Unfinished Business

Chapter Two: A Special Scooby Snack

Her body shuddered. Was it the alcohol making her feel funny? Fred was no bartender; they had decided that her drinks would be light on the alcohol in case he tasted it for whatever reason. Or did she have the courage to admit she indeed wanted this. She was tempted to touch his hair; always unruly, a stranger to comb or brush but he wouldn't be the same otherwise.

If there had been a time to protest, this was that moment. It felt so natural, lying in his arms, his kiss parted her lips in a wet, sweeping heat that made every erotic nerve tingle. She didn't protest the rising temperature from the kiss nor his fingers teasing the edges of her delicate panties. As if her legs had developed a mind of their own, they parted, eager to give access to what lay behind the warm lace.

Breaking the kiss, he groaned softly. "I think we should get out of here."

"You want to leave? Now?" She couldn't believe what she was hearing.

"I don't relish the thought of telling Fred and Daphne that we ran out of gas, do you? And we do have some antiseptic at home for those cuts on your knees. And I think you deserve something special."

"Special? I'm lying here half nude and you want to leave? You are certifiable!"

-Xxx

Shaggy knew she was mad, probably frustrated. She hadn't said a word when she moved to the passenger side of the bench seat, holding her coat tightly around her body even though the van was comfortably warm. She didn't bother to adjust her coat when it gaped open when she crossed her arms under her breasts. The sight warmed his blood and the result made it very difficult to concentrate on the road ahead. By the time he reached the gas station the low fuel light flashed brightly on the dashboard. He was glad they had left when they did.

Velma was neither mad nor frustrated, well, not much anyway. She had always hid behind her intelligence and her ability to express herself with words. The past few hours had left her speechless. Normally, she could visit her special place, her ocean of words. This wasn't normal.

The ocean had all the words found in three dictionaries. There were whale sized words, long words used to describe medical or technical situations, minnow sized words to be used when she wanted to explain something to Fred or Daphne. The ocean seldom presented her with the same panorama twice; it changed according to her mood. Sometimes the waves lay quiet, energizing her soul, lapping gently onto the shore. Other times, like now, the waves thrashed about, smashing words into the rocks.

She sat on the shore, settling her chin onto her knees, wrapping her arms around bare legs, Relationships past friendship had scared her since that talk with her mother about puberty from a girls point of view. She was scared now. Shaggy had rocked her being, moving their friendship to another level. What scared her was the fact that she had liked the feelings his fingers and lips had evoked. The problem was she couldn't find a single word to identify what she was feeling right now.

She squished her eyes against the bright neon lights of the gas station. She could see him in the rear view mirror, fueling the van. Against her better judgment she exited the van. Dressed like a prostitute made her uncomfortable but she entered the quick-stop office, returning soon afterwards with two cups of hot chocolate.

"With whipped cream, right?" She handed his cup to him, smiling demurely, "I'm sorry, Shaggy. You didn't deserve that comment about being certifiable. I know I'm not beautiful, but thank you anyway for the compliment."

"Maybe you should look in the mirror. You are beautiful...to me." He took the hot liquid, sipping slowly. "I apologize if I crossed the line and made you feel uncomfortable."

"Don't apologize, Shaggy. I just wasn't expecting something like that from you." She stepped closer, running her hand through his hair; holding the back of his head, tiptoeing to brush his lips, her body pressed tightly against his.

"Hurry up," her sultry voice carried deep desires that craved to be fulfilled.

-Xxx

"I need a shower!" Velma proclaimed when they entered the Mystery Inc. Headquarters.

"I promised you something special. I'll fix it while you take your shower."

"Can you tell me at least?" She had stopped, turning to half face him, her coat hanging off her shoulders. It took all of his resolve and then some not to go to her, take her in his arms, taste those lips.

"It's a special secret. Go take your shower." Reluctantly, he watched her turn, walking away down the hall to her room.

Velma stripped out of the offending clothing quickly, flinging them aside. Setting the temperature as hot as she thought she could stand and yet be comfortable, she looked in the mirror. Maybe Shaggy had been right, maybe she was beautiful. She stepped into the shower and began to lather, trying to clean away the filth of the night. For some strange reason she wanted to be well groomed and fresh for Shaggy...and his special secret. Knowing Shaggy, it would involve food. The hot water cascaded down over her body, rinsing the soapy foam away.

The force sent her back, leaning against the shower wall! She was being transported to her ocean of words. No storm welcomed her as she walked the surf; her stormy mood had passed. Gentle waves of words tickled her toes. Why hadn't she seen it before? He had always been there, in the background, ready with a shoulder to cry on, a soft word, strong arms to hold her in her times of need.

The word she had searched for came, ready to be taken from the surf. She welcomed it, picking it from the many words contending for her attention. She held it to her chest, letting it become part of her very existence.

She stepped calmly from the shower, grabbing a thick towel. For once in her life she was at peace within her soul. Love was no longer a foreign concept; it was within her grasp.

-Xxx

A Scooby Snack Banana Split would be the fitting ending of a stressful evening.

A banana, (large, of course), two scoops of vanilla ice cream separated by an equal scoop of banana, flavored with a combination of coconut rum over the vanilla and banana liqueur. Whipped cream and two maraschino cherries to finish the perfect dessert.

For so long her every look had stolen his breath, from afar he had breathed in her fragrance. His breath caught, the scent of herbal perfume preceded her as she swept into the room, towel drying her hair. She was beautiful in her flowing robe.

"What's your special secret? I'm dying to know." He took a moment to fully appreciate the beauty he had admired for so long.

"It's ready. Sit on the couch; I'll be right back." She relaxed on the sofa, adjusting the flowered robe around her legs. By the look of his fresh clothes, she derived that he had showered also.

"Here it is! A Super Scooby Snack Banana Split." He sat beside her. Taking a spoon, he offered the first bite. Unfortunately, some whipped cream remained on the tip of her nose. It only took a moment for Shaggy to kiss the offending cream away.

"I just realized something." He smiled, offering a second bite. A dab of cream stayed on the edge of her mouth. "Your freckles. They disappear when I get up close."

"I doubt that. It's a scientific fact that freckles can't disappear. Perhaps we could perform an experiment. Come close, see if they vanish."

The cream ceased to exist, their lips meeting fleetingly, then more impassioned, the ice cream dessert forgotten.

Breaking the lustful kiss she spoke his name, "Shaggy..." but it was nothing but a whispered breath.

"Tonight has been Topsy-turvey. I don't think I'll ever forget that knife! And then you were there, giving me a kiss I had only dreamed of.

"I called Daphne after my shower. They'll take care of Scooby, seems he's met a police dog. I suggested they go out for a late dinner/early breakfast; knowing Scooby, it'll probably be both."

She rose, pulling him to stand, "you started something in the van. You've got some unfinished business."

He swept her up in his arms as she whispered in his ear, "You've always been my hero. I just didn't know it until tonight. Don't forget the whipped cream."

'Laundry is going to be a bear!' she thought but didn't care.

TBC