It was a hard decision for Jughead to make. He was leaving his home, the Serpents and, her. He promised Archie that he would help him escape Hiram. Betty understood that they were playing a much bigger game and that keeping the Red Paladin safe was important.
He left Toni, Sweet Pea, and Betty to handle the Serpents still held up at Tent City. They were still recovering members when they lost the Southside. Some cut their losses with the town and fled.
They were at the edge of Toledo. Jughead felt stupid for not bringing his gun but he left any identifiers except his beloved beanie. His pocket knife was useless seeing Penny hold hers against Archie's jugular.
"You thought you could escape me Jonesy?"
Jughead held his hands in front of him. "No, just bidding my time."
She pressed the knife closer. Archie had his hands up, his eyes darting for a solution.
"I'm here for you but the Man in Black really wants Red here dead. Two birds one stone kinda deal."
"What do you want Penny? I'll trade you my life for his."
Penny pouted, "And have Red rip me to shreds? No thanks."
She made a motion to slice but an object struck her in the temple. Disoriented, Archie twisted her wrist until a pop was heard. The switchblade fell to the ground.
Jughead whipped around to see a preteen girl holding a slingshot. Men in jean jackets swarmed the junkyard, flood lights switching on illuminating the scene.
Jughead and Archie both raised their hands to show they meant no harm. A guy took hold of Penny forcing her to her knees.
"You're a long way from home Snake Charmer." A voice called out tinged with amusement.
It was then Jughead realized the patches on their backs. He breathed a sigh of relief.
An older woman with black hair stepped into the light next to the girl. She had a jean jacket on, the snake curling around the top part of the T.
"it's Jug, Mama."
The older lady's gaze hardened even further. "You came into my territory harassing my son?"
Penny smiled, "Good to see you too Gladys."
Gladys gestured with her head to get Penny out of there. As soon as she was out of sight, Jellybean launched herself at Jughead. He lifted her up in a hug.
"Nice aim Jellybean." He complimented.
"I go by JB now, but thanks."
Gladys pulled her son in for a hug next. "Not that I ain't happy seeing you but why are you two here? Where's your father?"
Jughead rubbed the back of his neck. "Would you believe me if I told you Archie's girlfriend's dad is trying to kill him so I helped him escape."
Jellybean's eyes lit up. "Woah! Archie Andrews?" She whistled appreciatively, "You got hot."
Archie's cheeks reddened.
"Seriously Jellybean."
Gladys interrupted, "That doesn't explain Penny Peabody sniffing around here."
Jughead actually got sheepish. "Well...she's been trying to kill me."
"Wasn't the first time."
"Shut up Archie."
Gladys sighed, "Archie can stay here in protection but you have to get back to your Dad." She pointed a finger at her son.
Jughead clicked his tongue."It's a little more complicated than that but look...can I borrow a phone?"
Jellybean pointed to an old payphone on the lot. He inserted some coins until he heard the dial tone. Typing Sweet Pea's number by memory, it went through.
"What do you want?"
"Sweet Pea it's me."
"Jug? Well damn good to finally hear from ya."
"The Red Paladin is in a secure location. Penny won't be a problem anymore. "
"Good, GG has been getting more out of control here. Another kid killed himself yesterday."
Jughead sighed.
"Also..."
"What? What is it?"
"Some days after you guys left Cheryl noticed Coop wasn't answering her phone. She told Toni and they drove to her house to find it empty and Coop's phone locked in her mom's drawer."
Jughead tightened his hold on the receiver.
"Then we get a tip from Fangs that something was going down at the mental hospital."
"Sisters of Quiet Mercy?"
"Yeah, that's the one. So we sent Bree and Gears to scope out the place. They saw Coop there and a freaky nun talking to her."
Jughead exploded, "What the fuck are you waiting for? Get her out of there!"
The rest of them heard the outburst.
"What's wrong? What's wrong?" Archie tried to glean information.
"Easy, easy, we got her two days ago. She's been recovering in the trailer. Super weak. Memphis said they fed her drugs."
"Make sure she stays there alright? Have Toni and Cheryl go to the house and grab stuff she needs but she's not going back. You understand me?"
"Yeah, don't worry, she won't be leaving our sight."
"Good, I'm gonna be heading back to you guys soon."
"Sounds good Bossman."
With nothing left to say, he hung up the phone.
Archie was on him asking questions. "What happened? Is everyone okay? Is it about Ronnie? Betty?"
Jughead took off his beanie and ran a hand through his hair. "Alice..." He practically spat the name out. "Sent Betty to the Sisters of Quiet Mercy."
"You mean that evil nun place where Polly and Cheryl went to?"
Jughead nodded.
"What are you gonna do?"
"The Serpents already got her but I need to get back. Another kid is dead and there's something going on involving drugs."
"Betty? Betty Cooper?" Jellybean asked.
"We'll take you back Jug. It seems like the Southside could use some backup."
Jellybean pumped her fist in excitement.
Since it was late, they stayed the night in the Toledo clubhouse. In the morning it was decided that Archie was to stay there in hiding. Gladys will call her second in command once a week to check-in.
