A/N:

Hi guys :D Alright, lol, due to some last minute switching of things around I'm actually getting this updated a little earlier than I anticipated so YAY! ^w^ I hope you guys like this chapter! Oh and recently KasuKAPL did a surprise fanart for me for this story and it's SO beautiful and just how I imagined Helga looking :D:D:D:D (Thanks, sis! 333) Please check it out! Here's the link, just take out the spaces ;) (based on the mini story "Flashbacks and Fantasies" from chapter 15 :) ) :

http : / kasukapl. deviantart. com /#/ d39gznn

Okay, now, as for the lineup of mini stories for this chapter, I had to switch some things around between this chapter and the next chapter so the contents for this chapter are as follows:

HARD TO GET

SICK DAYS

ROUND 2

OLDER WOMEN/USED GUM

I hope you guys like them! And please review! Thank you all! 333 :D

HARD TO GET

"I do, I do, I do….Oh, I do…"

"Helga? Are…you okay?"

"I do, I…"

And then this playful question along with the familiar voice that had stated it with a small chuckle suddenly broke through the half-sleep of Helga G. Pataki and finally fully processed with her… And then the girl in question felt a lurch in her stomach as the awareness that she had just been having a very particular dream…and that that dream had been interrupted by the very person she had been dreaming about…slowly started to hit her.

Her eyes instantly flew open now and she sat up, breathing heavily, her eyes darting around to take in her surroundings. 'Where the…' With a gulp, she soon recognized the familiar shades of blue and green around her and the transparent skylight above displaying the dark blue, cloud-dotted sky, and to top it off the light sounds of jazz music playing around her… 'Uh…'

"Helga?"

That voice again.

Helga's breath instantly caught in her throat as she realized, in addition to the fact that it was Arnold's voice talking to her, that it was coming from right by her left ear.

Her head instantly whipped around…and she realized that his voice sounded so close because it's owner was indeed quite close to her…his head was right beside her own, as a matter of fact…and she was sitting right next to him propped up on some pillows on his bed…and one of his arms was around her.

"Arnold!" she instantly exclaimed in surprise and almost lurched away…but then the reality of the situation that she was indeed his girlfriend at this point in her life and that it was perfectly normal for her to be in his room sunk in, and she took a deep breath and let it out, calming down a bit. 'Sheesh, it's been HOW many weeks and I'm still waking up sometimes and not believing it? I've gotta talk to Bliss—maybe some hypnotherapy or something could help with this?'

Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of her beloved chuckling and smiling warmly right beside her. "Hi, Helga…Did you enjoy your nap?" There was obviously a fair amount of laughter underlying his voice, though he was trying to hide it.

Helga blinked… 'I must have…we must have been studying and I must have fallen asleep…' And then a dreamy (and almost sly) smile began to come to her face as she fully recalled the circumstances of that time studying together…How, with the end of the school year coming up, there was a lot of homework to finish and a lot of tests to cram for, and so they'd had a 'study double date' planned with Gerald and Phoebe…until Gerald and Phoebe had both come up with 'completely plausible reasons' for why the two of them needed to study alone at Phoebe's house…Something about feng shui and Gerald needing to avoid his 'hurl alert' if he was going to pass math (though of course Helga had seen through those cheap excuses in a second…The new little near-lovebirds had been making a point of spending more and more time alone lately and Helga was only too happy to encourage this development in their relationship, of course.) So the end result had been that Helga and Arnold would be left to each other today to start reviewing from their fourth grade math textbook to start preparing for their final exam as early as possible.

Oh yes, a much more coherent now (and still currently nestled against her beloved on his bed) Helga smiled more to herself as the memories came flooding back even more. How she'd entered the room not more than an hour ago with her backpack and Arnold had gestured, with an innocent enough smile, for her to have a seat on his bed… And how, then, much to his slight disappointment (as she had, with interest, seen in his eyes) she had seated herself on the opposite end of said bed with her math book, as far from him as possible, as she started to work and look things over ( 'Hey,' she had figured to herself, very understandingly, 'He wants this to be a completely professional day, I understand that, and that's what I'll give him. But he knows the best way to keep things professional with us is to not let us get too close to each other. Simple as that.')

But of course, Helga hadn't been able to help a smile or two in Arnold's direction as the minutes had passed with the two of them working with their own textbooks and notebooks at opposite ends of his bed (he was gorgeous in her eyes, after all, and it was hard not to look at him at least some of the time when he was right here with her)… And she also recalled now how eventually he'd finally noticed her looks out of the corner of his eye and had started glancing back at her, first just with his own polite dreamy smile…but then with an intrigued grin (that had actually made her giggle a tiny bit upon seeing it)…until he'd suddenly let out a breath and then 'casually' suggested that they listen to some music while they were studying…He had then had proceeded to crawl toward the head of his bed (and 'conveniently' toward Helga) to turn on the stereo by hand (even though the remote had been within reach from where he'd originally been sitting)… And then he had decided to just sit next to her once this task was complete (though he still hadn't directly admitted what was now probably on both of their minds, of course)…

Helga in the present smiled more to herself as her memory progressed…How, eventually, after a few amusing minutes of working right beside each other (and just as it had looked like Arnold had been about to go for holding her hand, as a matter of fact) she'd decided to play just a little hard to get once again today and had yawned and announced she was a 'little tired' and it would be more comfortable for her to lay back against his pillows if that was okay (all the while still doing her best to seem very interested in her math book)...She had then proceeded to do so, propping herself up comfortably against his light blue and oceans and spice smelling pillows, and it had taken him a few minutes of hesitation for him to sum up his courage (Helga had known it would—she knew how stuck on that 'lying down with her' thing he could be…how much he wanted it and how awkward it could make him feel…) but eventually Arnold had suddenly piped up that he agreed with her and that he was a little tired too…and had then crawled over to the other side of her and reclined next to her on those pillows (still managing to make no motion to just give in and kiss her already, though, darn him)…and he had even suggested that maybe it would be easier to just share her math book between them as long as they were going to be right next to each other (to which she had just agreed with a casual shrug, the whole time trying not to smirk like crazy at this whole freaking cute thing and where it was bound to lead…and at the same time finding all of this subtlety and pretending and the little chase on both of their parts very interesting and a little exciting to say the least).

And then at some point, while they had been working on problems in their individual notebooks from that same math textbook open in front of them, Helga in the present recalled how Arnold had then gotten the courage to fake a yawn and put his arm he now had around her around her, pulling her a little closer…and how she'd almost broken and caved and been the one to ask for a kiss first as she had felt almost a full spasm pass through her at the surprise feeling of his arm holding her so close by the waist…so warmly and so comfortably nestled against her beloved… ('Ugh—remind me why we decided to start playing this little 'flirting/hard to get' game…We could be kissing right now if we weren't so stubborn!')

…And that lead her back to the present moment now. 'I must have dozed off then or something…a-and started dreaming about our wedding again…' (A dream Helga had basically every night at this point in her and Arnold's relationship.)

"Helga…?" The underlying laughter in her beloved's voice was even more apparent this time around with calling her name, and it caused Helga to blink and instantly come out of her dreamy-smile inducing reverie. She nearly felt another one of those full spasms go through her body as her smiling beloved pulled her just a bit closer now, and this action on his part caused her eyes to turn to him and a quick blush came to her features. "OH…!" she squeaked out, and then cleared her throat to resume her normal tone (and to get back in the 'game'). "Uh…sorry, Football Head. Guess I really was a little tired…Heh, heh…"

It was then that it fully hit Helga again that along with dreaming about her future marriage to Arnold just now…she was pretty sure she'd been saying part of the end of it out loud when Arnold's actual voice had interrupted her from it. Her eyes went a bit wider and she swallowed hard. 'Darn it! Well, that probably just shot my credibility with this 'hard to get' thing to heck!' She swallowed again, blinking a few times, her head still turned in Arnold's direction. "Uh, Football Head?" She had to ask, just to get her bearings and to see where she stood.

Arnold was just glancing at the math book still before them…a half lidded gaze on his face and seeming to be trying to suppress a grin. "Um…yes, Helga?" he asked casually enough.

She took a deep breath. 'Might as well take the plunge...not that it's looking all that good for me though considering that smug little smile on his face and how fairly certain I am that I was saying…THAT…out loud!' "Uh…just out of completely curiosity…how much of what I think you heard from my dream did you actually hear from my dream?"

She watched as Arnold let out a breath and then, in as controlled a voice as he could manage, though the smile was still winning out on his face, replied, flipping a page in the textbook causally, "Oh, you know…I heard you say my name every once in a while…there was maybe a laugh or two…And then you broke into a chorus of 'I do, I do…' of course…" Finally he couldn't take it any more and he burst into a small chuckle fit. "I-I'm sorry, Helga…" He turned his head to look at her again now, smiling warmly. "I didn't mean to laugh or to wake you up, but…well, it was starting to get a little intense and I guess it just surprised me so much that I couldn't help but ask if you were okay…" He laughed a little once more, and then added, a light little blush settling upon his adorable face, "You really are pretty set on marrying me, aren't you?"

Helga felt herself turn a bright scarlet. It didn't help that Arnold's arm was still around her body, holding her close, or that there faces were within mere inches of each other. Finally she just let out a sigh and did her best to roll her eyes and reply with as much sarcasm as she could muster, "Great, now I've gotta start carrying that thermos of coffee from that whole sleepwalking thing around with me on our dates so I don't make a lovesick fool of myself anymore with my ridiculous dreams."

Arnold just chuckled some more at the response and shook his head. "No, don't, Helga. I already told you, I don't mind some of the more extreme stuff you come up with. And besides, I…never had anyone fall asleep next to me or in my arms before and it was really nice…One minute you were laughing every once in a while and snuggling your head against my shoulder…Even though you kept 'saying' it was just so you could get a better view of the math book…" He gave her a bit of a look, confirming for Helga once again that he was more than aware of the little game they were currently playing…But then his smile grew just a bit dreamier as he added, "…And then your breathing got really slow and your head just started resting there and I looked down…and your eyes were closed and you were smiling…And, well, I didn't want to interrupt you, of course, so…I just figured we should stay like that until you woke up…" He gulped and his eyes went shyly down for a second as he finished, "…or until I fell asleep too maybe…" The blushing in his face was growing stronger and stronger, a fact NOT lost on Helga…and then he shifted his eyes back to hers once more and ended with a little laugh, "Actually, I think that's part of why I woke you up by asking if you were okay…I was kind of starting to drift off to sleep too but then I heard your voice and it surprised me a little…Sorry again, Helga…"

Helga, meanwhile, was currently in the process of keeping her heart from beating out of her chest! 'We…I fell asleep next to him in his arms and then he almost fell asleep too and we were almost asleep next to each other! With his arm around me! In his room! And we're in love and dating!' She gave a girlish internal swoon.

"Helga?" A warm chuckle accompanied the address yet again.

Helga blinked again, realizing she'd been about to go off into a daydream complete with goofy smile and half lidded gaze ( 'Checking out on him twice in a row…just perfect. Yeah, I'm not coming off as the complete basketcase I am!' Crimeny!'). She cleared her throat. "Oh! Uh…sorry again, Football Head. I…" She fished for an excuse… "I…think I'm still a little drowsy…you know, from my nap, heh, heh…" And again she found herself looking to his eyes…and again swallowing hard at how close they were…and at the feeling of his arm still wrapped around her back and part of her waist. "A-And I guess…" she fished once more for anything to say to keep from getting lost in her romantic thoughts, "I guess I was just really comfortable being on your bed…that's why I feel asleep in the first place..."

"Oh…" his half lidded gaze and smile continued, "Okay, Helga…" She felt him shift her just a bit closer and her breath caught in her throat. "Well then…"

She closed her eyes, prepared to pucker, and instantly she was prepared for anything… 'He's going to break! Finally!'

"…I guess we should get back to the math homework, huh?"

Helga opened her eyes to see Arnold's face turned back to the math textbook…a strange smile on his little visage and the blush still apparent on his cheeks…but all of his attentions instantly focused once more on the stupid textbook resting half on each of their laps, like it was the most natural thing in the world or something to be doing so.

Helga had to raise part of her brow for a moment at his action…but then finally managed to reply shakily, letting that little tremor of anticipation that had gone through her just now die down… "Oh uh, yeah, Arnold…back to the math…" And then, after what he was doing really had a second to sink in, a mischievous smile came to Helga's face. 'Okay, fine then, Football Head. Two can keep playing at this game…Besides, we've both got A's in math…' "Although…" she suddenly added, faking a yawn, "If you don't mind, Football Head, I might go back to taking a quick catnap right now and then finish up reviewing and stuff later back at my house…"

That comment made Arnold's eyes blink for a second, she noticed, before he responded with a swallow. "Oh, uh…sure, Helga…Wh-Whatever makes you more comfortable…" Though it was obvious he was trying to hide it, Helga could tell that the idea of her falling asleep next to him like this again was making him just a little nervous to say the least…Yes, her cute little Arnold who, just as much as he could no longer deny liking the 'physical pleasure' of their relationship, also could never escape how much a genuine modesty and shyness would always and forever be part of his perfect little nature.

'Having a mini little heart attack about me sleeping on here with him again, huh? Oh boy, well then is HE in for a treat!' Helga thought to herself with a smirk. "Good. Thanks, Arnold…" And then instantly, before she could lose her courage, Helga grabbed the hand of her beloved's arm that was around her waist to bring it with her, used her other arm to push the math book off of their laps and towards the wall…and then turned and flipped herself so that she was all but on top of him with her opposite arm wrapped around his body and with his arm around her now holding her in place in this position! She continued. "Well, then, I think it's a little more comfortable for me to sleep like this, Football Head, but let me know if I'm bothering you at all…" And with these words a grinning Helga snuggled her head against Arnold's chest…and became very aware of how much his body had stiffened at her sudden action…and (thanks to her ear pressed against the part of his sweater just under his collar on the left side) just how quickly his heart was now thumping away. 'Oh man, I am so about to win this 'hard to get' thing…' She savored the feel of that quick pulsing of his little beating heart as she had this proud and confident thought.

Arnold, meanwhile…just sat there…at first completely frozen in shock, his eyes wide and his jaw slightly dropped, at this unexpected new position she'd chosen for herself. At the feeling of her then snuggling her head against him, though, he just plain gulped in panic and the pen he'd been writing with instantly dropped from his free hand to land on his bed. 'Uh….' "Uh…s-sure, He-Helga…" He managed to get out in a cracked voice, his breathing obviously starting to pick up. "Whatever makes you more…c-comfortable."

Helga giggled at his response, her head still snuggled into him. "Mmm…thanks, Arnold. You know, you really are just so warm and soft and nice to cuddle against…"

She felt him swallow hard…and speak in that strange, slightly high-pitched voice again. "OH…uh…th-thank you, Helga...I-I mean…"

She giggled one again, and then let out a light sigh, burying her face into the warm fabric of his sweater all the more. "Yeah…so nice to snuggle against…and yet such a strong, firm, masculine feeling chest… You haven't been working out or something just to impress little old me, have you, Football Head?"

Helga had to stop herself from breaking into serious laughter as THAT comment instantly made Arnold's breathing cease entirely (she could no longer feel his little chest moving up and down beneath her). "I…I…I…"

'Wow I must be really getting to him—could his voice sound any shakier?' She let out one final sigh and ended with, hugging him just a bit closer to her, "You know, I know I said I was just going to take a nap, but…I could just spend all night like this actually if you'd let me, my Arnold…" And it was then that she finally shifted her gaze up and looked up into his eyes, smiling sweetly…only to see them as wide as could be and a distinct and sharp scarlet present throughout her beloved's entire face, his cute little jaw agape. "Unless…" she suddenly began again, her voice going a bit low and sweet, doing everything she could at this point to get to him. She lifted herself up a bit so that her and Arnold were at equal eye level. "…Unless you're finally ready to admit that there's something else you'd rather be doing right now…or even for the whole night…Your call, Arnoldo…." She reached her finger up and twirled a small piece of his hair on it, her eyes still locked onto his shocked and fearful and panicked and yet…obviously intrigued ones. "What, no response from those soft, perfect little lips of yours, Football Head?" And in truth Arnold was just looking at her with his jaw only having dropped all the more, and totally paralyzed in the heat of this moment. His blush then became even stronger, if that was possible, as Helga then removed her fingers from his hair…and slowly proceeded to trace one of them over his lips. "Hmm…Well, we'll have to do what we can do to fix that…" she continued, and then removed her hand and leaned just a bit closer to him…a very sly (and very determined) look in her eyes, only whispering at this point… "Maybe those lips of yours are just…lonely… But, hey, my lips are free… Maybe mine should come over and play with yours, Arnold…You just have to say the word, you know…you just have to ask to play…"

And that did it. Game over. Helga: One—Arnold: Zero. The poor little guy could almost imagine how it would feel to suddenly wrap both of his arms tightly around her waist, look her in the eye, tell her the there was nothing to 'fix' because he was more than ready to admit that he couldn't think of a single thing he wanted more at this moment than to kiss her, and oh yes, yes, yes, her soft, pink, perfect, powerful lips could come over and play with his…Heck they could come over and MARRY and live happily ever after with his if they felt like it! And then to pull her in, crushing their sets of lips together until he felt her melt warmly against his 'snuggly yet strong' chest with a moan, holding herself against him like he loved so much…

"Oh Helga, I—" he quickly began!

KNOCK KNOCK

"Hey Shortman, just wanted to see if Helga was going to stick around for din…ner?" Phil tried to stifle a laugh at the sight before him now that he had opened the door and entered his grandson's room. Arnold was just sitting up on his bed, blushing furiously and breathing heavily, a hand gripping his sweater over his heart…and Helga was sitting on the floor with her back leaning against the bed and her legs crossed, looking up casually and whistling to herself, a blush more than apparent on her face as well.

Still stifling chuckles, Phil walked a little farther into the room and gave the kids a sly look. "Sorry you two—was I interrupting something?"

The old man watched in amusement as Arnold's wide eyes turned to him and the young boy continued staring him in shocked silence for a second or two, still breathing heavily. Then the ten-year-old boy turned his gaze to Helga, almost like he was looking to her for how he should respond to this simple question.

It took a few more seconds of her hearing silence for Helga to blink and turn to Arnold in surprise at him not even trying to say a single word to his grandfather in explanation. Phil just tried his best not to laugh as he watched Helga's jaw drop slightly as she obviously realized that Arnold was actually looking to her in a bit of panic as to how to deal with this (actually not that big of a deal when you thought about it) situation.

Finally Helga let out an exasperated sigh and rolled her eyes, and then stood up from the floor. "Oh for Pete's sake…" She looked to Phil, hands on her hips. "Since SOMEONE'S too in shock to come up with a coherent sentence, I'll just say it myself." She cleared her throat, and spoke with a precocious smirk. "No, you weren't interrupting anything, Phil. We were just 'studying'." She made air quotes around the word, not even trying to begin to hide what they had obviously really been doing. "And as for why Arnold looks like he's about to have a heart attack—search me?" She shrugged, feigning innocence.

"Heh, heh, heh!" Phil burst into good-natured laughter at this response. "Oh Arnold…" he turned back to his grandson, wiping a tear from his eye, "You've really got to bring her by to spend more time with me and your Grandma. I know it might get in the way of you two 'studying' but she's a riot! Heh, heh…"

Helga smiled proudly. "Thank you…" She then turned back to a still barely breathing Arnold with a smug smile. "So, Football Head…ready to 'hit the books' again?" And before Arnold could even begin to try and respond she'd suddenly dove back on the bed on top of him and wrapped her arms around him once more with a giggle, cuddling and snuggling deeply against his chest and entire stomach like he was her own private plushy stuffed animal or something that she was getting ready to curl up asleep with!

"He-He-Helga…!" Arnold felt his heart start pounding like crazy once again at the return of her touch so suddenly and fully like this! He had figured, as his brain had slowly come back into working functioning order just now, that with his grandpa here, it would have kept her at bay and given him a few seconds more to recover a little from her sudden intensity of diving on him before in the first place…but apparently she really was getting a whole lot more comfortable with being a little intimate around their families and close friends: good for Helga's self-confidence, not so good for Arnold's ability to keep conscious when all of this blushing and touching and lying down together was going on in front of others. He gave a huge nervous gulp…

"Oh, well, it looks like you kids have a lot of stuff to take care of so I'll just leave you to it then…" a grinning Phil replied now with a wink before beginning to approach the door to leave them to their time together.

"Grandpa!" Arnold instantly called out in panic, looking over at him desperately! Not that he didn't like being near Helga, or spending time with Helga, or kissing Helga, but…it was pretty obvious that she had something a bit more intense than usual on her mind right now and that she was eager for it…a-and wanted him to be the one to start it of all things! And he really felt like he needed a few minutes to take in the situation before being suddenly left alone with her again! 'If she's being like this again in front of Grandpa…who knows what she'll do when he leaves? No, I…I need a minute…just a minute to, um…I-I mean, I'm sure I'll like whatever happens next v-very much, but I just…I don't know!' And then on top of all of these doubts and worries, with her near him in this particular fashion, going back to that little 'hard to get' game they'd been silently playing together, any resolve he'd had to make her be the first one to ask to kiss was absolutely gone. No question. And so was any resolve not to get lost in how she was making him feel and give in a little…or a lot…to that dark side of his that she liked so much…and which he had been trying to learn to control and regulate just a little better…though all that self control and practice at it was nowhere to be found, at the moment. He gulped again…

"Oh, relax, Shortman!" Phil just waved him off with a smile, already half way out the door. "I'm sure you can handle a little more 'homework' before dinner with Helga to help you." He began to descend the ladder, but stopped and turned once more back to the kids. "Oh and Helga, about dinner?"

Helga opened her eyes from snuggling against her beloved and looked to the old man. "Oh sure, I'll stick around!" She winked.

"Heh, heh…well, have fun kids!" And with that, Phil left, closing the door…and leaving the little blonde boy and the little blonde girl to each other again.

Eventually, Arnold's eyes, still wide with fear and uncertainty, shifted to Helga's…

"Looks like we're alone again, Arnold…" She spoke the second their eyes locked together…still using that cooing romantic tone… It wasn't fair! Her having a voice like that…what it did to him…how it shook him inside. And then to add to it all she pulled herself even closer to him, allowing their noses to touch…the warmths of their mouths to mingle… "Now…was there something you wanted to say to me…and specifically to say to me first…" The tips of her fingers slowly came up and touched the tip his lower lip, "My…lonely lipped little love…"

"Helga, um…" Arnold, with a swallow and breaths growing ever more shallow, did his best to get out now in his still squeaking voice, trying to scowl or just look anything but desperate and at the end of his rope like he was…but knowing deep down he was not succeeding very well at this task… "You're um…" he went on, "Y-You're a little c-close and you're starting to make me a little nervous and I…Well, you're kind of on top of me and it's getting a little hard to not, um…I just…I mean…I just think there might be a difference between me just saying what you might want me to say right now and…and me kind of losing it a little here…if, um…if you know what I mean…" He felt so mortified at having to actually admit that he really wasn't sure if he could control himself at all and in any capacity anymore with her right now…But at the same time there was a part of him that really…really wasn't sure whether he wanted her to stop and give him a moment to collect his feelings and handle all of this sanely…or whether he wanted her to do everything in her power to snap him like a little in love twig and let the chips fall where they may! 'H-Having a dark side…is really hard to get used to…'

Helga just let out a sigh, still smiling…

…And then pushed herself up and away from him.

"Oh relax, Arnoldo, I was just kidding!" She rolled her eyes and then proceeded to remove her body from his entirely. She then stood up from his bed and walked across his room to seat herself casually on his couch. 'I am about to drive him more nuts than I ever have in my entire life!' She shrugged, just smiling casually at him. "The mood's kind of been ruined and honestly I was just trying to get you back a little for all that 'pulling me closer and teasing me about my dream' stuff before, but you're right—games are fun and everything but I really should quit distracting you and let you finish your math homework, so I'll just take a nap over here and you can wake me for dinner, okay?" She started to lay down but then stopped and removed her hair ribbon, ran her fingers through her pigtails a few times until her hair was completely down, and then retied the ribbon atop her head. "Oh. I've been sleeping with my hair down a lot lately and actually it's a lot more comfortable that way…" she explained quickly and simply. And then finally with a nod she lay down on her stomach upon the couch, brought her arms under her head to use as a pillow, stretched out and closed her eyes (making sure to feel that her hair was gently framing her face and laying long and smooth down her back…All part of letting Arnold really see what he was missing out on right now by being so darn stubborn…)

Helga, all cozy in this position, just heard several seconds of silence in response from Arnold at first, followed by (a noticeably more disappointed than relieved sounding) "Oh…" from her beloved. "Okay, Helga…" he continued from across the room, still a bit shakily, "I'll…I'll just wake you up later then…"

She opened one eye slightly and glanced over at him, a small sly smile on her face. "Thanks, Football Head. " She then settled back in, closing her eyes once more. Another few seconds passed…

"Um…Helga?"

Helga opened one eye again, the smile returning to her face at the sound of this slightly desperate address from her beloved. She sighed and glanced at him. "Yes, Arnold?"

Arnold swallowed hard, a strong blush coming to his face. He tried to keep his voice casual as he then asked…with that tone of disappointment (and even some disbelief) underlying his voice again, "Really?"

It took Helga a second to get what he meant by that, but when she did she smiled even more and nodded. "Yes, Arnold—really. No cuddle/make out session on your bed. I'm cutting you a break. You seemed a little flustered after all of that stuff just now so no more uncomfortable, awkward 'me clinging to you' moments for the rest of the evening. I'm just going to take a nap on the other side of your room, have a little dinner and then head home." She faked a little yawn and tacked on, just to stir the pot more, "Besides, you know, I'm half starting to think that Gerald and Phoebe are right and that we really DO kiss too much…I mean, it can't be normal for ten-year-olds to me making out every twenty four hours, right?"

Arnold, from his place still sitting upon his bed, swallowed hard and glanced down at these words from her. "Oh…I, um…" She watched him close his eyes and take in and let out a deep breath and then just barely manage to finish, a look of frustration evident on his blushing face. "That…That makes sense…and, um…thanks, I guess…" She continued to watch with interest as he then seemed to try and resettle himself on the bed and get back to looking at the math book…all the while with his obvious frustration and blush growing more and more apparent in his features. She then observed in amusement as he finally let out a deep breath once more, closed and put the textbook to the side again, and proceeded to crawl over toward the ladder to his skylight. "Um, Helga," he called to her over his shoulder as he climbed, "I know you're trying to sleep but would you mind if I opened one of the window panes?"

That unexpected question made Helga blink and sit up a bit, both of her eyes opening. "Uh…sure, Football Head…You feeling okay?"

He swallowed hard, finished opening the pane and then climbed back down to his bed…and did his best to reply casually (though he was avoiding the point blank truth about the situation quite a bit). "Um…yeah, I'm fine. I just…thought a little cool air might be nice to, um…to cool us off with…I mean, it's getting a little stuffy in here…heh…."

For a moment, Helga didn't quite get this strange sudden desire of her beloved's…but then recalling that slightly frustrated look still on his features as he sat back down and did his best to casually grab and open the math book again made a smile of realization come to her face. "Oh. I see…You're just feeling a little 'hot', huh?" She emphasized the penultimate word and chuckled to herself as doing so made Arnold close his eyes for a moment and let out a sigh, his blush growing just a bit stronger. "No problem, Arnoldo..." she went on, "I'm good with anything, basically…See you for dinner!" And with that she nestled herself back against his couch, closing her own eyes once more. 'Hmph…serves him right for pulling me close like that before and then just going back to a math problem…If Arnold thinks he's ever going to beat me at playing hard to get and flirting, he is sadly mistaken! Helga G. Pataki NEVER folds first…' Her little private smirk to herself grew as she took a few moments to rest during this little lull in their game.

Though Helga actually wouldn't have minded going back to sleep and back to her dream of marrying her beloved for a little while before dinner (as long as no actual kissing seemed immediately on the horizon at the moment)…she couldn't resist sneaking a quick glance at him again now (though she feigned slumbering, of course, only opening one of her eyes just a tiny bit)…and was more than a little intrigued, to say the least, at the sight that met her eyes…

Arnold was still on his bed, still with the math book and his notebook on his legs…but he was just tapping the bottom of his pen against his notebook over and over again rather than actually writing anything. And that slightly frustrated look and slight blush were still on his face too… And then, all of a sudden, he appeared to glance over at her as though to confirm that she did appear to be sleeping… The young boy then put aside his math supplies once more today, took a deep breath in and out again…and then suddenly reached his arms around his body and removed his green sweater. Helga continued to watch with interest as he tossed the sweater to the floor and then rolled up his shirt sleeves…and she couldn't help but note (with a light blush that she was thankful her hair was hiding) that this look on him—with just his jeans and his plaid shirt like that—was kind of cute, to say the least…

Finally, with one more glance over at Helga as though reconfirming that she was indeed out completely, he then laid back on his pillows and closed his eyes and let out a deep sigh…and slowly the blushing seemed to ebb from his face.

And then finally, much to Helga's further interest (and confirming for her that he indeed thought he was the only one of them conscious at the moment) Arnold started to speak quietly to himself. "I knew I should have just kissed her when I had the chance…I should just give up on playing games with her—she always wins…But…" a tiny frown came to his mouth, "Maybe she's right though—maybe we do kiss too much…" And yet it didn't take a second for that frown to melt back into a dreamy smile, "But…she doesn't exactly make it easy to not kiss her though…She's so warm and nice and funny…and then when she's near me…and she smiles…and she looks at me with those eyes…and holds me in her arms…and all I can think about is her…her and me…" His warm smile grew even more as he recalled her cuddling against him before and gazing into his eyes...and saying everything she'd said…her breath meeting and mixing with his…everything meeting and mixing…

"Yeah, I do enjoy driving you nuts with the fact that you love me back, Arnold…"

"Helga!" Arnold's eyes flew open and he practically jumped up at the sound of Helga's voice sounding out right near him…and at the sight of her now standing right by the edge of his bed with a smile.

