A) I have no clue how truly long this story will get.
B) Last time I really didn't write the court scene when it was between Helga and Bob. This time I got into it a bit more. Just a bit.
Arnold was pleasantly surprised to see all their friends show up in support. Standing on one side of the wall, Arnold and Helga were talking while Frank was speaking to the lawyer in charge of the case. The very same one that took, Helga's case. After being briefed, Arnold just wanted to look into, Helga's eyes.
"Just remember to remain your ever positive self here. I know it is more than one that we are against, but there is so much proof against them." Helga spoke softly to him as they held hands. "Ludwig and his cronies need to learn their lesson."
"Yes like, not taking my soon to be wife from me." Arnold smiled at her as he ran his finger across her ring.
Kissing his cheek, Helga whispered into his ear. "I'll always be with you. Remember, I'm the one smiling at you when we wake up together."
"Best part of the day."
Hearing murmurs start up, Arnold looked over behind him as he watched Ludwig get escorted in with some of the others. Emma was there too with a much lighter sentence than the others. She was the only one who spoke up first. The one who collaborated the story. She was there to recount what happened. She looked over to him briefly before shooting a look towards Helga. Her face was unreadable. Feeling, Helga's hand brush his cheek, he turned back to her.
Helga was uncomfortable at the way, Ludwig continued to look to her in spite of the guard warning him to keep his attention forward. "Just remain strong. I'm here for you in more ways than one." Meaning she was a witness in this case as well. "This will happen for us. Ludwig deserves what he's getting."
Scanning his friend's faces, they either nodded in his direction, or gave him the thumbs up. Arnold had an urge to bet how long Harold will hold out before he got hungry again. Focusing back on Helga's face, he kissed her. "I love you."
"Love you too."
"Alright lovebirds, it is time for the judge to come out." Though Frank was giving a warning, he gave them a small smile as he turned to look at, Arnold. "Remember everything that we told you and you'll be just fine."
Hearing the announcement for everyone to stand, Arnold faced forward. His heart pounded. He felt weakened. Sitting back down, Arnold listened to both lawyers speak. There were times he felt faint, especially when they called him up there to speak. It had to be the strangest sensation in the world there. At times he felt like he was a child again. Felt that everything was monstrously huge compared to his small stature. Other times, it was in your face.
What he hated was listening to, Ludwig speak after most of the cronies, and this included Emma. The way Ludwig lied about Helga infuriated him to no end. He was happy to see how his own lawyer laid into him. It was interesting to say the least. Especially in how Ludwig lost it. Oh he didn't act like Godzilla going through the town of Tokyo, but he did growl and speak very loud at times.
He saw Wolfgang go up to the stand to tell them what he witnessed. Told them how he came in after hearing Helga cry out for help. He even told them about his own past involving, Ludwig. Most was very eye opening to, Arnold. Nothing like a rivalry that lasted that long.
To hear, Helga's name get called to the witness stand, he heard murmurs of encouragement from everyone. Watching her walk through the little gate, she looked back to him, and offered him a wink. Arnold hoped they would take it easy on her. The opposing lawyer wasn't.
She stated her full name. Sweared to tell the truth. She answered simple questions, but even she knew they weren't about to take it easy on her. She readied herself as she heard the questions build up.
"So in fact you were in a relationship with Ludwig before." The opposing lawyer's voice raised to try to shame her into anything.
"No." Helga answered simply.
"Please elaborate your answer, Miss Pataki." The lawyer appeared so smug to her.
"True he was my first kiss, but having felt nothing from it I never pursued anything more with him. I thought I liked him, but it turned out I really didn't fully." Helga answered simply.
"Did he want anything further with you?"
"Yes."
"But you simply didn't want anything more to do with him."
"Correct."
"What happened when you were reunited with him?"
"He wanted to continue on with something that wasn't there. Informed me that he thought about me when he was in juvenile hall. Told him I wasn't interested. Told him I am with, Arnold, but he persisted."
