Changed

by Jedy

18 yrs. has passed in Arnold's universe and almost everything changed. They still have the same 'relationship' with each other although more mature, especially after Helga comes back after 16 yrs. of separation...

12. Turth be told

My deepest apologies everyone! Of all the places and time for a writer to have a writer's block… Well, I really had a difficult time writing the romance between Helga and Arnold. I didn't have much to go on. The episodes about Ruth and Lila don't show much and I haven't watched the episode where Arnold meets the two Ceciles.

So, I hope you all liked this chapter. Polgara and I worked hard in it! Speaking of which, thanks again, Polgara for helping me with my writer's block and editing this.

This is the last chapter, folks. Next one is the epilogue. I hope everyone enjoyed this fic. I'll post another fic soon!

Words that are between *s and at the end of the chapter are from Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew. Once again from this website:

http://tech-two.mit.edu/Shakespeare/taming_shrew/index.html. The italized parts are the flashback. Musume is daughter, Otousan is father and Ohayoo gozaimasu is formal hello in Japanese. I got these from Fanfiction.Net's writer's university.

DISCLAIMER: Hey Arnold! is not mine. If it were this would be an episode… just kidding!

Chapter 11

Truth be told

~Monday morning, Heyerdahl-Johanssen home

Phoebe opened the door and was immediately kissed on the lips. In a state of shock, she just looked on as her husband kissed her and pulled away. Gerald gave her a quick greeting and then closed the door, leaving a bewildered Phoebe inside.

She blinked once; then twice. Finally, deciding that she couldn't stand there all day thinking about her husband's peculiar behavior, she headed toward the couch; plopping down when she got to it. She was so tired that she just let her bag fall onto the carpet. Closing her eyes, Phoebe tried to make her mind go blank.

She must have done a hundred operations that day. Fate must have decided to play some joke on her; giving her two weeks off, from having to perform any surgery, and then giving her a month's worth of operations in a single day.

Fate? Phoebe laughed. Helga was still infectious. When had she started calling the omniscient force, that controlled an individual's destiny, fate?

Her musings were stopped by a phone call. Phoebe waved the phone off, letting the answering machine get it. She listened for the caller's message, but what she heard was the most unexpected voice of all.

"Phoebe, honey. I know you don't want to hear from us, but please listen," a male voice pleaded.

She opened her eyes; her father. Her very own father. When had she last heard his voice? Or her mother's? Phoebe gazed at the answering machine as the caller continued talking.

"I'm not calling you because something bad has happened, it's just that your mother and I have missed you terribly."

Her heart squeezed, not because she was having a heart attack, but because she too had been missing them. But then, she remembered their shock when she and Gerald had told them they were dating and the outright rejection when they announced their engagement. It was even worse when Gerald's parents were in agreement with her parent's decision.

Phoebe shook her head and just let the machine play.

" . . . And we're sorry. We're sorry that we weren't open-minded enough to see the love between you and Gerald. We . . . I'm a stubborn old fool and I believed I knew what was best for my baby."

She heard sniffles in the background. Was her mother there too?

Phoebe then heard her father give a heavy sigh. "Musume, dokomademo, Dou emo, Jibo imei itsudemo, Shitau nannari aijou."

Those words... The last time she heard those words was when she was in nursery school. When she had gone home alone, after not having made any friends, her father had said to her "Dokomademo, Dou emo, Jibo imei itsudemo, Shitau nannari aijou." Through thick and thin, no matter what, the affectionate father will always love his daughter.

Tears fell from her eyes as she picked up the telephone, but she wasn't able to catch him. He had already hung up. Phoebe let her tears flow as she dialed the number that for so long she had tried to forget without success.

A male voice answered.

"O-ohayoo gozaimasu! Otousan..." Phoebe slowly exclaimed. The phone call continued.

~Sunset Arms' rooftop

He had heard her.

Heard her as she angrily whisper to Vickie, but he didn't let her know. He was pretty shocked, well, that's an understatement. He would have fainted right then and there if Vickie hadn't brought him back to his senses.

He had been only a few feet away from reaching them when he heard the angry whisper and he stopped to listened.

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 sounded like Helga but her words...love poems? Parrot? Blue hat? They were all connected to him. Could she be referring to him? They couldn't be true! And from Helga even!

"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.

Arnold's eyes widened. His Christmas gift for Mr. Hyunh? Helga gave up her snow boots just for him? He looked at the ground, trembling. He hadn't known that she had done all those for him, and reuniting him with his parents...?

