A/N: I don't own Skulduggery, Gordon, Tanith, Ghastly, Nye, Lord Vile. Kenspeckle, or Valkyrie. Val is still 24, story is still in her POV.

"Seat belt." He said, as we both settled into the Bentley's warm interior. We were having a rare fine day in Ireland, and the warmth of the car sent me into an almost instant stupor. I lowered the window slightly, feeling the fresh air revive me as Skulduggery drove.

"That was nice what you did for Tanith and Ghastly by the way. Though it makes me wonder what you've installed in the Bentley."

"I didn't have to install anything, you did it for me. I know you can trace the Bentley and have a remote lock down. So if I ever need to find you I can just access my copy of your program. This is where I tell you I attached a Trojan horse to the photos you had me send you from a crime scene once. It's also where you tell me you don't mind since it was done in the name of friendship."

"Mind? I'm flattered. Here I was feeling sorry for myself because you never bothered to track me, and you had. How does it work? A pirated program?"

"Yes and no. I don't have the receiver on your mobile so I have to hope it will be on. The Trojan lets me access your mobile's program remotely."

"Been watching my movements, have we?"

"Always. That wasn't the reaction I was expecting, by the way. You like your privacy."

"But I like that you can know where I am if I ever get lost even better."

"Don't tempt me, Mister. I'll install a tracer on you next. I would have too if you ever wore any jewelry."

"Not in a hat or tie?"

"You change hats, and electronics aren't fond of the spin cycle. You never wear a tie clip so that idea was out as well. Besides I know you like being elusive and your privacy both."

"Ah, too true. Still maybe we can come up with something I'll pretend not to notice. Loosing my mysterious edge would be worth it to know you'd come to the rescue, because let's face it, I need rescued on a regular basis." He said, pulling up to Gordon's mansion.

I leaned over and kissed his bony cheek through the disguise. "But that's why I love you. Do we have enough time to stay for a few minutes? I wanted to see if Uncle Gordon had any insights into the case."

"We have all the time in the world, training can wait."

"Wow."

"I know, I'm getting soft in my old age."

"Never." We got out and collected the boxes, storing them in the boot of the Bentley. I stared at the armour briefly, but didn't feel the same desire I used to to put it on. I still appreciated it, but knowing I did have Skulduggery beside me dampened the need to wear his form to feel him close.

"Thinking of Lord Vile?" Skulduggery teased before closing the boot.

"Lord no. Wool-gathering actually. I'll still wear the armour and be grateful for it, but having you here with me I don't need to."

"The women in your family are wondrous and strange. Well, let's go in then and see what Gordon has to say." We went inside, Skulduggery starting to hum to himself. I realized he was flattered by the truth that he himself was better than the armour ever could be. I felt a pang that my great grandmother had never known that kind of love until after my great grandfather had died, but better late than never I supposed.

Skulduggery touched to door again fondly as we entered. "Skulduggery Pleasant! Don't you dare even look at my door. I know what you have in mind." He laughed, taking me into his arms and kissing me deeply after shedding his disguise. I relaxed into him enjoying the warmth of his embrace. Like all skeletons he tended to be the temperature of the air around him, and he was still warm from the car. I made a mental note to see about a warmer winter jacket for him, as stylish as possible, of course.

He'd always acted immune to the elements, but I knew now that wasn't so. He'd shown countless times he hated getting wet or cold, always passing it off as needing to protect a suit. He'd worn clothes far too thin in winter, just to impress me with his supposed immunity to cold, and must have been miserable the first day I saw him bundled up in the oppressive heat. "Penny for your thoughts? Or coffee at any rate." He said, leading the way into the kitchen.

"I was thinking that now that I know just how sensitive you are we need to get you something warmer for winter, maybe have Ghastly design you something that would work for all temperatures like he did me. My clothes aren't that bad looking. Or at the very least you let Ghastly design you something warmer for winter. I don't want you suffering for fashion's sake."

"I've never said your clothes are bad looking, just not as good as mine. I do have the coat I wore on one of our cases, I can wear that more often if it will please you. Perhaps the trench coat more often as well. Though I honestly don't like covering up my suits."

"Have Ghastly tailor you something if you like, consider it a wedding present. I can think of anything else to get you."

He brought my coffee over. "I can think of something I'd like more." Skulduggery purred in my ear

"You're a terrible man."

"I never claimed otherwise."

"Seriously, what do you want?"

He shrugged. "Other than you? Nothing. Though I'll wager when I shake the priest's hand afterwards he'll have his own ideas if I get even that. I'm wagering he'll say no. Are you certain about this, Valkyrie? You have thought it through? I am dead. I am a skeleton, you know."

"Said the living skeleton who can be healed, doesn't fall apart, and talks. Lord, how he can talk."

