Author's Note: Surprise, surprise. I update a lot faster than I used to. :) Upon reading the last chapter, I think it warrants a massive rewrite, as I feel the last one was a bit rushed, had too many grammatical errors, and not up to the standards along with other chapters in this story. As for this chapter however, I'm very worried about the chemistry between Arnold and Helga that it might not work. Why do I always sound pessimistic?

Legal junk: I don't own Hey Arnold, but Nickelodeon does and Mr. Craig Bartlett created it. But this fic belongs to me. Clear? Good.

Chapter 17: Night

Dear Helga,

Hi, it's me, Arnold. I don't know whether you want to reply to this letter back, since I am very pessimistic considering that you've never replied a single letter to me ever since I left for San Lorenzo, but at least please read this to the end. I am very concerned about you.

The reason why I wrote this letter is because Gerald emailed me the other day - as usual, updating me about the gang. And you are no exception. He told me that you've been very depressed these past few weeks lately, and yet nobody knows why. He tried to seek clarification from Phoebe, but she wouldn't disclose anything about you. Maybe it's because you've told her not to tell anyone and she respected your wishes. Still, I agree with Phoebe and applaud her for not revealing it to us. She's a good friend and is very loyal to you. It's hard to find true and honest friendship that you are currently enjoying with Phoebe.

I'm not going to ask you to tell me about it or anything, because I feel it's up to you whether you want to tell me or otherwise. I just hope by reading this letter it will cheer you up, considering the last letter that I sent to you was several months ago. Yet, despite of my letters not being sent as frequent as I used to, I assure you that I will not stop writing to you. You are my friend. I will cherish our friendship as long as I live. The reason why I couldn't write frequently to you nowadays is because my responsibilities here are getting hectic each and everyday. Ever since I learned to drive a couple of months ago I've been assigned by my parents to deliver a lot of things, from food supplies to medicines all over the country. It's a tiring job, but hey, the reward is priceless.

Helga, don't be sad. I'm sure whatever predicament you're facing will clear up on its own. One thing that I've learned by living in this country is that life can be harsh and unforgiving, but with sheer perseverance you can pull it through and made it out alive. I'm sorry if I sound very preachy, but it's the best advice that I could offer to you. Be strong. Hopefully this letter will leave a shine and smile on your pretty face. Hey, flattering compliments are nice.

And I hope the picture of hot guys on the beach on the other side of this postcard will cheer you up, should my words fail to lift your spirits. If you have the time, why don't you come to San Lorenzo and meet me here? I could show you around and be your willing chauffeur for the whole day of you wanted to.

With best regards,

Arnold.

PS: I feel like writing snail mail today.

-- Arnold's letter to Helga that arrived two days after Helga ran away from home.

---

The computer room that served as Helga's temporary room wasn't big, but it was big and comfortable enough for Arnold and Helga to spend time together lovingly. They were lying next to each other on the somewhat deflated inflatable mattress looking out of the open window at the night sky full of stars with a bright full moon. Wind was blowing gently as the flutter of trees broke the silent night. Crickets chirped and waves pound the beach in distance and yet it still could be heard by them. The lamp was switched off to make the atmosphere even more romantic. The only thing that was emitting light was from the full moon and the 'on' light indicator from the computer. Helga had her head on Arnold's chest, as they held each other's hand and Arnold gently caressed her soft, nice-smelling hair. No conversation was changed between them, as they both wanted to savor this moment and cherish it forever.

For Helga, this was a moment that she had always imagined when she was little, and now, her dreams had come true. A new chapter was beginning. No more soliloquizing to an inanimate object. No more secrets. No more getting into insane hijinks that would degrade her reputation as a tough girl. Arnold was here and for her alone. And he was everything that she had imaged in her mind. The boy of her dreams finally embraced her with a truthful, honest and sincere heart. The effort that she put ever since when she was three finally paid off. She was very happy of her accomplishments. And for over one week, one week in this country in her sad little existence, it made her happy. Hopefully, their relationship will never end up in pieces.