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!"

Last?

What does she mean?

She can't be leaving already?

"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 felt dizzy. He must be hearing things. He couldn't have heard her say THAT?

"He will if you don't stop lecturing me," she brusquely replied.

But it was too late, he already had. Had Vickie notice his arrival and said that for his benefit - so he could recover? Might as well take this opportunity. Arnold took a deep breath and let his presence be known.

He still couldn't believe it. Helga Geraldine Pataki loved him? H-how was that possible?

He heard Gerald climb up from his room and join him, but he didn't turn to face him. He just had so much to think about. He needed to sort everything out before talking to anyone else.

A slight breeze tousled Arnold's hair as he gazed down at the neighborhood. Gerald just looked at his best friend worriedly. He had left his business at the hands of his vice-president, just so that he could be with Arnold. He knew Arnold would need him right about now. After all, meeting ones parents for the very first time in many years would make anybody shaky. He leaned on the ledge, next to Arnold, and looked at the scenery.

"So how are your folks?"

"They're fine. They had to go back to headquarters to take leave," he replied quietly.

"It's pretty cool, huh, Arnold. Imagine your parents are CIA field agents. I would never have guessed that was part of the reason they came back to your life late," he paused. "So, what will happen to them after they quit being CIA operatives?"

"They said they would travel with me during my expeditions. They assure me that they can take care of themselves if there is any trouble."

"But I thought you wanted to be a doctor? You said that once you found your parents you'd come back to study."

Arnold just shrugged, "I don't think I want to be a doctor anymore. I've come to love my work. It hasn't just been an excuse to look for my parents."

"Oh."

Silence.

Gerald looked at him, annoyance written all over his face. "What is your problem, man? I didn't take a day off just so I could hear your listless voice!"

Arnold turned to look at him, a sheepish smile on his face. "I'm sorry, Gerald. I was just thinking about something."

"That's why I'm here. Now spill it."

A doubtful look flashed across Arnold's face. Gerald's annoyance grew. Arnold's grandfather had been right. Arnold has always liked to take the weight of the world on his shoulders. Gerald sighed inwardly. Like always, he was going to have to be extra patient with him.

"Are you okay with your parents?"

He saw a startled look on Arnold's face, "Everything's great. They're everything I ever hoped them to be. It's surprising how much my parents and grandparents are alike."

Gerald looked at Arnold. "But that's not the reason you're all moody, is it?"

Arnold shook his head. "It's Helga."

Now THAT shocked Gerald. "WHAT?!"

Arnold leaned backwards on the ledge and looked at Gerald with a serious face. "I told you before that I thought something was wrong with Helga." He stopped. "Well, something was wrong with her and after Rhonda's party she was better."

This wasn't making sense to Gerald, not at all! "Nothing is wrong with Helga. She's nice and approachable. Everyone likes the changes in her." He looked Arnold in the eye. "Everyone except you."

"What you're referring to as Helga's 'change' isn't really a change. This may come as a shock to you, but the Helga you now know 'is' the Helga from the past. She just probably realized that we all love her and let all her walls drop."

He stopped as he looked into Gerald's eyes. "The change I'm referring to is her withdrawal from us. When she arrived here it seemed like she had drawn away from the world, isolated herself. But somehow, during the days that passed here, Helga's been able to be truly happy. She's become a friendly person who welcomes everyone."

Gerald was stunned and speechless.

Arnold looked away from Gerald and went back to the ledge he had been leaning on. "Helga's fine now and she changed without my help. Although I really wanted to be there for her. But in the end, I guess, it's better that she did it on her own. Realization is much more meaningful if you yourself make it."

Gerald looked at his best friend and slowly shook his head. Somewhere during his expeditions, Arnold had lost it. Why was he so adamant about finding out what was wrong with Helga when there was nothing wrong with her? What had made him so sure that he knew Helga better than anyone else - even more than Phoebe? And why now?

A thought came to him.

"You're not telling me that you love her? You can't fall in love with someone just because they set-up a reunion with your long lost parents."

"I am infinitely grateful to her for setting me up with my parents; but you know that I was bugged by her change even before I met them."

Darn. How was he supposed to reason with the stubbornness of his best friend? And... Wait a minute!

"You LOVE her?"

The only reaction he got was a wry smile. "Oh I didn't contradict it, did I?"

Gerald looked at Arnold strangely. Here he was, having the biggest shock (well two big shocks) of the day, and he had the gall to tease him?

