On the second half of the story, what is in italics is Arnold thinking back right before he meets Helga in the hospital.


It was the night of the ball which acted more of a charity event. Never been to prom, Helga searched diligently for a dress that would be perfect for it while not trying to break her budget. At least she had Lanie with her at the time to give her honest opinion when she tried on dress after dress till finally picking one that she felt pretty in. It was a blue multi-tonal strapless dress that had a crisscross cut bodice on it. As sure as she was with the dress, she had doubts close to today wondering if it was too much or too little. She tried not to ask, Arnold way too many questions, but she did a few times till Lanie almost smacked her upside the head for being nervous over nothing.

When the doorbell rang, and she answered it, Arnold's up and down scan of her said it all. She picked correctly. Saying her good byes to her parents, Arnold escorted her to his car, and without another word when he slid into his side, they drove off in silence. Helga wondered when he will speak to her. She saw him looking at her each time they stopped.

Arnold was driving along trying not to be too distracted. She looked so beautiful to him. Most women at these things tried to go for the typical colors of, black, white, or red. She picked this innocent color. The blue didn't have the same intensity as her blue eyes, but the innocent subdued blue of it still made her eyes stand out. Even with it being strapless with the back of that dress which looked like wide straps in the back, she still appeared to look so innocent. In truth, he wanted to take a hotel room for the night so he could spoil her. Give her a romantic evening.

"You look really handsome, Arnold."

Even her compliment was innocent sounding. "Thank you." He knew his voice would give his emotions away. He wanted tonight to be the night he would confess how he really feels for her.

In spite of the gaze he gave her when he first saw her, Helga began to feel nervous thinking that he was re-thinking his feelings for her. "Are you alright?"

He must look like he isn't interested by the way she was asking that question. "I'm completely alright. I'm just keeping something at bay so I can concentrate on driving." Hearing her small 'Oh' he felt bad as he glanced over to see her looking down. Reaching over, Arnold placed his hand on hers relieved to spot the hotel ahead. "I can't wait to dance with you."

Helga smiled at that. It was small, but it was there. Eventually when they reached the hotel, and he helped her out, her heart leaped up at the feeling of his hand reaching around her waist to escort her in. Hearing his name called, Helga and Arnold spotted Curly with his date. Arnold told her that was the mother of this one girl he was interested in for some time. Giggling at the brief description of how they met, Helga flashed Curly a smile while they stepped into the lobby.

Walking through the doors to where they needed to be, Helga took it all in. There was a band, and tables set up. "I didn't think this happens."

"This is my third one. Both other times was nothing, this time it will be because of you." Kissing her cheek lightly he then led her away to their table.

"I never been to prom or to any dance before." Reaching their table, Arnold pulled out a chair for her.

Waiting for her to sit down, Arnold leaned in close to her ear. "I'm privileged to be the first then." Sitting beside her, he took her hand to place a kiss on it. "You look incredible tonight, Helga."

"Oh? Is this why you didn't say anything to me?" She teased.

"You were distracting me in the car. Do you really want me to be honest?" She nods. "I would dance naked per your request only." Hearing her laughing, Arnold won't tell her every bit of his thoughts in case it upset her.

"You didn't want to rent out a hotel room for the night then?"

The way her eyebrow quirked up at him made his face turn red. "Uh... Well, I uh."

Brushing her finger lightly over his cheek, Helga loved how cute he looked flustered. "I know you don't see me in that way only so for now I'll take that as a compliment."

Hearing his name mentioned, Arnold glanced up to see a friend sitting down next to, Helga. "Hi, Brian. How's it going?"

"It's good. How are you?" Answering him, Brian smiled at Helga waiting to be introduced.

"Brian, I would love to introduce you to, Helga Pataki. Helga, this is also an old friend of mines, Brian Bartlett. Also known as Brainy."

Turning to look at her neighbor, Helga shook his hand. "Nice to meet you. Why is your nickname, Brainy?"

Shrugging his shoulders, Brainy blushed uncharacteristically at her. "Uh... I don't know."

