Everyone sat in the dorm's living room area and the tension was so thick that it was almost hard to breathe. Baljeet and Buford sat on either side of Ferb, because Baljeet was apparently the only one he'd listen to and Buford was the only one strong enough to contain him. Isabella sat on the arms of the sofa and everyone was facing a nervously shifting Phineas who didn't seem any closer to speaking.

"Can someone please explain what this is all about?" Baljeet sighed, tired of being left out of the loop.

"Well, brother dear," Ferb spat. "would you like to field that question?"

"Well, Ferb and I had a bit of an argument a while back and things were said in the heat of the moment...bad things."

"So what'd you say to piss him off?" Buford asked, not really satisfied with that answer. "I've known Ferb for a long time, I've never seen him like this before. You must have screwed up royally."

"He did." Isabella added. "We can't really go into it because of things we think to be too sensitive to say out loud, but there is a reason for us being here, RIGHT, PHINEAS?" she prodded.

"Yeah...Ferb. I know I shouldn't have said what I said. It was a really mean thing to do. I was just so upset about you leaving on the terms that we left things on, and..."

"No." Ferb almost whispered. "You're not about to come in here and use those tired excuses for your behavior. You're not going to tell me how 'you didn't mean it' and 'it'll never happen again'. What did you hope to achieve by coming here? You thought that your little 'apology' would just make everything all right?"

"N-no, I mean, yes. I mean..."

"You used something very traumatizing and personal and used it in a petty and childish argument because you knew it would hurt me. You knew it. It wasn't an accident by any means. There's no excuse you could give that would make that ok. If you were so 'upset' why not just talk to me like you've been doing most of our lives? Hmm? Why was it suddenly so hard for you to do that? I'll tell you why, because everything I said before, every accusation I made about you being a controlling and overbearing person were exactly right, and you didn't like the truth being brought to your attention. You'd rather have gone on believing that the sun didn't start shining until you opened your eyes."

Phineas balled his fists and looked down at the carpet. He knew Ferb was right, about everything and he didn't like it. He hadn't really noticed all this time that he was doing that. Ferb never gave any indication...except for when he'd try to say something and be cut off by him. But he made up for it! He tried to give Ferb credit for some of their inventions and activities, but everyone still cheered Phineas' name first.

"Look, Ferb. Maybe you're right, but come on! You have to admit you're partially to blame there as well. I mean, no one told you you had to be a mute. After a while I just sort of expected to not hear anything from you."

"Yes, Phineas. That was a point that was made during our first argument, one I agreed with. I have no problem admitting my flaws. Of course, I have to deal with them more frequently than you do. You being the 'golden child' and all."

"What...what do you mean?"

"Oh please, Phineas. The whole ignorant thing is getting old. Have you seriously not noticed how the whole family seems to gravitate around you, but only deal with me out of obligation?"

"Ferb, that's not true." Candace interjected.

"Really, Candace. Think back...whenever you were going to 'bust' us for whatever we were doing...whose name did you yell? Who did you primarily go to? There were even times where you would ask me where he was while I was in the middle of building things."

Candace looked down and thought back. He realized he was right.

"I get it guys," he continued. "You guys are related by blood. I'm the odd one out. Do you guys really have to make it so obvious, though?" he said tears starting to run down his face. "But like it was said, it's partially my own fault. I was too busy trying to please everyone, trying to stay out of everyone's way, trying to blend into the blended family. But make no mistake, Phineas. That gives you NO right to say what you said. None."

"Look, I'm sorry. I know I was wrong. I was a complete jerk." Phineas said, tears coming to his eyes as well. "But you have to know that all those good times we had, all the fun and the laughter, that wasn't fake. It wasn't out of obligation. We love you Ferb, sure we drop the ball sometimes, but we love you."

"He's right, Ferb." Candace said placing a hand on his shoulder. "I don't refer to you as my step-brother. You're my little brother. My genius, British, amazingly talented and well spoken, little brother. The only one who feels you're the odd man out...is you."

"I appreciate that, Candace." he said standing up to hug his sister. He then turned to face his brother and gave him one last hard look. "You crossed a major line, Phineas. Don't do it again." he said sternly. He then hugged the ginger brother that he'd missed terribly the past few weeks. Sure he was furious with him, but...when it comes to family, there's really anything that can make you turn your back on them.

Everyone exhaled in relief as the tension seemed to vanish. Buford piped up after a few minutes, "Makes me glad I'm an only child."

"Same here," Isabella agreed.

Baljeet just sat there quietly. He didn't really have any input, none that he felt was appropriate to share, anyway. He often wondered what it would be like to have a sibling. He' wondered that for as long as he knew Phineas and Ferb. What was it like to have someone around his own age to be there for you and play with and fight with. It was different with Buford, obviously. They had been flirting before they even knew what the word meant.

"What are you guys talking about?" Candace asked. "You guys are family and you know it." she chuckled. "Isabella, you may as well be my sister with the way you and Phineas love each other."

Isabella blushed and took Phineas' hand. She was right, though. She'd loved Phineas for this long and if their trips to the future were any indication, she always would.

"And you two," she said pointing to Buford and Baljeet. "You've been friends of the family for years now. You're like our cousins."

Buford just chuckled and Baljeet's heart soared at the mere mention of being a part of someone's family.

"You guys...you've had some of the biggest adventures of your lives together and it's not going to stop. Yeah, fights happen. Sometimes you want to beat each other's brains out, but when it's all said and done, we have each other." She said. She then looked as if an idea struck her. "In fact, what are you all doing on December the 4th?"

Everyone looked around. Ferb pulled out his phone and brought up his calculator and saw that it was a Wednesday. "Well, we'll probably be in class." he said.

"Well you're all taking the day off. You guys have a wedding to be in." she smiled.

"Really!" Isabella's face lit up. "Oh, this is so exciting!"

"Neat. Thanks, sis." Phineas said, hugging his sister.

Ferb just smiled and gave her a one-armed hug as well.

Buford hesitantly looked over to Baljeet who still hadn't moved. He was expecting the Indian boy to go on a tirade about how bad it was to miss school.

"Thank you, Candace. I look forward to it." Baljeet calmly stated, smiling. Everyone turned around and looked at him. Apparently, they were expecting the same thing Buford was.

"'Jeet, you did hear Ferb say it was on a Wednesday, right?"

"Yeees."

"And you realize you'll probably have to miss class, right?" Isabella asked.

"I had come to that conclusion." he chuckled.

Buford threw his hand onto Baljeet's forehead and held it there. "Candace, call 911. He may be sick!" Buford yelled quite seriously.

"Will you calm down! I am fine. I am not ill!" Baljeet screamed.

"But you HATE missing school." Buford reasoned.

"...things have changed since then. That was back when my main goal was to please my parents and make only the best grades. I mean, I won't make a habit of it, but missing one day won't kill me, besides...it's for family. Can't really turn down your family." he explained.

"That's so BEAUTIFUL!" Candace said, going into hysterics. "Group hug! Everybody! Come on!"

They all gathered around each other and hugged. They then heard Perry's signature chirp.

"Oh there you are, Perry." Phineas proclaimed.