Sponge: Welcome back! The last chapter title, "I Really Like You," is a song by Carly Rae Jepsen! Congrats to iamacliche for the correct guess. Anyway, here's chapter 9! This one is a little long, so let's get started. Warnings include language, underage drinking, and some graphic Shelma and Fraphne romance. Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Scooby Doo characters. They belong to Cartoon Network, Warner Brothers, and Hanna Barbera.

Chapter 9: Saturday Night's Alright

The night before Tony's party, after making sure Scooby was asleep, Velma found herself sitting with Shaggy on the couch in his basement, kissing him heatedly. Their clothes were still on, though Velma's sweater was pushed up quite high. Shaggy's hands were beneath it, while Velma's own fingers were twisted in the hair at the nape of Shaggy's neck. Velma was dizzy – always, so dizzy from the effect of his touch. It was amazing how that still hadn't changed after all this time. His kisses elated her, made her feel like so much more than herself. Out of body, like she was on another plane of existence entirely. Ethereal. Unreal.

"Mmm," she sighed, feeling his hands slide up her back. They let go of each other for a moment to remove their shirts and Velma shrugged out of her bra. Their lips connected again and they lay down and gripped each other still more tightly.

Shaggy felt as though he'd be content to just stay in his basement all night long – forever, even – just kissing Velma, feeling her soft body beneath his. He always felt this way when they were together. Everything else faded into the background, the rest of his surroundings hazy in the heat he felt with Velma. She was everywhere. She was everything.

"Velm," Shaggy groaned softly.

They held each other closer, grasping at skin and breathing still more heavily. Their hands continued to explore each other's bodies, each discovery eliciting a sharp gasp or a small moan. Electricity zapped where fingers and lips made contact, leaving pleasurable warmth in their wake. They were in a stupor, totally and completely consumed by the mere existence of each other.

Creak.

The sudden sound of the door opening at the top of the basement stairs brought them back to earth, and Shaggy and Velma sat up quickly. They couldn't see the door from the way the couch was positioned, which meant that whoever had opened it couldn't see them either. But they didn't want to wait to be found. Especially half-dressed, as they were.

"Shit!" they hissed in unison. Shaggy rolled away and Velma leaped up, grabbing clothes as she went. She hid in the bathroom, closing the door as quietly as she could while pulling her sweater back on. Meanwhile out in the main room, Shaggy had yanked his own shirt back over his head just as the person who had opened the door arrived at the foot of the stairs.

Or rather, the dog who had opened the door.

"Scoob?" Shaggy said, feeling breathless. Velma pressed her ear to the door of the laundry room so she could listen. "Hey buddy. You're like...awake."

"Ri, Raggy!" Scooby said, smiling. "Rhat are roo doing rown here?"

"Uh..." Shaggy glanced at his surroundings. There wasn't a lot in the basement, apart from the couch, a small wine cabinet, and a shelf of board games. The door to the laundry room was nearby though, and Shaggy was struck with inspiration. Like jackpot!

"I uh, was just like, taking my clean clothes out of the dryer," Shaggy said, dashing for a hamper full of his folded laundry. "Could you like, bring this upstairs? I'll be up in a sec."

"Rokay," Scooby agreed, taking the hamper and heading back upstairs. Once he heard the door close, Shaggy looked to the bathroom and saw Velma exiting.

"Like that was a close one," Shaggy sighed in relief.

"Yeah," Velma said, frowning slightly and not quite looking at him.

"What's the matter?" Shaggy asked.

Velma shrugged. "I don't know. Maybe...maybe we should have let him catch us. I mean, would it have been so bad?"

Shaggy stared at her, incredulous. "Like, yes," he replied. "That would have been so bad. Like zoinks Velm, you weren't even wearing a shirt!"

Velma nodded thoughtfully. "All right, that's a good point. But...I mean, maybe this is the answer. You're looking for a way to let Scooby know about us. What if one day we just...let him see us kissing?"

"That's like, the worst idea I've ever heard," Shaggy told her. "Come on Velma, that'll just make him mad, and that's the last thing we want."

