Road Trip

The Aftermath

BrokenRose24 here, you may notice the style of this story has changed, due to the fact that Pyrex Shards ditched being a beta to this story (He has his own reasons as well as I do) I have decided to post the last remaining chapters to finally end this story which means the plot MIGHT NOT match the plot Pyrex Shards had posted. When he was a beta he would change the story around and add his own personal touches to the story. However since there hasn't been any updates and since people always demand an ending to this story, I have decided to give you guys the ending but sadly you will have to have it Un-beta'd and the way it was Originally. Due to some conflicts I no longer work with Nintendogal55 nor Pyrex Shards. I hope you all will understand.

At least I gave you an ending, too bad it isn't the perfect one but it is an ending none the less. Please Enjoy.

I feel like I'm not qualified and I'm just not ready to face Helga yet.

He saw Phoebe hugging Gerald, the blonde boy approach their carrying the girl he loved in his arms.

Gerald notice the sound of footsteps, turning his head to see his friend, Phoebe lift her head from Gerald's chest and gasp.

"A gang…tried to…they tried to…" feeling a lump in his throat, he knew he couldn't utter the words. "To..."

"Speak up man, what happened?" Gerald asked in concern.

"...To...violate her..." Was all he could muster. "Please take care of her."

Phoebe nodded, carefully taking her best friend into her arms. "I will, don't worry. You two get some sleep."

"No, you and Gerald sleep, I'll be up and alert in case those guys come back and try anything." Sitting on the trunk of the car and glazing at the stars in complete sadness.

Helga I'm sorry.

XXXXXXXX

The sun was rising, the blonde boy felt tired but knew he'd be able to get some sleep as soon as they got their car fixed. Looking down at the pictures in his hand, a small smile formed when looking at how happy Helga looked kissing him, and the photo of how happy she looked standing next to him back at the look out Vancouver. He heard movement in the car and knew they were getting up, Helga was still being held on Phoebe who slept with her best friend all night.

Things were going to be difficult.

If I didn't fight with her she wouldn't have been violated like that, I should have never let her go, I was angry at her for every wrong thing she did instead of remembering every good thing she did. She helped my parents in San Lorenzo, she helped me save the neibourhood. Found my hat, told me that Summer was just using me. Every girlfriend I ever had was trying to get with me because I was a bit popluar but of course I didn't think of that. Amy cheated on me and I thought she was the one and even when Helga warned me I still treated her as if she really were crazy. I guess I'm the crazy one, I never knew I had feelings for her and it was stupid of me denying them, it wasn't fair to her or me. I'm…in love with…Helga G. Pataki. I love her. But now it's too late.

XXXXXX

Helga stirred, feeling tender pain on her chest, and yawned as the light glare of the sun came through the windows. The sun was rising, it was morning. For a moment, she didn't know where she was. Thin arms were around her, and as she opened her eyes, she saw Phoebe, waking up slowly, was the one holding her gently.

What had happened last night?

"Helga?" Phoebe croaked, her voice hoarse from sleep. "You awake?"

"Mm...yeah." Helga said groggily, yawning again before blinking her vision to focus. "What...what happened last night?"

"Arnold said you were…violated, do you remember anything at all?" Tears pour down her cheeks onto Helga's.

Helga paused, not remembering so much. She seemed to remember being thrown to the ground, pain inflicted on her chest, and feeling as if she were going to slip away from the world. But then something had happened, she'd heard punches and kicks, someone fighting off the men who were attempting to violate her. Then she saw green eyes, a football head, and cornflower hair, that was all she could remember before passing out.

"...Yeah, I remember a bit. ...Did Arnold save me?"

"Yes Helga he did, he carried you here, he's been up all night watching over us while we sleep."

He did that...he saved me from being raped, and watched over us... And I didn't even deserve it. Why did he do that? He shouldn't have done that. Helga sat up, looking out the window, and then down at her lap. "...I made a terrible mistake, Pheebs. I didn't deserve to be saved."

