Chapter 49: You're Mine To Take Care Of

"Hey Arnold! Hey Arnold! Hey Arnold!" The next morning, Arnold reached over, to shut off the alarm, thinking to himself When we move out, the alarm stays on MY side of the bed!

Arnold shook his wife to wake up harder than he normally would have. "Hey Helga! Wake up! We don't want to miss our flight!"

Pulling the covers closer to her face, she mumbled, "It's a PRIVATE plane. I don't think they'll leave without us headboy!"

Yanking the covers off her, he replied "Whatever, just get up!"

Normally, she wouldn't let him get away with such a hostile gesture. However, the both of them knew it was a special day, so she was willing to overlook it. Sitting up to rub her eyes, Arnold threw her clothes at her "Sheesh Arnoldo! Where's the fire?"

"I'm sorry. I'm just excited." he admitted, rubbing the back of his neck. "This means a lot to me." he smiled, continuing to set her things beside her.

As the two of them changed their clothes, Arnold turned around to see Helga dressed just as she had been on their grade school field trip. Seeing him gaze at her with half-lidded eyes, she raised part of her eyebrow. "What are you staring at?"

He shook his head, realizing the moment he had been caught up in. "Oh umm, I was just thinking you look really nice." he blushed as she continued to give him a questioning look. "I'm wearing leather boots and khaki shorts?"

Walking up to her, he put a hand to her face as he replied "You look great no matter what!" She began to give a love sick sigh, as he continued to change. Normally, she'd go downstairs the moment she was through changing, but felt like sitting back down a moment. Even it they'd be there less than two days, she knew it wouldn't be an easy trip.

When Arnold was finished changing into his blue t-shirt and red shorts, he turned to ask, "Ready to go?" She stood up to grab their things as she replied "Yeah. You don't look so bad yourself, bucko."

On the way out the door, Helga noticed Arnold had left his dad's journal out. "Might want to take this. Unless there's some sort of weird tracking device inside of it too!" she pointed out.

Grabbing it from her, he replied "I forgot I took it out of my bag for a minute to look at it last night. I just wanted to go over the map as much as I could. That way, we wouldn't be wasting our time stopping every five minutes to figure out where we are."

"Hmmm and looking at some picture in a book for five minutes is really enough to help you memorize the whereabouts of an entire jungle?" she asked wittingly as he rolled his eyes.

"Whatever you say, Helga. Let's go get some breakfast." he insisted, leading her downstairs.

No one was up already. "Weird? It's 4:15. By now your grandma should be prancing around the kitchen like some cowgirl!" Helga said sarcastically as Arnold glared. "Helga, no one in my family gets up this early. I'll make us some scrambled eggs and toast."

As he was about to offer to let her help, he saw her shut her eyes, resting her head in her hand on the table. Maybe we could take a cooking class together this summer.

When the eggs and toast were finished, he placed their plates on the table. Helga awoke to the sweet aroma of food being placed in front of her. "I see you're awake now." Arnold laughed as Helga scowled at him. "Oh, shut up and eat!" Shaking his head, he replied "If you intend on being mayor, then eventually president, you may want to work on being a morning person."

Pointing her fork at his half-lidded eyes, she scowled "Hey! If I'm in a high ranking office position, I can tell the country to act however I want them to at whatever time I want them to!"

Arnold shook his head at her witty comeback, taking their plates to the sink. It was about 4:30 by that point. "Come on, we better get going." he insisted, as she slowly stood up to grab their things. "Should we bring Nadine to keep the bugs off us, or Eugene to bounce across high walls, or Pheebs in case we get captured?" Helga suggested as Arnold went searching through his bag.

"No, but that reminds me. I was going to give this to you when we got to the Green Eyed village, but you know I'm no better at secrets than I am at lying." he said, as he pulled a picture he had printed out of his bag.

Helga looked at it, using every bit of her rough side not to cry. It was a picture Arnold had taken of he saw Helga hugging Phoebe as she was giving her the bouquet.

"I was so excited about our trip last night, it didn't take long for me to get out of bed. I sent the picture from my phone to the computer. Then I found a frame in one of the junk drawers in the basement." Arnold explained.

Hard as she tried to fight it, Helga's lips began to quiver. Arnold leaned in to kiss her, as he felt a tear fall from her face. Wiping it with his thumb, he continued to hold her face in his hands. Bringing their noses together, he whispered "I love you. I'm so happy we're together."

Knowing she hated to cry, he decided to let go of her then and grab their things. The two walked out the door, as they headed for the car. Once they got inside, Arnold immediately reached for her hand, as he saw Helga still looking at the photo. "Are you okay?" he asked.