"Well I don't see you coming up with any ideas," Velma grumbled. "You keep saying you're working on it, that you're figuring out a way to tell him. But the longer this goes on and the more we have to lie about it, the worse it's going to get. You know that. Wouldn't it just be better to rip the Band-Aid off?"

"Not by letting him catch us!" Shaggy hissed.

"Then just tell him," Velma whispered back. "Just say, 'Scooby, Velma and I have been seeing each other.' It would be so easy."

"If it's so easy then like, you do it," Shaggy muttered.

"Okay, I will," said Velma defiantly, making to go for the stairs.

"Hey!" Shaggy caught her arm. "Like how's it gonna look, you storming up my basement stairs at ten-thirty at night? Besides, no, you can't tell Scoob."

Velma raised her eyebrows incredulously. "I can't?"

"That's like, not what I meant," Shaggy sighed. "I mean...it'll be better coming from me. I have to be the one to do it."

"But you're not doing it!" Velma exclaimed.

"But I will!" Shaggy replied.

"When?" Velma threw her hands up. "You've been saying you will for a year. I'm tired of having this same fight over and over again."

"Then like, stop starting the same fight over and over again," Shaggy said hotly.

Velma stared at him and took a step back.

"What?" she whispered. "You think this is my fault?"

"No," Shaggy groaned. "Like of course it's not your fault. It's nobody's fault."

"It's your fault, Shaggy," Velma said, glaring at him. "The ball is in your court – it has been for a long time – and you're just...you're not doing anything with it."

They looked at each other for a few moments, letting themselves calm down.

Shaggy sighed, pulled her close to him and wrapped his arms around her. He really hated fighting with her, and he knew it was his fault she was so frustrated. He sighed into her hair and bent down to kiss her forehead.

"I'm sorry," he whispered. He planted more kisses along her face, across her cheeks and her nose, dipped briefly into her neck, and then whispered into her ear. His lips brushed her earring. "I'm really sorry, Velm. You're right. It like, has been a long time. But please, trust me. I'll tell him, I promise."

Velma sighed, and let herself lean into him. She wanted to believe Shaggy. He was her boyfriend. And even though she wasn't ready to say it to him yet, she loved him. You had to trust the people you loved, right? She glanced up at him, only to discover he was looking back at her as well. Shaggy tilted Velma's chin up towards his face, and bent down to softly kiss her on the mouth. She closed her eyes and melted into him, gripping the front of his shirt in an effort to pull herself closer. The kiss carried itself down into the depths of her belly, and then spread so she felt it in every part of her body. It lingered on her lips even when they broke apart.

"I trust you," she murmured, opening her eyes again.

Shaggy smiled, closed his eyes and leaned his forehead against hers. "You've been like, so patient," he told her in a whisper. "Just a little longer, okay?"

Velma nodded. "All right."

"You should like, probably go," Shaggy sighed reluctantly, checking the time.

Velma sighed too. "Yeah, you're right. It's late."

Shaggy glanced towards the stairs. "Like I'll walk you up."

They paused at the door while Shaggy looked out to check that the coast was clear. When he saw that nobody was around, he opened the door and he and Velma tiptoed quickly toward the back door.

"I'll see you tomorrow?" Velma whispered on the back porch.

Shaggy leaned against the door jamb. "Like definitely. I think Freddie said he'd pick us up for the party at like seven forty-fiveish?"

Velma nodded. "Then I guess I'll see you at quarter to eight."

They grinned at each other and shared another quick kiss before Velma scampered off into the night.

x.X.x

Fred, Daphne, Velma, Shaggy, Scooby, and Marcie all arrived at Caleb's house at eight o'clock sharp on Saturday night. Most of the guests – including Caleb – were already pretty drunk by the time they got there. The pulsing bass line from the party music greeted them before Caleb did.

"Heyyyyyyy!" Caleb exclaimed as he opened the front door and let them in. "Just in time! Come in, grab a beer, we've got the kegs set up in the kitchen."

The gang moved inside, followed rather timidly by Marcie. Velma glanced back at her and gave her a reassuring smile.

