Okay, I know it's been a little while since we had an update, but considering I've been in the middle of a big project (still am, just taking a small break for now), I figured... why not write up a small chapter of this little story? Besides, I think it's time I tried to get back into the swing of things! So, let's see what we can cook up! Anyway, enjoy!


A day or so later, Shaggy, Daphne, Velma and Scooby were sitting down at their favorite restaurant, the Malt Shop as Scooby was busy gulping down five strawberry milkshakes. As Scooby was finishing the last strawberry milkshake with joy, Shaggy, Daphne and Velma were talking amongst themselves as Velma gave a sigh.

"Are you sure this is for the best?" Velma asked.

"It has to be. Now that things are a little different... Shaggy and I, we have a lot to think about now, and..." Daphne sighed. "It's going to be very difficult, telling Fred about everything."

"Like, more than difficult. After all, he IS the leader of our gang, he deserves to at least know." Shaggy said as he bit his lip nervously. "I just don't know how he's going to take it... like, I know he's had a huge crush on you, Daphne, and you and him dated a couple of times..."

"And he's always been the person I split up with to search for clues..." Daphne sighed. "Look, I like Fred, but after hanging out with him, I prefer to just be friends with him. All he ever talks about is either 'searching for clues' or 'making traps'... I mean, it is a long way from his 'aliens are real' theories as a kid, but sometimes, I just don't know where his mind goes..."

"And besides, it's better he knows now than waiting until much later." Shaggy sighed. "I just hope that he takes the news well..."

"Ri rook rit rell." Scooby smiled as he looked over towards his two friends.

"Well, you had to admit, Scoob, you were pretty surprised when Daphne and I... uh... dropped the bombshell." Shaggy chuckled nervously as he squeezed Daphne's hands.

"And the fact that I had to drop this on my parents..." Daphne sighed as Velma winced a bit. "Yeah, Mom's coming around to the idea, but Daddy's still a tiny bit upset at you, Shaggy."

Shaggy rubbed his head as he looked up. "Yeah, and I still have the bump on it to prove it. Like, does Mr. Blake STILL..."

"No, he doesn't hate you, Shaggy. He's just worried because his quote-unquote baby girl got knocked up." Daphne sighed. "I say give him at least a couple more days and once he calms down, he'll let you visit again. Besides, Mom's slowly getting him in the mood AND giving him the good idea to become a wonderful grandpa."

"Guess that sells it, then..." Shaggy laughed nervously... before biting his lip. "Oh, I'm just worried about what Fred will say... I mean, this whole gang is his life, and he trusts us... would he be able to understand?"

"Well, even if he doesn't, I'll support you guys still." Velma smiled as she patted her friends on their backs. "After all, we're all friends here. And if Fred doesn't like it... maybe he wasn't our friend after all..."

"Like, don't say that, Velma. He's a good person. Hopefully he'll understand." Shaggy said... before shivering nervously. "At least, I hope he does..."

"There you are, gang!"

The four looked over to see the smiling face of a blonde haired man wearing his classic white shirt, orange ascot and blue pants, sitting down with the others. "Sorry I'm late. I was visiting the garage where the Mystery Machine was being kept in while we were away, and there was a spark plug that needed replacing. But it's all set up and we'll be back on the road again before you know it!"

"Rack on rhe road?" Scooby asked in shock.

"Yes, indeed! Camp was pretty fun, but I knew that as soon as I got back, I gather the gang here and take us on a good trip! Maybe solve another mystery or two!" Fred grinned with an optimistic look on their face.

Shaggy's eyes widened as he looked over to Daphne and Velma, who had equal looks of worry as Fred continued on, "Yeah, they could be people in costumes, but hey, maybe we'll find an actual monster this time! Daphne, you've always had the wants to find a real monster, so this could be the big chance!"

"Yeah... I guess so..." Daphne said as she grinned nervously.

"Like, I do not think I want to go on a road trip, Freddy. Don't get me wrong, but Scoob and I just finished a road trip." Shaggy pointed out.

"Reah!" Scooby said as he shook nervously.

Fred chuckled a bit as he rolled his eyes. "Oh come on, Shaggy, don't tell me you're not going to pass up an opportunity to try out the good delicacies that restaurants from other towns have to offer."

