Disclaimer: I do not Own Scooby Doo.

Chapter 2: Ice Cream with Friends

"Man, I can't believe Daphne would set you up with a guy like that…" Shaggy said sullenly, shaking his head as Velma finished telling her story. Scooby mimicked his friend's gesture, all the while inching towards the human's milkshake.

Velma sat across from Shaggy and Scooby, an ice cream Sunday sitting untouched before her, slowly melting away into a swirling pool of brown and white. She had a tiny screw driver in her hand and was repairing the glasses she was helpless without. An earpiece had come loose during her fall. She stopped her repairs and looked at the blurred form of Shaggy, "I don't think she knew he was like that. Daphne wouldn't have set me up with him if she had known."

"Well, I guess you're right…" Shaggy reasoned, snatching the shake away from the Great Dane in the nick of time, "But wasn't Fred on some team with him in high school? You'd think the guy would have, like, a reputation for trying to pull that stuff he pulled with you."

Velma glanced out the window. Between the pouring rain and the lack of eyewear she couldn't make out a thing, but just the same she didn't want to look directly at Shaggy. He had a point, and she knew it. The logical side that said that someone must have known Casey's true nature argued with the loyal side that said her friends wouldn't have let her go out with a creep like that if they had known.

"But hey," Shaggy said with a smile, sensing her downward swoop of emotion, "Like, at least you're okay, right? That jerk won't try anything like that again!"

"Yeah. You're right," the bob-haired girl replied, only half believing that it was really over. Something about Casey had frightened her beyond just the immediate moment…

"Freddie?" Daphne sighed as she turned in a cascade of fiery hair to her boyfriend, "Don't you feel the least bit guilty ducking out on our double date with Velma?"

Fred stood looking up at the stars, leaning on a railing near the beach, "Nah. Velms can take care of herself. Besides, I didn't just duck out, I really did have something come up."

The red haired girl stretched and roller her eyes at her blond beau. "Yeah, yeah. You're parent's anniversary…I know. But still…Casey can be a bit of a…well, he can be a bit forward. And Velma's so quiet! I'm not sure if it was a good idea to set them up."

"Don't worry Daph!" He continued to reassure her as he pushed away from the railing and walked to her side, wrapping his arms around her, "Casey's a great guy."

It was then that the sky seemed to tear apart, sending a torrent of rain down upon the pair. Fred pulled his jacket up over his head in an attempt to keep dry, Daphne crowded under the coat with him, and they hurried towards a nearby picnic shelter.

Before long, Shaggy had finished his milkshake, an order of fries, and a giant burger. Scooby had gulped down an ice cream cone so tall it was a wonder it didn't scrape the ceiling. Velma had finished the repairs to her glasses, and had picked through about half of her Sunday.

"Man, that sure hit the spot!" Shaggy exclaimed with a stretch and a yawn, "How about you, Velms? Did you enjoy your Sunday?"

"Yeah." Velma said with a small smile, though most of the ice cream had turned to soup in the bottom of the bowl.

Scooby was eying the melted dessert with a mournful expression, unable to believe that such a waste could occur. He looked from Velma to Shaggy, and when he was sure no one was looking, he pulled the melted ice cream in his direction and began to eat the liquid remains.

Shaggy was paying little attention to his dog at the moment; he was still worried about Velma, who seemed less fine than she was letting on, "Like, Velma, maybe we should get back to Mystery Inc. You could probably use some TV or something to wind down.

The bespectacled girl's smile widened some, and she looked genuinely glad of his offer, which she readily accepted, "Sure. That'd be great Shaggy."

"Right. Just let me pay the bill, and, like, we can go." The tall boy took the check and paid for their food, not even thinking twice about paying Velma's bill as well. Scooby had by this point finished off the liquid remains of the girl's Sunday, and was licking his lips clean. Shaggy returned to the table, a small bag of take out in his hand, just in case he got hungry for a snack later, "Okay, like, ready to go?"

Scooby looked up with a nod, "Reah. Ready."

