Jessica's POV
Things have been really weird ever since that day Rick came into my room calling for Morty, whoever that is. First he called me Jessie, which he never calls me because he knows I hate it, then he blew off that adventure, and now he's been avoiding me for almost a week. I just don't get it. Did I do something wrong? Every time I ask he says no, but why else would he keep blowing me off like this? I just wish I knew what I did so things can go back to normal, relatively speaking.
Rick's POV
Ok, I'll admit it, I'm avoiding Jessica. It's just not the same, having her instead of Morty. I just can't act like nothing's different, so I've been focusing on my work. After about a week of this, Jessica comes into my garage after school. She does this every day, but I just ignore her. As usual, she walks up next to me. "Hey, Rick," she greets me cheerfully. "What're you doing?"
"I'm working," I reply, barely paying attention. Please just let her go away.
"Oh, well, can I help?"
"No."
I see her frown out of the corner of my eye. "Oh, ok… well, maybe we could do something later?"
"No."
Now she's chewing her lip. Damn that looks stupid. "Rick, seriously, whatever I did to tick you off, can't you just tell me instead of blowing me off?"
I shoot her a glare. "Why don't you just beat it?! I'm busy! So get the hell out of here, you little… codependent… clingy little… brat!"
I start wondering if I've gone too far when I see Jessica tearing up. "Fine," she mutters, turning away. "I don't need you or your insane adventures to be happy." She walks inside and slams the door, leaving me alone again.
I feel a little guilty, knowing I've probably really upset that kid, but I shove it away, taking a sip from my flask. I'm about to go back to my work, when Beth comes in. Oh boy. "Dad, what did you do?" she asks, in a deadly quiet tone.
"I'm guessing you're talking about one thing in particular. If this is about that loud noise last night, it was just a minor malfunction, and I cleaned it up."
"No, I want to know why the hell my daughter almost ran over me, in tears, on her way to her room!"
Oh crap. "I just said I didn't want to spend time with her right now!" I yell defensively. Beth gives me a skeptical glare, so similar to her mother's that I know I'm not getting out of this that easily. "I… may have also called her clingy… and codependent…"
"Dad! What the hell were you thinking?! Jessie's already insecure, did you really have to go and destroy what little self-esteem she had?!" I can't help but wince. Beth hasn't been this mad at me since she found out I'd made Morty miss almost a full semester of school. "I don't know what's going on with you, but you better make things right with Jessica. She has enough issues as it is, she doesn't need you making them worse."
As Beth leaves, I realize she's right. None of this is Jessica's fault. I need to accept that I don't have a grandson anymore, and my granddaughter needs me just as much as he did. I get up from my worktable and go inside and upstairs to Jessica's room. "Jessica?" I call, knocking lightly. "Can I come in?"
After a moment, Jessica calls softly, "Sure, come in." I slowly open the door and poke my head in. She's lying on her back, staring at the ceiling, and I can tell by looking at her face that she's been crying. "What do you want, Rick?"
I walk in and sit next to her on the bed. "Look, Jessica, I've been… going through some personal stuff lately. How I was acting had nothing to do with you."
She props herself up on her elbows. "Really? You're not mad at me?"
I smile slightly. "No, I'm not mad." I reach over and ruffle her hair. "C'mon, why don't we go work on my latest invention? It's a device that can mute people."
Jessica chuckles slightly, fixing her hair. "Sounds like fun. Hey, can I borrow that for math class?"
I smirk at her. "Sure thing, kiddo." Maybe this won't be so bad. But if she starts asking me for advice on boys or prom dresses, I swear I'm moving.
(AN: Well, here it is, the first of many Rick and Jessica stories. From now on, I'll be posting many, totally unconnected stories staring Jessica. I hope you enjoy them!)