I walk through the jail along side Veronica. She holds my hand. She had spent the night with me, cheering me up after what happened. Archie and Mad Dog had been locked up all night, due to Archie being caught with Fizzle Rocks. The officer opens the cell. "I posted your bail as soon as I could."

"Thanks, Ronnie." He says. Archie grimaces, already hearing what happened between me and Pea. "Emmy," I choke on a sob, his arms wrapping around my frail body as I hold him tightly. He soothes me as he rocks us back and forth.

"We'll pay you back." Mad Dog says to Ronnie.

"Gentlemen, that's the least of our worries." Veronica says. "Elio's been a busy bee."

We go to Pops, where the two watch the news of Elio blaming Archie for what happened. I sit next to Archie, barely listening. I feel the physical pain in my chest. My eyes swollen from tears. Archie looks at me. "You wanna talk in the car?"

We sit side by side as he drinks his third soda. I sniffle, playing with my sleeve. "I'm so sorry, Em. What he did is wrong. So wrong."

I shrug. "I was stupid." I play with the promise ring on my finger. Archie sighs, taking it from my grasp. I gasp as he steps out fo the car, me rushing after him. I gaze in shock as he tosses it into the trees behind Pops. I look at him wide eyed. "What was that for!?" I screech. Archie looks at me, his eyes dark. He was angry.

But not at me.

At Sweet Pea.

"Don't you get it, Em!? He wasn't right for you in the first place!" He screams at me. "You two were toxic. Your first fight you were throwing dishes, you hid your kid from him for months! You two were always keeping things from each other." Archie grabs my hands. "He was never worth it." He whispers. I look up at Archie. His eyes are red, he was about to cry. "For years I've watched you be in so much pain because of your family or your boyfriend or losing your daughter. And I had the chance to fix it!" My eyes widen at the sudden turn. "I've loved you for years Emmy! And the minute I lost you I lost a piece of myself!"

His fist clenches as he paces. "And then I watched you and him. I watched him kiss you. Hold you. Then suddenly treat you like shit." He growls. "I want you Em! I love you!"

"Why did you get with Josie, then?" I whisper.

Archie runs his hand through his hair. "To get back at you and Sweet Pea." He groans. "I hate seeing you with him." He says. His brown eyes look at me. I'm frozen in place.

Memories of the time we ran from Hiram flood my mind.

He sighs, looking at the sky. "I told her you're my best friend. The person I trust more than myself." I bite my lip, smiling weakly. "I said you're stronger than anyone, that you deserve to have a better life than this."

"Archie-"

"Maybe you should go back to Riverdale." He says. "Tori needs to be with Sweet Pea. I don't want her running away all of her life."

I shake my head. "Stop that, Archie." I sob. "You're my best friend. I don't care how far I have to run or hide. I want to do this for you." I grip his hands, his dark brown eyes staring into my green eyes. "When we get to Toledo we can relax. Okay?"

"Okay." He whispers. In a sudden moment, I kiss Archie.

~

"This is insane." I breathe, looping my thumbs in the belt loops of my skirt. "I'm literally a golden trophy and you're like the big scary dragon according to Hiram."

"Well, Id rather be a big scary dragon than him getting to you." Archie admits.

I open my mouth slightly, shaking my head. "Archie, I don't need you protecting me." I stop in my tracks, looking up at him.

"But Em, you're a mom. You didn't want this for Tori yet it's exactly what's happening. You don't need to run. You're safe." He says, his eyes becoming red with oncoming tears.

Shaking my head, "And you're not." I cup his face. "You're my best friend. We met in day care and we have grown closer over the years. We've been up and fucking down but you're the only person I've had, Archie. You're all I have." We're only inches apart, tears streaming down our cheeks.

"But you have to go back-"

"And I will." I cut in. "But not tonight." I whisper, leaning my forehead against his.

Archie's arms tighten around me, a sob escaping his lips. "Please don't leave me, Emmy." He cries.

I make a shush sound, looking up at him. "I'm not. I'm not leaving anytime soon." I hum.

And for once in my life, Archie is the one who kisses me first.

~

"What's on your mind?" I hum, looking into his eyes.

