Me Notes: Sorry if this story sounds like another one out there, I haven't read any so I can say I haven't stolen any ideas. I'll probably read them though, because I can't get enough of Skulduggery Pleasant. Romance will happen between Skulduggery and Valkyrie, sorry if you no like. Me no own Skulduggery Pleasant.

Envy

Chapter One: Away

The most action Stephanie Edgley has seen these days were the Toxic Twins bullying yet another first-year at Haggard High. It was the twin's last year in high school and both the twins and Stephanie were glad they only had to endure a year together, but it was still too much for their taste. Stephanie at age 15 and Crystal and Carol at 18 were still not on good terms or will ever be.

Lately, she's had to go to school because even Skulduggery couldn't find anything to do. The brunette was walking home from the bus when she sensed the Bentley approach her. The dark tainted windows rolled down. "Valkyrie," the detective quickly said in a serious tone. "I'm reeeeaaalllyyy bored." Skulduggery tilted his head to the left to watch her reaction.

She went from concerned and alert to fury and revenge in a spit second. Valkyrie lunged for his Cervical Vertebrae. His window was too slow, but he managed to move back. The girl grabbed his scarf and pulled him to her face. Suddenly the rage disappeared from her eyes and she laughed, "Same here."

If Skulduggery could blink he would. "What was that? I thought I was done for."

"Yeah, it only means you're getting too old," Cain teased, released him, and started to walk. The car kept beside her at her speed. "But are you really bored to follow me around? The neighbors will think you're some kidnapper or child molester or whatever."

All he did was shrug and ask about school.

"Even boring as ever," she sighed. "I do not see why I actually missed going to school for a mere second. High school's no different than elementary or middle school and now I'm in the same building as the Toxic Twins. There must be some case for us to do?!"

Skulduggery nodded, "It's even going slow for Tanith Low so she's dropping by one of these days."

That comment made her stop and turn to the Bentley, her eyes full of excitement. "Really?! She's stopping by?! When will she be here?"

The skeleton took his right hand off the steering wheel and crossed his arms. "Why are you so glad to hear she's coming? Whenever you see me coming all you roll your eyes."

Just as he said it she rolled her eyes. "See!?" Skulduggery pointed his boney index finger at her.

"It's a girl thing," Valkyrie looked away, trying to hide her blush forming. Tanith was the only one who knew Valkyrie's secret she's had for a while.

"Apparently," Mr. Pleasant pronounced every syllable. His watch suddenly beeped. "Oops, gotta run."

Cain stopped again and turned to look at him, "For what?"

"It's a guy thing," he mimicked and chuckled. "I'll meet you later for more training."

Valkyrie complained, "Uhh, that's all we ever do now!"

All he did was shrug and rolled up his window. The Bentley cruised away as she reached her door steps. She watched him until he disappeared and he did the same through the rearview mirror, both sighing when they weren't visible.

Once she entered through the doorway and shut the door she heard her mother's voice. "Stephanie? Is that you?"

"Yes, mum, I'm back," Valkyrie followed her mother's voice to her parent's room. "What's going on? Why aren't you at work?"

Her mother hesitated then finished zipping up a suitcase. "I'm sorry honey, but your father and I have to go to the villa in France because we have to supervise repairs that are going on. We've been trying to do it from home, but it's very difficult. We'd take you with us, but you just started school and we don't want to take you from your studies. Is there any chance you can stay at Hannah's place?"

Valkyrie bit her lip, "Umm, Hannah and I sorta broke apart...."

Mrs. Edgley nodded as she zipped up another suitcase. "That happens as you grow older; you're best friends one day and the next you drift apart. It's just part of growing up."

"Can't I stay by myself?" she watched her mother pace back and forth from the bed and the closet. "How long will it be anyways?"

She shook her head as she started yet another suit case, "I'm not sure, love. Mmm-maybe you can come with us, I don't think you'll miss much in school... at the most it'll be a month."

A month? Thirty days without Skulduggery? Valkyrie shook that thought away. No, I mean, in less than thirty days there's bound to be a case for us to do... us...

Valkyrie's mother didn't let her think much, "Or you could stay with your cousins, you go to the same school now...."

"NO WAY!" she jumped out of her little trance. "What if I stay at the mansion?"

"And who would supervise you?" Mrs. Edgley sat on a suitcase. "It's the same thing as staying at home alone and staying at the mansion. How will you get to school?"

She pondered, "I'll keep the gates locked up. What if I have a responsible adult with me? Do you remember Mr. Pleasant, the man that was with us when the will was read? Uncle Gordon trusted him. He can take me to school too."

Her mother gave a disapproving look, "You still see him?"

More than you know... "Yeah, I see him every other day or so either going to school or walking home. I, uh, was just chatting with him on my way here," Valkyrie gave her and innocent look.

Valkyrie felt a disturbance in the air and noticed her dad coming up the stairs, "Hey, wants going on? Are we all settled?"

His daughter turned to look at him, "Do you trust Mr. Pleasant?"

He gave her an approving nod, "Yeah, he's a fine guy..."

"See?! Dad agrees!" Stephanie spun around to look at her mother.

"I agree with what?" Mr. Edgley looked from daughter to wife. "What I'd miss?"

Mrs. Edgley jumped off the suit case. "She wants to stay at Gordon's place with Mr. Pleasant looking after her. What do you think?"

He placed his hand on his chin, "Nnnnn... I don't know.... I guess we, if we can talk to him in less than three hours, then yes. We have to get going soon, so I wouldn't bet on it. I'd go pack if I were you--"

"I'll call him right now!" The excited teen ran out of her parent's room and to her own.

