Alice pulled Dipper and Mabel tight to her, closing her eyes as they hugged her back, their skinny arms latching onto her like koala cubs.

"Promise you'll write when you get home," Alice told them as she pulled back, her hands resting on each of their shoulders. "And tell me everything about the rest of your school year."

"We will," Dipper promised, his voice tinged with a hint of sadness. "We'll write every week and we'll tell you everything."

"And you have to write back, and send snacks," Mabel insisted, her eyes watery.

"I will," Alice smiled sadly, her hands running over their cheeks. "We'll see you in the summer, and stay out of trouble, alright?"

"We will," They intoned in unison, their voices small. Dipper hesitated before speaking up again, his voice barely above a whisper. "We'll miss you, Alice."

"I'll miss you too," Alice assured him, standing and releasing the twins as the bus driver grumbled at the wheel. She shot him a glare, her hands resting a top of Dipper and Mabel's heads. Ford's hand settled on her shoulder, and when Alice glanced up at him, she saw a similar look of sadness on his face.

"It's going to be hard without them, isn't it?" He whispered to her, his gaze fixed on the twins. Alice could only nod, reluctantly retracting her hands and shoving them in her pockets.

"Alright you two," She started, sucking in a breath. "We'll see you in the summer, and when you get back, I promise I'll take you to see the Luminiferous Cranes."

"You promise?" Mabel asked, her voice hopeful despite her watery eyes.

"And you'll tell us about them, right?" Dipper added, wiping his face.

"I'll send my notes and plan a day for it," Alice promised, her lips tight and the twins gathered their bags and troped toward the bus. The twins nodded somberly, hurrying onto the bus, backpacks bouncing behind them as they shouted their final goodbyes.

Alice watched, her arms crossed over her chest as the bus began to pull away, Ford's hand squeezing her shoulder. Dipper and Mabel waved at the pair and they stood there until the bus disappeared from sight.

It was bittersweet, watching the twins leave and knowing that she'd have to wait until summer to see them again. Knowing that Ford and Stan would be leaving for the sea just after New Year was harder, especially after Alice had gotten used to having everyone around again.

"I'm going to miss them," Alice whispered, rubbing her arms self-soothingly.

"I know, I will too," Ford reassured her, his arm wrapping around Alice's shoulder and pulling her to his side. "It's going to feel empty without them."

"It's going to be harder when you and Stan leave," Alice added, her lips pressing together as she stared longly down the road. "I just got you all back and now? You're leaving again."

The grip Ford had on her shoulder tightened.

"I know," He replied, his voice low and slightly choked. "I don't want to leave either... but the research, the journals-"

He paused, his voice trailing off as he searched for the right words.

"I'd never ask you to give it up," Alice said firmly, despite the sadness choking her.

"I know you wouldn't," He replied softly, his hand rubbing soothing circles at the base of her back. "And that's one of the many reasons I love you." 

He paused for a moment, the warmth of his hand leaving her back as he stepped back. Alice turned, starting slightly when his eyes met hers.

"You know..." He muttered sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck. "You could always come with us."

"Come with you?" Alice's brow furrowed slightly, her lips pressing together. "Ford... You can't be serious..."

"I'm completely serious," He assured her, reaching out and capturing his hand in his. "You could come with us on the Stan O' War. We'd need you, your expertise... And frankly, I could use the company."

There was a tug at her heartstrings, pulling her in two different directions. 

One of the lines was screaming, no. There was no guarantee she'd be safe, she couldn't swim. Alice didn't know the first thing about living on a boat, and she'd just begun to settle in Gravity Falls, it would be jarring to run off and do something else.

The other half of her pleaded, begging her mind to say yes. There might be the dangers of the sea, but she would not be alone in any of it. Ford would be there, and Stan. She could still do fieldwork on a boat, even if it wasn't as interesting as the Cranes.

"Ford," Alice started, the warring strings in her mind pulling her heart in two different directions. She wouldn't be alone again if she went, and she wouldn't have to give up precious time with Ford.

"I know it's a lot to consider," Ford started gently, his voice low. "Take your time to think about it."

"I can't swim," Alice protested feebly, her lips pressing together as she slid her fingers into his.

"You can learn," He said softly, his fingers tracing the lines of her knuckles. "And we'll have life vests, and emergency procedures in place. We'll take every precaution to keep you safe."

He paused, his eyes flickering over her face.

"And you won't be alone," He added, his voice earnest. "I'll be there. Stan will be there. We won't let anything happen to you."

"But Stan," Alice tried again, though each protest was shot down by her mind. "Would he even agree?"

"He would," Ford affirmed, a small chuckle escaping him. "He might put up a fight, but in the end, Stan would agree. He knows how much you mean to me. And I'm fairly certain he's grown fond of you as well."

Alice took a deep breath, her lips pressed tight together as she considered the idea once more.

"Are you sure?" She asked, her voice coming out high-pitched. "I get terribly seasick and I don't want to take up space-"

He cut her off.

"I'm positive," Ford said firmly, his grip on her hand tightening. "And we'll work around the sea sickness. We have medication to help with that. As for space-" He paused, a small, affectionate smile crossing his lips. "You could never take up too much space, Dove."

Alice exhaled, a cloud of steam forming past her lips and settling in the air between them. He gave her every reason to say yes, every part of Alice wanted to say yes.

"If Stan says yes," Alice started slowly, tightening her grip on his hand. "Then I'll come."

