Fred's Quest

Chapter Two: Teacher's Pet

Part One

Velma and Daphne had a good laugh when Fred, Shaggy and Scooby returned from the shopping quest but everything soon settled into old routines. Velma disappeared into the basement, working on some project with a "do not disturb" sign on the doorknob. Shaggy and Scooby began working through the bakery sweets they had picked up on Fred's shopping trip.

Daphne located Fred in his bedroom, "Thank you for the shopping, Fred. You did a good job. Are you ready for the second lesson?" She was beautiful in a simple purple skirt and blouse that caressed her curves.

"Sure, what do you have in mind?"

"Just a walk in the backyard and a little talk." She never ceased to amaze him which was one of many reasons he loved her. Shaggy and Scooby came from wherever they had been eating their spoils. "Got to take Scoob outside." He explained, stuffing a whole doughnut into his mouth.

"He can come with us, we were just going outside ourselves," Daphne grimaced. "That's just disgusting."

"Whafff?"

-Xxx

Part Two

Coolsville had been enjoying a wonderful summer, cool nights followed by warm days. It was warm that afternoon when Daphne flipped the switch, turning on the water fountain. She took his hand, "It's so peaceful here. Even with Scooby."

Fred remembered when Velma had bought the water fountain. They had all laughed at her for the purchase, but everyone had delighted in the serenity it offered. It added to the atmosphere when they used the barbeque. With the fountain serenading them she led him toward the flowers the girls had selected but it had been the guys, he and Shaggy, that had planted them. Even Scooby had helped dig the holes.

"Love is like a bouquet, Fred." She hadn't released his hand and he didn't mind, "Sweet, beautiful, fragrant and colors so brilliant they hurt your eyes sometimes."

"Not as pretty as you."

"Thanks, Freddie. But you're missing the point. Love is getting to know a person on a deeper level and we're not talking about the elephant. You've known me for a long time; you know my favorite color but do you know my favorite flower?"

Fred was baffled to say the least. Yes, purple was her favorite color evidenced by the gorgeous attire that now hugged her many curves. He wasn't interested in flowers, favorite or otherwise; what he really wanted to do was to take her in his arms and kiss those full lips. But wait, red hair, red lipstick, pink tights that showed off her trim legs...could it be that simple? They were standing beside a certain flower that Daphne had selected.

"The rose?" the twinkle in her eye told him he had guessed right. He reached to touch the red blossom.

"No, Fred! Bee! Look out for that bee!" Too late, one bee, angry over being disturbed in his own quest for nectar, attacked the nearest target, namely Fred and more accurately Fred's cheek.

"Fred! Don't swat the bee!" Again, the warning arrived too late as Fred recoiled from the pain, smashing the bee against his face. The resulting painful sensation was more than he had ever experienced before. The hurting quickly spread from face to neck, flowing down over his chest. It was becoming more difficult to breath. Gasping for breath his hands went to his neck.

"Fred! What's wrong? You're turning blue!" He slumped down, crumbling to the ground. Daphne waved at another bee, then another, she realized it wasn't just a few bees but what appeared to be the whole swarm. She knew the danger, bee stings could be deadly.

"Shaggy! Velma! Help!" She dropped, covering Fred, "Sweetheart, stay still, help is on the way."

"Raggy! Relma! Relp!" Scooby bounded toward the house.

"Daph." It was hard to breath, harder to speak with his throat closing.

"Be quiet, sweetheart." The pain was excruciating, so many stings, so much venom entering her body. The thin blouse she had selected just for Fred's eyes offered very little protection. She could feel herself falling into the well of darkness.

"You...called...me...sweetheart...twice."

Shaggy and Velma rushed out, Shaggy calling out, "Call 911!" Velma rushed back while Shaggy continued to the slumped bodies. He found Daphne covering Fred's body, her back completely covered with bees. He heard the sirens screaming in the background.

-Xxx

Part Three

Daphne awoke in the emergency ward, Fred was nowhere to be seen. A nurse stood beside the bed, "How do you feel?" The nurse took her wrist, checking her pulse.

"Like I've been stung by a million bees."

"Luckily it wasn't that many. Your pulse is back to normal, your breathing is normal, I wouldn't be surprised if doctor sent you home this evening. Doctor will be in soon." The nurse jotted information on a chart and left, leaving Daphne with a lot of questions, namely where was Fred and how was he doing.

