Scooby Doo
The Courtship of Velma Dinkley
By Andy Fuller
This Story was inspired by Littlesoprano's 'Journey of Self Discovery'
Thanks to Jack, Vicky and Joe for the Beta
Please note I'm British so take that into account with some of the spellings
**Nick Maltz is actually based a little around my Uncle Ben, a former RN Officer while Chief Klatowski is based around a gentleman called Roy Clifton who ran a restaurant where me and my friends used to hang out after school and during holidays.**
Chapter 2 - Seacutter
"There she is," said Velma as she drove the jeep along the quay. "The SS Seacutter."
"Wow," said an impressed Ethan from beside her. He'd seen ships before due to the fact his Grandfather was a retired Naval Officer and still lived near the navy base at San Diego. But unlike the ugly grey navy vessels he seen in San Diego harbor the Seacutter was sleek and smart looking. "That's a heck of a ship, she looks more like a yacht."
"Well technically she is," allowed Velma as she pulled up in a park space near the gangplank. "Father and Professor Granger just had a few of the rooms converted when she was built."
"Professor Granger?" said Ethan curiously as he jumped out his side while Velma climbed out her side.
"My parents research partner. He's not coming on this trip but he works on a lot of projects with my parents."
"So this is a busman's holiday huh?" said Ethan as he retrieved his guitar and bag from the back while Velma gave a small nod. "Yeah, but we're not going to be doing much research. Mostly we'll just be monitoring some of the local pods and like I said Father wants to head over to Bermuda and check on a couple over there."
"So is this they regular kind of gig?" asked Ethan as Velma took hold of his free hand.
"Yeah, it's this or sharks," said Velma as they made their way to the gangplank.
"Cool," said Ethan. "I bet it makes a change for you from your NASA work."
"You bet," agreed Velma eagerly. "I came down as often as I could to get away from satellites and stuff and just to relax watching the dolphins." Suddenly an idea hit her and she turned to Ethan with a grin. "Have you ever gone scuba diving?"
"I've gone snorkeling before," replied Ethan after a couple of seconds. "But no, I've never done that. Always wanted to give a go though. It looks way cool."
"Then how about I teach you sometime?" said Velma.
"Now that would be great," agreed Ethan with a nod as they walked towards the gangplank. As they did he could see Velma's parents talking to a man dressed in a white shirt and shorts and wearing a baseball cap similar to Velma's. "Who's that your folks are talking to?" he asked as the pair reached the foot of the gangplank.
"That's Nick Martz, the Seacutter's Captain," said Velma as she started up the gangplank with Ethan following behind. "He's been part of the crew since the Seacutter was launched and became the Captain last year."
"Looks a bit grumpy," observed Ethan at which Velma chuckled.
"Don't worry. Nick's just got one of those faces. He's actually a really nice guy."
"Okay, I'll take you word for it," said Ethan as he stepped onto the deck of the Seacutter.
"Trust me." said Velma flashing him a quick reassuring grin. At this Ethan gave a wry smile.
"Okay," he said as the pair now headed over to where Velma's parents and Captain Martz were stood talking. As they approached Marilyn Dinkley saw them and broke away from the two men who both turned to see the couple walking towards them.
"Hello Ethan," said Marilyn warmly. "How are you?"
"I'm fine thank you Ma'am," replied Ethan politely. At this Velma quickly had to put a hand up to her mouth to stop her laughing but out loud but couldn't stop a muffled giggle escaping while Harold and Nick Martz shared a look. Marilyn herself was having a hard time not laughing herself while Ethan suddenly looked uncomfortable.
"Please, call me Marilyn," she said taking pity on the young man. "We don't stand on ceremony around here."
"Alright, if that's Okay," said Ethan still looking a little sheepish. He'd been worry on how to address Velma's parents on the flight mainly due to the fact it hadn't actually come up when they had met on Spook Island. Marilyn now nodded then turned towards her husband and Captain Martz.
"Nicholas, I'd like you to meet Ethan Dace." The older man quickly stepped forward and offered his hand.
"Please to meet you Ethan, I've heard a lot of good things about you," he said warmly.
"Nice to meet you too," said Ethan taking the offered hand. "Do I get to call you Nick or do you prefer something else?" At this the older man chuckled.
"Nick's fine," he assured Ethan then turned to Velma's parents. "And now if it's Okay with you Prof, I'll get us underway."
"By all means," said Harold. At this Nick nodded and started up some steps towards the bridge.
"Velma dear," said Marilyn turning her attention to her daughter. "Why don't you take Ethan to his cabin and get him settled, and after you've done that take him to the galley. I image he must be quite hungry after such a long day."
