(Note: This is a short idea that popped in my head after looking around on DeviantArt. The wholesome side, mind you. Hope you enjoy!)

Chapter 1: Tripping over an opportunity...

A few summers ago, Ferb decided that today he'd spend some time alone for once. Phineas was away at a dentist appointment (similar to that one time Phineas and Isabella had that picnic while he was at his) and Candace was out at the mall. His parents were out as well, so he had the house all to himself. He decided not to build anything, because after all he was without his better half; his brother, who'd he usually team up with to create their amazing ideas (all while trying to avoid being busted by Candace). He couldn't (and wouldn't!) do it with anyone else, so he went outside and took a walk around the neighborhood.

Ferb didn't really talk much, so it was easy for him to take in the sights without having to say he was relaxed, but just because he didn't talk did NOT mean he thought, and Ferb was quite the heavy thinker.

It sure is nice out here, he thought. And quiet, too. A little too quiet. Ferb found it strange with how, while the birds were chirping and the squirrels were chattering, it still felt eerie out.

Normally Isabella would stop by their house in their backyard to see what they were doing, but she was much too busy with her Fireside Girl troop today.

"Alright, girls, " Isabella started, walking toward the group of girls who were talking amongst themselves. "I don't know what type of patch we could get today. We've earned so many over the past few summers, so I think we've officially run out of ideas." Adyson then raised her hand and said, "What about the 'Find an odd-shaped stick' patch?" Isabella then went into a bag and pulled out a stick shaped like a pretzel. "Already got that one."

Ginger then blurted, "Ooh! Ooh! What about the 'Find a cute boy' patch?" All Isabella could do was stare at Ginger. She knew she was clearly talking about Baljeet, whom she had a crush on for years, and had always used him as an excuse to get a free patch that doesn't even exist. "Ginger, we've been over this." Isabella sighed with her hand on her forehead. "That patch does not and will not EVER exist, and even if it did, don't have to use your crush as an easy way to get a patch. "

"Oh, you should talk." Ginger replied with a raised eyebrow. "You do the same thing with Phineas. Half the time you only want to help him so you can get closer to the crush YOU had before I even became a Fireside Girl!" Isabella saw this coming and blushed at the truth. "Yeah, well..." she stammered while smirking, "Enough about me!" Not wanting to defend herself on the matter, Isabella shouted, trying to change the subject. Ginger just sat back down shaking her head. "Anyway..." Isabella started to get back on topic, "Does anyone else have any good ideas?" The rest of the girls started to think. Gretchen then stood up. "Why don't we go over Phineas and Ferb's house?" The other girls turned to her, looking confused.

"Why do you want to go over there?" Isabella asked. "Isn't Phineas at a dentist appointment?"

"Yes," Gretchen replied, "But, what about Ferb?" She asked, but in her head, she was blushing. Gretchen had always taken a liking to him since they met (like how Isabella is in love with Phineas) Unbeknownst to everyone else, Gretchen awkwardly sat dazed while thinking about him, only to be snapped out of it. "Gretchen? Gretchen?" Isabella said her name to try to snap her out of her daydream. "Huh? What?" Gretchen said, shocked, earning a few giggles from the other girls who, as it turned out, HAD caught her blushing.

Isabella then cleared her throat. "So, why do you want to see what Ferb is doing? It's kind of useless since we need both brothers to build something spectacular," she shrugged. Usually both Phineas and Ferb would be present, and the Fireside Girls would help the both of them, unless it was a special occasion like when she had that picnic with Phineas. The two were good friends, sure, but Isabella really didn't see Ferb as someone to hang out with in a similar scenario.

Gretchen left the room and went into the dressing room for a few seconds, then coming out. She had changed out of her uniform, having changed into a sky-blue shirt with a white skirt and pink and blue-colored tennis shoes. "Where are you going?" Isabella sneered. After walking toward the door completely silent, she turned to Isabella and said, "You don't want to see what he's doing and I understand, but I do." Gretchen pointed to herself. "I'll just go alone, then." She said as she walked toward the door. The rest of the girls stayed silent. Isabella had a beat expression on her face as she left. "W-wait!" Isabella then ran after her. Gretchen had already walked far from the Fireside Girl clubhouse, and Isabella followed while shouting "You forgot your handbook and uniform!". Gretchen turned around and told her. "I don't need that. I'm just going to take a walk. I'm not worried about getting a patch today." Isabella looked confused while Gretchen still wanted to go to see Ferb despite it being...just Ferb that was home. She can't figure out what she sees in him. He's quiet. He's a man of few words. What girl likes a boy that isn't chatty?

Gretchen headed straight for the Flynn-Fletcher house, which wasn't too far, but it was quite the walk. Unfortunately for her, however, she went back to 'Ferbland' again as she was walking on their sidewalk, and shortly, while her head was in the clouds, she bumped straight into Ferb. She didn't know who it was until she got up from on top of Ferb, who was walking with his eyes shut, taking in the sunshine.

"Ugh...Oh!" Gretchen contained herself and looked over to see that she was on top of the very boy she was JUST thinking about. "Ferb! O-oh, my gosh!" Gretchen started to stutter while helping him up. "I'm so sorry. Are you okay?"

"Yes." Ferb spoke, which he didn't do often, much to Gretchen's shock. "I seemed to have not been watching where I was going..." Gretchen looked away and blushed. "Yeah. So was I...I guess," she giggled, then asked, "What are you doing out here on such a quiet, nice day?"

"Just was taking a walk. I could never get much time alone, except for in the bathroom, but that doesn't count. I meant..." Ferb explained, "...that I was always helping Phineas and the rest of our friends out on our adventures, but as I said before, couldn't really have any, you know, 'me time'." Gretchen stated, "I was doing the same thing myself." But afterwards, she took a second to think about what Ferb was saying, then nodded. "Oh, I see. Kind of like, an adventure where you are the main character of the story?" Ferb blinked in confusion, then nodded. "Yes. Something like that." Ferb suddenly felt a lot more comfortable talking to Gretchen. He had always stayed quiet around other people, except Phineas, Candace, and his parents, but Gretchen? She was a special case. He didn't know it yet, but he felt like someone else that wasn't his family finally understood him for being the way he is.

Next chapter: From getting tripped on to hanging out...