"She has his number?" Mr. Edgley's voice faltered.

Mrs. Edgley sat on the bed, "I think she has a little crush on him." She gave him a worried look and he laughed nervously, "Don't worry. Every girl gets a crush on an adult, it'll fade, just like everything else. He probably has a wife and children, it's nothing..." She kept repeating this so she would believe her own words.

Skulduggery picked up his phone on the first ring. "Valkyrie? What's wrong?" Worry colored his voice. "Where are you?"

Cain tried not to grin so much. "Can you offer to 'baby-sit' me? Let me explain. My parents are going to France and they want me to stay with a responsible adult. They said they'll let me stay at Gordon's place if you look after me, but you have to be here in less than three hours.... It's either you or to stay with the twins."

"Gee," Skulduggery sounded hurt, "you were actually considering the twins over me?"

She laughed nervously and didn't know why. "If not, then I'll be going to France with them and I'm not letting you have the fun of taking a case by yourself. So can you?"

"Sure, I'm on my way now," he sounded eager so he hung up before he sounded even more idiotic.

X. x. X.

Mrs. Edgley still didn't look confident enough to be leaving her only child alone with almost a complete stranger. No matter what she said Stephanie didn't want to go to France with them or stay with her cousins. Her husband wasn't completely thrilled either, but it was the only way. He tried to comfort and assure her and finally left in a rush for to catch the plane.

Once they were gone Valkyrie turned and looked up at Skulduggery, "Okay, they're gone. You can go home now." She slowly turned and he followed her inside the house. "What are you doing? I can stay by myself; it's p-perfectly sa-safe."

Skulduggery wagged a finger at her, "I promised your parents that I would keep an eye out for you. Of course, I've been doing that for quite a while now, but none the less, get your things and let's go."

"Where?" Tanith Low appeared at the unclosed doorway to the house. "I just got here and you're planning on leaving. You sure are kind."

After Valkyrie and Skulduggery explained the situation Tanith came up with a plan. "Okay, okay. How about I take Valkyrie to Gordon's place and I can stay with her. You can go do whatever you do these days, Skulduggery. It'll be a girl's time, we don't need you. Go on Valkyrie go get your stuff, we'll stay at your uncle's place."

All he could do was let his jaw drop as she ran up to her room. "B-b-but, there's nothing for me to do then!" His shoulders and arms went limp.

"Besides," Low snickered and gave him a look, "you're a guy, you can't take care of a girl."

"Oh come on!" the detective threw his hands in the air. "Like I would do anything to Valkyrie! You honestly can't be thinking that."

Tanith pretended to be shocked, "Skulduggery, I wasn't thinking that. I never knew you could be that way, I am shocked."

Valkyrie walked down the stairs with a two bags, one was her school bag and the other was filled with clothes. "Shocked about what Tanith?"

"Nothing," Skulduggery said a little too quickly and turned away. "I'll just stay for a little while; there really isn't anything to do. Besides, I told Valkyrie we'd train today."

"Sure," Tanith dragged the word out. "You know I could train with her too..."

The teen had no clue what they were going on about, but she challenged them both at the same time. "I've always wanted to see how I can fair with two people at a time. It's been quiet for too long, so I'm guessing I should take all the training I can get. That way neither of you have to worry about me whenever something big is going on. Deal?"

All they did is shrug and nod. "Alright."

Valkyrie rode with Tanith on her motorcycle and Skulduggery rode with Valkyrie's bags. They arrived in a matter of minutes to the mansion. Skulduggery got out of the Bentley with her bags and walked over to them. "Alright, I think we should practice before it gets too dark out an--"

"So I finally get to meet the infamous Skulduggery Pleasant and Valkyrie Cain, oh, and I must not forget Tanith Low!" A young male's voice came from all around them. He had an accent that none of them could identify. They looked around and found no one.

A dark figure appeared on the roof and a fireball headed their way. Like old times, Skulduggery grabbed hold of Valkyrie and jumped out of the way. Tanith jumped in the opposite direction, ran towards the house, then up it to get to the roof. Her sword already out. Skulduggery peeked from around the Bentley and saw Tanith and the dark figure going at it.

"Uh, Skulduggery," Valkyrie looked down at his hand on her chest. "Can you let go of me?"

He looked down at her and saw where his hand was. "Eh, uh, oh, sorry, didn't mean to grab you there..." If he was an ordinary man, he would have been scarlet red. Both looked away from each other. Valkyrie peeked from the end of the vehicle to examine the fight. She blinked and he was gone. Tanith swung at the air.

"You can't escape me, I'm everywhere," his voice came again, but this time right behind Valkyrie. She only had time to turn, but was able to see Skulduggery punch him and land across the lawn under the shadow of a tree. He got up on one knee and laughed. "This was fun, but I have to go. It was nice meeting you, adios." With that, he dissolved into the ground.

"Did any of you get a good look at him?" Tanith was in-between them in seconds.

Valkyrie and Skulduggery shook their heads no. Valkyrie rapidly blinked, "It was like he was only a dark silhouette."

"But I was able to land a punch on him," Skulduggery crossed his arms and tapped his chin. "It felt normal when I did."

His bad choice of words caused them to feel awkward and turn away from each other. "Did I miss something?" Tanith looked a back and forth from Skulduggery's and Valkyrie's back.

Me Notes: Yeah, it's long sorry. Please review, even if you didn't like it…. Tell me if it confused you.