Hello all! There's quite a chapter ahead which I can say because I'm writing this after the fact. I just wanted to pop in really quickly and inform you that the song Christina sings later on is the Roveenacover of the song Can't Fight This Feeling.
When Christina woke the next morning her attempt to quietly slip away was thwarted
"Stay," Shaggy sleepily pleaded, pulling her back down.
"Shaggy-"
"Stay" He kept her from leaving, wrapping his arms tightly around her.
"Okay," Christina relented, shifting to face him, "Morning"
"Morning," he kissed her.
"Good dreams?"
"Mm-hmm about you...so pretty...so, so, pretty"
She giggled, snuggling closer, "Do you want food sent up? We could have breakfast in bed"
"Not yet"
"Okay but we have to face the day evetually"
...
One floor down Googie's morning was anything but sunshine and Rainbows. After calling Baylor every name under the sun as she reprimanded him for his actions with a filthy monster she'd kicked him out of the room. Pulling the call rope until the pixies arrived to change the bedding after which she made Baylor sleep without a blanket on the floor, disgusted by his presence. A feeling that remained when she woke. Kicking her boyfriend in the abs as she passed she became determined to put all thoughts of Amora out of Baylor's head, donning a backless, form-hugging dress and heels she stood proudly over him as he woke.
"Like what you see?" she demanded.
"Sure he moaned half asleep, "I'm gonna shower, you coming?"
"UGH, I guess"
...
"Put me down!" Christina was laughing.
"No, I need the practice," Shaggy smirked, carrying her down the stairs bridal style.
"Like you would drop me"
"Like, maybe I just want an excuse to hold you"
"Fine, fine but I'm cooking breakfast so you'll have to put me down when we get to the kitchen"
"Why don't we like, cook together?"
"Even better"
"Morning, Gang!" Shaggy greeted his friends as they stepped out of their rooms, "Breakfast in half an hour-ish"
Googie glowered as they passed her door but the couple paid them no mind.
...
Breakfast was much the same as the day before, except Shaggy had a death grip on Christina's hand under the table. The full moon was tonight and despite Christina's many, many assurances he was still terrified that his friends would run once they learned the truth. He'd spent so long hiding it that he didn't know anything else and now, now? So many cases. So many awful werewolf tales. 'facts' and truths that ruled the logic of their mysteries.
"So, Shaggy," Googie began, "Is there anything you want to tell your friends?"
The gang paused in various stages of eating their ham and cheese omelets looking at the smirking blonde with utter confusion.
He'd forgotten that Googie had already seen him wolfed out. Sweat was beading on his brow. He couldn't tell them like this! Couldn't just spring it at them with no warning.
"If you could all join us in the library after breakfast, please?" Christina sweetly requested, "There's something we have to tell you"
"Okay," the gang relaxed returning to their breakfasts.
Under the table Christina squeezed Shaggy's hand comfortingly, rubbing circles into the back of it with her thumb.
Only, then did Shaggy relax with a shuddering breath, "Thank you," he whispered.
So while Googie and Baylor headed to the hot tub to 'reconnect' the others went to the library.
Still, every step to the library felt slow, weighted like a dream where your impending doom was chasing and you couldn't outrun it. He was sweating with nerves when they reached the sun-soaked space. Christina's hand in his was the anchor that kept him from spiraling as she brought chairs spinning over with her magic. Settling down on the chaise with Christina he faced his perplexed friends dabbing sweat from his face.
"I like, haven't been entirely truthful with you guys," he gulped.
"Shaggy?"
"I have werewolves in my family"
their jaws dropped but they waited for him to continue.
"I like, hid this from you because I like, wasn't sure how to explain, all those weekends I took was to spend with my cousins"
"Are you-" Velma started.
Shaggy nodded, "Half, we like weren't even sure the gene was still present in my family but then"
"Then?"
"Well..."
...
Earlier that year:
"Hey, Clawdeen!" Shaggy greeted climbing out of his van with Scooby, "Like, need some help?"
"Thanks, Shaggy," the lovely werewolf nodded gratefully, stuffing stacks of garment bags into the trunk of her car.
"Like, where's Clawd?" Shaggy looked around, Clawd was usually outside if he could help it.
"Casket Ball practice ran late, but Cleo has a date with Deuce and decided to end Fearleading practice on-time for the extra time to get ready, since he's on the casket Ball team too", she replied with a slight, smiling roll of her eyes. "So how's the mystery solving?"
"Like, slow thank goodness. Me an' Scoob could totally use a break; right, Buddy?"
"Ruh-huh!"
"And your girlfriend?"
"we're 'fighting'," Shaggy winced with an eye roll, "Like, where are you taking all this anyway?"
"To a friend of mine, why don't you come along? I'll need help unloading."
"Okay, like, why not?"
...
