AN: First I just want to apologise for this chapter being late but I was having a few issues with my writing and couldn't seem to put my thought into written word. Anyway, here's the chapter and I sincerely hope you like it.

Disclaimer: I do not own anything.

She couldn't take her eyes away from his face, she'd seen that face happy, laughing, sad, angry but she'd never seen it beaten, broken and barely recognisable.

It was a wake up call that even those you think to be the strongest can sometimes be torn down and staring at the slack tilt of jugheads mouth she thought maybe it was the biggest wake up of all.

The lot of them had been running around solving mysteries, provoking powerful people and not having a care in the world and it had cost them.

By god it had cost them because Jughead had been the one to pay the price.

And what a price it was Toni thought as she felt the arms of Cheryl encase her with their warmth too high of a price.

She didn't want to move any closer, didn't want to see the further damage that had been done to the body of one of her best friends and maybe Cheryl knew that because the arms tightened and soon Toni found herself burying her head in the soft fabric of her t-shirt.

The red head pressed a kiss to the top of her head, letting her lips linger and Toni felt the hair on her head ruffle from the breaths that escaped Cheryl's' lips- it was comforting for a brief moment until Toni remembered just what had happened.

Betty's screams and cries echoed in her ears and Toni felt the tears leak from her eyes, soaking the t-shirt of her girlfriend.

''Shh'' Cheryl soothed running a hand down her back ''it's ok, he'll be fine- it's Jughead'' but even Toni could detect the slight waver in her tone and the way she seemed to almost pause before she finished the sentence.

''This is our fault'' Toni sobbed ''if we'd just listened to him none of this would have happened.

''Hey'' Cheryl pulled back so she could look Toni in the eye ''it's not your fault ok, it's not. Jughead does what Jughead wants- whether anybody tells him to or not.''

''But-''

''But nothing- the only people whose fault it is are the people who did this to him. And those people are going to pay'' the red head had such a look of determination and anger on her face that even Toni felt some kind of fear looking into her eyes.

''Since when did you like Jughead?'' she questioned.

''Like him, I think not'' Cheryl scoffed ''but I do admit I have become rather fond of seeing those s shirts''

Toni huffed out a laugh, a broken, defeated laugh but it was a laugh all the same.

''Now I think we're needed'' Cheryl indicated the group who were currently trying to lift Jughead off the ground without dislodging the grip Betty had on him.

Toni nodded, jaw set in determination- with the frantic way the others were moving she knew something was happening; she just hoped it was what she thought.

And if not, if Jughead jones was dead then by god would they avenge him because after all- no serpent stands alone.

AN: There you go, that's the end and I really hope you liked it and I apologise for it being so short. Anyway, please read and review and let me know what you think or if there is anything specific you want to happen.