This fic is slowly winding down, so expect only one more (or two, if you're lucky) chapter(s).

DISCLAIMER: I don't own Gravity Falls.

Chapter 11- A Picnic and a Mission

Dipper's POV

Wendy and I decided to have a picnic on the hill in the park. She made lunch while I folded a big blanket and fetched a basket. We filled the picnic basket and made sure we had everything. We set out to the hill. It took a while because of my crutches, but when we got there, I set the blanket in the shade of the tree. We sat on the blanket and unpacked lunch.

"Wow, Wendy! This looks great!"

"Thanks, Dipper. I'm glad you like it."

We started to eat our sandwiches. "So Mabel's bi, huh? Kinda unexpected and unbelievable…"

"Heh, I was equally confused when she told me, but that was only a couple days ago so..." I continued to chomp on my sandwich.

"You know what's also unbelievable?" I turned to her.

"What?"

"The fact that you're my girlfriend." I grinned.

"You, dork." She ruffled my hair.

"You know, I've been thinking about my future more now that high school's over and I've spent a couple years in college. That's why I took on Great Uncle Ford's apprenticeship. So I could help him on the days I'm not at school and the summer. That way, Mabes can still hang out with Grunkle Stan and scam people, while still getting a degree. I kinda just don't know what to do."

"Where exactly are you going to school?" she asked.

"The University of Oregon. It's not that far, just like 30 minutes away."

"Huh. I should think about my future too. Cause I can't spend my entire life with a summer job at the Shack…"

"Why don't you apply? Then, we can all carpool together." I suggested.

"Yeah, but I don't know what to do."

"Maybe I can help you with that… Ok, so you're good at kicking butt, you love busting the unjust, and you like to boss people around…" I paused to think.

"Did you ever think about becoming a cop? You can study criminal justice and law enforcement. By the time we graduate, you can be ready to become a cop! Besides, because Blubs and Durland are in charge, you have a chance at bypassing a bunch of stuff."

"Hey, that actually sounds pretty fun… Wait, what are you studying?"

"Well, let's see… I've been accepted into the Engineering, Archaeology, Chemistry, Physics, Computer Science, Forestry, Mathematics, Cryptology, Psychology, Behavioral Science, Ancient Mythology, and Architecture Master's programs. Ironically, I'm pretty much a doctor in everything except actually health-related. I don't expect to use all of them, but…"

She cut me off. "Dude. You are crazy thinking you can do all that in college! You're only 18! Don't you need a graduate degree before you get a Master's?"

"Yeah, but I graduated high school when I was 16…"

She cut me off. "Wait, I thought you said you dated in your junior and senior years, but you just said you graduated when you were a junior…"

"Oh, I meant when I was supposed to be a junior and senior. So basically when I was at the community college," I clarified.

"Anyway, I attended a nearby college for two years, and got my degree in all of the fields I previously listed, last year."

"Jeez, Dipper! You are such a nerd!"

"Well, I'm your nerd." I smiled and we shared a kiss.

"Wendy?" We both turned to find Nate, Lee, Thompson, and Tambry staring wide-eyed at us. Tambry's phone was in her hand, with the camera pointing our direction.

My cheeks flushed. "Oh, uh, hey guys…" she said.

"Wendy, you didn't tell us you were hooking up with Dipper!" Lee laughed.

"What's wrong with dating Dipper?" She replied, arching an eyebrow.

"Nothing, it's just… Unexpected, that's all…" Thompson said.

"Well, now you know. And please don't embarrass me, guys, ok?"

"We'll try, Wendy. But no promises." Nate winked.

They continued their stroll and Wendy and I layed down on the blanket and stared at the clouds.

"Ok, most realistic shape wins."

I peered at the fluffy white formations and tried to picture things.

"That one looks like a dragon." I pointed.

"No it doesn't!"

"Yeah it does! See the tail and wings?"

"And you said realistic. Dragons sure are realistic, Dip."

Our game continued until we were too tired to keep going.

"Dipper, I think I know what I want to do with my life now."

"What's that?"

"I want to go to the University and become a cop. Once I'm a cop, I want to settle in here, get married, and raise my kids here. I want to spend my life improving the world. I want to spend it making a difference. I want to spend it being happy with what I've got. I want to spend my life with you."

"Me too, Wends. Me too."

Mabel's POV

"How are we going to get over the gate?! We can't just open it and waltz in!"

"Hold on!" I pulled out my favorite gadget.

"GRAPPLING HOOK!" We shot over the wall and landed on the lawn.

We huddled behind a bush. She gestured to the back door. "Through there," she whispered.

"On three. One… two… three!"

We rushed to the door and rushed in, slowly closing the door as to not make a sound.

"Hurry! Before anyone sees us!"

We scuttled up the stairs and gently opened and closed her door before anyone would notice.

"Alright, Pazzy, the only thing we can't take is your entire closet." I joked.

"Yeah, yeah. I'm just going to grab the small things... like this stuff."

She gestured to her desk and bedside table where books and diaries were strewn about, random earrings tossed aside, and various pairs of sunglasses.

Once she had pretty much taken all of the small possessions, we climbed out the window much like Paz said she did when she first left. I used my grappling hook to get us over the gate again, and we traveled back to the Shack.

"Now, we can get you settled in!" I gave her a brief hug.

Hand in hand, we strolled down the street.

"Gee, if you had asked me who I'd be dating when I was 18, probably would've said the most popular guy at school. But never would I have thought I'd be dating Mabel Pines, the silly and charming girl from California!"

"And I wouldn't have thought I'd be dating Pacifica Northwest, the most popular girl in Gravity Falls!"

There was a long silence.

"You know," I started, "I always thought you had a crush on Dipper."

"I did. For a while though, I was entranced by you, but I ignored the feelings because I had been taught to look down on homosexuals. But then I had a crush on Dipper after he first helped me defy my parents. But when you left, the remaining six years I had spent pondering over which Pines really was for me. Sure, I had dated a ton of other guys, but that was for the public, and I still knew it was one of you. When you moved back, I had realized it was you I wanted, not Dipper. I came to see you guys to tell you how I felt, but you were out and then Dipper got attacked, so… I pretended to like him to hide my feelings for you and get closer to you," Paz admitted.

"Well, you don't have to pretend anymore." I smiled and gave her a quick peck to the lips.