He just breathed heavily for several seconds, looking at her wide eyed, unsure of what to say or do.

She just giggled and leaned in closer to him, giving him a once over with a smirk. "Wow, I didn't think that some flirting and playing 'hard to get' right back at you would go and make you actually have to open a window AND take off your sweater, Football Head! Score one for me! Should I throw a glass of cold water on you too or something?" She watched searing scarlet come to his features again and just giggled more at the sight, now sitting herself on the edge of his bed right near him. "And meanwhile, sheesh, if you wanted me to kiss you THAT bad you just had to wave the white flag already and ask, Arnoldo."

"Oh!" Arnold blushed again and swallowed hard. "I…I…" and then he blinked as his surprise finished ebbing and things started processing. 'All I had to do was…ask…' "Wait…really? You mean, it's not too late? And…you're really not worried that we're doing it too much?" He suddenly smiled brightly and eagerly at her, his grin going from ear to ear.

Helga just sighed and shook her head, still smiling at his cuteness. "Arnold, Arnold, Arnold—let me make one thing perfectly clear, my darling. No matter how much I might ever try and fake you out or act stubborn about it, it will never be too late for you to cave and be the first to ask to kiss." She gave him a little playful punch in the shoulder for his silliness and then rolled her eyes. "And sheesh, as for doing it too much, do you think I CARE if other people our age don't kiss as much as we do? I was just messing with you. We're attracted to each other and we're in love, and we're not hurting anybody and so we kiss. Plain and simple." And then with a giggle and a light blush she leaned her body over his once more, gazing into his eyes. "And, um…on a side note…speaking of that whole 'attracted to each other thing'…you know, I'm kind of digging this 'plaid shirt only' look on you, Arnold…" She reached up one of her hands to play with his collar a little, and that little top button that he'd popped open on it the other day when he'd nailed her on that whole 'double standard' thing. "If I'm going to do the wearing my hair down thing for you sometimes, can you do this for me a little more often… Something about it's just a…little rugged…" She blushed and smiled even more. "Kind of like the ultimate version of me going up your sweater, you know…?" She winked.

Arnold's eyes opened wide at the compliment, and a distinct, deep rosiness came to his cheeks once more… He gulped. 'R-R-Rugged? U-U-Ultimate version of…' But then, rather than getting all panicky again like before and wasting even more precious time on this afternoon…Arnold just smiled, his eyes going half lidded. "Whatever you say, Helga…"

He then reached up and began to play with a loose piece of Helga's hair. And then Helga's breath caught in her throat in shock as he suddenly wrapped his free arm around her body and pulled her not only entirely on top of him but nose to nose again! She melted against him instantly, her heart racing. It was different and fun getting close to him without his sweater on…She could feel so much more warmth coming from his body now…could feel their hearts pounding against one another so much more distinctly. "Helga…" he sighed out in a quiet voice, still slowly twirling and twirling that piece of hair as he looked and looked into her eyes, "You know it really wasn't very fair of you to wrap yourself around me like that before and then just leave me all alone over here…"

Helga did her best not to swoon. "W-Well…" she got herself together and spoke in a that cooing, low, romantic tone he loved, now playing with a piece of his hair herself, and likewise staring dreamily into his eyes with a smile, "It wasn't very fair of you to tease me about my dream of our wedding and pull me close and then focus all of your attention on a math book, Football Head…"

He nodded and sighed. "Sorry, Helga… No more hard to get, okay?"

She nodded and giggled. "No more hard to get…unless it's really really fun…" She winked.

He chuckled and winked back. "Deal…"

"And…" she continued with a grin, "You're really sure that you're okay with being this close and with today maybe being a little more…intense than usual, Mr. Modest? Even if it means that you might get a little lost in some things…" Their lips were so close…She knew the warmth and softness and taste that was to come…And speaking of 'taste'… (a little memory was jogged in Helga's mind and she was very VERY grateful for it!)

Arnold just smiled more, still lost in her eyes…still lost in this new feeling of her against him without his sweater as an added barrier. It was very very…very…nice. There were a few more words that echoed at the back of his mind to be applied to it but he blushed at them and did his best to stick with handling the here and now. "Oh I'll just have to 'get through it', I guess…" he replied with a chuckle to himself…and then he spoke sincerely. "Actually, to be honest, Helga…no matter what I might say later when this is over and I'm blushing and apologizing and trying not to look you in the eye…I think one of my favorite things about being with you is that you let me kind of have a break from always being shy and quiet and modest…You let me try something new…" he had to blush as he also admitted, firming up his hold on her a little more, "And…fun…"

Helga's eyes lit up and then went half lidded again and she opened her mouth slightly to reply…when her eyes suddenly went wide and she felt her heart start fluttering wildly at the feeling and sight of Arnold suddenly reaching up and touching her lips with the tips of his fingers. 'H-His fingers…my lips…' It was taking everything she had not to quiver and moan. She felt completely in his power.

Arnold just gave a slight laugh at her reaction to his action, feeling her cling all the more to him at his sudden bold move. "Just getting you back for doing it to me before…" he explained… Then he finally stopped caressing her mouth for a moment…and sighed… and a familiar (and fun) look came into his eyes… "You know, I-I know we said it should only be for special occasions but…I wish we had some of that lip gloss here…" He remembered that day when they had picked it out…all of that glittery pink sweetness and tartness and loveliness flooding his senses… Certainly kissing Helga's mouth just as it was wasn't something to complain about—it was the single greatest experience he'd ever had in his entire life…over and over and over again. But today and after all of this and now finally just more than willing to go with whatever would happen between them on this afternoon he was feeling a little…daring. And he wouldn't have minded something new and exciting and delicious to spice things up even more. "I mean, with or without it, of course…I love your lips more than I've ever loved anything about any person in the entire world…but…"

"Shh…"

Arnold's words stopped and he blinked a few times. One of her fingers was pressed lightly against his mouth, silencing him.

He watched with awe and interest as Helga's lips smiled, and then she sat up a tiny bit, reached into her jumper pocket, and produced a single familiar pink tube. "No need to say more, my prince…" she whispered to him, blushing…and Arnold could feel her heart pounding like crazy. He gulped…She was in one of those 'monologuing states' again… He felt both concerned…and strangely more attracted to her at the same time. She went on… "I've decided to start carrying our gloss with me along with my locket and pink books. I've missed the tang and spark it makes for us as well, my darling. And Arnold…" she gave a small swoon, still whispering, "I love your lips most too…" She let hers get close enough for just a second that if either one of them had spoken or puckered, they would have been kissing…but then pulled back again, opened and applied the raspberry lemonade gloss to her mouth, and ended by popping the tube back into her pocket and pressing her lips together to make sure everything was evenly coated. Now done with this task, she brought her arms to his shoulders to resituate herself again and to gaze at him adoringly.

All Arnold could see were Helga G. Pataki ('Shortman')'s lips, coated in glittering pink…Their scent filled his lungs…teasing with their inevitable flavor…and he needed this so much.

"So…are you ready to officially cry uncle, Arnoldo?" Helga then asked with a little bit of a smirk, letting their noses touch once more and letting her stubbornness pull her just a tiny bit out of her monologuing for a moment, "Because, you know, you're not getting anything from me and my raspberry lemonade lips until you do…You'd be surprised how strong my resolve can be…" Meanwhile, inside of Helga's head: 'Oh please just let him cave already because I NEED to kiss him! I NEED TO! I NEED that feeling of the gloss smearing and his own taste and scent mixing with it, and the knowledge that when I pull back his lips will be marked by mine! So beautiful… Oh ARNOLD, how wonderful it feels to be held against you like this…And how wonderful it will feel to make out with you!' She gave a girlish internal sigh.

Arnold, meanwhile, just sighed and chuckled at her silly little stubborn request. She never had been one for losing, even at something as small as this. "Oh, fine, Helga, I'll be the bigger person…" He rolled his eyes and cleared his throat, and addressed her simply and with a smile, still holding her close and on top of him. "Helga, I know we said we were just getting together today to study… But…well, really, we both have A's in math…which probably should have been our first clue that something else was bound to happen." He chuckled more. "Anyway…the point is, I want to kiss. So…will you kiss me, Helga?"

He watched as for a moment she closed her eyes, a perfectly serene smile on her face. "Can you just…say that again, Arnold?" she asked in a light, airy voice.

He had to raise an eyebrow at the strange request, the smile still on his face, though. He repeated his request. "I want to kiss, Helga. Will you kiss me?"

She let out a perfectly happy sigh and then leaned down and snuggled her head under his chin for a moment. "One more time, please, my lovely little Football Head?"

Arnold just smiled and brought an arm up behind her head, stroking her hair. He was getting a sense of déjà vous from all of this…Her needing him to say something over and over and over again…like on a certain first date several weeks ago. "You always have to hear me say the important stuff over again, don't you, Helga Geraldine Pataki?" He continued to lightly pull his fingers through her long golden strands.

Helga just giggled and he felt her nod a little against his chest. "It'd be nice, Arnold Phillip Shortman… And besides, if you'd been dreaming about a certain someone saying things like that to you for almost your whole life…" she let out a girlish sigh and he felt the fingers of her hands hug more against the fabric of his shirt, "…Then you'd like to hear it as many times as possible too…"

Arnold chuckled once more, and just rested his hand upon her long hair now, ending the stroking. "Okay…" he let out a sigh…and then brought his hand not behind her head to her chin and lifted it up so that he could look at her face again… Her eyes fluttered open in a tiny bit of blushing surprise. He looked deeply into them and spoke. "I, Arnold Shortman, would like more than anything else in the whole world to kiss right now. So, please, please, please, my funny, interesting, passionate, beautiful, attractive, wonderful, creative, intelligent, interesting, Helga Pataki…will you just kiss me already before one of us melts…or my Grandpa walks in again?"

She let out a purely pleasurable sigh…and then rolled her eyes to the side with a little smile. "Oh…I guess…" She smirked a tiny bit more.

The two kids just pressed their foreheads together and shared a small laugh.

And now they were finally good to go with everything.

Helga sighed once more though before the inevitable period of endless kisses. "You make me so happy, Arnold…" she whispered, nose to nose with him again.

Arnold felt a warmth come over him. He leaned a bit closer…and now their lips were almost touching…Her breath and his breath were one. "And Helga…" he began to whisper back, "…You're…You make me feel...so…"

KNOCK KNOCK

"Oh, Shortman, I just wanted to see if you kids would prefer spaghetti or meatloaf for…dinner?" Phil, once again in the attic room of Arnold, stopped mid sentence today and just did his best not to burst into laughter yet again today at the sight before him of his grandson laying on his back on his bed again (his sweater off this time, though), and breathing even more heavily than he had been the first time he'd decided to pay Arnold and Helga a visit…and Helga on the floor once more but this time with her eyes wide and her hair down, and breathing and blushing heavily herself.

"Oh sorry, kids…You know me—my memories goin' down the tubes. Now was I interrupting something again?" He looked at them a bit wryly.

A second didn't even pass before the two still practically panting kids looked to Phil and then looked to each other and then looked back to Phil. And then suddenly, Helga stood up from the floor and grabbed Arnold by the wrist. "Um…you know what?" She addressed the old man, speaking quickly and faking a smile. "I…just forgot that Arnold promised to have dinner at my house tonight and my parents are expecting us pretty soon so we're just going to head out now…! Bye, Phil!" And with that she scrambled for the skylight exit, pulling a confused Arnold in tow.

"Oh okay, kids. Have a nice walk over there! Say hi to your parents from me, Helga!" Phil hollered to them with a smile.

"Can do!" Helga merely called back, already out on the roof and with Arnold half pulled out there with her.

"Heh, heh, heh, I'm such a wily old coot!" Phil just laughed to himself before shaking his head, wiping a tear of laughter from his eye and then departing Arnold's room.

Finally out on the roof with her beloved, the first thing Helga did was to make sure from the view of the skylight down into Arnold's room that Phil had indeed left (the whole time still breathing very heavily from being surprised at the most inconvenient moment EVER with her love!)

"Helga?"

Arnold's confused voice came to her ears and she knew he was going to ask her what she meant by 'dinner at her house' and why they were now on the roof instead of going down the fire escape if that's where they were going… 'Him and his adorably dense self…' She decided to cut out the middle man, not exactly having much patience at the moment for humoring him, and so instead of taking a few minutes to explain herself, instantly grabbed her love and pulled him over to the lounge chairs, and then flung him down into one! "Crimeny, we have to start finding places where it's okay to lock doors behind us to kiss in! I HATE getting interrupted!" Then, before he could proceed to try questioning her again, Helga reached into her jumper pocket and reapplied her lip gloss once more, and then put it away, turned and finally just flung herself down in the lounge chair right on top of Arnold, one hand pressing against the back of the chair around either side of his wide head. Her big blue eyes looked desperately into his, no longer showing any capacity for anymore fooling around. "Okay, you know what, Arnold, I lied!" she admitted dramatically! "I have no resolve when it comes to you, and if you hadn't broken back there and asked for it I would NOT have just walked away again! Now just kiss me already, Arnold, PLEASE! Because I won't melt without it—I'll explode!"

"Uh…" a smile came to her beloved's surprised face…and then a happy grin of understanding! "Oka—MMM!" was all he managed to get out before Helga beat him to it, diving at him hungrily.

Several minutes later, a practically panting Helga came up for a brief bit of air (and also for a lip gloss refreshening since what had been on her lips before was now smeared all over Arnold's mouth and all over her mouth and all over Arnold's blushing cheeks which she had been coating with kisses too). She shifted off of Arnold and to the side on the lounge chair for a moment, a thought suddenly occurring to her. "Oh hey…before your Grandpa interrupted back there us you were about to say how I make you feel…" She smiled, pulling out the pink tube, applying more to her mouth, pressing her lips together, and then popping the tube back in her pocket. "Spill, Football Head!"

There was just the sound of Arnold's shallow panting at first…He lay there on his back, his dazed and half lidded eyes just looking up at the sky, dewy and wide and happy… "I…" finally came out of his mouth. He took several deep breaths more, his fingers clenching against the bottom of the lounge chair…but then finally he managed to sit up just a little...and his face was a collage of red blushing and pink gloss prints. "I-I'm sorry, Helga, just…just give me a minute…" He did his best now to recall through the haze of making out the situation before they'd started kissing. "Oh…" he remembered now…trying to tell her before how she made him feel… "I…I think I was going to say something like 'happy' or 'amazing' or 'magical' or 'wonderfully perfect in every way'…" He laughed to himself and looked over into her eyes. "Helga, if I ask for it again can we please keep kissing? I…Wow…"

Helga giggled a ton at all of this…and especially at his face looking like it did right now, all full of lip prints and blushes—she might as well have used that lip gloss tube to write 'Property of Helga G. Pataki—All other girls, shove off!' right across his wide head. She'd never seen a more beautiful sight. "I'll take that as a request, Football Head," she replied, snuggling a little close to him in their lounge chair. Then she gave him a loving smirk. "You really do stink at seeing through with this 'playing hard to get' thing, you know that, Arnoldo?"

"Yup!" It didn't take a grinning from ear to ear Arnold a second to respond to her. "And I'm proud of it!" he announced with a mischievous smirk of his own before then suddenly wrapping his arms fully around her once more and pulling her back against him to continue their kissing, much to her surprise…and delight.

'Oh Arnold, I…Oh Arnold…!' She felt her lips pull into a smile as her love eagerly (and very expertly, in her blushing opinion) took care of removing her fresh coat of gloss and making sure she'd need another in due time!

In a certain boarding house dining room about a half an hour later…(though both Arnold and Helga had lost track of the passage of time quite a while ago…)

…Phil Shortman finished placing down the last plate on the boarding house dining room table. "Let's see, looks like everything's set up for dinner so I guess I'll just call down the boarders and…" Suddenly, Phil caught sight of a certain short someone (with his only slightly taller lady friend with whom he was giggling and whispering and smiling a little) entering the room and he turned to his grandson (and the girl who was basically his granddaughter-in-law at this point) with a wry smile. "Oh, Arnold, Helga—you two still here?" he asked casually. "I thought you were going to eat at Helga's place tonight?" Phil tried not to laugh at the memory of that little story Helga had come up with…or at how much the two kids jumped at suddenly hearing his voice…or at how said two kids looked right now (though it was really REALLY hard all things considered).

Arnold had had a very content smile on his face (though now he seemed surprised and flustered), his hair was significantly tousled, and his shirt was tucked in and untucked in varying places…his sweater had still not returned…and his lips seemed smudged with something pink and a little sparkly, to say nothing of the obvious pink little lip prints all over his cheeks and chin and nose and forehead. "Uh…" the ten-year-old boy began in a shy voice as he finished processing his grandfather's unexpected presence in the room. He took a little step forward as he did his best to respond to him "A-Actually, Grandpa, we, uh…we remembered that I promised to eat dinner over there TOMORROW night so…um…we figured we should, um…come down and maybe help you and Grandma now that we remembered that. Heh…Uh…" He turned to his love (who was standing a little behind him at the moment, though now, as she stepped forward, Phil could see that Arnold and Helga were holding hands on top of everything else). "Right, Helga?" the football headed blushing boy prompted.

Helga, to go along with Arnold's appearance, had her hair down and it didn't look 'messy' exactly but just very… 'worked over'. Her jumper looked a little more wrinkled than the last time Phil had seen them and also her lips were rather flushed along with her cheeks (though the former were also a tiny bit glittery as well…and not surprisingly it was very similar to the way Arnold's mouth and cheeks were glittery). "Um…" she started shyly and with a nod, trying to sound casual. "Yes. We, uh…remembered we're sticking around here tonight s-so, um…I-I'm just gonna go help Gertie get the food ready." She gave Phil a polite smile, though it was obvious she was feeling very shy right now…mostly because she knew, probably a lot better than Arnold, that what they had just finished doing together and how intense they had been about it all was obvious…Very, very, obvious.

(In fact, the two kids had actually been heading down here just now to wash off the gloss and straighten their hair and stuff in the kitchen, not realizing how long they had been up on the roof together or how close to dinnertime it really was (they had considered going into the bathroom upstairs to take care of getting themselves cleaned up, but…were in no mood to explain to any of the boarders, if they saw them, why there were walking out of a bathroom together or why one of them was waiting for the other one outside of the door of the bathroom looking sort of ravaged). Then they had figured maybe they could each relax with a cold soda from the fridge as long as they were down here, and then Arnold had been planning to maybe grab another one of his sweaters from the laundry room if there had been time…and so by the time Arnold's grandparents and the boarders would have come down to eat the two of them would have been looking and feeling perfectly normal and casual. So, in short, Arnold and Helga HADN'T expected to run into Arnold's grandparents so quickly and in such a state as they were…but now that they had Helga really just wanted to duck into the kitchen, get cleaned up, just be with another girl for a few minutes, and then she'd be fine. She was getting more used to cozying up to Arnold in front of others but…this situation right now was pushing it even for her.)

"Heh, heh, heh!" Phil just chuckled good-naturedly at Helga's suggestion about helping his wife with the meal, and nodded at her idea, realizing she was starting to feel a little uncomfortable. "Well, that's great that you can stick around tonight. Always a pleasure to have you, Helga. And yup, Pookie's right in the kitchen and I'm sure she'd love an extra set of hands and a few minutes to talk with you and to help you get cleaned up for dinner while Shortman sets you a place." He smiled at nervous blonde girl.

Helga just gave him a grateful smile and nod back for not teasing her. "Thanks, Phil…" She turned to Arnold, blushed a tiny bit more and squeezed his hand, and then quickly went off into the kitchen.

Arnold just watched her go with a dreamy smile…and even kept staring after her once the door to the kitchen had closed behind her…chuckling to himself randomly every once in a while.

"You who? Shortman?" Phil eventually cut in, waving a hand in front of Arnold's face.

Arnold instantly blinked and blushed fully again and then turned to the old man, coming back to reality. "Oh! Uh…yes, Grandpa?" He looked to the side sheepishly, his arms behind his back.

"First of all," Phil started, "I'll get Helga's chair if you'll get her place setting…" Then he grinned more… "And second of all," he walked over and put a hand on his grandson's shoulder, and spoke plainly as long as they were alone now and his little girlfriend couldn't get embarrassed, "If you don't want the boarders giving you the razzing of your life, you might want to fix the hair and the shirt a bit before they come down while Helga's getting herself fixed up in the kitchen…Oh and your face—COVERED with lip gloss. Heh, heh, heh, heh, heh!" He reeled back in hearty laughter

Arnold blinked and his eyes went wide, and then he was just blushing like mad and instantly using the back of his hand and the base of his palm to remove as much of the pink raspberry lemony substance from his face as possible, having forgotten all about it for the moment! "Oh! I…" he squeaked sheepishly, "Um, we were just…and there was …" he started trying to right his shirt and hair now, "…There was a lot of, um, wind on the roof and, um…" Finally he just let out a sigh, giving up on any lame excuses. He smiled in sheepish defeat at his grandfather. "Thanks, Grandpa…" he finally just said appreciatively.

Phil just chuckled to himself as he grabbed an extra chair from the corner and put it next to Arnold's usual chair at the table. "Helga pulled you out to the roof to end your date with bang, I take it?"

Arnold, now in the middle of placing Helga's silverware beside her plate, swallowed hard at the blunt question…and then glanced down shyly as he finished folding her napkin. "Um…something like that…heh…" he managed with a blush and a little smile.

Phil just nodded, taking his seat at the head of the table. "Mmm hmm…your grandma used to pull me into the basement for stuff like that—guess it was a sentimental thing since that's where she confessed—but to each her own, heh, heh…!"

Arnold, taking his seat as well, just let out a sigh and tried not to laugh or blush too much. "Good one, Grandpa…A sentimental thing…" Arnold smiled more, propping up his head on one of his hands. "Maybe it's kind of the same with Helga since she told me how she felt on a rooftop."

Phil nodded. "There you go!" He finished his chuckles and then gave his son a quick elbow over the table. "Oh and hey, sorry for the interruptions before, Shortman, but you know me—after how hilarious that accidental first one was I couldn't resist an encore. But I'll knock and wait for you to say it's okay next time before I come in. Promise." He winked.

Arnold smiled gratefully. "Thanks…but it's okay, Grandpa…It all worked out for, um…the best…." His cheeks became rosier. "I-I mean…Helga and I would never have gone to the roof if you hadn't walked in those few times, and, um…" He glanced down shyly but with a proud little smile…"…rooftops really have been lucky for us…"

"Heh, heh…" Phil laughed some more, shaking his head. "Oh Shortman…you really are growing up, aren't you…?" He let out a sigh and then his eyes lit up. "Hey, you two talked about picking out the names of the kids yet like I suggested?" He grinned wryly.

"Grandpa!" Arnold blushed even more and rolled his eyes to the side. "Um…we're just…focusing on our one month dating anniversary for now…"

Phil rolled his eyes to the side and was about to say something else when…

"B-Besides…As long as the kids are happy and healthy…the names aren't all that important…right?" Arnold's face was cherry red as he added this little observation. He was just glancing down at the tabletop with a smile now, his hands folded shyly in his lap.

Phil's jaw dropped a little and then he broke into the warmest smile and laugh ever and he gave his grandson a happy slap on the back. "Now you're getting it, Arnold! I knew you had it in you. A regular lady killer just like your old grandpa!"

Arnold just let out a sigh and laughed as well, trying to learn how to be calmer about talking about and getting teased all of this and to just go with it. "Thanks, Grandpa…Helga's happy so…" he shrugged modestly, "I guess I must be doing something right."

"Yessir," Phil swung his fist through the air and nodded, "That's the old Shortman charm shining through!"

"Yes, learning how to stop being terrified by love and to start just going with it…That about sums up that 'charm' you were talking about, General!"

Phil nearly jumped out of his seat at the sound of Gertie adding this observation in a smug sounding voice as she suddenly walked into the dining room now, carrying a large tray of meatloaf for dinner (with Helga following behind her with a bowl of mashed potatoes). The old woman laughed to herself and shook her head then looked to her husband as she placed the tray on the table. "Now, General, were you really interrupting and teasing Kimba and Eleanor again? And then filling Kimba's head with wild stories about you sweeping me off my feet when we were young?" She smirked a little at Phil. From behind her Helga (her hair looking much neater, her face no longer flushed and her lips no longer red and pink, and her clothes looking a lot more normal) giggled and placed down the bowl of potatoes (making sure to give Arnold a little wink upon seeing him again).

Phil just rolled his eyes at his wife with a smirk. "Oh yeah like YOU remember what was what from back then…crazy old bird…Sure the confession might have been choppy for me but I got a second wind and you know it!"

"All I remember…" Gertie responded with her own smirk, sitting down as well, "…was needing a full summer and most of the beginning of fifth grade to break you in to the level Arnold's already let himself get to with Helga…" She grinned proudly. "I'd like to think that's my genes in him shining through…"

Phil cleared his throat and waved her off, though he did blush a little. "Uh…SURE…Whatever you say, Pookie…" Still, eventually he couldn't help chuckling a little and giving her a bit of a half lidded look, remembering some memories.

Gertie chuckled as well, her own eyes going a little half lidded for a moment as she remembered some things herself...but then of course she recalled their meal that was getting cold. "Well, anyway," she looked at the kids (Helga had taken her usual seat next to Arnold and of course they were holding hands under the table), "Phil, you call the other boarders and you can let them know that we're having mashed potatoes and meatloaf tonight for dinner…and for dessert a raspberry pie! Ha ha ha ha ha!" She laughed maniacally.

"Ooo Pookie, raspberry pie's the worst for me!" Phil clutched at his stomach which was instantly making gurgling noises at the very idea of raspberries in this form! He turned to his grandson. "Arnold, I beg you, if raspberries ever start doing to you what they do to me, don't ever let Helga know! You'll regret it for the rest of your life."

Arnold's smile went the tiniest bit dreamier (and he squeezed Helga's hand a little). "Um…th-that's okay, Grandpa…I don't think raspberry anything will ever give me any trouble…"

Helga couldn't help giggling a tiny bit from beside him. "Uh, yeah…" she added, "A-And besides, I've got plenty of other ways to torture old Football Head. And raspberries really don't seem to bug him all that much, anyway, like he said…" She blushed a little and glanced at her love.

Arnold glanced back at her…and then summed up his courage and asked casually of Gertie, "Um…hey, Grandma…If it's okay, with the raspberry pie tonight…can we have lemonade…? I'd like that."

A serious little chuckle and near snort escaped Helga and she instantly blushed when she realized the sound she'd just made. "U-U-Um…s-sorry… L-Lemonade's good with me too, please…" she added shyly with a private little grin.

Gertie blinked at first at both kids and their unusual request…but then smiled and looked at her husband (who smiled back at her), and then she turned back to the kids with a grin, figuring it was probably a little private, romantic joke between them. And what was the harm in humoring it? She nodded. "Of course, Kimba, Eleanor…Lemonade and raspberries it is…"

Arnold and Helga smiled at her gratefully.

"Thanks, Grandma…"

"Yeah, thanks, Gertie…"

Gertie nodded to the children and then turned back to her husband. "Oh and don't worry, Popsicle Chin…As for torturing Arnold, I'm sure if it's not raspberries Helga'll find something else special to make him to eat every day…But there's plenty of time for that…" Her eyes fell to Arnold and she grinned more. "Like you were saying, Kimba, you haven't even picked out the children's names or celebrated your one month anniversary yet…Not that the children's names matter all that much though since what's most important is that they're happy and healthy." She couldn't help grinning even more at her grandson's sweet answer.

Helga just blushed and smiled a ton, looking down at her plate shyly.

Arnold, meanwhile, upon now hearing and processing that his grandma and his love had overheard what he'd said to his grandfather, at first turned deep crimson and his eyes went wide… But then, just accepting that it had happened and feeling thankful that at least the boarders hadn't been in here to hear him too, just let out a breath and couldn't help smiling to himself while his grandparents shared a hearty laugh. "Very funny, Grandma, Grandpa…" He squeezed Helga's hand a little more, feeling too shy to look at her again for now. "A-And yeah," he went on, trying to lighten the mood, "I'm sure if there's a food or something that she can torture me with…Helga'll find it one day."

His grandparents shared another small laugh and Arnold just laughed along with them and Helga even joined him with her light, lovely giggle. The two decided to glance at each other at the exact same time, which only made their blushes and smiles grow when they did so. There was another little hand squeeze and then their eyes traveled over to Arnold's grandparents…watching them…and Arnold thinking a little more to himself with a little blush about…really getting to be like his grandparents one day with Helga…playing games and 'torturing' with food and teasing with old stories from the past…marrying his Helga with pink flowers in her hair and getting to love her forever and ever right here in this house, and getting to tease their own kid or grandkid about their first little crush…

He liked that idea. A lot.

And from the way she snuggled her head now against his shoulder while they still held and squeezed hands until Phil did call the boarders to come down once his warm laughter tapered off…Arnold figured Helga was thinking similar things…and liked the idea a lot too (naturally).

SICK DAYS

KNOCK KNOCK

"Helga…are you awake?" The door of Helga G. Pataki's bedroom creaked slightly as Arnold pushed it gently open to peek inside of his girlfriend's room, a smile on his face…and several items in his hands…

He blinked and then almost chuckled in confused amusement at the sound of Helga suddenly starting abruptly in her bed and at the sight of her wide eyes looking over at him for only a split second before she pulled her pink covers totally over her head and body and turned away from her beloved.

