Disclaimer: I do not own Hey Arnold! Or anything else that probably sounds like you could make some money off of it.

Summary: Arnold can't decide which is harder: Raising a baby or figuring out his feelings for Helga.

Warnings: This story is rated 'M' for adult situations, adult content, and language.

Companion Piece to this story is called From the Dugout.

Previous Chapter's Soundtrack: Working Man by Imagine Dragons

This Chapter's Soundtrack: All Shook Up by Avila (SPOILER ALERT! It's that song in the new Trojan lubricant commercials. LISTEN TO IT. SERIOUSLY.)

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Oh my goodness, this chapter is a monster. Lots of good stuff happens in this one, but if the horizontal tango ain't your cup of tea, don't worry; that stuff is at the end of the chapter. Also, just a head's up but everyone apparently decided to have a bit of a potty mouth this chapter.

ALSO: Oh, yeah and TIME JUMPS! Yay!

Enjoy!

Chapter 4:

"Of Falling and Heat of the Moment"

Early November.

Henry's cry cut through Arnold's slumber, and his eyes fluttered open. His son wasn't hungry, nor was he in need of a new diaper; Arnold knew those sounds. He felt Helga shift beside him, mumbling that he should go back to sleep and that she'll take care of Henry.

Minutes passed, but Arnold has resolved that he's just simply awake. He could hear Helga's soft voice from the nursery, along with Henry's light cooing. The teen sighed as he got up and shuffled his way over to the nursery. He watched as Helga rocked Henry back and forth, singing a lullaby softly to the tired baby. He'd sing to Henry sometimes, but mostly his son was only interested in play time when it came to Daddy. Helga had the magic, soothing touch as far as putting Henry to bed (whether he wanted to sleep or not) and her secret weapon was her voice. It was a soft, almost bluesy sounding voice that was sometimes enough to lull Arnold to sleep.

Though, watching her now, all he felt was a warm flush spread through his body and butterflies in his stomach. However, what scared him about it was it wasn't anything sexual…not completely anyway, and it's only been tugging harder and harder lately. He'd find himself feeling like this as he'd observe her with Henry, and he'd have to bite the insides of his cheeks to keep from smiling like an idiot.

Like right now.

Arnold mentally shook himself, but it was no use. His stomach still felt jumpy and he felt a little light headed.

He knew this wasn't going to go away anytime soon…if ever, but he didn't know what to do about it anymore since ignoring it seemed to no longer be an option.

As he looked at his bed and feeling wide awake, he sighed. It seemed sleep wasn't going to be much of an option tonight either.

Mid November.

Gerald sat on his bed, and carelessly tossed a baseball from hand to hand, while Arnold sat on the bean bag chair on the floor. Gerald sighed, "So, what do you wanna do?"

Arnold shrugged, "I dunno, what do you wanna do?"

"If I knew what I wanted to do, you think I'd be asking you for options?" Gerald shot back lightly.

"What, am I supposed to have all the answers?" Arnold retorted with a tone of annoyance.

Gerald gave him a half-lidded glare, "Hey man, am I boring you or something?"

Arnold rolled his eyes, "Oh come on, Gerald."

"Well call me crazy, but you just don't seem all that excited to be here."

"Probably because we're not even doing anything."

"Why should we even bother?" Gerald shot back, "Its not like you'll be trying to have any fun anyway."

The blond scowled, "What are you talking about, Gerald?"

"I'm talking about your behavior, man. Lately, you've had nothing but a stanky ass attitude-

"Stanky?"

"-and you've been no fun to be around at all! Look, I get that you're grumpy cause you ain't getting' any no more, but your attitude is getting out of control. I mean, if I can tell what a shit mood you're in these days then Helga for sure can. And not just because she lives with you, but because she's a girl and girl's pick up on these things a lot quicker than guys do."

Arnold crossed his arms over his chest, "No kidding, Gerald. You're acting like a girl right now."

Gerald growled in offence as he chucked a tennis shoe at Arnold's torso, "See! It's that sort of Bitch Ass-ness that I'm talking about!"

"Hey!" Arnold yelled as he stood up, "I'd say throwing a shoe at me is a pretty girl thing to do too."

"For God's Sake, Arnold!" Gerald shouted as he jumped up from his bed, "Just talk to Helga about this, because the amount of douchebaggery you're showcasing is really going to get your ass kicked."

"It's not as simple as just flat out telling her, Gerald."

Gerald watched as Arnold flopped back down on the bean bag, "Well why not?"

Arnold sighed, "It's…complicated."