The lanky young man let out a small laugh as he spotted a drop of chocolate sauce on the dog's nose, which had apparently been overlooked as Scooby was licking the last of the ice cream from his face. The dog went cross eyed trying to see what was so amusing, the caught the chocolate drop with his tongue and pulled it into his mouth. Velma, despite what had occurred earlier, had to laugh of the antics of her friends.

The trio exited the restaurants and began the trek back to headquarters. It was still pouring, and neither of the humans had an umbrella with them, so they broke into a light jog to prevent becoming too soaked.

A short while later the friends darted into the warmth and dryness of Mystery Inc. HQ. Scooby promptly shook himself dry, splattering the two humans with more water, and the stench of wet dog.

Velma laughed as Shaggy squeezed the water from his scruffy sand colored locks and gave Scooby a playful reprimand, "Like, watch it Scoob! I don't think I can soak up any more water!"

The Great Dane sniggered playfully with a grin at his friend, and then padded over to a place near a heater to lie down and dry the rest of the water from his fur. Velma went upstairs to change out of their wet threads, not wanting to catch cold, and Shaggy took his take out bag to the fridge.

Once he had deposited the bag, he went to the upstairs closet, took a towel, and tossed it to Scooby, who promptly toweled himself off rather than wait for the heat to do the job of drying him. Now it was time for Shaggy to worry about getting himself changed, so he went to his room, and searched his closet, pulling out another of his favorite green shirts, and brown pants.

Fully dried and ready to just chill out and watch some TV, the hippie walked downstairs once more. The television was already on, and he could hear the sound of some educational program on the television…something to do with chemistry. He smiled as he thought of how that was just like Velma, to chill out by watching a chemistry show.

Velma also had changed into another one of her strangely identical outfits. She was sitting on the couch, dozing off slightly, exhausted from the days events. Shaggy couldn't help but notice how cute she looked, her eyes shut behind her glasses, head nestled against the corner of the back of the couch. Her mouth was opened just slightly as soft breathes drifted in and out, occasionally a small snore escaping. She'd probably be a bit embarrassed if she knew she snored, Shaggy thought.

The tall boy went to the closet, retrieving a light blanket, and covered Velma with it. He removed her glasses carefully and turned off the television, not wanting to wake her. The sudden absence of droning narration, however, drew Velma from her nap. She blinked and looked up at her friend, stretching slightly, "Hmmm?" She let out a small yawn as she fumbled to replace her glasses on her face, "Did I fall asleep?"

"Yeah." Shaggy said with a nod, a small smile on his face, "But, like, hey…it's almost nine, you probably are tired with the day you had."

Velma smiled at him and looked at the blanket she was covered in, "You were just going to leave me on the couch all night?" She let out a small laugh to show she was joking.

Shaggy just shrugged a little, "Like, I didn't want to disturb you."

"Well, I guess I should head to bed." Velma reasoned as she stood, folding the blanket, "Good night, Shaggy, and thanks."

The lanky youth blinked, "Thanks for what?"

Velma laughed some, heading for the stairs as she answered, "For being such a good friend."

As Shaggy watched the girl disappear up the stairs he couldn't help but notice that for some reason her answer had left him a little disappointed. The word friend rested uneasily in his mind, though he wasn't exactly sure why. He'd known Velma for years now, and never thought of her as anything more than a friend, so why should it bother him now?

With a sigh he sat on the couch, soon joined by his faithful companion Scooby Doo, who gave him a curious glance, "Rwhat's wrong, Raggy?"

"Oh…nothing, old pal." Shaggy began, not really sure how to approach the subject of his changing feelings for Velma. Of course, he was saved from further interrogation from Scooby when he caught site of the crumbs stuck on the dog's maw, "Scooby Doo! Like, those aren't crumbs from my burgers, are they?"

He went to the fridge, and no surprise, found a takeout bag with only half of a burger left where six had started out. The dog gave a sheepish laugh, and dismissed himself, bolting for the bedroom, "Night, Raggy!"

And, that's the end of chapter 2. I know it's not the best, and Scooby is WAY out of character, but hey, like, why let it worry me too much. The story isn't really about Scooby; it's about Velma and Shaggy. I may take a while with my next update, I'm afraid I've gotten into a bit of a funk. But, I hope I pull myself out of it soon! Anyhow, ciao!