A/N:

Hey all! Okay, so, here's a very random, slightly belated Thanksgiving oneshot from yours truly, going out to everyone patient enough to still be awaiting my many, many updates that will be coming very very soon…and also this is for anyone who thinks "Arnold's Thanksgiving" is just about one of the cutest eps ever ;D (Definitely in my top three!) This would be a little scene set after the end of that episode and it's pretty self-explanatory, so I just hope you all enjoy and as always…please review! Because reviews are truly the lifeblood of all authors ;)

~*ARNOLD'S 'POST'-THANKSGIVING*~

"Hey, shortman! Whatchya still doing up here? Come on, we can clean up the tables and decorations later—right now it's time for red white and blue American flag cake inside! AND pumpkin pie! Ooo but you'd better hurry before that lousy bum Kokoschka nabs it all!"

The young football headed boy being addressed put down the now folded-up American flag he was holding, and turned and walked over toward his grandfather (who was currently poking his head out of the skylight entrance to the young boy's attic room). "It's okay, Grandpa…" Arnold assured with a smile, "I'm still a little full from dinner and I don't mind cleaning up a little anyway. Besides, it's kind of a nice night…" Arnold glanced up at the clear, crisp sky with the stars twinkling overhead…though it looked like a cool, grey, wintery cloud or two was starting to approach the neighborhood on this late November evening…

Phil, his entire body now half sticking out of the skylight (and bundled up in a wooly coat) just smiled at his grandson. "Well, if you're sure, shortman. I'll try and save you a couple of slices of pie and cake though, just in case you want anything later."

"Thanks Grandpa," Arnold replied back, still with a smile, now turning his eyes from the sky and back to the old man once more. "And um…thanks for…you know…" he glanced down a little, "…helping make things a little more 'traditional' this Thanksgiving…I appreciate it…" he finished sincerely.

The old man stopped in the middle of slipping back into Arnold's room, and gave his grandson a knowing smile. "You're welcome, shortman…I'm happy you liked it….But now I better get inside to save you that dessert before it's too late…Besides," he gave an exaggerated shiver, "It practically feels like snow weather out here! Brr! Make sure you head in soon please, shortman! Jiminy Crickets, between you being outside all afternoon and then during the dinner and then also right now, don't want you catching cold!" He winked…and then smiled and added slyly, "Especially since right now you don't have that little girl with the pink bow and the one eyebrow to help keep you warm, heh, heh, heh!"

His words and gesture caused the young boy in question to do something he almost never did: blush. (And he also twitched a little…because it had sounded to him like a small squeak or something had reached his ears…but his grandfather didn't seem to notice too much so maybe it was just his imagination). "Grandpa…" Arnold began, closing his eyes and shaking his head, and heading over to another American flag starting to take it down, "That was just Helga—you know, the person who calls me all those names and always picks on me in particular… And I told you—we just kind of bumped into each other and both of us felt like talking so we talked…and then I walked her home." He shrugged…still not getting it (and twitched the tiniest bit again…Now it sounded like a low sound…almost a grumble had reached his ears, but…but it was probably just a car in the distance or something. No big deal.) He sighed to himself and started folding the flag in his hands.

"Oh, mmm hmm…" Grandpa began sarcastically, feigning a serious look and nod, "Yes, well, that certainly sounds like a typical exchange between a bully and someone they hate, shortman. Yikes, how did you survive? Heh, heh, heh…" He couldn't help ending with some knowing laughter.

Arnold sighed to himself once more, placing the second now folded flag down on one of the long, eating tables, and then looked back to his grandfather again. "Well, she's…not exactly a bully, Grandpa…I mean, she's my friend…I think it's just hard for her to want to show it sometimes. But she's not so bad to be around…And actually, there're times when she's really nice to talk to…like today." Arnold (of course) wasn't aware of the slight half lidded gaze that had begun to come to his face….(and he also tried to ignore yet another little twitch that went through him as it sounded like some kind of light, small, airy, far away but at the same time not-so-far-away sound met his hears…Probably just the winter wind though…Yeah, that was it. The wind…He shook his head to clear it and focused back on his grandfather once more).

