Nightcatmau and I have partnered up to write this. So if you see groups of outstanding writing, then that's probably him. :P
This is a Dexter Vex / Valkyrie Cain pairing... And some Valduggery.
Dexkyrie. :D
All rights go to Derek Landy.

We haven't come up with a title yet, but I wanted to post our first chapter. So...The title will be a draft, if we like it. We'll keep it. Otherwise we might change it. ^^

Enjoy -

-GENERAL POV-

.Valkyrie Cain squinted as she looked down the sunny Dublin street from her spot at the café table. She was supposed to be meeting her new partner and he was already fifteen minutes late. OK, so she had been ten minutes late, but she had still gotten here first.

She fiddled with the menu the waiter had given her too nervous to order anything but a coffee even though she was starving. Not knowing who the partner was made her nervous, tense, and for the millionth time she cursed Skulduggery silently for taking a case he'd had to handle alone.

Valkyrie frowned over that. Why alone? Was their partnership over? Now all she wanted to do was meet this new partner and get it over with. If Ghastly couldn't tell her who it was it had to be bad. Someone she couldn't stand maybe. She sighed and thanked the waiter when the coffee arrived. Now if only her new partner would get here.

Taking a small sip, which annoyingly, burnt her tongue. She scowled and looked around, hearing the café door chime with it opening and shutting. Turning around fully in her chair she saw a man glance about for a moment before catching sight of her. He grinned, his blue eyes lighting up, and gave a small wave, strolling over. He was a tall man, with short blonde hair and looked fit and healthy.

Valkyrie had seen him somewhere, she just couldn't pin point it. Or she could, but she was trying not to since the feelings that came with it...
Not realising she had zoned out, she blinked and looked up as Dexter Vex waved his hand in front of her face, "Hello? Earth to Valkyrie."
She frowned, "Sorry, I was thinking..."
"About?" His voice was music to her ears as he sat down in the seat in front of her.
"Aren't you supposed to be around the world doing odd things in odd places with odd people? Why are you my new partner until the selfish brat of a skeleton finishes his?"
Dex laughed, "Good morning to you too."

Valkyrie rolled her eyes. Great, another partner with a smart mouth. Just what she needed. She ignored Dex as he flashed her a charming smile and accepted the menu. "Hungry?" He asked, and she wanted to end the partnership right then and there.

She didn't have a problem with being fed by this man, she was all for it. But it was Dex, wasn't it? And that was the problem. She was surprised he wasn't off snogging Tanith somewhere and the thought made her laugh, drawing his attention.

He raised an eyebrow, "Is that a yes or a no?"
Valkyrie felt heat rising to her cheeks and she coughed, "Uh, no thanks- I mean yes. Alright."
Good one Valkyrie. She mentally kicked herself.
"Are you alright? You seem agitated." He leaned over slightly.
"I'm fine." She forced a convincing smile and he shrugged.
"So do you want a pie, a sausage roll, a donut, um." Dex ran through the "edible" items on the menu, his face turning from happy to disgusted.
"What?" Valkyrie asked, curious and leaning over trying to see what was wrong.
"I'm not used to boring Cafe's. I'm used to exquisite Italian dishes, Indian food and Russian cousins."
She sighed good naturedly and sat back in her chair, "Of course you are.

Dammit, Valkyrie. You're getting too comfortable.
Oh, this isn't going to be a fun ride. She almost groaned out loud if it wasn't for the waitress that came for their orders.

Valkyrie knew she had to relax. How old was he anyways? She couldn't remember but at least a hundred if not more. Yes, that was it. Think of everything that was wrong with him. But then he was waving an annoying hand in front of her face again and she batted it away, flushing slightly at the unintended contact of skin to skin.

"You know, we could go somewhere else." Dex offered. "You can't tell me that coffee is any good. Why not let me pay for it and we'll be off then?" He offered cheerfully. Valkyrie sighed and nodded. Think of him as an old, old man Val. On his death bed old. You can do this.

Before she could get up however, Dex had his hand held out to help her. She frowned, but took it quickly so she didn't make him feel bad but after quickly broke contact and waited outside he coffee shop as he paid for the coffee.
What was she going to do? Valkyrie thought, chewing her lip.
Damn that skeleton for putting her with Dex.
Or was it Ghastly?
Maybe Erskine...
Whichever it was, she needed a baseball bat quickly.

