Chapter 10: The Reward
Dippers POV
After that magical night that we shared together, we both finally knew how we felt about each other. I felt lucky to have the one I love have the same feelings for me, and I'm sure Pacifica felt the same way. We were even luckier to find out Mabel was out of film for her camera that morning from the previous sleepover. So when it was morning and she came to wake us up, she couldn't take a picture of us when she found us passed out, sleeping together, half-naked…
Knowing that there was no way out of explaining this situation to her, Pacifica and I decided together to tell her what had happened. That we found out we loved each other, and some dirty things happened.
As she started squealing in excitement and anticipation, I decided to quickly jump in the shower. As I was about done, I could hear the start of a conversation going on over the running water.
"I'm sure he'll notice, anyways is it true?" Mabel asked
"YAAAAY! So are you guys dating now?" Mabel asked Pacifica
"We haven't talked about it…" said Pacifica
"WHAAAT! You say you both love each other, I find you both sleeping together half naked, and you haven't even talked about dating each other!" screamed Mabel
"Quiet Mabel! Do you want the whole house to know what's going on! Stan would flip if he found out what happened." I said as I walked back into our room with nothing but a towel wrapped around my waste.
"I've been thinking about it ever since I woke up. Dating Pacifica won't be as simple as you think in our current situation." I said, but then I noticed that they were both staring at me.
"What?" I asked
To the question Pacifica quickly turned away as Mabel shouted, "Dipper! You can't just come in here with just a towel on!"
"How do you know I just have a towel on? For all you know I could be wearing swim trunks under it. Besides Why? You've seen my body since we were kids, and Pacifica last night saw more than just my chest! How come it bothers you girls so much?"
"For the exact reason why you would be embarrassed if Pacifica or I came out with a towel! It's not polite to tease us so early in the morning." said Mabel
I blushed as I asked, "Are you saying, something as small as walking out just with a towel on turns you girls on too? I thought that was just guys… Because…We're dirty minded and whatever."
"You really think guys are the only ones who can have those thoughts?" yelled Mabel
"Ok! I'm sorry, I wasn't thinking about your feelings. I'll make sure to try and not do anything that will upset yo-"
"It doesn't upset me!" interrupted Pacifica
"It's just a little embarrassing… but not so much that you would have to watch yourself." she quietly muttered.
"Besides, I've had dirty thoughts about you since I moved in, so no matter what you do, I'm going to think about you that way… Especially after last night…" said Pacifica
"Did you guys have sex or not? It's driving me crazy! Tell me already…" begged Mabel
"Changing the subject!" I intervened
"OH COME ON!" Mabel said annoyed
"Before I go change, let me ask you this. How is Pacifica and I suppose to date when she ran away from home, and everyone thinks she is now our cousin Elicia?" I said heading for the bathroom.
The girls were still standing there as I came back changed for the day.
"See! I told you it wasn't that simple. I'm not going to do anything that will risk her to be found out. Nobody can know that we are dating, let alone in love each other, when she's my cousin Elicia or it poses a risk of her being found out."
I looked to Pacifica who looked depressed about the situation. I was too.
"I'm sorry Pacifica… No matter how much I would like to start dating you, I won't risk your parents finding you. Maybe we can when this whole thing blows over ok?"
Pacifica nodded and agreed. But as I turned around I saw a figure in the doorway that had red hair and was wearing flannel. It was Wendy!
She gave a big grin as she leaned against the doorway.
"How much did you hear?!" I asked
"Something about Elicia actually being Pacifica and she running away from home." She said as she walked into the room.
She then bent down to my level and with a teasing smile said, "I also heard you two are both in love!"
"Wendy you have to promise to not tell anyone!" I exclaimed
"Chill man! I won't squeal. I don't know exactly why she ran away, but if Stan and you two are willing to support her, It must be for a good reason. Your secret is safe with me!" Wendy said
"Thank you" I said to Wendy in relief.
"Anyways, I was sent to get you guys by Stan. Customers are starting to show up in the shack." Said Wendy as she walked out.
I followed her knowing Stan wanted to put me to work not the others. But I stopped at the doorway and looked back at the other two girls.