"Since when?" was all he was able to say through gritted teeth.

If Arnold knew his best friend was greatly annoyed, he didn't show it. "I think it began during fourth grade but I was sure by the sixth grade."

Gerald looked down. Sixth grade? How...? He felt a comforting hand on his shoulder. He looked up and saw warm green eyes.

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you before. I didn't know if you'd understand." He began to look a bit dreamy as he continued, "Helga was the hardest person to grow up with. She bullied and insulted every one of us, but inside I knew she didn't really want to. Sometimes it seemed like it was me that she was really mad at. Like I had done something that infuriated her even more." He stopped as he thought about it. 'Now it makes more sense. She was probably annoyed that I knew her so well and that I affected her so much.'

"Earth to Arnold!"

Arnold blinked and saw Gerald's worried face. He smiled sheepishly. "Sorry, my mind wandered off. Where was I...? Oh yes; and then there were the times she was nice, and that really struck me. How can someone who spends all her time treating everyone bad be nice? I figured she must have been hiding her good side, her real side."

Gerald was still in a bit shock but was able to ask, "How did you know that it was her real side she was hiding?"

"Her family."

Gerald gave a slight nod. He knew about that part, but what he didn't know was how deep Helga's family problem was.

Arnold continued, "From all the time I saw her parents or heard her talk about them, I concluded that she lived a really harsh life." He looked down, "and I knew how she felt. Truthfully, I pitied her at first so I continued to help her be nice to every one. I was there whenever I thought she needed someone, even though at times she didn't want any help."

He looked at the sky. "Sometimes I would question myself, why am I doing this? She didn't seem to appreciate anything I did. Occasionally, she would make me so mad, I just wanted to totally ignore her. Let her torment and tease everyone. But I really couldn't. She needed me and later on I needed her."

He gave a soft laugh. "It was a real surprise at first. I mean, why would I need Helga G. Pataki? I figured it was because she understood what I've been through. Her family didn't love her enough, while I didn't have my parents' love. I'm not saying my grandparents didn't give me love. It's just that sometimes I needed a different kind of love.

"Anyway, I thought Helga and I could be friends, but she kept on pushing me away. But I didn't stop. No, I still kept the offer open and helped her. Then one day I realized another reason that I needed her, she was my source of strength."

Arnold's voice became soft again. "Can you imagine what it's like to be lacking love your whole life, but still somehow manage to become a loving person? She built walls, to keep herself from being hurt, but she didn't become a horrible person. She wasn't the best person on the outside but on the inside she was an angel. And through all these years that good side of hers still hasn't disappeared.

"If I were put in her position I would have cracked. I would have become cruel. I would hate the world," he shuddered at that thought. "But she didn't, Gerald. And I love her for that and infinitely more things. Whenever I feel like the world isn't worth changing, like I just want to ignore everything and be heartless, I think of Helga. She has been through much more and she turned out to be a better person."

Gerald came in closer and put a hand on his shoulders, "When you put it what way I see Helga in a new light," he paused. "Thank God you weren't put in her position or everything would have turned out different. I guess it's fitting of me to say that I hope you deserve her. Helga's one of the best people around."

Arnold smiled at Gerald. "I hope so too, Gerald. I hope so too."

He resumed his prior position by reclining against the ledge. His conversation with Gerald, regarding Helga and his parents, had ended ten minutes ago. Now, he was once again left alone with his thoughts.

Gerald's visit hadn't stalled his reflection on Helga as he had thought it would. In fact, it had actually helped him. By explaining things to Gerald he had somehow managed to explain things to himself. He had gained more insight. His talk had even helped him find a way in which to approach Helga. He had been having trouble thinking about how to do it before. From experience he knew that Helga would either blatantly deny everything he said or just walk away. But now he had found a way. The only problem was how to find her.

Helga sighed as she walked through the familiar Vine Street. This really was the last place she wanted to be in now, but for Phoebe she would do anything. But all the way here a nagging thought had come to her, if Phoebe had wanted Gerald home why hadn't she just called him at Sunset Arms? Their phone must be broken, otherwise Phoebe wouldn't have sent her... Right?

"Hey, Helga! Could I speak to you for a sec?" a voice yelled. She looked up and found Arnold looking down at her from the roof.

Helga groaned. Why her? Had she done something wrong in her past life that she needed to be punished for now? She sighed in resignation, Arnold was expecting an answer.

"Well, okay but I have to tell Gerald something first!" she shouted back.

