a/n: update yay! I'm so sorry this update took so long but I hoe everyone is still interested in the story because I promise I still am! I'm still working on getting my footing with this story but I very much enjoy writing it! I don't know exactly how fast this story will go but in typical me fashion it probably won't go past at most 15 chapters and probably not even that many.

I'd also like to say sorry for this chapter as the readers that are here purely for dipper/pacifica cuteness, this chapter focuses more heavily on the plot and introducing Gideon as a secondary character which is really fun for me because I like him a lot and never know how to put him in my stories! But he has found a good place here and will most likely be more of the comedy in the story (along with maybe one other character I have yet to talk about…) and fair warning to those here for dipper/pacifica, this story is ALSO more a Dipper story considering he needs to adjust to a whole new place and possibly patch up some other relationships besides Pacifica.

Third apology for talking so much in the a/n. anyway! Enjoy this chapter and leave a review if you enjoyed! Thank you!

The Mystery Shack stayed quiet this summer Sunday morning. It seemed to Dipper no one was awake yet, something he was somewhat happy about.

He poured himself some of Stan's favorite generic cereal and went through his thoughts, something he had been doing a lot lately. This world was so different from his. Mabel tells him inside jokes he has to pretend to understand, Stan barely says a word to him, and Pacifica had no idea who he is. Well, she has some idea now but considering all he shared before with these people, they hardly know him. He soon realized he didn't just lose Pacifica, but lost connections with well…everyone.

He flipped the TV on and started watching Ducktective (luckily his never dating Pacifica didn't interfere with the show's episodes) and munched on his cereal. He felt discouraged and frankly, depressed. This Dipper, the one who lived in this timeline, seemed too serious and so alien to him. Mabel had said more than a few times that he was acting strange, that he usually didn't talk this much or take his face out of his book. However, she seemed happy he was more willing to go along with her antics. Did that Dipper not know Mabel needed him to be silly sometimes?

"Dipper!" A voice shouted from the doorway.

Dipper nearly fell out of his chair as his Great Uncle Ford appeared. "Grunkle Ford? Where have you been?" The teen nearly assumed Ford moved out as he hadn't seen him once this entire time.

"'Grunkle?'" Ford laughed. "Why, you haven't called me that in a while…" He slightly smiled to himself. "I was downstairs working on our project. The one you didn't show up to help with last night."

Dipper blinked twice. "Right…our project. I'm sorry I was-"

"At a party with your sister. You know Friday nights we work on the project." Ford sighed.

"You're right. I'm sorry."

"It's fine, Dipper, seeing as this is the first time you've ever done anything to hurt the project, I'll let it go. But, if you slack off like this at Stanford, they won't go easy on you."

"S-Stanford?" Dipper stuttered. This Dipper was going to Stanford?! "R-Right. You're right. Stanford…" He whispered and grinned. He would have never been able to get in to Stanford!

"Why are you smiling so big?" Ford narrowed his eyes.

"Why shouldn't I be smiling? I'm a Stanford University student!" He jumped up and spilled his cereal, laughing happily. "Grunkle Ford, this is…this is…"

"Weird?" Ford cocked an eyebrow.

"Amazing!" He hugged him tightly.

"Come on Dipper, you know the rules about too much hugging." He wiggled out of his grip.

"Grunkle Ford, don't pretend you don't love Mabel's famous hugs." He grinned.

"Mabel?" Ford questioned. "Why would she be hugging me? You know we hardly speak."

"What?" Dipper's face fell.

"Well, to be frank, Dipper, it's always been you and me and her and Stanley. Mabel doesn't seem to be interested in me."

"That's ridiculous, you guys are family!"

"I can say the same for you and Stanley." Ford sighed. "I'd rather not talk about this. I have some work to do." He stated and walked off with his hands behind his back, coat swaying behind him.

Dipper silently stepped down the street of Downtown Gravity Falls. Even in this timelines, not much to see. However, he didn't mind as he was mostly walking to clear his head. Adjusting here was seemingly impossible, just when he thinks it's starting to feel like home again, something or someone reminds him that this place is different. Yes, he got into Stanford University, his dream school, but Stan and him didn't get along and neither did Ford and Mabel. His once close-knit family was divided onto two teams, and he didn't feel at home on either side.

