Gentle Readers, sorry this literally took a thousand years to update. I, in fact, did not die, but was hit by a hurricane, had to move, had a battle with my mental health, and fell in love with a captain in the air force. All while being a single mother, so I just couldn't find the strength to write, even though it is something I love. But I did it. I finished the thing. Riverdale season 2 is rocking my world. I love all of you, and as always thank you for reading and making my life a little brighter with every comment. Hugs and kisses to all!
Johnny went back through the kitchen door, and a moment later, came in with Archie and Veronica. Both were tied up and gagged, Veronica's brown eyes wide with fear, streaming tears. Johnny shoved Veronica and Archie to the ground. He stood up and tossed a gun to Michael James.
"Here you go, Dad," he said.
"Dad?" Betty asked. And then it all fell into place. The reason Johnny had been so attached to the Whyte Wyrm, the childhood photos in his trailer, all taken in the bar. And now he had a motive.
"Yeah, Dad-the man your families tried to murder and left for dead," Johnny said. He pointed his gun toward Betty and Jughead. "Get on your knees."
Betty glanced around. Johnny and Michael James were outnumbered, but they had the guns. Guns would always trump numbers. Maybe if they all worked together, they could overthrow their captors. But how? If anyone of them tried to make a move, Johnny or Michael would shoot them. But they were going to die either way. The air rushed from her lungs, her chest tightening, throat closing. No. No. Betty wouldn't allow. There had to be a way out. She looked across the room and made eye contact with FP. He must have been able to sense what she was thinking because he nodded his head, and she knew what she needed to do. FP pulled against his ropes and Betty started to speak.
"They were just kids," Betty said. Both Johnny and Michael turned to her. "They didn't mean it."
"They didn't mean to try turn my brains to mush and burn me alive?" Michael James asked. "They were evil." He turned away from her, gun pointed in Alice's head. Betty had to draw his attention away.
"You're the piece of shit who was selling drugs to kids!" Betty said.
"I was a businessman," Michael said. "I saw a point of sale that needed someone to facilitate it, and that is what I did. Do you know how expensive it is have a son with such special needs?"
"Actually, I do!" Alice chimed in. Snake still had his arms around her. "It doesn't make it okay to sell drugs to children."
As Alice reprimanded Michael James, Betty glanced to FP who had managed to get his hands free. Then Betty felt Jughead's hand on her shoulder, reassuring her that he was going to help FP take down Johnny and Michael James. For a moment, she wanted to stop them both. She couldn't lose either of them, but if they didn't do something, they all could die here tonight.
From there, everything went in fast forward. FP and Jughead jumped to their feet in unison, one lunging for Johnny, the other for Michael James. After a moment, Hiram and Snake were up, too. Their hands were still bound, but they helped as much as this could. As FP and Michael James wrestled, Michael's gun fell to the floor.
Jughead leapt for it at the same time Johnny did. They scuffled for a moment, the gun lost beneath them. With the distraction, Snake got to his feet and took down Michael.
Then Johnny's gun went off.
Betty screamed as Jughead fell back, leaving Johnny still on the ground, gun in his hand. Snake had Michael by the neck, Michael's gun on the floor, Betty scrambled for it, grabbing it up. The barrel of the gun was heavy in her hand as she squeezed the trigger tight. Her eyes closed as the butt of the gun kicked back, slamming in the the fleshy part of her palm. When she looked again, Johnny was on the ground, blood spreading out from the center of his chest, staining his white shirt red. His body went limp as he feel back.
She dropped her her knees next to Jughead. His hand was clutched the top of his thigh where he'd been shot. Just a flesh wound. The bullet only grazed him. He would be okay. They all would. The danger was gone. They survived.
Sheriff Keller and his deputies arrived shortly after. Johnny's body was zipped into a body bag and they took Michael away in a police car. After everyone was questioned and Jughead's leg was patched up, Betty and Jughead slipped out as Alice and Snake openingly kissed.
Betty drove the truck they'd taken there and they both went right to Sunnyside Trailer Park, went inside, and locked the doors behind them. Without a word, they stepped into the shower, washed, and then held each other until the water ran cold. They climbed into the bed, Jughead pulling up the covers around them. Wanting to be reminded of the life the still had, she reached for him, but before her fist could close around him, her eyes fluttered closed and she sank into slumber.
She woke to Jughead gently rolling her onto her back, nudged her legs apart. He sank into her, his body, his heart, his soul joining with hers. They moved together. It didn't last long this time, and it didn't have to. They were alive and together, and that was all that mattered. After they both came, Jughead pulled out of her, layed on his back and brought her against him, her arm going across his chest as he tucked her head beneath his chin.
They lay together, their breathing settling, their bodies bodies sated and happy, enjoying being close, being out of danger.
"I love you, Jughead Jones," Betty said.
"I love you, too, Betty Cooper."
Her mother would continue to be overbearing, they were still separated by the border of the Northside and Southside, her demons would always be there, waiting to surface, but for now they had peace. For now they were happy. They would forever be happy, just the two of them, the Romeo and Juliet of Riverdale, expect this time they would live happily ever after.
Through the small window in his bedroom, the clouds had cleared and the sun's rays peeked over the horizon. "Maybe it's not to dark on the Southside," Betty said as she angled herself up to kiss his check before settling back into his arms.