The next morning, Stan and Dipper came downstairs to find Mabel and Ford still curled up on the chair sleeping peacefully together. They attempted to stay quiet while they made breakfast, so not to disturb them.

But Ford had always been a light sleeper, especially when he had something on his mind like he did this morning. He heard their footsteps and opened his eyes. He needed to talk to them, but he didn't want to wake the young girl who looked like she was finally getting some much-needed rest. With the greatest of gentleness, Ford lifted Mabel and himself up from the chair and laid Mabel on the couch. He gave her forehead a gentle kiss before heading into the kitchen.

"Morning, Grunkle Ford," said Dipper.

"Hey, Sixer. How'd everything go last night?" Stan asked as he poured Ford a cup of coffee.

"Alright…given the circumstances. She had another nightmare, but I'm afraid that might be an issue we deal with for a while. She was embarrassed, and..." Ford had a feeling that Stan wouldn't like what he was about to say.

"And?" Dipper and Stan asked in unison.

"I told her I would talk to you about possibly getting her a therapist."

Stan frowned. He never did trust those psychiatrist types. He had thought about going to one a few times during particularly tough times in his life. But Pines men were taught that only weak people sought out help for these type things.

But he didn't want to raise Dipper or Mabel that way. He wanted to do better by them. He didn't want them to look back on him after he was gone like he looked back on his own father. "If you think it'll help her, Sixer, I'll try anything."

Ford smiled at Stan. He knew this wasn't easy for his brother to pull himself out from under the thumb of their father's stubborn ways. His kids were more important to him than holding on to some old prejudice. In Ford's opinion, that made Stan a better man than their father ever was.

"Only problem is, I don't know where we are going to find one around here. Gravity Falls is a town full of loons and I don't think the doctors are an exception," Stan said, only partially joking.

"What about that oddly normal fellow, Tad Strange? He has a practice, doesn't he?"

"Well, yeah, but…he usually deals with teens who are acting out or adults having a mid-life crisis. I don't know how good he is with…real stuff. You know? I mean, Mabel's not just an angsty kid cutting class or whatever, she's been traumatized." Stan had to pause after that statement to let the sting set in. It killed him that he wasn't enough to help Mabel. He hated having to depend on outside help just to keep his poor niece mentally stable. He desperately wished he could put a bandage on this and make Mabel suddenly better. But he couldn't.

"We'll get to judge him for ourselves anyhow. I promised her that we would both be with her when she went."

"Do you think he can help her?"

Both men looked at Dipper. He had been so quiet they almost forgot he was there. He had done nothing but listlessly pick away at his cereal while listening to both of them.

Ford looked sadly at his nephew. Neither he or Stan had been able to give him much attention even though this event had shaken Dipper up as well. Maybe Dipper could benefit from some therapy as well. "Dipper, would you like for us to wait for you to get out of school and we could all go together?"

"No, I'm ok. I just…I just want Mabel to be ok," said Dipper. "I don't want to make her wait the whole day."

Ford smiled at Dipper. When it had been decided that the twins would stay in Gravity Falls, the small selfish part of Ford was excited to have a young mind to mold and mentor. But when it came to being a supportive sibling, Dipper was the one teaching him every day. He put his hand on Dipper's shoulder. "You know, Dipper, Stan and I are both really proud of you. I know these past few days haven't been easy for you, but you've been so strong for your sister."

Stan nodded an affirmative. Dipper them a grateful smile. "Thanks, guys, that means a lot." Dipper looked at his watch. "I need to get going. Promise me you'll take care of Mabel?"

"You betcha, kid," said Stan. Dipper smiled before bidding them goodbye and heading out to catch the bus.

"You know, Stanley, we've got some great kids."

"That's because we're great uncles," Stan said with a prideful grin at his pun.

"Your jokes are as awful as ever, Stanley."

The two brothers sat in a comfortable silence, relishing some time to relax since the Stan called Ford two nights ago.

But their peace was short-lived. "GRUNKLE FORD!"

Recognizing the sound of their niece's panicked voice, Stan and Ford bolted from the kitchen so quickly that their chairs nearly fell over.

Ford knelt by Mabel's side and took her hand. "I'm right here, sweetie. I'm right here,"

"I…I woke up...and...and you were gone...I got scared again…I'm sorry." Mabel hung her head in shame at once again being frightened so easily and causing her family to worry.

"I was just in the kitchen, honey. You don't have to be scared. Stan and I are here.

Mabel furiously scrubbed her eyes, but it did little to mitigate her tears. "I'm sorry for acting like a baby."

"Mabel, honey, stop apologizing," Stan pleaded. He gently cupped her face. "Don't apologize for calling us if you need us. I want you to always call us whenever you need us. Promise?"

"Okay," Mabel said, calming down a little.

Stan used his thumb to wipe her tears off her cheek. "That's my girl."