Author's Note: Chapter 12 is up, and suffice it to say it's the longest chapter I've ever written yet . I know the last two chapters were pretty weak, (I used the wait-on-the-roof-and-ambush story a little bit too much, read: recycle) and it didn't quite get the enthusiasm from you guys, so I've decided to redeem myself with this one. No wait on the rooftops, and it's not during the night. It's over. Done. Those type of plots won't show on this fanfic again I assure you! (I hope) And I hope there's a lot of fans of the famous SNL skit Night at the Roxbury out there, because one of the scenes in this fic is for you! AND to all the Nadine and Sid fans as well!
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 12: An Offer You Can't Refuse
The next day in school, Friday to be precise, Nadine was walking alongside Rhonda to their lockers after a very lengthy class. Nadine spun her locker combination, opened it up, and to her surprise, she saw something that she absolutely adored.
"Oh my God…" Nadine said in softly in shock surprise, placing her right hand over her mouth.
Rhonda took notice of her friend's surprised tone, "What? What it is?" she then inquired.
Nadine took the thing out from her locker, and showed it to her friend.
"It's beautiful…" Rhonda gazed in awe of it. "You never told me that you have a secret admire before." She teased, smiling.
"Tell me about it, I don't even know I have one either. So this is how it feels like to have one." Nadine replied, and smelled the beautiful purple orchids she was holding. "And obviously this person knows a lot about me too since this is my most favorite flower ever."
"Sweet, and yet, creepy… and it makes me wonder how that person got your locker combination…" she replied back. "Don't you at least feel a bit freaked out about it?"
"Nah… at least not now. And I don't think any of my stuff is missing." She said smiling, and looked back inside her locker just to double-check. "Hey, there's a card inside." She took it out and read it.
Happy Belated Birthday!
I wanted to give you a frog, but:
1. They're fresh out of frogs.
2. You ain't afraid of them.
3. These flowers are just as beautiful as you.
4. Wanna go watch a movie tomorrow at noon? My treat.
"And so the plot thickens…" Rhonda said.
Nadine sighed flatteringly, "Aww… how sweet."
"You're not seriously considering meeting this guy, are you?" Rhonda lifted a half of her eyebrow in a quizzical gaze of her friend.
"Maybe I will… but that's just because I think I know who this guy is." She said to her. To her, the frog remark was a dead giveaway.
At the nearest corner, there was somebody who was at the wall watching them. He saw the look on Nadine face – the most beautiful ever, smiling and felt happy of the flowers he gave to her. He smiled that she liked the gift, and went away walking. As he walked, he tightened his fists and let out a soft, yet a powerful "YES!" from his mouth. Entertaining his obvious euphoria, he began humming some music, and danced a victory dance to it.
"Can't touch this!
Dun dun-dun-dun, dun, dun dun-dun-dun!
Can't touch this!
Dun dun-dun-dun, dun, dun dun-dun-dun!
Break it down!"
"Dance with me, Mrs. Winters!" he took a teacher's arm who was walking past him, making the books she was carrying to fall on the floor.
"Ooh!" she shrieked, "Sid… hee, hee!" she giggled, "Just what are you think you're doing?!" she said as Sid spun her around.
"Holy crap this is embarrassing, but I can't control myself Mrs. Winters, 'cause I'm so happy!" Sid replied and released her hand. Sid continued to walk and dance away, leaving her in shock of her student, behaving oddly like that. Sid walked a happy man to Gerald, who was rummaging through his locker.
"Aw, hell yeah Gerald!" he said happily, "after all these years man, after all these years, I finally have the guts to ask her out!" he then leaned next to Gerald's locker.
Gerald chuckled softly. "I'm sure your mom would be very proud for you, man." Gerald replied sarcastically, still searching for whatever in his locker. "Playing the anonymous secret admire card won't get you nowhere, let me tell you now."
"Ah, don't worry about it. I asked her whether she wants to go to the movies tomorrow. 'Sides, I gave her a little hint in the card."
"Really?" he took out a book from his locker, and closed it up. "What kind of a movie are you planning to watch with her, anyway?" they then walked over to the cafeteria to have some lunch.
"Obviously chick flicks, dude. Chicks dig chick flicks. Otherwise, if she's not into those stuffs, which I doubt, I'm going to bring her to watch some sci-fi movie, Farscape or something."
