diamond //sweet pea//

/eight/

A/N: Hey! I'm back! I turned on Riverdale today and got inspired. SOOOO here's something.

"You did what?"

Dallas couldn't make eye contact with any of her friends who sat around the table, especially not Sweet Pea.

"I might have made contact with an estranged relative," she said, her hands snaking their way into her hair, ready to start pulling.

"How many of those do you have Dallas?" Brooks muttered. Dallas' head shot up glaring down the outsider to the group. He had for some reason decided to stick around once Fallon had skipped town. Most likely to Crest Haven.

"Good question. Every time I open my front door I have a dad, or a brother or a mysterious grandfather uncle duo."

Jughead looked at her with sympathy, but resumed the conversation, "Where are you meeting them?"

"I told him Pop's."

"I'm coming with you," Sweet Pea said, his hand sliding into hers. Dallas shook her head kissing his hand.

"I'd like that, but stay away at another table. I don't exactly know what my uncle's game is." He was happy that she didn't try to fight him on it.

Dallas and Sweet Pea laid in wait for a man they didn't know. The two were immersed in conversation, sipping on milkshakes when the bell jingled. Dallas shifted her gaze and looked into the eyes of her mother, but they did not belong to her.

His hair was the same shade of blond Dallas too possessed. He wore a gray suit that was made specifically for him. He approached the counter and spoke to Pop. He pointed over to the booth Dallas and Sweet Pea sat in. The man's face sunk and turned pale. He walked over and stood in front of the table.

"Dallas?" he asked.

"Sweets I'm good here," Dallas said. Sweet Pea nodded and stood up, making sure to shove his shoulder into T.J. Wiley's.

He smirked and took a seat. "See you brought a guard dog."

"He's my boyfriend if you must know." Dallas explained.

"I have to tell you, when I first walked in, felt like I was seeing a ghost. You look just like-"

"My mother, yeah I know."

He smiled and leaned back, flipping the button on his jacket. "It's all very weird. You've spent so much time away from your mom, her keeping you in the dark. Yet, you're following in her exact foot prints. You've joined the...-" he paused, looking pained and disgusted, "Serpents. Found yourself a nice gang banger for a boyfriend. I suspect it won't take long till you have his baby. Then another. Drugs maybe?"

Dallas clenched her jaw, "You know nothing about me."

"Dallas, kid, I know everything about everything. And that includes you, my favorite niece."

Dallas scoffed, her blue eyes turning red. "I want to know why you and dear grandfather keep sending my mom letters."

"I don't want you to think I hate your mom Dallas. I don't. She's my twin. We were very close for a long time. But your mom has afflictions. She had a knack for getting into trouble. First with Ricky then with Teddy. Then FP. She didn't know when to quit." He was so calm and collected. It was like speaking with her mom. Dallas had unfortunately inherited the Jones family temper.

"What does that mean?"

"Your mom had debts to pay. To drug dealers, their bosses and a lot of others she pissed off while you were young. You and I both know she can't afford to pay any kind of debt."

The pieces began to link inside Dallas head. It was beginning to make sense. "You and your dad are paying off my mom's debt? Why?"

T.J. laughed, "I know you think very little of me. But we care about family my father and I. And if that means paying a sum to insure Cindy's safety then fine. But you need to learn that sooner or later we'll need her to scratch our backs in return."

Smoke spiraled from her ears and Sweet Pea was ready to pounce from his table. "Leave her alone. Please."

"What's done is done kid. But I'm always looking out for family. So if you need my help, with, I don't know, say getting rid of an older brother. You have my number." He went to stand up, refastening his suit.

"Wait! But isn't Malachai family too?"

"I never liked Ricky, Dallas. I could always handle Jonesie though. I'll be around for awhile. Being back in Riverdale has rekindled some relationships. See you soon kid." T.J. got up and headed for the door, making sure Sweet Pea knew he was watching him too. "I'm sure I'll be seeing you around to muscles."

Dallas huffed and started over to her boyfriend. "What was all that about?" 

"He said he could get rid of Malachai...for good," she said, her eyes glued to the door. 

"What? No Dallas You know nothing about this guy. He suddenly shows up in town and says he'll take care of all your issues. I don't buy it baby." Dallas yanked her body into his and held her close. His head spun, it was his job to protect her. Even if she knew how to handle herself, he had been there for her since the very beginning. They were an ass kicking duo.

"Sweet Pea! I can't keep going round and round in circles like this. Every time I close my eyes I can see Mikey and Nico and Bryce. I can see them staggering towards me. I can feel every single punch, kick and slap. I can smell the Jingle Jangle and the alcohol. I can hear Malachai telling me I'm dead. Trey is there undressing me with his eyes and reaching to grab up my skirt. Sweet Pea I love you more than anything, but you can't fix everything for me." 

Dallas' entire body was shaking. The tears pricked her eyes and the redness had set in. Her jaw was clenched tight as were her fists. She was tired of fighting. She had convinced herself years ago that she was stronger than anything life could throw at her. She had done such a good job and acting the part, but her system was crumbling; failing around her. 

"If this is what you have to do Dal...then okay. Okay, I'm with you babe. Always." 

Dallas gave up on fighting the tears and let them spill over. She clung to him like she always had. He was her rock, always there for her, always ready to pick her up and dust her off, when she asked. 

She didn't respond to him, but he understood her. He took her hand and led her to his bike. They tore off towards home, excited to put all the trauma and stress away for the night. Inside the house the two stumbled up the steps, careful not to wake anyone up. 

"I'm getting better Sweets. I am," Dallas whispered lazily. 

"I know," he responded kissing her bare shoulder. Dallas' breathing slowed and he knew she was asleep. And hopefully he could help her heal in the morning. Whether it be with her uncle or not.