AN: First story, yay! This story was requested by Erin Primette. Erin, sorry this first chapter took a little while to get out. We're at the height of concert season in band and choir right now, so I got pretty busy with learning music. I finally got it though, even if it is just a little short. I'll try to update at least every two weeks (hopefully now that we're sliding into summer, I'll have more time). Hope you enjoy!
"Take note of this," Grand Councilwoman said with authority as she gently picked up Stitch and proceeded to remove his handcuffs. "This creature has been sentenced to life in exile; a sentence that shall be henceforth served out here, on Earth." She set Stitch down in between Nani and Lilo, who was immediately hugged by a joyful Lilo as he snuggled against her side with quiet happiness. A look of acceptance finally took over Nani's face as she acknowledged the fact that her life was about to get a lot more interesting with Stitch staying, and she stroked a gentle hand over his head. If he made Lilo happy, then she was happy. "And, as caretaker of the alien lifeform Stitch," Grand Councilwoman continued, "this family is now under the official protection of the United Galactic Federation." She looked over at Cobra Bubbles and said a bit quieter, "We'll be checking in now and then."
"I was afraid you were going to say that," he replied, lowering his sunglasses. "This won't be easy to explain back at headquarters."
"Ah, I know what you mean," she said with a light laugh and a tiny smile as she turned to go back to her ship.
"Which is exactly why," Cobra raised his voice a bit, making her turn around again curiously, "I was going to suggest appointing Captain Gantu as Lilo's guardian."
"What?!" Lilo and Nani shouted at the same time, looking up from their reunion.
"Oh, no, no, NO! What can that possibly help?! I'll already have one alien in my house, I don't want another one!" Nani said in distress as she stood to face Cobra. "ESPECIALLY not one that's more trouble than Stitch. Besides, why can't I stay Lilo's guardian? I'm doing just fine at it!" Cobra stared at her, his expression staying unimpressed.
"I don't want that alien shark as a guardian, he tried to kill Stitch!" Lilo shrieked, holding Stitch tighter in her arms as she glared up at Cobra. "I thought you were supposed to be the guy who's trying to protect me from a bad home, not making me live in one!"
"Just hear me out, you two," he said, annoyance tinging his inflection. "I know it doesn't seem like the best solution right now, but what I am trying to accomplish with making Captain Gantu Lilo's guardian is protection from further aliens who would want to take Stitch."
"Hmm…" Grand Councilwoman thought to herself for a moment, looking down at Stitch clutched tight in Lilo's arms as he closed his eyes sadly and kept close to the young girl. "That may actually work."
"NO, it might not!" Nani protested. "I am perfectly capable of keeping Lilo and Stitch safe on my own."
"But not from other rogue aliens who wouldn't hesitate to kill the two of you to get their hands on Stitch," she answered. "That, and he is a core member of the Galactic Council, or at least he shall stay a core member if he agrees to this, which means I won't have to send someone to report every time we need to perform a routine check. Though I will have to talk with Captain Gantu about it, I believe this is a very good idea. Thank you, Agent."
"Just doing my job," Cobra replied, flicking his sunglasses back on.
"Of course," she said lightly. "I will be right back; I must have an important conversation with the Captain and the rest of the Council. Please stay here, and I will come back as soon as we are done and give you our answer." She then walked gracefully back up the ramp of her ship, giving short orders to her guards before she entered. They both nodded, then took up positions at either side of the ramp. Nani sighed in frustration, then got down on her knees again in defeat and brought Lilo and Stitch into a hug.
"What am I going to do with you two?" she whispered to herself.
Captain Gantu sat in silence, clenching and unclenching his giant hands as he stewed in his temporary quarters. The events of the afternoon were a blur as they raced in circles around his mind. What had possibly gone wrong that he had failed to catch Experiment 626 a second time? That little vermin was barely even the size of one of his fingers, yet he still managed to escape and stay escaped. He squeezed his hands closed again, imagining the pest squishing in them. He used to be second only to the Grand Councilwoman, but he had fallen so low in so little time. And it was all that abomination and his little human sidekick's fault. "They will pay for making a fool of me," he growled lowly to himself, his hands clamping even tighter. He heard the door slide open, but he didn't look up. His shame overwhelmed him. "Grand Councilwoman, I would like to apologize for the second failure of my mission," he said, his fangs gritted. "My actions were out of line today. I hope you still consider allowing me to keep my position."
"Believe it or not, Gantu, I am giving you another chance," Grand Councilwoman said. "Specifically speaking, the Council is very mercifully letting you earn back your position if you agree to take this new mission." This made Captain Gantu stand up in surprise, looking down at Grand Councilwoman curiously.
"The Council has already ruled?" he asked her.
"Yes, we have," she replied, "though for various reasons, you were not included in the ruling." He turned away from her, not wanting to meet her eyes.
"What is the mission?" he said quietly, stroking one of his tusks.
"You must choose between your permanent resignation, or taking the position of the guardian of Lilo Pelekai, the new owner of Stitch."
"The little human whelp who made me fail my mission a second time?" Captain Gantu snarled as he whirled around to face Grand Councilwoman again. "You can't possibly expect me to keep watch over her and the little biologically engineered pest she has declared her pet?"
"I do expect you to, because I know your demeanor is generally more professional than this when accepting missions," she said, her tone sharpening. "If you wish to earn your position on this Council again, I expect you to accept this mission. The choice is yours, Captain. Just contact me when you have made your final decision." Grand Councilwoman turned away from him and began to open the door.
"Wait," Captain Gantu said. The struggle was evident in his voice.
"Yes, Captain? Have you decided so soon?" Grand Councilwoman turned slightly, one hand still resting on the doorframe.
"I will accept the mission for the sake of my position on the Council," he answered, the words hissing out from his gritted teeth.
"Good," she said. "Your position as Lilo's guardian will be elaborated upon by the human in charge of her protection, Agent Bubbles. I expect you send me reports periodically."
"Yes, Grand Councilwoman."
Captain Gantu gazed back at Grand Councilwoman's ship as she stepped elegantly back up the ramp, not taking his eyes off of it until it had disappeared into space again. He then turned to the humans.
"Which one of you," he asked, his voice heavy with disdain, "is Agent Bubbles?"
"That would be me, Captain," Cobra glanced up at him, his calculating glare seeming to penetrate Gantu's soul. Gantu leaned back imperceptibly from the human's gaze. "You listen to me real good, alien. Don't come into contact with any humans besides me and the Pelekais. Don't think I won't be checking up on Lilo. Don't even think I won't send you back up there to Grand Councilwoman and let her deal with you if you step out of line. I'll be coming by with the official paperwork in a few days."
"You can't be serious," Nani said halfheartedly, pulling Lilo and Stitch closer to her from their spot in the sand.
"Oh, I am," Cobra looked down at her. "Like I said before, I am the one they call when things go wrong. I don't want them to have to call me again, so simultaneously ensuring Lilo and Stitch's protection from hostile aliens who might try to get their hands on Stitch. Which is why Captain Gantu will make a good guardian for Lilo. Isn't that right, Captain?" Cobra glowered at the alien again.
"Yes, Agent," he replied with gritted fangs in what was most likely supposed to be a smile. "I will be a proper guardian for the human Lilo because that is the mission Grand Councilwoman has assigned me."
"Good. Now, about your house…" Cobra trailed off, looking at Nani meaningfully. She simply glowered back at him as Lilo smoldered. Stitch hissed at Gantu, flaring his spines as he stood in front of Lilo protectively. Cobra sighed at their reactions. His job was going to be a lot more complicated from now on.