Félix held out his hand to help Lila out of the car. She looked up at him and smiled with those same seductive eyes she had pulled on him that night in London. There were two big differences since then though- one he was perfectly sober this time and two, he had someone else to love. The last thing Félix wanted was another drunken filled night with Lila. No, he would wait to be with the one he really wanted to be with. When this was all said and done he would take Kagami away somewhere, anywhere she wanted to go, and he would lavish on her all the beautiful things she deserved for having to put up with him doing this. Not that this was a date, oh no, this was a business dinner, nothing more, and he wasn't going to let Lila manipulate it otherwise. Not this time.

As he led Lila to the exclusive restaurant, she wrapped her arms around his and shivered a little. "It's still a little chilly out. I should have brought my coat." She said, looking at him expectantly.

"If you were going to wear a sleeveless dress, then yes you should have." Félix replied dryly. Lila's face dropped into a scowl and Félix let out a huff as he slipped off his jacket and placed it around her shoulders. He knew from the smug grin on her face this was going to be a long and painful dinner.

Once they were seated and ordered from the menu, Lila engaged in a run of babbling small talk which she knew Félix hated. As she talked her well healed toe started making its way up his calf. He was well aware of what she was doing and it didn't take long for Lila to make her intentions known, even as he shifted his leg away from her and crossed them. "This is such a lovely restaurant for a date, Félix. You really are spoiling me tonight." She said in her honeyed tone as she walked her fingers along the edge of the table towards his hand. Félix slipped his hand back, gathering his napkin as he did and placing it on his lap.

"Don't get the wrong impression Lila. This is a business dinner, not a date." He said flatly. "I have something you want but you haven't offered me anything worthwhile in return."

Lila looked him up and down, running her tongue along her bottom lip. "Do you really think I'm only interested in the Gabriel business? Didn't London mean anything to you?" She battered her eyes at him.

"Did it mean anything to you?" He shot back. "You used me for information and then disappeared in the morning."

"You can't really tell me someone like Kagami could light a fire in you the way I did. I know that under that cool exterior you like to show the world is someone full of passion."

"That was drunken fueled lust, nothing more. Kagami is different, something someone like you wouldn't understand."

Lila sat back into her seat as the waiter came over and poured the wine into the glasses. Once he had finished she picked up the glass and brought it to her lips, taking a sip while the food was set down on the table. Lila picked up her knife and fork, cutting onto her rare eye fillet steak aggressively. 

"You know that looks like it's still mooing." Félix said, screwing up his nose as he cut into his own medium-well done steak.

"You seem to have gotten rather cocky all of a sudden." She observed. She had expected Félix to be a lot more grovelling, but he was far too confident for her liking. "You know something don't you?" For a brief moment she wondered if he knew where Gabriel was.

Félix dipped his hand into his inner pocket and pulled out the photos of Gabriel and Hawk Moth that had been left behind on the day Gabriel disappeared. There were several red marks on the Hawk Moth image. "These were fake, weren't they?"

Lila froze with her glass part way to her lips before she took another sip and placed the glass down. "I guess it takes one to know one." She said, her voice betraying no emotion. She could see the question on Felix's face and she let out a small laugh. "I caught Gabriel once talking with his Kwami. That's what they are called right? He was in his office at the time and he didn't know I saw him. I thought about confronting him about it, but once my employment was, shall we say terminated, I decided to keep that information for better use. Unfortunately it turns out kwami's seem to be invisible on camera, and Gabriel was quite careful where he transformed even in his own house. Breaking into the surveillance system was just a cover to make the photos seem more realistic, although I did enjoy snooping around, and I'm still curious as to where Gabriel goes when he pressed the buttons on the painting, but no... I had no tangible proof he was Hawk Moth."

"So why the charade? Why plant the photos at all?"

Lila made him wait while she chewed on her meat. "Because I wanted Adrien to know the truth. He deserved to know and you should have told him himself. His own cousin keeping such a secret from him."

