Hello, again everyone. So this chapter has three plots going on. The main Bill and Ford plot and two subplots which resulted in another long chapter. I hope you all enjoy.
A small note, I want to keep this story PG-13/T, so only the lesser swear words are written out. As is the case in this chapter when the more severe curses are used, I will only write out the first or first two letters followed by a dash. Therefore it acts more like a beeping out the word, even though it's clear what it's meant to be.
Thank you to all the reviewers of chapter twenty four: Energy witch, Barbacar, Berrybanana05, Female Fantasy Freak, ImpossibleJedi4, CookieSenpai, Ella Le Hissy, Catgirl PA, Christina730, Marisol777, BakuganNerd52, and Firefox.
I got two requests to bring Love God into this story. I might have him make a cameo in a later chapter since I enjoyed that episode so much. However, it won't be anytime soon.
Marisol777: Absolutely. I need to give Stan a larger role in general.
CookieSenapi: More high jinks with the love potions would make a good comedy chapter. However, it will have to happen in a much later chapter due to everything I have planned over the next few. I already have something planned for Torrance as well. I'm confused what you mean by a robotic account.
The next morning began as usual. The entire family plus Soos met in the kitchen for a breakfast of Stan cakes. Bill happily chewed as Ford approved it to be soft enough for him to eat. The night before Ford refused to let Bill have any Summerween candy which resulted in a minor tantrum. Bill only stopped flailing about when he realized Ford paid him no attention. Instead he chose to pout until Ford agreed to cuddle.
After breakfast Dipper, Mabel, and Soos took their spots in the Mystery Shack. Ford requested Bill to meet him in the basement to begin their new research topic. The blond said a farewell to the group and moved to the gift shop. He entered the code just as Wendy showed up for her shift. Bill greeted the teenager who gave him a cordial smile. Had Bill not been in such a hurry he might have noticed the insincerity of her salutation.
The elevator stopped at the second floor and Bill made his exit to find Ford turning on the last of the monitors. Ford briefly explained his plan as they lie in bed the previous night, but Bill only half listened as he was still annoyed that Ford wouldn't let him eat the candy he worked so hard to obtain.
On Ford's instructions Bill sat down in the chair. The helmet to Project Mentum was slipped over his head. Ford rolled the desk chair over in front of Bill and sat down with one leg crossed over the other.
"Can you remember the spell you used to banish Naa last night?" Ford asked.
Bill shook his head. Ford shot his eyes to the screen to see thoughts surrounding Naa and the succubi in general scroll across the screen. The image of Naa struggling in the restraints showed on one of the smaller monitors. However, nothing pertaining to the blonde succubus herself showed up, not even subliminal thoughts in smaller print at the bottom.
"You were able to access it and it was effective," Ford continued. "Close your eyes and think harder."
Bill did as he was instructed. Ford adjusted the monitor to the right which focused on the subconscious. The bit about requiring a silver chain to bind their hands appeared, but nothing more.
"You're getting closer, keep thinking," Ford demanded.
With a groan Bill squeezed his eyes shut. The screen soon filled with thoughts centered in frustration.
"Relax," Ford ordered.
The harder Bill tried to focus the more frustrating the thoughts became. Large text scrolled across the screen shouting its belief that this method was stupid. It then switched to Bill cursing himself for being dumb enough to allow himself to be captured.
"Bill, calm down!" Ford yelled.
Bill ripped the helmet from his head and tossed it across the floor. Ford held his hand against his face while the metal helmet bounced against the floor four times.
"It's pointless, I can't remember," Bill lamented. He stood knocking the chair to the floor. He threw himself against the wall and leaned his face into his hands. "The eye tortures me by giving me a reminder of myself for just a small amount of time."
Ford thought over Bill's words for a moment.
"Wait! Is it possible that this third eye gives you momentary access to the locked memories?" Ford questioned. Bill glanced up while Ford's mouth formed into a grin. "That's it!" he cried. The author picked up the helmet and while staring at the hunk of metal said, "We've been going about this the wrong way."
The helmet was placed back in its spot next to the mind reading machine. Ford moved to the desk and flipped open the journal to the page towards the back where he began jotting down recent hypotheses, theories, and observations relating to Bill's momentary power surges.
