Authors Note: Thank you to everyone who has left a comment on this fic, I am so overwhelmed by the response this fic has had and I look forward to sharing more and more of their history with you.

Thanks again to my beta Jandy for making this all the best it can be.

Chapter 7:

All Tender Me

"You spend your passion on a misprised mood:

I am not guilty of Lysander's blood;

Nor is he dead, for aught that I can tell."

Jughead was starting to get it. Betty could tell and it was hard not to show how pleased that made her. He was now performing the lines and was no longer just reading words from the page but instead was feeling them- living them. He was invoking the strength and confidence that she imagined Demetrius would have and she had to admit that it suited him. Not that she'd tell him that..

"I pray thee, tell me then that he is well." She was reading Hermia's lines for him in order to give him something to play off. It still stung a little that she had not been cast in this part, but Helena was starting to grow on her more and more.

She and Jughead had mutually agreed to skip over their shared scenes as they would be rehearsing them again together soon enough and could practice then.

"An if I could, what should I get therefore?" Jughead moved towards her, his head tilting slightly as he asked the question. His body had even started to become part of his performance, moving around the stage space rather than being stuck on the same spot, and using his hands to emphasize while he read lines.

"A privilege never to see me more.

And from thy hated presence part I so:

See me no more, whether he be dead or no."

Betty looked at him eagerly, waiting for him to finish his lines and end the scene.

"There is no following her in this fierce vein:

Here therefore for a while I will remain.

So sorrow's heaviness doth heavier grow

For debt that bankrupt sleep doth sorrow owe:

Which now in some slight measure it will pay,

If for his tender here I make some stay."

Jughead stopped and then looked expectedly at her for her appraisal.

Betty was not entirely successful in managing to push down the urge to smile at him. "Okay, so that was pretty good," She admitted reluctantly, as though it pained her to pay him the compliment. Sometimes it was so hard to pretend to be indifferent. Sometimes being hurt and angry with him made her so tired.

He gave an exaggerated bow, letting his playfulness usually hidden under that beanie and perpetual scowl show through and Betty wasnot entirely successfully in managing to push down her smile. He looked like he was about to say something when startlingly,there was the sound of clapping from behind them and they both spun around to find Veronica Lodge sitting in the front row.

"I'm not interrupting am I?" the brunette asked with a deeply ingrained smirk on her face.

Betty found herself wondering just how long her friend had been standing there.

"That was quite good," Veronica continued. "Betty must be an excellent teacher Jughead. You actually sound like you know what you're doing."

Jughead refused to meet her gaze, instead looking down at his own feet briefly before glancing at Betty, who found herself smiling proudly and almost fondly as she looked back at him. He never could take a compliment.

Remembering herself, Betty's smile fell and she stepped away from where she'd come quite close to him."Well, that's my lunch date," she said quickly, walking over to pick up her bag and shoving the copy of the play into it before swinging it over her shoulder.

"Hold on, Betty, we have some time," Veronica offered, still amused as Betty shot her a look urging her to help her escape.

"No, we don't. We made a reservation," Betty corrected her. Her anxiety was beginning to kick in as Veronica instead rose from her seat and started to make her way toward the stage. She held out her hand to Jughead.

"I don't think we have been formally introduced." He took her hand hesitantly, as if confused by the gesture and wary at the same time. "I'm Veronica Lodge."

"Jughead Jones." He shook her hand briefly before releasing her and shoving his hands back in his pockets.

"Oh, I know. I've heard all about you." She turned towards Betty who continued to stare, aghast at the scene that was playing out in front of her. She hadn't told Veronica all about him at all in fact it was the complete opposite. "It is so noble what you are doing. Stepping in to save the play after what happened to poor Moose." Veronica smiled sympathetically at him while Jughead was eyeing her warily as if trying to determine whether she was genuine or not. Betty moved forward to link her arm with Veronica's.

