Disclaimer: Scooby Doo and all related characters including references to characters in 'Pirate's Ahoy' are the property of Hanna-Barbera, Warner Bros., and or Cartoon Network. All other characters, locations or events are the figment of the author's immagination.
This story has no connection to 'Winds of Change'.

Written in the Stars

Chapter One: A Vacation in Miami

The ghost pirate galleon lay at anchor in a secured area of Miami harbor. Since the pirate incident had started on the 'Galaxy Gazer' the F.B.I. and the local police had swarmed over the ship immediately; the pirates, Biff Wellington and Mr. Mysterio, had been escorted off by a contingent of
F. B. I. And local police. It was now well past sundown; the police had began by taking statements from Captain Crothers and the staff. Sunny St. Cloud hadn't looked that sunny when she was called to give her statement.

"Any idea on how long this is going to take?" Fred, exhausted from the days ordeal rubbed his eyes. They felt like his eyelids were made of sandpaper.

"Mr. Garcia said he talked to the F. B. I. Agent in charge about what we did. We should be the first after the Captain and staff," Velma sighed, "It's going to be a long night."

"I talked to my parents, they've made arrangements at a local hotel for us," said Fred.

"And a long day." Velma muttered under her breath; a whole day cornered by Peggy Jones and her ever present camera wasn't her idea of any vacation.

"Guys," Fred continued, luckily he hadn't heard Velma's muttering, "I don't know about you, but I could use some time off; how about we extend our vacation a few days here in Miami?"

"Like, a few days? Why not a week? As long as there are no pirates, monsters, ghosts or mysteries!" Shaggy added.

"Ah, you guys looked so cute in that two headed chicken costume," Daphne smiled, " I just bet that if you asked her, Sunny St. Cloud would hire you guys on the spot."

"And go back into the Bermuda Triangle? No Way! Not even for a truck load of Scooby Snacks!"

"No need to rush home, I vote yes for the week," was Velma's vote, "what hotel are we staying at, Fred? They're going to release us when we finish with our statements; no need for all of us to stay behind waiting for the last one to finish. How about we go back to the hotel as we're released, get some sleep, and meet for breakfast and then plan our stay?"

"Sounds like a plan!" Fred agreed; adding the name of a local hotel.

----------Xxxxxx

At 8 am, a very sleepy Fred, dressed in pajama's and robe, knocked on Shaggy's door. After receiving a "Woof!" and a sleepy, "okay mom, I'm awake!" he knocked on Daphne's door.

"Is it that time already?" was Daphne's almost incoherent answer.

A knock on Velma's door got no response---a second and a third got the same result: none.

"Daphne, you awake?" Fred asked, after lightly tapping on her door.

"Fred! I've barely got my eyes open...What do you want?"

"I can't get an answer from Velma's room. I was hoping you could check on her."

"She was the last of our group to be released, probably just sleeping soundly. Like I'd like to be doing." Seconds later a phone was heard ringing inside Velma's room; after six rings, it stopped. Several moments went by when Daphne opened her door, tying her robe.

"The desk says she isn't answering her phone, I convinced them to send up security with a pass key."

Fred was speechless at the sight before him, a disheveled, bleary eyed redhead that had little resemblance to Daphne Blake. "What?" she stifled a yawn.

Fred was saved from any response when the security man, Shaggy and Scooby joined them. Shaggy looked at Daphne then at Fred.

"Not one word Shaggy Rogers!" Daphne pointed a shapely, if unpainted finger at him. "one word! Just remember, Peggy Jones wasn't the only one with a camera!"

"I was just going to say how pretty you look this morning," Shaggy grinned.

"That's better...Fred?"

For the second time that short but busy morning, Fred was saved when the security man spoke.

"I'll need all of you to stay here in the hall or return to your rooms."

"That is our friend in there, we're worried something might have happened to her. We're not going anywhere." 'Fred could be so commanding when he needed to be' a smiling Daphne thought.

"Okay, no problem. I'll just take a peek, probably just asleep." The security man inserted the pass key and gently opened the door.

The three gasped when Scooby rushed inside. It was a very nice, clean room with a king size bed in the middle of the room. Velma's suitcase rested on the floor where the hotel staff had placed it earlier.

The bed hadn't been slept in and there was no sign of Velma. The room was completely empty.

"Relma?" Scooby whined, "Rears Relma?"