Chapter 9: Punch In Results

Alice couldn't sleep at all last night as her phone kept going straight to voicemail each time she called FP. She spent the night tossing and turning in their bed, worried about her husband. She groaned frustratedly as the voicemail voice chimed in and threw her arms up. Where could he be? He said he was going for a walk but that was hours ago. She groaned again as the voicemail message finally ended and she began to leave a message.

"FP, call me! I'm worried about you. I've called you many times and each time your phone goes right to voicemail. Are you okay?" She sighed, looking down at the time on her screen." I'm starting to worry. Don't make me start a search party, 'cause you know I will get everyone in this town involved to find you. Please call me once you get this." She pressed the end call button, paced the kitchen floor.

The sun was just peeking up from over the horizon around five O'clock through the kitchen shutters. She raised her hand to her eyelid, began rubbing the sandman dust away and let a small yawn escape her mouth quietly. She rested her hands on the cool countertop, taking in the lack of warmth. She heard the doorbell ring while she padded across the kitchen floor with her fuzzy slippers strapped to her ankles. She opened the door to find FP and Hogeye standing on the Jones front porch steps. Her hands found a place to rest on her hips.

"I found him sitting outside the bar. He's pretty much been like this since I picked him up." Hogeye informed Alice gingerly while she checked him over for any sight of possible injuries.

"Thanks, Hogeye. Thank you for bringing him home." She thanked the bartender, closing the door.

Alice's arms guided down to FP's back, steadying him as she helped her husband upstairs into their bedroom. She flicked on the light switch causing FP to groan at the sudden movement. She went over to the dresser, pulling out a tank top and some boxers. She stripped his body from the soaking wet shirt and tossed it onto the bedroom floor. His eyes wouldn't meet hers, afraid of judgement but there was no anger in her eyes as she helped him out of the cold jeans clanging onto his thighs. FP's head fell onto the pillow next to hers. She got up from the bed, picking the wet clothes off the floor and tossed them into the hamper by the master bathroom sidewall.

"I'm sorry." FP mumbled as Alice pulled the tank top over his head. She could hear the sincerity in his voice as he looked away from her.

She cupped his cheeks, forcing him to look in her direction. She searched his eyes, seeing the pain and fear of disappointment inside. The guilt was radiating off his body as he numbly slipped on his boxers with his body turned. "I'm sorry." He repeated. Whatever anger in her body had left when FP's eyes filled with tears. He raised his hand to rub them away, but she stopped him.

He looked up at her, confused."I'm not mad, FP." He wondered why. He couldn't understand why she isn't yelling off his ears about how he had her worried sick. He knew she had been worrying herself. He could see the worry lines in her forehead. "Why?"

Her fingers stroked under his chin." Because I know you are already kicking yourself. I don't need to yell my head off about how worried you had me. You already know that. That's the reason you can't wipe that guilty puppy eyed look off your face."

"Thank you." He muttered quietly back as pain laced his voice.

As her heart ached for him. She pulled him into her arms, stroking his head as they laid on their bed. Her calm shushes made the barrier break and FP's last final resolve fell. After his breakdown he shut his eyes and Alice continued brushing her fingers through his hair as he slept.

By morning Jughead was in the kitchen. He heard Alice's voice coming down the hallway. He shifted in his seat. He saw FP walk out of those doors last night and still wonder what happened. It wasn't his business or anything but did they have a fight? His suspicions were confirmed when FP came into the kitchen, going straight for the fridge and pulled out an orange juice carton from the door.

"How did your walk go?" FP's head shot up and he looked at Jughead.

"H-How did you know?" He stammered slightly.

Jughead set the spoon back into the bowl." I just heard you last night. You know talking to Alice."

He quickly shook off the silence." Oh. Yeah. It was fine." He didn't want Jughead to ask anymore questions.

—xxx—

Four Days Later…

"How's your memory, Mr. Jones?" The doctor observed from her chair.

He moved his hand a little in the middle. "It's getting better but I still don't know what happened to me. You know before the accident. I remembered my sister, her brother looked familiar. In my dreams I keep seeing a boy shout for his father, but I don't know what that means yet."

