A/N: I don't own Valkyrie, Billy-Ray, Skulduggery or China.

I must have fallen asleep because the next thing I knew I was aware of my head being cradled in a bony lap while skeletal hands stroked my head tenderly and Santa Muerte sang to me. I looked up, slightly startled to see her and she grinned. "Ah, you are up, mija? Bueno! I have come to see you and bless your babies."

Wait, babies, as in more than one?" I asked and she nodded, grinning happily.

"One was hidden. It happens sometimes. I love babies, you know. You will teach them about me?" She asked so hopefully that I smiled and nodded. "Good. I will be good to them as well. But I came for another reason. Your friend is innocent he was trapped in a powerful illusion he killed a- You call them reflections, yes? The real woman is hidden and if she comes near you I will see to her. She is mine." She said with a growl and her scythe appeared.

She seemed to be struggling to collect herself. "You're Azteca, aren't you?" I asked, remembering that many people feared any spirit even remotely Aztec, and she nodded.

"You fear me now?" She asked as her robes sifted and melted away and she was dressed as a powerful warrioress, her scythe being replaced by a sword. There was resignation in her voice, as if she was used to being sent away.

"I think I'd fear you more because you're Death." I teased gently and she turned to grin at me.

"Mmm. You are one of the few of my gringa children brave enough to say that to my face. Si, I am Death. But I like to think I'm a lot more than that, mija, don't you?" I nodded then hugged her, breathing in the rich scent of flowers from her, then she was gone and I realized I'd been awake the whole time. Was she that powerful?

I got up to make coffee knowing it would be best to wait to tell the men. Making them nervous during a potentially dangerous situation with the horse wouldn't do them any good. I wished I was out there, but they were right. A startled horse or even a friendly one could kick or bump me in the wrong place and I'd loose the babies. My hand went to my belly. Twins.

I knew that Billy-Ray was excited, we both were. But I also knew he was terrified he'd passed on being eyeless to them, and with us both being magical it was a strong possibility. I just prayed I didn't have a little Darquesse and smiled at the thought. I'd seen pictures online of statues with Santa Muerte holding a baby and wondered in they would be a good idea, but distinctive footsteps sounded behind me and Billy-Ray's strong arms wrapped around me, banishing all thought.

"Hey, good-lookin'." He purred. "Why don't I rustle up some leftovers and you can serve up coffee, mmm?" He nuzzled into me, drawing a giggle.

"All right." I agreed, brewing us two strong cups. "Done with the horse already?"

"Yup, and got a little surprise. You know how we rescued that mare from slaughter?" I nodded. "Well she came out of the trailer all easy-like, then she went right into the stable. Any fool could see she was heavy with a little one. Well, she went ahead and had them right there, twins. Come see, then I'll make us that bite to eat." I sighed happily and followed him out to the stable.

The mare looked at me, her warm, intelligent eyes melting my heart and she pressed her beautiful foals froward gently, whickering to them softly. It was deemed safe for me to go in and I knelt down to rub each baby on the nose gently, accepting loving nuzzles from the mare as well. "We got a filly and a colt, a boy and girl." Skulduggery murmured softly as he joined us. A vet is on the way to make sure she and the little ones are healthy and we'll get her the proper medications, anything she needs. Isn't that right, Tara?" He asked, stroking her mane gently and she whinnied happily.

"You get to name the young'uns, little darlin'." Billy-Ray said as I went back out of her stall, closing the door gently.

"Then I have a lot of naming to do, Billy-Ray. We're having twins ourselves." I said and he grinned, taking me into his arms.

"No jokin'?"

"No, and more good news, kind of. Skulduggery killed a reflection."

"Oh, he did, did he?" Skulduggery asked, joining us. "Then I might as well tell you what she did to me. China felt that I was in love with you, something I find utterly repulsive since you're more like a daughter to me." He said smiling softly. "Well, she tried to press things and when I told her how I felt the illusion dropped. She said you were already dead, and well-"

"When did this happen?" I asked uneasily and the time coincided with the landslide. I shivered. So China had set me up, just to get Skulduggery for herself, and I felt more pity than anything. Billy-Ray growled low in his throat and I turned to him, startled.

"She ain't touchin' you, little darlin'." He growled and I held him.

"Hush. I only know about the twins and the illusion because Santa Muerte was here. She said China is hers, so we are not to interfere, you know that. What I can't understand is why she would let Skulduggery go to jail."

"Because she knows if she touches you, I'll kill her." Skulduggery murmured softly, then led the way back to the house before returning to the stable to await the vet. And his words made me wonder how easy it would be for him to keep his word and live a peaceful life from now on.

So, twins on the way and Skulduggery reveals what happened with China. He's also revealed his feelings for Valkyrie, about time. too. As always, let me know if you want more.