Ever since Helga came into town, Arnold tried to ignore all the spiteful comments that some of his friends had written to him about Helga. He never believed them. She was nothing like the person they portrayed in their letters. In fact, she was a complete opposite. She was an angel. She opened her heart and helped people when they were in need. She was the Helga that Arnold had imagined ever since he was a kid. A kind, helpful and caring Helga, with bit of a spice of sarcasm, spunkiness (the lack of better term) attitude and wittiness sprinkled in her character. Helga, the down to earth, smart and compassionate girl. He never had any luck with relationships before, and hopefully with Helga it would change.

"Hey…" Arnold suddenly broke the silence, "So the thing back at on top of the building when we were nine was—"

"Crimeny, must you nitpick some incident that happened a long time ago?" Helga said jovially, "That's all in the past, Arnold. I don't want to think about it. We were kids. I was psychotic and insane back then, but now I am very level headed thank you very much."

Arnold smiled at her, "And I thank God for that."

They laughed softly.

"You said you had a crush on me when we were in grade school." Arnold said to her. Helga rolled her eyes in disbelief that he still wanted to talk about the past. She had revealed to him that she had a major crush on him, but wouldn't go as far as telling him that she liked him, liked him very much ever since they were three or built a shrine of him out of garbage because it would freak him out. Probably further down in their relationship in the future, she would divulge it to him when the time is right. "Why couldn't I see that?" he shook his head in disbelief.

"Probably because you were too dense and stupid." Helga said teasingly, yet, honest about it.

"Yeah, my mom says that often." He agreed with a good-natured tone, surprisingly. "So… how did you react when I told you guys that I was going to leave for San Lorenzo years ago?"

Helga's face suddenly turned blue. All those bad memories suddenly were channeled into her mind again. After taking a deep, depressed sigh, she replied, "I was… devastated. I was too overcome with shock that I couldn't do anything. I just sat on my bed in my room, reflecting on all those words, trying to get it into my mind little by little. Then it came to my realization that I might never see you again, and I… just cried."

Arnold listened attentively to her story. Somehow, he felt guilty for doing that to her.

"I knew there isn't any way to convince you to reconsider because at that time you're pretty much more than willing to follow your parents to this country. I could understand, though. Your guys have been separated for so long that the bond is somewhat strained. I was devastated and angered with your decision, but I respected it and felt that it was an excellent way to reconcile with your parents by following them here. I envy your family Arnold. I always hoped and prayed that mine would be just like yours… but it never came to be."

"The time will come when your father sees his ways and apologize to you and your family. I'll assure you." Arnold then caressed her hair gently and gave her a peck on the head to calm her. Helga closed her eyes tightly, smiled and sighed blissfully. "Man, Helga. I didn't know that I my decision made such an impact on you. I thank you for being so considerate… and I'm sorry Helga, for making your life so miserable. I'm really sorry."

"Your happiness comes first, Arnold." Helga replied back, smiling. "But then, eventually I went on with my life, trying to forget the whole thing and buried it deep inside my heart. The feeling became dormant. Maturity kicked in and I laughed at all those crazy things that I had done to you when I was a kid. Still, I treat you as my friend and I always greatly anticipate for your letter to arrive. Your letters always give me joy and pleasure in my otherwise miserable life, Arnold. And I am very thankful for it. They really light my day up. After I read them countless of times, I'd write a reply. If there wasn't any letter coming from you, I'd write to you, chronicling the days that I've been through and tell them to you. The only thing that regret is I was too scared to send them to you."

Arnold laughed softly, "Oh, so you did reply, but never sent it. Why are you scared? It's not like I'm going to hate you for writing them."

"To be truthful, that's what I'm afraid of because you might stop sending letters to me. Your letters mean worlds to me, and I don't want it to stop." They looked at each other with a smile on their faces, and gave each other a peck on the lips. Again, they went silent and cherish the moment again, looking out of the window. If only moments like this last forever.

---

"It's quiet in there." Stella said suspiciously.

"Almost too quiet." Father Campbell agreed.

