It was late march when the rumor started spreading through the halls of Crystal Cove High School. The rumor that Shaggy Rogers had been so heartbroken when the cheerleading captain Googie Hale dumped him that he made up an imaginary girlfriend. This rumor was only spurred on by Googie herself who feigned sympathy only to kick him when he was down. Shaggy of course acted unfazed by the snickers, whispers, and jeers and so he remained until the gang began asking about it, mistakenly believing that this was a trauma response of all things. That the stress of the fast-approaching graduation was getting to him.

Velma the most determined to solve the perceived issue asked Shaggy all manner of questions during one of those last school lunches when everyone was cramming for finals.

"What's her name?"

"Christina"

"Does she go to school here?"

"She like, graduated early from school"

"Where does she live?"

"By herself in the country"

"Is she in collage?"

"No, she has a job"

"What does she do?"

"Manages things"

"Velma," Daphne laid a hand on her friend's arm, "Give it a rest okay? Just because you don't have to study doesn't mean we don't have too"

"You guys know how bad this is, don't you?"

"Like, it doesn't bother me," Shaggy returned to his sandwich, "Christina is real and I'm dating her"

"Reah!" Scooby agreed from his place beside Shaggy, "Rhe rade ris rucnh"

"She did," Shaggy nods, "Scooby's too"

"But you said you only see her on the weekends?" Velma pointed out causing Daphne to groan.

"I do"

"And it's Wednesday"

"It is"

"So it doesn't add up"

"She makes me a weeks worth of lunches," Shaggy explained with a smile, "Packs them in an ice chest for me to take when I leave"

"But why do you get a sandwich and Scooby gets a ribeye steak?"

"Like, that's what we asked for"

"But-"

"ENOUGH!" Shaggy slammed his food on the table, "Why are you like, suddenly so hung up on my love life, V?"

"OOH," nearby onlookers chorused.

"Discussing Shaggy's 'girlfriend' are we?" Googie smirked, stopping at their table.

Shaggy rolled his eyes, crammed the rest of his food in his mouth chugged what was left of his soda, and sprinted out of the cafeteria. Only when he was in the farthest sheltered corner of the courtyard did he pull out his phone.

Please pick up.

"How did you know I needed a break?"

"Hey, Christy"

"What's the matter, you sound stressed"

"Like, everyone at school including the gang thinks I like made you up after Googie dumped me"

"They what? But she dumped you back in what? March? It's may!"

"And because I like, started dating you a week later everyone thinks you're imaginary"

"You have a long weekend don't you?"

"Like, yeah, tomrrow through Tuesday for teacher delvelopment or something"

"Bring them, Googie too"

"But Christina-"

"Trust me, I'll put on a show like they've never seen before"

"Only if you're sure"

"I am"

"Okay"

"and now you better eat those truffles I packed you"

"Chocolate truffles?"

"With sprinkles"

"Love you"

"Love you more"

"Not possible"

…...

Googie did NOT like what was going on, not one little bit. Sure, Shaggy had been suitably crushed when she'd dumped him for super-hot Baylor Hotner, but less than two weeks later he was back to his old self, if not even happier! He should still be a broken and depressed mess! He claimed to have a new girlfriend, but that nobody knew her because she went to a different school. Yeah right. That's the oldest trick in the Loser Book of Love! Still, the way Shaggy constantly gushed about his imaginary 'Christina' was nauseating!

The last period of the day at Crystal Cove High was declared makeup time or as the students deemed it 'a blow-off period'. Shaggy joined the gang at their usual group table, munching on the last of the truffles he sat down beside Fred, pocketing his phone.

"Like, I have news"

"Is it about your 'girlfriend'?" Googie sneered, hanging on the arm of her new boyfriend.

"Actually, yes," Shaggy replied, "Christina has invited all of us for the weekend, including you"

"Us?"