Dr. Denise smiled softly." It could mean your mind is trying to tell you that the father in your dreams resembles someone in your life before. Have you seen him before?" A half shake, and head nod is her answer. "Have you brought this up to FP?" He shook his head.

Jughead sighed." No, I haven't. He's been avoiding asking about my flashbacks since Thanksgiving. I don't know why."

"Maybe you should talk to him about it."

"I-I don't know about that."

"Why not." His doctor asked.

"I think I might be the reason he goes for long walks every night."

Dr. Denise looked at her patient, questionly. FP only came to one of Jughead appointments. He had told her that Jughead doesn't remember him. And also Jughead wasn't aware that FP is his dad or that he's actually not the father at all. Which confuses her. Of course she hasn't said anything under the wishes of FP. Since FP is a power of attorney he has all say on what happens in the hospital's care.

Before the appointment is over, Dr. Denise gently gave a reassuring hand squeeze." Jughead, talk to him." That's all she said before exiting the doctor's office. Jughead stared at the closed door unsure what to feel about what the doctor told him.

When JB saw her brother come inside the house. She immediately helped Jughead over to the couch. She listened as Jug told her that he'd be getting his cast off in one week. JB told him about dance camp, college essays and even boys.

"My sister can't be dating." Jughead joked with his sister.

She nudged him gently with her elbow. "I so can, Jug."

He laid his back against the backrest on the couch." I have a question. Why does FP get all I-I don't know weird when I ask him about flashbacks?" JB's laugh left her body and she became all serious. She knew her dad wasn't handling Jughead's memory loss well, none of them really have. The only reason JB is doing okay is because Jug remembered her. She knew that her dad wasn't doing okay with that. She scratched her neck nervously all of sudden.

"I don't know. I have this other brother and Dad's just missing because you know you look like him." She tried to explain the best she could.

—xxx—

While Alice and FP were at work JB begged to spend time with her brother under the conditions that she'd call her dad if anything went wrong with either her or Jughead. She noticed that Jughead had been quiet since he asked her about why "their father" has been acting strange ever since thanksgiving. The more and more that the siblings caught up. Jellybean begged to have Jughead take her to the mall. Jughead seemed leery about the idea. Riverdale had a mall? He texted Veronica who he vaguely remembered.

J: Does Riverdale have a mall? JB wants to take me to the mall.

His phone pinged literally seconds later.

Veronica: No. But we have one twenty minutes from there. Jellybean is taking you shopping?

J: Yeah?

Veronica: Yes! About time she gets you proper attire!

Jughead chuckled, rolling his eyes and began typing back. He heard his sister laughing with Charles who was driving them since JB's car broke down. And his car… well that's totaled.

J: Got to go, but thanks!

V: No hay problema!

After shaking off the confusion about what Veronica had typed. He's pretty sure it's Spanish. Charles and JB helped Jug over to the car, closing the door and placing his crutches in the cab. Charles kept his eyes on the road, occasionally looking up at the rearview mirror, keeping an eye on his siblings. Twenty minutes later, Charles' truck came to a roll stop. He turned to his younger siblings and smiled.

"Give me a call when you are ready for me to pick you guys up, okay?"

JB and Jughead nodded, waving their hands as Charles drove away. JB was quick to grab his hand and tugged him along into the mall entrance. The younger man rolled his eyes as JB practically forced him into every girl store possible. Who knew that his sister was well very girly, from what he's heard from Charles and JB herself is that Pink Floyd is her favorite band.

"Jug! They have a rock roll place!" He could see the excitement written into her eyes and cheeks.

They took a break to get a bite to eat and then one of them had too much to drink. JB made a comment on how her dad and him are the same.

"Oh, you and dad are like twins when it comes to eating and drinking a whole 20oz!" JB laughed at her brother, unknowingly sparking confusion in Jughead's eyes.

Jughead blinks at his sister."I do?"

Jellybean laughed. "Look In the mirror."

Jughead walked Into a uni-sex bathroom with his sister and got a good look at himself In one of the mirrors. It was true! He looked SO MUCH like FP!! "Does this mean I'm related to the man somehow?" Thought Jughead.

