A/N: I don't own Valkyrie, Skulduggery, Gordon, or Anton. If you don't like the pairing keep your yap shut.

I looked at the photograph for the thousandth time. I'd made a copy of it from a Sanctuary file, a chancy thing, and I'd been ashamed of myself for being in love and terrified I'd be caught the whole time. Now I kept it in my desk drawer in the office in Uncle Gordon's mansion I'd made for myself. Looking at the picture tore my heart in two because I knew he could never be mine.

He wasn't married, or even dating so far as I knew, but I still couldn't lay claim to him and it was killing me. I wanted him to hold me just once. I didn't expect him to kiss me, even though I'd had such vivid daydreams of kissing those lips that I'd expected to open my eyes and find him standing in front of me. I knew he never would kiss me and that made my heart break even more. Why did love have to hurt so much?

I put the photo away and tried to calm myself. The funny thing was, I didn't even think he liked me. He was gentle and kind, friendly to a fault, but I always got the feeling that the man disliked me. Not that I'd met him more than once, and I certainly hadn't fallen in love with him then.

Why was I in love with him then? Maybe the photograph had done it. He looked happy for once, he was smiling, and I'd been told he didn't smile often. Well, not on a mission at any rate. But his smile was gentle and kind, and his eyes were soft as if something had made him happy.

I sighed. I knew I should burn the photo. There was no way he'd ever see me as anything other than the rather annoying girl who had fought one of his guests. That said guest was trying to kill me at the time would have likely not mattered and the few times Anton Shudder had come to the Sanctuary I'd managed to avoid him.

I'd even avoided meeting him when Skulduggery would meet him, something Skulduggery had frowned over but not commented on. "I just don't like the man, Skulduggery. I'm sorry." I'd lied, so they had been no mention of Anton asking after me after that time. But I knew he only did it to be polite. He was Skulduggery's friend and not inviting me or asking about me would have been rude of him.

I switched on the computer, intending to ignore the advice Uncle Gordon had once given me. Well, Echo Gordon. I brought up a video site and typed '"I Can't take my Eyes Off of You" into the search box. Frankie Valli came up in the search results and I clicked on the video and turned my speakers up. I sat back in my chair and closed my eyes. I was just going to listen until it didn't hurt so much. After all, this had to be a stupid crush, right? A stupid schoolgirl crush, never mind I was in my twenties. I sighed as the music swelled and ebbed, that away my pain.

I laughed, not in a happy way either. I was pathetic. In love with a man who would never love me. But every time I heard that song I could imagine dancing to it with him. How we would sway to the music, seeming to almost float across the dance floor. I sighed. Uncle Gordon was right. There was no use in torturing myself with what would never be.

I turned off the computer and took out the photo. I looked at it one last time, then ran it through the shredder beside my desk, wincing slightly as his face was lost to me forever. But I'd get better I knew I would. I doubted people ever died from love sickness or pining away outside of bad romance novels.

My mobile rang and I answered it in surprise, hastily transferring the shredded photo to the metal bin beside my desk and snapping my fingers. I set the shreds ablaze with the summoned flame and watched them burn as I spoke. "Skulduggery? Do we have a case?" I asked. There was a slight hesitation then a gentle voice answered, sounding sweet to my ears.

"No, it's Anton, Valkyrie. We met at my hotel, remember? I know you're probably busy, but I wanted to know if you'd join us for lunch."

Say you're busy, stupid. Say you're busy because you know if you accept you'll most likely make a fool out of yourself. I told myself. But I couldn't refuse Anton anything, even when I felt guilty about accepting. He was being kind, and here I was, stupidly in love with the man. It would shame him if he ever found out, I knew that much. "Uh, I'd love to go. But wouldn't you two rather be alone to catch up?" I asked, giving him an easy out.

I heard a soft laugh. "Skulduggery said you'd say that. You're my friend as well, Valkyrie. We'll be there in about fifteen minutes. Please be ready. I've missed you." There was a soft click and the line went dead.

I almost leapt out of my chair, giving a quick glance at the now pile of ashes in the bin and smiled to myself. He'd said he missed me! I was honestly already ready, but I made sure I looked as good as possible. Not fussing of course since Skulduggery would know in an instant and start to pry. Soon I heard the purring engine outside ant a knock at the door. That was odd, Skulduggery never came for me. I checked before opening it and saw Anton. I opened the door and he smiled at me. "Good to see you again, Valkyrie. I have missed you."

Before I could react he pulled me into a brief hug then pulled back to formally offer me his arm. "Let's be off then." He said, his voice soft and his smile gentle. He escorted me to the Bentley, insisting I sit up front with Skulduggery who looked at me as we got in.

"Seatbelt." Skulduggery said automatically and I complied trying to keep the pleased grin off my face. I could still smell the alluring combination of scents from Anton hugging me and I was looking forward to the lunch. Skulduggery muttered something under his breath I couldn't catch and pulled away from the mansion. Though I could have sworn it was something along the line of 'Young girls and their fool romantic notions. Anton of all people, Lord.'

Yeah, I know, worst pairing ever. But I think Anton is a total sweetheart, so there.