All right, onwards to the next chapter! It's been a bit, but it's time to progress this story a little further... so let's get right to it! Anyway, enjoy!


The road was feeling rather bumpy in the late afternoon as Shaggy was gripping the wheel of the red car, which Daphne let him borrow for the trip to steer him and his family to the Rogers reunion. While his parents did give him the okay for Shaggy and Scooby to drive on home while staying with Maggie for a few more days, as they knew that Shaggy was wanting to go back to do something rather important to him. Of course, his parents did let him know that they'd be flying home, not needing him to worry about them.

But as Shaggy kept driving, there seemed to be a lot on his mind. He adjusted the mirror as he looked over to Scooby, who was sound asleep in the back. Giving a nod, he readjusted the mirror as he continued driving forward, intending to ride along the highway to Coolsville. Of course, it wasn't just the return home to Coolsville that gave him a piece of mind, but rather, he was thinking back to everything that had occurred... and even then, he had his resolve...

Ever since that moment in the shed with Daphne three weeks ago, he couldn't get anything but her on his mind. Granted, he knew Daphne ever since they were kids, and for the longest time, friends was all he ever related her with... best friends, in fact. But that night in the shed caused his mind to think about Daphne twenty four-seven. And during those three weeks, nothing had felt the same with him... so, whenever he saw Daphne after that fateful night, things tended to be a bit more awkward... and he thought maybe being at the Rogers family reunion would clear his mind... but for the whole trip, Shaggy hadn't been quite himself. Sure, he ate fine, but it wasn't as fast as it usually was. All he could think about was Daphne and what had happened between them. Some strange new... feelings for Daphne had been opened that he had never felt before, and it honestly scared him.

There were times he wanted to talk with Daphne about that night, but something in his stomach felt off as he just couldn't gather up the feelings to bring it up, his mind telling him to 'forget about what happened'. Despite this, Shaggy still treated Daphne like his friend, as if the night hadn't occurred. But in his mind, he knew the night had occurred, and he KNEW what happened between him and Daphne was real. And yet, during that reunion, he couldn't think of anything else... except that weird feeling in his chest whenever Daphne came on his mind.

In a way, he couldn't help but give a smile as he thanked his sister Maggie for helping him through his feelings, yesterday...


Flashback

Atop of the guest bedroom, Shaggy was sitting down and sighing in depression as he found himself in a rut. Out there, the other Rogers were celebrating and having the time of their lives, all the while Scooby was out mingling with the others and probably impressing them with a few tricks... maybe even helping himself to the makeshift buffet. But Shaggy didn't quite feel the same as he laid down on the bed, just staring at the ceiling.

It was at that moment he heard the door opening, but he didn't turn his head. "Shaggy! Hey, there you are! Mom and Dad have been asking for you."

"Oh..." Shaggy paused as he looked over to see his younger sister by a couple years, Maggie, walking over. "Like, yeah. I'm here. Don't worry, I'm fine."

Maggie paused as she put a hand on her chin, noticing Shaggy's eyes and body expressions. "Hmmm... doesn't seem to me you're fine. In fact, I think you look a little... depressed."

Shaggy lifted his head as he gave a nervous smile and laughed. "Depressed? Me! Maggie, like, come on, I'm like, the laid back type of guy! I'm just feeling a little relaxed, that's all."

Shaggy quickly flashed a forced grin, but Maggie could only respond by crossing her arms, not buying Shaggy's claim for a second. "Now, Shaggy, I know my big brother pretty well, and I know a forced grin when I see it. In fact, I think all of us have noticed you down and out. Mom has noticed, Dad has noticed, even Scooby has noticed!"

Shaggy blinked in surprise. "Scoob noticed?"

Maggie nodded as she sat down on the edge of the bed. "Do you want to talk about it? If it's personal, I get it, but it's no use keeping it all bottled up."

Shaggy looked over towards his sister as the lanky man gave a small sigh, before taking a deep breath as he decided to talk about what was on his mind, starting with the mystery that had occurred three weeks ago, and told her the secret of what happened between him and Daphne... and how things have been awkward. "Like, the others don't know what happened, as after we... well, did it, we heard noises. We quickly put our clothes back on in a hurry, and we got out of the shed. I mean, we solved the mystery afterwards, but that night at the shed, with Daphne... I don't know, Maggie. I've been so mixed up on everything... I just don't even know what to say or how to bring it up. Daphne never mentioned it, and I figured it'd be best I wouldn't either. But the thing is..."

Shaggy tried to think up a few good words to say, only to stop briefly and sighed as he looked down. "Whenever I see Daphne or even talk to her... it's not like the times where 'she's a great friend to hang out with' or 'my mystery solving buddy' or 'movie watching gal pal'. No, it's something different, like... I can't really explain it to myself. I thought maybe coming to the reunion would clear my mind, but... so far, it hasn't. Now I'm starting to think about her more than ever now."

Maggie blinked twice, before giving a small smile and giggling. This caused Shaggy to raise an eyebrow in confusion. "Like, what's so funny?"

"Oh, Shaggy, you doof. I think it's pretty obvious, isn't it? You fancy Daphne Blake... and more than just fancy, you're in love with her!" Maggie said with a large grin.

