Valkyrie needed to tell Skulduggery. She didn't want to because she was, well, she was scared.

The great Valkyrie Cain was scared. Its not like she didn't have a reason to be, because she definitely did, she just hated it.

"Valkyrie," Skulduggery's velvety voice pierced her thoughts, "Are you Okay?"

"Hmmm? Yeah I'm fine," Valkyrie muttered, flicking to the next page of the file she had in front of her.

Skulduggery tilted his head, "Are you sure? You seem out of it, if we're going to solve this case-"

"I told you I'm fine," Valkyrie snapped, a moment passed before she looked over to Skulduggery, "Sorry I snapped."

"Is it something to do with Daevion?" Skulduggery asked, looking back at Valkyrie.

"No," Valkyrie said a little too quickly, "I'm fine, please just leave it."

Skulduggery tilted his head again, "You're my best friend, my combat accessory, Valkyrie. I'm not stupid, but I'll leave it if thats what you want me to do."

"What? You never leave it, ever."

Skulduggery shrugged, "I do give you privacy sometimes, I know you need it."

Valkyrie raised her eyebrow, "You never give me privacy."

"I am now, aren't I?"

"You don't normally, then."

"I don't have to give you privacy, if you want to tell me what's going on with you, I'm all ears."

"No, I'm Okay actually. Thanks Skulduggery," Valkyrie said.

Skulduggery nodded in response and turned back to the bundle of paper he was holding in his hand, Valkyrie looked at him for a moment longer before leaning back on her chair, leaving her file lying on the table. She stared out the window, her haunted thoughts welcoming her.

It was dark when Skulduggery and Valkyrie finally left the sanctuary, and they walked towards the Bentley in silence. After climbing in and Skulduggery making sure she had put her seatbelt on, Valkyrie began to fiddle with the radio.

"Skulduggery?" Valkyrie asking, focusing her attention on her fingers.

"Yes, Valkyrie?" Skulduggery said, keeping his eyes on the road in front of him.

"Did you… did you talk to Daevion earlier?"

"Yes I did, why?" Skulduggery asked, glancing over at Valkyrie.

"Oh no reason, just he… he rang," Valkyrie hesitated, leaning back and looking at the Bentley's immaculate floor, "Could you drop me off at his?"

Skulduggery was taken back at the sound of her shaking voice, as much as he could tell Valkyrie was hoping he'd answer her by refusing her question, if his suspicions were correct he didn't want Daevion to hurt Valkyrie any more than he would by saying no to his offer.

"If you want," Skulduggery finally answered.

"Thanks." Valkyrie gave him a weak smile, before turning away and looking at the window.

She was dragged out of her thoughts a little while later by Skulduggery's voice.

Valkyrie stared at him, as he started back, "Huh? Sorry, I wasn't listening."

Skulduggery tilted his head, "I said, do you want me to pick you up later?"

"Oh, I don't know. I'll see what Daevion says," she answered, reaching into the back for her coat, "Could you go and feed Xena? Or drop her at my parents?"

"Of course. See you later, Valkyrie."

"Yeah. Bye, Skulduggery," Valkyrie said, stepping out of the car.

She stood on the pavement, watching as the Bentley pulled away and disappeared from sight.

So here's the first chapter of the rewrite of 'Sparks of Hope' (from my old account 'Fire Kitty 12'), that I promised would be here last September. I am sorry about that. If you hadn't already realised Shawn's name is now Daevion, and there will be some changes although the main base of the story should pretty much be the same.

This is set after Resurrection.

I hope you enjoyed this chapter and I'd love a review. The next update should be next week at some point.

Thanks for reading!

-GhostlyBespook.