Sorry this will be another rushed half attempt at holiday cheer. "A Very Shortaki Thanksgiving" stole some of the conflict from this one lol. Unfortunately it's the busy time for many workplaces, but mine is especially busy. I hope you extract some enjoyment from it, apologies if it disappoints you. It's just some half baked idea I had to get out of my head so I can focus on the stories I'm more passionate about writing. Also there will be innuendo, but this is just mainly them doing a good deed for the community.

Also if you have a Hey Arnold story you want me to read and review, feel free to leave a comment with which story you want me to read. I'll get to it as soon as I can.

Merry Christmas everyone!

P.S. There is a reference to the fire alarm joke from "A Very Shortaki Thanksgiving" all it means is using kisses to get their way in a playful, non manipulative way. lol

Thinking

"Talking"


"Alright, let's cut to the chase. It's almost Christmas, what major project are we doing, Football Head?" Helga said arms folded and a scrutinizing eye passing over him.

The pair of them walked down the sidewalk towards the Boarding House.

He glanced back at her, with raised brow, "Project? No project."

"Uh-huh— so Thanksgiving you nearly twist my arm to have the biggest family get together in Hillwood, and for Christmas— biggest holiday ever of the year— we ain't doing jack?"

"Helga!" he laughed, "Just making Christmas cookies, if you want to help."

"Cookies? Like how many cookies are we talking here?"

"Eh, I think two hundred?" he scratched his chin.

"Two hundred!?" she nearly shrieked, "But no project? You're full of it, Football Face!"

"Hey, I can eat ten cookies a day by myself." he patted his stomach with a playful smirk.

"And yet you keep that beanpole figure. Impressive, Arnoldo."

"Well, Gerald and Phoebe offered to help too."

"And there it is! Using our mutual friends against me." she put a dramatic hand to her forehead.

"Ah, come on Helga, you know you want to help so just quit the act." he took both of her hands and tugged her closer, his boyish smirk only growing.

She looked away from him, trying to hid her growing blush, "Yeah right, I wanna waste my afternoon baking a bunch of cookies for your hungry stomach. Pass."

"Why can't you just help me because I asked? Does there always have to be some grand project in the works?"

"With you— yes!"

He kissed her hand, and then started kissing up her arm, "Am I going to have to pull the fire alarm?"

She wrenched her arm out of his grasp with a laugh, "Alright, let's make some cookies already. And one of these days that shit ain't gonna work on me."

"Whatever you say, Helga."


The pair of blondes entered the Boarding House with a greeting. Heading towards the kitchen, his parents and grandparents already fast at work making decorations. Gerald and Phoebe near the kitchen counter with bags of ingredients on the counter.

"Bout time ya'll show." Gerald said with a click.

"Helga, I'm so excited!" Phoebe crossed the room to hug her friend tight.

Helga patted her back and glanced around, "Yeah, no project. What are we making all these cookies for anyway?"

"Told you, I'm a hungry boy." Arnold shrugged digging into the pantry for his apron.

"I got it, we're making cookies for a party. Maybe a Rhonda party?"

"You really think Princess is going to let us cater?" the boy snorted at her deduction.

"Really?" Helga's brow raised at the nickname use, "I know. Cookies for the homeless people."

"Close, but no dice."

"Man come on, what does it matter Pataki? Just help or get out." Gerald waved his mixing spoon around.

"Geez! It's a crime to know what my labor is being used for?"

"It's a secret, just accept it." Arnold motioned her to the counter.

She finally relented. The group of them working over their own bowls of cookie mix. Spending time mixing the dough before rolling it onto the counter. They practically had an assembly line going where someone would mix, someone would roll and then a few on the end would cut shapes. The cookies promptly being baked in the oven.

It took most of the afternoon, but soon enough they had all the cookies they needed. They bagged them up undecorated and prepared to meet in the morning.


The next day, the group piled into Grandpa's Packard. His grandparents had opted to stay home, but Arnold's parents had elected to go along. They felt pretty good about getting to be involved in whatever new project their son had cooked up.

The car drove down the roads deep into Hillwood. Helga stared out the window and still wondered where they were going and what the big secret was. She could strangle him some days. Finally the car rolled into a side road parking spot in front of a large patch of buildings.

