A/N:

Credit to CraveFanArt for the cover art.

Disclaimer: I don't own Gravity Falls. Gravity Falls was created by Alex Hirsch and Disney owns it.

Episode 2: The Lesser Evil.

Important: I'm doing a complete rewrite/revision before uploading the last chapter.

This chapter is: [Rewrite finished for all chapters 08/03]

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[Chapter 3: A little help from the Author]

Dipper almost crashed the golf cart on the Mystery Shack's wall. He carried Pacifica inside the building and laid her onto the blue couch of Ford's room. Then he collapsed onto the ground for a second, his exhausted muscles screaming at the effort. Dipper stood up and rushed to the vending machine. He knew he wasn't allowed down there, but he needed help at the moment.

Ford was calmly stroking a glass sphere with a brush covered with a purple sticky substance. Once he was done, he examined the dimensional rift for any cracks. The alien glue seemed to have worked well. Just that moment, the lift* door opened and Dipper burst into the basement yelling.

"Great Uncle Ford! Great Uncle Ford!"

The great uncle was startled by the sudden sound and the rift almost fell from his hands. He quickly opened a drawer and hid it in there before Dipper had the chance of seeing it. Then, he discreetly examined the boy's pupils just to be sure.

"Dipper, I've told you not to come down here. It might be dangerous." He said sternly and crossed his arms over his chest.

"But I need your help! We were in the woods and Pacifica got hurt! She's not moving! Do you have a... health potion or something to help her?" He babbled, completely distressed.

"Slow down." Ford raised his hands to calm him. "Who is this Pacifica you're talking about?"

"There's no time for introductions! She's not moving!" Dipper yelled in complete distress.

"Alright." Ford discreetly locked the drawer were he had hid the dimensional rift. "Take me to her."

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Pacifica was lying on the blue sofa in Ford's room. She was breathing calmly, as if she were just peacefully sleeping. Ford opened her eyelids and examined her eyes for any response with a pen light. Then, he grabbed her wrist and checked her pulse. He had no idea why the girl didn't wake up, since she was completely fine physically. Ford eyed Dipper through the corner of his eye and saw how the boy was so nervous that his anxiousness could be almost palpable.

"What's her name?" He tried to calm him with some small talk.

"Pacifica Northwest." Dipper replied without taking his eyes off the heiress.

"Northwest? As in daughter of Preston Northwest?" Ford asked in surprise and Dipper nodded. "I met her Grandfather and Preston when he was just a kid. They were very interested in having a scientist with a potential such as mine in Gravity Falls, and gave me a little terrain where I could build this Shack." Ford gestured around himself and Dipper listened with interest. The great uncle smiled inwardly, since the boy no longer seemed so distressed. "However, when they learned the paranormal nature of my investigations, they no longer wanted to know a thing about me. Paranormal investigations don't make money since people don't believe you, and all they cared was money and renown."

"She's different, Great Uncle Ford." Dipper reassured.

"I'm certain she is." Ford smiled at the boy. "Speaking of which, is she your...?"

"She's a friend." He quickly replied and blushed. "No. Actually, she is... something more."

Ford nodded. 'Kids sure start early nowadays. When I was his age girls were the last of my worries.' He fished out his Journal #1 from his coat and began flipping pages. "She seems to be in some kind of sleep state or perhaps paralysis, hopefully temporal. Perhaps we could wake her up with a very strong smell or... Well, if it's that, this is going to be a little awkward." He cleared his throat and rubbed his neck.

"What? What is it?"

"A few cases of paranormal paralysis can only be lifted with a kiss." Ford commented and Dipper blushed.

"You can't be serious." Dipper's eyes widened. "A kiss like in... Snow White fairy tale?"

"Yes, there's a grain of truth in all those fairy tales." He explained. "If this paralysis was caused by a curse, then what would probably work is a kiss. I'm a little too old for that so if you don't—"

"B-but she wasn't cursed!" Dipper babbled and his face turned crimson red. "Pacifica was attacked by the Lunafright!"

