Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Note: The Italics are flashbacks.

STRANGER

It was a full two weeks before I finally got on the plane to good ole Hillwood. I sat on the first class section, wondering if I am doing the right thing going back there. I stared out the window and thought of my parents as they were sending me off.

My mom was tearing up. My dad was trying hard not to show any emotion in front of all the people. They both were fussing over me. Miriam was asking if I wanted something to eat before we boarded. Bob asked me for the nth time if I had my ticket. I merely smiled at them and told them I would miss them very much. They both smiled at me as well and wrapped me in a fierce embrace. It was as though they did not want me to go at all.

"Passengers for flight 203, Los Angeles to Hillwood, are now boarding at gate 12." the overhead call blared. "I guess that's me." I hugged them once more.

As I was picking my bags up, my dad touched my arm gently and said, "Helga, we're not sending you to Hillwood because we can't handle what you're going through. I want you to know that. Your mom and I just thought…" he trailed off as though he himself didn't know why he was letting me go halfway around the country.

" I know that Dad. Don't worry about me so much okay? Why don't you guys go on vacation or something? I know Mom wants to go to Hawaii for the longest time. You guys have fun for a change. I'm sure I'll have fun at Hillwood."

My mom hugged me and whispered "I love you honey" to my ear. " I love you too Mom. Now hurry along, you're making me miss my flight." She just smiled.

My dad stopped me once more and wrapped me in one of his more suffocating embrace. He whispered, "I love you little lady. Don't go messing up just because we're not there okay?" When he released me I smiled at him, told him I loved him too and promised I won't do anything he wouldn't approve of.

When I was walking away, I looked back. I saw my mom bury her face in my dad's chest. She was sobbing pretty badly. My dad had tears in his eyes as well. It was as if they would never see me again. I suppose they did not expect my going to Hillwood would cause them more worry. But now that I really am going they realized they couldn't watch me like a hawk anymore. I would miss it too.

I was snapped out of my reverie by the flight attendant. She was telling everyone to fasten their seatbelts as the plane readied for its descent. I held my breath at what could possibly waiting for me at Hillwood.

Airport

"Tell me again what I'm doing here at a wonderful Saturday afternoon?" Arnold asked his best friend Gerald.

"Well, for one thing you're here helping out a friend by keeping him company. While his girlfriend refuses to tell him why they were here." the two looked at Phoebe, who was constantly pacing and looking up the board which announced the flight arrivals. She was obviously not listening to the chatter of the two men.

"Flight 203, Los Angeles to Hillwood has landed." the intercom announced. Phoebe then rushed towards the gate where all the passengers were exiting. The two guys had to squeeze through a throng of people just to keep up with her. They arrived at the gate. Phoebe was up at the very front. The two couldn't get any further so they merely watched the young Asian stare at the gate anxiously. They saw her light up all of a sudden and was waving frantically at someone who just stepped out of the plane. They looked at each other questioningly. Both of them shrugged at each other and went back to looking at Phoebe. Only to find out that she was gone. Fifteen minutes passed and they were ready to conduct a search party when she appeared at their side and led them out of the terminal.

"What in heaven's name is going on Phoebe? First you drag us here, then you run out on us and finally you pull a disappearing act. For the last time what has been going on with you ?" an exasperated Gerald bursted out.

"Gerald's right. Not to gang up on you, Phoebe. But you have to admit that you've been acting a bit strange for the last two weeks." Arnold added.

She smiled up at the two and answered their question by motioning towards a blonde girl, she was wearing a pair of jeans and a blue tank top. She had her back turned against them. She was surrounded by two large suitcases and was looking at everything around her. Gerald and Arnold still looked puzzled. So Phoebe steered them towards the young woman.

"Guys this is why I've been preoccupied for the last two weeks." she stated quietly, the blonde whirled around and faced the two men. "Gerald, Arnold. I'd like you to meet my best friend." It was then everything clicked for the two. "Helga?" The two said in unison.

Helga smiled and looked at the them. She seemed uncertain whether she should hold out her hand for them to shake or give them hugs. Phoebe solved the problem by hugging her for the third time. "Yes Helga! Can you believe she's here? It took her seven years to finally visit us" Phoebe was grinning widely.

The two remained speechless, as they continued to stare at the young woman in front of them. Gerald was the first to regain his composure. "The years have been very good to you Pataki." he stated as he moved to hug her. Helga laughed at his statement and returned the gesture. Arnold remained unmoving until Phoebe caught her elbow onto his stomach. He got the wind knocked out of him and finally snapped out of whatever world he was in. "Hey, Helga. Long time no see, stranger." he smiled sheepishly. Helga merely smiled and accepted the hug that came with his greeting.

On the way to Phoebe's house Arnold and Gerald had a lot of questions for me. Phoebe answered them for me. I guess she sensed that I wasn't exactly myself. I was surprised to see Gerald and Arnold at the airport. I thought Phoebe would pick me up alone. Gerald didn't seem to have changed so much. He no longer had his tall hair. His build suggested he was still very much the sportsman, that he was when we were younger. His humor remained the same.

Arnold was a different story. He looked great actually. The years have been good to him as well, to quote Gerald. His football shaped head finally fits his body. He too seemed to be into sports. He seemed more confident and just happy with life in general. I understood how my nine year old self could love him. He grew up to be a good man. Just like Matthew.

"So I'm thinking, after the game tonight we can finish wrapping the presents for the kids." Matthew suggested as we were walking towards his car. I just looked at him and rolled my eyes.

"Wouldn't you be tired? After all, this is your big game for the season. As far as I know football is a rather painful game, particularly if you are the star quarter back." I looked up at him. He merely pinched my nose teasingly and rolled his eyes as well.

