All right, time to get back to the future and see how we try to wrap up THIS timeline. Sorry I took so long. I meant to go back to it a couple weeks ago, but then I managed to catch cold and... needless to say, my mind wasn't exactly focused on finishing the story. But now I'm feeling WAY better, and more determined to have this story wrapped up for you as nicely as possible! So, let's get on with the second to last chapter of the story! Anyway, enjoy!
EIGHT YEARS LATER...
When Daphne, Scooby and Shaggy went to investigate the closed movie theater at night, it had been around midnight, a time of night that only the janitors would be up for. Now it was getting close to five in the morning, after the mystery itself had been solved and squared away, and after the movie was over, did the three depart the theater, each of them looking quite as gleeful and excited as they did.
"Like, that was an amazing movie!" Shaggy grinned as he turned to his friends.
"Rou raid it!" Scooby nodded eagerly. "Ri rill remember rhe rene where Rellow Rutt raved rhe ray with rhe rew rower!"
"Yeah, that new superpower of freezing the lake and popping people out like a volcano sure came in handy..." Shaggy smiled. "A little unrealistic, but aren't most superhero movies?"
"I'm just thankful Gorgeous Gal managed to do a lot of the work for the movie, from finding clues to stopping the villain when it came to his evil plan." Daphne smiled.
"Of course you'd like that part." Shaggy rolled his eyes as the three of them went back to the Miss-tery Machine and got in, with Scooby hopping in the back, before Shaggy took the shotgun position. "Still, it was nice of the sheriff to at least let us stay to watch the movie... something I just wanted to do before this whole mystery began..."
"At least now we watched it. And I can't wait to see the sequel when it comes out..." Daphne smiled as she started the car as she started to drive it along the road. "But you know, for this being the first live action Commander Cool movie, it was quite a ride."
"Oh, I know!" Shaggy grinned as Scooby poked his head out and nodded.
The car trip became a bit silent after that as Daphne drove along the road for a few minutes. Shaggy looked over at Scooby with a raised eyebrow as his Great Dane companion could only give his friend a smile. Shaggy returned his friend's smile with one of his own as he gave a nod before turning to Daphne.
"You know, Daphne, it IS a little early in the morning. Most breakfast places are starting to open up. I was thinking... maybe we can stop by the diner and... grab an early breakfast?" Shaggy suggested.
Daphne looked over at Shaggy in surprise. "All those movie snacks you ate, and you're still thinking about food? How do you even manage to think of eating at a time like this?"
Shaggy gave a nervous chuckle. "I practice. But like, we don't have to eat anything big, maybe a plate of eggs and toast and orange juice? I'll even pay for all three of us."
The orange haired girl turned to Shaggy with a raised eyebrow... before she heard her stomach growling. She paused slightly as she gave a nervous chuckle. "I suppose it wouldn't hurt to stop at the local diner..."
Scooby grinned as Shaggy gave a nod.
About ten minutes later, over at the diner, Scooby was sitting on the other end of the table as he was looking over the menu, as Shaggy and Daphne were sitting together in the other end, with Shaggy looking over the menu before the waiter came over (after giving the three their orange juice) as they asked if they were ready to decide.
"Yeah, I'll have the Eggs Benedict. Rye toast, no fruit." Shaggy nodded as he handed his menu over to the waiter.
"I think I'll have the same as my friend, but with fruit." Daphne noted with interest.
"Reggs rand rite roast rith rawberry relly." Scooby said as he handed his menu to the waiter. Of course, he was SO tempted to get everything, but knew better than to waste Shaggy's money... and besides, he was still feeling the popcorn and soda from the movies in his stomach, so a simple meal would have to suffice.
The waiter nodded as he said, "Good choices, all around. I'll have my cooks get to it right away."
As the waiter left, Shaggy gave a smile as he clutched Daphne's hand. Daphne noticed before giving a smile as she squeezed his hand tightly as well. Scooby looked between the two, before giving a nod, knowing that this was the time. "I'll... uh... re reshening rup."