Arnold just let out a sigh, still smiling to himself, and then stepped into the room completely and pushed the door shut behind him. "Helga, relax…it's just me. I just…wanted to see how you were feeling." He took a few more steps toward her bed. "You've already been out of school for two days and we haven't been able to talk on the phone because of your throat and…I've missed you…." he added sweetly and shyly, placing the items he'd brought with him upon the floor and now just gazing at the shape of the slightly ill ten-year-old girl still wrapped tightly under her pink covers.

Suddenly he had to raise an eyebrow at the sight of some rustling under the covers…several seconds of this passed and then just as he was about to question this action of hers, one of Helga's hands flew out from under the covers…and it was proffering a piece of fresh notebook paper to him. Arnold blinked curiously, unmoving and unsure of what to make of this, until Helga shook the paper in her hand a little and it finally clicked with him that she wanted him to take it. He took a few more steps toward her bed, reached forward, grabbed the paper, and read what appeared to be a message written on it in purple ink…an amused smile forming on his face as he did so.

Football Head! I told my Mom and Phoebe to tell you not to come over until I was better enough to tell you not to come over myself! I freaking have laryngitis! You could get sick! I love you so LEAVE! NOW!

Arnold had to cave into quite a few chuckles as he finished reading her note. "Oh come on, Helga…" He placed the note down on her nightstand and then turned around and picked up one of the items he'd brought with him, "It's been a few days and your mom says the doctor says you're not nearly as contagious as you were before…otherwise I would have come a lot sooner, and believe me!" He let out a sigh, finishing putting around his neck the winter scarf he'd brought with him and pulling it up near his mouth. "And just in case, I brought this scarf to cover my mouth if it'll make you feel more comfortable." He crossed his arms over his chest with a determined smile. "Anyway the point is I'm not going anywhere so you might as well just come out and let me visit with you and make you feel better with the other stuff I've brought you, okay?" He laughed a little more. "Besides," he began jokingly, looking just a little smug, "How often do I get the chance to spend time with you when I'm the one doing all the talking?"

Finishing this small speech, he heard a very weak frustrated groan come from Helga under the covers, saw her form hesitate, and then saw that rustling again like she was writing something out once more in place of speaking. Several seconds later, another note flew out of the covers which Arnold eagerly grabbed and read.

First of all, hilarious joke about the fact that I cannot speak. You are so amusing, Arnoldo. Second…come on, Arnold, I really don't want you to get sick too so please just come back in a few days when I really am all better!

Arnold let out another sigh, placing down this note on her nightstand as well. "Helga…" he started again beseechingly, "I really want to stay. Please! And besides…" he shyly dug one of his feet into her carpet, arms behind his back, "…if you're going to kick me out for my health, can't you come out from under the covers and at least let me see you and say goodbye in person?" He couldn't help but smile a bit more and blush slightly as he added, "I haven't gotten a chance to even see you for over two whole days, and it's…" He raised an eyebrow and considered, and then looked to the pink lump of Helga's concealed form again and did his best to express himself as accurately as possible, "Well…before we were together…when I used to go away for a few days or was out sick sometimes, did it ever make you feel kind of…a little disappointed…and maybe frustrated…and even a little sad…?" He let out a small sigh, recalling what the last few days had been like for him… "Because that's kind of how it's been making me feel without you around…" He had to smile sheepishly as he added, "It's not very fun…Sorry if I ever did it to you without realizing it, Helga…"

At this admission from him there was just silence from Helga at first…and then, finally, several seconds later another slight moan (this one much sadder sounding)…and then finally some more rustling (this rustling going on for a bit longer than the other times) and another note. It was offered to him by that one extended arm of his beloved again, and Arnold took it gently and read it to himself.

Okay, okay, Football Head, I'll level with you…Crimeny, enough 'guilt trip', alright? Telling me how sad it's been making you feel all just because I haven't been around in a couple of days and then apologizing for if I ever felt that way about you…I'd burst into sappy, romantic tears and throw you on the floor in a hug and tell you that you're the sweetest guy on the planet if I didn't still feel so shaky. But, anyway, just hear me out…

Alright, slight confession time: yes, I'd rather stay hidden under these blankets and have you leave because I really don't want to get you sick…but also I'd kind like you to come back in a few days instead of visiting right now because…Arnold, for Pete's sake, I've been in bed with a fever and a raw throat for three days—I look like a train wreck! I'm not exactly 'Cecile' right now, if you know what I mean. So I'd really like at least another day or two to regain my strength and get myself cleaned up a bit! If you really want to see me though I'll…I guess I could come out for a second if you're really feeling as bad as you say you're feeling without me…which, again, was really sweet, Football Head.

"Helga," Arnold lowered the note from his face, grinning so much at her cute (and of course totally unnecessary) little insecurity, "I want you to do whatever makes you comfortable…even though I really do want to see you." He placed this note down with the others, then took another step toward Helga's bed and added quietly and with a blush and a little smile, "And also…as for how you might look right now…" he just shook his head in amusement and reached forward and put a hand on the covers over her shoulder, "You know that doesn't matter to me… and even if it did I'll always think you're beautiful no matter what, anyway. I'm just happy to get to spend some time with you again…" he then let out a little 'forlorn' sigh for dramatic effect and added 'mysteriously', drawing his hand away from her now, "…And, you know, I really did have a whole afternoon planned for us here…After all this is the biggest opportunity I've ever gotten to really take care of you and I'm not about to pass it up…"

Silence, then some rustling, and then another note shot out from the little hill of pink, which Arnold read to himself again.

Okay…I'll come out…but you stay at least five feet away just in case! I WON'T let you get sick! And…And thanks for all of that…about how I look…and me always being beautiful to you. And also, well, now I basically have to come out because now you've got me curious—you've got plans for us when I'm sick?

Arnold chuckled and placed this note down as well on the ever growing little pile on her nightstand. "You're welcome, Helga…and thanks for agreeing to see me. And yes I do have some things here to share with you…" His grinned happily to himself and stepped back so that he was blocking sight of the other things he'd brought over today besides his scarf, all of which were still on Helga's floor (he wanted everything to be as much of a surprise as possible).

There was one more second of hesitation, and then Arnold heard Helga let out a slightly shakier than usual sigh…and then the pink lump sat up a bit, she removed the covers from over her head, and finally Arnold's Helga G. Pataki turned and looked at him for the first time in a couple of days (though to Arnold it had felt like forever).

She gulped, wide eyed and feeling so very self-conscious no matter how much she knew Arnold's love and attraction were unconditional. 'Crimeny, I at least wish Miriam had given me some warning so that I could have brushed my hair or something…I must look like a nightmare…'

And yet, of course, when Helga did finally manage to pluck up the courage (and energy—she was still a little woozy even though the worst period of her sickness was behind her) to bring her eyes to her beloved's…she was met with the (very much missed) sight of Arnold just smiling happily at her with his eternally lovely half lidded gaze. Her own little smile grew and that self-conscious feeling ebbed. She reached up one of her hands and gave him a coy little wave. 'Hi…' she mouthed.

A warm, goofy chuckle escaped Arnold at her doing that, (and actually ever since she had come out of the covers he'd been doing his best keep even more such amused chuckles at bay.) 'She always exaggerates so much…' And indeed, Arnold found it so very charming that she had been talking about herself like she would pop out of her covers as some kind of 'horror movie monster' when in fact she was merely sitting here before him now certainly a little paler than usual, her eyes a little droopier with tiredness, her face a little flushed, and her hair a little messed and limp, but basically she was just the same old Helga…His same old beautiful, cute, adorable, lovely… He took a breath and cleared his throat and blushed a little as he realized he had almost let his attraction to her get the better of his thoughts (which was something that actually happened several times a day in general but especially over the last couple of days since she'd been so very absent from his world). He made himself get back to the point. She was still his same old perfect Helga…just…a little sick. 'I'll help with that though…hopefully…' he thought to himself with a grin.

Helga just raised part of her brow at her beloved, meanwhile, since he wasn't saying anything and was just staring and staring and looking goofier and goofier (she couldn't really conceive of the fact that, even if he didn't find her 'ugly' right now, he would be able to get all dazed and lovesick just by looking at her). She grabbed her notebook from under the covers and her purple pen as well, and wrote a new note for him, showing it to him from her bed with a grin and an eye roll.

There you go, Football Head. Disheveled old me…

Then she smiled just a little more and pulled the notebook back and wrote something else, and then showed the addition to Arnold with a light pink blush mixing with the slight reddishness of her still slightly feverish face.

But…coming out to see you made you smile and helped with you feeling all sad and lonely, according to you, so…it's worth it I guess.

Helga brought her notebook back to her lap and turned the now full page to go on to the next fresh one. She took a second to write something new and then showed it to Arnold, scowling this time (and with everything written in big, bold, underlined letters).

But I meant what I said about the five-foot distance—I don't want you to get sick! PERIOD!

Arnold, finally not drowning in his own goofiness anymore, laughed to himself at this stern little warning, and made a show of pulling up his scarf a little closer to his mouth. "Okay, okay, Helga…" he said without resistance, taking two steps further back from her bed (and making sure not to bump into and to still conceal the items behind him, "Five foot minimum distance and I'll use the scarf as long as you'll let me stay…and continue looking at the prettiest girl in the whole world….who's so pretty that even when she's sick, she's lovely." He blushed and smiled more.

Helga blinked and blushed a lot at the unexpected extra compliment…but then she just giggled and smiled approvingly at him and nodded, affirming that she was caving and that he could indeed stay as long as his little heart desired. 'Little charmer…always knows just what to say and do to make me putty in his hands…' Memories of actually being in his hands washed over her for a second, making her very aware once again of how many hours it had been since she'd felt her love's full kiss and touch and embrace, but she did her best not to focus on that right now and to just enjoy his company. 'The best way to make sure he stays well is to stay away from him, and besides it's only for another day, maybe two…' She nodded to herself at this reassuring thought and then just went right back to smiling at Arnold.

Arnold, meanwhile, very happy that Helga was officially on board with his little visit, grinned and nodded enthusiastically. "Okay…Well, let's get started then…" He gave her now slightly confused looking face a wink…and then stepped aside to reveal what he had brought to her room today besides just himself, his love and a scarf. "First…" he reached down and then stood up again…this time with a long, insulated canister in one hand (which had been beside, Helga now noticed, a bowl and spoon upon the floor). "…I asked Phoebe and she said your favorite soup when you're sick was chicken noodle with crackers…so me and my Grandma made you some…" He now opened the container and poured some of it's warm, steaming contents into the bowl with the spoon in it, then removed a few packets of saltine crackers from his pocket, opened them, and placed them atop the soup. He then put down the canister, picked up the bowl of soup, and carefully approached Helga's bed. "Here…Just be careful holding the bowl though—it feels a little hot…" He smiled with his half lidded gaze at her as he placed the soup on her nightstand so she could get to it but so he could keep five feet away from her as she'd asked.

Waiting happily now with his arms behind his back and a blush on his face (and hoping she'd like the soup), Arnold watched with interest as Helga's reaction to his first surprise for this afternoon wasn't a smiling 'thank you' like he had imagined it would be, but rather an initial look of total shock and confusion complete with a dropped jaw…and then a touch more pink came to her face (which meant, he realized, that she was blushing so much at the moment that it was able to shine through the flushed effect to her face of her fever…and that meant a LOT of blushing, which made him blush even more too). He continued to watch as her wide eyes then went from himself to the soup and then repeated the process once or twice more (much to his continued interest and amusement)

…Finally Helga G. Pataki seemed to come out of her blushing shock, and shook her head to clear it and then scribbled something on the next fresh page of the notebook. She shyly held it up for him to read when she was finished.

You…made me homemade soup because I was sick? You and your Grandma?

It wasn't that Helga really needed him to say it again. It was just…him doing something like this for her had been a pretty standard daydream of hers throughout her entire life—him running to her bedside in her time of need and tending to her lovingly. And…here he was, actually doing it and entirely of his own idea and because he really wanted to. There had been quite a few instances so far in their relationship where he had done something she considered the single sweetest thing anyone had ever done for her ever but…this might top them all, in her opinion.

Arnold (still at his five foot minimum distance, of course) raised an eyebrow at first at her needing that information reconfirmed, but then of course nodded in the affirmative with a smile. "Of course, Helga…You're sick. I…" he glanced down and put his arms behind his back again, "I just wanted to make sure you got better as soon as possible…" He looked up again at the sound of something being moved only to see with delight Helga now sitting up more in her bed, the bowl of soup resting on top of the covers on her lap…and now she was lifting up a spoonful of the soup, closing her eyes…and then she placed it in her mouth and obviously savored it in that perfect way she had of loving and savoring everything that truly meant something to her in her life.

When she was done with the bite, she opened her eyes and a dreamy look was now on her face. She turned to Arnold and opened her mouth almost as though to talk, but then her eyes went wide as no sound came out and she recalled the situation of her illness. She reached for her notebook again, turned to a fresh page, wrote for a few seconds, and then showed it to her beloved once more.

I wish I could hug you right now more than anything else in the whole world. Thank you, my darling. This is one of the most wonderful things you or anyone else has ever done for me. And it's delicious. I'll never forget this for my entire life.

One of those ear to ear smiles instantly came to Arnold's face and his eyes brightened (and he almost had to chuckle at the fact that she'd almost written in that way she usually monologued—so dramatically and passionately and romantically. It made him sigh inside…He missed hearing her talk like that so very much…) "Really? You like it that much? Thanks, Helga!" he exclaimed happily…And then he blushed slightly and added with a little grin, "Oh and I…I wish I could hug you too…"

Both kids just glanced down with blushes for several seconds, smiling happily at their thoughts…

But then Arnold, once again reminding himself that he could daydream about Helga later when he went home but right now was for trying to make her feel better, cleared his throat and looked back to his beloved once more. "Oh, and, um…I have some other stuff here too…"

Helga blinked at the information and looked back at him as well, raising part of her brow. She was as happy as she could be? How in the world could he have anything else to bestow upon her?

Arnold stepped back to the soup canister and leaned down again (and now Helga noticed a small white paper bag upon the floor that he had apparently carried up here as well). Now with this item in hand, he came toward her nightstand again, reached inside of the bag…and pulled out a small Styrofoam cup with a plastic dome lid on it and a little plastic spoon. He placed these two items near her bedside as well, and then took a step back and explained simply and with a humble shrug, "I figured that since your throat hurts you might like something cold to help with it so I brought you a cup of your favorite ice cream from Slausens…banana chocolate chunk, right?" He blushed a ton and added with a gulp. "I-I mean, your favorite ice cream besides me, of course…" Ever since he'd found out about her old code name for him, Helga had been saying that to him every single time they got or ate ice cream together…Sort of a way of getting to him for the occasional 'a la mode' joke he would make to get to her. He liked the whole little game A LOT, to say the least.

Helga, from her bed, just giggled and quirked her mouth to the side in a little grin at the joke (and Arnold just gulped and tried not to think about how, along with missing its owner, he had missed that cute little mouth itself quite a bit. He could see her and be near her now and that did worlds to relieve his loneliness but still…he missed the intimacy too. Getting closer to each other than with any other person in the world…It would be heaven when they got that part of their relationship back soon.) Arnold could feel himself getting pulled down the path of daydreams but he was quickly (and thankfully) distracted from such thoughts though by the sight of Helga now rubbing her hands together greedily with a grin at the sight of the treat he had gotten her. She then grabbed the notebook and wrote in it once more and showed it to Arnold.

Aw, thanks, Football Head—all Miriam's gotten me are popsicles and I'm getting sick to death of those. Finally, something with a real sugar content! Oh and also…thanks for being great enough to think so much about what might make me feel better, my favorite little flavor of ice cream…my little instigator of all things a la mode… ;) You're the best person on the planet, you know that, my little love god?'

Arnold blushed and chuckled and had to glance down again shyly, kicking one of his feet forward a little in bashfulness. "Oh, Helga…I'm happy you like the soup and ice cream so much but I-I'm really just Arnold, a-and all of this was just something I wanted to do because I love you…"

He looked at her with a meaningful glance and smile and blush, and she looked back at him with the same. Arnold, so very happy with how happy he had made her, and Helga so very happy that her love loved her so.

Eventually Helga let out a sigh, realizing that the soup was going to get cold and the ice cream was going to get warm (and that she was going to find it difficult to control her urge to smother Arnold with loving and grateful coos and hugs and kisses) if she didn't break from looking at him like that. And so now she glanced down and took another few bites of soup, and then put it on her nightstand for a moment and snagged the ice cream to try a bite of that as well (savoring and enjoying it as she had done with the first bite of soup, much to Arnold's ever growing happiness). She turned to him after swallowing. 'Delicious,' she mouthed. 'Thank you.'

Arnold gave a little nod. "You're welcome…my bright angel…" He threw in the little pet name just because he felt like it, and then glanced down, rubbing the back of his neck, as he recalled that there was still one more part to this little 'getter well soon' scheme he'd put together. "A-Anyway…um, I'm happy you're enjoying the food, Helga, but along with the food, since your mom said you don't have any TV up here and that you're getting kind of bored listening to music, I also wanted to bring something to read to you to help you feel better, but…" he smiled a bit more sheepishly and looked up at her again, "…I know you're not exactly a fan of Purdy Boy books…and then Phoebe and your Mom said you have a lot of stuff you like to read right here in your room actually, so…I thought I might just let you pick from your own books what you'd like me to read for you…okay?" He looked to her hopefully.

Helga, who had just put the lid back on her ice cream and was going for some more soup again, froze and blinked in the middle of being about to raise a spoonful to her mouth…Her eyes went wide, and a slight blush returned to her face once more. Her big blue eyes turned to him in pleasant surprise. 'Really?' she managed to mouth again with the happiest smile he'd ever seen on her face.

Arnold just smiled warmly and happily back at her and nodded. "Really, Helga…" His half lidded gaze was in full force.

Helga's eyes went quite a bit half lidded themselves now and as she glanced down and gave a giggle. After a second or two of reflection on how she seriously had the most adorable and considerate boyfriend on the planet she then looked up at her beloved and gestured with her head to the side of her room opposite her bead.

Arnold raised an eyebrow at first, a little unsure about this gesture, until Helga, with even more of a grin, rolled her eyes and then scribbled down in the notebook quickly, showing it to her beloved,

Books, my dense little love! Right over there…

(And then there was arrow pointing in the direction to which her head had just gestured.)

Arnold blushed, smiling sheepishly to himself. "Oh, okay…sorry, Helga…" He shook his head to himself in amusement as he walked over to Helga's few little shelves of literature. Before kneeling down though to inspect the titles, he stopped and turned back to her for a moment. "So, anything in particular you'd like me to read to you or should I just pick whatever looks good, Helga?"

Helga scribbled some more in her notebook and then showed him a sheet as she shrugged with a half smile on her face.

Surprise me, love!

He smiled and nodded and then turned back and bent down, glancing at the book titles…and after about five seconds he had to blink at some of them…and at how large some of these books looked. "Helga…" he commented over his shoulder, "A lot of these books look kind of long and grown up…like novels…Did you really read all of these?"

A second later he was answered with a paper ball hitting him in the back of the head. He picked it up and unfolded it, reading it to himself.

NO, they're in my room for show, Football Head. Heh, seriously, though, I've told you before that we have different tastes in literature…And also when I was growing up and Olga went off to college these were a lot of her old high school books and I guess they kind of grew on me…the classics, at least. And especially the Romantics… A little mushy sometimes but also really fun…and there's always a good love story, my beloved…What can I say—when you get right down to it I'm a bit softie, Arnold!

Arnold just smiled to himself a little more and then looked over his shoulder again at Helga with just a bit of amazement and observed with interest and sincerity, "You're really smart, aren't you, Helga? I mean, like really, really smart…"

Helga raised part of her brow at this strange and unexpected comment, and then wrote something once more and showed it to Arnold.

Uh…Football Head? I think you're confusing me with Phoebe. She's the brain. I'm just random and a little loony…I mean, I can hold my own with grades and especially at writing but otherwise I think I'm pretty average.

Arnold blinked and then shook his head at her mistaken interpretation of his words, still smiling. "No, Helga, that's not what I…Well, what I meant was that…yeah, Phoebe gets great grades and everything, but…you're really insightful and wise and observant and mature…you're very refined and cultured and intelligent…and a lot more than most ten-year-old girls, aren't you, Helga?"

That extra pink and rosy color (signifying, once again, a significant blush if it was shining through her fever) came back to Helga's features at this observation from her beloved. Processing it she just swallowed and then glanced down shyly and twiddled her thumbs for a few seconds, not writing anything back she was so flustered and flattered all of a sudden. He really thought she was that deep of a person…She had no idea what to say to all of that, and all of it so sudden!

Arnold, though, completely in tune with her and her feelings and responses to things at this point, and just let out a sigh and replied knowingly to her silent gratitude, "You're welcome, Helga…"

She glanced at him upon hearing those words and then gave a small, quiet laugh and mouthed back with a nod, 'Thank you Arnold…'

Arnold just let out a sigh, allowing himself to lovingly observe the girl he loved for a moment longer before then turning back to the books before him. "Okay, Helga…" he called over his shoulder, "Let's see…" he scanned things a little more and then suddenly his eyes fell upon a certain volume and he grabbed it up. "Oh, hey…Shakespeare's Greatest Works…" He couldn't help his grin picking up a little on one side as he turned back to Helga again. "You didn't happen to use this to rehearse for the school play, did you, Helga?"

Helga just rolled her eyes with a smirk from her bed and then beckoned him forward with an arm wave and an approving smile of the selection he'd made.

Arnold nodded and then stood up and went back over to her and seated himself on the floor (several feet from her bed of course). He set the rather large volume in his lap and then opened it to the table of contents. He looked up at her, resting his head on one of his hands. "Any particular play you'd like me to read from, Helga? The balcony scene from 'Romeo & Juliet' maybe…?" His half lidded gaze returned. "Or that last scene…in the tomb…alone…together…?"

Arnold watched with delight and amusement as once again a distinguishable blush crept into Helga's only slightly feverish cheeks and her eyes went wide for a second and she even gulped a little, obviously caught a little off guard by his sudden suggestive tone and the memory of the first time their lips had met. 'Lips…' He sighed—great, now he was thinking of her lips again. He tried to ignore it but it was so hard…so hard not to start imagining standing and approaching her and giving his real life little Juliet a 'get well soon' kiss to finish things up here…He was half moving forward to sit up without even realizing it…

However, he became aware of his actions and managed to stop them at the sight of Helga blinking as she obviously came out of her slight romantic shock, and now letting out a slightly frustrated sounding sigh, rolling her eyes, and writing something on a fresh page of her notebook, which she showed a curious Arnold a few seconds later.

Okay, I never thought I'd say…er, write this ever and I sincerely hope I never have to do it again but, just for the record, 'Romeo', you are not to kiss me right now under any circumstances! Capiche? And stop playing with the idea because it's not exactly easy for me to turn you down…If anything would spread germs it's mouth to mouth contact, Football Head! Doi!

Finishing reading her announcement to himself, Arnold couldn't help blushing more and chuckling a little sheepishly and shaking his head to rid it yet again of his attraction-based thoughts. "O-Of course. Sorry, Helga…I guess I just couldn't help it…thinking of that scene…and how it was our 'first time'…even if it was just supposed to be 'acting'…" He blushed a lot more, doing his best to look busy inspecting the table of contents, though he couldn't help going on with what he was saying, barely realizing it he was so caught up in memories. "It's just…every time I think about that play it makes me smile…Maybe if I…Maybe if I'd been 'alive' in that scene, I could have…and we could have…" His thoughts wandered and he wasn't even trying to look like he was reading the table of contents anymore.

He was snapped out of his reverie a second later by the feeling of another paper ball hitting him right in the head. He blinked and opened it up and read the new note.

Crimeny—earth to Arnold! Sheesh, Head boy, I know being in love can take some getting used to but you've been turning into an even bigger sap than me lately at the drop of a hat! Now forget the play and our first liplock for a minute and just turn to the sonnets. That's all I'd really like to hear for now. Me and poetry Arnold—always inseparable!

Arnold smiled and then looked back up to Helga who was just sitting there with a grin and her arms folded over her chest, and the cup of ice cream now in her lap again. "Okay, Helga," he nodded, "I'll stop thinking about kissing you and read you some poetry…" His eyes went a little half lidded again as he went to turn to the right page. "But I think I'll still like your poetry a lot better…the subject matter aside, as usual…"

Just as he got the book open to the right page, a final little paper ball hit him in the head for him to open and read.

Arnold, I'm a ten-year-old lovesick kid and this is Shakespeare…I think he might be a little more skilled than me. But I guess to each his own, my loopy little Football Head!

Arnold looked up at her to see Helga giggle once more and wink at his compliment despite the modesty of her note.

His smile just grew a bit more and he merely replied to her assertion, "Maybe, Helga. But…Shakespeare was a kid once too…and probably in love at some point if you like what he writes…so who's to say you aren't just as much of a genius as he was…" He winked and Helga giggled a little more this time and shrugged shyly at the compliment, and then put both soup and ice cream aside for the moment and settled back into her bed, gazing at her beloved lovingly and waiting for him to start reading to her.

Arnold, seeing her now settled in, cleared his throat, looked down to the first page of sonnets, and with a smile began to read to Helga…

"Sonnet XVI…" It was about a half hour later and suddenly Arnold couldn't help but yawn slightly to himself—it had been a long afternoon planning all of this 'get well soon' stuff and getting it ready after all. He took advantage of the natural pause from reading to his love to look up at her bed for a moment, a small smile still on his face. "Helga, did you want anymore soup or something to drink before I start the next…poem?"

Arnold's slight pause in speaking (and the sudden growth of his smile) was due to the fact that his eyes had come to unexpectedly rest upon the sight of Helga laying back against her pillows, her eyes closed and a very content smile on her face…her breathing slower than normal and only slowing all the more…the breathing of a person drifting off into peaceful slumber. (And he also noticed with much happiness that after all of this reading and two bowls of soup and the rest of her ice cream, the color in Helga's cheeks looked a lot better now, and she didn't seem nearly as weak looking as before.)

She gave a faint, "Mmm hmm…" now as a very delayed response to his address to her. That confirmed it for Arnold: yes, she was fading fast and in a few minutes she would be in a peaceful, deep, comfortable sleep.

With a smile, our young football headed hero took all of this as his cue and stood up from his place on the floor, making sure to quietly close Helga's book and then to gently place it on the lower shelf of her nightstand (in case she might want to do any reading later herself whenever she woke up next). 'And I'll just leave the canister of hot soup near her bed too in case she wants to pour herself more later…It should stay warm for at least a couple more hours…'

Unwrapping the scarf from around his neck and mouth now and just letting it hang over his shoulders (the use of it had really been more for show to convince Helga that he indeed wouldn't get sick from her than from any real confidence in its protection) he let out a sigh and then approached her bed, slightly breaking her 'five foot' rule just to get one more good look at her happy sleeping face before he left her to drift off into sleep. 'I'm happy I made her feel better…' he thought to himself warmly. 'And I really hope all of this helps her get well soon…' He almost had to laugh as he thought about all of her fears and warnings before when he'd shown up. He shook his head a little. 'Like I'd ever think she looks horrible…She looks happy and nice and like herself…and I like her like that…'

He let out a breath, savoring the sight of her for at least one more moment before his departure. 'At least she's falling asleep so she can't yell at me for risking getting sick anymore by getting close to her…I don't care if there's a chance I might get a sore throat for a few days being near her… I just like to be near her…I miss her…' He swallowed…and then with a slight blush leaned down and gave her a small, gentle kiss to Helga's forehead…and as he pulled back, had a thought he couldn't help… 'Maybe…Maybe just one on her lips…just a peck before she falls asleep and I have to leave…' His eyes traveled downward a little, so very shyly…and her flushed little lips that he hadn't seen let alone kissed in a few days beckoned to him.

Yes, just one to tide him over…A kiss goodbye and get well for his princess…And who knew—maybe it would even make her a bit better, his love for her seemed to bring so much joy and hope to her life…

And besides, if you thought about it, as Juliet she had insisted upon giving him as Romeo a final kiss despite the poison possibly on his lips in that play...so him in real life giving her a kiss despite the germs possibly on her lips could be seen as a little form of returning the favor. He smiled, sure that even if she found out later what he'd done, she would find the whole thing more romantic than anything else, especially when thought of in that way.

Her lips continued to beckon…and his would answer.

"Okay, Sonnet XVI…" Helga, her eyes closed happily as she reclined back on her pillows in her bed, heard Arnold yawn at this point in his reading, and she wasn't surprised considering that he had been going on for close to half an hour. "Helga, did you want me to pour you anymore soup before I start the next…poem?"

Helga heard the considerate question but right now she was very comfortable, she felt like her fever had finally broken completely, her stomach was full of warm homemade soup and yummy ice cream, and to top it all off she was perfectly between drifting off into much needed sleep and half hearing her beloved lovingly reading to her a book she knew well enough anyway… An "Mmm hmm…" managed to escape her but really overall she had no energy or desire to change her current situation or position. She was at peace and happy and surrounded by love…and she wanted to savor her last few waking moments of this total blissful state.

Helga just heard silence now and then something like Arnold maybe moving, though she was fading fast…slow breaths going in and out… 'Oh Arnold…I'm so happy…You're taking care of me! Oh my love…' Such a perfect sleep was coming and she knew when she woke up that she really would be all but healed of her annoying laryngitis.

There was more silence for a while…

…And then, like a shot, Helga instantly felt electricity pass through her body as lips she could never forget suddenly gently met her forehead and brought her back to full awareness and wakefulness…and then a familiar warm sweet but minty breath found it's way to right before her lips…and then Arnold's gentle lips were upon her own.

