Learning to be Helga Chapter 18: The Courtship: Part 5 of 6, a hey arnold fanfic

A/N:

HEY ALL :D:D:D:D:D:D

Okay, a few things:

Uh…don't know HOW this chapter ended up so long…I mean, I knew all four mini stories in this one were going to be lengthy but I didn't realize they would be THIS lengthy XDXDXD (I want to give you guys a word count but, fun fact, MS Word STOPS giving you a word count at the bottom of the page once you go over 100,000 words…Yeah, lol. So, this is probably about 110 or 115 K ^_^ ) (Lol, actually, ff dot net just gave me a word count and it's 114,00 so YAY I was close in my approximation :D XDXD)

Alright, also, credit needs to go to a bunch of people for ideas for this chapter, so shout-outs to…

SUPRSINGR (aka My Baby Sister ^w^) for just all the insight she's given me into Brainy's character and his relationship with Helga and his personality just from talking to her. It really helped a lot for the mini story "Brainy's Girl Who's a Friend" :) She's got a couple of Brainy-centric stories in the works that you all should definitely check out because she really just gets his character so extra supr well ^_^ *Snuggles Baby Sister* Also, a special thank you to her for the concept of where Arnold and Helga end up kissing as part of the "Helga Behind the Couch/Arnold in the Shrine" mini story (I'll be extra specific later in my closing A/N so that I don't give anything away ;) ). Lol, why are you so good at giving me ideas, baby sister? XDXDXD*Hearts!*

NINTENDOGAL55 who gave me the idea thanks to some of our rpgs together for where Arnold and Helga end up kissing at the end of "Brainy's Girl Who's a Friend". Lol, once again I'll be more specific at the end so that I don't give anything away ;) Thanks, buddy! ^w^

BROKENROSE who brought to my attention once a while back just exactly what 'tantric spells' are (for those of you who don't remember, Helga mentions to Bliss that she performs those in "Helga On the Couch". Lol, oh Craig, always finding a way to slip the most awkward things imaginable past the censors XDXD) Thanks, BrokenRose!

And also just thanks to all of my readers in general! I love you guys ^w^

Alright, without further ado, here's the lineup for this chapter:

HELGA BEHIND THE COUCH/ARNOLD IN THE SHRINE

BRAINY'S GIRL WHO'S A FRIEND

ARN—ER, HELGA & LILA

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

Please enjoy and please review! Thank you!

HELGA BEHIND THE COUCH/ARNOLD IN THE SHRINE

"Okay, so, explain this chess thing to me again, Arnold…The horse moves like an L…"

"The knight, and yes, Helga, it does kind of move in an L shape."

"And the pawns get only one space they can move…except when an opponent's piece is diagonal to them and then they can move that way and capture it…" Helga brought a hand to her chin.

"Yup…" Arnold smiled more.

"And the castles can move as many spaces as they want forward or back…" Helga was still looking intently at the board.

Arnold nodded and chuckled. "The rooks. And you've got it, Helga."

"Okay, and these bishopy things move diagonally…"

"Exactly…"

"And the king is basically stationary since you can only move it one square in any direction and the queen has all the power since she can pretty much go anywhere she pleases…" Helga looked up now into Arnold's eyes and smirked at him from across the board. It was set up right between them right now as they were each laying on their stomachs on Arnold's couch, legs bent and up in the air, heads resting on their hands propped up on their respective elbows.

Arnold just smirked a little back at her for her observation and let out a small sigh. "Yes, Helga. The Queen is the most powerful piece and the King just kind of supports her…even though it is the King you have to capture to win. I thought you might like that about the game."

She chuckled a little. "Oh, just a bit…I'll be sure to make it the new national pastime when I'm president. And you can be the Department of Chess secretary...my captured little Chess King..." She winked at her beloved.

"Whatever you say, Helga," he merely replied back in his usual accommodating tone with one of his usual accommodating smiles...and his usual little blush (at the idea of his having been 'captured' by her.) "Now…" a noticeable smirk picked up on his face, "Are we going to play your first game yet? And don't worry—I promise I'll go easy on you." He winked right back, his tone more than just a little smug and proud.

Of course he genuinely wanted to teach Helga this game he loved so much and he had been all but ecstatic when, after obviously noticing a few times over the last few weeks his chessboard set up on his desk, she had enquired about it and he had explained that it was sort of a hobby of his even though he had trouble sometimes finding partners to play against…which of course had led to her suggesting with a beaming smile that maybe he could teach her and she could be his partner…

And yet, at the same time, despite his happiness at her wanting to share in another little aspect of his life…well…he felt so sheepish at having to admit it to himself but…well, part of his eagerness for their first game was also due to the fact that he had kind of…never really beaten Helga at anything before in his entire life…and with her just starting out and him being practically a professional at the game, he was maybe kind of excited to be the one with the definite upper hand this time in a competition between them.

Anyway, back in the present and with Helga, the young blonde pigtailed girl just let out a sigh and half grinned at her beloved's little 'I'll go easy on you' comment and at that adorable little smug look on his smiling face. "Okay, okay, hold your horses, Arnoldo. I know you're just 'anxious as can be' to own my beginner little butt at this. But let's not forget that after I go through with this whole chess lesson, you promised me an afternoon of checkers some time this week at which I will thoroughly own you." She smirked right back at him and reached out, giving him a play little poke right on the nose.

Arnold just chuckled and blushed a tiny bit at her doing that, some of that 'gaga in love' look coming to his eyes at how adorable he couldn't help but find her response and action. He nodded his assent. "Yes, a whole afternoon of checkers. And…all of my excitement about finally possibly beating you at something aside…" He gazed into her eyes and blushed a tiny bit, and spoke sincerely, "…I really am happy you want to learn chess, Helga…and that you're letting me teach you…I like sharing with you…" And then his smile grew a tiny bit and his eyes went down and just a tiny touch of that smugness returned as he just had to tack on… "And of course, like I said, I'll go easy on you."

"No deal, Arnold."

He blinked. And then his eyes went right back up to hers as he looked at her with curiosity.

She was just smiling, and, seeing the questioning look in his gorgeous green eyes, she let out a breath and elaborated in a simple and sincere tone with a shrug. "I'm a quick study, Football Head, and we've been talking about this for close to half an hour. I know the way the pieces move now, I know what the strategy of the game is, and I know the ultimate goal." She chuckled to herself a tiny bit. "Reminds me of keeping our class wrangled as the iron fisted 'Queen' of the fourth grade actually, or strategizing for a baseball game…" She chuckled a little more but then shook her head and went back to her point. " But anyway, my point is, I think I can hold my own well enough now that I've got the basics down…so I want you to give me your A game…even if it destroys me in two moves. That's the only way I'll learn, Arnold—diving right in and just doing my best to learn how to stay afloat. Do we have a deal?" She reached out a hand for him to shake.

Arnold just…taking all of that in, he just…he let out a sigh and resisted a sudden urge to push the chessboard off the couch and to the floor, go forward, grab Helga's shoulders and just kiss her deeply. 'She's just so…passionate…So very fiery and passionate about everything…And so very…challenging…' A little shiver passed through him and he managed to keep himself under control. "O-Okay, Helga…" he finally got out in a relatively normal sounding voice. "My, um…My A game it is. I wouldn't insult you by giving you anything less." He winked at her and then reached out and took her hand and gave it a little shake before going back to resting his head on his hands propped up on his elbows. "But…" he had to add with a half grin at the sight of her satisfied countenance, "Fair warning, Helga: no one's ever beaten me at chess…and most people don't even come close." He blushed a little, feeling funny for not being his usual modest self about this topic, but it was the truth—heck, his expert skill at this game was half the reason Gerald hardly played with him anymore: a half hour in and Arnold was usually just plain crushing him. Thinking of Gerald and chess though then actually brought an interesting memory to Arnold's mind and caused him to laugh just a tiny bit and add to the girl facing him, "Actually there's a story about that that goes with that thing I mentioned once about getting back my Grandpa's watch from this guy called the Sewer King who lives in the sewer. I could, um…tell it to you while we play…if you'd like to hear it?" He asked the question shyly and with a modest blush…and secretly hoped she would be interested in hearing him relate the 'harrowing adventure.' She seemed to like it whenever he did little daring things…and of course he had that little hang up of his on impressing her…and what better way than with a (maybe slightly embellished at times) story about braving the dangers of the sewers…slippery rails, a labyrinth of tunnels…and especially those rats she feared so much…all to retrieve a watch from the King of it all.

Arnold was brought out of his slight daydreams (daydreams of him telling her all of that and her listening and gasping and thrilling over his little secret accomplishment…being torn between fear for what might have happened to him and admiration for his bravery and cunning…and maybe rewarding him with a little kiss from the princess of his heart for defeating the king of the sewers so soundly) by the sound of one of Helga's distinct (and, to him, musical) giggles. "Arnold, first of all, I'm sure whatever daydream you're having right now is very nice but believe me, I appreciate your attentions a lot more than your daydream Helga ever will…" Arnold blinked and blushed and cleared his throat, tugging at his collar in slight embarrassment at getting caught so obviously fantasizing about her. "And second of all…" she went on, and his shy wide green eyes finally made their way back to looking into her smiling blue ones set just above her rosy cheeks at having been the object fantasized about, "Yes, Arnold. I'd love to hear all the details of one of your feats of daring, my brave little boyfriend." Then she chuckled and had to add with some degree of personal amazement, "Besides, I'm running out of stories to tell myself…and I NEVER thought I'd say that!"

Arnold had to laugh along with her at her observation, some of his blushing starting to ebb as he began to feel more relaxed again. "Okay, Helga." He smiled at her. "I'll tell you all about me and Gerald and the Sewer King…But if it gets too scary just tell me…" he added with a light touch of sarcasm, "There's a lot of rats in this story and I know you don't like those." He winked.

She just rolled her eyes and blushed a little. "Ooo you braved 'rats' huh?" She giggled a tiny bit for effect. "My hero." She looked to him with a loving smirk on her lips. "And sure, Football Head, if it 'gets to be too much', I'll let you know." She gave him a little playful nudge in one of his shoulders with one of her fists, and then went back to resting her head on both of her hands and finally said matter-of-factly with a smile, "But while you're 'dazzling me,' for Pete's sake, let's start this first chess game of mine. Now, who goes first?" She looked down at the board eagerly.

Arnold chuckled a tiny bit and looked down at the board now as well. "Well, you've got the white pieces so you go first, Helga."

"Okey dokey, professor of chess…" he heard her reply casually enough…and yet…he didn't see her hand reach down to the board now to start the game. "Oh and, um…Arnold?" And now her voice sounded…slightly more nervous. He had to glance up at her and he noticed with interest and curiosity that, still looking down at the chessboard, she was smiling in a funny little way...and blushing quite a bit, actually.

Arnold's smile became very intrigued as he took in how she looked right now: after all, basically whenever she blushed and smiled before telling him something…it almost always meant she had something to say that he would like…a lot. "Y-Yes, Helga?" he got out airily, and while he waited for her to speak he just savored the sight of that beautiful shade of rosy red and pink that was her perfect blush…It was like someone had pushed her normal favorite color of pink to it's most red possible tone. 'Pretty…' He sighed a little.

And then his (still lovesick) eyes noticed his shy and smiling and blushing little Helga reach into the pocket of her jumper…and whatever she removed seem to fit into the palm of her hand (where she was currently clasping it tightly). She went on with what she had to say. "Um…I…picked up a pack of gum on the way over here…because, well…last time I was here, we were…talking about…some of the things we did together when you pretended to be my boyfriend when your cousin was here….You, uh, remember, Arnold?" she asked with just a touch of coyness, her eyes barely coming up to meet his.

Arnold, right now, was just looking at the pack of gum with his head cocked to the side and his little jaw dropped and his heart was thundering in his chest…because he knew what she was referring to but at the same time…couldn't handle mentally (let alone aloud) admitting what what she was referring to was…

Helga just giggled again on this afternoon. 'So cute when he gets shy….' "Well," she went on, some of the confidence returning to her tone, "Since you're speechless…I'll go first, Football Head: with the gum and the chess, I guess. You can go with the gum when your mouth starts working again." And then, like it was no big deal, she popped out a piece of gum from the pack, tossed the wrapper aside for now into a little wastebasket under one of Arnold's end tables, and then popped the piece into her mouth and gave it a few chews…blew a bubble…let it pop…chewed a couple more times…and then took said gum out of her mouth and reached it towards Arnold, letting it rest on two of her outstretched fingertips (feeling her heart pound, by the way, as she did this). She gulped nervously, her eyes glancing down. "A-As long as you still want to do this again, Football He—"

She froze. Everything inside of her went on electric fire! Her eyes flew back up to Arnold.

Her beloved had just…taken her extended hand with the gum resting on her two fingertips…and he had shut his eyes and leaned down and gently kissed these fingertips…and then he took the gum away with him in his mouth and let Helga's hand go.

Helga was just trembling. She…no matter what they had done so far together as a couple, what he had just done to her hand had felt…beyond intimate. It was hard to describe. She felt like she was shaking. She was happy she was already lying down.

Across from her, she watched as her beloved, eyes still closed, chewed the piece of gum now in his mouth a few times…and then his eyes opened. They were very VERY half lidded. "B-Best…gum I've ever had, Helga…" Oh and it truly was! That small presence that was always upon his lips whenever they kissed, that light little flavor that was sweet and bright and that was Helga…It was amplified a billion times! Like popping an actual bit of it into his mouth to savor and play with. 'How did I miss that the first time we did this…?' he couldn't help but think to himself, recalling when they had done it to make Lila jealous and how the entire time he had just been telling himself over and over again that he should be disgusted …although maybe, underneath all that denial, even back then…he had taken just the tiniest bit of pleasure in it all…just the tiniest bit of curious pleasure about doing something like that with Helga... And then that urge went through him again on this day to fling the chessboard between them to the floor and just get as much of that 'Helga presence' on his lips as possible for the rest of the afternoon. Indeed, his cravings for the intimate stuff had been getting stronger and stronger as the weeks had passed…She was just…very…wantable…and he was getting more and more comfortable with giving in to his wanting of her.

Still, though, Arnold reminded himself that he had promised her chess for today and chess was what it would be…And he also reminded himself that he had even left the 'Do Not Disturb' sign off of his door just to keep himself from temptation. And besides, this gum thing was more than enough to tide him over for now.

And so now Arnold just let out a deep satisfied sigh and then took the gum from his mouth upon two of his own fingertips and offered it to her. "Your turn again, my bright and precious angel…" His voice was low and sweet. "…And then like I said you go first in the game." He winked.

Helga…just looked with wide eyes from his eyes to the gum, and she gulped. No, she didn't have it in her to do to him and his fingers what he had just done to her and her own fingers…at least not without absolutely diving on him and just losing herself in him. So instead she had resolved on just reaching out to take the gum and pop it into her mouth, and was about to do so...when she suddenly gasped and her eyes went wide as she felt Arnold use his fingers to pop it past her lips and into her mouth all on his own. 'Oh…your fingertips gently pushing past my lips…O-Oh….' She felt him reach under her chin next and gently pop closed her agape jaw.

"Just chew, Helga. It's okay…" he soothed in a shy little whisper.

Helga obeyed and chewed… "Mmm…." …and moaned. She couldn't help it. The gum had just tasted like bubble gum and a little bit of cool mint before but now…oh there was something more! Something so much more! It was Arnold's presence times a thousand… A little salty and yet cool and sweet…Oh it was perfect! If only it could be bottled into a spice or something and sprinkled over everything she ever ate for the rest of her life!

And yet though ever taste bud in her mouth was feeling pushed to the max, Helga somehow managed to keep her cool and to just chew and glance down at the chessboard for a few seconds…eventually settling on moving one of her 'horsies' in one of those L shapes.

Taking in and letting out a breath, Helga felt a lot better and steadier now. Besides, she really did want to focus on doing her best at this game. She even managed to blow another bubble now before reaching up her hand and popping the gum out of her mouth again. She looked up at her beloved with a blushing little smile. "Your turn, Arnoldo," she said casually.

Her blushing little love reached out and took the gum from her hand to his (he didn't have it in him to try kissing it from her fingers again…he still didn't know where that had come from in the first place or how he had managed it without literally having a heart attack…but it had just felt so…right.). He put the gum back in his mouth again…and felt a little shiver go through him at the full force return of her…well… 'Flavor…' With an extra deep blush he had to admit the word to himself. It was Helga's…flavor. The flavor of her mouth. Even though kissing was technically just lips he knew what the inside of her mouth tasted like…and loved knowing.

Getting back to the chessboard he observed the pieces for a moment and then reached out and moved one of his pawns forward. Then he popped the gum out of his mouth and proffered it forward, glancing back up at Helga as casually as he could. "Your turn, love," he said with a little smile.

The blushing beauty before him ('Blushing beauty…' I definitely have to write that one down), gave a little nod and then reached out and popped the gum into her mouth with a giggle as she studied the board and its contents for her next move. She managed to make one of her own pawns go forward as well, and then she took the gum out of her mouth, but paused before reaching it out toward her beloved. "Alright, um, Arnold…" she was still blushing thoroughly and still looking mostly down, "Before we go on with this chess game…and the, uh…other thing we're doing right now…" she cleared her throat just a tiny bit, "…just so that neither of us 'dies from blushing' or anything can you seriously start sharing that Sewer King story…I think it might be just enough of a distraction to keep you out of daydream land and me from monologuing like a great big sap, you know?"

Arnold just chuckled a little. "Aw, but…I like daydreaming about you…and I love when you monologue…"

"Arnold!" she squeaked out with a giggle, blushing and smiling. "Come on…just tell the freaking story to relieve some of the awkwardness of this whole gum sharing thing so that we can both really focus on giving each other our best games, okay?" Then she smirked a little. "Otherwise I'll just be forced to keep the gum over here with me and to deprive you of your share in this whole incredible experience…" She winked the gum still held up on her fingertips.

He smirked a little back. "Well in that case, of course, Helga...Anything to get my turn with the gum…And besides, who am I to deny the request of a lady?" He winked.

She just rolled her eyes (blushing a little extra of course) and reached out the gum to let him take it. "Ah, quit sucking up, Football Head."

He took the gum and put it back in his own mouth…chewed it…savored it…glanced down shyly at the board. "Wh-Whatever you say, Helga." He swallowed a little and tried not to shiver. "A-Anyway, so…about the Sewer King…well, it all started with my Grandpa's pocket watch…or, one of them, at least…" He almost chuckled to himself as he reached out and moved another one of his pawns.

Helga giggled as she awaited the return of their gum from him before she would make her next move. "Okay, you're gonna have to explain to me that 'one of them' comment, Arnoldo…"

He laughed a little as he took the gum out of his mouth. "At the end, Helga…Trust me, it's funnier finding out at the end of the story." He offered her the gum.

"Whatever you say, Arnold, whatever you say…" She took the gum again and popped it back into her own mouth.

And as Arnold savored the taste that had just finished flooding his senses yet again and Helga savored the taste that was currently starting to flood her senses again, the two of them had the same thought at the same time before Arnold went on with his story and the two of them went on with their chess game.

'This is…a thousand times better than just sharing a soda!'

About an hour later, the chessboard was looking a little sparse and a fair amount of their partner's pieces were in Arnold and Helga's possessions respectively. And Arnold had finished his 'slightly embellished' Sewer King story (making sure to particularly emphasize how many rats he'd had to get past) and Helga had smiled and giggled at his cute little way of telling the whole thing and let him know when it was all over that she was happy that along with a cute and caring little love god she had also been blessed with a brave one and that she hoped he would never find himself in such a precarious position ever again since she 'couldn't bear the thought of losing her precious prince to some nasty old Sewer King…and also didn't want to have to think about braving all those rats herself if the Sewer King did ever hurt Arnold and she then had to go exact her revenge upon him'. And along with that the gum (actually most of the entire pack of gum) had been going back and forth with much less awkwardness (but no less pleasure), and at this point the two kids were so comfortable that, still lying on their stomachs with their knees bent and feet in the air, they'd even kicked off their shoes for a little added comfort.

And also, as stated, the chess game was still going on of course.

And not that Helga was 'magically winning on the first try' or anything…but she was certainly holding her own.

"Helga…" Arnold chewed the sixth piece of gum between them and looked at the board with some degree of surprise (as he had been doing for about the last two minutes since it had been his turn), having long since calmed down about having Helga's 'flavor' inside of his mouth and now really focusing on the game…and being really impressed by just how much of a quick learner his love was. "You…did a solid opening…and…I'm not trying to sound arrogant but…we've been playing for an hour and…I haven't won yet…and, um…I really am trying." Granted part of that hour had been spent by Helga double, triple, and even quadruple checking about the ways different pieces could move and taking her time and carefully studying the board between them before making any final moves…but overall she really was actually doing pretty okay. He looked back up to her again.

Helga smiled extra at his observation and shrugged, crossing her legs in the air behind her. "Heh, told you…I'm a quick study, Football Head. I just went with what seemed logical. I mean, I had to think a lot and consider a lot of things and stuff first of course… Actually I think I'm starting to get why this game appeals to you so much." She smiled a little more at him. "You're creative and clever and bright, Arnold. One of the smartest guys I know. A challenge is good for you—keeps my love sharp." She winked and then glanced down at board again herself. "I mean, I usually just use literature and baseball strategies and stuff to keep my own head focused but this is interesting too. I kind of like it."

Arnold blushed quite a bit at her words. After all, he considered her the smartest, most brilliant, most clever person in existence so to have her compliment him like that…meant a lot to him. His smile went a little goofy. "Thank you, Helga…A-And yeah…it's…it's good for clearing your head and keeping your mind sharp. And I'm happy you're enjoying yourself." He let out a happy little sigh and then brought his eyes back down to the board, considered things a moment longer, and then moved his remaining bishop, effectively capturing Helga's knight…which he knew would lead her to move her Queen to put him in check…which would then leave her King vulnerable (and leave he himself free), even though she wouldn't see it probably until it was too late, to win the game and put her in Checkmate. Arnold hated to do that but she did want his A game and so he was going to give it to her. He popped the gum out of his mouth and looked up at her, reaching it out towards her on the tips of his fingers. "Your turn…"

Helga took the gum from him and popped it into her mouth. She considered the board for a good two or three minutes of silence, just chewing away the whole time…And then she reached down and moved a piece. Her smile brightened. "Check!" She looked up at her beloved eagerly. "It is check, right? I mean, I got right what check is, right?" she asked him, just to clarify.

Arnold just nodded with a nice smile. "Yes, you got it right. You just put me in check. And considering how much experience I have that's very very good for your first game, Helga." He looked at her with a touch of admiration and pride… 'Gorgeous and gifted…Whoever started jokes about blondes being silly is an idiot…'

Meanwhile, in response to his assurance that she had indeed gotten the check thing right, Arnold's 'gorgeous and gifted blonde' just smiled a little more…her eyes going a bit half lidded. "Really? It's 'very very good', huh?" She blew a little bubble and then moved the gum back into her mouth with her lips, chewing it coyly. "Well, in that case…could I maybe get a reward for putting the King of Chess in check?" She grinned a little more at him and even fluttered her eyelashes for effect.

Arnold grinned goofily back at her. He loved whenever she threw in the eyelash thing. It was so…enticing. And it brought such attention to her perfect blue eyes. "Did, um…Did you… have something in mind, my Queen of Chess?" he finally managed to ask shyly, feeling heat building in his features, knowing full well what she was suggesting but feeling just a touch too much modesty to say it before she did.

The 'Queen of Chess' just giggled and blew another tiny bubble, then asked in a sweet sounding voice that made his heart flutter, "Well, why don't you close your eyes and pucker your lips…and you tell me?"

Arnold gulped and blushed more, and then with a little nod did as she asked. Instantly her lips were on his and she was kissing and then he was kissing. Just the two of them with their little lips locked over the little chessboard. Arnold could feel Helga's presence upon his lips now…and with the remnants of it still in his mouth from the gum…it was all heaven. (And the same could be said for Helga's experience right now too.)

A few seconds of this passed and then Arnold, the initial euphoria of Helga's kiss calming just a little, started to become aware of the fact that it felt like there was a bit of hesitation on the part of her mouth, like she was having trouble really giving it her all or something…At first he was going to break just a little from the kiss and ask her about it but then he realized what it must be, recalling that last little bubble she had blown before they had come to this.

Their kiss continued for a couple of seconds more and then Arnold pulled back gently and only slightly for a moment, still letting their foreheads and noses and lips touch…hearts pound… "Helga…" he whispered with a little smile, eyes still closed in bliss, "Do you want a minute to get rid of the gum before we, um…go on…?"

He heard a little giggle escaped her. "Y-Yeah…almost forgot…I…should get rid of it, shouldn't I?"

The way she asked that…suggested to Arnold that she had a scheme or something planned…There was just something slightly suggestive about it. Still, right now their lips were touching after they had just spent the better part of the afternoon sharing pieces of gum back and forth…so it stood to reason that anything she had in mind that she was giggling and acting coy about must certainly be a good thing… And so…

"Sure…" Arnold replied, his eyes opening though only a tiny bit…lips still grazing hers as he savored and felt fascinated by the simple fact that every time a little of one of her lips touched a little of one of his it sparked and made his heart thrum. Hers were so soft…the softest thing he had ever come across in his entire life… "Whatever you say, Helga…A-As long as we can get back to…rewarding you for putting me in check…" He chuckled goofily. "Helga, if you're trying to put off me putting you in checkmate…which you kind of left me open to do to you now…this is a very good way to do it, by the way."

"Hmm…" she let out something between a moan and a sigh… "Yeah, that's part of it, I guess…Didn't realize until about five seconds after I'd let the piece go but you tricked me into backing myself into a corner. Very clever, Arnold. And…as for my 'reward'…if you like what we've been doing so far…I can't wait to see your response to this…Bye bye, gum…"

Arnold closed his eyes again, waiting for her to get rid of the gum and then get back to whatever she was plan—

She pushed forward, their lips imprinted and melded again, and then Arnold felt something funny and felt his mouth opened a little by something and then for just a split second his lips were definitely around something…and then the something left…and Arnold slowly processed that the gum was…back in his mouth.

His eyes flew open! He glanced around and then at Helga's (now open) eyes in panic and shock and confusion. What had just happened? How had the gum gotten back into his…He blinked a few times, considering the sensations that had gone along with Helga's little trick. She had pressed her lips to his…he had felt something separate his lips (obviously that had to have happened for the gum to have gotten in), his mouth had been a little opened and then whatever it was had left…leaving the gum behind. His eyes dilated.

Helga, meanwhile (who had opened her eyes in curiosity at how her beloved might respond to this new little thing she had suddenly gotten the gumption to try), now blinked at the shy and scared look of confusion on his face and decided to break their lips fully for the moment, just in case he really was upset by her boldness. 'Stupid, Helga, so stupid! You know that no matter how bold and edgy that little dark side of his acts that he does not handle having his innocent little bubble of romance pushed too far too fast. Mmm, but it was just so tempting…Oh but what if he's angry now…?' She gulped and awaited with wide, unsure eyes however he would respond to what she had just done.

Arnold, meanwhile, had just finally finished connecting some dots…and accepting some things…and waiting for the power of speech to finally return to him…upon which he spoke (albeit in a cracking and nervous little voice). "H-Helga…" he just asked shyly, unsurely, his wide eyes still looking directly into her wide eyes…and still so close, the two of them… "Um…did you, um…push the gum back in my mouth…w-with, um…I-I mean did you just put your…I…I mean…" He was blushing furiously. He couldn't say the words.

"U-Um…" she replied back quite shyly herself, her eyes glancing down just a little and the blush rising in her cheeks. "I just…used my tongue to push the gum into your mouth." She brought her eyes back to his. "I-I'm sorry. I-I went too fast again, didn't I, Arnold? I-I knew I should have just been happy with you sharing the gum with me and left it at that…." She glanced down again and blushed some more in embarrassment at this whole thing, feeling some of that guilt that her beloved had experienced over the course of their relationship come over herself all of a sudden. 'Ugh…I continue to hate guilt…'

"N-No…Helga…I…" she heard him suddenly start again though, his voice sounding like it was regaining a little strength. Her eyes shot back to his with rapt attention. Her blushing and nervous little beloved just cleared his throat and then his eyes met hers again and she saw that the panic that had been in his gaze before was gone now…and some of the usual warmth was returning to his jellybean green eyes. "I, um…" he went on quietly, "I j-just never thought about, um…But that was, um…a-actually a little…exciting…I-I mean…" A touch more shyness came to his features, if that was possible. "I really don't think it's something I could handle doing all the time, but…just to try it…It was…interesting…Um…" His face was a deep scarlet as he looked bashfully, hesitantly, into her eyes…and then asked out of the blue, "C-Could I try doing it to you now?"

Helga felt her heart pounding at the idea…just…pounding…just hammering away in her chest in a manner she had never known before. And right now the only problem she could conceive of having with his sudden suggestion was that she wasn't sure if she would be able to control herself with him if he actually did that with her and the gum…did that while they kissed…

As a result the best response she could manage to his question was a little nod. And then she shifted forward, her eyes wide, so that their noses and lips barely touched again.

Arnold gave a little nod as well now that they were like this…just tensely locked onto each other with their gazes and blushing like mad, waiting for what was to come.

Looking into her eyes he whispered to her before starting anything, the gum off in a corner of his mouth just for now. "U-Um…Helga?"

She whispered back, unblinking. "Y-Yes, Arnold?"

He blushed a little more if that were possible. "Could I…hold your hand…while I do it…? I'm a little scared."

She smiled a little. She had to. Such an Arnold-like request. "Yes, Arnold. You can hold my hand while you…give me back the gum."

He gulped but smiled a little as well and then reached around the side of the chessboard still between them to her hand that was resting there on his couch and took it and squeezed it. Then he closed his eyes (and as he did so watched as she closed hers as well). He pushed their lips together, kissing her normally to start.

As their normal kiss continued, Arnold (deciding to just…not over think this as best he could and to just go slowly and steadily and with his instincts to make it work) chewed the gum a tiny bit in his mouth and then shifted it to the end of his tongue, and then he squeezed Helga's hand as hard as he could, brought his other hand up to cup the side of her face and then he opened his mouth a little and pushed shyly yet quickly forward. At first he felt the gum meet her lips and it made him want to pull back, not wanting to 'push' or anything lest he cause her any discomfort. But then he felt her lips give all on their own and he gently moved in, released the gum (savored the moment for the fraction of a second he could handle it) and then pulled out…and then ended things by squeezing her hand more and shifting his other hand fully into her hair and just kissing her firmly, so very firmly…He had a lot of emotions going through him right now and he needed to let some of them out of himself in this way before letting her speak and react and tell him if he had done it okay or not.

"Mmm…."

(The deep moan that escaped Helga only a couple of seconds into this hard little kiss to finish things up told him there was a pretty fair shot though that he had done alright.)

Eventually, the young boy lightly separated his mouth from Helga's again, letting their noses and foreheads and lips touch as before…himself breathing heavily as was she…and he was feeling a lot warmer all over now that he thought about it. "D-Did I…do okay…Helga?" he just asked in his shyness, eyes still closed, a small smile upon his face…

He heard a shuddery sigh escape her (her warm, sweet, bubble gum and mint breath blowing against his lips) and then he felt her head nod against his own. "You did…Mmm…brilliantly…" She giggled. "A-Arnold…?" she asked in the lightest voice.

He nodded, eyes still closed (as he knew hers were) "Yes…my love goddess?"

She giggled again and nuzzled her nose to his this time. "Let's…" she spoke so quietly, "Let's do it more…P-Please…"

It was funny—he had been so worried about doing this in the first place but now…continuing it all…actually sounded like a good game plan. More… He nodded… "More…" he replied, "Yes…I…love tasting you on my lips, Helga…and also in my mouth with the gum…" He was saying things out loud that he only thought in the shyest corner of his mind but he didn't care…so very much didn't care…They were so close and connected right now that no degree of embarrassment could enter in to any of this. "I love you. Love you…" he added in a dazed whisper, and then he took a breath and then brought his lips forward to hers again, waiting for the gum…and how it would get there. He felt her shudder and squeeze his hand a little…probably at him suddenly being so forward and eager about this, but…forget the modesty…He didn't want to be modest right now…He wanted to gum swap with Helga…And it seemed more likely than ever at this point in their date together that he really would end up sweeping that chessboard off to the side, snatching her up in his arms, gently cupping her head fully in his hands, and feeling her give the gum back and giving it back to her for the rest of the afternoon…for the rest of forever…

Arnold briefly put aside the fantasy details for a moment as he felt Helga with the gum all of a sudden push against and then enter his mouth… Oh somehow this felt so wrong and yet so right and yet who cared about wrong or right in all of this? He was in love with this woman and she was in love with him, and he would shout it all from the rooftops right now for all to hear and see if only his mouth wasn't occupied with other things at the moment. And she tasted so good…Deeply lip locked with his one and only love.

Suddenly, Arnold's bedroom door opened and in walked a smiling Gerald Johannsen. "Hey, Man, sorry me and the other guys are late—they just wanted to pick up some snacks to bring over here before we—" He stopped…and then the sound of him gagging could be heard.

Helga instantly broke from Arnold, pulling her tongue safely back inside of her own mouth and leaving the gum behind in his, and blushing like MAD! "GERALD!" she squeaked out in shocked and startled embarrassment!

Arnold's blushing face was instantly turned to his best friend as well, his eyes wide…his jaw hanging open a little with the gum resting on the inside of his lower lip. "Gerald!" he squeaked out as well. "Wh-What are you doing here?" The gum half fell out all of a sudden and he had to reach up and actually push it back in his mouth. (And for Pete's sake he was so embarrassed, so humiliated, so mortified—what if Gerald had gotten a good look at just how close they had been…just how deeply they had been… 'Mmm!' The whole thing flustered poor little 'coming out his romantic daze and back to his quiet, modest reality' Arnold so very much! He could barely bear to process it!)

"Uh, g-go kart meeting?" was all Gerald said back shakily, still standing in his doorway and still looking at them with a face that was a perfect mixture of disgust, discomfort…and yet just a touch of curiosity and just plain wonder.

Meanwhile, Arnold's eyes went even wider at this response from his best friend to his question. "Gerald! I-I-I told you the go-kart meeting was on Wednesday. Today I have a date!" So much humiliation was present in his face and tone and in all of his feelings…and deep down inside under it all it was starting to process with Arnold (and he was now starting to regret) that his sudden and spontaneous and wonderful chance to swap gum with Helga for hours if he felt like it had just been ruined…and who knew when he would work up enough courage or find the right opportunity to be able to really try that again with her?

"TODAY is Wednesday, Arnold!" "TODAY is Wednesday, Football Head!"

These responses to Arnold's comment about the go-kart meeting being on Wednesday and today being today were said at exactly the same time by Gerald and Helga to the poor and mistaken football headed boy!

"And every guy in our class is heading up here right now, Arnold!" Gerald suddenly added in panic!

Arnold's jaw fell and his heart pounded and fear pierced his eyes. And he could hear the footsteps coming down the hallway. That was it: game over. He was an innocent little deer in the headlights just waiting for the car to hit…

It was a good thing that Helga, at least, had just a bit of experience with close calls of the 'confession' kind like this.

Over the course of the next ten seconds the chessboard was put on an end table, the few remaining gum wrappers were tossed in Arnold's wastebasket, and Arnold suddenly found himself pushed to the floor from the couch, only blinking and just starting to get up as he heard Helga say a single sentence as the sounds of familiar male voices now traveling up the stairs to his room entered his ears.

"I am NOT here. Period. And, Crimeny, after my confession there should NEVER have been a need for me to do this again!"

Arnold got his eyes open and got himself standing just in time to see Helga, laying on his couch and now scowling and with his room remote in hand, just shut her eyes tightly and with a cringe press a button. There was an "Oof!" and a swish as the couch flipped back into the wall and then suddenly (due to the button obviously being pressed again) flipped forward again…with Helga no longer upon it.

"Hey, Arnold!"

The other fourth grade boys entered the room.

Only about five minutes in and Helga was already sick of this whole freaking situation. Arnold's room was full of the voices of every guy in their class taking turns yelling random stupid thing after random stupid thing about how they could get together the rest of the money for the go kart they had been trying to buy since the third grade, it was FREEZING back here in the wall, and also… 'Darn it, I was…the kissing…the gum…' Her heart still pounded at the very idea…making their kisses go that deep…little pushes and pulls…Oh it wasn't fair! Having to be ripped from pure ecstasy into this dismal dark place! She swallowed once more, savoring that last little bit of precious Arnold saliva that was in her mouth (she shivered as it went down). "Unfair…" she whispered to herself in lament, "So very unfair…My love, so close and yet so far away…separated not only by the thin physical barrier of your wall…but the unbearably thick social barrier of our classmates…Oh how I long to return to you, my darling…" She got on her knees with a longing frown and looked through the crack in the wall again. And still her love was just sitting very nervously right in the center of the couch, unwilling to move from that place as he had been during this entire time in the only means that he could think of to prevent anyone else sitting there and possibly somehow becoming aware of Helga's presence. She could tell from the back of his neck that he was nervous…His hairline was tinged with sweat and the flesh of his neck was very pale. Oh she just hoped no one noticed that guilt stricken blushing grin she could just imagine on his face right now.

She let out a small sigh and scowled just a tiny bit, and then leaned very close and whispered out to him near his ear, "Arnold…Hey, Arnold…Please take a PILL or something, my love. Just relax…nothing bad is going to happen as long as you don't make it obvious that you're having a mild panic attack at the moment."

She saw Arnold's neck straighten and could just make out at an angle the sight of his throat gulping a little at her words. Then he brought a Yahoo soda bottle up to his mouth as a cover and spoke back to her quickly under his breath. "Helga, you know I'm a very bad liar…So considering the situation I think I'm doing pretty well right now…"

Helga sighed, some of her patience and understanding returning. "Okay, okay…I'm sorry. Didn't mean to push you," she whispered back sincerely. "I'm just…frustrated and freaked out too, okay? But we'll deal with it…We'll get through this just fine…I promise. Just like I used to get through all those times over the years when you almost caught me here and found out my secret, okay?"

She could see him give a tiny nod as he then brought down the Yahoo soda bottle from his mouth.

"Hey fellas, what about we make and sell some lemon puddin'? Garsh, I sure do love lemon puddin'!" Stinky was heard to suddenly make this announcement, which elicited a bunch of interested affirmative random responses from the other guys at this possible way of making money.

Behind the wall, despite her current predicament, Helga had to SEVERELY roll her eyes. 'Selling lemon pudding…Are they kidding me? I could come up with a better idea than that in my sleep if I was out there!' "And P.S. Arnold…" she quickly whispered out to him again, "Why the heck don't I get invited to these go kart meetings?"

She heard a small sigh come from her beloved and he raised up his Yahoo soda bottle again to cover his mouth as he whispered back, "I'm sorry, Helga. It's, um…boys only…heh…" She could see him cringe just a tiny bit.

"Grr…" she couldn't help growling a little from her place behind the wall. "Crimeny—I'm banned from the boys only meeting about selling PUDDING for money, I'm blackballed from Rhonda's girly slumber parties…Too much of a skirt to play with the boys and too much of a tomboy to play with the girls…Ugh, this is so typical!" She scowled and crossed her arms over her chest in frustration, slumping down with her back to the interior of Arnold's wall.

"Helga…" she heard the faint whisper come as Arnold faked another sip of soda. "Just…think about it this way. You're so womanly that Rhonda's too intimidated by you to invite you to her slumber parties…and the other guys didn't want to include you here because they all know that of all of us you'd be the best driver and…they're all just too insecure to admit that a girl could cream them all at go kart racing, okay?"

Helga still felt just a little frustration but…she had to smile. She loved when her love comforted her with his optimism…when he made her feel like she wasn't a freak or something but rather just truly special…wonderfully special… "Thank you, my prince…" she whispered back with a little grateful lovesick smile.

"Hey Arnold, what do you think of the pudding plan?" Harold Berman's voice suddenly sounded out.

And now Helga knew their little conversation had to stop, and she even crouched down more behind the back of the couch in fear (even though of course no one could see her).

"Yeah, Arnold. Boy Howdy, you haven't said anything since we got here…" Sid.

"Yeah, Arnold! Is this about me freeing your animals over your ceiling last month? Because I apologized for that…" Curly.

"Uh…" Helga heard Arnold begin just a little shakily to all of this attention and these questions, "N-No, guys…Just, um…enjoying my Yahoo soda. Heh…" He cleared his throat. "Um, anyway…I-I guess the pudding thing could work…"

"Dumb idea…" Helga couldn't help but whisper out behind the couch in a singsong voice.

She heard a little frustrated sigh escape Arnold. "…But…" he then went on to the other guys, "W-Wouldn't that be similar to the bake sale we tried to do a couple months ago? And…we barely broke even between supplies since none of us can really cook…"

There were some nods and words of assent from the other guys.

"U-Um…what about a car wash, heh?" Arnold suggested with attempted brightness.

And suddenly all the guys were approving again and talking over each other as they discussed this new potential plan.

Helga heard her beloved let out a relieved sigh.

And yet though she was happy for him with having successfully dodged a bullet like that in regards to all the guys noticing how quiet and funny he was acting, she still had to get on her knees and whisper to him with a touch of frustration and seriousness, "A car wash, Arnold? You seriously think that without my help you chuckleheads could get organized and focused enough to pull off something like that? Besides, we're ten and this is the city—we know more people who take the bus than who drive cars…!"

The Yahoo soda bottle was raised to Arnold's lips again as a cover as he replied. "I know a car wash wouldn't work very well, Helga…" he whispered back patiently, "But whenever anyone brings it up as an idea it's always a distraction for a good five or ten minutes before they move on to something else…and as much time as I can get without them looking at me and asking me questions, the better…"

Helga smiled at her beloved's clever and understandable little explanation about his suggestion. "Ah, excellent strategy, my love…." she whispered back proudly. "My sneakiness really has been rubbing off on you." Then she smiled more and blushed a little as she added. "And, actually it might not be SUCH a horrible way of making money, if you'd let me in on managing you guys, that is…I-I mean, I for one would hijack Bob and Miriam's car and pay five bucks just to see you in a cute little bathing suit and t-shirt and your wild tufts of hair half covered in suds trying to wash it…"

Helga was looking at the back of Arnold's neck as she said all of this…and she blushed even more as she noticed that formerly pale white patch of his skin turn a distinct rosy warm hue…And also, he seemed to stop breathing, freezing up entirely.

"Hey, Arnold, are you okay?" Harold Berman was then heard to ask. "You got a fever or something?"

Helga heard Arnold just gulp.

"Uh…" Gerald luckily piped up from across the room, "Hey, Arnold's just, uh…got some of those spring allergies. You know, they clog your nose, make you look a little red and puffy, heh…Right, man?"

Helga watched/heard her love gulp again. "Uh…" he slightly squeaked, "R-Right…a-allergies. U-Uh…don't worry, guys, I'm fine. Heh…"

All the guys went back to talking…and Helga heard Arnold let out a big sigh of relief.

Helga leaned up near the crack in the wall close to his ear again, letting out a light giggle. "Sorry for that, Football Head. Couldn't resist."

She heard him let out another (more amused, this time) sigh. "It's okay, Helga…" he whispered back, bringing the Yahoo soda bottle to his lips once more. "I'll just…keep reminding myself that I was about to cream you at our chess game and…I'm sure that'll make me feel a lot more calm and confident." A little chuckle even escaped him.

Helga just scoffed and rolled her eyes with a smile… "Oh whatever, Arnold…" 'Hey, at least if he's calm enough to make a joke that's a good sign…'

And yet, at the same time his joke had reminded her of their chess game…which they had been interrupted from…which then reminded her of the gum they had been also interrupted from and the kissing which they had also been interrupted from and just their date in general which they had been interrupted from… And had she mentioned that she was STILL trapped in this annoying (definitely spider…maybe possibly rat…okay, probably not 'rat' since it was the boarding house after all but still, you never knew!) infested place until these stupid yahoos decided to finally leave Arnold's room. 'And they have unlimited access to all the cookies and soda they brought up here…' She slumped back down to the floor, her back against the back of the couch once more. 'Crimeny, We could be here all night…'

And also, at the back of her mind…kind of moving forward to the front of her mind…Helga couldn't help but be just a little ticked at Arnold on top of everything. After all… 'He's the one who messed up the afternoons…He can't be that sloppy if we're going to still keep this a secret! What if they'd all walked in at first instead of just Gerald?' Oh she shuddered at the very idea…every boy in their class walking in on her…practically in Arnold's mouth! Gerald seeing that had been bad enough but…all those boys…finding out about her most intimate guarded secret…in THAT way… She blushed and it made her slight annoyance at her love grow even more. And, going back to being trapped, thanks to this mess she was cold and alone behind a wall…with nothing to do…

Still, Helga smirked just a little at a thought. 'Heh, at least I got back at him a little with that comment about him washing my car…' She blushed a little herself again at that image she had described for him…All cute and half soaking wet and covered in bubbles just working away in the summer sun…Yeah, if they ever actually did pull off a carwash she would definitely be attending…

Helga let herself play with the daydream a moment longer and then let out a sigh as she put it aside for now and glanced back up at the back of her beloved's neck…which wasn't blushing anymore though it hadn't gone back to that pale nervous sickly color, which told her that after his smug little comeback about their chess game he was feeling a little calmer and more self confident now.

And even though that seemed like it should have been a good thing to her…it mostly just frustrated her a little extra—not that Arnold should be spazzing all over the place and giving them away but…she figured for the trouble he had caused he deserved to be on his toes at least just a little.

She had an idea.

She got on her knees and went up behind his neck…and prepared to have a little revenge…and fun.

'Might as well remind him of what he's missing thanks to this little faux paus of his…' she thought to herself with a mischievous grin before commencing 'Operation: Flirtation.'

The other guys (which included Harold, Sid, Stinky, Eugene, Curly and Gerald…with Gerald just shooting Arnold disbelieving looks every now and again as he apparently still couldn't comprehend all that he had walked in on before) had been here for about ten minutes now…and during this ten minutes Arnold had been mentally KICKING himself! Just KICKING HIMSELF! 'Stupid, Stupid, Stupid, Stupid, STUPID! Wednesday! TODAY is Wednesday! And they could have…we could have…if Gerald hadn't come up before the rest of…' Oh it made him practically want to shake in fear…The others finding out about him and Helga by…walking in on him sharing one of his deepest kisses ever with her…walking in on HIM, mild mannered Arnold…practically sucking against Helga's lips as she gave him back the gum. 'Mmm…' He chewed the piece of gum still in his mouth yet again…savoring the last of his precious Helga's flavor that was still upon it. And yet thinking about her specifically once again only made him feel even guiltier… 'Her secret…it's so important to her…and I promised myself I'd never push her about it and always keep it safe as long as she needed me to, but…I almost blew the whole thing for her!' He couldn't even imagine how utterly just…devastated she might have been had everyone really seen them and found out everything. He sighed to himself. 'I'll have to make it up to her later…the date and the gum and the chess…the stress…all of it…'

And yet despite feeling so bad, Arnold hadn't been able to help making that little 'about to win the chess game' joke just now considering how brightly she had made him publically blush with that bathing suit/car wash comment. And to make matters worse that joke from her had suddenly reminded him that, well…summer wasn't that far off so…she actually would be seeing him in a bathing suit soon… And sure she had seen him in a bathing suit before, but…never with him knowing that she loved him…or with him knowing that he loved her…Having to wear his bathing suit around her and knowing she was attracted to him…looking at him… 'N-No shirt on around her…' He was certain he would be blushing all over the whole entire time when the time did come. And what if she went and hugged him or something when he was like that? Oh the very idea made him feel about to faint!

'N-No, Arnold, save it for later…' he soothed himself mentally as best he could. 'You don't want to start blushing again in front of everyone.' He closed his eyes and took another refreshing swig of his Yahoo soda to cool himself a bit. He let out a refreshed sigh as he took the bottle away from his lips and set it back down on his end table. Yes, he would be fine. He would be fine and the guys would leave soon and then he could let Helga out and make it all up to her.

So for now he was just patiently listening to everyone talk about go kart money ideas…and chewing his gum a little here and there…remembering so many things from ten minutes ago.

"Oh…Arnold…?"

He heard the whisper from her behind him and he just gave one of his small nods to acknowledge it.

"You know, I…" the soft whisper went on…and it was much softer than the last time she had been talking to him, he couldn't help but mentally note. She went on. "I never noticed before but…the skin on the back of your neck looks so smooth and soft…And you've got this cute little part right where your hair begins…Hmm…it's like a whole new little part of you that I haven't explored yet. I'll have to give it extra special attention later to make up for overlooking it so…"

Arnold felt the blush come back…

"…But for now, I, well…"

"Helga…" he whispered back shakily, not even having it in him to bother with the soda bottle as cover this time, "P-Please…don't…Whatever you're going to…don—" His whispers stopped and a full tremor passed through him. She had just blown gently and sweetly on the back of his neck. 'O-Oh…' Her sweet breath tingling against the nape of his neck…making the hairs stand on end…knowing that her lips were so close…and that she could probably see the scarlet building in the patch of skin there now and all for her.

Another slow, lingering blow of breath came from her against the back of his neck…and then there was a giggle… "Your neck blushes…I find that very cute in a man, you know, Arnold…" And then he felt her give his neck the lightest poke.

He was just gripping the fabric of the cushions of his couch at this point to keep from collapsing, and HOPING as hard as he could inside that no one would address him or notice how strange he must look AT ALL!

"Hey Arnold…are your allergies bugging you again?" Harold, who was sitting on his carpet not too far from him and indeed looking at him rather curiously at the moment.

Arnold just sighed. 'Great…' "U-Um…yeah. I-It's fine, don't worry about it, Harold. U-Um…th-that idea you guys suggested about pet walking sounds good. D-Does anyone know where we could get a bunch of pet food for not a lot of money so that we could save on costs?" He let out a sigh of relief as luckily that question got Curly talking about his being able to possibly 'borrow' some pet food from the zoo.

"Arnold, Darling…" came Helga's whisper again from just below his ear and his eyes went wide…She was still going with this? "Do you still have our gum in your mouth? Does it still taste like…me?" Another giggle.

He gave a small chew to the gum again…Yes…just a tiny bit of her presence was still on it. "Y-Y-Yes…" he had to whisper back, unable to think of anything else to say.

"Aww…Oh but it's too bad that we got interrupted from our little game with it…Hmm…kissing games…Never thought I'd bring you that far, my love…at least not so quickly. Wow—kissing games, defeating the Sewer King and all of his horrid rat minions…Such a 'bad' boy I fell in love with…"

His shy little fingers dug deeper into the red cushions of his couch. 'Bad boy'… She had called him that again in his life… 'No, I…' but… 'You were swapping gum with her while you intimately kissed up in your bedroom and imagined tossing aside the nice, safe, innocent chessboard you were supposed to be teaching her with so that you could dive on her and not come up for air for…who knows how long?' Oh it was all so much…and the most confusing part was that of course he wanted to be a good, nice, humble gentleman, he really did…but at the same time he could no longer deny also really wanting to be an edgy, impressive, daring, bold, aggressive guy…Actively and severely wanted it, and didn't just want it to be a random spontaneous thing but something that he could let out whenever he felt like it to give her those daring and romantic times that she deserved so much. After all, she no longer needed things to compel her to be sweet…to pull out the secret feelings inside of herself—she could get romantic and tender and monologue whenever she wished it, it seemed, so…so why couldn't he control his 'dark side' like that too?

"C-Can't help it…I-I'm in love…r-remember…?" was all he could respond to her 'bad boy' comment for now.

"Oh yes, I remember…" came her sweetly whispered reply. "Just like you must remember your dark side…and how much you like it…Oh Arnold…I hate being back here, trapped in the cold and dark away from you…I long for you, my darling, right here and right now. " Another breath blown on the back of his neck, and then the simple yet perfect finish of… "Your Helga needs you to warm her up, Arnold…You're the only one who can, after all…"

'This isn't fair…This just…isn't fair.' His heart was pounding and pounding and now Gerald (though thankfully none of the other guys too…yet) was even looking at him extra funny from his place on his bed. He just gulped and glanced down and tried to focus on go karts and nothing else…which was a strategy that was really just not working at all, to be just perfectly honest.

"Well…" Helga's voice went on, so cooing, so angelic as she leaned up as close as she could to the crack in the wall so that wisps of her breath might hit his ear as she spoke…and then she dropped the bomb. "If you hadn't invited about a million people over by accident on our date, we COULD be together and warming each other up right now! Really, Arnold, you mentioned that go kart meeting to me two days ago and I asked you specifically what day it was so that I could make sure to be nowhere around here and you assured me that today was perfectly fine to come over and get all cozy with you! Hmph!" She had finished in a much more sarcastic and annoyed voice and now she crossed her arms over her chest and slumped down to the floor behind the wall once more. (Yes, once again, Helga knew it was an honest mistake on his part, but…right now she was flustered and frustrated and cold had she mentioned that it was so annoying being trapped in this stupid space! And besides, all she had done was a little bit of harmless flirting…it was just a small little joke—another bit of fun with teasing and tempting him, just like she had always done throughout their entire lives together.)

Outside of the wall, once again in Arnold's perspective of all of this…

'Not. Fair.'

Yeah, he was still saying those words to himself just as he had been doing before…but…he meant them in a MUCH different way now.

'WHY does she have to…always…and she knows how bad it can get to me, and…' He let out a frustrated sigh…and, yes, she did have a point about this being kind of his fault, as he had more than admitted to himself already, but…still… 'WHY does she have to toy with me like that? Get me all worked up, and then…' He let out another sigh. And then he glanced down at the floor near his end table and his eyes fell on her two white sneakers, still next to each other and tucked away there from when she had taken them off earlier to relax, and in a little burst of his anger he couldn't help swinging one of his feet over and giving a little kick against them in his frustration…

"Hey, Arnold…who's shoes are those?" asked Eugene brightly now from across the room as he finished taking a sip of his own soda.

Arnold froze. Then he cringed. 'She's going to kill me.' He instantly sat back up straight and did his best to use his foot now to push Helga's shoes even more away under the table. "Uh, n-no one's. Hey, do you guys want any more sodas or anything? I'll bet there's some in the fridge downstairs!" He smiled as brightly as he could, just hoping like crazy to distract them and bring any attention away from the one piece of evidence of Helga's presence here that she had forgotten to take care of before flipping herself behind his wall.

"Um," Eugene went on though, still looking at the offending white tennis shoes in question, "Actually, those look like girl's shoes, Arnold…"

And now officially all the attention of all the boys was entirely focused on Arnold…and at the little white pair of tennis shoes that they all were now finally noticing tucked neatly under his end table. (And Arnold just did his best to ignore the small squeak of surprise he could hear come from Helga's place behind the wall.)

Harold grinned, putting down the cookie he had been about to take another bite of. "Hey Arnold, whatchya doing wearing girls shoes? Ha ha!" He started to laugh.

Arnold blushed and rubbed the back of his neck. "N-No! They're just, um…"

Sid grinned too now from his place sitting on the floor beside Harold. "Heh, well then maybe Arnold's got a girlfriend…." He elbowed his portly friend with a grin.

Helga's squeak this time was extra loud and Arnold was all but panicking, feeling nothing but a cold sweat upon the back of his neck now. "I…N-No, that's not…" He was going down and he could feel it. Like a ship at sea taking on water and only getting more holes…

And then, to top it all off, the iceberg struck.

"Well garsh, actually…" Stinky then piped up, scratching his head from his own place on the floor, "I reckon those look like Helga's shoes…"

Behind the wall every ounce of blood in Helga G. Pataki's body was now in her face, she couldn't breath, things before her eyes were hazy, there was a dull ringing in her ears, and she was about a half a second away from blowing chunks (an action thankfully held back by the fact that all she'd had to 'eat' all afternoon was Arnold gum). 'Stupid stupid STUPID, I COULD KILL US BOTH!'

She only prayed that the fourth grade jungle would be merciful when they socially ate her and her beloved alive.

Back in the land of those 'currently on the spot', Arnold's brain had basically just shut down at that simple observation of, 'I reckon those look like Helga's shoes…' . He just sat there, his face frozen in mid-panicked look, pretty sure his heart wasn't even beating anymore. There was just no way…just no way that this was really in actual life happening…him and Helga, finally exposed. 'N-No, this can't be…it.' Yes, sure, he wanted him and Helga's relationship to become public knowledge one day but NOT like this! And not when she wasn't ready…No, never when she wasn't ready…and with it being so spontaneous he wasn't even sure if he was ready himself right now…

Meanwhile all the boys around him were now looking at him intently.

"Wow, hey, I think Stinky's right," Eugene observed with one of his usual smiles. "Those do look like Helga's shoes, come to think of it. Gosh, how did they end up here, Arnold?"

"Yeah, Arnold. How, uh…How did Helga's shoes end up here?" Sid smirked a little and Stinky and Harold joined him. And Curly was just sitting there with this creepy eager smile on his face.

Okay, all of them were obviously expecting an answer from him…even despite the fact that his brain function had all but ceased progressing forward about thirty seconds ago. "I…" Arnold finally squeaked out, "They're here because I…" 'Anything that doesn't put her up here in your room…ANYTHING that doesn't put her up here in your room…' "B-Because I…took…them? Heh…" Arnold knew that behind the couch Helga was having the same thought as him now. 'You phrased it as a question…Fantastic. And what do you even mean, you 'took' them?'

"Arnold…why did you take Helga's shoes?" Curly then asked, very seriously and looking totally stumped (and Arnold couldn't help but cringe at the fact that if Curly was questioning an action…it was a safe bet that said action didn't just sound crazy…it probably sounded CERTIFIABLE!)

"I…" Arnold tried to speak more calmly, shifting a little again on his couch. "I took…Helga's shoes…a-and brought them up here…and put them under the table…" stalling, "Because…um…it was, um…I, um…" He heard the faintest little groan come from behind the couch to his ears.

And now, Gerald, just plain finding this all too painful to watch, finally stood up from his place seated on the edge of Arnold's bed and took a nice sidestep over to his best friend, grinning confidently. "Uh…" he supplied, looking out at the other guys with a much more confidant smile than his buddy had at the moment. "Don't be modest, Arnold, man…" Arnold blinked and glanced up to his best friend. "Uh," Gerald just went on, still addressing the full room, "He took them…as a prank! Right, buddy?" Gerald's already wide smile grew and he looked to Arnold with as much meaning as possible.

Arnold just swallowed…just swallowed and brought his wide, unsure eyes back to the group of boys before them. "Uh…o-okay…y-yeah…it was a prank…" It was said by him with so little conviction, and yet Arnold was just happy the words had actually managed to leave his mouth.

And yet still everyone was sitting around him, still looking at him…obviously wanting further explanation of all of this (which made sense considering how epically freaking RANDOM it all was) and Arnold just…just said words that came out of his mouth. He barely knew what they were and if anyone had chosen to interrogate or question him on this subject after his initial explanation, his story would have changed (and dramatically) about a million times with no more coercion than the simple request for him to 'state the facts once more, please'. "I…stole Helga's shoes…She was, uh…sitting on her stoop p-putting on some…skates, and…she had been bugging me a lot that day…wh-which was just a little while ago actually since she, uh, obviously had her shoes in school today, heh…so I just snuck up and stole them to get back at her…Y-Yeah…Yeah that's it!" And then suddenly…Arnold started feeling just a little…smug. "Yup. I stole Helga's shoes." And now he was sitting there smiling confidently looking around at the faces of all the guys who were kind of giving him seriously impressed looks (even though Gerald still standing to his side was just cringing and smacking a hand to his forehead. 'Man, do NOT milk this, she will KILL you!') But, eh, Arnold wasn't thinking of that consequence…He was kind of getting a small ego boost from all of this actually…and, if anything, also thinking now about maybe getting Helga back a little for that small seduction thing she had just done to him from behind his couch only to pull the rug out from under his feet and leave him hanging and blushing and high and dry out here with all of the guys to see him blushing and spazzing like they had. And after all this 'prank' excuse seemed to be working, which really was the most important thing, so…why not go with it all the way as long as the opportunity was presenting itself? His grin grew all the more and a touch of pride welled up within him.

'I will KILL him!' Helga was FUMING behind the couch as she peeked out with a dark scowl through the crack in the wall. 'THIS is what he comes up with! What part of DO NOT TORCH MY REPUTATION does he not get?' Granted, at the back of her mind she had to acknowledge that people thinking Arnold had royally pranked her as opposed to them knowing that she and he made out regularly was definitely the preferable situation of the two, but still… And then now he was getting all SMUG about it! Actually, enjoying doing this to her! 'I will KILL him!' She seethed even more. 'And the worst part is I'm not even out there to defend myself! Ugh it's MADDENING! And I want out of here anyway! This is the most frustrating…the most annoying…the most ridiculous…'

"Yup, stole them right out from under her. And boy was she mad. But, you know, I figure it's a little more payback for that April Fools blindness thing she pulled on me—I mean, I know dropping her in the pool was supposed to get her back for that but then she pulled me in to get me back for that again, so…I figure this shoes thing makes us completely even now…or maybe puts me kind of ahead actually since it really was kind of funny."

Helga gave a silent little scoff of total and complete indignation and then her scowl came back, extra dark. 'Oh I'll put him 'kind of ahead'… 'kind of ahead' of an ONCOMING BUS when I get out of…Oh…Arnold…I swear….I swear if I wasn't behind this couch, I'd…' She let out a sigh of frustration. 'But you are behind the couch, Helga, you are behind the couch…' her reason had to remind her. She thought back to some things in her life—of course she had been trapped behind this couch multiple times before but…with so many people in the room beyond? Never… 'Well…' she sighed, 'No, there was that thing with that stupid answering machine tape, I guess, the last time I was here when they were all having a go-kart meeting…B-But getting out of that was a total fluke…' She recalled the explanation Arnold had made to her a couple of weeks ago of his inaction when she had randomly rolled out of his wall like she had, covered in dust and wearing a campfire lass sash. 'I guess…I was just figured if I said anything, you'd pound me or something…' Had all the other guys been afraid of that too? It was a possibility. 'Or they were just in shock…' Either way she had gotten away with it and gotten out of this house…

"Wow, Arnold, that is awesome! Ha, ha, I would'a loved to see the look on that Madam Fortress Mommy's face when you swiped her shoes! Ha Ha!" There was general laughter throughout the room to join in Harold's comment.

Helga let out yet another frustrated breath and sat down with her back against the couch once more and just settled on scanning her surroundings yet again for spiders or rats to distract herself (and her anger) for a moment. 'Nothing. Good.' She was about to consider turning her eyes back to the scene of Arnold's room even if it was the most exasperating thing she'd ever come across…

..But then her eyes fell on the room remote to her left which had ended up back here with her since she'd had to use it to flip the couch back with herself on it before.

"Well, gosh, I suppose that is kind of funny come to think about it, Arnold." More laughter. ('Great, even EUGENE'S yucking it up over me.' Helga rolled her eyes again, the scowl still set deeply upon her features.)

