She blinked twice, then shot a glare at Erik who stood there without the slightest hint of shock. He knew...

Pacifica's mind went blank as her heart sunk and her stomach started to turn upside down. It was lucky that she hadn't eaten anything yet. There was a sharp pang in her head, and her vision started to tunnel, but somehow, she could still control it, but only barely as adrenaline started to course through her veins.

"But...bu-but… Why?" She asked, sounding like an idiot.

"Like you mother said, sweetheart," her father began as he tried to cheer his daughter up. "It can benefit both families. There is a whole new range of clientele for us; a whole new opportunity! This is one simple deal. It's the best deal we will ever have!"

Feeling dizzy, she took a look around, all of them: the Alborn's and her parents standing against her, smiling obliviously. Their minds are clouded with the thought of how much money they are going to make in this stupid deal. After all this time, after all she's done for them she is still their puppet.

"NO!" She yelled so loud that the band inside stopped playing. "No! I won't marry him!"

"But, Pacifica, think-" Her father tried to talk but she cut him off with a glare that could have melted his eyes.

"I said no! And who are you to make decisions about my company? You have no right to set me up! You have no right to arrange my wedding!"

"Pacifica, darling. There is no need to be this… this… primitive." Her mother's gleeful grin had now disappeared, replaced by something hard and stoic.

"And this is our company, Pacifica. Not yours." Her father had now retreated from her, positioning himself so sternly as if he was about to brawl with her.

"I was the one who rebuilt what you had lost!" Pacifica snapped. "I was the one who worked day and night just to get back what we had! I was the one who fed you, and clothed you! I was the one who did my best to make sure that you would be happy! I did it all because you screwed up! You placed all our assets to Bill! Remember? Because you were greedy! No. You are greedy, and you are prepared to sell your own daughter for that!"

"Pacifica! Quit talking nonsense!" Her father roared, veins are starting to bulge on his neck as if it were about to pop. "We had this company long before you were born, child! You should be grateful that we raised you! You should be grateful that we are giving things to you like this party even though you are a-"

"A what, dad? Come on! Spit it out!"

"An embarrassment! You are not a Nor-"

"Enough!" Mrs. Northwest stood in between them. "This has gone far enough! What is your problem?" She was trying to sound more sincere but her stiff tone was a dead giveaway. "Why don't you want to marry Erik? He's a fine young man. Is it because of that Pines kid?" She spat the name as if it were poison in her mouth.

Her eyes flashed, but she shook it away. Hopefully, her mother didn't notice.

By then, people from inside the ballroom have started to gather outside, not wanting to miss the latest family scandal.

"You know that a relationship with him wouldn't work. He's dangerous! He's not normal! Just like his whole family!"

"How dare you, mom! Dipper was the most decent person I have ever met! Everything was fine until you started sabotaging our relationship!"

Her mother was taken aback, gasping, pretending that her daughter was making wild accusations.

"You think I didn't know, mom?" Pacifica spat. "You think we didn't know about those goons you sent to steal his car? Or that you paid his university to give him bad marks so we won't have time to go out? Or that time that you had us mugged! Oh, wait! And you forced me to leave him! How pathetic can you be?"

It came so fast that she didn't have time to react. All of a sudden there was a loud clap and her hearing started to ring before the pain from her cheek raced up her head. It was only when she tasted the blood inside her mouth did she had a sense of what just happened.

Her mother stood in front of her, shocked, clasping her hand in disbelief of what she had done while everyone else stared at them with unblinking eyes, not daring to say a word.

Instinctively, Pacifica's hand ran up her face. Never in her life did she expect that her own parents would treat her like this. This was a new low for them, and she has had enough.

Feeling the tears well up her eyes she ran away from them, ignoring their calls for her to come back and ramming through anyone standing in her way. She bursts through the door, and out the building and into the streets. She ran as fast as she could. She didn't look back. She was never going back.

Today was a good day. Sure his car got towed, and his sandwich was stolen by a raccoon, but still, Dipper was happy. His mind was burning, but it felt good. He felt satisfied being able to put much progress into his research. Everything was ready for tomorrow. He was excited. Exhilarated, even! Soon, his own work will materialize and soon he will have something much like Grunkle Ford's work in Gravity Falls: something he can call his own.

He tried to look back how far he'd come. During their first summer in Gravity Falls, he tried to solve its mysteries and secrets with the help of his great-uncles, sister, and friends, and now, after a few years, he will now start his own journal. He will record mysteries and anomalies, he will have another puzzle to solve, another adventure to pursue. He could hardly wait. Like a child in Christmas, he wished that there was no longer a night to separate him from tomorrow. He even considered going to the airport now and wait for tomorrow there.

