=Jughead=

I knew Hiram was bad news. I knew Archie was getting in too deep. Up until the musical I thought Veronica was a very willingly involved and slowly morphing into her parents. I was still seething at everything Hiram took from the southside. Betty gave me some perspective, "Juggie, can you control Tall Boy or Sweet Pea?" I shake my head already seeing her point. "Do you try? Now imagine if you're own father was doing things like that. V is trying to control her parents and keep them at least honest but there is only so much she can do and he's probably lying to her too. Besides she's not the only one with Daddy issues Jug." I knew she was meaning me. "Yours is just far more innocent."

Maybe everyone has been too hard on her, and though I can't believe she's 100% innocent in her parents monopoly she's certainly nowhere near as guilty as everyone believed. When I finally called Archie back, It was already one. Alice and Betty were still shooken up and I was going to stay with them until Hal came back. He sounded so flustered, almost panicked, then I heard someone getting sick I assumed it was Veronica, and wondered how much she drank. She was far from a light weight when it came to alcohol given how petite she is; she's been drinking wine since she was 11 after all. I didn't understand just what he meant until Betty reminded me who Nick St. Claire was I realized why Archie sounded like he was going to murder someone. We got there right after Fred. My friend looked terrible; he had been ugly crying. His face was banged up and his hand was wrapped. He didn't say much anything just that he should have been able to protect her. The only other time I've seen him this anxious was when Fred was shot.

"Do you know if she'll be okay?" Betty asked rubbing his back Hiram and Fred were talking in hushed tones but very heatedly.

"The paramedic said she'd probably pull through, but if they can't get her vitals under control she could have another seizure or a fatal heart attack. Of course, Nick will be fine. I wish I would have stomped his head in. I would have if Ronnie didn't stop me. Now she's back there struggling to hold on and he just has a broken jaw. They only would let one of us go and though I wanted to be there for her. Hermione was a mess and I didn't want to make her dad more mad. It only made since for it to be her mother."

The confident, all put together elegant Veronica Lodge, was no where to be found on the girl they brought out. Betty gasped seeing her pale and bruised and I wanted to give St. Claire another beating. Archie seemed relieved that they managed to get her heart rate and blood pressure down enough she wasn't going to have further problems. We leave after they move her to a room.

Judging by what I heard, he didn't drug her like he did Cheryl but had her take a shit ton of drugs and vodka before attacking her; It was enough to nearly kill her. I don't know how she ended up in that hotel room alone with him but I knew now wasn't the time to ask Archie. Hiram was acting odd. He was very cold and angry toward him and no he knew he wasn't the one that hurt Veronica; he didn't seem concerned about his daughter at all. Her mom on the other hand was still a crying mess and what little Spanish I knew was just repeating things to 'my baby' and prayers. This how I expected both her parents to react; though her dad a little toned down. They weren't like Mrs. Blossom they gave a shit about their only kid. Both both the St. Claries and the Lodges were mobsters. Archie says they won't be pressing charges but will probably plant a bomb under their car or something to that nature. Nick's parents can't pay off millionaires after all. The St. Claires must know some dirty laundry for them not to be pressing charges.

When Betty and I returned the next afternoon with the flowers, they wouldn't let us see her so we decided to do what we did best...meddle. With some sleuthing Betty got pictures of Veronica's complete report. and I managed to find the . Luckily his room was right out side the ice maker/ coffee machine and what not. There is heated discussions going on so I start my recorder and listen.

"Nick you really fucked up this time. You attacked the Lodge girl and the capo still lived. If you weren't such a cocky, amature, prick, you could have killed the capo, had your way with the girl and then hold her for ransom, the Lodges would definally paid for their only heir. If she died from the overdose we could have staged it so it'll look like she partied too hard; We all know how much of a party girl Veronica used to be. Hell if you wanted you could have kept her as a pet if it meant we'd not have to keep cleaning up after you useless ass. But because you're such a fuck up we are now preparing for the revenge and in a cold war with them. We're trying to figure out if we should move first or not. This mess can't be cleaned up like the other girls you assaulted. We can't threaten them or pay them off and if your brother gets hurt because of it I will hand you over myself." I was disgusted that his father wasn't angry because he rasied a piece of shit but because Nick didn't do a good enough job. If he had killed Archie we would have lost them both last night and might not know to who. We almost lost Veronica as it was. She wouldn't have made it out of that hotel room if Archie hadn't broken free. It's scary how close I got to loosing best friend. All roads lead back to Hiram and now Archie was 100 percent with me.