"Farscape?" he asked doubtingly, "Somehow, I don't think Nadine is the kind of girl that watches those kind of shows, man. Well whatever, I wish you luck. By the way, where's Stinky? Ain't he always with you at this time of hour?"
"Heh, heh. Dude, you just got to hear this: The Stinkmeister got a fight with some liberal guy just now, they were arguing about policies, issues, presidential debate and all that crap, but then that liberal guy got so pissed at him and that he just snapped and punched him!"
Gerald chuckled in awe, "Oh man… that Stinky… so then what?"
"What else man? Stinky fought back, the liberal guy fought back and then the whole thing went to hell. Both of them are at the Principal's Office right now. They're so going to get a detention for that." Sid smirked.
"Ha, ha." He chuckled again, "That's crazy…" and Gerald saw Phoebe coming toward him. "Hey, Pheebs. You look outstandingly fabulous today." He complimented flirtingly, waving his hand.
"You don't look too shabby yourself Gerald," Phoebe blushed as she replied shyly. But then she yawned, and made Gerald raised an eyebrow. "Do you two gentlemen have plans after school?" she tried to open a conversation.
"Indeed that I have, Phoebe." Sid interjected excitedly, smiling. "But, I won't spoil it to you."
Phoebe smiled back, "Well, I'll be sure I'll be looking forward to hearing it." she then checked his watch. "Oh, I really wish I could continue our talk, but I have to meet with my Physics teacher. I'll see you two later then." She said sweetly, gazing at Gerald.
Gerald nodded as he smiled softly, "yeah, see ya." Phoebe replied the smile back, and left.
"Did you just hear that?" Gerald asked Sid.
"Hear what?"
"I dunno, she sounded like she's tired or something. She's usually cheerful at this time of hour." He shook his head, trying to explain to Sid, "I dunno, maybe it's just me."
"It's just you, dude. Don't act like a crazy person, like Curly over here." They were walking past Curly who was softly chanting "His name is Robert Paulsen," repeatedly.
---
The day was Saturday, and Helga had just finished her time at the park to muse for a poem. And this time around, Helga had finally gotten to ride the bus. She stood in front of the fare deposit machine as she glared at the bus driver, who was wearing a neck support, and had stitches around his face. Most likely he was the driver whom Helga had curse to have something terribly bad happen to him in Chapter Two. The driver glanced at her for a moment, and averted his eyes away from her. Somehow, the energy that surrounded Helga made him afraid of her. Helga shrugged, showed him her new bus pass and went inside to find a seat. She found an empty one in the middle section of the bus.
Shortly after two stops, she saw her new enemy, Big Gino in his usual recognizable look, entering the bus. She raised an eyebrow in disbelief, and turned her face away from him so she wouldn't get noticed by him. It was too late. Gino saw her, and then he took a seat next to her.
"Afternoon, Helga." He greeted, not looking at her.
"What do you want from me?" she answered bitterly, looking at the scenery outside the bus. "Did your brother ask you to take me hostage or something?"
"Please Helga, calm down. Let me tell you my side of the story."
"Go away." Helga wasn't interested in listening at all.
Gino stared at her for a moment, trying to read her, "It gravely concerns about your sister." He made his point.
That got Helga's attention as she looked at him while still not facing him, "I'm listening."
"Helga, I hope the things that I'm going to tell to you won't frighten you, because your sister's life is in grave danger as we speak."
Helga darted her head back in dread, "what are you talking about?" she finally faced her head at him.
"I'm gonna be frank, me and my brother have never share the traditional bond of brotherhood together, even though we were born from the same mother. That such connection never existed between us. Want to know why? He never looked at me as his own flesh and blood. He never looked out for my wellbeing, he never cared about me, andhe..." he briefly stopped, tryingto console himself,"I… I can't stand him much longer. I… I hate him." he expressed melancholically to her, which made Helga blinked.
"It's because of his attitude that my father won't let him become the heir of the family business. It's because of that callous, selfish, and incompetent madman my father is in prison. It's because of him my mother is suffering from a terrible disease. It's because of him my father's organization crumbled into pieces. And I, as the real heir to the family, won't stand around like a fool and watch all of my father's hard work gets destroyed by that idiot. You've probably have heard it before somewhere Helga: the reason why my father chose me instead of him to be the heir is because he sees me as a confident, matured young man who showed his entrepreneur and leadership skills at an early young age. That's why my father has chosen me. Not that I'm boasting or anything, mind you. I took the words straight out from my father's mouth."
