Author's note: Hitting up a few updates and a one-shot at one point. TW: Character death. Here we go! Xx

Betty stared at Hal, taking in everything about his expression resting angrily against his features, before speaking up. "Why are you here, dad?"

There were a couple of quiet gasps at the announcement of Betty's father being the sheriff in Harper's Island, but she didn't bother to pivot around and see who all had issued them; her eyes never strayed once from her father's face as he took her in, as well.

"There have been four murders now," Hal began but it was Archie who shook his head.

"Mr. Cooper, there have been two," he said, tone laced with confusion. Hal sighed, taking off his hat as he rubbed his face.

"When was the last time any of you have heard from a Ms. Muggs and Reverend James?" Hal asked, tone tinged with despondency.

Josie gasped. "Don't say Ethel is dead. Please. Tell us she went home."

Betty's heart clenched at the sound of anguish woven behind Josie's words, knowing all too well how she'd feel if Archie or Sweet Pea were ever murdered. Then, realizing that there were murders happening on the island and Archie was there, she shot him a frantic look – his own look of dismay shot right back at her.

"Ms. Muggs was identified by her teeth," Hal began.

"Jesus," Reggie gasped. "What the fuck happened to her?" It was his turn to hold onto Josie as she trembled in his arms, shaking her head back and forth repeatedly. Hal sighed as he continued.

"I'm sorry to say that we found what can only be described as ashes. She was burned alive," his tone was grave, and Betty felt sick to her stomach. She squeezed Jughead's hand tightly, him returning the pressure just as intensely as he spoke up.

"Hal, who the hell is doing this? It wouldn't be any of the locals. Not after seven years ago," he said, point-blank as he studied her father. Betty watched as the two men looked at each other before Hal turned and looked at her.

"We do not know who the killer is at the moment but I'm going to need everyone to stay on the island while I find out. As of now, you're all suspects in ongoing murder investigations," he said, tone firm.

"Dad -," Betty started, tone laced with fury at the idea of her father even insinuating any of the wedding party had anything to do with these deaths; that she had anything to do with them. Hal cut her off as his eyes flickered with pain briefly.

"My decision is final, Betty," he said. "Any of you who try to leave without being questioned will face charges of accessory to murder. At the least."

With that, he looked at Chuck and nodded at him, tilting his head to the parlor next to the front foyer. Chuck looked at him in shock before muttering under his breath as he followed him into the room, leaving the rest of them to turn and look at Betty.

"Your father is a piece of work, Betty," Reggie snarled.

"Shut the fuck up," Jughead snapped, pulling her into his side. Reggie opened his mouth to make a furious rebuttal of some sort but someone else spoke up.

"Reg, shut the fuck up," Archie growled, running a hand through his hair impatiently. "Betty is not to blame here – neither is Hal Cooper. As a sheriff, he's doing his job. You want Ronnie's fathers' murderer to get off scot-free? Ethels' and Moose's'?"

Reggie snapped his mouth shut, grabbing Josie's hand, and pulling her away from the rest of the group as she cried openly. Betty shook her head sadly, watching after them as they went before turning back to Archie and Ronnie. "We should be able to leave soon. Once Hal figures out it was none of us."

Her tone was quiet in its implication – an implication Jughead seemed to understand as he looked at her. "Think it was someone inland?"

Betty sighed, rubbing her temples. "Honestly? I don't know Juggie. I mean, seven years ago, it wasn't. But, that killer is dead. How realistic would it be for an out-of-towner to just show up and go on a murdering rampage again?"

He nodded, considering her words as her phone started ringing. Looking at it, she excused herself to go take the call. "Hey, Pea."

"Betty, you on your way home yet?" Sweet Pea asked and she sighed, shaking her head in frustration.

"No," she replied.

"Why the fuck not?" Sweet Pea demanded, tone both concerned and upset.

"Hal Cooper showed up to save the day," she muttered, tone bitter.

"Tell your dad to go fuck himself for all I care and get home," Sweet Pea grumbled, and she laughed at his tone. "Nothing is funny about this situation, Betty. You went back to the one place you swore you never would, and murders have started again. Coincidental?"

