Isabella woke up as the Sun rose, though she continued to lie in bed. She reached her arms out for Phineas, but he wasn't there. Isabella continued to lie in bed for a few hours, not moving and making little noise. She eventually reached for her phone and saw it had a new text message. It was from Ferb.

Ferb said, 'Meet up at the place I'm staying? Want to talk about Phineas, something's wrong with him. He keeps ignoring my calls to hang out, says he's busy studying your mind.'

Isabella put her phone away and then got herself ready to go outside. As she walked past the lounge room, she saw Phineas analyzing sheets and putting things into his computer like it was all he could do. Isabella's walking turned to tip toeing, but Phineas's glance soon turned to her.

Phineas looked at Isabella with droopy eyes and spoke with a croaky voice. 'Where are you going?'

'I'm visiting Ferb, to catch up with him,' Isabella said.

'Why are you really going?'

Isabella nearly jumped and took a moment to regain composure. 'Phineas, he's really worried about you, and for good reason. You're pushing away both of us. We miss you.'

'I've told you before, this is important. Your behaviour is abnormal, and I need to fix it. I'm not this busy because I want to be, it's because I need to be.'

'But look at you. You said you'd sleep on the couch since you now refuse to do so with me, but it looks like you've barely even slept at all this week. At least rest, please.'

Phineas groaned. 'Can you stop thinking about me at all? Has your brain really become so screwed up?'

Isabella yelled. 'Phineas, I can't stop thinking about you because you keep pushing me away and I'm worried sick about what you're doing to yourself!'

'Too much doesn't add up, to be honest I don't even think you should be going out to Ferb's. You need to be kept in a place where you can't cause trouble.'

'That doesn't even make sense. I'll still be here, which means I'll be here with you.'

Phineas closed his eyes and thought to himself. 'But I'm missing something, something about this isn't adding up. I need you here to analyse your thought patterns, and to make sure you in this state won't cause any problems.'

'I'm leaving whether you like it or not. Sorry Phineas, but we at least need Ferb here to help us through this.'

Phineas stood up and tried to argue further, but within an instant he collapsed onto the floor and fell asleep. Isabella brought him to the couch and put his blanket over him, then leaving a kiss on his cheek. She soon walked out of their home, sighing.

Ferb opened his door and saw Isabella with her head hanging down.

Isabella spoke softly. 'Hey Ferb, what'cha doin'?'

Ferb embraced Isabella for a hug, and they walked to some chairs to sit down.

'I swear I must be going crazy. Maybe Phineas is right, maybe my mind is still stuck under his control in some way and it's making me into some crazy bitch.'

'It isn't,' Ferb said.

Isabella sniffled. 'How do you know that?'

Ferb pulled out a holographic data display. 'As you walked in, I had your brain scanned, and your mind is perfectly normal. Nothing abnormally high, even oxytocin levels are normal.'

'Wait, a week ago Phineas said they were abnormally high when he did a scan, and now you say they're at a normal level?'

Ferb nodded.

'Does this mean that maybe Phineas did a scan too early, and that the high levels were just a result of our experiences and he should've waited for us to calm down?'

Ferb winked and finger gunned Isabella.

Isabella lowered her head. 'I hope we can convince Phineas about this. We've barely even talked since he broke down, this morning he even suggested he didn't even want me to leave the house because he thought I could be dangerous under his control. Are you definitely certain my mind is fine?'

'I'm certain. Ever since you and Phineas started to explore this, I've been really worried about you two. I have a feeling the pressure and responsibility he's coming to terms with is too much for him.'

'But Phineas told me that you said the best thing to do was for us to explore these desires of mine.'

Ferb paused before speaking. 'I did. I never said I was comfortable with it, even as all my research said that was what worked the best for people who explored this sort of thing. Unfortunately, nobody mentioned breakdowns like what we're seeing from Phineas. What I found particularly noteworthy was that when I did see him, he admitted to feeling hesitant to turn the controller off, and he feels really shaken up about it despite it being a passing thought.'

Isabella shed a tear. 'Oh my gosh, poor Phineas. I should've seen this coming, he hasn't even been sleeping well. I even told him that he didn't need to do this, but I wonder if he feels like he has to.'

Ferb handed Isabella a tissue.

'Thanks, Ferb. I'm still scared, though. I'm fear he's so caught up in his worries he won't even want to listen. You know what he can be like when he's upset.'

Ferb rested his hand on Isabella's shoulder.

Isabella formed a subtle yet still determined smile. 'Right. We need to at least give it a try. I'm willing to do anything to show him I'm not mentally bound to him.'

Phineas fiddled with the Phinabella Controller Eighteen Thousand, trying to pull it apart. He noticed something strange.

'Huh, the cutonium doesn't seem as bright now. I must be seeing things,' Phineas said to himself.

As he continued to study the controller, he heard the door open and two people walk in. Phineas didn't look at the new arrivals.

'Phineas,' Ferb said.

Phineas still didn't look up. 'Ferb, I told you I'm busy. I know Isabella brought you here, I'm sorry but I need to fix this.'