I decided I had better move on before I get caught or a more reconizeable Betty comes looking for me so I take my coffee to the elevator. I thought that crossed my mind made me feel incredibly guilty, 'Maybe he'll resort his priorities with his family in danger, and the Southside will be let be for awhile.' Of course he could also double down and screw us regardless of the fact that is daughter was nearly raped by a teenage sociopath. We all knew he never gave a shit about Archie. God Hiram was all around evil, at least the serpants have a code, I couldn't for the life of me find a noble motive for any of the stuff he's done except Archie suspects her dad had something to do with crippling Nick the first time. I wouldn't blame the man for planting a bomb under the St. Claires town car, hell I'd do it if I could insure only him and his father would be hurt. Because unlike Hiram Lodge, I cared about collateral damage, especially if it's someone I care about.

=Betty=

It's been four days since V came home, and we have heard nothing. Archie has been turned away from the Primbrook, so have I. Even our gifts were unwelcome. We'd call the building since her phone was dead and we'd be told she was 'resting'. She hadn't been on social media either and she was an instagram and twitter junkie always posting something even if it's nail polish chipping or sharing something the Kardashians posted. She hadn't returned to school and the rumor mill was now at full blast. Archie walked out the other day telling half the foot ball team to 'fuck off' after they suggested she was cheating on him and didn't want to tell him. He couldn't get ahold of her mom either, the call would be denied or it would be off. I wanted to ask my mom what she was like in high school because she had became a whole new person after he came back. Cheryl being the biggest gossip next to Kevin finally figured it out yesterday.

"Cousin. What's really going on Archie and Veronica. Does it have to do with the St. Claries being in the this past weekend." my poker face fails. "I thought so. I won't drill you about it here but lets have a meeting tomorrow with you three at Toni's trailer." She told me she and her Nana moved in with Toni and her grandfather until the emancipation went through. She didn't trust her mother not to send her away again or try to kill the last relieve (Coopers don't count) that cared about her. We had paused our investigation of my father which has been in a stand still as I had no proof and everything else that happened that night. I'm not going to assume he is innocent but there wasn't much I could do since things have been quiet since I turned Chic over. "I would say today but I have to fill her in on who he is and everything that happened. She'll want to help, so do I and I owe it to V after helping get me out of that place." I could tell she was still bothered by her insident with Nick too.

After school, we all made it to the trailer. It was bigger than Jughead's but not by much and with a wheelchair a walker and five teenagers it was a very tight fit. Toni's grandfather went to lay down to give us more room. Toni was sitting on Cheryl's lap, who looked very pleased to be a chair for her new girlfriend. Archie, Jug and I crammed on the old love-seat. with me in the middle. We sat in silence for awhile finally Toni broke the silence "So are we going to bust her out, or find out where this creep lives and skin him alive." By her tone I question if she was serious about skinning Nick alive. I hated the creep too but he didn't hurt Jug just my best friend and cousin, Toni had just found out everything Nick's done, including him drugging her girlfriend with plans to rape her; I don't blame her for being angry. Cheryl lightly stroked her arms trying to calm her, I would think it was cute if the reason why she was angry was Sweet Pea being an idoit not Nick St. Claire and everything that came with him

Archie has been constantly on edge and is sitting fiddling with her locket that was left at the hotel, I knew she only took it off when she showered, slept or when they were fighting, so how it ended up off wasn't by choice. If she was wearing her pearls it was under her blouse. I was with him when I we fixed the broken clasp it was yanked off. It's still unclear what all happened to her in that hotel room and I'm sure his mind is going a hundred times a minute when he thinks about it. Archie said Nick didn't rape her but but that didn't mean she was okay. He blamed himself for the whole thing. He wishes he killed Nick, he's mad that we accepted the black hood was gone and he was worried about his dad running for mayor.

"So the debate is Saturday, if she doesn't show up there we may have to have a jail break." I start. Today was Thursday.

"Who would have thought the only penthouse in Riverdale has become an actual prison, a very luxiuerous prison but a prison none the less." Jughead chimes in. Archie is being very quite and other than Nana (who was watching Bob Ross that was playing in the corner) he was the only one not saying anything.

