Welcome Back | Gravity Falls

2. Pancakes and French Toast

A/N: I'm not sure if this was clear, but Stan was a friend of Charlie's mother years ago.

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     "Where do you plan on taking her?"
     "Back to Gravity Falls with us."
     "Shouldn't we first see if she has any relatives nearby?"
     "How are we supposed to trust them not to give her back to that b*st*rd?"
     "We'll explain the situation to them. I mean, have you ever thought that maybe she doesn't want to live on the other side of the country?"
     Charlie was supposed to be waiting in the car right now, but she had forgotten to pack something. When she entered the living room, Stan gave his brother a look that made him drop the previous topic and awkwardly turn around to face the girl. "What's wrong?" He asked.
     "I forgot something important in my room."
     "Okay, do you want me to go get it?"
     "n-no, its okay."
     Charlie speedwalked upstairs, squirming in the uncomfortable awkwardness. She grabbed the box that was underneath her bed, hidden underneath dirty clothing. Although no one would have any reason to go through her room, she opened it to check anyway. The contents of the box, photographs, comic books, and birthday cards, were undisturbed, still in the exact position she left them in.
     Charlie cradled the box in her arms and went back downstairs. The two apparently stopped arguing and were now standing by the door. Stan kept periodically glancing down at the body on the floor and Ford did the same, only instead he was looking out the window. Charlie presumed it was out of fear that the police would telepathically know what was going on.
     "Ready?" Stan asked, nodding his head at door.
     "Yeah."
     "Should we leave a note?" Ford asked.
     "What?"
     "I mean, isn't this kidnapping?"
     "I've gotten away with much worse crimes," Stan responded, waving a hand dismissively in the air.
     "Of course you have."

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     Charlie leaned her head against the window, watching the trees pass along the side of the highway. It was the next morning, Charlie and Ford had fallen asleep in the car, and Stan kept driving throughout the night. Probably not the best idea with his cataracts, but there was no way Stan would pay for a hotel room unless it was absolutely necessary.
     "So Charlotte," Stan paused to yawn, "where do you wanna eat?"
     "...actually, just call me Charlie." She hated being called Charlotte. Her mother used to call her that. Whenever she heard it, she felt warm and loved. Thanks to Scott, now the name just makes her skin crawl.
     "Oh, alright. Hey, tell me next time I'm doing something wrong."
     "It's not that big of a deal."
     "I was calling you the wrong name the whole time. That had to be annoying. So yeah, it's a big deal."
Ford cleared his throat, "Charlie, where would you like to eat? There's an iHop, a Cracker Barrel, and a little family diner called Hank's at the next exit."
"Anywhere that has good pancakes."
"Hank's it is!"
As the three entered the diner, the sounds of quiet banter and silverware clanking lightly on plates greeted them. An Italian opera singer could be heard from the speakers above them. They all slid into a booth and scanned the menus. When it came to ordering food, Charlie and Stan got pancakes and Ford got french toast.
Stan rested his fork and knife on his plate and leaned in to talk. "Hey kid, do you want to come to Oregon with us? We won't be offended if you say no...if you have family you'd rather be with or-"
"No, it's okay, I want to go with you guys."
"Oh, good. I was a little worried I wasn't going to be able to show you the Mystery Shack! You're gonna love it, Charlie. It's got everything a good attraction needs!" Stan listed on his fingers as he spoke, "Bewilderment, befuddlement, creatures beyond comprehension!"
"Don't forget ridiculously high prices," Ford added in, earning a punch in the arm from his brother.
"And Charlie, if you need to talk about stuff...I'm not gonna push you to tell me right now but when you're ready, I'd like to listen."
Charlie's eyes dropped to her plate and she nervously played with the napkin on the table. "Okay" she mumbled. She was enjoying pretending like nothing happened, it was easier that way. 
Stan and Ford saw the change in her demeanor. Stan just got equally nervous, not knowing how to fix it.
Ford started, "I bet I could show Charlie something more uncomprehendable than your puny mystery shack, Stan."
"Puh-lease! You couldn't even come close," Stan replied, rolling his eyes comedically.
"Bet you 5 dollars you're wrong."
"Ten."
"It's a deal" Stan outstretched his hand for Ford to shake, but for a moment, he hesitated. There was a flash of concern, or maybe fear, in his face. The moment was over so fast that Charlie wasn't sure if she had actually seen it.
"...Deal."