JB noticed Jughead was in a thought process moment and decided to ask. "Have you been having any other flashes about FP? If you have, I want to know." She really hoped he had. It was seriously hurting their dad for Jug to have no memory of him.

Jughead sighed, refocusing his vision on JB.

"I had one that's starting to scare me. It's late at night and FP Is walking out of the woods with tears In his eyes, carrying a limp bloody body... Me!! The way I looked I should be dead right now!! What happened to me that night?!!"

Jellybean sighed, noticing the fear and wonder in the man's eyes.

Jellybean shakes her head."Sadly, I'm the wrong one to ask. Dad told me about that night but I wasn't there. I know It's not going to be easy for my dad; he'll be In tears the whole time. But the best person to ask and who truly knows everything about that night, Is my dad. The doctor Is right Jughead, no matter how many times my dad tries to pull away you need to talk to him! You need to start talking to him and getting to know him! You need to start talking about these flashes! Including this one!!"Jughead shuddered, but he knew his sister was %100 percent right!! Jughead slowly nodded yes.

Jellybean added."Ask my dad to meet you at Pops. You two need some time alone to not just talk, but to talk about this flashback of yours. Don't skip any details about this flashback that's been bothering you. About any of your flashbacks." Our Dad, JB wanted to add… but she knew it was up to Jug to start putting everything together. All she could do was guide him in the right direction and hope he does the right thing by them.

There was a fire starting in his heart. He knew what had to be done but not exactly how to say it. There's no way to ask a man who's clearly affected by him that he's having vivid flashbacks.

—-xxx—

FP came home from work with his back aching. It had been a rough day...the first thing he does is plop down on the couch, exhaling a loud sigh. Alice was making dinner he could already tell by the sweet smell of home style cooking. Ever since they moved in together and married one another. Five and a half years of enjoying her cooking, waking up in the morning despite the morning breath, kissing her passionately. She stuck with through the fights, bickering who does the dishes for the night and then making out after the argument.

Alice and the kids ate at the table. FP helped himself to a plate of food: chicken and rice. Jughead still kept replaying what JB had told him earlier at the mall. He knew she had a point. And later that night another memory jolted his brain from thoughts.

Jughead, he was packing up his belongings into a bag and his eyes laid on a photograph of him and a young child; Jellybean, his sister. He picked it up from the pin board and headed on his way. He saw himself grab a black spray paint can and wrote in messy graffiti JUGHEAD JONES WUZ HERE with his signature crown at the very end of here.

What am I doing? Jughead thought throughout the flashback? He watched as he turned around when he heard someone say the words:" They'll tear that booth down, too. Raze the whole place. Send it to the junkyard. And us with it." His younger self shot his eyes upward and the camera pans on a man with the black leather jacket standing at least across the grass field.

Is that the same serpent jacket from earlier? He wasn't sure if it was or not. He kept his eyes closed, memories began flashing in his head. "Yeah... Maybe they'll save it. All the pieces. Store it in the town hall attic, and rebuild it in a hundred years. Wonder who the hell we were." He kept looking toward the man, didn't he look like him? Sorta? Who knew.

"Hmm." The man hummed in agreement. "So where are you gonna live now?"

He's homeless? The guy's face was still blurred but Jug could recognize the similar sounding voice. Where had he heard it before?

"I'll figure it out, Dad. I always do." Then he walked away and left the man in the serpent jacket in his way.

Jughead's eyes reopened and he was alone in his new room. Well FP's other son's room. He found himself letting his fingers work around a hidden picture. Him and a redhead boy. Who is he? He guessed that was going to be answered at a later date. Then he remembered the redhead boy. His name is Archie Andrews. Mary's son, he hadn't met him yet. Maybe in his past life he had.

—-xxx—

FP looked down at his phone, waiting for it to buzz or doing anything honestly! Jughead had texted him to meet at Pop's and he had sounded pretty serious at least through texting. He knew Jughead well but it was hard these days to know what that boy was thinking about. Pop Tate noticed FP's empty cup and came by to refill it. FP's eyes shot up, giving a half-smile.

"Thanks." Pop smiled back.

"Always, FP. You worked your ass off for me. I think you earned coffee on the house." He noticed the nervousness written into FP's features and couldn't stop himself from asking. "Are you alone today?" FP shakes his head.