"All this time I thought it was the shared bond that gave you power," Ford rhapsodized. He pulled the pen from his pocket and scribbled into the journal. "I never considered that when I-the person who you are bonded with-is in danger the bond is temporarily overrided by the emergency." He looked over at his boyfriend. "This gives everything a different perspective."
Once the shock wore off Bill grinned. He grabbed his boyfriend by the arms. "Stanford Pines, are you telling me that was me? The real me last night?" He giggled and his smile increased to the point it threatened to split the skin of his cheeks.
"I'm not sure, but it's a decent hypothesis," Ford said. "It makes more sense than what I've considered it the past."
With a laugh Bill pulled Ford in for a hug. Ford felt himself pressed against the wall then Bill lowered his mouth atop his. Ford went to push him off, but Bill interlocked their fingers and held his lover's hands against the wall.
"Sixer, I haven't been this happy in so long," Bill said. He released his hold on Ford then gave him one more kiss.
Ford wiped away saliva from the side of his face, whether it was his or Bill's he couldn't say.
"We may have found a possible solution," Ford mused. He locked eyes with Bill. "If we found a way to open the third eye again, is it possible you can hold it open long enough to search inside your own locked thoughts and find Kryptos' weakness?"
Bill's mouth fell open, but at the moment couldn't form words. There was plenty of risk, but to have full access of his infinite knowledge would be worthwhile.
"It's worth a try," Bill replied.
Ford put his hands on his hips and nodded. "Then it's settled he said." He looked up at the clock on the wall. "There are more chances of encountering dangerous beings at night, so I say we head out after dinner."
Bill nodded in agreement. One memory at a time he would resume his true identity.
In between rushes Soos and Dipper filled Wendy in on what happened the night before. Every once in a while Mabel would add in a few details she found too interesting to leave out, such as Pacifica's love for Dipper helping to save him.
All eyes landed on the male twin the moment Mabel mentioned that bit. Dipper's cheeks lit up as he tried to explain the love was based on a mutual respect they held for each other. Soos assured him there was nothing wrong with being in love, but they stopped teasing him only when Wendy asked them to leave him alone on the matter. Dipper thanked her with a smile to which she motioned zipping her lips and throwing away the key.
"Whoa, man, I wish I would've gone with you," Wendy said. Her smile faded as she added, "Thompson's party was terrible."
"Oh, super lame?" Dipper asked.
Wendy shrugged. "Yeah. But more like a bad time," she said. She suddenly stopped talking as the memories of the previous night surfaced.
She then picked up the broom and headed over to sweep up a collection of dirt that had been dragged in by the customers. The other three all exchanged glances and shrugged.
They heard noise as Stan brought a tour group through. The tourists laughed at some pun Stan made. For the first time in her short career Wendy felt grateful to see a crowd of faces who would likely want to shop.
Nothing more was said on the matter until lunch hour. Wendy hid herself on the roof where she usually ate her lunch. She absently tossed crumbs of her sandwich to the birds. If Stan ever discovered her condition (which she was certain the sharp old man would find out sometime within the next month) he would forbid her accessing the roof.
From behind her ears picked up the latch moving and a few seconds later she was joined by the thirteen-year-old who used to be in love with her. From Mabel's part of the story it seemed he finally moved on which delighted her. If what she said was true than the Northwest heiress was a lucky girl.
"Hey," Dipper said as he sat down on the ledge next to the redhead. Wendy greeted him with a smile. "Is something wrong?"
"I'm fine," Wendy said staring up at the clouds.
It didn't take long for her frown to return.
"You know you can trust me," Dipper said and put a hand over his chest. "Did something happen at the party?"
Wendy sighed and leaned back on her hands. Her legs dangled over the roof and now that she had another life growing inside her she understood the risk of her action. The boy next to her had never done anything to betray her trust.
"It was a pretty lame party," Wendy explained. "Thompson tried everything to keep up the spirits with his awful dancing and karaoke," Wendy explained. "But his parents were next door so the music wasn't loud or anything anyone wanted to hear. No hip hop or metal or hard rock, and only the clean versions of every song."
Dipper laughed. Wendy also smiled. Had that been all the low lights of the party she would at least have used it as something to laugh at later.
