Okay, we're halfway through the second season. A lot is going to happen in this chapter, it is over eight thousand words. I hope you all enjoy.
Thank you to Frostbite Flurry, Energy witch, Nifty Swifty, Berrybanana05, Fantasy Fan 223, Froggy Fresh, TDICELEBRITY14, and Blister123 for your reviews on the previus chapter.
Froggy Fresh, I added your suggestion in here. :)
At five Soos turned the open sign to closed. Wendy threw on her coat and the four made their way out to Soos' truck. The temporary boss ordered everyone to buckle up and then drove off in the direction of the Corduroy cabin.
From where he sat in the back Dipper clicked the cap of the pen he kept on him at all times. Mabel sent him a glare twice, both times he was too preoccupied by his thoughts to notice her annoyance.
"You keep that up, you're gonna break it," Soos finally said.
Dipper continued to click the top until Mabel smacked him on the arm.
"You okay there, buddy?" Wendy asked.
Dipper put the pen on the seat only for it to fall forward and roll under Wendy's seat.
"What would you guys do if you found a way to help someone, like really help them, but you know they would be mad that you went behind their backs to do it?" Dipper asked.
"You mean like I'm doing with Grunkle Stan and Lazy Susan?" Mabel asked.
"Uh-oh, Mr. Pines isn't gonna like that," Soos said.
"It's for their own good!" Mabel countered. She crossed her arms and kicked her feet. "They love each other, but they're both being stupid."
Soos sighed. He too knew that Stan was torturing himself just to get back at Susan.
"I think it depends on what it is," Wendy said.
"Yeah, dude can you give us a little more to go on?" Soos asked.
Dipper fidgeted. He thought over what to say without giving too many details.
"Let's just say I have a friend who really wants something," Dipper said. "He's worked real hard for it and deserves it."
He looked to his left to see his sister's eyes on him. Wendy peered around her seat and Soos often glanced into the rear-view mirror.
"And...maybe...maybe I found a way to help him get it. I mean it's right there." Dipper put his arms around himself. "But...but his pride might be wounded if I do him this favor."
"I don't know, that's tough," Wendy replied. She scratched her chin. "What kind of favor is it? Did he tell you not to?"
"That's just it, he doesn't even know about it," Dipper answered. "I know he'll be happy if he gets it, but I don't know if he'll like that we did all this without him knowing about it."
"I think you should do it," Mabel responded.
"Yeah, if it won't hurt him, why not," Wendy agreed.
The truck pulled up in front of the cabin. The three Corduroy boys shot arrows at targets in the front yard. Wendy commented that her father must still be at work due to the lack of his car in the driveway. The car sat parked for two minutes in which Wendy never budged. Her siblings had yet to notice her presence.
"Are you okay?" Dipper asked.
"Yeah, you haven't been talking much today," Mabel added.
Wendy sighed. She figured she might as well tell them. She stared out at her carefree brothers playing. The three laughed with their only worry being school would start back in a few months.
"Tambry told me Robbie's seeing someone new," said Wendy. "I don't care if he doesn't want to be together, in fact I don't want to be with him." She clenched her fist hard enough to make the skin turn ghostly white. She remembered where she was and sighed. "It's just not fair. He gets to move on while I'm stuck with this child." She stared down at her belly that had yet to show.
"Oh, Wendy," Mabel said.
"Is there anything we can do?" Dipper asked.
Wendy shook her head. "I don't think so," she finally said.
The other three watched in silence as she left the car. Her youngest brother noticed her first. He yelled her name and all three ran up to greet their sister, the youngest two talking at once. Wendy put on a pretend smile that those in the car could see through.
Soos backed out of the driveway and headed back to his house. For a while no one in the vehicle spoke. Dipper vowed the next time he laid eyes on Robbie he'd give him a piece of his mind.
To break the awkward silence Soos commented that his grandma would likely have dinner ready on the table when they arrived. Having spent the afternoon brainstorming ideas to make Stan fall back in love with Susan, she had neglected lunch, and now looked forward to devouring the evening meal.
"I don't want to tell you what to do," Soos finally said. "Even if he's mad, I think you have good intentions."
Dipper thanked him.
"What about me?" Mabel asked.
"You're a meddler, hambone," Soos replied. Mabel gasped. He laughed then added, "But you have good intentions too."
As expected, the instant they arrived at the Ramirez house, the three were ordered to wash their hands and sit down at the table. Abuelita fed them until they were full. Afterwards Mabel moaned that she shouldn't have eaten that last serving as she sat down on the couch.
"That's what my grandma's cooking will do to you," Soos said with a laugh. "But I hope you saved room for cream pie."
"I always have room for pie," Mabel said despite feeling bloated.
Dipper had stopped eating before his stomach reached full capacity. He needed to be able to move for what he had planned for later.
Mabel and Soos made themselves comfortable to watch a movie that would end around eleven. Abuelita entered with two slices of pie for everyone. Mabel and Soos readily accepted the generous portions of dessert, but Dipper politely declined.
"Come on, all growing boys need pie," Abuelita coaxed the teen.
"I can attest to that," Soos said patting his belly.
