Alright people. This is Valduggery. I deeply apologise for really failing at continuing one story. HOWEVER! Because I am me and I feel like a fresh start I hereby announce I am going to discontinue all of my other Fanfictions (GASP!) yes I know. Except maybe Skulls & Roses cause I'm swear I'm getting something with that, I don't know what. But something. Anyways please Review and enjoy! Val's 21 by the way.

Snow sparkled on Valkyrie's eyelashes as she accompanied Skulduggery in the park. They were looking for something, Valkyrie wasn't exactly sure what but Skulduggery had convinced her earlier that he'd do the looking.

"Skul, I'm sorry but what are we looking for?" Valkyrie said not moving her eyes from the path,

"What am I looking for?" He replied in his velvet voice,

Valkyrie sighed "What are you looking for then?"

"Clues,"

"Yeah but for what kind of clues?" she rolled her eyes. Skulduggery didn't answer, "I know what clues are but honestly. Look, theres nothing here! It's Christmas, we should be inside cuddling by the fire and exchanging prezzies, not looking for clues," Valkyrie said the word with somewhat disgust.

"Cuddling?" If Skulduggery had eyebrows Valkyrie knew one would be raised.

"Well no, not cuddling you, but maybe Tanith or, I don't know maybe I got a puppy..?" Valkyrie trailed off.

"Remember that case we did three months ago?" Skulduggery switched the subject before things got awkward.

"Er, you mean the one we solved?" She asked,

"The one that has been proved incorrect. The one that we caught a false murderer."

Valkyrie's eyes bulged, "What!? That took agessss! I wanna go home." She tugged at the skeleton's arm making him look down at her,

"You are overly immature." Skulduggery sighed "Let's leave this until tomorrow. Let's get back to Gordan's house, call Tanith and Ghastly." Valkyrie grinned,

"Sure." The two of them swept themselves into the Bentley and slid into the darkness. Trees reached into the air like outstretched hands in the night sky. The stars hung in the darkness watching over the city of Dublin.

Valkyries phone buzzed in a synchronised beat as she dialled Tanith's number. She failed resisting a huge grin when Tanith did finally pick up.

"Hey, 10 minutes, meet me at Gordan's"

"Oh well, hi." Tanith replied

"Bring Ghastly too."

"Slowwww down Val. We'll be there."

"Did you get me a present?!" Valkyrie squealed, unaware of Skulduggery trying but failing to block out the sound.

"We'll find out! Did you get me anything!?" Tanith giggled back,

"Well duh, Dumbo! Get your ass over to Gordan's!"

"Seeya there Val," Tanith smiled on the other end of the line.

"Seeya."

By the end of the call the Bentley was pulling up to Gordan's gorgeous estate.

"It's all mine," Valkyrie breathed, unaware she was speaking aloud.

"It's been all yours for three years." Skulduggery muttered,

"Are you angry with me for taking you from the park mister?" Valkyrie teased ending with a pout.

"As a matter of fact I am not." He responded

"Let's get inside you big baby." Skulduggery sighed and got out of the Bentley. Tanith's motor cycle was parked by a bush at the far end of the entrance. "Look they're here!" Valkyrie squealed again practically jumping with excitement.

Skulduggery leaned against one of the plinths that marked the great door's of Gordan's luxurious estate as Valkyrie bent over and worked the key in the lock. Eventually with groans of protest the door swung open. The crystal chandelier sparkled in the lamp light of the house. Valkyrie took of her jacket revealing the strong muscles underneath and threw it to a chair Gordan used to read in. The wild girl ran into the living room to find Ghastly and Tanith already sitting all comfortable and relaxed inside. Valkyrie stopped dead on her tracks,

"How, in God's name did you get in here?"

"We used the door." Smiled tanith.

"Is that true Ghastly?" Valkyrie raised an eyebrow. Ghastly looked at her and smiled dumbly with a nod (I haven't made Ghastly stupid I've just made him bad at lying). "No, you couldn't have the door was locked."

"How did we get in then?" Tanith pouted and threw the chin in the air, just in time for Skulduggery to come round the corner.

He pointed upwards "Your bedroom window Valkyrie, It's been smashed." Tanith bit her lip before squealing again and running toward Skulduggery for a hug.

"SKULLY! SKULLY! SKULLY! MERRY CHRISTMAS!" Skulduggery gladly returned the hug, which Ghastly joined in. Eventually Valkyrie recovered from the loss of her window and jumped onto her three friends making the entire party fall over. Resulting with poor Skulduggery lying on the floor grunting with three people lying on top of him, and taking their time to get off.

Once they all had regained themselves and everyone had themselves a warm mug of hot chocolate Valkyrie leaned by the fire and snapped herself a spark. The tree was magnificent. The tree alone towered to the ceiling of the living room and was sparkling with fake snow. It's christmas lights flashed light blue and white. Midnight blue and pearly, China white bulbuls were spread out evenly along the tree, and at the top was one of Skulduggery's many hats.

Though there was a large beautiful, soft sofa that could easily fit all four onto it, Valkyrie, Tanith and Ghastly all grabbed a pillow and sat at the feet of the tree holding their hot chocolate to their bodies. It was more Christmassy this way. Skulduggery however been that kind of Christmas grinch that he's known to be leaned against the wall with his arms crossed.

