Infected : A Mabel and Ford bonding story

Chapter 3: We'll make it work

Now normally, a two-hour drive prior to a camping trip is filled with excitement and talks of what will transpire upon arrival. But not in this drive. Ford sat at the wheel of the Stanmobile, his eyes glued onto the road. The night before the doctors had given him a full physical check up to make sure he was fine. They concluded he was but told him to be cautious. They even gave him a thermometer so he could keep track of his temperature. He was warned that if it dipped below 95F, he would be within the virus's grip and needed to get back to the hospital immediately. But that concern was far behind him as he looked over to his right at the passenger seat.

Mabel sat there starring out of the window. She had been like that since last night. Ford could only imagine what she was going through. She had to leave Dipper behind at the hospital, he had to leave Stan behind. Waddles was now in the care of Soos and Wendy.

The choice was hard. But she had insisted to come along no matter what. Looking at her in that state made Ford feel odd. It did not feel like Mabel was with him. The happy full of life girl he knew was there physically, but not mentally. He had to get her going again. He needed Mabel back.

"You alright Mabel," he said. There was no reply.

Maybe she was asleep. Ford decided to ask something else.

"Mabel, quick question? What chocolate did you pack," he said?

He noticed Mabel flinch a little. She slowly turned her head around. Not entirely to face him but enough so Ford could see her.

"Regular chocolate. Why," she asked.

"Oh nothing. I just thought maybe we could make some smores later tonight," he said.

Mabel looked up at him a bit surprised, "but, but didn't you say that this was not a fun trip? You said this was serious and stuff!"

"Yes, I know I said that, but I mean, I'm sure Dipper and Stan would want us to have a little fun while we're out here am saving them. Right? They will probably will be jealous of us when we get back," Ford said.

Mabel gave a small chuckle at this, "yea, maybe. I'm sorry Grunkle Ford. I know you wanted Dipper to come along. I should have told you earlier about all that vaccination stuff," Mabel said.

Ford looked down at her, "oh, don't worry Mabel. I'm sure he won't mind and hey, Dipper does not like it when I say we'll be camping buddies," he said with a smile.

Mabel began to laugh, "oh, I'll show you what a camping buddy is like Mr. I'll make smores that are out of this world."

Ford laughed back. He had Mabel back. This mission was going to be more fun now that she was in her full happy mood.

The car pulled up and arrived at the sight. Ahead the two saw what lay. A hike through deep woods, over hills and finally a climb up the side of a mountain to reach the cliff where the herb grew. It was not going to be easy, but almost immediately Mabel was grabbing her belongings and getting ready to head off. Only Ford yelling to her to slow down kept her at bay.

The two began their journey up. It was long and filled with ups and downs. Literally. They passed by fields of flowers, jumped over rocks to forge rivers, stopped and had lunch under a big oak tree and even saw a squirrel eating nuts.

"You know two squirrels once attacked me," Mabel said.

"Oh, now this is a story I want to hear," replied Ford.

"I was trying to get them to make out and then they starting running all around my face. Thankfully Mr. Rhino saved the day," she said.

"Oh, uh, that sounds, uh nice," said Ford, totally oblivious to the fact Mr. Rhino was one of Mabel's stuffed animals and not an actual rhino.

After that, the two continued on their way. Every once in a while, Mabel would stop to take dirt out of her shoes or attempt to lick weird looking spots on trees. While she was doing that and after telling her not to, Ford would check his temperature.

It fluctuated between normal to too hot or cold. But it thankfully did not dip below 95 F. And neither was he experiencing any of the side effects he was told to beware of. His battle-hardened immune system was holding the virus off. But deep down he knew it could not hold it forever.

Later that afternoon while playing eye spy, Mabel noticed Ford's watch.

"That sure is an expensive looking watch for a hike through the forest" she asked.

"Well I did not want to wear it honestly. The doctor told me that in case we get lost we can pull this button on it and it will send a distress signal so we can be saved" Ford said.

"Well that sounds cool. I mean in case we get lost that is" Mabel replied.

Ford did not respond.

"Is everything alright Grunkle Ford" asked Mabel.

"Shhhh" he responded, covering her mouth with his hand.

"Don't make any sudden movements or noises Mabel. There's a bear up ahead!"

Ford points up ahead near a ravine where a bear is drinking water from.

"Don't worry, I'll handle this" he said, pulling out his gun.

"Grunkle Ford no. Use the tranquilizer," whisper yelled Mabel.

"What, I don't have time to dig it out of my bag Mabel. What if that bear charges up at us? We can't take the risk" replied Ford.

"But all the bear is doing is drinking water. I'm sure it has not seen us yet. And besides, Grunkle Stan once taught a bear to drive while me and Dipper were in the back seat. We were fine" Mabel replied.

"Well first off, that bear must have been domesticated and secondly, once he's out of the hospital I'm having a serious talk with Stanley. Now please Mabel, let me handle this" yelled Ford.

But when he turned around to aim, the bear had disappeared.

"What? Where did he go," said Ford?

"You yelled. So, it got scared and ran off. See Grunkle Ford, that bear was more scared of us then you were of it" said Mabel.

"Well, if we run into it again, I'm not stalling by listening to your pleas" Ford responded.

"Might wanna aim with that tranquilizer instead" said Mabel as she ran off.

"Oh, you just wait till I get a hold of you missy" said Ford as he chased after Mabel.

The two played tag as they ran up the mountain until dusk.

It was time to pitch up the tents for the night.