"Yes," Shaggy nodded making a mental note to clear it with Christina during their phone call later, "We leave from my house early tomorrow morning"

"We'll be there, come on, Baylor."

…...

The next day Shaggy and Scooby were loading bags into his van when the gang arrived in the Mystery Machine.

"Hey, we brought food," Daphne declared jumping out of the passenger side door with a fast-food bag in hand.

"No thanks," Shaggy chucked the last bag in the van, "Big breakfast"

"We'll save it for your after-breakfast snack then," Velma laughed. "Along with extra boxes of Scooby Snacks."

"So where's-" Fred began but was cut off by a honking horn.

Googie had arrived in a neon pink mustang convertible. The back seat was loaded with bedazzled luggage which matched Googie's oversized sunglasses.

"Let's get this over with," Baylor climbed out of the passenger seat, swinging his backpack over his shoulders, "Freakshow incoming," he chuckled.

"That's the car we're taking?" Googie eyed the red six-wheeled van with disgust.

"Kinda dorky," Baylor smirked behind his mirrored sunglasses.

"I know, right?", Googie agreed, running her hand over his six-pack abs.

"No one asked you, Baylor," Daphne snarked, poking the boy in his broad chest, "Don't you still drive a 1990 Ford pickup with no AC?"

"As fun as this conversation is," Fred stepped between the two, "Shouldn't we hit the road?"

"What about my bags?" Googie stamped her foot.

"I got it, baby," Baylor assured, wanting to show off his strength.

Despite Baylor's bulging arm muscles it still took nearly an hour for them to Tetris all the luggage into the van. The trip was awkward, Shaggy in the driver's seat, Scooby beside him, Velma on the end, Daphne and Fred sat in the middle row while Googie and Baylor were in the back, snogging the whole way there. Crystal Cove soon faded into the distant suburbs giving way to densely forested roads which all looked the same but Shaggy knew the way.

The others weren't sure what to expect. Googie was picturing a rough wood hovel. Shaggy had no money. As delusional as he was he couldn't pay for anything. Everyone was surprised however by the large stone gate that rose to meet them suddenly.

"Where are we a cementary?" Googie leaned forward.

"No"

The gate swung open seemingly on its own. Where this would've left Shaggy and Scooby running for the hills the duo was unfazed pulling up the long circular drive

"Oh My Gosh!" Daphne exclaimed.

"It's a mansion!"

"Castle actually"

What else could the stone structure be? Towers topped with white tile pierced the sky the closer they got the more there was to see, weird carved detailing in the stones or what they could seem there were vines heavy with flowers scaling every inch of the walls, roses lined the drive and grew in boxes outside the windows. At the end of the driveway heavy arched wooden doors turned out to be the doors to the garage. The group piled out just as the door to the inside opened. Melinda West, the only child of the wicked witch stood in the doorway wearing her usual biker cap, black tee-shirt, and stone-washed jeans with knee-high boots.

"Where's Christy?" Shaggy asked Melinda.

"About that," the young witch tucked her hair behind her ear, handing him a thick piece of parchment which Shaggy read aloud for everyone.

Shaggy, got called away to a meeting. I'll be back in time for dinner.

Love, Christina.

"Well, isn't that conveint?" Googie sneered, "And who are you supposed to be?"

"Like, this is Melinda-"

"I'm Christina's head of the household and the only one making sure she doesn't loose her head at least until this doof proposes to her," Melinda jabbed Shaggy playfully, "I trust you remember where your room is boys but follow me so that I can give your friends a proper tour"

"What about my stuff?" Googie pushed in front of Shaggy.

"You have arms, don't you, Googie?" Melinda growled.

"How much did he pay you?"

"He doesn't write my paychecks," Melinda turned on her heel, "Come along"

Googie and Baylor were the only ones forced to carry their bags, the gang found out. Their luggage, minimal as it was had disappeared from the back of the van. With Googie and her boyfriend at the back of the line, the group cautiously followed Melinda into the castle where they found walls had been stuccoed and painted various shades of white and tan. The floors were a nice dark hardwood, so clean they could see their reflections. Upstairs from the garage, they entered the kitchen which was clean, smelling heavily of baked goods. On the nearest countertop rested a Pooh Bear-themed cookie jar, the sight of which made Shaggy's mouth water.