Glancing upwards, the words 'St. Mary's Disadvantaged Children Center' could be seen.

"We're at the orphanage, Arnoldo? That's the big secret?"

"Well, they don't call them that anymore— but yeah." he said simply as he ducked out of the car.

"Meet ya'll in a few." Gerald said with a wave.

The rest of their group headed towards the doors with supplies in tow. Another group of volunteers nearby joined them at the door. They offered to help bring in the rest of the decorations and food. The children of the orphanage swarming around the help with excited bursts of energy.

Finally the volunteers finished bringing in all the supplies. The decorations promptly being drawn up on the walls and tables. The caretakers worked overtime to get the children seated.

As the kids get settled at the tables, most of them were excited and bubbling. Each kid practically running to the tables and leaping onto their seats. All of them chatting with the kids around them. A few were quiet, but for the most part they all seem happy to have some fun event happening.

All of the caretakers from the orphanage were working with groups of the children to make sure they were all settled. Mile and Stella along with Phoebe were taking places at the tables with the kids.

Helga was about to do the same when she noticed a few adults hovering near the back wall. One child in a crunched lump at the base of the floor. The caretakers tried to entice the redheaded girl to the table, but her expression was very sour and she waved the adults away.

"What'chu looking at?" Arnold's voice drew her attention to the side.

Helga glanced at him briefly before turning her attention towards the girl by the wall again. He followed her gaze. Eventually the girl was coaxed to the table. She folded her arms with her scowl only growing. Another glance around the room would prove to the pair that out of the hundred children in the room, she was the only one who seemed outright frustrated.

"Wonder what's up with her?" Helga said quietly.

"Dunno." he leaned closer.

The pair watched the girl tip over someone's cup of juice. The victim wailed loudly at the transgression. A caretaker swooped in to try and mitigate the conflict. The redhead sassed the caretaker before looking away from the other kids.

"Maybe you should talk to her." Arnold nudged her shoulder.

"Me?!" her gaze shooting to his, "The angry girl is going to help another girl not be angry? That'll go over well."

"I think you'd be good at it." he smirked, giving her another nudge towards that table.

"You're dreamin'—" she rolled her eyes.

"She may be angry, but you have empathy. An empathy to understand her. That's all making someone feel better is about. She just needs someone to listen." his gaze determined.

"Oh, it's that simple huh? Just waltz over there and listen to her— bam she's cured!" her brows furrowed.

"I mean, it wasn't that easy, but it worked on you. So who knows?" he said softly, brushing a sweet kiss against her forehead.

Blushing, she glanced up at him, "If you say so, wise sage."

"Alright, watch the front doors," He shrugged and wiggled his eyebrows, "You're going to love this."

She watched him leave out the back door with a curious expression. Slowly, she crossed the floor and took a seat near the angry redhead's table.

One of the caretakers suddenly pipped up, "Oh? You guys hear that!? It's bells!"

A few other people joining in the chant of "Bells!?" Abruptly the front doors were kicked open, and a pair of very familiar characters burst through the door.

"HO, HO, HO, brothers and sisters!" Gerald said dressed up from head to toe in red and white, a long flowing fake beard and fluffy hat. A bag of toys slung over his back. Decidedly, Santa.

"Merry Christmas, kids!" Arnold said dressed up in a brown shirt and slacks with light-up felt antlers, and a halter with a string of bells over his chest. Decidedly, a reindeer.

Oh Criminy! Is he kidding!? Helga covered her mouth, a loud laugh threatening to erupt from her at the sight of her boyfriend and his best friend.

Almost at once, an eruption of cheers rose from the children, "It's Santa! Santa!"

They had just managed to get them all settled, and at the sight of the two, the kids started bouncing up and down in their seats all over again. Some of the caretakers having to rope them back in with the promise that they will all get a chance to talk to Santa.

Helga's eyes met Arnold's. With a faint blush, he gave her a wink. The pair crossed the room to a corner that had been set up with a large red chair. A red carpet section on the floor with a pair of tall candy canes on each side.

Gerald set down the bag of toys off to the side of the chair before sitting down. Arnold stood nearby for a moment making sure everything was in place. A few of the caretakers started at one of the tables and made the kids line up to see Santa.

