A/N: I don't own Valkyrie, but Sam and Cat are my babies. Thanks go out to Hellsgun ED for reviewing!
Calamity hummed to herself as she worked the barbecued pulled chicken with her tongs. She had smuggled in both mole paste and Jack Daniels barbecue sauce and had made good use of her free time hunting down a grill that Valkyrie didn't mind her using at the mansion. Valkyrie was away on a case with Skulduggery, so she had the place to herself. "Is she talking to you, honey?" A gentle voice asked and she turned to see Sam.
Calamity smiled to see her best friend and partner. "Maybe. How can you tell?"
"It's written all over your face." Calamity smiled again as Sam came over and helped her rise from her hunkered down position over the small grill. "They do make grills in larger sizes, you know." He said as he eyed the small but dependable bucket grill, trying his best to not stare at her unseen companion. Sam had second sight so he saw her ethereal companion quite clearly before she faded away.
He also strongly suspected she was still there, but didn't press Calamity on it as he saw to the spiced coffee Calamity had also prepared. She'd answer when she was good and ready and he admired her for being guarded. She had second sight like him, he suspected, and when word got out people tended to want to take advantage of a body.
Calamity accepted her coffee with a grateful smile. "Yes, she's been around a lot lately. You know she likes you. She's also about a ferocious as a bunny. I have no idea where she gets her reputation from." Her lips lifted into a smile on the last words and he shook his head. Of course La Santisima Muerte behaved for Calamity, she liked her. But she could also be tough and push Calamity to face things she'd rather not to, and Sam would as soon unbury his past as he'd take up residence in the North.
He knew the smile came from a recent lesson and he also felt it was time he said something. "Whatever she's after you for, I suggest you give it to her." Calamity's hand went to her shirt and she touched the pendant Sam knew she wore.
"She wants me to ask you something, then she says I'll be happy to do as she asks. Sam, how did you save me from the fire?"
Sam nodded. He'd always wondered when she'd ask. "I didn't. I was trapped under a flaming beam. We were both done for. Then she appeared. And I don't mean like we can see her with our second sight. She appeared. And she lifted you up from the flames and you were instantly healed. Then she pulled the timbers off me like they weighed nothing and carried us both outside, cradled in her arms. She put a finger to her teeth then she was gone."
"Black robe?" She asked and at his nod she slipped a small reaper ring out of her pocket and put it on. "She's tired of me hiding her. Sam, probably half the stuff I do is her helping."
"I know and there's no magical law against it." Sam looked at Calamity thoughtfully. "And now that you've got her out in the open, I suspect you're going to see a lot of good changes in your life."
"Life is such a strong word. Sam, I asked to see if you'd confirm what she said. Sam, I died in that fire and she brought me back. Sam..." She trailed off and touched her locket again and her skin flowed back and away and skeleton sat smiling calmly at Sam. "Surprise?" Calamity tried and Sam shook his head.
"I already knew. She'd hushed me, but I knew. It's why she gave you that pendant. I'm sorry you had to figure it out on your own and face it. I would've helped you, you know. You're still my partner and best friend. Even if you are a Yankee, Cat."
"Very funny."
"Besides, I've been waiting on the perfect time to tell you myself." Sam touched the bolo tie he wore and the two skeletons contemplated one another in amusement.
Yankee Cat is another name for Maine Coons and a play on Cat's last name.