"We need to go or we'll be late," Betty interrupted, stepping in between the two of them facing Veronica. Mouthing 'Let's go!' before directing her eyes in the direction of the stage door exit.

"Why don't you join us, Jughead?" Betty's eyed widened at Veronica's offer and she couldn't stop herself from turning towards him in shock.

"No, thanks. I really should head back to the bar. JB has night class tonight and I should help get everything ready before she has to go." Betty breathed a sigh of relief as she gave Veronica a pointed look.

"That's too bad." Veronica pouted before turning back towards Betty. "We will miss his company won't we, Betty?"

"Can we just go?" Betty implored Veronica, linking her arm in her own. .

"See you next week, Jughead." Veronica managed to wave at him, as Betty dragged her away with an urgent and not-so-subtle tug of her arm. She noticed Veronica giving her a coy look as she jumped in the passenger seat of Veronica's car. Veronica's very expensive looking car. She almost felt like she should wipe her feet before getting in.

"Don't start," the blonde said simply. Veronica only smiled at her as she pulled away from the curb. Betty stared out the passenger side window absentmindedly, trying to keep her thoughts from wandering back to him.

"I didn't even know you had an apartment. I just assumed you were living at home," Jughead said as Betty rifled through her bag looking for her keys.

"I do most days, but I got this place when my mom was doing better, and I couldn't bear to give it up. It's like my own private retreat." In fact, it was the first thing 'd done for herself back when Alice had entered remission for the first and only time.

Returning to Riverdale to care for her mom had been a tough decision. She had felt like she had made a home in New York, that it suited her had helped her to grow. Returning to Riverdale had seemed like a regression, and having found herself once more under the watchful eye of her mother, Betty had started to adopt some of her old habits that she had worked so hard to eliminate while she was was finding the urge to bury her nails in her palms, to leave them a bloody, ugly mess resurfacing.

She turned the key in the lock and opened her front door allowing Jughead to enter ahead of her.

"It's nice, Betts." She smiled at the nickname. She wasn't sure when he had started calling her that but it made her feel special. She liked the way it sounded when he said it. He moved around the apartment, taking it all in, looking at the pictures she chose to display and the trinkets she'd used to decorate her private space. It felt like a big step for Betty to let someone else into her private haven. She had sworn her mouth had run away from her when she invited him over. She had suggested that they could work together with his course work. He had been so supportive to her during the last month and she had wanted to repay that kindness. A nagging voice in her head also said that that kindness wasn't the only reason she wanted to invite him to her apartment, but she would definitely blush if she entertained those thoughts any further.

"It's okay. It's mine." She shrugged her shoulders, as she set herself down onto the couch her legs crossed and hands clasped on her knees. He sat down next to her, placing a safe distance between the two of them. She still wasn't sure what this was – what they were -but she found herself seeking him out when she was helping backstage. When she was on stage she would try to see him behind the light, smiling down on her. He had always asked how her mom was, how she was. She was grateful to have one more friend at this time, besides Kevin. But she couldn't help but wonder if maybe there was something more. She found herself wondering what it might be like to feel his lips on her own. What his hair might feel like if she ran her fingers through it. Sometimes when she caught his deep green eyes looking at her, she wondered if he might be thinking the same things about her.

"So, did you want to practice?" Her mind jolted at his words, breaking herself out of her thoughts. Not understanding him, she shot him a questioning look as her eyes narrowed.

"You're lines," he clarified, a warm smile lighting up his face.

"Oh."

"Big night coming up, Blanche." At his mention of opening night she couldn't help but wring her hands together. She still got the opening night jitters no matter how many plays she had been in she couldn't help herself, anxiety was always bubbling under the surface for her.

"You don't mind? I mean, we are meant to be helping you with school." He must have heard her say the lines a million times by now, they had just finished dress rehearsals after the gruelling tech rehearsals. Hours spent on stage repeating lines, lights following her carefully. It was strange but it was somewhat comforting to know that he was there behind the lights, watching and keeping it trained on her.