Phil, meanwhile, was actually quite aware of his grandson's funny smile…(And as usual, of course, he decided to just leave things as they were and let the boy figure it out for himself one of these days…though it had been getting harder and harder lately not to at least hint about the obvious reality of the situation between him and his 'nice' little friend with the pink bow and the one eyebrow.) "Whatever you say, shortman…" he merely replied, rolling his eyes to himself. "Anywho, like I said, come inside and warm up with some dessert in the kitchen as soon as you can…Oh and don't worry about that dispenser of hot chocolate," the old man gestured with his head in the direction of the refreshment table that was otherwise empty except for a few unused cups and napkins, "We've got plenty of that and cider downstairs too..."

Arnold nodded. "Okay, Grandpa…I'll be in soon…And, um…actually, can you try and save me some of that hot chocolate downstairs too along with the pie and stuff, if it's not too much trouble?" he added with an innocent smile.

Phil chuckled and winked. "You got it, shortman! See you soon!" And with that and a small wave he slipped back inside completely, shutting the skylight pane behind him.

Arnold, left alone once again on the rooftop, let out a content sigh and turned to look at the other decorations that still needed to be taken down (streamers, tablecloths, used firework canisters…)… But then instead of proceeding along with his clean-up, the young boy let out a small breath and went over to one of the long benches near the long tables where he and his extended family had enjoyed their Thanksgiving meal (one of the benches, actually, quite near his skylight…and fire escape), and decided to take a very small break for just a moment…It really was kind of cold, and a lot of this stuff probably really could wait until morning, and on top of that all of that turkey he'd eaten was kind of making him a little sleepy anyway…and it really was just such a pretty night out. He looked up at the stars.

For a few moments Arnold just sat, toasty in his coat, his stomach happy and full of nice food, and just…just feeling really, really happy. After all, he'd done a good job in the Thanksgiving play that afternoon, there was a long weekend off of school that had only just begun, and even though things had started out a little bumpy at his house this year for Thanksgiving, in the end everything had worked out and everyone had gotten a good, fun holiday, and he'd actually learned a lot about families and traditions and sharing…and he'd even gotten to make sure a friend had a good Thanksgiving too. Arnold smiled to himself at the image in his head from when he'd looked through Helga's window before leaving her house and had seen her sitting down with her family and smiling. Helga didn't seem to get along with her family too well and she hardly ever seemed to smile…but somehow he'd been a part of helping fix both of those things, at least for today. And, even though he couldn't really understand why, the memory of that part of his day made him happiest of all.

He let his eyes fall to the beautiful lights of the city and let out a sigh…and then thought out loud (since he was 'alone' after all…) "I hope the rest of Helga's night went okay…She deserves it."

"WHOA! AH!"

Arnold was just frozen in shock at the totally unexpected sound of that yell, but then as it was accompanied by a small scream he quickly glanced around the roof and finally realized the direction of the noise! Instantly he was up on his feet rushing over to the fire escape to help whoeve—

"HELGA!" he exclaimed in shock at the sight of her clinging to a rail of his metal fire escape ladder, her feet dangling dangerously below her! Obviously (he would realize later) some ice had formed on the ladder and she had suddenly slipped and lost her footing on it.

He watched her eyes widen almost in fear as they came to lock onto his own, and then, "AHH!" she slipped even more and suddenly lost the hold of one of her hands on the rail. 'Oh he said my name and that I'm a friend and that I'm nice, and he liked being with me today, and he was hoping I had a good Thanksgiving! I think I'm gonna die!'

At this second scream, Arnold didn't waste any time and instantly reached down and gripped both of Helga's arms firmly by the elbows and then quickly heaved her up and past the skylight and onto the roof with him…or actually, more like he heaved her up and past the skylight and onto the roof and (completely 'unintentionally'…well…at least completely consciously unintentionally) ON TOP OF him…

"Ow!" Arnold, eyes closed and on his back on the rooftop, was now aware that something had crashed onto him and that there was a weight upon him…kind of a warm weight actually…

…And then the weight pushed up a little.

"Arnold!" He heard the word come in a sharp, frightened, female whisper and his eyes opened as he realized Helga must have been what was on top of him…interestingly enough.

The football headed boy's first thought was to bring his eyes to meet hers but instantly her weight was completely gone and he felt cold air hit his body. So now he just sat up (in quite a bit of confusion, by this point) and blinked a couple of times, and then looked and realized that she had moved far away from him and was now pressed against the edge of his roof in front of him, looking as scared as her voice had just sounded.

"Helga?" was all he could think to say in a curious tone, raising an eyebrow at her very sudden (and very VERY surprising) presence her at his house and on his roof.

