Across the Line

Summary:

''After messing up a project, and nearly killing people in the accident, Phineas disappears. leaving behind no clue of his whereabouts. After months pass, Phineas is presumed dead, but there are some people who refuse to let him go. As Ferb, Candace, and Isabella try and cope with Phineas' disappearance, they soon find out some things are better left unsaid.''

Chapter 1:
"Ferb, I know what we're gonna do today!" twelve-year old Phineas Flynn exclaimed, barging into the bedroom, blue eyes shining with excitement.

 A green haired twelve-year old British boy glanced up from his book, and gave his stepbrother a thumbs-up. To Ferb Fletcher, this was quite a normal routine. Somehow, it had grown on him. Ferb silently put the book away, slid off the bed and walked over to his brother's side. Phineas had begun filling him in on their latest invention, and although he had yet to draw the blueprints, the redhead seemed more than eager to begin.

 "You see Ferb, I always seem to forget things. For example, sometime yesterday I walked into the kitchen..." Phineas started as they headed down the stairs, going down two at a time.

 "...And there was Perry, doing nothing as usual. I dunno, but I started feeling like there was something I knew about him that was. . .Important, I guess?" the boy rubbed the back of his neck as they passed the kitchen and stepped into the yard. Ferb glanced around, then turned his attention back to his brother.

 Phineas then threw his hands up in the air in mock exasperation. Then he continued.

 "Then, poof!" he grinned, "whatever I was remembering disappeared!"

 Blinking, Ferb pointed over to Perry, who was sound asleep near the tree. He looked at Phineas expectantly.

 "What?" Phineas turned his head to the tree and saw what Ferb was getting at. He shook his head.

 "Nah, it doesn't work," Phineas sighed as they walked over to the tree and sat down. Sensing his owners' presence, Perry cracked open one eye slightly and listened. He had a feeling the conversation was about him.

 "I tried already. I know people say seeing something will jog your memory, but no matter how many times I focused on Perry, my mind goes blank," Phineas smiled at Perry, who immediately shut his eyes.

 Glancing up at his brother he said, "so I decided we'd make a machine that allows people to recall forgotten memories!" The boy jumped up and gave Ferb a huge grin. Ferb briefly wondered if he had that memory too. It was about Perry after all.

 As Phineas rushed off to fetch blueprints and the tool box, the British boy let his gaze drop to Perry. The platypus didn't seem unusual. Whatever Phineas had slightly remembered, it probably had to do with Perry's appearance.

 "C'mon Ferb!" called Phineas.

 Ferb stared at their pet for a second more, then smiled and petted the platypus on the had. He stood and rushed over to Phineas.

 Once Ferb left, Perry let out a sigh of relief, happy to know that his secret was safe. He glanced over at the two boys. They were loudly discussing their plans and design.

<p style="margin-left: 40px; "> Perry blinked. Phineas' words echoed in his head. The redhead had explained how the machine would function, and Perry narrowed his eyes. The boy remembered. Well, almost remembered. Perry shifted uncomfortably as he recalled the day when they had all entered the second dimension.

<p style="margin-left: 40px; "> Did Phineas have a sudden flashback of that day? And Perry himself had triggered it?

<p style="margin-left: 40px; "> Whatever he remembered, Perry thought, ''I have to make sure they don't find out. Which means I can't let them finish that machine. They can't know about that day!''

<p style="margin-left: 40px; "> –

<p style="margin-left: 40px; "> Phineas tilted his head. He stared at the unfinished machine and smiled at his brother.

<p style="margin-left: 40px; "> "So far, so good!" He grinned as he took another look at the blueprints. Ferb nodded and resumed tweaking the device. The device itself was pretty small; shaped as a helmet. But it was attached to a bigger machine, one that had a screen. It was to show memories.

<p style="margin-left: 40px; "> The green haired boy continued building, but couldn't help but wonder if the machine would work. Was it possible to bring back what was lost?

<p style="margin-left: 40px; "> What's forgotten is forgotten, I suppose, Ferb thought, pausing. Suddenly, the fence door creaked. Ferb lifted his head and gazed around, then realized what cause the creaking.

<p style="margin-left: 40px; "> Of course, Ferb coughed and turned his attention to the invention.

<p style="margin-left: 40px; "> "Hey guys!" called Isabella. She flung the door open and smirked. "Whatcha doin'?"

<p style="margin-left: 40px; "> Phineas turned, spotted the girl, and smiled.

<p style="margin-left: 40px; "> "Oh, hey Isabella. We're just building a Memory Retriever!"

<p style="margin-left: 40px; "> Quickly, Ferb acknowledged Isabella with a curt nod. He approached the two, device in hands. The tube the helmet was attached to stretched along with him.

<p style="margin-left: 40px; "> "Hi Ferb," Isabella mumbled, eyes on the device. Her voice didn't sound so happy. And Ferb knew why. The Brit glanced at Phineas, who looked as optimistic and oblivious as always. Sighing, Ferb wordlessly handed the device to Phineas and slightly stepped back.

<p style="margin-left: 40px; "> "This, like I said, is the Memory Retriever!" Phineas exclaimed, holding the metallic helmet in the air. Ferb frowned, tapped Phineas on the shoulder, and pointed over to the screen.

<p style="margin-left: 40px; "> Phineas looked, then grinned sheepishly.

<p style="margin-left: 40px; "> "And that over there, displays your memories. Like short movie clips," he added, waving his hand towards the direction of the screen.

<p style="margin-left: 40px; "> Isabella leaned in and eyed the helmet.

<p style="margin-left: 40px; "> "So you're saying that this,"--she tapped the helmet lightly-- "let's you remember what you've forgotten?" The black haired girl looked up at Phineas for approval.

<p style="margin-left: 40px; "> "Yup!" he nodded. He then rubbed the back of his neck, muttering, "if it works correctly."

<p style="margin-left: 40px; "> That caused Isabella to laugh.

<p style="margin-left: 40px; "> "Whaddaya mean if it works correctly?" she asked in an amused tone. "All your inventions work great!"

<p style="margin-left: 40px; "> "I guess. . . but without Ferb, all we'll have are blueprints! He's the one who builds most of it," Phineas laughed, holding up the blueprints in one hand, and the helmet in the other. Ferb gave Phineas a thumbs-up and Phineas returned the gesture.

<p style="margin-left: 40px; "> Isabella, on the other hand, frowned. She had just wanted to compliment Phineas. But every time she did, he would mention his brother. Isabella did like Ferb, but sometimes, it got annoying how she never got to spend some time with Phineas. Alone.

<p style="margin-left: 40px; ">"Let's go test this beauty out!" Phineas' voice interrupted Isabella's thoughts. She smiled sweetly, shook off her irritation and headed over to Phineas.

<p style="margin-left: 40px; "> Phineas placed the helmet on his head, turned towards the screen, but before turning the invention on, the boy furrowed his brow and said, "Hey, where's Perry?"