A/N - I don't normally put these at the front. I just wanted to apologize for how long this took to come out. I quit my job and then went on vacation, then got a new job. Then I got sick and now my fiance, who edits all the stories is sick. So everyone please give a huge thank you to Calli for editing this despite not feeling well. That said, please enjoy.
"Takka for coming out with meega." Spectrum said as she and Stitch walked once again through the forest. "Meega hope meega naga take youga away from anything important."
"Naga worry." Stitch assured her, holding a branch up to let her duck under. "It'll be good to be out again. Reuben and Angel deserve some alone time with the kids."
Spectrum had only stopped by the house to see how Stitch was doing. When he answered the door, she couldn't help but smile, seeing he was finally okay. He was actually the one to offer they go out to help her with her abilities again. At first she declined, knowing Stitch would still need some rest. However, Stitch wouldn't hear of it and insisted.
"Beside…" He continued. "Meega heard you did a lot for me. I need to thank youga properly. Lilo told me you stayed for a long time, meega sorry I didn't wake up in time to say goodbye."
"Naga. Isa nothing."
Spectrum did her best to hide her blush, thankfully she was behind him so he couldn't see her face. She had been worried since the moment she left. Truly, she wanted to wait, but she needed to be there for Sara. It was quickly made apparent how different Stitch was now that he was feeling better. He moved much more quickly, and his voice no longer sounded strained. It didn't even occur to her that they had already passed the spot she practiced at last time. Marked beautifully by the multicolored foliage, and the still half invisible tree. Instead of really thinking, she just enjoyed her time with Stitch, unable to keep her eyes off of him, but there was still the voice in the back of her head. What had happened to him? Should I ask, or should I leave it alone? Why was only Lilo able to fix it?
Letting her curiosity get the best of her, Spectrum decided to ask. "So… can meega ask gaba happened to youga?" She saw Stitch flinch, and wondered if she should have just kept it to herself. "Soka."
"Naga." Stitch looked back and gave her a comforting smile. "Meega just had something happened that made me really weak. Naga big deal."
"Isa seemed pretty butifa deal to meega."
"…but meega better now."
"Because of Lilo?" Stitch nodded his head, pushing some rocks out of their way. "Gaba Lilo do?"
Stitch wasn't able to answer that. As things stood they still had to keep their relationship a secret. Thankfully, he wouldn't need to answer. "Weega here." He announced, letting Spectrum past him.
She walked out onto the clearing. Stitch had led her downstream from where he had helped Lilo practice her very own abilities. It wasn't as open, and it was missing a waterfall, but they wouldn't need as much room. All they needed was the isolation, and some water. No fast movement practice, no heavy lifting, just the cool stream and the rocks and trees around them. The one down side was the hot sun that beat onto their heads, but even that was necessary. Spectrum much preferred the shaded forest to the open waterway, but figured Stitch had a reason for bringing them here.
"Lilo told me youga been practicing." Stitch told her. "Meega thought today would be a good day to work with water."
Lilo was surprised that almost immediately after class had been dismissed, Myrtle had approached her in the changing area. To her even greater surprise, she had asked if they could talk alone. Shrugging, Victoria went off to wait for her friend. Before Lilo even had a chance to say anything, her long time former rival got straight to the point.
"What made Stitch sick?" She said, a little too abrasively.
"U-uh…It was nothing too serious." Lilo admitted, amazed that Myrtle would ask about Stitch.
"So then I don't have to worry about Gigi getting sick?"
Myrtle's compassion was touching. If there was one thing she cared about, it would always be her friends. Lilo could tell that that wasn't the only thing she was worried about. It seemed that despite everything she's said, even she cared a little bit about Stitch.
"If I didn't know any better, I'd say you're actually worried about him."
"Shut up." Myrtle shot at her, crossing her arms in a huff. She tried her best not to look Lilo in the eye. "I'm just really worried about Gigi. Your dog is secondary."
"Don't worry." Lilo swung her bag over her shoulder, carrying with her a knowing smile. "Gigi will be fine. It was something that can only affect us and a few other cousins."