"I could do with a bite," admitted Ethan who hadn't eaten since he'd been waiting for his flight in New York.
"Okay, Mother," said Velma. She now turned to Ethan with a smile and gave a small nod of her head. "Come on, your cabin's this way," she said resuming her hold on his free hand.
"Lead on," said Ethan cheerfully as he let his girlfriend lead him down the deck towards a door leading into the heart of the ship.
As they watched the young couple head through the door Velma's parents shared a look.
"Brings back memories eh?" chuckled Harold softly. At this Marilyn turned to her husband and grinned.
"Remember how nervous you were when you came and stayed with my parents for the first time?"
"Goodness yes," said Harold. "Ethan's certainly a lot calmer than I was."
"Although he did seem a little bit embarrassed about calling me Ma'am," added Marilyn. At this both of them chuckled.
"Do you think we should have told him we're not nearly that formal?" said Harold pushing his spectacles up his nose.
"Probably," said Marilyn with a nod. "Although I'm surprised Velma didn't." At this she trailed off and the pair looked at each other.
"She wouldn't.would she?" said Harold, the edges of his lips curling in a smile.
"Oh she would," said Marilyn with a snort of laughter, shaking her head slowly. "I do believe our daughter just pulled a trick on her boyfriend."
"Oh dear," said Harold chuckling. "Now I really do feel sorry him!"
"I don't think we need to worry too much," said Marilyn smiling at her husband. "I think Ethan can look after himself."
***
Below deck Ethan scowled slightly with feigned annoyance as he followed a broadly grinning Velma. "You set me up didn't you?"
"I'm sorry, I couldn't resist!" giggled Velma. "Beside, I still hadn't gotten you back for that trick you pulled on me about the guys and their room keys!"
"I guess I should have expected that shouldn't I?" chuckled Ethan. At this Velma turned and beamed at him.
"I always give just as good as I get."
"I'll have to remember that," responded Ethan. The truth was he'd been expecting payback for a while and had been warned by the other members of Mystery Inc. that Velma rarely let people off when they played a joke on her. "So, are we even then?"
"For now," said Velma with a twinkle in her eye. At this Ethan grinned and found himself wondering once again how he'd ended up with this incredible young woman. Just then a soft rumbling filled the air and the corridor shook slightly.
"Well, here we go," said Ethan at which Velma nodded.
"Just us for four whole weeks," she murmured dreamily.
"Well, don't forget your parents and the crew," said Ethan wryly.
"You know what I mean," said Velma rolling her eyes. She now stopped outside a door and turned the knob opening it to a small but comfortable looking cabin. "Here you go," she said stepping aside. Ethan popped his head around the door before turning to her with a grin.
"Cozy," he quipped taking the opportunity to plant a small kiss on Velma's forehead.
"Hey," pouted Velma. "If you're going to kiss me do it properly!" Ethan grinned then turned and dropped his hold-all on the bed before sliping his guitar case strap over his head and placing that by the door.
"One proper kiss coming up," he announced as he wrapped his arms around Velma's waist and leaned in to kiss her. As he did she slipped her own arms around his neck and raised herself on tiptoe until their lips met. When they parted Ethan grinned down at Velma.
"Better?" he inquired softly.
"Much," she acknowledged. "You still want something to eat?"
"Sounds good," said Ethan pulling his door closed. Velma nodded then took Ethan's hand in hers again and lead him further down the corridor until they came to a door, which Velma now pushed up and stepped into the galley.
"Chief?" she called as Ethan stepped in behind her. A moment later a burly man with fiery red hair and beard flecked with grey popped out from behind a counter.
"Miss Velma," he called cheerfully and then spotted Ethan and a huge grin crossed his face. "And this must be Mr. Dace," he said stepping forward offering his hand. "Chief Petty Officer Charles Klatowski, it's good to meet you at last. Miss Velma's been telling me all about you."
"None of it's true," replied Ethan with a grin at which the Chief gave a soft chuckle.
"I didn't think it was," he grinned as he wiped his hands on a cloth. "So what can I do for you or is Miss Velma just giving you the tour?"
"Chief, I've told you before. Just Velma's fine," said Velma with a wry smile. "And is there anything going? Ethan's not had anything since this morning and I'm feeling a little hungry."
"Not eaten since this morning?!" spluttered the Chief in mock horror. "In that case how about some cherry pie and milk?"
"That sounds great," replied Velma then looked quickly at Ethan. "Are you okay with that Eth?"
"Sounds good to me," said Ethan with a nod.
"Good," said the Chief indicating the breakfast bar style counter that ran through the galley. "In that case grab a seat and make yourselves comfortable. Two cherry pie and milks coming right up!"
