I am extremely sorry to everyone. I said I would finish the story today but there were a few glitches on the story and we had to fix it. We, meaning me and Polgara, my new editor!! Hooray! Thanks, Polgara, for checking my story.
Oh and before I forget there are only two more part to go: chapter 11 and the epilogue. So I hope I will be able to wrap up the story and not leave it hanging. So, everyone, enjoy! Happy New Year in advance!!
DICLAIMER: Hey Arnold! is not mine.
Chapter 10
Her Side of the Story
Helga was sitting on the tree branch, watching the reunited family talk. She paid no attention to the tears that coursed down her face and just savored her beloved's happy face. It was all for him.
She dried her tears. She didn't need to hear any words that were uttered by them as they joyfully talked and catch up on good times. Their happy and glowing faces were enough indication.
Helga looked down as she thought of her own family. She did love them. She really did but they didn't love her enough. They were perfectionists who wanted only the best and she wasn't. Nevertheless, she still loved them. Helga took one strap from her shoulder and placed her bag in front of her. She wasn't going to be like Olga any longer. She did truly love them and so she'll act upon it.
She took out her cell phone and dialed. After a few rings, a female voice answered the phone. "M-mom?" Helga asked.
While Helga was watching the reunion someone else was watching her. Vickie was only a few feet away leaning on the tree. A serious expression was on her face as she watched Helga.
~Last night (Saturday), Helga's hotel room
Helga was sitting up on her bed with a laptop on her lap and a headset for the phone on one ear. Her sister's visit to her mother in law's had been extended till Saturday and Helga had just returned from dropping off Muriel at Olga's place.
"I'm telling you Gerry, we have to stop. Can't we do this tomorrow?" a female voice said on the phone.
Helga was typing away on her laptop as she talked. "Look, Vickie, I am doing a much bigger share here. I used an ageing program on the picture and sent you the copy. I've already accessed all the files on the missing persons list and even hacked into the FBI computer files. You just have to go through the extremely confidential file on our computer system that even I can't go into. That's all."
"But there is a lot of data on that file and it's already 10:00 pm"
"Don't start whining to me now Vickie. I promised Arnold he would see his parents tomorrow and he'll see his parents tomorrow."
Silence.
"Where did you get that picture? Did he give it to you?"
Helga hesitated but answered, "I took his family photo and copied it before I left Seattle. I figured I might see his parents in San Diego or along the way."
There was a brief silence on the other end of the line then a yawn was heard. "I'm just halfway through the file. I'll e-mail you the data if I see any match," Vickie said.
Silence as both women worked.
"You know we're grasping at straws here. You don't even now their names," Vickie exclaimed.
"I sent you their picture," was Helga's curt reply.
More silence.
"You better be careful with those FBI files. The last time they found out we were secretly going through their files they nearly sued us."
"Yes, yes. I'll be careful."
"What is your relationship with him?"
Helga was so deep in her work that she didn't register the question at first. It was only seconds later that she did. "Excuse me?"
"Why are you doing all this for him? I know you're nice and all but this… you don't normally do this much for your friends. I wouldn't do this much."
Helga stopped typing and closed her eyes. She sighed deeply but kept her eyes shut. "I've been doing this for him ever since we were really young." She paused and continued softly, "I love him." Tears slipped in her eyes without her knowing it and she found herself crying.
"Gerry? Gerry, what's the matter?" She had forgotten Vickie was on the other line.
Helga continued to cry. "I thought I moved on. I thought I had gotten over him; for 16 years I was convinced I had. But now I realized I love him even more."
Vickie's voice became soft. "You said you realize that you have friends who love you, right?"
Helga tears stopped. She nodded but remembered she was on the phone and replied an affirmative. Then she opened her eyes and looked passively at the computer screen.
Vickie's voice got even softer. "You know Gerry, you will never truly love someone if you don't learn to love yourself first. After you found your self-worth your heart reminded you of your deep love for him. Nothing is wrong with you."
Silence.
"You loved him before?"
"I've loved him almost all of my life," Helga replied.
Vickie's voice was still soft as she asked, "when did you discover you still love him? You said before you didn't have anyone special."
"It just dawned on me this morning that I still love him. When I saw him and Lila together, they were so happy that it hurt me; but what really brought me to my senses was the urge I got to do this for him, like I've always done."
