~So things are going to get a little heated, jumping ahead a few months again so Helga is farther along. This story is really turning into something eh? Hope you all have been enjoying it as much as I have. Don't forget to leave that review. Also a special shoutout to a Nep2unne for giving some great reviews. Thanks again Nep2uune for being a huge supporter. Enjoy!~

Chapter 9 - Stuck in Time

Helga walked around the farmers market, enjoying the sights of everyone with their fresh homegrown food. She already had a good amount of produce, but a little more walking would do her good. She rubbed her belly, which was now showing her 6th month of her pregnancy. She couldn't wait until the little guy was out, since he loved to kick Helga right in the bladder all the time.

She hunched over when the baby kicked her again, letting out a deep breath.

"Excuse me miss, are you alright?" An older couple asked as they were walking by. Helga smiled as she nodded, straightening up her body.

"Yes thank you, little guy loves to kick me in the bladder" Helga said as they all chuckled.

"Aww how sweet, how far along are you?" the elderly woman asked.

"I'm about 6 months, only a few to go" Helga said as she rubbed her stomach.

"Well congratulations sweetheart, you take care of that little one you hear. That is what kept us together all this time" The elderly man said with a smile as he kissed his wife.

"Can I ask you something? How long have you all been married?" Helga asked as she gave them a curious look.

"Next week will be 58 years, and I could not ask for a better life than with this doll" The old man said with a smile as he wrapped his arms around her waist, causing her to giggle as he kissed her cheek. It made Helga smile, almost bringing a tear to her eye.

"Sweetie, never forget the one important thing in a relationship. Always be honest and faithful with that one special person, and you will live in Everest wonder and happiness" the old lady said as Helga nodded. She hugged both of them as she gathered her things and waved goodbye.

Helga had finished her shopping at the market and was walking through the park, heading to her car in the park. She soon became winded, needing to sit down by the river and relax. She loved the way the day came out. It was a beautiful shade of blue, mixed with the perfect amount of white cloud. She closed her eyes and basked in the warmth.

"Hello Helga, funny seeing you here" Lila said as she took a seat next to Helga

"Hello Lila, are you sure you want to be talking to me right now? If Arnold finds out, its game over" Helga said as she sat up and looked over at Lila. Lila looked like her normal self, always thinking she was the best

"Well he wont know if you don't tell him. Don't you think he is controlling everything in your life. I mean we can't even talk before he wants to start a war within the city" Lila said as she got frustrated.

Helga only laughed at the comment. Lila could be special at any given moment.

"Lila, do you really think I would still be with him if he was like that. Come on now, quit throwing lies out there because all it is doing is making you look even worse. Now Please leave, I need to get up and get back home" Helga said as she started to get up. She felt a sharp pain on the back of her head, before everything started going dizzy. She fell to the ground on her side, curling into a ball to protect the baby.

She soon felt a fury of kicks land on her back and her arms as she tried everything to protect her unborn child.

"YOU...DO NOT...DESERVE HIM...YOU AND YOUR BASTARD CHILD. YOU ARE NOTHING BUT A WEAKLING AND A WHORE, AND WE ARE GOING TO MAKE YOU FEEL LIKE ONE" Lila screamed as she kicked the back of helga's head.

Helga was drifting in and out of consciousness. She could feel every blow, but they were becoming farther away. She felt a tear roll down her cheek. (Italics for thoughts).

Whoever is up there, if you are watching me, please, protect my baby over me. Arnold will take care of him. I know he will. Please protect him (End thought)

Helga came back to consciousness, the kicking had stopped, she heard them running away. Who she saw next surprised her. It was the old couple from earlier. The elderly man had a pistol drawn as he ran to scare them off. The elderly lady had knelt down with a few bystanders to protect Helga. Helga couldn't help but cry.

"It's ok dearest, the ambulance is on the way. Stay here with me" the elderly lady said with a soothing ton as she looked at Helga. Helga looked up and smiled as she took a jagged breath.

"Th...thank..you" Helga said with few breaths, before she finally passed out from the pain.

