Hello and good morning, afternoon or night (whichever it is for you) This is the longest story I have ever written, over two thousand words! I know other people have done over two thousand before but I haven't and I'm proud :)

I just realised my big brother shares the same birthday as Skulduggery :) (31st December) Their egos are very much the same unfortunately so I have to put up with the same crap Valkyrie does! Just thought I'd share this little fact with you though you probably don't care.

Onyx Shadows you are in this story for a little bit but you should be included not in the next chapter but the one after and become a regular character from then on :)

Anyway, on with the story:

"So the Caelan case is done with." Skulduggery sat next to Valkyrie and she yawned. They decided to go back to Skulduggery's.

"I'm unusually tired." Valkyrie said as she looked at the time. It was only 7pm.

"Well I think being thrown from a building will do that to people."

"I've been thrown from a building before Skulduggery. It's nothing compared to almost being ripped to shreds by a total bitch." Skulduggery's fists clenched as Valkyrie's words took him back through the sight of her in the hospital bed. "Sorry." She murmured and gently grabbed his hands and unfolded them. His heart probably would have burst through his ribcage if that were possible.

Tanith and Ghastly walked in holding hands so Valkyrie quickly let go of Skulduggery's. Skulduggery sighed in disappointment. Valkyrie heard it but thought nothing of it.

"Leave you two alone for fifteen minutes and you are suddenly a happy couple meanwhile I'm just falling off a building." Valkyrie joked.

"Well Skulduggery saved you." Tanith said with a wink. Valkyrie managed a quick glare before she replied.

"Skulduggery saves me all the time." She replied softly as she slid down in her seat and rested her head against his arm. Skulduggery just looked anywhere but her face. He couldn't bear to think what might happen if he got lost in those eyes. Her eyes.

Skulduggery's phone vibrated in his pocket an the ringtone followed soon after. He stood and took the phone call in the kitchen.

He returned quietly and Valkyrie was the only one that seemed to notice. Ghastly and Tanith were too busy exchanging little lovey compliments to each other to even notice if a plane had crashed into the house. "Who was that?" Valkyrie asked softly.

"China." Skulduggery replied, his voice monotonous.

"What did she want?"

"She said she's found a way to 'make it up to me'." Valkyrie felt a pang in her heart. How could China think there was anything in this world that could 'make up' for killing someone's whole world?

"Okay. Are you alright?" Valkyrie asked as she hooked her arm through his and rested her head on his shoulder.

"Yeah, I told her there was no way she could make up for killing my family but I agreed to see her." Skulduggery replied. His voice took on a new tone but Valkyrie couldn't quite understand. She, on the other hand, felt a new emotion herself. She suddenly realised it was jealousy. She was jealous that Skulduggery was going to see China. She felt ashamed of herself, Skulduggery could see who he wanted. He could love who he wanted and Valkyrie couldn't stop that. Memories of China and Skulduggery dancing at the Requiem Ball flooded her mind. How they seemed to move like meant for each other, how close they were, how they looked at each other like... she blinked and snapped out of it. She shouldn't be thinking of this. It would only lead to something bad and something she would regret.

"Valkyrie are you okay?" Skulduggery waved a hand in front of her wide eyes. She blinked again and looked at him absent-mindedly.

"Uh, what?"

"What's wrong?" Full concern dripped from his voice.

"Nothing I was just... day dreaming. So, uh when are you going to China's?" She asked.

"Tomorrow. She's redone her library since it got burned down... well you know when. You're coming too though." He added.

"Why do you want me to come?" Valkyrie asked.

"I think I've come to realise that I can't go anywhere without you." Skulduggery's voice was intense it even made Tanith and Ghastly pause to look at them. Tanith grinned like a madwoman and stared at the scene like it was movie. She looked back and forth between Skulduggery and Valkyrie to see both of their expressions... well Valkyrie's expressions and Skulduggery's movements.

"But... why?" Valkyrie felt stupid and needy asking all these questions. She felt even more stupid because she thought for a moment that Skulduggery felt the same way she did about him.

"You're twenty-one years old now. We've been together for nine years, you've been in my life for so long I can't exist without you anymore." Tanith nodded towards Valkyrie but was disappointed when all Valkyrie said was a small 'oh'.

She frowned and talked to Ghastly again. Valkyrie and Skulduggery were quiet for a long time.

September 30th, 6:08am:

Valkyrie and Skulduggery started walking up the stairs of the apartment building.

"So what do you think she has for you?" Valkyrie asked. Skulduggery shrugged and looked at her.

"I don't know but it better be something good. It's the first time I've seen her since I found out and if it's something bad, well she can pay for the petrol I used to get here." Valkyrie laughed at his unintentional humour.

There was no one to open the door at the library. Valkyrie was sure China would have hired someone else.

When they walked in, everything definitely was different. The walls were painted a light blue and the carpet was white. It made everything look more spacious and the atmosphere relaxing. It felt very relaxing actually, Valkyrie felt her whole body go calm.

"Ah, China's put some symbols around. She's really changed the place hasn't she? The symbols, as you can probably already feel, make everyone feel relaxed. I suppose it's a good idea for a library." Skulduggery didn't seem affected by the symbols, maybe it was because he was a skeleton though Valkyrie couldn't think of any other way he would know there is symbols around.

The bookcases were a light brown coloured wood. China's desk matched the same colour but it was situated in the same place it was before. Every single chair that was there before the fire were back where they were before except they were chocolate brown in colour.

