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Pacifica hummed to herself as she wiped the counter to the Greasy Diner. Having lost her family fortune, she was getting by doing some honest work.She was a waitress now, which actually suited her just fine. Becoming a different person from her parents had become Pacifica's new goal in life, and the path she was on certainly felt like the right way to do it. Lazy Susan offered her a alternative female role model to her mother. She was kind, strong, and at least TRIED to put on makeup.The people, who she used to look down upon just like her parents, weren't half as bad as she used to think. Learning to embrace her fellow townspeople was a surefire way to prevent any future Northwest Ghost incidents. And being a waitress meant that she could still be as snappy and judgemental as she wanted to be when taking their orders.She used to flinch at the sound of a bell because of her father's methods of controlling her... but now that was quickly becoming a thing of the past. Thanks to the bell on the door for customers, Pacifica was becoming numb to the sound.Yes. Things were looking up for Pacifica. She was earning her own money, embracing her true people, and bringing honor to the Northwest family name.There was one little oddity though. Please keep in mind that an oddity is not the same as a complaint but still.... That one little oddity was something that Pacifica wasn't sure how to deal with.This oddity had a name.Dipper Pines.Since spring break began, him and his sister were back in town. Again, not really a complaint but Dipper had been by the diner everyday so far.He would come in, chat with her for a little bit, try his luck at the manliness tester, and then leave.One day Pacifica finally asked Mabel what was going on and the answer she got was not one she had been expecting.Friends.Dipper Pines needed more friends. Well specifically he needed more friends his own age. And even Pacifica had to admit, around Gravity Falls? Pickings were pretty slim.Not a lot of thirteen year olds had an interest in mysteries and weirdness. Pacifica didn't blame him for trying to stick to someone he knew.But...At the same time she didn't really think that they had that much in common. She wasn't really that interested in mysteries and weirdness herself, especially after that little adventure where she accidentally got Mabel's face stolen.And exactly what interest of her's would HE find intriguing? Probably not much.So she didn't really try to fight what he was trying to do but she wasn't going to encourage it either. A simple, low key, friendship was most likely the best shot for both of them.Now that she thought about it, she hadn't seen the nerd swing by once today. Yes, Lazy Susan had only a half day of service today since she had some appointments for her cats.... but Dipper should have shown up long before the noon closing.Not that Pacifica was worried about him or anything! Her? Concerned for the nerd?! Mr. Always Has His Nose In A Book?! HA!! It was to laugh!Still...If he wasn't here, then where WAS he?Some paranormal freak show couldn't have just made off with him could it? With his luck, it was a strong possibility! Did his family know? Did ANYONE know?!*CRASH!*A loud crash from outside snapped Pacifica out of her Definitely Not Concerned For Dipper thoughts.She wiped her hands on the dishtowel and ventured out of the restaurant. She made sure to lock up before heading off to investigate.She didn't need to look far. Just at the opposite end across the street was Dipper. Pacifica mentally kicked herself for ever thinking something bad might have happened to the dork.He had something with him though. Not a book. This was large and red and.... made of metal? Was that a bike?"Stupid breaks!" Dipper grumbled. "I thought pedaling backwards was supposed to stop the thing!""Dipper?""ACK!!!"Dipper jumped in surprise and practically turned around in midair.He spotted Pacifica and immediately stood up straight. He positioned himself in front of the bike in a desperate yet futile effort to hide it. With a nervous grin on his face, it didn't take him long to start sweating."Pacifica!! Uh... Hiiiii! Nice to uh... Nice to see you! Wha-What's up? How are you doing today? What...""Dipper, I can see the bike." Pacifica cut in."WHAT BIKE?!"Dipper's nervous shout just made him sweat even harder. Instead of any of the reactions Dipper expected Pacifica to give him, she instead just raised an eyebrow at him."... Just as awkward and sweaty as ever I see." Pacifica jabbed.Dipper just silently stood there, accumulating even more nervous sweat."It doesn't matter how straight you stand, you won't be able to hide it. I can see it as plain as day. The real question is... Why would you care if I saw it or not?"'Calm down, Dipper.' he thought. 'Just because she can see it doesn't mean that she'll figure out your secret.'"Seriously, why would I care if you're riding a bike?" Some of the gears started to turn in Pacifica's head. "Unless.... You didn't want anyone to know that you were riding the bike."
'Oh no!'
