Author's note: This is going to be a short fic but I'm happy to see that you guys liked it. Thank you so much for the reviews and so, we move on. I hope I can keep up with this one! Let's go!

2. Land of Giants

Day breaks over Gravity Falls and the daily tune in the Mystery Shack goes back to its usual engines. Stanford hasn't move from the basement and Stanley is checking on his customers. The twins are upstairs. Wendy is in her usual spot with Soos, attending the cash and they can feel that something's off today. Mr. Mystery seems grumpier than usual.

"Can you two stop looking at me as if I was going to fall dead?" Stan grumbles.

"Oh! Sorry, Mr. Pines. It's just that, well" Soos stutters.

"You seem as you have step on a rattlesnake, dude" Wendy finishes the line.

"Am fine. Get it?" the old man shakes his head.

"Something's bothering you" the young woman is not stupid.

"None of your concern. Now, where are those kids? They should be here by now"

"Morning, Grunkle Stan!" Mable is the first one to come down.

"Morning! Where the heck is the squirt of your brother?"

"Upstairs. I think he's looking for one of his socks" the girl snickers. "He has put his whole bed upside down! Perhaps I can tell him the Fox story. That might help"

"Nah! There is enough weirdness in here to add that bushy tail" Stan walks towards the stairs. "Hey, is breakfast time, kiddo! C'mon down this instant!" no answer. "Dipper!" nothing. "What's with this lad today?" he walked up and opened the door. The boy had rummaged through all his room. "Dipper!" the scream makes the little one jump. "What are you doing? We are all waiting for you… and my brother, but that's a different story. What is taking you so long?"

"I bought something for Grunkle Ford yesterday and I can't find it" the boy looks below his pillow. Stand rolls his eyes. He has accepted that Dipper likes hanging with his twin but perhaps, is not such a good idea to let him get involved so much.

"Dipper, I'm happy that you two get along so well but you can't be his Igor. His research is dangerous, he told you himself"

"I know, I know but, please…"

"…." Sigh. Stan then notices a scientific magazine hidden under the many layers of papers and clippings that Dipper has. In the front page, a large snake with something on his head that resembles an island and a headline: "The Land of Giants. Myth or Fact? Dr. Grace Marlow's great revelation at hand". Stanley blinks. He knows that name. That woman used to be Stanford's colleague in his project to study paranormal phenomena. Is she still alive? Apparently yes. The Institute of Mythology, Xenobotanics and Universal Parapsychology of Sacramento is still active and running

"Yes, that's the one! Thank you, Grunkle Stan!" the boy is really happy to see it.

"You read this?"

"Of course! They study the real facts that appear in legends and work in space research from time to time"

"They look like ghost busters to me" Stan looks at it before giving it to the boy.

"In the beginning, yes but since Dr. Marlow took over, they have revealed similarities between cultures that never met and the importance of the language in…"

"Ok, ok. I get it. Now let's go downstairs and fetch Ford" the old man leads Dipper to the kitchen where everyone's waiting. Even Dr. Pines has decided to join in but Stanford seems to be in a hurry, again. He must be with something big in his research or just trying to avoid his twin… just like he has done the days before. "Morning"

"Morning" mumbles the doctor. Stanley sits down and opens a newspaper.

"Morning!" the boy comes in with a smile.

"Morning, Dipper!" Ford raises his eyes. "What do you have there?"

"Oh, something I wanted to show you" the child gives him the magazine. The scientist reads the headline and blinks in surprise. "Oh, my! It-It's Grace! I-I thought she would have changed the project after I disappeared"

"Look like your girlfriend finally made it to the front page, pointdexter!" Stan snickers.

"Very funny"

"Wait! Change the project? You know her?" Dipper winks.

"Know her? Along with Fiddleford, she was the only person in Backupsmore University who shared my interest in paranormal phenomena. Grace is a caring and head-strong woman. When she found out, I had six fingers in each hand, she didn't reject me. She has an uncanny love and respect for all things out of normal"

"She sounds great! I have read a few articles from this institute in the past years" the boy smiles.

"I wish I could talk to her. She probably believes that I died" Ford sighs. "I always wanted to invite Grace to Gravity Falls and show her my research"

"Oh! So, she really is your BFF! That's great, Grunkle Ford! I'm sure that when she hears of you, she'll come and you two can…" Mabel is getting a love vibe but her brother cuts in.

"Do you have her address or something?"

"No, I wish" Stanford stares at the photo of the lab with deep sadness. "Anyway, I have talked long enough. Back to work for me!" he gets up and coughs hard. "God" they all look at him.

"You all right?" Dipper helps him lean.

"Am ok, don't worry. Just a little cold. It's normal when you enter a new universe or galaxy, even if it is your own" Ford brushes away the young man with a smile but he notices Stan's eyes on him. Is he really concerned? "Well, give me a shout at lunch" the scientist walks back to the lab, carrying the magazine with him.

"We will"

"…" Mr. Mystery goes quiet and waits until he's gone.

"Grunkle Stan, do you…?"

"I knew Grace for a short while. And I was hoping to never hear of her again"

"Why?"

"She reminded me that it was my fault my brother disappeared" he snorts.

"Am sure she never wanted that, Grunkle Stan. If she loves Ford, then she probably likes you too" Mabel being positive.

"I don't think so. Well, you two have things to do today so try bringing me something I can sell" Stan is need of new attractions for the shack. "Don't stay out for too long and we're good but be sure to come back with my new profit maker"

"Ok" they both nod.

Meanwhile, Stanford is reading the article. Grace did open her paranormal web worldwide after all and seems happy with her new job. There's an email address attached but Ford isn't sure if Grace will want to hear from him again. All they ever did was dream on a project to find out the truth about unnatural phenomena. Perhaps she has no need of him or worse, she has forgotten all about him.

We all saw that Ford wasn't good with girls but I believe that not all of them dump him.

Stand and his twin are still giving each other the cold shoulder, not wanting to really discuss about their fight.

More to come!