A/N: Hey Everyone! Wow, let me just start by saying I didn't think I'd get many reviews, but I got 7 for the first chapter :D (one got repeated, but still means a lot). I am still kinda shocked! And I was also favorited. Again…SHOCKER! LOL, so I wanted to thank EVERYONE who has reviewed this fic, meaning SHOUT OUTS!

ekida- lol YESSS! My puppy dog eyes worked! :D

Coco793- Thanks for your deep interest in this story! You rock, and I will try to update soon, but things are getting kinda hectic with life, so I can't promise anything…but I WILL try :D

AJSky7- I feel like you're my biggest fan. Or at least in the top five. All I can say at this moment, is that, YESSSS, I will take you on a roller coaster with this fic, but I have two sayings about my fics. One is that "the night is darkest just before the dawn, but the dawn IS coming." (~IDK if you got this, but that was a "Dark Knight" reference XD) And I also believe what the BEST kind of hope and dream is the kind that you have to persevere to accomplish. Then, when your dream comes true, it becomes that much sweeter. That's all I can say for now.

loonytunecrazy- Again, like AJSky7, I consider you one of my most loyal readers. You review pretty much EVERYTHING I publish and I wanna thank you for that :)

pinkdolphin92- AGAIN, one of my most loyal people. You are usually the first to review and you NEVER say I do anything wrong, even if I think I do! So thank you so much! Oh, and the story is not going in the direction you believe its going to go. Just read this, and you'll see what I mean.

Nep2une-AGAIN, one of my most loyal people! You review EVERYTHING I put up! And you always say a similar thought. Like I wrote for AJSky7, I think the best stories are when we see a diamond in the rough, a phoenix rise from the ashes, kind of things. Because it makes the end result more cherished and more beautiful. But the thing is, if there's no pain, and just reward…its not realistic, its fluff. And I'm horrible at writing it (believe me! I've tried!) So, I PROMISE you, the story may be sad, but if you stay with it towards the end…I think you may like it.

Lyco Rogue-OK, so I have already embarrassed you, dedicated a poem to you, and made you edit my work COUNTLESS times so do I REALLY have to say that 'you are one of my most loyal readers?' I think you already KNOW that! LOL. And somehow…you NEVER think my ideas are bad! You push me for the best kind of greatness! You ARE (in some kind of twist of faith) my biggest fan, supporter, and best online friend I have :) *Huggles the heck out of you!*

OK, so this is chapter 2! I hope you enjoy it!

FAIR WARNING: Just to let you guys KNOW what's going to happen, WITHOUT letting you know what's going to happen...well, my name is DARKangel(ignore the numbers for now). There's a reason for that. I'm not really a fluff writer. So, you've been warned.

DISCLAIMER: I, darkangel1326, no matter how much I wish/hope/dream I did, sadly, I DO NOT own Hey Arnold! *sighs sadly*

Chapter Two: The Beginning and The End

By: ~darkangel1326

Approved and Edited by: Lyco Rogue

"There are two tragedies in life. One is to lose your heart's desire. The other is to gain it."-George Bernard Shaw

He was sitting in the plane's recliner, looking anxiously outside at the passing pieces of land. He inhaled deeply, closed his eyes and had his head in the clouds, as was to be expected. He lifted his lids and sighed happily.

Today's the day, Arnold thought. Today, I'm going to tell her how I feel.

He sighed once again. He had missed his hometown, not only because of its comfortable familiarity but because of the people too. He missed Gerald, his best friend: the one who had invited him to be the best man in his wedding this coming Saturday.

But he couldn't deny the truth. Nor would he want to. He also missed Helga. He missed hugging her, and hearing her laugh in person.

Although it was true they spoke by phone, the occasional skype, and a few handwritten letters, he missed the warmth that was her presence.

Arnold sighed. Technology does not give her laugh or voice justice.

He couldn't believe it. He hadn't spoken to Helga, in person, since that faithful day, ten years ago.

Ten years, he thought. Where has the time gone?

But he already knew the answer. When he went to San Lorenzo, he continued his studies via private tutor. He got to apply to college in the States.

But Arnold couldn't go to Hillwood College. It wasn't because he was avoiding Helga. On the contrary, he was desperately hoping Hillwood College would have his major. He changed major three times just so he could be flexible enough to go back home.

But life didn't work in his favor. Hillwood was making him pay high Out-of-State costs, and he couldn't get financial aid from the school because it was a community college.

Instead, Arnold went to a college in Seattle that pretty much gave him a full-ride scholarship. Arnold majored in Biological Sciences. And after 4 years in Seattle, he continued to Med School. Arnold became a General Doctor.

