Ever since Stanford had returned, Dipper had felt conflicted. Here, finally, was the Author. The person who could answer all his questions, and even after having finally gotten to see him as a person - even if that happened to be when they were abducted by a interdimensional math wizard bent on eating their brains, he was still distant. He could read any of the three Journals, and had been reading Gideon's journal cover to cover, but even with so much more knowledge, Dipper could only feel like more was being hidden from him. One does not simply go from an almost-apocalypse to happy fun summer times with ease. Unless your Mabel, who was currently stuffing Waddles into a sweater while Gompers munched on a loose thread.

"Come on Dipper!" Mabel shouted as she held up Waddles and his 'I'm the baconater' sweater, "You cant spend all your life in those journals, we have a summer vacation to enjoy!"

"I cant Mabel, even with Ford downstairs there is too much I don-"

He was interrupted by a newspaper swatting down (lightly) on his head.

"Listen to your sister," Grunkle Stanley, "You and my brother might enjoy some nerd things together, but what he is doing is still dangerous. And your mother would kill me if anything happened to you."

"We've already ended up in jail because of you." Dipper grumbled, still wondering how his parents would react if they found out he had been arrested for helping his Great Uncle counterfeit bills.

In the end, however, Dipper was pulled out of the Mystery Shack by his twin, journals tucked into his backpack and soon almost forgotten about as they ran around the woods. Almost forgotten, but not quite. For as much as his sister could lose herself in the moment, Dipper never could help but keep an eye out around them. You could never know in Gravity Falls what might happen.

Even trying to expect the unexpected, Dipper was surprised to see a black limousine driving up towards the Mystery Shack. Unfortunately, the moment of distraction cost him, as Mabel took the opportunity to pelt him with water balloons.

Although after the events at her family mansion, Pacifica Northwest could possibly be called his friend, Dipper was surprised when she did not even make a passing comment about the dripping state of his clothes as she rushed over to him. Looking closer at her face however, it seemed like she was on the verge of panic.

"I hate to do this," Pacifica began, not even letting Dipper get a word out. "But I dont know who else to go to..."

Mabel emerged from the bushes, having somehow found green face paint to camouflage her face and with twigs and leaves glued to her sweater to help her blend in, Dipper didnt even know when she had the time to make that. And both of the Stans came out as well, curious about the presence of the limousine.

"I need your help," The Northwest said, a feeling of Deja Vu rushing past Dipper as he remembered the night he had helped her at her family's manor. "Something is wrong with my father, and I dont have anyone else to turn too"

"Woah there," Dipper began as Pacifica all but dragged him towards the limousine. "What do you mean? What is going on?"

"Indeed," Stanford moved to step between Pacifica and the vehicle, "slow down and tell us what is happening. To start with, would someone mind telling me who this kid is?"

"I don't have time for your pathetic jokes Stan Pines." Dipper realized Pacifica had mistaken Stanford for Stanley, although he honestly couldn't see how anyone could, even in the distracted state Pacifica was in.

"Ford, meet Pacifica Northwest." Dipper said to introduce the two, "Pacifica, this my Gruncle's brother, Stanford."

Ford's eyes narrowed, but Pacifica pressed on.

"Dipper, please" Dipper wasn't used to that word coming from Pacifica, and she looked like she wasn't very familiar with it herself. (though admittedly she knew how to pronounce it, Pacifica's inability to say "sharing" was still something he found hilarious) "Introductions can wait, my father isn't acting himself."

She moved to go around, but Ford moved to block her.

"Northwest..." He brought his six fingered hand up to his chin, squinting at Pacifica as he scratched at his beards stubble. "This father of yours wouldn't be Preston Northwest would he?"

"Yup that would be him," Mabel gave her best impression, which was admittedly pretty terrible "Tonight we shall enjoy only the snootiest of laughter." After which she snorted in a way that made Waddles come to investigate. Not losing a beat, she picked Waddles up and continued to snort her nose pressed to his.

Ford frowned slightly at Mabel, as Stanley laughed, but his eyes returned to Dipper and Pacifica. "He isn't going anywhere with you." Ford's voice was stern as he broke Pacifica's grip easily. Old as he was, and without the fighting talent of his more physical brother, it didn't take Stanford much effort to overcome a twelve year olds grip.

"How dare you?" Pacifica shouted, looking as if she couldn't decide whether to slap Ford or start crying. Dipper had only seen her so unhinged once before, and he didn't feel at all comfortable with it.

"Dipper," Ford said, turning too him. "I know Preston." He scowled, "I know him far better than i would like. You cant trust that man, I don't want you anywhere near him."

"Wait," Dipper began confusedly, not sure which way to turn. "What do you know about Preston Northwest?" He trusted Stanford, as much as he trusted anyone, which he had to admit to himself was not as much as he should.

"We don't need to talk about that," Ford said quickly, "But I'm not letting you anywhere near him." He turned to Pacifica as he guided a protesting Dipper back to the Mystery Shack. "Tell your father that he reaps what he sows."

And with that they left Pacifca alone in front of the Mystery Shack, Dippers last look back seeing tears in her eyes before she turned back to the limousine.

-Notes-

I'm so sorry... I never wanted to write fanfiction... but here I am. Meh, the chapters will be short, but many. More detailed notes will follow in later chapters... if I care enough... I wont.

facilis descensus averno, sed revocare gradum superasque evadere at auras, hoc opus, hic labor est