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     ARCHIE HEARD A NOISE OUTSIDE HIS HOME and he immediately perked up. He saw a man outside... in a mask. His heart beating fast, Archie knew what he had to do. Go after the man who almost killed his father.

Rushing out the front door, Archie tackled the hooded figure to the ground. Ready to avenge Fred Andrews.

"Stop! It's me." Archie knew that voice and stopped at once. The mask came off and in the dim light, Archie saw who it was.

"Are you freakin' insane? What the hell are you doing here, Reggie?"

"Delivering your uppers, clearly the last thing you need," Reggie panted, out of breath for being beaten up by him. "You've lost it, Andrews."

"You're the one here wearing this hood." Archie defended, motioning to the hood in the other boys hand. 

"It's called a prank, I didn't expect you to attack me, " Reggie grumbled. "What if I had been the guy? Eh? You would have just tackled him?"

"Yeah. Damn right."

"He has a gun, Andrews. He's shot people. Only a dumb ass lunatic brings a baseball bat to a gunfight."

Those warning words would not affect Archie, he was out for revenge.

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     IT WAS QUIET IT POP'S DINER, ALREADY A GRAVEYARD. No one was there, and it was a bittersweet sight. It was once a place filled with laughter. Jughead had come to visit Ginny on her break but ended up eating with Betty while Ginny did her sidework. Since it was so slow, Pop told her to get her work done so she could leave early. So she was, sitting in the back folding silverware and wiping all countertops down. Occasionally she would hear the conversation her bboyfriends d, Betty, and Pop were having. 

"So, why'd you do it, Pop? Did they make you an offer you couldn't refuse?" Jughead asked Pop suddenly, wondering why change.

"Who's buying it? Do you even know?" Betty was more pressing, wanting to know who the mysterious buyer was.

"It shames me to say. ChugMo." Pop shuddered as he said the large corporations name out loud. As a small family diner it was sad to see it turn into something completely different.

"The liquor store chain?" The two teens were aghast at the news, the realization that change was afoot.

"Hey, could I make a request of you, Pop? For a last supper?" Jughead asked the older man, knowing that Pop would do anything out of the kindness of his heart. 

"Anything you want," Pop said without hesitating. Yes, he was kind but to the kids who frequented his diner... he would always help them out. 

"Actually, it's not for me, it's for my dad." Jughead admitted, fiddling with his hands. "He's facing 20 years of that weird meatloaf that they serve prisoners. So, barring an eleventh-hour miracle, I was kind of hoping for his last meal in Riverdale that you could make him his favorite." 

"Fried chicken, cornbread, onion rings and an orange freeze, if memory serves." Pop was a good man, and you could tell alone by his memorization skills. He remembered most orders, even Ginny couldn't remember more than five.

"It's very Rain Man of you, Pop." Jughead said slyly, always needing to make a movie reference. Hey, it was the nerd in him wanting to shine.

"Been doing this a long time. Thought I'd be doing it until the day I die." Pop sighed, cleaning his hands on his towel. "I didn't expect this to happen, I don't want to do this to the town– to Ginny..." 

Jughead bent his head to the side, looking into the kitchen to see his girlfriend finishing her work. She took off her apron and looked up, noticing him staring. She grinned widely, waving her apron in the air as if signalling freedom.

"This is– Unacceptable," Betty stood up, shaking her head. She was always the advocate for change but Pop's was different."

"What?" They were confused at her vague answer, Jughead turning away from his Ginny's stare. 

"Just everything." Betty could not be more vague. "Pop, have you officially sold the diner?"

"The contract's being drawn up," Pop told Betty, it was in the process of being sold. He couldn't do much about it, it was an end of an era.... or so he thought. 

"Do not sign it. Okay? Do not give up. Either of you. I can fix this, all right?" Betty looked between the two men, wanting to make everything perfect. She wanted a happily ever after. "I will fix this. Okay? Bye." 

The two men stared in disbelief as the young girl left, her ponytail swinging behind her as she went.

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     JUGHEAD WAS NO SAINT, BUT KNEW THAT VERONICA NEEDED A FRIEND. He was reluctant at first but knew that Ginny would be proud of him. The raven-haired girl sat at the desk, thinking deeply and Jughead knew that they should have a heart-to-heart talk.

"I don't have red hair, nor broad shoulders, or a blonde ponytail, for that matter. Do you wanna talk?" Jughead asked Veronica, knowing that they were not as close. It was a strange friend group, they were friends... but the closeness of others was definitely noticeable. Jughead always knew that the rich girl and him would never truly get along. She had no idea what it was like to be on the South Side of town... no way.

"You were ready to walk away from your dad. And now, you are crusading for his freedom. What changed?" Veronica was very curious, she knew that Jughead would have an answer. 

"He did. He made an effort. Took another swing at being a good dad." Jughead nibbled on his muffin, he tried making it casual as he leaned against the stool.

"But don't you think some people can't change? Like, it's just in their DNA to be bad?" She was worried for her father, he was an intimidating man.  

"I'm not gonna presume to know what lies in your father's heart. But Archie's dad almost died. And my dad is going away for 20 years. If there's even a .0001% chance–that your dad is trying–" Jughead was trying to make it clear to the girl that her time with her father was precious... and she shouldn't be wasting it. 

Veronica Lodge lowered her head at the mention of his father stuck in jail for 20 years.  She couldn't imagine the pain he was going through, "I get it. Thank you, Jughead."

Jughead nodded, standing up from his position against the stool. He had checked the time, he had to get to his father's hearing. 

The two said goodbye and Jughead departed.

It was a good talk between the two.

º   º   º

THE COURT ROOM WALLS FELT LIKE THEY WERE CLOSING IN ON JUGHEAD. He was so nervous for his dad, his hands were closed tight until his knuckles were pale white.

"Ms. Blossom, you may proceed with your statement."

Cheryl Blossom sat next to the judge and Jughead held his breath, waiting to hear what she had to say. 

"Your Honor, I speak for myself and my mother when I say we forgive FP Jones for the part he played in covering up my brother's murder, and we humbly ask the court for leniency. FP's guilt has been blown out of proportion to satiate what my father's suicide denied us. Closure."

"As much as I sympathize, I can't ignore the quality of Mr. Jones' crimes. There were no extenuating circumstances." The Judge said out loud to the courthouse. 

"My father threatened him. I overheard them talking in Daddy's study. Daddy said he would hurt Jughead if FP didn't comply." Cheryl admitted to the court, turning to the judge. "Is that extenuating enough?"

"In light of these revelations, I suggest that we take a step back and reevaluate certain aspects of the case. At which time, we will revisit the sentencing. Adjourned."

"Is that a win?" FP asked his son, slightly shell shocked. The Courthouse was abuzz with whispers at the new information from Cheryl Blossom.

"It's a delay. So, yeah." Jughead was shellshocked, his dad might not go to jail after all. 

Jughead just didn't want to get his hopes up.

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long time, no post, eh?