Author's note: Well hello (:
This is the next chapter (obviously). There's a little twist in this one :) muahaha ;D
I'm really trying to do this great story justice! Polska has written the first 10 chapters so well and risen the bar, I really need to get to the bar and keep this baby up to standard ;) haha.
Please R&R and tell me what you think :)
Chapter Twelve
"Like bye buddy, look after Daphne." Shaggy hugged the miserable Great Dane,
"Rye Raggy." He licked Shaggy's hand,
"It's okay Scooby; we're only going for three days." Smiled Velma as she hugged Daphne, "Bye Daphne, see you soon, take care, please, and eat."
"Velma, I'll be fine, I promise." Daphne coaxed Velma into the car as she picked up her bags and put them in it, "Bye Shaggy, bye Velma, see you soon, good luck!" she waved the two off as the car drove away.
Daphne walked over to the phone and dialled the General's number,
A soldier answered, "Hello, the General's busy at the moment, may I take a message?" He asked,
"Uh hi, it's Daphne; I was just inquiring about how Frederick Jones was."
"Ma'am, have you not heard?" He asked, his tone rather sympathetic,
"Heard what?" Daphne asked,
"That he's b-" The soldier was cut off by the General,
"Give me that." She heard him say sternly, "Hello Miss Blake?"
"Heard about what?" She asked again,
"That he's fine ma'am."
"Oh…"
"Yes ma'am, the bomb took out many soldiers but Fred was no-where near." He lied,
"Good." She said, "Not about the soldiers though, poor men." She said sadly,
"Yes, they'll be greatly missed." There was a long pause;
"You wouldn't lie to me would you General?" Daphne asked suspiciously,
"N-no Miss Blake, what would make you ask such a question?" he stammered,
"I just wondered."
The line went quiet; she could hear faint whispering in the background,
"It's Miss Blake sir." She guessed he was talking to the General of the Army (a rank up from General, highest rank in the US Army), "She asked about Fred sir, shall I tell her?... Okay sir."
"Hello." Daphne pretended she hadn't heard, "General."
"Sorry Miss Blake the line must be faulty, I must go ma'am, Fred's fine, take care."
Daphne hung up the phone and rushed into the kitchen, poured seven big bowls of water and five bowls of 'Scooby-Snax',
"Now don't eat this too quickly Scooby-Doo, I'll see you soon." She kissed the Great Dane on the head and put on her large, gray cloak and put up the hood to hide her fiery red hair; this time no-one would see her, the gray would camouflage into the mountain,
"Rere roo roing Raphne?" Scooby asked, concerned.
"Don't worry, I'll be fine, but it's not safe for you." She rushed out of the front door and locked it before Scooby could follow, "I'm sorry!" She called back as she ran down the mountain. A little way down she could just make out the silhouette of the car carrying Velma and Shaggy. Keeping the long distance between her and the car, the steepness of the mountain allowed her to always have the car in sight no matter how many miles away, making it easier to follow it. Bracing herself, she once again began to make her way steadily down the mountain.
Velma & Shaggy
"Daphne's not stupid, she knows something's up, oh god what's she going to do?" Velma worried as the car jumped over the large bumps in the rocky road,
"Like Velma it's fine man, stop worrying all the time, she's safe, in the house with Scooby-Doo."
Velma took a breath and looked up at the house on top of the mountain, not spotting the camouflaged Daphne, "Sure, she's fine." she sighed.
At the house
Scooby barked as loud as he could; knowing where Daphne was heading he worried for her safety. He remembered Velma saying that seeing Fred so distressed would cause Daphne more heartbreak. He whimpered; this whole situation was driving Daphne crazy, ruining her, even Scooby knew how desperate she was. Having done everything he could to get out, he lay on his bed and closed his eyes, hoping that when he opened them everything would be back to normal.
...
The sound of the front door opening woke Scooby up. He opened his eyes and blinked, not believing the sight in front of him. Fred and Daphne walked in kissing and giggling, Daphne was overflowing with happiness, then Velma and Shaggy walked in afterwards holding hands and chatting gleefully.
"Rang!" Scooby bounded over to the gang, "Red, Raphne, Raggy, Relma!"
The gang's faces lit up as the all patted the Great Dane, his tail wagging wildly!
"Good boy!" they praised in unison.
"We're off to bed guys." Fred beamed, holding Daphne in the 'bridal carry', "An early night." He winked.
Daphne giggled, "Night gang." She smiled, the sparkle returned back into its rightful place gleaming in the corners of her hazel eyes, as Fred gently carried her upstairs.
