Mabel was occupied with a different task. Stan had let it slip that he'd met a "lovely gal" at the supermarket and she was determined to help him find the love he needed. After having him display a demo, with Wendy's help, of how he would flirt with a woman, she decided they had a lot of work to do.

"First things first, you need some new clothes." She decided.

"What's wrong with my clothes?" Stan looked at them.

"Grunkle Stan, you have two types of clothes - your work suit and whatever you wear around the house. I saw maybe one 'outfit' that is about twenty years out-of-date." She turned and led him into a clothes store. "If you want to appeal to women, you want to look like you care about your appearance. Girls love the bad boys, by the way. How about some leather?"

"L-Leather? In summer?" Stan asked.

"Hm, you have a valid point there. Perhaps not leather." She led him through the aisles. "At least, not pleather , look at this one!" She showed him a brown leather jacket.

"I'm not wearing that." He sighed.

She sighed. "Oh, alright...I just wanted to help you, but..."

"Oh, alright." Stan took the jacket. "I'll try it on."

She smiled. "Let's find you a shirt and pants to go with it! And boots."

"Boots?" Stan stammered.

"Mmhm!" She wandered off.

Stan sighed, moving his hand to his shoulder. "I haven't worn boots since..." He shook his head and followed her.

"Ah, this t-shirt is nice!" She showed him a black t-shirt with a wolf on the front. "The girls nowadays love wolves."

"Yes, but this gal is around my age, Mabel." Stan reminded her.

"Hm...cats, then." She picked out another shirt, this one was dark-red with a pride of lions on the front. "And now, the pants." She handed him the shirt and put the wolf one back, then went to the pants.

"How do you know what size I-wait, you went through my clothes. Right." Stan followed her.

"Do you have any jewelry?" She asked.

"Some. I got a ring I never wear and a necklace I wear every day." He pulled out his golden necklace.

"Why don't you wear it?" Mabel asked.

"It's, uh...my old wedding ring." Stan admitted. "Couldn't bring myself to pawn it off."

"Hm." She handed him a pair of black jeans, then went on to the shoes. "We'll just buy one outfit today and I'll buy you more clothes tomorrow."

"So, you were married before?" She asked as they looked through boots.

"I was, for one night in Vegas. She stole my money and my car - and my heart. I got the car back, but she and the money were gone. Never quite got my heart back. I guess some part of me is hoping she comes back."

"That's terrible!" She turned to him. "How could anyone do that to you?" She reached out and took his hand. "Don't worry, I'll find you someone that will heal your heart!"

"Heh...to be honest, it was already pretty damaged. Some...people in my past wrecked me pretty bad emotionally." Stan admitted, glancing away.

"You poor man." She said sadly. Then she offered him a pair of boots. "Go to the dressing room and try these all on. We're going to mend your broken heart!"

"And wearing different clothes is going to do that?" Stan asked as she pushed him into the dressing room.

"It's the start of everything!" She declared.

"Okay, then!" He closed the door and started to get changed.

"We should see about your hair, too. I'm thinking, dyeing it to look younger."

"Uhm, maybe not?" Stan asked nervously.

"Okay, no hair-dye. The next thing we need to worry about is flirting. Oh, where is Mason when I need him?" She pulled out her phone and dialed his number. "What?! Why is his phone off?! After all the times he preaches to me about leaving mine on?!"

"Do you think he's okay?" Stan asked.

"Hold on." She accessed something else on her phone and pulled up a map with a blinking light on it. "Looks like he's in the woods."

"How do you-nevermind." Stan sighed.

She dialed Gideon's number and brought it to her ear. "Gideon?"

"Yes, darlin'?" Gideon asked cheerfully.

"I need you to go into the woods and find out why my brother has his phone off, please and thank you." She said, trying not to sound too upset.

"Of course. He's probably at the Manataur Cave, he was interested in them earlier. Ah'll head right out."

"I'll wait for an update." She said cheerfully and hung up, then let out a groan. "Ma-SON."

"He okay?" Stan asked.

"Not once I'm through with him." She grumbled.

"Right...well, I'm done." Stan pulled open the curtain. "How's it look?"

