Okay, we've come a long way (with 2020 being the start, a three year delay, and finally getting back into it this year... I think it's safe to say we're about to wrap up this story! But we're not quite at the end yet, because we're going to spend ONE more chapter in the past! Let's see how young Shaggy and young Daphne share their moments! Before I go any further, I'd like to give thanks to dimasmagin4 for the idea for this chapter! Anyway, enjoy!
EIGHT YEARS AGO...
Officer Rogers could only watch as he waved to his fellow officers as they took in Sir Reginald's assistants for questioning, and afterwards, placing them in a holding cell. Even though Sir Reginald had disappeared through time, that didn't mean that his assistants hadn't. With the diamond safely secured with another officer to be taken to a museum, rather than the bank, and calling in some repo people to dismantle and take away the laser tomorrow, it would seem everything was wrapped up nicely.
The sound of feet was heard as the officer turned to see Shaggy, Daphne and Scooby (now out of their superhero costumes, and back to their regular outfits, thanks to Daphne calling her butler for a fresh set of clothes for each of them as they went to get changed separately) as Daphne was holding a bag containing their 'outfits'. The young redhead gave a sigh of relief. "What a day..."
Mr. Rogers chuckled a bit as he looked at the two kids and pup, all of them looking a bit exhausted as the afternoon sun was settling in. "Well, I can see you kids have done a good deed today. Shaggy, Daphne, Scooby, thanks for helping me out with this case, even if you couldn't get all of your friends involved."
"Like, we're just happy to help..." Shaggy said as he gave a slight shudder.
"Reah! Arother ray rin rhe rife of Rommander Rool and Rellow Rutt!" Scooby grinned as he gave a salute... before turning to Daphne with a smile. "And Rorgeous Ral roo!"
Daphne looked over to Scooby as she gave a giggle as Scooby jumped up and licked her in the face. Daphne reacted a bit with disgust. "Oh, Scooby, you know I just put on a press-cleaned shirt!"
The red haired girl paused briefly for a moment, before giving a smile. "But considering the circumstances, I can make an exception..."
"Ro roy!" Scooby grinned as he wagged his tail.
Mr. Rogers smirked as he gave a nod. "Well, it's starting to get a little late. I think it's about time I took you kids home before I head back to the station."
"That sounds great, Pops." Shaggy nodded as he opened the door with Scooby hopping in. Shaggy was about to enter... before pausing as he turned to Daphne. "Like, Daphne, would you like a ride with us?"
The young red haired girl gave a small smile. "Why yes. I would be delighted to join you."
With that, Shaggy clasped Daphne's hand and helped her into the car before getting in, just as Mr. Rogers got into the driver's seat. After getting all buckled in, Mr. Rogers nodded as he said, "All right, let's get you kids home. I'm sure you all had a fun day today..."
"Re rure rid!" Scooby said as he gave a small yawn, laying himself back and closing his eyes.
Daphne smiled as she cuddled up close to Shaggy, as Shaggy squeezed her hand gently. "Oh, Shaggy, thank you again for saving my life. As far as I'm concerned, you're my hero..."
Shaggy chuckled nervously as he looked over towards his red haired best friend. "You're welcome..."
Mr. Rogers smiled as he gave a nod, "You know, I will admit, I didn't think you kids would pull this off, but what was I worried about in the first place? You kids are not only good superheroes, but also amazing detectives. And Daphne, thanks for being there for my son when he needed it. I know he and Scooby can take care of themselves, but you managed to do quite well in playing along with their shenanigans..."
Mr. Rogers waited for a response, but nothing came. "Daphne? Shaggy?"
The man looked up in the rearview mirror and saw that both his son and his best friend were snuggling close together, dozing off as they were holding hands, with Daphne putting her head on Shaggy's shoulder, the girl giving a warm smile. Mr. Rogers blinked twice as he gave a small smile, saying to himself. "Awww... well, will you look at that? Heh, I'm willing to bet that someday, those two will make a great couple..."
The ride was mostly silent most of the way as afternoon slowly turned into early evening, right around that time when Mr. Rogers arrived back at the Rogers household, stopping the car a bit as Scooby, feeling the car stopping, woke up as he rubbed his eyes with his paws.
Mr. Rogers turned his head towards the two sleepy kids as he nudged Shaggy awake. That in turn nudged Daphne awake as the two young kids woke up. Shaggy groaned as he rubbed his head. "Are we here already?"
"Yep." Mr. Rogers said as Daphne rubbed her head. "Well, Shaggy, you and Scooby just relax and enjoy yourselves. Tell your mother I'll be by in a couple hours. I'll drop you off at your mansion, Daphne."
Daphne shook her head as she looked up towards Shaggy's father. "Well, actually, Mr. Rogers, sir, if it's okay with you... I would like to stay with Shaggy for just a bit longer..."
"Like, yeah, Pops! Maybe she can sleep over at our place tonight? She and I don't have a lot going on, and we do enjoy each other's company!" Shaggy smiled as Scooby listened intently as he nodded.
"Rus, rhe ras rextra Rooby Racks!" Scooby said in excitement as he licked his chops.
