"Kev, whatever you're making smells amazing," Betty called to her friend as she continued tidying up at the Andrews's home, "I hope you saved some for us."
"Got us covered," Kevin assured her, "It's one of Freddo's favorite meals. Arch mentioned it once."
"You better have made enough for three," Veronica said, "I skipped breakfast, and I am starving."
"I made enough to probably feed the entire block," Kevin replied, "We'll bring the second dish to Betty's when we're finished setting up."
"Good," Betty said, "Now come here and tell us if this banner should be higher."
"On my way," Kevin said, "Where's Jug? Didn't he want to help?"
"He's with his dad. He wanted to stay out of the way, especially now that he's moved back in with FP," Betty stated, "He and Mary do not see eye to eye."
"Does anyone see eye to eye with her?" Kevin rolled his eyes.
"Not a fan?" Veronica asked.
"Mary has opinions on a lot of things," Kevin explained, "She didn't like the influence I had on Archie growing up."
"It's starting to sound like Mary didn't like any of Archie's friends," Veronica stated the obvious.
"She hates my mother, so I'm despised by extension," Betty said, "FP almost ruined her wedding."
"He nearly knocked over the wedding cake," Kevin added.
"So, Jughead is disliked as well," Veronica nodded, "And you?"
"Her dad was around when we were kids. I don't know how, but he knew I was gay before I did," Kevin said, "He convinced Mary I'd lead Archie down a bad path."
"So, it wasn't so much that Mary didn't like you," Veronica said, "It was her dad."
"And Mary was a Daddy's girl," Betty said.
"That's too bad," Veronica frowned, "Well, I like the both of you a lot, so Mary can just get over herself."
"I'd love to hear you tell her that to her face," Kevin hooted with laughter.
Betty checked her watch, "We better get out of here. They should be back soon. You're both coming over, right?"
"Heck yeah," Veronica stated, "Kevin promised us food."
"Come on. We can watch the homecoming from my living room," Betty said as they all snuck out the back door and across the yards.
The trio were sitting in the living room, devouring Kevin's dish when Betty heard the familiar rumble of Fred's truck as it pulled into the Andrews driveway. She went to the window to watch Fred enter his home. His gait was still awkward. He was still clearly in some pain as he wasn't fully healed, but he'd insisted he was good to go home.
A few minutes after the door shut next door, Betty's phone went off, signaling she had a text message. She pulled it from her pocket and looked.
From Archie: You're the best. Thanks.
To Archie: I had help. Kev did the cooking and V helped me decorate.
From Archie: Tell them thanks.
"Archie says thanks," Betty gave herself a few more moments to look towards the Andrews home. She caught Fred in the window, and he gave her a wave. She quickly waved and smiled back before she returned to her seat on the sofa.
"We should watch a movie," Kevin suggested.
"Yeah, something funny," Betty suggested.
"Have you two ever seen OSCAR?" Veronica asked.
"That weird one with Sylvester Stallone?" Betty asked, "Yes, I've seen it."
"I've never seen it," Kevin replied, "Can we cue it up?"
"Yeah," Betty nodded, "I think you'll like it, Kev. It's a spoof of mobster movies."
"I'm totally in," Kevin agreed.
After Betty cued up the movie, the three of them sat on the couch with Kevin in the middle.
They were giggling at the movie when Betty got another text message. Figuring it was from Archie, she stepped away from the duo, but was surprised it was from Cheryl.
From Cheryl: It's time.
To Cheryl: What does that mean?
From Cheryl: You're going on patrol.
To Cheryl: I'll be there as soon as I can.
Betty turned to her guest, "Uh, guys? My mom just texted. She wants me down at the paper. Apparently one of their delivery guys called out, and they're stuck. She needs my help getting tomorrow's issue out."
"Bummer," Veronica pouted slightly, "It was just getting to the best part. Did you need a ride? My driver can swing by the paper on the way to the Pembrooke."
"No, I'll be okay," Betty smiled, "I could use the fresh air. I'll call you both tomorrow. Maybe we can finish the movie?"
"Have a good night," Kevin gave her a quick hug as he followed Veronica out the front door. The pair were talking about doing something else that evening to entertain themselves.
Betty waited ten minutes just in case they forgot something and then ran upstairs to grab the uniform she and Cheryl had designed together for her. After she'd gathered everything, she slipped out the back door and headed for Archie's garage. As quietly as she could she wheeled the bike out of the garage and down the block. Then she put her helmet on and climbed aboard to drive herself to what they'd dubbed The Dragon's Nest or Nest a few weeks prior.
~:~:~~:~:~
"Are you ready, Dear?" Nana greeted Betty as she flew into the compound.
"So ready," Betty tapped at her bag.
"Suit up," Cheryl called from the sleeping quarters, "We leave at sunset."
"You got it," Betty headed to her room and slipped into her uniform before clipping her wig in place. She looked at herself in the mirror and smiled. Alice wouldn't even recognize her.
"Remember to follow my lead. If I tell you to bug out, you do exactly what I say. No second guessing, no talking back," Cheryl told her, "I can still ground you."
"Got it," Betty nodded, "Are you ready?"
"I'm always ready," Cheryl replied, "Nana will be our eyes tonight."
"Wish me luck, Nana," Betty kissed the older woman's cheek.
Rose patted her cheek, "You'll be fine, my dear."
Betty took a deep breath as she climbed aboard her cycle as Cheryl did the same. They rode out into the night and the unknown of what they could find.
-d-d-d-
"Pretty quiet tonight," Betty commented as they crouched down at the edge of a rooftop near the Southside.
