A/N: I don't own Valkyrie, Tipstaff, or Skulduggery.


I found Tipstaff in his office, cleaning a small-caliber gun. "Ah, Detective Cain. All went well with Elder Bespoke, I hope?" He asked, his voice warm and friendly. I nodded, then spoke, trying to ignore the easy familiarity he had with guns.

"It's all right for you to call me Valkyrie, you know." I said, in an attempt to be friendly and Tipstaff looked at me, his penetrating blue eyes dancing with amusement.

"Penny's dropped, has it? Very well, Valkyrie. On one condition. You treat me with civility and respect, but never with fear. I'm not a threat to you, regardless of what anyone may have told you about my past."

"Agreed, Detective Tipstaff." I said and he looked at me, surprised.

"Tipstaff is fine, young lady. I shall extend you any courtesy you extend to me. Shall we be off to the range then? I think this caliber will suffice. We'll test you out on the range. Though I will tell you now that you can kill someone with a .22, that isn't in our job description." I nodded my silent agreement and soon we were at the range.

Tipstaff corrected my grip and stance, then had me fire for him. I did well, but Tipstaff did a lot better, hitting precisely the areas he talked about as he shot. "I know when a suspect is coming towards you it is tempting to aim for the head," a shot took out the left eye area of the target, "or the heart," another lethal shot, "but I stress that isn't our job." Several bullets hit areas such as the arm, leg or shoulder.

Tipstaff then had me fire, and I could smell his cologne and feel the brush of his silk scarf as he leaned in to correct my stance. He stood behind me, his leather gloved hands resting lightly on my shoulders as he walked me through each shot, and I found myself enjoying myself. He was a lot like Skulduggery. Not as much fun, but friendly enough in a more cerebral way.

We returned to the car and he studied me. "I've never had a partner before, Valkyrie. Unlike Detective Pleasant I've never felt the need for a companion on my cases. That said, I think our first arrest and your more than acceptable level of marksmanship have earned us a respite. To lunch then?" He asked and I nodded.

I knew he was being friendly in a back-handed sort of way. I had the distinct feeling he didn't like me much, but I knew his politeness would make up for it. Tipstaff seemed to read my mind again. "I don't have to like you to be civil and friendly, Valkyrie. I am a gentleman of the first order and it would be beneath me to treat you shabbily, no matter how richly you deserve it."

"That was the most polite dressing down I've ever gotten, Tipstaff. Thank you?" I said, confused, and he chuckled.

"Think nothing of it. I doubt I'll ever like you, Valkyrie, but then you feel the same way towards me. Knowing, however, that whoever paired us wants us both to fail is a great motivator, don't you think?"

I looked at him and smiled. "Yes. Yes it is, Tipstaff." And it was.


Aww, it's hate at first sight.