Chapter 7
Wendy's Story
The rays of the sun came through Wendy's bedroom window. She woke up and turned to see her husband laying beside her staring at her face. He had fair skin and dirty blonde hair. "Grey what are you doing?" Wendy asked.
"Watching the most beautiful woman in the world sleep." He said rubbing her cheek.
"Oh stop." Wendy gave her husband a gentle shove and then sat up. "We better get ready. You shower first and I'll wake up Amelia."
"So now I get to meet the friends you've talked about for years. Including a man whom you were his first crush. Should I be jealous?" Grey chuckled as he got out of bed.
"He may have been in love with me once, but you know I never had feelings like that for him. He seems to be happily married now. Now get yourself cleaned and groomed, I want to show you off." Wendy got out of bed and went to a room across the hall. Inside the bedroom Wendy gazed on her child, her little girl. She had her mother's red hair and freckles much like Wendy had when she was that age. She was cuddling with her stuffed beaver Betty that had a pink bow. Wendy looked for a minute and gently shook her awake. "Good morning sweetie."
Amelia rubbed her eyes and looked up. "Morning Mommy."
"Ready for some pancakes? You're going meet Mommy's friends from her stories."
"Really?" Amelia was excited.
"Yes, and you'll never guess where they've been."
A short time later the family was dressed and getting things together. Grey had on white shirt and brown jacket, khaki pants and his glasses. "See Amelia, those are your mommy's friends." He pointed to news footage of the Ixcia crew during their press conference. Amelia had her hair in pigtails and wore a little green dress with a frog on the front.
Wendy was wearing blue jeans and a yellow plaid shirt with red stripes. She also had her hair done in the bun she does when she is on duty. "Everyone ready?" She asked checking her personal handgun placing it in a concealed holster.
"Just need to grab the car keys." Grey said after slinging a dark brown satchel over his shoulder.
"Great. We just need to make a quick stop at the station before we go to Greasy's."
The family got to the car and Wendy put Amelia in her booster seat. "Why are you going to work Mommy?" she asked.
"There just some things my friends will want back in there that's all." Wendy buckled her daughter in.
A few minutes later Wendy got out of the car and went into the station. "Sheriff Frost, I thought you had taken the morning off." One of her deputies said.
"I did Sanders, I just need to pick up some old things in the evidence locker now that the Pines missing persons case was solved. Return some personal belongings."
She went into a storage room and looked in an old cardboard box. "There's not much in here that they would really want. Just maybe these four items here." She put the items in a smaller box and rejoined her family when they got to the diner the Ixcia crew were standing outside waiting.
Gideon was facing the woods holding up a something like a small pendent when they got out of the car. "See Chugar? Aren't they beautiful? I did it, Commander, mission accomplished."
"Hey guys." Wendy said to the group carrying the box. "How did things go with your families?"
"Well there were certainly surprises." Dipper said.
"Like that I have a little sister." Gideon said.
Wendy sighed. "Erika, she gives me so much grief. This is karma punishing me for the stupid things I did as a teen."
Dipper quickly changed the subject. "So, this must be Grey and Amelia." Dipper held out his hand for a handshake.
"Pleasure to meet to you all. Wendy has told us both so much about you." Grey shook his hand.
"Wendy she is adorable! Like a mini you!" Mable said thinking about the time when she and Dipper met Wendy's five-year old self.
"Were you really in space?" Amelia asked.
"For a very long time." Pacifica said.
Dipper then looked at Wendy. "Well I'm sure everyone here is hungry so let's get inside and have some pancakes." They all went inside, and the diner was one of the few things that didn't look like it changed right down to the manliness tester. "Remember me?"
"Dipper please..." Mabel said.
"I've grown and been through a lot out there, and I train with Pacifica every day. I think at the very least I can do better than last time." Dipper stepped up to the machine and squeezed the handle. It lit up all the way to "Man" the second highest rank.
"I didn't need some old machine to tell me that." Pacifica gave her husband a kiss on the cheek.
Gideon tired a won. "Guess that means free pancakes." he said.
Mabel pointed to Gideon. "This is my guy so hands-off ladies! He's taken! Now to have some sweet syrupy goodness." A pair of agents followed them into the dinner as sat down at the counter.
Wendy laughed as they sat down in the largest booth. "You guys are just as much fun as ever. I got somethings for you guys; they've been in evidence for fifteen years."
The first thing she pulled out was a book. "That's mine." Pacifica said. "It's a book of poems by Thomas Moore my favorite poet. This was the first thing I bought with the money I earned here. I used to read one poem every night before bed."
Next Wendy took out a very familiar grappling hook. "You never forget your first." Mabel smiled.
Wendy looked at Gideon. "I'm sorry but there didn't seem to be like anything personal of yours at the campsite."
"I didn't have anything really." Gideon just shrugged it off.
Wendy then took out the last two objects a blue book with a gold pine tree on it and the hat Wendy gave Dipper. "My Journal, when I first started writing it, I felt like I was starting my own path. It got interrupted for a long time but now I think I'm back on track." Dipper put the hat on. "It still fits."
"Great." Wendy said and then looked at the waitress. "Can we have some coffee please? Wait…" she then asked the others. "Do you guys drink coffee?"
"We drank nevba juice which is similar except it's blue."
"Gross!" Amelia stuck her tongue out.
"Then coffees for everyone except this little one because the last thing she needs is caffeine." Wendy said.
"Right away Sheriff." The waitress said.
Dipper gave a small chuckle. "I still can't believe that you became a cop much less the sheriff. You used to be all about breaking the rules."
"Nuh-uh. Mommy doesn't break rules." Amelia said.
"I used to be a big rule breaker a long time ago Amelia." Wendy gave a deep sigh. "But all that changed after you guys vanished."
Fourteen years ago,
The Pines camping party had been missing for a year and graduation was fast approaching for Wendy and her friends. Robbie and Tambry walked up to Wendy who was exchanging books in her locker. They noticed that Wendy was beginning to cry looking at a picture of her and her friends at the Mystery Shack that was taken two years ago. "Wendy you okay?" Tambry asked her childhood friend.
Wendy wiped away her tears. "Yeah, I'm fine." She said trying to reassure her friends.
