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SCOOBY DOO AND THE ROMANTIC REUNION

CHAPTER 1

A NEEDED BREAK

Mystery Inc. had become quite the house hold name in the last five years or so. They had solved every mystery they had encountered. Or so it seemed to everyone. Everyone except the 4 friends of Mystery Inc itself, each member had a mystery. That mystery was something that was known only to them. Each member was struggling within themselves, yet each didn't want to admit or say anything in fear of breaking up the gang. Little did the gang know that each of them would be tested on their next adventure; an adventure that would take them back to where it all started. The place was Coolsville, and each member of Mystery Inc would have to face themselves and their fears if they were to keep the gang together.

The gang had driven most of the night to get back to Coolsville. They had just solved another mystery and needed a break. They were looking forward to some time at the office/condo. Each member of course wanting to do something different; Fred of course just wanted to spend time with Daphne. Shaggy and Scooby were looking forward to trying out some new recipes they had gotten from a quiet little cook down in New Orleans. Velma was working on some new formulas she had come up with in her spare time in the Mystery Machine. Finally Daphne herself was thinking she would really love to get out and shop. Shopping was what Daphne did best. She loved to shop and it didn't matter what shop she was shopping in. She was the type of shopper that could find something to buy anywhere. Fred parked the Mystery Machine outside the front of their condo and they all got out. The valet grabbed the keys from Fred and smiled. As they walked through the entrance hall to their condo everyone was waving and cheering. To the gang they were now famous, and a part of them didn't like it. Sure they loved the glamour and the free stuff but they were always hounded for autographs and other things. They didn't feel like they were ever alone. And right now what they did want is some alone time. They had been on the road for what seemed like years. They waved to the crowd and smiled as they got into the elevator. "Gee like there sure were a lot of people waiting here for us" Shaggy said with a yawn, he was tired; not having gotten his usually 10 hours of sleep. Scooby shook his head in agreement. "Yeah well, since we have been solving all these mysteries we are now famous Shaggy", Velma said with a smile. The elevator stopped at the top floor and they gang filed out, and Fred being first unlocked the door to their home and turned on the lights.

Shaggy and Scooby ran for the kitchen. Daphne walked in and sat on the couch and pulled out a nail file to do her nails. Velma ran to the lab to work on her formulas. Fred on the other hand went back outside to the foyer to check the mail. He knew there would be a lot and sure enough there was. They had been gone for about two months and the mail always backed up when they were gone for so long. The mail was jammed into the box and it took him a little while to pull it all out. At first glance most of the mail seemed to be the usual junk mail, with the occasional bill. Fred decided to wait and examine it properly once inside the condo. Walking back in, he seemed to be trying to juggle the mail and close the door at the same time. To Shaggy and Scooby looking from the kitchen, this looked quite silly. The mail was falling all around him and the door didn't seem to want to close. "Like need some help there Freddy?" Shaggy asked. "No thanks Shaggy, I think I got it." Fred exclaimed. He got the door closed and picked up all the mail he had dropped, and then headed towards the couch to sit down next to Daphne. She smiled at him as he sat down next to her. However, she didn't miss a beat while painting her nails her favorite color.

Fred of course smiled back, but didn't want to make too big a deal of it. Fred's personal mystery was his feelings for Daphne, and why he hadn't already told her how he felt. At first he thought it would break up the gang. That is something he didn't want to do. But then he told himself that he was being silly. Everyone, or so he thought, might already know how he felt about her. They would accept that fact they were a couple, he was only denying the fact he was scared to tell her how he felt. He was more scared of being rejected. What would the gang say if she said no to his professed love? Would that break up the gang? Regardless, Fred knew deep down he was only fooling himself. He lacked the courage to tell Daphne how he felt, the courage he displayed so openly when they were solving a mystery came to him naturally. Even Velma made comments about his bravery and courage. However he was simply a coward when it came to his feelings about Daphne.

He flipped through the mail and made several different stacks. One stack was for the junk mail, one stack for bills, and then another stack that would be sorted a little later was fan mail. Each member got their own fan mail. Of course, Fred's were mostly from women, Daphne's were mostly from men admirers. Shaggy and Scooby's seemed to draw the weirdo's who were looking for some type of new food. And poor Velma's always seemed to be some government agency looking for advice or help in solving one of the world's toughest questions. Fred continued to sort the mail until he came to an envelope with their High School colors on it. He immediately stopped to check it out; sure enough it was stamped with Coolsville High School and the school mascot. It was addressed to the whole gang as a whole, even though Shaggy and Fred didn't graduate the same time as Velma and Daphne. Fred thought to himself, I wonder what's going on. He decided to go ahead and open up the letter, because everyone else was busy. He slid his finger down the flap and pulled out a piece of paper and started reading. It indicated there was a class reunion dance coming up and the entire gang was invited. The letter also said it was not a formal dance and for everyone in attendance to come casual. Fred looked at the letter and smiled, this was exactly what the gang needed. Time away from mysteries and a nice dance would be just what the doctor ordered.

