DISCLAIMER: I DON'T OWN GRAVITY FALLS
Dipper awoke feeling groggy, with a loud rumbling noise coming from his stomach. While his medication could help him sleep through his pain, it cannot supersede his hunger. "Mabel! Gruncle Stan! Soos!" Dipper desperately called, ringing a bell that his sister provided for him if he needed anything. But no one came. Dipper shook the sleepiness from his head and carefully made his way downstairs. Down at the shop he saw pretty much the usual; Wendy at the counter doing whatever except her job, Soos sweeping up, Gruncle Stan trying to con more tourist into giving him all their money, finally Mabel who was now doing his work and periodically glancing at the door and windows as if expecting some unwanted company. Dipper could have easily snuck pass them but he wanted to at least say hi. "Hey guys," he greeted.
"DIPPER!" they all called out.
"What are you doing up? You should be in bed!" Mabel demanded. Dipper's rumbling stomach answered her question for him, much to his embarrassment. "Is that all," Mabel laughed. "You know you could have just rang the bell," Mabel reminded him.
"I tried but no one answered," Dipper complained. "So what do we have to eat?"
"Oh about that," Mabel looked away in shame. Mabel led Dipper to the kitchen where he saw that there was no food anywhere. "It's not our fault!" Mabel defended. "Gruncle Stan was in jail and we were all too busy looking for you! So we never got to go shopping."
Dipper's stomach began voicing it's contempt over Mabel's lame excuses. "That's ok," Dipper said trying to put up a brave face. "Hey Gruncle Stan can we please go to the diner?"
"Love to kid, but I need to make up for lost time," Stan argued counting a small stack of bills. "But here, treat yourself to some jerky or something." Stan handing Dipper some change for the vending machine.
"This is no way to treat the injured," Dipper moped as he made his selection.
"Yeah, yeah you just get your butt back to bed," Stan ordered. "Can't have you hurting yourself even more. You are my most reliable employee after all."
"Hey!" Wendy and Soos taking offense at that last part.
Dipper grumbled as he left the shop. While he knew that he should go back to bed, he instead decided to get some fresh air and snuck out the back. As he left the Shack, Dipper made his way into the woods before sitting down on a fallen log. "Treat yourself to so jerky," Dipper spat as he opened his bag of jerky. "Man Pacifica treats me better than this and she's probably trying to kill me!" he mumbled stuffing his face with jerky. Dipper sighed sadly, his stomach is still rumbling even after finishing his bag of jerky. He hasn't felt this hungry since he gave all of his jerky to Pacifica that night they got lost in the woods. As he prepared to return to the Shack a familiar voice called out to him.
"Well, Dipper Pines," Pacifica said from her limo. "Don't tell me you were out here waiting for me."
"What no," Dipper stuttered. "Why would I be waiting out here for you?"
"You mean your sister didn't tell you I was coming over? Typical!" Pacifica said pretending to be shocked but figuring that Mabel wouldn't tell him.
"Ah I see," Dipper chuckled recalling how Mabel was keeping a lookout. "So why are you here?" he asked nervously.
"Just wanted to see how you were doing," she said sweetly. "Looks like you're doing well."
"Of course! It's me after all!" Dipper boasted, but his bravado was interrupted by his stomach.
"Some things never change," Pacifica laughed. "Hop in," she invited opening the door.
Dipper knew that he shouldn't but all the pros outweigh the cons! So he accepted her invitation without any hesitation!
Back inside the Mystery 'S'hack, Mabel had just finished up her shift and was about to check up on her brother when Soos spotted something strange outside. "Hey isn't that the Northwest limo outside?" he observed.
"WHAT!?" Mabel screeched as she ran out the door. Mabel arrived just in time to see her brother entering the car and driving off. "Dipper come back!" she cried but to no avail. "Soos come on we're following them!"
"Oh boy this is so exciting!" Soos clapped.
"Hold up you guys are still on the clock!" Stan ordered.
"We're taking our break!" Mabel quickly said as she grabbed Soos's arm and dragged him outside before Stan could object.
"Sure whatever," Stan said after they left knowing that it was more trouble than it's worth to try and stop her. "Looks like you're doing a double-no triple duties, Wendy," he told his only remaining employee.
"Oh man!" Wendy groaned as she dropped her magazine.
To Dipper's surprise Pacifica brought him to the local Diner rather than one of those fancy expensive five star restaurants that she's accustom to going. As they waited for their food Dipper could help but feel that Pacifica was up to something, plus the way she was just staring at him made him somewhat uncomfortable. "So Pacifica is there a reason why you chose this place rather than your usual establishments?" Dipper asked nervously.
"I thought it would be a nice change of pace," Pacifica said sweetly keeping an eye on the entrance. A few minutes later Lazy Susy brought them their food. As Dipper happily ate, two strange individuals entered the diner wearing grey trench coats, fedoras, and sunglasses. Pacifica grinned as the two sat in the booth right next to them, but Dipper too busy eating to notice them. 'Right on schedule,' Pacifica thought to herself.
