By the time Ford arrived at the shack, all the guests had left. Ford was glad Stan and Dipper had gotten rid of them. He was grateful that the town was rallying behind Mabel in her time of need, but right now, Mabel was in no condition to put up with visitors.

When they entered the shack, Stan and Dipper were waiting for them.

"Sixer! Thank God! I was so worried," Stan said as he glanced at the drowsy girl resting in his brother's arms.

"Grunkle Stan...I'm...I'm sorry I ran away...I got scared…and I…" Mabel tried to explain in between coughs. She wanted to tell Stan everything: how dirty she had felt, how she had gone to the cemetery because she missed her parents, and how awful she had treated Grunkle Ford.

Before she could say another word, Stan gently lifted her from Ford's arms and gathered her into a tight hug. Stan's embrace eroded any desire to explain herself. All she could give was a hum of contentment as she let herself get lost in Stan's loving embrace. For the first time since the nightmare began, she felt happy. Happy to be safe in the arms of her family.

"Let's get you out of those wet clothes," Stan said as he carried her into the living room Dipper had already set out pajamas and plenty of blankets. Stan had even started a small fire for her in the fireplace.

Mabel excused herself to the bathroom to change. She regretted what she had done to Ford earlier. But all the same, she wasn't comfortable with anyone helping with the intimate act of changing her clothes. Ford gave an understanding smile indicating he felt no offense and wanted to respect her privacy.

When she emerged in her dry jammies, the whole family was settled around Stan's old armchair: Stan in the seat, Dipper on one of the arms, and Ford leaning against the side. She always had a special fondness for that chair. So many happy memories were made there. Perhaps a few scary memories too, but the chair was always there. It was a perfect symbol for the Pines family: small, worn out, and not perfect by any stretch, but it was always there when you needed it.

Stan motioned for Mabel to come sit on his lap. Mabel happily obliged. Stan and Ford wrapped her up in a couple of the blankets Dipper brought for her. She was content in her warm and cozy cocoon.

"I want to show you something, sweetie." Stan grabbed a pile of card that was on the table next to him and showed them to Mabel.

"What are these?" she asked.

"The people that came to visit left these for you," said Dipper.

Mabel was a little nervous about reading what messages her friends left her, still afraid they would express disgust with her. She took a deep breath and began to read.

Mabel, what Brad did to you was sick and wrong. I can't imagine what you must be going through. I know being the only girl in a family of guys can be frustrating. If you ever need some girl talk, or whatever, you know how to reach me. Love, Wendy

Mabel, you are the nicest girl I've ever met. You did not deserve to have something so horrible happen to you. I just want you to know that you're my best friend and I will be here with you. Love, Candy

I'LL KILL HIM! I'LL KILL THAT BRAD GUY! AND THEN I'LL BRING HIM BACK TO LIFE JUST SO I CAN PUNCH HIM OVER AND OVER AGAIN UNTIL HE'S DEAD! I WATCH DUCK-TECTIVE SO I KNOW HOW TO MAKE IT LOOK LIKE AN ACCIDENT! Love, Grenda

Mabel, that was totally messed up what Brad did to you. Don't let what he did get to you. He's always been the kind of guy who likes making other people feel bad so he can feel better about himself. You're not like that, though. You always want to make people feel good about themselves. Like you did for me when I was getting over Wendy and started dating Tambry. You healed my broken heart, and if you need me to, I'll try to heal yours. Hey, that would make great song lyrics! Stay awesome! -Robbie

Card after card contained nothing but supportive, heartfelt messages from the residents of Gravity Falls. By the time she finished the last card, she was wiping her eyes and sniffing loudly. She smiled at her family. Their spirits were lifted seeing Mabel look like herself again, with eyes that sparkled and an infectious smile that seemed to glow. That's when they knew that even though they had a long road ahead, Mabel would get through this.

They shared a few more smiles and laughs together until Mabel began coughing again. Stan instinctively wrapped her blankets more tightly around her and said, "Alright, I think it's time we all hit the hay."

"Agreed," said Ford. "And I think it would be best if you stayed home from school tomorrow."

"I'll stay home too," Dipper added.

"But, Dipper, you'll ruin your perfect attendance!" Mabel knew how much getting perfect attendance meant to Dipper. He's gotten perfect attendance since kindergarten. Cold, flu, stomach ache; none of that was enough to keep Dipper away. He had always dreamed of getting perfect attendance every year until he graduated high school.

"You're more important."

"Aw, bro-bro. It's okay. Go to school. I'll be fine."

"But-"

"Besides, I'll need you to tell me what I missed so I don't fall too far behind."

"Mabel…"

"Please, Dipper…" she looked at him with a pleading expression. "If you ruin your perfect attendance, it'll just make me feel worse."

Dipper looked at Stan and Ford for help, but they both just shrugged. Dipper sighed. "Are you sure you'll be okay?"

"Promise." Mabel crossed her heart. "Of course, you can always be a good brother and do my homework for me," she said with a playful grin attempting to lighten Dipper's mood.

It seemed to have worked as Dipper let out a chuckle and playfully shoved her. "Sorry, you're not getting off that easily, Sis."

"Okay then, Dipper, if you're going to school tomorrow, you need to get some sleep," said Ford.

"You need to get some sleep too, Mabel," said Stan. "You wanna bunk in my room again? Or sleep in your own room or what? Whatever makes you comfortable."

"Um, is it okay if I stay down here by the fire…you know, it can be kind of cold upstairs." Mabel had an ulterior motive for wanting to stay by the fire. She didn't want to sleep in a dark room.

"Sure, if that's what you want," said Stan. "You want me to stay with you?"

Mabel then said something that shocked all three of them. "Actually...I was wondering…Grunkle Ford, will you stay with me tonight?"

Ford didn't know what to say. When the day had begun Mabel was afraid to let him touch her. Now she trusted him enough to stay with her and protect her while she slept. He was so moved that he had to hold back tears. "Of course I will, pumpkin."

Stan and Dipper each gave Mabel a hug and kiss goodnight before heading upstairs. Ford sat down in the chair and opened his arms for Mabel to come onto his lap. Mabel laid her head on Ford's chest. Ford began stroking her hair. The soothing gesture was putting Mabel to sleep even faster. Her eyes fluttered with each caress until she finally surrendered to a peaceful slumber.

For a while, Ford simply watched her sleep. He continued stroking her hair despite the fact she was no longer awake to feel it. He was doing it more for himself now than her. Watching her sleep let him glimpse the innocence that he feared was lost forever when Brad attacked her.

Ford realized that Mabel could have lost much more than her innocence. She knew who Brad was. He hadn't covered his face when he attacked her and would have left behind a witness. That meant that more than likely, Brad hadn't intended on letting her live.

Ford held Mabel tighter trying to banish that horrible thought from his mind. Mabel was with him. Mabel was safe.

In that moment, he made a vow. He said it quietly, but still with steadfast conviction. "I'll always protect you, Mabel."

He hadn't expected a reply, but apparently, Mabel wasn't sleeping as soundly as he thought for she gave a small smile and whispered, "I know."

Ford smiled and kissed the top her head. He made sure her blankets were tucked tightly around her before closing his own eyes. As they two lay close to each other in front of the warm fire, the flicker of the flames melted away the emotional distance between them.