"No. I'm waiting on Jug." Pop Tate smiled blissfully.

"Oh! My favorite Nighthawk! He hasn't come in since…" He trailed off. FP nodded slowly. "Yeah… he hasn't. His old friends, at least Veronica and Kevin have helped a lot. I heard Andrews is back from the Navy, is that right?"

"Archie is back." He looked at the father and asked," How do you feel about it?"

FP shrugged." Honestly." He blew out a sigh," I don't know. Red… really fucked up with Jug and I. Kissing another man's girlfriend isn't okay. Jughead didn't even have to tell me. I knew by the way Jughead's hand looked. Betty kinda just moved out not long after Jughead's fight with Andrews."

"Ah, I heard about that. Betty didn't seem like a girl to cheat on or hurt anymore, but Riverdale has a way of hiding the truth."

"Ain't that the truth, Pop."

The chime bells signaled that Jughead had arrived. FP and Pop cut their conversation short and Jughead slides into the booth. Pop placed Jughead's special in front of him and Jughead smiled. After they began eating, FP cleared his throat, breaking Jug's concentration with his food. It was clear that something was bugging the boy otherwise he wouldn't have made the first move by reaching out. Jughead knew that FP wanted to ask why they were meeting. And he didn't know what to say or do.

"Uh, Jug.. you said you wanted to ask me something."

"Oh! Yeah… I did." Jughead muttered unsurely.

Tension in the diner began to wear away at FP's patience. "So what was it?" He was trying to keep his hope out of his voice as best as he could. Although secretly underneath the table he's crossing his fingers.

"Uh...uh.. well JB and I were at the mall--" FP cut him off and began asking rapidly.

"What? Are you okay? Did something happen? Jellybean was supposed to call us if anything went wrong."

Jughead quickly shook his head, immediately calming the worried man in front of him. "No. Nothing went wrong. I had this memory and I— I was wondering if you could help clear it up for me."

"Uh-uh sure, anything. What was it about?"

So Jughead began telling him what the flashback was about. Jughead cleared his throat,"Well, I keep seeing you coming out of these woods carrying a limp blood covered body. A body that by the looks of It... Should be dead! The body... Looks like me! How Is that possible?! What the hell happened that night?! How am I still alive?!"

FP felt the pain In his heart and tears In his eyes get bigger and bigger. He knew exactly what his son was remembering. FP wished he could forget that horrid night, so why In hell would he want to help his son remember It?!! But FP knew he had no choice. But he also had to be careful. As badly as he wanted his baby boy back to himself he needed to let Jughead get there on his own. Yeah that's right, no matter what some stupid blood test says his Juggie will always be his beautful baby boy!! His beautiful son!! FP carried that small fragile little baby everywhere, fed him, changed him, dressed him, bathed him, comforted him and everything else for so many days! From the moment Gladys walked In with Little Juggie In her arms that boy had been his!! He had to tell Jughead what happened that night, while leaving certain things out.

FP took a deep sigh before beginning." There was this gang that used to exist a long time ago--" Jughead interrupted.

He remembered hearing a little about a gang. "Like the Serpents?" FP shook his head slightly. " Yes and no. The Serpents are good people, The Ghoulies and their leader, Penny Peabody were not. That night they threatened to hurt Betty--" Pain laced the man's eyes as the memory popped back into his head. It was something he's been trying to forget. And now that Jughead straight-up asked about that night he struggled with the topic.

It was true, FP remembered how Jughead commented how Malachi said he would go after Betty next. FP remembered his boy's worried expression In the hospital when FP mentioned being there for Betty. Jughead was so worried that Malachi followed through with his promise.

He became caught up in flashbacks in his head but this time it was on the night Jughead woke up. The boy's bruised face, slightly layered by bandages on his arms where Serpent tattoo used to be.

Jughead's eyes filled with horror as the thought of Betty getting hurt crossed his mind. He vaguely recalled the night FP was re-telling. All that he'd remembered was pain, hot-flashing blows and then it all goes blank as night on him. "They hurt Betty?"FP watched as Jughead's eyes widened in horror. He was quick to answer."No, and only for one reason... You gave yourself to Penny and The Ghoulies. You protected her and other friends of yours so Penny and them would leave them alone and hurt you Instead." He struggled against the guilty in his own heart. It was his fault that Jughead was even involved in the first place. If it wasn't for his own stubbornness and drinking Jughead would've never been in that position.

