Helga tried to convince the teacher to let her switch lab partners but he didn't want to budge saying that in real life this is what you have to deal with most of the time on the work force unless he is sexually harassing her. While he did ask her out, Helga knew he wasn't sexually harassing her per say so she turned with a scowl back to her desk getting an apologetic look from Arnold. Well she did try. Sitting down she was met with Ludwig's cloying expression that told her way too much.

During lunch the gang watched at how quickly Ludwig obtained a lot of friends with the personalities of badgers in the worst of times. They were quickly made aware of the possibility of a problem from him, and even though Arnold informed them all to just go about their days like normal, all of them had growing lumps in their throats.

"Why is he living here and not in California where you met him?" Sid wondered as he fought hard not to look over at the hulking guy over his peripheral.

"Military brat. It is possible his parents live here now. He didn't move around as often as I did." Helga answered as she found herself between Arnold and Stinky today instead of her sitting out at the end of the table like usual.

"You'd think that his dad or mom would punish him military style." Gerald was surprised that Arnold didn't try to speak to him again in his, it is better to speak then to raise your fists at someone.

Helga shrugged. "I never met them so I can't say."

Brainy was fidgeting where he sat as he listened to them speak. "Uh... Can we all go outside?"

It was strange of him to ask this question but seeing his nervousness they all agreed to do so as they all got up from the table to deposit their trash before leaving to their usual spot outside on the field to talk in the stands.

Sitting down, Arnold smiled at Helga when she chose to sit on his lap, and waited till everyone was settled when he asked the obviously nervous Brainy what was on his mind.

"Well I uh..." Brainy kept his focus on the couple since it mainly concerned them. "I was on a walk last night when I spotted Ludwig in the parking lot keeping his focus on both of you. He was alone and he stayed there until you left getting inside his car to leave." He paused briefly. "It appeared like he was following your truck, Arnold."

Helga started to rise wishing to confront Ludwig, but Arnold was keeping her down on his lap. "Arnold." Her voice was low. It was marked with fear and growing concern for her love's safety.

Arnold remained silent for some time as thoughts drifted through his head. His arm around her waist brings her closer to him so she can rest her head on his shoulder. She's afraid and all he can think about is the memory of a gun being aimed at her. Someone threatening her life. His concern was more for her then himself. Sure he was afraid, but he was mostly afraid for her. Also what would happen if his friends lives were at stake? He knew he would be concerned there too.

Helga's eyes shifted to study Brainy. "How often do you walk around because you seem to notice a lot of stuff." She mostly decided to state the obvious instead of actually questioning it.

"I don't really sleep a lot. I don't like being at home so I am often out exploring. Observing." Brainy loved seeing her attention on him. Well some of it at least.

"You are gonna do this again, aren't you? Follow him, I mean. You know because of what he said."

Brainy wondered how long will she continue to look at him with those incredible eyes of hers. "I was thinking about it."

Helga's mouth opened to object to that while Arnold gave her a brief kiss on her cheek. "Brainy, please don't. I don't want you hurt." Arnold pleaded.

"Brainy please be ever so careful around him." Lila spoke finally.

Brainy saw how she was wringing her hands together. Saw the worry in her face. Her all too small eyes it seemed just seemed mostly blurred to him. She kissed him a second time for some reason pretty recently. It was a reason he hoped wasn't there since his feelings for her were pretty lax. He'd sooner want a kiss from Rhonda then her right now. Yes it was pretty bad of him to think such thoughts since she was a nice girl, she just didn't have that certain something that wanted him to keep his attention on her.

"You just have to watch your back with him and hope for the best." Gerald suggested.

There was more talking about the subject with Brainy studying Helga's profile as she was speaking to Phoebe. Feeling a pair of eyes on him, Brainy looked directly at Arnold. He was dense sometimes, but Brainy saw the knowing look in Arnold's eyes. He was saying something to him.

After last period, Helga wandered up to the student lot knowing Arnold will be there shortly as she fumbled with her books in her hands making one of them fall from her grasp. Groaning at her stupidity she was reaching down to pick it up when a meaty hand swooped in to do so. Helga took a step back as she quickly nabbed the book from Ludwig's hand to glare at him.

"Go away."

"Oh is that the thanks I get for helping you?" While his tone sounded almost neutral, Helga caught a teasing undertone to it.

Making an unladylike sound, Helga was tempted to go to the truck but felt it safer to remain in the open like this as other students passed by. "You also wanting to help out by taking down my boyfriend too? Don't deny that one."

