A/N So this is going to be the last chapter. Sorry it's late. I had two assignments due so I'd been devoting most of my energy to them and this chapter ended up being longer than all of my other ones anyway. Again thank you for all your favourites, follows, comments and support. And special thanks to RoninReverie who without their help this fic might not even exist. I hope you enjoy the final chapter! XXXXXXXXXXX

Nathalie watched anxiously as John paced across the room. It had been hours now since he had called Gabriel and she could tell that he was getting restless.

"Call him again!" John shouted, throwing the tablet to one of his goons who hurried to catch it. Despite knowing it was impossible, she tried to back away as he marched over to her. He grinned as he flexed his fingers in preparation for her beating. He stood stoically in front of her as he waited for them to give him the signal, but it never came.

"Are you calling him or not?" He demanded, his grin contorting into a snarl.

"Were trying boss," One of them answered sheepishly. "But he ain't picking up."

For a moment the snarl remained until his eyes lighted up in perverted glee.

"Well then, I guess we're just going to have to leave a message then aren't we?"

She managed to hold in her groan as he punched her in the stomach once again. His fists felt like they almost broke through to her spine. His second punch hit her right in the gut and it took all of her strength not to vomit. He kept punching her until the length of the voice mail was full by which point she had given up trying to contain her cries of pain.

Afterwards John brought his hand to her cheek to wipe away the tears that had started rolling down her cheeks. She imagined biting off his fingers.

"Don't worry sweetheart. All this will be over soon. One way or another."

…..

Once his kwami was well fed, Adrien transformed back into Chat Noir. He headed straight back to the roof of the abandoned building they were in earlier. A couple of minutes later Ladybug showed up. He had never been so glad to see her. Now they could finally start searching for Nathalie.

"I took Gorilla to a nearby bus station. He should be safe there." She told him.

"That's good." Chat sighed, relived that he had one less person whom he considered family to worry about. "We should call Alya and Nino to see if they've found anything at Nathalie's apartment yet."

Ladybug nodded and called them up on her yo-yo. After a few rings Nino answered.

"Sup dude and dudette. We're at Nathalie's place right now and -woah…"

"What happened? What's wrong?" Chat asked, taking the phone from Ladybug. His breathing was so fast he could hardly hear the rest of what Nino said.

"Bro… This place is totally totalled! The door is broken in and it looks like an elephant has been set loose in here."

He was too frozen to react when Ladybug stole her yo-yo back.

"Thank you for all your help. Now get somewhere safe. Whoever did this to Nathalie's apartment may still be around." She said to them. She ended the call before they could respond. Not that Chat noticed. He was too busy having a panic attack.

"Chat calm down." Ladybug told him, her voice the steady rock he needed to bring himself back to shore. "Don't worry we'll find your friend."

That line immediately set him into a different type of panic.

"What?"

"It's ok. I figured it out." Her calmness was in complete contrast to him. "You don't really know Adrien Agreste, do you? Your friends with Nathalie in your civilian life."

He sighed. A myriad of emotions leaving his body once he realised that she hadn't figured out his secret identity. "Yeah you're right. I've never spoken to Adrien Agreste in my life. Nathalie is someone I care a lot about. Although she doesn't know I'm Chat Noir. I'm sorry for not telling you. I didn't want you to think that I was being selfish."

"Hey." Ladybug said gently whilst stroking the locks of his hair behind his cat ear the way he liked it. "Caring about the people in your life is one of the least selfish things you can do."

In his emotional state it was impossible for him not to nuzzle her hand. He was glad when she smiled at his cat-like display of happiness. Eventually she took her hand away from him and immediately he missed the contact.

"Come one. Let's find Nath- "

She was interrupted by a large crash from nearby. Ladybug and Chat Noir shared a look. There was no need to speak as the pair headed off in that direction.

…..

Hawk Moth pulled up the hood of his large coat. He'd had it made ages ago in case he ever needed to sneak out as Hawk Moth. Up until now, he had never had a reason to use it. Luckily there wasn't many people around, and those that were paid him little attention as they hurried to accomplish what they had missed during the akuma attack.

