A/N: I don't own Skulduggery Tainth, Ghastly, Springheeled Jack or Valkyrie. Val is still 24 story is still in her POV. BTW, you can use a broadsword with one hand, it just takes an enormous amount of strength. Got to love magical armour.

That afternoon I awoke and stretched, looking over at Skulduggery. He was still meditating. He looked downright adorable and it brought a smile to my face. He was the best possible friend I could ever have. I wondered briefly if we'd stay this close after the case and figured it didn't matter. He was here now, meditating this close to me. I realized that if he hadn't meditated in Ghastly's office or after he'd dropped me off then he was only doing it around me. I tried to think back, to remember how often he had to meditate, and couldn't remember.

I went in to shower, thinking random thoughts. Skulduggery could be an enigma. We'd be on a case and he'd either be talking constantly, or fall silent for hours at a time. I learned to tell the difference between just silence and meditation, but I left him be for either. I got dressed then went out to check on him. He was still meditating. I didn't want to wake him up, but I had the strangest reluctance to go to another part of the house and leave him alone. I settled on grabbing a Coke and leftovers from the cooler and checking my messages.

I took the food back up and he was still meditating. I settled in, realizing I was keeping vigil over him as he had done for me so many times. I'd once been told I was self-centered and just expected things handed to me. That I was heartless and cruel. I'd been told Skulduggery did the things he did because of that.

That it wasn't so much his free will, but a need to stay in my good graces. I didn't want that with him. I wanted him to stay, to be my friend because he wanted to be. Anything he even did I wanted to be of his own free will. I had always assumed it was, but now I wondered. Of course the same person also told me I had the emotional range of a dead man.

I was reading one of Gordon's novels when at last Skulduggery stirred. He saw the food, saw the book, and cocked his head. "You were meditating so hard I didn't want to wake you." I said.

"Why on Earth aren't you downstairs eating?"

"Because my partner's up here."

"You kept watch over me?"

"You do the same thing for me, all the time."

He smiled, didn't seem inclined to move. "Any calls?"

"Not a one. Ghastly did give us time off, remember?"

"Yet, you checked anyhow."

"Indeed I did."

"Bored of me already?"

"Never. I'd like to have the bad guy behind bars sooner rather than later. We've used up twelve days, counting today. We've got a little over two weeks left."

"Then today, my dear Valkyrie, I get to teach you the fine art of finding useful distractions."

"Like video games?"

"No, I was thinking more along the lines of a skill you think would help you be a better detective."

"Picking locks."

"Really?"

"Yes, there are locked doors in this mansion I'm afraid to have anyone else open."

"Good point. As soon as I can get you a set, I'll teach you, anything else?"

"Yes. Promise you won't get mad?"

"Usually when you ask that it is something you expect me to get angry about, but as you recall I rarely do."

"Did Ghastly say anything to you several months ago? About why I moved into the mansion?"

"No, I assumed it was for more independence."

"I had some people in the Sanctuary go talk to my family, all my family they could think of. So far as my family now knows I was never born."

He got rather still, then patted the edge of the bed. I went and sat there. He took my hands in his and looked at them. "Why didn't you tell me? Did you think I'd disapprove?"

"No, I just figured it was something I had to do on my own. I didn't even tell Ghastly, but I assume he knows. You were all born into magical families, I wasn't. I just have to tough it out, that's all."

"Tough it out? You do know that Ghastly, Tanith and I are your friends? You didn't have to tough anything out."

"I didn't want to appear weak, OK? I'm not the first person this has happened to. I honestly don't miss them like I thought I would, being away from them in a strange way is like freedom. They could never know me for the real me."

"Does Tanith know?"

"Of course not."

Skulduggery shook his head. "You should have come to me, Valkyrie, of all the people on this Earth, I'd understand. You think I can't because my family was magical? I still lost them, like you've lost yours. Why do you have to be so brave all the time? You've got nothing to prove to me, you know that."

He scooped me into his arms and I felt him place a kiss on top of my head. I was doing my very best to look and sound brave and he wasn't falling for it. Still I blinked back my tears. "I'm OK, Skulduggery, really."

"No, you're not, Valkyrie. You don't have to ever be ashamed to be in mourning, and that's where you are right now. Your family is lost, in many ways, in a worse way that mine was. You can still see yours, but never speak to them again." I flinched, but still fought the tears. I felt weak for even letting him hold me. He wanted a strong partner, not one who cried all the time. How many times had he had to hold me like this? He shouldn't have to.

