Disclaimer: I don't own Hey Arnold.

AN: Thank you for your support.

"Arnold...Arnold, come on, get up! She's awake!"

"Wha...?" Gerald fetched me from the Temple's concrete floor. "Where is she?"

"Downstairs, through the secret entrance. She's with Brian and the two doctors who tended to here while we were in Brazil."

"Secret entrance?" I quickly drew my eyes toward the altar, but El Corazon no longer resided in its nesting place. "Where's the bag I set down over there?"

"As far as I know, it's with the Green Eyes. When I came back to this entrance after you didn't call me for a couple hours, it was gon, but the two necklaces are still here along with some other things."

"So, Helga's downstairs with Dr. Tappan and Dr. Stevenson...and Brian's already back from

scouting or whatever his was doing? Tell me, how long have I been asleep? Oh, and what about La Sombre?"

"Arnold, it's a long story." Gerald appeared agitated with his response, but continued with it. "You need to come downstairs to identify someone, but before we do that, why don't you see what the Green Eyes left for you?"

"The Green Eyes left me a gift?"

"Have you been listening to a word I said?"

"I'm sorry, Gerald," I apologized, "It's just everything that's happened today's left me kinda out of sorts with myself."

"I hear ya, man. I hear ya. So, take your mind off it for a couple of minutes and go see what's up there." His arm gestured in the direction of the altar.

I reluctantly proceeded toward the ancient sanctuary, fearing another unpleasant surprise could possibly turn up, but instead found two exquisite treasures side by side. The first piece, constructed of brilliant gold, held two petite sapphires in its center. How the Green Eyes were able to acquire a pair of sapphires in this region was a mystery beyond my comprehension. Upon further examination, the object had been sculpted to resemble a female child, a little girl with pigtails.

When I set my eyes on the remaining work of art, I studied it with pure fascination. It's jaded eyes gazed straight upon me, as if the ornament had been analyzing me. There was no doubt it was a replica of myself as a child. A tiny cap carefully engraved into the precious metal proved the Green Eyes acquainted themselves with my parents after their final departure from the states. Yet, as extraordinary as these gems were, there was no beauty in the rising emotions I'd tried to suffocate since Gerald had aroused me.

"I guess it's their way of saying 'thank you', Arnold," he offered. "Wonder why they're such a private people."

"Must be," I replied slightly aggravated. "Now, what was this about heading downstairs to identify someone? You've really lost me on this one, and you know Gerald, I'm not so sure I'm ready to see Helga right now either."

"She's all right. I can guarantee you that," he encouraged, "and you don't have to see her right away if you're uneasy about it, but I do need you to come downstairs to identify this guy they claim is La Sombre."

"Huh?" As emotionally unstable as I'd already allowed myself to become, that man's name did not need to be thrown into my overflowing pot of frustration. "You mean to tell me they're holding him downstairs just so I can identify this guy? I've never even laid eyes on the man before!"

"Yeah ya have, Arnold," Gerald corrected, "They made me identify him too. I told 'em I didn't know who he was, until they brought him before my eyes. He's the guy who asked us for directions while we were at the Jardim Botanico in Brazil."

"What? Him?" I threw my arms up into the air, "Now what? Don't tell me Brian came to the rescue and captured him, did he?"

"No," Gerald confirmed, "Brian was severely beaten by one of La Sombre's top henchman...a man named Pablo, I believe. Anyway, Brian's rescue team accomplished the task of delivering both men directly into the hands of the authorities."

"Wait a minute," I instructed him, squeezing my eyebrows together to fight off an oncoming headache. "Stop! How did I miss all this, Gerald?"

"We all did, well at least you, Helga and I did. Brian must have been aware of the danger all along 'cause he informed me earlier that's why La Sombre hired ninjas. According to his confession statement, he said he brought them in from Japan. He wanted to keep us busy while he seized the loot."

"Enough!" I was so irritated with entire situation by this point, I began to yell. "What is this? One of your childhood urban legends? Come on, Gerald! Lead me to wherever you're taking me so we can get this over with, because I'm losing my patience with story or whatever it is!"

"I see that," Gerald answered calmly, "but this isn't an urban legend, nor is it a story. This is real life, Arnold. Look, you've taken a few major blows this morning and I understand that, however, try to remain calm at least until you finish talking with the authorities."

"All right." My attempt at an apology was unintentionally insincere. "With all that's gone on today, plus the information you've just shared with me, I'm not feeling very social right now."

"No need to explain yourself. Follow me."

"Gerald led me to the panel we'd observed earlier in the day, then heaved the heavy slab aside to reveal a narrow passageway with what appeared to be an infinite set of stairs heading into the darkness. Only one source lit the way, the emerald glow of whatever substance the Green Eyes used to illuminate the substantial structure. More and more I felt the need for some breathing room.

