Dipper's side
"Does Great Uncle Ford sit well by you?" Dipper asked as he sat by Ford.
"I don't don't know what to think of that," Ford expressed. "Out of anything, I never figured I would be anything this early but a son and brother."
Ford lowered his eyes as he spoke. He stared at his journal resting on his lap. "I guess I haven't been a very good one of either."
"If you don't mind me asking, why did you do what you did?" Dipper questioned. "Stan was left with nothing but his wits, which doesn't account for much. He didn't have money, or even the slightest clue on how to survive out on the streets."
"He should have thought of that before he ruined my future." Ford spat with bitterness before showing a hint of sadness at the end.
"Really, Ford?"
"No... I do feel remorse. Reading that journal you have with you; after everything you wrote, I couldn't chose whether I was still angry with him or not. I was pushed by anger and selfishness, which didn't help since I was so young at the time." Ford sighed.
"I-it's okay Great Uncle Ford. I'm not judging you as much as you think I am."
"Gee, thanks." He responded with a small smile. "So, how do I look as a 70 year old," Ford joked with a warm smile. "Do I at least have my hair?"
"Well, except for the wrinkles and obvious aging there's not a big difference." Dipper laughed. His lips creased into a smile as Ford's did the same. "But keep in mind I've only known the 70 year old you for not even a few hours."
Ford laughed before lowering his eyes and voice once again only to meet Dipper with saddened eyes. "Is he still harsh with Stanley?"
Dipper stared at Ford in confusion as he waited for Ford to explain.
"My older self." He said. "Is he still harsh?"
Dipper's silence answered his question as Ford buried his face in his hands. "I thought I was so smart. I thought I'd seen it all, but I'm no more than a fool."
"It's okay." Dipper comforted. "I can say the same thing about myself. I just wanna get home."
Ford glanced the the Dipper. The bill of his hat covering most of his features as he stared down. "Yeah, we should probably talk about that." He suggested.
Dipper looked up to meet eyes with Ford.
"I've been thinking about ways to get you home and I figured a number a problems." Ford said as Dippers heart skipped a few beats. "First of all time travel doesn't exist in this time. I read in your journal of a time machine you've used before, but I. could not find one on you. Any ideas?"
"No. My sister and I were fighting over it." Dipper explained. "The thing went off on us and that's why I'm here. How long have I been here anyway?"
"Almost two weeks. And that's another problem." Ford stood up and walked to his desk on the other side of the room as Dipper followed. Ford reached into a file cabinet full of loose notebook paper covered top to bottom in writing. "I've read the part about Blendan Blar Blar or whatever his name is, and it seems he has only been absent from his time for no more than a few days each visit. You, on the other hand, are aging in the past, which I don't know how drastic this could be once you return back home, for I know nothing of time travel. But this could alter your aging process; who knows."
"Wouldn't I just be older than I'm supposed to be?"
"I'm starting to think going back won't be the safest thing to do."
"No." Dipper insisted. "I've don't it before. It... It'll be fine."
"I don't know, Dipper."
"Well how else am I supposed to go back home. I can't live in a world where I'm not even supposed to exist!"
"Yes, Dipper. I know." Ford said calmly. He gave the papers to Dipper and let him read over it as he spoke. "Also, you may be returning back to a timeline in which you will already exist. That means there will be two of you, and if you come in contact, you could rip the fabric of time. Keep in mind that these are theories. Very educated theories. I could be totally wrong but they are precautionary. "
"So what am I supposed to do?" Dipper asked in defeat. It hurt his head to think of all the possibilities or all the caution he had to take. It was like an unsolvable jigsaw puzzle he was being forced to solve when all he wanted to do was rest.
"Well, if I can get a good look at how a time machine works I could probably somehow find you a way back." Ford paused. He walked to Dipper and put his six fingered hands on his small shoulders. "Look. We'll get you home. Okay?"
Dipper stared at the floor in silence. He finally looked to Ford's tired eyes.
"Okay."
"What're we gonna do?" Mabel said sitting next to Stan; both wet and cold.
The sun was slowly rising above the forested mountains. They had been sitting near the road for the night hoping cars would pass by and take them to the nearest town, but no such luck.
"I don't know." He replied. He heavily sighed and cupped his face in his large hands. "Everything's gone. My money. My car."
Mabel huddled in her still damp sweater. She felt around for her possessions when she noticed something missing. The time machine.
Mabel began panicking as Stan watched confused. "The measure tape; I lost it! Oh my god. It's gone!" She yelled pulling off her sweater. She shook the sweater watching as her grappling hook, a drawing, and cookie crumbs tumbled out of her pink sweater. But still no time machine.
"You talking about this?" Stan asked pulling a small item out of his pocket. He held out the damaged box Mabel was frantic for. Mabel quickly took I and looked it over. The device was soaked and a panel came off showing the inside and it's circuits. It seemed beyond saving.
"I saw it on the floorboards. I been wondering what it was." Stan explained.
Mabel stared at the tape measure holding it ever so delicately. "It's my way home."
"What?" Stan questioned.
"It's a time machine. It's how I got here, but now it's broken. That's why we need to get to Ford. I was hoping he could fix it and get me home."
Stan watched Mabel stare somberly at the device. "I'm starting to think I won't be able to."
"Okay." He quickly cut in standing up in a huff. "Let's go." Stan began walking do the road.
"Go where?"
"Gravity Falls." He said turning to look at Mabel. "We need to get ya home don't we?" He held out his hand, which Mabel gladly took with a smile. After all that had happened, he still hadn't given up on her.
Stan looked back to where the car crashed. The rails on the road completely damaged as the tires' skid marks left on the road as the only evidence of what happened. The car, completely subducted under water with his the contents of his life inside. Everything was beyond saving.
Stan continued down the roading leading Mabel in his hand.
Now it's all gone.
Except for Mabel.
I'm really sorry this chapter was hella short but it's all I was able to write in the time being. Anyway, I hoped you liked. If you're enjoying this story, please, write a review. I love to see your guys' thoughts.