"There are certain things in life that are more important than a football game. Those children need hope, and if my wrapping those presents can give them an inch of hope, I'd be willing to wrap, broken bones and all." he uttered in a solemn voice.

I wrinkled my nose at him, "What are you pushing for sainthood, Matthew? Saint Matthew, hmm, it does have a ring to it." his green eyes was dancing with merriment at our familiar banter.

"Saint Helga, no doesn't quite work as Saint Matthew." he continued to tease me by pinching my nose.

I slapped his hand away, "If you like my nose so much why don't you just take it?" I asked him impatiently.

He caught my hand and pulled me towards him. By then I was completely enveloped in his arms. "Only if I can have everything else." he whispered to my ear.

I leaned back on his chest and smiled to myself. "You already have all of me." he stated softly.

I turned so I can face him. I looked deep into his green eyes. The wind tousled his auburn hair to one side. I reached out and brushed it away. "As do you." was my reply.

He smiled once more and held me tighter. "So wrapping. Tonight. No doubt about it."

"Everyone would want to see you again Helga. No doubt about it." Arnold piped in. I gave him a smile and remained silent. I saw Phoebe giving me a look from the driver's seat for not participating in the conversation. I merely turned away, for the memory of Matthew was still fresh in my mind.

We arrived at Phoebe's house. It was already late in the afternoon. My hostess tells us that her parents were out of town for the weekend. I felt a certain relief for her parents have been behaving just like mine since Matthew's death. Whenever Phoebe called I could hear her mother asking about me, how I was doing and that they were worried about me.

As we entered the house I noticed how little changed. It was the same cozy home I knew seven years ago. Gerald and Arnold carried in my suitcases and were being directed by Phoebe to put it in the guest room. The phone rang almost immediately. Phoebe answered it and talked to the person in the other line quietly. I knew it was my dad the moment it rang. She then passed it to me. I gave her one of my knowing looks and talked to my dad.

"How was your flight, little lady?" was how he started the conversation. I spent the first fifteen minutes on the phone reassuring my dad that I was fine, that everything was fine. I heard my mom asking for the phone so I spent another ten reassuring her. Sometimes I wonder who I got my patience from. Probably from Matthew, who kept on telling me that patience is a virtue. When I finally got off the phone I saw all three of them staring at me. I merely shrugged at them, "Parents, what can you do?"

The three wanted to go out and grab a bite to eat. I told them I was tired and insisted that they go on anyway. Phoebe glared at me and grabbed my arm, steering us out of the earshot of the two guys.

"Helga, I am not leaving you alone while you are here. Do you understand?" she hissed at me.
I looked at her and longed to wrench my arm and have a fit. Instead, I give her a forced smile and bit back the sharp retort that was on the edge of my tongue. Gerald came toward us and suggested that we just order in.

The tension was lessened when Arnold recommended that we have some pizza delivered and watch some old movies. I sighed and agreed to whatever they wanted. I looked out the window when they all started arguing over what to order.

"Hey, what kind of pizza did you want?" I heard Arnold ask me. When I turned he was beside me. I felt him watching me, as if trying to find out what's going on in my mind. I felt myself stiffen at his nearness. I moved slightly away from him and answered his question, "Pepperoni."

"So I ordered our favorite pizza." Matthew grinned at me.

"Pepperoni , I suppose." I grinned back.

"You suppose correctly Miss Pataki. After all, that's what Friday nights are all about. Pizza. Movie. And my beautiful girlfriend at my side." he declared as he flopped down the couch beside me. He put his arms around my shoulder and pulled my close.

"So I come in third, in all those things you mentioned," before he can protest I presented to him the movies I wanted to watch. I pulled the DVDs out of the bag. I had Legends of the Fall, While you were sleeping, Sleepless in Seattle and Pretty Woman. He looked at me in disbelief, his shoulders started shaking. I knew he was laughing so punched him lightly in the arm. He pretended to be hurt. I called him on it and he smiled at me. I knew then that he brought his own movies. One by one he brought them out. All of them were action movies. I shook my head at him. He nodded his head at me.

It was a battle of the wits, which ended in a tickle fight. We ended up sprawled on the couch. Arms and legs on top of each other. Before anything else happened the doorbell rang. I disentangled myself from him and went to pay for the pizza.

When I came back he already popped in one of his movies. Out of the kindness of my heart I let him have his way. I was absorbed in the movie, when I reached for a slice of the pizza, I felt another hand grabbing the one I already reached for. When I turned to look, I saw that there was just one slice left. I smiled sweetly at him. He returned the gesture.

"Seeing as I let you get your way, it seems only fair that I get the last slice." I firmly stated my case.

"No. You could have objected. I wouldn't have minded. So I get the last slice," he smiled at me.

"No, I deserve this slice. I want this last piece." I pretended to pout. He pretended to think about it, and then shook his head. I let go of the pizza and huffed "Fine!"

Just as he was about to take a bite, he looked at me guiltily. I smiled at him, I knew I've won. He reluctantly gave me the pizza. I took it graciously and cut it in half. I gave the other half to him and he smiled his little boy smile.

"Yeah, I want just pepperoni." I answered Arnold. He looked at me again and seemed to be on the verge of asking me what was wrong, when Phoebe called him. He unwillingly left my side and went to her.

I headed for the bathroom and splashed some water on my face. I looked at myself in the mirror and wondered if this is what's going to happen to me here at Hillwood. I wonder if I would be haunted by his memories the entire time I was here. I gazed at my reflection and asked myself how I've become a stranger.

Note: Thanks for reading this story. Hope you enjoyed it. Thanks for the feedback. Particularly to Blonde Cecile. It has been very helpful.