Back to Back 2

Congregation

They had to split up. It was too dangerous for Adrien and Marinette to be together in the same place. So while Marinette left the Agreste mansion through the window, Adrien went down the stairs to the main floor.

Much to his chagrin, Felix joined him.

The two didn't speak the whole way down until they stopped in the foyer.

"I'm not happy about us working together on this," Adrien finally said.

"Really?" Felix asked sarcastically. "You seem absolutely thrilled to me."

He clenched his teeth before continuing. "But if it means that Marinette is protected, then I guess I have no choice but to allow you to help. I think we can both agree that we can't let anything happen to her."

Felix exhaled. "That's about the only thing that we can agree on."

"Good. So stop making eyes at her and focus on the mission."

Oh, he would. "Fine."

They both paused for a second in front of the study door.

"Ready?" Adrien asked.

"Ready."

The two boys went inside, woefully unprepared for the sudden attack that was awaiting them.

"Adrien! Felix!" Emilie shouted as soon as she saw them. She quickly hurried over and attacked them one by one. "Isn't it a wonderful day!" she declared, wrapping Adrien up in a tight hug and smothering him with kisses. Then she moved over to Felix. "I swear, every day with you two is a dream come true!" Once the separate attacks were over, she used one arm to pull each of them into one big group hug. "Don't you think so?"

"O... of course, Amelie," Adrien forced out, not able to breathe too well from the strong embrace.

After a second she let them go and they both needed a moment to recover from the unprovoked attack.

"Well, you two are a little early for dinner," Emilie continued, stepping back. "It won't be ready for another thirty minutes or so."

"We're not here for dinner," Adrien said. "We're here to see Gabriel."

"Oh! I guess you're in the right place. He's over there." She stepped away, revealing that Gabriel was standing at his computer desk.

Seeing him, Adrien snarled. Then he stormed up to him. "Where is it?" he demanded.

The man gave him a quick glance before returning his attention to the screen in front of him. "Where is what?"

"Don't play dumb. We know you went to the school this morning and stole it."

Bewildered, Gabriel stopped what he was doing and peered at him from over his glasses. "I don't know what you're talking about. What exactly do you think I stole?"

He didn't get a chance to respond because Emilie suddenly asked her own question. "What's with the sudden accusation, Adrien? Gabriel would never try to steal anything."

Silence as all three listeners looked over at her.

She sighed. "You know what I mean. Besides, he couldn't have done anything this morning because he was home with me all day."

"All day?" Adrien asked.

"Yes, all day."

He turned to glare at Gabriel again. "That doesn't prove anything."

Gabriel looked back at him, wondering what it could have been that he allegedly stole.

Before he could ask though, Adrien started throwing out more questions. "Is Mom sick again?" he demanded.