She looked over at him, her lips quivering, her voice shaking, as she replied "If it hadn't have been for Pheebs, we might not be together. I lost faith so many times, because of how different you and I are. Not to mention how complicated my stubbornness about not being able to change made things for us."

Arnold began to rub her hand, as he said softly "We also found out how alike we are. You're rough Helga, but you do it just so you can help people. You care about people just as much, if not more, than I do. When you sense someone is in trouble, you put them ahead of yourself. We both do."

Helga wanted so badly to hold him, but knew they'd never make it to San Lorenzo if they pulled over for another, what was no longer considered to be 'heat of the moment' activity.

When they arrived at the airport, they saw the plane Helga's family had prepared for them. Walking over to it, the pilot was already outside and waiting for them. Both Helga and Arnold were shaking with anticipation. They wouldn't be traveling with thirteen other people during this trip.

"Hey, we're Arnold and Helga. You must be the pilot for the plane Mr. Pataki set up for us?" Arnold asked excitedly.

"Yes, he told me all about your trip. This will be a nine hour flight like your last trip. I'm not looking to spend the night there. I will fly back after I drop you kids off. Then I will be back here tomorrow at 10:00 pm to take you home." he explained as Arnold anxiously replied, "Sounds great!"

"Let's get going!" the pilot insisted as the kids grabbed their things. Helga could see how excited Arnold was to return to the place he had been reunited with his parents. She was just happy to see him happy.

Arnold grabbed her hand and anxiously dragged her up the steps, not thinking about how tight his grip was on her. "Sheesh Arnoldo! Save the tough attitude for when we get there!" she exclaimed.

Sitting beside her at the window, he replied "Sorry Helga, I'm just re…" he began as she interrupted. "Really excited. Yeah, yeah. I get it hairboy!" as she crossed her arms and glared at him.

Trying to break the tension, he replied "So, what was your favorite part of our last trip here?"

Helga's eyes widened as she uncrossed her arms. She reached for her shirt to yank on, forgetting she was wearing a tank top. "Uhh what do you mean?"

Shrugging his shoulders, he repeated himself. "I mean, what was your favorite part of the trip? The boat ride, the hike, the village?"

"Pttss...it all ended badly! We were attacked on the boat. We almost died of heat stroke on the hike! Then, we could not comprehend a freakin' word any those kids said to us in that village, other than your glorious name! Sheesh!" she exclaimed, hoping he would drop it.

Sensing her tension had turned to fear, he took her hand in his. She looked down as she felt him begin to caress it. "I think we both know it didn't actually END badly." he insisted as she gulped.

"I felt something in my heart I didn't know I could. I had always heard people talk about romantic feelings they had for one another. While I liked other girls in our class, I knew it couldn't have been anything like what I had heard adults speaking of. Then, I saw your locket. You gave it to me to use to help my parents. Just like you said on the boat, I wouldn't have even been there without you! I knew then that everything you told me was true. You may act like you don't care, but it's just a cover."

Keeping his fingers laced with hers, he leaned over to kiss her. Feeling her body tremble, he began to rub her shoulder with his free arm, as he wrapped it around her back. Sucking her tongue, he thought about how different this trip would be. Instead of feeling petrified of her feelings for him, he'd be embracing them on the boat. Enjoying the hike, rather than feeling as though they should give up hope. Happy to see the Green Eyes just as a good memory, rather than them being their last chance for a happy ending.

Arnold could feel her body no longer trembling as she tried to wrap her other arm around his waist. Sensing her struggling, he pulled up the armrest, unbuckling himself to be closer to her. Wrapping his tongue around hers, he pulled her in closer, as the two fell back against the wall of the plane. They tilted their heads, noses shoved against one anothers, as they could both feel the other let out a deep sigh.

Helga began to moan softly, as Arnold began to pull her in tighter, pressing their parts together. When he finally released her tongue, she kept her head against his, as she whispered "What if he senses something?"

Pressing his lips against hers, Arnold replied "That's his problem." Helga tried not to laugh at his attempt to be the bad one. Even if she wanted to however, his tongue was once again inside of her. Their making out session just wasn't enough for him. Arnold wrapped his left leg around Helga's right leg, and began to press and rub their parts together as hard as possible. While Helga couldn't say she didn't love the idea of being in his arms, her insecure side was coming about. They were making out with a stranger only a few feet away from them. Whether he was able to see them or not, the fact that he was still there made her uncomfortable.

Arnold could feel her shaking again, as he began to slow down. Releasing her lips, he asked "Is everything okay?" She continued to look down at him as she replied "Kissing is one thing. Being this intimate with him around is a little much."

