Tuesday, Arnold stepped out of the coffee shop with Gerald at his side. Walking across the street to the park, Arnold smiled when Helga showed up on time with her friend in tow. Kissing her in greeting, Arnold still remembered that night in her apartment building.

"Hello, Helga." Kissing her for good measure, he then turned his attention to the group. "Helga and Phoebe, I would like you to meet my best friend in the world, Gerald. Gerald this is, Helga and Phoebe."

"How's it going ladies?" Gerald greeted them back with a friendly wave. His eyes were practically glued to, Phoebe who he noticed was wearing a plaid blue skirt with a blue sweater.

Helga took a brief glimpse of Phoebe blushing away. "Hey Gerald. Nice to finally speak to you."

"Nice to speak to you too. Sorry that Sid said those things to you." Gerald cringed at when he finally heard what was the last thing, Sid said to her. "He always forgets his head when he's around women."

Helga shrugged. "Well seeing as he is your friend and I have a feeling I'll see him again, I hope he improves."

Phoebe remained quiet as she continued to look at, Gerald. Even in the light he was even more handsome. "Greetings to you, Arnold and Gerald. Helga says so many pleasant things about you, Arnold. Thank you for making my friend happy."

"She's always very cordial until you cross her." Helga pointed out. "I've known her since we were three."

"Same here! I think it's cool that I met my main man in pre-school. What do you say to that, Arnold?" Gerald wanted to go off and talk to Phoebe one on one. He wanted to get to know someone who seemed vastly different.

Arnold could see how his friend was glued to the petite girl. "Why don't you both talk together alone we'll be right over here."

"Helga?" Phoebe looked up at her friend in question.

"Criminy Pheebs. Talk to the man." While she sounded rude, Helga really wasn't being so with her friend.

"Talking." Phoebe repeated before she walked with, Gerald to a bench a little further down the path.

Going to the bench nearest to them, Helga sat down. "I want her to finally get some good luck."

Taking a quick examination of their friends, Arnold kissed her cheek. "Gerald is someone I trust and love like a brother. You have nothing to worry about."

Inching closer to him, Helga forgot her drink for the moment as she leaned in to kiss him. "I have the zoo on Sunday so is there anything you would like to do on Friday or Saturday? Olga offered to babysit."

"Can't get enough of me?"

"You better believe it bucko." Kissing him, she had to remember they were in a public setting.

X

Gerald had never been with someone that was shy. Well he knew that Lila could be shy, but it felt annoying to him at times. With Phoebe it was actually endearing. Catching a light scent of lavender on her he felt an instant calm knowing that even if she didn't wear anything she would have such a calming presence.

"Do you also go to Hillwood University?" Gerald inquired.

"Yes. I'm studying to become a doctor. I want to be a Neurologist. What about you?" Phoebe caught the scent of his cologne just to feel turned on. She had never reacted before to scents like this with a male, but he seemed to be an exception.

"I got in under an athletic scholarship, but it isn't what I want to do for a living. I mean I could do it, but I'm finding myself bored playing basketball in this setting. If I wish to play it I want to play for fun. What I want to be is a news reporter. I want to research and be out there in the action. I know I most likely will end up doing fluff stories, but that should be fine in todays settings. I once wanted to be a lawyer, but I grew instantly ashamed of that life." He told her. As he ended it with the last part he hoped she wasn't turned off by him. The way her eyes went up to his, Gerald just never wanted to put her off.

Phoebe appreciated the honesty. "There are some very noble reporters out there. Some for expressing their opinions. Some feeling hate for being controlled by the government. How do you feel about that?"

Gerald crinkled his nose. "Not fond of it. I know it happens. We had a trip to a local news channel and as I wandered off to the restroom I overheard the station manager give hell to the reporter." He paused as he briefly looked over to his friend kissing, Helga. "Basically a politician didn't want him to ever report that but to report what he was required to, that reporter said no. Sure he was fired, but at least he stood up to what he believed in."

"That's great to hear. Not him being fired, but at least standing up for yourself. I always admire people who stand up for their beliefs." Phoebe found herself blushing at the intimate eye contact they shared.

Gerald wanted to kiss her. Instantly kiss her. "Is it any problem to get your number? I have to be honest here that I want to get to know you much better. You aren't like any other girl I've met."

Asking for his phone, Phoebe programmed her number in it. "I would like that."

