Author's note: Okay, couple things: thank you, firstly, to everyone who has been telling me I am writing this story better than season five in general. I just completely stopped watching any episodes after finding out that Roberto has given Jughead a background story with drug addiction. I don't have any words for that and I just…he's gone and fucked up every character beyond belief so no, I will not continue to support. Angel actors of that show: RUN as fast as you can and get jobs that are better written for you. The second thing, I have two FBI stories in the works and I'm constantly trying to remember how I have Sweet Pea in them. He's an agent in the other one and I have to make a mental reminder to remember how his character is in each, so I don't overlap him from both stories. Anyways, onwards!

Jughead was talking to Tabitha as he restocked napkin holders, laughing at her recounting a story of her and Pop from the past weekend. He liked Tabitha Tate in a way of siblings. He couldn't decide who wore the older and younger titles, though, so he had regulated them to being twin-like. It seemed more fitting, in his opinion, at least. Tabitha was currently regaling a portion of her story about how her grandfather hadn't been able to fix something on his car and how he had muttered "needing Betty Cooper". She said it was how she found out Betty used to be a grease monkey and she was fascinated.

"Yeah," Jughead laughed. "She used to help her dad fix cars growing up."

Tabitha paused, cocking her head to the side as she studied Jughead. "Hal Cooper? The man who turned out to be the Black Hood?"

There wasn't an ounce of judgement in Tabitha's voice so Jughead didn't feel the harsh need to defend Betty against wild accusations. Not the way he had in high school when the Serpents had protected her, firstly under his command, and then because they had all grown to love the blonde. He swallowed and nodded, memories of their night running through the forest in a sick game of torture orchestrated by Penelope Blossom filtering through his mind.

"Yes," he said, tone quiet. "Hal had demons and indiscretions. He had wanted the town to 'atone for our sins' but he really was the only one who needed to do that. That being said, he hadn't always been that way. He loved Betty – clear sign as to why she was who he targeted in a twisted game – and one of their favorite pastimes was the two of them fixing up cars and bonding in a way that only they understood."

His mind drifted to the day of Fred Andrews funeral; of how he had looked for Betty when she was no longer by his side and found her standing at her father's grave. The contrast between Fred's tombstone and Hal's shook even Jughead, but his discomfort was for Betty's pain. Seeing her trying to clean up the trash as her eyes had traveled over the graffiti in a quiet, wearily accepted pain had haunted him for weeks to come. She hadn't deserved an ounce of the backlash from the town and yet, she shouldered it. She was Betty Cooper. Of course she shouldered it.

Tabitha looked at him thoughtfully, hands working in tandem with one another as she refilled the salt and pepper shakers. Finally she spoke.

"I obviously don't know what that time was like for any of you, especially Betty Cooper, but if she can survive her father being a serial killer and still be a good person on the other side, I think she'll be just fine," she said. Jughead nodded, knowing that while Tabitha had no clue of all that was going on with TBK, her words were wise enough to be soothing. He smiled appreciatively just as the diner door opened and familiar laughter surrounded them. Looking up, he grinned.

"Betty Cooper," he said, wiping his hands on his apron as he ducked behind the counter and reached her in three strides, pulling her in for a kiss. Pulling back, he kissed her forehead before tugging her into his side with an arm wrapped around her waist as he faced Sweet Pea and Emma. "Any issues?"

Sweet Pea shook his head, arm strung loosely around Emma's shoulder as the shorter woman leaned into his tall stature, content smile resting against her lips. "Nah, didn't pick up on anyone following around behind us that shouldn't have been."

Jughead nodded, brow furrowing at the fact that they still didn't know who had followed after Betty, spooking his girl enough for her to get to her apartment in a state of being flustered. Jughead had been pissed the fuck off until they went to dinner and she threatened if he didn't calm his ass down she wouldn't blow him for a week. Minimum. He didn't like that idea in the fucking slightest, so he quietly grumbled but acquiesced her wishes and ate his food as his rage simmered.

As if knowing where his mind was, Betty smirked up at him with a twinkle in her eyes. "It ended up well enough." Though she was talking about now being followed, he understood the dual meaning behind her words – how after his anger had abated, she had given him the best orgasm he had had in years. He laughed quietly as he caught Pea's knowing look and shrugged at the taller as if to say, "it's true".

They made their way to a booth in the back after Jughead told Tabitha he'd be taking his break and she said she'd bring them coffee. Sitting down, Sweet Pea looked at Jughead, a peculiar look in his eyes.

"Saw the most interesting person today," he said casually. "What is FP Jones doing back in town?"

Betty answered before he could. "I asked him to come. I know you're mad he left the Serpents but remember, Pea, he was the sheriff before he left Riverdale. He had already left the Serpents before."

Sweet Pea stared at her for a moment before deflating and nodding. "He here to help for the case?"

