Leon was sitting on his couch flipping mindlessly through the channels on the television. He glanced at the clock and saw it was already nine at night. He should probably go to bed soon, he had an early shift in the morning. He also wanted to call Arnold tomorrow and see what was going on with Claire. Whatever was going on over at that hospital he knew they had to do something to stop Jack. Today the patients had all been like mindless zombies, Claire included and at least three more had taken massive seizures. There was a soft knock on the door and he glanced at the clock again, who would be there at this hour? He stood, flipping off the television he moved to the door. He pulled it open and froze.

"Irene..."He was more than surprised to see her.

"Can I come in?"She asked softly.

"How did you find me?" He asked.

"I asked someone coming out of the hospital where you lived. I can go, if you want."

"No, no. Come in." He opened the door wider and moved aside.

"I'm sorry for just dropping in like this." She said, crossing the threshold of his home.

"It's fine." He said, closing the door he began trying to straighten the house up.

"How have you been?" She asked, turning to face him.

When she turned around he saw the black eye he hadn't seen when she was on the porch. He dropped the stack of magazines he was holding, and moved to touch her cheek. She turned away just as his fingers brushed her skin.

"It's fine." She said.

"It doesn't look fine." Leon said.

She moved into the living room avoiding his question and he followed her. He hated when she closed off, when she kept her thoughts to herself. He wanted her to open up to him, he wanted her to trust him.

"Irene, let me look at it please." He begged.

"I left Steven." She said, turning to face him.

"When?" He asked.

"A few hours ago, I made supper and he didn't like it. He smashed all the plates and then he hit me, and I thought of you. I thought that you promised you would never hit me, so I told him I was leaving, that I was done. He got angry and said he'd kill me I told him to go ahead, but I wasn't going to live like that anymore. I packed my bags and walked out the door, he didn't even try to stop me. He said "You're not worth beating to death" Like, that's an insult."

"I can't believe it." He said sinking down onto his couch.

"I know, me either. "She sat down beside him.

"I'm happy for you, that you got away." He said.

"Thanks, I was kind of hoping that...maybe I could crash here...just until I get back on my feet?" She said softly.

"What happens when you get back on your feet?" He asked.

"Well, I'd leave."She said.

"You don't have to, I mean...if you wanted to stay...maybe, see where this is going."He said softly.

"I can't. We can't." She said.

"Why?"He asked.

"Because, I can't have kids I know how bad you want kids, and my past...I'm so messed up."She said.

"I don't care about your past, I care about you." He said, moving closer.

"You do?" She asked.

"Yes, and if the time comes for kids and you can't we'll adopt." He said.

"You would do that for me?"

"Yes, I mean I think we should try first...a lot...at least everyday...maybe we should go try right not." He said, his tone teasing.

"Yeah, but..."She started to protest and he interrupted.

"No, buts...I'm crazy about you."

She took a deep breath and bit her lip. Her eyes still filled with tears she shook her head slowly. She didn't know how someone like him could feel that way about someone like her, but it was something she was grateful for. He moved, sliding across the couch he took he hand in his. He leaned over and kissed her his lips sealing over hers.

When she responded his hand slid into her hair deepening the kiss, needing her to fell what he felt, know how much he loved her and see how much he needed this. He wasn't complete without her.

When she pulled back he let her not wanting to push the issue, not wanting to push her any further than she wanted to go. She smiled up at him.

"Where's the bedroom?" She asked softly.

"Are you sure?" He asked, staring down at her.

"Yes." She said.

He took her hand and pulled her to her feet, he lead her back a small hallway and into the master bedroom. His fingers slid under the edge of her t-shirt but no higher, just enjoying the soft, smooth skin under his fingertips. She leaned up and kissed him. She backed towards the bed and he had no choice but to follow, his lips finding hers again and again. She tugged his shirt up but was too short to pull it over his head, so he did. She ran her hands up his chest over his shoulders, he was a lot more muscular than she had realized and the realiation frightened her slightly.

"Are you afraid?" He asked gently.

"No." She lied.

"You're shaking." He pointed out, taking one of her hands in his.

