"GRUNKLE STAN!" The kids ran across the pier to greet their uncle they haven't seen in nearly a year.

"Kids!" Stan stepped out of the Stan O' War II with a giant grin on his face. He opened his arms for the kids to run into.

"Did you miss us, Grunkle Stan?" Mabel asked.

"Eh, maybe a little."

"Don't let him fool you," Ford said as he joined them on the pier. "He's talked about nothing but seeing you two."

"GRUNKLE FORD!" The kids jumped into Ford's arms nearly knocking them all into the water. He wasn't expecting the kids to be as enthusiastic to see him as they were to see Stan.

"We missed you, Grunkle Ford," said Mabel.

"I've missed you too, kids."

"And we really missed Gravity Falls. I can't wait to go back," said Dipper.

"We'll be back in that crazy town tomorrow," said Stan. "But today is-"

"FAMILY FUN BEACH DAY!" The kids screamed.

"Okay, you two gotta stop this yelling-in-unison thing. It's freaking me out," said Stan.

"FAMILY FUN BEACH DAY!" The kids dragged their uncles down to the beach.

They spent the day swapping stories, building sand castles, and playing in the water.

At some point, Ford went on a tangent about one of his scientific discoveries he made during his sailing. Dipper was completely engrossed, but Stan and Mabel were less than enthused.

"This is what I've had to live with for the last nine months." Stan rolled his eyes.

"Oh, don't pretend you don't love being with your brother. We all know you're just a big softie deep down." Mabel poked his belly.

"Softie? I'll show you softie." Stan leaped for Mabel, and she took off running across the water.

"Ha-ha! Too slow, old man!"

"Old man? Oh, you're gonna get it now, missy!" Stan chased her through the water, both of them smiling and laughing the entire time. He finally snatched her and turned her around to face him. "Gotcha! Now I'll teach you a lesson."

He dunked Mabel under the water multiple times. She laughed every time she came up. Her goggles let her open her eyes underwater, and she could see Stan also laughing above the surface.

He dunked Mabel again, but for some reason, Stan didn't pull her back up right away. She thought maybe this was some sort of long, final dunk. She started to feel a little light-headed. She pulled on Stan's arm to signal she wanted to come up, but he didn't move. She looked up at his face. His face looked wrong. Especially his eyes. His eyes…they were yellow.

She thrashed in the water trying to get out of Stan's grip. He was commanding his arms to let her up. But his body wasn't listening like it was taking orders from someone else.

Like me?

Bill?

Humans and their need to breathe. It's so quaint.

Let her up, Bill!

It's not my hands holding her down.

LET HER UP!

Is Shooting Star turning blue or is that just the water?

LET HER UP NOW!

He released his hold on Mabel. She took in a huge gulp of air and looked at him in confusion. Before she could get a word out, Stan bolted ignoring her pleas to come back.

Stan had to get as far away as possible. Bill was still inside him. He was a danger to his family. But where would he go? Anyone who was around him would be at risk. He had to go where he can't do harm to anyone.