"So," said Caleb, leading them through the house. He spoke loudly, both from the alcohol and in order to be heard over the music from the basement. "Kegs are in the kitchen, like I said. Bathrooms on this floor and upstairs. There's dancing in the basement, but it's a little quieter up here for games – beer pong, flip cup, Kings, whatever. When Corinne calls, I'm gonna get everybody into the living room so we can all shout 'Surprise' when she and Tony walk in the door, cool?"

"Sure," Fred replied, distracted briefly by Sadie MacElroy and Patrick Kutner, who were sitting on the nearby couch and attached at the face. Caleb didn't seem to notice, simply pumped his fist and headed for the kitchen, presumably to refill his solo cup. Fred looked away from the couple on the sofa and looked at his friends. "Anyone want a drink?"

"I'll like, take one," said Shaggy.

"Sure," Velma nodded.

Marcie glanced around before mumbling, "Yeah, okay."

"I'll come with you, Fred," Daphne offered. They linked arms and headed off for the kitchen. Sadie and Patrick stopped kissing to breathe for a moment, then looked up at Shaggy, Scooby, Velma, and Marcie.

"Holy shit!" Patrick exclaimed. "You guys are here?"

"Like, yep!" Shaggy grinned. He didn't know Patrick very well, but they sat near each other in math.

"Didn't know you mystery kids would come!" Patrick chortled.

Velma chuckled a little uncomfortably. "Well, you know. We wanted to celebrate Tony's birthday."

Sadie giggled. "The last time I saw you at a party like this was...God, maybe sophomore year? At Brandon's?"

"I remember that!" shouted Patrick. "You and Fred Jones played Kings with us!"

"Wasn't that the party where he had sex with Daphne Blake?" Sadie wondered.

Velma, Shaggy, and Scooby all flashed their eyes at her. "They didn't have sex," Velma corrected her. "They just made out. Maureen Fischer started that rumor, but it was completely false."

Sadie shook her head and wrinkled her nose. "God what a bitch. I was so glad when Caleb said he wasn't going to invite her."

"She knows how to party though," Patrick said.

Sadie tsked.

"Hey you know," Patrick continued. "Now that I think about it, I'm pretty sure I saw you guys at Brandon's house on Halloween, right? Maybe that was the last party I saw you at."

Shaggy and Velma glanced at each other. At Brandon's Halloween party, they'd gotten drunk pretty early and had spent most of the evening making out in one of the bedrooms upstairs. Not many people had seen them at the party for that reason. They hadn't realized anyone had even noticed them there.

"Well we're gonna go say hi to some more people," said Velma, before anyone could say anything else. She grabbed Marcie's wrist and started to lead her away. "See you later!"

Shaggy and Scooby followed Marcie and Velma towards the kitchen, but not before they heard Patrick say, "They brought Hot Dog Water?"

Scooby growled under his breath. Shaggy had told him the cruel reason for Marcie's nickname, and he didn't like it one bit. Marcie looked at her feet as Velma continued to lead her into the kitchen, stoically looking ahead. Shaggy clenched his jaw.

"Like if one more person calls her 'Hot Dog Water' in front of me..." Shaggy whispered to Scooby.

Velma heard this, and felt her blood cool a little. Shaggy was almost as offended by the continued use of Marcie's nickname as she was. Velma shot him a grateful smile, which he returned briefly.

They found Daphne and Fred at the keg.

"So apparently some people still think the two of you had sex at Brandon Michaels' party two years ago," Velma informed them as Fred handed Shaggy a solo cup.

Daphne waved a hand. "Whatever. Let them think what they want. We know the truth."

Fred passed solo cups to Velma and Marcie.

"I've never had beer before," Marcie mused.

Fred smiled and briefly touched his cup to everyone else's, as though toasting. "Bottom's up."

They drank.

x.X.x

Tony arrived half an hour later, completely surprised and ecstatic to see everyone at the party. He was thrilled that Marcie had come ("Fleachy!" he'd exclaimed, pulling her into a hug. "Now it's a party!") and after fist-bumping and high five-ing and patting people on the back, the party was fully underway.

