*Flashback - Helga 16 years old - Bruce's memory*

Bruce entered the room seeing her suspended in the air. Shorts and a tank top on her. It has been cold as of late so with this new torture designed to weaken her mind, Bruce could see the fight still in her eyes. He had to marvel at how strong this one was. She was still so young and not completely arrogant. Not like so many teenagers these days. She's young, but her eyes betray her as that of an old soul inside her. Not that he is deep himself, but he has been in this business long enough to spot every sign.

"Don't wish to know who your masters are?" He questioned her actually curious what she will say.

Helga laughed at him. It was rich laughter filled with so much sarcasm and promise. Bruce could tell this young woman worked out by her muscle tone. She was athletic but still soft. She made a perfect combination of so many facets so far. He remembered that day at that old abandoned building. Three scared teenagers and yet she sacrificed herself for them. He couldn't exactly would of called her dumb. Well he might of, but the way she held such strength in her as she bargained was mostly admirable. Something that Scheck saw himself. How can you hate someone like that?

"Don't wish to bend?" He inquired just to get greeted by that laugh. He had to admit he really loved it.

"In the end you won't win."

Was it wrong to feel so turned on by that deadly tone of hers? "We will once your love dies one way or another."

Helga's lips curled up in hatred. "Arnold is stronger than this."

Lifting up his phone, Bruce produced a picture of Arnold that showed his misery. "He's crumbling apart dear."

"Showing this behavior so openly shows a strength. For you to mock it shows your weakness." Helga bit back.

He put his phone away casually deciding to betray his anger as his fist instantly flew into her stomach. She made a sound, but only laughed. Bruce went to those blue eyes finding more desire for her. More hatred for her love so he punched her again.

Answering the door, Stella opened to find Miriam standing there. It made her stomach drop. Her blood almost curdle. "Good Afternoon, Miriam. Would you like to come in?"

Nodding slightly, Miriam stepped through the door to follow her into the living room. Miriam felt like she hadn't been here in a few decades, but she needed to know. "I saw the news. Is it really true that Scheck is Nicholas Bailey?"

Stella couldn't lie to her knowing she'll ask more question. "It's true, Miriam."

Miriam's eyes went to an old picture of a group shot of the kids with Helga next to Arnold. "I've been calling Arnold and they keep saying he's not in. Please can you tell me where he is."

This was a desperate mother. "Has Bob seen the news?"

"No. He's thrown himself into his work so much that he doesn't get home until very late. He misses Helga. Regrets so much from our past with her. He misses her giving him lip." Miriam almost smiled at that. Two bull headed people in the midst of battle and he misses that.

Stella took in a deep cleansing breath just to release it. She couldn't lie to the woman.

X

"You told her! Why did you tell her, Stella?" Miles hissed out.

Stella couldn't believe her husband was upset at her. "As much as Miriam wasn't present in the past with her own daughter, she is now. She knows something is up. She kept getting that thing of Arnold not being in and people lying to her. I had to tell her the truth. I had to tell her that Helga was found, but she was brainwashed. She didn't remember anything at all. She is a major witness and when one of Scheck's henchmen went to get her, Arnold took her and has been on the run ever since. Wouldn't you want to know yourself?"

"Yes, but what if they go after them now?" Miles walked over to the bookcase to study the framed picture of that group shot.

"They'll do it anyhow. Miles, I didn't do a thing wrong in telling her. Remember how Arnold told us how he kept hoping and dreaming that we were out there. Remember how he said he dreamt that we would come back. You have to understand. This is their flesh and blood. They love her in spite of a distant past."

Turning to face his head strong wife, Miles closed the gap to hold her. "I'm sorry to get upset at you. I really am. I am just so worried about them out there. I'm worried about them coming back here." Pulling her away, he cupped her face. "If anything were to happen to you." He couldn't finish as he held her once more.

"I know, Miles, I know. I love you so much too. Arnold and Helga will come back. We both know it. They are strong." She smiled a little. "Maybe we'll get a daughter-in-law after all this is done."

"Maybe. I wouldn't object to that union." Miles just wanted to hold his wife like this for all eternity.

After they both spoke to the Elder in the village, Arnold and Helga were escorted away to clean up and to redress in something different. Coming back into the village, Arnold greeted the others while wearing what alot of the tribes men were wearing. He almost felt naked compared to his more normal clothes. Watching the Elder approach him, Arnold bowed to him.

Elder Thiago was a pretty young fifty year old. Slightly weathered eyes that showed countless wisdom. His teeth healthy along with his build which was solid. "Your bride will approach soon, Chosen One. Is there something you wish to claim?"

Arnold wasn't even caught off guard by him calling Helga his bride since he loved it. "There is many things that I wish to claim. I would love to re-claim her freedom from those who chase us. I would love her to be my wife so we can bring children into the world. I wish to claim happiness for all those who I care deeply for."

Thiago smiled at those claims. "They are all fine and even though she has mentioned that she has been declared dead in your world, she isn't in ours."

"Meaning?"

"You need to turn to face your lovely bride. She is most befitting for a man of your stature." Thiago indicated with his staff to turn now.

Turning around, Arnold was bewitched by her beauty. She had flowers in her hair while her hair fell in tumbled waves. He didn't know how they managed, but they did since her hair was back to its golden color. Her gauzy white dress made her look like a goddess in his eyes as she approached him with the women in the village flanking her.

"Do you wish to be joined with her?" Thiago questioned gently.

Arnold breathed out finally after holding his breath in for so long. "For eternity." Came his soft answer.

"Then tonight will be your wedding. Approach your bride."

Arnold did so as he kept complete focus on her. He thought her lips look even pinker then before. Her skin glowed in its perfection. "You get more beautiful each time I see you."

"Well don't you have a way with words, Football Head." Helga accepted his hand when he presented it. "I hear we are both to be married tonight. Is this what you want?"

"It's what I desire." He told her in passionate certainty.

Thiago approached them again. "Please join me, my friends."

Feeling guided, Arnold and Helga sat down on the ground as dancing commenced around them. They both studied the dancers wondering if they needed to dance like this when the time came. They watched as the women joined the men in what they thought was a beautiful scene.

"You may both rise." Thiago bided them as he watched them do so before facing him.

Arnold listened to the words being said while his heart had a nice rhythm to it. It was happening finally. He repeated the wording in their language before she did the same. With her left side to his right, Thiago lifted wrapping made of fabric he couldn't quite discern with his dream state before wrapping their hands together. As more words were said he could of swore he even heard Helga's heartbeat next to his own.

"Congratulations my friends, you are joined for eternity. Now you will both circle the ceremonial circle once." Thiago instructed.

Doing as he said, Arnold guided his wife around the circle before settling back in front of the Elder. Finding the ribbon unfastened around them both, Arnold was guided into only wrapping it lightly around her arm.

"Now we may celebrate. We will guide you to your hut after." Thiago told them as his smile continued. "Enjoy yourselves."

Laughing, Arnold brought her into his arms. "Hello, Mrs Shortman."

"Hello, Mr Shortman. Kiss me." Helga requested with a full smile on her face.

Pressing his lips on hers all they can hear was cheers erupt all around them. It wasn't a complete happy ending for them right now, but they did get something they both desired.

A/N: Looked up tribal customs and man most are varied so I did edit this out completely just to let Arnold think. Sorry if I cheated any of you guys, but I tried my best. I just wanted them to at least get married.

Bruce is an a-hole for doing that to Helga. I had to finally bring Miriam in finally. Also all of your reviews rock. :)