Mabel's side

"Oregon?!" Stan doubted. "Do ya really expect me to take you all the way over there?" He asked opening the door to his car. Mabel climbed into the seat from the other side and pulled her seatbelt over her body while Stan forced himself into the driver's seat.

"Come on, it'll only be a few days," Mabel attempted to convince Stan. The chances of Stan taking her so far away to a place like Oregon were below her expectations, but it was the only shot she had to find her way back home. Oh... how much she longed for home. There was an old saying Mabel had heard ever since she was able to perceive the concept of words itself: "There is no place like home."

She had always used this phrase as an exaggeration such as just coming home from a long day at school; falling into the comfort of her mattress followed by her brother rushing in their room to put his school supplies away only to do the same. Or after arriving to their house after a long trip Mabel and her family had once taken to New York City. Of course her and her brother were asleep when they arrived into their driveway but just the feeling of her familiar surroundings welcomed her back nonetheless.

It was not until now that she realized how meaningful the phrase really is when you don't have a home to call yours. its not like she could barge into a random house, kick her feet on the sofa and drink a nice cup of milk. Right now, the closest thing she could even think of as a home, non-literal of course, was the man sitting next to her, but even he knows out of anyone how it feels to be a homeless man. Stan had his car but that wasn't even close to being thought of as a home, but more like an easy get away. He doesn't have anyone but himself and his 'wits' to even function in his method of survival.

If there is anything Mabel is determined to do, it would be to find her way back. She IS going to get back home. Mabel was sure of it. She couldn't stay in this time, even if she stayed with someone she knew; but who knows how long that would last before she's on her own again. She needed to get back to her Grunkle Stan, her parents, and Dipper. Mabel couldn't be without Dipper, and she was sure he couldn't be without her. So for now, it was her only determination.

"Nu-uh, no way!"

"Pretty, pretty please?" She fluttered her eyelids in a desperate attempt to woo his decision. She hadn't used that technique in a long time. She stopped using it when it no longer showed any affect on Dipper. Stan responded with and unimpressed and unconvinced stare.

Mabel's pleading expression fell upon Stan's unconvinced gaze knowing the only thing she was doing for herself was making herself look stupid.

"But... It's the only way," she sighed lowering her voice with every word spoken as Stan's lips tightened as if he were in thought. He painted an unsure and queasy expression on his face; looking down to his feet afterward.

Stan remained quiet as he slid the car key into its slot and turned the engine. He avoided eye contact with the little girl sitting next to him as he pulled out of the diner parking lot.

Mabel waited for a response from Stan as the car slowly exited into the open road. The car quickly moved into a smooth drive as the speed picked up.

She tried to look into and read the eyes that would not respond back, but of course, they showed no answer. "Are you gonna say something?" she asked deciding to break the wall of silence between the two. Stan only gave a small and quick glance to Mabel from his side before focusing on the road.

Again, silence pervaded the small area the car provided. Stan, with eyes laid strictly on the road ahead on him, acted as if he did not feel Mabel's eyes penetrating his existence.

Stan's stomach churned as he felt the girl look away from him. He could tell she had given up. Stan could almost feel her disappointment as her body slumped into the seat with a small huff through her nostrils.

He knew that feeling all too well. If he had one word to describe himself he felt it would be just that. A disappointment. He was a disappointment to his dad, his brother, and... And most definitely himself.

'You can't go one day without shaming our family can't you?' His father's voice rang in his own head. Pa Pines always spat cruel words to Stan because of the abilities he didn't have that his brother possessed, but he always shrugged his words off and never paid any mind to them. He learned to ignore them. At least until now. Being alone really makes you think; think of all the things you've done wrong; and only fantasize about what you could've done right.

"What am I doing," Stan sighed throwing his head into his hands. "I can't do this." He mumbled under his breath.

"What?" Mabel perking from her slumped position; thankful he at least said something. If there was anything Mabel hated more than the dark, it was silence. Stan took of what seemed like minutes to massage his eyeballs with the surface of his palm- looking up every once a few rubs to check on the road- as if when he stopped, all if his problems would magically disappear.

"I can't do this," he repeated with a louder and more aggravated tone. "I can't take you to Oregon: I can't take care of you. I didn't think this through. I have no house; no money; and no chance of being able to care for... For even myself."

Stan glared towards Mabel, causing her stomach to drop. She had never received any hurtful action from Stan. At least not from her time, and even though he did not know who she was, the fact that he was still the person she came to adore didn't make it hurt any less. It was only then that she realized the uninviting expression was not meant for her and almost for himself. She could see anger quickly plummet to hurt as his eyes narrowed to face the wheel.

"What are you saying?" Mabel questioned. She stared at him as she waited for an answer. In Mabel's mind she almost knew what he was going to say, and she tried to inch away from the thought of him leaving her in those few seconds Stan was silent.

"I'm sorry, kid..." He started. Mabel knew what was coming as her eyes widened and her eyebrows slanted. "But... I can't help you." Another upsetting and uncomfortable silence fell upon the two. Mabel sat in the seat with a pout on the rims of her lips as if the pout that always pulled her brother to agree with her would convince Stan otherwise. She pulled her knees up to her chest and wrapped her arms around them trying to process what she was going to do. What was Stan going to do? What was he going to do with her?