Ford looked surprised for a second and then he narrowed his eyes.

"How do you know of the Lunafright?"

"I um… I sort of like going mystery hunting with your Journals." Dipper smiled nervously and fished out the Journal #2 from his vest pocket.

"You like going mystery hunting?" Ford repeated with genuine surprise as he stared at the boy in appreciation. He quickly cleared his throat and took the Journal from Dipper's hands with a serious face. "Stanley gave you this? He shouldn't have. This is dangerous."

"Don't blame Grunkle Stan." Dipper quickly added, fearful of increasing the present rift between the two old twins. "I would've gone monster hunting with or without the Journal and he knew it. He just thought I would be safer with it."

"That's precisely the problem. I have nothing against you using my Journals for your adventures, but this one is incomplete. Let me just…" Ford took a pen and Dipper raised an eyebrow. "I never had the chance to complete the Lunafright page before hiding my Journals. And… that's it. Here you go." He gave the Journal back to the boy. "You were lucky this time."

"Really? Pacifica is going to be okay?"

"Of course she is." Ford waved his hand dismissively. "The reason behind why there's only one Lunafright left is that his species is practically inoffensive but their hide is white as chalk. People used to hunt them for their hide and the creatures grew wary of coming out in the sunlight. They even developed some sort of paralyzant fluid they spit on you, but once you're paralyzed they just run away. They're herbivores after all." The Author explained proudly of his knowledge. "However, they usually run away when they see someone instead of spitting right away. You must've made this one very mad. What did you do to it?"

"Hmm…" Dipper tapped his chin thoughtfully. "Pacifica took a photo of it with flash and then she threw a silver coin to its face."

"No wonders it spitted on her." Ford chuckled. "The Lunafright is immune to silver, but it's a nocturnal creature. The flash must've hurt its eyes and probably its hide too. Your friend should be okay in… around half an hour or so."

"So… she's not asleep? Just paralyzed?" Dipper's asked as his eyes began to widen.

"Yes. In fact she can hear everything we say. She just can't move a muscle." He turned to Pacifica. "Sorry for speaking badly of your father. I didn't know you could hear us."

Dipper's jaw was hanging open. The boy had just realized he had sort of admitted his feelings for her earlier and she had heard it all. And worst of all, Dipper couldn't tell about her reaction because she was paralyzed.

"Are you sure about all this? I mean, in your Journal you said you never found the Lunafright!"

"I did, but that was after I hid that Journal." Ford explained. "There's also a side effect to being spraying by a Lunafright. Your friend has now access to a magical wish."

"A magical wish? Is that even possible?" Dipper asked in complete amazement at the wide range of abilities.

"Well… yes and no. It's not an 'I wish to be rich' kind of wish, not that she needs any money." Ford chuckled and Dipper cleared his throat, pointing with his head towards Pacifica. "Oh, sorry dear. I keep thinking you're asleep instead of paralyzed. I'm certain when we get to know each other better my opinion about you and your family changes greatly."

"So… about the wish…?"

"Yes. Pay attention because this is important. The wish is obliged by the bounds of reason. If you wish something like ending the poverty in the world, it won't work. You need to wish for something that can happen by chance and luck, like 'I wish to find the car keys' or something like that." Ford scratched his chin and wondered where the keys to his old car were, or if Stanley had kept it. "The wish never expires, but in order to make it you have to say 'I wish…' and your wish. Did you get it?" He asked towards Pacifica, but the heiress didn't move. "Right, I forgot she can't move. Did you get it at least, Dipper?"

"Yeah." Dipper nodded. "Great Uncle Ford, what was your wish?" He asked after a moment's silence.

"My wish? It was to find Stanly so that he could keep my first Journal." Ford sighed. "That was a lifetime ago anyways. I'll get you two something to eat while her paralysis wears off."

"Thanks." He said as Ford left the room.