"Alright, and now the reindeer is going to sit at the table that should be next." Arnold said with a mischievous tone.

The children all started to petition him to sit at their table. All of them raising their hands and shouting why they should be next.

"This table seems to have the most Christmas cheer!" He laughed a little at their enthusiasm and sat at one of the front tables.

The table that would be next in line anyway, but they didn't need to know that.

"Are those real antlers!?" one girl so excited she bounced in her seat.

The teen leaned forward and the kids all took turns touching his soft antlers. Sounds of awe falling from their lips. Even if they weren't real, to those kids they felt very real.

"Do you always wear bells?" another child with glasses asked inquisitively.

"Of course, all the better for Santa to hear me with." he bounced on the seat causing the bells to shake and let off a pleasant flurry of chimes.

The kids giggled while some reached out to touch the bells.

"How is Santa going to pull his sleigh with only one reindeer?" one boy narrowed his eyes at the teen.

"Uh, the other reindeer had to stay at the North Pole and help the elves, you know?"

"That's dumb. How's a reindeer going to wrap a package with hooves?"

"Alright, they couldn't come because they're still on vacation—" a flicker of irritation on the blonde's face.

"Vacation!? This close to Christmas?" the boy stood up and pointed with an incredulous glare, "I don't think you're a reindeer at all."

Arnold smarted, "Let's just say I'm strong enough to pull the sleigh by myself."

A bunch of "oo's" rose from the table. A look of awe brandished on the children's faces as they stared at the reindeer.

"If you're so strong, then lift up the table!" the boy jumped up and lifted his hands high in the air.

The kids all agreed that would be a great example of his supposed strength and started chanting to lift the table.

Arnold chuckled nervously, "That's probably not the best idea right now—"

"See— he can't do it! Fraud! I told you he wasn't really a reindeer." the boy folded his arms, a deep frown settling on his face.

The children at the table seemed to deflate a little at the boy's claims.

He had to be a real reindeer, didn't he?

This had to be the real Santa.

The dejected looks on their faces spurning motion from the teen. Arnold never was one to back off of a challenge, but in this case he had a better idea on how to placate the kids.

"Fine, Santa doesn't like me to use my magical powers unless we're at the North Pole, but just this once— I'll show you how strong I am."

The blonde stood up. The children all shaking in anticipation. He cracked his knuckles before scooping up the boy who questioned him onto his shoulders. The kid yelped in surprise. He grasped tightly onto the antlers. Arnold laughed at his shock.

The other kids cheering and excited for a turn to be so high in the air too.

"Wow! He's so strong!"

"I knew he was a real reindeer!"

"Me next!"

The boy on his shoulders shook a little, "Alright, I believe you! Let me down!"

Arnold set the boy down nicely with a flicker of worry in his expression.

The boy recovered quickly and exclaimed, "I got to ride a reindeer!"

The other children turned their jubilant and expectant gazes upon the reindeer. Arnold rubbed the back of his head while backing away slowly.

What have I done? the teen cleared his throat, "Uh, the reindeer needs to take a quick break. Oh look! It's your table's turn for Santa!"

The children now cleverly distracted and made their way towards the Santa line. A caretaker directing them as Arnold made a quick dash towards the kitchen.


As he rounded the archway of the kitchen, he almost crashed into Helga and Phoebe. The pair of them each holding a plate of the cookies they baked the other day. He dug his feet in as they watched him with amused grins.

"Bite off more than you could chew, Rudolph?" Helga said flicking his nose.

"I'm Prancer actually— because I pranced around that issue with grace." Arnold clasped his hand angelically.

"Yeah, whatever—"

The girls tried not to laugh as he gave them an offended look.

"Those kids almost didn't believe in Santa! I had to do something drastic—" he placed a dramatic hand to his forehead.

Phoebe giggled even harder at this, "Whatever you say, Prancer."

The boy grinned at the pair. Helga rolled her eyes and gave him a shove back to the dining room.

"You're adoring public awaits, Donner. Better get to it—"

"Hey, I almost forgot," He dug his feet in again, turning swiftly to face her, a gleam in his eye, "If you want, I have another pair of antlers— Vixen."

Phoebe's giggles turned into full blown laughter. Helga burned red at his ridiculous antics before giving him another shove into the dining room.

"Nope, I'm good."