Tanith jumped up spilling her hot chocolate, "Okay me first!" She took a moment of searching in her back to find and little parcel wrapped in leather. "Valkyrie this is for you." She passed the parcel into Valkyrie's hand. Valkyrie read out a little note that rested on the leather to herself under her breath, "Valkyrie, you have been my best friend and sister ever since we met in China's library. I have saved your life and you have saved mine in so many ways. I'll always be thankful for that meeting. And I'll always be there for you. Tanith X. P.s Merry Christmas!" Valkyrie put her hand to her heart and waited for the moment to pass before slowly and carefully undid the leather to reveal a little wooden box, beautifully engraved. She undid the little latch restraining the lid, inside the the wooden box was a little sword, an exact replica of Tanith's sword. The swords tiny details engraved into the hilt were beautiful pieces of fine craftsmanship. There was no sign of where Tanith had it made, or who created the piece but Valkyrie worked out that it must've been an expensive business.

She turned to Tanith who suddenly looked sheepish, "Tanith-"

Tanith interrupted "It's only a paperknife, but you can use it for, you know, other things too." she trailed of. Valkyrie put down the box and ran over to Tanith who was still standing. She send her a massive hug,

"Tanith, it's beautiful. Thank you." The two girls broke up.

"I guess I should probably do one now," Valkyrie smiled, she reached under the tree and brought out a present wrapped in brown paper stamped with all over with little scissors. "Ghastly, for you." Ghastly smiled and took the gift and read out the note to everyone.

"Ghastly, I really am terrible at writing letters," that send a couple of laughs among the party. "So I'm going to start with the basics, Merry Christmas! You're the best tailor in the entire world, and one of my best friends too, again Merry Christmas! -Val X, I tried." The room filled with laughs, even Skulduggery. The box Ghastly was given was nowhere near as extravagant as Tanith's gift, but it was in a certain sense, smart. It was a little black papered box with a brown papered lid, a little black ribbon poked out the bottom of the top lid so Ghastly could find what awaited him. Inside the package was a fine bronze pocket watch. The tailor slid the thing through his fingers intrigued by its beauty. Valkyrie standed next to him her fingers knitted with anxiety, biting her lower lip.

"Well? Do you like it?" her fingers knotted themselves.

"I love it Val!" He slipped it into his breast pocket and stood up proudly to give Valkyrie a hug, the hug wasn't near as emotional as Tanith's but Valkyrie could still tell he meant it.

"Okay Ghastly it's your turn to give a present!" Squealed Tanith. Ghastly nodded slowly before reaching into his bag and taking out a parcel the size of his palm.

"Tanith m'lady," He mock bowed, Tanith giggle and took the present from his hand. She read the letter.

"Dearest Tanith, we've been together for seven years now. It's a joy to me that we can celebrate this year. I love you so much. Ghastly X." Tanith slowly folded up the letter and failed in hiding the tears pricking her eyes, she unwrapped the gift. Inside there was a black lacquer box with GHASTLY printed in white on the lid. tanith peeked inside to find a handmade leather woven bracelet with a bronze clasp hiding the two ends together. Tanith slipped it on, it went wonderfully with her leather waistcoat. "Ghastly, it's wonderful…" Tanith was breathless. She stepped over the minefield of wrapping paper and enveloped Ghastly in a hug and whispered in his ear, "Thank you."

Skulduggery eventually stepped in.

"Now all of you have given a present, I think it's my turn." He turned round to a leather bag he'd brought with him and in each hand he brought out two gifts. Two wooden boxes. He handed one to Ghastly and the other to Tanith. Tanith raised an eyebrow,

"You know theres three of us right?" She asked,

"I am fully aware of that."

"You didn't get Valkyrie one? Why wouldn't you get Val one?" she said.

"I did think about it."

"But you didn't get her anything." Tanith pushed on,

"Honestly Tanith does it matter?" Valkyrie said. All faces turned to Valkyrie, except Skulduggery's who stayed facing Tanith,

"Well of course it matters, he didn't get a gift for you." She shrugged as if shrugging suddenly helped proving her point, "It's Christmas…" Valkyrie shook her head and lowered her voice so only Tanith could here,

"Tanith it doesn't matter."

"As I was saying, open these tomorrow." The swords woman and the tailor both silently took the gifts from the skeleton.

"Does anyone have anymore presents?" Asked Valkyrie breaking the horrible silence. All three shook their heads. "Wait Tanith, Ghastly neither of you have prezzies for Skul?" Tanith fumbled with her box,

"Never really thought he was the Christmassy type, you know?" she said nervously,

"I, I-" Ghastly sent a glare to Skulduggery, "I did think about it." Valkyrie laughed

"Well I did." She reached under the tree and retrieved a tiny grey box and handed it to Skulduggery,

"Merry Christmas Skul."

"You too Valkyrie." He said warmly and opened the box. Inside there was a little pillow of black velvet that cushioned a pair of cufflinks shaped like little silver sparrows. He gently fastened both to his shirt with ease,

"They look good on you." Valkyrie smiled, if Skulduggery had a face she knew he'd be smiling.

"They do, thank you Valkyrie." He brought her into a skeletal hug.

"Me and Ghastly can't get home in this weather Val, so uh, can we stay in your spooky mansion?"

Valkyrie laughed, "Of course Tanith!" Valkyrie waved her hand and sent a gush of air to extinguish the flames so they were in pitch darkness. "Well I'll see you guys tomorrow!" And the girl raced up the stairs ignoring they shouts and laughs of her friends in the dark.

Hope you like that! Chapter 2 is coming round soon!