Her eyes then, with nothing else really to focus on back here in the dark, just fell once more to the room remote.

At first she just looked at the object with boredom…it and all of its buttons she had come to know so well over the weeks.

"Yeah, boy howdy, she might cream you later but that's great, Arnold! Nice job!" Some extra laughter from Sid.

Helga just sighed, still looking at the dumb remote.

And then the thought occurred to her…and it was kind of novel, actually…sort of a 'hiding in plain sight' thing. And of course in its corner was the fact that what she was maybe considering doing had indeed worked once before…heck, only now it might work even better since she actually had a plausible story to go along with it. And it would stop this little brag fest…it would get Arnold back in spades (another definite selling point)…and it would also let her do some much needed venting of her current frustrations. (And besides, her other option was what? The vents! Even if she did start crawling through them…in the dark since she had no flashlight…she recalled full well that the last time she had attempted to navigate the full complex inner workings of the boarding house she had ended up crashing through the ceiling kitchen… And in addition she still had no shoes to walk home with (although, technically speaking, once she had managed to get home from here in nothing but an old bathrobe she had found in Arnold's shower…but that was an entirely different situation and one that she didn't care to relive too much for its embarrassment and awkwardness, to say the least.))

'Do it, Helga old girl…I think you've got just enough moxy to pull it off. Do it.'

She considered for just one more second…then nodded to herself, took a breath to sum up her courage, gulped very deeply to push down her last bit of nerves…and then Helga G. Pataki took the couch remote in one hand, and prepared to reach through the crack in the wall to give the cute back of Arnold's neck such a pinch before she pressed a certain button!

Back in Arnold's actual room…

Okay, he'd had his fun and he was ready to tone things down a bit and be a little more modest and to start brushing past this whole thing. He just smiled and shrugged from his place on the couch as his friends continued to laugh and joke together a bit. "Guys, really though it's not too huge of a deal, and…actually I don't think any of us should mention it too much around Helga. I don't want her to feel bad or anyth—OW!"

Suddenly he was cringing and standing up and rubbing the back of his neck for the sharp pinch of pain that had just been shot through it by something. His brain was probably about to process that it was the result of a rather peeved Helga pinching him from behind finally in retaliation for his slight humiliation of her…

Was about to process that when…

"Whoa!"

And suddenly something had kind of jettisoned him forward and now he was facedown on his carpet, eyes closed…and then a 'whooshing' sound met his ears, and then a loud 'thump' right on the floor beside him, and then he could definitely make out some sounds of shock and surprise coming from around him...and then he suddenly became aware of a presence right beside him…rather different from any other presence in the room…as…well…this particular presence had a warmth that he knew…and a warmth he had often dreamed of lying beside just like this over the last near month (though not in such a surprising and strange manner and…certainly not on a floor but rather in her bed or in his bed… her, despite her constant insistence that she was more than prepared for such an event, smiling shyly and blushing at them being so warm and close together….).

This 'presence' moved swiftly as a groggy Arnold just blinked and finally managed to push himself up a little.

"You are…DEAD…Football Head."

And now Arnold was sitting straight up and at attention and blinking and taking in everything with wide eyes. "H-H-Huh?" was all he could manage shakily.

And instantly he was suddenly being grabbed by the collar, hoisted up and high, and, now on his feet, he was gulping on reflex as he had always been apt to do whenever a scowling and angry Helga G. Pataki had him in close quarters (and especially by the collar). "Did I stutter, paste for brains? Oh no wait that was YOU." He looked at her, his vision finally coming completely into focus. She was scowling and breathing heavily and blushing (though luckily it probably came off to the others as her just being 'red hot mad'…Although, come to think of it now, Arnold wasn't entirely certain that 'red hot mad' wasn't the sole reason for the color in her features all things considered.) She went on, still fuming, still holding him up by a bit of his plaid shirt collar. "Now you listen to me, you pathetic little shrimp! I go and be nice enough to kind of bury the hatchet with us about that whole April Fools thing by being your stupid poetry tutor last month and THIS is the thanks I get! You and your crazy football headed self out of nowhere stealing my shoes! Who even does that?" He watched her glance around a tiny bit as she then went on with…in a slightly forced exposition if you really thought about it… "A-And then I ended up chasing you so far to get them back that I was actually closer to here than my house before I even realized it, but of course I couldn't catch up with you the whole way here since, ONCE AGAIN, I HAD NO SHOES, so I had to sneak in here and sneak up here, and now I swear…I SWEAR…if there weren't a million witnesses in this room, oh what I would do to you, you pathetic little geek." She tightened her grip on his collar and brought his slightly frightened looking face a little closer and Arnold had to gulp again, though at the same time…he had never really realized it before but…the way his heart pounded when Helga had done things like this to him over the years…it was funny, but it was kind of similar to the way his heart pounded when they made out. He…He almost didn't want the yelling to stop…almost wanted to…

And then suddenly he was flung 'violently' to his carpet (obviously it was more for show than anything else since he could feel right away that Helga didn't do it nearly as forcefully as she might have done in the past, and even then, of course, all such actions against him had always been softened by her love), and after blinking a few times he watched as Helga (totally ignoring the other boys) just scowled and stomped her way over to her shoes, snagged them and slipped her feet into them, then glared at the occupants of the room for good measure, and then with a "Hmph!" stomped her way over to the exit and out of the room, giving the door a very firm slam behind her.

Arnold and all the other boys just stared in shock and silence at the direction in which she had gone.

A few seconds later, some whispers started among the other guys and Gerald took that as a cue to come over to his buddy and take the opportunity to help him up from the floor (and also to have a brief one-on-one whisper session with him about this whole thing). "Arnold…I don't know what to say…"

Arnold, finally kind of standing again thanks to the efforts of Gerald, just gulped and spoke out of the corner of his mouth. "U-Um, so…I think that…went okay, Gerald…Don't you? Heh…."

His best friend just shook his head he finished helping get Arnold to his feet and brushed him off a little. "Heh, well, to paraphrase something I've been known to say…you are one dead kid, Arnold…One dead kid…"

Arnold gulped significantly once again…and then, now that he was fully up and standing on his own once more, the other boys started laughing and smiling and patting him on the back for so thoroughly getting under Helga's skin (and, of course, making sure to also casually ask for things like his stereo system and skateboard after he was dead by Helga's hands, probably some time within the next forty eight hours if nothing came around to cool her off before then).

Arnold just sighed and did his best to fake a smile and humor them…until he could get them home and get out of there to head over to Helga's house to face whatever 'music' may lie ahead for him.

"O-Okay…flowers…chocolates… I-I know Helga's different and more special than most girls but somewhere deep down she's gotta really like things too like this…right? Like when she was talking about wanting more official and grown-up like dates and stuff…" A slightly desperate looking Arnold was currently assuring himself of this notion for about the third or fourth time as he now finally made his way up Helga's block at a decent clip (around sunset, at this point)…with a single daisy in one hand and a Fudgie Nut Nut Bar in the other. He cringed a little once again on his walk at the sight of these kind of skimpy offerings and mentally kicked himself for not having been able to get rid of the guys until too close to dinner for him to stop by Helga's beforehand and get her alone for a formal little apology for his slip-up (and bragging), and also at the fact that by the time he had helped clear the dishes and had gotten out of the house, Mrs. Vitello's had been closed so all he'd been able to do was pick a daisy from the park on the way, and then he had wanted to stop at a convenience store or something for a real box of chocolates but he had left the house and gotten to within sight of the store before he had realized that he only had two dollars in his pocket, besides which he really wanted to get to Helga's ASAP before she had too much more of a chance to brood or before it got too close to their curfews. Anyway, the end result had been him just running in the store and up to the counter, pulling out a singer dollar bill and snagging Helga's favorite candy bar before running right back out of the store again to finally be on his way to his girlfriend's house.

He let out another deep sigh to himself now as Helga's stoop finally came in sight. "It's okay, she'll like them…even though they're not REAL 'flowers and chocolates'…It's still romantic…enough…"

He had reached the stoop now and had been literally two steps up it and with a hand out (and with both 'flowers' and 'chocolates' now in one hand for a moment) to knock on the door…when suddenly the word romantic stuck with him… 'Romantic…' He wanted this to be as romantic as possible…right? And the flowers and the chocolates were compromised a little so…why not pad them if possible?

And then quickly he was down the stoop and heading around Helga's house to her backyard fence. Upon finding himself in front of it he pulled forward the dumpster that was near there, climbed upon it, (checked to make sure Helga's backyard was empty), then climbed over into her backyard. Straightening up now (and thankful that his daisy hadn't gotten crushed and that the chocolate bar still looked brand new) he looked over at the back of her house…and his eyes fell upon her tree, the one near her window. His smile couldn't help but go a little dreamy at his most prominent memory with that tree: their one week anniversary…Hoisting himself up to surprise his love…and that kiss she had given him late in the night just before he had climbed back down it

Sure he didn't have a rope now but…it was light enough outside and holding a single daisy and chocolate bar wasn't so hard, and he was a pretty able kid so he knew he could make that climb on his own without too much trouble probably, even if it took him an extra few minutes to make it to the top. And, well…she really did love old-fashioned romance no matter how much of a modern woman she was…and she loved nostalgia and even a bit of well-placed irony too, of course…So yes he would definitely do this for her.

With a little extra smile to himself Arnold went forward to climb Helga's tree to the 'balcony' of her bedroom window.

Just as Arnold had predicted, it definitely took him a few extra minutes to navigate his way to the top of Helga's tree using just his climbing skills and then to push open Helga's shut window, all with the chocolate bar and daisy to keep intact, but finally he was up there and it was open and, upon going forward toward her sill, he slipped just a bit and kind of tumbled into the room onto her bed. Sitting up now, he blinked a few times, (hoped he hadn't looked like TOO much of a dork doing that just now), tried not to get TOO goofy inside about the fact that he was back once more in his precious love's 'sacred' little room, and then he pulled a few leaves out of his hair and looked around eagerly for his love. "Helga, I…" But then he blinked and paused…No Helga. His face fell a little…even if his little tumble inside had been a tiny bit embarrassing he still really wished she could have seen him enter like that by her tree…But anyway more importantly where was she? He had been just certain she would be here…although looking back on it he suddenly realized that he probably should have called first to make sure. He cringed and let out a sigh of frustration with himself. 'Nice going, Arnold…'

He had to scan the room again with his eyes just to be sure that after all of that she really wasn't he—

Arnold's eyes fell on a sight…and he had to blink at it as he now stood up from her bed. Helga's closet door was open…just left idly open…and if there was one thing he knew in the world it was that, considering what her closet led to, Helga would NEVER not be in this room and have left that door open…

Oh and also the closet light was on…

Which led to one conclusion…and the conclusion made him smile (and made him a lot more hopeful that she really wasn't as angry with him as he might have thought.)

A deep frustrated female sigh then met his ears, coming distinctly from the direction of the closet. "Ugh, this is taking FOREVER…" (This small confirmation of his suspicions about where Helga was at the moment made his smile grow a little more.)

Arnold looked down and straightened his sweater a little from his climb, then checked his daisy and then his chocolate bar…then tried not to blush and smile too much about where he was going…and then headed over to her closet and stepped inside.

As expected, there was a little step ladder there (Helga had finally explained to him not too long ago that a step ladder was what was usually there to climb up to the attic space above as opposed to that chair she'd had him use to get up there on their one week anniversary….but that it had broken right around the time of that tutoring thing between them as a consequence of her…trying to drag a football head-shaped anvil up there and resting it on one of the rungs. Oh he'd laughed so very much at that, and the second she'd gotten that frustrated little pout about him chuckling over something at her expense, he had just hugged her and given her cheek little kisses and told her again and again that she was just about the most brilliant woman he'd ever come across in his entire life…and that had taken away that frustrated look of hers pretty quickly, to say the least).

Smiling at these memories, Arnold began to quietly climb the ladder as he headed up into the shrine, deciding to surprise her (there was a tiny bit of romanticness in that at least, after all).

A few steps and a quick push up against the attic floor with one of his arms…and his head and upper body were in… 'H-Helga's shrine to me…' So much blushing…He accepted and loved the shrine but…still…a little room all dedicated to him…a room in which he…had a vague idea that other things went on besides just Helga sculpting and constructing her little statues in his honor…The poetry and…there were candles…incense…paint…chalk on the floors and…

He tried not to think about it too much more lest his entire face melt off in blushing as he pushed himself quietly up the rest of the way inside.

There was Helga, sitting in the center of the little room in front of…something that looked like the start of the base of a new shrine, and she appeared to be…folding things with a slightly frustrated scowl on her face. One of her purple pens was nearby and only a few of the larger candles were lit around her.

She seemed pretty focused on what she was doing because she still hadn't noticed his entrance and he was about to announce himself when suddenly…

Helga gave a sharp inhale of breath and dropped the piece of paper she was working on. "Ow!" She cringed and then brought her index finger to her mouth for a moment and then pulled it back out and shook it. "Stupid paper cuts…"

Arnold saw his opening and went right for it.

Putting the daisy and candy bar in one hand, he scooched over to her on his knees shyly and cleared his throat a tiny bit to make his presence known. "U-Um…allow me, please…my love…" And then shyly he reached out and took her offending hand, and brought her little slightly cut finger to his lips for a lingering kiss.

"A-Arnold!" she squeaked out in shock and surprise and he felt her jerk away a little…though certainly not enough to remove her hand from his grasp…and her cute little finger from his kiss.

His kiss remained for a moment of two and then he gently removed his lips from her skin and glanced up at her with a half lidded gaze, putting on his most charming smile. "Um…hello, my bright angel. I-I've missed you. Heh…" He smiled a tiny bit sheepishly and sat up straighter now.

She was blushing (so he thought that was a good sign) but then she shook her head (seeming to come out of something) and then…scowled and turned away from him in frustration (though she was at least letting him continue to hold her hand). "Hmph! Oh, it's you. You know, I'm not sure if I even want you up here right now in my shr…my shri…" And then her eyes flew upon and she blushed scarlet and ripped her hand from his. "Arnold, what the heck are you doing in my shrine? Get out, get out!" And suddenly she began trying to shift him away to the exit, still blushing severely.

As for Helga and how she was acting right now, well…sure, Arnold knew about the shrine but…she didn't want to be…up here…with him up here…with him up here in the shrine and completely unannounced! She was in the middle of putting together this new one so half the crazy supplies she usually used were out in some form—paint, feathers, glue, glitter, extra lights. On top of which last night had been one of her (now only weekly as opposed to 'every three hours-ly') worship and prayer sessions during which she had made her final shows of gratitude to her yahoo soda bottle shrine before retiring it, leading to this place smelling heavily of incense and a big sacred chalk heart on the floor and her football head-shaped helmet/mask just sitting casually in a box somewhere up here. 'No, no, no, no, no, he NEEDS to get out of here!' she thought to herself with total conviction as she continued to push him away. It was WAY too embarrassing. Ugh, it was even superseding her anger and frustration with him about that whole fiasco in his room a few hours ago. It was like he'd walked in on her getting dressed or something—just mortifying!

"H-Helga…" Arnold just chuckled to her though with a smile, managing to resist her efforts to push him out a little and to stop them at the edge of the entrance. "Come on, I…I've been up here before…What's the big deal?" He turned himself back toward her and gave a shy, blushing little shrug.

Helga, removing her hands from him to put them on her hips as she rested on her knees before him, just rolled her eyes and scoffed. "Uh—HELLO! It's a big deal because, it…i-it's my shrine!" That full and rich scarlet color returned to her features. "A-And I wasn't expecting you and I'm in the middle of stuff, and you got to come up here once and only once and only to become aware of it's existence and now it's a strictly 'Helga only, real Arnold free' zone! A-And besides…" And now she was scowling (though still blushing) again, "I-I'm still a little ticked off at you about the whole thing this afternoon at your house…messing up the dates AND milking that prank excuse. Hmph!" She looked away from him defiantly again.

Arnold, taking in all of her little concerns and her last complaint, just let out a sigh and scooched closer to her once more, putting on his most charming smile again. "So…just so I have this clear…you're angry with me but…you're working on your shrine to me?" He did his best not to chuckle a lot. He'd just had to ask the question, finding it too amusing to pass up.

At his words Helga stopped and blinked a bunch of time and then managed to roll her eyes yet again (and the blushing still went on). "Hey, I'm feeling anger right now and Bliss says that it's better to deal with those feelings constructively, a-and my poetry and my shrines are the best way to do that, but along with angry I'm also really frustrated with you and ticked off in general about that whole thing in your room so I wanted something constructive that would let me do some physical work so I'm up here doing this. So don't read too much into it because you are NOT magically off the hook for the stress of this afternoon!" She looked at him firmly (but once again the blushing softened the effect of it so very much, only making him able to think with a little lovesick sigh as he observed her, 'She's just so cute when she's angry at me…' )

Still though Arnold knew that he had to take this seriously and that she would have every right in the world to get really furious with him if he just went off into some dazed ramble about her being cute when she was angry instead of genuinely listening to and talking about her feelings. And so now he let out a much more sympathetic sigh accompanied by an understanding nod to her. "Okay, okay…I-I know, Helga…I-I wanted to get you back a little for what you did to me behind the couch by kind of taking advantage of that 'prank' excuse Gerald suggested, but…maybe that was pushing things too far…bragging like that. A-And also I really am sorry about messing up the days like with our date and the go kart meeting and almost having us, you know…" he gulped at the sensitive topic, "…get caught…" He let out a breath and cleared his throat a little and did his best to go on. "B-But, um…to make up for it…if you'll accept them along with my apology, I brought you…" And now he brought his items forward from where he had been hiding them behind his back a little in his one hand. "Um, well…" he shrugged, looking a little sheepish, "I wanted to bring you a real box of chocolates but I didn't have enough money on me when I got to the store and I was afraid it would be too late if I went back home to get more and then went back and bought them and then came here, so I hope this candy bar works okay. It's a Fudgy Nut Nut Bar and I know those are your favorites. A-And then I wanted to get you flowers too, of course, but Mrs. Vitello's closes at 5 and I didn't have time to go before dinner so, um…I picked you a daisy…y-you know, like I did that time you had amnesia…uh, I mean, like that time you were 'faking that you had' amnesia, heh…a-and then I even, um…climbed up your tree to get in here to be extra romantic when I brought them to you…" He offered her both items with a sheepish yet hopeful smile, feeling the warmth of a light blush tinging his cheeks. "So…are we okay, Helga?" He looked at her hopefully.

Helga…just blinked at the explanation and the items, taking another moment to absorb it all…and then she looked back to Arnold's eyes… "You brought me…the junior versions of flowers and chocolates…and then went and climbed up the tree to be romantic again…all to say you're sorry?"

Arnold blinked and nodded…hoping…

She seemed to be trying hard not to…but…but then she was smiling…and blushing even more. "Arnold…Arnold, Arnold, Arnold…you…just…officially know what gets right to my big, mushy, goodhearted center, don't you?" And then she giggled just a little, totally unable to help herself at the cute little story and all of his cute little efforts and the cute little sight of him kneeling there with a daisy and a candy bar and hoping he really had made things all better. " 'Flowers' and 'chocolates' and…you climbing my tree in a little romantic re-creation of our one week anniversary…And the flower is even a daisy just like the time with the amnesia, like you said…" She was getting more lovey dovy sounding and she knew it and she just didn't care. She let out a happy sigh, removing the two items gently from her love's hand and placing them right at the front of her shrine ( 'I'll incorporate them into my next worship session…Genuine artifacts from the love god himself! Ahhh….' ). Finishing the little task, she then turned back to him, kneeling as well, her hands clasped together coyly in her lap. "Okay, Arnold." She nodded and looked into his eyes with her own half lidded and so full of love. "I forgive the mixing up the days thing today and the little bit of bragging you did about that prank excuse you came up with…And honestly I'm just proud of you for convincing everyone of such a clever story on the spot like that. Very well done." She winked, and then looked down with a sheepish little smile. "And um, sorry about teasing you a little bit behind the couch…I-I was just frustrated and bored, and…well…the back of your neck really is very cute…" she had to admit with another little giggle.

Arnold just chuckled goofily and blushed and felt very happy. "Aw, don't worry about it, Helga…It wasn't 'so' bad…having my girlfriend flirt with me a little extra…a-and besides blushing like that in front of everyone was good practice for making excuses for it to people on the spot…and also Gerald helped a lot with the prank story and stuff, which was nice."

Helga just smiled more, glancing at him extra coyly. "Yeah, but…you're the one who kept it all together. Cool as a cute little cucumber. Very impressive, darling."

He looked down even more shyly…She was impressed, she had just called him cute, and then she had even referred to him as 'darling'. "Thanks, Helga."

She let out a content little sigh. "You're welcome, Arnold."

They were just smiling and quiet with each other for a moment (and Helga, for just a second, had forgotten about worrying about Arnold being up in her shrine like this, while Arnold, likewise for just a second, was actually kind of wondering at the back of his mind, considering how nicely she had reacted to a silly candy bar and daisy, how she might react one day to a lovely box of gourmet chocolates and a full bouquet of pretty roses…not even to make up for a little awkward spat but…just because. 'Even though no chocolate could ever be as sweet as her…and no roses could ever be as beautiful…' ).

He was brought out of his thoughts by the sound of his sweet, beautiful love clearing her throat a tiny bit and then asking with a touch more of her usual wit and amusement, "So…did the other guys buy it, do you think? Our, uh…little prank war…? I-I mean, I was only out there for a second and it was kind of hard to gage their reactions from behind the couch…"

Arnold smiled more and nodded to her question, looking a little sheepish. "Yeah. They seemed fine with it…Um…they might be teasing you a little bit about it though tomorrow at school but I promise I did my best to tone things down a lot after you left."

She nodded back and then gave a little chuckle. "And, uh…is Gerald 'traumatized' at all from what he walked in on with us?" She had to roll her eyes a little at the tall-haired boy's tendency for dramatics.

Arnold gulped and blushed a little more, still grinning. "U-Um, no…he's fine, heh… He, um…did start to ask me about why I had gum in my mouth when we were kissing…a-and why there were all those gum wrappers in my wastebasket…but, I think I blushed so bad before I started to say anything back that it made him tell me to just forget about it, heh…." He gave a sheepish shrug.

Helga sighed but smiled, taking in and accepting all of that information about the other guys as well as Gerald. "Okay…" she nodded then, "I can deal with all of that." She raised part of her brow and smirked just a little at him though as she added. "As for keeping up my reputation with the guys though, I…might have to be giving you an extra special hard time for the rest of the week in school, especially in front of them, but…I promise to make up for it by sneaking you an extra quickie make out session or two between class and lunch and recess." She winked at him.

Arnold's grin went from ear to ear. "Sounds, uh…Sounds m-more than fair to me, Helga."

She giggled.

He chuckled a little.

They looked up and they're eyes met for a little while.

And then Arnold asked with an extra deep blush, gesturing with his head behind Helga…and finally unable to control his curiosity even if it might lead to her ushering him out again in her (totally unnecessary, in his opinion) embarrassment. "S-So, um…you've been…working on a new shrine?"

Helga blinked at the unexpected question and then blushed and smiled and shrugged again, doing her best to keep her cool and to really try and be okay with just kind of shooting the breeze with Arnold in her shrine. "Uh…yeah. A-And before you ask, the old one made of the bottles that you liked so much is still around, it's just…" she gestured over to a far corner of the attic space, "…off to the side." She shrugged once more and looked back at him. "I figured…I-I mean, since I never thought of them as 'works of art' or anything until you came along…" she smiled more, "…I figured that I might try and start saving the saveable ones now…and especially that one since, well…that's the one that made you okay with my shrines in the first place. But, um, anyway, yeah…" She rubbed the back of her neck and swallowed nervously, "I've been planning this new one for a couple weeks now—Phoebe gave me the idea, actually." She was blushing even more as she spoke and Arnold just…found it all so adorable. His shy little love… "It's, um…" she crawled over and shifted to the side to give him a view of it again, though it was only the base (being done right now in a medium tone of blue colored paper…that he would realize, after she finished her explanations, was the same color as his jeans), "Well, apparently there's this old Japanese legend that if you make a thousand paper cranes you get one free wish, so, um, I decided to do that but, I'm also trying to give my own kind of flair to it and before I make the cranes out of the cut up construction paper I've been, um…writing one good memory about you or you and me on them…just to make them extra lucky and special, I guess, heh…" She smiled a little sheepishly and finally brought her eyes up to meet his. "Pretty crazy, huh…?" She half grinned.

Arnold was just…kind of wishing he could have five minutes alone in his room right now before he responded to her because, he didn't know if it was being up here or what, but he had never found her more inspirational than at this moment in time and he wanted to get a few poetry lines down about her if possible…(but he would do it later, he told himself, since he wouldn't leave here for anything now). "Um…" was all he could come up with now, "What are you going to wish for when it's done?" 'I'll bet she's going to wish for the most perfect thing in the whole world…'

His Helga blushed extra at that question…like extra extra…her eyes so wide. And he knew her heart must be pounding a lot for that much blushing to be happening and so quickly and suddenly. It was too much: his smile went all goofy and he felt his own heart starting to thrum happily. She swallowed and spoke again finally, glancing down shyly. "U-Um…well…if I say what I'm wishing for then it won't come true…a-and…it's…pretty important to me that it comes true…okay, Arnold? N-Not that I really think legends like that are real but…no sense taking a chance right? Heh…"

He just nodded at all of that, still with that big goofy smile on his face. It must have been something big and wonderful that she was hoping for…and (he didn't want to seem arrogant but)… 'And it's probably about me so…' "Okay, Helga. I understand. And I hope it comes true very soon for you." He winked.

He watched her eyes go even wider in shyness and that deep blush in her cheeks spread all over her features, and she even began to nervously play with one of her pigtails. She only just managed the most nervous and shy little nod he had ever seen in response to his well-wishing.

He chuckled warmly to himself. 'Wow, it must be a big one…' He felt all fluttery inside…and hoped that whatever it was it really would come true soon. 'I hope she lets me know what it is when it happens.' He let out another sigh and then asked, in the hopes of making her even more comfortable with him up here. "Hey, Helga…to make your wish come true faster…do you want me to help you with folding the cranes a little for the shrine?"

Helga's jaw fell and her powers of speech seemed to return. "HUH?"

Arnold blinked at her rather shocked reaction to his simple offer but still smiled and asked once more simply, "Can I help folding the paper cranes for the shrine?"

Helga, for some reason, just blinked a bunch of times like she couldn't understand what he was asking or something. Her voice dripped with disbelief. "A-Arnold…you want to…help me build my Arnold shrine?"

He just shrugged, trying not to chuckle at how strange she was acting (or at her way of putting his request), and nodded his assent.

Helga just…she blinked a bunch of times like she just couldn't conceive of the idea. Then she shook her head, very emphatically. "N-No, um…I mean thanks but…that's…okay. No."

Arnold blinked and looked at her with a curious smile. "But, Helga…why not? I think it could be fun."

"Uh…" her eyes started to dart around nervously, "B-Because, um…" and then she grinned and brought her eyes to his again, "Because I…Well, duh, Arnold—because I have to be the one to make all the cranes or my wish won't come true…The legend…remember? Heh…" She grinned brightly at him.

Arnold just chuckled and smiled back at her explanation for her hesitation…So cute about her little 'wish'. He secretly wished he knew what it was she wanted to come true so badly so that he could help make it come true extra fast. But still…now that he thought about it…with helping her out with her shrine not being an option…that only left one thing he could think of for them to do together as long as they were alone again today…his initial highest hope upon coming over here, actually. "Okay, Helga." He nodded to her. "I understand…" And then he put on his warmest, most inviting half lidded gaze and leaned closer to her. "Well, um…if we can't work on the shrine together…maybe we could do…other things together…as long as we've got the time…and as long as we didn't get to finish up our date…my Queen of Chess…"

She was all rosy in the face at his sudden spontaneous and forward offer…He loved it. Then she smiled, her own eyes half lidded now, and giggled, her hands clasped coyly behind her back as she sat upon her knees. "Other things, huh? End of date things..." She nodded a little. "Yes, I could see that, Arnold…It's been a good week or so since you tossed me down on MY bed to fulfill all of your passionate desires about me…" She fluttered her eyelashes…and was secretly quite thankful that he had suddenly steered the conversation in this direction…in any direction really that involved the two of them not spending more time up here than they needed to. Her initial panic had subsided but still she really did want to get Arnold down from here ASAP. It was just…even if he found this place more charming than anything at this point, it still just felt so awkward for her to actually be up here with him! Up here in the place where she had been known to paint her face in tribal colors, put on wooden and feathered football head shaped helmets/masks, bow down and beg for love and guidance and good fortune to her shrine while she chanted and made paper mache (since Dr. Bliss had told her that actual ones were out) animal sacrifices to her love's glory…among other more intense things that she had already promised herself weren't going to be revealed in full to Arnold until, as she had thought to herself once back when she had told him about seeing him undress and had been thinking about when she would have preferred to have saved revealing that piece of information for, 'Until we're married and have a dozen wedding anniversaries behind us.' So anyway, yeah, not only getting him out of here but…getting in some fun kissing time (and on her bed…and she LOVED when it was on her bed), sounded pretty good to Helga right about now.

She watched her beloved blush about her comment about her bed…but his half lidded gaze did not falter. He just leaned a little closer actually. "Helga…I…well, kisses sound nice b-but…we already did so much with that back in my room…" He blushed extra and cleared his throat, recalling the gum and how much he had realized, after the fact, letting himself get that intense with her had taken out of him once it had all been over… "I'd just be happy being near you, even…Cuddling together…O-Of course, um…if any of that led to more kisses, I wouldn't object…and especially to kisses on your bed. I like your bed a lot too, Helga…and being on it with you…kissing on it with you. It's beautiful when I see you lying there against the pink blankets. Very beautiful…" His smile went all goofy and his eyes went all daydreamy.

Helga giggled at that look and leaned a little extra close to him herself. "Hmm…in a cuddling mood, huh? And looking forward to that plus maybe some kisses on my bed…" She reached out her hand and started to gently tiptoe her fingers up his chest (and felt the tiny shiver of anticipation that went through him at the flirtatious action). "Well, then, let's get to it, shall w—"

"Helga, sweetie! Are you still home…?"

Miriam's voice as she obviously, from the distance at which it sounded, entered Helga's room below.

Helga's eyes went wide, her face instantly lost all of its flirtatious quality, and she went totally and utterly quiet. She had a personal policy—if Miriam came into her room while she was up in her shrine…she did NOT answer her. It…was just too awkward…the idea of coming down from in her closet and Miriam obviously knowing where she must have been and what she must have been doing. No. So now she was just perfectly quiet.

She saw Arnold hesitate, look unsure, but then look to her and follow her lead of total silence.

Both children heard a brief bit of movement around Helga's room, and then a yawn, and then Miriam mumbling to herself as she went out, letting Helga's door lightly close behind her, "Hmm…maybe she went to see Arnold again…or Phoebe…"

The children waited until they heard only silence below in Helga's room for a good ten or twenty seconds more…and then Helga let out a breath of relief and looked to Arnold. "Whew, that was close…And uh, thanks for going along with how I was handling that, Football Head. It's appreciated." She smiled gratefully.

Arnold just nodded and smiled back at her. "Sure, Helga. But…why did we have to hide?" He looked at her curiously.

Helga grinned a little sheepishly. "Well, I had to hide because…I-I don't like Miriam seeing me walking out of this closet…After all she knows vaguely about the shrine and…she'd realize that's where I was coming from and…I just don't like to bring attention to it. And as for why you had to hide, well…" she smirked just a little, "Let's not forget that YOU snuck up here…and I'd rather Miriam stay in the dark about my handy dandy tree so that it can keep being our conveniently accessible little secret." She gave him a little wink.

Arnold blushed and then blinked and nodded in understanding. "O-Oh. Right, heh…I understand. Our little secret…" He smiled and blushed even more.

Helga giggled a little at his adorable reaction but then had to let out a disheartened sigh as she now weighed the true circumstances of their current situation. "Anyway, Arnold, all things considered and especially if Miriam's looking for me and already thinks I'm not here and doesn't know that you're here…maybe we should postpone the 'date finishing' kissing and cuddling until tomorrow…either that or maybe you could climb down the tree and then come back in through my front door or something and I can…I don't know, pretend I was getting something from Olga's room this entire time…?" She rubbed the back of her neck sheepishly and glanced down. "Sorry, Arnold. I know it's all a little inconvenient but it's the only thing I can think of."

Arnold took in her words…considered the options and her suggestions…but then just smiled and shook his head. His Helga, always making things so elaborate and worrying so much…when obvious, perfect things were right in front of her sometimes. "Or…" he began to suggest…and then scooched closer…extra close…and shyly reciprocated that lovely thing she had done with her fingers to his chest before by reaching out and tiptoeing the fingers of one of his own hands around her waist to pull her gently in. "Or…even though I'll miss your pretty pink bed…we could just finish up our date right here where we're safe, and then take care of going back down later…" He had lowered his voice and was gazing right into her eyes with his own half lidded. "What do you say?"

Helga's breath caught quick in her throat, her blue eyes were locked into his, her cheeks burned a rosy pink (made more beautiful by the glow of the candle or two she had lit, in Arnold's eyes). Oh it was the greatest thing in the world having the ability to make her react like that…He savored it so. Her lips trembled and then she spoke. "Arnold…we…we can't do stuff like that THAT! HERE!" she just squeaked out in utter panic and shock in reply to him.

Arnold blinked, confused by this unexpected response. "Helga…" his grip on her waist loosened just a tiny bit, though he still kept his arm around her, still gazed at her with a charming smile and half lidded eyes. "What do you mean?" He smiled and blushed just a little more. "It's perfect up here…"

She just shook her head though, blushing a burning crimson all the more. "No! I…Arnold, this place…I can't…with you…up here!" She frowned a little, her eyes so wide.

He looked at her extra curiously now, his arm around her loosening even more and just trying to figure this one out…but… "I'm sorry, Helga. I…just don't understand."

She rolled her eyes and looked down and to the side, her breaths still coming quick and shallow. "A-Arnold…c-come on…" she stammered, "I-It's my shrine…w-we can't…get romantic together IN my sh-shrine to you…! That's…no…" She shook her head firmly again. "Up here, I…the things I've done about you in this…the way I get with the incense and candles and…" She shook her head again. "No. Uh-uh…we go somewhere else. Anywhere else…" She blushed and glanced hesitantly into his eyes again…needing him to lay off the charm…unable to resist it…and when he was so close to her, on top of it all…ready and waiting for the taking. She gulped and did her best to hold on until they could seriously get out of here since he had obviously gone INSANE with wanting to actually not just be up here but to be up here making the ultimate fantasy come true for her of her love god actually reciprocating for once her endless gestures and pleas of love to him in this most hallowed place of her affections.

Her Arnold, meanwhile, did his best to look at her with understanding in his eyes as he took in her reasons for objecting and worrying…yet he was also still smiling in that warm, sultry way of his nonetheless (she couldn't help but notice with another little gulp). "Helga…" he spoke gently and cooingly, "Shh…there's no need to get…embarrassed about…us up here…like that together." He blushed even more and she felt his arm come more firmly around her waist yet again…and the way his eyes glowed in the light of the few lit candles…she couldn't look away. "I-I mean," he went on, still quietly, "You think it's awkward up here for you, but remember I'm the one wanting to be romantic with my girlfriend in a room she made that's entirely dedicated to the worship of me." He chuckled a little again. "But…I still want to do it…As long as I get to be with you…nothing else matters to me…but of course we can postpone things or take some time to find somewhere else if you really think you couldn't be comfortable up here with me…I just…want us to be happy together." He smiled at her so sincerely.

And she smiled back…so very warmly…she had to. There was still doubt in her eyes but…also something grateful there too. Because how could she help but feel anything but comfortable and happy with her love's arm around her… "Arnold…" she whispered back, "I…As long as I get to be with you as well that's what's most important to me too…but…I…" She swallowed, even though that trusting smile was still there… "I-I don't know if I could…up here…I'd be so nervous…especially about kissing…I-I mean, what if I got carried away…? Y-You don't know half the things I've done up here, Arnold…" She blushed an extra lot, looking very deeply into his eyes. "Wh-What if the memories and the smells and you just being here got me to do stuff that would make you so uncomfortable you'd hate my shrine instead of loving it…? What if…I mean…I'm just nervous." She blinked a few times unsurely.

Arnold took in her words… and then released his arm from around her waist and nodded in understanding. "Well…" he then scooched around her and sat now at the center of the little room facing directly toward the base of the paper crane shrine. Helga turned herself and scooched over a little as well so that she was likewise facing the shrine as she watched him curiously as he went on with a shy little smile, "I-If it's just a matter of you feeling a little nervous and worried even though you really want to finish up our date up here…maybe I could…relax you a little…" That half lidded gaze was back and he was grinning just a little mischievously as he let his eyes meet hers.

Helga just gulped and blushed and glanced down again, on her knees as he was. "A-Arnold, I…It's okay. I know I seem uptight about this but…I just don't think you understand the extremes I've gone to up here, and to be actually with you now here doing who knows what…Arnold, I…" her breath caught in her throat…and she squeaked a little, "I…I…" A little tremor went through her. He'd scooched in back of her and was hugging her close from behind.

"Shh…it's okay, Helga. Go on please…" she heard whispered near her ear, as Arnold squeezed her a little. "Just tell me all about how you feel and…while you're doing that I'll…do my best to remind you why nothing bad can ever come out of you and me being together under any circumstances…no matter where we are…" And Arnold meanwhile was loving doing all of this so much! Not only was he maybe making her feel better and really more comfortable with him and her being together in her shrine but…also being this close to her and whispering and touching and flirting with her like this was like what she had done to him behind his couch with the tempting and the teasing but about a million times better! A million times more fun…and he was enjoying his chance to be the one doing it instead of the one having it done to him.

"A-Arnold…" Helga's voice cracked a tiny bit as she said his name and he felt her spine straighten against his stomach, felt her tremble and melt a little in his arms, "I…It's not that I…feel like something 'bad' is going to come out of it…It's just…I…well, I…I…" She was talking quickly yet with shallow little breaths, and then asked with a little gulp (and a little smile he could see part of if he leaned his head around her a little at an angle). "Arnold, why are you so fixated on my shrine?" She almost chuckled as she asked it.

Arnold blinked a couple of times at the unexpected question but then he just shyly shrugged a little…and inside marveled at how much warmth could come just from her letting her back press against his chest and stomach. "I-I don't know, Helga…" he answered honestly, with an extra blush…From an outsider's perspective, he guessed it was an arguable point though—that he had a little fixation on this shrine of her. He had questioned her about her what she had meant when she had mentioned shrines during her confession during their first date, he'd had a pretty lengthy reaction to actually seeing the real thing on their one week anniversary…and now he was doing his best to convince her to let him stay up here while he flirted with her shamelessly. Yes, he had to admit, if he thought about it…he really did seem to have a small thing for this room that his natural modesty should have made him want to avoid at all costs. He smiled as an idea occurred to him then, and then he answered her question with another little extra affectionate hug. "I…" he chuckled a tiny bit, "I think it might actually…appeal to my…ego, I guess, a little…j-just a little. Just a tiny bit…I feel so shy thinking about this place but at the same time…I like the idea of it, a lot. I can't help but smile about it." He smiled more and even chuckled a little again, snuggling against her and still holding her close.

Helga just giggled in his arms in response. "Ah, so it makes you all full of yourself and proud about having your own little one woman fan club, huh…? Okay…" And now, obviously definitely starting to relax a little, she let weight lean back into him completely in total comfort. "A-Arnold?" she asked quietly.

"Yes, Helga?" he whispered lovingly near her ear, giving her warm body another little squeeze (and loving that she had let herself melt in his arms like this).

"A-About us, you know, together…up here…I…I…" And then she gave a slightly defeated sigh and smiled more and shook her head a little. 'Oh I can't keep resisting him…' She giggled…and he knew he was getting her close. "Arnold…" she went on, much more coyly than nervously this time, "Um…hypothetically…let's say that what you're doing to me right now with listening to my feelings and assuring me that you'll do your best to remind me that the bottom line is that you love me and we'll be together…and of course holding me so snugly in your arms while I allow myself to become putty in your hands, my darling…let's say that all of that might be…swinging me over to your side…about us up here." She giggled again, and they were so close that a blushing Arnold could feel the little vibrations of that giggle pass from her to him. "But really, Arnold?" she went on merrily, "Just a hug? I…might need a little more coaxing than that…" Inside of herself she was having such an internal debate: there was still a part of her concerned about starting anything up here in her shrine for the awkwardness of it all, but…oh she wanted to be liplocking with him right now: this very freaking moment. And so her compromise now was basically, 'Well, let me milk this a little at least…I need to…His arms around me…So lovely…A-And we can see where it goes from there…' "What else could we be doing together besides just hugging…if I got over how unbearably awkward being romantic in my shrine would be and just…gave in to you…?" she whispered with a grin back over her shoulder to him.

She felt Arnold let out a shuddery sigh near her ear and she glanced down coyly again. "What else, huh?" he asked innocently enough. "Hmm…" And then suddenly she felt his hands unclasp from around her and move to her sides…and then instantly a sensation she took so very much pleasure from came over her and she was giggling like crazy. He was giving her little tickles up and down her sides. Wonderful little tickles! "Well, along with the hugging we could be tickling, I guess…I-I told you, even if there's no kissing or it would be too much I just feel like being close to you right now, Helga." Her chuckling beloved tickled her even more!

"A-Arnold! Arnold, s-stop!" she managed to laugh out, practically collapsing back against him now as she tried to wriggle free but actually mostly just savored that feeling of his warm, strong hands touching her like this. "M-Miriam could hear us!"

"Aw…" he just laughed in feigned sympathy, only increasing his tickles a little, "But I love tickling you…and all those giggles…and how extra ticklish you are right under your ribs…" He tickled even more in that spot causing his love in his arms to laugh all the more.

"O-Oh please…" she managed to get out between bouts of those giggles he was so addicted to, "Just admit, all the giggles in the world aside, that you just love having the perfectly innocent excuse of 'tickling' to use to get to touch me all you want below my shoulders!" She laughed even more, laying all her weight completely and fully back against him now.

"Helga!" Arnold exclaimed at her remark in amused embarrassment (though he didn't cease his actions with her). He let out a little sigh and replied with an extra blush and a grin, "Now, how am I supposed to avoid that fact and not feel guilty about it if you keep bringing it up?"

"Search me!" She just giggled even more. "B-But Arnold s-stop, really—I-I can't breathe!" Although really who needed breath with Arnold's hands upon her…

Her love just chuckled right a little along with her. "Oh okay…I guess I could stop, Helga…That is, if I've convinced you how okay it is for us to be together up here…" He slowly let his tickles cease so that she could answer, though he still hugged and held her from behind.

She just giggled epically more at his last tickles but then finally managed to catch her breath and glance over her shoulder at him. "Hmm…" and that coy little tone was back once more now that she wasn't consumed with laughter, "I don't know, Arnold…hugging, tickling…all things we've done before…No, I…I think it'll take something pretty special to get me to admit that up here is just as good for physical stuff between us as anywhere else." She winked at him.

Arnold just hugged against her more and smiled more. "Hmm…" He considered. She wanted a topper… something new…He wondered what might make Helga so happy that she would give up the coy and shy stuff and finally be comfortable with mutual cuddles and kisses right here and right now…He went through some things in his head.

And then, still feeling the vibration of a giggle or two pass through him courtesy of still being pressed against her and her still having one or two more little ones left in her to give after all of that…he got an idea. And it especially made sense to him since today they had already tried the gum swapping so…why not try another thing that had been briefly mentioned during that course of two days in which Helga had humorously grilled him about his attraction to older women and he had then begged to know more about her shrines… (He chuckled to himself mentally. 'More evidence of my obsession with this place…Oh well…It is pretty neat to have my own one woman fan club like she said, and…what a woman to be the one doing it…'). Anyway though the point was that Arnold had indeed decided on something 'new', like she had said…and so he, with a blush, prepared to give this 'new' thing a shot. She would probably get a real kick out of it anyway. "Okay, Helga…something special and new it is…" he whispered.

And then he pulled back from her, got around her and turned her so that they were facing each other in front of the shrine, set a few feet back from it…and then, with no pretense or warning, he suddenly wrapped his arms around her body, twisted her, and dipped her back (for starters). He just looked down into her eyes for a few seconds, gazing at her with all the love and desire he could muster.

At first she appeared startled at his sudden move…but then Helga just smiled and blushed and chuckled as she gazed right back up at him. "Hmm…dipping me back, huh? Not bad…I do like that, Arno—"

"Shh…" he whispered, pulling her in closer, "That's only half of it…"

And then he cleared his throat…and paraphrased a certain line he had once used on a woman far less worthy of his affections… "You…set a beautiful shrine, my fair mademoiselle…" He leaned in so they were nose to nose, "Hrrrrr….." and then purred very distinctly and strongly.

'Hmm, oh brother, what's he got up his sleeve this ti—'

"You…set a beautiful shrine, my fair mademoiselle…Hrrrrr….."

'…'

Arnold didn't expect the almost violent tremor and gasp that went through Helga in response to that simple sound from himself…that simple purr. It almost worried him for a second actually. "Helga, wha—"

"Mmm!"

"Ow!"

And now suddenly in a flash Arnold found himself sitting back (no longer on his knees) on floor, Helga out of his arms, and he had to blink several times to take in whatever had happened. He looked over to the direction in which she had run (er, crawled) and figured, from the fact that all that was over there was a large object covered in a dust cloth which she had pointed out to him before as her soda bottle shrine put away for storage, that she must be hiding behind it… 'But…why?' he had to ask to himself so very curiously.

Getting on his hands and knees, the young boy crawled over (making sure not to disrupt her candles and incense too much) and proceeded to call out and question her. "Helga, are you okay?" He smiled, a fun thought occurring to him. "Is this…some kind of little game?" He chuckled. "Do I have to purr again to make you come out…?" And then he sat up on his knees and leaned in the direction of the covered up former shrine. "Hrr—"

"Mmm!" Something seemed to almost shake against the covered up shrine and then instantly Helga was back out from behind it and in front of him, and she had her hand over his mouth and a desperate look in her eyes. "No! P-Please…I…"

Arnold blinked, really really confused right now. He just looked at her wide, almost scared blue eyes, and her deeply scarlet and flushed face, and took in just how heavily she was breathing…and yet still he was just plain stumped about what was going on with her right now.

Helga just swallowed eventually, took a few more breaths, and then seemed to calm down enough to at least loosen her hand over his mouth…and finally to let him go.

And now she was just sitting there with her hands folded in her lap looking down so sheepishly that he had to wonder even more what in the world could possibly be wrong with her. And now he decided to speak (as gently and kindly as he could…just in case she really had been upset by something). "Helga…are you…alright?" He smiled supportively. "Did I do something wrong?" He looked at her sincerely, genuinely wanting to know.

She just gulped, looked so distressed, and then replied in a light and shy whisper… "You…p-p-p-purred…" She visibly shook. "Really, really, really…purred…" Another little visible shake…

Arnold just blinked some more and frowned a little. "Oh…Was that…bad?" A touch of guilt came to his face.

She blinked and her eyes went wide in total shock. "NO!" She looked right into his eyes. "I…I just…" she blushed more, "U-Um…I, well…e-ever since Gerald mentioned that you can do that, I…and I mean, I've been wanting it but…and hoping you'd take the hint from when I brought it up in your room the other day…B-But I didn't realize that…I…I mean…" Her face went all flushed again and a little goofy smile came to her face.

"So…I did…good?" he asked, still in confusion.

"Good…so good…" she sighed out with a shiver, obviously lost in some things, slouching a little in her stupor.

Arnold smiled. "Oh…" and then his eyes went half lidded again. "Okay…well…in that case…Hr—"

"NO!" And instantly her hand was smacked over his mouth once more in terror.

He just looked at her with such confusion in his eyes and then reached up and gently pulled her hand from his mouth, unable to help but look at her with some annoyance at this point. The signals she was sending him right now were mixed even for her! "Helga! What? Do you like the purr or not?" he finally just asked simply.

"Arnold!" She blushed and gulped and looked worried again, bringing her hands shyly together in front of herself once more. "I…I like it, yes…but…I didn't realize…until you did it, but…" She seemed almost mortified as she finally said quickly and quietly, "I like it…too much, why don't we say…"

He just raised an eyebrow.

She gulped, was bright red, and glanced down extra shyly (wishing he in his denseness didn't need her to elaborate right now). "Oh come on, Arnold…you felt how I…sh-shook in your arms…when you did it…" She barely brought her eyes up to look at his face.

He nodded, still obviously in the dark though.

She just let out a sigh of slight frustration and considered before trying to explain things further. "Arnold," her voice was shy but steady enough, "When you did it…that sound…so low and deep…so bold and passionately crazed…all of that raw masculinity…" She was getting all goofy looking again as she spoke, something picking up in her voice… "Arnold, imagine something out of nowhere all of a sudden shaking you to your core in a way you never considered…imagine every pulsation of that purr…pulsing right through you…" She remained smiling utterly dreamily and blissfully for another moment but then blinked and blushed and glanced down extra shyly again as she came back to reality, feeling rather silly for having such a…strong reaction to something as simple as a purr… 'Arnold's purr…' She felt another little ghost of a shiver go through her. She made eye contact with Arnold again finally.

He was just still sitting there…though he was about as red as a tomato now. And his jaw was dropped a little.

Helga quirked her mouth to the side in a tiny bit of worry at the sight of him like that and at the fact that he wasn't saying anything in reply to her. "A-Arnold?"

At the sound of her saying his name he just swallowed, and his voice cracked as a reply started to stumble it's way out of his…rather surprised mouth. "U-Uh…o-oh…it felt too good so…shaking like…pulsations of the…Heh…O-Okay…Wh-When I do it, it makes you…O-Okay…" He seemed so very overwhelmed by his new little power…

…And Helga could see that fact in his voice and words and face and gestures, and she decided to do her best to soothe him a little and remind him once again in his life that his darker side and the things it could do was a good thing to be in touch with, not something to be scared about or embarrassed over. "Arnold…" she cooed gently and then moved closer on her knees. "Don't…be so modest. You can't help it if you're…very very good at making your girlfriend feel good…so good that she has to actually beg you to stop…" Her grin picked up on one side and she blushed extra hotly but she didn't care…She loved making him feel better by flirting…and complimenting that boldness streak within him.

He was just blushing and sitting there with his eyes extra wide, his gaze locked onto hers and unable to look away.

She giggled. He was so cute sometimes. She scooched more over and now snuggled up extra close against him…and reached up and started to twirl a piece of his hair around one of her fingers. "And, you know..." she went on, still in a loving tone, "As for convincing me about ending our date up here in my shrine…I think the purring did the trick…I…think I could handle a little cuddling…and maybe a little kissing…up here with you…as long as you promised to keep your intoxicating purring at bay…" She giggled and then blushed extra as she added. "Hey, I've got an idea…you're so into my shrines and being up here…why don't I pretend that 'you're' my Arnold shrine…Would you like that, Arnold? To be worshipped directly for once…As long as you wouldn't laugh and promise to let me know if I make you uncomfortable at all with how intense I can be…I'd be willing to try if you would…." She fluttered her eyelashes.

He just looked so shy, his breathing so shallow, and she could feel his little heart pounding as she now, for an added effect, pressed her palm against his sweater over it as she leaned in extra close to him.

"I…" he just started quietly after a moment of wide eyed quiet… "I…could be…your shrine…?"

She nodded, moving her face close, speaking in a whisper. "Mmm hmm…I think you'd make a cute shrine, Arnold…" her blushing was fiery, "…a-and that you'd be much more fun to practice kissing on. Besides, we are supposed to have an open relationship…" she began to trace a little heart over his sweater over his actual heart… "So maybe it's about time I just sucked it up and came clean with a few details about this little room dedicated all to your perfect glory…"

He just gulped, completely stiff in her hold…except for his little heart that she could feel softly pounding and pounding away in his chest… "I…I'd love that…" he finally admitted, his eyes still so wide. "I want to see how you…worship me…and…I want to worship you too if I can…" It was the honest truth from his little honest, 'in shock' heart…and right now he had NO idea where exactly this was all going but…he was more than willing to try and go along for the ride as best he could.

Helga blushed and her heart fluttered extra. He wanted to be worshipped deep down…and he even wanted, deep down, to 'worship her too'... "Purr-fect…" she managed to get out with an amused winked at her own little pun. And then she released her hold upon him for just a moment to move off to the side, and grabbed a stick of incense, lit it on one of the large lit candles nearby, and used it to light several more sticks of incense which instantly began to fill the room with their scent. Next she moved on to the candles, small and big, colored and plain, scented and non, all around them, tapping each of their wicks…and eventually surrounding the two of them in a big roomy circle of warm candlelight…

The lighting on the floor revealed more of what was surrounding them…and Arnold saw now that they were actually in the middle of a rather large heart, outlined in chalk and candles upon the floor. He felt his heart pounding furiously in his chest and he could barely manage breaths.

Finished with her task, Helga just giggled, placed the incense stick back in its burner, and slowly scooched back over to her beloved…her newest little shrine just for today. "Hmm…" she spoke in a cooing and affectionate voice as she got herself extra close to him again. "Now I promise, Arnold, I won't throw EVERYTHING at you…I…I don't think I could handle throwing everything at you at once…" she blushed again, "But…just a little…just a few things, couldn't hurt…" They were so close and she was so very much enjoying how on the spot she seemed to have him right now….And yeah, between him being in the shrine and then the purring she was definitely getting rather intensely 'affected' at this point but…why fight it anymore? She had her adorable little Arnold up here in her grasp outlined by a glowing heart, blushing and waiting for the wave of her intimacy to come crashing down upon him…Might as well just go with it. "So, yes…" she went on delicately, leaning up against him, "…candlelight…incense…I've always tried to find incense that smell the most like you, by the way…Such a…soothing aroma…" She nuzzled her face against his a little and felt how hotly his cheek was blushing (just as hers was).

"Y-Your…aroma…is soothing…too…" he nervously whispered back, and she felt him trying to nuzzle her back a little, though it was shaky.

She just giggled more, her cheek still snuggled to his, a hand on his shoulder and one resting over his heart once more just to feel it thumping away. "You know, Arnold, I know you're nervous but…don't forget that you started this whole little thing…insisting on getting all lovey dovey up in my shrine. You could always purr a little to get me back though, I guess…"

She felt him gulp. "B-But I thought you said…that I shouldn't…because it…"

She just smiled more and cut him off, cooing and leaning up a little to bring her eyes to his. "I said it was too much, yes…but…I've absorbed the initial impact…and if it was just a little…just a tiny little purr…and I was prepared for it…I think I could manage…" And then she shifted and nuzzled their necks together, her eyes closed and smiling. "Please make the sound again, Arnold…just a tiny little bit of the sound…"

She felt him take a breath in and a breath out…and then his arms came around her in a gentle hug…and then he inhaled and… "Hrr…"

"Mmm…" She felt that deep epic tremor of his purr go from his neck through her neck. Yes, she could handle it, but only in little bits for now…Oh but how wonderful those little bits were.

"Helga?" she heard him whisper now in the dim and colored candlelight, still holding her.

"Yes…my perfect little Arnold shrine?" She smiled more.

He let out a little sigh…and then asked in that low voice she loved so much, "So…besides the candles…what else do I get as your Arnold shrine today, my fair mademoiselle…?"

She giggled and smiled even more. He was loosened up again (she could hear it in the sound of his voice and feel it in way his hug around her became much more warm and inviting than stiff and nervous) and she was loosened up now too… And honestly now all she wanted to do was announce that as the Arnold shrine his prize was helping her practice kisses until their curfews…or for forever…but…actually…going along with finally just spilling her guts to him entirely about this place…she decided to add a few things to his list of 'duties as her shrine' as long as she had him up here and as long as she was still feeling a little daring.

"Well," she replied sweetly as she moved back just a tiny bit to look up into his now extra warm and inviting eyes…a color green that she truly did wish she could bathe in...Windows to the warm ocean of his love… She felt her blush going very hot…and get made even warmer by the heat of the candles and smoke of the incense around them. All of her senses were engaged at this point and she just barely managed to speak to him with trembling lips. "I don't think we have time for everything I'd be willing to show you now, but…there are 3am vigils…" she watched him smile more, "…ceremonies with make up and colorful costumes and masks…" she could see he was trying not to chuckle… "…tantric spells…" she slipped in innocently, and didn't look at him this time for shyness. "Th-That sort of thing…my shrine…"

He was still smiling and now she just barely glanced at him again and watched as he just raised an eyebrow in amusement at all of her little confessions. "Well, I guess all of that would explain all of the other nice things up here besides your shrine to me…the candles and incense and glitter and paint and the boxes of stuff in general…" He chuckled a little, enchanted with her at the moment. "…Vigils and ceremonies and…" a small curious half smile came to his face as he asked then with another little laugh, "Spells? What's a 'tantric spell', Helga?"

Helga took in a deep breath and let out a deep breath. Then her face burned brightly with a little smile as she replied, not making eye contact and mumbling to herself just slightly with a little shrug… "Um…why don't we just say that it…involves the prayers of one being to…be united with another…much as I wish to be united with you, my darling…" She added the last part of her explanation in a little whisper.

Still watching her, still smiling so sweetly and innocently and romantically, Arnold raised an eyebrow at her interesting way of defining tantric spells for him…like she had some kind of little secret or something tucked away in all she had just said. "Oh…" he said back simply and quietly enough, all the while feeling his insides flutter as the scents of the incense went into and out of his lungs, "…Kind of like how we're united as boyfriend and girlfriend, Helga?"

She grinned and blushed a little more at his attempt at a comparison to understand her meaning a little better. "Um…something like that…" she just mumbled back shyly.

He smiled more at her words and then nodded, leaning closer and reaching up to brush his fingers through her hair a little. "Okay…That sounds…nice. I think if I had a Helga shrine, I'd worship uniting with her too…anything to be closer to you…You'll have to teach me a spell sometime."

Helga was still in his arms and now Arnold felt another one of those deep tremors go through her and instantly she had pulled away a little and was sitting right in front of him now with her knees pulled up to her chest and her arms wrapped around them, her features entirely red and pink, and she was smiling with most of her face buried against arms.

He looked at her curiously at this response to his words. "Helga…" he chuckled a little, an eyebrow raised. "I didn't purr…so…why did you shake?"

Still smiling and blushing like crazy the girl before him just shook her head against her arms in reply. "It…I…" she squeaked and then gulped, "U-Um…n-nothing…I'll tell you one day, I promise but, u-um…for now…" and then she just gave a dreamy sigh and sat up straight again on her knees, smiling at him with a half lidded gaze, "For now, can the foreplay be over…and can I just practice snuggling with and worshipping and kissing my newest little shrine?" She smiled more at him.

He scooched toward her…around her…and then reached behind her head and began to delicately undo her ribbon as he nodded to her request. "Of course, Helga…" The ribbon was gone and now his fingers gently reached up to pull through her pigtails, making the blond strands fall straight down her back. He then scooched to her side and put his hands on her shoulders and leaned against her and took a deep inhale of it all, shivering a little inside as he did so. "Sorry," he whispered with a smile near her ear when this was done, "It's just…the candlelight makes your hair look…the most beautiful I've ever seen it…" And then he shifted his head back away and gently tied the ribbon back on the top of her head and then put his hands back on her shoulders and snuggled his cheek against her silky flowing blonde hair.

All of this elicited from Helga the dreamiest swoon ever, accompanied by a slouch of pleasure in his grasp. 'So…spontaneous…I love when he's like this…and I love when he touches my hair…' And at the back of her mind something couldn't help but whisper, 'And…he wants to unite with me too one day…a Helga shrine…learning a spell…' She giggled and blushed more and actually just plain wanted to squeal at all of it! She took a breath though and for now managed to speak again. "Th-Thank you, F-Football Head…Wow, you're a good Arnold shrine…My old ones never took down my hair for me…"

He chuckled at the compliment and held her shoulders a little more, savoring the feeling of those cute little jumper straps underneath his fingers…those cute little jumper straps covering those firm and lovely shoulders he was so prone to holding onto just to keep himself from collapsing to the ground in pleasure whenever their making out got too heated and especially whenever that happened while they were standing and doing it. "I should hope not…" he whispered back to her playfully, "Taking down your hair is only for me…as long as you're okay with that, of course."

Helga smiled and then slowly shifted herself around so that she was facing him. She nodded, blushing lightly and letting her hair fall over her one of her shoulders. "Oh yes…I'm very VERY okay with that being only your job, Arnold." She giggled. "And, uh…how about my new job only for me with you is…getting you out of that little sweater of yours, huh? Besides you have to admit it's getting a little warm up here…for a lot of reasons…" She then reached up and gently glided her finger over his collar and off his shoulder, savoring the familiar feeling of the fabric of that green sweater of his. She looked into his eyes, grinning and waiting for his response to her suggestion.

Arnold, wide eyed again, just blinked, blushing more. "You…" he started slowly, "…want to…to…?"

She just smiled more and nodded, finishing the sentence for him, "Take off your sweater for you? Yes…very much, actually." She let her gaze fall to his little chest, still covered by that nice little snuggly sweater.

Her Arnold just blinked more and looked down so shyly…but then he smiled and…gave a little nod. "O-Okay…Um, I mean…cool, heh..."

Helga's eyes lit up and she giggled happily and instantly went for the hem of his sweater and pulled it up, not needing to be told twice and wanting to go for it before he or she had a chance to get themselves too worked up or afraid to actually do it. 'I can't believe it…I'm taking off Arnold's sweater! Ahhhh!' He raised his little arms and she just giggled more as she now lifted his sweater up and did her best to work him out of the sleeves (which she finally succeeded in doing). But then she reached his head and the collar which she had to get around and over it…and that was a hard one, to say the least.

"A-Arnold! For crying out loud how do you get that wide head of yours out of this thing?" She was frustrated but also laughing hysterically, it was so amusing, as she tried and tried to get that small collar around his wide head.

Arnold was laughing too at this point. "Helga, it's…it's all about the angles and…" He chuckled more and then just sighed. "Okay, here, let's do it together." And then he brought his now free arms up to his collar and helped her to finally manage to ease the sweater over his head, upon which the two of them tossed it aside.

Finally in only his plaid shirt, Arnold and Helga just looked at the sweater beside them with satisfied smiles and pants, and then looked back to each other and then just burst into laughter together.

Helga just shook her head with a grin and looked at him after a few seconds, her chuckles finally managing to die down a little. "Arnold…what am I going to do with you? I mean really none of the Arnold shrines ever gave me this much trouble." She rolled her eyes at him, still smiling like crazy.

Arnold just chuckled a little more and shrugged, rolling his shirtsleeves up to his elbows. "Sorry, Helga. I'll do my best to get everything else right though. I promise." He gave her a flirtatious wink.

