"So now that we're here lets go over the plan." Skulduggery says looking at the cafe they soon had to enter. "Valkyrie is going to go in and meet him. Tanith and Dexter you should wait at least a few minutes before entering and to make it more believable you should act as a couple."

Tanith and Dexter both glare at him at that.

"Anyway," Valkyrie says taking over. "Skulduggery, Saracen and Fletcher will teleport to the back of the building and sneak in that way. Without being seen of course. She glares at Fletcher in the back seat before continuing. " Meanwhile I will be inside trying to keep him preoccupied and hoping I don't get taken back in Time. " In other words we're just going to follow the plan we made at the sanctuary. Because both mine and Skulduggery's were absolutely dreadful."

"Hey!" Skulduggery says. Valkyrie looks at him and he slowly looks away. She looks back at the others and smiles. Okay then Tanith, Dexter you go ahead and head over to the cafe and Fletcher and Saracen can you go teleport around back." Skulduggery says looking at Valkyrie. Tanith smiles at Valkyrie and then grabs Dexter's hand and drags him outside the Bentley. Fletcher is still giving Skulduggery a confused look when Saracen tells him to teleport to the back of the cafe. After everyone had left Valkyrie looks at Skulduggery who looks right back at her.

"I missed you while you were gone. I never had the chance to tell you before you left but I... But I really, really, really need to now so Valkyrie Cain. Through all these years of getting to know you and becoming your partner and best friend, Being able to watch you grow up into a beautiful young woman I was afraid to say anything unless you felt differently but I don't want to lose you again by someone else and so if I'm going to lose you it is going to be by my own hands. Valkyrie Cain, Stephanie Edgly, Gordon's niece, I do believe that I have fallen in love with you and no matter how graceful I am I can't get back up from it."

Valkyrie just stares at him, " And I understand if you don't feel the same way about me, I mean who would want to love a 400 year old skeleton that can't even give you what you want bu-"

Before he could finish his sentence she had jumped on his lap and had her mouth on his bleach white teeth with her arms wrapped tightly around his neck. He too wrapped his arms around her waist and started kissing her right back but before they could get anywhere they heard someone clear their throat in the back seat.

Skulduggery stood stock still and Valkyrie quickly jumped back in the passenger seat and off Skulduggery's lap. "Oh don't let me interrupt anything." Valkyrie freezes. She had thought it was Fletcher who had cleared his throat in the back because he was to curious to stay gone too long but it wasn't Fletcher. She had heard that voice before. But it was none of her friends. Skulduggery grabs her hand as they both turn around to find a young man sitting in the back seat. He wore a dark navy blue suit with a black tie. He didn't wear a hat but had his dark black hair slicked back. His crystal blue eyes seem to look right into Valkyrie soul and she didn't like him at all.

"You see." He says smiling at Valkyrie. " When I saw your two friends walk into the Cafe I decided to see if I could find you. It was easy enough when the only car on the street was a gleaming black Bentley. I decided that instead of making you come to me I would just come to you so here I am. I really didn't expect as spectacular show as I got though. Thank you for that."

"How did you know who I was i didn't give you my name.?" Valkyrie asks.

"Oh it's not that hard. When Tanith Low and Dexter Vex walk into a cafe you know there is something up and most likely their friends Skulduggery pleasant and Valkyrie Cain are going to appear soon too."

"Valkyrie you should probably get out of the car." Skulduggery says. She looks at him and then starts slowly to get out of the car but stops when John says something.

" I wouldn't do that if I were you or your skeleton friend will die. Or shall I say lover after that little show of affection?"

"What are you playing at here?" Valkyrie asks glaring back at him.

"Me? Nothing really but I have got to be going now. It was nice meeting you Mr. Pleasant. But Mrs. Cain and me must be leaving now." Valkyrie goes to jump out of the Bentley as John grabs her arm and Skulduggery tries to get John off of her. He elbows Skulduggery in the jaw making him let go and they start to disappear. "Be Brave Valkyrie. I Love you! Skulduggery yells as Valkyrie disappears again.

What seemed like ages later they appear in a cornfield. Valkyrie punches John before he can even let her go. "OW! What was that for?" he yells holding his broken nose.

" What was that for? What was that bloody for? It was for taking me away from Skulduggery. You jerk! That's what it's bloody well for and if you don't take me back right this minute your going to get a lot worse then a broken nose."

"I would but I can't" He says ducking as Valkyrie takes a swing aimed for his head. " I'm sorry but if I take you back then you won't have Skulduggery to go back too."

Valkyrie stops. " What do you mean he won't be there?"

"I mean that you play a very important part in his past and if you weren't here vital parts in his history wouldn't happen and he wouldn't be alive in your time."

"What vital things would change?"

"I'm afraid I can't tell you Valkyrie. You'll have to find out for yourself. I bought a horse for you to use. Its on the road only a half a mile away from here in that direction." He points to their right. " Follow the road and you'll reach a town, It's Dublin. You'll pass three roads on the way to Dublin on the third road you'll turn and you will find a small magic community. Ghastly Bespoke lives there. I imagine you know who he is. He'll find somewhere you can stay for awhile."

"And why are you helping me?" Valkyrie asks

"Because I didn't want to do this. I didn't want to bring you back but I had to because my friend wanted me too and I would do anything for her. I am truly sorry."

"And who is your friend may I ask?"

"You, my friend is you."