Wendy continued, "Obviously there was no booze. Lee tried to sneak in his special brownies, but Thompson found out and threw them away. Lee called him a loser and everyone laughed. But it wasn't much fun, and there were chaperones the room over, so everyone wanted to leave early. Thompson begged them to stay. He said they could throw things at him or whatever."
Dipper recalled the time Thompson lashed out at him when Mabel caused the group to break up. He had seen Thompson do many gross and embarrassing things for their approval and to have it all be for nothing was too much for the teen. He made a mental note to do something nice for him sometime over the summer.
Wendy said, "Charlotte didn't like that. She said he didn't have to do that anymore. Then she looked at everyone and said so loud they all heard, 'If they're your real friends, they won't walk out on you.' Of course Robbie was there."
Dipper grimaced at the mention of that boy's name. He looked over at Wendy and noticed her tense up when she remembered that point of the story.
"You don't have to keep going if you don't want to," Dipper said.
Wendy shook her head. "No, I'll feel better when I get this off my chest."
Robbie shook his head. In his hand he held a handful of grapes from the fruit tray. Several of his friends stood behind him, two of which were in his band. He pelted the party's host with three of the grapes.
"Dude, ever since you started dating that cow you've lost all your cool," Robbie complained.
There were a few snickers, but most people were stunned to silence that anyone would actually say that aloud.
Charlotte rolled her eyes. "Wow, another insult about my size," she said then crossed her arms. "You're so original."
Robbie ignored her and with a smirk added, "I knew you were desperate man, but even you should have limits."
"Shut up, Robbie," Tambry snapped.
"Um, no one's even talking to you," Robbie responded.
"If you're bored then go," Wendy said one hand on her hip and the other on Tambry's shoulder.
"We don't need to drink and bake our brains to have fun," Charlotte added. She smiled at her boyfriend who gave her a thankful nod.
"I can't believe you," Robbie said and threw an apple at Thompson's arm. A few others including Lee laughed, but promptly stopped when Wendy sent him a nasty stare. Robbie pointed at Charlotte and Wendy. "'Cause of your fat whore and the pregnant bitch we gotta change everything?"
Wendy's face burned red. While her ex's words infuriated her, a more prominent emotion took over.
"Wendy, you're pregnant?" Annalise asked from behind.
Wendy looked over her shoulder to see a dozen people she considered acquaintances staring at her. A few murmurs whispered through the crowd.
"Looks like I dodged a bullet," Stoney Davidson said which caused those nearby to laugh.
"You're just as guilty," Tambry shouted and shoved her ex.
"Whoa! Calm down there, there's no proof that kid's mine," Robbie exclaimed and crossed his arms. He looked around the room. "I mean how many boyfriends have you had in the past two years?"
Wendy clenched her fists.
With a snarl Tambry threw a punch at Robbie's face. He grabbed her wrist before her knuckles had a chance to scrape his cheek. He threw her to the floor and Nate rushed to her rescue to pick her up.
Robbie turned his back. He looked over his shoulder and said, "Until you take a paternity test, you're not gettin' a dime or diaper from me."
He left with a small group leaving everyone else in silence. A few seconds later whispers erupted. Wendy clearly heard Mark mention he hadn't been certain they broke up, but now took the news as a confirmation.
The heat surrounding her face felt like it would melt off any second. She looked down and took deep breaths, not giving her ex the satisfaction of seeing her tears.
Upon concluding her story she glanced over at the thirteen-year-old whose face held a mixture of horrified and enraged.
"I'm so sorry," Dipper finally said. Rage rushed through his blood.
Wendy sighed. She put her arm around Dipper. "Hey, everyone was going to find out sooner or later." She pursed her lips. "I just wish it was later."
"Is there anything I can do?" asked Dipper.
"Just keep being my friend," she said.
Dipper nodded.
Wendy glanced down at her phone to realize it was almost time for her to return to work. She picked up her lunchbox then climbed back down the ladder leaving Dipper alone on the roof. The boy grabbed a pinecone from the bucket and chucked it at the trees.
Some of the anger removed from his body he climbed down the ladder and into the gift shop where he saw Mabel talking with Stan. His great-uncle looked a little irritated and Mabel wore a rare serious look.
"Please Grunkle Stan," Mabel said following after the old man who tried to put some distance between them. "You don't want to mess this up. Just tell her you're sorry and be romantic."
"I don't do romance, kid," Stan replied.
