A/N: I don't own Skulduggery, Lord Vile, Kenspeckle, Ghastly or Valkyrie. Val is still 27, still her point of view.

I awoke several hours later, covered with a despair so deep I didn't think I could move. All I could think of was the family I'd never see again, and nothing, not even Skulduggery at my side made life seem worth living then. It hurt so bad I couldn't even cry or move. When would the pain ever stop? I felt two arms go around me, and a velvety voice spoke soothingly. "There, there. What is it? What's wrong?" I flung myself towards the sound of that voice, clutching Skulduggery so hard I could feel every bone in his ribcage.

"Skulduggery! I just miss my family so much! I feel so alone. Wait, I don't mean that, I mean-"

"I know precisely what you mean. Put the light on now, please."

I turned on the light and would have stayed facing away from him, but Skulduggery turned me towards him. He pulled me into his arms, cradling me on his lap as he spoke. "Valkyrie, it's all right. I am never in a million years going to take the place your family has in your heart, nor should I. I know it hurts, but this grief that you feel is a good thing."

"But when does it get better, Skulduggery? When does the pain go away? Just tell me the pain goes away."

He was silent for a moment then he answered softly. "It never does. You learn to think more of the happy times after a while, and knowing they wouldn't want you grieving can help. But you never get over it. There are times when the pain is as fresh as your first moment of loss, but those do become fewer and fewer as time passes. The important thing is for you to choose to live. To take the life they gave you and make something productive out of it, even without them by your side. I still miss my parents, my siblings. But having friends, having you here makes it easier on me. I miss my wife and child every day. Sorry. that was the wrong thing to say to you."

I pulled back to look at him. His skull hung low and I could see the pain written on his features. I stroked his face and he took my hand in his, holding it there. "Skulduggery, that is the BEST possible thing for you to say. I know you loved you wife and child, that you still do. I would be so disappointed in you if you didn't. You're a good man, you never abandon those you love, and don't you dare think being with me means I expect you to."

He looked up startled, and I continued. "Don't you know how happy it makes me that you had a wife and child to love you? Don't you know how much I love them for making you happy? God, Skulduggery, if I could, I'd return them to you in an instant. But I can't, no matter how much I love you and want to. The best I can do is be proud of you for being such a fine man and be happy that you love them, both of them, still." I fell quiet and dipped my head down, not wanting to look at him. Skulduggery tilted my head up gently and kissed me. It was a chaste kiss, but I could feel the emotion in it.

"You are the perfect friend, the perfect partner, and you will make the perfect wife, Valkyrie Cain. I never knew how to ask you if it bothered you or if my loving them hurt you. I love and adore you every bit as much as I love them, more even. I just want you to know you are not a substitute, an also-ran, or someone to occupy my time. I love and adore you, or I wouldn't be here with you now, you know that." He kissed me deeply then, his teeth pressing onto my lips urgently. I returned his kiss and it deepened until I felt my whole soul was on fire.

When we at last drew apart, I could feel he felt unsure of himself, felt that he'd gone too far. I smiled at him and stroked his cheek, he immediately buried his head in my hand then brought his teeth up to kiss my palm. "You're just trying to get out of making coffee, Mister." I teased.

"Actually I was trying to get past first base." He teased back.

"Cad!"

"Beautiful woman. Still I have surprise for you. You get to watch me cook you breakfast."

"At five in the morning?"

"No time like the present. Get a shower and you'll feel better. I'll have coffee waiting for you. I won't cook until you're there though. I want to impress you."

I smiled. "You always impress me."

"Good. Off with you then." He kissed me once more and I went to get my shower. I couldn't believe my good fortune in having him, and for a moment as I washed my hair, enjoying the massage I gave my scalp, I wondered if he was real. I half expected to find an empty kitchen when I went downstairs. No, I told myself, M/Ihe is real and a far better man than I deserve./I I'd be so selfish and so self-centered with him for years. Only now did I feel like I was really coming alive, becoming his true and active partner. I got dressed quickly and went downstairs.

Skulduggery turned as I came into the kitchen, a delighted sound coming from him. "Valkyrie, you look truly lovely this morning."

I cocked an eyebrow at him. "I look this way every morning, Skulduggery."

"No, today you are truly resplendent. Trust me, I know about these things." I grinned in reply and he came forward to capture me in his arms, making his happy chirrup again. "Sometimes I think I made you up in my mind, you know. Then you enter a room and I still think I made you up, but I'm happy to see you, and that's the important thing." I laughed at his silliness and he gestured for me to sit, bringing my coffee over. He was humming to himself, truly content. He got a stool out I'd never seen before and set it near the stove. A green pan followed, along with eggs, bacon, a small potato, and bread.