Although it was a perfect opportunity to brag about being the aggressive one, he wasn't going to do anything to make her feel uncomfortable. The two of them then sat up, hoping to enjoy the view for a bit. They still had eight hours remaining on their flight. Arnold began to feel a bit tired. After all, he hadn't slept much the night before. Helga pulled him over to rest his head on her shoulder awhile. It didn't take long for him to pass out however. As she noticed his sleeping peacefully on her, she began to softly rub his shoulder; looking over him out the window.

I no longer have to fantasize about traveling with you my love. I finally have you within my grasp!

About an hour later, Arnold woke up. Helga smiled as she watched him rub his sweet eyes. Yawning at her, he asked "Are we almost there?" She couldn't help but laugh at the question as she replied "In your dreams, football head!"

Feeling him once again rest his head on her shoulder relit a burning sensation inside of her. The love she again was reminded of that he felt for her made her heart pound with as much excitement as there was fear. Arnold couldn't help but feel her shoulder moving quickly up and down, as he lifted his head up to ask "Is everything okay?" The moment he looked up, she dragged him to the back of the plane.

Throwing him on the long attached seats, she jumped on top of him. Her eyes screaming with thirst more to finish what they had started. Arnold laid under her with fear in his eyes, thinking to himself I'll never understand her?

Pressing him down hard against the seats, she leaned close to his face. "If I'm you're jungle guide, It was stupid of me to be afraid of some dump pilot."

Smiling at her witty remark, although still not understanding her sudden mood shifts, he replied "Yeah, I gue…" Not having a chance to reply, she shoved their lips firmly together. Arnold kept his eyes wide a moment. Even after years of experiencing her dominant behavior, it still took him by surprise. Slowly shutting them, he thought to himself Although I'll never understand her split personality, not knowing what to expect from her IS a bit of a turn on.

Arnold began to feel as he did the previous night. Passion building up inside of him, a desire to express his own intense feelings. Yet, she had his shoulders forcefully pinned against the seats. Making it impossible for him to do so. I can't just roll us over, we'll slam our heads on the floor?

The most he could do was bring his lower arms to hers, rubbing her elbows. Although it wasn't much, he knew just about any touch from him was enough to make her melt inside.

Separating their lips, she looked down at him with her angry eyes. Squeezing his arms tighter, ignoring the fact that he was carressign hers, he replied "Yeah, what kind of chaperone ARE you?" She slammed her lips against his once again, as she began to feel his widening from the side; his chest moving her up and down. "What's so funny, dingus?" Glaring at his red face, waiting for a response, she finally heard "I just knew that would make you mad. It was worth it though."

She scoffed, holding back the thousands of witty comebacks she had for his 'bold' remark. Deciding to shut him up by shoving her tongue down his throat and leaving it there. Not moving it around, but rather, seeing how long it would take him to lose his breath. What with her nose pressed so firmly against his, their chests squeezed so tightly together, they could feel one another's hearts pounding. She made a quick move to remove her hands from his shoulders and wrap them around his back.

She could feel their hearts pounding as her tongue rested down the back of his throat. Arnold was beginning to experience the fear of being caught she had experienced earlier, what with having no way of moving. Not wanting to kill her protectant, she slowly removed her tongue from his throat. "Now, what were you saying about me not being the best chaperone?" she asked, keeping her nose pressed against his.

"Uhh...nevermind." he replied as she pecked him on the lips. "That's what I thought." Arnold wasn't sure how good of a thing it was that every time one of them took control, the other felt nervous. Perhaps that was just how it was supposed to be. That was just where the thrill of this activity came from. He wasn't like the other kids he had grown up with. He had always been modest or as Helga referred to him, 'Mr. Goody Two Shoes.'

"Please let me up. It's my turn to be the aggressive one." he insisted, as she couldn't help but laugh at his pathetic request. "Pttss...Hey! I'm just giving you what you asked for headboy! Now lye still while I finish what we started!" she insisted as she began to notice him sealing his lips.

"Umm...it's kind of hard to be aggressive when you're not letting me in?!" she exclaimed. Arnold tried as hard as he could to sit up. "I just thought of something. Growing up, you said what you love most about me is how sensitive I am. Now that I've no choice being that way, you don't seem to have a problem with being aggressive. Much like in school. You hated letting me act proud to be with you. You always had to be on top of things." As he went on, Helga butted in.

"What do you mean you're JUST now realizing it? All we've been talking about is my inability to be vulnerable!" she exclaimed as he replied "Yeah, I guess you're right. You're just so...complexing. It's hard to figure out what will and won't upset you." She began to sit up, looking upset, twiddling her thumbs with shame. Not looking over, she felt herself being pushed over. "Hey! What the?!" she exclaimed, as he laid on top of her, pinning her arms down, smiling with half lidded eyes. "Sorry, I had to get you off of me somehow. I had a feeling that would work." he couldn't help but chuckle as she glared at him.

