When Walls Crumble

Chapter 42: Planning

"Mommy! I'm gonna be late!"

Marinette sat up, nearly whacking her head into her son.

"Luka," she sighed. "What time is it?"

"Time to leave for school! Hurry!"

"Go back to sleep, Marinette," Adrian said. "I'll take him. It's on my way."

Marinette suppressed a surprised shriek. "Adrian?!? What are you doing here?"

He turned red. "Oh, last night...you fell asleep. Tikki told me to spend the night so she could discuss something with Plagg. I'm sorry, I don't mean to intrude or anything."

Marinette waved him off. "You're always welcome. It was just a surprise. Are you sure you got him? I can take him, I just need coffee."

"Nah, I got it. Get some rest. You could really use it."

"Thanks," she sighed, slipping back on the pillow. Adrian pushed her bangs out of her eyes and kissed her forehead. "See you later, princess."

She blushed.

Plagg teased Adrian incessantly after Luka was out of the car. "You little flirt, you..."

"Plagg, you can't talk. I literally was only there because you and your girlfriend needed to talk."

"But you love it, you know you do!"

Adrian sighed. "Shut up. Let's go."

Plagg groaned. "I don't wanna sit through your boring class again."

"Then sleep.  Or maybe actually use your head and brainstorm some ideas for ending the fight with Hawkmoth once and for all."

Adrian was tired of it.  Lila had definitely been targeting him with the akumas only to try and 'comfort' or 'save' him.  He saw right through it, of course.  And she very rarely was able to actually save him.  Marinette always got there first.  But he hated not being able to blow her off when she came to him after to tell him how glad she was that he was alright and how horrible that must have been.  

Adrian's classes were really long for him.  His mind kept wandering off while he concocted different schemes and tried to outwit Lila.  He was sure she had contingencies for everything and was wondering just how many layers of possibilities he needed to go through.  

When he arrived back at the bakery, she was sitting on the balcony, enjoying the breeze.  At the sight of his car parking on the corner, she waved enthusiastically and ran down to meet him.  

They sat down to discuss the fate of the city over cookies and milk.  

"Tikki told me what you said.  I've been thinking about it."

He nodded.  "I'm sure she has contingencies upon contingencies planned out.  But how many 'if-then' situations should we be ready for?"

Marinette shook her head.  "I'm not so worried about the plans.  She's quick on her feet.  Priority number one is getting the miraculous.  Priority number two is holding her accountable for the crimes."

"Don't you think they would just take our word for it?"

Marinette shook her head.  "Unfortunately, she worked me right into a clever trap.  The whole deal we made with her and the 'one-year' situation sounds really badly fabricated.  And there are plenty of akumatized civilians who can attest to Hawkmoth having a definitively male voice.  Heck, both of us can too.  I've heard both voices though.  Also, Lila has been akumatized many times, the most recent being the day after my wedding.  She could easily twist it to me having an inexplicable vendetta against her and play the tearful victim.  Again."  Marinette growled at the memory.