Ghost in the Night

A Hey Arnold FanFic

Disclaimer: I do not own Hey Arnold and make no attempt to profit from it. All characters belong to Craig Bartlett, who is a genius!

Special thanks to MidniteRaine, Anonymous Latina and loonytunecrazy for reviewing; sorry for the delay but life has caught up with me. Latina: I believe she should, but that's for another time I think.

Chapter Nine: Arnold's Confession

The whirlwind of Helga's mind increased as Arnold watched her; she could feel her skin grow cold, her heart slowly break and tears begin to escape down her face. Arnold was still before her; but now she understood. Now she could see the pain in his heart and finally she knew the small secret that lay behind his eyes whenever she saw him. Oh Arnold; how could you have ever considered it? How could you have ever thought that you should do that to yourself? However, the only word she could communicate to him only further emphasised the fear and pain she felt for him.

"Why?" she whispered, afraid to speak as if the event itself would jump out and attack her.

Arnold seemed to be contemplating her carefully before he spoke; he looked like he had instantly aged ten years as he sat before her, his eyes heavy and face paler than she had seen in many years.

"I…gave up."

Helga wanted to press him for it; she could force it out of him with Old Betsy, or she could seduce it out of him. But neither way would work and she knew it; Helga didn't want to hurt him again. And most of all she didn't want Arnold to resent her and seducing him right now wouldn't get it out of his system…although they would get something else out. Pinching her arm, Helga muffled her squeal of pain and watched as he tried to gather his thoughts.

"When you rejected me…I fell; even though I know now and partially knew then, there didn't seem to be much I could do to move on from you. Do you know what it is like to be addicted? To feel like every waking second you can't escape from the greatest feeling in the world? You became my love; I have never felt something so powerful before Helga; your love was like a blanket, protecting me and keeping me alive through everything that life threw at me."

"But the rejection…everything faded away when you left me, or when I left you depending on how you look at it. Life no longer held meaning for me; day became my nightmare, night my escape. I came to resent everyone who was happy; for the first time in my life there was nothing positive coming out of this rejection. Where could I go?" Arnold said, taking another long drink of his wine. Helga remained silent as he nearly drank the entire contents of the glass; if ever she could have spoken to the Arnold of a few years ago and tell him he would be drinking this much alcohol, she doubt he would believe her.

"Should I go back to you? No; no matter what my heart may have wanted me to do, feel or think, I knew in my mind I could not go back. So what was left? My parents were always on my mind, but I couldn't go finding them yet; I wanted to do that with someone I cared for. It was and is the greatest adventure I could ever hope to experience…but after everything that had happened, even they seemed far away. There was nothing left for me here."

Arnold's talking ended as he drank the wine, content to sit and watch the sky outside. Helga felt her heart stirring and she didn't like it; he had told her why and now she wanted to say something, anything to break the hold he still had on her heart.

"You wouldn't come back to me?" she asked, breaking Arnold's gaze outside.

"Like I said, I couldn't do it at the time."

"But if you had I could have explained it to you Arnold," Helga pleaded.

"You couldn't have," Arnold smiled, taking a sip as Helga's face turned red.

"And how do you know I wouldn't have done it football head?" she glared angrily at him.

Arnold's smile softened. "Because I know you Helga; you don't spend a fair amount of your life and love with someone precious to you without picking up on how they think and act; you only just got used to the idea in your head and being able to tell me now. You weren't ready."

She hated admitting it to herself, but he was right. "Whatever you say football head," she said grumpily, turning away and ignoring his growing smile.

Arnold moved closer to her and began to play with her hair. Helga couldn't help but respond to his touch, wanting it more and more with each stroke he laid upon her hair. She could feel his tender fingers work their way to her scalp, resting upon her head before stroking it gently. Her arms trembled, her skin turning to goose bumps while her legs began to melt into the couch itself.