"So Dipper I've been meaning to talk to you about something," Pacifica said. Dipper immediately giving her his full attention expecting her to trick him into to something. Pacifica pulled out his Book 3 and handed it to him.
"My Book!" Dipper cried excitedly as he began flipping through the pages. "Wait what's the catch?"
"Just my way of saying thanks," she said quietly.
"I thought paying for my hospital bills was your way of saying thanks," he said skeptically.
"Nope as my personal butler you are privilege with medical benefits," Pacifica clarified.
"Oh well thank you," Dipper said sincerely as he placed his precious Book back into his vest pocket. Dipper felt a sense of wholeness having the Book back where it belongs.
"So are you still into Wendy?" she asked suddenly.
"O-O-of c-c-course," Dipper stuttered. Not really sure if it's out of embarrassment or hesitation. "Why?"
"I'll be honest. When we first met I thought that you were just another idiot, like your sister." Pacifica started off.
"Hey!" Dipper objected. "Then again I just thought you were another spoiled air headed heiress."
Pacifica ignored him and continued on. "But you know these past few days I'm starting to see you differently. You're brave, smart, clever, smart." Dipper started to feel a little disgruntled at the lack of qualities that she's using to describe him. "The point is ever since you saved my life out there, you've been on my mind a lot! So maybe I was hoping that you might consider possibly making our little arrangement more permanent and more personal?" Pacifica asked as she reached out to touch his hand.
Dipper gulped nervously knowing what she was implying. He quickly tried to think logically about this situation but right now his brain is spinning at a hundred miles per hour, unable to think straight. "Are you serious," he whispered not wanting to draw attention.
"Maybe," she said playfully confusing Dipper even more. Over in the next stall, the smaller of the two trench coat wearing weirdos was strangling her glass of water.
Dipper took a deep breath, taking a minute to think about it before deciding. "I'm sorry," he finally said. "Look Pacifica I really kind of sort of like you. But I don't mean like like you and well it's just that..."
"It's Mabel isn't it," Pacifica concluded. Dipper's silence was all the answer she needed. "Dipper the one thing you need to understand about girls is that we don't like playing second fiddle to another girl. Even if that girl is just a sister. No ESPECIALLY if that other girl is just your sister! If you seriously want a girlfriend you are going to have to let go of your baby sister's hand!" Pacifica slamming her hand down on the table.
"Actually Mabel is older by five minutes," Dipper whispered.
"You're kidding!" Pacifica gasped. That was one piece of information she didn't have. "That's even worst! She's suppose to be mature one looking out for you! Instead she goes off prancing around like some moron forcing you clean up after her!"
"That's not how it is!" Dipper argued. The two got into a deep staring contest.
"With that be all?" Lazy Susan asked the kids. But they didn't respond. "Okay here's the check," she said placing it on the table. Pacifica got up and slid the check over to Dipper.
"Hey," he objected.
"After all I've done for you can at least pay for one meal," Pacifica shot at him before getting up and leaving. On her way out she stopped by the guys in trench coats. "Looks like he's all yours," Pacifica whispered to the smaller one.
Mabel took off her sunglasses as she watched sadly as Pacifica left the diner. What Pacifica said about her really hit home. Making her believe that maybe Dipper would be better off without her. Looking over to the next booth she saw Dipper just sitting there. If she knew her brother, Dipper would most likely be conflicted and confused. Mabel didn't want to do this but she needed to for her brother's sake.
"Aren't you going to go after her?" Mabel finally asked.
"What? Mabel, Soos, what are you doing here?" Dipper asked. "And what are you wearing?" Noting the obvious spy/detective disguise they were wearing.
"Dining duh," Mabel retorted. "But seriously if you want to be with her then you should go after her."
"But isn't she like your archenemy?" Dipper reminded her.
"This isn't about me. It's about you and what you want." Mabel lectured. "And if you really like her then you should go after her no matter what I think."
Dipper nodded and quickly ran out the door. As he exited the Diner Pacifica's limo drove off leaving him in the dust of it's exhaust. Dipper fell into depression knowing that he may have just blew it again. Inside the Diner Mabel and Soos watched sadly at what transpired unsure what to say or do to help comfort him.
Later at the Northwest Manor
Pacifica laughed as she entered her room. Picking up her picture of Dipper and dancing around her room with it. "That was fantastic! Everything went according to plan!" she bragged at the picture. "What plan you ask? Simple, by taking Dipper to the local Diner instead of a fancy restaurant I insured that the common folk that normally associate with the Pines will there to witness our little drama. Soon rumors will be spread about how Dipper dumped me for his sister, destroying their reputation!" she explained to the picture. "Not only that I also planted the seeds of doubt in both Dipper and Mabel. Now it will only take a little push to drive them apart. And once Mabel is out of the picture, I will finally have Dipper all to myself!" Pacifica sighed happily hugging his picture. She suddenly froze after realizing what she just said, what she is doing. "Wait, what am I saying? And since when was that part of my plan?" she asked herself fearfully.