"Shaggy? Shaggy?" Clawdeen shook him furiously, "Close your mouth, you'll catch flies."
"Ca-ca-castle?" Shaggy stammered looking at Clawdeen in bewilderment, "Like, which friend is this again?"
"Her name's Christina, you'll like her she's very sweet, come on."
Shaggy and Scooby nervously followed Clawdeen into the garage trembling so much they kept dropping the garment bags they were carrying.
"Clawdeen!" Melinda popped in front of them, the sudden burst of flame making the boys yelp with nerves, Scooby jumping into Shaggy's arms. "Who are the quivering fur-balls?", she giggled, her skin turning a jovial shade of orange.
"Melinda, this is my cousin Shaggy and his best buddy Scooby-Doo they're spending the weekend with us, boys this is Christina's best friend, Melinda. She's from Oz, believe it or not."
"L-l-like, h-hi," Shaggy managed around chattering teeth.
"Hi," Melinda greeted brightly, sorry about the flames, it's just way faster than the stairs."
"Lazy witch", Clawdeen giggled. "Where's Christy?"
"That's a good question," Melinda looked around confusedly, half expecting Christina to suddenly appear, "CHRISTINA! CLAWDEEN'S HERE!"
When there was no response, Melinda rolled her eyes, "c'mon" She waved them into the castle, "CHRISTINA ROSE SHADOWFAE DRACULA, ANSWER MEEEE"
"I'm coming, I'm coming," a sweet melodic voice deadpanned, "Unlike you I like the stairs, meet me in the living room"
Melinda directed them to a room that could have easily been the size of three bedrooms combined back home. There were plenty of plush couches and chairs, and a basket of dog toys sat next to the TV stand. It was a warm, inviting space but the boys couldn't move, rooted in place while Shaggy mentally ran through a list of every friend Clawdeen had ever mentioned. He'd seen a few pictures but couldn't recall any mention of Christina. What had they walked into?
Just then, three wolves trotted into the room. Scooby yelped and tried to hide behind the trembling Shaggy.
"Relax, Guys, they're just Christina's three wolf familiars; Jade, Thunder, and Fluffy. All siblings of the same litter of pups, and wouldn't hurt a fly...unless provoked. Say 'hi', you three, to my cousin Shaggy and his best buddy Scooby Doo."
"Hey!", the tan female, Fluffy said cheerily, tail wagging.
"*Rrrrr*You sure these two are ok, Alpha Clawdeen?", Thunder, the silver & black male asked, sniffing them suspiciously.
"Hi there, Scooby~", the black & silver female Jade practically purred, batting her eyelashes and sniffing him. "You're cute for such a big dog~."
"*GULP!*" *THUD!* And he fainted in the face of such an utterly beautiful canine Femme Fatale!
"Jade," a voice giggled behind Shaggy, "What did you do to the poor pup?"
"I just said hi," Jade defended, flopping to the floor.
"Christy!" Clawdeen hugged her friend warmly.
Shaggy turned only to yelp with shock again. Werewolf family members or not Shaggy felt he would never be used to seeing real monsters. After he managed to calm he realized she wasn't so scary, despite the horns, fangs, and wings. Without those features, she could've easily passed for a classmate dressed in an oversized off-the-shoulder tee shirt, black leggings, and flats. Come to think of it, she was kind of pretty...
No, no, he had a girlfriend!
"You're Clawdeen's cousin, right? My name's Christina, I'm very happy to finally meet you and Scooby too"
"Like, yeah, I'm Shaggy, it's nice to meet you too, right Scooby? Scooby?"
Scooby was still out cold with his legs stuck straight in the air.
"I brought the clothes you ordered, Christy!" Clawdeen declared, setting the garment bags on the couch.
"Clawdeen," Christina's eyes about popped out of her head, "I only asked for a few dresses, what is all this?!"
"An entire collection...i got carried away, but these are great for all those meetings and duties and things"
"Thank you!" Christina sent the clothes to her room with a wave of her hand, "Think you can stay for lunch?"
"LUNCH!" the boys lit up.
"You said the magic words," Clawdeen laughed.
Lunch passed quickly. Shaggy and Scooby devoured more food than Christina thought possible. The two were sleepily content as the dishes were cleared away.
"Are you two okay?" Christina giggled.
"Great," Shaggy licked the last of the food from his lips.
"How about I show you around? Clawdeen's been dying to see more since I moved in a few weeks ago"
"Sounds awesome"
Christina showed them everything she could think of including the barn, gardens, and pond which the boys discovered to be teeming with animals of all kinds who flocked to Christina for affection. The place was so expansive that once they returned to the castle foyer Shaggy couldn't help but ask if she really lived alone.
