In the morning Phineas went downstairs for breakfast and Candace soon followed. "I'm going out with Jeremy today." She announced. Phineas picked at his breakfast. "Is something wrong sweety?" Linda asked him. He shook his head. "Go wake up your brother." She suggested. Phineas shook his head again. "I told him I wouldn't."

Candace finished her breakfast and went upstairs. After getting dressed she went into the guest room. She paused for a moment looking at her step-brother asleep on his side; his back turned to the doorway. She then stepped closer to the bed and took a close look at him. His shoulders were shaking as if he were crying and she even saw his hand move to his face to wipe away a few tears. "If you're awake, you should go downstairs for breakfast." She said. "Look Ferb. Phineas said that you had a rough day yesterday. I'm sorry I forced you to go out for dinner." She continued. When she noticed that he just continued to silently sob and wipe away some tears Candace planted her hands on her hips and yelled at him. "Look here Ferb! If you're awake, you get out of bed and join everyone downstairs. You're being very selfish right now you know, expecting everyone to cater to your needs. Just because you went and broke your leg..."

Lawrence came to the doorway. "Candace. Stop yelling at him. None of this is his fault, it was an accident." She shook her head. "He's just lying here crying. It's as though he can't hear us." She said.

Phineas had come up the stairs and heard what his sister just said and shook his head. He went downstairs again and into the kitchen. "Mom, can I take some toast and eggs up to Ferb? I know you don't usually want food out of the kitchen, but please." Something in the tone of voice he used caused Linda to worry. "Is he all right?" Phineas shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know. All I know is that if something's wrong I want to help him... if he'll let me."

Linda handed a tray of breakfast to her son to take upstairs. "Thanks Mom." Phineas said.

The red-head made it to the top of the stairs and entered his brother's room. His father was sitting on the edge of the bed. "If that's what you really want. I'm sorry Ferb. I'd hoped that..." Lawrence embraced his biological son and wept.

Phineas put the plate on the desk and left the room. He went to his own bedroom, closed the door and sat at the window looking out to the backyard. He remembered all the fun times they had as kids, just four years ago. In his mind's eye he saw each and every invention they created. The roller coaster, the giant bowling ball, the mechanical dog, everything. Now the two brothers didn't have much in common. I still really enjoy getting together with friends and creating large, almost impossible things. Ferb says he still invents things, though they're much smaller and more practical. He's also working with an actual production team to create prototypes. He thought.

A knock on the door broke his reverie. He looked over and called out. "Enter." Lawrence came into the room and sat down on the edge of the bed. "Ferb wants to leave for home tomorrow." There was no mistaking the sadness in his father's voice. "He said that after yesterday... He 'has to leave'. He knows he's 'not welcome' and he doesn't want to bother anyone for any longer than he has to." Something caught in Phineas' throat and he shook his head. "Dad... I'm sure he doesn't mean it." Lawrence shook his head. "He and I talked yesterday before we went out for dinner. My own son doesn't feel as though he's part of the family. He wants to go back to live with his mother. You were the only one who cared enough to help him out. He said he appreciates that, but it's just not enough."

Phineas sat at the window stunned, he then stood up and walked over to his brother's room. He knocked on the door. "Ferb, are you there?" He was silently counting to five, but when he got to 'three' the door opened and there stood Ferb, crutches under his arms. Phineas, with a worried expression on his face looked into his brother's eyes. "Please Ferb. You just came home. We're going to have so much fun this summer..."

Ferb shook his head. "I doubt that Phin. What fantastical project are 'we' going to work on that will make up for the fact that you're scared of me." Phineas looked questionably at his brother. "I'm not scared of you Ferb. A bit jealous, maybe. Uncertain... sure. I've hardly seen you in the past four years, I don't know you any more. I can't pretend you're the same 11-year-old who used to climb the scaffolding with me, you're 15-years-old now. I know I'm not the same 10-year-old I used to be. I know I've changed, I've gotten used to who I am. Every time you come back I have to re-acquaint myself with you."

Ferb looked at the tray on the desk. "Thanks for breakfast." Phineas smiled at him. "It's the least I could do. I sprained my ankle once and had a tricky time with the stairs, I thought that was bad. You've got a full cast on your leg..."

The Fletcher lad took a deep breath. "I should at least finish fixing up those toys at the shop." Phineas genuinely smiled. "I'll let Dad know you'll come out today." Ferb nodded back.

Lawrence drove his two sons to the shop. The boys went to the table in the back and set back to work. They talked about school, girls and sports. Before they knew it their father had come back to check on their progress. "Fabulous work boys. That's quite the fine detail work on this car Ferb. I've got a few other pieces that could use some touch ups. Are you game?" Ferb shrugged his shoulders. Sure, why not. I've got nothing better to do. He thought. His father looked disappointed as he left for the front of the store again.

"I'm going to the deli down the street for lunch, do you want me to bring you anything or would you like to come along?" Phineas asked his brother hopefully. Ferb looked around the back room of the shop, shelves of trinkets, silver coffee and tea services, china sets, vases... you name it, it was probably here. "I think I'll stay and visit with my father for a bit. If you can bring back a sarnie that would be brilliant." He replied with a forlorn look in his eyes. Phineas nodded sadly and left.

