I'm back! :D This is another "long" chapter, compared to my earlier ones. So we left off with Arnold escorting Helga out of the classroom after he just revealed that he loved her! :O How's Helga going to react? Read on to find out! Thank you to everyone that continues to post such sweet reviews! I really appreciate the support :) I hope everyone enjoys!

Again, I do not own Hey Arnold or the characters! Just the plot :)

Helga and Arnold made their way out of the classroom, Helga holding onto her stomach partly for acting purposes, and partly because she really felt like she was going to vomit. Her nerves were absolutely wired and she was still seeing black dots around her vision.

Oh please don't let me pass out. Now of all times! Helga prayed to whatever or whoever would be listening.

As soon as they were both out of hearing range of Mr. Simmons classroom, Helga leaned against a wall to calm her racing heart. She put her hands on her knees and hung her head trying to steady her breathing. She had always dreamt of Arnold telling her that he loved her, and she always imagined it to be romantic and perfect! She would jump in his arms and kiss him and hold him while she whispered sweet nothings in his ear.

Instead, she was borderline dry heaving in her school hallway, Arnold staring at her, clearly worried.

"Um, Helga are you ok?" His voice was small and meek, like a child asking his mom if he could have a cookie before dinner. Helga brought her head up, hands still on her knees, back against the wall.

"Honestly Football head, I don't know. Don't get me wrong, I've waited years for this moment. Now that it's happened though, I don't know if I want to faint, cry, scream, or all of the above." Helga sounded like she just finished running a marathon. Even though Arnold was still slightly worried, he couldn't help but admire her reaction.

"I wouldn't suggest any of those while standing in a school hallway." Arnold half-joked. He heard Helga let out a humorless chuckle, and he was relieved that he was able to joke with her at a time like this.

"I'm uh, I'm sorry that I...expressed that in such a public place. I'm sure you were picturing it going a bit differently." Arnold rubbed the back of his neck nervously. I'm sure Helga wanted that moment to be romantic and special, and he felt kinda bad that it didn't turn out that way. Helga straightened herself up, but the brick wall was still supporting her body.

"Ya think, Arnaldo?" Helga couldn't bring herself to jump and squeal like a little girl. She still wasn't sure if what happened was actually real. Arnold took a step closer to her.

"I really am sorry. How about we discuss it over dinner tonight?" Arnold shrugged, trying to play it off like it was no big deal. In all reality though, it was a big deal. He just realized that he actually loved Helga. It felt like he was in a dream though, like what was happening wasn't really happening. He was happy that he was done untangling his feelings for her, but now came another mountain to climb: convincing Helga that his feelings were true. Arnold had learned to observe Helga a lot more since San Lorenzo. In that time, he learned that Helga wouldn't believe much of anything without hardcore proof. A poem and confession innuendos weren't enough to prove to her that his feelings were legit.

Then again, proving it to her with a romantic dinner wasn't really a problem.

Helga felt a small genuine smile form on her face. Was Arnold actually asking her out? Surely she was dreaming.

"Whatever floats your boat, Football head." she replied, crossing her arms. Arnold gave her the half-lidded smile that always made her knees weak.

Criminey WHY does he have to do that?!

Arnold looped his arm through her folded arm as he guided her down the hallway.

"Where are you taking me?" Helga asked, baffled. Arnold shrugged innocently.

"You're not feeling good, remember Helga? And unfortunately, I don't have the equipment to play Nurse right now." Helga about tripped over her own feet once Arnold sent her a sly wink. She let out a nervous high pitched laugh.

"Ehehehe, funny." She mumbled.

They made their way to the nurse, who was putting a band-aid on the knee of a 3rd grader.

"Hello! I'll be with you in just a moment!" the nurse called out as she was filling out a note. Arnold and Helga took a seat over by the window while they waited. The 3rd grader left with a yellow sticky note in hand, and a Spiderman band-aid on his knee. The redheaded nurse approached Arnold and Helga with a kind smile on her face.

"Alright, so who's my patient?" Arnold pointed to Helga right when she raised her hand. The nurse immediately put the back of her hand to Helga's forehead.

"Hmm. You don't feel warm. What're your symptoms?" Helga looked at Arnold and he just stared at her expectingly.

"I um, I'm feeling kind of sick," Helga said to the ground. The nurse let out another 'hmm'.

"Alright, follow me and we'll get you looked at. Would you like to stay here or head on back to class?" she said as she turned her attention to Arnold.

"I'll stay here and make sure she's alright if that's ok." Arnold folded his hands patiently. The nurse gave him a knowing smile.

"That's perfectly fine. I'll bring her back in just a moment."

