"So this is what Frenchfry did with the place." Lilo remarked, taking a look around her surroundings with an appreciative gaze. Frenchfry had closed down the restaurant for a month because he felt changes were necessary. Lilo had to concur, his place had been quite shabby, but now, what he has done looked magnificent. He changed the boring sky blue paint to a charming violet purple. The dusty windows that occupied the seats looked impeccable and had lovely window designs placed on it. There was added space so the workers could whip up much better foods than fat free hotdogs, hamburgers, and all sorts of other fast foods.

Stitch nodded as well. "Angel and meega… impressed too."

"So, where do we sit?" Lilo asked.

"Cousin gave…Stitch and Angel…own seat. Our favorite. We…sit there." Stitch replied, tugging Lilo to that spot.

Lilo followed Stitch as he led her to a booth. Lilo sat in the comfortable, velvety soft seat. She ran her hand along the texture, grinning at the smoothness. She looked out the window to see the beach. She smiled as she watched transfixed on the waves swaying back and forth. "This is a neat place."

Stitch nodded. "Angel and Stitch… thought so. Too."

Before any more words could be exchanged between the two, a blue tornado of sorts whizzed up to them. Lilo and Stitch beamed at their periwinkle cousin, Frenchfry. "Bonjour!" He greeted while twisting a strand of his infamous mustache around his finger. "Madame Lilo and cousin Stitch… dating?" He smirked.

Lilo blushed a bright pink while Stitch just waved his hand. "Naga Frenchfry. Stitch and Lilo… out for dinner. Naga date."

"Then gaba Frenchfry do… for Madame Lilo and cousin Stitch?" Frenchfry asked, passing out two menus to them.

Both Lilo and Stitch ordered their desired drinks with one glass of ice water for Lilo. Frenchfry bowed his head and promised to bring them their desired drinks. He disappeared for a minute, then came back with two bowls of nacho chips and two bowls of salsa. He set one pair in front of Lilo and the other for Stitch. Before they could thank him, he had whizzed past them once again.

Lilo dipped her chip in the spicy salsa and brought it to her mouth, devouring the tip coated with the red substance. Stitch copied her action while looking at his menu. Lilo brought the menu to her and covered her face with it as she read the tiny text. Stitch looked up at her, wanting to ask her if she was alright even though Calan had done the unforgivable. However, he kept the question to himself for he did not want to ruin Lilo's perfect mood. She seemed to be okay and he didn't want to destroy that.

After a moment of complete silence, Lilo and Stitch showed each other their selected meals. Just as they both began reaching for their drinks, Frenchfry was already at their sides. Lilo and Stitch filled him on their orders and he nodded. He collected their menus then scurried off to take care of other costumers. It took only five seconds for their meals to be done and ready. Lilo and Stitch both had always liked Frenchfry's outstanding ability to whip up foods in a blink of an eye.

"Bon appetite!" He bowed then blew them a kiss before hurrying off once more.

Lilo felt her stomach growl in hunger at the delicious food in front of her. She reached for her steak knife and fork. She sliced her well done steak and took a piece in her mouth. "Frenchfry is the bomb." She replied after swallowing the piece of meat.

Stitch clamped his teeth around the burrito, chewing the delectable contents. "Agreed."

As the two ate, Stitch turned his head from his food and Lilo to the surroundings. As he observed the place, his eye rested on one particular thing. Sitting diagonally from them by two seats were Angel and Yaarp. Angel was sipping from her glass of cranberry juice while Yaarp was attempting to strike a conversation with her. As soon as she put her glass down, her mouth began moving and suddenly, they both started chuckling.

Suddenly, Angel moved her head in his direction. Stitch held her eyes in his gaze, seeing something there that he couldn't quite place. There was something in her eyes that Stitch had never seen before, but for the life of him he couldn't fathom what he saw. Her eyes adverted from his to Lilo sitting across from him. Her lips turned up to a slight smile, to which he returned with a beam. Angel brought her attention back to Yaarp and Stitch's eyes went back to Lilo who was just finishing off her spaghetti.

"What is it Stitch?" Lilo interrogated, noticing his gaze had went elsewhere while she was eating.

Stitch indicated to Angel and Yaarp with his claw. "Angel. With Yaarp."

Lilo noticed the sight and felt a twinge of jealousy towards Angel. She was still a pretty experiment and didn't even have to try to get Stitch's attention. A large portion of her felt sympathetic for Stitch. She briefly wondered if he was beginning to feel the heartbreak just as she felt when Calan cheated on her.

"Are you okay?" Lilo asked, reaching her hand over to his.

Stitch looked down at her soft hand covering his. He smiled. "Ih." He responded, opening his palm so her hand could fall into his. His fingers instantly curled around her hand just as hers gripped his in a comforting and loving squeeze. "Stitch okitaka."