"I heard that you led him on. Promised him things. Is this true?"
Helga refrained from cursing. "No. That is false."
The lawyer eyed her like a hawk. Helga was curious about what he was about to say next. She had been calm so far so she knew he would try to rile her up. "My client informed me that you both had a very intimate affair when you were younger. Informed him that you want more. Will you deny that?"
"What's to deny when it is completely false. He kept trying to feel me up even after I informed him that I'm not interested. In truth, he frightened me. I had enough to deal with so I didn't need the extra nastiness." Helga noticed how the lawyer just didn't like how she was still remaining so cool under pressure.
"I have to commend you, Miss Pataki on acting extremely adult in this situation. Why are you being like this? I'm simply curious."
"With my upbringing, something I'm sure you looked up for this case, I had to be in a very adult situation for someone so young. Years of abuse under the hands of someone who is supposed to be my father, can make you think differently than anyone else. I'm unsure how relevant it is to know this part of me, but I don't mind sharing it with you since it is now public record." She saw how the lawyers face jerked back with that. "I never been in a relationship before. Yes, me just simply kissing back, Ludwig doesn't count as a relationship, it is just a kiss. My relationship started at the age of 17 with, Arnold Shortman. My one and only relationship to a kind and honest man. I have lived a very stressful life that almost led to death many times, and my reward now is having someone who loves me back. A new family, great friends, and a newfound relationship with my older sister. I will never jeopardize any of that in a million years."
There was a small smile that appeared on his face before he told the judge that he had no further questions at that time leading to, Arnold's lawyer to come up and ask her questions. At least this wouldn't be so bad. He asked about the night in question. The first attack. How she came upon, Arnold. That was hard to recount. She fought the urge to cry as she told him everything. Told him spending all that time in the hospital at his bedside.
"I will never get that image out of my head. Arnold is one of the most caring people I have ever met. He loves his family so much and his friends. He helps out so much and is so trustworthy. To have something like that happen to him it shouldn't ever happen." Feeling tears come down, she was given a tissue.
"I'm sorry." He said sincerely. "And the second time Ludwig came to attack you both. Could you detail that for me."
Helga did just choking a little. She saw Arnold at the corner of her eye, she could see that he wanted to hold her. She refrained from giving her personal opinion on what they should do to him knowing if they wanted her opinion, they would ask. Hearing that she was excused, Helga stood up to walk back to her seat. As she did, Ludwig tried to get up to move towards her making her jerk back in surprise.
"You bitch! I would do everything for you. You promised me!" Ludwig shouted as the guard went to restrain him and the judge hit his gavel.
"Mr. Gravel, restrain your client at once." The judge ordered.
Hearing a commotion and Arnold's arms steadying her, Helga told him she was fine, just surprised. Kissing his cheek she went back to her seat quickly enough. Sitting down, Phoebe and Stella rubbed her arms on both sides to calm her down.
Arnold glanced back in concern before those brilliant blue eyes found his. He silently communicated to her on how amazing she is. She conducted herself beautifully up there.
Soon two tapes were shown. The first attack proceeded by the second one. Everyone had a hard time seeing the first one compared to the second since they were using Arnold like the human punching bag.
"We will now take a lunch recess. Please return in one hour." Banging the gavel, the judge exited the chamber.
Outside, Helga and Arnold found a place to be alone. They wanted to eat, but wanted a bit of alone time to hold one another. Arnold kissed her feverishly. It was criminal to go so long without the feeling of her lips on him. He soaked in her scent. Her taste before pulling back to rest his forehead against hers.
"You were amazing up there. My Swan is so beautiful." He whispered kissing her nose. "I'm so lucky to have you."
"I feel the same about you, Football Head. I have a great feeling about this." Helga knew his positive nature sifted into her.
"If so, wanna have a very private celebration after?"
"Of course." Hearing her stomach grumble, she snickered. "I think we should eat."
Agreeing, they walked hand in hand towards the rest of the group to have a picnic lunch.