The teen stumbled into the dining room with a laugh. Cutting a new path through the tables to sit at the next in line.


After Arnold left, the girls went back to preparing the plates of cookies to take into the dining hall. After the plates were filled, Phoebe stopped to rummage in one of their boxes of stuff they brought. She pulled a few things out.

"Phoebe what are you doing?" Helga raised a brow.

The shorter girl grinned at her friend, "Arnold's right. We should look the part a little more."

Phoebe put on a striped green hat and dusted some glitter on her cheeks. She looked a little elf-like with her meager ensemble.

"Well, if you want to look like a cookie mascot, be my guest. I'm here that should count enough without having to dress up in ridiculous clothing."

"Aw, it's just fun Helga. Lighten up."

With an eyeroll from Helga, the pair of girls took a few plates of cookies out of the kitchen. Stella, and Miles close behind them. Each of them distributing a plate of cookies to each table and gently reminding the children to wait until the adults can help them before trying to decorate them.

After another pass around the room, the group distributed sprinkles and icing to each of the tables. Along with some other fun decorations. The kids all welcoming the distraction as they waited for their chance with Santa.

Phoebe and Helga make it back to the kitchen to double check for any remaining supplies they may have missed. The pair stopped at the archway to look out at the room again. Gerald still in his corner of the room with a gaggle of kids eagerly waiting their turn.

It seemed he had seen Arnold's little display of strength earlier. So not to be outdone, had taken to lifting the kids up on their turn and giving them a quick spin in the air. A melodic Ho Ho Ho in their wake. The next kid he bounced on his knee. The kid letting out a playful squawk that he was riding a reindeer too.

Phoebe sighed a small blush on her cheeks as she gushed, "Gerald is a natural Santa. So silly!"

"Yeah, I'm sure him leaving presents under your tree doesn't make you biased." Helga wiggled her brows.

"Helga!" Phoebe steamed red at her suggestively snide remark.

"Hey, I don't care if you want to sit on Santa's lap."

The girls shared a laugh before returning to the floor, each of them branching off to take a different table. As Helga sat down, she saw that many of the children were already busy working hard on making a colorful cookie. Gobs of icing and sprinkles being thrown haphazardly around the table.

The kids all excited to share their creations with each other. Taking turns to hold up their reindeer, or gingerbread man cookie. Or their snowflake or tree shaped creations. Most of the children were playing nicely with each other and having no trouble sharing.

One of the kids nudged Helga, "Will you help me?"

The blonde suddenly felt a twinge of nervousness. She still wasn't quite used to being around children or babysitting for that matter. She twisted to help the child direct the icing onto his cookie.

His eyes lit up as he looked at the older teen, "Thanks, nice lady."

She smiled, a small giggle in her throat as the boy proceeded to dust it with sprinkles.

A screech from the side drew the attention of the group.

The redheaded girl had snatched a cookie from one of the other kids and was holding it high above their head.

A caretaker rushed over and tried to soothe the situation. The redhead losing interest in the cookie and dumping it onto the table. Her back turned to the group.

Helga narrowed her eyes at the girl, Arnold really thinks I can help her, huh? I hate to admit that she is kind of like...me...

A battering of sprinkles against her neck jolted her attention to behind her. She twisted around in her chair. The group of children at the table collectively pointing towards Arnold almost at once. The teen in question looking sheepish at being caught. A flurry of giggles came from the children.

She shot him a look, "Better not start a food fight, Blitzen."

He snorted, and stuck his tongue out, "I'm Dasher, actually."

"Uh-huh—"

"Because of my dashing good looks, of course." he smirked and gave her a flirty look.

"Alright Cupid—"

"I did steal your heart after all." his flirty grin only growing.

"Oh sure!" flustered she turned back around in her seat.

Chancing a look towards the other tables, she noticed that the angry redheaded girl from earlier was missing from her seat.

"Alright kids, keep up the good work. I'll be right back, and stay in your seats." Helga said standing up promptly.

The blonde walked out of the dining hall and into the corridor of the orphanage. The hall was dark with a few dim lights on. She glanced from side to side before choosing a direction. Taking a few minutes to walk the premises and calling occasionally for the girl. Even though in the back of her mind, she knew the girl probably didn't want to be found.

