A/N If you're feeling that it's a little OOC for Arnold and Gerald to fight with each other, I'd like to use the episodes "Gerald's Game" and "Part Time Friends" as a reference in regards to this chapter. With that said, please enjoy…..

Back To His Future

Chapter 3

Gerald

Gerald looks at the date that he has circled on the Pop Daddy calendar that hangs on his wall. In just one short week, his best friend will be returning home after a three year stay in the jungles of San Lorenzo. He thinks about the way things were between him and Arnold right before he left town, and now he's not one hundred percent sure how he feels about his friend's impending arrival. He can't help but to still harbor a leftover feeling of the betrayal he felt that day when Arnold finally told him of his plans to join his parents on their five year mission. It was bad enough that he was not the first, nor even the second to hear of the move, and the fact that Helga knew before him has still, to this day, left a bitter taste in his mouth.

Part of him can understand why he was third in line because, after all, it's only obvious that his grandparents would be the first to know. He can also sort of see why Helga would be next what with her being his girlfriend. Yes, those are all valid reasons, but it is his selfish side that makes his inner child sulk at being third on the list.

He remembers the day Arnold told him as if it were just yesterday. They were at the small basketball court that sits halfway between his house and Arnold's. They were playing a game of H.O.R.S.E. and he could tell that Arnold's mind just wasn't on the game. At first Gerald would make his shots as difficult as possible, in an effort to throw his friend off. He could tell by the expression on Arnold's face that there was something on his mind that was preventing him from giving the game his all. So to prove the point, Gerald made sure that his next move would be a very simple layup that even someone with no experience in the game at all could make. It was when Arnold missed the shot that his suspicions were confirmed.

Ready to end this one sided game, he purposely made the last two shots as difficult as possible. He took the win as he always did, with a handshake and just the slightest bit of gloating, before looking his friend directly in the eye.

"So," he says without breaking eye contact, "are you going to tell me what it is that has you so distracted? Or are you going to make me play twenty questions and drag it out of you?"

Arnold looks at his friend and Gerald can tell that whatever it is that's got the boy so down, it's heavy. It takes a moment for Arnold to form the words he's about to say and, unable to look Gerald in the eye, he casts his gaze to the busy street. He watches as a bus goes whizzing by, the words "Yahoo Soda, Just Drink It!" pass before him, reminding him of the fourth grade when Stinky did a short stint as the Yahoo Soda spokesperson.

He pushes the memory aside and looks back at his friend. "My parents are going to be leaving on a five year trip to San Lorenzo in a few weeks."

Knowing how important it was for Arnold to have his parents back after being lost in the jungle for most of his childhood, Gerald can only imagine how hard the news of their leaving again must have hit him. He reaches out and places a hand on his friend's shoulder in a heartfelt show of support. "Aw, man, Arnold. That sucks. How could they just up and leave you again after what happened the last time?"

Arnold takes a deep breath before giving Gerald the rest of his news. "Yeah, well, that's the thing. They're not leaving me, because I've decided to go with them."

Gerald's eyes open wide in shock at the bomb that Arnold just dropped on him. He furrows his brow as he questions his friend. "What do you mean, 'you're going with them?'"

Arnold gives a shrug of his shoulders. "I mean just what I said. They are leaving and I'm going with them. I'm leaving Hillwood. Temporarily that is."

"Temporarily? How long is temporarily?"

"I'm not sure yet. My parents will be staying for five years, but I'm not one hundred percent sure how long I'll stay."

Gerald wants to be happy for his friend, because he knows how important it is for that family in particular to be together. But he also can't help but to feel a little betrayed by Arnold's decision to just up and leave. Arnold was his best friend, no, they were more than just mere friends. They were brothers. Gerald felt closer to Arnold than he did his own flesh and blood brother. They grew up together, learned how to play sports together. Hell, it was Arnold that taught him how to ride a two wheeled bike for Christ's sake, and Arnold who brought him back to reality when he started to get hooked on that stupid card game that had started taking over his life.

When he was finally ready to come to terms with his feelings for Phoebe it was Arnold that gave him the courage to formally ask her out on their first REAL date. And Arnold that finally got him to see another side of Helga that she kept hidden to those around her. Speaking of which, he wonders how she's going to feel when she finds out Arnold is leaving.

With everything finally sinking in, he's ready to speak once again. "Oh, man, Arnold. Helga's going to freak when she hears that you're leaving Hillwood. How do you plan on telling her?"

Arnold brings a hand up to rub the back of his neck. "Uh, yeah, well, you see, she already knows."

"What? You mean, you told her before me, your BEST friend? Man, Arnold, I thought we were tighter than that."

Arnold becomes a little angry at Gerald's selfishness, and lets it show in the tone of his voice. "What was I supposed to do, Gerald? She's my girlfriend. I couldn't let her hear something like this through the grapevine. Why, if word had gotten to her before I told her it would have crushed her. I had to make sure she heard it from me first."

