Betty was quietly working in the back of the library. Her head was down as she hoped to go completely unnoticed by anyone. She desperately needed to get in some early morning studying before first period. She'd hated to leave Archie hanging with their morning run, but she didn't want to have to explain to him why she was currently sporting a black eye. She hadn't yet come up with a great excuse.
She also didn't want to bump into Cheryl. She'd gone on her first patrol without getting clearance from either Cheryl or Nana Rose, and she knew she was in for a royal scolding as soon as Cheryl found out
She wondered if could invent some sort of invisibility cloak to disappear until the bruise went away.
"Betty?" Jughead's voice interrupted her musings. She looked up without thinking.
The look on Jughead's face told her that, yes, Virginia, her eye looked as bad as she'd thought it did this morning when she was getting dressed.
"What happened?" Jughead tilted her head to get a better look, "If Hal backhanded you, I've got some buddies who could help teach him some manners."
"No, my father did not hit me. Trust me, if he ever did, I'd walk out of that house, and no one would be able to drag me back."
"It wasn't Archie, was it?" Jughead asked with all sorts of dread in the pit of his stomach.
"God no!" Betty gasped, "Arch would never hit a woman."
"Then how?"
"I was reading and walking at the same time, and I managed to walk right into a wall," Betty told him.
Jughead studied her for a few moments. He didn't buy her explanation, but he figured she had her reasons for keeping the truth from him and said nothing further.
"Why are you hanging out in the library so early this morning?" Betty asked in an attempt to change the subject, "Don't you usually sleep until the last minute, and then come into first period huffing and puffing?"
"Not when you live with two men who get up at the crack of dawn," Jughead plopped down next to her, "Fred has to be at the job site before his guys, so he's up before dawn. Archie likes getting in a bit of a workout with the bag, so I wake to repeated grunting."
"That's kind of frightening," Betty snickered, "How did I not know that Archie hits his bag first thing in the morning? And is he shirtless?"
"I've never cared to look," Jughead responded dryly.
"I need a reason for Kevin to move in with you guys. He'd look for me," Betty snorted, "Why else are you back here?"
"It's stupid. If I tell you, you'll think I'm crazy," Jughead said.
Betty tilted her head and gave him a pout with big eyes, "Please, Juggy?"
"Okay, but you can't say anything," he instantly caved to her batting lashes.
"Deal."
"I can't shake the feeling that someone is watching me," he replied, "And I've been seeing the Ghoulies hanging around a bit lately."
"Are you messing with me?"
"What?" Jughead looked at her.
"No, you couldn't be messing with me, because I haven't said anything to anyone," Betty frowned.
"Should I be paying attention to this conversation you're having with yourself?" Jughead asked.
Betty looked at him, "You're not the only one who feels like they're being watched. Since Tuesday, every time I've been outside or near a window, I've felt like I'm being watched."
"Have you seen any Ghoulies?" Jughead asked.
"I think so, but I really didn't think anything of it at the time," Betty admitted, "Why would they be on this side of town?"
"I heard Mike say something to my dad about him needing to get it together because the Ghoulies are making a power play for our turf," Jughead replied, "I get why they'd keep their eye on me, I'm leverage against the Serpent king, but you?"
"My uncle is your dad's right-hand man," Betty said, "My mom used to be a Serpent, not that she'd ever admit it."
"Once upon a time, your grandpa was high up in the Serpents," Jughead pointed out.
"Yeah, but all that means is two-thirds of my association is History 101," Betty said, "Ghoulies wouldn't go back that far to stage a coup now."
"Like you said, you're the niece of the Serpent king's right-hand man," Jughead replied, "Mike makes sure his kids are protected, but you...you're exposed. If the Ghoulies are looking to start something, we might be the way to get things going."
Betty tapped her pen against her notebook, "I think I need to call Mike."
"Yeah, might be a good idea," Jughead agreed, "Tell him I need some attention too."
"You might want to talk to Fred," Betty advised, "Just give him a heads up."
"Yeah, I probably should," Jughead bobbed his head, "I don't want him and Archie caught in the crosshairs. Maybe I can bunk with Sweet Pea or Fangs for a while until things get sorted out."
"Do me a favor? Let me talk to Archie first? I want him to hear about this from me," Betty said.
"Are you going to tell him about the black eye too?" Jughead asked.
"I'll have to," Betty sighed heavily, "He'll notice immediately."
"Want some advice," Jughead offered, "Come up with a better excuse than you ran into a wall. I get you may not want to tell us what really happened, but that's about as fake an excuse as there is."
