LunarianPrincess

Title: What Happens in Vegas

Chapter 8

Summary: A wedding in Vegas leads to a very interesting discovery, and an embarrassing revelation.

Warnings: Not so much physical action… but interesting developments.

Disclaimer: I don't own Hey Arnold!

Inspiration has been kind to me the last few days…

Thank you for your reviews, its so gratifying that there are people still reading this fic. So thank you, seriously.

- I O I - I O I - I O I- I O I – I O I - I O I - I O I - I O I- I O I - I O I- I O I -

I

Arnold was quiet as he crept into the suite, resisting the urge to storm into Helga's room and let that simmering sexual tension explode. He thought back to the strip club, where his body pressed up against Helga's lithe curves, the short breaths and feel of being surrounded by so much sex. He thought back to the stupid engagement party, to when Helga had locked her arms around his neck, to him staring up at her from his seat, locked in place by surprise, his body betraying him. He remembered the feel of her ass pressed to his crotch, how he had gripped her hips and felt himself grow hard and desperate. How his fear of ruining his friendship with her had caused him to push her away before she felt how much he wanted her. Tried to hide that all he'd wanted to do was bend her over the table, shove her dress up, and pound into her until they couldn't breathe. He hadn't been disgusted with her, far from it. He'd been so consumed with lust it was like he didn't even know himself. He lay down and drifted off to sleep, somehow knowing exactly what he'd dream of, yet again.

I-O-V-O-I

The gang lounged around the apartment. Some in the kitchen, some on the couch, but he was at the table watching as the pile of cards scattered in between cans and cups grew larger. It'd been awhile since they'd played a drinking game but after the elegant dinner, they'd needed to blow off some steam among friends. They were only playing halfheartedly, trying to outdo each other with crazy recollections, rules, and questions. He turned to the girl across the table as she reached for the card. Helga was up and she pulled a 10. She said "Ok sex positions! Cowgirl!" Arnold felt himself flush as the girls giggled and the boys whooped,

"Missionary" he found his voice. He heard the groans as they rolled their eyes at his predictable answer.

"Doggy style" was Gerald's contribution.

"The angry pirate" Sid's answer made the group laugh.

"Stand and deliver" Rhonda managed to be prissy even when naming sex positions.

Phoebe was bright red and spluttered a few times before blurting "Queen of heaven"

"WHAT?! No way! That's a thing?" Helga's exclamation made Phoebe turn almost purple. "Way to go Pheebs, ok… um… Tripod" she turned expectantly to Arnold and his mind was so distracted with images of her in those sex positions that he just stared at her blankly. "Disappointing football-head, we've already exhausted your sexual knowledge?" When he didn't respond she sing-songed, "DRI-INK!"

He drank gratefully, trying to ease his tight throat. He drew a 3 and drank again. And so it continued until Rhonda was up and pulled the jack…

"Hmm rules… well we've got the left hand one, and the no using names, hmm. Ok. If you say 'What' you have to give a lapdance to the person next to you"

"What?!" Phoebe immediately exclaimed. Arnold joined in the laughter, Phoebe was always saying 'what'.

"Ooooooh, lapdance to Rhonda or Helga!" Gerald's comment was tinged with laughter. Phoebe turned pink as she looked between Rhonda and Helga. Arnold wasn't surprised when Helga removed her choice and looped her arm through Phoebe's.