"And this concerns my sister, how?"
"I visited my father yesterday to have a discussion about this issue, and he said to me that your sister should not be harmed in any way because she has already retired from your spy organization. She's no longer considered as a threat. My father is a very honorable man—".
"Honorable?" Helga scoffed, "Yeah, right."
"Helga, if my father wasn't an honorable man, he'd order his men to eliminate your sister right after he got prosecuted for all the trouble she caused. But, he has ethics. He wouldn't touch his enemies who have retired or no longer being viewed as a threat. I trust his judgment and his decision. But my brother doesn't seem to see it that way. Olga is still considered as a huge threat to him and to his organization." Helga became worried.
"What are you trying to say?"
"I overheard my brother yesterday, that he'll send a person to assassinate your sister right after her shift ends at the hospital today." He finally revealed the dreadful information. Helga felt a cold wave of fright sweeping all over her body. Sure she 'hated' Olga and she wanted to get rid of her and all, but with not that kind of way.
"Why are you helping me?" she spat back, "Why should I believe in everything that you say?!" she was in denial.
"I've promised my father that I will overthrow my brother one way or another, and helping you is one of my ways to thwart him. He's doing everything that my family stands up against. He assaulted people without any reason, extorting money and worse; he's venturing into drugs business."
"Isn't that practically what your dad did even before your brother became the faction leader?"
"Michael is nothing like my father!!" he replied angrily. "My father only protects people who are loyal and a good friend to the family, and the only business we do is running a small casino in this city. The other families don't want get involved in our affairs since it's an internal issue, and that's why I see your organization is my only reliable ally right now, and after this commotion is over, I would like to propose a solution. I'm giving you an offer you can't refuse, Helga, I'm proposing a treaty between our organization that we shall never ever interfere and intervening each other again."
"This just in, Gino: LES will not ally with a mob family! And besides, you're asking the wrong person here. I'm not the leader, Bridget is."
"You misunderstood, Helga. I'm asking you only to assist me in deposing Michael, that's all. The reason why I asked you is because your sister is in trouble, and unlike my relationship with my so-called brother, I know that both of you and your sister love each other and always look after one another. I… envy you, Helga. Judging from all the things I've heard about her, I wish I could have a brother that has the similar traits like her…" he said, shedding a tear. "But no… instead, I have Michael…"
Helga felt completely guilty when she heard that. She now realized how lucky she was to have a sister like Olga.
Big Gino sniffed and wiped the tear off his eye, "Sorry… dust in my eye," he lied. A momentary pause as he gazed at the scenery outside to console himself. Then, he got up and pushed the bell so the bus would stop.
"Remember Helga, save your sister, and please send my message to your Chief, I beg of you." He pleaded hopefully, and got off from the bus. Helga slouched back against her seat, couldn't swallow all the hard facts she just heard. Whether she had noticed or not, a tear began form in her eyes, fearing what would become of Olga later.
---
Sid wore only his yellow towel to shield his privates from the world as he gazed the mirror in front of him in approval of his skinny pasty body. He then looked at his face in the mirror, and rubbed his chin, thinking whether he should shave to make it cleaner, or ignore it altogether and proceeded to apply some cologne. He chose the latter. He actually 'borrowed' the cologne from his father's drawer, since he was too cheap to buy one. After applying it, he went over to his stereo and popped in a CD that would suit for the occasion. He 'borrowed' the CD from his mother's collection.
What is love? (Love)
Baby, don't hurt me…
Don't hurt me…
No more…
He banged his head to the tune of the music as he combed his hair. Still banging his head, he went over to his closet and took the cleanest shirt and pants out from it and wore them. He then threw his towel on the floor and looked at the mattress that was placed on the floor with loads of dirty laundry on top of it – it was his bed. He then went there and rummaged through the laundry in search of his wallet while still doing the head banging. He found it, and then wore his lucky green cap on, and before he took one step out from his room, he rechecked and double checked himself to see whether he was forgetting something. Everything was there and accounted for, even his portable MP3 player. He switched it on and played the same music. He then strutted to the bus stop, still banging his head.
