Disclaimer: I own nothing that is remotely connected to the cartoon Hey Arnold.

Note: To everyone who bothered to read my story thank you very much. I'm sorry if what I have written in the last couple of chapters were crap. I myself thought as much. This chapter was an effort to redeem myself. It's just that I lacked inspiration, particularly since I haven't been able to watch Hey Arnold since they rarely air it, if at all, anymore. Anyway, on with the story.

When You're Ready

He walked as though he was a man on a mission. In his hand he held an envelope. He was clutching it real hard as if afraid that the wind would blow it away. He kept walking, unaware of the cold air that comes with autumn nights.

His steps slowed as he reached his destination. He finally saw what he has been looking for. He took one step at a time, afraid that the vision before him would disappear into thin air. He couldn't understand the nagging feeling. He always came here and she would always be there. It has been like this for weeks.

When Helga walked out on them at the café, no one understood why. But when Phoebe came back from getting refreshments and heard what happened, she flew into such a rage, shouting at Rhonda. She kept repeating that no one understands. Gerald had to hold her back, to keep her from hitting Rhonda. Everyone around them were quiet. They had to take her home and try to clam her down. It was then they found out what was going on with Helga.

He went looking for her after making sure that Phoebe was alright. He searched all over town. When everything looked bleak, he started for his sanctuary, the pier. He found her there, staring out the waters. He was half-afraid that she was contemplating suicide. Her entire form suggested as much. But when he saw her face, it was devoid of any emotion. She has been relatively alive for the last month she has been in Hillwood, but in this instance it was as if she was nothing but a shell. He sat beside her, she didn't look at him. He touched her shoulder, but still she had no reaction. He wanted to say something, but found words were too difficult to speak. So he kept looking at her, concern written all over his face.

It may have been an hour or more when she finally stood up. He followed the suit. He wondered where she wanted to go. They ended up at Phoebe's house. Helga went in and once inside it was as though she was playing a part. She comforted the worried Phoebe and said all the right things. On how Rhonda didn't know so it wasn't her fault. She blamed no one for the hurt she was going through. He wished he could believe her. But he saw her at the pier. She was anything but alright.

Helga stopped associating with anyone. She's become more closed off than before. She would always be at the pier when he went there. He would sit beside her patiently, never demanding anything of her. He was afraid to push her further at the edge.

After a two weeks of silence he couldn't take it anymore. So he started talking about himself. How his parents came back after more than a decade of absence. How mad he got at them, but eventually got used to the idea that he had parents. They were at London, waiting for him to finish school and join them. He told her that he had no intention of going, not yet anyway. He told her about Lila. How he wanted to love her but found that he cannot. He refrained from telling her as to why. He revealed to her part of himself that no one ever knew, the vindictive, the jealous and the angry sides of him. He sort of glad that she didn't talk, for he felt that she didn't judge him.

He was content with being there for her like that. He tried to convince himself that he was helping. Until two nights ago.

He just walked Helga back to Phoebe's house. He was feeling restless and a tad frustrated with his inability to comfort Helga. He walked around town, not really sure why. It was ten in the evening when he finally decided to head home. He passed by Touché and saw Brian locking up. He chose to ignore him, he felt an incredible dislike for the guy, a feeling he couldn't understand at all. He kept walking as if he didn't see anyone. But Brian called out to him.

He reluctantly looked back. Brian jogged towards him. He resumed his pace and didn't mind if Brian couldn't keep up. He ignored him. He didn't want to talk to the guy. He was just about to tell him so, but Brian spoke up first.

"You're lucky you know." Brian uttered. He turned his attention towards this person he did not want to be around with, his eyebrows furrowed.

Brian paid no attention to his reaction. He was looking far ahead, as if he was somewhere else.

"When I heard about what happened to her, I went to the pier. I heard you talking to Phoebe, that she was drawn to the pier. I decided to try my luck at comforting her, since you said you were a failure at it." he was looking at Arnold intently.

"When I got there I saw her. I thought if you couldn't do it, then maybe you weren't supposed to be the one to be there for her. But when I sat down beside her she told me to please go." Brian kept looking at him as he said this, "That's why you're lucky. Because after all these years, she still prefers you over everybody else."

His grimaced at Brian's words. He thought to himself, if she did, she wouldn't be in this situation. He nodded when Brian mumbled a goodbye and took off towards another direction.

"She still prefers you over everybody else", the words kept repeating themselves inside his head. He remembered a time when she truly did.

They were out for the summer at that time. They would be fifth grade come fall. Helga just found out that they were moving. She took it pretty well. Instead of throwing a tantrum, she just left her house and went straight to his, at least that's what she told him when he opened the door for her. He invited her in and asked her what was wrong. He knew well enough that Helga wouldn't come to his house under normal circumstances.

She was quiet for awhile. And then she just started talking. About what she said at the FTI building was all true, that she was in love with him. He was overwhelmed by everything she said, but at the same time certain moments in his life were finally explained upon her confession.

After all the words were said she turned to leave. He reached out to her and gave her a hug. He was glad to know that someone loved him the way she did. He heard her sigh while she was in his arms. When they finally separated she looked at him with such intensity, "Arnold, promise me when you're ready…"

He was puzzled when she kissed him on the cheek and proceeded towards the door, he still had her hand in his so he refused to let go, "Ready for what?" he asked her.

She smiled at him impishly, "When you are ready, you'll know how to finish that sentence."

He couldn't understand, but he felt compelled to promise whatever she wanted.

The following week the Patakis left Hillwood.

He knew the end of her sentence. He had known for quite a while now. But what happened to her in California was something he did not expect. A lot of things did not turn out the way he expected. But looking back on that particular memory, he finally knows what he should do to get the old Helga back.

That's why he was there, he was holding the envelop in his hand. He felt it was the right thing to do, but he was also half-afraid that Helga would be lost, to everyone who loved her, forever. He walked slowly and stood before her. She did not tear her gaze away from the water.

He sat down and took her hand. He squeezed it tightly in his, but she did not react. His hand was shaking as he placed the letter in hers. That finally got a reaction. She looked at him. He looked deeply into her eyes, wordlessly telling her what he desperately wanted to voice out. With a final squeeze of her hand he stood up and walked away.

So there you have it. In the next chapter it will go back to Helga's POV. There will be quite a number of revelations, so please stay tuned. I thank you.