Chapter 10: Tell me about the rabbits, Velma...

Velma didn't bother to open up the envelope. She just threw it on the passenger seat. She'll deal with it later, if she ever bothers to open it that is.

Revelations had hit her hard when she was exchanging technical and scientific babble with her friends up at the University. She didn't really catch much, the only thing she could really concentrate on was that Vanna wasn't who they thought she was. Does that mean the stories about Dracula wasn't real either? Well no, because Shaggy had met Dracula and she chose to believe her friend. No matter how difficult it could be. What's next? Did he race against Frankenstein? Pfft.

She then thought back to the whole story, recounting it almost word for word in her mind. If Vanna was a supposed genius, that what does that make Dracula? Was he aware that she was so smart? Or did she act stupid for him too? According to the painfully long conversation with the one and thankfully only Scrappy Doo, that may have been the case. So what does that mean for them? Why is Vanna here?

Drawing her own conclusions had left her feeling as if she had swallowed an entire block of ice. Though just in time to see the familiar 'Welcome to Coolsville' turn up from the distance. It had been a quiet and stressful few days by herself. Not wanting to call anyone until she was able to fully process what she had found. It was something she deeply regrets now, as they were left alone with that woman for so long.

Velma pulls up to the library, taking out her phone and began to scramble through her phone to find Shaggy's number.

...

For the first time in a long time. Shaggy woke up in his own bed. With his dog and the woman who may had become a very important piece in his life. He sat up to see Scooby happily curled up at the foot of the bed. As cute as that is, if this thing with Vanna continues to get this serious (and last night, it had. Though it's still up for debate if they're moving too fast or not.) Then he thinks that Scooby needs to sleep on the couch, or his own room. He doesn't know if Vanna appreciates sharing a bed with a very sentient dog. Who tends to unintentionally act like a chaperone.

He looked over to Vanna and sighed happily. She was still asleep, curled up to her side. A dreamy, peaceful smile adorned her cheeks. Only good dreams, he hopes.

It had been a really long time since he had felt this open and honest with himself. It was warm, though not in that uncomfortable heat that had been coming in waves. It was like a warm July night, where the air was crisp and the night sky was clear.

He leaned over to gently kiss her on the shoulder before crawling out of bed and getting dressed for the day. Which consisted of whatever clean (and to be honest, he wasn't so sure if it was) clothes that he could find. He should really do some laundry, but he always seems to have put it off for another day. Which was fine, when he was a teenager. But Shaggy had to remind himself that he is a grown adult now and there was no excuses. What would Vanna think?

Scooby rolled on to his back, stretching a paw in the air with a happy sigh. His and Shaggys stirring had finally woke up Vanna, who rolled on to her back as well to look over at him. It kind of reminded him of that drawing in the movie Titanic. A movie that he remembered being forced to watch on one of the gangs movie nights. But somehow prettier, and who remembered to throw on a shirt before Scooby came back. "Good morning." She smiled dreamily, rubbing the sleep out of her eyes and stretching out her arms.

"Morning babe." He was tall enough to lean across the bed and partially climbed on top of her. Leaning in to kiss her for real this time. "A like, very good morning."

"Ret a room." Scooby finally spoke up, he didn't even notice that his doggy friend was even awake. Guess he was too distracted by the pretty lady he woke up to. Yes, he could get used to this.

"I did. But then you came in." Shaggy nudged the dogs shoulder with his foot. Yeah, if this relationship he has with Vanna gets as serious as he thinks it's going to be. Guess Scooby can't really be his roommate anymore. He knows that both of them will be fine with it. He's not going to get rid of Scooby. Scooby rolled onto his stomach before getting off the bed with a huff.

"Where are you going?" Shaggy asked, not wanting to move when Vanna cuddle up closer to him.

"Rreakfast." The dog answered, already licking his lips. "Rreakfast is the rest real of rhe ray."

"I can agree with that." Shaggy sat up. But before he could follow the dog out. His phone began to ring. At first he ignored it because breakfast always comes first. But the phone rang again, and again. With a sigh, he reached for his phone that sat on the night side table, unplugging the charger and looking at the caller ID. Before missing the call again, he answered the phone. "Velma? What's wrong?"

The call itself was brief, before he looked to see that she had hung up on him. "Oh wow."

"What's wrong?" Vanna sat up, her eyes wide with concern. He looked back at her, before shrugging.

"She didn't say much. But she said to meet her at the library." He pockets the phone. "Alone."