"Aw how sweet!" Velma squealed as she put her arms around Shaggy, he kissed her on the nose,
"Like, I'm glad Freddie's home." He grinned, "Maybe we should get an early night." Shaggy yawned, "But maybe not the 'early night' they're getting." He laughed using air quotes on the phrase 'early night'.
Velma chuckled, "Yea, I'm pretty tired."
Shaggy smiled and looked down at Scooby, "C'mon Scoob," He smiled, come sleep on our bed with us.
"Rokay!" Scooby bounded upstairs and jumped onto the big double bed and snuggled down.
...
Scooby woke up in his bed. Confused he ran upstairs and looked in the bedrooms, no-one was home. He had dreamed it all; Fred was still in hospital, Daphne was making the dangerous trek down the mountain to see him and Velma and Shaggy were oblivious of Daphne's life threatening trip and were also on their way to see Fred. Scooby hung his head, feeling so useless; he took a drink from one of his bowls and once again lay on his bed.
Shaggy and Velma
The car ground to a halt and the two got out. Shaggy put his arm around Velma as they entered the hospital. Velma slammed her hands to her ears as she heard cries of soldiers in pain, her eyes swelling with tears; Shaggy held her tighter, almost crying himself. The couple were taken into the back ward of the hospital, the cries blocked by the thick wall.
"Right here." The doctor opened the blue partition curtain, revealing a harshly burnt Fred sitting up in bed. Stitches, burns and bruises covering his face.
"Oh god." Velma breathed, covering her mouth with her hand, "Fred, why." She began to cry, thankful that Daphne wasn't here.
"Where's Daphne?" He asked, his voice hoarse,
"Like, she wasn't allowed to come man." Shaggy replied,
"Why?" he screwed up his damaged face in confusion,
"Because she wouldn't cope seeing you this way Freddie, she's a zombie since you left, she's cried so much she can't shed another tear, her eyes have lost that 'sparkle', the only thing about Daphne that isn't worn, depressed, ruined or breaking is her hair."
A tear coursed down Fred's cheek, "Her sweet red hair." He whispered.
Shaggy put his hand on Fred's shoulder, "Like this is destroying you both man, I'm sure they'll understand that you need to leave if Daphne's life's in danger."
Fred shot up, "Daphne's life's in danger? Why did you leave her alone?"
Velma took his hand, "Fred, you're both as stubborn as each other." Velma giggled slightly, "Now listen, Daphne is so depressed since you left." She said her tone and face serious; "She hates being without you and I know you feel the same, every time there's a bang from the battle field she screams your name, in her sleep she screams, she refuses to eat, she's literally cried non-stop since you left, she stopped two days ago when she just couldn't cry anymore, she's scared of losing you and she'll do anything to get you back, even if it means risking her life."
Fred's eyes brimmed full of unshed tears, "My Daphne."
Fred's POV
A searing pain shot through my heart as Velma told me what I had forced Daphne to become. If only I had stayed, she wouldn't be that way. I do feel the same, but I couldn't show it, I'm the strong one I'm not supposed to break down, but I should've known, Daphne's so delicate, how could I do this to her? A tidal wave of emotions drowned me and for the first time in years, I cried. Not for myself, not for the war, but for Daphne. Velma and Shaggy hugged me,
"Like it's okay to cry Fred, you've been strong for too long man, it shows no weakness." Shaggy reassured me as I shed years of bottled up tears,
Velma took my hand again, "Fred, the one thing you can do to stop all of this, is to come back." Her blue eyes met mine, "You have to, for Daphne." She pleaded,
"But-" I started,
"No Fred." Velma raised her voice, "I'm sick of your ifs and buts! My best friend is breaking in front of my eyes and it's all your fault, I wish she didn't love you so damn much!" She slumped back into the chair frowning, "I'm sick of all of this crap! I'm going back to the house!"
"Velma wait!" Shaggy grabbed her wrist; she turned and glared at him,
"What?"
"Shag if she wants to go let her, she's right." I confessed,
"Damn straight I am!" Velma replied. I'd never seen her so angry, she was the most composed person in the gang, and now I had made her lose it.
"Like none of this is making the situation any better. C'mon Velms, sit down and we'll discuss it, being civilised." Shaggy pointed to the chair and Velma collapsed into it,
"Fine." She crossed her arms, "Go ahead Shag, you start, I've said all I need to say."
Shaggy rolled his eyes at me and Velma, "Fred, why won't you come back man?" Shaggy asked,
"'Cause he's selfish." Velma butted in before I could answer. Shaggy shot her a dirty look and she looked to the floor,
"I-I want to stop the war, protecting Daphne, you guys and Coolsville." I stuttered, "You both accepted my decision when I told you."