Mabel let out a low whistle, looking him up and down. "Well, I might be a bit biased. Ladies?" She turned to the women working there, who were looking at him with blushing faces and shy smiles. One of them let out a giggle and ran off blushing. "I think they like it." She looked back at Stan with a grin. "Let's move on to the spa."

"The s-spa?" Stan stammered. "Uhm, Mabel, I'm not okay with being shirtless around...anyone."

"How come?" She asked.

"Well, y'know...lived a long time, got an embarrassing tattoo..." He glanced to the side.

"Step back in there and show me." She demanded.

"Mab-"

"Show. Me." She insisted.

He reluctantly stepped back inside. She followed him in and shut the curtain for privacy while he took off his jacket. Then he reluctantly took off his shirt and set it to the side. "It's...right here." He gestured to it, sitting down on the bench.

She walked over to get a good look. "This is supposed to be embarrassing? But it looks so impressive!" She said, looking it over.

"I didn't exactly get it willingly." Stan said, wincing at the memory.

"Oh, Grunkle Stan." She gently rubbed his shoulder. "Mason didn't get his birthmark willingly, but he chose not to let it shame him. You don't have to let this shame you! Own it! Show it off! Are you going to let a tattoo keep you from finding true love ?!"

"N-No way!" Stan shook his head.

"Then why are you hiding it? It looks amazing!" She moved her hand over it and Stan bit back a wince from phantom pain. "I mean, I'm impressed."

"...Okay, so?" Stan looked at her.

"So, we're going to backburner this for now and...get you to the gym." She nodded firmly. "Put your shirt back on."

She put his shirt and jacket back on and gathered up his other clothes. Mabel led him to the counter, where they paid for it and got a bag for his clothes, and then she had him drive to the gym where she bought him a membership.

"Is this necessary?" Stan asked as they went back to the machines.

"Look at yourself." She gestured to him. "You're so out-of-shape it's almost laughable. You need to get fit, so get on those machine s! We're going to start having you exercise at home, too. It may take some time, but we're going to get you the woman of your dreams, Grunkle Stan."

Stan sighed. She was pushy like her brother, but her heart was in the right place. He climbed onto a treadmill and set the speed. She smiled approvingly and went to get him some water - he was going to need it.

--

"Ah thought Ah might find ya here."

Mason looked up to see Gideon was standing at the mouth of the Man Cave. "Who invited you?"

"Yer sister, when she called me to find out why ye weren't answerin' yer phone." He stepped inside and the Manataurs grumbled about his appearance. "Oh, git over it. Ah'm jus' here findin' a missin' prince."

"I'm not leaving yet, so you can tell Mabel that I am perfectly fine and will see her later." He went back to his notes. "Modern tech does not work in supernatural locations."

"Ah coulda' told ye that. What are ya doin' here?" Gideon looked around.

"I am studying the Manataurs, they have been very forthcoming but your presence is making them uncomfortable. I will talk to you later." Mason said, looking at him.

Gideon sighed. "Well, I suppose you're eatin' lunch here, then?"

"Yes, they have invited me to partake in a meal with them." Mason looked back at his notes.

Gideon threw his hands up. "Alright. Ah'll come and check in on you if yer not back by sunset, then." He headed out of the cave.

"Yeesh, talk about not taking a hint, right?" One of the Manataurs remarked.

"He means well." Mason adjusted his sitting posture. "So, you were saying?"

Gideon came back to the opening. "Mason? Do ye happen to have mah bag with you?"

"No, Gideon, I don't." Mason sighed heavily, looking over at him.

"Then, would ye please accompany me to yer home so Ah can get it?" Gideon crossed his arms over his chest in irritation. "No one else is home."

"Should've come for breakfast." Mason said teasingly, then put his notes in his bag. "Alright, I'm on my way. I'm sorry, men, it seems my presence is desired elsewhere. I will return another time to continue this."

"We will look forward to that time, Mason Pines." One of the Manataurs said.

Mason stood up and grabbed his shirt and vest and pulled them both on before pulling on his socks and boots before grabbing his bag and getting up to join Gideon. "Alright, you have my attention. Let's go." He smirked and lightly shoved him before walking on past him.

Gideon sighed and followed him away from the cave.

--

"Ah thought we agreed that ye'd wait until I was with you to go to the woods?" Gideon said as they made their way back.

