Chapter 11: Dodge Bullet, Shot The Gun

As soon as the door slammed behind him… he ran, ran and ran fast as he could on crippled legs. The bitter cold wracked his resolve and tears slid icily down his cheeks. He pulled out his phone and raised it with shaky fingers. He waited for the person to pick on the other line. It went to voicemail, gruffly hung up and shoved his phone into his jacket pocket. He knew it was selfish of him for what he called FP. He was just so angry and still is. The betrayal hurt most of all because he saw FP as a father figure. His phone started vibrating in jacket pocket, unzipped the zipper and pulled out the device and saw they called him back.

"Hello?"

"Jones, why are you calling?"

He choked out a sob. And the person on the other line asked again," Are you okay? What's wrong?"

"Can I stay at your place tonight?"

"Yeah-yeah of course you can, you're always welcome."

"Thanks."

"Jughead, what's going on?"

"He's been lying to me!"

"Who has?"

He looked up at the street light, letting the shine burn his eyes. "FP."

"What did he do?" He didn't answer." Jug…"

"I found out that he's my dad and he's been lying to me for weeks!" He cried out as pain reflected in his eyes.

"Oh, Jones." He fought back the tears that were threatening to fall again. "I'm sorry that can't be easy."

"I'm almost to your place." He announced as his bike came to a stop in front of their place.

"Call me when you get here or text me so I can buzz you in."

—xxx—

Alice stirred the spoon in her mug with sugar and coffee creamer, the next morning. JB and Charles spent the night over and it was a week from Christmas. Everything wasn't going the way it should've. Nor did they prepare for Jughead's reaction. JB spent an hour crying about what her brother screamed at her. Charles consoled her saying he was just upset and when he cools down everything will be okay.

"Has Jughead answered?" Charles shook his head, hanging his lowly at the table.

"He sent all my calls to voicemail." Sighing sadly, Alice took a sip from the mug in her hand. "I think he turned his phone off or - - I don't know. He's really angry with all of us right now."

"Do you think he'll ever come back?" JB asked as she searched everybody's eyes for an answer.

"I don't know, Jelly." Alice answered honestly with a sigh. "We'll see what tomorrow brings."

FP rolled out of bed, exhaustion clear on his face when he looked in the mirror. He could see there was eyebags underneath his eyelids. He went for another walk to see Fred last night. At times he wished his old Buddy was still here. He hated that stupid tire for blowing and caused him to be side-swiped by a reckless teenager. He didn't fault the kid, it was unfortunate that the kid would never forget it. The call he got when he arrived in Cherry Creek, seeing your best friend in bloody gore would make anybody fall apart but no FP tuft it out. He saw all the bad and didn't run. At this very moment he wanted to run, find Jughead and pull him into his arms. FP had no clue if the kid was alright. His son ignored all his calls and texts. He got his cell out and began re-dialing. Waiting until he got the voicemail again.

He began, trying to keep his voice from breaking through." Jughead, I'm so so sorry. You were completely right. I should've told you when you woke up instead of pushing it further and further back. I-I-I was scared, scared of losing you. I was wrong and now I'm losing you anyways!" His eyes started to build-up with tears. "Please just send me a text, hell just even tell someone to call me. I'm worried out of my mind. The last… the last time we got into a huge fight… y-you-you almost died, baby boy. I've always hated it when you were mad at me. I fucked up with drinking, losing my jobs and most of all, I hurt you. I don't want to get a call saying you crashed your motorcycle into a ditch and I-I oh, god!" He sobbed," If you got killed or hurt because you were angry while driving I'd never forgive myself, Juggie!" Tightly, he gripped the phone and covered his mouth with his hand and then removed it so he could breathe. "I love you, son. Please just let me know you are okay, okay?" He ended the message and his phone hit the ground.

His heart felt exposed as the chills hit the skin on his chest. He hoped that Jughead would come home soon and that he'd see him again. The thought of Jughead never coming home or talking to him again literally felt like the death of FP Jones.

Awoken from restless sleep Jughead paved down the grand hallway where he was met by Veronica, Cheryl and Toni. From what he remembered Cheryl's twin faked his death and then later died by the hands of his father, Clifford Blossom, Veronica Lodge rolled into town during sophomore year, trying to get away from her conniving father, Hiram Lodge. He's almost the reason Jughead almost was killed. Apparently in another dream it showed him making a deal with the devil himself. It was all a trick to get the serpents out of the Southside. And Jughead fell for it as he dumbly walked right into the fire. Toni Topaz-Blossom had married Cheryl Blossom. And he learned more about his life on the Southside. Toni's one of his best friends who didn't really care for Betty.

