Author's note: This chapter contains some slight hints of Fred/Daphne.

Chapter 12: Last day of school before the Christmas break and the visit to Daphne's place

December 20, 1968

It has been almost two months since Shaggy, Scooby, Daphne and Fred took part in the mystery-solving event in the school's annual Halloween party. In the weeks after the party, the group continued to garner more popularity at school.

That afternoon during chemistry class, Shaggy sat with his usual group with Daphne joining him, chatting about various topics.

"So what plans do you guys have for the Christmas break?" Tinker decided to ask.

"Well, Linda, our parents, Too-Much and I are going to return to my grandparents' place in West Virginia for Christmas." W.W. said. "Then, we're off to New York to visit my other cousins."

"Like, wow." Shaggy remarked. "Are you guys flying or taking the train?"

"We're taking the train." W.W. replied. "I've been looking forward to the train ride for this year, since we get to enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Rockies during the ride and in the past, our father always drives us."

"That sure sounds groovy, W.W." Daphne nodded before turning to Tinker and asked. "What about you, Tinker?"

"Well, my family and I are spending Christmas in Florida, where my grandparents lived." Tinker replied. "It feels weird celebrating Christmas there, since it doesn't snow in Florida."

"Well, then again, it never snowed in Hawaii." Henry pointed out. "Plus, places like Australia and New Zealand celebrate Christmas during the summer."

"Oh, yeah." Tinker nodded. "That sure is interesting to know."

"It sure is." W.W. agreed.

"Like, what about you, Henry?" Shaggy asked. "What's your plan for the winter break?"

"Well, my family and I are returning to Honolulu to celebrate Christmas with some old friends." Henry replied. "Then, we'll be flying back to Hong Kong and spend New Years with our family."

"Sounds groovy, Henry." Daphne remarked. "Does your family celebrate Christmas?"

"Well, my family does, but not my relatives living in China." Henry replied. "Christmas is not recognized as a holiday in China, although that day is recognized as the day the country's new constitution took effect."

"Like, sounds interesting." Shaggy remarked. "So you've got relatives living back in Hong Kong and in China, eh?"

"Yes." Henry nodded. "Most of them lived in Canton (Chinese name:廣州), which is about an hour drive away from Hong Kong."

"I see." W.W. nodded understandingly before turning to Daphne and asked, "How about you, Daphne?"

"Well, my family and I are spending Christmas at my grandparents place at Beverly Hills." Daphne replied. "I have to admit, though, that it's not going to be as exciting as travelling out of the state like you guys are doing."

"Like, don't feel too bad about it, Daph." Shaggy says. "My grandparents are coming over to Coolsville from Plymouth this year, so Scoob and I are pretty much stuck here for the winter break."

"Oh, groovy, Shag!" Daphne smiled. "Since Freddie and his family are going to be in Virginia at his grandparents place for the Christmas break, I guess I've got you and Scooby and Sugie for company, and besides, you guys can come over to Beverly Hills to visit. After all, it's only about a half-an-hour drive away from Coolsville."

"Like, works with me, Daph." Shaggy smiled back as Daphne patted his shoulder.

Later, after school, the four friends walked home from school together as usual.

"I sure am glad that school's over for Christmas and New Years." Fred remarked as they walked down the sidewalk together.

"Yeah." Shaggy agreed. "Now we can sit back and relax."

Just then, the four heard a car horn from behind.

Turning to look, they all saw the district attorney behind the wheel with his wife, who was waving her hand, on the passenger seat.

"Mom, Dad." Fred says as they stopped. "I didn't know you guys were picking me up after school."

"Well, I must have been quite busy in my office to remember to telephone you or ask your mother to telephone the school and asking them to get you over to the main office and inform you that we'll be picking you up after school, Frederick." Skip replied.

"Oh, that's okay, Dad." Fred replied. "At least now I can use a lift to head home so we can get ready for the trip."

"Right, son." Peggy nodded as Fred got on the car.

As he got on the car, Daphne said to him, "So I guess if I don't see you again, Freddie, I wish you a safe journey to Virginia."

"Like, and an early Merry Christmas to you, Fred." Shaggy added.

"Thanks, guys." Fred smiled as he closed the door, buckled up and turned to face his friends. "I believe we should be on our way now."

"Right." Skip nodded as his wife said to Shaggy, Scooby and Daphne. "And same to you kids, too. An early Merry Christmas to you, too."

"Thanks, Mrs. Jones." Daphne smiled as Skip shifted the car into drive.

