A/N: This is the third "chapter" of the "Gonna Be All Right Series." I know it's hard to sympathize or feel sorry for Isabella when many PxF fans would see her as an "obstacle." I may not be her biggest fan, but I don't particularity hate Isabella and I can really empathize with her in this chapter. This part is very emotional and I tried to convey her feelings as best I could, so I'm sorry if it seems sappy. Please enjoy it for what its worth!

Disclaimer: I don't own Phineas and Ferb and I am not making an profit from this.

Fate Isn't Good Enough

I knew it would be awkward. He's always been clueless about anything and everything to do with romance, so when I confessed my love to Phineas, I was prepared for his blank stare and completely confused blabberings. And believe me, I did get them. Phineas Flynn reacted exactly how I had expected him to. Choruses of "What?", "You mean it?", and "I... I never noticed!" In fact, everything went like I had imagined that night. Well, everything, of course, besides his answer. That was completely unexpected.

"Oh, god, Isabella," He had whispered and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Isabella..." I could feel my face heating up more and I moved even closer to him.

"Y-yes, Phineas?"

"Isabella, I," he stammered and looked up sheepishly. That was when I was sure of it all. I was convinced he was going to take me in his arms and carry me away right then. My childish fantasies took over, distorting real life again.

"Yes, Phineas?" I asked again, swooning.

"I'm sorry," He whispered, and my dramatic, theatrical day dreams halted.

"What?"

"I-I'm sorry," He said again and closed his eyes to avoid mine. "I don't know what to say. I can't answer you. Not right now." He touched my cheek softly and quickly before turning around and running out of my house.

I sat stunned, so confused I couldn't even cry. Too confused to register anything that had just happened. I stood up, walked slowly upstairs to my room, and went to bed.

It was almost nine months later. He still hadn't given me an answer, and I still hadn't cried yet, because I didn't know what he was going to say. Our friendship hadn't changed much, even after my confession. We never even mentioned it, and everything continued like normal.

Well, almost normal. Sometimes, when our eyes met, I knew he could see I was asking for his answer. Usually, he would turn away, and continue whatever he was doing. But on occasion, he would hold my gaze, and scrunch his eye brows together sympathetically. "I still don't have an answer." Or, that's how I interpreted it.

So I waited.

My friends hated it. They told me I was being stupid, and that he was just leading me on, or that it was his sick way of rejection. Funny how they could like him one day, and hate him the next just because he couldn't answer my feelings. People are fickle.

"Isabella, its been months!" Gretchen said, grabbing my shoulder one day after school. "You need to confront him about it! Stop letting Phineas toy with you!"

"I thought you were stronger than this, Isabella," Holly exclaimed and threw her arms in the air.

"If he's not ready, he's not ready," I answered sternly and crossed my arms. "And I am strong. But sometimes boys need time too. If we can't understand that, then what kind of women are we?"

"Nine months, Isabella?" Katie asked. "No one needs nine months."

"Unless they're popping out a baby, which Phineas obviously isn't," Ginger said absently. I ignored her. Had it really been that long? I stared intently at the sidewalk, and felt one of the girls put their hand on my shoulder.

"It's been long enough, Isabella. Please just go ask him for an answer," Gretchen whispered and gave me a hug. "For your own sake." I clenched the strap of my bag and let out a heavy sigh.

"All right," I whispered. I could see the Flynn-Fletcher house right up the road. "I'll call you guys later."

I rang the doorbell. I'm not quite sure why; Phineas and Ferb were usually outside in the backyard year-round. A little chilly, November weather wouldn't keep them grounded. Mrs. Flynn answered the door and smiled at me.

"Oh, hello, Isabella!"

"Hello, Mrs. Flynn," I answered and mustered up the best happy front I could manage. I was so nervous and scared to confront Phineas.

"The boys are out back, but I'll call them in so I can make you all some snacks before I go to my book club," she explained and opened the door wider. "Please, come in."

"Thanks," I answered and closed the door behind me. While I took off my coat, Mrs. Flynn went to fetch her sons. They came in, and greeted me like any other day. I locked eyes with Phineas, but he didn't hold the gaze. We sat down at the table and talked about school, the teachers, the homework, and more. We gossiped, we complained, and we laughed like teenagers will. It was so normal, I had practically forgotten why I had come over in the first place.

"Here, kids. There's some sandwiches and stuff for you to eat. I have to go to my book club. See you later tonight, boys."

"Thanks, mom. Bye!" Phineas said and Ferb waved as she walked out. I snapped back to reality and remembered what had to be done. What I had come there for. When I heard the door shut behind Mrs. Flynn, I quickly stood up.

"Phineas! I have to talk to you about something!" My voice was suddenly higher than usual, and I could feel my legs tremble from the nerves. Taken aback and his mouth full of sandwich, Phineas looked up at me with a dumbfounded expression. Ferb glanced over at his brother and rolled his eyes. I stayed where I was and waited for Phineas to finish chewing.

"Uh, yes, Isabella?" he asked, his eyebrows knitting together as if he was dreading what was coming.

"I need to talk," I said again. "I want—I need your... answer." My voice had died down to a whisper when I finished that sentence. Phineas froze for a split second and put down his sandwich. He closed his eyes and let out a sigh. I saw Ferb place a hand on his brother's shoulder before standing up.

That was what I liked about Ferb. He could be quiet and awkward sometimes, but he was very observant. He understood what was going on, and knew I wanted to talk to Phineas alone. I sent him a grateful smile. He just nodded his head.

"I'll leave you two alone, Phin." He began to walk away, and I opened my mouth to speak—

"Ferb, wait," Phineas said frantically. "Don't go." I could feel my eyes widen and I almost yelled out in protest and confusion. Why the hell would Phineas want Ferb there when I wanted to talk about my love? I saw Ferb sigh and shake his head.

