Ferb continued his work, occasionally jumping at the racket outside. Nice time for testing. He sighed, as he put on his music and headphones. He scanned through his plans. Okay, the base needs to be a light metal and the funnel should be something that echoes well. He began forming a model on his CAD program when he felt a light touch on his shoulder. He jumped slightly and pulled out his headphones. Gretchen pulled her hand back. "Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you." Ferb composed himself and stood. He stepped aside and offered her the seat. She shook her head quickly. "I-I couldn't impose. I was just checking on you; you seem out of it today."
Ferb, not wanting to make eye contact with her, looked to her right ear. "I'm fine." He replied quickly as he glanced around. "Please, have a seat." He insisted. Gretchen pulled out the chair and smiled shyly as she sat. Ferb pulled Phineas's desk chair over and sat down. Gretchen quickly glanced at the computer screen. "What's this you're working on?" She inquired. Ferb's eyes went wide and he almost fell over as he reached to turn the screen off, he bumped his elbow on the corner of the desk. He clamped his hand over the elbow and winced.
Gretchen looked at him carefully. "Is something going on between you and Phineas? He's being rather..." She paused trying to search for her words. "Overbearing?" Ferb supplied and Gretchen nodded. "Yeah, that fits." She said as she looked at him and tilted her head to the side. Ferb shifted his gaze to her left ear.
"It's a little...complicated." He replied and Gretchen tilted her head to the other side. "What do you mean?" Ferb rubbed the back of his head awkwardly. "It's really not something I want to discuss." She nodded in understanding and smiled. "All right. I'm here if you ever feel up to it." Ferb blinked in surprise. He hadn't heard someone tell him that in, well, ever. She blushed and looked away from his surprised stare. "A-anyway, I think I'll go back and help Isabella. She's trying, but she can't keep up with Phineas today."
Ferb nodded and Gretchen started to make her way toward the door when she paused and turned to him. "Ferb, do you have a pair of tweezers? I've got a couple of deep splinters in my hands, and..." She started and Ferb came over and carefully took one of her hands and examined it.
Gretchen couldn't believe the feeling she got with just the touch of his hand. When he picked up her other hand and held it, she thought she would faint. Ferb started directing her out of the room. She wasn't paying attention to where she was going when she lost her footing.
Ferb caught her as she slipped. "Gretchen?" He called, but received no response. He picked her up and brought her back into the room and laid her down on his bed. He then turned around and left his room. He quickly ran down the hallway and knocked on Candace's door, he received no answer. He ran downstairs and skidded to a halt in the kitchen. "Mum?" He called worriedly trying to get her attention.
Linda popped her out from behind the kitchen door. "Ferb, honey, what's wrong?" She asked and he blinked. "Mum, what are you supposed to do when someone faints?" Linda placed her hand on her chin thoughtfully. "Well, I believe you're supposed to lay them flat on their back and prop up their legs." Ferb nodded and ran back to his room. He grabbed a few pillows from beside Gretchen, and propped up her feet. He pulled up his chair and watched her, his leg bouncing impatiently. He stopped as she mumbled under her breath.
Ferb sat up straighter, not taking his eyes off her. Gretchen's head moved side to side and her eyes started to flutter open. "Where am I?" She whispered. Ferb tentatively reached a hand out and placed it on hers. He tried to say something meaningful but his brain refused to function. She tried to sit up and Ferb sprang to his feet. "Don't!" He panicked then calmed himself down. "Just... just lay back and relax." He whispered, concern written on his face as he helped her to lay back down. He reached over to Phineas's bed and grabbed those pillows.
"Mum said to prop up your feet." He placed another pillow under her legs. He looked up and saw her drape her arm over her eyes. Under her arm, he could tell that her face was turning red. "Man, I'm so embarrassed." She muttered to herself. He smiled slightly. "At least you're not hurt." Gretchen lifted her arm up to view her hand. "If you don't count these splinters." Ferb got up and walked out of the room. Gretchen stared at the door until he returned with tweezers in hand. He sat down beside her and held out his hand. Gretchen blushed as he gently took her hand and began picking at the splinters.