Ready to give up and go back to the dining hall, she walked back down the corridor. As her hand was on the dining door, she noticed the back door to the play yard was cracked. The blonde turned down the hallway to make it out the back door.


Helga stared out across the concrete courtyard. The playground equipment on the far side. A basketball court the first thing she saw. Her gaze finally settled on the swing set that was furthest from the building. She noticed the little redhead barely pushing herself on the swing. Her feet dragging through the puddles and splashing the mucky water about.

Helga made her approach casual. Taking her time to cross the courtyard and find herself a space away from the rambunctious redhead.

"I'm not going back inside." the girl bit out.

Classic protective scowl...Helga sighed, and let out a breath, "I came out here to swing actually."

"Sure— an adult wanting to swing. Pft."

Helga took a few steps back before running towards the swing. She jump dived into the seat. Her rear hitting the swing and causing it to sway wildly back and forth. She let out a whoop and swung harder as if to prove a point to the child.

The redhead almost laughed before covering her mouth and reclaiming her scowl, "Fine, you can stay."

"Good, because it's not like you could make me leave anyway." The blonde's tone snarky.

It startled the redhead a little. She was used to adults talking to her like she was a precious little being. Always being super nice and worried about saying something that might hurt her feelings.

"I'm sure, I could." the redhead's arms suctioned to her chest, the swing abruptly halting.

"You got a name?" Helga kicked the water on another pass.

"Why do you care? Just swing."

"Fine, Fireball it is." the teen rolled her eyes, words drawled as though she could care less.

A few moments passed. Helga still swung while the girl stayed stationary to stare the newcomer down.

"Why are you out here anyway? You came here with them— shouldn't you love Christmas?" the girl said it like she was disgusted.

"Psh, are you kidding? I actually hate Christmas."

"Really?" the girl raised a brow.

"Yeah, the crowds of people rushing for that oh so perfect gift. The forced gatherings where you spend hours with people you see once a year and pretend to care more than you actually do." Helga shrugged.

"I hate Santa. What's so great about that guy anyway? Don't those kids know he isn't real? But everyone just goes on and on about all the junk they want Santa to bring them."

Helga laughed a little, and watched the girl out of the side of her eye, "Well, I guess some people need something positive to believe in. But I can see you're not like that."

"What's so great about having a bunch of toys when you don't have a family?"

"Well, Fireball, with your feisty personality I'm surprised you don't have a family lined up." her voice dripping with sarcasm.

The girl snorted, kicking off to swing again, "The people who come here— they can't handle me. They don't deserve me."

"I get that."

There seemed to be a mutual feeling of understanding pass through the two girls. Helga silently cursing Arnold's intuitiveness at being able to read that girl so easily.

"So you hate all your family too?" the girl said with another kick.

"Eh, I used to— a lot. But they're not as bad as they used to be." the teen paused a moment, brows furrowed, "I still have a stuck up sister though. She loves Christmas and I know Christmas Eve she's gonna have us all singing under the dumb tree. And Dad will get toasted on spiked eggnog, and then my Mom will try to reminisce about when I was baby."

"I used to have a sister too. But she, uh," The girl giggled a little, before turning solemn, "She got adopted a few years ago. I haven't seen her since."

Helga's gaze widened a little at the girl's admission.

"I guess she's always been better than me." she kicked a rock as her foot dragged the ground.

"Only if you let her be."

The girl glanced to side, "What?"

"Well, if you want a family then drop the mean girl routine."

"It's not a routine—" the girl skidded the swing to a halt to glare at the teen.

"You either want a family or you don't. Most people aren't going to deal with a mean girl." Helga skidded to a stop as well.

"Why should I have to change for anyone? If they love me, they'll love me how I am now." the redhead stood up to stare her companion down.

Helga unphased, shifted her full attention to the girl, "So what exactly happened to your parents?"

The girl took a step back, her resolve crumbling at such a random question.

She clenched her hands together, "I hate Christmas because...this is when they died."

The blonde's expression softened, "Sorry, that's rough."

"I don't even know why I care about them at all. They never paid much attention to me. So worried about their jobs." the girl folded her arms, her voice quieter now, "They'd give us tons of presents. Buy us anything we wanted, but I just wanted them to talk to us."