"Phineas," he started, turning around to face us. "it's wonderful and very sweet that you want me here, but have some tact." He nodded in my direction. "Give Isabella the respect she deserves. This is between you and her. My part comes later." Phineas clenched his fists and nodded slowly.

"You're right, Ferb. I'm sorry, Isabella," he whispered. I was more confused than ever but continued to stand still. My heart was beating a mile a minute. Phineas met my gaze as he stood up and the butterflies in my stomach seemed to spread around my whole body. I was finally going to get my answer. Finally after all this time, I was going to hear how Phineas felt about me.

"Phineas, I—I love you. And, I—I told you this before," My voice was shaking, and I was grabbing at my long black hair as I talked. "You never gave me an answer and I was wondering if you could t-tell me how you feel. I—I love you, and I can't st-stand living without knowing your answer. Good or bad, I don't care. Please—Please tell me." My crush of many years was leaning against the counter and looking at me like he was about to cry.

"Do you mean that, Isabella?" He whispered. "I want to tell you everything, but I want to make sure you really want to know. You may not like it." Tears rushed into my eyes, but I closed them.

"G-good or bad, I want to know, Phineas. P-please tell me." Phineas stepped closer to me and grabbed my hand, cupping between both of his.

"I'm sorry it took me so long to give you an answer, Isabella. I was afraid of telling you." My face was heating up from his hands on mine and I tried to listen to him without my day dreams ruining everything again. "I'm sorry, Isabella, but I can't return your feelings. I'm in love with someone else."

It felt like the floor fell out beneath me, and someone had punched me in the stomach simultaneously. The tears I had been holding in gushed out and streamed down my cheeks.

"I—I see," I managed to choke out. I had wanted to be with Phineas for over seven years. All those years seemed to break into tiny pieces in front of my very eyes. I tried to hold it in, but my chest was starting to spasm from the sobs.

"Isabella," Phineas whispered. "I'm so sorry." That did it, and I started to cry so loud, that my voice cracked. I didn't want to, because deep down, I knew Phineas couldn't help it if he didn't return my feelings. It just hurt so bad!

"I'm s-s-sorry!" I said between sobs. "I'm sorry I—I'm crying! It's n-not your fault, I just—It just—I don't—" Phineas wrapped an arm around me and wiped one of my tears away. My breath was caught in my throat. "C-can I know w-who you l-like, Phineas? Sh-she better l-love you t-too." He sighed and tightened his grip on me.

"He loves me very much." My jaw dropped as more tears fell from my eyes. "This is why I was so afraid to tell you. I shouldn't have left you hanging, Isabella, but I wasn't sure how you would react to my—my bisexuality." I didn't answer and continued to cry silently. Neither of us talked for a very long time. The silence buzzed in my ears as I cried. "Are you mad?" Phineas whispered.

"N-no," I said and tried to wipe away my tears. "I just—C-can I know who h-he is?"

"It's Ferb," he said quietly. "I'm in love with Ferb." I shut my eyes tight and rested my head on his shoulder.

"I should have seen the signs. Y-you can come in, F-ferb." I heard footsteps as the British brother walked into the kitchen. I met his eyes and he gave me a pained look.

"I'm sorry, Isabella," he said.

"D-don't be. I—I understand. You l-love who you love." Ferb smiled sadly and wiped one of my tears away like Phineas had.

"Stop it. We just broke your heart. Don't act like it's ok. I know it's not."

"Th-that may be true, b-but you c-can't change who you love. A-and as long as Phineas is happy, I think I'll be able—be able t-to accept it." I hid my face in my hands and broke away from Phineas' grip. I stared at the two standing side by side through my fingers. "S-so be happy and in l-love, Phineas."

"Isabella," he whispered.

"It's o-ok, Phineas. I love y-you, but I can't ch-change your feelings! Don't w-worry about me." My voice broke as I talked. "I'll g-go home. It'd be b-bad if your mom came home and s-saw me like this."

"Isabella... I'm so sorry. I'm sorry I hurt you, but I don't want you out of my life—"

"And I w-won't be," I whispered. "J-just give me time, ok? Because I've loved y-you for years and..."

I trailed off as everything continued to sink in. I would never get to be embraced in Phineas' arms. Never hear him tell me that he loves me. Phineas would never be mine. More tears fell.

I didn't feel myself walk towards him and wrap my arms around his waist. But I did hear myself apologize to Ferb. And I did feel myself press my lips against Phineas' own. I kissed him as hard as I could. I didn't ever want to break away. But right before I did, I swear I felt him softly return the kiss.

"Forgive me," I said quietly. Ferb had turned his face away and closed his eyes. He nodded awkwardly in understanding. "I have to g-go. G-good bye, Phineas. G-good bye, Ferb."

I ran as fast as I could out of the house and the whole way home.

My friends were waiting for me. I met them with tears streaming down my face, and they all hugged me tight. Many offered to go over and beat Phineas up for me. I only shook my head and cried harder.

"Why, Isabella? What happened?" Katie asked.

"He's already i-in love. I c-can't change th-that."

"What? He could have told you earlier!"

"H-he was afraid to. He didn't want to b-break my heart." Holly handed me a box of tissues and Gretchen handed me chocolate. God bless those girls.

"I don't understand," Gretchen whispered as I cried in her arms. "That future that you told us about where you were married to him. What happened to that?"

"I don't know," I cried and clenched her shirt.

"It was like you two were fated to be together!" Milly said, tearing up as well. I paused to wipe my face and sighed heavily.

"Fate isn't good enough, girls," I whispered. "You need love, too."

Fin