"He left thirty minutes ago!"

Darn that Phoebe! If she weren't her best friend she would do something horrible to her. Helga bit her lip; she had agreed to let him talk to her. She'll just stay there for a few minutes, listen to him and then leave. As simple as that. "I'm coming up!" she yelled.

Helga should have learned by now that life was never easy.

~Heyerdahl-Johanssen home

"Phi, I'm home!" Gerald exclaimed as he closed the door. He expected an answer but none was forthcoming.

Puzzled, he looked around the house. He had walked only a few feet when he noticed a hand waving at him from the sofa in the living room. He went in closer. There he found his wife lying down on the sofa. She was muttering Japanese phrases to somebody over the phone. Gerald smiled. She must have patched things up with her parents. 'Good for you, Phi.'

Phoebe must have noticed him and raised one hand, asking him to wait a few more minutes. Gerald shook his head and mouthed, 'It's okay'. She nodded in reply and began to talk to the caller again.

He left the living room and proceeded to go into the kitchen to prepare some tea for Phoebe and himself. Gerald slowly shook his head, 'I never would have learned to like tea if it weren't for Phi.'

He took the empty kettle from the stove and put some water in it. He then put it back on the stove and turned the heat on. He sat on one of the chairs as he waited for the water to boil.

Both of their families' rejections had really offended Phoebe. But it was a good thing that she had finally forgiven her family. He hated to see her suffer while he already had forgiven his parents a long time ago.

Gerald felt a peck on his cheek. Then he heard her open some cabinets. "So you've finally boiled water. What kind of tea would you like, Gerald?"

He smiled. "Green tea would be fine."

~Sunset Arms' rooftop

She was on the last rung of his ladder when a hand popped in her view. She looked up and saw her beloved's face. She gave herself a mental shake. 'Stop thinking like that around him?!'

She took his offered hand and once again felt like melting. Somehow, she managed to compose herself as she stepped onto the roof. Helga quickly released his hand, but inside she still felt the tingling sensation. She dusted herself, hoping to remove the sensations he had stirred and get her swirling thoughts straighten.

"What do you need from me, Arnold?" she asked, while brushing away imaginary dust.

Arnold did something unexpected. He bowed, to someone on Helga's left side, and said, "*I am a gentleman of Verona, sir, That, hearing of her beauty and her wit, Her affability and bashful modesty, Her wondrous qualities and mild behavior...*"

He's losing it; were her thoughts as she neared him and said, "Uh, Arnold? In case you haven't noticed that play was over fifteen years ago. And those were my lines."

"Oh, I don't think so. I think I'm much better suited to be Petruchio."

Helga raised an eyebrow. "Well now, why don't we tell Mr. Simmons that? I hear he lives in Florida now," she replied in a most patronizing voice.

Arnold just grinned. "*I see you do not mean to part with her, Or else you like not of my company.*"

She was getting infuriated. 'What did this man want with her?' "You have gone officially wacko, Arnold. I'm leaving!" She was about to go when Arnold said another line.

He kept on talking to the imaginary person on Helga's left. "*Signior Baptista, my business asketh haste, And every day I cannot come to woo. You knew my father well, and in him me, Left solely heir to all his lands and goods, Which I have better'd rather than decreased: Then tell me, if I get your daughter's love, What dowry shall I have with her to wife?*"

The last part he said while gesturing toward her. Her heart stopped. He was flirting with her!

She truly looked at him. He must be drunk or maybe he's on drugs. What did he and Gerald do to make Arnold act like this?

"Ookay, Arnold. My name is Helga Pataki and we were classmates during grade school. I was the bully then and called you football head and other names. I am not Katherine and you are not Petruchio."

He hid a smile as he said, "*And, for that dowry, I'll assure her of Her widowhood, be it that she survive me, In all my lands and leases whatsoever: Let specialties be therefore drawn between us, That covenants may be kept on either hand.*"

She was getting worried.

"You're name is Arnold...umm...you're name is Arnold. I found your parents through the CIA. My father is the ex-beeper king and now resides in San Diego, he's not here."

He was now facing her and looking at her eyes. "*Why, that is nothing: for I tell you, father, I am as peremptory as she proud-minded; And where two raging fires meet together They do consume the thing that feeds their fury: Though little fire grows great with little wind, Yet extreme gusts will blow out fire and all: So I to her and so she yields to me; For I am rough and woo not like a babe.*"

Helga trembled. Those words... was he talking to her? Was he sane when he said those lines? It... it seemed like he knew that she loved him and he loved her too. It was like he meant to tell her that he would do anything to make her believe him. He would 'tame' her if he had to.