"Mmm hmm…" she smirked back at him, "I should hope so. And speaking of which…" And suddenly she had her hands cupping either side of his head and she'd pushed him to the floor in the middle of the candlelight heart and was giggling and snuggling with him, nuzzling all over him and just burying her face against his soft lovely shirt. "Oh, my Arnold shrine, bring me the good fortune of Arnold's tender embrace and his lips upon my own and his love eternally all for me." She paused and giggled more and then pulled back just a tiny bit to gaze deeply into his eyes with an even wider and happier grin. "Wow, I'll say one thing about you as my shrine, Arnold—you sure do know how to deliver. Your lips and embrace and love are all already right here for the taking." Her eyes particularly focused on his eager little lips.

Arnold laughed as well, panting a little from the shock and ecstasy of her sudden love attack like that. "U-Um…" another chuckle, "Yup…All right here…all for you…Your…lucky little Arnold shrine…" And then he reached up and wrapped his arms tightly around her and pulled her in and snuggled into her so very happily. And then he leaned over and whispered lovingly into her ear, "And don't worry—I'll keep the purrs controlled…Hrr…"

At him doing that she was giggling and trembling like crazy in his arms and then there was just hugging and cuddling and snuggling and little kisses here or there as they remained just happy and having fun together and in love in their shrine room together.

Later…sometime later…there wasn't a clock up there or windows so they really weren't too sure of the amount of time that had passed but they figured it had been a while of them just playing and giggling and Arnold purring and Helga doting, etc., etc…

In the center of the candle and chalk heart upon Helga's floor lie Arnold and Helga together, on their sides, facing one another, all flushed and smiling, an arm from each reached out toward the other…pinky fingers interlocked gently low in the center of the heart.

"Arnold…" Helga let out such a happy content sigh as she spoke to him in a quiet voice, "That…was…All of it was…the best end of a date…ever…" She giggled a little, squeezing her pinky against his a bit.

He nodded at her, so happy as well. "Yeah…" He chuckled warmly, speaking quietly back. "We should have done this together the first time I came up here…" He squeezed her pinky back a bit.

Helga just laughed a little to herself and rolled her eyes, blond hair fanning out behind her. "Arnold, you were too nervous that night to even give me a peck on the lips outside of my closet…No, No…this was the right time…for anything romantic to happen up here…" Her eyes and his eyes were melting into each other.

He just let out a content sigh and had to nod in agreement again. "You're right, Helga…And also...I'm so happy you're more comfortable now with me being up here. It's…It's a wonderful place." He sounded so adorably dazed. "I can understand why so much of your time got spent here over the years. The candlelight and how the incense smell…and your smell's everywhere too…" He blushed more.

She smiled and blushed more as well. "I'm happy you're so happy, my love…And, it…it's extra wonderful up here now that I'm here with you. A shrine can never compare with you, Arnold. You complete this place…you complete my love."

"Everything feels complete when we're together, Helga…" he assured with a loving smile.

She smiled beautifully back and nodded. "I agree. Arnold and Helga…meant to be."

"Yeah…" he breathed out, "Together forever. United…" He winked.

A mad blush spread over Helga's features and another little shake went through her. She just closed her eyes and shook her head with a smile. "Arnold…shut up…"

He just laughed. "Whatever you say, Helga…"

She laughed a little as well. "Hey, Arnold?" She opened her eyes and looked to him again.

"Yes, my Helga?" He looked back at her.

She smiled more. "By the way…thanks for the whole gum thing before…and especially the direction it started going in at the end. I meant what I said to you behind your couch—I'm so proud of you for playing our first kissing game." She winked at him.

Arnold blushed brightly…though a proud little smile was obvious upon his face. He gave a tiny shrug. "Oh…Th-Thanks, Helga. Our…first kissing game. It was fun. And, um…like I said once about just sharing the gum in general…we should definitely…try kissing with gum again sometime." He just barely found it in him to give her a little wink back.

She giggled happily, blushing almost as much as he was. "Whatever you say…Arnold…" She let out a sigh. "Oh and, thanks for the chess lesson too…It was fun. Too bad we didn't get to finish our game though."

He chuckled a little. "You're welcome, Helga…And, well…even if we didn't get to 'technically' finish the game at least we got to play through the entire thing…" He let the tiniest bit of a playful smirk come to his lips. "After all, I was about to put you in checkmate just before we started kissing with the gum and then Gerald and everyone came in…"

She just smirked a little back, a gleam in her eye. "Ah, you were 'about to'…but you didn't actually 'get to'…As far as I'm concerned, that puts us at a draw, Arnold." She shrugged, trying not to laugh. "Guess that means that next time will technically be our first official game…and who knows, maybe instead of just holding my own I'll actually beat you!"

Arnold, trying not to laugh as well, just rolled his own eyes and feigned a deep sigh. "Well, okay, I guess technically you're right as usual, Helga…I didn't technically get you in checkmate so the game was technically a draw which means you technically get a second chance at trying to beat me during your first game…"

She grinned at him. "There you go, Arnold."

He grinned back at her. "…And I technically get another chance to enjoy beating you at something, Helga G. Pataki." He winked.

Helga just chuckled, shaking her head a little at him in amusement. "Oh whatever you say, Arnold…Whatever you…say…"

Between that last 'you' and 'say', sadly a yawn escaped her…(she had actually been fighting one escaping her a few times over the course of the last several minutes they had just been spending lying here surrounded by candles and looking into each other's eyes.) But now she had to admit—she was feeling sleepiness…which must mean that it was getting close to bed time and their curfews, unfortunately.

"Are you tired, my angel?" Arnold asked so lovingly at the sight of her little yawn. "Do you want me to get you a blanket? A pillow? Anything…Anything in the whole world."

Helga rolled her eyes with a loving grin and just sat up a little, shaking her head. "No…Thank you, my darling, but…I think we have to face facts. It's getting late…and our little private time in the raptures of our love must sadly come to an end."

Arnold let out a sigh…but then he had to nod and sit up with a smile as well. "I know…I'm getting a little tired too. It's been a long day after all. But at least we'll see each other again tomorrow morning at school…and until then we'll always have your shrine." He took her hand of the pinkies they had been hooking and lifted it up, and then placed a gentle kiss upon the back of it.

Helga let out a happy sigh and then went forward after his kiss ended and wrapped him up in a tight little hug. "Yes, we'll always have my shrine…" Then she pulled back just a little and looked into his eyes with her hands on his shoulders and let out a sigh, some of her normal witty and sassy tone returning to her voice. "Alright, Arnold…now that 'getting to know each other better' time in my shrine is done we just have to worry about getting you out of here. Me, I can always fake like I slipped in when no one was looking or something, but…Miriam and Bob really like to know when you're over and if they think I snuck you up here…things might get a little awkward, especially with Bob. Heh…" She smiled sheepishly and shrugged.

Arnold nodded, feeling a little nervous about completing this last part of their day together but having faith in her skills for getting him out of here. "Okay, Helga. Just tell me what you think we should do and I'll do my best."

She smiled at him. "You got it, Arnold. One bona fide Helga G. Pataki escape plan coming up." She winked and then released his shoulders, gesturing first to him and then to herself with a grin as she spoke. "You just wait here and then I'll give you a signal when it's okay to come down."

He nodded at her advice and then even threw in a small bow, smiling widely the whole time. "As your shrine, I humbly obey."

She just giggled and rolled her eyes at him as she headed over the attic space exit and then dropped her feet to the stepladder below and finally slipped out of the shrine.

Arnold heard her leave the closet and then with a sigh and a smile just crossed his legs on the floor and savored the sights of his surrounding for a few moments longer. This really was such a beautiful place. A place full of his precious Helga's precious creativity… She was some kind of artistic genius—all prejudices his love might cause aside, he just knew it. Somehow she would amaze people with the things she would do with her life.

His eyes eventually fell to his sweater on the floor (almost forgotten at this point considering how perfectly comfortable he really had gotten with being with Helga with just his plaid shirt on) and he reached over and took it up and put it on…not wanting to have to explain to his grandfather when he got home why he had left with a sweater and had come back with none…and when he had been going to Helga's house, no less.

The sweater was back on in a moment and then with his time remaining to himself up here Arnold just did his best to straighten up, blowing out some of the candles so that only the few that had been lit initially were glowing and blowing out some of the incense sticks as well, and then he just looked over to the shrine base Helga had started with his little daisy and chocolate bar for her in front of it…Such a cute idea, all those little paper cranes, all with happy memories on them…all so she could have a wish.

So cute…a shrine to the one you loved.

'A shrine…to the one you love…'

He let out a breath and just savored the warmth and scents and ideas of this place for a little longer while he awaited Helga's return…

About fifteen minutes in total later from the time of Helga's departure, Arnold's eyes moved back over to the entrance to her shrine at the sounds of someone climbing up the step ladder below, and eventually the face of his lovely Helga appeared before him, her hair still down, only this time she was wearing her familiar purple nightshirt...and Arnold was just kind of frozen because, well...he'd kind of been 'exploring' up here while she had been gone. And now he was...well...

Making her way up entirely into the little attic, Helga let out a sigh and smiled, and then sat down upon the floor and looked over at him. "Alright, Arnold, here's the plan…" she commenced to explain...but then froze...and her jaw fell.

Arnold was sitting in the middle of her chalk heart with her football headed Arnold tribal helmet half way onto his head.

She burst into such laughter that she thought she was going to die. Literally thought she was going to die.

"H-Hey, you're the one who made this thing in the first place..." was all a totally mortified Arnold could respond with as he started to desperately try and pull it off of the half of his head he had gotten it on. "I...Helga, please stop laughing and help me-I can't get this off!" He blushed, feeling so sheepish, and yet smiling at the same time and almost laughing himself.

"Oh my...I can't breathe!" She rolled around on the floor of the shrine a ton more but then finally managed to get herself up and pulling at the helmet along with him. "A-Alright...on the count of three. One, two, three!" She yanked and he yanked and the thing finally flew off of his head, Helga flying back with it in her arms.

"Arnold, what the heck were you doing?" She was still grinning completely, trying not to die with laughing again but it was hard.

Arnold just let out a deep little sigh and shrugged. "It was in the corner and it caught my eye and then I realized it was a helmet and before I knew it I was trying to see if my actual head would fit into it! I can't help it-I told you, this place...gives me an ego." He started chuckling, and just grinning at her so sheepishly, unable to help i-

He blinked. His eyes were wide.

Helga was sitting before him, the helmet completely on her head. She half smiled at him. "For future reference, it only fits people with normal heads. And I wear it during my prayer vigils to your love godliness." She winked.

Arnold just stared at her blankly for a bunch of seconds.

"Uh...Football Head? You okay or did getting that helmet off rattle your brain?" She smirked a bit.

"Uh..." he blinked a few times, looking at her funny, "No, it's just...Helga, I never thought there'd be anything that could do this but...I really don't think I could kiss you while you're wearing that helmet. I'm sorry, it's cute and creative and funny but it...it would feel too much like kissing myself. I really don't think I could do it." He seemed utterly fascinated by the concept-that there was any state of being in which he couldn't bring himself to kiss Helga G. Pataki.

Helga just looked at him with a trembling lip for a moment more and then instantly burst into total laughter and fell to the floor of the shrine again. "O-Oh, Arnold...I...I love you!" She kept laughing for a little bit longer and then finally managed to sit up, taking a few breaths, and removed the helmet from her head. "Don't worry, I don't exactly plan to be bringing this thing on any of our dates or anything anytime soon. You'll just have nice normal me to kiss." She winked, tossing the helmet into a box. "On a side note though it's interesting to know that I can't leave you up here alone for fifteen minutes without you almost getting your head permanently lodged in a custom carved worship ornament, Football Head." She let out a sigh and shook her head in amusement. "But then again I suppose I shouldn't expect anything less from my naturally curious little love." She giggled and winked.

Arnold laughed a little and shrugged and blushed. "Couldn't help it-you fascinate me, Helga. Any chance I get to find out more about you and every wonderful thing about you, I just have to take." He winked back at her.

His reply just made her blush as she giggled this time. "Oh Arnold...and on that note I would love to say 'oh, go on' and to have you sweetly offer to stop if I'm getting too embarrassed and then I'd say 'No, really-go on!' but sadly it's almost 9:30, my darling, and we really do have to talk about our options for getting you out of here..." She pouted a tiny bit and let out a little sigh.

Arnold let out a little sigh as well but nodded. "I know...but we'll see each other tomorrow and I can tell you more and more about how wonderful you are then!" He smiled and took her hand, giving the back of it a little kiss before bashfully releasing it.

Helga smiled and grinned. "Flirt." She enjoyed how calling him that made him blush more, and then let out a breath and got down to business now that the comedy was over. "Alright, so, here's what we've got to work with, Football Head: like I said it's 9:30 and when I went down there convinced Bob and Miriam that I'd been here for at least an hour working on homework and junk quietly, which they bought thankfully. So now we just have to worry about getting you out of here. But don't worry, I've already come up with a few possible plans." She grinned at him proudly.

Arnold nodded at all of this information. "Okay, Helga. But…" he half grinned a little at the sight of her, "Um…why exactly are you in pajamas?"

She shrugged. "Hey, I had to fake like I was getting ready for bed. Like I said, it's late." She rolled her eyes. "Anyway, paste for brains, here are our options for getting you out of here, at least as I see it." She counted them out on her fingers. "Option one: we wait a couple of hours until my parents go to sleep and then I sneak you out by the front door…which will make you very late for getting back to your house and probably result in you grounded, which would make both of us very sad of course." She faked a pout and then smiled again and went on. "Option two…I open my window, let as much of my lamplight shine out there as possible, and you sneak back down my tree and make it home just on time…and then there's no grounding so we can continue to be just as attached at the hip as we usually are without any little delay of you being locked up in your room for a couple of afternoons…" She winked at him. "Or…option three…" and then she grinned extra mischievously and blushed quite a bit as well. "At least one of us is already in our pajamas so you could just…spend the night here…I mean, if you're going to get in trouble for being late you might as well make it worthwhile…You could even just crash up here since technically you still are my shrine…" She giggled and then just smiled more and shrugged. "Your call, Arnoldo. Option one, two or three…"

Arnold just grinned back, blushing a lot, and then did his best to reply as casually as possible, "W-Well, um…not that option three isn't, um…a-a good one…" he gulped and went on, "But, um…I think option two would be best… And besides, I...like getting practice with your tree…you know, for any future times we might have to sneak me up here…" Amid his blushing and bashfulness, he managed a wink at her in follow up to this playful little bit of reasoning.

Helga just blushed and giggled and gestured with her head over to the exit. "Okay, okay…Come on, then, Arnold…we'll sneak you down the tree. And hey as for option three—you can't blame a girl for trying…" She winked at him and then proceeded to head back over to the attic space exit, and then to lower herself down to the top of the stepladder below. Seeing her finally drop down and out of sight, a chuckling Arnold quickly followed suite.

He was down into the closet now and as his feet hit the floor Arnold's eyes saw Helga walk out of her open closet door and into her room, and he started to follow behind her (though not before stopping for a moment to take a little very much desired inhale near her clothes that had suddenly and irresistibly caught his eye…So pretty smelling…)

"Hey Arnold! Quit trying to inhale my dresses and get out here!" Helga whispered in amusement from just outside of the closet door.

Arnold blinked a bunch of times at her blunt observation and then smiled sheepishly and quickly scurried out of the closet, closing the door behind him. "Heh…s-sorry, Helga…" He shrugged and blushed and looked down bashfully.

She just chuckled and shook her head at him as she turned in the direction of her bed. "Whatever you say, Arnold…Whatever you say…"

A still blushing (though also chuckling a little) Arnold's eyes now just went over to Helga's window by which he was supposed to leave her on this evening…and a touch of nervousness couldn't help but come to his features at how dark out it really was now. Getting down that tree wouldn't be easy. And if he fell and they had to get Helga's parents outside to help him if he got hurt…that would be a pretty bad situation to say the least.

"Oh and Arnold," his love's voice met his ears again, "…to help you with the tree, I've been working on this on and off since our one week anniversary…just in case."

Arnold's eyes went over to her pulling something out from behind the headboard of her bed…and suddenly she turned to him with a proud grin…and a long makeshift bed sheet rope in her arms.

He blinked at the sight…and then smiled extra wide. He chuckled. "Uh…very impressive, Helga," was all he could say.

"Thanks, Football Head." She grinned at the compliment and then crawled onto her bed and opened her window wide and began to lower the rope to the ground. "Here, I pulled my lamp as close to the edge of my nightstand as the cord would let it go so you should have some extra light, and now I'll just lower this thing to the ground and tie the end of it to my bedpost and then you climb down it and when you're done I'll pull it back in and hide it away again until the next time we need it." The rope being fully lowered she then proceeded to secure it accordingly and then she pulled back her covers and slipped into bed sitting up. "There…Easy as pie, Football head." She turned back to him with a proud grin.

A satisfied and smiling Arnold walked over to her bed now that she was all finished putting another one of her brilliant ideas into motion. "Works for me, Helga…" And then (with an awkward blush) he crawled onto the edge of that bed of hers he liked so much and over her as quickly as possible (unable to bring himself to make eye contact with her the entire time) and finally made it to her window sill and to the start of the rope hanging out of it. Gripping the rope in both hands, he turned himself to go down feet first, which made him face her (and now that he wasn't crawling over her he had it in him to actually look at her again)…

She was just smiling at him, leaning back on her pillows a little. Then suddenly her eyes lit up. "Oh, wait, Arnold, before you go, I've got something I've been meaning to give you!" She turned away from him to her nightstand, opened its drawer, rummaged around in it a little, and suddenly pulled out a small envelope and turned back, offering it to him. "Here…Remember those pictures we took with my camera back when I needed a new one for my locket? Well, I finally got them developed and I had them make double copies. Here're yours—they came out kind of cute actually."

Arnold's eyes lit up and he happily took the envelope. "Wow…Thanks, Helga. I'll look at them as soon as I get home." His eyes went a little half lidded as he put the envelope in his pocket. "I bet they came out beautifully…"

Helga just smiled and blushed a little more and let her self lay down completely in her bed now. "Well, we're both so incurably smitten with each other that I don't think we could look at pictures of us being together without finding them beautiful…"

Arnold chuckled a little. "Good point…But we can't help it if us together makes something beautiful." He winked.

Helga giggled warmly, snuggling down into her pillows a little extra.

At the sight of her doing that, warm under her pink covers, a nice idea suddenly came to Arnold and for a moment he released the rope and crawled just a tiny bit back over the sill and toward her. "Sweet dreams, Helga…" And then he started adjusting and tightening her blankets a little around her.

Helga blushed and blinked at his strange action. "Arnold, what are you doing?"

"Tucking in my love…" he merely replied with a little grin. "And then giving her a goodnight kiss…" Finished with the tucking he leaned over and gave a little kiss to her forehead and then crawled backwards towards the window again…but not before noticing a bit of familiar red and yellow plaid sticking out from under Helga's pillow. He reached for it and pulled out his shirt that he had given her and then placed it gently beside her to sleep with.

Smiling and blushing Helga eagerly took the precious object in her hands and brought it partly under the covers, snuggling her head against the still visible part. "Well…thank you, my darling…for the tucking in and the goodnight kiss…and for remembering how much I love to sleep with your shirt…Yes…" she snuggled extra closer to it, "So very nice to cuddle with as I fall asleep…Nights without you are so lonely after all, my Arnold…" She giggled and winked at him.

Arnold, about half out of the window and holding the bed sheet rope firmly, just blushed madly and smiled at her. "I miss you when we have to go home too. Goodnight, Helga."

"Goodnight Arnold." She whispered back…and then giggled and began to snuggle with the shirt some more. "Oh Arnold's shirt…so very warm in my arms at night…It's a shame that Arnold's still too modest and shy to take your place…even though he secretly wants to lie down with me in my nice pretty pink bed…"

Arnold just smirked and rolled his eyes, only his head visible over the windowsill at this point. "Very funny, Helga…I'll see you in the morning. Goodbye for now…Sweet dreams." He placed a little kiss on his palm and blew it to her.

She just chuckled and blew him one back and then gave him a little wave. "Bye Arnold…Sweet dreams to you too."

Her Arnold slipped away entirely and then Helga could see the bed sheet rope move and tighten a bit as he climbed down, and then she heard the faint sound of feet hitting the soil outside and then the rope went slack and she knew he was safe and heading away. And so she reached out from under her covers and pulled the rope in and then untied it from her bedpost and tossed it behind her headboard for safekeeping.

These actions complete the young blonde girl then went back to snuggling under the blankets Arnold had tucked in around her (and after handing her her Arnold shirt no less)…and, with shrines on the brain, she did indeed have those 'sweet dreams' that Arnold had wished her before he left. Specifically, dreams about that wish she was planning for her paper crane shrine…the important one that she couldn't tell Arnold about lest the legend be true and it didn't happen if she spilled the beans to anyone.

'Helga…will you marry me?' The proposal…leading to the wedding day and wedding night and honeymoon and him finally carrying her home in his arms across the threshold of the boarding house…and as they passed over that threshold their life together would officially commence…but it all needed that simple question from him to start the process…and that was her wish—the initialization of their true unity as man and wife with those five simple words from him. 'Helga, will you marry me?'

She wanted it more than anything in the entire world, and though it had always been on her mind ever since meeting her beloved, it had never felt more real or possible than it did now so deep into their mutual relationship which by some miracle she had been blessed with… Any other dream in Helga G. Pataki's life, she knew she could make happen on her own with perseverance and strength and passion…but that one…the 'Helga, will you marry me?' one…that dream was one involving two people…and she needed the means to make it happen, at least in part, from him.

And, just as Arnold had said back up in her shrine in his ignorance, Helga too hoped that it would happen soon…

BRAINY'S GIRL WHO'S A FRIEND

On an average day around week four of Arnold and Helga's budding romance, Helga G. Pataki was walking swiftly down a street on her own, glancing here and there like she was searching for something (or someone…)…and occasionally (actually more than occasionally) glancing over her shoulder and letting out a frustrated sigh. 'Crimeny, the one time I WANT to find him randomly by my side and he's nowhere in sight…' Helga finally paused in the middle of the sidewalk near an alley, considered her options…and then just shrugged and let out a sigh as she finally had to accept that, when all else failed, there probably was at least one sure fire way to bring around whom she was looking for (since, unfortunately, never having been actively close to him, she knew 'around' where he lived (somewhere within the couple of blocks she had been walking for the last half hour) but not his specific address). 'Eh…what have I got to lose…?'

She checked over her shoulder one more time (this time actually to assure herself that she was alone on this street so that no one else but who she was looking for would see her doing what she was about to do) and then ducked into the alley to her right, pulled out her Arnold locket, and, with a gulp, commenced to do her best to fake her way through an Arnold monologue. She blushed the entire time, her voice plagued by embarrassment and nervousness. "Oh, um…Arnold…How I wish I could tell you my…I mean, how I wish…you were here right now so we could talk about my feelings like we always do…Um, oh how I long for the day when I'll be in your arms…which is actually probably going to be in a few hours after you have dinner at my house again so…not a huge among of 'longing' to do, heh…Oh, my…" she swallowed and cringed, "…my perfect little love god…" 'Ugh it is so much creepier saying these things when you're actually HOPING someone's listening in…' "How wonderful it would be…I mean how wonderful it is to be your girlfriend?" Finishing up she glanced to the left and then right over her shoulders, but in vain…still no Brainy.

Helga let out a disappointed sigh and her locket still in her hands dropped a little. "Well, that might have worked if I hadn't stunk at it. Sheesh though, why bother gushing about my feelings in private anymore when I can just do it to Arnold's face…" And then her eyes fell upon her beloved's image in her locket once more…and she had to smile, lifting the object up just slightly again. "Oh Arnold…you really have been wonderful these past few weeks. You've made just about every dream of mine come true and for that of course how can I help pouring out my heart and affections directly to you from now on and forever, my darling…" She giggled, getting a little lost in the memories of her blissful romance with her beloved. "And then of course there's my total inability to help gushing and monologuing in the presence of that little flirtatious streak of yours…" She blushed and grinned more at those particular memories. "Oh Arnold, how I wish you really were with me right now so that I could just—"

WHEEZE WHEEZE

Helga's eyes flew open and on instinct her fist flew back!

There was the familiar sound of glasses crunching a bit and a loud thud, and then the sounds of some lighter things falling too. Total surprise upon her face at both her obvious sudden visitor and at the fact that she had actually just hit him even though that had not been her intention at all with this whole 'fake a monologue to make Brainy appear' plan, Helga instantly spun around to be met with the boy in question on his back on the ground, a couple of brown paper grocery bags now slouching beside him on the pavement. "Brainy?" she exclaimed and quickly bent over and started to help him stand. "Crimeny, don't DO that surprise stuff to me—you know I've never handled that well, and especially when I'd really given up on you coming!" She smiled a bit, releasing him as he had his balance back, and then she bent down and scooped up one of the grocery bags she had caused to drop. "Guess I went a little 'accidental actual monologue' there without realizing it huh?" she had to admit with a little shrug, now standing up straight again with both of her arms wrapped around the grocery bag. "Oh and sorry for almost breaking your glasses again and for making you drop your grocery bags," she added sincerely with a small sheepish blush.

Brainy, who had been glancing away shyly from her the entire time Helga had been speaking and just doing his best to unbend his (thankfully not broken this time) glasses, leaned over to pick up the other shopping bag from the ground and then, straightening up once more, finally made eye contact with her and just said nervously, "Uh…sure…Helga…"

At this typical little reply Helga just smiled more at Brainy and leaned against the opposite wall of the alley, propping the bag up more against her side so she could hold it in one arm. "So, anyway, how the heck have you been, Brain Boy? I feel like we haven't seen each other around too much over the last few weeks…You been finding things to do ever since I stopped with the random rants of unrequited love?" She raised part of her brow at him, still just smiling nicely. And in truth Helga really was curious about how Brainy had been filling his time lately because ever since this whole Arnold thing, he wasn't just not stalking her anymore…she really barely saw him around at all! Even in school! And part of her hadn't been able to help but feel like he was actually…specifically avoiding her…which made her worry just a little. What if he was upset with her about something? What if he had a problem? What if he really was brokenhearted or something even though he had said that he accepted her and Arnold? Well, whatever it was, she was determined to figure it out now that she and Arnold were pretty well established because… 'Brainy's a good guy…He…cares about me…And if we can be friends I want that because…I think I care about him too…' It was a little strange to her this sudden realization that she had come to that now that he wasn't a steady part of her life anymore, she really did miss Brainy sometimes: she would pass an alley where she had given him a lot of face punches over the years and chuckle to herself, she would hear someone wheezing on a bus and be unable to help thinking about how it differed from Brainy's wheeze…she would recall that one single small bout of jealousy from Arnold back when she had let Brainy down but Arnold still hadn't admitted his feelings yet and find herself blushing and smiling like mad.

Anyway, the point was, she was determined, now that she had a free afternoon (which had been happening more and more frequently lately ever since she had cut Dr. Bliss down to one day a week), to figure out what was up with Brainy, and so she waited with an eager smile for a reply to her inquiry to him on the matter.

The boy before her however…just blushed a little and took a step back at her obviously unexpected question about why he hadn't seemed to be around lately. "Uh…I don't know…." was the best he could come up with.

Helga blinked at first at that reply, but then just chuckled and rolled her eyes at the silly familiar vague response. "Heh, you're a riot, Brainy…Anyway…" She took a step toward him. "Seriously, I've been thinking about trying to get you aside to talk to you for a few days now, but…I don't really see you hanging around the neighborhood a lot, and as for school it…kind of feels like you keep avoiding me there…" she finally admitted, looking to him now with part of her brow raised and obviously earnestly awaiting an explanation now.

Brainy, obviously still getting used to her suddenly having a full blown conversation with him like this, just adjusted the bag in his arms a bit and swallowed and blushed more. "Uh…well…" there was longer hesitation before he finally finished with, simply… "…Arnold…"

Helga blinked several times at this reply…and then it processed with her what he might mean (and why he might look so extra nervous right now)…and then she almost burst into laughter. "Oh come on, Brainy—you're afraid of Arnold? Come on, he's not going to 'bite you' or something just because he knows how you feel about me. He's just a big pushover." She rolled her eyes and shook her head in amusement. 'He's just been afraid this whole time of what Arnold might do if he talks to me? Well, at least he's not mad at me or anything…' She felt a touch of relief come over her. "Anyway," she went on, "I'm just glad my monologuing strategy 'kind of' worked today. Along with figuring out where the heck you've been, to be honest, I…have something else I'd kind of like to talk to you about, Brainy…" She couldn't help blushing just the tiniest bit.

Brainy blinked and looked at her curiously at this announcement. "Uh…really…?" And then he gulped…and Helga noticed just the tiniest bit of a blush tinge his own features. "Uh…what…?"

Helga just put down the grocery bag for a moment and crossed her arms over her chest and cleared her throat (and also tried to ignore his slight blush…and tried not to blush more herself…because now that she thought about it… 'Heck, back during those days between his confession and my confession, if Arnold and come up to me knowing my feelings and suddenly announced he had 'talk to me about something'…I-I might have thought that he maybe wanted to tell me that…w-well…' She gulped, and shook her head and just reminded herself that her intentions here and now were strictly platonic). "Well, um…" she started with a little shrug, focusing on Brainy again, "First I just wanted to congratulate you, I guess…" She smiled at him a little sheepishly. Of course she was met with a puzzled look and so she had to elaborate. "What I mean is…considering that I haven't really seen you ever since that last talk we had together last month…I figure that, well, today's around the day that would be your one month anniversary of having successfully resisted popping up behind me every time I get a little gushy and scaring the living daylights out of me." She chuckled a little and her smile grew warmer, and she hoped she could break the ice a bit with this little joke.

To her happiness Helga saw Brainy smile more warmly too in reaction to her words. In fact, even though it was a small smile overall it was the largest one she had ever seen him give. He wheezed a couple more times then let out a sigh. He even put down his own grocery bag for a moment, really seeming to relax for just a second. "Uh…" he shrugged, "Thanks…Helga…"

"Ah, no problem, Brainy." She waved him off casually. "Anyway," grinning she put her arms behind her back, "As for my second reason for searching you out…well…" She sighed (and did her best not to blush again since this was arguably an awkward topic she was bringing up but…she really did want Brainy to be as happy as he could be so she was willing to work through it if it would help him). "Well, Brainy, I thought you deserved something for being so, um…you know, okay with…you know, everything…" She looked at him sincerely. "I mean…you were really really cool about me and Arnold, Brainy, and…I appreciate that. Very much. I've never had a lot of people looking out for me and…it seems like you always have been even though I didn't really appreciate it until now…A-And I've been thinking about a way I might be able to show my appreciation for that and even pay you back a little…especially since I've been having some luck in the area lately…" She couldn't help but grin to herself just a little proudly.

Right now Brainy could see that the girl before him was definitely building to something but he himself was still rather unsure about the whole thing, to say the least. And so, "Uh…what…?" he just wheezed out curiously.

Helga smiled more and finally dropped the bomb, her tone full of eagerness and a desire to really and truly help. "Well, I was thinking…that I would put my crazy matchmaking 'slash' scheming skills into…finding you a girlfriend! You know, kind of like how I helped hook up Gerald and Phoebe (who are doing great together by the way, I might add). What do you say?" She looked at him hopefully, obviously really sincerely happy about this intended course of action. And in truth…Helga really did feel sad that...she had ended up with Arnold (and Gerald had even ended up with Phoebe) and…Brainy had ended up alone. It didn't seem fair. Here was this guy who had secretly always liked her just as much as she had secretly always liked Arnold, someone who was a nice guy, who cared for her and stood up for her and who she thought was okay…a sort of a secret friend who had been a part of her life just as long as Arnold had, when she thought about it. And…she'd had to leave him in an empty classroom with a rejection to his love after he had sacrificed what little reputation he had in claiming in front of all of their classmates that HE had written the love poem for her that Mr. Simmons had read to the class instead of Arnold. 'Guilt….stinks….Arnold, wherever you are right now, I blame you…' Even despite this slightly sarcastic thought though Helga knew that it was natural for her to feel guilt about all of this…about being the cause of a broken heart when having her own heart broken had always been her biggest fear. And so she wanted to help: and what better way than finding someone for Brainy to be with? Yes, it would be perfect! He would have someone to love and who would love him, and maybe then Brainy and his girl and herself and Arnold could even double date! Yes, everyone would be happy and the final loose end would be tied up! 'Helga, you are genius…' She almost wanted to pat herself on the back just a little.

"Uh…no, thank you…Helga…"

Helga had been so wrapped up in her proud thoughts that at first she didn't process this response but then suddenly it sank in and she blinked and looked at Brainy in bewildered confusion, her thoughts returning entirely to the present moment. "E-Excuse me?" was all she could say, genuinely unsure if she could have heard him right…Turning down the chance of finding love?

The asthmatic boy before her just let out a sigh. He was just standing there now with sort of a listless look on his face, glancing off to the side. "Uh…no thank you…" he just wheezed out again.

And Helga, of course, still looked totally confused. "But…why?" She couldn't help asking it, couldn't help pushing the issue. Why wouldn't someone want to find love? She had found it after all and it had been…quite a three weeks and change, to say the least. Yes, a lovely nearly four weeks indeed… She managed to keep the heart flutters at bay though and still looked at Brainy with part of her brow raised.

Brainy just wheezed a bunch of more times and shrugged.

A silence between them continued for several seconds.

And now Helga scowled, not really feeling angry though so much as…frustrated and still confused. Why was he being so cryptic and what was his problem with her lately? Sure he had thrown out the excuse of Arnold but…Arnold was nowhere around at the moment. Right now Brainy was just flat out rejecting her and her efforts even in private…and it bugged her. And it especially bugged her that he was preventing her from relieving some of the guilt plaguing her conscience which finding him a girl would have definitely done. 'Grr…doing good deeds is so frustrating sometimes!' "Oh come on, Brainy," her hands went to her hips, "I know I spent quite a few years in the lonely hearts club but I know what I'm doing now when it comes to getting people together, and I just want to help you. Really! You deserve someone, Brainy. You're…a fantastic guy. There's gotta be a fantastic girl out there waiting for you. Let me help you find her. Please." The scowl was still there but her eyes spoke total sincerity.

Brainy's little blush turned rosier. He glanced down more obviously and wheezed quite a bit more. And he mumbled out in between asthmatic breaths… "Uh…no, thank you….Bye."

And then suddenly Brainy had scooped up the one grocery bag beside him again, gone forward and scooped up the one beside her, and was walking past her out of the alley now, leaving her behind.

It didn't take Helga a second though to instantly have her hands on his shoulders, stopping him in his tracks and turning him to face her just outside of the alley on the street, scowling with a touch more anger than frustration or pity this time. "Brainy…For crying out loud…Look, okay, I admit it, part of why I want to do this is that I feel guilty as heck about breaking your heart because I really like you even though I don't like-like you, but like I said part of it's also because you deserve it! So for Pete's sake, for my SANITY please cut the cryptic stuff and just pull out that inhaler wherever you've got it and talk to me already!"

The bags had dropped to the sidewalk once more upon her grabbing him and turning him around like this, and now Brainy was just staring into her eyes, his own eyes rather wide, and for a moment he just remained like that, held in her grasp…and rather close to her…And being so close and seeing her so…full of fire…it was making that blush of his even worse.

And he knew the only way to get her to stop and back off and end this strange tête-à-tête between them would be to do as she asked.

And so with a gulp he reached down into the pocket of his pants, pulled out the item she desired, lifted it up and placed two puffs into his mouth, put it back in its familiar pocket and then gently reached both of his hands to her shoulders and pulled back from Helga's grasp. Now standing entirely on his own he took a moment to straighten his collar a little and clear his throat, trying to subdue his blush and to regain some of his composure. Then he finally spoke at length (well, at length 'for Brainy', anyway…at least, for now…) "Helga, I'm…trying to make this situation that you've just introduced to me as painless to me as possible. Believe me, I don't mean to offend you by rejecting your help…It's just…" he sighed, seeming to consider his words for a moment, a slight bit of distress in his eyes but nothing extreme. Finally he went on, looking at her sincerely again. "I could explain to you specifically why I keep saying no, I guess…and also specifically why I've been, um…avoiding you a bit lately…if you'd really like to know. But…unfortunately my inhaler can only buy me five, maybe ten minutes at a time to speak freely, and what I have to say might take longer than that…" He sighed and considered once more, and then looked back to her and asked. "Would you be willing to come back to my house with me for a little while, Helga… As long as you don't have any plans? I live rather close by and I was actually just coming back from the store with a few items to drop off there anyway—I suppose just this once it was luck that made me find you as you were talking to yourself." He smiled a little, obviously intrigued at the coincidence, but then shook his head to clear it and came back to the present moment. "Anyway, I need something from my home if we're going to have… this…discussion…." And suddenly he was back to wheezing between every other word. 'I need a new prescription…' he thought to himself for about the millionth time in his life in frustration.

Coming back to the situation at hand though, Brainy watched Helga blink curiously at his explanation and proposition and then she just nodded. "Um…okay. I-I mean, I don't have anything to do until later. I'd…be happy to come over, Brainy." She smiled encouragingly.

Brainy just did his best not to let his heart flutter. Helga G. Pataki…over at his house. That was certainly fulfilling a lot of fantasies. But…he knew it would be as a friend only. And he accepted that fact. His Helga had been happier lately than he had ever seen her and that was what was most important to him. "Thank you…Helga…" He gave her a small grateful nod for her acquiescence and then bent down to grab the grocery bags again…

"Oh, Brainy, here, at least let me carry one of those…" Helga started to bend over as well.

However, Brainy was already standing with both bags in his arms and shook his head with a smile. "No…Wouldn't dream…of it…You're my guest…and a lady…But thanks…for the offer…" He nodded and then began to head up the street again in the direction in which he had been initially been walking, beckoning with his head for (a now wide eyed and intrigued looking) Helga to join him on his way.

Helga and Brainy had been at Brainy's house in Brainy's living room (which, along with the rest of his house that Helga had gotten a glimpse at ever since they had come back here and she had helped him put his groceries away, looked rather normal—considering Brainy's 'eccentric qualities' she had honestly half expected a castle or a dungeon or at least multicolored furniture, but no it was just a normal brownstone on a normal street with a normal beige couch and a normal brown leather easy chair with a normal wood coffee table in the middle of the normal living room room). Helga was seated on said brown easy chair, Brainy was seated perpendicular to her on said beige couch…and on said wooden coffee table sat a little machine like a plastic box with a tube coming out of it that was emitting a few white looking vapors through a mouthpiece that Brainy had been inhaling and exhaling out of for about the last ten minutes ever since they had come in here from the kitchen and the groceries.

Helga watched as Brainy took one more deep inhale of the white, vapory stuff, then checked the little container under the mouthpiece out of which the vapors came, and, seemingly satisfied with something about it, finally reached over and shut off the small machine, placing the mouth piece on top of it.

He turned to Helga with a smile. "Thank you for helping me with the groceries, Helga, and for waiting for my treatment to be done. I'm sorry that took so long. Like I said the inhaler only gives me about five minutes of speaking time…I prefer to avoid the prescriptions that have steroids for health reasons, even though they would allow me to speak more. But this is a nebulizer machine and after a ten minute treatment with it I'm okay for up to an hour or even two sometimes. So now we can talk…Can I make you some tea or anything, Helga?" He smiled politely and sincerely at her.

Helga blinked a few times at his eloquent explanation and sudden gracious offer, still feeling rather confused at times about the fact that Brainy could really talk…and could really talk so well and eloquently…even though she had been aware of the fact for several weeks. "U-Um…no, I'm okay. Thanks though, Brainy." She smiled as sincerely as she could back at him. "S-So…you're really okay, now? To talk, I mean?" She just wanted to be sure.

Brainy nodded assuringly. "Absolutely, Helga. Thank you for asking."

She smiled more and actually felt herself really start to relax. "You're welcome, Brainy. And it's nice to hear your voice more." She couldn't help adding the compliment. She liked the way he talked. It was hard to describe but it was just nice to listen to and he had an interesting way of putting things.

Helga watched as this unsolicited and unexpected compliment from her made the boy near her clear his throat a little awkwardly and blush a tiny bit again on this afternoon. "Um…Thank you, Helga…That's…nice of you to say."

Helga wanted to mentally smack herself. 'Watch the compliments, Helga old girl. Seriously—think about how it would have felt a couple months ago if Arnold had popped over and started complimenting the sound of your voice…' The idea made her heart flutter and she did her best to keep such things in mind and to keep on her guard lest she upset or embarrass her little unofficial good friend in any way further. "U-Um…a-anyway…" she went on, crossing her legs and wringing her hands in a tiny bit of nervousness, "I…So, um…will you tell me now why you don't want my help? You know, about…finding you a girlfriend?" And then it suddenly occurred to Helga that she might have just opened the door for Brainy to dramatically confess that he 'didn't want to find someone new because he only wanted her and would pine for her until the day he died' or something… 'Honestly, if Arnold had rejected me and I was pushed…I'm not sure if I wouldn't have gotten all desperate and determined like that myself, at least for a little bit…' She bit her lower lip and squeezed her hands together extra hard.

In response though rather than going all 'roof of the FTi building on her' Brainy just sighed at first in reply to her question…and then just kind of half smiled at her. "Helga…I think the only way to answer your question is with another question." He cleared his throat, considered his wording and then went on. "Helga…not that this could have happened, all things considered…" that little blush had calmed but something about it still persevered nonetheless, "…But…if Arnold had rejected you after you told him your feelings and then come to you a few weeks later and offered to find you a new boy to love…how would you have felt?"

Helga…actually almost felt a tear come to her eye. Because…the idea of that situation…of that take on what she was now trying to do for Brainy…was pretty painful if you thought about it. Not only getting rejected by someone and maybe still wanting them (the biggest fear she had been able to come up with for him in this whole thing)…but then having the object of your love and affections suddenly popping up and specifically trying to set you up with another person—trying to push off your feelings as much as possible and at the same time, even though they were trying to help, just reminding you more and more that they were the only person for you…the only one you wanted. "Brainy…" Helga stood up and walked around the coffee table to sit next to him on the couch. "I'm…I'm sorry…" she said firmly and sincerely. "I didn't think of it like that. And I should have."

She glanced over at him to see him let out a little sigh and do his best to keep smiling at her. "It's alright, Helga. Your heart was in the right place. It always has been…"

"Um…thanks…" Helga shifted a little uncomfortably, suddenly aware that she was kind of close to him now…and also he had just…made a comment about her heart… She scooched just an inch or two farther away from him. It was so weird feeling like the 'Arnold' in an unrequited love situation…And she was now alone with Brainy on his couch in his living room…And thanks to Arnold she had seen many times first hand what boys did to girls they loved alone on couches together…

At her action of shifting away and looking so obviously uncomfortable and blushing, all of which she was doing as all of these thoughts had been going through her head, Brainy just sighed and smiled a little more as he finally settled on just addressing something outright before she could get herself unnecessarily worked up about it any further. "Helga…please relax. I'm not going to snap and announce that I 'can't possibly live without you' and dive on you and start madly kissing you, alright?"

Helga instantly turned utterly scarlet and then spazzed so badly that she fell right off the couch and right onto the carpet between where she had been sitting and the coffee table. "What?" She squeaked out as she looked up at him from her place on the floor, breathing heavily and wide eyed and now full on blushing like crazy.

Brainy, with only a light blush in his own cheeks, just shook his head in a bit of amusement and reached down to give her a hand up. "You keep getting very nervous whenever I say something nice about you or blush around you, and now you're nervous about being close to me," he explained simply and with compassion and understanding. "It's alright, though, Helga. I assure you. I…still have some feelings about you, of course." His smile became just a little more awkward looking. "After all, it's only been a few weeks since you and Arnold became official…but I've known this was coming for quite some time and I respect your relationship, and also I'm a civilized person…and a gentleman, I'd like to think. So I'm not going to pounce on you or anything. You have my word." He smiled down at her sincerely, his hand still outreached for her to take and assist herself up with.

Helga just blinked once more in her state of blushing panic…but then shook her head like she was realizing something, and then finally she reached out and took his hand and allowed him to help her up. "Um…" she cleared her throat, standing now, feeling so incredibly sheepish and silly. "S-Sorry, Brainy…I…I'm just…I just keep thinking of you as me and me as Arnold and some of the stuff that I was usually a hair away from doing with him whenever we got too close to each other, and then I-I'm not really used to being able to make guys blush except for Arnold even though that's different, and then you said you didn't want me to help find you anybody which started to make me think you wanted me back or wanted me to begin with, I guess, and I…" She let out a deep sigh and then finally just sat back on the couch, slumping down a little. "Anyway…I'm sorry…Brainy. Look, when it comes to love the only things I don't completely stink at are things involving Arnold and this has nothing to do with Arnold so the whole thing's kind of throwing me off…" And then she turned her head to him again, looking a little sad once more. "Plus…I'm worried. As long as you're comfortable with it, I really would like to have you as a friend, Brainy, but…like I was saying back out on the street, it feels like I haven't seen you at all ever since Football head and I hooked up, and that's not fair to you and also…I miss you…" She blushed a tiny bit and gave a sheepish smile, and then added, "And also my backhand is getting pretty weak at this point…"

Brainy chuckled at her little finishing joke, but then in response to all of her other points and concerns just shook his head and waved off the girl beside him with a smile. "Helga, please, really, don't apologize so much. You're a very good person, and I think I understand now why all of this is concerning you so much: after all, you're very…intuitive about love and you understand how sensitive the subject can be… But don't worry. I'll be fine. I promise. And I'd…like to be your friend as well." He looked at her sincerely and seriously.

Helga absorbed his words with wide eyes and a blank face…and then finally found in herself the courage to ask a question she'd been dying to ask ever since Arnold had made it hit her in the head like a ton of bricks four weeks ago that Brainy might actually have feelings for her. And now it felt like the door had been opened with all this talk of getting Brainy a girlfriend and…she just said it without even thinking about it first. "Brainy…do you…really feel like you love me…like I'm your true love?" She knew it was selfish to bring up such a painful question but…she was still a little fuzzy on the specifics of this boy's feelings for her and they really hadn't said much to each other ever since her rejection of him…and she wanted to know…she needed to know. Not only because she cared for him as a friend but just for her sanity so that she could know where she stood if and when in the future they had more lengthy conversations together like this one.

The question made Brainy gulp…made him wring his hands a little nervously…even tug at his collar (Helga gulped herself as well, feeling some of her former worries return about all of these actions…and just what they might mean for what Brainy's heart had been going through over these past few weeks).

Finally though the boy beside her managed a small smile and said back to her, with all of that usual sincerity with which he spoke, "Helga, I really apologize for answering another one of your questions with another question but…I think that's the only way for me to do it again." He looked into her eyes (already knowing the answer but needing for her to say it in order for her to truly understand his current situation and feelings), "Helga, are you happy loving Arnold?"

Normally intimate questions about Arnold from other people always made Helga hesitate, maybe avoid the inquiry for a moment or two, or at best answer kind of shyly. However…she felt this sort of…dull connection with the boy beside her that she could not deny. She trusted him like a very dear friend: this person who had known more about her obsession with Arnold over the course of their lives than even her best friend Phoebe had, this person with whom she'd had more physical and personal contact than even with Arnold over the last seven years, this person who had known her secret ever since the first day she'd had it and had kept it without threats or begging and despite all of the physical torment she had put him through…and simply because he just hadn't wanted to ever hurt her by telling others.

As a result of all of this… "Yes." She nodded. "Loving him has always been the happiest thing in my entire life." The response just flowed out of her without hesitation and with total sincerity.

She almost cringed as she realized how blunt she had just been about things though, expecting a look of hurt to come to Brainy's face…but instead he just merely nodded, still smiling at her. "And…" he then went on, "Do you believe Arnold is happy loving you?"

Helga nodded once again, thinking back on all of her and Arnold's times together so far as a couple. "Yes. I think he's very happy too. We're very happy together." She smiled more, unable to help it. Her and her love, happy together. It made her warm all over.

"So then…" Brainy went on, letting out a breath and looking at her a bit more seriously now, "It stands to reason that…in a very hypothetical world of course since, as I already explained, I'm not going to try and kiss you or anything, Helga…" Helga blushed again but this time at least she chuckled a little as she did so, which gave Brainy a bit of personal relief as it signaled to him that she at least wasn't as nervous as she had been before. He went on. "Well…it stands to reason that if you and I were to suddenly…start a relationship…you would not be happy, Helga. I would be happy of course…" He gulped and blushed a little, but then went on firmly, "But…not you. Helga…I believe very much in true love and…that's not a real true love between two people, is it? One being happy and the other being miserable and deprived… Not like you and Arnold where both of you are happy. Helga…everyone deserves someone to love who loves them back. And you don't love me back. So we're not meant to be…which means if we got together I might be happy at first but then we would both just end up miserable—you because you could never love me like you love Arnold, and me because I would be with the wrong person and…and also because I would be making someone I care about very unhappy. So…do you understand now, Helga? I'm not some alternate version of you and you're not some alternate version of Arnold for me. We're all three different people with two different situations entirely…and you should be with Arnold. You belong with him. And I accept that and wish you both well." His speech was over and now Brainy just smiled happily at Helga and with a little sheepish shrug added, "And I'm sorry if that was all a little verbose, but it was the only way I could think of expressing it. Did it make sense?"

Helga, eyes still wide…still taking all of that in and weighing it and understanding it and absorbing it…just nodded at him. "Uh, y-yeah, I…understood it." And then half of her mouth picked up in a smile and she almost had to chuckle a little. "And it's sweet Brainy…to care that much about…me being happy." 'Just like Arnold does…Hmm…' Helga couldn't help but smile a little more to herself, liking the idea that both of these boys in her life felt the same way in regards to her well-being. She blushed a little but all nervousness was gone now. "Now you know why I'd love to have you as a friend. You're a good person, Brainy…You care about me and I feel close to you," she admitted a little shyly, unable to help herself. "I-I mean…" she tacked on with a shrug, "Not that I'm getting all mushy 'BFF' on you or anything but…you know…You're okay." She reached out gave him a nudge in the shoulder.

"Um…th-thank you…." He gulped and blushed a tiny bit again, obviously unable to help it.

"Uh…sorry…" Helga instantly said sheepishly, giving him a little smile and a shrug, "Just a little too much mushiness considering the situation? I…Remember, even though I know you're fine and accept me and Arnold no matter what, I don't want to make you uncomfortable." She looked at him seriously.

Brainy's smile came back. "Don't worry about it, Helga…I assure you." He took in a breath and let out a breath and the little blush subsided. "I'm just…still getting used to moving on from you, as I said. But please, say whatever is on your mind. I don't want you to feel uncomfortable either…since I like you as well…" Just the tiniest tinge of a blush was back as he qualified with a little nod, "As a friend, of course."

She nodded, only blushing a tiny bit now and still smiling. "Okay…B-But, um…speaking of making things uncomfortable…um, I won't bring this up again if it's really upsetting to you but…I think that you still getting used to getting over me, like you said, is maybe more of a reason for you to think about…finding a girl, even if it would be too weird having me help you with it… "Helga shifted a tiny bit closer, no longer feeling weird about being near him now. "You're a caring, romantic, loving, good guy, Brainy…" She raised part of her brow, a thought occurring to her just then. "Um…by the way, is your name really Brainy?"

Brainy, obviously in the middle of processing her bringing up this topic again now that she had fully accepted that he was getting over her, just gave a small chuckle and rolled his eyes to the side at her random finishing question. "Yes…" he explained with a nod and a smile, "Old family name…But Helga…" he looked at her, and shook his head a little…in what appeared to be…amusement? "I know you want me to be as happy as you and Arnold are, but…first of all…who says I'm not dating someone new right now?" He looked at her just a tiny bit smugly.

Helga instantly blinked and blushed, this time in a little but of humiliation and sheepishness instead of shyness. "O-Oh! I, um...hadn't thought of…Well is she, um…nice?" she asked…and tried to avoid the very slight pang of jealousy that went through her. Of course she wanted Brainy to get with someone new but…the idea of being gotten over so soon was a little…disconcerting to her. Nothing that a peck on the cheek from Arnold couldn't cure in an instant but…still a little funny-feeling for her nonetheless.

Brainy chuckled at her response…quite a bit actually. After a moment or two he got himself under control enough to assure her (with just a touch of pride), "There, there, Helga, no need to feel jealous. Just…a little joke on my part. And I also wanted to prove a point, I guess." He looked at her. "I could find someone on my own if I wanted. I just…would rather not at the moment. It's…a little too soon for me…okay?" He shrugged.

Helga just observed him…and though he really was being casual and making sense and obviously doing okay, she couldn't help but be a tiny bit amazed. 'After all, if I was in his shoes and, like he said, Arnold had r-rejected me and it was only a few weeks later, I…I would not be nearly as okay as he is…I mean, I would have been—' She quickly stopped the thought though, reminding herself that, just as Brainy had also said, she wasn't some version of Arnold to him and he wasn't some version of herself to her—they were indeed three people with two totally separate situations: a boy and a girl who had found true love together, and another boy who had mistaken that same girl for his true love but now realized just as she did that friends was all they were supposed to be. But anyway, the point was, 'My heart's in the right place…but I'm being pushy again, aren't I?' And so… "Okay, Brainy." Helga nodded and smiled. "You're right. Again. I shouldn't push. You'll get out there when you're ready. But…if there's any way I can help ever, just promise me you'll let me know, okay? Anything at all." She grinned at him sincerely and happily.

Brainy smiled a little more at her response. "Well, actually…you just caring enough about me to come over here and wanting to make sure I'm happy, and saying you want to be my friend…all of that means a lot to me in and of itself, Helga. I, um…" he glanced to the side, his smile faltering just a little for just a second, "I don't have many acquaintances…Mostly I just had…you. And that was enough for me." He let out a sigh and his tone firmed and brightened up once more. "But…you've moved on from that and now I have to as well…But…if things have to change, I really would very much like them to change with us having a real friendship, Helga…That sounds nice." His eyes went back to hers…but then something seemed to occur to him and he frowned a little. "But…Helga…what I said before out on the street when you accused me of avoiding you in school a little…about Arnold…Are you…sure he would be okay with that, Helga? With us as close friends? You're happy with him and I don't want to do anything to possibly upset that ever." There was so much concern in his eyes all of a sudden.

Helga just blinked at how sincerely he seemed to care about the potential of 'threatening' her and Arnold… 'Okay, wow, yeah, he is DEFINITELY not some alternate version of me because I would be throwing myself between me and Arnold if I was him…' And then she crossed her arms over her chest and looked at and spoke to him very seriously. "Uh…Brainy… listen, it's sweet that you care about rocking the 'Arnold & Helga' boat but…I call my own shots. I'll be friends with whoever I like enough to be friends with. If Arnold's really got a problem with that then we'll talk it through and work it out, but I'm not going to not be friends with you just because there's some history." A firm and determined scowl was now set upon her features.

To Helga's surprise, at her announcement, Brainy's smile grew quite wide for just a moment and his eyes went just a little half lidded. "Hmm…always strong and independent, even with the one you love…while I was cowering behind street corners and wheezing behind your neck and taking punch after punch…I always did like that about you, Helga…That certain spark you have..."

Helga blushed considerably now and glanced down with wide eyes, biting her lower lip and crossing her legs and gulping.

At her reacting so strongly and obviously and suddenly Brainy blinked, seemed to come out of something he had obviously almost slipped into, and then shook his head and spoke in a tone so apologetic that it left no doubt to Helga for even an instant that what had just happened had been entirely accidental and that he truly regretted the slip up. "I'm sorry, Helga. So sorry. I didn't mean to, um…reminisce too much. But I won't do it anymore, I promise.…I-I mean, you start blushing and I…" He shook his head and cleared his throat, taking a breath to recompose himself as he quickly finished, trying to end on as much of a joke as he could all things considered. "Well, I'm sure I don't need to say it—Arnold's probably let you know more than enough what your blushing can do to a guy."

A still warm in the face Helga just shook her head, not wanting him to feel at all bad. "No, it's…Don't worry about it, Brainy. I'm just not used to getting too many compliments from people, you know? It can throw me off sometimes, heh. But it's okay, really…And, um, thank you…for saying I'm strong, I mean." She smiled encouragingly at him, indeed feeling a certain degree of happiness at another person in her life not ridiculing her for being both a lover and a fighter but rather accepting and liking her for the complicated girl she really was.

A much less flustered looking now Brainy smiled thankfully back at her for her words. "You're welcome, Helga."

For a moment there was just a warm silence between them.

"Um…Brainy?" And then Helga had to ask another potentially awkward question…though this time it had nothing to do with romance.

He nodded. "Yes, Helga?" He just looked at her with a curious smile, waiting for whatever she wanted to discuss now.

Helga gulped…and asked it…hoping the answer wouldn't be what she thought it was. "Did you…really mean before that except for me…you don't have any friends?"

Brainy cleared his throat again at her personal inquiry and shifted a little on the couch. He shrugged…and then almost smiled again just a little. "Hmm…And now I'm starting to miss the wheezing because I could just simply say 'uh yeah' and not have to elaborate…But, um…Yes, Helga, I meant it…"He looked into her eyes, still trying to smile. "I'm sort of an outcast…I tend to fall through the cracks. I don't talk much, can't really play sports because of my asthma, and I'm rather shy around people in general, and few people seem to share my interests…"

Helga frowned now. "Brainy…" she moved in closer. "That's not okay. So what if you're a little different, you still deserve to get to hang out with our friends. Hey…" she smiled again, an idea coming to her mind, "You know, Phoebe's been getting pretty okay lately at right field in baseball so we could always use a good score keeper to replace her…That's something you could do! And it would kind of reintroduce you to everyone and maybe help you with feeling less shy. And then of course besides helping out with baseball, there's always you and me being better friends, like I said. I mean, Arnold and I take up a lot of each other's time, especially with all the secrecy since we're still not public yet, but you and I could always take a free afternoon to hang out. What do you like to do, Brainy?" She looked so eager and happy…and that was how she felt too. 'Okay, yeah, the getting him a girlfriend thing was pushing it…but maybe this is what it's right for me to do. Just help him help himself to be a little more out there and open.' She liked the idea a lot.

In response to her question about 'what he liked to do' Brainy just smiled and shrugged and couldn't resist. "Besides stalking you?"

Helga had to laugh a little at that and she nodded. "Yeah…" she grinned at him, "Not that an afternoon of that for old time's sake wouldn't be fun but just in general…what are your hobbies?"

Brainy smiled and shrugged. "Oh…Reading, poetry…I like to go to art museums as well and the opera and the theatre. The aquarium sometimes is also nice…" He smiled more at her, genuinely enjoying getting to have a conversation and share things about himself with another person, and especially with her.

"Ah," Helga looked at him with an intrigued smile, "So I'm dealing with a cultured man…Not one of those usual run of the mill dweebs out there licking telephone polls in winter on bets and chugging gallons of Yahoo soda to have belching contests, huh?" Her grin picked up on one side.

Brainy chuckled a little again. "Well, normally the words I hear are 'geek' and 'dork' and 'loser' but…I like your word for it. Yes, I-I guess you could say I'm…cultured. Thank you again, Helga." He looked at her happily.

"No problem, Brainy." She gave him a wink. "And anyway, maybe we could do some of that stuff together one day since I like a lot of those things too…" She let out a sigh and did her best not to blush as she added in amusement, rolling her eyes to the side, "Though I'm guessing, considering the stalking and stuff you know that already…"

"You could say that…" He confirmed for her with another chuckle, finally in this conversation being able to find romantic jokes between them more funny than awkward just like she was. "And thank you for your offer, Helga…It would be nice to have a companion for one of those activities….Someone to go to nice restaurants and the opera and the ballet with…and then maybe trying my hand at scorekeeper to fill my afternoons as well…" He shrugged. "A-And I guess, perhaps, I could try…being a little more open with our peers sometimes…and that perhaps others among them really might take a liking to some of my interests and turn out to be 'cultured' like me…" He blushed a tiny bit again at her having been kind enough to apply that word to him. "Although even if I can just have the honor of your sophisticated society on occasion from now on, I'd be very happy." He smiled more at her.

'Sophisticated…' The word struck something in Helga. And then she realized something and then she could have just face palmed herself because along with squaring things with and wanting to make sure that from now on she spent a little more time with Brainy, she had also had someone else on her mind lately who was involved in with her secret whom she had been meaning to have a talk with and to stop neglecting now that she and Arnold were so well established…and suddenly it was so freaking obvious to her that maybe these two people could maybe be giving each other a little extra company (especially since Olga still wasn't home for at least another week from Alaska to spend 'oodles' of time with that second person she had in mind).

And so she let out a breath and suggested with a smile and a shrug to the boy beside her, "Hey, what about Lila?"

Brainy blinked and then looked at Helga curiously…and he seemed to consider his words before he spoke. "What about…Lila?"

Helga nodded and explained. "Yeah, why not? She's a pretty sophisticated person…likes all that opera, ballet, fancy schmancy stuff. And her best friend is my sister and Olga's either up in Alaska teaching Inuit children or volunteering all over the place half the time. And I'm personally planning to try and spend some more time with Ms. Perfect soon but like you said between Arnold and Phoebe my schedule's already pretty booked. And also, well, she's in the loop about all the stuff with me and Arnold too, so at least there wouldn't be that pressure of not spilling the beans. And then on top of that she's really good at breaking the ice with people and being social, so she could help you with that. So why not ask her to be your friend?" She grinned with satisfaction at the idea.

Brainy considered and then smiled and then looked at her with a little chuckle and shrugged. "Well, I suppose all of the stuff that's been going on recently is all about new beginnings and trying new things…having new relationships with people. And I have always highly regarded your opinion, Helga, so…if you think Lila would be a good candidate for another close friend for me and that she really would enjoy the company and really could help me get more involved with our peers then…why not?" He smiled more. "You are an excellent judge of people's characters, Helga…" He swallowed and added, trying not to chuckle, "…Another reason I fell for you, you know…" He blushed and smirked just a little.

Helga blushed a tiny bit this time but nothing major. "Yeah, well, I AM quite a catch, you know…" She laughed a little and gave him a playful little punch in the shoulder. "And Brainy," her tone became just a touch more serious now, "I really do think Lila might like the company…" A touch of guilt came to her eyes. "I mean, besides the fact that she just loves operas and museums and junk, Football head and I have been so wrapped up in each other that I feel like we've been neglecting her a bit over the last few weeks, just like I feel like you've been getting left behind too." She shrugged. "But…" and then her smile regained some ground again, "But if I start spending more time with you and you start spending more time with everyone else and we all start spending more time with Lila then I think we could all become really good, really close friends for a really long time. And I'd love that, Brainy…" Her warm smile grew and the idea made her happy inside. The whole gang but especially herself and Arnold and Gerald and Phoebe and Lila and Brainy being a part of each other's lives for the rest of their lives. She liked that very much.

Brainy's smile warmed as well. "If I could have the pleasure of your company and guidance and of seeing your happiness for the rest of my life, I would like that as well, Helga. And…I really am excited to have our friendship become an active instead of a passive one. It'll be nice to get to know you …"

Helga smiled and couldn't help smirking and giving a small chuckle and asking, "What, the years of stalking didn't teach you everything you could ever possibly want to know about me? Because if they didn't, I've gotta say, Brainy, from one obsessed in love person to another, maybe you were doing it wrong?"