After their meal, Stitch and Lilo went to the beach. There were only a few tourists there which were a happy married couple and their daughter. Lilo plopped down on the sand and Stitch followed her movement. The two looked up into the night sky then out at the pacific waters crashing against the rocks on the shore.

Lilo shivered as the bitter wind brushed her skin. Stitch noticed this and reached out to grab her. Lilo cuddled into his chest, loving how his body warmth warmed her freezing body. Stitch felt his heart beginning to pound in his chest as though pleading him to bring her closer. Stitch complied with his heart's desire, having her so close to him that she had to hook one leg around his waist and the other to sprawl beside him. He felt her cold cheek connect with his chest, causing his heart to skip a beat.

"Stitch, calm down." Lilo chuckled in his fur. "I can feel your heart beating a hundred times in one second."

Stitch blushed a bright pink, but was thankful Lilo couldn't see it. He looked around to take his mind off her. He loved having her in his arms and he needed something that would take his mind off that fact. Maybe then his heart will stop that ramming against his chest. He saw Angel and Yaarp sitting together. He could've sworn Angel was dragging Yaarp around just so she could stalk him. He noticed Angel whisper something to Yaarp, causing him to grin and walk away.

Angel turned her head to him, not at all surprised to see him there. She motioned him over with her finger. Stitch gestured with his head to Lilo in his arms, but she was persistent to get him over to her. Stitch sighed, not wanting to separate himself from Lilo. He shook her gently, causing her to lift her brown eyes to his.

"Angel wants to talk. With meega." Stitch replied. He could see the arousal of jealousy flaming her brown eyes. "Meega be back." Stitch promised, squeezing her tighter to confirm that fact.

Lilo smiled, but Stitch could still see her disapproval. Meekly, she released him then scooted away. Her arms went up voluntarily around her chest and Stitch felt the bitterness as soon as her touch escaped him. He stood, smiling down at Lilo then walked over to where Angel sat. Lilo watched him go, feeling her jealousy for the gorgeous experiment strengthen. She turned her head to hide her disappointment and one tear dripping down her face.

Stitch reached Angel who was grinning at him. She pat the empty spot next to her and Stitch let his body sink to her level. Angel's eyes wandered from Stitch's face to Lilo huddling her knees to her chest. "Stitch and Lilo… buchee-bus?" She questioned.

He could feel his cheeks tinge pink, but his answer was the same as he gave to Frenchfry. "Naga. Lilo naga… feeling well. Meega took Lilo… out. Lilo and meega achiebabas. Is all."

Angel nodded. "Stitch and Lilo… looked cozy." She teased.

Stitch smiled. "Angel and Yaarp also."

At the name of Yaarp, that something in her eyes that Stitch saw in the restaurant was there again. Stitch peered closer, wondering what it is. Then he saw that sparkle. That sparkle Lilo had with Calan and that he tried to see in Angel's eyes. It was there, but it wasn't because of him. It was because of Yaarp. "Angel… love Yaarp?"

"Naga!" She denied, turning her face from his to conceal her blush. "Yaarp and meega achiebabas. Like Stitch and Lilo."

Stitch nodded. "Angel… okitaka ih?"

Angel turned her head to him and smiled. "Ih. Angel better." She reached over to him to give him an embrace. Stitch smiled as he hugged her back, knowing they both did not regret their break up. "Angel have something. To confess."

Stitch pulled away to stare at her. "Gaba?"

"Angel was… jealous of Lilo." Angel replied. Stitch was about to speak, but she cut him off. "Stitch and Angel were together… Stitch talks about Lilo. Meega jealous… Stitch leave meega to be. With Lilo. Meega tried saying… Stitch naga be friends with Lilo. Forever. Meega wrong though." She then smiled. "Stitch and Lilo… need each other. Angel see that. Now. Ih. Meega feel… ashamed. Lilo love Stitch… and meega nota…Stitch love Lilo. Meega saw that… tonight."

Stitch blushed. "Angel, Lilo and meega. Friends. Only."

Angel grinned. "Angel and Stitch… will see. Isa Calan?" She asked, indicating over his shoulder.

Stitch whirled his head, but found Lilo sitting there alone. He turned back to Angel, who chuckled at the darkening rage in his eyes. "Stitch jealous?"

"Naga. Meega angry. With Calan. He cheated… on Lilo." Stitch growled.

Angel gasped. "Calan? With who?"

"Layla." Stitch spat the name viciously.

Angel knew Layla and felt her being quiver with anger. "Trog."

Stitch smiled. "Ih. Meega hate Calan."

"Calan!" She gasped pointing over his shoulder again.