Gerald squinted his eyes down at him, "Oh no you don't. I've been putting up with your PMS for too long. You're gonna tell it to me straight, man."

"Look, it's just my frustration is only half of the problem these days and I can't figure out how to deal with it all. I'm sorry that I've been an Ass Hat, okay?"

Gerald sat down on the edge of his bed, "Apology accepted." They both reached out and did their secret handshake before Gerald spoke again, "Now, spill it."

Arnold hesitated, "Gerald…"

"Nuh-uh, man you are telling me. Now, spill it."

Arnold sighed again, "You're not going to like it."

Gerald gave a half shrug, "Probably not. Lay it on me anyway."

Arnold was quiet for a moment before he finally said, "I'm having feelings for Helga."

Gerald raised a brow, "Yeah, you wanna do nasty things with her. I know."

"No, Gerald I mean I'm having feelings for her. Like, romantically." Arnold peered up at his friend, who merely stared back expressionless. Arnold trudged on, "They started…I mean I started to notice them not long after Henry was born. Seeing the way she has completely transformed into this amazing mother…I'd find myself just, I don't know how to explain it Gerald. Its not like its ever been with crushes before. For a while, it just scared me. I mean, it still does but I'm kinda starting to accept it. The problem is, is that I'm completely enamored with Helga as the mother of my son…but that isn't the only part of her. I can't just love one part of her and expect that to be enough," Arnold let out a breath before continuing, "So, I've been trying to figure out whether these feelings have sort of always been there or if I'm just imagining that they were. I think back to when we were kids and all that I went through with her and I want to say that there was something there, but because of how I feel now I don't know if I'm projecting or not." Arnold looked back up at Gerald and gestured with his hands, "What do you think, Gerald? Aside from maybe that I'm crazy."

"Honestly?" Gerald asked as he leaned his arms on his legs, "Honestly Arnold, I was always worried about this when we were kids."

Arnold's eyes bulged, "What?"

Gerald nodded before sighing, "Look man, you were always getting into Helga's business one way or another. Nothing I did seemed to convince you to stay out of it. I was worried one day you'd wake up and it would just hit you as to why you bothered with her so much," Gerald shot him a weak, teasing smile, "but luckily, you were too dense for that to happen."

"But, I didn't just get into Helga's business," Arnold defended a little weakly, "I was a busybody to everyone. I was...an Equal Opportunity Busybody!"

Gerald shook his head, "Maybe, but no one was on your radar more than Helga. So, when you'd fall all over the next pretty girl, I'd tolerate it. No one was more annoying than you when you had a crush, but I figured they'd at least be able to distract you from focusing on Helga too much. Enough to make you maybe realize why it mattered so much anyway. I had to pick the lesser of the two evils," Gerald looked up thoughtfully, "Although, I wouldn't consider Helga as all that evil anymore. She's definitely above telemarketers."

"Gerald," Arnold warned.

"Right, right. Anyways…my point is, is that you devoted way more time on her than you did with anybody else. Especially considering she was your bully."

Arnold frowned, "She was still a person, Gerald. And she-

"-'wasn't that bad.' Right," Gerald cut off, "But you never spent any sort of time on Wolfgang. He was a bully-but-still-a-person, too."

"That was different," Arnold shot back.

"Why? Because unlike him, Helga was just really a 'good person deep down'?"

"Well, she is," Arnold defended harshly.

Gerald gave him a pointed 'I told you so' look, to which Arnold frowned and slumped further against the bean bag. Gerald sighed, "Look, all that to say is there was always something between you and Helga. Now, I don't know what it was that was between you two…but it was always there. Maybe you have had feelings for her all this time," Gerald leaned forward with a serious face, "but maybe you haven't. Maybe right now you're developing romantic feelings for her for the first time. And you know what? That's alright. If you didn't have feelings for her before, it doesn't make the feelings you're having now any less real than if you had had them since you were a kid. The only thing that matters is that they are real. Are they?"

Arnold nodded slowly, "Yes, they are."

Gerald looked a little apprehensive before asking the next question, "Are you in love with her?"

Arnold was silent for a moment, "No, I'm not. Not yet, anyway."

The teen nodded, "Okay. Either way, you know you're going to have to talk to her about all this eventually right?"

Arnold sighed, "Yeah, I know."

"And it might be soon."

"But I'm not ready to tell her-

"That you can maybe still get around. But unless you have a major attitude adjustment, you're other issue is still going to be a problem."

