Cingulomania

This ia a work of fanfiction, there is no copyright infringement intended. I do not own anything pertaining to the Archie Comics/Riverdale Universe.

A/N: As for me, I'm not sure how I feel about the season finale of Riverdale, I'm so lost and confused, and distraught over the incredible lack of sense and intelligible writing this season. There are some fantastic plot lines and story to run with on our end, but other than that, I'm saddened. I wanted so much out of the season, and most of it failed miserably. Any how, here we are, back in our little world with Sweet Pea winning over Alice, and our little bun in the Falice oven is growing. I hope you like it. I hope we can wrap this up in the next few chapters, and march on into other fics featuring Sweet B! As always, thank you for your love and patients. Thank you for being kind and coming back for more. I have some ideas for new stories, but I wanted to finish Cingulomania first. Without further ado…. Chapter 18. ~S.C.

A Decade Under the Influence by Taking Back Sunday

…~*~...

Chapter 18

…~*~...

Cingulomania: a strong desire to hold a person in your arms.

Alice settled in at home again after the Doctors finally released her from their care. The three days she spent there were enough for her to realize just how much she missed her life. Three days, that's what it took for her to call her lawyer and demand to know how long it would take to finalize her divorce. Desperate to have things done and over with; his answer to her was not what she wanted to hear. Being only a few months along in her pregnancy, she told the lawyer she would let Hal have The Register, and he could take the house if need be. Needless to say, the baby would be here before her freedom from Hal. The only thing that mattered now was that it was coming, until then, she'd be getting things ready as best she could from her bed and the living room sofa. Lucky as she was to have FP and Jughead with her, she still felt like she wasn't able to get enough done.

Sweet Pea had taken to making her his special peanut butter mallow sandwiches at home, then bringing them over to her wrapped in wax paper and stuffed into freezer bags so she didn't have to get up and make food for snacks. Alice had really taken a liking to them after she seen him making them in her kitchen one weekend morning. Sweet Pea had also begun to make her lunches for the week. Sandwiches, salads, soups, casseroles. He kept it going for weeks, until he needed to get another crop handled. That meant there would be another round of edibles and another round of long sleepless nights that would lead to another run. The crew was unsettled by the thought of having to go back over the road, FP expressed his concern in almost every drunken encounter he had.

It was already set up the night that Fenton Atticus Teal showed up in the Whyte Wyrm looking to meet with FP. Fenton was rough from the road, needing a good night's sleep and a shower, but putting it off to be able to speak to the Serpent leader. FP was a little taken aback, not knowing what this Wild Boy's intentions were with his club. Not having any heads up from James, FP was warry when he sat across from Fenton, waiting for the large man to start with threats over his wayward daughter and Jughead. In total and utter shock when Fenton held out his hand to shake FP's, the Serpent President's eyebrows drew up on his forehead.

"I know this is a bit of a shock considerin' the last time we met, our children were runnin' around bein' promiscuous. I apologize for Bennie-Jo's reaction to your son, she's bein' cared for now, the care she needs. That's partly why I'm here. I'm lookin' to learn from you FP. Join your ranks if I'm allowed to, by yourself and James. That is, if you'll have me Mr. Jones." Fenton's drawl was slow, and meaningful, he wasn't the typical Florida tweeker that FP was used to dealing with.

"I accept your apology if you'll accept mine, on behalf of my moron of a son. I was worried his choices would come 'round to bite me in the ass. I'd be honored to have you as a Serpent Mr. Teal, so long as James let you." The men smiled at each other. FP offered a vacant room for Fenton to stay in, and the Floridian was grateful for it.

"Thank you FP, I appreciate your kindness. We'll talk tomorrow then?" Fenton held out his hand again, a small smile gracing his full lips.

"It's no problem at all Fenton, none at all. We will talk in the morning, you can bet on it." Fenton turned the knob and entered the dark room. He was almost asleep when his head hit the pillow. He'd not felt rest in two days. His weary body was heavy at the table in the bar, and heavier now that the prospect of sleep was in his future. With one last deep breath, he placed his phone on the nightstand and let his exhaustion take him over.

…~*~...