"Helga!" Phoebe cup Helga's face. "Listen you did deserve to be saved, you're not a monster or anything, yes you fought with Arnold but it was both your faults, and I think it's best if you both talked out your problems."

"What can I say? He hates me. ...And rightfully so. All I've done was torture him. He just saved me because he's Arnold and he wouldn't let such a thing happen under his watch. He told me himself he didn't want me around! I... I can't take it, Phoebe. I can't take hurting him anymore."

"Helga." a deep voice called out, lying in the back seat with his leg bend on the seat, the other leg on the other leg firmly on the floor. One arm covering his face.

"Stop getting into this self pity bullshit, my boy Arnold just said those things because he was mad just like you said what you did to him. Phoebe's right it's both of your faults and instead of solving the problem you want to run away. I've never known you as someone who runs away. I've played ignorant this entire trip pretending I didn't notice the stares or those "secret" moments when you both kissed but I'm not going to sit here and let you both hurt each other. Look I may have not liked you much from the beginning but I do know that you've gone some pretty cool things for him, Amy was cheating on him but no one had the heart to tell him, not even me. Now all of a sudden Arnold is returning his feelings towards you but it's pretty hard to admit you like someone who you once viewed as the villain. So he backs away from his feelings, childish? Yeah, stupid? Hell yeah. Then yesterday he actually punched a wall outside of the alley of the hotel because he felt so disgusted with himself, Shit I'd do the same if I thought I forced Phoebe to do something sexual she didn't want. Or so that's what Arnold believed. He's the type of guy who believes the golden rules we were taught when we were younger. Never hit a woman and never force yourself on a woman. Again you both need to act more mature and like adults and talk to each other, although Phoebe and I are not going to get in this anymore because it's all up to you both."

Phoebe gave a nod. "...He's right, Helga. You were both dealt with a hand of cards. It's up to you whether or not you want to play them."

A few minutes of silence passed. Not a sound was heard.

It wasn't until the back door opened, movement was made, then the back door closed, and Gerald sat up, opening his eyes in time to see Helga having gotten out of the car and going toward Arnold.

"Well babe, looks like it's time they did the right thing."

"I hope so, Gerald."

XXX

Our protagonist is thinking to himself in the park nearby their car. he doesn't want to say it, he's pretty much given up.

This is stupid, we're never going to see eye to eye.

Arnold sighed and put the Photos back into his bookbag and walks back to the car, and sees her there, She turns seeing him walking towards her

Now the two stood near each other, neither of them speaking a word. Helga tried to stand her ground and seem cool and confident, but it faltered a bit at the pain on her breasts, which ignited when her shirt brushed them. She didn't know where to begin, or to be the one to break the silence. Hell, it was hard to even look in his direction.

Now they both sit in the car...doing nothing. Not even looking at each other.

...Another car drives by.

It's so quiet.

"Are you okay?" he asked softly not looking at her.

Her heart skipped, and she managed a nod, not looking at him. "...Yeah, I'm fine. My chest just hurts, that's all."

"Did you…see how bad it looked, do you cuts or anything, maybe you should clean them so you won't get an infection." Worried about her being cut on her breast, still not looking in her direction and surprisingly he wasn't blushing, just sad.

"Nah, they're just bruised and sore. No open cuts or anything." Helga said, checking a moment just to be sure, wincing a bit at the pain. "...And um, well, for what it's worth, thank you...for saving me."

He hesitates, not sure what to say, in fear of bringing back what she said last night. So instead, he goes to be brief but sincere.

"You're welcome but please don't thank me Helga."

The wind blew at his cornflower hair along with hers. In the corner of his eye he saw Helga shivering. Taking off his jacket and giving it to her. "It's my fault you got hurt, I shouldn't have said any of that stuff."