Skulduggery approached the desk where China resided. Valkyrie looked at China with shock. She wore no make up and her hair was tied back in a ponytail with the loose strands hanging around her face. She wore a white blouse that was tucked into her high-waisted, grey skirt. The belt she wore just under her bust was black. The skirt was tight around her frame and pinstriped like she was ready for a business meeting. Her style hadn't changed but the lack of makeup and the fact that her hair was up was definitely unusual. China still looked beautiful without makeup. Valkyrie always thought all women shouldn't think makeup makes them look better because in most cases it doesn't, even though she wore a little eye make up herself.

China smiled up at them both and Valkyrie saw the genuine happiness on her face. Valkyrie suddenly felt sad. She realised how close her and China had gotten before the secrets were out. That day she had actually lost a friend and she didn't feel the pain until now. She decided she would go and sit or look at some books. She wasn't needed for the conversation about to take place, it was Skulduggery's business.

Valkyrie decided to sit in the same chair she sat in when Tanith first spoke to her. That day brought back such good and bad memories. There were very few people in the library today. Valkyrie didn't know any of them and she thought nothing of them until someone walked past her.

The girl was about 5'11'' and looked to be in her early twenties. She had dark brown hair, much like Valkyrie's except the girl's hair had light blonde highlights. Her eyes were dark blue but they seemed so bright against the clothes she wore. She had black, leather leggings on with a tight, black v-neck shirt on. It showed her slim but toned stomach. Her boots were black and stopped just under her knees. They were held in place by the laces running up the front. To complete the outfit, she wore a black, leather jacket that was zipped up halfway and the collar was down.

She'd never seen this person before but she was interested in her. She didn't look... evil or anything but more like someone who should be a part of Valkyrie's life. Valkyrie could see herself, this woman and Tanith hanging out and fighting alongside each other.

Valkyrie returned her attention to Skulduggery and China. Skulduggery was nodding and China was pointing to something in a book like she was explaining something. Surely she wasn't giving him a book.

"Hi!" Valkyrie looked up and the girl from before was looking down at her with a friendly face.

"Oh, hi." Valkyrie replied.

"I'm Onyx Shadows." She held out a hand for Valkyrie to shake and Valkyrie did exactly that.

"Valkyrie Cain." She replied with a nod. Valkyrie stood so she could be eye level with Onyx. Well, Valkyrie was about half a head length taller but it was better than before.

"Oh don't worry, I know who you are." Onyx said happily. "I've heard about all the adventures you and Skulduggery Pleasant have been on. They are amazing I practically look up to you and it seems I mean that in a literal sense." Onyx noted the slight height difference between them and Valkyrie laughed. "I would ask for an autograph or something but I'd be risking looking like a fool so I won't." Onyx grinned and Valkyrie just had to smile back. She was so friendly yet mysterious at the same time. Valkyrie felt so comfortable around this woman she knew nothing about except her name.

Valkyrie sat back down and motioned to the seat for Onyx to sit down. "Would you like to join me?" Valkyrie asked. Onyx sat in the chair opposite the one Valkyrie was in and smiled gently.

Valkyrie learned a bit about Onyx in the hour they spent getting to know each other. After talking for so long Valkyrie picked up on her accent which told her Onyx is from Canada. So that explains why Valkyrie hadn't seen her around. She was told Onyx bought an apartment just inside of the Haggard. She found out that Onyx was twenty years old which also meant she had not long ago found out about her magic power otherwise her slow aging process would have kicked in long ago. She was an adept who could control other people's bodies even while she still herself. It wasn't exactly possessing because she was still herself. She could simply control their actions to do whatever she wanted them to do. Valkyrie found it interesting that Onyx's clothes were made by the same material as her own so Ghastly must at least know of her.

Valkyrie didn't get time to ask her about any histories because she had to get back to Skulduggery. The girls, however, did exchange numbers and Valkyrie promised to plan a time for herself, Onyx and Tanith to meet up for a chat. Onyx happily accepted and went back to searching the bookcases.

Valkyrie walked over to China's desk and stopped beside Skulduggery's chair. She sat in the one next to his but not before sneakily sliding it closer to him.

"Skulduggery do you mind if I chat with Valkyrie for a moment?" China asked. Skulduggery stood without any response and walked away. Valkyrie watched him leave as he went to go and stand next to the exit door and lean against the wall. Valkyrie reluctantly returned her gaze to China's waiting eyes. Valkyrie was confused as she saw pain also in China's eyes.

"Valkyrie, oh how long it is been since I've seen you." China smiled gently as she spoke.

Valkyrie didn't know how to reply so she just said, "you to."

"Valkyrie I lost two of the closest friends I've ever had in my life. I know deserve that and even more but I just wanted to let you know that I'm literally in pain. I don't want sympathy or your care but I just want you to know I realise this is what I deserve. I had a chat to Skulduggery about this too, he has agreed not to forgive me, which I fully understand, but to step over it and get on with life with me included in it and I hope you can do the same. I'll just leave you with that and give you time to think about it because you two will be back in two days. I'm sure Skulduggery will want to tell you himself." She finished with a grin in Skulduggery's direction but his head didn't tilt so either he didn't see or he didn't care to respond.

"Okay, well I'll see you in two days then." Valkyrie replied and stood.

She walked over to where Skulduggery was and he pushed himself off the wall and opened the door. He held it open for Valkyrie to pass through first and he followed.

Valkyrie waited until they were in the Bentley to say anything. "So... what was her way of making it up to you?" Valkyrie asked.

"Well... uh..." It wasn't like Skulduggery to be nervous. "she said she found a way to... turn me back to my human self again." He said slowly. He stared straight ahead until the silence started to gnaw at his curiousity.

Valkyrie just stared at him, wide-eyed and speechless.

Arggghhhhh! One of these stories will end properly and the way I want it! I will update soon ;)