Rick still hurt, but he managed to walk into the waiting room where Morty and Liz had been waiting on him. "I take it you're not staying?" Morty asked.
Rick burped. "Hell no," he said. "You better get your portal gun ready."
"Hey, you wanna make a really big portal that I can fly my ship through?" Liz asked. "I haven't slept in at least twenty-four hours, and I don't think I can make the trip again." She finished with a huge yawn.
"Yeah, of course," Morty said. "Liz, I just realized, I haven't even thanked you for coming."
Liz opened her mouth to speak, but Rick cut her off. "Yeah, yeah, flirt later, let's go home now," he said sternly.
Morty turned bright red while Liz only rolled her eyes. "You're welcome, Morty," she said gently.
The three walked out into the parking lot. Liz helped Rick inside her ship then hopped into the driver's seat. "Ready when you are," she said.
Morty set the coordinates for home, and shot a portal right in front of the ship. He climbed into the back and shut the door. Liz flew forward, and the ship was consumed by the green portal. On the other side was Morty's driveway. Liz parked the ship and turned it off.
Liz climbed out first, followed by Rick, and then Morty. Rick was eager for a drink, so he walked quickly to the house and threw open the front door.
Beth was in his arms as soon as he walked in. "I love you," she said tearfully. "Please don't leave us."
Rick sighed softly and rested his head on her's. "I'm not leaving anytime soon," he reassured her.
Beth pulled away. "I made you welcome-home-pancakes. Are you hungry?"
Rick's stomach growled. "Yeah," he admitted. He was starting to be able to smell them, and they smelled really good. He walked into the dining room, where Jerry was sitting down, playing on his tablet.
Upon entering, Jerry looked up and gave him a smile. "Glad you're home, Rick," he said.
"Whatever, Jerry," Rick grunted as he made his way to his seat. Beth placed the pancakes in front of him, and he dug in.
"Thanks, Beth," he said in between bites. "These are really good."
"Anything for you, Dad."
He thought he saw Jerry roll his eyes, but he ignored it. "I'm really sorry if I scared you, Beth. I-i don't even know why you still want me around.
Beth reached out and gently touched his hand. "Because I love you, Dad," she replied. "I love you, and that's not gonna change."
"I love you too, Beth."
"I could use a nap," Liz said. "Or two."
"Of course," Morty replied. "You can borrow Summer's room for now, she's not home."
"Sounds good," Liz replied with a yawn.
"Thank you so much for flying all night just to see me," Morty said softly. "You didn't have to do that."
Liz smiled. "What else are friends for?" she asked.
"It's the second door to the right," Morty replied. "Just make yourself comfortable."
"Thanks," Liz responded.
Morty was tired as well, having only gotten a few hours himself, but he didn't think he could sleep right now. Not after what he had just been through. Seeing Rick slumped over the desk was the most scared he had been in his life, and he had been through a lot of life-or-death situations with Rick.
He walked out into the dining room, seeing Rick almost done eating his pancakes. His mother stood up and hugged him tightly. "Thank you for saving him," she whispered.
"I always will," Morty replied, and Beth hugged him tighter.
"You've grown so much," she said. "Sometimes I don't realize it."
"Don't worry," he replied. "I'll always be your little Morty."
His mother affectionately ruffled his hair. He was about to say something else, but Rick interrupted him with a loud burp. "I need a drink and some Ball Fondlers," Rick said. "Who's with me."
Morty laughed softly. His grandpa was the same old Rick. "I'll watch with you," he said. "But I think I'll skip the drink part." His grandpa had been a huge deterrent to alcohol for him.
"Whatever," his grandpa said, filling his flask with God-knows-what. Morty just hoped it wasn't vodka. He wasn't sure if he could take the smell so soon after last night. "Where's your girlfriend?"
Morty blushed again. "She's not my girlfriend, and she's sleeping in Summer's room."
"Rough flight?"
"Rick," Morty groaned. "She flew all night just to see you."
"Nope," Rick answered, plopping down on the sofa. "She flew all night to see you."
Morty rolled his eyes. He sat down next to his grandpa. "You know you're my best friend, right?" he asked.
"Morty, you doEURGHn't have to get all soft on me just because I almost died."
"No," Morty responded firmly. "I need you to know so you don't try anything stupid again."
Rick held one hand in the air and placed the other over his heart. "I solemnly swear I will not do anything stupid," he chanted.
"Jackass," Morty muttered, punching him lightly punching him in the arm. And for a moment, everything felt alright.