A few hours later, everybody was feeling the effects of the alcohol – Shaggy was louder and more boisterous, Fred seemed to lose much of his coordination, Daphne giggled and flirted and held onto Fred's arm (which didn't help his drunken clumsiness), and Velma was surly. She wanted to find a place to be alone with Shaggy, like they had on Halloween, but she knew it was a bad idea. Besides, Shaggy wasn't even paying attention to her – he was too wrapped up in the game of beer pong that he and Scooby were about to play.

"Can Scooby...throw?" Marcie asked dubiously. She was the only one who hadn't been drinking steadily through the night, as she had abstained after her first cup of beer.

Scooby hadn't had any alcohol at all, so he was sober too. "Reah!" he replied, demonstrating his opposable thumbs.

"Let's go, Scoob!" Shaggy said, gesturing to the table. "Like, we're up!"

They were playing against Tony and Caleb – two pairs of best friends.

"Get ready to lose, Rogers!" Tony exclaimed, a teasing smile playing at his lips and his New York accent thicker than ever. He'd had a few drinks by this time as well.

Shaggy grinned back and shook his head. "Like not if you lose first!" he replied, words slurring together slightly.

Daphne took another sip from her solo cup and leaned her head against Fred's shoulder. She used to play beer pong – used to be really good at it, actually. Back when she was going out with Red Herring, they would dominate beer pong at parties like this. Red was incredibly competitive, and Daphne didn't like to lose either. It made them a force to be reckoned with. But Daphne never felt so invincible than she did when she was with Fred.

She felt her stomach twist nervously as she watched Tony line up his shot. On Monday, college acceptances were supposed to start rolling in. She might be hearing from NYU. Even if she was accepted based on academic merit, her acceptance to the theater program was contingent on her audition during spring break. She still hadn't told Fred about the audition. She didn't quite know how. Velma was right – Daphne shouldn't have kept this a secret from him for so long. Now it was getting to a point where she couldn't justify the fact that she'd kept it from him. Part of her almost wished that NYU would reject her, just so she didn't have to tell Fred about the audition.

But she would be heartbroken if she didn't get in.

She glanced up at him, gazing at his handsome profile. She didn't want to think about college. She didn't want to think about the future. All she wanted was Fred. Right here, right now.

"Freddie," she murmured, standing on her toes to whisper in his ear. "Come with me." She felt slightly wobbly as she took his hand and led him back out into the foyer. Uproarious cheers erupted from the beer pong table – Shaggy had scored a point – but Fred and Daphne didn't see it. They crept upstairs, unseen by other party-goers, and slipped into an empty bedroom.

Perfect. Being alone with Fred in this dim room was a great deterrent from Daphne's worries about college. She looked up into his blue eyes and placed her hands on his chest.

Fred was about to ask Daphne what was going on, but Daphne's lips were on his before he could even take a breath. It wouldn't have mattered – the kiss would have stolen all the air from his lungs anyway. He gathered her into his arms and held her close.

Daphne melted into Fred's embrace, grasping his ascot as his strong arms encircled her trim waist. With a muffled sigh, she opened her mouth slightly so that Fred's tongue could brush hers. The slight taste of alcohol accompanied the usual butterflies that always invaded Daphne's stomach when Fred kissed her like this. They stumbled backwards towards the bed as they kissed, and Daphne was vaguely aware of the ruffled bedspread as she lay beneath Fred – they must be in Maren's former room.

Fred kicked off his shoes and Daphne followed, simultaneously undoing his ascot. In a haze, both of them quickly undressed each other and tossed articles of clothing aside until they were almost naked. They kept kissing all the while, sometimes letting their lips travel down the other's neck, over their shoulders and collarbones, or nibbling the others' ears.

"Freddie..." Daphne sighed as his hands grazed the edges of her body.

"I love you, Daphne," Fred whispered into her ear. He moved his fingers between her legs and Daphne arched her back.

"I love you too, Freddie," she breathed. The alcohol and his touch were making her lightheaded. Her body trembled, begging for more. For all of him.

