Stan instantly rushed to grab a gun. Mabel tried desperately to take deep breaths, but she was positively terrified at the thought that Brad could possibly be out there. Ford held her protectively in his arms. Dipper headed out to follow Stan.
"Dipper, stay back. I don't want you getting hurt," Stan warned.
"If it's Brad out there, he's the one who's going to get hurt," Dipper said ready to attack without any regard for his own safety.
"Stay here," Stan said with such parental authority that even Dipper was hesitant to disobey him. Stan softened slightly. "Guard your sister for me, okay?"
Dipper conceded and went over to Mabel putting firm hands on her shoulders.
A few minutes later they heard a gun fire. Mabel buried her face into Ford's sweater. Dipper hugged his sister and even though he was scared, tried to use his own body to shield Mabel. Ford put his arms protectively around both children preparing to defend them if Stan missed his target.
They all held their breath until they heard something they didn't expect: Stan laughing. They both exchanged weird glances at each other, what on earth was going on? They decided to investigate, they came outside to find Stan shining a flashlight on a handsome blonde-haired boy digging through their trash.
"Deep Chris!" Mabel exclaimed, happy to see one member of her beloved pet boyband.
"What's up, Mabel, girl? Don't mind me. It's my turn to get dinner for the guys! They miss you by the way!" The boy said as he grabbed the pizza box, which actually had a few slices left over to his delight.
"I miss you guys too! How's outdoor life?" Mabel asked she had to admit that seeing him had given her more joy than she had in several days.
"Fantastic, Yo! We get to hug all the trees we want! And the woodland critters love our music!"
Mabel smiled. "You know, if you guys start making music again you could have money to buy your own food and shelter and stuff!"
The boy thought for a minute, "Make our own music? Like by ourselves? That's brilliant, Mabel, girl! You always come up with the best ideas!"
"I know," Mabel said feeling more confident than she had in a while.
"Alright, alright, take your food and get out of here!" Stan shooed the boy off to the woods and yelled after him. "And keep it quiet next time, why don't you? Nearly gave me a heart attack, you darn gorgeous man!"
The four of them looked at each other and for the first time in days had a good, genuine laugh. Annoyed as Stan was to have to chase away beautiful men from his property he had to admit that it felt good to forget about their troubles for just a moment.
The four of them headed inside, it was getting late, so Stan suggested they get some sleep. After all, they didn't know what tomorrow would bring in regard to Brad and the trial, so they needed to prepare for anything.
"Dipper I have a huge favor to ask you, prepare yourself, I know I have asked for a lot of favors in my life, but this is a big one," Mabel said fiddling with a loose strand of hair.
"Anything, sis." Dipper wanted to help her any way he could.
"I...I don't feel safe going to school until the trial is over. Durland made it sound like it would be really soon. So would you bring me my homework until then? It will be good for me to have something to work on besides having to stress over the trial all the time. I just don't want you to think I'm...being lazy," Mabel confessed.
"Mabel, no one thinks you're being lazy. Our teachers know what's going on and they understand. I promise to bring you all the work., and while I won't do the homework for you-"
"Darn!" Mabel joked with an exaggerated snap of her fingers.
Dipper chuckled. "I will help you however I can, I promise."
"Alright, then it's settled," said Ford. "Stan and I will stay and help Mabel with the schoolwork and trial prep, we'll have to meet with a lawyer at some point, but we can cross that bridge when we get to it."
"I'll keep the shack closed this week."
"Aw, Grunkle Stan, the whole week?" Mabel felt guilty about Stan losing a week's worth of income because of her."
Stan dismissed it with a wave of his hand. "Place never brings in much business the first week of November. Everyone's getting over Halloween and there aren't enough Thanksgiving novelties for me to market to the suckers. If anything, I'm probably saving money!"
Mabel smiled at him. She knew Stan how much Stan loved money, but it made her happy to know he loved her more.
"So, what are the sleeping arrangements for tonight Mabel?" Ford asked, "We will do whatever you want."
Mabel took a deep breath, "I...I want to try to sleep in my own room tonight…with Dipper of course!"
Her family smiled at her, they knew it wasn't easy, but they were so proud of her for fighting to get her old life back after Brad senselessly took it from her.
Once in their room Dipper worked to make it as comfy as possible. Sitting Waddles on the bed and moving the bed closer to his own. He offered her Princess Loveacorn, but after her experience with the unicorns this summer she didn't want much to do with it.
Dipper flicked off the lights and for a while they lay in a somewhat comfortable silence until Mabel closed her eyes and drifted to sleep.
Outside the door, Ford was surprised to see Stan staked out in front of the door with a small gun in his hands.
Ford managed a laugh, "Honestly, Stanley, I think you missed your true calling as a secret service member."
"Yeah, yeah, laugh all you want. I don't care. I don't want to leave her. Especially with him out there and not in a cell...makes me sick."
Ford sat down outside the door and motioned for his brother to do the same, "I know Stanley, but we are both here to protect her. And even without me you managed to save her life the other night," Ford said laying a six-fingered hand on his shoulder.
"Yeah...but...but it was my fault he got in here in the first place, I should have checked the doors, but I didn't and he got in here and he almost..." Stan couldn't even finish.
"Stanley..." Ford pulled his brother into a one arm hug. "You're doing the best you can... you made a mistake, but please forgive yourself. I guarantee Mabel has."
"I just wanna do right by those kids. But I'm no good at this stuff, the emotional stuff, you know? Dad was never good at this stuff either."
"You are not Dad," Ford said firmly. "Those kids adore you, Stanley, and for good reason. I've seen how you are with those kids Stanley and you are a more loving and better guardian than father ever was..." Ford finally admitted out loud.
Stan looked at him in surprise, but gratitude. He didn't know how badly he needed to hear that. He smiled and managed to relax his muscles slightly. Soon the two brothers were asleep as well.