"What a load of shit, you're causing another war between the gang you insensitive ass. And yeah I agreed, but I didn't think it would all turn out like this!" Velma hissed,
"Velma." Shaggy glared at her, "Like Fred man, Daphne really needs you back, I don't think she can take anymore…"
I thought about it, I knew what I had to do…
Daphne
"Shit!" Daphne cursed as she fell on a loose rock. Jumping from the mound onto the dirt track Daphne followed the road the car carrying Velma and Shaggy had taken; she glanced up at the house that adorned the top of the mountain, it was a glorious house, it just wasn't home, 'I hope Scooby's okay' she thought. Nearing the end of the small road Daphne saw the hospital and the big green Land Rover parked outside.
"No!" Daphne breathed voicelessly, "Please not Freddie!"
She picked up her pace and ran into the hospital.
"May I help you Ma'am?" Said the petite blonde secretary at Reception,
"Frederick Herman Jones." She said apprehensively, desperately hoping that he wouldn't be on the register,
"Yes Ma'am, he's in the back ward, name please?"
'Oh god' she thought, her heart beating hard in her chest,
"Daphne Blake."
"And what relation are you?"
Daphne hung her head, trying not to cry, 'Daphne don't be silly, I'm sure he's fine, stop crying you stupid girl, you've cried too much, just grow up' she thought to herself.
"Fiancé." She whispered,
"Okay Ma'am, please follow Nurse Carrey here." She pointed out a pretty young brunette,
"Hello Ma'am, please follow me." She said politely. Daphne bit her lip as tried to fight back her tears. Carrey opened the back ward door Daphne was shocked to see Velma and Shaggy through a gap in the blue partition curtain,
"I'm okay from here thanks." She smiled to the nurse,
"Okay, if you need me press the button." Smiled Carrey; Daphne returned the smile and braced herself.
Velma turned as she heard the door close and was shocked at who she saw in front of her,
"Daphne?" Velma closed the curtain and walked over to the red-head, "How… uh… what are-"
"Liars." Daphne hissed before walking over to open the curtain, Velma quickly stopped her,
"Daphne we didn't tell you because we weren't sure you could handle him being this way, he looks pretty bad."
"I have my emotions under control, I'm used to the pain now, I'll keep calm." Her voice flat,
"Okay." Velma sighed. Daphne opened the curtain and gasped; she stared at Fred in awe, her eyes looking over his damaged face,
Fred stirred, he slowly opened his eyes and blinked to check he wasn't dreaming,
"Daphne." He grinned, seeing the red-head in front of him,
"F-F-Freddie…?" She whispered; his brow furrowed as he studied her face, she was staring at him as if she couldn't believe her eyes;
"What's wrong baby?" he asked, studying the beautiful, slender red-head before him, "Where's my hug?" He laughed, holding his arms open; Daphne's mouth was still agape and she hadn't moved;
"F-Freddie, w-what have they done to you?" her eyes brimmed with unshed tears,
"Nothing honey, why?" he moved slightly, a pain searing through his legs, "Damn." he frowned realising what had happened, "I got hurt by the bomb didn't I?…" Daphne's face softened into a sympathetic stare, she sighed,
"Yes honey," she walked over and softly cuddled him; he returned the cuddle affectionately.
"We'll get through this Daph baby, our love is strong enough." Fred pulled her in and kissed her, she pulled back,
"I know, but honey I'm not, I can't take knowing that you're not safe and I can't trust these two-" she shot a dirty glare at Velma and Shaggy, "-to tell me anything."
"Like Daph we were only doing it for your-"
"Like hell you were!" She cut in, "If you were doing it for me you would've told me that my fiancé was in hospital!" Daphne snapped; Shaggy looked down,
"I'm sorry Shag, I just-" she sighed, "I'm just trying to figure this all out. I miss you Freddie." Daphne said her eyes looking lost and full of pain, she sat down on the chair next to the bed and rested her head on her arm; Fred softly ran his hand through her hair,
"I've ruined everything," He admitted, "If I-"
"You didn't start the war." Daphne said flatly, "It's not your fault the war started, you only tried to do a good thing and stop people getting hurt, I'm just selfish, I wanted you with me."
"No Daphne, you're far from selfish, I may have tried to do a good thing, but I was too blind to see that I hurt the person I love the most by doing that." Fred put his hand under Daphne's chin and softly raised her head, "I'm coming home." He smiled and leaned forward kissing her on the lips, "For you." A startled Daphne began to beam; the sparkle beginning to show in her eyes. Fred smiled warmly at the grinning red-head,
"Happy with that baby?" he laughed as she kissed him fervently,
"Hell yes!" she breathed; he pulled her closer.
