Disclaimer: I do not own Hey Arnold or any of the characters. Hey Arnold is the property of Nickelodeon and Craig Bartlett.

A Trip Through Time

Chapter 8: Andy vs Helga

Elsewhere

On a jet

Inside the plane, in the business class section, a man was currently had his nose deep in a paper, reading the material on it while on of the flight attendants arrived with

"Here's your coffee, sir...'The flight attendant said as she handed him the dark colored beverage.

"Thank you..." The man said as he took his drink.

He drank it and once he was done, he sighed. It's not that the coffee is bad or anything, it's good but his favorite kind is the one his wife brews for him every morning before he leaves for work, only she knew how to get it right, just like with everything else she seems to do.

He really missed his wife, along with their three children, he has since the minute he step on the plane to leave weeks ago. He has been away from home for a couple of weeks, doing business out of the country due to his job demands but he's finally done and he is on his way home, where his beautiful wife and darling children were waiting for him.

He's been missing them like crazy and felt that the flight was going almost tortuously slow...he was almost getting antsy but he was trying to be patient.

He just really couldn't wait to get home, kiss his darling wife, hug and play with his kids again, eat his wife's scrumptious home cooking (which he missed since he has mostly been eating food of the locals that didn't hold a candle to what she made) and just return to his nice, quiet, loving, warm home where all of his friends and family would be awaiting him.

"I wonder how they are all doing...'The man thought as he looked out the window and looked to the beautiful world down below.

Waiting and waiting until they finally land in his hometown.

Hillwood...

At the Boarding house

Not long after the misplaced time travelers explained things to the old man, great grandma Gertie arrived after her yoga lessons and just as expected, it didn't take long for her to be told about the whole thing, accept it and now, for whatever reason, she is now fawning over the younger version of her grandson, who looked confused by all of the attention.

"Oh, it's been so long since Kimba was this little and adorable..."Gertie said as she hugged the football headed child tightly.

"Grandma?..." Arnold said in a surprised voice but he let her hug him, since he had no problem with it.

"Yeah, it is..."Grandpa said in the same weird, nostalgic voice from earlier before becoming more serious.

"Now remember Pookie, you can't tell anyone about this...even the family...this is already a big enough mess as it is, we don't need to add any more unnecessary drama...'Phil warned his ancient wife who suddenly got up.

"Sir yes,sir...The only thing they will be getting out of this soldier is name, rank and serial number..." She said, suddenly sounding like she is a marine or other military personal.

Kid Arnold smiled at that, happy to know that despite how old they will get, he's still gonna have his grandparents for the next few decades, and they will still be their lovable (albeit eccentric) selves. It made him smile widely at that.

"It's great to see that you guys are still the same...'Arnold said, getting his older grandparents attention.

"Well, I better get to cooking since we got extra guests tonight...It's watermelon night..." Grandma said before cackling.

"Pookie!...'Grandpa Phil said in exasperation as he went after his crazy wife.

Arnold blinked, before smiling and laughing once again... He is really happy to see his grandparents haven't changed at all, it's a big comfort.

"G and G.G., you can't help but love them, am I right?...'Andy said, getting his kid father's attention.

"You can say that again...'Arnold said in agreement.

"You can't help but love them, am I right?..The other football headed child repeated, making his father chuckle at his jokes.

Andy certainly does have quite a sense of humor, doesn't he?

"I'm gonna go see if grandpa needs any help...'Arnold said as he went to the kitchen to help them out, just in case.

Andy sighed, happy that at least he has someone to help him out now, however, he noticed that while Kiara was busy talking to her not-yet parents on the couch, he noticed that somebody is missing from this scene.

"Where did mom go?..." Andy thought curiously, as he looked around but she's not in the living room anymore.

The football headed boy decided to leave to find her, to make sure she didn't end up seeing anything she shouldn't be seeing. He was sure he hid every picture of his parents wedding and them together from the house, but still...he had to be careful.

Like Kiara said, knowing too much could have bad consequences.

Helga had been searching the halls of the boarding hose, in search of either pictures or something that would incline to her future role in her beloved Arnold's life. While she highly doubted that the boarder's would have anything, she couldn't help but glance into their rooms, but found nothing, which frustrated her endlessly.

