As a matter of fact, Isabella was making out with Phineas in the back of a taxi. However, she was highly perturbed by the idea that she wasn't getting any enjoyment out of his kisses. She pulled away, placing a hand on Phineas' chest before he could kiss her again.

"Phineas, stop. We need to talk."

"Uh-oh, the dreaded sentence. What's up, Isabella? Are you uncomfortable? We can hold off on the more intimate stuff, if you'd like."

"Well, now that you mention it..." Isabella began, twiddling a piece of her hair between her fingers. It was a nervous habit she'd picked up as a preteen and never quite broken herself of, especially if she was nervous.

"What's the matter, Izzy? You know you can tell me anything," Phineas said gently as he tucked a piece of loose hair behind her ear. She noticed that she hadn't felt any emotion at the gesture, unlike when...oh no. No no no no. This could not be happening, especially not while finally on a date with, and having the undivided attention of Phineas Flynn.

"Nothing at all, Phin. Just tired, I guess, and I still have to be at work at midnight. It was currently pushing ten, severely limiting her time with Phineas. Who knew when she'd get an opportunity like this again.

"Well, what did you want to talk about? I'm all ears," Phineas said as he pulled his wallet out and paid the cabby. Phineas had directed him to a discreet hotel within walking distance of the Daily Danville offices. Isabella smiled softly at his thoughtfulness, he hadn't forgotten about her late shift.

Isabella helped herself to a cup of strong, black coffee as Phineas checked them in and received their keycards. She would have to remember this place. It would be more convenient to stay here, rather than driving all the way back to her parents' house, running on nothing but caffeine and willpower.

They made their way to the elevator, and as soon as the doors closed, Phineas wrapped his arms around her neck and his lips were on hers. Isabella lost herself in the moment, her coffee forgotten as she returned his kiss with all the passion she could summon. She finally backed away, and put her hand on his chest again.

"I'm so sorry, Phin. This isn't going to work, it's like...it's like..."

"Kissing your sister?" Phineas asked in reply, running his hand through his bright red hair and blushing.

"Exactly! Well, brother in my case. You're not angry?"

"Of course not, Izzy. I thought it was just me, I'm glad you feel the same."

"But... But the tunnel, then the back pocket thing, and the fireworks, the cab, the elevator? What was all that?"

"I'm sorry, Izzy. I thought that's what you wanted."

"So, all of this," Isabella encompassed her statement with a wave of her hand around the suite they found themselves in. "Was just to make me happy?"

"Of course, Isabella! You're my best friend, I would do anything for you! Well, possibly except sleep with you, that may just be too odd."

"Agreed," Isabella said, mentally picturing the man across from her naked, and coming up with a mental picture, but it got no rise out of her. His brother, on the other hand... No, stop that, Isa! Focus on the problem at hand.

"Well, I guess that makes us just friends, then?" Phineas asked, his shoulders dropping with relief. He'd been dreading this moment all evening. He had no idea how he was going to go through with having sex with Isabella, when he got almost no enjoyment out of kissing her. It really was like inappropriately kissing one of his siblings. Thankfully, Izzy didn't seem too bothered about the idea that he didn't have any romantic feelings toward her. In fact, she was totally in agreement with him, which was a pleasant surprise.

They kicked back on the sofa together and watched the news, then a silly sitcom before Isabella said goodbye and headed off to work. Phineas told her had had the room reserved for the entire weekend, should she decide to partake of it. She thanked him, kissed him on the cheek, and left for the Daily Danville offices.

As soon as she was gone, Phineas whipped out his cell phone and made a quick call to his regular escort service. Even though his date with Isabella hadn't gone as expected, and even though it had ended fairly well, considering, Phineas didn't really want to be alone. With a promise of discretion on their part, the agency sent along his favorite companion. A few minutes later, there was a brief knock at the door and Phineas' face lit up when he opened up and welcomed his guest in.