"Wendy, it's okay. We know you miss them." Robbie said. "But our future is almost here so, have you decided on what college you want to go to? My parents insist that if I'm going to into music then I should also go to law school, so I don't get cheated on my contracts, also you know as a backup plan in case my music career doesn't take off."
Tambry joined in. "And I'm going into Interior design but I'm going to go to whatever school is closest to Robbie's."
Wendy closed her locker door. "I think I'll go to Gravity Falls Community College and join the Sheriff's Academy."
"What?!" the couple said at the same time.
"Wendy why would you want to become a cop? We've messed with them all the time!" Robbie said.
"Because that 'Never mind all that law' is a joke!" Wendy banged her fist against her locker. "Last year the town heroes vanished and not even help from most of the weird things in town could let us find them! Four kids just gone just like my Mom! With Stan and Ford out of town trying to find leads someone must protect this town and our local law enforcers as you know are a joke! If they can hardly care about normal crime how can they protect people from the weirder stuff? So, I'm going to join and try to change it from the inside out!"
"Does your dad know about this?" Robbie asked.
"He was a little disappointed that I'm not joining the family business, but he gets why I need to do this, and my brothers are eager to follow in his footsteps. Marcus, Kevin, and Gus think it would be cool to have a cop in the family."
Tambry looked a little sad. "Wendy if you do this then you might not ever leave this town. You wanted to move to Portland. Lee, Nate, and even Thompson already are going to other parts of the country for college and while we're going to a college in state it might mean we might never see each other again."
Wendy gave Tambry a hug. "We still can keep in touch especially you since you never put down your phone. I get why you two are worried, but this is something I feel called to do. I found something more important than a wish to live somewhere else." A few weeks later Wendy and her friends accepted their High School Diplomas and she looked out to see not only her family but Stan, Ford, Soos, and Melody looking at her proudly.
Two years later,
Wendy stood proudly in uniform with the other members of her class at the sheriff's academy, small as it is. She started wearing her hair in a bun so in wouldn't get in the way of her work. Sheriff Blubs was giving the commencement speech. "Today you join those sworn to protect this community and to uphold the laws of Roadkill County. Welcome to the Gravity Falls Sheriff's Department deputies. Now Deputy Durland light those illegal fireworks!"
"Wooooo!" Durland lit the fuse and as the rest of her class cheered, she knew this was going to be harder than she thought. They joined hoping for an easy job, but she was here for a purpose.
She was assigned an officer Matthews as a partner, he was your typical fat cop. "I don't care what Sheriff Blubs says this shop has way better coffee than Greasy's. You sure you don't want a donut?" he asked her while on patrol.
"No, the point of going on patrol is look for possible crimes and reassure the public, not stuff our faces." Wendy said taking the cup of coffee her partner offered.
"I get it. You're a rookie eager for action and a young hot looking lady who doesn't want to pack on a pounds so you can look good for your guy." Matthews said.
Wendy groaned when she heard someone yelling. "Hey, those things took my car!" She saw a car being driven wildly by small green things with big eyes and sharp little teeth. While she was getting her degree, she had Ford send her any notes of anomalies he remembered, and she recognized these things. Gremlins, creatures that love to mess with mechanical things. She dropped her coffee and ran after the car Matthews struggling to keep up. Wendy cut them off at a turn and jumped into an open window and started fighting the little monsters. She pulled the car over and let the beaten creatures out while she had just a few scratches. "Now if I catch you guys doing something like this again, I won't go easy on you! Stick to the dump!" Wendy yelled.
Matthews ran up out of breath. "Nice…*pant*…job *pant* rookie."
A few weeks later she heard talk around the office. "More broken hydrants again. Any idea what the cause could be?" an officer asked Durland.
"Nope but I heard that Orville's going for the department record for the most times kicking a hacky sack." Durland answered.
Wendy rubbed her temples. She knew what this was, the Manotaurs were at it again. She'd have to go to the Man Cave again remind them to keep their wild nights out of town. It wasn't like anyone else was going to do it. She was the only one who filled out reports most of the time, she was the only one who actively went after leads in cases, and she was the only one going after any of the weird threats to the town. The longer she was with the force the more she felt like she was the only sane person on it.
Twelve years later,
"That sounds really hard." Mabel said.
"Back then all I cared about was keeping the town safe." Wendy said looking into her coffee. "I may have turned into a total loner if I didn't meet Grey the very next year."
"Now I really want to hear about this!"
"Wendy said you didn't have a problem with the weirdness in Gravity Falls, is that true Grey?" Dipper asked.
Grey held up his hand while Amelia giggled. "Of course, let me show you." As the waitress came by Grey asked. "Another cup of coffee please." After the cup was poured, he looked around to see if anyone else was looking. Out of his satchel he pulled out a blue crystal orb with white swirling lights inside. With one finger he seemed to pull out a strand of light and draw a strange symbol and when he finished, he blew on it and a sudden cold wind froze his coffee solid. "You could say I'm one of those weird things. I'm a sorcerer."
"What?" The space explores said in a surprised whisper.
"So, you're a wizard?' Mabel asked.
"Great now you've got him started." Wendy said.
"I'll keep it brief dear. No wizards learn spells by studying incantations that anyone who finds them can use. Sorcerers like myself can tap into the power held in magical relics that hold energies pulled from ley lines like this, the Orb of Boreas. It's been in my family for generations. That is the key difference, one becomes a wizard while one is born a sorcerer and begins training in how to harness the power of relics at age thirteen.
Dipper was excited like he hadn't been in years. "So, did you come to Gravity Falls because of the magic that gathers here? What is the difference between relics like this and other magical objects?"
"Most enchanted objects are made by spells while relics are left at ley line intersections for hundreds of years naturally draw in the power. Until I came here, I found very little use for my powers, I came for my job."
"But it was both the weirdness of Gravity Falls and chance that we even met." Wendy said thinking back.
Ten years ago,
"Deputy Corduroy! My office now!" Sheriff Blubs did not look happy. Wendy went into the office and Durland was standing right beside Blubs' desk. "Corduroy, do you know why I called you here?"
Wendy didn't care if it was insubordination, she had to say it. "Is it because I made more collars in my first year than most of the force made in the past three that I'm embarrassing them to actually do their jobs?"