"All points in my favor, then?"

"Yes, they are."

I went over to sit in his lap snuggling in close, and he obliged me by wrapping his arms around me and trailing several kisses along my jawline. I felt him hesitate then and pull back. "If you're stopping because you think lips would be better than teeth-" I growled and Skulduggery smiled in reply. He resumed his ministrations, starting to growl softly when I touched his skull. I trailed my other hand down his ribcage and heard a slight moan, but he pushed me away all the same. "Sorry, Skulduggery." I said, getting up.

"Don't be sorry. I just have to maintain some control with you. We agreed to wait, although that idea makes no sense to me right now."

"I told you I was a virgin, remember?"

"Ah yes, then we wait. Come along then and let's see what Gordon has to say." We went upstairs finding my uncle in his main study. He waved a hand at us for silence and finished dictating. He shut off the machine by voice command, and smiled at us warmly. He held out his arms for one of his non-hugs and then shook Skulduggery's hand the best he was able.

I reflected that I had a fair amount of family left, Skulduggery included. Gordon turned to me smiling. "You know the voice-activated electronics you insisted I have are a wonderful thing. I've been getting all sorts of interesting calls and understand congratulations are in order."

I felt the heat rise to my face and he continued. "I always knew you two were right for each other but I never thought Skulduggery was sensible enough to see that."

Skulduggery made an annoyed sound. "Remember who saved your life on more than one occasion, Gordon. You might have a way with words on paper, but God knows you can be insulting in a bar." Uncle Gordon flushed and Skulduggery turned to me. "The man can't fight a lick either, Valkyrie. He always managed to insult the biggest, meanest man he could find in a bar, and I've gotten hit with more pool cues and bar stools that I care to recount."

"Don't listen to him. He loves to tell people how heroic he is. Has he told you about the orphanage yet?"

I noted Skulduggery flushing from the corner of my eye. "What orphanage?" I asked blandly.

"Mmm, he'll tell you one day, trust me." Uncle Gordon of course was teasing. He knew Skulduggery had told me that story countless times. But he and Skulduggery had been the closest of friends and they enjoyed annoying one another. I was happy to see that friendship continue because I knew that like me, Skulduggery didn't make too many close friends.

"Your a very annoying man, Gordon." Skulduggery complained. "Valkyrie's heard that story countless times, she adores hearing it, we both do. But what we want to hear now are your thought on the case."

"Any new developments?"

"Our killer took two very good detectives who will be missed, plus a mole he'd planted in the Sanctuary whom no one will miss. We know that's a trap so we're letting him stew in the cave. Hopefully they will kill one another. We'll know either way in a week if he can live that long."

"He could still come after you, Skulduggery." My uncle pointed out. "We're assuming the cave will be the stronger and be the victor, but I'm starting to have my doubts."

Skulduggery looked at him sharply. "God, you're right. We were assuming he's the victim here, but if it is the other way around, the cave would be just what he needs for that final push towards godhood. I miss getting your insights at times, I should drop by more often, or failing that, kidnap you and keep you in my office."

Uncle Gordon laughed. "I always knew I was good for you. Do two have a date set yet?"

"As soon as Ghastly can finish Valkyrie's wedding dress and find a priest that will step foot in a Sanctuary. The man's not even all that religious, but as Valkyrie is his only daughter, he's insisting on things."

"Good. Well he has the preacher. I do have contacts even though they were surprised to hear from me and I suggested he could move the wedding here. Father O'Ryan is a good man, but he'd be dousing the Sanctuary walls with holy water, even if he knows better."

We talked several more minutes then took our leave. Outside in the Bentley Skulduggery turned to me after adjusting his disguise. "Seat belt. I know you said you're sure, Valkyrie, but I can't give you children, even though I'd like very much to do so. If you are even the slightest bit hesitant, we can call the whole thing off."

"I never thought I'd have to tell you this, Skulduggery, but Nye made sure I can't have children."

Skulduggery cursed. "You never said a word."

"Women are told from a fairly young age that it is the one thing that makes us useful, that makes us women. Somehow I didn't want to tell my best friend and partner I was half the woman I used to be." I tried to keep my voice light and failed.

Skulduggery flinched as if I'd hit him. "I'm so sorry, Valkyrie, I'd have never-" He put the Bentley in drive, falling into a miserable silence. I reached out and touched his shoulder gently.

"It's OK, really. I didn't even realize something was the matter for months after. When Kenspeckle told me what was wrong I was happy, actually. I never thought I'd reach a point where I wanted children. Besides I want some time alone with you first. I'm sure later on there is some kind of magic, isn't there? I know Leap told me he and Tanas planned on using magic for a child of their own."

