Gotham's Angel, Paris Saviour

(4) Waking up

Third pov

It takes six months before Sabine gets the call that her only child, her beloved daughter, is awake and talking.

It's a relief. Especially for her husband.

Tom had never learnt to deal with stress the same way her mother had drilled into her.

"Tom, they're saying we can see her."

Tom is quick to pack everything they can, including the most important of Marinette's belongings that hasn't already been sent to Wayne Manor.

The sketchbook that is very obviously (to a trained eye) not a normal sketchbook, is in Sabine's own bag. The book had never left her side for the last six months, and would not do so unless it is to hand it to her daughter.

"Mrs Cheng!"

Sabine and Tom were met by Tim. They'd talked often during the rebuilding, the topics varied but were usually about the parts of the city that had gone unharmed, how WE and the bakery is doing, and Marinette's well being.

"Hello Tim. Are you coming with us?"

He nods to Tom's question. "Yeah, Dick is coming to switch me off. WE Gotham needs one of its CEO's."

It's a long trip, made shorter by Tom and Tim talking.

Sabine is touching the cover of the 'sketchbook'. It's still in her handbag as she doesn't want to take it out.

"Mrs Cheng, we're here." Tim tells her.

They'd been going in a private jet, and Sabine isn't surprised at all to see the obviously hidden landing pad they'd landed on.

"The whole team is in there. Sadly i can't come with you, i really do have to go. But if you find someone in there I'm sure they'll be happy to take you to Marinette."

Sabine gives the young man a smile. "That's alright. Have a safe trip, and remember to actually eat. I mean it, coffee does not work as a meal substitute."

He laughs. "Alright. I'll eat, promise."

They head inside to look for the kids.

The place is quite amazing. Carved out of rock, Sabine can remember her mother talking about this place before.

It had been the headquarters of the Justice League before they got the one on the moon and the Justice Hall.

"Sabine, are you alright?" Tom puts a hand on her shoulder.

She sighs. "I feel like i failed her, Tom."

Tom. Her husband. Her darling husband. He knows what she's talking about.

"You are not like your mother, sweetheart. Marinette won't blame you."

Time skip

It takes time to find someone. But they do find Nino in what they assume is the kitchen.

"Mrs Cheng, Mr Dupain, it's good to see you guys." He greets them.

The poor boy looks a little thin but otherwise healthy.

"Hi Nino. How have you been?" Tom asks.

The young man shrugged. "I'm still trying to eat until i catch up to my metabolism. But other than that I'm fine. You're here for Marinette though, not me." He lets go of his fork and points to a hallway. " Go straight down until you get to the part where it splits into two. Take the one to the left and you'll hear them."

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(Takes place before Sabine's phone call)