Velma came in from the lab with her nose buried in a book; no doubt she was studying some formula looking for an answer to one of the many questions she had been asked while away on mysteries. Shaggy and Scooby were also coming into the living room from the kitchen with several plates full of food. Shaggy grabbed the remote and was just about to turn the television on when Fred said, "Hey gang! Guess what?" everyone stopped what they were doing and looked at Fred. "We have been invited to the upcoming Class Reunion Dance at Coolsville High", he exclaimed. Smiles crossed all their faces and Scooby said, "Reven Me?" "Yes Scooby even you." Fred said excitedly. The gang immediately started talking about what to wear and who they would like to take. "Guys, Fred started, "The dress code is casual and we should just go as a gang not bring any dates." Fred said suddenly. "Why can't we bring a date or a dance partner? Daphne said. "Um well, I just thought we could all go as a group ya know." Fred replied. "If you would like to take a date I'm sure that will be fine." He exclaimed. Then he suddenly had a thought. What if Daphne didn't want to go with him? Now he was being just silly. They had been together since they graduated high school. In fact the whole gang had been together since then. Surely she would want to dance with Freddy. Fred focused his attention back on the gang and they were all talking excitedly. Everyone was looked like they were ready to go dancing that very moment. Fred then announced the dance would take place the upcoming weekend, on Saturday at 6pm. Velma surprisingly jumped up and ran to her room. The gang looked puzzled for a moment, and then Daphne jumped up as well.

The mood around the condo changed over the next several days. Daphne seemed to be shut into Velma's room and they seemed to be going shopping a lot during the day. Shaggy and Scooby didn't seem to mind anything, they went about their business in the kitchen making new dishes and eating like normal while watching television. Fred of course was just letting things run their course, which he knew was best. He had already picked out what he was wearing and thought he would look good. He also was coming up with a plan to tell Daphne how he really felt. Like most of his other plans, which usually involved catching a monster or ghost, he was confident this plan would work on the love of his life. Shaggy sat on the couch watching television with Scooby. To everyone else in the room it looked like he was deep into whatever was playing. But deep inside him was waging a battle with himself. Like Fred, he was waging a love battle. Something he had felt since he left high school. Amber was a girl in his Match class and Shaggy would stare at her for days on end without her notice. Even after they had solved their first mystery, it seemed to him that he was not noticed by the one woman he wanted to notice the most. He would sometimes day dream about meeting her, and talking to her then dancing slowly with her. He had never felt this way about another woman. But just like Fred, he was scared to approach her. He had thought several times about calling her up and asking her to the dance, but never quite got the nerve to pick up the phone.

Velma had begged Daphne to help her pick out or find an outfit where she wouldn't look like such a nerd at the dance. For once in her life she wanted to turn heads as she walked into a room. Not for her brains, but for the beautiful woman she knew she was. Velma was fighting with herself with her self esteem. Velma knew from a young age that she was perhaps the most intelligent person in Coolsville. She could solve any problem math, science, or otherwise that was placed in front of her. Even in middle school, N A S A was asking her advice on complex equations. After she graduated high school in Coolsville, Velma was able to graduate M.I.T with two doctorates. She loved being the smart one, and the gang was always complimenting her on solving complex clues and stuff. She fit right in with the gang, and she knew she was loved within their circle. But what haunted her most was that she wanted to be loved by an outsider, someone outside the gang that didn't know her, or who wasn't really impressed with her brains but her beauty. With any luck Daphne would be able to adjust her brainy image into one of beauty that Velma knew was down there somewhere.

Daphne, while confident and beautiful was busy facing her own battles within. In high school, she was the most popular and beautiful girl in the school. She enjoyed the attention and actually dated a few guys she thought might be the one. However the person that really held her heart was Fred Jones. Fred was a jock in high school yet he was smooth and considerate. Not like most of the jocks at Coolsville High. She almost immediately fell in love with his charm. Fred was smooth she thought, he would show interest in her but never made a move to ask her out. She was sure that he liked her but he would never commit to ask her out on a date. Then after their first mystery, the gang just really formed and started solving mysteries. There wasn't really time for dating. It always seemed there was another mystery to solve. Fred was always trying to protect her, which she loved; also he gave her what seemed to her special attention when it came to mystery assignments. It was like she could never be placed to look for clues on her own; she would always be paired up with Fred, the strong silent type. Over the years she had fallen madly in love with him; however she didn't want to be the one to make the first move. She was sure with a little time and confidence she would be able to lead the man she loved into telling her how he really felt about her.

The gang, while strong united seemed to be having all kinds of problems within themselves. From Daphne's strong affection towards Fred and likewise his affection to her, their problem seemed to be communication. Velma was always the smart one and yet doubted her own beauty both in and out. Shaggy, would never allow Scooby to see his affection towards Amber, which was burning like a sign on his face every time he got a moment to himself. Scooby, the final and most special part of Mystery Inc. could always tell what his gang members were feeling or thinking. Lately he could tell that the stress from all the mysteries they had been solving and the little alone time they needed was starting to take its toll. This dance, he thought, was just what they all needed. Fred was right; it should just be the gang going as a group. No need to add more people into an already volatile situation. Each member, thought Scooby needed to be around each other in a normal setting, a dance, a movie, or something that would get them all thinking about themselves and not on a mystery, and this would allow his gang to ease into solutions with which each of them faced. For that was Scooby's battle. He was always trying to find a way to make all the members in the Mystery Inc gang feel loved and appreciated as a whole, as well as individuals. He could sense their needs and attractions, however he was only a Great Dane, and how could he come up with a plan to make all their dreams come true? Perhaps this dance was exactly what he needed as well. Scooby began to let his mind wonder on a plan that he was sure he could execute.

This is a first attempt of writing a such in depth story.

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