Brainy laughed along with her. "Very funny. But you know what I mean, Helga—that it'll be nice to get to know you for real as opposed to just observing and observing and observing…And as for me doing the stalking correctly, believe me, I think I could teach you a thing or two." He looked at her with just a touch of playful smugness. "After all, how else do you think I always knew where you would be and especially when you would go and break into a monologue about Arnold?" He chuckled a little more to himself.

Helga's grin picked up on one side. "Okay, the next time we are together we are definitely having a full scale debate about this whole 'who's the better stalker' thing."

"I wouldn't have it any other way, Helga…And may the better basketcase win." He winked at her.

Helga laughed and he laughed, and then Brainy said something he had been dying to say ever since the first day he had encountered Helga G. Pataki. "You know…I'll never understand how our classmates can be so blind about how wonderful and good you are, Helga G. Pataki."

He watched the comment make Helga blink a few times, and then she played with her hands in her lap, and then just made sure to stare with interest at the floor or the ceiling for several seconds. And then she finally replied, "Uh…thanks, Brainy…and, uh, before you say anything I'm not…getting all flustered right now because of 'us' or anything…I-It's just the…compliments thing again…Heh, I've only been getting them for a month and only mostly from one person so I'm still working on reacting to them, you know?" She shrugged and smiled sheepishly at him, finally bringing her eyes back to his. "And, uh, hey—like I've been saying all along…you're pretty wonderful yourself, Brainy…and I'm sure everyone'll see that sooner than you think."

He smiled more and nodded. "Thank you, Helga."

Helga smiled more and nodded back.

They just sat, smiling at each other for a moment. And then Helga smirked again and leaned over to nudge him with one of her elbows once more. "So…as long as we're here and you're still able to speak in full sentences…wanna make a 'play' date for sometime soon, good buddy?"

Brainy chuckled and nodded affirmatively. "Certainly…old friend. Um…there's an exhibit of Baroque art at the museum downtown. Would you like to go sometime this weekend…or whenever you're free, really…?"

"How about Sunday?" Helga's eyes brightened. "Phoebe's got a cello lesson and Arnold and Gerald are going to a ball game." She smiled hopefully at him.

He smiled happily back. "That sounds lovely, Helga. I'll meet you at the museum."

"Sounds good to me." She winked…but then let out a breath and looked at him a little seriously. "And…Brainy…I know you're not me and I'm not Arnold, yada yada yada, but…putting myself in your shoes for a just second I've just…gotta ask…" She looked right into his eyes, wanting a sincere and true answer. "You're SURE us being close friends won't be weird for you, right? I…don't want to make getting over the past harder or impossible or something for you. I want you to be able to move on."

Brainy just let out a breath…and looked at her seriously in the eyes too. "Helga, you have my word…Something to distract me and time to spend with people other than myself sounds like just the thing I need. I want to move on with us as friends, if that is what you would like as well." He smiled at her.

Helga looked deeply into his eyes for a moment more to make absolutely sure he was telling the honest truth and not just going along with all of this to please her or anything…and then, satisfied that he was being earnest, she smiled again as well. "Alright, then…And hey as for stuff to do with Lila, if you're looking to start small and don't mind getting a few cavities she loves those cutesy, fluffy, 'so sweet it can make you cringe' movies. Actually, seriously, if you could take her to one of those every now and again and save me the agony of getting dragged there by her or her and Olga, or at least come with us so that I at least have a sane human being to talk to while we're there, I would owe you indescribably." She rolled her eyes and chuckled. "And also I'll pay all the dental bills for those cavities I mentioned—sheesh, give me a good old fashioned Evil Twin movie any day, you know."

Strangely, though, Helga noticed that Brainy didn't smile and agree with her joke about the fluffy and cutesy movies, as she had imagined he would. Actually he just sighed and gave another little shrug. "Actually Helga, movies is one of the places where yours and my tastes tend to differ. Horror movies have always seemed a little showy and obscene to me…I prefer movies based on classic novels or romances." He grinned a little more sheepishly.

Helga blinked…and then just shook her head with a smile. "Okay, it's official: on days I need off just to stay mentally sound, you are definitely taking over the whole Lila & Olga chick flick thing because you would officially be perfect for it."

She laughed and he chuckled a little once more.

Then an old grandfather clock in the corner of the living room bonged four o'clock…and Helga had homework to complete and dinner to help prepare before Arnold came over to her house at six to eat…and also it just finally occurred to her that she had been here for an hour and the time had just literally flown by. 'Wow…Brainy really is nice company—mostly I can't stand being around anyone that isn't Phoebe or Arnold for this amount of time without getting at least a little annoyed but…I'm actually sorry I have to go so soon. Heh, bosom buddies with Brainy: wonders never cease.'

As the last bong finished Helga now stood up from Brainy's couch and gave a quick stretch up and a yawn. "Well, I'm sorry to say this, Brainy, but considering the time I guess I should get going…" She brought her arms down and behind her back and gave a little shrug. "…I've got dinner with Arnold at my house and a nice amount of stuff to do in the middle of all of that."

Brainy stood as well and nodded. "Of course. Let me walk you to the door, Helga."

"Thanks, Brainy." They both started heading for the hallway and the door. "Oh and uh," she glanced at him, looking just a little embarrassed as she added, "Before I leave I just wanted to officially formally apologize for all the sockings and the broken glasses and the tossing you random places over the years…I always have been really secretive and extra defensive about my love for Arnold and my privacy." She gave a sheepish little shrug.

Brainy just shook his head and held up his hand. "No worries, Helga. I understand." He smiled. "And I'm sorry for always sneaking up on you and spying on you like that."

"Perfectly fine, Brainy, all things considered." She smiled more.

They had reached the door and Brainy opened it for her and gestured outside with one arm. "Ladies first…" He bowed a little.

Helga just chuckled warmly, getting a very obvious sense of déjà vous from the scene of a boy who liked her insisting she leave a room ahead of himself to be polite (similar to how he had insisted on carrying both bags of groceries back to his house before, which had also stuck with her), and rolled her eyes, heading out in the direction he indicated. "I swear, Brainy, not only would you and Lila get along but you and Arnoldcould be buddies too if you guys put aside the topic of me for five seconds…" Now outside on the top of the stoop she turned back to Brainy with a grin, crossing her arms over her chest.

Brainy walked out onto the stoop with her as well now and she saw him gulp and blush just a little nervously at her words. "Um…perhaps…just one step at a time would be best, Helga…Heh…" He shrugged. "I'll just start with baseball scorekeeper and the art museum with you and maybe seeing if Lila wants to see Rigoletto with me…Work my way up to your potentially jealous boyfriend with the blackbelt." He gulped.

Helga just laughed and rolled her eyes again, letting out a sigh. "Okay, Brainy, whatever makes you comfortable but I promise you, Arnold will NOT hurt you or anything, alright? He's just a big old eternally understanding and optimistic softie. And…I really do think that one day, and probably one day soon with me connecting you, you two could be really good friends." She gave him another little playful nudge in the shoulder again on his stoop.

Brainy shrugged but had to crack a smile again and even chuckle a little at her assurances and the very idea in general… 'Good friends with Arnold…' "Well…I suppose one never knows, Helga. Maybe we will end up being able to be friends too at that."

She gave him a wink. "There's the spirit." And then she let out a sigh and smiled at him. "Well, see you Sunday then I guess, Brainy…Uh…" Before stepping back though to start heading down the stoop to the sidewalk, Helga rolled her eyes to the side sheepishly and gave a small swallow. "And…if it wouldn't be too weird…could I hug you goodbye? Sorry, this whole thing just feels like a mushy moment kind of deal to me, and I get all 'huggy' when things get all mushy." She almost scoffed at her own sentimentality right now.

Brainy though just nodded, his smile growing a little. "Of course, Helga. Can I…hug you back?" he asked almost hesitantly.

That silly question made her laugh fully and just nod and shrug and shoot back with a touch of playful sarcasm, "Sure, why not?"

Chuckling, the two kids came together in their little hug and then pulled apart. "Bye Brainy." Helga gave him a wave, smiling as she headed down the steps of his stoop. "See ya!"

"Goodbye, Helga…" He waved back to her. "And thank you…really."

She winked from the sidewalk. "You're welcome…and thank you really too, Brainy."

With shared smiles Helga departed, and Brainy went inside, closing his front door behind him.

From behind a trashcan far enough away that he really couldn't make out what they were saying but close enough that he could definitely see what they were doing together, Arnold watched Helga and Brainy obviously saying a very 'friendly' goodbye as Helga left Brainy's house after a rather 'lengthy' (in Arnold's opinion, at least…and he hadn't even been here for the entire thing!) visit…And by the time the scene before him was complete the snow cone in the young football headed boy's right hand that he had been walking holding had been unintentionally squeezed and crushed by his little fist into a ball of cardboard and melted lemony ice, even though he wasn't really aware of it…many other things and feelings on his mind at the moment.

About 10 minutes ago…

A smiling and content Arnold Shortman was walking around the city, just enjoying the fresh air and lovely sunshine of another late spring day and really without much of a care in the world (he was an A student, he had gotten the final out as shortstop yesterday in the baseball game at Gerald Field against the fifth graders to win the game for himself and his friends, he had a loving family, he had a few dollars in his pocket, and did he mention he had a gorgeous and witty blonde bombshell as a girlfriend? Yeah, life was pretty sweet). Actually, though, the young man in question did have one small want at the moment: it had occurred to him a couple of minutes ago that he could go for a nice, sweet, cool, refreshing snack right about now…and since his dinner with his girlfriend at her house tonight wasn't for a few hours, he figured he couldn't possibly spoil his appetite with just one little ice cream treat. So, he was heading right now in the direction of the Jollie Ollie Man's usual spot at this time in the afternoon…and as he rounded the corner to come upon the familiar ice cream truck he was also surprised and happy to see some of his closest friends getting some cones and ice cream bars as well.

He approached the truck, waving to his friends. "Hey, Sid, Stinky, Harold, Eugene…how're you guys?" He turned to the Jollie Ollie man at the counter quickly. "A snow cone please…lemon lime…" He placed a dollar on the counter and turned back to his buddies.

"Eh, I reckon I can't complain, Arnold," replied Stinky, who then put his lemon pudding pop back into his mouth to continue enjoying it.

"Yup. Same old, same old." Sid nodded and took another bite of his Mr. Fudgie bar.

"Yeah," Harold nodded, chomping down on his own Mr. Fudgie, "Pretty average day."

"I agree!" Eugene nodded and smiled, eating some more of his chocolate ice cream cone. "How're you today, Arnold?" Along with Eugene all the boys smiled at their friend and nodded at the question.

Arnold, now finally receiving his snow cone from the Jollie Ollie man, turned his attention fully to his friends once more and just smiled at them and shrugged. "Um…nothing 'too' new to report…" He tried not to blush…and it had only been getting harder and harder over the weeks not to do so whenever he got asked by anyone out of the 'Arnold & Helga' loop 'how things were going' as that inquiry instantly always brought to the young blonde boy's mind daydreams and memories of Helga in his arms, smiling and blushing with her sunshine hair falling around her shoulders and her perfect lips puckered and maybe sweetened with gloss as they awaited the touch of his own…

Arnold shivered a little at the image and feelings it elicited, and was thankful that he could use his fresh and frigid snow cone that he had just taken a lick of as an excuse just in case anyone noticed the little tremor that had just gone through him. "J-Just…walking around and…felt in the mood for some ice cream…" he finished and then shrugged and went on eating as casually as he could manage, doing his best to banish distracting thoughts of his girlfriend for now.

"Well that's nice!" Eugene offered with a smile in response to his reply. "Hey are you coming with us to Dino Land after dinner today? We're all going and even though you're a jinx, Arnold, I'd be happy to try going on a roller coaster with you again. I'm sure we wouldn't get stuck this time." From anyone else, all of this would have sounded sarcastic and snarky, but of course all of it was said by Eugene with total sincerity and niceness.

As a result, Arnold finished another lick of his cone and just shook his head with a smile and sigh (and tried not to laugh) at it all. "Um…thanks, Eugene, but I might just catch up with you guys next time. I've just…got some plans." He tried to still be casual but it was SO hard. Certainly all he had plans for with Helga tonight was dinner but…dinner always had a tendency to lead to…other things…between them… (especially since the afternoons and evenings (not including those that had baseball games and practices) were the only times he could be affectionate with Helga since their secret was still a secret after all). And Arnold liked 'other things'…loved them…couldn't imagine his life without them and sometimes couldn't understand how he had gotten through life before them, actually.

Anyway, the point was, (before all of these thoughts led to Arnold dangerously daydreaming right in front of the guys about giving Helga kisses on her bed as their 'real' dessert after dinner while they played 'a la mode' together), that Arnold would go with the guys to Dino Land next time around.

"Suit yourself, Arnold…" Stinky shrugged (and thankfully the sound of his voice brought Arnold fully back to reality)…but then a funny look came to the slightly southern boy's face (and Arnold noticed it), and he added with a shrug, "Garsh, it seems like you've been awfully busy lately." He took another lick of his lemon pudding pop.

Harold nodded, biting a huge chunk out of his Mr. Fudgie and chewing and swallowing it, and smiling a little as he added, "Yeah. You're barely around to do anything anymore."

Sid and Eugene nodded in some agreement. "Yeah," chimed in Sid with a smirk, "What's going on with you? What's the big secret?"

'Okay…Just stay calm, Arnold...' the young football headed boy reminded himself with a calming breath in and out. He then turned to his friends with the most casual smile he had in himself to muster and replied, "I know guys…I haven't been spending as much time with you lately and I'm sorry. It's just been, um…really busy around the boarding house. I've had a lot of, um…projects and things to work on in my room and stuff….um…G-Gerald's been helping me out a bit sometimes…" He shrugged in a 'no big deal' kind of way and then took another small bite of his snow cone and secretly felt a little proud inside that he had not only come up with a smooth excuse for his own mysterious absences but had even helped explain away a few of Gerald's a little bit.

"Heh, yeah, plus there was that sweet prank you played on Helga the other day with her shoes!" Sid quickly added in with a grin—a comment that was quickly followed by laughter, which all the guys joined in heartily.

Arnold blushed a tiny bit and shrugged modestly, having been really trying to encourage them over the last day or two of school to not make too big a deal about his 'prank' (and especially to Helga…since, every time they did say something and he was nearby, Helga made sure to flick him really hard in the ear to make a water fountain squirt all over his shirt or to lightly kick out the back of one of his knees and make him fall to the floor with all of his books…all of which things were annoying though Arnold had managed to take them in stride considering her reputation and how he had been the one to hurt it a little by making up and bragging about that prank in the first place…plus the extra, random passionate kisses he had been spontaneously getting behind the dumpster at recess or in janitor's closets as her way of making up for things had been a pretty nice compensation for all of his suffering).

But anyway, he knew it was best to just brush past this topic right now so that they would get over it faster, and so, "Oh, uh, yeah, that…heh…" was all he said in response to his friends' laughter about it. He then cleared his throat and decided it might be time for him to go now since, along with having some homework to do before he went over to Helga's and along with wanting them to forget about his 'prank', he was very much aware that he was technically lying to his friends every time it got brought up since the whole thing had been completely made up by himself and Gerald…and he really didn't like having to lie even though he'd had to make it sort of a part of his life in order to continue keeping his and Helga's secret. So, anyway, he just kind of wanted to get out of here before could dig himself any deeper in this particular falsehood. "U-Um…anyway…" he went on now with a small smile and a shrug, and then took a step back away from the guys and the Jollie Ollie man ice cream truck. "I have to get going now guys…I've got some homework to do …B-But, um…" he let out a breath, calming himself more as he prepared to walk a fine line between the truth and a lie again in his young life and all for the sake of the girl he loved. "None of you guys have seen Helga yet today, have you? I just, um…think it would be better if I avoided wherever she is, all things considered, heh…" He smiled a little sheepishly…In point of fact, he was actually feeling like catching up with Helga right now and having someone around him who he could be totally honest with, and maybe she would even like a little homework help or a walk near one of their houses before dinner…and if his friends could unintentionally help him find her sooner under the pretense of letting him know where he should 'avoid' being to avoid being near her, he wasn't about to complain.

Three of the boys shrugged with blank, unknowing faces at Arnold's question but a smiling Eugene replied helpfully, "Oh I think I saw her walking off with Brainy a little while ago…in the direction of his house actually."

"Oh, okay, thanks, Euge—" Arnold's words stopped…and a curious look came to his face. "She…went to Brainy's house with Brainy…?"

Eugene just nodded, taking another lick of his ice cream. "Yup. I was walking up his block going to my clog dancing class about, oh, close to an hour ago I guess, and I saw them go up his stoop and inside his house and everything. Looks like you're in the clear, Arnold, at least if she's still there with him. And, gosh, I didn't know they were such good friends but she was smiling and laughing with him and stuff, and even opening the door for him since his hands were full of grocery bags."

"Um…" Arnold cleared his throat and interjected with a small smile, glancing down at his snow cone and giving it another little lick. "I-I don't think they're really good friends or anything, Eugene. I mean they're friends, I guess, but…I'm sure there was just something going on that was making them act like that." 'Yeah…Besides…Helga only really smiles and laughs when she's with me…That cute little giggle…' He almost chuckled at all the memories of it, feeling all melty inside just like his snow cone was getting kind of melty. 'Eugene probably just saw a fluke or something…' Still…Eugene said they had actually gone into his house together…and that idea stuck with Arnold a little. Not too much of course…but just a little. He wasn't aware of her ever having gone into any other boy's house but his own ever in her life.

Meanwhile, back in reality (and not in 'Arnold denying his impending jealousy' land) Sid snickered and looked to Eugene. "Hey, maybe she's got the hots for him or something now—remember how he wrote that love poem for her last month that Mr. Simmons read?"

The other guys all laughed.

The snow cone wrapper clasped in Arnold's grasp became crushed just a little…The result of his fist tightening considerably around it. Still though his countenance was calm. He just shrugged and took another lick of his treat. "Um, guys…I don't think that's what's going on. L-Like Eugene said first, they're probably just friends… And I'm really sure Helga does NOT like Brainy like that…" He shook his head at the absurd idea. 'Helga and Brainy…heh…' He reminded himself that even he had made a silly, not serious 'Helga/Brainy' joke once, that time after Helga had told him that it had been her who had written 'Arnold Loves Lila' on the alley wall and he had joked about writing 'Helga Loves Brainy' there to make them even. Yes, just a silly stupid joke, just like what Sid had said…No big deal.

"Heh, naw, Arnold, I bet Helga 'the poet' got suckered in by Brainy's poem for her and now she's all girly gaga over him!" Harold laughed to himself, finishing off his Mr. Fudgie, and the guys joined in again.

The thin little paper snow cone holder was crushed just a little more in Arnold's grasp and now the young boy felt a tinge of a blush coming to his cheeks though he still did his best to maintain. "U-Um…I don't think that—" (As he'd started to say this sentence an image had fuzzily started to form in his head of Helga giggling and doting on Brainy…And it made a certain feeling go through him that he wasn't willing to admit just yet).

"Yeah!" Sid agreed with Harold, cutting off Arnold's small little protest. "Could you even imagine! Helga in 'like like' with Brainy! Hey maybe she'd even write him a love poem or something!" Sid nudged Harold and glanced at Arnold with a little smirk…and Harold glanced at Arnold with a little smirk too (though Arnold didn't notice).

And meanwhile everyone (save Arnold of course) was now laughing again.

The poor little snow cone in Arnold's hand suffered an even deeper crush. "She…wouldn't do that…" he merely said quietly…that look of frustration on his face and his slight blush both growing more distinct. And, really, was he trying to convince them or himself at this point?

"Ha! Well garsh I reckon that's an interesting coupling, Sid." Stinky swung the fist of his free arm through the air. "Helga smitten with Brainy!" He started to chuckle a lot and none of the other guys had stopped from the previous bout of laughter about this new fun topic of conversation. "Don't ya think so, Arnold?" he finally very specifically asked the young football headed boy (who was still not laughing…at all.)

"Mmm…" A small little sound of frustrated indignation made it's way from Arnold (though again no one seemed to notice). 'Just…ignore it. They're just making jokes, none of it's the truth…Just ignore it…Helga…write a love poem for another…Helga ever liking…loving another…Insane.' Yes, they were just speculating and exaggerating and joking…and Arnold could take comfort from knowing deep in his heart just how dead wrong they were and how their ideas were just entirely based on nothing but their own prejudices about his lovely Helga and a single lie Brainy had told about a poem to save his love's secret. 'Yes…they're not basing any of this on fact…' He really did take a good deal of comfort in that notion.

"Well, gosh, guys," Eugene just added brightly as usual, finished laughing for the moment and taking a big lick of his ice cream cone, "I don't know about them being a couple or anything but like I said I did see them smiling and talking and going into Brainy's house almost over half an hour ago.."

And now these words reminded Arnold that at least one thing was fact: Helga was over at Brainy's…and had been there for…over an hour if she hadn't left yet?

"Although I guess if they were a couple or were thinking of becoming one, that would be kind of sweet…" Eugene finished his happy observation and took one more lick of his ice cream cone…smiling a little.

Okay, that did it. A deep sigh escaped Arnold (who was still holding his half mutilated snow cone in one hand, though his really couldn't feel it anymore, his mind was so focused on other things at the moment). "Okay, um…So, like I said, guys, I'm, um…trying to avoid Helga considering that whole prank thing so…Brainy's house would be in…what direction exactly, Eugene?" Arnold did his best to smile normally at his friend.

Eugene pointed to his right. "Oh I guess about two blocks up that way and then one street over. It's a big purple house on the left. You can't miss it."

Another deep, level sigh escaped Arnold. "Okay. Thank you, Eugene." He looked to all of his friends. "Enjoy Dino Land. I'll see you guys later." And with that he turned on a dime and proceeded to…well, he knew he should walk casually but, unable to help himself, he began to swiftly stomp across the street to the other side of the block. A car happened to be coming as he was in the middle of his journey to the far sidewalk but rather than pausing and waiting to cross (as he usually did) this time Arnold just kept going steadily and unceasingly on his way and just held out his hand to the side in front of the vehicle in a FIRM stopping motion (not once even looking anywhere but forward and down…scowling slightly), causing the car to stop quite suddenly just at the force of his gesture. Reaching the far sidewalk then he turned in the opposite direction Eugene had pointed and proceeded to walk off that way…still stomping though he was cursing himself for doing so in front of the other guys when he should have been playing it cool.

Once he was down the street he ducked into an alley and of course headed up one block so he could follow Eugene's directions to get to Brainy's house in private and out of sight of the other guys.

And of course, as he did all of this, Arnold wasn't seriously entertaining the idea of any of the Helga/Brainy stuff his friends had just been joking about being true…mostly…Still though…his girlfriend was over at another guy's house…a guy who was probably practically in love with her if he had seriously been stalking her all these years (and just in general who wouldn't be in love with his precious lovely Helga…such a perfect woman…). Ugh, and to top it all off that image was still trying to form in his head…of Helga doting all over Brainy…smiling and laughing with him like Eugene had said…her affections fueling and igniting his…and who knew what could happen all alone together in Brainy's house…probably sitting on the couch with one another all comfy cozy. (The panic didn't fully set in until he recalled that it had only taken a little time alone together on a couch for himself and Helga to get together in the first place…on their first date…when she had thrown him down upon the table…and he'd thrown her down upon the couch…and their lips had all but burned together in new love. He instantly blocked out any pending image of anything like that between Helga and Brainy…It was too horrible to even picture!)

At this point his pace picked up quite considerably, naturally…that little half eaten snow cone just being melted and crushed more in his fist as he went along.

So now Arnold stood there, in an alley in view of Brainy's house, watching his girlfriend…no scratch that, it wasn't a strong enough word anymore…watching the LOVE OF HIS LIFE interacting very closely with another boy…a boy who had romantic feelings for her…a boy who, strictly speaking, technically had had first dibs on her. His only genuine competition now that he thought about it…and the ONLY guy in the world whose lips had EVER touched ANY PART of Helga G. Pataki ( 'Shortman' he added mentally to himself) besides his own…

And Arnold did not like this.

He continued to watch, his blush growing, his heart pounding, his stomach twisting in knots as Helga smiled and laughed with Brainy… 'She…She only really smiles and laughs like that around me though…'…Watched her give him a playful punch… 'One of MY playful punches!'…watched them…HUG! A coherent thought couldn't process at that sight. Another guy with his arms around Helga's perfect body! And she was ENJOYING IT!

A very firm look came to Arnold's face…

Though his first instinct upon seeing them out there on Brainy's stoop (after he had arrived at and situated himself in this alley for a good ten minutes of 'staking out the joint' to see if Helga would actually walk out of there) had been to unhide himself, stomp right over to that stoop, give Brainy such a karate chop that he would never even LOOK at Helga without his permission ever again, and then scoop up his love and carry her down the street and to ANYWHERE that didn't have other boys…Arnold had managed to stop himself and instead had chosen to wait in the shadows and watch things play out, as he was continuing to do right now…Helga would come back this way (it was the direction her house was in after all and she was supposed to be meeting him there in an hour or so for dinner anyway). So he would talk with her when she passed by.

He shouldn't be jealous. He knew it. There was no need for that. She loved him. But he still felt it…and it burned…searingly. He was Arnold and he was jealous.

'If it wasn't for you, I'd be his girlfriend right now…' Those words of Helga's from so long ago…the first time he had ever genuinely and truly felt jealous in his life, repeated in Arnold's head yet again during his wait in this alley…But he just buckled down and did his best to chant them away with his own little memories of another quote of his love's. 'Arnold, I love you, I've always loved you…Arnold, I love YOU, I've ALWAYS loved YOU…'

Arnold shook his head to clear it, then focused his eyes back on Brainy's stoop and let out a sigh as he saw Helga finally descend to the sidewalk (though not before giving a smiling little wave to Brainy that, quite frankly, made Arnold roll his eyes and want to barf up the little bit of his snow cone he had actually managed to eat). He watched as Brainy shut the door and then watched as Helga, now alone out on the sidewalk, began to walk away from Brainy's house…and sure enough to head his way, right towards the alley…

Arnold took a breath in. 'I know this is silly…but she's…she's…Helga…My Helga…and I'm her Arnold…' He let out a breath. Over the course of his life, Arnold had fought for a lot of things he loved…getting Mr. Simmons back as their new fourth grade teacher after Ms. Slovak had retired, keeping Gerald Field for the fourth graders instead of the fifth graders, saving the neighborhood from Sheck…but…Helga…The way he felt like responding to any threat to his relationship with her—it wasn't just the determination to fight. He would fight…and win, plain and simple. Failure would simply not happen. True love conquers all, after all, right?

Yes, true love would conquer all…

…And he was going to remind Helga of and explain to her that fact right here and right now.

Brainy's door shutting behind her, Helga, now on the sidewalk again, just proceeded to walk down it with a spring in her step and a happy, satisfied smile on her face. That had been very good talk…She and Brainy had needed that. And she felt a ton better right now about their relationship. 'Mental note to myself: seriously make sure to have one of these powwow days with Lila soon…' Nodding at this idea, she let out a sigh, glanced around to make sure she was alone, and then reached inside of her jumper and pulled out her Arnold locket, looking at its face with a smile. "Ah, my Arnold…it really is best to just openly work out your feelings with people instead of sweeping things under the rug, isn't it? And now I have Brainy back in my life! Isn't that wonderful! Heh, bet you never saw that coming, huh? Me actually being able to work out that quagmire all on my own and bring something good from it. Oh I can't wait to tell you all ab—"

Helga…stopped talking…and stopped walking. She had just passed an alley with a trashcan…and it was funny but she was getting one of those familiar feelings…one of those familiar 'I should be tossing a backhand out right about now, shouldn't I?' feelings… She smiled and actually scoffed at the idea. She let out a sigh. 'Oh brother…' She took a few steps back now toward the trashcan in question which she had just passed, a smug smirk on her lips. "Well, I suppose once more for old time's sake is more than understandable, Brainy…" she mumbled out with an eye roll, "But I promise I'll only make it a soft one…Oh and seriously, nice stalking…How the heck did you get out of your house and get out here when I just left? Heh…." Her hand went back for a 'soft one' and…

"Helga, I—OW!"

Helga's eyes flew open…She had just raised her fist and then flicked it back a little (as gently as possible of course, in more of a kidding gesture than anything) to just maybe give his nose a little nudge…But… 'Brainy doesn't say Ow!' She suddenly whirled around and gasped at the sight of her beloved half way out from behind the trashcan with both hands clasping his nose and his eyes shut tightly.

Instantly Helga was all over him, holding him, caressing him, looking at him with such worry and sorrow. "Arnold, Arnold, I hit you! I'm so, so, so, so eternally sorry, my darling. I didn't mean it! I thought you were Brainy sneaking up on me again! Oh I'm just thankful it wasn't a couple months ago or I'd have really clocked you one! My darling, please, let me see! I have to see if it's okay!" She tried to gently pull his hands away from holding his nose so she could see the damage and hoped with every ounce of her heart that no injury at all had befallen him.

Arnold, meanwhile, absorbing all this doting and fretting over himself, finally blinked open his eyes and removed his hands from his face to reveal only a slightly sore looking nose. "Helga, i-it's okay, I promise. Really…I'm fine…" He cleared his throat and blushed sheepishly, doing his best to move out of her grasp. He felt so silly having this happen and then on top of that to have her coddling him like this (even though he loved her affections this really was such a small thing and he wanted her to know that he was tougher than this)… "I-I can take a little hit…" He added with a small, stubborn frown, his little hands behind his back. 'Yeah, if Brainy can take I life time of them then I can take just one at least…'

Helga, her eyes still wide with worry, just looked him over for a second longer and then finally took a step back and gave a small nod. "I-I know you can, Arnold, it's just…I don't ever want to hurt you, my love. I'd never forgive myself if I did something like that…Not ever…"

Arnold touched his nose once or twice more just to make sure that it was indeed fine and then his eyes went back to Helga…Her eyes shone a little, like there were tears waiting just under the surface to come out, and her pink lips were pushed into such a sincere, deep pout. She was really sad, wasn't she? He went forward and took one of her hands in both of his. "Helga…" he looked into her eyes with a small, reassuring smile. "It's okay. I'm okay, see? Nothing wrong. And you could never hurt me. You're too good of a person. You know that and I know that…alright, my bright, precious angel?" His smile grew a little.

His words had done the trick. That smile he loved came back to cute lips and she nodded and squeezed one of his hands a little. "Okay. Thank you, Arnold." A touch of worry returned for just a second though. "But you're sure you're alright?"

He nodded once more in total affirmation. "Absolutely. You have my word."

Her smile came back fully. "Okay, then…Um…" She blushed a little and glanced down coyly, and even let their hands drop and swing a tiny bit. "Wanna walk me home then maybe? We could, um…start our date early…and I could really really make up for that little bop on the nose..." She giggled a little and brought her big blue eyes back to his green ones and winked.

Arnold gulped and felt a little spark run through him, his green eyes so wide at the sudden offer. Oh it was so tempting…Just going off up to her room with her for an hour before a lovely dinner together to snuggle and kiss and to have her coo and cuddle him and pretend that they were the only two people in the whole world…

But then this…image entered his head…of her doing things like that with Brainy in her room…how it would look and how it would make him feel seeing it…and he was instantly soured on the whole concept…and that little burning, smoldering emotion that had been pulsing deep within him ever since he had left the guys to go off and find Helga returned. He was jealous. Deeply so. "Well…" he merely started to reply in a level tone, "I guess that all depends…"

And then suddenly, his face all stubborn looking, Arnold shrugged and took his hand from hers and walked out of the alley past her, crossing his arms over his chest with a pensive look upon his features.

Helga meanwhile, was still just standing in the mouth of the alley and she just blinked at this response from him…and at the slight attitude that had seemed to accompany it (though she couldn't help the compulsion to maybe chalk up her perception of an 'attitude' to her imagination or something considering how 'un-Arnold-like' that whole concept seemed). But still he had just turned her down for kisses and cuddles and was now walking away from her, so obviously there was definitely some sort of issue. 'What's up with him?' Shaking her head to clear it, Helga quickly raced out of the alley in the same direction her beloved had started to go and caught up with him, determined to figure this out. 'Maybe he really is angry that I hit him or something?' It seemed unlikely and yet it was all her head could come up with. "Depends on what, Arnold?" she asked curiously and cautiously now as they were walking side by side.

Arnold beside her just shrugged, still looking a little miffed and looking downward the whole time. "Depends on…what you were doing before you found me in that alley…" A touch of a blush came to his cheeks and another quick image entered his mind of Helga and Brainy….together…and it made him shudder and cringe so badly he almost couldn't stand it, and that little emotion inside of himself burned acidicly .

Part of Helga's brow raised. If she had been stumped before about him not taking the bait of her flirting, she was he was extra stumped now about the origin of this question from him…. "I was coming from visiting a friend…" she replied, really NOT getting what he was getting at. "And…what were YOU doing before I found you in that alley…and why were you there in the first place, Arnold?" she couldn't help but tack on just a little patronizingly, starting to feel a touch defensive now. And he still wasn't looking at her which was really bugging her a lot too.

"Oh…" He just shrugged a little, trying to seem casual (and Helga could totally tell he was just trying to seem that way…Yes, something was definitely bothering him). "A friend, huh?" he went on, with a slight nervous tick in his tone that only someone who knew him as well as Helga did would ever be able to really detect. "Who exactly…?" Arnold could seriously feel his gag reflex almost going off: he could almost see her trying to deny her visit to Brainy or something now, thus confirming for him that maybe she visited Brainy regularly like this…maybe she really was considering him…maybe she was at least keeping the possibility open of him and her and….

His ears were met with the causal reply of, "Brainy, actually…" from the girl beside him.

Arnold's eyes flew open wide and before he could think better of it he suddenly whipped his head around to face Helga, stopping dead in his tracks. "So you admit it then!" he shouted accusingly!

Okay now Helga stopped as well, thoroughly puzzled by the weird way her beloved was acting at this point. "Admit what?" she asked in confusion and with a scowl starting to form on her features and her hands held out in front of her.

Arnold blinked and then put his hands on his hips. "That you were with Brainy this whole time and in his house! Why didn't you tell me you were going to see him?" He even scowled now, deeply and sincerely, almost like he had picked it up from Helga through osmosis over all these years.

Helga scoffed at the accusing question, crossing her arms over her chest. "Uh, I don't know—maybe because you're not my mother, you're my boyfriend!" She full on scowled as well now, no longer in the mood for patience or games or his attitude (which he definitely had at this point) and having NO tolerance whatsoever for an actual scowl from him to her for once! "Sheesh I wasn't aware that I had to check in with you about every place I go and person I see when we're not together!"

"Helga!" Arnold shot back, just looking at her in frustration like it should be totally obvious why he was right and why she was wrong or something!

"Arnold!" Helga just shot back (slightly sarcastically), equally frustrated! 'Who the heck does he think he is?'

"Why were you hugging him?" The desperate question was out of Arnold's mouth before he even had time to really think about it.

Helga had been about to shoot back a sarcastic answer when suddenly his question really processed with her and then she blinked and looked at him with extra fury, realizing something now. "YOU WERE SPYING ON US?"

Arnold blinked a few times at the (quite true) accusation, which actually threw him off a bit for just a second. However he managed to scowl again and retaliate with, "You were at another boy's house who likes you! What was I supposed to do?"

Helga scoffed and rolled her eyes. "TRUST ME, for starters! And before you go on with your lunatic accusations, so what if I was over at Brainy's house for an afternoon? YOU'VE probably hung out with LILA at some point since we started dating. What's the difference?" She threw her hands up in the air.

"LILA doesn't 'like me like me' anymore! THAT'S the difference!" Arnold shot back, his hands clenched into fists at his sides.

"Hmph!" Helga crossed her arms over her chest and looked up defiantly. "Well, I never dated Brainy so I guess we're even then!"

"Mmm…" Arnold felt such a wave of frustration pass through him at her excellent point…so many burning emotions inside of him (and there was this little part of him screaming for this to end and for them to just go back to Helga's plan of making out in her room until dinnertime). "Yeah, well…well…I don't give Lila hugs when I'm with her!" he shot back, unable to think of any other argument.

Helga rolled her eyes and scoffed at that. "You're a BOY. Boys almost NEVER give hugs to friends! I'm a GIRL! If I like the person enough I hug them! Capiche, paste for brains?" Her hands were on her hips.

"O-Oh yeah, well…I hug YOU!" he just replied back stubbornly.

"Well, that's because we're DATING, EINSTEIN! It's different! Doi!"

"Well…why did you have to go IN HIS HOUSE?"

"Grr…" Helga's fists clenched at her sides. She was so completely losing her patience, but still trying to keep her cool nonetheless…This was her beloved after all and…and really all she wanted was for them to be happy together again, hugging and smiling like usual. But still he was pushing her buttons SO much right now! "I had to go in his house because…" she began in an acidic (though at least level) tone, "Brainy is seriously asthmatic and he needed to take a nebulizer treatment so he could talk to me because we had some stuff to settle. Excuse him for not being able to breathe, Football Head!"

Arnold blinked at that very reasonable and understandable excuse. He cleared his throat and though that frustrated look remained on his face…there was something of sheepishness and apology there as well. "Helga…I…It's just…" for a second his tone started to calm but then it couldn't help but pick up again a little, "…he…he still likes you! At least a little! He must! No boy could get over you in less than a month!" He looked at her painfully, finally voicing the unthinkable. "What if he tries to kiss you!"

Helga, with a few seconds to think and to let her temper cool since the back and forth shouting had slowed for just a moment, finally let out a breath at this last desperate little question from her beloved, her own countenance finally calming a little now as well. She even spoke a little more calmly as she responded to him seriously and reassuringly, "He wouldn't do that, Arnold…He told me so—he accepts us and he's too much of a gentleman to try something like that anyway!" She actually smiled at that idea…and at the fact that maybe this little argument was winding down between them…

"YOU GUYS ACTUALLY TALKED ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF YOU TWO KISSING!"

Helga actually cringed at how loudly and in how high of a pitch Arnold had shouted these words all of a sudden! 'Ugh, never mind, spoke too soon…' She let out a sigh and rolled her eyes again, her scowl starting to return. "OH ROPE IT IN, Arnold—I was the one who made it get brought up!"

"THAT'S WORSE!" her beloved just exclaimed, his eyes so wide, his face all full of panic and worry. 'Why…Why would that…even be on her mind? Why would she want to talk with him about it…? Why…?' He was so confused he almost felt light headed at this point.

Meanwhile, Helga felt her scowl not only firming up but darkening and she was seriously ready to get very nasty with the boy before her and very quickly…but then…then she just barely got enough control of her temper to…to think for just a second about how pointless a bunch more yelling back and forth would be…and how if they were finally going to have a first official fight or something she did NOT want it to be about something as stupid and silly as her spending an hour in Brainy's living room…

And so…Helga's scheming brain went for an alternative solution to just more back and forth senseless denial and arguing and accusing.

The young blonde just looked at Arnold squarely, sighed 'dramatically', (double checked that no one else was around right now)…and then began in a loud, forlorn voice, bringing the back of one of her hands to her forehead in an 'over the top' gesture, "OKAY, YES, ARNOLD, YOU CAUGHT ME! SECRETLY ALL OF THAT WHEEZING IS JUST SUCH A TURN ON TO ME THAT I STARTED DATING YOU JUST SO I COULD USE YOU AS A LOVE TOY AND PRACTICE KISSING AND CUDDLING FOR MY REAL TRUE LOVE, BRAINY. CRIMENY, I TRY TO HIDE IT BUT ALL I WANT TO DO IS TAKE THAT WHEEZING LITTLE HEAD OF HIS, LOOK RIGHT INTO THE EYES BEHIND THOSE GLASSES, AND GIVE HIM SUCH A PASSIONATE MAKE OUT WORTHY KISS THAT HE WOULDN'T NEED ANOTHER INHALER OR NEBULIZER MACHINE FOR DAYS WITH HOW MUCH THE STEAM OF OUR LIPLOCK WOULD CLEAR OUT HIS LUNGS AND CLEAR UP HIS SINUSES. YES ARNOLD, THE SHRINES AND POETRY AND LOCKET TO YOU HAVE ALL BEEN A DECOY JUST SO I COULD PRACTICE FOR THE MAULING I CRAVE TO GIVE BRAINY! I, HELGA G. PATAKI, AM HOT FOR BRAINY! JUST PLOP THE TWO OF US ON A DESERTED TROPICAL ISLAND AND LEAVE THE REST TO ME! YOU FINALLY FIGURED OUT MY REAL MOST INTIMATE GUARDED SECRET, ARNOLD. CONGRATULATIONS!" She finished by just smiling brightly at her beloved following her delivery of this little sarcastic speech to remind her beloved that, really…after all they had been through together…how the heck could he even begin to think she was just using it all or something to take her on to someone else.

And now Helga was just waited for Arnold's reaction.

For a moment her eyes were met with her football headed boyfriend just standing there before her, his own eyes kind of wide, just watching her almost blankly as he had been for her entire speech…but another second passed…and then she saw his mouth tremble…and then smile. And then it was so very obvious that he was just trying really really hard not to laugh (and she had been figuring on something in the laughter department as his reaction) that she almost had to laugh herself.

And at seeing Helga smiling and snickering like she was, finally a chuckle or two did escape Arnold, and then some more and some more, though he was trying to keep them at least kind of under control (and yet failing miserably of course, and especially since every time he laughed more it made Helga laugh more which in turn made him laugh more…). But anyway, pretty quickly the two of them were just laughing and laughing together and then eventually, once Arnold had gotten most of it out of his system, he just shook his head and turned it so that he was facing forward up the street again. "That…" he chuckled again, some of all that she had just said playing over in his mind once more…deserted islands and wheezing as a turn on and…and… 'L-Love toy…' "That wasn't funny, Helga…" he finally got out, laughing a little more as he did so.

Helga just smirked and laughed a little more herself, crossing her arms over her chest and facing forward again as well. "Oh please, you and me both were busting a gut and you know it."

Arnold chuckled a few more times to himself and just shrugged, bringing his arms behind his back. "M-Maybe…a little…" He looked back to her eyes now, letting out a sigh, his normal calm demeanor and warm smile returning to his features. "I'm sorry, Helga…I shouldn't have gotten so upset like that."

Helga just grinned. 'Whew…thought for a second that actually was going to end up in a full blown, 'stomping away from each other' fight between us…' "Oh no, Arnold… 'upset'? I don't think so…let's call that what it was. You were jealous!" Her grin grew more. "Welcome to my world for those six year with you and those other girls, Football Head." She reached out and gave him a playful little nudge.

Her love blushed and swallowed. "I…Well, I…um…" he shrugged a little again, "I guess I was…um…Okay, I guess I was jealous…." He let out a sigh as he finally admitted, bringing his eyes back to hers again and letting his arms drop to his sides, "Really really jealous…And I'm sorry for all the times I ever made you jealous, Helga…and for getting jealous myself right now. I-I…" he looked down again, a bit of that frustrated look of his from before returning, "I guess it was just…the idea…the image of you two…together…" He shuddered and scowled for a moment. But then the scowl left and he just gulped and glanced back up at her with a small, worried blush. "A-And then I…I guess it all started because I ran into Harold and Sid and Stinky and Eugene before and I asked if they'd seen you and Eugene said you'd gone to Brainy's house and then they were all making these stupid jokes about you and Brainy 'getting together' or something since he said he wrote my poem for you last month (Don't worry, though, I-I don't think they'll say anything to you about it—they weren't serious and I think they know you'd deck them if they did, heh…)…But anyway the whole thing just…" He let out a sigh…but then closed his eyes and took a breath…and then when he opened them again he seemed to be back in his normal centered happy place once more. "Anyway…" he continued on quietly and calmly, "Like I said…I'm sorry, Helga. And of course I should trust you…" He smiled more as he looked into her eyes. "What's love without trust after all?" He winked.

Helga gave a little giggle at his cute response and admittance of jealousy and then just looked at him with her usual loving gaze, happy they were on good terms again. "Apology accepted, my love…And I'm sorry if I yelled at you too much." She chuckled more and blushed a little as she added, with a small eye roll, "And, uh, hey, as for that little Brainy speech I just gave, yeah maybe some girls go for that strong silent type thing with the wheezing but…I'm personally much more partial to straight-talking, heart-poundingly gorgeous football heads…" She gave him a coy little wink.

"I-I know…" Arnold glanced around to make sure they were alone and then took her hand in his, entwining their fingers. "Just like I prefer fiery, brilliant, blonde future professional poets to silly older women or nice, quiet, red heads with braids. Sorry again, Helga…" He smiled a little more and then asked with a light blush, "Um…there's no one around here, so…can we…stay holding hands when we start walking together again this time? It'll be a nice change of pace from the shouting before…"

He was smiling at her with one of his half lidded gazes and her fingers were already wrapped around her own extra snugly and there really didn't appear to be another soul around at the moment, so of course Helga melted on the spot and gave him a blushing nod in reply. "Of course, my love…Come on…" And then she started walking in the direction they had been going, giving him a gentle pull by his hand that was quickly followed by him walking beside her and both of them swinging their hands just a little as they kept pace with one another.

They came upon a small can on the street in front of them after going a few feet and Arnold let himself give it a little casual kick along, feeling quite sheepish, to say the least, for letting himself get so worked up before.

At his side, Helga giggled. "Oh, and, um…as for you being sorry about being jealous…you should be." She let out a tiny chuckle and squeezed his hand. And then out of the corner of his eye Arnold saw her smile as she continued on with, after that little ice breaker of sarcasm, "And really, Arnold…Brainy's just nice and a friend…I don't have a lot of people I can be open with about you and me, remember? But he's one of the few. And besides the fact that he's so nice about my secret, we just…kind of get each other a little because he's smart and cultured and understanding and interesting an—" Helga hadn't realized the degree to which she had suddenly been kind of going on about Brainy.

She stopped now though (both the speaking and the walking) as a loud, metallic sound met her ears and then she blinked and looked forward…very far forward…where the tin can Arnold had been kicking (and had apparently just given quite a kick to) was still soaring in a high arc far, far away from them.

"Helga, I'm not…you know, jealous anymore but…can you STOP talking about him like that? Please!" came the frustrated little plea from her beloved likewise stopped beside her (and it was accompanied by a desperate little squeeze of his hand to hers).

Helga just blinked, more concerned with the sight of that can he had practically just kicked a full block than his question. "Whoa, sheesh, Arnold…what the heck was that?" she asked in total puzzlement, still looking forward at it soaring.

At this question from the girl at his side Arnold blinked himself, seemed to come out of something…and then, pretty far away, the can clinked to the ground as it finally fell from it's soaring arc…He realized now what he had just done and instantly blushed in a ton of embarrassment. "O-Oh…" he started sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck with his free hand and looking down in discomfort, "Sorry…W-Wow, nothing like that's happened in a while…" He swallowed and then shook his head to clear it before straightening up, squeezing Helga's hand a little once more, and then just doing his best to keep them walking on like nothing had happened.

Helga, though, of course, wasn't buying his little avoidance tactic for a second though, and instantly she was all over him. "Uh…Arnold…you still didn't answer my question. What was that, exactly?" She looked at him with curious expectation.

Beside her Arnold sighed. He could have tried putting her off the question but he knew she would just insist and insist so…probably better to just say it now and save some time. He shrugged and started as casually as he could, hoping that they could just blow past this because it felt more stupid to him than anything else. "Oh…well…Helga, you…you remember that time I came to school for a few days and was kind of going overboard with the karate stuff?" He glanced at her a little.

Walking at his side, her hand still holding his, Helga nodded. "Uh…yeah…" she replied quietly. "I remember." A small little frown couldn't help but come to her face—it was kind of a bad memory for her, after all. She had never seen her beloved so…angry. And her beloved, optimistic and always sunny love angry was one of the saddest concepts in the world to her.

Arnold, still looking forward and down as they continued up the sidewalk, just shrugged again and went on. "Well, you see, that was right when I had just started learning it from my Grandma and also I was kind of having an issue with someone…" He shook his head, moving on with the memory. "Anyway, all of that training and stuff left me with a lot of strength but kind of out of control about it and then I ended up getting really carried away with it in the street one day and I really regretted the whole thing…But then my Grandma explained some stuff to me about it being the art of 'self defense' and about how it's about waiting and listening for the right time to let it out, and that's why I stopped being so intense with it after those few days. But I still train with her and learn it, of course. I just know how to keep my strength under control now." He blushed a little more. "That's actually, um…you remember that whole 'practicing kissing with the pillow thing' I mentioned the other week…about how it was to practice holding something as soft as you gently but firmly?" He glanced at her just a little again now.

Out of the corner of his eye he could just see Helga nod, still with that curious look on her intently listening face.

Arnold let out a breath and finally finished with, still blushing quite a little, "W-Well…that's part of what I meant by that. Our kissing can get a little…i-intense sometimes, and it's so that, in case I lose my head in it a little, I can practice keeping control and not squeezing or pushing too hard…" He cleared his throat and looked away from her again as they walked, trying to just move past the awkward moment…and he really did hate those moments when he had to admit that she could make him almost unable to control himself when it came to her. "A-Anyway, that's why that thing with the can happened just now…" he had to smile at least a tiny bit at having gotten that much unintentional distance with the little item, "I guess I was so wrapped up in feeling jealous over you that I forgot to maintain my control for a second when I kicked that can…"

Letting out one more sigh Arnold finally looked to Helga fully now…only to see her looking back at him with very wide eyes. She stopped walking.

"Helga?" he had to ask, raising an eyebrow. He stopped again as well.

At him saying her name, some of the wideness went away from those blue orbs he had come to know so well and then she almost scowled at him a little, though it didn't seem to him to be in anger so much as in…concern or even fear. "Arnold…" she then started, and he knew that the tone was definitely one of concern and not anger, "Are you…trying to tell me that this entire past school year basically…every time I told you to shut up or I'd clock you one…you could have clocked me RIGHT BACK! What the heck is that matter with you Arnold?" Her scowl went darker and pointed at him with her free hand. "Now you listen to me, if ANYONE ever threatens you EVER in the way I used to threaten you, you punch their lights out and ask questions later, got it? I'm not taking any chances!" She put her free hand on her hip looked like she expected an answer and an affirmative one at that!

Arnold blinked at first…but then just gave his love a loving smile. "Helga…" he began warmly, and he was seriously trying not to laugh at all of this, "First of all, I always knew you'd never actually hurt me…at least not on purpose." He rolled his eyes and touched his still slightly sore nose a little with his free hand. "I could just feel it. Like I said, you're a good person." He sighed and brought his eyes back to hers. "And second of all…" and now he looked at her with a touch more seriousness, "...and I don't care what you have to say about this being annoying or too gentlemanly, but second of all I would NEVER hit a girl ever no matter what. And third…" his normal, warm smile returned. "I'll be fine, my love. I can take care of myself and I know when I have to." He looked forward with his little smile and let out a breath. "But, don't worry—I'm calm now and centered and back in control. So let's just talk about anything else with this jealousy thing that we need to talk about and no more flying cans from me, okay?" He did his best not to chuckle too much at the reminder of his little slip-up with didn't seem so embarrassing to him now anymore.

At first Helga opened her mouth as though to question him further…but then she smiled and let out a breath and nodded. "Okay, back to the jealousy then, I guess…for now, at least…" Then she giggled and shook her head to herself. "Which is such a cute emotion on you, by the way, Arnold…All worked up over making sure I stay all yours." She winked and then squeezed his hand a little, and then gave it a gentle tug and resumed their walk once more with him following beside her again. "So…if you feel like sharing, my beloved…what exactly was going through your head during your little spying moment?" She grinned at the very idea of him hiding behind those trashcans like that, feeling all sneaky and secretive while that little flame of jealousy burned within him…Seeing once again in their lives that she could make him feel like that…something about it made her blush and smile.

In response to her sudden coy question she watched as Arnold blinked and blushed. And then he swallowed and glanced down shyly. "U-Um…well, besides those…images of you and him that I mentioned…" he cringed a little again, but then managed to go on, "The only thing I could really think of was…going up to the door…maybe, um…letting some of my control go and hitting Brainy using some of my karate and then, um…" He reached up and tugged at his collar with his free hand as he finally finished with a blush, "…s-scooping you up and carrying you away to anywhere in the world I could find that didn't have other boys…heh…" He looked to her with a sheepish grin, hoping she wouldn't laugh at him too much about admitting all of that.

At his side though a smiling Helga just giggled a lot at his cute little admission, but didn't break into any hearty and unstoppable chuckles or anything. "Ah," she began with a slight smirk, ending her giggles for the moment, "socking another little boy for 'playing with your toy' and then carrying me off to a place where you would literally be the only man in the world for me…Interesting strategy, Arnold…" She giggled a little again. "Personally though whenever I used to get jealous I'd imagine putting every other girl in the world on a rocket to that far away 'some other place' and then just sticking around here with you and only you forever...But I guess it's each to his or her own." She winked at him.

A still slightly blushing Arnold had to smile and chuckle a little bit as well. He was so happy they were back to laughing and smiling and joking. But then though…he let out a little sigh and glanced over at her again. "Helga…? Um…all jokes aside…can I ask you something that I guess I've kind of been…taking for granted lately?" He looked at her with sincere curiosity.

Helga, her giggles over, looked back with interest and nodded, giving their hands a little extra special swing. "Of course, my love. Ask away."

Arnold gave a nod and then cleared his throat, facing forward now…and squeezed Helga's hand a little. "Um…does Brainy still…stalk you…at all?" His blush went extra rosy instantly.

He just barely glanced over at Helga out of the corner of his eye for her response…and was relieved to see her smiling in amused understanding at him…and shaking her head (and just that gesture alone was enough to make him feel extra happy inside). "No, Arnold…" she replied reassuringly, "No more appearing behind me in random places and breathing down my neck for Brainy…And even if he was, Arnold…Even if he kept pursuing me morning noon and night for the rest of our lives or something…" her voice took on a sweet, tender and honest tone that touched his heart completely, "Arnold, I have been in love with you for seven years! My first memory in life is falling in love with you…How could you ever be jealous of anyone else, Arnold—I couldn't get over you even if I tried. Not ever." She then rolled her eyes, a memory suddenly coming to her. "Whoo, and believe me I did try once—worst experiment ever!"

Arnold had been feeling like just about the luckiest guy in the whole world during the last half of her speech…until that last sentence of hers, that was. And now eyes shot open wide in panic and incomprehension and pure shock! "You did what?" 'She…She tried to…She tried to…stop…?' He had never felt so…utterly just…helpless! What if she had succeeded in that—in getting herself over him? Then…she never would have confessed…he never would have realized how perfectly lovable she was for him…None of their kissing or hugging or dating or laughing…Never knowing that giggle, that blush, that pout…her warmth and her touch and her love… The very idea was a thousand times more unbearable to him than just that stupid image of her suddenly going off with Brainy. The idea made him feel…so sad inside…so lonely.

Helga, meanwhile, (not really thinking of what kind of big deal finding out something like this might be for Arnold) just sighed and raised her free hand, waving him off. "Oh calm down, Arnold, I was just getting a little fed up with myself for always liking you but never being able to say it so I tried to see if I could stop…Obviously it was an epic failure, Football Head." She shrugged. "I mean, if you're interested in details I'd be happy to go into them one of these days but for right now we're getting way off topic." She put her free hand on her hip, still just casually smiling at a still slightly distressed looking Arnold as they turned a corner together. "Football Head," she explained simply, letting out a breath, "Brainy had a crush on me and I know you don't like that. But he's also a really nice guy and he's always kind of looked out for me and I consider him a friend so…I'd appreciate if you could try and be okay with him…and not destroy cans every time I might bring him up. Okay?" She grinned a little more and couldn't help but add, "I mean, after all, you don't see me jumping down Lila's throat every time you two say something to each other in school or smile and wave hello at baseball games and stuff, do you? I mean, not anymore, at least. And why is that? Because Lila's been more decent than I could have imagined about this whole thing and I'm willing to give her another chance despite stuff from the past because she's a good person and a good friend and I trust both of you. Okay?" She smiled happily at Arnold.

Arnold just let out a sigh, taking all of that in…and then nodded his head and smiled at her sheepishly. "You're right…as usual. And I'm…I really am sorry, Helga…for the spying and being stubborn and stuff…and for doubting us even for a moment." He looked at her sincerely. "And, it's not that I don't trust you…what's love without trust, like I said, right? And of course I know that you love me…it's just…" He glanced down for a second like he was really trying to consider how to put what he was feeling. Slowly he continued. "I guess it's just…somewhere, at the back of my mind, I can't help but feel like it would actually make a lot of sense for you to like Brainy instead of me. I mean, he's given you a lot more attention and shown you a lot more affection than I have over the years…In a way it…it's like he deserves you more than me or something, if you think about it…" he finally finished with a blush.

Arnold heard Helga sigh…though not in exasperation or annoyance but almost…happily…and then she stopped walking and finally he glanced back to her again, stopping alongside her once more this afternoon. She just looked at him with a smile, shook her head, and then she spoke. "Arnold, Arnold, Arnold…do we have to go over the first day of preschool again? Not to mention all of those times over the six years of unrequited love when I basically treated you like dirt and you still kept clinging to the idea that I was a decent person…all of which makes you MORE than 'good enough' for me?" She half grinned at him

"I…I know," started Arnold, glancing down again. "But it's not the same as…I mean…"

Helga just took a step forward and put her free hand on his shoulder, causing his eyes to go back up to hers. "Arnold, who I'll spend the rest of my life loving is not a question of 'deserving' me…it's a question of…" She sighed, considered, and then looked deeply into he eyes. "Okay…Arnold, do you remember last month…before you confessed…after we worked out things with that chaos-causing love poem of yours about me…and then I talked everything over with Brainy…and then you found out about him liking me and the kiss on the cheek and the fact that I couldn't deny that I at least thought he was a decent guy and might have been willing to give him a shot?" She giggled just a tiny bit. "You remember, Arnold…your first little bout of jealousy?" Her smile grew.

She had been merely expecting a nod or something in return but to her surprise her beloved's response consisted of Arnold getting that frustrated look on his face yet again today and only managing a slight up and down motion of his head accompanied by a dull, "Yes…I remember…that except for me Brainy's the only guy whose lips have ever touched you…."

Helga blinked at his strange and serious way of putting that. 'Wow, he really is caught up on him being my one and only…and me being his one and only…Sheesh, I think he's even more worried about someone snatching me up than I used to be about other girls snatching him up…' Still though, she was in the middle of an explanation to ease his jealous and fretting mind, and even though she'd had to bring up that kiss on the cheek from Brainy as part of it she knew it would be worth it in the end. And so she let out a breath, went back to smiling warmly and went on. "Well…okay, Arnold, so, going back to that day…Brainy likes me, I can't find any real problem with him and he just confessed…which, by the way is basically the same situation between you and Lila (you have to admit, on the outside you two look like you go together like two peas in a pod with all the do-gooding and the politeness and the modesty)." She chuckled a little to lighten the mood some more and then went on. "Anyway, despite how epically perfect you think me and Brainy are together, do you know what the last thing I said to him was before we left that room…the thing that makes it so that I could never just go off with him or anybody else for that matter just because it 'makes more sense'?"

Arnold blinked and looked up at her again, and shook his head, his look genuinely blank.

Helga just laughed some more and finished simply, "I said 'I love Arnold, Brainy…and I don't love you.' So, don't you understand, Football Head? No matter how right someone else might 'seem' for me, I love specifically you and only you and nothing in the world could ever change that." She watched with satisfaction as a truly happy smile came to Arnold's face and suddenly to her surprise he released her hand and came forward and hugged around her warmly in that cute little familiar way of his.

"Whoa! Ouch, okay, Arnold—seriously, does Olga fly you into Alaska for some kind of nightly lessons in how to crush someone's lungs with hugs that I just don't know about?" She laughed and he laughed, and his hold on her only tightened and she just snuggled into and savored the warmth of his grasp, (thinking for a brief moment about pulling away in fear that someone might come along and see them…but then disregarding it…just not caring for a moment…just enjoying his grateful touch.)

Eventually, his laughter diminishing, Arnold pulled away from her slightly, though he was still hugging her, so that he could look up into her wonderful blue eyes…her blue eyes that shone with love for only him. "Sorry, Helga, but it's just…well, thank you for that…" He spoke so eagerly and so joyfully. "You really said that to him that day…even though you were teasing me after it about you going off with him if it wasn't for me…?" He just wanted to hear it confirmed one more time.

Helga, looking down at him warmly, nodded with a smile. "Yup. And just to convince you that you don't have to treat the poor kid like a hungry puma waiting to jump me or something, do you know what he said back?"

Arnold blinked and shook his head.

Helga laughed once more and then continued. "He said, 'I know, and I think he loves you too and I want you to be happy so don't worry about me, I'll be okay'…And today, when that topic of him and me and, um…kissing came up…" She blushed. "Which really was something that I made get brought up—I-I was just so nervous being alone with him and I wasn't sure if he really would just snap and dive on me or something, and it got so obvious that eventually he felt like he had to say something…B-But anyway, when we talked about it he said that he'd never kiss me knowing how we feel about each other, Arnold…knowing that we're dating and so deeply in love…" She smiled a little coyly and blushed. "So, um…even if you're not the only boy whose lips have ever touched any part of me…You're still the only boy who's lips have ever touched mine…and I have every intention of keeping things like that for the rest of our lives, you know…if you'll have me of course." She giggled extra in his arms and winked, blushing more.

Arnold blushed right along with her and smiled quite a bit at this point of hers…and her offer. "Well, um…that's definitely a privilege…" He chuckled…really aware now that he was still holding her in his arms, and of all the warmth that simple action always created between them. "I mean, part of me feels bad for all the other boys in the world who'll never experience those magical, passionate kisses of yours…but most of me just doesn't care as long as I'm the one who gets you." That little joke made her giggle, and her giggle made him smile more. He then released her and took her hand in his once more, gave a little kiss to the back of it (which got an extra little giggle out of her) and then gently went on to lead her up the street once more, resuming their walk (which, honestly, at this point with how much talking they had been doing and how distracted they had both been, wasn't really heading to any specific destination that either of them seemed sure of…though as long as they could ramble together, they were both more than satisfied). "So…" Arnold let out a breath and smiled, "Brainy's really okay about everything?" he asked, this time obviously more with concern for a friend now rather than jealousy over a rival.

A smiling Helga let out a sigh and nodded. "Yeah…Cares more about me being happy than himself being happy…which is another plus in his court…" she let the sentence hang for just a second, causing a bit of panic to flicker over Arnold's features for a moment, before he blinked and his former smile returned at her little joke, and she went on with, putting his mind at ease once more. "But like I said, there's no love there so…no contest. I'm your obsessive and enamored stalker all the way!" She winked.

