~o~o~o~o~o~o~ Heinz had waited with Phineas and Ferb and the other children for hours, praying to any god or sentient being that might exist that Perry would just come home okay. The FBI wasn't very helpful, frustratingly. They continued to reassure Heinz that everything was under control, but he could tell by the sudden burst of movement that something wasn't right.
Phineas and Ferb stayed close to their parents, but continued to come over and ask him questions about his inventions, and how to build this and that. Honestly, it was a nice distraction. But it couldn't stop the racing of the scientist's heart.
At least Vanessa was okay. Heinz couldn't stop looking at and hugging his baby girl. For the first time in forever, he and Vanessa and Charlene were getting along, standing together as a family, happy that everyone was safe and sound. Being kidnapped by that freak had been scary, especially when he'd woken up to feel Vanessa tied and gagged next to him. Heinz hadn't felt that helpless since his childhood.
As evening approached, there was a rush of vehicles through the safe houses. Heinz looked up from his game of chess with Vanessa to see three ambulances pass by. His throat tightened.
"I'm sure it's not Perry." Vanessa put a hand on his shoulder, trying to reassure him. "Perry's a suave, semi-aquatic personification of unstoppable, dynamic fury, remember?"
The comment made Heinz smile, but it did nothing to comfort him.
Three hours passed. By that time, Vanessa and Charlene were fast asleep. Heinz lay awake, staring at the ceiling and thinking. The sudden ringing of his cell phone startled him, and he immediately jumped up to answer.
"Hello?"
"Hey.. Dr. Doofenshmirtz. It's Peter the Panda."
The man raised an eyebrow. "What's wrong?"
"It's Perry. We're at the hospital in the next city over. I'd suggest you come down. Quickly."
All of Heinz's worst thoughts began playing at forced speeds at the forefront of his mind. Without missing a beat, he grabbed his jacket and keys, left a note for Vanessa, and hurried out of the door.
~o~o~o~o~o~o~
When the man arrived, he found Peter and Lyla and Carl the intern in the waiting area. He rushed forward, but Peter grabbed his shoulder, holding him back.
"What happened?" The evil scientist cried.
"He was shot." The panda replied glumly. "He's in emergency surgery now."
"Shot? By who?"
"The last time we talked, Perry said something about Major Monogram being the one to take over the rocket that was about to launch. We don't know if it was really him, but O.W.C.A. superiority is looking into it."
Heinz nodded and collapsed into the seat next to Lyla Lolliberry, who smiled sweetly at him and patted his knee. Carl didn't make eye contact, simply stared into his twisting hands.
Francis Monogram? Heinz thought drastically. I'll kill the bastard!
The man stewed in his vengeful thoughts, if only just to distract himself from his extreme anxiety. Minutes passed, then hours. Lyla had gone to the cafeteria and brought back some food, but no one seemed very hungry. The waiting was almost unbearable. Heinz thought he was going to go mad with worry, when finally, a nurse came out to the waiting room.
"It's okay, everyone. He's going to make it."
~o~o~o~o~o~o~
Beep. Beep. Beep.
Perry inhaled a whiff of something chemical, and vaguely recalled hearing soft voices around him. Light flooded into his eyes, and he cringed, quickly shutting them again and trying to shift his body.
The pain was immediate. Perry groaned, settling back into the soft bed underneath him. For a moment, he allowed himself to slowly wake, readjusting his eyes to the sudden light.
That's when he noticed a familiar face leaning over him.
"H.. Heinz?"
"Hey."
Perry cautiously moved his arm and pawed at Heinz, only settling down when he felt the man's soft hand squeeze his own.
"It's okay." The scientist murmured. "I'm right here."
Finally, Perry was able to focus his vision on the man in front of him. He smiled, before slowly taking in his surroundings. He was definitely in a hospital room, covered in sheets and bandages. His whole body ached. Only then did he notice the morphine drip attached to his arm. The platypus groaned as memories flooded him. The fight. Major Monogram. The bullets.
"What happened?" Perry croaked.
Heinz shifted and held a glass of water to his lips. Perry tried to lift his arm to take it, but Heinz shook his head and stubbornly held the cup of water. Sighing, Perry relented and took a grateful sip.
"You were shot." Heinz stated. "We found you bleeding out on the ground.."
"Major Monogram.."
"Has been arrested." Heinz finished. "FBI chased him down to this city before tackling him." The evil scientist sighed. "He told O.W.C.A. everything. About your human identity, about us, about Dr. Tecton, and said you tried to kill him in order to cover your own ass."
"That bitch." Perry coughed. "I guess I'm fucked."
"At least you have friends." Another voice interjected.
Perry smiled as Peter stepped into the room and settled down in a chair next to Heinz. "How are you feeling, partner?"
"Like I just got shot."
Peter chuckled. "Sounds about right. Look, don't you two worry about Major Monogram. I can't promise there won't be consequences, but your friends will do everything we can. That bastard won't get away with what he did."
Perry smiled down at his hand, which was still tightly locked with Heinz's. The evil scientist caught his gaze, and they both blushed.