"I don't mind." She smiled at him as she jumped up and made her way to the kitchen. He moved to watch her, his arm over the back of the couch.

"Well, if I am going to make you sit through another round of me reading my lines as Blanche DuBois slowly descends into madness, then I should at least feed you." Betty opened the cupboard scanning the shelves. She hadn't been home in so long the cupboards were nearly bare. Frowning she picked up a box of microwave popcorn, relieved when there was at least one packet left. She opened the fridge and then immediately shut it again, embarrassed about the state of it. It really had been a long time since she had spent the night at her apartment. She spun around to put the packet in the microwave when she collided with his chest. She hadn't even noticed him move from the couch.

The popcorn box dropping to the ground in her surprise. She didn't move, looking up at him and she realised she was holding her breath. Letting out the breath she was holding she met his eyes. They held her gaze, the intensity of his gaze holding her there unmoving. Her mouth felt dry and she wanted to say something anything to move forward but it was as though she was held steady in this moment, with him.

She felt his hand trail up her arm, her eyes flicking towards the movement watching as his hand left her sight but soon felt the warmth of his hand cupping her face.

"I really want to kiss you, Betty Cooper." His tone was low and restrained as he asked for her permission. Always the gentleman. "Have for a while now." She tried placing her arms around his waist, deciding that it felt nice, holding him felt like something she wanted and had been waiting for. She felt herself nodding to his request.

Her hands grasped the fabric of his sweater as he moved towards her, his lips ghosting gently across her own, moving slowly as if to give her a final moment to change her mind if she wanted. She wasn't going anywhere. His faint scent of coffee and cigarettes overwhelmed her senses. Her breath caught and her lips pursed as she waited for him to close the distance once more.

She jumped at the feeling of her phone vibrating against her leg and as she did he pulled back slightly as well. She shook her head trying to recollect herself as she pulled the phone out, she swore if it was Kevin calling her to run a costume change by her she would scream. Her heart stopped as she saw there was no caller ID. The hospital. She pulled the phone to her ear answering the call.

"Elizabeth Cooper." Her mind was scrambling to try and pull together a confident front. Her mind was still racing from her encounter with Jughead and she was finding it difficult to think of the possible reasons why the hospital might be calling her.

"Elizabeth, this is Nurse Reynolds. I'm sorry I have to tell you this over the telephone, but your mother has suffered a setback and is deteriorating quickly." Betty could feel the tears starting to well already, she blinked them back furiously and Jughead's hold on her tightened slightly. She had to be strong. She could be strong for her. "She's been brought to the hospital and you really ought to get here quickly."

"Okay, thank you." Betty quickly hung up the call, meeting Jughead's concerned eyes. She wanted to tell him what had happened but instead stood there, willing her mouth to open but unable to find the words. She swore she couldn't feel her limbs. It was as if they were numbed or gone and all that was left was some phantom. "The hospital," she finally managed, pulling herself out of his embrace and lifting her hands to rub the front of her face. "My mom."

Jughead tucked a loose hair behind her ear and ducked his head so she could look him in the eye. "I'll drive," he offered without hesitation. His arm wrapping around her shoulder as she found herself leaning on him for support. She didn't refuse his offer this time.

"Okay, girl spill. I have held my tongue for as long as I can." Veronica had been watching her closely since they had sat down at the restaurant. Betty in turn had pretended not to notice and tried to generate a conversation on another topic, any other topic, which Veronica had seemed happy enough to pay along with for a little while. Apparently that time was now over.

"I'm not sure -" Veronica held up a hand to silence her which had Betty snapping her mouth shut.

"You and that boy have History. Capital 'H' History." Betty grabbed the menu and placed it in front of her face eagerly examining its contents before glancing over the top of it to see Veronica's intense gaze still directed at her. Her friend quirked a perfectly pencilled eyebrow as she met Betty's eyes. "Don't deny it," Veronica pressed further.