"Sad, small, sweet, so delicate

We used to be this dying breed

I got a bad feeling about this

I got a bad feeling about this…"

"Well hell FP, you couldn't be gettin' a betta' man for ya crew up there. If anyone deserves to learn from your boys its Fenton, he needs a break. He tell ya 'bout his girl?" James was sitting down in his office, looking out of the window at his children playing in the yard.

"No, not exactly. Just said she was getting the help she needed." FP had a feeling he didn't want to know what was going on with Fenton's young daughter, nor did he want to know about her torrid background.

"Yeah, you can say that. She's a troubled young lady, full of rage. She smashed up their little cabin, nothin' but splintered wood and shards of glass. She even took it out on their family portraits. Fenton done packed up what little he had left and made it your way. That man needs a stiff drink if he knows what's good for him." James shook his head, feeling his old friend. Hoping they would keep Bennie-Jo indefinitely.

"Jesus, of course Jughead goes and finds the one girl he shouldn't. Keep me posted about news of her if there is any? I doubt Fenton's going to want to talk about her with me." Sitting in the cab of his truck in the parking lot of the Whyte Wyrm, watching his guys go in and out of the heavy wooden doors, FP placed is heavy head in his free palm. He was learning just how it hard it was to raise a boy, not mention a Jones boy at that. Suddenly feeling immense understanding for his own Father.

"No problem FP, and you keep me posted about your next run, we sold out quicker than I thought we would. Y'all have some damn fine baked goods, however, I would like some of those little dark cocoa truffles yer young man Sweet Pea makes. Absolutely divine. I'll speak with you soon FP." Then the line went dead.

Feeling the contents of his small breakfast and coffee churning in his stomach, FP wanted to be sick. The world could not come crashing down on him any other way but all at once. The silver lining of is huge black rain cloud was beginning to look like fire and brimstone. He'd been waiting for Jelly Bean to call him back, always wondering in the back of his head if Gladys had deleted the message he'd left on their voicemail. He wondered if he would ever get to see or speak to his daughter ever again. Stinging could be felt behind his closed eyelids, and he wished like hell they still had the boxing ring out back behind the bar, or even his old punching bag in his office. For a fleeting moment it was still and calm in the cab of his chilly old truck. Wishing things could always be still, a tap on his window made him jump, relieving him of his almost sob fest.

"Hey there FP, how'd ya like to show me around this little town y'all call home?" Fenton was bright and bushy tailed this morning, whereas FP was willing to take a bottle and a shot to go.

"Good morning. I think you'll like this place less than Everglades City, but let's start with Pop Tate's Chocklit Shoppe." A smile replaced the deep etched sadness in FP's face. Glad for the distraction, leaning over, he unlocked the passenger door then turned the key in the ignition.

"What, pray tell, is a Chalk Lick Shop?" Fenton was interested simply because he would not be licking any such object, nor did he want to.

"Fenton, Pop Tate's Chocklit Shoppe is the best diner you'll find for a hundred miles. It's the best I've ever had, ever will have, and I hope to die eating one of the cheeseburgers." The truck rolled down the quiet dewy streets to toward FP's favorite place on earth.

…~*~...

"You kept still until the long drive home

You slept safe and close to the window….

I got a bad feeling about this

I got a bad feeling about this..."

"You think because you have a run coming up that you can just neglect the chores you have in this house? You have responsibilities outside the club too Sweet Pea, and they're just as important, if not more important than the club shit. I can't just stop working and handle this shit on my own. It didn't work when you were little and it won't work now. Get your head out of your ass and start handling yourself." Tanis was beyond livid, wishing like hell she had a husband, a boyfriend, a fucking friend, to help her with this man child that she was raising. It was hard enough when he was potty training At least she had FP when the boy was starting to shave, to grow up. This was purely having a plate too full to give a shit about prioritizing.

"I'm trying Ma, I really am. I was going to have Fangs and Betts…" He didn't time to finish his sentence, his Mom was in his face before he could.

"You better not be having them over to clean this shit for you. So help me God Sweet Pea! Betty is not your little housewife, and she isn't to be acting as such." Tanis was so angry, she didn't know why, or where it was coming from.

"Okay, that's not what I was trying to say. I don't think of Betty as my maid or my housewife, and honestly it kind of hurts that you'd think I would. She's my friend and girlfriend Mom. She was coming over with Fangs to make some more krispy treats, and maybe do some homework. It's probably not a good idea, so I'll just tell them some other time." Not waiting for another verbal, Sweet Pea went to his room and locked the door.

