~o~o~o~o~o~o~
When Vanessa and Lacie returned to the junkyard to meet Orville and the gang, they weren't expecting the entourage of new members. Three new teenagers, two boys and a girl, sat next to each other, cross-legged, and staring at the group as if they sitting with a bunch of aliens.
"Say hello to the devil's triplets." Orville laughed manically. "No, really, Dr. Devil is a super genius. This is Ebony, Fang, and Shadow. We are grateful to have them with us today."
Vanessa raised an eyebrow. They didn't seem very "genius" to her.
"The triplets have agreed to help us enact our plan to take down O.W.C.A.!"
"What plan?" Lacie spoke up. "I didn't know we'd come up with one yet."
Orville shrugged. "Well, we haven't worked out all of the bugs yet. But we caught rumor that O.W.C.A. is holding their graduation party in a week. It would be the perfect time for us to sneak in and cause massive chaos."
"And how exactly are you planning on doing that?" Charlie, a girl probably in her freshman year, asked sardonically.
Orville boomed, "We just need to invent a device that will allow us to freeze any moving object in a mere second. That way, the agents can't attack. It's foolproof!"
Vanessa rolled her eyes. She was so finding a way to leave for the weekend.
~o~o~o~o~o~o~
Early the next morning, Perry skipped over to the Garcia-Shapiro household and climbed through the doggy-door. Mrs. Garcia-Shapiro was already up, wearing an apron, cleaning the kitchen and singing to herself. The room smelled of freshly cooked bacon, making Perry's stomach rumble.
Ignoring his animal instincts for now, the platypus tiptoed across the living room and skipped up the stairs where he suspected Pinky would be resting. He found the dog asleep in a little bed, quivering as she dreamed.
Carefully as not to wake Isabella Garcia-Shapiro, the agent walked up to Pinky and tapped her on the shoulder. The dog darted up, startled, but Perry put a paw over her mouth and made a soft, soothing noise.
Pinky narrowed her eyes and shook him off, slightly irritated. Perry motioned for her to follow, and slipped down one of Pinky's secret entrances into her lair.
Once inside, Pinky let out a puzzled bark. Perry smiled as he felt the dog's barking interpret into understandable communication to his platypus ears.
Perry? She cried. What's going on?
The agent cringed. Sorry to wake you. Are there cameras in here?
No.. Why?
Something bad has happened, and I was wondering if you could help. But.. He held up his hand as Pinky opened her mouth. It's very dangerous, and could get both of us into serious trouble.
What kind of trouble?
Perry rubbed his hands over his face. Do you remember that uncover mission we went on a few weeks ago? At the Danville hotel?
Pinky nodded, her nose bobbing like a bobblehead.
Apparently, our targets have been spying on me ever since that mission. I don't know why they picked me, but they know who Phineas and Ferb are and are planning to hurt them if I don't get them some information.
Pinky's ears shot up, and she let out an uncontrolled growl. Those bastards. What kind of information do they want?
Something about "Operation Kur."
"Operation KUR?" The chihuahua yelped and grabbed Perry's shoulders. That case has been closed for YEARS, and was locked away forever. Only the most highest in command at O.W.C.A. are allowed to access it. Perry, this is past insane, this is suicidal.
I know it is. Perry admitted, slumping his head. But if I don't get this information by a week's time, Dr. Gevaarlijk is going to hurt them. Maybe even kill them. And I can't go to O.W.C.A. I'm pretty sure they know where my lair is and put trackers all over my systems. They will be watching Major Monogram's every move. They will know if I tell the agency.
Pinky tapped her chin thoughtfully. Perry could almost feel the battle of emotions fighting through her. You need my help to get through security, don't you?
You don't have to say yes. This is very dangerous. You're just one of the only ones I trust.
And if I say no, will you be attempting this alone?
Perry looked down at the floor. He had no response.
The chihuahua narrowed her eyes. Alright. I'll help.
The platypus' head shot up. You will?
Yes. I don't want Phineas and Ferb hurt anymore than you do. They're good boys, and their suffering will hurt my Isabella greatly. However, this is still a job that requires more than two people. Luckily I know a guy. Let me make some calls and get back to you with a plan. All I ask is that you don't ask any questions about him, if he agrees to help.
Perry lifted an eyebrow. Alright. No questions.
~o~o~o~o~o~o~
A few days later, Perry walked into Vintage Docks, ready for his Friday night shift. He hoped working at his serving job would help take his mind off everything else; he still hadn't heard back from Pinky, and they were coming down to a time limit of just the weekend in order to get this information.
Perry put on his apron and began cutting lemons for the upcoming evening. Tammy walked past him, carrying a bucket of sanitizer water, and waved at him.
"How are you doing?"
"Pretty good. And yourself?"
Tammy smiled. "Not bad. I actually have a job interview on Monday." "Oh, cool! For what?"
Perry stood and listened as Tammy rambled on about her exciting opportunity. The man began to wonder what it was like to have a normal life such as hers, a life without undercover missions, violent battles, and secret identities.