"Arnold, I was the one who walked away. I did the stupid thing. It wasn't your fault. It was mine. I...I let my pride and immaturity get the best of me and I did a stupid thing. It was my own actions that resulted in this." She held his jacket to her for a moment, inhaling his scent, and put it on.

Both notice Phoebe and Gerald getting out of the car. "Hey man, we're going to sit on the swings" Phoebe nodded her head.

The message was clear to the two blondes "We're leaving so you can talk it out"

"It's getting cold, let's go inside the car for a bit" Arnold suggest, Helga stood up carefully and climbs into the passenger's side while Arnold sat at the driver's seat.

She shift in her seat a bit and felt pain shot up when she tried to bring her legs up on the sit, her knee touched her chest. "ow" she wince at the pain

Concern struck through him and he wanted to know if she was all right, but he decided against it.

Instead, he just exhales and say.

"Helga you win"

"You think almost getting raped wins? I don't want to know your opinion about losing" she rolled her eyes and looked out the window.

He gripped the steering wheel in irritation, but he relaxed after a moment.

"That's not what I meant. What I meant was, I'm done. I won't bother you anymore. If my being around you and even helping you really offends you so much, then who am I to go against your wishes? Whatever you want me to do I'll do it.

"I do all that I do because I really care about you. I'm not trying to be some kind of hero and save the world. I help people because that's who I am. And now I realize that there are people who don't want help. I keep seeing you as the villain who always loved to pick on me instead of seeing all the good things you've done for me, like reunite me with my parents and so many other things you've done. I shouldn't have said those things I said last night, you're not a plague Helga, I was just too upset and hurt. This whole trip I've been confused about my feelings towards you."

They sat in complete silence.

"...Arnold, can I be honest with you?"

Feeling a bit worried about what she might say

"Sure."

Taking a deep breath, Helga decided to just come out with it, tell him everything, the whole truth. She just had to accept the results.

"...I'm in love with you. I was telling you the truth when I first confessed back on the rooftop of the FTi building. I lied when I took it back. I don't hate you, I never hated you. I...I picked on you all those times because of my pride, because I didn't want you to know that I loved you. And I regret that with all my being. That's why I helped you all those times. That's why I did those things for you, and I've done things you don't know about for you. Because I love you. ...I've always loved you. I love you more than anything, and I hate myself for the way I've treated you. That's why I kissed you over the past couple of days. I was scared in letting you know how I felt, I tried to cover it up, but it was hard to do.

"...And that night you were drunk, and trying to have sex with me, I wanted you so bad. But I couldn't do that to you. I didn't want take advantage of you in your drunken, vulnerable state. You scared me because I loved you and I wanted to do the right thing, because I know if I gave in, you would have never forgiven me. And...I love you way too much to do that kind of thing to you." Taking a deep breath, she finally looked at him. "And that's it. I love you Arnold. I don't expect you to feel the same way, and frankly I don't deserve you. I just wanted you to know how I felt."

She turned away then, waiting for the rejection. Waiting.

It hurt when he got out of the car, she began release the tears from her eyes

He rejected me…

Her heart stopped when she heard her door open and Arnold was standing there. His lips now on hers, careful not to get any closer, afraid he might press against her tender swollen breast. Her eyes widened in shock as she sat frozen, unable to comprehend what was happening. All she felt were his lips. On hers. Kissing her.

More tears streamed down her face as she brought her hands up to his neck, angling her head better to kiss back, her eyes closing on their own accord.

He's kissing me...he's kissing me...does this mean he...?

I never realized how much I missed kissing her...

In fear of hurting her, broking the kiss and staring into her cerulean eyes.

"I was confused because I didn't know how I felt for you, I had a lot of anger and I didn't want to admit myself how I felt. Sorry if this isn't the best place to ask you."

Her heart pounded in her heart, throat felt dry.

"What's the G stands for in your name?"

Helga felt worried, worried at what his answer was going to be...and now very confused. Why did he need to know that? What kind of question was that in a moment like this?