"Oh, I can't," Dipper said. He gripped at his middle. "My stomach is already hurting. I hope I'm not coming down with something."
"Oh, Soos, can you get him some medicine," Abuelita said.
"No, I-I think I just need to go to bed," Dipper replied. "I'm sure I'll be better in the morning."
"Are you sure? It's no trouble," Soos offered.
"Yeah, I just need to sleep it off," Dipper said straining his voice to sound more convincing.
"I hope you feel better, love," Abuelita said and ruffled Dipper's hair.
The thirteen-year-old guiltily smiled and made his way to the spare room he shared with Mabel. He waited until Mabel and Soos were invested in the movie and watched Abuelita retire to her room for the night.
Checking both ways Dipper snuck over to Soos' room. Again his heart swelled with guilt, but he knew it would be worth it in the end. Slowly he turned the doorknob and crept inside. The light from where the chord plugged into the laptop provided him with just enough light.
On the desk sat the keyring. Dipper looked over his shoulder again then tiptoed towards the desk. Shakily he grabbed the keys and with a nervous tremor dropped them on the desk. The teen winced at the sound and waited, his heart pounding for Soos, Mabel, or both to walk in on him.
He had no reason for snooping in Soos' bedroom were he caught. Soos would instantly forgive him, although Dipper knew he didn't deserve it, but it would damage his friend's trust. All reason warned him to leave and go back to bed before the guilt made him truly sick.
A minute passed without anyone popping in. Dipper took a deep breath and considered just backing down. He swallowed the cowardice and reminded himself that Ford would thank him once he was a published author and respected scientist, a pioneer in the field of paranormal studies.
Dipper slipped the key to the Mystery Shack off the ring and inserted it into his vest pocket. Already he came up with the lie that he found the key lying by the front door and that it must have fallen off when they entered the house. Soos had believed lesser lies before. Again Dipper berated himself for taking advantage of his friend, but reminded himself that his goal was worth it.
He crept towards the backdoor. Again he checked to make sure no prying eyes watched then slowly slipped out. He took off running the instant he reached the sidewalk. He walked an extra mile to the bus stop so as not to have to wait at the one a block from Soos' house. A quick glimpse at his phone showed him the buses only ran for another twenty minutes, meaning he'd have to walk back from the Mystery Shack.
The bus came to a halt in front of Dipper. The door opened allowing the boy to board. He tossed a few coins in the fare box then sat in the first seat behind the driver. Only four other people sat on the bus, some he had seen around town, but never talked to.
It was a long, quiet ride to his great-uncle's tourist trap. Dipper expected his phone to ring at any moment with Mabel or Soos demanding to know his whereabouts. At every stop he shuddered with the thought of one of them boarding to take him back home. Dipper leaned his head against the window and hoped that everything would be worthwhile in the end.
Only one other person remained on the bus when Dipper stepped off. The driver gave him a look, but didn't say anything. As the bus drove away Dipper headed for the gift shop porch. He inserted the key into the hole and listened as the lock clicked. The door squeaked as he opened, the familiar scent of a few hours ago still lingered.
He left the door open for the moon to provide him with enough light to illuminate the vending machine buttons. It was a longshot, for most likely Ford took the journal with him.
The code entered Dipper pushed open the door and grabbed the lantern hanging by the entrance. He cautiously moved down to the lab, expecting Ford to pop out from anywhere, despite knowing he was in currently in another state.
He reached the lab and set the lantern down on a desk. His shadow mocked him, reminding him of his wrongdoing. Dipper ignored the pounding in his head and heart and flipped the light switch. The lantern doused he searched for the journal.
He scanned the bookshelves to find them bereft of the journal. He then rushed over to Ford's desk and lifted the stack papers, some containing blue prints and notes for the taser gloves he had been trying to remodel in hopes of selling them.
A few pages slipped from his hand and the boy yelped as all but two landed on the floor. He inhaled through his teeth and knelt down to try and put them back together. At the very least he'd receive a firm scolding from the scientist himself. He tried his best to organize the pages, but without numbers he could only go off of context clues.
Next to the taser glove documents sat a folder that read: Conscious Mindscape Travel. Dipper narrowed his brows and flipped open the folder. He read over Ford's notes regarding the two times Bill used the inner eye to reach into the locked memories within his mind. The fourth through sixth pages told of a failed experiment with Project Mentem. And on seventh through tenth pages detailed the most recent visit to the Mindscape, the only one Bill could remember afterwards, the one that required Ford's torture at the hands of the phantoms of pain.
Dipper read the reports, fully in awe of the discoveries. Was it truly possible for one to access their Mindscape while being fully in control? The boy slid the papers back into the folder, knowing that research to be too important for him to disorganize. A part of him wanted Ford to find out about his unsupervised visit to the lab just so he could ask his great-uncle more about conscious Mindscape travel.
Remembering the reason he was there Dipper glanced over towards Ford's makeshift bedroom. He grinned at the sight of the red binder lying on the nightstand. Dipper rushed over and picked it up. His reflection starred back from six-fingered golden hand emblem on the front cover.
Again his heart and brain warned him this was a mistake. He pushed away those thoughts when he imagined his grunkle's happiness when he finally achieved his goals and dreams of becoming a world-renowned researcher. His name would be remembered for all time.
