A twig snapped under Marinette's foot as she and Alya moved silently through the grass and towards the Agreste mansion. The moon glowed brightly above.

"I don't know about this," Marinette whispered uneasily. "What if we get caught?"

"We won't," Alya reassured her. "And plus, if we get into any trouble, Ladybug will save us."

"Right... But if I were you, I wouldn't get my hopes up," Marinette chuckled awkwardly. "Ladybug would never help trespassers." Oh, the irony.

"She knows me," Alya grinned, staring up at the big gate surrounding the mansion. "I am in charge of the Ladyblog after all."

Marinette shook her head, giving up on the discussion. She looked around. "And you don't think the police will find our actions suspicious?"

Alya groaned. "Oh, come on, girl. Live a little!"

Marinette silenced. There was no point in arguing any longer; besides, they were already outside Adrien's house.

"Okay, now the real question is, how are we getting inside the fence?" Alya pondered, scratching her chin.

"Oh no!" Marinette gasped, turning around.

"What?" Alya asked.

"Chloe's limo!" she replied in horror. The white limousine was pulling up to the mansion, it's headlights nearly shining and revealing the figures of Marinette and Alya.

"Hide!" Alya exclaimed. Both girls' darted for nearby shrubs and ducked down behind them.

The door to the limo opened and a high heel stepped out. Marinette tracked the foot up to Chloe's caked face.

The blonde smirked, eyeing her surroundings. "Ah, I haven't been to Adrikin's house in a while," she said to her father who stepped out after her.

"Yes, what a wonderful occasion," Mayor Bourgeois declared.

Chloe and Mayor Bourgeois walked up to the gate and rang the buzzer.

They waited a few seconds before the gate opened with a slight screech. Alya moved suddenly, rustling a few of the leaves. "Let's go in behind them. But be quiet," she whispered.

"Okay," Marinette nodded.

Alya emerged from behind the plant and ducked down, moving quickly but quietly behind Mayor Bourgeois. Marinette followed her lead.

After passing the gate and getting inside the enclosure, they moved for another bush and hid behind it. Only one more set of security, now. The courtyard by the main door where Gabriel, no doubt, had Nathalie and other assistants monitoring at all times through security cameras.

"How are we getting passed the security cameras?" Marinette asked, pointing to the black camera in the corner of a window.

"Hmm," Alya mumbled, looking around.

Marinette looked around for anything to help them when her eyes stopped on Alya's wrist. She noticed there was a black hair tie around it.

"Since we're just looking into a window," Marinette smiled, pulling the hair tie off Alya's wrist. "We just need to disarm one camera."

"And how are you gonna do that with a hair tie?" Alya asked in confusion.

Marinette glanced around the courtyard when she spotted a garden by the main door. Lining it were various pebbles.

"We use it as a slingshot and knock out the camera," Marinette winked.

"Ah," Alya smiled. "But we need ammunition."

"See that garden? Lining it are pebbles. Can you get me a few without getting caught?" Marinette asked.

"You got it," Alya nodded. "See? For your first time doing something against the rules, you aren't that bad at thinking on your feet."

Well, when you're a superhero, thinking on your feet is crucial for every situation, Marinette thought.

Alya started moving across the courtyard and towards the garden. She stopped abruptly when she reached it and quickly picked up a few of the pebbles without any buzzer or assistant getting her in trouble. Marinette bit her lip. So far so good.

Alya smiled victoriously before sprinting back towards Marinette. She was positive Alya would be safe. But then everything went crashing down.

The front door to the mansion swung open and standing in the doorway was Gabriel Agreste. He glared at Alya and his face was red with anger.

"What do you think you're doing here!" he yelled at her. "I don't need a pesky teenager ruining this special event."

Alya threw her hands up, dropping a few of the pebbles on purpose. They scattered towards Marinette, who was watching the event unfold behind the safety of the shrub.

"I just wanted to... see Chloe!" Alya lied.

"Well how about properly dressing yourself and actually receiving an invitation to this prestigious event first!" Gabriel barked. "I will have you escorted immediately!"

Adrien's giant, gorilla like bodyguard stepped outside from behind Gabriel and walked towards Alya. She backed away in shock.

