Arnold walked into the electronics store knowing full well that Wolfgang was watching him as another salesperson came up to him to ask if he needed any help. Arnold just politely asked to speak to Bob Pataki on a urgent personal manner. Nodding his head the sales person called Bob up front who appeared to try to to look pleasant.

"Do I know you?" Bob inquired as he scanned Arnold up and down.

"Not personally sir. Mr Pataki, my name is Arnold Shortman and I'm a friend of your daughter's. I come here to speak to you about her if I may." Arnold said as professionally and personally as possible.

"Hmm. Come on back kid, but don't take too much of my time." Bob grumbled as he turned his back to escort him in to his office where he had him take a seat. "This about Olga?"

"No, Sir. This is about Helga."

"Who?" Bob sat down confused.

"Helga, your youngest daughter." Arnold reminded himself to be as patient as possible as he tried not to fly off the handle himself at this mans ignorance.

"Oh! What did that girl do again? I swear she has been a pain ever since the day she was born. My daughter Olga. Now that girl was born a star. She's going places. Mark my word." Bob showed him a large photo of Olga, himself and Miriam with no Helga in sight.

"So where is Helga when this picture was taken?" Arnold wondered curiously as he examined the photograph.

"I had her cropped out."

Narrowing his eyes up at this person who calls himself a father really made it impossible for Arnold to keep his temper down. "Why may I ask are you forcing Helga to marry Wolfgang? He is a known felon and he tried to rape your own daughter. How could you condone that?"

He shrugged. "That girl needs to learn manners. No matter how many times she's been punished she is still out of hand. I bet she's already had a handful of abortions already without me knowing."

"Helga is the most kindest person around. She doesn't fool around at all. She's incredibly innocent. As for talented she's amazing on piano, guitar and sings amazing too. Helga has manners and treats everyone with the utmost respect with whom deserve it. I really wish you'd reconsider making her go through with this arrangement with Wolfgang, Sir. I've known him since I was 9 and he has gotten worse with age. He will even backstab you in time. I don't want that to happen." Arnold had to appeal to him while speaking the truth about Helga.

"Olga has the talent in the family. Helga has been a waste. As for the arrangement and as much as I respect that you have the guts to come down here to speak your mind it doesn't change the fact that it hasn't changed my mind at all." Screwing his expression up Bob suddenly had a thought. "You live in that boarding house. You are that kid raised by your grandparents with no parents. You are an orphan."

"With all due respect, I am not an orphan, Mr Pataki. I have parents who have been on a mission curing people from a disease which is very noble." Arnold defended. "As for your daughter if need be I'll marry her myself because even if you don't approve of me I'm still a million times better than that caveman you want to marry your incredible daughter to."

"I would have that marriage annulled if you do that, son." Bob's voice was low and so full of warning in it.

Standing up, Arnold kept himself steady. "I'm no son of yours. My father is at least a very noble man who wouldn't do this to his own children. As for Helga she doesn't know I came down here. She does know that her friends here care very much about her and I'm proud to say we welcomed her into our family." Going over to the door, Arnold nodded his head quickly. "Have a good day, Mr Pataki. Be good."

Leaving the store, Arnold quickly made it to his truck to head over to work hoping this didn't resort in a backlash against Helga later.

She was still at the boarding house listening to Phil's stories as she had Abner practically on top of her feet when Bob called her. Feeling dread, Helga picked it up before her whole body deflated. Abner oinked at her as he pushed his snout at her in concern while Phil and Gertie were looking over at her in concern. She felt like a zombie as she stood up not even aware if she bid them good night or anything as she made her way quietly out of the place.

"Well what do you think happened, Pookie?" Phil was confused by her behavior since she just left without a word.

Gertie watched how Abner ran to the door squealing for her. "This looks bad, Phil." She sensed the foreboding as she prayed for that girls safety.

After Helga arrived home her mom came up to her immediately to hug her. "He changed the date."

Hearing her mother's voice made Helga's eyes widen more as she looked at her. "T-t-t-the d-d-d-dinner..." Seeing her mom nod, Helga went to the ground breathing hard. "W-w-wha..." She couldn't finish the thought as she started hyperventilating.

Hearing the phone ring, Miriam spoke under her breath before answering. "Oh hello B. Yes she's here and things are getting prepared." Miriam's face looked so pained as she continued looking down at her daughter. "This isn't a good idea."

Helga heard him shouting over the line making her slowly get up and slink upstairs knowing full well Bob won't change his mind. Pulling out her phone she contemplated texting Arnold, but instead texted Phoebe and Gerald.