For the first second, her heart danced as it always did when they kissed, and all she wanted to do was pull him into this bed with her and never let go (pretty much the standard reaction to being kissed by Arnold in one of their bedrooms).

But then her greater concern for him instantly shut down that lovely (though selfish) desire…and 'NO!' was the only thought that could process in her mind!

Arnold, now finished with his small farewell/get well kiss, had just been about to gently pull his lips back from Helga's, whisper to her 'goodnight', and then finally and quietly take his leave…when his now open eyes met with Helga's now suddenly open eyes…and remained locked there for a moment as those two blue orbs before him seemed to communicate not just surprise but also fear!

Then the scowl came, and that's when Arnold finally pulled his lips apart from his girlfriend's. He straightened up and stepped back now, an eyebrow raised in confusion as he was unsure of what to make of her looking as she did right now. "Helga?"

At the sound of her name the eyes of the blonde girl before him went from scowling to practically seething and she instantly wrote something furiously in her notebook which she them promptly showed him.

Get out! I told you five-foot distance and you just had to go and start trying to kiss me and now who knows if you'll get sick and it'll be all my fault! Crimeny, Arnoldo, you've gotta quit putting everybody before yourself! You'll get yourself killed doing that one of these days! LEAVE! NOW! You've had enough unnecessary exposure to potentially deadly diseases for one day!

Arnold just continued to look surprised for a few seconds as he processed this note from her… and then (much to Helga's further annoyance) his half lidded gaze returned and he smiled and shook his head and opened his mouth to speak (and she KNEW it was going to be him assuring her that he was fine and insisting on staying and then apologizing for breaking her rule but explaining that he was sure nothing bad would happen, etcetera, etcetera, but she did NOT want to hear it! And especially if it meant an even longer amount of time with him standing right by her bedside and exposed to her laryngitis!) 'And on top of preserving his own health, doesn't the dense little thing realize that if he gets sick now we're going to have to be apart for even longer? Crimeny!' Still, though, despite the blustery-ness of her thoughts, Helga did know that Arnold's little heart had been in the right place and she couldn't really be full on 'mad' at him. But…no, enough was enough and the bottom line was that she would NOT let him get made sick by ANYTHING and especially not on her account and especially not after all the trouble he'd gone through with this whole little set up all for her on this afternoon! And so Helga G. Pataki came to an executive decision and, to Arnold's confusion as she could see in his face, cut him off from speaking by raising one of her hands up in a silencing motion and using the other to snatch up a little bell from the back of her nightstand and start ringing it very loudly several times. Finishing, she put down the bell and looked at her still perplexed beloved with a continuing scowl and a determined "Hmph!", crossing her arms over her chest.

Several seconds later the sound of footsteps on the stairs leading up to the hallway was heard, and then Helga's bedroom was opened partially with a slight creak, causing Arnold's head to turn in that direction. "Helga?" Miriam peeked in with a smile. "Did you need anything? Is Arnold still…Oh hello, Arnold!" she said brightly, opening the door fully and coming in all the way now.

Arnold smiled at Helga's mom and gave her a small wave (and he was starting to get now maybe why Helga had rung her bell). "Hi again, Mrs. Pataki."

Miriam smiled and chuckled a little, crossing her arms over her chest. "Arnold, I told you, you can call me 'Miriam' if you want…"

Arnold blushed and swallowed, looking down modestly, his arms behind his back. "Um…I know…and thanks. It's just…probably going to take me a little while to get used to that…M-Miriam…"

Both mother and daughter had to try really hard not to laugh at his little shy stutter. So very typical—Helga had been throwing out the names 'Phil' and 'Gertie' for weeks and heck she'd called Miriam 'Miriam' half the time for most of her life, but Arnold just couldn't get past calling his girlfriend's mother by her first name without looking like he was stealing a cookie from the cookie jar or something. (Helga just did her best to not let how precious he could really be sometimes weaken her resolve in regards to why she'd called Miriam up here in the first place.)

"It's okay, Arnold," Miriam just assured Arnold with an understanding smile. "Whenever you're comfortable…Anyway, did Helga like everything you brought over?"

Arnold let out a breath, happy they were moving on to something else (part of him really did feel so silly for being so shy just about calling his girlfriend's parents (and potential future in-laws) by their first name after all…). "U-Um, yeah, I think she liked it…" he replied with a smile, which only grew as he turned back in Helga's direction and recalled what had just passed between them, "I just think she might be a little angry with me now though because she told me not to get too close to her so that I wouldn't get sick too, but…" he blushed a little deeply, though he did his best to hide it, "I guess I got a little too close when I was saying goodbye…"

Helga rolled her eyes at his way of putting it and scribbled something furiously once again on a fresh page of her notebook, this time showing the message to her mother.

Yes, and that's why I want him out of here, Miriam. NOW! I am not letting him catch this! Period! He just doesn't get how to look out for himself so send him back to the boarding house and do not let him up here again under any circumstances for the next two days! Got it?

Finishing reading this command, Miriam just chuckled and then rested her elbow in the palm of her opposite arm, putting her hand to mouth and chin as she smiled even more. "Oh but Helga I think it's kind of sweet that he came over here like this to make you feel better and that he wants to spend time with you so much…Besides the doctor said it's not airborne anymore…That's why I let him up, sweetie…"

Helga still looked firm (though she blushed a bit now at the 'airborne' comment considering Arnold's small kiss upon her forehead just now…and of course his kiss to her lips, which she was SO annoyed that she hadn't been able to savor since she'd had to put all energies and thoughts into stopping their swapping of germ infested spit.) She shook her head, coming back to the task at hand, and then wrote quickly and firmly for her mother to read,

I don't care! Kick him out, Miriam! That's that! Besides, you shouldn't have let him up here in the first place! I told you I looked hideous and didn't want to see anyone! Sheesh!

Miriam just let out a sigh and couldn't help rolling her eyes a little at this message. "Oh Helga, I told you, you look fine…and I know Arnold thinks so too." Still, her daughter shook her head and looked stubborn and resolute. And so Miriam finally just sighed and nodded. "Alright, alright, Helga…" she turned her attentions back to the ten-year-old boy beside her who was trying to do his best not to chuckle warmly at his girlfriend's overprotectiveness. "I'm sorry, Arnold…she seems pretty determined…Would you mind letting her rest for another day or two before visiting again?"

Arnold smiled up at the older woman, understanding. "Sure, Mrs. Pata—uh…M-Miriam. No problem. Have a good night." He turned back to Helga and reached up his hand in a little wave. "Bye Helga…if you want more soup it's by your bed, and feel better soon. I'll miss you! And I love you…" He winked and then started to step backward toward the bedroom door (wanting to take in the sight of his love for as long as possible since he was to be cut off from her for another twenty four hours at least).

He watched Helga just roll her eyes at his goodbye and then write one more thing in her notebook, which she showed to him as he made it to the doorframe.

Quit sucking up and get your butt out of this germ-infested room, Arnold, before I get up and toss you out! Crimeny, I'm surrounded!

With a laugh at the final command, Arnold stopped for a moment in his backtracking and replied, holding up his hands defensively from just outside of her open door, "Okay, okay, I'm going…See you in a few days, Helga!" Shyly, since Miriam was watching them, he placed his palm to his lips and blew her a quick kiss, and then with that he headed out into and down the hall, laughing slightly to himself…though he had to cough once or twice as the chuckles eventually started to tickle his throat. 'Probably just from inhaling through that wool scarf for so long…' he thought to himself and then shook off the incident as he headed down the steps to leave and head for home (where he would do his best to distract himself with Helga's poetry books and eating raspberry desserts with a tall glass of lemonade and practicing kissing on his pillow until he could be near his love again).

A few days later…

"Well, well, well…" A certain blonde haired, blue eyed, pink wearing, pigtailed (and now healthy once more) someone opened up and dropped in to Arnold's room via his fire escape entrance (and she was carrying a basket of several things with her as she did so), " 'I'll see you in a few days…' " she announced in a mocking voice, scowling and shaking her head as she did her best to hop over the bed in which her sheepish beloved was currently lying to get her two feet standing upon his floor. "And how did I know…" she continued sarcastically, scowling at him all the more, her hands on her hips, "That it would be with ME visiting YOU sick in bed, Football Head, and all because you had to give sick old me a little kiss because you always have to put others and our love before yourself! Crimeny!" She knelt down and began taking out items from her basket now, mumbling loudly to herself in a show of anger as she did so. "Most ridiculous, reckless, head in the clouds, do-gooder, unnecessary, risk taking… Have half a mind to give you a good sock right in the nose just to knock some sense into you!" She shook her head more vigorously and let out a frustrated sigh.

"H-Helga…" Arnold (indeed looking much like Helga had not two days ago—pale, flushed cheeks, a little weak as he lay there under his covers and propped up on some pillows in his familiar light blue pajamas) suddenly began in a very weak voice, trying to address her concerns.

Helga's complaints instantly ceased at the sound of him trying to say her name and her eyes went wide and met his in fear and panic! She suddenly snatched a notebook and a pen from her basket, stood and shoved both items into his hands! "Football Head, don't TALK! For Pete's sake, if you use that weak little voice you have left you'll never get it back! Just write like I was doing to you the other day!"

Now holding the notebook and pen in his hands, Arnold took a second to process their presences and Helga's advice, and then he nodded to her. He opened the notebook, considered what he wanted to say for a second in response to how upset she seemed about the fact that he'd caught her laryngitis, and then finally composed his message and held up the page for her to read a few seconds later, smiling at her and hoping it would calm her a little (she had every right to be upset with him, he knew, but he also figured she was probably angry with herself for 'getting him sick' even though it had been his fault entirely with that kiss, and he didn't want her beating herself up with guilt about him being sick AT ALL!).

Helga, me getting sick is just something that happened…kids catch things from each other all the time. It's okay. I'll be fine in a couple more days just like you were. But you should go—I don't want to keep the cycle going and for you to get it again!

Reading this message, Helga just rolled her eyes and crossed her arms over her chest. "Sheesh, Football Head, don't you pay attention in science class? Haven't you ever heard of antibodies? I got sick to start with and then got better so I'm practically immune now. You, on the other hand…" and now she leaned down to the floor, took her basket and held it up with a smile, "…need help…" She winked. "And that's where I come in, head boy!" Her smile couldn't help but grow a bit more as she added, coming closer to the bed and preparing to unload her goodies. "I've always wanted to openly be there for you and to take care of you if you needed it, Arnold, and now I've got the chance! Besides…" she blushed a bit and glanced down shyly, placing her basket down between herself and Arnold on the edge of his bed. "You remember that little talk we had the other day in my room about it not being fun for you when I'm not around…? Well, as you pointed out then, the situation's the same for me. And between me being sick and now you being sick, I'm tired of feeling like I never see your face anymore, Arnoldo! It grows on you after seven years, you know? Even if you do look like a 'nightmare' instead of my normal dashing little do-gooder prince…" She winked and chuckled and he rolled his eyes but of course smiled warmly and joined her in a laugh at the joke as well. "Just kidding, Arnold…" she added with a smirk (and a serious little blush), "Of course, even bedridden, the mere sight of you still sets my soul aflame…" Arnold blushed quite a bit along with her and even felt his heart pound…and after such a long stretch of time without having her nearby to induce that fantastic, familiar pounding sensation it was so nice to feel.

Helga smiled more and glanced away coyly at how obviously her compliment had affected her little love, deciding to give him a minute to recoup before commencing her explanations about her plans for the two of them for this afternoon.

And eventually Arnold indeed regained control of his senses and finally just let out a happy, totally in love sigh…He was about to ask her about her basket when all of a sudden it seemed (to Helga, at least) that something occurred to him…and indeed now he blinked and a touch of concern came into his eyes. He jotted something else down now on the page before him and quickly showed it to Helga.

But Helga, today's Tuesday…Don't you have an appointment with Dr. Bliss to go to?

Helga blinked at the question but then just smiled at his adorable little concern for disrupting her schedule. "Changed it to Wednesday," she casually explained. "And besides…" she shrugged, still smiling and so very happy to be with him right now, "…I'm thinking of cutting her down to one day a week on a regular basis anyway—I've become surprisingly well adjusted lately…Bob and Miriam are doing better at their jobs, Olga's not driving me entirely mad, I'm getting closer with Phoebe and now even Gerald…and you fill my life with the light of a thousand suns of course…" She had to smile a bit more at successfully sending another scarlet blush into her beloved's only slightly ( 'Thankfully,' she thought to herself) flushed face.

Recovering from this latest bout of fluster after a few seconds, Arnold wrote down something else now and showed it to her with an appreciative smile.

Well…okay. As long as I'm really not bothering you…

Helga just rolled her eyes and laughed, putting her hands on her hips. "Arnold, Arnold, Arnold…you see this is what I'm talking about with putting others before yourself too much…Just take the pampering from your girlfriend, okay, Football Head!" She smirked at him a little.

He just smiled sheepishly and nodded his assent.

"Alright, we can get going then!" And now her eyes lit up and she rubbed her hands together in anticipation…and began to address the items she'd brought with her today… "Now," she started, smiling happily, "I talked to your grandparents and Gerald and they both said you're not really a soup person, but that you'd never turn down some wheat toast with a little jam or jelly when you're sick…and they also said that strawberry's your favorite kind of jam so…" She reached into the basket and removed a plastic knife and a small plate covered in plastic with several pieces of still warm toast upon it and rested it in his lap. She then leaned down to the basket again, and this time pulled out a small glass jar (though this item she only held with her thumb and index finger and she kept it as far away from her body as possible as though not wanting to come in much contact with it). She placed this item gently on his lap along with the toast. "Here you go!" She smiled to herself and brushed her hands together, then crossed her arms over her chest and added with a grin, "And, meanwhile, Football Head, way to pick the one jam flavor that would make my life the most difficult!" She smirked and shook her head. "I mean, the toast was pretty straightforward—even I can make that. And I managed to get a recipe for homemade jam from Olga and it wasn't the HARDEST thing in the world to get right, but I had to wear gloves and wash my hands like crazy every time I got near those stupid strawberries! It's okay though," she finished playfully, smiling at him in amusement, "Like I've said many times before I'm more than used to you complicating my life at this point!" She winked.

Helga, who had been expecting one of her love's cute little eternally grateful and looks in response to the little treat she had prepared him, was very much surprised to instead be met with a totally shocked and almost fearful look on her beloved's face! And then, still rather alarmed-looking, he instantly scribbled something in a fresh page of his notebook and showed it to her!

Helga! You shouldn't have made the strawberry jam yourself like that—or if you were going to make it yourself you should have picked a different flavor! I don't care what my 'favorite' is! You could have had an allergic reaction and gone to the hospital or something if anything had gone wrong! That was really, really dangerous!

Helga, finished reading his note and now understanding his look of worry, couldn't help a flutter in her heart at his concern for her welfare, but then she just looked to him and smiled and shrugged and waved him off. "Oh, relax, my love! Strawberries just give me hives—they don't make me go into anaphylactic shock! And it's really mostly only when I eat them, anyway. Besides, like I said, I was careful…" She looked at him warmly and finished with a happy smile and blush, "But it's really sweet of you to care so much, Arnold…"

It took a second or two but the look of surprise and fear eventually kind of melted from Arnold's face at her closing words…and was replaced with a bit of a dreamy smile. He let out a sigh and then wrote her a new note. He blushed a lot as she read it.

Of course I care so much…I love you, my beloved Helga. And thank you for my toast and jam…my angel…

Helga just giggled a ton at his sweet response. "You're welcome, my beloved Arnold…" She grinned (and blushed) even more. "And it's so cute that you've taken to using the term 'beloved' with me, by the way…" She cleared her throat, not wanting to get too lovey dovey and sappy (at least…not just yet…) 'There'll be time for that after he's eaten and had the benefit of everything else I've come here to give him…' "And of course you're welcome for the toast and jam…" she went on, "But I'm afraid you're the one who's going to have to have to combine the two of them of course…darn those pesky strawberries." She chuckled and winked at him.

Arnold gave a little chuckle as well as he nodded and then opened the small jam jar, unwrapped the toast, and used the little knife to spread the contents of the former upon the latter. Having done this, he took several bites of this snack now, chewing slowly…and smiling at how good it tasted…and at how good it felt to eat something she had made for him like this and all to make him feel better… 'This must be what she felt like when she was eating the soup…' It felt really great, to say the least… His smile went all goofy (as usual).

"Oh!" Helga's eyes suddenly opened a bit as she came out of the trance of just watching her love eat and enjoy himself, and recalled something now. "And of course I brought you some ice cream!" She went for the contents of the basket again. "Actually, Geraldo mentioned how much you've been craving a lemon-lime snow cone from the Jollie Ollie man so I had him put one in a cup just now…" She lifted the greenish/yellowish substance in a small cup with a lid from her basket and brought it to her beloved with a plastic spoon, resting it on his nightstand. She then went to her basket, digging inside of it once more and finally pulling out a familiar item. "Oh and I also cleaned out that soup thing you brought over the other day and filled it with hot green tea—your grandma says you've always liked that when you're sick." To go with the canister Helga had also snagged a styrofoam cup from the basket along with a yellow squeeze jar of something and now brought all three items over to the head of Arnold's bed to begin to prepare him his tea. "And I got some honey for it too…Gertie says you like that to sweeten your tea better than sugar…" she explained, squirting some of the contents of the squeeze jar into the cup upon filling it with steaming green tea. Now she placed the cup on his nightstand beside the snow cone, put the canister and honey on the floor, and then crossed her arms over her chest with a smile and looked to her beloved. "Now, before I move onto the last thing, is there anything else you need or want and whatever it is just name it because even though what you did for me the other day to help me feel better was reckless and unnecessary you made me really happy by doing it and I want to take care of you just as well as you took care of me!" The smile remained but a touch of definite worry and fear came into Helga's eyes as she added, glancing down, "I don't like seeing you sick or hurt, Arnold…ever…And especially all on my account…"

Helga raised her eyes back to Arnold and the look of love she found in his half lidded gaze almost made her melt. And then he glanced down and slowly wrote something, and then showed it to her.

All I'd like is for you to promise me you'll never try and make something with strawberries again no matter how much you hear I might like it…and I wish I was better now too and hadn't just eaten something with strawberries in it so that I could kiss you because you're such a wonderful person Helga…my lovely Helga. Thank you.

The most delighted smile imaginable came to Helga G. Pataki's face at these words. She blushed and giggled, feeling so very special and cared for. "Oh…Oh Arnold…" She gazed in his direction dreamily for several seconds, lost in her thoughts…just looking and looking at her lovely Arnold sitting up at the head of his lovely blue and green bed.

…And then Helga G. Pataki had to blink as something that was an unusual color for something in Arnold's room caught her eye. "Arnold?" she began in amused curiosity as she looked closely now, observing a rather interesting sight on one of the lower wall shelves right by where his pillows were. "Are those all of my pink books in a little stack by your bed?" One or two to look at and glance through she could understand but…there were five or six right there. There was something…very cute about it.

Arnold blinked at the sudden question and then instantly a bright blush came to his face. He glanced at the small stack he'd grown so accustomed to having there whenever he was sleeping (and, being bedridden for the last two days, he'd just settled on keeping them there constantly), and then he looked down in obvious embarrassment, and then almost opened his mouth to speak, though the slight pain he instantly felt in his throat at trying to do so made him go for the notebook. It took him a few seconds and a few crossouts to finally show her a message in explanation.

Oh, well…yeah. I…might as well let you know, I guess. I just…kind of like having them near me when I sleep…and waking up and seeing them…They're pretty and pink and comforting, just like you. That sounds really stupid, doesn't it, Helga…Sorry…

Helga absorbed the message, a serious chuckle and nearly a scoff and a snort escaped her, and then she just let out a sigh and shook her head at her beloved with a smile. "Football Head…seriously…you're talking to the originator of the Arnold shrine…No, what you do with my pink books when I'm not looking doesn't sound 'stupid'. Adorable, yes, unimaginably sweet, yes, cute, yes, but not stupid. Okay? I've actually been thinking that as long as I've got your shirt to play with when you're not around, you should have something of mine to remind you of me too…and look at that, the problem just solved itself." She winked, and then dramatically rolled her eyes as she went on with, "And why in the world are you apologizing?" she had to laugh to herself a little at him adding 'sorry' like that to his message in his shyness. "Apologizing for having a mini poetry shrine near your bed when I've got an attic that's all about you…" She let out a sigh and shook her head in amusement. "It's official—the fever has made you completely loopy. Time to drink your tea and eat more toast and jam to get all better." She smirked and winked.

In response to all of that love-filled supportiveness, Arnold just let out a small, quiet (and grateful) laugh and then mouthed lovingly to his girlfriend, 'Thanks, Helga.'

Helga just let out a breath and waved her boyfriend off. "You're welcome and, okay, enough mushiness. Now, the next thing on this day of pampering you is that I'm going to read to you this time around…" She began to lean over his bed and scan the books on his shelf. "So let's find the least painful Purdy Boy novel and go for i—"

Helga was abruptly (and much to her surprise) cut off in mid-sentence by the feeling of Arnold pulling on her jumper all of a sudden. She turned to him with part of her brow raised, one of her knees already on the edge of the bed so she could lean across and grab whatever volume he wanted to hear. "Something up, my strong but silent type as of now little love god?" she asked with a curious half smile.

Arnold blushed at the compliment but shook it off quickly and wrote something in a fresh page of the notebook and showed it to her.

Get away from the bed, please, Helga. The jam's still here and it's on the plate. You might have a reaction. I'll toss you a book, okay?

Helga just let out a sigh and rolled her eyes, and went to go for his books again, "Arnold, I told you, as long as I don't touch the strawberries directly or eat them, I'll be fi—"

Another firm pull at her jumper and this time when she turned around she wasn't met with a message but rather a scowling and very determined looking Arnold, his arms crossed over his chest. She actually gulped: it was rare for him to look so uncompromising about anything, and Helga knew in an instant that right now he was just as serious about all of this as she had been about keeping him safe from her germs a couple of days ago. Understanding now, she let out a breath, gave her love a nod and a small, appreciative smile and then removed herself from his bed and even took a few steps back from it to make him even more comfortable about the whole 'strawberry jam' thing. "Okay, okay, you win…No need to get all angry eyes on me…" She chuckled warmly and shook her head at her determined and protective little love. "I'll just sit right here on the floor and read to you. Now toss me your favorite, Football Head!" She smiled eagerly at him.

And yet her face had to take on a look of confusion yet again as this assurance from her only made a touch of concern instantly come into Arnold's formerly scowling eyes. He quickly wrote something else on a fresh sheet and then showed it to her.

Helga, at least sit on the couch—it's more comfortable. I just want to make sure you're okay about the strawberries and that, even if there's almost no chance, you don't catch the laryngitis again, okay?

Helga gave him a slight scowl (though of course she was still smiling) as she replied. "Hey, I'm respecting the thing about the bed and the strawberries but I still want to be as close to you as possible so I'm staying right here on the floor just like you did for me in my room. Capiche? Now toss me one of those random mystery books already, Football Face!" She gave him a loving smirk.

At this reasoning from her Arnold had to lose all concern or seriousness from his face and just smile and shake his head in amusement at her. He wrote her a new note, this time about a different topic.

You'd really read me a Purdy Boy novel, Helga?

Helga had to laugh at the cute question. "Just as quickly as you read me Shakespearian sonnets, my love!" she assured him with a nod and a loving smile.

Arnold gave a silent chuckle and then put his toast and jam aside for a moment and sat up a bit in his bed. He turned to his shelves and searched through their contents for a few seconds, and finally grabbed one of the familiar volumes and turned and gently tossed it to her (making sure to use his hand that hadn't spread the jam on the toast, of course, just in case). 'I don't care what she says about the reaction not being that bad—I'm not taking any chances!' he thought to himself with love and determination.

Helga caught the book in two hands from her place on the floor and observed the cover with a smirk. "The Purdy Boys and the Mystery of the Macabre Mothership…" She let out a deep sigh, unable to help her growing grin, and dragged a hand down her face. "Oh brother…tell me this is where you and tall hair boy got the idea for the details behind that obnoxious Halloween prank last year, Football Head?"

Arnold just shrugged and mouthed a simple, 'Maybe…'

Helga chuckled warmly, shaking her head, and opened the book. "Alright, alright, let's get this over with!" She rolled her eyes and cleared her throat, and began to read to her sick boyfriend. "Chapter One…The Macabre Mothership Mystery Begins…"

"…And so the Purdy Boys solved another mystery…For now! The End!" Helga let out a breath and closed the book with an interested, observing the cover for a moment. "Well, it's not classic literature but it actually was kind of interesting, I'll give you and tall hair boy that!" She looked to her beloved, who was still sitting up happily in his bed, just looking at her with such warmth for having read to him like that.

He took a sip from his cup of tea (which had been refreshed a few times during the course of Helga's narration to him) and then wrote something down, yawning as he did so.

Thank you, Helga. I really enjoyed that…

He had to pause in writing his next message on a new fresh page as he yawned again.

You're a really good person…and a great girlfriend…

He blinked a few times after showing her these word, the yawns having reminded him of how tired he really was at this point…and the warm tea and toast and jam hadn't been helping much either with keeping his ever growing feelings of sleepiness at bay.

Helga, meanwhile, smiled at the written compliment from her beloved and finally stood up from the floor. "Thank you, Arnold…" She chuckled. "But if I'd sneak around the city all night in a trench coat spying on people just to make sure you found a stupid Tomato Document, you had to know I'd make you a snack and read you a book to help your throat feel better in a heartbeat."

Sleepy Arnold smiled just a bit more at the joke.

Helga stretched up now, yawning herself courtesy of all of Arnold's yawns. "Well, I think it's high time we started wrapping this up so you can get some sleep, Football Head…after all, along with tea and toast you need your rest if you're going to get better." She crossed her arms over her chest and gave him a smug yet sentimental look. "After all, if I don't throw a few good spit balls a the back of your head in class pretty soon I'm going to get out of practice."

Arnold quietly laughed at the joke…though he had to finish on a sigh, knowing he'd be sad to see her go…At the same time though he knew she was right—he had been fading in and out quite a bit there during the last couple of chapters of the book and he really did feel ready for a nice refreshing nap now. And sleep really was one of the best things for you when you were sick.

These thoughts on his mind, on an instinct as he snuggled into his covers to prepare for sleep, Arnold reached up to the stack of Helga's pink books to grab one…but then quickly frowned and pulled back again, shaking his head to himself.

Helga, naturally, saw this whole little thing and had to raise part of her brow and question his confusing action. "Arnold, what was that just about?"

Arnold blinked, recalling her presence, and instantly blushed a little. He grabbed the notebook and quickly wrote on a new page and showed it to her.

What was what about?

Helga quirked her mouth to the side and looked at him with just a touch of suspicion now at this little note of denial, obviously aware that he knew perfectly well what she was talking about. "Uh…the going for one of my poetry books randomly, the hesitation, the look, the shaking your head…What's up with that?"

His message came quickly.

Nothing, Helga. I'm fine. I'll go to sleep now! See you later! :)

Helga blinked at the message, and then of course gave him a completely 'not buying it look'. "Arnold…" she pressed.

Her beloved swallowed, twiddling his thumbs. He then picked up the pen and wrote quickly (really, really not wanting to have to explain himself…and especially not right now and in his current state),

Helga…I'm tired and I wasn't thinking…It's okay. I promise.

"Arnold," his girlfriend began again in a very firm tone, rolling her eyes (and totally hooked at this point), "Just spill already because you know I'll get it out of you one way or another…"

Arnold hesitated a second longer…but then sighed, realizing how futile it was trying to keep things from her. He grudgingly grabbed the notebook and pen again and reluctantly wrote something down. He showed her the first part of his small confession (the part that was most embarrassing to him).

Sometimes…to fall asleep I…kind of like to sleep holding one of your pink books. It makes me…happy…And it makes me feel like I'm with you…And that's what I was reaching over to do just now: grab one to hug as I fell asleep.

Arnold looked to her sheepishly, his natural modest and shyness fully kicking in right now.

He watched as his love just looked at him with wide, interested eyes for a moment…and then she said the first words to come to mind. "Wow, you really took that time I said to 'just soothe yourself with one of my pink books for the rest of the night' seriously, didn't you?" Arnold, feeling even more sheepish for a moment, was about to say something to try and smooth over his little eccentricity of his, but paused as over the next few seconds a distinct blush crept into Helga's cheeks and she smiled. Her arms then went behind her back and she dug one of her feet into his carpet. "You…You really like my poems that much, Arnold…?"

Arnold blinked at the question, and then blushed and smiled himself and nodded shyly…and wrote very simply to her,

They make me feel…loved. And they're beautiful. Just like their creator... I can't think of a single reason not to want them by my side when I sleep each night and have to be apart from you until the next day.

He was very shy about writing all of that but he knew knowing it would make her feel good and besides…it was the truth of course.

Helga blushed a lot right along with him at reading all of that…However, she decided to save the swoons and the monologues and the poems it was sure to bring on until later, and for now to just focus on the situation at hand (especially since it was almost time to let her beloved have his rest). She looked at him shyly but curiously and shrugged. "O-Okay, so…what's the problem...? I-I mean, why didn't you grab one just now and why did you look kind of sad?"

Arnold sighed (a little bit of that frown he'd had returning) and wrote a new note, explaining the rest of his little confession.

I haven't been able to sleep with one for the last two nights because I didn't want to get them full of germs…and now even though I'm a little better I still have germs and also I've been near strawberries… and I never want anything bad to happen to any of them…or to you if you touched them after I touch them now.

