Gideon sat with Mabel withing Granny Yaga's kitchen. A spread of Granny's preserves on crackers in front of his beloved. Granny had retreated deeper in, to give the two some privacy. Mabel smiled at Gideon, leaning forward she kissed him. Withdrawing she settled back in her chair, her eyes darting around the kitchen. Gideon reached out and held her hand for a moment, only to retreat back to his side of the table. Mabel Sighed.
"I hate this."
"Hate what, Mabel dear?"
"This tension, I'm not so fragile Gideon. I'm a grown woman. Yet, you treat me like I am some little bird that will flitter away."
"Mabel, you have been through hell, and while I do not know the particulars, I definitely don't want to rush back to where we were. I know you are not fragile." He threw his arms wide, "You inspired me to build all of this. I just want you to know that it is ok to not smile, sometimes we all need to cry."
"Oh really? All of Us?" Mabel arched her eyebrow. "I thought the great Gideon Grey hadn't cried in decades."
Gideon smirked. "Mabel I have cried, cried because I can't stop being a monster, cried because that inevitably leads to us needing some time apart. I am crying this very moment because I have no idea how to help you."
Closing his eyes, he was silent for a moment. "Just because my tears are not of salt and saline does not mean they are not there."
"Gideon I never meant..." Mabel began
"I know you didn't Mabel, that's not why I told you. I told you because I need you to understand. This place is safe, you don't have to be the 'personality' here. If you need to be sad, then be sad. Don't make me have to call your Grunkles on you."
"Wait, You know where they are?"
"Of Course, I've always had them on speed dial, I thought you knew."
Mabel fixed a look at the slim, platinum blond man.
"And I see from your look, you did not. Just on a scale of 1 to 10, 10 of course being the highest, how much trouble am I in for not mentioning this earlier?"
"Depends, when did you call them?"
"Why Mabel Dear, I do declare! I have never been more insulted, You think that I would call your Grunkle's without your knowledge and deceive you this enti..."
"Gideon! I have done everything but have sex with you, You where my personal stalker for a while. We have been dating in a weird holding pattern since high school. I know you, so cut the crap, and tell me when you're expect them."
A rolling, guttural laugh echoed through the kitchen, "That's My Girl! Good to See You Mabel, Honey."
"Grunkle Stan!" Mabel hurled herself at her uncle, clasping unto him, she leaned her head on his shoulder as her Grunkle Stan pulled her in for a tight hug. Unbidden tears began to flow, she held onto her Grunkle tighter, as her body shook silently. Stan said not a word, only held her and waited for her to get it all out. He and Mabel had always understood each other best, being the 'personality' of a duo. So he held his niece that was in every way that mattered his daughter.
Eventually Mabel's tears ran dry and she looked up into her Gunkle's face. "I am so sorry, I couldn't protect Dipper! I couldn't do anything. I was to weak, to stupid."
A six fingered hand rested upon her shoulder, a stern but caring voice echoed softly into the room.
"You were in an impossible situation, yet you did everything to you could. You are not stupid or weak Mabel. You wear a smile when others have long since given up hope, you laugh when others can do naught but cry. You have a very unique view of the world, but it keeps Dipper grounded and prevents him becoming arrogant, all of those thing make you the opposite of stupid and weak. Those that hurt you will be taught what that means."
Mabel nuzzled the six fingered hand as her Grunkle Stan continued to hold her tight. A knock was heard at the entry way to the kitchen. Mabel stepped out from between the two tall men as Gideon spoke.
"Ah, that will be Emanuel with the result of Buford's conversation with the young man the recently graced us with his presence, bless his heart." Gideon yelled to the closed door. "Come in Emanuel, we could use whatever information you managed to acquire[."
The door swung open, not to reveal the white suited Emanuel, but instead a blood soaked creature, its teeth flat and bright white against the red. The apparition out of Mabel's worse nightmare's raised a revolver and took aim at Gideon. Something inside of Mabel snapped, no one was being taken from her anymore! Calmness settled over her, moving in front of Gideon, she saw the flash of the gun as all slowed down. She smiled, feeling a cold snout against her leg and the familiar oink of an old friend.
"I'll be with you soon Waddles, I'm sorry for everything, so sorry. I lost you, I couldn't lose anyone else."
Closing her eyes she waited for the bullet to take her. If she went down, there would be no reason for all this to continue. Still she waited, yet the bullet failed to reach her. Opening her eyes, she saw that all was frozen and before her at her feet stood Waddles.
"You did not Lose me Mabel Pines, I was taken from you. The first Impulse you had was true, I am able to be here because You do not wish to have anyone taken from you ever again. So I ask you, is this the extent of you ambition? To commit a meaningless act of martyrdom?" Waddles turned to the tableau before the two. "They will just do this to others, force others as you and yours where forced. Where is the fearless girl I knew that took on a time traveler for a friend, that gave up all she ever could've wanted to help her brother and save an entire universe from an evil mind demon. Where is the girl that befriended a forgotten president, that saw the good in Pacifica Northwest. That faced all the horror that Gravity Falls had and then made friends with most of the creatures. Hell, where is the girl that, when she found out that unicorns are jerks, she led her group of friends in pummeling them into the ground? Please tell me, WHERE IS THAT GIRL?"
Waddles words echoed and Mabel's eyes hardened, her mouth set, and she spoke.
"She is right HERE!"
Waddles smiled, then turned back to all that was and spoke again. "Then I will stand with that girl, with the girl that is and always will be my best friend. There are many things I can do dead that I could never do alive. Allow me to show this creature the error of its ways."
Mabel's only answer was a nod. Waddles faded as time reasserted itself. The Gun went of and the bullets stopped a foot from Mabel's Chest. A thrum of power sent them back from whence they came. It was there that Ezekiel of the family Malachite met his end, the victim of his own cruelty, and at the divine justice of a ghostly pig.
I will keep you safe Mabel," Came Waddles voice.
Smiling Mabel turned to the shocked men around her, "I Think its time to get in touch with Pacifica."