(Shaggy)

When I woke up the next morning I was surprised to see Christina sitting on the bed across from me with a lap desk. Her head was bent over a stack of paperwork and she hadn't noticed I was awake. I had to admire her work ethic. I hardly ever saw her not doing some type of work. I'd come to realize she did most of the hard work. This entire operation rested on her shoulders. I actually wanted to help her, that was if she would let me.

"Sleep well?" she asked without looking away from her work.

"Yes, what are you doing?" I asked sitting up.

"Paperwork,"

"Do you ever quit?"

"Nope,"

"Don't you ever divide it with someone else?"

"No,"

" can I get out of here?"

"Yes, the doctors cleared you already,"

"Is it too late for breakfast?"

Christina laughed and it surprised me. She put down the desk and started to unhook me from the machines. After that, she took me to my room.

"It's just after breakfast but I can ask the chefs to make you something,"

"Did you eat yet?" I asked before she left.

"No,"

"Do you uh, would you want to eat with me?" I asked nervously.

"I suppose,"

…...


(Christina)

I had to admit Shaggy was enjoyable company. I left and returned with trays of food. I passed one to Shaggy as he offered me a spot on his bed. We sat in silence for only a few minutes before Shaggy sheepishly stated he wanted to help me and my cause. He then went on to explain how he could be of use training the others so they would know what to expect and how to handle the situation whatever that may be. I didn't have to think about it one bit. That would be very, very helpful. I nodded in approval as we finished our meal. I had to attend a meeting and told Shaggy to come along. As we were walking down the hall we were joined by Scooby who was overjoyed to see Shaggy was awake again. Once we were in the room where the meeting would take place Shaggy sat close to me and Scooby sat down beside him quietly watching the others as they entered the room.

"Okay, everyone Shaggy has something he'd like to say so listen carefully before you respond," I told them.

"Yes ma'am"

I studied the faces of everyone in the room for a reaction. They all seemed very surprised by this turn of events.

After the day's assignments had been given and problems had been addressed I prepared to lock myself in my office where yet another stack of paperwork awaited me. I couldn't get very far before Shaggy caught up with me.

"Yes Shaggy?"

"Like, don't you think it's time for you to have a day off?" he asked me.

"I don't get the luxury of a day off Shaggy," I replied walking past him.

He proved to be very determined however and proceeded to block my path.

"What about when you go out there? Who takes care of things then?"

"Sibella and Thorn usually but I haven't left here in well, since our very first encounter,"

Shaggy's jaw dropped.

"Why?"

"Because I have more agents now than I did then and, I'm needed here,"

"I'd be happy to take over for the day," Thorn said with a somewhat devious look on her face as she joined us.

Oh, brother, I knew what she was doing. She was pushing Shaggy and I together. It was hopeless. Like I'd said to Shaggy there was absolutely no way out of a match. Scooby had told me of what Shaggy felt but they just did not understand all the dangers that could result from this. Oh sure, Molly had Danny, Lagoona had Gil and Draculaura had Clawd but for me to become involved in a romantic relationship was potentially dangerous for everyone. Not to mention I hadn't really had much luck in the love department back when I could afford to be carefree. I had one admirer turned stalker named Drew who was one of the first monsters to be imprisoned when Van Hellscream came into power.

"Okay, fine Thorn but-"

"If I need you I'll tell you," she cut in before shoving Shaggy and me away.

…...


(Shaggy)

Yes! I was going to spend the day with Christina. What made this day even better was the fact that everyone seemed to approve of me helping train the agents. I was going to help Christina! Of course, my work wasn't going to start today, today I was spending time with Christina. I really couldn't wait. Thorn must have overheard Christina and I. I was so glad she stepped in. After she had shoved us away from the office I told Christina she could pick what we did first. Of course, it meant we were going to the gym. Her wings had healed while I was unconscious but I was like, apprehensive about resuming our combat training.

Christina seemed to know this so, she changed directions and headed for the children's area first. Entering the area I watched as all the kids big and small lined up to greet her.

"Hello, everyone, who's ready for a story?" Christina asked as she guided me through the room to the couches.

"We are,"

"Good,"

I was just as ready and easily immersed in the story as the kids. Christina seemed to come alive when she read to them. She changed her voice to suit the characters and vividly described everything. In fact, she described it so well that I found the pictures disappointing. I was really enjoying myself and so was Christina, I could tell.

This was going to be a great day.

…...


Later.

We were in the library now. No one but us was there. I found myself asking Christina about her life before the Anti-Monster Act was put in place. I felt awful. Then I felt a burning anger. I'd never in my life felt so strongly. I was angry at Van Hellscream for what he had done to Christina and the others. Living with Christina and her organization had opened my eyes to the truth. The entire USA had been brainwashed to see monster-kind as threats. Yes, there were a few truly rotten ones but they weren't all bad. I could see that now. They had led very normal lives and Van Hellscream had torn that away from them. I had torn it away from them and I felt sorry. So much so that I started to cry. Where all these new stronger emotions were coming from perplexed me but at that moment I was sobbing too much to care. I didn't even notice when Christina joined me on the couch. I finally did notice when she grabbed my hands to get my attention.

"I'm so sorry Christina,"

"You had no part in getting it passed Shaggy," Christina replied calmly trying to calm me down but I was so overrun with emotion that I couldn't calm down. Christina had the patience of a saint, she continued to talk to me, trying to calm me down despite how I was acting. Christina really did care.

…...


(Scooby)

I was watching Shaggy and Christina. I could tell Christina had feelings for Shaggy but she was hesitant to act on them. I had to help them out but, not knowing what to do I went to see Thorn who was just finishing with paperwork. I explained what was going on and she paused to think.

"Let me finish up here then we'll go watch them and see if we can help," she said returning to the paperwork.

"Okay,"

I knew we could help. We were going to help.

…...


(Shaggy)

We were back in the gym now because even though I was really, really nervous about hurting Christina she still wanted to train. I had the sneaking feeling that she had a lot of pent-up energy she needed to get rid of. So, there we were on a mat in the center of the room going at each other like crazed animals. Scooby was watching nearby. I don't see how he found what we were doing to be interesting. Minutes passed and we seemed to be at a draw. We stood there, trying to cool off while Scooby watched.

"I think we oughta call it quits," Christina sighed.

"Me too,"

While we were talking we kept getting closer and closer to each other. It was unintentional but, I couldn't help myself. I wanted to be close to her. We froze inches apart from each other, not talking any longer. The air seemed to sizzle. She was so close to me I could kiss her but, that wouldn't be right.

…...


(Scooby)

This was it! Thorn was watching nearby, biting her fingernails in nervous anticipation. I couldn't take the suspense any longer and gave Shaggy a little shove and that's when it happened. They kissed, fireworks filled the room popping above us with colorful bursts of magic. I hoped they wouldn't be angry but this confirmed I had nothing to be afraid of.

…...


(Christina)

Shaggy and I stood so close. He was so close to me. We were frozen, looking at each other but not speaking. I was rooted in place and I didn't understand why. Before I could move away, however, Shaggy KISSED me. I was surprised, first, by the kiss then how I felt about it, about Shaggy. I was so happy it was strange. I hadn't felt that way for so long. I heard an odd noise fireworks? Time came to a blissful standstill as I realized something.

I was in love.


Whew, this took a while to finish. I really hope you guys enjoyed it and, please review.