He watched as she just sat there, plastered against the edge of his roof, knees pulled to her body, eyes wide and breathing heavily…But then she seemed to calm a little…and blink a few times…and then finally her usual scowl came back…and she even spoke! "Uh…yeah…yeah, it's me, Football Head…What's it to you?" She crossed her arms over her chest, pulling her coat more tightly around her body for warmth, and looked at him defiantly.

Arnold just blinked a few times, but then closed his eyes and shook his head a little to clear it, and stood up. "But…" he opened his eyes and still looked at her strangely, "How did…What are you doing here? What's wrong?" After all, for Helga to suddenly…suddenly show up at his house like this…SOMETHING had to be up or wrong…right? And then his heart was instantly shot through with concern! What if something bad had happened with her parents again? 'Uh oh…I knew I should have stuck a round a little longer after she went inside just to make sure she was really okay…' "Is there…Do you need something, Helga?" He approached her and looked at her sincerely.

For a second that wide-eyed look of fear was back on her face, but then she quickly scowled again and stood, looking off to the side, arms still crossed. "No! Doi! Of course not! And like I'd come to YOU even if there was, anyway, ARNOLDO! Hmph!" She let out a harsh sigh.

Arnold just kind of gave her a look and rolled his eyes. He was used to Helga acting weird like this…and in his experience it was just better to go with it than to ask too many questions (although it was getting harder and harder not to do so as he got older and older, he had to admit at the back of his mind…But he really wasn't sure what she'd do if he ever pressed her for the truth too much…So for now he went with his usual course of action and simply ignored her snapping at him). "Okay, well…" a bit of concern came back to his eyes though nonetheless, and he at least had to ask, "Are you at least okay from slipping on the fire escape? I mean, you didn't hurt yourself or anything, did you?"

That question actually got her scowl to fall again…and Helga's voice softened quite a bit too for a moment, strangely enough...and she actually even gave him a legitimate reply for once, of all things. "I…I'm okay…Um…thanks, Arnold…" And then she rubbed one of her arms almost kind of…shyly?

Arnold blinked and shook his head at the word. 'Yeah...like Helga would ever be shy about anything…She's…she's HELGA!' "Oh. Good." He smiled sincerely now though, happy that she indeed at least seemed to be okay from her slip on the fire escape ladder…But, actually, speaking of her slip on the fire escape ladder… "Um…in that case…" he went on, "…and not that I'm not happy you're here but…can I ask why you're here, Helga?" He tried not to chuckle…but something about this whole thing WAS a little funny when you thought about it…and he really was too curious to not question the situation at least a little.

He realized that Helga must have noticed his slight smirk because her eyes were quickly blazing….and also her cheeks seemed tinged with redness (probably from the cold, though, or from anger or something Arnold figured at the back of his mind). And then she walked right up to him, hands on her hips, and spoke matter-of-factly, causing his smile to cease for just a moment as she caught him off guard a little. "Hey, I was just…well…" she began to reply harshly, looking him right in the eye! But then…then something about the scowl and the tone and the glare kind of… faltered a little, strangely enough, "I just…you know…I mean…" she stammered, "We were, uh, done with dinner at my place and then I was, um…bored, and Bob was hogging the TV for Football so I just...decided to make sure your Thanksgiving turned out okay…No big deal." She shrugged still scowling…and then added with a gulp after a slight hesitation (like she was having to force herself to admit this last part), "A-And I figured maybe if, you know…your Thanksgiving turned out to still be a little 'Independence Day-heavy' that I…I don't know, I could invite you back to my place for some left over turkey or something…You know, just so you'd quit complaining about getting no real Thanksgiving, of course!" came her final (as always, defensive) finish to her confession of the (when you got right down to it) good deed she'd just gotten caught doing…and for HIM of all people!

And speaking of Arnold, he…felt this kind of warm feeling pass over him as her words absorbed. And then instantly his smile grew and he snatched up Helga in a tight hug! He felt her stiffen in his arms, and a small sound seemed to come out of her…and then for just a piece of a second he felt her relax…And then Arnold just sighed as, as usual whenever he hugged her, he suddenly felt her push him roughly away and, upon opening his eyes, he was met with the sight of her scowling darkly. "Hey, don't get so cozy, buster!" she announced firmly.