"I'll see you downstairs, Pacifica change your clothes, and Mabel try to not spill the beans." I said with concern.
"Oh and Pacifica…" I said as I was about to leave.
"I'm happy to see your bruises have cleared up and the gash on your face has healed… You look even cuter now." I muttered as I left to follow Stan.
But as I was at the stairs, I could her the two girls squealing in happiness to my complement.
Mabel started sticking to us like her craft glue from then on. She said she missed a huge Scrapbook-ortunity and she wasn't going to miss another one.
But I was never able to get close to Pacifica again. Apart from Mabel, working at the shack, and with the probability of Stan being around any corner, we were never able be alone together more than 5 minutes. And as time went by the more and more my body and mind began to crave Pacifica. It was almost torture having her in front of me, but not having enough time together. It got so bad that I started to surprise her by pulling her quickly into the closet at the Mystery shack. I only needed a few moments alone with her to share a deep kiss so I could go another couple of hours. But as we exchanged fluids, I could tell that she wanted to be close to me too. We enjoyed every second we could kissing each other in that dirty closet, until we heard someone call for one of us. The one who was called would then leave the other behind in the closet and a few moments leave after to finish their work.
This went on for a week and the kisses got us both through the days of hard work and separation. The kisses reminded us of what happened on that memorable night and how much we cared for each other.
It was now Friday morning. About a week and a half has passed since Pacifica's escape. We were all eating pancakes again but this time Wendy came early enough before work to eat with us. We were all telling stories about what had happened during the week and what our plans were for the rest of the day. Until we were interrupted by Soos who was also early to work today.
He came into the kitchen with a worried look on his face.
"Uuuuuuhhh Stan?" Soos said
"What is it kid? Can't you see I'm reading the paper before we have to open up the shop!" Stan exclaimed
"There are some customers outside that want to get into the shop though!" Soos said
"Customers? This early? Nobody comes to the shop this early even when we extend our hours?" I thought
I looked at Grunle Stan concerned as he looked at me. We were both thinking the same thing. Whenever we get early guests, it only means trouble.
"Tell them to come back in an hour and I'd be happy to serve them." Stan said
"A-Actually they came here to talk to Dipper…" said Soos
Everybody in the kitchen looked at me.
I stopped eating my pancakes and stood up from the seat. Now I knew this was bad news. I looked to everyone at the table and then focused on Pacifica.
"Wait here…" I said in a serious tone.
I walked away without looking back to everyone's concern.
As I left the kitchen I entered the dark living room and cracked open the blinds. There, next to the driveway, was a long black limo.
I heard a few steps behind me so I quickly closed the curtain. Behind me was everyone who was in the kitchen.
I tried to pull off a smile as I tried to jokingly say, "God, you guys will never listen to me will you."
"Who is it Dipper?" asked Mabel with Pacifica right beside her. Both of them had a concerned look.
"Nobody, just some old friends that need to talk to me that's all." I said lying to their faces.
"Hey um Mabel… I'm going to use some of our Stan bucks to buy the day off today! And I was thinking we could take Elicia to the mall to pick out some cute outfits for her!" I said
Realizing since Soos was here so we couldn't use Pacifica's name, Mabel smiled and with excitement said, "Really! You think we can?"
"Sure! But I've got to talk to these guys really quick so take Elicia up to our room and figure out what she needs to get, ok?" I said with a big fake grin.
"OK! Thanks bro for the day off!" Mabel said as she pulled Pacifica upstairs struggling to keep up.
As soon as they were gone, I quickly grabbed my wallet and handed Stan all the Stan bucks I had. He looked at the money with concern.
"Ok kid, what's really going on. You said you were saving up for something special. What changed your mind?" Stan asked
"Take a look" I said pointing towards the curtains. Stan and Wendy both looked outside and the concern on Stan's face got even worse.
Stan then said, "What are you planning on doi-"
"If I'm not back in a couple hours, have Wendy come looking for me." I said with a serious face.
Wendy then asked, "Dipper, what are you talking abo-"
"Just be safe kid…" Stan said interrupting Wendy
"You might as well tell Soos and Wendy the whole story, there might be trouble in the future and we need more people to be on our side that we can trust." I said as I left the room.