Her voice softened again. "I guess that's the reason I was so mad at him when he kept asking me to tell him what was wrong with me. It was like he knew me. We weren't even that close but he knew me. It felt like he liked-me liked me."
"What is it with that term? You either like or love a person."
Helga sighed. "I guess, what I wanted to say was I love him. Jeez, Lila is getting to me." She muttered the last part to herself.
"Speaking of Lila, why did you sign her name on the note?"
"He trusts her and I want them to be together. They deserve to be together."
"Why not you? You have better qualities than this Lila."
Helga laughed softly. "I hate to tell you this but you are a little biased. You don't know her and if you did you would see that I'm right."
"I still think you'd be perfect for him. And who knows, he might love you too."
Helga scoffed. "Like that'll happen."
Helga tried to imagine what it would be like to have him love her, but it hurt too much. She couldn't imagine it the way she had all those years ago because now she knew it was impossible.
Silence.
"Ger?"
"I'm here, Vickie." A pause. "I'm sorry I didn't realize it but you're one of my best friends. Thank you for everything, Vick."
"Oh dear, Helga Geraldine Pataki getting mushy on me? I better spread the word at the office."
"You do that and I'll wring your neck and throw you over Mt. Everest."
"Welcome back, my dear."
~1:00 am
Helga was getting a bit droopy but she still kept searching. On the other end of the line, Vickie was getting sleepy as well. Suddenly, Helga heard a curse uttered on the other end of the line. She snapped awake and worriedly asked, "Anything the matter?"
She heard another curse. "Check on the list of agents."
"I already did and it was negative."
"Not theirs, ours."
She was puzzled but followed her. She went through all the profiles, matching the picture she had on hand and the pictures on the profiles. Two matches were found.
Helga's eyes widened. Two matches found?! Maybe it was a mistake. Computers do make mistakes but she wouldn't see if she was right until she presses the ENTER key.
She gingerly pressed the key and closed her eyes, praying that they were the right ones. She opened her eyes and gave a brilliant smile, but her happiness didn't stop there. She yelled, "YES! YES! YES!" She didn't care if the people in the neighboring rooms were asleep. She had found them and now her beloved would be happy.
Beloved. When was the last time she had called him that? She smiled. It was a very long time ago.
"I take it your happy," a drowsy voice put in.
"Yes, but why were you cursing earlier?"
"That was because of my stupidity. I just now looked at the picture and recognized the faces."
"You WHAT? We worked our butts off all afternoon, evening, and early morning and you KNOW THEM?"
"Aren't you afraid you'll wake the neighbors with all your yelling?"
Helga calmed down. "I don't know whether I should kill you or hug you," she muttered.
"I prefer the second choice. So, do you want to contact them?"
Helga became nervous. "No! You're the director. You contact them."
"You're the one who wanted to find them."
"You found them," Helga replied back.
"You love their son. You should do the honor."
"Like I have the right." She paused and sighed. "Okay, I'll do it. How do I contact them?"
"I'm e-mailing you their location and phone number now. You can either do it via the phone or the I-cam."
"I-cam. It will be better if they can see and hear me as they get the news."
"Good. Now, do it right away."
"Is it okay? Aren't they asleep or something?"
"My dear, they have been searching almost their entire lives for their son. A lack of a good night sleep will not put you on their hate list."
A sigh. "Okay. I'm signing off now."
"Great. Good morning and don't worry, you'll do fine. They'll love you as their daughter-in-law."
Helga was about to ask, "What is that suppose to mean?" but Vickie had already hung up.
She sighed as she prepared herself for delivering the good news.
~Now
Vickie watched Helga give a small smile as she turned off the cell phone. She saw her hug the phone as if she were hugging the person she had talked to.
Vickie smiled. 'She must have straightened things out with her mother. Good girl.'
She knew Helga would soon feel her presence so she went ahead of her and said, "Everything alright?"
Helga looked down and saw her. "Yeah, my mom just invited me for Thanksgiving." She took another glance at Arnold and his family.
"You know, you both helped each other. You did it purposely, he unknowingly," Vickie said nonchalantly.
"Care to explain."
Vickie leaned further back. "You helped him be reunited with his family and he reunited you with your family."