Taking in the details of his friends red face, Arnold grinned at the thought of another friend taken in by her. "Don't get his wizardry of turning a phrase make you think he doesn't have anything up there. This guy is an intellectual."

"Kinda figured, but it doesn't hurt to ask." Helga kept her attention on him. "So what do you practice?"

"I'm a Psychiatrist. Arnold told me that you are an accountant. How do you enjoy that career?" Brainy decided to keep looking into those blue eyes of hers.

Taking in one glance from Curly coming towards them with his date, Helga's eyes went back to Brainy's. "I like it just fine. I was telling Arnold last week that my boss wants me to work in the office full time as a manager."

"Oh then congratulations to you then."

"It's pretty amazing for someone so young too. I'm proud of her." Arnold chimed in happily. Seeing that his past girlfriends never wanted and didn't have any ambitions besides looking perfect, Arnold was proud to find someone with a brain in their head, a personality to boot, beautiful, and with a large heart.

As the evening progressed, Helga spent many moments on the dance floor with Arnold. She already danced one dance with Curly who couldn't stop bragging about his date. After meeting her, Helga loved how strictly laid back she was to the point that she knew that if Curly streaked in the room right now, she would toast him for his bravery. Eventually, Brainy was asking if he could have the next dance. Agreeing, Helga found herself feeling like a prey to the predator with how he was completely fixated on her.

Brainy knew about the scar and heard how much worse it was beforehand. Now it was almost completely subdued. He can see the make-up in that spot in particular trying to hide as much of it as possible. The girls eyes showed some unease, possibly by his scrutiny. He did spot love in her eyes when she looked at Arnold, so that was a good thing. He thought she was enigmatic and bright.

"I'm sorry if I put you at some unease. Most are not happy being in the presence of a shrink." Brainy enjoyed her polite smile placed on her face. "I just find it nice that he finally found someone he's happy with."

"I'm happy too."

He saw some darkness suddenly pass those eyes. "Something else is on your mind."

"No giving me your shrink speak, but I just thought about my past before he came into my life. That's all. I didn't trust him at first because I thought he was like everyone else, but I'm glad I'm wrong." Catching Arnold's gaze on her, Helga smiled happily towards him. "He really helped out my dad."

"And you can't help to fall in love with him." Brainy guessed it correctly knowing Arnold's feelings for her quite well after he gushed about the girl. "Don't worry since I know you both haven't confessed. Your secret is safe."

"Thank you."

Eventually, she was back to dancing with Arnold. Her feet were beginning to hurt to the point they were burning. Telling him about her feet, he made like a gentleman again to bring her back to their table. Helping her into her seat she soon leaned against him after he sat down. She was off in her own world almost not hearing the band being stopped as the host of the evening came in to announce the winners of the silent auction. It was something she didn't participate in. She felt some guilt there, but seeing what they were offering on the table had her saying to herself that it may be time to find stuff around the house to donate instead.

The host announced the winner of a yacht and several different trips, cars, and some more trips. Hearing about a trip to Paris, Helga smiled at Curly for winning that one as Arnold booed in good humor. A trip to Hawaii was awarded to Brainy, who only said that now he most likely will find someone to go with him on a free trip.

"Or you could find yourself an island babe to romance while on your stay there." Helga suggested.

"Very tempting." Brainy smiled almost lazily there.

"And the trip to Australia for two belongs to Dr Arnold Shortman. Congratulations to you and to all the winners here. I would like to thank you for all participating. You all have been wonderful. Now to the winners please come to gather your winnings." The host declared happily almost sounding like the mayor from The Nightmare Before Christmas movie.

Helga watched as Arnold stood up to gather his prize leaving her with so many thoughts in her head. Unsure of herself again she wanted to leave right then, but remained where she was even as Curly's date was chattering on about her love life to another woman. After a minute, she dragged herself up to slowly leave the room. Suddenly she felt undeserving. Suddenly she felt she would be ditched soon enough. When she reached outside, she found a bench to sit on off to the side.

"So Australia? I saw your name on the Paris trip too. Were you planning on asking someone to come along with you?" Curly wondered with his very sly smile. "I'm asking June myself."

