So I kind of felt obligated to say how awesome the people that review are! SpongeAddict, Hollie, Russ: you guys are totally amazing for reviewing even when this hasn't been the best story. I really appreciate it! Well, now that I've said that I guess I'll let you read the ending.

Chapter 7 The Rescue and Reveal

As Daphne pulled up to the old house, she noticed that Velma had already arrived, parking right next to the Mystery Machine.

"Do you have any idea where in the house Fred is?" Velma asked urgently.

"No," Daphne replied, feeling like a complete idiot. She shouldn't have hung up the phone so soon. Maybe he would've said something useful.

"It's fine, Daph," Shaggy said kindly. He could tell how upset she was.

"Okay, here's what we need to do," Velma instructed. "Daphne and Scooby, you guys search upstairs. Shaggy and I will look downstairs. One pair of us is bound to find Fred."

Everyone agreed and rushed up to the door, only to find that it was locked. They all groaned, remembering that Fred had the only key. Daphne suddenly remembered that she had a bobby-pin in her hair and pulled it out, using it to pick the lock. After about a minute, the door swung open, inviting the four guests in. They quickly went in their designated directions. Daphne and Scooby were walking silently toward what appeared to be a bedroom. Inside, faint voices could be heard.

"So you did all of that for Marks' money?" Fred was saying. It seemed as though he had gotten the villain to explain his evil plan in the classic monologue that always led to the downfall of the crook in movies.

"Yes," the phantom hissed. "Now, enough talk. Any last words?"

At that point, Daphne opened the door and Scooby tackled to ghost, causing the knife to be knocked out of it's hand, though it managed to slice Fred's arm first. He yelped in pain as Daphne ran over to him, quickly loosening the knots that prevented him from moving.

"Freddy, are you okay?" she asked, flooded with so many emotions at one time that she felt as though she would faint. She noticed that his arm was bleeding and she covered the wound with her hand, trying to keep pressure on it.

"Yeah," he said, smiling wider than she'd ever seen him smile before.

Seeing his expression, Daphne couldn't help but grin a little herself. "Why are you so happy?" she asked.

"You saved me," he said simply, causing Daphne to blush slightly as she untied the last knot. She then went to work on untying Stephen, who had passed out. Fred helped her, only using one hand for the other was on the small of her back, never moving from that spot until the prisoner had been released.

The rope that had been used to bind Fred and Stephen was now being used to incarcerate their captor. Velma and Shaggy were immediately filled in on all the details and soon the whole part was outside on the lawn, surrounded by local law enforcement. Luckily Detective O'Connor wasn't present as the teens explained what had happened to them.

Shaggy was still shaking with fear, as was Scooby, even though the ghost had never directly threatened them. Velma kept a comforting hand on each of their shoulders, happy that she had these two cowards on her team. Next to them, Fred was clutching his injured arm while he held Daphne in the other. He didn't care that this would make things awkward later. He had almost been killed and she had saved him. All he wanted to do know was be with her for as long as possible, and she definitely didn't have a problem with that.

"So who is this?" Officer McGee asked the gang, pointing to the tied up phantom.

"None other than," Fred began, removing the ghost's mask.

Everyone gasped. "Jeff Parker," they all finished in unison.

"Mr. Parker has some nasty debts with some nasty people," Fred explained. "He needed Marks' money to pay them off. Unfortunately, he got a little too greedy and wanted more money than he was being paid. Marks then told him about the change in the will and Parker thought he had a solution to his problem."

"He poisoned Mr. Marks' doughnut, killing him instantly," Velma added. "I also suspect that he was the cause for the medical examiner never arriving at the scene. Later, when we found the poisoned food, he shut everybody out of the house and used speakers to amplify his voice while he stole the body."

"But how did he manage to do all of that?" someone wondered.

"Simple electronics," Velma explained, taking something from Parker's costume. It was what looked like a small remote control. She pressed a button, causing all the doors and windows to shut. "See?"

"What happened to Marks' body?" McGee asked.

"I'm assuming he buried it out in the backyard shortly after all the officers left," Fred answered. "When we first saw him there was fresh dirt on his shoes and he was carrying a shovel. Then Velma mentioned the area out back that looked as though it had been dug up recently."

An officer shook his head. "He murdered his best friend for money."

"Yeah," spat Parker. "And I would've gotten away with it, too, if it weren't for you meddling kids and that stupid mutt."

The gang smiled. They walked toward the porch, unsure of what to say or do.

Fred was the first to speak up. "Sorry," he muttered, his head hung low.

Daphne lifted his chin so he met her eyes. "It's okay," she said sweetly. Then, the most unexpected thing happened. Her hand swung hard and hit him across the face.

"Ow!" he shouted, touching the spot where she had slapped him.

"If you ever do that again, some deranged killer won't be the only thing that's out to get you," she said threateningly, looking like she was going to cry. Daphne stomped off without another word, leaving Fred to wonder what the hell just happened, for she had been so happy to see him before.

He looked at Velma, confused and hoping she could explain. "Daphne was really worried about you," she said. "She was kind of freaking out. Go talk to her," Velma commanded.

Fred immediately ran over to Daphne and, ignoring her protests, smothered her in an affectionate hug. She wrapped her arms around him, enjoying the feel of having him there with her.

"Never do that to me again," she said, this time more of a request rather than a threat.

"I wouldn't dream of it," Fred responded, smiling and gazing into her clear blue eyes.

Later that day, Fred was reflecting on all that had happened. He had been seriously considering quitting this business, for things were growing more and more dangerous. He had gotten stitches for the cut on his arm, but the worst thing about that day hadn't been the injury. It was the way Daphne was so worried. He didn't like to see her like that.

"Maybe it'd be better if we just stop this whole thing all toghether," he said to himself.

But then thoughts of his teammates ran through his head: Velma shouting, "Jinkies!" whenever she found a clue; Shaggy and Scooby eating everything in sight and running at the first sign of trouble; and Daphne laughing at one of his jokes, her eyes twinkling, her smile enough to brighten his entire day. The five members of Mystery, Inc. would've never become the best friends that they were had it not been for a mystery.

Fred sighed. "I guess solving mysteries isn't all bad," he muttered thoughtfully.