All Scooby-doo and related characters are owned by Hanna-Barbera.

"Velma's friend" AKA "Metal Head" is a character in the movie "Scooby-Doo"

and is owned by Warner Bros. This character was named "Ethan" and is borrowed

with permission from the "littlesuprano" online stories "Journey of Self Discovery"

and "Their First Christmas". Several scenes from these stories are also borrowed

with permission from "littlesuprano."

All other characters are figments of the authors' imagination.

Any resemblance to any persons alive or dead is purely coincidental.

Velma's Ghosts

My parents were out of town on business, leaving me to "house-sit". The weather is turning bad with snow in the forecast. Ethan has a luncheon production meeting which will put him here mid-afternoon.

I really don't want to spend all day in this empty house. I love the house but my nerves are on edge enough. I'm worried about Ethan driving in this weather so to keep my mind busy I decide to go to Mystery Inc. headquarters.

I change into straight leg blue jeans, an emerald green button down blouse and black shoes. I grab my coat and purse, lock up the house and go next door, telling the neighbors where I'll be and ask if they mind watching the place.

When I get to HQ, I turn on the heater and get busy filing papers. I get invoices ready for mailing which I will drop off at the post office on my way home. I had answered the phone, returned messages. I had cleaned and dusted until the office was starting to object. I could hear the wind outside as it picked up strength.

' and this is just the leading edge of the storm' I thought. 'Be safe Ethan but I want you here' my thoughts added.

I must have checked the thermostat a dozen times, walking around the office hugging myself from a cold that had nothing to do with the weather.

'Enough' I thought as I sat down and dialed Fred's number.

"Hello" came Fred's familiar voice.

"Hi Fred, It's Velma"

"Hi Velms, you still at HQ?" he asked.

"Yes, and bored out of my skull" I tell him.

"Have you heard from Ethan?" Fred asks.

"No, he had that luncheon meeting then was going to get on the road."

"Velms I got a plan" he says.

"Ol' Freddy 'I got a plan' Jones" I say teasingly.

" Hey! Most of my plans worked! As will this one."

"Most is right- what 80?--Ok Fred what's your plan? And I hope it doesn't include a net!"

" My plan is this: Lock up the office, turn on the answering machine, go home, get changed then come on over when Ethan shows up. Daphne and I would love to have you guys for dinner. We are inviting the gang over for breakfast before we go see Ethan at the concert. How's that for a plan?"

" Sounds good to me...I need to call the neighbors and tell them the change of plans."

"One more thing Velms."

"Oh, and what's that?" I asked.

"One bedroom or two?" I can hear the teasing laughter in his voice.

"Two, of course, Fred Jones!" I retort.

I make the call to the neighbors telling them of the change of plans, lock up and start to leave.

' You need to face your ghosts...You and Ethan won't be happy if you don't'

comes to mind. ' Yes, I do, but not now!' I answer my own thoughts.

I get home and unlocking the door another thought enters.

'You and Ethan need your own place—how long will you wait?'

'In time' I answer.

I take a quick shower, dressing in tan straight leg pants, maroon blouse and add a red belt and matching shoes. I pull out my suit case and overnight case. I pack everything and anything I can think I might need. Mystery Inc. has taught me that anything might and usually does happen.

Just as I'm about to leave, the phone rings! I think of letting the answering machine pick up, but it might be my parents or Ethan.

" Dinkley residence—Velma speaking" I answer.

"Velms, It's Fred."

" Hello Fred, What's up? Is Ethan OK?" I ask, the worry in my voice.

"He just called—you must have just left the office and missed his call. He said he'd be here soon and will meet you here, so come on over whenever you are ready."

"I was just leaving...see you soon."

Arriving at Fred's home, I don't see Ethan's car as I drive up. I park and fight the wind as I retrieve my suitcase and overnight case. I half run to the door, Daphne opening the door even before I get there.

"Come on in...It's cold out there" she says in welcome.

"And a bit breezy" I answer as I step inside.

Putting my bags down I greet my best friends with hugs.

"Fred, you promised us a fire. Velma, let's get your things upstairs, then we wont have to bother later" Daphne orders.

Coming back downstairs, we find Fred has indeed started a fire and is reclining in the love seat.

"I wish Ethan would get here soon, I'm worried about him being out in this weather." I say, selecting a seat on the sofa.

"He should be here anytime" Fred said,checking his watch. We here the sound of a car stopping outside."I think your wish is about to be granted" Fred adds. Only seconds later the doorbell rings, "I'll get it, save my seat, love" Daphne says as she get up and heads for the door.

I look over at Fred, raising my eyebrows.

"What can I say? It is her home, or will be in May after the wedding. I think she likes the hostess roll and I kinda like it."

"You love it and you know it! This is Velma remember? You aren't fooling anyone!"

Daphne opens the door saying " Welcome. Yes, she's in the living room. Go on in, she's driving us crazy!"

He's here! My heart skips a beat (or two, or three) then I am in his arms, my worries about the storm gone. He wraps me in his arms, returning my kiss with equal relief and love.

I finally break our kiss, "I'm so glad you're home. I've missed you so much after only a few days, what am I going to do for 3 months when you are on tour?" kissing him again.

I finally realize that Fred and Daphne have found 'something to do' elsewhere.

"It will fly by and I have some news I will tell you about latter" he tells me.

" the weather wasn't too bad but I'm glad to be here and have you in my arms again."

