You Say Sorry Just For Show And You Step On My Lines While You Do It

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(AN: Lila makes her move, Juleka helps save the day. Marinette makes a call)

"And just think....something like the museum could happen again." Lila told the group. "Thanks to Marinette and Chloe making friends with those ex criminal freaks! Now any criminal could come poking around and threaten us."

Juleka was sitting quietly next to Rose, they were in Lila and Alya's room having a room service dinner. Their teacher had advised them to not go anywhere.Lila had suggested they hang out together. It had sounded like fun and Rose was really excited.

"But um....the Joker only seemed interested in Marinette and Chloe." Kim pointed out.

Juleka was pretty sure only she noticed the brief look of annoyance that crossed Lila's face. Now that she knew the truth there were things that she couldn't unsee. Soon Lila was smiling sweetly. "You're right. He singled them out because of those hideous outfits." Lila continued. "Once again Marinette is causing trouble. If things like this keep happening we could all have to go home!" Everyone made sounds of protest.

"Why does Marinette have to try and ruin our trip?!" Alya asked with a huff. "Isn't it bad enough that Lila practically did everything and then she stole the credit?!"

Juleka played with her fries as she watched Alya. The more she thought about it the stranger everything seemed, she felt like she had been living in a dream world but now she was awake and couldn't go back. Why? Why did they all listen to Lila? They had been friends with Marinette for years. How had Lila gotten them to turn on her? Even Alya who was her best friend, and Nino the one who had known her the longest had been fooled. Though lately she had noticed Nino staying quiet about everything, he was just watching. She wondered if he was waking up as well.

As much as she hated it Juleka was afraid. Lila had taken down Marinette. What chance did she have?

"Don't worry Alya. Soon Marinette and Chloe will both be going home." Juleka looked up from her fries. Lila seemed so sure of herself. What had she done?

"H-how did you do that?" she asked, trying not to sound nervous. When Lila gave her a slightly sharp look Juleka dropped her gaze, which seemed to be the right thing.

"Well I spoke to Mme. Marabel." she grandly announced. "I told her how unsafe we all feel and how scary it is that Marinette and Chloe might be in danger. Maybe they didn't mean to attract trouble but clearly they do. She's going to talk to the principal and surely those troublemakers will be sent home!"

Juleka felt her stomach twist at the news. She glanced around as a lot of the others told Lila what a good idea it was. Nino's eyes met her own and she knew...he too was troubled. That he wanted to do or say something. But Alya was holding onto his hand, if he left it would be noticed. But...no one noticed her most of the time. Normally this bothered her, but this time she would use it to her advantage.
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Marinette hung up the video call. The nightly daily recap call had just finished. She and Chloe had been checking in every day with Luka and Kagami. They told them what had gone on in Paris and in return they would tell them about how much fun the Gotham trip was. Though today's call was a lot less fun.

Things had started off normally, Kagami and Luka had reported how that afternoon and evening patrols had gone. Marinette knew that there hadn't been any akuma attacks since she hadn't been called back as Ladybug. Team Miraculous wasn't just on the look out for akuma butterflies. If they saw someone who was upset they tried their best to help. By doing this they could cut down on the odds of someone being akumatized.

When it came time for the other half to give their report Kagami and Luka had, naturally, been worried. Even if they knew that their teammates could handle themselves. A lot could have gone wrong. Someone knocked on the door and Marinette exchanged a puzzled look with Chloe before going to answer the door. When the door opened to reveal a nervous and almost scared looking Juleka Marinette didn't think she could be any more surprised. If it was anyone up she would have instantly been suspicious, though her guard was still up.

"Juleka.....can I help you?" she asked carefully. She had told Luka that Juleka seemed upset. He had tried to talk to her but hadn't gotten much. Unfortunately thanks to Lila the siblings weren't as close as they had once been. Marinette had wanted to reach out to Juleka but doubted it would go well. Luka had said he understood.

Juleka looked pale and nervous. She looked over his shoulder before saying anything. But when she did finally speak it wasn't much but it said a lot. "Lila is going to get you and Chloe sent back to Paris!" she warned in a hushed tone

Marinette stared. "Um.....what?"

"Lila was telling everyone just now.....she was getting them worked up. Saying you guys are going to attract more danger, so she spoke to Mme. Marabel and she's going to arrange for you to go back early."

By now Chloe had joined Marinette at the door. "So.....why are you here?" she asked.

"Marinette I'm sorry! I...I found out the truth but....she threatened me. I'm nothing like you. I.....I can't handle Rosie hating me. But I had to warn you!"

Marinette started, before she could say anything Juleka ran away. It was brave of Juleka to come warn them. She felt a small warm pulse run through her but didn't know what it meant. Closing the door she sighed. "Poor Juleka."

"Poor Juleka?!" Chloe scowled. "She knows Lila is a fake but is still hanging out with her!"

"Standing out on a limb is lonely." Marinette explained. "She probably feels like she will lose everything like I did. Asking her to do that is asking a lot. Maybe too much. I thought I was secure and Lila dragged me down."

"But you came back." Chloe pointed out.

"That....was a long hard journey." Marinette sighed. "And I had being Ladybug to help take my mind off things. It was brave of Juleka to warn us even though she is scared of Lila."

"So.....what are we going to do?" Chloe asked.

Marinette pulled out her phone. "I'm going to make a call."
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Red Hood blinked when his phone rang. Unless this was Dick calling then this was probably not going to be a good phone call. When he looked at the caller ID he frowned.

"Who is this and how did you get this number?!" he demanded. When a hesitant female voice spoke he recognized it at once.

"Um....Mr. Hood? This is Marinette."

"Are you okay?" Jason felt anxiety start to grow.

"Yes and no. I just got tipped off that Chloe and myself might get sent home. Someone is agitating everyone and making them think us staying in the hotel and being part of the group puts them in danger."

"Need me to scare them into shutting up? Blackmail your teacher? Pretty sure I can find something on the broad." Hood offered.

"What?!" Marinette squeaked, which he found endearing and a little annoying because now he had to think of something else. He was like...ninety percent sure killing was not the answer. Not even non lethal shooting. Such bullshit.

"What do you need me to do?" he asked.

"Can you get me the number to Dick Grayson or maybe Bruce Wayne? I'm sure they can figure something out" He got the feeling from how quickly she made the request that she had called knowing what she needed from him. Chick was prepared, he liked that.

"I can contact him. Don't worry. Help is on the way Little Robin." he promised before hanging up.

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