#and now we've got another multiparter ahead of us

[runawaycatwalker]

Part 30. The Return

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Description below the cut

Nathalie scrolls through photos on her tablet.  The pictures of Adrien have all been replaced by a white void.

Nathalie (internally): Aside from a few unprofessional photos, it seems Adrien has been wiped from the record.

Nathalie looks off to the side, frowning in anticipation.

Nathalie (internally): Gabriel won't be pleased.  Any moment, he's going to burst through that door and—

Gabriel bursts open the doors to Nathalie’s room.

Nathalie (internally): Nathalie!

Nathalie (aloud): *sigh* Yes, sir?

Gabriel: I need you to arrange an immediate flight!

Gabriel prances about in dancing delight.

Nathalie: A... flight?

Gabriel: My akuma found Adrien!  And then she immediately lost him, but I have my son's last known location now!  And!  We went near that area when we were all travelling the world!  It'll just be one quick trip to grab him, and he'll be back where he belongs!

Nathalie revolves what she knows around her head before coming to a decision.

Nathalie (internally): So, Adrien is retracing our footsteps?  He knows something about Emile, so is he just looking for answers?  Or is he seeking something we missed that could help her?  Regardless...

Nathalie (aloud): I'm coming with you.

Gabriel waves his hand indignantly.

Gabriel: Absolutely not!  You aren't fit for the expeditions we used to go on anymore!  You can't jeopardize your health traipsing up mountains!

Nathalie looks at him with steely resolve.

Nathalie: It's Adrien.  I'm coming, Gabriel.  You're going to have me there at your back whether you like it or not.

Gabriel adjusts his jacket in defeat.

Gabriel: Fine.  I won't waste any more time arguing with you.  You may come.

Nathalie: Very good, sir.  I'll make the call.

Gabriel looks down at Nathalie appreciatively.

Gabriel: Your loyalty is truly admirable, Nathalie.

Nathalie: ...  I do what I must.

Cut to the rooftop where Chat Noir once prepared a candlelit surprise for Ladybug.  A “Find Adrien” billboard is on display there (the spot where Adrien was once depicted replaced with white void), with all the lights that would illuminate it broken except for the one on the end.  At the dark end of the billboard, Chat Noir sits on the ground, waiting.

A close-up of Ladybug’s feet ‘plop’-ing to the ground.  Chat Noir turns his head to look behind him in excitement.

Chat Noir: M'lady!

Ladybug holds up a warding hand and holds tight to her yo-yo, making Chat stop his attempt to greet her in its tracks.

Ladybug: Stay back.

Chat Noir: M'lady?

Ladybug grips her yo-yo in her hands.

Ladybug: I need to know that you're not some sort of trick.  I need to know you're you.

Chat Noir looks at Ladybug with a need to fulfill her every request.  Ladybug’s head is shown from behind as the free parts of her hair blow in the wind.

Chat Noir: What do you need me to do?

Ladybug: I need you to remember.

Ladybug, eyes still obscured by blowing hair, holds up yo-yo defensively.

Ladybug: What conditions did you give the Celestial Guardian for relinquishing your miraculous?

Chat Noir: Hmm.  I don't remember giving him my conditions.

Ladybug: That's your answer?

Chat Noir holds out his hand invitingly.

Chat Noir: Well, I don't count telling Su-Han to 'come and get it'.  You're the one I gave my conditions to: That if I have to give up my miraculous, I will.  But only if you ask me to.

Ladybug rushes Chat Noir with a hug, throwing his arms around his neck, as he embraces her with a smile.  Images of them together are shown in the background: Ladybug smiling as she hugs Chat and he nestles his face in her hair; Chat holding Ladybug up in the air in front of him as she holds his face in her hands; Chat Noir swinging Ladybug in a circle as she grabs onto him and lets her legs fly outwards around them, Chat smiling as he holds Ladybug close.

Ladybug: That's right, Chat.  And I never asked you to.

Chat Noir: You would have.  I know you've given other heroes exceptions before, but me?  You'd never.  I knew it the moment Mayura recognized me: I'd have to go.

Ladybug and Chat cry in each other’s arms.

Ladybug: But I never even got the chance to say goodbye.  You were just gone and I had no idea if I'd ever see you again. I’ve missed you so much, Chat.

Chat Noir: I’ve missed me too.

Ladybug boops Chat’s nose with a teasing glint in her eye.  Chat gives her a playful grin.

Ladybug: Hold on... did you just say you missed you too?

Chat Noir: Hey, I'm very missable!

Ladybug: Ha!  You dork...

Chat Noir: Always your dork, m'lady.

Ladybug take’s Chat Noir’s hand and pulls him towards the railing, pointing behind herself at Marinette’s balcony.

Chat Noir: But shouldn't we be getting out of the open?

Ladybug: I'm already ahead of you: Marinette Dupain-Cheng is spending the night with a friend, so she’s letting us use her room.

Chat Noir pulls his hand out of Ladybug’s.

Chat Noir: Wait.  What are the odds that Marinette is actually Mayura?

Chat Noir looks away in panic, grabbing at his bell with one hand and touching the back of his neck with the other.

Ladybug: What?  None.  She can't be.

Chat Noir: 'Can't' in that you wouldn’t have expected it of her?  Or 'can't' as in you’ve seen Marinette and Mayura in the same room together?  And there wasn't a chance of it all being an illusion or a fake or—?

Ladybug: Kitty!

Ladybug holds Chat Noir’s hand in front of her (interlocking her fingers in his) and looks directly at the viewer with complete reassurance.

Ladybug: I am 100% paws-itive that Marinette is trustworthy.  Yes, she's not allowed to be a temporary hero anymore.  But she's safe.  I never would have entrusted her with saving our kwamis if I wasn’t absolutely sure she was on our side.

Chat Noir collapses into Ladybug’s arms as she looks at him with concern.

Chat Noir: Thanks for reassuring me.  I never wanted to doubt her.  It’s just... hard to go back to trusting people when I know I'm wrong about somebody.

Ladybug touches Chat’s face and shoulder comfortingly.  He holds onto her arm with both hands and looks into her eyes, comforted by her support.

Ladybug: I'm glad you still know that you can always trust me.  You ready now?

Chat Noir holds up the trapdoor to Marinette’s room, following Ladybug down as she holds his hand with both of hers, smiling up at him.

Chat Noir: After you, m'lady...

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