A/N: Sorry for the long delay. It's been hecktic. Please r/r!

Summary: Helga and Arnold get in touch with their feelings. They are still caught within their own little fantasies and miss what is right in front of them.

Chapter Five: La Boum

~I love Paris in the spring time
I love Paris in the fall
I love Paris in the summer when it sizzles
I love Paris in the winter when it drizzles

I love Paris every moment
Every moment of the year
I loveParis, why oh why do I love Paris
Because my love is here~

François and Helga were like two inseperatable magnets. She hung on his every word, and he was so flashy and devanaire. But you had to admit…he was one gorgeous french guy. Arnold despised him. He couldn't stand him, in fact. Just the way he talked to Helga, and the way they did everything together made him furious.

Although, Cecile also hung on Arnold. He should feel the same way. In fact, he did get butterflies in his stomach when she was near him. How she whispered into his ear, and the way she put her hand in his pocket. Deep inside, he knew that he felt something for Helga.

All four of them had spent the last few days together. So far, Cecile and François had taken them to the Notre Dame, the modern at museum, and shopping. Yes, even more shopping. Helga had bought the prettiest clothes, and Cecile had picked out nice shoes for Arnold.

"Let's go to Versailles," said Cecile, "it's the best site in France!"

"How'll we get there? Isn't it kind of far?" Helga wondered aloud.

(1)"Nonsense. François will drive us. Tomorrow morning, d'accord? Vars sept heures et demie."

"Où?"

"Devant l'hôtel," she said promptly.

"D'accord," said Arnold. Right now it was five in the afternoon.

"Since we have so much time right now," said François, glancing at his watch, "let's go watch a movie. I will pay!"

"Sounds good to me," said Helga. She quickly held his hand.

(2)"Moi aussi!" smiled Cecile.

"Et moi," murmured Arnold. "Which movie?"

"Ze best movie we have to offer in France! The old cinema is showing La Boum." He grinned.

Arnold and Helga have heard of the movie La Boum in French class very often. It was supposed to be the movie all French people loved and watched over and over again. Every year it would be the number one movie shown on TV and it was all the rage. Full of "typical" things "everyone" goes through.

***

They walked into the old movie theater, stepping on the plush maroon carpet. It was very big with 10 different screens. There were green drapes on the windows, and a long line in front of the concession stand.

"Why don't you cheries go find seats while Arnold and I buy some food to eat?" François suggested.

"Okay," said Cecile and Helga. The two of them walked to screen #3, neither talking to each other. Though they've gotten a bit warmer towards each other, they still had a bit of a dispute between them.

Arnold and François stood in line. None of them even bothered to open their mouth. "So," Arnold finally mumbled as they took a step forward in line.

"Oui?"

"If you don't mind me asking – how old are you?"

"Twenty-three." He said it without even looking at him. His head still up and looking out to the front of the line. He wasn't so much taller than Arnold. Only about 2 inches.

"I see."

"Oui." He simply said. His eyes were so distant. "And you?"

"I'm eighteen. So is Helga, if you didn't realize." Said Arnold.

"In fact I did realize. Cecile is nineteen, and I guessed that you et Helga would be around ze same age."

Arnold simply nodded and arrived to the front of the line.

(3)"Je voudrais un maîs éclaté moyen, et deux cocas," he said.

"Donnez-moi un grande maîs éclaté moyen, et un coca." He grinned. "Deux pailles aussi."

The two of them walked to the other table with all the condiments. As Arnold salted the popcorn, he cleared his throat, "so you really like Helga?"

"Yes, I guess I do," he stated, taking a handful of napkins. "I like her as much as tu aimes Cecile." Arnold nodded, so in other words, you don't know? "Why?"

"Because I'm just – curious."

"I do not see why you are so curious. But I guess it's common among dumb blonds." He walked away and hit his shoulder against Arnold's as he passed by him.

Just as the two of them walked in, the lights dimmed. They were guided to their seats by the squeals of Helga and Cecile. Arnold sat in between Cecile and Helga, and Francois sat on the other side of Helga.

La Boum was certainly a different movie. Full of girls with raging teenage hormones, parties (hence the name "La Boum"), and problems that everyone can relate to. The father was cheating on the mother…the main character was madly in love with a boy she met at a boum and whenever they shared a "special" moment, the same song ("Dreams Are My Reality") would play over and over again. You know, the usual things.

During a particular part when the mother was destroying the father's mistress's store, Arnold glanced at Helga to see her tongue-tied with François. Arnold cleared his throat, but it didn't help. He had to do something to stop it. He saw that she had a bag of popcorn on her lap. He glanced over at Cecile who was quite stuck to the movie, and slightly moved his elbow and accidentally tipped over her popcorn.

Suddenly she stopped that kiss and slightly gasped, "Oh no."

"Aw, man," Arnold groaned, "that sucks."

Helga irritatedly wiped off the excess popcorn off her legs and sighed, and continued watching the movie. Arnold felt like he was one of those nosey parents that would on purposely go in the living room to watch their "favorite show" just to make sure you and your date weren't doing anything bad.

