[AN, PLEASE READ: Hey Guys! TheTrueAmerican here! Hope you all enjoyed Christmas one way or another! But that's beside the point. I'm on vacation with the family, which is a bit unfortunate, because the next chapter is going to be absolutely Huge. I hope you enjoy this chapter, make sure to leave a comment, and also be sure to check out the poll on my profile! Can't wait to see who wins!]

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Mabel lay in her room crying. She couldn't get Dipper's words out of her head. She only knew, prayed more like, that her brother's trust in her hadn't been shattered. Dipper had looked angry, but she knew him better than that. He was completely heartbroken. Because of her keeping secrets. I… I did the right thing… didn't I…? she thought. I… I'm sorry Dipper. I'm so sorry…

Suddenly the door burst in, and Mabel nearly choked gasping on her own tears. Her eyes shot open, and standing there was a watery, blurry image of Grunkle Ford. Ford was holding something in his hands, and after wiping away her tears, Mabel realized it was a double barreled shotgun. She could see the crazed look in his eyes, and for a second Mabel was terrified that he was about to fill her full of lead.

"Where is he!?" Ford yelled, "Where's Samson!?" Mabel continued crying, both out of fear and regret, much to the alarm of Ford. He slowly rested his shotgun down on Dipper's bed, and tried to calm down. "Mabel, where is your brother? I need to find Sam, and Dipper may be the only one who knows where he is right now".

Mabel dried her eyes and took a breath, desperate for air after sobbing for so long. "I… I think..." Mabel stammered. Suddenly a look of realization came over her face. Looking Ford square in the eyes, she spoke with urgency.

"Get in the car".

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Earlier that day, Ford was keeping close mind on his work with the portal. When Sam had left the basement, he had almost missed his being there. Almost. Credit where credit was due, Samson was a genius. Running calculations like second nature, making sure the machine didn't go nuclear while the children were home, even catching mistakes in Ford's own work. He had to admit, Sam strongly reminded him of Fiddleford.

He sighed, and checked his journals. Sam's pages were filling up, but he still didn't have any solid evidence into what he was. Ford was fairly convinced that he was human, but there were just too many oddities about him to be any old Joe. Samson came from somewhere, and Ford was going to find it. One way or another…

He snapped back to reality, noticing a complication within the futuristic technology. The ionic capacitor beam is too unstable… he realized, I might have a refractory lens left in my study. Ford took the elevator up to the second floor, and unlocked the door to his personal room. He sought after an old cabinet under his desk, full of dust and cobwebs.

Ford smiled, and opened the cabinet, only to have the smile on his face disappear. Of all the jars and vials, the refractory lens was sitting right where he had left it thirty years ago. It was beyond his concern at that moment. His attention shifted to the top shelf of jars, marked 'DO NOT OPEN'.

One of the jars was missing.

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Back at the Northwest's mansion, Dipper breathed softly, caught in Pacifica's embrace. He could feel a cold, dark, sinful desire coursing through him, but resisted the temptation as best he could. Her warmth. Her touch. It was all so… perfect.

Pacifica was still crying in happiness. This was exactly what she had wished for, all she had dreamed of. She could see a life as Pacifica Pines. She didn't know how Sam had done it, but he did.

And she couldn't be more terrified of what came after. The price she had to pay, to the man who gave her everything. She had her entire world in front of her in a glass bottle. She simply prayed no one could ever smash it to pieces…

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Samson smiled in spite of himself. My lord, I haven't had wine this pristine since… he mentally trailed off. He looked at the shimmering glass in front of him, admiring the crystal clarity. He could make out his reflection in the wine. As well as…

Samson froze stone cold. He nearly dropped his beverage, but that would have brought too much attention. He slowly placed his quivering hand on the table, setting down the bright red glass. He retained his composure as long as he could muster.

"How long…?" Samson said trembling. He heard a light chuckle behind him, filled with sadistic glee. He could feel each perverse fingertip edge along his shoulder. "Why so curious… can't we just have a nice little talk… my old friend…" slithered a cruel and demented voice.

Samson turned; looking into those bright slit eyes once again. "You know we have nothing to talk about…" Sam said hastily. "Oh but I digress…" Bill replied slyly, "…we have plenty to discuss".

"You… you possessed an innocent man…" Sam said angrily.

"Well well well, look at mister big-shot over here! I thought we didn't care what happened to other people. And for the record, he was far from innocent. He was a wife beater and an abuser, who asked for nothing more than an obedient wife and a river of rum, and was more than happy to hand me the merchandise. When did you get all sentimental?" Bill laughed.

"You know when…" Samson replied, mournfully. He was stuck between a feeling of burning hatred, and undying guilt.

"Ugh, BORING! Honestly Sam, you need to get over her! She was collateral damage. Nothing I could have done. Why does one insignificant life have to come between partners?" Bill asked.

Sam nearly strangled him. "You know damn well why…" he fumed, "…And you know why I will kill you Cipher. Why are you here? If you wanted me dead, you would have killed me already. Spit it out" he said frustrated.

Bill merely laughed, "You're right there Sam! I don't want to kill you. I want to hire you…"

Samson scoffed, "What… Why on Earth would I ever work for you!?"

"Because Sam, you have things I want, I have things you want. That's how deals work, remember? I have to say, I'm digging Pine Tree's new threads. Really brings out his eyes…" Bill said coldly, "…You know I need that cloak. I know you want revenge. So I'll tell you what. You give me the suit, I give you the girl…"

Samson's heart skipped a beat. "You… You're threatening to kill me?" he asked not so much afraid as he was intrigued.

"What? No you dimwit, I've been in existence for over a billion years, you think I don't know a thing or two about necromancy?" Bill said with a demonic smile.

Samson simply stared into his yellow eyes for what seemed like ages. This… This could be it… he thought to himself, This is better than vengeance. This… This is what you want… isn't it?

And then Sam knew his answer. The things he needed to do. Protecting his friends. Sam sighed… and spoke softly, "No."

Bill looked at him, almost hurt, and took his hand off of Sam's shoulder. "I am sorry… my old friend. About her. But one day, you will realize… I'm not the only one here who's damned…" he said bitterly. As he walked out the bustling room, Bill turned. "Sam… If you can ever find what you are looking for… pray I don't find it first. Because if I do… you won't live long enough to see it…"

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