"Go on," Melinda laughed, her tan skin tinting yellow for a moment, "She made them for you"

That was all the convincing the boys needed. Gently as he could, Shaggy lifted the very top of Pooh's head, sitting it on the counter before eagerly digging into the treats making sure to share with Scooby.

"Like, you guys want some?" Shaggy offered the group, "Christy always crams the jar full"

"Hard pass, sugar is poison," Baylor declared, "Right babe?"

"Yes," Googie nodded vigorously.

"What kind are they?" Velma asked, peering into the jar.

"Double Chocolate, my favorite"

"yummy," Velma took one followed by Fred and daphne.

"Like, don't you want any, Melinda?"

"No, thanks," Melinda smiled, "I get plenty already,"

From the kitchen, they cut through the dining room into the foyer where Melinda first took them down the right wing of the castle where the music, art, and movie rooms were then on the left where the downstairs library, indoor pool, and garden doors were. Up to the second floor and down the hall of guest rooms. Fred and Daphne found themselves across from each other, Velma was two doors down from Daphne while Googie and Baylor found themselves at the very end of the hall. All along the way, Googie's irritation grew. This place was incredible! Even moreso than her own house! This just CAN'T be real! Even if this "Christina" is a real person, she can't possibly want a lame coward like Shaggy, no matter how well-off his family is!

"Alright, Christina says your all welcome to amuse yourselves however you want just stay out of her rooms, upstairs, and her outside workshop, the little stone building in the corner of the garden"

"Lemme guess," Baylor finally removed his sunglasses, clipping them to the collar of his blue, fish-net tank top, "They're excused from these rules?" he pointed to Shaggy and Scooby.

"We are but we like, still abide by them"

"What lengths you're going to"

"Whatever, who wants to go swimming?"

"Sounds good," the gang collectively decided,

"Great," Shaggy headed for the stairs, "Like, we'll be down in five"

"Our rooms are down here," Baylor said in a know-it-all tone, rolling his coal eyes.

"Your rooms are like, down here, mine is up there, c'mon scoob"

…...

When the gang disappeared into their rooms to change for the pool, Googie seized Baylor's arm and dragged him up the staircase. This was all a set up and she was out to prove it. Peeking around the corner she watched Scooby amble into one of the rooms mumbling "Rhe rent rith rhistina"

"That's okay bud," Shaggy shut the door cutting off the rest of the conversation.

"C'mon," Googie hissed.

"Where are we going, exactly?"

"To find the backstage portion of this fantasy," Googie huffily explained.

This proved difficult as this wasn't one straightforward hallway as theirs was this one splintered in two directions with yet another staircase between the openings. Worse, all the doors looked exactly alike. There were so many doors.

"Where to?" Baylor asked, his head swiveling to catch everything around them.

"Hm?" Googie thought, "Down there!" she pointed to the left hall, "Hurry"

They had just ducked into the shadows when Shaggy and Scooby slipped out of the bedroom, heading down the stairs without a second glance, completely at ease. Once the duo had gone the sneaking couple pressed forward. Around them, the sounds of rustling drapes and shuffling feet grew louder. Googie thought this was some sort of company getting the fake girlfriend ready for her dinnertime appearance. If they could just open the right door.

Choosing one at random she threw it open not caring how hard it hit the wall or rattled the paintings hung within. Sadly the room was just another bedroom with the same set up as theirs, a bed in the center, rug at the foot, wardrobe, chair, and lamp. Turning to go, the duo stifled screams when they found two pairs of eyes watching them from the shadows. Baylor stepped in front of her as soon as the growling started.

"Special effects, babe," he reassured her.