The red-headed teen entered the main part of the store. "Dad?" He called out and Lawrence turned around. "What's a 'sarnie'?" Phineas asked quietly. His father came over and placed a hand on his shoulder. "A sandwich. I take it that's what Ferb asked for." Phineas nodded. "I'm heading over to the deli for lunch, do you want me to bring you something?" Lawrence shook his head. "It's all right. I've got some biscuits in a cupboard. Why isn't Ferb going with you?" The teen looked at his father, "He said he... he..." Phineas took a shaky breath then continued. "... he wanted to visit with you." He finished, turned and exited the store as quickly as he could.

Lawrence wandered into the back room of the shop and watched as his son gingerly picked up a piece, looked at it and put it back. He stepped over beside the green-haired teen. "I got this piece on a trip to India." Lawrence said.

Ferb turned and looked at his father. "Why?" His voice cracked. Lawrence hugged his son. The teen stood still permitting his father to hug him and tried speaking again. "What did I ever do to Candace to make her dislike me so?" Lawrence hugged his son tighter. "I don't know. I do know that Phin's going to miss you. He always does." Ferb closed his eyes, then looked to the floor. "What should I do?" He whispered as he took a seat at the table again. His father sat in the other chair. "You're more than welcome to stay for the summer as planned." He said. "I don't want to sound selfish but I'm missing out on watching you grow into the fine young man you're about to become." Lawrence finished. The teen picked up one of the mechanical toys he was working on and examined it. "I miss you too father. Mum's nice enough, but it's just not the same. Some weekends I don't even leave the school, I tell her I've got too much studying and it'll be easier in a quiet room."

Lawrence smiled a little to himself. He knew how his ex-wife could be.

Phineas came back to the shop with a cardboard container. He went to the back room and saw father and son talking. "Sorry to interrupt." He said as he put the box on the table and left for the front of the store.

Lawrence opened the box and there were two clubhouse sandwiches and two cups of soup. "How did he know?" He began. Ferb smiled. "That's the sandwich I ordered at lunch yesterday." Lawrence nodded in understanding. "Subtlety isn't your brother's strong suit. I think he's trying to convince you to stay."

Father and son ate their lunch in silence.

Phineas was minding the front of the store, something he's been doing from time-to-time for a couple of years. A familiar face came in and started looking around. "Hey, Phineas." She said. "Afternoon Isabella." He replied. She looked around at a few pieces then came across a shelf of books. Phineas watched her a moment then went over to see if she needed any help. "Your mother said that a 40-year-old copy of the Fireside Girls Handbook came in. I was wanting to get that for Gretchen; as a gift for being such a great second in command all these years." Phineas extended his index finger and scanned the shelves with her. "I thought you guys were just about too old to be Fireside Girls." He said. She smiled at him and continued scanning. We are, though there is the Pathfinder group. That's the next step. Gretchen, Adyson, Ginger and myself... we're hoping we'd be able to join that group. The other girls just aren't that interested any more.

Lawrence came back to the front of the store. "Ah, Isabella." He said. "You're here for the book?" She nodded. "Linda's set it aside, let me go grab it for you." He said as he disappeared into the back to return a few moments later with a red and brown hard cover book. Phineas and Isabella went up to the counter to take a closer look at it. "Wow, look at that. The logo's changed so much over the years." Isabella commented. Lawrence checked his computer. "The cost will be $65.50. Are you still interested in the book?" He inquired, feeling bad for the girl. She pulled out her wallet. "Of course I am." She said as she handed over some bills and received her change.

The book was wrapped in tissue paper and placed in a bag. "Thank you so much Mr. Fletcher." Isabella said as she picked the bag off the counter. "Phineas," She said sweetly as she turned to the red-head. "I was wondering if you'd like to come over and we can watch a DVD tonight." She finished with a shy smile. Phineas frowned and sadly shook his head. "I can't tonight, you see..." He started before being interrupted.

Ferb had hobbled out from the back room. "He'll be there. Even if I have to drag him across the street myself." The tall teen said as he came up behind the counter and leaned on his elbows. Isabella looked to Phineas, who was looking at his brother and shaking his head. "No Ferb. We were going to work on that 'Time Stop' device you came up with. We were going to have a movie marathon. We were going to sit under the tree and try to decipher the meaning of the universe. We were going to... please don't go home." The green-haired teen listened to his brother's desperate attempt at convincing him to stay. "Phineas, there'll be another day." He said. The red-head wasn't listening. "You can't leave, you just got here. You only come back to visit over the school breaks."

Ferb took a deep breath and released it as he looked to the ceiling. "Phin. I'm not going home. I'm staying for the summer." Isabella turned her gaze to the British brother. "You were going to leave?" She asked astoundingly. He nodded in return. "I changed my mind." He quietly answered her question.

Phineas looked directly at his brother. "You're staying?" He tentatively asked. Ferb nodded. "You're staying?" The red-head asked again a grin forming on his face. The Brit nodded again and returned the grin. Phineas turned to Isabella and hugged her. "He's staying. Ferb's staying for the summer. Isn't that great?" The raven-haired girl looked from one brother to the other and smiled.