"It's not an excuse."
"And get better at lying, Cooper," Jughead advised.
"I'm not lying," Betty protested.
"Sure, you're not," Jughead gathered his belongings as the first period bell sounded.
Betty grabbed her stuff and headed for class. Just as she got there, Cheryl appeared.
"Betty," the redhead called after her as she tried to get away without revealing her shiner but was unsuccessful. Cheryl grabbed her arm and spun her around to get a better look at her, "Oh my God. What the hell?"
"Oh, it's nothing," Betty assured her, "I wasn't looking where I was going last night and ran into a wall. It was so stupid."
"You are horrible at lying," Cheryl told her, "We will talk later."
Betty frowned and of course she ran right into Archie and had the nearly identical conversation. He seemed to buy her excuse a bit more than the rest, but Betty knew she was in for it later when Cheryl found out how she really caught the black eye.
0d0d0d0d0d0
"You did what?" Cheryl screeched at her after Betty finally confessed how she'd truly gotten the black eye.
"Since you weren't available, I thought I'd go out on patrol," Betty responded like a little kid would when they knew what they'd done was not only wrong and dangerous, but also incredibly stupid.
"And you confronted a drug dealer after he made a sale," Cheryl added.
"I got him pretty good," Betty tried to justify things, "The guy got lucky with the elbow to the eye."
"You have not been cleared to go out by yourself, and you damn well know it," Cheryl said.
"I'm fine."
"Except for the massive black eye, yeah, you're dandy," Cheryl retorted, "God, you could've gotten yourself killed."
"But I didn't," Betty countered.
"What if he'd had a gun?" Cheryl challenged her, "What would you have done then?"
"I would have disarmed him," Betty responded calmly.
Cheryl threw up her hands in anger and began muttering to herself.
"Calm down, Child," Nana Rose rolled into the discussion.
"She could have been killed," Cheryl challenged her grandmother.
"A fair point, and one I'm sure Elizabeth has admitted to herself while she cleaned up her eye, even if she won't admit it to us," Rose said.
"She was reckless."
"I know I was," Betty agreed.
"You know it, and yet you did it anyway," Cheryl hissed.
"Like it or not, you both take a risk every time you head out on patrol," Rose responded calmly, "Anyone you encounter could have a weapon, but you also need to remember why you are doing what you are. You're trying to make Riverdale a safer place for everyone."
Cheryl folded her arms and looked at Betty, "I don't hate you."
"Well, I don't hate you either...anymore," Betty said.
"You're a friend, kind of," Cheryl said, "So I want you to be safe."
"I want the same for you," Betty replied.
"I know you're anxious to prove yourself, but you have to do it safely," Cheryl stated, "Give it a few more weeks. We'll do a bit more intense work, and then I'll take you on patrol...we'll do it together until you get comfortable, until you figure out your limits."
Betty nodded after a moment, "Okay."
"Very nicely done," Rose commented, "For now, I want you two to go take a look in the junkyard next door. Elizabeth had a point when she said you needed vehicles."
"Like what, a tank?" Cheryl huffed.
"You've been taking cycling lessons from Michael, have you not?" Rose asked.
"We have," Betty nodded.
"I think you could find some motorcycles."
"You mean death mobiles," Cheryl huffed, "You can hear those things from miles away."
"I'm sure there are ways to make the engines quieter," Rose smiled.
"I can't believe you're encouraging us to get motorcycles," Betty grinned widely in amusement.
"I'll have you know that before Cheryl's grandfather, I had a beau that rode one."
"Nana!" Cheryl admonished her.
"They are quite exhilarating to ride," Rose smiled, "You almost feel like you're flying."
"Whatever happened to him?" Betty asked.
"I believe he ended up marrying one of Mary Andrews's relatives on her father's side," Rose sniffed, "Dreadful woman. Made him miserable."
Betty frowned in reply. She didn't much care for her boyfriend's maternal side of the family. They'd all thought they were better than they were.
"Serves him right for not choosing you," Cheryl said.
"Child, I chose your grandfather over him," Rose told her, "Stole him away from some she-devil from Centerville."
Cheryl giggled in reply.
"Now, you two run along. I have some correspondence to catch up on, and then I'm afraid we're being summoned for dinner with your parents at the club, so make sure you leave enough time to primp," Rose said to Cheryl.
Cheryl groaned heavily in reply.
"Let's go junk shopping," Betty grinned, "You'll have fun, I promise."
"If you say so," Cheryl said.
"You like shopping," Betty reminded her.