"Can she stay here with us for the night, please?" Shaggy asked as he held tightly to Daphne's hand.
"I totally won't be any trouble, really." Daphne smiled as she held up a small suitcase. "Plus, as it turns out, I already packed a few things for a small night stay!"
Daphne gave a small smirk to herself, remembering how she specifically whispered to Jenkins beforehand about giving her her slumber party suitcase, as she had a feeling she might need it.
Mr. Rogers looked over at the two kids as he put a finger on his chin, seemingly contemplating Daphne and Shaggy's suggestions... before giving a smile. "Why not? I suppose it wouldn't hurt to have you over, Daphne. Plus, you're always welcome at our lovely home."
Daphne's eyes brightened in delight as she bowed her head towards Mr. Rogers. "Thank you, sir."
"Yeah, like, thanks, Pops!" Shaggy smiled as he opened the door. "You're the best."
Mr. Rogers chuckled to himself as he said, "I'll let your family know where you are, Daphne."
"Thank you, Mr. Rogers." Daphne giggled as she got up and was about to walk out, until Shaggy grabbed her hand, surprising her.
"Allow me." Shaggy grinned as he held her hand gently.
Daphne paused slightly, before giving a giggle as she casually walked out of the car, like a lady should. "My, Shaggy, you sure know how to treat a proper lady well..."
Shaggy blushed nervously as Scooby hopped out of the car, looking quite eager as he started to rush towards the doggie door to run home, the dog already sniffing Shaggy's mother's cooking. Shaggy and Daphne nodded towards each other before turning towards the car as Shaggy shut the door. Mr. Rogers gave a small wave towards the kids as he drove off towards the station.
Daphne gave a small sigh as she turned towards Shaggy. "You know, Shaggy, I actually had a lot of fun today... and I just want to say... I'm sorry."
"Like, for what?" Shaggy blinked twice.
"For dismissing comic books as just a childish fad. I mean, some comics can be, but it just takes the right comic to get into before you learn to realize you love it... and cosplaying as Gorgeous Gal..." She giggled. "That was actually pretty fun."
"Really?" Shaggy grinned. "Well, after dinner, maybe we can read some comics together, maybe we can get more ideas for our cosplay and playing pretend..." The boy paused. "Uh, that is, if you prefer to. I can, like, totally understand if you want to go back to showing off your outfits or polishing your pretty nails..."
"Shaggy, as much as I love doing that, I... I actually liked playing with you a lot more." Daphne smiled. "Sure, for my first cosplay experience, it was a little... well, rough, and maybe I acted TOO well..."
"Are you kidding? Like I said, you did VERY well for your first time. You made me actually believe that you truly understood Gorgeous Gal and her mannerisms... plus, whenever you kiss me, I... feel like I'm part of the fantasy..." Shaggy said as he blushed.
"Just the fantasy, or for real?" Daphne asked as she smirked towards him and leaned over, putting her lips on his, causing Shaggy's eyes to widen. After a few seconds, Shaggy closed his eyes as he returned the kiss before putting his arms around the beautiful red haired girl. After a few more seconds, the two separated from each other as they stared into each other's eyes, Shaggy giving a lovesick smile as Daphne felt her heart beating.
"Like, we're not in costume anymore..." Shaggy pointed out. "But you are still an amazing kisser."
Little cartoony hearts flew around of Daphne as she giggled. "You're not so bad yourself, handsome."
"Shucks, uh, me, handsome?" Shaggy chuckled a bit as more cartoony hearts flew around his body as he looked at his friend in the eyes... before giving a smile. "Well, I think you're perfectly gorgeous... my sweet, Gorgeous Gal..."
Daphne giggled as they put each other in an embrace. "And you're handsomely cool, Commander Cool..."
After embracing each other for a minute, Shaggy looked over at his home as he offered his hand. "Like, come on in and get comfortable. I'm sure that mom and Sugie would love to see you... and from the smell inside..." Shaggy sniffed the air as he turned his face towards the house. "I think the Rogers family recipe of T-Bone and Twice Baked Potatoes are on the menu today..."
Daphne sniffed the air as well as she gave a smile. "Treating a lady to dinner at his parent's house? My, Shaggy, you truly ARE a gentleman..."
Shaggy chuckled nervously, but returned the smile as Daphne grabbed his hand with right hand, and took her sleepover suitcase in the other as the two started to walk inside the Rogers' home, where both two young kids were about ready to enjoy a nice evening together... of course, Mrs. Rogers and Sugie were more than delighted to have Daphne over as they treated her rather well. And as Daphne joined the Rogers family for dinner, the cute, popular girl of the Scooby Doo Detective Agency found herself in a much more relaxed area, looking over at her young boyfriend.
Young Daphne knew that she would forever be grateful to her young savior, feeling that the best years were to come...
And that's the past storyline about done! How did you guys like it? We will be taking one more trip to the past, but in the final chapter. For now, though, in the penultimate chapter, we go back one more time to the future where Shaggy and Daphne have their OWN special moment! What will happen? You'll have to wait and see! Anyway, read, review, criticize and suggest, folks!