The night started fairly slow. Danville was in a dismal mood that evening, appearing bleak and dark, with various showers of rain passing by. Perry found his own mood to droop lower and lower as the shift dragged on.
At 6:30, Perry noticed Heinz walking in and sighed as the man sat at his usual table. He wasn't wearing his lab coat, however. Instead, the scientist was dressed in a grey t-shirt, the jeans he'd been trying on earlier that week, and a navy blue blazer.
So, he really was the "friend."
Perry approached Doofenshmirtz with his usual glass of water and decaf coffee, and smiled at the man. All the signs were warning him that his involvement in this little relationship had blown way too far off course, but Perry shamefully realized that he didn't want to stop it.
For years, he'd sworn to protect the innocent, even above his own selfishness. What was the harm in being just a little selfish for once?
But you weren't always sworn to protecting the innocent. Dr. Tecton took what he wanted, when he wanted it. You will never make up for that past behavior.
Perry forced old memories and emotions out of his mind and tried to focus on what was happening. Dr. Doofenshmirtz had obviously said something that he'd completely missed. Perry blushed, embarrassed.
"Sorry, it's been a long week. My apologies. What did you say?"
Heinz raised an eyebrow, but to the agent's surprise, didn't comment. "Oh, just asking how you are, that's all. Sorry it's been a rough week. Are you okay?
The platypus forced a weak smile. "I'm fine, really. Just tired. And how are you?"
"Well, I'm alright. I, uh, actually wanted to know if you were interested in going out for a few drinks after your shift? Though, if you're too tired, I completely understand."
Say you're too tired.
"I'd love to." Perry blurted before he could stop himself. He internally cursed himself. What was wrong with him? He was being watched, blackmailed, and stressed beyond his usual limits, and he was going to spend the evening out for drinks?
But he honestly could use a few drinks to wash away the stress at the moment. Even if it was only for a few hours. Doofenshmirtz didn't know about him.
Now determined to enjoy his evening, Perry felt his whole body and face relax. Smiling became less forced as he fought through his shift. Heinz waited for him at the table, reading a book to pass the time. Unfortunately, this caused quite a stir among the staff, who immediately noticed Heinz's odd behavior.
"He never stays this long. This wouldn't have anything to do with you, would it, Perry?"
"And he's dressed up! Oooh, someone's getting it tonight!"
"Whoa, are you seriously dating that dude?"
Perry brushed off all comments with a stern growl. Sometimes it felt like he worked with a bunch of children. They eventually left him alone, realizing their nagging was actually bothering him, but he still sensed the hushed whispers from everyone as they walked past him.
Closing couldn't have come any sooner. Once the doors were locked and the restaurant cleaned up, Perry stepped into the restroom, changed into a pair of spare clothes- a hoodie, a pair of black jeans, and a beanie- and walked up to where Heinz was sitting.
"Ready to go?"
The scientist nodded and followed the man out to his truck. They didn't say a single word as Heinz drove them across the street to the same bar and grill they'd visited earlier.
"I hope you don't mind the same place. If you want we can.." "This is perfect." Perry smiled. "Thank you."
The two settled into the same booth they'd picked the last time. The scientist ordered another Blue Moon, but Perry chose a jack and coke. They ordered a large helping of fries and decided to split them.
Three drinks in, and Perry was feeling much lighter than usual. The alcohol had finally started to loosen his nerves a bit. The two were howling at some stupid joke Heinz had made, although Perry wasn't laughing because it was actually funny, he was laughing because Heinz made the weirdest facial expressions when he cackled.
Finally, Heinz was driving him back to his car. Perry was red in the cheeks and smiling, wishing the moment would never end.
"Are you going to be okay to drive home?"
Perry nodded. "I know my limits. Thank you for tonight."
"Hey, before you go." Heinz blushed, looking down. "I wanted to show you something. Promise me you won't freak out."
But Perry had already caught a glimpse at what the doctor was pulling out from the side door pocket. He jumped back with wide eyes, startled.
"It's nothing big, it's just.. Hey, what's wrong?"
The device in Heinz's hand was clearly an inator of his creation, built to look like some sort of ray gun. Agent instincts kicked in as Perry's mood suddenly diminished into pure defensive reaction.
"Put that away. Don't point it at me."
"What?" Heinz gasped. "It's not what you think, really.. If you'd just let me explain.."
"I said, don't point that at me. Are you insane?" The agent grabbed onto the car handle and stumbled out of the passenger seat. Heinz was waving his hands, stuttering like an idiot.
"But, but.."
"This was a mistake."
Perry slammed the door shut and darted up to the Vintage Docks employee door. Thankfully, it was still unlocked. The managers must have had some last minute paperwork to finish.
He shut himself inside and took a deep breath, feeling as if he'd just run a marathon. While he probably had overreacted, (and it also may have been due to the alcohol), he knew what Heinz was capable of, and wasn't taking any chances.
Cursing himself for being so selfish and stupid, Perry waited until Heinz finally left, then slipped into his car. Shaking, the platypus hit the gas and drove away.