Hey lovelies! This is my first Riverdale story, but I've had this idea bouncing around my head for a few weeks now and figured I'd try it out.

So, this is set 6 years after graduation. Everything up until the time jump happened as it did the show, but this is my fun little spin on what could have been an interesting tale for Bughead! In saying that, I have taken some aspects of the time jump to use in this story, but other than that this is all my own ideas.

Disclaimer: Clearly I am not Roberto, or any of the Riverdale writers, so I have no claim to the show, except for being an avid watcher! So, without further ado, on with the story.

Chapter 1:

Betty stood staring at her reflection in the mirror, the ugly scar staring back at her. It was like it was laughing at her, mocking her, saying, "you got this close to catching me". Tracing the line with her finger, she could almost feel the blade of the knife as it dug into her side. She could see the deep red blood coating her milky skin. The sound of her screams still rang in her ears, like some sick song playing over and over again. His sinister smile haunted her every time she closed her eyes. A nightmare that she could never escape.

"Elizabeth, babe! He's here."

She was snapped back to reality by the sound of her boyfriend's voice, "be there in a second Jake." Shaking her head of the terrible memories, she hurriedly finished buttoning her shirt before rushing out of the room.

Betty had been with Jake for three and a half years now. They had met during her second year at Yale, when she was going through one of the many tough periods in her life. He was in her criminal justice class and had been a great friend; always willing to help her out with anything that she needed. And while Betty had always been fiercely independent, it had felt nice to have someone to lean on again. It was during this time, that Jake had professed his feelings to her, saying that he understood that things were complicated, but he hoped one day she may also consider him as more than just a friend. While Betty initially dismissed this, she had slowly started to open her heart and their friendship soon blossomed into a great relationship, with the pair deciding to move in together on their three-year anniversary. With Betty now working as a trainee FBI agent hunting serial killers, and Jake as a defence lawyer, their schedules were hectic, but they always found time to spend together, and Betty was happy. Well, as happy as someone with a serial killer father and half-brother, a mentally unstable sister, an overbearing mother for majority of her life, had lost touch with her childhood friends, had been kidnapped and tortured by another serial killer, and had a huge secret to keep, could be.

"Who is it babe?" Betty asked, as she hopped down the last step and walked towards the foyer where Jake stood talking to someone she couldn't quite see.

Turning to smile widely at her, Jake stepped out of the way, revealing the unexpected house guest, "Lizzie, this is the author of that book I was telling you about. You know, The Outcast. This is Forsy…"

"Jughead?" Betty gasped, effectively cutting Jake off.

She couldn't believe it. What was he doing here? Her ex-boyfriend was standing in the foyer of the house she shared with her current boyfriend, a shocked expression on his face as he stared back at her. This was the author that Jake had wanted her to meet with? She suddenly felt extremely lightheaded and dizzy, the urge to curl her fingers into her palms growing stronger by the second. When Jake had said that he met an author needing insight into the FBI and hunting serial killers, Betty had been more than happy to oblige. But never in a million years did she expect it to be the one and only Forsythe Pendleton Jones the third, her first love.

"Uh, hey Betts," he stated awkwardly. And just like that she was transported back to high school, memories of their time together flooding her brain. Inviting him to write for the Blue and Gold. Investigating Jason Blossom's murder. Their first kiss in her childhood bedroom. Saying "I love you" for the first time. The snake dance and subsequent breakup. Their first time together and subsequent make up. Watching as FP carried his lifeless body through the woods. Teaming up to figure out who the Gargoyle King was. Breathing the life back into his lungs after the attempted murder by the Stonies. Taking down Mr Honey. Going to their final prom together. Seeing his face crumple when she told him about her kiss with Archie. Their final goodbye hug as she left for her road trip with her mother before heading to Yale. Every memory, every kiss, every tear and heartache that they shared swirled around her head. She felt the walls start to close in, and her breathing started to become shallow. This could not be happening right now.

"Wait. You two know each other?" Jake's voice broke through her thoughts, bringing her back to the present.

"Um, yeah. We, uh, we went to school together," she stated quickly, ignoring the flicker of hurt she registered in Jughead's eyes, "but we haven't spoken for about six years."

Jake looked between the pair, before nodding and allowing Jughead further into the house.

"Well then that should make this easier for you both," he stated, before grabbing his coat, kissing Betty's cheek and walking back towards the door. "Unfortunately, I have to get going. We've got a big case at the moment, so lots of late nights. Don't wait up Lizzie, and Forsythe, it was good to see you again."

"Uh, yeah, you too." Jughead nodded, watching him leave.

Once the door clicked closed, silence fell over the house as the pair stood awkwardly, just staring at each other. Jughead had to admit that six years looked good on her. She was still as beautiful as ever. Her hair was longer the golden waves cascading down her back, and it seemed that she had broken out of her pastels, opting for white skinny jeans, and a fluffy navy sweater. He could tell that she was fitter now, her slim waist more defined, and her legs and ass more toned (not that he was intentionally looking or anything). But the biggest difference was that her glowing green eyes had lost their sparkle, and he wondered what could have happened to cause that.

Betty couldn't help raking her eyes over him as he stood examining her. His hair had grown longer and if possible, more unruly, and the sudden urge to run her fingers through it surprised her. He had some stubble growing around his jaw and upper lip, and she could tell that he had filled out somewhat. His style, while more grown up, was still pretty much the same, his broody writer aesthetic showing through. With his black jeans, plain grey tee shirt, denim jacket, and red flannel hanging around his waist, she could almost believe he was still the same sweet loner weirdo from the wrong side of the tracks that she had fallen in love with once upon a time. But looking into his eyes, she realised they had lost their shine, no longer alight with the wonder of a new mystery, but now dulled from the stresses of adult life.

"So, it's Lizzie now huh?" Jughead spoke wryly, for once feeling the need to break the silence surrounding him.

Levelling him with a hard stare, she snapped back slightly harsh, "Yeah, well Betty lost a lot of its appeal after high school."

Raising his hands in defence, Jughead laughed bitterly, "Hey, don't blame me. At least I turned up to Pop's that first year."

Sighing, she spoke more gently, "Yeah, well I had a lot going on."

"Too much that you couldn't send me a message to let me know you couldn't make it?" he snapped back at her.

"Look, I was going through some stuff, and it wasn't really at the forefront of my mind okay? So, can we drop it please?"

About to snap back, he stopped himself at the tone of her voice. She sounded broken and wounded, two things that he had always hated to hear from Betty Cooper. So, while wanting to press further and satisfy his curiosity, his better judgement told him now was not the time, choosing to instead nod curtly.

Letting out another relieved sigh, Betty spoke up again, "Jake said you wanted information about the FBI and tracking serial killers?"

Sighing as well and deciding to act professionally since apparently that's what she wanted, Jughead once again nodded, "Uh yeah. I'm writing this new book and wanted to make it as authentic as possible. Jake thought that your experience may be able to help me."

Betty nodded and smiled slightly, "Right, well why don't I make us some coffee and we can chat?"

She was offering an olive branch, and considering his penchant for the caffeinated drink, there was no way Jughead was going to turn it down. So, offering up a small smile he agreed and followed her into the kitchen.

There we go my lovelies! I really hope you enjoyed this first chapter. I know it was a bit more of a setting the scene kind of deal but I have the first three chapters already written, and I promise you'll find out more soon! However, I want to get at least one more done before posting again. Please leave me your reviews, ideas, and theories, I love hearing from you!

Until next time, stay wonderful! xo