Disclaimer: Scooby Doo and all related characters are owned by Hanna-Barbera, Warner Bros., and/or Cartoon Network.
All other characters, locations, and events are figments of the author's imagination.

Chapter One:The Return

The two men stood on the sun washed beach, each lost in their respective thoughts. They watched as the ship's mast slid silently under the water. The calm waters erupted into a roiling white froth as the last of the air escaped to the surface. The two men remained silent until the water returned to its former calm state; only then did the white haired man speak "She were a good ship Cap't, too bad she had to go to Davey Jones locker. I'll miss the 'Shadow'." Captain George McDuff looked at his second in command "Aye Whitey, she were indeed a fine ship. It'll be a long wait for us before we trod the deck of a better ship."

"Cap't, what was that there green mist we ran into? I never seen the like, it seemed to come out of nowhere and swallowed the ship." Whitey was a good pirate but had no way to explain what he'd seen earlier that day, to himself or to the men. The Captain bowed his head, "I rightly don't know Whitey. I've heard of such happenings but that was the first I've seen that green mist with my own two eyes. I don't mind tellen' you I was afraid for the first time in my life." He raised his head to look at the man beside him,

"The men?" he asked. "They be busy settin' up sleeping quarters. They'll be wantin' some plan for dividing the treasure in the mornin' Cap't."

"Aye, that they will. They be good men, tried and true, and be deservin' a share" The Captain agreed. "Pick some men you feel you can trust, set a watch on th' treasure as well as on the sleepin' men. I catch any one asleep on guard and I'll send him to say hello to Davey Jones. That hill there looks to be a good place to set one to watch the sea."

"Aye, Cap't. G'd night"

"G'd night Whitey" The Captain looked back toward the sea that had taken his ship. "May we all have a g'd night…tomorrow be a long day" he said to himself.

215 years later, Abby's book store, Coolsville

Love (and marriage) had changed Velma; she had let her rich auburn hair grow out, framing and softening her face, replacing the 'helmet' look she had worn for years. Gone too were the orange sweaters, short plaid skirts, orange knee sox and Mary Jane shoes; these had been replaced today by a light blue print silk blouse tucked into a navy blue skirt that accented her petite figure to the best advantage. Hose and heels had taken the place of the sox and shoes. She had decided against the modern contacts, choosing instead to update to a more stylish frame that complimented her complexion.

With these changes she felt sexy yet the modern business woman as she surveyed the busy book store.

Aunt Abby had informed her that she was confident that she and Shaggy could manage the store and was headed for a 'fortnight's vacation'. She hadn't said where she would spend said vacation but Velma suspected London since she'd used the English 'fortnight' rather than the more common fourteen days. That had been two days ago.

'The Book Nook', known simply as the 'Nook' was doing a brisk early lunch business also. It had been Velma's idea to take an option on the vacant space next door when it became available; turning the space into a luncheon retreat for her customers and an enticement to others to enter the book store. The idea had done so well that they had, on the suggestion from several regular customers, expanded the menu to include selected breakfast items. This had worked well for her and Shaggy; on days they were running late they could grab breakfast from the 'Nook' before starting their day.

She watched Shaggy walk up to Ida Mason, whispering something in her ear. Ida had just left Velma after asking about Daphne's first novel "Shooting Star". Velma had assured her that she would be invited to the 'Early Bird' book signing. Daphne had agreed to sign her new novel which was due to be released next month an hour before the store opened. Only selected regular customers would be invited to the signing party. She watched Ida walk toward the 'Nook' while Shaggy continued to walk toward her.

She accepted Shaggy's embrace "What did you tell Ida?" she whispered, lightly kissing his cheek. Shaggy looked at her, smiling "Only that I saw Mr. Chase going into the 'Nook' for lunch. I may have mentioned that he had a handful of flowers and a box of chocolates."

"Flowers and chocolates? Sounds like it is getting serious" Velma smiled.

Mrs. Mason had lost her beloved husband three years ago after a long illness. Mrs. Chase had passed away unexpectedly from a fatal heart attack two years ago. They had met in the book store, finding a common liking for a certain mystery author. In the process they had found a liking for each other.

Shaggy and Velma watched Mrs. Mason, flowers in hand, walk toward the door, Mr. Chase at her side, carrying the box of chocolates. None of the other customers noticed this; the only reason Shaggy and Velma had noticed was the fact that they normally left separately.

"Hugs and chocolates?" Velma smiled, raising her eyebrows at Shaggy.

"A little old for that don't you think? They're both in their sixties!"

"Chad Chase is 64, Ida is 62; and what does that have to do with anything if they find happiness together?" she quipped, slapping Shaggy's shoulder lovingly. "I'll be in the
storage room working on that shipment of books -- where are you taking me for lunch?"
she knew he'd be watching her as she walked toward the storage room. She added a flamboyant sway to her hips.

Velma was so engrossed in the books she had placed on the sturdy work table she didn't realize there was someone else in the room until he placed his hands around her waist from behind. "I don't have any chocolates" he whispered, working the buttons on her silk blouse. "I'll take a rain check" she whispered, leaning backwards slightly to accept his kiss; she felt his fingers working the clasps of her blue lace bra, the blouse and bra being removed, his hands on her bare breasts, tormenting her. The skirts' zipper being lowered fanned the flames of her passion. She stepped out of the skirt, kicking it out of the way. She made him wait and watch as she lowered her hose at an exquisitely slow pace. 'Drive me crazy to the point of screaming will you, now it's your turn' she thought as she smiled. They made love on the table quietly yet passionately, the books falling to the floor unheeded…

The next morning, the Mystery Machine packed, they picked up Fred and Daphne, heading for their rendezvous with the fully reconditioned "Spirit of the Seas'.

Three days later the 'Spirit' dropped anchor in Bermuda harbor.