"But why would you want that unless you were feeling embarrassed about it. There's nothing embarrassing about riding a bike though. Well nothing except for if you...."Pacifica trailed off as her eyes opened wide in realization."Oh my God...""Now Pacifica...""OH MY GOD!!!"Dipper held up his hands in a desperate attempt to keep her quiet."Pacifica please...""YOU DON'T KNOW HOW TO RIDE A BIKE!!! THAT IS HILARIOUSLY PATHETIC!!!"Dipper lowered his hands in shameful surrender as Pacifica curled over, pointing and laughing at him.Okay. So Pacifica had made a big deal about being on a path to be different from here parents and here she was standing and laughing at somebody else's short comings. She knew she wasn't actually perfect and not all changes happen overnight. Rome wasn't built in a day, ya know?Dipper's face grew red in angered embarrassment.She had him pegged. She was laughing loud enough for everyone to hear but thankfully at the moment 'everyone' was just the two of them. So he let her laugh in the hopes it would get it out of her system faster.Eventually, she did stop. She was haunched over and breathed a sigh of relief as she wiped a tear from her eye."Oh it's good to laugh."Dipper just silently stood there glaring at her and soon the awkwardness was on the other foot.Pacifica cleared her throat."So..." Pacifica started but kept her eyes glued on Dipper. When he didn't say anything she decided to continue. "How come you don't know how to ride a bike?""I... Never had the time! Okay?! I'm a busy guy!""Too busy to ride a bike?" scoffed Pacifica. "Of course a nerd like you would use that excuse." She suddenly found her nails very interesting. "Probably too busy with your nose in another lame book."Dipper remained silent once again but suddenly he was starting to regret all the time he had spent at the Greasy Diner."Not a bad looking bike though..." Pacifica's compliment snapped Dipper out of his anger. "Where'd you get it?"It was a pretty good twenty-one speed bicycle. Red painted with gold painted pegs on the back wheel."It was actually a gift from Soos. It was sort of a present so I didn't have the heart to tell him I didn't know how to ride it."Pacifica eyed him for a moment. "Well if you keep crashing like that, he's bound to figure it out eventually."Dipper had just about enough. "Oh yeah?! Well if you're so high and mighty, then how about you show me how it's done?!"His challenge had hit Pacifica off guard. Now it was her turn to be embarrassed."Forget it, Loser!""Oh?! Why not?!""I, like, got better things to do!""Like what?! You're closed!""I don't have to prove anything to you!""You do if you want to keep talking down to me!""Well.... That's a boy's bike! I'm a girl! It'd be, like, gross!""I don't care! It's just the two of us right now! Nobody else around to judge except for me!"He stood there impatiently waiting for her to just give in but she just silently stood there instead, avoiding eye contact. It was then Dipper started to notice other signs about her. She bitting her bottom lip, her arms were crossed as she tapped her finger impatiently, and Dipper knew nervous sweating when he saw it.Then it all clicked into place for him."Oh my God..." Dipper gasped in realization.Her sudden flinching at his reaction just confirmed his theory."You don't know how to either, do you?!""I..." Pacifica struggled to find the right words that would get her out of this. "I mean.... It's not like it's a big deal or anything!"Now Dipper was the one to point at her. "You self righteous hypocrite! You literally aren't in any position to judge!! So what's YOUR excuse? You just paid someone to learn FOR you?!"Pacifica threw the idea of avoiding eye contact with him right out the window! Now she was glaring at him right in the face."I. Was. RICH! I never had to bicycle anywhere because I was always DRIVEN everywhere! In a limo!! I didn't BOTHER to learn because there was no POINT!!""GREAT!!" Dipper glared back. "Then I guess we both had our reasons!!!""OF COURSE!!!"Dipper and Pacifica panted heavily. That was a lot of unnecessary emotions they just got out and needed a moment to calm down.Slowly but surely, their breathing returned to normal, their faces returned to their normal hues, and clearer heads prevailed.Looking back on how they were acting, it was almost more embarrassing than not knowing how to ride a bike."So..." Dipper awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck."So..." Pacifica wasn't entirely sure where they should go from here. She turned her back to him but just leaving felt like the wrong thing to do."Want to try and learn.... together?"Pacifica all but spun back around and gave him a condescending look."And WHY would I want to do something like that?!"Dipper folded his arms and actually returned her look in full force."Oh, like you have something better to do?!"Pacifica's eyes darted