Fred squared his shoulders as he approached his friend. It was time to end Frank's bullying once and for all. He had waited until after school and told the gang he'd meet them at Shaggy's after football practice.

Practice went well and after wards he approached Frank. "Hey can we talk?"

Frank, the fat jock, looked at him. "Yeah."

"Frank don't trip Shaggy on the bus anymore."

The big kid smirked at him. "Why? Just because YOU made friends with the dweeb doesn't mean I have to be nice."

Fred glared at him. "He's not a dweeb! He's a good guy unlike you!"

Frank glared at him. "Oh really Fred? You've gone soft."

Fred watched as he stood up and cracked his knuckles. He grunted as he was grabbed and shoved against the lockers before being punched in the face, causing a black eye.

"Knew you thought you were better then everyone!"

He continued to beat him up until the coach came in after the other players told him what was going on.

He yanked off the bully and checked over the beaten up teenager. "Go home Jones and take care of that."

Fred nodded and left. He smirked when he heard Frank getting yelled at and put in detention.

Every bruise on his body was worth it. For the first time he had found someone that did care about him…or rather four someones. He felt protective of his newfound friends…much like a big brother.

The moment he got to Shaggy's and the lanky boy opened the door he grinned at the horror on his face.

"ZOINKS! Fred what happened?!"

Fred patted his shoulder. "You're not going to get tripped anymore on the bus."

Shaggy watched him enter his basement room. "You…you did that…f-for me?"

Velma dashed upstairs to get some ice while Daphne dug in her purse for some cream for the bruises.

Fred smiled at him. "Shag, I've never had any real friends and didn't realize it until I met you guys. " He bent down and petted a whimpering Scooby. "Ever since that day in detention that set everything in motion I finally found out what true friendship is. This…" he indicated to his face and body. "Is worth it knowing that at least one bully is out of commission…for awhile at least. You're my best friend Shag…and no doubt will be for a VERY long time."

Shaggy stared softly at him. He felt so touched. What could he say to that?

Velma returned with a cloth of ice and gently put it on his eye. "Lay down Freddy," she ordered.

Fred did as he was told.

"Take off your shirt," Velma said.

He blushed and did just that. There was a bruise on his stomach and one on his arm that was shaped like a handprint.

A growl erupted out of Scooby…and the other three teens.

Daphne found the cream and applied it on the bruises.

"Hey Fred? What's your favorite food?" Shaggy asked.

Fred looked at him. "Uh…anything's fine."

"Ok…how about a pizza," Shaggy said. "Toppings?"

"The works but…"

Shaggy nodded and went upstairs.

Scooby laid beside Fred and nuzzled him.

Fred pet him. "I'm ok Scooby."

He looked at Velma and wasn't quite sure he liked that look on her face. He remembered the saying "Watch out for the quiet ones."

Shaggy came down with a homemade pizza and they spent time just hanging out.

The next day Fred walked in and found Frank covered in glue and feathers. He had opened his locker and it had been rigged.

Velma stood by her own locker and smirked at her handywork before pulling out her books.

Frank slammed his locker shut and stalked off. The outside of it was spray painted bright pink with the word BULLY.

Daphne just grinned and the girls high fived each other.

Fred shook his head at them with a laugh as they all walked to their classes.

It was definitely the beginning of a long lasting friendship.