"There is, but the baby will come out looking exactly like the father."

"That's a problem how?"

"I am a skeleton, Valkyrie."

"And a very handsome one too. I'd be lucky to have a son that takes after you."

"I was hoping for a daughter actually."

"Provided we live as long as the killer we could have one say, every so many centuries. I'm sure we'd end up with one of each."

Skulduggery turned and smiled at me. "That sounds perfect actually. Well, we should put the case first, but if you want training we can do that instead."

"Not on your life. I'm as excited as you are to get to some possible evidence."

"Spoken like a true detective. What a wonderful mentor you must have." He beamed at me, then turned on the radio. We were silent the rest of the way home because my usual line about him not being my mentor wasn't true and he knew it.

"Cuff links." He said as we settled the boxes in our office.

"Sorry?"

"You could install a tracer in cufflinks. Or find something clever you know I'd carry around with me. That can be my wedding present."

"Ah. Then I have just the thing in mind. Already made actually. What luck are you having with the box from Tanas?"

"None actually. Perhaps as a friend you'd have more insight. You made something already? How long have you been waiting for me to propose?"

I flashed him a smile. "A while, actually."

"Mmm. Well, how about a profile on both Tanas and Leap using thier effects?"

I went to the box for Tanas. ""Well for one thing half of these things are Leaps's as well. He was forever forgetting things and Tanas would collect them just to see how long it took Leap to remember them."

I removed a neatly bundled collection of pens that Tanas had collected, the mobile Leap had misplaced five minutes after getting it, several books on detection, and a few pulp crime novels. "Tanas did this, collected Leap's things because he cared about him as his mentor. He figured Leap just needed time. Of course when Leap would come into the coffee room searching for something he'd lost Tanas would feign innocence. It was funny at times, watching Leap search all around. Then the lost object would reappear precisely in the middle of his desk."

I laughed remembering. "Tanas had Leap convinced that the gremlins who lived in all the office machines came out at night and moved things. So he loved teasing him too, which surprised everyone. Tanas pretty much hated every living thing on the planet, and all the dead ones too as he would put it. Then Leap walked in on his first day, looking lost and bewildered. Tanas told me once that something shifted. Leap should have been one more person to hate, to ignore. But he looked at him and he LIKED him. He wanted to mentor him, and trust me, Tanas wouldn't help an old lady cross the street."

"But back to his box then, sorry to sidetrack."

"Not all all. I'm impressed you knew so much about a man who hated the world. I never met the man, to be honest."

"I still remember the first thing he said to me, the way he greeted everyone new, except Leap of course. He walked up to me, in that rumpled suit and his trench coat on, even indoors. He pushed that battered fedora back and said to me 'I hate you, but I'll still talk to you, just so you know.' I laughed and he glared at me, but for him that was friendly."

Skulduggery shook his head, smiling. "I should get to the coffee room more. I had no idea our detectives could be so entertaining. What else does the box tell you?"

"Well there's his prized possession right there." I took out a clearly much-loved publicity still of Columbo. Skulduggery smiled faintly as I handed it over. I took out a neatly boxed collection of office supplies. "He was as neat as a cat as far as is desk went. A living nightmare to the other detectives because he slept in his clothes at his desk half the time, or in his car. So his clothes were rumpled and he had stubble and his hair would stick out. Until of course, Leap showed up." I took out a leather grooming kit and placed it on the desk.

"After Leap you never saw a finer detective in the Sanctuary, present company excluded, of course. He got a new fedora, always had a change of clothes on hand, he was a changed man. He told me once Leap gave him and excuse to get up every morning."

"I know the feeling. Go on."

I took the last item from the box. "Here's one of the revolvers he loved to collect, so be careful. He most likely had it loaded. I've got dibs, by the way." I placed a .357 Smith and Wesson Magnum on Skulduggery's desk. He gave an appreciative whistle.

"Lovely. You know most women collect shoes or something. I'm fairly sure what you meant to say is you want your mentor to have that."

"Deal if I can have all the contents of Leap's box after the investigation is over."

"Done. Al right then, on to Leap. Now why on Earth did they seal it so tightly?" Skulduggery grumbled, getting a box opener from one of his desk drawers. "Oh." Was all he said looking into the box. Inside was a rat's nest of things Leap had collected.

"Leap never used his desk. He always used this box, and could always find everything he wanted in it too, which drove Tanas to distraction. On coffee breaks detectives would stand around and ask for something and Leap could almost always produce it. Because he not only lost things, he collected things too, every lost item he'd ever found went into that box."