"Don't give me that Lila." Félix seethed under his teeth. "I'm not going to be gaslit, least of all by you."

Lila pursed her lips. "Alright, I wanted Adrien to suffer for rejecting me all those years ago... and I thought Marinette would leave him if she knew the truth about who his father was." She said, her voice dripping in menace. "I knew Nathalie would spill everything out the moment she saw the photos, and she did, didn't she?"

Félix resisted the urge to gulp down his glass of wine, taking a measured sip instead. "I didn't see what happened, thanks to your power cut I was stuck in a lift. Had I been there I would have questioned the validity of the photos before Nathalie could have had a chance to say anything."

"I guess fate was in my favour then." Lila smirked. Félix had to agree with that. While being trapped with Kagami had brought them closer together, it prevented him from stopping Adrien from suffering another blow. Would it have been so bad had he never found out?

"And the Butterfly brooch?" Félix questioned. She raised an eyebrow at him. "I noticed you didn't wear it tonight?"

"You're rather observant aren't you?" She placed down her knife and fork then picked up her napkin and dabbed her mouth. "Okay Félix, no more games. What do you propose here? A trade? The Miraculous for Gabriel Incorporated?"

Félix folded his arms and scoffed. "What? So you can run off to the police and tell them I'm Hawk Moth and have me arrested with the Miraculous on me? I wasn't born yesterday, Lila."

Lila narrowed her eyes at him. "Alright then. You don't want me, and you don't want the Miraculous. What do you want? Or have you gone soft on your cousin who replaced you?"

Félix eyed her warily. "I don't suppose you just slinking away quietly is an option?" Lila's glare was about as cold as her heart. "I didn't think so."

The waiter approached the table and cleared away the dishes. Both declined dessert and Félix asked for the bill.

"I'm curious, Félix, why exactly do you want me to face off against Marinette in this battle Miraculous. You know Audrey Bourgeois is only doing this for her own publicity, and Illusions already has a deal with her. Besides, Marinette is going to be a miserable failure against Ricardo's designs and you know it. Even this supposed engagement to Adrien won't be enough to endear her to the Parisian public."

Félix could see resentment written all over Lila. She was clearly salty Adrien was engaged to Marinette. Maybe salty enough to take the risk if he played his cards right.

"Maybe I just want to get one up on you after London."

Lila leaned forward in her seat. "You have no designers, no models, no staff... For all intents and purposes Gabriel Incorporated is dead in the water without that money in the Swiss account you claim to know nothing about. What makes you think you could stand a chance against me? It's a waste of my time."

"I've always been one to bet on the underdog. Sometimes it can pay surprising dividends."

"You can also go bust if you bet on the wrong horse, although I'm not sure you could go much lower than you are now."

Felix nodded his head slowly. "Alright, I'll make you a deal. If you win the showcase, I will give you the Gabriel brand but if we win, you give Ladybug back the Miraculous you stole and you tell me my Uncle's whereabouts."

"You're assuming I know where Gabriel is." She replied, trying to sound innocent. "Your proposal is unsatisfactory. If I win I want the Gabriel brand, the passcode to the Swiss bank account and..." She tapped her chin in thought as she looked Félix up and down. "...I want the De Vanily necklace you always wore."

Lila smirked at the pale look on Félix's face. "What do you know about that?"

"Oh Félix honey, you really are a hopeless drunk aren't you?" She laughed, delighting in the flash of fear that crossed his eyes. "You told me all about your amok and how Gabriel rejected you in favour of his biological son, palming you off to Amelie De Vanily. It must have been hard watching Adrien rise in popularity knowing he was in your place."

The words she spoke rang in his ears and he could hear his own voice saying them to her in the darkened hotel room that night in London. She had run her fingers over the pendent against his chest and told him all the words he had wanted to hear. How she would be there for him, that she understood him, that he wasn't the monster he feared he was. She had lied.

"Why do you want it?" He asked with restrained vehement.