Helga leaned back on the tree as she placed her legs on top of the branch. She put her backpack on her lap and looked at Arnold's sheepish smile as his mother lectured him on something. Helga saw her pointing at his sweater. She could make-out the words 'tuck-in' and 'sweater' and gave a small smile. "Yeah, I guess he did."
Silence.
Helga looked at Vickie. "What happened to Brent?"
Vickie became serious. "He's locked up in jail, far far away from civilization."
Helga shook her head slowly. "I just can't believe any agent, especially one of our own, would go renegade. It's a good thing we caught him," she stopped. "I know it seems cruel but I have to thank the Fates for making Brent a part of Lila's life and you for forcing me to go to the reunion. But it's just spiteful for Lila to suffer so much."
"It's just a way for us to grow, I guess."
More silence.
Helga remembered something. She faced Vickie, who was still leaning on the tree but was now softly talking into a walkie-talkie. Helga waited for her to finish and then angrily hissed. " Why did you send an agent? You know better than to send me a baby-sitter."
Vickie shrugged. "I was worried about you," she paused. "Where and when did you spot him?"
"Before I came here I was over at the City Aquarium being depressed when I saw his reflection on a tank." Helga wasn't about to tell Vickie that the fish had helped.
"Did you damage him much?"
Helga waved her off. "He'll be okay in about a month or so. Depending on how long his healing ability is when he has a broken arm, leg, and some ribs."
Vickie rolled her eyes. "You know, you should be my agent when we handle deadly terrorists. You've done enough damage on our agents, think what you could do to the enemy."
Helga glared at her. "I am perfectly content with my job." Vickie scoffed.
Silence.
Helga remembered yet another detail. "So, did you tell them that Lila was the one who set up the reunion?"
Vickie shook her head and Helga panicked. "I thought you did."
"What?! You knew I didn't want him to find out. That was why I sent the letter with Lila's name signed on it."
"Oops, I guess I forgot then," Vickie said sounding not a bit sorry.
Helga glared at her. "CRIMINEY!" She screamed in frustration.
They had been talking for almost an hour trying to share every memory that they had accumulated while they were apart. But as the minutes wore on the two nagging questions that had been silent in Arnold's head were now loud and persistent. He decided to ask them now, "Are you guys okay to be out in the open now? I know the guy you prosecuted is in jail now but what about his friends?"
"You don't have to be worried Arnold, we're protected by the CIA. There are a handful of agents out here in the park, watching the surroundings and us. And we arrived here under heavy security. In all the time that we were looking for you, we managed to nab the most powerful of his associates."
Now that one question was done there was one more. "Mom, Dad, how did Lila know where you were. I know I didn't tell her about you. There were only a handful of people that knew you guys."
His father's eyebrows wrinkled. "Lila. Oh no, son. The young lady that helped us was Gerry Pataki." He paused as if to think deeply.
Arnold's heart began to beat loudly, at least it seemed loud to his ears. Was his father referring to Helga?
His father, not seeing his shock face, continued. "I believe her real name is Helga Geraldine Pataki." He stopped again. "Is she Swedish? Her name sounds Swedish."
The last question went in one ear and out the other. "Do you mean Helga did this? But why and how?"
It was now his mother that answered the question. "She's the director's personal secretary, dear." She saw his face pale. "Arnold, are you okay? Do you know her?"
He nodded. "She was my classmate during grade school. Do you remember the female bully that scowls a lot?"
"That's her? Wow! It's a small world," his father stated.
"Well, that explains why everyone fears her. When we first arrived at the organization we were warned about the director's personal secretary. They said no one with matters of minuscule importance, that couldn't be handled by other people, could go to the director. She filters everything thoroughly. And if she discovers that someone wants to see the director without full clearance from her she'll attack that poor agent. I understand she can be pretty intimidating." His mother gave a shiver.
"She's extremely smart too. All the other agents use a lot of tactics to persuade the director on decisions but she knows what they're doing. Gerry is like some kind of bull dog…no what's worse dear?"
"Uh… a pit bull I think," his father answered.
"Thank you. She is like a pit bull guarding the director. She's the perfect person for the job." His mother paused. "But somehow I know she's a sweet girl."