The door chimed again and she turned her head to Dexter as he threw another grin her way and led the way to his car. It was a silver Mustang and she mentally scowled at it. Missing the Bentley already. Missing her seat...
As she got in and tried to adjust her seat, Dex brought the car in gear. "Sorry, tis probably isn't as good as the Bentley but," He shrugged, "A man that travels without his car a lot does what he can."
Glancing around the car, at the dust and grime and old rubbish on the floor here and there she replied with, "I can see that."

Dex laughed and threw her another smile she was briefly tempted to punch off his face. OK so he was attractive, and a world traveller and a Dead Man and all of that stuff. But she also had to face something else, and it made her want to hit him even more. He wasn't interested in her.

Dex went with the kind of women you saw on the covers of a magazine or strutting on runways. Well, the magical versions of those type of women. Fast, charming, very experienced women. Dried up old hags is what they are. She thought bitterly. I'd like to send them and Skulduggery to the moon.

Where was he and why wasn't he ringing her at least? Unless of course he had replaced her and Dex was being given to her by way of apology. Oh, lucky her. Paired with an attractive man who most likely equated her with a child. Just bloody well lovely.

Then her mind drifted off to the thought that Skulduggery had dropped her, for a case on his own. Why was that? She wondered.
What was so important he had to do it alone? Years ago, he promised he wouldn't do that again. But now? He brushed her off so easy like lint on his suit.
That sounded fetchy...She chewed her lip again.
What even was the case she was supposed to do? Her mind buzzed until she realised De was talking to her.

She looked at him, "Sorry what? I missed that."
He laughed again and her eyes narrowed slightly. Was he laughing because she was so, unintentionally childish.
That's what she thought of everyone though...Does he really think I'm childish? She thought to herself.
Probably.

"I was just saying, do you have an idea where we could go eat an discuss this case of ours?"
"Uh. Gordon's Mansion? I'll order pizza."
He flashed a smile. God, while it makes my chest feel all hot ad bubbly, he smiles and laughs way too much.
"Alright, but don't worry. The pizza will be on me, sweet." Another smile.

She feel silent.
Did he just call her sweet?

He had and she grinned back at him more easily. There was no sense in treating Dex badly just because Skulduggery was being a major tool. Heh. He didn't even have one and he could still be one. Typical man.

So what if Dex did think she was a child? She thought he was an utter slob and probably something of a skeezer. But he still had that potent charm about him, didn't he? Out of all the Dead Men, she really only remembered their first meeting clearly.

Well, theirs and when she had met Skulduggery. She could still see him in his disguise could still remember the first time she'd heard that velvety voice and become instantly smitten. But he'd dropped her and she felt like kicking the precious Skeleton Detective in the pubic bones right now. They arrived at the mansion and Dex whistled though he'd been there before, at least he knew how to show a girl he appreciated her digs. Well Gordon's digs, whatever. Dex was still hot even if he didn't seem to be interested in her.

Shrugging to herself, Valkyrie unclicked her seatbelt and turned to open her door, but then Dex was there, opening it for her.
She really needed to find out how he appeared next to her so quickly.
"I've been working on my Gentleman skills." He said a little doubtfully as she raised an eyebrow and got up, thanking him.
"Clearly."
He smirked and closed the door, following her up the garden path to the front door.

Unlocking it and stepping in, Valkyrie shrugged off her jacket and placed it over the couch while Dexter looked around the room in slight awe.
"You've been here before Dexter..." She said, confused.
"Yes, but not empty before. It seems bigger." He did a last turn before stopping in front of her and clapping his hands together.
"Yeah, having no people in it tends to do that." Valkyrie murmured and walked to the kitchen stool, sitting down. He followed and took a seat himself.

Valkyrie dug into the cubbyhole under the counter and dug out a stack of take away menus. She wanted pizza, and badly, but if Dex got to pick he might fuss less. Not that he seemed fussy. He seemed like he'd be a nice guy to date as he sat down beside her a real nice guy to date.

Dex took the menus from Valkyrie, smiling cheerily. "This is more like it. A beautiful setting and a beautiful girl, now we can order that pizza. Please tell me we can get some good toppings. Have you ever had pizza from Italy?"