That publisher asked to have a look at the research. As long as he was in the room with her, he could guarantee the journal's safety.
Just to push away the doubt Dipper placed the journal back on the nightstand and sat down on Ford's bed. The mattress sunk underneath his weight. His phone in hand he pulled up Google and searched the name: Stephanie Wallace. Ten seconds seconds passed all while Dipper begged under his breath for it to hurry.
The first result was a Facebook page for a teenager with that name. The second result read: Stephanie Wallace, a respected publisher of paranormal research. Dipper clicked on the button. A thirty minute wait and the page loaded. A blurry picture of a woman slowly came into view. Dipper let out a sigh of relief at seeing the face of the same woman he met with earlier that morning.
He read through her biography and a list of her own publications in addition to books she herself wrote. Some of them caught his interest that he could ask her about in the morning.
Dipper opened his vest to store the binder when the paper Stephanie gave him earlier fell on the floor. The time stood at half past ten. He drummed his fingers on the phone for a moment then decided to give her a call. Three rings and he heard a woman's voice.
"Hey, um...it's Dipper from earlier," he said. "Stanford Pines' great-nephew." His heart rushed while his brain begged him to hang up the phone. "I...I'm sorry it's late."
"It's okay," Caroline replied with a laugh.
"I-uh, I have the journal," Dipper said. It felt like acid filled his heart. "If you want we can meet and you can see."
"That would be great," Caroline replied. "How about at the diner tomorrow at nine."
"Great!" Dipper cried. He hung up the phone and despite feeling lightheaded and his legs wobbly he knew Ford would thank him once the initial anger wore off. It was just like Mabel, Wendy, and Soos said, his intentions were in the right place.
Ford woke up the next morning groggy and with an intense need for the bathroom. He threw the blankets and Bill's arm from off of him. His lack of clothes reminded him of all that happened with Bill last night before they finally crashed.
While Ford relieved himself Bill stirred and sat up. The room's air conditioner chilled his bare skin. He wrapped the blanket around himself as his stomach gurgled with the need to expel alcohol from his body. Ford had barely turned on the faucet when Bill pushed into the bathroom, startling the human.
The blond grasped the toilet and spewed up eighty dollars worth of liquor he received for free from various club patrons who felt the need to buy him more and morethroughout the night.
Stan had won a good deal of money during the poker games. It was Ford who suggested they leave before those in charge discovered Stan's cheating and he was banned from another casino. Ford and Stan had already drank two alcoholic beverages a piece, and Bill had consumed four. Giggling, Bill stumbled on the way to the club. Ford considered dragging his boyfriend back to the hotel, but his brother insisted they enjoy their last night to the fullest. The three entered a nightclub where the music blasted and the smell of booze reeked.
One after the other the drinks came. Despite Ford's warnings, Bill chose to down each glass and shot. Stan cheered him on as he himself consumed a total of eight beers. Ford gulped down his second whiskey on the rocks and started to feel the tingling in his body.
Bill yelled when he recognized a top forty hit. He stumbled over to the dance floor and moved in ways that made Ford blush. Stan clapped him on the back and called him a lucky man. Much to Ford's chagrin it didn't take long for others to flock over towards Bill. Two women pulled Bill into a sandwich and they grinded to the beat. However, when one of the women became grabby, Ford intervened.
"Whoo! Dance with me, Sixer!" Bill yelled. He grabbed Ford's butt and pushed himself up against him. Ford tried to reason with Bill who felt the need to kiss him everytime he tried to speak.
"That's enough, you're drunk," Ford said. He took both of Bill's hands in his.
"Yes I am!" Bill yelled. He leaned on Ford. "And you're gorgeous." He then laughed and Ford turned his head to avoid the stench of rum and tequila that exited Bill's mouth.
Ford looked behind him to see Stan leave in the arms of a woman.
It took another twenty minutes until he convinced Bill to leave. Ford shared a cab with his boyfriend who felt the need to stick his head out the taxi window screaming. Others on the street encouraged his behavior with waves and shouts of their own. Bill hung over the window at his belly, smiling wide with a huge grin. The wheels hit a bump and Ford grabbed the smaller man just as he nearly fell faceforward from the vehicle.
The laughing drunk fell on Ford. The human gripped at his forehead, instantly sobering from nearly watching his beloved become a splatter of meat on the pavement. Bill lost interest in the window when he fiddled with the buttons on his boyfriend's shirt. Ford swatted away Bill's hands only for the latter to pout. He tried again only to receive the same reaction from the gray-haired man. Bill announced that Ford looked better without a shirt. Ford opened his mouth to scold the smaller man, when Bill took the opportunity and shut off his words with his own mouth.
Ford shook his head and held Bill until they reached the hotel. All the way through the lobby, the elevator, and the hallway to their room Bill felt the need to announce to everyone who'd listen that the man holding him was his lucky boyfriend. Ford held his head down in shame.
Ford brewed some coffee in hopes that it would sober Bill up enough that he didn't endanger himself. In the meantime he filled a cup with lukewarm tap water. He turned around to see Bill shed his clothes. He threw himself on the bed and begged for Ford.