"Dipper Pines." A voice suddenly said, a voice he would know in any timeline.

"Gideon." He sighed. True, the kid had been much less of a pain in his old timeline, more an annoying kid that hung around every so often, but who knows? Maybe this Gideon was still an evil, cruel, heart-wrenching-

"Or at least, you look like him."

Dipper stopped in his tracks. What did he just say?

"I'm not exactly sure what you are, but you aren't any Dipper Pines I know."

Dipper spun around and faced Gideon. The now-sophomore was still as short as he was in the previous timelines. His hair, still it's famous white, however it seemed toned down a bit, as if he needed to re-dye it soon. He was in khakis and a blazer, not summer weather but Dipper assumed every version of Gideon dressed as he usually would. "What the hell are you talking about?"

Gideon gave a chuckle and stepped closer to Dipper. "Your eyes are telling me a terrible story. I see a lot of heartache, pain, suffering…"

"You aren't physic, Gideon."

"Hm. Prove it."

Dipper stepped dangerous close to the grinning boy. "I did prove it about five years ago."

"You and I both know deals with demons can change a whole lot." He smirked. "Let's talk somewhere private."

"The diner isn't exactly 'private', Gideon." Dipper rolled his eyes as he looked over the familiar menu.

"Ugh, am I supposed to talk you to some far corner in the woods? My outfit would be ruined." He huffed, suddenly losing his new 'edgy' personality. "I want answers."

"Don't we all." Dipper sighed. "So, you made a deal with Bill for real physic powers, I assume?"

"Absolutely."

"What's the deal? What are you doing for him?"

"It's a secret. Really, it's a part of the contract." Gideon assured. "Not that I would tell you anyway, Pines."

Dipper let out a huge sigh. "This is a waste of my time then."

"Don't get up." Dipper suddenly found himself glued to his seat, unable to move an inch. He glared at Gideon. "Another perk." He grinned. "I can't exactly read you…" He began. "Like I said, you aren't Dipper Pines but now the question is, who are you?"

Dipper glared at him for a few seconds before scoffing. "I am Dipper Pines. Different timeline, same person."

Gideon released his grasp on Dipper. "Why are you here? You are from a bad timeline?"

"Yeah…" Dipper said quietly, remembering Pacifca's dead body all too well. "I made a deal to come here to save someone."

"Mabel?"

Dipper shook his head. "…Pacifica Northwest."

Gideon blinked a few times and began giggling then full-out laughing loudly. "P-Pacifica Northwest!?" He laughed some more. "Why would y-you make a deal with..B-Bill for that brat?"

Dipper crossed his arms. "It's not funny. We were together in my timeline, and she's not a brat!"

Gideon chuckled some more. "Wow, this Dipper Pines is a liar too!"

"I'm not a liar!" Dipper mentally slapped himself; he always seemed to act like a child when it came to Gideon. "It's the truth."

"Pacifica Northwest, no version of her, would ever even consider-"

"Going out with me? Well, we were together. Happily and willingly, might I add. Just ask your good friend Bill."

"I'd hardly call us good friends." Gideon rolled his eyes. "Fine, assuming I do believe you, what exactly is your plan here? This Pacifica will never take you back."

Dipper took a moment to think. "It's not about getting her back, she's alive, that's good enough. If by chance, I can get her back, it's a good bonus." Dipper took a sip of the forgotten glass of water that Lazy Susa left on the table. "So, you can't exactly read me?" He air-quoted. "Those powers only work sometimes?"

Gideon sighed and averted his gaze. "They work the best on my audience. I could tell something about you was odd, that's for sure, but pin-pointing the exact thing was what was troubling. Passing thoughts are the easiest to read. Secrets can be tough to crack."

"Audience? Tent of Telepathy is back?!" Dipper asked, very confused. "How the hell do people even trust you again after your criminal record, dude?" Dipper smirked at the memory of Gideon being escorted into a police car.

