Dipper stared at his sister. Her long hair was still pushed back by a headband but was up in a ponytail as opposed to hanging down like he remembered, she was wearing her old shooting star sweater, it still fit, although it was strectched slightly around her chest. She had become a beautiful yound woman, but Dipper couldn't help but doubt she was who she appeared to be, so he impulsively slammed the door in her face. The words Ford had drilled into his head seemed to echo through the room, "Trust no one." He didn't. He made it a point not to trust anyone. Maybe that was too much, but when had Great-uncle Ford been wrong? He ran to the lab, going down to the cage where his new (or old, depending on how you saw it) pet stayed.

"What is it, now?" the old being asked, one eye opening, revealing knowledge unknown by mortal men.

"Who is that!" Dipper pointed towards the door, though it was out of sight.

"What? Can't recognize your own family?"

Dipper merely glanced, used to the demons antics, "It is her. She's back."

"You really didn't recognize her, did you? That's sad."

Dipper ignored him, going back up and opening the door. She was gone. He had been excited to her, even if he seemed skeptical. Now, what? Would he just go back to the way things were before? Not speaking, not knowing if the other was even alive? He was jolted out of his thoughts by the door opening.

"Dipper! I have great news, we found a spring in the woods. It's like a mirror, but it shows you for who you really are!" Ford said, his newer assistant, Candy Chu, standing beside him, jotting notes in a notebook.

"You will want to see it, Dipper. It is very fascinating," Candy added, "besides, you spend too much time cooped up in here."

Ford nodded in agreement, "You really do need to get out more, I'm taking you on my next excursion."

Dipper did nothing, reminiscing on his adventures with his sister. The new dangers that awaited her. Oh, oh shit. She was defenceless out there! He had to save his sister.

Ford and Candy frowned, "Why are you so wound up?"

Dipper finally acknowledged them, "I saw Mabel. She's back."

Candy furrowed her brows, "What do you mean?"

"I mean I saw her. She came to see me."

"Well, where is she now?" Ford asked.

Dipper avoided meeting either of their eyes, "She left."

"What, why?" Ford replied, Candy stared at Dipper, anger apparent in her stare.

"I. . . I didn't know it was her. I went to check and she was. . . gone," Dipper said, sheepishly.

"We need to find her," Candy said, already at the shack's door.

"We really do," Dipper sighed.

"But where could she be? We need to approach this scientifically, she could be anywhere," Ford replied.

He was met with silence. All were sure she had changed throughout the years, none having heard from her in years. There was no way she would be at the places she used to frequent. Would she?

"What do we do?" Dipper muttered.

"We wait for her to come back," Ford reasoned, "if she came to see us, specifically you, Dipper, she wouldn't give up because of a minor setback. She's too stubborn for that."

The pair of teenagers nodded. That made sense, the two agreed. All that the trio had to do was wait. Not even five minutes later, they were becoming impatient.

"Well, looks like we should go out and look," Dipper said, already halfway out the door.

A reply of nodding and a "yes" sounded and they left. After all, science won't wait for you, you have to chase it.


Q: this was later then intended. Sorry. The Candy assistant thing actually came from a tumblr post. I can't remember who posted it though sorry! Enjoy