A/N: I simply couldn't end this without showing Shaggy's side of the story. So this is the last bit of this one-shot. AH the angst! I've got the song: She will be loved by Maroon 5 in my head while typing this.

Shaggy watched the driver of the mystery machine carefully in the window reflection. Yet again, she fell into her zombie-like trance. There was no way to talk to her when she was in this trance, she would either mumble or ignore the beatnik completely. He felt his guts tighten, hatred burned through his heart, that man- that so called leader did this. She was nearly recovering from his absence when he decided to return. Just for the day- then left once again. Shaggy thought he stitched up her wounds, but HE returned to rip them open again. His poor Daphne was once again dead. A zombie. He seen the signs, if only he acted earlier- he could've prevented this- but he foolishly pushed them aside, he believed she would recover. After all, she IS Daphne, she could find someone else. Her drained voice spoke from the back of his mind.

"No Shaggy, there's no one like him." What about him- he stayed! Didn't that mean anything to her? He wasn't stupid, he could see her game. She was using him, just like how Fred used her. She used each mystery as a way of forgetting the blond. But so far there hasn't been a single mystery to solve. He didn't blame her, in fact if it helps… Shaggy would let her use him. Let her break his heart, as long as she feels a little less in pain. He didn't care, he would do anything for her.

Once again, hatred filled his heart - he wasn't a violent person, but damn. He wanted to kill that stupid son of a bitch. He bit his tongue, holding back his anger from Daphne, she didn't need it. Not now. Get over him! He doesn't deserve any of this! The truth is, Daphne, he grown bored. Hell! I bet he's breaking another girl's heart as we speak! There's no 'work' for him to do. He basically got bored of this life- bored of you. You deserve better than that piece of shit we called Leader! His own voice screamed in his head, he bit his tongue so hard to hold it back, that his tongue began to bleed. He could never say that to her. NEVER. The poor girl would probably snap. And Shaggy did not want to see that, it would double what he seen in the reflection.

He known she loved Fred, and deep down he had a small glimmer of hope she was beginning to have affection for him. Shaggy doubt it, he can't compare to Fred- nothing can. He spoke to Velma about Daphne's illness, but she could only comfort the girl for a short time before going back to work in N.A.S.A. Velma was also worried, and recommended a doctor for Daphne. Shaggy was furious at his young Friend to even suggest that for Daphne, she just going through a faze- that's all. And soon she would wake up from it.

Suddenly Daphne muttered something, with a broken smile on her lips.

"The worst Christmas ever."

Shaggy instantly known, what she was talking about. Like every time she was on the edge of the verge of breaking. She was reliving her latest memory of her pain- the nutcracker production they performed for an orphanage. And HE tagged along- the nerve! After taking her spirit, her happiness and her soul. He came back for more. Shaggy felt guilt bite into him fiercely, it was in fact Shaggy who organised it. He thought it would be good for them to speak. How wrong he was.

"What did you say, Daphne?" Shaggy smiled thinly, he wanted to comfort- but didn't know how.

Daphne broken free from her trance, blinking blankly for a few moments. Shaggy could see the blood shot eye, the sparkle told him that she was about to burst out crying. Shaggy cringed as Daphne suddenly put on her 'mask', the one she always worn when trying to cover something up.

That painful smile sent a thousand daggers into his heart, that smile gave him the chills.

"Yes, never better." she lied, keeping her smile tight, attempting not to let any emotions leak through her wall. Oh god, Daphne, what did he do to you? Please, please, stop this before you…

Shaggy couldn't even think of the last word. And so he played along, letting a thin smile slip on his face.

There was another long silence, interrupted by a screech into the night, a luminous figure flew past the mystery machine.

"ZIONKS!" Shaggy yelled, Scooby jumped into his arms as Scrappy eagerly tried to see the ghost. "Let me at him, let me at him!" he yelled, bouncing around at the back.

As soon as Daphne halted the van, the ghost vanished. Shaggy's head snapped to see the red head's face, and she was…. Smiling. The most genuine smile he seen from the girl in months.

Shaggy felt relief consume him. Daphne's back, but only until the mystery ends.

Daphne smirked to Shaggy, and suddenly that vulnerable sad girl vanished like the ghost.

Those focused eyes, that stern look was as if… Fred possessed her…

"Looks like we've landed ourselves in another mystery, gang." she repeated his words.

And Shaggy was yet again another piece in her game, and he could only play along.