"Oh, we can meet up later." She smiled at him, he knows that she would be stuck here until they were absolutely positive no one is after her. He knew that it was only temporary, but he still felt bad for leaving her behind. "No biggie."

"Sorry. You must be going stir crazy." Shaggy stuck his head out of the room to hear the loud clanking and the familiar gross sounds that can only belong to Scooby, the dog clearly had eaten without him. Guess he just have to fend for himself later. That's what he gets for missing the most important meal of the day.

"Oh no." She smiled at him. Her finger twisting through a strand of hair, eyelids lowered seductively. "I'm having a great time. You're an amazing... host."

He blushed, turning away and was a little startled to find Scooby. Who wasn't very amused at what he walked in on. "Raggy. I rleep there roo..."

Shaggy awkwardly cleared his throat, though it didn't help one bit. He went to grab Scooby by the collar to lead in out the basements entrance. "We'll see you later. Sit tight."

They left, leaving Vanna alone in the room. Neither of the boys being there to witness her smile slowly turning into a frown.

...

Velma waited impatiently in the parking lot until she saw a familiar red van pull up. She recognized Shaggy's car instantly. Along with the memory of the time she had watched it drive away, when he and Scooby decided to travel around the country alone. It was a dark time for all of them. Maybe if they figured out their differences sooner, they wouldn't be in this mess. This is what happens when you abandon your friends. You end up with Vanna Pira and all her dirty little secrets.

Scooby was the first to jump out of the car, going to lick Velma on the cheek to greet her. It was clear that she was missed. Shaggy was the next to hop out of the old, beaten up red van. "Velma, like is the building on fire?"

"There's no time for jokes." Velma pulled out her phone. "Vanna isn't who you think she is." Velma handed Shaggy the phone, showing him the old pictures that Aunt Kay had shown her. "Her name is Valerie Little. She was a resident here in our town until she left in the late sixties."

"That cant be our Vanna." Shaggy crossed his arms. "She's from Transylvania." He remembered her cute little accent, though it wasn't as prominent as Draculas, it sometimes slips out with certain words.

"She lied, Shaggy." Velma continued to show him more that she had dug up about Vanna. Now that Velma has her real name. "She was a certified genius and the founder of the original mystery solving club in our school, she was even best friends with your Aunt Kay."

"I'm still not getting it." Shaggy frown, his stomach turning in unease. "Why would Vanna lie to us?"

"I don't know. But things are starting to make sense now." Velma shoved her phone back in her pocket. "I had a very... long chat with Scrappy before I left your Aunts house. Say what you want about how annoying he could be sometimes, but he has a perfect memory."

"Um.."

"Shaggy, Who in in her own way kept giving Dracula ideas to keep you in Transylvania?"

"Hey she was..."

"And why did she already have the book of Records on her in the open? Wouldn't such a powerful book be kept under lock and key? Somehow she has gotten to that book, how did she get it?"

"I- I don't know."

"Shaggy." Velma leaned in. "Who was the one that pointed out that you could turn back into a human when she saw that things weren't going to work out in her favor? If she was rooting for Dracula to win the bet, she wouldn't have the book on hand. It wasn't stupidity, she planned it all."

Shaggy took a step back from Velma. Leaning against his van. "But why would she lie about that?" He asked again, he could feel the hair stand up on the back of his neck.

"Vanna had manipulated the entire situation to fit her motive. She said it herself, you were very powerful enough to make it into that stupid book. Maybe she saw you as a threat to Dracula... and now that Dracula is dead...she needs someone else to stay in power..." Velma trailed off, feeling a little guilty of the look of hurt that crossed Shaggy's face. As if Velma just had pointed out a massive knife in his back that he hadn't notice before.

"She was... she manipulated me? She was..." Shaggy slid down the side of the van until he was on the ground. Beside him Scooby whimpered, leaning up against him to comfort him. "She was trying to use me... but she.. I.. no. Not again. Please..."

Velma didn't need to say anything, feeling bad enough about witnessing the painful look of betrayal and confusion on his face.

It had to be done.

...

He sat in the van, parked outside on his driveway. He wanted to go inside and confront Vanna. He really did. But he found it difficult to catch his breath. Scooby sat beside him, paw on his shoulder. Feeling pretty stupid himself.

