Here's the second chapter! Please enjoy C:

Skulduggery didn't say much during the ride to Valkyrie's house. He was still thinking about the notes, and about their new case, and about her. Without thinking, he glanced to his left at Valkyrie. She had her elbow rested on the window, and she was staring through the glass without moving. He felt something move in his thoughts, and as he thought about it, he thought he vaguely recognised the handwriting. Suspicious, he decided to have everyone write something down when they were all together again. He suspected it might have been Fletcher's writing, Tanith's perhaps, but definitely not Ghastly's. His was far curlier.

"Valkyrie..." Skulduggery said quietly. "Are you alright?"

Valkyrie jumped and swung her head around way too fast. It pained her, and she gripped it tightly as she answered.

"Yeah, just thinking..." she winced. "About someone..." she added as an afterthought.

Oh you are, are you? If you're dreaming about Fletcher I'll throttle him. Skulduggery thought to himself.

"You are, are you?"

"Yeah, I am."

"I see." Skulduggery said, smiling. "So, what do you think of our newest case? I don't think we've ever dealt with this guy before, so it'll be someone new for a change."

"I suppose..." Valkyrie said quietly. "But what if he exceeds our expectations? What if he is stronger than we think?"

"Then we'll just have to match that strength," Skulduggery declared. "And win like we always do."

"Yeah." Valkyrie smiled. "Agreed."

They reached the house a few minutes later. Skulduggery got out first, and walked around to the other side. He opened the passenger door, and allowed Valkyrie to step out.

"Thanks," Valkyrie said shortly as she stepped out. She was tall and dark haired, mature for her age, with a strong build and a sharp wit. These days she spent most of her time hanging out with Skulduggery and Tanith, training in combat or just doing fun things. She let her reflection take over her normal life, except for the one day each week that Skulduggery forced her into school. Today was that day. Wednesday.

"My pleasure," said Skulduggery. He was a tall, thin figure, who wore a black suit tailored by Ghastly Bespoke. He was, to put it bluntly, a skeleton. A living one. He had a massive ego, and was constantly told this by Valkyrie. She was usually the one to suffer from it.

"There must be something wrong with you," Valkyrie remarked. "You're never this polite."

"Of course I am!" Skulduggery smiled. "I'm a gentleman. I'm always gracious."

"I've never seen you be gracious, or polite before. Whenever a bad guy shows up you don't ask their permission before booting them in the face or shooting them. You just go right ahead and do it."

"That's because they're-" he paused. "-bad guys." He finished lamely.

"Just because they're bad guys? You told me you were a man of equality!"

"Among friends," Skulduggery mumbled.

"Oh I see. Favouring friends, huh? Nice, Skulduggery. Do I count as one of your friends, or am I just the cocky young girl that helps you out?"

You're so much more. You just don't know it.

"Nah, you're my partner in crime. We're the top two. So you're my best friend," Skulduggery said while smiling. "You're too good to be just a friend."

Valkyrie smiled and slipping her arm through his.

"That's probably the first time you've admitted that I'm good. Thanks. You've really cheered me up."

She punched his arm playfully.

"But you're still just my friend. I can't return the favour."

"Oh, I see. That's very kind of you, Miss Cain." He poked her in the ribs. Valkyrie laughed, and smiled. Her cheeks had flushed red, and she was desperate not to show it.

"Well, I'll see you tomorrow, won't I?"

"Unfortunately for me," Skulduggery moaned, putting on his best distressed voice.

"Yeah, whatever. See you tomorrow," Valkyrie called, already walking up the stairs.

I should do something, Skulduggery thought quickly. I should do something right NOW.

"Oh, um, Skulduggery..."

He looked up to see Valkyrie walking back towards him. She was bright red now, and wasn't even trying to hide it anymore.

"I don't suppose you would be interested in... well... I thought that maybe... even though I don't really..."

"What?" Skulduggery asked gently, placing a hand on her shoulder.

"You wouldn't be interested in coming... to the school dance, would you?"

Skulduggery's heart skipped a beat. He frowned. He didn't know how that was possible. He didn't even have one.

"Oh, you're not... OK..."

He hurriedly looked up.

"Huh? I'd love to come," he said quickly. "I just frowned because..."

"Because..."

"I... would have to wear my disguise and everything! I would look really odd and stuff..."

"It wouldn't matter. I don't care what the jerks at school say. I don't even see them that much, anyway."

"So why do you want to go? If they're all jerks?"

"Because..." Valkyrie paused. Should I say something...? She wondered. No. She thought firmly. It's nothing he'd be interested in.

"Because?"

"Because I want to prove to the idiots that go there that I do have friends. Hopefully ones that can dance," she looked into his black eye sockets.

"You can dance, can't you?"

Crap.

"Well, I think so," Skulduggery said, already thinking about the fact that he couldn't. "I'm almost certain of it," he corrected himself, noticing Valkyrie's horrified expression.

"Well... you had better be certain soon. It's on next Friday," Valkyrie informed him.

"Okay, well, do you want to practise or something?"

"If... if you wouldn't mind..."

"Not at all." He smiled. He took a step closer to Valkyrie.

"Wha- Not now, Skulduggery!" Valkyrie said, laughing. "We're still outside!"

"Well, OK. I'll meet you at Gordon's tomorrow for a practise. Alright?"

"Yes."

"Good night, Valkyrie."

"Good night, Skulduggery."

For a moment, they looked at each other. Neither of them said anything, but something clicked in Skulduggery's head.

We're going to dance. In front of people. I can't dance. I need to learn, right now. Damn it. I wonder if Tanith is free...She probably knows how to dance...

He was just about to walk away when two small arms wrapped around his waist. Startled, he looked down to see Valkyrie hugging him tightly.

"Thank you." Was all she said as an explanation. Skulduggery smiled, and used one arm to hug her back.

"You're welcome."

The hug lasted a few seconds, and then both were too embarrassed to continue. They both walked away, Valkyrie into her house and Skulduggery into his car. Not another word was spoken between them that night.

You liked it, you say? Why, thank you! You thought it was a load of crap? Well, help me improve! Leave me a review!

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