Lyla burst into the room, gushing. "'ello, Perry! I brought you some flowers, and C.O.W.C.A. sent over this huge gift basket full of snacks!"
Perry chuckled as Lyla put the basket down and ran over to give him a gentle hug.
"Oh, and there are some little friends that wish to see you. The nurse said it was okay. Want to see them?"
Perry nodded emphatically. Soon, Lyla reappeared with Phineas and Ferb, who immediately jumped onto the bed and gave Perry sloppy hugs.
"Careful, boys." Remarked Mrs. Flynn-Fletcher, who followed a few seconds later.
"Sorry, Mom. We're so glad you're okay, Dr. Perry!"
Dr. Perry? Dear Lord..
"Thank you for saving my children's lives." Mrs. Flynn-Fletcher smiled, putting a card and a bowl of something that smelled heavenly next to his bed. "We will forever be grateful."
Perry's eyes wandered across the entire room at all the people there to support him, and squeezed his finger's around Heinz's hand, feeling Heinz return the sentiment. This week had been the craziest of his life. And it definitely wasn't over. O.W.C.A. was about to have his ass, he knew it, but for a moment, he allowed the euphoric feeling to wash over him.
For the first time, he knew, that these people really did love him. They wouldn't leave him.
~o~o~o~o~o~o~
A couple hours later, a few human O.W.C.A. authorities stepped into the room, and ordered everyone else out. Perry sleepily nodded comfortingly to Heinz, who looked as if he was about to argue. Reluctantly, the man stepped out of the room.
Perry turned to the officers. They stood by the foot of his bed and activated a portable recorder.
"This is Agent T of O.W.C.A. special forces, on August 11th, 2017, speaking to one Dr. Zachary Tecton, also known as Perry Michael, also known as former Agent Perry the Platypus, or Agent P."
Perry sighed. This was going to be a long interview.
"First, please state for the record your date of birth."
"November 1, 1982."
"Excellent. Now, we know who you really are." The special forces agent settled into a chair by his bed and looked Perry deep in the eyes. "Were you, or were you not, responsible for the destruction of Seattle in 2010?"
"I.. Yes. But I-"
"And were you also responsible for the break-in of O.W.C.A. headquarters and stealing of forbidden and sensitive O.W.C.A. files?"
"Yes."
"Did you act alone?"
"Yes."
"Are you sure?"
Perry narrowed his eyes. "I work alone."
The agent sighed. "So how are you still alive, doctor? The last we heard, your body was buried at the bottom of the ocean."
"I faked my death using a synthesized formula of my own creation. It made me appear dead for a time. Once the coast was clear, I made my escape."
That wasn't entirely the truth. Perry had been almost as good as dead, if not for Peter, who pulled him to safety and saved his life. Only after that fact did they concoct the plan to fake Perry's death.
"Why did you do it?" The agent gulped. "I didn't want to be that man anymore." "But you still chose to escape punishment, and thereby, evade the law?"
Perry narrowed his eyes. "I'm done talking. I want a lawyer."
"Actually, I think that's enough of the questions."
Perry looked up to see another man, tall with big, broad shoulders step into the room. He wore a decorated uniform, and was dusted dan. He was definitely a military man. Perry respectfully saluted to him as the man stood at the foot of Perry's bed.
"Turn that recorder off, Agent T. And toss it in the nearest river."
"But, sir-"
"President's orders."
"Yes, sir."
The agent took the device and quickly slipped out of the room. Perry's eyes widened as the military man seated himself in the same chair and let out a long sigh. "I'm going to be honest, agent. This whole scenario is a mess. Not only do we have to explain this debacle to the government, but we have to contain it from spreading somehow. Thankfully, all of Danville's internet is shut down, or we'd already be stuck."
"But-" He continued before Perry could speak, "we know it isn't entirely your fault. Rest assured, we found the evidence you discovered against Major Monogram's case, and have scheduled him a trial. His murderous, manipulating, scheme concocting days are as good as over."
"Thank you, Sir." Perry nodded gratefully. "I take it I'll be arrested shortly?"
"About that." The man smiled. "I have a proposition for you. While, yes, your past transgressions, both from years prior and from earlier this summer, could not go unnoticed or unpunished. However, a man of your talents is quite rare, and the President himself would like you to take on a special sort of job. If the job goes successfully, you'll be allowed to return to your life and your job without repercussions."
Perry raised an eyebrow. "What kind of job?"
"It's an undercover assignment. The FBI has been unsuccessful thus far. But you have quite an unusual set of skills. I won't lie to you, however. There's a good chance you won't make it out in all one piece, or even at all."
"And if I decline?"
"Then we have no choice but to arrest you. I'd like to say that the people of the world would be grateful for your unchallenged sense of duty, and the fact that you've saved all their lives, but I can't be so sure of that. I'm almost certain you'd be subjected to life in prison, if not worse. But it's your choice. Just think about it."
Perry nodded and saluted to the man. He handed Perry his card, suggesting the man e-mail him his answer, and sauntered out of the room.