The chosen spot for the trap was a disused building on the lake shore. The area was famed for it's unique views of the lake. The various bit required for the trap were collected and loaded up into one of the lab vans. The gang piled into the Mystery Machine and a small convoy of vehicles set off for the chosen building. When they arrived everyone busied themselves getting the trap ready. The key task being to ensure that McKleef would come the way they wanted, and only that way.
"OK Shaggy, everything is set-up now, fresh batteries for the radio tag, escape tools in taped to my front and back and Dr Nemkenstein has given me some trainers that will... make things go with a bang. I'm as ready as I can be" said Velma "The lab people have got the room set up so we are good to go"
Shaggy was reluctant "Are you sure Velma, Scoob and I are more experienced at being live bait, we've even got qualifications"
"Thanks Shag, I know you would do it for me but if it goes wrong he must believe that he's got Polly back, I can pull that off long enough for me to use my escape kit. He's mad Shaggy, I don't want to think about what he would do to you, I will not see you hurt."
Velma sat back in the chair and held out her hands and put her legs together.
"Tie me up Shaggy, remember it needs to look real."
"OK then Velma, I'll use regular knots to hold you to the chair but a special knot for your wrists and ankles, it will be solid until you pull one of the loose ends." Shaggy bent down and tied Velma's ankles together then to the chair
"Too tight?" asked Shaggy
"Actually a bit tighter, Shag, if it picks up the chair, I don't want to fall out, do my knees as well" replied Velma He went to Velma and tied her hands together, then to her waist.
"Keep hold of this end Velma, I've put a knot at the end just in case you drop it. If you need to get free, just pull that end and your hands will be free, the other end will do nothing"
"Got it Shaggy" Velma took hold of the rope, let go of it and made sure she could find it again "That's fine" she said. Shaggy then finished off tying Velma's body and legs to the chair
"This will hold you to the chair but cut it at any point and the whole lot will unravel". When he was finished he knelt down close beside her, held her shoulders and put his head close to hers "All done, Velma, for the last time, are you sure about this? Please think again, there's still time for us to change places."
"I'm sure Shaggy; you would be in more danger than me if this goes wrong. Scooby will be here hidden in the chest of draws in the room." Velma paused and checked to see that no-one else was in the room then gently kissed him on the cheek and whispered "You're my hero Shaggy, don't forget that."
"Velma?" he whispered
Velma leant forward again then slowly and deliberately kissed him on the lips. He paused for a second then responded in kind.
Shaggy eventually went to get the others; Velma stayed still for a while trying to get her emotions under control. She wondered if she was mad for doing this, but the number of time she had been complicit in sending Shaggy and Scooby into danger as bait had made her determined to see this through. Besides she could still see the pain in his face when he moved even though he tried to mask it. He can barely walk, let alone run, but he's still willing to take my place, you're more of a hero than you think Shaggy. You're not just my hero, you're mine... Jinkies Velma, this isn't the time to go all mushy inside
Three masked figures in black track-suits came in followed by Fred carrying a video camera and tripod. He set up the shot as Velma and Daphne had a final word
"Ok Daph, you know what to do, it must look real"
"Are you sure Velma?" asked a concerned Daphne,
Velma sighed "I wish there was an easier way but we have to stop this. Besides I could never forgive myself if Shaggy got hurt." Velma looked Daphne in the eye "Look after him for me till this is finished."
"OK Velma,,," said Daphne, rather caught out by what Velma had said, but before she could find out more a voice called out
"I'm ready" said Fred "
The smaller hooded figure gave Velma a hug "Thank you Velma,"
"Any time Polly" replied Velma "Ok Shaggy, gag me and lets trap that monster" said Velma Shaggy pushed a large damp foam ball into Velma's mouth. She closed her mouth and he sealed it with a strip of tape. Velma looked at Shaggy, of all the things Shaggy has done, this was the bravest, she knew it was tearing him up inside. Scooby hid himself in the fake chest of draws.
"Places everyone" shouted Fred "Here we go in 3...2...1..."
As soon as the filming had been done Velma freed herself the way Shaggy had described. Everyone went thought the plan one last time. After that had been done Velma lead Shaggy away Daphne tried to follow, her curiosity getting the better of her, she was stopped by Polly before she got far "Something is happening between them Daphne, just let it happen." On the distance Polly could see them holding each other as tightly as they could. When they returned Velma rested against Shaggy, his arms around her waist, she held on to his arms. Everyone waited for confirmation that the package had been collected.
McKleef was fuming in the damaged lab when a small package was thrown through a broken window. He picked it up and opened it. It was a DVD, he went to the TV and played it. It showed a bound and gagged Polly tied to a chair, three masked figures, one male and two female, stood around her. "We have your scientist, if you want her back give us half a million dollars." said a male voice. The tall female yanked Polly's head back hard causing her to squeal in pain, the camera zoomed in to Polly, fear and panic etched on her face "If you don't", the tall female continued "We'll torture the secrets out of her" she pushed her head forward, Polly sobbed quietly. The camera zoomed out further than before to reveal a window "Half a million dollars" said the voice, "we will tell you how do drop the ransom off soon." McKleef rewound the film and zoomed in on a frame and smiled.