Hi everyone!

Okay, so this is my first fanfiction, I'll try to update as often as possible J

My inspiration came from Deadgirl19 x

This is set after TDOTL but with my own exceptions:

*All of the Dead Men are still alive/are loyal (Ghastly, Dexter, Saracen, Anton, Erskine)

*Grand Mage is Mr Bliss

*Darquesse and Lord Vile will not surface and are permanently gone

*Valkyrie is somehow 25

Please read and review! Criticism, tips and requests welcome (:

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Chapter 1

"SKULDUGGERY!" Valkyrie yelled standing at the end of the stairs. "Pick a freaking hat and let's go!"

He entered the room wearing one of his many hats, perched perfectly over his skull. "One can never look to good while seeing friends," he said and Valkyrie rolled her eyes.

"They all look the same anyway," she muttered.

Skulduggery tilted his head, looking at her questionably. "Valkyrie, you seem a little too excited, I mean, we are just seeing all the Dead Men…"

"Yes, yes I know but we haven't seen them in forever!"

"Is there someone in particular you want to see there, hmm?"

Valkyrie laughed then smiled, "No not at all really, I'm just looking forward to seeing them all and catching up." She started walking to the door, "Now get your bony ass in the car before I really get mad."

Skulduggery put his hands up in defence, "I'm moving, I'm moving," he said as he followed Valkyrie and left the house.

Valkyrie stood outside the car door nd looked over at Skulduggery. "Am I ever going to be allowed to drive the Bentley?"

Skulduggery laughed and shook his head, "We both know what happened last time I let you," he said and winced at the memory. "My poor baby was gone for a week."

"Oh get over yourself, it was JUST a dint, it didn't even need fixing," she said and looked up at Skulduggery.

"Nevertheless, the answer is still, and will always be, no."

Skulduggery opened the car door and got in; Valkyrie sighed and slid in as well.

"Do you even know the address Skul?"

"Of course I know the address, this brain of mine doesn't tend to forget things," Skulduggery said and tapped his empty skull.

"You do know it's just air up there?"

He sighed and looked at her, "Believe it or not Val, that was in fact actually the joke." Skulduggery shook his head and drove off.

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The Bentley pulled neatly into a park, attracting a lot of funny looks from passer byers, and even more when a young dark-haired girl and a man completely covered and tightly bundled got out.

"You know you could've just used the façade…" Valkyrie muttered at Skulduggery.

"I know, but I just wasn't feeling it today."

Valkyrie sighed and walked into the café. She spotted the group straight away, not only were they the loudest group there but they all got up as soon as they saw Skulduggery and Valkyrie enter and called them over.

Valkyrie ran over to them all, unable to contain her excitement while Skulduggery casually walked to them, always the professional.

Valkyrie went around individually hugging them all, and their excitement to see her was just as evident.

"Wow Val, you've changed a lot," Dexter said, looking her up and down.

"Yeah Val, you're looking hot," Saracen agreed and looked her up as well.

Valkyrie blushed and looked down, embarrassed by the sudden compliments.

"Valkyrie, you look as beautiful as always," Anton said and smiled at her reassuringly.

She smiled at him and Ghastly changed the topic, "Now, who's shouting?"

Everyone laughed and looked expectantly at Skulduggery.

"Don't you even think about it, I can't even eat nor drink but just because I'm the best off I get to pay?" Skulduggery scowled and crossed his arms, "You pay for what you get."

Valkyrie laughed "I'll pay, it's all good."

Everyone immediately looked uncomfortable.

"No Val, it's okay we are all more than happy to pay for ourselves," Ravel said and looked at the others, who all nodded.

"No really, I'm more than happy to, Gordon did leave me a whole lot of money." Valkyrie said and called the waiter over. They all said what they were drinking and the waiter left.

"This is good, you know, the whole of the Dead Men being together again," Dexter said and looked at everyone, "I miss the good ol' days, fighting side by side, kicking ass and being awesome."

They all laughed and then Valkyrie looked up, after an idea having popped in her mind. "I just had an idea, why don't we start up Dead Men properly again? I mean, Skulduggery and I aren't really the official detectives of the Sanctuary anymore so we are kind of out of a job…and this would be so much better! We can work off the books, working our own hours for whoever hires us for lots and lots of money."

Everyone was quiet for a moment, thinking it over when Ghastly spoke up, "That's actually a really good idea, we were known as an elite group of mages back then. I'm sure we'd get lots off business off it."

By the nods of everyone heads they all seemingly agreed.

"But, there have to be some conditions," Skulduggery said. "First off, we will assess the situation of anyone who hires us and we will not work for the 'bad guys'. And finally, we will split up all money earned between the members who were assigned the task evenly."

Everyone murmured their agreements. The waiter came back with the drinks, and afterwards everyone cheered to the idea of the Dead Men being back in business.

"Hey, to make it really fun and professional, why don't we all stay at Gordon's, I mean my, mansion and use it as our headquarters? There's enough rooms for everyone and big basement which we can use for a training room." Valkyrie suggested.

"That would work," Dexter said, nodding in agreement.

"Yeah, and then we'll all be close together," Saracen said and winked at Valkyrie.

Was he just flirting with me? Valkyrie thought with confusion at Saracen's remark.

"Okay so how about this, we'll all meet at Valkyrie's house tomorrow at around 10am?" Skulduggery asked the group.

"Yeah, sounds good. Remember everyone to pack clothes and stuff cause be the looks of it you're going to be practically moving in with me…" Valkyrie said and a thought came to her mind, So, let me get this straight. I am going to be living with five hot men and an annoying charming skeleton? I could so use this to my advantage…

After many conversations and jokes the group finished up, Valkyrie paid and they all said goodbye and went their separate ways. Skulduggery and Valkyrie got in the car and Skulduggery drove off.

"Who's house are you staying at tonight? Mine or yours?" Skulduggery asked.

"Well, I was thinking that we could both stay at my house and maybe quickly clean up and get the rooms ready?"

"Sounds good to me."

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They got home and cleaned up the house, readying the beds and rooms for tomorrow. After a while they finally finished and Valkyrie got ready for bed.

"G'night Skul."

"Good night Valkyrie."

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Thank you all for reading! Hope you enjoyed it!

Please review with any tips or requests xx

~ Kali Necrosis