Arnold was sitting at his desk looking over some paperwork. The Marine Corps decided he was best needed near home and thanks to his years of dedication to the Marines, he had been given a desk job at the recruiting center. His phone rang when he finished with a client.

"Corporal Shortman, how may I help you?" Arnold said into the receiver. He listened to the doctor tell him about the incident. He nearly dropped the phone, but he needed more information.

"Which hospital...ok...got it...i'm on my way, let her know that. Thank you" Arnold said as he slammed the phone onto the receiver. His colleagues were sitting in the other room talking when he ran in. Arnold explained the situation to them, causing them all to grab their things. They were all rushing out the door and into the van so they could get Arnold to the hospital.

They arrived at the hospital with 15 minutes. Arnold ran out and into the emergency room calmed him down as he asked them about Helga.

"Calm down Marine...the doctors are helping her. When I know more, the doctor will come and get you. Please sit down and relax, before you find yourself in a bed here yourself" The nurse said. Arnold began to calm down as the other Marines walked in behind him. They all sat down together, not saying anything, just waiting for any news.

They waited for hours, the time on the clock ticking by every second. Arnold could only stare, hoping everything was going to be alright.

"Arnold Shortman" the doctor called his name from the door. Arnold immediately shot up and walked over to the doctor.

"How is she doc? Is she going to be ok" Arnold asked as he gave the doctor a worried look.

"She was beaten up pretty good, a lot of good marks on her from several feet. We already have pictures and everything for police" The Doctor said as Arnold breathed a sigh of relief, until his mind thought to something else.

"The baby, please tell me the bab-" Arnold was interrupted by the doctor holding up his hand.

"The baby is fine, thankfully Ms. Pataki was smart to roll into a ball and use her arms to take most of the damage. The baby is alive and has a steady heartbeat and is expected to be perfectly healthy" The doctor said. Arnold and his colleagues all breathed a sigh of relief as they patted Arnold on the back.

"Can I see her?" Arnold asked, praying it was a good answer.

"Yes you can, you all can. Follow me" the doctor said, motioning them all to follow. They all went through the double doors and towards the room. Arnold was shaking, worried hell about the love of his life. When they got to her room, she was sleeping softly. Bruises covered her body. He stopped, his legs not wanting to move. The other Marines patted him on the back.

"It's okay man, we'll pull security. We got your back" One of them said. Arnold nodded. He slowly walked into the room as his breathing got heavy. There was Helga, the person who he had fallen in love with. He took a breath to calm his nerves as he brushed her hair away from her face.

She weakly opened her eyes to see him standing there, right by her side.

"Hey you" Helga said weakly as she took Arnold's hand. He was choked to see she was even awake.

"Hey yourself, relax your ok. You are in the hospital, you got beaten pretty good" Arnold said as he kissed her head. Helga's hand felt down to her stomach, worrying of what might had happened.

"The baby is fine Helga. They already checked and he looks perfectly healthy" Arnold said as Helga let out a sigh of relief.

"Do you know who did this to you?" Arnold asked. Helga only nodded.

"It was her, Arnold. Her and her gang" Helga said as Arnold knew who she was talking about.

"Lila" Arnold said as his anger grew inside him. Helga could only nod. He knew what had to be done. The time was now.

"I'll be back soon honey, got to go take care of some business" Arnold said as he leaned down and softly kissed Helga. She nodded and smiled, knowing what was going to happen.

Arnold walked out of the room and gathered his friends as he filled them in. 2 guys stayed back and provided security for Helga's room, making sure no one if they were not a member of Hospital staff, would be going in there.

Arnold and the others rushed out of the ER and back to the van, knowing what needed to happen, and what was going to happen. No matter what.

~Well that went dark, really dark. but it gave that extra hype and twist that felt warranted. It was a little longer than expected, but these next few chapters are going to be like that. I think we are going to make this long term, but still deciding on that. Thank you all again for the reviews, and especially Nep2unne. You all rock. And to think I did not think this was going to last, but you have all change that. Thanks again and catch you on the next one~