Paris was quiet for the night, trapped in a sleepy chill that seemed to slow everything down. There were cars scattered here and there, perhaps an unlucky pedestrian heading somewhere on a mission one could only hope was good. A few lost souls who couldn't sleep, a few energetic youths who didn't want to. The usual AM traffic. Cat Noir found it interesting to watch, pacing quietly on the rooftops along a particularly well-lit street so he could count the time between cars. One could go as long as fifteen minutes before another car would pass, still following traffic laws like the streets were crowded with others only they could see. Maybe that was just the influence of winter.

Cat Noir had a habit of silence when he was alone, even more so when his mood was as numb as his hands. He liked to think it didn't get to him anymore, but he and his father had both been in town for the past six days and they hadn't seen each other once. Not even in passing, not even from afar. There was no shoots for the time being and Adrien was back in school from winter break so there was no reason for Gabriel to interact with him. He liked to think it didn't bother him, but he also wasn't dumb enough to think that was true. He just preferred not to think of it at all.

Cat Noir tracked the movement of a police cruiser, resetting the timer in his head at zero and numbly counting the time as he continued to move forward, moving to the next building and working through his impromptu patrol.

He took a deep breathe, reminding himself of the claws on his hands and the mask on his face, the thought bringing a subdued smile to his face. For now he wasn't Adrien, at least not the one ignored by his father and stuck alone in an empty house. For now he could enjoy his city, maybe even find some crime to stop before dawn. That was the sort of freedom his ring offered, peace of mind on a quiet night.

He ran, enjoying the freezing sting of the winter night as he did, leaping from one building to the next in an attempt to think of nothing besides the adrenaline. It wasn't a perfect fix but it worked, and if it wasn't almost four AM he might call his lady to join him. Even if it was a reasonable hour it was still fairly likely she would say no but hey, even hearing her say that always made him smile. That was just how she made him feel. No matter how much he might enjoy her voice though he had no intention of waking her up just so he would have company, and he would rather limit her exposure to the cold as much as possible. She had that adorable new spotted coat but still, could never be too careful.

He ran until he needed to catch his breath, pausing on the edge of a rather tall building and listening carefully. Mostly he could hear his own breathing, the few scattered sounds of cars driving by, a TV from one of the rooms below him and...

He stopped. Adrien held his breath, turning to catch the sound and listening to the gaps carefully. There was a short pause then very quietly or rather a loud sound at a great distance he heard something like a crack and slice. He waited, then it was there again, slicing, slicing, silence, then a crack. Curious now he glanced down and immediately understood, a smile forming on his face. It was an ice skating rink, and there was a single performer.

At the Trocadero every year there was set up an outdoor ice skating rink for tourists and citizens alike to enjoy, skating happily with the grand Eiffel tower looming overhead. On either side of the fountains long white tents would be pitched for sales and festivities alike to celebrate the winter season but skating before the tower was the main draw for many. It was very crowded in the day, meant for casual skaters looking to laugh and giggle as they skidded about in a mob of strangers. It was not a time fit for such a performer, and at night the ice was theirs.

And what a performance it was.

Cat Noir leaned forward, gripping the edge of the roof in his claws as he watched, suddenly entranced by the movements of this stranger.

It was a woman. She was graceful and steady, manipulating her momentum effortlessly to glide across the ice. She would turn the blade just so, pushing lightly to glide backwards with complete confidence. Just watching her skate was intriguing enough, the movements so smooth it looked like she was floating. Then however, she danced. A gasp caught in his throat when all at once the woman raised one leg, folding it to her body and leaning forward, letting her weight cast her into a spin before extending her leg again and gliding forward, her arms held aloft like she was about to command a great orchestra. She wore what looked like a thin t-shirt but he couldn't tell at such a distance, too distracted to glance around for a coat or any sign of greater warmth. Perhaps she didn't need it, perhaps she was born for ice, it certainly seemed that way. He watched, looking at the curve and balance of her arms and she danced and flew to a song that did not play, performing for a crowd that did not cheer. It was when she leapt, twisting in the air and landing elegantly with that same audible crack but wavering not even a centimeter from her intended position that he moved.

Cat Noir scrambled down the side of the building, moving quickly until he was at ground level and sprinting in complete silence to come up on the side of the rink, ducking out of sight and peeking through gaps in the guardrail. He wasn't sure why he was hiding but then again he wasn't sure why someone so talented would wait until near dawn to dance. They did not seem to desire an audience, though he couldn't help but feel they deserved one.

He was much closer now, and he could see his assumption was correct. She wore a simple pink t-shirt and plain black sweats, old worn skates on her feet that flashed and shone as she spun again, so quickly and expertly he watched with an open mouth. Her arms reached up like a ballerina as she span, until in a great shower of shaved ice she halted instantly, arms outstretched at her sides, her chest heaving in exertion and a stunning smile on her face.

But it was not the face of a stranger.

He gasped very loud, his lungs filled to bursting with the sudden intake of air as he desperately clamped a clawed hand over his mouth.

His classmate Marinette Dupain-Cheng looked around, instantly alert and every scrap of tempered grace replaced with a taunt readiness.