"I'll be all right, really. This is nothing for me to get weak and sentimental over." I tried to get up, but he held me close.

"Valkyrie, nobody could be there for me when I lost my family. I wouldn't let them. Don't make the same mistake I did." At that I did cry, and he stroked my hair, and prattled on soothingly. After a while I felt calmer and he let me sit up. He looked at me, held my face in his hands, gently. "I'm going to call Ghastly and Tanith now. Well Ghastly, Tanith never shuts up on the phone, and I'm going to suggest you let us all take you to a late lunch. We take care of our own, Valkyrie. You are our family and you need to let us care for you, all right?"

I nodded, and busied myself with taking the takeout boxes down to the kitchen. I felt better with him knowing. I was also glad he was dealing with Ghastly and Tanith first, as I assumed a lot of shouting would be involved from both of them. I hoped they knew they were my friends, my magical friends and it had never occurred to me to come to then with a non-magical problem. I also liked looking independent and tough in front of them. Skulduggery wandered into the kitchen as I sipped some coffee.

"They can meet us this evening. Ghastly used some lovely curses I haven't heard in a century or so, but he wasn't angry with you. He's just angry you felt you had to face this on your own. If he starts lecturing you about how the one crazy guy to break rank and charge across no man's land all on his own gets shot, know that he's coming from a good place."

I smiled. "How did Tanith take it?"

"She was shouting something in the background about killing her no-good sister for not coming to her, but I assume that's what sisters do to one another. Mine did it all the time. Now that you know you have a lovely family of irate magical people on your side, don't you feel better?"

"Yeah, I do. I'm just glad you're not angry with me."

"Valkyrie, I became Lord Vile to deal with my feelings. I'm in no position to judge anyone."

"I'd love to hear the motivational speech he would give me."

"Most likely he'd tell you to kill all your enemies and then find new ones to kill. Not that he was much for talking." He said dryly and I laughed.

That evening we went to meet Ghastly and Tanith at the inn Skulduggery had taken me to by the final crime scene. I was nervous, but Skulduggery assured me they had had enough time to calm down and be civil. We pulled up and Tanith grabbed me in a crushing hug the moment I got out. "Hey, little sister! Off fighting battles and leaving me out? You know I'll have my revenge for that sooner or later, right? Just don't do anything that nobly misguided again, OK?" I nodded, and she let me go. We were going to walk in together when Ghastly stepped away from Skulduggery. I suddenly realized just how large and strong a man he was.

He loomed over me, looking down hard at me and shook his head. "He told you what happens when people run across no man's land alone?"

"Yes."

"Then don't do it again."

"Yes, Sir."

"Don't call me that, it's creepy." He smiled then, stepped out of the way so Tanith could escort me inside. We got the corner booth and she wriggled in beside me, looping a sisterly arm around my shoulders. We both ordered steak, Tanith fondly approving over medium rare.

"I've taught you well. Guess who got your great grandmother's sword out of impoundment, by the way? I did! It's in Ghastly's van, I had it polished for you."

"You didn't have to do that, you know."

"True, but I got to hold her for a while."

"You can have her if you like, I love the sword I have now."

"You're kidding. I can just have it?"

"Yes, you can. I didn't know she had several, but the one I have now is right for me. You should feel the balance on her, Tanith, and she's beautiful."

Tanith squeezed my shoulders in thanks. "I've never got to see the one you have now up close, but she's a good-looking one, for sure. Think you might let me hold her too?"

"You are sword crazy, but yes."

Tanith squealed, just about bouncing in her seat. Ghastly and Skulduggery just stared. "At least they aren't into shoes or dresses." Ghastly managed at last.

Skulduggery nodded. "We never have to take them shopping. I don't even know where they get civilian clothes from."

"We don't like them, Skulduggery." I answered. "The only time you see us in them is because we have to be."

Tanith nodded in happy agreement. "We women have to be ready for anything, a zombie horde might attack this inn at any moment."

Ghastly was about to reply when the steaks came. Tanith and I dug in, her telling me stories about what she was going to do when she caught Springheeled Jack again. We enjoyed ourselves, lingering over our coffee. At last we walked back outside. Tanith and Ghastly left, Tanith hugging me once more and Ghastly shaking his head.

