Thank you to DarknessLegends, Whiteling, Energy witch, BakuganNerd52, ImpossibleJedi4, Ella Le Hissy, Mosaic Mouse, Christina730, and Frostbite for your reviews of the last chapter.
Mosaic Mouse: At of now, probably not. I don't know how I would include her in the story. If you have any suggestions on how to bring her into the story, feel free to share them.
Ford woke around seven, fully rested, as he had gone to bed after tucking in everyone else who had fallen asleep in his home. He showered, dressed, and prepared a pot of coffee by the time Bill sauntered into the kitchen. His unruly hair stuck up in every direction. A stain of some kind sat in the center of his shirt. He rubbed at his eyes then greeted Ford with a sour expression.
The coffee was poured into a cup. Ford added two scoops of sugar then handed the steaming mug to his boyfriend. Bill scratched at his head while he sipped. He wrinkled his nose at the taste being bitterer than he would have desired. However, the warm beverage felt too good to pass up.
"Sixer, were we attacked last night, or somethin', 'cause I can't recall a thing," Bill said. He chugged the liquid before his tongue had the opportunity to taste its less than pleasant flavor.
"I'm not surprised," Ford answered. He turned his attention to the stove. Bill leaned over his boyfriend's shoulder and watched him flip the omelet.
Ford gasped when he felt Bill's arms around his waist, and nearly pressed his arms against the red burners.
"Watch out! Are you trying to get yourself burnt?" Ford asked when he pushed Bill off.
"No," Bill replied in a singsong fashion. Ford moved the pan to the backburner. "I just thought after you finished with breakfast, we can have a little bedroom fun before the kids get here." He then slapped Ford on the butt.
Ford greeted Bill with a lifted eyebrow. "Are you sure you're not still high?" he countered.
The two turned when they heard another pair of feet shuffle into the kitchen. Lazy Susan yawned and greeted the two with her face frozen in confusion. Her mascara had run down her cheeks, and a large red blotch from her lipstick stained her arm.
"Is that really the time?" the woman screeched when she set eyes on the clock. "I'm supposed to be at the diner in less than an hour!"
"I can drive ya," Stan said when he entered the kitchen. He scratched at his side, but woke feeling better than he had in a long time.
"Stan, don't look at me, I look a hot mess," Susan cried.
"Eh, if I'mma be lookin' at this the rest of my life, I better get used to it," Stan retorted.
Susan smiled. "Oh, Stanley, you're so romantic," she said with a giggle then playfully swatted him on the arm.
"Go on an' use the shower," Stan said. He winked and added, "I might even join ya."
"Oh, stop it," Susan replied with a laugh. She walked out the room to take advantage of her fiance's offer.
Stan looked over at his brother and Bill. Ford handed his twin a part of the omelet. Stan scarved it down and relayed that he would be picking the twins up at the main bus stop and treat them to lunch in town. Ford was taken aback by Stan's sudden generosity, but didn't say anything more on it.
Once Stan left to go dress Ford looked over at Bill. The blond picked through his breakfast, all the tomatoes and onions were piled up on the side of the plate.
"We have a little extra time, so I'll take your offer," Ford said. Bill looked up with wide eyes and a grin. "After you finish your breakfast," Ford added.
Bill sat his plate with the remaining half of the omelet on the floor in front of Waddles. The pig wasted no time lapping up the leftovers.
"All done, Sixer," Bill announced with a giggle. He grabbed onto his boyfriend's back. Ford caught his balance then carried Bill piggyback style to the lab entrance.
It was close to noon by the time Stan returned home with the twins. Bill, Soos, and Wendy heard Mabel's mouth before the door even opened.
The instant Soos set eyes on the kids he dropped his act as Mr. Mystery and abandonned the confused tourists to greet the thirteen-year-olds. Soos snatched Mabel up and spun her around twice. The sweater girl squealed, ignoring the fact she just ate an entire tray of chili fries on her own.
The laughing brunette was placed back on the floor. Soos turned to greet Dipper who appeared to have grown three inches since he last saw him back in March.
"Whoa, dawg, pretty soon you're gonna be taller than me," Soos asked then fistbumped Dipper. The male twin beamed in delight at the compliment.
Dipper turned towards the girl who had been the object of his affection the last summer. He felt slightly embarrassed on how ridiculous he had acted and how she had been able to hear his mumblings.
The boy slowly approached her. Wendy smiled at the fact that Dipper still wore the hat she gave him at last year's departure. He no longer looked like a scrawny kid, but a young man who would be starting high school come summer's end.
"So, Wendy, are you ready for another summer of mysteries and all out fun?" Dipper asked.
The redhead smiled, but then for a few seconds it switched to a look of sorrow. She quickly caught herself and nodded with a smile. After all it may be her last chance to enjoy the innocence of summer vacation, so she figured she should embrace it while it lasted.
