Riverdale Police Station, present time

FP locked the cell door behind him and pocketed the key.

"Get some sleep. At 0800 you have a date with the Feds."

The ex-mercenary shot him a furious glare. "What about Frank Andrews? He's a mercenary too." He spat.

"Who? I don't know anyone by that name." FP simply said as he walked out.

He looked at Jughead standing against the wall with his arms crossed wearing his Serpent's leather jacket.

"What are you smiling at, Boy?"

Jughead just shook his head. "Dad, you're something else, you know that, right?

FP just smirked. "I have no idea what you mean."

"Talk about being a sheriff and a leader of a gang, indeed. Maybe you can work on having a modicum degree of separation in future?"

"Ha,Ha! Very funny, Jug! Just trying to help out Red, that's all."

They walked out of the station together and into FP's cruiser. Jughead turned towards his father.

"Dad, can I ask you something?"

FP sighed loudly as he recognized the tone in his son's voice.

"What now, Jug? And no, you're not leaving Stonewall."

Jughead rubbed his hands on his jeans nervously. FP chuckled as he watched him. He had the same habit.

"It's not about Stonewall. And I'm sorry I'm bringing this up again. I am just about to finish my first chapter of the book and I was wondering. Did you ever see your father again after he was arrested?"

FP rolled his eyes. Here we go again.

"Yes, Jughead. I did."

He warily remembered the first time he set foot into the Riverdale jail.

Sunnyside trailer park, 25 years ago

"I swear FP, it was as if they saw us coming. Everywhere we tried to go, the pigs were already there." Tall Boy was exasperated.

FP ran a hand over his face as he looked at the tiny Ziplock bags filled with weed that were laying on the table in front of him.

"Someone gave away our routes, Tall Boy. You don't think it was Snake, do you?"

"I've heard rumblings, FP. I know he wants the crown, wants to move us into the hard stuff. Your old man always resisted it."

FP rubbed his tired eyes. "What do I do?"

Tall Boy placed a hand on his friend's shoulder. "I think you already know what to do. Wouldn't hurt to get a second opinion, though. I know it's hard."

FP frowned and nodded. "I'll go and see him tomorrow."

Tall Boy shrugged. "Let me know if you want me to go with you." He waved at Alice, who was quietly observing from the kitchen.

Once he had left, Alice sat down next to FP and took his hands into hers. They felt clammy and she could see that he was shaking slightly.

"He won't be able to hurt you while he's in a cell." She said quietly.

FP turned towards her with haunted eyes. "I know that, Ally. Sometimes it's not just about the physical stuff. I just hoped I'd never have to see him again."

Alice stroked his face. "He'll know what to do and you'll be a better King for asking for his advice."

FP nodded and took a deep breath. He leaned back and closed his eyes. Alice picked-up one of the small bags.

"In the meantime, and since you have all this fine product lying around, what do you say to us having a bit of a relaxation session?"

FP opened one eye and smirked at her. "Your solution is to get high? Fine, but it'll cost you."

Alice was already expertly rolling the joint. "Hmmmm, Forsythe, I promise that you'll enjoy your payment. I'll even do you one better and help you get rid of some of the stuff once I'm back at school next week. Dating the bad girl comes with other benefits as well."

FP laughed. "Ok then, badass Alice! Let's go outside, though. Don't need the cops coming round' and having this place smelling of weed."

The next morning Alice and FP were both sitting on uncomfortable chairs at the police station, while FP waited to see his father. They had both dressed as respectably as possible, to prevent any unnecessary tension with the Sherriff.

"Forsythe Jones, you can go in now." The deputy called out to him and Alice grabbed his hand.

"You'll be fine, don't worry."

FP paled slightly and nodded at her gratefully, before he made his way into the other room. He felt a tremor in his hand as he opened the door and took a deep breath, before walking towards his father's cell.

"Took you long enough, Boy!" Forsythe Senior said gruffly.

FP looked at his father and realized that it had been years since he's seen him sober. The man actually looked good for once and he'd even shaved and washed his hair.

"Hi Dad." FP said quietly.

Forsythe Senior looked at his son and saw the dark circles under the boy's eyes. He looked to have aged years in a couple of days.

"Uneasy rests the crown?" He walked closer towards him and didn't miss FP flinching slightly.

FP rubbed his sweaty hands on his jeans. "Why me, Dad? You haven't ever really shown that you cared and yet you chose me?"