Helga just looked at him after reading his explanation, her face a mix of surprise and happiness…And then without another word she went forward, leaned over him, grabbed the top pink book from the pile and shoved it into his hands. His eyes went wide and he almost dropped the book but she pushed it more firmly between his palms. "Arnold," she explained simply and with a smile, "Nothing you ever did could ever ruin anything of mine. And anyway you're getting better, like you said, and even if you do still have some germs I already explained that I'm practically immune now, and as for touching the strawberries and then touching my pink books…" She had to raise part of her brow in amusement and smirk a little, "Well, darn it, I guess that means I can't munch on a volume of my love poems anytime soon."

Arnold smiled…he had to smile. She was so funny and clever and brilliant and good at making him happy that he really could not help it. And then a little idea came to him and he took the pink book she'd given him, pulled back his covers, laid it down on his bed and then placed part of his sheet over it so that he could still cuddle with it, but it would at least have a little barrier of protection just to keep his conscience from worrying about it too much. He looked back at an intrigued looking Helga and mouthed one word to explain his actions now. 'Compromise?'

Helga chuckled warmly at his solution and nodded her approval. "Okay…you sleep next to my pink book like you want to, but keep it under a sheet just in case…" She gazed at him, her eyes half lidded, and took another step toward the bed…rather excited actually that this little afternoon together was coming to it's close…(after all, who said that just because they'd done the snack and the book…meant that's all she had in store for this technical date). "Well, I guess I'll leave you to your rest, my love…" But then, rather than giving Arnold a little wave goodbye (as he had expected and had been prepared to reciprocate)…she instead leaned as far over him as she possibly could now…with a very distinct smile and half lidded look…all of which caused the slightly sick ten-year-old boy in question to swallow. Hard. She cooed her words in a romantic whisper (happy that he'd eaten all the jam out of the jar so that he could have NO problem now with her getting this close to his bed). "Yes, I'll leave you to your rest…but not before I…give you a much deserved goodnight kiss, of course…just as you gave me…only since no one can get sick anymore…I figured we could make it a goodnight 'make out' instead? What do you say?" She winked, looking down at her love as coyly and flirtatiously as possible. Yes indeed, Helga, was very happy that they could finally really be intimate again with no risk to either of them (she was immune and Arnold was already sick so what could be the problem?) 'Oh my darling…finally once more we can express our love not just in words and looks…but with passion and touch as well…' Her eyes were closed and she was slowly leaning in more and more and…

But sadly all of Helga's effort and hopes were only to result in her eager little mouth meeting something firm and cool that was definitely not the lips she so craved! A confused (and disappointed) Helga G. Pataki opened her eyes to see a wall of familiar pink and realized, with a blink, that she was kissing the back of her pink book? She pulled back, a bit wide eyed to say the least, only to see the pink book (currently being held up in front of his mouth by both hands of her beloved, actually) now dropped to the bed upon which Arnold wrote a single word on a new piece of paper and showed it to her…that firm, stubborn look returning to his eye yet again this afternoon.

Strawberries.

It took her a second to figure out what it meant…but when it did (after she saw Arnold's firm eyes travel in the direction of the empty toast plate and empty jam jar) Helga's jaw instantly dropped and she let out a flabbergasted sigh and rolled her eyes, sitting up and putting her hands on her hips. "Oh come on, you CAN'T be serious, Arnold! You won't let me kiss you because you ate some strawberry jam? Crimeny, we haven't had a passionate lip lock in like FOUR DAYS—I'm dying here, Arnold!" She smiled just a bit dreamily again, doing her best to pour on the charm and flirting once more. "I miss your arm around me and our hands in each other's hair and all those sighs and trying to catch our breaths and how it's like our lips are two puzzle pieces that fit only each other…Don't you?" She batted her eyelashes just a little for fun. "Don't you miss…things like what we did on your roof last week, Arnold?" She even threw in a little giggle for effect.

Helga's hopes rose at first as she saw a touch of a blush come up into her love's face…but then her hopes were quickly dashed as he swallowed hard but he still looked at her firmly, and this time shook his head to boot.

Helga felt such a wave of frustration pass through herself! She really almost wanted to scowl, yell "FINE! GET BETTER SOON! BYE!" and storm out of there all ticked off…but…but she knew that response wasn't called for or appropriate or fair…She knew he was kind of right, at least about the strawberries thing even if the germs didn't matter anymore. And the last thing she needed was the embarrassing experience of explaining to her mother (who knew she had been making strawberry jam for Arnold and who also knew that she had been very careful with going about it) why she was coming home covered in hives if Arnold had been the only one of the two of them eating the jam in question…and why the hives were all over her lips. So, yes, Arnold was just looking out for her and loving her and trying to keep her safe right now…just like she had been doing for him in her room the other day with her insistence that he not get too close for fear of getting him sick.

And so in the end, accepting all of this, Helga finally nodded in defeat at Arnold and let out an understanding sigh. "Oh, alright, Arnold…No making out…I get it…and thanks for caring that much." She looked at him with a sincere smile. "Your conscience really is one of your cutest traits, my darling…" She let out another sigh, this one a bit more girlish. Yes, she could wait…she could always wait just like she had waited during those six years of friendship/bullying for the first taste of his lips, she remembered now, as long as her beloved was with her in the end. And they could still hang out and be together and close, and that was the most important thing even if they couldn't slobber all over each other with kisses or something just yet.

Arnold smiled at her understanding and acceptance of the situation (and felt very very VERY grateful that she hadn't pressed for things too much more…After all, turning down a flirting Helga G. Pataki who had her lips puckered wasn't exactly a skill of his.)

But then just a tiny bit of her playful smirk returned to Helga G. Pataki's face, and she shifted from her place on the edge of Arnold's bed to hovering over him once more. He managed to maintain the firm gaze…though a nervous gulp of course couldn't help but escape him. She spoke (and with that coy little grin that he knew was trouble). "Well then…as long as I'm still here and we've been missing each other, could you and I maybe 'compromise' by letting me do other things with you as long as we have some alone time again…?" She reached out and delicately walked her fingertips up one of his arms… leaning in closer and lowering her voice to a whisper. "You know I love anything that involves you and me touching, Arnold…even if it can't include our lips…or at least your lips, my little strawberry jam lover…Luckily mine can still play a role though…" Finishing her fingertips' little stroll up his arm and shoulder and practically neck she then leaned down the rest of the way and gently finished in a coo… "I'll just have to be…creative…" before just brushing her lips softly against his ear.

Helga pulled back a little to admire her flirting handiwork and had to try very VERY hard not to burst into laughter at the sight of how wide Arnold's eyes were at the moment and how scarlet with blushing his face was. His little jaw was even dropped and he was gripping his blankets in his little fists so tightly that his knuckles were almost white. 'Got him…' was all she could think to herself triumphantly, 'Got him SO bad…' She smirked...and crossed her fingers that he would give her a go ahead sign…

And indeed, images and feelings and daydreams were currently flying through Arnold's head of his eager Helga suddenly flooding him with her doting affections… He wanted it very much. VERY much.

But he gulped once more…and slowly his reasoning and conscience came back into control. 'B-B-But…' his considerate and caring little mind managed to hold out with, 'Still…the laryngitis…and then if she went for my lips anyway…' He let out a breath and decided to be firm at ALL costs. 'No. Her safety…is a LOT more important than kissing…W-We can kiss and stuff again later when I'm better. But not now…For now I'm just happy she's here…and that she's better. And that's enough for me.'

Helga, meanwhile, was still just sitting there waiting for a little nod or high sign from Arnold to let her know that it was okay to start peppering his entire head with doting kisses…until, with interest, she watched as he suddenly closed his eyes and with an obviously pained expression went for his notebook and pen again and scribbled down really quickly for her,

Helga…Nice try but you know and I know that something like that would probably lead to actual kissing…on each other's lips…which could make you sick again either from the strawberries or the laryngitis—there's always a chance. And even if it was just you kissing me and only using your mouth, there's still a small chance of you kissing part of my face where the jam touched and definitely still a chance of you getting my germs. So please…and I promise I'll never say or write this ever again but please don't touch me right now…It's getting really REALLY hard to keep putting your safety first…if you know what I mean.

He was blushing, once again in his life, about having to admit that he was actually having trouble controlling his romantic desires with her but if it would keep her safe and get the job done, it was worth the slightly embarrassing admission.

Arnold looked to Helga…who looked back at him at this point with a rather impressed look. And then she smiled and let out a sigh and stood up from his bed. "Arnold, you have some serious will power…and a serious moral conscience." She smiled more. "And even though part of me is finding that PAINFULLY frustrating right now…I accept it. And…thanks for having it, my love. As long as I've gotten to spend time with you today and made you feel a little better, I'm happy." She let out a little happy sigh. "Anyway, I'll get going now so that you really can take a nap and finish your tea and get better."

She then stood and scooped up her basket…but stopped once more before departing, put a hand on her hip and gave him as smirk as she announced, "But so help me, Football Head, when you're well again those lips of yours and the whole rest of your handsome, dashing, caring self had better look out!" She winked and then before Arnold could respond she hopped onto the bed, went forward and kissed him gently on the forehead, and then used this position to climb over him to get to the skylight once more, her now empty basket still in hand. She turned back to him as she started to climb up, anticipating his potential objections to what she'd just done. "And hey if you got to kiss me on the forehead the other day, then I at least get to do that much to you now to tide me over—See you in a few days, my beloved!" And with that and a wave she climbed out entirely, leaving Arnold alone.

…Yes, Arnold…who remained just sitting up in his bed, still blushing and wide eyed (and with a literally POUNDING heart) for several seconds more at all she'd just said…about what would happen when he really was better again…

And now an ear-to-ear grin exploded onto his face and then he chugged down the last of his tea, at the last few slushy bites of his snow cone and then collapsed deep into his covers with a dreamy sigh, closing his eyes tightly. 'She's right, I need my sleep…I have to get better as soon as possible!' Luckily the fact that he spent the better part of the night dreaming about getting to touch and hold and kiss her as part of their relationship again plus his happy thoughts and memories about what she'd done for him today were more than enough to tide him over for now.

ROUND 2

"Mmm…" The sound of this feminine moan prolonged over a few seconds.

Then the sound of a very familiar sigh through a very familiar football headed person's nose.

And then the delicate sound of lips separating.

The two ten-year-olds who were the sources of the sound effects in question took a few heavy and happy breaths and then proceeded to release their varying grips from around each other's bodies (Arnold having had one arm firmly around Helga's waist and the other gently around her upper back, and Helga having had one hand on Arnold's shoulder and the other pulling through one side of his hair)…and then both shifted just a little to either side on a certain red couch, smiling in utter contentment.

"Football Head…" Helga finally managed after a second or two more, collapsing back against his couch and feeling herself practically shivering in happiness, her hands upon her knees. "I think I might be starting to love the intentional make out sessions even more than the spontaneous ones…especially when some stupid germs make us hold out on each other a little for a few days…" She looked to him, a giggle escaping her, and her heart still fluttering like mad from the last ten or fifteen or twenty minutes…or a hundred minutes…a thousand minutes… (time kind of got irrelevant when she was kissing Arnold) of the two of them just coming up here for their first official date after being sick, sitting on the couch next to each other…fully realizing that they were finally free to be as intimate as they pleased yet again in their lives…and then with barely any pretense taking the initiative to move right along to leaning close to each other and holding each other and kissing tenderly at first…and then maybe with a bit more fervor as time had gone on (that was when the hands had really started to come into play)…and then going back to the tender with small kisses even though their lips never really stopped touching…and then something passionate happening again…and then just now just holding each other close with one last perfect piece of their current kiss until they had pulled apart so gently…just in need of a few full breaths of air and the chance for their pounding, racing, bursting hearts to calm down a little before they exploded in utter delight.

The two of them had never had a date so far in their relationship that was entirely just kissing. They usually kissed at the end of their dates and sometimes kissing happened during their dates spontaneously but never until now had they gone up to Arnold's room, sat down together, and suddenly embarked on their afternoon with the sole intention of just making out until it was time for dinner. But with the little intimacy gap in their relationship from their bout of shared illness…when the idea had struck them here and now…it had been, of course, far too appealing to pass up…

About a half an hour ago…

TAP TAP TAP

Arnold Shortman, reading a Purdy Boys book on his bed, glanced up at the light tapping sound coming from overhead...and a smile came to his face at the sight of the a very familiar figure who was currently giving him small smirk and a friendly little wave hello through his skylight.

Said skylight was quickly opened by the other party in question while Arnold shifted aside to give her space to climb down to his bed, and so Helga G. Pataki now began to descend into Arnold's room in her usual way (and, Arnold noticed, she was looking just as well as the last time they'd had a real date (when he had been sick), and thankfully just as well as he himself felt now too).

"Hiya, Football Head!" she called down over her shoulder as she went down the steps of the ladder to his bed. "All psyched for our date?" She was still grinning at him over her shoulder (taking in that endlessly pleasurable sight of seeing his face light up at the mere entrance of her presence into wherever he might be) which explained why, on the second to last step, her foot just missed where it should have landed, causing her to slip and a little squeak of surprise to escape her mouth as she suddenly fell back upon his mattress and blankets with a plop. "OOF!" She sat up, blinking a few times and trying to act nonchalant about her little faux pas. "Heh, heh…" she smiled sheepishly at him and shrugged. "Not exactly my smoothest landing, was it? Oh well…At least I did it now and not last month or something when we were just starting out—it feels much less dorkier when you're part of an established couple with a one month anniversary on the way, you know?" She stood up, still half smiling and blushing just a little in her slight embarrassment and winked at him (and indeed Arnold and Helga's one month anniversary was coming up fast…and since this time around Helga knew she wouldn't have to blow the first couple of hours of it on convincing Arnold that he wasn't going to 'destroy her by kissing her or something', she was rather excited about what that magical night together would have in store for them).

Meanwhile, Arnold's smile quickly went from happy to goofy as he stood up as well and took a step or two toward her…finding her little footing error just now very adorable to say the least. "Hi, Helga…" he replied warmly, "Yes, I'm 'psyched' for our date." He chuckled a little. "Been looking forward to it all day, actually…just as much as I'm looking forward to our one month anniversary too of course…" He put his arms behind his back shyly and added, looking at her with his half lidded gaze…. "It's those things that make every spitball and water fountain squirt and insult in school everyday all completely worth it, after all." He winked and then reached out and took one of her hands, raising it to his lips to give the back of it a lingering peck 'hello'…and also mentally swearing to himself for about the billionth time ever since eating her jam that he would never, never, NEVER eat strawberries ever again! No fruit was worth not being able to touch her with his lips…Nothing was worth that consequence.

Helga just gave a small giggle at his gesture, and gazed at him lovingly. "Thanks for the little 'hello' peck…And glad to hear you're still looking on the bright side about all of this pretend bullying, paste for brains…or, since we're off the clock, my perfect little love god."

She noticed a blush come to his goofily smiling features as he gently ended his kiss and released her hand and stood up straight again, giving a small, dazed chuckle at her little pet name/insult joke. "Uh…" he did his best to find a coherent train of thought again after how lost in small daydreams the idea of being the 'love god' of the most incredible girl in the world always made him get. "W-Well, um, have a seat Helga..." He cleared his throat and finally managed to recall and gesture over to his familiar red couch…upon the end tables around which were a plate of cookies and some Yahoo sodas.

Helga's eyes traveled over in the direction indicated and then brightened at the sight of the little snack he'd made up for them today. "Mmm! Wow, Football Head, those all look really yummy. Heh, yay for getting to eat solid foods and soda again, right? Thanks, my love!" She winked and tapped his nose lightly with her index finger and then went over and sat herself upon one end of the couch, taking and quickly eating a warm chocolate chip cookie (all the while daydreaming of her love baking it for her earlier… Of course, in her head he was wearing a 'Kiss the Cook' apron and putting special ingredients into the batter like 'one cup of love!' but, hey, she could dream couldn't she?)

Arnold, meanwhile, still across the room at his bedside, just let out a slightly lovesick sigh as he watched her sitting there one his couch right where she belonged, smiling and eating one of the cookies he and Gertie had baked earlier that afternoon. "Good one, Helga…solid foods and soda…" He gave a warm little chuckle at her always adorable sense of humor and then finally walked across his room as well, sitting himself on the opposite end of his couch and taking a small sip from a Yahoo soda. He was happy that Helga liked the snack he'd prepared them…and also just really happy she was here in general. It was nice to be together again without being afraid of possibly hurting each other either with germs or strawberries…Certainly, they'd snuck in a few intimate moments over the last day or so that they had both been in school again (a quick passionate kiss behind the dumpster at recess, Arnold pretending to have dropped his fork on the floor in the cafeteria and crawling under Helga's table right next to his and giving her hand a surprise kiss, Helga insisting on slamming into (and thus falling on top of) him as shortstop whenever she was running from second to third base in baseball practice, etcetera, etcetera), but this was the first actual solid, one-on-one date they had had time for ever since the laryngitis thing. And between that fact and the general feelings of anticipation that usually built up within Arnold between the hours of 9 am and 3 pm five days a week due to Helga acting like she couldn't stand to be near him and him having to patiently ignore her antics as per usual…he had been secretly extra eager for this afternoon together today…Yes, something about having to tone things down between them in their private lives for a few days (when their public lives were already enough of a romance-free obligation), and now having complete freedom to tone them right back up…something about it couldn't help but pique Arnold's interest. There was something very…very, well…he had to mentally admit the word 'attractive'… about the whole thing, really…

Both kids were now just kind of smiling to themselves and blushing a little on the red couch, Arnold now finished sipping soda and Helga done with her cookie…the two of them just enjoying the warm, content, loving silence between them.

Arnold was the one to gulp a little and speak first (making sure to scooch just the tiniest bit closer to his girlfriend as he did so, of course…) He looked to Helga out of the corner of his eye. "So, Helga, u-um…a-as for our date today…my grandparents are probably going to be in and out running some errands until dinnertime so we can't listen to any more stories from them or hang out with them today…a-and, um…I know Gerald and Phoebe have stuff with their families all afternoon…a-and the boarders are always busy with their own things…A-And, um…I didn't get a chance to make any specific plans for us, so…" he gulped again, and then finally asked her, "…since it's just us here today, what do you think we should do together…?" Even though, being a gentleman, he didn't want the question to sound suggestive or forward, Arnold couldn't help feeling like it had nonetheless, which made him blush…(though he had to admit to himself at the back of his mind that part of that blush was also because…thinking about it now…he kind of like the idea of what such a potentially suggestive comment might be suggesting.)

Helga, who had been absorbing her love's words very carefully from her end of the couch, just blinked at him asking her that simple question…and tried not to blush completely at the intimate images that tended to flood her mind in regards to the idea of what she and her beloved could do together. She cleared her throat a tiny bit, feeling a familiar rosy heat starting to build in her cheeks, and responded shyly, just glancing at him as well and now crossing her legs and resting her hands together upon one of her knees. "Well, um…the possibilities really are endless, I suppose…Guess, considering the situation…us being kind of on our own today…we could do…anything we wanted, really…" She looked to him just a little more…and shifted herself just a smidge closer to him.

Arnold glanced a little more back…shifting a bit closer to her yet again. "O-Oh…right…Anything, really…I mean…" he tried not to smile too much, "…We could do homework or listen to music…"

Helga nodded, scooching in nearer to him again. "Yeah…or watch a movie or just talk…" Her eyes were getting more half lidded and her grin was picking up more and more on one side… '…Or just wrap ourselves around each other and never let go…' She gave a girlish internal swoon at the idea.

"Y-yeah…" Arnold managed, feeling his heart pounding a thousand miles an hour at this point. "Or, um…" he racked his brain for other things to do besides the (at this point obviously) inevitable…but brief memories of that feeling of her soft lips passionately and tenderly engaging his own that he hadn't really felt in so many days…flashed through his mind…. 'I really…really really want to…' "…Or read some poetry or play a game…." he managed to tack on further, still more wrapped up in his daydreams and fantasies about the girl beside him than anything else. He gave a small, happy, lovesick sigh. 'It's really great having a girlfriend, isn't it?…' He shifted even closer, not even trying to make it subtle anymore.

Helga giggled in response to that lovesick look upon his features and nodded, continuing the game…and shifting distinctly closer too (they were hip to hip now). "…Or tell some stories about the good old pre-confession days or…Aw heck, Arnold…" the ruse was getting ridiculous at this point, "What're some other thing we always do to distract ourselves from what we always…really want to do…and especially when we…really haven't gotten a chance to fully indulge in it in so many long days…?" She leaned in close, gazing into his eyes, her voice falling to a seductive whisper as she finished speaking.

Arnold felt a shiver of anticipation go through him at her confirmation that she saw where they were headed just as clearly as he did… He swallowed, taking in her proximity. "Oh, uh…I guess go to Dino Land might be another one…" he managed to come up with, with a dazed smile…and then went on, leaning in a little himself…trying to make his goofy voice go just a little sultry and deep for her as he added, "But, uh…if you wanted to skip the distractions, c-considering the situation, a-and go right to, uh…the…uh…" He felt almost at a loss for words…so close to her…the most perfect girl in the world…She'd taken care of him and he'd taken care of her and now…this was like their reward or something. A really really good reward.

"Right to the main event, hot stuff?" Helga's voice broke through his thoughts…as did the fact that she had shifted her body as close to his as possible now so that they were almost nose-to-nose.

Arnold blushed like crazy at how she'd chosen to finish his sentence...but just decided to go with it! 'Hot stuff…' Oh yes, he could live with that. He swallowed again and then summed up his courage, giving her a coy half smile and moving forward the last little sliver so that their noses really were pressing together now. He raised an eyebrow playfully and asked 'innocently', "Are you talking about us deciding to have a date that's just…just me maybe holding you and you maybe holding me, and us…the whole time…doing…you know…?"

"Say 'kissing' Arnold…" she smirked and giggled, her half lidded eyes locked onto his half lidded eyes, "For crying out loud we're ten and also we've already done it about a million—"

"I-I was going to say 'making out', actually…" Arnold didn't flinch at all despite how blunt his observation was, though his blush did grow rosier. "B-but, if that's too much…I mean…um…" his conscience of course had to add quickly, "I just want to make sure I…well, you know even though I want to respect your feelings and your d-desires, Helga, I still want to be a gentleman a little bit and—"

Helga, meanwhile, had taken a wide-eyed breath at his unexpected forwardness…but then she just grinned eagerly, instantly cutting him off. "Finally, you get it, Football Head! A kiss—please!" She rolled her eyes to the side, their noses still pushed together. "What we manage to do together when we try is about a million times better..." She then gently brought up one of her hands and rested it behind his head, and proceeded to slowly and artfully run her fingers up through his hair here and there…watching his back arch and feeling and savoring every slight twitch and tremor that went through him at her touch. She let out a lovesick sigh right by his lips as she finished, just letting her hand rest buried in his cornflower locks. "Sheesh, you are one smooth talker, Arnold…Barely five minutes and you've got me on a couch and raring to go." A low laugh escaped her. "Ah, what a dream boat. The perfect guy…My Arnold…"

Arnold gave her a small smirk (now finally just barely coming out of the slight euphoria that feeling of her fingers pulling through his hair like that just now had given him), and then hesitantly, shyly, he brought his arms up and around Helga's body, pulling her in flush against him (and making her spin in delight inside). "Helga," their lips were close enough to feel the inviting warmth radiating from each of their mouths, "…are you going to keep telling me I'm perfect or just pin me down and kiss me already?" he asked in a quiet voice…making sure to include just a touch of that roughness and aggression buried deep under his mild-mannered surface. He did know what she liked, after all.

Helga's eyes lit up at the wonderful question and she didn't think twice. She brought her other arm around his shoulders and neck and went forward and kissed his soft mouth, and felt him instantly start to kiss her back, holding her as tightly as he ever had in those hundreds of random hugs he'd given her throughout their lives…the two of them just kissing each other for however long they wanted on this lovely afternoon.

'Could anything ever be more perfectly blissful than this…?' was Helga's last thought before she no longer had much capacity to think…

Still in the flashback…perhaps ten minutes ago from the present…

Not that these small little kisses they'd taken to after first just kissing each other lightly and then increasing the pressure of their mouths against each other until their lips had been almost numb (but certainly not in need of a break from the current action in which they were employed) weren't fun, but Helga, her eyes still closed just as her beloved's were, could feel herself pulling back a little toward the strategy of one continuous kiss and she could feel Arnold doing the same. She firmed up her hold around his head and shoulders and eased into just pressing her lips against his permanently again. She felt just a bit of hesitation come from him at the sudden change at first…so for once she consciously let herself moan a little…the only way she could think of to assure him that the shift was okay and to ease him into it without separating their mouths… "Mmm…mmm…"

An involuntary shudder then went through Helga as she processed Arnold's response to her making that sound she knew he found so appealing: his hold on her had tightened and then suddenly he had pushed his mouth against hers with quite a bit more force than he had so far in this little make out session. And for a moment now her heart just oscillated in bliss as it processed with her fully once more in her life that her Arnold…the one boy she'd always loved…wasn't just kissing her, but kissing her like this…like grown ups kissed, like people completely in love for life kissed…and obviously loving it if his enthusiasm was any indic—

And then suddenly Helga became aware of the fact that while Arnold's grip around her waist had tightened considerably, his grip around her upper back was actually loosening a bit…creating a kind of fulcrum…making it so that he was actually leaning her back on the couch…and now, to top it off, he was moving forward to lean himself over her...and maybe eventually on top of her… 'Well, well, well…' she thought to herself with a mental little smirk, 'Looks like the idea of 'laying down with me' is still going strong in his mind's dark little subconscious, isn't it?' She completely let him keep going with what he was doing to her…After all, being held in his perfect arms was a heavenly enough experience…and the few times so far in their relationship that he had really started to get all over her while they kissed were wonderful beyond compare…but having him become so consumed by passion that he had to actually climb on top of her (just like that time he'd dove at her on her couch during their first date)…now that just ranked as total emotional and physical ecstasy in Helga G. Pataki's book.

Helga felt herself shifted past the half way point of being laid down by her beloved so that now, rather than being able to support the majority of her weight, Arnold had to do it…and his hands were already starting to press into the arch of her back as she felt herself go more and more vertical…

But then, there was a sudden and very distinct hesitation on his part, to say the least…and actually for a moment the pressure and movement of his lips stopped and a rather confused Helga seriously thought he was going to break the kiss. She was about to open her eyes to see what was up…

…When his kiss returned (though noticeably much gentler and shyer this time) and she felt him slowly pull her back upright and now go back to the way they had started out kissing…lovingly and tenderly but not at all 'insanely'.

Arnold was the only one doing the kissing though for a good ten or fifteen seconds as that was how long it took Helga to stop feeling torn between confusion at his strange action hesitation and just feeling like limp, lovesick putty in his arms at nearly having Arnold on top of her for a kiss for the first time since that deep passionate one he'd given her in her room after admitting his whole desire to lie down with her in the first place. Eventually though she did get it together and refirm her grip around his neck and shoulders, angling her head in tune with the way he was angling his.

(Needless to say, this whole little scene from their making out more than answered Helga's initial question about what could be more blissful than just the simple opportunity of kissing Arnold).

Back to the present…

Helga came out of her reminisces at the sound of Arnold chuckling at her observation about the intentional versus the spontaneous make out sessions, his arms crossed over his chest and just half grinning to himself in amusement. "I…like the intentional ones a lot myself, Helga…" He was blushing furiously (darn modesty streak still having that effect on him as always) but regardless he was making eye contact with her and even almost talking to her with a casual tone right now despite admitting something so intimate. He continued, shyly placing his hand atop hers on the couch between them and squeezing it a little, playing with her fingers… "…I-I mean…knowing that we're going to and that we want to, and then just…doing it…f-forever…" He let out a very deep breath and looked at her so lovingly for a moment that she thought she was going to melt right on the spot… He blinked then like he'd just realized something and suddenly his hand came up to the top his head. "Oh, do you see my hat anywh—" Arnold stopped as the object in question met his eyes courtesy of Helga having picked it up off the floor with her free hand…and smirking quite a bit at him.

"Here you go, lover boy," she announced, popping it back upon his head. She let out a sigh, marveling at him in happiness for a moment. "I do love how nothing can get that thing off your head but one of my kisses, Football Head…Though, sheesh, I don't even remember when it happened this time…" She giggled and blushed a little at the admission.

Arnold blushed and smiled more too, and then just gave a shy little shrug. "Well, it makes sense that it ends up on the ground half the time…and that we don't even realize it until later…Those kisses of ours can get a little crazy sometimes…" He squeezed her hand a little more, unable to look her in the eye for his shyness and modesty and yet still smiling and smiling, going on and on... "I-I mean, you just grab my whole head and pull it into yours until my lips are almost numb, and then I keep slowly forgetting the whole gentleman thing you're not a fan of anyway, and just…I—"

Helga was preparing to say something cute and flirtatious back as soon as he was finished with his little description of their physical expressions of love…that was, until Arnold suddenly hesitated in speaking at this point. She looked at him a little curiously and noticed a slight look of worry come to her beloved's features. "Oh but…um…I…" his tone changed considerably, back to that of his shyer self, "…S-Speaking of some of the stuff that can happen with us when we kiss…I didn't h-hurt you or anything when I…" the blush grew stronger and he had to glance even more downward now, Helga more than noticed in her curiosity, "Well…I didn't hurt you or anything when I started to get a little carried away and almost, um…pushed you back on the couch…did I?" He managed to bring his eyes up and over to hers now, a genuinely concerned look on his face. 'I didn't mean to even do that! Laying her down on the…a-and almost laying down on top of…I-It's just…she's…and then when we kiss I…' the worry behind his thoughts started to melt into feelings of love… 'And then I…I love that feeling of our hearts beating against each other whenever we do end up pressed together…how she warms up when I hold her… And she's so soft to lay on…' He mentally sighed, realizing with full force how strange all of these thoughts in regards to Helga G. Pataki would have seemed to him a few months ago, or even a few weeks ago. 'I…am seriously learning some new things about myself lately, aren't I?' he couldn't help but observe to himself in amusement.

