The Queen has Fallen- [Sweet Pea] // Riverdale

12

*Natalie's POV

"All right," Gladys waltzed into the make shift living room she had set up. "I packed you guys some lunches for the road."

"Natalie, what's wrong? Mrs. J said you'd be out here." I looked up at Archie.

"Everything." I said flatly.

"It seems like I could never catch a fucking break."

"Nat, you mind getting that?" I didn't acknowledge Gladys and just went to go open the door. Ever since last night I've been ignoring her.

"Oh my god," my mouth fell a gape.

"Hey Natalie." I moved out of the way so he could come in.

"Dad!" Archie rushed over to his dad. "I've missed you so much." Archie hugged his dad tightly.

"Thank you, Natalie." Fred nodded at me as he pulled away from Archie. "If there's anyone I trust that'll watch over Archie, it's you."

"No problem, Mr. Andrews." I smiled at him.

*Gladys' POV

"So you finally made it, huh?" I casually walked over to FP. "Nat is just getting her stuff together. She doesn't know I called you." FP just

"Hey, Jellybelly. You've gotten so big." I watched as FP spoke to JB. "Can I get a hug?" He had his arms out ready for her to run into them.

"Can I get a dad?" JB scoffed walking away.

"Hey, JB!" I yelled after her. "Come on now." I sighed knowing that she was going to pull a stunt like that.

"Nah, Let her be." FP waved it off. "I deserve that."

"She misses you," I tried to ease my he tension. "She'd just rather fight than admit it." I let out a dry laugh.

"Yeah, like mother like daughter." FP muttered.

"Listen FP," I crossed my arms sighing. How the hell do I tell him this? "Natalie kn-"

*Natalie's POV

"I'll leave you two alone," I hoisted my duffel bag over my shoulder and walked out of the shop.

"FP?" I blurted out. "What the hell are you doing here?" I spat as I walked up to them and stood next to Gladys.

"Hey to you too." FP laughed. "Gladys called," he looked at his wife. "Thought you might be missing this," he held out my serpent jacket that I had left back in Riverdale. "And I brought the bikes, they're in Fred's truck." I just stared at the jacket and back up at him.

"So when were you planning to tell me?" I scowled at him.

"What are y-"

"She knows FP. About everything." Gladys told him.

"Is that why you made Jughead leader?" I yelled at him.

"Nat we can talk about this at home," I could see that FP was trying to keep his cool.

"Home? You've got to be kidding me," I muttered. "I'm not going back to Riverdale with you not after this," I motioned.

"Nat," Gladys firmly placed a hand on my shoulder.

"Is that why you didn't make me leader, because of him?" I whispered the last part.

FP remained silent.

"Wow. Unbelievable." I muttered to myself. "Can I have my keys at least," I extended my hand out. "Or are you going to keep that from me too?"

"Natalie," Gladys hissed.

"It's fine, Gladys." FP waved her off. He sighed and dug his hand in his pocket retrieving my keys.

He held them out and I took my keys and jacket away from him without saying a word.

—-

"That should do it," I stepped back and took a good look at him.

"It looks.... different."

"Yeah. It's just gonna take some time getting used to is all," I said cleaning up the small trash around the sink.

"Thank you, Natalie. For everything."

"No problem, Red." Archie smiled down at me. "Now let's go," I patted his back. "It'll be better for us to travel in the night."

We made our way out of the small restroom and walked back to the truck.

"Here you go," Mr. Andrews sighed and handed his son a backpack. "It's the last stop before the border."

"Yeah," Archie replied and slung the backpack on.

"You know, I was thinking. I could go with you. We could do this together," My heart broke for Fred. "Find a cabin in the woods. Teach you carpentry, like my old man did me. Imagine that. Us," Fred went on. "Living off the land, father and son. Hunting, fishing. It would be great."

"Yeah, it would be," Archie gave him a small smile. "But, uh, you know we can't do that.
Right, Dad?" Archie tried to let his down easy.

"I can't change your mind? Get you to come back home," Fred asked.

"But you can give me your blessing," Archie tried to cheer him up.

"I was your age when my father passed away... I never got to say goodb-"

"This isn't goodbye, Dad," Archie quickly cut him off.

"You're damn right, it's not." Fred pulled Archie into a big hug.

"See you soon?" Archie patted his dad's back one more time and pulled away from him.

"Yeah, you will." Fred took in a deep breath and looked at me. "I can't thank you enough, Nat. For all that you're doing for us." I gave Fred a slight nod. I wanted to ask if he knew but it didn't feel appropriate. "Oh, one more thing," Fred held up his hand and walked to the side of the car and opened the door.

"Vegas!" Archie exclaimed as the dog jumped out of the car and came straight to him.

I watched as the two interacted with one another. It has been so long.

Archie stood back up and took a long look at his dad and nodded his head. It was time for them to both part ways, and who knew how long it will be.

"Don't worry, Mr. Andrews. I'll keep an eye on him for you." I reassured him as I walked up alongside of him.

He had no words but simply nodded.

I let out a heavy sigh and continued to walk with my motorcycle behind Archie and Vegas.

"Do you need help," Archie asked as I caught up to him.

"No, I'm fine."

"Natalie, can I ask you something?"

"Sure." I pursued my lips together as I kept looking ahead of me.

"Why go with me? Why risk your life for me?" I stopped dead in my tracks, making him do so as well. "I mean from what I've heard, you just got back and now you're leaving Riverdale again." I took in a deep breath and continued walking.

"Let's just say Riverdale is not where I want to be anymore."

I finally spoke up after a few minutes of us two just walking.

"Maybe it's finally time for me to leave that god forsaken town, once and for all."

I told Archie, but it mostly sounded like it was for myself only.

—-

A/N: So the update is finally up! Thank goodness... I had no idea what happened with the whole deleting thing but it's now up. Oh and the picture up above is how I picture Natalie. I'll try and update more this week just to make up for part 12 being up so late. Any guesses as to what happens next in the story? Is Natalie finally done with Riverdale? What about the serpents? Hiram? Archie?

Comment... Vote...

Enjoy. x