Author's notes: NEW STORY WOO! Also, the lovely coverart for this story is brought to you by i-am-a-swat on tumblr. Go check the artwork out, it's really awesome!


Mabel parked her motorcycle in front of the Mystery Shack. She took off her helmet and carefully placed it inside her right saddlebag. The older Pines twin leaned on the handlebars, taking in the building that she hadn't seen in five years. She took out a neatly folded photo from one of the pockets of her leather jacket. Unfolding it, Mabel held it up to compare the shack in the photo to the one in front of her. It was the photo of her and Dipper taken in front of the Mystery Shack the first summer they spent in Gravity Falls. Mabel frowned at the Dipper smiling back at her and covered his face with her thumb. She didn't want to think about him now. Despite the age difference, the real Mystery Shack was much better looking than the one in the photograph. Soos took care of the building, unlike Grunkle Stan. Even the letters were nailed securely to the sign, unlike the one from thirteen years ago. How has that S not land on someone's head for all that time?

The older Pines twin folded the picture and placed it in her pocket. She got off her bike, wincing at the throbbing pain shooting up her leg when she put weight on it. The bandages needed to be changed soon. "Damn that wendigo," she muttered to herself. Mabel limped to her left saddlebag and rummaged through it for a few moments, taking out her journal. She patted her hip to make sure the knife was still sheathed in its holster and placed her journal in the inside pocket of her jacket. Mabel fingered the soft leather cover and began to make her way to the shack. No one knew about this journal, she had written it herself and never told anyone about its contents. She looked to her right at where there was a parked police vehicle. Maybe the cops were raiding the Mystery Shack, thinking Grunkle Stan still ran the place. A small chuckle bubbled up from her lips as she pushed open the door. A soft tinkle of a bell filled her ears and Mabel sighed in relief at the cool air welcoming her.

She stood in the doorway, taking in the new and decidedly improved Mystery Shack. There were still knick knacks strewn throughout the shop but Soos put more care in what he tried to sell. The bumper stickers still had those strange slogans but they were catchier and didn't have those not-so-subtle messages of buying more junk. Mabel smiled as Soos walked to the back of the shop, a group of tourists following him. He wore the Shack's suit and hat with pride and the smile he had as he explained the real-life mythical creatures of Gravity Falls was genuine. Mabel walked further into the shop, the smile widening as she spotted Melody telling a customer to have a wonderful day behind the counter. The ring that she wore sparkled as the light hit it. It was nothing fancy, it was just a simple gold band but that was made it so special.

"Hi, Melody," Mabel called, walking over to the woman.

Melody was like Soos, she could never truly hide her emotions. Right now she wore disbelief at the sight of the older Pines Twin. "Mabel, what are you doing here?" she asked, blushing immediately afterwards as she realized how rude that sounded. "I mean it's great to finally see you after all this time but we weren't expecting you." Melody nodded to Soos who was still unaware of Mabel's visit. He was talking about his experience with the dreaded dinosaurs of the old, abandoned church. "I can go and take over the tour group if you want to talk to Soos in private. He missed you a lot, you know."

Mabel shook her head quickly. "No, he can finish up. I know he loves talking to the tourists." She leaned against the counter and gasped suddenly. Mabel pointed at Melody's bulging belly, previously hidden by the counter. "Is that what I think it is?"

"I hope so," Melody laughed, rubbing her belly with a loving smile directed towards Soos. "This little one is ready to come out in a month or so. You should have seen him when I told him I was pregnant. I swear I never saw him so ecstatic. Him and his mother went baby shopping the same day," Melody laughed. She smiled down at her unborn child. "He's going to be a great father."

"Yeah, he will," Mabel agreed. She wasn't sure if Melody knew of Soos's absence of his own father so she decided not to bring it up. "Hey, Melody," Mabel hesitated for a moment but continued, "have you seen either of my Grunkles around?" Even asking the question sent a flare of pain up her leg. Mabel bit back the gasp of agony and shifted her weight to her good leg.

Melody shook her head with a shrug. "No, I think they're exploring the Bermuda Triangle for the Kraken or Megalodon. I'm not entirely sure which but Soos would know." Just as the words left her lips, her entire face seemed to light up in pure joy.

Mabel turned around to see Soos hurrying over to them, having finished his tour and finally noticing his visitor. He pulled Mabel into a crushing hug, not letting go until a couple of rapid pats on his shoulder. The older Pines twin struggled to stand after the hug but managed to find her footing. "Hi Soos," she greeted, not sure of what to say.

"Dude, I haven't seen you in like, what, five years?" Soos said, some of his happiness slipping away from his face. "Your letters stopped coming in a year ago too. Did that werewolf mailman steal them?" Soos tried to joke but his sadness leaked into his voice. Mabel was reminded of a kicked puppy but she knew deep down that not having any contact with the people of Gravity Falls and her family was for the best.

"Sorry about that but hey, the Mabel train is back in station!" she said with a small grin. "I'm actually staying here for a while too so we can hang out like we used to." Soos was appeased with the promise and Mabel breathed a sigh of relief. A hand reached up to rest over where her journal was hidden away. "Melody said the Grunkles should be back in a month, right?"

The new Man of Mystery nodded. "Yeah, they're searching for the Kraken in the Bermuda Triangle. Mr. Ford thinks that if the Kraken exists, then that's where it would be hiding." Soos scratched the back of his head, his hat moving precariously forward. Melody leaned over and gently pushed the hat back to its rightful place before it fell over. Soos smiled in gratitude for the gesture. "He said that it would explain why people keep disappearing in the area."