Eventually he made it to where his minion had managed to track Nathalie. He had followed the tire tracks left by the van in its hurry to take her. That was until those meddlesome superheroes interrupted him. Now it was up to Hawk Moth to continue following them himself. They lead him to a van, parked behind an abandoned house on a desolate street. The perfect place to hold someone hostage.

Cautiously, he searched the house, but he couldn't find Nathalie anywhere. Then he heard a screech of pain from bellow him. He ran back into what used to be the kitchen to find a hatch hidden by cardboard in the floor. Not wasting any time, he opened it and raced down the stairs to find himself in a basement.

At the bottom of the stairs he froze at the sight in front of him, Nathalie tied to chair whilst a man too lost in his joy to notice him, repeatedly back handed her across the face. Eventually the man he recognised as John noticed his presence.

"Who the hell are you?" He asked, abandoning her to walk towards him. Good Hawk Moth thought, at least his focus was no longer on Nathalie. He then let his coat drop to the floor. Immediately all of the kidnapper's eyes widened in fear.

"I think you know who I am." He stated.

Their leader John was the first to recover.

"You know, I think the criminal underworld will be very impressed with me if I managed to kill the most notorious supervillain in all of Paris. It would certainly open up my market for new job opportunities. Shoot him!"

His pair of goons open fired at Hawk Moth. But he just deflected the bullets with his sword staff, sending them back across the room. Until finally their guns ran out of ammunition. The pair stared at him in unbridled terror and a moment later ran past him back up the basement stairs.

"Get back here you cheapskates! Or I'm taking away your bonuses!" John yelled after them, but they didn't listen.

Furious, John turned his attention to Hawk Moth.

"I guess we're going to have to finish this the old-fashioned way then?"

He put his balled hands up in front of him. Not a second later, he lunged at Hawk Moth who easily dodged him. The thug aimed another hit, but this time Hawk Moth hit the back of his head with his cane. This only made John angrier just as Hawk Moth predicted. When he tried to hit him again, he smacked his forehead with his cane and swiped it under his legs so that he fell over. Before he could try to get up Hawk Moth had the point of his cane millimetres above his neck.

"Leave." He ordered.

Knowing that he was beaten, John nodded, for once speechless. Although that didn't stop him from sending Hawk Moth a rude gesture as he tripped in his haste to leave.

But Hawk Moth ignored him, his focus entirely on Nathalie. Without the distraction of her kidnappers he could fully take in the extent of her injuries. What he saw only made him wish he'd beaten them up for longer. Her face was inflamed from the constant smacks, her top had been shredded at her stomach from all the impacts and every part of her skin that was visibly was either red or turning a death like blue.

Slowly he walked towards her, almost afraid that if he went any faster she would shatter like porcelain doll. Her eyes and mouth were open wide as she stared up at his approaching figure.

Once he reached her, he lifted up his hand to brush her hair, that had fallen out of its usual bun, back into place behind her eye.

…

Ladybug and Chat Noir found the source of the commotion to be a nearby house, its disintegrating state much like the others on the street. They crept inside and noticed that the hatch to the basement was open. They peaked through the opening. For the second time that day, Chat Noir was completely frozen.

Inside was Nathalie, her body beaten and tied to a chair, with her eyes wide as she stared at Hawk Moth standing above her.

"Hawk Moth was the one who kidnapped her? But why?" Ladybug whispered in confution before her eyes lit up. "Wait, do you remember that book I told you about with information on all the previous Miraculous superheroes? Well Gabriel Agreste had a copy of it. So maybe that's why he took her, to hold her as a hostage."

But Chat Noir wasn't listening. All he could do was stare at the nightmare in front of him. That was until he noticed Hawk Moth bring his hand up towards Nathalie as though to touch her cheek. And for a moment his green eyes saw red.