Unknown to her, while she is busy snooping around, someone is stalking her, keeping quiet as he curiously kept an eye on her.

"What is she doing? What could she be looking for?...'Andy whispered to himself as he hid behind a potted plant, to make sure that the kid version of his mom didn't see him.

He's not getting a good feeling about this...

"Criminy! There's got to be something around here..." He heard her mumble from far away, looking really, really frustrated.

"What?...'Andy thought curiously as he watched his mom continue to search, wondering what she could possibly want, right now, until an idea came to his mind and he frowned.

"Oh no...don't tell that she's actually looking for..."He stopped as he watched her enter one of the hall closets, which thankfully isn't the one where he stored all of the wedding pictures and the pictures that include her in it.

He tip towed and could hear the faint muttering of her voice, and he noticed that it was just a little opened, though he doubted that she even noticed.

"What is up with mom?...'Andy thought as he checked in the key hold and saw the younger version of his mother, looking angry about something.

"CRIMINY! There has to be something around her that has my presence in this home...something, anything that is proof that I am Andy's mother and thus, my beloved's destined bride...'He heard her say in a really dramatic voice.

"I knew it..."Andy thought, feeling a little mad that she blatantly was ignoring his warning.

Before he could open the door and confront her about this, he saw her suddenly pull out what looked to be a locket from her shirt...and he suddenly recognized that it's the same locket his dad said is one of their family's most prized possessions, since it's the one he said helped saved his grandparent's lives.

'What the heck is she doing?...'Andy thought as he found himself eavesdropping on her...

"Oh Arnold, angel of my heart...my muse and the silver lining in the dark storm cloud known as my life...what must I do, my beloved?...'He heard her say, in the same kind of voice she got whenever her older self got mushy with his dad.

But now, she's just doing it to a picture of him, which is kind of a little weird...

"I know that whilst in the mist of our dilemma, temptation is strong...I simply must know of my fate, of whether or not, we are truly destined to be...to know ifyou will one day find it in your heart to love me as I have always loved you...to know if my only dream since I was three will truly come true...that you and I are truly destined to be man and wife and that I am the one that is destined to be the mother of the wonderful child Andy, whom is so much like you, who even has the same wonderful smile as you as well...'She whispered to her locket, still unaware of the audience she had.

"Because if I am not, then my world shall truly end my dearest angel...but I shall not be bested, I know that the truth lies near, and I shall find it, if my name truly is destined to one day will be Helga G. Shortman, your beloved future wife...'She said before she kissed the picture, blissfully unaware of the world around her.

Andy's jaw dropped, was frozen until he blinked. He is glad that his younger mom didn't notice that he had watched her do...whatever the heck that was. Once he was out of his trance, he slowly began to walk away before she came out and noticed him. He had tip towed quietly and hid in one of the empty boarder rooms, until she is out of the closet and went back to her looking, but she is out of luck, since he got all of the pictures in one hiding place.

"When dad said that mom was crazy about him since they were kids, I didn't think he meant like this...' Andy muttered as he walked down the stairs until realization hit him like an oncoming bus.

"Mom is trying to find out if she and dad are married...and she's going to be here for a whole week, which means that sooner or later..."Andy paused before he quickly ran to the downstairs closet where he hid of all the pictures. Once inside, he found an old backpack and quickly hid them inside, and then he carried it with it, intending to take it home with him and hid it in a place the younger version of his mother won't be able to find it.

This is a dangerous situation and while he knew his mom meant well, and she's just suffering from love sickness, Kiara said that they can't take any chances here. So while she is still looking aimlessly upstairs, he ran out to the front porch and hid his backpack behind the nearby dumpster, intending to get it later and he was making it hard for anyone to see it. He isn't worried since garbage day isn't until Tuesday, and his mom won't be able to find it there.

"Sorry mom, but in your own words...this is for your own good...'Andy muttered as he hid his backpack well and quickly returned back to the boarding house before anyone noticed he is missing.

Once in the living room, he is glad that his mom still isn't there, which means that she is still looking upstairs but won't find anything.

Score one for Andy P. Shortman!

"Where did you go to?..." Kiara asked her best friend, when he rejoined the living room.

"Don't ask...'He muttered, wanting to shake the memory away of only a few minutes go from his mind, while Kiara looked confused.