"Don't worry, buddy. It's just an illusion," he affirmed. The drop isn't as deep as it looks. Trust me."

"I'll take your word for it."

Planting himself next to one of the glowing lamps, Gerald reached behind it's glass to reveal a concrete lever. He pulled it back and waved me through the entrance. Beyond the hall stood another door scarcely ajar, a dim light pouring forth through the cracks.

"That's it, Arnold," Gerald announced. "That's the room that everybody's in. We'd better hurry 'cause they've been expecting you for a while now."

"They shouldn't be expecting me or anything from me. I' not in the mood for trivial games."

"Just go in there, do what ya gotta do, and get out. We'll leave you alone for the rest of the day, okay?" I could sense his growing frustration from my poor attitude.

"Here goes nothing, " I remarked as I grabbed the ancient door's heavy handle, opening it up to a group of frightening individuals.

Our remaining crew sat beside one another immersed in private conversation, but both pairs of eyes were fixated on a shackled man donning an oversized sombrero. Gerald was correct in his observation. He was none other than the man who'd asked us for directions while we were in Brazil. So, this supposedly was the man they called La Sombre. His partner, who also remained in handcuffs, I didn't recognize.

"Arnold, there you are!" Brian motioned me over to his seat. "The two uniformed gentleman over ther are going to ask you questions about La Sombre, but only tell him what they need to know. Don't go into elaborate detail or they might get suspicious."

"I'll go over there, state my business, and that's it. I'm not doing anything else!" I was too busy being angry to notice Brian's swollen eye. "There's other business I need to take care of besides this!"

"If the authorities weren't overly inquisitive, my name wasn't Arnold. They asked me everything from my birth date to what color my grandpa's eyes were. If their question had nothing to do with La Sombre, they earned the response that the information was confidential. After they'd worn me out, they finally proceeded to leave the room, dragging their two captives out the door with them. However, La Sombre threw his two cents in upon setting foot through the door.

"So, Arnold, you are the child of Miles and Stella, no?"

"Yes, I am their son," I swallowed.

"Then it is nice to know you have found what you were searching for, bit it is such a terrible shame you cannot take it home with you! Heh! Heh! Heh!"

"Senor La Sombre, that's enough!" It was enough all right, for if the authorities hadn't forced him through the door, he would have been pulverized by my two irate fists. Gerald's strong grip restrained me from going after the wretched man, who I had no doubt was somehow responsible for my parents' death.

"Let it go, Arnold," Gerald advised me. "He's not gettin' out of the joint anytime soon anyway, so there's no use in wastin' your energy. Besides, he's not worth it."

Gerald had no conception as to how I'd strike that man down if he ever was to come near me again, but I laid low for his and everyone else's sake. Actually, it was Brian who'd kept me distracted.

"Hey Arnold!" he called me back over to his seat, "Dr. Tappan needs you over here for a few minutes."

"What does she need me for?" I asked returning to his and Helga's quarters of the room.

"She needs to aks you a few questions about your surprise visit with the ninjas while you were in the clearing."

"More questions? When the hell will this end?"

"Hello, Arnold," a tall female figure addressed me, "it's a pleasure to see you again. My apologies in disturbing you at such an inopportune moment, but it's a necessity I inquire into your friend's brush with the men from Japan."

"You mean the ninjas?"

"Yes, Arnold. I do. Can you tell me how severe Helga's wound was before you treated it?"

"I'm no doctor like you, but they dug a pretty good sized gash deep into her abdomen. It runs across her belly button to the tip of her side."

"What did you use to treat it?"

"Um...I don't exactly know. The native people from this area left a plant based liquid I used to spread over the wound. Why? Is it infected or something? She didn't suffer a concussion from the blow to her head, did she?"

"The answer to your first questions is no. In fact, her wound is healing faster than expected. As far as the concussion goes, she received a quite a good sized lump on the head, but was fortunate enough not to suffer any sever damage."

"Thank you, Dr. Tappan." I was relieved to hear the girl was all right.

"No, thank you for the information you've provided. Dr. Stevenson and I need to be on our way now. Bridget's plane is awaiting the two of us."

"Bridget?" I absently set my eyes on Gerald.

"Oh, yeah, man, I forgot to tell you that part of this situation," he hesitantly admitted.

"This entire time, Bridget's been helping us?" At this rate I thought the nightmare I'd lived these past few hours was infinite.

"No, Brian has, but he works for Bridget."

"What? That is it! I don't want to hear anymore shit today!"

"Gerald," Brian advised, "you stay here with Helga. Arnold, I need to have a private conversation with you. Come on, let's go."