Ford wracked his brain wondering what he did to deserve to have to put up with that headache for the rest of his lifetime. Bill yelled out for him again, writhing in a way that enticed the slightly intoxicated human.
With a sigh Ford agreed to sex if Bill drank the entire glass of water. Bill sat up and reached for the plastic cup. Some splashed over the side as he chugged. Once finished he tossed the cup on the floor then looked lovingly at the other man. Again Ford sighed, the next morning Bill would regret tonight, and Ford would regret it even more.
Bill now laid with his face on the floor, moaning and vowing to never drink again if the pain only subsided. Ford shook his head and went to retrieve more of the pills Bill bought the day before. He popped two himself to vanquish the awful headache. The stale coffee in the pot had never been touched as they both fell asleep not long after their intimate activity. He half expected to open the door to see a notice of noise complaint on his door.
Two pills were dropped in Bill's hand who threw them in his mouth. How grateful he was to accept the cup of water. The liquid pushed the medicine down his dry throat.
Bill leaned up against the tub. "I had a horrible dream, Sixer," he moaned. "There was all this candy. And everytime I tried to get a piece Kryptos took it. And he...he ate all the candy."
Ford had to turn his face not to laugh. Again Bill moaned before retching into the toilet.
"I'm dying," Bill cried. He opened his mouth to less the rest leave his body.
"I'm surprised you're functioning after all you drank last night," Ford chided.
"Stop scolding me, I'm already miserable," Bill whined.
"When you're done, take a shower and drink some coffee, we're going home today," Ford said.
Ford figured Stan would grumble about having to leave and possibly even beg to stay another day. However, the only remaining two hundred dollars in his bank account cancelled that request. The money he won from the game two nights ago had paid for his food, last night's drinks, and the cab back to the hotel. The likelihood of him winning anything in the next few hours was slim, and the cost of another night wouldn't be worth it.
An hour later the two walked over to Stan's room. Ford knocked to receive no reply. He knocked louder and called his brother's name. Checking to make sure the coast was clear Ford kicked open the door. It smacked against the wall and the two entered to find the place sloppy, but vacant. Stan didn't own a cell phone and he didn't have Bill or Ford's (despite him not having a phone at the present time) number memorized.
"We're going to have to put in a missing person's report," Ford said.
"I don't think we need to do that, Sixer," Bill replied. "I'm sure he's still with that woman, or downstairs in the casino."
"I'm not taking any chances," Ford replied. He had read how many people disappeared from popular vacation sites and forced himself not to think of his brother's name added to that list.
"Calm down, I'll just cast the Locator," Bill suggested.
Ford's face lit up until he remembered the journal was back in Gravity Falls. He punched the wall then ran for the staircase. Bill followed after.
He gripped the doorman's arms and asked, "Did a man who looks like me come or leave today?"
The doorman stared in stunned silence. Ford shook him and repeated the question.
"N-no, nobody like that," he cried.
Ford released him. "If you see someone with my face call this number." He jotted down Bill's cell number and thrust it into the other man's hand.
The two hurried down the strip. Bill used a photo he saved of Stan on his phone, and Ford his own face, they asked any restaurant workers, hotel personnel, and casino employees they could find. Each result turned up negative. After two hours Ford decided it was time to involve the police, he only hoped Stan didn't have any outstanding crimes warranting his arrest at the moment.
They kept their eyes peeled for any sign of Stan as they hurried over to the police station. Ford pushed open the door and darted inside, the door nearly closed on Bill as he tried to keep up with Ford.
Just as Ford reached the front desk the man ahead of him turned to reveal the very man they sought after.
"Stanley Pines," Ford growled. The fact that they were in a police station and he didn't want to spend the night in jail was the only reason he didn't strike his twin.
"What you get arrested for this time?" Bill joked.
"Can it, Goldilocks, I got robbed," Stan grumbled.
"What?" Ford cried. "How?"
"That bitch last night," Stan explained. "She gave me a good time then left with all my cash, the jewels, and Susan's ring."
"Mr. Pines," the cop said. Both men turned. "I'm gonna need a better description than 'a hot babe.'"
"I don't know, she was hot an' I was drunk," Stan replied. "Uh..." He scratched his chin. "She had brown hair."
"How about a name?" the cop asked.
"Didn't ask," Stan answered with a wave of his hand. "It was a one-time thing. No names, just bang."
"It's going to be impossible if you can't give me something to go on," the police officer said with one hand on his hip.
"Look, that bitch is out there with my fiancee's engagement ring!" Stan exclaimed.
The officer lifted a brow. "Isn't she lucky," he commented. He looked back down at the paperwork. "How much cash?"
"About four hundred, only what I won, the rest is locked up in the safe," Stan answered. A little under a thousand along with his car keys were in the room safe. "Look, if it was just the cash I wouldn't care. In fact, I can appreciate her skill."
Ford elbowed him in the side.
"Can you describe the ring?" the cop asked.
"A diamond I stol-ah...got in Columbia," Stan replied.
The cop sighed. "To be honest, Mr. Pines, unless we get a lead from someone else, we have no chance of finding this woman based on the information you gave us."
