Author's Note: Here it is. The last installment of my new Hey! Arnold fic. Ooh! I'm so excited. (clears throat) I have a few things to say. First of all thank you, everyone who read this! I'm so grateful to you all. Really. I mean that whole heartedly. And this isn't the last chapter! There's an epilogue now! Woo!

Second, to midnightoasis: YOU SHOULD TOTALLY CHECK OUT THOSE SONGS! And check out the rest of the album by OneRepublic! They are AWESOME! (clears throat).

Third, to mY pHoEnIx tEaRs11: AW, YEAH! You're the only one who knows where the name of the band came from! I wish I could throw some money at you or something for getting it right. To those of you who don't know. The name of Helga's band, "Dreaming Out Loud" is the name of OneRepublic's CD. BUY IT!

And fourth, Nikki Narcissist Aw. I like that song too! It's so good. The other ones are awesome too, you know. And wait!

Fifth, to acosta perez jose ramiro: Aw! You always seem to review my stuff! I love you for that! It's great to know that you're still reading my stuff!!

To the rest of you who have reviewed: I LOVE YOU ALL!!! THANK YOU!!

And I'm done! Enjoy!

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Part 3: Say (All I Need)

Arnold walked down the hall and people whispered. Everyone knew before class even began on Monday that Arnold was dumped. He sighed, ignoring the girls who looked at him with pity.

"Yeah," one girl said to another. "She totally shot him down."

"It's a shame," the other said. "Absolute shame."

These girls would no doubt grow up to be those gossiping old ladies who spoke about you when they thought you weren't listening. You know what I'm talking about: those annoying, nosey old ladies who just happen to live down the street or around the block, the ones who just have to know everything. The one's who turn whatever information they have about you into something that sounds so wrong.

"How you holdin' up, man?" Gerald asked as his stride fell into place with Arnold's.

Arnold didn't even want to look up. Gerald pitied him too.

"I really think everyone needs to stop asking me that," he replied. Arnold didn't feel like being around anyone for this reason. Even Gerald was no good. He pitied him like everyone else did, which was why he sought out Helga. He couldn't believe how much he wanted to hear her put him down. It was just that, Helga would be the only one who didn't pity him. She fought with him, called him names. Her emotions toward him would not change no matter the circumstance and he really needed that right now, but Helga was avoiding Arnold like the plague and he couldn't understand why.

"What up with, Helga?" Arnold suddenly asked.

"Huh?" Gerald looked at him.

"Helga," Arnold repeated. "Do you know what's wrong with her?"

"There's a lot that's wrong with that girl," Gerald said. "For starters, she's-"

"No," Arnold said. "She's been avoiding me all day and I just figured that something was wrong."

Gerald studied him. "Are you okay?" he asked.

Arnold rolled his eyes. "I thought I told you that I think people should stop asking me that question," he said.

"You did, "Gerald agreed. "But you're talking about Helga. You're wondering about her. Something has got to be wrong with you."

Arnold said nothing.

Gerald sighed. "Look, man," he began, "I don't know about Helga, okay. I don't talk to her much, but. . .well, Phoebe is her best friend. You should talk to her. She'll know."

Arnold nodded. Of course! That's right! Phoebe would know. She knew everything about Helga, so it would only make sense to go to Phoebe. "Thanks," Arnold said as he smiled. "I'll do that."

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Phoebe pulled out her math textbook when Arnold paid her a visit. She looked at him and closed her locker. "Arnold," she said with a sweet smile. "How are you?"

Arnold sighed. "I'm getting pretty sick of that question," he answered.

Phoebe shook her head. "I didn't mean-"

Arnold smiled. "No, I know," he said. He knew what Phoebe meant. She wasn't referring to The Songbird incident at all.

"Listen," he began again, "I just wanted to know what Helga's problem is?" He didn't realize how bad the question sounded when he said it, so Phoebe's confusion didn't register quite right in his head.

"Helga?" Phoebe asked.

"Yeah," Arnold said, looking confused. "She's been avoiding me all day. What did I do this time?"

Phoebe stared at him. She pushed her glasses up and forgot herself for a moment. "What do you expect after what happened at The Songbird?" She stopped and quickly covered her mouth with her hand.

Arnold looked at her. The Songbird? He wondered. So Helga does pity me. I thought she would have been the one that. . ."You mean that Helga. . .?" He let his voice drift, but Phoebe looked away, her eyes sad.

"I thought. . ." Arnold began. ". . .I didn't expect Helga would. . ." He sighed.