"What happened, Jones?" Toni asked as Veronica and Cheryl helped him over to the loveseat in Veronica's apartment-penthouse.

"FP's my father." Nobody seemed surprised," You all knew too?"

"Everybody knows, Jughead. We learned from Charles that you didn't remember. And we wanted to help you and not over circuit your memory." He turned to Veronica and Cheryl who rolled her eyes.

"Hobo, FP Jones has been your father since the day he brought you home. I know you're furious we all led you to believe we didn't know, but like Tee-Tee said the doctors thought it would be too much for you to process and you'd over-exhaust yourself."

Jughead's brows raised." Over-do myself you mean?"

"Yes." All three woman nodded," Dr. Spencer explained and later Betty told me even after what she did as soon I learned about your accident… I made sure Betty was alright."

"Why? After she cheated on me with your ex-boyfriend and my ex-best friend."

Veronica sighed." There's a thing about growing up, you learn how to let things go and not hold grudges. I'm trying to better myself, sure I'm still greatly pissed but I never wish anything bad to happen to her. I've matured into a sophisticated, well-rounded business entrepreneur and made my own brand for myself with all the anger I had. I focused all the range, resentment into a better use and took a look at what I have here in front of me." She waved her hands around, Jughead noticed the size of Ronnie's place. She had a point, without placing her rage into something well-needed she wouldn't have the success she has now.

His head hit the back of the couch when he threw it back. He sipped at the hot liquid in his hands and began to think. Maybe Veronica had a point. He heard someone clearing their throat, turning he sighed.

"Veronica is right, as much as it pains to agree with her, she's right! Betty and Archie did a stupid, hurtful thing and maybe enough time has gone by." Cheryl gripped onto Toni's hand." Betty… well I'm not the biggest fan and frankly I don't why you decided to date her again--"

"What? I'm dating her again?!" The girls watched as his eyes filled with confusion." Since when?!"

Cheryl cleared her throat, sending a warning look at Toni." TT."

"Whoops, it slipped out!"

Jughead looked at the group of girls and asked." What do you mean I'm dating Betty again?"

Toni raised her hand and rubbed her neck." Well...uh… you and Betty were actually meeting up the day of the accident at least that's what Sweet Pea told us." Her voice was all nervous and shaking all over the place.

"I-I was?"

Toni nodded as the confirmation." Yes. Actually when you told me I said it was an idiotic thing to do."

Veronica shot her a dirty look." Antoinette."

"What?"Toni's hands went to her hips." It's just my opinion. That bitch cheated on my best friend and in my world she's dead to me." Cheryl's hand is placed on her shoulder.

"Babe, settle down, she is my cousin you know."

Toni sighed." I know, I know. I'm sorry that wasn't very kind."

Jughead shakes his head, clearing his throat." Guys, can we get back to me now?"

All three women turned and apologized." Yeah, we are sorry, Jughead. You now have our undivided attention."

"Thank you." He exhaled through his mouth. "I don't know what to do. I kinda called him a…" He mumbled the last part.

"You called him a what?"

"Two-faced Bastard…."

Toni hit him on the arm with her fist." Ow! What was that for!"

She scoffed sarcastically." Really, Jones? That man has opened his house and has taken care of you for weeks and you call him a "Two-faced Bastard'" what's wrong with you?!"

He got off the couch, sighing." I didn't really mean it. I-I was just angry. I saw the hurt on his face and right away I wanted to take it all back…" Toni could see the guilt reaching into his eyes.

—xxx—

The one thing about their fight made FP really wish it never happened. He always hated when Jughead was angry with him. It's been a few days since Jughead stormed out of the house, he has not received any calls back from the boy. FP was trying not to get himself all worried. Toni Topaz kept tabs on him, apparently he's staying at Veronica's. When he learned that he sighed with relief. The long that Jug was gone the more he felt as if he was losing control and falling into a deep end of his own emotions.

Alice saw how emotional and vulnerable her husband was right now. As FP cried into his hands and all she could do was be there for him. Her heart hurt seeing him so vulnerable.

Alice started to speak." FP--" He stared directly into her eyes.

"He hates me Alice!! He hates me so fucking much!! And as always, It's my doing!!" His voice cracks when a hand falls over his mouth. Alice slowly pulled him into a comforting hug and held him. "Oh honey, you did what you thought was right. Jughead will come around as he always has done. He'll see what you did what's best for him. Just give him time to get there. Give him the time he needs to think about and realize everything. Do you know where he Is?"

In a whisper, FP wiped his tears and said,"Veronica's."

She grabbed his hand, looking into his eyes and brushed her fingers through his hair."See, maybe that's a good thing. Maybe Veronica can help Jug see what he needs to see."