The two of them were standing outside the car.
"Well this is it..." Archie started, "
Jughead hummed.
"Thank you for dropping everything and coming with me."
Jughead brushed him off, "That's what best friends are for, we can't have the Hope of Riverdale skewered before his prime."
Archie rolled his eyes but brought him into a hug. "Take care of yourself, Jug."
"I was gonna say the same thing."
Riding back to Riverdale was comically short compared to the month it took walking and training hopping.
It was eerily quiet in town. It was Saturday but no teens were out and about. Their parents were keeping them under strict supervision. Jughead directed his mom to Sweetwater River. She had to off-road for a little while until salvaged trailers came into view.
"Stop here Mom."
Jughead led them to the main area. Serpents who were there nodded to him in greeting.
"Look who's back!" A loud voice cut through.
Sweet Pea was coming out of a trailer.
"Didn't think I would be back so soon huh, Sweet Pea?" He smiled.
He came over to wrap a tight arm over his shoulders. "I learned a long time ago to expect the unexpected from you Jones."
His eyes flicked back to the new faces behind him.
"Sweet Pea, this is my mom Gladys, and my sister Jellybean."
"JB." She corrected.
Gladys motioned to some other Serpents she brought. "Jug told us what happened so I brought back up."
"Cool. We definitely need it."
Sweet Pea walked them to the meeting grounds. A group of teens huddled around the leather chair that served as the Serpent throne.
"Guys! You won't believe what I found!"
"If this is another ill-begotten attempt at a joke, I will shoot you," Cheryl stated, not looking up from examining her nails.
"No." He said a little indignantly. "If you looked up Little Red you see what I'm talking about."
Toni saw who was behind him. "Jones!" She was perched on the arm of the chair.
Jughead moved out from behind Sweet Pea to see who was occupying his chair.
"Betty Cooper, you are a sight for sore eyes."
Her eyes lit up at the callback. "You left for a month to go on a trip with our best friend and left me to take care of everyone." She teased.
"He pouted, I'll make it up to you. Now get out of my seat."
She clicked her tongue but did as she was told. She tugged the Serpent jacket off and handed it to him.
"Thanks for keeping my jacket safe."
He unknowingly released a sigh at the feeling of his second skin.
"First order of business Serpents, everyone, meet my mom Gladys and my sister JB. They brought reinforcements to deal with Hiram. Second," He sat down in his chair. "Archie is safe and Penny is taken care of."
His eyes softened when they flicked to Betty. "Are you okay?"
Betty nodded, "I didn't want to go to the Farm so my mom called the Sisters. They're involved with the game and they kept on feeding everyone Fizzle Rocks. I just don't know how the drugs and the game are connected."
"I want that place gone."
She squeezed his shoulder. "No, we need it under surveillance. I have Fangs on the inside. Put your personal feelings aside Jug. We have to follow this lead."
His eyebrows pinched, "If you're fine then I'll follow your lead on this."
She kissed his cheek.
"No way, you're dating Betty Cooper. Archie didn't mention that. What do ya have on her?" Jellybean questioned. Betty shared an amused look with Toni. Jughead appeared disgruntled.
Cheryl crossed her arms with a smirk. "I've been asking my dear cousin the same question every day."
Jughead huffed, entering his brooding phase. "Betty isn't that innocent."
"I expected your father to be wearing that jacket. He didn't want you involved."
He adjusted it on his shoulders. "We were in a gang war with the Ghoulies and lost. Dad left the Serpents to me when he became Sheriff. Your men can stay here. Out trailer is still standing so you and Jellybean can take it."
"Where are you going to sleep?" His sister asked.
He hesitated for a second.
"There's my house." Betty volunteered.
She was instantly shut down. "No. I can't keep you safe over there. Hiram has control fo the whole town. The only safe places are Thistle House, here, and Pops. We'll set up a tent here."
His eyes met Betty's. "I'm not losing you ever again."
Betty dragged a finger over the back of his hand before intertwining them. "We investigate together or none at all."
Jughead let out a deep sigh, "Deal."
Dutch swung around Sweet Pea. "Bossman is back! I gotta say Coop did a hell of a job while you were gone. I think I prefer it."
Jughead rolled his eyes, "Haha, funny."
"It's about time a girl ran the Southside." JB said with a hand on her hip.
Toni nodded looking impressed, "I like your, sister. She's got spunk."
Jellybean flicked one of her braided pigtails. "Duh, someone had to get all of the Jones charm."
"You got something to report Dutchie?" Sweet Pea said.
He nodded, his face turning serious. "Gotta report from Fangs that he saw Hiram at the Sisters talking to the head nun."
"Sister Woodhouse." Betty supplied.
"He came with trucks and the nuns were loading crates into it. Fangs didn't know what was in them."
Jughead ran his thumb along his bottom lip. "I think it's time to go on the offensive."
"How do we do that?" Toni questioned.
He eyed the extra men his mom brought and smirked. "I got some ideas."