Oh, I don't know, why you're not there,
I give you my love, but you don't care,
So what is right and what is wrong,
Gimme a sign…
The bus arrived and he got in. Helga was inside but he didn't notice her because he was still banging his head to the tune of the music. Helga sighed frustratingly at her fate and her sister's safety. She tried to think how she would prevent the assassination attempt, but couldn't because she was quite amused by Sid's stupid antics. She smiled softly, but then, she shook her head violently, trying to think again. But Sid's idiotic behavior prevailed once more. Knowing that she couldn't concentrate with Sid clowning around in front of her, she pushed the bell to ask the bus to stop. She then got off from her seat, shoving Sid away violently as she made her way out from the bus. Sid stopped for a while, shrugged, and continued his head banging. The people in the bus only stared at the weird teenager in perplexity.
What is love? (Love)
Baby, don't hurt me…
Don't hurt me…
No more…
What is love? (Love)
Baby, don't hurt me…
Don't hurt me…
No more…
Sid got out from the bus and went into Mrs. Vitello's Flower Shop to buy some orchids for his date. The odd behavior that Sid was doing ultimately freaked the old lady outas she stared at the young man in quizzical gaze. After paying her, Sid went out with a new bouquet of flowers with him as he walked down the sidewalk while banging his head. Grandpa Phil at the opposite side of the road who was sweeping the stoop of the boarding house was in incredulity of his grandson's friend.
"Jeez… ever since the Short-man moved out of town his friends sure are acting weirdly…" Phil mused to himself.
"Hey, grandpa! When are you going to fix my window?!" Mr. Hyunh shouted from the inside.
"Oh fiddlesticks, Hyunh! Go and repair it yourself!" Phil shouted back in an annoyed tone.
Oh, I don't know, what can I do,
What else can I say, it's up to you,
I know we're one, just me and you,
I can't go on…
Eventually he arrived at the cinema, still banging his head as he listened to the music while waiting at the ticket booth for his date to arrive. After waiting, waiting, and waiting and nearly given up hope, Nadine emerged from the street smiling at the relieved-as-hell teenage boy.
"So, you're the one who trespassed my locker, huh Sid?" she asked inquiringly, but not threateningly witha soft smile.
"Well, I admit it's a little bit unorthodox, but I couldn't think up a better way to give you those flowers." He said, "'Sides, I left an obvious hint in the card that would clue you in so that you could kill me later."
She chuckled at the explanation, "What about the reciting poetry gig at my balcony?"
"Shakespeare did it before, and it's kinda boring and sucky." Sid replied playfully. Literature was never his forte.
"How long have you been waiting?" Nadine then asked him sweetly, done with the playful banter.
"For a while…" he shot back a nervous smile. "And uh… here's another batch of orchids that you like. Heh… heh…" he snickered nervously.
"Aw, Sid. You're too kind," she replied as she politely accepted the flowers. "Shall we watch a movie then?"
"Let's shall." Sid replied chivalrously. "Okay Nadine, what do you want to watch? I really don't know much about your taste in movies, but I'm gambling for a love story right now." He told her. "Crap, now I have to sit through a stupid chick flick for two hours."
"Uh… well Sid, I appreciate it, but a chick flick it's not what I have in mind."
"Oh, that's okay." he replied back, "YES!" he cheered in his mind. "So, what kind of a movie do you have in mind? I'm all open to suggestions."
Nadine pointed to a movie poster across the area from them, which in turn made Sid happy from it. She pointed to a Farscape: The Movie poster.
"Sorry if I geeked you out a bit but I really…"
"Say no more Nadine." Sid beamed. "Say no more."
---
20 minutes later…
Helga was cursing to herself for not knowing when her sister's shift will end as she walked hastily to her house. Suddenly she had an idea. She then quickly went over to the nearest public phone and called her house. The phone line was ringing, but nobody was answering it.
"Come on… come on…" she said in impatient anxiety. "Mom… please answer the damn phone…"
And finally, somebody answered her, "Hello?"
"Mom!! Do you know when'll Olga's shift end at the hospital today?"
"Um… I don't know honey…" she replied, but thankfully she wasn't in her moody intoxicated state today. "Why don't you check at the hospital?"
"Oh, for crying out loud!!" she shouted in her mind. She then slammed the phone down, and called the hospital Olga was working in. She had known the phone number for quite sometime due to her therapy session with Dr. Bliss.
"Hillwood Medical Center. Can I help you?" an operator answered.
"Yeah, I'm inquiring about Olga Pataki, I'm her sister."
