Title: Stripped

Rating: T for Teen or PG-13. For strong thematic elements, language, adult situations, violence, mention of traumatic situations.

Summary: Having been missing for 15 years Helga is finally found in the basement of an old house. Her kidnapper is dead, but she is emotionally scarred she winds up in a mental institution. Arnold is a psychiatrist dedicating his life to helping people, but when Helga shows up he wonders if maybe he can't save them all.

Disclaimer: I do NOT own Hey Arnold or anything affiliated with it I'm just borrowing it. I also do NOT own any music that may be mentioned in this fiction, just suggesting them.

"Okay Irene, here's how this is going to work. When you start to eat the lunch we give you, then you can have television privelages." Arnold said.

"If I gain weight he'll know." Irene said in a shaky voice.

"Irene, you're husband isn't here. He's in jail for the things he did to you. We need to work on getting you better." Arnold said gently.

The woman sitting in the chair infront of him was rail thin with black hair falling limp to her shoulders. Her big brown eyes held no soul anymore, and her busted jaw was still bruised. She had on the standard issue loose gray pants and a white tank top on. Arnold sat behind his massive oak desk with her papers spread infront of him.

Irene Duncan was twenty five years old. Married to Steve Duncan. Recently, Steve had taken to hitting her and a few weeks ago put her in the hospital. After he had been taken to jail Irene had tried to commit suicide and was brought her to Shady Oaks Mental Institution.

"I'll be better if you let Steve go." Irene said.

"That's not going to happen and we both know it." Arnold said.

"He wasn't always the way he is." Irene said.

"I'm sure he wasn't, but we need to concentrate on you, and you need to eat." Arnold said.

She didn't say anything and he didn't push her. The woman was frail at best and making no progress. His phone rang on his desk and he shifted forward in his chair to answer it.

"Hello?" He leaned back tossing his pen on the desk.

"Arnold? Hey, have you got a minute?" The woman on the other end asked.

"For you? sure." He said.

"Great meet me in my office in a few minutes." The woman said before hanging up.

"Alright Irene, Our time is up for today, but I want to here that you ate dinner tonight." He said standing.

"Don't hold your breath." She said as she stood.

Arnold followed her to the door, where an orderly escorted her in the opposite direction. He moved down the white and gray halls thinking that some color in this place would be nice. He reacher Doctor Smiths office, and knocked.

"Come in." She called.

He opened the door and stepped inside. Doctor Claire Smith was the head doctor at the hospital. She was kind and reminded him of his grandmother escept more sane. She had blonde hair that was always in a neat bun and despite working triple shifts she always looked neat and put together.

"Arnold. I'm glad to see you." She said standing, and motioning to a chair across from her desk.

"Claire. Is there something you need?" He asked.

"How many patients do you have?" She asked.

"Twenty eight. Why?"He asked sitting down.

"Well,I just got a call from the hospital. Some neighbors reported a bad smell next door to the police. When they went in the man was dead in his bed aparently he had a heart attack. They think he was dead for quite a few days. Upon further investigation they found a girl locked in his cellar." Claire said.

"So she was living with him?" Arnold asked.

"Blood Work brought her up as a missing person. A miss Helga Pataki. It seems she went missing from school fifteen years ago." Claire said.

"Helga?...they found...Helga?" Arnold asked.

"Yes, is something wrong?" Clarie asked him.

" I knew her. We were friends I had known her my whole life. She was fourteen and was walking home from school. I never thought..."He trailed off.

"Look, if you don't want this case I understand." Claire said.

Arnold looked around the room trying to take a deep breath. His heart beat loud enough it made his head ache and despite his effort he couldn't breathe. She was alive after all this time. The room had red carpet with tan walls, and red furniture. He began to count the books on the shelf behind Claire. Using all his own words of advice to keep the inevitable panic attack at bay.

"I'm sorry...I...just need a minute." He said finally.

"Of course." Claire said.

"What...how is she?" He asked finally.

"Well she's in a severe state of shock. In fact the DNA was nessecary because she hasn't spoken a word. They have her at the hospital for severe starvation, and dehydration. She's a tough case Arnold. I don't know if you'll even be able to help her." Claire said honestly.

"I'll take it." He said firmly.

"Arnold, you have to remember it's been a long time since you've seen her..."Claire said.

"I'll take it. Please, just let me have this one." Arnold asked standing up.

"Okay, After the hospital clears her she's coming here." Claire said.

Claire reached into her desk drawer and pulled out the file. Arnold instantly reached for it, but she hesitated.

"I''ll give you two weeks. If I don't see some improvement or if things go sour I'm pulling you out." Claire said.

"Okay." He agreed.

She handed him the file. He shook her hand before heading straight to his office. He closed the door and locked it behind him. Sitting at his desk he peeled back the first page. The police report was basic. She was found in the basement of a house, police estimated it had been around three weeks since she had recieved food or water. No injuries to report and a sexual assault kit had been negative. The report on Helgas disappearance was tucked inside as well. There were pictures of her smiling brightly at the camera tucked into the folder, as well as pages that had her name and birthday on them. There was an investigation into her parents, but they were cleared of all charges. As far as the world new Helga Pataki had just disappeared.