Stitch narrowed his eyes at her. "Angel… stop joking."

"For real." Angel whispered.

Stitch turned his head, expecting to see a lonely Lilo. His being lit with rage at the boy towering over Lilo's figure. Without another word to Angel, Stitch tore off in the direction of Lilo and Calan.

Meanwhile, Lilo was staring up at Calan with hatred in her brown orbs. Calan had been pleading for her to forgive him and just take him back. He promised he would never do such an unfaithful act ever again. Lilo wanted to just jump into his arms and have him be hers again, but how could she? She couldn't, that's how. There's no way she was going to let him love her again then walk all over her the next. She stood up to his height, refusing all of his apologies.

Calan grew angry and his gentle pleading converted to ear piercing shouts. He grabbed Lilo's arm roughly, causing the anger in her eyes to evaporate and replace with fear. He shook her, yelling at her to forgive him. Lilo scratched at his face and his neck with her free hand. He grasped her hand then shoved her to the ground. Lilo's limbs sprawled on the ground, shivering in nervousness at the enraged boy standing above her.

"Why can't you just forgive me!" He screamed at her. "I've said almost a thousand apologies and you're still mad at me?"

"Of course I am!" Lilo retorted back, her rage seeped in to betray the pain and fear in her orbs. "You cheated on me Calan! How can I ever take you back?"

"Because you love me!" He cried back. He fell to his knees beside her, taking her into his arms. "You love me."

"No." Lilo spat. "I hate you."

Calan looked hurt for a split second. In an instant, rage overpowered the hurt. His hand balled into a fist, raising it just an inch. Before she could egg him on further, he felt himself being vigorously yanked away from Lilo. His head bumped against the sand then looked up to see Stitch. He stood in front of Lilo who had scrambled up to capture his arms, just to insure he wouldn't do something stupid to end him back in his pod. Rage burned in his eyes, but with Lilo desperately clinging to his arm, he knew he wouldn't hurt him.

"Calan go away!" Stitch scowled.

Calan glared at him then back at Lilo. "Come on Lilo. I'm sorry."

"Go away." Lilo replied, her eyes burning with tears. "Please Calan. Just go."

"No." Calan responded stubbornly, folding his arms across his chest. He took a step towards them, reaching out to the raven haired girl behind Stitch. "Just come back to me. I love you."

Stitch growled deeply once more, his eyes narrowing in anger. "Lilo naga loves Calan. Not anymore."

Calan ignored him. "I rather hear that from her than from you. Back off you… monster!"

Stitch growled even deeper, beginning to take a step towards him. Lilo knew Stitch didn't like being called a monster, except for Pleakley, and knew the consequences if someone ever said that to him. Lilo roughly pulled him back, but he was unfortunately much stronger than her. He shook Lilo off, causing her to fall to the ground.

Stitch stood in front of Calan, who cowered at the rage clearly visible on Stitch's face. He scowled icily and reeled back his fist. Lilo, not even caring about what Stitch would do to her, ran to block Calan. Instead of Stitch's fist smashing into Calan's gut, Lilo bellowed in pain as his fist racked the nerves in her stomach.

He stood there in shock, uncaring of the fact Calan escaped in fear now that he knew Stitch was capable of hurting him. Stitch froze in astonishment. What had he done? He sunk to the ground beside Lilo, taking her quivering form in his arms. He lifted her shirt, but he couldn't see anything, the night was just too dark and the light of the moon barely illuminated anything. In his anguish, it didn't even register in his mind that he could use his night vision. He was just so distraught.

"Lilo! I sorry!" He cried desperately.

Tears cascaded down Lilo's cheeks. Her breathing grew raspy, as though she were losing all the oxygen in her lungs. Her arms cradled her wounded stomach, wondering when the pain was going to stop. She ignored Stitch's apologies even though she wished to tell him she was fine, but she feared talking would intensify the pain.

When the pain began to subside, Stitch helped her stand. He tightened his grip around her shoulders, took one of her hands, then carefully helped her to stand. As soon as she was standing, the pain came back full force and she sunk back down. Stitch's heart twisted with shame at the cries of pain coming from his best friend. He didn't know what to do, he was becoming scared. What was he supposed to do?

What have I done? He thought, looking down at the sobbing Lilo. What do I do? Blitznac! I didn't mean to hurt her this bad! I didn't even mean to hurt her at all! What do I do! He turned his head, hoping Angel and Yaarp were still there. He saw them staring at Lilo in stupefaction. "Help!" He screamed to them. "Please! Help!"

Angel and Yaarp stood from their cozy seats to rush over to Stitch and the weeping Lilo. "Stitch! Gaba happen?" Angel asked.

"Meega punch Lilo. Isa accident!" Stitch yelled, tears welling up in his eyes.