"We agreed on no such thing, and I thought that it would be better that I didn't bring you with for this one." Mason chuckled. "After all, if you wore a dress, you could pass for an adorable girl."

Gideon blushed. "Yeah, well...at least Ah don' sleep with a stuffed animal at night."

"What's that got to do with anything? I don't, either." Mason raised an eyebrow.

"What-but you-this morning-why did ye get so upset about me movin', then?" Gideon asked in disbelief.

"Oh." Mason chuckled. "Because I liked your scent." He walked on ahead while Gideon stopped short.

"...My... scent ?" Gideon walked on to catch up to him.

"Yes." Mason smirked at him over his shoulder. "You have a very pleasant scent, very clean, a nice change from the rest of this town."

"Uhm...thank you." Gideon's brow furrowed and he hurried to catch up to him.

Mason chuckled. "Why, what did you think I got upset for?"

"I-I don' know..." Gideon glanced away. "Ah thought ye...nevermind. It's not important."

Mason chuckled. "No, please, I'm too curious now. What did you think?"

"Well, Ah kinda' thought that ye saw me as...well...not a brother." Gideon admitted.

Mason smiled and placed his hand on his shoulder. "Well, I hope you feel a little more at ease now. Also, what was that 'you don't own me' stuff all about?"

Gideon grew flustered. "Uh, well...Ah guess Ah was just annoyed that ye weren't letting me leave."

"It was very dramatic." Mason grinned.

Gideon blushed. "...Sorry."

"No worries. I wasn't even mad." Mason assured him. "Mostly amused, really."

They got back to the Mystery Shack and headed inside. "Your bag is still in my room." He told him as he closed the door behind Gideon. "Why don't we have a snack first?"

"Okay." Gideon nodded.

Mason led him into the kitchen, then looked around. "Hey, where are my uncle and sister?"

"Oh, she said to call her when I found you." Gideon pulled out his phone and dialed Mabel's number.

"Hello, Gideon!" She greeted. "Did you find my wayward brother?"

"Yes, he was in the magical part of the woods, where phones don't work." Gideon explained. "We're at the Mystery Shack now, he was asking about you."

"Put him on?" She requested sweetly.

He shrugged and handed his phone over to Mason. He accepted it, then stepped to the side before speaking. "Hello, sister."

"MASON ALEXANDER PINES! WHAT WERE YOU THINKING , GOING INTO THE WOODS ALL ALONE AND WITHOUT TELLING ANYONE WHERE YOU WERE GOING?! "

Gideon's eyes went wide as Mason held the phone away from him, Mabel's voice clear as crystal.

"Mason?" She asked, sounding calmer.

He brought it back to his ear. "Are you done yelling at me?"

"I'm done." She assured him.

"Good." He chuckled. "I was investigating something that Gideon told me about. From what I understood, it would not have been a good idea to bring you or Gideon with me. Now, where are you ?"

"Out with Grunkle Stan, giving him a makeover so he can earn the heart of the girl of his dreams!" She revealed.

"Well, that sounds right up your alley." Mason chuckled. "Do you need me to help with anything?"

"Well, he could use a few tips in flirting, but I suspect you're busy." Mabel said, seeming in much better mood now. "We'll back back in a few hours, so we'll see you then!"

"Wait, but-"

"I have to go, excuse me~!" Mabel hung up.

Mason looked at Gideon's phone, then handed it back to him. "So, we're on our own in terms of food and it's almost lunch time, anyway. Why don't we go out eat somewhere?"

"Well, there's Greasy's Diner. Not usually your scene, but one of the best and most popular places to eat in Gravity Falls." Gideon suggested. "Or we could go to The Club again, but that's more of a fancy dinner place."

"Well, this diner sounds like a pleasant place." Mason smiled. "Lead the way."

Gideon smiled. "We'll need a ride. Ah'll call my pa."

"Alright." Mason shrugged.

Gideon pulled out his phone and dialed the number. Mason leaned against the wall, watching him quietly.

Had he been too obvious, lately, about his attraction? He would have to tone it down, Gideon may not help him if he realizes that Mason was interested in him, while Mabel was not . To keep his cooperation, he needed to keep his intentions to himself.