"Whose there?" she called out, her voice surprisingly intimidating. He hunkered down even further, still reeling from the discovery that the elegant stranger was his classmate.

"I heard you I know you're here!" she called out again, and he watched through the cracks as she glided backwards towards a coat slung over the railing on the opposite end.

He watched her, hating the fact that she looked like she was preparing to leave. He didn't want her to leave he wanted to watch her dance again! And wow did that sound weird when he thought it in his head, now he was just grateful that it hadn't slipped out along with the gasp. Holy he- he couldn't get over it. It was Marinette! She was amazing! She was so- so fantastic! She moved like she had twenty years of experience and she was no older than he was! Had she skated from the womb?

That was a weird mental image. He decided against pursuing that exaggeration any further.

But still! She was fantastic she was so talented! She blossomed and amazed like ink in water, flowing and stretching like she was born to do it. Why did he have to be a fool and ruin it? Why did she have to leave? He wanted her to dance again.

He braved another look when he heard the distinct sound of the blades of her skates against the concrete, looking on with great regret as she quickly unfastened the skate's laces, glancing over her shoulder all the while. She quickly put on regular shoes, grabbing her belongings and casting a final longing look at the ice before she darted away, heading into the city in the direction of her bakery.

Cat Noir groaned, releasing his mouth and sliding down to sit on the ground, hanging his head dramatically. The graceful leaps and strides filled his mind and he leaned his head into one hand, wishing he hadn't been so stunned so that he might have seen more. Instead now he had most likely frightened her and made her feel unsafe, the last thing he had wanted to do. Maybe he should rush after her and tell her it was him who had gasped? Then maybe knowing it was a hero and not a creep she might return. Then again, she had been out on an ice skating rink at almost 4:30 AM the likelihood that she would be pleased to have had an audience at all was slim to none. So what could he do? If he revealed himself she would be mad but if he didn't she might be scared. Glancing over her shoulder, afraid of being followed home in the AM hours. A young girl, fifteen years old, walking home alone in the dark without an escort- what on EARTH was he doing?!

He was on his feet instantly, forgetting about hiding for the moment and looking around for her, panic spiking in his heart when she was nowhere in sight. How fast did she move?! She didn't live anywhere NEAR the Trocadero, what was she thinking being out alone like that at this hour?! It wasn't just heroes who were awake at this time, in fact she was lucky it HAD been a hero who had spotted her. Her home was a good walk away anyone could find her in that time. He just had to hope it would be him.

He ran like the wind, clawing up to the rooftops and sprinting for the bakery. He honestly did try and keep from worrying but it was almost impossible she was just so small. She might be feisty and brave but bravery didn't mean much if some giant thug pinned you down in an alleyway. He ran so fast, taking short cuts only a hero could and desperately hoping that he had now gotten ahead of her, doubling back now to check all possible routes towards her family's bakery. How could he have possibly lost her she had a minute heads start at the most! He saw a few teenagers who were up to god knows what, a few adults stumbling around after a night of drinking and a few homeless folks, all of which only served to heighten his panic. He kept questioning it again and again, what the hell was she thinking being out this late!?

He saw something then, moving along in the same direction he was. A flash of red.

He sighed out such a sharp sigh of relief he was surprised she hadn't heard, far away though she was. Instead he cupped his hands around his mouth and shouted, "LADYBUG!"

The spotted heroine almost fumbled her jump she was so surprised, skidding to a dangerous stop right at the edge of the rooftop with her yo-yo smacking gracelessly against the side of the building. She huffed, fingers pinching the bridge of her nose as she heard her partner land on the roof besides her. She was more than prepared to tell him off for frightening her, but when she turned to regard him her hand dropped, taking in howfrazzled he looked.

"Ladybug!" he said again, running towards her and looking so genuinely glad to have someone else there. "I need your help!"

"What's wrong?" she asked, instantly forgetting her annoyance in favor of calming him down.

"There's a girl!" he started rather unhelpfully, his hands waving about as he tried to speak quickly. "A girl, Marinette Dupain-Cheng do you remember her!?"

Ladybug stiffened, her eyes going wide but he didn't stop, looking over the edge of the building back into the street. "She was out at the skating rink in front of the Trocadero at night by herself and I accidently scared her. She was skating, she was marvelous it was amazing but I accidently gasped and spooked her and she ran off and I was stupid and she was already out of sight before I realized that she was out in the city at night on her own and now I can't find her. She's small Lady! She is a small young girl out here by herself and there are drunks out and its almost five in the morning I have no idea what she was thinking being out alone right now but I can't find her it's like she vanished and I'm very very concernedplease help me find her."

Her mouth was open, staring at the panicking Cat in utter surprise. He looked into her face, becoming increasingly impatient, before to his bewilderment he saw something very akin to irritation on her face.

"You were watching her skate!?" she shouted at him, almost- ... was she blushing?

"Yes! I was running by and I stopped to watch for a moment that is hardly what matters right now," he shot back, practically hopping in place in his desire to be off again, his eyes casting about wildly. She still seemed too stunned to move and he groaned, clawing at his hair. "I'm worried she won't make it home safe! I'm going off to look for her if you find her call me okay!?"