Skulduggery came over to stand in front of me, hands stuffed in his pockets. "Well that went well. I noticed your big sister got between you and the big scary Elder." He teased.

"Yes, she did, and I appreciate that. But you know if he wanted to lecture me, he would have."

"Oh, I told him it wouldn't do any good, that I lecture you all the time and you tend to do the opposite."

"Skulduggery, you lied for me. That was very nice of you."

"I'm never very nice. Just protecting my partner. Who if I may take liberties, is coming to my house tonight so I can give tell her about the time I saved an orphanage from a fire, while battling zombies. That had guns, big ones. And ninjas, there were ninjas involved." I laughed and he tilted his head to press his forehead into mine. "I missed you during dinner."

"I was right across from you, but I know what you mean. I missed you too." He drew me into a hug, then held me at arm's length, smiling faintly.

"Don't you ever get the idea you have to face anything alone, ever again, all right?" He asked softly and I nodded.

On the drive home Skulduggery turned the radio on softly. He spoke to me, his eyes on the road. "You know, you're so much like me sometimes it's scary."

"I'll take that as a compliment."

"It wasn't meant as one."

"You meant it as a compliment to you, right?"

"Well, yes."

"See? I'll take it then." He shook his head and was about to reply when his mobile rang. He took it out, grunted, and listened, his body language growing tense. He grunted a few more times, and then flipped it closed.

"Well our first good news: Lovegate indeed burned. Pity I couldn't be there and push her in."

"That is great news. Maybe the killer will hop in after her."

"Wouldn't he just?"

"Skulduggery, is it just me, or do you refuse to talk to people you don't like?"

"Why do you ask?"

"Well you grunted your way through an entire call just now for starters."

"Ah, that. You're right, I won't speak to people I don't like. They annoy me and I know I might shoot them if they say anything stupid. So I don't say anything they might say something stupid to. That and if I dislike people I just won't talk to them."

"That tends to prevent a lot of problems."

"Indeed it does. You on the other hand get to hear me speak all the time, you lucky girl, you."

"I like hearing you speak."

"Oh I know you do, and it's a fine thing, but I love hearing me speak."

"So I noticed."

Skulduggery made coffee again without even asking, and told me to make myself at home. I grabbed the paper I'd been reading and nearly dropped it. There, buried in the back of the paper was a small snippet about a bar owner who claimed to have run into a man clad all in brown leather who simply froze his hand off when the bartender grabbed him. The bartender of course was in the hospital under mental observation, missing hand or not.

"Skulduggery, look at this!" I showed him the article.

He read, then looked at me. "Well done! It sounds like our killer, doesn't it? I'll call Ghastly, and give him the good news. I have some other calls to make as well, so if you get sleepy, just have a lie down there." Sleepy? I felt excited. I watched him walk away as him often did when on his cell phone. I could hear his deep velvety voice make its way to his office. I leaned back and smiled to myself. I'd done something useful for the case.

Skulduggery had taken my paper, but I got his and looked for any other mentions of our killer. They're weren't any, so I tried the evening news. Nothing. Still, I'd done some research and found a lead. I was considering a second cup of coffee when Skulduggery sauntered back in. He took off his hat and placed it on the table, he looked at me a moment, then also removed the gloves before coming to sit beside me.

He casually put one arm on the back of the couch behind me, the bare hand hanging down by my shoulder. Then set the other hand down precisely on top of his crossed knees. I smiled at him and he blinked innocently at me. "I'd tell you you have perfect hands, but I'm sure you know that already." I said, and was rewarded with the arm behind me coming down to rest on my shoulders. I leaned into him slightly and he brought the other arm around me as well.

"You're an amazing young woman, Valkyrie Cain. I hope you know that. Despite everything you've been through you've remained level headed enough to stay on the case and found us the break we needed. I don't have to tell you how very proud I am of you right now, do I?"

"No, but it's wonderful to hear that you are. I'm sorry I didn't tell you about my family before, but you were right. I do feel I have to impress you. That you'll only like me as long as I show you how strong I can be."

"It took more strength for you to tell me, for you to let us in and accept help. That's what I meant when I said you are so much like me. I've never let anyone in, except you. You I trust, and all I ask is that you trust me in return."

"Deal. I heard there's a James Cagney film festival on tonight."

"It won't inspire you to shoot me, will it?"

"No. I don't think so."

"You don't like him better than you like me, do you? I look much better in a suit."