Still, despite the sudden attitude change for the worse (which was once again one of those things Arnold had learned over the years that it was better to kind of ignore and go with than question in the case of Helga G. Pataki), Arnold couldn't help smiling sincerely and merely replying, "Sorry, Helga…but thank you…That was…really nice of you…caring about my Thanksgiving, I mean." And then he let out a sigh and let his eyes go a little half lidded…He liked when she showed how nice and good of a person she really was…even though she always seemed so hesitant about doing so. In fact, this whole 'checking up on him' thing was…really kind of sweet when you thought about it.

Arnold then watched in further amusement as Helga just blinked and went wide-eyed once more at his thank you, but then quickly rolled her eyes and instantly came forward and pushed past him to stand with her back to him a few feet away. "Yeah, yeah, well…anyway, now that I filled the dullness of the end of this day with crashing your party a little, Football Head, I guess I'd better be on my way. Crimeny, it's freezing already!" She shivered a little and wrapped her arms around her body even more tightly.

Arnold had turned in her direction as she had walked past him…but now that she had finished speaking, for just a moment his smile left…and he suddenly felt this little tug right in the pit of his stomach. She was...leaving…? 'Oh.' But…that kind of felt…wrong…didn't it? "Um, Helga?" he began politely and without any hesitation.

The girl in question had been in the process of turning back around to stomp back over to his fire escape again, but now she stopped for just a moment in her journey (she was right in front of him again now, actually) and glanced at him once more, still scowling. "What?"

Arnold paused for just a second, actually not quite sure what he was going to say to make her stay for just a little longer…and talk out anything she might need to talk out (it was so rare he got her in the mood to really tolerate him for any long period of time that he didn't want to waste the opportunity, especially if he could be of help to her with anything). He glanced around very quickly, trying to come up with something that wou—and then Arnold's eyes lit on a certain sight and he now turned his gaze back to Helga and shrugged and smiled, and then gestured over to a refreshment table with his head upon which there still sat the hot drink dispenser from the dinner before. "Um…before you go, I was wondering…" he began sincerely, "Would you like a cup of hot chocolate? To say thank you for checking up on me, I mean…Besides I want to hear about how your Thanksgiving went too."

For at least several seconds, Helga just plain looked at him kind of funny (maybe even with a sliver of distrust…though there was something else there too…) But then…then Helga's slight scowl softened just a little and she put her hands in her pockets and shrugged (not making eye contact). "Well, I…" she started…and not at all harshly, "I guess I could stick around for just one cup of cocoa…I mean if you're THAT desperate for some company or whatever, Football Head."

Arnold's smile instantly grew! She'd stay! "Okay, Helga…Just have a seat on one of the benches…" he gestured toward the benches he and the boarders had sat on to eat their holiday meal at the fold-out tables, "…and I'll get us some," he finished.

Without wasting another second, Arnold quickly went over to the refreshments table and prepared two cups of the warm, chocolaty, creamy liquid as he heard the sound of Helga sitting with a small creak upon one of the wooden benches in question. The cups now filled, Arnold then took one in each of his hands, turned back around, and walked over to the girl in question, and then finally sat down beside her.

So now the two kids were facing away from the table as they sat, looking out onto the cityscape together, and Arnold handed Helga her cup. "So…" he began with a smile, taking a small sip of his own hot chocolate, "…how did your Thanksgiving end up going, Helga? I mean, I could see a little bit through the window from outside after I walked you home before, and it looked like you and your family were getting along and pretty happy together…" He awaited her response with sincere eagerness…especially considering the long and bonding adventure they'd shared today over this particular holiday.

Helga just sighed and shrugged at his question…but smiled a little too. "Yeah, it…was nice, actually. Bob and Miriam were actually calling up the police trying to find me when I got home…And Olga even made a bunch of stupid flyers," Helga chuckled a little and rolled her eyes, recalling the very Olga-centric picture her sister had used for those flyers…She glanced at Arnold, who was giving her a curious look at her laughter. "Don't ask…" She cleared her throat and glanced down and forward again as she went on. "And then we all had dinner together and they even used my centerpiece and…we were all…kind of happy…" And now the smile on her face was complete…and it looked as warm as the drink she, now finished with her explanation, then took a sip of (in Arnold's opinion, at least).

And, indeed, going back to Arnold, right now he felt…quite happy (once again on this day) himself! He sipped some more of his own hot chocolate as well. "I'm happy, Helga…" he said simply and sweetly to her, "You seemed really sad before, and it's nice that everything turned out so well…even if I'm still not sure how everything ended up working out as good as it all did today…" He chuckled a little at memories of the strange and very unexpected courses their time together that afternoon had indeed taken.