"For clean things like clothes," Cheryl countered, "Not greasy two-wheeled monstrosities that don't even work."
"If I can't get it running, then I'm sure Mike will be able to," Betty said, "Speaking of, I'm calling him tonight to tell him something I should tell you about, too."
"Oh," Cheryl raised a brow.
"Jug mentioned something to me about the Ghoulies being around and lurking in the shadows, watching him and maybe even me," Betty stated, "Apparently there is some power play about to go down between the Ghoulies and Serpents."
"So we need to choose which group to support," Cheryl concluded, "I'm not a fan of the Serpents, but they are the lesser of two evils."
"And several generations of my family have belonged to them," Betty pointed out, "I just want you to know that if it comes down to it, I'll distance you and me so that your secret stays safe."
"It's your secret, too," Cheryl reminded her.
"So I'll protect us both."
"We'll do what has to be done," Cheryl stated.
Betty held out her pinky. Cheryl rolled her eyes but hooked it with her own.
"Deal," Betty said, "C'mon, let's figure out which ones will suit us best."
It didn't take long for either to find a machine they liked.
"How are we going to explain these things in your garage?" Cheryl asked as they walked them towards the training facility. Betty was going to walk hers home so she could get started tinkering.
"Not going in my garage," Betty stated, "Mr. Andrews has a full setup in his garage."
"And he's going to be okay with this?"
"He's let Jug and Archie make the garage their own," Betty said, "Jug for his writing and Archie for the guitar. I'll just ask them if I can park it there so my parents don't have a conniption."
"And Archie won't get suspicious?" Cheryl asked.
"Nah," Betty shook her head, "I'll just tell him it's a gift from my uncle Mike. He won't question it."
"Your uncle's a nice guy," Cheryl commented, "He didn't freak out when he met me."
"He's a cool dude," Betty replied, "He could have abandoned me when my mom pretty much abandoned her family, but he's always reached out to make sure I know he's available if I need him."
"I'm surprised Polly didn't go there when she left."
"Too easy to get her back," Betty shook her head.
"I suppose," Cheryl frowned.
"She'll be alright," Betty smiled, "By the way, here. I almost forgot. It's her sonogram. Share it with Nana when you're alone."
"Does she know if it's a boy or girl yet?" Cheryl took and began examining it, "Wait, is this right?"
"Twins!" Betty exclaimed, "She's so excited."
"Oh my God," Cheryl smiled.
"We each get to be godmother to one," Betty smiled, "She figured you'd want the boy since the father was your brother. I get the girl because she's my sister."
"Wow," Cheryl fought the tears threatening to fall.
"Don't cry," Betty said, "He knows, and he's happy. Wherever he is, he's happy, and he'll always be looking after them."
Cheryl bobbed her head as she wiped at her eyes, "He'd have been thrilled."
"Now go," Betty said, "Get out of here. You can't show up for dinner with the gruesome twosome looking all blotchy."
Cheryl walked her bike into the facility and then took off, leaving Betty to push her bike through town, when suddenly a familiar truck pulled up.
"What's with the two wheels, Darling?" her uncle Mike called as he lowered the passenger window to address her.
"Since you gave such awesome lessons, I wanted a bike of my own to practice on," Betty explained. "I can't afford a working one, so I found this junker. I figured I'd fix it up."
"Let's throw that in the back, and I'll drive you home," Mike offered.
"That would be really great, but let's bring it to my neighbor's house," Betty requested as he got out and lifted it easily into the bed of the truck. "If Mom asks, can you tell her that it's a gift from you? I don't want to answer a lot of questions about how I got it."
"Sure thing, Pumpkin," he winked as he opened the passenger door for her, "Need my help fixing her up?"
"I thought you'd never ask," Betty smiled, waiting until he got into the driver's seat before continuing, "Actually, I'm glad I ran into you tonight. I was going to call you later on."
"Is this about your shiner?" Mike asked, driving towards Elm Street.
"No," Betty shook her head, "It's about me and Jug possibly being watched by the Ghoulies."
"Ah, damn," Mike cursed, "I thought maybe they'd keep an eye on Jug, but I didn't think they'd have any interest in you. That's on me. I'll get some eyes on you."
"Thanks, Uncle Mike," Betty smiled, "Jug's gonna give Mr. Andrews a head's up, and if necessary, he might go stay with Sweet Pea or Fangs."
"I'll talk to Fred. I don't think the South Side is a safe place for Jughead right now."
"You think he's safer on the north side?" Betty asked.