Oh Arnold, your touch; could it be that even after all these years you still have my heart my precious love? Oh darling I could sing to the heavens of your wondrous touch, your loving nature and care for one such as myself. How I wish I could tell you…Helga thought as her mind turned to jelly, leaving a funny smile on her face as he continued to play with her hair.

"Arnold, I…" she started, unsure if she should continue.

"Helga I need to confess something to you," he said, stopping with his playing of her hair much to Helga's disappointment.

Arnold began to speak, but stopped, unable to say a word. Helga sighed; she couldn't take seeing him like this. It was in his eyes; he was hurting from her presence with him. She wanted hug him but she saw something else there; a hurt deeper than anything she could ever have thought possible. Then it clicked in her mind; he doesn't love me anymore. It was cold, but now she knew what she had to do; it was time.

"You don't love me anymore Arnold; I could see it in your eyes. That hurt; that pain…I never knew I could do that, after everything I'd gone through. I'm so sorry Arnold; I never wished for anything like this to happen. Goodbye Arnold; I hope we meet again someday," she began to cry, leaving him and walking for the door.

Perhaps the pain would lessen once she was out the door; bursting her heart apart, Helga wanted to stop but she couldn't; it was done. There was nothing else here for her. She had lost the one thing she had treasured the most in her life. Arnold, her beloved and dearest love was gone from her. She had ripped him from her side and now she had no choice but to leave before she hurt him again; he deserved that much at least.

Her hand rested on the door handle and froze; a tag from her other arm caught her attention, her head turning slowly to see a hand clamped around her arm. Her eyes trailed up the hand, taking in every minute detail, every inch of it as they lead to a chest and then a head pertaining to the boy who she had crushed only minutes ago. She could feel herself being sucked into his eyes: crystal clear, without a shade of hurt there, Arnold looked in her eyes deeply, her heart racing as he began to speak.

D & F

It was close to 11 P.M. as the red numbers shone brightly into her eyes, her waking sigh only momentarily hiding her hurting bloodshot eyes. Phoebe looked up from the bed and smiled softly, before a soft sigh escaped her lips. Lying next to her, covered only by the sheet on him, Gerald softly snored as Phoebe touched him gently, earning a murmur that made her smile widen. She felt her body ache slightly from their reuniting effort after the last few days, but she could still fell that longing to be one completely with him linger on. Sex wasn't what the small voice in her mind wanted; she felt her ring finger still empty and wondered if it was ever going to happen.

She loved him; no one ever doubted she did. But that absence…Gerald gave a start and rolled over, his eyes half closed as he looked up at her half realising he was naked and realising she was still only covered by the sheet also. Grinning, Gerald sat up and gave her a soft tender kiss on the lips, Phoebe wrapping her arms around him to pull him closer to her. She loved the sensations and chills he gave her, each touching embrace increasing the adrenaline already pumping in her veins. She realised how much she had missed him these last few days when he paused and kissed her forehead, another chill running down her spine.

"I wonder what Helga and Arnold are up to?" Phoebe asked her boyfriend, wrapped securely in his warm arms.

Gerald shrugged. "My man has always had trouble projecting his feelings to anyone; I hope for both their sakes that he can at least conquer that fear of his. Poor boy hasn't been the same since she broke his heart."

Phoebe though looked up at him and frowned. "Helga didn't exactly break his heart completely Gerald; he did allow himself to dwell on a lie that Lila fed him. If she hadn't told him that, Arnold wouldn't have been so down and left Helga."

"You don't know that for sure though Phoebe; she didn't exactly give him a reason to go back or at least stay on the rooftop when she wasn't sure of her commitment to him," Gerald tried to reason.

Phoebe though seemed to take offence and moved away from him. "I suppose you think he did the right thing then? Shutting himself down like that and leaving his heart to rot in alcohol and misery for a couple of years?"

