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yellowcrownn:

The Court Room | FP Jones
The court room from FP’s point of view
FP straightened out his shirt as he looked at himself in the dirty washroom mirror. Today was the day. The day had finally arrived for the hearing of Jason Blossom and everything he had done to contribute to hiding Jason’s body. He rubbed his scruffy chin before taking the tie Jughead had suggested and tied it around his neck.
“Two minutes, Jones. No funny business.” An officer’s voice called from the other side of the door. FP rolled his eyes, adjusting his tie.
Things weren’t looking so good for him. He was facing up to twenty years in prison, twenty years in a block cell, twenty years away from Jughead… His large hand ran down his face as he swallowed a lump in his throat.
He shouldn’t have done it; he shouldn’t have cleaned up and hid Jason in a goddamn freezer. He should have cleaned his act up a long time about, fixed his family but now here he was with what little he had left slipping through his fingers.
“Let’s go, Jones!” The officer banged on the door.
FP glanced at himself in the mirror one last time before leaving. The courthouse felt cold. His shoes squeaked and echoed throughout the hallway as he walked. He followed in after the attorney that was assigned to him. There weren’t many people, which was probably for the better. But there in the front row sat Jughead. He could see nerves in his son’s eyes, deep routed nerves and fright. Betty turned around to watch FP, giving him a small hopeful smile. FP was glad Betty Cooper was in Jughead’s life. He needed her and Archie to keep him grounded if everything went south.
FP was more than surprised seeing Cheryl Blossom was being called to the stand. In the pit of his stomach there was hope but he wasn’t going to through all of his faith into a Blossom.
“Your honour, I speak for myself and my mother when I say we forgive FP Jones in the part he played for covering up my brother’s murder.” Cheryl spoke.
FP’s head rose, blinking as she continued on. “And we humbly ask the court for leniency. FP’s guilt has been blown out of proportion to satiate my father’s suicide denied us. Closure.”
“As much as I sympathize, I can’t ignore the quality of Mr. Jones crimes.” The judged stated. “There were no extenuating circumstances.”
There it was the hope gone. FP sighed as he looked down, closing his eyes for a few moments. He started to form a list of things to tell Jughead, to be a better man than he ever was…
“My father threatened him!” Cheryl quickly added, looking at the judge. “I overheard them talking in daddy’s study. Daddy said he would hurt Jughead if FP didn’t comply.”
FP’s head rose back up immediately. Was Cheryl Blossom lying under oath? Bending a story that had truth to it. He was stunned, trying to wrap his head around the situation. What was going on?
“Is that extenuating enough?” Cheryl asked.
The judge took a moment to reconsider Cheryl’s words. “In light of these revelations, I suggest that we take a step back and re-evaluate certain aspects of the case. At which time, we will revisit sentencing. Adjourned.” The judge’s gavel banged against the desk.
FP was still seated, his hand to his mouth as he replayed in his mind the moment. Something wasn’t right but this was going to buy him more time and stay in Riverdale a little longer. He had some more time with Jughead.
Jughead’s hand on his shoulder startled him. FP turned quickly and stood, “Is that a win?”
“It’s a delay, so yeah.” Jughead replied, pulling his dad into a tight hug.
FP held onto his son for as long as he could. He was relieved but this wasn’t the end of it, not even close. There’d be another hearing, another evaluation and another sentencing. But maybe, just maybe it would be less.
“I’ll make it up to you, son. I promise.” FP mumbled.
“Don’t worry about it, dad. You’re not going anywhere. I promise.”
The officer placed his hand on FP’s shoulder, telling him it was time to leave.
“I’ll come see you tomorrow, I promise.” Jughead said.
FP smiled, nodding. He gave Betty a nod as well. “Look after him for me.”
Betty’s face softened at FP’s words, her brows dipping inward as she grew upset. She nodded.
“I love you, Jughead.” FP pointed at his son before being escorted out of the courtroom. He could hear Jughead call back to him as the doors swung close and he was led back out to one of the officer’s car.
FP Jones could breathe for another day.