Okay, so I made the decision. The last story started a new part/season every sixteen chapters, but this one will be every twenty chapters. So part/season two will begin with chapter twenty one, so this one is still part/season one.
Thank you to the following people for reviews on chapter sixteen: CornChip, Berrybanana05, Energy witch, ImpossibleJedi4, Ella Le Hissy, Catgirl PA, Fantasy Female Freak, Marisol777, 2021FanGirl, Frostbite, Guest, Firefox, Guest, and TheConManAndTheGhost.
Firefox: Thanks for the suggestions. A chupacabra would be awesome. A chimera was used in Bonded, but he only had a minor role, so I might have another one make an appearance later on.
Guest: Thank you. I'm pleased you were happy with how the chapters played out. And thanks again for the suggestion.
This chapter goes out to Marisol777 who wanted a scene where Ford teaches Bill how to swim. And also for Ella Le Hissy who wanted to see Bill wearing water wings while learning how to swim.
Mabel called Stan who arrived within minutes to pick up the injured. Ford argued he was fine to walk, but Stan grabbed his brother by the arm and shoved him in the passenger seat of the car. Silent, but fuming, Stan marched back to the driver's seat and slammed the door shut. Mabel and Dipper helped the weak Bill into the backseat. A twin sat on either side of him.
Stan looked back at McGucket who informed him that he wanted to spend more time inside the bunker. He smiled at Ford and in that look the author understood that his old assistant needed time to say goodbye to his pet project from thirty years ago.
All the way back to the shack Stan scolded Ford's stupidity. Mabel and Dipper exchanged glances, both too embarrassed to speak. The vehicle parked in the driveway and Stan stepped out of the car blaming Ford for losing him precious business.
The family entered through the backdoor to avoid any unwanted attention from the tourists. Stan marched up behind Ford and grabbed him by the shoulder. He turned his brother around so that their noses nearly touched.
"I mean it, Poindexter. You could've gotten yourself killed!" Stan yelled.
"Stanley, I am not a child," Ford reminded him.
"Can it!" Stan snarled. The children jumped, and Ford found himself unable to speak. He pointed his finger against Ford's chest. "Do you think I spent thirty years of my life to get you back only to throw it away because you got yourself killed by some monster?"
Ford sighed. "I'm sorry, Stanley," he said. He turned to the others in his family. "I apologize to each of you. Especially you, Bill."
The mentioned looked up from where he was supported by Mabel and Dipper. Ford frowned when he noticed the pool of red that stained the side of Bill's shirt. He pulled Bill from the twins' grasp and sat him down in a chair. Ford ripped the shirt from Bill's body, three of the buttons popped off.
"Did the Shapeshifter do this?" Ford asked.
"No, the Multibear," Dipper answered.
Ford sighed.
"But I don't think he'll give Bill anymore trouble," Mabel said. She looked over at Bill who grimaced at the mention of that creature he had been stopped from destroying earlier that day. Next time he would make that bear regret ever making an enemy of him.
"In any case I should take care of this," Ford said. He instructed Dipper to fetch the first aid kit that would soon require another restocking. He then turned to his niece. "Mabel, sweetie, would you be kind to let me borrow your sewing kit?"
Mabel lifted a brow. She looked up at Stan who shrugged then ran upstairs to gather the requested item. Dipper passed her on the way back from the bathroom with the first aid kit in hand. He handed the medical item over to his uncle then sat down in an empty chair at the table.
Ford ordered Bill to lift his arm. Carefully he swabbed an alcohol soaked cottonball at the clawed flesh. Bill hissed in delight. Dipper covered his eyes, although he still heard Bill's reactions to the stings.
"Finiss so soo'?" Bill asked with a chuckle.
"You're lucky he didn't claw you any deeper," Ford responded.
The others looked up when Mabel entered with a foot-deep pink box that contained assorted threads, needles, pins, and scissors. The fabrics were stored in a different box upstairs, but she was certain Ford didn't have any intentions of sewing.
"Which of these needles are your least favorite?" Ford asked.
Again the question caught Mabel off guard. She picked up a rather long one that wasn't the best for handstitching. Ford ordered Bill to lie down on the table. Dipper removed the few dishes that cluttered the table while Bill followed his boyfriend's instructions. Ford dunked the needle in the disinfectant and let it sit for two minutes, afterwards he wiped it with a clean piece of gauze.
