~Just a Dream~
A Phineas and Ferb fanfiction
Written by urhairsmellsnice
Rated T for abusive themes towards children
The Flynn-Fletcher Family and the Garcia-Shapiros belong to Disney corp.
Well... I've absolutely no idea what to say about this chapter
Though I'm sure the plot will work its way in here.
Sorry it took so long to update, I'm moving, and I got an ear infection
and a gland infection, and I'm on the verge of tonsillitis.
it's fun -_-

"Phineas! That was so great," Isabella gushed, smoothing her hair down after the Tour of Danville ride the boys had built had dumped them at the pier. Ferb stood, his face blank as ever, as he listened to Isabella give his brother all the praise, like always. The only girl you've ever liked is Vanessa, he told himself silently, Isabella and Phineas are made for each other; she's practically your sister. While he was more than over Vanessa, he found her an amazing distraction from everyone else's lack of acknowledgement towards him. It didn't quite look as bad when an older woman had held you in her affections for even a short time. Vanessa had moved on though, said he was just a kid with a little crush. It hurt, but she was probably right, just a crush. He didn't know what love was; though he couldn't quite admit it to himself, we all know he certainly liked Isabella. And why wouldn't he? He'd often catch himself admiring the silky quality of Isabella's raven hair, wishing he could run his hand softly through it, or the deep violet of her eyes, or the way her nose crinkled when she'd laugh, she was perfect. At least, he thought so. The perfect girl loved his brother though, the cliché end to the soap opera that is Ferb.

Gabriella gave a slight smile, "Thanks, Ferb and Phineas; it was way cool." Her hair twisted and frizzed from the ride, a couple twigs caught in it.

This snapped Ferb out of his reverie, Ferb and Phineas? Even saying it in his mind sounded foreign, perverse even, no one ever said his name first. It was Phineas… And Ferb, or occasionally Phineas and Ferb, but never was it ever Ferb and Phineas. He was an afterthought, the sequel. Phineas was up front, in action, take charge; Ferb was the wizards behind the curtain, working the inner mechanisms, making everything go smoothly

Ferb and Phineas, he liked the sound of it. Though, after being in their group a while, he was sure Brie would learn the proper phrase . He could hear it now, her quiet voice "Thanks, Phineas! It was way cool! Oh you too Ferb." She'd probably fall for Phineas too, there'd be a huge falling out because she and her cousin liked the same guy and Phineas would have to choose, but he wouldn't know what to do. Things would explode and when the train wreck that is Phineas shattered on the floor Ferb would come along and pick up the pieces, and when Isabella and Gabriella fell apart as well Ferb would have the glue gun. It was the way things always were.

Phineas didn't notice the odd phrasing Brie had used and looked to Ferb, "What else do you want to do today?"

Ferb stole a glance at his watch, only noon; they'd have time for another project before curfew. He blinked in his signature I don't know way. Isabella piped up, "Well, I could really go for some lunch. Hamburgers maybe?"

"Yeah, that sounds great," added Gabriella.

"Hamburgers…" Said Phineas "Hmm… That's brilliant! Ideas like this are why we keep you around Bells" Isabella blushed and looked down

No one was looking at him and Ferb couldn't help but smirk, Phineas was always so excitable, while hamburgers were a good idea he wouldn't call them brilliant, and Isabella was in actuality an honor student he wouldn't keep her around for her so called brilliant ideas. Actually they kept her around because she was smart, sweet, funny, and cute, Phineas was in love with her, she was a great helper, a good listener, and Ferb just liked her, what was there not to like?

Coming out of yet another day dream he noticed Gabriella looking at him studiously. When he looked towards her she raised her eyebrows as if she'd known just where the smirk had come from, he felt as if she read his everything, why he stood the way he did, why he kept his face blank, why his emotions showed only when people weren't looking at him, why he felt as if he had to hide in Phineas's shadow, what his nightmares were, everything. He met her gaze and for a second saw himself in her eyes, she was like him in some ways, but she knew why. She had to. He shook his head to clear it and the moment the two had was gone forever in the unspoken world of the broken children. Of course, she wasn't like him, sure she was guarded but she could show her feelings. If she was like him she wouldn't—couldn't, even, because feelings were the way to your heart, and if they were shown they opened you up to be hurt, if she was like him, she'd know that.

"There's this great new 50's themed burger place downtown we could go to" Suggested Phineas, already walking towards downtown, because no one shot down Phineas's ideas.

"Sounds good," Smiled Isabella before she sprinted to get in the coveted place by Phineas on the narrow sidewalk.