around as she tried to think of a good excuse. SOME kind of retort that she throw back in his face... There had to be SOMETHING!"I... Well... You see.... I...am... wearing a dress."Pacifica couldn't stop mentally kicking herself for spewing out such an answer. Dipper obviously thought it was as pathetic as Pacifica did; that smug grin said everything."Yes. You are. And people who are wearing dresses can ride bikes without any worries."He was on the verge of laughing. She could tell!"Alright, fine! You caught me. I'll do this but only so long as nobody else finds out about this!""Somebody else shows up then we'll just go somewhere else. Sound fair? Good. Now help me with the bike, I'd hate to tell Soos that I accidentally broke it my first day out with it."Pacifica helped him prop up the bike. It did seem a smidge big for him but to be fair, she was in the same boat."Looks like it's in one piece." observed Pacifica."That's good..... I don't understand though, I thought pedaling backwards was supposed to make a bike stop. That's what Mabel's friends told me.""Maybe for a younger kid's bike. Breaks for bigger bikes are supposed to be up here by the handlebars."Pacifica pointed to a couple of switches up by the handlebars."Alright, but what's this gadget with the numbers?""... I don't know."Dipper hopped onto the seat. "Well only one way to find out I guess!"The bicycle almost toppled over but Pacifica caught him."Thanks.""Don't mention it."Dipper pedaled out a little bit and squeezed the gadget with the longer handle. The bike stopped and Dipper fell to the ground."Guess we found the break. You okay, Dumb Dumb?""I'm fine." He grunted. He got up and stood up the bike. "Your turn.""Right. Help me up."Dipper lead her by the hand, nothing too unreasonable there, but when he helped her up they were practically cheek to cheek. A very small blush happened there but Dipper didn't notice it."From the sounds of it, you've had even less experience than I have. Want me to walk you through the beginning? I've at least gotten that far.""Ha! I would never need instruction like that...""Because you're a Northwest?""No! Because, I am Pacifica! The girl who dares to go to places no Northwest has ever gone before!"Feet on the pedals, Pacifica got about as far as a couple of steps before losing her footing and toppling over.Dipper ran to her, she was flat on the ground with the bicycle on top of her but otherwise unhurt.He stared down at her. "Places like the public sidewalk?""... Shut up."Dipper helped her up. "In all seriousness though, I saw what you were trying to do. Gotta use your whole foot on the pedals, though.""So I didn't put my heels into them! I'd like to see you do better, Mr. Expert!""Well it IS my turn now..."Dipper got on the bicycle and pedaled out a bit farther than Pacifica had made it. It was starting to look like he was getting the hang of it but then the bicycle started to shift to the right and he crashed.Pacifica gave a condescending slow clap. "Terrific crash, Mr. Expert. I believe... Hey, are you okay?"It looked like his pants were leaking red paint. He stood up, wincing in pain.Pacifica ran over to him and saw his knee had a pretty large scrape on it."That looks pretty bad.""Nah." Dipper waved it off. "It's just a scrape. I've had worse.""It could get infected if you just leave it alone, Dummy! Come on, I know where Lazy Susan keeps the Bandaids in the Greasy Diner.""But..."Pacifica put a finger to his lips. "No buts! The quicker you're in, the quicker you're out!"Kitchen of the Greasy Diner....Dipper sat on a stool patiently as Pacifica searched through the pantry for the box of Bandaids. She knew the right pantry but Lazy Susan was notoriously unorganized. Things were never in the same place twice."You really don't have to do this." offered Dipper."Oh and what? Spend the rest of the day looking at your nasty wound? Like, in your dreams!"Dipper wore an impressed smile. "The more things change...."Pacifica found the box of Bandaids and hopped off of her little step stool."And, like, what's that supposed to mean?""Just... You're trying to be different from your parents, just like you said, but you're also still... You!"Pacifica found one of the big gauze Bandaids and opened it up, her eyes didn't leave Dipper though."You know, when people ask for an explanation you aren't supposed to be more confusing!""I mean.... You're still snippy with kind of an ego..." Pacifica slapped the Bandaid on the wound making Dipper yelp in pain for a moment. "But... Oh give me a minute here..." Dipper gave a few calming breaths to calm down from the knee slap. "But you've also opened up a lot and have moments of kindness..." Dipper pointed to his knee. "Like this.... Save for the knee slap.""Maybe that was a little extreme of me. I'm sorry.""AND you're apologizing! The Pacifica that I met in the beginning of summer last year