"Want to come watch, Valkyrie? I'm sure you'll be suitably impressed." He tapped the stool, and I happily went over to watch. Skulduggery cooking breakfast was simply amazing. He put the bread down in the toaster, then turned the pan on, humming to himself. He put the bacon in, laying the slices down with an experienced hand.

As it cooked he got the potato, already cleaned, and a small cutting board. He diced it so fast and smoothly I couldn't believe what I was seeing. He looked over to make sure I was impressed before getting salt and pepper from an upper cabinet, putting the perfect amount on the diced potatoes. He turned the bacon, then plated it, putting the plate in the oven which I realized was set on low. He put the potatoes in the pan, cooking them in the bacon fat. Then the toast he set to one side. Soon the potatoes were ready and he transfered them to the oven as well, breaking the eggs into the pan.

Skulduggery let them set, covering them and switching off the stove. He turned to me, looking rather pleased with himself. "Surprised?" He asked.

"Very much so."

"I thought you might be. Well have a seat breakfast is up." I sat and he brought the plate over, the most heavenly meal he'd ever served me.

"Skulduggery, this is perfect. Where did you learn to cook like this?"

"The short order cooks in that dreadful diner you like so much. I watched them the first time we were there. I already knew about toast, so the rest seemed fairly easy. I did of course subject myself to some instructive videos on a Sanctuary library computer. I didn't even know they had them, to be honest. They're for nothing but Internet research, but still eminently useful."

I shook my head before returning to my breakfast. "You're a man of unknown talents, Skulduggery Pleasant."

"I know, I am rather marvelous, aren't I?"

I laughed. "I shouldn't tell you this, but you''re cute when you preen." His smile broadened.

Skulduggery was a prince among men that day. Tending to me in a way that showed he cared, but didn't make me feel pitied. Knowing he faced the same feelings I did made it easier to let him help. I'm sure he knew of this, because he settled me down on the couch with the radio on and a book to read and told me he'd be back shortly. Fifteen minutes later he returned, laden with papers and other assorted goodies. "I return bearing gifts, in hopes of escaping my lady's displeasure." He teased.

I laughed and accepted a paper. He put a large coffee from the store down, came forward and showed me a bag. "Junk food and a soda. Just the thing for a day in, yes? I called the Sanctuary, no sign of our killer. Ghastly is ready to strangle our detectives, as they have nothing useful to add right now. He is also very concerned over whether or not I'm treating his daughter well, so he'll be waiting for a call from you some time today. Please make it sooner, rather than later so he doesn't come hunting for me."

Skulduggery folded his hands in prayer and tilted his head beseechingly. I had to laugh. I got out my mobile and rang Ghastly. He picked up, sounding pleased to hear from me. "Skulduggery let you know I threatened him, did he? Good. He needs threatened, dragging my daughter into danger every other day. How are you holding up?"

"Good, Skulduggery's helping lots, actually."

Ghastly snorted in amusement. "You mean he can actually be of some use? Honestly. Here, Tanith's taken over my office and she insists on hearing from you."

I heard Tanith yammering at him, then her voice came on. "Hey, sis! What's up?"

"Are you tormenting Ghastly?"

"No, he loves it when I'm annoying. How are things with Skulduggery?"

I knew exactly what she was asking. "Good." I said, not keeping the smile out of my voice.

She squealed on her end. "I knew it, I just knew it! How good?"

"Extremely good."

"I always knew you'd win him over. You should see Ghastly right now with his head buried in his hands. He's so cute when he does that. Talk to you later, sis."

We rang off, and I saw Skulduggery look up from his own paper. "How are your ears? I heard that squeal from over here. God. Women." He shook his head in mock disgust.

"She's very happy. Ghastly's in shock, but she's really happy."

"HE already knew. He just knows how insufferable and excited she's going to be all day. I'm glad you don't get like that."

"I've seen countless family members marry off. It just isn't something to squeal over after the fiftieth time or so."

"Tanith has most likely seen hundreds of weddings and she still gets like that. Please tell me this isn't going to involve a big church wedding."

"Neither one of us attends church, so no. I'm honestly happy with a piece of paper. Well, and a ring, a ring would be nice."

"You're still upset over me smashing your Necromancy ring, that's what you are." He huffed in mock indignation and snapped his paper back up. I turned to my own paper and he spoke again. "No caterers?"

"God, no."

"You don't even want a reception, do you?" He sounded amused.

"You know I hate people making a fuss."

"People tend not to give gifts when there's no reception, Valkyrie."

"Thank God. We really don't need fifty toasters, twenty electric blankets and about a hundred coffee pots."