Once the nurse lead Helga to her small office, Arnold stood up and looked around the room out of boredom. He saw a framed picture of the nurse holding a diploma of some sort. According to the picture, her name was Grace Elliot. Arnold continued to meander through the "waiting room" of sorts, looking at the posters on the wall. One had a cartoon bandaid on it with eyes and a smile that was saying "Safety first, so you won't need me!" Arnold rolled his eyes as he made his way back to his chair. Even though he was still a child, he sometimes found things too juvenile. Within ten minutes, Helga emerged with Nurse Elliot.

"I took her temperature and it was perfect, but she insists that she's not feeling well so I'm going to go ahead and send her home, just in case. I tried calling her parents but no one answered." Helga looked somewhat embarrassed that no one answered the phone, and Arnold recognized it.

"I could walk her home. I just need a note to get out of class for our teacher." The nurse went back to her office and wrote something on a yellow sticky note.

"Hand this to your teacher before you two leave. It excuses both of your absences." Arnold grabbed it and put it in his pocket.

"Thank you, Nurse Elliot." Arnold put an arm around Helga's waist and even though it was barely touching her, he still felt tingles through his shirt.

"Oh, it's Nurse Browning." she replied sweetly, holding up her hand, revealing a shiny diamond ring. She gave them a kind smile as she walked them out to the hallway.

"Oh, it's Nurse Brooowwninggg." Helga mocked as they walked side by side. Arnold couldn't help but laugh.

"So she didn't find anything wrong with you?" Arnold asked as they slowly made their way back to their classroom. Helga shrugged.

"Well doi, Arnaldo." Arnold put his arm down from her waist as soon as they left the nurses room, but he kind of missed it. He didn't feel brave enough to put his arm back, so he sufficed for grabbing her hand. She looked down at their conjoined hands and then back at him. He gave her a sweet smile that Helga couldn't help but return.

"So uh, you don't really have to walk me home. Obviously, I'm healthy as a horse. I think I can handle it." Arnold nodded and squeezed her hand just hard enough for her to notice.

"I never doubt that you can handle anything, Helga." With that, Helga didn't really know what to say. So they continued their walk in comfortable silence.

After Arnold went in and delivered the note, Helga and he walked hand in hand all the way to her place. Both of them couldn't help but think back to when Helga lost her memory and Arnold had to hold her hand to help guide her safely.

"What is this clear wall blocking us from outside?"

"It's a door. I'll get it for you."

Arnold couldn't help but think back to that happening. He felt so guilty that he made Helga lose her memory. He was, admittingly, upset that he felt it was his responsibility to look after her until she regained her memories. One would think that he would've enjoyed Helga's company more so because she stopped picking on him. Secretly though, he had missed the old Helga. He missed her spunk and her attitude. Maybe not the spitballs, but her fire is what made her who she was.

Once they approached her front steps, they stopped and glanced at each other.

"Helga, I don't want you to feel pressured to come over for dinner tonight. I know that what happened today...was a lot to process." Arnold dropped her hand so he could put both of his hands behind his back.

"Yeah, well it's not every day that I hear you tell me you l.." Helga tried to get the last word to come out, but it was like her tongue couldn't form the word.

"That I love you?" Arnold leaned forward slightly. His stomach turned into knots suddenly. It was the first time he straightforward said it. Somehow, it was easier to admit his feelings through poetry. Now that he had said it out loud and blatantly direct, the reality of it really sunk it.

He loved Helga. He really loved her.

It was such a foreign feeling for him, but it was oddly comforting. He had never had feelings for a girl and have them return the feelings. True, he never loved Lila or Ruth, but it was still painful to know that his feelings weren't reciprocated. He had always wondered why his romantic ventures came up fruitless. Turned out that someone was head over heels in love with him for years and he never knew.

In his defense though, it was kinda hard to notice, what with all of the spitballs and name calling.

Helga opened and closed her mouth repeatedly, not really knowing what to say. Again, she had imagined this moment her whole life. Now that it was happening, she was so frazzled that she had to work hard to make her lungs work.

"Um...yeah." Helga looked to the ground, kicking at imaginary dust. She loathed that she didn't have enough courage to at least reply with an 'I love you, too'. Arnold had a feeling that she wasn't feeling uncomfortable, but she was actually being shy.

Well, today's a day for all kind's of new feelings. Arnold thought wistfully. 'Shy' is the last adjective he would put with Helga G. Pataki.

"Point taken. If it bothers you, I don't have to say it-"

"No!" Helga interrupted, holding a hand up. She collected herself, clearing her throat and putting on a light scowl.