"So you ain't even gonna try?" Stan growled.
"We will, but you narrowed it down to brown-haired women," the officer responded. "Do you know how many women who fit that description come through here everyday?"
Stan growled. He turned to the other two. "Didn't either of you two see?"
"I wish I did," said Ford.
"I was wasted," Bill replied.
"Yeah, me too," Stan said with a sigh.
"I'm sorry," Ford said and put his arm on his brother's shoulder.
"I am too," said the police officer. "As soon as we know anything we'll call you."
Ford thanked him on Stan's behalf. The three left the station, all ready to head back home to Oregon.
"What a bust this turned out to be," Stan said. "Now I ain't even got a ring for Sue anymore."
"I thought you two were finished," said Bill.
"Shut it!" Stan snapped.
"Look, Stanley, let's just go home," Ford suggested.
"Yeah," Stan replied. He looked behind him at the city that used to bring him joy and delight. Now it only served as an area of bad memories.
They returned to their hotel where the frightened doorman stepped aside. He commented on Ford finding the man with his face to which Ford replied with a glare. The hotel employee ducked away, nervously laughing. They gathered their things and loaded up the car. The keys returned at the desk, and all buckled in the vehicle, the three began their trip home.
The next morning Dipper was pulled from sleep around seven by some obnoxious pop song playing at full blast. Having only been asleep for three hours he rubbed at his eyes and threw the covers back on himself.
Mabel shut off the alarm then ripped the blanket from her brother's bed.
"Mabel, cut it out!" Dipper whined.
"It's time to wake up, Dip-Dop," Mabel cheered. "We have to be at the Mystery Shack in an hour."
"Too tired," Dipper whimpered.
"Oh, because of your tummy ache?" Mabel asked.
Dipper lifted his head to ask her where she got that idea, when he remembered his lie from the previous night. He nodded then curled into a ball.
"Or, because you were out 'til two in the morning?" Mabel questioned.
Dipper's eyes flung open. He sat up too quick to hold onto his story of being sick.
"How-how did you..." Dipper began.
"You think I can't hear you sneaking in and out?" Mabel asked with hands on her hips.
"Look, Mabel, I was doing something important," Dipper hurriedly explained.
"And Soos found the Mystery Shack key by the front door this morning," Mabel continued. "And he thought it wasn't secure on his keyring." She shook her head.
"Mabel, please, don't say anything," Dipper begged.
"I might, if..." Mabel cut her eyes in her brother's direction. He gulped at her smirk.
"Mabel, don't," he pleaded.
"If you tell me what you were doing at the Mystery Shack in the middle of your night by yourself," she finished.
Dipper let out a sigh of relief. He looked down at his hands as he twiddled his thumbs. "It...it's something to help Grunkle Ford," he confessed.
"Oh, is that what you were talking about in the car?" Mabel realized.
"Yes, but I he doesn't know, and nobody else either," Dipper confessed. "So please, please don't say anything."
"What are you doing?" Mabel asked.
"Bill must've sent out some of his book," Dipper answered. "I'm just proving that it's real." He crossed his legs. "I couldn't find the manuscript, but I have the journal and..."
She gasped. "Did you go in his lab?" Dipper looked away in shame. "Dipper, he told you not to do that."
"Look, Bill started it, I'm just finishing," Dipper explained. "Don't you see this is Grunkle Ford's dream?" He knew it was a low move but he asked, "Don't you trust me?"
Mabel's mouth fell open. She looked down and nodded.
"I promise to tell you how it goes," Dipper offered.
Mabel nodded, although she wished she could go with him.
Dipper quickly dressed and headed out the door, informing Soos he had an important errand to run and wouldn't be able to man the shop. Mabel looked away from her temporary boss so her face wouldn't accidentally let it slip that she knew where her brother headed and why.
Dipper rode the bus to the stop next to Greasey 's Diner. The door chimed when he entered. Fiddleford waved having seen the boy then went back to sipping his coffee. Blubs and Durland chatted as they were on their third break of the day. In the back he saw the blonde woman peer over her menu and smiled at the boy. Dipper gave her a curt wave then sat down.
"Order whatever you want, my treat," Caroline said.
Myrtle, the other waitress employed by the diner, stopped by to take their orders. Dipper requested a large plate of pancakes with a side of bacon and scrambled eggs. Caroline insisted she would be fine with just the coffee and the waitress headed off.
"I looked up your website," Dipper said. "I can't believe all the cool cases you studied."
Caroline laughed. "Remember, most of those are works by other people, I just published them." She made a mental note to thank her internet technician friend who set up that website two days ago.
"I know, but you still published the one on the hauntings in Maine," Dipper blurted. "I want to ask you so many questions. How did you get started in paranormal research? Did you ever face anything really dangerous?" He placed his hands on the table and leaned in closer. "I once caught a ghost in a silver mirror. At the Northwest Manor, it..."
He ceased talking upon hearing her laughter. Red-faced he sat back down and suddenly found the glass of orange juice intriguing. The waitress returned with Dipper's food then refilled Caroline's coffee.
