Morty flicked through tv channels out of sheer boredom. Once again, Rick was in the garage working on one of his projects. He had decided not to go out for whatever reason and never asked Morty to help mix certain chemicals, so Morty decided to idly spend some time switching through television channels until finally something could come up.

But suddenly, Morty heard the garage door open and he could only assume Rick had gotten bored and wanted to head out. He waited for Rick to burst in and drag him onto an adventure, but no one came in.

Curious on why Rick wasn't entering to pester him, Morty turned off the television and headed towards the garage. The garage door was open and there was a newcomer inside speaking with Rick. They were discussing something, and as Morty entered the room he heard the last bit of what they spoke about.

"...reward will be great, my friend!"

"Rick?" Morty called quietly. Rick turned to him.

"Morty! This is Sol, we've known each other for a few weeks but we've been getting on pretty well; Sol, this is Morty, my grandson!"

Almost immediately, Morty felt a strange feeling about Sol. His eyes looked diabolical. He had a wide, fake, smile plastered on him. He wore a large hat with ears pointing out through some holes, and a long grey scarf. His skin was pinkish, but apart from that he seemed almost human.

Morty approached cautiously, glaring at the strange creature.

"I was speaking to your grandfather about some wondrous news that I heard from one of my accomplices!" he said, in a calm excitement Morty could just tell was artificial.

"And it will probably end us dead." Morty deadpanned.

"Woah Morty!" Rick scolded quickly. He seemed shocked Morty would snipe at the guest and grabbed his grandson by the shoulder and pulled him back. "He's a guest here, why don't you go set up your station and start working on some chemicals...or something."

Rick pushed Morty back and quickly turned back to Sol. "So sorry about that. Where were we? Come, let's go somewhere more private."

Rick led Sol out of the garage and into the front yard. Morty fumbled around furiously. He couldn't place why but he couldn't trust Sol. Something about him made him feel strange...unsafe even. Whatever it was, he did not want Rick to take up on the alien's offer.

The sky began to turn pink and the sun began to set before Morty heard Rick's voice bidding farewell to Sol.

"Let's talk again," Rick insisted.

"Absolutely," Sol agreed. They shook hands. "I'll contact you within a few Earth days, then we'll discuss what our cut will be."

Great, they settled on the mission! Morty internalized.

"Oh, and keep your grandson in check. That wasn't a very polite greeting."

"I'll do that," Rick promised with a faint laugh in his voice.

Sol boarded a small shuttle and lifted off the ground in a few seconds. He aimed for the sky and shot off into the orange atmosphere.

Rick walked into the garage with a small grin on his face. As soon as he saw Morty, his smile dropped into a frown.

"What did you make while I was talking with him, huh?" he demanded, his voice with the usual cold disinterest.

Morty held up a vial with purple liquid in it. Rick took it to inspect what it held, but he merely shrugged and returned the glass to Morty.

"A detoxifier huh? What are you going to do with that?"

"Well I-I was hoping to use it on you in case you got a little too drunk...ya know. And-and I think it helps w-w-with...the liver?"

Rick looked unimpressed, but he nodded, surprisingly, in understanding. He turned to head towards the kitchen, but just as he took a step towards the door, he stopped.

"What happened back there? W-w-what was with that snapping?" he demanded angrily as he turned to look at Morty.

Morty was about to shrug when he decided to put his foot down.

"I don't trust him, Rick!" he yelled angrily. "I-I-I don't know what it is but this guy is no good!"

Rick stared at Morty for a little longer before turning back towards the door. "Relax Morty, it'll be fine. We're just going to get riggity-riggity rekt!"

He walked on into the kitchen and closed the door behind him. Morty was left alone.

Frustrated, Morty slammed his fist onto the table, much harder than he thought he would. Why was he so distrustful of someone he had never met before? Normally Morty rolled with the punches, but this time something was gnawing at him. Even worse, Morty usually never got angry with anyone other than Rick, but why was he angry at himself this time? Not Sol, not Rick, but Morty himself.

The irrational hatred made his guts feel hot. His heart fluttered and he was forced to lean down and grasp at his chest for a few moments. The feeling passed, but when Morty looked around to see if anyone had seen that, he noticed not only was he alone with his condition, but he was truly alone with the feeling of an unexplained dread.

A/N: I am so sorry for the short chapter! And for any drop of quality. I just wanted to update to show that I am not finished yet! I've just been so busy but I will finish it. I'm just debating on either extending the story to add some heartwarming moments or just getting on and finishing it...