The plane ride, although a bit weary, did provide him with some comfort.

The captain's voice buzzed on the intercom.

We will be arriving in Hillwood in approximately 30 minutes. I repeat. We will be arriving at Hillwood in 30 minutes.

Soon, he thought, as he fastened his seat belt. Soon I'll be in your embrace.

She was driving her car, a bit over the speed limit. She adjusted the mirror and it broke off. Again.

Stupid crappy car, Helga thought as she put the broken mirror to the side.

She was consumed in her thoughts. Phoebe was getting married on Saturday and asked her to be the maid of honor. And Gerald asked Arnold to be the best man. Internally, Helga was laughing at the irony. This would be the second time (repetitively) she and Arnold were asked to be the maid of honor and best man (respectfully) at a wedding.

She sighed. Arnold.

She was hoping she would move on from him. She tried. The day he left, Helga threw out all of his memorabilia, minus the poetry books and photos of them together. But she didn't throw away everything as dramatically as she had when she drank the false "Love Potion". This time around, she sadly gathered her locket, her Arnold shrine and a black plastic bag. She stuffed everything in there, and then threw these things in the outdoor trashcan. She went inside her house, walked into her room, closed the door, locked it, then fell to her knees and cried.

Why didn't I just tell you I loved you instead of living with these basket case emotions? Arnold, my true love, keeper of my soul, you…you left my life almost as quickly as you came into it.

Helga sighed, shaking her head at the memory. She had to be strong whenever they spoke by phone or via skype. She had to pretend everything was okay, even if, deep down, it wasn't.

Although she knew it was selfish, she couldn't help but wish he had stayed in Hillwood while his parents left. But, as soon as this thought popped into her head, she would internally banish it.

Arnold was deprived of his parents for the majority of his life. If anyone deserves to have his parents, it's him.

But she was tired of the secrets. She was tired of putting up a façade and pretending she wasn't in love with her best male friend.

Today's the day, she thought. Today, I'm going to tell him how he makes me feel.

Just then, she heard her cell phone buzz to a Dino Spumoni song, and instantly knew who was calling.

Speak of the angel, she thought with a smile.

Once, while skyping, Arnold had a Dino Spumoni song playing in the background; one he said was one of his favorites. So, Helga asked for the name, found it, and used that song for whenever Arnold called.

Shaking her head briefly, she grabbed the steering wheel with her left hand and moved her right hand towards her purse. But, instead, her bag tumbled forward and the cell phone dropped to her car's floor mat.

"Perfect," Helga muttered angrily as she stared at the ringing phone.

She reached a stoplight and unfastened her seatbelt. She moved towards the phone, but the vibrations accompanying the ringtone kept causing the phone to move away from her hand.

"Criminy!" she yelled as she stretched her hand to finally grab the phone.

She sat back up and answered the phone.

"Hello?" she said calmly, although she was feeling the opposite inside.

I wonder what he wants to say, she thought.

But she was not greeted with the voice of her beloved. In fact, all she heard was ruffling and moving on the other side. She sighed.

Just a pocket dial.

As she was about to end the call, she heard the most beautiful sound in the world come from the other end.

"So much has changed," Arnold said.

She sighed softly and nodded. He was right. Ten years can cause a great change in people.

But my love for you will forever survive, she couldn't help but think.

She adjusted her phone between her right shoulder and ear, and continued listening. She looked up and saw that the light had just gone green.

"CRAP!" She yelled and hastily stepped on the gas, while her phone fell to the floor again.

A car swerved in front of her and Helga barely to hit the brakes…

Arnold arrived in Hillwood a few minutes early. He met up with Gerald and exchanged a brief, signature handshake with him. They loaded Gerald's car with Arnold's luggage, and then drove towards the boarding house.

"So man, how's it feel to be back home?" Gerald asked, while keeping his eyes on the road.

Arnold looked outside the window, watching the shops and various people from his seat.

"It's great. I really missed it here. Seattle and San Lorenzo were nice, but it's just nice to be home, you know?" Arnold said as he shifted in his seat, an action he had gotten accustomed to on the long plane ride in vain attempt to get comfortable.

"It hasn't changed much, man. Everything is pretty much the same. Even the people," Gerald commented.

"Gerald, it's been ten years," Arnold said.

"So?" Gerald retorted

Arnold sighed. "So much has changed."

There was a silence in the car. But it wasn't the silence Arnold wanted to hear. It wasn't a silence that was more powerful than the fanciest words of any language, or the silence that was comfortable. This silence just wasn't right.

But Arnold did hear his phone. He took it out of his pocket and saw he accidentally dialed Helga. His eyes widened.

"CRAP!" He heard her yell.