"Don't be ridiculous, Dipper." He told himself, smiling.

He walked all the way from the university lab to his apartment a few blocks away in under an hour. He needed to stretch his legs and he needed the cool night air. The previous rain left the puddles on the street walk, and Dipper was feeling so joyful that he had to force himself not to stomp on it.

Soon, he reached his apartment and headed up the fourth floor, whistling at first, but realized he found that it was boring to climb the steps one at a time. He did need the exercise. And so with a deep breath, he charged up the stairs taking three at a time, racing with himself, making his abdomen ache and his heart beat wildly, until he reached his floor, huffing and puffing like the big bad wolf.

"Well! That's enough exercise for the month." He was proud of his achievement, though it took him a while to catch his breath.

He pulled out his keys from the back pocket of his pants, whistling again that song that had been stuck with him for days. He couldn't wait to get to bed. He deserved it. His brain deserved it!

But there was a girl crouched and leaning on his door, her head buried in her arms. Her hair was soaking wet and shaggy, her dress was dotted with mud, and her shoes were missing. He groaned in irritation as he tried to decide what to do with her. However, this wasn't an uncommon sight in this building. His neighbor was a beautiful drunk, which is an absolute shame. Sometimes she would come home after a whole day of partying, mistaking Dipper's apartment for her own only to pass out, blocking the way. It was getting annoying trying to deal with her on an almost daily basis, but the landlord wouldn't do anything about it. What's amazing, though, was that Dipper still doesn't know her name.

"Err hmm." He coughed, trying to get her attention. But the girl didn't budge.

He was about to pull her in the arm when he noticed something.

That smell… He thought. That perfume…

He was sure he had smelled that before, but where? Who? Mabel? No. Wendy? Heck, no! Candy? Possibly? Wait, is this…

The girl pulled her head up, her puffy sky blue eyes looked at him with surprise, hope, and a tinge of joy. Realizing who he was, the girl jumped up to hug him around his neck in a tight embrace, savoring that moment with him for all the ones she had lost. "Dipper. It's nice to see you again!"

"Pacifica? What are you doing here?" There was a prick in his heart as he held her by the shoulder and tried to push her away, but he didn't let go of her just yet.

"Dipper, I'm sorry to bother you. I know you don't want to see me but I- I…" She couldn't hold it in anymore. She has been keeping herself from crying all night. She needed to let it go.

Pacifica buried her face in her hands, sobbing uncontrollably as she cried out all her frustrations and pains. She let it all out, as the dam that held her emotions started to burst. She couldn't control it anymore, everything just wanted to rush out and she couldn't stop even if she wanted to. Seeing Dipper again caused it all. But she didn't blame him for this weakness. Inside, she thanked him, because after all these years he was still the only one she can show her real self to.

But Dipper didn't understand, though he knew there was something wrong. He just watched her as she poured herself out. She was so defenseless. So vulnerable. She was still the Pacifica he knew. But he couldn't take watching her sob anymore. He grabbed her in his arms and held her tight, her damp hair and dress soaking his shirt, but he didn't care. He held her for as long as she needed. He held her for as long as she cried.

Pacifica reacted immediately, running her arms around him and returning his embrace, pushing every inch of her against him.

It took a while until Pacifica calmed down, but even then none of them broke their embrace; Dipper held her, and she held him. It took a few more minutes for her to completely stop crying and gently pushed herself off him, wiping the tears from her face.

"You look hideous." Dipper kidded, gaving her a warm smile to comfort her, his arms still on her waist.

Pacifica looked up at him with a stern face, her mascara had run and left a dark stream on either side of her cheeks. Her red lipstick had been smothered all over her lips and her foundation was starting to cake. She just stared into his eye until eventually, she giggled, however softly.

"Still witty as ever, I see." She said, her eyes not leaving his.

"Of course, Pacifica." He pushed a stray lock of her hair off her face. "The world wouldn't be the same if I stopped making witty remarks."

But just as soon as it appeared, Pacifica's smile vanished again, as her eyes trailed down to her filthy feet.

"Hey," Dipper tilted her head up, but she refused to see him. "What happened?"

She swallowed, and it felt hard on her throat as if she were swallowing a rock. "Dip, I promise to tell you everything, but can I wash up first? I'm not comfortable looking... like this."

Dipper nodded, the small smile still plastered on his face. He picked up his keys and unlocked the door before inviting Pacifica inside.

"You can take a shower." He said, leading her into the bathroom.

Pacifica took a look around and everything seemed to be in the same place as they were three years ago as if his apartment was frozen in time.