never would've done that! I really think that you're becoming a better person."A light blush arose in Pacifica's face."Well I don't know if I can ever be a 'good' person like you and Mabel, but so long as I can be a better person than my parents, I can sleep a little easier.""You seem plenty good from where I'm sitting. The fact that you're talking to me puts you above some of the locals our age."Pacifica's blush got a little heavier but she ignored it. "That reminds me, I've seen you trying to make friends with some of the other kids in town but nobody has really been sticking...""Yeah..." Dipper admitted, leaning back his head in nostalgic disappointment. "They appreciate what me and my family did last year but they aren't really interested in UFO sightings and haunted gas stations."Pacifica crossed her arms. She didn't like that the kids weren't willing to try but at the same time she understood where they were coming from."I wish I could say that I blame them but...""That's why I think Soos got me the bike. So I could meet them halfway on something. But...""You don't know how to ride." Pacifica finished."Exactly! And I can't let them know that!""That part I get but...""And I can't let Soos know because it might hurt his feelings.... Getting me a present I can't use."'Awww! That's actually kinda sweet!' thought Pacifica.When Pacifica found herself lingering on such thoughts she quickly shook her head to lose them."And what about the rest of your nerd friends?""Well there's no way Mabel could keep it a secret, I already told you the situation with Soos, Grunkle Stan would just make fun of me, and he and Ford are always a package deal so even if Ford helped Grunkle Stan would still make fun of me.""And the brick house red head that you used to crush on?""You kne-""The whole town knew, Dipper." Pacifica flatly cut him off. "It wasn't that hard to figure out. Your 'whispering' is actually kinda loud."Dipper winced. "Ouch! Well Wendy is off with her new boyfriend. Some new guy none of us had heard of. I met him, he seems on the level. Just eats up a lot of her time now..."Pacifica frowned. The bittersweet emotion Dipper felt was written all over his face. It looked like he was finally getting over her but that didn't mean moving on wasn't painful."Like, I can't say that isn't rough but I know some other girl at some point will see you for what you have to offer.""Pacifica.... I'm having trouble just making friends. How can I expect to find a girlfriend if I can't even make new friends?"She hated to admit it but he had a point."By.... Uh.... By learning to ride a bike!""What?""By which I mean... Soos is right! If they won't come to you then you'll just have to go to them!"'Phew!' thought Pacifica. 'Good recovery, girl!'"Better than nothing, I guess!" Dipper hopped to his feet."Before we head out, I think we need to go some place else to practice.""Why? We're doing in this in the streets where everyone can see us. We're lucky nobody has spotted us! You don't want to get made fun of and I," she took a moment to flip her hair. "Like, have a reputation to think of.""Still?! How could you still have a reputation after losing your fortune?!"Pacifica politely used her index finger to close Dipper's hanging jaw. Then she turned her back to him, crossed her arms, and held her chin up high with a dignified pout on her face."I'm talking about the reputation I built for myself, Loser!""Oh.... I guess that makes more sense...."Dipper cleared his throat in a desperate attempt to remove the awkwardness in the air."So... What are you suggesting? Taking this someplace private?"And just like that, the awkward embarrassment had been increased one hundred gold. Intentional or not, he had just asked a girl if they could somewhere 'private'. Even Dipper knew what the double meaning could imply.There was no fighting THIS level of blush for Pacifica. She turned to him with eyebrows raised as high as they could go and an expression that was DEMANDING a better explanation."I MEAN... The bicycle training!" Dipper held up his hands defensively. "You said that you don't want to practice in a place people can see us so that means you want someplace private.... Right?"He didn't move, he dared not to, but he did cautiously open one of his eyes. It looked like the rushed explanation did the trick. Pacifica had calmed down considerably."Sigh. Of course that's what you meant.... but yeah. We need someplace out of the way.""Like the forest?" suggested Dipper."Nuh uh! These wheels were made for concrete and asphalt, not uneven ground and tree roots.""How about the junkyard? Since McGucket moved into your mansion it's been all but deserted.""The dump?! Like, ew! I'd rather be seen in your hotel of a shack!""Well I don't have a better idea, do you?!""