"Don't be embarrassed, you just remind me a lot of myself at your age," Caroline said. She poured in two cups of creamer then stirred the warm beverage with her spoon. "We'll have plenty of time to talk." She folded her hands up under her chin. "If what your uncle found is interesting enough, I might spend more time here in Gravity Falls." She shrugged. "Maybe the three of us can work together."
The eggs just missed Dipper's mouth as he dropped the fork on the plate.
"That would be the best," Dipper said unable to hold in his excitement. "I think Grunkle Ford will really like you."
Caroline smirked and replied, "Let's hope he does."
Another chill skated down Dipper's back. He glanced down at his vest where the journal waited. He then looked back up in the woman's green eyes. Something in her smile gave off warnings.
Caroline sat back up and the dreadful feeling in Dipper's stomach vanished. He told himself it was the guilt of going behind Ford's back that made him uneasy.
"So let's take a look at this journal," Caroline said.
Dipper reached into his vest and pulled out the binder. He slid it across the table in front of the blonde, her eyes widened. She took the glasses from out of her purse, unfolded them, and placed them over her eyes. Her fingers wiggled as she opened the first page, inhaling its scent.
Her smile fell as she flipped through the pages.
"It's photocopied," she commented.
"Yeah, Grunkle Ford lost his original in, uh...in a fire," Dipper lied while rubbing the back of his head. He forced his hand atop the other then added, "My Grunkle Stan made a copy of all the journals and put them in this book. He must've thought something like that might happen."
"I see," Caroline said and flipped back to the first page.
"That's-that's not going to be a problem, is it?" Dipper asked.
The woman shook her head, the fake hair dancing about her face.
Dipper watched as she read through the journal. He kicked his feet and tried to eat, but couldn't help notice her studying the pages hard.
She came upon the page on summoning the dream demon Bill Cipher. Dipper's eyes widened.
"That's not an interesting page," Dipper cried as he tried to pull it away.
Caroline kept a firm hold on the book and Dipper lost his grip. She held up the binder on the table so it covered her face. "On the contrary, it's the most interesting one yet." She looked up at Dipper then said, " But if you insist, I won't read it."
She flipped to the most recent pages, ones that Dipper himself had not yet read. He went to take the journal again when the doorbell rang announcing a new customer. Dipper narrowed his eyes at seeing Robbie Valentino with his arm around another girl with blue hair. The two sat in the booth, with Robbie on the outside. The girl stroked Robbie's cheek then leaned her head on his shoulder. Robbie bragged about something while Dipper's blood boiled.
"Excuse me a second," Dipper said.
"Certainly," Caroline replied. She smirked at seeing Dipper head over to the other boy. Avery pulled out her phone and turned back to the page on summoning Bill Cipher. How interesting, she thought as she took a picture. The same name as the man living with Stanford.
Dipper stopped next to Robbie's booth. The musician glared at the teen.
"Really?" Dipper spat. "You're going to act like nothing's going on while Wendy's suffering alone."
"Get lost, loser," Robbie said waving him away.
"Hey, he's a kid," the girl beside Robbie said with a chuckle.
"This is all a big joke to you?" Dipper cried.
"I said get lost," Robbie growled, glowering at the younger boy.
Caroline flipped to the more recent entries. Her eyes lit up as she read more on Bill Cipher's true nature. She read about Fiddleford's involvement in the research and about the memory gun itself. A segment of the journal had been taken over by Dipper. She glanced over in his direction to see him arguing with the older teenager.
She turned the page and nearly gasped at seeing a drawing of her husband next to a drawing of Dipper. Her fingers brushed over the page and carefully read every word on that page. She recalled the night her husband told her of how he nearly lost his life because of that boy's carelessness. Raised voices from the teenager caught her attention. The dark-haired boy jumped up from his seat and pressed his finger against Dipper's chest. The girl he sat with reached for his arm, begging him to calm down.
The reminder of time forced her to take a photo of those two pages then turned. Finally she reached the part that detailed Ford's emergence from the portal. She gritted her teeth and fire burned in her chest when she read of how he used that memory gun his assistant McGucket invented to rid the memories from the FBI agents. With a maniacal grin she took seven pictures a piece of those pages.
"You have a responsibility!" Dipper shouted.
"That ain't my kid!" Robbie snapped. He pushed Dipper causing him to stumble.
Fiddleford turned in his stool, ready to jump into action should Dipper need his help.
"Hold up, you got a girl pregnant and aint' doin' right by her?" the blue-haired teenager spat in disgust.
"Look, it's not like that," Robbie said releasing Dipper and turned back to the girl who crossed her arms and looked up upon him in disdain.
Caroline turned to the most recent of entries, the ones Dipper himself had not had the pleasure of reading. She grinned as she read over the pages on the bonding spell in addition to ending the apocalypse. The camera filled with photos of the last fourth of the journal.
"Looks like I was warned in time," the blue-haired girl said with a sneer then turned away.
"Please, wait it's not what you think!" Robbie called as the girl threw open the diner door. "Wait!" Robbie yelled.
With her back to Robbie she held up her middle finger then stomped away.
"You!" Robbie growled as he turned on Dipper. He caught he boy by the throat and slammed him up against the wall.
