Preamble

A couple of notes for this story. As the summary said it's Velma/OC and femslash so if you don't like femslash or find the whole area offends your sensibilities then don't read. Also, aside from Shaggy, all of the gang's partners are OC's but none of them get much of a look in.

Chapter 1: Orange Lady Down

It was 8am Sunday morning, a time which for Daphne existed only as an abstract concept if she could at all help it. She was half awake daydreaming about her forthcoming wedding, trying to imagine Velma in a lilac dress and what it would take to feed Shaggy and Scooby at the reception though the latter was turning more into a comic nightmare than anything else. Before she knew what was happening Daphne had her cell phone in her hand. A few seconds into the call she was sitting bolt upright and fully awake. The moment that call had finished she called Fred.

"What's wrong Daph?" for Daphne to be calling this early in the morning there had to be something wrong.

"Suki called, Velma collapsed and fell down the stairs..."

"Oh no, where is she now?"

"Coolsville General, Suki's there with her and her parents are on the way, she's not badly hurt but Velma's got to listen this time."

"I hope so Daph, you get over there, I'll give Shag a call and pick him up on the way."

Barely pausing to get changed Daphne rushed down stairs where her fiancé was getting breakfast ready in preparation for his trip to Coolsville General where he was a radiographer.

"Morning Daph, what's wrong? Who was on the phone?"

"Suki, Velma's just collapsed; she's been taken to Coolsville."

"That doesn't sound good but Jimi's the trauma team leader this morning so she's in good hands. Let's grab breakfast to go and head over there now."

"Thanks sweetie" said Daphne giving him a kiss on the cheek

At the hospital it was quickly determined that Velma had come to no real harm aside from some bumps and a few spectacular bruises on her hip and thigh so she was moved into a room to be kept under observation for a while just to be the safe side. Once all the prodding and poking had finished it was just a case of counting ceiling tiles and waiting. Velma stretched herself and closed her eyes because of the pain. She relaxed and the pain eased, opening her eyes again she saw Suki looking at her, fresh worry and concern written over her face. It hurt to see Suki so worried, it broke her heart to know that it was her own stubbornness that had caused it.

"I'm so sorry Suki. It's my fault, I'm too stubborn..." Velma whispered, Suki squeezed her hand.

"Shh Velma, don't worry, your not hurt and that's all that matters to me, you're all that matters to me."

"As are you Suki, you're the best."

Velma's parents entered her room carrying some drinks for them all.

"Sorry the drinks are a bit cold we got lost, this place is a maze. Good news Velma, we bumped into one of the doctors and they said you should be able to go home in a few more hours and we've just seen the rest of your friends arrive" said her Father

"Thanks Dad" Velma sighed.

"That's good to hear father" said Suki breathing a sigh of relief, smiling at Velma's parents. While Suki was distracted Velma looked at her; her long silky jet-black hair glistened as the morning light came in through the window, her jade-green eyes perfectly framed by thin metal glasses now shone once more with happiness. Again Velma felt the same butterflies in her stomach she experienced when she'd first met Suki in their senior year at university. Suki looked around to find gazing lovingly at her and couldn't help but return her gaze.

Daphne had rushed ahead from the others to be with one of her oldest friends but paused at the door when she caught sight of Suki and Velma looking at each other, it was clear nothing else mattered to them so Daphne decided not to disturb them. There she was, Suki McPhearson, Velma's partner and soul-mate. The Japanese-American had stolen Velma's heart the moment she had seen her and Daphne could tell it was happening all over again. It hadn't been a complete surprise to the gang when midway through graduate school Velma had come out to them all. What had been a surprise was to find out that Suki, the friend they had heard so much about, was actually Velma's partner and had been for the past two years. But in the few years since being introduced to the gang she had become an integral part of their lives. It was through Suki that Daphne had met her now fiancé and Fred had met his girlfriend, both of whom worked at Coolsville General as did Suki. Velma's wardrobe had also improved; Suki was slightly taller than Velma but had the pretty much the same figure so Velma just borrowed Suki's clothes.

As expected Velma was discharged from hospital late that afternoon and the gang came round to help out. Suki and Velma's mother concentrated on looking after Velma, Velma's father brought endless cups of tea and coffee to everyone while Shaggy and Scooby set to work cooking dinner. Fred and Daphne came in from the garden carrying in the washing that had been hung up that morning to find Suki looking through the medicine box, a white coat draped over her shoulder.

"A white coat? Suki, you're a PhD not an MD" said Daphne as Fred went to put the washing in the utility room.

"Close enough given what I studied. Anyway this is one of my hospital lab coats and strangely enough Velma's more likely to do as she's told if I wear a white coat than not" smiled Suki

"That's Velma for you. But you work in their pathology labs! Is it safe to wear near her given she's already ill"

"Sure it's been through the autoclave"

"What are those stains?" asked Fred as he re-entered the room. Suki took the coat off her shoulder and began to work through the various stains and marks

"Oh well this was a norovirus virus culture that got spilt, this was from something we found growing in a bottle in one of the cupboards in the lab, this is from an E. coli O157 culture, that's from a chocolate bar I left in the pocket, that's from some amoebic dysentery, this is a rather impressive acid stain..."

