This is my first FanFiction, so go easy on me. R&R, constructive criticism is welcome. Set after Deathbringer but Before Breaking Dawn.

SECRETS

Chapter 1, Small Talk

Valkyrie's cousin was coming. Her eighteen year old cousin was only a year older, and before she moved to Forkes to live with her dad, they were very close, but they gradually lost contact. When she was younger, Bella would visit Valkyrie in the summer, and Valkyrie would do the same in Christmas break. This was the first time in over six years that they get to see each other in person.

Bella was bringing her boyfriend Edward, who was insistent on coming, which Valkyrie found a tad creepy, but she went with it.

Valkyrie was waiting at the airport for Bella to arrive. When she saw her, she had her boyfriend by the hand. There was something different, strange, about him, but she didn't concentrate on that for the moment, only on her cousin. She looked happy, and going by the way her and Edward looked at each other, they were in love.

Bella spotted Valkyrie and squealed slightly. Very out of character. They ran to each other, arms open with massive grins on their faces.

'Stephanie!' Bella squealed again. 'Oh my goodness, I've missed you so much!'

'Aw missed you too Bells, aren't you going to introduce me? He is going to be sleeping in my house after all.'

'this is Edward Cullen,' she said with pride in her voice.

'Hello,' he said politely. He had bronze hair, and had eyes the colour of butterscotch. He was very pale, and was in Valkyrie's own words, hot, but definitely not her type. It was far too soon after Fletcher and Caelen, and the pale skin and intense atmosphere he brought with him only reminded her of the dead vampire.

Valkyrie smiled at him. 'Stephanie,' she introduced herself, remembering to use her given name.

'You two look very alike.' He said.' Valkyrie thought it was a stupid thing to state the obvious, so she didn't grace him with a reply because it was very true. They could pass for sisters. They shared the same dark hair, chocolate brown eyes pale skin and long eyelashes, but she appreciated Edwards attempts at making conversation. In fact probably the main differences would be their build. They were both tall, but Valkyrie was taller. Bella was petite, whereas Valkyrie was slender and muscular, and obviously so, but all that was because of her training.

'You haven't half grown up Steph.' Bella said sizing her up. Skulduggery had left her off at the airport because they had been on a case, and she had not had the time to go back and get changed. She was wearing her fighting gear minus the jacket, so you could see her muscles nicely in her arms. 'You must have spent a hell of a lot in the gym!'

'I like running and do sports in school and stuff, nothing major, just a way to spend my time. What about you though, the coordination any better?'

'No way!' Bella laughed.' How's the baby?'

'Oh my God! She is the most adorable thing ever!' Valkyrie gushed. ' I can't wait for you to meet her!'

They talked the whole way home with the occasional input of the boyfriend. There was something fishy about him, and Valkyrie would find out. She was a detective after all.

Hope that wasn't too painful to sit through!

Love,

Athena Rain xxx