"He told me a detective should always be prepared for everything. So he very proudly presented me with a Nissan emblem once. Told me it might be just the thing to jog my memory some day." I went over to my jacket and dug it out of one of the deep pockets and tossed it to Skulduggery. It was scratched and some of the chrome had chipped off. Skulduggery looked from the emblem to me in a silent question. I shrugged, then smiled. "He was my friend. Any time he got discouraged I could show him that emblem and he felt he'd done me a world of good. He liked giving presents unlike some people I won't mention. So he was pleased Tanas and I kept them. I know for a fact Tanas kept all of his at home."

"Mmm. I've gotten you gifts. You still have them, remember?"

"Yes I do, and I appreciate it. You just don't give on the scale Leap did. I have a whole drawerful of things he found me, but the Nissan emblem was his best gift he gave me, so I always carry that."

"Quality versus quantity." Skulduggery said, handing the emblem back. I put it back and looked at him.

"You sound jealous. You don't have to be, you know. Everyone got gifts from Leap, and everyone kept them. If he'd have ever worked up the nerve to talk to you, he had plenty of things he set aside for you. They're in here somewhere. Ah, right where he said."

I wove my hand in the way Leap had taught me and got a cardboard box out. It was taped shut, and I knew it was meant for Skulduggery first, so I handed it to him. "I kept telling him you'd like him just fine, but he was too much in awe of you to ever approach you."

"I never knew that. But I suppose I am impressive. Still, I wish he'd said something. But the important thing is I know now, of course. You know I usually don't say this, but thank you, to both of you." I smiled and went to stand beside him and he slit the tape and lifted the lid. A soft smile crossed his face at the wondrous collection inside. A small rock, several pens, a dog-eared pulp crime novel, several spent bullet casings, a small statuette worn smooth with time. A pocket watch, that no longer worked, and other things that all made instant sense to you the moment you saw them.

"He was a Giver." Skulduggery said. "It's a rare form of Adept magic. The recipient knows exactly what the gift means and it will turn out to be very useful at some point in the future. I can tell his thoughts and intents behind the gifts, same as you can with the Nissan emblem. Make sure you keep it, and everything else too. These are rare things, perfect gifts." He gave me a brief hug. "Again, thank you, to both of you. Just don't expect to hear it from me on a regular basis."

"You're welcome, from both of us, though don't hold your breath waiting for me to say that again."

Skulduggery made a sarcastic wheezing sound and clutched at his skeletal neck. "Can't breathe-"

I laughed and went back to Leap's box. "Ah, here's some grooming items." I picked them out almost from memory. "Once when you were busy he showed me how to find things in this box. He must have known I'd need to at some point." I put a comb and a stick of Old Spice deodorant on my desk, a broken down toothbrush and an almost empty tube of toothpaste.

Everything else I was able to take out in order and groups too. Desk supplies, things he'd found and kept, the endless packs of chewing gum he needed to have constantly on hand, some instant coffee and creamer, and other assorted things. But I saved the best for last. I knew he would have wanted me to. I took out a book so rare that the only other copy was in Uncle Gordon's private study. I knew Skulduggery had never seen it before and I knew it would drive him to distraction knowing it had existed and he hadn't been aware of it. It was wrapped in buttery-soft leather to protect it, and had a pair of white gloves resting on top. I donned the gloves and undid the ties slowly, treating the book with the same reverence Leap would have wanted.

The signed copy of 'The Gentleman Detective' had a strangely familiar silhouette of a tall and thin detective embossed on the black leather cover, one hand raised to the brim of a fedora, his trench coat billowing out behind him dramatically. I held it up and smiled to Skulduggery.

He came over, taking it into his hands, not even opening it. He gave me a questioning glance. "I'm teasing, of course it is yours. I have Gordon's copy, in theory at least. That's the only other one in the world, you know."

Skulduggery gave me a tentative smile. "I never knew. I always told Gordon I'd made a wonderful subject for a novel, and he always told me 'no'. How did Leap ever manage to get a copy?"

"You were away of a case and we had a rouge Elemental sorcerer come into the Sanctuary. I was right ahead of him going into the central hall. He had me dead to rights and would have killed me. He'd even got his hands up to launch an attack, but Leap was in the hall and he shot him without hesitation before even the Cleavers could move. Uncle Gordon thought it was the least we could do, considering."

"How did I never hear of this?"

"Leap only asked us for his privacy in thanks. He never wanted anyone to know anything he did. He saved me because I was a detective, and he looked out for his own. He was a remarkable man, a lot like you in that sense. Even though he never knew it, he was a hero in his own right."

"He's my hero, for saving you." At that Skulduggery set the book reverently on his desk and held out his arms to me. He held me for the longest time after, stroking my hair and murmuring his thanks to Leap. Somehow, I knew, Leap heard him.

Told you Tanas and Leap would turn out to be awesome. Don't expect being dead to stop them from reappearing later either.