As Arnold watched the rest of the movie, he had a very satisfied look on his face and knew that François was pissed off.

Muahahahaha.

Before they knew it, the lights turned back on. Arnold stretched out his arms and yawned. "Wow, that was a good movie, wasn't it?"

"Yes, it was…but it could've been a lot better if there were a bit less distractions," François mumbled grumpily.

They walked out of the movie theater. Arnold and Helga hitched a ride in a taxi, and she took a long time to say a simple "bye" to François. Arnold couldn't seem to get Cecile off his back.

"Oh, ma cherie," François murmured, "I will miss you until demain."

"Me too," said Helga.

"Arnold," Cecile cooed, wrapping her arms around him. "Have a nice night."

"You too," he mumbled. And as he let go of her, she quickly leaned in and gave him a peck on his lips. He blushed furiously, and Helga must've seen because she was suddenly very eager to get Arnold in the taxi.

"Come on Arnold. We have to get back. It's getting late."

"Okay, okay…" he almost didn't want to leave Cecile anymore.

She pulled him into the taxi and told the driver to take them back to the hotel quickly. In the background, Cecile was waving and François waved too.

"How'd you like the movie, Football head?" Helga murmured. She was slumped down in her seat, her legs spread out and arms folded across her chest.

"It was interesting. I can see why it's a classic in France."

"I think it was stupid that she kissed her dad. I mean, gag me!"

Arnold laughed. It was so rich and silky. Yes, even a guy's voice could be silky. Helga loved his laugh.

They got back to the hotel and ate in the lobby restaurant. Both of them kind of had a race with each other, seeing who could finish the fastest. Yeah, it was stupid but they couldn't help it. It just started with the food in front of them, and then as they ate, they watched each other. Slowly, they both got so into it they were inhaling their food.

"This is crazy," Helga laughed. "I finished my dinner in five minutes."

Arnold burped loudly and patted his stomach. "This is the real way to eat dinner. Just the way the pioneers have eaten."

"Oh please," she groaned.

After paying the bill, the two of them went back up to their room and decided to chill out. The Paris city lights were beautiful. Arnold was standing out on the balcony just aweing at the sight. Helga was inside wrapped in blankets reading her book. Even though Arnold told her what happened, she still wanted to read it.

'Jean-Claude,' sighed Bridgette. 'will you love me forever?'
'Oui, ma cherie. Forever and a day. You are the only one for me.' He kissed her lips and hugged her tightly. This was the woman who cut her hair and dressed as a man to save him from the jail. Little did he know that she was so devoted to him. But he still questioned his love for her.
As far as Bridgette was concerned, she would love him forever and ever. She wouldn't care what would happen as long as she'd be in his arms tonight.

There was a draft from the balcony, and Helga shivered. Even in the summer, the night was cold. Just one more paragraph, she thought. She read on in her book.

The next morning, Bridgette woke up extra early. She saw Jean-Claude still sound asleep and did not have the heart to disturb him. She put on a robe and walked out to the front yard, in the beautiful garden with assorted flowers. There was a trotting sound coming closer. Before her eyes, a large horse stopped in front of her. On it, was a tall black-haired French man. He got off his horse and stood in front of her. He wasn't the most handsome in the world. His nose was a little crooked, and his face had deep scars. Though, there was a quirky charm to him.
'Miss,' he pleaded, 'some water, please?'
Bridgette didn't do much but nod and quickly go into the kitchen and bring out a canteen of water. 'Here…you may keep the canteen.'
'Thank you…I am on my way back into town from the country side.'

Slowly, Helga fell asleep. The book still in her hands, and the light still on her face.

Arnold walked in from the balcony and saw her sleeping with the book on her chest. How pitiful, he thought. Yet charming…He took her book out of her hands and put it on the nightstand. He pulled up her covers and paused to kiss her forehead and turned off her light.

***

The weather began to cool a little and Helga and Arnold were waiting outside the hotel. Helga and Arnold were walking around in circles mindlessly. Bored out of their minds just to wait for Francois and Cecile to come pick them up to go to Versailles.

Arnold bumped into her shoulder on purposely. "Oops, sorry Madame," he chuckled.

She walked into his shoulder and scoffed. "Watch where you're going, Sir."

"Ugh," she scoffed, putting out her hand in his face.

"Ugh!" he imitated.

She punched his arm. "Damn," he cursed, "chill Jet Li…" and rubbed his arm.

Suddenly there was a loud honk. They turned quickly and got into the car with Cecile and Francois motioning for them to come in. Helga sat in the front with Francois and Cecile sat in the back seat with Arnold.

They drove and drove and drove to the Palace of Versailles. It was a huge place with gold gates and the garden was so unbelievably breath-taking. Every day, it seemed, they would be trimmed a little. It was just beautiful.

Helga and Arnold were so in awe with everything. Cecile and Francois were their own little tour guides, telling them about all the different rooms, guiding them through the palace. It was a really long history lesson. And to tell the truth, Helga and Arnold didn't really pay attention to what they had to say. It was just too amazing.