Gideon crossed his arms and glared at Dipper. "I can read what you're thinking now. And even if I couldn't it's all over your face. So quit it." He kept his close glare. "The people of this town are idiots, if you haven't noticed. They believe the Mystery Shack is the real thing, so why wouldn't they believe a real physic like me?"

"Because you're a criminal." Dipper reminded him.

"Not anymore!" Gideon slammed a fist on the table, causing other customers to look over and stare. He cleared his throat. "I'm rehabilitated. Everyone loves a villain gone good."

"But you aren't-"

"Dipper Pines, the town's nerdy shut-in, yep, everyone will believe you."

"What's with this shut-in stuff anyways? I was never like-"

"You aren't. He was. You're him now, so that means you are. Makes sense, ivy league?" Gideon smirked. "Really, it's quite cruel. I almost feel sorry for you."

Dipper rolled his eyes. "Yeah, well I don't need your pity anyways. I need information, Gideon." Dipper folded his hands on the table. He had been waiting for someone who knew his situation, he was half hoping Ford would be able to see, but alas, his luck was seemingly never good.

Gideon laughed again. "I gain absolutely nothing from tellin' you anything. Make me a deal."

It was Dipper's turn to smirk. "This Dipper" He muttered, referring to himself. "Learned the hard way about not recording suspicious conversations with shady characters." He said slowly raising a tape recorder and grinning wildly, playing back. "The people of this town are idiots, if you haven't noticed." Gideon's voice replied.

"Ohhh…" Gideon sang, smiles a little himself, almost proudly. "You are going to be a problem."

"Damn right." He set the recorder back in his jacket. "Preston Northwest said some choice words to me quite a few times; I still regret ever getting a recording of that guy." He turned back to Gideon. "What do you know about my family? As in, relationship wise. Something weird is going on. Nobody gets along like they did."

"Well, it's no secret Ford prefers his precious apprentice over his niece." Gideon muttered. "Stan and Mabel stick together due to you and Ford being so distant. Or so I hear or rather see." He muttered.

Dipper blinked, realizing his words. "You read Mabel's mind?"

"L-look, it's uncontrollable sometimes. It might have to do with her meaning something to m-me in the past. I'm not sure." He stuttered and blushed.

"Great." Dipper huffed. "So…Mabel and I…"

"Well, she doesn't hate you." Gideon reassured. "It's just…she's wondering what happened."

"Yeah…me too…" Dipper muttered. "Ford mentioned some type of project. Know anything?"

"Ford's mind is harder. Luckily, it was in the news and got you your fancy scholarship. You guys are remaking that portal."

"Ford's portal? The highly dangerous portal?!" Dipper yelled, causing more customers to look over before he sat back down. "How can that happen?"

"Look, I don't know what's going on in his mind. He's trying to prove the multi-universe theory with the portal. And so are you apparently."

"That's insane. He knows that place is dangerous…"

"He's insane. He barely leaves that basement at all. The only time I even saw him since…I don't even know when, was when the news interviewed you two."

Dipper's ears perked up. "Do you have the segment?"

"What are you doing?! Take your shoes off, you animal." Gideon motioned at Dipper's feet. "Do you enter your own home like this, Pines?"

Dipper sighed and kicked his shoes off. "Just get the segment up, Gideon."

Gideon scoffed and flicked on is TV and went to his DVR. "Dad likes to save the news broadcasts. I'd say luck is on your side." He hit play and the TV took a moment to began playing.

"I'm Shandra Jimenez reporting live outside the Mystery Shack, just moments before Stanford Pines and his great nephew Dipper Pines appear outside to be interviewed. The Uncle-Nephew duo have been recognized by the U.S. government recently for their work involving alternate dimensions and have gained funding by the government to continue their promising research." Shandra stated. "The two have been said to-there they are!" She cut herself off and ran towards the front porch of the Mystery Shack along with dozens of other reporters. Ford and Dipper stood on the porch, looking professional and not bothered by the flashing lights.

The reporters began shouting questions at the two before Ford pointed at one and waited for the crowd to calm down. "Mr. Pines, you have said before you have entered an alternate dimension, is this true?"

