The Gang was enjoying their free ice cream at Ruby's Malt Shop. Shaggy and Scooby were scarfing down their 12th bowl while Velma was trying not to vomit.

"How have these two never needed their stomachs pumped?" she thought to herself.

Trying desperately to put her mind on something else, Velma turned her attention to Fred and Daphne's table. Daphne had finished her ice cream and was pretending to be a unicorn with her cone. Fred seemed less than impressed. Despite her hardened demeanor, Velma couldn't help but crack a smile as she watched Daphne play pretend. Daphne always had such a childlike love of life. Not even Shaggy & Scooby were as carefree as her. Of course, being insanely rich and sheltered certainly helped. But still, Velma couldn't help but feel drawn to Daphne's innocence. She was extremely envious of her frivolity in a way she didn't entirely feel comfortable admitting to herself. Velma loved playing the cynic. Only she knew how the world really worked and everyone else was just a mindless mass of conformity and superstition. Being the only open lesbian in her high school certainly didn't improve her view of the world. Well, maybe "open" wasn't the right word. No one ever said it aloud (outside of the occasional cruel hallway whispers) but everyone knew. She tried throwing off the attention by dating Shaggy for awhile but Shaggy didn't seem to have room for anyone in his life but Scooby. That relationship was never going to work even if she was straight.

"How are you two enjoying your ice cream?" Ruby jovially asked Shaggy and Scooby.

"Like it's out of sight, man! I can't believe you are giving this stuff away for free!"

Ruby's brow furled. "The first bowl is free. Everything after that is charged.I assume you have the money to pay for this?" Shaggy and Scooby looked at each other and gulped.


"And stay out! Last time I ever let a dog into my shop!" Ruby screamed as he threw Shaggy and Scooby out of the malt shop. An embarrassed Fred, Daphne, and Velma followed them out.

"Well, have you two learned anything from this experience?" asked Fred, who was visibly trying not to lose his temper again.

"Like, sure Fred! Next time we'll order a banana split before we have to split! Ain't that right, Scoob?" Scoob laughed at Shaggy's joke which triggered a giggle from Daphne and an eyeroll from Velma. Upon hearing Daphne's giggling, Velma forced out a loud unnatural laugh which brought on a brief awkward silence.

""Shag, Scoob" Fred continued, unsure what to make of Velma's outburst but still trying to keep a cool head, "You can't keep doing this to us! Everytime you guys go out to eat, you order way too much and we have to comeback and pay for it. You guys need to learn to control yourselves in public. It's not fair to the rest of the gang."

"Aw, it's no bother to me, Fred!" Daphne cooed. She loved it when he was in Team Dad mode. Velma let out a sigh. In her rush of emotions, she had forgotten that Daphne was still Fred's girl and probably always would be.

Shaggy suddenly looked very guilty. "Like, you don't have to take care of us like that, Daph. We're sorry gang, aren't we Scoob?"

"Re are?" Shaggy quickly elbowed him. "Row! Rine. Re're rorry." a somewhat reluctant Scooby admitted.

Fred seemed pleased. "Well gang, I think it's time for all of us to turn in for the night!" On cue, everyone hoped into the van so Fred could drive them back to their homes. Velma (who was once again, relegated to the back with Shaggy & Scooby) couldn't help but stare longingly at Daphne, as she rested her head on Fred's shoulder.

Upon returning home, Velma found her Aunt Thelma asleep on the couch while the TV sign off played in the background. Velma quietly snuck by her and went up the stairs to her room. She thought she wouldn't get much sleep that night, but she was surprisingly proven wrong. That night, in the town of Crystal Cove, a peaceful Velma Dinkley laid in her bed while her mind was serenaded with dreams of a girl named Daphne Blake.