"Melinda lives with me," the hybrid shrugged, "She kind of runs things here and keeps me on task"
The two didn't notice how Clawdeen slipped away, grinning to herself, or that Scooby had left with the wolves for a game of tag.
"Like, you don't go to school?"
"I tested out"
"You're not lonely up here?"
They slowly moved back to the living room where they took a seat to continue the conversation.
"Sometimes but my family visits every weekend for dinner, I don't really have time for social visits anymore, I'm Crown Princess in training to be queen so I'm taking on more and more duties, Mom says I'll figure out a balance but it takes time"
"Princess? Like, your royalty?"
Christina nodded, "That doesn't weird you out does it? It's usually a surprise to most people"
"No, I mean it's surprising but like, it doesn't weird me out"
"Tell me about you then, Clawdeen says you're a detective?"
"Amatuer, my friends and I have like, been solving phony monster cases since we were like, about ten," Shaggy sheepishly explained, "It's like, been slow lately"
"It must be exciting"
"Like, terrifying actually, I like no most of the monsters are fake but they are like, oftentimes wanted criminals so better to be safe than sorry, I spend most of them screaming and like, running away"
"Shaggy!" Clawdeen stepped back into the room, "Mom will be wondering where we are"
"Christy," Melinda popped into the room, "Phone"
"Maybe you could visit again?" Christina asked, rising from the couch with a small frown, "It does get lonely up here but it's also quiet so if you ever need a break my home's open to you"
"Thanks, Christina"
...
"So, I like, started taking every excuse to visit, every 'fight' every slow weekend"
"And, I grew to expect him"
...
"Christina! Are you here?" Shaggy stepped into the castle slowly, Christina always greeted him but she was nowhere to be seen, "Christy?"
"Hey, Shaggy," Melinda appeared, "She might have fallen asleep in the library, Christy didn't sleep well last night, nightmares again"
"Again?"
"Yeah, good luck"
He started to ask Melinda what she meant only for her to disappear. Shrugging, Shaggy left Scooby with the wolves like always and wandered into the library still calling for Christina only to find her asleep on the floor in front of a garden-facing window. It was apparent she had come from a meeting or some other such thing, her heels had been kicked in the corner and she wore a nice dress.
"Christy?" he reached for her shoulder but she shifted away, tense and muttering things he couldn't understand.
"No...No...n-"
"Christina," he knelt beside her, "You're okay, like, wake up, wake up,"
"NO!" she sat up so fast they crashed into each other, "Oh, Shaggy, I'm so, so, sorry, did I hurt you?" she pulled him up.
"I'm okay, are you?"
"As soon as my-my heart calms"
"Melinda's mentioned your nightmares-"
"She wasn't supposed to tell you about them-"
"Like, how long has this been going on?"
"Years, Mom says it's because I'm so empthatic, I go to bed worried about someone or something and then..." Christina trailed off, getting to her feet, "Wanna help me bake a cake? There's a recipe I'm eager to try"
"Okay"
"Great, just let me..."
With a snap of her fingers, the fancy clothing was replaced by a long-sleeved shirt and worn jeans.
Never mind the trip to the kitchen was an excuse to dodge having to discuss her nightmares. Shaggy didn't mind, knowing Christina was more likely to open up when calmer. Into the warm, sweet-smelling kitchen they went, each stopping to wash up and tie on an apron.
"How's the mystery solving going?" Christina pulled ingredients from the cabinets while he fetched bowls and measuring cups.
"Last week we caught a slime monster"
"Slime?"
"Like, I had that stuff in my hair for three days," Shaggy shuddered, "It was sticky and cold and just gross"
"Realeste scam?"
"Always"
"How'd they pull that off?"
"Some sort of rubber suit under the slime"
"Did the trap go haywire?"
"Scoob and I acidently tripped it too early"
"But you still caught him"
"Yeah, I guess there's that"
"What's bothering you? You're kind of down," Christina observed, stirring the dry ingredients together.
"Googie's mad at me again"
"That's almost every other weekend, I'm sorry, I wish I could help"
"This is like, help enough," Shaggy assured, helping her to cleanly combine the two ingredient bowls, "Believe me, thank you for like, letting me stay over again"
"It's no problem, you're great company so what do you want for dinner tonight?"
"I've been like, craving a cookout, burgers and hotdogs and stuff like that but I know you don't eat meat-"
"When has that ever stopped me before? Consider it done"
"Thank you, like, how was work?"
"Long, too long, lots of papers to review and sign coronation prep and I have to memorize a speech"
"That's why you fell asleep on the floor?"
