A/N: So, I said I would write another chapter about Phoebe acting as a good friend and the threatening older sibling and/or parent, so here it is. Thank you so much for your support the last chapter, I hope you enjoy this one too.

Warning of the Sole Confidant

…

Phoebe glanced at her watch again, growing more and more impatient as time seem to slow down around her. Still about ten minutes before the other recipient of the booth was set to arrive. Plenty of time, the spectacle-wearing girl supposed, to think about what reason she had to be here and why this meeting was required.

It had been a solid month since the class trip to San Lorenzo. She didn't know all the details, but she did know that her boyfriend, best friend and boyfriend's best friend had been through a lot. For the better, seeing how this trip ended with the football-shaped head kid finding his parents after nine years without them. It took her about two weeks to notice another change as well.

It started with a few subtle things, like the way Arnold was suddenly hanging out at Helga's dad's emporium, or the fact that the two of them have started walking to school together, albeit at a respectable distance from each other. Helga couldn't hang out with her at times because of some random excuse, while Gerald claimed Arnold also had something else to do.

Look back, Phoebe was a little embarrassed it took her so long to piece things together. She was one of the smartest kids in class, it should have taken her days to realize things. What was even worse was that Gerald had to literally spell it out for her. She had been absently wondering why Helga had been so busy lately while hanging out at her boyfriend's house, and he had merely stated she was probably with Arnold.

At first, she had laughed with abandon, thinking the black-skinned boy was joking. "Why would they be hanging out together? They can hardly be in the same room without Helga yelling at him."

Gerald had shrugged, looking utterly cool as he replied, "Uh, I think you have some outdated information. I'm pretty sure those two are an item, considering they were kissing in San Lorenzo."

"WHAT?!"

After she had dragged every last detail from the black-haired boy, who recanted the subtle flirting and the kissing he had unintentionally interrupted, Phoebe had rushed out the door, barely apologizing as she made her way to the Beeper Emporium with haste. The minute Helga had come to the door, Phoebe had shot questions at her with justified anger.

"How could you not tell me Arnold finally accepted your feeling?! I was there when you told me about FTI, and all those years you pined after him, so how could you not tell me?!" After she had stopped to catch her breath, Helga had invited her inside and provided her with a cold glass of water, managing to calm the glasses-wearing girl a little. Then the blonde had explained.

"I tried to talk to him about my feeling before, Pheebs. He didn't want to hear it. And then when he did kiss me, it was because he was grateful for everything I did, you know?" That he subdued the other girl significantly.

"Do you believe he's only with you because you helped him find his parents?" Helga shrugged, a rare vulnerable and sad expression on her face. "He says he's not. He gave me this big speech about passion and caring and—" Here Helga sighed, continuing calmly, "Look, I'm not sure what our relationship is now. He always wants to hang out, and now he invites me to dinner with his parents and the rest of his weird family, and I want to hope it's because his feelings are the same as mine. But I didn't want to tell you in case this is just another disappointment."

Then Phoebe had spent the rest of the day comforting her best friend, determined to get to the bottom of things for both their sakes. Ergo her current seating at the local soda restaurant, awaiting an all so important meeting that was due for another five minutes. But, knowing the other occupant, it would start earlier than that. She wasn't disappointed.

"Hey, Phoebe." Arnold greeted, sliding into the seat across from her and taking a glance at the menu was always at the table. "Sorry I'm late, I wanted to stop at home real quick to make sure my parents knew where I was. They tend to worry when I don't show up at three-thirty."

Phoebe nodded silently, studying the blonde boy as he read the menu, taking note of his overall appearance. Since he had gotten his parents back, he seemed… lighter. The football-headed kid was always known for his wild optimism and desire to help, now it was like nothing weighed him down. Like he literally couldn't be happier. Phoebe hoped, for his sake, that Helga was part of the reason he felt that way.

After receiving their drinks and spending a few moments just drinking and sitting in awkward silence, Arnold hesitantly asked, "So, Phoebe. Why exactly did you ask to meet me? Well, you didn't really ask, you threw about fifteen crumpled balls of paper when the teacher wasn't looking, all saying I should come here at this time. Is something wrong?"

The black-haired girl resolutely shook her head. "Nothing's wrong. Just have a few questions for you. Like… what the heck are you doing with my best friend?!" The Shortman kid almost choked on his soda, coughing and gasping as he fought to clear his airways. By the time he was normal again, he was fixing her with a long-suffering look. "Gerald told you."

"Yes, he did. Then Helga confirmed it, along with the fact that all of this happened because she helped reunite you with your mom and dad. So, I ask again, what are you doing with Helga, exactly?"

Arnold looked minutely upset. "She told you that too? We talked about that, I thought she understood—" Phoebe cut him off. "It doesn't matter what you thought. It's how she read the situation. And if there's anyone who would be unable to believe that you have an alternative reason for dating her beside because of who she is, it's Helga."

"What do you mean?" Phoebe sighed in the face of Arnold's innocent confusion. He really didn't get it. "Look, Arnold, you know how Helga's like. She can be brave and kind when she wants to be. What she cannot be is vulnerable. She can't break her walls down for just anyone because she grew up in a family that never really cared about her. When they looked at her, all they saw was everything she wasn't and what they wanted her to be."

Arnold nodded thoughtfully as Phoebe continued. "She's brilliant, passionate and successful in her own way, but her parents don't see that. Due to that, she has this mentality in mind that she's not good enough. Not good enough for her family, or school and certainly not for you."

"What, me? Why not me?" Phoebe almost rolled her eyes at that. "Arnold, you're like the neighborhood angel or whatever. You go out of your way to be there for everyone and help people with their problems. Even Helga, who has been nothing but cynical and mean to you. As far as she could tell, you settled. No, worse — you picked someone who you know is devoted to you and would do anything to you."

Arnold looked miserable at that realization. "But I told her before we started dating that I like her because of who she is. She agreed to go out with me, I thought that was her accepting that. Have… have I been making her feel horrible about herself this whole time?"

Phoebe immediately refuted his statement. "No, of course not, Arnold. I'm sure you've been wonderful to her. In fact, from what Helga has implied, she's never been happier than when she is with you."

The Shortman smiled at that. "Then, how do I make her understand I want this too?"

"Look, Arnold. I've been Helga's best friend for years. She's shared many secrets with me, things she would never reveal to just about anyone else, things that she feels would ruin her. She trusts me with who she really is, the same way I trust her with my problems and insecurities. I probably know Helga better than anyone. But even I don't know the answer to that." Arnold dropped with disappointed at that.

"What I can do is say that actions speak louder than words. Despite how much she teases you, she has moved mountains for you. She risked her life, not just in San Lorenzo, but also during the FTI adventure. Show her the same courtesy and things will be okay for all of us."

The blonde boy started. "Wait, what does that mean?"

"I don't think I have to elaborate on that, Shortman. I can only say, hurt Helga and I will find a way to ruin you, whether she wants me to or not."

Arnold studied the girl sitting across from him for a few tension-filled moments before he smiled a big grin. "Thank you, Phoebe."

"For what?"

"For being a good friend to Helga. I really glad she has someone as loyal and gutsy as you in her life."

Phoebe gave a small laugh at that, taking one last slurp of her drink before smartly saying, "And don't you ever forget that, Shortman."

…

So, here's the second chapter I said I would do. Hoped the conversation was up to par. Seriously can't wait to see if there will be a revival of the show, after this great movie, I just can't wait to see any other adventures they will have. Thank you again.