Gerald understands this, and without meaning to, he uses anger to put distance between him and the deep sadness that he feels over his friend's leaving. "Yeah? Well what about me? Man, Arnold, I thought we were Bros."

Arnold tries to make him understand. "We are, Gerald, but…"

Gerald cuts him off before he can finish what he's going to say. "But nothing. True Bros don't let bitches come between them."

Gerald's attitude catches Arnold by surprise and he starts to grow angry at his friend. He reaches out, grabbing Gerald by the collar of his shirt, pulling him towards him. "Now listen, Gerald, I don't know what's going on in that head of yours, but if you EVER refer to Helga as a bitch again, I'll…"

"You'll what?" Gerald asks through a sneer.

Not having thought his words out, Arnold has no idea what he'd do. Wanting to put an end to the fighting, Arnold lets go of Gerald's shirt, giving him a slight shove as he does so. Without saying anything, he pushes by him, their shoulders hitting as he passes.

xxxxx

It took a couple of days for the hard feelings to soften, and it was Arnold that made the first move to bury the hatchet. Not liking the way things were left between them, Arnold showed up on Gerald's doorstep unannounced. Giving the door a hesitant knock, it was Timberly that answered it. She had sensed that something had gone on between the two, but Gerald was being tight lipped, and wouldn't talk about it. Without letting Gerald know, she told Arnold that he was in his room and to just go on up.

Heading up the stairs, Arnold stands in front of Gerald's closed door. He practices what he's going to say to Gerald, and once satisfied, he gives a quiet knock.

Gerald sits on his bed reading a magazine. Thinking that it's a family member on the other side of his door, he gives a sullen "Come in."

Arnold opens the door slowly, peeking through the crack he's made before stepping all the way into the room. Gerald is taken a bit by surprise when he sees his friend's face. "What do you want?" He says with a scowl.

Arnold steps all the way into the room, gently closing the door behind him. He stands in awkward silence for a moment until Gerald gives him a raise of his eyebrow. "Well?" He asks, curious to know what his friend has to say.

"Uh, yeah." Arnold starts as he once again rubs the back of his neck. "I, uh, want to talk to you about that last conversation we had."

A pang of guilt rushes through Gerald when he thinks about how unfair he was to his friend and he puts the magazine he was reading down and motions for Arnold to take a seat.

Arnold sits in Gerald's desk chair and picks up a small trophy that they had each won back in the fourth grade when they first played basketball under Coach Wittenberg. He fumbles with it absentmindedly as he talks. "I want to apologize for not telling you sooner about me leaving for San Lorenzo with my parents. You were right, you're my best friend, and I should have let you know sooner."

Gerald really starts to feel guilty now, and it's his turn to try to come up with the right words to say. "No, Arnold, you were right to let Helga know first. I thought about what you said and it's true. She would have been devastated if she had heard the news secondhand. It's me that owes you the apology."

Arnold gives a relieved smile at his friend's words. "Thanks, Gerald. I do want to emphasize that the decision to leave with my parents isn't one I took lightly. I mean, Hillwood is my home. I've built my life here, it's all I know." He pauses for a moment to gather his thoughts. "But, to grow up without parents, then one day suddenly have them back. It makes it hard to be separated from them again. I – I can't do it, I can't let them go without me."

Gerald gives his friend smile. "Yeah, I get ya, Bro. I'm well aware of how happy you were when we finally found your parents, and I know how much it means to you to have them back in your life. I guess I just overreacted at the idea of losing my best friend. I mean, you and me, we've been through everything together and I guess I'm going to miss having you around."

There's sincerity in Arnold's voice when he speaks. "It's only temporary, remember. I don't plan on being away from Hillwood forever. I'll be back before you know it."

Gerald huffs out a little laugh at Arnold's words as he shakes his head. He knows that Arnold believes what he is saying, but he's not so sure that he does. "Whatever you say, Bro."

Arnold puts the small trophy down when he remembers the other reason for stopping by. "Oh, before I forget, my grandparents are throwing us a good-bye party next week before we leave. You'll come, right?"

Gerald nods his head. "Sure, I wouldn't miss it."

Arnold smiles as he gets up and walks over to where Gerald is still sitting on his bed. He holds out his fist to his friend. "Good. It starts at seven o'clock sharp. Don't be late."

Gerald looks at Arnold's extended fist and meets it with his own. They touch thumbs as they perform their time honored handshake. Arnold heads out the door, leaving Gerald once again to his thoughts.

xxxxx

Gerald sits under the shade of Mighty Pete as Helga hands him a Yahoo Soda and Mr. Nutty Bar. Ever since the absence of Arnold, their weekly Friday afternoon meet ups have become a bit of a tradition that they both have come to look forward to. Their mutual feelings of loss over Arnold's departure go unspoken as they do their best to fill the void that they both feel deep within them.

They miss Arnold each in their own way. For Helga it's the agony of having to endure each day without the one, true, love of her life, while for Gerald it's the loss of a best friend, a comrade, a confidant.