Cocking his head to the side the smile he bestowed upon her creeped her out making her step back into familiar arms.

"Leave her alone." Arnold told him firmly.

"Nope." Was all he said as he whistled away from them both.

"I'm smelling the books as soon as I get to work. That was a fucking creepy look he gave me." Feeling turned by Arnold she immediately told him of the brief meeting. "Please be careful my Football Head."

Planting a kiss on her nose, Arnold assured her he would be before escorting her to his vehicle.

At her job, Helga was busy helping customers out with their questions when she spotted Wolfgang approaching her. He didn't have his usual smile on his face like he normally did after his change, he was far more serious.

"Pataki, do you know a Ludwig?" Was his immediate question.

"Yeah I know the dip. What's going on?"

Wolfgang glanced around him to see if there was anyone else close by. "Just warn your boy that something is going down. I don't know when, but I just want you to know."

Furrowing her brow, Helga still couldn't believe this bull. "How did you hear about this?"

"Ludwig has a big mouth. I heard him speaking to a bunch of guys in the alleyway next to where your father's shop was. I was passing by when I heard it." Wolfgang saw the unspoken question in her face. "It doesn't come as any surprise that I was in juvie for taking it too far with some 4th graders. He transfered there and let me tell you that both of us don't get along at all."

"So I guess you weren't 'Married' in the terms of jail life." It was possibly a bad joke, but she was nervous after all for Arnold.

Wolfgang made a face at her joke. "That's just wrong. Also I have better taste." Blinking his eyes several times, he quickly added, "I would of spoke to Arnold but he wasn't around in that store."

"Sometimes he's in the back doing inventory." Though she sounded calm her nerves were about to go on strike from it being over charged. Looking at her watch it was time to leave for break. "Thanks, Wolfgang."

"Sure thing. Oh my shrink is telling me I'm making excellent progress."

"Congrats. Glad to hear that. Uh I hate to be rude but I got to run across the street." Issuing a good bye to him, she quickly left the store to run across the street to go into the grocery store to question where Arnold was. Hearing that in fact he was in the back doing inventory had her running into the back with every worker she passed greeted her openly. Spotting her love she ran up to him. "Arnold!"

Putting his clipboard down, Arnold extended his arms out as she launched herself into his arms. Breathing in her scent, Arnold wondered if he will ever get use to the fact that she is his and vice a versa. "Hello my Swan."

"I love you."

Arnold heard fear in her voice making him take his break early so he can guide her to a table in the far back. "Swan, what's the problem?"

She told him about what Wolfgang just said feeling tears well up in her eyes. "I'm afraid for you. Afraid that I'm this bad luck person." Covering her face up she said in a muffled voice. "I don't want anything happening to you."

Pulling her even closer to him he kissed her lips almost too briefly. "Helga you aren't a bad luck charm. I know you are worried but I'll be fine. Please, my love, don't worry."

Helga actually really loved his Mr Brightside personality since that helped keep her stable just like his never-ending faith in her. So much about him was everything to her. He was perfect. He had so much good in him it wasn't even overwhelming. He had this huge good side to him that was perfect. The imperfections he carried made Helga think that he was nothing but perfection.

"I worry because I love you so much. I worry because I'm scared of losing you. I'm worried because I never want to see you hurt. If you got hurt I would be devastated."

"Helga you have to hear this again. You aren't a bad luck charm. To me you are good luck. You are my light. When I figured out there was something more going on in your family life I was always met with dread inside my veins. I wanted to protect you from harm. After your mom passed..." Arnold started to get choked up. "I was afraid of you being alone in that house with that monster. I want to protect you just like you want to protect me."

He held her as she started sobbing. "I understand why you are saying these things to me it is because you love me so much just like I love you. We want to protect one another. We want to be together for a long time. Have kids one day." Helga tilted her head up hearing that. There was no shock there. Just a very soft expression on her face. Yes, he can definitely see having kids with her one day.

"You hoping for that scholarship to come in soon." She added with a wistful smile.

"I really try not to think about that. That I'm nervous about."

"You'll get it and when you do I'm going to kiss you all night long." Helga promised. She really wanted to diffuse what was happening in her brain from this Ludwig business.

Arnold pulled her on his lap. "Oh and what about any other day? Don't you think I wouldn't want that?"

Kissing his cheeks, Helga nuzzled against his neck. "You would be the most tired guy around though." She pointed out.

Feeling her lips against his neck, Arnold closed his eyes loving the feeling. "It would be well worth it." He countered.