"Which department?"
"Pediatric… I think."
"Hold on please." And the usual annoying waiting music was playing through the phone. "I just want to ask about her hours, goddammit!!" she shouted in her mind. Helga was completely irritated by the stupid music. Hopefully it wouldn't be that long for someone to pick up the phone.
"Pediatric." Finally somebody replied.
"Can I speak to Olga Pataki?"
"She's busy with a patient right now, sorry." The female receptionist replied.
"Okay, uh... can I ask when will her shift ends today?" she asked back hastily.
"Wait for a moment please." The receptionist replied, as she typed Olga's name on the computer, "Her shift should be over in ten minutes from now."
Helga looked at the end of the road she was nearby as she calculated the distance between the public phone she was using and the hospital where Olga was working, "I still have time…" she thought, and the said to the receptionist, "If you see her, could you ask her not to go outside the building?"
The receptionist paused for a moment, "I'll see what I can do."
"All right. Thank you!" She then slammed the receiver down, but picked it up again and proceeded to call Bridget. And thankfully, she answered it right off the bat.
"Thunder?" it was the codename for any agent who called the headquarters using a regular phone.
"Flash!" was the answer for the said code. "Bridge! It's me, Helga! Listen, there's not much time, so I'll have to be quick and just don't ask why! Send all agents in a 200 meter radius around Hillwood Medical to go there. Please, it's very, very important!"
"Active or—"
"I don't care! Just send them all there!!" she then slammed the phone down and quickly she ran to the hospital.
"Wren, contact all agents within 200 meter radius of Hillwood Medical to go over there now."
Wren stared at her for a moment and replied, "As you wish, milady." She then typed something on the keyboard. The monitor then showed a road map of the city with a huge circle hovering over it. There was a 200m written next to it, and a word 'SCANNING…' was flashing on the top left side of the monitor. Only one was present: It was Nadine.
---
Sid and Nadine were enjoying themselves as they watched that movie. But suddenly, Nadine enjoyment was abruptly stopped when her cellphone vibrated (Sound muted, of course). Somebody had sent her a text message. She rolled her eyes and took her cellphone out and read it. The message reads:
Nadine, your presence is greatly needed at Hillwood Medical to help agent Helga. Don't bother changing to your uniform. Your assistance is extremely urgent and is required ASAP. – LES
"Aww, man… and I'm in a middle of a date..." she sighed frustratingly. Sid looked at her and said, "Is something wrong?"
"Sid…" she stared at him, trying to find a suitable answer, "I have to go…"
He was absolutely shocked, "What?! Oh come on, Nadine… can it just wait?"
"I'm sorry…" reluctantly, she then slowly got up from her seat and went out. Sid was completely dumbfounded as he watched her went out. He felt dejected and slumped down on his seat, "What did I go wrong?" he asked himself morosely.
"This better be good, Helga."
---
"Hey Olga. Going out already?" the receptionist asked her.
"My shift is over, you silly," She smiled, "Make sure Tony gets plenty of rest so the burns from his body will heal faster."
"Will do."
"And Rose, you are coming to my play tomorrow, aren't you?"
"Hey, of course I am! I'm a huge fan of independent plays you know." She smiled back, "Oh, before I forgot, someone just called asking for you."
"Goodness, really? Who was it?"
"You know… I haven't the slightest clue. Silly me for not asking. She did however, asked you not to go outside the building."
"Well, that's silly. Why would she want me to stay put? Well, I'm off. See you on the stage, Rose." Olga waved at her friend.
"No, see you on the stage!" Rose replied back jovially.
At a nearby abandoned building, a sniper was setting his equipment and pointed it to the hospital's front door. According to his boss, he was expected to eliminate a blonde girl, probably in her twenties, as indicated in the picture he got from his boss. Nice girl, he thought. After he had done setting his equipment, he looked through the scope to the front entrance of the hospital, hoping that he would hit her in one single shot. Anticipating, anticipating. Suddenly he heard loud shouting noise. He shifted his scope to the direction the sound was coming. It was a girl, running to the hospital, motioning her arms across her body again and again to someone so she wouldn't take any more step out from the hospital. He lifted an eyebrow.
I know some of the scenes in this chapter is kinda dark for a humor fic like this one, but I just want to balance the tone a little bit, but not by much. The core of this fic is still comedy. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this chapter, and again, please leave a review, or a flame if you want.