Finally he chimes in, "There are at least four body guards I ran into when I tried to get in, Andre who we all know. A blond who I've seen around, along with another Latino, and a very big black man who I haven't seen before he seemed really conficted when he turned me away almost like he wanted to let me in anyway. They have at least one in the lobby and one at the servants quarters door, that I used to use..."

"Okay Arch, we don't want to know how you used to sneak in to get your nasty on." Jug cut in and the group let out a rare snicker, even from Archie. It was no secrect they were having sex often as much as they made out in the halls; hell judging by Vee's hair at practice sometimes they might have done it at school. I knew first hand just how sexually active they were, because he always forgets to close his blinds but I shut mine when it happens. Most people didn't want to watch their two best friends fucking. I told Veronica and she remembered more than he did but aparently his abs are very distracting. Of course the laughter didn't last long.

"So this debate will be the first time any of us have seen or heard from her since the hospital. I'm going to be standing by my father. Betty if you get the chance can you talk to her."

"Of course. I was going to be there anyway since my mom and dad were there for the resister and for the Blue and Gold."

"I was going to wait outside since the serphants aren't really welcome at these kind of things."

"Mummy and Claudious will probably be there so I was just going to stay here with Nana."

"I was going to watch Sweet Pea since he's been so reckless since Fangs was arested. He might do something stupid if someone doesn't keep an eye on him."

"What if she doesn't show up to the debate." Cheryl asks.

"Let's hope it doesn't come to that but if it does then I'm going to scale the building and get her. The windows don't open much since it's such a high building so I'll have to break them. "

"Spider Archie." Jughead jokes. Trying to keep the mood light and hopeful. We had a plan a crappy plan but a plan.

"Come on, Betty I'll give you a ride." Archie says yanking me up off the sunken couch.

"Hey are you okay?" I ask know he wasn't but wanted to let him know I was here if he wanted to talk. I know he was taking this entire thing harder than he let on. He was there for me when the Black Hood AKA. Dad made me break up with Juggie. When we played him the recording he was near uncalmable. We were all thankful Nick was a cocky bastard. If he was just a little more mature Archie would be dead and who knows where Veronica would be.

"No Betty, I'm not okay. I miss my girlfriend of couse but the worse part is she probably is scared alone an who knows what her dad has been telling her. What if she thinks I don't love her anymore because of whatever he did to her." I never thought about what she was thinking we were doing or what poison could be being whispered in her ears. It's clear he's trying to isolate her though I'm not sure his motives. Knowing Vee it'll just make her hate him.

Then I thought of a plan, "Let's not go home yet Archie. We might be able to talk to one of the guards to get an update to see if she's even going to show up. Or if she's even okay."

"We know she's not though, at the hospital she couldn't stop crying, she was worried about the ramafications of her mom actually letting me talk to her if he found out, physically she's fine sure but... I think shift change is right before ten, so we won't have to wait long he says seeing it's a little after nine, but if it's Andre or the Blonde we should just go home. They won't tell us anything, if fact he'd probably report directly to Hiram.

Now we're sitting outside the primbrook waiting. We see a large black man when I say large the guy was a tank, walking toward the building smoking a cigerate. "Let's go cause if he's going in Andre or the other guy could be getting off."

We run up to him before he reaches eye shot of the lobby. "Can I help you?" His baratone voice was as intemidnating as his size.

"Is Veronica okay." Archie asked his voice cracking a little.

He has a sad sympathic look, "Not here." he says and takes out a receipt and scibbles something down before walking away. I open the recipt when we get back to the truck it was to a place called Waffles Please in Greendale 7am tomorrow.

"Looks like we're going on a date to a waffle house." he says as we walk back to his truck.

I let Jug know that night the plan and he nods and agrees that it is better we don't crowd the man and he'd see me at school. Archie and I both will probably miss first period but we were having this meeting if just to know what we're getting into when we do rescue her. That night had to have changed her and the fall out probably made it worse.

The next morning Archie shows up at my door and we head to Greendale. We show up a little early so we sit and order. The place looked like a it used to be a waffle house or an IHOP that was bought by a private owner. It was cute and charming, but not as charming as Pops. After about five minutes the beast of a man walks in. "The normal, Darwin my dear, the older waitress says with a smile.

"Of course my lady." It was odvious he was here often probably after every shift with the Lodges. I was more shocked at how much of a gentleman he was.