Dipper sat next to Pacifica and stared at her. She looked as if she were peacefully asleep. Dipper wasn't sure of how to take the events that had taken place that night. First, he had attempted to kiss the heiress, only to almost lose her next. Dipper scratched his cheek and wondered if he might be going a little too fast, and whether Mabel was right or not. The boy shook his head and decided to go on with his sister's advice. He would not take another step forwards until he knew her better.

Pacifica twitched in the sofa all of a sudden and then she sat up, scratching the tip of her nose rather aggressively.

"How are you feeling?" Dipper asked worriedly.

"Ugh. You can't believe how annoying is to have an itch on your nose and not being able to scratch it for an hour." Pacifica joked and sneezed.

Dipper chuckled and gave her a tissue.

"Did you… hear everything we talked about?"

Pacifica didn't reply immediately. She had definitely heard what Dipper and Ford had talked about. The heiress couldn't blame the Author for disliking her parents, since there weren't many people who liked them anyways. She was also a little mad at Dipper. The boy not only had ruined their first kiss experience, but he had just admitted his feelings without giving her the chance to reciprocate. However, Pacifica also felt very lucky, because she could fix the last part with a very small lie.

"Nah, being unable to move is very boring and I fell asleep when you left me on the couch." She shrugged and smiled when Dipper sighed in complete relief. "Thanks for carrying me, by the way. You're stronger than you look." She teased by squeezing Dipper's upper arm in search of muscle.

Dipper puffed out his chest proudly.

"Well, it's not a big deal. You actually weight less than I expected."

Both preteens stared at each other for a few seconds and then they burst into giggles. Then, Dipper stopped all of a sudden and realized he liked the sound of Pacifica laughed. The boy began nervously rubbing his hand and wondering if it would be okay to grab her hand. He quickly shook his head and pushed those thoughts away.

"So, what happened while I was out?"

"Hmm… To sum it all up, being sprayed by the Lunafright left you paralyzed for some time. However, now you have a magical wish! You can ask for whatever you want, within the bounds of reason." Dipper explained and looked at her expectantly, but Pacifica said nothing. "So... What are you going to wish for?"

Pacifica tapped her chin while she feigned considering his question.

"I'm not gonna tell you." She smirked.

"Why not? It's not like a birthday cake wish. This one should come true even if you tell somebody." Dipper countered, curious about her wish.

"Telling you would spoil the fun, Dipper. I wanna see your face when you see it." Pacifica replied with a playful smile.

"Alright." He shrugged. "Hopefully it won't be anything like 'I wish for Dipper to trip on his own feet on the way out'." Dipper teased.

"Oh, dang it." Pacifica feigned surprise and rolled her eyes. "Now I've to think about a different one. Thanks, Dork."

Dipper giggled and they finally calmed after the long night, slumping back completely on the blue couch. Ford got back from the kitchen with two glasses of milk and jelly sandwiches on a dish.

"Hello, I don't think we've been properly introduced. I'm Ford." Ford talked to Pacifica, handling Dipper the dishes.

The heiress' eyes widened. If she hadn't known beforehand, she would've sworn she was looking at Stan in a nerdy outfit.

"You're the Author of the Journals, Dipper's Great Uncle!" She jumped up from the couch and shook his hand. "I'm Pacifica Northwest."

Ford was a little startled at how direct the girl was. He still wasn't sure whether kids had changed these days or not, considering he had been out for thirty years. He cleared his throat and spoke.

"You're very well educated, Pacifica. Did my nephew tell you about me?"

Pacifica smirked and winked at Dipper over her shoulder. She put on her best interested face and turned back to Ford.

"Of course! Dipper is always talking about how intelligent you are and how proud he is that you're his Great Uncle. He's always carrying that Journal, saying how useful it is and how he hopes to become an expert paranormal investigator like you!" The heiress glanced again at Dipper. He was blushing crimson red and fiddling with his fingers.