"How suspicious..." Miles concurred.

---

"What sort of trouble will I get into once I come back home?" Helga asked all of the sudden, in complete randomness.

Arnold chuckled a bit, thinking about it and replied, "Most likely you're gonna get grounded."

She nodded back, agreeing with him, "Expected, but not immediately I think, since I'll be living at my sister's house for a while and my parents would probably go easy on me."

"Probably." Arnold nodded.

"For how long?" Helga asked again.

"I don't know…" he shrugged, "Probably five, six—"

"Weeks?" she interrupted.

Arnold continued again, "—ty years…" they laughed softly again, and tightened their grasp of each other. Helga made herself more comfortable by repositioning her head on Arnold's chest.

"Mmm…" she moaned in total satisfaction and relaxation. He was so warm and comfy. Helga then turned her head to her left for a while and saw a picture hanging just above the computer. "You know, I've been wondering about that pic." She said as she pointed to it. It was a big picture of a menacing looking face with two large eyes with very small pupils, small nose and the tongue stretched all the way to the chin with sharp canine teeth grew on both sides of the mouth.

"Yeah?" Arnold raised an eyebrow.

"Why do you have that picture in every room in the house? It's so scary."

"It's supposed to be scary, Helga." He replied back, smiling. "The Green-Eyes believed that it'll ward off evil spirits. We got those pictures as a gift from a shaman in Marcelo's village."

"And you believe that?"

"Not really. But it's important to understand the local culture so we won't offend them. Besides I think that picture is doing his job well. There aren't any snakes sneaking inside the house ever since we put them up."

Slightly shocked, Helga lifted her head up and turned to Arnold, looking at him worriedly. "Snakes used to come into this house?"

Arnold smiled broadly. "Yeah. You see that hole over there?" He pointed to the hole the size of a fist at the corner of the room. Both of them began to laugh but Arnold continued his explanation. "Listen! Listen to me!" he said as he laughed with Helga, "That hole is their way in to this house. They come in through that hole, they exit through that hole!"

Helga then hit him playfully in random places many times for not telling her earlier. And due to the lack of light, she could be hitting anything on his body. "Did you deliberately not wanting to tell me about it?" she said, accompanied by laughter, "I could've got killed you moron!"

"Ow! Hey! Hehe! C'mon, I was joking!" He replied back cheerily, "Ow! Not the nose, not the nose! AAARRGHHHH!" he let out a painful shriek.

---

Outside of their room at the living room, Miles, Stella and Father Campbell looked at each other worriedly, in uncomfortable silence upon hearing Arnold screaming like a girly-man.

"I don't think that was Helga screaming…" Miles said quizzically.

"Aye, probably the boy." Father Campbell agreed. "I heard that scream once back at the orphanage when he got chased by a hen."

Miles and Stella looked at him in disbelief, "A hen?"

Father Campbell nodded as he took a sip of his coffee, "Mm-hmm. Ya know, city boys - pansies."

---

The lamp was switched on again by Helga so she could examine Arnold's nose where she hit earlier. He was sitting on the mattress, rubbing his nose to inspect the damage. Thankfully, it didn't bleed again. "Oh, come on you crybaby." Helga scoffed as she rolled her eyes. "It's not that hard of a hit." She sat next to him and gently caressed his nose as though she wanted to heal it. Arnold smiled at the affectionate display and wrapped his arm around her. They then lied back on the mattress, leaving the light on.

"What do you think of San Lorenzo, Helga?" Arnold asked her.

"Better than our place." She replied back softly. "Sure, there isn't any cable – or TV station for that matter in this country, but the thing that won my heart about this country is their people and their places. I guess, I sorta becoming just like you Arnold. After nearly over a week staying here, I don't think I wanna leave."

"Unfortunately you have to tomorrow." He tightened his grasp on her.

"Yeah…" Helga replied in a whispering tone, as she shifted her head upper towards Arnold's head and put her hand on his chest.