For a guy, his home was spotless. The carpet floor was well vacuumed, the books and pens and paper are all neatly in place on his desk, his couch and TV seemed untouched, and there was a scent, like a man's perfume, had been showered on everything. This was Dipper. Always organized. Quite possibly a neat freak. Pacifica snickered in the idea.

"Here's the bathroom." Dipper showed her inside, opening the curtain to the shower.

"I know Dipper. I've been here, remember?"

Dipper blushed at the memory but quickly shook it away. "Right. Anyway, I'll find some clothes for you. Just take your time. By the time you're out I'll have something hot for you to drink."

Even his bathroom was perfectly organized and clean. Pacifica can't help to admire him. His place looked better than hers! Does he have someone cleaning this place or does he do it on his own?

"Thank you, Dipper." She said sincerely.

Dipper nodded. "No problem, Pacifica." He then closed the door and went to his room.

He was not expecting this at all. He thought that he would be able to have an early rest, but with Pacifica here, he wasn't sure.

He sighed loudly as he looked for the clothes Mabel left in his apartment. Unlike him, she was awfully forgetful and ends up filling his cabinet with her clothes. But Dipper can't help to wonder about Pacifica. What happened? What was wrong? What will he do with her? All his plans were already laid out for tomorrow, but he can't just leave her on her own, not when she's broken and something was obviously going bad with her. Maybe, she'll come with them? Personally, he'd like that, even after all that happened between them he'd welcome her to his team. But is that a good idea? Pacifica was never useless. She's a smart girl; smarter than she'd give herself credit for. He knew that. Though she may not be a part of his team, she will help out in her own way. Maybe the best decision to do now was to wait it out. A solution was bound to reveal itself before the night is over, and when that time comes, he's trusting that he would be wise to make the right choice.

After gathering a pair of fuzzy pajamas and his favorite gray Darth Vader shirt, he placed them neatly on his bed. He then walked across the hallway, knocking at the bathroom door and informing Pacifica where the clothes she could use are.

A few more minutes later and Pacifica popped out of the bathroom, fresh and clean as if all evidence of the night had been washed away. It took her more than ten minutes to get dressed, though. Possibly contemplating whether or not she will wear those dreadful pajamas. Dipper thought that she's free to look for an alternative, but the fuzzy, pink pajama is the only thing she will find appropriate.

Finally, she emerged from Dipper's room, toweling her golden hair dry. His shirt was too large and baggy for her lean frame, but amazingly, the pajamas suited her well.

"Wow!" Dipper chuckled, but it was more to tease her than anything else. "You look like a normal human being!"

"I'm just amazed that your sister still has her good ol' sense of fashion." She looked at the pajamas she was wearing, eyeing it as if it would eat her legs off.

"She's still… silly in a wa, if that's what you're saying."

Pacifica took a bar stool and sat at the counter overlooking the kitchen. Dipper was busy cooking up something, and it smelled like vanilla and strawberries. Sitting on the countertop was a steaming mug of hot cocoa. She grabbed it with both hands, warming up her palms before taking a sip. Her stomach rejoiced to have something to fill it, and its warmness radiated all over her body. She remembered the first time she had a taste of Dipper's cocoa. He's not much of a coffee guy, so he found some delightful ways to make his cocoa fun. From mint chocolate cocoa, to spicy vanilla chocolate. It may sound crazy, but the spicy vanilla was Pacifica's favorite and is exactly the same thing she is drinking now. She smiled as its warmness finally reached her cheeks. She missed these times; the times when she felt comfortable and truly happy.

"So," Dipper began, looking over his shoulders while he cooked. "What happened?"

Pacifica sighed, mentally arranging the events of that night. She wasn't comfortable bringing it up but she owed him that much.

With a deep breath, she relayed to him what happened, but she was careful not to give details on what the party was for. It was already ruined. There's no need to bring it up anymore. But she told him about Erik and his family, her parents' decision, their wild argument and her mother slapping her. "And that' s why I came here. I couldn't find a place to go. I just want to be as far away from them as possible." She concluded, drinking the last few drops of her cocoa.

The tears welled up in her eyes again, but this time she was able to blink it away. She was done crying.

Dipper was now leaning on the countertop across her. He didn't really know what to say. It sounded so complicated. What could he have to offer to make things better for her? "So what are you planning now?"

She planted her face on her hands. "I don't know." She wanted to say something else but was not sure if it was the right thing to ask.

Dipper went back to his cooking and he flipped something from the frying pan.

"Maybe… maybe I… could stay with you?" She asked. Her efforts of stopping herself were futile.

Dipper quickly turned back to her, surprise painted all over his face.

"Just for a few days." She pleaded. "Just until I could sort this mess out. I'd be fine on the sofa."