But, she decided to humour him for now. "Geraldine. My middle name is Geraldine."

"Heh, that's a pretty name…Helga Geraldine Pataki, I love you very much and I had been for years but I repressed my feelings for you, to be honest I can't image you not being here in my life, I've known you since preschool and even then I had a bit of a crush on you believe it or not. I don't want to rush things but you I do want to date you, to give us a chance."

"...You...you mean that?" Her eyes glimmered with more tears, and with hope. She got out of the car, standing before him, her hands on his shoulders. "You want to be with me? Even after everything I've done?"

"Yeah I mean…who else would dress up as my pen pal just to have a date with me?"

Shocked, Helga stared, wide-eyed, for a good half a minute. "...You knew about that? How did you know?"

"I didn't at first but after a few years of seeing you in those random times when you put your hair down, I notice how much you look like her…and Gerald told me one day since we knew the moment he saw you walk into the restaurant. He didn't say anything…like always." he finished feeling a bit annoyed about Gerald keeping it from him.

Of course Gerald is a great friend but when it comes to my romance life he stays clear away from it.

"Arnold, I... I..." Helga blushed, and looked him in the eye. "...Well, if you'll have me, I would love nothing more than to be your girlfriend." Tears streamed down her face.

"Hey." he said wiping the tears from her eyes "I can't have my girlfriend crying, what would people think?" his emerald eyes full of happiness and amusement, wearing a smile that showed his white teeth.

An inescapable giggle came from her and she smiled wide in return, her arms going around his neck. "I'm crying because I'm so happy, you loveable dolt." She kissed him fiercely, holding on tightly, as if afraid he would slip away if she let go.

Her breast pressed against his chest but she didn't care about the pain, all she wanted was the man in her arms.

XXXXXXXX

"I'm glad you won that prize money Arnold but now I feel bad. I mean you used it on the tow drunk and now your using it to pay for my car to be fixed"

"It couldn't be helped Gerald."

"I wish you spent that money on you, always the responsible one."

"Well someone has to."

They were all at the repair shop, Phoebe had called to get the car towed into the shop, and now they were all waiting for the car to be ready.

"You know there is a carnival going on six blocks away, maybe we can go there after we eat some breakfast" Phoebe suggested.

"We need to get a hotel to hold our things" Gerald sighs "It's going to cost us."

"I got it" Arnold said reffering to his prize money. All three friends yelled "NO!"

Blinking in confusion "What? Why not?"

"You've already paid for enough Arnold"

"So it's my money and Helga's."

"Exactly, BOTH of yours!" Gerald insisted. "She should have some say. Look, we'll pay for that, it's okay."

"Gerald, you paid for most of this trip and you let us come along when you and Phoebe could have gone yourself. Let me."

"No man. You've done enough."

"What are we going to do then? We don't know how long it'll take for the guy to fix the car, we need to sleep somewhere"

Helga spoke up "Listen, we'll pay for the hotel end of story"

"How about this, you pay for the hotel and we'll owe you both." Gerald said not wanting to feel like a slimeball for taking their money. It was HIS car Arnold is paying for to get repaired.

Helga looked at Arnold, and they both considered it for a moment.

"Well...if that's what'll get you to shut up about it, then fine."

"Okay, Gerald. It's a deal."

They all shook hands, sealing the deal.

XXXXXX

They all decided to put their things in their rooms, this time Arnold announced "Helga and I are going to have a room together…um…she's my…girlfriend." he said bashfully.

Gerald and Phoebe exchanged excited, knowing grins before looking back to their respective best friends.

"Well all right! About damn time, man!" Gerald laughed. "You guys behave now!"

"Gerald!"

Phoebe giggled. "But really, that's wonderful. I'm glad you two managed to work things out."

"Least now you guys can room together without us worrying if you'll kill each other!"

