A/N: I don't own Skulduggery, Valkyrie, Ghastly or Erskine. Val is about 23, and I got bitted by a fluffy plot bunny from Fluffytown, so don't expect "War and Peace", 'Kay?

Skulduggery had been gone for several days on a case of his own, and I still couldn't believe he'd went off without me. Erskine and Ghastly were taking me out to lunch, someplace elegant, Ghastly insisting I wear the new dress he'd made me for the occasion.

It was simple, in black of course, and swept to the floor. It did look fantastic and I totally owned it. I gave a slight gasp as we entered the restaurant. It was far more elegant that I had expected, and the understated clothes both men were wearing didn't seem suited to it, though I was hardy going to be snobby about it. They were my best friends outside of Skulduggery, after all.

And at least they were there while Skulduggery was off having all sorts of fun without me. All Ghastly would say was that it was a delicate case, one Skulduggery felt he had to handle on his own. What was I? A sledgehammer? OK, maybe I was, but who taught me to be that way? But I resolved to forgot all about that and enjoy my friends as the maître d' escorted us to our table.

We were all offered wine menus which we declined but he saw to it that we would have two cups of coffee in short order. I looked at Ghastly. If they were staying why wasn't he ordering? I was about to ask when a collective murmur rose in the room. I looked up to see a man entered by the opposite entrance and his appearance was turning heads. The small string quartet started up and I recognized the opening strains of the James Bond theme. No, it couldn't be. Not even he has that massive an ego.

"Why, look at that, your date is here. See you later and remember you love us, so no yelling at us for setting you up. Bye." Ghastly said these words in a rush and I was dimly aware they were leaving. My attention was riveted on the man as he crossed the room, his stride elegant and relaxed.

He was handsome, so much so that one woman fell out of her chair trying to get a better look, and a waiter walked straight into a wall. His suit was black, and finely tailored, and he had a fedora of the same material tilted down at a rakish angle over one eye.

He knew all eyes were on him, and the broad grin this caused to appear of his face was magnetic. I was utterly transfixed. The mystery man reached my, well our table at last, and removed his hat which he handed off to the awaiting maître d' . He had coal black hair swept away from his handsome features that was neatly trimmed and his strangely familiar jawline was clean shaven.

He eyes were the brightest blue I'd ever seen, almost catlike, but it was the smile, now clearly wicked that clicked that clicked in my brain. "Skulduggery?" I breathed. He chuckled softly, pleased with himself as he sat.

"Yes, Valkyrie, in the flesh." There was a purr in his velvety voice that made my heart do terrible things and gave me the chills. He knew the effect his voice had on me, and now he was using it seductively. "I had your escorts order us coffee. Allow me to order our lunch?"

I nodded in reply, not trusting my voice. Luckily the quartet went on to something more sedate and the other patrons returned to their meals. Skulduggery ordered when the waiter brought our coffee, then turned his gaze back to me. He had stared at me for years and it had never bothered me before. But that was when we were best friends and partners. The man sitting across from me didn't seem remotely interested in being either. "No questions for me?" He asked, a teasing note in his voice, snapping out of the near trance his gaze had put me in.

"Yes, I do have questions. Is this what I think it is, and why?"

He sipped his coffee and considered me over the rim the way a cat watches birds, pinning me with his gaze, then he dropped his gaze, a grin spreading across his far too handsome features. "If you mean am I flesh and blood, yes. As you recall I already said 'in the flesh'. I do wish you'd pay more attention to clues, Valkyrie. As for why, I think we both know why."

"Let's pretend we don't." I replied, and he sighed.

"Do you have any idea," he paused as our first course was set down. "how lonely being the world's only living skeleton can be, Valkyrie? Knowing you will outlive everyone you care about, everyone, your best friend and partner included, because as a skeleton you are as close to immortal as a living being can get?"

I looked at him and suddenly felt sorry for him. "I never thought of it that way. I always assumed you'd go on and make new friends, have new adventures."

"No, Valkyrie, I would not. There comes a time in a man's life when he meets the woman he knows he wants to be with. Or in this case, comes to realize he wants to be with." Held my gaze to be sure I had his meaning, and I nodded. "I never said anything to you before, because I'd told you a story once, and you did not react well."

"Wait, what?" I asked confused.

"Yes, you were twelve at the time and I told you a Grimm's fairy tale, always one of my especial favourites about the skeleton who became a prince once more when the princess kissed him, breaking the spell over him. You didn't like it at all. You asked where the fun in that was, him turning back into a man."

"I was twelve." I growled.

"Don't interrupt when I'm being brilliant. Now where was I? Ah yes, after that little reaction I never mentioned the idea again, but it has been my fondest wish ever since I reassembled myself, now, at last I have my wish. Though I doubt very much I have my princess." He nodded, pleased with his speech, clearly seeing himself as a tragic hero and I barely repressed a sigh.

"Skulduggery, you're over four hundred. As romantic as this is for you, do you know how long I'll be alone when you die?"

"Yes, but by then I'll be past caring." He said, pleased with himself. I wanted to be mad, but I couldn't. The pleased air about him made me want to laugh instead. Skulduggery, true to his nature, was usually fun to be with. Our steaks arrived and he made a pleased sound. "I- I do hope you realize I did this so we can be together, Valkyrie. The options been there all along at the Sanctuary. I just never had a reason to live before."

I reached over and took his hand, and he smiled at me, his gaze gentle now. "Skulduggery, that is the sweetest thing you've ever said to me. Are you sure they gave you a functioning brain?" I teased, and he barked with laughter.

"Good to see being in love hasn't honeyed your words any, my most loyal combat accessory." He teased right back.

We both relaxed then and enjoyed our steaks, teasing one another like we always did, managing snide remarks about half the diners. Everything was back to the way it used to be until he escorted me to the Bentley and I realized he was indeed a living man once more as he helped me in.

I leaned over and got his door and he got in, charmed and dangerously charming. "Seatbelt. Now the day is ours to do with as we please. As you are the one getting everything, as in, getting me, I think I should get to pick where we go next."

"Your ego knows no bounds." I groaned.

"I know." He said, putting the Bentley into drive. "Isn't it wonderful?"

Dang blasted plot bunnies!