-Hey Betty, probably not a good time to swing by. Maybe tomorrow.

-Fangs. Mom is raging, not today. See you tomorrow.

He waited for a little bit for a response, and got nothing. He hoped like hell they weren't already on their way. Collecting his dirty laundry to take to the building's laundry room, he heard a tap on his door. Rolling his eyes, Sweet Pea opened his bedroom door. It was Tanis, she was looking sad, but not at him.

"I'm sorry Pea." She was stressed and not looking forward to her son being gone for another week, not to mention, it was stressful without him there. The apartment was too quiet without him and the other kids coming over and being loud. "I'm worried and I don't like being here alone. It's too damn quiet. I think too much." She moved into his room, capturing her tall son in a hug. She missed him being little so much. When he depended upon her for his wisdom and his comfort.

"I know, I don't like leaving you here alone either. We need the money, and I'm the one proposing the business model. It doesn't work without me. It could I guess, but we've never tried it." Back to placing dirty clothes into seperate bins, one for darks and one for lights, he watched his Mom out of the corner of his eye.

"Can't FP do this without you and the other boys? What about Tall Boy?" She knew it was ridiculous before she even finished the sentence.

"Seriously Mom? Tall Boy, why don't we just run through the Riverdale Police station with our plants, we might get a lesser sentence. Besides, I think FP is training us up to take over. You know?" Wishing this wasn't a conversation any longer, Sweet Pea sat down on the edge of his bed, looking at his knuckles.

"I know, that's what scares me. That you're being trained for the Serpent Hierarchy, that Jughead will be the Serpent King and then we'll really be in some shit. Can you imagine it? Fights based on his tantrums, deal struck to make sure he can watch Betty everywhere she goes? It's already a scary life. Already a risk without FP's dumb ass son ruining everything we've built. I'm scared for you." She sat down next to him, took his hand in her own and squeezed it.

"Well I got a bad feeling about this,

I got a bad feeling about this (to hell with you and your friends, it's on)

I'm coming over but it never was enough

I thought it through and my worst brings out the best in you…"

"I think he learned something out there in Florida Mom. Jughead isn't all bad, he's been stepping up to help Alice, been real civil when I go over. He hasn't been an asshole at the Wyrm either. Maybe try giving him the benefit of the doubt this time around?" Sweet Pea was watching his Mom's face. She wasn't interested in giving anyone a benefit of anything. Chances were not her strong point. That's why she was in the main circle. A real asset to the club in general. She could see trouble from miles away. Jughead was trouble a month ago, three months ago even. He was trouble when Toni slept over the trailer and gave the little shit his Snake Bite. She couldn't vouch for now.

"I know I should, but I feel the reign of fire coming because of his mistakes. I can see the shit hitting the fan before he can even say sorry to everyone involved. I want to be on the same side Pea, I do, but he's caused problems already and I know it's coming."

…~*~...

"Who's to say you'll have to go (I could go all night)

Well say you'll have to go (I could go all…)

To hell with you and all your friends

To hell with you and all your friends, it's on…"

Loud ringing coming from the pants pocket across the tiny clubhouse dorm room woke Fenton with a start. Feeling like his heart might beat straight through his rib cage, he lifted a hand to his chest. The beating felt dull under his palm, the tips of his fingers grazing the skin just over his hammering heart. As quick as he woke, he tore the thin blanket from his body, throwing himself up from the twin mattress to answer the ringing phone.

"This is Fenton." He took a deep breath, eyes closing, hoping for relief from the adrenaline coursing through his veins.

"Pardon me sir, but this is Dr. Peggy O'Shea at Physicians Regional Hospital in Naples. I have some information concerning your daughter." The woman's voice on the other end of the line nearly made him sick. He felt the bile rise in his throat, swallowing it down as he sat on the edge of the bed.

"Yes, go on." Beads of sweat began to form on his forehead, the beating of his heart quickened, and he felt the saliva in his mouth dry instantly, leaving his tongue yearning for moisture.

"The police in Everglades City were unable to contain her. She became wildly violent, and sent for an ambulance. She became a patient in our care just this morning around four thirty. The issue is, she assaulted one of my guards, as well as several nurses and other staff. She has been taken to the third floor for a psychiatric evaluation. My understanding is that she became belligerent and they had to use force as well as a dose of lorazepam. Am I to understand that you have given her up as a ward to the state?" The woman was formal as could be, very to the point and Fenton appreciated it.

