Part 3

"I'm so sorry for your loss kids. I will make sure we do our best to catch whoever did this to your friend," detective Monica Winters told the three saddened Mystery Inc. members.

"Thank you Miss Winters," Fred said shaking the woman's hand. "We really appreciate it."

"All in a day's work kids," Monica smiled then began to head back to the crowd of police officers who were surrounding where Shaggy's and Scooby's bodies used to lie.

"Wait, Miss Winters?" Velma called out.

"Yes dear?" Monica turned around to look at Velma.

"Do you know how they were killed?" Velma asked with desperate eyes.

"No, I'm afraid not. We can't tell just by looking at the bodies but as soon as we get the results from the autopsy I will call you."

"Oh…thanks," Velma was disheartened.

Monica tried her best to smile at the girl but as soon as her face could no longer be seen, her lips formed into a frown. She always hated this part of the job, not being able to help out the loved ones to the fullest. Especially this time since they are just kids…teens who just lost a really good friend of theirs. She has heard of these teens as well, the famous mystery solving group Mystery Inc. Not only losing one of your own, but also not being able to do anything about a new mystery such as this one must be killing them inside. Monica knows she has to do all she can to bring this killer to justice.

Velma, Daphne, and Fred all stood outside in the Roger's driveway grieving and trying to fight back more tears. They didn't know what to do or what to think for that matter. They have never had to deal with this kind of situation before and now with the brains of the group the most hurt and depressed of the three, for the first time ever Mystery Inc. is at a standstill.

"What are we going do?" Daphne asked, her arms wrapped tightly around herself.

"There's nothing we can do Daphne…" Velma murmured sniffing from crying.

"Velma's right…even if we wanted to do something we couldn't because Shaggy's house is a crime scene and we can't go back in. It's in the police's hands now," Fred said looking at Daphne.

"I guess you have a point," Daphne sighed disappointed.

"Well I think we should start heading home for the night. It is been a long one," Fred said breaking the ice.

"Probably a good idea," Daphne agreed.

"Hey Daphne?" Velma sniffed.

"Yeah Velma?"

"Could, you maybe, come stay with me tonight?"

"Of course Velms, no problem," Daphne said giving her friend a comforting hug, which Velma gladly accepted.

"Alright girls, well let's meet at Velma's house tomorrow then and talk about what we want to do then," Fred told the two girls of Mystery Inc.

"Okay Freddie, we will see you tomorrow," Daphne smiled at the blonde as best she could and he sadly smiled back at her.

"Come on Velma, let's go," Daphne began leading Velma to her car, holding onto her crying brunette friend the whole way across the driveway.

She carefully placed Velma in her convertible's passenger seat then walked around to the driver's side, tears falling out of her blue eyes. Fred walked up to the red head, blocking her from stepping into her car. Daphne looked up at him waiting for an answer as to why he wasn't letting her into her car.

"Wait, Daph," Fred said looking at her.

"What is it, Freddie?" Daphne asked looking into his blue eyes.

"I…um…well," Fred lifted his hand up to her tear stained cheek, stroking it softly with his thumb.

"Yes?" Daphne urged him to continue, putting her hand on top of his.

"Um…I just…want you to take good care of Velma alright?" Wow good job Fred… "We will figure out what happened, I promise."

"I really hope so," Daphne threw herself onto the Mystery Inc. leader wrapping her arms tightly around his neck. Fred wrapped his arms around her tiny waist, wanting to never let her go. He never likes to see her in pain like this…

Velma turned her head to look out the driver's side window to the left, spotting Fred and Daphne. She couldn't stand to look at them for very long without her glasses becoming foggy with tears. All could see was herself and Shaggy, with the lanky teen holding tightly onto her orange sweater. Oh how she longed for that scene to have come true. She could feel his breathing as she lay her head on his chest and his almost boney hand petting her short brunette hair. Seeing her friends outside holding each other like that tore her heart out knowing that her protector was no longer living in her own world. Velma curled up in her seat and laid her head on her knees.

"Hey Velms," Velma sprang up at the sound of her name and saw Daphne climbing into the car looking at her.

"Hi Daph. What was Fred telling you out there?"

"Oh he was just telling me to take care of you and that he promised that we will figure out what happened to Shaggy and Scooby," Daphne told her friend, then took her hand smiling at Velma. "Which we will Velma, we will find out who killed them."