Slowly the pairs of eyes advanced, first there were noses, then mouths full of sharp teeth, then the ears became visible.

"Wolves"

Running like frightened children they dashed down the hall, bypassing the stairs they ducked into the right hallway. This one had a window at the end with a bench sitting beneath it but it was the creature on the bench that made them freeze. Black scales tinted blue, clawed feet, and small horns on either side of its head. It blinked its amethyst eyes sleepily at them, tail swishing lazily, smoke curling through the air with every breath.

"These must be some good effects, Baylor," Googie whimpered as they backed away before sprinting for their lives.

Instead of doing the rational thing which would've been to go back downstairs to the second floor where they were welcome the two bolted for the fourth floor, not even stopping at that landing they continued up, up, up, the staircase twisting tightly around actual stone walls with doors barely visible until they burst into the topmost tower room.

"I think we're safe," Baylor wiped the sweat from his brow, patting his hair back into place.

"But where are we?" Googie questioned glancing around.

The room was one of the largest she'd ever seen with a fireplace dominating one wall while carved stone shelves occupied the other. In the very center of the room was a rough wooden table with a wicker basket full of dried flowers on one end and a small mallet on the other. A cauldron hung in the center of the fireplace. Did this place rent out for Halloween parties?

"CAW CAW CAW"

Before they could inspect the place further they were ambushed by a large raven who they had thought to be a decoration. As it turned out he was merely snoozing on his perch. The raven dove at them again and again, angry that its home was disturbed so yet again the duo found themselves racing away. Down, down, down. Back to the place they started where they found themselves surrounded by all the creatures they'd encountered with the addition of a black cat who'd taken up residence on the stair banister hissing at them.

"What is all that noise about?" Melinda appeared at the top of the stairs where she froze then smirked, crossing her arms, "Couldn't help yourselves could you, Christina expected as much"

"Call them off! Call them off!"

"Sorry, Shadow here," Melinda picked up the distressed cat who instantly melted, "Is the only one who listens to me but I'm sure if you come downstairs they'll leave you alone"

The pair inched their way toward the staircase, the animals following closely behind, mercifully staying on the third floor when they descended the stairs with Melinda leading like a disappointed mother.

"Word of advice," Melinda stopped on the bottom step, Shadow curled around her shoulders, "Stick to the areas I showed you, this castle is big you never know what's hiding just out of sight"

…...

Ten minutes later, scared out of their wits Googie and Baylor headed for the outside pool which they found was a huge saltwater masterpiece, with slides, bubbling jets, multiple levels, a waterfall, and an entire lazy river.

"Look who finally joined us," Daphne eyed them, drifting by on a float that matched her purple floral swimsuit.

"Where were you two?" Velma looked up from her book, covered in sunscreen she sat poolside under a large umbrella.

"None of your business, four eyes"

"I'll warn you now, Googie, like, Christina does not tolerate disrespect of anyone or anything in her home"

Googie rolled her eyes, stepping daintily into the hot tub, Baylor quickly following. Everything was fine until the nearby trees started to rustle. The raven from the tower was watching.

"Ri, Rade!" Scooby paddled over to the side of the pool nearest the tree, "Ranna rwim?"

"Is that a raven?" Fred was surprised, staring up at the tree.

"That's Shade," Shaggy explained, "He's Christina's, she loves animals they like, flock to her, there's a barn and a pond just behind the garden," he pointed to the little stone fence.

"Rincoming!" Scooby warned.

Before the gang could ask what he meant there was an impressive splash followed by a much smaller one. When they had wiped the water from their eyes they found Shaggy scratching the ears of a near copper-colored golden retriever while what appeared to be a fox swam over yipping happily.

"Hello, Kipper," Shaggy swam to meet the fox, "Are you lleaving the ducks alone?"

"Shaggy?" Daphne looked at him quizzically.