Arnold smiled at his mother. He was about to say something when he heard, "CRIMINEY!" He grinned. Only one person could say those words and only one person could put so much strength in that yell.
He turned around to where he heard the voice originate and faced his parents. "I'll just say thank you to her. I'll be back."
"Don't worry son, take your time. We'll just head back to Sunset Arms and meet you there," his father said. His mother just waved at him.
Arnold waved back and ran to where he heard Helga.
If it were possible to burn someone with just a glare, Vickie would have been burned to atoms at the intensity of Helga's stare. She was used to her glares and barb words but Vickie had never seen Helga this angry. For the second time (the first was when she first met Helga) Vickie got a bit scared.
Her voice was deadly calm. "I have worshiped him from afar and he never had a clue. When he got a hold of my little pink book of love and the parrot, both of which held all my love poems of him, he didn't find out. I returned his little blue hat just to make him happy." She swung her legs over and let it dangle over the branch. Helga now faced Vickie.
"I have followed every single piece of advice he's given me, even though it would mean sacrificing any fun I could have had. The dinner, the contest I so dearly wanted to win, every single situation where it would benefit me but hurt others. I followed all his sweet and naive advise. Heck! I gave my most desired Spumoni snow boots to that government worker just so Arnold could have the Christmas gift he wanted so much and he didn't get to know about it," her words were growing in intensity. She paused. "And now, the greatest and last gift I'm giving him anonymously, is going to be exposed as my doing? I don't want that!"
"Now Gerry, please calm down. Maybe he needs to know everything you have done for him."
Helga narrowed her eyes. "He can never know anything of what I have done."
"Why are you so stubborn about him finding out?"
"Like you said last night, he might find out that I love him. Now he will find out."
"He will if you don't stop lecturing me," she brusquely replied.
Helga bit her tongue but continued to glare at her. Vickie glared back. This was the situation when Arnold arrived.
"Hello, Vickie! I heard Helga was around here."
Vickie muttered under her breath, "Literally and figuratively." She was referring to the word 'heard'. Helga knew what she said even though she didn't hear it and glared at her.
"Have you seen her?" he continued.
In answer, Vickie pointed up. Arnold looked up and saw Helga on the tree branch gazing at the park.
Suddenly, Helga looked at him and glared. "What?"
Arnold just smiled. "I'd like to thank you for what you did. To tell you the truth it surprised me that you would do something that good for me."
Helga waved him off. "It's nothing football head."
Helga saw in the corner of her eyes Vickie mouth the words, "Aww, he has a sweet nickname from her."
Helga mouthed back to Vickie, "Knock it off!"
"Make me!" Vickie mouthed back.
Arrgh!
"Uh, Helga?"
Helga looked in front of her and was surprised to see Arnold on the tree branch sitting in front of her. Darn her! Vickie was distracting her.
She gave a yelp and lost her balance. Instincts took over as she prepared for the landing when a hand grabbed one of her arms. She dangled in the tree with Arnold holding her one hand.
Helga looked up and saw Arnold holding her. "You know, you're pretty light," he said.
Helga scoffed. "You can let me go now. This isn't some movie were the female is falling from some high place and the hero rescues her from her doom. This is me falling off an 8-foot high tree branch. Release me, Arnoldo." He did.
She landed on the ground and dusted herself a bit as she picked up her bag from the base of the tree. She heard a thud as Arnold jumped from the tree. "I could have landed safely by myself you know."
Arnold gave a sheepish smile. "I'm sorry. It was just instincts, I guess. I forgot you're with the CIA."
"Yes, I am. I'm…" she jerked her thumb at Vickie who waved. "…Her personal secretary."
"But why did you lie about it? Why did you tell me and the others that you were a personal secretary at some computer company?"
"We can't all be goody-two shoes like you, Arnoldo. I have to lie. Since I'm a personal secretary at the agency that handles the entire foreign criminal acts against the US, I have vast knowledge that could benefit anyone including criminals. I can't go walking around saying I'm the personal secretary of the head of the CIA, it would be better off for me to lug a sign that says 'Kidnap and use me!'" She scoffed.
"Oh."
"Excuse me for the intrusion but I just had an idea, Gerry," Vickie said. Helga and Arnold looked at her.