The two of them shared a warm laugh at that.

They walked on for a few moments more.

Then Arnold looked forward and sighed, still smiling to himself. "Helga…I think there's something else I need to explain to you about this jealousy thing…Because…you should know that it's not just…Brainy seeming like he'd be good for you and me liking being the only one who kisses you…"

Helga beside him half grinned. "Really? But what else could there be, Arnold?" she asked casually, wondering what other cute little worry could be on his mind.

Her love let out a sigh…and blushed. "It's…It's how perfect you are in general…The perfect woman…"

Helga blushed considerably and blinked and looked at him in confusion. "A-Arnold, what are you talking about?" She almost had to laugh again now. "You know darn well I'm not p-perfect…. I-I'm just…me…"

Arnold stopped walking again and let out a sigh. He smiled and shook his head to himself. His eyes went to her once more. "Helga …don't you realize that…you are…so wonderful and...and not just to me. You try and hide it but…even with all the scowling and yelling and pushing people away…I could still see bits and pieces shining through all this time. That's how strong and undeniable it all is. If you didn't hide anything about yourself…if you let yourself shine in front of other people the way you shine in front of me…any guy would just jump on the chance at you. Helga. How can I…" He let out a breath, glancing around first at some shop windows…and then his gaze fell on something leaning against a dumpster at the end of an alleyway up ahead: an old, long mirror with only a slight crack in the corner. His eyes lit up and Arnold eagerly pulled Helga over and set her in her confusion in front of this mirror, smiling at her cute, confused reflection in the glass. He stepped slightly to the side so that she would only be able to see her own reflection, and then asked, his smile only growing, "Okay, what do you see Helga…?"

"Um…me…?" she just replied, obviously really unsure of where he was going with this. "Your average slightly insane ten-year-old girl?"

Arnold just smiled more and shook his head. "No, look…look closer." He leaned closer to her, still smiling warmly at her and her lovely reflection…speaking so sincerely. "Because…me and everyone else…if you didn't try and keep yourself safe so much…well, we see a…loving, smart, funny, caring, brilliant and talented, strong, sassy, beautiful young lady." He placed his hands on her shoulders and gently turned her, in her surprise, so that she was facing him now. "You could have anyone you want, Helga. Your pick of anybody…any boy in the whole world. Even if you don't realize it. Any guy could find a way to see you as the perfect girl for him…and I don't think that me and Brainy are going to be your only two love confessions in life…not by a long shot." He looked at her with such sincerity. "You're a real person with real feelings and…you're a girl guys would want…a girl they do want, Helga."

She was just quiet…and blushing so much…her eyes so wide. She hadn't expected any of this at all to say the least. All she could say eventually, in response to all of that from him, was, "I…" she shook her head a little, "No…No, I…" She had to correct him—he was just blind with love. She couldn't be so very special to everyone—just to him…and just because he loved her. Yes, she had to correct him.

But in response her smiling love just shook his own head and insisted on his case… "Yes…Yes you are….You are, Helga…"

"But…" she shook her head again, "But I don't want a bunch of stupid love confessions from stupid other boys… I only want you, Arnold. You…could never…lose me…I'm…I'm you. You're me. We're pieces of each other like you said once. Remember…how it feels when our loves come together… I know with everything inside of me that nobody else could ever be for me what you are for me. Only you, my love," she just said back so very quietly and sincerely. "Only you…"

"I know…" he nodded understandingly, blushing more… "…And I don't understand it sometimes...how I could be that lucky…but…it makes me happy every day that I am. But it just scares me sometimes how…wantable you'd be to every other guy." He smiled a little sheepishly. "E-Even when we're just hanging out with the other guys in our class I feel it just a little, Helga…They'd be stupid NOT to fall in love with you a little at least once in their lives…A-After all it already happened with Stinky that one time…" he raised an eyebrow, "And then I think you mentioned once that Harold said he loved you even though he didn't actually mean it…"

Helga, her face all rosy from all the things he was saying, almost had to laugh a little at the memory. "Oh yeah, that…R-Really, I just saved his life and he was really grateful so he hugged me and yelled that he thought he loved me but then I pushed him off into some water and went on a rant about him being an idiot…Very short lived, I assure you…A-Although…" She blushed a little more now…a tiny look of discomfort coming to her features.

Arnold removed his hands from her shoulders and looked at her curiously, waiting for her to go on.

"Although, um…Arnold…" she wrung her hands together a little, "Just so you know…since, well, I have a feeling that since he's family we might be running into this again but…your cousin Arnie's sort of…in love with me. Heh…" She shrugged sheepishly.

Arnold just stood there, his eyes wide.

"I discouraged the HECK out of him though of course when he confessed the last time he was here!" Helga quickly assured. "Just…wanted to let you be aware…in case he visits anytime soon."

And then a firm little look came to Arnold's face and he replied simply, "Oh…he won't be visiting anytime soon…" Helga smiled and was about to say something when he crossed his arms over his chest and went on with, "Because he is no longer invited. I'm not sharing my room with a rival…"

Helga blinked and then had to chuckle. 'Okay, this little jealous streak of his is officially the cutest thing in the world…' "Arnold, he's family…you have to be nice to him. Besides, he can't help having fantastic taste in women—must run in the family." She winked with a proud little grin.

Okay, that point made Arnold smile. "W-Well…" he shrugged a little, "I guess I can't really fault him for that…"

Helga nodded. "There you go. And besides—what, he makes a move on me, I punch his lights out…or you karate chop him or something in your jealous rage!" She laughed warmly.

He laughed warmly along with her. "Okay, okay, Helga…" he finally conceded with a sigh, "Arnie's allowed to come visit…We're too strong together to ever let him get away with anything." He smiled up at her.

"Exactly, my love!" She smiled down at him and winked.

The two headed up the street some more now…with Helga feeling so special and Arnold feeling so much better.

And then Helga got one of her classic coy little smirks.

"So…Arnold…now that all of this jealousy stuff is taken care of…." And suddenly she was clinging to her (suddenly blushing) beloved's arm and fluttering her eyelashes and giggling as they walked, "Going back to you kicking that can before…Hmm, I never knew there was so much raw, manly power hidden under that mild mannered exterior, Football Head…Always just barely kept at bay by your intense diligence and do gooder ways….But secretly ready to snap." She snuggled against him a little and giggled even more.

"H-Helga!" Arnold instantly rolled his eyes away from her with a shy, amused smile…his blush starting to burn quite a bit and his heart pounding in his chest. "Come on…you know that's not…what it is…"

His Helga just shook her head though, still fluttering her eyelashes and snuggling and smiling. "Oh no Arnold, I'm not letting this go…There's something kind of attractive about it all, you know…" She giggled again, cuddling her head into his shoulder. "Kick another can for me, Arnold—please!" She batted her eyelashes up at him

"Helga…" Arnold just let out a sigh, trying hard not to collapse at all of her sudden affection.

"Oh at least flex or something for me!" she went on brightly.

"HELGA!" He was getting so flustered.

"Oh come on you KNOW you like this…." She winked at him.

Finally Arnold just let out a deep sigh and looked to her once more. "Helga, how long are you prepared to keep this up?" he asked her with a smirk.

"Sorry, Football Head, can't help it." She shrugged a little, still all over him as they strolled up the sidewalk. "There's something about you with access to extreme amounts of raw power that I find kind of appealing…All of that control…" she let her voice go to a whisper and brought her free hand that wasn't still clinging against his arm up to play with his collar a little, "…And to top it all off being afraid of losing it with little old me…." She giggled a little and looked 'pleadingly' back into his eyes. "Oh come on, Arnold, at least snap a pencil for me just by squeezing it between two fingers…? Rip a phone book in half? Tip a car? Come on, my big strong Arnold…please just for me!" she begged in a cooing and enticing voice.

And Arnold, knowing full well she really wouldn't let this go, just sighed and smiled and stopped their walking, putting the hand of his free arm to his temple and shaking his head in pure amusement. "Alright, alright…Whatever you say, Helga…Just let me think…" He glanced around for something that would…He blinked. Mighty Pete was before them. 'Wow, I didn't realize we'd walked that far together…' He was about to keep looking for something to use to show off his strength for her with…but then he blinked…and his eyes went back to the tree…the 'rather full with foliage' tree, considering how late in spring it was…that even had a few apples dangling from its large boughs. 'Oh boy…' He chuckled to himself and then took Helga's hand and squeezed it and looked to her. "Alright, come with me…"

Helga giggled and nodded her assent and then allowed herself to be gently though swiftly pulled along by her love forward and then across the street and soon they were both before Mighty Pete. She smiled with interest at the sight of the tree and then turned that same interested and intrigued smile back to her beloved.

Arnold, rather than explaining anything or why there were here right now, just took her by her shoulders, looked up at one of the boughs, considered some things, and then positioned her in a very specific spot under the tree.

He let her go, stepped back a bit to the trunk of the tree and then looked at her with a blush and a smile. "Alright, um…hold out both of your hands together please, Helga…like this." He stuck out his hands and cupped them together.

Helga followed his example. "Okay, Arnold…" she smiled more, "Dazzle me, please."

He nodded. "The perfect woman deserves nothing less…" he replied with a wink and his grin picking up on one side at the little blush his compliment made come to her smiling features. And then the young boy let out a breath and closed his eyes, took a second to center himself…then opened his eyes again. He turned back to the tree trunk…considered his aim…and then made a fist with one hand and wrapped his other hand around it…and then swung his hands forward together in this fashion and slammed them into the side of the tree.

Helga, meanwhile, had just been watching all of his preparations in adoring amusement. 'Oh he is so adorable with all of this…I can't wait to see what he makes happen, and all for me…! I just really hope it works out for him though! He was so sad when his first magic tricks for me didn't work out the other week on our date… I feel like if whatever he's trying now doesn't work out for him, and especially after all of this jealousy stuff, he'll be extra sad…'

Then she watched as Arnold swung at Mighty Pete…and watched how what her small little love did with that move actually made a visible tremor go through the huge, ancient tree.

Helga's eyes went wide and her jaw fell a little at that sight. To…actually send a little wave of power through something as big and sturdy as a hundred year old tree… A quick blush came to her features. 'W-Wow…he really is a little strong one, isn't is?' A brief image of rippling muscles came to her mind and made her blush even more…

…And then, into her outstretched and cupped hands, an apple perfectly fell.

Helga almost jumped, she was so surprised! For the first few seconds she just…looked at the apple…and then it processed with her that…the apple had fallen from the tree…the tree that Arnold had just hit. Arnold had it the tree in such a way as to have it give the apple to her.

"Um…f-for my lady, heh…"

The cute little addition caught Helga's ears and she looked forward and to her beloved…He was just standing there by the trunk of the tree, smiling sheepishly, blushing…waiting for her approval.

Which he would definitely get…as she liked this…very much.

Helga smiled…she brought the apple behind her back…She walked very coyly forward. "Arnold…" her voice cooed… "My my my… 'your lady' certainly approves…" She giggled and winked, making her last steps forward to him extra slow and extra coy. "And also your lady…is very pleased to know that she has gotten herself quite a strong little gentleman…Yes, such a strong young man…" She was up close to him now and blushing and her eyes, half lidded, were saying a lot of things to his.

And Arnold meanwhile was just all goofy looking now. She'd liked it…she was flirting with him…blushing and giggling…all because of something he had done that had obviously impressed her so much…that had obviously touched her and was making her love for him bubble up and out.

He wanted to be somewhere alone with her once again in his life. To hug and snuggle…kiss…all quiet and private like they were the only ones in the whole world. Part of him wished they hadn't walked so far accidentally. It would take them at least fifteen minutes to get back to either one of their houses though actually it was probably more like twenty or twenty-five with how much ducking and hiding they'd have to do to avoid their friends once they got closer to the main part of the neighborhood…If only he could find some little place with her right now…some little private place.

And then a place occurred to him, as he realized that none of their friends really were all the way out here today…and the occurrence of this 'place' to his mind made him blush furiously… But then, as had been happening a lot lately in regards to things that his modesty had formerly tended to paralyze him with guilt about…he quickly started to accept the idea a little…and why it was actually kind of a good idea when you really thought about it.

Thus, Arnold decided to bend his gentleman rules just a bit and invite Helga up to the Mighty Pete tree house…to do something he had never had the opportunity to think the tree house useful for…until this point in his young life of course.

"Hey…Helga…" he started shyly, lovingly, sweetly…his eyes narrowing just a tiny bit… "You know, the tree house is empty right now…We're…the only ones here…"

He watched his smiling, blushing, love filled angel blink a few times in response to his observation…His smile trembled at how adorable she looked—still so very eager to get close and yet obviously not quite getting what he was trying to say. "I know, my darling…" she replied, "But…I don't see what the big deal is…To be honest, I'm more concerned about what's going on…down here…" She fluttered her eyelashes again, longing to entice him into scooping her up and carrying her back to her house for kisses.

Arnold just chuckled goofily, moving a little closer to her. "Well…I only mention it…that the tree house is empty…because…we've been talking about how incredible you are all this time…I just got over feeling very jealous…you've been clinging to me and giggling and talking about how strong I am…" he blushed so much more, "…And…the tree house is free…private…and right here…just waiting for us, really…if we wanted to use it…for…stuff…"

The spark of recognition of what he was saying…what he was suggesting…came to Helga's eyes quickly…And she smiled more…and so did he…

But then rather than scrambling up to the tree house with him as he was longing for her to do, his lovely princess instead popped the little apple he had gotten her into her side jumper pocket, and then took a large, coy step backward around the tree…and away from him, only allowing her head to peek out from behind the trunk at him. " Hmm…you know, I'm…still not quite exactly sure that I'm following you, Football Head." She winked though to let him know that she understood it just fine. "Now, what exactly are you saying about you and me and the tree house?"

Arnold almost laughed and had to roll his eyes to the side, taking his own coy step partly around to tree, leaning his head around to look at hers. "Helga, what I'm asking is…would you like to go up into the tree house and…do one of the things we do best together, my bright angel?"

She just chuckled. "Uh…drive each other insa—"

"Helga…" he interrupted, shaking his head in amusement, "I'm asking you to sneak up to the tree house with me for a kiss…or two…or more…" A shuddery sigh escaped him. "A lot more, maybe…"

His love just giggled like crazy (it was pure music to him) and then she instantly slipped herself more around the tree (and coyly away from him again). "Why Arnold Phillip Shortman," he heard her start in feigned appall, "Are you asking me, a lady, up to the tree house unsupervised for kisses…and more?"

His heart thrummed and he blushed so much and didn't care. He went and slipped around the tree a little more in his mini pursuit of her. "Don't worry, my sweet Helga Geraldine Pataki…" he assured her in a low, loving tone, "Of course I'll be a perfect gentleman with you, as always."

At this point, every time she spoke she was coyly slipping away around the tree and every time he spoke he was eagerly slipping toward her around the tree.

"Oh of course you will." She giggled again. "But what about my…reputation? If anyone found out about a sweet, charming, polite, lovely lady like me doing something so very unladylike, I mean…"

Arnold's grin picked up. He liked this new take on the whole 'reputation' thing…it was very intriguing. "Aw, but no one has to know, my angel," he began in coaxing reply, "We'll just sneak up there…and then sneak right back down. Just a little adventure between you and me…like we're the only two people in the whole wide world…" He winked at her.

Helga faked a gasp. "Oh but Arnold—that seems so…wrong! And here I thought you were a little goodie two shoes! But instead it turns out I'm dating a 'bad boy.' Who knew?" A lot more giggles.

Arnold just shrugged, still grinning quite a bit…and decided, at being called a 'bad boy' by her yet again in his life (which sent a deep little tremor through him that could probably come close to that tremor that went through Helga whenever he purred, he decided), that he was done with the chase, however exciting it had been…He was ready to catch her. "Oh but is it so very wrong for a boyfriend to want to kiss his girlfriend…" Is it really? If you think about it, it's only natural, Helga…" Instead of taking one of his steps toward her he decided this time as she spoke he would take a large one back, putting her right in his path behind the tree.

"Well, I suppose you've got an argument there, Football He—" And suddenly Helga gasped in genuine surprise because Arnold was before her and he had her by the shoulders and was lightly pinning her to the back of tree with a content grin on his face.

"Gotchya!" He smirked at her a little, moving closer. Yes, he had her in his grasp—his perfect love. And he never wanted to let her go.

His angel just smiled more and giggled again and looked at him with a grin. "Alright, and now that you've got me, what in the world will you do with me?" She batted her eyelashes at him a little.

Arnold's eyes narrowed and he moved his face and grin closer. "What do YOU think?"

The forward response made her blush and giggle and stammer. "A-Arnold…you're such a charmer…I bet you chase ALL the girls around Mighty Pete."

He just sighed longingly, already feeling the warmths of their bodies mixing. "There are other girls in the world?"

Helga just blushed and smiled more and rolled her eyes at him. "You are SO corny, Football Head!"

"And you're so cute…" he supplied, moving extra close so they were all but pressed together, "…especially when you blush…" He looked at her so longingly. "It's such a shame…all those other boys in the world…missing out on making the most beautiful girl in the world blush…"

She giggled even more and actually seemed to tremble in his arms. "Arnold! Stop it! I can barely keep on my feet! My knees are practically ready to give out from under me."

He just held her shoulders more firmly, moved even closer to keep her up…smirking a little…his eyes still slightly narrowed. "All the more reason to get you up to the tree house, my love…. You know, so you can 'rest' before I walk you home for dinner." He winked.

Her smile went all goofy, and she just barely managed to get out with a touch of playfulness, "O-Oh well I SUPPOSE that's a perfectly reasonable excuse for me to go up there, my strong little love…just so you could 'comfort me' and 'care for me' until I was strong enough to get home…" She winked back.

Arnold's smile grew, loving when they were 'secretly' on the same page with one another like this. "I would be very much obliged, my love…" He was so very close to her that he knew that if he pressed any more against her he would feel her heart pounding under his own yet again in their lives. "Now, um…" he started, reigning in the charm, the flirting, the bubbling over passion just a little, "…before we kind of…end up kissing on the ground or something here…because really you deserve to be on a pedestal or just any place soft and perfect just like you when you give kisses, Helga G. Pataki…why don't we head up inside of the tree house and continue this conversation there…"

His love, likewise reigning things in a tiny bit until they could get up to their destination, nodded with her cute smile. "Sounds like a plan to me, my prince."

Arnold just chuckled and released her finally. 'Just for right now…' he reminded himself because he really was so very looking forward to having her in his arms once more in only a minute or two… Then he took her by the hand and smilingly led her around to the ladder leading to the tree house. He bent low, sweeping his arm forward gallantly. "Ladies first, Helga."

His love blushed and scoffed, blinked and smiled…rolled her eyes… and then replied with a small cough, "Arnold, um…you have to go first…up the tree…"

Arnold just looked at her with an amused eyebrow raised at first. He straightened up and said to her in his sultry way… "Helga, do you really want to spend time debating the gentleman thing when instead we couldbe…" He paused…letting the possibilities linger…

Helga blushed even more at his suggestive words but then shook her head with a shy smile. "A-Arnold, it's not that…It's…You have to go first for the same reason I always make sure to go last whenever we're climbing up here with you and the other guys…"

Arnold just looked at her curiously…and yet he couldn't deny, thinking back on it, that she was right…She always seemed to go last. 'Huh…' He wondered why that was now. He turned his eyes to his lady.

And his lady, at his little bit of denseness, sighed…and finally explained with a smile, "It's because…it's a long climb up there, and I'm…wearing a dress…and people tend to look up when they climb…get it?" She looked shyly and sheepishly at him.

Her love considered for exactly one second longer. And then he instantly blushed furiously and stepped in front of the ladder and cleared his throat and just mumbled quietly, "Um…I'll go first," and then proceeded to climb, just doing his suddenly shy little best to move along from this little moment.

Meanwhile, still standing on the ground, Helga just smiled to herself and shook her head, and then finally proceeded to head up after him. "Knew the gentleman in you would win out over all, Arnold…" she had to call up to him as he disappeared into the tree house…though despite this attempt at a little extra levity she was still blushing quite awkwardly herself.

A few more rungs and Helga slipped within the tree house as well.

The grassy lot containing Mighty Pete seemed calm and quiet…as though not a soul was about.

Anyone standing right around the base of the tree though (though luckily no one was about in that area)…could hear certain words and phrases coming from above that showed the scene was indeed occupied…and by two thoroughly in love individuals.

At first there was quiet…and then the sounds of a giggle or two.

And then some more giggles started to erupt.

"Arnold…Come on, let's not get TOO carried away up here! Someone really could come up, you know…"

"I know…and as a 'bad boy' I have to say the risk is kind of exciting, don't you think? Like when we kiss in school but almost better…" Some chuckles. "Now come here…I'm…trying to enjoy the fact that I'm the guy lucky enough to get a girl as wantable as you…" Some silence, then, "Such a beautiful, bright, wonderful angel I have."

Some giggles and even squeals were heard now. "Arnold…! Oh that's it, I'm through with the coy stuff…Come here, you!"

"H-Helga…" A sigh. "Okay, okay, you can take my sweater off of me again…" Chuckles. "You know, it really is not so bad being your 'love toy'…"

"Hmm…and what an excellent love toy you make…And hey, see, I even got the sweater over your head this time without any help!" Some feminine chuckles. "Now just try and keep that intense, masculine strength of yours at bay, Mr. Strong Man…"

"Whatever you say, my pretty precious pink and soft, Helga Geraldine…"

A sigh and swoon. "I secretly love when you call me that, you know, my dear Mr. Shortman…"

A sigh of his own. "Didn't anyone ever tell you that you talk too much, Ms. Pataki?" Chuckles.

"Hmm, then maybe you should shut me up, Arn—Mmmm….! Mmm….."

Some silence…and then when air got scarce the sound of deep breathing as the two kids came apart to get some air.

"A-Arnold…" Helga spoke in a TOTALLY dazed voice. "Okay, m-my legs really are about to give out from under me so maybe we should take this over to the sofa?"

Arnold let out a deep, loving sigh. "Yeah, okay…I-I can barely stand up anymore too…" and then there were the sounds of two people indeed shifting the action elsewhere. "Just like on our first date…remember, Helga?" Arnold then went on. "You and me and a sofa…"

"Hmm, why remember when we can relive?" came her sultry, breathy reply, and then… "MMM! Mmm…Mmm…." as someone took her request to heart.

Eventually, they must have broken apart. There was some panting.

Arnold spoke first.

"I love how you moan, Helga…It's the most beautiful sound in the world. The only thing better than your giggle."

"Oh…and I love how you make me moan, my darling…" And then she giggled all coyly, both at his adorableness and at some more tickles happening…and then at a novel thought occurring to her. "Hmm…Hey Arnold? Think of the never-ending chorus that people could break into of 'Helga and Arnold Sitting in a Tree' if they ever caught us here. "

"It'd be music…" the sound of lips kissing, "to my ears."

"Me," the sound of lips kissing again, "too…"

Arnold's voice went lower so that really the only way a person could have heard it would have been to be standing right outside the door of the tree house. "You know…my grandparents used to come up here for dates when they were little…."

Helga whispered back… "As will we…and our children…and our children's children…"

Blushing and laughing and kissing went on.

The next afternoon…

A pensive looking Arnold Shortman dressed in his usual attire (and with a very subtle blush upon his features) walked up a stoop he had become familiar with just yesterday, took a small step forward, knocked three times, and then took a step back.

As he waited for the occupant of the house to answer he went over in his head yet again several things he had talked with his girlfriend about yesterday…both before and after the stuff in the tree house. Things about jealousy and Brainy being a very good friend for her and him caring about her happiness above all else...and then things about planning on spending time with Brainy whenever their schedules lined up and wanting to make sure he got included in more stuff their classmates did as a group and being determined that he always felt like he had a friend no matter what…and then a very important final thing about her wanting to be very sure that as soon as it could be managed her boyfriend and her dearest guy friend could…maybe become good friends themselves…

Arnold swallowed, reminding himself of all those things one more time…as the front door opened.

There before him stood a familiar wheezing, glasses-wearing boy.

"Um…hi Brainy." Arnold gave a small smile and a small wave, and felt a tiny blush come to his cheeks.

Brainy…stopped wheezing. Stopped BREATHING, really, would be the correct term but…since normally wheezing and breathing were basically the same thing for him, either way of putting it was pretty accurately.

Arnold just stood there looking at him silently…not really sure what to make of this reaction to his hello.

And then Brainy (a light blush coming to his own features now, Arnold noticed) glanced down and reached into his pocket, pulled out what Arnold recognized as his inhaler, lifted it up and sprayed two puffs into his mouth, brought it down…but then hesitated and then brought it back up for a third puff, then put the item back into his pocket, swallowed and finally made eye contact with Arnold again.

He spoke…

Arnold had never heard him really speak.

It captured his attention and he listened closely.

"Hello, Arnold. It's nice to see you. I thought you might be by soon enough, all things considered." He let out a sigh, obviously summed up a tiny bit of courage, and then finally said (quite sincerely), "If you're going to hit me now, may I ask for leniency considering the six years of punches Helga gave me until recently?"

Arnold blinked and his eyes went wide. 'Hit him?' "Hit you?" he asked in total curiosity and in total surprise.

Brainy just nodded. "Of course. Arnold…I know you can't possibly like me being around her or her wanting to be around me…knowing what you probably know about my past feelings for her. And with how open you two are I know she must have told you about her visit yesterday…and even though she assured me it would be fine with you I can't imagine how unhappy the knowledge that she and I were alone in my home for so long must have made you feel. So…I'm ready, Arnold." He straightened up a little more, feeling some more courage now that the idea had had time to absorb. "Hit me if it will make you feel better and make things better between yourself and Helga…but like I said, if it could not be too hard, I would really appreciate it." He smiled sheepishly. "This is the first time in six years after all that my nose hasn't felt sore constantly."

Arnold just…continued watching the boy before him for another second or two…and then he smiled…and then he started to laugh...warmly and happily, even holding his sides a little, his eyes closed in mirth.

He heard Brainy sigh but speak good-naturedly. "Arnold, I promise you, I'm quite serious—I have no intention of running away if you want to hi—"

"Brainy!" Arnold got himself under control now and just looked at him with a warm smile. "I'm not going to…hit you!" He shook his head at the very notion. "I just…wanted to say hi…and, um…some other stuff to you too…" Now his blush grew a little more pronounced. He cleared his throat, and shuffled his feet a little shyly. "I just…well…I wanted to…to thank you, Brainy." He looked back to Brainy's eyes again.

Brainy…hesitated…seemed to consider his words…and then finally asked, "You wanted to…thank me?" almost like he couldn't understand the desire.

Arnold nodded and shrugged. "Of course, Brainy…I…wanted to thank you about Helga, actually…" He glanced down, still smiling though, with his arms behind his back gently digging one of his feet into the top of Brainy's stoop again.

"I'm…I'm sorry, I'm afraid I don't follow you, Arnold…" Brainy merely replied, quite sincerely unsure of things at the moment.

Arnold just let out a sigh and looked back up at Brainy with a smile. He stepped toward him a little more and crossed his arms over his chest, suddenly feeling a lot calmer and better about all of this all of a sudden. "Brainy…I've been thinking…and talking to Helga…and you…um…" he cleared his throat and blushed more, the first word coming to mind having been 'loved'… "Um, you 'cared' very much for…someone I care very much for…during a time in her life when…she really had no one caring for her the way she deserves to be cared for. So…thank you, Brainy. Thank you for…" he let out a breath, willing himself to say the word, "Thank you for loving Helga before I…really could…in the right way." He ended on a deep sigh, a little proud of himself for actually having said the L word (even though it cost him a ton in the blushing department).

"O-Oh!" Brainy just blushed all the more himself in response to all of that and blinked a few times. "Well, um…you're welcome, Arnold. Of course, I…I just…She's special and I…couldn't help but…I just wanted to be a part of her life and to…to be there in case she needed…" He blushed even more, actually stumbling over his words at this point, a little stunned by this conversation to say the least. "But, um…so…no hitting me?" He looked at Arnold unsurely once again as he just double-checked this fact.

Arnold just shook his head and even chuckled a little again. "No, no hitting, Brainy. From me or Helga anymore. I promise." He smiled more. "Come on, Brainy…you know I'd never just go and hit anyone…and especially not someone who makes Helga happy. I…I like you, Brainy."

Brainy…smiled…all fear and unsureness leaving his eyes finally. "I like you as well, Arnold. You make Helga…happier than I've ever seen her. You're very good for her."

Arnold smiled more. "Thanks Brainy. You make her happy and…you're good for her too."

The two boys just stood in content silence for a moment.

And then even two guys as sensitive and caring as Arnold and Brainy started to feel a little awkward about this big squishy moment going on.

Arnold cleared his throat, smiling a little sheepishly. "O-Okay…well then…maybe we could, um…be friends, Brainy? Better friends, that is. I-I mean, I never considered us NOT friends but…I'd like us to be, um…closer, I guess. Like you and Helga want to be closer. Helga, um…she told me about how she asked you to start being scorekeeper for our baseball games. I…I think that's a good idea, Brainy. Really. That way you could spend more time with everyone…and people could get to know what a nice person you are. If people really got to know you…I know they'd want to be friends with you, Brainy." He smiled at the boy before him sincerely.

Brainy, however…just looked back at him hesitantly for a moment. "Arnold…" he started slowly, "I appreciate the efforts…both yours and Helga's…and I will be taking you up on the scorekeeper offer, I suppose, and on Helga's invitations to spend time together since you really are alright with us doing that, but…as for anything involving just diving head first into the young society of P.S. 118…I-I tried to express it to Helga a little yesterday but I'm not certain she really got it. It's just…although I'd like to get out more I'm just not very…adept in social situations. I want to be more open, Arnold…But I just…find it difficult." A small frown came to his features.

Arnold looked at him with a touch of concern…And now the whole 'Helga' situation was out of his mind, and his natural need to help and assist others was taking over. He considered his new friend's reservations, then spoke again with all sincerity and desire to assist. "Well…why do you think you get so worried about being more open with people, Brainy?" Arnold blinked and then added, the thought suddenly occurring to him. "Oh, and, um…I don't mean for this to come out the wrong way but, is your name really Brainy?"

Brainy had to almost laugh in amusement—Arnold and Helga asking him the exact same question separately and without even realizing it. 'Soulmates…Of course…' "Yes," he nodded, "It's really Brainy, Arnold. Old family name." He chuckled a little. "And anyway, as for your question about why I worry…well, I…suppose the answer is similar to why Helga spent so many years worrying about opening up to you…and why she's still afraid of opening up to the rest of our classmates about her true nature and your relationship in general…"

Realization came into Arnold's eyes. He understood now. "You're afraid of rejection," he said simply, waiting for the observation to be confirmed.

Brainy, still smiling, gave a small nod. "Something, like that…It's just that…you see, Arnold, right now, with keeping to myself, my life is stable and feels secure. But," he shrugged, "being a little different from others, if I was to open up to them, instead of that quiet stability I might be subjected to taunts and pranks and other such upsetting things. You understand…" He swallowed, his arms behind his back.

And indeed Arnold understood…so very well actually from knowing so much about Helga's own fears and concerns about how unfair other kids could be no matter how good and wonderful of a person you were. And so he did his best to say the right thing to Brainy (things like he had been saying to Helga all these weeks of their courtship whenever the topic came up). "Brainy…I understand that you're scared and worried but…A life that's just about keeping yourself safe…can't be much of a life at all, in the end. No one likes being lonely, even if it does make you feel like no one can hurt you, and so even if it's risky…you have to try doing at least something to change things if you really want to connect with other people." He smiled more. "And see, you opened up to Helga and now you're good friends with her and you opened up to me and now…we're friends. And Helga also told me that she suggested you maybe try hanging out with Lila too since it sounds like you two might have some common interests and since Helga feels like she's probably been getting a little neglected lately, and I know that'll turn out fine too." He shrugged and chuckled. "So, see, you're already almost three for three…so I think you'll be fine with everyone else too, Brainy. Just…go slowly like Helga is, one step at a time…and don't be afraid if anyone actually does tease you for being yourself…because you'll always have the people who already like you for you right here." He smiled reassuringly at him.

Brainy just smiled…smiled and shook his head in amusement. "Oh Arnold…Kind and considerate and caring even to a former rival. Along with everything else I'm sure Helga told you about why I'm very happy for the two of you, you have to know that your unflappable morality and goodness was another reason I would never want to come between you both—she needs that, Arnold. Someone who can remind her everyday no matter what that there's good in the world, who can bring constant light to her moments of sadness, someone whose capacity to forgive will outshine every mood swing and moment of lashing out defensively that she might ever have. And, also…" he shrugged, "From an outsider's perspective, I believe she's doing wonders for you as well, Arnold. You just seem…very complete with her. It's nice to observe." His words were sincere.

Arnold, blushing just a little again, smiled and nodded gratefully at the unexpected compliment. "Thanks, Brainy. We, um…y-yeah…complete is a good word to describe it, I think."

Brainy nodded. "Yes. I just…as I told Helga yesterday, I just hope that one day I can find the right person to be complete with too."

Arnold looked up at Brainy. "I hope so too, Brainy."

There was a little moment of silence.

Then Arnold spoke again.

"Hey, um, Brainy? You wouldn't want to, um…I-I don't know…come with me and Gerald to the aquarium now would you…if you're free, of course?" He spoke hopefully and genuinely. "I mean, Helga said that's one of the things you like to do and also it'd be nice since you're one of the few people Gerald and I wouldn't have to pretend around about Helga and Phoebe." He smiled a little more, looking a tiny bit sheepish this time. "And also, when it's just me and him hanging out together at this point we both basically end up in a girlfriend gushing contest and I feel like we've both got to be sounding pretty sappy at this point…so it'd be nice to have a third person there to bring us back down to earth and remind us to just kind of enjoy hanging out for a little guys only time." He chuckled a little, then just looked at Brainy sincerely again. "So…what do you say, Brainy? Up for a friendly outing?"

Brainy smirked just a tiny bit, almost laughing really. "And once again, just to be sure…this isn't a trick to get me away from the safety of my home…so that you can take me to one of the nearby alleys where I used to stalk Helga and hit me, right?"

Arnold blinked, just a touch of his denseness showing for a moment…before then smirking and almost laughing as well, and replying with a shake of his head, "No, just a straightforward trip to the Aquarium. Come on, Brainy, I'm Arnold—would I lie to you?"

Both boys shared a laugh.

And then Brainy just sighed and smiled more and nodded to Arnold's initial request. "Alright, Arnold, I'll take your advice and at least try to let things change a little for the better. Who knows? If, after the Aquarium today, things work out with Gerald too and I'm four for four…maybe I really do have a chance…with the…other…kids." His wheezing had started to come back all of a sudden. He stepped out of his doorway and closed the door behind him. He pulled out his inhaler and took a few more puffs, then put it away again. "Sorry about that, Arnold. There may be a few silent moments for me during this outing just because of my breathing. I don't like to use the inhaler more than four times a day, and even then only if necessary. But before baseball games I think I'll use the nebulizer machine in my house just to make sure that I can actually respond whenever someone asks me the score." He chuckled to himself as he headed down to the sidewalk.

Arnold laughed a little as well, joining beside him on the sidewalk. "Yeah, it'd be good for that…and also so you could talk more and open up to people at the games of course. But only one step at a time, and only when it feels right for you and when you're ready."

"Of course," replied Brainy with a nod to Arnold's always excellent and understanding advice. "Well, shall we then?"

Arnold nodded back with a smile. "Yeah. Let's go."

The two boys proceeded to head up the street together away from Brainy's house.

"Hey Brainy?" Arnold was heard to ask after a few moments.

"Yes, Arnold?" replied Brainy.

Arnold almost chuckled again. "Did you really think I'd come over to sock you or something about her?"

Brainy almost chuckled again as well. "Well…when Helga and I ran into each other in the hall before lunch today, she did mention how you were quite jealous at first when you had found out that she had been by here to see me, even though she managed to talk you down…" He tried not to smirk. "And besides over the course of those six years there were quite a few times when I was considering walking up to you and giving you a good sock in the nose myself, Arnold…just for the denseness." He tried not to laugh. "Arnold, really, I don't mean to be rude but…the Cecile costume, the kiss during the school play, the poetry book you found with an acronym of her name as the final poem…I was getting very close to letting you know myself by copying that attempt she almost made one day and writing 'Arnold Loves Helga' on a wall…or on the inside of your locker door maybe just to be as effective as possible."

Arnold had to laugh. He couldn't help it. He shrugged. "Hey, it was hard putting everything together—she's not exactly an easy person to figure out, especially when you don't even know what it is you're supposed to be figuring out about her until she yells it at you on a rooftop." He sighed to himself. "But I'm happy she did yell it at me…happier than I've ever been in my entire life."

"And…I'm happy for you, Arnold. For both of you…" Brainy smiled sincerely.

They walked along for a few moments more in silence.

"Brainy?" Arnold then spoke again.

"Yes?" Brainy replied.

Arnold sighed. "I agree with you that Helga was pushing things a bit trying to set you up with a girl all of a sudden…"

Brainy blushed a little. "She told you about that, huh?"

Arnold nodded. "Yes. But, even though that was a little…premature…I hope you find the right person and have a happy life with them as soon as possible, Brainy."

Brainy smiled more. "I hope so too, Arnold. And thank you. But for right now…just…getting to be friends with all of you…and seeing her happy…that's more than enough."

"I'm glad, Brainy." Arnold swallowed and cleared his throat. "S-So…you and Helga are going to a museum this weekend?"

Brainy just smiled in understanding. "Yes. And rest assured, Arnold…even if I did try something with her which I never would in a million, million years…you know as well as I do that I'd have a black eye and a broken nose and probably find myself with a head through one of the painting's before I even suggested the concept."

The last ounce of Arnold's worry left him and he just laughed along with Brainy as the two rounded the corner together, and he knew once again that not Brainy not Arnie not Stinky not anybody would ever really come between himself and his lovely Helga…both from his own jealous efforts whenever the situation might arise, as well as from his love's fighting spirit to keep them together and reject all other suitors (as she had been doing unintentionally over the years with socking Brainy, the thought suddenly occurred to our football headed hero who grinned to himself in amusement at the interesting concept).

ARN—ER, HELGA & LILA

"Thank you ever so much again for buying me lunch, Helga, and for this popsicle from the Jollie Ollie man!" Lila beamed and took another small lick from the frozen treat currently in her hand as she all but skipped in her usual bubbliness down the sidewalk while her blonde companion just walked normally beside her. "I'm sure it was just oh too nice of you to do all of this for me…"

As the two girls turned a corner in the afternoon sun and proceeded to walk down another street, Helga shrugged, taking another bite from her Mr. Fudgie bar, a smile on her face. "Yeah, well…" she rolled her eyes to the side with a smile, "You know I just really wanted to thank you again for helping out so much with me and Arnold last month and for keeping things a secret and for stuff with my sister…" A touch of guilt came into Helga's face. "I mean…I know that I wasn't always the nicest person to you before all of this and I just wanted to…you know…kind of show you again that I'm sorry, and also to just give us a chance to become better friends. I mean, we shouldn't need Olga as a mediator—you and I can just…hang out together…shoot the breeze. You know? " Finishing up the last bite of her ice cream, Helga tossed her stick into a trash can they were passing, and awaited Lila's reply.

Lila just smiled (as usual), taking another bite of her popsicle, and nodded sincerely. "Of course, Helga…I'm ever so certain that being friends with you is something I've always wanted and just because Olga's not here doesn't mean we can't be just ever so special friends." She giggled. "But you didn't have to buy me lunch for me to accept your apology for not liking me before, Helga. I'm oh too certain how you might have acted around me sometimes never bothered me all that much, especially in light of the situation with Arnold." Lila shrugged, now tossing her own now clean stick into a trashcan. "To be just perfectly honest, it only seemed natural to me that you'd be a little jealous about his crush on me considering your feelings…" She looked at Helga understandingly. "After all, I actually felt a little jealous when Arnold's oh so interesting cousin Arnie dumped me during his visit and declared his love to you." She blushed just a tiny bit at admitting to that memory, though of course her smile still remained.

Helga beside her, meanwhile, had to blink at this unexpected bit of information that had finished up Lila's acceptance of her friendship. "Really…? You were jealous…of me?" It wasn't that the way Lila had explained the situation or the comparison she had made didn't make perfect sense to Helga, it was just that…it surprised her a lot, the irony that Ms. Perfect—with her flawless braids, and cute smile, and her witty stories and all the boys always fawning over her—had actually felt such a non-cheery and optimistic emotion…and toward herself of all people! 'What the heck?'

Beside her, a slightly sheepish looking Lila just sighed but had to nod and affirm the true fact she had just shared. "Of course, Helga…A boy I felt like I was practically in love with and who I'd been spending time with and caring for suddenly dumped me in the cafeteria and then went over to you when he didn't even know you and told you he loved you…I'm ever so sure I was more sad than anything but there was still some jealousy there of course…" She laughed a tiny bit. "I mean, I always knew that Arnold liked you deep down a lot more than he probably realized, and then you had Arnie for a minute too…I'm ever so sure it just didn't feel…fair, I guess." Then she took in a breath and let out a sigh and then just shrugged, her smile returning. "But of course once Arnie left I was able to get over things and went back to just waiting for Arnold to come around about you." Her smile remained cheerful for a moment longer but then faltered just a tiny bit and she couldn't help but let out a sigh. "I really do wish things had worked out between myself and Arnie, though sometimes…" A half lidded look came to her face and for a moment her smile got dreamy and she kind of stared off ahead as she and Helga continued on their way together. "He's just such an oh so interesting boy…with all those cute little habits…and that glazed but ever so intellectual look…and the way he wears those suspenders on his ever so strong shoulders and—"

"OKAY! If I promise to try and get Arnold to give me his number for you or something can we please find a new topic of conversation! I'm BEGGING YOU!" Helga finally couldn't take it anymore and had to cut off Lila with these words, cringing and with a hand to her mouth as though gagging.

"Oh would you really, Helga?" Lila suddenly beamed, looking at her with a hopeful smile and coming out of her lovesick trance (and totally oblivious to Helga's apparent disgust as the concept of calling up Arnie suddenly precluded any other thought from her mind).

"Ugh…" a scowling Helga removed her hand from her mouth, a shiver passing through her, "Yes, ANYTHING! Just please—no more about the little weirdo!" She let out a breath and turned to Lila, raising part of her brow. "I mean, Crimeny, Lila, I'm trying really hard to respect your feelings here but I do not know what you see in that kid…"

Lila just put a hand to her mouth and giggled. "Oh, I don't know…I guess he's just my oh so special someone…"

Helga rolled her eyes. 'Oh brother—her and Olga and all that sappy, romantic, mush they buy into…' Still she almost couldn't help a half lidded gaze coming to her own face though as of course she had to mentally add to herself, 'I mean unless you're applying all that stuff to me and Arnold in which case, hey, bring on the sugary sweetness…' She giggled a tiny bit to herself and felt her heart flutter.

"I don't know how to describe why I like him so much Helga," the beginning of this statement from Lila started to bring Helga back to reality and the young blonde turned her (unavoidably now smiling) face back to her red headed friend, who was just smiling and shrugging now as they continued to walk on, "I know he seems a little strange to you, but…I guess it's just kind of like how you can be head over heels in love with Arnold but I can only see him as just a friend."

That second part of the sentence brought Helga completely back to reality and even made that slightly dreamy smile that had been on her lips go away. She blinked and looked at Lila just a little bit skeptically. "Um…I don't think it's quite the same thing, Lila. I mean, I've never looked on Arnie with anything but disgust, but you had romantic thoughts about Arnold at one point, at least." Despite the fact that it was water under the bridge, and despite the fact she was just mentioning it just casually in passing, Helga couldn't help the slightly frustrated look that came to her face upon making this observation. She was technically talking to a rival after all, albeit a former one…and there was a slight sense of unease that seemed able to crop up at bringing the subject of Arnold to the forefront of a conversation between them.

To Helga's surprise, though, rather than having to concede her point, Lila just responded by shaking her head, still with that same cheery and open smile. "Helga, how I feel about Arnie is not at all like how I felt about Arnold…" She shrugged. "I mean I'm ever so sure that nothing could make me stop having romantic thoughts about Arnold's cousin, but to be just perfectly honest the only thing I ever really felt for Arnold that one time was just…I don't know, a sort of excitement that a boy liked me and I guess I just felt like things would work out ever so perfectly if I liked him back…" She frowned, looking a tiny bit sheepish. "But then when I realized he didn't like-like me, I realized I'd never like-liked him…not as a person, not really. I just wanted…" she sighed, seeming to be doing her best to word what she was trying to say correctly, her eyes cast down to the sidewalk they were walking over in thought. "I don't know what I wanted…I guess it just seemed like Arnold and I would be an ever so perfect enough match but then it just…didn't feel as perfect as I thought it would…and I wanted to be nice about it when I let him down after he confessed to me but perhaps by pushing him so hard about the two of us becoming a couple in the first place I was just being ever so selfish…" She let out a small sigh and turned her eyes back to Helga again. "Does that make any sense, Helga? I'm ever so certain I didn't express it very well…"

To Lila's interest and relief though, rather than looking back at her with confusion or skepticism or even her former usual anger…Helga was actually smiling at her. And then the young blonde almost chuckled as she replied to her new little friend, "Actually…all of that makes a lot of sense…and it kind of makes me feel a little better too…" Helga sighed and looked forward, a touch of sheepishness coming to her face now. "And I know it seems stupid for me to still care a little about something from the past when Arnold and I are together now but…well…" She blushed a tiny bit and then glanced back at Lila again just a little. "Lila…you were the only girl who ever really liked him back for any amount of time…so I guess the reason I was always kind of harsh with you was because you were like the biggest threat or something…" She shrugged and rubbed one arm with the other a little nervously. "I mean, on top of being practically perfect in every way, you weren't just some 'never gonna happen' crush he was chasing after—if he'd decided he had a crush on you before he rejected you that first time…when you still had a crush on him…then…" And then she couldn't help an uncomfortable look coming to her face once more and averting her eyes from Lila's again. "…Then you two might be…I-I mean…" She blushed even more…unsure of how to go on or even if she should go on…What she was getting at had to be pretty obvious, after a—

Helga stopped walking and her eyes went wide at the feeling of a hand suddenly on her shoulder. She turned to see Lila stopped alongside her…and just smiling warmly at her. "Helga…" the red haired girl spoke sincerely and reassuringly, "I know that you and so many other people have always seemed ever so convinced that Arnold and I would make an ever so charming couple because we're so similar in certain respects…But…to be just perfectly honest, I think that's what would have made us break up if we had ever gotten together. And rather quickly." She almost chuckled.

Helga just raised part of her brow in confusion.

Lila continued to explain, removing her hand from her friend's shoulder and placing both of her own behind her back. "Helga, I'm ever so certain part of the reason you and Arnold get along so well is that you compliment each other: you bring out different things about each other and challenge each other and add something ever so unique to each other's lives." She sighed and shrugged a little as she went on with… "But Arnold and I would have just…sat around all day smiling and…" she chuckled a little, "Well, I guess how you would put it would be 'being a couple of do gooder little shrimps'…" She smiled more. "But you seem to let Arnold have some fun and Arnold seems to help you be a lot calmer and happier…Now that's a real relationship, Helga."

Helga smiled…a really, really happy one. "Really, Lila?"

"Mmm hmm…" Lila nodded. "Of course, Helga."

Helga smiled a little more to herself, her eyes full of warmth and gratitude. "Thanks, Lila."

"You're welcome, Helga," Lila just replied amiably back.

The two girls now resumed their walk, keeping stride one again beside each other.

Helga let out a happy sigh, musing on some things to herself a little… 'Heh…she really isn't so bad once you get to know her…I'm kind of glad now that I didn't go through with all those plans I used to hatch about tricking her into a large crate using a stuffed bear or something as bait and then shipping her to Siberia, or sending her a note saying she'd won a free cruise for being 'just ever so perfect' and then letting her go down to the docs and get shanghaied! Heh, heh…' The ten-year-old girl couldn't help grinning to herself a little more at the funny and sudden turn of events her life had taken in regards to this girl at her side.

"Besides," Lila then continued brightly, bringing Helga out of her thoughts and causing her to look to her with her content smile, "Like I said, something about Arnie's much more my type. I'm ever so certain that there's so many things about Arnold that just…" She stopped speaking suddenly though and blinked, and then glanced hesitantly at her companion. "Well, Helga…I'm ever so certain I don't want to say anything against him as he's your boyfriend but…let's just say that I'm ever so certain that some of the stuff about Arnold that you might find appealing just bores me ever so much!" Lila finally had to admit with a relieved sigh and little smile.

Helga had to blink and raise part of her brow at the girl beside her once again at this new interesting little statement. 'She likes a guy who collects lint and she thinks Arnold's boring? Oh I've gotta hear the logic behind this one!'"Hey, don't feel bad—go into details!" Helga grinned with interest and shrugged, holding out her hands. "I mean what could possibly be boring about Arnold?"

Lila just glanced away and shrugged, still smiling. "Well…not that there are things that are 'boring', but...I guess they just don't…appeal to me like they might to you…" She rolled her eyes to the side a little. "Like, how he's always getting lost in daydreams instead of being ever so focused like Arnie is…" A little bit of that dreamy look returned to her features at the mention of the beanie-wearing boy's name.

Helga gave a full on amused dramatic eye roll and scoff at this comparison! 'Arnie? Focused? Yeah on driving me insane maybe…' "Well…to each her own I guess…" she managed understandingly though. She then crossed her arms over her chest with a smile as she had to add though, in defense of her beloved… "Personally, I think it's adorable whenever Arnold starts fantasizing about who knows what, and that when Arnie stares straight ahead for hours it's the creepiest thing in the universe, but…like you said, Lila, we like different things…" She glanced at her companion.

Lila chuckled and nodded. "Yes, I'm ever so certain you're right…" Then the red head blinked, her grin picking up a little on one side. "Oh and I'm ever so certain it also always bothered and bored me a little how persistent Arnold could be sometimes with trying to impress me when he liked me liked me…I'm oh too sure he meant well but it was just a little much sometimes, never being able to spend time with him as friends without him always trying to make me like him like him again…" She giggled and got dreamy looking again. "That's another reason why I like Arnie—he's always just being himself and never trying to do anything for anyone's attention, you know? He's just ever so independent and the strong silent type and I love that…"

Helga did her best to suppress a serious amount of laughter at this new point from her friend. "Wow, okay, I hate to say it but when it comes to the Arnold stuff with that I actually kind of know what you're talking about." She shrugged and brought her hands behind her back. "I mean, I love that Arnold's always trying to impress me now that we're dating but sometimes he gets so wrapped up in stuff that he can get just a little carried away…" She raised part of her brow and almost smirked. "You know a couple weeks in his room we were having this conversation with Gerald and Phoebe, and Gerald mentioned that him and Arnold skipped school once and Arnold started getting all embarrassed about it until I told him I actually thought him doing something risky like that was a little cute…and then out of nowhere he gets this goofy smile and starts listing any past minor misdeeds he can come up with until Gerald and I finally got him to rope himself in!" She laughed warmly to herself.

"Oh, Helga, he really got that carried away and started telling you every ever so wrong thing he'd ever done?" Lila replied in amusement, laughing quite a bit herself. "Oh I'm ever so certain that reminds me of the time at the cheese festival when he went with me and spent almost twenty minutes trying to win me a stuffed bear just because I'd mentioned I liked it…"

"Hey now," Helga replied, arms crossed over her chest and giving Lila just a bit of a look with a half smile, "You know, you didn't exactly make it easy for him that night…batting your eyelashes when you knew he was all 'in like' with you…" A touch of the jealousy and anger she had felt that evening of Arnold and Lila's near-date warmed in Helga for a second, but she knew it really was just residual and, honestly, her liking of Lila now and how much she was enjoying this current conversation were far more on her mind than anything else.

Lila, meanwhile, just blinked at Helga's valid point. "How did you know, Helga?" she had to ask with genuine curiosity.

Helga's eyes went wide for a second (but only for a second) at her little slip up, but then she just grinned and shrugged. "Uh…why don't we just say I was 'hanging around' the Cheese Festival that night to see just how well that little outing with you two would go…" She rolled her eyes to the side in an innocent little look.

Lila blinked once more but then had to almost laugh at the revelation, and then she glanced down with a slight blush and a shrug and a little smile. "Oh, I see, Helga. Well…anyway…I know I probably shouldn't have done that to him that night but as I said before, Helga, I'd never had a boy like me before and even though I really didn't feel the same way back and had told Arnold that ever so many times and really wanted him to accept it…it was still nice just to have a bit of attention…" She shrugged again, the smile still there. "I mean, he was so nice wanting to win that for me…no one ever offered to do anything like that for me before…so I suppose I sort of just told myself that it was a friendly gesture and let him do it because of that…" She glanced back at her friend with an inquisitive look. "Do you think that was ever so selfish of me as well, Helga?"

Though Helga wasn't exactly about to clap Lila on the back and assure her that all of her little 'looks' and 'smiles' to a smitten Arnold that night were 'ever so fine'…her conscious wasn't about to let her condemn her for it either. After all, she herself had done more than her fair share of 'less than right' stuff over the years to Arnold just for some attention from him…faking amnesia and causing him to put his own life on hold just to walk her around everywhere, stealing his precious hat until he had become so depressed that he had barely been able to crawl out of bed, and of course sneaking around the Cheese Festival in question and messing up his and Lila's evening to an extent that was almost dangerous considering the thing with the boat sinking in the Tunnel of Love. And so…"Maybe a little…but not totally selfish, Lila. And, if it makes you feel any better, I can see where you were coming from…" she finally replied, glancing down with a sheepish smile. Then she rolled her eyes and added playfully with a glance to Lila again, "Ugh, but I'll still take Arnold's head in the clouds stuff and his almost stifling need to please over Arnie's monotone voice and loner phlegmy snort! Yuck!" She faked a cringe and chuckled.

Lila chuckled as well, looking as chipper as ever again. "Thank you, Helga…" She smiled a little more. "And as for the boys, personally I'm ever so certain all of that stuff about Arnie just contributes to his mystery…Besides…" Lila added slowly, a slight blush returning to her features, her eyes glancing downward, "He's also kind of…cute."

"Ah ha!" Helga instantly began in triumph, her eyes lighting up and a big, slightly teasing grin on her face. "So you admit that at the very least you're into the 'football shaped head' thing which means you did at least have a physical attraction to Arnold!" She smirked at Lila…and was actually starting to really enjoy all of this talking about past feelings and crushes…Something about it felt very…cathartic. She figured Bliss would approve.

Meanwhile, Lila's eyes went wide and looked to Helga in a touch of embarrassment for a second at Helga's bold observation, but then to the blonde's interest her red headed friend just swallowed and glanced down once more and then shrugged and replied honestly, "Well…I suppose that strange family head shape of theirs is ever so interesting, Helga, but…to be just perfectly honest it always seemed just kind of average on Arnold…but ever so adorable on Arnie!" She broke into a full dreamy grin and blush again.

Helga's eyes went absolutely wide and her jaw actually dropped. "Oh you CANNOT be serious!" was out of her mouth in an instant. "Arnold is TEN times more gorgeous than Arnie and in EVERY way!" And it took everything for her to only add mentally as opposed to out loud, 'Hey, I want to respect our different opinions but…let's face it people, Arnie's a dud and my Arnold's a stud!'

In response to her exclamation, Lila just let out a sigh and smiled and shook her head, looking to Helga again with a grin. "Helga, I'm ever so sure this is another thing that's just a matter of opinion between us. Like I said Arnie's my oh so special someone so I like his slightly larger head and his softer, lighter hair and that strange but ever so interestingly shaped nose of his and those light colored eyes like sea foam and…"

"…And I like Arnold's wider, smaller head, and the unruly dark blonde hair and the cute little nose and those pulsing jelly bean green eyes that consume my soul…" Helga finished for her in an understanding and much calmer tone now and with a sigh and a smile of her own. "You're right, you're right," she held up her hands, "I forgot—respecting each other's differences…"

Lila chuckled a little and nodded. "Exactly, Helga."

Both girls walked on for several more seconds with content smiles on their faces.

"Oh!" Then Lila's eyes suddenly lit up. She turned to Helga eagerly once more. "I'm ever so sorry I keep mentioning things I don't particularly care for about Arnold, but I've never had anyone to say them to until now so…"

Helga just laughed and waved her off. "Oh just get it out of your system, Ms. Perfect—letting you vent's the least I can do for all you've done for me lately and everything I've put you through basically since you moved here…Besides, I'm having a really good time right now. I don't think I've ever enjoyed a conversation so much with you in my entire life." She chuckled again, sincerely meaning it.

Lila smiled affectionately and happily back at her. "Oh thank you, Helga. I'm ever so certain I'm enjoying our talk too!" She giggled a little and then went on good-humoredly, "Well then…alright, from that brief time when Arnold was humoring my 'affections' and pretended to be my boyfriend…the way he's just a little too ever so impressed with his own room and the remote control…"

Helga didn't miss a beat. "…And how he's always gotta make the couch fly out of the wall and readjust all of the lights even though it's the middle of the day and he's not exactly expecting company, and flip between a bunch of records or CDs all at the 'mere press of a button' whenever he walks in with anyone, for absolutely no reason other than that he can and wants you to know it!" she suddenly finished for her friend…and then burst out into full blown laughter. "O-Okay, yes, I will give you that one, Lila…" she finally managed to say after a few seconds of walking with her arms holding her sides and tears of mirth nearly in her eyes (and Lila chuckling right along with her beside her), "Arnold is more than aware of how cool his room is and he just loves letting people know it…in his own little shy indirect modest way of course." She chuckled some more and winked, finally managing to straighten up completely again as they walked on.

Lila finally managed to tame her laughter as well and nodded now at Helga's summation of the situation. "Oh, I'm ever so certain you've got him down perfectly Helga!" Her eyes lit up again! "Oh and how about all of those ever so boring Purdy Boy books he keeps around…"

"THANK YOU!" Helga suddenly announced, with her hands held up to the sky as though receiving a miracle. "Sheesh, I mean he's got great taste in music and movies…and then you get to literature and except for my poetry it's all those lame mystery books!" She shrugged and rolled her eyes. "I mean, I read one of them to him last week when he was sick and I guess it was entertaining but not exactly 'classic lit' or anything, you know?" She shook her head and let out an exasperated sigh with an amused grin. "I don't know—Geraldo seems to like them too…Maybe it's a boy thing…"

Lila shrugged and grinned and nodded… "I'm oh too certain it probably is, Helga…"

"Okay, wait…" then Helga was grinning even more, her own eyes lighting up this time around. She looked to Lila eagerly. "What about how Arnold can be just so UNBEARABLY dense!"

Lila just let out a sigh, obviously trying to hold back a ton of laughter again. "You mean like how I'm ever so certain that I told him dozens of times that I didn't like him like him, I just liked him but he continued to ask and ask and ask…"

Helga burst into a little chuckle fit. "A-Actually, I was going to say like how I could spend all those years giving him all of that bullying attention and he could still not realize that I was head over heels for him, but, yeah, your example's a good one too!" She gave Lila a playful little punch in the shoulder.

Lila giggled and smiled more at the gesture. "Thank you, Helga. I'm ever so certain I like your example too." She was just practically grinning ear to ear and then the red head's eyes lit up again and once more she was addressing Helga. "Oh and then there's how Arnold's shirt is always untucked." She sighed and rolled her eyes a little. "I'm sorry, Helga, I'm ever so certain you think it's ever so adorable but something about it just bothers me oh too much…" She shrugged. "I guess I just like things nice and neat and in place and tucked in…" A half lidded look returned to her face. "Kind of like with Arnie…"

Helga giggled a little and couldn't help admitting with a tiny blush and shrug, "Hey, actually, the whole 'kilt' look didn't appeal to me right away either, Lila—he started in with that in third grade and it took almost half a year for it to grow on me…" She considered and then looked to Lila again, obviously with something on her mind once more, "And then of course there's Arnold's need to not wear the incredibly small blue cap facing forward but ALWAYS just 'slightly' to the side…" She smirked quite a bit.

"You know," Lila began with a little laugh or two to herself and a little sigh, "I'm ever so certain that the cap always leaning to the side might have bothered me even more than the shirt always being untucked, Helga." She chuckled more.

"Yeah," Helga chuckled more as well, "Arnold and his fashion statements. At least when Arnie tries to stand out he's not subconsciously trying to get on the cover of a fashion magazine." She turned her smirking sights to Lila…who was just smiling in amusement back at her...

There was a second of silence and then both girls instantly burst into full blown and mutual laughter as they rounded yet another corner together on their walk.

Then…

"OOF!"

"OW!"

"Oh gosh…are you both alright?"

And indeed, as so often happened when Helga was rounding a corner and not thinking about where she was going, she had just crashed into…

"Arnold!" she exclaimed, her eyes wide in surprise and her heart pounding in her chest.

Her love upon the ground before her (a baseball mitt on one of his hands) blinked once or twice in his own surprise…but then his eyes focused in on her…and then he smiled...and then his smile became just a bit goofy, his look just a bit dazed. "Oh…hi, Helga… Um, sorry about that…"

Likewise, now, after a moment to process the sudden presence of her beloved, a dreamy look came to Helga's face as well…

…But then (and to Arnold's total and complete confusion) she now suddenly burst out into hearty laughter, holding her sides and practically rolling on the ground.

At the sight of her doing this Lila, who had been just standing by in surprise at the sight of her friends suddenly upon the ground, now felt a giggle or two escape her…and then she very quickly couldn't help joining right along with Helga in a bunch of side splitting laughs and chuckles.

And Arnold, meanwhile, still just sitting on his butt on the sidewalk, just raised an eyebrow at this whole random (VERY random) display. "Uh…" he stood up now (picking up his cap which had fallen to the ground in the crash) and then popping it back on his head…and subconsciously turning it slightly to the side. "Are you two okay?"

Both girls stopped laughing for a second to look at him at this question (and at this action with his hat)…But then Helga's trembling lower lip instantly gave way to laughter again and Lila quickly followed suite once more.

Arnold just raised an eyebrow, even more totally confused if that was possible.

"S-sorry, Arnold…" Helga managed to get out eventually, getting herself under control and sitting up a little bit on the sidewalk. She cleared her throat, still grinning like crazy. "It's—N-Never mind…" She got herself standing and brushed herself off. "Sorry, Football Head. Didn't mean to take you out like that. I guess I was a little…distracted." She shrugged and smiled at him sheepishly (and on the inside was just doing her best to fight back more laughter).

Lila giggled once more and then managed to look at Arnold with a pleasant, in control smile. "Oh yes, Arnold. We didn't mean to bump into you like that. Are you ever so sure you're alright?"

Arnold's confused look left and now he just smiled at them normally. "Oh, uh, yeah—I'm okay." Then his eyes fell to Helga again and his gaze became a bit more half lidded. "And…I didn't hurt you or anything when I bumped into you…right, Helga?" he asked with love and concern.