Fred groaned in pleasure as he felt her soft touch beneath his boxers. He wanted her so badly. More than he'd ever wanted anyone. Anything. He felt so much love, so much desire. Daphne was all he saw, all he knew in his drunken haze. He pulled her up to a sitting position briefly and reached around her, fumbling with the hooks on her pink bra. Intoxicated as he was, it didn't go as deftly as he'd hoped.

"I'll do it," Daphne mumbled, reaching behind her to unfasten the bra. The straps cascaded off her shoulders, and Fred immediately tossed the garment aside. Daphne lay back down, sighing contentedly as Fred's hands explored her naked chest. She felt her whole body alight with passion and desire for him. The love she felt for Fred was like a physical, tangible object. She felt as though she could reach inside her heart and hold her love for Fred in the palm of her hand.

"Do you have a condom?" she whispered.

Fred stopped his ministrations and looked up from where he'd been kissing her neck.

"Um..." he stammered. "What?"

"I want you, Freddie," Daphne murmured. "People think we've done it anyway…we might as well. Now's as good a time as any."

Fred sat up and looked at Daphne, rather perplexed. What was going on? When they'd talked about this on Valentine's Day, Daphne had stopped Fred in the Mystery Machine because she wanted their first time together to be special. But they were drunk at a party where all of their friends and most of their classmates were right downstairs. What happened to the prom night plan?

"Daph, are you okay?" Fred asked. He definitely wasn't sober, but he had enough control of his inhibitions to realize that Daphne was not able to consent to anything.

"I'm amazing," she slurred, sitting up to wrap her arms around him. "You're amazing. I love you, Freddie. I want this. I want you. I'm ready."

"No, Daph, you're not," said Fred, gently taking her wrists and prising them off of him. "You're drunk right now, and so am I."

"I don't care," Daphne mumbled. "Please, Freddie."

Damn, this was taking every single ounce of his self control.

"I love you, Daphne," he murmured, kissing the top of her head. "I love you so much. That's why I want this to be perfect for you. For both of us. Isn't that what you want too?"

Daphne sighed, her head swimming in the clouds of passion and alcohol that blurred her brain. Inexplicably, she suddenly felt exhausted. Daphne rested her head on Fred's shoulder and closed her eyes.

"Daph," Fred said, gently shaking her. This was awfully familiar...just like two years ago. "You can't fall asleep, babe."

Sleepily, she reached for him, but Fred pulled away gently.

I have to get her home, he realized. He was in no way ready to drive, but he had to get her out of here. Fred gently laid Daphne back on the bed and stood up. The room spun. Nope, he definitely couldn't drive like this.

"Daphne," Fred murmured. She had curled up on Maren's bed, in just her underwear. Her eyes were closed. "Babe. Wake up. We have to get dressed now, okay? It's time to go home."

But Daphne shook her head and burrowed under the covers.

Fred waited a beat, then tucked the edges of the blankets around her to make sure she was completely covered. Then, he threw his clothes back on and cautiously left the room to make his way downstairs.

Back in the dining room, Shaggy and Scooby were about to win their beer pong game against Tony and Caleb.

"All right, Scooby Doo!" Shaggy exclaimed, handing him the ball. "It's like, all you, buddy!"

There was only one solo cup left on the opposite end of the table, and Scooby knew it was a straight shot. He also had the advantage of being completely sober, unlike the other players. A quick cursory glance around at the crowd told Scooby that Daphne, Fred, and Velma were gone. Where did they go? Scooby shook his head. No time for distractions. They were so close to victory, Scooby could taste it.

Plunk!

The satisfying sound of the ball hitting the liquid in the cup was quickly extinguished by the uproarious cheers from the crowd. Scooby and Shaggy screamed triumphantly and embraced.

"Hey, Shaggy!"

Shaggy whirled around to see Fred sidling into the room.

"Like dude, we fucking demolished!" Shaggy shouted, clapping Fred on the back.

"Shag, I need your help," Fred hissed.

"Did you see that? Scooby Doo like, totally clinched the win for us, it was amazing!"

"Shaggy, just come with me." Fred led Shaggy and Scooby away from the cacophonous shouts from the beer pong crowd.