"It was so hard for Arnold," Phoebe said, looking up at him. He looked at her and her eyes pleaded with him. "You don't understand how hard it was for her to just reject you that way!"

Reject me? Arnold thought. Now he was just confused. What is Phoebe saying?

"She wanted so much to return your feelings, but she was afraid that you wouldn't accept the fact that it was-"

Arnold's eyes grew wide. "Helga?!" Arnold's heart began to race. "Oh, my god." He took a step back, holding his head. "No," he said.

Phoebe looked at him. "You were talking about something else weren't you?" she said, her eyes panicking.

Arnold couldn't even look at her. He shook his head. "That girl. . .that voice. . ." He finally looked at Phoebe. "That was Helga?!"

Phoebe was desperate, but she nodded her head, looking as though she'd cry.

Arnold shook and laughed. "No," he said. "No. It-it just can't be." He looked at Phoebe, hoping that she'd tell him she was just joking, but Phoebe doesn't joke.

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Arnold sighed. He had been so horrified after Phoebe told him everything. Why did it have to be Helga? He thought. It wasn't like the thought hadn't crossed his mind. Like everyone else, he thought it was Helga (for a second). But only because Phoebe was up on that stage! The thing is, when he recalled that voice, he figured it couldn't have been Helga at all. But it turned out that it really was.

"What's up?" Gerald said as he sat beside Arnold on the boarding house's stoop. "That was the fifth time you sighed in the past four minutes and I've been standing here for a while."

"Oh, hey," Arnold said. Arnold looked at his feet. "Gerald," he said.

"Yeah, man?"

"Let's say you saw a girl and she swept you off your feet. The thing is, you don't know her name, who she is, where she lives, but you fall for her anyway."

"Uh huh."

"And there's this other girl who is your enemy. She treats you bad, always has for no reason."

"O. . .kay."

Arnold paused thoughtfully before continuing. "Later it turns out that this girl you know, the one that treats you badly, is actually the girl you saw whose name was unknown to you." He looked at Gerald. "What would do?"

Gerald studied Arnold's expression for a moment. He was obviously upset over finding out that Helga was this mystery girl he fell in love with. It didn't take a genius to put it all together after that lame "hypothetical" question. It actually surprised Gerald a great deal, but he tried his best to hide it. He was actually quite good at it, too. Arnold needed his advice, anyway and it would only discourage him further if Gerald exclaimed about this Helga thing.

"Well," Gerald said, looking away for a moment. What the heck would I do?! He cleared his throat. "It's like this. . ." he chose his words carefully ". . .the two girls are ultimately the same." He looked at Arnold. "No matter how much I wish it weren't true, it is. Hypothetically."

"Hm." Arnold looked away again, thinking this information over.

"I mean, it would be a shock to me," Gerald said. A huge one, he thought. "But if I were truly in love with this mysterious girl, then I'd try to see past all the flaws in the person she really is." He couldn't believe the words that were coming out of his mouth. It was Helga Pataki?! But if the situation were reversed, he knew that this is what Arnold would say to him, so this had to be the best advice he could give.

"I guess it just means there's a side to this girl I've never known before. What could it hurt to try?" Gerald smiled. He was actually quite proud of himself. He had to admit, Helga or not, this was some good stuff.

Arnold's lips formed a smile. He looked to Gerald one more time. "Thanks," he said and ran back inside.

Gerald nodded, truly proud of himself. "Ok," he said, following Arnold inside.

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Phoebe led Helga to the table right in center. The performer on stage would definitely be staring straight this way. She was surprised that Helga had agreed to come after all. It did take some time, but Helga seemed okay with it after she realized she wouldn't be the one up on stage.

Fine, she had said on the phone.

Great! Phoebe exclaimed.

Now, Friday night was here again and this time Phoebe and Helga were both in the crowd. People from school recognized them and joined them in the center.

"It's a shock to see you here, Helga," Rhonda said.

"A wonderful surprise," Lila chirped.

Helga plastered on her best fake smile. "Yeah," she said. "Wonderful."

"What made you want to come tonight, Helga," Eugene asked.

Helga shrugged. "Phoebe," she said simply. "She convinced me to come."

Rhonda nodded. "It's just too bad that Phoebe couldn't convince you to come last Friday or the Friday three weeks before to see that girl perform. She was great, but from what I hear, Joe's pretty excited about this newbie singer, too."