Helga just giggled and blushed a little waving him off. "Nah, I think I'll survive, Football Head. After seven years of slamming into you around corners I know how to take it in stride." She winked.

He just chuckled goofily at her cute and funny little reply, his eyes still all dreamy looking again. "That's good, Helga…" And then he swallowed and put his arms behind his back shyly. "Oh, by the way…I really liked the poem of yours that Mr. Simmons read in class today…" He raised an eyebrow at her playfully and just had to ask, "So now I'm 'an angelic vision of life and love's delight', huh?"

Helga blushed, her eyes going quite wide for a moment. "Oh…uh, heh, heh..." But then embarrassment quickly ebbed and she just let out a breath and shrugged sheepishly. "Hey, just trying to find new ways to talk about you without using your name. Don't want to blow our cover after all, heh…" And then she giggled a little and added, part of her brow raised playfully at him, "Oh but, for Pete's sake Arnold, can you try and stop blushing like crazy and smiling all goofy to yourself every single times Simmons reads something I write? Someone besides me is bound to notice sooner or later…"

Beside her Lila giggled and couldn't help but interject, looking to the boy before them now, "Oh, Arnold, is that why you always look so funny when Mr. Simmons reads love poetry out loud in class? Because it's Helga's and it's about you?"

Helga chuckled a little. "See, there you go, Football Head ! Lila's noticed…Granted that's probably mostly because her desk is right next to yours but she still noticed you going all lovesick over me like you do."

Arnold just blushed a lot and sighed in touch of embarrassment. He then glanced away, a small smile on his face… "I know, I know, you guys, I should try and not let it get to me so much when we're in class…but…" And then he looked to Helga with just a touch of something in his eye that Helga couldn't place, "You try trying to keep a straight face when someone starts reading out loud about how the love of your life thinks you're the most desirable creature in the whole world…"He blushingly shifted toward her so that his face was right in front of hers and gave her a little wink.

Helga's eyes went wide at his sudden closeness and she felt her heart skip and flip and a little spark go through it…and instantly a dazed smile came to her face and her eyes were all half lidded and it was all she could do to keep standing. "O-Oh, well…that's just…uh…heh, heh…Uh, y-you know me, Football Head— 'Guess maybe you could even say that I like you a lot!' Heh…" She just smiled cutely at the reference to her confession and felt her blush burn a little brighter.

Arnold just chuckled to himself at her reference and pulled back a bit, letting out a breath and giving his flustered love a little of space. "A-Anyway…" his gaze turned to both Helga and a (now slightly giggling) Lila. And then he blinked as it really processed with him who he had just randomly bumped into: Helga and Lila…together…laughing…spending time like friends. He had to raise an eyebrow, the smile still on his face. Certainly, Helga had explained to him after the whole Brainy thing the other day that she was planning on renewing her acquaintance a bit with Lila but…he hadn't expected it to happen nearly so quickly…or for them to suddenly be walking up the street paling around like sisters within twenty-four hours of it commencing. He smiled more. "Um…Helga…Lila…did you two spend the afternoon together or something?"

"Oh yes, Arnold," Lila confirmed with a nod, "Helga was nice enough to buy me lunch and ice cream to sort of celebrate our new ever so wonderful friendship now that things have worked out with you and her!" She smiled happily.

"Mmm hmm…" Helga chimed in, crossing her arms over her chest, her dazed grin having finally subsided a bit into her normal sassy smile, "Just two friends catching up, fully burying the hatchet, shooting the breeze…talking about friends, memories, hobbies…boys…" At this last addition Helga snorted and Lila even contributed a small giggle.

A slightly confused look came to Arnold's face again…and this sign of his continued denseness didn't exactly do much to deter Helga and Lila from going off into another fit of laughter (which they readily commenced upon doing). "Um, guys?" He was so in the dark. "Really…what keeps being so funny…Did I fall in something or something?" And suddenly he glanced down and gave a quick look over to his sweater…and then lifted it up a bit with his free hand to get a better look at his shirttails.

At this point Helga just plain collapsed to the ground in laughter and Lila was actually leaning against the side of a building, just holding herself and doing her best to keep herself propped up as she laughed and laughed and laughed…

"A-Arnold, Arnold!" Helga finally managed to choke out, doing her best to stand again but failing quite a few times before finally managing to get it right. "Please—stop! It…oh it hurts!" She wiped a tear or two from her eyes, holding her sides with one of her arms. "Ha, ha, ha—I can't…." And then she was gone again.

"Oh, Arnold, I'm…" More giggles from Lila, though she was really trying to compose herself, "I'm sorry. I know it's ever so rude of us to be laughing at you but…you just…" She looked to her other female companion. "Oh Helga …" And then she was gone once again as well.

"Arnold! Hey, Arnold!"

Arnold finally turned from looking at both girls with total befuddlement at the sound of his best friend calling to him as he walked across the street to join their party, a baseball mitt on one hand. "Hey man, there you are—I thought we were gonna meet to play catch in the park fifteen minutes ago?" He jerked his thumb back in the direction from which he had just come. Then with a blink he noticed Lila and Helga in their epic giggle fit. "Oh, uh…hey…guys?" He raised a curious eyebrow.

"Oh, sorry Gerald," Arnold just replied, rubbing the back of his neck with his free hand and suddenly recalling that he actually had already been late for meeting up with his best friend, "It took me a little while to find my mitt and then I bumped into Helga and Lila here…" He gestured to the two girls.

Finally Helga and Lila let out deep sighs and, composed and standing once more, turned their attentions to the boys with smiles. "Hey Geraldo, what's up?" Helga asked with a grin, giving him a quick wave (and still totally flushed in the face from all of her laughter).

"Yes, Gerald," Lila chimed in (also smiling…and also totally flushed in the face), "How are you? It's ever so nice running into you."

"Uh," Gerald just replied back slowly and curiously, "I'm good guys…and nice to see you both too…" Then he glanced back and forth from the girls to Arnold. "So, what's the joke?" he finally asked with a grin slowly forming as whatever it was Helga and Lila had just been laughing about must have been a doozy considering how incapacitated with chuckles they had been.

Instantly both girls gave short laughs at the back of their throats but thankfully managed to avoid yet another repeat of all but rolling on the ground in hysterics, and instead just looked away with innocent smiles. "Uh…nothing, nothing…" Helga assured casually. She cleared her throat and looked back to her beloved. "Anyway, it sounds like you're running late, head boy, so get to playing catch with your best friend, and, uh…" She grinned and glanced back to Lila, "…and Lila and I will finish our afternoon hanging out together, right, Ms. Perfect?" She suddenly she reached over and actually hooked arms with her new red haired companion.

"Oh! Yes…I'm ever so sure that would be lovely," Lila replied with a wide smile at Helga for her action. She then looked back to the two boys and gave a little nod. "Helga and I will just be on our way then!"

Helga just grinned at Arnold and Gerald and nodded. "Yup! See you in the funny papers, Arnoldo and Geraldo!" She gave them a little fake salute with her free hand and gave Arnold a wink and then blew him a quick kiss, and then with that she started stepping forward and Lila instantly followed beside her, both girls still arm in arm as they went off up the street.

"Uh…bye, Helga, Lila…" Arnold just stared after them with a confused look…especially as he noticed Helga turn and glance back at him very quickly after she and Lila were a few dozen feet away and then whisper something to Lila which made both girls share another giggle…and then Lila repeated the strange action (once again leading to mutual laughter between them), of all things… 'And I thought the two of them just spending time together all of a sudden was different…but…what's going on with them now?' the football headed boy had to wonder at the back of his dense little mind.

"Mmm. Mmm. Mmm…!"

Arnold blinked at the sound of one of Gerald's familiar exclamations of disbelief. He turned back around to face him. "What?" he asked innocently with a little shrug and a blank look.

Gerald, standing before him with a wide grin, just chuckled and shook his head back and forth slowly a few times and then reached out and put his free hand on his best friend's shoulder. "Man…you know, really…most guys have to wait until high school or at least junior high for this kind of girl trouble…"

"Gerald," Arnold almost started to scowl at this point—he was really getting sick of people talking circles around him, "What are you talking about?" he asked with a tone that really (though still politely since this was still Arnold, after all) called for an answer.

Gerald just rolled his eyes and took his hand away, crossing his arms over his chest. "Man, isn't it obvious? The laughing, the strolling down the street together, the glances at you…" However, Gerald could see that Arnold still wasn't getting it (and was really starting to look frustrated at this point) and so he just let out a sigh and finished sympathetically in explanation, "Arnold—your current girlfriend and your ex-girlfriend…are talking about you together…"

Arnold blinked once more. "Talking about me together?"

"Oh come on man!" Gerald gave him a look. 'How can he still not get it?' "You know—swapping stories about you, discussing things they like and don't like about you, sharing embarrassing little things they've picked up on about you in the past…" He smirked. "Like I said, most guys don't have to deal with that until high school but of course you, the boldest kid on the planet, are right in the middle of it before fourth grade's even out."

As Gerald had finished his full explanation…Arnold had gone pretty much pale. His jaw dropped. And now he just glanced almost in panic back in the direction Helga and Lila had gone and then back to his friend and then repeated the process once or twice more.

"Arnold…are you okay?" Gerald had to ask at the almost sick way his friend suddenly looked, raising an eyebrow.

Arnold just gulped and then shook his head a little and finally seemed to regain the power of speech. "Gerald…" he swallowed hard, looking at his best friend sincerely (and with just a touch of desperation), "You said, um…you've always said that I'm pretty bold, right?"

Gerald eyed his friend for a second…but then he realized where this might be going and just sighed and rolled his eyes. "Man, are you thinking…what I think you're thinking?" He almost had to smile at the whole freaking thing.

"That I…" Arnold began slowly, in worry, "…really kind of want to know what they're saying…and might want to follow them just to, um…hear what they really think of me?" he finally suggested hesitantly, looking just a little guilty as he did so

Gerald just rubbed his temples with his free and then held it out to Arnold. "Oh just give me your glove—I'll drop it by the boarding house later…"

Arnold smiled and handed his friend the object in question. "Thanks, Gerald!"

"No problem, man," Gerald smiled back, "Just do me a favor and don't get caught though—that's about the only thing you could do to make this situation worse than it already is, you know?" He chuckled a little.

Arnold sighed but nodded. "I'll be careful, Gerald… Oh and maybe we could go to the park after dinner instead?" He looked to his best friend with a grateful and apologetic little smile.

"Sure, man, sure" Gerald waved him off with a grin, really more than okay with having to postpone a game of catch for the hilarious antics and story that would obviously come from Arnold actually stalking Helga. "Now get going—you're gonna lose them if you don't hurry up!" He winked.

"Oh, yeah!" Arnold blinked, almost having forgotten how much of a lead the girls had on him, and then instantly turned in the direction in which they had gone. "Thanks Gerald!" he called back once more over his shoulder before racing off like a shot in Lila and Helga's direction.

"Mmm, mmm, mmm…" Gerald just watched him go and shook his head to himself again. "The life that boy leads…"

"Yes, he's certainly in a situation right now that's both unusual…and amusing…"

Gerald nearly jumped out of his skin at the sound of that familiar voice suddenly and surprisingly speaking from right behind him. "PHOEBE!"

He turned on a dime to see the young girl in question smiling and holding a popsicle in one hand. "Konnichiwa, Gerald. Ii desuka?"

Gerald blinked a couple of times…and then his head cleared and he shook it for a second before replying…in a much smoother and more casual voice, "Oh, uh…yeah, I'm fine, babe…How are you?" He half grinned at her.

Phoebe just giggled a little, also with a small half grin. "I'm likewise quite well, Gerald." She took a step toward him. "I'm sorry we haven't been able to schedule a date in the last few days—your schedule has been 'rather busy', hasn't it…?" She smirked just a tiny bit.

Gerald just gave a casual shrug. "Yeah, well, you know…just been spreading my coolness to the masses…" His smile grew.

(To fill everyone in, the basic situation in the last half a week between Gerald and Phoebe ever since the whole 'Arnold told Phoebe about Connie and Chloe, Helga told Gerald about Ronnie Matthews' thing had been Gerald making a casual excuse or two to get out of another date with Phoebe for two reasons: one, to act like he was nervous about seeing her again (though he was FAR from it) and two, to give him a chance to work out the most perfect way imaginable of delivering the 'Ronnie Matthews' blow when the time came…and he had by now luckily come up with a doozy, by the way.)

(Anyway, back to the subtle and coy exchange at hand…)

At Gerald's reply, Phoebe just smiled more. "Hmm…" she shrugged a little, taking another bite of her popsicle, "Yes, I suppose that makes sense…although to an outside observer it might seem like you were avoiding something…"

Gerald just shrugged, still acting cool as a cucumber. "Hey, I wish I knew what you were talking about, babe. But anyway, since Arnold just bailed on me for a while," he held up the extra glove in his hand, "Wanna go for a walk? If you're free, of course." His grin picked up on one side and he winked.

Phoebe looked…about one part stunned by his obviously eager suggestion (considering his obvious avoidance of her lately) and two parts intrigued by it. "Um…well, of course, Gerald…" and then a bit of her own grin returned. "I'd like that…After all it feels like we haven't conversed in ages…and as a couple there really are so many things we can talk about…" She began walking as she talked and Gerald followed alongside her. "The weather, our feelings, upcoming dates…" she dropped the bomb, "…The sixth grade dance a few months ago that you took that sixth grade girl Connie to and also your next door neighbor…in junior high…Chloe, right? And she was only about six weeks ago if Arnold explained the math to me correctly…and she was also rather pretty…and once again at least three years our senior, if I'm not mistaken, as was Connie…" She let out a sigh, though really she was more amused by this whole thing than angry or jealous (although maybe she was a tiny bit miffed at Gerald having avoided these topics of these other girls so far in their relationship). "Helga really is right, you know—what is the deal with men and older women?"

Beside her Gerald just let out a deep dramatic sigh. "Oh alright, Phoebe…you caught me!" And now he was looking at her with a face feigning forlorn. "Yes, I went off the reservation with Arnold for one night to get a dance with a sixth grade girl and a kiss on the cheek—call that one a fella's night out. Ah, but Chloe…" And then a serious look came to his face and he let out a sigh and shook his head, facing forward 'pensively'… "Chloe…What can I say about Chloe…" A small smile formed on his lips (he was trying so hard not to laugh really).

He glanced to Phoebe out of the corner of his eye and saw her looking at him with wide eyes as they walked, and a very distinct almost indignant blush on her features, the popsicle still held in her hand but melting, seemingly suddenly forgotten. (And inside really Phoebe's heart was pounding…He was supposed to react to her bringing this stuff up by being flustered and apologetic and embarrassed like Arnold had been when Helga had grilled him out on Ruth and Summer and Maria…He wasn't supposed to be…going on about this 'Chloe' girl and SMILING about her of all things! She felt…She gulped…Jealous. Like during that week in school when all of her friends had won her usual awards and honors and she had sunk to cheating at the class's poetry contest but…deeper. And also there was a touch of panic because…Gerald and her secretly liking each other had been such a constant and stable part of her life for all of these years that…it had never occurred to her before that there would ever be any threat to it that would call for jealousy as a response in the first place. After all, 'I…I've only ever liked Gerald…He's the only one in my whole life…' In short, she didn't like this whole entire situation, and now she just waited in confusion and anticipation for what he would say next about this Chloe girl. )

Gerald, back in reality, went on with that little smile… "Yes, what can I say about Chloe…" he cleared his throat, and just did his best to keep a straight face as he continued, speaking his words…even though they were the words to a song… "I just…saw her face and…wow…I mean, right then, I…took a vow!" (He layered in some dramatic gestures and emphases as he went on), "That we'd be together, girl…just her and me! You know, I hear that's the meaning of eternity…" He looked fully at her as they walked, totally grinning ear to her. "I mean, I saw…I saw…her face…and wow…Heh, you know, I feel like those are the words to…a song or something…Now, what brilliant bard wrote "I Saw Your Face and Wow"…?" He seemed to be in genuine thought on the matter.

And then he stopped…walking and talking. Phoebe's hand was over his mouth and she was stopped too now. And she was blushing and trying to look stern…but she was trying to hold back laughter just as much as he was. "Gerald…"

Gerald reached up with his free hand and gently removed her palm from his mouth. He smirked. "Hmm…No, I'm pretty sure I didn't write that classic hit single…Now let's see, who could it be? I wanna say it starts with an R but…"

She just let out a deep sigh, bringing up her hand to massage the bridge of her nose for a second between her index finger and thumb. She still smiled so very much though. "Gerald, that wasn't funny…"

Gerald just smiled more and shrugged at her. "Yes, it was," he replied simply. "And it's…kind of adorable that you had that big crush on Ronnie Matthews…" He chuckled a little, and then crossed his arms over his chest and looked into her eyes. "And also, just for the record, Connie was a silly guys night out thing, like I said…and Chloe's a ditz…and I was stupid for throwing myself at her like an idiot for two days when, if I had half the coolness I always say I have and half the brains you have, babe, I should have just sucked it up and finally knocked on your door and confessed that I've been kind nuts about you since before I can remember." And then he suddenly popped forward and gave a surprised and blushing Phoebe a peck upon her lips. He pulled back after a second with a deep blush of his own (his eyes half lidded and a grin on his face) and shrugged. "And I'm sorry I didn't tell you about those stupid older girls. Now…will the grooviest chick in this whole city do me the honor of a walk…and then maybe a movie later tonight after dinner?" He smiled at her hopefully and sincerely.

Phoebe, just flustered and blushing and blinking, only managed the shyest little nod.

Gerald smiled more and chuckled a little. "Righteous. Come on then, let's go!" He winked and then reached out and lightly took Phoebe's and then slipped forward and recommenced their walk, pulling a still surprised Phoebe along a little at first until she blinked and seemed to regain herself a little and then started keeping stride with him.

"Besides, I've missed you…" Gerald added with a little shrug now that they were walking again as he just admired that light, pretty blush on her features out of the corner of his eye. 'Red works for her…I mean, I love the powder blue, but her and red…' He recalled the red outfit she had chosen for their first date about three weeks ago and started to feel himself blush a little but cleared his throat and did his best to let it subside and to just go on saying what he wanted to say to her. "I mean, I wanted to wait to see you again until I could come up with a good way to bring up the Ronnie Matthews thing…but I don't think it was worth it." He glanced at her and she was just watching him with interest and still blushing as she walked beside him. "I like being with you, babe…To be honest, I don't think I could go back to that whole 'liking each other from afar' thing even if I tried. I like dating you, Phoebe…being your boyfriend…" He blushed again and glanced down once more with a smile at having used that term out loud.

There was just silence for a moment as the two walked on.

Then Phoebe…smiling, blushing, never happier before in her entire life actually…found her voice again and spoke. "I like dating you too, Gerald…and being your girlfriend. And even though there were a lot of endearing moments between us before, I never want to go back to liking you from afar either. P-Perhaps we should, um…start scheduling dates with more frequency…like Arnold and Helga do…" She gulped and looked down, taking another bit of her popsicle as a distraction (and only just barely glancing at him out of the corner of her eye) as she made the suggestion… Bringing up doing stuff in a more similar fashion to Arnold and Helga was a mutually agreed upon awkward thing between them…it seeming like kind of a slippery slope following the example of their entirely enamored best friends.

Gerald swallowed at her words…but then he smiled…and nodded. "A-Actually, I could get behind that babe…And it makes sense since we've been going out for a few weeks now that we might want to be seeing each other more often. I mean, we don't have to spend every waking free second making goo goo eyes at each other like 'Mr. and the future Mrs. Psycho Blondes in Love'…" He smirked and rolled his eyes and Phoebe giggled. He went on. "But I think a little more private time officially is a good thing. Wanna check out that antique book store you like so much and then get pizza on the pier after baseball practice tomorrow, babe?" he finished by asking with a hopeful little smile.

Phoebe, feeling just great, nodded. "I'd love to, Gerald. And thank you."

"Hey, dooitashimashite." He winked at her.

The two kids shared a brief laugh and then their walk continued on in silence for a few seconds longer.

Then Phoebe, recalling something, looked to Gerald with a smile and asked with amusement and interest, "So…speaking of our rather attached best friends…Arnold's off trying to spy on Helga for a change now?" She almost had to laugh at the ironic concept.

Gerald smiled more and nodded at her question, trying not to laugh at the irony himself. "Yeah, I know—things have been getting mixed up all over the place around here lately." He let out a breath. "He's just all worried because he just caught Helga and Lila talking together and laughing at him and I pointed out they're probably critiquing him a little as a boyfriend and now he's just 'gotta hear' what they have to say…" He shrugged.

Phoebe couldn't help but roll her eyes, the smile still on her face. "Oh dear…well, I hope Helga goes easy on him when she catches him…"

"Yeah," Gerald agreed, with a smile and without doubt, "I figure it'll take a couple of blocks though before that happens so why not let him have some fun and get his curiosity out of his system before he gets busted, right?"

Phoebe, with a chuckle, just shook her head. "Believe me, Gerald—Helga's quite a master of stalking at this point in her life. It would be a miracle if she wasn't already aware that he's trying to listen in." She took another bite of her frozen treat.

Gerald chuckled. "Yeah, you're probably right…But hey you know just as much as I do that the whole thing, no matter how it turns out, will end with the two of them all over each other and giggling and sucking face…so I figured I might as well encourage him to make the ride getting there a little more fun."

Phoebe nodded. "I agree, Gerald. I'm sure they'll both find the experience rather amusing."

He nodded as well. "Well, if you think so too then I know I'm on the right track…" Then he blushed a tiny bit and cleared his throat and looked to her again. "And, uh…babe? We really are okay with the whole Connie, Chloe thing, right?"

Phoebe swallowed as well…and then she stopped walking and turned to Gerald, tossed what remained of her popsicle in a trash can right near them, then took his shoulders and leaned up and planted a kiss upon his lips…and one that was a little deeper and longer than ones she had ever done before. It made his arms go straight down to his sides and both his and Arnold's mitts drop to the sidewalk, and his heart just…just danced!

She pulled back after those several seconds and with a blush and a shrug replied shyly and sweetly, "Yes, I think we're 'okay', Gerald." Then she winked and resumed the walk up the street (unable to help the big smile on her face as she went on. 'I kissed him for more than two seconds! Finally! That was at least 5.4! Oh this is…exhilarating…' Phoebe, in this moment, now understood why Helga had taken to swooning so much over the years when it came to Arnold as she was about half a second away from doing so herself here and now!)

And Gerald, meanwhile, was just standing there on the sidewalk, still unmoving, his jaw actually widely agape…lips trembling… breaths shallow…and then increasing… 'That was a…long kiss…' He finally let out a shuddery breath and blinked a few times and then instantly recalled that there was a world outside of Phoebe's cute soft little lips on his own and quickly snatched up his and Arnold's mitts from and ran to catch up with her. "Uh…" his voice came out in a little crack as he ran for her, "C-Cool then, heh…" And now he was grinning ear to ear with the heat all built up in his cheeks. "Just, uh, making sure…"

Phoebe giggled as he caught up with her at this response from him, still blushing madly herself.

The two continued their nice walk, now just discussing more casual things and just enjoying each other's company in silence…

…And taking every brief break between sentences and conversation topics and just whenever each of them really could to think about that 5.4 second kiss they had both just taken part in….and how it had made their hearts just…burn…Though they were too shy to openly admit that fact to each other… (yet)…

A couple of blocks ahead of Gerald and Phoebe already, a wide eyed Arnold was just doing his best (after having caught sight of Lila and Helga again a few minute ago) to stay hidden in alleys and to duck behind dumpsters as he tailed the two girls…anything to stay within earshot (and he was finally close enough now to maybe actually make out more than just a word here or there of what they were saying) while still not blowing his cover.

'Okay, okay, just duck here and then…Okay wait I think I can hear them!' Yes, now he could hear the full sentences strung together of what they were talking together about.

Helga chuckled at something now that had been said to her by Lila, and then seemed to glance over her shoulder (which made Arnold gulp) but it was only for just a second and her grin didn't falter and her eyes went right back to focusing on Lila. She nodded in agreement with whatever funny thing the red haired girl had said. "Yeah, I know—what a weirdo!" Helga then chuckled once at that and Lila let out a few giggles too.

Arnold blinked at this exchange from his place behind a mailbox. 'Is she talking about me?'

"Oh Helga…" Lila smiled at her now, "You're ever so hilarious…Oh and about Arnold—how even though he's bright about everything he's just particularly oh too dense specifically when it comes to love?"

Helga laughed again. "I know what you mean…" Then she leaned in a bit closer, but interestingly enough, Arnold noticed, still spoke in a rather loud voice though she tried to give it the quality of a whisper. "Did you know he had this dream once where he was actually visiting Arnie and everyone in the class was there but they were all the opposite who they really are—like their personalities were all switched and messed up. So I was all sweet and Arnold fell in love with me…hmm, and the dream me actually had a thing for Arnie, he mentioned…" Helga seemed to fake a cringe and she laughed again, and then she went on with a mischievous look, "And you were there too, Lila…apparently your name was Lulu or something…ANYWAY…" And then she leaned in close and proceeded to quietly whisper the rest of whatever she wanted to say into Lila's ear.

Arnold, now behind a trashcan, felt like his heart had just dropped into his stomach. He could feel the color drain from his face as he recalled that dream…that rather embarrassing if very amusing dream that he had shared with Helga on their second date…and Lulu… "Oh boy…" he whispered to himself in distress, willing himself to sneak into another alleyway by the still walking girls… "Gerald's right: This can't be good…"

Fifteen minutes later…

"Well, Helga, it's been a lovely afternoon but I'm ever so certain that I have to get home to help my father start dinner." Lila stood up from the park bench upon which she and Helga had been sitting to end their walk…a very familiar park bench actually (the one that Lila and a certain football headed someone else had once sat under to end a near relationship together, as a matter of fact)…and said bench was near a very familiar tree (the one that Helga had possibly fallen out of upon that day Lila had rejected Arnold, as another matter of fact)…

"Okay, Lila…" Helga nodded to her, and then with a grin gave Lila a departing wave…but then she considered some things and finally let out a sigh. "Ah, what the heck—come here, you perfect little lug." And then suddenly she leaned over, gave Lila a quick hug and then pulled back with a blush. "See you…And thanks for the interesting afternoon of conversation…and hey if you ever tell Olga I actually hugged you goodbye…" And then she made a familiar gesture with her hands of wringing someone's neck (the same gesture she had made in threat to Lila about spilling the beans about her love for Arnold during the school play, only this time the gesture was accompanied by a grin and a chuckle rather than a scowl and a serious amount of intent.)

Some rustling occurred in the tree.

Lila's smile just beamed at Helga having been so affectionate. "Oh of course, Helga!" she exclaimed in happiness and then instantly (and so very predictably) the red head's arms were around Helga's torso to reciprocate the gesture, crushing her in their eager grasp. "I won't tell my big sis! Oh but I really am ever so happy we're good friends now, Helga—I feel like you're my sis just like Olga is! And thank you ever so much again for asking me to lunch and then for buying me ice cream! It was an oh too wonderful day." She glanced up at Helga's face, her arms still wrapped tightly around the (rather surprised) blonde girl, a hopeful look in her eyes. "Maybe we could 'hang out' again sometime?"

A blushing Helga just blinked a few times at all of this sudden affection…but then of course she smiled down at her new 'sis' and nodded and shrugged. "Hey, you keep me this entertained with fun stories and comments about dating Arnold and I'll even personally organize the next sleepover with you and Olga! Oh but…for the sake of my lungs, um…c-can you let me go now, Lila?" she had to ask, her voice cracking a little from lack of air. "Plus, sheesh, last thing I need is anyone seeing this and thinking I've gone soft or something, you know?" She managed a small breathless chuckle at the joke.

The sound of creaking wood.

Lila just smiled and nodded and instantly let Helga go. "Oh I'm ever so certain that would be wonderful, Helga! Sleepovers with you and Olga are oh too fun!" She giggled.

Helga just let out a sigh and rolled her eyes (though she was still smiling of course). "Yeah, yeah, I'll set it all up and it'll be a bunch of girlyness and you and her can pump me for more stuff about Arnold…It's a date. As soon as Olga gets home."

Lila clasped her hands together and stood up from the bench. "I'm ever so certain I'll be looking forward to it, Helga. Well, have a good evening! Oh and thank you for letting Brainy know I like the opera, Helga—I haven't had anyone to go with ever since Olga's been in Alaska and I'm ever so certain that it'll be nice to have a companion for it again. You should join us if you're free."

Helga just smiled and shrugged. "Eh, a good wrestling match is more my thing but I'll think about it. And thanks for the invite."

"You're welcome, Helga." Lila nodded. "Well, bye, Helga!" And with that she turned to leave…

"Oh and, Lila?"

Lila turned back once more at her friend's call. "Yes, Helga?"

Helga let out a breath and looked at her sincerely from her place still upon the bench. "I really will talk to Arnold about Arnie…but even if it doesn't work out, you should just know that…well, I wouldn't admit it while Arnold was still chasing after you since I was so jealous, but…you're a great catch, Lila…and any guy would be lucky to have you." She smiled and even winked.

Lila actually blushed a tiny bit and then smiled warmly back at Helga. "Thank you, Helga…I'm ever so certain you're a catch too and that Arnold's just the luckiest boy in the whole world.

Helga blushed a little now herself. "Oh! Uh, thanks, Ms. Perfect..." And then she chuckled a little. "And hey I'm holding you to that nightmare of an upcoming sleepover." Her grin picked up a little on one side.

Lila nodded, her own smile growing. "Certainly, Helga. Bye!"

"Bye, Lila!"

And with that and a final wave between the two girls, Lila was off and heading out of the park.

Alone now on this pretty late spring evening, Helga let out another small laugh to herself at so much of what had passed this afternoon, and then for several seconds of peaceful, evening silence just sat there and enjoyed the end of another fun day of actually opening up to and bonding with other people in her life rather than shutting them all out.

Eventually, she let out a sigh. 'Now to deal with one more thing…'

She cleared her throat.

"Arnold, you can come out of the tree now…And try not to hurt yourself oka—"

CRACK! CRASH!

"OW—"

"GOTCHYA!"

The cause of these interesting sound effects was that thanks to Arnold practically jumping at being addressed by Helga so suddenly and unexpectedly right now, the branch he had been desperately clinging to while he spied on the end of Helga and Lila's afternoon together had suddenly broken, thus causing him to fall out of the tree, and Helga on protective instinct (of course) to jump off the bench just under the tree and dive for him to catch him and cushion his fall.

Now, breathing slightly heavily, the two of them were on the ground between the tree and the bench, Helga on her stomach with her arms held out before her and Arnold on his back laying in her arms.

"Crimeny, Football Head!" Helga took several more deep breaths and then, satisfied that she had definitely helped cushion the blow and that no immediate or serious damage seemed to be done to her little love, removed her arms from under him and then sat him up, putting a hand to her heart as she tried to calm herself down. "Don't scare me like that! Sheesh, you almost hurt yourself!" A look of serious concern came into her eyes as she surveyed his slightly worse for the wear form. "You didn't get hurt, did you?" 'What if it's something internal? Oh my darling, please speak the words that will assure me you are well!'

Arnold, meanwhile, now sitting up on his own, blinked and coughed a few times and then started to dust himself off. "No, I'm…I'm okay…" He caught his breath and then his eyes went wide and he turned bright scarlet…reality crashing down on him all of a sudden. "Um, I…" 'Uh oh…' Arnold recalled Gerald's parting words about not getting caught no matter what... "Heh, heh…" He grinned innocently at Helga. "Um…I…you're probably wondering why I'm here, Helga…"

Helga just blinked…and then had to try very hard not to laugh. She shifted so that she was sitting beside him, her legs bent in front of herself as she leaned back on her hands on the grass. 'Oh it's official: he is just the cutest thing on the planet…' "Hmm…why you're here…Well…" she crossed one leg over the other, stretching them out before her, and smirked even more at him, "I have a 'pretty good' idea of why you've been following Lila and me around for at least the last three blocks and then into that convenience store for those candy bars we bought and then here, but…" She shrugged, "Hey, I've got nothing to do for the rest of the night so, yeah… I'd love to hear your story about 'why you're here', Arnold…"

Arnold just swallowed, knowing it was futile but still feeling too embarrassed to actually outright admit suddenly on the spot like this what he had really been doing to bring him to this place at this time. "W-Well…actually, um…" he swallowed, speaking haltingly and sheepishly, "Uh…Gerald and I, uh…decided to play catch after dinner instead of before. B-But, um…I still wanted to get some exercise so I just…gave him my glove and went for a walk…Heh, heh, was I following you and Lila? Really?" His sheepish smile grew but then quickly faltered and with another gulp he went on. "Anyway, then I thought…uh, well, like I said, I wanted some exercise and so I remembered that one time when you mentioned to me that you were exercising by climbing this tree that day you fell out of it, and so I came over here to climb it…And, uh, heh, I was really surprised to find you and Lila sitting on the bench right near it actually, heh, heh…And, um, then I—" And then finally our stuttering and stumbling little hero just couldn't keep his attempts at an excuse up anymore and just let out a deep sigh, closing his eyes and blushing a little at the sight of his girlfriend's face at this point. "Helga, if you want to laugh that badly then please just do it—I know it all sounds ridiculous…"

And with that ok from Arnold, Helga burst into the warm laughter she had been trying to contain during his entire little pathetic attempt at a lie, while Arnold just collapsed backward on the grass, blushing incredibly.

"I'm—I'm sorry, Arnold!" Helga finally managed to get herself control after a moment or two of mirth, and then looked to him with a wide smile as she wiped a tear from her eye. "Oh you've always been so good at giving me a good laugh, Football Head, but that was the best ever by far!" With another chuckle or two she leaned over a little to look at his face as he lie there in his little state of blushing embarrassment. "Besides, I just love watching you get all worked up over things, Arnold."

Arnold let out another sigh and opened his eyes, looking to her shyly. "Helga…did you have to tell Lila about the Lulu/Hilda dream?" He cringed just a tiny bit in discomfort…there having been a lot of aspects of that whole theatrical production of his subconscious that were a little…awkward, to say the least.

Helga just let out a sigh and rolled her eyes with a smile. "Oh what—afraid her knowing that you imagined her asking you to go for an 'ever so private swim' might not exactly impress you're old little crush?" Despite the joking nature of the question, Helga couldn't help just a touch of jealousy coming over her at Arnold's seeming worry about what she had revealed to 'Lila' about his, well…obviously pretty mature little subconscious thoughts about her even though in the dream he had rejected her and her advances entirely…

Her doubts were instantly erased though as her love blinked at her question and then sat up, looked at her, and finally smiled…and went forward, wrapping his arms around her in a tight hug and giving her a deep, loving kiss upon her cheek that made her heart skip a beat and a half grin instantly appear on her face. "Helga…first of all…" he began near her ear in a low and quiet whisper when his lips finally separated from her face, his arms no longer tightly around her though he was still cuddled up against her on the grass. "…I'm so busy always trying to impress you and caring about what you think of me that I don't think I'd have time to ever worry about anything like that with anyone else…" He chuckled (and Helga tried very hard not to laugh at him unintentionally confirming that trait of his about his need to impress the girls in his life that she and Lila had been discussing before just prior to bumping into him). "…Especially someone who just likes me instead of likes me likes me…" he went on, rolling his eyes and pulling his arms from Helga now to count things off on his fingers as he continued, "And who thinks I'm nice except for the fact that I'm 'oh too dense' when it comes to love, and who finds it annoying that I've always gotta do that dramatic little wind up thing before I hit a baseball, and who can't help but feel like I'm just a little too short for her…though my cousin's the perfect height apparently…" And these were just some of the things Arnold had overhead while stalking Helga and Lila for the last fifteen or twenty minutes.

Helga, who was still feeling all warm and happy inside about her love admitting that strongly his need and desire to impress her and only her as the girl in his life, absorbed his little bit of sarcasm about some of the stuff in regards to him he had overhead herself and Lila swapping opinions about and then just let out a sigh and looked to her beloved with a little smile and a shrug, unable to resist… "Hey, if you think all that's bad you should have heard some of the stuff we were dishing about you before you caught us talking…" Seeing him look a little pouty all of a sudden at her joke even though he was still smiling a little, she reached over and ruffled his cute hair a bit to make him feel better, and then added in a more sincere tone, "But as for what you did overhear, my darling, just know that personally I like you no matter how short you are! And that little wind up thing is cute and signature with you…" She giggled and then scooched just a little closer to him on the grass as she finished, "And I don't even mind that you're dense about love…It's made my life…interesting…for the last seven years…" She leaned over and gave him a kiss on the cheek in reciprocation for the one he had given her…and then added in a lower voice, smiling dreamily at the way he sighed goofily just at her kiss… "Besides…you being dense like that has given me the chance to… 'educate' you a bit about some things…" She reached out and placed the tips of her index and middle fingers on the back of his hand on the ground, brushing lightly against it with her touch and then tiptoeing her way up the side of his (now completely stiff) arm, "And you've been such a receptive 'student', my darling…Good at being tutored in poetry…and in the art of passionate and heated romance…" She let one fingertip brush lightly up under his chin as her little walk up his arm had completed, and then just placed her hand back on the ground and observed with delight the bright blush upon her beloved's features now, the way his breath had just caught in his throat at her final touch, that daydreamy look in his eyes…the way his smile trembled. She thanked her lucky stars once more in her life that the power to make those feelings and reactions of love go through him had finally been bestowed upon her and her alone.

"U-Uh…" just came out shakily from Arnold's cute little mouth, "W-Well, I h-had a good t-tutor…." A lovesick chuckle escaped him and he was definitely off in daydream land for the moment.

Helga gave him a few seconds to play with whatever little fantasies about the two of him that his mind was indulging, but then (knowing full well that if she just waited for him to come out of things himself they could literally be sitting under this tree and behind this bench all night) she finally reached out and snapped her fingers once or twice in front of his face. "Alright, love, that's enough time with daydream Helga for now. We're still in the park, remember? Plus, you can play with her all you want when I'm not around, but right now I've still got you all to myself." She pulled her hand away from in front of his face and brought it to her mouth, giving an amused little giggle.

She watched as Arnold blinked a few times and slowly seemed to come back to reality, and then he blushed in the adorable way he had of doing and cleared his throat, tugging at his collar a little. "O-Oh, um…s-sorry, Helga…heh…" He grinned sheepishly. "O-Okay, no more…" he gulped, "…daydreams until later when we're apart again." He smiled a little more to himself, unable to help it.

His love just chuckled and sighed, shaking her head at him. "Good. Thank you, love…" And then Helga let out a breath and finally stood up from the ground, dusting herself off a bit. "Oh, and, about me telling your Lulu/Hilda dream to Lila, Arnold, don't worry…" She held out a hand to help him up, "I didn't fill her in on all the juicy details—I just knew you were following us and so I kept talking like I was going to say something big but then every time I leaned in close and whispered to her I kept it all tame." She shrugged. "Just wanted to bug you for trying to stalk me for once!" She chuckled more.

Arnold just let out a breath and did his best to get his blushing under control. "Oh, uh…" his eyes fell upon her outstretched hand ('Her outstretched…pale…soft…delicate…beautiful…' He blinked and shook his head quickly, bringing himself out of a near internal daze and all about her hand no less), and then he took it let her help pull him up. "Right…That makes sense," he said in reply to her explanation about the Lulu dream, and then he swallowed, looking away sheepishly. "And sorry, Helga…I really didn't mean to spy on you or eavesdrop like that. I guess I was just…curious…" He shuffled his feet a bit. "I mean…I don't know, when you guys left Gerald said you two were probably talking about me and teasing each other about me and then you were laughing so much, and I just…never thought about the idea of you two…talking about me, and how embarrassing and awkward that could be, and I—"

"Arnold…."

The young football headed boy blinked and stopped speaking at the sound of Helga addressing him…and also at the fact that she had just placed her hand gently over his mouth.

"Arnold," she went on, smiling and obviously trying not to chuckle, "You're talking to someone who spent the better part of her life spying on and obsessively stalking you just because she was 'curious', remember? It's okay." She gave him a reassuring little nod and then removed her hand from his mouth and shrugged. "Just…at least be a little less obvious about it next time, alright?" She chuckled. "I mean, I'd at least like to think you've learned something from our relationship besides how to manage to breath regularly through your nose when we kiss so you can keep a make out session going into double digit minutes." With a little blush now she added… "….Or you could just ask me what Lila and I were talking about next time around, Football Head, since of course I'd tell you each and every single thing since after six years of secrets I couldn't possibly lie to my love anymore in my entire life. Whatever floats your boat." She gave a little shrug again.

Arnold, the warmth still strong in his face, just rubbed the back of his neck with his free hand and replied sheepishly and with a little smile and nod, "O-okay, I'll…I'll ask next time, Helga. Or try to be better at the stalking…" He chuckled a little as well.

In response, Helga's smile brightened and then she, on total impulse and fancy, reached up and suddenly popped the cap off of his head and placed it on his nose. "Thank you my love." She winked and giggled.

He just chuckled a little goofily at her cute little action and stared back at her lovingly. "Wh-Whatever you say, Helga…" On instinct he slowly reached out and look her hand and placed a little kiss on the back of it and then let their hands drop, still with fingers laced together though.

Several seconds of the two ten-year-olds just making goo goo eyes at each other passed.

Helga was the one to come out of their mutual lovesick stupor first. She cleared her throat and blushed extra at having been just gazing into her beloved's warm green eyes for so long… "Um…" she started quietly with a little smile, "I think you might want to put the cap back on your head before you start to head home, Arnold…Just slightlyto the side of course…" She winked and did her best not to break into hysterics yet again today at the idea, though some extra giggles did escape her nonetheless.

Arnold blinked…then blushed extra like she was doing at realizing how lost in just looking at one another they had just gotten, and then he smiled back at her and proceeded to replace his cap accordingly. "Let me guess…" he had to ask, something about the way she was giggling extra about something as simple as his hat (and how he now recalled she had laughed at him extra back in the street when he had placed it back on his head from their fall) tipping him off a little, "…Another one of Lila's complaints about me?"

Helga just giggled a little more. "No…more of a common observation between us about you. I find it adorable, though, if you're interested." She glanced down coyly.

He blushed a bit and glanced down coyly as well. "Well…as long as you find it adorable…that's all that really matters to me…" He heard her giggle a little more and then his eyes, still looking downward, fell to their hands still interlocked and he blinked and then let out a small, melancholy sigh (though he maintained his smile for Helga's sake). He looked back up to her and lifted their hands just slightly. "And I guess I should probably let your hand go before I head home too, huh? And…head out of the park in a different direction than you too…so no one sees…"

Helga blinked and a slight blush came to her face now as she glanced down at their indeed still clasped and interwoven hands (she had almost forgotten they were holding hands, the action felt so natural and right) and then she looked back up to her beloved. "Oh, well…yeah…" something in her own tone deflated just a tiny bit as well, "I…I guess…you should…" Though she wanted to maintain her in love grin, the smallest bit of a pout unintentionally came to her features at the prospect of having to separate so thoroughly from him…and all because of their stupid friends… 'More like because of your own stupid fears, actually…' her subconscious kind of mumbled to her, but she did her best to ignore it (as she had been fighting to do a lot lately).

Arnold, though, seeing how displeased with the concept of suddenly abandoning each other right now, rather than letting her hand go…considered…and then smiled just a bit more to himself as a thought occurred to him…and then he just squeezed her hand and looked warmly and hopefully and supportively into her eyes as he asked, "Unless…"

Helga blinked at this word coming from him and then brought her eyes fully up to his with a curious look. "Unless what, Arnold?" she asked sincerely.

He shrugged and shifted closer, his eyes locked all the more into hers. "Unless…well, as long as we're in the same spot as the last time I asked this question after a situation involving Lila…and as long as nobody ever said anything about seeing us like that that day…could I maybe walk with you? Home, I mean, Helga…"

Helga felt her heart skip so many beats at his spontaneous and adorable little re-creation of that scene from so long ago when Lila had dumped him. "Uh…" was all that came out of her trembling and blushing self at first… 'I should say no. Okay, yeah, by a random fluke no one grilled us about him walking with me through the park that day but…what if someone sees us now and what if they DO start asking questions? What if they remember the last time we were walking together and link that together as a pattern and guess that we're a secret couple? What if something makes one of us blush or swoon or something and someone sees or hears? What if… What if…?' But then…the young blond girl couldn't help abandon her worried thoughts and fears…as the unavoidable sight of those warm, inviting green eyes of Arnold's just keep looking at her so hopefully… more than obviously wanting so very badly, (even though he had to know she would never ever actually want to say no to such a lovely request) for her to say yes to him. "W-Well…" 'Darn it I'm such a softy…' "Well…" she let out a breath and her smile returned, "I guess you're right… The last timewe managed to walk together and it didn't matter to anyone who saw us…so I guess it wouldn't hurt to do it again today. Heh, hiding in plain sight, right?" She smiled and chuckled a little more…but then with a touch of that pout returning she had to bring attention to their hands once again by raising them up. "Um…it might be a little different if they catch us holding hands this time though…I-I don't think we could chalk that one up to just two people calling a mini truce for a day, you know?" She shrugged and looked to her beloved with a touch of sheepishness…and also a touch of guilt. She really had grown to hate more and more hiding their love, and especially making him do it when he really obviously didn't want to in the least.

Her patient darling just let out a familiar understanding sigh though at her request, and then squeezed her hand once more and nodded. "Okay, Helga…I know, everyone in the park seeing us holding hands wouldn't be easy to explain away…and either way I don't mind waiting a little while until I can hold your hand again…" he blushed a bit more, "Just as long as I really will get to hold it again…and as long as you forgive me for the eavesdropping and we really can walk together, of course." He smiled more.

She had to giggle at his response, and then she responded in cooing voice, her free hand shyly behind her back… "Well, then, um…sure then, Arnold…You can walk me home…" She had to chuckle just a bit more as she added, completing the nostalgia of the scene, "I mean, whatever floats your boat, Football Head!" And then she stepped forward and nudged him with her elbow as she finally removed her hand from his warm grasp. "And oh brother, paste for brains, I already explained to you there's nothing to forgive about the spying! Now come on, my curfew's in five hours and I'd like to get back to my place before I miss it." She laughed some more to herself.

Arnold just smiled and then bent low and gestured with his arm for her to go first out from behind the bench. "Whatever you say, Helga…" he responded in his familiar and coy little way.

She actually did a little curtsey in response to his formality and replied with a grin, "Why yes, thank you, Arnold…Whatever I say…" And then she headed out from behind the bench into the public eye and Arnold followed with her.

The two looked in the direction they would have to go to walk home and then began to head along the path leading out of the park…side by side…obviously walking together…in a place teeming with people they knew just playing games and hanging out before dinner.

"Hey, Helga?" Arnold finally asked after several seconds of walking in smiling silence with one another (and occasionally seeing a classmate or two in the distance, and maybe getting a brief look or two but nothing that seemed too accusatory (all of them probably just assuming that Helga was on an advice run to Arnold or something like that—not a very common occurrence but certainly something every fourth grader, even her, was entitled to once in a while).) Arnold let out a relieved sigh as he reassured himself of this assessment of the situation and awaited Helga's reply to his address.

"Mmm hmm?" she said back with a smile, glancing at him.

The young blond boy swallowed…and then sighed…and then rolled his eyes to the side and finally asked in a hesitant little voice (though still with a small smile), "I-I know this is stupid but…going back to one of the things you and Lila were talking about about me...do you really like the fact that I'm…sort of short, Helga?" His cheeks burned with a deep little blush and his stomach quivered inside from a touch of insecurity on the subject which he hadn't brought up once outside of his own mind since their relationship had begun…and the fact of their pretty obvious height difference had started to make itself more and more apparent to him… Having to press up on his toes just to kiss with their heads at the same level whenever they did it while standing, her being much more able to pick him up and spin him around in a quick hug than he was able to do with her, having to gaze very specifically up into her eyes while she gazed very specifically had to gaze down into his all the time (unless he pushed up on his toes in the first place and took her in his arms and dipped her back)…And all of it together…could get to a guy every once in a while…

Out of the corner of his eye, a slightly nervous Arnold could just see Helga, after blinking a few times in obvious surprise at his question, just shaking her head and smiling. "Arnold…" she started in an understanding tone, "…is this some kind of 'guy' thing? And is this why whenever we kiss standing up you push up on your toes?"

"Helga…" He blushed a little more, glancing completely down and forward now with a little shrug, "P-Probably…and y-yes, but…I…"

He heard her just let out a sigh, and then his eyes went back to just barely glancing at her and he saw that she was shaking her head again. "Arnold," she started again, "You know, that day in your room…when you asked me if I ever thought of you 'older'…I really did mean that I liked daydreaming about it on occasion…on occasion." She made sure to look at him a little extra while she emphasized that last word. "But…Arnold, really…" she spoke seriously and with a smile, "…did it ever occur to you that I probably really prefer you all short and cute and milk it right now in our lives with the 'shrimp' comments and calling you my 'little' prince because…I'm more than aware that in another five or ten years you're going to be the tall one of the two of us?" She crossed her arms over her chest and shrugged, smiling a bit more. "So, yeah, me and all the other girls might be taller than the rest of you guys right now—which is how it should be in my opinion…" she chuckled a little and rolled her eyes, "…Intimidation works so much better when you can tower over someone, after all…" But then the serious supporting tone came back and she finished with, "But anyway, you now you're gonna more than catch up and soon, right? And until then…you're perfect just the way you are." A little blush flowered upon her own features.

Arnold, still blushing himself, smiled very appreciatively at her…very warmly and appreciatively. "Thanks, Helga…You're perfect just the way are too…I think it's really really beautiful that you're so tall…" His smile went goofy just a little bit.

Helga grinned uncontrollably. "Oh! Um…th-thanks…a-and no problem…about letting you know that you're perfect too, short like you are now or tall like you will be later…" Then suddenly Helga blinked, recalling something as she and her beloved finally came in sight of the park exit. "Oh, um…and speaking of taller versions of you, can I get Arnie's number from you at some point, Football Head?"

Arnold's eyes went wide with just a touch of fear and he couldn't help but turn to her and ask with a gulp, "Oh, um…yeah, sure, Helga. But…why?"

Helga just smiled and waved him off, recognizing that little 'She's MY Helga!' look coming to his face. "Oh relax, Mr. Jealous—Lila just wants to give him a call since she's still all 'he's my oh so special someone' about him, and I told her I'd help her out." The blonde then rolled her eyes and had to add, "Even though I still don't understand what she sees in his creepiness, and especially with you right here to compare him with. Ugh!" She faked a shudder and chuckled.

Arnold let out a sigh and the touch of jealous fear went all away, and then he just chuckled as well and nodded. "Oh. Okay, Helga…I'll get his number for Lila…" He raised an eyebrow at her and couldn't help but counter with a grin, "And don't forget you were a little jealous of Lilaagain just now when you thought I was nervous about her finding out about Lulu…" He couldn't help but smile a bit more…finding her so cute as usual when she was jealous.

Helga let out a breath and rolled her eyes with a smile. "Oh please, I am completely over being jealous about anything involving Lila! Didn't you hear when you were stalking us—we're like best girlfriends now or something." She chuckled at the silly idea and then couldn't help but grin at the boy beside her and add just for the fun of it, "Oh but you just keep your eye on me and Arnie though, Football Head. You never know…maybe next time he rolls into town he and his lint collection and his love of plain flavored gum will sweep me off my feet and before I know it I'll be eloping with him away back to his country home for an 'ever so private swim'!" She winked and then let out a snort, doing her best not to collapse in laughter.

Her love beside her was in a similar condition, and blushing quite a bit on top of it all. "W-Well," he managed to get out though without breaking, "I'll just have to keep my eye on you two then, won't I…?" 'An ever so private swim…with Helga…' Arnold's heart thumped in his chest for just a moment at a quick daydream of giving Arnie a shove out of the way into the muddiest part of the swimming hole, and then taking his pretty Helga off to a private, warm little lagoon…Him in his plaid swim trunks and her in her white tank top and cute pink shorts like from when they had gone to the beach together last…And him maybe not caring, as long as he could be with her splashing and having fun, that she would be looking at him without a shirt on the whole time… A little happy shudder went through Arnold at all of that and then, with a nice little blush, he rolled his eyes to the side and couldn't help saying, despite the fact that they were in the public eye and he knew it would be better for them to keep romantic compliments (and the blushing that they always inevitably made ensue) to a minimum… "Hmm…my cousin, Brainy… Stinky had a crush on you once too…Harold spontaneously yelling that he loved you…and then of course me…" Arnold looked to Helga playfully. "You just have the boys lining up for a chance at you, don't you, Helga G. Pataki?"

He watched as Helga instantly blushed very brightly and glanced to the side her eyes wide. She crossed her arms over her chest and responded in a very flustered voice. "A-Arnold…I…Oh…" A small smile came to her face, "Oh just shut up, you little shrimp….I don't…I'm not…I mean…I couldn't…even if I wanted to…that's just a bunch of coincidences…I'm not… 'Lining up'… No, no, no, no, no, I…I'm just…"

Arnold just chuckled and shrugged though, not about to let her write herself off or anything about this. "What? It makes sense—smart, funny, sophisticated, talented, beautiful, creative…and you play a mean catcher...What guy could ask for more?"

"Arnold, stop it…" she responded with a grin, still blushing quite a bit and doing her best to seem casual as they approached the exit of the park (but failing at it pretty much). "I-If people see us just walking somewhere together that's one thing but if they see me looking like this…blushing and grinning and all around you so much…they're going to start asking questions…" Still this little worry of hers didn't stop her flattered grin from remaining…or a little giggle from escaping her lips. "Oh and, uh…speaking of Brainy…I heard about what you did the other day…going over and thanking him for caring about me and inviting him out with you and Gerald. Thanks, Arnold…" She looked to her love happily.

"You're welcome, Helga," her love replied happily back. "And I'm happy you suggested it…It's nice that you can be friends with Lila and I can be friends with Brainy," Arnold finished warmly, and then as to her request to cool it with the flirting for the time being he just sighed, understanding her point but so very happy that she really didn't seem mad about it (and also very happy for the sight of her blushing and smiling like this, and all because he had made her realize just a little more again how very wantable she really was as a girl). "And okay, okay, Helga…I'll…save making you blush and giggle about all of your 'suitors' later…" He winked at her though upon making this assurance, which only made her blush extra though once again she didn't seem too upset about it really (and of course he wasn't complaining about the sight of cute cheeks all full of rosiness). And then Arnold considered for a few seconds and with a chuckle suddenly added, "Hey, you know…maybe I should follow your and Lila's example and get all of us guys who have gotten hooked on you over the years together and we can have a little talk about how it is trying to have a relationship with you just like you did with Lila about me. What do you think, my love?" He did his best not to laugh.

Looking toward the ground with a smirk and doing her best not to laugh herself, Helga just replied quietly, "You ever do, and I'll pull Ruth, Summer, Lila and that Maria chick into a room to give you a going over so fast you boys won't even know what hit you, Romeo!"

Arnold just sighed and smiled. "Fair enough, my fair Juliet…"

"Ugh!" Helga finally stopped walking right at the mouth of the park exit and sighed and rolled her eyes, still smiling like crazy though. "Okay, that's it! No more of this mushy romantic garbage. Time for some fun—" She looked at him mischievously. "Besides, we have been getting a few looks for being together like this…and you did go and make me lose some credibility by blushing, Arnold…Gotta make sure at least some of our time together looks like I was just purely and unmercifully torturing you…" And suddenly she snatched his hat off of his head and held it up high. "Now, come on, Football Head!" She announced loudly for anyone around them to hear, putting on a scowl (though it was more of a playful one than anything else). "If you want your precious hat back, work for it!" And with that she proceeded to run first out of the park and then up the street like a shot.

Just smiling like crazy at her spontaneity, Arnold started to chase after her, announcing loudly as well in case anyone was in earshot as he pursued her, "Helga…give me that back! Come on—I know that deep down you're a really good person even if you don't like to show it!"

"Shows what you know, paste for brains!" she just called out to him from half a street ahead. "Now come on, I'm giving you a sporting chance—And we all know how you can't live without your 'precious' hat! Ha ha!" She turned back forward and was running full force again.

Arnold just let out a forced exasperated sigh and rolled his eyes in response to her 'taunt'. "Helga, why do you always have to pick on me in particular?" he asked familiarly, trying not to blush at the real answer to the question.

She laughed over her shoulder and yelled back, "Why else—I just hate Football Heads!"

Trying to seem more annoyed than amused (once again as part of the show for anyone who might be watching them), Arnold continued to chase Helga up the street…hoping that when he did catch her it might be in a private place where he could hold her hand again…or possibly continue to 'get educated' by her considering how dense he was when it came to love.

And then he had to finally let out a laugh as the thought occurred to him. 'Hmm…another difference between Arnie and me: he had the ability to recognize the perfect woman at first sight…when it took me almost seven years to the same thing…'

The chase went on.

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

Arnold's eyes scanned the tall row of library books before him, first at eye level and then with his gaze slowly moving higher…until he stopped and a small smile came to his face as his eyes finally lit upon the volume he was looking for. He stretched up as far as he could, getting on tiptoe right now in this little area of space in between two tall, long bookshelves in the library of P.S. 118, straining just a bit to reach his goal…but sadly to no avail. He could only just touch the bottom of the shelf that the book he needed was on. With one more failed little reach, a slightly frustrated look came to Arnold's face…and then a defeated look. And then he let out a deep sigh. 'I am NOT asking her to help me…' he instantly firmly told himself, feeling a blush building in his cheeks, 'That would be way too embarrassi—'

"Hey, my vertically challenged little love god. Need a hand?" came a familiar female's familiar voice quietly from just behind him.

Arnold almost cringed and felt that slight blush in his cheeks deepen. 'Great…she noticed…'

And indeed, Helga, who had been reading a book and facing in another direction in the same book aisle as her beloved, had heard the small sounds of his struggle for what he needed and had decided, her caring nature in regards to him coming to the forefront, to turn around, shove her book back on it's shelf, and assist him. They had book reports due that they were supposed to be researching and that meant a trip to the library today…which luckily they had realized, upon arriving, was a place where they could actually kind of sort of hang out near each other and not get caught, provided they did it right. Certainly they couldn't sit alone together at one of the tables in the public area once they got their books (they might have been able to pull that off had Gerald and Phoebe been there but…once again those two had snuck off somewhere for a little alone time)…but they could find each other among the high shelves of books and bury themselves in a private and otherwise deserted aisle for a while if they felt like it and as long as they were quiet. And if worse came to worse and someone did come along…well, hey, could Arnold and Helga help it if they had just 'happened' to each need a book from shelves that were close to each other? So anyway, they had been quietly in this aisle together now for about ten minutes just to be with each other and also because Arnold really had needed a book or two from this area.

Anyway, now Helga easily reached up and popped the volume in question from the high shelf it was on and then handed it to Arnold with a smile.

Still blushing a little, Arnold just glanced to the side and reluctantly took the book in his hands. "Uh…thanks, Helga…" he mumbled out in a low voice.

Helga just gave a quiet, coy chuckle and whispered back to him (both trying to keep their voices down not only because this was a library but because they didn't want to be discovered by any of their friends who might be hanging around in nearby book aisles). "You're welcome, Arnold. And you know, you could have just asked me to get it when you saw it was that high up. Not that it wasn't sweet of you to try and save me the trouble, though, love…" She looked at him with a coy and grateful smile at his cuteness in not wanting to trouble her, bringing her arms behind her back. 'Such an adorable little gentleman I have…'

Arnold swallowed, knowing that she wasn't trying to tease him or anything about what was currently bothering him at the moment but still feeling a bit more frustration come over himself nonetheless. "Well…I…I mean, I COULD have…reached it…if I'd tried a little more," he just replied quietly and then he shrugged a tiny a bit and shuffled his feet around and went back to looking at the book shelves before him though he really didn't have anything to be looking for…He mostly just wanted to get past the awkward moment.

At first Helga couldn't help but just raise part of her brow at the slight bit of annoyance apparent in his face and tone, which she really hadn't been expecting at all… "Uh…whatever…" She looked at him just a little curiously. "You okay, Arnold?" she had to ask sincerely.

Arnold was silent for another second, but then he just let out a breath and closed his eyes for a moment, then opened them and turned back around and did his best to sincerely smile at her. "Sorry, Helga… I'm fine. I…think I was just a little frustrated with myself for needing to bother you to get that book for me. But thank you, though…I needed it and I really do appreciate it." He gave her a loving smile and then turned back around, this time genuinely scanning the shelf at eye level in front of him for another volume to go with the one she had just helped him reach and already feeling himself getting over his slight frustration…

'Oh…I…' the thought instantly broke onto Helga's mind in a sudden realization. 'Crimeny, I didn't even think about how it might embarrass him a little for me to just reach that book for him, did I? And what—not even TWO days after he admitted to me that he feels weird sometimes for being so much shorter than I am!' Helga finally recalled that little insecurity of his about his height and now she just could have kicked herself. 'Hmm….' She put a hand to her chin, still glancing at him as she considered what she might be able to do to make this better…

And then her smile picked up considerably on one side as she got a little idea.

Arnold's back was still to her as he stood there glancing at the title on a book spine or two and with the book she had just retrieved for him held in one hand at his side.

Helga took a quick step over, partially behind him, her arms behind her back. "Oh, good…." She let the reply linger for a moment, and then added seemingly casually and with a small chuckle, "Heh…you know, honestly it was the least I could do…getting that book for you, I mean…especially after all good things you've done for me in libraries over the years…" This time she let her little laugh, as she finished, come out right between a chuckle and a giggle all with the design of further peaking his interest in her cryptic words.

And indeed, her final observation about him doing 'good things for her in libraries over the years' (and the sweet little laughing sound that had accompanied it) did make Arnold blink and turn from his current book search to look at her over his shoulder with an eyebrow raised in curiosity. "What do you mean, Helga?"

'Perfect.' Helga just shrugged, smiling innocently enough…and took a coy step to the other side of him (still standing somewhat behind him though). "Oh, well, you know…remember how Phoebe brought up the whole thing about me 'staring at you for hours' over the years when she and Gerald went on that first date of theirs? Well, I always found the library to be one of the best places for that actually... You'd just be sitting somewhere reading your little heart out or studying for something important, and I could just hide in the stacks and gaze at you and you'd never notice…" This time she did let out a pure giggle.

Arnold blushed in that familiar way he had of doing and blinked a couple of times. "Oh…" he swallowed and turned his head in shyness back towards the books…though Helga could see that he was managing to glance just slightly at her out of the corner of his eye. "You…really…liked just looking at me…that much?" His voice had a slight crack to it that made Helga want to giggle entirely involuntarily.