After lunch, everyone piled back into the court room. They stood up, sat back down after the judge sat. The judge then asked the jury to read the verdict out loud as he made Ludwig stand up. Everyone was on edge feeling that they were talking so slow that the continents shifted again.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
"GUILTY!" Everyone cheered out at Slauson's.
The place was mostly filled with everyone from the group. Some went to the jukebox to play some music and dance around near the table. They only paused long enough to find monkeys rushing by the shop followed by some more animals. Turning their heads away to regard one another again, they all simply shrugged as the music started up again, and everyone was chattering away.
"You and your animals, Thad." Rhonda admonished lightly.
"This time it wasn't me. I was with everyone this time. Someone must of stolen my idea." Thad defended.
Having heard this, Arnold offered the answer to the question. "Perhaps someone found a mysterious game and decided to play it. Soon we'll find a hunter roaming the streets."
"Ah yes, I remember that movie. Fun movie." Gerald shook his friend's hand just wiggling their thumbs.
Stinky slapped a hand down on Gerald's shoulder. "Hey Gerald, isn't there something we all wanted to bring to, Arnold's attention?"
"Oh yeah. Thanks for reminding me, Stinky." Gerald grinned over at his best friend. "Hey Arnold. Remember that bet a long time ago about a certain subject?"
Arnold's smile went a little down. "Oh god, not that bet. Uh I need that money for our future."
Helga looked at Phoebe in question. "Well Helga, most of us made a bet with Arnold telling him that he will be the first to marry." Phoebe explained.
"And seeing that I had the worst luck in girls well I didn't quite believe it. Hell I thought Gerald would be the first one married." Arnold added.
"How much do you owe?" Helga asked.
Sighing, Arnold calculated it in his head. "With interest, about $200.00." Seeing the face she made, Arnold looked over at his friends. "You really want me to pay up now?"
"Maybe." Gerald responded cooly.
"So much for honeymoon spending money." What could Helga say? Don't pay them?
Phoebe pouted. "Oh Helga." Helga just shrugged.
Sid studied them while they all contemplated before he decided to state. "Hey how about this, have Arnold pay later. I'm fine on holding off for a little longer."
The ones that made a bet argued till Gerald held up his hands to stop them. "Alright, alright. I mean he is getting married and he needs to buy all the condoms for the honeymoon." He smirked at the couple in front of him rolling their eyes at that statement. "You can pay us later, but remember that interest math pro."
"I seriously was hoping you all would forget that bet." Arnold murmured.
Later at the boarding house, they were going through their plans for the weddiing in the kitchen when Sid stepped in. He smiled sheepishly at everyone as he stepped forward to slap down the money for him. "Consider it a wedding gift."
Arnold didn't want to touch the money as he shook his head. "No Sid. I can't. It's a really nice gesture, but I can't. I owe the debt. Not you."
Sid pushed the money towards him. "Look, Arnold, you have been there for all of us. This includes me. You are getting married to one of the coolest chicks around, and I want you both to have this great life. This is a present from me to you. Just don't let anyone know." Stepping back, Sid crossed his arms across his chest. "I'm putting my foot down."
"Do whatever you want, Football Head. You gotta admit it is a really kind gesture." Helga smiled at Sid.
Standing up, Arnold looked him straight in the eyes. "Sid thank you. I appreciate this very much."
"Sure thing. Just consider this also like my rent for that day I tried to fool, Lorenzo into thinking your room was mines." Winking at him, Sid turned away to leave the place before Arnold objected again.
"Man, your room has so much action without the actual action." Helga joked cutely.
"Uh... What have we been doing up there then, Helga? I do know what every part of your body looks like."
Crossing her arms on the table, Helga grinned. "Oh I do know this, you just know what type of action I am speaking of."
Grabbing the money, he placed it in his pockets. Helga will enjoy her payback for that comment tonight.
I didn't go over questions the last time I did a trial scene. I just went into minor detail. I hope this is the last court thing I have to do inside my devious mind.
By the way, how great of Sid to do that. :)