"Mr. Pines, Mr. Pines, wake up, man," a familiar red headed girl spoke in a hushed tone as she knelt beside Stan trying to wake him.
Stan slowly opened his eyes, he was still slightly groggy, but Wendy's voice sounded urgent enough for him to take notice. He reluctantly arose and released his niece from his grip.
She whimpered slightly as Stan let go of her, but she quickly turned around and Ford instinctively used his right arm to embrace his niece, while his left was protective over his nephew.
Stan smiled in spite of himself, happy to see how much more open and affectionate Ford had become towards the twins (even if he was still asleep). He turned his attention towards the redheaded teenager. "Wendy, what are you doing here? You don't work on Sundays."
Stan didn't want to make Wendy aware of what had happened the previous night. He intended to tell as few people as possible, but he soon discovered that he wouldn't have a choice in the matter.
"Is it true, Mr. Pines? Did Brad really break in here and...and…?"
Stan sighed and looked at her sadly. "Yeah."
Wendy shook her head in disbelief. "I can't believe it. I totally flipped out when I read it this morning!"
"Yeah, it's…wait, what do you mean 'read it'?"
"Didn't you know?" Wendy held up a copy of the Sunday Paper. Sure enough, the front-page story was the break in and included a picture of Brad's mugshot.
Stan felt sick to his stomach seeing his picture plastered in black and white all over the Sunday paper. On the one hand, he was glad that everyone would know what a creep Brad was, but on the other hand, he couldn't imagine the extra shame Mabel would feel at this being public knowledge. He glanced over at her, Ford, and Dipper still soundly sleeping.
"Let's talk in the kitchen, Wendy," he whispered, hoping to keep Mabel and the rest of his family blissfully unaware of the article for a little while longer.
Stan poured them both a cup of coffee as he explained the whole story to Wendy. When Stan finished, Wendy looked stunned and horrified. "I... I just can't believe it. That dude went to high school with me. He was always a creep, but I would never have thought…" Wendy gave a sad sigh. "I just wish there were something I could do to help."
"Maybe there is. Mabel just lost her mother. She doesn't have any female family members left. Maybe if you talk to her, it'll help. Like a female role model, you know?"
"Role model? Me?" Wendy said as she raised her eyebrow.
"Wendy, you may be an awful employee, but you are a good kid. I think Mabel could use a friend like you right now."
"Wow, that's, like, the nicest thing anyone's ever said to me. Thanks, Stan."
They both smiled at each other. Wendy glanced over at the sleeping Pines. "I'll let you guys rest. When Mabel wakes up, tell her she can call me if she needs anything." She waved goodbye to Stan and left the shack.
After Wendy left, Stan read the article. While it didn't mention Mabel's name, it did mention the victim being a young girl and the crime taking place at the Mystery Shack. Gravity Falls may not have the sharpest townsfolk, but even they can piece together the identity of Brad's victim.
At that moment Ford and the twins walked into the kitchen. Stan tried to hurry and hide the paper, but he couldn't hide it fast enough from Mabel. "Grunkle Stan, why are you hiding the paper?"
"Uh, nothing, pumpkin."
Mabel quickly ran around Stan and snatched the paper from his hands (his old reflexes unable to keep up with Mabel's fast youthful ones). Her eyes grew wide with horror as they scanned
across the page. "NO! NOW EVERYONE WILL KNOW HOW DIRTY I AM!" Mabel sobbed as she rushed out of the kitchen and retreated up the stairs before anyone could stop her.