"Yeah," Mike bobbed his head, "He needs to put some distance between himself and FP. Freddo is a cool dude. He also doesn't scare easily. He made it quite clear that he was going to take care of Jug because FP just can't right now. That pissed FP off enough that he's been sober for a few days...we'll see what comes of it, if anything."
"I know you guys were close growing up," Betty said, "I'm sorry you have to see him like this now."
"As long as he's not taking pot shots at his kids, I'll lay off him. He ever lays a hand on Jughead, I'll take him apart myself," Mike said, "I won't let him live with his kids hating him."
"I appreciate that," Betty replied, "I'm glad Jug has people he can rely on. He could easily go down FP's same path, but so far he hasn't."
"Don't kid yourself, Pumpkin," Mike replied, "He's still a Serpent."
"I know, but he's not a drunk Serpent," Betty countered, "That's progress."
"Point taken," Mike nodded, knowing that if he ever caught either of his kids, Betty, or Polly with any illegal substances they'd be in for the ass whupping of their young lives.
Mike pulled into the Andrews driveway and helped Betty unload the bike.
"Do you need me to hang around just in case I need to take the bike back to my garage?" Mike asked.
"Nah," Betty smiled, "I'm pretty sure Mr. Andrews will be cool with letting me keep the bike here."
"All right then, Kiddo," Mike gave her a hug, "Give me a call if you need help getting it going."
"I will," she smiled, "Thanks for the ride home."
"It's never a hardship hanging with my favorite niece," he gave her a playful wink, "Maybe I'll kill two birds with one stone and talk to Freddo about Jug."
"I want to be the one to tell Archie though," Betty added.
"I'm just a guy checking in on an old buddy," Mike gave her another wink.
Betty and Mike walked up to the front door, and Betty knocked.
A few minutes later the door opened to reveal Fred in his usual flannel attire holding a cup of coffee and wearing a welcoming grin, "Betty, you here to keep my son from pulling out his hair over your math homework?"
"I'm actually here to talk to him about something else," Betty smiled, "Mr. Andrews, you remember my uncle Mike, right?"
"It's been a long time, Mike," Fred held out his free hand.
"How's it going, Freddo?" Mike pulled him into a manly hug.
"Can't complain," Fred responded as he turned to call out for Archie. "Hey, Arch, Betty's here."
"Thanks, Mr. Andrews," Betty smiled, "Before I forget, do you mind if I store my new-ish bike in your garage?"
"Bike?" Fred lifted a curious brow.
"Motorcycle," Betty amended, "It doesn't run. I'm going to fix it up."
"Your mom?"
"Doesn't need to know," Mike said, "I'm just giving her some lessons. Grease monkey gene landed solidly in my youngest niece."
"I'd like to think I have a bit to do with that," Fred chuckled, "And yes, Betty, go ahead and keep it in the garage."
"Thanks, Mr. Andrews," Betty smiled triumphantly as Archie came storming down the steps to greet her.
"Hey, Betty, if you have a few minutes, could you help him with the math assignment tonight so he doesn't go bald," Fred added while Archie glared at him.
"I'll help him, but we need to talk first," Betty pointed to the kitchen, "Alone."
"Am I in trouble?" Archie asked.
"Should you be?" Betty took his hand and led him towards the kitchen.
Fred waited until he heard the back door open and shut before he looked at Mike, "Come in, Mike. I have a feeling we need to talk, too."
Mike followed the other man into the living room and looked around, "This reminds me of your folks' house. I was sorry to hear about your mom."
"We got the card," Fred nodded, "Take a seat and let's talk."
Mike took the couch, "Well, it's about Jug and Betty."
-d-d-d-d-
"The Ghoulies are spying on you and Jug?" Archie's hands tightened around the railing, "Where do I find them, and how hard can I kill them?"
"Take a deep breath," Betty spun him towards her and laid her hands on his chest, "There will be no seeking or killing of any Ghoulies."
"My girlfriend and best friend are in danger because of them," Archie stated, "Why shouldn't I be putting them in their place?"
"Because they will take you apart and mail the pieces one by one to your dad," Betty told him, "If you want that verified, call my aunt's parents and ask about her brother."
"How do I protect you?" Archie asked, "I can't bare to lose you."
"You won't," she assured him, "Uncle Mike is going to send some of his friends to keep an eye on me and Jug. The Ghoulies won't come anywhere near me."
"I hate this," Archie grumbled.
"I'm not crazy about it either," Betty told him, "Just promise me, you won't go after them, okay? I don't want to lose you either."
"If they get close, I can't promise that I won't stand up for you," he stated.