"That's Copper," Shaggy pointed to where the golden was engaging Scooby in a race across the pool, "And this is Kipper"

"It's a wild beast," Baylor blanched.

"Not in the slighest, come on I'll like, show you guys"

…...

Despite being in, or beside the pool, for just over fifteen minutes the gang returned briefly to their rooms, dried, dressed, and rejoined Shaggy to see the gardens before meeting the rest of Christina's pets. Shaggy led them through the gate with a grin.

"We get it," Googie sniffed, "Roses everywhere, what's the big deal?"

Googie had come along because Shade continued to glower from the tree so while Baylor was content to snooze in the hot tub she ran for fear of being pooped on.

"They don't have thorns"

"Her parents bred them out for her. Like, it was her graduation gift"

"I thought you said she went to a different school?" Googie accused.

"She did but she like, graduated early Christina was eager to like begin work"

Googie turned her nose up doing her best to appear uninterested in the immaculate garden's plethora of roses, neatly kept paths, beautifully carved benches, and the fountain at the center of it all that held the clearest water she'd ever seen. Beyond the flowers, they found fruits, vegetables, and herbs that slowly gave way to orchards. Trees were weighed down by fruit that glistened in the sunlight. Finally, they came to the back garden gate where they could easily see the barn looking exactly as it would in a children's book.

The cacophony of animals hit them before they were even close to the doors making Googie's irritation grow. Why did they have to see pigs, cows, and horses? It was just regular stupid livestock!

But she promptly swallowed those thoughts along with any snide remarks when the doors were opened. There was of course the typical farm lineup but there was so much more, the building so much bigger than it first appeared, muti-leveled and sectioned accordingly. Dragons, winged horses, bats in the rafters, horned rabbits, muti-tailed foxes and so much more. It was completely mind-melting. The best in special effects she'd ever seen. If she wasn't so determined to hate it she might have been impressed but this was all a ruse. Shaggy's lame idea of a joke.

Googie wouldn't buy it.

…...

They wandered the expansive grounds for so long, Shaggy pointing out secret nooks and crannies that the sun was setting when they returned to the manor.

"Dinner in fifteen," Melinda declared watching them tromp upstairs, Baylor still soaking wet, leaving puddles of water in his wake, "BOYS!" she screeched into the hall, "Cleanup duty"

"Sure, Boss!," Dingbat stumbled in with the mop.

"Duh yeah, Boos-lady Melinda" Numbskull added tripping over his tail, "But, uuuuh...I thought the water didn't bug ya no more?"

"I'm not taking chances", Melinda said, rolling her eyes slightly. The pair of flying monkeys were often troublesome, clumsy, and almost endearingly dumb, but they were sweet and TRIED to be helpful. Honestly, the way they reminded her of Timon and Pumba from the "Lion King" animated films was almost scary!

Fifteen minutes later Melinda led the-now dry-guests to the dining room.

Googie beelined for the chair at the head of the table because it resembled a throne-only to have it blocked by Shaggy.

"Like, sorry, Googie but this is like, Christina's seat", he said, then pointed to the second to last place setting.

"I am not sitting all the way down there," Googie griped.

"Like, Christina's rules", Shaggy shrugged with a smile. "Like, sorry."

'Oh, you are enjoying just this charade aren't you, banquet-boy?', she thought to herself, then snidely asked, "Then where is this mysterious girlfriend of yours? How much did all this cost you, hm?"

"It didn't cost him a thing", a cold feminine voice said from the doorway behind her. Lightning flashed behind the silhouette of a VERY well-put-together girl around their age! She stepped further in, revealing herself pale-skinned, rosy-cheeked. Long hair in a braid down her back, she was definitely pretty despite the horns on her head or the fangs glinting in her mouth when she spoke. Dressed in a purple top with subtle thorn designs and lace trimmed skirt a few shades dark with strappy heels, she looked every part, someone who just got back from a meeting, This girl possessed a beauty and carried herself with a grace seen only in super-models or royalty! NO WAY was Shaggy in her league! THIS CAN'T POSSIBLY BE REAL! The girl in question glared coldly at her, as if she knew how Googie had hurt Shaggy. "And I'll thank you not to make such insulting implications about my boyfriend."

