suspense of the journey was aggravating as hell, she couldn't tell if shed been there five minutes or five hours, not to mention the position she was stuck in, face first on the hard rubber, patterned floor, being jolted side to side with quick turns from the driver.

"Well she hasn't got fuck all worth selling." A rough voice announced from behind her. Marinette paled at these words, she couldn't feel Tikki hiding on her person, she had assumed her kwami had hidden in her bag unless she had disguised herself as a plushie, what if she wasn't here? Had Tikki gone to get her help? Its not like the little god could fly into a police station, she could of gone to get Chat Noir, the young woman cringed at the memory of his face earlier, she had upset him, but she had no doubt in her mind that he would come for her. Would Tikki be able to find him? Did her little friend know Chats secrete identity? Or had she fled in the hopes to catch him out and about transformed? Tikki could go to Master Fu if she couldn't find Chat, but by the time Master Fu had lent someone a miraculous to help, would Tikki be able to track the van down? Marinette doubted it, she wasn't even sure her kwami wasn't hidden somewhere in the vehicle, waiting for her to call her transformation, Tikki wouldn't begrudge her showing her identity if she had no choice, and right now she didn't see any other option if help didn't arrive.

"He just said to fetch her, not root through her shit, you're already getting paid for this." another replied in amusement.

Marinette momentarily forgot how to breathe. Who's this 'he' and why did he hire men to catch her? It wasn't making sense, she thought till now that she was randomly picked for these creeps to play whatever sick game there into. But apparently someone wanted her tied up, thrown in van and escorted to him. She tried her best to consider candidates for who 'he' is, Hawkmoth came to mind but she dismissed the idea as soon as it surfaced, if they knew she was ladybug they would of took her earrings surely? At least made some kind of reference to her alter-ego, unless these men didn't know who they were working for which seemed unlikely. As laughter erupted around her, at a joke her mind had been to occupied to hear, she wondered whether this was karma. Was she cruelly being taught a lesson, for her late nights spent luring monsters into traps? Had she brought this fate upon herself by trying to serve her own version of justice?

Her body jolted as a warm rough hand gripped her ankle, cold steel eased beneath the bottom of her jeans, she realised it was scissors as the sound of cutting accompanied the hum of the engine, the familar sound that usually brought her peace, made her skin crawl. Her body begged for her to fight and break away, as the cutters spare hand stroked her freed leg while he hummed in appreciation. Even if she managed to stand up right without being instantly restrained, how could she fight these men? She couldn't tell how many people where even in the vehicle, since she was facing away from the voices. She couldn't fight them bound, she tilted her head in an attempt to view her surroundings, searching the darkness for something sharp enough to cut the rope. She tried to make a plan but the idea that these men were likely to have weapons made things more difficult, the scissors alone could be deadly and she was in no position to disarm even one man. This wasn't a planned out night to take down one bad guy at a time, she was caught completely off guard and she hated to admit the fear that was gradually building in her gut, as the now useless material of her jeans were yanked from her body.

"Why you cutting her clothes man?" A deep voice asked uncertain, the bluenette was taken back by the scepticism of the strangers voice, was it concerned maybe? Regardless he didn't sound like he wanted to be a part of this activity.

"Well I'm not untying her to take them off stupid, he warned us she was a fighter, it took two of us to get her in the van and shes barely 5ft5." The man now cutting her top away laughed as though his actions weren't questionable, he shoved her roughly as he pulled away the material, cupping her covered breast as he did so, causing the young woman to grunt in disgust and annoyance.

"I don't get why she needs to be undressed in the first place?" The same deep voice sounding all the more hesitant. If only she could talk she could use this to her advantage. She lifted her head in an attempt to see who the voice belonged to.