"Yes, actually." Valkyrie said, recalling Fletcher getting her pizza from there whenever she wanted.

"Amazing, isn't it? I think it is the wood-fired ovens. Oh, look Val, this place has wood-fired ovens." He waved a menu at her, eyebrows raised hopefully and Valkyrie found herself laughing. Dex was charming because he was still innocent in a way. He was getting excited over pizza when not a half an hour ago he'd been bragging about gourmet food.

"Oh, go ahead then. Order it." Valkyrie grinned and rested the side of her head on her right hand to look over the types.
"Goody." Dex replied, glancing over the menu as well. "So, I forgot to ask. How old are you now Val?"
"Eh, 19." She said absent mindly, not bothering to think what the question could imply.
"Last time I saw you, you were 16 or 17 am I right?" He noted.
"Think so."
Valkyrie then pressed her index finger on the pizza she wanted. "Der, order it." She smirked.
"Well you've certainly grown, if that's even possible. You look about Skulduggery's height and righto, I'll get the cheesy one..."

"Skulduggery doesn't like me being that tall. He thinks it makes him less dominant over me." She practically sat out his name.
Dex's had tilted, "Well that's a shame." He didn't ask about why she was angry and she didn't mind. But sort of felt a little sad that he didn't. She was confused.

While he was ordering, she flipped open her phone, hoping to find a text he'd left her but found nothing at all.
"Stupid skeleton." She muttered.

"Have you got anything to drink?" Dex asked, but he was up and in the fridge before she could answer, happily trotting back with two Cokes. "Don't tell Skulduggery about this, Val, seriously." He gestured to the Cokes then handed her one. "He keeps telling me drinking it makes me look childish."

Valkyrie almost spat out her Coke. "He what?" She asked, laughing.

"The man is no fun, that's his problem. You should have seen him learning to dance. No fun at all." Dex shivered slightly like the idea of no fun was horrid to him then grinned at her. "But you? You're a lot of fun, I like that."

Something warm and fuzzy burned inside her chest as he sat down next to her again.
Their faces were impossibly close and she saw his head already slowly tilting. Her eyes darted around realising she was doing the same.

Come on, Valkyrie. Grow up. He's way older than you.
Is that why you fancy Skulduggery? A voice in her mind popped up.
I do not!
You clearly do.
Shush.
By the way, you're about to kiss him.

She blinked again, now his lips were slightly brushing hers. Warm, musky scents seducing her to continue. Then her phone buzzed and her mind kicked her mentally to tell her to break away. Which she did, a felt her heart implode on itself.
She looked around before taking out her phone, trying to let her hair hide her red face. Dexter didn't say anything and she felt horrible.
Flipping it open, she pressed Accept and got up, walking into the hallway as she pressed it to her ear.
"Hm?" She asked sadly.
"Well you sound cheerful." Came the velvet voice of Skulduggery Pleasant.
She glared at the wall in front of her, tears pricking her eyes.
"I'm fine. Shut up."
Valkyrie didn't notice Dex peering around the corner, listening in.
"Okay, I know you're angry about me leaving you for a case, but that's not what's wrong."
"This has nothing to do with you. I said I'm fine."
"And I can tell you're not." He sighed.
"You ruined my day." She hissed before ending the call, looking at the ground and sighing, agitated.
Dexter quickly sat back down, taking a sip of coke.

Valkyrie felt terrible and Dexter sitting back down only made things worse. He put an arm around her gently and she jumped slightly. "He's jealous you know, the man always had a sixth sense about everything." He smiled and Valkyrie and squeezed her shoulder slightly. "But I don't care if he's jealous, he's the one who went away, not you."

He was kissing her again then, his lips still a teasing brush that made her want to grab him by the collar and pull him closer. The warm musky scented were back and she wanted in the worst way to wrap her arms around his neck when, he was pulling back and she realized there was a pounding on the front door.

What? Then Dex was off his stool and he was paying for the pizza she wasn't even sure she saw him order. Time seemed strange, like only moments ago they had been talking about ordering, but then the kiss happened, and now the pizza was here.