"Jeepers is it safe for you to wear?" asked Daphne backing away slightly.

"Right we've got enough pain-killers and heat-rub should Velma need any and..." Suki sniffed the air while her stomach rumbled "...I think Shag has finished dinner. Thanks for all your help today"

"No problem Suki, you need to take care of Velma"

They were all crammed round the dining table as Shaggy came out of the kitchen carrying a large saucepan, Scooby followed carrying some bread rolls.

"Dr Shaggy coming through with the Rogers' family recipe chicken noodle soup for the patient and her guests" Shaggy walked over to the dining table carrying a large saucepan of soup

"Here you go Velma" Shaggy filled her bowl with soup making sure she had all the choice parts of the soup.

"Mmmmm that smells as good as ever Shag"

"Mr Dinkley, Mrs Dinkley"

"Thank you Norville dear"

"For you Suki"

"Thanks Shaggy"

"OK gang the rest of you can help yourselves so dig in" said Shaggy putting the huge saucepan down on the table.

Velma looked around at her friends and family as everyone tucked in and felt like crying. She knew this was a combination of tiredness making a hash of her emotions and the overwhelming care and attention she was getting. Rather than yelling at her or telling her off for being so silly, they were rallying round to support her. She knew she had to repay their kindness, and there was one obvious way. As hard as it was for her she resolved to do it, she would do as she was told. Shaggy was the master of comfort food, healthy nutritious comfort food in this case. All designed to fill Velma up and make her sleepy and soon everyone could tell it was working. Everyone quietly said their goodbyes leaving Suki with just one job to do.

"Come on, time for bed sleepy-head" said Suki putting her arm round Velma and leading her upstairs.

Velma had been instructed by the hospital to see her doctor as soon as the practice opened on Monday morning. Her mother had come round expecting to have to argue with her daughter to get her to go but when she arrived Velma was waiting, ready to go. Suki had arranged to work from home that afternoon so she could keep an eye on Velma. On her way out to work Suki told Velma's mother the news she'd been waiting to hear.

"I didn't even have to ask Velma to get ready. She knows deep down she has to do something"

"That's a relief; I know she feels bad about putting you through this"

"Tell me about it, I've lost count of the number of times she said sorry yesterday"

"Same here, well you've got to get to work. See you later Suki dear"

"See you"

Suki went to Velma and gave her a hug which Velma reciprocated

"See you this afternoon"

"Can't wait" Velma pulled Suki in close and snuggled into her, Suki wrapped her arms around Velma and held her tightly. Velma closed her eyes and lost herself in Suki's embrace "thanks for everything Suki, love you"

"Love you too"

They shared a brief goodbye kiss then Suki went to work.

Velma stared at the closed door and sighed, she could have done with a few more hours of that hug.

"I'm so lucky to have Suki, oh and you too mother."

"Nice of you to notice dear" her mother chuckled, leading Velma out of the house

"I know but I still feel like I've been taking you, dad, Suki and the gang for granted. Not any more. Let's not keep the doctor waiting"

The doctor reviewed the notes and blood test results from hospital and gave Velma a general examination before pronouncing judgement.

"Well Ms Dinkley you are utterly exhausted, I know you like work but you have just ground your self down this past year. It also looks like you have picked up a low-level viral infection as well, your body is simply too tired to fight it off effectively."

"Guessed as much, I feel like I'm always going down with a cold"

"Plenty of fluids should help with the infection but..."

"I know, I need to ease off for a bit."

"No Ms Dinkley you must take a holiday, a complete break from everything. This is not a suggestion; this is my instruction to you. Next time you'll probably end up being hospitalised"

"OK doctor, I owe it as much to Suki as I do to myself. I'll start looking now." Inside Velma sagged; she could feel the tiredness take hold as she finally accepted that she was unwell. She got up and was about to open the door when her doctor called out to her.

"A mystery-free holiday Ms Dinkley, mystery-free."

"Jinkies I'll try" she said and left the doctors office.

"How was it Velma dear?" said her mother as she came out of the doctors' office. She stood up and walked over to Velma taking her by the arm.

"I must take a holiday."

"Well, I've been saying that for ages."

"I know mother, but now it's a choice between holiday or hospital. This time I will."

"That's what you said last time."

"This time it's different. Now I'm affecting others, you, dad, Suki, it's just not right it's not fair. Let's go holiday shopping"

Finally her mother thought. Her daughter's stubbornness was one of the reasons she had been as successful as she was, the endless stream of government departments and companies requesting her services was proof of that, but it also had a destructive side which she had yet to fully master.