FP couldn't hide the fact that tears were running freely down his cheeks. And Jughead noted that FP was crying. He knew that FP really had a thing for people he cared for. Maybe he was one of those people. "It definitely was a miracle they didn't succeed In killing you!" As painful images flashed in his eyes of Jughead's scarred body in bed.

Jughead still wondered the biggest revelation."How the hell did you know about It, let alone where to find me?"

This is where FP decided to twist the truth a little bit again. Instead of telling that Toni Topaz was the one who was kidnapped, FP had told Jug that it was Betty. He felt that he didn't want to overload the man's memory with too many facts. So he twisted the truth a little bit as tears streamed down his cheeks.

"You called Betty beforehand. She could tell something was off so she called me right after. Penny actually kidnapped Betty earlier. I remembered the location you rescued her from." Jughead shuddered."This Penny person seems very messed up!" FP resisted the urge to ruffle his boy's hair or to pull him Into a hug or call him some kind of nickname.

FP nodded in agreement as shudders hit his spine."She definitely was, trust me. I don't know where the hell she Is now. But she hasn't been In Riverdale for years now." The carving on Jughead's arm had faded away but FP could see-slash-remember it as clear as day.

"How the hell did you know such a messed up person?" As confusion took over the younger man's face and eyes. FP vaguely explained further. "Like a lot of other adults my age In this town I grew up with them. I went to high school with her. Even... Dated her for a little bit." He had to fight the cringe on his face as he told Jug this. He regretted it everyday, it caused so many things to happen. If he never dated her, Jughead wouldn't have met the crazy charming bitch.

Jughead blinked hard. "I know, one of my biggest regrets. Trust me, It didn't last long." Everything he said was the truth, it was one of his biggest regrets.

By the time the conversation ended, FP and Jug's plates were completely empty. Pop Tate gave them their bill which Jughead tried to pay. FP shook his head smiling at the generosity. He told Jughead he'd pay for their food. It was his treat for the boy. After everything was paid for Jug and FP headed home. Betty was staying over for dinner tonight at least that is what Alice's text message said. FP was slowly starting to let go of his anger at Betty. It had been five years since that all happened. Time goes by so fast when your world gets spun upside down and then on its axis.

Alice met the boys as soon as they walked in the door. FP could see Alice coming towards them with a box. He looked over his wife and began to wonder. It was time to decorate for Christmas. Who knew the days had gone by so quickly after Thanksgiving. His mind was wrapped up in time that Jughead came home with them.

"What's all this?" Jughead asked with widened eyes. Alice smiled, handing FP the box.

"They are Christmas decorations, Jughead." Jughead chuckled.

"I know that. I was wondering why you have them?"

"'Cause it's almost Christmas, Dork!" A voice interrupts the conversation. The group turned and saw JB poking her head into the living room behind the swinging kitchen door. Jughead rolled his eyes and stuck out his tongue. "I also knew that, JB."

Shaking their heads at the siblings, FP and Alice sighed. It's been a few years since JB and Jug really spoke or teased each other. JB told him that Jughead would text or call at least once a month. He was happy that his son and daughter had such a connection, but on the other hand, he was a little jealous. Jughead only called or texted a few times. He kept asking him if Jughead would come to birthdays or Christmas. But his answer was "busy with school," or " I don't know, Dad, isn't Betty going to be there?" In truth, Betty Smith didn't show up to the events either. Which made Alice's heart break and FP had to make his wife feel better. He knew Betty thought he hated her… well hated is a strong word. He dislikes her very much for what she did to his son. Now… his grudge to what happened as slowly wilted away.

FP stepped in." JB, stop teasing Jug, and help Alice and I decorate." JB nodded with a small smile.

"Fine." She turned back to Jug and Jughead waited for a comment, instead she said this." I'm sorry. I was wrong for giving you such a hard time." Jughead was taken aback but accepted the apology.