Ford threaded a needle with beige. He put one hand on Bill's bare shoulder and said, "I am confident you have a high tolerance for pain." Bill nodded. "Please try to lie still, this is going to hurt."
Stan handed Bill a pillow from the living room.
Dipper clamped a hand over his mouth and Mabel had to turn away when the needle was inserted into Bill's slashed skin. Bill yelped at the sudden sting. At first he laughed, but after the tenth poke the pleasure ended. He gripped the ledge of the table and forced his eyes shut. The needle weaved through his bloody skin at too quick a rate for him to properly brace himself with deep breaths.
Ford noticed his boyfriend's discomfort and stopped long enough for Bill to settle himself. The demon mentioned his need to vomit. Mabel grabbed the trashcan and positioned it under Bill's mouth. The nausea passed and he laid his head back down on the table.
"Halfway there," Ford said and ran a hand through Bill's hair. Bill glanced up at him with a look that begged him to hurry.
Dipper excused himself from the room. Mabel couldn't tear her eyes away at how nimbly Ford worked her sewing needle through Bill's flesh. Bill squirmed against Ford's orders and with tightly shut eyes screamed into the pillow. She knew that from now on anytime she sewed she would see Bill writhing as his skin was forced back in place by a thin piece of thread.
Ford tied a knot when the stitches ceased. He snipped the thread then gently helped Bill up. Bill wrapped his arms and legs around Ford. The author offered his boyfriend a weak smile. Bill cuddled his head against Ford's chest. Stan and Mabel watched as the patient was carried off to his bedroom.
Bill whined when Ford laid him down on the pillow. He grabbed at Ford's arm.
"Stay," the blond whispered.
With a shake of his head Ford removed his boots and jacket. He then climbed into bed next to Bill. The comforter was tossed over the both of them. Bill winced as he moved closer to the source of warmth. Ford allowed Bill to snuggle against him. He wrapped one arm behind Bill's back and the other cradled the smaller man's head.
"I'm so sorry," Ford said.
"You shou' be," Bill said.
Ford welcomed the hint of anger. He knew it was the least he deserved.
He stroked at Bill's bare arm. Bill smiled despite the pain pulsing through him. Ford kissed Bill's forehead. "I can't stop thinking what could've happened if Dipper and Mabel never thought to look."
Ford stopped talking. He knew good and well what would have become of him and Bill. He had hoped that at the very least someone in the family would've had the good sense to check the lab before Bill died. Still there was no telling what might have happened had Shifty won and received his freedom.
"You weren't there when I mentioned it to the rest of the family," Ford said. He kissed Bill on the cheek. "But I think it's time we take a vacation." Bill's eyes lit up at the mention of a trip. "I'll wait to see how you're feeling this weekend."
"Where we goin'?" Bill asked.
"I told the kids they could decide," Ford answered. "But I think a vacation can do us all some good."
Bill nodded. He closed his eyes and leaned against Ford. Almost twenty four hours without food along with being nearly drained of all his energy, his body begged for rest. Ford nodded. Perhaps a nap would do him some good, if just to ensure his system rid itself of the drug.
Twenty minutes later Stan opened the door to check on the two. He smiled at the sight of them snuggled up beneath the covers. Mabel poked her head through the door. She stifled a shriek of glee and pulled a camera from her sweater pocket. A flash of light went unseen by the slumbering duo.
"Scrapbookertunity," Mabel said to Stan.
The old man chuckled then closed the door behind him.
A week passed with little incident. Each day Bill drank the potion and by Thursday the wounds from Shifty's attack on his abdomen, along with the claw marks on his side from the Multibear had fully healed. Removing the stitches proved to be less painful than receiving them.
Ford had also given Multibear a few doses of the potion which helped to heal his wounds. Unfortuntely, the damage to one of his eyes was permanant. Alas he spoke to Ford that his debt to him had been paid and walked away. Ford grieved at the loss of another potential ally.
Dipper had accompanied Ford down into the laboratory. Seeing the mess and the destruction of the holding cell Dipper apologized. Ford put a hand on his nephew's shoulder and reinforced that he had made the correct decision. Dipper smiled then helped his grunkle clean up the lab.
