i'm writing this and it's three in the morning.

what.

But i owe you guys an update, so here it is.

Sorry for the wait, I really am.

Oh and if you hadn't guesse, this is set after TDOTL, but the TDoTL never happened, if that makes sense.

"I love her. You can't tell me I don't." Shawn smiled.

His right arm was hanging loosely down his side, both his eyes were black, and his face was an array of cuts and bruises. His whole body was probably full of cuts and bruises as well. His breathing was slightly erratic. He was probably fighting to stay conscious. Skulduggery didn't care.

"Don't you dare, say you love her. You don't deserve anything after what you did." Skulduggery leaned over the table and hit Shawn.

The bastard would deserve anything he got, Skulduggery figured.

"After what I did? Don't you mean what Valkyrie did. She brought it on herself." Shawn said.

"You've done this with numerous girls haven't you? The only difference is that they're dead and Valkyrie's not. And if you think you'll ever lay a dammed finger on her again, you can think twice. That will never happen."

Shawn just smiled that sickly smile at Skulduggery before speaking up again, "Can I see my child? The one that, is of course, in Valkyrie."

Skulduggery exploded, "You what? You raped he-"

"Oh no, Skeleton, it was all completely willingly."

Skulduggery shook his head, "No. You did something. She would nev-"

"I'll ask again, can I see my unborn child?"

Skulduggery laughed darkly, "No."

He nodded to the cleaver and walked out.

Shawn turned to the cleaver, "We don't have long. We need to do it soon."

The cleaver took his helmet off, "Of course we do." Darquesse laughed.

Valkyrie opened her eyes slowly, her whole body ached. And her head pounded. She went to sit up but felt strong arms pushing her back down.

"I'm fine," She croaked, "Honestly I'm absolutely fin-" She broke down into a coughing fit, and tasted blood.

Doctor Synecdoche seemed to sense what was happening next and pulled Valkyrie up and held a bowl under her mouth.

Valkyrie threw up several times then turned to look at the Doctor.

"I don't feel too good." Valkyrie murmered.

"No," Doctor Synecdoche said, "You wouldn't."

Valkyrie looked at her, then burst into tears. Doctor Synecdoche looked stricken for a moment before the doors opened and Clarabelle walked in.

She took one look at Valkyrie and hurried over.

"I have a good idea on what's wrong." She said pulling Valkyrie into a hug, "And I think it's OK for you to cry. So I'm just gonna sit here and hug you. It helps, I'd know."

Valkyrie sniffed,"I'm sorry." She murmered.

Clarabelle looked at her, "I don't know why you are. You shouldn't be sorry."

"I should," Valkyrie said, "Because I'm just wasting your time, and being stupid. Like I normally am."

"The only person or animal that can waste my time is my goldfish. He's a bit stupid. You're not."

"I am." Valkyrie said betweem heaves, "But Thanks."

Clarabelle shrugged, "I just tell the truth. Would you like me to do this little piggy?"