Linda stepped to the threshold of the room. "Ferb, you left in such a hurry." Startled, Ferb gripped Gretchen's wrist a little tighter, causing her to gasp. He turned, looked at his mother and shook his head slowly. He silently begged her to 'go away'. "I've got everything under control." He said and turned his attention back to Gretchen's hand. Linda gave a slight chuckle and before she left she said "How about a glass of juice and a cookie?" Ferb's eyes went wide and Gretchen could almost hear his thoughts.
Gretchen giggled and responded for him. "No thanks, Mrs. Flynn-Fletcher." Linda nodded and exited the room. Ferb let out a sigh. "Sorry..." Gretchen looked at him and smiled. "Don't be. Your mother is actually very sweet." Their gaze held for a few moments. Ferb cleared his throat and returned his focus to the splinters in her hand. Gretchen smiled to herself and relaxed, letting out a sigh of relief as she settled against his pillows. Despite the splinters, she felt extremely comfortable in his touch.
Ferb tended to her hand for a minute before he focused on a very deep splinter. "This will hurt." He told her. Gretchen opened her eyes. "I've got a very high pain threshold." She responded. Ferb re-adjusted the way he was sitting and cradled her hand in his arm. He paused a moment then put her hand down beside her. "Is something wrong?" Gretchen asked. Ferb, worried, shook his head and pulled a couple of tissues from the box on his bookshelf. He picked her hand up again, kissed the inside of her wrist and started working on the large splinter.
Gretchen's face burned red. She sat wide-eyed and watched as he worked. He picked at the splinter, using the tissues to wipe the mixture of blood and clear fluid that ran from the small wound. Once the splinter stuck out vividly, he grabbed it with the tweezers. "Ready?" Gretchen nodded slowly. Taking a deep breath, Ferb pulled out the splinter. He pressed the tissue against the slightly oozing wound. "Hold it firmly while I grab some disinfectant." Gretchen watched him disappear into the hall, then looked down to her hand, smiling slightly.
Baljeet and Buford were helping Phineas put the final touches on the restaurant. Isabella had called Adyson over to help prepare the food for the evening. Phineas came over to the girls. "I've not seen Gretchen around for the past few minutes, any idea where she might be?" He asked and the girls shook their heads. Candace stepped outside. "Okay you... wow, Phineas. You did this?" The redhead nodded, proud of himself. "Yeah, it would have been better if Ferb had helped though." He said. Candace stepped over to her brother, "You know, Ferb had an idea of his own." She said.
Phineas blinked in surprise. "He does?" Candace nodded. Phineas crossed his arms. "Well, if he wanted to work on something on his own, then he should have told me first." Candace opened her mouth to protest, but decided against it. Sometimes Phineas was just plain arrogant. She walked into the restaurant and into the kitchen. Isabella looked up and smiled at her, her face and clothes caked in flour. "Hi Candace, whatcha doin'?" Candace waved. "Hi Isabella, if you're not too busy, could I ask you something?" Isabella clapped the flour from her hands. "Sure, what's up?" Candace fiddled with her fingers. "Don't you think Phineas is being a little...well...harsh today?" Isabella blinked. Behind her, a loud thump resonated and the pans on the counter shook. Adyson appeared from under the counter, holding her head.
"Who designed this area?" Adyson complained as she emerged. Isabella blushed, "Phineas did. I think he had Gretchen in mind for some of the kitchen work." she answered. The taller girl rubbed the side of her head. "Where is she anyhow?" Candace stepped over and picked up some of the pans that fell. "I last saw her in the house." Adyson's eyes narrowed. "Oh, no. She's not getting out of this. If I have to help, so does she." She complained as she left the structure.
Isabella looked to the floor. "I think Phineas is being very sweet." She said as she blushed. "I mean, who else would go to all this trouble for their parents' anniversary?" Candace looked at the girl. "Today's count is now two physical injuries and one emotional, though he'll never admit it. Phineas might as well have told Ferb that he doesn't matter." She said. The raven-haired girl looked up. "I know that Ferb tried to help, I don't know what's gotten into Phin though." The red-headed young woman shook her head. "Ferb got Mom and Dad some champagne glasses. He probably tried talking to Phineas, but of course..." She said and Isabella nodded.
"I...I understand. Maybe if we both go, we can get him to calm down." Candace sighed and shook her head. "If you think it will work, be my guest."