"C'mon Pheebs, show me dem moves" Helga practically purred, Arnold tried to ignore what that voice did to his dick. She started to hum some bow-chicka-bow-wow sounds and wiggled in her chair behind Phoebe. Their friends were laughing was so hard they almost couldn't hear the music that was coming from the speaker in the corner. Phoebe did some halfhearted hip shaking and shoulder shimmying before claiming her seat again, cheeks bright red. A few ribald comments were bandied about, the guys congratulating Gerald on his good luck to bag such a sexy lady and the girls asking Helga how the dance was. Helga waved them off and Phoebe just giggled. The game continued on, cards pulled as they went around the circle; Phoebe drew the six so the boys drink, Helga drew the ace of spades and a waterfall began, Arnold started never have I ever and Rhonda was the first with no fingers, no surprises there. Gerald drew a 6 and the boys drink again, Stinky drew an 8 and made Helga and Gerald mates as everyone laughed as they stuck their tongues out and each took a spiteful drink, then Rhonda again – a 10 meant everyone had to name liquor (Stinky couldn't think of one after nearly 4 rounds around, so he drank), then Phoebe drew a 3 and drank. Helga made a show of picking a card and immediately shooting her hand in the air, the slowest was Stinky who drank while whining about her not saying or showing the 7 first. Finally Arnold pulled a card and muttered under his breath.

"What?" Helga leaned forward trying to catch what he said. Rhonda shrieked with delight and eyes widened around the table. Arnold froze as he realized Helga was going to have to give a lapdance to him or Phoebe. He was almost certain that she would choose Phoebe; it'd be safe, it'd be natural. But he was equal parts terrified and hopeful that she'd choose his lap. His breath caught and held as she set her jaw after taking a shot, he felt in his bones that she would soon be in his lap. He thought of all the times they'd been thrown together recently, helping each other out as friends, spending time together in the wee hours and talking easily. He thought of all the times he'd had the opportunity to make a move and froze instead. He was terrified to look around as she stepped between his feet.

She started moving to the beat and his eyes were locked on her navel as it was exposed when she lifted her arms to lock behind his neck. His ears were filled with a rushing sound and he didn't even hear when Rhonda exclaimed "Finally!" and his friends whooped. His mouth fell open as she stepped even closer and turned to present her ass to him. She almost swallowed his tongue when she sat in his lap and started moving. His hands locked onto her hips just where the smooth, cool silk of her skirt ended and her warm skin began. His hands reflexively tightened on her supple skin. He felt his dick start to respond and panicked, desperate to get out of there before she noticed. He jerked back and stood quickly. Helga's balance faltered as her perch was unceremoniously removed, and he was horrified when she landed on her ass between his feet. He was horrified when she turned to look at him with reproach, but what really pricked his conscience was the hurt swimming in those blue eyes.

"What the hell, Arnold!" Her voice sounded suddenly loud as he realized that everyone around them had gone quiet.

"I…I… you… don't…" he couldn't get enough air in his lungs. He was floundering as he tried to explain himself.

"I didn't realize I disgusted you so much," He was desperate to get away from her, from the palpable hurt he had put in her voice. He couldn't find his voice as a tear fell from her eye, but that tiny glistening tear punched straight through his gut. He was shocked out of his frozen state when she launched up and socked him. He couldn't even say he was surprised, he definitely deserved that. He fled.

I-O-V-O-I

Arnold woke up, breathless. He hated that he had been such a coward that night. His stomach was knotted as he realized he'd never had a chance to apologize. To make things right, get them back to their easy friendship from before. He didn't even know if that was possible anymore. He jumped in the shower, hard again when his thoughts turned to the three women he'd had in his lap last night. He'd never been particularly adventurous in bed, but after last night he couldn't help but imagine what two or three pairs of hands could do, how many breasts he could get his lips on. After he came and the urgency dissipated, his thoughts turned back to his tense relationship with Helga.

He had no idea what to say to her, when before he'd been able to say anything. Talking with her was as easy as breathing before. She had such a unique way of looking at things that he almost always sought her out when he needed advice. If it hadn't been her that had been the other person in his dilemma he would have doubtless gone to Helga, he was sure her advice would be to sack up and stop moping. He'd lost something without even realizing it had been his to lose. Shaking off the melancholy thoughts, he followed Gerald into the hallway intent on broaching the silence between Helga and himself. Maybe breakfast would be a great place to start. He could sit next to her and try to start over for the week.