"Why you little!" she scowled as he pressed his lips firmly against hers. Although he made it clear he was just trying to win the battle, she couldn't help but think about his words. Feeling her begin to speak, he removed his lips. "What's wrong?" he asked, as he saw her lips begin to quiver. "Are you really okay with my split personality? I know we've talked about it before, but like I said, it may never change."

Smiling at her, he replied. "Some things about people never change. If you love them though, you're willing to accept that about them." Arnold could feel himself moving up and down as she began to breathe harder. "Is there anything about ME you're not okay with?" he asked as her eyes widened. Pinned down, with her arms over her head, their fingers laced, she breathed heavily. Looking into his eyes, she thought How could he ask such a thing?

"Uhhh...uhhh. Not that I know of?" she replied as he bent down to softly kiss her lips. Leaving them to rest on hers, he asked "Not that I'm a goody two shoes, or that I'm so sensitive, or that I always put others before myself?"

Her heart melted as he began to kiss her neck. "No?" Looking back up at her, he asked "I must be perfect then. Tell me, which of my perfect qualities lured you to me all these years?"

Her knees began to shake under him. Thank goodness we're not standing! Why is he doing this? He knows how I feel about him?

"Well…" she began, as he waited for an answer. Drawing closer to her face, he rubbed their noses together. "Well...what?" he asked.

"I suppose it's the way you always feel the need to put other people before yourself." she finally found the courage to say.

Arnold looked up, trying not to grin too widely. "But that would mean I don't always think about what 'I' want? You told me to do things for myself when we came home from the rehearsal that night? I must say, Gerald was right. You have always been a complex character...Helga G. Pataki!" Releasing their hands, he took her face in his as he began to kiss her passionately. She wrapped her arms around his neck. Forgetting there was anyone else around them, she began to moan deeply.

Tilting his head to the side, rubbing their noses together, their lips began to open to meet each other's warm wet tongues that had been calling out for one another. Each one screamed for power. Helga, because it was in her nature, Arnold, because he could never let something so wonderful escape him. Tasting the sweet sensation of one another's tongue's as they explored the inside of each other's mouths like a jungle, a question entered Arnold's mind. Helga's soon to be monologuing mind was then interrupted when she felt her beloved slip his tongue away from her grip and out of her mouth.

Giving him a questioning look, she asked "Does this mean I win?" He began to smile as he asked, "Actually, I was just thinking. The few times I have been the leader during these fun moments of ours, have I been pleasing to you?"

Helga didn't even know how to react to that. What is he talking about? He's the one person, aside from Phoebe, I've ever been willing to share my emotions with. The only person I've been vulnerable to. I married him! How could he ask such a thing?

"Ummm yeah? What kind of question is that?" she asked, as he continued to hold her. "I just wanted to make sure. I would never want to do something like this if you weren't enjoying it." he replied as she rolled her eyes at him.

"Oh drop the modesty! I know what the one thing is that bothers me about you...it's your guilt!" she scowled as he began to blush.

Knowing she was right, he leaned his head against hers. "You're right. I'm sorry. Let me make it up to you." he said as he began to slide his hands up her tank top. Her eyes widened, not knowing how good of an idea that was. She had so many conflicted emotions. She wanted to be with Arnold, but had to be the aggressive one.

Just before he made it to her chest, they heard "We are about to land in San Lorenzo!" Arnold then sat the two of them up as a bit of relief came over Helga.

He took her hand as the two of them began to catch their breath. "Well, this is it!" he exclaimed, as she nodded her head.

The two exited the plane with the pilot in the same village they had seen during their previous trip. "I will be back here tomorrow night to take you home!" The pilot assured them as they headed for their boat. "Thanks a lot!" Arnold exclaimed.

Heading towards the village, Helga asked "Just one thing. Does this boat know we're getting on it, or did you just assume they'd let us on?" Arnold stopped to consider her point, when suddenly, he was tapped on the shoulder. The two of them turned around to see Eduardo standing in front of them. "Eduardo!" Arnold exclaimed as the two hugged one another.

Helga stood there with her hands on her waist, waiting for La Sombra II to be revealed. "My friends, what brings you back to the village?" Eduardo asked as Arnold anxiously replied "Helga and I just got married. We came to see the Green Eyed Village for our honeymoon. What are you doing back here?"

Eduardo's eyes widened as he replied "You are in luck! I am heading out there to bring more herbs to the children, to prevent the sleeping sickness!"

"Crimity! That city is a death pool! Why don't they just move it somewhere else?" Helga exclaimed.

The two followed Eduardo over to his boat, as they boarded with their bags. "We better not be attacked again!" Helga scowled.

"Well, seeing as how it was Eduardo who confronted us on the river during our last trip, I don't think we have to worry about that happening." Arnold pointed out.