X

"Their exchanging numbers." Arnold whispered.

"Phoebe's face is really red right now. She really likes him." Giving him a chaste kiss, Helga wanted more from him right now.

Hearing his watch beep had him groaning with the unfairness of a tiny break. "I have to go but I don't want to."

"Will I see you at the library?"

Meeting her gaze, Arnold kissed her a little more passionately. He wanted it to last as long as possible. "I will be there unless there is an emergency at the boarding house."

"Well I hope not because I love seeing you at that table."

"You love messaging me." Feeling her hand move up his shirt, Arnold lost his breathe. "Oh I hate leaving you."

"Same here but we need to make a living." Kissing him again she was aware of, Phoebe and Gerald coming up towards them as Phoebe giggled away. Yeah her friend was smitten.

Gerald appeared very happy now. "Helga it was really nice to meet you. I have to head to class now so do you ladies need a ride?"

Helga declined due to having a vehicle of her own. Phoebe told him no simply because she rode in with, Helga. "It was cool to meet you too." Helga told him before turning to kiss Arnold. "I hope to see you later."

"Hope to see you later too." Glancing at his watch, Arnold will be late going back. "It was nice meeting you, Phoebe."

"Pleasure to meet your acquaintance too, Arnold. I hope to see you soon." Phoebe said back to him.

After the round of good byes, Helga and Phoebe headed to the car. "So what do you think, Pheebs?"

"Oh I have a most excellent feeling about him. As for Arnold, he appears to be a gentleman."

Helga's hidden smile painted another image entirely as she remembered their laundry room session together.

It was nine and Arnold didn't come in to study. Looking down to her phone she read the text from him saying he had an emergency at the boarding house. When she asked if it was, Oskar, his answer was in the affirmative. Saddened at that, Helga already bidded Natalie a good night as she roamed around the library to straighten anything up. John didn't come to work today while, Ruby already left. Pausing around the last of the section she needed to oversee, Helga went downstairs to grab her stuff to leave.

Stepping outside, Helga turned to lock the door and set the alarm. Turning around she scanned her surroundings as she readied her pepper spray. She always hated how their parking lot felt way too far. She knew Natalie was safe since she at least had company. Reaching for her keys to position it for two reasons, Helga continued to walk till she reached the edge of the employees parking lot. Hearing a rustling in the trees not too far from her had her striding faster till she heard a voice.

"Hey pretty librarian."

That had her rushing to her car as she felt their presence licking at her heels. She heard them taunting her as she got to her car instantly putting the key into the door till she felt herself slammed against her vehicle. "Let me go." She demanded.

A hand brushed up her hip making her eyes go wide while she struggled. She could see in her peripherals that there was a couple on either side. The same ones, Arnold warned her about. Feeling the one holding her primarily down, his crotch pressed against her prompting her to squeal.

"Oh I think this one will be a very loud one." The dirty blonde one said as he laughed.

Helga let out a loud scream before her captor slammed his smelly hand against her mouth. "Now, now, behave. It is time that someone gets dibs on you." Moving her towards her hood, all she could hear his his heavy breathing. "This will all be over with. We promise."

His laughter was that of a hyena with his pack following suit. Helga continued to struggle as she was bent over the hood. She refused to go down like this as her fighting back increased. They slammed her wrist down hard on her hood to stop her. They pulled her away just to slam her harder against her vehicle, and still she refused to back down. A loud thud sounded near her as she tried to see what happened.

"Hey!" The dirty blonde ran past the front of her only for her to hear another loud sound.

"Let her go." Helga recognized his voice even in his harsh demanding voice almost reminding her of Christian Bale playing Batman. She wiggled, but her main assailant wasn't budging.

The ring leader shook his head. "I don't think so dude. I suggest you walk away and let us have our fun."

Arnold studied the situation even as he kept his phone on to 911. He hoped the operator can hear this happening. To see Helga in this predicament angered him. He arrived too late to escort her to her car since, John was out on a date with Eugene. He was fuming, but he needed to maintain a clear head even as he saw how lifted up her skirt was right now. "Does this make you a big man in doing this? You are weak. You are a coward."

"Goes to show what you don't know."

Her wrists were burning from the pressure he was causing them from his own hands. She felt something from the bastard that she never wanted to feel. Helga knew how to fight and was ashamed to be in this position that it angered her. "Arnold." Her voice was so weak.

