Hello everyone! And here we have chapter nine. It starts out with the scene before the gunshot was heard, only this time we're with Ferb.

WordNerb93: No peeking! Get back! lol... Hey when people get older, they change. Even their taste for Slushy Dog changes! XD

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Okay *whew* that's a lot of people to answer! Thanks so much guys! XD I do not own P&F... blech!


Ferb glanced up when he saw Vanessa walk out of Old Navy and walk into Ulta. Judging by the look on her face, it looked like she really needed this. He stood up and stretched his arms, which earn him giggles and waves from girls. He rolled his eyes and began walking around again.

He had this feeling that he was being watched, and it wasn't by an obsessed fan girl. It had a darker feeling that sent chills down Ferb's spine. His first instinct was to walk over to a larger group of people and just hang out until the feeling passed.

He suddenly felt something or someone shove him from behind and knock him to the ground. His weak wrist hit the pavement and he winced. He quickly turned to look behind him and saw the last person he ever wanted to see at this time.

His dad.

Seeing a half empty bottle of who knows what in his hand, Ferb knew instantly that he was drunk.

"Well what do we have here?" Lawrence asked, "It's the failure that I'm forced to know as my son."

Ferb stood, not taking his eyes off his dad. His dad was a mess. He was unshaven, looked like he hasn't changed his clothes or taken a bath for days and he even reeks of alcohol.

"Well, Ferb my boy, what have you been up to?"

Ferb gulped, 'You're drunk, father… let me take you home…"

Lawrence snickered and waved the bottle around, "What this? It's just my fourth of the night! I am… a long way… from being drunk."

Ferb bit his lip and didn't speak.

"What's the matter? Cat got your tongue, son?"

Not wanting to anger his father, he just shook his head.

"You know, I saw the pretty little being that was walking in with you. Shouldn't you show your old man who she is?"

Ferb snapped, "You will keep your hands off of her!"

Lawrence laughed and held his hands up in defense, "Hey now, there's no need to yell. I just want to meet the lovely lady who has the disadvantage of being with you."

"Dad just stop it-"

"You're an embarrassment, Ferb. You make your real mother look like a good person after everything she's put us through. You will never make anything of your life, no matter what people tell you."

Tears sprung into Ferb's eyes. He knew he could just walk away from this abuse, but his feet stayed planted on the ground.

"Ferb my boy, why are you still even here? No one cares for you anyway. Why don't you just… leave? Make our lives even easier."

Ferb felt a bit of anger rising in his chest. His dad was to talk, he owed people debts awhile back and who paid them off? Here's a hint, not him or mom.

"Why not spare that girl's time and dump her? After all, that's what she's going to do to you anyway. And after she's finished with you… well then, maybe I'll talk to her and invite her over and see how it goes…"

That did it! Ferb growled and lunged at his dad, "You don't talk about her like that!"

Both men fell to the ground and started punching and kicking. His dad wasn't putting up much of a fight, considering he can't see or think straight. Ferb didn't care though. He was seeing red, he wanted this man to hurt and suffer as he did this past year.

The men froze in place as soon as they heard a gunshot. Two sets of arms grabbed Ferb by his shoulders and pulled him up off his dad. He turned and saw that the men were officers, and they did not look happy.

The one officer looked sternly at Ferb, "What's this all about, son? I smell alcohol on both of your clothes. This isn't a drunk fight, is it?"

Ferb glanced down and saw his shirt stained with that dreadful drink,

"No sir, he's drunk… I am not. We were just… er…

For once, Ferb didn't have an answer to this situation.

Lawrence stood up and pointed a shaky finger at Ferb, "He started it, officer! He pushed me down when I wouldn't give him a drink."

"Liar!" Ferb spat at him, "You wouldn't remember anything because you're always STINKIN DRUNK!"

A small voice broke through the crowd that was now formed. Ferb glanced to where the voice came from and saw Vanessa break through. She dropped her bags and ran over to Ferb. She flung her arms around his waist and started sobbing,

"I heard gunshots! I thought it was, Johnny and I-"

Lawrence chuckled, "So… this is the pretty face that I saw come in with you huh?"

Vanessa narrowed her eyes at him and moved closer to Ferb, "Who is this man, Ferb?"

