Gabriel could only hear the sounds of his own breathing echoing around the room. It was laboured, stuttering as he tried to calm it and quieten down. He didn't want to be found.

He continued moving, turning around and backing himself against the cold, rough wall, sliding down it and burying his head into his knees. He was shaking, his heart pounding to a point he thought he was having a heart attack. He wished he could transform and run away, but he'd left the Miraculous with Nathalie, the demand that he spend the time purely focused on his son. She'd even pulled out the 'That's what Emilie would have wanted' card. So he just sat there and waited. The sounds of his impending doom making their way closer.

Five hours earlier...

The doors opened to the murky air of Birmingham and Gabriel couldn't help but screw his nose up. Why the hell had they decided to go here?

It was the first day of Adrien's two day bachelor weekend. Two whole days of a bunch of whining youths, and Tony! Apparently, Jagged Stone would be joining them at the hotel, and Gabriel had no idea why Adrien thought he'd be interested in the guy being there. He was nothing more than a reject from the 80's with the fashion sense of a Muppet. Seriously, all the guy needed was a hand up his ass and he'd be the perfect friend for Kermit the Frog.

"Where's the limo?" Gabriel asked, Tony letting out a bellowing laugh beside him and slamming a hand down on his shoulder.

"Always with the jokes! Gosh, the Agreste men are a blast!"

Jokes? Why would he joke about comfortable travel?

"Train stations this way." Tony turned and began to follow the crowd sporting the hideous green hoodies which proclaimed they were the 'Agreste Army'.

When Keith had come to him about the bachelor weekend, he felt like he had no choice but to agree to go. The guilt trip from the red-hatted doofus didn't help situations, as he dragged on and on about it in front of Tony. Tony who said he couldn't wait to go.

Félix said he was the coolest dad ever and of course Gabriel couldn't let that lie spread out of the suit store. So here he was getting on the *gulp* train, heading into central Birmingham — economy, might he add. God, he hoped no one had pissed on this seat.

"Looks like we're going to be the outcasts for the weekend" Tony said, plonking himself down beside him like he'd been invited. Snatching the strap from under Tony, Gabriel hugged his 'man bag' to his body. There were delicate treats in there. If he had to be in England for a few days he had to make sure he had enough French goodness to keep him going. (Nobody needed to know they were special gentleman's magazines).

Gabriel scrunched up his face. "Excuse me?"

"Oh, sorry, do you need to get past to go to the toilet?" As Tom moved to allow Gabriel to pass, his big frame collided with Gabriel's shoulder and sent him head first into the window.

"Ouch!" Gabriel turned to the side to see the greasy emo kid and the Gruffalo (Evan, or something like that) staring at him.

Groaning, Gabriel sat up right, immune to Tony's apologies and felt the growing egg on his head. Oh, great! Could this actually get any worse?

As the train slowed to a complete stop at the station for Milton Keynes the doors opened with all the pizazz of a can opener.

"Starting the fun without me?"

Looking up, Gabriel couldn't help but groan as his obnoxious cousin stepped into the train carriage holding up a bag in one hand and what looked like a white sailor suit in the other!

Oh, curse you, spawn of Amelie!

Chants and cheers of his nephew's name caused other passengers to tut and moan, until his son stood and apologised, once again using the Agreste charm he'd gotten off himself — of course — to soothe the audience.

Félix sat in front of Tom, giving the big guy a rather hearty slap on the back and handshake before settling beside Adrien.

A few minutes into the journey, Félix turned to face him. A smirk that battled the Grinch stretched across his lips. His eyes gleaming evilly just like when he was 18 and introduced his sweet, innocent little boy to 'Only Fans'.

"Don't worry, Uncle, I have Ladybug costume in my bag just for you. It'll go perfectly with that giant black spot on your forehead." Cackling, Félix turned to Keith a cross the aisle and high-fived him, Gabriel taking the opportunity to stand and go to the toilets and look at his head.

Pressing the button to open the toilet door with a hand chief he would burn when he got home, he stumbled through the opening crack and quickly pressed the button to close it again, quite sure he'd just stepped in someone's bodily fluids — the less he thought about which the better!

With a wince, he looked up into the mirror, his bony fingers stretching up and stroking over the huge lump appearing on his head, complete with black bruise! He hissed as he continued to poke it, setting himself a mental reminder to lower Nathalie's bonus that year.

This was going to be the worst couple of days of his life!

*****

"Finally, Dave and Tony, you're in here!"

Gabriel stood in the doorway of the hotel room, actually (believe it or not) quite impressed by what he was seeing. Apparently, when it came to hotels, his son had some standards as they were currently staying in The Grand Hotel, just off Colmore Row in Birmingham. Close to the city centre, this hotel was 4* and luxurious. From what he'd heard through the grapevine, that short actor who ran funny stayed here whilst filming one of the mission unthinkable movies.

He'd never seen it himself. The whole 'save the world' thing didn't really appeal to him.

"This is amazing!" Tony said, walking in and placing his bags on the bed furthest from the door.

"And where's my room?" Gabriel said, asking Keith before he escaped.