"Would you like something to drink Ethan?" Daphne says, sticking her head in from

the kitchen. "Coffee is about ready and Fred is starting the steaks if you want to say 'hi' and if you can tear yourself away from Velma."

"Coffee would be great. It'll be tough but I think I can spare enough time to say hello." Turning to me he adds," let me say hello to our host, I'll be right back."

"OK' I'll see if I can help Daph...I can't believe how 'housewifie' she's getting."

"Looks good on her though, which reminds me, If we are getting married in

December, shouldn't we be looking now?" he asks.

"What's this 'if' business?" I tease, "Don't worry, I have a plan. Now go on, I'll be here."

I went into the kitchen while Ethan continued outside to talk to Fred.

"Can I help?" I ask.

"not really—everything is taken care of" Daphne replies, "Besides you wouldn't be much help standing there looking out the window."

"Guilty" I say, feeling myself blushing at getting caught. "But you must admit they are two very handsome guys."

"That they are" Daphne agrees, joining me at the window. "And I'd say we were two very lucky ladies" she adds.

When the steaks are ready, the four of us settle around the table. Good friends, good food and good conversation are the order of the day with lots of laughter to go around as Ethan catches us up on his activities of the past week. I'm especially happy to here one tidbit of news in that his record company will be opening a studio here in Coolsville. Which means after the tour Ethan wont have to drive to Cleveland as much. 'YES!!' I think.

After we finish dinner and the table looks like an army has been fed, Daphne shoos the guys out so we girls can clean up "their mess".

"Let's go Ethan—I know when we aren't needed" Fred says, but I notice he gives Daphne a kiss as Ethan does the same to me.

When they are out and most of the remains from dinner have at least been brought under control, Daphne asks:

"Ok Velma, we've been friends tooo long! I know you were worried about Ethan out in the weather, but I feel something wrong beyond that. What is it?...You are not pregnant are you?"

"NO!!!! Me??? little ol' shy me? Me???" I crack up laughing so hard I have to lean against the counter to keep from falling. "No Daph, I'm not pregnant----Are you!!!???"

" You? Shy? Not from what I've seen since you met Ethan, NO! I'm not and I think our parents would kill us if we were, even if we are as old as we are. Ok, we've settled that."

The laughter fades, "not now...are you up to one of our famous slumber parties?" I ask.

" Sure...we haven't done that in a long time."

"As long as Fred and Ethan don't try Fred's peeping Tom routine!" I add.

" You remember that!?" Daphne sounded surprised.

"Of course---I'll never forget. Fred got Shaggy to climb the trellis."

"And then he fell and I had you play decoy while I went outside and caught them."

We were both laughing so hard by then we both were leaning on the counter.

"And I had no idea what a decoy was supposed to do."

Part Two: The Slumber Party

We joined the guys in the living room for the rest of the evening. The rest of the evening came to an end when Daphne pointed at Ethan. He was sound asleep.

" Looks like someone needs to go to bed" I commented, gently nudging his ribs.

"I think it's time everyone turned in—we all have a busy day tomorrow" Daphne observed, hoping the guys would take the hint.

"Good idea Daph, I'll say goodnight to Ethan then turn in myself." I added.

"The den?" Ethan asked sleepily.[1

"Not this time pal. You're performing tomorrow and need your rest" Fred answered.

"Darn! I like that den" Ethan said, smiling.

"Yeah, and I know why" I said.

I went upstairs with Ethan, showed him which room was his (Daph and I would be sharing tonight just like the old days). We kissed good night but Ethan was so tired he was about asleep on his feet.

When I got to our room, Daphne had already changed into a lavender night shirt.

"Better hurry, I want to know everything. And I'm not waiting all night."

" You will wait till I change." I quickly change into my pink Pj's, jump up on the bed.

"Now the slumber party can begin."

"You've been like a long tailed cat in a room of rocking chairs. We've determined that you're not pregnant, so what gives?"

"Ok---but---Afterwards It's fun time and I want to know about you and Fred."

" Deal"

" You're right, I've felt a need to get something off my chest for a while. You know I had a crush on Fred when we started Mystery Inc.?" I start.

"Yeah, I knew...but so did every girl at Coolsville High, including me."

"I know your relationship with Fred was a hot/cold thing."

" Good when hot, terrible when cold. Yep, that about sums it up."

"Yep, that was what killed my crush. Great friend but a long term relationship was out of the question. With that ego there was no room except Fred."

" Exactly the decision I came to" she agreed.

" So what happened, you are getting married. Come on Daph, Tell me!!!"

"Bottom line is, I told him either he controlled his big ego or we couldn't be happy together. I know he will always be Fred and have a ego but it doesn't have to be a wall between us."

"Daph, that's what I feel I have to do since Ethan came into my life. He's been like a breath of fresh air. I felt I needed to tear down some walls to allow us to be happy. And I had to lay some ghosts from my past to rest in able to do that".

"And I'm one of the ghosts?"She asked.

"In a way. I just needed to clear the air by telling you about that crush and the fact that I'm in no way a threat to you and Freddy."

"Well, consider this ghost laid to rest. I'm so glad you and Ethan found each other. He is one great guy." So what/who are the other ghosts?"

" you are a member of Mystery Inc. You are a detective story writer. You figure it out!" I said as I aimed a pillow at her.

" you messed up my hair! You asked for it!!"

And that is when the pillow fight began!!!

The End?? No, the story continues in "Big Brother—Little Sister"

[1a reference to a scene in "Their First Christmas" by "Littlesuprano"