Valkyrie spent the night at her parent's house and, to her surprise; they kept her room just as she had left it, minus the wardrobe with the full length mirror. She was both sad and glad it was gone. Sad, because that's where Stephanie was formed, and evolved, but she was glad that the memory was put away. She didn't want to think about Stephanie too much, not after how great her reunion with her family was.

Valkyrie took out a pair of shorts and a t-shirt for bed, but she didn't fully unpack. Though her parents supported her return and welcomed her into their home, it was her home. Not anymore. She explained to her parents how she planned to move into Gordon's house, and though they were a bit disappointed they understood. Though Valkyrie still looked 19, she was an adult, and perfectly capable of looking after herself, more than they could, they had to admit.

Sighing with relief Valkyrie sank into her bed, covered herself in the blanket and when her head hit the pillow she was immediately greeted by the best sleep she had had for years.

The mobile phone on Valkyrie's bedside cabinet buzzed and rang, waking Valkyrie. She stretched, yawned, looked at name of the caller screen and smiled.

"Good morning." Valkyrie answered.

"Good morning," She heard Skulduggery reply on the other side. "I trust yesterday went well?"

"It went brilliantly," Valkyrie hesitated for a while, but then continued. "Where are you?"

She heard a tap on her window and she turned.

She should have guessed.

Valkyrie opened her window to let Skulduggery inside and he climbed in. His façade was on but as soon as she closed the window again the flesh rippled away and revealed his skull.

"You could've used the front door. My parents wouldn't have minded it."

Valkyrie went to making her bed as Skulduggery knelt against her desk. Today he was wearing a navy suit and a matching hat, but she noticed her skull cufflinks at his wrists and smiled. He was so sentimental, though he would never admit it.

"Old habits die hard." He answered and he straightened as he noticed her still packed bags. "Not staying long?"

Valkyrie could have sworn she heard a bit of disappointment in his voice and threw a cushion towards his direction. "I'm not leaving you again, if that's what you're thinking?"

"It's a pity." Skulduggery sighed.

Valkyrie placed the cushion back on her made bed and turned to Skulduggery fully, he was still a head taller than her but she didn't mind. Habit, she guessed.

"If you really need to know, I'm officially moving into Gordon's house. Though it will always be Gordon's to me, it is under my name, and with me suddenly showing up into Alice's life it might be a bit much for her, and for me, to be living here right now. "

Skulduggery nodded his head, it was the most obvious thing in the world for Valkyrie to be at Gordon's house now that she was older, and her parents now knew the truth and she know felt that she earned it. But it would still be hard to enter it and take over it, now that Gordon's echo stone was empty and silent.

"So, did you see China?" Valkyrie indicated for Skulduggery to turn around.

He understood, turned around towards the door and picked up his hat and covered his eyes with it.

While Valkyrie began dressing , Skulduggery spoke.

"I did and she contacted the Sanctuary in America about those two sorcerers who tracked you. Apparently they were oblivious about these two men but said they'll investigate that house you described. But I'm afraid that's it."

"And what did she think about me coming back?" Valkyrie slipped into her jeans.

She could hear Skulduggery humming behind her, "Sorry?"

"Did she ask about me?" Valkyrie muffled as she pulled a fresh t-shirt over her head.

"Oh, well, she's throwing a big party if that's what you're asking."

Valkyrie was in the middle of sliding her arms through a jacket and paused. "What?" She shrugged into it. "That is so cool!"

"You know what China Sorrows is like."

"I can see it now, 'A Hero's Return' Ball." Valkyrie teased.

She could just feel Skulduggery metaphorically eye rolling behind her.

Valkyrie started brushing her hair and suddenly missed the mirror. Now fully dressed she tapped Skulduggery on the shoulder and he observed her.

"How's my hair?" Valkyrie asked.

"It's lovely. As black and long as any black and long thing." Skulduggery struggled. "Reminds me of that horse, what was his name? Oh!" Skulduggery clicked his fingers, producing a small flame in the process. "'Black Beauty!'"

Valkyrie stared at him. "Skulduggery, are you comparing my hair to a horse's?"

"Yes, and I stand by that decision despite that very angry look you're given me now."

"I think you should stop."

"Yes." He agreed.

Valkyrie looked down at her clothes and sighed, "I really miss my black clothes."

Skulduggery tapped his collarbones and an attractive face appeared over his skull, though it was the same high cheek bones and face structure each time. The detective opened the window ad climbed out, now that Valkyrie was ready.

"We'll sort something out. I do have standards you know." And with that Skulduggery drifted down gently into her back garden. Valkyrie closed her window, not without looking at Skulduggery approaching the Bentley first.

Valkyrie skipped down the stairs, humming a country song she heard while living in Colorado and entered the kitchen where her parents were busy making breakfast with Alice at the table, nibbling at a piece of toast while looking at a comic book about dinosaurs. So, Valkyrie thought, she has a thing about Dinosaurs? She then concluded that her little sister was awesome, naturally.

She stole a piece of toast her father has just buttered and he feigned a hurt expression. Her mother poured juice for Alice and noticed Valkyrie. "Morning, Stephanie. Help yourself to some coffee too."

Melissa then handed her a mug of coffee and kissed Valkyrie on the cheek. Though it acted as any other morning, this was more than normal, it was a sign of love and of welcome, and Valkyrie was blessed.

"Hey, that was my coffee." Valkyrie's Dad moaned as he noticed Valkyrie was sipping from his mug. The mug had a logo of Thin Lizzy across it.

Valkyrie's mum sighed, "Yours is on top of the microwave, where you left it, Des."

Desmond, who was wearing shirt and tie, with a pink flowery apron over minus trousers, turned to his wife and daughters pointing a spatula at them.

"I'm on to you, girls. Your mission to distract me from my morning beverage will fail and I will conquer and rule this kitchen for all of time and then you'll be sorry."

Valkyrie watched Alice chuckling at her father's strange performance.

"Oh Alice, at least someone in this family admires me." Desmond sat by Alice and looked through her comic with her explaining the pictures and Valkyrie watched.

After a while she realised Skulduggery had been waiting for her for fifteen minutes and Valkyrie hopped out of her chair and kissed Alice on top of the head as she began to leave.

"Off out?" Her mum asked.

"Just out to save the world and all that. You know me. I like to start early." Valkyrie winked and said goodbye to her parents, who shrugged and went back to their morning duties.

Skulduggery was waiting for her outside, he was kneeling against his Bentley, his attractive Façade still attached and Valkyrie knew he was trying to look mysterious and cool.

"How's your family?" Skulduggery asked her as she arrived by the car. He must've noticed the expression on her face.

"Perfect. Well, a little kooky and weird, but perfect all the same."

Skulduggery nodded and was silent for a time, he stared off down the street. His mind lost at thought.

"You did the right thing." Valkyrie interrupted his thoughts. "With Alice, I mean. I don't know what you told her but she seems to really like me."

Skulduggery looked back at her and, with no one in sight, he tapped at his tie knot his façade disappeared. It was easier talking to him like this.

He tilted his head at her.

"I only told her the truth."

Valkyrie stepped towards him closely. "Thank you." After a pause, Valkyrie continued. "Back in Colorado, I forgot something."

"Oh?" Skulduggery wondered.

"This."

Valkyrie wrapped her arms around Skulduggery's waist into a hug and she felt him return it, she placed her head on his chest for a moment.

God, she had missed him.

It felt forever but after a few moments Skulduggery coughed and parted and made his way around the driver's seat, with Valkyrie ready by the passenger's side.

"Ready?" He asked.

"Ready." Valkyrie realised.