Keith's face didn't even twitch as the words left his mouth. "We're all sharing!"

"What?" Gabriel barked, Nino shrugging his shoulders.

"Adrien's orders."

"So, why can't I stay with him?"

The smug, slimy grin spreading across Keith's face had every nerve in Gabriel's body heating up.

"When he catches up with Marinette tonight, I'm quite sure he won't want his dad —"

"Father."

"Sorry. Adrien wouldn't want his father hearing his conversation with his fiancée. Especially after a couple of drinks." Laughing, Keith turned around and walked away, leaving himself and Tony alone in the room.

Gabriel closed the door, taking his case to the bed and placing it on top. This was awkward — really awkward.

"Gabe. Think quick!"

A small box sailed across the room and struck Gabriel in the chest, falling down onto the bed and opening up — two small, bright orange cylinders popping out.

"The wife said you might need these. Apparently, I snore!"

Picking one up, Gabriel twisted it between his fingers, squeezing and releasing the small object with fascination. He picked up the box reading the label.

Earbuds.

Great! Not only was he sharing a room with a giant, he was sharing a room with a giant that snored !

The day just kept getting better and better. What could possibly make it worse?

Gabriel was quite certain he had the answer. As they stood in the lobby of the hotel, they were joined by (the drummer from the Electric Mayhem) Animal's British cousin, Jagged Stone.

"Alright, Gabby Baby! Long time no see."

Gabriel almost launched out of his skin as Jagged slung an arm around his shoulder in a too friendly way. He didn't know Jagged well, and he was quite sure the guy had hit happy hour a little too early. Using his pincer grip (his elementary teacher would be proud), Gabriel removed Jagged's arm from around him and took a defensive step back and towards Tom. At least the big guy had some boundaries.

Jagged continued. "Have you heard? It's us oldies against these whippersnappers! Like they can defeat us!"

Us oldies?

Tom burst out laughing, his hands clutching his belly as he started to shake up and down.

"They haven't got a chance. Nothing scares us! Right, Gabe?"

They were talking in code! He was quite sure about it. What the hell did they need a chance for, and what the name of all things Miraculous was a whippersnapper!

Before he could present his enquiries, Félix whistled long and loud, causing everyone in the hotel to tut and complain. This was an almost suitable place for the upper class after all.

"Now, everyone was emailed with which team they are on. So stay with your group."

Starting points? Teams? Gabriel was quite sure he hadn't given his blessing for such a monstrous thought. As Félix continued explaining, Gabriel set his sights and grazed the crowd. If they were in teams, he wanted at least a decent one.

Tony would be a certain.

Maybe the greasy emo kid, he wasn't entirely incompetent.

But definitely not Keith!

He searched out his red capped foe, only to be utterly relieved when he couldn't find him. Maybe the guy had got the hint and gone home, or even better caught a disease which could only be cured in the depths of Antarctica.

A smug grin caressed Gabriel's lips. Oh how the idiots have fallen, only to almost throw up when Keith appeared in a BLACK hat! What the giddy aunt was that?

"Father?" Adrien suddenly called out, beckoning him to come towards the doorway, where the monstrosity of a big, black stretch hummer sat against the curb.

He would need to have serious words with Nathalie for not allowing him to bring the Miraculous! The woman was slowly turning to team Adrinette and he hated it...but not as much as what he was put through next.

They were standing outside of a decrepit building in an area about 20 minutes from Birmingham. The place looked as though it needed cleansing by an exorcist and that conclusion only increased as they headed inside.

Pulling the jacket on his designer attire, Gabriel made a mental note not to touch a damn thing within this place, including the geriatric rocker next to him. And the smell! Yikes! It was enough to bring up his cheap easyJet breakfast. And whilst he was on that jet plane, £12 for a bagel was daylight robbery.

Keith led them in with Félix bringing up the rear, the smug, sadistic smirk on his face could only make Gabriel wish the gene stealer touched something and got rabies, he knew Tomoe would be happy with that convenient disease.

The door behind them slammed shut. The foyer of the building turned pitch black. A red light flashed across the room, just as a person did!

The Gruffalo screamed as the other males all laughed, Adrien slapping Keith on the back with a far too jolly "no way, man!"

The red light flashed again, the shadow spiriting in front of them, before the light flashed on and off repeatedly giving him a headache. On and off. On and off. On and...

A face appeared right in front of him, foam coming from its mouth and red demon-like eyes! Unsure what happened, Gabriel found himself being cradled like a baby by Tony as Félix stood to the side laughing.

"Oh man!" Félix snorted, Gabriel scrambling out of Tony's strangely soft hold and back onto the ground. "How are you doing uncle?"

Before Gabriel could answer, the sound of gunshots had him covering his head.

"Quick! We've got to move if we want to get out!"

A guy with a rather hefty gun appeared in front of them, waving them through the door and Adrien taking it into an almost run as he entered first. As Gabriel trailed at the back, Félix still making comments, he looked on the floor to where the rabies infected 'zombie' lay, eyes closed and chest moving.