"And Marcelo… man, I still can't believe they want him to leave his country…"

Helga lifted her head upwards and looked at him in the eyes, "Arnold, listen to me. San Lorenzo has nothing, I mean, nothing to offer him here."

Arnold let out a depressed sigh, "Oh God, not this again…" he got up and sat upright. "Why do I even bring it up in the first place?" he shook his head.

"I'm serious, Arnold. He will have a future there."

Arnold still was unconvinced. He's sticking to his believes. Bringing Marcelo to America will invite nothing but trouble. He shook his head and said, "No… his place is with his people. I won't let hundreds of year's worth of culture and heritage gone instantly because of future generations like Marcelo is leaving San Lorenzo. I just won't have it."

Helga went silent and contemplated on Arnold's word. "Then you're blind."

"What?" he snapped back.

"He told me yesterday, that he wanted to become an engineer when he grew up. After he has completed his studies in America, he would travel back to his country and help his people by building roads, dams and houses to make their lives easier. If you take a look at their country, they're in shambles… dilapidated and destroyed. The capital is a prime example of this. If you're just as forward looking as the little guy, you would understand. His grandmother made the right decision. Think about it."

Arnold found it hard to avert his eyes away from her. What she had said was true. San Lorenzo was practically destroyed due to years of war, famine and oppression. And the only way they could get away with it all was with attaining knowledge. This explanation had been pounded onto his head many times, but only now he could finally see it, all because Helga told him that Marcelo wanted to help his people. "But, what about his people?" he asked.

"He won't forget them." Helga replied back, "You see this?" she took the amulet that she just received from the Green-Eyes out from her shirt that she had wore it around her neck and showed it to him. "I'm practically a member of their people, and I will constantly remind him of them. All he need is a… I don't know, people like us to guide him. You know… like a sister, or brother."

"Brother…" Arnold lowered his head in deep thought. Marcelo lost his brother and sister to the war. Then he looked at Helga and himself. It then suddenly came to Arnold's realization on how he could make Marcelo not to forget about his people. He had this brilliant idea that he just had to tell his parents right now before it was too late. He smiled at Helga and said to her, "Thank you Helga."

Helga smiled at him quizzically, "For what?"

Arnold brought his head closer to her, "Thank you for making me realize that the problems that Marcelo and I are facing can be solved in the simplest solution."

Helga broadened her smile, "And what is that?" she too brought her head closer to him.

"You will see soon enough." Arnold replied back, and they both smiled. Their lips quivered and they could feel the spark. The closed their eyes, and let their feeling flow through. As they about to touch their lips onto each other, there was a loud knock on the door.

"OY!" shouted Father Campbell, "Ya kids wanna join us fer dinner?"

Arnold and Helga had no other choice except to abort the kiss. They looked and smiled at each other laughing softly, and were very angry at Father Campbell for ruining the moment. "Coming, Father." Arnold replied back in a disappointed, annoyed and yet, polite tone. Father Campbell nodded as he laughed softly to himself. He then went to the kitchen and gave Stella and Miles a high five. They all made a pact to interrupt them just before dinner.

"You go ahead." Helga said to him, "I need change for a while." Arnold nodded and exited the room. He went over to the kitchen and saw them waiting for him and Helga. Arnold decided this would be the best opportunity to tell them about his idea.

"Mom, dad." Arnold said, "I've been thinking about Marcelo lately… and I uh…" he rubbed the back of his head, somewhat reluctant to tell them about it, "Marcelo can go, but only under one condition."

Miles and Stella looked at each other quizzically. They were happy that Arnold finally agreed with the decision, but was quite surprised of the proposition that he wanted to unveil to them. So Miles said to him, "Arnold, you are in no position to negotiate. The decision is made final ever since Marcelo's grandmother asked us to do it."

"I know, I know." Arnold said, "But just consider this as a request from me: If Marcelo goes, I go too." He said.

After she changed, Helga walked out of door and saw Arnold discussing with his parents about the idea that he told her earlier. She went closer to find out what was he trying to say. Arnold was still unaware of her presence behind him.