........................... Crap. Fine! I'm suing you if anybody finds out I willingly went with you to a landfill though!"Junkyard...The junkyard was as deserted as they had hoped. And despite Pacifica's claim of the bike being made for sidewalks and the like, the dirt ground was perfectly flat for them to use.A giant mound of trash rested in the center and it was their goal to bicycle around it. Problem was that the place still smelled exactly as it was supposed to."Oh come on. Stop complaining. At least you don't have to cover yourself with the trash like at the Crawlspace Market."She punched him in the arm for that remark."I only did that because you TRICKED me!""Heh. Heh. Ow."Pacifica pointed her head at the bicycle. "Your turn.""... No it isn't.""So I'll just go twice next! If you're going to boast then you should back it up!""Fine." Dipper puffed out his chest and used his thumbs to stretch his vest out forward. He confidently made his way to his bicycle. "Watch and learn, Miss Diva!"'Pft! Stupid Dipper.' thought Pacifica. 'Who does he think he's fooling with a strut like that? Gotta say though, it's not a bad look for him.... Where'd THAT thought come from?! Ugh! Forget it! Never thinking it again!!'"Alright, now watch me very carefully. I put both of my feet flat on the pedals and push."Pacifica rolled her eyes at Dipper. "Acting like he isn't in the same boat as me..." she muttered under her breath.Dipper Rose out twice the length of before and then ended up toppling to the right.*CRASH!*Pacifica got the bike off of him and smiled at him. It was the same type of smile she used to wear anytime she was victorious with something during their first summer together."Way to go, Mr. Hot Shot. I've never done it but I'm pretty sure you're supposed to turn the opposite way when you start leaning towards one direction."She was expecting him to get mad at her but instead he smiled back."You're right. Maybe this is simpler than we're making it? Your turn.""... Of course. Get ready to see how a winner does it! And then.... See it again since I'll be going twice!"Pacifica got on the bike and pushed off. Feet flatly on the pedals actually did help but when she got farther than Dipper did something unexpected happened."Alright, way to go Pacifica!"Dipper cheered for her!This went against the atmosphere she thought they were creating! She thought they had some kind of competition going on but this didn't align with that at all.Unfortunately, this was just enough to distract her into crashing.*CRASH!*She wasn't down for long though. She walked off any soreness she felt and hopped right back on the bicycle."Okay! Second turn begins now!"Pacifica started her turn around the mound of garbage and her thoughts drifted to Dipper. She hadn't noticed it at first but now that she was thinking about him, Dipper had changed a little.Physically that is.He was a little taller, maybe not as much as Mabel, but possibly a couple of inches higher than herself. His arms weren't what she would call 'muscular' but they weren't quite the noodle arms from their first meet either.
'I never noticed it before but he actually doesn't look........ that bad.'
She quickly shook her head to shake the thoughts away.
'Whoa! Watch that train of thought, girl. He's still just Dipper. The same nerd you've always known.'
Except he wasn't just a nerd.Last year proved that.Sure it was the elderly Pines that did in Bill but but it was Mabel AND Dipper that had rallied them together to free the brainiac scientist in the first place.'Besides...' thought Pacifica. 'I can't be with him because....'For once Pacifica didn't have a good answer for her rationalization. The default answer was because she was a Northwest but that didn't hold water since she was trying to be better than her parents. The argument of 'Because she was better than him' didn't really hold up because she was earning her money now. Just like anyone of Dipper's class of living would do.Sure she could mini golf him into the ground but here she was learning to ride a bike. She was in the same exact boat as him.These thoughts distracted her to the point where she accidentally turned just a bit too hard and crashed.*CRASH!*Dipper raced over to her and helped her up."You were doing so well there! What happened?""Well I just started to think about....... Nevermind! Not important. Your turn."They were just able to get the bicycle up when a rustling caught their attention.Digging out from the mound of garbage was a raccoon. Pacifica immediately hid behind Dipper."Gross! What is that thing?!""It must be Old Man McGucket's raccoon wife! Soos said she got the junkyard in the divorce!""The wha- Forget it!""No. Look! It isn't hissing or growling at us. Maybe it's a nice raccoon?"It was at this moment that the raccoon spotted them and let out a his which showed all of her fangs.In a panic, Pacifica threw a bucket at it and Dipper hopped back on the bike.Pacifica had better aim than she had expected, the bucket covered the raccoon to the point where only the tail was sticking out. This bought her just enough time to hop on the back of Dipper's bike."FLOOR IT!!!"Dipper didn't need to be told twice as he started to pedal towards the entrance.They were just through the gate when the raccoon threw off the bucket and started to chase after them."AAAAAGH!!! DIPPER, IT'S RIGHT ON OUR TAIL!!!""WELL WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO DO ABOUT IT?! I'M PEDALING AS FAST AS I CAN!!!""