I-O-V-O-I-O-V-O-I

Helga woke up with a slight ache in her head, but was grateful there was no nausea or extreme fatigue like after some nights of drinking. Her cheeks flushed as she thought back to the strip club, she nibbled on her lip as she thought of Arnold's reaction to the two sexy dancers and wished it had been for her. Shaking of the feelings of inadequacy she rolled out of bed and headed for the shower. 20 minutes later she was in linen shorts and a sleeveless poplin blouse, knocking on Phoebe's bedroom door. She wasn't at all surprised when Phoebe emerged chipper and immaculate in a simple coral romper. Helga gave a noncommittal grunt when Phoebe asked if she'd had fun at the strip club.

Glancing at her phone to get the time they grabbed their purses and headed into the hallway to meet with Rhonda and Lila to go down for breakfast. Stinky and Sid were too hungover and Patti and Harold had already gone down to scope out restaurant choices. Gerald emerged and started grooving down the hallway towards the elevator, leaving Arnold to bring up the rear. Lila was peppering Rhonda and Helga with questions about Stinky's propriety from the night before and the girls were laughing as they assured her that Stinky's honor remained intact.

"Olga! Hey, Olga!" the group peered around curiously, as Helga drew up with surprise. Was her sister here? A tall blonde man came up to her, hand reaching out to shake, and smiling widely. "Don't you remember me? That medical conference on Orthopedic Approaches to Labral Repair! It's Erik!"

"I'm so sorry, you must be talking about my sister, the doctor. I'm just Helga." Helga smiled as the guy blushed and backed up a step. "Nice to meet you though, I'll let my sister know you remember her,"

"Thanks. She talked about you, she's so proud of her little baby sister, the lawyer, right?" Helga resisted the urge to sigh and roll her eyes.

"Yeah, I handle litigation for a firm back in New York, just out here with some friends for a wedding," She turned to introduce her friends to the guy. "So what are you doing out here?" Helga started walking towards the café as they were all hungry. Erik followed along with her and the group.

"Another medical conference, always gotta keep up with the latest stuff, that's why I thought you were Olga. You guys do look a lot alike," Helga nodded absently.

"Well, we're having breakfast here, but you're welcome to join us." She didn't know where that invitation came from, when she had opened her mouth she was going to politely say goodbye and head into the café to the table where Patti and Harold waited. She didn't even know if there'd be a seat for him. She looked into his eyes, a fascinating light blue that almost looked like cut crystal. He swung his wrist up and Helga's eyes caught on his long fingers.

"Yeah I can grab a bite before the first panel, thanks." He ambled in behind her, she felt her stomach flutter as he pulled her seat out for her then claimed the seat next to her. She didn't notice the tightening lips of the man at the other end of the table, still chattering about her sister and him at the last conference.

"Thanks for breakfast, hope I'll see you around," he paused and drew out a business card holder from his back pocket and grabbed the pen from the check folder in front of him. "Here's my number, I'll be here til the 17th if you guys wanna get together again." He said guys but he only had eyes for Helga. They'd had a pleasant breakfast and Erik had seamlessly fit in with the group, easily discussing patient care with Phoebe, sports with the boys and even investments and the stock market with Rhonda. Helga had been impressed with his aplomb.

The group didn't have any plans for the day. The wedding was still 2 days away on the 16th so today was just for finalizing details. Helga had an appointment at the chapel at 2pm to meet with their coordinator. Gerald and Arnold and the guys had an appointment for Tux rental fittings at 11. And Phoebe had a final dress fitting at 4pm. Everyone was on their own for the day. Helga and Lila had wanted to go down to Fremont and look at the container park that had opened near there. Patti and Harold were meeting up with their cousin at some local casino for some gambling, and Rhonda debated between staying at the hotel or joining Helga and Lila. She decided to join in the fun and they traipsed off to the valet to get out the smaller car, leaving the SUV for the boys.

- I O I - I O I - I O I- I O I – I O I - I O I - I O I - I O I- I O I - I O I- I O I -

Here's the next little bit… And who is this new guy? Tasty!