By the tone in his voice, I knew this wasn't a suggestion, but a firm command. I followed him through the narrow passageway, past the secret entrance leading to the altar, and down the steps fo the Temple. We both seated ourselves at the bottom of the building. As I lit up a cigarette, Brian gazed straight ahead into the woods. Neither of us spoke for at least twenty minutes. Breaking the nerve wracking silence, I not only questioned Brian, but also myself concerning today's affairs, and I especially quizzed myself on the subject of Helga.

"Why, Brian? Why?"

"Why what?" He was a stickler for specifics.

"Why did she do this? Why did she have to go and disguise herself like some sort of injured tour guide? Why couldn't she just let me know she wanted to help? Why can't she just be herself?"

"Maybe because she was afraid you wouldn't take her seriously, or that you wouldn't have allowed her to give you the help you needed in coming here."

"She was right about one thing. I would never have allowed her to come here, for fear of exactly what happened this morning. I wouldn't have wanted her to get hurt! Now, look where we're at!" The anger I'd sealed inside myself was ready to emerge. "I mean, of all the girls in the world, why did it have to be her? Why couldn't it have been somebody like Lila?"

"Lila?" Brian dealt me a menacing glare, "Red possibly saved your life while risking her own and this is how you react? I've heard about this girl. What is the matter with you, boy?"

"What's wrong is you have no idea what I mean, or what I'm talking about!" I shot back at him. He was completely unaware of why I was asking myself these questions. "You and I both know she's not Red. She's Helga, and right now, I am so sick of her infantile behavior! I just want her to leave me the hell alone!"

"Really?" Brian asked lifting an eyebrow. "Is that what you really want, Arnold? If it is, then why did you give her a seemingly affectionate kiss twice while she was lying unconscious on that slab of stone?"

"How'd you...?" Shocked with what he knew, I tried to explain myself, but couldn't find the right words. "I...I was just...Forget it! She's getting a piece of my mind right now!"

"Arnold, before you do anything rash, keep in mind the Red character is actually the side of Helga she rarely allows anyone to see."

"Ha!" I blew him off making my way up the steps of the Temple. "I really don't care!"

"Arnold! Wait!" he climbed after me, "Don't let your anger fuel your words!"

"What do you care?" I retorted, ignoring him the rest of the way to the secret chamber.

Once I returned to the private chamber, I found Gerald and Helga in deep conversation. It was a milestone to see them acting civil toward one another, but being filled with rage, I lashed out at Helga.

"All right, Helga, or Red, or whoever it is you want to be today, I am sick and tired of your infantile behavior! Why is it you feel you have to hide behind a mask whenever carrying out a good deed?" I never realized Gerald was taking in all this criticism as well. "You know what? I want you to get up, go back to the campsite, pack your gear, and get out! Frankly, right now I could care less if you disappeared off the face of the universe! Go! Get the hell out of my life!"

"I..." tears started welling up in her eyes, but she held them in, strong willed as she was, "I was just leaving anyway. My flight arrangements are already taken care of. Lila's flight arrives in half hour. Mine leaves in forty five minutes, so I'm going to head out to the lake to clean up before I depart."

"I'm going with you," Brian announced. I'd forgotten he'd been standing behind me the entire time.

"See ya at school, Gerald. Goodbye, Arnold."

"Lila?" The additional confusion left me exhausted. "Helga, wai..."

"Goodbye, Arnold," she replied, leaving me no explanation of her arrangements. Brian took her hand and quietly led her out of the room.

"You really did it this time, didn't you, Arnold?" Gerald proclaimed handing me a disconcerted look. "I can't believe I'm actually siding with Helga G. Pataki, but man that was harsh. I mean, after all she's done for you, couldn't you..."

"After all she's done for me? She's done nothing but meddle in my life!" Gerald received the blows now.

"Look, if it wasn't for her, you wouldn't even be in Central America right now!"

"Yeah, and look what it got me! A pair of dead parents and a girl who's too afraid to grow up!"

"Arnold! Give Helga some slack, will ya?" Gerald raised his voice. "You didn't have to be so hard on her!"

"Maybe I had my reasons for being so hard on her!"

"What reasons could those possibly be?"

"Gerald," I looked him straight in the eyes. This was the moment of truth for both of us. "The reason I was so angry with her is...is because I love her...Gerald."

"Well, if you love her, then why didn't you explain your reasons for bein' so mad at her? I can't believe I'm talking to my best friend! Know what? I'm going to go for a walk. Come find me when you cool off."

His departure left me wondering how I'd let my emotions get such an extreme level. If I could try to make it back before Helga's plane left, maybe I could tell her I'd talk to her at school or while we worked on our chemistry assignment. There was no need standing around this place, so I hiked up my backpack and hurried back toward camp.