"Yes, I was looking for a book on the bottom shelf, I closed my eyes and then you found me"
The two moved on to do other things while the cake cooled. Christina saw to dinner while Shaggy went to swim laps, his mind muddled with thoughts. In all the time he'd been dating Googie she had never asked about the mysteries or seemed remotely interested when he tried to share. Dinner dates out were spent ordering what he was told to, usually the smallest portion on the menu related to whatever horrible fad diet Googie was trying to put him on. She never asked where he wanted to eat and never wanted to step foot in a kitchen despite the fact cooking was his favorite pastime. Instead, she signed him up for sports tryouts and gifted him a gym membership for his birthday last year.
In the few months that he'd known Christina, she'd been everything Googie wasn't. She was kindhearted and generous. Willing to lend an ear or a hand if he needed it, excited by his tales of mysteries and excited to try whatever crazy snack he'd dreamed up. She let him pick what they had for dinner, making it a point to learn all his favorites, letting him eat however much he wanted going so far as to put a mini fridge in his guest room so that he didn't have to go all the way downstairs for a midnight snack. Safe, warm, and welcoming he felt more at home, more like himself around Christina.
These thoughts stuck with him all through the weekend.
She's done so much for me. I wish I could do something for her.
But what?
What could he do?
Shaggy was still pondering this on his next visit, it preoccupied him so that everyone noticed. It was just after Saturday dinner that genius struck. There had to be something magical that could ward off Chriistina's nightmares. Waiting until Christina was preoccupied with her cousins Shaggy dared to ask Alissa if she knew of any such thing.
"I do," Alissa nodded, "A dreamstone would do the trick but it's such a small thing she'd lose it, she misplaces things when she gets distracted"
"So she would like, have to keep it on her at all times, if you could like, find one, I can figure something out"
"Thank you for caring so much about my daughter"
"She's my friend"
The following Monday a few special stones in hand Shaggy walked into the jeweler to commission a ring. But how to give it to her? It seemed something much too special to just surprise her with. Not to mention how was he going to explain it? Oh well, the ring would take time to make, he could figure it out. In the meantime, Shaggy kept paying visits to Christina, waking her from any nightmares she had during his visits and comforting her afterward. He began to wonder if he should be dating Christina instead, but, he felt he could really make it work with Googie if they just sat down and talked, actually talked.
On a Friday, two weeks later he finally got his chance.
Meet me.
There was no time or place so Shaggy figured he was supposed to pick Googie up from her house. He arrived an hour later with flowers in hand. She expected flowers but not roses, she hated roses. Knocking lightly on the front door with his free hand, Shaggy waited, glancing at Scooby every few seconds. Googie wouldn't like that he'd come along but Scooby was part of the deal and she knew that.
"Googie?" trying the door he found it was unlocked, "Googie? You, like, texted me?"
The house appeared to be empty, drapes pulled closed, and everything squeaky clean. With a sigh, he started up the stairs. Googie was still getting ready to go. She was never ready on time. Reaching the landing he realized Googie's bedroom door was cracked open.
"Googie are you like, ready to-" He pushed it open only to drop the flowers in shock.
Googie was having some very grownup fun with resident meathead Baylor Hotner. Both going at it like animals, sweaty and without clothing.
"What?"
"Oh, I meant to send that text to Baylor," Googie panted, smirking from on top of Baylor, 'apologetically', "He's my boyfriend now, sorry, not sorry. But he's a REAL man, Loser."
Shaggy ran.
...
Christina was admittedly lonely as she settled into a chair in the theater room, Disney's blue castle logo appearing on screen. It was much too quiet without Shaggy and Scooby around to liven things up. He's trying to patch things up with his girlfriend, she reminded herself, digging into her marshmallow-covered popcorn with abandon. Good for him. Melinda was spending her Friday night with Dalton just like always meaning for the first time in a long while Christina was really alone with her animals. Jade hopped into the seat beside her with a forlorn expression.
"I miss them too"
"CHRISTINA!"
The sudden yell caused her to drop her popcorn. the wolves descended upon it, chomping greedily. Stepping around them, Christina rushed to find Shaggy only to collide with him. He caught her before she could hit the floor but he was worked up, beet red, and crying, tears streaming down his face as Scooby trotted in behind him.
"What's the matter? What's wrong?" movie forgotten, she coaxed him into the living room, snagging the tissues as she passed them.
"She-she-she..."
"Googie? What did she do?" Christina handed him the tissues. As Shaggy haltingly told the story between sobs, the hybrid princess's fury increased exponentially at the audacity of the arrogant little hussy! How DARE she HURT such a sweet, caring, loyal...! Just then, the clouds began to part outside, the full moon would be revealed through the wide, bay windows; one of the many modern touches Christina had insisted on in her castle estate: lots of natural light.
"L-like, I loved her! H-how could she do this to me?! How? How?! HOW?! HOW-ROOOOOOOOOOO!"
Surprised more than anything else Christina watched, mouth agape as Shaggy transformed. Snapping her mouth closed, she went back to comforting him, rubbing circles into his back while he cried himself out. Only when no more tears came did Shaggy realize his current state. Staring at his reflection in the windows.