Instead though she managed to keep her cool and just nodded shyly. "Mmm hmm…" 'He really has to realize that he's the most wonderful guy in the world even if I can reach a stupid shelf that he can't.' She went on, still close behind him. "You being here would always give me some much needed time to just gaze at the most handsome guy on the planet…studying so diligently like the smart football head you've always been…every once in a while carrying a large stack of books back to the librarian when you were done with them with those strong arms of yours…" And then she put the cherry on top of the sundae. She reached up from behind him and put her hands on his shoulders…rubbing them just slightly as she whispered delicately right near one of his ears, "Wow, they even feel strong…All of that intense karate training really has been paying off. You aren't just a guy with a gorgeous face…you have the muscle to back it up too, don't you, my darling?"

The book in Arnold's little hand dropped to the floor…He was stiff, unmoving and unbreathing…and Helga had to try really hard not to laugh at this whole response of his to her words. And then, since she was behind Arnold, her eyes feel to the back of his neck…and he was blushing back there just like he must be on his face…and just like she had seen him do earlier that week when she had been stuck behind his couch…And, well…she had promised that day to give the back of his neck some extra special attention for neglecting it the next time she got the chance…so….

She leaned in close to it and blew a tiny bit upon it, and then whispered, "The back of your neck is blushing again, my darling. Is it embarrassed? Shh…let me make it feel all better…" She puckered her lips and placed a soft kiss right back there, just below where that little part in his hair began…then pulled back gently…and let out another breath on the back of Arnold's neck. "Making my girlish heart unable to resist your boyish charms even in a library…What a man…" The flesh on the back of his neck turned such a deep fiery red and from her position still holding his shoulders she felt a little tremor go through him. She smiled extra to herself. 'Well, I bet he feels just a little bit better about himse—'

Her thoughts shut down completely as Helga suddenly found her (now) wide eyes locked onto Arnold's wide eyes, and now that she processed it she could feel his warm hands gripping the sides of her arms tightly. Apparently, in his shock, she realized, he had whipped around and grabbed her like this, his face that same full fiery red color as the nape of his neck and been, and an almost panicked look upon his features!

She waited for what he would d—

'Oh boy… he just got 'the eyes'…the April Fools Day 'you're in good hands' eyes... I knew kissing his neck and tossing in that 'What a man' thing would be too m—'

CRASH!

"SHHH!"

The 'Shhh!' had been a collective thing coming from people in other parts of the library.

The crash was the result, Helga realized after a few seconds, of Arnold suddenly snapping and diving against her to kiss her with such force that she fell right down against the floor, with him more than coming along for the ride.

He was still holding her upper arms so firmly and she could now feel his mouth moving upon hers with so much force and so much desire, his breathing coming steadily and heavily through his nose as he continued to kiss her with a passion that made her wonder how he could EVER think he had any shortcomings as a guy or a boyfriend just because of a few silly inches of height! 'O-Oh, I…O-Oh….'

Eventually (like, 'she didn't understand how she could go without a full breath of air for that long but somehow the amount of love coursing through her body let her get by' eventually) Helga got her utter shock and surprise and euphoria under control enough to remember to start breathing regularly through her nose. She then moaned just slightly before finally proceeding to reciprocate the kiss, still letting him be the one to hold her and do most of the work though, but at the very least moving her lips against his delicately as she felt her heart pounding like crazy against his, almost vibrating it was going so fast.

Another minute or so passed and she had to let out a mental sigh in amusement eventually, the power for thought finally coming back to her now too amidst this sudden spontaneous and rather heated make out session. 'I-I probably should have waited until the next time we were here to say all of that stuff to him if this was how he was going to react. Last time I checked it was already 3:30 and I told Bob I'd be home at 4… Eh whatever, we'll work it out! I could always just sneak in or something if we're a little late, after all, and fake like I got home when no one was looking and have been up there for hou—' And then Helga's power for thought shut down again as she now strangely (yet interestingly) enough felt Arnold's mouth pause in it's all out ravenous actions for just a moment…only to then resume them but…now focusing specifically on her lower lip more than anything else…like there was something about it pulling him there for a moment…like he wanted to give it extra special attention…And something about this simple action of him shifting his kiss like that made her just…come undone inside…made her melt into a big puddle of warm love goo…made her just melt all over, really.

Though somehow in the midst of all this melting it occurred to Helga why he might be doing this right now… 'G-Guess he's been liking the pouting…heh, heh…' she managed to gurgle out in thought as she felt herself go absolutely limp in his arms, what he was doing felt so good….Her brain shut down and she just let herself feel all of the love with nothing to distract from it.

She continued to contentedly allow Arnold's mouth to consume her own for as long as he cared to.

Let's rewind about five to ten minutes and look at the situation of what just went down (and maybe what happens right after where we just left off) but slightly more from Arnold's perspective. No real reason why we're doing this—just for fun!

'I know it's stupid that it bothers me that she just reached a book for me…and of course I'm not angry at her or anything—she was just trying to help, after all...' Arnold let out a small sigh in his head, really hoping that he hadn't offended his girlfriend by his initial slight unintentional attitude in response to her assistance with getting him the high up book he had needed, and also hoping that he had made her forget all about it by the sincere smile and genuine thanks he had just given her. He continued to glance at a few titles before him on the bookshelf, not really looking for anything specific now so much as just anything that might be of interest to help him with the book reports he and Helga were supposed to be doing a little research on today. 'Sometimes though I really do wish she could see me as more than her cute, adorable, little boyfriend…even if she does like me that way right now…But sometimes I just wish that I was just a little more…a little more—'

"Oh, good…"

These words…and the quite intriguing tone in which they were said, got Arnold's attention for a moment, to say the least. And then he became aware, looking at her out of the corner of his eye, that Helga had shifted to his side a bit though she was still somewhat behind him.

He heard her chuckle…and it made one of those small twists happen in his stomach…those ones that always happened when, even though he wasn't sure why, something inside of him felt sure that Helga G. Pataki was planning something…Anticipation.

"Heh…you know, honestly it was the least I could do…getting that book for you, I mean…especially after all good things you've done for me in libraries over the years…" Helga's laugh this time sounded more like a giggle, and it made his breath catch in his throat…it didn't help that now she was so close to him that he could almost feel the warmth coming off of her body in the cool library…What was she doing…or rather going to do?

'Wait a minute, what am I thinking?' He almost shook his head to himself in disbelief at the very notions that had been going through his head. 'We're in the middle of a library! She's not going to 'do' anything, and I'm…probably being a little assuming thinking she is…' Then suddenly though what she had just said really hit him, and Arnold had to blink and glance back at her fully now in curiosity. "What do you mean, Helga?" 'I've done good things for her in libraries over the years…Huh?'

He watched as Helga just shrugged, smiling innocently (and further convincing him that she indeed was probably just trying to be a little extra nice to him or something since he probably had come off as a little bothered before with the book thing). She took a step to the side again, which wouldn't have meant much to him…except for how she was smiling when she did it…and how she was now so close behind him that he could truly feel her warmth practically upon his back. "Oh, well, you know…remember how Phoebe brought up the whole 'staring at you for hours over the years' thing when she and Gerald went on that first date of theirs? Well, I always found the library to be one of the best places for that actually... You'd just be sitting somewhere reading your little heart out or studying for something important, and I could just hide in the stacks and gaze at you and you'd never notice…" This time she let out a giggle.

Arnold instantly felt that familiar sensation of blood rushing to his face that he had come to know so well from spending so much time with her over the last near month. He did his best (and failed) to keep his voice from cracking as he tried to casually ask, his mind all but blank with embarrassment, "Oh…" he turned back in shyness to the books before him but did his best to look at her out of the corner of his eye... "You…really…liked just looking at me…that much?" Though Arnold had learned to take Helga's comments about his appearance and her deep attraction to him more than in stride some time ago…still the idea of her searching him out all of these years just to gaze at him like that…something about it sent this strange shivery feeling through him. He could feel his palms going sweaty.

"Mmm hmm…" he heard her reply in a delicate, light way. "You being here would always give me some much needed time to just gaze at the most handsome guy on the planet…studying so diligently like the smart football head you've always been…every once in a while carrying a large stack of books back to the librarian when you were done with them with those strong arms of yours…"

'My…My strong…'

And then she put the cherry on top of the sundae. She reached up from behind him and put her hands on his shoulders… those warm delicate fingers he'd come to know so well over the weeks gently caressing him just slightly as he felt her whisper delicately right near one of his ears. "Wow, they even feel strong…All of that intense karate training really has been paying off. You aren't just a guy with a gorgeous face…you have the muscle to back it up too, don't you, my darling?"

The. Book. In. His. Hand. Dropped. To. The. Floor.

Arnold felt his ecstatic heart pumping the adrenaline through his body, and yet at the same time he was stiff, unmoving and unbreathing…like he was all ready to go off like a rocket and just needed something to light the fuse…

And then, a second or two later…he felt the sweet breath of an angel blow upon the back of his neck in a familiar way.

"The back of your neck…" the angel spoke in such a light, beautiful whisper, "…is blushing again, my darling. Is it embarrassed? Shh…let me make it feel all better…" He was still unable to move…The angel's lips came upon his neck…An action that made him almost unable to bear living, life was so good at the moment…And then the angel finished her kiss only to return the sweet puff of her breath once more to his skin. "Making my girlish heart unable to resist your boyish charms even in a library…What a man…"

Arnold's heart went into overdrive. Blood pumped everywhere. Where the angel had kissed actually burned with blushing!

And the fuse was lit.

And then suddenly young Arnold had turned on a dime and caught Helga on either side of her shoulders. He could feel the heat burning in his cheeks as his eyes locked onto her now wide blue ones and remained that way. The idea of her…of her looking at him and on top of seeing someone she found 'cute' and 'adorable'…thinking…thinking he was strong and being…impressed…impressed by him carrying things…impressing a girl with how strong he was…impressing Helga G. Pataki with how strong he was…and her…touching him like that to feel it for herself…

…And…making her unable to avoid, even in a place as innocent as a library, that she was a girl and he was a boy…Their attraction to one another an unconquerable force that nothing could every truly distract from…

And Arnold was very very much aware again in his life all of a sudden that Helga G. Pataki was indeed a girl…

Thoughts raced in his mind…Thoughts about how, just like she could look at him and see a strong young man just as often as she could see her adorable little boyish love, Arnold likewise could see Helga as his pretty and cute little first love sometimes…but then other times he could also see her as…as this…practically intoxicating and beautiful and stunning and spectacular creature…The way she could let her golden hair fall over her shoulders and one of her eyes so enticingly whenever she felt like it, the way she could lean with her hip against a wall or a streetlight in just the right way to make his smile pick up a little whenever she did it, how every once in a while she would saunter over to him so very coyly…and of course how she could do that perfectly distracting thing with that little pout of hers…her soft, rosy lower lip pushing out ever so slightly…just like, in her shock and surprise, she was kind of doing now!

That lip was so pink and so perfect…

'…Just like her!'

A smile came to Arnold's face…and it felt like something burning had just burst inside of him!

CRASH!

"SHHH!"

The next thing Arnold became aware of was several seconds later…and though realizing what he was doing made him blush insanely he didn't make a single motion to end it. They were on the floor, he was on top of her, and he was kissing her in that way she had first introduced him to on the roof of a certain building…only with more passion and insanity than even Helga might have put into it that one time: holding himself against her, pushing and pressing and squeezing and caressing. His thoughts formed as he frantically kissed her as though he might never kiss her again after this. 'I know we're in a library, I know we're supposed to be studying, I know this isn't like me and I know I should have asked her first before I just dove on her! And I also know that I don't care!' And it just plain felt so good to finally admit that last point to himself, because at times like this he really didn't care about all of his fears and worries and inhibitions. 'She's….' his thoughts continued as he became fully aware of that beautiful feeling of their hearts beating against each other…or 'vibrating' against each other might have been the better word with just how quickly each of them seemed to be pulsing with love… 'She's…' He felt her starting to kiss him back…softly, ironically enough…though of course she gave one of those moans of hers… He had to sigh through his nose and think once again in his life in regards to Helga G. Pataki, 'She's some kind of woman to be gone about…'

And then eventually, a couple of minutes later, realizing that she had about as little intention of ending things as he did, an amusing idea…and something he had actually been kind of almost thinking about doing sometimes lately maybe…came to Arnold's mind, courtesy of the memory of some of the thoughts he had been having about the girl currently underneath him before he had started this whole thing they were engaged in right now. And well…in his defense…it was that beautiful lower lip that had started it!

He let his mouth pull back just the tiniest bit from its deep, pleasing movements over his angel's own angelic mouth…and then he shifted his lips down so that they were perfectly around her lower lip…the one that could make her look so cute when she used it just right…and then he went back to passionately kissing, but this time he was passionately kissing just that lower lip of hers that had tempted and teased him for so many weeks…and it felt like heaven to feel his mouth firmly yet tenderly upon it, and to feel it melting into that space between his two lips…right where it seemed to fit…right where it seemed to belong…

It then didn't help Arnold be any more inclined to stop things as he felt this new kissing strategy of his make the girl he was holding onto go absolutely limp with love in his arms underneath him.

Arnold remained with Helga like this for as long as possible, never wanting it to stop, never wanting to not be just giving in to every emotion she had filled him with and made bloom within him ever since the FTi building…ever since the day they had met!

But then eventually he really did have to stop…to take a just little break…to separate their mouths for even a moment just to take a few light pants and catch his breath and let her catch hers…

His lips pulled back from her and, his eyes glazed over in pleasure, Arnold just looked down at Helga's flushed, panting, pink face…. Wow she was beautiful after a kiss…the most beautiful woman in the world… "I…" he spoke as quietly as he could, "I'm sorry, Helga…" still though he was smiling, "I'm sorry…I know I should have asked or something before I…" a few more breaths, "I didn't hurt you or anything did I? Are you alright? On a floor…" he shook his head a little, the smile still continuing. "No, you should be…on a lovely pink cloud or something…for kissing…I'm sorry…I should have waited before I…" more breaths, "B-But I just…couldn't…Should I stop?"

Helga just took some more breaths underneath him…eventually seemed to process his words… and then her trembling lips spoke again… "A-Arnold…" she managed to whisper out to him then, her eyes just barely fluttering open as she remained still panting quietly beneath him. "A-Arnold, I…don't want you to stop…ever… B-But…Oh, I…I hate to be a buzz kill…but…I…" Suddenly her eyes closed again and a quiet moan randomly escaped her, like a residual effect from what they had just done together or something, "Oh my…intoxicating little kisser…Oh Arnold…" Her eyes opened again and she giggled dreamily…but then she took another breath and did her best to speak coherently again, her eyes meeting his. "Arnold…believe me…I…I wouldn't be bringing this up if I didn't have to…but…I…told my Dad…I'd be home by…by 4…that I just had to spend an hour at the library and then I'd be home by 4…and it was…3:30 when we started, and…I'm not even sure how much time just passed…and…" Suddenly her eyes closed again and shuddery sigh couldn't help but pass through her, and her voice changed to the tone of a dramatic coo again… "Oh you just…have an untamed wild love inside of that mild mannered little exterior, don't you, hot lips…?" She took in another breath or two, then swallowed…and then her eyes fluttered open once more and she seemed to come back to reality, speaking normally once more. "A-Anyway…Arnold…we've only been 'hanging out' for a few weeks and my Dad…he'll…he'll never leave us alone if I don't get back…or call or something…when I said I would be home at a certain time…You…You know that…Arnold…I…" Her eyes were so close to closed now once again though, and a pleased smile was on her face, and she really seemed to be struggling with not wanting Big Bob to freak out on them…but also wanting, well… him, Arnold…very badly. "I…should get up…we can…meet up after dinner…do more later…" she finally managed to get out just barely.

At all of these words of responsibility of hers Arnold just felt his heart beating faster and faster…What they had to do…versus what they wanted to do…

"I have to…get up…Arnold…" She cleared her throat and finally managed to unfortunately say again in a more normal sounding voice…though she wasn't even trying to move out from under him…and he was more than aware of this fact. "And we're in a library of all places and there are people…so close by…even though we're hidden from them now…and…and…"

"Hmm…" In response to all of her worries though a low chuckle just escaped Arnold…and his eyes narrowed a little…they were full of a mix of sympathy and fire… "Helga…" he soothed gently in a low whisper, "We've…We've got time…and also…don't you find doing something like this in a library…kind of exciting if you think about it? Having to be extra quiet so no one finds us…even though whenever we ki-…whenever we make out you just want to moan and I just want to yell from rooftops that I love you, I love you, I love you, my darling…" A low chuckle escaped him again, his nose lightly pressed to hers now. "Just stay here like this for a little bit more with me…please? Since we only have a few minutes I'm sure no one'll find us…and as for making sure you're not late…Shh…just relax…I'll make sure you get home…Eventually…"

Helga G. Pataki's heart practically trembled at what Arnold was saying…Her mind fuzzed and blurred. His eyes so…so close…so sultry looking…Looking like that night at the April Fools Dance when he had dipped her back but even more intense thanks to all the love he had felt and experienced with her ever since their relationship had begun. "A-Arnold…" she half whispered, half cooed, trying to maintain…but failing so miserably… "I…I should…We should…" There was no conviction in her voice. Absolutely none. He knew it…and he could see from the sheepish look in her eyes and the totally enamored smile on her face that she knew it too…

And so… "Shh…" he whispered again and closed his eyes and shifted his head down, giving her little kisses on her lips as he spoke…still holding her so firmly… "Are you…SURE…we have to get up…Mrs. Helga Geraldine Pataki…Shortman…?" he finally whispered to her with a smile and a deep blush. For the first time in his life…finally just admitting his natural inclination to give his name to her. He let the little kisses stop and just gazed down at her in blushing shyness… "I thought we might hyphenate…" he explained, almost wanting to laugh he was so full of happiness and love, "…sort of a compromise."

Her eyes dilated fully…and then went completely closed…and then the future Mrs. Helga Geraldine Pataki-Shortman just lie there in blushing, smiling, shivering silence for so many seconds, just…glowing… "I…" a deep sigh escaped her, "I…Oh…ARNOLD!" she squeaked out and he felt her twist a little beneath him. "I…" her eyes opened and she looked at him with that same seductive and enamored quality his own possessed, no more hesitation in them whatsoever. "I don't know what I…what I woke up inside of you with all this love stuff and just kissing the back of your perfect neck, but whatever the heck it is…I like it…!"

He just chuckled (as quietly as he could, of course) at her wonderful response, and then came down again to bring his mouth to hers…this time focusing on her lower lip once more…savoring the small little pink piece of flesh…He heard her moan deeply (and yet manage to not make it too loud for the sake of their not getting caught)….

He pulled back after savoring this new kiss as much as he felts like, only to be met with the sight of Helga's eyes still closed in bliss and her flushed lips still puckered in desire. He whispered to her. "Shh…we'll back on time…we'll figure something out…I promise, Helga. But just stay here with me now for a little bit longer…I…I want us, Helga G. Pataki…like this…I want you like this…I can't help it…Just for a little while longer…just like this…" He blushed more. "Besides with how I usually am…who knows when I'll have the courage to do something like this again with you, right?"

He had whispered all of this right near her ear and then had let out a breath right near her ear too, blowing the tiniest bit into it.

Helga just nodded a little, speech obviously still not in her power again just yet. Unable to think of any other way to bring her lovely voice back into commission for her to finally confirm that it was okay for them to stay like this for just a bit more…he snuggled his neck to hers…and… "Hrr…."

His little purr finished…she shook like usual in response to it…and then he lifted his head to look back to her eyes. She was blushing so much, her eyes only barely open, and now that he had done that to her a deep breath escaped her and her mouth started to move in speech again. "Wh…" he heard her barely get out with a light sigh, her eyes still closed… "Whatever you say…Arnold…You want us…me…here I am…We'll…We'll figure something out with my Dad…Besides…I want to be here too…So really and truly want to…We'll be quiet…No one'll find us…Oh just kiss me my darling…" Her whispering ended.

He collapsed his body even more warmly against hers, just savoring the feeling of holding her in his arms, a low little chuckle escaping him at her words… "Yes, mam…"

"Oh Arnold…"

His lips came down to her lips again, feeling hers ease into his.

Arnold was feeling all squirmy inside and for once…he just wanted to give in to it entirely…even if it was just for the smallest bit of time.

KNOCK KNOCK

"Hey, Helga, you back from studying with that Arnold kid yet? I was looking through some catalogues and I just wanted to know what color you were thinking of for that belated birthday present of your—"

Big Bob Pataki, who had just entered his younger daughter's room while flipping through a magazine, paused as he had now glanced up to look to his daughter…only to see her sitting on the edge of her bed, her legs crossed and her arms crossed, looking away innocently and with a slight red tinge to her face…her pigtails slightly…ruffled? He raised an eyebrow.

Helga swallowed and smiled more seeing him look to her so strangely. "Uh, hey, Dad—sorry, what was that about colors?"

Bob stepped more into the room, still eyeing her slightly as he closed the magazine and rolled it into a cylinder to hold in one hand… "Uh…I just wanted to know if you wanted me to go with the same color you have now or if there was anything else you wanted…"

"Uh…" Helga grinned more, shifting a bit on her bed, "No, no…what's there now is good with me, heh, heh…Like they say, pink's the new pink!"

She was acting nervous. And she knew it. 'But Crimeny,' she thought to herself, '…at least Miriam waits til I say 'come in' before she opens the door—Sheesh he nearly scared me to death just strolling in like that on the heels of a quick knock…' Helga couldn't help but recall some of the things that she had done alone in her room over the years (mostly the 'worshipping Arnold' related ones)…and especially some of the things that she along with the actual Arnold had done together in her room just over the last few weeks…She felt herself blush a little more…The idea of her father walking in on any of that stuff… (And when it came to the 'stuff Arnold and I have been doing up here lately' category of stuff there had been quite a few close calls so far, to say the least, what with Bob, whenever he knew Arnold was over and upstairs with her, always seeming to find at least one reason to pop in for a second…and usually (ironically enough) just when something small would have happened to make Arnold and Helga be right in the middle of leaning in close, their eyes locked in a mix of curiosity and love and surprise and just a touch of fear of the fascinating experience of their loves combining once again in their lives inevitably to come…

"Okay…" Bob just replied hesitantly to Helga's obviously slightly on edge response (the sound of his voice broke her for the moment from her frustrating memories.) However, though he had gotten the information he desired…he didn't make a move to leave. "Helga…" he then went on, an eyebrow raised, "…is, uh…everything okay up here?"

Helga took in a breath (maybe a little too obviously sharply) and replied as calmly as she could considering the degree to which his question had slightly startled her, "Uh…yeah, Bob. Everything's A-Ok. You just, um…surprised me a little. I mean, Miriam usually waits until I say 'come in' before she opens the door, you know? Heh…" She gave a little shrug and a smile.

Bob scratched the back of his neck, still looking at her. "Right, right…" he cleared his throat, "And, uh…you had an okay afternoon studying at the library with that Arnold kid, right?"

Helga swallowed hard. Though she had been getting more and more okay with Miriam bringing up her romantic behavior with Arnold she did not like it when Bob talked about them together at all (even though she was still making sure to keep him under the impression that she and Arnold were just 'really good buddies')…and on top of that she really did not like the way that Bob was looking at her right now. "Yeah…" she replied slowly, rubbing the back of her own neck now, "We, uh, met there after school…and I got back a little while ago…" She raised part of her brow, deciding to put Bob on the defensive a little bit now. "Is there a problem, Bob?" A bit more force was behind her voice now, and a touch of a scowl even came to her features as she added, "And by the way thanks for the random phone call at 2:59 to double check that I was definitely going to the library with him, and then the random phone call at 3:59 to make sure I was out on the stoop…THAT didn't make me feel like I'm on probation or anything!" She crossed her arms over her chest. And really, though Bob actually had been very good about not calling during her and Arnold's 'outings', he did have an incredibly annoying habit of calling exactly when said outings started and exactly when they ended…which could get to a girl eventually…especially after three and a half SOLID weeks of it.

Bob scowled slightly back at her and spoke in a bit of firmer voice himself now. "Hey, hey, hey, I told you, little missy, when you're out with your friends and especially with that Arnold kid I just want to make sure you're safe so I'm going to be calling you if I feel like it. That's the point of the phone."

Helga just rolled her eyes dramatically. "Grr…Bob, I thought we got past all of this stuff with that first dinner I had him over for last month. Arnold's a nice guy and…" she felt herself blush a bit but continued, "…and I am more than capable of handling myself with him." She glanced down, still trying to seem indignant. "So you don't have to keep checking up on me when we're alone together, okay?" She managed to look up to scowl at him again. "I mean, the two of us do deserve some privacy and to be 'let off the leash' sometimes after all…" She glanced to the side in annoyance and couldn't help but add in a grumble, "Crimeny, the second I explained things like this to Miriam and she backed off right away…and so did Olga!"

At the mention of his other daughter's name Bob, still scowling, opened his mouth like he was about to reply…but then paused…and his eyes went wide for moment. And then he looked very closely at Helga…

…And then he turned his head…and looked very closely at Helga's…closet door…

…And then he slowly walked across her room toward it…

…And before Helga could react he had reached out with his free hand and opened the door…

Only to see…

Nothing.

Bob looked around in the closet pushing aside some clothes, but still nothing—just an empty closet (with a little step ladder in the middle of it). 'Oh so that's where that thing went. Hmm…maybe she's gotta reach stuff on the top shelf in here or something…'

The sound of Helga suddenly and sharply addressing him brought his head from just double checking once more the emptiness of her closet back to looking at his younger daughter still seated upon her bed. "Hey, Bob—mind askingbefore you just start going through my stuff? Crimeny, do I have to start putting a lock on my closet door or something?" There was definitely starting to be full-blown anger underlying her tone, no question.

Bob let out a breath and rubbed his eyes, stepping out of the closet fully now and shutting the door behind him. "Uh…" he spoke in a much calmer and even sheepish voice now, "Sorry, Ol—uh, Helga…I…I just thought for a second that…" He shook his head to clear it. "Never mind…" he smiled to himself and then at her, "I forgot for a second…Like your mom keeps saying you're different than your sister."

He couldn't help but notice Helga's face was just a bit rosier now than it had been before (though he (thankfully) chalked it up to the last remains of her anger at being intruded upon.) He knew her temper after all…it was about the equivalent of his only with a woman's prerogative and attitude to bolster it all the more. She cleared her throat and just shrugged, glancing to the side with only a weak scowl now. "Uh, y-yeah. Me and Olga are different." She tried to firm up her glare a bit again as she turned her eyes back to her father. "And Olga might be all flighty and sensitive, but I'm tough and independent so no more third degree about me being alone with Arnold! Okay!"

Bob, with a breath, was about to nod and say he would try and then turn to leave his daughter's room, shaking his head at the idea that he had even for a moment suspected what had just for a moment suspected ('Miriam's right—they're ten-years-old. What are they gonna do together?'), when Helga added (with a serious swallow…as it finally clicked with her why her father might have just gone over and flung open her closet door after she had been talking about a boy she had been spending a lot of time with…and had then mentioned her older sister…), "A-And no more random checks for him in my closet, okay? Crimeny, if I wanted to bring a guy up here I wouldn't go and shove him behind a locked door in secret like certain Pataki girls—I do have some dignity you know. Hmph!" Her arms were crossed over her chest and she stuck her nose proudly in the air.

Bob blinked…and blinked some more. His jaw hung open for a second. And then eventually he recovered the power of speech and could only say in a totally stunned tone…"Oh, uh…your, uh…your sister told you those stories, huh?"

Helga rolled her eyes to the side, still feeling heat in her face but trying to seem casual about all of this. She shrugged. "Actually, Miriam's the one who told them to me—Olga just confirmed them…"

Her father still just stood there. His jaw had now dropped fully.

Helga let out a sigh at the sight and instantly waved him off, just doing her best to keep her blushing under control. "Oh relax, relax—the ultimate point of the story was to NOT go hiding a boy in my closet, Bob." She swallowed and tugged nervously at her collar. 'Ugh, this is awkward…Why didn't Olga tell me that acting like a real family would lead to so many moments like this?' "And anyway like I said…" she began to go on and then suddenly stood up from her bed, a smile on her face, and walked over to her father, grabbing him by the arm and slowly leading him over to her bedroom door, deciding he probably wasn't going to make his exit any time soon unless helped along a little, "…Come on, Bob, you know Olga and I know Olga—all that dressing up and giggling and gossiping and boy crazy her entire life…" Helga shook her head in amusement with a half grin. "Not for me—I'm far too sensible and stubborn and set in my ways. I mean, yeah, I like Arnold a lot but I'm not gonna…I don't know," she rolled her eyes to the side and scoffed, "Show up at the door with him next week and announce I'm dropping out of elementary school because we're getting married, you know?" She shrugged and grinned at her father. 'Yes, sadly that is the one fantasy Arnold doesn't seem willing to fulfill for me… Oh why oh why are we so young?' She swooned a little inside but still managed to stay focused on the here and now.

Bob, a little perplexed at all of this and just doing his best to take it all in, had at first just let Helga lead him over to her door, but at that little joking reference to Olga's engagement he had to crack a smile. "Heh…yeah…good one, Helga…" He let out a sigh, finally reaching the doorway with her, and started to relax just a bit. "Yeah, okay, you're right…" he nodded, "I'll try and go a little easier on you two with the phone calls…" Now standing in the hallway just outside of her room, Big Bob turned back to look at Helga with a smile…and couldn't help but add sheepishly… "I just…like I always say, you're my girl, Helga, and I worry about you…But I also know that you're a fighter—if that Arnold kid wasn't being a good, uh, friend to you, you wouldn't stand it for a minute, right?" He smiled at her encouragingly.

Helga just crossed her arms over her chest and nodded at her father with a satisfied smile. "You got it, Bob!" She winked. "No one pushes around a Pataki, right?"

Bob grinned more and winked back. "There you go, girl! Pataki's always come out on top!"

Helga almost chuckled. "Good, we have an understanding then…" And then she gave a very large yawn. "Well, if you don't mind then, Dad, I think I'd like to take a quick nap now before dinner. All that studying with the Football Head kind of wore me out, you know?"

For a moment just a tinge of that blush was back in Helga's cheeks…and Bob almost felt himself questioning it…before he recalled the conversation they had just had and decided to let it go. 'Eh, what am I worried about—she's right! She's Helga for crying out loud! If anything when she finds a boy she likes he's gonna end up being the one who needs to watch out for her!' And so Big Bob just sighed and smiled and nodded at his daughter. "Okay, Helga…I'll let your Mom know you'll be down for dinner when she gets home."

"Thanks, Bob!" Helga smiled brightly and gave him a quick wave. "See you then!" And with that she shut her door behind her.

Bob just walked down the hall, rolled up magazine still in hand, shaking his head in amusement. 'Yeah right…like she'd actually have a guy stashed in her room. This is Helga—she likes throwing herself in the mud with all of her friends during football games and giving that Arnold good razzings during baseball games. That's how she shows affection and that she likes something, not by primping for dates…not at all like Olga used to be with boys. What was I thinking…' Bob was about to head down the stairs (all settled on these thoughts) when he blinked and recalled another reason he had come up here besides checking with Helga about colors. Miriam had asked him to call her while she was out shopping with her friend Susie Kokoschka and let her know, when Helga got home, if she would prefer chicken or meat loaf tonight.

And so Bob turned around and headed back toward her room to accomplish this second task of his.

"Thanks, Bob!" Helga had smiled and given her father a quick wave. "See you then!" And with that she had then shut the door behind her…

…And then she practically collapsed to her floor in relief. After letting out a DEEP breath her eyes flew open and she ran across her room, whispering in a panicked voice. "Football Head, get the heck out from under my bed and out into my yard before he comes back! Now!"

Instantly, a very terrified looking Arnold scrambled out from under Helga's bed, clothed only in a plaid shirt and his hair just everywhere and blushing like mad! "Helga," he began in a more than anxious tone, "First of all, I think we've both got to make a promise to stop interrupting study days with things like this because sooner or later it's going to hurt our grades…" Helga had been digging behind her headboard for a few seconds while he had been talking and now suddenly pulled out the familiar bed sheet rope. "And second," Arnold crawled onto her bed now and opened her window wide before turning back to her and going on in his sincere yet very nervous tone, "Not that it wasn't a really perfect way of handling things today to spend that ten really…incredible…minutes in the library…" he was blushing…a lot…, "…a-and then to have you come back here and race inside just at four while I climbed your tree to get in here secretly so that we could f-finish up…but I think I shouldn't sneak into your room much anymore—it's okay getting down to the ground thanks to that rope you made but climbing that tree and tumbling in here aren't as easy as they look…and also to be honest your dad terrifies me a little!" He grabbed and tied the bed sheet rope around his body now and tossed the other end to Helga so she could lower him out of the window.

Climbing onto the bed along with him and taking the end of the makeshift rope firmly in her hands now, Helga just sighed in understanding (and with some tiny degree of blushing as well…after all this really had been…some afternoon they'd had together…). "I-I know, I know, Arnold…but don't worry I think I just fixed the second of those problems you mentioned (at least for a little while) and I'm working on the first one. Besides…" Arnold had been getting ready to crawl over to her window and climb over…when suddenly though Helga stopped him in this endeavor by diving on the bed and throwing him down on his back and kissing him once passionately upon the lips. She broke away after several seconds, breathing heavily, a happy smile on her face. "Besides," she went on as she did her best to catch her breath, "It's just so much fun to watch you go from being Mr. Responsible trying to get your work done to tossing me on the floor in the back of the non-fiction section and all but kissing my lips off all because I admitted that sometimes way back when I'd go to the library and just drink in the sight of you for hours…" Her eyes brimmed with love and warmth as they gazed down at him now.

Arnold, still on his back and still under her, just took a few more heavy breaths as he admired her with his own loving gaze…and then finally managed to sit up a little, realizing that he really couldn't let anything ELSE happen up here under these conditions with them…after such a close call just now with her dad. "Well," he just replied back warmly and humorously as she eased up her hold on him a bit, allowing him to sit up just a little more, "…the fact that you started giving me a surprise shoulder massage that made me drop my book on the floor and then how you started trying to make out with the back of my neck didn't help things much, Helga…" He chuckled a little and now the two of them were just sitting side by side on her bed, just smiling in love to one another. "Anyway…" he went on, his responsible nature coming to the forefront once more in his life, "Not that I wouldn't like to stay up here with you adding some more fun memories to our 'incredible' day together…but remember your Dad's downstairs, Helga…and I think he's kind of suspicious at this point that something's up with you…"

Helga, still grinning warmly, just let out a sigh and then had to nod in agreement with him. She shifted a little away from the open window now to give her love room to climb up and over the sill as she took up her end of the bed sheet rope once more. "Okay, my love, I'll cut you a break for now…" she spoke in that light airy voice he had been coming to know and love so well.

Arnold just smiled all goofy and nodded back as he crawled close to the sill and then got his legs and lower body out of the window, and for a moment let the weight of his feet rest upon the limb of her tree as he had his final parting moment with her. "Thank you, my Helga…" He let out a perfectly content sigh as he looked up at her.

Helga just smiled more and leaned out of her window down a bit closer to him, looking so very pretty in his opinion. "Hmm…hey, you remember the last time I was leaning out of this window looking down at you standing on that branch?" she asked with a coy little smirk.

Arnold let out another sigh (this one a bit shuddery)…a slight blush crept into his face. He gave a little nod. "Uh huh…it was during our one week anniversary…and I was worried about liking kissing you too much or something..." He chuckled a little at the memory.

"Mmm hmm…" she replied dreamily, leaning out just a bit more, "And I proved to you once and for all, just like I told my Dad just now, that I was more than capable of handling myself with you…"

He leaned up just a bit more using the sill for balance and leverage, lost in her eyes... "Y-Yeah, I remember…you grabbed me and pulled me close and kissed me…hard…" He gulped in blushing reminisces…and anticipation.

She let out a sigh, locked into those green pools she had always so adored…and the little set of lips just below them. "Hmm…sounds like a plan…"

KNOCK KNOCK

"Hey, Helga, your Mom also wanted me to ask you if you'd like chicken or meatloaf for dinner…."

"UH…uh…chicken's good, Bob! Thanks!"

Big Bob Pataki (once more popping into his daughter's room barely announced today) had to pause and eye his daughter once again this afternoon. She was sitting on her bed, right in front of her window this time though as opposed to the last time when she had been on the edge of the bed…and her eyes were completely wide and she seemed to be catching her breath…and her arms were distinctly behind her back…and she was definitely…blushing…and a lot, actually.

Bob continued to stare at her…and then he glanced over to her closet again…and then glanced back to his daughter…while Helga's just heart pounded in fear!

"Okay…well…I'll…call her and let her know..." her father finally said hesitantly, and then he reached out and went to lightly shut the bedroom door behind him again as he stepped out into the hall…but paused once more before exiting entirely. "Are you sure you're okay, Helga?"

Helga just smiled as best she could, feeling herself starting to calm down a little bit now that a few seconds had passed to let her process this intrusion once more. "Uh…of course, Bob, heh, heh…" She rolled her eyes. "You know, just, uh…you surprised me again." She let out a breath and explained 'casually', "I laid down and was actually starting to fall asleep and then 'knock knock' you're back! Nearly jumped out of my skin! Crimeny, like I said before, can you be more like Miriam and wait for me to say 'come in' before you walk in here?" She shrugged and grinned.

Bob seemed to consider her words carefully at first, a slightly scrutinizing look upon his face…but then he just let out a sigh and rubbed the back of his neck and cleared his throat. "Uh, sure, Helga…Sorry about that. Well, I'll let your mother know about dinner…Have a good nap."

"Uh, thanks Dad!" she replied cheerily.

He paused once more though before finally leaving her, the door half closed. "And you're sure you're okay?"

Helga just smiled at him reassuringly. "Heh, Dad, come on—if no one takes advantage of a Pataki then no one lies to one, right? I'm better than ever!" She grinned brightly.

Bob smiled brightly back at her. "Heh, that's right…" He chuckled to himself. "Well, I'll leave you alone then, Helga…and I promise I'll wait for you to tell me to 'come in' the next time I knock." And with that and a nod he left the room, the door closing fully behind him.

Left to her own devices once again, Helga instantly regripped the bed sheet rope she had been sitting on and hiding behind her back and then whipped around and looked anxiously out of her window to see Arnold just clinging desperately to both her sill and to part of the rope and barely balancing on the tree limb upon which he had been standing (the surprise of Big Bob Pataki's sudden return obviously having thrown off his balance a little). "Helga!" he whispered up to her a bit desperately. "Help!"

Helga let out a breath of total relief, just happy that he hadn't fallen or been hurt in his shock at the surprise reentrance of her father. "Sorry, Football Head. My dad came back. Here…" she whispered down as she did her best to help him get a full grip back on the rope and then slowly and cautiously began to lower him down to her yard. "And don't worry," she called out in a louder whisper as he descended, "I'll find a better way of getting you in and out of here every once in a while. I promise!" She winked down at him.

"Thanks, Helga!" Arnold whispered back up to her with a grateful smile as he finally reached the ground "See you later!" He waved to her with a dreamy smile.

Helga waved back, smiling dreamily as well, and then just watched in amusement as he untangled the bed sheet from around himself so she could pull it in, and then snuck over to her fence, climbed over it using her Dad's barbecue to reach the top, and then slipped away to the sidewalk, totally home free.

Losing sight of him now Helga just pulled the rope in and then recoiled it and tossed it behind her headboard once more.

Then she took in a nice big deep breath and allowed herself to collapse back upon her bed. "Hmm…" she almost laughed to herself after a few moments, "Told Bob I wasn't like Olga—letting how I feel about Arnold cloud by better judgment—yeah right! Of course stashing him under the bed just before Bob opened the door would be a lot less suspicious than tossing him closet! And on top of that Bob's got that bad back—no way he wants to stoop that low to look under the bed. Yes, all of that plus the pre-made rope…and then us being so used to scrambling and hiding things anyway…" She let out a happy sigh and then almost squealed. "And I thought being with Arnold was dulling my sneaking around skills…instead they're better than ever!" She giggled to herself at this latest incident…and at the memory of the library (which also brought a blush to her features, naturally)…and couldn't help but swoon girlishly as she admitted to herself in an ecstatic whisper for about the millionth time over the last few weeks. "I love being Arnold's girlfriend!"

About five minutes later…

KNOCK KNOCK

Big Bob Pataki opened the front door of his house…only to glance down and see a smiling Arnold Shortman with his arms behind his back standing upon his stoop…strangely without his usual sweater.

"Um…hi, Mr. Pataki. How are you?" the young boy asked as casually as he could, running one of his hands through his hair (for good measure with fixing it up and making it look like a 'certain someone's' hand hadn't been tangled in it recently for a good half an hour, little did Bob know).

Bob blinked in a little surprise at first but then smiled at the young boy before him. "Oh, uh…hi, Arnold. Fine, fine…Something I can do for you?"

Arnold cleared his throat and shrugged. "Oh well…actually I was just wondering if I could see Helga for just a second. I…um…I think she accidentally grabbed something of mine when we were leaving the library before and I just wanted to get it back from her…if that's okay." He smiled up hopefully.

"Oh…" Bob opened the door a little wider and nodded with his own smile, "Uh, sure. She's right upstairs. You know where, heh…"

Arnold smiled and nodded gratefully. "Thanks, Mr. Pataki. I'll just be a second." And with that he raced up the stairs to the room he really did know so well…

"Helga G. Pataki…" Arnold Philip Shortman couldn't help but lightly say in a singsong voice before popping his smiling head into Helga's room with a quick knock.

Helga, still just lying on her bed and relaxing from the excitement of her love's narrow escape from her room, practically jumped out of her skin at his sudden reentrance by her door! "Arnold?" She sat up and turned around to him in surprise, and then instantly stood up and ran over to him, pulling him completely into the room and pushing shut the door behind them.

Now lying against her door and breathing just a little heavily, Helga looked to her beloved once more. "Crimeny, Arnold, don't scare me like that!" she couldn't help but scolding a little. But…then she smiled…and giggled…and coyly stepped away from he door and toward him. "Now what are you doing back here, you little angel turned devil?" She touched the tip of her finger to his nose.

Arnold blushed deeply and glanced down shyly…though there was something mischievous in that smile of his which remained on his face. "Well…I started to walk home once I got to the sidewalk, Helga, but then I realized I felt chillier than usual…and then I realized I forgot my sweater under your bed…and I just figured that coming back to get it would be the perfect excuse to get a chance to say a real goodbye to you…You know, one where I wasn't half falling out of a window." He chuckled a little, feeling his heart do little flutters at just being in the same room with her again. He had no idea what was going on with himself today but…even though it was a little overwhelming he sort of liked it…a lot. It was like he had suddenly found himself in a long-term episode of that darker side of himself, and it was an interesting state of being to explore… 'Especially with a great girl who wants to explore it with you…' he had to add to himself with a deepening blush.

Helga, meanwhile, just crossed her arms over her chest at his reply and smirked at him. "You are just a little addict, aren't you?" She giggled and just shook her head in amusement. "Crimeny I love when you get like this, Football Head—and it's rare that I get you in this long of a groove. I can definitely guarantee you plenty more shoulder massages and neck kisses in your future if it's gonna result in you like this." She winked and blushed even more

"Hey…" Still blushing and smiling like crazy, he shrugged, "There's always a chance that right now I'm back in control of myself again and might have just come back to say a nice, sweet, normal ten-year-old goodbye to you with maybe a small kiss on the back of your hand or something…" He reached out a took her hand, slowly lifting it up, and then gave it a deep little kiss.

Helga just giggled more as he did so. "Yeah…" she rolled her eyes to the side, "…OR you came back to play 'caress Helga's lower lip with your own perfect lips' again…"

Helga watched with amusement as Arnold's eyes instantly went wide and his entire body froze at this blunt observation of hers. His jaw dropped and his hand still holding up her own released it, his arm dropping limply to his side.

She just giggled again and looked at him with a little smirk. "Uh, Arnold? You who? It, uh…it was kind of obvious when you did that…especially since it was my lip you were doing it to…." She leaned just a little closer to him, her smile growing just a bit smugger. "The pouting finally got to you, didn't it…?"

Helga watched as Arnold's eyes went just a tiny bit wider for a second if that was even possible…but then his face just melted into an amused smile…then the blush overtook him and he seemed more than fine with going along for the ride. He let out a happy sigh and spoke warmly to her again. "Everything you do to me really is just part of some grand plan to drive me nuts, isn't it?" He couldn't help but be reminded of his grandparents just a little…It all made him feel so warm and good inside.

Helga just glanced to the side coyly. "Maybe…"

Arnold chuckled, leaning closer to her now. "And it always works…"

Her smile picked up on one side and she winked at him. "Definitely."

The two kids just gazed at each other lovingly for a few seconds more…and then suddenly burst into warm chuckles, all the memories of driving each other a little nuts and still liking each other anyway over the years washing over them.

"Hey, Football Head?" Helga said after a little bit, coming out of some chuckled for a moment. "You maybe wanna stick around and watch a movie or something before dinnertime? You really do crack me up you know." She giggled a little more.

Arnold nodded, letting his laughter likewise subside a little so that he could reply to her. "I'd like that, Helga. Not that what we've been doing up here…a-and in the library before…hasn't been…incredible, like we said…" He smiled more at the small blush that crept into her face…and at the deeper blush that he felt creep into his own… "But I think maybe just spending some time enjoying being near each other's company would be nice too. No homework, no losing it a little...just having fun and enjoying a movie together…"

Helga scoffed at his words good-naturedly and replied without missing a beat, "Yeah, well trying selling that story to our first date, Football Head. You know as well as I do that a movie and the two of us on my couch can turn into something, and pretty quickly." She winked.

Arnold blushed more and sighed and rolled his eyes, crossing his arms over his chest. "Helga, whatever happened to that promise you made to me last month when I was still so very worried about getting carried away with you about at least trying keeping me in check?"

Helga just shrugged and gave him a half grin. "Eh, I realized that if I abandoned that plan I'd get days like today out of you."

He gave her a look and a smirk, but then just sighed and chuckled to himself. "Well, I guess I can't complain then…since I kind of like days like this a lot myself…" He blushed extra once more but then swallowed and quickly went on with a shrug and a smile, "A-Anyway, before we head downstairs, can I have my sweater back, Helga? That way when I see your Dad down there he'll know that I really did have a real reason for coming up here…" His grin picked up a little on one side. "Unless you already turned my sweater into part of another new Arnold shrine?"

Helga just scoffed and chuckled. "You're a pistol, Arnold." She then walked across the room, snagged Arnold's sweater from under her bed and tossed it back to her beloved. "Now come on…" She walked back across her room to her door, opened it wide and then gestured to him to go first. "Let's get to that movie! And it's your turn to go first this time, Mr. Chivalry."

Arnold nodded and thanked her and did so, and she followed suite.

"Helga?"

"Mmm hmm?"

"Are…Are you sure your it's okay for us to be sitting like this…you know, with your Dad in the house?" Arnold swallowed. Not that he exactly wanted Helga to stop laying most of her body in his lap while he sat on the couch with her as they watched Evil Twin II but…Big Bob Pataki seemed okay only with Arnold being 'Helga's special friend'…and Arnold had a pretty good feeling that the beeper king wouldn't take it well if he caught Helga cuddling her body against him on a couch like this in a much more than friendly way.

Helga, meanwhile, in response to this question, just let out a content sigh, not even bothering to glance up at her boyfriend. "Oh relax, Football Head. He's out in the garage working on some stuff…Besides…" She snuggled a little more against him and let out a small chuckle, "I'm really starting to like this whole 'lying in your lap' thing. It grows on a girl, you know?"

Arnold felt himself blush and just let out a sigh, now finally giving in to the small desire he'd had for about twenty minutes now to play with one of her pigtails a little again just like he had done the first time she had lain like this upon him. "Okay, Helga." He nodded with a smile, taking up the blonde strands gently in his fingers. "But I think we should just keep it at this…just in case, alright?"

He felt her shrug. "If you insist, Arnoldo…"

He smiled contentedly…until he had to raise an eyebrow as Helga suddenly pushed against his legs and shifted up, looking into his eyes with a grin and her own eyes just a little narrowed. "Or rather, if you can resist…considering how you've been today…" She specifically pouted just slightly…and then winked and giggled and then shyly went back to her former position of resting herself against his lap while watching the movie, leaving any further move for him to make…and leaving him to return to playing with her hair (a feeling which she LOVED.)

She heard Arnold just let out a sigh again from above her. "Very funny, Helga…" he said in an amused voice.

She laughed a little. "Hey, I just work with what you give me…Crimeny, you're a sucker for me, Football Head!"

Arnold's smile picked up on one side and he now indeed went back to twirling a piece of one of her pigtails around one or two of his fingers. "Yeah, but…I got it all out of my system back at the library and then up in your room. So now we really can just enjoy a nice quiet movie together."

"You got it, my love."

The movie continued.

"Oh but…" Arnold suddenly interjected casually, grinning just a little more to himself, "If you get scared at all or think you're going to yelp again like that one time at the movie theatre, then please feel free to hold my hand, Helga…or just me if it makes you feel more comfortable…"

Helga just giggled more. "Eh, it's easier for me to squeeze your knee considering how I'm currently laying, Football Head…" And then she did move her hand up and place it on one of his knees…

Arnold instantly felt himself blush furiously…and felt his eyes fall uncontrollably to Helga's knees just at the hem of her dress…the one he had squeezed once or twice in their lives in particular… "Helga…" he just said shyly, doing his best to pull his eyes away and back to the TV screen.

She just giggled once more. "Hey, once again, you started it, Arnold…Remember that knee squeeze in your room when you egged me into poetry tutoring everyone? And anyway do NOT give me that Mr. Modest act after this afternoon…" She shifted a little bit in his lap to look up at him with a blush and a loving smirk as she announced proudly, "You mauled me in a library, Arnold, so me putting a hand on your knee should be the least awkward act you participate in today!"

Arnold just did his best not to let his pounding heart completely flood his body with heat at her way of putting his most recent snap. "Uh…" he went for his default, "Wh-Whatever you say, Helga…"

"Actions speak louder than words head boy…"

Before Arnold could question this random statement, Helga just turned back to the movie and snuggled deep inside of his lap…letting her one hand rest permanently upon his knee now, gently swirling a fingertip or two over his jeans over the knee cap. "You know, Arnold," she began, the flirtatiousness dropping from her tone and her normal, nice way of speaking around him returning, "I want to respect your feelings about everything in life…but I've gotta say…going back to how that library thing today started in the first place…I still don't get how you can let something like me being a few inches taller than you get you down about yourself as a boyfriend at all. I mean, sure every guy you know probably could have reached that shelf back in the library all on their own, but…how many guys do you know who could make an apple fall from Mighty Pete right into someone's hands just by hitting the tree with all of their strength…or who could…make a girl feel like everything inside of her's just come undone in love just by using only their lips?" She sighed girlishly. "I'll nab a thousand books for you from the fourth shelf if you keep sending feelings like that through me, my love…"

Arnold, his fingers buried extra deeply into her hair and pigtail now, just let out a deep, happy breath. "Thanks, Helga…" And then he chuckled. "Is that why it felt like you were limp for a while when we were on that floor? Because I made you…feel like everything inside of you came undone?"

"Mmm hmm…" she nodded, "I just got a little too overwhelmed by a patented Arnold kiss. And F-Y-I, I was loving every minute of it…" She snuggled more into him again. "A-And Arnold…" she added with a tiny shudder, "Please keep playing with my hair…I love that feeling…" A little giggle finished her request.

Arnold nodded and twirled the fingers of his hand more and more into her long, golden locks. "Sure thing, Helga…I love the feeling too…"

Another scene of the movie came and went.

"So…Helga Geraldine Pataki-Shortman…" Helga mulled aloud then. "Hmm…yes, I'm definitely okay with that, Arnold. A wonderful compromise, my darling...And to tell you the truth even though I really was gung ho about the idea of you taking my name instead of me taking yours…a little part of me always has wanted your name to be a part of mine, all gender bias and gender equality aside…"

Arnold just gulped at this topic (now recalling that he had indeed confessed his thoughts about their last names as adults out loud to her in the middle of all that library stuff)…He replied to her in a shy voice. "I, um…I'm happy, Helga…th-that you like it…I-I've been, um…thinking about it for a little while…" He even played with her hair shyly at this point.

"Hmm…Good to know…" she just replied back sweetly…nuzzling into him a little more, massaging his knee a tiny bit with her hand. "Oh and, um, just so you're aware, basically every inch of my notebook paper for school is probably going to end up with 'Pataki-Shortman' doodled in hearts in purple ink all over the place…and pretty quickly."

Arnold's smile grew a tiny bit…and the tiniest chuckle escaped him (though luckily Helga didn't question it.) 'I already have you beat by almost one full notebook, Helga…' he couldn't help but think to himself…recalling the margins of the notebook he liked to use to try and write his next poem about her.

And Helga was just savoring over and over in her mind… 'Pataki-Shortman, Pataki-Shortman…Helga Geraldine Pataki-Shortman…Arnold Phillip Pataki-Shortman…Mr. and Mrs. Arnold Pataki-Shortman…Mrs. and Mr. HELGA Pataki-Shortman…' She gave a little quiet chuckle too.

Arnold smiled, and Helga smiled, their eyes remaining upon the screen but their thoughts remaining upon each other.

The film went on.

Sometime later (after the kids had fallen asleep together like this watching their movie)…Arnold's eyes fluttered open a little and he yawned…Something had disturbed his slumber enough to wake him and he realized, blinking a couple of times and looking forward, that the movie had ended and now there was just a soft sounding static coming from the TV. Smiling and fully recalling where he was and the circumstances of his being there he glanced down and saw with a little extra beat of his heart that Helga's head was still snuggled into his lap, her eyes pleasantly closed in blissful sleep. So pretty when she slept…especially near him…Arnold sighed dreamily…but then other things besides Helga started to process with his senses and the first thing he noticed, with a blink, was how strangely dark it was in the living room now. He glanced over to wall clock and just barely made out the time by the dim glow of the staticy TV…and his eyes went wide. Nearly 6pm! It was almost dinnertime and he hadn't been home yet and his grandparents didn't even know where he was!

Taking a breath and being as gentle as possible, Arnold slowly shifted himself out from under Helga. He noticed bit of a fretful look come to her features at his action (much like that time several weeks ago when he had carried her to her door and had transferred her, after she had passed out from one of his kisses, from his arms to her mother's), and it made a touch of concern come to his eyes. The young boy glanced around for a moment, considered, and then the smile returned to his face as he got an idea. He grabbed a throw pillow from one end of the couch and managed to lift Helga's head a little and shift the pillow underneath it. He then took a step back and observed her to see if that was any better.

As Arnold watched, Helga's sleeping form snuggled into the pillow a little and a degree more comfort seemed to come over her…but still the tiniest bit of a frown remained… "Arnold…" she whispered out in some form of dream…

Arnold let out a sigh…He knew he had to go but he hated leaving her looking…so very slightly disappointed and all because he was no longer there for her to sleep on. There had to be something he could…And then his eyes lit up as they lit upon something draped over the back of the couch…something that he had forgotten to put back on after being up in Helga's room actually.

Not ten seconds later, Helga was smiling in her sleep…as Arnold had laid his sweater over her back, covering her cozily with it. "Oh Arnold…I do…I do…" she whispered with a giggle in her slumber…

He sighed and smiled goofily. Dreaming about their wedding again…It was so adorable that she dreamt about it so very often… "I do too, Helga…forever and ever…" he whispered back with a smile…and then he sighed again and for his last moment there just admired his handiwork in terms of covering Helga. 'Oh well…she was bound to get a sweater from me sooner or later…' He almost chuckled to himself. 'And to be honest I…was kind of ready to give her one at this point, anyway…She's so cute wearing my clothes…' he couldn't help but think shyly. And in particular her all cuddled in and cozy like that with his sweater over her…this little piece of him protecting her…Not only did it obviously make her happy about continuing her nap but it made HIM happy about knowing she would truly be comfortable when he left her. He let out a breath in the semi-darkness… and leaned a little close to her… "Goodnight, my beloved Helga…" he whispered with a smile…and then he puckered his lips and prepared to lean in to give her soft cheek a parting little…

"Hey, uh…Alfr—uh, Arnold…"

Arnold instantly froze at the sound of that familiar voice…Then blushed hotly and straightened up. And his eyes fell upon Big Bob Pataki, standing in the doorway leading to the hall.

Arnold took in a sharp breath in, and then just crossed his fingers behind his back that the very VERY large, very VERY short tempered man before him had not just seen and put two and two together about what Arnold had just been doing…leaning in…to lay a gentle kiss upon his sleeping daughter's gentle cheek.

Arnold swallowed and then smiled a little sheepishly, and was about to open his mouth with the most innocent greeting he could come up with (all the while trying not to think of phrases like 'your strong arms'… 'something wild and passionate inside of you'… 'caress Helga's lower lip with your own soft perfect lips'… and of course 'hey, you MAULED me in a library, Football Head…')…But then a little slumbering sigh from the girl before him caught his ears, and he instantly recalled Helga's sleeping form. So instead for now he just looked to Big Bob Pataki and brought a finger to his lips, making a small shushing sound.

Arnold watched as Bob blinked at the action at first until he gestured to the couch and Bob leaned up and over, just making out the edge of Helga's sleeping form there. Understanding now, he nodded, and waited for Arnold to lightly side step away from Helga and then around the couch and toward the room's exit. Bob then turned and headed back in the direction of the kitchen…and then much to Arnold's terror beckoned him with a hand wave to follow.

Arnold took a deep breath. 'Okay, okay…relax, he didn't catch us doing anything…Probably just wants to talk about some more sports stuff or something…And you like that…' Still though Arnold gulped as he shuffled off to some alone time with Helga's father. 'But then…why do I have such a bad feeling about this…?' He took a deep breath and secretly wished, even though he didn't want to disturb his love, that she would wake up and join them in the kitchen or make a good excuse to put off her father so that Arnold could just leave this house now instead of having to…go where he was going…with whom he was going with…

The hall had been crossed and now Arnold took his first steps upon the kitchen linoleum.

"Hey, uh…Arnold…" Big Bob, who had been leaning over as he rummaged in the fridge for something, stood up and turned his head to Arnold…with a smile. "Oh, uh, thanks for letting me know the gir—uh, Helga was still asleep….I just figured that when you woke up she would have woken up too but…I guess she was just tired out."

Arnold…having decided to play this whole meeting very VERY much by ear and very very VERY close to the vest…just nodded a little, not taking any further steps into the kitchen. "Um…yeah…she…she's a deep sleeper…" He instantly blinked and then quickly added with a gulp (suddenly realizing that he had just unintentionally admitted the number of times he might have been close and cozy with a sleeping or at least nearly sleeping Helga)… "Uh, I know that because…she's mentioned that to me a couple of times…" He let out a breath and went on, trying really really hard not to let himself get really really nervous lest he have any more slip-ups like that one. 'Remember, Helga still wants to keep us a secret from her Dad, and I have to respect that…' "Uh, a-anyway…" he went on, "I-I guess when the movie stopped just now it woke me up but she was still asleep, so I just slipped out from und—I, I mean…" he barely caught himself, "I, uh…" He swallowed hard, feeling a touch of heat building in his features and…unsure of what to say or do next now that he had backed himself into such a corner (and not thirty seconds into this chat with Big Bob)… And so he just stood there, his hands clasped together in front of himself and his eyes only just barely glancing up at the older man across the room, his mouth unable to find words to go on with.

Arnold's ears were just met with a sigh after another second or two of this awkwardness…and then Bob finally stood up straight from the fridge (two Yahoo soda bottles in his hands), and brought all of his gaze and attention entirely to Arnold. "You, uh …slipped out from, uh…under her…" he supplied…and then gave Arnold a really unreadable look.

The rosiness built in Arnold's cheeks. The young boy let out a breath he felt like he had been holding in forever…and just…at least just tried to be calm. He gave a small, shaky nod. "Y-Yeah. She, um…while we were watching the movie she was resting her head in my lap and I guess she fell asleep like that…And I slipped out from…under her just now…" He took in another breath, and found it in himself to add, still managing to hold his own a little, "And I put a pillow under her head, and um…she should be warm too because I covered her with my sweater…" The little blonde boy waited for whatever response there would be, still just barely looking up at Mr. Pataki as he did his best to maintain eye contact and not seem like he was just a little plain terrified.

There was no yelling though, no kicking him out, no chasing after him and threatening to 'wring his neck' or something… Bob just nodded a little at his words…and then he seemed to let out a small sigh. "Okay…" He pushed the fridge door shut. "Hey, uh…Arnold…" Arnold had just been inching his way back to the hallway a little (hoping to see if he could get out of this by just wishing Mr. Pataki a fond farewell now quickly and bailing)…but now he paused at being addressed again. "Uh…if you have a minute…" Bob's voice went on and Arnold was all ears, "…sit down, would ya? Have a soda…" The older man smiled a little and went over to the kitchen table and placed down the two drinks in his hands…

Arnold felt everything in side of him lock up (but not in that good Helga G. Pataki way, to say the least)…He felt panicked, plain and simple, and just wanted to run—all of this was so sudden and so unexpected and so unplanned for after all! But…what could he do? After all, technically he was just being asked to have a soda…He didn't want to be rude. And a small part of him at the back of his mind also had to admit, 'And maybe, um…m-maybe this has been a…a little while in coming…' After all Arnold had been kissing and caressing and courting Big Bob's younger daughter for over three weeks now and kind of under his nose since Helga really wasn't too keen on the idea of explaining to her father (whom she was still getting used to having a good relationship with and who could be a little 'protective' of his girls at times, according to Helga) that she was not just 'hanging around' with Arnold the Football Head on occasion, but actively dating him, sneaking into his room, tossing him down on beds and getting tossed on beds, kissing, hugging, moaning, snuggling, hearts racing, together forever…He felt his head spinning and his face blushing and somehow, coming more back to reality, he realized that his legs had managed to guide him to the kitchen table and get him seated in the chair opposite to Big Bob. He reached out and opened and took a sip of cold soda to calm his nerves. He let out a breath.

"So, um…" Bob then started just a little uncomfortably, taking a sip of his own soda…and Arnold immediately knew that this was going to be the most awkward talk of his life. Ever. "How about those Hillwood Sox this year…Heh, look like they might even make it into the series…"

Arnold nodded. "Uh, yeah…they're doing pretty good…" He actually even managed to smile a little. "Me and my friend Gerald actually went to a game the other week…It was fun. Heh…"

Bob smiled back. "Oh. Good…"

Arnold swallowed and added shyly. "O-Oh and, um, speaking of baseball…th-thanks for that dangerous lumber tip last month, Mr. Pataki…I've been trying it and it's really been helping."

Bob nodded. "Uh, you're welcome and, uh, glad to hear it."

The boy and the older man just sat drinking their sodas in silence for a few seconds.

And then finally Arnold cleared his throat, instantly realizing that he did not have the stamina for small talk or beating around the bush and really just wanting to get this over with…whatever this would entail… And so… "Um…Mr. Pataki…" Arnold began, just wishing that the blushing he could feel going on in his face would stop…though he knew, with the topic being Helga, that wasn't very likely. He brought his soda bottle to his lips again.

"Uh…" Bob swallowed the sip he was in the middle of taking and cleared his throat. "Just…just call me Bob or Big Bob, Arnold, okay?"