She let out a muffled cry when her head was smacked back down against the hard floor. "He wants her scared and vulnerable, can't fault the guy. Id break this little spitfire myself if i didn't need the money, such a shame." He mused, removing his hand from her head he gripped her shoulder and rolled her over to lie on her back. She stared up at his face with narrowed eyes, balaclava now removed, She could just about make out piercing grey eyes in the small amount of lighting. A distinct jagged scare lay beneath his right eye, His is nose on the larger side looked like it had been broken on more than one occasion. He seemed about middle aged, pale skin with dark stubble and a bald head, a haunting pearly grin on his face as he stared hungrily down at her. Her stomach twisted as he gripped one side of her panties, bringing the scissors very slowly to the material, grey eyes gleamed tauntingly never leaving her face.

"Spots on" She murmured unintelligibly through the material, secrete identity be damned at this point. But to her despair nothing happened, no pink glow, no sweet hum of magic flowing over her, just a chuckle in response from the man who had moved his head too close to her face. She wouldn't go down like this, not without putting up a fight at least. She willed her body to stop shaking, letting her determination smother her fear. Taking a deep breath in Marinette used her tongue to pushed the cloth to the etch of her lips, blowing out hard to force it out of her mouth. Her aim struck true as the balled up cloth pathetically hit the man, his eyes widened in surprise, at the soft blow to his forehead. She used his momentary pause to tuck her knees to her chest and kicked as hard as she could against his stomach, he flew backwards smacking his head against the floor with thump. Maybe heels were a good idea after all. With a sliver of hope Marinette threw her body forward to an upright position shuffling quickly, to the still body and gripping the scissors from his slack grip, whirling her body back around to glare at the men frozen staring back. She blindly cut at the rope, freeing her wrists in seconds ignoring the burning sensation she moved to her ankles, keeping her eyes locked on her kidnappers. As she rose the five men seemed to snap out of their shock, they mirrored her movements raising to their feet as she gripped in-front of her the scissors threateningly. They seemed to hesitant in making the first move, glancing to each other and then to Marinettes snarling form, clad in underwear and heels, knuckles turning white with the iron grip on her weapon. Her body naturally posed in a fighting stance, legs braced apart to keep her balance. She knew she couldn't take them all on in this small space, but the first few to try would be impaled, and that threat alone kept them glued to the other side of the moving vehicle. Realising that her captures, who blocked the doors to the van, weren't going to make a move anytime soon, she backed up against the wall keeping her eyes on the still forms. She banged her fist loudly on the metal wall between her and the front of the van. "STOP THE VAN." She yelled to the driver, when no voice answered her and the vehicle didn't slow she growled in irritation "I SAID STOP THE FUCKING VAN." She turned her body banging repeatedly against the cold metal, but kept her eyes trained on the five males watching her with wary expressions. She had almost forgotten about the sixth man on the floor till his body collided with her knees, sending her tumbling in her heels. Her grip on the shears loosened and they clattered besides her, the largest of the five observing darted forward to seize the weapon, moving back in the huddle they had formed.

The grey eyed man climbed up her body as she attempted free herself, groaning with the effort of keeping her pinned while she tried to twist out from under him. He slammed his hands against her sore wrists, causing her to hiss in pain. Breathing heavily he brought his head to her neck, licking a sloppy line from her collarbone to her ear. "Your going to pay for that spitfire. I'm going to break you myself. Barbot can find himself another bitch to play with." He chucked darkly before sinking his teeth into the flesh of her neck, Marinette screamed in pain before she could react to the information he had just given her. She kicked out her legs tossing her body frantically in vain. He shifted to straddle her torso, knees crushing the crook of her elbows, to free his hands. Marinette stilled her aching body in defeat, panting in exhaustion as all her adrenaline ran out. Her eyes flew open at the familiar sound of a belt being unbuckled, she stared up in fear at the man freeing his belt, grinning maniacally down at her. Through the ringing in her ears she heard a thud followed by a piercing screech of cutting metal, she screwed her wet eyes shut.