Ferb found himself driving around town, no particular destination in mind. He absolutely did not want to go home to an empty bed. Despite his misgivings, he had tried several of the ladies in his black book, but found them all either not at home or busy. He should have supposed that, considering how big of a deal the opening ceremony had been. So, four a.m. found him parked in front of the Daily Danville offices, waiting for Isabella to finish her shift.

He wasn't sure how he was going to interrupt her date with Phineas, who he knew to have reserved a hotel room fairly close to her work, without being awkward. He was saved the trouble of explaining himself when his passenger door opened and Isabella plopped into the passenger seat.

"Oh, Ferb, you're a life saver. Did Phineas call you to come get me? It's awfully late, don't you have to work tomorrow?"

Ferb didn't bother to correct her assumption, just shrugged in agreement and put his car into gear and headed towards her parents' house.

"Can I come hang out with you for a while? My parents are sure to still be in bed and I'm too keyed up to quietly watch television. I need someone to talk to."

"Fine with me," Ferb replied softly as he pulled into his own driveway instead of hers. "Come on up, but let's try to keep quiet. My parents are sleeping too."

Isabella kicked her sandals off at the door and made her way barefoot up the stairs towards the room that Ferb had taken over when Candace moved out. She'd always been fascinated by his room, especially the red telephone box that was in his room. She knew he secretly wished it had been one of the blue ones, and she in turn rolled her eyes at his geekiness. He really was his father's son.

Ferb lay back across his bed to watch as Isabella wandered his room, looking over his posters, books, and his phone booth. He knew she'd seem them all numerous times over the years, so he patiently waited for her to start talking. The feigned interest in something mundane was a classic deterrent to the issue at hand. Usually, it prefaced a rant about Phineas' cluelessness, but Ferb got the feeling that whatever was weighing on his girl tonight had nothing to do with his brother. Or possibly, everything. Ferb hated the way his gut clenched at that thought.

"Ferb, can I ask you a question?"

Oh boy, here it comes, Ferb tensed up and nodded once in reply.

"Why don't you have a girlfriend?"

Wait, what? Where on earth had that come from? Why on Earth was Isabella suddenly interested in his love life? Were she and Phineas going to try to play matchmaker now, so that he could be as happy as they were?

"The opportunity has never presented itself." Ferb replied shortly, folding his arms across his chest and staring her down, "Why do you need to know?"

Isabella wasn't sure why she'd needed to know, she had mostly wanted to confirm that he was still, indeed, single. She sat down on the edge of his bed, his leg warm behind her. She was getting less and less surprised at the warm feeling in the bottom of her tummy at his touch. She knew she needed to answer him, but wasn't sure how to go about it. She had already wasted years over one brother, she was determined not to do it again. Carpe Diem, as Phineas was fond of saying. Instead of verbally replying, Isabella lay down next to Ferb, turning to face him. He reached up and tucked the ever stray piece of hair behind her ear. She caught his hand and looked into his eyes, noticing they were a deep blue.

"I wanted to know, because," she began to explain, barely above a whisper when she stopped herself, and softly placed her lips on his. Unlike earlier, the sensation of his lips against hers made a small part of her brain explode and shoot straight to her nether regions. After his initial surprise, he began to kiss back, giving back as much as she was taking. After a few minutes, they pulled apart, panting from lack of oxygen.

"Isa, what are we doing?" Ferb asked, placing his hand gently on the back of her neck. "Aren't you dating my brother?"

"No, no I'm not." Isabella replied with a smile as she leaned forward and placed her forehead against his. "There was no spark, nothing. Funny, after all these years, you'd think I would have some reaction to him, but no. It was like kissing my cousin."

"Oh, really? And kissing me?" Ferb asked, pulling her on top of him. She giggled as she fell over, her legs straddling his waist. If the erection poking her was any indication, Ferb was certainly attracted to her.

"Nothing at all like kissing my cousin," She replied as her lips found his again, and his hands found her hips.