"Because if I have the amok, I have you and if I have you, I can have it all. Anyway, I have a pretty good idea where to find it. There are only two people you would hide it with."

Félix balled his fist on the table. "I already warned you Lila...."

"Or what Félix?" Lila counted. "I hold the winning deck here. In fact, I will agree to this face off after all. It could be fun to watch you fail, and when you do, I'll make you my first akuma. Let's see how that incompetent Scarabella and Femme Chat deal with an akumatized sentimonster. It might even be enough to bring the real heroes out of hiding."

She stood up, taking his jacket from the end of the chair and wrapping it around her shoulders, delighting in the red anger in his face. "Don't worry about taking me home, I'll catch a taxi. You look like you need a good lie down, Félix honey." She said before tuning and sashaying away.

Félix sat for a long while, fists clenched and gritting his teeth. For a brief moment he thought about downing the other half of the bottle of wine that was there, but thought better of it. Trying to drown his sorrows before had put him in this situation, it wasn't going to get him out of it.

As the waiter placed the bill on the table, he took out his phone and dialled the only person who's name he could think of and told her everything.

"Get on the first plane to London, Félix." Kagami urged him. "You need to get away from her."

"I'm coming back tomorrow afternoon, I promise. I need to go over a few things with Chloé before she goes to see Adrien, but I honestly just want to get out of here and back to you."

~~~~~
Marinette picked up another of her chocolate chip cookies and took a bite as she sketched in her book. Plagg sat on her desk with an extra large piece of aged Roquefort she bought him as a special treat. At the other desk Adrien was working the phones trying to secure sponsors for their Miraculous collection while also trying to avoid calls from reporters asking where his father was. The only real financial support they were getting was from Tomoe Tsurugi. At least one of their business partners hadn't abandoned them.

After hanging up from yet another call, Adrien stretched his arm and stood up, still using his single forearm crutch, and made his way over to Marinette. She poked the last part of the cookie in her mouth, standing up and holding out her sketchbook. "What do you think of this one?" She asked, showing Adrien the revised Rena Rouge dress and trying to present crumbs hadn't just fallen out of her mouth as she spoke. It was a burnt orange dress with one over the shoulder sleeve and a wide waistband and a high leg split. A long chiffon piece hung from the shoulder to represent a fox tail.

"I love it." Adrien said with a proud grin, wrapping his free arm around her waist. "And I love you." He brushed his nose against hers before kissing her lips. She looked up at him with a smile before he claimed her lips again, this time with a little more fervor. He pulled back and licked his own lips, tasting the cookie she had just been eating.

"You know if you wanted a cookie, you could just have one." She teased him.

"But when I kiss you, I get to taste the world." He whispered and delighted in the pink blush that spread across her face.

"So the world tastes like cookies does it?" She tried to sass, but knew he just thought she was being cute.

"Of course, because you taste like cookies." He said, kissing the soft part of her neck. "And you are my world."

Marinette held back a giggle at the gagging sounds Plagg started making from her desk. Adrien rested his chin on her shoulder and gave the Kwami a death glare for ruining the moment, not that the tiny god of destruction cared, in fact the little sod looked proud of himself.

Moments later a knock came to the door and Nathalie entered the room. She handed Adrien a document she had just received.

"We have the outline for how the Miraculous face off will be run. There will be a celebrity panel consisting of Audrey Bourgeois, Jagged Stone and Bob Roth."

"Bob Roth?!" Marinette whined.

"At least one of them is on our side." Adrien said feeling a little encouraged at seeing Jagged Stone there.

"That's true." Nathalie acknowledged. "But the main vote will actually be a public vote. We have to win the crowd and the home viewers to win the competition."

Marinette wrapped an arm around herself. "I can't compete against Ricardo's visual spectacular. I've seen his work and I know how capable a designer he is. He's better resourced and those gowns will be like wearable art."