Hearing her voice, Arnold wanted to hold her right now. The guy didn't have any weapons so he could easily get him. "I called the cops on you. Do you really want to do this?"

"Dumb question." The males voice was harsh as he gripped her wrists harder. "Just walk away."

Spotting pepper spray on the ground, Arnold had to do something since they were taking their time coming so very quickly he rushed him bringing the guy onto the ground, and Helga unfortunately landing on the ground. From there he began to use his training from his Grandma to give him a side kick to his abdomen placing him instantly down. Hearing the sirens, Arnold ignored the creep as he rushed over to Helga.

Wrapping her arms around Arnold's neck, she let her wrists stay up in the air as she looked over to the guy closed to doing something she never wanted to experience. "Thank you." She whispered out.

"I really am sorry I didn't get here in time." Watching the cops approach them, Arnold told him the guy was right over there on the ground. "How's your wrists?"

"They feel broken." She responded as she spotted a cop come towards them.

"Miss? Are you alright?" The cop could see the bruising already appearing on her wrists.

It was so hard to respond as she shook her head to begin crying against Arnold. Feeling his arms securing her against him, at least she felt some comfort there.

X

In the waiting room, Arnold answered all the questions from the officers before they departed. Seeing a nurse come out asking for him, he rushed over there to be escorted immediately to the back to find Helga just laying there in an emergency room bed.

"I called Olga to let, Hailie stay with her. I told her I was injured so I don't feel comfortable having my daughter see me like this." Helga felt ashamed so she had such a hard time looking at even, Arnold.

Seeing her wrists all bruised up in that jerks handprints brought him closer to her to kiss one wrist followed by the other. "Will you be staying inside your apartment or will you be at Phoebe's?"

She felt the shame wash over her in spite of knowing that both, Olga and Phoebe loved her. Felt shame that of all the years of defending herself she was hurt this physically. "No. I can't. I just can't."

Wondering what was going on in her head, he placed his hand on the side of her face. "Please don't be ashamed about what happened out there. Please don't. You had three guys come to attack you."

"Arnold I have been able to defend for myself for such a long time and these three douches came along and look at me." Helga felt the throbbing her wrists. "They gave me pills to help with the pain."

"Are they broken?" Helga shook her head at that. "Just bruised up?" She nodded. "Helga, do you want to spend the night at the boarding house?" She shook her head.

Helga had a feeling if she heard that, Oskar's voice she would flip right now. "Could you spend the night at my place?"

Nodding his head, Arnold kissed her on the forehead. "Sure." Hearing the curtain open up a male came in holding two braces in his hand as he approached her bedside. "Hello."

"Hello young man. Are you her boyfriend?" The man asked as he opened up the plastic that was holding the braces inside. Bringing out the first one he readied it to place on her left wrist as he lifted it up gently.

"We're dating."

His eyes examined his own as he gave an understanding smile. "Now, Ms Pataki at least you are able to take a shower without a horrible cast in the way."

"Yeah that's nice. Is there any special way of sleeping with both these suckers on me?" Helga wondered as she felt him secure it on her before she gave him her right wrist.

"Try not to lay on top of them. I understand that while most sleep things tend to happen, but in two weeks you won't feel this sprain that was caused to you." Finishing up his task, he lifted up a paper for her to sign. "You know I know it was very traumatic, and I'm sorry that females have to endure this. At least, in spite of the pain, you were spared from a deeper horror."

Appreciating his words, Helga thanked him before he left them both alone. "I guess I was."

Seeing her beautiful face so pained, Arnold kissed her cheek. "You are. I'm just so sorry I didn't come in time."

Helga couldn't have him go through that as she came forward to kiss him. "No, don't. I'm glad you came at all. He's right that it could of been worse. I could of been.." It was hard to finish that sentence. "Thank you."

After they handed her release papers, Arnold escorted her to his car to drive her home. Entering her apartment, Helga went immediately to her daughters room just missing her even if it was just a night. She wanted to see her munchkins face right now. Turning around she went to use her bathroom just to shower up. Studying herself in her mirror, Helga felt exposed.

A/N: I obviously was going through something when I typed the last part out. I hope you all enjoyed the cute second meeting of Gerald and Phoebe. I know it was brief and I'll try to do more later with them. Helga is a full time employee at the Library and you can call her an assistant to Ruby which is the woman in charge. This is why Helga has the ability to lock up or open up.