He looked so miserable that Angel had to wrap him in a hug. "Shoga be okitaka."

Yaarp kneeled down to Lilo's level, raising up her shirt. His eyes switched to his own night vision. "Oh yeah. Lilo got mark."

Stitch buried his head in his hands in shame and stupidity. "What have… I done?"

Angel gripped his shoulder comfortingly. "Lilo be okay. Angel and Yaarp help… bring Lilo home."

The experiments waited for a few minutes for Lilo's pain to recede. During those few minutes, Yaarp and Angel had left to collect an ice pack. Stitch stayed behind with Lilo, embracing her from behind and his hand rubbing her pained stomach. Lilo whispered she was fine and that she was not angry with him. To insure this, she kissed his nose and told him she loved him. This made Stitch grasp her tighter, but with ginger pressure on her stomach. Angel and Yaarp returned with the pink experiment holding a bag of chilling ice.

Stitch waited a bit longer before reluctantly scooping Lilo into his arms. Lilo squeezed her eyes shut as Stitch hooked his arm underneath her back and the other wrapped around the back of her knees. She felt him lift her gingerly and hold him to his chest. That gentle action however, provoked the pain in her stomach. She shrieked and clutched to him, her nails digging into his shoulders.

Angel applied the frozen ice bag on Lilo's bare stomach after lifting her shirt to where the mark hid itself in the darkness. Lilo clutched Stitch tighter as the pain multiplied. Stitch could feel tears leaking from his eyes. They walked just like this. Stitch cradling Lilo to him and Lilo gripping his shoulders strongly. Angel pressed down on the ice bag just so it wouldn't fall off Lilo. Though the girl was in immense pain, the ice was helping her recuperate from the blow, even if it was only of meager assistance. Yaarp just walked alongside them, even though he wasn't exactly needed. He was still there, wanting to be certain Lilo would get to her house.

The experiments walked inside, relieved they didn't have to confront any of the other household members. Stitch and Lilo boarded the lift first then Angel took the second ride and then Yaarp last. Stitch laid Lilo on the bed after flicking on the lamp. Lilo groaned as Stitch raised her shirt slightly and removed the bag of ice. His eyes widened in utter horror at the ugly mark on her stomach.

There in plain sight was a hideous purple bruise in the form of a fist. His fist. He had scraped her flesh, causing flakes of skin to detach from her body. Because of the flakes, tiny pools of blood were rising and spilling down Lilo's stomach like small brooks.

"Lilo!" He whined in dismay. "I sorry!"

"I-It's… okay." She whispered back with a slight smile. "I forgive you."

Stitch looked into Lilo's brown eyes, wondering how it is he caused her so much agony and yet, she still forgave him. He smiled at her then leaned down to lick her cheek. He beamed as a quiet laugh came from her mouth, but then that was followed by a moan of pain. Stitch kissed the spot where he licked her then moved away.

He turned to see Angel holding up a damp rag. Stitch smiled at her and was about to leave until Lilo called out to him. Angel gave him the rag then left the same way Stitch had intended. He whirled to face Lilo, motioning him over with her finger. Stitch meekly came to her, not knowing what it is he should be doing.

Lilo smiled assuring at him before reaching out to his hand that held the rag. She lowered his hand on her stomach, wincing as the warmth from the rag stung her. Stitch made to pull away, but Lilo wouldn't let him. She insisted on him keeping that rag there.

"I sorry Lilo." Stitch replied.

Lilo rolled her eyes in annoyance. "Stitch, I'm okay and you're okay too since I took that blow."

Stitch rose his eyes to hers, but then understood what she was saying. "Oh, right."

"Stitch, if you didn't punch me but Calan, you would've been dehydrated in an instant. Calan would've gone blabbing to the police if you hurt him. What were you thinking?" Lilo asked.

"Stitch… only protecting… Lilo. Calan hurt you. Stitch naga want Calan… to hurt Lilo…again." Stitch sighed.

Lilo smiled. "That's very sweet of you Stitch. But if you want to protect me, try doing it in a way that won't get you dehydrated."

Stitch grinned at her. "Okay."

After a few minutes, the pain in her stomach subsided, leaving only a mark that would never disappear. Stitch discarded the rag then looked down at the bruise on her tummy. He longed to lean down and press his lips on her wound, but he felt that would be too uncomfortable to both he and Lilo. Instead he rubbed it for a bit then pulled down her shirt.

Lilo's eyes gently fell and she succumbed to the need of sleep. Stitch arranged her in a more cozier way then brought the sheet over her. He smiled at her before turning to retire to bed as well. He slid onto his enlarged cot, staring at the sleeping form of Lilo before allowing the need for sleep to swathe him.