"Who wants to wear art?" Adrien quipped, putting down the document he had been holding and taking her hand instead. "Let's be honest, half the time it just looks weird and only really works on the catwalk or perhaps a red carpet event."

"He's right." Nathalie added. "It might look impressive, but it's not practical. Your designs will be available for the people to buy so they can wear it and emulate their heroes." Her eyes then dropped away and she hesitated a moment. "I was thinking, maybe you should take the Hawk Moth and Mayura designs out of the line up. We... I wasn't a hero. I misused the Miraculous and I should have known better, especially after Emilie."

Marinette looked up at Adrien before letting go of his hand and pacing hers on Nathalie's arms.

"You did do the wrong thing with the Miraculous, but the Miraculous themselves are not evil. People need to remember that all the Miraculous were designed to be used for good. Maybe one day we might see a hero butterfly or peacock holder and I would hope that the people of Paris would embrace them just as they have the other heroes."

Nathalie gave her a small smile and a nod. "Your mother has been working on the design floor with some of your friends. They have been quick learners and the garments are coming together. We still have the issue though of models for the runway. Many of our usual back ups are hesitant to participate due to the fur debacle."

"I know of at least one model." A voice said from the door. The trio turned to find Chloé Bourgeois standing there, admiring her new nail art.

"Chlo! Are you volunteering to model for us?" Adrien asked sarcastically, making his way over to her and kissing her on each cheek.

"Don't be ridiculous, Adrikins." She scoffed. "You couldn't possibly afford to pay me enough to walk a catwalk."

"How was Félix when you left?" Marinette asked. "He sent a message that he and Kagami would be returning to Paris soon but not much else."

"He looked rattled." Chloé said seriously. "I don't know what Lila threatened him with, but he was angry as hell about it."

Adrien and Marinette gave each other a worried look. Knowing Lila had the Butterfly Miraculous, there was a real concern she was going to use it to create a new akuma soon. Was she testing his limits?

"And how about you Chlo?" Adrien asked. "You looked pretty happy with yourself when you came to the door."

"I am." She said with a confident grin. "While Félix wined and dined Lila, I went out to a delightful little restaurant with Ricardo. Let's just say he was very keen to please the daughter of the Style Queen."

"And you took advantage?" Adrien smirked.

"I'm entitled to enjoy myself." Chloé defended herself playfully. "I also may have told him that my mother was a huge fan of sequins."

"Sequins?" Marinette asked, confused. "I thought sequins were last season."

"Dupain-Cheng." Chloé huffed in annoyance. "You know that, and I know that, but our dear Ricardo has absolutely no idea. Let's just say his Hawk Moth and Mayura outfits are going to be a disaster, an utter disaster. So you better make yours amazing." She pointed an accusatory finger at Marinette. "How exactly are you even going to pull this off with no staff?"

"We put out an SOS to our friends." Marinette replied. "Many of them are volunteering their time to make the outfits so they will be ready in time."

Chloe simply rolled her eyes. "And what about the models?"

"I thought you said you knew of one." Adrien asked. Chloé pinched the bridge of her nose with an aggravated sigh.

"You Adrikins! I was talking about you. Who else did you think I meant?"

Adrien blinked at her for a moment. "Me? You can't be serious?"

"Of course I'm being serious." She suddenly grabbed him by the chin and shook his head. "Face of the brand, remember? Félix has had to work hard to get that Lila to even agree to this face off and the biggest asset we have over her is you."

"Miss Bourgeois does have a point." Nathalie added. "Illusions might be making advances in online sales, but the motivation for most of the sales is their cut price garments - Lila and Ricardo are relatively unknown. You on the other hand are known and loved in Paris. Plus you can't deny that your engagement has endeared you even more to your fans if your social media is anything to go by."

