Chapter 21

Doof woke up way too early. He had been up for a long time after he got home, thinking and feeling satisfied with the end of the day's results. Everything seemed to be going great.

Except for one thing.

One thing that kept the scientist tossing and turning throughout the night. One thing that kept his mind awake and would not let him rest. One thing that made him flinch with concern all through the night, and eventually grant him nightmares.

Where was Perry?

I, can't breathe. I-I don't. I-I can't. The platypus tried to move his arm or lift his head, but no such luck. There was a huge pain in his stomach. He could hardly breathe. It hurt to breathe. Why, why did it hurt?

The only movement he found he could do was open his eyes. At once he was blinded by an extreme light, and all around him were the sounds of people screaming frantically. He could make out the voice of Karl, "He's not stable yet sir we're going to take him in and fix him up."

"You better Karl. He's the best agent we've got. Don't mess up."

"Of course sir. I won't fail you."

Perry barely made out the sign of Karl saluting the Major as he crashed in to a new room. Everything was a blinding white, and just as Perry was starting to wonder where he was, everything went to black.

He was dreaming. Perry knew that much. First off, he was flying. And he was in just a huge, white blank space. There was nobody else but him.

The platypus floated lazily forward, his eyes scanning for something. The familiar panging in his stomach hit him and he flinched quietly. He felt his mind go blank and a strange peace fell over him as he kept sinking in the endless white.

When his mind shook awake from the dream, he blearily opened his eyes.

He as in his secret headquarters on a foldable bed that went in to the wall. It was for an emergency in case he couldn't stay up in his normal house.

Very slowly, the platypus started to sit up but instantly went back down when his head pounded loudly and painfully. He held his hand to his forehead, keeping his eyes slightly open and looking around, searching for any signs of anyone else. Karl, Major Monogram. Where was everyone?

The platypus groaned again as his head pounded loudly, letting out a slight chatter. Almost instantly there was a voice. "Agent P?"

Karl. The platypus looked over and saw the intern walking over. Standing next to him was Major Monogram, holding his hands behind his back.

"Good day Agent P," the major said. Perry nodded at him and the major gave him a half smile beneath his mustache. "You gave us quite a scare the other week. How are you feeling?"

Perry shrugged and looked at his superior in question. The major nodded. "You were passed out for a week. Don't worry though," he added as he saw Perry start to stand up. "Because of you Dr. Doofenshmirtz was able to stop his mom and the Tri-State Area was saved. You did good work Agent P. Dr. Doofenshmirtz told us everything."

Perry zoned out after he got an answer to his question, with only one question running through his mind. What happened to the boys? He was only brought back when the major said, "In fact, Dr. Doofenshmirtz just came here, asking if he could see you."

The platypus widened his eyes and he glanced over at the door nearby. In circumspect, he sat up, putting his weight on his forearms that hoisted him up. He looked up to the major again and glanced back at the door.

"Oh, yes your nemesis has been coming by at least once a day to check up on you. Of course he never really got any response from you. We're glad you finally woke up. We were getting worried. And honestly, a little concerned." He lowered his voice. "Dr. Doofenshmirtz was a bit shaken as well. He was starting to make us concerned."

Agent P stared up in shock and allowed his gaze to go back to Karl as the major addressed him. "Karl, he's in the back right now. Would you go get him?"

"Yes sir," Karl said. He turned and left the pair, coming back several seconds later with the doctor at his side.

There was no hiding the delight and relief on Doofenshmirtz's face when he saw that Perry was awake. "Ah Perry the Platypus you're awake how unexpected!" Doof came up and stood beside Perry's bed. "And by unexpected I mean completely expected of course. I knew you would make it."

Liar, Karl mouthed to the agent. Perry caught the sight from the corner of his eyes and smiled to himself, turning back to Doof and nodding at him.

"Well," Monogram cleared his throat. "We'll give you two a few minutes to catch up. Come on Karl."

Monogram and Karl left, leaving Doof to collapse in the chair next to Perry's bed. He let out a long sigh and smiled at Perry. "Don't worry about the boys. It all worked out."

Perry waited silently for an explanation.

"Linda finally accepted me and she invited Vanessa, Charlene and I to dinner one night, which I will assume means that I've been invited to join the family. Phineas isn't mad at me any more either, and Lawrence seems okay with me too. Everything is going great Perry the Platypus it's wonderful. I guess this is what a real family is supposed to feel like I guess. . ."

Perry smirked at him and Doof reached forward to gently place his long hand on the platypus's head, ruffling the fur very gently. "You scared me Perry," he whispered. "How many times have I told you not to do that?"

As Doof whispered this Perry felt his face flare up and was extremely grateful for the fur that covered it. He rolled his eyes at his nemesis and shrugged silently. Doof smirked at him again and Perry found it no surprise when he saw a couple of shining tears drip down Doof's face.

"Why did you do it Perry the Platypus?" Doof murmured. "Why did you jump in front of that gun and take the bullet I was supposed to get?"

Perry was avoiding the doctor's eyes, and did that for a few moments before slowly lifting his eyes.

The pair met each other's gaze and that silent communication passed between them happened. They understood each other perfectly in that strange way that let them tell each other their darkest secrets and quietest thoughts. For some reason Doof could just read what was being thought in Perry's mind through his eyes. They were the window to the soul after all.

So reading the answer in the platypus's eyes was easy.

For this past month you've been a greater friend to Phineas than some of his others have been. He's been closer to you than I've seen anyone. Any friend of Phineas's is a friend of mine. Not only that but you're his father. I live to serve the agency, but also my family. You're part of my family now Doof. If you're in danger I would willingly give my life to save any of you.

The platypus raised an eyebrow. And you've been my nemesis for years now. You think I'm going to just let you die that easily?

Doof had more tears come to his eyes and he held the platypus in a soft and gentle hug. The platypus hugged him back contentedly, a smile gracing his beak.

Doof sat back and let out a long sigh. They both looked at each other quietly and Doof finally shrugged, "Well, what now?"

There will be another chapter.

So I didn't have shool thursday and friday so I went to a youth convention with my youth group and we didn't get back until midnight on friday. And I never really got any time to write so I couldn't update this morning or yesterday. I'll just consider it my little writer's break. Thnx for letting me have that lol ;) the normal uploading schedule is starting now but I think we might almost be done with this story. XD but like I said, there will be another chapter.