Collateral Damage ▻ Riverdale [1]

3.4

THE SECOND TIME AROUND
CHAPTER FOUR

"Miss Blossom, you may proceed with our statement," The Judge told Cheryl as she sat beside the Judge on the Witness stand.

     It was FP's hearing and Betty had somehow convinced the redhead to speak on FP's behalf. Queenie figured that Betty must have used blackmail of some sort to make this happen. FP and his lawyer sat toward the front of the room where they were supposed to be and Jughead, Betty, and Queenie all sat together in the front row.

  "Your honor, I speak for myself and my mother when I say, we forgive FP Jones for the part he played in my brother's murder and we humbly ask the court for leniency. FP's guilt has been blown out of proportion to satiate what my father's suicide denied us. Closure." Cheryl explained.

  The Judge learned forward in his seat as he spoke, "As much as I sympathize, I can't take no other quality of Mr. Jones's crimes. There were no extenuating circumstances." the Judge replied.

  Cheryl looked over at Queenie, who seemed sad by the news. Cheryl took this as her time to speak up, "My father threatened him!" Cheryl shouted out suddenly, gaining everybody's attention, including the judge's, "I overheard them talking in the Daddy's study. Daddy said he would hurt Jughead and finish what he attempted to do to Queenie if he didn't comply," She explained and everyone's eyes widened, including, "Is that extenuating enough?" She questioned, staring directly at the Judge.

"In light of this revelation, I suggest we take a step back and reevaluate certain aspects of the case. At which time, we will revisit a sentencing. Adjourned." He informed them, striking his gavel against the sound block before standing up. Cheryl got up also, making his toward the exit immediately.

   Queenie leaned forward as she got up and placed her hands on her father's shoulders. FP quickly turned his body around as he stood up also, "Is that a win?" FP asked his daughter.

  "It's a delay, so yeah," Queenie replied with a smile as she hugged her father tightly. They continued and a tear fell down Queenie's cheek.

  Jughead stood there awkwardly beside Queenie and their father, feeling a bit unincluded. Queenie noticed this and pulled away from the hug, letting Jughead give his father a hug also.

_______

Queenie and Sweet Pea entered Pop's to see numerous people were already there for the event. The two teenagers held hands as they walked in along with Tall Boy and a few other Serpents that decided to join after much convincing from the Jones girl.

  Immediately after walking in, Alice snapped a few pictures of the Serpents coming inside. Queenie rolled her eyes at this and turned her head to see her brother giving her a nervous look. She nodded her head at him, indicating that there wasn't going to be any trouble.