A/N: I don't own Monk, Trudy, Sharona, Natalie, Stottlemeyer, Skulduggery, or Valkyrie. Val's about 23 here.
Adrian Monk fretted as he waited for his new partner. What was he doing in Ireland anyhow? Was there really magic? No, there couldn't be. Because if magic worked his wife would be back, wouldn't she? Because magic had to make as much sense as wishing.
And he wished every day he had Trudy back by his side. It would be better than all the nurses. Nurses. He hadn't needed one of those when she was alive. Of course people hadn't called him a washed-up looser then either. Or crazy. As he waited he straightened the magazines on the waiting table, and wiped off some smudges but now his hankerchief was dirty, and what about germs? He fretted, and only looked up in helpless dismay when a masculine voice cleared itself.
Monk took in the sight before him and almost screamed in fright. It was a skeleton in a suit. But a well-tailored, extremely neat suit. Everything in order, everything neat, even his bones gleamed. That made him almost comforting, in a way. The skeleton extended a gloved hand, but Monk couldn't take it no matter how much he wanted to. "Hello," he said in a velvety voice. "I'm Skulduggery Pleasant, you're new partner for this case. I believe your Capitan Stottlemeyer gave you my dossier."
"I'm sorry. I can't- I can't shake hands. I'm sick. If- If Natalie were here, she could tell you." He expected the skeleton to laugh, but he didn't. He titled his head thoughtfully instead.
"I am very sorry your companion and fellow detective can't be with you, but I think you'll find me a most adequate substitute. We can't reveal magic to any more mortals than need be, you wouldn't even be here, but the case is beyond me."
"You got that right, bonehead." A beautiful young girl walked up and nodded to Monk, but kept her hands behind her back. "I'm Valkyrie Cain, this village idiot's normal partner, but I'm going to sit this one out unless you really need me. But you'll both be a good match, though Skulduggery refuses to admit he has severe OCD. Anyhow, welcome to the Irish Sanctuary and if you need any help I'll be a ring away. Uh, that's a call for you Americans, isn't it? I'd shake hands, I really would, but I know you don't like to. To tell you the truth, I don't either." She smiled and Monk found himself smiling back.
Monk smiled shakily at Skulduggery. "Can she come with us? She could be my Sharona."
"Your what?" The skeleton asked, clearly confused.
"His first partner, well, you'd be snobby and call her a nurse, was Sharona Fleming, Skulduggery. Didn't you bother to read his dossier?" Valkyrie asked, glaring at her partner.
"Yes-" Monk sensed the skeleton was lying, at least partly.
"Oh Lord. You and your stupid hat. You were fussing with that hat instead of reading while Ghastly briefed us, I swear, Skulduggery!" She growled and Monk smiled. She reminded him exactly of Sharona, that much was comforting.
Ta-da! OK, don't wanna do no more if people don't want it. But I wanted 1) a story made entirely out of one page chapters, and 2) a Monk/Skulduggery crossover story. Which, I'm well aware has likely been done five billion times already.