Isabella said, 'Phineas, you have it all wrong. Ferb did his own brain scan of me and everything is normal. Even the oxytocin levels are now normal. It was just the sex and the high your controlling caused, you scanned too early.'

Ferb showed a hologram of data for Phineas to look at, which he analysed and compared to his findings.

Phineas narrowed his eyes. 'I see your point, but I needed to be sure, I had to scan when I did. Plus, it still doesn't explain your behaviour.'

Isabella groaned. 'Phineas, your brother tries to assist you and you still ignore his help? Ferb knows what he's doing, I promise. He did it all independently.'

'Look, I admit it's possible, but something just isn't right. You're obsessed with me now.'

Isabella buried her head into her hands. 'Oh, have some perspective. Like I said, it's because I'm worried about you. You're devoting all of your time to a quest that's getting you nowhere. You've come up with a conclusion and are trying to find evidence to support it, not the other way around like you should be doing.'

'Isabella, I know what I'm doing.'

'No you're don't! I know why you're acting like this. This whole thing has been making you anxious, hasn't it? I told you that you didn't need to go through with this, and I still mean it. If it's too much for you, say it!'

Phineas failed to speak for a moment, and then looked at the controller. 'The cutonium is still glowing, meaning it must be active.'

Ferb picked up the device, and held it by a modified Geiger counter. Phineas and Isabella watched without even blinking until Ferb put the controller and his own device away.

Ferb looked at Phineas. 'Phineas, did you forget that cutonium takes a long time to decay? Using it as an energy source like this means the waste product of it won't just disappear, cutonium has a very long half life. In fact, you could actually find a way to recycle it.'

Phineas turned red. 'How could I forget this? Wait, maybe I am worrying too much. Wait no, Isabella, she's still acting odd.'

Isabella growled and stormed away, while Ferb facepalmed. 'Isabella explained it herself. Everything is either explained by her being high off the experiences you had, or her worried at what you're becoming.'

Phineas stuttered. 'What I'm becoming? Ferb, you're not siding with her, are you? I need to make sure I'm doing everything right, something's missing! All of these signs, even if I misread them, they still have to mean something. I just don't know what.'

'Hey, Phineas!' Isabella said.

Phineas and Ferb walked to the balcony of the apartment, and saw something that left their mouths hanging open. Isabella was holding her Fireside Girls sash over the railing in one hand, and in her other hand was a lighter.

Phineas grew a large frown. 'Isabella, what do you think you're doing? You can't just burn something so important to you.'

Isabella started crying. 'You won't even listen to Ferb, Phineas, is that what you've come to? I've resorted to the only thing you know I would never do, and especially something you'd never want me to do. If I need to burn my sash to prove to you that I have my free will, I'll do it.'

'Isabella, you're insane. You don't want to do this. This must be some convoluted way to make sure you wear me down and have me securely believing that you're fine, where I can control you forever.'

'Will you just listen to what you're saying? You've become obsessed with this, it's consuming you. I'll do anything to make sure you still love me. Phineas, what do I need to do to make sure you still love me?'

'Don't do anything like this!'

Isabella put away her sash and lighter. 'Okay, I won't do this… I was never going to anyway.'

Phineas clenched his fists. 'You're obeying me and desperate for love. I knew it, the influence is still there!'

'Ugh, what do I need to do? Punch your brother?' Isabella awkwardly turned to Ferb. 'Sorry, Ferb.'

Ferb gave a thumbs up.

Phineas glared at Isabella. 'I'm not letting you go anywhere. Not like this. There's obviously some sort of mental decay causing you to act up at the very least.'

'Phineas, why do you feel the need to keep me stuck here like this?'

Ferb screamed and stomped his foot. 'Enough!'

Phineas and Isabella both jumped and gasped. Ferb was red and breathing heavily, his glare shifting between the others.

Ferb finally continued. 'This is all just you two. No device, I already demonstrated why Phineas is wrong there. This is all you and your issues that continue to plague your relationship again and again.

'Isabella, Phineas is scared of losing you. He's scared of failing you. He's scared of violating you. Even as he gave his full consent, his worries consumed him to the point of irrationality. And somehow, he's growing unhealthily possessive under his anxiety anyway. He's so worried about you, he's scared of losing you, it's literally driving him to madness.

'And Phineas, Isabella is fine. Well, was fine until you started treating her like she had gone mad and pushed her away the way you did. Her love for you is just really strong, that's why she seems so desperate. And she's not the only one hurting. We were going to spend time together when I arrived, but you keep pushing me away for a quest that will never satisfy your fears. Even our friends are wondering what's up with you and Isabella.

'You two were the best of friends when we were young, yet that withered away to the point of barely interacting as you grew older. Then a rushed relationship start, followed by all the times you both had to call me over the past year, I'm astonished at how you two stay together sometimes. I was always sceptical about this direction you were going in, but you two are extraordinary people and I had hope you could make it work. I still do, I know how much you both love each other and you always improve with each problem you face. You two need to figure something out, whether it be some time apart, or even just talking it over. Yes, bloody Ferb Fletcher is telling you two to fucking talk.'