Helga stuck her tongue out playfully in response before laughing. "Yes, Arnold did speak correctly, we're rooming together now, whether you guys like it or not."

"Oh, I don't believe we have any complaints." Grinned Phoebe.

"Just use Protection."

"GERALD!" Arnold yelled feeling even more embarrassed

Gerald grin raising his eyebrow at the couple. "I mean to have a spare gun in your room since you know how Helga is. What did you think I was suggesting?"

"I do believe they meant that you were implying that they use a condom or some kind of alternative protection if they were to consummate their relationship." Phoebe explained.

Looking at the newly formed couple, seeing their red faces, he realized it. "I know that…okay so bad joke! But I'm serious, just be careful in case."

"Uh, right. Yeah...don't worry, we'll lock the door and window." Arnold said quickly.

"What he said." Helga said.

"We'll meet up at two O clock since I know you haven't slept, so get some sleep" Gerald said putting his arm around his girlfriend.

"Thanks Gerald, I will"

XXXXXX

Arnold laid on the bed changing channels, nothing good was on and he was very tired but couldn't get himself to be relax enough to sleep.

Meanwhile Helga had finish taking a shower seeing the purple, blue and yellow marks on her tender breasts, which were still sore and bruised. Gently drying them and putting on new clothes, she looked at herself in the mirror, and lowered her shirt once more.

It'll take FOREVER for them to heal... She thought. But at least that's the only damage that was done to me.

Helga exited the bathroom, and lit up upon seeing her love on the bed, trying to make himself comfortable. She smiled and got into bed, slipping up beside him and snuggling into him.

Putting his arm around her and turning off the television, he turn to the side and snuggle close to her careful about her breasts.

"Last night scared me, I thought…I thought I was too late, one thing puzzles me, why didn't you fight when it happen? When I got close I saw you fighting but then you had this look on your face."

"Huh? Oh...that. ...Well, from what I remember, I guess I...just kind of felt that it was over for me. That there was nothing I could do, and that no one cared. That no one would care, that the world would go just fine if I was gone. I was so convinced everyone hated me."

"Even if we ever break up I don't want you to ever think that, I'll still love you and want you to have the best life you can have. You have Phoebe there with you and of course my family." Stroking her hair as he thought about his family's reaction to the fact that he was dating her. "Grandpa is going to have a field day of 'I told you so'."

A chuckle escaped Helga as she closed her eyes, relaxing against him. "Whatever you say, Arnold."

"First you steal my food, and then you steal my line?"

They both laughed at that.

He slowly got up and grabbed something from his bag, plopping on the bed and getting back into the position he was in, putting his arm back around her.

"I need to make you a copy of this." he said showing her the pictures.

Looking at the pictures, Helga giggled at a few of them, and then her eyes widened upon seeing one particular picture. The photo of them kissing on the boat near the waterfalls.

"Oh my God...she didn't..."

"Yeah I thought it had to be Phoebe too, it's actually a very…" smiling wide and dropping his voice low, whispering in her ear. "Romantic."

A blush settled on her cheeks and her heart skipped at his gestured before she looked back at the picture. Despite what had happened at the time and after, it was very romantic looking, since they were kissing as if they really loved each other. "...Yeah, it is. It really is."

"I love you." he whispers into her ear.

"I love you, too." She whispered back, leaning up to meet his lips. "You know, all things considered and despite everything rough that's happened, I'm sure glad we went on this road trip."

"Although I'd love to cut the part where you got…well anyway, maybe this was just a big lesson to be learned. I have to let go of my anger towards you and you had to let go of your pride."

"Makes sense. Guess it was just one big nudge in the right direction. And hey, we did have a lot of fun, didn't we?"

"Yeah I guess we did but right now…I want sleep." he said half joking as he felt himself fall to sleep, Helga still in his arms, her wonderful scent was putting him to sleep.

"Me too. Night, Arnold." She kissed his cheek and snuggled more into him, closing her eyes.

~End of Chapter~