"Sigh. I normally like the snow..."

Placing a hand upon the cold glass that was holding back the flurries, Fred sighed at the snowstorm beyond. Watching them lazily pile up outside his window. Relentlessly adding little by little, to the point where it was over a foot of white stuff out there. It was currently lighter then it had been the last few days, but it was still more snow then Fred wanted to deal with. Especially since the Mystery Machine had been almost limping to get them home before this all landed.

She really needed some quality time from him, to get all the issues out.

As well as a new tire, since the monster that time around was part of a machine vehicle and the van got in some chase time. She suffered a blow to the side of her, taking the brunt of the hit to the rim of the tire. Making her slightly wobbly on the whole drive home. It wasn't thankfully too bad, but the metal was shot and he would need to change out the tire before he wanted to drive on her again. Less issues to put on the poor axel, the better.

It was not a hard fix, as long as the lug nuts were able to be loosened. But one he wanted to get done before they had to work again.

And not knowing when the next mystery would pop it's head from around the corner. Fred knew it was better to get it done sooner rather than later. And he was awake now... So, now was just as good of a time as any. Unsure when the weather would let up, today was possibly best day.

Getting himself dressed, he tried to be as quiet as he could sneaking past Daphne's room. It was still early, and he figured the rest of the house was still asleep at nine am. It wasn't often that they had a mystery only during the day. Most of their detective work was usually done in the cover of night when no one was around for them to find clues and be chased by and chase the bad guys. Making it easier for the gang to function more at night. But work habits didn't make Fred any less of a morning person compared to everyone else. Shaggy and Scooby were also more morning people. Honestly, they were any time people if food was involved. But Daphne, she was far from sharing either reasons, to be awake earlier then she needed to be.

Making him want to let her get as much sleep as she could, passed out in her room. At a glance, she was tangled up in her blankets as usual. But thankfully as old as the house was, it was great at retaining heat. Keeping the house warm enough that the woman could sleep as exposed as she was. Well, the parts of her that was not covered by the blanket or her pajamas. Keeping her out of the danger of catching a cold while she slept. So, Fred didn't have to worry about covering her up, with the house at a comfortable temperature.

Slinking down the stairs that led to the first floor, Fred was able to keep the stairs from giving away his position too much. Leaning on the railing to try to avoid any squealing spots on the stairs. He hoped that what sound did escape, wasn't enough to wake the rest of the gang on the first floor. Last he knew, Velma had been not caught up in a project that would keep her awake in the basement. So, she should be sleeping. And unless the guys were awake for some reason, they would be passed out among their beanbags and pillows of their room. How they slept like that, Fred couldn't understand. But they were comfortable, more power to them. As long as they got enough sleep on top of that mess. Maybe the years of sleeping in a huddle in the back of the van helped them form that habit. But Fred himself, preferred the open space of his bed, when he could get it.

He himself could use a bit more time, but he found himself awake already. Worse case he'll catch a nap later. When time allowed.

Sneaking into the living room, he slipped into the closet by the door that kept his coat and hat. Nabbing also his winter boots, since he would be tromping through the snow for a while. He could use the extra traction and the taller boot height to try to prevent wet socks. Not looking forward to having to dig out the van to work on her. He wished they made those snow pants in adult sizes, as silly as it would look. But Fred wasn't jumping to be laying on the cold and snow covered ground to get under the van to check her over. And he doubted fishing waders would keep him dry enough. Let alone where to find a pair? Surely they had to wear some for a mystery. Or borrowed one from an uncle of one of them... but where it would be in the house, would be a mystery he didn't have the patience to try to do right now.

He could try using the mechanic's creeper, a small personal dolly for getting underneath the van. But he wasn't sure how well it would work with the white mess that was out there. Those devices weren't exactly rated for snow use. Fred would just have to do with out.

And maybe aim for a nice hot shower, once it was all done.

Not forgetting his keys as well, he crossed back through living room towards the hallway. Stuffing the keys in his pocket, to keep down the sounds of the jingling metal on metal of the cluttered keyring. But Fred ran into a small roadblock in the hallway to get to the backyard. A minefield of squeaky toys, just itching to howl out their high pitched yells at even the slightest bump. Scooby liked to sometimes leave a collection of them in the hallway leading to the kitchen. The noise able to wake him up to then join anyone who was heading to the kitchen without him. Making Fred stress his half awake brain into having to navigate without touching a single one. Trying to help keep Shaggy and Scooby sleeping.

Making to the kitchen intact, Fred took a moment before getting ready. Leaning on the island, he started to try to put on one snow boot when he heard the scrape of a snow shovel outside. Tilting his head, it seemed to be coming from the neighbor's yard on the side of the van.

"Hm... I guess Mr. McNallie is up early and working clearing out his driveway. Maybe I should go and help."

Wanting to make sure to give his neighbor a hand, Fred pulled on his other winter boot, slid into his coat and tugged on his hat. He would have to get the shovel from the garage to be able to help. Though, it always felt a little disheartening to shovel snow while it was still snowing. But rather get some done now, leaving less to clean up later. Especially when it came to helping his elderly neighbor. No matter how much Mr. McNallie might argue against it. (Him being considered elderly, not against the help from Fred for the snow.)

Taking in and out of a breath, Fred sighed and started at the backdoor. Gathering up the courage to go outside to the backyard, Fred did notice that the mat that lead to the backyard was a bit wet. Odd, but he figured that maybe Scooby had to go some time earlier, and had let himself out. And advantage for having such a clever dog in Scooby. He could walk himself if he really needed to go to the bathroom. So, as long as Fred avoided any suspicious areas, he would be fine.