Blubs didn't want to admit she was right there so he went on to his point. "We're here because of your attitude and the reckless risks you take! Are you aware that most of your fellow deputies resent the fact you constantly report when they are behind on their paperwork?"
"The courts need those reports to make convictions. It's not fun but it's part of the job."
"What about these complaints about you disrupting department activities?"
Durlan looked sad. "She wrecked our juice box derby racers."
Wendy defended herself. "Sir this is a police department not a daycare. Durland I don't mind you and the guys do that kind of thing on your own time, but it shouldn't be while on duty. You've been guilty of this yourself Sheriff."
Blubs decided to pull out the big guns. "What about these proposals for things this department can't possibly afford?" He pulled out a list. "Recommendation for buying military grade weapons."
"Gremoblins don't go down easy."
"Suggestion that we run joint training exercises with the…what's this? The Gnome Police Department?"
"We both operate in the same jurisdiction. Might make handling our more unusual cases easier."
"Corduroy your obsession with the more…different aspects this town is going to land you in trouble like the incident last month."
"That thawed out wooly mammoth was a clear and present danger to the community! There was no way I could force it into the woods without backup!"
"We lost two squad cars! Matthews' injuries will have him riding desk duty for three months! He insists on dropping you as his partner and no one is eager to take you as one!"
"I don't need a partner! Not one who doesn't take this job seriously! Most of the time it seems like I'm the only one that does. People get hurt if you don't."
Blubs took a deep breath and took off his shades. "Corduroy, Wendy it seems the stress of this job is getting to you. If you don't take time to unwind you could lose it at the worst time. I'm restricting you to speed trap duty for the next two weeks. I highly recommend you use this time to relax. Reconnect with friends and family."
Wendy wanted to snap back but maybe Blubs was right. "Yes sir." The next day Wendy sat alone in a patrol car holding a radar gun bored. "What are you doing Wendy? You know you can't change the department if you push them all away but it's like they don't care as much as you. Maybe because they haven't lost friends like you did." Just then a car sped by going way over the limit but for good reason, it was being chased by three bird like women. "Harpies! Can't call back up, they'd just say I'm dragging them into another problem that's not ours." Wendy turned on the siren and chased after the flock.
The car crashed into a tree and the driver climbed out. "What are these things?" The man with glasses and dirty blonde hair said as he tried to reach for a bag that was thrown out by the crash.
Wendy shot once into the air. "This is your only warning! Leave him alone!" The only response she got was a high-pitched screech. Wendy then shot one clear through the wing before a fourth came up from behind her and lifted her off the ground before throwing Wendy against a tree knocking the gun out of her hand. Wendy was surrounded by the sharp toothed creatures. "Not sure I can get out of this. Dipper I'm sorry."
Just then a cold wind blew, and the harpies were mostly incased in ice. Wendy looked to the man she came to save to see him standing holding a strange crystal ball. "Leave her alone!" the man said.
"You did that?" Wendy asked.
"Yes, I know it is strange but…"
"We'll talk about it later!" Wendy then turned to the harpies. "If you don't want to stay frozen turkeys then you stick to hunting animals not people!" They nodded and Wendy then used her nightstick to break them out of the ice. The three other harpies then helped their injured comrade fly away.
The man put the ball he had back into the bag. "So, I'm sure we both have questions, but I'll be the gentleman and let you go first."
"How did you do that? Who are you?" Wendy asked.
"My name is Grey Frost and I am a sorcerer. I used the Orb of Boreas to cast those creatures in ice." Grey held out his hand and Wendy shook it.
"Deputy Wendy Corduroy. So, you're magic. Doesn't surprise me, it makes as much sense as the other things in Gravity Falls." Wendy looked at Grey's wrecked car. "There's a mechanic named Steve in town. It will take him some time to fix up your car but then you can be on your way."
"Actually, I came to this town to teach fourth grade." Grey said readjusting his glasses.
Wendy opened the door to her car. "Well let's get you to town. You know it might be a good thing you came here. I'm the only one on the force that seems to care about the weird things that threaten this town. You probably handle things like this all the time."
"Actually, I never really needed to use my powers before. But if they're things that are a threat to my students then I guess I could try helping you." Grey said as he got in the squad car.
"Great it'll be much easier with a wizard on my side." This led to a rant about the differences sorcerers and wizards that lasted the whole ride to the station.
Ten years later,
"It took some getting used to for me." Grey said. "Helping Wendy with zombies, ghosts, and other things. I still help her after school."
"So, when did you two start dating?" Mabel asked.
Wendy for some reason looked very nervous, her eyes kept darting to Amelia. Grey then pointed out the window. "Look Amelia is that a fairy?"
"Where!?" Amelia almost jumped onto the table.
"Grey you take her to look, have some father daughter time. It shouldn't take you more than fifteen to twenty minutes." Wendy's tone changed slightly at the last sentence.
"Right. Let's go Amelia." Grey picked up his daughter and took her out of the diner.
Wendy breathed a sigh of relief. "Thanks for playing along guys. This is one those lie for the greater good moments. Amelia is just too young to hear about what was going on just before Grey and I started dating. It was the case that made my carrier and why people voted for me to be sheriff. Six months after Grey and I met a hiker found an old mineshaft and in it were a lot of bodies. All their faces were mutilated so it took a while to identify them all, but it was clear that Roadkill County had a serial killer. The whole thing reminded me that there are people that more deserving to be called monsters than most of the things in this town."
Ten years ago,
The news had shaken the whole town. "I can't believe it, from what I heard so far with the dental records they found victims dating back five years!" said a rookie deputy named Fredricks.
"Five years? Are you sure about that?" Wendy asked.
"Yes, and all of them are confirmed missing persons cases. I hope that big city profiler gets here soon."
Wendy then went over the crime scene photos trying to find something. "There has to be a clue or something here."
Grey entered the room with a knock on the door. "I hope I'm not disturbing you."
"I…I better check with the sheriff if they IDed any more of those bodies." Fredricks saw himself out.
"What was that about?" Grey asked.
"Since we've been working together almost every day the whole force thinks that we're going out. Truth be told I haven't been on a date in…five years. Grey I never told you why I joined the force did I?"