"The quieter the better," Cheryl responded before her attention shifted to a young woman about the age of Jellybean walking by herself.
"She's too young to be out this late alone," Betty said.
"Agreed, but it is the Southside," Cheryl pointed out, "I'm sure Jones was out this late alone a few times."
Out of nowhere, a guy came out of the shadows and ran towards the girl. Cheryl and Betty both reacted quickly, rappelling down from the roof rapidly. Cheryl let Betty take the lead as Betty pounced on the assailant in an instant. Cheryl pulled the girl free and made sure she was okay as Betty dealt with the criminal, getting him tied up so fast a hog-tying cowboy would have been proud.
"Where'd you learn how to do that?"
"While you were playing with dolls, I was playing Cops and Robbers," Betty told her, pulling the spitting mad man to his feet giving Cheryl a full view of his face.
"Well, well," Cheryl smirked, "Look what we have here."
"Let's drop this present off for Sheriff Keller to deal with," Betty shoved the man forward, not even bothering to get a look at his face.
"Yeah, he's been looking for this one for a while now," Cheryl commented.
"I'd like to tie him to the back of my cycle and drag him to the jail," Betty shoved him along, "What were you thinking trying to assault a young girl? It's too bad for you that we have it all on high resolution cameras. No way you'll skirt out from under this one."
"I'll charge you with assault," the man grumbled.
"Good luck with that," Betty smirked, "How will you describe us to Sheriff Keller?"
"As two bitches in superhero costumes," he grunted.
"That's a compliment, right?" Cheryl snorted.
"I think he'll be more interested in locking you up for the attempted attack of a minor, and the robbery of Veronica Lodge," Betty smiled at the look of horror that crossed the assailant's face, "Yeah, those Lodges."
"Good luck skirting away from that one with an eyewitness," Cheryl stated.
"Her old man's in prison," the man grunted as Betty and Cheryl maneuvered him to sit backwards, tied to the sissy bar of Betty's motorcycle, securing his hands in front of him, "They can't do anything to me."
"Guess again," Betty smiled, "Because while the old man's in prison, the lady of the house, Mrs. Lodge, is still around. How much do you think she learned while married to him?"
The man decided to say no more as they drove him to the police station and dropped him off while Nana emailed the video from their anonymous email box.
"Good luck," Cheryl gave him a salute as they took off.
"You'll pay for this," he struggled against the binds, trying to wiggle free before someone discovered him.
"I'm sure we will," Betty said.
Cheryl and Betty drove off to continue with their patrol. Even with the adrenaline rush of the bust, their night was not over.
-d-d-d-d-
Betty was still flying high as she and Archie met up the next day. She looked around to see if his folks were nearby.
"Dad's upstairs, reluctantly resting," Archie said.
"And Mary?"
"Probably halfway home by now," Archie nodded.
"She's heading back to Chicago already?" Betty asked.
"Yeah, she's got a case that is anxiously awaiting her representation," Archie frowned.
"Are you okay with that?" Betty asked.
"It's better she's gone than continuing to hound me into going with her," Archie replied, "Did you hear from Veronica this morning? She said the police think they caught the guy that assaulted her."
"She called on her way home from the station," Betty nodded, "She's very happy."
"I bet it's a huge relief," Archie stated.
"Definitely, for all of us," Betty agreed, "One less criminal on the streets."
"Her mom said some girl from the Southside is also pressing charges," Archie reported.
"Really? How old?"
"No older than Jellybean," Archie shook his head.
"Oh wow," Betty stated, "Glad this guy is behind bars."
"Aren't we all?" Archie said, "He'd better be careful though. A lot of Serpents on the inside."
"Let's hope he gets there first," Betty replied.
"What do you want to do today?"
"Your dad's upstairs, right?"
"Yeah, he said I didn't have to stay home, but I kind of feel like I should."
"How does acting like a couple of horny teenagers and making out on the couch grab you?"
"Sounds like a good way to spend the day with my girl," Archie chuckled as he pulled Betty to the sofa.
Betty giggled as she and Archie made out, neither of them hearing Fred's footsteps and only realizing he was there when he cleared his throat...loudly.
"Hey, Dad," Archie rocketed to his feet.
"Good afternoon," Fred looked slightly amused as Betty sat up, a blush darkening her face.
"Hi, Mister Andrews," Betty rose quickly, "How are you feeling?"
"Better than I was yesterday," Fred chuckled, "Felt good to sleep in my own bed."
"Oh, I'll bet it did. Did you like the food Kevin made? He said it was one of your favorites."
"I did," Fred smiled, "Thank him for me, and thank you for the welcome home banner. That was very thoughtful."
"Of course," Betty nodded, "Do you want some lunch? I can make some sandwiches. You have turkey, right? I can make turkey sandwiches."
"I can make my own sandwich," Fred assured her, "Why don't you two meet up with some friends and have some fun? I know you both have been light on that since I've been in the hospital."
"Well, Kev, Veronica, and I were watching a movie last night. We didn't get to finish it. Arch, you could come over, and I could call them."
"Yeah, let's do that, then we're not too far away if Dad needs anything," Archie agreed.
"I'm not helpless, Arch," Fred reminded his son.
"He knows that, Mr. Andrews," Betty said to head off an argument, "But you are still recovering, and help should be close by. This way it's close by but not crowding you."
"I appreciate you both being willing to help," Fred replied, "Go, have fun. I'll be fine."
"C'mon, Arch, I'll give V a call and you can call Kevin."
-d-d-d-
Hope everyone had a good weekend. :)