Chat ran like his life depended on it, well his life did depend on it Marinette was everything to him, two of the most important woman in his life rolled into one. Had Tikki come for him a moment later she wouldnt of found him, he had seen Marinette approach her front door with a relieved sigh before taking off, according to Tikki she was taken seconds after he would of left. He grit his teeth in fury, he should of waited till she had gotten safely inside, why didn't he wait like the gentlemen he proclaimed to be? He had been in a sour mood since she had called him controlling, mostly because it was true. He didn't want to be controlling with her but Marinette/Ladybug was stupidly stubborn and he felt at a loss of getting her to see reason. This situation was exactly why he was worried the worse cause scenario had happened in less than twenty-four hours, but he would refrain from pointing that out once this was all over, besides she hadn't only been for a drink and then sat drawing, she must of listened to him to some extent since she neglected to lure out attackers like originally planned. Why had these men taken her? Had she previously dealt with them and this was some type of sick revenge? Did somebody know she was Ladybug? He needed to find out, so he could eliminate the threat to the woman he loved more than anything. Tikki zoomed beside him, her tear stricken face looked as fiercely determined as he felt. His mind raced with scenarios while he ran, each disturbing image that came to mind made his blood pump quicker and his legs move faster. He was propelling himself over roof tops trying to get ahead of the van, so he could landed atop it, a long bend in the road bought him his chance. He rushed diagonally picking up speed he landed on the roof with a small thud. He lost sight of Tikki while he tried to think of the best way to get Marinette out safely, he considered using cataclysm but thought better of it, it would be too risky to hurt marinette, the van had picked up more speed since he landed. He would have to get to her as quick as possible. he dug a clawed finger through the metal roof like butter, creating a hole for himself to drop through. He landed amongst six shocked men, fear and disbelief etched on their faces. He saw Marinette lying on the floor with her eyes shut, tears leaking through her lashes. Her arms and legs bound, stripped of her clothes leaving her in her underwear and heels, her body still shaking with fear. A man sat onto of her clearly in the process of freeing himself from his pants, sickness twisted in his stomach and fury took over as a growl erupted from his chest. The men screamed at the feral sound as he moved closer to the man on top of marinette with a murderous glare. Marinettes eyes opened at the sound relief clear on her pale face.

With a loud screech of tires the van shook dangerously, causing everyone inside to stumble, suddenly the van began to roll on its side over and over. Without thinking about it chat extended his baton between the roof and floor of the vehicle, and clung to the device sturdily placed, he searched in a swirl of muddled bodies for Marinette. He caught her by the waist and held her limp frame tight to his body. The van slowed its momentum and stopped miraculously in an upright position. Chat Noir summarised that he must of scared the driver, causing him to loose control of the car, he adjust his hold on Marinette, noting her and her attackers were all unconscious.

Tikki appeared landing on marinette's chest with wide eyes. "Chat Noir we need to get her home, something doesn't feel right." Her eyes darted around the dark van as though something would jump out at any moment. Chat thought for a moment, he had a good memory for faces, but he couldn't afford to make an innocent civilian pay for being a lookalike. he booted the doors the back doors of the van open. He placed Marinette down gently on the grass a few feet away from where the van had come to rest on a large field.

"Chat Noir what are doing?" Tikki whispered floating beside his face. "She will freeze out here, we need to get her home!"

"I know I wouldn't be leaving her here if it wasn't important, these assholes know where she lives, they could come after again Tikki. I swear ill be as fast as I can, I have an idea, I'll explain when while we're on our way, just stay with Marinette and shout me if you see anyone, okay?" His green feline eyes glancing back to Marinettes peaceful body lay in the cold grass, he didnt wait to hear Tikki's imput on the matter, he quickly hopped back in the van with a grimace. He lifted the hand of the first man he reached, digging a claw into his palm marking an 'x' deep enough into the skin to insure a scar, the blood flowed from the wound thickly obscuring the shape. He moved on doing the same on the left hand of the men in the back, chucking them unceremoniously in a pile after he marked them and checking for a pulse. He picked up all electronics and paper he came across, from their pockets and littered on around the van, shoving them into his own pocket. He climbed out once he had finished, and ran to the front of the vehicle. The driver hunched over the steering wheel unconscious with a bloodied nose. There was only one passenger beside the driver, he crumpled off his seat paled face and lifeless, Chat climbed in curiously checking the man for a pulse, he turned his hand over to check his wrist, noticing a balled up piece of paper in his hand. No pulse, Chat struggled to care for the dead man who he held, he pulled the paper from his hand and added it to his collection in his pocket amongst the other finding he had taken. After checking the glove compartment and marking the driver who still had a pulse, he rushed back out wanting to get Marinette home and warm as quick as possible. He kneeled beside the young woman and he emptying his pockets to the floor in front of him, with a quick look around and satisfied it was safe on the dark field, Chat Noir dropped his transformation.