"Christina!", Shaggy exclaimed in a voice oozing an affection and...strength?...Googie had never heard from him when she was dating him, a fact that irked her even as she hung from the arm of Baylor Hotner as Shaggy walked quickly into the girl's arms and kissed her! Like, how did it go?"

"About as well as I expected. I'm sorry it ran late, though", she apologized warmly just as three wolves bounded in behind her; One tan & grey female with blue eyes, one big boy that was black with silver markings and amber eyes, and leading the three was a silver female with black markings and amber eyes who made a beeline for Scooby to tackle him to the ground and lick his face affectionately! "Jade! Let Scooby up! We have guests, you love-sick pup!"

The silver wolf sheepishly let her canine crush up while her sibling sat down on their haunches. The black male facepalmed with one paw while shaking his head at his alpha sister while his other sister seemed to be giggling behind her paw.

"And just what are you laughing at, Fluffy?", Christina asked the suddenly 'innocent'-looking tan & grey wolf. "Thunder, will you take these two and Scooby to get cleaned up? Then you can all join us for dinner."

"Sure", the black wolf saluted, then trotted off with the others. "Really, sis? You're supposed to be our alpha! Have a little dignity!"

"Shut up, Thunder! Scooby is my MATE! What do you expect?"

"They TALK?!", Googie choked.

"Of course", Christina replied as if it were the most normal thing in the world.

"Like, come on, Googie! You've known for years that Scooby could talk", Shaggy added.

"I always thought he was some one-of-a-kind freak of nature, so don't look and talk to me like I'm an idiot!"

Just then Googie noticed that Baylor was staring at Christina! And on the verge of DROOLING! "Hey!"

"OW!", he yelped when she painfully elbowed him in the ribs! "Sorry."

"Melinda?" Christina turned to her friend, "Is Dalton not joining us?"

"Can he?"

"Well, duh, I'm not your mother, go get the boy"

"Okay BRB!" Melinda disappeared in a puff of smoke causing the gang, Googie, and Baylor to jump.

"What the-"

Reappearing as quickly as she disappeared Velma didn't get the chance to finish her statement as Melinda was back with her arm around a boy who grinned dopily at her when she wasn't looking.

"Hey, Christy," Dalton waved.

"Hi Dalton, how's your Grandma?"

"Doin' well, nothing keeps her down for very long"

Once the wolves and Scooby bounded back into the room everyone moved to take their seats.

"Wait, wait, wait," Shaggy stopped Christina, pulling her chair out for her, "Okay"

"Thank you," Christina giggled, allowing Shaggy to push her in.

"Gag me," Googie rolled her eyes, standing beside her chair she waited for Baylor to do the same but the airhead took his own seat, eyes roving the empty table for the food. Flushed red Googie sat down, kicking Baylor.

"So where's dinner?" Baylor asked.

Christina looked at Shaggy, "Can you guess?"

"Spaghetti with all the fixings?"

"How about an entire spread?"

"You spoil me!"

"Of course I do"

Platters piled high with all manner of rich foods simply popped onto the table in bright sparkly puffs that left Googie scanning for the effects set up. Bowls of various pastas, trays of lasagnas, baskets of bread. It was as if someone had laid out an entire Italian restaurant menu.

"Don't be shy," Christina laughed warmly, "It's not going anywhere"

"You're, you're," Velma was slowly recovering the ability to speak whereas Fred and Daphne sat with their mouths still agape from surprise.

"A hybrid," Christina kindly finished, heaping her plate full of salad, "I'm a vampire dark fairy hybrid, I tested out of Monster High earlier this year, You've heard of the monster community in New Salem haven't you?"

