Jabitha Oneshots

In a Heartbeat (I choose you)

Set in 6x11 when Tabitha is shot.

The heart monitor beeped slowly, a monotonous noise echoing throughout the hospital room. Jughead sat slouched in a chair by his girlfriend's bedside, tracing gentle circles into her palm.

He thought he would never fall in love again until he met Tabitha. Actually, he thought he would never do a lot of things- quit drinking, get a full-time job, start writing again, and actually enjoy doing it.


But she made it happen.

She was always so gentle towards him, his anchor on the hard days and the person who could always make him laugh. Most of his fondest memories over the past year were of her.

He thought about the many mornings when he woke up to Tabitha's head on his chest, the smell of her vanilla shampoo fresh in his nose. Jughead remembered kissing her over the Pop's counter before their morning shift began, her closing his laptop to capture his full attention. And just the day before, their date in their apartment, watching old movies on the floor with a gentle spattering of making out throughout.

Now, looking at her delicate form, sprawled and comatose in a hospital bed, it was hard to believe that this could all be over. That one bullet could take such an effusive woman away from him.

Jughead picked up her hand, holding it to his lips. It was cold, but he could feel her heart beating in her wrist, weak but ever-present.

After a moment, he leaned back, watching the slow rise and fall of her chest against the loose hospital robe.

Gradually he felt his eyes beginning to flutter shut. He felt hesitant to let Tabitha out of his sight, but God, after over 48 hours without sleep, he felt so tired.

Half-an-hour passed before he eventually fell asleep, allowing himself, finally, to rest.

Maybe tomorrow could be better...