"Get your dirty hands off her!" He threw his staff so it smacked Hawk Moth's hand away.

He caught his staff as he and Ladybug jumped to the bottom of the basement stairs. When Chat Noir looked into his eyes he had never such contempt from one person.

"Let her go Hawk Moth! We know what you want!" Ladybug shouted. Chat Noir hissed at him, prepared to do anything to keep Hawk Moth away from Nathalie.

"Do you?"

If Chat didn't know any better, he would say the supervillain was being sarcastic.

"Yes! Gabriel Agreste's book. And will not let you have it or Ms Sancoeur!"

A flicker of emotions crossed Hawk Moth's face. Chat assumed it was anger at his plan getting discovered. That only made his own anger grow even more.

"Chat Noir wait!" Ladybug shouted but he didn't listen. He went straight for Hawk Moth. Their staff's clashed, the impact vibrating throughout the small room. He pushed back with all his might, but Hawk Moth matched his strength. The villain felt even stronger then the last time they'd fought. Maybe he'd gained new power. Although for some reason Chat had a feeling it was because of something else.

Suddenly he fell to the ground as Hawk Moth kicked him in the leg. He growled up at the man. Of course, Hawk Moth would resort to dirty tricks. When he looked up he saw that Hawk Moth had his cane raise to come crashing down onto his head. But before he could receive the blow Ladybug had his cane wrapped around the strings of her yo-yo, snatching it from his hands. Chat leaped out of range to his Lady's side.

"Give it Hawk Moth! There's two of us and one of you! And we are not going to let you go after what you did to Nathalie!" He screamed.

"Is that so?" Hawk Moth replied.

Before Chat even had time to think, the basement was swarmed by butterflies. They were everywhere, in his eyes, in his mouth, in his clothes. It was a though he was drowning. A few moments later they all diapered back through the hatch.

Ladybug raced up the stairs after Hawk Moth, the cane no longer in her hand. But Chat Noir headed straight to Nathalie, ashamed that he'd let his anger at Hawk Moth take control instead of checking on her first.

Up close, he could clearly see the extent of her injuries. It made him want to be sick.

"Are you alright?" He asked, quickly yet carefully breaking the ropes around her body with his claws. He needed her to be freed as soon as possible.

"Yes, I am fine." The sound of her professional persona directed towards him hurt a little. He tried not to let it distract him. Eventually all the ropes were broken. As soon as she was free, he helped her to her unsteady feet.

"We can take you to a hospital if you like?" He offered. But Nathalie shook her head.

"That is unnecessary. I can call a college of mine to take me home."

Before Chat could argue, Ladybug then came running back down the stairs.

"Hawk Moth's gone. I searched the streets nearby, but I couldn't find him."

"I'm sorry Hawk Moth got away." Nathalie said.

"It's doesn't matter. The important thing is that your safe now." Chat told her. He wanted nothing ,more than to hold her tightly in his arms. It broke his heart to not be able to offer her any comfort without revealing his secret identity.

Nathalie nodded. "Thank you, Ladybug and Chat Noir."

"Just doing our duty mam."

The pair walked her out of the building. And when she refused to let them take her to the hospital again, they told her where Gorilla was so that he could take her home.

"Pound it!" They cried as they watched her go from the rooftops. Although there wasn't much cause for celebration. Hawk Moth had gotten away again, and today's events had just led to even more unanswered questions. But with their miraculous becoming low on charge again and a cat in need of getting home before Nathalie and his Father got back, they decided that these questions could wait for another day.

….

Nathalie slowly walked up the steps to the Agreste Manor, Gorilla hovering close to her side. It felt like years since she had been there despite her only being there yesterday. She knew she should have gone back to her apartment but if she was being honest with herself, this mansion had become what she considered home. Gorilla unattached himself from her side to open the front door. He'd barley opened it halfway when a force came barrelling out of the house towards her. she was nearly knocked over as Adrien wrapped his arms around her waist.

