I do admit this chapter could've been better, but *shrugs* it was speed-written. I think I did alright, considering.

Trollsey (Yes, you, LionsandTrolls): They will go out drinking, probably. I refuse to write a scene where Skulduggery is drunk and is talking about Stephanie to Dexter and how much she has impacted him... I lied, I'm considering it for some reason.. Am I going to let that go? Hmm... NEVERRRRRR! *shakes with laughter* If it makes you feel any better, I'm nearly done with all those stupid exam things, so I might write you Vilequesse erm.. smut? Later on. Just so you can laugh in my face, too. Ahhh... Brain! Why won't you cooperate and give me ideas for Vilequesse already?

Libertied Insanity: Thank you! :3 Huh? His face? Oh! His face! His face may or may not have some itchy red almost-parallel lines on them, and some skin may have ripped, but his beautiful face should be fine. Ahh... His imaginary face is so beautiful... I would never permanently harm it.. Like get Billy-Ray Sanguine to cut it with his razor or something... MehScrewIt! Don't you dare go there! His face should be fine... for now.

Squishy: Thank you! *beams proudly* I love fight scenes, though I have no idea what I write sometimes. And here is the next update.

Slight implied Valduggery.

Skulduggery was waiting for her when she came down the stairs.

Stephanie had to admit she felt beautiful. She was wearing a form fitting black dress that trailed the floor, its sequin decoration elaborate and captivating; the bottom half looked as if it were made from petticoat material, but of course it wasn't. It was one of Ghastly's creations and she loved it; it was a masterpiece. She had thanked him profusely. Her chest was no longer constricted by bandages and she felt she could breathe freely now. She liked the feeling.

"Your late," Skulduggery said, though she couldn't see him.

"I'm beautiful," she replied.

"You're always beautiful."

Her lips curled upwards. "I'm always late, too." Only when she reached the bottom of the stairs did she turn to face Skulduggery. She stopped dead in her tracks and just stared.

He was wearing that God infuriating grin again, accompanied by that God-damned twinkle in his eyes.

She scowled.

"Sorry, darling. Did I forget to tell you that you would swoon at my finery?" He gestured to himself, knowing full well the effect he was having on her. He looked like he was really trying to contain his laughter.

Cocky bastard.

"Shut up," muttered Stephanie. "You're not meant to be this handsome."

He was dressed in a plain three-button suit, a white collar dress shirt, a necktie and two-toned shoes. A felt hat with a purple ribbon across it finished off the look.

Skulduggery put his hand to his chest. "How you wound me! Just because I am a thief, I'm not allowed to dress fancy and look absolutely charming? That's just discrimination, that is."

Stephanie rolled her eyes, refusing to let Skulduggery's (not-quite-so-sudden) handsomeness get to her. "So where are we going?" she asked - well, more demanded.

"Places," Skulduggery stated.

"Where are these places?"

"In other bigger places." He made appropriate hand gestures.

"Skulduggery, I swear..."

"Hmm? You swear what?"

"I swear that I'll get the sharpest razor you've ever seen and shave off all that lovely hair on your head and I'll-"

"Hold on!" he said hastily. "Let's not go that far. I like my hair. We're going to the Theatre Royal."

"We are?"

"We are."

Stephanie looked blank. "And...?"

Skulduggery's grin stretched a little wider. "We're going to the opera."

She felt a smile of her own breaking out on her face. "I've always wanted to go to the opera."

"Wow. All your dreams are coming true, aren't they?"

"Wait!" she exclaimed. "Let me say goodbye to Ghastly!" She ran off in the direction of the back room. The heat radiating off Skulduggery's ego could even be felt from back there.

She spotted Ghastly immediately and threw her arms around him. "Thank you, so very much. For everything."

He hugged her tight enough that she thought he'd break a few ribs. "S'alright," he said. "Go and have fun tonight." He pushed her shoulders back and smiled at her, scars twisting around his cheeks. "You look beautiful."

"Thanks. I will," she replied, grinning at him. His smile wasn't exactly fatherly, it was more knowing. What was it that he knew that she didn't? Stephanie spared it a second's thought then pushed it out of her mind. She gave him her best smile and darted back out of the room.

Skulduggery was still standing where she had left him. His mouth still hadn't lost that damned smirk, and his eyes still hadn't lost that damned twinkle. He reached out and gently grasped her wrist in his fingers, planting a delicate kiss on the back of her hand. He looked up at her through his lashes. "Would the lady care to accompany me to the opera tonight?" he asked, his tone smoother than she had ever heard it before. Like pure un-crystallised honey, she thought.

"She would," Stephanie replied.

Just to give you guys an idea, after Stephanie says yes, Skulduggery straightens up and smiles, his face like pure sin. Mused brown hair everywhere, and, just for dramatic effect, the light from the backroom catches his face. His green eyes glint mischievously.

Don't you just love clichés?