The kitchen door opened and Lazy Susan rushed out with her broom in hand. "Put him down!" she screamed. She raised the broom ready to strike if he didn't listen. Robbie released Dipper. The waitress kept her glare on the older teen. "Don't you dare show your face in here again," she snapped.
Robbie backed up. He looked around to see people whispering. The sounds of murmurs and a few muttered chuckles taunted his ears.
"Out!" Susan yelled.
"You heard her, get outta here," McGucket repeated, stepping up next to Lazy Susan.
"Yeah, we don't appreciate your kind 'round here," Blubs added.
Robbie headed towards the door. He shot a finger in Dipper's direction. "This ain't over," he threatened then bolted out the door.
"Thanks," Dipper said to Susan and Fiddleford.
"Should we take that as a threat?" Durland asked.
"Nah, just more paperwork if we do," Blubs answered.
Dipper returned to his table where Caroline had closed the binder and put it next to Dipper's plate. He sat down and finished the rest of his juice.
"Sorry, I don't feel like eating anymore," Dipper said.
"I don't blame you," Caroline replied. She cupped the mug between her hands. "There's some fascinating stuff in there. I can't wait to meet your uncle."
"That's great!" Dipper cried. "He should be back tomorrow."
Caroline smiled. "Then I might have to make a visit before I leave."
Later that night the four sat around the table eating Abuelita's famous chicken and spinach casserole. The twins had never been partial to spinach, but the way Abuelita cooked made even the most boring of vegetables appetizing.
Dipper told the others all that happened over dinner, including his scuffle with Robbie.
"I can't believe he's a major jerk after all," Mabel said with a shake of her head.
"Yeah, never liked that kid," Soos added with a mouthful of casserole.
"But Grunkle Ford is going to be so happy when he's finally published," Dipper squealed.
"I didn't think Bill went through with it, but I'm glad he did," said Mabel. She smiled at her brother. "You're a good nephew, broseph."
"Yeah, he's gonna be proud of you," Soos said and ruffled Dipper's hat-protected hair.
They were interrupted by a knock at the door. Abuelita moved, but Soos offered to answer, allowing the elderly woman to sit back down. Soos opened the door to be greeted by three familiar faces. The Pines brothers and Bill were led into the kitchen.
"The Mystery Shack still standin'?" Stan asked.
Ford rolled his eyes. "Thanks for taking care of the kids," he said to Soos and Abuelita.
Abuelita stood and ordered the three visitors to sit and partake in dinner. They tried to argue with the excuse that they already ate an hour ago, but the Ramirez matriarch wouldn't take no for an answer. Therefore the three new guests all received a plate and the kids were given seconds.
Stan licked his lips then dug into the dish having missed a good home-cooked meal. Ford, not hungry, take small bites only to appease the woman who had been kind enough to lodge the twins on such short notice. Bill, however, wrinkled his nose as he poked through the spinach-rich food.
"Eat," Ford whispered to his boyfriend.
"I don't like it," Bill replied.
"Just try it," Ford ordered.
"I don't like it," Bill said louder and with more force.
"Don't force him if he doesn't want to," Abuelita said.
"But you won't get no pie if you don't eat your dinner," said Mabel.
"What kind of pie?" Bill inquired.
"Chocolate," Abuelita, Soos, and Mabel answered in unison.
Bill picked up his fork and stabbed a large piece of casserole. Closing his eyes he popped it into his mouth and ignored the bitter taste of spinach while the savory flavors of chicken and cheese quickly overtook the aversive one. Ford shook his head again regretting his decision to summon him.
The author noticed his nephew smiling up at him. Caught, Dipper returned his attention to his food.
"Something wrong?" Ford asked.
Dipper shook his head. "I can't wait for you to be happy," he said.
Ford exchanged glances with Bill and Stan, both who shrugged. Mabel looked down at her plate to hide her giggling. The author decided to just let it go for now.
Dipper finished his second helping of casserole. He couldn't wait until the next morning when Stephanie returned with good news for his great-uncle.
The next morning Stan, Soos, and Wendy were enough to handle the store for the moment allowing Bill the day off. Mabel suggested they hang out at the park, which Bill readily accepted. Dipper asked to stay behind, so he could see Ford's face when Stephanie showed up.
Stan shook his head, not sure what had gotten into the boy to make him not want to take a rare day off, however he wasn't one to argue with a good thing. Dipper could barely stand still and he debated whether or not he wanted to capture the moment on camera, or in his memory. In the end he asked Soos to take the picture for him.
Meanwhile Mabel and Bill met up at the park with Candy, Grenda, and Pacifica. The latter only agreed because she had something she needed to discuss with the twins.
The five met up and then headed out towards the playground. Bill ran for the swing and threw his belly over the seat with his arms out in front of him as if he were flying. When the swing went back so did Bill landing him with his back in the sand. Mabel, Candy, and Grenda laughed. Pacifica crossed her arms, shaking her head at the foolish acts, baffled that was the same creature who nearly destroyed their town last summer.
"Monkey bar race!" Candy yelled.
"Oh, you're so on!" Grenda shouted.
Both girls rushed for the mentioned equipment. Mabel hurried after them, but was stopped when Pacifica called her name. Mabel looked back at her friends who were already way ahead of her that she had no chance of winning now, then walked back over to Pacifica.