A zombie experience! Great! And to make matters worse his son was enjoying this! What had Marinette done to his perfect little boy? Now he was an absolute freak of an offspring! A zombie experience, he shook his head...where had he gone wrong?

The room they moved into had been furnished to look like an old, infected hospital ward. Beds over turned. Blood splattered on the walls. And giant 'X's painted on walls.

"You have your teams!" The guy with the gun said. "The aim is to be the first group out of here with the least infected army."

Gabriel couldn't help but think his brain was already infected by this colossal crap, but whatever. He wasn't going to be scared by a few zombies! He'd been caught out a minute ago. That was all! He was freaking Monarch! It'd take more than a couple of actors wearing open back hospital gowns to frighten him. Heading to the gun shelf, he selected his laser and power pack, preparing himself, only to be interrupted by Tony's loud guffaws.

Gabriel looked to where Tony and the muppet stood with Adrien and Félix, all staring at each other and giving...what did the kids call it?...oh, yes! Whip tongue!

With a flick on a switch, Gabriel's power pack came to life, along with his competitive spirit — even more so when Félix once again turned and gave him a wink.

"The hospital is a series of corridors and rooms, to find your way out you'll need to follow the clues. Blue team — you're going into the operating theatre. Green team — you're starting in the morgue..."

"Hell yeah!" Greasy emo kid said, high fiving Kim. (Gabriel liked Kim! Kim was an athlete and a winner! He couldn't understand why Adrien didn't hang around with him more.)

"And red team — you're going out into the waiting area. Remember the aim of the game is to not get caught. Are you ready?"

A loud obnoxious 'yeah' sounded around the ward before the doors on the side of the room began to rattle. Aiming his gun like a ghostbuster, Gabriel smirked at Adrien.

"Get ready to be more lost than a blindfolded cat in a laser maze!"

Adrien blinked and Gabriel knew he'd affected Adrien with his whip tongue. Oh, yes! His son was about to go down.

*****

Gabriel could only hear the sounds of his own breathing echoing around the room. It was laboured, stuttering as he tried to calm it and quieten it down. He didn't want to be found.

He continued moving, turning around and backing himself against the cold, rough wall, sliding down it and burying his head into his knees. He was shaking, his heart pounding to a point he thought he was having a heart attack. He wished he could transform and run away, but he'd left the Miraculous with Nathalie, the demand that he spend the time purely focused on his son. She'd even pulled out the 'That's what Emilie would have wanted' card. So he just sat there and waited. The sounds of his impending doom making their way closer.

He'd lost his team ages ago, and now he was about to be eaten by raging zombies. He could hear their groans as they moved closer and closer. He closed his eyes and waited. This was the end. A shameful, bitter end.

Suddenly the sounds of shots being fired surrounded him, silencing the falling zombie's, and as he looked up he saw his saviour! Tony! He stretched his hand out, the green glowing exit sign over his head sending out a halo type of effect.

"Come with me if you want to live!"

In a trance, Gabriel stretched up and slotted a hand into Tony's, the big guy pulling him up and slinging him over his shoulders. Eyes wide, Gabriel didn't know where to look as he was carried out of the 'hospital', Tony keeping one hand supporting him and blasting out zombie's with the other as he continued down the hallway like the Terminator.

Finally, they reached a door, Tony kicking it open and entering a room. He stood in the centre and slowly turned around. Red lights flashed, alarms blurted out and zombie's encroached from every direction.

"Put me down," Gabriel said. They were surrounded. It was time to fight or die.

Sliding him from his back, Tony gave him a nod as they took their positions back to back.

"You know what to do."

They both locked and loaded their lasers, waiting as the zombies grew closer and closer.

3...

2...

1!

They began to fire, each hitting zombie after zombie as they circled around remaining back to back. They moved together with ease, Gabriel turning and going low as Tony shot high. They spun around, leaned on each other, and Gabriel was certain he needed to invest Tony onto his super hero team (Yes! He said Hero!)

The door to the right of them sprung open and the beautiful British rain came blowing in thanks to the heavy gust of wind.

"Quick, come on!!" The man shouted over the howling. If this was the final battle, and no one else was here, that must mean they'd won! Won! He couldn't believe it!

Ha-ha!

He rushed out, excited to rub it in Félix's face.

Take that Félix, you little sh-

His thought was broken by the sound of applause.

He hadn't won! He hadn't won at all! It seemed like he'd come last...well, last but one, Tony was last to exit the building, not him! Maybe he wouldn't enrol the giant.

Gabriel turned to Tony and put on his most considerate smile. It must feel terrible to be in last place.

His son, ever the soft hearted sap, headed over to Tony and lay a hand on his shoulder. Here it goes, one of Adrien's kind speeches, one which people say makes women drop their panties for. Gabriel tuned in to listen, perhaps this was the day he saw the flaws in his budding father-in-law.

"Thanks for going back in and finding him, Dad! I thought we were going to have to cancel our dinner reservation if he was stuck in there any longer."

The two embraced each other and Gabriel's nose flared. He'd called Tony, Dad! And the word struck him hard in his Tinman chest.