After that was all settled, Alice grabbed the remote and started playing Christmas music in the background. She grabbed a box marked with "FP and Alice's Christmas decorations" and opened the flap. One by one She took out of each ornament and placed them in a neat pile. JB unraveled the Christmas lights and carefully wrapped them around the branches. FP helped set up the major and the tree skirt. As he was digging through the box something caught his eye. A sparkling handmade ornament with a small handprint made FP's eyes widened in shock. He had completely forgotten that his son's ornament that he made him when Jughead was in pre-school was in that box. He thought Gladys had taken it when she moved to Toledo. Their family didn't have much money so when Jughead brought this home for him… his heart literally melted with happiness and pride.

"What's that?" FP jumped when Jughead's voice filled his ears and turned.

"It-it's an ornament that my son made me when he was little." FP stammered a little before he regained his ability to speak.

"Oh… he had some small hands." Jughead joked lightly.

"I guess he did." FP added with a chuckle leaving his slightly trembling lips. Looking at Jughead and only seeing him as the boy he raised was the only thing he could do. Whatever Gladys did or had done was in the past. He just wished he could say," Jughead, I helped raise you, you may not remember me, but I'm like your father" but he didn't. He only said." They could fit in the palm of my hands." His voice was filled with awe as he spoke about Jughead unknowingly to the man in front of him.

Once the tree was set up, Alice noticed the drawn look on her husband's face. "Should that be our tree topper?" She asked the group. JB was eager to nod her head and Jughead gave a smile. "Alright! It's settled, that is our star!" FP smiled as he took the ornament and placed it on the very top of the tree.

Exhaling FP smiled as he backed away from the tree. He admired the star at top, smiling until the brief sadness filled his heart. It seemed that Jughead had noticed and placed a hand on his shoulder. He jolted his head at FP and with his eyes, he asked" are you okay?"

He nodded quickly." Yeah, just tired." FP walked away and disappeared into the kitchen.

Alice sighed quietly as she turned to see FP leave the room and Jughead's confused expression. Later that night… Jughead went upstairs to work on his PowerPoint project and after a 14 minutes he decided that it was time for bed. He untucked the corners of the flannel sheets Alice borrowed to him. With a plop, Jughead laid back and pulled the blanket over his body. He then reached for the light and closed his eyes. As he dreamt about something that seemed like a memory.

Jughead's hospital room panned on the scene. FP pulled him to a hug, careful of any other injuries that boy may have. He hadn't slept all that well, I mean who could after their son almost died last night! The heavy weight in his chest returned when his son asked what happened to him. What a selfless boy, FP thought as he looked down at his son's kind eyes.

As the dream went on Jughead's mind filled with wonder. Is this what happened that night? What FP told him?

FP explained as smoothly as he could without causing any worry to his boy."Nothing for you to do now but to get better. And be there for Betty."

Jughead's eyes shot towards his dad's face. "Betty? What happened with Betty?"

FP breathed out."Her dad was The Black Hood, Jug. They arrested him tonight. Luckily, Betty and her mom are unharmed."

Black hood? Who is that? He watched his dreamself and FP who seemed very concerned engage into deep conversation. Almost emotional for what he could see for himself.

Jughead let out both a breath of shudder and relief.

FP noticed Jughead's reaction right away and had to ask, "Did you think something else was wrong, Jug?" A vivid pain reflects in the boy's eyes as he spoke again,"Malachi threatened to go after Betty next before they started hurting me. I thought... I just--" FP quickly squeezed his boy's left shoulder.

Is that who FP was getting at when he said the other gang?

"No, It's boy, no one touched her. She's safe and unharmed. Just upset and shaken up, much like you." He has to keep his tears abay as he tried his best at reassuring Jughead Betty would be okay. At least physically, he wasn't sure about her mental stability after finding out that your father was the serial killer; Black Hood. He had to get Jughead out of this town before something like this happened again.

He gently kissed his forehead. FP whispered quietly." Get some sleep kiddo." Jughead was quick to shake his head no. "No, dad, I want to see Betty!" Jughead yelled as worry ate him up.