Sorry guys but Bob moved the dinner date tonight for some reason. If you don't hear from me it might mean I'm in jail from killing either one of them or just kill myself. Sorry this sounds overdramatic but this is my shitty family life. You both make a cute couple. - H

Oh Helga that is dreadfully sad to hear. How could your father do this to you? I'm fairly certain Arnold spoke to you. - P

I wish he didn't stop me from jumping on that plane now no matter how noble the thought may be. - H

That's my man for you. Look Pataki if worse comes to worse sneak out of there and come to Phoebe's or my place. Your welcome here. - G

Thanks guys. I have to get ready. Does anyone have a chastity belt I can use to prevent that cretin from doing something I wish to prevent? - H

I wish Helga. I love you. - P

Love you too, Pheebs. - H

Helga sighed as she went into her closet to grab something she didn't give a crap about. Funny how she forgot her bag at Arnold's.

OOOOOOOOOOO

Gerald was pacing around his room contemplating what to do. Should he just sit back and relax? Should he just go to Helga's house and drag her out of there? Should he disturb Arnold at work? He growled as even more thoughts piled up that popped up and greeted him just to annoy him. True he didn't know the full extent of her situation at her home, but if her father was hellbent on wanting her to marry Wolfgang then that is enough to alert you of one thing;

BAD FAMILY!

He had to disturb someone at his job as he went to grab for his keys so he can head over to Arnold's work.

Arnold was busy stocking today instead of being in front at the grocery store when he felt a pair of hands grab him pulling him out of his concentration as he stood up to face Gerald's wild eyes. "What is it, Gerald?"

Gerald felt like he ran all the way from his house rather from the parking lot because he was breathing hard. "It's Helga." Panting hard he was trying to catch his breath. "Bob moved the dinner date to today. It is happening now."

"Fuck." Arnold uttered out.

"Did you just curse?" Gerald blinked in amazement.

Arnold couldn't believe out of anything he focused on a curse word. "It happens. Bob must of moved the dinner date after I went over to talk to him before heading here. Crud."

"Did Helga know you spoke to him?" Arnold shook his head. "I don't know what to do right now. She texted us about it." Gerald pulled out his cell to show him the texts.

"I still don't regret stopping her from leaving." Arnold looked around at his job as he openly groaned. "We are short staffed today so I can't just up and leave. I hate this."

"We all do my man." Places his hand on Arnold's shoulder.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

'Creepy! Party of two with two unwilling victims accompanying.' Helga thought to herself as she looked across the table at Wolfgang's leering face. She was sickened.

"So girl, Wolfgang here has already gotten you something." Bob cheered happily. "Why don't you go and present it to her."

Helga didn't care and she certainly didn't want to look at him as she continued to play with her food by pushing it around. Unfortunately a blue box was slid into view making her stop what she was doing.

"Well open it girl." Bob demanded.

Helga was frightened in more ways than one as she slowly slid her hand on the the table top to bring it towards her to open it. Her mouth went wide as her father instantly started boasting, but she instantly flew up. "No no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no..." She threw the open ring box on the table as she continued to back up. "No no no no no no no no."

"Bob you can't force her to marry someone against her will. I forbid this." Miriam spoke out as she ran up to Helga trying to get her to stop backing up practically into the wall now. "You can see she doesn't want this and I don't either."

Throwing his chair back, Bob came at both of them. "Damn it Miriam. It is time for this girl to learn to stop being a burden on the Pataki name. She'll marry whomever I choose."

Helga's eyes were still very wide as she kept repeating the same word but in a whisper. Wolfgang was standing up slowly watching the scene play out as the mother was defending her daughter as the father demanded one thing while saying Helga was a burden. Yes, Helga was a babe and her father was loaded, but what was going on here?

Bob couldn't take his daughter's protests any longer along with his wife's yammerings before slapping Helga so hard that she fell to the ground making Miriam cry out. "She needs to be taught. That is all there is too it."

Wolfgang felt a conscious seeping heavily in making him decide to speak up as he grabbed the ring to make a show of something. "I have an excellent idea, Mr Pataki." Coming over he had a full blown smile on his face as he looked down at Helga holding her face with tears streaming down. "How about we have two separate romantic dinners? You and your wife and me with my future wife. How about that idea?"

Bob relaxed as a huge smile lit his face up. "That is an excellent idea, son. Helga get your purse and coat so you can show him a good time."

"But..." Helga started to protest out before Bob came close to her. "Fine." Rubbing her cheek she went upstairs to get her purse, her brass knuckles, and phone with charger before coming down.

"Have a excellent evening, Mr Pataki. Mrs Pataki." Wolfgang told them as he brought Helga outside and towards his car. "I did that as a favor for you because I'm certain you don't want to be in a car with me." He whispered. "Go and hide out at a friends place or something."

"What are you doing?" Helga was confused but surprisingly grateful too.

Taking a deep heavy breath, he said, "I felt sorry for you and what you have to deal with. It is a raw deal with what he's said about you."

"You know you aren't any better than him with what you pulled with me." She pointed out.

Giving her the ring, Wolfgang frowned. "I know and seeing that back there scares me. I'm sorry. Just hide out."

Putting the ring away she nodded to him before running quickly away to head to the boarding house.

Arnold was having a hard time concentrating at work when he felt his phone go off making him pull it out to read the text.