"No…" Grey said absent mindedly as he thought more about what Wendy said about the department thinking they were dating.
"I had some younger friends, a pair of twins that shown me the weirdness of this town I grew up in. They even literally saved the whole world but five years ago they and some friends their age went on a camping trip and disappeared. With them gone and the only person close to an expert to weirdness traveling the world trying to find them there was no one left to protect this town, so I joined the force. I always thought it was some…thing that was responsible, but I may have been wrong."
"How?"
"Don't tell anyone but so far the victims of this killer dated back at least five years ago. What if…what if it wasn't something paranormal that got Dipper and Mabel but this killer whoever he is."
"Do you really think that could be true?"
"I don't know but at least there haven't been any talk of dangerous anomalies, so why don't you go home and get things ready for your next class. I need to look over these crime scene photos before the feds get here. I hope to find something before Blubs hands the whole thing over to them."
"Oh, okay." As Grey left, he thought. "She never told me something so personal before. Does the rest of the department really think we're a couple? Do we really look like we're that close? Could we be that close?"
Back at her desk Wendy looked at a photo of the entrance to the mineshaft and noticed something. "Those tire treads, they're not from our cars and we kept the press away from that area." She pulled something up on her computer. "I never seen tire marks like that before…they're a make of tire from a small company in Canada. Who from this area ordered those kinds of tires? Just one, Daren Kline a forest ranger." Wendy got up and went to Blubs office. "Sheriff I think I may have a possible lead on our serial killer."
Wendy didn't see Durland was in the room who screamed. "Corduroy, please don't say that phrase around Durland. He's scared enough." Blubs said.
"Sorry Edwin." Wendy said as the other deputy kept running into the wall to get away.
Blubs held Durland's hand which calmed him down. "What exactly did you find? The…guy probably left town when news of his…hiding spot got on the T.V."
"There was a set of tire tracks that only one man in the county could have left. At the very least he might know something."
"Couldn't this wait until the feds get here?"
"At the very least I could ask the man a few questions. Make things easier for the Feds when they get here."
"Fine but just a few questions. Besides I'm sure you're eager to see that teacher friend of yours."
"Woooooooh," Durland cheered.
As Wendy left, she thought. "Yeah keep thinking that. I didn't realize it until I said it out loud, but it has been a long time since I've gone out with anybody. Grey is a nice guy, not what I typically choose for a date…No, snap out of it, Wendy! You dedicated yourself to protecting this town! I can't get distracted now, not if this Daren Kline might have done something to Dipper and Mable." The redheaded deputy drove to the address that her computer gave her. It was halfway between Gravity Falls and the closest town. The house looked to be falling apart like the Mystery Shack was before Soos took over. Wendy rang the bell and waited, after a few minutes she tied knocking on the door only to find it unlocked as the door swung open to a seemingly vacant house. Suddenly Wendy felt something jab into her back, she turned around seeing a white male with brown hair tied in a braid holding rifle as her vision blurred before blacking out.
Grey couldn't focus. Not on his lesson plan, not his painting, he couldn't get the thought of Wendy out of his head. Ever since she told him the force thought of the two of them a few hours ago dating scenarios kept playing in his mind. "We've been working together for half a year now, she is a good and strong woman, she is even beautiful now that I think about it. But should we date for real?" Grey dialed Wendy's cell but it went to voice mail. He tried again and still nothing. "Better call the station."
He dialed the nonemergency number to the sheriff's department. "Gravity Falls Sheriff's Department, how may I help you?" the receptionist asked.
"Is Wendy Corduroy in? I need to talk with her, and she is not answering her cell phone."
"Who may I ask is calling?"
"Grey Frost."
"One moment."
The next thing Grey knew Sheriff Blubs was on the phone. "Grey you have no idea where Wendy is either? She left to question a person of intertest in a case hours ago, but we don't who that was. One of our deputies closed her files on her computer to play Monkey Quest Online. She is going to give use all a big I told you so."
"You don't have any idea where she is?" Grey asked worried.
"We all thought she was with you until you called. That she finally loosened up and took time off to do something romantic."
"This case, it's the serial killer isn't? She could be in danger!"
"Grey leave this to us. We'll find her." Blubs hung up.
"I can't do nothing." Grey pulled out a small orange crystal. Sorcerers may have not need to learn spells to use magic but that didn't mean they couldn't use them. This was a scrying crystal now all he needed was something of Wendy's to use, and he knew just where to get it. Pulling out the key Wendy gave to her apartment in case of emergency Grey left and this was an emergency.
When Wendy's eyes opened, she found herself in a basement lit up by a single light bulb, but it was enough for to see the horror of this place. She was strapped down a table by old belts, there were old blood stains on the table. Around her were chains on the walls, used to keep multiple victims from running away. Her gun was sitting on a work bench at the far side of the room. Standing not far from the table was the man Wendy saw when she blacked out. This had to be Daren Kline. "You should have stayed off my people's land. Got to do this quick, with my dumping spot found I need to find a new place to hide and lay low." Daren pulled out a knife. "Scream for me white woman, let your cries call my tribe back to this land to cast you all out!"
He stabbed Wendy in the side but while her pain was great, she didn't scream. Wendy kept reminding herself that she faced ghosts, a shapeshifter, a secret society, a reality warping demon, and even more. This man could kill her, but he didn't scare the redhead. "Your tribe?" Wendy groaned. "You really must be crazy, if you're an Indian then I'm a tree sloth, besides all native tribes left this valley hundreds of years before ANY white settlers came."
Daren slammed his fist against the table right by Wendy's head. "Lies! I am descended from the true people of this land and the spirits WILL cleanse me of your kinds unclean blood from my veins! Now scream! Call them here! I heard so many, but you may be more satisfying then my first kills five years ago. Those twins almost brought the spirits to me, you would think their screams would sound alike…"
Wendy was not as strong as her dad, but she had her fathers' blood in her veins and all Corduroys were strong. Especially when they're angry. Wendy pulled at the old belts snapping them apart. Daren was so shocked he didn't see Wendy's fist fly to his face breaking his nose. Daren stumbled back as Wendy got off the table, the knife still in her side. The killer tried to grab it, but Wendy wouldn't let him. She knew that if it was pulled out the bleeding would get worse. Wendy took hold of Daren's wrist and kneed him in the stomach knocking him down. Wendy then got behind him and hand cuffed him. "Daren Kline you are under arrest on suspicion of multiple homicides. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You…have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford one, one will be appointed to you by the court. Do you…understand these rights as I have explained them to you?" Wendy was getting woozy from the blood lose.