Adrien started to look uncomfortable. Casting his eyes to the ground he leaned on his crutch and made his way towards the settie, sitting down as the others watched him. "Our engagement wasn't for publicity, Nathalie." He said quietly. Nathalie gave Marinette a worried look as he continued. "I'm not sure I'm ready to walk a catwalk. I didn't think I would ever go near one again. I thought... well it doesn't matter now what I thought, but not modelling that's for sure. I mean, I still need a crutch and nobody wants to see a has been model past his use by date. Besides, who exactly would I walk down as?"

"Chat Noir of course." Chloé declared with a flick of her hair. "You have the right look for it. I tried to convince Félix to do it, but you know how he is. Honestly if that boy can get a pole any further up his backside I would swear he would be like your father." Adrien's eyes turned hurt and Chloé backpedaled. "Sorry, I didn't mean it like that." She gave him an apologetic smile. "Tell you what, if it makes you feel better I'm sure I have that old Ladybug wig somewhere. I'll even walk out with you."

Adrien gave Chloé a half smile. Considering the designs were going to be worn without masks, going out as his own alter ego sounded like a very bad idea. "Thanks Chlo, but I hardly have the agility right now to pull off Chat Noir." He then let out a deflated sigh. "I can't even stand on my own two feet on my own, remember."

Marinette crouched down next to him, placing her hand on his knee. "You could still walk out there Adrien...but maybe as someone else." She hesitated before she spoke again. "Like maybe Hawk Moth."

Adrien looked at her with wide eyes and Chloé practically choked on her own breath. "Are you high Dupain-Cheng? Or are you deliberately trying to give him a mental breakdown?"

Marinette took in a deep breath and let it out slowly. She knew Chloé meant well. At first she wasn't happy with Félix that he had told Chloé about Gabriel being Hawk Moth, but he had assured her that Chloé had a severe dislike for Adrien's father and was quite shocked and angry to find the two had been one in the same. Chloé had been Adrien's only friend when they were younger, and while the socialite may have had a teen crush on Adrien (let's face it, who didn't), later she had become quite protective of him, like she was now.

"Chloé, please. Will you give us a moment? Nathalie, do you want to take Chloé to the design floor and show her around?" Chloé rolled her eyes and turned her back to follow Nathalie out. Marinette then took Adrien's hands in hers. "Remember what I just said to Nathalie. The Miraculous were always meant for good, not evil. The people of Paris should not fear a future Butterfly hero."

"But look who has it now." Adrien said, worry written in his eyes. "She knows about my father and she will be here in Paris soon."

"I know." She whispered back, cupping his face in her hands and resting her forehead against his. "And Ladybug and Chat Noir will get it back from her."

"But..." Marinette cut him off with a soft kiss.

"You will always be my Chat Noir." She continued to whisper. "You are getting stronger everyday, I can see that. The doctors weren't sure you would ever walk again and look how far you have come. I'm so proud of you Kitty."

"So am I kid." Plagg piped in, floating up in front of his face. "As much as I like Pigtails, I'd rather be the cool cat with you."

"You just want Tikki back to fuss over you." Marinette said to the black cat. Plagg folded his paws and poked his nose in the air.

"SugarCube understands me, that's all." He replied, pretending it wasn't that important. "And Trixx is driving me up the wall, sneaking around the apartment and hiding my cheese from me."

Both Marinette and Adrien smiled at that. "I know, I miss Tikki too and I know Trixx misses Alya. It won't not be long though, and everything will be how it should be - including having the butterfly back in the Miracle Box." She finished with determination.

Adrien gave them both a soft smile. "You're always so positive m'lady, but to walk on a Catwalk whether I wear the Hawk Moth outfit or not... I'm not steady enough..."

Marinette placed a finger over his lips and had a twinkle in her eye. "Hawk Moth has a cane, remember? So you can lean on that and no one will think anything of it, and you can also lean on me."

Adrien gave her a curious look with a tilt of his head. "You?" His face then broke into a broad grin. "You're going to wear the Mayura."

Marinette nodded her head. "You think purple would suit me."

Adrien hooked his finger under her chin, running his thumb along her cheek. "I told you, you look gorgeous in every colour m'lady." He leaned in and gave her a soft kiss. "I can't wait to make you Mrs Agreste."