"Why don't we make Arnold an agent too? He climbed the tree with ease, so he's physically fit. He seems smart and he's parents are agents. And he knows you personally. Maybe if he became an agent nobody would be scared of bringing matters to me."
"No way!" Helga pointed at Arnold. "No way will he be an agent. It's too dangerous!"
"He could handle it."
"NO!"
"It concerns Arnold why don't you ask him?"
He looked at the arguing duo. He's happy that Helga's concerned, but why was she so unyielding? He blinked in surprise when he felt the two ladies look at him. "Umm, I don't know. I don't think…"
Helga cut him off. "See? He agrees with me. He won't be an agent."
Vickie gave a teasing grin. "Why are you so adamant?"
"I'm just concerned for his safety. He doesn't even know the harshness of the world."
"Right," Vickie said, sounding unconvinced.
Silence.
Helga put her bag on her shoulders and folded her arms. She faced Arnold. "Why were you up on the tree a while ago?"
He smiled sheepishly. "Well, you looked ready to kill your boss. I just wanted to calm you down before you did something drastic."
"Nah, she's used to my moods and she bites my head off too. But I do it more. That's our relationship."
"O-okay, I guess." He paused. "Well, I just came to thank you Helga. For the reunion, you know."
She waved him off. "Yeah, yeah. It's no big deal. Look, I got to go, Arnoldo. I'm happy and all about your parents but I have to leave." She began to walk away.
His eyebrows wrinkled. "What about Vickie?"
She stopped and faced him. "She left already."
He looked at the tree Vickie had been leaning on and found she was gone. "It must have been an intense training you went under to get into the CIA."
Helga shrugged "It was nothing I couldn't handle." She began to walk again.
"Helga?" Exasperated, Helga turned around only to find herself being hugged. She felt electricity where they touched. She also felt safe, contentment, and happiness. Before, he only reaches up to her shoulders now he could fully embrace her. She clenched her fists. She desperately wanted to be in his arms forever but she couldn't.
She broke away from him, gently. "Yeah, yeah. It's just for everything you've done for me in the past. Caring for me as a friend and all."
Arnold nodded.
"You're welcome and I have to go now, football head."
"Sure, bye Helga and thanks!"
Helga continued walking as she replied, "And I said 'your welcome' already. I know you're thankful already so stop thanking me."
By this time she was a few feet away. "Got it!" he shouted. "My beloved," he added under his breath.
Helga was about to step out of the park when someone walked beside her. "Could I walk with you? I just want to see your hotel room."
Helga nodded. "Vickie, why did you come here? Don't get me wrong, I'm happy that you visited me and all but you are the director of the CIA."
"Hey, I helped look for those two. I lost a perfectly good night sleep for that family." She smiled. "And besides, I really was worried about you."
Silence.
"So you're back to you're old relationship."
"Old relationship? How did you know what our old relationship was?"
Vickie told Helga the entire story about looking after Arnold when he was young. "It wasn't much. We only watched Arnold till he was in the fourth grade."
They were already at Helga's hotel when she finished talking. Helga stopped and faced Vickie. "You're saying that you knew me from before?"
"Well, I didn't realize it until today. What my real purpose was to let you understand that I knew. You could talk to me anytime." Helga nodded.
"And since we're cleared on me helping you, I just wanted to ask you why you said that the reunion was the last present you'll ever give him. Is it something to do with you being depressed at the aquarium?"
Helga sighed and walked in the hotel. Vickie followed. "Yes, it is my last gift for him. I am moving on, so this is the last reunion that I'll be going to."
Vickie gasped. "B-but what about your friends? Your realization? You know they love you."
"I'll keep in touch with them, don't worry. They just won't see me again."
They both entered the elevator. "But why? Is it because of him?"
Helga didn't answer but just pressed the button for her floor level. Vickie looked at her worriedly. She wanted to say things but she didn't know how to say them. Helga is known for being as stubborn as a mule, even to her. So all Vickie did was sigh.
They were nearing Helga's room when Vickie said, "You know I'm still sending an agent to look after you."
Helga grinned as she stopped at her door and took out her key. She opened the door and let Vickie in first and then she went in herself.
As Helga was closing the door Vickie exclaimed, "If you are going to beat this one up, make sure you beat him lightly. I'm going to need him soon." Helga's only answer was a laugh.
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