Dad?!!! FP's my dad?! Why didn't he ever say anything? He knew that FP was hiding something but this… this was huge. FP Jones is his father! Now it was all adding up, connecting like dots. All the weird, strange vibes and flashbacks. What JB told him was accurate. As he looked in he saw FP in him.

"Son, you're hurt, scared, and exhausted. You need sleep. I--" He saw more tears In his son's eyes causing him to sigh sadly. "Okay, you can visit with her for a little bit. Then I want you resting boy! I'll go get her then give you two times alone." FP finally gave in sounding very stern about it. He didn't want his son's recovery to be slower because of Jug's own worry.

Son? So he really knew I was his son… I'm not losing it, Jug whispered to himself in dream form.

He stood up and left. Soon enough the person that walked Into Jughead's room wasn't his dad. She was female, blond, and had a pony tail.

By three in the morning, Jughead jolted forward in bed, gasping for breath. Wh-when-what-the fuck! His eyes stirred in the dark room and reflected on the alarm clock timer on the side of the guest bed. His-no-he's FP's Son! What was he doing to do? FP was lying to him… he was having a hard time comprehending all this. He turned on his side, staring at the picture on his wall… something he didn't notice before - -it was of him and FP. Even in the dark he could make out the two familiar figures of him and FP. His eyes widened when the smiling picture made a visible image in his brain. A thought pops in his head. He made his decision. He's going to talk to him in the morning.

Rubbing her eyes Alice walked into their bedroom, pulled out some PJ's from her drawer, crawled into bed and laid next to FP. She noticed that he wasn't really sleeping and began to shake him. FP felt a hand shaking him and turned over on his side.

"Are you still awake?" He mumbled quietly.

Alice rolled her eyes as she pulled the covers over her chest. "I know you are still awake, FP."

He rolled on his other side and looked up at her. "Fine, I am. Are you happy?" She flicked on the bedside lamp and stared at him. "Yes, I am. You were quiet at dinner… even Jughead asked what set you off."

"It was the damn ornament!" He groaned," When I saw it… I just got upset. Jughead made that… and it said," FOR MY DADDY' and Jug..he asked me who made or if I was okay. What was I supposed to say? "That you're my son… or that no you're not my son. That your mom had an affair and I thought he was my son for 23 years!'" Alice's heart broke when she saw her husband trying to hold back his emotions.

"Baby… maybe you should talk to him." He shook his head.

"He asked me about riot night." He muttered brokenly.

Her hand gently cupped his cheek and the other squeezing FP's hand underneath the duvet. She listened to what FP said and her eyes widened. "What did he ask about?"

"He asked why he was in the hospital. I wanted to tell him… it took everything in me not to blurt out I'm his father.. well you know."

"I know." Alice nodded along. "I bet that was really hard on you."

FP nodded in agreement." I-it was… I told him about Penny and the Ghoulies." She winced in memory. "That night was the night…"

"Hal revealed himself to be the Black Hood." His hand found her face and cupped her cheeks, staring some sympathetically into her eyes. "I'm sorry I wasn't there for you… I-I had a lot --" she cut him off by placing her finger to his lips, silencing him from making another sound.

"I know.. Jug and your fight with Penny and Hiram." She practically growled. She always hated the snake charmer. The detaste in her mouth as she spat Penny's name from underneath her tongue. "I never liked that twisted snake charming bitch."

FP's face was grim with a tightly clenched jawline. "Me neither. That bitch can rot in hell or wherever she ran off to."

Nobody's heard or seen Snake Charmer since the night Gladys ran her out of town or so what Gladys Fuller had told. It's rumored that Penny was killed or hiding low in the high grass like a faceless bitch she is. After witnesses explained that Penny Peabody was last seen with stab wounds on her arms and stomach, bleeding waiting for the next bus out of dodge. The married couple didn't give two-shits about her; only that she never step foot in Riverdale again unless she wanted death on her side already.

—xxx—

And now Jughead is starting to piece everything together. I hope you like my story so far. I'm sorry that my updates have been slow. Earlier this month I started a new job… so right now my updates have been slow because I've been busy at work. Until next time, Love Aut! :) also I wanted to say thank you to my online friend Katrina for helping me with writing and co-writing some of these scenes. She helped me a lot… stupid writers block doesn't help.