Stan's twin closed his eyes, drew a deep breath, and exhaled.

"Stanford? "

Ford swallowed before opening his eyes and looking at his brother. "It was just a bad dream, Stanley. I'm okay. "

Stan raised an eyebrow. "Well, I'm glad you're okay. I was afraid I'd have a heart attack or an aneurism or something the last day and a half. "

He felt Stanford grasp his hand. "Thank you for saving me, Stanley—again. "

Stan smiled. "Eh. The last sixty-two years it's kinda been my job. Besides, what are big brothers for? "

Ford looked confused. "Er—what? Did I end up in some alternate dimension again, or—Stanley, we're twins, remember?"

Ford's brother smiled knowingly. "Y'mean Ma never told you—and here I thought you knew everything. "

"Knew—what?"

"I was born six minutes and forty-eight seconds before you. I guess you needed to get all of those extra brainy smart cells added or something while you were still in there—anyhow, since I was born first, that makes me older than you—which makes me your big brother. "

Stanford rolled his eyes. "Whatever makes you happy. "

Stan smiled, and then something pricked his heart. He leaned over and slipped one arm behind Stanford's neck, leaning his head on his brother's shoulder.

"Stanley? "

"I thought that I was going to lose you again, Sixer—I was—well, I was pretty darn scared. "

Ford blinked slowly, and then placed a hand on Stan's back. "I'm okay, Stanley—thanks to you and the kids. "

Stan gave his brother as best a squeeze as he could, then sat up. "Eh—you're going to be the death o' me. "

Ford just smiled and shook his head.

Stan suddenly thought about what the doctor had said about the scars on his brother's back. "Stanford, what—"

"Great Uncle Ford!"

Stan turned to see Mabel running in the door. Dipper was behind her, slapping himself in the face.

"Ma-bel," he said through gritted teeth. "We're in a hospital…"

The elder set of twins both chuckled, Though Ford winced after doing so.

"Great Uncle Ford, are you okay? "Mabel asked as Stan lifted her up and set her in his lap so that she would be closer to her second great-uncle.

Ford looked at her a bit sadly, noting the look of deep concern in her eyes.

"I'll be okay, Mabel, "he assured her, reaching out and placing a hand on her cheek. "Thank you—thank all of you. I owe you all my life. "

Dipper came around on the other side of the bed and took his great uncle's other hand. "Great Uncle Ford, you're family. Family looks out for each other. "

"Yeah, and since Mister Pines is like a dad to me, that kinda makes you like my uncle. Or—somethin' like that. "Soos added, looking at the ceiling and trying to figure out if he had the relations right.

"I'm just glad to finally meet you," Wendy said,"—up close and personal, anyway. Wish it hadn't been like this, but—"

Ford smiled. "I wish it hadn't been like this, either, Wendy," he said, yawning, "—but it is a pleasure. "

He yawned again, covering his mouth with his hand.

Stan looked at Soos. "Soos, I want you to take the kids home—and if your abuelita wouldn't mind, I'd like you to stay with them tonight. "

Soos saluted. "Yes, sir. I'll go and give her a call. "

"Where will you, be, Grunkle Stan? "Dipper asked.

"I'm staying with Stanford. "

"But Grunkle Stan—" Mabel started, looking distressed.

"It'll be okay, kids. I'm sure your Great Uncle Ford won't have to be here much longer. "

In a low tone, Wendy said, "Um…"

Stan turned to see that his brother had gone back to sleep.

"Come on, guys. Mr. Pines probably needs his rest, too." Soos instructed Dipper and Mabel. "I mean—your Grunkle Stan Mr. Pines. Actually, both—well, you know what I mean. "

Dipper nodded, then looked into his sleeping great uncle's face. "Feel better soon, Great Uncle Ford. "

Mabel slid off of Grunkle Stan's lap, then stood on her toes and kissed her Great Uncle Ford's cheek. "Come home soon."

Soos walked out the door with them, both Dipper and Mabel casting last farewell glances over their shoulders before they went around the corner. Wendy followed after.

Stan watched them go, then turned back to Ford.

"I guess I'd better ask a nurse or something about sleeping arrangements." He said, looking into his brother's face as if he were awake. "Stanford, what was the doc talking about—all this scar stuff on your back?"

"…there are several old scars on his back—some of them are healed on top of each other. "

Stan placed a hand on his brother's head. "When you get home and we get some time alone, you and I are going to have a long talk. "