"Me too Kitty." She smiled, leaning into his hand. "But we have a lot to do between now and then. I'm worried that Paris could be in great danger. I think we need a team, a small team of holders who know and can keep their Miraculous with them. Like Alya and Nino."

Adrien nodded in agreement. "Are you going to give Kagami back the Dragon Miraculous?"

"Yes, and I'm wondering if I should give Félix one too."

"Even though he's a sentibeing?"

Marinette looked up into his eyes. "It doesn't make him any less human. Kagami could see that. If you had been a senti, I wouldn't have loved you any less."

Adrien looked down at their joined hands before raising them and kissing the back of her hand. "You're the Guardian m'lady, I'll leave that up to you. I guess Félix has proved himself enough that he can be trusted, but does that mean you will tell him about us?"

Marinette bit her lip. "I think he deserves to know. He knows Ladybug has the Peacock, maybe it might make him feel better knowing we are the ones guarding it. He could even talk to Duusu about it."

"And, this catwalk thing? You still want me doing this?"

"Do you trust me Kitty?" She asked him.

"You know I do."

"Then trust yourself. I know you can do this." She encouraged him. "This is about you and me and this company, not your father. You are not like him, you will never be like him." She reached up and touched his face and felt him lean into her hand. "You are my Kitty always, and we are going to kick Lila's butt at this face off. Come on, let's go get you measured for your suit."

Taking the elevator down to the design hub, Marinette felt a real sense of elation at the flurry of activity that was happening. Sabine was sitting at a sewing machine with Rose, guiding her through the process of stitching seams. Juleka was pinning patterns and cutting fabric while Mylène worked the other sewing machine. Nathalie was at a desk with Chloé, crunching numbers and formulating a showing plan and even Alix had learned how to sew on buttons! Alya and Nino had also come to join the group, working on social media promotions and taking photos.

"Adrien my dude." Nino called out, coming over and giving his best friend a hug. "Would you believe I scored the DJing gig for the Miraculous face off and Alya made a deal to be the exclusive backstage reporter for TVi since they will be airing the event."

Chloé, who had been listening from Nathalie's desk, cleared her throat loudly and Nino cringed slightly. Alya came up from behind him and wrapped an arm around him. "What he means is Chloé intervened to make sure we would be there as eyes and ears. Nino will have a birds eye view of the whole venue from the DJ booth and I will be keeping a watch from backstage." Alya then took an item out of her bag. Tikki popped her head up discreetly and waved at Marinette, bringing a smile to the designer's face. Alya opened her hand to show a small ear bud. "Félix sent these along with Chloé. We are going to be wearing these as well as the models. If Lila makes any funny moves, we will know about it."

"Models?" Adrien queried. "We don't have any models, well, except for me and Marinette. We decided we would wear the Hawk Moth and Mayura outfits."

"You do now, Sunshine." Alya grinned, moving her hand across the room. "Juleka will wear the Ladybug, Mylène claimed Rena Rouge, Rose wants to wear Vesperia and Alix wants to wear the Viperion suit. Oh, and we called Kim for a favour and he said he would be cool wearing the Carapace. Mylène is working on the adjustments for that now."

Marinette couldn't believe what she was hearing. Not only were her friends helping to make the dresses, but they were offering to wear them in the show.

"You girls are amazing." She gushed, holding back a tear. Her moment was disrupted by Chloé sniggering behind them.

"That is ridiculous, utterly ridiculous." She laughed. "I mean, you girls might not be quite as short as we were in school, but you certainly do not look like models at all." She said, looking over them all. "Except maybe Juleka, you have the look, but the rest of you are all kinds of wrong. I mean Dupain-Cheng would only get away with it since she's engaged to the heir of the company and let's face it, all eyes would be on Adrien anyway."

Alya folded her arms and popped out her hip. "That's a bit tackless isn't it Chloé? Besides, what's wrong with having models of different shapes and sizes? Real people don't all look like models."