"Rut's up?" asked Scooby, who noticed how tense Fred seemed.

"We have to leave," Fred told them in as much of an undertone as he could manage.

"Like how come?" asked Shaggy.

"Daphne is drunk," Fred told him. "She's asleep in Caleb's sister's room, but I can't leave her up there alone. I just came down to tell you where we were. Can you find Velma and bring her upstairs?"

Shaggy blinked and looked around hazily. When had Velma left the dining room? Had she not seen his beer pong win? How could he not have noticed she'd gone? Like, bad boyfriend alert, he scolded himself.

"Yeah like, sure thing," Shaggy replied.

Fred grinned gratefully. "Thanks, man," he said, then stumbled back up the stairs.

Looks like Fred's drunk too, Shaggy thought. They were all drunk. How were they going to get home? He glanced at Scooby, who was gazing at him with an attentive yet quizzical expression. "Scoob like, do you know where Velma went?"

"Rope," Scooby replied, shaking his head 'no.'

Shaggy frowned. "Well, you heard Freddie. He like, needs us to find her." He looked around at the crowd of people in the living room, shaking his head as though to clear it of the muddy, boozy haze. "Like where could she have gone?"

x.X.x

Midway through the game of beer pong, Velma's frustration had crossed a threshold. She'd already been feeling bored and annoyed that Shaggy was once again ignoring her in favor of Scooby. When she'd noticed that Fred, Daphne, and Marcie had all seemingly evaporated, she had decided to wander downstairs.

The basement was dark and smelled a bit like a gym locker room, as everyone danced along to the pulsing bass. The beat and the booze resounded in Velma's head. She needed to find somewhere quiet. Beyond the dance floor was a door that Velma thought must lead to a bathroom. She was surprised, however, to see that it led to a small guest bedroom. She was even more shocked to discover Marcie inside.

Marcie swirled around, looking shocked, but her face relaxed when she saw it was Velma.

"Sorry," Velma said apologetically. "I didn't mean to startle you."

Marcie shrugged. "It's okay. I just needed to find somewhere quiet. It's so loud out there." She sat on the edge of the bed and motioned for Velma to sit beside her.

"I know what you mean," Velma told her, taking a seat. With a sigh, she turned to face her. "This party sucks. I'm sorry I made you come." She could hear the slight slur in her voice.

Marcie shook her head. "Don't apologize. I'm always glad to spend time with you." For some reason, that statement made her turn a bit pink, and she glanced away from Velma. "So," she continued, after clearing her throat. "Where's Shaggy?"

"Ugh," Velma groaned, flopping backward onto the bed. "He's still playing beer pong with Scooby."

Marcie grimaced sympathetically and leaned backward on her elbows, saying nothing.

"He always does this," Velma continued, staring up at the ceiling. The alcohol was loosening her tongue – she wouldn't usually complain about Shaggy like this, especially aloud. "Every time we hang out alone, just the two of us, he completely ignores me the next day. He says it's because he doesn't want Scooby to get suspicious." She rolled her eyes. "It drives me crazy."

"That must be frustrating," Marcie sighed. "Are you going to ask him to choose?"

Velma sat up. Too quickly. Her head spun. "What?"

"Are you going to ask him to choose between you and Scooby?" Marcie asked.

"Of course not!" Velma exclaimed, completely aghast. The thought had never even crossed her mind. "I would never do that. That would be a horrible thing for me to ask."

"You're right," said Marcie immediately. "I shouldn't have said anything."

Velma sighed. "No, it's okay. Honestly, it's a fair question. The truth is..." Velma bit her lip and leaned back on her elbows like Marcie. "The truth is, I'm afraid that if I did ask him to choose...he wouldn't choose me."

Marcie looked at her sympathetically. "So by not asking, you eliminate the possibility?" she asked.

Velma nodded. "If I don't ask the question, then I never have to know the answer."

Marcie furrowed her brow and glanced away again. "What if..." she swallowed and her face turned pinker.

Velma glanced at her. "What if...?" she prompted.

Marcie hesitated. It appeared she was working up the courage to say something. "What if...you were the one who did the choosing?"