Shaggy jumped in shock. "Fancy her? LOVE her? I-"

"Don't deny it, Shaggy. In a way, I think we all saw it coming. I mean, out of your group of friends, you and Daphne seem to connect with each other the most. Even with Scooby on your side, you and Daphne were always hanging out together. Now, I may be your younger sister, but I remember seeing you and Daphne walking together at times, talking, having a good time, sharing a milkshake or two. Sure, you two don't do that sort of thing when Fred, Velma or Scooby are with you guys, but when it's you two? Come on, you can't just pretend that the tension's not there. And that... moment you described... that night in that shed? I think your love just evolved." Maggie explained.

Shaggy raised an eyebrow. "Evolved, how?"

"Well, you used to see Daphne as just a friend, right?" Maggie asked, causing Shaggy to nod. "Well, when I first met Wilfred, I didn't think much of him, but as we started hanging out with each other more and more, my heart grew, and we fell in love with each other. We dated for a while, and... well, you, Daphne, Scooby and Scrappy were there for my wedding."

"Like, how could I forget?" Shaggy laughed a bit, before rolling his eyes. "The Ghost of McBaggy Rogers. Still can't believe the photographer went through that trouble just to get the treasure..."

"Even still, Wilfred and I were in love the moment we both realized how much we cared for each other." Maggie smiled. "And when you put it in perspective, this story could easily apply to you and Daphne. So, let me ask you a question, Shaggy. Are you in love with Daphne Blake? Don't answer right away. Think, then answer."

Shaggy closed his eyes as he contemplated everything Maggie had said, and thought about all the times he hung out with Daphne, from the moments they were on mysteries with the gang, to the days of just them and Scooby driving around Coolsville, to the two of them just having a good time together whenever they needed some space from the others... all culminating to one memory that stuck like a sore thumb.

"Shaggy, how about we make a promise?"

"What sort of a promise? Is this, like, a Scooby Doo Detective Agency promise...?"

"No... this is a promise between Shaggy and Daphne... a 'Shaphne' promise! I'm going to promise you that no matter what happens, even if we grow up, we're never going to be apart."

"You will?"

"I promise..."

That one lone whisper in his ear quickly reaffirmed it as he opened his eyes, his mind quickly blown, before giving a small smile. "Like, I do."

Maggie gave a smile as she held her brother in a hug. "Come with us to the party, and have a good time with us. Then, tomorrow, you and Scooby need to go back to Coolsville to share those feelings with Daphne!"

"Like, can't I just say it over the pho-" Shaggy pointed out, but Maggie quickly got up and pulled her brother back up.

"Let's just revere in the moment, dear brother! Besides, you can't just talk it over the phone. You need to speak to her directly, from the heart!" Maggie smiled.

Shaggy paused briefly. "What if she doesn't feel the same way?"

Maggie stopped before turning to Shaggy. "I guess you won't know unless you find out for yourself, right?"

Shaggy looked at her, before giving a firm nod, as he gave a smile. "Like, I'll mingle where I can, but I'll have to let Mom and Dad know about the... uh, early departure..."

"I'm sure they'll understand." Maggie smiled.

End of Flashback


Shaggy gave a smile as he continued to look forward to the road... before noting the needle in the gas gauge was getting low. Spotting a nearby gas station from the highway, he departed it for a moment before stopping by as he went out of the car and started to fill up the gas gauge. At that time, Scooby had awoken as he looked out from the window.

"Rack already?" Scooby asked in confusion.

"Uh, no, sorry, Scooby, just filling up Daphne's car. We'll be back on the road soon..." Shaggy said as he paused briefly. "Hey, Scooby, can I ask you something?"

"Reah?" Scooby looked up, raising an eyebrow.

"...uh, would you be opposed or upset if... say... I were to go out with a girl?" Shaggy asked. "And I don't mean as friends, I mean... in a more... romantic way?"

Scooby blinked twice, before giving a smile. "Ro. Rour rife is rour rife, Raggy. Resides, rou and I are rill reat riends. I won't ret in rhe ray of rou and Raphne."

Shaggy gave a sigh of relief... before blinking twice as he turned to Scooby in suspicion. "Wait... how did you know I was thinking about Daphne?"

"Rome on, Raggy. Rit's retty robrious." Scooby pointed out. "I rew rince we were rids and a rup. Rou and Raphne always relt safe around reach rother."

Shaggy paused briefly as he blushed a bit... before chuckling nervously. "I guess it was obvious, huh... well, do me a favor, Scoob, and don't tell anybody yet... I want to talk with her alone first and... see if she feels the same way."

Scooby paused briefly, before giving a smile. "Rokay."

Shaggy gave a small sigh of relief as he looked up at the afternoon sky. "Okay, Scoob, after we pay, I'm going to go in and get some food. Need anything?"

"Rwo rot rogs with rhe works!" Scooby grinned as he held up his paw to show two fingers.

The lanky teen laughed as he nodded. "I'll see what I can muster up..."

As soon as Shaggy was sure there was enough gas in his car, he went inside the gas station to pay for both the gas and the meal before both he and Scooby started to head back on the road again... and as they did so, Shaggy was finding some new resolve, hoping to talk to Daphne about his feelings... and hoping that Daphne would feel the same way towards him. All he could do was hope...


And that is this chapter done! How did you guys like it? Next time, Scooby and Shaggy arrive at home, as Shaggy meets up with Daphne! What will happen with the conversation that takes place? How will Shaggy take the news that he's a father? Will Daphne accept Shaggy's feelings for her? All this and more in the next chapter! Anyway, read, review, criticize and suggest, everyone!