(Christina)
Thorn and I were locked in a staring contest. She was waiting for me to react but, I never did. So, she left and, I was alone with my thoughts again. I pushed the thoughts of Shaggy from my mind and went on with my day. I had to send Laura out on a routine rescue mission which was something that wasn't so easy for me. The base we were sending her to was large and full of skilled hunters. I was naturally worried for her. This would be one of her few solo missions. Later that evening I wished her luck as she strapped on her bow and disappeared through the barrier.
When I reentered the base I found Shaggy in the gym still trying to get a grip on his abilities. Having finished all of my work, deployed troops on missions and, had a private dinner I decided to stay and watch.
'Come to laugh at my expense?" Shaggy questioned as he ran laps.
"No,"
"Then why are you here?"
"It's my base,"
"True, very true," Shaggy agreed walking over to me.
"You know there's more than a gym here right?"
"Like what?"
"Come with me,"
I showed Shaggy the library, the game room, the art room and the pool.
"Thought of everything haven't you?"
"Nearly,"
We returned to the game room and started the first of many games of air hockey. Hours must have passed because Shaggy was steadily losing steam. I turned off the air hockey table and escorted Shaggy back to his room.
"You get some sleep okay?"
"Yes ma'am," he yawned tiredly.
"Goodnight Shaggy,"
"Goodnight, Christina,"
…...
The next day went as routinely as all the ones before it until Laura's return. She had freed several prisoners as she was supposed to do, however, there was a dart lodged in her shoulder. While the others handled our latest arrivals Shaggy, Scooby and I took Laura to the infirmary. She was really dragging and in pain. The medical team swarmed her and for several minutes tried to identify the poison that was flowing through her body but we had never seen anything like it. Poor Laura wailed in agony and I could do nothing.
"Let me see that," Shaggy said taking the dart from the medical team.
"Uh, oh," Shaggy muttered.
"What?" I asked fearfully.
"See those markings? Roughly translated it means death to the dead. The prison guards used these on hostile inmates they are designed to kill a vampire slowly,"
"Oh no, no, NO,"
"There is a cure though,"
"What?"
"She must drink the blood of a hunter,"
"Where are we supposed to get that?" I cried tears threatening to spill.
"She can drink from me," Shaggy offered quietly.
"I can't drink b-b-blood-"
"Laura you HAVE TO I can't lose you!"
"Please Draculaura I want to help you," Shaggy pleaded as I lifted Laura up.
"F-fine"
I watched as Laura reluctantly plunged her fangs into Shaggy's neck. As she drank I could see her health returning but Shaggy's health was leaving as a consequence. When Laura's health had been restored she retracted her fangs distraught over her actions. Clawdeen was quick to escort her out of the room. Shaggy watched her go before passing out due to his blood loss. I wasted no time in ordering the doctors around. Shaggy was soon in Laura's place with several IV tubes in his arm. Thankfully, he still had a heartbeat It was a faint beat but it was there. Shaggy would undoubtedly going to be in a coma for several days at most.
I felt oddly conflicted and upset about what had occurred. I tried my hardest to prevent people from getting hurt but I had failed.
…...
(Scooby)
Christina was kind enough to move me into the infirmary alongside Shaggy. I was surprised by how often she came to check in on us. It seemed that whenever she finished her work she came by. I was unsurprised when I heard the door open and saw Christina step inside. She pulled up a chair and quietly sat beside me.
"How is he?"
"No, change yet,"
"I'm terribly sorry this happened," she sighed.
"It isn't your doing,"
"I feel like I'm to blame,"
"You aren't Shaggy did this because that's the type of person he is,"
"Really?"
"Yes,"
I told Christina a lot of different stories about Shaggy and I. How we've been friends for a long time. How Shaggy became a hunter to make his family proud. Shaggy only wanted to please his parents. She listened to all of these stories with an open mind. She actually cared to listen, unlike other people I had met. This was a pleasant surprise.
"Shaggy loves you," I finally informed her days later.
"What?"
"He does, he told me so himself and his scent changes when you're around,"
"I would've never guessed,"
"He knows how to cover up his feelings,"
…...
(Christina)
I sat there dumbfounded, barely even realizing that Scooby had left for lunch. Instead, I focused my attention on Shaggy. I had been having mixed feelings about him for quite some time. On one hand, he was trained to hunt my kind but, on the other hand, he had also risked his life to save my cousin. He had no idea how much that meant to me. I only did my job because of my family. He didn't even know that and yet, he risked his life anyway.
Later that night I returned to the infirmary. Scooby was passed out beside Shaggy's bed. I couldn't help but smile at the sight. If I had my doubts before they were gone now. Scooby was truly loyal to Shaggy. I sat down on the chair next to Scooby and simply just watched. Shaggy was improving. Rather quickly now. It wouldn't be very long before he woke up. What I didn't expect, however, was for Shaggy to wake up right then. He looked at me and faintly smiled.
"Miss me?" he whispered teasingly.
"No, not at all," I replied.
"I missed you, Christina,"
"I never got a chance to say thank you for saving Draculaura,"
"I was happy to do it,"
'But you could have died,"
"Nah, I'm tougher than I look,"
"Sure,"
"How long do I have to stay wired to this bed?"
"If everything checks out in the morning then you can leave the infirmary," I explained as I was getting ready to leave.
"Wait,"
"Yes Shaggy?"
"Stay with me, please?"
…...
(Shaggy)
Christina stared at me with wide eyes. Of course, I thought she would be surprised but I really wanted her to stay. What had started as admiration for Christina had become a deep love for her I didn't truly realize it until Scooby had come. So, when the opportunity presented itself I took it. Saving Draculaura wasn't done so I would be in Christina's good graces. It was done out of the love I had for her. The question was would she return it? I was hopeful but I had no way of knowing.
"Please?" I asked again.
"Okay, fine,"
Okay, that brings us to the end of this chapter. Pleaase leave a review. Oh, and I have issued a challenge to all my readers but to find out what it is go to my profile.