"Wendy!" Grey came running in as Wendy fainted.
The next thing Wendy knew she was waking up in the hospital. "Well it looks like you're to going recover Ms. Corduroy." The doctor said.
"Where's Kline?" Wendy asked worried.
"He's been in custody since you were admitted here two days ago. It's okay, he's not going to hurt anyone else."
"Let me in! I need to see my little girl!" It was Manly Dan who burst into the room. "Sweetie I was so worried."
"She is going to be fine Mr. Corduroy." The Doctor reassured.
"Thanks to blood donations from several members of the force." It was Sheriff Blubs.
"She wouldn't have needed it if you did your job and made sure she had backup! If it weren't for that twig of a teacher, she would have been another victim!" Dan yelled.
"We had no way of knowing that Kline was violent!" Blubs yelled back.
Wendy gave a loud whistle and then spoke. "Dad, Sheriff! This is a hospital! Quiet down!" She whispered. "Dad it was my fault for going without backup."
Dan hung his head while Blubs said. "Well there won't be any reprimand in your file. Mayor Taylor insists that I give you a promotion! Can't say I disagree."
While this was something Wendy had wanted something else came to her mind. "The last thing I saw before I blacked out was Grey. Is he okay?"
"He called the station as soon as he found you. Since you've been here, he's been in the hall waiting or at the school only going home to get a shower and a change of clothes. That is one dedicated boyfriend you got there." After Blubs said that Dan growled.
"Where is he now?"
"I asked him to get us some coffee." Dan said crossing his arms. "Wendy, I don't know if that guy is man enough for you."
Before Wendy could respond Grey walked in holding two cups of coffee. "Wendy you're awake!" There was a lingering silence in the room. "Could you gentlemen give us a few minutes alone? There is something private we need to talk about." As Dan left, he growled at Grey as he took the coffee. After the door closed Grey turned to Wendy and said. "Don't you ever scare me like that again. With all the things I've seen since I left New Haven nothing comes close to that scene I found in that house!"
"Grey…I can't promise that. You know how dangerous my job can be even without the weirdness." Wendy stared down at her bandages.
Grey pulled a chair next to Wendy's bed and held her hand. "Wendy I just…I'm going to just say it. Since you told me that people think we're dating it was like a switch was flipped. We've seen each other and worked together for months and I can't help but think that we can be more. All I want to do is try, have a few real dates, and if nothing comes of it, we go back to a working friendship."
Wendy look right into Grey's eyes. "When I had Kline down on the floor for a moment, I thought of ending him right there but then for the first time in years instead of the friends I lost the only thing I thought about was 'Grey wouldn't want me to do this.' I've been so wrapped up in my mission I've hardly done anything else, but they would want me to live my life. So, yeah let's go out. I'm going to be recovering for a while so there is really nothing standing in the way."
"Uh, great! So how about I take you to wherever you want after they let you out of here."
"I better think of something then but just knowing that Dipper and Mable's killer is going to get what he deserves already is making me feel so much better."
Grey had a confused look on his face. "Wendy, Derick Kline didn't kill Dipper or Mable."
"Of course, he did! He's been killing for five years and he even said that his first victims were twins!"
"Wendy, the twins among the victims were two seventeen-year-old girls."
Wendy felt like the floor was pulled out from under her. "But that means…"
Grey cupped Wendy' chin in his hand. "It just means we still don't know what happened to them. For all we know they could still be alive. At the very least I'm sure they would be proud of what you've done."
Ten years later,
"He was right we are proud of you Wendy." Mabel said.
Wendy smiled. "Thanks. So, we started going out shortly after that." Grey and Amelia came back in shortly after Wendy said this.
"We couldn't find the fairy." Amelia pouted.
Dipper placed his hand on Amelia's shoulder. "I wouldn't worry Amelia. With this town I'm sure you'll get another chance to see one."
As Amelia smiled Wendy said. "You're very lucky Amelia. You get to grow up in this amazing town and because of them, when your grown up you can go to the stars."
Grey then looked into Amelia's eyes. "You are too young to know this Amelia but for a long time going to space has been the dream of a lot of people, but few got to, but it will be a very real possibility for you. The stars are in your reach."
Pacifica applauded. "Very poetic Grey. It must have been very beautiful when you proposed to Wendy."
"Actually, Wendy was the one who proposed."
"Well I gotta hear this." Mabel said.
Wendy seem to look off into nowhere. "Grey and I were dating for a year before I made up my mind.
Nine years ago,
For the past year Wendy and Grey worked together and went out together. Even her dad began to warm up to Grey after he started painting landscapes on old buzz saw blades. After her last date Wendy called Tambry for advice. "…and that's when I realized I want to spend the rest of my life with him."
"After your date was interrupted by a vampire kangaroo?" Tambry said.
Wendy chuckled. "You've been away from Gravity Falls too long. We handled that in like…four and a half minutes. We had coffee right after. But the important thing is I don't know if I can wait for Grey to pop the question."
"Then don't. It's the twenty-first century."
"Yeah but Grey comes from a family with a strong sense of tradition. What if he feels insulted if I ask him? Like that I think he's not man enough to ask me to marry him?"
"Wendy it's sweet that you're thinking about his feelings but the Wendy I know isn't afraid to take what she wants. You faced criminals, ghosts, and monsters…which include blood sucking marsupials. You're not going to let fear stand between you and the man you love, right?"
"Right!" Wendy said standing up. "I know what I want for my life and who I want in it! I will propose! I'll save up money for a ring and ask Grey to marry me!"
Wendy saved for two months to buy a silver band. She sat at her desk looking at it. "Now how do I want to propose? Should I take Grey to The Club and ask him during a romantic dinner? No that's not me, it's too sappy and overdone. I should just ask him next time I see him. But if it's in too public a place I might make him feel awkward, I don't want him to say yes just because people are watching. Why does this have to be so hard?" Wendy groaned.