Ladybug tried to say something but he was gone, using his baton to vault to the next building towards her home. She sputtered, gaping after him before she finally groaned, burying her face in her hands and stomping on the roof tiles.

"I can't believe him! He was watching me it was HIM I can't believe him!" she shouted, reaching up to grab fistfuls of hair and pacing in the cold winter air. "Where does he get off!? Thinking he can just- he can- UGH!"

"Marinette!" a small voice suddenly scolded her, and she knew it was coming from her earrings. "He said he liked it! But you need to go catch up with him right now before she wakes up half of Paris looking for you!"

"I can take care of myself just fine," she protested, crossing her arms and glaring in the direction he had fled.

"He doesn't know that," Tikki responded, giggling softly. "It's kind of cute when you think about it! He's so worried about you!"

Ladybug made another grumbling sound as she paced, looking for more words but settling instead for a heavy sigh. She was still extremely embarrassed at being caught but... Tikki was right. He was going to really panic if she didn't turn up, and even if she was absolutely furious it did make her smile a little. Only a little though.

"Fine..." she said finally, shaking her head in exasperation before swinging down to street level. "I guess I'll walk the rest of the way and hope he finds me."

She glanced around once before releasing the transformation, opening her coat for Tikki to fly inside. Now that she was Marinette again she had her skates to carry, so she slung them over her shoulder and reacquainted herself with the correct path home before setting off again.

She spent the majority of her walk fuming, embarrassed to have been caught out. She had figured that such a young hour would grant her privacy but she should have known Cat Noir would be the exception to that. There was no limit to what hour he might be patrolling the city, and the Trocadero wasn't exactly a subtle place to skate. She was trying to be fair, it was reasonable for him to be concerned about her being out alone but the stubborn part of her knew she was probably the best person in Paris to be left unattended. As much as he liked to believe it she wasn't some Princess waiting to be kidnapped, she was absolutely fine.

This train of thought contributed to the hot wash of irritation down the back of her neck when she heard the exasperated shout of "There you are!"

Marinette looked up, reminding herself that she couldn't let on that she was upset with him and watched as Cat Noir dove down into the street, running towards her. She opened her mouth to spew some halfhearted greeting when he was suddenly right in front of her, arms crossed and a scowl on his face.

"What are you doing out here by yourself!? There is a party of drunks just one block over its dangerous."

Marinette blanched, unable to keep her scoff from slipping out. Her resolution to keep her irritation at bay faded almost instantly, her free hand in a fist placed defiantly on her hip.

"I'm just fine thank you!" she countered, forgoing a greeting of any kind since he had done the same. "I can take care of myself."

She watched his face tighten, his jaw obviously set as he watched her stand unflinchingly before him. He was right about her being brave but just- he wasn't wrong here. He and Ladybug being out was one thing but she could genuinely land herself in trouble.

She waited for him to speak but when he didn't she started walking again, knowing full well he would follow. He looked like he was considering pulling her to a stop but he glanced up at the moon hanging low in the sky and decided that she should at least get closer to home.

"You're out late," Marinette finally spoke, hoping to change the subject.

"We're not dropping this," he retorted, looking sideways at her and was unsurprised to see her grimace. "You shouldn't be out here by yourself Princess I'm serious, what if something happened to you?"

She took an extra second to soften her response before saying, "Like I said, I can take care of myself."

He sighed, dramatically so in her opinion and she saw him raise a hand to run through his hair in the corner of her vision. He was obviously upset with her but he seemed smart enough to recognize stubbornness. She understood his intentions, appreciated them even. He did seem genuinely concerned for her safety. Still though, her irritation remained for a different reason entirely.

She shifted her skates on her shoulder enough to catch his eye and she watched as he suddenly seemed timid. She wasn't going to just let him off the hook for spying on her in what she deemed to be a very private time for her, but first she had to get him to admit to it again.

"Maybe you're right," she said a bit begrudgingly, turning a street corner with him at her side. "There are lots of people out who could be up to no good. I was skating and some creep was spying on me."

He squirmed a little and she had to fight to keep the smirk from her face as she continued.

"I mean seriously what kind of pervert watches a girl late at night like that?"

He squirmed again, looking away down the street like he was suddenly struggling to look at her.

"O-oh, so uh. You skate?" he asked lamely, trying to play innocent, but he had a terrible feeling she was on to him judging by the intensity of her gaze burning through the back of his head.

"Mhm," she hummed, waiting for him to look back but he kept his face tilted anywhere but her direction. She attempted a different tactic. "Not well though, I'm actually quite horrible."

"You call that horrible!?" he blurted out, whirling around to face her and gulping when he realized his error.

"So it was you!" she shouted, glaring at him fiercely as he moved out ahead of her while walking backwards with his hands up trying desperately to explain himself.

"H-hey listen! I was passing by and I- well I spotted you and you were- hey don't leave!"

She had tried to force her way past him but he grabbed her shoulders, jogging along beside her when he couldn't quite halt her momentum. Never had such a small girl been filled with so much fury. Well, except perhaps Ladybug.