Mabel crossed her arms. "Well you're gonna have to," she retorted. "Or you're going to lose her." She paused and in a quieter voice asked, "You love her, don't you?"
"Of course I do, sweetie, but I-" Stan began.
Mabel interrupted, "Then prove it."
Stan sighed then grumbled, "Fine, I'll go over after dinner." He shook his head then muttered, "Kids."
"Hey, Grunkle Stan," Dipper said as he approached.
"Make it snappy, kid, I got another tour scheduled in five minutes," said Stan.
Dipper glanced over his shoulder to see Wendy enter the bathroom and close the door behind her.
"Um...later when you go out," Dipper began. "Do you-do you think I can come with you?" He looked up at Stan who wore a look of suspicion. "There's-there's someone I need to..." Dipper looked back at the bathroom. "I need to talk to."
"Eh, I don't see why not," Stan said. He finished the rest of his water then tossed the empty plastic cup in the trash. "Be ready after dinner."
"Where are you going?" Mabel asked startling her brother.
Dipper held a hand over his racing heart and took a deep breath. "It's just something," he said.
Dinner went quick. Mabel tried initiating conversation three times, but gave up upon noticing that everyone else seemed preoccupied. Ford had already informed his brother that he and Bill would be out late, and since Dipper was riding along with Stan, Mabel had been assigned dish duty.
Bill grabbed two bottles of water then said a farewell to the others before he ran out the back door to meet with Ford fastening the backpack over his shoulders.
"You know your brother is going to kill you, right?" Bill asked and slid the water into the bottle holders on Ford's backpack.
"Not if he doesn't find out," Ford replied.
"Hmm," Bill said and tapped the side of his mouth. "If you want my silence it's going to cost you."
"We'll discuss the payment later," said Ford.
"Oh, yes we will," Bill said and ran his fingers through Ford's fluffy hair.
The two now walked deep into the forest in hopes of finding a powerful enough creature to test their theory. Ford knew he would have to put himself in danger, but Bill knew he could take out anything that attacked them.
They pushed through trees and stepped over roots. Animals and small supernatural creatures stepped out of their way.
"Stick with the plan, I don't want you hurt," Ford said.
"If Sixer wants this excursion to be boring," Bill complained, yet kept a smile on his face.
It didn't take long for them to stumble across their first anomaly. Two giant vampire bats flew overhead. Ford put his arm out in front of Bill as they watched the large mammals fly overhead.
"Won't work," Bill said with a shake of his head. "It has to be something we don't know how to defeat." He pointed up at the sky. "They're animals, easy to dispose of."
"Agreed," replied Ford. "Plus other than drinking human blood, they're harmless."
As soon as Ford finished his sentence a giant vampire bat swooped down and grasped Ford's arms with his clawed feet. The strong arms flapped twice then hoisted Ford up to the sky. Bill yelled after Ford and a blue glow surrounded his body.
The demon took to the sky. His body wavered as he forced himself to follow after Ford and his captor. His ears strained to stay on the screams for help from the author. Ford flailed in the bat's grasp. He pulled one arm free and the creature shrieked when the uneven weight distribution caused him to lean. Ford reached for the laser gun in his holster.
The bat stopped and swung Ford in the air. Ford cursed when the sudden movement startled him, causing him to drop the gun somewhere in the forest below. The author made a mental note to search for it the instant he made it out of danger; he didn't want to consider what would happen if the wrong hands picked it up.
The bat suddenly froze. Ford noticed the faint blue glow surrounding the animal and peered behind the bat just enough to keep from falling to his death. The figure of Bill quickly came into view. With one hand out in front of him he held the vampire bat in a forcefield and the other he reached out to grab hold of Ford.
Ford's fingers brushed against Bills. The bat struggled against the forcefield. Bill looked up and the bat released the extra weight. Bill's eyes widened as Ford free fell fifty feet below. Bill released his hold on the bat who wasted no time flying away. Bill dove headfirst towards the forest below and caught Ford midair. The two took a deep breath while Bill lowered them both to the safety of the ground.
As soon as the shock wore off Ford pulled his legs from Bill's hand and set his boots on the dirt pathway. He smoothed out his jacket, hands still shaking due to coming seconds from splattering body parts in the middle of the woods.
"Sixer, if ever there was a damsel in distress it's you," Bill teased.