"Right," Arnold conceded with another sigh, "But it just doesn't ever feel like a good time to tell Helga I'm feeling sexually deprived."

"Well, start keeping an eye out for a good time then."

Arnold lightly rolled his eyes, "Okay. And, thanks Gerald."

Gerald waved a dismissive hand, "No problem man. But, sheesh Arnold! You are one-

"Don't!" Arnold snapped, pointing a firm finger at his friend, "Just. Don't. Say it."

Thanksgiving weekend.

Helga lounged on the bed as she turned another page in her book. She heard Arnold's footsteps on the stairs before he came in. She noticed the little freeze up he always tended to do when he saw her, and she instantly felt the tenseness in the room. Henry was already down for the night, so Helga was eager to attempt some sort of conversation with Arnold knowing that he couldn't use their son as an exit strategy.

She watched as he went and sat at the desk, flipping open a textbook. She set her book on the nightstand, "What homework do you still have to get done?"

Arnold made a slight attempt at glancing over his shoulder, "History."

"Oh? How's that AP class going for you?"

"Fine."

Helga scowled but tried to keep her cool, "So, what's the assignment on?"

"A reading, then answer a few questions."

She tightened her fists but still managed to sound agreeable, "What's the reading on?"

Arnold shrugged, "Don't know yet, I've got to read it first."

Helga stood up and put her hands on her hips, "Okay, what the hell is your problem?"

Arnold turned around in his chair with a surprised expression, "Excuse me?"

"What," Helga spat, "is your problem, Football Head?"

"I don't know, Helga. Why don't you tell me," Arnold shot back as he tried to sound more indifferent and less irritated as he turned back around to his book.

"Well it's just that lately, and by lately I mean for the past few months, you've seemed annoyed with me. It's like you can't stand being around me, and as far as I know I haven't been all that bad."

"Helga, I'm not annoyed with you okay?"

"Oh please, do you think I'm stupid? I can tell how off you are around me. Like you can't wait to get away from me or something. So, what's the deal Arnoldo?"

Arnold sighed in agitation, "Nothing, I'm just…frustrated, alright?"

Helga huffed, "Well what have I done to frustrate you so much? Because it's getting to be a real pain in the ass! I've tried being cordial with you, but you don't seem to really give two shits!"

"Keep it down," Arnold snapped in a low tone.

Helga scowled, "Fine, then quit being such a girl about this and tell what's got your panties in a bunch!"

At that, Arnold pushed himself up from the desk and faced her, heatedly stating, "You know Helga, if you want me to have an issue with you so badly, just keep that up."

Helga was taken aback but crossed her arms with a huff, "Well if I did at least then I'd know what's making you act so pissy!"

Arnold rolled his eyes and moved back toward the desk.

Helga wall dropped briefly, "Wait!"

Arnold stopped and turned to look at her curiously.

"Look, it's just…I can't stand living like this anymore. It's always so tense when we're together without any sort of buffer, and I don't know why it's this way. So, if I did something to-

"Helga, please," Arnold sighed, "I promise I'm not annoyed or irritated with you. Really."

"Then why have you been acting this way?" Helga inquired almost desperately.

The young man rubbed the back of his neck, "I told you Helga, I'm just…frustrated."

Helga looked at him with a raised brow of confusion for a few moments, "So, you're frustrated for no reason?"

"…No," Arnold replied a little pathetically. Helga opened her mouth to speak, but Arnold stood up straighter, "Look, back when Henry was first born all I could really think about was getting sleep whenever I could and going to work and getting my online school work done. But then he started sleeping more, and soon it was all through the night. Suddenly I found myself more…aware of you."

Helga visibly froze and she blinked up at him.

Arnold looked her square in the eyes as he continued, "Do you have any idea how small that bed feels to me? And how all of a sudden you went from wearing those loose T-shirts and sweatpants all the time to wearing all those dresses again? Watching you be this amazing mom, sharing a room with you and that stupid bed with you? And you're hot. Like really, really hot. And I know that makes me sound like a tool, but I don't care. My point is, is that's why I'm so frustrated. Okay?" Arnold finished sounding a little winded.

"So…" Helga started after several quiet moments, "That's what you meant by frustrated."

Arnold dropped his arms to his sides, "Yes, that kind of frustrated," he ran a hand through his hair, "Look, I'm not asking for anything or looking to get anything out of this. That was never my intention. But, I also don't want you thinking that I was mad or upset with you. It was never like that, so I'm really sorry that you felt that way."

She stared at him for a moment before speaking, "So, you're not asking for anything out of this?"