"Helga, are you sure you're okay?" Brian's concern was nice, but annoying.

"I said I was fine! That should be good enough for you!"

"Well, it isn't," he confirmed, "because I know that you're not all right, Helga. Don't you think you should at least talk to Arnold before you leave?"

"I already said goodbye," I answered with slight hesitance, "and who am I kidding? If all this trouble I've gone through for him means nothing, then I guess I've never meant anything to him. Why have I tormented myself by loving him for so many years anyway?"

"Listen...Helga. I know how much he means to you and I can assure you that you mean more to him than you could ever realize. Sometimes, when we're angry, we say things that se don't mean, or that are very hurtful. He probably said what he did because he was concerned about you. After all he's been through, he's having a little trouble dealing with his own feelings right now."

"Yeah, right!" Taking all that garbage in was difficult to swallow. "Come on, Brian! Get a grip! He'll never feel the same way about me as I feel about him, and that's how it'll always be! Phoebe was right. I shouldn't be wasting my time here. I should be home enjoying myself with Henry...or...ugh...maybe even Jack. One thing's for sure. I definitely don't need this, and I sure as hell don't need him!" I lifted the locket up over my head and chucked it as far as I could into the middle of the lake.

"You aware of what you just did?" Brian asked incredulously. "Do you want me to fetch it out of there for you?"

"No, Brian, but thanks, and thank you for all your help." I couldn't fight my resistance. I surrendered a hug to him.

"Anytime, girl. Anytime. Are you sure you don't want to stay with us 'til tomorrow?"

"Sorry, Brian, I can't," I lied. "I've got to get to the plane to meet Lila. I'm leaving early. Say, will I ever see you again?"

"I understand your need to leave. Will yousee me again?" He threw me a wink. "I suppose here and there. Take care of yourself, Helga."

"I'll try," I assured, giving him a second hug. "Bye now."

As I hurried off to meet my flight, I could still see my agent waiving to me in the distance. Though he could be an ass at times, he was an okay guy, but I'd never admit that to him. My long legs carried me as fast as they could to the flight area. I was lucky too, because Lila's plane touched the ground just as I arrived. As she stepped off the aircraft, I overeagerly greeted her.

"Hey, Lila!" I said shaking her hand, "Great to see ya! Ready for a great couple of days?"

"I'm ever so sure I'm looking forward to it, but I still don't understand why it was your desire to take my last day volunteering at the rehab center."

"There's you answer, right there." I thumbed back. A faint panting had been following me.

"I'm sure I still don't understand," a confused expression came across her face, "because I'm oh so certain you and I both know you're the one who really likes Arnold."

"Well, it's not gonna happen and that's that, so I was feeling generous and thought I'd find a replacement for the last day of my vacation." What a load of crap I just fed to her!

"Thank you ever so much, I guess, even though I still don't really understand why you're leaving. Aren't you going to say goodbye to Arnold?"

"Already did," I answered, boarding my plane. She didn't need to know the details why. "Thanks for the concern. See ya, Lila."

Even if I had to come back to Olga's place for a couple of days, I was ready to go home.

"Hello, Arnold." Lila was smiling pleasantly as always, but for reasons I couldn't explain, she reminded me of a fragile rag doll.

"Hi, Lila," I politely welcomed her while the plane behind her departed. "Hey, did you happen to see Helga when you arrived? I wanted to get a chance to say goodbye to her before she left."

"Oh dear. I"ve ever so sorry, but that was her flight that just left." She looked a little puzzled. "However, I'm ever so sure she told me the two of you already exchanged goodbyes."

"No," my heart sank, " I didn't even have the chance to thank her."

"Thank her for what, Arnold?" Lila asked.

"I guess she's the one who much have given me the tickets to Brazil." There wasn't any need to explain the entire story to her. "Though she said she didn't know who gave them to me."

"I believe the rumor going around school is that a certain someone coming from a family of great wealth sent them to you."

"That doesn't seem right. I don't know. I just wish I would have made it in time before Helga's flight left so I could have talked to her before she left."

"Hey guys!" Gerald was able to be seen running from the direction of the campsite. "We're wastin' valuable vacation time. Let's go!"

"I'm ever so looking forward to seeing your campsite!" exclaimed Lila.

I had no desire to entertain Lila while I thought about how I would get through to Helga after the cruel words I had spoken to her. The striking pain in my heart was overwhelming. As I followed several feet behind Gerald and Lila, I pondered over how I could tell Helga I was truly sorry. Today, I realized real love can also bring incredible anguish.

AN: Feel free to provide constructive input.