Helga laughed along with him. "Yeah, tell me about it—most random holiday experience ever." She sighed and looked to him with a smirk, taking another swig of hot chocolate and now crossing one leg over the other. "So tell me, head boy, how did your holiday end up panning out?" She glanced around at the tables and benches and the few decorations still all set up around the rooftop. "From the looks of it I'd say it was some shindig…" She closed her eyes and inhaled deeply through her nose. "And from the scent still in the air I'd say you at least got a turkey out of the Fourth of July deal." She opened her eyes and finished simply, with a slight (playful) smirk, "So, spill—you have a good Thanksgiving, Arnold?"

Arnold smiled more and nodded in response to her question, and then let his eyes travel back over the city lights again. "Yeah…" He took another sip of his drink. "It was great, actually. We still did some of the Fourth of July stuff, of course—after all, around here it…kind of wouldn't be Thanksgiving without fireworks." He chuckled a little at the idea, and noticed out of the corner of his eye that Helga raised part of her brow at his comment and laughter, though she still remained smiling. He sighed. "Don't ask…" And then he took another sip and continued on. "But anyway…then after the fireworks we had a traditional meal with turkey and mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce and all kinds of stuff…and I liked it. A lot. I mean, I love my family and how we can be a little different but…it's also nice to feel kind of connected with everyone else sometimes and enjoy a holiday like it's supposed to be enjoyed…Plus…pumpkin pie in the summer just…isn't as fun, you know?" He glanced away just a little shyly…She was probably going to think he sounded so weird. "I guess that maybe sounds a little stupid though, huh, Helga? Getting that unhappy about getting pumpkin pie in July instead of November…" He awaited her inevitable more-humorous-than-hurting reply of, 'Indeed it does, Football Head,' or something to that effect.

Instead though…

Helga…shifted closer to him on the bench. "No…" came a quiet, sincere voice to his ears,"It…makes a lot of sense, Arnold. Wanting that kind of stability and normalcy, I mean…And I…think it's kind of, you know, neat that your grandparents gave it to you but still kept some of their original, less traditional stuff too..." She scoffed a little then…but it didn't sound harsh…and her tone continued to be...softer than usual (and also he realized, as she started speaking, it was a scoff directed at herself, not at him). "Honestly, I'M probably the one who seems a little stupid with all of this Thanksgiving stuff…I mean, I've got my mom and my dad and my sister and a Thanksgiving with all the trimmings at home, and then the three of them tick me off a little and I blow that popstand like it's torture or something…" She shrugged. "Guess it's just me and my temper…"

Arnold instantly shook his head though, and looked at her very intently, causing her eyes to come up and even come to his a bit. "Helga…" he began seriously, "They weren't treating you nice. And you deserve to be treated nice. You're a nice person…And I'm happy things worked out for you too tonight." He finished with a smile…and then watched as Helga's eyes remained barely glancing to his own for just a second more…and then she kind of looked forward and down, and her smile…actually grew of all things! And she looked…He sighed to himself because there was that word again… 'shy'…But Helga Pataki was too strong and tough to have ever gotten shy about anything…at least, in Arnold's experience…And why get shy now? All he'd done was tell her the truth! Arnold just sighed to himself once more: sometimes…almost all of the time, actually…he really just didn't get Helga at all… He liked her, of course—he just…didn't understand her. But she seemed happy right now, and for now he figured that's what was most important.

"Thanks, Arnold…" he heard her reply quietly, still looking down and now swinging her feet a little…and the cold or something was tingeing her cheeks a little red again. "You're…you're alright…" she suddenly (and unexpectedly) finished.

Arnold tilted his head to the side curiously at the comment…but then smiled at her once more. "Thanks, Helga," was all he could come up with. And then he cleared his throat a little and now looked forward and down too, likewise swinging his legs a bit.

"No problem, paste for brains," he heard her add, a small laugh underlying the 'insult.'

He sighed once more (this time with quite a grin). Same old Helga…Always mixing that good person he knew she was with just a touch of her own flair. Huh...It actually kind of reminded him of his grandma mixing Thanksgiving with that hint of their Fourth of July tradition, come to think of it.

It was a quiet winter night…and now the two kids just sat within it for a little bit, finishing their drinks together and just enjoying the chilled November evening wrapping around but never penetrating their warm coats and now stomachs…and, of course, their warm hearts.