Arnold's expression is one of confusion, "No, I'm not."

"Well, what if I'm frustrating and asking for something?" Helga asked casually as she took a few steps towards him. His eyes widened, and seeing his expression Helga raised her eyebrow, "What? You think men are the only ones who have needs?"

"Well, no but…"Arnold managed to sputter out as Helga stood right in front of him.

She offered a coy smile before she went up on her tip toes and laid her lips against his. She placed her hands on his arms for balance, and could feel them tighten in restraint. Even as his lips were so soft, they made no move against hers. The kiss was brief, a few seconds perhaps before she pulled back.

"You have more self control than I was giving you credit for," she said in an airy tone of disappointment as she turned away and headed for the closet to change for bed.

"No, I don't," came Arnold's husky voice from behind her.

Arnold grabbed Helga's arm and turned her towards him. He bent down to capture her lips in a hungry, deep kiss while he proceeded to back her up against the wall. Her arms looped around his neck in an attempt to get closer to him, and she felt his hands trail down her sides. He stopped at her hips, tugging her against him and then tracing his thumbs over the dip of her hips and he felt her gasp against his lips. He trailed his hands down to the backs of her thighs and he gripped them tight before pulling her up, successfully pinning her to the wall. She wrapped her legs around his waist tightly, and he could feel the skin of her thighs from where her dress and ridden up.

Still busy with devouring her mouth, he slid his hands across her backside until they almost met at the apex of Helga's thighs and she bucked at the close contact. The sensation rocked her body, because God it had been so long since she'd felt this way, and she rolled her head back with a moan. Arnold brought his lips to the exposed flesh of her neck and was rewarded by Helga's moans and the rolling of her hips.

Desperate to have his lips on hers again, Helga laced her hand through his hair and tugged on it, pulling his head up from her neck. She dragged his lips to hers and felt so turned on at how avid his mouth was against hers. Helga clawed at his shirt, suddenly feeling the desperate need to touch his skin.

Arnold took this cue as he wrapped his arms more securely around her and moved them over to the bed. They hit the mattress and a moment later, their mouths had found each others again. Helga pulled hard at his shirt, and Arnold allowed enough of a break between the kiss to discard the shirt before closing over her lips once more.

Helga ran her hands down his chest, moaning with pleasure at the tight muscles of his abs that quivered at her touch. Arnold groaned as he pulled her thigh up and pushed her dress up her hips, resting his hand on the skin above her panty-line. She whimpered against his mouth as his thumb drew small circles across her skin, but it turned into a surprised moan when his hand dipped beneath her panties and into her folds, already hot and wanting.

"Oh fuck," Helga breathed as she dropped her head back against the pillow, her hands fell from their exploration of Arnold's back to the bed and they gripped tightly at the sheets.

Arnold lowered his lips to her neck as he slid one, then two fingers in and groaned. She was so wet and warm, and he felt he jeans tighten even more as he strained against the material. He bit and sucked on her neck, feeling her arch against his hand as she made desperate, pleasured sounds. He moved his thumb against her nether lips as his fingers continued their motion, and felt Helga's breathing pick up. She rocked against his hand as she clutched at his shoulders and then she felt that glorious peak. As she rode it out, Arnold brought his mouth back to hers, pulling her up against him even though her entire body felt like rubber.

He sat up and dragged her with him so that she was straddling him. She felt the heat of his hands through her dress, leaving a trail of fire as he brought them up to run through her hair before tugging at it as he changed the angle of the kiss. She could feel his arousal against her backside, and even as she still trembled with the aftershocks of her climax, she felt that hunger grow again.

She wrapped her arms around him to pull him closer as she grinded against him. She felt the moan deep in his chest as he dropped his hands to the hem of her dress and pulled it up. Raising her arms to allow him to pull it off, she purred in satisfaction when his lips went to the newly uncovered skin above her bra. She ran her hand through his hair to hold him in place and she felt his own hands reach to the clasp. Releasing it, he dragged the straps down and Helga pulled enough away so it could be tossed to the growing pile of clothes.

Arnold pulled her close again, covering her lips with his and sighing with pleasure at the skin on skin contact. Helga, needing there to be more, tugged at his belt and then popped open his jeans before dragging the zipper down and letting her hand linger on his member. She felt it twitch against her hand as Arnold hissed against her mouth and he dropped his head to her shoulder. She stroked him more and could feel its heat even through the fabric of his boxers. Suddenly, Arnold's hand shot out to grip hers and he flipped her back onto the mattress and captured her mouth once more while he held her hands down.