Shaggy's eyes lit up as the thought of food crossed his mind, before looking over at Daphne, who looked pretty uncomfortable. Immediately, Shaggy's mind kicked all thoughts of food out of his mind, an unusual thing even for him, as thoughts of Daphne were invading his thoughts.

"Fred, it's not that I don't enjoy the food and all those amazing road trips, but, like, this time, Scoob and I have to turn down the road trip." Shaggy bit his lip.

Fred blinked in surprise, honestly not expecting this reaction from Shaggy. "Wait, what? You never turn down that opportunity..."

"Actually, Fred... I don't think it's a good idea to travel outside of Coolsville right now." Velma said as Daphne gave a sad nod.

It was then Fred noted the uncomfortable faces of the girls before looking around. "I expect this from Shaggy and Scooby... but you girls? What's going on here?"

"Freddy... I don't think I'm going to do any mysteries for a while." Daphne sighed sadly.

This caused Fred's eyes to bug out in shock as he tried to rationalize what was going on. "What- why?! Mysteries are our passion! Our hobbies! And all the road trips we're doing..."

"I know, and we all appreciate the trouble, but..." Daphne sighed. "This is for my sake. I don't think I want to be put in any danger while going around solving a mystery of a crazy monster running around for real estate or something..."

"Wha-?" Fred paused as he looked at Daphne with pure shock. "You're not upset at being called 'Danger Prone Daphne', are you? It's just a name, it's not meant to be taken seriously."

"It's not the Danger Prone Daphne stuff." Daphne shook her head. "Fred, didn't you read my text that Shaggy and I had news to talk about?"

"Well... yes, but I wanted to share my news first..." Fred paused as he looked around. "Wait... this news you have... does it have anything to do with the reason why you can't come on this impromptu road trip?"

"Like, yes." Shaggy sighed as he squeezed Daphne's hand. "Freddy... we can't do any more mysteries... at least not right now... for Daphne's sake?"

"Well, what's so important that you'd leave the gang?!" Fred said in astonishment as he turned to Daphne with a frown. "Well?!"

Daphne bit her lip as she looked over towards Shaggy, Velma and Scooby, each of them giving a nod towards her. Daphne sighed as she looked at Fred, taking a deep breath.

"Fred... I'm pregnant." Daphne said as clear as possible.

That sentence... that one sentence stunned Fred to the very core. He looked over towards Shaggy and the others as they nodded at him to confirm it.

"P-pregnant? H-how?!" Fred stammered. "Sure, we kissed a few times, but I never..."

Fred gasped as he leaned over. "Daphne... did one of our monsters... from any of the cases... did one of them violate you?!"

"What? NO! I know I get captured, Fred, but they only tie me up at best... maybe leer at me a little close..." Daphne shivered at this. "But they never touched me in any other way! No, I consented with... somebody else."

"Who?!" Fred asked.

Daphne remained silent as she looked over at Shaggy, who decided to cough. Fred looked between Shaggy and Daphne, before looking towards their hands. Fred's mouth dropped in shock.

"I... I don't believe this..." Fred said as he looked at the two. "Y-you... and Sh-Shaggy... you two... HOW?! WHEN?!"

"Remember three weeks ago, when we were solving the case of the creepy Farm Ghost? Well, remember how you and the others found us in the shed?" Shaggy explained. "We were both trapped tightly, we couldn't reach the air conditioner, it became a combination of hot and cold..."

"Basically, a lot of things happened." Daphne nodded. "But I'm pregnant now..."

Fred just stared silently as he was trying to form the right words. "Okay... okay... well, you two are still young! You're both teenagers... you're not considering keeping the child, are you?!"

Daphne's eyes widened as Shaggy narrowed his eyes at Fred. Velma and Scooby winced, knowing that Fred unintentionally said the wrong words.

Daphne frowned as she angrily glared at Fred. "This is why we wanted to approach this... because yes, I'm keeping the baby."

Fred's eyes widened as he stammered. "I- well, Shaggy, surely you realize that you don't want this responsibility, right? I mean, come on, you're the laziest man I know."