This left Ferb and Gabriella walking slightly behind; she was still struggling to pull the twigs from her hair so Ferb pulled a comb from his pocket and handed it to her. She smiled gratefully and accepted it, working the kinks out of her hair meticulously. Ahead of them Phineas and Isabella chatted amiably, not paying them any mind. "So, Ferb," Said Brie, "that's some pretty impressive building." Ferb nodded, unsure of what to do when someone spoke to him directly. "Where'd you learn all that?"

Ferb paused, thinking, "Comes naturally I guess, hereditary maybe?"

"So your dad's good at that kind of thing?" Asked Brie handing him back his comb

"Yes," Ferb answered without thinking, then stopped, it seemed as if his father was mechanically inclined but Lawrence never expressed such interest except with the birdhouse incident. "No," he amended, his brow furrowing, "not really."

Brie nodded, unphased by the switch, "your mom then?"

"I never knew her," Ferb answered, any infliction that had crept into his voice during their interlude had fled returning to his usual monotone.

"I'm sorry…" She said, searching for words.

"Don't be, you're hard pressed to miss what you've never had," He answered spotting her a rare half smile.

She folded her arms around herself as per usual, "I wouldn't be too sure about that."

They spent the rest of the walk in silence, listening to the idle chatter of Phineas and Isabella ahead of them.

"We're here!" Announced Phineas, gesturing to the chrome covered diner with a flourish. He opened the door for the girls, leaving it to swing on Ferb who narrowly missed being hit by it.

"Table for four?" Asked a perky, blond, poodle skirt clad waitress smacking loudly on her gum. Phineas nodded and she led them to a booth with a window looking onto the alley out back. Isabella grabbed Phineas by the arm and dragged him into the booth next to her, leaving Brie and Ferb next to each other once again. "What kinda pop you want?" The waitress asked, sounding disinterested as she pulled out her pen and notepad.

"Coca-cola for me and the green haired gentleman," smiled Phineas, used to ordering for Ferb.

"Strawberry milkshake!" Announced Isabella

"Dr. Pepper?" Said Brie in an almost questioning way.

The waitress nodded, her name was Sandy according to her nametag, "Kay, well that'll be right out. Here are your menus, holler if you need anything," She paused and looked at them distastefully. "Try not to need anything."

"What did you guys wanna do after this?" Asked Phineas, tapping his fingers on the table, never one to sit still for long indoors.

"I dunno" said Isabella and Brie in unison, laughing at the coincidence, Ferb just shrugged.

Isabella sat right across from Ferb, elbow on the table and head on her hand. Her black hair swung over her shoulder, half covering her face. "I hear there's a dance coming up," she said, eyes sparkling, looking at Phineas.

Ferb sighed inwardly. Her eyes sparkled looking at Phineas.

"Drinks!" Announced Sandy, flouncing to their table with a tray loaded with drinks. She set Isabella's milkshake down in front of her and grabbed a glass bottle of coke.

Ferb's eyes widened at the sight of the bottle and he pushed himself far into the corner of the booth.

The man had him backed into the corner, glass bottle raised over his head. Behind his attacker he could barely make out the form of a woman crumpled on the floor in the center of the room. The only sounds she made were weak pitiful ones of pain made in the back of her throat. Ferb couldn't bear to look at her, so as bravely as a boy of his size could he stared at the man looming over him. "You make me sick," The man spat, swiping his free hand across the boy's face.

"Please… Please," He whimpered looking away.

The man raised the bottle over his head once more and it connected with Ferb's head, over and over. He could hear screaming… was it him or the woman on the floor? As the green haired boy faded out of consciousnesses he realized it was both.

Ferb blinked and in took a sharp breath, now even his waking hours weren't safe from the nightmares that plagued his sleep. Isabella and Phineas had even noticed the episode "you ok, man?" asked Phineas worriedly.

Ferb nodded, "just tired." With that feeble excuse Phineas and Isabella's curiosity was relatively sated, with a few worried glances they continued on with their conversation.

Looking down, Ferb realized that Brie had had her hand on his arm the entire time, "You ok?" she whispered, looking knowing.

"Yes," he answered, softly, meeting her eyes.

She smiled and caught his hand in hers in that way that says I know what you're going through. Though Ferb was sure she didn't, she couldn't, she was too nice. "Promise?" She asked.

Ferb looked at their hands twined together in friendship. He dropped her hand. "I can't promise that."

A/N This took longer to write than expected. I only had 3 reveiws on the first chapter so I wasn't too motivated. Remember I'll always update within a month but every reveiw is a couple days sooner I'll update so pweaaase tell me what you think.

Thanks for reading!