Ford sent Bill a look that expressed his opinion on the other man's comment that Bill only laughed off. The two walked in the opposite direction until Ford found his gun lying atop a patch of grass. He picked it up then fired three shots into a nearby tree. Three smoking holes through the bark proved it hadn't broken and he stored the gun in his holster.
"Let's keep going," Ford said to his partner.
The car pulled into the driveway of the tiny house owned by Susan Wentworth. Stan unbuckled his seatbelt then flipped down the visor to check his reflection. He popped two breath mints into his mouth then opened the door. Dipper followed in suit. The two doors shut within a second of each other.
Dipper announced that he would be heading out further into town and would meet him later. Stan gave him a warning to be careful. Dipper nodded, although his stomach twisted knowing what one of the possible outcomes of his errand would be. The worst part would be hiding a black eye from his great-uncle.
Stan waited until Dipper left his field of vision to climb the steps. Holding onto the handrail he ascended to the door of his fiancee. Of course the way Mabel talked earlier that day he wondered if she still wanted to keep that title. He smirked and told himself that the girl was likely worried over nothing.
The bell rang and Stan waited with his hands on his hips. A minute passed without a response. The old man turned his head to see the woman's car parked at the tip of the driveway, although there were plenty of times she elected to take the bus in order to save on gas.
Stan pressed the doorbell a second time. After a thirty second wait he heard heavy footsteps making its way to the front door. The lock turned from the inside then the door opened to reveal Susan wearing jean shorts and a green t-shirt; it was the first time Stan had seen her dressed so casually. Her hair, nails, and makeup were styled as usual.
"Hey, Stanley," she said standing in the doorway.
"Hey, Apple Dumpling, I ain't seen ya in a week," Stan greeted. He moved closer causing the woman to involuntarily back up. "How, uh, how're ya doing?"
"I've been busy," Susan replied. It was mostly true as she had picked up a few extra shifts at the diner if just to rid her mind of her current dilemma. Of course now the source of that pounding issue now stood two feet in front of her.
The two then stood there in silence for about a minute. Stan noticed his bride-to-be averted eye contact three times since he arrived.
"Stan, you might wanna come inside," the woman said and stepped out of the way to give her fiance room enough to enter. She shut the door behind her.
Stan took a seat on the couch while Susan moved into the kitchen. She returned a moment later with two mugs of tea she made in the last hour on a tray. One was handed to Stan and she kept the other for herself. The plump woman joined the man on the couch with the warm cup between her palms.
"Anything new?" Stan asked.
"We got a new flavor of pie at the diner," she answered. "If ya like banana you might stop by sometime and try it."
"If you made it I know it'll be good," Stan said. He took a sip of his tea and wrinkled his nose at the flavor. "You might wanna learn how to make tea though."
Susan glared at her fiance. "I make tea on a daily basis and we only get maybe ten complaints a day."
Stan rolled his eyes. He looked over at the woman who stared at her reflection in her cup.
"Out with it, Sue, why ya been avoiding me?" Stan asked.
Susan recalled the conversation she had with Marjorie that morning when her trusted friend came to the diner for breakfast. It was slow, so Susan sat with her while she ate. After hearing the story Marjorie assured her she could do better than the local conman.
She stared at her aging reflection in the brown and white swirled liquid. That along with the fact that Stan had been one of the only two men who dated her in the past twelve years didn't give her much room to be picky. However Marjorie told her it was better to be alone than settle for the wrong man.
"I don't know how to say it," she finally spoke.
Stan twitched. Perhaps now was the time to throw on the charm Mabel mentioned earlier. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small velvet box.
"I gotcha something, sweet cheeks," he said.
The lid of the box opened to reveal a pair of diamond cat earrings. Susan gasped and accepted the jewelry.
"I knew you'd like it," Stan boasted. "It was too easy to snatch 'em off the shelf." He laughed then added, "They shoulda kept it better locked."
Susan closed her eyes in synchrony with the box. She pushed the gift back into Stan's hand.
"Whoa, honey pot, what're ya doin'?" he asked.
"I can't do this anymore," Susan said with a sigh.
Stan's heart skipped as Susan pulled at her ring finger. It took three twists for the engagement ring to loosen. Stan sputtered as she yanked it off her finger then placed it into the center of Stan's palm.