Blubs and Durland came in. "Corduroy where are the files on the drug bust you did last week?" Blubs asked before noticing the ring. "Did Grey…?"
"No. In fact I'm trying to decide how to ask him to marry me. I now have a new appreciation for my dad and every guy who has ever proposed. It's not as easy as the media makes it look."
"You'll think of what you need say." Durland said.
Wendy was surprised. "You guys don't find it weird that the woman is asking the man?"
Blubs took off his shades. "What the two of us have isn't what a lot of people would have called traditional. We're the last ones to cry foul on what you want to do. Don't worry Wendy, your heart will tell you what to do."
A few days later Wendy was with Grey at the mall, the ring in her pocket. "Thanks for helping me get the supplies for my class." Grey said carrying bags of school supplies.
"I'm happy to. I know how much those kids mean to you." Wendy then noticed some signs in the windows of one of the stores. "Edgy on Purpose is going out of business? My friends and I loved that store." Wendy stopped. "Grey…"
"I know that it might feel like the part your past gone but it's just a store that followed fads, it's nothing to cry over." Just then a loud shriek broke the glass and people ran out of the store. "Then again…"
The pair went inside to see the ghost of a woman screaming and flying around the store. "Great a banshee. Grey get that banishing spell ready."
"I need line of sight for that. Can you distract it long enough for me to freeze her?"
"On it!" Wendy dodged a shriek that knock a display over. "Hey you! Yes you, you shrieking violet! I was going to propose! So how about you…" Wendy picked up a pair of socks with skulls on them. "…put a sock it!" Wendy shoved the sock into the ghosts' mouth.
While she tried to pull them out the banshee found itself frozen. After a moment of silence Grey banished the banshee to the afterlife. He then looked at Wendy. "Propose?"
Wendy took the ring out of her pocket and opened the box. "I know that normally the guy is supposed to ask the girl, but you know that there's hardly anything about this town that's normal. We've known each other for almost two years facing things most people would never imagine but the thing I can't imagine is my life going forward without you. So, will you marry me? Will you give me the honor of being Mrs. Grey Frost?"
Grey looked surprised and then smiled. "You just had to beat me to punch. I was going to ask you next month after picked up my grandmother's ring. So yes, I will marry you." He took the ring.
"I had to guess at the size." Wendy said.
"It's only slightly loose. It can be resized easy." Grey leaned in and gave Wendy a kiss. "So, what do you think we should do next?"
It wasn't until the next year that the big day arrived. Wendy was with Tambry getting her wedding dress on. "Now as my maid of honor be honest. I look good right?"
"Yes, Wendy you look beautiful. I understand wanting your wedding to be perfect. Mine was just six months ago." Tambry said zipping the back of the white flowery dress. "I gotta say tough, this doesn't seem like your style."
Wendy closed her eyes for a moment. "Mom wore a dress like this, and I wanted one like it for my wedding since you and I were both little." Wendy looked out the window. "I've been the tomboy my whole life, but this is the one day that I want to be a princess."
Shortly afterward Wendy walked down the aisle with her dad. She stood across from Grey who lifted her veil. The minister began. "Dearly beloved, we are gathered today to join this couple holy matrimony…" Both Wendy and Grey felt as if they were in a dream. "…Do you Grey Eric Frost take this woman as your lawfully wedded wife? To have and to hold, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health as long you both shall live?"
"I do." Was Grey's answer.
"Do you Wendy Blerble Corduroy take this woman as your lawfully wedded husband? To have and to hold, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health as long you both shall live?"
Wendy was a little annoyed hearing her middle name she simply said. "I do."
"I hereby pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."
Eight years later,
"I would love to see your wedding album some time." Mabel said.
"Of course." Wendy said.
At that point a waitress walked up. "Freshen up your coffee sheriff?"
"Yes, please." While the coffee was being poured the four space travelers stared at Wendy. "What? I got to set a good example for my kid."
Dipper shook his head. "We just still can't believe you're the sheriff. I'm just really surprised, and I've met rock people, living lie detectors, and been on a planet with flowers with scratch and sniff petals."
"I got fresh baked bread." Mabel said.
"It was the best way to get the department back into shape." Wendy said sipping her coffee. "As I said before it's an elected position. We had to work hard to get it."
"I was her campaign manager." Grey said.
Wendy then said. "It was seven years ago. Blubs had just earned his pension so he and Durland bought a ranch in Colorado. I far as I know they're still there. I decided early in my career that I needed to become sheriff to protect the town but no one on the force knew that until Bulb's retirement party."
Seven years ago,
"Ye-haw! We're going to be cowboys!" Durland said wearing a cowboy hat.
Blubs chuckled cutting a slice of cake. "Edwin you and I are going to be riding of into the sunset from here on out."
"Still things just won't be the same without you two." Matthews said.
"Our bags aren't packed yet. We're sticking around until my replacement is elected."
"And as the most senior deputy I am the best choice to be the name on the ticket."
"Actually…" Wendy said. "…I'm going to run for sheriff myself."
Everyone heard a record scratch since the deputy who also the D.J. was as stunned as the others. "You think it's that easy Frost?" Matthews crossed his arms at his ex-partner.
"Unlike for the office of mayor our town follows the state laws on who qualifies to run for sheriff which is anyone in the legal age with at least five years of law enforcement experience. I sure you remember having a cake for my five-year anniversary on the force earlier this year." Blubs almost choked on his cake realizing Wendy was right.
"If she's put in charge then this place is going to turn into a boot camp." One officer whispered.
"You mean whip this place into shape?" Sanders said. "Everyone here knows Deputy Frost is the best officer on the force."
Fredricks shared the sentiment. "She's the one us younger officers try to be like."
Sheriff Blubs then said. "Well looks like we have ourselves a race."
Matthews shrugged. "Well don't think it's going to be easy Wendy. I've been on the force for almost twenty years, so I'm the one with far more experience."
Wendy held out her hand for a shake. "Well then let's both have a clean campaign."
Later that night at Wendy and Grey's house the couple were talking about their day. "You know you'll have my support but are you sure about this Wendy? If you become sheriff, then it will add a lot more work. Between stopping crime and protecting the town from anomalies you put yourself under a lot of strain, now you want to run the sheriff's department on top of that." Wendy could see the concern in her husband's eyes.