"I, I mean, it doesn't matter to me, Football head." Arnold couldn't help but chuckle at Helga's 'recovery'. He knew he had a long road ahead, getting Helga to open up to him completely. He knew it'd be worth it though. He had seen the heart behind Helga's angry facade, and he would try anything to get that part of her to come out more. Not just for him, but for herself as well. He knew that she would lead a happier life if she would just put down her walls a bit at a time.

"Whatever you say, Helga." he leaned forward and gave her a kiss right at the corner of her mouth. As much as he wanted to kiss her for real, he wanted their next kiss to be absolutely perfect. His first "I love you" to Helga wasn't perfect, or romantic even, but he was determined that their next kiss would be. It would be everything that Helga dreamt of because he wanted nothing more than for her to be happy and content. His happiness mattered too, of course, and him being comfortable was a priority as well. He knew though that a simple romantic dinner would be fine for him, and he knew that it would be more than enough for Helga.

Helga had a dreamy smile on her face, her hand flying to her face. The spot where Arnold kissed her was tingly and slightly burning, but it was one of the best feelings ever.

Say something, you nutcase!

Helga didn't really know what to say, and she wasn't brave enough to kiss him back, so she pulled him in for a quick hug. Even though it felt kind of awkward, both kids enjoyed the contact.

"So...dinner?" Helga pulled away but kept her hands on his shoulders. Her voice was a bit higher in tone and a bit lighter. Arnold put on a grin that showed his teeth, relieved that Helga accepted his dinner offer.

"Absolutely! Um, I could pick you up at around 7 tonight?" Arnold cocked his head as Helga put her arms down.

"Sounds good to me! Don't be late!" Helga wagged a fist in his face gently, and Arnold rolled his eyes. Some habits die hard.

"Don't worry, Helga. I won't be late. You have my word." He walked past her as she made her way towards her front door. As soon as Helga made her way inside her apartment, Arnold turned around and started walking down the street in the opposite direction.

"But first, I need to make a quick stop." Arnold said to himself as he made his way to the hospital. He needed information and he needed it now.

Arnold was so wrapped up in planning out tonight's dinner in his head, that before he knew it he was standing in front of the hospital sliding doors. He walked inside and walked up to the receptionist. She had bright blonde hair, lighter than Helgas, and was wearing Barbie pink lipstick. She glanced up from her papers and noticed a kid with an oddly shaped head in front of her.

"May I help you?" the woman asked, folding her fingers underneath her jaw.

"Um, a classmate of mine was admitted this morning with a concussion. Her name is Elena Vasquez." The nurse turned and began furiously typing away at her computer.

"Yes, I see her in our system. I'm guessing you're here to visit her?" Arnold nodded.

"Wait. Is your name Arnold, by chance?" He looked puzzled and gently nodded.

"Um yeah. How'd you know?"

"When she got here, she said that you would probably stop by and to let you back there. She told us you were family so you can go ahead and go see her." Arnold felt even more confused. Family? Arnold not only wasn't family to Elena, but he had just met her. Why would she tell them that he was family? Instead of correcting the woman, he went along with it.

"Oh, Ok."

"She's in room B14. Go down the hallway, take a right and she'll be the second door down on the left side." She pushed a button which made the door let out a loud buzz sound. Arnold gave her a 'thank you' and wasted no time in getting to Elena's room. He followed the woman's directions precisely and found the room with no trouble. The door was open, but the curtains were drawn.

"Um, Elena? Are you awake? It's Arnold." He heard movement and then a voice.

"Yeah, come on in." Arnold pulled the curtains back and saw Elena, who was laying in a snow white hospital bed, wearing a blue and grey checkered gown. Her hair was up in a messy bun on top of her head. Her bottom lip had swelled up a bit more from the split that Arnold noticed at school. Her eye was a darker blue, but she looked a bit cleaner and more 'put together'. Arnold sat in the uncomfortable chair that was beside her bed.

"How're you feeling?" he asked after an awkward silence. Elena shrugged, examining her bed sheets in front of her, playing with a loose thread.

"Ok. Well, considering..." Arnold frowned a bit deeper at Elena's melancholy tone.

"Um, the receptionist up front said that you were expecting me?" Elena nodded.

"Yeah, I figured that me being in the hospital wouldn't stop you from wanting answers." Arnold's guilt multiplied tenfold. He honestly didn't even think about if Elena wanted to be left alone right now. He was so focused on needing answers, he didn't give it a second thought on seeing her.

"I, I'm so sorry. If you want me to leave-"

"No! That's not necessary. I mean, you're already here." Elena's tone went from panic to calm in just a matter of a sentence. Arnold took a deep breath and nodded.

"So. What do you want to know?" Elena folded her hands together and put them in her lap. Arnold scooted his chair closer to her bed.