... The speeds! Dipper!! The gizmos with numbers near the breaks! They handle the gears, bicyclists use them to make pedaling easier! Maybe they can help you go faster!!"*CLICK!* *CLICK!*Dipper started to slow down and the raccoon started to gain on them."AAAAAGH!!!""THAT DIDN'T HELP AT ALL!!!"Panic and desperation took control of Pacifica. There was no thought, there was no strategy, just the fear of danger and the drive to survive.She plucked Dipper's hat (the same one Wendy gave him) off of his head and threw it at the raccoon.A last ditch effort to be sure but it worked. The hat hit the raccoon and it wrestled with it in retaliation, clawing it to pieces."Hey!! Wendy gave me that hat!!""Sorry, but it bought us some time!! It is TOO warm for a trapper hat anyways!""I.... Fine! I'm sure she'll understand anyways!""Good! Now whatever you did to slow us down, do the opposite!! Because that flea market bargain sale is just about done with your hat and it doesn't look happy about it!!"*CLICK!* *CLICK!*Dipper's speed started to go back to what it was when it started but the raccoon was now chasing after them faster than ever.A quick turn around the corner was quite possibly the most dangerous part of the chase. They didn't crash but Pacifica got a REAL good look at the asphalt street.Faster and faster Dipper pedaled but when Pacifica looked back at their pursuer she saw the raccoon had slowed herself to a stop."AHA! Dipper, it gave up!"Pacifica quickly found that her victory was short lived as not only did Dipper not reply but they were actually picking up speed instead of slowing down."Uh Dipper? Didn't you hear me? We won! You can slow down now."".... I can't!""What?! Why not?!""Pacifica, look around you! Why do you think?!"It was then that Pacifica noticed that the scenery speeding past them was all at an angle. Which could only mean one thing."WE'RE ON A HILL?!""I WAS JUST TRYING TO GET US AWAY FROM THE RACCOON!!! I DIDN'T THINK ABOUT WHERE WE WERE GOING!!!""THE BREAKS, DIPPER!!! USE THE BREAKS!!!""AND SEND US FLYING TO OUR DEATHS?! WE'D HAVE A BETTER CHANCE OF USING IT AT THE BOTTOM!!!"Pacifica didn't say anything else, there was no point in arguing. Instead she did the only thing she could and hugged Dipper tightly out of fear.She closed her eyes tightly as the terrain leveled out and Dipper hit the breaks.The bicycle hit a bush and sent the both of them flying over it. Flying through the air, Pacifica never let go of Dipper... and to her surprise Dipper held on to her just as tightly.Gravity eventually got the better of them but to their surprise they both landed relatively safely in another bush.Opening her eyes, Pacifica saw that she and Dipper were holding each other quite dearly side by side.They stared at each other, a massive blush forming on both of their faces.Then Pacifica pushed him off and jumped out of the bush. She brushed herself down and took a look of the land."Nobody saw that."Dipper sat on the ground silently for a moment before snapping back to reality. "Where are we?""Well Dummy, it looks like you crash landed us right into the Gravity Falls park. Good news for you, the fellow kids are probably here and I think I can safely say that we both learned how to ride a bike so there's nothing stopping you now.""And I can't wait to meet them..."Dipper ran to the bush and pulled out the bike. It looked like it was still alright."Do you want me to wait a few minutes for you to leave or do you have an excuse you want me to use?"Pacifica gave him a look of utmost confusion."What? Why would I want you to do either of those things?""You know.... So you can save 'the reputation you built for yourself' or whatever.""I don't mind if people see us together. You're one of the town heroes, it's everyone else that needs to get their loser act together!""But... If they see us together... They might think we're friends.""Well...." Pacifica suddenly found herself getting awfully nervous for some reason. "What if we are?""Wait! Really?! I thought you were just helping me out! We're really friends?!""Yes! Okay?! We're friends!""Not that I'm complaining but.... Why?""Maybe because some of your nerd sob stories got to me! Maybe because I related to you more than I thought I would! Maybe because I actually had a good time before the hairball with fangs came after us! I don't know!! I do know is that I gave more of a