The Thursday before the planned vacation Mabel suggested that they take a weekend trip to the beach. Dipper and Soos were on board. Ford glanced over at Bill who had enjoyed the little time they spent on the beach in New Jersey and nodded his approval. Stan smiled as he thought it would be like old times.
The following day Mabel packed way more than they needed for a two day trip. Dipper approached Wendy with an invitation. The older teen smiled and nodded in agreement. She figured she could allow herself one final outing.
Saturday morning the Pines family (along with Bill, Soos, Wendy, and Susan) piled into Stan's RV. Susan sat up front next to Stan who offered to drive. Those in the back played card games and joked around for the hour drive.
A yell from the front clued the others in that they arrived. Dipper threw up the blinds and the six faces stared out the window of the beach town. The vehicle pulled into the sand. Ahead stood the view of the coast, the line that separated the ocean from the sky barely visible.
As soon as the RV was parked the doors opened and the twins along with Wendy and Soos bolted out the door. The fresh salty air greeted them. Bill stepped down in the sand. He smiled at the soft, cool sand that leaked in through his flip flops.
The group set up a spot thirty feet away from the waves. Four lawn chairs sat behind the array of towels that marked their territory.
Mabel kicked off her shoes and ran screaming for the water. She laughed as a huge wave crashed over her. Dipper, Soos, and Wendy followed after. The next stronger wave knocked Mabel into her brother causing the both of them to fall in the soaked sand laughing.
Dipper swam further out. Wendy and Soos followed him. Mabel went to join the group then suddenly stopped. She looked behind her where she saw Bill grinning at his friends' antics. The girl rushed back to the sand. Stan and Susan sat comfortably in the lawn chairs. Ford was in the middle of setting up an umbrella so that the bright sun wouldn't hinder his plans to read.
She grabbed hold of Bill's wrist. "Come on, you have to come with us!" Mabel exclaimed. "It'll be so much fun."
With a sigh Bill retracted his hand. "I can'," he said.
The brunette pouted. With hands on her hips she leaned over and said, "And give me one good reason why you're turning down a splash fight."
She looked over her shoulder to see Dipper, Soos, and Wendy laughing while splashing each other with water. Her belly quaked with laughter as a particularly large wave crashed over Dipper while he stood with his mouth open. Her brother spluttered salt water from his mouth.
"I don' know howwa swim," Bill answered.
"Eh, just jump in and kick," Stan replied from where he laid in his chair with his arms behind his head and shades over his face.
"We just won't go in too deep," Mabel said. She grabbed hold of Bill's wrist.
"Sisser," Bill called.
"Go, have fun," Ford said. He opened the book to the table of contents and his index finger trailed down.
Bill pursed his lips at Ford then turned to follow where Mabel waved him over.
He stopped when he stepped upon wet sand. The cool water passed up to his ankle. Bill squeaked and stepped back. He watched as the water retracted back towards the sea. Another wave crashed which sent the water further out onto the shore. It leaked under his feet and passed thirteen inches behind.
"Bill, come on!" Mabel called.
Bill stepped into the water just as a wave broke over him. He spit out the salt water from his mouth and wiped at his eyes just as another wave attacked him.
"Jump before the wave gets you," Soos instructed.
Bill watched as the other four rode the wave and landed back in the water without having it sprayed it their faces. The wave crashed on him once again. Bill watched the next wave approach. He followed Mabel's lead and jumped before it had a chance to pass over him.
He stood in waist-deep water with drenched hair stuck to his face. A grin crept over his face when he spotted the next wave. He jumped too soon causing him to fall into the wave. The other four laughed as he stood and rubbed water from his eyes.
"You'll get it," Mabel said.
"And if you get tired you can go back on land," Soos added.
Dipper grabbed Wendy by the waist and pulled her under. The redhead gasped for air when her head poked through the surface. She turned in the direction of the boy's laughter to receive a face full of water thanks to Mabel. She playfully glared at the twins then ducked both of them under.
The twins jumped up to see the older teenager laughing. They grinned and with a collective nod each took one of her arms. Wendy fought back and pushed the younger two under again. The three laughed and resumed splashing.