Helga, meanwhile, just blinked once at her love's concerned little question about his small aggressive moment in their making out…and then smiled. 'Hurt me?' She mentally scoffed. 'Oh yeah—pure ecstasy is just 'torture.' "Hmm…did you hurt me?" she asked out loud with a grin…a plan already laid out in her head. "Well, Football Head, let me answer that question in the following way…"

And then before Arnold could raise an eyebrow at this strange reply…she had suddenly gone forward, grabbed him by the shoulders and playfully pushed him back on the couch, resting herself on top of him with a smile. "You, uh…feel at all 'hurt' right now, Arnold?" She traced a single finger gently along the side of his wide-eyed head, finishing by twirling a single lock of his hair around a single one of her fingers…and then she topped it off with one of the giggles he liked of course.

Arnold just looked up into her eyes in panic for a moment more…

But then of course he smiled too and let out a deep, shuddery sigh, closing his eyes for a second as he savored sensation of that touch she had just given him. "No, I, uh…I feel…" he let out a happy breath, "Well, I definitely don't feel hurt, Helga…" His eyes fluttered open, gazing up at her.

"Thought not…" She chuckled, gazing down at him in return.

Arnold laughed as well, and just let himself get lost in looking at her for a moment and how doing so made his heart thump and thump and thump…And she was just admiring him as well. And then finally he just had to say something before all the feelings and joy inside of him caused him to burst and overflow with his love. "Helga…" his voice was airy and dreamy, "Did anyone ever tell you you've got the most…the most beautiful eyes in the whole world? They're like dark water or like…like the sky or something…but deeper…" He let out another shuddery sigh, at a loss for words…those eyes so wide and loving and close to his own. "They're just perfect…" he had to finish with.

Helga felt everything inside of herself flip and tingle and bubble at the compliment. Her smile just grew and grew and she looked down at her love god extra lovingly now…bodies and hearts pressed together. "Thank you, my beloved…" she replied with a blush, and then giggled again and added playfully and sweetly, "But, nah, your eyes are way better, Football Head…" She let out a sigh, taking in those perfect orbs before her. "The perfect shade of ocean green…like…like…" He was actually making her tongue tied at this point with his sweetness and closeness—a rarity for Helga G. Pataki.

"Like two green jelly beans…" Arnold began almost automatically from beneath her, recalling a line of hers from a poem in that first pink book, "Pools you want to…to, um…" He'd become more and more aware of his specific words as he had gone on speaking…and now he couldn't help but be a little stuck on that last part of the line, all things considered…

"Pools I…want to bathe in…" Helga finished in a whisper, blushing as hotly as Arnold was now and not making direct eye contact…a little, private smile on her face. "Sheesh, Football Head," she managed quietly in a joking tone, hoping to lighten the sudden awkward moment (made all the more awkward by the fact that their bodies were still in full contact). "Thanks for that fresh little bit of embarrassment…I think I've gotta be blushing as much as you…which is saying something considering how much more embarrassed and shy you get all the time than me. See what you do to me, my darling…" And then, to show him rather than just letting him continue to look at her rosy face and observe her apparent blushing himself (and also simply because she had decided that she wanted to), Helga closed her eyes and leaned down and gently rested her cheek against Arnold's…

…And Arnold's jellybean eyes went wider than they had ever gone (even wider than on FTi) at the sudden action…and at the fact that he really could feel a burning heat passing between their faces at the contact…Actually sharing a blush between them… He had to clutch at the fabric of his couch just a little, it was all so overwhelming…

"…And I really could, you know…just…just bathe in them…and let their color consume all of me…" she finished in the lightest whisper imaginable right near his ear then.

Arnold trembled…and then he felt…well, to be honest he felt, um…Well, lately, every once in a while, when something rather 'intense' was said or done between himself and Helga, this very weird, very intense, very hot squirm had been going through him and…not that it was a bad thing but it was something he'd never felt or even imagined feeling in his entire life. And, well, the idea of her…the color of his eyes…bathing…consuming….yeah, all of that was certainly doing the trick. He did his best to just swallow though and take a breath and do his best to handle this moment of poetic whispers and cheek touching and heat…and to avoid giving in to whatever that squirm was (or passing out from it). 'Just…deep breaths in and out…It'll be fine…'

And so with Helga very content and Arnold very paralyzed, the two children remained in their current position for several minutes, just resting against each other peacefully in the silence of the room, hearts racing.

Indeed Helga was so at peace she almost started to feel herself drift off into sleep…until she felt Arnold gently start to stroke her head and hair, that was.

Her eyes fluttered open and she lifted up her head a little. Her gaze turned to his with interest.

Her love was smiling up at her warmly (and feeling a lot calmer now…at peace, really, just like she was…). And, to help keep himself calm and at peace like he liked, he had decided to bring their love around to a more innocent topic again. He spoke quietly…still stroking through her pigtails a little (which were pretty limp at this point in their afternoon together). "Also…did I mention also how soft your hair is, Helga…and how it's the color of sunshine…" he connected some things, "…against your eyes like the sky…and the pink makes it all…" He seemed to be trying really hard to articulate himself correctly here. "Makes it all like…" he chuckled as something finally came to him, "…Like a sunset or something…You're like a sunset, Helga…"

Helga G. Pataki let the perfectly poetic compliment wash over herself for a second…let it thoroughly seep into and touch her heart and every part of her being…and then with the biggest smile ever she suddenly leaned her head against Arnold's chest, pushed her arms underneath him and with a happy giggle hugged him as tightly as she could!

Arnold blinked at her sudden and unexpected response to his compliment…but then just smiled again too and brought his arms around Helga to hug her back, snuggling his chin against the top of her head a little.

"Arnold…you're just…" her heard her begin, almost giddily. "You're just…the best!" She squeezed him a little more.

Arnold chuckled and gave her a little extra squeeze too, and was about to just let her know that she and her sunset-ness were welcome and to thank her for her own compliment back to him…but then he considered for a second, and then his eyes lit up with a better idea. "Actually, Helga…I think that 'we're' the best… Arnold and Helga…" He let out a sigh. 'Arnold and Helga…' Even their names sounded good together. If that wasn't a sign, then what was?

He heard her let out a goofy little giggle and sigh, and then finally she loosened her grip on him just a tiny bit and pushed herself up a little so that she could look into his eyes again. "Hey Arnold?" This was impulsive and silly and she knew it, but she was going to do it anyway.

He nodded, smiling back up at her. "Uh huh?"

She took a breath…

"Will you marry me?" she asked perfectly, simply.

Arnold's rosy face turned perfectly and completely bright crimson! Yes, there was part of his brain that of course knew that this proposal ('I just got proposed to…O-Okay, don't panic…heh…') was just something cute that she was throwing out there…But part of his brain was also very aware that if he did say yes to her and there was a way…that Helga G. Pataki would, as quickly as possible and with no hesitation, take them both down to the chapel (or rather the nearest justice of the peace they could find who could be bribed to wed two fourth graders) and become his…his w-wi…his wif—… his bride (needless to say Arnold, being only ten and also a guy, was still having a little trouble with the 'w' word sometimes) in a heartbeat. Not that that would a bad thing though…He'd more than admitted that to himself already… (heck he'd even been 'accidentally on purpose' adding his last name to her name half the time when he thought about her…not to mention the little side jokes about 'their kids' and pretty constant comments about them being 'together forever.') So…not that it would be bad if…if he said yes and…and they actually could get married (actually, ironically enough, he'd picked up something just the other week that would probably come in handy for something like that)…It was just a little intense.

But anyway the problem for him right now was that she had just asked a yes or no question. Will you marry me? And he couldn't say yes because even though it wouldn't be a bad thing, marrying her was of course something he could only see himself doing when he was older. But…to say no to her. That just felt wrong in so many ways.

Arnold let another second pass, thinking this problem over…and then smiled as the response came to him…the perfect response to her proposal. It was true, it felt right…He smiled even more and looked into her eyes as he addressed her (and he'd done so just in time as he could see a very small touch of hurt starting to come into her eyes, obviously due to his look of shock and severe hesitation in response to her asking for his hand). "Helga…my pretty Helga…don't you think that's a little unrealistic?"

Helga, taking in Arnold's reply, felt a small twinge of pain in her heart at how he'd chosen to respond to her question…though she kept smiling and of course couldn't find it in herself to be mad or upset with him. After all, it wasn't like she really had expected him to say yes and whisk her away to the docs to get hitched by Sheena's Uncle Earl for a quarter (hey, he was a boat captain, he often did things for the kids for a small fee…it could work! Or at least, that's what Helga always liked to assure herself whenever she was feeling particularly in the 'I do, I do, Oh I do…!' mood) Still, though, Helga couldn't help but feel a tiny bit sad since she was technically getting turned down by Arnold to have him be her husband forever at the moment. She let out an understanding sigh though nonetheless of course. 'As usual, my love has a point…getting married at ten-years-old and after barely being together for a month is pretty unrealistic and out there, even for me.' She almost smiled at how silly it all really did sound now that she thought about it, and was about to open her mouth and agree with him…when…

"I-I mean, I know you don't like me being too old fashioned about things, Helga, but…as a guy, before I say yes to something like that… I'd like to at least have enough money to get you a ring…And not just one of those 'fifty cent ones from a machine'…" he added with a chuckle and a wink, remembering one of the first times they'd ever talked about marriage (on her phone the night of their one week anniversary) and how she'd joked about him showing up at her door with one of those after he'd told her about his grandparents falling in love just like he and she had. He smiled more, waiting to see how she'd respond and hoping she'd be happy with his reply.

'Happy' did not even begin to adequately describe it. Helga felt everything inside of herself instantly swell in joy as his explanation of his initial response washed over her. The idea that he wasn't turning her down because he didn't want to be with her as much and as quickly as she wanted to be with him…but that it was just some silly bit of tradition and a concern for her holding him back…What a sweet way to…She let out a small chuckle and rolled her eyes, and then stretched her arms forward and crossed them over Arnold's chest, resting her head upon them. "Very funny, Chuckles…Okay, I guess we don't have to walk down the aisle right now…and I also guess I can't exactly get upset with you for wanting only the best for me, Football Head." Her tone became a bit more sincere. "You've really gotten me thinking lately that I really am worth it, you know…" She winked back at him.

Both children just smiled at one another, and the two of them remained like that in happy quiet for a second or two more…just savoring their togetherness.

Finally, breaking the silence yet again, Arnold let out a sigh, just looking up into Helga's eyes once more (and blushing a little at prompting things along). "So, um, Helga…we've still got quite a bit of time until dinner… What should we do next on our date?" He had a feeling of what she'd suggest but…no harm being a gentleman and making sure of course.

Helga let out a sigh and smirked a little, looking up in feigned thought, her arms still crossed over Arnold's chest. "Hmm…lets see…what should two preteens in love and on top of each other do…. Well, we already made out in varying ways, reconfirmed that we're attracted to each other, you waxed poetic for a minute, I proposed…" She looked into his eyes, still smirking a bit. "Did I mention we're in love and still on top of each other?"

Arnold took in the response, trying not to laugh the whole time. "More planned making out, Helga?" he finally asked with a pleased grin.

Helga shrugged, grinning right back at him. "Well, as long as you have no objections…I wouldn't mind a round two myself, Arnoldo…" She grinned at him playfully. "As long as you're up for it, of course."

Then she proceeded, not waiting for his answer, to reach up and grip his shoulders (which made Arnold gulp as he realized that meant that she was planning to stay on top of him as they made out this time… 'Interesting…heh…' ). "S-Sounds good to me, Helga…" he managed to stutter out as casually as he could (though he was blushing like mad the entire time of course…) Then he chuckled a little as he added, a joking glint in his eye, "But…if we're going to be going for almost half an hour again this time…can you try and kiss just a little less absolutely perfectly, Helga…? I'm just not sure how much more my heart can take, to be honest…and then if you're going to…stay on top of me…I'm worried that it might just explode." He glanced down with a shy little blush and grin.

Helga just blinked in amused surprised at this comment from him at first…and then smirked again. "Eh, tell your heart to suck it up, paste for brains… Besides, a little cardio never hurt anyone!" She chuckled at his cuteness…and at how she really could feel his heart fluttering away under her own. 'And all for me…' She gave a girlish internal swoon.

And though he was blushing like crazy yet again this afternoon, Arnold he had to let out a laugh as well as he looked up happily into her sunset face and replied sheepishly, "Yes, Mam."

Helga just let herself burst into a little bout of warm laughter at that response from him, and then when she was finally done she leaned in so that they were nose to nose and announced with an eager grin, "Ah, just pucker up, you big…" as she prepared to go in for the kill…

But then though, Helga hesitated…a thought seemed to occur to her…and then she glanced away from her beloved and just past him across the room now. "Oh, wait a second…" she looked back at him with a touch of concern and her mouth quirked to the side a little in worry, "Um…this might sound stupid and embarrassing but…should we maybe go downstairs for a second and let everyone know that we don't want to be interrupted…or go out to the roof again or something? I-I mean, just to prevent a repeat of what happened last time with your grandpa—whoo boy, heh…" The idea of another walk-in audience (and the sudden realization that had just come over her that it could have happened while they had been making out the first time just now) was very disconcerting to Helga, to say the least. She could handle the running gag that seemed to like to pop up in their relationship of occasionally getting caught by accident and surprise by someone they knew but she could NOT handle having the chance of someone bursting through the door dangling over her head the entire time she and Arnold were doing things together (it was bad enough worrying about her dad coming home sometimes when she and Arnold kissed in her room, but at least he followed a set schedule and Miriam usually came up the stairs before him to give the kids some warning (and Miriam herself always knocked, which was nice)…But to have to worry about one of the many members of Arnold's extended family popping up here at any moment in time? A total of six people who could see her intimately kissing and caressing her beloved? The very idea made her blush and gulp in total shyness. She opened her mouth again. "M-Maybe we really should move up to the roof or someth—" Helga had been about to push herself off of Arnold so that they could indeed relocate for their next make out session…but was stopped by the unexpected feeling of him catching her by the elbow. She looked back down at him with a blink. "Uh…what's up, Arnold?"

He was blushing…and smiling a little nervously…and looking away. "M..de…a...d…turb…sign…"

She blinked at his mumbles, not being able to make them out at all. "U-Um, sorry, Arnold…You'll have to speak up a little. I can't quite make that ou—"

"I…talked to my grandpa and made a…Do Not Disturb sign for my door…And I hung it up before you got here…" he finally admitted, avoiding looking at her eyes.

Helga's jaw dropped a little.

She remained quiet.

She blushed.

And then she went right back to resting fully comfortably upon her beloved Arnold…and smirked quite a bit smugly as she snuggled back into her comfortable position atop him. "Well, well, well…" she giggled, "…you've just got yourself quite a little preplanned agenda when it comes to me, don't you now, Football Head?"

Arnold felt a blush of embarrassment flower in his face. He spoke in a quiet voice, his small grin still there, knowing she'd never let something like this go but…it was worth having told her about the sign if it meant that she wouldn't have to get off of him even for a minute. "Helga…"

"Yes sir…" she just continued on with her grin, pushing her face closer so that they were nose to nose once more and she could look right at his shy, green little eyes as she went on, "It's official: I have fully corrupted you. All of Arnold's innocence, completely out the window. Gone, bye bye, so long. Nothing but raw, untapped, no holds barred, dark and bold passion remains!"

"Helga…!" That small smile of his was growing a little (right along with his blush), though he was obviously trying to fight both.

"Mmm hmm, TOTAL romantic deviant. A bad boy living on the edge…" She lifted her nose from his and brought up one of her hands to gently cup his chin, giving her the best access to his 'still trying to avoid her own' eyes as possible.

At her latest comment and action, Arnold just brought a hand to his temple and sighed.

Helga had one more up her sleeve and couldn't resist. "Parents, lock up your daughters…"

"Helga!" Now Arnold's eyes flew to hers freely and he couldn't control his smile anymore. The blush had long since consumed him by this point.

She just laughed warmly at him being all flustered like that, having known that last one would completely get him! "Hey," she started both defensively and playfully, "…you're the one who went and put a 'Keep Out, Everyone: I'm kissing Helga' sign on your door…and then practically tossed me back on the couch…" She moved her hand down to play with his collar a bit. "One could easily draw the conclusion that your intentions with me are growing just a little impure, Arnold..."

"Helga…" she heard him start to reply quietly though at least slightly less nervously than before. And then he brought up one of his hands to take the one of hers that was gently fumbling with the top button of his shirt (all the while trying not to think of how her doing that was probably a sign that she wanted him to take off his sweater again maybe…which he was willing to do, maybe, but he'd need a little more time to get used to the intimate act actually becoming a regular part of their time together…Hmm…maybe they'd even bring out the lip gloss again…He'd just let things develop naturally though for their second make out session…See where they went…After all, wherever it was, he knew he'd like it.). "M-My intentions with you are always completely pure…" He squeezed her hand and then looked up into her eyes with a loving smile, and finished sincerely and sweetly… "I would never take advantage of a lady…"

A flustered Helga blushed and giggled at being called that out of the blue. A lady. "N-No," she came back playfully, "…y-you'll just entrap me into taking advantage of you…shut up in here together, you and all of your cuteness…rejecting me last time because of those stupid strawberries. Crimeny, you're practically delicious sometimes, Arnold! I could just…" a daze came over her…She giggled more. "And then you called me a lady…" She felt all melty thinking about that…She'd called him her gentleman before but he had never called her his lady. She swooned a little.

Arnold just smiled more at her…and at her being so happy about what he'd called her. "Well, it's true you know…that you're a lady…" He spoke quietly, blushing more, still holding her hand. "A-And, I mean…" he shrugged, "…the other girls we know are nice but…I've never really known a real lady…and especially one as wonderful as you…" His heart fluttered more and more. "You're charming and strong and sophisticated and brave and creative and funny…loving and sensitive….um, playful…" He blushed a lot. "You're the best of everything, Helga, and you've never let anyone take that away from you…" He lifted up her hand… "A lady…" and he gave it a gentle kiss before releasing it. "And as for my door and the sign, well…" his loving smile/smirk returned, "Who could help but want the honor of kissing a lady…and kissing her in private…? I could only hope to be that lucky…"

His lovely Helga giggled and swooned again. He was doing that thing…that 'pouring on the charm' thing…And the things he said…If she hadn't already been doing so she would have collapsed on him in a lovely daze. "The 'honor' of kissing me…?" she managed to coo out… "Your lady…your princess…your love…?" She fluttered her eyelashes, gazing into his jellybean green orbs of warmth and eternal love.

"My precious, amazing and magical lady and princess and love…" he corrected her with a wink, talking to her romantically, and bringing up his other hand now to twirl the end of one of her pigtails around her fingers… "The only woman for me…." He meant it with all of his heart.

Helga's eyes lit up and her heart instantly fluttered, and she blushed a little self-consciously as she took in that continuation of his flirting. "Ooo, not just a girl or a lady anymore, am I?...I'm a woman now, huh?" she asked playfully (loving that feeling of him holding her hand and at the same time and playing with her hair…while she was on top of him…it was all so good). "You've got a real, secret hang-up on me as that, don't you, Arnoldo?" she went on, referring to all those little references he'd made to her as a woman that time on his roof a couple weeks ago when he'd recounted for her his thoughts and feelings during their first date.

Arnold just chuckled and blushed and didn't care about being embarrassed…never when he was with her…not anymore. "Helga…you completely stopped just being a girl in my head a long time ago…And just like with how I've never met a real lady before you…I never met a real woman either…or at least not a woman as…as womanly you…" He closed his eyes for a moment and let out a breath and just savored that perfect feeling of her gentle, long, light body still warming his own…right where it belonged. He brought his arms around her waist and back to hold her now, almost on instinct, eyes still shut. "I think it's because you're not just some…some schoolboy crush for me…You're the first grown up relationship I've ever had, and—"

"The 'first'?" Her playful interruption made his eyes flutter open to see her smirking, blushing, sunset face still hovering over his own. "Are you implying that there will be more—"

Arnold just held her a little more firmly before she could even finish posing the ridiculous question, pressing his hands against her back. "Hey, let me finish…" he joked playfully, and then went on. "You're the first grown up relationship I've ever head…and that makes me very happy because I can't think of anything more wonderful than actually turning out to be meant to be with the first person you've ever really loved and who's ever loved you…And so of course all of that makes you a woman to me...the only woman in the whole world to me…" He blushed a little more and added in his lower, more enticing tone of voice, bringing one of his hands up the length of her spine to rest it on the back of her neck."…And of course it adds to the whole woman effect the fact that…well…you're the most attractive female creature I've ever had the honor of laying my eyes on…"

"Arnold!" Helga squeaked out in surprise and fluster and practically jubilation at this point, only getting more and more blushy and giggling like crazy! "Stop the flirting or I'm just going to…I'll just…I'll…" She was all tongue tied yet again…and he was the only boy who could do it to her.

"Shh…" Suddenly a finger from that hand touching her neck was now upon her lips, and her love was still speaking in that tender voice, still looking at her so endearingly, "You don't have to say anything, Helga…Why don't we just…show each other how we feel instead, okay? Because, um…even though I'll always be a gentleman to a lady and a princess and a woman, my, um…my d-darker side has been waiting for and wanting a kiss for a little while now…. Think you're up to it, my beloved Helga?" Helga had never seen his eyes look so sultry.

She chuckled, cuddling her body into his so very happily while she blushed and blushed and blushed away. "Oh yes, of course… My prince, my knight in shining armor, my gentleman…the hunkiest most attractive male creature my eyes have ever feasted upon needs a little liplock fix…and the sign on your door does read Do Not Disturb…" She grinned down at him and grabbed him by his collar playfully. "So be an ange—er, my dark little romantic deviant and pucker up already, you big lug!"

Arnold, being a very accommodating young man, did as his guest desired without hesitation, of course.

And then with that Round 2 of Arnold and Helga's making out commenced.

(And if there was one thing that was better, Arnold decided, than almost laying on top of Helga again in his life as he kissed her, it was of course having her actually lay on top of him again in his life as she kissed him!)

OLDER WOMEN/USED GUM

"Hey Arnold?"

'M-Maybe I should just ask her if she wants to kiss…Or maybe I should just wait until it happens naturally…Or maybe I should just surprise her…'

"Arnold?"

Helga's voice broke through Arnold's lovesick little thoughts at her second address to him and now he glanced up and over at her from his couch (which he had been reclining upon) toward his bed (which Helga had been reclining upon), using his remote to turn down the music which they had been listening to a little so that he could hear his girlfriend (who had been here with him just hanging out and spending time together today) better. "Yes, Helga?" he asked with a smile

He heard Helga let out an average sigh and for a moment let drop the pen she had been using to write in a pink book. She shifted on his pillows and glanced at him with a grin. "Just out of curiosity…what's your deal with older women?"

Silence reigned for many many seconds.

"Uh…Arnold?" Helga went on, still grinning and smirking (and now completely putting aside her poetry writing and also very happy that she'd chosen to throw out to him this particular inquiry to spice up this relaxing afternoon they were having together). "You who—last I checked I asked you a question. You in there, Football Head?" She tried not to laugh.

And she had to keep trying not to laugh as her solicitation only brought a distinct and sudden blush to her beloved's already dumbstruck looking face. 'Wow, I did NOT think he'd freak out this much…Okay, I definitely picked a fun topic of conversation…' "Arnold…" she went on, still smiling, and now sitting up entirely on his bed. "Not that the blushing isn't cute but…can you at least try and speak? Last thing you want is for your face to freeze like that." She turned to face him entirely now and had to let out a small chuckle. "Besides it was a simple question… I just want to know what your deal was over the years with always going for older chicks?" She blushed and grinned more. "I mean, is it just some kind of guy thing or…"

"Helga…"

Helga had to let a few more chuckles escape her at the back of her throat at the flat way he announced her name…and at how he looked now laying back on his couch with his eyes closed, rubbing his temples. He continued, letting out a deep sigh to start. "Do you specifically TRY and come up with things to say that'll embarrass me like crazy or do they just come to you naturally?"

Helga had to roll her eyes and laugh at his dramatics. She crossed her legs, letting her palms rest on the top of Arnold's blankets on his bed. "Eh, it's a little bit of both…" she admitted with a proud smirk, but then looked at him and spoke seriously again. "But really though, Arnold, you have to admit, if you think about it…except for Lila, Ruth was older and Summer was older and, uh…" She rolled her eyes up and to the side innocently. "That day or two you were sick I might have spent with our best friends going to one of Gerald's poetry readings, and after it was over we all got to talking and joking around and he…might have mentioned to me about that crush you had on our substitute teacher, Ms. Felter, which got me to thinking about this in the first place….So, just wondering what the deal is, my darling? Why do insist on having your cradle robbed?" She laughed some more to herself and brought her eyes back to him.

"Oh…" her love began calmly enough, his eyes still shut as he still lay there on his couch, "So that's where this is coming from…Gerald told you about Ms. Felter…" Arnold sighed again and then Helga watched with interest as he finally opened his eyes, just looking up at the sky through the ceiling though instead of over at her. "Okay…" He was silent for a second or two more during which he seemed to consider some things and then she watched a half smile come to his face. "Helga, remind me to kill Gerald later, okay?" 'Great,' his thoughts went on, half in awkwardness, half in amusement, 'If they were talking about my past crushes, that probably means he also told her about…'

Helga just laughed at his cute little joke and shrugged, and cut off his thoughts. "Okay, Arnold, but either way I'm still curious about the answer? Call it a small fascination of mine—I'm not gonna force you to tell me or anything but if you wouldn't mind satisfying my curiosity…exactly how did you manage to get hooked on two almost teenage girls and someone who was probably practically 30?" She chuckled even more to herself for a moment, shaking her head at another piece of information she'd come to learn about recently. "I mean, I guess you balanced out the Ms. Felter thing by, uh, courting Gerald's little sister last month apparently (though I guess I should be grateful for that one since Gerald says it put the final nail in the coffin with your crush on Lila), but really, Arnold, I—"

"Two almost teenage girls?"

The sudden, curious question from Arnold cut off Helga and caused her to blink and then glance over at him with a mildly confused look. He was just sitting up fully on his couch now, his eyes a bit wide, and obviously anticipating an answer from her to his sudden little exclamation. She uncrossed her legs and crossed her arms over her chest now. "Uh, yeah…Ruth and Summer, just like I said…Two almost teenage girls. What, did you lose count or something?" She smiled and smirked a little bit again, letting out a nostalgic sigh. "Eh but even though you got crushes on them I guess I'm just lucky neither one of them was willing to put the moves back on your cute little self, huh? But you should know by now, Football head, that I decided a long time ago that no one's lips but mine were ever going to get anywhere near you if I had anything to say about it, and no girl was ever really going to snag you as her dating buddy but me!" A frustrated scowl came to her face for a moment and she even clenched her fists a little as she added, "Ugh, with Summer kissing your cheek at the beach being the only exception to all of that! Grr…I swear I could have wrung BOTH of your necks when I saw her grab you and do that from behind that beach umbrella!" She closed her eyes and let out a calming breath though, and when she opened them again her smile had at least returned somewhat. "But…that's all in the past. And after all I guess we're even since Brainy kissed me on the cheek that one time, and then of course there's the happy fact that I won your heart in the end, so we can move on!" She giggled and smiled warmly. "And that's part of why I love our relationship so much, my love—we've known each other our whole lives, so we know everything each other has been through. You know every detail of my love for you, and I know every detail of your love for me. We have a perfectly honest relationship, Arnold. And I love you so much for helping give that to us." She finished her announcement with the proudest and happiest look imaginable (and expected her love to smile and blush and agree with her of course…and maybe she'd even get some kisses!).

…But then her satisfied expression instantly deflated as her eyes were met with Arnold's face now bearing a look she had come to know all too well during a certain one week anniversary…and it gave her a sick lurch in her stomach. He looked…guilty. "Arnold…" she began in a hesitant voice, concern definitely overpowering her now. "Is there something you…have on your mind?" she asked cautiously.

Arnold, nervous, fully upright, and totally alert upon the edge of his couch, blinked at her question and felt a warm little twist of guilt go through him…about something he'd kind of been meaning to mention at the back of his mind but…had been putting off a tiny bit at how innocent it really was and how well things had been going between himself and Helga and how much he didn't want to rock the boat or make her upset under any circumstances if possible. But he cleared his throat and looked over at her, ready to tell her now. 'I might as well get it over with as long as the she brought up the topic…' "Um…Helga?"

"Yes?" the interested and wary girl across the room from him was obviously trying to keep her tone even.

He gulped, glancing shyly at her, and rubbed the back of his neck, trying to work out the best way in his head of putting this (since it always made him feel really shy and awkward talking about other girls to Helga, even if she never seemed to mind it too much and even if it really was such a tiny thing he was going to be bringing up). "If I…tell you something…will you promise not to do anything…extreme?"

Okay, now Helga was hooked. "Extreme?" She eyed him, not liking that word at all or what he might be getting at. "Extreme as in 'kiss you like crazy because I'll be really happy with you' or extreme as in 'dangle you off your roof ledge because I'll be really angry with you'?" She was half joking and half serious with this question, to be honest. In her defense though he was kind of concerning her here…and about…dating…being kissed? What if she really hadn't been his first kiss? Or date? She knew that shouldn't matter so much now of course since they were together and happy, and she had already long ago accepted that he'd had romantic feelings about other people before herself, but…still…something about the mystery and the unexpectedness of all of this was unsettling nonetheless. She…really did NOT like the idea of some other girl in the past having secretly been all over her beloved…or that Arnold had neglected to tell her about it. Not at all.

