Somewhat of an AU where Jughead and Betty have a strained relationship before the start of the series. This story will follow the main series closely, but will have an altered timeline of events. Story told focused on Bughead but will have minor characters viewpoints as well. Rating due to Violence, Language, Adult themes (nothing too graphic)

When Betty suddenly finds herself without a plus one for her sister's wedding, she panics and asks her friendly (albeit brooding) neighborhood bartender to come with as her date. Betty/Jughead Riverdale AU Rated M for swears/just to be safe.

He'd left Riverdale behind 15 months ago, following his mom to Toledo. He'd left HER behind. Now Jughead Jones is home, and he's finding that nothing is the same in the wake of Jason Blossom's unsolved murder. The deeper he digs into the crime, the clearer he sees the real danger to Betty. But will she see the truth & find her way back to the light? Season one AU, eventual Bughead.

It started out as a simple quest - he wanted to see her smile again. That alarmingly beautiful, incandescent smile. But over time, it turned into something more. An L/J one-shot.

Mix: 1 portion each of mystery, mayhem, and murder. Add: James, Lily, spies, school, and sarcasm. Stir in: 1 tablespoon each of chaos and enmity. Blend using: sense of humor and ability to read. Serve: shaken, not stirred...