(A/N for those interested the children's shows Fred was watching in the previous chapter were Octonauts, Ben and Holly's Little Kingdom, Tinga-Tinga Tales, Nuzzle and Scratch, Rastamouse and Timmy Time.)

Velma and the produced drank coffee while they went over maps of the area, planning where they would go for the next few days. In addition he provided Velma with copies of the various documents she had requested from the local archives.

"Right Velma we should have copies of the documents from the National Maritime Museum here in a day or so."

"Thanks Clive, I think we're all set for tomorrow."

"Grand, well it's an early start due to the tides. There's a boat to take you to some of the caves like you asked Velma and we've got a camera and waterproof housing for you and suitable lights for you to use to take photos below water" said Clive.

"Great" said Velma "I've been looking forward to this."

"Grand, well I'll see you bright and early tomorrow then" said Clive; he waved as he walked out of the door. He popped his head round the door "Oh and as it's an early start Velma I'll come round tomorrow and knock you up. Cheers" and with that he was off.

Velma sprayed her drink over Scooby, Shaggy fell out of his chair and Daphne looked ready to faint. Velma was going red in the face choking and spluttering "Wha... wha... whatdidhesayhe'ddotome?" she wheezed. Shaggy was patting Velma on the back with one hand and trying to fan a swaying Daphne with the other. Scooby was on his feet standing between Velma and the door with his teeth bared.

"He... he... he..." muttered Daphne trying to stay upright.

The shock was broken by the sound of Fred's uncontrollable laughter.

"You... should... see... your... faces" laughed Fred "That was priceless"

At that a pale-looking Velma buried herself in Shaggy's chest and he wrapped his arms around her "It's not funny Fred" she shouted back on the verge of tears "Just, just get the police and we're leaving for the airport now."

"It's nothing to get worried about Velms, you have nothing to worry about" said Fred trying to calm Velma down.

"Freddie!" exclaimed Daphne "He said he would come round and get Velma preg..."

"All he meant was that he would come round and knock on Velma's door to make sure she was awake in time to get the boat" Fred finally explained.

"He, he did?" said Velma quietly, finally beginning to calm down "But I thought it meant..."

"Not here" he said wiping the tears from his eyes "It's all in my English phrase book. The phrase dates back to a time when a company would hire someone to go round and knock on people's doors to get them up for work."

Velma suddenly stood up "Shaggy, take me to the hotel bar and buy me a drink."

"OK Vel, if you say so but you don't usually drink."

"After that I'll make an exception" she said then quickly added "Plus some food."

"Now you're talking!" replied Shaggy "Hey you just talked me in to buying you dinner."

"You are such a gentleman" she smiled taking hold of his arm, while the rest of the gang tried unsuccessfully to muffle their laughter.

"I'll come with you to get something for me and Fred" said Daphne "back in a little while Freddie" giving him a gentle kiss.

Daphne caught up with Velma and Shaggy "You know Fred may be onto something with these phrase books" said Daphne.

"Don't tell him that or we'll never hear the end of it" said Velma.

Velma picked what she wanted from the list of food on the menu board. Shaggy looked at that then picked up the bigger menu on the counter of the bar. While Shaggy looked through the menu Velma looked at back at the list of drinks available. One in particular caught her eye.

"Hey cider, remember that hot cider you made last Christmas Shag?"

"Sure do Velms that was some of the best I've made. Not that I got much of a taste as you drank it all" he replied proudly.

"They do something like it here. I'll get some to have with our meal" wile Shaggy ordered the food Velma went to the barkeeper and ordered some of the cider.

"Would you like a bottle of a pitcher?" asked the barkeeper

"A pitcher" replied Velma, her thoughts filled with the memory of last Christmas's drink

"Are you sure?" replied the barkeeper.

"Yes, the description sounded so nice" replied Velma.

They sat down at a table and soon a pitcher and a pair of glasses were brought over to them. Shaggy poured Velma a glass for her to try. For some reason the cider was chilled and had a more crisp flavour, but she felt a warm glow inside a few seconds after she had drunk some, it was also very refreshing. Well this wasn't what I was expecting she thought, but when in Rome... and she filled her glass again.

Two huge plates were brought to the table and a third one on the floor for Scooby,

Shaggy and Scooby stared at each other as a stomach-growl echoed around the room. They looked at Velma who then blushed.

Daphne sat in the TV lounge so she could eat with Fred but from time-to-time she would pop over to see how the rest of the gang were getting on.

"So how are they happy couple?" said Fred upon Daphne's return.

"Well if they insist of saying they're not dating after what I've just seen then I'll scream. Holding hands over the table, feeding each other, playing footsie with each other, you name it Fred."

"Perhaps being away from home will move them along. Say did you bring a menu, I'm feeling thirsty."

"Here you go. They serve a chilled version of the hot cider Shaggy makes, Velma is really enjoying it. They've already had one pitcher and now on their second."

"Well she's getting more adventurous with her eating habits ever since she's been 'not dating' Shaggy" said Fred with Daphne joining in at the end "Much more of this 'not dating' and I'll start on my best man speech."