She must be losing it.

"Do you believe it's possible that we performed that play for other reasons? You know, other than presenting it to an audience?"

Helga looked at Arnold. He was gone from his spot and was now leaning on the ledge. She neared him, slowly, and leaned on the ledge as well. "Other than making a fool of yourself in front of me? No, Arnold, I don't think so."

He grinned. "Have you ever put yourself in the shoes of Katherine? I think you two have something in common."

She thought for a minute. "Well, I'm not the eldest but I'm certainly cast out of the family. My beautiful and perfect sister has always been favored, like Bianca was favored against Katherine." 'I hope it still won't happen now,' she thought as she remembered her call to her mother.

"And then..." she stopped as she realized what she was about to say that despite the love she lacked from her family, Arnold, her Petruchio, would see her real side and show it to everyone. But she couldn't say that or her secret would be out.

"And then?" he prodded. She didn't say anything.

"And then someone would see the goodness in your heart and make you drop down your walls. I would show everyone the lovely Helga that I have been seeing all these years," he added.

She quickly moved away from him. Helga stared at Arnold, thinking she hadn't heard what he just said. He hadn't just implied that...

He looked at her softly. "I heard what you told Vickie the other day. How you did things for me and loved me."

It couldn't be...

"I love you too, Helga."

The world stopped...it was more likely her heart. She...she just hadn't heard those words, had she? She looked into his face and found he was serious.

No, no this couldn't be true. This... this was impossible. He was joking with her, today was probably April Fools. Her rational side, which had stayed at the back of her mind since the moment Arnold had begun this conversation, told her that it was May and that Arnold didn't go around playing these kinds of jokes.

But it couldn't be true. She wasn't good enough. She didn't have good looks. She wasn't perfect enough... never enough for him.

She unconsciously wrapped her arms around herself as she shakily replied. "That was a good one Arnold," she gave him a quivering smile. "You're good. For once I can't find a good comeback."

He shook his head and looked deep into her blue eyes.

"I do love you."

"Stop repeating it like you mean it! It isn't true. I know it isn't true!"

"Somebody in this great planet does love you Helga and you know it. Phoebe, your boss, all our friends, me..." He paused, a bit uncertain. "... And your parents. We all love you."

Surprisingly, she agreed. "I know they love me. They just don't know how to fully love someone like me." Helga was finally able to calm down and looked him in the eyes. She smiled as she said, "you don't love me, Arnold. I'm just a passing phase." Let him think about other things...

Passing phase? "No, you're not!" he vehemently replied.

Helga forced a teasing grin, although she felt it cracking. "You know I'm just like Ruth. You'll find something wrong with me and you'll see that I was just a crush. Look I'll even help you number my faults. I like tormenting people, I push people around, I call people names, I-"

He cut her off, "Helga, that was just a facade."

"Well, umm..." she looked down as she thought of something fast. "I-I lied to you! Yeah! I didn't tell you that I was a CIA agent."

"You've already explained to me why you lied and it's reasonable."

Darn him! "I'm a selfish person. I think of no one else's happiness. See! I've pitied myself my whole life. I've detached myself from the world. Even my novels are all about me. They have all been expressions of my loneliness. MY loneliness. I'm self-centered."

He nodded his head slowly and Helga felt triumphant. "You're partly right. You are kind of selfish but not totally. You've helped others. You've helped Phoebe, Gerald, Lila, and me. Especially Lila."

"But I'm selfish. You agreed with me."

He nodded again. "But I still love you."

For one single moment she believed him. In that one single moment she felt indescribable happiness, elation, and bliss. But she had her doubts. It wasn't enough that he loved her now, would he love her forever? She still couldn't face the fact that he might love her only because he loved the feeling of being in love. And then, the determination she'd had when she was young, to never let him know her feelings, resurfaced.

Helga shook her head. But he was just as stubborn as her. He took her hand and gently clasped it with both of his. Green eyes peered into blue. "Tell me, Helga, don't you feel anything?"

Helga did feel an electric current passing through her. She felt the heat emanating from his hand onto hers. But she hardened her heart and faced him blankly.

She was still in shock at the feelings that had cursed through her hand, that she didn't realize the lessening of the gap between them.

He hugged her.

She panicked.