Phoebe nodded in agreement. "I'm sure Helga will enjoy it, though," she said, gleaming.

Oh, no, Helga thought. Shield your eyes, shield your eyes! But it was too late. That "sun-can't-compete-with-my-brightness" smile appeared, so Helga tried to keep herself from looking.

The lights dimmed in the crowd as the lights on stage became brighter. Joe came out looking pleased. It felt weird to Helga being on this side of the stage, but it was nice. She felt more relaxed here.

"I am pleased to introduce-" Joe cleared his throat, clearly trying to keep from laughing "-for the first time ever on stage The Answer to Dreaming Out Loud." He nodded and then walked off stage, a smile on his face.

For a moment the crowd didn't know how to react, but a soft applause washed over the crowd as they murmured among themselves.

"Phoebe-?"

But Helga's question was cut short when the crowd cheered and hollered. She looked up to see Arnold standing on stage. He waved a little shyly and laughed when the crowd roared with applause and delight. Gerald took his place by the keyboard as the drummer and guitar player from Helga and Phoebe's group settled themselves on stage. They waved to Phoebe when they spotted her in the crowd and despite herself, Helga waved too, forgetting that they didn't know who she was. But they were polite and waved back.

Arnold cleared his throat and then spoke into the microphone. "This song, uh, actually goes to a girl in the crowd who is here tonight actually." He smiled at Phoebe and gave a small wave. Phoebe nodded slightly. Helga looked from one to the other. What the heck is going on here?

"I hope you enjoy it," he said, smiling sweetly and Helga couldn't help but feel as though he meant that for her. Her cheeks grew warm and she shifted in her seat.

Gerald began, his fingers moving, pressing buttons and when he began playing the keys, Arnold began to sing and the drum played along softly with the acoustic guitar.

"Do you know where your heart is?" His voice wasn't exactly what you'd call heavenly, but it wasn't bad. "Do you think you can find it?"

Helga's heart began to race when Arnold's eyes rested on her face. Was he. . .was he singing to her? But he looked at Phoebe be-

"Do you know where your love is? Do you think you lost it?"

Her thoughts stopped when she realized that he hadn't been looking at Phoebe but at her. That wave before was meant for her. How did he. . .?

"Well, bless my soul,"he sang, "You're a lonely soul 'Cause you won't let go Of anything you hold!" He held the note for a bit and dove right into the next lyric. "Well, all I need Is the air I breathe And a place to rest My head." He smiled at Helga, his cheeks reddening just the slightest bit as he went into his next verse.

This can't be happening, Helga thought. Arnold can't possibly be singing to me-

Helga's thoughts stopped again. She looked at her arm. A hand rested there and then she looked up. Phoebe nodded gently, her smile genuine and lovely. Her eyes began to tear as Arnold went into the chorus again. "It's all real," she whispered. "This is for you."

Helga looked back at Phoebe, tears falling from her eyes with ease.

"I said all I need Is the air I breathe And a place to rest My head. . ." His eyes caught hers again as he continued. "Do you think you can find it. . . ? Do you think you can find it. . ? Better than you had it. . ." He went right into the chorus again, his eyes still on hers. Helga kept her eyes on him, afraid that if their hold on each other broke, this would all fade away.

The music slowed as the drum beat softly and the guitar stopped. Arnold's voice was softer as he sang the last part: "Whenever the end is. . .Do you think you can see it. . .? Well, until you get there. . .Go on, go ahead and scream it. . .Just say. . ."

Gerald played one last key on the keyboard lingered in the air and then the song ended with the fading note. The crowd stood and applauded. Their excited cheers filled the entire room.

"Woo!"

"Yeah!"

Arnold kept his eyes on Helga. She looked away, wiping her eyes and then she clapped along with the rest of the crowd, hesitant to stand.

Arnold looked about and blushed. "Thanks," he said into the mike. "I actually have, uh, one more thing to say."

The crowd quieted down a bit.

"Woo!" one last guy in the back lingered. The crowd laughed.

"Uh, to the girl from Dreaming Out Loud. . .I. . .we, borrowed your name just a little. We added our own bit to it."

The crowd laughed a little bit.

"And. . .I know who are." The crowd gasped. All at once people began asking questions aloud and murmuring among themselves. "I won't give away your secret!" he shouted. "But I accept you and I hope. . .that you accept me, too." He glanced in Helga's general direction, but his eyes didn't linger there. He knew if he looked long enough people would figure it out. "Because I. . .I do love you."

