A/N: I don't own Skulduggery, Ghastly, or Valkyrie. Val is in her 20s here, story is from her POV. Another lesbian Valduggery for you.

I hadn't seen Skulduggery for weeks. The storm created by magical science we'd been in had changed him somehow, the direct blast of energy he'd gotten from a thundercloud not helping things, and he'd isolated himself from everyone. He's even refused to see a doctor. At last being his partner I was elected to try and see him. I went to his house, wondering if he'd installed more magical security for himself, but I found the front door ajar.

I drew my gun and kicked the door open, stepping quickly inside and against the wall to avoid being a target. But no shots rang out, no magical attacks came. I swept the bottom floor, no Skulduggery, no signs of struggle. I did a sweep of the upper floor as well. If he was here, he was in the basement. Just great. I went to the basement door, resisting the urge to knock and call out for him. There could be a killer down there for all I knew.

I took the night vision goggles from my jacket and put them on, turning them on before opening the door. I kept my gun drawn as I walked down the rickety steps keeping as close to the wall as possible. The basement was empty except for the huddled figure in one corner. Skulduggery. He looked up at my approach, his expression utterly miserable, and now I knew why he'd been hiding from everyone. My hunch had been right. "Hello, Valkyrie." His, well her, softer voice matched her more delicate features. Her skull was finer now, her bones more delicate. The frame under her suit must have been chaffing her, because she fingered it restlessly, wincing in pain. I knelt down, holstering my gun. "Skulduggery! We have to get that thing off of you."

"No, Valkyrie, keep your hands to yourself. Valkyrie!" Her voice was broken but she didn't resist as I undressed her. I was as gentle as possible taking the frame off, but it was clear it had hurt her. The too-big trousers of course now wouldn't stay up and she huddled up in a tight ball of humiliation.

I stroked her ribs, her spine gently, trying to soothe her, but she just balled up tighter. It broke my heart to see her in so much pain, so I dressed her once more, gently as possible, taking off my own belt and making sure to cinch it tight enough that she kept her dignity. I picked her up and carried her up the steps to her favourite meditation chair.

I took off the goggles, glad her home had always been dark. "You've seen what you wanted to see, you can go now." She whispered. I reached out and grasped her gloved hand in mine, bowing my head.

"I don't have any words to make this better for you, Skulduggery. I can't even begin to imagine what you are feeling, but I do know you don't know the first thing about being a woman, and I'm not leaving you until I'm sure I've taught you everything I know."

Skulduggery looked at me, shaking her head. "It's no use, Valkyrie. I just want to die, I'd rather die than be a woman."

"Say that again, Skulduggery, say that again." I growled.

"I didn't mean to offend you, I just- You should leave now, Valkyrie. There's nothing left for us. No partnership, no friendship, no anything else. You can keep your engagement ring, of course."

"Are you saying you don't love me anymore?" I blinked back tears.

She looked away, pain written on her exquisitely delicate skeletal features. "Of course not. But I am a woman now, even if it is hard to tell with a skeleton, I'm different now. I'm so confused and frightened, Valkyrie. I feel so different now, not like a man, but how a woman must feel. But no, I'll never stop loving you, not ever."

"Skulduggery? I thought I knew what happened during the storm and right after. You covered up your face, wouldn't speak, but I knew. The thing is, Skulduggery, to me there is nothing wrong."

"That's nice to know." She said faintly.

I fished into my jacket, taking our a small velvet box. She looked at the box, then me, then back at the box. "Valkyrie, what is that?"

I set it on the arm of her chair, rising as I did. "That? That was for you, if you'd-" I stopped, fighting back my tears. "If you would have consented to be my bride. But I know I can't force you into that kind of relationship, I understand, you know. I'll always love you, Skulduggery, that will never change. Keep the ring. I do wish you well in the future."

She didn't respond so I made my way to the front door, my heart breaking. What had I expected? For her to consent to my touch? She might love me, but she had made her feelings about being my wife perfectly clear. I walked to my car, getting in, staring dully at the steering wheel. I don't know how long I sat there, lost in my thoughts, but I do know I jumped when a gloved hand rapped on my window. I lowered it, looking out at her.

"Yes, Skulduggery?" She said nothing, but leaned in the window, kissing me softly. I reached up to bring her closer, and she leaned in further wrapping both arms around me, burying her head in my shoulder. I realized she was wearing her ring, it fit perfectly over her gloved finger.

I looked at her and she smiled shakily. She didn't need to ask for me to follow her back inside. She didn't need to say a word as I dissolved a healing stone in warm water, then bathed the areas where the frame had chaffed her bones. Skulduggery was allowing me to do these things, trusting me not to hurt her as a woman, and those were words enough. When her bones were healed she buttoned her shirt back up, looking at me shyly. "You weren't supposed to see me like that until our wedding night, Valkyrie." The was a blush in her voice that made me grin.

"Well, seeing as how there will be no paper or service, we can consider this our wedding night if you'd like." I said, half teasing. I'd assumed she'd put me off, but a delighted look crossed her beautiful features and Skulduggery pulled me on to her lap in an impressive show of strength. Her confidence and usual arrogance had returned in full force, because she smiled down at me smugly.

"You do realize that you're the lucky one, right, Valkyrie? Because I am far more beautiful than you'll ever be."

"You're serious, aren't you? Well I guess you're right. We'll have to get you something prettier to wear then, though the whole Ellen look does work for you."

She grinned down smugly, pressing her forehead into mine. "You know of course if I keep my look I'll want the perfect trophy wife. I'll have Ghastly make you some dresses to show off you cleavage." I laughed and she kissed me deeply. I returned the kiss, perfect happy to be in the arms of my skeleton bride.

Hope you liked it!