The alien headed towards the gang, tentacles writhing and lashing out at those standing free, its angry noises filled the air. Everyone panicked bar Harold and Marilyn who having got over their initial surprise were now studying the creature. Shaggy, Velma and the two crooked were so spooked by the creatures attack that they ran full-speed into the sticky side of Fred's trap and became stuck like the rest of them.

"Interesting behaviour, parallels with many Earth creatures' threat displays," said Marilyn as the alien approached them.

"Indeed, I wonder how it will react when it doesn't get the behaviour it is expecting. If we had a mirror we could determine its level of intelligence," said Harold.

"I think this will qualify for a paper in 'Nature' don't you agree dear?" said Marilyn.

"Yes and one in 'Science' as well, providing we don't become the subject of a paper on its planet. Perhaps we could co-author one with it," replied Harold.

"That's a very good idea darling. And later on perhaps we could also arrange a joint symposium..." she stopped; the creature towered over them now.

It would be menacing where it not for the fact that the top half appeared to be shaking with laughter.

"Jinkies, mum, dad, just listen to yourselves," it gibbered in its alien voice.

"Jinkies!" exclaimed various members of the gang.

"Hmm, perhaps junkies is a universal greeting amongst intelligent beings," said Harold.

"Indeed, I always thought so," Marilyn straitened herself up and faced the creature "Jinkies fellow sentient life, we greet you in peace."

The top half was now laughing so much that it nearly fell off. The creature shrunk back down and split in two. The small one with the pale blue eyes walked forward and took off its head.

"Velma?" A few seconds later the other part of the creature split in two to reveal Shaggy and Woflie.

"Shaggy?" surprise was evident in their voices as they looked. Daphne didn't notice Fred sag with relief or wipe away a tear on seeing Velma; she was too busy dealing with the sudden surge of emotions from seeing Shaggy.

Velma's mood darkened and she stomped up to her double and snatched the deerstalker from their head.

"I'll take that if you don't mind," she asi as she put it on her head it sunk down to just above her glasses she then reached out and pulled wig of the trapped 'Velma'.

Likewise Shaggy pulled the fake goatee of his double then the scarves of the face of the two crooks.

"These are the people who offered us money for the orchid a few days ago," said Harold.

"Wanna bet they're also behind the attempt to kidnap Velma," said Daphne.

After calling the authorities Shaggy and Velma set to work freeing their friends and Velma's parents.

As soon as Scooby was freed Shaggy turned his attention to Daphne and together with Scooby quickly freed her from the sticky net. It was the bravest thing he'd done in a long time; he reached out and held both of her hands in his.

Whereas Shaggy and Daphne were reserved Velma leapt into Fred's arms as soon as he was free, her arms were wrapped round his neck, he held her up buy the waist, her feet dangling a few inches off the ground.

"What happened Mr. Wolfie?" said Marilyn as she removed traces of glue from her clothes.

"I found these two locked in the old coal cellar," said Wolfie indicating at Shaggy and Velma.

"We all came up with the plant monster suit," smiled Velma proudly over Fred's shoulder.

"Like who'd of thought all those years of watching B-movies together would come in useful," said Shaggy.

"Chance favours the prepared mind as Pasteur would say," said Harold.

It wasn't long before the police arrived and carted the crooks away. In that time they got word from the police lab that traces of explosive had been found in the crater and that the meteor was just a lump of pumice which had been dipped in luminous paint.

"Home time everyone," said Fred as he took Velma's hand. .

Harold and Marilyn headed off towards the car-park with Scooby in tow, he was hoping that they had another bag of snacks with them. Fred and Velma followed, walking hand-in-hand while Shaggy and Daphne brought up the rear.

Daphne looked at Fred and Velma and stopped dead in her tracks, putting her hand to her mouth. "Jeepers, I've got it!"

"What?" asked Shaggy, almost walking into the back of her "You've cracked this case? I think we already did that Daph."

"No, I've cracked the case."

Shaggy just looked puzzled and scratched his head, if they hadn't solved the case what had they just done?

"It's Velma, Velma is the answer?"

"Velma was trying to steal the orchid?"

"No Shag, Velma's the one seeing Fred." Daphne pointed at the pair ahead of them.

"I know."

"You knew, how?" Daphne rounded on him.

"Man's intuition," said Shaggy as he began to move back, slowly at first then picking up pace.

"Man's intuition? Man's intuition! There's no such thing as man's intuition! Norville Rogers you come right back here!" Daphne shouted after him, seconds later she was in hot pursuit.

He almost made it to the car-park but was overtaken and she tackled him to the ground, somehow the ensuing rough and tumble their lips locked together and play acting rapidly turned into a serious make-out session though it to a while for either of them to grasp the implication of what was occurring. Shaggy pulled Daphne to her feet just as the others arrived, but not before they all saw what was happening.

Velma saw that Daphne was looking at her, then she realised she was holding hands with Fred. Games up, might as well get this over with she thought and took a step towards Daphne.

"Daph, I have something to tell you."

"OK, what is it?" said Daphne, Shaggy tensed ready to intervene if necessary, though he didn't think it would be.

"I'm, I'm the one seeing Fred," she whispered. Immediately after saying those words Velma recoiled slightly, despite what had just happened the incident in the diner meant she still feared Daphne's reaction, she stayed that way for a few seconds but the expected onslaught both verbal and physical never came. She peeked out between her fingers.

Daphne gave her a little smile "I know Velma, I'm glad you told me and I understand why you didn't tell me before. I'm over that now, in fact I think I've an admission to make as well," she glanced at Shaggy, giving him a bashful smile.

"Let me guess you've got someone to take your mind of Fred," Velma looked down at the non-existent space between Shaggy and Daphne and their joined hands, both of them gave an embarrassed smiled.

Finally it was time reaffirm their friendship with a gang-hug. Then it was time for the the firls to do what they had been wanting to do for some time.

"There's a few things about Shaggy you need to know," said Velma taking Daphne by the arm and leading her away towards the van.

"Ohh do tell; then I'll give you the inside track on Fred."

"Man we are so doomed," said Shaggy quietly, Fred just nodded.

They piled into the van; Velma sat next to Fred with Daphne next to her. As Fred drove off Daphne and Velma were whispering to each other, with Daphne occasionally looking round and Shaggy just to look at him. While this was going on Scooby looked at the new seating arrangement.

"Rut re're rill rat rhe rack," he said to Shaggy.

Shaggy shrugged and reached into a secret compartment for a box of Scooby Snacks "So what's new Scooby Doo?"