Notes: I know some of you are probably thinking, GASP! A Valduggery... no. I don't mind Valduggery, but I don't support it. I do support the fact that Stephanie likes to think of Skulduggery as a second dad, it's more... realistic, at least, from my point of view.

Like Father, Like Daughter

The 1954 Bentley Continental came to a slow stop in front of Gordon Edgley's manor, and Valkyrie stumbled out from the passenger seat. She didn't bother closing the door. She didn't care. All she wanted to do was throw herself onto bed and have a good night's rest. Of course first she'll have some hot chocolate, possibly a few bites of short bread? No, it's off to bed.

"You didn't have to go," Her scarfed mentor said as he followed her inside after closing the doors to the Bentley, and locking the vehicle, "I could've asked Tanith, or perhaps... well, it just didn't have to be you. Valkyrie, you could've said 'no'."

"Hm." She replied in return, unlocking the mansion's door and pulling it open; she stepped in and started making her way up the stairs to her grandfather's bedroom, "Investigating an abandoned carnival is worth the time instead of presenting a project on World War II, Skulduggery." Valkyrie forced herself to say, "And if it wasn't me, you would be bored." She smiled and made her way up the stairs, regaining a bit of strength from the successful job she had done for the day.

"Could you make some hot chocolate please? Thanks!" She bounded up the stairs, and was gone.

If he had lips, he had been pursing them before he entered the kitchen. Skulduggery laid his effects including; his lavender scarf, gloves, long coat and fake beard onto the table. He continuously tapped his fingers onto the table as he pondered about his twelve year-old partner in crime. She had been tired, too tired than usual and he didn't notice. It was unlike him, to not notice his partner's health, but at least he knew why Stephanie--err, Valkyrie hadn't been the cheery little warrior she would usually be.

He must admit that the Sanctuary work, combined with school, and family problems that the girl's been having lately, has been affecting her health greatly. Now that he thought of it, and actually looked at Valkyrie's figure, she wasn't as lean and strong before, she just looked... weak as much as he hated to admit. He hadn't noticed until today, and she didn't bother at all telling him! Was he too hard on her on previous missions--pfft, no. No, he was a great partner, without him, Valkyrie would not be so cool.

After a few more moments, he shrugged the topic off and pulled a thermos from the kitchen's vintage cupboard. He hoped, as he was starting to mix the hot chocolate into the thermos, that the drink was enough to satisfy Valkyrie, that she'll go into a long and comfortable sleep. Enough sleep to have her up and running again, hopefully.

Being done with Stephanie's hot chocolate he walked up the stairs and stepped into Gordon's room, "Here we are!" He said cheerily, trying to, and successfully hiding the worry in his voice. He was cut short when he saw the brunette in a peaceful slumber, tangled up in the elegant sheets of what once used to be his best friend Gordon's.

Even without skin the skeleton detective could feel himself smiling, and he quietly placed the silver thermos of steaming hot chocolate down on the bedside table; screwing the cap shut to keep it from getting cold, before he turned to the girl. His girl, his daughter... that's what he thought of Stephanie Edgley, his daughter.

Skulduggery gently brushed the strands of hair away from Valkyrie's face and pulled up the bed sheet to the girl's shoulder to keep her comfortable. He leaned down to kiss her forehead, but paused midway and recoiled. He looked around to find his partner's boots scattered across the room, and her coat hung limply, on the side of a nearby chair. He did a clean sweep of the room, ridding of Valkyrie's clothes and setting them aside. He set her boots at the foot of the bed, and folded her jacket and tunic neatly on a chair before making his way to the door where he glanced at her.

Stephanie Edgley was nothing more than a friend, a best friend... a partner in crime. She wasn't his, and could never be. He could only stare at her sleeping figure, when she's resting, and protect her whenever they're out fighting bad guys, but she wasn't his.

He couldn't fully protect her, because it was part of the job. He wouldn't be available at all times, and one of those days, she'll probably die. He dragged her into this, and there's no turning back. What has he done? It was happening again... he can picture it now, his wife, his child... dead--no! This was Stephanie Edgley, not his child; she'll survive! She always does, but she wasn't his.

She belonged to others who already love her, he was nothing but a pile of bones. She wasn't his, and she'll never be.

Never be his daughter.

"Goodnight." Skulduggery whispered softly. He flicked the light, and closed the door quietly.

Stephanie slowly opened her eyes. Skulduggery had nearly given her a kiss on the forehead, but he backed off. She sighed, and stared at the thermos on the bedside table. She wasn't his, but she'd love to be. Stephanie smiled and closed her eyes, falling in another slumber.

"Goodnight, dad." She whispered.

I know, they were OOC! I'm so sorry.