"I'm dropping you off at a police station. They could probably take you where ya need to go." He concluded turning the wheel as far as it could rotate as the vehicle began to slowly turn to the side.

Mabel immediately bounced to his words. Her eyes widened as she jumped towards the wheel and grabbed ahold of it. "No! You can't do that," she yelled.

"Kid, let go of the wheel! This isn't up for discussion." He slapped Mabel's hand away, but she held on firm.

"I don't care! I'm not going with the police! I wanna go with you!" Mabel persisted; pulling down at the wheel, the car spun out of control losing its balance on the road. Stan immediately stomped his foot onto the brakes causing Mabel and himself to be thrusted forwards as the vehicle halted to a stop. Mabel's seat belt prevented her from much damage, but Stan hadn't strapped himself in when getting into the car; something he didn't care to do since forever ago. Screeching tires rang as Stan's head flung towards the wheel, banging him above his right eye brow. Well, at least they were the only vehicle on the road.

"Ow! Dammit!" Stan yelped in pain covering his injury with his palm. "What the hell, kid!" Frustration overlapped the pain as he looked into the rearview mirror to get a look of the hit. Not being able to see much from the lack of light, and almost blinded by the pain he gave up in trying to mend himself.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry," Mabel cowered with an apology. She rubbed her neck where the seatbelt had pushed against her with a massive amount of force. For once it wasn't Stan who almost caused a crash due to reckless driving. She had almost missed the feeling of his driving though, no matter how dangerous.

Stan rubbed his face where he had been hit as he let off a pained cringe. "Let me see it." She offered help with her palm outstretched only about a foot ahead of her.

"I'm fine," he resented pushing her offer away with an annoyed flick of his wrist.

"Stan, let me see," Mabel demanded as a more serious tone replaced her plead of apologies.

Stan gave an intense yet unsure stare to Mabel before finally giving in with an aggravated sigh. Without a word Stan leaned forward and allowed Mabel to proceed in her offer of help. She pushed his unkempt hair away from his forehead to get a better look at the damage.

"It's a little hard to see in this lighting, but it looks like you're gonna bruise pretty bad," Mabel explained examining the injury as if she were suddenly an experienced nurse.

"Eh, I've been through worse," Stan responded glancing to the window with a visible bored expression; refusing to look at Mabel. She let off a small giggle showing a small gleam of metallic braces from her well known and commonly shown smile. Her gleam slowly faded before giving Stan a long stare.

Stan wondered what she could be thinking as her saddened eyes penetrated his, giving him a message he couldn't quite figure out.

Before Stan could comprehend his situation, he felt small arms wrap around his neck. The feel of warm and comforting cotton from the girl's sweater lay around his bare neck as he felt her small body press against his. She hugged him with what felt like desperation; as if an action of such would suddenly make all of her problems cease to exist. The little girl's locks of curls, which smelt of dust and dirt, fell into his face as he let her action sink in.

"What is she doing?" Stan thought in shock. He didn't know if he should shoo her off of him or let her cling on. He felt the instinct to immediately interrupt her hug, but the thing is, he didn't want to.

Stan never let many people even touch him, especially ever since he was left to fend for himself, but at that moment, Stan felt something he hadn't felt in a long time. For the first time in ten years, he felt comfort and love. For the first time in a long time Stan felt important.

After a few seconds Mabel released her hug on Stan and sat back on the seat without a word. "You... You can take me to the police. I won't fight." She silently insisted as she smuggled into the seat cushion; almost waiting for Stan's expected words.

Mabel stared down at her feet; waiting for an answer that Stan couldn't give. The small hug this little girl gave him made him feel different from how he has felt for the past few years. For that moment, he forgot this troubles; his experience through poverty; and lost focus on all of the things he didn't have or possess. A small thought crossed Stan's mind for a quick second. "What if I took care of her; Took her to Oregon? Someone could finally be in my life again. Even if it is for a little while."

"Why do you want ME to take you?" He sighed looking towards his hands. "Ya don't even know me."

"But I do," Mabel thought looking up to the man who refused to share even a glance. "I know more than you think."

Mabel only replied with a hopeful stare. After a moment of thought and silence, Stan sighed and eagerly shifted the gears into drive. Mabel watched unaware of Stan's intentions as the car began to drive off down the road.

"This better not be some kind of sick joke, kid." He said before another quiet moment. "So... How long do ya think it will take to get to Oregon?" Stan asked with a smirk.

Mabel's attention immediately sparked. She widened her eyes and stiffened her posture in her seat. "Wait, does that mean you'll do it? You'll take me to Oregon?"

"Yes."

"Oh my gosh! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" Mabel cheered wrapping her arms around the man once more despite the struggle to do so due to her seatbelt.

"Okay, okay, you can stop now. I'm driving." He pushed her back into her seat but with a playful manner.

"I can't believe you're taking me!" she cheered letting go of him and settling back down on her seat.

"Yeah, me neither."

"I'm one step closer." Mabel mentally noted. She felt inside her sweater and rummaged for the familiar feel of a metallic box shape. Finally feeling it in her palms, she tightly clutched the object in desperation for a small feel comfort it seemed to provide. "I actually have a chance at going home!"