Looking at his envelope, Arnold grinned happily. "You know I want Helga to come with me. She's the reason why I put those bids down. I want to explore with her." Looking over to their table he spotted Helga not there while the other guests were. "I wonder where she went?"

Curly scanned the room. "Probably to the restroom."

"Uh, I spotted her leaving the room. She seemed kinda down." Brainy replied. He remembered seeing the frown set on her face. Spotted how she was carrying herself.

Worried, he left his friends behind to locate her. He asked a few people where someone told him she went outside. Rushing outside, Arnold looked left before looking right to see her sitting on a bench with her head down. Striding over to her quickly, Arnold sat down surprising her. "What happened?"

"Enjoy your trip with whomever."

Confused, Arnold reached under her chin gently to turn her head to him. "I bided on Paris and Australia to bring you there with me. I wouldn't want to go with anyone else. Why would you think that?"

He's too good to her, and she was feeling horrible about herself all over again. "I'm not worth it." Getting up quickly she turned on her heel to walk away. Her feet will be screaming heavily tomorrow. Feeling his gentle hand on her arm, she stopped.

"I get that you would think that after all the abuse you have been put under, but you know that I'm not that person. I want the best for you because you deserve it. You are such a good person." Studying those soft shoulders of hers, Arnold placed a kiss on one. "We haven't known one another for very long and in that short time I love what I see and what I hear. I hate when I'm not around you. I hate having a separation. For once I feel whole. For once this feels so incredibly right." Kissing her other shoulder, he wrapped his arms around her waist. She was so stiff at first till he felt her melting against him. It was another victory. "I'm being completely honest with you, Helga. I'm glad that we are together."

"I'm sorry that it was my hang ups that had me thinking this way. I suddenly heard the taunting in my head the moment you won that auction. I know I'm getting better little by little, but there is such a long road. How can you be sure that you will stick around?" Running her hand against his own, Helga loved the texture of his skin. There was always something that made her feel at peace doing this.

Kissing her ear, Arnold whispered in her ear with so much earnest feelings that he felt like time stopped. "Because I'm deeply in love with you, Helga, that's why."

She felt like she couldn't breath hearing those words. It was strange to feel that way and also feel like she was on fire. Turning around to face him, Helga studied his face to see the openness of him looking right at her. Bringing her hands up to cup his face, Helga wondered how she looked to him just now. "I'm deeply in love with you." Though she knew her own truth, Helga sounded like she had a revelation just now.

A deep smile formed on his face as he placed his hands on her hips to bring her forward towards him more. "Then I hope my girlfriend will go on that trip with me."

Hopping into his arms, Helga laughed happily. "Yes I will. Oh Arnold, I'm so sorry I put you through that. I'm so sorry. I love you."

"I know you are and it's alright. I understand." Kissing her neck, Arnold wanted to leave this place. "Would you care to come to my place so I can give you a proper foot massage?"

She didn't want to go home anyhow. Pulling back she nodded with great enthusiasm. Seeing him flag down the valet, Arnold presented him with his ticket. "If your car magically shows up right now then I know I'm in some crazy romcom right now."

"No about that one since I left my magicians hat at home." Kissing her deeply, Arnold just wanted to freeze time right now. He finally confessed his feelings for her and they were returned.

"Sir? Your car is here." The Valet interrupted.

Smiling at seeing how much time passed from when he gave him his ticket, Arnold whispered to Helga. "Don't say it."

"Awe, but it's so much fun though." Pouting, she began to giggle as he showed her to the car to let her in. Sliding in the passenger seat, she practically squealed in delight. He loves her. Dancing her aching feet a little on the mat, she quickly cursed her stupidity. She'll just have to celebrate later.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

In his bedroom after he put some music on and had her sit on his couch, Arnold sat down on the other side of her instructing her to place her feet on his lap. He thought the cuteness of her innocence as a blush formed on her face brought him even closer to someplace he never thought really existed before till now. He wished that her insecurities would end entirely right now just to see how incredible she truly is. He saw a future with her. Saw a true life. If she couldn't have kids he wasn't bothered by it knowing that adoption will still be great to do. He didn't wish to scare her off by sharing this all over again. He'll wait till later down the road.