"Oh, fine." Betty slammed the menu down in front of her. Veronica was obviously not one to let things go. "We may have had some - ." Her mind searched for what exactly were the right words for what her and Jughead had shared, it wasn't a relationship, a flirtation, a friendship, a series of moments. "Shared some moments. But that was it and it was a long time ago." She damned the blush that she could feel creeping up her neck and spreading across her cheeks.

"You liked him," Veronica returned smugly, leaning back in her chair as if she had finally gotten Betty to admit something.

"Yeah, I liked him," she admitted begrudgingly. "Liked as in past tense." Her jaw was set in defiance, it was the past wasn't it? She didn't want to get wrapped up in him all over again. She had moved on. She had re-evaluated and she was in love… well, she was interested… no, she liked Archie.

"I thought you were going to help me get Archie?" She huffed and Veronica's look softened and she almost looked like she wanted to reach out and touch Betty's hand.

"You are not easily dissuaded by much, are you Betty Cooper?" Veronica took a sip of her water as she eyed Betty carefully.

"No." Betty straightened herself in her chair. Archie was her focus she had let herself become distracted for long enough. Indulging in past memories and touches long since forgotten. She was sure. He had been the one for so long ever since that first time they performed together and she had decided that that was the man for her. The perfect man with his charming smile, a voice that made people take notice and handsome. But much more than any of that Archie Andrews was uncomplicated. He was the kind of man that her mother would be proud to see her with. Admiring Archie had been an easy task until Jughead Jones had thrown a spanner in the works. The year he took a break from the company she was focused completely on her pursuit of having Archie Andrews as her boyfriend. The perfect couple. Having Jughead back had made her second guess herself. She was finding herself more and more losing herself in her memories of her time spent with Jughead, diverting her attention away from Archie until other memories, ones that she had pushed so far down, came to the surface and reminded her why Archie was the one.

"Well, I was thinking we have our first group rehearsal next week. How about a private little rehearsal of our own back at my penthouse. A fully stocked bar, a balcony overlooking Riverdale." Veronica wove a pretty picture and Betty could already picture herself and Archie with French champagne, overlooking the town. It would be the perfect opportunity to let him know how she felt. There was however one flaw in Veronica's plan.

"You said group rehearsal?" Betty narrowed her gaze at Veronica. Jughead, it seemed, had reluctantly become part of their 'group,' once again inserting himself into her life.

"Nothing gets past you does it B?" Veronica smiled at her knowingly. "I'll distract the stage hand, if that's what you're worried about," she said with a raised eyebrow and a mischievous glint in her eyes.

Betty felt her body stiffen at Veronica's suggestion. The thought of Veronica with Jughead made her stomach twist. Her fingers itched to curl into her palms to bury that feeling back down again. She should agree, shouldn't she. She knew that Archie was interested in Veronica, it was obvious in the way he looked at her. The way his body turned towards the raven beauty when they conversed, him always slightly leaning in. Having Veronica, distract, Jughead as she put it would remove the two current main barriers to her goal and yet there was something holding her back from agreeing.

"Or not?" Veronica interrupted her thoughts and Betty met her eyes trying to maintain a neutral expression so she didn't betray what was going on in her mind.

"It's just him and Archie don't really get along and I don't know how I am meant to woo Archie if he is there making snide comments," she replied lamely, she knew that wasn't the real reason she didn't want Jughead there. He would only complicate matters.

"Hence the distraction." Veronica said simply. There was that twisting in her stomach again. "Trust me Betty. I can make this work." Veronica said with a confident smile, her hands clasping on the table. Betty forced a smile before nodding.

"Okay, fine," she mumbled, slumping back in her chair.

"By the end of the night you'll have your boy. That's the Veronica Lodge guarantee." she finished with a wink. "Now let's order some lunch I'm starving." She smiled sweetly before signalling the waiter back to the table.