Everything's Different, Nothing's Changed

Chapter Four: I Fall To Pieces

Takes place in Pop's after FP buries the body of Dwayne for Alice (2x13)

"Don't Count On Me" by the Nouvella's echoed through Pop's Chock'lit Shop, loud enough to hear the lyrics, not loud enough to drown out Alice's sobs. Her left hand covered her face, her shoulders trembling. Jughead and Betty, wrapped in one another's embrace, looked away awkwardly, as if to spare Alice's dignity. FP's focus remained on the empty table, his face deadly still as though he was unable to move. Trauma was all you could see on his face, the way he held his body. His eyes began to change, his face twisting as he winced at Alice's silent yet earth shattering sobs. Words of consolation escaped him, for his words would be meaningless. Alice gathered herself, sitting up and turning to face FP, who still remained rigid. "Thank you, FP. I'm sorry for involving Betty, and that she pulled Jughead into this-" the sobs returned. FP finally responded, lifting her hand that was gripping the table and holding it in his. He stared deeply into her eyes. "Hey, we take care of our own." Alice flinched at his sentiment. He had just reiterated a law of the Serpents. Alice felt beside herself with guilt. Was he implying that, despite everything she has done, the vendettas she has had against the group, that she was still a Serpent? She knew that she was an enemy of the Serpents after years of accusing and affiliating them with drugs and violent crime in her newspaper. She also knew that she had treated FP with nothing but disdain since that night of Jughead's party. She had made him out to be a villain, a murderer, and a low life. She felt ashamed and unworthy of his help.

"I killed a man. I could go to jail, you could go back to jail" Alice cried. Jughead flinched. FP tightened his grip on her hand until she looked at him. "Look, nobody's going to jail, Alice. I told you, there's nothing to be found. The sodium hydroxide will turn that piece of garbage into ash within a week. No more lose ends, we act like everything is normal, and if anyone comes around asking questions: we don't know anything." Betty glared at FP and Alice's intertwined hands. She was confused at how intimate the two of them were being. Every time they had come into contact, all they did was mutter words of offence and engage in heated arguments, but now wasn't a time to interrogate them over a display of affection that meant nothing except the fact that they needed comfort. "Mom, this wasn't your fault. He attacked you. It was self defence" she insisted. Jughead nodded in agreement.

"Yeah, Betty's right Mrs Cooper. That guy would have killed you and then happily poured himself a beer afterwards" he said. FP grimaced, then shot him a look that told him that his words of comfort were inappropriate if not unhelpful. Jughead took the hint and removed his arms from around Betty's shoulder. "You know, it's getting late we should probably head home. Not to mention that we are sat in Pop's with no food or drinks at 12am looking like we have all seen a ghost, it might raise suspicion." Betty nodded weakly, standing up and crawling out of the booth. "Mom?" Alice flinched, her thoughts disturbed. Jughead frowned at them as they sat, still holding hands. FP was the first to break the silence. "Jug, take Betty home and make sure she's alright. I'll see you back at the trailer, me and Alice need to talk" he said. Alice didn't respond, just merely glanced out the window in a trance. "Um, I'll see you at home, Mom" Betty stated. Alice turned and nodded. "You go with Jughead, get some sleep. I'll be home soon, okay?" Betty and Jughead walked out of the diner hand in hand, muttering words of gratitude and goodbyes to Pop. The bell rung as the door shut behind them. Alice turned to FP, unsure how to start. "I meant what I said, I am really grateful. And sorry. I just didn't think. It was Betty's idea to come to you for help and I didn't know where else to turn. The last thing I want is for your probation to be compromised."

"You needed my help. I wasn't going to just turn you away" he explained. Alice removed her hand from his grip, shaking her head in disbelief.

"But why? I've been awful to you, FP. My behaviour has been inexcusable" she argued, a tear falling from her tired eyes. FP sighed, thinking deeply.

"None of that matters, Alice. I don't hold grudges. And there was a time when we would have died for each other. I understand why you acted the way you did, but that's not who you are. You are a good person" he reasoned. Alice laughed bitterly, then retreated into silence. She looked away, sadness washing over her. "We don't know each other anymore, FP" she whispered.

"Don't we? Maybe I'd like to know you again."

"I'm not sure you would like who I am" she said sadly. Words failed him. After what felt like hours of silence, Alice spoke. "Thank you."

"I didn't know you had a son." Alice flinched and looked away quickly.

"It's getting late, I should really get home to Betty. She'll be beside herself. We had to drown the house in bleach after getting rid of him. Chic ran to his room and never came back out. We scrubbed the place from top to bottom for hours. Then Hal showed up to get some toiletries" she explained. FP frowned.

"Showed up? What do you mean 'showed up?'"

"I kicked him out. He didn't want anything to do with Chic, and it turns out he had been seeing Penelope Blossom, of all people" her faced radiated disgust. FP's eyes widened.

"Bastard. I had no idea that things were bad between the two of you. I want you to know that I'm here, you know, if you ever want to talk."

"So you can sit and gloat about the catastrophe that is my marriage?" She looked at him, finding disbelief in his eyes.

"No, Jesus Alice. It's not enjoyable for me to see you hurting. You think I like seeing you so unhappy, and being in no position to help?" Alice regretted questioning his concern, when it was obvious that the concerns were genuine. She circled the diner with her eyes, the place empty apart from the two of them. "We should go." FP nodded, moving from out of the booth and gesturing for her to follow suit. "I'll drive you home, come on" he declared, one arm guiding her back towards the car. The drive was silent until they pulled up at Alice's house. She undid her seatbelt and looked over at FP. Words of thanks seemed meaningless, for what he did was heroic. He risked his liberty for her, his life, his son. She reached over and pulled his face towards hers, gently placing a kiss on his lips. The intimacy felt strange after so long, but comforting, secure. She liked it. FP responded, twirling his hands into her hair. Alice quickly pulled away. "I shouldn't have done that, I j-. What you said, at the diner? I want to know you too" she smiled sadly. FP nodded, a weak smile creeping over his exhausted expression. "I'd like that, Alice." She stepped out of the car, looking at him one last time before shutting the door. "Goodnight, FP."

"Goodnight, Alice. You let me know if you and Betty need anything." And with that said, Alice walked up the steps, closing the door of her home behind her. FP sniffed, smelling the toxins that were clinging to his jacket.