Almost like it was a confirmation of identity, Jess nods, feeling the painful twinge in her chest tighten every second that they’ve spent being in each other’s radar —- - he was alive, and those words of triumph had been blocked in her throat, unable to speak. Jess’ voice was breaking, however long it has been that she survived on her own. It was an achievement, really. Ever since the massive breakout of the disease, Jess Grimes made a new version of herself —- - someone better, and someone who could definitely be dependent.
But she wasn’t. Jessica knew, that Rick Grimes was still her rock. She prayed to God that he was alive. That everyone was alive. It didn’t take very long, and Jess had launched herself unto her brother’s arms, barely trying to keep it together. It’s okay to cry, she reminded herself. Arms clumsily wrapped around the strong torso of her older sibling, clinging to him as if he was her lifeline. He was.
“ I -I - I can’t b - believe i -it —- I’m s - sorry, Rick ”
The former officer had assumed he’d never see her again, that if she had survived, she would have got the hell out of Georgia, moved some place else. If he had known she had been alive, if he had been told she was surviving by herself, he would have gone back for her, would have found her again. It was too late to think like that now, she was here, that’s all that mattered. He would take her home, home being the prison, and would make sure she wasn’t alone again. He was kicking himself for just assuming she had been dead, for not bothering to find out if she’d made it.
Rick didn’t hesitate to hold her back, to keep her close to him. He buried his face into his sisters shoulder and sighed with relief. He clutched at the fabric that covered her back and relished in the moment, allowed himself to cave in for just a few moments. She was alive, she was still surviving and they’d found each other after everything. God, he couldn’t imagine what she had gone through alone.
“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry I didn’t go back. I’m sorry.” The very thought of her having to survive by herself made him feel slightly sick.
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