I made my way outside to meet Pacifica's father who was standing next to the driver of the limo.
He greeted me politely as he would in "public".
The driver then opened the door and Pacifica's father asked, "Could we have a nice little chat?"
Without answering him I was about enter the limo, until I heard a banging on the living room window.
There in the window, was Pacifica tearing up with her fists against the glass. Before she could bang the window any more Stan quickly pulled her away from the window.
"Who was that?" the Mr. Northwest asked
"She's my cousin Elicia, she doesn't like me to get into strangers vehicles." I answered
He then gave a nod and we both got in the car. The driver then closed the door and we drove off into the forest. Relief struck me as her father didn't realize who the girl in the window was, which means that the new look was working. But anger also built up inside me because he couldn't recognize her. Her own father didn't know what she truly looked like.
I sat at opposite ends of the limo of the father and right next to him was the mother.
The father began to speak as I could no longer see the Mystery Shack behind us, "Dear boy it's a pleasure to see you agai-"
"Stop with the pleasantries and tell me what you want. You and I both know you despise me and would rather not talk to anybody of our economic level, so let's get this over with." I said as I interrupted.
The two people in the limo with me turned dark and gave me a nasty glare.
"Alright then, we'll cut to the chase." exclaimed Mr. Northwest.
"If you haven't heard, our dearest Pacifica ran away from home more than a week ago. We were wondering since you two have become so close over this summer, if you've seen her at all?"
"No I haven't seen her, but even if I did, you already know I wouldn't tell you! So why did you come to ask me then?" I said
"Because we are putting a reward out for her safe return!" Mrs. Northwest said.
"A reward?" I said.
"$50,000" Mr. Northwest said.
"That's a lot of money…" I said
"Dear boy, we are rich, this much means nothing to us!" Mr. Northwest said with pride on his face.
"Then I guess it means that Pacifica means nothing to you!" I shouted.
They both started to give me an evil glare again.
"What did you say Mr. Pines?" Mr. Northwest said in a threatening voice.
"You said that amount of money means nothing to you and yet you are using that amount to find your only daughter. It's kind of sad. Usually parents would give anything to find their lost children, even at times their life savings. And yet, you just plan to give out the minimum amount that doesn't even matter to you." I said in disappointment as I looked at them.
"Are you trying to get more money out of us? Very well then, how much do you want for you to look for her?" Mrs. Northwest asked with a scowl.
Now I was even more angry.
"I'm saying that garbage like you doesn't deserve to find Pacifica! Not only do you treat her without respect as your daughter, you show her off like some trophy to all your peers." I yelled now he anger I've felt for them boiling inside me.
"And like you said, we've been getting really close over the summer. She basically was able to tell me anything now up until she disappeared a few weeks ago and don't think I never saw those hidden bruises on her body!"
This was of course a lie, but in my anger I wanted to see them sweat to their family secret being known to an outsider.
"Pacifica's friendship and trust was and still is, a priceless gem. But like all priceless gems, they needed to be cared for and nurtured with love. As far as I'm concerned, wherever Pacifica is, she's in better hands than in the two of yours! SO DON'T EVER ASK ME TO HELP YOU AGAIN AND NEVER COME BACK TO THE MYSTERY SHACK!" I screamed.
Pacifica's parents just sat there looking at me. In their eyes I could tell they wanted to probably kill me.
"You will regret saying that!" Mr. Northwest said as he tried to hold himself back.
"STOP THE VEHICLE!" I shouted to the driver.
I noticed we were in town as the limo came to a screeching halt.
"Where do you think you're going!" said Mr. Northwest.
I worked my way to get out of the vehicle.
"I can't stand to look at you trash anymore! Believe my warning, if you or anyone working under you show up at the mystery shack again, I'll take my Grunkle Stan's Shotgun and fire at you for trespassing!" I said then slammed the door and watched the limo drive off.
I then pulled out of my pocket a tape recorder and stopped recording. I had it just in case something happened in the vehicle.
I rewound the tape and listened to everything I had said and smiled. It felt so good to say that to their faces. And the look they gave me was priceless.