Bill moved back towards the shore. He sat down in the damp sand and let the water splash over his legs. His fingers dug into the sand. A wave splashed over his hand leaving a ring of foam in its wake. Bill looked up as another figure sat down next to him.
Bill smiled then looked back over in the direction of the horizon. He made out two boats in the distance. The calls of seagulls rang from overhead. Among the wet sand he felt something solid. The water washed away the gray grains to reveal a peach scallop shell.
"You done reshershing?" Bill asked.
"It was a dead lead," Ford answered.
The author leaned back on his hands and let the wind blow through his thick locks.
Bill looked down and chuckled at the sight of Ford's pants rolled up to his knees and his feet bare.
"What's so funny?" Ford asked.
"You ne'er show 'is mush skin in pu'lic afore," Bill answered. He held his hands against his belly and leaned forward to laugh. A wave crashed over him splashing his face with salty water.
"That's what you get," Ford said, although there was no malice in his voice.
He looked up to see the sun glimmering through Bill's wet golden tresses. The sunlight sparkled over the beads of sea water that covered his skin clothed in only a blue tank top and gray swim trunks.
Guilt washed over him like the most recent wave. How close he had come to losing his boyfriend for good. Ford reached over and let his hand rest atop of Bill's. The blond snuggled up close to his lover and laid his temple against Ford's shoulder. From a little way's down Mabel and Soos smiled at the scene while Dipper pretended to gag.
Wendy smirked and used the distraction to dunk the boy under water one last time.
Further down the shore Stan and Susan sat unaware of the happenings in the water. The bride-to-be smiled at her fiance then looked around at the moderately crowded beach.
"You know, Stan, I think I want to have a beach wedding," Susan said.
Stan sat up and raised his sunglasses. Her placid smile shone her shadowed face partially covered by the large sunhat.
"And we can have our reception here on the sand," Susan continued. "I think a seafood buffet."
"Eh, my stomach can't handle seafood anymore," Stan said. He put his finger beneath his chin. The more he thought of it, a wedding on the beach would be a cost efficient option.
"It's just a suggestion," Susan said. She smiled out at the serene scene of water and sky. "It's no rush."
"Susan," Stan said. He looked over at the woman who smiled back at him. "I just wanna know why someone as classy as you agreed to marry me."
Susan laughed. Stan opened his mouth, but no words formed. It wasn't the reaction he expected.
"I love you, Stanley," Susan answered. She reached over and poked him on the cheek. "I always did." She shrugged. "I waited for the day you'd finally ask."
Stan sadly smiled. "Then I regret not asking sooner," he said. The woman heard his words, but elected not to comment.
They both knew that they would not have been allowed to marry while Stan had taken on his brother's identity. He lucked out that no one asked too many questions when he and Ford went to have the mistaken identities settled.
"I don't care much about the details, I just want you to be my husband," Susan said.
"You're an angel," Stan replied.
In all his years of swindling and breaking the law he wondered what he had done to earn the love and respect of someone like Susan Wentworth.
Later that night they dined at a local buffet. All Bill could eat was clam chowder (which surprised everyone including himself that he liked it). Afterwards the teenagers and Soos visited a beach store where Mabel bought a package of extra large water wings for Bill. The recipient of the gift wasn't sure how to take the kind gesture, but accepted the present nonetheless.
Around eight the group returned to the beach. Stan led them to a motel pool that had beach access. With no lifeguard on duty, there was no one to ask questions. Three other people occupied the pool giving them plenty of space to place their items.
Dipper and Soos had a cannonball contest. Soos was unanimously crowned the winner by both his friends and the strangers. Soos bowed before everyone earning him a few laughs. Wendy jumped into the pool and swam around which caught Dipper's eye. He knew she was off limits, but he still found it hard to look away when she sported the red bathing suit.
Mabel ripped open the plastic with her teeth. She blew up the floaties and shoved them over Bill's thin arms. Bill frowned at the pressure on his upper arms then looked up at Mabel who leaped into the pool with her arms above her head.
Ford took hold of Bill's hand and led him to the steps in the shallow end. Ford went first and Bill followed closely behind. When their feet touched the concrete below Bill found the water at the level of his bellybutton.
Again Ford grasped Bill's hands and led him deeper in the pool. Bill kicked and fought once the water reached just below his shoulders.