Phineas and Isabella looked at each other, not saying a word. After some staring, they walked towards each other in tears and crying, and pulled each other into a hug. Ferb observed what happened and decided to leave, thinking they could now handle it themselves.

Phineas was barely audible. 'You were right. Ferb was right. Everything he just said was right. I just really didn't want to hurt or fail you, but I did anyway. I'm a terrible boyfriend, I shouldn't be in any relationship if I'm going to act like that.'

Isabella held Phineas tighter. 'Phineas, don't say that. All I ever wanted was for you to love me. And when I saw you acting like how you were, I was desperate to make sure you still did. I still remember how painful my teenage years were when I obsessed over you, and how even trying to move on and deny my feelings just brought more pain. You were pushing me away like I did to you, I was worried about you, after having such a great night I never thought we'd fall so far.'

Phineas closed his eyes. 'I'm so sorry for everything. It's like my fear of being controlling and abusive was trying to somehow become reality, like my emotions wanted a reason to feel justified with how I felt the need to keep you inside with what I saw as problems. I've just failed you so many times, I really didn't want fail you again, and yet I did.'

'Phineas, I'm touched, but we're trying to move on from the past. You couldn't have known what I wanted no matter how hard I tried, and I should've understood you better. We both had our flaws back then, it's not all on you.'

'You say that while bringing up your own painful memories.'

Isabella gave a sad chuckle. 'I guess it really is easier said and done.'

Phineas and Isabella continued to hold each other as their tears died down and the Sun was starting to set. They walked to their bed and sat on it, releasing from their hug and Isabella slipped off her shoes.

Phineas turned to Isabella. 'Isabella, I don't even know if I'm able to do this. Like, I know everything was fine, but you know how I turned. What if I get like that again, but with the actual controller?'

'Phineas, we don't have to give this up. We can if we want to, but I still trust you.'

'You're too forgiving, Isabella.'

'No I'm not, you're just too hard on yourself.'

Phineas kept silent for a moment. 'Well, I guess I still really want to please you. We need to be careful though.'

'You already were careful. I think maybe before next time we should just slowly ease into it. For now, I just want to cuddle you. I missed it so much.'

Phineas pulled Isabella in. 'Yeah, I think I'm fine with that too. Sure you don't want any sex?'

Isabella blushed and smirked. 'Wow, Phineas. Finally realised you're starving for some making love after a week?'

Phineas's eyes lit up. 'Maybe. But look, I want it nice and cosy.'

Isabella put her hands around Phineas's neck. 'Phineas, relax. I think you just need to get used to wielding such a device. I'm not scared of it, or you. It was just our first time trying it out, it was intimidating for you. We'll see how you feel again if we try it another time.'

'Okay. I promise to not be so afraid of what could happen, and just focus on the now. Carpe diem, you know?'

'Yeah. I love you, Phineas.'

'I love you, Isabella.'

Isabella and Phineas moved into each other's mouths and kissed. Their movements were slow and tender, holding each other's bodies. Isabella soon was sitting on Phineas's lap as she wrapped her legs around her lover. Their hands each moved to the backs of their necks and hair, feeling around it. Phineas in particular started stroking Isabella's hair, which got a smile out of her even as they made out.

During their kissing, Isabella moved Phineas's hand down to the bottom of her top. Phineas responded by pulling her shirt off and took a moment to take in her pink bra. Phineas then continued to kiss Isabella, their tongues thirsting for each other.

Eventually, Phineas had his shirt pulled off, and within time both of their pants were off too. Phineas kissed the right side of Isabella's neck and ear, and he wrapped his arms around her body. Isabella responded by giving Phineas the same treatment, and when doing so Phineas unhooked her bra. Once they returned to each other's mouths, they slid off their underwear. For a moment the lovers just stared into each other's eyes, smiling.

They both took their time to wrap their limbs around each other and begin their lovemaking, trying to focus as much time on kissing as copulating. Their kissing soon turned into simple breathing as Phineas thrusted into Isabella.

Isabella's smile soon started to grow, which prompted Phineas to thrust slightly faster, though not so fast as to ruin the slow and peaceful mood they created. Isabella tightened her grip around Phineas, signaling her climax, which soon prompted Phineas to let go of himself and orgasm too. Even after finishing, they both refused to let go of each other.

'I missed you so much,' Isabella said.

Phineas pressed his head against Isabella's. 'I promise I'll never push you away like that again, Isabella, I'll listen to and believe everything you tell me. Trusting you is so important.'

'If you ever feel like anything is too much, just tell me, okay?'

'Of course. Isabella, you're worth the Universe to me, that's how much I love you.'

Isabella giggled. 'Phineas, you could create your own Universe just for me and my love for you would still be larger than that.'

'Oh come here, my beautiful girl, my girl more beautiful than all the stars and galaxies combined.'

Phineas and Isabella noticed the Sun had set, and they both continued to cuddle and kiss. They continued until they both grew tired, with Phineas falling asleep first. Isabella kissed his head as he slept and she held him, Phineas holding her back even in his sleep. Isabella smiled to herself and shed a tear, but one of happiness.