Helga couldn't help herself. She covered her mouth with her hand as her tears welled in her eyes. One by one they fell until they became a steady stream. Phoebe squeezed her hand, trying to sooth her, but Helga wasn't upset, this Phoebe knew. She was only happy and relieved all at once to hear Arnold confess his love to her, the real her.

The owner came out and spoke into the mike as Arnold and his group gathered their things and left the stage. Now from here, Phoebe thought. It's going to be tricky.

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Phoebe looked about and sighed. This was supposed to be just me, Helga, and Arnold, she said to herself.

Apparently, people thought the invitation Phoebe extended to Arnold was meant for them, too. "Good thing my parents won't be home till tomorrow night," she said and sighed.

She saw everyone in the room. Everyone in their class, but Helga was no where to be found and Arnold had been trying to talk to her all night, but Helga was trying her best to keep away from him and then she just disappeared. No one had seen her for the past half hour.

"Did you find her yet?"

Phoebe shook her head. "I'm sorry, Arnold," Phoebe said. "I didn't think it'd turn out this way."

"It's okay," Arnold said, his eyes sad. "I know you tried. If you do see her later, though, can you tell her to come by the boarding house. Tell her I'll be waiting for her outside and I won't sleep until I've spoken to her."

Phoebe looked at him. She smiled. "You'd wait all night for her?" she asked.

"If I have to," he replied.

Phoebe felt her eyes well up with tears. This was all she ever wanted for Helga. That girl had been through so much in her short life-time and nothing ever seemed to really go her way and now the one person she ever loved was returning her feelings. His devotion to her was heartwarming.

"I'll be sure to let her know," she said.

"And, Phoebe one more thing," he said. He whispered in her ear and Phoebe smiled. She nodded and they hugged and then Arnold headed home.

"Wasn't Arnold's performance inspiring!"

Phoebe turned around. Her eyes opened wide when she caught sight of Helga.

"Yeah," sure," she said, walking away from Lila, but he girl wouldn't quit. She just kept following her.

"And the girl from Dreaming Out Loud was actually there. But no one saw her," Lila said.

"Then she wasn't herself," Helga said.

"She wasn't herself?" Lila asked.

"She was someone else," Helga elaborated.

Lila stopped to think about it and then she brightened. "You mean she was in disguise?"

Helga sighed. "Sure."

"Helga!" Phoebe shouted.

Helga looked up, relieved when she saw Phoebe heading her way. "Phoebe's calling me," Helga said with a smile. "I'll talk to you later." She walked away and quickly caught up with Phoebe. "I am so glad to see you, Phoebes. I-"

Phoebe grabbed Helga's arm and pulled her close. "I have a message for you," she whispered. "From Arnold."

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Arnold sneezed. He hoped he wasn't getting sick. He had been waiting for a few hours, though and it was getting a little colder. Maybe I should've worn a jacket, he thought. I can't risk getting one now. Helga might show up while I'm inside.

Helga, he thought. He laughed a little bit and shook his head. It was still a little weird, but he'd try his best to make this work. That is, if Helga gave him a chance.

"Isn't it passed your bedtime, football head?"

Arnold stood. "Helga," he said. She looked away, her arms crossed over her chest and a scowl on her face, but she was blushing quite noticeably.

He smiled. "I could say the same to you," he said.

She didn't say anything.

"Anyway," he began, "Let's go inside. It's warmer there. We could go to my room and talk or-"

"Listen, Arnoldo," Helga said. "I don't know what your game is, but I won't be fooled."

Arnold looked at her, confused, but then he blushed. He rubbed the back of his neck nervously. "Uh, I wouldn't take advantage of you, Helga. I-"

"I didn't mean it like that!" Helga exclaimed, her cheeks bright red. "I was just trying to say that if you're trying to play games here, I won't stand for it. You can't just-"

He took her hand in his. "I'm not playing games, Helga." He looked at her. Helga knew him well enough to know he was sincere with everything he said, this would not be an exception.

"Come on," He said. He led her inside and then to his room. "Have a seat," he said, turning on the light.

Helga looked around as she closed the door behind her. She wanted to jump on his bed and curl up into a ball and sleep. She was tired, but she'd stay awake for this. She remembered the last time she was in here. She hide a smile and sat down on his couch. He rolled over his computer chair and sat down in front of her. There was a long awkward silence between the both of them.

"Uh," Arnold began, but he could not finish.

"It's late," Helga said. "Almost one in the morning," she said, getting up, "I should get home. My parents will-" She caught herself. They wouldn't worry. "Well, it's late."

