Currently trying to find an excuse to include Finbar. As I've said before, I'm very random in the way I update things, sorry. Also, why am I liking the idea of Tanith and Johnny being a couple? Maybe they were once in this AU. I think I'll have to write that later...

Johnny had met Tanith Low years ago at a state fair before he'd got famous for his stunts. She was doing some detective work for an organisation he'd never heard of. The Sanctuary or something.

He hadn't seen her since that last show, the one with the helicopter. He'd seen her in the audience, that cheeky grin shining out through the crowd, even with all those new thoughts he'd had of Roxanne at the time.

Tanith still didn't look a day older than the day they'd met about 20 years ago. God knows he did. Johnny stared at her. Not one thing had changed from her curly blonde hair to her brown leather jacket.

Tanith grinned again, she hadn't stopped since he'd opened the door.

"You're looking good" he said quietly.

"You're... Not, really." she said and laughed.

He couldn't help but smile back.

"I've got to get back to work but maybe tomorrow we could get coffee or something?"

"Alright"

Valkyrie opened her eyes quickly. She thought she'd heard someone in her room.

She clicked her fingers, summoning a flame big enough to light up the room. It was 6:30.

No-one there.

She stood up and padded to the window. She felt sure she'd closed it but now it was wide open. She reached out and closed it. It must have been the wind she'd heard.

Valkyrie started turn again when she felt a hand on her shoulder. She nearly screamed but turned quickly, ready to fight or set fire to whoever it was.

She was even more shocked to see Skulduggery Pleasant stood behind her. His suit was ripped and slightly singed and he held one arm like he was in pain. He still wore the crushed hat.

"Good morning" he said with his usual sarcastic brightness.

"Why are you here?"

"Charming that is"

"I mean, you were in the holding cells in the Sanctuary. How are you here?"

"I broke out. Which," he said, taking off his jacket and examining the damage in the light. "is actually easier than you might think"

"Really?"

"God no, Valkyrie. There were Cleavers chasing me."

"So why did you come here?"

"They'd expect me to go home. Actually they probably expect me here as well so it may be a fairly good idea to leave now"

She glared at him but still changed into the clothes Ghastly had made when Skulduggery had jumped out of the window again. She ran downstairs, quickly scrawled a note to her parents about going out then went out of the front door.

And stared at the car.

"That isn't the Bentley."

"No. They've impounded the Bentley. This is a Fiat 500. It's a good car. It goes quite fast and it's very efficient"

"But it isn't the Bentley"

"No, I thought we'd already established that"

"Skulduggery?"

"Yes?"

"It's yellow"

"It is a little bit yellow, I suppose"

"You know how I feel about yellow"

"Would you rather travel in this or get thrown in the Sanctuary's Gaol?"

"Right now, a nice comfy cell sounds inviting"

"Stop being dramatic. It could be a lot worse than this" he opened the door and got in.

"But it's yellow" she muttered before grudgingly getting in herself.