"Shaggy? Are you okay?"
"I like, guess Dad will be happy to know that part of the family hasn't died out" Shaggy's ears drooped remembering why he was there, to begin with, "I-I-I can't believe she-"
"Shh, it's her loss"
"Are you sure?"
"Yep, one-hundred precent her loss," Christina assured.
"Can we like, stay here tonight?"
"When have I ever turrned you down but you might want to call your parents before they-"
Christina's phone began to ring, pulling it out of her pocket, she answered, handing Shaggy another box of tissues, "Hello?"
"Christina! Thank goodness!" Stacy exclaimed from the other end of the line, "Are Shaggy and Scooby with you? I wouldn't ask but he was supposed to be on a date with Googie but Sugie just saw Googie with some other guy and no one's seen Shaggy-"
"Yes, Mrs, Rogers, Shaggy and Scooby are right here, do you want to talk to them?"
"Please?"
Christina put the phone on speaker, handing it to Shaggy.
"Hi Mom," Shaggy greeted with a sad sigh.
"Shaggy, honey, what's going on?"
"Googie broke up with me"
"She what?"
"Yeah, I like, didn't want anyone to see me cry so-"
"You went to Christina's," Stacy finished, "Are you okay?"
"No, I like, think we'll stay here this weekend, just like don't tell the gang?"
"Okay"
"Can-can I talk to Dad?"
"Sure"
There was some muffled yelling before the phone was passed to his father, "Hey, Son, you alright?"
"As I like, can be"
"Do you want me to arrest her?" Sam joked.
"Dad, you know you can't do that"
"I know, I know"
"I like, have some good news"
"You asked Christina out?"
"DAD!" Shaggy was burning up under his fur, beside him Christina was nervously tugging on her braid, "You're like, on speaker, she heard that"
"Well, did you?"
"No, be serious"
"Okay, okay," Sam was laughing but he tried to hide it, "What is it?"
"You like, know how you were like, worried that the werewolf gene died our with great grandpa?"
"You transformed?"
"Yeah"
"That's great, Shaggy, I just wish it could've been under better circumstances"
"Me too, Dad, me too"
...
"Wait, wait, wait, wait!" Velma stopped, "So, how did you start dating?"
"We're like, getting there," Shaggy promised, "Trust us"
...
"You're doing it again," Christina blushed across the dinner table, "Are you sure you're okay, Shaggy?"
"Huh, um, maybe?" Shaggy shook his head, embarrassed to have been caught staring at Christina again.
But she was really, really, pretty and it made him feel all warm and fuzzy inside. And, he couldn't help but wonder about kissing her.
No, NO!
BAD THOUGHTS.
Christina was a friend despite what his parents, sister, and cousins said. Besides, he had just got dumped. How utterly lame and desperate would it be to randomly ask Christina out? Especially since she didn't see him that way.
"I called Clawdeen," Christina informed him, "She should be here-"
"CHRISTINA? WHERE ARE YOU?"
"Right now, I guess," Christina giggled sending his heart rocketing to the moon, "We're in the dining room, Clawdeen"
Ten minutes later, Clawdeen came huffing into the room, "How do you not get lost in here?" she asked panting. " Stairs and heels, not a good combo"
"I'm sorry, I forget how big this place is, are you okay?"
"I'll-I'll be fine"
Shaggy stood from the table, "C'mon, Clawdeen, we like, need to talk"
Once they were several rooms away, in a small sitting room with the doors shut did they talk. Clawdeen smiled ear-to-ear as she sat down, "I knew it!" she exclaimed excitedly, "How'd you finally transform? Tell me everything right now!"
"Googie's been cheating on me"
Never had a smile fallen so fast, Clawdeen's face twisting into a murderous scowl, "Excuse me?"
"She broke up with me today, I like, walked in on her and Baylor Hotner er..."
"You don't have to tell me, I'm sorry that forced your transformation"
"At least it like, didn't hurt"
"Good now, what else is bothering you?"
"Well, I uh, um, I've been having these thoughts and, and and-"
"About Christina?"
"Yeah, she's just-ijust I-I want to"
"You imprinted on her!" Clawdeen squealed, "Remeber what I told you about imprinting?"
"That means she and I are like-"
"Meant to be"
"But I-I don't think she like, feels the same"
"She does"
"How do you like, know that?"
"It's a two way connection if she doesn't feel it now she will very soon"
...
The next week at school was tortuously long, every time Shaggy encountered Googie in the hallways she greeted him with false sweetness before snogging Baylor, laughing when he ran off. He began to eat lunch alone, hiding away where the gang couldn't find him so he could think. Oftentimes the thinking gave way to calling Christina. They spent the entire break period talking, he counted a personal victory whenever he got her to laugh. That Friday instead of joining the gang to solve a mummy mystery he faked sickness. Running to the jewelers to pick up the completed ring. He was in such a rush that he got to the castle early, startling Christina when he showed up in her office.