At closing time Ford asked the entire crew to stay a few minutes later. The seven crowded in the living room where Ford usually hosted the family meetings. As he did the previous night, Ford filled the twins, along with Soos and Wendy, in about Caroline Avery.
Mabel gasped and slapped her forehead once Ford finished his piece. The others stared at the girl's unusual behavior.
"Oh, Grunkle Ford, I am so sorry," Mabel cried. "I forgot all about that."
"Wait? You knew about this woman?" Wendy asked.
"Kinda, sorta," Mabel said and pressed her two index fingers together while staring down at the table top. She forced herself to look up only to find six pairs of eyes glued on her. "Gideon told me over Spring Break, and I forgot all about it."
"Whoa. How did that runt know?" Stan questioned.
"Apparently she's been asking him questions about Bill and the...um...Weirdma-uh, the earthquake," Mabel answered.
"That doesn't make sense," said Ford. "Bill has no connection to Gideon." He turned to his boyfriend. "Do you?"
"Not since last summer," Bill answered. "He made two deals with me." Bill crossed his arms. "And both times he failed to deliver on his end of the bargain." The demon clenched his fist and mumbled, "Shoulda set fire to that boufant of his."
"Gidoen didn't forget like everyone else," Mabel explained. She folded her hands in the table and looked down in shame. "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to cause any trouble."
Ford sighed. "It's okay, Mabel," he said. The six-fingered hand patted her shaking one. "What we need to do now is find out what, if anything, Gideon said to Avery. I just hope he kept his mouth shut."
Mabel jumped down from her chair. She stepped into the other room to text Gideon. The Gleeful boy replied that he was currently eating with his family, but could be over in an hour's time. Mabel thanked him then returned to the kitchen.
"I've debated whether or not I should share this, but I think it's only fair that you all know," Ford said. "Bill and I have received confirmation that his old friends are planning to return sometime this summer, led by Kryptos."
"Oh him," Dipper groaned as he recalled how he used a spell to banish both him and Pyronica back to their dimension. He turned towards Bill and jumped up in his chair. "Do you have anything to do with this?" he snapped.
"No," Soos answered.
"I highly doubt it," Wendy added.
"I guarantee you don't have to worry about that," Ford said.
Bill scoffed. "There's nothing I want more than to burn that wannabe to a pile of dust," he answered. His fist exploded with flames.
The aquarium shook then the glass busted in seven spots. Stan yelled. He dumped the popcorn on the table then hurried to catch the axolotl in the now empty bowl he filled with leaking water.
"Dipper! Get a mop!" Stan ordered. He glared back at Bill who sat lost in revenge fantasies of what he planned to do to his once good friend.
Dipper returned to the kitchen with a mop in one hand and an empty metal pail in the other. The bucket thumped as it was placed on the saturated carpet. Dipper busied himself with collecting what he could from the carpet then wrung it out in the bucket. Meanwhile Stan and Soos hurried to patch the holes with duct tape.
Mabel and Wendy wrinkled their noses at the sight of brown water being drained into the bucket. Both girls wondered how long it had been since Stan last had the carpet shampooed.
"Dammit, Bill, I'm happy for ya wantin' to murder your friend and all, but don't take your anger out on my house," Stan spat. "Tomorrow I'm rentin' a steamer and takin' the money outta your paycheck."
"Whatever," Bill replied. He grinned as he imagined the many ways he could symmetrically slice Kryptos; a demon pizza didn't sound too bad. In that moment he hoped Kryptos made his appearance sooner than later, oh how he'd have fun, and none of the Pines would hold him back.
"Tomorrow I'm going to head out to the bunker," Ford said. "I believe there's something there that might be of use."
Dipper looked up from where he soaked up the water from the carpet. "Oh, can I go with you too?" he begged.
Ford was about to protest when he remembered that both of the twins had faced the danger before. It filled him with pride at how his niece and nephew (along with Wendy and Soos) used their brains to take down Shifty. He could only hope that the defeat didn't drain him of all his dignity that he would be unwilling to talk.
"Very well, you and Bill be ready to leave at nine," Ford decided.
Dipper glanced over at the redhead. The only reason they were able to enter the bunker last time was due to Wendy's cleverness.
"Can Wendy come?" Dipper asked. Wendy lifted her head. Dipper looked back over at the older teen. He rubbed the back of his head and added, "If you want to, that is?"
Wendy grinned and nodded. "I'd love to, man," the girl replied. Dipper fist pumped then went back to mopping up the excess water. Very little remained in the tank by the time Soos and Stan patched it up. Their aquatic pet would require a new aquarium, something else Stan planned to make Bill pay for.
