Betty was a nervous wreck the morning of her first day at the newspaper. Fortunately she had worked with Toni and Cheryl to pick out her outfit the night before, or she'd probably be late getting out the door.

Archie was downstairs in the kitchen making coffee and breakfast when Betty made her way down. He was dressed in what would be his standard work attire, a pair of jeans and cotton t-shirt, today's color was royal blue. He didn't look nearly as frazzled as she did.

"You were tossing and turning last night, Babe," Archie handed her a cup of coffee, mixed with cream and sugar, the way she liked it.

"I guess I'm a bit nervous," Betty took a healthy gulp, "I didn't keep you awake, did I?"

"It's alright," he assured her, "I was just worried you were having bad dreams."

"No, just the standard first day jitter dreams," she admitted, "Like showing up at the office naked, spilling coffee all over myself."

"That sounds painful if you were still in the buff," he teased.

Betty scowled at him as he set a plate of scrambled eggs, toast, and bacon in front of her. "You've been busy."

"Takes me two minutes to get dressed," he reminded her.

"Guys have it so easy," Betty grabbed her fork and dove in, "Just pop out of bed, put on some clothes and out the door you can go."

"Yep, that's pretty much how it goes," was his only response.

"Aren't you nervous about your first day of work?" Betty asked.

"Not really," he shook his head, "I mean there are a few doubts about if I can keep the business running like my dad or Uncle Frank have been able to, but the actual work is pretty much what I've been doing since I was fifteen."

"Oh man, that summer you started working with your dad," Betty snickered as a memory suddenly hit her, "Wow."

Archie raised a brow.

"After I returned from my summer away, Kevin swung by to welcome me home. He helped me pick out an outfit before was going to I met you at Pop's and lay it all on the line and confess how I felt about you. We know that went so well."

"Betts," he began.

"No, that's in the past," she waved away whatever apology he was about to offer, "Anyways, Kevin just happened to glance out the window as you lifted your shirt, and all your newly acquired abs were on display. Not going to lie, there might have been a puddle of drool on the floor, and not all of it was Kevin's," Betty smiled.

"So I'm just man candy to you," he slid closer to her with an amused grin, leaning his back against the counter.

"Totally," she laughed as she motioned towards his midsection where even in the shirt she could see the faint outline of his impressive abs, "Have you looked in the mirror, Andrews? You've got all these muscles and abs. That's pretty much all us girls are looking for."

"Then I guess it's a good thing I'm working construction," he kissed the top of her head, "Got to keep my girl happy."

"Heck yeah," she agreed.

"What time do you get done today?" he asked.

"I'm not really sure," she replied, "I have zero clue what my first day is going to be like. My boss wasn't all that clear in the correspondence I've received. It just said to be at the office by eight a.m. Heck, they could send me out on assignment right away."

"Let me know when you've figured it out," he glanced at his phone when he felt it vibrate.

"Are you worried about me?" she poked at his chest.

"Always," he pulled a bag he'd hidden on the other side of the counter and handed it to her.

"What's this?" she suddenly looked like a kid on Christmas morning.

"I got you something to commemorate your first day as a rock star journalist," he smiled.

"You didn't have to get me anything," Betty pulled a beautiful leather satchel from the bag. It was monogrammed with her initials, "Arch, this is beautiful. Thank you." She tugged on his shirt to bring him down to her level so she could provide a kiss.

"There's one more thing inside the bag," Archie encouraged her to open it, "It's not exactly the most glamorous addition and hopefully something you'll never need to use."

Betty pulled pepper spray from the bag. "Thank you for looking out for me."

"Always," he leaned in for a second kiss and then glanced at the clock, "You'd better get going. Greendale is a fifteen minute drive."

Betty and Archie emerged from the house. Archie surveyed the surroundings to make sure there were no surprises and then walked her to the vehicle. He knew he had to restrain himself from showing affection, but it was hard to put Betty into her vehicle and not give her one final kiss as she started up her SUV.

"I'll see you tonight," Betty gave him one final smile before she pulled the vehicle out of the driveway and drove off to her first day of work.

