Here's chapter three! Hope you enjoy. Still would like other chapter ideas? Cheers!

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Chapter 3 - Silence Speaks Louder Than Words

By this point, China had regained her sight and was hiding behind on of her many bookcases. She stole a glance to her left and to her utter shock, saw Billy-Ray Sanguine with two guns, pointed at Valkyrie and Skulduggery. Now she knew that since Valkyrie was Billy-Ray Sanguine's target, Skulduggery would try and be the hero, once again, and try and save her. China knew Skulduggery had feelings towards Valkyrie, and Skulduggery knew that China knew.

*FLASHBACK*
A few weeks earlier...

"What did you want to see me for China? I'm quite busy, you see Val-" Skulduggery was cut off.

"Ahh yes. Valkyrie. Tell me Skulduggery, why do you let her stick around? What is she to you? It's not like you owe Gordon anything, so why do you continue to...babysit her." China said in a not so kind way.

"This is what you wanted to see me for? To disregaurd what I'm doing with my life? That's low China. Even for you." Skulduggery shook his head in disgust.

"Be that as it may, you still haven't answered my question, what is Valkyrie Cain to you? And don't say a friend. " China narrowed her eyes at the skeleton.

A long pause between Skulduggery and China was made until China spoke again.

"I can see that you are not willing to answer my question, so I'll let myself decide what the anwser is." China stated slowly.

"Good-bye China, I could say that it has been a pleasure, but then I would be lying." Skulduggery added the last part with a smile before making a movement that obviously meant he was leaving.

But, China couldn't help but have the last laugh.

"Silence speaks louder than words Skulduggery." China said this as if she knew from expierience.

*FLASHFOWARD*

"What do you want this time Sanguine? And why does your return have anything to do with Valkyrie Cain?" Skulduggery questioned the Texan.

"Good question. That I don't know, but I do know that she's commin' with me. Ya see, I made a deal, and I always keep my bargins. And, would you look at the time? We really ought to be goin' now. " Sanguine spoke with a strong accent.

Seeing as Sanguine didn't have three arms, Skulduggery knew he would have to lower one of his guns in order to shackle Valkyrie to him, and that's when Skulduggery would strike. Putting the gun that was aimed at Valkyrie in his pocket, Sanguine withdrew a set of steel handcuffs. He reached to put one around Valkyrie's wrist, who was only just finding her sight returning. But something stopped Sanguine, he couldn't reach her.

"What the?" Sanguine spoke with confusion. He continued to try and reach Valkyrie but it was like an invisible wall was in the way. An invisible wall the Texan thought to himself.

"Very cleaver Miss. Sorrows. I almost forgot you were around here somewhere, so come out of hidin', so I can see your pretty little face." Sanguine smiled.

"Thanks for the compliment, but I won't be comming out." China's voice could be heard, but not she could not be seen.

Looking around at the situation, Sanguine realised he was fighting a loosing battle. He withdrew his weapons and drew his feet together and sunk into the ground, but not without saying-

"Ya'll best be watchin' your backs." As he was sinking into the floor, he blew a now fully awake Valkyrie a kiss.

Once he was gone, Skulduggery rushed over to Valkyrie.

"You ok?" Skulduggery helped her up as he was saying this.

"Uh, yeah, I think so. Just have a little headache. What happened?" Valkyrie groaned and rubbed her head as she steadied herself on one of China's large tables.

China, who just appeared from behind a bookcase, still looked impecable, not a scratch on her.

"They're gone. I've already checked." China stroled over to the duo and handed Valkyrie a hankerchief, her face had become a little dusty due to the disturbance.

"I wonder what they wanted, well, apart from Valkyrie ofcourse." Skulduggery said.

"Yes, that is very interesting that they are after you. Again." China glanced at Valkyrie who was clearing off the dust that was on her face.

"Why is it always me! God. Don't they have better things to do than come after me? What do I have that they want!" Valkyrie's outburst caught both China and Skulduggery off gaurd, and both didn't know how to respond.

The ringing of Skulduggery's phone made Valkyrie jump a bit, but China steadied her.

"It's Tanith." Skulduggery said a little surprised.

"Hello, Tanith?" Skulduggery put the phone on loudspeaker so the others could hear.