All FP could do for response Is break down and sob Into his wife's chest. Alice drapes the blanket over them and gently caresses his head with delicate fingers in his hair.

Meanwhile Veronica decided to take Jughead plus Toni and Cheryl to Pops so they could help Jughead while enjoying their food place. He looked around groaning," How is Pop's going to make me feel better? I swear if Andrews--" Jughead's rant was cut short by Toni's glare.

"I promise Andrews isn't here." Jughead relaxed slowly into the booth. Veronica ordered her usual, Cheryl got herself a cherry milkshake, how typical. He listened to their stories about the town. Stories that he once read on his old laptop. "Since when did I have a new laptop?"

The girls all stiffened." Jones… that story isn't really something we know all that well. You should ask Betty." Jughead groaned. "Are there any stories you guys can tell?" He didn't really want to ask the girl who broke his heart and cheated on him about his life.

Toni smiled." How about the time Sweet Pea and Fangs almost made Cher and I go blind?"

Cheryl groaned." No, TT. I didn't think that was funny."

Veronica sighed." We know someone who knows good stories to tell." Toni and Cheryl nodded.

"Who?" Jughead watched as they pointed toward the counter." Pop?" They all nodded their heads.

"Yes. He knows some stories." Then Cheryl shouted out," Pop!" Pop Tate turned around and smiled when he saw the group and Jughead Jones sitting in the far booth of Pop's Diner. He walked over to them and opened his mouth." What can I do for you guys today?"

"We were thinking you could tell us some stories for Jug." Toni added with a small grin. Pop Tate smiled and noticed the girls' looks on their faces. Veronica chirped up." I'll be back. I need to go to the powder room, Girls." Toni and Cheryl followed Lodge and left Jughead with Pop Tate.

He watched as Pop Tate sat down across from where the girls once were. "They did that on purpose." Pop Tate sighed as he noticed the annoyed look in Nighthawk's face.

"When you were a little boy your dad would take you to this very diner." Pop Tate knew he wasn't really helping the situation but he heard from Alice what happened between Jughead and FP. His two favorite customers were fighting, or more Nighthawk was mad for the time being. "Your floppy hair and crown beanie never changed much but I still see that boy in you, Jug."

Jughead sighed." Why are you telling me this?"

"I heard about your fight with FP."

"And is this some talk to change my mind?"

He shook his head." No, Jughead, I'm simply just trying to get you to see maybe FP was trying to keep you from getting hurt." He took a deep breath and then started his story again." What I'm saying is that when you first came in here. You wanted to try the biggest burger I had." Jughead's eyes widened.

"How old was I?"

"I believe you were five."

"Did I eat it?"

Pop chuckled." You bet you did, even after your father and I tried to get you to try something else."

Jughead began to recall the memory as he smiled. "Why are you telling me this?"

"Jughead, we all make mistakes, I've sure made some big ones. The day I met you and looked at your father, I asked him' FP, are you better than your old man was?'" And you know what he said to me," Pop, I would never hurt my boy like my old man hurt me'" after all that happened, your father proved it to me and himself that he would take care of you. And he did. He raised a fine young man… and right now after his accident. He told me he was afraid you'd hate him or if you never remembered him…he couldn't live with his boy not remembering him. He wasn't the only one that raised you, Jughead."

"Who else besides my unknown mother?"

"Fred Andrews."

Jughead's eyes widened." Archie's dad?"

"Yes,"A fond smile surpassed Pop Tate's mouth." Fred Andrews was a man who cared for the town. He loved you and always protected you." Jughead looked behind him to see where the girls went and sighed. He continued to listen. "Your dad and Fred were good friends in high-school. Fred died about five and half years ago. He got your dad through tough times and I know for a fact that FP is hurting right now."

"What about me?" Pop Tate stared at him," I understand he's hurt but I was the one lied to about who he was… don't you think I deserved the truth?"

Pop sighed." I'm not saying you don't, all I'm saying is that maybe just look at it from FP's eyes. Put yourself in his shoes and see what he was going through. I'm not saying that you need to all happy with all I want is for you to think about it."

Jughead abruptly got up from the booth and sped out of the diner before Pop Tate could even comprehend. He heard laughing coming from the other direction and turned his head. Toni, Veronica and Cheryl approach the table and their eyes widened.

"Where did Jug go?" Toni was the first to shake off her shock.

The older man sighed, filling the group in with despair. Immediately after he finished explaining what happened, Toni withdrew her cell and brought the phone to her ears.

"Pea, get the group ready, Jughead is AWOL."

—xxx—

This is a shorter chapter than the other one but I hope this fills in the late. I'm sorry it took so long, I've been very busy. What do you think? Jughead is missing (well not really) but he's not okay. He's angry and his friends and POP were just trying to help :(