She sounded desperate, but she was telling the truth. She knew that she will only get in deeper trouble when she is within arms-reach of her parents. However, she understood that it was a long-shot asking Dipper if she could stay with him, even for a few days, not after what she did.

"Pacifica, you can't-"

"Please, I'll be good. I won't bother you…" Now she's sounding more like a child.

"Pacifica, I'm leaving tomorrow. I have a research project to do in Canada. I will be staying there for a few months."

Pacifica lost her words. But maybe she could-

"I want to come with you!" She blurted out, mentally slapping herself "Please, Dipper. I have nowhere else to go."

Dipper breathed, pressing fingers on the bridge of his nose.

"I can help. I'll cook, I'll clean. I'd get my hands dirty, scrape my knee… crack my nail polish."

He bursts out laughing, though he tried so hard not to. He pictured her like Cinderella, wearing a potato sack and washing dishes. She must really need a refuge to go such lengths. It was almost adorable to think about if the idea that she just wants to escape her abusive parents wasn't depressing.

Looking at in a logical perspective, there is nothing wrong with bringing her with him to Canada. But if Canada was anything like Gravity Falls, then she would be better off staying near her parents. At least that way, the possibility of her dying from some abnormality would remain minimal.

"Dipper, I can't stay…" She said it as if she were reading his mind.

Perhaps she is! Dipper quickly tried to build a mental wall, which if it were a real wall, it would tumble in a smooth breeze.

"It might get dangerous." He said blankly, almost to himself.

"I understand the risks, Dip. I know what you do and what path you're on. I'd rather stand with you…" She looked at her with her wide eyes, pleading like a puppy begging to be taken home.

He felt his heart melt. Women are evil! How could they manipulate men with only the way they look at them.

"Fine!" He moaned. "But you need to do everything I will say, okay?"

"Wow! Growing a little backbone now, huh?" Her pleading eyes had now vanished and replaced by her usual sarcastic ones.

Dipper glared at her. Women are evil!

"I'm kidding. I'm kidding." She raised her hands, giggling. Classic Dipper. "But thank you, for considering to bring me. And yes, I promise to do what you say."

A few minutes passed and neither of them said anything more. Pacifica thought that he must still be debating with himself if it were really reasonable to bring her along.

Inside, she felt a little happiness glowing, like a tiny ember in a bed of tinder. She needed a place to hide, yes, but she also wanted to stay with him. She was truly glad to be with him again, to spend time with him, to see him, and to speak with him. Maybe she could fix things? Patch it all up as best she can, show him that she still thinks of him; that she still needs him. If she could-

Dipper snapped his fingers in front of her face, pulling her out of her trance. "Hey! You were staring at the wall for a really long time. Are you okay?"

Pacifica blinked. Embarrassed, she pretended to comb her hair with her fingers. "Uh, yeah. I'm good. Sorry. I was just... thinking of something."

"Well, enough thinking," Dipper said, presenting a plate stacked with five thick, fluffy pancakes. It was steaming with a rich vanilla scent and dripping with strawberry marmalade. "It's time to eat."

The pancakes were beautiful, and the thought that Dipper made it for her melted her insides into mush. But… why? "What's this?" She asked, sounding a bit too stoic than she wanted.

"What do you mean?" Dipper asked, brows furrowing.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean that… It's just… you don't cook."

"Hah!" Dipper clapped his hands. "Mabel's been teaching me! Unfortunately, though, the pancake batter was all that's left in my fridge. So I guess it's pancake for dinner for the both of us."

The girl smiled warmly, touched by his effort.

"Besides," He continued, rummaging through the drawers until he found a match. "I'm guessing you left the party without blowing out your candles. So…" He stuck a birthday candle on top of her pancake tower and lit it.

"How did you know?" She said so meekly that her voice was barely audible.

Dipper noted the look on her face. He knew when she was genuinely asking. She looked like an innocent child with eyes beaming with hope. She looked more beautiful that way. Someone should tell her to always be genuine.

"Oh please. We dated for six months, remember? Of course, I know when your birthday is." He placed his hand on top of hers. Somehow his hazelnut eyes shimmered in the birthday candle's light. "Happy birthday Pacifica. Make a wish."

She closed her eyes, trying hard so tears wouldn't spill out, needless to say, she failed at that. But for now, she didn't want anything else. She's found her refuge once more. But looking deep into her heart she blew it out. I wish for another chance...

Hello guys!

So here's the second chapter! I really appreciate the Kudos and for everyone who's been reading my work. It means a lot for my stuff to be seen by you guys. I hope you stay tuned. I will be posting new chapters every Friday.

Tell what you guys think! I'd love to hear from you

Cheers, guys!

-MS