"Adrien?!" Tikki gasped pausing from gnawing at the rope that bound Marinette, the cloth from her mouth already removed. She received an awkward smile from the blonde man who pulled off a backpack, coat and t-shirt, stuffing gadgets and paper into the backpack before throwing it back on again.

Plagg had already floated silently over to Tikki, helping her with the rope which he was more successful with. Standing quickly back to his feet Adrien addressed his uncharacteristically quiet kwami "Plagg Claws out." Chat Noir appeared again picking up his abandoned t-shirt coat and pulling them onto Marinette in hopes to warm her up. She felt so cold even through the leather of his gloves, cradling her to his chest protectively, he sprinted towards the closest building. He let his instincts take over, his familiarity with the rooftops of Paris came into good use, he sprinted towards Marinettes home with a thought of the direction. He was eager to get his princess safe, check for injuries and get her warm and clothed. Tikki sat on her charges head brushing her bangs away from her face, before placing a small kiss on her forehead, Chat blinking in surprise as a subtle pink light resonated from the kwamis mouth and shone throughout Marinette body. "What was that?" He asked the little spirte in confusion, he had never seen Plagg do anything magic besides transforming him, although Plagg was lazy so that wasnt a surprise. He continued racing watching Marinettes cheeks fill with colour, whatever tikki had done it must be revitalising her since even her body felt warmer.

"She had a nasty concussion, probably what knocked her unconscious. I can use my magic of creation to heal, if i have the energy." Tikki replied with a sad smile tooking down at her owner.

"Well considering how often Marinette used to fall over in college its lucky she had you to heal her."

"Actually that's the first time I've had to heal Marinette, I cant do it if shes transformed within five hours, and she wouldn't be able to transform for five hours after I've used it. it take a lot of energy to heal the human body." Tikki sighed looking exhausted "My luck stopped her from seriously injuring herself when she was clumsy though.

Chat smiled softly at the little red god, he mentally vowed there and then to buy her the best cookies he could find, as soon as he could. "I marked those men that took Marinette, the guy in the passenger seat was dead when i got to him, no seatbelt." He said his smile vanishing.

"Marked them how?" She looked up worriedly, choosing not to comment on the death.

"I cut an 'X' into all their left hands. If I'm right then those men were hired to pick Marinette up, its too much of a coincidence that they got her outside the bakeries front door, meaning whoever hired will try again." He paused as Tikki nodded in understanding, her little face creased with worry. "I didn't have time to wait for one of them to wake up for questioning. Authorities will probably be there if i went back and I'm not leaving Marinettes side anytime soon."

"I'm terrified for her Chat Noir." Tikki admitted in a small voice.

"So am I, but I wont let anything like this happen again, even if she doesn't want me around ill find a way to keep a close eye on her." He frowned.

"She does want you around, shes just stubborn. I think tonight will have changed her view point about her own safety. Well we can hope anyway. Most importantly we need to figure out whose after her and why." Her tired eyes stared determinedly at him.

"Hopefully I have everything we need to find that out, I took all their phones and couple of other devices, they all had paper on them too, I didn't stop to see what it was though." He explained, receiving a weak grin from the little red god. The pair fell silent as he landed on Marinettes balcony, Tikki zoomed ahead zipping through the lock of the sky light to allow Chat access. He followed after her and settled the bluenette gently into her bed, pulling her covers over her body and attempted to create a respectful distance, considering her lack of clothing. The young woman, despite her sleep like state whimpered as he tried to move away, she clung to his neck nestling her face between his neck and shoulder. Chat Noir blushed as a soft happy sigh left Marinettes lips, tickling his neck. Tikki giggled fondly at the pair, her eyes drooped the second she landed on her makeshift bed.