"Well, they can handle it for sure," Mabel offered, seeing the concern Soos had for her Grunkles in his eyes. He really was the sweetest person she knew. Melody was very lucky to have him. "I found something that Grunkle Ford might find really interesting."

Soos played with his bow tie as he glanced up to where the attic was. "Hey, if you don't have anywhere else to stay, you can live in the attic and wait for Mr. Ford and Mr. Stan to come back." He gestured to Melody's bulging belly. "You can help us take care of the baby once it's born too! I know how much you love babies."

Mabel grinned at the offer but shook her head. "Sorry, but I already have a room at the motel just outside of town. Besides, I think the attic is a bit too small for me now." It was a lie, she could have easily lived in the tiny space for months. She owned little, just what she store in the saddlebags of her motorcycle. But it was better if not a lot of people saw her face around town. It might send word to a certain someone who Mabel would rather not see at the moment.

The twin stiffened as she felt something stab into her back. "No sudden movements," the person behind her said slowly and with authority. The voice sounded familiar but Mabel didn't try to place it. She reached down and felt the handle of her knife. "Put your hands where I can see them," the mystery person continued. As quick as a flash, Mabel whirled around and tackled the person, jerking her knife out of its holster. She ended on top and pressed the blade to the person's throat, not using enough force to cut the flesh but any quick movements would nick the skin. Mabel stared down at Wendy who had her hands raised up in defeat, her eyes wide in alarm. "Whoah whoah there tiger! It's me!"

Mabel released her held breath and got off of Wendy, sheathing the knife once more. She offered a hand which Wendy accepted to help her up on her feet. "Don't sneak up on me like that," she muttered. If there was one Gravity Falls resident she didn't want to see, it was the redhead girl. She tried to ignore the immense pain in her leg. Mabel must have reopened the wound. Just great.

Wendy looked hurt for a moment before cooling her features. "Sorry man, I was just pulling a prank. I would never arrest my favorite Pines twin." Her eyes flashed down to where the knife was once again hidden. "But I do need to ask if you have a permit for that weapon."

It was then that Mabel realized that Wendy was wearing a sheriff's uniform. The older girl even had a sheriff's hat, although at the moment it was lying on the floor. "You're a cop!?" Mabel all but screamed. A vibrant blush spread across her cheeks as several tourists turned their heads to look at her.

Wendy laughed and fingered her badge so that the light glinted off the metal. "Yep, I joined the man, man."

"When did this happen?" Mabel asked. She simply couldn't believe her eyes. Wendy was one of the last people who she expected to become a cop. Mabel would have pegged the older woman to take over her father's business or at least open a flannel shop.

Wendy's look turned dower as her eyes narrowed at Mabel. "If you came around more often you would know when." She realized that she was perhaps being a bit too harsh and bent over to snatch her hat off the floor. Wendy put on the garment without care and attempted to grin at Mabel. "How about this? We can catch up over a pint of beer, your treat. You are twenty one right?"

Mabel rolled her eyes with a nod. "I'm twenty five but yeah, I can do with a little liquid courage." Maybe it will help dull the pain, she thought to herself.

"Cool, hey I gotta go finish my route." Wendy made her way to the door. When she opened it, she looked behind her shoulder at Mabel. "Meet me at the Skull Fracture at eight. Don't be late!" She waved goodbye to everyone and left the Mystery Shack.

"She's been a sheriff for four years now," Soos said. Mabel turned to look at him. He coughed into his fist as he looked away. "She uh probably wanted to tell you that herself but I mean, dude, isn't that cool or what!? She rose up quickly in the ranks since she helps with," Soos looked around the three to make sure no one was listening, "you know who in the you know where." Mabel realized with a start that Soos was talking about the magical creatures of Gravity Falls. What exactly has been going on since she left this town? It's only been five years! "Who would have known someone that started out right here could end up there?" Soos finished.

Melody laughed and laid a hand on Soos's shoulder. "Hey now, you started out as a handyman and now you're the Man of Mystery." She grabbed his hand and held it to her stomach. "And soon, you're going to be a daddy."

Soos's eyes lit up at the prospect and bent low to kiss Melody's stomach. He grinned up at her with such joy that only Soos can show. "Yeah, and you're going to be a mommy."

Mabel smiled at the two of them, glad that they were so preoccupied with their love that they didn't noticed how her hand found its way to the hilt of her knife. She let go of it and pulled her jacket closer around herself. The magical creatures here weren't that dangerous, she faced far worse and survived. She cleared her throat to get their attention. "I should be heading out too, I have some stuff I need to unpack." And some protective circles to draw, she added silently.

"Okay, come around here when you get the chance though." There was a hidden desperation in Soos's voice that caused guilt to twist Mabel's insides. He was afraid that she was going to disappear, Mabel knew.

"I will, Soos," Mabel promised. She looked at the door that led to her freedom. "Can I ask you two a favor?" Both of them nodded eagerly. "Don't tell Dipper I'm here."

Soos looked confused, his eyebrows furrowed. "But, dude, he's your twin and twins should stick together." His eyes flashed down as he remembered that the Pines twins haven't been together for five years. His shoulders deflated and Mabel was again reminded of a hurt puppy. "Okay, I won't tell him you're here," he said, his voice showing how much he wanted to do otherwise.

"Thank you," Mabel said sadly. She turned and walked out of the Mystery Shack, just barely making her strides confident. She could only hope that she wasn't leaving a trail of blood behind. She straddled her bike and grimaced at how her leg protested the movement. Mabel bent down and pulled up the pant leg. Blood oozed from her sloppy bandage, staining her white sock pink. "Fuck," Mabel grumbled. She threw down the pant leg and kicked started her motorcycle, neglecting her helmet. How much more hurt could she possibly get?