"Hm..."

Though it did make Fred sniff the air. Taking in a few quick sniffs, it did seem that there was something faintly in the air of food. But Fred couldn't place it. So, they guys must have been awake at some time, but unlike the pair. Fred's nose wasn't as skilled at telling how old a smell of food was, let alone its contents. He would leave that to the pair, shrugging once and getting back to his plan.

"Sigh. Let's do this."

Steeling himself to get out in the cold, Fred finally pushed open the door. He had to be quick, less he let in the flurries to the house. Trying to not make the kitchen even more damp then it already was. Closing the door quickly behind him and huddling up as a breeze smacked against him. Curling up and shivering as he was trying to get used to it. Thankfully, he only needed his glasses for reading, otherwise he would be looking at a world of fog, on top of the morning glare. With the sun hiding behind the clouds, but vibrant enough to make the morning bright even with all the snow.

"Ugh, what a gloomy morning." Fred grumbled, rubbing his arms as he was slowly getting used to the cold.

But then a shovel scrap sounded off, and it confused him? Because it was far closer then coming Mr. McNallie's yard. In fact, it sounded like it was in the very backyard with him!

Looking around, Fred caught Shaggy and Scooby red handed and well pawed... For being amazing and shoveling around the Mystery machine!

Looking at the man, Fred saw Shaggy all bundled up in his own winter wear. Though it wasn't too much different then his average getup. Just with longer sleeves, and a bit of a floof of brown fur around his neck. Two tones of green on the shirt, a lighter green across his middle and upper sleeves. And a pair of fluffy matching brown earmuffs to go with the neck fur sitting on his ears. And the man's eyes growing wide mid shovel when he finally spotted Fred.

"Uh... Like' Hiya Fred. Ah heh. We were trying to help you get working on the Mystery Machine. Figured you might be looking to do that, with the look in your eye yesterday. And since the snow was lighter now, me and Scoob wanted to try to help you in a way we could, to help get her up and running again!"

"Red... R'here?" Peeking up from above the Mystery Machine, poked a Scooby set of ears. Making his seeking question from beyond the Mystery Machine.

Squinting against the snowflakes, Fred noticed that not only had Shaggy and Scooby dug a hole around the passenger side door where the faulty tire was. But they had set up a makeshift tarp, attached to the open garage door... Where Fred kept all his tools at, by the front of the mess that was their garage. But the tarp was stretched between the top of the van, and to the open garage door to catch the light snowfall and keep it from piling up from where Fred needed to access. Also laying down another tarp and some cardboard boxes trying to make the best.. less damp place for Fred to work on under the van.

He didn't know what to say. Moved by the amazing gesture from his pals.

"Aw guys... you didn't need to do that. But thanks! This will make getting the tire changed a lot easier. What are you guys doing awake this early any way?"

"Well, me and Scoob got a hankering for some hash browns. And while we were eating them this morning. I recalled how you were siting and sighing when you like' took a look at the backyard last night at dinner. And we just had a feeling." Shaggy said with a shrug. His gut instinct paying off, as well as being fed that morning.

'Ah, so that smell was hash browns.' Thought back to his earlier sniffing of the kitchen. But yeah, he wouldn't have been able to tell that without Shaggy clueing him in to what it was.

"You also went to bed with the same look Velma gets when she is about to work on something. Like' before she goes and hides in the basement. So, we figured we would come out and help where we could!"

"Thanks guys. I really appreciate it. You planning on going inside once you finished? Or do you plan to stay and give me a hand? Either works for me, if you guys don't want to stay out in the cold. I understand."

"Well, I think Scooby might end up distracted, and play in the new snow. But, I can certainly lend a hand."

Trotting into view, Scooby was lightly dusted with snowflakes that landed on his fur. He had at least put on a hat over his ears. And one pair of booties to give him a bit more traction. But other then the small scarf wrapped around his neck, he was mostly unprotected from the weather. Well, as unprotected as he could get with his own fur coat, that is.

"Did R'I rere rashbrowns?"

"We already had the hash browns, Scoob."

"R'aw r'ok..." He paused, sulking slightly before he perked up. Ears perking up at the thought. "Rashbrowns later?"

"Sure Scoob, we can make hash browns later." Shaggy agreed not totally against the idea. Tossing a shrug at Fred.

"R'oh boy oh boy oh boy!" Scooby giddily clapped his paws together. Before getting a chill and needing to rub his paws together to warm them up.

"Well, if you don't mind me joining you later. Hash brows sound good. Though maybe more around the fireplace. We can warm ourselves up after all of this. And maybe some of your killer hot chocolate as well!"

"Yeah, that like' would be groovy. Maybe make a few other things as well. Round out the breakfast. But we should get working on this first before we can think of rewarding food choices." Shaggy mentioned as he worked on the last bit of shoveling that was needed to get to work on the van's tire. Though with the tarp, they would need to make sure it wasn't piled up too much before they cleared it off. Less it collapse under the weight.

"Oh man, that sounds great, you guys! Let's get the gal up and humming!" Clapping his glovers together with a thump, Fred was pumped and ready to get things going. It would be easier, with the help of his best pals. Well, at least Shaggy. Looking over his shoulder, Scooby was already lost in the snow behind them.