I don't own Hey Arnold.

A/N: This is the last chapter of this story. I hoped you enjoyed it. I know I have dragged Arnold through hell in this story. The sequel will give him a happy ending. I promise.

Chapter-4 Everything is Ok.

"I don't know about this, Gerald." Arnold said.

"Please man, you didn't attend the graduation ceremony or prom. Do this for me and Phoebe." Gerald said. He knew Arnold planned on leaving that night. Gerald saw the packed bags in Arnold's closet. "Just come hang out for a little while."

"It's always awkward when I go around them, Gerald." Arnold said. "I have no issues with any of them, but I don't like being stared at like I am a mental case. Why do you think I didn't go to the graduation ceremony or prom for that matter?"

"Listen, we know you're leaving." Gerald sighed. "This has nothing to do with anyone else. Phoebe and I want to spend some time with you before you disappear. No one knows your plans, except Susie and she won't tell us. Whatever you've got planned has her sad too. After all this time, you still don't trust me?"

"Yes I, trust you." Arnold said. He knew Gerald saw the bags. "Alright, I'll go." Gerald and Phoebe both had his trust. He just wished they didn't' pry as much. He wasn't trying to hide anything. He just made it a point not to say anything. There was a difference.

An hour later Arnold was sitting in front of a bonfire. The graduation party theme was Hawaiian Luau. Everyone was dressed "island style". Arnold had on a pair of jeans and a tee shirt. He still had things to do before he left tonight, so dressing up wasn't an option. While staring at the fire, the last 7 years played in his mind. He closed his eyes, traveling to his sanctuary. The white room.

After everything, is this really necessary?

At least it a cage now, we can go back to the glass cube if you want.

I'd rather not. But, it's still a prison. At some point you are going to have to free me. You are going to have to embrace me and become whole. Filtering me won't work for long.

I didn't come here to argue.

Ah, I see. You are out of your comfort zone.

Yes, I am.

Just leave. You have better things to do. Our plan is still in motion.

Yes it is. I am doing this for Gerald and Phoebe.

And, where are they?

Mingling. I want them to have fun tonight.

Exactly. Just leave. Let them be happy. They deserve to enjoy themselves. They spend too much time worrying if you are going to off yourself.

Yea, you're right. I constantly tell them I am ok. They are under the assumption that silence means something is wrong. I just don't like to talk that much.

They haven't been through what you have. They will never understand why you are...

Hey Arnold!

Yeah? Arnold said, exiting the white room. Once he saw who called his name, he instantly put his face in his hands. It was a person he hadn't talked to in years….Helga.

"Why are you just sitting here? It's a party." She slurred. She had been drinking. Most of the people at the party were intoxicated in one way or another.

"Not my type of party." Arnold said. Arnold was not the "goody two shoes" people thought him to be. He knew how to party. It just wasn't going to happen around these people, and it wasn't going to happen tonight.

"So why are you're here? We are trying to have a good time." Helga said. She took another sip from her cup. "You are killing the vibe."

"As a favor to my friends." Arnold said. He was starting to get annoyed. "Otherwise I wouldn't be here. Helga, we haven't talked in years. What do you want?"

"Um…." She started laughing.

"You know what? I'm going to go." Arnold said, shaking his head. He stood up and started walking over to Gerald and Phoebe.

"Dammit Football head, I was going to say how sorry I am about your grandparents!" She yelled. Her outburst caused the crowd to look at the two.

Click! The cage opened.

You wanna take this one or should I?

It's all yours

Aww…You are too good to me.

Arnold turned around and walked up to Helga. He placed his head next to her ear. What he said took her from tipsy to sober. He spoke calmly. "It took you two years and a drunken stupor to apologize. You are full of shit Pataki. Pray that I never become a vengeful man Helga, the Pataki bloodline owes me two souls." The fear from his words could be seen in her eyes. Arnold turned and walked over to Phoebe and Gerald.

"You're leaving aren't you?" Gerald said, disappointed. He knew this would be the last time he saw his best friend.

"Yes." Arnold said. "Listen guys, come by the boarding house tomorrow. There is something I want to give to you."

"You won't be there, will you?" Phoebe asked. Gerald informed her about the situation. She had tears in her eyes.

"No, I will not." Arnold said. "I am going to miss you both." Arnold hugged his friends.

"Do me a favor." Gerald said. "Promise me you will keep in touch."

Arnold held out his fist with his thumb sticking up. "I promise." For the first time in years, they performed their thumb shake. Arnold turned around and walked off.

When Arnold got back to the boarding house he walked up to his room. He reached in his closet and grabbed his bags. A book bag and a travel bag. He was traveling light. He reached in his desk and grabbed an envelope and a small box. He had written notes for both earlier.

You are still going to give it to her? Why?

Closure.

You know she is probably going to just toss it.

Maybe. But she needs to know the truth.

If you say so.

He walked back downstairs. He saw Susie in the kitchen drinking tea. She looked as though she had been crying. He sat down at the table.