"You're back!" He cried, his words muffled by him pressing his face into her shoulder. She stood still for a moment until her body seemed to move of its own accord, one arm wrapped around his back whilst the other stroked his golden locks like Emilie used to do. She closed her eyes, as she pressed her jaw against his hair.

"Yes I am. And I am never going to leave you again." She promised. Somehow, he held her even tighter.

When she let him go, she opened her eyes to find Gabriel Agreste walking towards her. He was back in his civilian outfit and as usual his expression was indecipherable.

"Gabriel…" She breathed, unsure if she was speaking in relief, questioning or want. Maybe it was the sight of him or maybe her exhaustion had finally overtaken her, but she felt her legs crumble beneath her. Before she could hit the floor, a pair of strong arms caught her. It took her a second to realise that they were Gabriel's.

"We should take you to the hospital." Adrien said.

There was mothing strangely familiar about his words. But she didn't dwell on it as Gabriel dismissed his suggestion.

"There is no need. I will call for my personal doctor to see."

She quickly turned her head towards him, the action making her mind swim.

"That is unnecessary sir."

"Nonsense. Gorilla send for him immediately. And by the way you are no longer fired."

Gorilla grunted in affirmation, despite his slightly hesitant nod as though he couldn't remember being fired in the first place. Something that Nathalie wasn't aware of either. But before she could ask about it, Gabriel picked her up in his arms, just like he did all those months ago. And suddenly, not her injuries, or the meetings she'd missed or the fact that she was being carried by her boss seemed to matter anymore. All that mattered was him.

He carried her upstairs to his study before gently placing her in his chair. The similarities to that night made her head swim all over again. Maybe it was a good idea to call the doctor for her after all.

"Nathalie."

She looked up to see Gabriel standing above her, his hand slowly reaching out towards her. the image was the exact same as in the basement. Except that now, without his costume the cracks filled with dried blood were now visible on his hand.

"What happened to your hand? It needs to be bandaged." She said, her mind immediately cataloguing whether they had one in the first aid kit.

"You're still worrying about me after all you've been through." A small smile grew on his face as he finally cupped her cheek. She hadn't seen him smile like that since Emilie died. And suddenly it was all too much. She stood up, despite her shaking she was able to remain upright and returned herself to the emotionless costume she always wore.

"Of course, I am. It's my job."

"Of course." Gabriel said unable to hide his disappointment at her words as he took his hand away. That didn't stop him from looking at her with heavy eyes.

"I thought I might lose you." He sighed.

"You are never going to lose me. I will always be at your side." For once she was glad of the Agreste male trait of not being able to recognise displays of affection from the opposite sex.

"I know. And to make certain of it…" Gabriel walked over to the photo of Emilie on his shelf. Nathalie couldn't see his expression as he stood for a while in front of it, until eventually he picked something up and walked back over to her. he held out his hand in front of her. in his palm was the peacock miraculous.

"Are you sure?" She asked, knowing how much this meant to him.

His light blue eyes looked into her own dull blue ones.

"Yes."

Slowly she took the miraculous from his palm. As soon as it was back in her hand she felt the familiar surge of power embrace her, as though it was back where it belonged. She clipped the broach onto her blazer before looking back at Gabriel.

"Thank you."

"No, thank you. For everything. I don't know what I'd do without you."

Then he hugged her. For a second it didn't feel real. She'd dreamed about it for so long at first, she thought she'd finally slipped into unconsciousness. But no, the warmth from his body as he pressed against her was very real. Slowly, she brought her arms around his neck to complete the embrace. His suit was soft beneath her fingers and the slightly quicken rise of his chest matched her own. She'd seen him hug Emilie before. She was shorter than she was, so she would place her face against his chest. But Nathalie was tall enough for him to tuck perfectly under his chin. Like she was designed to fit there.

They stayed like that until the doctor came.

…..

To Rose Tiger: Thank you so much for all your comments! I hope you enjoyed how I ended it! Xxxxxxxx

to Guest: Yeah Gabriel can probably take care of himself! XD.