The man grabbed Alya's arm and started pulling her out of the courtyard. Alya glanced over at Marinette and gave her the thumbs up. She nodded in response.

The bodyguard shoved Alya outside the gate, locking it.

Marinette's eyes glanced over to the door which, to her surprise, was wide open. Why Gabriel would leave the door open after he had an encounter with a trespasser? She'd never know. But now, she had a perfect way to get inside the Agreste mansion.

Marinette stood up and sprinted towards the door.

"Hey!" a deep voice yelled from behind her as she ran.

Marinette's heartbeat quickened and she could feel the adrenaline pulse through her veins as she hopped up the steps and into the mansion. She slammed the door shut behind her, muffling the yells of the bodyguard.

Marinette was in.

She frantically looked around. A giant staircase was directly in front of her. Granted, she had been here before as Ladybug, but she was still iffy on where to go. The main room was empty; all of the guests for Gabriel's event, as he mentioned, must've been in the dining room. Then the realization suddenly came.

That's why Adrien couldn't study with her tonight. He had this thing to go to.

It all made sense. But then why was Chloe here?

Marinette remembered the events from earlier in the day. Chloe mentioned she was now modeling with Adrien. So the event must've been celebrating the partnership. Of course.

Marinette sprinted across the marble floor, her flats clicking ever so softly. She stopped in front of Adrien's room; the only room she was certain on.

Should she go in?

Marinette decided against it many times in her head.

But darn it. She was tired of always being the good girl.

Marinette slid the door open and it revealed Adrien's room. It smelled like his beautiful cologne. He had everything a boy could ever want in a room.

"Marinette, what are you doing?" Tikki mumbled in disappointment. "You shouldn't be here."

"Quiet Tikki," Marinette replied, looking around the room.

"But this isn't you," Tikki said.

Suddenly, Tikki's words reached Marinette.

And her stomach suddenly felt sick.

This wasn't her. She shouldn't be here. The answer seemed clear when Alya was with her. But she was wrong, and now Marinette knew.

This was a terrible idea.

She almost experienced a panic attack as everything came to realization.

Adrien bodyguard was locked out and currently pounding on the door. Any second now, Nathalie will check the security cameras and see him outside. She will run downstairs to let him in and see Marinette standing guiltily in the corner. Adrien will see her and automatically hate her guts. Marinette will be doomed.

"I gotta get out of here!" Marinette whisper-yelled. But she couldn't go out the front door because that's where the bodyguard was.

She sprinted back over to Adrien's room. This was her only means of escape. She stopped in front of his giant window and opened up her purse.

"Tikki, we need to transform. I have to get out of here."

"Although I'm happy you saw what you did wrong, but you should've let the bodyguard in," Tikki scolded.

"If I do, he won't let me go until Gabriel is told! Someone else will let him in, though. Tikki, spots on!"

A red flash washed over Marinette and she turned into Ladybug.

The superhero opened up the window and looked out. The dark, peaceful Paris sky twinkled with stars.

She stood on the ledge before jumping off and throwing her yoyo at a building, it successfully latched on and she soared away from the Agreste mansion. She had escaped and planned to never do that again. No matter what Alya said otherwise.

Marinette loved her best friend, but sometimes she had crazy ideas.

Ladybug landed on her balcony and released the transformation. Tikki spiraled out of the Miraculous and landed on the railing.

"Phew, I'm glad we're home," Tikki sighed with relief.

"Me too," Marinette nodded.

*

Adrien sighed, walking into his room. He took off his fancy blazer and hung it up. The day had been tiring and he was so glad to relax the rest of the night.

A cold breeze shook his bones. Strange, he didn't remember turning on the air conditioning in his room.

His eyes darted over to his window which was wide open. He ran over to it and looked out. Who had opened it? Could it have been his lady?

Adrien sighed, closing the window. He sure did miss Ladybug. It had been weeks since they last saw each other. The akumas have slowed down. It's not like how it used to be.

But it hasn't been all that bad. Adrien has been developing feelings for Marinette lately.

Maybe he'd go see her tomorrow. That sounded nice.