Arnold almost choked on the drink in his mouth and actually had to cough several times to clear his throat but them finally managed to regain himself. "O-Okay…" he squeaked out at first…and then cleared his throat and resumed a deeper tone, "I-I mean, okay, um…Big, um…Bob…heh…" He took an innocent sip of his soda and swung his legs a little.

Bob smiled a little more, almost laughed actually at the young boy's reaction. "Heh, good…." He drank some more. "So you…you're Helga's age, right, Arnold…ten?"

Arnold nodded, just playing with his soda can a little. "Yeah, we've…we've always been in the same class, actually." He managed to nervously smile a little again at Helga's Father.

Bob smiled again back. "Good, good…" He let out a sigh.

A few more seconds passed and then Arnold managed to psyche himself up and resume taking the plunge now that the 'name' thing was out the way. "Um…so…Mr. Pata—uh, Big Bob…" It still sounded so funny to Arnold to say but he figured he'd get used to it, "Um, did you have something you needed to ask me?" He swallowed but did his best to keep his breaths level and even "…S-Something about me and, um, Helga, maybe?" Arnold couldn't help letting the advice giving side of himself take over for a moment with this prompt, but after all Bob obviously had something to say and he obviously just needed it pointed out to him…even if it WOULD lead to humiliation for Arnold.

Tension. Silence and tension in the kitchen.

And then Bob just let out a deep sigh and pushed his soda bottle a little away. "You're Helga's boyfriend or something, aren't you, Arnold?" he just asked simply.

Arnold blushed fully and couldn't help a cold sweat breaking out on the back of his neck… (Instantly the memory came over him of how good Helga's lovely breath felt on the back of his neck but he quickly just did his best to plunge that thought deep inside of himself until later and to get back to just not passing out right now). "Um…well, that's…um…We're, uh…I'm not sure if that's the best way to…I mean…" He stuttered and stumbled in his reply oh so very badly.

"Kid…" Arnold stopped at the address and looked with panic right to Bob Pataki…and Bob just gave him a blank look with small, wry little smile, and said simply, "I may be a little selfish and insensitive to things sometimes but I already raised one preteen daughter and also I wasn't born yesterday…Now, you're Helga's boyfriend…right?" This time the question was asked with a touch more firmness…and an obviously implied expectation of a straight answer.

Arnold swallowed, took a breath…and then just did his best to say his honest feelings on this whole matter and this whole conversation in general. "Um…Big Bob…to be honest…Helga's very, um…she's really guarded about a lot of her feelings with people and I try to respect that so, um…I don't think I'd be comfortable speaking for her in all of this… I think she should tell you her own feelings when she's ready." He looked at Bob sincerely.

Bob looked at him with an eyebrow raised for a moment but then considered and finally nodded. "Okay…That's fair. When she's ready to tell me how she feels she will…I can respect that and wait, I guess…" He glanced down and to the side a little with a small frown. "We haven't exactly had the best relationship after all…"

"So I've heard…" Arnold couldn't help it coming out of his mouth in a flat voice as he took another sip of soda, a sort of defensive look coming to his eyes…Yes, he had certainly heard some 'stories' to say the least about a few of the things Helga's parents had put her through over the years and even though things were good between them now and he was more than willing to support Helga's fresh start with them…it didn't stop him from reflecting back every now and then…and getting just a little angry. Hurting her like that…neglecting her…rejecting her…The most special girl in the whole world! His love. Someone he would do anything to keep safe and happy and to love forever and ever. (And at the same time though maybe…maybe some of that anger was also directed at a touch of guilt he couldn't help but feeling himself for likewise not getting a chance to really be there for Helga fully until now in their lives…But anyway back to Arnold and Bob and the two of them chatting in the kitchen).

At Arnold's sudden blunt comment, meanwhile, Bob blinked a few times and a scowl initially came to his face…but then it faded a little and he just shrugged and sighed in a touch of defeat. "Yeah, okay…that's fair, Arnold. I know—I barely deserve any chance she's giving me now…And I remember with Olga—boys is a just very big thing in general. So Helga probably won't admit anything about that to me until she completely trusts me…" He sighed once more, and then his gaze turned to Arnold again. "But...even if you can't speak for her feelings…as her father I'd like to know…how do you feel about her, Arnold? Do you consider her your girlfriend?" Once again a question that was spoken softly and yet with a touch of command, showing that he was trying to be nice but still he obviously expected and answer.

Arnold let out a breath…a very very very very very deep breath…

Yeah, here it was: the big question.

And, as always, our football headed hero told the truth. (Because…passively just not bringing up his and Helga's relationship to her Dad was one thing and something he was willing to respect and participate in for Helga's sake…But he was not going to lie to a direct question from her father…and it seemed kind of pointless anyway since he obviously knew the truth and was now just waiting for a confirmation and some details).

"Yes," Arnold answered point blank with a nod, his tone level and steady as he said what he needed to say, "I consider her my girlfriend…and a…special…and lovely person and, um…girl…She makes me happy and I do everything I can to make her happy…I think I'd spend everyday of my whole life with her if I could to be honest…" He smiled a little and then just said…it. "I'm in love with her, Big Bob. We're only ten-years-old…but I'm completely in love with her. And I've been, um, working out those feelings with her for a few weeks now." And with these words the young boy crossed his arms over his chest and finally finished with the last push of his courage. "And, um, I'd appreciate it, if you're going to hit me or something now, if you could kind of just get it over with quickly…Oh and if you're going to yell could we do it outside or in the garage because Helga's still asleep…and I wouldn't disturb her for anything in the world…" He smiled just a little proudly to himself at having had it in him to say all of that…but, he had figured… 'If he's going to get angry or sock me for dating Helga, I might as well just get everything out in the open so it can happen once and we can just get it over with.'

Arnold was just met with a silent and wide eyed overprotective father at first…but then…

A chuckle…another chuckle…laughter…?

Arnold just blinked a few times at the sight of Big Bob indeed laughing right now…really unsure of what to make of this…but really hoping it wasn't leading to Bob going temporarily insane and trying to kill him with that chainsaw Helga had mentioned there being out in the garage. He decided to be silent for now and just wait it out to see what would happen next.

Eventually Bob did get himself under control, and he just shook his head in amusement. "I…I'm sorry, Arnold…Didn't mean to laugh, it's just…" He took another swig of soda and gave the kid an impressed smile. "You've got a lot of moxy, haven't you, kid? A lot of guts…"

Arnold blinked once or twice more…but then smiled a tiny bit at the compliment and couldn't help himself. "Well, um… I…kind of have to, Mr…um, I mean, Big Bob…Helga's a very independent girl. She doesn't put up with a lot of wishy-washy stuff…she never has…and I…respect that. A lot." He took another sip of his soda…and suddenly felt a lot more…well, just…better about this whole thing.

Another few chuckles escaped Bob and he took another swig of his own soda as well. "You know…it would be a heck of a lot easier for me to kick you out and tell you not to come near my little girl ever again if I didn't like you so much, Alf—uh, Arnold…"

Arnold had been kind of chuckling along with Big Bob a little…until this sentence processed and then the young boy's eyes flew open wide and it felt like his heart genuinely stopped for a moment. He instantly spoke (and rather seriously) without hesitation. "Mr. Pataki, I understand that you're Helga's Dad and I respect that but…even if you told me to stay away from her forever, as long as she still wanted me, I'll never leave her alone. Like I said, I love her."

Bob blinked at the boy's almost panicked sounding words and instantly held up his hands. "Whoa, whoa, kid, I'm kidding! Relax!" He smiled warmly. "I know she's happy with you—otherwise she wouldn't be sneaking around trying to see you and inviting you over for dinner and napping wrapped in your shirt like I've accidentally caught her doing twice…" He raised an eyebrow, the smile going away for just a moment. "By the way I'd like an explanation for how she got your shirt off of your back in the first place…as her father, you know…"

Arnold blushed a lot. "U-Um…" he cleared his throat and just did his best to remind himself that at least Big Bob hadn't been serious about forbidding Helga from seeing him, "Oh, well, it…I-I mean I wasn't wearing that, um, shirt when I gave it to her…" More blushing. Insane blushing, really, as he realized how what he had just said must have sounded. "I MEAN," he quickly explained further, "I was wearing a shirt of course when I gave that one to her but just not that particular one. She, um…well, we were helping my Grandma with some chores and Helga's kind of…always liked my clothes…which is kind of a long story…And so, um…I just gave her one of the extra clean shirts because I thought it would make her happy, and it, um…" he had to smile, the warm recollections of the incident outweighing his fluster for just a moment, "It…really, really did…" He let out a small happy sigh…but then of course quickly recalled whose presence he was in and blinked and cleared his throat before he could get too caught up in memories or daydreams and added quickly as an afterthought, "Oh, and, um…and the sweater I covered her with in the living room…when she wakes up can you let her know that that's for her too, Big Bob?" He looked at the older man sincerely.

Bob just kind of looked at Arnold in a bit of amazement and with a bit of intrigue for a moment…but then he nodded, his smile returning. "Uh, yeah…sure, Arnold…"

Arnold smiled gratefully. "Thanks. I appreciate it." He took another sip of his Yahoo.

There was another little period of silence between the two gentleman during which they just sat and drank the occasional mouthful of soda.

Then Bob was heard to let out a little sigh. "Hmm…" He was looking down at the table and his smile grew a little as he thought about whatever he was thinking about. "Sheesh, Olga didn't start getting jackets and stuff from guys until she was at least fifteen…" He chuckled a little to himself.

"Helga's not Olga, Mr. Pataki…" Arnold just stated a little causally…but also a little firmly (unable to help feeling a touch of that anger about the past between Helga and her family return to him). He did his best to keep things more on the casual side though as he went on. "She's…She's…I mean Olga's book smart and nice and impressive but Helga's…creative and bright and clever and brave and strong and loving and—" He realized the last adjective he had used and closed his mouth, recalling his conviction to not to speak for Helga's feelings to her father since he knew it really would be best for her to do that herself one day. "Well, um…you get the picture…Big Bob…" he finished and then went back to shyly sipping his drink.

He just heard the man before him give just another chuckle and then say simply, "She's got you hooked pretty deep, hasn't she, Arnold?"

Arnold, still not really glancing up from the bottle in his hands, just blushed more…shrugged a little…nodded… "L-Like I said, I…" he replied quietly, "I can't speak for her feelings but…yeah, she's got me…pretty hooked…"

"Hmm…" Big Bob said to himself as Arnold let out a breath and brought up his eyes again…The man before him seemed to be considering some things, a smile on his face though nonetheless. He took the final swing of his soda and put the now empty bottle down on the table. "Well…" he went on finally with a nod, "Okay then, Arnold. Like I said I'm not going to forbid you two from seeing each other or anything. You're happy together after all. I just wanted to get everything straight…" He blushed just a tiny bit. "I am her father after all and she is my daughter after all. And like you said she's special. I just…wanted us to talk." He smiled warmly at the boy across from him.

Arnold finished his own final sip of his Yahoo and then he let out a breath and nodded back…and smiled back, letting his own empty bottle rest upon the table. "Yeah…I was guessing we'd probably have to have a talk like this soon anyway. I mean…I feel like the truth about me and Helga has to be pretty obvious, at least to someone who knows how much time we've been spending together, no matter how low key we try and keep things." Arnold smiled more, feeling a lot calmer now that this talk seemed to be winding down…and it had actually gone…kind of well. 'Really well, actually…' he couldn't help but think to himself, considering for a moment how potentially nightmarish it really could have been. He had actually liked it, come to think of it! "And, I'm, um…I'm kind of glad we talked actually," he added now thoughtfully, "…because I kind of…like you too, Mr…uh, Big Bob." Arnold glanced to the side and shrugged a tiny bit, the smallest bit of a frown coming to his face for a moment. "I mean, um…my Grandpa's great and everything but…I don't really have a lot of memories about what it's like to have a, um…a Dad…So like that that first night I had dinner over here with you and everyone when you and I were talking about baseball and stuff…and then this now talking with you…well, like I said, it's all…kind of nice for me."

There was just quiet between the two men.

Then Bob said something he should have said almost three months ago after saying something really stupid about the good young man before him. "I'm sorry I called you an orphan that one time, Arnold…It was completely out of line."

Arnold's eyes went a little wide…but then softened…and then he took a breath in and out and said back sincerely, "Apology accepted. Thank you, Big Bob."

More silence between the two men…and this time it was calm, pensive silence rather than a tense and anxious one.

"Hey, you know," Bob, smiling once more, spoke up again, and there was just a touch of hope and compassion in his voice, "If you…If you kind of like talking to me…and I kind of like talking to you…maybe you and me, or you and me and Helga could do something sometime together…" He shrugged a little sheepishly, his hands folded together on the table. "I-I mean, maybe it would even help her be more comfortable with telling me one day how she feels about you…and I could kind of bond with her more…and with you more…" He reached up and rubbed the back of his neck and with a chuckle added, "Besides, we probably should get used to being together, Arnold…The Pataki women are pretty stubborn so…if Helga's determined to keep you around and you're as smitten with her as you keep saying, I have a feeling we're gonna be dealing with each other for a long time."

A small chuckle escaped Arnold (who had been…smiling a lot as Bob had been speaking) as well now and he nodded. "I'd like that, Big Bob, and I think she would too…" Another chuckle and a shrug. "Well, actually she might be a little freaked out at first about you and her and me doing something together but I think she'd still be willing to go along with it. She's just…shy about certain parts of her life…" he blushed a tiny bit, looking down in pleasant thought, "…But she'll open up to you, Big Bob, if you just give her a little time and don't push her…and when she does, it's…" he had to just sigh, "…It's kind of amazing…"

Bob's smile warmed… 'Yup…hooked. No question.' "Okay. You sound like you know her better than I do. We'll just let her ease on into it all then…"

Arnold smiled more and let out a breath just as the kitchen clock started to chime. He glanced to it only to blink in surprise at the sight of the hour. "Oh, um…Big Bob," he turned back to Mr. Pataki, "…It's 6:30 and I…I haven't even called my grandparents since I got out of school. And dinner's already started. I think I should go…" He stood, pushing out his chair as he did so.

"Arnold…"

Arnold paused from further preparations to leave the kitchen at the…this time rather firm and almost stern sounding way in which his girlfriend's father had just addressed him. And then his eyes focused in on Big Bob's…now kind of scowling face. Arnold gulped a little. "Yes, Mr. Pata…Um, Big Bob…?"

The older man let out a deep sigh and closed his eyes and rubbed his temples. "Before you go…since I AM her father after all…the curfew still stays strict, no sneaking out at night…, I'll knock when you two are up in her room but no locking her door, I DON'T want to have to see much more touching than you with her head in your lap…I know I really can't control whatever might happen in private but…just for my sanity I'd like the public stuff around here to stay pretty mellow even though now I officially know what's going on with you two…And finally…about this 'lip gloss' I heard Olga and Miriam whispering about…" The scowl became a little stricter and Arnold, unbreathing, just went a fiery red. Bob sighed once more…and then just closed his eyes again and shook his head. "I don't even want to know…it'll just upset me and she's happy and I don't want to ruin that so I'm just going to pretend like I don't know about it. That being said…" his face softened a little now and he added sheepishly, "Arnold, I've, uh…missed out on a lot of big chunks of Helga's childhood…I know that's my own fault and I'm the one who has to deal with it but even so…if she starts growing up in hyper speed now I'll never get a chance to make up for a lot of it. So just…" his tone was mostly one of acceptance and worry with just a touch of fatherly desperation, "…Can the two of you just try and keep certain things going a little slowly…just so I can have her as my little girl for a little while longer?"

A still blushing like mad Arnold absorbed the sincere plea, and then blinked a few times and gulped and put his arms behind his back, smiling a little sheepishly. "Um…heh…s-sure, Mr. Pataki…We, heh…" a little shrug, "…we're just ten after all…All we really do is, I mean…w-well…and the lip gloss is just for…I-I mean…" Fire practically consumed his face.

"Uh, kid…?" Big Bob, with a kind of concerned look on his face, was standing and walking around the table. Reaching Arnold, he reached out a hand and put it on the young boy's shoulder. Arnold practically jumped at the touch and looked up at the older man in just a touch of fright. "Look…" Bob started sheepishly, "Like I said I don't need or really want any details…Just know that I know that something's going on that involves lip gloss and don't come by asking for her hand in marriage anytime soon…preferably not before she's thirty…or at least twenty or twenty-five or something, okay?" He shrugged.

A thoroughly blushing and near catatonic (but slowly getting just a little better) Arnold just nodded. "Uh…g-got it…N-No details necessary…Hold off on the proposal…Try to enjoy just being kids." He smiled sheepishly and yet with so much personal distress, just barely able to handle making eye contact with Big Bob.

"Okay then!" With a bright smile Bob gave him a firm pat on the back. "Well, now that that's finally out of the way you can go home and I'll tell Helga about the sweater for you, Arnold…and maybe next time you come by we'll all get ice cream or something together, huh?"

"Heh…" Arnold nodded again, his smile becoming a bit more relaxed and natural now finally, "Right, Mr. P—…Uh, Big Bob. I'd like that. And, um…thanks for the soda," he tacked on appreciatively and politely.

"No problem, kid…" Bob grinned at him, crossing his arms over his chest.

Letting out a VERY deep breath, Arnold sidestepped away from Big Bob, finally heading toward the kitchen exit with the hopes of actually making it there. He gave a little wave goodbye as he did so. "Well, um…bye, Bob! And say bye to Helga for me please!"

"Uh, Arnold?"

Arnold stopped once more at the sound of Big Bob Pataki addressing him on this afternoon…This time the older man's tone was a little unreadable though. "Yes, Big Bob?" Arnold asked back curiously.

Bob just sighed and rolled his eyes to the side. "Weren't you gonna…kiss her goodbye or something before I came in the room?"

Arnold's heart pounded a little in his chest. He cleared his throat. "Um…y-yes…" he just said back honestly in a little crack of a voice, having no capacity to try and deny it (and knowing any on the fly attempt of his at denial would be seen through before it even began). " I…I was… J-Just a small one…o-on the cheek of course! I…I wouldn't feel right doing it anywhere, um…else…while she's, um….sleeping…" He gulped and waited for whatever reply he might get to this admission.

A half smile just came to Bob's face and the older man let out a sigh, crossing his arms over his chest again. "A gentleman, huh? Well, I guess I should at least be thankful for that." He sighed again, glancing away with a tiny bit of frustration on his features. "But yeah just…get in there and kiss her goodbye if you want…She's already sleeping wrapped in your sweater after laying in your lap to watch a movie…and I'm not sure I even want to know what almost made her late from the library with you today or why she was acting like such a spazz up in her room before…" Arnold made no eye contact, just standing there blushing in wide-eyed bashfulness… "So…what the heck?" Bob shrugged. "Like you said, Arnold, Helga's always been her own woman. If you want to kiss her goodbye, I don't think it'd be up to me to stop you." And with these words he picked up the empty soda cans from the kitchen table and pushed the chairs in, and proceeded to (slowly, so as to give himself a distraction for the next few minutes) get things cleaned up.

Arnold just swallowed once, remained where he was for a moment longer…and then with a nod and a, "Th-Thanks…" slipped quietly back out of the kitchen, into the hall and then into the living room.

Two minutes later the young football headed boy reemerged into the kitchen.

"Goodnight again, Big Bob…" he called to Helga's father, who was now just leaning against a counter reading the paper.

"Huh?" Bob looked up from the paper, trying not to seem TOO phased by the fact that he had just sent his younger daughter's boyfriend to her sleeping side alone in a dark room to give her a kiss. "Oh, uh, yeah…goodnight again to you too, Arnold," he replied back with a smile.

Arnold went to step back into the hall…but then hesitated. "Um…Mr. Pataki?" He couldn't help the formality…considering the one final thing he had to say.

"Mmm hmm?" Bob asked back casually, glancing up from his paper once more.

Arnold let out a breath and spoke a little quickly…though steadily…and, as always, truthfully. "I completely respect all of your rules about me, um…dating Helga. And even if you hadn't told me them, I'd still never bring her home late or sneak her out of here after hours or lock her door. She's…a lady, to me, after all. I respect her and I only want to do what's right for her. And as for…us… 'touching'… I…well…" he swallowed and firmed up his voice a little, "I think what me and Helga do in private is…our own business…but like I said we like keeping things low key in front of other people and so we do and we will. And sometimes…just so you know…just in general…there are kisses. But no more than what we can both handle. She checks with me and I check with her. And I just…wanted to honest with you and wanted you to know…since you were so, um…cool about me and her just now." He let out a breath. "Well, um, like I said, goodnight again, Big Bob! Bye!" And with that and a shy hand wave, a blushing once more again today Arnold quickly slipped away out of the kitchen and in the direction of the front door.

Bob just remained looking in the direction he had gone in silence for several seconds, hearing the front door open and shut eventually as Arnold finally left, just absorbing all of that…and then the older man let out a sigh and shook his head…and smiled to himself. "Of course… Olga brings home pasty little kiss-ups that were always trying to pull the wool over my eyes so I could tell them every time to stay away from my daughter, no problem…But Helga goes and brings home a smart, interesting, honest gentleman of all people…and I actually like him on top of it all…" He chuckled to himself again today, smiling more. "Guess I'll just have to settle for the truth and knowing she's in good hands…and that she's happy…with a boy of all things…Helga dating…Heh…" He just let out a sigh again and picked up his paper once more to resume reading it, shaking his head to himself in a touch of amusement. "Eh…wonders never cease…"

About 9pm this same day. Scene: a very familiar boarding house attic room.

Arnold Shortman was just laying comfortably on his back on his bed (plaid shirt on only, all things considered) and reading from one of the pink books he loved so much with a content smile on his face.

"Most enticing enchanter of my girlish devotion,
Eyes and hair that recall the greens and salts of the ocean

Modest and mild to those whom we see each day
Yet so bold, so sultry when we go off alone to 'play'…

The warm touch of your hands as they cradle my form,
The loving words you whisper because you want more,

All overwhelm and undo the young woman within
Whom only you see, and whose heart only you do win.

Oh Arnold, my love god, my heartthrob, my hunk
Deep into your charms I've now completely sunk.

Just say the word and I'll promise the rest of my life,
To heatedly lock lips with only you…as your eternal wife."

Arnold felt a full tremor pass through his body from the tips of his toes to the top of his head as he finished reading this poem. "She…knows just the perfect way to write things that just make me…" A little bit more of that tremor went through him. "And she even underlined sultry…She knows how much I like that word and I didn't even tell her…" And then he chuckled. "And she even basically asked me to propose at the end…" There was a small, round item in the one of his hands not holding the pink book open, which he was currently caressing and playing with absentmindedly in his grasp. He smiled more…blushed a little. "My eternal w-wife…" (he was getting better about the W word, by the way)… He felt warm all over.

Suddenly his bedroom door was flung open and a panicked looking Helga G. Pataki met his surprised eyes.

"ARNOLD! Oh my darling, are you alright!" And then before he could even fully process her sudden presence (though he did have just enough time to tuck the little round thing he had been playing with deep under his pillows) she had raced across the room dove upon his bed. She had her arms pressed into his pillows around him and she was leaning over him, looking at him desperately, her eyes darting over her entire form. "Okay, good, no visible bruises or cuts." Her eyes were back looking into his. "Is there anything internal though, Arnold? Anything at all? Oh forget it, you'll just downplay it or something with all of your modesty. Come on, we're getting you in the Packard and getting your Grandpa to drive us and we're going to the hospital right now to have you checked out!"

And then with a determined look in her eye she was instantly standing up and moving one of her arms under his knees and the other behind his upper back. "I'll carry you downstairs—you shouldn't have to walk. We don't want to cause any more injuries. And please just don't give me a bunch of crap about me not being strong enough to hold you or you not wanting to be seen being held by your girlfriend—I'm just as strong as you or any of the other guys and if you carried me once or twice before then, since we're equal, it should be totally fine for me to carry you right now, and—"

"Whoa! Helga!" Arnold found his voice at exactly the same time he found himself lifted about a foot off of his bed in Helga's arms. He chuckled, looking at her in total confusion, his hands clinging to her shoulders. "Helga, what are you talking about? What injuries? What hospital? I'm fine!" He reached up with one of his hands and touched the side of her cheek to bring her eyes to his, looking at her sincerely.

Helga just blinked and looked back at him. Then she scoffed (though he could feel the blush building up in her cheek under where his hand was touching). "Arnold! Hello!" She let out an exasperated sigh. "My Dad! I woke up twenty minutes ago in my living room and he comes in, sees me with your sweater over me, I'm just frozen in shock and blushing like crazy, and then he says something about you going home a couple of hours ago for dinner, him and you having had a 'nice long chat' and here's the ringer—the SWEATER being a little gift from you to me!" Instantly that look of panic and despair was back in her features. "Oh Arnold why didn't you wake me up? He must have…Oh Arnold if he knows about you and me I can't imagine what he must have put you through! I'm just happy your perfect face is still intact! But anyway that's why we have to get you to the hospital just to make sure that there's no permanent or serious damage from whatever he did do to you! Even if there's nothing physical the emotional scarring must be unbearable to your sweet and sensitive and optimistic self!" She lifted him up entirely now so that she was cradling him over his bed in her arms, and indeed seemed fully intent on dashing down the stairs and out of the boarding house and to the Packard to actually get him to the hospital.

Okay, Arnold knew he had to nip this in the bud before she really did get that carried away. "Helga…" He reached up with his other hand now just as she was stepping back away from his bed with him, and now he had a hand placed gently on either side of her face. He made sure she was looking right at him as he said quite seriously and slowly to her, "I am completely fine. Both physically and emotionally. Your Dad didn't touch me. So you can put me down, my love…alright?" He smiled a little more.

Helga did pause at his words, still holding him over his bed…but she still looked at him hesitantly. "Arnold…" she spoke seriously, looking at him very closely, "Do you promise me…Do you PROMISE me he didn't hurt you at all…in any way?"

Arnold nodded, his hands still on her cheeks. "I promise you…On how much I love you I promise you I am perfectly fine and your Dad did not hurt me."

She looked into his eyes for a moment, then let out a small sigh, and, finally seeming satisfied, gently laid her love back down upon his bed, allowing his hands to slip from her now scarlet tinged face.

She stood there now, arms behind her back, looking kind of shy and sheepish. "Okay…I believe you, Arnold." And then she swallowed and sat down on the edge of his bed and looked at him very intently. "But Arnold you have to tell me what happened! Please! Does…Does my dad…know about…us?" She blushed a lot as she finished the question.

Arnold considered how to answer her question as he sat up a little on his bed. Then he let out a breath and looked at her lovingly, and spoke, smiling warmly and affectionately. "Helga…Your dad knows that…that I…have feelings for you…that I love you…and that I consider myself your boyfriend. But I told him anything about your feelings would be better off coming from you…when you were ready to tell him yourself."

She was blushing so much, looking almost panicked and so very unsure...

He went forward and took one of her hands in his, smiling as comfortingly as possible. "He's okay with us, by the way…He said he's been…kind of pretty much suspecting everything just after seeing us together so much for the last few weeks, so he's had time to get used to it…and he wants you to be happy so…he's okay with us. And he's willing to wait until you're ready to talk to him about us….Okay?" He squeezed her hand a little.

Helga was silent for a second or two. She seemed to be absorbing all of this. And then some of the dismalness of her look seemed to leave but still there was blushing in her features and concern in her eyes. She gulped. "Uh…" her voice started shakily, "…o-okay…okay, um…" she took a deep breath, just looking forward and down. "My Dad…knows that…I'm dating a boy who's in love with me…he's been catching us doing things on the side…he knows you're my boyfriend…waiting for me to say I'm your girlfriend…that I love you…Heh, 'Oh hey Bob, did I mention that I'm desperately in love with Arnold and long to be his bride, his wife, the mother of his children?' Heh, yeah, that'll go over swell!" She was smiling so nervously, speaking so nervously, looking so nervously…Arnold was seriously starting to worry a little (and also his face was fiery red at that whole 'mother of his children' thing, by the way).

"Um…Helga…" He placed his free hand over the top of her hand he was holding so that now he was cradling it between both of his own. "It's going to be okay, I promise," he assured her. "To be honest, I…think he's looking forward to when you'll feel comfortable enough with him to admit the truth about us…He'd like to know that you trust him like that and when you finally can I think it's going to make him really happy…"

Helga blinked a few times, and looked to her love with a curious half smile. "You…really think so?"

He nodded. "Of course I do…Um...w-would I lie to the…self proclaimed f-future m-mother of my ch-children?" He smiled and blushed so much he swore it was singing his skin from the inside.

Helga burned a deep scarlet as well. "Oh…" she gulped and then smiled a little as well. "I…suppose…not…" Then she giggled unable to help herself.

Arnold smiled more, happy that she was feeling better…and…well… 'mother of my children…' He liked thinking of that a little. 'She'd be such a pretty, wonderful, perfect Mom…' He knew it in his heart.

A cute quiet little moment passed between the two kids.

Then Helga, swinging her feet a little off of the edge of Arnold's bed, smiled at him and asked, "So…wanna explain to me why my Dad was also saying something when I left about you and me and him…going somewhere…together…soon?" She raised part of her brow.

Arnold blinked…and then sighed and looked down sheepishly with a smile. "Uh…well…we…might have talked about doing something like that together…so that he could spend more time with you…and I could spend more time with him…and so you could get more used to…maybe being more open about us around him." He did his best not to look at her extra nicely and half-liddedly…hoping doing so would soften any annoyance she might have with this whole thing.

And it seemed to work a little since she just merely kept smiling at him…only admonishing him by shaking her head...and then saying in a more amused than anything else voice, "You know I could kill you for getting me roped into something like that, right, paste for brains?" She smirked a little.

Arnold just chuckled and leaned a little closer to her. He shrugged. "I'll risk it. Besides at least I'll know that after you beat me up you'll carry me to the hospital." He winked.

She just chuckled and giggled, moving her fingers still clasped in his hands a little affectionately over the flesh of his palm. "Well…I suppose that's true…and I suppose I could go through with this group 'slash' date thing…if it's really that important to you and my Dad, Arnold…"

"Thanks, Helga…" He scooched a little closer to her, almost unconsciously.

"You're welcome, my love…" She likewise scooched a little closer to him.

They just sat there smiling coyly at each other, still with Helga's hand in Arnold's.

Suddenly, the city clock tower could be just faintly heard chiming 9:30.

Arnold let out a small, sad little sigh. Darn it…If that clock had been chiming a time even just an hour earlier than it really was…this would have been the perfect moment for her to shift even closer and for him to shift even closer…for her to tiptoe her fingers up his shirt over his chest…for him to wrap his arms around her waist and back…for the two of them to make out in love and abandon…just like in the library…to finish up their day.

But…they had barely pulled off getting Helga home on time this afternoon…it would be bad to risk getting her home late or curfew now tonight…especially after the chat Bob had had with Arnold.

And so Arnold swallowed, accepted this situation and then (though not before lifting it up and removing his one hand from atop it to give it a little kiss) released his girlfriend's hand from his own. He just looked warmly into her glowing, blue eyes as he spoke. "Um…I guess…considering the time…you have to leave me for the night, my Helga…Do you want my Grandpa to drive us to your house to drop you off? That way I wouldn't miss my curfew by walking you there, and you wouldn't have to walk back alone in the dark…which of course I couldn't bear to have you do. Not my precious princess…" He winked at her, feeling all fluttery and happy inside.

His lovely Helga just giggled at the cute suggestion. "Hmm, sounds good to me, Arnold…I'd be happy to take you up on the offer of a ride. And, um…do you know what best about that idea is?" Her grin grew even more and her eyes went down a little shyly.

Arnold just smiled more and shook his head. "No. But…please share with me, my bright angel…What's best about it?"

She smirked…and then suddenly leaned extra close to him (causing him to lean back to compensate)…and whispered… "Since it takes only a couple minutes to drive there…that leaves us with maybe twenty minutes to ourselves right now…And, well…I really do think I should really make sure that you're okay…no bruises or breaks upon the pristine flesh of my love god…."

Arnold blushed extra at so much of that but otherwise just smiled curiously at her as he leaned back a bit under her advance, actually genuinely not getting what she was getting at. "Helga, what are you talking about? I told you I'm fine."

Helga just responded to his assurance with a coy smile though and a shake of her head. "Uh uh…I think I have to check you over very thoroughly just to be sure….Yes…" And suddenly she was on all fours on his bed and she had crawled over him, causing him to lie back fully on his pillows…. "…It seems I'll have to look over every inch of you...roll up your sleeves to check your arms, tug at your collar to check all around your neck…and especially the back of it…Yes I'll have to do a…thorough inspection...Hrr…" And then she purred a little.

If she suggested right now that they say to heck with the curfew, they would 'figure something out', Arnold would have gone right along with her.

And if she had proposed again in their lives…Arnold honestly wasn't sure if she wouldn't have gotten a yes out of him.

Fortunately or unfortunately, none of those requests came from Helga though and so instead Arnold just barely kept it together and smiled up at her, breathing deeply and slowly, and replied, his face all warm with a blush. "W-Well, um...okay, but… only if you promise to kiss any place that hurts and 'make it better'…and to…do that purr thing again…" He let out a deep shuddery sigh. "Oh Helga…I think I understand what you were talking about with what the purr can do to you…" His grin went ear to ear.

"Oh I think all of those requests…" she leaned down, putting them nose to nose, "…can be quite arranged…" She giggled and purred a little more, "Hrr…"… nuzzling her cheek to his now, "And as for the purr, I've been practicing it a little bit and now I think I finally get how to do it. I really do hope you like it, my darling…" she whispered delicately into his ear.

"A-About as much as you liked it…Remember?" Arnold whispered back coyly.

Helga's heart fluttered and she audibly swooned and then she pulled back and just gazed at him…gazed at him in all of his perfection smiling beneath her. "Y-yeah…I remember, Arnold…And, um, by the way…before I forget…thanks for the sweater you left with me today…I've been dying for one of those…So warm and perfect to snuggle with in my bed each night. If you hadn't coughed one up I was thinking about asking for it as your one month anniversary present to me." She giggled.

Arnold's smile brightened. "You're welcome, Helga. And don't worry…I have plenty of plans already for what do give you for our anniversary, my beloved." He winked at her.

"Hmm…" she smirked at him a little, "As I do for you my dearest…Now enough of this foreplay…" She grinned and then let herself come to rest completely on top of him, nose to nose with him once again. "Let nurse Helga get back to checking all of Arnold's boo boos and making them better."

Arnold chuckled all goofy-like. " 'Nurse' Helga?" he had to ask though before letting himself get lost in her. "Hmm, I'm surprised…I thought you were more the 'doctor' or 'surgeon' type, Helga." He grinned more.

Helga smiled brightly. "Huh…well I suppose you're right, Arnold. Yes, 'Doctor Helga' has a much nicer ring to it…Good thinking, Football Head….So then…" she leaned in close, letting their breaths meet, only the thinnest touch of space between their lips…between them and a kiss… "Ready to let 'Doctor' Helga start her inspection?"

He was all red with blushing and she loved it…and she was all red with blushing and he loved it. "Thank you, Doctor Helga…" Arnold just replied back with his heart thumping and thumping and thumping away. "I'd like that."

She giggled and decided to start her inspection by rolling up his sleeves, just savoring touching the skin of his arms, and then she popped open the first button of his shirt and just nuzzled their necks together, sharing purrs back and forth and finishing up with a few light, little, enticing kisses to the nape of his neck, and then she moved on to his face and pretended to find 'boo boos' everywhere she could see except for his lips until the teasing him with not kissing his mouth got so great that Arnold had to threaten to purr as loudly as he could to tempt her to his lips if she didn't come to them all on her own (which, with a blush, she readily acquiesced to…still learning to take his own purrs one step at a time).

Things snowballed from there with the kids just giggling and rolling around and making embarrassing little jokes about half the stuff they had randomly done together today, and just having a good time for the twenty minutes they had left with one another on this night.

(A couple months later, after a bunch of things that none of you know about yet happen in this story…Like literally a TON of things…Sometime towards the end of summer break, let's say…)

Helga G. Pataki, dressed in her normal pink jumper and white shirt…though with her hair down (a style she had taken to incorporating more regularly in her daily life along with the familiar pigtails since about the end of the school year), let out a sigh as she leaned back against the wall of the ice cream parlour in which she was standing and took a quick glance at the wall clock behind the counter. 'Six…Okay…Dad and Arnold should be here soon I guess from their 'male bonding' Electronics fair.' She had to roll her eyes though she was smiling. 'Figures they'd find yet another perfect thing to relate over…Oh well…Gives me more time for Phoebe and Brainy and Lila and everyone…and gives my love a little taste of having a father again…So overall, win win.' She smiled more to herself at the situation, even as she had to add to herself, 'Even if that means I do have to deal with the cringe worthy fact that my Dad and my boyfriend are best buds…and managed to rope me into another random little 'group outing 'slash' date thing' with them tonight…' She let out another sigh and shook her head to herself. "Only my life…Only mine…"

Helga continued waiting, glancing around Slausens now to notice a few unfamiliar people along with a few familiar faces of her friends and classmates. Not a P.S. 118 reunion or anything but…yeah, some people from her class were definitely there. Peapod Kid and Brainy were off in one booth having some sundaes together (and Helga could just overhear them in a heated cultural debate about modern art). A few tables over from that Rhonda and Nadine were each having a sundae together and chatting and smiling, and Rhonda was also blushing kind of distinctly as Curly, in the booth just behind her, kept getting on his knees on his seat and leaning over to her and taking big inhales of her hair and saying things into her ear, though at least she wasn't causing a scene and dumping her sundae on his head and yelling that he was a freak ('Heh, only half the summer gone and we all really have already started to mature from fourth grade…' Helga couldn't help but think to herself in amusement). Helga's eyes swung back over to the Slausens counter and she also noticed Harold Berman coming out of the stock room dressed in his Slausens' uniform. It was common knowledge that along with his part time job at Greene's Meats, he was also working a couple days a week here now that it was summer…Anyone asking got told he was just trying to save up a little extra money to help with the go kart (which the boys were actually getting really close to being able to buy…especially since they had FINALLY started inviting Helga to those meetings now (certain things considered) and of course she'd had about a million ideas from day one about things they could do to make that dream of owning a really good professional one a reality). But, anyway, outside of Harold's 'official' reason for working here too…Helga also had to figure, with Harold and Patty's anniversary of six months of 'knowing each other very well' coming up, that part of his motivation was also to have enough money to maybe make it a special night for Patty…especially with Arnold as the shining prime example of boyfriendness to live up to. Harold's eyes met Helga's now as he put down a fresh gallon of ice cream and wiped his brow. He smiled and waved at her and she smiled and waved back.

Just then the bell above the Slausens door jingled…and Helga didn't have to turn to see (since she could just…feel, really)…that one of the people who entered was her beloved.

"Hi, Helga…" a low little voice said from just behind her.

She smiled more and turned. "Hi Arnold…How was the wide world of geeky electronics?"

Arnold chuckled…and Big Bob Pataki (who had walked in just behind him) laughed as well. "Hey actually it wasn't that bad, Helga," Bob announced with a grin. "Saw some new products for the Emporium, took home a few samples…Heh, Arnold even took one of them apart in the car and then put it back completely together. Never seen anything like it. Kid's sharp as a tack." He clapped Arnold on the shoulder.

Arnold just smiled proudly and blushed a tiny bit and shrugged. "O-Oh, um…it really wasn't that big of a deal…but thanks, Big Bob."

Helga couldn't help but giggle. "P.S., Football Head," she gave him a little elbow nudge, "I'm never going to get over how hilarious it sounds to me when you call him 'Bob'."

Arnold laughed a little too and let out a sigh. "Yeah, it still feels a little funny but it sort of feels right at this point…Right, Bob?" He smiled up at the older man.

Bob smiled down at him, still with his hand on his shoulder. "Right, Arnold."

Helga just sighed dramatically and smiled and rolled her eyes at them. "You two are so mental…Seriously, if you both walk in on me one day in matching outfits or something I swear I'm tossing myself into City Lake with a sign that says 'Free Snack for Big Caesar, Come and Get it!' on my back." She just grinned at her love and her father, who both laughed a little at her joke, and then she let out a bit of an embarrassed sigh. "Alright, anyway, let's get yet another little attempt at one of our occasional 'group outings' over with…" She turned in the direction of a few empty booths. Yeah, Arnold and her father had roped her into a few of these so far over the summer…Arnold assuring her that it would help get her comfortable with maybe coming completely clean with her Dad, and her Dad seeming so happy about the idea that she hadn't had the heart to turn him down. And so she had agreed to one yet again for this evening… "Besides, Dad, you've had Arnold to yourself all day…and when our ice cream group thing is over…I get him to all myself for a mini date tonight…" Blushing she quickly began to head over to a free booth. She had never openly acknowledged to her father that she was dating Arnold…but had done so now because… 'Screw it, I'm telling him I love Arnold tonight.' She smiled more to herself. 'This is getting pointless and anyway, he basically already knows and he didn't go on a mass murder spree of all things football shaped so…what the heck?' She almost laughed in happiness and amusement at the whole thing.

As Helga moved across the ice cream parlour, she caught Rhonda's eye and the fashionable girl smiled and waved over at her from her booth. "Hi, Helga? Are you here alone? If you want you can come sit with Nadine and I." Nadine turned to Helga as well and smiled at her and gave a small wave.

Helga smiled gratefully but shook her head. "Nah, that's okay but thanks anyway, princess…" She jerked her thumb back to her Dad and Arnold (both still looking a little surprised as they now slowly made their way after her across the ice cream parlour). "I've got some kind of weird 'group thing' going on at the moment—don't ask." She rolled her eyes. "I'll catch you next time."

Rhonda nodded in understanding. "Okay, Helga."

Suddenly Curly was over the seat again whispering other stuff at the dark haired girl and that blush of hers came back. She just sighed deeply and rolled her eyes in response to Curly's antics, though she was smiling a little, obviously trying to keep herself level and casual at the moment.

Helga just chuckled at the sight and gave her and Nadine a little wave goodbye. "Enjoy your sundaes, guys…" And then she slipped into the empty booth before her just as Bob and Arnold got caught up with her.

Arnold was just looking at Helga with an intrigued grin as he now sat beside her in the booth and…her Dad looked both interested and cautious as he sat himself in the booth seat across from them.

Helga just sighed, looked back and forth from one guy to the other, and then she spoke again. "Alright, let's just get to the elephant in the room. Yeah, I admitted Football Head and I are dating…not just good buddies glued to each other but…dating. Boyfriend and girlfriend dating…" She turned specifically to her love. "And now, Arnold, could you be a dear and go order ice cream for us…thus giving me a Bob a few minutes alone to chat? Besides you know what I like…well…my secondfavorite flavor of it anyway…" She giggled and winked at him (and tried not to feel too nervous about doing that in front of her father…though of course she wasn't going to fill him in on the details intimate little private joke). "And, eh, what'll you have Bob? Something extra rich and super chocolately, probably with peanuts." She turned her attentions specifically to her father now and smiled.

Bob swallowed and then just nodded. "Uh…yeah…Arnold. Chocolate chip with extra hot fudge and peanuts. Here…" He took out his wallet and pulled a few bills from it, offering them in Arnold's direction. "My treat." He managed a little smile at the boy.

"Oh…" Arnold smiled appreciatively back but shook his head, "Oh, that's okay, Mr. Pataki. It's my turn to pay for Helga and me anyway, so I'll just—"

Helga rolled her eyes SEVERELY. "Arnold," she cut him off and reached out to her Dad's hand, took the few bills in question and then stuffed them into Arnold's hand. "Take the money please, my little gentleman, and, Dad, quit looking like you're wondering if this is really happening because it is. Time for a little father daughter chat. Let's get it together boys, chop chop." She clapped her hands together twice, quickly, with a take charge little grin on her face.

Arnold just sighed and smiled and nodded at her action, knowing too well that it was useless to argue with her once she had her mind set on something, and she obviously had all of this pretty planned out and just wanted to get to it already. "Okay, Helga. Whatever you say." He turned to Bob. "Thanks, Big Bob."

Bob nodded at him, still smiling. "You're welcome, Arnold." And then he turned back to Helga…and he smiled but there was also a definite touch of curiosity in his looks… "And, uh…like he says…whatever you say, girl."

Helga smiled more. "Good….So much easier when men take orders and don't question things. Makes a TON less work for me. Now," she looked to Arnold once more, "Shoo, Arnold, dear… Give us our private time, please."

Arnold nodded again. "Yes, Helga dear. Bye for now." And with that he was off.

And now Helga and Bob were alone…and she turned her eyes back to her father. She let out a sigh, smiled and leaned a little across the table. "Alright, Bob…" she started simply, plainly and honestly, no beating around the bush and too jaded by the idea of him already knowing that she was dating Arnold to let nerves have any effect on her. "Sorry for springing this on you all of a sudden but I've had it on my mind, and as Arnold can tell you, when I confess emotional things, it tends to happen spontaneously…And besides, I think this is the perfect place…It's public so I can keep myself from getting too wishy-washy. Just plain straight fact." She smiled more.

Her father just watched her with wide interested eyes and nodded, waiting for her to go on.

Seeing this, Helga took a breath, summed up her courage and announced firmly and levelly several, several things… "Bob….That boy that just went to get us our ice cream…Arnold…" she blushed a little, unable to help it, and tried to move some of her hair over her face to hide it a tiny bit, though she still looked her father square in the eye as she spoke. "I…I love him, Dad. I am in love with Arnold…Arnold Phillip Shortman. I have been in love with him since I was three years old…and by some insane miraculous twist of fate the little shrimp loves me right back. And that's my story, plain and simple!" And with these finishing words she let out a deep, relieved breath and collapsed back in her seat a little. "Whew! There's a load off. And before you even say anything, yeah, I know…this is such a 'girly thing for me to be into but what can I say—I'm a chick with a tough as nails exterior…and a warm, mushy gooey center, and I can deny it no longer." She just shrugged with a grin and little chuckle, waiting for however her father would respond to her 'confession.'

Bob was just smiling. He let out his own deep relieved breath. He gave her a look. "You know…I was getting close to taking bets with Arnold AND your mother AND your sister about when you'd finally say all that to me too."

Helga chuckled a little again and shrugged. "Hey, it's about a million times more awkward saying it to you…You're…my Dad…and a guy, and this is a girl thing, a-and…I don't know…" She sighed and rolled her eyes. "We're finally kind of getting along regularly and happy together but sometimes it feels like most of the reason we work so well together because we're kind of similar with our personalities and we like a lot of sarcasm and being assertive and even the occasional sports game, but…" a little blush had been forming in her features and now it was finally apparent, "…you knowing that I'm all 'girly gaga in love' with a boy might put a little bit of a kink in that…" She swallowed…and the blush deepened. Her eyes were down and to the side now, away from his gaze. "Like, it might…make it seem like I belong more with Olga primping and getting my nails done than with you watching a wrestling match…you know?" She swallowed once more and then just barely glanced up at her father unsurely.

Bob just blinked a few times from his seat, taking in this small fear of hers. But…then he just smiled again. "Helga…" he started sympathetically, "I know you've got a lot of moxy but I also know that you're my daughter and not my son or something. I'm not gonna start avoiding you just because you're dating and, uh…in love…" He swallowed and blushed a little and rubbed the back of his neck.

Helga blinked. "Really?"

Bob nodded. "Of course! We can still be buddies even though you…love Arnold…" He swallowed again…and his bit of awkward hesitation before the 'L' word was SO very apparent.

And of course Helga easily picked up on his obvious little bit of discomfort…and smirked a tiny bit about it (though she was still blushing a little herself). Basically she could see that Bob really did have every intention of being supportive…but that it was still going to be a bit before he could handle being so without feeling all weird for getting that in touch with his sensitive side. And so… "Uh huh…" she replied with just a touch of amused skepticism in her tone, "…Even though that means that since I'm gonna start being totally open with you now about it, I'll be throwing out there all my little pet names for Arnold besides the insulting ones…Like dear, darling, my angel, my prince, my love?" She rested her head on one of her hands, smirking just a tiny bit more.

"Uh…yeah…s-sure…" Bob replied with a small shrug, though now he was randomly finding the tabletop a 'rather interesting' sight to look at and study all of a sudden.

A small chuckle escaped Helga. "Mmm hmm…" She couldn't help herself right now… 'Men are HILARIOUS with how awkward they get about love…' "…And…even though that means that I'll be being a tiny bit more affectionate with Arnold in front of you from now on…? I mean, uh…" she swallowed and glanced down herself now as she quickly qualified, "…he, uh…explained to me that you'd prefer if anything TOO affectionate stayed under the radar and honestly, yeah, I'm pretty freaking a-okay with that myself…" She blushed a ton, and then went on, resuming her previous slight air of smugness. "But what I mean is…you'll also be cool with me holding his hand randomly sometimes just because I feel like it, maybe giving him a quick hug hello instead of just a quick wave, giggling and fluttering my eyelashes a little around the house when he's over and I feel like making him blush…?"

Bob let out a sigh and was still a little red looking but still smiled nonetheless. "Helga, you're my girl…and my buddy…" He managed to bring his eyes back to look at hers again. "And, no, I'm not going to ruin that by not being okay with you…getting closer to Arnold in front of me from now on…"

She chuckled again, still just looking at him with a smile. "And…you won't even 'disown' me from my status as buddy if…" she let out a breath and felt her resolve waver for a moment but then she quickly went on…wanting to admit it even though it was something kind of big… "…e-even if, basically every day after I'm done dating Arnold I run up to my room and write little pink books of gushy love poems about us?" She clasped her hands together upon the tabletop and blushed and waited to see the reaction THAT would get.

And indeed THAT confession got Bob to blink and look at her in no small bit of surprise. "You…write…love poems…?" he asked like the concept was possibly the most foreign thing to have ever met his ears

Helga shrugged, and tried to ignore the slight edge of nervousness in her voice as she replied (her face still rather rosy), "O-Oh brother, yes, heh…Volumes and volumes of arguably the sappiest stuff on the planet but Arnold's addicted to it and they just keep pouring out of me so…y-yeah…I'm a love poet, Bob. And now that you know you might see me in the backyard sometimes doing it or maybe even in the living room sometimes doing it since squirreling myself away in my room like I did for all those years has been kind of un-growing on me lately, heh…" She brought her eyes to his and grinned and shrugged. 'Heh, is it getting hot in here? G-Good thing Arnold's bringing back ice cream soon…'

Bob just…he chuckled a little bit at first and then he just sighed and smiled at her and shook his head. "Okay, okay, fine…" he held up his hands in mock defeat, "…you use pet names and give hugs and write love poems along with playing baseball and football and watching wrestling and nailing people with sarcasm, and I've gotta get used to all of it and love you for all of it just like Arnold does…Am I right?" He grinned at her, resting his head on one of his hands now.

A slightly more relieved looking Helga nodded and chuckled and winked at his summation of things. "There you go, Bob. That's exactly it."

Bob smiled back…and then he swallowed and turned a little red again and suddenly asked, rubbing the back of his neck with one of his hands, "So, uh…do I ever get to see some of this 'incredible poetry' of yours? I-I mean, nothing too intimate but…like I said you're my girl…It'd be interesting to see stuff you make, Helga. Besides your teacher sees it, doesn't he? That's how he praises it so much at those parent teacher conference things…and why he had you tutor Arnold last year in it…So maybe I could see one of the things you were willing to show him?" He looked distressed with awkwardness…and yet genuinely and sincerely hopeful that his request might be granted.

Helga's eyes were just wide as could be and she had turned a distinct scarlet. 'B-Bob…l-looking at my p-poems…' The idea was about ninety nine percent unbearable to her…and yet…there was a tiny one percent that she couldn't ignore that…liked the idea of her father actually being interested in her writing…and maybe even liked the idea of him seeing just how kind of good she was, even though she did NOT want to admit the truth of that one percent AT ALL to herself. "Uh…D-Dad? O-One step at a time from me, heh…I-I mean, maybe…eventually…but…for now…o-one step at a time…" She settled on this reply coupled with a blush and a sheepish grin.

Her father laughed a little, still blushing a bit himself. "Okay. Fair enough, Helga. Thanks."

Father and daughter smiled to themselves and let out a sigh each.

Then Helga spoke again.

"Also, Bob, just to be clear…" she felt the heat building in her face once more but just ignored it, playing with her fingers on the tabletop as a distraction…but she really did want to be perfectly clear about this. "I'm serious about Arnold. Very serious. So, uh…I hope you've got some cash put away because I don't know how things are going to play out with Olga but…Arnold and I have every intention of marrying each other the second we're done with college and have a little start up money in the bank. Olga and I are already planning the wedding actually, heh... And I'm going to be going all out fairytale girly with that thing—a six tiered cake, white and pink orchids, a harpist and an organist, a designer silk and satin dress with pearls and embroidery, a fully catered reception, limo to and from the church…oh and, uh…" She blushed a lot extra. "A-And then, well…I guess there's our h-honeymoon…in Paris, but, uh…you'd be taking care of the wedding expenses as the father of the bride…and Arnold's already working on covering that anyway…trust me…so, between him and me we'll probably be good for the honeymoon part actually, heh." She smiled even more to herself. Then she sighed. 'I just hope Bob doesn't act all cutesy about this because we're only ten…like we're 'playing house' or something.' Helga couldn't help but recall how Miriam and Olga had been slightly on the fence in terms of being that way at first even though now and for most of their courtship they had been taking her and Arnold's relationship seriously.

"Eh, I think we can swing all of those things for the wedding and the reception. I'm just happy you two are gonna wait until after college and you're both settled a little…I don't think I could handle it if you went and pulled what Olga did on me with almost dropping out and only after knowing the guy 'three weeks and two days' no less!" Bob, after delivering this perfectly earnest reply, just chuckled to himself and shook his head at the memory of that near heart attack courtesy of his older daughter.

Helga's eyes went open wide and her jaw fell a little.

Bob noticed and half grinned at her a little and shrugged curiously. "What?"

She just blinked a few times, opened her mouth as though she was about to speak, but then ended up closing it and blinking a few times again…but then finally got it open once more and replied, in a tone of amazement, "I-I…I just, um…so…you're…not going to patronize me and treat me like I'm just 'playing house with Arnold' or something? Like…you're accepting that I'm completely serious…just like that?" She looked at him curiously.

Bob blinked but then smiled again and nodded. "Helga…You have a potent dose of all the Pataki stubbornness and all of the Pataki pride. Heck, if you didn't have school I'd be sending you on sales meetings for the Emporium—you could show those sharks a thing or two and you know it." He chuckled a little at the very true fact and then just shrugged and went on. "And so if you're as bent as you say you are on marrying Arnold in ten or fifteen years I'm not about to question that. Besides…" he swallowed and his voice softened a little, "I've heard that boy talk about you…seen the way he is with you…He's completely hooked and I know he'd go along with any wedding in a second…and lucky for him I think he might just barely be good enough for my special girl." He smiled a little more.

Helga blushed a lot and then this sweet, happy, appreciative little smile came to her face. "Um…thanks, Daddy…" Instantly she inhaled sharply and blushed even more if that was possible, her eyes flying open wide. "I mean DAD! Er, BOB! Not…not 'Daddy', heh…" She grinned sheepishly. "Been spending too much time with Olga again, I guess…a-and also there's that mushy center of mine I told you about…" She glanced down shyly and shrugged.

Bob just chuckled warmly at her little moment of 'mushiness'. "Right…Whatever you say, Helga."

That reply got a chuckle from Helga and she rolled her eyes, her blushing ebbing a little in the wake of her amusement. "Hey, that's Arnold's line." She smirked a little at her father.

Bob just rolled his eyes right back at her, smiling smirking too.

But then he did look at her with a tiny bit of concern…and he did speak again. "But, uh…seriously, Helga…along with wanting to get married to Arnold…you've still got other plans for stuff you want to do with your life, right?"

Helga looked at him almost in shock but then laughed and nodded vigorously. "Uh, yeah. Definitely, Bob. But hey what can I say—I can't run for being the first female president until I'm 35, and I probably won't even have enough political clout to run for mayor of this city until I'm at least 30 so I figure might as well get hitched to Arnold between graduating college and then—you know, just to fill in the time a little." She winked. "So yeah, I want to some kind of big important leader along with tying the knot with the Football Head, and also…well, Arnold thinks I should be some kind of professional writer or poet…" she blushed a little at the idea, "…and…I think I could see taking him up on that idea in my spare time, too…" She shrugged and smiled at her father.

Bob smiled too…very very approvingly. "That's my girl."

Helga was really happy right now and so was Bob.

Then Helga chuckled again and let out a sigh, shaking her head. "Okay, okay, so…I think you and me are good, Dad. Anything else about me and Arnold is probably stuff that should stay private…little conversations and moments and stuff…." A tiny bit of her blush returned and she cleared her throat but did her best to brush past it. "S-So, anyway, now that the awkwardness is done…I for one am STARVED." She glanced past Bob to the counter and called out across the ice cream parlour with a smile, "Hey Arnold! You can quit loitering with our ice cream and come back over. The deed is done!"

Bob just laughed and a few seconds later Arnold did come over with three ice creams and sat himself next to Helga. He looked at his girlfriend with a smile. "So…you, uh…shared everything officially with him, Helga?" he asked shyly, giving her napkins and a spoon.

Helga shrugged and smirked and nodded. "Hmm…yeah…enough for me to hold your hand on top of the table while we eat this ice cream instead of under it secretly, at least…" She reached out and before he could react or respond snagged his hand and laced their fingers right between their sundaes on the table. "And also enough for me to tell you in front of him that I can't wait for our mini date with this is over…my darling little prince…a-and to giggle in front of him too…" which she did. "Oh and also enough for me to openly mention that I wrote a few more love poems for you today…." She smiled more and threw in an extra giggle for no special reason—just because… Feeling her cheeks burn all rosy but not really caring…as she just enjoyed being here and happy and honest with everyone around her.

Arnold was blushing a lot…but also smiling a lot as he absorbed her explanation. "Um…whatever you say, Helga…" was all he replied, squeezing her hand a little and then looking down at his ice cream with a shy smile and blush. "U-Um…can we also say I love you to each other now too in front of him?" He glanced at her out of the corner of his eye.

Helga blushed extra and glanced at him shyly out of the corner of her eye as well…smiling along with him. "Yes, of course. I love you, Arnold."

His smile got a bit goofier. "I love you too, Helga."

"I also told him about the wedding, Arnold. He's on board, by the way."

Arnold almost spazzed a little, dropping his spoon with a clatter into his sundae dish…but then he just smiled and closed his eyes and let out a deep sigh, rubbing one of his temples with his free hand. "U-Uh…" he was addressing a (thoroughly smiling at this point) Bob. "G-Glad to, um, hear, that, Big Bob. Y-Yeah, um…Yeah, we've been…Helga and I have been…making plans about it…."

Helga chuckled, squeezing her love's hand a little gain. "Yeah, and, uh, don't worry about the Pataki name lingering on, Bob—even if Olga ends up getting married, Football Head and I decided to hyphenate. Pataki-Shortman. Has a nice ring to it."

Arnold sighed deeply again and looked at her with a half grin, squeezing her hand back once more. "Okay, Helga, enough please…? Come on, you know I'm no good at talking about…the wedding…a-at least not without some warning first…" He took his spoon in his free hand and began to play with his ice cream a little.

"Yeah, Helga," Bob offered with a smile, digging into his own sundae, "Cut the kid a break. A wedding's a lot for a guy to take in, especially fifteen years in advance. Now let's just enjoy our ice cream and then you two can get to your date…And, uh, hey—since it's summer and I took up a lot of Arnold's time today, how about just for tonight the curfew's 11…as long as you'll call me up so I can pick you guys up so you won't be walking around that late of course, Helga." He looked to his daughter.

Helga's smile brightened. "Really? Thanks, Dad!"

"Yeah…" Arnold added, his smile brightening as well (and his blush finally subsiding a bit). "Thanks, Mr. Pataki. For the curfew and for, um…moving the conversation along…" He swallowed and let out a relieved little sigh as he smiled to himself and took a bite of his own ice cream treat.

Bob nodded to the kids. "You're welcome, you two…And yeah, we can all talk more about you making my daughter an honest woman later, Arnold." He couldn't help adding that line and winking at the kid with a chuckle.

Helga snickered and chuckled as well while Arnold just sat there smiling, holding her hand and playing with his slowly melting ice cream, his face a fiery red again. "Wh-Whatever you say, Mr. Big Bob…"

Bob and Helga laughed warmly together again at the same time…and pretty soon Arnold was joining in with them.

Helga with her father and her future husband, Arnold with his future wife and future father in law, and Bob with his daughter and future son in law.

It was a nice ice cream 'group outing 'slash' date' thing together.

A/N:

I really really really hope you all enjoyed this because this chapter really really really took a lot out of me XDXDXD Actually, to be honest, I'm pretty exhausted at this point and I've also got a lot of things on my mind lately and I'm starting a job in a couple of weeks so…bottom line, updates to things will still be happening but there are going to be gaps and I really am going to be trying to avoid chapters that are this long anymore just for my sanity XDXDXD Anyway, please review and while you're all doing that, I may try and get up one more chapter of my Danny Phantom fic in the next couple of days and then after that I'm going on a little vacation to Florida for a week and my computer is not coming with me because I really just don't want to look at this thing's screen anymore for a little while at least ^_^

Alright, here's the lineup for the next (and final :D) courtship chapter!

FIGHT

"…A JURY OF YOUR STUDENT PEERS"

~Quote from Wartz in "False Alarm"

Are there only two stories in the next chapter? Yes. Why? Well, the first one is a rather lengthy story, and the second one is a shorter one, they're both pretty significant stories, and they both sort of act as a capstone to the whole courtship experience ^w^ And, just to be clear, this fic is definitely not over after the final courtship chapter ;) And, just as a mini preview, Chapter 20 will most likely be entitled (XD because now I have to start coming up with creative titles again instead of just "The Courtship: Part X/6" XDXDXD) "Operation: UN Garde!" (It's kind of a play on the term 'En Garde' when you're like swordfighting with someone and draw your weapon…Eh, Helga explains it better in Chapter 20 than I can here when she's talking to Arnold about it XDXD).

Oh and for ideas that I got from other people that I said in my first A/N that I would be more specific about in this A/N, I've done rpgs with SuprSingr where Arnold and Helga (although it's usually TPJ Arnold and Helga XDXD) make out in the shrine and I thought it'd be extra fun to try in this story and also I just love bringing up the shrine again so…thank you for ideas about shrine kissy, baby sister! :D:D:D And as for NintendoGal, we've done quite a few rpgs where Arnold and Helga have snuck up to Mighty Pete for kisses and cuddles and I just couldn't resist incorporating that idea into here as well, so thanks, buddy! :D:D:D

Alright, I do believe that is all except another desperate plea from me to please, please, PLEASE review! :D:D:D *Hearts!*

Happy Reading!

AXH FOREVER!

~Azure129 aka Jenna