The sound was accompanied by tires screeching, a thud, and harshly forced brakes. There was a second of silence followed by the sound of Helga's car horn…that never stopped beeping.

"HELGA!" Arnold yelled but to no avail.

No, he thought. No, dear God, no please!

"HELGA! HELGA, I'M HERE NOW! HELGA! C'MON PATAKI, DON'T JOKE AROUND! PICK UP THE PHONE! I'M HERE!"

He waited for two minutes and heard no response, just the horn in the background.

Arnold moved the phone away from his ear and dropped it.

"Yo! Arnold! What's up? You look pale. What's up with Helga?" Gerald asked, worried about Arnold's physical appearance.

Arnold reached for his phone and looked through the windows, both hoping and not hoping to find her accident.

"Whoa! Man! Calm down. What's going on with Pataki?" Gerald asked, still oblivious to the ordeal.

Arnold just looked straight ahead, with the usual optimistic gleam in his eye fading away.

"I-I…M-my phone dialed hers. She was on the p-phone with me. W-when I grabbed my p-phone, I heard her say 'CRAP!', then tires screeching, a thump, and brakes…" Arnold voice was getting caught in his throat.

It wasn't possible, was it? No, Helga wasn't really…he couldn't think clearly. He didn't even want to finish thinking his latter thought.

"G-Gerald…I t-th-think H-Helga's…" his voice croaked and he tried to speak again. "I t-think she's…th-think she's…th-think she's hurt."

Arnold, without trying to explain himself, began dialing 9-1-1.

"Man, what are you doing? Who are you calling?" Gerald asked, while parking on the street.

"Gerald, I gotta call 9-1-1 and tell them about the accident. They have to send an ambulance," Arnold said while holding the phone to his ear.

Gerald looked at him. "Do you know where she crashed?"

Arnold winced at the statement. "Not really, but I bet 9-1-1 could triangulate the position or something," Arnold said, trying to convince himself more than Gerald.

"Arnold," Gerald took the phone from his best friend and ended the call. "Our best bet is the hospital. She's probably already there, anyway. Someone may have already reported the accident."

Arnold sighed. Gerald's right. I mean, it's HELGA here. She's a Pataki, and she promised me she'd live forever. And a Pataki never breaks their promise.

Despite these thoughts, Gerald still saw a single tear escape Arnold's eye…

Arnold ran into the hospital, leaving Gerald outside, trying to find a place to park. Arnold walked furiously towards the receptionist when he heard a musical laugh.

"Just try to take it easy next time, Helga. You could've been seriously injured," the doctor said.

Helga smirked at the doctor defiantly. "Hey, Doc, you know me. I can't make promises I may not be able to keep," Helga said.

Arnold just stood where he was. She was okay.

"Helga?" Arnold called.

Helga stopped and turned to face Arnold, with a smile growing on her face. "Arnold!"

They both stared at each other.

I'm so glad you're here, they both thought, as they got lost in the other's eyes.

Arnold walked, cautiously, towards Helga.

"I'm sorry I pocket dialed you. If I hadn't called you, you wouldn't be here-"

Helga just laughed.

Arnold blinked. "What are you laughing at?"

Helga kept laughing but eventually stopped. "Did you say 'pocketdial'?"

Arnold nodded.

Helga laughed again.

"Ok, seriously Helga, what's so funny?" Arnold asked, confused.

"You basically said you 'butt-dialed' me," Helga said and kept laughing. Eventually, Arnold joined her laughter.

"Yeah, I guess I did," he chuckled.

They laughed a bit longer, then, eventually, got under control.

"Helga?"

"Yeah, Football Head?"

He smiled. "I have something to tell you."

"Arnold? Hey, Arnold!"

Arnold shook his head. He was daydreaming again, hoping this dream would come true. He face took on a sad expression.

Gerald saw this look. "Arnold, she'll be fine. This is HELGA we're talking about. As in HELGA G. PATAKI. She's a fighter," Gerald told him.

Arnold gave him a weak smile. Gerald's right. She'll be fine, maybe a few stitches, or a few broken bones, but she'll be fine. She always is…

Gerald left Arnold in front of the hospital, while he looked for parking. Arnold ran into the ER of Hillwood's Medical Center.

Instantly, his ears heard wailing from two women.

"Oh! My poor baby sister! Mommy! Daddy! I-" she squeaked the rest.

There was Helga's mother, looking sad, but alert, with a bit of mascara on her face, to match her daughter's complexion. "I know Olga, it's hard to wait. But she'll be fine. Helga's strong. You gotta remember that."

Then, Arnold heard a loud thump coming from the receptionist's office.