"Maybe a little scared." She admitted.

"You don't ever have to be afraid of me, I would never hurt you." He said.

"I know."She said.

He kissed her again slowly lowering her back onto the bed. He braced his left arm on the bed to hold his weight off of her, and his right hand slowly slid up her shirt.


Helga was sitting on the couch while Arnold called around trying to find out where the board was meeting. He hung up the phone and ran a hand through his hair with a sigh.

"Any luck?" She asked.

"Yes, but without Claire I can't prove anything." He said.

"Then you have to get her out of there." Helga said.

"I know, I just don't see how." He said.

"Leon maybe?" She asked.

"Maybe." Arnold admitted.

There was a knock on the door and Helga turned to look at it, Arnold glanced at her biting back a smile.

"Why don't you go get it?" He asked.

"Okay." She said, she sat her cup of hot tea on the coffee table and pushed to her feet.

She walked down the small hallway leading to the door and Arnold followed. He stopped to lean against the wall a few feet behind her and she slid the tiny gold chain free. She turned the dead bolt and opened the door.

There in the hallway stood who could only be Phoebe and Gerald. Gerald smiled and Phoebe froze looking confused, not recognizing Helga at first.

"Pheebs?" Helga asked, taking a hesitant step forward.

"Helga?" Phoebe asked, her eyes filling with tears.

Helga could only nod in reply.

Almost on cue both women rushed forward, Phoebe grabbing Helga and holding her in a vice like embrace. Phoebe began to cry and Helga felt tears cloud her own eyes, constricting her throat.

"I prayed everyday for this, I begged for this. I can't believe it Helga, it's a miracle." Phoebe sobbed.

"I missed you Phoebe." Helga said.

"I missed you too. Everyday." Phoebe said.

After a few more seconds of just holding each other and relishing the moment Phoebe pulled away. She wiped at her eyes then smiled at Helga taking in every detail of her friends appearance.

"I can't believe this is happening."Phoebe said.

"Arnold called this morning and told me, we thought it'd be a nice surprise."Gerald said.

"It's the best surprise I could have ever asked or hope for." Phoebe said.

"Come on in and sit down, we'll tell you everything." Arnold said, motioning to the couch.

Phoebe smiled and took Helgas hand in hers and the two sat down on the couch together.


She stared at the celing, she couldn't believe this was happening to her. She never thought that he would do this to her, after everything they had been through together. She fought to move her fingers but they didn't even so much as twitch. This couldn't be where it ended for her.

She felt the darkness in just a small twinge at first, one she pushed away but now it was back. It was biting at her brain and she knew what was coming. Even before it began she felt it, the slight tensing and relaxing of her muscles. It teased her lapping gently against her waiting to take over. It grew closer and she closed her eyes bracing for it.

The seizure hit full force.

He body went rigid and she ground her teeth until the hurt. Her every muscle tensed at once the pain nearly unbarable. She let out an animalistic scream that didn't even sound like herself. He body began to convulse, but the restraints on her wrists and ankles pinned her down.

The light overhead flipped on nearly blinding her, but she tried to focus on it. She tried to pull her mind back to herself and regain control of her body. Two nurses flooded into the room the first on quickly unstrapping her wrists.

"I need a medic! Now!" She screamed.

Claire tried to focus on her voice, her face, anything. The young nurse tried to hold her convulsing body still. Claire tried to breathe but couldn't take in any oxygen. Her muscles and body screamed in agony and continued to wage a war against itself. Even in her current state Claire knew that this seizure was lasting far too long, they weren't going to stop it, this was going to kill her.

"Breathe, come on. Breathe!" The nurse yelled.

She bit down on her tongue and tasted blood, a second later she began to choke on the metallic tasting liquid. Her eyes rolled back in her head and she almost welcomed death if it took the pain away.

"Doctor Claire please!"The nurse screamed.

She went limp, her body finally giving out.


Arnold knocked on the door of the small house. Helga was at his apartment visiting with Phoebe and Gerald, while Arnold went to see Leon. He realized it was late, but he couldn't afford to waste anymore time and he was sure Leon would understand that.

