Lilo held onto Stitch with all her heart. Thoughts of the moment she lost him years ago rushed to her. Back then she didn't notice how much Stitch needed her, and it did kill him, for a moment. Love brought him back though. Love can conquer anything. Isn't that right, Stitch?

She hadn't noticed that Nani called Reuben into the room. Angel and Spectrum, joined by Ava and Monty, saw Stitch lying still through the opened door and began fearing the worst. Their sandwich making cousin was no doctor, but he was in a far better state to check on Stitch than Lilo. Gently moving the sobbing Lilo to the side, he began looking over Stitch.

During his time as Gantu's Galley Officer, he had to look over many fallen comrades. No matter how many times he did it, it never got easier. He didn't know how Gantu managed to still be out there fighting, but he couldn't handle it anymore. By no means was their job glamorous, but he would have gone from one end of the galaxy and back an infinite amount of times for his best buddy. It was Gantu's idea to send Reuben back to Earth. He may be one of the strongest and most dangerous creatures in all the galaxy, but he was not a fighter at heart.

"How is he?" Nani asked, feeling guilty but still concerned.

"Not good." Reuben said, shaking his head. "He's not responding to anything, and I can't feel anything resembling a pulse."

Lilo clutched at her heart. She couldn't believe that Stitch would be gone. The idea of him no longer being in her life was impossible. It left a sinking feeling in her stomach, and she wished it was all just a bad dream. A feeling suddenly came over Lilo. A warmth that began at her ring and slowly filled her body. The familiar sensation of being connected to Stitch took over again. He's alive?

"He's alive!" Lilo shouted, a smile already beginning to grow on her face.

"What?" Nani asked, confused. "How do you know?"

"I can feel it." She said, quickly grabbing onto Stitch's hand, hoping that by some miracle her presence would help him recover more.

"She's right!" Reuben was amazed. "His pulse is back. It's weak, but it's back. It must have taken some time for his body to recover after you put your ring back on."

"So he's going to be okay?" Nani asked, relief washing over her.

"He's gonna be fine. It may take some time for him to get fully better, but once he's awake and we get some sandwiches in him, he'll be fit as a fiddle."

"Then we should be able to get going."

"What?" Lilo looked to her sister, unable to believe what she had just heard.

"No can do, sister." Reuben interrupted. "Right now his connection to Lilo's the only thing keeping him going. She's gonna have to stay here for a while at least."

"Okay." Nani said, giving in. "But once he's okay, I expect you home immediately, Lilo. I need to get to work before Mr. Jameson fires me."

Nani was about to open the door when her sister's voice stopped her. "Stitch can come back home now, right?"

Nani looked to the floor and sighed. "No, Lilo. He can't yet."

"Why not? Haven't we been through enough? Can't you accept our love?"

Nani twitched at the word 'love.' It still wasn't something she could just accept. "It's not just that, Lilo. Clearly you two don't feel like you can trust me." She turned to see Lilo still holding Stitch defiantly. Reuben backed away, not wanting to be caught in the middle of their fight. "Because you two didn't tell me, Stitch almost died. Do you think I wanted that on my conscience?"

"I didn't think you'd be-"

"What I would have believed or not isn't the problem." Nani interrupted, starting to raise her voice. "The problem is that it's clear you two don't think you can trust me, so now I can't trust you either. I still think it'd be best for you two to spend some time apart. We'll see if he can come back sometime later."

Nani turned back to the door.

"When's later?" Lilo asked. She was unable to say anything. Nani wasn't wrong after all. They should have been truthful from the beginning. She didn't know if trust was the issue, or if it was just fear in general. Either way, she had no comeback or argument to be made.

Nani paused at Lilo's question. However, she did not answer. "I'll see you at home tonight." With that, she opened the door and left.

Despite knowing Stitch was going to be okay, Lilo couldn't help but let a few tears fall still. She hated being a part from him. The last week alone was torture, she couldn't begin to imagine what it'll be like to not see him for even longer. She could feel Reuben's hand on her back, but it did little to help the empty feeling inside.

Soon, the others were allowed in and Angel instantly gave Lilo a hug.

"I'm sorry." She whispered to her closest friend.

"You heard?" Lilo asked, returning the hug with her free arm, not risking letting go of Stitch's hand. Angel nodded, thankfully Ava, Monty, and Spectrum didn't have the hearing that she, Reuben, Stitch, and Angel had. Their secret would still be safe until they were ready to let it out. "It'll be okay. I'm just glad he had you guys to take care of him. I don't know what I would have done without you."

"It wasn't just us, kiddo." Reuben announced, picking up Monty and Ava to let them on the bed. They wanted to be close to Stitch, each taking a finger into their hand. "If Spec here didn't show up when she did… I don't even want to think about what would have happened."