With that, Scooby got up from his seat and started to head towards the restroom, leaving the two alone as they stared at each other.
"You know Daphne, looking out the window from here... and seeing the early sun's rays peeking out, you look beautiful with the early sunrise glowing from behind." Shaggy smiled.
Daphne giggled as she touched Shaggy's face. "Thank you. I adore your face moreso than usual. Did you freshen up your little goatee?"
Shaggy paused as he felt the black stubble on his chin, before smiling. "A little bit. Do you like it?"
Daphne smiled as she put her head on Shaggy's shoulders. "Everything about you is perfect, Shaggy..."
The green wearing man smiled as the two looked at each other with a smile... as Shaggy paused, starting to think. "You know, Daph, I was thinking back to that mystery... and when we went back to the past... remember when we had our little moments together while waiting to get back to our present?"
Daphne smiled. "How could I forget... you think our past selves managed to solve THEIR mystery okay?"
"I mean, they should. They ARE us." Shaggy smiled. "Little Commander Cool and Gorgeous Gal teamed up together, after all... you know, Daphne, while I always viewed you as a good friend, when we first met, I always took you to forever be snobby... but then when you started playing with us, you became so... different to me, and now I never can imagine a life without you."
Daphne smiled as she looked over at Shaggy. "I will admit that I wasn't exactly... the world's perfect girl. But I think I just wanted to act all grown up in a group of kids... actually, I should thank you for loosening me up as you did... helping me discover a love for comics, having fun and... being more playful."
Shaggy smiled as he held his girlfriend's hand... before pausing. "Say, Daph... are we... you know... I mean, we've hung out with each other all the time, and like, I've always seen you in a different light, but... like, I just never thought to think about what would happen if we were... what I mean..."
"What?" Daphne raised an eyebrow.
Shaggy closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "We've always been friends, Daphne, but... if you're willing, I... oh, how can I put it in..." He shook his head, took another deep breath and looked over at her. "Daphne Blake, I don't know if we've been official, or if we were, but never knew, but I want to spend the rest of my days with you... and... I would like to court you..."
The red haired paused as she put her hand to her mouth. "Court me?"
Shaggy nodded as he looked into Daphne's eyes, knowing that there was no turning back now. "Daphne Ann Blake, will you be my girlfriend... my Gorgeous Gal to your Commander Cool?"
Daphne looked at Shaggy in awe, before giving a small smile as she put her hands on Shaggy's. "Oh, Shaggy... you're so sweet... and I've always been attracted to you, ever since we were kids. I never thought you'd want to take this step in courtship, but... yes, Norville "Shaggy" Rogers, I'll be your girlfriend."
Shaggy's eyes lit up in delight, not caring that Daphne used his real name for that moment. The two of them then leaned over and shared a small, chaste kiss, before separating from each other, as they stared with lovey dovey eyes... until they heard a small sigh.
Both boy and girl jumped as they turned to see Scooby, having just arrived from the bathroom, giving a small smirk as he joined them. "Ron't rind re... rongraturations, rou rwo."
Shaggy and Daphne looked at each other, before smiling as Daphne turned to her canine friend. "Thanks, Scooby."
Scooby nodded as the waiter came over with their breakfasts as they were served. And as the three enjoyed their early breakfast, Shaggy looked back at his girlfriend one more time, before giving a small smile... it was going to take a bit of time to explain to Fred and Velma what had transpired, but he knew that he and Daphne were going to be sticking close together, no matter what...
And Daphne knew one thing as she looked over at Shaggy with a smile... she was going to have a lot of fun now that Shaggy and her were officially dating...
All right, that's the future side done! Next time, we're going to be focusing on both timelines at the same time in the final chapter... how will this new relationship between both Shaggys and Daphnes spark? Will something in the past affect something in the future? Either way, the conclusion is just around the corner! Anyway, read, review, criticize and suggest, everyone!