Setting their bags down, Eduardo came up behind them. "Well my friends, we are ready to set sail."

As the three of them sailed across the river, Arnold watched Helga rest her hands against the side of the boat, staring at everything they passed by. "What are you thinking about?"

"How much it would suck to grow up without cars, premium cable, or anything worth living with." she sighed as Arnold rolled his eyes "Whatever you say Helga."

As the two watched the water go by, they were reminded of their morning walk on the beach. Seeing the calm blue water pass, with few noises in the background. Arnold placed his hand on Helga's as he said "I'm really glad we're here." She couldn't help but roll her eyes, having heard that from him already. "Yeah, me too."

Suddenly, they felt a crash. The two nearly fell over the edge of the boat, as Arnold pulled Helga back. He turned his head around to where Eduardo was steering the ship. "What was that?"

"I'm afraid we have fallen into the same wild river rapid we took when battling La Sombra!" Eduardo screamed down to them. Helga sat there glaring up as she scowled "So that means in about ten minutes, our boat will be at the bottom of the river, and we'll once again be hiking our tails throughout this ENTIRE jungle!"

Arnold held onto her tightly, making sure not to let either of them fall overboard. The two of them screamed as the ship passed harsh waves and rapids. Feeling her grip on him loosen as they hit a rough turn, Helga slid across the boat. Arnold raced after her, but wasn't able to catch her before she fell overboard.

"Eduardo! Helga fell off! We have to pull the ship over!" he screamed in fear as Eduardo looked down. "There is no place for that! These rapids are too quick!"

Arnold could no longer see her in the water. If he didn't want to lose her, he had only one choice. Eduardo turned his head just in time to see Arnold jumping off the boat and into the harsh waters. "My friend! No!" he exclaimed.

Using all his strength to swim back up, against the quick waves, he made it to the top. "Helga! Helga! Where are you?"

Suddenly, he heard a scream in the distance. As he was pushed onto a rock by another quick moving wave, he listened for the voice again. "Helga! Helga! Where are you?"

Following the high pitched voice that eventually sounded like his name, he turned his head to see her on the other side of the river. "Arnold! I'm over here!" she exclaimed.

His eyes widened with fear, not knowing what to do. If he let go of the rock, the river would take him. He couldn't just leave her there however. Helga watched the trouble her beloved was in. I've got to come up with a plan!

She then spotted a pile of rocks a ways down the river, leading to the other side. Arnold was too close to the water to see where she was going. When he saw her leaving, he was worried she may not return. He laid his head against the rock, hanging in the river, holding on tight against the rapids. What have I gotten us into?

Suddenly, he heard "Hey Arnold!" and saw a hand reaching out to him. There Helga was, her clothes wet and dirty, but unharmed, reaching out to help him. It took all her strength to pull him up out of the river, without getting pulled back in herself.

Once making it onto land, Arnold asked. "Are you okay?" Helga was tempted to scowl at him We're caught in the same death trap position we were in on the first trip here! Does it LOOK like we're okay?!

"Yeah, I guess so. What do we do now?" she asked, sitting down beside him. "I'm not sure. Although, this does look to be about the same area we crashed the boat last time."

Helga raised part of her brow as she asked, "What's your point?" He turned to look at her, as she sat there ringing the water out of her pigtails. "We could hike to the Green Eyes from here." he suggested, rubbing the back of his neck.

Helga glared at him, clenching her fists as she then scowled "You have GOT to be kidding me?! Arnold! You're not a safari guide, you don't know your way around this place!"

Taking her hand to calm her down, he said softly "Helga, I've looked at that map more than once. I know it was a long hike to La Sombra's village, but it wasn't a difficult trail to follow. If we hike there, I remember how to get to the Green Eyed Village from that point."

"You mean, because of your one day eyeing that drawing your dad made?" she scowled, pulling her legs up to her chest.

"That wasn't the only time I looked at it, Helga. I've had that book since we were nine! Now let's get going." he insisted, holding out his hand for hers. The two began walking as Helga began to shiver from the cold water she had fallen into. Seeing his wife like this, Arnold thought to himself This was a bad idea. We never should have come!

The two began their long hike through the jungle. Walking through muddy trails, hopping on rocks over bug infested rivers, climbing steep hills that seemed to be thousands of miles highs.

As Arnold felt worse and worse listening to the continued silence between him and his wife, he heard "I believe that was the mud pile I pushed you into. Ya know, having been so mad that you ran away from my second heartfelt confession to you." she said wittingly, as he began to smile. Taking her hand, he was relieved to hear her voice. "Yeah, thanks for not pushing me into it this time." Rolling her eyes, she replied "Hey, the trip's not over yet bucko!"