"I've been ignored most of my life in favor of my sister. So I know how that feels." Helga said with a reflective sigh.

"But you just said your family wasn't that bad—"

"Any more. They've changed a lot over these past few years. And you want to know why? Because someone was able to care about me even when I was an angry girl." she gave her companion a pointed look.

"But you just said—" the girl looked confused, gaze shifting between her clenched hands and the teen.

"I got lucky. Very, very lucky. I did some nice things, slowly started to show that person my nicer side, and finally changed enough for him to notice that he liked me too." a faint blush crept on Helga's cheeks at having to admit something like that out loud, If it will help her, then its worth it.

The girl was silent a moment as though mulling over what she'd been told.

"My point is, that you can be whoever you want to be, but don't expect everyone to like it. And if you open up to the right people, they can be the family you choose."

"All the dunderhead parents that come here are the same. Looking down on us. The caretakers parade us out in front of them like we're a grocery store. All the other kids work overtime to be noticed, and I'm not doing that for anyone."

"I was angry a long time, but when I look back, it was a mistake." Helga let out a sigh.

"I thought you were tough. Apparently not." the girl scoffed.

"I am. And you know what the toughest thing you'll ever do is?" the teen scowled, "Opening up to someone else and trusting that they won't hurt you."

"That sounds dumb." The girl flustered, her hands thrown to the side.

"I hid who I was for a long time because I didn't want anyone to see me care. See me weak, but I finally opened up to the right people—"

"How can you know? You don't know." the girl pointed defiantly, "You do one thing wrong and they bring you back to this place."

Helga narrowed her gaze and persisted in her point, "It's the best thing I could ask for. And I guarantee if you open up to the right parents, then they'll love you more than your real parents did."

The redhead finally let out a wail, tears dripped down her cheeks, "No one wants a mean girl like me."

"But that's just it, you're not a mean girl, are you?" Helga said with a glint in her eye.

The girl rubbed her tears and peeked up at the teen.

"B-but I am."

"Really? Name one mean thing you've done since I've shown up?"

The girl muttered and rubbed away more tears. Helga happened to look towards the door and notice that Arnold was making his way across the courtyard.

Helga motioned towards him, "I used to think that too, until that reindeer over there crashed into my life."

The girl's tears start to dry as a giggle snuck out, "Is that your boyfriend?"

"Yup, and he wanted to be with me even when I was the meanest girl he knew."

"No way! I don't believe you!"

Arnold finally came to stand next to them with a concerned look, "Girls, we were worried about you."

"How mean was Helga to you!?" the girl demanded, still a mix of disbelief and confusion.

Arnold looked confused for a second, glancing at Helga he realized exactly what their conversation must have been about, "You're looking at the girl who used to push me into lockers everyday. Hundreds of spitwads littering my hair. Endless pranks. You name it, she's probably done that to me."

"Pudding pants?"

"Yup." he folded his arms.

"Hold you by the collar? Trip you?"

Helga laughed.

Arnold smirked, "Unfortunately Yes."

"Do you have Stockholm Syndrome?" the girl's eyes widened.

Arnold turned flustered at the comment while Helga laughed harder.

"No, I just knew she wasn't that person deep down." the boy said firmly shooting his girlfriend a look.

The girl passed a sharp look between the pair.

"But how did you know?" the girl tried to sound angry, but that resolve broke a while ago, a sudden barrage of tears reclaiming her face, "How do you know who's safe to open up to?"

The teens shared an understanding look. The pair kneeled down to hug her together. A startled jump from the girl as she felt two sets of arms hugging her.

"Truth is, you never know." Helga said as she stared at Arnold, his gaze meeting hers reflectively, "You just have to be brave enough to show them who you really are."

The girl looked up at the pair and gave Arnold a pleased look, "I'm glad you were nice to Helga. She's a pretty nice lady to talk to now."

He blushed and winked at his girlfriend, "I wouldn't change it for anything."

"Criminy, let's go inside already. It's getting too slushy out here." she started walking briskly towards the door.

Her companions following her with a laugh.


After their little group came in from outside, the little girl rushed to the table. She promptly apologized to the other kids. The kids welcomed her back to the table and the group of them started making cookies as a group. The little redhead pleased with herself as she claimed she was going to make a reindeer and an angel cookie.