Skulduggery laughed. "An excellent point. Though Ghastly will be devastated if you don't at least let him make you a dress and give you away in front of a priest. We could do it in his office, if you like."

"How many bones did he threaten to break before you passed on that bit of information?"

"All of them. Repeatedly. You are his daughter as far as he is concerned, and his daughter is going to look like a proper Irish bride on her wedding day."

"For the sake of your bones, I agree." Skulduggery gave a snort of amusement and we returned to our papers. I drank the coffee, and scanned the paper for any signs of our killer. There was nothing, so I read the paper for relaxation, which was lovely. Being spoiled, I decided, wasn't a bad thing every once in a while.

Skulduggery and I were both spoiled of course. Kenspeckle had told me once that I let Skulduggery get away with whatever he pleased, and it was true. But then Kenspeckle also hated my partner, and I didn't like that. I never got a chance to tell him that every time he tried to hurt Skulduggery he hurt me instead. "Mind if I put TV on?" I asked.

Skulduggery nodded. "That station must have only twenty songs and rotate them. Sorry about that." I turned off the radio and idly channel surfed. 'American Ninja Warrior' was on, one of my favorite imports from the States. I laughed and finished my coffee as contestant after contestant got hurt.

Skulduggery came over to watch. "These people are not seriously ninjas, are they?" He asked doubtfully.

"Some are, or they train. You'll see them make it to the end. The course is supposedly designed to reflect all the skills a ninja needs."

"What most of them need is balance. Have they no sense of shame?"

"I told you this show is funny. The original Japanese show is even better. When did you get UPC Ireland by the way?"

"She notices at last. Did you think I just had really good Saorview?"

"To tell you the truth, people of my generation take cable for granted."

"As you should. But the controller should have been a dead give away. Still, if I get to see people hurt themselves like this on a regular basis it is worth it." We continued watching, getting to my favorite, the final round. Two contestants were left, which meant a tight race. Skulduggery shook his head as I cheered them on. "You know, it is impressive, but we could just fly there. Still, I do like to see you champion the people we protect."

"That's very sweet of you, Skulduggery. I always enjoy training with you, so maybe that's why I enjoy the show. That, and it is funny to watch them fall off of things."

Skulduggery gave me an amused look. "Ah, there's the partner I know and love. Standing back with me and laughing at people. I missed that."

"I also haven't punched you in the arm forever either." I gave him a good rap.

"Ow! I'm complaining to Ghastly."

"Go ahead, he'll laugh at you."

"What a mean woman you've turned out to be."

"You need a mean woman. They should have a rule of thumb wives can use on husbands. But we get to use both thumbs, since we're girls."

"Women, and you would beat me too. I regret the day I got you that stick. Do you still have it?"

"Of course."

"You're kidding."

"No, I am not. I kept every gift you ever gave me. I'm well aware you don't give them too often."

"Mmmm."

"You know this isn't all bad, all thing considered. I'll no longer be subjected to an endless round of Christmas dinners, for one. For two, you never get schmaltzy during the holidays."

"Where on Earth did you learn a word like schmaltz?"

"I do read, Skulduggery."

"Ah, I thought you were going to say Saturday morning cartoons."

"No, half the words I learned from them I can't repeat."

"The devil you say!"

"No, apparently one writer for a show kept sneaking in Yiddish words from the 'The Maltese Falcon'."

"Good Lord! I can think of several from that book and I absolutely forbid you to use those words in this house. I don't want to ask, but how did you find out what they mean?"

"The Internet."

"The Internet is rapidly becoming a thorn in my side. Speaking of things I dislike, I understand your Necromancy training went well."

"Skulduggery, you were there."

"Mmm. But I tend to smash your rings, whereas Vile apparently feels the need to empower everything you own. Those guns will only work for you now, by the way, the sword and hat as well. He's quite overprotective of you."

"I know and appreciate it. The feeling is mutual. If that cave so much as looks at him funny it is going to get a beat down."

"This from the woman who told me she ignores him."

"I ignore the Lord Vile that destroys everything he sees. The one who can reason I'll happily listen too."

"And if the destroyer shows up at the hospital, what then?"

"I'll let him destroy the cave, then I'll worry about what to do with him."

"If he hurts you-"

"He won't, Skulduggery, even at his worst. If he does attack I'll be ready for him."

"You do what you have to stop him, agreed?"

"Agreed, but only if he'll stop me if I go on a bender and start slaughtering patients." Skulduggery was silent. I looked over at him, saw the pained expression. "Skulduggery, it will be OK, I promise. I felt Vile at his worst the night in the Sanctuary and I knew I couldn't let him take over. Just the look on your face stopped me." He gave me a faint smile.