As they made it up the last steep hill, they caught a glimpse of the remains of La Sombra's camp. "There it is!" Arnold exclaimed, as Helga placed her hands on her waist "Man this place is a dump! Like it wasn't bad enough to begin with." she replied as the two headed down to it.

"Yeah, well at least we know we're heading in the right direction." Arnold said with his head behind his neck. "No thanks to your friend Eduardo!" she exclaimed.

Arnold sighed as the two continued walking. He wondered if they would eventually run into Eduardo. If he would make it to the Green Eyed Village safely. As he pondered this, they eventually came across a familiar sight.

"It's that waterfall with the secret passage." Helga pointed out, as the two of them followed behind it. "This place is so stupid. Why would those people bother to make a path that leads this far out here, if they were just going to remain hidden? Sheesh!"

Staring straight ahead, Arnold searched for the wall he remembered Helga figuring out how to open. Not watching where he was going, he tripped over a rock. Nearly falling over the edge of the cliff, Helga caught his hand "Arnold!" she screamed as she held onto him. She reached out her other arm for a rock to keep her grip on as Arnold used all his strength to pull himself back up.

"Walk much, football head?" she scowled as he replied "I guess not. Thanks Helga."

She sighed, fluttering her eyes as she remembered the thanks he gave to her for helping him figure out the door to the cave. "Well, here's the door." he said happily as she corrected him "I think you mean the giant eyeball!" Smiling at her with half lidded eyes, he replied "Whatever you say, Helga."

The two then made it two the tiled path they remembered playing hopscotch on, to avoid the booby traps filled with arrows. "So, what exactly is your plan here football head?" Helga asked angrily, as she waited for a response. "I guess we'll have to climb the hill. I don't have the tiles memorized." he admitted as she gave him the I told you so look.

Digging their nails into the hill, the two climbed up the side, hoping not to fall back onto the tiles. "When we make it to the cave, we can just walk over it." Arnold pointed out, as Helga just kept her mind on not falling off the hill. She began to feel her feet slipping, as her stomach rubbed against the dirt. Sweat began to pour from her face as she used her strength to hold on. Now I know how Gerald felt on the bridge She thought to herself.

Making it to the top of the cave, the two were able to walk across. As they hopped over, they were relieved to not have anymore traps to worry about. Although, that didn't mean they weren't filled with pain and exhaustion.

Walking further into the jungle, Arnold saw the tears on Helga's clothes, the scrapes on her arms, the tired look on her face. "I'm so sorry about all of this, Helga."

She turned to look at him, lifting part of her eyebrow. "What are you talking about? We both knew this wasn't going to be some fancy trip to Chez Paris."

"Yeah, but even so. I never meant for it to be this much trouble to get here." he replied, sighing at the ground.

"Don't worry about it football head. We'll feel better when we reach that hidden city." she assured him, as the two made it to the well. "Isn't that the hole hair boy fell down?" she asked.

"I think you're right!" Arnold exclaimed, as the two walked over anxiously. Looking down, he added "I'm ready if you are?"

She reached out her hand for his as they jumped down into the pile of leaves together. Across from them remained the shrine of Arnold they had seen before. As Arnold got out of the leaf pile, he began to help Helga up. "Ouch!" he heard, as he eagerly asked "What is it? What's wrong?"

"I think I twisted my ankle!" she snapped, trying again to walk on it. "Ouch! Crimity!" she exclaimed, setting her hand on Arnold's shoulder. "Don't walk! You're just making it worse."

"Well gee football head. That's a really nice thought, but we're kind of stuck here without a car, boat, or any other way to get home!" she pointed out.

"Helga, just sit down a moment. It won't hurt to relax for five or ten minutes." he insisted as she carefully sat with her back propped against the wall.

Rubbing her leg for her, he asked "So, where does it hurt the most?" She pointed down towards her ankle, as he began to take her boot off for her. "I don't think it's broken." he assumed as she shrugged her shoulders. "Doesn't really matter if I still can't walk on it."

Not knowing what to say, he continued to rub it for her, as he noticed her looking over at the shrine of him. "You like that statue, huh?"

She immediately turned to face him, forgetting about the pain in her ankle. "Don't be ridiculous! Why would you think that?"

"Well, you used to make shrines of me. Plus, you told Gerald it wasn't half bad the last time we were here." he reminded her as she began to feel vulnerable. Once again, he had information on her and she had no way to run away from it. "What's your point?" she asked angrily, as she began to feel a twinge in her leg.

"Nothing, I just think it's cute." he said softly, as his hand moved from her ankle, up to the top of her leg.

"You...You really think so?" she asked nervously, seeing the enticing look forming in his eyes.

