At first, everything had gone black. Over time, however, Shaggy slowly became aware of things in this void. Shuffling feet, beeping machines, the feeling of being loomed over. But, his body refused to cooperate so he was forced to listen. Then came Her voice. Christina's voice. Soft gentle and warm. He had no perception of time in this place but Christina often visited. Just hearing her speak was enough but then she began to tell him stories. It was enough to whisk him away from this void if only for a little.

Then she kissed him. The spark his system needed to finally, truly wake up. His eyes fluttered open. Finally being able to see her sent another jolt through him. He wanted to tell her to wait, to stay just a little longer but his mouth failed him until she was already out the door, unaware of the miracle.

"She's beautiful"

When it was found that he was finally awake there came a flurry of doctors and med students all eager to see him, to help examine him. This crowd was swiftly replaced by his mother, father, and apparent cousin who haltingly told him the basics of the attack he couldn't recall, none of which he cared about.

"I...want...to..to..see her"

"Who, Baby?" his mother leaned over him, pushing his hair from his eyes. Why did she have to keep doing that?

"Her wings..so pretty..."

It was hard to talk, exhausting even but he was quick to notice how the color drained from his mother's face as she began hitting the call button again and again and again until the doctors arrived.

"He's seeing things that aren't there!"

"What?"

"Take a breath," Clawdeen said tentatively, "No reason to panic"

"I'd say it is! He's seeing angels!"

"Mom," he ground out, "Stop"

"I don't think that's what he said, sweetie," Sam walked his wife out of the doctor's way.

"Girls with wings!"

"Wait," Clawdeen threw her hands up, quieting everyone with her serious demeanor, "Angel wings?" she asked Shaggy.

"No...more...like..."

"Dragon wings?"

"Yeah"

"CHRISTINA!" the doctors and Clawdeen laughed.

"Who?"

"Christina's a friend of mine and a patient here, she visits Shaggy every day when she gets out of therapy she's a hybrid with wings"

"Can I see her?"

"She's sleeping right now, she'll be awake in a few hours"

"Can't...I...visit...her?"

Vivika and Viktor looked at each other, considering it, "Alright"

"You can't be serious..."

"Shut up!" Clawdeen snapped with a growl, eyes flashing, "I understand that it may have been hard that it may have hurt to see him and that's why you never visited but Christina who's in pain every single day, a stranger to him, she visited because she didn't want him, or Scooby to be alone" Pinching the bridge of her nose the beautiful alpha turned to the doctors, "Will you please take them to a conference room so I speak to the privately, it's important"

"Are you going to let her-"

"Miss Wolf is the Alpha of All Lycans she doesn't use the word important lightly, please come with me," Viktor spoke calmly ushering the adults out.

Vivika transferred Shaggy to a wheelchair, "Now, she's sleeping, she needs all the rest she can get-"

"I won't wake her"

"Okay"

The halls seemed far too long, they were going too slow. Shaggy was anxious to see Christina again, even if she was sleeping, even if he couldn't speak very well. See her and say thank you. To visit her as she had done for him. None too soon they reached a door, exactly like all of the other doors. Vivika knocked lightly.

"Come in," a voice whispered.

The room was in shadow, the blinds closed but Shaggy could make out the vases full of roses and the bunch of balloons before he saw the fairy and the vampire sitting at their daughter's bedside who each greeted him with warm smiles.

"Hello Shaggy"

"It's good to see you've voken"

"This is Alissa and Radu," Vivika introduced, to the couple she said: "He wanted to see Christina right away"

Slowly, Shaggy wheeled himself to the foot of the hospital bed. There she was fast asleep, arms wrapped tightly around a smiling faded teddy, snuggled under a quilt of alternating purple, green, and pink checks with her wings still cloaked over her shoulders.

"She von't vake for a few hours yet, her medication knocks her out but your velcome to stay"

"May I?"

"Yes, I think that'll be fine"

Shaggy didn't know what Clawdeen had to urgently discuss with his parents, he didn't care. He only had eyes for Christina. He and Scooby chatted quietly with her parents to pass the time. They were incredibly patient even though he was slow to speak. When it got close to time for Christina to wake, Radu opened the blinds letting the late-day sunshine in. Slowly, over the next few minutes, Christina began to stir.

"Hi, Butterfly," Alissa greeted softly, "How are you feeling?"