Oh, but how he longed to pull him close, to stroke his hair, to whisper in his ear. How he wanted to lay him beneath him and kiss him over and over until he laughed while asking him to stop. He imagined him wearing that blue cloak and nothing else, lying in a field of grass, and that's when he quickly cut off that train of thought because that was, uh...dangerous waters.

"Alright, he'll be here in five minutes." Gideon said, putting his phone away.

"Right, great. I'll be right back, I need to use the facilities." Mason turned and walked out of the room.

Gideon shrugged. "Okay."

Mason went to the bathroom and turned on the sink before gripping the sides of it. "...Get it together, Mason. Don't show your cards. Maintain control."

"Mason?" Gideon said, walking up to the door. "Is everything alright?"

"Yeah." He washed his hands, then splashed his face with water twice before drying both his hands and face with a towel and turning off the water. "I'll be right out."

"Okay, Ah'll be outside waitin' fer the car." Gideon said, walking away.

Mason walked over and opened the door, then walked out after him.

--

Maybe Greasy's Diner was a bad idea. Mason was too high class for this place. But, they were already here, and Mason was opening the door and they were walking in and, oh wow, the place was packed. Mason led the way over to a table while Gideon's father found another one to leave them to eat without him hovering. He took a seat and Gideon sat across from him.

"You weren't kidding when you said it was popular." Mason remarked, looking around.

"Is it too much? Do you want to go somewhere else?" Gideon asked.

"No, this is fine." Mason smiled, then looked up as the waitress walked over.

"What can I get you?" She asked, handing over menus.

"We'll take a bit of time to read over this, if that's alright." Mason smiled up at her.

"Ohh, suure!" She nodded and walked off to attend to another table.

Mason looked around. "...Is she the only waitress here?"

"There's another one, but she must've called out." Gideon looked around as well.

"Is her eye okay?" Mason looked at him.

"Well, not exactly, but she manages." Gideon shrugged. "From what I heard, she was in an accident thirty years ago that damaged her eye."

"Has she seen a doctor for it?" Mason asked.

"Mason, no doctor working here could do the kind of medical procedure she needs, and she can't afford the kind of doctor that could. This is a small, isolated town." Gideon shook his head.

Mason frowned thoughtfully, then opened the menu. Gideon did the same, looking at the food options.

When the waitress came back, they placed their orders and she drawled out, "I'll go get this started for you!" before walking away.

"So, do people have to leave town for any surgeries or complicated medical procedures?" Mason asked.

"Yes, they all go to Portland for those." Gideon nodded. "She seems to be managing, though, so don't worry about Susan."

Mason hummed thoughtfully.

--

"Mabel, sweetie, are you sure there isn't something else you'd rather be doing? Making new friends, hanging out with Pacifica, something that doesn't require me, uh, doing this?" Stan asked her as he looked at the machine in front of him.

"Absolutely not, this is the most important thing to me right now. I am going to get you back in shape and you're going to get the girl of your dreams, now get on the treadmill and WALK!" Mabel said firmly, going over to the controls.

"I dunno, man, I'd do as the little girl says." Another guy on a treadmill said. "She's got power in her voice."

"Thank you!" Mabel smiled cheerfully, then looked at him. "Now, Grunkle Stan!"

He sighed and stepped onto the treadmill. "Okay, let's do this."

Mabel nodded and set the speed. "Okay, while you do this, I'm gonna go get you a water bottle!" She turned and walked off.

"Wait, but isn't this too-ah!" Stan quickly matched the pace of the machine, moving quickly. "Mabeeel!"

She walked over to a vending machine and pulled out her wallet, pulling out a dollar and putting it in.

"Hey."

She looked to the side and saw a teenager grinning at her. "Good afternoon." She greeted, then knelt to get the bottle out.

"You're Mabel, right? Mabel Pines? That cute girl that's dating the Gleeful kid?" The teenager said, watching her.

"Yes, that is me." She said, glancing away as she stood up.

"Well, I personally think you could do better." He grinned and did a finger gun. "What do you say; you, me, lunch together?"

"Mm..." Mabel shook her head. "I'm not allowed to have unsupervised dates, and I have to stay with my uncle. I'm sure you can find someone else to, uh...use your lines on that would be...more likely to accept them." She turned to go.

"Come on, girl, don't be like that." He moved in front of her. "Your uncle will be fine without you for an hour, and there's a café next to the gym we can go to."