Andy sighed as he thought about the girl who would one day grow up to be his very own mother. He loved and respected his mother with all of his heart, despite sometimes being overprotective and nagging him to eat his vegetables and go to bed on time, she's the greatest mom ever but seeing her younger self act so...wild like that in that closet, is going to take some getting used to, especially since he knows that this is from before she and his dad got together...

Speaking of which, she soon rejoined the group, looking frustrated about something, and Andy knew the reason why and tried to resist the urge to smirk, or else she might know that he is on to her. His dad, however, seemed ever oblivious as he approached the obviously not satisfied blonde girl...

"Hey Helga, where did you go?..." His younger dad asked and he noticed that his mom looked ticked.

"None of your business football-head...'She snapped and his dad looked like he was used to it.

It's just so weird, at home he and his mom are always kissing and making googly eyes at each other, giving each other affectionate pet names and are always cuddling together, which totally grossed Andy out because who doesn't get weirded out when their parents act mushy like that...

He knew his folks told him that before they got together, they tended to fight a lot because mom was too shy to properly express her feelings to him, but it all changed when they went to San Lorenzo to save grandpa Miles and grandma Stella, along with the entire Green Eye civilization.

Something he wants to make sure still happens to them, despite this whole mess they are in...

"So anyway you guys, since it's Saturday and you guys are going to be here a week, we need to make some ground rules, you guys can't leave the boarding house without either me, Kiara, G or G.G... No going online or watching television unless you guys consult us on it since I don't want you guys seeing something that might be too informative of the future and don't answer any phones here or talk to any of the boarders or visitors unless G says it's cool..." Andy said in a commanding voice to the others, getting their full attention.

And a glare from his younger mother, who clearly didn't look like she enjoyed being bossed around...

"Wait a minute here, Football-head Jr! Who died and made you the boss of us?...'She said sarcastically to the future boy.

Arnold looked like he was going to say something to calm her down but Andy, not liking what she said, beat him to it.

"I'm not the boss of you guys, I'm just the guy who's trying to help you get back to where you belong, so I'd appreciate it if you actually try and listen to what I have to say...'Andy said in an assertive tone of voice, which surprised Arnold and maybe Helga too.

Did Andy really just talk back to her, and not look intimidated at all?

"Look, I know you guys are scared and ...frustrated... right now...but you guys don't seem to understand just how serious this whole thing is...knowing too much about the future...well...I'm worried that you guys might change it...and for the worse...my whole family has a great life and I don't want it to change...for any of us, so please...just trust me on this..." He said in a meaningful way, especially to his mother, who's eyes were wide when he said that.

He hoped that she got his hidden message, that if she really tries to find the truth of her future, she might risk undoing it...However, while she is silent, his dad answered for the whole group.

"Don't worry Andy, we understand... We won't do anything that might risk changing things, right guys?...'Arnold asked.

"No need to tell me, I want to get back home..and I rather my future be a surprise if I can help it...'Gerald said smoothly.

"Phoebe?...'Arnold asked the Asian girl.

"As tempting as it is, the future and time travel...I can understand the pro's and con's of the situation and I will comply..." Phoebe said in her eloquent way and Andy noticed that she really did sound a lot like Kiara.

"Helga?..."His dad asked the tall blonde girl who was still silent, before a scowl came to her face...or was it just a frustrated pout, it's a little hard to tell...

"Fine, it's not like I care or anything..." She said with her arms crossed.

"Keep telling yourself that, mom..." Andy thought sarcastically and tried to hide a smirk when they all listened to him.

Score another point for Andy P. Shortman!

However, before the boy could do a mental victory dance, he suddenly felt his cell phone ringing, and the children looked at him with interest, as the boy's eyes widened when he saw the number on it.

"I...I need to take this..." He said as he walked upstairs, but not before whispering this to Kiara.

"Keep an eye on my folks until I get back...'He whispered before he ran upstairs. Once he is sure that he is alone, he answered the phone.

"Hello..." Andy answered.

'Hi sweetie...'A melodious, feminine voice he recognized instantly.

"Hi mom, how are you?...'Andy said, hoping his voice didn't sound as nervous as he feared it is.