Wendy leaned back in her chair with a sigh. She would definitely miss Dipper's friendship.
"How 'bout you two?" Dipper asked Soos and Mabel.
"Mr. Pines'll need me here," Soos answered.
"Yeah, we can't both bail on Grunkle Stan," Mabel replied. She marched over to her brother and playfully punched him in the arm. "You covered for me when I helped Grunkle Ford with Sprinkle."
Dipper thanked his sister with a smile.
Mabel and Soos hurried off to the linen closet to grab a few towels to help Dipper soak up the excess water. The axolotl was placed in a larger bowl. Bill watched the creature walk about the bottom of the bowl.
Twenty minutes passed. Soos and Wendy said goodbye to the Pines family before the two took their leave. Soos offered to drive Wendy home. Dipper sat at the living room table talking with Ford while Mabel watched TV with Stan while playing with Waddles. Bill stood in the kitchen preparing the evening meal.
The four Pines simultaneously looked up at the sound of knocking from the gift shop door. Mabel jumped to her feet and rushed to open it for her expected visitor with Waddles in tow. The door opened to reveal the chubby, white-haired boy. He smiled nervously and shuffled his feet as eh greeted the girl he once crushed on.
Mabel stepped aside to allow Gideon entrance to the gift shop. Stan stood in the doorway that separated the tourist area from the living space with a beer can in hand. Gideon locked eyes with the elderly man for a moment then returned his gaze to the teenage girl.
Waddles nibbled on the visitor's shoe strings. Gideon laughed at the pig and bent down to pet him on the head. Waddles sniffed Gideon's fingers then allowed the boy to pet him.
"Hey, Gideon, I'm sorry for calling you out here so late," Mabel said.
"Don't sweat it, marshmella, my dad needed to go out an' get us some ice cream anyway," Gideon replied with a laugh. He rubbed the back of his neck and looked away from the brunette.
"Is everything okay?" Mabel asked. She knew it was stupid to ask considering how she treated Gideon the last time they met. Although he had been the one to lash out at Bill-but it wasn't too difficult to understand why he wouldn't be so happy to see the demon who likely terrorized him after he betrayed him a second time.
"Look, Mabel, I got somethin' I need to confess," Gideon said. "I did somethin' I'm not proud of."
Mabel tilted her head to the side. After all the things he had done in the past and not properly apologized for, she wondered what he possibly could have done to cause such guilt. By this point Dipper and Ford joined Stan in the doorway-neither Mabel nor Gideon noticed the extra audience.
"I was real mad at ya, Mabel, I mean extremely mad," Gideon said. "At the carnival when I found out ya lied to me."
"I know, it was a bad thing for me to do," Mabel interrupted.
Ford and Stan looked down at Dipper who mouthed he would explain later.
"No, I did somethin' bad," Gideon argued. His stomach felt like it wanted to spew his dinner all over the gift shop floor. "Remember that social worker I told you about?"
Mabel nodded, and though Avery was the reason she called Gideon over, she now feared what he was about to say. Ford swallowed and Dipper held his breath.
"I was real mad at you," Gideon repeated. "I-uh...I went to her. And..." Mabel held her balled fists against her chin while Gideon felt like he would faint at any moment. "I'm so sorry, Mabel," he said.
"Gideon...what did you do?" Mabel asked softly.
"I...I told her...everything," Gideon replied. "About the weirdmageddon, about Bill, about your family and that journal."
"So that's why she's been bothering us?" Ford asked as he pushed the door open.
Both hazel and blue eyes stared at the open doorway where they saw a livid face with thick frames shielding the eyes.
"Gideon, how could you?" Mabel cried.
Gideon looked over at the girl he once loved. Mabel couldn't bear to look him in the face. She clenched her fists down by her sides and it took all her strength not to strike him.
"Young man, do you realize what you have done?" Ford snapped.
"I-I'm sorry," Gideon stammered.
"Do you realize what you've done to this family?" Ford continued.
Both Mabel and Dipper shrunk away from their great-uncle at the volume of his voice.
"I wish I didn't," Gideon tried.
"Wishing isn't going to fix anything," Dipper retorted.
The male twin glared at Gideon. How foolish he was to believe Gideon when he swore that he would change his ways. Dipper looked over at his twin who wore her pain on her face.
"Alright! Alright!" Ford said. He held out one hand and pinched the bridge of his nose with the other. "Let's all calm down." He turned to Gideon. "I now know your memory didn't get erased." Ford could have kicked himself for not making sure that no one in the town escaped the rays of the memory gun. "But child, I pray you didn't tell her what happened to the others."
Gideon shook his head. "She wouldn't believe me if I did," the boy replied.
Ford took a deep breath. At the very least their family avoided one major crisis.
"What exactly did you tell her?" the author asked.