He shrugs, wrapping his arms around my waist. "I don't know, I'm just, different." He mutters. "And I'm worried I'm going to lose everyone." He says under his breath. "Or that if I do anything the old me would've done, I'm gonna be on the run again."

I click my tongue. "Hey, dont worry." I say. "I'm not going anywhere, Arch. You're my best friend, my daughters other legal guardian, you're literally one of the most important things in my life."

He sighs. "I hate lying to her."

"To Ronnie?" I ask. He nods and I tilt my head to the side. "Then don't."

He stares at me for a second, trying to figure me out before shaking his head. "Let's change up Tori's corner." He says, a small smile on his lips. I let out a squeal as he stands up, making me wrap my legs around his waist. He laughs, letting us fall onto the bed. He tickles my sides and I let out a loud scream, laughing uncontrollably.

I watch as Archie places his hands on my cheeks, his lips locking with mine. My heart is on fire. Electricity shoots through my body as I close my eyes. The salty taste of our tears seep into the kiss.

I push away, my eyes wide. Archie doesn't say a word as I stumble backwards. "I have to go." Is all I can manage out as I step into my car.  "I'll meet you back here to announce when you're done with your drug tests, okay?" Is all I say before driving off.

And I am. Veronica and I stand next to each other with matching coats on as we announce the news to the press. "We are pleased to announce that the results of the drug test taken by Archie Andrews and Mad Dog Moore have both come back negative." My sister announce.

"And as the investigation into the horrific death of Randy Ronson continues-"

I'm cut off by Randy's sisters. "He murdered out brother." A girl shouts. Following being Elio and his henchmen.

"Ms. Lady, I assure you, Archie didn't." I glare.

She ignores me. "You should fry for what you did." She glares.

Archie hops down the stairs. "Ms. Ronson, believe me, if I could take back what-"

SHE SLAPS HIM.

I growl, walking down the steps and standing in front of Archie. "Step down, old hag." I snap, my inner Blossom coming out.

Archie wraps an arm around my waist, pulling me close to him. "I'm so sorry." He says to Ms. Ronson. I wish it were me and not him."

Elio pushes forward. "I think you're not alone in that sentiment, Andrews." He says.

I watch him walk away, anger bubbling in my body.

I'm sleeping in bed when there's a loud knock on my door. I groan, figuring it's Veronica. I wrap myself in my black robe, which I also have in red, dark blue, and light pink (i usually wear the red, of course). I walk out of my room and into the entrance, opening the front door to see a soaking Archie.

I squeal, hiding behind the door. "Archie, did you run here?" I ask. "It's pouring outside!" I hiss.

"Can I come in?" He breathes. I reluctantly nod, letting him step in as I cover myself up as much as I can. "I cant stop thinking about Randy." He says. "And Randy's sister, when she said to me that I'm a murderer."

I frown. "Archie, this isn't your fault. Elio drugged Randy up. This is his fault-"

"I still feel responsible, Emilia." He snaps? causing me to jump. "I just, I wish..."

"What, Arch?" I whisper.

He opens and closes his mouth a few times. "I wish I knew how to help them." He admits.

"Maybe El Royale can host a charity-"

"No. No boxing." He cuts.

I nod. "We can convince Ronnie to host a benefit concert at La Bonne Nuit. Josie wants to do a set so we could maybe set that up?" I chirp. "Okay?"

Archie nods. "Okay." He sighs.

I smile. "Lets get you some clean clothes, huh?" I tease. "I have some of Jason's old sweats you can borrow." I offer.

He nods. "Sure, Em."

After a few minutes, he walks into the kitchen where I finish making him hot chocolate. "Here you go." I chirp, handing it to him.

"Thanks, Em." He takes a sip, looking at me up and down, but doesn't say a word. "About earlier today-"

"I love you Archie, I do." I cut him off. "But Sweet Pea and I...it's too soon. I need time to heal." I explain to him.

He nods, "I'm not gonna force you into anything, Em." He says. He stands from his seat, walking over to me. "I'll wait forever if I have to." He says.

"You're making it really hard not to kiss you." I mumble.

"Then just do it."

And so I do.