'Well, your father is coming home today, I finished my manuscript and got dinner and dessert ready for his arrival, so I think I am doing good..."His mother said in her usual witty way... "How about you,my little Andy-kins, how was my big boy's day?...'He heard his mother say in the same affectionate voice that made him embarrassed if she used it around his friends.

"Fine mom...'Andy answered, thinking that he's not lying.

Sure, he's caught in a time travel dilemma, but he's got it under control...sort of...

"Did you have fun with Kiara?...'She asked.

"Oh, it's been a day like no other...'Andy said, again, not actually lying.

"That's great sweetie, anyone, I should be picking you up in about 15 minutes, once the pie is out of the oven...Oh, I can't wait to see the look on your dad's face when he tastes it..." His mother said but the boy wasn't listening.

He had been too busy worrying about his kid parents and god parents that he had almost forgotten that he had to leave at 5 for his actual dad's home coming this afternoon!

"That's right...dad is coming home...' Andy thought, in worry.

"Anyway sweetie, I should be there in about 15 minutes...love you, bye...'She said before hanging up.

Andy was in silence and frozen, until what she said finally sunk it in wide head. He had been so worried about everything all day he didn't noticed that it was already well passed 4:30...and his mother is expecting him to be at Uncle Gerald's house with his sister when she comes to pick him up...

"15 MINUTES?!..." Andy screamed as he suddenly found himself running downstairs.

"Kiara, we have to go...'Andy said, while the other kids looked at him in concern, as were G and G.G.

"Is something wrong, Andy?..." Arnold asked in concern.

"Nothing is wrong, it's just remembered that I am expected somewhere tonight...and I have to go now, but I will be here tomorrow morning in case you guys will need me..."Andy said and saw his great grandparents eyes widen as they recalled what today is suppose to be.

"Anyway, remember what I said...stay out of trouble and don't go online without a grownups permeation, see you all tomorrow, sleep well and don't do anything I wouldn't do...Bye!..."Andy said quickly as he grabbed Kiara's hand and soon ran outside.

Once he was gone, Arnold, Helga, Phoebe and Gerald all blinked in confusion at Andy's sudden behavior just now, wondering what had triggered it.

"What the heck has gotten into his?...'Helga asked with part of her brow raised.

"I don't know, he seemed calm a few minutes ago...'Arnold said, wondering if his future son is alright.

"Andy's fine, he's just trying to be a good kid, is all.." Phil said, making his grandson look at him funny like that.

"Anyway, I think it's time I show you all to where you guys will be staying tonight and hook up the old DVD player, just to keep you all from being bored...'Phil said, hoping that at least some of the old shows, which were his grandson's favorites would satisfy them for a while.

"Um, grandpa?..."Arnold asked.

"Yes, short-man?...'Phil asked, wondering what the younger version of his favorite grandson had on his mind.

"Since when do we have a DVD player?..." The football headed boy asked curiously.

Outside

"Andy, whats wrong?..." Kiara asked as he ran to nearby alley and got some kind of backpack.

"I'll explain later but first we got to get to your house before my mom does..." Andy said, causing the girl's brown eyes to widen.

Kiara glanced at her watch and couldn't believe that it is almost 5, did they really loose track of time like that?

"If I'm not there in the next 12 and a half minutes, time unraveling will be the least of our problems..." Andy said in a worried tone.

"Well, come on..." Kiara said as the two kids began running in the direction of the Johanssen residence before Andy's mother made it there.

"This is is going to be a LONG week, isn't it?..."Andy thought cynically as he kept running.

-To be continued-

Next time on A Trip Through Time

Homecoming and cover ups

REPLIES to my loyal and totally awesome reviewers:

DeepVoice'06: Sorry about that A/N confusion, I didn't mean to confuse you all. Anyway, you are right, Helga is persistent but so is Andy, so it's going to be interesting.

The J.A.M. a.k.a. Numbuh i: This is the girl who turned down a chance at a million dollars in order to help her beloved Arnold, so it seems she's more focused on her future with him than anything...

Invader Johnny, Nep2uune and Metalheadrailfan : I guess we will have to wait and see how it all turns out...

Guest: You could say that again..

Bookworm116: Thank you, I'm flattered :)

Artistic Function: Well, glad that I could provide it for you...

:) Till next time beautiful people, remember to read and review :)