"I didn't think it was real"

"Oh it's very real, Velma, you're welcome to the library if you'd like to reserch just be mindful of the hidden rooms and hallways"

"Tha-thank you"

"It's no problem"

"So what is it, you do for work again?" Googie snidely asked, "I don't believe you said"

Shaggy face-palmed, "Really? Really? You like, have to go there?"

"Relax, it's okay babe," Christina soothed before fixing the petite blonde with a steely cold gaze, "If you must know I-"

Frantic tapping on the dining room window stopped Christina mid explanation, "Come in Diaval," making a large sweeping gesture with her arm caused the window to swing open, the raven flying inside with something clutched in its talons.

"just how many birds does she own?" Googie snipped to Baylor but he didn't respond, too busy staring at Christina's chest again.

"Ouch!" he jumped while Googie proceeded to feign innocence.

"Forgive me, Princess but your Grandmother-" Diaval, now human, extended the scroll.

"It's okay," Christina took it from him, "I know, thank you for bringing it"

"Of course,"

One flurry of feathers later, Diaval flew from the window which shut behind him.

"I like, thought you cleared the schedule?" Shaggy asked worriedly, pasta sauce dribbling from his chin.

"I did, don't worry," Christina handed him a napkin, "Grandmother and Mom have been trying to finalize plans all week they just want me to look over them, it's my coronation after all"

"What was that?" Googie had to get the attention back on herself.

"Diaval," Shaggy deadpanned with an eye-roll.

"Now, as I was saying I am Crown Princess of the Dark Fae kingdom though not for much longer"

Googie laughed shrilly, "Okay, seriously, you expect me to buy that load of unicorn crap? There's no such thing!"

"Like, seriously, Googie!", Shaggy snapped, subtly holding up a hand to the very offended Christina. Taking a breath, she decided to let him handle it for now since he knew his ex. "We live in a world that we share with kaiju, glam-rock warriors from another dimension, and real monsters! You know all about my mermaid ex Rachel, and the gang and I told you all about what happened to us on Zombie Island last summer. So why is this, like, so far fetched?"

"Because there's no way in this world that anyone royal would date you," Googie plunged the knife, "You're bumbling and beyond cowardly, destined to be alone forever"

The candles on the table flared brighter, and the torches on the walls around them blazed to life while the chandelier blazed overhead casting the room in near daylight brightness. That's when they noticed the painted portraits and family photos lined on the walls around them. Most were Christina through childhood most often with her mother, who else could the lookalike woman be? But there were others. Others where a tiny Christina held the hand or sat on the lap of a fairy who could only be the real-life Maleficent.

"You don't know him very well then do you, Googie?" Christina asked 'sweetly', taking Shaggy's hand, "He's brave, loyal, creative, funny, sweet and he can cook but you never bothered to really get to know him, only dated him because of his family"

The rest of the gang turned sharp gazes on the blonde who was doing her best to look indifferent with her arms crossed over her chest and her head turned away.

"I honestly don't know what Shaggy ever saw in you", Christina said disdainfully, looking at her and Baylor as if they were bacteria. "It's obvious that you're drowning in the shallow end of the gene pool."

The gathered teens 'ooooohhh'ed at the burn, while Googie glared in shock.

"Oh. No! You did NOT just call me SHALLOW, did you?!"

"Well, given that if you were liquid and I could stand in you without getting my feet wet, then yeah; I'd say both you and your boy-toy there are about as deep as a puuddle", Christina smirked.

Said boy-toy was still blatantly staring at Christina who zapped him.

"OWW"

"Eyes above the neckline, Baylor," Christina warned, eyes flashing dangerously.

Thankfully the two were stunned into silence each angrily stabbing at their dinner.

…...

Googie and Baylor were woken up in the dead of night by a loud noise above their heads. The blonde turned on the light with a scowl even in her flimsiest see-through silk nightie Baylor had been so hung up on their host that he'd ignored her.

"You don't suppose the place is haunted?" Baylor asked sleepily.