"Most definitely." he assured her, as he leaned forward. Still rubbing her ankle, he slid his other arm up her thigh and under her shorts. Scooting closer to her, he began to rub that part of her leg as he whispered "I think everything about you is cute."

The pain began to not be as distracting. It was replaced by a shiver that took over her entire body. As he leaned in closer to kiss her passionately, moving his hand further up her shorts. She began to moan as she pulled him in close, wrapping her arms around his neck. Pulling away from her, he said "Your foot shouldn't be on such a hard surface." Looking at him questionably, she replied "Pttss...you got any suggestions?"

Looking at her with half lidded eyes, he pulled off her khakis. After pulling them off, he folded them up and placed them under her foot. "Feel better?" he asked, leaning in towards her, rubbing her smooth bare legs. "A little." she blushed, knowing he was still giving her that enticing look.

"You know, there's something I never got to finish on the plane." Arnold reminded her. As Helga continued to lean against the brick wall, her eyes widened. He began to slip his hands up her tank top, noticing her arms shake.

"You don't have to be afraid. It's just me Helga." he whispered, pressing his lips against hers. Making a soft smacking noise, he began to wipe her lips with his tongue. Feeling her shake more, he picked her hands up to place inside his. Lacing their fingers together, he leaned forward as far as possible, without falling on her leg. Gently taking his lips off hers, he asked "Are you cold?" Shrugging her shoulders at him, she replied "Eh, not really."

Leaning her forward, he pulled off her tank top. There she sat in her bra and underwear while he remained fully dressed. "So, if the Green Eyes walk in, I'm the only one who gets to be humiliated?" she pointed out, as he replied "I'm just getting you back for the last time you tied me up."

"Hey! I am disabled! That's not fair!" she scowled as he began to unhook her bra. Setting it down beside her clothes, he laid his hands on her breasts. Leaning close to whisper in her ear, he said "I hated watching you do that yourself, yesterday."

Raising part of her eyebrow, she replied "What? Undressing myself? You know I've been doing that since I was 5."

Rubbing her breasts, he continued to explain. "We're married now. It's my job to take care of you. It was like the door was being opened for anyone to grab you from me, while I just laid there and witnessed it." he began to breathe heavily as Helga started to ignore the massage he was giving her.

"Are you giving this poetry thing another shot, because you could really use a few pointers?" she asked wittingly.

Squeezing her tighter than he meant to, he went on "No! Just the idea of you always looking out for the both of us. Me not being able to protect you. Just made me feel so…"

"Vulnerable." she finished for him as he rested his head against hers.

"I guess neither of us knows what we want. I don't like the idea of being aggressive, but I also don't like the idea of my sensitive behavior allowing someone to take you from me. I want you to be proud to show your vulnerable side to the world, but the thought of you with your guard down in any type of threatening situation is petrifying." he explained with his eyes closed, his nose pressed against hers, he began to feel her laughing.

"What's so funny?" he asked, pulling his head up.

"I thought once we were married, all the stress of this emotional crap would be behind us. It just seems to be putting more on you however. I thought of marriage as our love being cemented. Nothing able to come between us. You seem to be looking at it as an even bigger opportunity for someone to win my affections." she smirked as he looked at her with half lidded eyes.

"You're right. I'm sorry. I know that's the last thing it is. Just the thought of losing you tears me up inside." he closed his eyes tightly, trying not to do the same to her breasts.

"Yet, you brought me here? Great way to act out your feelings bucko." Helga couldn't help but say, knowing the guilt trip she'd be sending him on.

Opening his eyes, he looked at her weak smile, and forgiving look. In her face, he saw a message that read You Complete Me. How could either of them leave the other?

Rather than responding, he leaned in for a long passionate kiss. He could feel her trembling as he began to squeeze her breasts while sucking her lips. The two began to sigh deeply through their noses as they tilted their heads. I'll always be there to take care of her. Nothing can hold me back.

She moaned deeply while she placed her hands on his shoulders. As he began to massage her nipples, a tingle went through her body. He could feel her tongue slipping away from his as he noticed her eyes slowly opening. My beloved WANTS to take care of me. He wants to be the ONLY one to help me. At last I am seen to him as the delicate treasure he has always been to me.

He pulled away a moment to say "Does that make up for the hurt ankle?"

After seeing she couldn't find her words, he put his lips back on hers and continued to rub her. She began to moan loudly. Her arms fell from his shoulders, and onto the floor. After a moment he could sense the heavy pressure from her, and realized his hands against her chest were all that was holding her up.

Taking his lips off, he asked "Helga, are you alright?"

Her lips began to quiver as she tried to reply; realizing what had happened. "Ye...yeah! Why..why wouldn't I be?"

Smiling at her, he moved his hands from her breasts to her shoulders. Sitting her up completely, he replied "I don't know. You seemed a little tired for a moment."