"Do you really have to leave tonight?" Susie asked. Her eyes were red. "Can't this wait until tomorrow morning?"

"Yes, I do." Arnold said. "I had to get a privately chartered plane to go directly to my destination. He poured himself a cup of water, then placed a tea bag in it. If one of them was drinking tea, the other always joined. It was their tradition. "My taxi should be here in a few minutes. Could you give these to Gerald and Phoebe? They should be by in the morning. He put the envelope and the box on the table.

"Sure, sweetie." Susie said. "Just leave them here and I will make sure they get them." A horn sounded outside. Susie got up and walked over to Arnold. "I am going to miss you so much. Please be safe." She hugged him once he stood up.

"I am going to miss you too…Mom." Arnold said. "I will be." Susie started to cry. He had never called her by those words. Letting go of the hug, Arnold kissed her on the cheek and walked out of the door. Susie watched the taxi until it was out of sight.

The next morning Gerald and Phoebe met outside of the boarding house. They walked in the door, letting the stampede of animals pass them. They found Susie in the kitchen drinking a cup of tea. She looked as though she hadn't slept. They sat down at the table.

"Good morning guys." Susie greeted the two. She pushed the envelope and box over to them.

There was a manila envelope with both their names on it. Gerald opened it and pulled out the contents. Inside were brochures for resorts in Japan. He then pulled out two plane tickets. The last document was a note from Arnold. He opened it and read:

Dear Gerald and Phoebe,

This is my way of saying thank you for sticking by my side. A resort agent is waiting on your call. Look at the resorts and choose which one you want. You will have a two week stay at the resort of your choice. The tickets are first class and opened ended, which means you can choose when you want to go.

Enjoy,

Arnold

"Babe." Gerald said. "You won't believe this." He handed the brochures, tickets and letter to Phoebe.

"Oh my" She said, surprised. "How could he afford something like this?" They both looked at Susie, who looked at the ceiling to avoid the question.

"Come on Susie." Gerald said. "He's gone. We know he isn't coming back for a long time. "And that." He pointed to the brochure and the tickets. "Wasn't cheap. We won't say anything."

Susie always wanted to brag about Arnold accomplishments. The boy was a gifted student, and martial artist. He had several trophies and awards. He graduated with a 3.9 g.p.a. All of his extracurricular activities were outside of the school. He refused to do anything affiliated with his high school, mainly because to the Rhonda event. He was hardly ever at home. So, if they were both at the boarding house, they always had a cup of tea and talked. That was how their tea tradition started. She hated the decision Arnold had made, but she stood by him.

And then there was the massive amount of money the Arnold inherited. The first 4 million had been given to him under horrible circumstances. With the help of his lawyer Derrick Jacobs, Arnold was able to turn that 4 million into 6 before he graduated high school. This, she didn't want to brag about. But, after the gift he just bestowed on his friends, she knew she would have to explain part of it. The gift he gave them was beyond expensive.

"Kids, Arnold inherited a lot money when he turned 18 last year. In the months since, he has almost doubled it." Susie said taking a sip of her tea. "And no I will not tell you how much. I feel bad enough telling you this. He may not have said it, but he was so grateful for you two. This gift was given to you because of your loyalty to him."

"What do you think is in the box? Gerald asked. Changing the subject. The box only had Phoebe's name on it, which the group thought was weird. There also was a note taped to the top. Phoebe opened the note, there were only five words in a bold font.

Phoebe. For Your Eyes Only.

Phoebe immediately closed the note. She opened the box by the edge and looked inside. There was a pink notebook and a red shoe. She quickly closed the box and spoke. "This is supposed to be delivered to someone by me. She said to Susie and Gerald. "I know Arnold's private matters are the subject of discussion this morning, but this box is a personal matter. A VERY personal matter.

Susie and Gerald decided not to pry. If Arnold said something was off limits, then there was a reason it was off limits. It was the way Arnold did things. Phoebe decided to break the silence. "Susie, did Arnold get you anything before her left?

"Yes. She said, a smile beaming on her face. "He called me Mom." They both smiled at her. Susie got her wish. She was finally a mom.

After having a cup of tea with Susie, Gerald and Phoebe left promising they would visit during the summer. After letting the stampede back in the boarding house, Gerald kissed his girlfriend on the cheek. "Do you want to come by later and plan this trip?"

"Yes, but we should probably start after 9 pm." Phoebe said, fixing her glasses.

"Why so late?" Gerald asked.

"Thirteen hour time difference. She said, smiling. "I figure business hours are the same all same time all over the world."

"Is there anything you don't know?" Gerald asked, embracing his girlfriend of four years.

"Not really." She smiled, kissing him on the lips. "I have to deliver this first." She looked the box under her arm.

"Sure you can't tell me what's in it." Gerald asked.

"Just because he is gone doesn't mean we can disrespect his wishes." Phoebe said.

"Ok, ok." Gerald said. "I will see you later then. I love you." He let go of her and starting walking down the street.

"I love you too." Phoebe called out. She pulled out her phone and started a text.

P: Are you at home?