The other officer waved his arms around "Okay, okay look… since no one was harmed in this fight, I'm going to let both of you go." He pointed at Ferb, "You're lucky that my son looks up to you, Mr. Fletcher… if I ever catch you fighting again, I would hate to see his reaction when you're in jail."

Ferb just stared at his feet and nodded.

"As for you, sir," the officer looked at Lawrence, "I'll will drive you home in my squad car, seeing that you're drunk."

Lawrence just laughed, "Whatever you say, officer." He turned to Ferb and waved, "See you around, boy." then to Vanessa, "Try not to get too attached to him, girl. Goodnight all!"

Both officers left with Lawrence, leaving Ferb and Vanessa standing alone. She was still holding him tight and trying to get his attention but he was just continued watching with narrow eyes as his father disappeared into the squad car and drive off.

Vanessa finally cupped Ferb's face and tried to bring him back to her world, "Hey look at me, Ferb… please look at me."

He forced his angry eyes to peel away from the empty spot where he saw his father last and looked into her eyes.

She was shocked to see how angry and hurt he was. He looked like a whole different person in her mind. She stroked his cheek and spoke soothingly,

"Ferb it's alright now he's gone."

He still had that same look in his eyes; they were still filled with fury.

"Please, Ferb… don't be like this. Just say something…"

There was still no change.

She sighed and kissed him softly on the lips, "I know you're still there, please come back to me…"

She snuggled closer and held him tighter. She felt warm tears fall from her eyes and run down her cheeks. She didn't like seeing him like this and wanted him back.

Her hope was regained when she felt his arms slowly wrap around her waist and tighten. She pulled back a little and looked into his eyes blue eyes. They were back to being kind and warm. He now wore an unreadable expression on his face.

Vanessa gave him a hopeful smile, "Feeling much better?"

He nodded at her, still keeping his expression the same.

"Maybe we should just…. Go home now?"

He nodded again and went over to where she dropped her bags and picked them up. She followed behind him and remained quiet as well. She wanted to know who that man was and what he had against Ferb, but it best wait when they were home alone.

On the way back, Ferb wore the same look he has since they left on the outside but on the inside, he was fuming. After all of this time his dad had the nerve to keep drinking and still blame Ferb for everything. Some things never change.

He calmed himself down before entering the apartment; else he might punch a hole in the wall. He held the door open for Vanessa and let her go through first. After she went in, he took in a deep breath and followed her in as well.

He put her bags down by the staircase and went into the living room. Vanessa was sitting on the couch, looking up at him with a bit of worry written on her face. Ferb pretended to ignore her stare as he grabbed the neatly folded clothes he wore to bed last night from the couch and walked upstairs to the bathroom.

After changing into sweat pants and a t-shirt he went back downstairs, still to find Vanessa in the same spot.

He cleared his throat and spoke for the first time at home,

"Look, Vanessa I'm tired so I'm just going to go right to sleep. You can take the bedroom upstairs, I'll be down here if you need anything."

Vanessa frowned, "Don't you want to talk about what happened earlier?"

Ferb shook his head.

"I was scared to death when I heard that gunshot, Ferb. I thought… Johnny came and shot you… don't you understand how terrified I was?"

Ferb sighed, "The shot came from the officer…"

"I know that now but… who was that man and why were you fighting with him?"

"He's just… a random drunk guy looking to pick on someone."

"It sounded like he knew you. What are you hiding from me?"

"Nothing…" Ferb mumbled, "that man means nothing to me. I don't know who he is."

Vanessa studied his face and saw that he was holding something back. As much as she wanted to force whatever he was hiding out of him, she refrained from doing so.

She sighed and stood up, "Alright, Ferb… I'll be upstairs. When you're ready to talk I'll be here, okay?"

He didn't answer, but she went up to him and kissed him softly on the cheek,

"I love you…"

He still didn't answer but Vanessa knew that in his mind, he was thinking the same thing about her.

After Ferb heard the door close upstairs, he climbed onto the couch, grabbed a blanket and settled down. He had his face turned towards the back of the couch in case Vanessa came down. He didn't want her to see the hot tears falling from his eyes and down his cheeks.

Never in his life has he ever felt so… alone.


I'm so sorry that Lawrence seems so bad right now! I know it's OOC, but alcohol can sometimes change people... Anyway please review, if you do I'll give you a nice slice of cake and ice cream. Yummy! XD