Jughead, who was speechless that Betty, of all people, had just willingly lied to Sweet Pea to cover his own ass, nodded absentmindedly. "Yeah, we thought he could have some of his, uh, friends in Toledo help."

Sweet Pea leaned back into the booth, arms folded across his chest as he studied Jughead, eyes flickering to Betty once or twice, as well. "You sure you mean friends and not men?"

"Is there a difference?" Jughead asked.

He snorted. "You know there is."

"Oh, so this man, FP, he has a crew in Toledo, you mean?" Emma piped up, sipping her coffee as she waited for an answer.

"FP, my dad," Jughead began. "Ran the Serpents. Wasn't the easiest man to deal with at one point but he cleaned up his act and became someone I am proud to call a father. He loves Betty as if she were his own daughter and he came back to Riverdale a couple of days ago. We needed him to know everything that has happened from Betty's abduction to Polly's death. He's got some men he trusts from Toledo that he's currently contacting in order to get them on board with bringing down Glen."

"I really never thought I'd be friends with gang members in my life," Emma said, tone one of intrigue. "But, hey, works for me." Eyes traveling to Sweet Pea, she grinned impishly. "Especially as far as neck tattoo is concerned."

"Say my name," he grinned.

"Jesus," Betty muttered, shaking her head amusedly.

"Aw, mini-Coop, c'mon," Sweet Pea said, shit-eating grin plastered across his face. "Thanks to you, I have met the second most amazing woman in my life."

Betty tilted her head. "Second?"

"Give one guess as to who the first is," Emma said, looking at her and Betty smiled softly.

"I call godmother," she said.

"It's yours' if and when it happens," Emma replied, and the two women smiled at each other.

Sweet Pea had a soft look in his eyes for a moment before turning back to Jughead. "What is FP needing?"

"Well, he's currently visiting Alice – offering his condolences and checking in with her in person. After he gets back from that, we've asked him to come back to Betty's apartment before going to the hotel for the night. We need to hear how many people he's reached out to and what their backgrounds are as far as skills."

Sweet Pea nodded, humming thoughtfully, before looking at Betty. "Can I be at your apartment when he's there?"

"Depends," she said casually.

"On?"

"On whether or not fists will be flying," she smiled sardonically.

"I won't hit him just because I am less than impressed with him leaving," Sweet Pea sighed. "I mean, everyone left if I want to be fair."

There was a twinge of sadness to his friend's voice and Jughead understood it – he didn't like being left behind anymore than the next person. At least Pea had the Serpents and Kevin. Those of them that had left, had gone off by themselves; hadn't stayed in touch and it was only at the call of Archie that they were brought back to their home for one circumstance and being catapulted into another, more harrowing one when Betty's abduction came to light.

"We came back," Betty said quietly, and he nodded once.

"It's appreciated," he replied.

The spent the rest of Jughead's break talking about who could potentially be the accomplice before Betty turned to him.

"Oh, Juggie, forgot to mention Ethel invited us out to dinner," she said.

"Ethel? Muggs?" Sweet Pea asked.

Betty nodded. "Yeah, I bumped into her a few days after Pol's funeral and she offered her condolences and we talked for a bit. Jughead and I met up with her for coffee and I've been texting with her from time-to-time. She works for my mom at the paper."

Sweet Pea looked confused. "Didn't she help that insane nun and her fucking henchmen capture you and force you to take Fizzle Rock at Sisters?"

Jughead, while not having an issue with Ethel at the present moment, remembered all too well how hard it had been to remind himself Ethel had been just as much of a victim at the time as Betty was. Finding out she had been in that hellhole for three weeks and no one knew had made him loathe not only everyone involved, but himself. He caught Sweet Pea's eye and the taller inclined his head ever-so-slightly, an indication that yes, he needed to talk to him.

"Well, I mean yes, Pea, she did but you have to remember, she was drugged herself," Betty reminded him gently.

Sweet Pea nodded. "Yeah, you're right. Glad she's doing better after all that went down."

"Break's over, Jones!" Tabitha called and he glanced back at her smirk. "Gave you an extra ten minutes so get your ass back to work."

He snorted, kissing Betty, and nodding at the other two, catching Pea's eye once more. He knew the taller was hesitant upon accepting Ethel as someone with no ulterior motives and now that the idea had been planted in his own mind, Jughead would make sure to keep an eye on it – be with Betty each time Ethel was around her.

He didn't think she was a part of all that had happened because she didn't know Glen. Not at all. But, he'd watch her just the same. Sweet Pea would be doing so too, no questions asked. Sighing, he headed back to station himself behind the countertop.

"Riverdale is fun," Tabitha said casually.

"The most fun," he agreed, eyes on Betty as she stared into her coffee mug, clearly lost in her thoughts once more.

Author's note: Enjoy! Thoughts lovely per usual! Sorry for the delay with this one. It's been a rough week and had others to update as well. But, here it is! Xxx