FP stepped out of his house in his deputy uniform to grab the morning paper. "Morning, Red."

"Hey, FP," Archie stepped towards the property line.

"Guess Betty is starting her new job today," FP motioned towards the way Betty went, "Are you heading to the construction site?"

"Yep, in a few minutes," Archie bobbed his head, "I just wanted to make sure she got off okay."

"Are you two ever going to fill me in on what's going on that has you on full alert all the time?" FP asked.

"That's Betty's decision to make," Archie replied.

"I'd better know soon," FP warned him, "Or I'm going to come barreling in."

"I'm doing my best," Archie told him as he turned to go inside to gather his gear and head out.

Betty was leaving her new office after having her fill of paperwork. Every time she turned around, it felt like Human Resources was coming around the corner with another form to fill out. She'd met with her editor, her fellow journalists, the fact checkers, and the whole host of other important members of the news department. Names all melded together, but she hoped to get to know everyone in short order. They all seemed friendly enough.

On the way to her vehicle in the parking lot, she made sure to have her keys in one hand and the pepper spray Archie had acquired for her in the other. She stopped abruptly to see Archie leaning against her vehicle in a pair of fresh pair dark washed jeans, a cotton shirt which seemed to be perhaps a size too small as it appeared painted on, and his hair artfully tousled. "Wow," came out before Betty could stop it.

Archie chuckled as he thrusted a fist full of wild flowers in her direction, "How was the first day?"

Betty blinked away the question, momentarily stunned by his presence.

"Betty, are you okay?" Archie looked at her curiously.

"Yeah," she blinked again to clear away the fluttering feeling that was short circuiting her brain, "Yeah, I'm fine. Sorry, I wasn't expecting you to be here."

"That's why they call it a surprise," he grinned, kissing her lightly.

Betty bit her lip, finally taking the flowers, "I love them. Thank you."

"How was your first day?" Archie repeated his questions from earlier.

"Pretty much like every other first day of a new job. Got a hand cramp from all the paper work, met a steady stream of people that I hope to soon be able to put names with faces, had the most handsome man in the universe waiting for me at the end of the day with a bouquet of flowers," she smiled, clearly touched by his thoughtfulness.

Archie chuckled as he leaned in for another kiss.

Betty looked around a bit in concern.

"We're not in Riverdale, Betts," he caressed her cheek tenderly, "No one knows us here."

"I know," she bit her lip, "I keep waiting for Louis to pop out from behind a bush or something."

"I hope he does," Archie glanced around the parking lot, "So I can give him lessons in treating a woman properly."

"Don't do anything stupid, Archie," Betty's palm laid flat against his chest, "He's not worth throwing away your future."

"I'll try to keep that in mind," he smiled as his hand landed against hers, keeping her hand against him. The heat coursing through him was unlike anything he'd ever known. It almost felt like her palm print was going to be burned into his skin, in the best way possible.

"Good," Betty smiled as she tugged at his shirt, "Come on, let's go home and eat."

"We're not going home yet," he shook his head.

"We're not?"

"Nope," he shook his head a second time.

"Where are we going?"

"Dinner at a restaurant here in Greendale," he grinned.

"Oh really?" she raised a curious brow.

"Come on," Archie opened the door to his truck, "I've got reservations at Le Bistro."

"Arch, that place is kind of expensive," Betty hesitated.

"Don't worry about it," he winked, "It's your first day. You deserve to be celebrated."

"One sec," Betty stopped them.

"Okay," he eyed her.

Betty put her hands on his shoulders, rose up on her toes and kissed him. "Thank you," she smiled.

The restaurant was on the other side of Greendale, but the drive was still fairly short. Betty filled the brief journey with a bit about her day. After putting Archie's truck in park, he ran around to help her out and guided her towards the restaurant.

The restaurant was lovely and looked like something that could be found walking the streets in Paris. It had an outdoor seating area, and there were several other couples appearing to have the same date night idea as them. Archie had request an outdoor seat when he'd made the reservations earlier that day.

After getting seating and ordering glasses of wine, they glanced at the menus and traded flirty smiles.