"Sore"

"I'm sorry, sweetie, I'll see if we can get you some more numbing medication"

"Christina, there's someone here who vants to see you"

Christina turned, sitting up with help as she rubbed her tired eyes. The smile that spread across her face when she saw him was impossible not to return.

"You're awake"

"I could hear the stories, thank you, Christina"

Shaggy moved from the foot of the bed to the side opposite Christina's parents taking her hands in his, "Thank you," he whispered so only she heard.

Christina nodded, "You're welcome"

"Do you think...do you think...ugh..."

"I'll keep reading you stories if you like," Christina knew what he was asking.

Shaggy tried again, asking a new question, "Can...Can I..."

"Yes, I'd like if you visited me, you don't have to talk if it hurts you"

He nodded, eyes drifting to the large book resting on the tray table.

"Would you like a story now?"

He nodded vigorously, making the adults chuckle at his excitement.

"Here," Christina brought the book over, magically, "Pick whichever you like"

Shaggy smiled happily flipping through the pages, eventually landing on one he hadn't heard.

"Ah, The Seven Ravens, it's an interesting story..."

...

"So Norville and this girl are what again?"

"Fated mates, he's likely already imprinted on her and she feels that connection even if she doesn't know what it is," Clawdeen explained again, the Grimness Book open on the table. The beautiful picture of the not-yet couple mid-dance staring lovingly into each other's eyes.

"I'm still confused"

Clawdeen resisted the urge to face-palm, "Werewolves only imprint on their destined mates, to put it simply they will grow up, get married and, knowing Christy, have a lot of kids"

"But-but what if we don't like her?"

"You're out of luck"

"What if she's mean to him?"

At this, Clawdeen laughed so hard she almost fell out of her chair, if Duncan hadn't steadied her.

"C-C-Christina mean? Now that, is funny"

"Why don't we go meet her? She's awake"

"Okay"

The book disappeared causing Stacy to stumble with fright.

"It knows we don't need it anymore," Duncan opened the door, "After you"

...

Christina read him one story then another and another and another after that. He could've listened to her all day. He wanted to. Desperately wanted to. For now, he settled for the stories, holding her free hand. Content in the peaceful quiet to picture the tales as they unfolded until a knock at the door startled them both back to reality.

"Come in," Christina called.

"Hi, Christy," Clawdeen and Duncan entered first, "Shaggy's parents want to meet you"

"Okay"

Shaggy only tightened his grip on Christina's hand. With how his mother acted earlier he was tense.

"It'll be alright," Christina assured, squeezing his hand

Stacy and Sam entered awkwardly.

"These are Christina's parents," Clawdeen introduced.

"Hello, I'm Alissa and this is my husband Radu"

"Hi," Stacy managed.

"And I'm Christina," the hybrid greeted warmly, "It's nice to meet you"

Stacy didn't look at Christina, she focused more on the faded gray lines that crisscrossed over the teen's exposed shoulders and the wheelchair parked beside the door. Christina's smile snuffed, eyes dropping to the open book on her lap.

Shaggy scowled disapprovingly at his mother, grabbing Christina's shaking free hand tightly.

Sam tried to rescue the situation, "It's a pleasure to meet you, young lady," he made sure to look directly at Christina's eyes and not their surroundings, "Thank you for being Shaggy's friend"

"You're welcome"

Shaggy squeezed her hand again, nodding to the open book.

"You want me to finish the story? Okay, now, where were we?"

And they went back to the book. Ignoring the adults as they made awkward chatter. Christina ignored the stares Stacy gave her, the feeling of being watched. It was shockingly easy to do because Shaggy squeezed it every time her hand started to tremble. They read story, after story, until Shaggy yawned tiredly.

"I think you need to rest now," Christina said gently, "We can read more tomrrow if you'd like"

"Yes...please"

"Tomorrow then"

Before he left, despite their audience and perhaps to stick it to his mother, Shaggy kissed Christina goodbye, the same quick chaste gesture that she had woken him with. It left Christina flushed red but happy as she sank back into her pillows. Her parents, Clawdeen and Duncan shared a knowing look but dared not to speak until Christina dozed off.

"So, they're..." Alissa started.

"Yep," Clawdeen nodded.

"He's good for her," Radu remarked, "I've never seen anyone vard off a panic attack like that"

"You're taking it better than his parents," Duncan observed.

"She wouldn't look at Christina all she saw was her sickness," Alissa shook her head an angry tear trickling down her cheek.

"She'll come around, I'm sure," Radu reassured.

"I hope so"