Frederick Jones looked around.

The New Year party was the second best in Crystal Cove, after Christmas. The entire village organizes a big fair, which everyone assists. Games, contests, competitions, banquets, all waiting for 12:00. People walk happy, talking about their plans for next year. Fred liked that environment.

He also loved New Year's party because he was with his friends. Shaggy and Daphne loved the party almost as much as him. Daphne was proving her skills in martial arts in the "Karate Competition", and Shaggy entered the hamburger eating contest (and won, Shaggy always won).

Had half an hour to 12:00, and Fred smiled. He loved New Year's party for all those reasons. But the most important reason was five years ago.

Flash Back

It was the year of the wildest party. New Year was coming in all its glory. Fred and Shaggy had bet the Mystery Machine's keys, the winner would be the one to drink more strawberry cider. The winner was obviously Shaggy (and the black hole he had for stomach), but Fred had fun anyway.

"Wanna go to the burgers museum *jip* Scooby and I are goin' have so much fun."

"Don't *jip* eat everything," said Fred, a little dizzy.

"But..."

"Remember what happened last year *jip*. I won't pay your bail again."

Both friends were not completely drunk, but their view was clouded and the balance was not on their side. Shaggy was singing a song about pirates and Fred was laughing without remembering why.

In their stupor, it seemed very fun to play Truth or Dare. That way, Fred learned that his friend loved classical ballet, danced Pulcino Pio, he confessed his love for He-Man, let Shaggy touch his hair, and his orange scarf was placed around his waist.

After twenty minutes, Shaggy asked again:

"Truth or dare?"

"Truth."

"Are you in love?"

"Yes, very much."

That was not the blond's fault, he said it before realizing. And alcohol did not help very much. Shaggy did not expect that answer.

"Really? And who is the lucky girl?"

"That's not in the game."

Shaggy grimaced. "Okay."

They returned to play normally. Minutes later, when Shaggy had a traffic cone on his head, asked again.

"Truth or dare?"

Fred had learned his lesson. "Dare."

"I dare you to confess your feelings to the person you love."

Fred never distrusted Shaggy's evil genius again.

"I won't. You win," Fred tried to leave, but his friend took his arm.

"Dude, I thought I was the coward. C'mon, how hard can it be?"

"You're drunk, Shaggy. This won't happen."

"Maybe if you tell me who she is, I might help."

"I doubt your advices will help me. All include food."

"C'mon, tell me who she is!"

"No."

"C'mon!"

"No."

"Tell Me!"

"No!"

"TELL ME!"

"NOO!"

"TELL ME, NOW!"

"OK, IT'S VELMA!"

A couple of people looked at them scared.

Shaggy's mouth was open.

It was done, he had said it. She had fallen in love with the adorable, smart, girl with chocolate eyes. He had keep it in secret for the last year. He could not believe that it had only been necessary to be drunk to admit it out loud.

"I'd have bet all my cookies it was Daphne."

"She's my best friend," replied angrily. "I love her as a sister."

"How did it happen?"

Freddie did not know. Velma had always called his attention, with her intelligence. He would spend hours listening to her talk about astronomy, Egypt, physical, anything. He had met pretty girls along those years, but Velma was always more interesting. Moreover, she was pretty. Very pretty. Behind the dark glasses she had pretty eyes, perfects for her face. And her skin was very soft, creamy. And her lithe and slender fingers. And her smile. And her laughter. And her voice. And her stance. And her...

"Earth calling Fred."

"I don't know, okay? I guess it was a matter of time... She just feels right."

They walked on in silence until Shaggy saw Daphne and Scooby in the distance, playing in a post, and joined them. Fred was tempted to join his friends, but changed his mind when he saw Velma in the distance, repairing a power generator. He went there.

She had her hair pulled, screwdriver in hand, and an expression of annoyance. She looked adorable. She noticed her blond friend when he was at her side.

"It looks like you're not having fun, Velms."

"Because I'm not having fun," she changed the screwdriver by some screws. "This generator needs to be repaired, or the power will go out. I'll be the happiest person in the world when I finish."

"Need help?"

"From here I can smell the alcohol on your breath."

"I'm not drunk!"

"Whatever. Give me the wrench," she said without looking up.

Fred stood beside her, helping with the generator. He was still very dizzy, but wanted to be near her. Velma put her head inside the generator, without paying much attention to the blond. Fred could look all he wanted. Look at Velma was like watching a living book character, he could not believe she was real, that someone so special really could exist. He shook his head, wondering if maybe he had drunk too much.

"Well, with this will be enough," Velma closed the generator. "Thanks for your help, Freddie."

Fred had wanted to answer, but the dizziness and alcohol went to his head suddenly.

"Fred? You okay?"

"Yeah, I just..."

But really he was not any good, because lost his balance. Velma held him before he hit the ground. His breathing was irregular.

"Obviously you're not okay. Come, let's sit down."

Velma helped him reach a nearby bank. They sat there, waiting for it to pass dizziness. She offered to take him home, but he refused.

"I'll be okay."

"Was it strawberries cider? You know that affects you."

"There are worse things."

Freddie felt heavy as lead. Nor could he think clearly. Everything was blurry, he was only aware of the presence of Velma at his side and a buzz around them. No, it was not a buzz. It was Velma's voice. She was speaking, he could see her lips move. She had pretty lips.

"Fred, are you listening?"

"You know you've very pretty lips, Velm?"

"You're completely drunk."

It was true. He was drunk. And drunk people did what they wanted without thinking. He decided to do that.

So the next second he was kissing Velma.

The poor girl didn't react immediately, but at the insistence of the kiss she had to respond. And to the surprise of Fred, it was a positive response, and warm, almost disembodied .

But it could not last long. Velma broke the kiss.

Fred Jones looked at her face. He thought that if she was beautiful when smiled, was stunning with pink cheeks, lips swollen and cloudy eyes. He waited a scream, a slap, insults. None of that happened. Instead, Velma smiled.

"Next time you kiss me, Frederick, make sure you're sober. This way doesn't count."

Fred made a mental note never to drink strawberries cider again.

End Flash Back

The next day, Fred tried again, with a better outcome.

That was the best New Year's party. Fred never forget it. That was the night he kissed Velma for the first time, and unconsciously fulfilling the Dare of Shaggy.

The blond stopped his memories when heard a sweet, familiar voice.

"Hey Dad, can I drink strawberries cider?"

Beside him, Velma tensed. His wife looked at him seriously, with that look of hers who said 'Don't. you. dare'. Fred felt cold, but stroked the blond head of the three years old girl.

"No honey, strawberry cider is not for children."

"Mom says cider makes you act funny."

"And your mother is a genius, better listen to her."

Velma smiled approvingly.

N/A: Happy New Year. My English is not very good, but I hope this story is to your liking.

I know there Frelma out there. Take this as a gift xD