"Spec?"

"H-hi." Out from behind Reuben, Spectrum emerged. She gave Lilo a wave while she took a place beside her. Every so often her eyes darted to his now sleeping form.

"Don't worry, he'll be fine now." Lilo saw a smile grow on the experiments face. "Thank you for your help, I don't know how I could even tell you how much it means to me."

"N-naga. Meega naga do much." She stammered. Spectrum was always extra shy around Lilo. She admired the girls outgoing personality and in a lot of ways wanted to be more like her. Above all though, she wanted to know what had happened to Stitch. One day he seemed fine and then the next he was dying. She was also curious as to why Lilo wouldn't let go of Stitch's hand. "Um…" But she thought it best not to ask right now. "Meega just wanted to show Stitch meega get more control over meega's powers." As a display she closed her eyes and changed her fur from black, to red, to green, before finally settling back on her yellow.

"Wow! That's amazing, Spectrum. I'm so happy for you." Lilo truly was overjoyed. She knew how scared of herself Spectrum was, and always hoped she would be able to get over that fear. It was always exciting to see someone from her learn how truly special they were.

"Takka." She said while blushing, trying not to lose her current colour. "Stitch took meega out the other day to help me practice. Isa a lot of help."

"Stitch did?" Lilo looked down at Stitch and was unable to help but smile at him. That's just like you. Always looking out for others instead of taking care of yourself. She looked back to Spectrum and could see a truly happy and genuine smile from her as she stared at Stitch. Never before had she seen someone smile at him like she was. It left an odd feeling in her, and she couldn't tell what it was, but tried not to think about it. "I'm sure he'll be happy to see what you can do when he wakes up."

Everyone waited in the room while Stitch recovered. It was taking far longer than any of them hoped. Having missed their nap, Monty and Ava were put to bed. Despite their claims of not being tired, they fell asleep mere moments into a lullaby from Angel. Not once did Lilo let go of Stitch, she was able to feel her ring grow warmer and warmer as time passed, and she hoped she would never have to feel it this cool again. She didn't even want to imagine putting Stitch through all of this another time. The wait gave her a lot of time to think, and a good opportunity to talk to Spectrum who didn't leave the other side of the bed once.

Lilo finally asked Spectrum about Sara, and she instantly lit up. It was clear that the little girl, who was only around three at the time of Spectrum's activation, was the biggest joy in her life. The way she talked so proudly of her was heartwarming. Sara had lost her mom before she really got to know her, and her father had trouble being a single parent. Having to support them, he had little time to spend with his daughter. Spectrum had come at just the right time, just as Stitch had for Lilo. She really became the mother figure for the young girl and she enjoyed every minute of it. It was hard to believe that the little girl who first thought she was a puppy was now nine years old.

"It's amazing how time flies, isn't it?" Lilo said with a happy smile. She too couldn't believe how fast things had gone. It still felt like yesterday that she had first adopted Stitch.

"Ih." Spectrum agreed.

"So what made you finally decide to practice your abilities?"

Spectrum explained how she had come across Stitch in the rain. Sara was at her grandparents for the day, so she had decided to go out for a walk. The storm had surprised everyone, and before she knew it, she was caught up in the worst rain she had ever seen and got lost immediately. Being so scared, her fur changed to a deep black, making her even harder to see with the lack of sun. If Stitch hadn't have spotted her, she would have been stuck out there until the rain ended. Even more so she could have been hurt by the falling tree if he hadn't caught it for her.

"The way Stitch saved meega," she continued. "Isa inspired meega. Meega want to be brave, strong, naga scared of gaba meega isa. If Stitch can use his abilities for good, maybe meega can too. Maybe meega can do amazing things like cousins."

"I'm sure you will." Lilo wished her the best of luck. "You already have your one true place, and it's something only you can do. You're doing amazing things with Sara. But I'm still happy you're no longer afraid."

"Funny." Spectrum interjected. She looked back down to Stitch, his chest rising and dropping slowly, with a relieved smile. "Stitch said the same thing."

Hearing how Stitch had saved Spectrum from the falling tree, Lilo could feel nothing but happiness. Even after what had happened, he still risked his life for someone else. At least one good thing came out of all of this.

Soon, it was time for Spectrum to leave. Sara would be getting home from school, and she couldn't come home to an empty house. After letting her out, Reuben returned with sandwiches for the family. Lilo didn't have much of an appetite, but the twins had more than their fair share of ham and turkey. Lilo watched as the two continued to eat, having stomachs that seemed to rival Stitch's, and then began to play. It was refreshing to see the innocent toddlers running around, making up their own games, there was no way to describe it as anything but 'cute.' She hoped that if she had children, they would be just as cute and bring just as much happiness to those around them.