"I love you, but I know you're not someone I can marry," Susan said.
She stood from the couch leaving Stan speechless. The conman gulped then hopped off the couch, following closely behind the woman.
"Sue, honey, let's talk about this," he called, following her into the kitchen. He grabbed her by the elbow and spun her around. "What's this all about? The stealing? I've been doin' that for years. You knew that when you said 'yes.'"
"I know, Stanley, and I shoulda said something before," Susan replied. She tried to pull away, but Stan's grip was too strong.
"I'm not gonna let you walk out on me until you tell me what it is," Stan said. "Whatever it is, I can fix it. Work on it. Maybe. No promises."
Susan sighed. "It's me," she admitted. "I let this go on for too long. I thought- I thought you'd change." Stan stared with his mouth slightly open. She continued, "I wanted you to."
Stan released her. She moved out of his reach. Thus far Stan had never done anything to harm his loved ones, but she knew he had a tendency to be impulsive.
"You wanted to fix me?" Stan asked.
Susan stared down at her feet.
"Fine, if that's what you want," Stan replied in a raised voice. He clenched the stolen ring in his grasp. He sharply turned and headed for the exit. Susan watched him from the kitchen. Just as he reached for the doorknob he turned and shouted, "I ain't perfect, Susan, but I ain't broken." He wrinkled his nose. "And I'm the best you're gonna get."
"I know that, Stan," she said, her voice clogged with saliva.
Stan noticed the tears in her eyes, but turned away before it became contagious. He swung open the door then slammed it behind him.
Susan fell to her knees and sobbed. Deep in her heart she worried she made the worst mistake of her life. Shaking she rationalized it to be for the best. Yet she wished the tears would cease.
On the other side of the door Stan stood motionless. He fought the urge to barge inside, pull Susan close and kiss her as if he just saved the world from destruction.
He held his arm high ready to chuck the ring far away. His hand only steadied when he realized how much he could pawn it for. A part of him wanted to hold onto it, but he knew it was useless. Susan had been his one chance of romance and he blew it.
It wasn't too long of a walk from Susan's house to the funeral home. Dipper walked up the pathway, shuddering as he walked past the graveyard at the edge of their property. He had fought zombie and ghost before, and nothing worse would deter him from his mission.
Dipper ascended the stairs then stood above the large door. His finger pressed the button that resounded with a gloomy tune. A moment later the door was answered by a cheerful red-haired lady with glasses.
"Good evening," she said with a laugh.
"A client?" an equally optimistic man asked when he stepped next to his wife. "Although it's after hours, we can see you since you went to all this trouble coming out here on foot."
Dipper stared speechless at the couple before him. He glanced down at the doormat that read: Valentino. And sure enough the sign in the yard advertised their business.
"Well, come on in," Janice said ushering the visitor inside.
"We were just about to have some milk and cookies, and you're welcome to join us," Greg added, following behind the two.
Mabel had briefly mentioned how unlike Robbie his parents were and how she liked their demeanor. However he never expected them to be the ones who raised someone like Robert Valentino.
Janice picked up a plate of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies and held them out in front of Dipper. The smell tempted him, but he knew he needed to keep his focus.
"Uh...actually I'm here to see Robbie," he said.
She handed the plate to her husband then called Robbie down. A few minutes later her son dressed in his usual hoodie scowling at the disappointment that was his parents. Robbie's eyes met with Dipper's and he glared.
"What're you doing here, dipstick?" he spat.
"Robbie, that's no way to treat our guests," his mother scolded.
"Piss off," Robbie said to his mom. He lowered his gaze to Dipper and asked, "What do you want, brat?"
"I'm sorry, he's in one of his moods," Greg apologized.
"We need to talk," Dipper answered. He noticed the other two still in the room and said, "In private."
Greg and Janice took that as their cue to leave. Greg announced they had some preparation to do for an early service the following morning. Janice added to call them if they needed anything. Dipper nodded, but Robbie only stared.
As soon as Dipper was certain the older Valentinos were out of the room he stared at Robbie. "You have a lot of nerve saying those things about Wendy."
"For f- sakes, kid...did she send you out to fight her battles?" Robbie asked.
Dipper tensed. "No," he answered. "That-that was a mean thing to do. You should be supporting her through this, not-not making her feel worse."