"You better be right," Velma took her hand out of Daphne's and looked out the window. Daphne sighed but started the car and began to head out towards Velma's house.

Fred watched as Daphne drove out of the long driveway with Velma slumped in the passenger's seat. He felt sorry for Velma, he truly did, he couldn't imagine how she must be feeling about losing Shaggy…all so sudden and never getting to tell him how she felt. What if he ever lost Daphne like that? With no warning just found her dead like Shaggy and Scooby? And what if he never got to tell her how he feels…that would break his heart. He could only imagine what Velma was going through right now and quite frankly he really didn't want to.

Fred climbed into his car and backed out of the Roger's driveway, turning in the direction of his house. He knew he had to solve the mystery of his friend's murder, not leave it in the hands of the police. It would take too long and this one was personal. One of his own, well Mystery Inc.'s own, has been deliberately murdered for some reason unbeknown to him and the girls and he has a feeling that if they don't do something themselves, then one of them could be next.

The blonde leader approached his home and pulled into his driveway. Fred pulled his rearview mirror in a position so he could see his reflection. He looked beat, like he hadn't slept in days from being troubled. His light blonde, usually perfectly placed, hair was all tussled and messed up, his eyes red from the tears that had escaped earlier in the night, and his cheeks showed evidence of tear staining. He tried fiddling with his bangs, brushing them with his hand trying to make himself look somewhat better. Once he thought there was nothing else he could do, he put the mirror back in place, looked back up in the mirror and gasped. Fred's eyes widened and he pushed his car door open, leaping fastly out of the car. He ran to the ever famous Mystery Machine parked on the curb outside his house then stopped when he was in front of the van. His eyes scan the car for a good while and his face fills with fear and shock. He can't believe what he is seeing and does the first thing that comes to his mind…pulls out his cellphone and begins to dial Daphne's number.

Daphne and Velma were sitting on Velma's bed holding each other tightly. They have only been sitting there for about 10 minutes but the whole time, Velma has been crying in Daphne's arms. Daphne doesn't mind though, Velma is her best friend and she would do anything to help her…she hates seeing her so torn up like this. Velma has been hit the hardest tonight and Daphne knows that, she has known about Velma's feelings for Shaggy since it has been just a simple little crush. Velma had always come to her when she needed advice on how to do things or how to act in certain situations. She knows Shaggy and Velma were best friends and she knows that Velma loves him deeply. Just thinking about everything makes her tear up.

"Shhh Velma, you have to calm down," Daphne spoke softly petting Velma's hair.

"I can't calm down Daphne!" Velma snapped. "Shaggy and Scooby are dead! Murdered! I can't go any moment without, without thinking of Shaggy and how I never got to tell him how much I cared for him…how much I love him."

" I know you feel that way Velma, I know you really do," Daphne laid her head onto Velma's, "but sitting here hurting yourself like this isn't going to bring him back."

"I know it's not, but I wish it would."

"I know Velma, I wish that too but it's not. We will find out who killed him I'm sure of that," Daphne felt Velma nod beneath her words. She knew in her mind that her words were truthful no doubt.

Suddenly, Daphne and Velma lifted their heads up together when they heard a noise come from Daphne's purse. Her cellphone. Daphne excused herself from the bed and dug her phone out of her purse. When she saw the name of the caller she became worried.

"Hello? Fred? Are you alright?"

"Daph, you gotta get Velma and get over to my house immediately!" Fred sounded in panic.

"Why?! What's wrong?!" Daphne was worried now and Velma could see that in her friend's face.

"No time, just something you have to see," and with that Fred hung up.

"What was that all about?" Velma asked getting up of her bed.

"We have to go now!" Daphne looked at Velma with worry in her eyes.

"Why? What happened?" Velma was getting nervous.

"I don't know, Fred just said we need to get over to his house fast to see something. He sounded frantic," Daphne grabbed her keys and hurried out of Velma's house towards her pearl white convertible with the short brunette girl following closely at her heels. The two girls hopped into the car and Daphne started the engine.

"I hope Fred is alright…" Velma seemed lost in thought.

"I really hope he is too Velma," Daphne was biting her lip out of nervousness. Daphne pulled the car out into the street and she made her way over to Fred's house, all the while her mind racing with worried thoughts.