Velma frowned. "I don't follow."

"What if you broke up with him?"

"I don't want to break up with him," Velma told her. As the words left her mouth, she realized their inherent truth. Shaggy had some annoying behaviors and habits – the biggest being his refusal to commit to her – but she didn't want to leave him. He was her best friend. And... "I love him," Velma whispered. It was the first time she'd admitted her true feelings for Shaggy out loud. Not even Tony knew this. On some level, Velma realized she wouldn't even be telling Marcie this if she hadn't been drinking all evening. In vino veritas, Velma thought to herself wryly.

Marcie raised her eyebrows in surprise.

"Oh," she murmured, blinking. "I...I didn't realize you were in love."

Velma shrugged. "I mean...you're the only person who knows that part. I haven't told anyone else. Least of all Shaggy."

Marcie nodded slowly. "Well...I'll keep it to myself," she promised. "I know how to keep a secret."

Velma grinned a little sadly. "Thanks, Marce," she said.

At that moment, the door swung open to reveal Shaggy and Scooby standing in the threshold. Surprised, Velma and Marcie whirled towards them. "Like there you are," Shaggy said, sounding relieved. "We've been looking for you. I think it like, might be time to go. Fred and Daph are upstairs, but I think they need some help."

Velma frowned, confused. "Help with what?" she asked.

Shaggy shook his head. "Like I don't know. But he seemed like, pretty serious."

x.X.x

Fred had gotten Daphne dressed by the time Shaggy returned with Velma and Marcie. Truth be told, Fred had kind of forgotten that Marcie had come to the party with them. But he was thankful for her help – especially since she offered to drive everyone home. Fred was a little reluctant to hand over the keys to the Mystery Machine, but he knew it was the right choice. He definitely wasn't ready to drive, and Marcie had only had one drink several hours ago.

The ride home was relatively quiet until Marcie asked a very important question.

"How are we going to get her inside?" She gestured with her shoulder at Daphne, who was fast asleep with her head in Fred's lap.

"She can spend the night at my place," Velma offered. "I can carry her in." This was true – ironically, though she was the smallest member of the gang, Velma was incredibly strong.

Marcie nodded, staring out the windshield. "All right. Where do you live, V?"

As Velma gave Marcie directions, Fred looked back down at Daphne and gently smoothed her hair away from her face. She was fast asleep, but Fred was still confused. What had happened in Caleb's sister's room earlier? Would Daphne even remember any of it?

When Marcie pulled up to Velma's, Fred gave Daphne a soft kiss on the cheek before helping to gather her into Velma's arms. They waited until the two girls were safely inside the Dinkley's house before Marcie turned to the boys. "All right, who's next?"

"Rus," Scooby said.

"Yeah like we live over on the next street," Shaggy told her, closing his eyes as Scooby laid his head in his lap.

They staggered out of the Mystery Machine and into Shaggy's house, while Fred and Marcie watched. "Where do you live?" asked Marcie when Shaggy and Scooby had gone.

"On Weston Drive," Fred told her. "But I think I'm ready to take the wheel if you'd like me to take you home first."

Marcie just looked at him. "Sorry Fred," she said. "But I don't trust that you're ready to drive."

She was right, of course. Fred felt like his brain was underwater, and his vision was swimming a little. "How will you get home?"

"I'll walk. I live in the Maple Falls neighborhood too, you know."

Fred blinked at her. If she lived in Maple Falls, her house must be pretty close to his. How did he not know that? How had he gone to school with this girl for years without knowing anything about her except for a horrible nickname?

"Marcie," he said as she pulled into their neighborhood. "I'm really sorry."

She glanced at him out of the corner of her eye. "What are you sorry for?"

"...I don't know," Fred admitted. "Everything, I guess."

Marcie sighed. "Yeah," she murmured, parking in front of Fred's house. "I'm sorry, too."

Sponge: We're at the halfway point, folks! Usually I'd take an intermission around this time, but I've decided to wait a little longer before I take a break, so you get me for a few more weeks! I'll be back with another update next Wednesday – in the meantime, review if you please and don't forget to guess where the chapter title comes from!