After waving their goodbyes to the Jones, Shaggy, Scooby and Daphne turned to each other.

"So I guess it's now just you, Scooby and me, Shag." Daphne said as they carried on walking down the sidewalk.

"Yeah." Shaggy nodded as they walked by a stopped streetcar while crossing a road.

There was some silence between the trio until Shaggy's stomach started growling.

"Hungry, Shag?" Daphne asked. "I'll whip up some cookies for you and Scooby so you won't get hungry."

"Like, sounds groovy, Daph." Shaggy smiled. "Perhaps you'll like me and Scooby to help you out in the kitchen."

"Sounds like a groovy idea to me, Shag." Daphne smiled back. "I only hope you and Scooby won't end up sampling all the dough."

"Like, don't worry, Daph." Shaggy replied. "Scoob and I can get bellyaches if we sample too much of the dough, and besides, cookies taste better after they're baked and are fresh out of the oven."

Daphne smiled at the comment before thinking of something.

"Uh, guys, mind if I ask you something?" Daphne asked, and the duo can tell from the tone in her voice that it might be private and is to be kept between the three of them only.

"Like, go ahead, Daph." Shaggy replied. "And in case you're wondering, don't worry. Scoob and I will keep it to ourselves."

"Brilliant." Daphne nodded. "It's about Freddie. Many of my friends have been suggesting that I should go out with him, and I wonder if you guys are alright with the idea."

Shaggy and Scooby turned to each other and thought for a while. Then, Shaggy spoke.

"Well, Freddie is really a nice guy, Daph." Shaggy replied. "Besides, the two of you look perfect together, you know, the handsome-looking football player with an attractive redhead like you, Daph. It's just like in those Disney works where the handsome prince and a beautiful lady or princess fall in love."

"Reah." Scooby nodded in agreement. "Rou could give rim a chance."

Daphne nodded understandingly. "Maybe a few dates with him then I'll decide."

"Like, you'd better be quick, Daph." Shaggy commented. "I can tell that several other girls are probably trying to ask him out, and as far as I can tell, Freddie should make his move quick, because you've got plenty of guys who're trying to ask you out."

"Yeah." Daphne agreed, although she still doesn't feel quite sure.

As if knowing her doubts, Shaggy added, "Well, even if you and Fred decide to go out together, Daph, you can still count on Scoob and I and even Maggie for support. We're always there to support a good friend like you."

Daphne nodded thoughtfully as they arrived in their neighbourhood.

"Very well, Norville." Wendy nodded as her son told her about Daphne's invitation of him and Scooby to her place to hang out. "Just make sure you and Scooby arrive home for supper, unless the Blakes decides to invite us for dinner."

"Like, sure thing, Mom." Shaggy nodded before he, Scooby and Daphne made their way out of the house.

After crossing Easy Street and entering the gate, the trio arrived at the front door to the Blake Mansion.

A knock on the door led to the Blake family butler opening the door.

"Ah, Miss Blake, Mr. Rogers and Mr. Doo." The butler said in greeting.

"Like, good day, Jenkins." Shaggy replied as he and Scooby nodded at the butler. "Nice day outside, isn't it?"

"It sure is, Mr. Rogers." Jenkins nodded as he let the trio in. "Is there anything you young masters request?"

"Uh, not at the moment, Jenkins." Daphne replied.

"Any refreshments, Mr. Rogers, Mr. Doo?" Jenkins asked as he turned to Shaggy and Scooby.

"Like, no, thank you." Shaggy replied. "We're good."

"Reah." Scooby nodded in agreement.

"Very well." Jenkins nodded. "Mr. Rogers, Mr. Doo and Miss Blake."

After the butler closed the door and took his leave, the trio made their way to the kitchen, running into Daphne's father George in the process.

"Hello, my dear Daphne." George smiled. "And hello, Norville and Scooby."

"Like, good afternoon, Mr. Blake." Shaggy smiled as he and Scooby shook hands with George. "How are you?"

"I'm doing good, boys." George replied. "Nice day outside, isn't it?"

"It sure is, Dad." Daphne agreed. "And school's out."

"I see." George nodded. "So what's the occasion for inviting Norville and Scooby over?"

"Oh, I thought they'll like to help me out in making some after-school snacks, Dad." Daphne replied.

"Ah, okay." George smiled. "Just make sure you three clean up after you're finished. I don't want Charles to work his head off in cleaning up the kitchen."

"Like, we sure will, Mr. Blake." Shaggy replied as Scooby mock-saluted him.

"Very well." George nodded before taking his leave.

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