As Dexter went to get the pizza, Valkyrie looked over what just happened in her mind. Okay...She and Dexter nearly kissed, what's going to happen when he comes over here? She wasn't even sure if she wanted it...
She realised she was shaking slightly, her heart rapid against her cold chest, craving the warmth which his body gave her, made her feel hot and washed out, tingly and springy.
Upon hearing the words of 'thank you' she turned her head slightly to see Dex walking up, the two pizza boxes in hand, he placed it down on the counter and took a seat once again.

His hand found its way, cupping the side of her face, the thumb lightly rubbing over her cheek in soothing motions, he said softy, "You know, if you didn't want to do it you have said." He sounded slightly hurt.
Valkyrie closed her eyes for a moment, feeling her body relax into the warm, soothing hand. Eventually she shook her head, "No, that's not it. To be honest I did but I felt...I don't, guilty?"
She looked back up at him as he nodded, "Understandable."

Dexter was being so sweet Valkyrie couldn't believe it. Clearly he liked her, clearly he wanted to kiss her, but he was being a gentleman. He wasn't just grabbing at her and it made her feel even more guilty because he was such a nice guy. She gave him a shaky smile and he withdrew his hand, making her wish he hadn't.

"It's OK, you know. Does he know how you feel?" He asked, getting them out plates and a pizza cutter.

Valkyrie shook her head. "No, and I hope you don't tell him. He had his chance and he blew it, repeatedly. Now with him going off without me, well, it's netter this way. Could we talk about something more cheerful, like our case?" She asked and Dexter flashed her a smile that made her heart melt.

"Sure Val, let me go grab it from the car and we can dig into this pizza!" He rubbed his hands together, gave another smile and jogged out to the door.
Her phone buzzed and she took it out quickly, finding a text message from Skulduggery. 'I'm not going to ask what happened but how's Dexter for a partner?'
Valkyrie snorted and replied back with, 'He smiles way too much to be healthy. Still has a smart mouth unfortunately. Now I'm busy, Mr Pleasant.'
After pocketing the phone she started to cut the pizza, letting her mind wander off again.

I felt guilty. She thought. Okay, got that covered. But why exactly? Do I like Skulduggery. Of course I do, we just wet over that...How much though. Will it effect anything I have or had with Dexter?
Without being careful, she accidently caught her hand on the pizza cutter and yelped, standing up and waving her hand, blood slowly dripping down. She went over t the tap to clean it out.
"What's wrong?" Dex asked as he came in, holding the case file.
"Stupid pizza cutter cut the wrong thing." She growled.

Then Dexter was taking over, his hands warm and gentle as he rinsed off her finger. He had her hold a paper towel to the cut and asked if she had anything to put on it. Valkyrie shrugged. "I'm OK, really. See? The bleeding stopped?" She showed him the cut and he shook his head, then had her show him where she kept her first aid kit.

Dexter then escorted her to the living room, kit in hand and seated her on the couch. Valkyrie just stared at Dexter as he worked on her hand. Skulduggery would have chided her for being clumsy, told her she was a baby, but Dexter was doing triage for God's sale, using way too much antiseptic and ointment, then bandaging it for her. He grinned at her, clearly proud of his skills. "See? All done and I got to hold your hand for five minutes. Stay here, I'll grab our pizza. We can watch TV and talk about the case."

Valkyrie's thoughts swam as she waited for him. Why was Skulduggery calling so much now that Dexter was there? Did he have a sixth sense like Deter said and not want them kissing? She sighed. She didn't even know why she felt guilty about wanting to kiss Dexter. Yes, she had feeling for Skulduggery, but he'd made it clear but leaving that he didn't feel the same way.

Soon after he sat down next to her, closer than what would classify as normal, handing her a plate with three slices of pizza and flicked on the T.V. to NCIS.
Valkyrie grinned and took a tentative bite, finding it was rather delicious, she continued and opened the case file.
"NCIS, eh?" Dex laughed, "Quite the crime girl."
She shrugged and read over the case before instantly groaning.
"What?"
"I don't like Sanguine. I personally, have had enough of him in the past years." She sat back and sulked.
"Yes but, he's not the only one. Its a jumbo effect. Makes it...prettier...um, funner.
"Funner isn't a word."
"It is when it corresponds to a girl like you."
She felt a slight heat in her cheeks and instead rolled her eyes, "I still don't like him."