"It's not my kid and I don't have to do anything," Robbie argued.
"It is your kid!" Dipper yelled. "You were her boyfriend."
"Yeah, maybe, and did you know your sweet princess has been with a dozen other guys?" Robbie retorted. The older teen chuckled at the surprised look on the younger one's face. "Of course you didn't." With hands stuffed in his pockets he moved in towards Dipper. "You thought just 'cause she didn't want you she didn't want everybody else?"
"You-you need to shut up," Dipper said trying to keep a stern face despite the quiver in his voice.
Robbie only laughed. "Oh? And what are you going to do, twerp?" He grabbed Dipper by the collar. "Nothing, that's what." He shoved Dipper up against the wall. "What? You think you just come out here to fight me and she'll see you as her knight in shining armor? You're a kid, a nobody, and you're just deluding yourself."
Dipper turned red at Robbie's words. He struggled against the older boy's hold to no avail. Robbie finally granted him a moment of mercy and let him fall on the floor. Ignoring the stinging in his legs Dipper rose to his feet.
"I don't understand," Dipper said. "Last year you fought to be with her and now you're doing...all this."
"Yeah, a big mistake," Robbie responded.
He pushed Dipper again and the smaller boy lost his balance, falling against the wall. He caught himself before landing on the floor then steadied his feet.
"You're pathetic," Robbie spat.
"I-I'm pathetic?" Dipper countered. He moved forward and pointed a finger at Robbie. "You got a girl pregnant and can't even take responsibility!"
Robbie backhanded Dipper across the mouth. Dipper fell to the floor. He moved to his knees and wiped at his mouth with the back of his hand to see red on the skin.
"That's a warning," Robbie snarled from where he stood above Dipper. "If you even think of running your mouth again, I'll bust it to where you can't talk."
Despite the pain in his lips Dipper said, "You know what, I hope it's not yours." He stood up. A few drops of blood stained the carpet. "It doesn't deserve a terrible father like you."
"Well you can raise it," Robbie snapped. He pushed Dipper towards the door. "Or better yet, you tell that sl- if she's got any sense she'll get rid of it."
Dipper stared dumbfounded at Robbie for a few seconds.
"I'll never see what Wendy even saw in you," Dipper spoke in disgust.
He rubbed away the rest of the blood then exited the house. Standing out on the porch he wondered what he even accomplished.
A glance at his hands and Dipper realized he'd need to find a bathroom to clean away the stains before meeting up with Stan lest the old man ask questions. The last thing he wanted was for his great-uncle to find out about Wendy that way. What more he worried that he may have made things worse for his friend.
Ford and Bill hiked a mile through the forest having faced a few anomalies. The hidebehind didn't pose much of a threat and Bill easily took down a werewolf. Ford only regretted it managed to escape before he could administer the cure to the poor soul trapped inside.
They stopped for a bathroom break and then downed the entirety of their water bottles before moving on. After another hour of walking they finally reached their destination. Standing in front of them was the cabin Ford had stayed the night in his younger years.
Bill rocked back and forth on his feet already sensing the spiritual energy from inside. Having read the journal a dozen times since he was forced inside his human body he knew what rested inside. Ford managed to escape once before. Thirty years later he hoped that at least one of the spirits inside would create enough of a challenge to give Bill the need to access his locked powers.
Of the ten categories of ghosts, there was one he only knew how to avoid, but not defeat. According to his recent conversation with Bill, he didn't either.
On Ford's cue the two made their way to the unused cabin owned by the Corduroy family. The place was certainly bigger than the house they currently lived in which would be better suited for four children, but Ford knew the reason Manly Dan would not let his little ones step foot inside the property.
Bill pushed on the door and it immediately swung open. The musty scent hit them both in the face. Bill stepped one foot over the threshold and Ford grabbed his elbow.
"Bill, incase we don't make it out," Ford began. "I, uh..."
"Aww, I love you too, Sixer," Bill said and pressed his lips against Ford's.
For once Ford didn't protest. Of course the only witnesses were a few nocturnal animals and maybe some restless spirits inside the cabin.
The two faced the open doorway that beckoned them inside. Bill entered first with Ford right behind him.
I hope you all liked this chapter. Lots of drama and a little action. The bit about the cabin in the woods with all the ghosts comes from Journal 3.