"Lazy? Maybe. But like, I want my kid to know that their father wasn't irresponsible." Shaggy said.

"So, what, you're going to pretend to be Daphne's boyfriend for the sake of a kid you knocked her up with?!" Fred frowned.

"Reep rigging rhat role, Fred..." Scooby slapped his forehead.

Shaggy narrowed his eyes as he grabbed Fred's ascot, surprising the blonde as he was pulled closer to his face. "For your information, Fred Jones... I'm not pretending to BE her boyfriend... and child or no, I respect Daphne, and treat her like she's the most important to me! So, don't you tell me how or what I do with my life, GOT IT?!"

Fred yelped as he gave a quick nod, his mind slowly breaking as Shaggy let go of Fred's ascot. Shaggy's momentary anger then gave way to his nervousness as he yelped, "Oh gosh, what did I just do?!"

"So wait... you two are really dating?!" Fred said in shock as he looked between Shaggy and Daphne, both of them nodding. Fred stammered as he held his head as if he looked upset... before taking a deep breath. "I... I need some time to process this! Don't follow me!"

With that, Fred started to get up as he headed out of the restaurant, holding his head as he had a look of concern and worry on his face.

"Fred, no!" Daphne gasped.

"Freddy, it's nothing personal, really!" Shaggy called back.

"Rome rack!" Scooby called in concern.

Velma, on the other hand, held the three back as she shook her head. "Let it be, guys. Fred just got some news that shook his very foundation..."

"Oh no... like, I didn't want Fred to hate us..." Shaggy said as he held his head.

"Did we... make a mistake?" Daphne asked in worry.

"No, no, you two didn't make a mistake." Velma shook her head as she sat between them. "Look, Fred doesn't hate any of you... he doesn't hate us. I think he just needs a little time to think about everything. You can't expect him to just shrug it off and be okay with it in one day. And besides, it was better that Fred knew NOW than later."

"So, how long until he does come to terms?" Shaggy asked.

"Give him a little time." Velma smiled as she held her friends close. "And besides, Shaggy, from what I've seen, I think you'd make not only a protective boyfriend for Daphne, but... you'd also make a great father."

"Like, really?" Shaggy asked in surprise as Daphne looked up and gave a giggle. Scooby nodded eagerly as Shaggy chuckled nervously. "Well... uh... I guess I don't know my boundaries..."

"And don't worry. Once Fred calms down and apologizes, I'm sure he'd be more than willing to help you two through this..." Velma explained.

"I row I rill." Scooby nodded as he and Velma grinned.

Shaggy and Daphne looked at each other and smiled as they grasped each other's hands before looking over towards their friends, with Daphne saying, "Thank you..."

The lanky man then smiled. "And like, with no mysteries for a long while, I'm sure we'll have some quiet times ahead..."

As the four were talking, someone who had been sitting on the malt bar stalls had got up and left, leaving behind a newspaper. Although nobody had turned in the direction of the newspaper, the headline on the front clearly read...

"Three former jailbirds arrested by Mystery Inc. off on parole..."


That's it for this chapter! And yeah, it was a bit of a tough one to go through, especially since the news with Fred had to be reached out eventually... and don't worry, for any fans of Fred out there, he'll be fine, just needs some time to adjust to the news, that's all.

And as for the final sentence... well, I have an idea for some villains to return to make Shaggy and Daphne's lives miserable... and this is where you guys come in. I want you to suggest at least two villains from Scooby-Doo's past to be part of the trouble for Shaggy and Daphne... I have one person already locked in (The Ghost Clown from "Scooby-Doo, Where Are You?"), but I'd like to hear suggestions for two other villains from all of Scooby-Doo's past cases, ones that were your favorites... from Scooby-Doo, Where Are You to A Pup Named Scooby-Doo, heck, I can even throw in Scooby-Doo and Guess Who? as well... the only exception to the rule... none of the ghosts from the movies OR Mystery Incorporated. As famous as those are, I want to try some unique ideas!

Next time, Shaggy and Daphne decide to go out on a date for the first time! How will they handle their dates... and will Shaggy somehow find himself face to face with someone... familiar? You'll have to wait and see! Anyway, read, review, criticize and suggest, everyone!