"Hey, Arnold?"

It came after a few minutes of this content quiet together…and she sounded like she was trying to be really casual but at the same time Arnold couldn't help but have the feeling that she was about to say or ask something important. "Yes, Helga?" he asked kindly, giving her a warm glance.

"Uh, listen…" she reclined back against the table, TRYING to look away casually, "I just wanted to let you know that I, uh…you know…" she rubbed the back of her neck with her hand not holding her hot chocolate, "I really appreciate you kind of hanging out with me today and letting me vent a little…You're, uh…you're not so bad to spend time with…sometimes…you know, for a football head."

Arnold just smiled even more (and actually had to try and not chuckle)… More of that good person she really was was shining through (funny but it always seemed to happen only when they were alone for a while, come to think of it…but he put the thought to the back of his mind for now). "I liked spending the day with you too, Helga," he replied simply—the non-defensive version of what she was obviously trying to say but in regards to him.

She was so close to him on the bench he could actually almost feel her stiffen at this reply from him. "Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey!" she instantly started! "I said I didn't mind tolerating you for the day—don't start getting all mushy on me, pal!" she spat and turned to him, scowling firmly once again!

But Arnold just still smiled… He couldn't help it. Same old Helga. Same old always-trying-to-hide-the-fact-that-she-was-really-nice Helga. He just let out a sigh. "Sorry, Helga… Got it—no mushy stuff…" he assured her.

"Good…Glad you see it my way, you little shrimp! Hmph!" She crossed her arms over her chest and slumped with her back against the edge of the table behind them, looking forward stubbornly.

Arnold just let out a breath at her final little display and looked forward again too …but still smiled to himself…and added, despite her protests (because he knew full well that she'd never actually hurt him…That just…wasn't her. And that was simply the only way to put it), "But thank you for caring about my Thanksgiving anyway though, Helga. I'm glad both of ours worked out in the end."

She was quiet for a moment and Arnold wasn't sure if she'd just stay like that or say something else sarcastic to him about being a 'sap'…but then she sat up a little more again and let out a breath and merely replied…kind of quietly…and also kind of nicely, "Me too, Arnold…I mean, I guess." Her smile grew just a little more and so did his. "But, uh…" she turned to him again, fully this time, and smirked a little, her legs and arms both crossed now, "…you don't let that get around to anyone or I'll have to pound you. I DO have a reputation to maintain, you know…."

And now Arnold turned to face Helga completely as well, his head tilted to the side a little…(and still smiling)…. "Whatever you say, Helga."

So now they were sitting right next to each other…and facing each other…and smiling…and they were alone…and together again on this day.

It started to snow a little.

And for a moment…just for a small piece of a moment, Arnold, in an only half aware way, felt a kind of tension…but…not a 'bad' one…It was just… 'funny'…kind of…though that word didn't seem to quite capture it either.

It didn't help make matters feel any less 'funny' when Arnold noticed Helga's eyes slowly kind of softening…and kind of widening a bit too…and her smile was slipping away just a tiny bit…and then there was something else but it was hard to put his finger on…She wasn't smiling anymore but she wasn't frowning either…but she was still kind of doing something with her mouth… Actually, it…it almost looked like she was almost kind of pouting a little…but…but at the same time that wasn't quite what she was doing—there was no other trace of sadness in her face so that just couldn't be it. It was…(his mouth quirked to the side just a little in slight frustration)…it was just plain hard to describe. But the point was that she was close and looking…the word 'shy' popped into his head again…and then of course there was that slight pout that wasn't a pout…if that made any sense at all.

Arnold didn't move away…He just looked at her with a mix of curiosity and innocence and patience, trying to figure out what she was…waiting for. That was it! That look on her face! It was like she was kind of not going away because…something was there…and she was waiting…though he couldn't help but wonder if that made any sense either…

A 'funny' thought (to go along with the 'funny' tension, he supposed) popped into Arnold's head just then:

'What would make Helga…happy?' Actually, once again, come to think of it, this question really wasn't all that 'funny'…In fact, it was a question that our football headed hero seemed to find himself asking himself quite often in his life. And it was one that never seemed to have a simple answer…because he knew Helga G. Pataki was a very complicated person…And until the day someone figured her out, no one would probably be able to come up with a simple and easy answer to that question. Yet, being a determined, helpful, and caring young man…Arnold decided to at least give it a shot once again in his young life.