Stella shook her head, couldn't comprehend what Arnold was trying to say to them, "What are you trying to say?"

"Please allow me to go back to America. I will take care of him there." And just right after he finished that sentence, Helga screamed a joyful scream. Arnold turned around and saw her leaping onto him and managed to catch her in time in his arms. She hugged him tightly. Arnold shared the enthusiasm as well.

"Whoa… they really do like each other." Miles thought to himself as he smiled at the kids. He turned to his wife, and saw Stella had this 'deep thinking' look on her face. He wouldn't make any presumptions, though. Father Campbell had this broad smirk as he looked back at Miles.

"So mom, dad. Can I?" Arnold asked.

"I don't know…" Stella said skeptically, crossing her arms. "Are you sure you want to go back to The States just because of Marcelo and not anything else?"

Arnold smiled at Stella, and then he smiled at Helga. "I guess subtleties aren't my forte, now are they?" he looked back at Stella. "Kidding, mom. I do want to go back home because of Marcelo, and her as well," he looked at Helga, "and grandpa and grandma, and my friends because it has been so long since the last time I met them."

"But who'll deliver the supplies for us?" Father Campbell asked.

"Father, come on. There are more than enough UN workers in this country. I'm sure there won't be any shortages or delays just because I left. One person doesn't make any difference, you know." This statement completely contradicted the previous one that he said to defend his decision about Marcelo.

"So you're saying that you want to leave this country permanently?" Miles asked him.

"No dad," Arnold replied, "I will return back to San Lorenzo after I graduate from college. Besides, grandma and grandpa could need my help around the house, considering their age."

"Which means we're gonna get separated again." Stella said somberly, hanging her head.

Arnold's enthusiasm died down sharply, and he slowly released his grasp from Helga. He then walked up to his mother, took a seat next to her and said as he gazed deeply at her eyes, "Mom, please don't say that. It really scares me the thought of separating from you guys again. You know neither of us wants to get in that kind of ordeal once more. But… this is something that I have to do. Marcelo needs guidance from a big brother like me, and I really want to help grandma and grandpa manage the boarding house. Besides, my college years are just around the corner. Please… let me do this."

Stella gazed deeply at his eyes, as drop of tears roll down from her cheeks. She sniffed a bit, and put his hand on his Arnold's cheek, gently caressing it in a motherly touch. "You've grown up." She said weakly. Arnold got up slowly and hugged her mother. "I allow you." She said.

"Thank you mom. Thank you very much." Arnold said happily in a broken voice as he tightened his grasp. Helga too shared the moment with them. She and her mother weren't always close, but when there were moments like this happened to her once in a while, she loved it.

"Don't worry honey." Miles interjected, "The San Lorenzo we're living in now is much safer than the one under La Sombra. It's more stable, safer and not to mention Sombra's army is very weak. It could be anytime soon that someone in his army defect to the government and turn him in." he turned to look at Father Campbell, "Father, are you crying?" he asked disbelievingly.

"Aye…" he said sobbing, as he dabbed his eye with tissue paper. "To see a son reassuring his mum with such genuine honesty… it really touches me heart…"

---

After dinner, Arnold went back to the computer room, accompanied by Helga. Upon entering, he excused himself from Helga's company for a while and switched the monitor on. "What are you doing?" Helga asked as she took a seat on the mattress.

"Writing an email to Gerald." He replied back whilst opening the internet browser. Helga was curious, and then she decided to join him and looked at the monitor as she hugged him from behind. Arnold wrote:

What up, dawg?

Dude, I know this is such a sort notice, but I'm coming back home tomorrow – that is, if there's any tickets left available for me. Yeah, you heard me, man! I'm coming back to the city to meet you guys, 'cause I miss all of you a lot, man! But first, here are some things that I'm asking you to do. C'mon, be a pal and help me, k?

1. DO NOT TELL ANYONE! – I can't stress this enough. Don't go and tell anybody I'm coming. Not Phoebe, not Timberly, not your parents, nobody. I don't want to create a scene at the airport. Further elaboration will be explained after you pick me up. Let's just say it's a surprise… again I reiterate, DO NOT TELL ANYONE!