"Uh I hate to break things up-" smiled the sweet brunette nurse, "but it's time for your top up Mr Jones." She said, pulling out some morphine,
"Shall I get you a drink honey?" Daphne asked Fred, not wanting to see whatever the nurse was going to do; it would just be a painful reminder that he's hurt.
"Yes please kitten." He winked, "Water please." As she got up to leave he pulled her in for a quick kiss, "I love you." He whispered as she pulled away.
Velma jogged through the corridor to catch up with Daphne; placing a friendly hand on Daphne's shoulder, she grinned as Daphne began giggling,
"I've missed that." She grinned,
"What?"
"You, smiling." Velma poked Daphne playfully, "I'm sorry about everything." She looked down, "But… you're it!" she laughed running across the corridor. Daphne rolled her eyes,
"Don't be so childish Velma!" She put her hands on her hips and tried to hide her smirk; Velma chuckled. Daphne ran at her,
"You're it!" she laughed poking her back, "Boyaa!" she fist pumped and skipped to the water cooler. Velma skidded beside her and flicked Daphne's red hair; Daphne threw a drop of water over her and giggled as the brunette flicked water from the cooler at her. Daphne threatened Velma with the cup full of water in her hand,
"I'm only kidding." She smirked, "This is for my darling Freddie." She said childishly skipping back to his ward; Velma stuck her tongue out and the two laughed happily as they made their way back. Shaggy walked out to see the two girls in fits of laughter, Daphne desperately trying not to spill the water in her hand with every jerk of her lungs; he grinned at them,
"Like I'm going back to Scoob, you girls and guy have fun."
"O-kay, bye-Shaggy." Daphne gasped,
"Bye-Shag." Velma smiled breathlessly,
"Ha-ha, like you two can't even breathe now!" he laughed, "It's great to see everyone so happy now, seeya later."
Finally catching their breaths the girls sat down in the chairs next to Fred's bed,
"Here's your poison honey." Daphne winked as she gave Fred his water,
"Ha-ha, Thank-you miss perfection." He grinned, "Nice to see that pearly smile of yours." Daphne began giggling uncontrollably,
"Oh no, all of her bottled up hyperness is coming out, quick get a gag." Velma joked; Daphne put her hand over her mouth to try and contain her laughter, it didn't work. Soon, Daphne had Fred and Velma in stitches at her contagious high pitched giggle; Fred enveloped the cute red-head into his arms and pulled her onto his hospital bed. Still giggling Daphne placed a small peck upon Fred's cheek and lay her head on half of the pillow. Velma smiled at the cuddling couple; closing their eyes, Fred and Velma drifted off to sleep. Daphne stared into the darkness of the ward, scared that if she closed her eyes she would wake up in the house and this all would've been a dream. Gently slipping herself from Freddie's protective hold, Daphne made her way into the corridor. Looking out of the large windows facing the mountainous landscape; Daphne began to chirp the lyrics to 'Don't want to miss a thing' by 'Aerosmith'.
"I don't wanna close my eyes, I don't wanna fall asleep, 'cause I'd miss you babe; and I don't wanna miss a thing. 'Cause even when I dream of you, the sweetest dream will never do, I'd still miss you, babe; and I don't wanna miss a thing." Feeling a hand on her shoulder Daphne jumped but soon relaxed when she turned to see her bespectacled best friend;
"Oh hey Vel." She smiled,
"What are you doing out here?" Velma asked groggily, obviously exhausted;
"I couldn't sleep." Daphne yawned;
"You seem pretty tired to me…" Velma remarked, "It's all okay now ya'know... with Fred I mean." She comforted the clearly confused red-head, "He's coming back, for you; and nothing's gonna change that now. He's got his mind set on your priorities."
Daphne sighed, "I know… Aren't I being a bit selfish though?"
"Daphne, I don't really think it's in your nature to be selfish. Look, Fred loves you so freaking much; he wants to come home now, to protect you and to be with you." Velma smiled warmly, "I'm so tired, I'm going back to sleep; you coming?"
"In a sec." Daphne smiled. Velma went back into the ward and sat in the reclining chair next to Fred's bed; closing her eyes, Velma drifted into a deep slumber. Looking back out across the mountains Daphne felt a wave of comfort drown her as she thought about Fred coming home. Suddenly, two gloved hands grabbed her tightly, stuffing a strange smelling fabric into her face; Daphne couldn't help but inhale the weird smelling substance while gasping in fear. Feeling her body slowly relax, her eyes slammed shut and she was forced into a world of unknown darkness.
Author's note:
Oh unexpected ay ;) I have an idea where I'm taking this, so I hope you guys keep posted and let me know your thoughts :) Thanks for reading :D
I really hope I'm doing this justice!