"Look, something real weird happened two days ago," Pacifica said. "This strange woman came to my house and asked me all these questions about your brother."
Mabel tilted her head to the side. "Who would want to know about Dipper?" she asked.
"I don't know, some case worker, or something," Pacifica replied. "But she asked really weird questions that didn't have anything to do with her work. Like she was asking about that stupid book he carries around and about the ghost from my house last year."
Mabel hummed. "You know she might be the same person Dipper talked to." She clapped Pacifica on the arm who showed her disgust towards the gesture. "It's probably just that person who wants to publish Grunkle Ford."
Pacifica brushed off the area of her jacket Mabel touched. "Then why was she asking about Dipper?"
Mabel frowned. "She didn't say anything about Ford?"
Pacifica shook her head.
Mabel touched her bottom lip. "It is weird. I might have to ask Grunkle Ford about it."
Candy and Grenda jumped down from the monkey bars, the former screamed, and Bill stood up from the swing. Mabel and Pacifica gasped at the sight of eight members of a S.W.A.T. team that surrounded them. The men closed in, all aiming their guns at Bill.
"Stay behind me, Shooting Star," Bill instructed.
Mabel did as requested causing the agents to buckle.
"Bill Cipher! On your knees!" the S.W.A.T. leader shouted. Bill froze. "On your knees!" he repeated.
Hands in the air Bill complied with the agent's demand.
Two other members gathered the girls and ushered them away. Mabel struggled to help Bill while Pacifica threatened to sue the men for messing up her hair.
The leader kept his gun on Bill while another member of the team handcuffed Bill. He and another member lifted the blond to his feet.
"Bill Cipher, you are under arrest for terrorism, kidnapping, vandalism, and attempted murder," the S.W.A.T. leader spoke.
Mabel gasped.
"You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you."
"Where's Stanford?" Bill asked as he struggled against the restraints.
"You have the right to an attorney," the S.W.A.T. leader continued.
"Stanford! Shooting Star, get Stanford!" Bill cried.
He writhed in the handcuffs. One of the agents holding him pressed a taser against Bill's back. The blond screamed as the electric current shot through him. Bill's legs gave out on him forcing him to the ground.
The S.W.A.T. leader stood over Bill. He turned his head on the grass looking up at the taller man. "If you can't afford an attorney, one will be appointed for you."
"Stanford," Bill muttered.
The two team members yanked Bill to his wobbly feet. They dragged him to the car where he was forced into the back seat. The door shut on Bill who looked out at the girls who all stared on in horror as he was driven away.
"We have to get back to the Mystery Shack!" Mabel shouted.
"Come with me," said Pacifica.
The other three girls followed the heiress to where her driver waited. Pacifica ordered a quick drive to the Mystery Shack and the chauffeur complied, not heeding to road laws.
The driver slammed on breaks causing the girls to spring forward and bounce against the seat. They all rubbed their hands and moaned except for Mabel who threw open the door and gasped at what had caused the driver to suddenly stop.
The Mystery Shack was barricaded by government vehicles. Stan and Ford were both in handcuffs, while Wendy and Soos looked on in horror. Another agent restrained a struggling Dipper.
"There's the other Pines!" one yelled and Mabel was snatched by her wrist.
She was dragged along with Dipper to the front of the car that would transport them back home to California. The other three girls were blocked by other agents.
"I don't understand, what's going on?" Mabel asked.
"Thanks to Dr. Powers we finally have evidence of what's going on," said one of the agents.
"Powers?" Dipper exclaimed. "As in Agent Powers?"
"That's correct, I see you know my husband," said a familiar female voice.
The twins turned to see the red-haired woman standing in a black pants suit with a red tie about her collared white shirt. Mabel gasped realized her to be Avery and Dipper froze when he recognized her face, despite the different hair as the woman he met with the day before.
"You!" Stan hissed. The agent holding him slammed his head against the car in retaliation.
She flipped her I.D. badge that read: Dr. Abigail Powers, FBI.
"We finally have proof of all the paranormal activity going on in this house," she said. She patted Dipper on the head. "And I have you to thank."
"What's she talking about?" Mabel asked, whipping her head towards her brother.
Dipper stared straight ahead, trembling, and feeling like he'd throw up any second. Tears welled in his eyes as he prayed he'd wake up and find out this was all a terrible nightmare. His breathing hitched and his head fell forward. Mabel stared speechless as her brother openly wept.
Abigail walked over to the Pines brothers, both who greeted her with a glare. Nonetheless she wore a victorious smirk.
"You ain't got nothin'," Stan growled.
"He's correct, you have no authority to harass us without a warrant," Ford added.
"I have just that," she said and presented them with a court-issued warrant to search the premises. She turned her head and ordered to the man behind her, "The lab is hidden behind the vending machine. Tear it down if you have to."
And end chapter. Yes, quite a bit was crammed into this chapter, but I wanted to begin this next arc with chapter thirty. I hope you all were surprised with the ending, or at least found it enjoyable.
Again, the credit for Bill's dream about Kryptos eating all his candy goes to Froggy Fresh.