Valkyrie didn't see anything funner about the case, but she supposed Dex did. He had gone up against Sanguine himself if she remembered correctly. But of course Skulduggery hadn't told her anything about that particular adventure since the great Skeleton Detective wasn't involved himself.

She realized as she watched the show that she missed him. Yes he was annoying and thoughtless, but he'd have already been talking about punching or shooting Sanguine, or both. Most likely both. Her hand flexed and she wanted to grab her mobile and ask him which it would be in the worst way.

Dexter caught the movement and touched her shoulder. "Is your hand, OK?" He asked, leaning in and Valkyrie nodded, noticing again how very good he smelled when he leaned in close like this.

Eventually he urge became too strong, "Be right back, I need the uh. Toilet." She quickly got up as Dexter chuckled to himself and made a beeline upstairs into the bathroom.
Locking the door behind her she took out her phone and her finger hovered over the speed dial button. She chewed her lip, wondering what she'd say.

Just be cool. She thought. Casual...
Well, the last thing you said to him before was he ruined your day. A voice in the back of her mind pointed out.
Groaning quietly she texted him saying, 'You can call me now if you want.'
Once she sent it, she instantly regretted it. That sounded childish and stupid.

She sunk to the ground, sitting. And almost instantly the phone vibrated as it rang.

"Don't tell me he is boring you already?" Skulduggery said, sounding amused, and his velvety voice made her heart flutter.

"No, its just, well, I've got time to talk to you now, that's all." Valkyrie said, flustered that he could take control of her so easily. Here she was needing to hear his voice, needing to talk with him even though he had went off and left her.

"Oh, so that's how it is, is it? I may stay away longer if you don't need me anymore." He still sounded amused. "I miss you Valkyrie, you don't know how much I wanted to bring you, but it's complicated, I'm sorry I can't tell you any more than that, you know I want to."

"That's fine. OK, quick question. What would you rather do to Sanguine? Punch him or shoot him?" She asked and she heard a low growl come from Skulduggery.

"Both. Don't tell me he's involved in your new case. Valkyrie, drop the case now. I don't want you anywhere near that man."

She scowled, "You're being over protective again."
Once she realised what she had just said a hand flew to her mouth, waiting for the slow reply.
"Well...I'm sorry if I get like that sometimes. But answer the question." His voice seemed low and sad now.
Valkyrie sighed, "Yes, he is."
His voice now turned edgy. "Get a different one."
"Why? We've never had this problem before with him."
"Because I've been there. I'm not there this time."
Her voice turned icy, cold and angry, "I can take care of myself you know."
"That's not the point."

"Valkyrie, are you alright?" Dexter called from downstairs, she covered the phone with a hand and yelled back.
"I'm fine!" She replied cheerily.

She put her phone back to her ear, voice back to low and dangerous, "What's that supposed to mean?"
"You run into trouble like its headlong traffic, usually I'm the one to pull you out."
"So you do think I can't take care of myself."
Skulduggery sighed, "Am I not allowed to be worried and concerned about you?"
"You're allowed to. But you can't be over excessive about it."
There was a long silence until, "Please don't take the case."
"Give me one good reason apart from you being "worried" then."
"I wish I could."
"Then no." Valkyrie shut the phone and sighed deeply, her hands pressed against the cold ground. Gaining control of her breathing, wiping the tears and washing her face until she was calm before flushing the toilet and trotting downstairs.

Dex grinned at her, "Took your time. Did I hear you talking?"
Quickly sitting down she curved an eyebrow, "No...I don't think so."
He laughed, "My apologies. I'm getting old."
She lightly hit him on the arm, "You're not old."
He looked down at her hand, till on his arm and gently held it, before she could register it all, Dexter had pulled her in, much like a tango. Lips pressed against lips. Soft and warm. Partly open.

Valkyrie's left hand found its way around his neck while the other held onto his open coat. His own was holding her hand still, pressed against his chest and his other wrapped around her waist. It was light, not deep. A passionate look about it, so indulging in fact they didn't here the door open, nor he footsteps.

But they definitely heard the shocked, angry, hurt- part whisper, part hiss of a voice, "Valkyrie?!"
She pulled away quickly, standing up and looking at the tall, thin man in the suit.

So, was it good?

Nice and long?

Like the pairing?

Tell us! Review this betch! ^^