"I know," Betty nodded, "Just don't go looking for it."
"I won't," he vowed.
"Thank you," she went up on her toes and kissed him, "Now that the unpleasantness is out of the way, I have something fun to show you."
"Oh?" he raised a curious brow.
"Come on," Betty took his hand, "It's in the garage."
"Lead the way," Archie followed her.
Betty let them into the garage and turned the light on, "Ta-da!"
"It's a really old motorcycle with half-filled tires," Archie noted as he kicked at the rear tire to test his theory.
"Yeah, but it has loads of potential," Betty gave it a pat, "I'm going to fix it up."
"Have you ever ridden a motorcycle?" Archie kicked at the tires.
"You don't think Mike put me on one the moment I could reach the pedals?"
"There is a world of difference between riding a cycle and driving one," Archie replied, "You could get seriously hurt."
"Don't be ridiculous," Betty snorted, "Of course I'll take lessons before I take this out for a spin."
"You're not nervous about getting on one of these things?"
"Nope," Betty shook her head, "I wonder if I could get your dad to teach me."
"He'd never say no to you," Archie chuckled, "Promise me you'll be careful."
"Of course," she smiled, "Maybe I'll even take you for a spin."
"My girlfriend, the Motorcycle Mama," Archie grinned.
"Girlfriend, huh?" Betty smirked.
"I think so, yeah," he nodded.
"Hmm, I guess that makes you my boy toy," she gave him a teasing grin as she wrapped her arms around his shoulders.
"Well, do you feel like helping your boy toy pass math?"
"Depends," she laughed, "Do I get anything out of this?"
"How about this," he dipped down and pressed his lips to hers.
"I think I could be convinced," she smiled, kissing him again.
It was a few minutes later when the side door to the garage door opened and an obnoxious clearing of the throat broke the pair apart.
"Don't let me interrupt," Jughead responded sarcastically.
"Isn't that what you just did?" Archie frowned.
"Hi, Jug," Betty greeted, "Fancy meeting you here."
"Uh, I live here," he reminded her.
"I know that," Betty said, "Mike's inside if you wanted to say hello."
"What's Mike doing here?" Jughead played dumb for his buddy's sake.
"Arch knows, Jug," Betty assured him.
"Oh," Jughead nodded, "He's talking to your dad, Arch?"
"Yeah, I'm assuming it has something to do with the Ghoulie situation," Archie replied.
"He just wants to explain what's going on, so your dad is aware and prepared," Betty explained.
"And if need be, I'll pack up and get out," Jughead nodded.
"The hell you will," Fred's voice said from the doorway.
"Dad," Archie stated at the same time Jughead added, "Mr. Andrews."
"Mike just told me what's going on," Fred leaned against the doorframe, "You're not going anywhere."
"But you'll all be in danger."
"You're staying here," Fred said firmly, "I'm not leaving you to fend for yourself, because no matter what he's done, your dad is still my best friend and you're my son's best friend."
"But with the Ghoulies sniffing around," Jughead continued to protest.
"I don't give a damn about the Ghoulies," Fred replied, "Mike assured me that he'd have a roving patrol of Serpents around here making sure you're safe."
"Is he still here?" Betty asked.
"Out front," Fred said, "He's waiting for you to come say goodnight."
"I'll meet you upstairs to study," Betty told Archie.
Archie nodded, and Betty exited.
"Your dad and I have had our differences and disagreements," Fred told Jughead, "But I will never turn my back on him or you, not for good."
"Thanks, Mr. Andrews," Jughead gave him an uncomfortable hug.
"You are the best part of your dad," Fred smiled, "Don't forget that, okay?"
Jughead bobbed his head as Betty went to talk to her uncle.
"Keep your head up, Pumpkin," Mike told her, "I've got my squad heading your way."
"What should I tell my mom?" Betty asked.
"As little as possible," Mike advised her.
"Good idea," Betty nodded, "Give my love to everyone, okay?"
"I will," Mike nodded, looking at Andrews' house, "You and Fred's kid, huh?"
"Yeah," Betty nodded.
"Do I need to have the shovel talk with him?"
"Save it for when Franny brings home her first boyfriend," Betty told him.
"Maybe I should start with the redhead," Mike chuckled, "That way when it's Franny's turn, I've got the speech down."
"You're hysterical, Uncle Mike," Betty laughed.
"Be good and take care of yourself, okay?"
"I will," Betty promised, "Bye."
Mike drove away and Betty headed to the house. She let herself in and closed the door behind her, not seeing the blonde man step out from behind a tree across the street.