"You should have seen them on the beach wrapped up in each other. Like I said she's all over him at the moment, I'll have to bring a crow-bar next time I go round, just in case…"

"Hmmm, what did you say Velma was drinking?" asked Fred as he looked in his phrase book then the menu, Daphne looked at him; there was an unexpected edge in his voice.

"Cider, you know Velma likes cider, especially the cider Shaggy cooks-up during the winter."

"Hot cider Daph, Velma loves hot cider. The cider they serve here is our hard cider. What exactly did she order?" Daphne pointed to the menu "that's nearly as strong as wine."

"I'd better let them know" Daphne knew Velma, being relatively small, would soon be feeling the effects.

Shaggy was impressed, Velma had eaten everything and had second helpings of dessert. Added to that she was really being affectionate and he was really enjoying her attention, if he ever had ever harboured any doubts about how Velma felt about him this laid them to rest. She was really letting her more playful side come through and he loved every minute of it. For herself Velma couldn't quite put her finger on it but something was, well not wrong, but odd, she was feeling a bit strange. Her face felt warm and that wasn't just from the surprise of finding herself playing footsie with Shaggy under the table, she couldn't help it he was becoming more desirable by the second. She was also unusually giggly and light=headed, she guessed that she had been in the sun too long. Perhaps she should get an early night. She looked up at Shaggy, a cold shower at the very least, but there was one problem. Out of the corner of his eye Shaggy could see Daphne hurry over, a look of faint concern evident on her face as she sat down next to him.

"Emm Shaggy" said Velma quietly "Could, could you carry me to my room?"

Velma managed not to laugh out loud at Daphne and Shaggy's expression. She paused, why was everything so darn funny all of a sudden?

"OK" replied Shaggy, unsure of where this was leading "you look at bit flushed, are you feeling alright?" Shaggy got up and sat next to her.

"My legs seem to have stopped working that's all."

Daphne looked at the two empty pitchers "Velma" she asked carefully "how much of this did you drink?"

"Most of it!" Velma gave her a huge smile and slowly slid in the direction of Shaggy.

Shaggy and Daphne managed to get Velma to her room without being noticed. Shaggy had Velma drink several glasses of water before they put her to bed. Daphne excused herself to allow them to say goodnight to each other. Shaggy lay next to Velma, gently caressing and kissing her as she responded in kind but she soon slowed and her passion ebbed as tiredness overcame her just as he expected. Velma muttered something that sounded like 'lump use Shaggy', 'lub who Shaggy' or similar but she was asleep before he could reply. He tucked her in then kissed her on the forehead "Like, I love you too Velma" he whispered and with that he turned out the lights and left.

Velma awoke early next morning feeling fine but hungry so she hurried down to the hotel restaurant where she bumped into Daphne who was getting her breakfast. The pair sat together to eat and enjoy the peace of the early morning. Once they were eating their food Daphne decided it was time to confront Velma about her and Shaggy's not dating.

"So when are you going to stop this 'not dating' Shaggy business? You two aren't fooling anyone anymore, I almost needed a crowbar to get you two apart yesterday"

"You're right Daph. I think we were a little obvious at dinner."

"D'ya think? I'm surprised he got out alive."

"Oh stop it Daph, still he was particularly irresistible yesterday" Velma grinned.

"Right then Velma time to move in for the kill so to speak. So what's the way to a man's heart?" said Daphne waving her fork in Velma's direction and readying her pre-planned homily.

"Sharp knife through the sternum then you use a rib-spreader to crack open the chest cavity after which…" Velma stopped when Daphne dropped the fork.

"Not literally, metaphorically" said Daphne holding her head in her hands.

Velma smiled in relief at having stopped Daphne's lecture "I know Daph, just teasing"

Daphne looked at the food on her plate and pushed it away.

"Do you mind…?" Velma asked expectantly gesturing to Daphne's plate.

"No, not now my appetite has gone" she replied, she looked up to see Velma tucking into her food "Hey you did that on purpose!"

"Like I said Daph" replied Velma between mouthfuls "I'm really getting somewhere with Shaggy"

"Ah grand Velma, you've already up" said a voice from behind them, the girls turned round to see Clive come in "look at this" he walked to the table and placed today's edition of the local paper on their table.

"Jeepers Velma listen famous American hottie Velma Dinkley..."

"Daphne" said Velma sternly.

"Just teasing, it's an article about the legend your investigating Local historian Jethro Menwynick says that the Ives' legend is more than just a myth and its almost certain that the missing treasure is hidden in one of the local caves. The paper also says that people have heard unusual voices and strange lights in some of the caves at night. The coastguard has issued a warning to treasure hunters that the caves are tidal and anyone inside is liable to get trapped. Menwynick warned people that the treasure is cursed and that a terrible fate awaited any who found it."

"Pffff what respectable hidden treasure doesn't have a curse attached to it?" yawned Velma "come on Daph, let's get moving we've got caves to visit."

"And the boys to wake first" said Daphne.

"Hmmm, well let's get the difficult part of the day over with" said Velma.