Arnold let out another breath, trying to take things seriously and not smile at her humor since he could tell by her tone and look that she really was not in the mood right now. "U-Um…probably…maybe the second one of those choices…but I'm more afraid you'll do it to someone else than to me, to be honest...heh…" He looked at her with a sheepish grin.

And now Helga was full blown, 'move it, bucko', 'out of my way, geekbait', 'I hate you, you stupid Football Head' scowling at him (which made Arnold gulp again…just as it had always had made him gulp over the years whenever she would turn that fiery, angry look upon him…Though he also noted, at the back of his mind, that along with the fearful gulp his heart started to pound a little faster at the idea of all of her anger…all that passionate anger just under her surface… He shook this strange feeling off though as Helga finally spoke again.) "Arnold…" she started patiently and simply, "What happened?"

Arnold took a deep breath…and then just went for it, doing his best to make it not sound like a big deal since it really wasn't…The bigger thing for him was that he hadn't told her about it yet…her, the woman he loved! Another twist of guilt went through him as his words commenced. "Well…you know I've been meaning to kind of mention this to you for a while but I've still been getting used to the idea of bringing up other people I've like-liked over the years around you, b-but…I don't feel comfortable not telling you, of course, so…" He finally spit it out, his eyes looking down. "At the beginning of the school year me and Gerald…were kind of talking to these two sixth grade girls one day…and we ended up being their dates to the sixth grade dance…so, um…we went and danced with them a-and then when it was over my date might have, um…k-kissed me…on the cheek, of course! But I-I haven't even talked to her since then so, um, this really shouldn't matter at all, heh…" he added firmly, wanting to make that point about that date being a strictly one time thing very clear. "And I'm sorry I took so long to tell you about it. I was just nervous, I guess…Sorry." And now, done with his little 'confession', young Arnold looked over at his Helga more than a bit sheepishly and with a ton of anticipation, waiting for her response.

Helga just looked at him in surprise for several seconds…several, several seconds of very thick silence. She couldn't be angry with him…right? And then Arnold watched in continued anticipation as Helga's first movement was that her eyes shifted down and to the side just slightly. "Name?" was the first and only word to come out of her mouth.

Arnold just blinked at that. "Huh?"

Helga sighed and shrugged a little. "Name, Football Head?" she repeated, now bringing her dull looking eyes to his. "I'd…like to know her name…The name of this girl you went on your first date with and who kissed your cheek and who you decided not to tell me about until now." Her glance fell to the side a bit again. "After all, she must have been pretty special to you for you to have kept her under wraps for so long."

Arnold absorbed the explanation…and then what it might mean…Why she'd be so curious about her name… 'Oh boy…' "Helga…" he started slowly, carefully, knowing how her temper could be, "Didn't I ask you to promise not to do anything extreme? And that includes to her just as much to me… Besides, she's not 'special' to me—it was just a stupid thing Gerald and I did once, and—"

"Oh, I'm not going to do anything 'extreme', Arnold!" Helga instantly cut him off with an eye roll. Then she brought her gaze back to his and elaborated on her plans. "I'm just going to kill her. Simple, quick, neat. That's all. I'm just going to put all of my scheming skills into taking out the girl who had the nerve to take you to a dance before our first time at a dance, and then on top of it all to put her lips on your face. Easy."

Arnold had to just give her a look and a slight smile. At least she was going back to sarcasm—that was a good sign. "Helga…" he began sympathetically.

Helga just gave an exasperated sigh and looked at him in annoyance. "Crimeny, THREE teenage girls!" She couldn't help but smile at him in confused amazement. "Really, what is it with you and older women, Arnold? I mean, really, from my standpoint over all of these years do you know how difficult it is to compete with chicks who are already wearing training bras?" She let out a breath and just shook her head, still with a slight grin on her face, despite her slight anger, at her beloved's strangeness. "Oh well, here's hoping the next few years are as good to me as the last few were to those three, you know?" And with that she casually reclined back on Arnold's bed again…thoroughly enjoying how brightly Arnold was blushing all of a sudden. 'Good—it'll get the little shrimp back for holding out on me as long as he did about this whole thing...' she thought to herself with a small smirk. Of course she wasn't seriously mad at him for some stupid sixth grade girl escapade…but no one said she couldn't make him sweat a little while she was working on expressing her forgiveness about him keeping it a bit of a secret all this time.

Satisfied with her chosen method of handling all of this, Helga stretched up and let out a refreshed sigh as she rested her hands behind her head and waited with a smile for Arnold to reply… After quite a while of looking at him and the hilarious (and blush soaked) expression of shock on his face though she had to raise part of her brow and prompt him a little yet again today. "Arnold…seriously…your face looks like you just slipped and fell into a pile of cherry snow cone. Speak, my love…You must have SOMETHING going on right now in that wide mind of yours…" She tried really hard not to laugh as she added casually, crossing her legs and looking at him a bit half-liddedly, "You…thinking about me older or something?"

That question made her love's frozen jaw drop just a little. It quickly closed though and then Arnold put his hands, folded together, upon his knees, moved his eyes away from Helga's and said very quietly and quickly (and obviously with the hope of moving their conversation along to ANYTHING else)… "I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about, Helga."

Helga had to let out a warm laugh at that response. She sat up again on his bed. "Oh yeah…" she insisted, loving teasing him and his modest little self about this, "Right now you're thinking about me older and with legs and a bombshell figure and finally being able to pull off a dress like the one Ruth wore last Valentine's Day…or maybe a little beach outfit like the one Summer had…"

"Helga?" came the simple, quiet call of her name from her still quite embarrassed and distressed looking beloved.

"Mmm hmm, Arnold?" she merely asked back with a smile.

He sighed, seemed to consider, and then spoke again. "If I, um…admit something to you, can we move on to something else…anything else…Please?" He still wasn't making eye contact.

Helga just shrugged, intrigued enough to want to see where he was going with this. And besides she really had no desire to bug him too much. "Whatever floats your boat…" She smiled. "Admit away, Football Head!"

Her shy looking little Arnold let out a breath, and then spoke steadily and calmly (with an every brightening blush as his words went on). "Okay, um…t-to be honest…I've…tried it before…thinking about how you might actually look…in the future…a-as a grown up. B-But, um...actually, it's always really hard for me to think of you as older because…" A little smile unconsciously picked up on his face… "…B-Because…you're already so perfect to me like this…so pretty and wonderful and perfect…that it's almost too much to think of the idea of you just getting even more perfect as we get older." His unconscious smile became a little dreamier, and his voice became tender and loving as he finished… "To be honest I could see you growing into one of the most beautiful women in the whole world…"

After saying these last words, Arnold remained lost in a daydream or two for several seconds, but then suddenly recalled himself and Helga's presence (as well as having just admitted to her that he thought about her as a gorgeous grown up woman sometimes) and then he quickly blinked and blushed and glanced away shyly and nervously, waiting for what she might say to all of that.

There was silence for several seconds.

And then Arnold heard Helga speak from across his room…and to his surprise it almost sounded like she had tears in her eyes. "Arnold…I…" His eyes quickly flew over to hers in concern and he watched with interest as Helga, still sitting in her place on the edge of his bed, just shut her eyes…and this strange smile came to her face. Then she tried speaking again. "Arnold…I…" a small, purely happy laugh escaped her and she almost shook her head a little in just plain amazement at what he'd just said…That she'd grow up to be…She felt so beautiful again in her life and all because of him. She went on, her smile only growing. "…I really wish you'd start giving me some warning before you go and say something that makes me feel like I'm just… Just your simple admirer, Oscillating in bliss, Your words the hands that hold my heart, The second lips of each perfect kiss…"

"Slow down a little please, Helga—I can't write that fast." A chuckle.

Helga's eyes flew open and her already fluttering heart went into overdrive at the sight of Arnold suddenly sitting beside her on the edge of his bed, smiling happily as he now took dictation into the pink book she'd been writing in before.

She smiled and giggled at the sight, barely having been aware while it had been going on that she had slipped into a poem just now. "Thanks, Football head. Sometimes I get so carried away that I almost forget about writing my odes to you down." Then she leaned over and gave her love a gentle, lingering a kiss upon the cheek…causing Arnold's smile to pick up considerably, she noticed when she pulled back.

"Uh…no problem, Helga…No problem at all…" he assured with his satisfied grin, and then he happily went back to writing the last bits of the lines she'd just come up with…

…When suddenly to his surprise Arnold noticed Helga move out of the corner of his eye…and then he felt her head and her upper back now lying in his lap. "Hey…Arnold?"

"U-Um…" he swallowed, nervousness getting the better of him…She'd never done this before. "Y-Yes, Helga?" he finished with the book and placed it aside, and now just looked down with a blush at her face looking directly up into his.

"You know, you still didn't answer my question…about the older women and why you're drawn to them like a football headed fly to football headed fly honey…" she finished with a chuckle and a smirk (and liking her new position that she was trying out right now.)

Arnold let out a breath…and then just smiled (already getting enough used to her lying in his lap to find it enjoyable). He proceeded to play with one of her pigtails a little as he spoke. "I don't know, Helga…I guess those older girls just seemed…more mature than most girls our age…But you're the most mature, complicated, interesting person I've ever met. No question. And I guess also, maybe at the back of my mind I realized that if they were older it'd be much less likely that they'd like me back, so I could chase them and have feelings for them but never really have to get involved in an actual relationship that probably wouldn't work out anyway because of the age thing… Hmm…maybe that was some kind of subconscious way of keeping myself free for you, huh?" He chuckled at the idea and so did she…and then he added with a sigh, "And also…you know, Helga, part of me liking those older girls probably WAS a superficial guy thing…" He blushed more but went on. "We've gone over this, Helga…We're both real people and we have flaws…and one of mine might be that when I find a pretty, mature girl I like I kind of…go a little nuts about it." And then before she could make any kind of a comment he leaned over and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek and made one himself. "Which is why I love that you're the whole package. You're pretty and smart and funny and wise and passionate and sweet and loving and independent and real and… You're just everything, Helga Geraldine Pataki…my Helga Geraldine Pataki." He looked down at her with all the love in the world.

Arnold tried not to laugh as he felt Helga's form stiffen a little in his lap at his words…and then she let out a girlish sigh. Then she looked up into his eyes with just as much love as he looked down at her with. "Arnold…?" she cooed.

He nodded, smiling and loving and happily waiting for whatever she might say nex—

"OW!" A blinking and confused Arnold suddenly found himself rubbing his very sore feeling nose (which, he now realized, Helga had just reached up and flicked).

He heard Helga laugh and then he looked down at her again questioningly. "That…" she began to explain with a smirk, "…was for being so freaking dense for those six years…Honestly, like one of those dime a dozen pretty faced bimbos would ever be good enough for you, Arnold." She chuckled warmly. "I mean, if you were going to try and end up with someone who wasn't me, you could have at least made it someone good enough for you. Lila MIGHT have been close but even still…you need more of a...challenge…" She winked…and then a light blush settled on her cheeks. "And this…"And then instantly Arnold's heart was pounding at the feeling of her suddenly sitting up and wrapping her arms around him and kissing him tenderly, firmly, lovingly, pulling herself completely against him and pulling him in as much as possible! And as usual it was like her kiss was some kind of direct connection to everything she was feeling…because he could swear he was feeling it all too. And also…it always felt so very very VERY good to have her impress her lips to his so perfectly, savoring the different ways she had of doing so by shifting her head just a bit or a whole lot, or by changing the pressure she was putting on different parts of his mouth. And then Arnold almost smiled as he thought to himself, finally letting out one of those sighs through his nose that he always did and melting in her grasp, 'Aw who needs some stupid kiss on the cheek at a sixth grade dance…I already have the greatest kisser and the greatest date and the greatest girl in the whole city right here…and if I hadn't been so dense I would have realized a long time ago that she was right under my nose the whole time!'

Helga pulled back with a dramatic lip-smacking sound now, effectively ending their kiss as well as his elated thoughts. His eyes fluttered open and he heard her giggly, cute voice speak. "THAT was for…well…not being dense anymore…" She giggled again and then shifted herself away from him so that she could sit beside him on the bed comfortably now.

Arnold took a second to absorb her response (and another one of her great kisses) and then just grinned happily. "You're…You're, uh…welcome, Helga…" He chuckled goofily…and then swallowed and asked hesitantly after several seconds, his little hands folded in his little lap (that was still warm from her having just laid in it…He shivered at the memory). "S-So, um…speaking of all of this stuff, Helga…do you ever think of…me…older?" He glanced at her out of the corner of his eye…

…Only to see her blink at first…but then eye him very very suggestively, her legs crossed again. "What do you think I dream about every night when our flirtatious phone calls are over, my darling…?"

Arnold blinked in surprise and felt his cheeks heating up! Her…thinking about him grown up…dreaming about it in her bed at night…He felt his breathing beginning to pick up!

Helga just laughed at once again getting one of those little embarrassed looks from him on this afternoon. She quickly waved him off and shook her head. "Kidding, kidding, Football Head. Relax, sheesh!" She laughed some more and then shrugged and went on, smiling to herself. "I mean, sometimes I have dreams like that…and then of course sometimes, in between poems and spitballs in class or something, I like to maybe imagine you taking me in your strong arms and being my teenage heartthrob instead of my preteen one…" She then reached up and put a hand on his shoulder. "But of course I don't think I'll ever get over you as you are right now…my perfect little flaxen haired angel just dripping with boyish charm…" She smiled affectionately at him.

He smiled affectionately back, blushing happily.

And then Arnold sighed and smirked. "The name of the sixth grade girl was Maria. But please don't kill her, Helga." He shifted closer, loving sharing her warmth. "…She already has to live with the knowledge that she can never be as wonderful as you…" he added in a low, loving voice.

Helga giggled and then smirked back at him, snuggling closer too. "Aw, can I at least pull some elaborate prank on her to get my revenge?"

He chuckled at the idea. "As long as you're not hurting anyone it sounds like an okay way to express yourself." He winked.

She laughed warmly and nudged into him a little. "Oh just shut up and get back to sitting on your couch and acting like you're just listening to music when you're really wondering what would be the smoothest way possible to end up tossing me back for a kiss, Football Head."

Arnold blushed a bright red at this sudden observation of hers, his eyes going wide.

Helga just let out a sigh and patted his shoulder a little. "Quick tip, Arnoldo—it's pretty obvious when you keep glancing at me with a goofy smile and checking your breath when you think I'm not paying attention that you've got something related to lips on your mind." She then stood up and stretched, glancing over at his alarm clock and then back to him. "But sadly though, Arnold, I've got to get home and help Miriam with making dinner...and anyway we've already been sucking each other's faces a ton lately…especially during our last date…" She grinned suggestively at him and at the memory of that first total physical afternoon of theirs together. "But not to worry, we can make out more next time!" she assured him and then she winked and gave him a little wave. "See you, my beloved!"

And with that she crawled over his bed and went to climb up to his skylight to leave.

"Wait, um…Helga?"

The sound of her beloved calling back to her though made Helga pause in mid-climb and turn around with a half grin, a hand on her hip. "Yup, Casanova?"

Arnold blushed and glanced down, and then got on his knees on the bed and crawled over to her. "Um, well…" He sighed and grinned now, sitting up on his knees with his arms behind his back. "Let's face it, this whole 'older women' thing was kind of awkward for me…and it did keep me from getting the chance to spend a little bit of kissing time with you before you had to go…and this is supposed to be an equal relationship we have, so…So I think I…I think I've earned the chance to ask YOU an awkward question…maybe next time we get together?" He gave her a half smile and raised one of his eyebrows.

Helga gave him a blank look for a second, part of her brow raised in curiosity. "Uh…" She dropped back to the bed quickly. "Seriously?" She considered the request for a moment and then just smiled and shrugged. "Well, okay, Arnold, if you really want to….I'm not sure what humiliating question you think you'll come up with but go for it, you loopy little football head, you." She giggled and winked.

Arnold smiled…grinned actually…A chance to put her on the spot for once—of course he wouldn't pass that up in a million years! "Okay, Helga…I'll take the night to think about it and talk to you tomorrow after school…"

She smiled back and nodded. "Okay then, Arnold. I'll see you then, my darling…" She gave him another small wave and was about to head up to the fire escape when Arnold moved forward once more, causing her to pause.

"Um, Helga…?" A little blush came to his cheeks, and a little coy smile was on his lips.

Helga's heart fluttered at how cute he looked like that and her eyes went half lidded. "Yes, Arnold?"

He moved a little closer, now taking one of her hands and looking deeply into her eyes. "Don't I…at least get a goodbye kiss?"

Her smile grew and she squeezed his hand and moved in close to him on the bed. "Crimeny, Football head. 'Hello' kisses, 'goodbye' kisses…all of the making out…You're gonna wear down my lips one of these days, you know."

He chuckled and sighed, rolling his eyes to the side sarcastically. "Let's hope not…I still don't know how mine made it through the first nine years of my life without them."

"That makes two of us, Arnold," she agreed with her own chuckle. And then with a smile and a light blush she put her hands on Arnold's shoulders (and felt his arms come around her waist) and came forward to kiss him…but then paused just before their noses would have brushed and just as Arnold was in the middle of closing his eyes. "Although…" she smirked a little and whispered her words, "Instead of a goodbye kiss…could I opt to hear one of those 'purrs' of yours that Gerald might have also mentioned…" She really did her best not to laugh at the very idea (soda having come out of her nose the first time she'd heard about it, she'd been laughing so hard)…and yet it was also a little exciting at the same time…Her Arnold…purring!

Arnold's entire face heated up red, and his eyes dilated wide. She actually felt his little chest against hers stop going up and down with breathing.

She giggled and shook her head (blushing quite a bit herself). "Oh Arnold, you've got to say something back to that…because I really do have to go, but…I'm already getting tempted to stay here and see if I could make you do it if you really won't just at least tell me about it…" She gave him a playful wink.

Meanwhile, Arnold was feeling everything inside of himself shaking and catching and heating up. And now at her little 'threat', instantly many daydreams flooded his mind…about her making him purr…and it all just made him blush and almost explode inside even more! No, he—after all of this talk of older women and Helga as a grown up and…it was just too much right now. "I…" he finally squeaked out…He decided to keep things basic and to beg her not to push this right now, if necessary, "I…Y-Yeah, uh…Gerald told me to with Ms. Felter so I, um…purred…a-a little. But…But right now, I…I…" His breathing was heavy and flustered. She needed to leave or he'd just…He could feel a repeat of the end result of that whole 'hard to get' thing coming on but this time with him as the one tossing her down somewhere, informing her that she was irresistible and that he was done waiting, and then just diving at her and…and…and…

A giggle from Helga brought him out of his stupor. "Wow, calm down, you great big lug. I was just kidding about making you do it…" And then she leaned down and gave him a gentle goodbye kiss on the mouth…really enjoying how their lips really did seem to fit each other so well…

She pulled back eventually and then went to release him from her embrace…but not before adding to her sentence in a whisper right by his ear… "For now…"

She pulled away with a giggle again, and a blushing Arnold, caught up in an internal euphoria of lovesickness and desire and happiness, was just dazedly watching her climb to his skylight once more when he noticed her pause half way up and turn back to him with a half smile. "Hey, Arnold…you wanna know why on top of all the older women you fell for Lila too?"

Arnold just kept watching her with his goofy grin, breathing a little heavily, blushing so much.

"Arnold—you who? Focus please, my darling." She chuckled and snapped her fingers a few times.

Arnold blinked at the sound and the prompt, and then finally came back to reality and processed her question…A question which actually made him consider what it's answer could be for a few seconds…and then he looked up to her and replied with an interested smile, "Uh…I just thought it was because she liked me liked me first and she was nice but…" he raised an eyebrow in curiosity, "Is there anything else I should know?"

She just nodded down to him, a dreamy yet sheepish look in her eyes. "Yeah…I was the idiot who wrote 'Arnold Loves Lila' on the wall…"

Arnold blinked, and then paused…and then broke back into a smile and just let out a sigh and shook his head to himself, chuckling warmly. "Helga…why in the world would you—"

She just shrugged, cutting him off. "Eh, it originally said 'Arnold Loves Helga' but I thought the truth might be too much of a shock to your system if you saw it just written in an alley like that so I changed it to whatever I could think of at the last minute."

He just sat back and sighed and then looked at her with a smile. "So…to make us even does this mean I have to write 'Helga Loves Brainy' on a wal—OW!" He was rubbing his sore nose again. He blinked a few times and opened his eyes to see that she had just reached down, grabbed one of his pillows and lobbed it at his head.

"You're a jerk who relies way too much on irony for his humorous material," she merely replied with an eye roll and a grin. "And if you ever DO write something like that I'll slug you." Then she winked and finished her climb to his skylight, popped it open and stepped out onto the fire escape landing. "See you tomorrow, Arnoldo!" And then she closed the skylight window and she was gone.

Arnold just gazed up dreamily at the skylight by which she had just departed for several, several seconds…then sighed and collapsed onto his bed with a wide grin and warm chuckles. "Only Helga G. Pataki could make a guy melt inside by threatening to punch him…." He laughed to himself a little more, gazing over at the cute stack of her pink books (which he was freely leaving by his bedside all the time now that she knew about them)… "And only she could get away with being that tough and that cute at the same time…"

He let out a deep, happy sigh, resting here upon his bed for now and letting all of his love-filled thoughts and feelings and memories all about her wash over him, drifting in and out between daydreams…and eventually getting close to real dreams…and all of them all about Helga.

"One day…she said she's going to…make me purr…"

The only thing more elating and intriguing and brilliant than that thought to Arnold…was the parallel thought popping into his head of…maybe being the one to make her purr one day…

He fell asleep with this idea on his brain…and also wracking his mind a bit for what very fun question he could ask Helga G. Pataki after school tomorrow to make them even for the 'older women' question she'd asked today.

The next afternoon…

"Arnold, crimeny, slow down! Your room's not going anywhere!" Helga couldn't help but exclaim with a half smile as she was eagerly pulled up the stairs of the boarding house in the direction of the attic by her beloved.

Arnold just turned around to her with the grin she'd seen him with all day (and especially after the bell had rung twenty minutes ago), continuing to pull her along now that they'd reached the hall. "I know, Helga…But I'm excited!"

Helga, barely managing to keep pace with him, just looked at him in curious amusement for a moment and then shook her head. "Arnold, yikes, if you were THIS desperate to kiss you should have told me the second school was over and we could've jumped into a janitor's closet or something for a little tête-à-tête…."

They had reached the pull down cord for the steps to Arnold's room, and that was half the reason Arnold came to a sudden, halting stop…the other half was because her words had made his eyes go wide and a bright rosy blush come to his face. He turned to her with a flustered gulp. "Helga! I…No, I…" He rubbed the back of his neck with his free hand shyly. "I-I meant that I'm excited for, um…" his grin returned a bit, "…For getting to ask you my question. You remember, Helga? Yesterday after you asked me that question about older women you said I could ask you one question? Well, I've got mine and I want to ask it." He smiled brightly and fully once again…and then added with a shy little gaze off to the side. "But, um… I'm always excited for kissing too, of course…" He squeezed her hand a little. "But, um…anyway…" He shook his head, coming back to the situation at hand and then turned around and pulled down the attic cord, causing the steps to his room to descend, and then he turned back to her and gestured up to the door to his room. "Like I was saying, let's go up so I can ask you my question!"

Helga blinked at his explanation for his enthusiasm today, then raised part of her brow, putting her free hand on her hip. "Wow, you actually got a question? And you're this excited about it?" She let out a sigh and rolled her eyes with a smile. "Oh brother…okay, let's do this…" 'Probably going to ask me about my last dream about him or my favorite non-Arnold hobby or something…Cute little guy. Oh well, might as well let him get it out of his system.' She nodded to herself at this plan of action as her beloved began to pull her up the stairs.

"Thanks, Helga," he replied, smiling at her over his shoulder as they reached the door to his room which Arnold opened. The two children entered the familiar blue and green room.

Helga just shrugged, shutting the door behind them (but not before grabbing and hanging on the back of it their 'Do Not Disturb' sign…since of course Arnold had made sure to mention to her how excited he always was for kissing just now). "Yeah, well, it'll make you happy obviously and besides a Pataki never goes back on a deal, so fire away…" She chuckled to herself as he brought them over to his couch. He finally released her hand now and then gently put his hands on her shoulders and sat her down, and then eagerly sat himself down next to her. She tried not to laugh even more, both at his little 'setting up' of the two of them and at the fact that, well… "Besides," she scoffed, "I know you, Arnold—no way you could come up with something to ask that would really make me squirm. Not with everything you already know about me, at least…"

Arnold just sighed at her comment, still smiling rather proudly. "Well…" he started…and then his smile changed into…a smirk? "I guess that would be true, Helga…if I hadn't gotten a little outside help." He winked at her.

Helga's calm look only twitched for a second, but she still remained basically smug and confidant looking. 'Bluffing…So bluffing…' "Oh please, Arnold—don't bluff. I mean, really, the only people on the planet who know things about me that are too embarrassing to even tell you would be…I don't know, my sister but she's in Alaska…and maybe Phoebe I guess…"

Arnold smirked just a little more to himself, folding his hands together in his lap. "Speaking of Phoebe…it's funny what some people will tell you and help you come up with when you mention to them the name of the girl their current boyfriend took to that sixth grade dance a couple of months ago…who Gerald forgot to mention to her when he brought up that story when you guys were all together apparently."

Helga lost the smile. She was still suspicious though. "Arnold, Phoebe would NOT—"

"Did I mention I also threw in the name of this junior high girl neighbor of Gerald's who he also had a big crush on and actually even fought over with this brother a couple months ago?" Arnold added casually, very very pleased with himself at this point. He chuckled to himself and shrugged at the slightly underhanded actions he had taken. "I know it wasn't a nice thing for me to do to him but in my defense he went and told you about Ms. Felter and started this whole thing in the first place, so…"

And now the color was gone from Helga's face, and she knew he wasn't bluffing, and all she could think to soothe herself with was, 'Okay, okay, come on—Arnold basically knows everything about you. What else could he possibly—'

"Alright Helga," Arnold's voice interrupted her thoughts, "Here's my question…And I really think it's a good one." He cleared his throat, let out a breath, and then announced triumphantly and with one of his familiar boyish smiles, "What other things besides those bottles I saw during our one week anniversary has your closet shrine been made of?"

Helga just looked at him for several seconds…and then she smiled…and then reached out and put a hand on his shoulder. "Oh Arnold…Arnold, Arnold, Arnold…" She sighed and shook her head. "I will personally take that information with me to my grave. Nice try though but no dice…Pick a new question."

Arnold, trying not to laugh, just shook his head. "No, I…think I like my question just fine, thanks. And don't make me start guessing what else it's been made of, Helga…you know if I guess right I'll know…just like with your middle name, my Helga Geraldine…" He leaned just a bit closer to her with that half lidded gaze of his, knowing that if he couldn't convince her to tell him what he wanted to know by pleas and logic…he could probably do it with some flirting.

Helga just rolled her eyes and scoffed at him (but there was a distinct blush in her face that she usually got whenever he pulled out her middle name). "A-Arnold, please—it was one thing guessing G names but you'd never guess what else the shrine's been made of in a million years. Guaranteed." She sighed and half smiled to herself at memories of some of her past shenanigans in that area. "Yeah, only my twisted mind could have come up with half of the stuff I've used over the years…" She shook her head at her amusing craziness.

Arnold sighed and glanced away…and decided to add a new (usually quite effective) approach to his flirting strategy. "You know…I'm not entirely sure I believe you about that, Helga… I think that the bottles were probably the most creative thing you ever used and that you're just trying to impress me by saying it's been made of more interesting stuff in the past…"

Helga crossed her arms over her chest and smirked at him, knowing full well what he was trying to do (just like she knew calling her 'his Helga Geraldine' had just been to butter her up). "Oh nice try, bucko, but reverse psychology is NOT going to work! I've matured a bit ever since that tutoring weekend when you cajoled me into giving all of our friends help."

Arnold ignored her remark and just shrugged, pretending he was talking aloud to himself. "Probably just used popsicle sticks or clay—standard stuff like that. Nothing really expressive or creative or original until I finally liked you back…"

"Arnold…now you're pushing my buttons a little…E-Even though your stupid plan of egging me on STILL isn't working!" she made sure to tack on firmly, though now he had her scowling…and Arnold knew it was working perfectly of course. "I've never needed your love to be creative—just the love inside of myself!" she went on firmly. "Having your love now is helpful of course but I was making your shrine out of things far better than bottles long before you came along! Hmph!" She looked away from him stubbornly.

"Far better things like what?" he finally asked casually, leaning towards her more. "…My creative Helga Geraldine…"

A VERY frustrated look came to her face (along with a blush) and she just slumped back on Arnold's couch…in defeat! 'Darn it…' "Phoebe is so dead later…" she mumbled to herself in annoyance.

"Oh come on, Helga…" Arnold shifted closer to her and put a hand on one of her shoulders supportively, just smiling and speaking sincerely now. "Please tell me what else you used to use to make them…Please…" She, in all of her stubbornness, was glancing at him out of the corner of her eye. He took the opportunity to meet her gaze, making his eyes go half lidded like she liked…And then a little half grin picked up on his face…and to Helga's sudden wide-eyed and blushing surprise he now reached his hand on her shoulder around to her far shoulder so that his arm was draped over both of them, and then picked up his other hand and started snugly twirling the end of one of her pigtails in one of his fingers. "Because really…" he went on, speaking nicely to her…very charmingly, "I know you were creative long before I came around, Helga…I just want to know what wonderful things that beautiful mind of yours came up with to use for your amazing shrine? You're so creative, Helga…my precious, soft, pink Helga…" He delicately released the pigtail, and then took the index finger of this now free hand and tapped her lightly on the nose, finishing with a wink. "I bet you picked the most fascinating things in the whole world…"

And now, of course, Helga was going to tell him. 'Heck, he could have had me singing like a canary just for the arm across my shoulder and the hair twirling alone.' She took a deep breath, giving her nervousness and fluster a second to ebb, and then she finally just let out a sigh and smiled, meeting her beloved's gaze and trying not to chuckle. "I hate you and that smooth talk of yours sometimes, Arnold… You always know just what to say to get me to do anything…"

He chuckled back at her, blushing a little at the compliment. "Well, what can I say…It's sort of my job now…and I'm just happy I'm the guy lucky enough to be in charge of making your cheeks blush and your heart flutter and those blue eyes of yours go so wide…"

She giggled, blushing even more (and still in his grasp). "A-Arnold…Shh…Save some of it for later—aren't we talking about my shrines now?" She looked at him in amusement.