Gideon opened his mouth and quickly closed it. "I...I...I told her that Bill ain't human. He's the one who caused the earthquake." He heard the sighs and looked around at the Pines. "I told her about the journal, and that...and that Bill made you make everyone forget." He looked at Mabel. "But I didn't tell her how."
"Then how did she believe I made everyone forget?" Ford asked.
"I, uh..." Gideon said.
"You what?" Ford asked. He knelt down beside the boy and put a hand on each shoulder. Gideon stared up at the older man with fear in his eyes. Ford's grip tightened and the Gleeful child winced in pain that never went noticed by the man who held him. Ford shook him. "What exactly did you say?"
"I-I don't know, I-I told her I don't know," Gideon replied.
"She didn't ask you for evidence?" Dipper yelled.
"Yes, for what reason would she believe you about mass memory loss?" Ford questioned.
"The journal!" Gideon cried. The other four went quiet. Gideon shook in Ford's hold. "I-I-I-I-I told her I didn't have the journal no more, that-that you all did." He looked over at Dipper then to Mabel, and finally back at Ford. "That-that it-it's all in the journal."
Ford released the child and walked away while pinching his forehead lest he do something he regretted. How stupid he had been to include the entry about McGucket's invention in his journal. He made a mental note to remove that page from his writings the instant he returned to his laboratory.
Gideon trembled. He kept looking at the door with the desire to bolt out of the shack. How he wished he never confessed his misdeed to Mabel-perhaps the Pines never would have found out who squealed.
"That's why she wanted to search the place," Stan commented.
"And why she went to see McGucket," Dipper added. "She wants that journal."
Gideon hung his head. He wanted to speak, but nothing would justify his actions taken out of wrath. What more he couldn't understand why the Pines were so quick to defend Bill. Why hadn't they turned him over yet? Why did Mabel forgive Bill, but not him.
"Gideon, I don't even know what to say to you right now," Mabel growled. She shook and her hands balled up tighter. "What do you think they're going to do to Bill if they find out what he is...was?" Mabel asked. "He's my friend, Gideon. How could you do this to him?"
Friend-a word she used for Bill and not him.
"He's...he's a demon, he tried to end the world," Gideon defended himself. "He locked you away. How can you be friends with him?"
"And what about you?" Mabel shouted. Gideon stepped back. Her face burned red. "This is why I don't like you, Gideon! This is why I will never like you!" She pushed the boy. He tripped over his feet and fell on the floor. Mabel stood above glowering down at him. "You think you're any better than what Bill used to be?" The girl scoffed. "At least he changed, but you're as awful as you've always been."
"Mabel, please," Gideon pleaded.
"Bill is my friend, but you can never be," Mabel snapped.
Gideon's eyes lined with water. "Mabel, please. Please don't say that, Mabel," he begged. He closed in on her by walking on his knees. His tiny hands gripped at the hem of her sweater. "Mabel, don't." A tear leaked down his cheek.
The girl turned her back. "Just go away, Gideon," she said softly.
The eleven-year-old sat there dumbfounded for almost a minute. He looked down at the floor while on his knees. A few tears dripped onto the floor boards. He wiped at his eyes and stood. The others didn't say anything. Gideon waited for Mabel to turn to him, but instead she walked past her brother and grunkles into the living room.
With his head down Gideon sniffled and made his way out of the shack. He knew he made a mistake, but now he was certain he messed up for good. The door slowly shut as the visitor made his way onto the porch and down the steps. This time his remorse would not win him Mabel's favor.
Once Gideon and his father left the property Ford called Bill from the kitchen. With the spoon in hand Bill joined the others in the living room.
"Listen up, everyone, from now on we're going to have to be extra careful," Ford instructed. "Keep a look out for any watchful eyes. Search your clothes, phones, backpacks, and anything else for any tracking device." He made sure to look each one in the eyes. "We can't afford to let our guards down."
Dipper and Mabel exchanged glances. They both gave each other half smiles. One thing was sure, they certainly were back in their favorite place on Earth: the town of Gravity Falls.
What a dramatic ending to this chapter. There's more drama to come. The confrontation between Mabel and Gideon was suggested by Energy witch.
Fun fact: I didn't know until today that the thing Stan kept in the aquarium was called an axolotl. I knew that it was the name Bill called out to for help in the final episode, but I never thought it was an actual creature. I saw some images of them on Google, and they are adorably cute with such sweet cute faces. :)
One more thing. So a few days ago I read the page in Journal 3 where Dipper's real name is revealed. However, back in March I gave him the name Matthew in another one of my stories. So I'm wondering, should I go back and change Dipper's name to Mason-his actual canon name each time he's referred to as Matthew in all the stories, or should I just keep it the way it is. Please answer here or on my poll on my profile.