Hey guys so I know ive been on a long hiatus, and I'm sorry. But it's a new year so I hope you all will receive me and my stories with open arms. I hope you all like this come back story!

I sighed and glanced down at my journal. I was experiencing a seviere writers block. That never happened. Life after the fourth grade had only gone downhill. Miriam drank more, and Big Bob stopped trying to remember my name. The only one I could rely on anymore was Olga, and to an extent I resented that. Olga was the reason my own parents couldn't b bothered by me. But at the same time I knew it wasn't her fault. She didn't choose to be born, or to turn into the person she was today. I was just glad she was that person. The one family member I could rely on.

Nowadays, I lived on my own, in a small studio apartment I had managed to find with a really good rent. Phoebe and Gerald lived next door, and Arnold, well, he was off somewhere helping people. We tried to keep in contact, write as much as possible but sometimes it's not possible. We havn't been in contact for nearly a year now. It scared me to death that I couldn't figure out if something had happened. What if he was off in some jungle somewhere hurt and alone? What if he had been kidnapped?

I shook my head. That's a dangerous thought Helga, let's think about something else, yeah? Glancing back down at the book I was attempting to write, I gave up. This writers block was rediculous. Finally I tossed it aside and dialed Pheobe's phone.

"Hey Helga, what's up?" Phoebe's voice was as cheerful as always. Ever since her and Gerald had gotten together she had been happier than I'd ever seen her.

"Not much Pheebs. I can't concentrate at all. Do you want to go get some lunch with me?"

"Oh shoot. I'm sorry Helga, I can't today. Helga says he's got someone visiting and we need to clean up the place. You wouldn't believe how messy this place gets. Maybe tomorrow we can go out for some lunch?"

Well that sucked. "That's ok Pheebs. Tell Geraldo he can chill. I highly doubt whoever is visiting will care that much. We can do something tomorrow. Have a good day ok?" Phoebe gave her confirmation before hanging up.

I wondered for minute who they could have visiting. As far as I could remember no one they knew lived out of state. I shrugged. Oh well, none of my business. I decided to put on the new Marvel movie I had gotten and hadn't been able to get to, but not long later I was asleep on the couch.

It was like a scene from the wizard of Oz, with a large field of red flowers in front of me. It could have easily have covered miles, not being able to see the end of the field anywhere. It was actually quite peaceful to be honest. I didn't have worries here. I didn't have to stress about getting my book written, or miss Arnold. I didn't have to miss the family I never really had, or my sister who didn't have uch time to come around anymmore. I loved my best friend but she was happy and I didn't want to disturb that.

I sighed and laid down, letting the flowers hover above me. "I miss you Football head. I wish you'd come home. Then I wouldn't have to fake being happy so much. Maybe it would be a little real."

"What do you mean you're not happy? Why didn't you tell me?"

I knew that voice. I would never mistake that voice.

I sat up and screamed bloody murder. Hovering over me stood the very peron I was dreaming about. I clutched my chest, not able to process anything just yet. I gave myself a minute to calm down before allowing myself to assess the situation. Arnold hovered over me, crouched down. He had gotten really freaking tall if he was taller than me crouching. His eyes held worry and guilt. I didn't know what to do. I haven't heard from this guy for nearly a year, or seen him for nearly three.

"Arnold?" he smiled, his green eyes slightly dimmed from their old brightness. "Arnold Shortman?"

"Yeah Helga. I'm sorry I scared you. I just got back and heard you lived next door to Gerald and Phoebe. I couldn't contain myself. I had to see you." That statement made me blush.

"Oh my God. It's really you. You're really back." unable to hold myself back anymore I jumped off the couch and pulled him in tight. He wrapped his arms around me and held me to his chest "I missed you so much. How could you leave like that? Those people have others who can help them."

His arms tightened and I felt tears on my shoulder to match my own. He burried his face into the crook of my neck and started sobbing. I froze. Something ust have happened. Must have dimmed the light in his eyes. Hearing him cry like this made my gut wrench.

"Oh Arnold. It's ok. It'll be ok, I promise." I stayed silent after that just holding him. i ran my fingers through his hair hoping to calm him down. i wanted to ask him what had destroyed him like this, but now wasn't the time. He'll tell me when he's ready, I thought to myself. Right now he just needs someone.

"I was alone the whole time Helga. I thought I could handle it. I thought I could handle seeing all the pain the world had to offer." his voice hitched a little but it wasnt bad as he kept going, almost as if he didn't realize he was even speaking. "But helping people is so hard Helga. You see so much suffering. So much pain. Starved kids, sick parents you know could be easily treated here dying. In the begginging I loved what I was doing. I was doing what I could to make what little difference I could. But as time passed it got harder. Seeing all the bad shit dug into me. It got to the point that everytime I saw a dead face, I saw Geralds, or Phoebes. Or god forbid yours. I had to leave, Helga. I had to stop. I couldn't take it anymore."

My heart was breaking. He seemed so broken, as if all the pieces were shattered and missing. I wanted desperately to help him. Wanted to bring the light back. I shifted back but stopped. He was asleep. God, he must be worn out. He let go of so much emotion. So much sadness. Right then I made a choice and dialed Gerald.

"What's up Pataki?"

I whispered into the phone, trying to keep from waking him. "I'm gonna keep Arnold here for the night. He's in bad shape Gerald. He's catrying so much emotional baggage around."

Gerald sighed into the speaker. "I thought so. He seemed so dejected. At least until he heard your name. I think him staying there for a while is best. Take care of him Helga." the phone clicked silent and I sighed. Thankfully the bed was close. I stood up and tried to yank him up but keep him asleep. Damn he had gotten heavy.

"C'mon Arnoldo, I need a little help here." Finally he woke up just enough to put his feet under him. It wasn't much considering he was still fast asleep. He grunted a little when I let him fall to the bed. I covered him up and sat down on the edge. I was kind of at a loss. I wanted to help him so badly. Maybe I should get him to talk to Dr. Bliss. I sighed and went to grab a spare blanket from the closet but before I could stand up Arnolds hand shot out and gripped my wrist.

"Stay. You're the only way to keep the nightmares away." I didn't know what to do. But he was so vulnerable right now. I had a feeling it was only because he was exhausted from the flight, having jet lag and all. Finally I just laid down. When I pulled the covers up around me Arnold shifted. He pulled me close and wrapped his arms around my waist. I've never been this close to him, physically. We were very close before he left, almost as close as phoebe and I were.

"Go to sleep Arnold. You'll be better in the morning." I feel asleep not long after, worry wearing me out.