Her feet were happy with this treatment being done on them as she felt his hands melt their sadness away. Never having a single massage in her life, Helga issued out a little moan as she melted the rest of the way on the couch. It was one of those moments she didn't care how she looked since she was feeling something heavenly right now.

Arnold paused a little at listening to her moan out. Watching her expression, he had an image of what she would be like in bed. Clearing his throat some, Arnold went back to work.

Settle down now and sit with me

Let me tell you how this all came to be

A yellow flower with your pedals to the air

And flying on paper wings that brought you here

Summer rolls on in the lazy hours

An ether dream way

Of hummingbirds and clouds

Midnight swims in the cool back waves

And you in my arms as it rolls away

Helga heard the song playing and began to half hum and half moan. She was enjoying this sensation so much that she didn't seem to realize that she was moving her body with the song and in her excitement. She was happy and she didn't want this feeling to subside.

Shifting her feet away from his groin area in case of something more happening, Arnold began to sing along to the words of the song. It was part of a distraction and part now realizing that one of his favorite songs was playing on that night.

Little dandelion

Let your heart keep time

Now the clouds are gone

All of your tomorrows shine

Oh oh

All of your tomorrows shine

Oh oh

All of your tomorrows shine

Born of restless night the moon as a pearl

Playing games down inside your soft warm world

Hear my voice I know that you can

You're the fire in my eyes

The sun as a man

Seasons come along and seasons go

And what they'll leave behind

I don't pretend to know

I'm afraid that all I have missed

Will loom very large when the darkness lifts

He was in his office when the call came through regarding a new patient. He remembered just before it did come through he wondered if he will truly find someone to be with. Was he always going to be unlucky with the opposite sex? After performing surgery, before cleaning up to meet up with the family, he didn't expect to find his heart immediately drawn to Helga.

Little dandelion

Let your heart keep time

Now the clouds are gone

All of your tomorrows shine

All of your tomorrows shine

All of your tomorrows shine

I will ride by your side

Wherever you go

I won't run I won't hide

Just letting you know

He had met so many people through that job, and he never was drawn to anyone. He felt like someone's voice was calling for him to pay attention. Telling him that the one he was meant to be with has arrived finally. After so many years of chasing everyone wrong under the sun, he meets the one person who was so vastly different then the rest. Sure she had a problem with trusting people. It was a given with all she went through. He knew her attitude wasn't what she truly was inside.

Little dandelion

Let your heart keep time

Now the clouds are gone

All of your tomorrows shine

All of your tomorrows shine

"All of your tomorrows shine." She repeated the chorus in her hypnotized state. "Hmmm, I like that song. I always like singing to it."

"You know Audioslave?" She is his angel. Someone he wanted to keep happy even if he had to make goofy faces at her to get her to smile.

"Yeah. Pity they broke up, but hey we have Soundgarden again."

Hearing her moan out again, Arnold shifted himself a bit. "You are getting me a little excited over here with your sounds. Also what you said did too?"

"Oh I get it. You are into Chris Cornell too."

Looking over to her face he saw how one eye was opened looking at him as she smiled slyly. Getting off the couch, he lifted her up bridal style. "No I'm into you." Scanning between her dress and what he was doing, Arnold felt almost silly. "I feel like I'm rescuing a princess in a fairy tale."

"Well I'm certainly no princess and this is not a fairy tale." She quipped finding herself now laying on his bed. Watching how he examined her, Helga found her excited on a whole other level as she watched him crawl over her. Bringing her arms up to wrap her hands against the other to bring behind his neck she almost couldn't breath. "Well this I won't complain about."

Arnold thought that this was a great way to end a perfect evening. He'll hold off to consummate with her, but for now he hoped she will stay at least so he can wake up beside her.


Dandelion by Audioslave. Yeah I know the rules but I felt it was important to include it in the story. Now you know why I titled my story.

I hope you liked the brief Brainy cameo.