A man, dressed in a white coat, came in, picked up and read her chart, then spoke for the first time, "You're doing fine, Ms. Blake. You should be able to go home soon."

"What of my friend who came in with me?" This was the first and foremost question Daphne wanted answered. "May I see him?"

"Mr. Jones is responding to medication. I think a friendly face wouldn't hurt his recovery. I'll have the nurse bring another gown and take you to him. Do you have a friend or family member that could bring you some clean clothes?"

"Yes, I do. What of my old clothes?"

"I'd recommend you dispose of everything. You and your friend suffered a lot of stings and your blouse still has stingers embedded in it. You don't need to suffer a relapse from a leftover stinger. You're breathing comfortably so when you have a change of clothes, you can be released. One thing, Ms. Blake, your friend suffered anaphylazis shock from the stings, if possible Mr. Jones should be watched for a relapse over the next twenty-four hours."

"That will be no problem, there are four of us sharing a house." Daphne wasn't impressed with the doctor's bedside manner and as soon as he left, she got out of bed, making her way to the closet. Finding her cell phone she made a call.

"Velma," she spoke when the call was answered, "I need a complete change of clothes and I need a favor. I'll trust your judgment..." She continued to tell Velma just what she required.

-Xxx

Part Four

Fred was released several hours after Daphne with the stipulation that both carried epinephrine epi-pens in the future for emergency bee stings. The remaining part of the evening was spent relaxing; Daphne told Shaggy and Velma about watching Fred for next twenty-four hours, volunteering for the first shift.

After dinner of pork chops a la Shaggy, baked potatoes and a nice fruit salad, the gang settled down to watch a movie marathon. Daphne was constantly squirming throughout the first movie. It wasn't a particularly good movie but not so bad to require such wiggling and fussing.

The movie ended and Shaggy and Velma said their good nights with hugs all around. Daphne said, "I think I'll stay up for a while. I am not feeling sleepy."

So much for setting up an excuse to watch Freddie without letting him know he was under observation.

"Are you going to watch the next movie, Fred?"

"Might as well, I can't get comfortable."

"I have something for you, stay here." Daphne left, following her friends down the hall, entering her bedroom. She returned shortly carrying a package wrapped in powder blue with a darker blue bow.

"This is for you, Freddie. If we're going to be a couple, it's time to put your He-Man pajamas away."

"Are we...a couple, Daph?"

"If you want. It's the next logical step." That sounded a lot like what Velma would say. "I think if you're going to be teacher's pet, it's time for you to ask me out on a date; just you and me, no Shaggy, no Velma and absolutely no Scooby."

"Am I...the teacher's pet?" He asked as he opened the package finding a new pair of blue pajamas. "You haven't answered my question about what love means to you. Thank you for the gift."

She hadn't sat beside him but remained standing. Now she knelt on the couch, facing him, "Freddie, to me love is like a diamond, and no, I'm not asking for a ring. A diamond is the hardest gem known to man. Love, our love, will have to be tough sometimes. There isn't a perfect diamond, every diamond has tiny imperfections, love at its best covers many imperfections.

"You might love a lot of women, Freddie, but you will have only one true love. I want to be your one true love."

"You have always been my one and only. Why have you been so fidgety tonight?" Daphne giggled nervously, wondering if she should tell him just why she couldn't stay still.

"A certain adventurous bee stung me on a part of my anatomy that makes it very hard to sit down and stay still."

"I could kiss it, make it better."

"I may ask you to kiss my...seat sometime, but not tonight."

Her lips were as soft as he'd imagined, if there was one thing he'd learned today was that extended time with Daphne was physically draining and mentally confusing. His tongue traced over her lips, asking for entrance. Her mouth opened willingly and their tongues began a dance as old as mankind itself.

-Xxx

It was time for Velma to take her turn watching Fred although she didn't think it was necessary. The house was quiet when she entered Fred's bedroom. She gasped at the scene before her. Her best friends lay in the bed together, wrapped in each others arms. Daphne's head rested on Fred's chest.

She didn't detect any problems with their breathing; they appeared to be sleeping very comfortably. Feeling a bit embarrassed at watching her friends sleeping, she smiled, slipped out the room and closed the door quietly.

TBC