Now Scooby can be absent minded sometimes, more food orientated than people. But he does know when his friend was shutting down. He learned it the hard way to read his friend better after the whole Googie mess. The Great Dane hadn't found it in his heart to fully forgive himself after that. How could he be so easily trusting? It was the same thing here, even though he was guarded around Vanna. He thought he could trust her, because if Shaggy was able to open up than he could have let his guard down as well.

"Scoob." Shaggy finally spoke up, though his voice was cracked, like those awkward years when his voice was going through puberty. He may be an adult, but to Scooby he will always see him as that scared kid who slept with a Blue Falcon nightlight and his best puppy pal under his arm. Shaggy took a shuddering, calming breath. "I need you to wait in the van. Okay?"

"Raggy, ro." Scooby nudged him. "Rot alone."

"Scoob just." He snapped, before cutting himself off before he could show the dog just how angry he was. "I just need you to stay in the car. Okay? I'll let you out in a little bit."

"Raggy?"

"Stay."

Shaggy left the van, locking the car behind him. Scooby whimpered, jumping onto the drivers seat and watched his friend face more than just his inner demons. The dogs tail swishes anxiously. Fur standing up on his back. What if Vanna was dangerous?

When Shaggy stepped into the bedroom, he saw Vanna fully dressed. Sitting on the edge of the bed. Suitcases packed and sitting beside her. He felt his stomach turn, he should've known. It was freaking Googie all over again and he cant handle another Googie. He just couldn't. Not again. Never again. Yet here he was, his mind doubting himself. What if there was more to this? What if there was a reason that she had to lie to everyone? Was it his fault? Did he do something? With Googie it was his fault, it was always his fault. Even if he had done nothing wrong.

Shaggy forced himself to swallow, despite how dry and uncomfortable his throat felt. The back of his eyes beginning to sting. He cant do this again. He just cant. "I know who you are." He didn't mean to sound so harsh, but he couldn't help it. He was shaking.

Vanna looked up from starting so hard at her shoes. She had the nerve to look sad. "I know. I'm so sorry. I should've told you..."

"But why didn't you?" Shaggy didn't want to move from the doorframe. But she's going to have to leave sometime. Preferably now. "Maybe before we... maybe before we slept together. That would've been nice. I'm such a freaking idiot."

"No. You're not." Vanna stood up. "I am, I just.. I'm so sorry. It wasn't supposed to be like this. This wasn't supposed to happen."

"Then what was supposed to happen?" Shaggys grip on the doorframe was rough, either his hand was going to cramp or the wood was going to splinter. He honestly couldn't tell.

"I..." She sighed. "I was supposed to bring you to Transylvania... I was supposed to keep you safe."

He certainly didn't feel safe. But he couldn't really concentrate. All he could see was those nights he had spent not feeling safe, nights that he had learn to hide from his friends and Scooby. He had gotten so good at hiding his emotions, what happened? He just felt stupid now. "You were supposed to..." If he was honest with himself, he would've followed her anywhere. Was this part of her plan too? Is she trying to manipulate him right now? He doesn't know, he can't think. He just can't think. "I think you need to leave... now."

"Shaggy..." She stepped towards him. Trying to look in to his eyes like she always had done. Vanna said that she had some vampire abilities, was hypnotism one of them?

"It's Norville." Shaggy stepped from the doorframe so she could leave. "My name is Norville. Don't call me Shaggy."

She blinked, before hanging her head. She reached back for her suitcases.

"Is there anything else?" He asked bitterly. "Or am I going to have to sleep with you again?"

Vanna paused, before looking back up and trying to make eye contact with him again. Instead he chose to glare at that stupid space mural. Finally, after a moment. She spoke up. "I killed Dracula..."

A pause.

"Get out."

"Norville, it's not what it looks like."

"Get out!" He pointed to the door. Hand shaking. "Please. I- I just need you to go."

Without a word, Vanna brushed by him. Leaving him alone in his room. Leaving him with the nauseating smell of cinnamon.

End of Chapter

A/N: Just for the record. I don't really hate Scrappy Doo, I understand why a lot of people found him annoying. But I've seen worse characters that really got under my skin, and that is very difficult to do for me when it comes to cartoons. Despite that, I can totally get behind the Scrappy bashing.

Also, I know I said that Reluctant Werewolf wasn't a very good movie, but it was a lot more fun to watch when you imagine Vanna Pira being this secret genius. What would her story be like, and why would she act like a moron? Was there like, a second secret better movie in a mediocre movie? I tried to answer that question here. I just hope I did it well. If not I could always try again.