Holding Out for a Hero

Part 6

You don't have time for this, Plagg warned him. Your transformation is going to be up soon.

"Make time Plagg. This is important." Chat Noir told him. As if to punctuate Plagg's words, his ring beeped once and a glowing green marker blinked out.

He turned away from the broken window that Ladybug had disappeared through. Jean was shaking and shivering on the ground. Just desserts after Jean had done the same to Marinette. Chat Noir bit back the impulsive, callous thought and stepped closer to Jean. He dropped down to one knee beside Jean. "Wakey-wakey Jean." Chat Noir said as he shook Jean's shoulder.

"Ch... Chat Noir?" he stammered, looking up.

"The one and only." nodded Chat Noir.

"What happened. The last thing I remember was winning my heat at the swim meet."

"You turned into an akuma and kidnapped Marinette." he answered bluntly.

Jean jumped up, "That's impossible! I wouldn't do that to her. All I want is one date!"

"She told you no and you couldn't handle it." Chat Noir told him. Jean drew back in surprise. Nothing shocking there. There was enough ice in Chat Noir's voice to freeze the Seine.

"I would never hurt her!" hissed Jean.

"Listen up Jean," Chat Noir growled. He grabbed Jean's shoulder and squeezed. Jean took a sharp breath as Chat Noir's claws dug into his skin.

You promised Ladybug you wouldn't do anything you'd regret! Plagg's voice was frantic in Chat Noir's mind. Jean was staring up at him with wide eyes and locked jaw.

"I'm only going to say this once. Leave Marinette Dupain-Cheng alone! Don't go near her. Don't talk to her. Don't even so much as look in her direction. She told you that she wasn't interested and I'm willing to bet my Miraculous that you weren't willing to let it go even before you became an akuma. You don't get to try and convince her to change her mind. It doesn't work like that. Leave her alone. If you don't... I will know. Trust me. I will!"

Chat Noir didn't wait for Jean's response. He didn't really need one. His Miraculous beeped again and somewhere at the front of the warehouse, the doors banged open. It was time to go. "Have a good night Jean." Chat Noir waved, turning his back on Jean.

He made it outside right in time. His transformation released right as his feet hit the pavement. Adrien caught the exhausted Plagg in his hands before the kwami had a chance to fall too far. "I want an entire cheese wheel after what I've done for you today." Plagg grumbled.

Adrien scratched Plagg behind his ears. "You did really well. Thanks buddy."

Voices rose through the quiet night air as police swarmed around the shipping warehouse. Adrien ducked into the shadows in between the corners of the building. A few people ran past him to secure the back of the building. When they'd passed though, he chanced a glance around the corner. Marinette was standing beside Alya, a blanket over her shoulders, and talking to Jean Baron. She looked much better now. The color seemed to have come back to her face. She still looked so small though...

"Do you feel better now knowing that Marinette is safe and Ladybug is accounted for?" Plagg asked.

"Yeah," murmured Adrien. Guilt stabbed through him and Plagg saw it. Adrien couldn't look Plagg in the eyes when he continued, "There's just one more thing that I need to do to wrap this up."

"I know what's going through your mind. You don't have to do it y'know."

Adrien looked at Marinette once more before sneaking away. Marinette Dupain-Cheng was a kind, sweet girl. She was shy and reserved around him, most likely because of her crush, but with her friends she was bold and outspoken. Marinette could take charge and wasn't afraid to get her hands dirty. She was creative, artistic, and had an unparalleled eye for fashion. She'd even caught his dad's eye once and that was hard to do.