Gerald told me he told you. I'm at the boarding house. I'll tell you when you get here or tomorrow. Please have a good rest of the evening at work. - H

You know I would want to hear about it as soon as I'm home. I've been worried sick. - A

My Football Headed friend has a good heart. Too large of a heart. - H

Arnold smirked at those words as he almost sent the most cheesiest thing back to her revealing to her about something so instead he typed;

If you want you can wait in my room. - A

Bow chicka wow wow. I guess my mirror isn't the only one getting action lol. - H

He let out a laugh at that one loving her sense of humor.

I'm off of work in a half an hour. See you then. - A

"Does Arnold eat or snack on anything before he heads off to sleepy land?" Helga asked Gertie.

"At this time of night he'll drink water mostly, but if he was worried he might want to snack on something so we can make him a sandwich." She suggested getting up.

Following her, Helga went to help her.

When Arnold finally arrived home and went into his room to find Helga on his couch casually closing her journal he smiled at her as she inspected his work clothes.

"Tell me how many girls hit on you in the market?" She wasn't teasing as she tapped her pen against her chin. "I bet as many or more compared to school. At a market you have mom types hitting on you."

"Yeah mom's hit on me too."

"Well you are that sweet innocent handsome looking type, that they can't help themselves, Arnold."

Inspecting her for just a bit he went to grab some clothes before excusing himself so he can take a quick shower. In the bathroom he contemplated telling her the truth about his impromptu meeting with her father even up to the point of him walking back into his bedroom.

"How was work?"

"Ever since Gerald came to tell me about you; Worrisome and then it became the longest work day in existence." Arnold answered as he grabbed a sandwich to start eating it. "Tell me how did it go."

Going into her purse she presented him the box that held the ring inside of it and remained in silence as he brought it up to open it revealing a tiny pathetic engagement ring inside. "The very second Wolfgang slid it over and Bob made me open it I went into even heavier panic mode as I kept repeating the word no over and over again as I backed up into the living room. My mom protested and my father got angry and slapped me very hard. Wolfgang suggested a separate romantic evening between the couples and when we got outside he told me he felt bad. Says I got a raw deal. Seeing Bob do that gave him a glimpse of his own life, I think. He apologized to me. Whether he means it or not remains to be determined."

Seeing her reach over to take the ring back, Arnold caught sight of the bruise on her cheek making him stop her to examine it. "Did you put any ice on it?"

Helga smiled. "I put lavender on it after the ice. You can't smell it?"

Leaning closer he caught a whiff of the scent. "You are staying the night aren't you?"

"Yes." She whispered for some reason.

"Good." Grinning, Arnold kissed her bruised cheek gently.

Seeing something on the ground, Helga picked it up reading it quickly. "Ohhhhhhhhhhhh Julie wants you to call her some time. Ohhhhhhhhhh." She teased standing up quickly to move away from his hands trying to reach for the note. "Oh my gosh! She drew little teeny hearts with smily faces in them and writes 'U sew kute eye want 2 ate u up." Helga frowns. "Girl needs to repeat the second grade to remember how to write."

"She's nice. Seriously Helga give that note back to me." Arnold couldn't believe how hard of a time he was having grabbing the note from her as she kept ducking and dodging him.

"Wait! If she is gonna eat you up will it be with non-fat whip cream or what?" Helga continued before feeling herself lifted up in the air making her laugh. "Spoiled sport."

"Just like your a virgin, Helga, so am I." Arnold confessed in her ear.

Helga almost shuddered as she controlled herself. Or at least tried. "You are? Have you seen yourself?" She wondered in disbelief.

Sitting back on the couch, Arnold put her on his lap. "As flattered as I am by that, I am not like most guys."

"Thank god!" Helga felt she should really get off his lap. "Never found Ms Right, but you will one day."

"And you'll find Mr Right."

Getting off his lap there Helga guffawed at that one. No one will love her truly. "I'm getting tired. I should go to sleep."

"Helga I have a confession to make."

She kissed his cheek. "The old me would of murdered you, but I know you went to speak to my dad. Thanks for trying." Standing up she left his room to head into the room they let her stay in. Inside as she laid on the bed she thought how stupid she was when she is trying to not get physical with anyone, but she is constantly letting him touch her and her kissing his cheek all the time. "I have to stop this feeling." She said to herself softly.

Arnold looked at the note that Helga was making fun of that Julie gave him. He was trying to keep his feelings of Helga at a very low simmer until he was absolutely certain with them both. Arnold felt he had a chance with her one day. Anytime they were close it was an explosion happening. Arnold wanted to touch her any chance he had. Wanted to speak to her in any way just to hear from her. He even wanted to argue with her again. Was he a sadist there to want to fight with her? Oh it lit a fire in his belly though when they argued earlier. How her eyes looked were astounding and very distracting to his very person. He prayed she stuck around for a far longer time so he can reach his chance with her.

Wolfgang has wised up and finally let himself feel human.