"Boy, I don't know how much time they'll give us to discuss what I know is on your mind." He imperceptibly raised his eyes towards the camera mounted on the wall and FP acknowledged him with his eyes. "I haven't gone a day without a drink for the past 10 years. Sitting here sober for 5 days made me think about a lot of things. And all I can say is that I'm sorry." He looked at the cast on his son's arm with a pained expression. "it's too late to ask for you to forgive me, but at least I wanted to apologize."

FP didn't say anything. It would take him a long time to process what his father had just said. But he knew one thing for sure. It was too late to make amends. Years of abuse, his mother leaving, sleepless nights of cowering in his bed waiting for his father to let out his anger on him were not going to be wiped away by one simple apology.

Forsythe Senior knew that. But he also didn't know if he would ever see his son again, so he had decided to speak his mind before continuing with what really had brought FP here.

"Son, I wouldn't have done it, if I didn't have faith in you as a man. And I'm saying man, not boy. Because that's what it's going to take." He looked at the camera again. "To walk down that aisle, raise a family and lead it."

FP chuckled slightly at his father's choice of words. "What do I do with ghosts from the past, who don't want us to be happy and see me raising and leading my family?"

Senior nodded, glad that his son was smart enough to play along with their word game.

"You'll have to make sure that they're as far as possible. There are laws that you can enact to make sure that happens."

FP shook his head in agreement. "Put in a restraining order, you mean?"

"Yes. There are others who can help and support you in getting him as far away as possible from you and your family."

Forsythe made a V sign with his fingers and FP understood. He wanted him to enact a vote to exile Snake.

"What if I don't have enough support?" FP asked.

"You will. All you have to do is trust the system."

"I understand, Dad. Another thing. I've been riding your bike to school and the roads are full of potholes." He moved his head slightly towards the deputy standing outside the door. "I don't want to put my family in danger. Do you think I can borrow the truck, or do you have another suggestion?"

"I don't want you driving the truck. Keep taking the bike but take the following route, it's safer."

FP listened as his father rattled off a list of street names and turns and committed them to his memory.

"Did you get that, or do I have to repeat it?" FP nodded and Senior looked at him intently. "Those roads should be clear. Make sure your Godfather knows that you're taking them, so that he can get the word out and to make sure you're safe."

FP had gotten all the information he needed for now.

"Thanks, Dad. I'll do that. How long will they be keeping you here?"

Senior just shrugged. "Probably another month. Then they'll move me to the penitentiary. I'll be gone for a long time. Manslaughter. 20 years minimum."

FP felt a sudden pang. It was all that he had wanted. For his old man to take-off and to never have to see him again. Yet, this seemed so final and he felt like he'd been left alone in the world.

"You'll be fine, Boy! You've got what it takes to make it. Don't come back here and don't come visit me in prison unless it's an family emergency."

The deputy opened the door and signalled that the time was up. FP extended his hand to his father. Senior took it and shook it. He held on to it longer than necessary.

"I'm proud of you, son. Always remember that. And I'm sorry. For everything."

FP nodded at him. "Be well, Dad." Without looking back he walked out the door.

Alice took one look at him and could see that he was drained. She placed her hand in his and gently guided him out of the building. Once they were outside, he hugged her tightly to him and she stroked his hair.

"You did it, FP. Did you get the answers you needed?

He nodded. "I know what I need to do. Will you be ok on your own for a night? I might need to take a long drive."

"Yes, of course I will. You just do what you need to do."

" - "

The following Monday Alice got out of bed before FP to have a shower and get ready for her first day back at school. She wanted to look exceptionally good today, as she was making her comeback on FP's arm. She knew that most girls secretly lusted after him, finding his brooding bad boy look incredibly sexy and she wanted to make sure that they knew he was taken.

She carefully applied her make-up and slipped into her favourite ripped jeans, which she paired with a black lace bodice and a demin shirt. She was interrupted by a knock on the door.

"Ally get out of there now! You're gong to make us late."

She opened the door and FP whistled appreciatively. "Fuck, you're looking hot, babe!"

Alice shot him an icy look. "Hopefully hot enough to keep the skanks at bay."

He pulled her towards him, and she could feel his hardened member pressing against her.

"You have no idea what that glare does to me, Ally. It's so damn hot! Save it for school, otherwise I'll throw you right back onto that bed."

Alice laughed and her face softened. "I feel the same when you go into your bossy King mode."