By Andy Fuller
This Story was inspired by Littlesoprano's 'Journey of Self Discovery'
Thanks to Jack, Vicky and Joe for the Beta
Please note I'm British so take that into account with some of the spellings
**Nick Maltz is actually based a little around my Uncle Ben, a former RN Officer while Chief Klatowski is based around a gentleman called Roy Clifton who ran a restaurant where me and my friends used to hang out after school and during holidays.**
Chapter 2 - Seacutter
"There she is," said Velma as she drove the jeep along the quay. "The SS Seacutter."
"Wow," said an impressed Ethan from beside her. He'd seen ships before due to the fact his Grandfather was a retired Naval Officer and still lived near the navy base at San Diego. But unlike the ugly grey navy vessels he seen in San Diego harbor the Seacutter was sleek and smart looking. "That's a heck of a ship, she looks more like a yacht."
"Well technically she is," allowed Velma as she pulled up in a park space near the gangplank. "Father and Professor Granger just had a few of the rooms converted when she was built."
"Professor Granger?" said Ethan curiously as he jumped out his side while Velma climbed out her side.
"My parents research partner. He's not coming on this trip but he works on a lot of projects with my parents."
"So this is a busman's holiday huh?" said Ethan as he retrieved his guitar and bag from the back while Velma gave a small nod. "Yeah, but we're not going to be doing much research. Mostly we'll just be monitoring some of the local pods and like I said Father wants to head over to Bermuda and check on a couple over there."
"So is this they regular kind of gig?" asked Ethan as Velma took hold of his free hand.
"Yeah, it's this or sharks," said Velma as they made their way to the gangplank.
"Cool," said Ethan. "I bet it makes a change for you from your NASA work."
"You bet," agreed Velma eagerly. "I came down as often as I could to get away from satellites and stuff and just to relax watching the dolphins." Suddenly an idea hit her and she turned to Ethan with a grin. "Have you ever gone scuba diving?"
"I've gone snorkeling before," replied Ethan after a couple of seconds. "But no, I've never done that. Always wanted to give a go though. It looks way cool."
"Then how about I teach you sometime?" said Velma.
"Now that would be great," agreed Ethan with a nod as they walked towards the gangplank. As they did he could see Velma's parents talking to a man dressed in a white shirt and shorts and wearing a baseball cap similar to Velma's. "Who's that your folks are talking to?" he asked as the pair reached the foot of the gangplank.
"That's Nick Martz, the Seacutter's Captain," said Velma as she started up the gangplank with Ethan following behind. "He's been part of the crew since the Seacutter was launched and became the Captain last year."
"Looks a bit grumpy," observed Ethan at which Velma chuckled.
"Don't worry. Nick's just got one of those faces. He's actually a really nice guy."
"Okay, I'll take you word for it," said Ethan as he stepped onto the deck of the Seacutter.
"Trust me." said Velma flashing him a quick reassuring grin. At this Ethan gave a wry smile.
"Okay," he said as the pair now headed over to where Velma's parents and Captain Martz were stood talking. As they approached Marilyn Dinkley saw them and broke away from the two men who both turned to see the couple walking towards them.
"Hello Ethan," said Marilyn warmly. "How are you?"
"I'm fine thank you Ma'am," replied Ethan politely. At this Velma quickly had to put a hand up to her mouth to stop her laughing but out loud but couldn't stop a muffled giggle escaping while Harold and Nick Martz shared a look. Marilyn herself was having a hard time not laughing herself while Ethan suddenly looked uncomfortable.
"Please, call me Marilyn," she said taking pity on the young man. "We don't stand on ceremony around here."
"Alright, if that's Okay," said Ethan still looking a little sheepish. He'd been worry on how to address Velma's parents on the flight mainly due to the fact it hadn't actually come up when they had met on Spook Island. Marilyn now nodded then turned towards her husband and Captain Martz.
"Nicholas, I'd like you to meet Ethan Dace." The older man quickly stepped forward and offered his hand.
"Please to meet you Ethan, I've heard a lot of good things about you," he said warmly.
"Nice to meet you too," said Ethan taking the offered hand. "Do I get to call you Nick or do you prefer something else?" At this the older man chuckled.
"Nick's fine," he assured Ethan then turned to Velma's parents. "And now if it's Okay with you Prof, I'll get us underway."
"By all means," said Harold. At this Nick nodded and started up some steps towards the bridge.
"Velma dear," said Marilyn turning her attention to her daughter. "Why don't you take Ethan to his cabin and get him settled, and after you've done that take him to the galley. I image he must be quite hungry after such a long day."
