"Mum, Mum. Stop bawling," Stephanie comforted her mother.

"I'm sorry Steph. It's that you're graduating already, so soon." She blew her nose into a tissue.

Stephanie gave her mother a hug and looked down at her watch. "Hey Mum, I should go now. You know, for the road trip.

Her mother smiled with watery eyes, "Oh you do, my nineteen year old girl." She kissed Stephanie on the forehead, "Go ahead, have fun."

Stephanie smiled and over to her Father who held his arms open for her.

"Come here my big girl." He hugged her tightly. "Have a good time. I love you and I'll see you in a month. Call us."

Stephanie pulled away, "I love you too and thanks. I'll make sure I call you. I'll put a little alarm clock for every Monday."

"Wednesday."

"Wednesday." She waved back at her parents one last time before stepping into the passenger seat of the red hot camaro. Closing the door, Valkyrie pulled off the graduation gown to reveal a black tank top, a little to tight for her, and a pair of black hipster jeans. She threw the gown into the back seat. To arms suddenly wrapped around her shoulders from the drivers seat.

"Congratulations, kiddo!" exclaimed Tanith.

"Yeah, congrats," Fletcher mumbled from the back pulling the gown off his head.

Valkyrie laughed, "Thanks you two." She studied the car. "I'm surprised you didn't come on a motorcycle."

"Skulduggery said it was a bit too radical for your parents," Tanith waved her hand, "Besides, how would I have gotten your crap onto the back of my baby."

Valkyrie shrugged, "This has been the best car he's ever let me ride in yet."

"The devils beauty. If only he knew about it."

Valkyrie nudged her arm as she began to pull out of the crowded school parking lot.

Valkyrie grinned when the pulled up to Skulduggery's house on Cemetery Road. She recognized the 1954 R-type Continental Bentley in the driveway with its new car wash. She smiled remembering a few days back when it plunged into a muddy ditch. Skulduggery swore he set the parking break on that hill.

When Tanith parked, Valkyrie jumped out excitedly, Fletcher and Tanith hurrying after her. Before Valkyrie could get to the front door, the two blocked her way.

"Hey, you'll ruin the surprise if you barge in like that," Fletcher snorted.

Valkyrie crossed her arms, "I'll punch you if you don't get out of my way."

"Okay, okay," Fletcher retreated putting up his hands.

Tanith laughed and cover Valkyrie's eyes with a hand. "No peeking."

"I can't see anything," Valkyrie proved. She heard Fletcher open the door and Tanith carefully guided her inside the house. The familiar smell of must and dust flooded her senses.

"Okay," Tanith removed her hand.

Valkyrie gasped as she gazed upon the transformation of Skulduggerys living room just for her in the colors of black and red.

"Congratulations!" everyone shouted.

Ghastly stood near the opening to the kitchen with a party hat, China sat across the couch in the center, Fletcher stood next to her, Tanith beamed at her: she didn't see Skulduggery.

She heard the door close behind her and she turned to see Skulduggery close the door with a single hand. He was in his regular attire, so familiar.

"Congratulations, Valkyrie," he said in his usual velvet voice. She could listen to it all day. "You better be grateful and happy because," he waved a hand around the living room, "Look what they did to my house."

"This is great," Valkyrie smiled, "Thank you, thank you all." She felt Skulduggery smile.

When the party began to wind down , Valkyrie found Skulduggery outside on his back porch. Well she didn't think it was much of a porch but still. Skulduggery had removed his coat and stood leaning against a pilliar, one arm up and the other a fist to his waist. He was staring at the sunset that lined the sky. She always thought he had a good view of it.

When he heard her approach, he said without turning, "Tired already?"

"Tanith is being a dork with the pin the tail on Ghastly. She's still trying to get to him." She heard him laugh. When he became silent once more, she asked, "What are thinking about?"

Skulduggery took a pause before answering, "I was thinking about my family and how much you remind me of them. I was also thinking on how much you've grown."

Valkyrie joined him by his side: he remained still. "Thanks for letting me stay with you for a month."

He shrugged, "You asked nicely. But now I need to pay attention to all those little things for you."

She smiled, "I can take care of myself. I'm nineteen."

He tilted his head in her direction, "I know. You've grown into a fine young woman."

Valkyrie felt herself blush. "Thank you."

SkulPoint of View

Skulduggery turned his whole body to look at her. He saw the last of the sun reflect off her face, highlighting her features. Ever since he had taken her as his assistant, she had always reminded him of his wife. She had also always reminded him of how he couldn't save her. Even though, Valkyrie had grown to fulfill her feminine fatigue. Guiltily, his eye sockets scanned down her body. It was a good thing he could keep his head still. Despite his feelings he could still hit that wall at the end of the tunnel that separated them permanently. It contained things like "Your over four hundred years old", "She's your apprentice", and his least favorite "Your a dead man."

"So," Valkyrie said breaking into his thoughts, "Where do I sleep?"

Skulduggery already had this problem figured, of course. "Ghastly and myself took the librity of making a room up for you in one of the back living rooms. China did put her touch to it though."

Valkyrie smiled, "That's nice of her. I'll make sure to removed every single piece of lace in my room."

"Wouldn't expect anything less." He watched as she left through the door, leaving him alone once more. He'd hoped she'd like her gift.

Hope you enjoyed the first chapter of the new Valduggery fan fic