After a couple of more hours, Stitch's eyes finally began to flutter awake. Lilo felt it happen, more than saw. Something told her that he was finally awake and not a single part of her questioned it. The very first thing Stitch saw when his eyes adjusted, was the angelic form of Lilo over him. Immediately, he pulled her onto the bed with him, his lips meeting hers in an instant.

A collective "ew" came from Ava and Monty, who were hurriedly lead out by their parents. Angel and Reuben knew they had some catching up to do, and they were happy to leave them be.

Clearly having his strength returned, Stitch rolled around in the bed with Lilo, the two laughing like children again the whole time. Stitch hadn't seen Lilo in a week, and he was planning on making each moment up in a matter of minutes, and Lilo was happy to do the same. Tears of joy ran down their cheeks as they held each other for the first time in what felt like an eternity. Missing the feeling of their soft and passionate kisses, they treasured each and every touch, nibble, and sharp warm breath. It felt like they were continuing right where they left off when Nani had walked in on them. Through the heat of love, Stitch soon found himself on top of Lilo once again, only this time, nothing would take him away from her.

"I missed youga so much." He said as he showered her face with kisses.

"Stop that." She giggled. "It tickles."

"Never. I'll never stop."

Being the stubborn girl that she was, Lilo smiled slyly and pushed him back swiftly, pinning him down by the shoulders. Her long hair curtained on one side as she looked down at Stitch's smiling face. Leaning in, she slowly kissed him, letting her actions speak all the words she needed. The familiar sparks and jolts of their kisses returned, a feeling they didn't notice they had missed. It felt like their very first kiss all over again, filled with rediscovery. Absence truly did make the heart grow fonder. Being disconnected from each other only strengthened their bond. Not even the greatest pains or distances could tear them apart.

Stitch quickly found himself out of breath, it seemed he wasn't as healed as he had thought. Even so, he didn't break the kiss. Running his hands down Lilo's back and sides, he nibbled her bottom lip, sending shivers down her spine. Wishing it would never end, Lilo held the kiss a little longer, already feeling her lungs crave fresh air. She could tell Stitch still needed rest, so she reluctantly lifted from him, a beaming smile on her face as a soft glow was shared between them.

"Is there anything you need?" She asked as she helped him lay back down properly.

"Naga." He said while shaking his head, giving her hand a light squeeze. "All meega needs is you."

Lilo blushed at his comment, fixing her hair to try and hide her reddening face. It really was like they were young again. Each touch was new, and every word sent her heart racing. "All I need is you too."

"Am I allowed back home with youga?" Stitch asked, already having a feeling the answer would be 'no.' His fears were realized as Lilo shook her head.

She recounted to him all of what had happened. How he nearly died, and yet Nani still wouldn't allow him to come back. She told him her words, and they both agreed with what she had said.

"I know she's right." Lilo said with a huff. "But I can't just stay away from you again."

"Meega know." Stitch agreed. "Meega can't do that again. I naga want to live in a world where I can't be by your side."

"So what do we do?"

Stitch thought about a solution. Ultimately they needed to rebuild their trust with Nani. However they couldn't do that overnight. At the same time, they couldn't be apart again. Unable to find an immediate answer, he gave a long sigh.

"Youga go home." He finally said.

"But you're my home. I only want to be with you." Lilo's eyes waivered, it seemed she was already on the brink of tears again.

"Naga worry." Stitch said, kissing her forehead before resting his own against it. "Youga figure out what to do with Nani. I'll work out how weega can be together. Okay?"

"Okay." She whispered lightly, still drained from the kiss.

Once home, Lilo closed the door a little more loudly than she intended. It had taken longer for Stitch to recover than they had hoped, and she took all the time she could to be with him. It was far past curfew, but considering all that had happened, no one really cared that she was out late. The house sounded completely silent. It seemed Nani, Jumba, and Pleakley were already asleep. David was the only one still awake to greet her, watching T.V. in the dark.

"Hey, Lilo." He said from the couch, illuminated in a blue glow. "Nani told me what happened. Is Stitch…?"

"He'll be okay." Her words were a relief, but it was still an awful situation. "It was really close though."

"I'm sorry." David tried to be encouraging, but little would help the mood Lilo was in. She didn't want to come back home without him, she had to be forced away from Stitch's side.

"Don't be sorry. We know it's our fault." There wasn't much he could say to that. He asked if there was anything she needed, but all she wanted was to be alone. "I'm just going to bed, I'm really tired."

"Okay. Have a good sleep."

"You too."

Lilo silently ascended the lift, dreading the oncoming night. The warm ring on her finger gave her comfort, but she dreaded the idea of sleeping alone again. Closing her window, she looked to the clear night sky. Seeing a shooting star she quickly made a wish. Please let us be together again soon. I know we messed up, but Stitch needs me…no…I really need him.