The pair of blondes couldn't help but overhear. A chuckle on Arnold's lips as he nudged her. She shot him a hard look but let out a disbelieving laugh. She almost couldn't believe that her past had actually managed to help that little girl, if only a little bit. That she'd actually managed to do what Arnold often did for her for someone else. It was seriously nauseating for her to think about.

"I think it's time to go back to the North Pole." Arnold said crossing the room.

The children all collectively sighed.

"HO HO HO, brothers and sisters! Be good and I'll come back next year too!" Gerald said with an overly loud laugh.

The pair of them dashed through the door with a burst of glitter in their wake. The doors shut and the children both cheered and lamented their departure. The kids slowly ushered back to their bunks as the volunteers started to clean up.

The kids thanked the adults as they walked by. Arnold, and Gerald returned to the room in civilian clothes to regroup with Arnold's parents and the girls.

"Well that was fun." Miles looked pleased with himself

"Great idea, sweetie." Stella said patting Arnold's head, "We'll be outside when you're ready to leave."

"That's okay, Mom. I think we're going to walk home this time."

His parents nodded before walking out the front doors. The group of teens the only ones left over as the rest of the volunteers headed out the door. Phoebe had her hand on the door ready to leave when a young voice caught their attention again.

By the back doors, the redhead had pushed her way back into the dining room. She cut a path towards the group again. She was slightly winded as she stood before them again. A worried look marred her features.

"Should I change who I am?" her voice pained.

Arnold and Helga glanced at each other before kneeling down again.

"You can change if you want to—" Arnold started.

"But only if it's into who you want to be." Helga said with a shrug.

Arnold and the girl looked expectantly at her.

"What?" her voice sharp.

"That's it?" Arnold said with narrow look.

She groaned, "Well, Arnold was raised in a loving home and turned out nice. But I was raised in a neglectful home, and somehow I still turned out nice."

"People who come to Orphanages, they'll adopt you because they want to love a child." Arnold added, his gaze hopeful.

The girl's eyes widened, "I never thought about it like that!"

"And what's not to love about you, Fireball?" Helga said with a cheeky grin.

A hopeful look took over, "Thank you, thank you! This has been the best Christmas ever!"

The girl took off towards the back door. She waved over her shoulder before disappearing from sight. The blonde's could feel their friends' gazes upon them. A laugh coming from them. Helga looked flustered and Arnold shrugged.

Gerald put and arm around Arnold, "Man, Arnold, you have seriously rubbed off onto that girl."

"Yeah, no doi! What do you think we're doing alone all the time?" she smarted walking out the door with Phoebe close behind.

The boys flushed at her crass statement, before they laughed.

"Couldn't you wait until we were away from the orphanage before you say something like that?" Arnold ran a hand through his hair.

"Eh, they'll figure out how they were made soon enough." the girl shrugged.

He caught up to her stride and took her hand. The other couple walked alongside them.

"Slausen's?" Gerald said.

"Yes!" they said with a laugh.


Later that night, Arnold and Helga spent some time hanging out in his room. The pair of them sitting on his bed chatting about mostly nothing.

"That was really sweet for you to talk to that little girl." Arnold glanced towards Helga.

"Yeah, yeah, let's not get all mushy about it." she waved him down.

"But it was really great-"

"If I hang out with you much longer, I'll lose what little edge I have left. So drop it."

He glanced towards her, thinking for a moment before a mischievously smug smirk tugged at his lips.

"Oh no, I just wanted to gloat about how I was right."

"Right!? So you get to be right once, big whoop!"

"Kinda seems like it bothers you a little." his hand rubbed her shoulder, "Besides, I'm right a lot more than you."

Her attention snapped towards him, "I know exactly what you're doing- stop it."

"Well, quit Dancer-ing around the issue." he jabbed her playfully.

"That's it. I'm out—" she made like she was going to leave.

He tugged her to him possessively crashing their chest together, "And miss the best part of Christmas? I don't think so."

She blushed a little, "What, you gonna to fly to me the moon, Comet?"

"I very well may, Vixen."


Once again enjoy the holiday! Or time with your families!

Also if you have a Hey Arnold story you want me to read and review, feel free to leave a comment with which story you want me to read. I'll get to it as soon as I can.