Everything I'm Not
Disclaimer: I don't own Phineas and Ferb.
Summery: Ferb Fletcher left for London at the beginning of Sophomore year without telling anyone, including his brother Phineas. One year later he's back. Can he piece back together his life in Danville and mend his burned bridges? Including the one with his brother?
One
Ferb Flynn-Fletcher bit his lip as he saw the familiar sight of Danville as the plane came into land. When he'd left the city a year ago he didn't have any need to see the town or the people in it again, well technically it was a lie. He knew he was happy to see his parents again but other than that? He hadn't wanted to see anyone else.
Yet now? Coming into land? He couldn't help it but he felt a little bit excited and a little bit terrified. He was unsure what people where going to say about the fact that he was back. What his brother was going to say. When he had left his relationship with Phineas was fractured at the very least- he hadn't even let his brother know that he was going. He pushed the thought of Phineas out of his brain. He could deal with him when he got to that bridge.
He knew no one was going to meet him at the airport- his father had thought that he was on a later flight and he had requested that his parents kept his arrival from Phineas and Candace. Soon he was being told to put his seat in his upright position and the excitement was back.
He was back.
Ferb didn't go straight home. He decided to pay his sister a visit first. They'd grown closer over the last year especially during his disastrous freshman year. He knew she was coming home tonight for the surprise but he felt the need to see her. So he headed to the apartment that she and Jeremy had rented, hoping beyond hope that she was home.
He paid the taxi driver, got out his luggage and knocked on the door. Inside he could hear Candace muttering to herself and he let a smile come across his face. As she opened the door he gave a slight wave taking her in as he did so. Gone was the pink and white dress. She was wearing white jeans and a pink tee-shirt and he could still picture her as a teen trying to bust them with ease.
"F-Ferb?" She stuttered out.
"Surprise." He said and suddenly felt arms around his waist as she gave him a hug, "Candy I need to breathe" He whispered- a name he hadn't used in years but it had fallen easily off his lips.
"Is this just a visit or are you back for good?" Candace asked after ushering him into the house.
"For good." He confirmed and she gave him a smile, "Junior and Senior Year will be spent back at Danville High School." The unfortunately nearly passed through his lips but he managed to stop in time.
"That's good, I take it Mum and Dad know that you're coming?" Ferb nodded, "and you wanted it to be a surprise?" He nodded again.
"Part of the reason why you're coming over for dinner tonight." He confirmed.
"Why are you back?" Candace asked, "I thought you said and I quote 'I'm never coming back again.'"
"That's the other reason you're coming over for dinner tonight. Before you ask Dad had to tell me to get me to come home." Candace nodded, she then studied him for a moment.
"It's serious isn't it?" For a second Ferb wanted to reveal it all, but he knew he couldn't. He knew his mother and father wanted to tell his two siblings together. He however, nodded. Candace bit her lip.
"You're not going to tell me are you?" He shook his head.
"I can't. It wouldn't be fair to them or Phineas." He said, thinking he needed to change the subject quickly, "how is Phineas?"
"He's-" He watched as his sister hesitated for a moment, "He's dating Isabella." Ferb's eyes widened.
"What? When did that happen?" He demanded almost instantly.
"A couple of weeks after you left actually." She admitted, he then shot accusing eyes at her.
"And you didn't tell me?"
"It didn't come up!" She retorted, "and you where so adamant you didn't want to hear anything about-" Ferb raised his hand.
"Okay I get it." He realised that he had better call his father, "can I use your phone Candace? I better call Father and let him know I'm here." She nodded and handed over her cell phone.
"Dad's speed dial 2, Mum's speed dial 1." Ferb raised an eyebrow at his sister, "Don't give me that look how do you think I managed to get a hold of Mum so easily when I was trying to bust you?"
"Point." Ferb granted. His finger hovered over speed dial two then he remembered that his father had an appointment and may not be able to answer so he went for number one instead. A few seconds later his Mother answered the phone.
"Candace what is it?" He blinked and then remembered caller id.
"Mother," She heard a gasp.
"Ferb? Why have you got Candace's phone?" She asked somewhat surprised, "Shouldn't you be on a plane?"
"I caught an earlier flight so I thought I'd visit Candace. Could you let father know that he doesn't have to pick me up?" He inquired, "I can go home with Candace when she comes over tonight."
"What am I a taxi?" Candace muttered and Ferb rolled his eyes as his mother said it was fine and she'll see him then. He then said goodbye and hung up the phone.
"What if I had other plans today?" Ferb pouted.
"But, you get to see your favourite stepbrother"
"You're my only stepbrother" She pointed out.
"That's why I'm your favourite." He said with a grin and she punched him playfully.
Although he had felt relaxed all afternoon at Candace and Jeremy's house his nerves came back to him when Candace pulled into their street. He wanted to bolt. Yet he knew he couldn't. His father needed him.
His family needed him.
"You all right Ferb?" Jeremy's voice broke him out of his thoughts. He gave a small nod and remained silent. He missed the concerned look that passed between Candace and Jeremy but he knew that he could get past this.
It was just getting his brother to forgive him was another matter entirely.
To Be Continued