"Hey Skulduggery, yeah it's me. Listen, you haven't noticed anything strange happening as of lately, have you? Because I just heard that Dusk is out of jail, with the help of Billy-Ray Sanguine, so I thought I'd better check out you guys and to see if everythings all good." Tanith spoke with a thick English accent.

"Well that's funny because we just got attacked by Billy-Ray Sanguine." Skulddugery replied.

"I got attacked by Billy-Ray Sanguine, we didn't. I did." Valkyrie spoke into the phone.

"Ok. Valkyrie got attacked by Billy-Ray Sanguine. He was going to take her somewhere, until China helped us out and stopped him." Skulduggery said and gave a small nod to China.

"Really? China helped you? That's a first, what'd she get out of that I wonder." Tanith snickered to herself.

"It seems you haven't realised that the phone has been on loud speaker. I'm not surprised, most blonds usually are dumb." China was quite pleased with her comback and smiled to herself.

"Dumb ay? Well at least I'm not a manipulative little bi-" Tanith was cut off by Skulduggery.

"Ladies! Can we quit the bickering please? We are on the same team you know. And we are trying to figure out why Sanguine came after Valkyrie, again, not who's dumber than the other." Skulduggery spoke to both Tanith and China.

"Well, I am not dumb! Anyway, look I think I can be in Dublin in less than 4 hours, I think there's a flight that leaves in about half an hour. Do you think you could pick me up from Dublin airport Skulduggery?" Tanith asked ever so kindly, how could Skulduggery say no?

"I'm guessing you'll also want a place to stay?" Skulduggery knew where this was going...

"Please, please, please, please!" Tanith begged.

"Very well. What time did you say you'll be at Dublin airport?" Skulduggery quickly glanced at Valkyrie who had a very big smile on her face for a girl who had just been attacked by a hitman.

"Umm... Let me check, hold on." The phone went quiet for a moment and a light clicking noise could be heard.

"Ok so the flight leaves at 9:45pm and arrives at Dublin at.... damn we have to make a stop over in this place I can't pronounce..." Tanith trailed off.

"Typical." Was what China had to say about that.

"China... can we not do this right now?" Skulduggery asked her.

"Oh ok, so my flight arrives at 2:45am. That ok?" Tanith asked.

Skulduggery looked at the time at an old grandfather clock, it was 9:15pm.

"Yes, that is fine. We'll see you soon ok Tanith?" Skulduggery said.

"Yay! I can't wait to see you guys! Especially you Valkyrie! We have so much to catch up on. Ok bye guys." Tanith hung up her phone.

"As fun is this little gathering has been, I have things to do. So if you don't mind?" China was back to her old self again.

"Very well. Good night China. Valkyrie?" Skulduggy said and motioned towards the door.

"Yes. Ok. Right. Uhhh... bye China! Thanks for you know, saving me and all." Valkyrie flashed China a cheeky smile before following Skulduggery out the front entrance that was unbelievably messy.

"I'd hate to be cleaning this up." Valkyrie said as the reached the stairs.

"I agree." Skulduggery replied.

When both Valkyrie and Skulduggery got in the car, Valkyrie sighed in relief. She could finally rest for a few moments. Valkyrie then realised she was still wearing Skulduggery's blazer.

"Oh, hey do you want you blazer back?" Valkyrie asked.

"No, it's fine. You wear it for the moment. Oh and Valkyrie?" Skulduggery asked in unusually different tone of voice.

"Yeah?" Valkyrie turned to face him.

"Are you sure you're ok? You didn't get hurt, did you?" Skulduggery was being weirder than usual.

"Seriously, Skulduggery, I'm fine. You don't need to worry. I was trained by the best remember?" Valkyrie smiled.

"Thanks, that is very reassuring to know that you think I'm the best." Skulduggery, very pleased with himself then started the car and got on the road, when a few seconds later, Valkyrie finally clicked.

"Oh, wait. Did you think I meant you being the best? Whoops, sorry Skulduggery, I meant Tanith." Valkyrie poked her tounge at Skulduggery.

"Charming that is." Skulduggery spoke with sarcasm in his voice, but managed to spark a smile.

You know I'm only joking Skulduggery. You're the best Valkyrie thought to herself before falling into a deep sleep for exaustion.

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So, how was that chapter?
Reviews? PLEASE. =]

KND4