A/N: After the craziness from the last few chapters, I decided to make this one a little more light-hearted to counter everything. Hope you all enjoy it, and Hanna Cabrodi, I hope this makes me less evil (please know I'm joking with you). But I want to thank you, LeDawn, and a certain guest for continuously reviewing my story. Your kind words each day have been amazing.

I also want to thank everyone who has reviewed, followed, favorite, or religiously read my story. It means a lot to me that you are all enjoying it, and it gives me the motivation to keep writing and entertain you all.

"I love you, Helga. From now on, I'm going to protect you. I'm not going to let anyone hurt you ever again. All you need to do is wake up, and we will get out of here. We will move to Sweden. We will be free from all of this. We'll be free to love each other for the rest of our lives."

Oh my love, you voice has followed me to heaven. It's still as angelic as I remember. If only you were here to hold me and take care of this pain in my shoulder. Wait a minute, why is my shoulder in pain? I'm dead, so I should be feeling nothing. Unless…

Helga slowly opened her eyes to see a dimly lit ceiling. Her eyes darted to the location of the pain. She couldn't see the cause due to a shirt covering her. On top was her heart-shaped locket. Where did this come from? And why am I wearing a man's shirt? What the hell kind of heaven is this? A sharp pain from her shoulder caused her to wince. This is definitely not heaven. Okay, I really need to figure out what is going on here. What's wrong with my hand?

She looked down to find a large hand covering hers. Her eyes followed the trail up the arm to see an oblong head next to hers. "Arnold," she whispered.

A sudden creak from the ceiling forced Arnold to sit up in the bed, panicking. Helga became frightened by the sudden movement from Arnold that she subconsciously squeezed his hand. He looked their hands, and then her face.

"Helga?" he asked, his face softening.

"Hey, Football Head," Helga replied, confused.

"You're awake!" he squealed, kissing her hand repeatedly.

Helga's face twitched and blinked her eyes multiple times. "I'm alive?"

Arnold nodded. "Do you remember anything that happened?"

"Um, let me think." She pondered for a moment. "I remember being strapped down… I was hit in the face… b-by Wolfgang… And then there were these bright lights… And all these men… with guns… Then it got dark… I couldn't see anything… There was some yelling and popping noises… I felt something hit me… That's all I remember."

"Okay, well the first thing is that you were shot in the shoulder. Curly fixed you up during the night, and you're good now."

Helga sat there in disbelief. "Who shot me?"

"I don't know," Arnold admitted. "There were five Gestapo officers but Sid, Curly, and I stopped them as much we could."

"What do you mean?" Helga asked frightened.

"Um, Arnold?" The two blondes looked to see Sid standing in the doorway. "Oh, Helga, thank goodness you're awake."

"What is it, Sid?" Arnold asked.

"We need to leave. The Gestapo found the bodies. I suggest you wear the uniform and get help Helga get ready. I'm getting the car while Curly handles the luggage."

"Okay, thanks Sid." Sid nodded and left. Helga looked on in confusion.

"Arnold, what's going on?"

He sighed. "I'll tell you later. But now, we need to get you dressed. We may need to get you a sling, too."

"Where are we going?"

"Police."

"Is there anything you want to ask or say?" A stunned Helga sat in the back of a Gestapo truck with Arnold next to her while Sid and Curly in the front. The men, disguised in their uniforms each took turns in telling Helga of their tales from the night before.

When they were first leaving Krakow, they instructed Helga to keep silent and hide behind the boxes when they passed checkpoints to leave the city. She obeyed, not wanting to cause more problems. When they made it through, they began explaining their story. Helga remained quiet the entire time so she wouldn't miss a word.

"You really killed Wolfgang?" Helga asked, finally speaking up.

"Out of everything, that's the one thing you want to know?" he chuckled.

"Out of everything, that's the thing I don't believe most. Mr. Goody Two Shoes, who hated learning how to shoot a gun, killed someone."

"Better him than you. He's the enemy."

"I better not see you enlist in some army," Helga half-teased. Arnold carefully wrapped his arm around her and kissed her cheek.

"Not a chance. You're stuck with me for good."

Helga giggled as he kissed her lovingly.

"Oh, my God, would you two shut up?" Sid asked, turning around to face them, irritated. "You're both so sickeningly sweet it's nauseating."

"Pipe down and turn around!" Helga ordered. "Criminy, you'd think that you almost died."

"I could have been for saving your ass," Sid pointed out.

"But you didn't," Helga retorted. "And you didn't get shot either. So turn around and let me enjoy my time with my boyfriend before I give you a piece of Ol' Betsy."

"Okay, kids, that's enough," Curly butted in. "We have another checkpoint coming up. So be quiet or I'll turn this car around."

"Yes, Dad," the others answered, giggling before taking their positions.

They made it past the following checkpoints with no problems. Before they knew it, they made it to Police. A warm reception awaited them when they entered the new safe house.

"Helga, you're alive!" Phoebe cried out, hugging her best friend. She pulled away quickly and slapped the three disguised men. "Part of protecting her was to make sure she got here in tact! And now she has a hole in her body!" She began cursing at them in Japanese before Gerald pulled her away.

"Okay, little kamikaze, calm down. Be grateful she's alive and with us now." Phoebe glared at Gerald ferociously. "Or kick their asses. Whatever makes you feel better."

"Gerald!" Arnold exclaimed.

