Someone suggested a Valkyrie/Reflection 'ship so...this is it. Set before lsodm.

Valkyrie woke up to someone tapping her shoulder and a whisper of, "Valkyrie, wake up, now!"

She opened her eyes and saw the reflection, wearing a silk top and shorts that were too small and pink for Valkyrie's liking.

"what's up?" she murmured.

"Your mirror smashed." the reflection hissed and Valkyrie sat up.

"what?"

"I was at Hannah's sleepover and then, I just came home and you were asleep and the mirror was broken." it said.

"Oh shit!" Valkyrie stared at her reflection. It was unnerving that it's look of panic was probably the same as her own. "Can you not-" how could she word this nicely? "Can't you go back in the mirror then?"

"No, probably not." The reflection sighed. "What shall we do? Call Skulduggery?"

"I-sure." Valkyrie said, wondering why she was about to protest against the phone call.

He'd probably tell her to be more careful, to be alert and that she was an idiot.

...

"What the hell have you done?" Skulduggery arrived and slid through the window.

"It was an accident." Valkyrie said weakly. She had changed into a pair of blue jeans and a green jumper.

"Where's your reflection?" He asked.

"Making tea." Valkyrie gently shut the bedroom door and turned to him.

"We can't trust It, Val."

"I know."

"Are you sure It didn't smash the mirror?"

"No. She told that she thought if the mirror smashed that it would kill her."

"People take extraordinary risks when they're desperate." Skulduggery said. Valkyrie didn't say anything but she agreed. Sealing her name? Risky.

"Hi, Skulduggery." The Reflection said and he smiled at her.

"Morning," he said warmly, "and what a disaster about the mirror."

"Oh gosh, I know!" The reflection replied in a suitably shocked voice.

"I've called Erskine and Dexter over to take it carefully to a magic repair place I know."

"Oh. That's great." The reflection frowned then smiled again.

Valkyrie watched this exchange, scowling. Her best friend. Her partner. Her reflection. Her copy.

It made her feel weird to think about them talking normally.

As Skulduggery's phone rang, Valkyrie looked at the reflection. It's hair was perfectly straightened and glossy, plenty of mascara and eyeliner and it had swapped the shorts and top for a black top that ended mid-thigh and white skinny jeans. A gold pair of flip-flops showed off her red toenails (matching her fingernails).

She looked pretty.

And way too independent.

Why would Valkyrie wear those impractical clothes?

Too much practicality and not enough fun. The reflection's (Valkyrie's) voice rang out in her head.

Valkyrie frowned.

...

Dexter was staring at the reflection while Erskine was checking out her legs. Valkyrie glared at them. It wasn't so much the fact that they were openly checking the reflection out. More the fact that the reflection was basically her.

Sure, they had seen Valkyrie makeup-free and when she had just woken up but still.

"So, what shall I call you?" Erskine asked It.

"Oh. Well, I'm not sure." It looked over at Valkyrie. "Should I choose a name? For simplicity's sake."

"A name?" Valkyrie raised an eyebrow.

"Yes. A name." Dexter said, innocently. They had no idea how horrific this was.

"Sure. Go ahead." Valkyrie faked a smile.

"Um, how about Lily?" the reflection asked.

"No." Erskine shook his head. "My ex was called Lily. Died from spider bite."

"Imogen?"

"My ex, Imogen, died from a spider bite too." Erskine said.

"I think Madame Mist is sending her spiders after them." Dexter laughed.

"How about...Wendy?"

Erskine shook his head.

Suddenly Valkyrie knew what It was angling for.

"Stephanie!" Dexter yelled. "Sorry, Val, but you're not really in use of that name any more."

"I suppose not."

"Hi, I'm Stephanie Edgely!" the reflection greeted Erskine and he grinned.

"G'day Miss Edgely, I'm Grand Babe Ravel."

"Are you of the Australian descent, Grand Babe?" Stephanie asked.

"Why, no I am not. Why do you ask?" Erskine played along.

"don't say g'day if you're not Australian." Stephanie said and Dexter exploded with laughter. Stephanie laughed along and she somehow managed to look even more attractive.

Did Valkyrie just think that?

She found herself blushing and was thankful when Skulduggery came back.

"The mirror's in the van. Thanks for the help." he grumbled then saw Valkyrie's face. "What's happened?"

"Stephanie, here, has told me off for saying G'day." Erskine said and took the opportunity to wrap his arm round her waist.

"Stephanie?" Skulduggery glared at him.

"She named herself. It seems silly calling her the reflection all the time." Dexter patted Stephanie's hair and she dodged him.

"Hey! My hair looks alright, don't mess it up."

"Sorry, Steph." Dexter pouted and Stephanie giggled.

