So, I decided to update, because it's been way too long. Sorry, guys, college takes up a lot of your time. But, here it is! Pretty short, but I'm still working on the newer chapters, so this wasn't even due to be posted just yet.

Chapter Eleven

"We're here, Dipper, we're here!" Mabel chanted on the bus as it drove up to the Mystery Shack.

It had been three long years with the twins being on the brink of sixteen now. After Mabel's constant begging, their parents had finally allowed the wins to return to Gravity Falls. Well, it was Dipper they didn't want to let go of. He had just gotten a new dosage of medication and they wanted him closer to his doctor, but Stan had insisted he would take care of Dipper when they spoke on the phone.

"Don't jump out of the bus before it's had an opportunity to stop, Mabel," Dipper said. He was a bit nervous about seeing everyone again and hoped no one would ask him what had happened the last time he was there. The scar on his arm from years ago would be safely hidden in his sweater.

"Let's go!" Mabel exclaimed when the bus finally stopped. Over the years, Mabel had given up the sweaters for goofy looking shortalls and jelly bracelets. She also loved to wear mismatched striped stockings. Dipper knew she looked ridiculous, but Mabel was just that kind of person.

By the time Dipper got off the bus, Mabel had already attacked Stan with a hug on the front lawn. Stan was always more affectionate physically with Mabel.

"Hey there, slick," Stan said when Mabel finally let go of him and he caught a look at Dipper. "You went and grew up, didn't you?"

"Yeah," Dipper. He still felt badly for being such a jerk the last few days he had been in Gravity Falls before and felt uncomfortable around Stan after acting that way. "Look, Grunkle Stan, I'm…."

"You don't have to say it, kid," Stan interrupted. "I know." Dipper looked down to his feet after the pause. "Come on in, the gang's waiting." Stan grabbed Mabel's bag and led the two inside the gift shop of the shack.

"Soos, Wendy, you remember the kids," Stan said when they entered the gift shop. Dipper could see that Wendy was standing at the register and Soos was in the middle of fixing up the old vending machine. The two definitely looked older than the last time Dipper had seen them.

"Hey, dudes," Soos greeted. "You two sure aren't little dudes anymore."

"We're almost sixteen!" Mabel exclaimed. "At the end of the summer, we're going to have a huge party! The one we should have had." Dipper knew Mabel had been planning on them having an amazing thirteenth birthday party at the shack. He knew he ruined it.

"That's awesome," Soos responded. "I can help you with the decorations."

"Guys, it's only June," Dipper interjected. "We've still got a long way to go before even thinking about birthday parties."

"Dipper's right," Wendy added. "Right now, you guys have all summer to plan your party."

"Okay, enough chatter," Stan said suddenly. "You two go up to the attic and put your stuff away. Then you work."

Same old Grunke Stan, Dipper thought as the twins made their way to the attic, where they would be sharing a room like the last time they had been to Gravity Falls.

The two hadn't shared a room together since Dipper had gone to the hospital. While he was there, Mabel's things had been moved into the office of the house. Dipper had been unpleasantly surprised when he returned, but knew him and Mabel were getting older and needed their space. It was the reason sharing the attic with her now sounded so foreign.

"What do you think about being back, Dipstick?" Mabel asked as she set up her things on her side of the room. Her grappling hook, which had been left at the shack when the Pines family hastily left, was sitting on her bed. She gave a small smile.

"It's weird," Dipper answered as he set up his medication bottles on the nightstand. He had to take several medications to keep Bill at bay. He pulled the old hat he used to wear out of his bag and gave a sentimental smile. He put it on.

"Are you feeling bad now that we're here?" Mabel asked. She had been worried when Dipper said he wanted to tag along to Gravity Falls, but she fought for him to come with. She was always on his side.

"I'm fine," Dipper responded. "I'm just trying to get used to being here again. It's a little weird is all."

"Well, you can talk to me if you need to," Mabel said. "You know that, right?"

"Right," Dipper said with a nod.

"Let's get downstairs and get to work!" Mabel then exclaimed, and Dipper didn't understand how someone could be so excited to work. She gripped Dipper's hand and dragged him downstairs to the gift shop.

"You guys haven't been here in forever," Wendy commented when the twins entered the gift shop. "And you both tucked out of town pretty fast," she commented.

"Well, we needed to be home," Mabel said quickly. "Family emergency." Dipper didn't need to be reminded that he was the emergency that had caused then to leave.

"Well, I'm glad you guys are back," Wendy said. "Are you two going to do your mystery hunts again?"

"No," Dipper snapped suddenly. He cleared his throat. He had been pretty harsh. "Sorry, but we won't be doing any mystery hunts." He sounded much calmer that time.

"Oh," Wendy responded. "Guess that stuff can't last forever." Mabel placed a hand on Dipper's shoulder, but he shook her off.

"I'll be in the attic," Dipper said.

"Hey, you're working today!" Stan called, but Dipper was already out of sight. The man sighed. "How's he doing, Mabel?"

"I'm starting to think it was a bad idea to ask mom and dad for him to come."

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