"We just spent the entire day hiking through this freakin' jungle! Of course I'm tired!" she exclaimed, trying to hide her pleasure. It wasn't working however.

He simply smiled and replied "You're right. Let's get you dressed...well mostly." Putting her bra and tank top back on, the two laid there together against the wall. Lacing their fingers together, Arnold laid Helga's head against his shoulder. "Hopefully, your leg will feel better in the morning. We're not that far from the village." he said as she started to fall asleep on him. This was the second night now that Arnold had too much on his mind to sleep.

The next morning, Helga awoke to see her head still resting on Arnold. "Good morning. Did you sleep well?" he asked, seeing her begin to move.

"Better than I expected." she admitted, as she began to look down at her foot. Arnold got up as he held out his hand "Try to stand up. See if it's any better."

Helga got up to find it wasn't as bad as the day before, although she wasn't sure if she'd be able to hike on it. "Maybe if I put my boots on, that would help."

Arnold watched her, when suddenly he saw her looking around the side of him. "What is it?" he asked, as he turned to see a familiar group of worshiping eyes. "It's the Green Eyes!"

Trying to stand, placing her hands on her hips, Helga scowled "They better not have footage of what happened last night!"

"Helga, they can give us a ride to the village!" Arnold exclaimed. Not showing any sign of relief, she scowled, "Fine! But I'M riding in the big chair this time!"

Ready to lift Arnold into the seat, he stopped them to help Helga into it. She gave them an evil glare as the kids all looked confused. Although they let her into it, that didn't stop them from saying "Arnold! Arnold! Arnold!" the entire way!

"Oh give me a break! I think we learned last time that just because he was the only one who could open the corizone thingy, doesn't mean no one else had a piece of merchandise capable of saving you freaks!" she exclaimed during her ride to the city.

Eventually, they made it to the Green Eyed People's village. The children set Helga down in the center of the village as Arnold followed directly behind them. Helping her out of the chair, Arnold said to Helga "I can't believe we're back!"

"Yep, and I'm willing to bet no one has learned English since we've been gone!" Helga said wittingly.

"Don't be so sure." a voice came from behind, as they turned to see Eduardo.

"Eduardo! You made it! Arnold exclaimed, as Helga simply glared at him. "So how'd you escape the rapids?"

"It wasn't easy, but the river starts to gentle down a ways past where I lost you two." he began to explain as Helga butted in. "Oh, so all we had to do was hang on for dear life another three or four miles!"

"Come on Helga, he didn't mean to take that path. The important thing is, we're all safe." Arnold pointed out as they turned to look to the Green Eyes.

Arnold watched Eduardo take the medicine to the village leaders as Helga began to look around. It had been awhile since she had seen the paintings of her loved one and his family. Then she came across the controls for the machine that saved the village...as well as her love life.

When Arnold saw her standing there eyeing it, he went over to see her. Knowing what she must be thinking about, he wasn't sure what to say at first. "How's your leg doing?"

"A-Arnold? I mean, stop creeping up on me football head! Sheesh!" she exclaimed as he shook his head at her.

"Ya know, the last time I did that to you here may have been the one time you simply said 'Hey Arnold' rather than passing out an insulting nickname to go along with it." he laughed.

Helga thought back to that night, thinking to herself Crimity! Where is he going with this?

"Yeah? So?" she exclaimed as he took her hand. "So, how's your leg doing?"

"Oh, it's uh fine I guess." she replied, scratching the back of her head. "Good. I'd never forgive myself knowing I picked a place for our honeymoon, and it just ended with you getting hurt."

"Oh please. Another one of your guilt trips. You know that can have the opposite effect on people! And I don't think pity is what these people worship you for!" she exclaimed as he moved in closer.

"Yeah, you're right. I think they had the right person sitting in that chair on the way up here a few hours ago." he said, gazing at her with his signature look. She gulped, looking down, beginning to rub her arm. "I don't know. It was still YOUR name they couldn't stop shouting! Sheesh!"

Pulling her in closer, wrapping his arm around her waist, he replied "Like you said, they haven't learned too much English yet."

"Tell me abo..." she began, but couldn't finish before feeling his wet lips around hers. Her mind instantly flew back to that first night they kissed in that very spot. The night he found himself to have feelings for her. The night he was ready to share them with her. The night her dreams finally came true, as she found all of this to be true. True through one mind altering kiss that was sweet and soft enough to imply their feelings for one another.

As they broke it, they continued looking deep into each other's eyes. "You make my senses all go whacky! I love you, Helga G. Pataki." Arnold laughed as she began to blush uncontrollably. Making sure no one else was around to hear that, she softly replied "I love you too...Arnold!"

The End

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