-1So, its been like what? Two years? Anyway just finished reading the skulduggery pleasant series and have it on the brain now. This idea just came into my head and thought I'd venture back into the world of fan fiction. Enjoy.

Valkyrie never particularly liked long car journeys. They always seemed to last far to long a time which she could have spent doing something more productive. Though she couldn't quit remember what something productive was before she met with Skulduggery and was thrown into the world of magic. Now something productive meant beating up, or getting beaten up, my some undesirable creature or other. The long car rid from Dublin to Cork was a prime example of why she hated such journeys. Five hours was far to long a time to be stuck in a car. She remembered once visiting Cork with her parents. They had gone to see the Blarney stone so not only was the car ride a bore but after finally getting there she was forced to endure a pathetic tour with a lot of Americans who were fascinated by all the history the damn place had to offer. It was a castle with a big rock next to it. You could find stuff like that all over Ireland.

"I still can't see why he couldn't have flown into Dublin airport" Valkyrie finally breaking the two hour silence.

"Cork was the only airport left with seats on the California to Ireland flight. And who wouldn't want to spend five hours in the Bentley?" There was a slight trace of fondness in the detectives voice. Valkyrie reckoned he loved his call more then was probably healthy.

"We could have asked Fletcher to teleport us."

"We could have" skulduggery admitted, "but we didn't"

"Why didn't we?"

"Because I don't really like teleporting. Or Fletcher."

"Fair point."

There was another few moments of silence. Comfortable as it may have been there was something odd going on with the skeleton lately. His dislike of the young teleported whom Valkyrie has been dating for the past year seemed to have gotten worse. It wasn't quit full blown hate but was getting there.

"I didn't think the sanctuary would be willing to open its doors to another American official so soon after Marr" the young women mused out load.

"I have a feeling he's going to be kept on a very short leash. Nobody is going to trust him. I've already heard some of the rumours that have been started. Everyone already thinks he's a spy and he hasn't even set foot on Irish soil yet." Skulduggery sighed. He had had a short conversation with said man over the phone. He said his name was Vincent Clark. He was fairly high up in the American sanctuary and was considered to be a moral and loyal individual. Detective Pleasant was uneasy about such a well respected and successful official suddenly up and leaving to come to Ireland where he new he would be trusted with very little if anything. He felt his own paranoia tickling the back of his mind. He could understand a less successful person taking up the task of American rep to Ireland. He would have to keep an eye on this MR Clark.

"I have a bad feeling about this guy" stated Valkyrie.

"You and the rest of the Irish sanctuary."

"hmmm"

"We'll keep an eye on him" said skulduggery after a short silence. "If he puts a foot wrong its not just us he'll have to look out for. Its everyone."

"Why are we going to pick him up anyway?"

"To give him the positive impression of our great country That he should get. Who better to send then the most intelligent and best looking that the country has to offer."

"I have a feeling that's probably not it."

"Most likely not but its what I like to think. And the statement in and of its self is true."

"Best looking the country has to offer? Why thank you" Valkyrie flashed her partner in crime a fake cheesy smile.

Skulduggery tilted his head to the side "I was talking about myself."

"I know."

Valkyrie looked out the window. They were driving through some more countryside. At times like this it felt like the entire country was just one big patch of countryside. She figured that at least it was pretty countryside with green fields and beautiful mountains apposed to the time she had visited Spain where it was mostly dead or dying vegetation. On the other hand they didn't have to put up with so much rain.

"How long more until we get there?" The younger of the two asked.

"Not to long now. We're making good time. Just as well seeing as his plain landed half an hour ago."

Valkyrie raised an eyebrow. "Won't the be pissed off when we finally do get there?"

"Most defiantly. But if he starts complaining we can tie him up and put him in the boot."

"It's a good thing you think of everything."

"Its one of my many talents. Along with being such a handsome devil."

There was a buzzing coming from the glove compartment. With a sigh the detective reached over and took out his phone.

"Hello Mr Clark. Yes we're on our way now. Yes I realise how late we are. Well, we needed to stop and save a kitten from a tree. Why wouldn't you believe me, that's the real question. Do you have a thing against kittens? Just relax would you, we'll be there when we're there." Skulduggery hung up and turned to Valkyrie.

"He's not happy" said the girl in question.

"Well he's going to have to get used to Irish time eventually."

"You mean two hours late for everything including your own funeral?"

"Especially your own funeral" corrected the detective.

Valkyrie looked out her window again. Hr eyes lit up. "Seeing as how according to Irish time we're early, can we stop and get ice-cream?"

"I don't see why not"

Vincent Clark was going to be VERY pissed off when they get there.

Well there you go. I'm considering putting in some Vulduggery into this but not to the point where it takes away from the actual story line. Review and tell me out you think, I don't want to make a pairing just for the sake of having a pointless romance in the story. Though I do think it's the only pairing in the series that really works.

Also, I realise nothing much really happens in this chapter but I just wanted to set the scene. Criticism more then welcome.