"Yow!*ducks fireball!*Like, sorry, Christina! I, like, didn't mean to startle you!"
"Oh my fairy-godmother, Shaggy! I almost took your head off! I'm so sorry!", they apologized simultaneously, then laughed at the sheer, scary silliness of the situation. "Weren't you and Scooby going to hang with your friends this weekend?"
"I, like made an excuse and sent Scoob without me", he replied.
"It's just as well he didn't come with you", she whispered. "In fact, it might be best if he didn't come here for a few days."
"Huh? Like, why?"
"Look at Jade."
Shaggy looked at the black & silver female alpha of Christina's wolves and noticed her...odd behavior. She was panting heavily and seemed agitated, the other wolves were definitely keeping their distance. She didn't seem angry, just anxious; like she WANTED something...VERY BADLY...and was being denied.
"Like, what's up with her?"
"Jade is in heat", Christina smiled slightly. "Which is also why I haven't been letting her outside."
"Huh? I, like, don't get it?"
"Magical she-wolves never go into heat until they imprint on their desired mate; the only one they will have sire their pups for the rest of their lives", Christina explained. "If I let her out of the castle while she's in heat, Jade WILL NOT STOP until she has chased him down and gotten pregnant with a litter of his pups."
"Uh-HUH", Shaggy said still a bit confused as to why this is a concern.
"Shaggy, Jade imprinted on SCOOBY-DOO!", Christina whispered urgently.
"ZOINKS!"
"Exactly", Christina giggled at the look on his face. "So, what exactly made you decide to come see me instead of some crook in a suit & mask today?"
"Well, uh, like, I've like, been thinking since Melinda told me about your nightmares and you've been such a good friend to me that I like, wanted to help And the jeweler just finished this today."
He pulled out a ring box and opened it to present to Christina. It was a gold ring set with a smooth, sparkling jewel of shifting colors. "Like, it's a dreamstone."
"Shaggy, it's-it's so beautiful", Christina said breathlessly, sliding it onto the ring finger of her right hand. It fit perfectly. "I-I don't know how to thank you! But why?"
"I, like, couldn't stand the thought of someone so kind and beautiful being haunted by nightmares every night", he said, blushing slightly. "I, like, had to help."
"Oh, Shaggy, you sweet, selfless...Oh!", she ran from the room, tears in her eyes. Confused, Shaggy chased after her, wondering what he did to upset her!
At that moment Draculaura, Clawdeen, and Cleo were all in Christina's huge walk-in closet trying to organize her newest ensembles for suitable uses and occasions when they saw her run past the open door of her bedroom followed by Shaggy asking if she was ok.
"What is THAT about?", Cleo groused.
"Beats me", Clawdeen answered.
"Maybe we should go see", Draculaura said with concern for her cousin. "Christy looked like she had tears in her eyes, but not in a 'hurt' kinda way."
Arriving in the Grand Hall, Christina gazed out the wide windows in a flurry of emotions. She had only met and become friends with Clawdeen's cousin Shaggy recently. He'd shown her some of the fun things to do and places to go that the rest of her friends and cousins hadn't thought of, as they were outside their interests. And granted, she had been there for him when Googie broke his heart and he transformed for the first time, but THIS?! He heard about her nightmares and took it upon himself to help her without being asked and with no thought of reward. This ring was beautiful and must have been expensive to commission! He...he...
"Christy? Are you, like, ok?", he panted as he skidded into the room.
Hearing his voice triggered her heart, and the stereo system activated and reacted to her magick. She turned to him, opening up her heart and her voice...
I can't fight this feeling any longer.
And yet I'm still afraid to let it flow.
What started out as friendship,
Has grown stronger.
I only wish I had the strength to let it show.
"Hold it, is she...?", Clawdeen asked in an awed whisper when they arrived at the door.
"Oh. My. Ghoul! She IS!," Draculaura replied gleefully.
"But I thought she hasn't sung since...", Cleo started to add..
"SSHHHH!" the other two shushed her.
I tell myself that I can't hold out forever.
I said there is no reason for my fear.
Cause I feel so secure when we're together.
You give my life direction,
You make everything so clear.
And even as I wander,
I'm keeping you in sight.
You're a candle in the window,
On a cold, dark winter's night.
And I'm getting closer than I ever thought I might.
And I can't fight this feeling anymore.
I've forgotten what I started fighting for.
It's time to bring this ship into the shore,
And throw away the oars, forever.
Cause I can't fight this feeling anymore.
I've forgotten what I started fighting for.
And if I have to crawl upon the floor,
Come crushing through your door,
Baby, I can't fight this feeling anymore.