He wanted to ignore her comment but he couldn't; he could fell his anger start to grow, directing itself to the one person he did not want to fight with, especially late at night. "I think he did the right thing with what he knew at the time. I'm not saying he should have done what he has done; I'm only saying that he did what he could do at this time in his life."

Phoebe glared at him. "How about you go and tell him that you approved of what he did?"

"Why would I want to do that? You know I didn't. What has gotten into you Phebs?"

Phoebe absentmindedly touched her ring finger and looked back at him. "When are you going to do it Gerald?"

Gerald looked at her strangely. "Phoebe what are you-"

Phoebe grabbed her gown and put it on. "You know what Gerald; I'm not in the mood for this. I'm going to see Helga."

Gerald jumped out of bed and grabbed his gown and followed her. "Phoebe please don't do this; you said we would let them solve their own problems by themselves."

"I don't care Gerald; I just want to talk to someone who isn't you right now," she mumbled, unlocking the door and moving swiftly to Arnold's. Gerald bumped into her as she opened the door and froze.

Lying together on the couch, Arnold and Helga moaned and smiled as they shared another deep kiss, completely oblivious to the two shocked friends staring at them with mouths wide open. They continued to remain locked at the lips, hands searching each other as Gerald and Phoebe both felt their faces redden. Backing up, Phoebe closed the door softly in front of them, Gerald's face still stuck in shock as Phoebe turned back to him. It grew in her, bubbling away until she couldn't hold it in anymore. Phoebe roared with laughter as Gerald snapped out of his trance and began to laugh too.

Supporting her back to the apartment, Gerald collapsed onto the couch as Phoebe rolled around on the floor clutching her sides. Tears streamed down the sides of their faces as they laughed for what felt like an hour, unable to remove the images in their minds. Eventually Gerald composed himself enough to sit up and suck in deep breaths, Phoebe not far behind him as she saddled up beside him and leaned against him for support. Any thought of being angry with Gerald had vanished from her mind, replaced only with a small smile and warm hug.

"I guess they made up then huh?" Gerald half laughed, his sides aching so much he felt he would need to get them replaced later.

"It would seem so; I wonder if they even knew we were there?"

"I strongly doubt it; especially with the way Helga had her arms wrapped around him. But I wonder what made them switch to being all…what is the word I'm looking for?"

Phoebe giggled; she suspected what may have happened between the two of them, but she wasn't about to speculate or confirm her theories…without interviewing Helga firstly. "Sexually involved?"

Gerald blushed, causing Phoebe to laugh lightly. "Remind me never to look at them the same way ever again."

D & F

An hour or two earlier…

Arnold held her hand, his heart pounding so loudly in his head that he felt that at any moment his heart might pop out of his chest. What was he doing? It didn't make sense to his football shaped head. He had intended to let her go and move on with her life so that he may follow that same path. But here he stood, his hand wrapped around hers now and blood pulsing around his mind faster than before.

Arnold wanted to let go and forget but he wouldn't; he just couldn't forget her anymore. He could feel himself being immersed and dragged deeply into Helga's soul just by looking at her eyes. He could feel her fear and uncertainty; but beneath it he could see she wanted love, a love no one else but he could give her. Arnold looked in her eyes deeply, his heart racing as he began to speak.

"Don't go."

Helga felt her whole body melt at those two words. "Helga…I…I don't know how to say it beautifully so I'll just say it. I love you with all my heart," Arnold blurted out.

Her heart skipped a beat as her eyes widened; had he really said it? "I have Helga and I still do; even after everything that has happened, even now when the future may not hold you in it for me, I have and still always will love you. Just thought you should know," Arnold said softly as he let go of her arm.

He turned away from her, trying hard to hold his tears back. He had told her and he knew she would leave anyway. It didn't matter now what she did; he had admitted it to her and himself. Maybe he would be able to move on now that he had done it; maybe he could finally gain some closure for this time of his life. Tempted to turn back, he fought himself internally; he would not do this do himself. His mind, although his heart was in control, was puzzled by a lack of noise; why hadn't she opened the door yet?