"Sorry," he said, mocking surrender, "but I learned not to mess with her when she's like this. She may be little, but I'm sure she can have the German army shaking in their boots." Phoebe blushed at the compliment.

"So, are you two together?" Helga asked Phoebe bluntly. After the reunion and bringing in the luggage, Helga moved into Phoebe and Patty's room. At the moment, Helga and Phoebe were alone, so Helga took the time to ask Phoebe about the flirting between her and Gerald.

"Helga!" Phoebe cried. "Can't you be subtle about this? Or anything for that matter?"

"Nope."

"Well, if you must know," Phoebe started while shifting her glasses, "mine and Gerald's relationship has become… playful, if you will."

"And what does that mean?" Helga interrogated, leaning in.

Phoebe blushed. "There has been a lot of flirting between us, as you know. We've gotten closer when we traveled here."

"Any lip smacking?" Phoebe's cheeks became redder.

"I'm afraid not." She looked outside the door, came back in, and then lowered her voice. "But, another couple has, and I don't mean you and Arnold."

Helga gasped and clasped her hand over her mouth. "You don't mean…"

Phoebe nodded. "It happened when we got here last night. Harold was comforting Patty about her confession and she kissed him."

"Whoa, hold up," Helga said. "She initiated it?"

"Yes, but don't say anything. She doesn't want everyone to know."

"Then why are you telling me? That isn't like you to gossip."

Phoebe's smile faltered. "I just wanted to get your mind off what happened to you. I'm sure it was scary and a lot to take in, and I didn't want to overwhelm you. Also," she choked on her words, "I don't want to think about it. I can't even imagine what would have happened if you didn't come back." Tears started to fall on her cheeks.

Helga moved closer to her friend and hugged her. "Pheebs, you're an amazing friend."

"Thanks, Helga. So are you," she sniffles.

A knock came from the doorway, exposing a concerned Arnold on the other side of the threshold. "Is everything okay?"

"Everything's fine," Phoebe answered, wiping her eyes. "I'm just happy she's here."

"So am I." Arnold smiled. "Do you mind if I have some alone time with Helga for a minute?"

"Not at all. We just finished talking, actually." Phoebe pulled away and left the room, waving to Helga. She waved back.

"What's up, Football Head?" Helga asked.

"I have something for you." He extended his hand, which held a small piece of paper in it. Helga took it and examined it. It was a photo of Arnold back during Christmas. Helga looked at him in confusion.

What's this for?" she wondered. Arnold walked closer to her.

"I figured you could use an updated picture of me in your locket," he suggested.

Helga clasped her hand around it, which was still hiding underneath her dress. "You were the one who found it." She didn't question it.

"It was in one of your pockets in your clothes," he explained. "It fell out and I looked at it closer after picking it up. It showed me how much I meant to you, which touched my heart. I wanted to show you my affection and how much your locket means to me, and this was the best way I could think of."

Helga looked at him in adoration. She wrapped her good arm around him tightly. "This means so much to me," she whispered in his ear. "Thank you."

Arnold pulled her head up and gazed into her eyes. "Anything for you, Helga. I love you." Helga's stomach did flip-flops. Her heart going faster than a freight train. She didn't want the tears to fall, but they refused to listen to her.

"I love you too." Arnold grabbed her cheeks and pulled her in for a kiss. It was short but passionate. He grazed her cheeks with his thumbs.

"You are so beautiful," he whispered. Helga blushed, tears still falling. "What is it? Did I say something wrong?"

"No, not at all," she said, wiping her eyes. "Just despite everything that happened recently, I'm happy."

Arnold kissed her softly. "Me too."

Helga proudly wore her locket on the outside of her dress for the rest of the day. This time, it had the new picture of Arnold in it. She was not afraid to hide it anymore.

The group ate and discussed the upcoming events. Their paperwork was to come in the next morning and then they were to set sail for Sweden in the afternoon. "This is the final stretch," Sid announced, pouring everyone a round. "Now, originally I wasn't going to go with you guys, but because of the issues in Krakow, I decided it will be best to go with you guys. I already called Fuzzy Slippers and he has someone who will take over my job and he has some work ready for me in Stockholm."

"All right!" Curly shouted gleefully. "We are all staying together!" He picked up one of the glasses. "I want to propose a toast." Everyone grabbed a glass as well. "This has been one of the craziest adventures I've ever been on. But I've gotten to know you guys, and I have to say that I love all of you. You are all amazing and I'm grateful to have gotten to know each of you. We are a family, and we are all here for each other. So," he raised his glass, "to life, to health, to love, to family." The group cheered and clinked their glasses together before drinking.

As the night wore on, everyone started to head to bed. Right before Helga went to bed, she went to the box that contained her belongings. She looked through everything and realized that something was missing. She left the room and saw Arnold still up.

"Hey, Arnold?"

"Yes?" he answered, looking at her.

"In my box, is that everything that Curly recovered from the prison?"

"Yeah, why?" he inquired.

"Just something I had before I was arrested is now missing."

"Is it important?"

"No, not really," Helga replied. "Just something sentimental, that's all."

"I'm sorry, Helga." He hugged her. "Is there anything I can do?"

"You've done more than enough, but thank you," she smiled at him.

He smiled back and kissed her. "You're welcome. I think it's time for bed."

"I think you're right." They kissed each other goodnight and went to their bedrooms. Helga lied on her bed, but had difficulty sleeping. Easy, Helga old girl. It's going to be okay. They're not going to understand what it means. And if they do, you'll be long gone.