Day 236-238:

Christmas was over. The trees and lights had all been put away. New years was gone. It was the middle of January, and Dipper was just about to reach the end of his first week of teaching.

"Alright, so remember, I will need your paranormal experiences by Monday-"

"Professor Pines what if we've never expereinced the paranormal first hand?" one students shouted out.

"Then write down the story you heard that got you interested in paranormal studies. Also, be prepared to go into the field next week."

A gasp arose from the crowd of students.

"Will it be dangerous?"

"Not this one. I'll start you off easy," Dipper assured the worry-wart of the bunch.

"But things will get dangerous?"

"Potentially," Dipper arched an eyebrow. "This is a paranormal studies class, things are going to get hairy every now and then."

The worry wart gasped again. Dipper kept his frustration in check as he looked through his notes again.

"Just some other reminders, not next week, but the friday after next will be your first test on the ten categories of ghost-"

"What will this test cover?"

"...the ten category of ghosts?"

"Yeah, but what's that mean?"

"Study the ten categories of ghosts."

"So, like, will you describe a ghost to us and we have to say what catgory it's in?"

"Maybe," Dipper began putting his notes away. "If you have anymore questions, you can email me. Give me at least 48 hours to answer before resending it, though."

A bit of a questionable chuckle rustled through the crowd. Dipper sighed as he explained:

"I try to answer all your emails as soon as possible. But I leave here I go home to my very pregnant wife and, sorry, she takes priority."

"Yeah, he don't wanna end up in the doghouse," one of the play boys of the class guffawed.

"Or I just love her?" Dipper suggested, an eyebrow arched. "Alright, enough prying into my personal life. Go forth! Have fun this weekend, but not too much. I would very much appreciate it if you all came back to me in one piece."

As all the students filed out, Dipper packed his bags and headed straight home. The minute he stepped inside Pacifica rushed him upstairs.

"Good, you're home. Now go put something nice on, the reporters willbe here soon!"

Dipper chuckled as he did so. Though the exact location of the domestic abuse survivor closet Pacifica had set up had not been revealed to the general public, and never would be, word had gotten out about what she had done with her parents money and, of course, several news stations wanted to do a story on it. Dipper put on a nice button up, brushed his hair, and was starting down the steps when he heard Pacifica open the door.

"Thanks for coming out," she greeted as several reporters, news camera operators, and journalists filed in. Dipper just watched from the top of the steps fro a little while and smiled. Of course he'd known for a while now his wife was amazing, but it was nice to see her getting some recognition from other sources too.

The interview process took much longer than either of them had expected. It was dark out by the time they'd all left. Pacifica was lying on the couch, eyes closed, barely awaked when Dipper shut the door behind them.

"Here's the transcript of what the print story will say," he said as he sat next to his wife, gently pulling her head into his lap, running his fingers through her hair.

"Hm," Pacifica said as she took it and read.

A short silence fell over the two as she scanned the paper.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Dipper finally asked.

Pacifica nodded slowly. "Yes."

IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII

"Letter, Northwest."

Preston glowered as the guard passed him the envelope. Though he hadn't liked the last prison he'd been in, he liked this new one much less. He snatched the envelop from the guard, opened it, and read as the guard left him alone once again.

Suppose you had rich parents. Suppose those parents abused you. Suppose you got them thrown in jail and then gained control of their assets, what would you do? For Pacifica Pines the answer was clear, give back to help others escaping domestic abuse-

"WHAT!?" Preston shrieked. His assets? Gone? Liquified into sweat shirts, toothbrushes, and underwear for a bunch of riff-raff too scared to slve their own problems for themselves?

"WHAT!?"

Interviewer: Why give it away? Why not keep it all for yourself?

Pacifica: Because it was the right thing to do.

Right thing to do? RIGHT THING TO DO! Stealing from your parents is THE RIGHT THING TO DO?

Interviewer: I know you're expecting a little girl, what do you want her to be able to get out of this when she's older?

Pacifica: I want he to know what her mother overcame. I want her to know no matter what she faces in life she can overcome it. She's always going to have choices in life, and I want her to choose to do good.

A daughter? Another little Pacifica. Perfect!

Preston through the letter away and fumed in the corner.

IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII

"Northwest, time to go to the cafeteria for lunch."

"GO AWAY!" Priscilla wailed as she huddled on her bed, rocking back and forth, crying.

"What on earth?" the guard asked.

Priscilla all but shoved the letter towards her. "READ THIS!"

The guard did so. "Hmph. Well, good ridance."

"How can you say that!" Priscilla wailed. "Those were my belongings!"

"Well, that's what you get for beating up your little girl and getting locked up."

"How could she do this to me, I'm her mother!"

"Yeah, her mother. Maybe if you'd actually been any kind of real mother you wouldn't be in this situation."

"I now have nothing!"

"Neither did she when she ran away from you."

"That was her choice!"

The guard sniffed. "Almost three years in the hole and you still don't get it. Now c'mon, it's dinner time."

"I'm not hungry."

"I didn't ask you, up."

IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII

"You sent them the news article!?" Wendy shouted as she sat across from the couple, enjoying Lazy Susan's half princed Sunday lunch. "That so metal! Up top!"

Pacifica blushed, high-fiving her.

"Me too!" Logan begged, holding up his chubby hand. Pacifica relented and gave him a high-five.

"Yeah, I'm actually kind of second guessing-"

"Are you kidding?" Wendy cheered. "That is, like, perfect karma right there! Besides, they were going to find out all the moolah was gone eventually. This way is much better than them just never knowing."

"Yeah, I guess," Pacifica shrugged.

"The important thing is that they have nothing they can use to hire anyone to come after you again," Dipper stated, holding her hand.

Pacifica smiled and nodded. No more money. No more stalkers. She, her husband, and her little girl were safe. As for her parents, well, they were probably lamenting away in their cells right now, she thought.

She was right.