AN: Hi guys here is the next chapter and I hope you like it- please let me know what you think.
Boris Yeltsin: Hi I'm glad you liked the chapter and in a way all of the chapters are connected yes, this is because certain events happen in each of them but I guess they can be read individually if people wanted to as well.
Potatokarate: I'm happy you liked the chapter and I guess we'll have to wait and see what happens, but don't worry, I'm sure they'll get revenge on at least one person who caused them a lot of harm.
Guest: Glad you liked the chapter and I just thought I wanted to show a little bit of the darker side to Archie and the whole going to jail foreshadowing thing literally popped into my head as I was writing so I thought why not. With Reggie I think that even though he and Archie don't always see eye to eye that if Archie really needed him he would be there, like when he and the bulldogs fought the serpents with Archie nearer the start of season 2. And it's no problem, I'm a little mad at myself for not replying to some of the reviews earlier on and getting the reviews, especially good ones, does make me so happy.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything
She watches the multitude of cars race past, listens to the roar of the motorbike engines; feels the weight of Archie's palm on her knee. Not for the first time during the car ride, Veronica is grateful that miraculously Fp had managed to procure them a vehicle which they didn't have to share.
It meant she didn't have to put on a brave face; didn't have to pretend everything was fine and that there wasn't a chance Archie may not come home to her at the end of the night.
Veronica placed a hand over Archie's, squeezing the appendage tightly and ignoring the voice in the back of her head saying to never let him go.
She didn't want to, let him go that is but for the past few weeks Veronica Lodge had found she wasn't getting what she wanted.
Much to her chagrin.
Archie turned briefly in her direction, eyebrow quirked in question and she felt another wave of guilt wash over her.
It wasn't him, it wasn't him the voice chanted and Veronica awarded her boyfriend a watery smile.
He moved his hand to change gear and she felt the loss keenly, a sudden chill enveloping her body.
They arrived at their destination not long after- and she could see the ghoulies in the distance, swinging the weapons in their hands around and laughing like hyenas at the sight of all the serpents.
"I'm sorry" she said suddenly, the words pouring out of her mouth "I'm glad it wasn't you."
He looks confused for a second before his face clears and he grasps her hand "it's ok Ronnie."
She has the sudden urge to laugh because none of this is ok, her boyfriend shouldn't be going off to fight in a gang war and she shouldn't be thanking her lucky stars that it's the love of her best friends life lying in a hospital bed right now instead of Archie.
"No its not" she cried, bordering on hysterical and Archie cups her cheek.
"Ronnie, I understand and I'm sure Betty would too" he says consolingly, thumb absently rubbing circles into her skin.
Veronica wasn't so sure, it wasn't as if she was happy Jughead had been attacked but the guilt ridden relief wouldn't fade.
Cheryl strolled past, bow clutched in her grip and Toni at her side.
She realised then that they had to get out of the car, the serpents and bulldogs around them looked as if they were gearing up and Veronica knew what came next.
She only managed to get one foot out of the door before Archie's sharp voice stopped her.
"Ronnie, what are you doing?"
"I'm coming with you" she announced, steadfastly climbing out of the vehicle.
"You're staying here" he commanded and Veronica stared at him amused despite herself.
"Oh archiekins" she sighed, regaining some of her composure as he walked around to her side of the car "if you think I'm letting you go out there alone you are sorely mistaken."
"Ronnie, I mean it- you're staying in the car."
"Archie-" she tried to protest but he was having none of it.
"I'm not letting you get hurt alright" he sighed, and Veronica's eyes softened "please just stay in the car."
It was his face that made her cave, the puppy dog eyes and the slight pouting of his lips "fine" she agreed.
He smiled at her, bringing his face to hers and pressing a toe curling kiss to her lips.
Veronica clutched him to her, not wanting to let go.
"Alright, love birds- times up" Cheryl interrupted and she reluctantly pulled away.
"Be safe" she whispered, stroking the strands of hair on the back of his neck.
"Always" he replied, kissing her forehead "I love you."
"I love you too" she said, trying to ignore how much it sounded as if they were saying goodbye.
Archie stayed long enough to make sure she got back into the car and locked the door, then walked away- towards the front to meet the bulldogs.
She felt the distance between them deeply.
A bang from the back of the car had her spinning round, heart racing in her chest.
It was Cheryl and Toni.
"Just us princess" Cheryl said climbing onto the roof of the car and out of sight.
Veronica turned back to search for the shock of red hair belonging to her boyfriend, observing how the fight began with an unintelligible shout from the ghoulies.
She tried to keep track of Archie, keep sight of the red hair and letterman jacket but it was becoming increasingly more difficult with every minute that passed.
She watched more serpents fall than ghoulies and felt her stomach drop as bodies began to litter the ground.
An arrow whizzed from overhead, striking a ghoulie in the chest and he went down- Veronica understood why Cheryl was on the roof now.
Target practice.
A ghoulie was running straight for the car, chasing after a serpent and Veronica had an idea.
She waited for the right moment, hand hovering over the door handle.
There, she whipped the door open; striking the ghoulie in the chest and he went down hard, unmoving.
"Nice one" she heard from above her and caught Toni's grin.
A thought occurred to her as she saw more and more ghoulies heading towards them.
Peering at the other side of the car Veronica noticed the keys still in the ignition and grinned, hauling herself into the driver's seat.
The raven head opened the sun roof, ignoring the girl's exclamations of surprise in favour of telling them to get in the car.
Toni jumped in without a word, no doubt recognising the calculating look in her eye, standing in the sun roof with Cheryl so they could both still shoot.
"HANG ON" she shouted, turning the key in the ignition and putting it into drive.
She'd never admit to anyone how therapeutic it was running over ghoulies when they got in her way, nor the thrill that rushed through her body.
A startled laugh burst through her pursed lips as she realised in a way she was still doing what Archie had said.
She was staying in the car, just bringing the car to him.
By some stroke of luck Veronica managed not to hit any serpents and the bewildered looks they graced her with as she passed made the whole plan worth it.
Soon though it became apparent that even with her mowing over every ghoulie in sight, the serpents were still losing, badly. What the serpents had over them in strength, rage and loyalty the ghoulies made up for with numbers, and it showed.
A burst of anger rose within her when she thought of how her father was the cause of this, the cause of so many lives lost, of the bodies strewn about the ground.
She almost couldn't believe that once upon a time she had viewed the same man with love and respect when all along he was capable of this.
Destruction, carnage.
Veronica thought of the broken cries Betty had released and the limp body of one Jughead Jones. She thought of the way her father manipulated Archie into doing his bidding and almost wished she'd let Archie go and find her father.
She wanted to see him pay for the crimes he'd committed, for the sins he would in the future.
Veronica knew without a doubt though that one day she would be the one to make her father rue the day he ever set foot in Riverdale.
She was a lodge after all and Lodges were notorious for getting what they desired.
AN: So there you have it, please read and review and let me know what you think- I love hearing your feedback. It's not as good as some of the other chapters but I hope you like it anyway.
Also I apologise for any mistakes I may have missed because I typed this whole thing on my phone at work today and sometimes I miss a couple things.