Valkyrie shared a look with Skulduggery. A mixture of disgust and on Valkyrie's part, jealousy.

It wasn't Stephanie she was jealous of. It was Erskine, having his arm touching her, Dexter, making her laugh.

She liked Stephanie. The reflection. Like, liked liked her.

"Stephanie," Skulduggery didn't hide the tone of his voice, "please get in the car. We're going to my house until this mirror is fixed."

"Stephanie can-she can sit in the front, if she wants." Valkyrie stammered.

Skulduggery frowned but didn't say anything else.

...

What's happening with all this shit about the reflection? Ghastly

It's calling itself Stephanie and it has Dexter and Erskine under it's little finger. Skulduggery

Wrapped round it's little finger. Ghastly

Well Valkyrie's wrapped as well. skulduggery

She knows how dangerous it is! Ghastly

I know. Something's up and I'll find out what. Skulduggery

Just be careful, Skul. You can be a bit insulting and she's still a teenage girl. Ghastly

I'll be careful. I don't want to lose her. Skulduggery

Stephanie yawned and looked in the bathroom mirror. Her hair was curly from the plaits she had worn overnight and the pale blue summer maxi dress matched her nails. She ignored the throbbing pain from the blisters on her feet (new sandals) and wondered if Valkyrie was up yet. It had been two days since the Mirror Incident and Dexter had visited everyday, much to Stephanie's frustration. But, it did seem to make Valkyrie jealous and it was quite fun at times.

"Stephanie? Can you hurry up? I want a shower." Ghastly knocked on the door.

"Ghastly? What are you doing here?" Stephanie opened the door with a glowing smile. Ghastly and Skulduggery were the only people who hadn't been charmed by her. Yet. Fletcher had just started to warm to her and last night, they had shared a long laugh together.

It was an improvement.

"Just having a break." Ghastly said.

"Well, just yell if you need anything! Is Valkyrie up yet? I know Skulduggery's out on a case!" Stephanie walked down the stairs and she could feel his glare on her back.

...

"Morning, Stephanie." Valkyrie turned round as she heard someone enter the kitchen.

"Good mornin'." Stephanie greeted her.

Then stopped.

Valkyrie had her dark hair in a ponytail and she was wearing a tight navy blue business skirt and white vest top then her tanned legs were barely visible with the knee-length black boots.

"Woah. You look...nice."

"Thanks, Stephanie."

"You're welcome." Stephanie said nervously and looked at the coffee pot. "Is there any coffee left?"

"Have my cup." Valkyrie handed it her. A small print of red lipstick remained and Stephanie smiled at Valkyrie. "Stephanie?"

"Yes?"

Valkyrie took a deep breath. "I think I like you."

"Like me?"

"Like you." Valkyrie said.

"Oh. OH!"

"Well. Um."

"I think I like you too. I LIKE you." Stephanie grinned.

...

10 years later

"Mornin', darlin'." Sanguine popped up from behind Valkyrie and she shrieked.

"You scared me, you idiot! I might need medical attention!" Valkyrie glared at him but her features melted back into a soft smile.

"If you thinkin' of backin' out naw, I can certainly help you escape to, uhm, Texas, maybe." Sanguine sat down on the chair.

"I could send you to tell my guests that the wedding is off."

"Is the weddin' off, darlin'? I mean, it's creepy enough naw, with the same-sex weddin'. I mean, you split up for a whole year durin' the war and when you become Darquesse." Sanguine smiled sadly.

"Indeed, 'twas a strange year." Valkyrie sat next to him.

"Then you came back and you two reunited. You regrettin' that Bespoke an' Shudder ain't gonna be here for your weddin'?"

"I suppose. The guest count is pretty high so they'd have to squeeze somewhere anyway." Valkyrie tried to joke.

"Right. Well, Pleasant told me that the weddin' is startin' soon so you'd better get your fine ass out there." Sanguine smiled.

"He said fine ass?" Valkyrie smirked.

"Maybe I'm not exactly quotin' from the source. Come on, darlin', let's go get you married."

...

25 years later

"Mummy! Mam's makin' us pancakes!" a 7 year old girl jumped on Stephanie.

"Making! Not makin'." Stephanie groaned. "Has Uncle Billy been changing your speech again?"

"Nah, don't be a buckaroo, Mummy. Uncle Billy ain't be changin' my speech although he's certainly directin' Gilly's speech." Poppy giggled.

Valkyrie came waltzing in the room, holding a tray with pancakes and baby Gilly draped off one hip.

"Mam, those pancakes look scrumptious!" Poppy squealed.

"Scrumpy!" Gilly giggled.

"Come here, honey, gimme a kiss." Valkyrie set the tray down and kissed her wife.

That's for you, reviewer! Keep R&R ideas of who you want me to ship Valkyrie with!