My life has been such a whirlwind since I saw you.
I've been running round in circles in my mind.
And it always seems that I'm following you, boy,
Cause you take me to the places,
That alone I'd never find.
And even as I wander,
I'm keeping you in sight.
You're a candle in the wind,
On a cold, dark winter's night.
And I'm getting closer than I ever thought I might.
And I can't fight this feeling anymore.
I've forgotten what I started fighting for.
It's time to bring this ship into the shore,
And throw away the oars, forever.
Cause I can't fight this feeling anymore.
I've forgotten what I started fighting for.
And if I have to crawl upon the floor,
Come crushing through your door,
Baby, I can't fight this feeling anymore.
As the final note faded, Christina surprised Shaggy by kissing him so sweetly on the lips; a kiss that seemed to linger long enough to melt a glacier!
"I-I love you, Shaggy", Christina said when they broke the kiss. Hearing her words as he gazed into her eyes, Shaggy felt a connection in his own heart come full circle, acknowledging and accepting the feelings he already had but didn't know until that moment.
"Like, I love you too, Christina."
"EEEEEEEEEE! I'm ssssooooo happy for you, Christina!", a practically jumping up & down Draculaura squealed with joy hugging her surprised half-fae cousin.
"FINALLY!", Clawdeen said, smacking her cousin Shaggy on the back in congratulation "I knew you imprinted on Christina the night you first transformed! So I told you so!"
...
"Like, the rest is history," Shaggy finished feeling relieved now that he'd gotten the secret out into the open.
"Googie's disgusting!" Daphne was ready to find and strangle the so-called queen bee of Crystal Cove High.
"Like, trust me, she's not worth your time, Daph," Shaggy smiled.
"Let her dig her own grave," Christina added, "I have a feeling it's all going to come crashing down soon enough"
Despite her million burning questions, Velma let Shaggy leave with Christina knowing if she asked too many Shaggy was going to get overwhelmed. There were plenty of books. She could find answers by doing what she loved most good, old-fashioned research. As for Fred and Daphne, they left for a walk around the grounds.
...
Googie was fuming. Her super hot boyfriend was more or less ignoring her and she was stuck in a castle run by a holier-than-thou freak overrun by terrible plague-carrying beasts! Time to go back to her original plan of upstaging Christina in any way possible.
But how?
How could she shove the stupid hybrid's face in the dirt while reminding everyone that she was the queen bee? She was to be admired and envied!
How?
...
"Feel better now?" Christina kissed Shaggy.
"Much but like, that was scary"
"But you overcame your fear c'mon I think you deserve to celebtate"
"What did you have in mind?"
"I am so very glad you asked"
...
Later that night:
Shaggy had gotten so used to transforming that he didn't even realize it had already happened until he went to retrieve Velma for dinner. Startled by his shadow she fell out of her chair, knocking off her glasses in the process.
"Not again," she moaned, feeling around the floor, "I have really, really got to switch to contacts"
"Here, V," Shaggy cleaned off the glasses before handing them over.
"Thanks," it was still a little shocking to see her friend transformed but Velma shook it off by asking a question instead, "Does it not hurt when you transform?"
"No, like, I know it can but for me it it just feels like the big drop from a roller costar if anything"
"And the silver? Does that hurt?"
"When I'm like this, yes any other time it's only like, mildly irritating,"
"Sorry, I just-"
"It's okay, come on, it's dinner time"
...
"Well, someone's in a good mood," Melinda poked Christina in the side.
"Blissful silence from the peanut gallery," the hybrid smiled happily, "Uninteruppted time with my boyfriend"
"Ah yes," Melinda smirked, "The allure of boys in swim trunks"
"Shut up"
The two dissolved into laughter. Shaggy joined them with a grin, tugging Christina toward the foyer
"Like, I have good news"
"I don't have to go to the maul tomrrow and can spend my birthday in the library with a pile of chocolate covered strawberries?"
"No, but it like, is good news," Shaggy pulled Christina into his arms, "Like, look who stopped by to deliver your repaired bike"
"Duncan! Clawdeen!"
The hybrid eased out of Shaggy's grip to greet her friends, hugging them both, "It feels like it's been forever! How are you?"
"We're good, Christy," Clawdeen promised, "Draculaura wanted me to tell you she would've come but it's date night," the lovely werewolf gagged slightly at the thought of date night with her brother.
"Here you go, Christina," Duncan handed the hybrid the keys to her beloved motorcycle, "Fully recovered from the race"
"Thank you, thank you, thank you! I would have done it myself but I couldn't find the time and-"
"We know," Duncan gently cut in, "Kenny and I were happy to help"
"At least join us for dinner since you won't let me pay you? I can have a hot plate sent to Kenny-" she snapped her fingers, "-Like that"
"Are you sure your other guests won't mind?"