"I could do with a bite," admitted Ethan who hadn't eaten since he'd been waiting for his flight in New York.
"Okay, Mother," said Velma. She now turned to Ethan with a smile and gave a small nod of her head. "Come on, your cabin's this way," she said resuming her hold on his free hand.
"Lead on," said Ethan cheerfully as he let his girlfriend lead him down the deck towards a door leading into the heart of the ship.
As they watched the young couple head through the door Velma's parents shared a look.
"Brings back memories eh?" chuckled Harold softly. At this Marilyn turned to her husband and grinned.
"Remember how nervous you were when you came and stayed with my parents for the first time?"
"Goodness yes," said Harold. "Ethan's certainly a lot calmer than I was."
"Although he did seem a little bit embarrassed about calling me Ma'am," added Marilyn. At this both of them chuckled.
"Do you think we should have told him we're not nearly that formal?" said Harold pushing his spectacles up his nose.
"Probably," said Marilyn with a nod. "Although I'm surprised Velma didn't." At this she trailed off and the pair looked at each other.
"She wouldn't.would she?" said Harold, the edges of his lips curling in a smile.
"Oh she would," said Marilyn with a snort of laughter, shaking her head slowly. "I do believe our daughter just pulled a trick on her boyfriend."
"Oh dear," said Harold chuckling. "Now I really do feel sorry him!"
"I don't think we need to worry too much," said Marilyn smiling at her husband. "I think Ethan can look after himself."
***
Below deck Ethan scowled slightly with feigned annoyance as he followed a broadly grinning Velma. "You set me up didn't you?"
"I'm sorry, I couldn't resist!" giggled Velma. "Beside, I still hadn't gotten you back for that trick you pulled on me about the guys and their room keys!"
"I guess I should have expected that shouldn't I?" chuckled Ethan. At this Velma turned and beamed at him.
"I always give just as good as I get."
"I'll have to remember that," responded Ethan. The truth was he'd been expecting payback for a while and had been warned by the other members of Mystery Inc. that Velma rarely let people off when they played a joke on her. "So, are we even then?"
"For now," said Velma with a twinkle in her eye. At this Ethan grinned and found himself wondering once again how he'd ended up with this incredible young woman. Just then a soft rumbling filled the air and the corridor shook slightly.
"Well, here we go," said Ethan at which Velma nodded.
"Just us for four whole weeks," she murmured dreamily.
"Well, don't forget your parents and the crew," said Ethan wryly.
"You know what I mean," said Velma rolling her eyes. She now stopped outside a door and turned the knob opening it to a small but comfortable looking cabin. "Here you go," she said stepping aside. Ethan popped his head around the door before turning to her with a grin.
"Cozy," he quipped taking the opportunity to plant a small kiss on Velma's forehead.
"Hey," pouted Velma. "If you're going to kiss me do it properly!" Ethan grinned then turned and dropped his hold-all on the bed before sliping his guitar case strap over his head and placing that by the door.
"One proper kiss coming up," he announced as he wrapped his arms around Velma's waist and leaned in to kiss her. As he did she slipped her own arms around his neck and raised herself on tiptoe until their lips met. When they parted Ethan grinned down at Velma.
"Better?" he inquired softly.
"Much," she acknowledged. "You still want something to eat?"
"Sounds good," said Ethan pulling his door closed. Velma nodded then took Ethan's hand in hers again and lead him further down the corridor until they came to a door, which Velma now pushed up and stepped into the galley.
"Chief?" she called as Ethan stepped in behind her. A moment later a burly man with fiery red hair and beard flecked with grey popped out from behind a counter.
"Miss Velma," he called cheerfully and then spotted Ethan and a huge grin crossed his face. "And this must be Mr. Dace," he said stepping forward offering his hand. "Chief Petty Officer Charles Klatowski, it's good to meet you at last. Miss Velma's been telling me all about you."
"None of it's true," replied Ethan with a grin at which the Chief gave a soft chuckle.
"I didn't think it was," he grinned as he wiped his hands on a cloth. "So what can I do for you or is Miss Velma just giving you the tour?"
"Chief, I've told you before. Just Velma's fine," said Velma with a wry smile. "And is there anything going? Ethan's not had anything since this morning and I'm feeling a little hungry."
"Not eaten since this morning?!" spluttered the Chief in mock horror. "In that case how about some cherry pie and milk?"
"That sounds great," replied Velma then looked quickly at Ethan. "Are you okay with that Eth?"
"Sounds good to me," said Ethan with a nod.
"Good," said the Chief indicating the breakfast bar style counter that ran through the galley. "In that case grab a seat and make yourselves comfortable. Two cherry pie and milks coming right up!"