Late that evening he walked into the hospital. He was aware of how bad his hands were shaking as he neared the reception desk. The nurse pointed him to Helgas room, and he wanted to run from the hospital. He steeled his nerve and got on the elevator.

He walked down the small sterile hallway until he could see she room at the end. The door was shut preventing anyone from seeing inside, but he knew it was Helgas room. He paused at the door and a nurse approached.

"Can I help you?" She asked.

"I'm here to see Helga, I'm her therapist." Arnold said handing her a card.

"Well she certainly needs one." The nurse said.

"Can you tell me anything about her?" Arnold asked not in a hurry to see for himself.

"She was brought in a few days ago. She hasn't spoken a word to anyone. She's too weak to walk so she has to be in a wheelchair for awhile at least. Anytime a man goes in that room she's like some kind of wild animal. The last orderly that went in she attacked him." The nurse said.

"She's been through a lot." Arnold said.

"I know she has. Poor girl. Her father came to see her, but she was so scared he left almost immediately." The nurse said.

"Can I see her?" He asked.

"If you feel brave enough." The nurse said. She walked away and he took a deep breath.

Arnold slowly pushed open the door and stepped inside. Helga was asleep in the bed and he took a minute to get a good look at her. She was taller than most women, but still shorter than he was. Her long blonde hair was an unkept mess that fell to her waist in wild curls. Her porceling skin was white as snow, but her eyes were dark around them. She was skinnier than Irene was with narrow frail arms. There was an IV in one arm and he wondered if it was to keep her sedated. He closed the door softly behind him. Beside her bed was a plastic chair and he sat down.

"Helga..."He said her name softly.

Her blue eyes flipped open and she looked to her right. The second she saw him her entire body tensed. She began to slide away from him her eyes froze on him.

"Helga...calm down. It's okay." He said softly. She backed away further.

"Helga...do you remember me?" He asked.

She frowned, but stopped moving away from him. Her eyes were still the brightest shade of blue he had ever seen. She studied him closely.

"It's me...Arnold." He said.

She froze, but didn't relax. Slowly she moved to his side of the bed watching him. He sat still until she reached the edge.

"Do you remember me?" He asked carefully.

She nodded her head, but didn't speak. She reached out a hand carefully and touched the side of his face. He didn't move letting her grow more comfortable. She opened her mouth as if she was about to talk, but no sound came out. Finally, she moved back into the bed still watching him.

"Are you feeling okay?" He asked her. She gave a nod.

"Okay, so if you eat the food they give you, and cooperate in a few days you get out of here. You're going to come stay at the hospital I work at." He said.

The door opened and Helga tensed backing away. She pressed herself against the headboard as Arnold turned to see a male nurse carrying a tray of food.

"I'm just bringing your food." He said gently.

She shook her head backing away more tensing. Arnold knew she was getting ready to fight or flea. He stood slowly reaching out for the tray.

"Give me it." Arnold said.

"Be careful she hasn't ate a single thing in the three days she's been here. She just throws the plates at everyone." The nurse said.

"I'll take it." Arnold said and the nurse handed it over.

Helga watched him move carefully towards the bed. He set the tray down on the edge before pulling his chair closer. She didn't move a single muscle.

"Helga, you have to eat something if you want to come with me." He said gently.

She opened her mouth, but again no sound came out. He picked up her fork crefully picking up a piece of chicken and holding it out to her. He was twice as tense as she was. When she leaned forward and her slender fingers wrapped around the fork he nearly cried with joy. She took the fork and a tiny bite of the chicken.

"That's it. Just eat up." He urged.

She looked at the door and his eyes followed hers.

"Don't worry I'm not going to let anything happen to you." He promised.

She finished her meal, and he considered that a small victory. If there was anything left of the girl he used to know still in the one sitting in the hospital bed however he couldn't find her. His heart ached for the things she must have gone through and the spark that she had lost. Helga wasn't the firecracker anymore.

"Helga...did he hurt you? did he..."He couldn't form the words, but she seemed to know what he was saying.

Slowly she shook her head, and he felt a slight weight lift from his shoulders. Whatever the man had done to her must have been terrible, but rape wasn't one of them. He had never seen a spirit as broken as hers, but he still had to hope he could save her.

"Helga, the man who kidnapped you. Do you know why he did it?" He asked.

She looked at him before giving him a soft nod.

"He's dead. Do you know that?" He asked, another nod.

"I'm going to help you. I promise." He said.

He stood preparing to leave and she leapt across the bed grabbing onto his hand with both of hers. He looked down at her and she gave an insistant tug on his hand. He sat back in the chair, but she kept her grip on his hands. Her eyes looked terrified, and she was tense.

"I'll stay here. It's okay." He said and she relaxed a little.

He moved helping her slide her legs under the blankets. She left go of his hand and he tucked her in as if she were a small child. He sat back down in the chair and she rolled on her side to face him. He took off his coat offering her a smile.

"I'll stay here I promise." He said.

Twenty minutes later her deep even breathing let him know she was asleep. He was tired, and should probably go home himself, but if his being here brought her some comfort he would stay. All night if that's what she needed and somehow he knew it was.