Suddenly Helga thought about something really stupid. She imagined herself as Marie Antoinette and Arnold as Louis XVII. (Though Versailles was built by Louis XIV, Louis XVII lived there too). It just hit her head.

"Ah, Marie," Louis smiled, and kissed her hand. "I'm so pleased we're here together. This is a perfect life, non?"

"Yes it is," she cooed and then sighed. "I love you." Their fingers intertwined with each other.

"Moi aussi, ma cherie…" they leaned into each other for a kiss.

"Hey Helga! Y'awake in there?" Arnold said waving his hand in front of her eyes.

She shook her head and slightly chuckled. "Yeah, barely."

"We're going out to the garden. Come on!" He took her hand and they caught up with Francois and Cecile. As they were squeezing through the crowd, Arnold saw the sour look on Helga's face. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing."

"Are you bummed because I killed your fantasy?"

"How would you know?"

"I know you Helga. I've known you since preschool. I know you like the back of my hand."

She shook her head. "I hate you, Football Head."

"I know, I know. And I hate you too, Helga." He laughed.

They walked out to the huge garden by themselves as the wind hit their faces. It was so fresh outside, and not only that but the garden was huge. Practically the size of the whole palace. The garden was tended nicely, everything was cut at exact angles. It was very overwhelming.

"Wow," Helga said under her breath, he hand on her chest. "This is gorgeous."

"Yeah. It is, isn't it?" He put his hands on his hips and just gazed at the garden and shook his head slightly. "Just puts me in awe."

"Arnold! Helga! Come over here!" Cecile shouted a few yards away.

Arnold and Helga followed her voice and met up with Francois and Cecile again.

"This es so beautiful, non?" Cecile cooed, holding Arnold's hand. "Look at ze sky. It's so blue and clear. C'est a typical day in France."

Francois had his arm around Helga's waist and he pointed out the historical aspects of the garden as she pretended to listen. All she could really think about was Arnold. It just felt like steak knives cutting into her back when Arnold was with Cecile. It was so pain-strickening. She was just happy they were able to sleep in the same room every night. Beat that, Cecile.

***

"Why oh why do I love Paris?" Helga hummed.

"Because my love is here!" Arnold finished dramatically. He had just came out from the bathroom and in his blue pajamas. It was so adorable because his pajamas were too big for him and it made him look as if he were 9. "Helga, all you ever do in the hotel room is read that book," he patronized.

Helga turned a page of her book and shrugged. "So?"

"So? You're an abomination! Spending Paris reading silly love books about French people." He dumped his day clothes in a drawer and opened the balcony doors. "I mean look at it out there! It's gorgeous! We should be out there, Helga. We should go out to Paris in the night!"

"One little problem…"

"What's that?"

"We're already in our pajamas, and I'm already cozy in bed."

Arnold groaned. "Oh you women. Picky, picky, picky." He locked the balcony door and grumbled as he got into his bed. He let out a deep breath and began to sing softly, (4) "Des yeux qui font baisser les miens, Un rire qui se perd sur sa bouche." He paused. "Voila le portrait sans retouches de l'homme auquel j'appartiens. Quand il me prend dans ses bras il me parle tout bas, je vois la vie en rose.

"Il me dit des mots d'amour, des mots de tous les jours, et ca me fait quelque chose."

"That's a sweet song, Arnold," said Helga. "What's it called?"

"La Vie En Rose."

"Life in Pink…lovely." She smiled at him. "You sing quite well, you know."

He looked over to her with his hands behind his head and grinned. "Thanks."

Suddenly the phone rang. Arnold jumped and picked it up. "Hello? Oh, Cecile! Oui…oui… d'accord. Are you sure? Let me ask." He put his hand over the receiver and turned to Helga. "Hey, Helga, how would you like to go to watch a play with Francois and Cecile Friday night? With dinner at some fancy restaurant?" he asked eagerly.

"Whoa, that'd be awesome!" She sat up straight in her bed. "Tell her yes! But, I have nothing to wear. And Friday night is tomorrow night."

Arnold told Cecile over the phone. "No problem. She says she'll take you out shopping tomorrow."

"Okay!" Helga's face brightened.

With that, Arnold hung up with Cecile. "Wow, dinner and a play. Hm, I guess I'll need a tux or something too."

He looked at her with a soft smile. 'What is your name, my lady?'

'Bridgette. And yours?'

'Yves. Yves Bonart. And again I would like to thank you for this water.' He took her hand and kissed it. 'I hope we will meet again.' Then he trotted away into town.

A/N: Hope you enjoyed it. Please R/R!

Translations:

1. -…Around 7:30
    - Where?
    - In front of the hotel.

2. – Me too!
    - and me.

3. – I'd like one popcorn and two cokes.
    -  Give me a large popcorn and one coke. With two straws.

4. – (rough translation) Eyes which cause a drop in mine, a laughter which is lost on its mouth; the portrait without final improvements of the man to which I belong. When it takes to me in its arms it speaks to me low, I see the life pink. It tells me words of love, words of tous.les.jours, and it does something to me