H: Yeah

P: Meet me on your stoop in five. It's important.

H: Something wrong?

P: No, just meet me in five.

Phoebe started walking to the destination of her delivery. Once she reached it, she saw her best friend was already waiting for her.

"Hello, Helga." Phoebe said.

"Hey Pheebs. What's with the cryptic message?" Helga asked, a confused look on her face.

"Arnold left last night." Phoebe said a sad look on her face. "We don't know where he went, we also don't know when we will see him again."

"So what. The football head is gone. After what he said to me last night, good riddance." Helga said, attitude in her voice.

Instead of giving her friend another lecture on how she should have said or done something after the accident and not while she was intoxicated. Phoebe just handed her the box. "He left me instructions to give this to you."

Helga opened the box. There were three items, a folded piece of paper, a red shoe, and a pink book. Helga gasped. "Phoebe, what is this?"

"I believe that is one of your poetry books, your missing shoe from Valentine's Day, and if he is following the same protocol as he did with Gerald and I. That white paper is a personal letter to you.

"The same protocol?" She asked. "What did he give you and Geraldo?"

"A two week all inclusive vacation in Japan." Phoebe said happily. "We are planning it tonight."

"Wow, fancy." She said. Helga knew his letter wouldn't contain anything like that. Phoebe and Gerald were the only people that tried to be friends with Arnold after the incident with Rhonda. He sent a wave of shame through the school so powerful, the students started to question their own friendships. They all knew deep down that an apology for Arnold's situation, wouldn't mean anything. Rhonda made a spectacle of his situation. So they said nothing. Even though her heart broke when she heard the truth, she didn't make a move. Thoughts of how she treated Phoebe were going through her mind. Which proved the point of Arnold's whole performance. The biggest snakes are usually those closest to you.

Helga opened the letter. Two sentences that brought tears to her eyes.

Helga,

I believed your confession. These belong to you.

Arnold.

Two years later…

It had been two years since Gerald has heard from Arnold. He would check in with Susie to see if she heard anything. Her response would always be "he's ok." That was her way of saying that she had recently talked to her "son" as she always called him. Gerald has just gotten home from college. Since Phoebe still had 2 weeks left until her break. Gerald decided to take a road trip from North Carolina to Washington. He took his time on the road enjoying the scenery. Even though he hadn't spoken to his friend in two years, Arnold has inspired Gerald to travel.

The trip to Japan was magical for Phoebe and Gerald. They hardly spent time inside, everyday was an adventure. With assistance from her father, Phoebe was able to meet some of her extended family. Gerald had to admit, he thought his race might be an issue. It wasn't. By making sure he learned the proper customs and courtesies, he was accepted by her family. It also didn't hurt that he took advanced Japanese throughout high school.

Gerald walked in the front door with his bags. It was 11 am. That meant that his parents were at work and Timberly was at school. Gerald decided to take a shower and wash the road off. He sat his bags down in his room and went directly to the bathroom.

Finishing his shower he walked into his bedroom, put on some "lazy day clothing" and started sorting through his dirty laundry. Everything stunk to high heaven. So he took it downstairs and put it in the washer as one load. Entering his room again, he noticed a large envelope on his desk. It had his name and address on it, but there was no return address. Gerald knew the handwriting. It was Arnold's. He checked the date of the postage. It had come a few weeks ago. He opened the envelope and poured the contents on his desk. Four pictures and a letter feel out. Gerald decided to look at the pictures first. Each picture had a number on it. Gerald put the pictures in order, then studied each one.

The first picture was of Arnold in the jungle with a group of people. It looked like he was with a tribe of natives in the jungle. Gerald turned over the picture. There was writing on the back. "Me and the Green Eyed people."

The next picture was of Arnold, Susie, and Derrick, Arnold's lawyer. Gerald knew Susie and Derrick had a thing for each other. He didn't know it was that serious. What really got his attention was the way Arnold was dressed. Arnold was dressed in full uniform. He even had a few medals on his chest. Gerald turned the picture over to read the description. "Basic Training Graduation, Fort Knox." "My boy is a soldier." Gerald thought to himself.

The third picture was of Arnold in his camouflage uniform. He had camouflage paint on his face. He looked like he hadn't slept in days. Arnold's head was shaved. He had a smile on his face and was giving a thumbs up to the photographer. The description read "My first night jump." "So in all that gear, there was a parachute?" Gerald thought.

The fourth picture was of Arnold with 5 other men. They were dressed in black uniforms, also with camouflage paint on their face. Every man had a weapon in their hands. They weren't posing, but you could tell it was a group photo. He noticed that Arnold was holding and extremely long gun with a scope on it. The other men had either semi or automatic weapons in their hands, with all types of modifications on them. The description said "2nd Squad "Regulators."

Gerald picked up the letter, and opened it. He laughed at the shortness of the letter. It read:

Gerald/Phoebe,

I am ok.

Arnold

A/N: Alright ladies and gentlemen. That is the end. I hope all of your questions were answered. I hope you will enjoy the sequel to this story. First chapter should be up soon. Please read and review.