"Grey, this was always part of the plan. I need to get the department back on track, if we have more competent officers like Fredricks and Sanders then crime will go down and we can focus more on keeping this town safe from the weird stuff. If we can make it clear to most of the creatures that this town is protected, then we could even cut down on our hunts and maybe…" Wendy let her hair down and gave Grey a kiss. "…when things are safer, then we could have more time for each other. Maybe start a family a couple of years after that."
"Well when you put it like that you certainly have may vote." Grey kissed her back.
And so, the campaigning began. "After sheriff Daryl Blubs, I have served the department the longest and I wish to continue to serve as your sheriff." Matthews said in a speech.
Wendy had speeches of her own. "As I'm sure most of you know I was born and raised in this town. At first, I wanted nothing more than to leave but then a friend of mine shown me just how amazing this place is. It was because of him that I found that protecting my home is my calling."
Interviews were given. "I have the utmost respect for my opponent. I was her partner when she started. She is a good officer and, in a few years, when she has more experience, she would make a fine sheriff. I hope deputy Frost continues her fine work when I'm elected."
"I have the highest closer rating in the department, and I hope to bring the of the force up to that standard."
People gave their endorsements. "Matthews has always respected the rules of the town pool. Unlike some people." Mr. Poolcheck said.
Mayor Tyler Cutebiker had his own opinion. "I've watched Wendy Frost grow from a little girl into a brave woman. She'll go after crime just like that serial killer she caught two years ago and to that I have just one thing to say. Get 'em! Get 'em!"
After the votes were tallied Wendy had won by a large margin. "I want to thank you all for all the hard work you put in to make this happen." Wendy said to the volunteers of her campaign. "But now begins the hard part; making the Gravity Falls sheriff's department the best it can be!" This was met with cheers.
"Wendy dear, can we have a word alone?" Grey asked. They gone to a secluded spot. "I think I may have found a way to work on making the town safer from the other end. I got word from my father that he found that many of the creatures in this town have pacts with the sorcerer's council. Most of these are non-aggression treaties or oaths to render aid. I could use this to make things easier, now it won't do anything with feral creatures, magical criminals, or anything the council never seen before. I just have to negotiate with them to extend the pact to the town itself."
"And anything that these pacts don't cover will have to face the Frosts and I wouldn't have it any other way." Wendy said.
Seven years later,
"It took six months to get the department the way I promised it would be and three years of talks for Grey to have all the pacts cover the town." Wendy said.
"But all that work was worth it to make this town a safe place for our daughter to grow up." Grey rubbed Amelia's hair.
"Do any of you have kids?" Amelia asked Dipper.
Dipper got a bashful look on his face. After years of facing hardship in space he had become flustered by the question of a small child. "No, Amelia. Not that we don't want kids."
Gideon finished the thought. "Like how your parents wanted to make Gravity Falls safe for you we knew out there wouldn't be safe for our children out in space."
Pacifica then said. "So after…a long talk we decided to wait until we got back to earth to start having families."
"I hope that we'll be having babies soon." Mable said.
"Mabel, I think you'll all make wonderful parents." Wendy then looked Amelia. "It's the single most incredible and important thing you could ever do."
Six years ago,
"Uggggggh." Wendy was not feeling well at all. She had been feeling sick for a couple of days and had just finished throwing up again.
Grey held back her hair. "Feeling better?" he asked as they went into their bedroom.
"No, stupid flu. I'm going to have to take another sick day; I can't give this to the rest of the force."
"Wait, no one else in the department is sick? I thought you got it from there. Otherwise you would have got it from me but I'm not sick and none of my students have been sick. Even Philp Stone as much he wishes he was; he's struggling in science, poor boy."
"Well I had to have gotten it from somewhere. Who has been sick in the past few days, or weeks…? Wait a minute." Wendy thought for a moment. "I think I missed it."
"Missed it, you don't mean the big it?"
"The once a month it yes!" Wendy almost hyperventilated. "We need to know for sure. Will you get me a pregnancy test after class? I'll still call in sick, I can't work like this…" Wendy rushed back to the bathroom.
"I'll get one dear. Hang in there. I love you."
It was later that day when Wendy came out of the bathroom holding the stick with a large red plus on it. "I can hardly believe it. I'm…we're having a baby!"
"Wendy, this is…I have no words!" Grey laughed. "I have to call my parents. Mother is going to be so happy!"
"We have so much to do too. Where is the kid going to sleep?"
"There's a perfectly good room right across the hall."
"But that's your study, your magical reference books…"
"Can go into Ford's old study in the Mystery Shack. That's where I got most of them anyway. Soos will have no problem with us coming over more often."
"True, he never uses it and Soos has too big a heart to say no. There's still a lot to do. Our child is going to learn to use relics, not something you find in a parenting book or online. Are we ready for this?"
"My dear, there is nothing we can't do together."
As the months passed and Wendy entered her second trimester and all their friends and family heard the news. Wendy came into the department wearing a maternity dress. She and Grey both came to the decision that at this point in her pregnancy Wendy would restrict herself to running the sheriff's department while Grey would take care of anomalies with help from Soos who had the most experience in mystery hunts that was not retired. "How are you doing sheriff?" Matthews asked.
Wendy let out a deep breath. "I think I'm finally over the morning sickness. It's just a little frustrating; after getting the force running like how it should be, I find myself stuck behind a desk and soon I'll be taking maternity leave. I finally made this a police force that the town can be proud of but now I'm benched for the foreseeable future."
"Yeah I hate to admit it, but crime is down 45% since you became sheriff. I have to admit I wish I could stay to see what you'll accomplish but I'm sorry to say I'm here to give my resignation from the department."
"If this is because your last evaluation you just need to lose a little weight and you can go back on patrol."
"No, it's my wife. Her asthma has gotten worse so we're moving to New Mexico."
"I'm sorry to hear that. You'll be missed Matthews; you have a lot of friends here. We may have not always got along but you were my partner." Wendy then had a shocked look on her face.
"You okay?"
"Yeah, she's kicking." An ultrasound Wendy had weeks ago showed she was having a girl.