Late that afternoon Velma walked into Mystery Inc headquarters, holding onto Suki for support, she was really beginning to feel that tumble down the stairs now and her tiredness was making everything else ache. Velma didn't like to be beaten, not by a problem, nor a mystery but especially not by herself. But even she had to admit that sheer stubbornness wasn't going to see her through this time. However admitting to herself that she was ill had made her feel even worse, she slumped in an armchair; looking tired and haggard she gazed up at her friends and sighed.

"Right gang you'll get no arguments from me, even I have to admit I need a holiday after that scare."

"So what convinced you at last?" asked Daphne then immediately regretted it as she saw Velma bite her bottom lip and try to hold in the tears.

"Waking up wondering what I was doing at the bottom of the stairs then seeing Suki so scared and upset. Seeing Suki like that, that did it for me, I realised that I was hurting others by my stubbornness."

"So any ideas where you two want to go?" asked Fred rapidly changing the subject

"That's where you all come in. I need you to find me a place with no mysteries, but will be relaxing and interesting for us. I went holiday shopping with my mother and collected all these brochures" Suki then deposited a huge wedge of travel brochures on the table.

"I'll make sure Velma stays away from anything mysterious so don't you all worry" said Suki sitting on the arm of the chair and resting her arm round Velma's shoulders.

"Also it's going to be nice to spend some time with Suki, we haven't had a real holiday together for a while" said Velma resting her head on Suki's thigh.

"Half way through grad-school if I remember correctly, whale watching off the coast near Boston."

"Yes that was fantastic; jinkies was is that long ago?"

"Uh-uh"

"Oh I'm so sorry Suki, well it's just a couple of years since we left grad-school so this will be the holiday I promised we'd take to celebrate getting our doctorates."

"Like, you could have always come on holiday with us at any time Suki. Stop looking at me like that" said Shaggy pushing Scooby out in front of him for protection as Suki raised her eyebrows and gave him a hard stare at his suggestion.

"Are you serious? I've heard all about what happens on one of your "holidays" from Velma. Why do you think no-one will go on holiday with you all together?"

"She has a point Shag" said Fred as Daphne and Scooby nodded in agreement.

"Yeah, as much as I love going on holidays with you all a mystery is the last thing I need right now" said Velma

"Right, lets get stuck in" said Daphne as she handed out the brochures. Slowly they began to wade through the collection as they hunted for the perfect holiday.

"Velma what do you think of this island lake resort?" said Fred

"Velma? Vel-ma" said Shaggy waving his hand in front of her face. Velma had fallen asleep while reading one of the brochures with her head resting against Suki's thigh.

"She's well gone by the look of her Shag. Can I see instead?" Suki shifted slightly as she took the brochure, trying to get comfortable but not wake Velma. She looked over the details of the resort for a few minutes while the rest of the gang continued their search "Fred, this place looks ideal, can someone check if it's mystery free please. Gosh Velma has a heavy head."

"Do you want us to move her?" said Daphne

"No she needs to sleep, my leg can go without blood for a while longer, I'm used to her using me as a pillow anyway."

"Like I know all about it Suki, Velma's been using me as a pillow on mysteries since we were kids. I don't mind either, she looks cute when she's asleep" said Shaggy as he went to the computer and looked up details of the location.

"That she is Shag, far too cute to wake up" said Suki looking softly at Velma, gently brushing the hair from her face.

"Huh, wha? Who's calling me cute? Oh sorry gang I must have nodded off" said Velma waking up

"I think Fred's found the place Velma" said Suki handing her the brochure. Velma began to read though the description and a smile began to appear on her face.

"Like its ideal Velma, according to the MysterySoft Map of Mystery the most mysterious thing that ever happened was a pantry door once started to creak when it was opened, and that was back in 1948" said Shaggy looking round from the computer

"No internet, no TV, poor cell-phone reception, I think I can take that for a week"

"No internet? Are you sure Velma? It's like Daph going without her make-up for a week." said Fred deliberately baiting Daphne.

"I am not that obsessed... Fred Jones you said that on purpose!" replied Daphne falling for it hook, line and sinker much to everyone's amusement.

"Seriously, look there's nature walks, fishing, swimming, boating, climbing, fossil hunting, caving, plus the place is dark enough for some serious star gazing..."

"Sounds perfect, I'll see if I can borrow my brother's portable telescope" said Suki

"But what if a mystery comes up, who's going to stand-in..." said Velma

"Patrick from the Criminology Institute will stand-in for you as per normal."

"Thanks guys. Let's book that holiday!"

A short while later Velma and Suki gave each other a high-five then Velma spun round in office chair and gave a little cheer.

"Well that's all sorted. A nice slow scenic drive to a hotel near the resort for an overnight stay and a visit to the nearby art museum, the next day we drive to the resort and catch the lunch-time boat to the island followed by 5 mystery-free days there and back in time for our team social."

"A mystery-free holiday, like Velma you're living our dream" said Shaggy wistfully, while Scooby nodded in agreement.