"I gave you my answer, and the answer is 'no'. What kind of girl do you think I am?" She asked, looking offended. "You know I'm dating someone."

"Yeah, a kid that is completely below your level." He leaned in a bit. "But, I think you and I could be a perfect match."

Mabel sighed and started to move around him. "The answer is 'no'."

He placed his hand on her shoulder, halting her, and leaned in more so his face was inches from hers. "And I think the answer is 'yes'. So, why don't you be a good girl and-AAAGHHHHHHHHHHHFFFFFFKKKKKKKK!!!!!!"

"When a girl says 'no', you accept it." Mabel said, holding her tazer against his side. "You don't push, you don't insist, you let it go and move on. Got it?" She pulled the tazer back and he collapsed to the floor. She sighed and put it back in her pocket. "Creep." She stepped over his groaning body and walked back to where Stan was waiting.

"Hey...hhf...hff...what was that... screaming ...about?" He asked as he kept running on the treadmill.

"I don't know." Mabel said, then checked the time she set. "You're doing great, just five more minutes to go!"

"Oh...great!" He let out a "whuff" of air. "Just...five...more minutes!"

"Holy shit, are you okay?" Mabel heard someone say, and looked over to see the teenager that accosted her being picked up by someone.

'He deserved it.' She thought, looking back at her uncle. 'Maybe now, he'll respect the word "no".'

"Phew, this is a workout !" Stan said as he kept running. "I am way out of shape!"

--

"Well, that was a delightful meal." Mason said, setting down his fork.

"Like Ah said, it's one of the best places to eat." Gideon smiled. "Nothin' too fancy here, but the food and atmosphere are wonderful."

Mason nodded, then pulled out his wallet to start rifling through his cash.

"We haven't gotten the bill yet." Gideon said with surprise.

"Oh, I'm just preparing her tip." Mason assured him. "I'll cover the bill too, of course."

Gideon chuckled. "Ah can pay fer mine."

"No, I'm paying." Mason chuckled. "You can pay next time, okay?"

Susan came over with their bill and Mason accepted it, then got out enough to cover the bill before putting down her tip as well. "Thank for your steller service in such a busy time." He smiled charmingly.

She took the tip and her good eye went wide . " Whaaaaa ?" She counted it to be sure and then looked at him. "Are you sure ?"

"I'm sure." He smiled and got up. "Have a good rest of your day. Gideon, let's go."

Gideon got up and followed him out, leaving the stunned waitress at the table.

"My pa is still eating." Gideon pointed out as they left the diner.

"So, we'll walk around a little while." Mason shrugged. "It's a nice day."

Gideon chuckled. "Do you really have to give her that much?"

"I didn't have to, but I chose to." Mason smirked at him. "One is only as good as the way they treat those that serve them. To know how someone is, look to the way they treat other people. My father always told me to know my place in the world, but to treat those below me with kindness. You never know; one day, someone below you may be your equal. My family wasn't born rich, after all."

"You weren't?" Gideon asked, surprised.

"No." Mason shook his head. "When I was five years old, my father went to a technology convention for his work, he was an IT guy, and he met someone that, well, seemed to be impressed by him. He offered him a partnership in his company, said that he needed a younger guy with a good head on his shoulders and intelligence that matched his own to take over the company when he passed. He was very old, you see. From that day on, our lives changed. We were given a lot of money to move somewhere more affluent, my father went from making enough for us to keep a roof over our heads and food on our table and clothes on our bodies to having enough to throw around and spend on staff, schooling, and others. But, even with how comfortable he is in his current life, he has never forgotten where he started."

"And the other man?" Gideon asked.

"Died three years ago, confident in my father's ability, and mine, to keep the company going strong." Mason smiled fondly. "His funeral was full of people that had a lot of fond things to say about him."

Gideon nodded. "Well, it's nice to see someone so rich treat people so well. Ah grew up knowing the Northwests, and...they do not treat people well. Ah remember that yer sister...wasn't that impressed by it."

Mason laughed. "Yeah, I remember that. You apologized when you realized she was upset."

Gideon nodded, then sighed. "Growin' up, the Northwests were the only rich people Ah knew."

"Well, now you know some more." Mason nudged him with a grin.

Gideon smiled. "Ah sure do."