"May I?" Matthews asked. Wendy nodded yes. He put his hand on her belly felt the kick. "Wow, she's strong."
"She half Corduroy, what did you expect?" Wendy said with pride.
Again, months pass into the next year. With her due date near Wendy went on leave, it was late in the evening when Wendy sent up a video call to her old friend. "Hey Tambry, you there?"
"Yep, wow look at us both. We look like a couple of overfed whales." Tambry was also pregnant with her first child only due a couple months after Wendy.
"You're not fat babe!" Robbie said off screen.
"Yes, I am! I ate a whole pizza just five minutes ago!" Tambry was beginning to cry.
"Tam we're both eating for two, and our hormones are all out of whack." Wendy said taking a bite out a donut. "I mean I avoided these for years to avoid the stereotype but now I keep having cravings for 'em."
"I didn't know the donut shop had yellow frosting." Tambry said.
"It's honey mustard." Grey said looking up from a painting he was making.
"The point is I'm glad we're having babies together. Whenever you guys come visit from Salem to see us and your parents your kid is going to have a playmate…" Wendy felt pain and looked down. "…Grey, my water broke! I think it's time!"
"I, I'll get the car started and grab the overnight bag!" said almost running into a wall.
"Tambry…"
"It's okay just send me lots of pictures! Go!" Tambry hung up.
In the car Grey tried to take Wendy's mind of the pain. "I'm sure this is nothing to you. You've been clawed, stabbed, and beaten. Is labor really that much worse?"
"Grey, shut up and drive." Wendy said gritting her teeth.
Hours later the Corduroys were waiting in the hall. Wendy's brothers had moved out by now, but they were all nervous. Grey came into the waiting room cradling his arm. "They are fine, my hand fell asleep in Wendy's grip and I need to wait for the circulation to return."
"Grey, can we see them?" Dan asked.
"Of course, but please keep quiet, it's still early in the morning and the baby is asleep right now."
In the room Wendy was holding her baby wrapped in a pink blanket and wore a small pink hat. She smiled as she watched her sleep until she noticed the company. "Hey Dad, guys say hello to Amelia."
"You named her after your mother." Dan whispered with a tear in his eye.
"Wendy you should get some sleep too. You must be exhausted." Grey said placing his hand on her shoulder.
"I am but I just want to watch her a little longer. Seeing her like this with you here, it feels like my life is complete."
Grey looked at his daughter. "I know what you mean."
Five years later,
"April 14th, 4:47 a.m. 2023. That is a time forever etched in my heart." Wendy said sniffing slightly. "Things went as expected for us after that until you guys showed up yesterday."
"Wendy thanks for telling us about all this." Gideon said. "With everything thing going on we only got to hear about what happened while we were gone after the press conference from our families. For years we had no idea what we would be coming back to."
Dipper nodded in agreement. "Hearing all this from you Wendy, it feels like our lives can get close to something like normal."
"You're welcome." Wendy said. "How long until Trigger gets back? I'm sure he'll want to get you guys to work right away building ships and ray guns."
Mabel tapped her chin. "Sometime late this afternoon I think."
"He's going to want us to show him inside Ixia." Pacifica added. "We should ask him for our weapons back. Our time in Isoban had drilled it into us not to let those sit out of reach." As she said that Dipper covered his burn mark while Gideon wrung his hands.
"Well that should give us time to visit the Mystery Shack. Soos said on the phone last night that he and Melody would be busy getting the place clean for a private tour to show all the changes he made over the years."
"Then that sounds like just the thing to do. You guys don't mind a detour, right?" Mabel asked the agents.
"As long as you're at town hall when agent Trigger gets back." One of the agents answered.
As they got up Pacifica looked around. "Lazy Susan retired, didn't she? I haven't seen her here."
"Years ago." Grey answered. "She's in Florida now."
The group arrived at the familiar tourist trap. "You were right Mabel. You always said we'd see this place again." Dipper said to his sister.
"Dudes!" Soos in the Mr. Mystery suit ran up and hug the twins. He had fully grown his mustache. "Oh, I missed you guys!"
"That's great Soos. Need to breath." Mabel gasp for breath from the intense hug.
After Soos let go he kept looking over them. "They sure have grown haven't they Soos?" Wendy said.
"Sure have." Was Soos' reply. "Dipper the Pterodactyl Bros shirt should definitely fit you now.
"It's good to see you man." Dipper said as they gave each other a fist bump.
"You guys remember my wife Melody, right?"
"Hey guys." Melody said as she walked up with a thirteen-year-old boy walking with her.
"And this is our son Stanley."
The boy had light brown hair and tan skin. He wore a light blue shirt and black shorts and a mystery shack hat. "Hi, you're my dad's best friends, right? He's told me stories about you my whole life."
"Nice to meet you Stanley." Dipper then turned to Soos. "You named him after Grunkle Stan huh?"
Soos just laughed. "I call him Grandpa Stan." Stanly said.
As they made their way to the shack Mabel noticed a bronze statue of a large pig in front of the porch. "Waiting Waddles." Mabel read aloud.
"Honey I'm so sorry." Gideon said as Mabel cried into his chest.
"How?" Mabel asked Soos.
"Just old age." Soos said empathically. "He waited at that spot for you every day until dark. I had snacks here for tourists to feed him."
"Mabel, he lived a full life." Wendy said. "Pigs only live to be about ten and he was a year old when you got him."
Mabel continued to cry. "I knew him all my life." Stanley said. "When I was little, he would give me rides around house. He got really big."
Amelia tugged at Mabel's leg. "I never met him, but he does look cute."
"He'd want you to be happy Mabel." Pacifica said.
"I'm sorry it took me so long Waddles but I'm finally home." Mabel kissed her hand and then touched the statue's forehead.
Dipper then said. "Mabel, I know you need to work through your grief but look over there." Dipper pointed to the door as Stanley opened as Amelia walked by, he made a funny face making her laugh. "Waddles might not be the only one we may have lost here at home but right now we have to focus on making a bright future for them and our own kids when we have them. We owe that to everyone who has waited for us. Wendy dedicated her life to making Gravity Falls a safe place for Amelia and now we have to do the same thing to this whole galaxy for our children and their children." Mabel dried her tears and gave a determined nod. She would focus on the future with her family.