Nathalie meanwhile had gotten up from her desk to join the conversation. "Actually that could be quite an inspired idea." She said much to Chloé's surprise.

"Really? After all your years working with my mother you think this is a good idea? She is on the voting panel, remember?"

Nathalie looked around the room at everyone. "The panel is only worth part of the vote, the bulk will be coming from the public... a public that comes in all shapes and sizes and the public are the ones who will be buying these outfits, not Audrey Bourgeois."

"I think that sounds like a wonderful idea." Sabine added with the others nodding in agreement. On this argument, Chloé had to accept defeat.

"Okay, fine. I guess you have a point. But you still have one problem, you don't have anyone to be Chat Noir."

"Knock, knock." A recognisable voice said at the door. "I have a fabric delivery for a soon to be Mrs Agreste."

"Luka!" Marinette squealed excitedly, rushing over to give him a hug. "When did you get back to Paris?"

"Not that long ago:" she said, kissing her cheek. "Zoé and I have been having some quiet time together since I got back. How about you and Adrien? I didn't get to congratulate you both. Have you set a date yet?"

"Thanks, but we have been so busy here we haven't had a lot of time to think about it."

As Marinette was speaking, Adrien came over and held out his hand to shake with Luka. "I think we have found our Chat Noir."

"Say what?" Luka said, looking alarmed.

Marinette's face lit up. "Of course, you would be perfect. Luka, I'm sure Zoé has told you about this Miraculous face off we are having against Lila and Ricardo."

Luka nodded. "Sure, I saw about it on the news too, and what happened with the fur thing." He looked at them both puzzled. "What has this got to do with Chat Noir?"

"Not the Chat Noir." Marinette corrected, walking over to where there was a covered object. Pulling off the cloth revealed under it an almost completed Chat Noir outfit. "We need someone to model the Chat Noir suit. You would be perfect alongside Juleka's Ladybug."

Luka went over to the suit and felt along the lapels with the embroidered red roses. He could see the amount of effort Marinette had put into it and he had to smile to himself. Of course Marinette would insist on doing that one herself. He recognised her handiwork from the many outfits she had made for Kitty Section over the years. He had kept the secret for years now that he knew about their true identities, ever since that day they had fought against Wishmaker. They were only 16 and 17 then. It was a long time to keep a secret, but one he knew he had to.

Luka looked over to where his sister was at the cutting station. "What do you think Jules? Reckon I could pull off Chat Noir?"

"Sure." She mumbled, but her smile hiding behind her fringe was all Luka needed.

"Well, I'm not really a model like Adrien, but I'm willing to give it a try for you guys." Juleka ran over and gave her brother a tight hug and Marinette set to work getting Luka fitted for the suit while Adrien, Chloé and Nathalie went back to the office.

"You know I was really happy when I heard about you and Adrien. So you moved into his apartment after his accident?"

"That was kind of his father's idea. But I'm glad now he did. Spending time together we learnt a lot about each other and it helped break down some walls that had been between us." Marinette said as she handed him the suit and directed him to the change room.

Luka knew Marinette was being cryptic, but he could read what she was saying between the lines. They had revealed their identities at last, that had been the real barrier between them. Ever since that day against Wishmaker he had to train his heart not to be in love with Marinette. Seeing that Adrien was Chat Noir and Marinette was Ladybug, it was inevitable they would find each other. It was hard for a long time, knowing in his heart that the one he loved was somehow destined to be with someone else. For a while he thought no one else would ever fill that void Marinette had left behind, until he started spending more time with Zoé.

"I know how you feel, when all the notes come together and you can finally hear the melody you didn't even know you were missing." He said in understanding.

"How is Zoé by the way? I haven't had a chance to see her since the winter gala." Marinette asked when Luka came out of the change room. She picked up her wheel of pins and started making adjustments to the jacket.

"She wanted to come and help you guys, but she was feeling a bit unwell this morning."