2. Pick up my grandparents before you go to the airport. – Though he ain't admitting it, grandpa has poor eyesight now and letting him drive the Packard is just unthinkable. If they decline, just say you insist on taking them. Oh, butter up my gramps if you wanna drive the Packard. I know you really want to drive that heap ever since you got your license. :)

3. According to my mom's flight, (hopefully my plane schedule is just as same as hers if I got my ticket by then) my flight will touch down on Sunday at Hillwood International, which is tomorrow, around 9:00 PM. United Airways from Costa Rica.

Hopefully you do all the things that I ask, and with any luck I will see you tomorrow. It's good to finally coming back home, man.

Hugs and kisses,

Arnold.

Helga raised an eyebrow and looked at Arnold, "Hugs and kisses?"

"Heheh," he chuckled nervously, "We like to freak each other out." he replied back as he pushed the 'Send' button.

"How very mature!" she exclaimed sarcastically. Suddenly there was a boom and crackle of gunfire coming from the distance, and everybody in the house jolted in shock.

"What's that?" Helga said frightfully. Arnold quickly grabbed her hand and brought her to the living room where his parents and Father Campbell stood nervously. They were just as shocked as them.

"It happened again…" Miles said to everyone.

"What? What's going on?" Helga reiterate again in a horrified tone, as she held Arnold's hand tightly.

"Calm down. It's nothing." Father Campbell said to assure her.

"The government army is launching a full scale attack on La Sombra's hideout again. It usually happens when they got a tip-off from someone." Stella explained to Helga.

"Kinda quick, don't you think?" Arnold asked, interjecting.

"I think somebody defected and told the Monzano's army where La Sombra is hiding. That's the only explanation." Miles added. "C'mon, let's go outside and see where it comes from." As they ran outside, a helicopter flew above them and went towards to a hill some faraway distance from the house. They could see bright reddish-orange color of various ammunitions shelling the hill with occasional booms coming from there, brightening the surrounding area up. Fearful screaming from wildlife animals could also be heard. Arnold's neighbors joined them and some of them even took pictures of the assault. Arnold and Helga held each other tightly, to remind each other that they were going to be safe.

"Don't be scared." Arnold whispered softly, as he caressed her hair. Helga nodded weakly and held him tightly as she put her head on his shoulder, not wanting to see the attack. Suddenly, after minutes of intense attack, it quiet down. No exchanges of fire, no bombings, no shelling, no shouting, absolutely nothing.

"It stopped…" Father Campbell said incredulously.

"Quick, turn the radio on!" Stella said to Miles, he nodded and he quickly ran back into the house to switch the radio on, as everyone followed him from behind. After Miles found the frequency to the news breaking news, he began to translate it to the people who followed him.

"Gente de San Lorenzo…"

"People of San Lorenzo…"

"Esta es una gran noche para nosotros. Hemos recibido la confirmación oficial de que..."

"Tonight is a good night for us. We've received official conformation that…" Upon hearing the next sentence, he repeated it again with joy.

"La Sombra acaba de rendirse..."

"La Sombra has just surrendered…"

"Junto con su ejército!"

And by now everybody was cheering happily when Miles translated the last sentence to them, "along with his army!" and Miles joined the celebration, not caring what the rest of the news had to say. Everyone and everybody were happy to hear that the most hated person in San Lorenzo was finally captured after years of oppression, slaughter and famine.

"Well, that ended with a bang wasn't it?" Arnold said to Helga and they hugged each other in blissful happiness. They too were happy that the people San Lorenzo could no longer live in fear that La Sombra would came into power again.

"They're gonna celebrate it in the streets tomorrow." Arnold said to Helga. "Tomorrow is gonna be a great day for everyone!"

I could've end this story right now, but I won't since there are still loose ends that are untied and there are still more stuff to be revealed in this story. And also I'm a nice guy. Thank you all for reading and please leave a review.