"Fuck if I know, Pea," she sighed. Just then, Betty felt someone come stand next to her and her body moved of it's own accord; orbiting with the body next to hers' as Jughead Jones could only make her do. "It's Sweet Pea."

Jughead nodded, brow furrowed in concentration. "He okay?"

"Yeah, just wants me home," Betty said.

"You and Jughead!" Sweet Pea called loud enough for Jughead to hear, causing him to snicker. "I want to meet the guy you've been pining for the past seven years."

"Sweet Pea, kindly fuck off," Betty said sweetly, and Jughead laughed as a pleased expression crossed his features.

"Can I talk to him?" Jughead asked suddenly, and Betty nodded, slightly confused.

"Sure. Pea, Juggie wants to say something to you, hold on," she explained, handing over the phone to Jughead as she watched him begin to talk.

"Hey, hear you're Betty's brother in the city," Jughead said, tone light and friendly as could be given the current circumstances they all found themselves in. There was a pause on Jughead's end as Sweet Pea replied from his end. Jughead chuckled and nodded as he continued to speak once more. "Yeah, man. Thanks for looking after my girl. She told me how you convinced her to go see a therapist which lets me know you know her past…yeah, our past, I guess you're right. But, thanks. It means a lot to know there was someone who helped her out when I couldn't."

Betty's heart ached at that because she knew it was her own doing for pushing him away. But, the kind smile and gentle look in Jughead's eyes told her he had never once been disappointed in her – maybe for her – but not in her. That made all the difference in the world for her.

The two of them talked for a few more minutes before Jughead handed the phone back over to her.

"I like him. He's a keeper," Sweet Pea said immediately, and she laughed.

"Thanks, I think I will keep him," she said, looking at Jughead with soft eyes. His expression was equally as soft, and it made her heart beat contentedly. She returned her attention back to the phone call. "But seriously, Betty, get your ass home soon, okay? I need my best friend safe."

She hummed, nodding her head. "Okay, promise."

After a few more words, they got off the phone and sat down, waiting for their turn to be questioned by her dad.

XXX

After the questioning had ended and Hal cleared them, the group quickly made their way to the docks, Jughead's hand a permanent fixture at the small of Betty's back. They were supposed to be able to take out the boat that had been left after they arrived, and they hurried towards it. Betty looked around and realized Reggie wasn't anywhere to be seen. She paused, biting her lip as she looked further across the expanse of the walkway. "Where's Reggie?"

"Archie too," Veronica said, voice terrified. Betty felt her stomach sink – if the two of them had been derailed by the killer and push came to shove, Betty would fight for Archie first, a thought she hated herself for but didn't rebuke, nonetheless. Just then, there was a cry of anguish and both women rushed towards it, ignoring Jughead's yell of, "stop!"

Feet pounding across the pavement, they followed the sound of cries and fell next to Archie who was holding Reggie's limp form in his arms, screaming at his brother in everything but blood to come back.

Reggie's eyes were dulling, life draining out of them as Betty took in the multiple stab wounds.

"Fuck, what happened, Archie?" Jughead hissed, dropping down next to them and trying to figure out where to place his hands as Betty yanked off her jacket and covered some of the worst looking wounds, knowing it was a fruitless attempt regardless.

"He went ahead of me as I was staying behind to make sure everyone was out. I-I heard crying," Archie whimpered, and Betty felt her eyes fill with more tears as she watched him look at his friend in despair. "I ran towards the sound and found him here and fuck, shit, I'm so sorry, Reg!"

Reggie looked at him, smiled in understanding before looking at Betty. Her voice caught in her throat as he reached out a weak hand to grasp hers'. She cringed at how cold it already was.

"It's about you, Betty," he mumbled, forcing the words out. "He wants you."

With that, he closed his eyes, and Archie howled.

Author's note: For anyone who has seen this episode, few things have been changed. Per usual, no spoilers please! Thoughts appreciated as always! Xxx