"Well, when I got here, the receptionist said that you told them that I was family..." Elena nodded.

"Yeah, I knew that they would only allow relatives to see me right now, so I said that you were family. I hope that was ok?" Arnold held up his hands. Even though Arnold and Elena couldn't look any more different if they tried, he was surprised that the nurses bought her ludicrous claim.

"Oh yeah! Sure, I didn't think of that." Elena gave a small giggle.

"You're fine, Arnold." He let out a chuckle, leaning forward, putting his elbows on his knees.

"Ok, well, I think you know what my next question is." Elena's face fell at that. She knew why he came, but for some reason, she was hoping that he wouldn't bring it up. She was kind of hoping he was just there to see her and check on her. Which he did ask how she was doing before he started firing off questions, but it still kinda bummed her. She knew that his main purpose of visiting was to get answers. Of course, she couldn't blame him for being worried about his loved ones. When she found out Arnold was in danger she got on a plane and flew straight to Hillwood with no second thought about it.

"Yeah." Elena really didn't want to put her or Arnold in any more danger by talking about this. Arnold patiently waited for her to explain. Right when he didn't think she was going to say anything, she looked up at him with dark wet eyes.

"I shouldn't have told you anything. I should've tried to protect you from a distance like I originally planned. But once I saw you, I knew right away that you had a right to know what was happening." Arnold not only wasn't satisfied with this answer, but it gave him even more questions.

"It's not your place to protect me from anything. Did you get hurt because you talked to me?" Elena turned her head away, but still slightly nodded.

"Elena, you need to tell the police who did this to you." Elena whipped her head back and shook her head in a panic.

"Absolutely not. He jumped me for talking to you. If I talked to the police-" Arnold waved his hand to stop her.

"Wait, wait, wait. 'He'? Who is 'he'?" Elena's eyes widened, kicking herself for the informational slip.

"Arnold-"

"Elena, this guy is obviously dangerous. He needs to pay for what he did to you." He said a bit more sternly. He couldn't help but let some anger seep into his tone. For some reason, he wasn't thinking about the fact that this guy was threatening him and his family. All he could think about was the fact that this guy physically hurt Elena, and now all he wanted was to see him in handcuffs.

"Arnold, you don't understand."

"No I don't so why don't you enlighten me?"

"I can't!" Elena's heart monitor started to beep, detecting her rising pulse. A doctor came in, drawing the curtains quickly.

"Is everything ok?" He went to Elena, almost shoving Arnold out of the way.

"Yeah, I'm fine Doctor Graham. He was just leaving." Elena mumbled. The doctor looked at Arnold.

"Alright, let's let her get some rest." Arnold took another glance towards Elena as he was ushered out. She mouthed 'I'm sorry' as the doctor pulled the curtains closed.

Arnold dragged his feet leaving the hospital. He was so irritated and depressed that Elena wouldn't give him practically any information. Why did she feel responsible for protecting Arnold? It also added suspicion that she arrived and suddenly she was warning him of imminent danger. Where did she come from? He lived in Hillwood his entire life and he had never seen her before.

Maybe I need to investigate her first.

Arnold thought of Gerald, thinking back to when they looked into their towns butcher and the 'hit' that had been called on him. True, it didn't end up to be a hit, but rather a surprise birthday party, but he and Gerald still worked well together. Maybe Gerald would be willing to help look into Elena's past.

Right now though, he had a romantic dinner to prepare.

Elena laid in her hospital bed, wiping away at her tears that had escaped once Arnold left. She wanted to tell Arnold everything, but after the beating she got, she knew she couldn't risk him knowing anything more than he already knew. She heard the curtains being drawn and looked up.

"How're you doing, Conejito?" Eduardo asked as he returned with a cup of water for Elena and a Coca-Cola for himself.

"You just missed Arnold." she stated as she began to sip at her water. Eduardo nodded and looked at the can he was holding.

"Maybe that's a good thing." Elena looked up at Eduardo's comment.

"Maybe." Elena sniffled, which resulted in Eduardo giving her the best hug he could give her since she was wired up in a hospital bed.

"Everything will work out. I promise. You'll see." Eduardo wiped away a single tear with his calloused thumb. Elena gave him a small smile, feeling somewhat encouraged by his words.

Alright and there you have it! :D Did you really think I wouldn't bring up Eduardo again? Well, I did! *snaps in a Z formation* ;D I really hope you guys enjoyed this chapter! I'm trying my best to keep everyone in character so I hope I'm succeeding! Leave a review and let me know what you think so far! Do you have any predictions? Anything you hope to see in this story? Let me know! Until next time, my fellow Football heads! xx