"I can' swim," Bill pleaded as he struggled.
"I've got you," Ford said. Bill looked into Ford's eyes. "Just like at the ice rink." Bill calmed when he recalled how Ford gently glided him along the ice. "I won't let you drown."
"Let's just hope no crazy water spirits attack us," Stan commented.
Susan shuddered at the story her fiance told her a while back regarding their adventure at the ice rink in addition to how that creature was responsible for the death of her friend Toby.
"Kick your feet," Ford instructed. Bill followed his boyfriend's directions. Ford put some distance between them and Bill panicked. The water wings kept him from sinking, but he still grasped onto Ford. The human chuckled and pushed the long curl from Bill's face. "Keep calm."
Ford guided Bill through the water while the latter kicked.
Back towards the shallow end Wendy leaned against the wall. "Man, this has been the most fun part of the summer."
"Yeah, I wish we could stay longer than two days," Dipper said.
"We've got all summer, we can come back another weekend," Mabel replied.
Wendy stared up at the starry sky. "Two years ago me and the gang came here almost every weekend," she said.
The memories of her fourteen-year-old self enjoying the waves, sand, and sun. Lee proved how he was a skilled surfer, and Robbie charmed those on the beach after nightfall when he played his guitar around the campfire. People flocked to their campsite to hear him sing accompanied by the instrument. At the time Tambry hadn't been addicted to her phone and danced by the fire with Wendy.
Her smile quickly faded. "It was simpler back then. I thought summer'd never end."
"You know, Wendy," Dipper said. He rubbed at the back of his head. "I think maybe you and your friends should take another trip." He held his hands out in front of him. "If you don't want us to come, that'll be cool. I mean, it's just so you can relive your memories."
Wendy put a hand on Dipper's shoulder. "Dude, you've been like the best friend anyone can have," she said. Her mouth curved into a smile. "If we do, I'd definitely want you there."
Dipper smiled.
The next day Wendy was the first to rise. She left the RV to vomit out in one of the trashcans. The beach restroom stood fifteen feet away, but she knew the compact, humid stall that reeked of urine and sweat would only worsen her condition.
Dipper woke when he heard the noises. The redhead spit out the remainder and wiped her mouth with the back of her arm. She looked up to see the younger teen approach with a bottle of water in hand.
Wendy swished the water and cleared her mouth of the rancid taste. She then slowly swallowed the contents of the bottle while looking out at the ocean. The rocking of the waves suddenly made her nauseated.
Dipper turned away to at least give his friend her privacy while she threw up. Wincing at the sounds of his former crush retching he walked away to give her some distance. Wendy gagged and took a deep breath. The scent of salt twisted her insides. She leaned over to relieve her stomach for the third and final time.
Wendy walked over to where Dipper sat on a vacant bench that looked out towards the beach. The boy felt another presence and turned to see the redhead seated beside him. She still looked pallid.
"Is it like this every morning?" Dipper asked.
Wendy shrugged. "Some days are worse than others."
Dipper nodded, again angry at himself for not having any suggestions to offer.
"I talked to Robbie on Wednesday," Wendy said. Dipper glanced over then turned his attention back to the waves. Wendy sighed. "He still wants me to get an abortion."
Dipper gritted his teeth and clenched his fists. Wendy noticed the boy tense up.
"I've been thinking," she continued. "I'm not ready for a kid." She folded her hands in her lap.
"Are you considering it?" Dipper asked.
"I don't know," Wendy responded. She gripped at her pajama pants. "To be honest, I'm afraid." She leaned forward hiding her face from the brunet. "I don't know what to tell my dad. I know he'll overreact."
It wasn't difficult for Dipper to imagine Manly Dan's reaction.
"I can schedule an appointment without ever telling him," Wendy said. She watched the waves crash against the shore leaving only evaporating foam behind as evidence of its visit. "Robbie's offered me the money."
Dipper grimaced at the mention of the other boy's name. His heart ached, but knew he had even less of a right than Robbie to say anything.
The silence was broken when Stan opened the RV door. Mabel ran out the vehicle with her bathing suit in hand and flip flops on her feet. She rushed in the direction of the bathroom.