"So you're Betty Cooper and Archibald Andrews, Miss Veronica's best friend and boyfriend. I'm Darwin, though most people call me Dragon." He says his voice is still unsettlingly deep but friendly none the less. I try not to laugh at the fact a man name Dragon is watching over Riverdale's princess who's locked in a theretical tower.

"How do you know who we are." Archie asks nervously. Dragon pulls out a print out. With photos of everyone.

Do not amit

Shoot on site

Randale St. Claire III

Nancy

Nick St. Claire

Trenton St. Claire

Isacc Clark

Report Imediantly

Randale St. Claire IV (He was just a little kid no older than 12)

Betty Cooper, best friend

Archibald Andrews, boyfriend

Jughead Jones

Don't Amit

Cheryl Blossom

Josie McCoy

Kevin Keller

Fred Andrews

Alice Cooper

FP Jones

Sierra McCoy

Everyone was on this list, everyone that might give a damn if Vee disapeared or who might be able to help her. "How's she holding up." I ask. The man seemed very nervous. I knew he wasn't supposed to be talking to us. Who knows what her dad would do if word was to get back to him.

"She's had quite a few panic attacks, the biggest being when Sven carried her back to her room when she tried to sneak out the servants door. The Mrs. and boss has been fighting a lot but mostly behind closed doors. It's seems they don't agree on what he's been doing or how he's going about keeping them safe. I've had to rush to her bedroom a few times as she woke up screaming. After seeing she was fine I sent her mother in since we aren't really aloud get involved. I don't know what happened but it's obvious it has to do with the St. Claires."

"I'd says, Nick tried to rape her and was the reason she had an overdose." I grab Archie's leg feeling him get more angry just by saying it out loud. He starts fiddling with her locket again just to keep calm. "She was stuck in the hotel room with him for over an hour, all because I wanted her dad to like me." He had heavy guilt laced in his voice. I hadn't heard that from him. The root of his guilt wasn't that she got hurt but she got hurt because he was so gulluable to get involved in the Lodges bullshit. I want to tell him that Nick could have easily went after Veronica without them even dating. He was practally chosen to be her husband before her dads arrest. She had told me right after she forgave me for the horrible things I said to her. She was horrified that her parents would rather her be with the scumbag than Archie. That they thought Cheryl was being a drama queen. It's why she told them about what happened after the party. He'd would expect to pick up where they left off when he came to visit and depending on her responce she would have been hurt anyway. I want to tell him all that but this wasn't going to happen right now.

"If I knew I was protecting them from mob stuff I wouldn't had taken the job. I thought it was just the death threats from the mayor position. When I agreed to it, I realized it was that and so much more but of course by then they had all my information and there was still a scared teenager involved. I couldn't back out if I wanted so I just did my job."

"Can we see her." I say hopefully.

"Not without putting myself and my girls at risk. The next most friendly guard is Ferando but he speaks very little English about as much as I do Spainish so we don't talk really. If someone is home there is a least two gurads. If the Mrs. or Boss leave one of us are with them I am usally with Mrs. Lodge but she has only left the house once. She's also been drinking pretty heavily when not fighting with the boss or comforting her daughter."

"Can you at least tell Veronica I love her." Archie says with the defeat back in his voice.

"She loves you too kid. She's been fighting with her father too when she was feeling up to it as she's been sleeping alot and I've heard her talking about you to her mom. You too Betty; she's not ignoring ya'll because she wants too. Her dad however hasn't been helping matters and most often just ends up with her in tears. It sucks but my hands are tied. I would love to help more but I have my own daughters to worry about and one of them is probably just now waking up."

"How old are they?" I ask as a ping for my niece and nephew hit. I miss them like crazy but I can't get ahold of her to tell her Chic is gone and she can come home.

"Seven and two. Aren't they beautiful." he says showing me a picture of a lady and two perfect babies. "I can't cross him, so please you've never seen me. I have to much to loose."

"We've never seen you. Thank you." Archie says. "I got the bill. Can you let us know if she is shipped off somewhere or is hurt?"

"Sure thing kid. I gotta go, Keisha has to be at work at 10."

"We have to get her out of that toxic place, Betty, before she's completely broken."

AN: Betty's half was written from Archies POV as well in my notebook. I have more written but like all my stories in my notebook I go in circles and only about half gets typed up.