So after we got a bit stuck, I wrote this chapter for Aliqueen16, but the next chapter is hers! And if you whump, then we're to that point :)

Phineas' POV

"I cannot believe they had the nerve!" Was Phillip's outburst as he broke the silence on the way to the courthouse the next morning.

From what I had been told, he hadn't slept well that night, being plagued by visions of the fire at the circus and at W.D and Anne's house, and had been up since early that morning, pacing and getting air.

I didn't want to mention anything to him, but if he wanted to talk about it, then I wasn't going to shy away.

"We're going to get this sorted, Phillip. We'll deal with them, get your house fixed, and it'll be okay."

"I sure hope so." He sighed, pushing his hands into his pockets, and started to walk in front of me, and I followed behind in silence, not wanting to push him further.

•••••••••••••

"They burned down their house because she looks different to them! There has to be something you can do." Phillip pleaded with the judge, who was overlooking his papers, barely batting a eye at us, and responded.

"Look, I'll look over your case, but I can't promise anything."

I could feel Phillip fuming as he glared at the judge, so I stepped in, putting my hand on his shoulder, gently rubbing it.

"Thank you, sir."

He nodded, and the two of us walked out, my hand still on his shoulder, as the brisk fall wind blew against us.

His skin seemed to be aflame, and not just by anger. He was burning up with a fever!

"Phillip? Are you feeling alright?" I asked quietly as I rubbed his shoulder again, ready to steady him if needed.

"Fine. I'm fine." He mumbled, running a hand through his hair and rubbing his eyes.

"Alright." I said, knowing that with Charity around, he wouldn't be able to hide whatever was going on for long. "We should head home."

He nodded, and the two of us walked back to the house, my hand still on his shoulder, feeling the heat and slight trembles coming from him, despite the strong front.

When we walked inside, Caroline and Helen were on the floor, playing with W.D., but both stood up to run over and hug me tightly.

"You two having fun?" I asked, kissing their foreheads and ruffling their hair.

"Yeah! W.D and Anne have been playing with us since you left this morning." Caroline grinned, but Helen gently squeezed Phillip's hand, looking up at him with her big blue eyes.

"You look sad."

"I'm okay." Phillip insisted, gently ruffling her hair before resting his hand on a chair, his eyes slightly glassy.

I gently pushed the girls to keep playing with W.D, and then proceeded to find Charity in the kitchen, talking to one of the chefs about lunch.

She dismissed the chef shortly after she and I made eye contact, before coming and kissing me.

"How did it go at the courthouse?" She asked, taking my hat off my head.

"The judge said he would look it over, but, we have a bigger issue. Phillip is coming down with something."

"Any idea?" Charity questioned, peering into the hall for a second before returning her gaze to me.

"No, I just know he has a fever and chills."

She nodded, but before she could respond, we both heard a dull thud and two sets of screams from our daughters.

We looked each other in the eyes, and ran toward the main room, and that's when we saw the sight that caused the screams.

Phillip was laying on the floor, unconscious.