He thought back to the last time she'd seemed happy…and realized that it had actually seemed to have happened once or twice today…and even just now a little…with…him…

Something small clicked inside of the head of the nine-year-old boy.

"A-Arnold…"

Before he could act on his small realization though, she had said his name: almost kind of whispered it, really. And she still seemed a bit shy.

"Yes, Helga…" Arnold replied back quietly, still just looking peacefully into her eyes.

"I…" she gulped (he noticed)… What was it? What did she want to say? "I…have to…I think I want to…want to tell you that…I…."

He waited patiently, still smiling….Whatever she needed to say, he'd be there for her.

"I…" And then she just sighed, and something of the moment seemed to slip away. "Uh…" she went on with a breath, "That, uh…that was good hot cocoa. Thanks." A small trace of her smile came back but her eyes were turned down and seemed…almost tired. Yes, 'tired' was the only word for it.

"Helga…" Arnold said back quietly, still with that look of curiosity and innocence and patience…and recalling that small idea that had clicked inside of him just now… He took her hand.

Arnold watched (and felt) Helga stiffen and swallow and go a little wide-eyed with curiosity again at his address (and touch), and then she gave a small nod, her eyes locked onto his again just as before.

He smiled more. And then said his idea. "Um…my family's having dessert downstairs…some American Flag cake…and some pumpkin pie…and more hot chocolate... Would you like to stay and have some…with me?"

Helga G. Pataki was quiet. And then a touch of something came to her eyes and it seemed like she frowned for the tiniest second. "O-Oh…r-right…" But then she seemed to consider for a moment… And then all of a sudden it was like the small frown had never been there in the first place! Indeed, she smiled and then nodded, and then took a breath and cleared her throat and finally spoke again. "I mean, uh…sure, Arnold…I-If you're that desperate for more of my incredible company then I guess I could stick around some more, heh…" She laughed a little and then scooched just a little bit away from him on the bench (making sure to pull her hand from his to save face—though she did so gently rather than harshly for once), tugged at her collar and then let out a breath and let her scowl return a little. "Like I always say, whatever floats your boat, Arnoldo." 'Oh of course he wasn't going to kiss you… Oh and the kiss would have tasted like hot chocolate too! Darn it! But he did just ask you inside for dessert! Yes!'

"Thanks, Helga!" Arnold replied brightly…After all, she was staying some more…and that was nice…because she was nice. The pleased boy stood up from the bench. "Well, I guess we should get inside then—like you said it's pretty cold out here….and…Huh? When did it start snowing?" The young boy suddenly glanced up and blinked a few times at the small white bits of frost falling from the sky above…that he'd been a little too (both consciously and unconsciously) distracted to notice until just now.

Helga blinked at his comment and then glanced up as well…and smiled a little more. "Uh…not sure… Guess it happened while we were talking…It's kind of a nice end to the day though, you know…"

Her eyes came back down to look at him again…and she looked happy again! Arnold smiled even more at this proof that somehow once again in his life he'd managed to figure out and do the right thing in terms of her. "Yeah…" he replied, "Kind of like ringing in the Christmas season or something, huh, Helga?"

She actually laughed a little at that from him…and it was a nice laugh. "Arnold, you're so corny!" She rolled her eyes.

He rolled his eyes a little too, and still smiled as she did. "Well, anyway, let's get inside before much more of it starts falling…and before the boarders finish off all the dessert." And then Arnold grabbed Helga's coat sleeve (much as he had done back at the pier when they'd decided to head over to Mr. Simmons' Thanksgiving) and tugged her up from the bench, and began to happily walk them both over to his skylight.

"Hey, hey, whoa slow down, pal! Crimeny!"

These words from Helga might have seemed harsh if taken out of context, but actually they were said with a lot of laughter underlying the voice of the girl in question. And so Arnold just continued lightly pulling her along until they reached the pane of glass leading to his room. Arnold then released his hold on Helga and opened the window, then stepped back, gesturing inside. "You first, Helga…Oh!" He blinked and added sincerely, "Unless you want me to go first to show you how to do it! It's not that hard though—you just have to climb down the ladder in there and drop down on the bed and—"

Helga just rolled her eyes and smirked, putting her hands on her hips and instantly cutting him off. "Oh I think I can manage, Arnoldo…" she assured him, shaking her head and then (her face tinged just a little red, though Arnold figured (yet again) that it was just the cold getting to her) she slipped into the skylight and found her footing on the ladder with ease. "Now get your scrawny butt in here too pronto before I change my mind about gracing you with my presence, Football Head!" And she actually winked!

