ADOPTED FROM xXGirlandherWolfX - Following chapters (up to ch9) also belongs to her.

These days, there just isn't enough time for falling in love. But Valkyrie Cain had managed to it, as well as falling into complete danger. But then again, you don't see many people saving the world either...

It came to Valkyrie's eighteenth birthday, and the crew decided to give her time to relax before they yanked her back into the lovely little land known as chaos... wait... that's what she likes calling it.

She was in her bedroom at her parents' house, listening to the Olly Murs album that Crystal had gotten her as a present. Jesus, how Crystal was a ping of the bra strap but she knew Val's taste of music. Typical...

Val was beginning to doze off when Fletcher appeared in her room.

He saw her current state of nodding off and started chuckling quietly, then stepped slowly beside her. He leaned in close to the left side of her head and began to breath lightly onto it. After about three seconds she screamed in fright and kicked him in the nads. Hard. Fletcher dropped to the floor, holding them, almost in tears if you cared to look close enough.

'Jesus Fletch you don't sneak up on me when I'm nearly asleep!'

Fletcher stood, eyes watering, but he was slowly recovering.

'Sorry, I forgot.'

Val shook her head, then realised something was different with Fletcher. Oh. My. God.

His hair was flat! It's a rare thing that happens in this world... Fletcher having his hair flat… usually the problem is that he is almost out of hair gel... Let's go with that plan.

'So... someone seems to be flat today...'

Fletcher gave her a glare.

'I ran out of hair gel.'

'JACKPOT!' Valkyrie mentally thought whilst celebrating.

Fletcher saw it in her eyes that she found his little situation funny, so he rolled his eyes and continued. 'Does your dad have any?' Val shook her head.

'No, he uses water.' The simple words caused Fletcher to become girlishly outraged.

'How the hell does your dad use water?' Valkyrie shrugged, only containing her laughter with a guard kitten.

'I don't know... wets it, brushes it to the side then hopes to god it doesn't get windy outside, which is the most common thing around here.'

Fletcher nodded as Val's phone began to ring. She began to struggle removing it from her pocket, and started trying to squeeze it out instead.

'You better be bloody grateful for these stupid skinny jeans' she mumbled at Fletcher. He laughed at her, just as her phone broke free from the tiny space in her pocket. She quickly read the caller I.D then answered.

'Good Morning this is Valkyrie Cain, World savior... sort of. Assistant to Skulduggery Pleasant, What's up?' She looked at Fletcher from the corner of her eye to see him shaking his head with a smirk on his face. She could have sworn he was laughing. Skulduggery answered her.

'The sky is up Miss Cain, I expect eighteen year olds to know that by now...' Valkyrie laughed slightly as he continued. 'Anyway, get on Skype; we have a surprise for you.'

She tilted her head, even though he couldn't see it. 'We?' Skulduggery sighed.

'Just get on the damn thing...' Valkyrie hung up and walked to her already on computer.

She opened up Skype then logged in. She waited a minute with Fletcher at her side. Then Ghastly logged on.

'Guess they're calling from Ghastly's shop...' Said Fletcher, clearly pointing out the obvious. Valkyrie punched him playfully in the stomach just as Ghastly called her. Fletcher was nuzzling her neck as she accepted the call and Ghastly and Skulduggery showed up on the screen. Fletcher looked at the screen awkwardly as he moved away slowly.

'Er hi...' Said Ghastly. Skulduggery was giggling immaturely at them both. He began to quiet down as he started speaking again.

'Ah happy birthday Val. We have a present for you.' As he said those words, a girl began to walk out behind them. Valkyrie was about to warn them, when she recognized the figure and features of her. She slightly stuttered.

'T-Tanith...?'