"How was your day?" Betty asked after they'd ordered.

"Not bad," he nodded as he rolled his shoulders a bit, "I don't know how my dad did construction for all those years. I'm in decent shape, but my crew kicked my butt today."

"Is someone going to need a massage when we get home?" she smiled coyly.

"If you're offering, hell yes," he laughed.

Betty smiled, "Consider it done."

"Thank you," Archie's hand found hers on the table.

After a delicious dinner, the pair decided to go for a walk in the park across the street.

"Does this count as our first official date?" Betty's arm linked through his.

"I guess so," he bobbed his head, "How'd I do?"

"Really well actually," Betty nodded.

"Nice to hear," Archie smiled.

"This is so nice," Betty took in the gardens they were walking through, "I love this."

Archie was about to respond when he felt a drop hit his cheek. "Was it supposed to rain today?"

"I have no idea," she shrugged, "I never had a chance to read the weather forecast in the paper because I was too busy signing my life away."

Thunder sounded and lightning lit up the sky milliseconds after Betty spoke.

"Oh, that doesn't…," Betty trailed off as the sky opened up and rain came pouring down. She started to laugh.

Archie grabbed her hand and tried to tug her towards the vehicle, but she resisted.

"No, I'm going to enjoy this," Betty tugged him into her arms, "I finally feel free to do as I wish. I want to dance with you in the rain."

Archie's arms wrapped around her waist as the rain soaked through their clothes, making them cling to their skin. It was a warm summer evening, so he wasn't worried about getting a chill. He decided to let her guide the moment. She'd had almost no control of her life for three years. He'd give her this.

Betty pulled away, twirling with delight, laughing like she did when they were kids.

Archie swept her up in his arms, spinning her around, smiling at her.

"I think we're crazy," Betty smiled.

"It was bound to happen," he caressed her cheek, "We have lived in Riverdale most of our lives. It was bound to turn us."

"Best first date ever," she rose up on her toes for a kiss.

"Absolutely," Archie nodded in agreement.

Betty hung her wet clothes in the bathroom after she'd changed into her pajamas. Her hair was still damp, and she didn't think her smile was going away anytime soon.

Archie came to stand in the doorway of the bathroom, "All dry?"

"I am," she stepped into his arms, "My clothes, not so much. I had so much fun tonight. Can we do that again soon?"

"I think we should," he agreed. "Since we have to keep things quiet here in Riverdale, maybe we should keep date night exclusive to Greendale."

Betty laughed, "I like that idea."

"Next time I'll check the weather report," Archie smiled.

"Don't you dare," Betty smiled.

"Did you like getting dumped on?" he asked.

"I liked seeing you get dumped on," her hands ran up and down his back.

"Oh, yeah?"

"Mmm," Betty nodded.

Archie hauled her against him, kissing her deeply.

Betty pulled away after a moment, her forehead against his, tilting her head, "Arch..."

"Yeah, I know," he reigned in his hormones. "Slow, I remember."

"I should probably sleep alone tonight," Betty spoke regretfully.

"If that's what you need," he bobbed his head against her shoulder.

Betty smiled, "I think it's what we both need."

Reluctantly Archie agreed with her. "I'll tuck you in."

"I'm not five," she smiled.

"Humor me," he tugged her towards the bed she had yet to sleep in. They'd been sleeping side by side since the night of his graduation, and really most nights before if they were honest. Each wondered if they'd be able to sleep without the other sleeping beside them.

Betty got under her covers and smiled at Archie, "Am I being silly?"

"No," he kissed the tip of her nose.

She shifted so she was lying down, "Night, Arch."

"Good night, Betty," Archie leaned in for one more kiss and then reached to turn out the lights.

Betty stopped him, "I'll do it after you go."

"Everything okay?" he asked.

"Yeah, but I don't want you tripping in the dark."

"Good night, Betty," Archie said again as he left the room.

"Night, Arch," Betty smiled.

They both tossed and turned for several hours before Betty migrated to his room. Then they both slept soundly for the rest of the evening.

TBC…