Every single fiber in her body, except for her heart, wanted to move away. Her cursed heart betrayed her. It loved the feeling of his arms around her. It knew what it had been missing, when he hugged her yesterday her heart had felt complete, and now it wanted the feeling back. She didn't have the nerve to look at him, so she just stared down at the roof.

She felt him draw away from her but she still didn't look up. She felt his hand on her chin, as he smoothly lifted her face to meet his. Helga grudgingly looked at his eyes.

"Don't tell me you don't feel anything?" he whispered.

She didn't know where she got the strength but she did. "Of course I feel something! You're scaring me, football head. Are you always this forward with every female you meet?" she retorted.

Helga felt victorious as she saw a spark of anger enter his eyes, but it was quickly dimmed. He grinned as he said, "Well, what would you say if I told you I was?"

She suppressed the jealousy that roared in her veins and instead gave a scornful smile. "Well whoop-de-doo to you! But I will not be counted as another in your list."

He smirked. "Well, how about if I told you that you're the only one on my list."

Helga rolled her eyes. "Oh please, football head. Do you expect me to tell you that I love you, just because you said that?" She scoffed.

"No, but I am hoping you will after I do this." He paused... "Well, at least like me a little."

He was teasing her! He knew she loved him. She didn't question him but just looked at his eyes. Big mistake! Like before, when he first confronted her, she felt light but it was even more so now. His eyes, she had never seen him look at her with this intensity. Helga tried to think what those eyes were trying to convey to her; but all she came up with were memories of her last years of grade school. She had seen that look back then, it was a semblance of a feeling. It had been his way of showing that he cared... and the look that he was giving her now, the feelings that lurked deep within it...

Helga let out a gasp. It couldn't be true. He meant everything he'd said? Did he actually love her? But she was unworthy. She always was, even though she welcomed her friends; even though she forgave her parents. How could she be worthy of him? Arnold whatever-his-last-name-is loves her?

Her heart and mind were busy trying to sort through all the emotions. She failed to notice the change that came over his eyes. They stared at her intently, a deep and powerful feeling emanated from them. It was the one thing she had been yearning for all her life...

Their faces were picometers apart when her brain started functioning again. Her eyes widened as she felt his lips on hers and then she closed her eyes and died...

...And gone to heaven. The last thing she felt was her heart exploding from ecstasy. He kissed her and automatically her lips kissed him back. She was very much aware of his lips, his body, his rapid heartbeat-

Rapid heartbeat?

She was doing this to him?

She was worthy of her beloved. Worthy and loved... her heart sang as she began to passionately kiss him back. She was his love and he was hers. Finally, after living in the shadows of despair, her heart and soul were now complete. They had found their place in the hands of her beloved.

PETRUCHIO

I will attend her here,
And woo her with some spirit when she comes.
Say that she rail; why then I'll tell her plain
She sings as sweetly as a nightingale:
Say that she frown, I'll say she looks as clear
As morning roses newly wash'd with dew:
Say she be mute and will not speak a word;
Then I'll commend her volubility,
And say she uttereth piercing eloquence:
If she do bid me pack, I'll give her thanks,
As though she bid me stay by her a week:
If she deny to wed, I'll crave the day
When I shall ask the banns and when be married.
But here she comes; and now, Petruchio, speak.

Good morrow, Kate; for that's your name, I hear.

KATHARINA

Well have you heard, but something hard of hearing:
They call me Katharina that do talk of me.

PETRUCHIO

You lie, in faith; for you are call'd plain Kate,
And bonny Kate and sometimes Kate the curst;
But Kate, the prettiest Kate in Christendom
Kate of Kate Hall, my super-dainty Kate,
For dainties are all Kates, and therefore, Kate,
Take this of me, Kate of my consolation;
Hearing thy mildness praised in every town,
Thy virtues spoke of, and thy beauty sounded,
Yet not so deeply as to thee belongs,
Myself am moved to woo thee for my wife.

FBHelga: If you haven't read the message I posted on the message board THANK YOU so much for the Japanese phrase (or whatever) for Kyo Heyerdhal's dialogue.

Lily Erised : I didn't say anything in the last chapter because we have a slight similarities. As you have seen, Arnold did overhear Helga and Vickie talking although not about being her in the CIA.

B18: I'm really sorry I haven't answered your question on Brainy on the chapter on Rhonda's party. Okay, Brainy wasn't going to say anything to Helga. He just wanted to see what Helga's reaction when he wheezes again. And the result…wham!