Riiiight. This is my ULTIMATE expression of Valduggery. It gets a little raunchy and heavy in places, but hey! I like it. And my friend who read it (Pepsi, that's you) thought it was cool beans, so I hope you agree too. And you'll be very happy to know I've actually written it in advance, so it will actually end well! Horror of horrors! But yeah. Heavy Valduggery. This is after ALL the books, years and years into the future... :P So enjoy....

Chapter 1: Now

Skulduggery put his hands over Valkyrie's eyes and led her over the threshold of Cemetery Road. "What are you doing? "she asked, a slight laugh lacing her words.

"You'll see," he promised.

He led her through the corridors of the flat, despite the fact she knew them as well as he did. She knew that they'd now entered the main living room. "Ok, you can look now," Skulduggery said. He gently peeled his hands away from her eyes and instead curled them round her waist, resting his head on top of hers. "You can look," he said again.

Valkyrie slowly began to open her eyes, not sure what to expect. With Skulduggery, anything could happen. She opened her eyes.

Skulduggery had moved the dining table into the large bay window. There were two candles on it and dinner for one. He'd made her dinner, even though he couldn't eat or taste. She loved these little things he did. "Happy Anniversary," he whispered in her ear. She smiled up at him, nuzzling her head into his neck bone. "Thank you," she whispered.

They stood there for a while, happy in each others touch. Then Skulduggery pointed out that since he'd made her dinner, she should really eat it. At that, Valkyrie laughed and sat at the table. Skulduggery sat down opposite her. She'd come to love the way he seemed to stare at her, even though she couldn't technically tell. When she'd first noticed it, she'd been a little freaked out. But back then, she hadn't known the reasons behind it. After a few years, she'd asked him why and he'd said that he especially liked watching her eat. He couldn't remember eating, so he liked to watch it.

Valkyrie finally put down her knife and fork. "That was lovely. Since when did you cook, though?"

"I'm a man of many talents," he shrugged. "Like dancing." He held out his hand whilst simultaneously turning on the stereo. Her favourite song breathed out across the speakers.

"You do realise you're being ridiculously generous?"

"Did you have anything planned?" His voice was playful, his head tilted.

"No, but-"

"But nothing. Just don't complain, be quiet and dance with me. Please" He swept her out of her seat and into his arms.

"Well, if you put it like that..." she whispered. "I love you when you're like this," she continued. Her arms were coiled round his ribs.

"You mean being hopelessly romantic or just well prepared?"

"Hmmmm, I'm going to go with well prepared." Skulduggery leant forwards, tipping her back in his arms. His fingers gently caressed her head and his skull seemed to float above of her. To some, he may have looked like a child's nightmare, but he was her nightmare. Well, more of a dream come true.

"You know what, I think I prefer the romantic."

"I hoped you'd say that." They continued to dance, each in harmony to the other without even realising.

"I do consider myself as very romantic," Skulduggery commented

"Yes , I know. I remember every moment with you, you realise." She leant her head on his collar bone. "You are perfect."

"I know."

"Don't ruin the mood," she said, playfully slapping his collar bone.