Helga struggled against his hands, needing to touch him and bring him closer to her. He brought his knee between her thighs as he maneuvered one hand to hold her wrists while his free hand went to the hardened peak of her breast. Helga moaned against his mouth as her hips bucked, the friction of his leg against her center was almost enough to drive her crazy. She shifted her leg to rub against the bulge in his jeans, and Arnold growled as he released her hands and used his own pull her hips hard against his.

Helga groaned as his erection rubbed against her own need, "Arnold."

The man shook his head, "Not yet."

"But-

"No," was his firm, husky reply as he hooked his fingers in her panties and pulled them down in one swift motion.

As he spread her legs apart, Helga whimpered, "Oh God, I'm not sure I can handle this."

After settling himself, Arnold gave Helga a heated look, "I'm not giving you any choice."

And then his mouth was on her, and her hands fisted the sheets until her knuckles were white. She moaned and mewled as his lips and tongue went to work on her. She began to buck wildly and Arnold wrapped his arms around her thighs to hold them still. She could feel that edge getting closer and closer again, and she writhed against the sheets.

"Oh God. Oh Arnold!" She panted as she fisted her hands in his hair, "Yes, more. More!"

Her body shuddered wildly as she came, and he continued to torture her with his mouth until she felt like she'd go crazy if he brought her back up again so soon. Tugging hard at his hair, she dragged him from between her legs as she rolled herself on top of him and pulled on his jeans. She tossed them to the floor and pulled off his boxers as well before wrapping her hand firmly around his arousal and bring her lips over his head.

Arnold's entire body jerked, "Wait!" he panted as Helga's mouth started to devour him and her hands stroked him, "Oh shit, oh fuck."

Helga purred, making Arnold moan and his hands fist into the sheets, and she released him with a smirk, "You know how I get when you talk dirty, Fido," she straddled herself over him as she gazed down with a sultry look, "Plus, I'm not as patient as you are."

Before she could lower herself on him, Arnold wrapped an arm around her waist and rolled her back onto the mattress as he hovered over her, "Sorry, but if you're up for a round two you can be on top then."

Since he had the nerve to look a little smug, Helga huffed to try and hide the aroused flush of her cheeks, "You've been awfully assertive tonight."

Arnold gave her his half lidded look and a sexy smirk, "I don't have to be so gentle anymore."

And with that he entered her completely, groaning as she surrounded around him in liquid velvet. Helga moaned in response as she wrapped her legs around him and moved against him. He slid in and out, relishing the smooth, wet heat as they picked up a rhythm that had been figured out so many months ago. Arnold, so completely aware of the fact that there was no baby he had to be mindful of, pushed her thighs up more so he could thrust deeper and harder. This elicited a deep moan of approval from Helga as she dug her nails into his back.

"Harder, Arnold I want it harder."

"God Helga. Are you…close?" Arnold panted out. He could feel his climax approaching as they rocked faster against each other.

"Mm, yes I'm almost-oh, right there!" Helga breathed as Arnold pushed her thighs up just a little more. He felt her move against him wildly as he slid against her at the new angle, "That's it, yes. Yes, Arnold yes! Just-Ah!"

He felt her walls close tightly around him as her body was racked with shudders. He kept up his rhythm as she continued to buck wildly beneath him as the aftershocks of her orgasm tore through her. Finally, he climaxed and felt as though he'd gone blind for a few moments. He warily managed to roll himself onto the mattress, dragging Helga with him so that she laid sprawled on top of him. The two laid there trying to get their breaths back, and he was still inside her and could feel the contractions of her walls around him. Already he could feel himself start to harden again and he thought to himself that apparently he had a lot of time to make up for.

Helga hummed lazily in her throat as she pushed herself up to straddle him. She trailed her nails lightly down his torso, feeling him shiver beneath her and stiffen inside her. She raised a brow, "Nearly ready for round two already? My, my aren't we a stallion?"

Both impossibly relaxed and aroused, Arnold chuckled as he brought his hands to her hips to tease the skin, "Oh you know, a young man's stamina and all that."

"Hmm, well…" Helga moved against him and deliberately tightened around him, smirking at the growl caught in Arnold's throat, "I hope you're right about that stamina. Because I'm planning on taking you for a long, hard ride, Handsome."

Arnold smirked, "Whatever you say, Helga. Whatever you say."

Whew, that was one long chapter! And the ride (oops, no pun intended) is just getting started! Hope you guys are ready for the next chapter, cause Christmas is early this year ;)