Ford cleared his throat. "Yes, I spent many years away in an alternate dimension. Although my mode of transportation was at first damaged completely, my nephew and I, with the government's support, are repairing the broken portal and hoping to prove the multi-universe theory to the world." Ford concluded and picked out another reporter.

"A question for Dipper Pines, you have recently been given a full ride to Stanford University, do you plan on accepting the invitation to attend school there? If so, how will you further work on this project?"

"Although I have been offered to attend many Ivy League schools, I plan on accepting the admission into Stanford University. The school has noted my research is important and has agreed to help further the research in any way they can."

Dipper eyed himself on the screen. The boy on the screen looked dead tired and tremendously bored. Dipper was shocked, he would be covering his eyes and shuddering like an idiot, and yet this boy kept his cool. He even sensed a bit of boasting in him. "Who the hell is that…" He muttered to himself, keeping his eyes locked on the screen. "That isn't me. That isn't who I am." He stated before Gideon got a chance to speak. "This is all too…"

"Weird." Gideon finished, staring at Dipper himself now. "You…are really different. However, it seems to be for the best. You do seem more enjoyable than this asshole."

"Hey! I mean…thanks?" Dipper sighed. "I don't know." He stood up. "In any case, thank you Gideon, you're the only one that could give me information and you did."

"You blackmailed me." Gideon deadpanned.

"But I'm apparently 'more enjoyable' than your Dipper." He grinned. "Just because I played dirty doesn't mean you don't deserve thanks." He tossed him the tape from the recorder. "I'll see you later."

Gideon caught the tape just in time and stared at it. He only looked up when he heard his front door shut and found himself alone in his home.

Dipper was in town again, purposefully avoiding the Shack in fear of Ford asking him too more questions and finding out too much. He wasn't opposed to telling Ford, however, it was too early for him to even think properly himself, and one person finding out his secret today was enough. He sat at a local coffee shop, staring into his coffee.

"I'm sorry, we're closing now." Dipper heard a voice say to him. He looked up and saw a server putting on an upset face.

"Right. Sorry about that." Dipper nodded, picked up his belongings and left the shop. He couldn't believe how dark it had got. He looked up at the stars, which always looked beautiful in the Gravity Falls sky. He smiled warmly at the familiarity and the felt his eyes begin to prick with tears.

"Do you always stare off into space like that?" A voice called out to him, making him jump slightly. Pacifica wore a small smile, which only grew when she noticed the scare he got.

He sniffed and quickly wiped his eyes, smiled back. "Bad habit. Do you always take late night strolls?" He, however, knew the answer. Pacifica was a night owl, not as much as he was, but one to prefer the stars to the clouds.

"On nights like this." It was her turn to admire the stars. "The thing I'll miss most about this town is the sky. This clarity, it's rare to find nowadays."

He thought to himself about what he would miss most about this town and found himself looking right next to him at her. "It's beautiful."

Pacifica broke her gaze on the stars and met his. She looked slightly uncomfortable to find him looking at her intensely but only faltered for a moment. "Dipper…" She moved a piece of her from her face, she opened her mouth to say something then closed it again. "I heard you are going to Stanford. Congratulations. I can't believe I didn't know."

Dipper felt as if that wasn't what she originally meant to say. "Oh…thank you." He replied. "How…did you find out?"

"This afternoon, Gideon Gleeful called and told me during a conversation we had. He actually had a lot of good things to say about you." Pacifica remarked. "I've been friends with him since his freshman year, he's really an…odd person but…there's something about him. He's quite a showman."

"I agree." Dipper chuckled. "So, you really believe he's psychic?"

Pacifica waved her hand in the air. "I'm insulted you think I do. He's got something up his sleeve but a genuine psychic? I doubt it."

Dipper smiled warmly at the girl. "I suppose you're right. It does seem far-fetched, but in this town…"

"Anything's possible." She finished.

"Anything?" He replied and smiled that same smile at her once more.

Her cheeks turned pink and she looked down. "You know," She said softly. "The more you stare at me like that, the more convinced I am you're in love with me." She gave a small grin.

Dipper laughed a little and purposefully smiled at her again. "Anything's possible."