On the other hand, Ford puffed out his chest and beamed at all the flattery.

"Well, it's definitely better that Dipper takes after me rather than the conman of my brother. I've twelve PhDs after all. Anyways, I'm certain Dipper has talent of his own. Finding a Lunafright is no easy task." He nodded. "Speaking of which, do you have any doubts regarding your wish?"

"Nah, Dipper filled me in with the details." Pacifica waved her hand dismissively and then she noticed the clock hanging from the wall. "Oh my gosh, it's two past midnight! I've to go back home right now!"

"Don't worry, I'll drive you there." Ford calmed the girl. "Come to the front yard once you're done with the sandwiches."

Once Ford left, Pacifica sat back on the couch next to Dipper. The boy was still blushing and looking at the heiress curiously.

"Why did you do that?" He asked.

"You said your Great Uncle didn't pay attention to you. Now he thinks highly of you." Pacifica shrugged, taking a bite of the jelly sandwich. "Mm. Peach jelly."

Dipper stared at the heiress with gratitude. Pacifica might have just solved one his biggest summer issues by just saying a small praise. The boy couldn't help but smile at how she eagerly devoured her jelly sandwich and licked her lips after every bite. He considered cupping her cheeks and kissing her right there, but he thought she deserved a better scenario. Dipper decided that he would have to wait for another chance.

"Thanks." Dipper murmured and rubbed his arm nervously.

"No problem. You helped me with my parents in the Annual Fest and I helped you tonight. Now we're even."

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Dipper and Pacifica were sat in the backseat of the golf cart while Ford drove towards the manor. The warm milk and finally the relief of seeing that Pacifica was out of danger were quickly having an effect on the boy. Dipper was nodding off again and again, realizing how tired he was. His head fell a few times forwards and then to the side, colliding with Pacifica's.

"Ow." Pacifica rubbed her head. "Dipper, are you dozing on me?"

"Yeah, I uh…" He chuckled nervously. "I'm not used to carry girls on my back through the forest."

"You wouldn't have these noodle arms if you did that more often." She smirked and poked his upper arm.

"Well, we could do that again if you feel like it." He suggested playfully.

Pacifica's cheeks blushed pink and she waved a hand dismissively.

"Nah, once was more than enough."

Dipper leaned back on the seat and yawned. He was completely exhausted and the only thing in his mind was going to sleep. On the other hand, Pacifica sighed sadly. Seeing how the night was developing, her hopes for a kiss were very small. The heiress wondered if the whole girly gossip about being friendzoned if a first kiss was interrupted were true. She considered kissing Dipper now instead of waiting for him to take the first step, but she would like for him to kiss her first. Pacifica wanted it to be romantic and special, it was her first kiss after all. The heiress pondered both alternatives and decided to risk it, considering that if all the girly gossip were true, it wouldn't be that bad to have Dipper as a friend at least.

"We are here." Ford stopped the golf cart.

"Thanks for the ride." Pacifica jumped up from the cart and walked towards the fence.

"You want us to accompany you to the door?" Dipper suggested.

Pacifica thought about it for a second, but Dipper had said us instead of me.

"It's alright, you can go." She reassured.

Pacifica entered the manor by the service door. She noted mentally to get keys of that door, since it was proving to be very useful to sneak in and out of the manor. The heiress walked through the manor and got in the house through the same window she had left hours earlier. She was so tired when she jumped into her bed that she failed to notice her shoes had dragged dirt into the manor and she had completely forgotten to remove her dress.

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A/N:

.peels ot gniog erofeb trid taht denaelc ev'dluohs ylbaborp ehS

.ekaf lla si pissog ylrig ,oslA

FYI:

· Dipper almost caused Weirdmageddon when he startled Ford in the basement. Remember that this story is an AU which ignores all episodes since Not What He Seems, therefore Ford had already gathered the alien glue by now and sealed the crack on the rift. However, that doesn't mean that Bill is out of the question.

copy&paste:

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