Her love seemed dazed for a moment but then he let out a sigh and nodded, releasing his arm from around her and scooching away just a tiny bit to put just a smidge of distance between them. "O-Of course…" He cleared his throat, doing his best to come out of his romantic thoughts. "S-So…your shrines and what they've been made of…Thanks for saying you'd tell me, Helga. I really am excited to know." He looked at her with genuine interest as he waited for her to begin.

"I-I know, Arnold…and I'm happy to share…even if you DID pick the most embarrassing question you could have picked." She laughed a little and so did he, and then finally she just crossed her arms over her chest with a blush, swallowed…and began to answer his inquiry. "Okay, so, uh…well, actually you weren't far off with some of those reverse psychology things you suggested, Football Head." She met his eyes. "One of my shrines actually was made of macaroni…It was only the first one though. Around first grade I started kind of sort of stalking you a little and collecting little things you'd throw away…old blocks, a sock or two, a piece of shoelace…and I used to keep them in a box under my bed. Anyway, things started getting a little cramped so I finally moved it to my closet, but I guess it all felt like it needed a signature of yours or something to go with it to tie it together and show what it was all about…and to remind me of your perfect face, of course." She smiled more and shrugged, going on. "So…a few art classes later we were making macaroni art projects—I stole some of the macaroni, brought it home, and pasted it into a mini statue of you….Besides the macaronis kind of reminded me of you—or at least their shape reminded me of the shape of your head." She chuckled and winked.

Arnold just smiled and smiled and smiled so warmly at this adorable memory of hers. Had anyone cuter than her in the entire world ever existed? He seriously doubted it.

His approving and happy smile made Helga feel a little more confident about all of this shrine talk, and so she went on a lot more casually and a lot less nervously now. "Okay, so now you know the cutest, most normal thing my shrine's ever been made of…" She blushed a little, despite her new confidence. "Do you…want to know the strangest thing it's ever been made of yet or should I take you there gradually? Or do you wanna guess?" She smirked a little.

"Hmm…" A smiling Arnold considered…. "One guess…" He thought things over for another second or two and then smiled brightly and announced, "Bananas?"

Helga blinked, looked totally confused at this possibly most random guess on the planet from him, and then instantly burst into laughter. "Bananas? Where the heck did that come from, Arnold?"

Arnold shrugged and smiled sheepishly, laughing a little along with her. "Just trying to think of more things that are shaped like my head, Helga."

She laughed once more…He was just so adorable about things sometimes. She rubbed the back of her neck, looking at him a little sheepishly. "Well…actually I did make it out of, um, fruit once…But I used a quarter of a watermelon for you head. A banana would have been WAY too small." She blushed just a little at admitting about that shrine.

Arnold just smiled a little more and had to concede to her logic about his head. "Yeah, I guess you're right. Maybe for a mini shrine, but not the big one. But…fruit, huh?" He gave her an intrigued look. "That sounds pretty, Helga…" And then raised one of his eyebrows as a thought occurred to him. "Wouldn't that have rotted though, Helga?"

Helga rolled her eyes, smiling sheepishly at herself. "Woo, tell me about it! Crimeny, Miriam actually ended up finding it because of the stench and throwing it away, it was smelling so bad eventually—good thing she didn't figure out what the heck it was!" She blushed brightly at the very idea, unable to even imagine how horribly embarrassing it would have been back then for her if Miriam had indeed figured things out all on her own and confronted her about it without warning…Her bright blush became more defined in her face.

Arnold just smiled more and let out a sigh…placing his hand down on the couch where conveniently his fingertips mixed with hers. "That's too bad, Helga—I wish I could have seen it…" 'When she blushes…I…' He thought of the other day when she'd laid her blushing cheek against his and that deep heat had passed between them. It made him quiver a little inside. He wanted to lean over now and…kiss her blush even deeper.

Helga just smirked and glanced at him at his reply. "Eh, I think one tour around the Arnold shrine is more than enough for you, Head Boy." She winked…and savored that flirtatious feeling of their fingertips touching like this. It reminded her of that kiss in her room the night of their one week anniversary…in front of her closet when she hadn't been able to break from his eyes…and they'd leaned in, unable to help themselves…slow, quiet deep…his arm coming around her…It made her tremble…made her want certain things… (And well, come to think of it, she really had had to leave yesterday before too much kissing had had a chance to happen).

Arnold just let out a small chuckle at her joke about touring the shrine.

They were gazing deeply into each other's eyes…there was quiet…their fingers still mixed and their thoughts and hearts still raced…

"Helga…"

"Yeah, Football Head?"

He swallowed… "B-Before we get, um…lost in anything…mind telling me the strangest thing your shrine's ever been made of?"

Helga giggled…and blushed deeper (though Arnold was still certain he would be able to deepen even more when they did 'get lost in some things' in about ten seconds)…and then she leaned in close and whispered something into his ear…

Arnold listened with his usual smile for a moment…and then his eyes went wide…and he raised an eyebrow….

Helga pulled back, looking down awkwardly and shyly.

Arnold raised a finger of his free hand, his mouth agape a bit. He remained silent for a moment. And then… "My…used…"

"Uh, yeah…" Helga cut him off a little in her embarrassment, finding no need for having to go through hearing him complete that sentence with the word 'gum'.

"But…where did you even…And how…?"

She sighed. All understandable questions. She decided to breeze through them as quickly and neatly as possible to avoid as much awkwardness as possible. "Uh…under park benches, on the rims of trash cans, on a sidewalk or two, heh, heh…Helps when you stalk someone night and day…A-And before you ask, um…y-yeah…I made out with that shrine's head just like I usually do with the heads…Heh…" She finally glanced back at him, smiling sheepishly.

Arnold remained looking at her a little strangely at first…but then suddenly a funny little smile came to his face…and then he just started laughing warmly to himself (and began to mix the fingers of their hands on the couch together even more, actually caressing her hand now).

Now it was Helga's turn to raise part of her brow in wide-eyed confusion. "Arnold…?" She hadn't really expected him to find something as creepy as 'used gum' this amusing despite how cute he usually thought her eccentricities were.

He just continued laughing warmly and lovingly. "S-sorry Helga…" he soon managed to begin, "I don't know, it…I guess the gum just reminded me of the time you—when you made me and you share that piece of gum in front of Arnie when you were trying to help me make Lila jeal—" And then he paused in his speaking and his eyes lit up as something obviously clicked. He looked to her with an impressed half grin. "Or…I guess when you were tricking me into thinking you were helping me make Lila jealous just so you could pretend to be my girlfriend…" He raised an eyebrow at her, waiting for confirmation of his new discovery.

Helga just blushed and smirked (caressing his hand a little now herself, reciprocating his affectionate action). "Well, well, well…finally figured me out and a couple months and a whirlwind courtship between us after the fact. Clever, Sherlock." She giggled at how happy he seemed with himself for putting the pieces together.

Arnold laughed again too…and then finally released her hand…only to get on his knees and then on his hands as well on the couch and crawl a little towards her, looking at her with curiosity and intrigue…and leaning in… "I still can't believe you got me to do that…sharing gum…You know if there's any proof that somehow deep down I've loved you too for a while it's that…" His eyes went half lidded. "We should…try it again some time…now that I know why I was so willing to do it with you in the first place…"

Meanwhile, Helga's heart had been pounding the entire time he'd been crawling/leaning closer to her, and now a fiery blush came to her face at this last little suggestive request. "A-Arnold!" A small, shy smile came to her face and she had to glance down.

He let out a shuddery sigh, and it made her eyes travel back to his. "A shrine of used gum, huh?" He just gazed at her with his eyes half lidded, looking utterly entranced by her all of a sudden. "You're just the most creative girl ever, aren't you, Helga…? An artist and a poet… romantic…passionate… fiery…talented… brilliant… beautiful…" He moved his hand forward and gently picked up hers again…this time lifting it up to his mouth and placing a lingering, deep kiss upon it…and all the while not breaking his green eyes from her wide blue ones. "And you even made out with it…Hmm…I've said it before and I'll say it again: lucky, lucky, lucky shrine…." His smile grew and his voice had lowered to full on flirtatious level.

And Helga, right now, was going crazy inside! 'What the HECK button did I just press on him and where can I get a schematic of that wide mind of his so that I can start doing it regularly?' Indeed, with how he was acting right now he was obviously feeling really…well…well, whatever it was, something about the used gum had done it to him…She could see it in his eyes…They seemed to almost burn with something for her… It all set her heart aflame.

Her breaths quite shallow by this point, Helga swallowed and as casually as possible allowed her hand to slip from Arnold's grasp and to return to its former place propping up her 'slowly getting more horizontal thanks to Arnold's crawling forward and leaning forward' body on the couch…and then she let her eyelids flutter a little as she looked to her love and asked, feigning surprise, "Arnold, my love…are you trying to come on to me?"

"Hmm…" He gave a small low chuckle, still looking dazed, still looking into her eyes, still on all fours…and still showing no sign whatsoever of backing down from shyness right now. "Helga, my talented blue eyed love…now who's being dense?" And in truth Arnold couldn't explain it but he really had suddenly felt himself so intrigued by her with all this talk of shrines…A shrine of used gum? 'So unique…just like her…' And then that feeling of being intrigued (plus their flirting…plus the fact that he loved her so deeply…) had led to him feeling almost pulled toward her…followed by attracted to her…and then just…just intoxicated by her…She was wonderful and he wanted to be near her more than anything else in the whole world.

Helga meanwhile just gave a small giggle at the rhetorical question from her beloved, and then she reached up and pulled her ribbon from her hair, ran her fingers through her pigtails a few times till her golden locks fell lightly around her shoulders, then tied the ribbon back on the top of her head. Arnold just raised a playful eyebrow at the action. She shrugged in reply. "Oh come on—you know you like running your fingers through it! So I just figured I'd…save you the trouble of passionately pulling it down yourself…" She had to glance away with a shy, blushing smile again at the one or two memories she had of Arnold's fingers just going full force through her pigtails to the point that once he was done with them, they were NOT pigtails anymore.

Arnold's blush and smile likewise grew, but again he gave in to no shyness and merely went with it all, too caught up (and too excited) to delay things any further. "Yeah…" he gave a nod, "Like I've said, Helga…your hair…it's soft and the color of sunshine…and it smells like raspberries and lemons…and then there's the simple fact that it's part of you…Of course I love your hair, Helga." Helga then felt her heart pulse like a jackhammer as Arnold suddenly closed his eyes and moved forward, and then slightly lowered his head down and to the side just a bit and came around her neck. She heard the movement of breath as he took a delicate inhale near her hair and then let it out…and then she all but collapsed in trembles as, before leaving this area of herself and just looking at her again…he placed a single small kiss low on her face, close to her hair line. And then he whispered into her ear… "Who needs some stupid older woman…? I'd rather have a young, warm, fiery love goddess of a girl any day…"

Arnold did pull back now to just look at Helga with a smile and a blush and a half lidded gaze…and to see her reaction to his charming and truthful admission to her.

"Oh…Oh ARNOLD…" The goofiest smile imaginable came to Helga G. Pataki ('Shortman's') face. "You'd rather have a…and I'm your…your…Oh please call me it again!" she implored, her voice light and airy, cooing and loving.

He just nodded sweetly (feeling his heart beat quick and quicken at that tone of voice from her…which meant there really was no going back for them now. And who in the world would want to anyway?). "Of course I'll call you it again…my goddess of love…" She swooned at that and he loved it. He went on. "And of course you're a thousand times better than even a thousand already grown up girls…" he assured her sincerely. "I mean, think about it. You…even without being, um…" And then suddenly, despite his usual smoothness with talking to her romantically, Arnold found himself blushing and stammering, a slightly frustrated/panicky look coming to his face now at the topic he'd suddenly backed himself into saying something about. "W-Well, without having…I-I mean, since those other girls have already kind of…you know…and you… haven't yet…"

Helga G. Pataki, meanwhile, was just watching in more and more amused interest as her love god's face grew redder and redder and his little features more and more nervous looking. And yeah, she knew what he was trying to say but…it really was cute watching poor, modest little Arnold get all tripped up about it. But really though, now she had to take some pity on him.

She reached up a hand and put it on his shoulder, smiling supportively, and choosing the least awkward wording possible for him so that he could go on…and so they could get to their kissing already. "…Even with me still having the 'features' of more of a… 'girl' than a 'woman' yet, my love…even though you find my personality rather womanly?"

Arnold blinked at her suggestion…He thought about her words and then shyly gulped and nodded. Yeah, okay: that was a way to put it. And a safe way, thankfully. He let out a breath and went on quickly before he could back himself into any more corners like that. "Well, um…even with you just having more 'girlish' features still…you're…you're, um…" his smile went a little goofy…the lovesickness was taking over again… "You're breathtaking…I mean…" and then suddenly his eyes narrowed and he seemed to be staring off a little as he spoke…his voice picking up in enthusiasm… "I mean, you are JUST…" He paused instantly though and then his eyes snapped open wide again and he blinked a few times and tugged at his collar… "W-Well, what I mean is…um…you're only ten-years-old and already so pretty that it's crazy, so like I said I just know that you're going to grow up and look…" He let out a breath and turned his half lidded gaze to her eyes again, speaking in his low, sultry tone… "You'll look so stunning that…that every guy we pass on the street as I walk with you, holding your hand…they'll all just stop and stare and their jaws'll drop…And between that and all the things you'll do and grow up to be…you'll end up as the most amazing grown up woman ever, Helga. Even now you're just exploding with how brilliant you'll be…My brilliant love goddess…"

Arnold's brilliant love goddess just…she smiled in a way he'd never seen her smile before.

"Helga…Helga? You okay?" Arnold eventually asked quietly, still lovingly smiling from his position practically hovering over her.

At his prompt, Helga finally blinked a couple of times and then gave herself a small smack on the cheek back to reality. "Oh, uh, yeah, present and accounted for, heh..." She swallowed and her gaze went down… and just a little bit of that smile returned…Walking down the street as grown ups, Arnold holding her hand, every boy they passed turning their heads because she was so gorgeous…and just smiling to herself because the only man in the whole world for her was right at her side…(And also every girl they passed turning to stare at Arnold's gorgeous physique…and she seeing his eyes, despite all of that attention, never leaving her…) She sighed. Perfect. A perfect life together forever.

In her return to her stupor she didn't notice Arnold leaning over her even further again, face in her hair (and lips by her ear) once more. "Helga…wake up, my love goddess…" he whispered jokingly. "I was…'coming onto you'…Remember?" He placed another kiss upon her, this one right near her jaw line...and he let it linger for a moment.

Helga shuddered terribly and tried to regain some of her composure as he moved back again now to just gave at her lovingly…And then because she was tired of feeling like the ONLY person here who was putty in the other person's hands, she suddenly gave him a smirk… "Yeah…I remember, Arnold…And speaking of that…since my hair's already down…"

Then Arnold's confident and flirty smile dropped and his eyes went wide as Helga suddenly reached up and jerked him close by the collar, mushing their noses together. "The sweater—lose it!"

Arnold's heart was the one thundering and pounding this time!

Indeed, it took him a few seconds, not having expected her sudden command…but then he finally took a deep breath…and then swallowed…and then nodded. And then he pulled back with a shy smile and sat up on his knees, and finally pulled off his sweater and tossed it on his floor. He rolled up his shirtsleeves a little too, just because he felt like it (and because he figured Helga would like it too), and then got right back to gazing into her face (and practically hovering over her) on all fours. "Better, Helga?" he asked with a grin and his eyes just a little narrowed.

She giggled and nodded, blushing and smiling like crazy at his action and having watched him do it. "Oh yes…It's just…so much nicer having only one thin layer of fabric instead of that plus your thick sweater between my hands and the warmth of your body, my love god…" She brought a finger forward and placed it upon the center of his stomach over his shirt and lightly dragged it up to the top of his collar.

A very deep blush developed in Arnold's face…but the goofy smile and slightly narrowed eyes (as well as his power of speech) remained to him. "Well, it's…nicer for me to have your warmth closer to me too, Helga…and your hands closer…" He closed his eyes and this little shudder kind of passed through him…It was one of those warm little squirms that had been going through him lately, actually. Finally though he got over it and managed to open his eyes again. He just sighed and leaned in and gave her a small soft kiss on the mouth. "I love you, Helga….and I love that you make me shudder and blush and sigh…and even burn a little inside…" His eyes fell to her lips…so beautiful before a kiss…and he knew they'd be beautiful afterwards too…

Helga giggled and let out a sweet, warm breath and he felt it hit his lips and it almost sent him over the edge… "I love you, Arnold…" she replied, and leaned a little up and gave him a shy, small kiss back, their eyes melting together in love. "And I like trembling and moaning and blushing…and even burning a little myself all because of you…"

He smiled more. "And I like making you do those things…"

She smiled more. "As I like making you do them too, Arnold…And I'll like it…love it...forever…."

The two kids shared a warm smile…And then their eyes closed as those warm smiles came together in a warm, tender, intimate kiss…and as that happened Arnold let himself come forward completely to rest upon Helga. They shared more kisses as the minutes passed, some shy and sweet, some passionate and long… fitting their mouths together…Arnold and Helga….

'And I was worried about telling him about the shrine in the first place…' Helga eventually couldn't help but think to herself with a slight smirk amidst their making out. 'Heck, if I'd known it would lead to this I would have carted that whole life-size soda bottle sculpture here that day I told him about the shrines instead of just that crummy math book one to start with! Oh I am so going to go home after this and coming up with something even crazier than used gum to make a shrine out of! Who KNOWS what the heck finding out something like that'll do to him? Heh, heh…' Her thoughts faded on the subject as her beloved Arnold, getting into things, reached up both hands into her hair, tightly winding it's strands gently yet passionately around her fingers, his head angling more as he tried to savor all their was about her lips…and did she mention he was on top of her right now! Oh she loved when he got all over her but especially this feeling of him just plain cutting loose and throwing himself at her completely.

She put her hands on his shoulders and pushed him up a little eventually, taking a second to let them catch their breaths and also because she had something to say before letting herself go completely limp and at his mercy underneath him. "Going all the way this time with pretending you're ice cream in something a la mode, I see, Arnold…" She giggled, taking shallow breaths in and out.

Arnold chuckled a little, panting a tiny bit as well. "Well…I am your ice cream after all…" He leaned down and placed a soft kiss on her lips… "And you DO taste sweet like a dessert…You deserve to be t-topped with ice cream…." He could feel himself blushing like crazy at saying something like that…Yes, blushing like crazy at being the ice cream topping his sweet Helga…and yet it felt so right that he never wanted to be anything else in his entire life at this moment.

She just giggled again at his adorable answer. "Hey, speaking of sweet lips…what's left of the lip gloss is in my backpack. Should I go get it?"

He smiled at her suggestion but shook his head. "Um, if it's alright, Helga…I'd rather just kiss the old fashioned way today. I'd like the lip gloss to stay a little special and also…I don't really want us to have to move and go get it, to be honest…" His blush deepened. "And anyway, like I said once before, your lips are perfect with or without it…" He gulped, his eyes transfixed on them. "I still don't know how I didn't see that about them for all these years…deserving so much love and attention and having to wait so long for it…How did I ever live without you, Helga Geraldine…?"

Helga Geraldine just smiled and blushed more along with him and nodded at his request about her lips and saving the gloss for another time…and then rolled her eyes at his flirtatious dramatics about her lips that he had chosen to finish up with (though of course his words made her lips tremble and secretly long for and beg for his to the highest capacity). "W-Whatever you say, ice cream…" she replied shyly, coyly…in anticipation his own flushed and perfect lips that she adored just as much as he adored hers.

"Exactly." Arnold winked and smiled at her cute reply. "Whatever I say, my sweet lipped love goddess…"

There were some more giggles and chuckles as Helga held Arnold closer and Arnold snuggled in completely on top of her once more (and buried his hands to their fullest capacity into her hair), and the two of them came together once more to continue their deep kisses of love up here…and all because Arnold's wacky subconscious had decided to find 'used gum', of all things, attractive.

RING RING, RING RING

"Hello, Johanssen residence, Gerald speaking…"

A laugh, and then a few deep inhales and exhales as the person on the other end of the line seemed to be catching their breath. "You are such a tool sometimes, Geraldo…"

Gerald's eyes went wide at the VERY unexpected voice that had just met his ear. "Oh! Uh, hey, Helga!" He raised an eyebrow but had to smile a little too…Even though she'd never called his house before, it wasn't so very strange: they had been becoming better friends after all. And so he chuckled and just responded playfully, "Hey, it's better than when you answer the phone at your house in that dreamy voice whenever you think it's Arnold calling…" A smug look came to his face. "Phoebe mentioned you doing that to her a few times so far over the last few weeks…"

A sigh came from Helga and now it finally sounded like her breathing was slowing a little. "Oh ha-ha, HILARIOUS, Geraldo…Anyway, speaking of Phoebe…" One more deep breath in and out, just to finally be able to speak normally. "That's why I called, actually…"

Gerald's look became even more curious…. "Uh, okay, shoot Helga. And…just out of curiosity, is this 'crazy scheme' oriented at all? I mean, you sound like you just finished running a marathon or something."

He heard Helga's breath instantly catch in her throat on the other end of the line. Then she quickly cleared her throat and replied back to him in a high pitched voice, "Oh, uh…n-no, no crazy schemes, heh…I was just, um…well, I thought I should get through to you as soon as possible and then weneededabreatheranyway so…" she seemed to quickly brush past this part of her explanation, "…S-So I just asked Arnold to get me a Mr. Fudgie Bar from the Jollie Ollie man for a little pre-Dinner snack and then I figured as long as I was up here alone I might as well call up you…" A slightly shy swallow followed this quick little bit of background information.

Gerald's face remained blank at first as he absorbed her words and explanations… but then the obvious clicked and he instantly rolled his eyes and turned up his nose as he fully realized why exactly Helga was so out of breath. "Oh man, Helga, I do NOT even want to know what you and Arnold were doing that you're actually panting right now, okay, Pataki?" He let out a deep sigh and rubbed one of his temples, his eyes closed. "Seriously, I'm cool with you and Arnold dating and being in love and even with some of the more lovey dovey cutesy flirting stuff I have to witness but I have to draw the line when it comes to me getting an intimate knowledge of the physical toll that whatever the heck you two do up in your rooms together takes on you, okay?"

An exasperated sigh from Helga met his ears now. "Oh would you quit being jealous that Arnold and I actually have a serious physical as well as emotional relationship, Geraldo!" She chuckled and added a bit smugly, "Crimeny, just GO for it with Phoebe—I think you'd be surprised at how receptive she might be…"

Gerald's eyes flew open wide and he instantly blushed deeply! His jaw fell and at first only a little squeak or two escaped him, until he finally managed to find his voice again and say quickly and firmly, "Okay, you know what…I am NOT having this discussion with you." He gulped uncomfortably and decided to move things along, wanting this phone call to end as quickly as possible at this point since it only seemed to be getting more and more awkward. "Now, really, was there something you wanted BESIDES the chance to make me very VERY uncomfortable, Helga?"

Helga just laughed from her end of the line but then went on. "Why yes, actually…Two things. First, I wanted to thank you for all of that info you gave me on some of Arnold's more obscure romantic misadventures…Miss Felter, your sister…It came in very handy. Very handy… Oh, by the way he…kind of knows you're the one who told me, and…I think he was a little annoyed…" she added sheepishly.

"Yeah, I know…" Gerald let out a breath and rolled his eyes, half smiling to himself… "Showed up at my door last night after dinner and he even kind of had the 'angry eyes'…Man, that guy is about as mild mannered as they come ninety-nine percent of the time but the other one percent, if you get him worked up enough, look out!"

Helga actually giggled and just couldn't help herself. "Mmm hmm…tell me about it…"

Gerald's eyes went wide and then he scowled and blushed a little again during this phone call. "Pataki, WHAT did I say about no more suggestive comments about you and Arnold mauling each other!"

She just chuckled. "Sorry, Sorry…couldn't resist…" Another little giggle did escape her though but she managed to curb herself from bugging him with any further details.

Gerald just sighed, leaning back against the wall of his hallway, still with the phone to his ear. "Anyway, don't worry about it, Helga…I already weathered that storm…" He had to smile and chuckle a little though. "Still I can't even imagine how great it must have been when you brought all of that up…I figured it was about time he came completely clean with you about Ms. Felter too along with the other girls you knew about, and I knew he needed a push so…" He shrugged, and then blinked and added, recalling something. "Oh and sorry for holding back a bit on the sixth grade girls thing. That last one though I figured was better coming straight from him."

"Mmm hmm…." Helga agreed. "Yeah, and it all worked out. And like I said I'm grateful to you for the information…But, um…" she hesitated for a moment, "That brings us to the second reason why I called…You see, heh…I told Arnold he could ask me one awkward question today to get even with me for putting him through that 'older women' thing yesterday, and, I mean, I figured he'd never come up with anything decent that I hadn't told him already but, he, well…he kind of got some outside help…and that's where Phoebe comes in…"

A curious look just came to Gerald's face again. He couldn't see where she was going with this. "O-Okay…so…what are you trying to say, Helga?"

There was a pause and then Helga just sighed and announced bluntly and with a touch of guilt, "He went to Phoebe to find a good thing to nail me about. And she came up with a ringer, I'll give her that. But in order to get her to spill about me…and also to get a little revenge on you, according to Arnold…he…kind of mentioned to Phoebe a few things about your OWN sixth grade girl…and some little next door chippy you and your brother had it out over about a month or so ago?"

Helga was met with silence from Gerald's end…which was understandable since Gerald really couldn't feel anything at the moment…There was just this kind of dull ringing in his ears.

"Gerald? Gerald!" An exasperated sigh sounded from Helga who then just proceeded to go on with what she had to say. "Okay, listen, I just wanted to warn you since you were so cool about helping me bug Arnold, and—"

"Helga!" Gerald instantly squeaked out, beginning to pace with the phone in hand. "I was NOT going to tell Phoebe about all of that until…I don't even know, after the PROM or something!" He had a hand to his forehead and a panicked look in his eyes. He began to talk out loud to himself, trying to soothe his nerves. "Okay, okay…okay, just stay cool, Gerald, and—"

"Gerald…" Helga started impatiently again.

He was still pacing and talking to himself though. "Okay, she's NOT going to break up with you…She might ninjitsu chop your head in half or run you through with a fencing sword, but she's not going to break up with you!"

"Gerald." Helga tried again, a little more firmly.

His panic just continued. "I'll just…I'll buy her something! Flowers or chocolates or that Sixth Grade science textbook she's had her eye on! Yeah that's it!"

"Gerald, for crying out—"

"Oh boy, when Phoebe's angry though it's even scarier than when Arnold's angr—"

"GERALD, YOU KNOW, PART OF WHY I WAS PANTING SO HARD BEFORE IS BECAUSE TODAY ARNOLD DECIDED TO LAY ON TOP OF ME WHILE HE PASSIONATELY CARESSED MY LIPS WITH HIS OWN!"

Gerald actually tripped over the phone cord at this announcement and now just sat there on his hallway floor breathing heavily with a contorted look on his face. "OH MAN, HELGA!" he cried out! "I told you, I do NOT want details about you and Arnold acting like a couple of hormone-crazed teenagers! SERIOUSLY! Do you KNOW the mental image burned into my head now?" he added in annoyance, shuddering at the very idea of his best friend eagerly climbing on top of Helga G. Pataki like that to make out! (No matter how much he might have liked Helga now and was cool with her and Arnold's relationship, it was still a creepy image to him to imagine the two of them being that intimate together!)

"Well…" Helga's matter-of-fact sounding voice broke through his thoughts, "How the heck ELSE was I supposed to snap you out of that downward panicked spiral of yours about how to handle Phoebe bringing up those two secret chicks from you past, hair boy?" She sighed in annoyance. "Now, if you'll just let me speak, you'd know that you can calm down because I have a plan to help you out for when she inevitably brings this up to you…and it just involves two simple words…"

Her voice ended on a sly note…and it gave Gerald hope. Arnold always was going on about how Helga was a master schemer after all… And so Gerald swallowed and indeed began to calm down a little. He crossed his legs on the floor, all ears. "Um…okay…wh-what are they, Helga?"

Silence.

And then Helga announced in a very proud voice, "Ronnie. Matthews."

Her explanations of why this name was so significant continued until a little later when Arnold came back to eat their Mr. Fudgie Bars with her…and then of course to offer more sweaterless kisses to her sweet lips once their snack was complete.

A/N:

AWESOME! We are officially more than half way through the courtship chapters ^w^ Lol anyway I really hope you guys liked this latest installment, like I said, and please review :)

Here's the lineup for the next chapter!

BRAINY'S GIRL WHO'S A FRIEND

HELGA 'BEHIND' THE COUCH

ARN—ER…HELGA & LILA

HITTING THE BOOKS/WHAT ARE YOUR INTENTIONS WITH MY DAUGHTER?

Happy Reading, everyone!

AXH FOREVER! ;D

~Azure129 aka Jenna