"Jesus, Mary and Joseph. Yes, I had to. I'm out of state working, we don't have anyone else around. I am still listed as her next of kin, she is still my daughter. I do love her, that's why I had to send for the law." The stinging in his eyes made him want to throw up, he gasped for a breath of air, desperate not to cry with this woman on the phone.

"I understand, she is quite ill Mr. Teal, she isn't well in her head at all. We will get her settled, and keep you posted. Her eighteenth birthday has passed is that correct?"

"No, not yet, in about a month. February twelfth. Please, call anytime. I just want to know what is wrong with my little girl." The emotion slipped through his tightly held composure.

"Will do Mr. Teal, as soon as I know anything, you will be contacted. Good day sir." She was almost too quiet.

"Thank you Ma'am." Ending the call, Fenton let out a large breath and let the emotion take him over. Feeling the tears run down his face, he knew he'd done the right thing. She was a danger to herself and especially to others.

I could hear the others raising from slumber in the rooms around him. He needed a minute or two to collect himself, wipe away the blubbering mess he'd made upon himself. I wished like hell that Bennie-Jo's Mom hadn't ran off the way she did, but maybe she knew something he didn't. Maybe she'd seen the deep rooted evil within their daughter, when all he could see was how beautiful she was to him. He loved his daughter more than the air he needed to breathe, but this was getting to be too much. She was too much, it all was too much.

He collected himself, wiping at the wetness of his tear stained face. The smell of coffee wafted under the door and straight to his nostrils. He liked the clubhouse, liked the people he'd been placed with. He wanted to be a Serpent, have a family. A family that had his back, a family that gave a damn about his well being. He knew he like the Serpents when FP had first showed up in their tiny little town to show off his marijuana a few years ago. It was a new frontier. He wanted to be part of it. Knew he could make something out of himself, and help his daughter.

He grabbed a change of clothes from the closet and dresser drawers, then made his way to the shared bathroom between his room and the one next door. He needed to clean the pain and stress and tears from his body. He needed to be rid of the previous day's conversations and this morning's sad beginnings. He needed to start fresh today and washing away the dirt and grime was a start.

"Sad, small, sure in porcelain

You're skin and bones, I'm a nervous wreck

I got a bad feeling about this (when it comes to this)

I got a bad feeling about this…"

Fenton was freshly dressed, ready for the day and ready to learn about this new town. He liked it well enough from what he'd seen on his way into town, in the dark. He needed to see the place in the light of a new day. His walk from his dorm through the Wyrm was full of waves and nods in his direction. The welcome was warm and regarded in the deepest of gratitude. In all honesty, he was relieved that he was received in such a way, he'd been unsure about it considering the way Jughead and Bennie-Jo had ended.

FP sat in his old faded truck, he looked downtrodden, withered at best. Second guessing himself, Fenton stopped mid stride. Wondering for a moment if this was a good idea, asking the man to show him around the town of Riverdale when he obviously felt less than up to par. However, something told Fenton that he needed to give it a shot, take FP's mind off of his problems and at work and home. Without another second's hesitation, Fenton stepped up to the window, and rapped on it strongly, rousing the visibly upset Serpent leader from his musings.
"Hey there FP, how'd ya like to show me around this little town y'all call home?"

Little did Fenton know, while he was fixin' to learn what Pop Tate's Chocklit Shoppe was, Bennie-Jo Teal was being strapped to a gurney at the closest hospital to Everglades City. She'd just taken down several security guards on the psyche ward's floor, as well as clocked a few nurses for trying to reason with her. As Fenton laid eyes upon the diner's intriguing neon signs, Bennie was watching with wild eyes as a syringe filled with a sedative came nearer to her.

When Fenton and FP stepped inside the doors of Pop's, Bennie was succumbing to the drug, finally silent and still after four days of manic insidious rage. Her body was still at last, eyes rolling in the back of head, black taking all of her vision, finally realizing the damage she had done, a tear escaped her eye before her sight faded to complete and utter darkness.

"Anyone will do tonight

Anyone will do tonight

Close your eyes, just settle, settle

Close your eyes, just settle, settle…"