Arnold's smile brightened so much ('Wow, I really did do the right thing with her this time, didn't I?'), and he nodded and chuckled as she ducked into his room completely.

As he turned around to slip into the skylight and proceed to climb down the ladder himself, Arnold's grin picked up on one side and he had a moment to expand upon his thoughts a little. 'Hmm…I thought asking her to stay for a little while might make her happy again. She…kind of likes spending time with me, doesn't she?' He let out a content sigh and almost shook his head to himself. 'That explains it… I guess she considers me a friend no matter what she says…. And of course I always knew that she was a nice, normal, sensitive person deep down… She just needs someone to give her a chance. And if I keep doing that…then maybe we can even become better friends…' He dropped to his bed and looked over and saw Helga, arms crossed over her chest, smiling and waiting for him by his door. Arnold (always being a gentleman) quickly got on his feet and walked over and opened the door and gestured for her to go first, and the action made her glance to the side, kind of shy like (again) and then just shrug and give him a quick 'Thanks, shrimp' before indeed heading down before him.

Arnold walked down after her, closing the door behind him….and still feeling very happy inside that he'd figured out at least a small little piece of Helga today: she wanted a friend and she kind of didn't mind him as a friend and she just needed him to keep being there for her… '…And when I do that enough…she'll be nice…and happy…' he summarized, and he'd be happy too… (that last part of the thought only really fully sounded at the back of his mind though (for now) ).

"Arnold, quit spacing out on me before you trip on the stairs or something! Yikes, paste for brains!"

Arnold instantly blinked at her sharp (though not too sharp), sudden words (they had just reached the stairs, he noticed) and he made sure to carefully watch his footing as he walked down alongside her. "Thanks, Helga" he responded appreciatively to her 'advice'.

"No problem again, Arnoldo! Sheesh, you'd be lost without me!" Once again, a response from her that might have seemed biting out of context…but that in reality this time around in their lives was said with a smile and almost a kind of an amused quality behind it. "Just don't say I never did you any favors." She gave him a playful nudge.

Arnold felt something kind of…nice from that nudge…He chuckled…and guessed he was just happy once again that she was happy.

"What's so funny, Head Boy?" Helga asked smiling and with part of her brow raised as they made it to the first floor landing and headed in the direction of the kitchen (and toward the sounds of Arnold's extended family finishing up dessert together).

Arnold just shrugged at the question, still grinning ear to ear. "Nothing. I'm just happy we're both happy."

She scoffed but kind of laughed warmly also. "You're so weird sometimes, Arnoldo…so weird…" 'But so the kindest boy on the planet…You always seem to know just what I need…Arnold, my love…' An internal girlish sigh.

Arnold just laughed a little more at her 'insult' and sighed. "Come on, let's just eat some cake and pie, Helga," he merely stated, pushing open the kitchen door for her.

"Hey, bring it on, Football Head!" she announced proudly, taking a step forward (and secretly thrilling inside of course at all of this 'door opening' stuff he was doing for her…Acting like some kind of perfect little gentleman on a date with her or something!) "Slap a bib on me and stand back—I always have room for some good dessert." She winked at him (again that night… And though Arnold didn't fail to notice it, he did fail (for about the billionth time in his young life) to really realize that most personal tormentors DID NOT wink and smile at people they 'hated' just because they'd been asked to share part of a meal with them.)

Anyway, the end result was that Arnold just laughed at Helga's small jest and Helga quickly joined him with a chuckle or two of her own, and then Helga entered the kitchen with Arnold following just behind her, the two of them leaving his hallway behind entirely…and their voices becoming lost in the din of dessert as the kitchen door swung closed behind them.

And so, in the end, the kids had started their Thanksgivings together…and now they were ending them together. And despite all of that mess at the beginning, it was the best Thanksgiving either one of them had ever had…both of their meals…and even (and maybe even especially) the 'post-Thanksgiving' part of their day.

A/N:

Well, I hope you guys all liked this little bit of randomness from me, lol! ^_^ And don't worry, all of my other stuff (LTBH, DAAS, April 2nd) will be getting many, many updates asap ;) Just give me another week to get my head together from school applications XD Anyway, like I said, please review if you liked this and as always…

HAPPY READING! ;)

~Azure129 aka Jenna

AXH FOREVER!