FP slapped her bottom playfully. "We both wear our masks well. Let's put them on outside the trailer." He ran his hand over her right breast and gave it at gentle squeeze. "And maybe in the bedroom once in a while."

He let go of her. "Now let me get in there and take a shower. I need a cold one!"

Alice giggled and went to the kitchen to fix them some coffee. One he was done he took a quick sip and they walked outside and got onto his bike. Alice wished she had a camera to record the looks of their fellow students when they saw FP casually strolling in with his arm wrapped around her shoulder. He looked at her and raised an eyebrow.

"Seems like we're causing quite the commotion. Shall we kiss to make this official?"

Alice nodded and offered her lips and he kissed her passionately.

Hermione was standing nearby next to Fred and she nearly dropped her books.

"My, my, Fred, you weren't kidding when you said that there's a new power couple in town. Now that's an explosive combination if I've ever seen one!"

Fred just smiled knowingly as he raised his hand towards Alice and FP. "Told ya'!"

Alice didn't see FP again until lunchtime. She walked through the cafeteria with her tray until he spotted him with the fellow Serpents in the far-left corner. They weren't wearing their jackets and there were no visible signs that they were in a gang. Yet, they exuded an air of quiet authority and Alice could see that the other students steered clear of them. FP spotted her and made room so that she could sit next to him.

He placed a hand on her thigh. "There's my girl. Thought you'd gotten lost. How's the day going?"

Alice started eating. "Ok, so far. Playing catch-up."

"Alice Smith, there you are!" They were interrupted by Penelope's nasal voice.

Alice rolled her eyes. "Oh fuck, if it isn't the psycho-ginger!" She glared at the girl standing by the table. "What do you want carrot-top?"

Penelope Blossom looked unfazed. "I have an envelope for you. You missed one week of school. Unless you want it to be noted as an unauthorized absence, you'll need to have this signed and returned by your parents."

Only FP and Tall Boy saw the almost unnoticeable look of panic that crossed Alice's face for the fraction of a second. FP squeezed Alice's hand under the table and shot a glance at his friend, who took the envelope out of Penelope's hand.

"Let me hold on to this while Alice eats. Anything else you need, Blossom?"

Penelope looked towards FP and blushed slightly, before turning her attention back towards Alice.

"There's also the matter of the missed assignments and I wondered if you've had a chance to hand them in yet. Otherwise I will have to report it to the Assistant Principal."

Alice slowly got up from her chair and walked over to Penelope, standing so close to her that their breasts nearly touched. She shot the redhead her iciest glare.

"Listen firebush, get out of my sight right now, unless you want a repeat of the last time we met. I can still see the bruise on your face. Don't make me give you a second one to match."

Penelope's face turned as red as her hair as she opened and closed her mouth angrily. FP put his arm around Alice's waist and gently pulled her onto his lap. He looked at Penelope.

"Blossom, get lost!" He said sharply.

Penelope huffed, but walked away and Alice turned towards FP furiously.

"FP, I don't need you protecting me at school. I can take care of myself."

FP tutted. "I know you can, Ally. Only too well, it seems. You just got back; she'll get you suspended. It's not worth it. Not over a fucking Blossom."

Alice was about to retort but just nodded tiredly instead. "I guess you're right."

He turned towards Tall Boy, who was still holding the envelope. "Will you take care of that and make sure he signs everything?"

Tall Boy nodded. "Sure thing, Boss!"

Alice looked at the lanky teenager and smiled. "Thank you."

Tall Boy just waved the envelope at her as he retreated. "Consider it taken care of."

Alice prepared to get up, but FP pulled her closer to him. He nuzzled her neck.

"Oh Ally, Ally, Ally! What did I tell you about what that icy glare does to me?"

Alice giggled. "You said I should save it for school. We're in school."

FP just shook his head and laughed as they got up to go to their respective classes.

"Firebush? Really?" He cocked his head in amusement.

Alice just shrugged. "I've used a lot of insults towards Penelope. Never seems to work to shake her off, though."

They reached the hallway and prepared to go their separate ways, when FP pulled Alice towards him for a kiss. He moved his lips to her ear and let his tongue slip inside it. "I know one bush that will be on fire when we get home!"

He grinned at her and left her standing in the middle of the hallway looking utterly frazzled.

I hope you liked this slightly shorter update. If you enjoyed it let me know. We all know what's coming next.