"Plus you're a better fighter than he is. I'm fairly sure he couldn't fight off zombies and ninjas while rescuing orphans from a fire."

"So long as you know that." Skulduggery held me close, one skeletal hand coming to rest on my own. I brought up my other hand to clasp his hand in between mine. We stayed that way a long time, until sleep claimed us both.

The next morning Skulduggery informed me we were needed at the Sanctuary. "They found our killer?" I asked.

"No, but Tanith is well enough to spar now, and I know you'll go easy on her. A Cleaver would just cut her head off, especially after all the abuse she's hurled at them, trying to get them to fight."

I laughed and followed him to the Bentley. We indeed found her ready to fight in the same training room I'd fought Lovegate in. Ghastly gave me a warning look over her shoulder and I nodded back as she bent her head down to examine my sword. I'd put on my armour, and it made me uneasy. Tanith might be magical, but she was still just flesh and blood. I made a mental note to ask Skulduggery how he got over his qualms, if he had any.

She brought her head up, clearly feeling the need to insult me into a fight. "Cor, you're an ugly one, aren't you?"

I smiled back, slipping into the same fighting stance I'd used with Lovegate. "You're standing wrong, this isn't fencing."

"Don't worry about me, I know what I'm doing." I held my other arm down, my sword arm loose and ready. Tanith shrugged.

"Going to be a short fight then." She came at me, swinging her sword with both hands, intent on knocking mine away. I shifted, meeting her sword with the flat on my blade, then pressed it down, she staggered as she passed, and I turned to face her. "I'd like to see you do that again." She growled. I shrugged and she came at me again, frustrated by my side stance, and making the mistake of coming in low with her sword aimed at my midsection. I rapped her lightly on top of her head with the pommel of my sword as I sidestepped.

"Bloody hell, that hurt!" She snarled, rubbing her head. "I also know you're cheating, nobody can use a broadsword like an épée."

"Tanith, how many hands did a knight hold a sword in?"

"Two?" She started to circle me, growling.

"His shield floated magically in the air, did it? God woman, you should have been trained to fight like this. Who taught you how to use a sword anyhow, Capitan Crunch?" At my insult she roared and leapt, swinging for my head. She apparently didn't need any more rest if the boot she brought up to kick me in the chest with was any indication.

I laughed and leapt lightly backwards, refusing to fall. Tanith snarled, bringing her sword up in both hands. "Come on and have a go, if you think you're hard enough."

"OK, then, and two hands it is." I swung for her sword, the blow knocking her back, but she recovered quickly, to send a spinning kick into me. Before I could leap out of range, she followed it up with a blurred slash at my throat. I got my sword up in time and snapped out a kick myself, knocking her back. She growled, and blurred towards me again, moving faster than I'd ever seen her move before. Our blades met repeatedly, I was content just to hold her off.

"Come on, what's the matter, can't attack?" She taunted. "Maybe you're just a scared little girl." I resisted the urge to slice her head off and threw the sword to one side. I fell into a fighting stance. I knew any blows with my temper like that could have hurt her. Still, she taunted. "Oh, what are you going to do without the precious sword? Won't it do the fighting for you any more? Fine then, you want to loose, let's make this quick."

She charged forward, and I could tell she was tiring. I ducked her blade, scuttled back, arms still raised. I didn't even want to punch her if I didn't have to. "Tanith, let's call it a draw." She shook her head angrily. "Sis, you aren't even standing up straight. Don't insult the honour of my great grandmother's knighthood by asking me to fight you."

"That didn't even make any sense." She said, lowering her sword.

"Yes it did, I'd shame her fighting you like this. I have her honour to consider in this armour."

Tanith nodded, she respected honour. "All right then. A draw it is, though I was winning."

"True. I've never seen you move that fast before, by the way."

"I've been training."

"I can see that." I said dryly. I got my sword, sheathed it behind my back. Tanith smiled at me, sauntered airily past me.

"No mercy next time, little sister." She patted my shoulder and walked out, Ghastly following.

Skulduggery titled his head at me. "I especially liked the part where you refused to behead her."

"Oh, that. She can get on my last good nerve, but it gave me no right to hurt her. That's not the idea of training."

"This was sparring. You could have killed her, and would have if you hadn't learned to control your temper."

I nodded. "I know, it terrified me to look down at her, realizing how easily I could hurt her. But then, that kind of thinking gets you killed in war, doesn't it?"

"It usually does."