Helga stood still her hands shaking and eyes glued to the spot he had left her standing in. Numbness had taken over her mind and heart, unable to comprehend anything that was just spoken or said to her. She managed to keep herself breathing at least; mouth wide open and eyes still threatening to turn to the size of light bulbs, Helga tried to regain some of her bodily function but was struggling. Arnold, her dearest love, had confessed his undying love for her. This had to be a dream; nothing this good ever happened to her. Surely he was just trying to make her feel better about everything. Maybe this was all a final attempt to keep her heart together and allow both of them closure.

But why now?

Helga felt something inside her jolt; a small spark, it began to grow, spreading through her like wild fire, warming and energising every part of her body. Her mouth closed and eyes blinked; she removed her hand from the door handle and walked towards Arnold. He had turned away from her, no doubt waiting for her to leave. But she couldn't and wouldn't do that now; she had run away from everything for far too long. Coming to a standstill behind him, Helga tapped him lightly on the shoulder.

Arnold turned around, the tears no longer held back as he saw her smile; this smile compared to no others he had ever seen from her. She was bright, happy, excited and…in love? He couldn't believe what he saw; she wanted him more than anything else. Lunging at him, Helga wrapped her arms around him tightly as she kissed him deeply. Landing on the couch with a thud, Arnold didn't respond, his entire body in shock; as Helga continued to work her magic though, Arnold felt his emotions take over, the years apart gone as he responded to her touch and love.

For a while, nothing but the blissful sound of their physical love reached their ears, their worlds now focussed on only one thing: each other. Arnold could feel himself begin to want her more and smiled; Helga came up for air and frowned slightly at the goofy smile now plastered on Arnold's face.

"Something the matter football head?" she asked.

Arnold leant up and kissed her on the lips. "Yes there is; why did you stop?" he smirked, Helga returning the favour and devouring his lips with passion.

D & F

Tuesday morning dawned on Arnold, his eyes opening up slowly to unveil a beautiful blonde haired girl resting on him. Panicking, Arnold tried to move away, but the arms of this girl were locked tightly around him. It was only after she moaned that Arnold stopped and calmed down, his fear being replaced by a soft smile as he brushed away some of Helga's hairs from her face, revealing the most beautiful face he had ever seen.

Shuffling away from her, he stretched his back and smiled, the acts of last night coming back to him as he made his way to the kitchen. She was everything to him now; so what did this make them? As much as the thought of being with her excited him, he knew it wouldn't work. Kicking himself mentally, Arnold began to brew some coffee. He didn't want to ruin this now, but he had to be realistic; their lives were too different from one another.

His breath froze as he felt her hands trace up his chest, circling him and tempting him, her touch electric on his skin; it took everything he had in him to not pick her up and race her back over to the couch. A small peck on his cheek snapped him from the daydream he had of him and Helga. She already managed to grab one of the mugs and was heading back to the couch, the seductive sway in her hips captivating Arnold's thoughts so much so Helga turned around and smirked, jerking her hip upwards to break Arnold's thoughts.

Blushing furiously, Arnold joined her sheepishly at the couch, his eyes trying desperately to avoid the curves and hips Helga tried to discreetly flash him. Guzzling down the hot liquid, Arnold nearly gagged on it as Helga leaned forward and smiled. He wanted nothing more than to give in, but the nagging thought trenched itself in his mind, not giving him an inch until he spilled it out.

"So Arnold, what are you planning for today?" Helga smirked at seeing his eyes glance at her delicate hips and blush once more.

"Helga we can't do this," he managed to stutter out before he saw her face fall.

"Why not Arnold? We both want this," she said weakly.

"You leave here today Helga; we both know this won't last."

A/N: Again sorry for the delay; I shall endeavour to have the next chapter up in a week. As always please read and review; I do appreciate the time you take to let me know what you think. This isn't the end…but will it get better? Until next time.