"Overun by vermin, more like," Googie huffed sliding out of bed.

"Where are you going?"

"To yell," Googie snapped, "No one disrupts my beauty sleep"

…...

"Shaggy, Shaggy," Christina jumped to the floor of her bedroom, pulling the blanket off her thrashing-in-his-sleep boyfriend before grabbing him by his shoulders, "Wake up, wake up, Sweetie, you aren't there, You're safe"

Shaggy howled in fear, tears leaking from the corners of his closed eyes.

Oh, it must have been terrible, he was transforming from the fear and Christina couldn't seem to rouse him. Maybe, maybe she could try redirecting?

"Sounds of day fade away

Stars begin to climb

Melodies fill the breeze

Sweeter all the time

My love Is always with you whether near or far..."

"Help," Shaggy softly pleaded tears leaking from his still-closed eyes while he tried to outrun the monsters of his mind but Christina held tightly to him humming the melody of the song to try calming him all while making sure he didn't hurt himself. It was only a few minutes though to Christina it felt like hours later when Shaggy's eyes popped open with a final fearful howl.

"I-I-"

"Don't you dare apologize," Christina softly interrupted.

"But like, you've had a long day and-"

"And nothing," Christina helped him to his shaking feet.

He sat on the coverless bed while she turned on the lamp beside her reading chair, followed by the one on the bedside table casting the room in warm orange halos of light.

"Did I like, hurt you?" Shaggy numbly asked with a glance at his claws.

"No," Christina sat beside him, wrapping Shaggy in her arms, planting kisses on his head, "I was more worried about you anyway"

"Sor-"

"No, you wouldn't let me apologize for my nightmares rember?"

"I know," The werewolf sighed, "I just-"

"I know," Christina promised, "C'mon lets go to the library and I'll read to you or would you rather watch a movie?"

"I wanna sit here"

"Okay but I am fixing hot chocolate," Christina stood. There was a small counter, like a hotel suite a sink, mini fridge, and coffee pot awaited use. With no time or space to make the chocolate drink from scratch, Christina set the coffee pot full of water to warm before pulling two mugs from the cabinet below the counter.

Shaggy watched her, shaking he pulled the lavender comforter from the floor trying in vain to redo it.

"Leave it be," Christina turned to him, mug in hand, "It's alright"

Opening his mouth to respond he quickly shut it, thinking better of it.

"I have something for you," Christina moved to the bedside table, opening the drawer in one fluid motion she pulled out a small drawstring bag.

"What is it?"

"Open it and see"

Tentatively, Shaggy pulled the bag open where he found a necklace, a single stone on a black cord, "A dreamstone, how did you-"

"Mom had one in her jewelry chest, well, she actually had a pouchful she used to collect them in the Moors"

"So like that's how she-"

"Found one so quickly for this?" Christina held up her hand, promise ring glinting in the light, "Yes" she slipped the necklace over his head, mindful of his ears which she gave a teasing tug.

"Thank you, Christy,"

"Anything for you, love," she handed him the hot chocolate,

"I didn't tell them yet"

"Shaggy..."

"I always like, lose my nerve then we like, get caught up in a case and-"

"The full moon is Saturday"

"As in-"

"Yes, this saturday"

"Like I suppose they're finding out the shocking way then"

"Looks that way"

"They're going to run away"

"If they do then they are not your friends"

"I know"

That's when the door connecting Christina's room to Shaggy's slammed open, Googie stomped in with steam practically coming out of her ears. She opened her mouth to yell only to catch sight of Shaggy's wolfish appearance and go slack-jawed with shock.

"DON'T YOU EVER ENTER MY ROOM WITHOUT MY EXPLICIT PERMISSION!" Christina thundered, eyes flashing with magic, her shadow shifting to that of a dragon, "GET OUT"

Googie was magically booted from the room finding herself back in her own where Baylor was snoring away.

"He's a Monster!"