He had figured that eventually someone else would come along to fill the position of number one Bro, but that just never happened. He knows it's wrong, but he still can't help but to feel slightly betrayed by Arnold's departure. It's only through Helga's constant reminders that the world does not revolve around him that keeps him from totally writing Arnold off as a friend.

He sits now, slowly chewing the chocolaty goodness of the Mr. Nutty Bar as Helga talks. "Sooo, you coming to the airport with us next week?"

Gerald ponders this for a moment before shaking his head. "Nah, I think I'll leave that little reunion to you and his grandparents. I don't want to feel like a fifth wheel."

"You're not a fifth wheel, Geraldo. You have just as much right to be there as any of us."

"Yeah, but his grandparents will be gushing all over him, and you two will probably be making out in the back seat on the way home. Nah, I think I'll be better off waiting until the welcome back party."

They spend another moment in silence before Helga breaks it. "It's going to hurt his feelings you know."

Gerald knows the answer to his question, but asks it anyway. "What will?"

"You not being there at the airport. He's going to be expecting his best friend to be there."

Gerald shakes his head as he stares off into the distance. "No, like I said, he'll be too busy with you and his grandparents. It'll be okay, trust me."

Having given it her best shot, Helga just shrugs her shoulders as she takes a bite of her Mr. Nutty. "Whatever you say, Geraldo."

xxxxx

The week has flown by and Gerald now finds himself standing in front of the mirror that hangs on the wall above his dresser. He checks himself out, making sure that he's good to go. He wonders if he had made the right decision to avoid the airport yesterday, and hopes Helga is wrong in regards to Arnold being disappointed over him being a no show.

He picks up the keys to his car, but returns them to the dresser, opting to walk the short distance to the boarding house instead. He wants to use the extra time walking will take to gather his thoughts before the final meet up with Arnold. He had told Phoebe to go on ahead without him, figuring he can catch a ride home with her once the party is over.

The walk went quicker than he had figured on and he stands outside the familiar green door at the top of the boarding house's stoop. He turns and looks at the steps below him, his head filling with memories of all those past summer nights that he and Arnold had spent sitting on them as they listened to Grandpa Phil tell one of his many stories. He chuckles as he remembers the late night trip that he, Arnold and Helga made to the train station in an effort to disprove Phil's claim that old Engine 25 was haunted. It was also on these very steps where he and Arnold got the idea to try and land themselves a spot in the book of world records.

He looks out on the street, letting the past fill him with a sentimental warmth and he finds that he is suddenly very anxious to see his friend of so very many years. Turning back to the door, he raises his fist, giving it a loud knock. After a moment of waiting he hears the sound of approaching footsteps and smiles widely at the old man that opens the door.

"Why if it isn't Arnold's little friend Gerald." Phil casts his gaze upwards so he can look the boy in the eye. "Heh, I guess you're not so little anymore, are you, son?"

Gerald gives him an embarrassed smile. "No, I guess I'm not, Phil. So, I hope I'm not too late for the party?"

"No, of course not." Phil says as he steps aside to let the boy in. "Everyone's up on the roof. I'm sure you remember the way?"

"Yeah, I do. Thanks, Phil." Gerald says through a smirk as he passes the old man.

"Well, have a good time, AND STOP CALLING ME PHIL!"

Gerald can't help but to giggle as he takes the stairway up to the rooftop. When he reaches the door that opens to the roof he can hear muted music and happy voices on the other side. With a deep breath, he steadies his nerves and opens the door.

He steps out onto the cement floor, closing the door behind him. He stands for a moment, scanning the crowd to see who's shown up. He's happy to see that everyone has come to welcome his friend home, and he's glad he made the decision to come himself.

Finding his girlfriend, he walks up to her, placing a soft kiss on her cheek. She looks up at him with smiling eyes. "Gerald, I'm so glad you're finally here."

"I wouldn't miss this for the world." He says while giving her a wink. "So, where's the man of the hour?"

Phoebe nods her head towards where Arnold stands. He has one arm around Helga's waist as he holds onto a red, plastic cup with the other. He is at least a good foot taller than he was before he left, and he is no longer the skinny kid he was back in the day. His tanned face is animated as he talks, most likely filling the crowd that has assembled around him with stories of his time in the jungle.

Arnold's head turns as he talks, his gaze landing on Gerald. His lips stop moving as his mouth spreads out into a wide grin. Excusing himself from his enraptured audience, he gives Helga a kiss on her cheek before making his way towards his friend.

He stops a few inches in front of Gerald and the two stand for a moment, both at a temporary loss for words. It's Arnold who holds his fist up first, waiting for Gerald to return the gesture. Gerald looks at his fist as it hangs heavy in mid-air before slowly bringing his own fist up to meet it. They smile at each other now as their eyes lock, and with a shake of his head Gerald grabs Arnold by the shoulders, bringing him in for a hug as any past animosity he's felt towards the guy immediately melts away.

They stand that way for a brief moment, with Gerald saying the only three words that need saying. "Welcome home, Bro."