"Wait," Arnold said, grabbing her arm. He stood up. "I. . .I was surprised when I found out it was you." He looked down. "At first, I didn't want to believe it was you, but Gerald-"

"Tall-hair boy, knows, too?"

"No, he just gave me some advice. I didn't tell him," Arnold promised. "But he helped me realize that you and that girl on stage are one and the same." He looked at her.

"I feel in love with the sound of that girl's voice, but that girl is you, Helga," he said. "I'd really love it if we could. . .uh, well, would you do me the honor of. . ."

"Spit it out!"

"Helgawillyoubemygirl!"

This took her by surprise even though this is where she knew it would lead given the things he'd said up until now. At least, she hoped it would. "I. . ." Tears began to stream down her face and she nodded. Arnold smiled softly at her, gently touching her face. He wiped away the stray tears with his thumb and kissed her forehead. "Can we not. . .tell anyone?" she asked.

Arnold looked at her.

"I-I just don't want people to know it was me yet," she said, fighting a blush.

Arnold smiled again. "Yeah, I figured," he said.

Helga stared at him. "What do you mean?"

"I had a feeling you'd feel that way, so you have until next Friday to boost up your courage and let everyone know."

"What?"

"I asked Phoebe if she'd book you a gig at The Songbird for next Friday. You could sing as yourself and then we wouldn't have to worry about hiding our relationship."

Helga pushed away from him. She stomped down his stairs and toward the front door. Arnold hurried after her. He took her arm and pulled her back before she could open the door. "I knew you wouldn't like that," he said nervously.

"Then you shouldn't have done it!"

Arnold nodded, but he took a step toward her. "But if we're going to be together," he said, "I don't want to hide it." She adverted her eyes and Arnold knew what she was thinking. "No matter what anyone will think."

She looked up at him and then she sighed. "Fine," she said. "In one week, but when Friday rolls around and I don't want to go through with it, then you'll have to give me another two weeks, at least."

Arnold nodded. "Deal."
Helga grudgingly shoved her hand toward him. Arnold looked confused at first. He looked at Helga's hand and then at her, but he smiled. He stepped closer and then leaned forward. "Couples don't shake hands," he said and kissed her.

Helga's heart fluttered. She could feel all her blood rushing through her veins. Nothing seemed to make sense, but the touch of Arnold's lips on hers. She felt as though she was soaring and she hoped the feeling would never go away.

When he pulled away, Helga's eyes were still closed.

"Wow," Arnold whispered. "L-let me walk you home."

Helga too stunned to speak, nodded. She watched Arnold as he opened the door for her. Was this really happening? Arnold smiled at her and then took her hand. Their fingers laced around each other's as they walked. I could get used to this, Helga thought with a sigh of relief.

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I really have to stop letting myself be convinced of doing these stupid things, Helga thought and sighed. But when Arnold kissed her, she couldn't deny him of anything and she was like jell-o in his arms and Phoebe. . .she should be a lawyer. With her ability, she could convince a jury and a judge to let a guilty man go free.

"It'll be okay," Arnold said. "I'll be watching in the front."

"That doesn't help me at all," she said. "That's only gonna make me nervous."

Arnold smiled. "I make you nervous?"

Helga's face turned beet red. "No!"

Arnold laughed. He kissed her cheek. "You make me nervous, too," he whispered in her ear.

"Really?" she asked.

He nodded. "I just hide it better." Helga looked away, trying to hide her embarrassment with anger, but Arnold took her hand and placed it over his heart. Helga looked at him again. His heart was racing. "It's because of you that it beats so fast."

Helga softened. She hugged him. Thank you, Arnold, she thought.

"We'll be on soon, so break it up, you love birds," Justin said. He got in place on stage and fixed his guitar strap. Arnold smiled again as he looked at Justin and then he held Helga closer and kissed her forehead. He kissed her hand and then he made his way off stage. Helga could hear everyone call out to Arnold as he walked toward them, bombarding him with questions.

"So things are still going well, I see," Phoebe said.

"Yeah," Helga answered "I'm just waiting to wake up."

"It's not a dream, Helga," Phoebe said. "This is it."

Behind the curtain, Joe spoke into the mike. "It gives me great pleasure," he began, "to introduce to you the improved Dreaming Out Loud!"

The crowd applauded and screamed.

"You ready?"

Helga took in a deep breath. "Let's do this."

The curtain opened and so it began.