care about you than I thought I did so.... I guess that makes us friends."Dipper smiled. And it made Pacifica feel happier than she cared to understand for."That's great! Does this mean you'd be willing to go mystery hunting with me?"Pacifica flinched uneasily. "I... Don't know about that. The Lumberjack Ghost was a lot, Crawlspace Market was more magic than I cared for, and we barely escaped a raccoon together.""Well it doesn't always have to be a mystery hunt, I suppose... I am going to need an explanation to Wendy about her hat...""Okay, that one I'm willing to go with you on. It was my fault. Searching for aliens though....""I could find mysteries to explore that are dialed down a notch. Less supernatural but more conspiracy like.""I... still don't know...""I could talk to Old Man McGucket, ya know? I'm pretty sure I could convince him to let us explore your old mansion. Maybe we could find some other secret rooms you didn't know about?"Pacifica had to admit, that was one activity for them that hadn't occurred to her."Alright, fine! I'll mystery hunt with you. Just don't go thinking that this is going to lead to anything more than friendship!""Of course. Of course!"Dipper got back on his bike and to his surprise Pacifica ended sitting on his handles."Now then..." She pointed forward. "Take me home!"Dipper tried to look around her but she was completely blocking his line of sight."I.... How do people DO this?! I can't see anything!"Pacifica rolled her eyes. "Fine. Don't worry about it. I'll guide you, just turn when I say so."Dipper started to pedal forward but found that somehow she was even heavier riding in the front than she was in the back."Go as slow as you need to, just don't crash.""And what happens to your precious 'reputation' if somebody sees you riding my bike with me like this? Friendship might be the least of your worries then. What'll happen to the reputation you've built then?"Pacifica bounced the back of hair for a moment."Well it can only boost your rep but mine? Well..... Maybe I won't mind if they talk about me in such a way.""What? But....""Don't make a thing about it! My reputation can take a hit like that, anything is better than having the world know that I have ditch digging in my blood. Might help yours though.... but DON'T go thinking it means anything!""... Naturally.""I'm just helping a friend out by letting the townsfolk talk a little. Absolutely NOTHING is going to blossom from us spending more time together! Understand?!""Of course. Whatever you say...."Ten years later...Pacifica had Dipper cornered in the garage. Any time he tried to circle around away from her she would just follow making sure she stayed in front of him and blocked his exit."So Dipper, I heard you got yourself a motorcycle!"Dipper saw the gleam in her eye and blushed. The motorcycle was literally right next to him but her eyes were glued on him. He wasn't even sure she SAW the bike because he KNEW her real focus was on him and her getting what she wanted."Well... Yes but...""But what? As your long distance girlfriend, I feel like I need to be in the loop about things like this. Don't you think?"Pacifica wasn't even mad. If anything she sounded excited. And Dipper knew exactly why too."Pacifica, I just got my license for that but I'm not sure I want to teach you how to ride...""Why not?" she cut him off wearing a playful smile."Because it's dangerous. And I'm not really insured for you so....""That's nothing a few calls and a couple of signatures can't fix! Is there a side car? Or are we going to have to get 'cozy'?"Her question made a blush race across Dipper's face."Pacifica!""What? You know you like it!""Pacifica I just traveled across several states to get here! Do I really to go through why I can't teach you how to ride a motorcycle?""Let's answer that question with another question..." She shimmied her shoulders. "Are you ready for me to be your biker babe?"Dipper's blush increased ten folds."Alright! I'll teach you but not today, okay? I came a long way to get here and I'm tired.""Tired huh?" Pacifica dropped her stance and sashayed her way over to him. She laced her arms around the back of his neck and looked him directly in the eyes. A promise of love came crashing in with her look. "I know how I can fix that."Dipper swallowed a lump in his throat but smiled. "Don't you have a reputation to think of?""The only reputation I care about these days is the one of me as your girlfriend."A light kiss was what met them in the middle.They shared a flirtatious smile and then broke apart. Pacifica grabbed him by the hand and lead him to the door to the house."Now come on! Everyone's been missing you since you went away for college! Soos even got you a gift!""Another one? That guy always seems to give me life altering gifts! That being said, I have to admit... They always seem to work out for the best!"The End