"Trust me," Shaggy smiled, "The gang will be happy to meet you"
"Besides," Melinda mumbled, "It's not them you have to worry about-OWW" Christina had kicked her in the ankle.
"Okay then," the couple agreed, "We'd be happy to join you"
Everyone else was already seated, Baylor with his silverware at the ready, eyes roving greedily for food while Googie had a pinched expression, glaring daggers at Shaggy whenever he glanced in her direction.
"Everyone," Christina smiled as she sat down, "These are my friends, Clawdeen and Duncan"
Shaggy took over the introductions, "This is Fred,"
"Hello"
"Daphne"
"Hi"
"Velma"
"Nice to meet you"
Sucking in a sharp breath Shaggy continued with a nod of encouragement from Christina, "And, like, this is my ex-girlfriend Googie and her boyfriend, Baylor"
"Googie?", Clawdeen said, eyebrow twitching. "So you're the prissy little prima-donna that ripped Shaggy's heart out, showed it to him, danced all over it with your phony designer high heels, then rammed it down his throat, huh? I'd like nothing more than to show you what REAL pain is, but Shaggy traded up so far up from you that you're not even worth ruining my mani-peddi."
"Easy, easy, let's not maul Christina's guests," Duncan pulled Clawdeen's chair out for her.
"Some guest"
"What are we having?" Fred asked in an attempt to break the tension, "It smells good"
"Surf and Turf for you guys," Christina smiled, the plates flying in, "I'll stick with this garden salad"
"Like, how did you know?" Shaggy happily exclaimed trying to keep from tearing into the meet with his much sharper teeth.
"Because I know you," Christina giggled, "Meat on full moon nights, always"
"i love you"
"I know"
Googie couldn't keep her mouth shut, "Oh yes, because you hexed him that way, right? An obdient little beast at your beck and call?"
"GOOGIE!" Shaggy growled, "Not tonight"
"You don't scare me, sheep in wolves clothing," Googie sniffed airily, "You couldn't hurt a fly, you don't have the stomach for it"
Christina was taking several deep breaths, "I'd quit while you're ahead-"
"Or what? You'll send me to my room? You know, I was confused at first, why you'd want Shaggy, spinless pathetic thing that he is and then I realized you spelled him because no one will ever or could ever love a disgusting freak like you! Not fairy, not a vampire, you're NOTHING! You probably found and cursed Shaggy while he was a heart-broken mess to take advantage of him!"
"LIKE, THAT'S ENOUGH!", Shaggy snarled, slamming his transformed, clawed hand onto the table in front of her.
"See everyone?! Little Miss Perfect there turned your loser friend into a monster!", Googie shouted, pointing at Christina with a wicked grin of victory.
"Nice try, Googie", Velma smirked, confusing the girl. "But you're a day late..."
"...and much more than a dollar short", Daphne finished.
"Huh?", Googie looked at them all, confusion increasing.
"Shaggy and Christina asked us to meet them in the library earlier while you and Baylor were in the hot tub", Fred told her. "They told us everything."
"Shaggy helped me run an errand here WEEKS before you dumped him", Clawdeen growled. "They first became friends then. Why did he help me? Because he's my COUSIN; a few times removed, but we ARE family. The wolf gene often skips a few generations in his family. He's the first since his great-grandpa. He first transformed the night you broke up with him."
"He came to me in his pain", Christina said. "He transformed as I was trying to comfort him. Later I went to my Uncle Dracula to check the Grimness Book of Records. It turnes out the Shaggy was always destined to be Blessed by the Moon to be a werewolf", she finished, holding up said Book.
"They explained and showed all of this to us in the library", Velma said.
"And we're sticking by our friends", Fred said with conviction.
"That's right!", Daphne concurred.
"Now, if there's no more disrupptions," Christina managed, "Let's eat before the food goes cold"
Googie picked at her stake with a pout. If this was a war she was losing.
...
As they were moving on to dessert it began to storm. Wind shaking the trees outside the dining room window and rain hitting it like bullets. Seeing the shift in weather Christina declared:
"You two are staying here tonight, I will not have you going home in that mess"
"Christina-" Clawdeen began to lightly protest.
"You aren't changing my mind"
"And," Melinda whispered into Clawdeen's ear, "We're going to need backup dealing with Drama over there, I have a feeling she's up to something, I'd like to see her try and upstage my BFFA on her birthday, she will regret it!"
That was all the convincing the couple needed, each pulling out their Icoffins to text their parents. Melinda wasn't the only one with a gut feeling.
Something was going to happen tomorrow whether good or bad no one knew but they knew it was coming.
...
Well, what did I tell you? I owe thanks to my friend, DRAGONDAVE45for his help and ideas. Now, please, review and predict!