"DO YOU KNOW WHO I AM?" Big Bob says, at the top of his lungs.

The nurse looked at him patiently. "Sir, I know your daughter's condition may be distressing to you and your family, but you must keep calm-"

"KEEP CALM? MY DAUGHTER WAS JUST IN AN ACCIDENT AND SHE'S IN THE ER! AND YOU WANT ME TO CALM DOWN?"

"Sir, please, keep clam. If not, then I'll have no choice but to call security. Your daughter is in critical condition, but we have our best working on her right now. So please, sit over at the waiting room and try to calm down," the nurse said, sternly, but soothingly.

Big Bob huffed but complied.

Arnold just tried to let it all sink in. She was going to be fine. The nurse said their best was working on her, right now. They would save her life.

He sighed and went to sit at the opposite side of the waiting room. Olga's cries made him uneasy, but he felt warmth in the fact that they were worried about her.

She'll be better soon, I just know it, Arnold thought. She told me she'd live forever, and a Pataki never goes back on their word…

Arnold wasn't sure how long he was there. All he knew was that it was a very long time. Phoebe came, after getting the call from Gerald, and sobbed slightly in her fiancé's embrace.

Please be ok, Helga, Phoebe thought. Gerald rocked her gently and tried to hush her to sleep.

They were there for hours.

Arnold was still weary from the plane ride. The chairs in the hospital weren't comfortable either. He knew his body was going to be sore, but he didn't care. All that mattered to him was Helga and her well-being.

Don't leave me,Pataki. Don't you dare leave me you beautiful, wonderful, amazing person. Don't you DARE leave me in this world, Helga. I need you…I…I love you.

"I wonder what's taking so long?" Arnold asked, to one in particular.

Phoebe looked up at him and tried to clear away her tears. "It probably means she's still alive. On occasions where the person is seriously injured, and in a critical condition, doctors don't usually speak to the family and friends for hours because they are still operating on the body. This means Helga is still responsive enough for them to save her," Phoebe said, quietly.

Suddenly, though, Arnold looked up. He heard footsteps vibrant from the walls of the deserted hallway. It was the doctor, with an unreadable, but visibly tired expression on his face.

The doctor walked over to the Pataki family. He spoke to them, and Arnold watched as Helga's mother and sister cried loudly, while Bob just looked off into space. Arnold had to look away from them.

That doesn't mean anything, Arnold. She's not…no. NO! She can't be! Maybe, she's paralyzed and the doctor told them she may need a wheelchair for the rest of her life. Or maybe…maybe she's in a coma…no! NO Arnold, this is Helga. She promised you she'd live forever. She's probably out of surgery, recovering in intensive care right now. In a week, she'll be acting as if this had never happened.She has to be! Phoebe's wedding is this Saturday, Helga would never ruin the biggest day of her best friend's life!

Arnold heard the doctor's footsteps coming towards him, Gerald and Phoebe. It was the footsteps of the man who carried Arnold's faith in life in his simple words. Those words were going to change him forever…

"Are you here to tell us about Helga?" Gerald asked, in place of Arnold and Phoebe.

Both parties looked up and hoped for the best.

"Yes," The doctor replied, in an unreadable tone.

There was a silence that enveloped the room, until a brave voice ventured for the truth.

"What's her condition?" Arnold croaked out.

The doctor looked at them with an unreadable expression, then reached into his pocket and pulled out a pink ribbon.

"Are you Arnold?" he asked Arnold.

Arnold nodded and gulped. He did not like where this was going.

"She told me to give this to you," the doctor handed Arnold the pink bow. The doctor looked at all three of them. "I'm sorry. But she's-"

Arnold looked up from the pink bow in his hand, and, closed his pained eyes. "Dead."

A/N: *awkwardly pulls at collar* SO… *cricket cricket*. Ok ok, I know. Everyone wants to kill me right now for this ending. *Tries to be rational while she gets mobbed by people with torches and pitchforks* Uh…well, the thing is, well, things are not always as they seem. No worries! This fic is long! Like 20 some chapters! There's A LOT of story to tell! I swear! And, also, I know I may await some serious hate for this ending, but, think about this. This story says "Arnold & Helga". Think about it…that's all I will say. Any questions about the ten years that separated them or something that was unclear, like maybe explain how the quote is relevant to the chapter are WELCOMED! BUT! PLEASE! Don't FLAME me. I understand you may be upset with me right now but I did warn you (twice too) that I DO NOT WRITE FLUFF!

So, anyway, be kind (I'm still a human being after all!) with me and:

REVIEW THIS CHAPTER!

*BIG CUTE ADORABLE, HUGABLE CAT EYES* PLEASE REVIEW!