The porch light turned on and Leon opened the door. His tousled hair, sleepy eyes, and boxers lead Arnold to believe he had been asleep.

"Doctor Arnold, what can I do for you?"Leon asked.

"I'm sorry it's so late, I was hoping we could talk about something." Arnold said.

"Of course."Leon said, sensing what Arnold wanted to talk about he moved aside to let him in.

Arnold stepped into the living room and Leon motioned towards the kitchen.

"If you go wait in the kitchen I'll just get some clothes."Leon said.

On his way toward the kitchen Arnold glanced to the left. He saw Irene, she was standing in the bedroom doorway wearing a large shirt that fell to her knees, it was obviously one of Leons. He froze for a mintue and she blushed.

"Hello, Irene." He said with a smile.

"Doctor Arnold."She said.

Leon moved towards her and placed a hand on her waist, he turned her and ushered her back into the bedroom. Arnold heard them talking softly as he walked back to the kitchen. Arnold took a seat at the table and a few seconds later Leon joined him in the kitchen.

"Would you like some coffee?" Leon asked.

"Yes, please." Arnold said.

Leon turned and busied himself while Arnold began to talk.

"I came to discuss Claire, and Shady Oaks. Something has to be done." Arnold said.

"I agree." Leon said, he turned to face Arnold leaning against the counter.

"There's going to be a board meeting in a few days. If Claire shows up there we can stop Jack and cut him off at the knees." Arnold said.

"We have to get her out of there then." Leon said.

"Yeah, I'm going to need your help." Arnold admitted.

"I'm there." Leon said.

"You may lose your job, I can't promise you won't get in trouble." Arnold warned.

"If you saw what I did, the way they are treating her there. That place is such a mess, she's been gone only a day and it's already such a mess, I'd like to watch it burn." Leon said.

"Okay, tomorrow night?"Arnold asked.

"Tomorrow night, we go get her out. No matter what." Leon said.

"Thanks, Leon." Arnold said.

"Irene is going to live with me, I might just marry her." Leon said.

"I'm happy for you, really." Arnold said, knowing Leon was afraid of his reaction to seeing her there.

"Thanks, how about that coffee?" Leon asked, turning to get some cups.

"Sounds great." Arnold said forcing a smile, but in the back of his mind he worried about Claire and he prayed she would hold on one more day.


Author note: Sorry this took so long guys, anyway I'm back should have this finished soon and I will soon be starting my newest fiction I can't wait.

Here are the most recent questions and answers, there is still time for you to ask any questions just leave them in a review or PM them to me.

Question one: Did Helga's kidnapper die of natural causes?

Answer: Yes, because I wasn't really sure how else to do it. We'll say it was a heart attack.

Question Two: Who are your favorite HA! fanfic authors and why?

Answer: Oh my! there are so many, for so many reasons and not all are in this fanbas. Inside the Hey Arnold world I'd say some of my favorites are. PreselyRox, Aiyta, iKarexx, Pieces of Hope, LunarianPrincess, I love so many though really that's just off the top of my head. All of these writers have done something that I have liked rather their story was deep and emotional or light and fun. I try to add a lot to my favorites list if you dig through to find the Hey Arnold ones there are some great ones, written by amazing people that I forgot to mention. I'm kind of a favorites snob, it has to be outstanding for me to add it. I know I'm forgetting a bunch of great authors but those are some that came to mind.

Question Three: How long is Arnold going to wait before he calls Pheobe and tell her about Helga?

Answer: Till this chapter haha.

Question Four: I'm surprised Arnold is so kinky?

Answer: Not sure if this is a question but I'll answer it. Why not? There is nothing hotter than a guy that is so into his woman he can't even wait until he gets her home. Besides he's been pining after her for years all that pent up sexual tension has to go somewhere.

Question Five: Is Arnold going to take Helga back to the hospital ?

Answer: I don't think so. Obviously, she's going to need to keep seeing a therapist but I think it's a safe bet that he won't take her back, not after what's going on now.

So, send me some questions! you still have time!