Wendy stood. The wind blew her long hair across her face. "I'm sorry. We're supposed to be having fun today." Dipper sat with a gaping mouth as she walked back to the RV.
"Everything okay, kid?" Stan asked when he noticed the look on his nephew's face.
"Just fine," Dipper said and walked by Stan to gather his clothes for the beach.
Thirty minutes later and the eight were back in their same spot as the previous day. The beach was not as crowded at half past nine. They would stay for the day and head back for home around nightfall. Only an hour separated them from the shack.
For the first half hour the twins, Wendy, Soos, Bill, and Susan sat in the sand trying their best to build a castle. By the time they finished the right side had deflated and half the shells they used for decorations had fallen off. Still Mabel took a photograph. She handed her camera to Stan who took a picture of the deformed castle along with its six builders.
Mabel stashed her camera in her bag then ran for the ocean with Dipper and Bill following close behind. Mabel ran straight into a wave and laughed as it splashed her full force. She swam out further with Dipper keeping up. Bill took a deep breath and followed after. He felt the current trying to take him away and quickly stood up. The water didn't go past his waist, but he still considered backing up.
A large wave crashed over him knocking him down. Bill swallowed the majority of the salty water slammed in his face, but some made its way into his windpipe. He stood and coughed only to be pushed down by another wave. Soos heaved him to his feet and patted his back.
Mabel watched the exchange. She went to make her way over to Bill when she heard a familiar voice call her name from a little way's down. She looked around to see only her brother and chalked it up to her imagination. She started off towards where Bill and Soos stood only to hear her name once more.
About a yard away she saw a boy about her age waving. Mabel swam closer then gasped when she recognized the face. Her speed increased alarming Dipper and the other two closer to the shore. Dipper followed after and he groaned when he saw who had caught her attention.
"It's you, I can't believe it's you," Mabel exclaimed.
"Mabel, I am happy to see you," the merman said and hugged her.
"Mermando, what a surprise," Dipper said with little enthusiasm in his voice.
"I am fortunate to have found you of all people, Mabel," Mermando said.
Mabel's smile increased while Dipper rolled his eyes.
"Yesterday I heard from a reliable source that someone matching your description was spotted, so I had to find out for myself," the merman said with his hand over his heart. "Today, I invite you to visit my kingdom."
"An underwater kingdom?" Mabel squealed.
"Yeah, only one problem," Dipper argued. He threw his arms in the air. "We're human. We can't breathe underwater."
Mermando smiled. "I know just the thing." He reached into a pouch around his waist and revealed a bottle. "One swallow will allow you to travel into the sea."
Mabel's eyes lit up. "That's so cool!" she cried and reached for the bottle.
Dipper grabbed his sister and swam them both away. "Mabel, I don't trust him."
"Dipper, why would he hurt me?" Mabel asked.
"Dipper, what's going on?" Ford asked as he approached with Bill clinging to him. Soos and Wendy followed closely behind. He had witnessed the twins talking to a stranger and noticed a look of distress on Dipper's face.
Mabel quickly explained everything.
Ford swam over to the merman. "Mabel will not taste that potion until I test it," he said.
Mermando relinquished the bottle to Mabel's relative. He brought the top to his mouth and swallowed. A cold sensation swept throughout her body. She felt her legs force together. The others gasped as he lifted her legs to see a blue fish tail in their place.
"Ooh! Me next!" Mabel cried. She swallowed and watched as her legs transformed into a pink tail.
One by one the others gulped down the potion and received fins. Bill smiled as the new tail made it easy for him to maneuver through the water.
"It will only last until sundown," Mermando explained. He smiled at Mabel. "You're the only person I ever loved." His hand grasped hers. "I am blessed to have another day to spend with you."
Dipper pretended to gag.
"Alright, let's get moving," Ford said as he broke the two apart.
Mermando instructed the group to follow him. The new merpeople swam further out into the ocean. Once they reached passed where the other humans dare to travel Mermando submerged under the water with a flip and led the others to his underwater kingdom.
What exciting adventures await the crew under the sea? I rewrote that last segment three times and am finally satisfied with how it turned out.
I'm considering writing a side story that expands upon the flashbacks mentioned in the last chapter about Ford and McGucket's interactions with little Shifty back in their earlier days if anyone is interested.