"Excellent," He breathed out, leaning to press a kiss against her forehead. "I'll talk to Stan. I'm sure he'll come around to the idea. He'd a stubborn old bastard, but he'll understand the value in having you with us."

"Ah yes," Alice muttered under her breath. "The value of a seasick novice aboard his ship."

"You're more than that," Ford insisted, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "You're a brilliant field biologist, a dedicated scientist, and frankly... The woman I love. Those things have value."

He pulled her closer, and Alice gasped, her hands pressing against his and he lowered his voice.

"And I want you with me. On the ship, on the adventure... By my side."

Childlike giddy erupted at his words, simple words, but words that meant the world to Alice. She buried her nose into his warm, red, turtle neck, her fingers twisting into his coat.

"When you say it like that..." She started, unable to help the blush that crossed her cheeks. His arms wrapped around her as he chuckled, and she could feel the vibrations running through his chest.

"Like what?" Ford asked, his voice low and teasing as he pressed a kiss to the top of her head.

"Like you're in love with me," Alice's face reddened as she said it. "Like you'd move heaven and earth for me."

Her fingers twisted into the collar of his trenchcoat, and she couldn't bring herself to look up at him, sure that her face was as red as his shirt.

"I am in love with you," He affirmed, his voice soft but firm. "And I would move heaven and earth for you, without a second thought."

He pulled back slightly, just enough to look down at her. Alice forced her gaze to meet his as his fingers brushed over her cheek.

"I would do anything for you."

Alice sucked in a breath of air, releasing his shirt and reaching up to gently fix his glasses. His breath hitched as he leaned into her touch, his eyes never leaving hers.

"You make me believe it," She whispered, her words coming out in rumored clouds of steam.

"Good," He responded, his voice quiet between them, his face inches from hers as his hand cupped her cheek. "Because it's the truth. I never want you to doubt my love for you."

Alice nodded, her heart stalling, "I think this is the perfect moment for you to kiss me."

Ford chuckled as he leaned forward, his nose brushing against hers as he closed the gap between them. His lips found hers, tender and intimate as he pulled her closer. She could feel the love, the want, everything in the kiss. Alice lifted her chin to meet his kiss, his lips warm against hers as she stumbled forward, her weight pressing against his.

Ford stumbled, his hands holding her waist and catching her as they tumbled into the snow. Alice gasped as she landed on top of Ford, her body pressed against his as a flurry of snowflakes floated from above.

After a moment of stunned silence, Alice heard a low whistle from the Shack.

"Well I'll be damned," Stan's voice rang out, filled with amusement. "Finally made a move on her, huh Sixer?"

Alice jerked up, pushing off Ford's chest as her face burned red.

"It's not like that and you know it!" She yelped, her voice pitched higher as indignance and shame flooded into her. Stan's hearty chuckle only grew louder, a smirk crossing his face as he leaned against the doorframe.

"Oh really?" He teased, his arms crossed over his chest. "Then what's it like, huh? 'Cause from here, it looks like you two were pretty into it."

Alice scrambled to stand, her feet slipping under her as she took Ford's hands and helped him to his feet. If it wasn't for the burning shame, she would have been far more worried. Her hands flickered to Ford's hair, brushing the snow away and fixing his askew glasses.

"It was an accident!" She protested, not daring to meet Stan's gaze.

"An accident," Stan repeated, his tone oozing with skepticism. "Right, I bet that's what they all say, huh, Ford?"

Ford let out a breathless chuckle, catching Alice's hands as she fussed.

"Don't mind him," Ford reassured her, his voice soft. "He's just trying to get a rise out of you."

"You're right, I am," Stan admitted cheerfully. "But I gotta say, watchin' you two stumble 'around like a pair of love-struck teenagers is too good to pass up."

"Prude!" Alice snapped at Stan, the effect ruined by her flushed cheeks. She brushed the snow off her coat and jeans, her face twisted with indignation.

Stan merely chuckled, unphased by her weak insult. He pushed off the doorframe and sauntered toward them, still smirking. Alice crossed her arms over her chest, indignance clear on her face.

"You're spunky, I'll give ya that," Stan smirked, his eyes flickering to his twin. "Ford, I think ya got your hands full with this one."

"I think you might be right," Ford agreed, his fingers intertwining with Alice's. "But I can handle her."

Stan raised a brow, a look of mock surprise on his face, "Oh really? You think you can handle a spitfire like her?"

"I don't need handling!" Alice protested, indignation filing her response. "I have a doctorate! I can handle myself."

"Oh, a doctorate, huh? Well color me impressed," Stan smirked, leaning forward. "But from where I'm standin', you two looked pretty 'handled' when you hit the ground."

"Go sit in a lake," Alice shot back, releasing Ford's hand and smoothing back her hair. "I'm going to make a cup of tea."

"Oh, you're too much," Stan stifled a laugh, his shoulder shaking with surpassed amusement. "But have fun with your tea. I'll just be here, enjoyin' the show."

Alice glanced back at Ford, who gave her a reassuring smile as Alice stormed toward the cabin. Just before she stepped in, she heard Ford muttering to his brother, a warning in his tone.

"Don't go too hard on her, Stanley."

"I can handle two-bit Matthews too!" Alice called back, her face flaring again.

"Did she just call me a two-bit Matthews?" Stan asked, faux-offense lacing his voice.

Ford let out a sigh, "Yep, she did."