"Oh no, I hope she will be feeling better soon. Is there something I can get for her?" There was a hint of something in Luka's eyes that caused Marinette to pause. "Is something wrong?"

"Not wrong, but a little unexpected." He said with a soft smile. Marinette suddenly realised what he meant.

"Oh my gosh Luka, you're going to be a dad?" She said excitedly. Luka shushed her playfully.

"Don't tell anyone else besides Adrien. We haven't announced it officially yet because it's still a bit early. Even Juleka hasn't told Rose because we know she'd never be able to keep it to herself." He chuckled.

"I'm so happy for you Luka. And I know you and Zoé will be happy too."

Luka placed his hand over hers where she was pining the seam. "Can I tell you something? I'm feeling a little overwhelmed by it all. I mean, I'm still trying to establish my instrument making business, Zoé only just graduated from university... We haven't even been dating for a year. I always hoped to be a dad one day, and part of me is really excited, but the other part just wasn't ready yet. I want to do the best I can for them and I guess I'm just worried."

Marinette looked at him earnestly. "Do you love Zoé?"

"More than I thought I could love anyone." He said with no hesitation. "She's been the greatest light of my life and my creative inspiration. She fills my life in ways I never knew possible."

Marinette grabbed Luka by the arm and gave him an encouraging smile. "Then I know you will make a wonderful father Luka. Zoé is lucky to have you."

Luka's shoulders relaxed. "I'm going to ask her to marry me, just as soon as I find the right ring. I know Zoé always struggled to fit in with the Bourgeois' and she never felt like she ever really belonged, but I think she is going to fit in just fine as a Couffaine."

"I know she will." Marinette said. "But you do realise that makes Chloé your sister in law."

Luka let out a laugh. "Well, it could be worse. At least she wasn't related to someone like Bob Roth."

The two started laughing and Marinette finished pinning the jacket and pants. "There, for one night only you will be a perfect Chat Noir."

Luka sat on a nearby stool and held up the ends of his hair. It was still blue tipped, but now hung just below his shoulders. "I don't have to wear a blond wig do I?"

"Good grief no." Marinette laughed, scooping his hair back behind his head. "I think a ponytail will look quite dashing though. I'll make sure there is a front row seat for Zoé to watch too. She can sit with my parents if she likes."

While Luka was back in the change room, Alya came rushing over to Marinette waving her phone at her.

"Look who just turned up back in Paris." She said, showing her an interview of Lila talking to Nadja Chamack.

"...we are so excited to be back in Paris and to support this chance for the Gabriel company to try and re-establish itself after that unfortunate fur incident."

"Ugh, she is so full of it." Marinette said, folding her arms as Luka walked up behind her to watch.

"There have been rumours that you wanted to purchase the Gabriel brand, have you changed your mind on that?" Nadja asked. Lila plastered on a fake smile.

"I have such fond memories of my time as a Gabriel model and I have a special attachment to the place. It's unfortunate that Gabriel himself seems to have retired prematurely, leaving a crumbling business to his son and nephew, but if the fashion business gets too much for them I'm more than happy to negotiate a sale or a merger ...." Alya switched it off.

"That...that..." Marinette fumed, balling her hands into fists. "She's trying to undermine us before the show even airs."

Luka, who was still standing behind her, placed his hands on her shoulders and rubbed them. "Slow deep breaths Marinette." He said calmly. "You know she is just trying to rattle you."

"I know." She sighed, trying to relax the tension running through her. "It's just so... frustrating."

"Don't fret for now." Alya chimed in. "We can talk about strategy more tomorrow night. Are we still on for dinner at your place?"

"Yes, Félix and Kagami will be there too. We only have a week to be ready for this, and there are a few things we need to talk about."

"Anything I can help with?" Luka asked.

Marinette considered that for a moment. Luka had always been a trustworthy ally, but now with Zoé expecting, she didn't want to risk him knowing too much just yet until they understood their enemy better.

"Not right now, but thank you Luka. If I need you for anything, I'll let you know."