"It better be." With her worries calmed, Myrtle let Lilo go. She was happy to know that Gigi would be okay. Ultimately, she was still happy to have her as a friend. She had no choice but admit what she had done to Monochrome. At first, Gigi was extremely upset and scolded her. It took some time, but eventually she earned her friend's forgiveness. In the end, Gigi was happy that Myrtle had done the right thing, and that she was starting to be friends with Lilo. Something started nagging in the back of Myrtle's mind though. "What do you mean 'us?'"
Lilo stopped in her tracks. She had almost made it out of the changing area, almost made it to freedom. "Did I say 'us?'" Good job, Lilo. Years of keeping this a secret and you might blow it with a slip up in words.
"Yeah. How could something that makes the… cousins sick affect you? Gigi said that they aren't affected by our illnesses, and we can't be affected by theirs."
"That is right! It was just a slip of the tongue." Lilo chuckled. Her nervousness was obvious, and Myrtle wasn't buying it. "Really, Myrtle. I just messed up." A raised eyebrow from the girl told her that her lie wasn't going anywhere, and she wasn't able to come up with any other excuse. "I need to get going. I'll talk to you later."
Quickly, she ran through the door, grabbing Victoria and dragging her away.
Still as weird as ever. Myrtle thought as she watched Lilo and Victoria run off. Very suspicious. Maybe Gigi will know something about that.
Stitch ran forward as fast as he could. Once he got a good pace, he jumped and started to skid on his feet through the water. He was starting to feel cold, and his fur was completely matted down. Before he started, Stitch knew it would take many attempts, but he wasn't going to give up. The water that flew off into the air reflected the sun's rays, forming a rainbow right above Spectrum. She watched the pretty colours shimmering in the sky above and concentrated. Reaching up, she felt like she could touch the refracted light, and the moment her hand got near it, the colours became more vibrant.
She slowly brought her hand down, bringing the colours along with it. They slowly formed an orb of colour, glimmering like a polished gem. I'm doing it! Attempt after attempt had been completely unfruitful. Barely able to keep her excitement in check, she watched the beautiful glow of her rainbow coat the area around them in colours. It was completely amazing, and Stitch watched from a distance as she explored her ability over coloured waves.
They were by no means safe. Only Spectrum, who was immune to harmful electromagnetic waves, would be able to be near such a strong concentration. It didn't change how pretty it was, and Stitch smiled at the happy look on her face. He had decided that doing this would be a good change of pace. Because Spectrum had barely seen what she could do, she never saw the beauty her powers could create. It was only a theory, but it seemed to be true. Reflected light rays still fell within a spectrum, one that she had control over. Spectrum was almost like a walking prism, able to create magnificent things on her very own.
Soon, the light began to fade, and Spectrum fell back, only to be caught by Stitch.
"How meega do?" She asked weakly.
"Butifa. You did great. Meega told you, you could do it."
She nodded her head, happy to have his support. To hold such powerful beauty in her hands did wonders for her self-image. Changing colours of things was great, however she always had the inkling of a doubt that she would accidentally change something too much, radiate it like she did that rock. However this was completely new. It reassured her that she could do amazing things, and it finally gave her confidence in herself.
"Meega… fooboo." She said smiling.
"Come on." Stitch lifted her up, supporting her weak body. Using her powers to such an extent drained her, but she wouldn't change what she had done for the world. "Let's get youga home so you can rest."
The entire walk home was a delight for Spectrum. She dreaded the moment she was able to walk on her own, wanting to feel the support of Stitch just a little longer. His company was just as welcomed though, and she was just overly thankful that he would help her like he had. When they arrived at her home, they found Sara was sitting on the front steps waiting for Spectrum. It seemed her father hadn't returned from work just yet.
At the sight of Spectrum the young tan girl ran to her friend, her short black pig tails bobbing as she moved. The hug was relieving and warm. She may be nine years old now, but she was still the little girl Spectrum had met years ago. An empty house was her biggest fear, and whenever she made it home with no one there, she instantly became worried.
"Where were you?" Her high voice squeaked.
"Soka, sweetie." Spectrum held Sara tight, changing her fur to the colour of sea foam, the girl's favorite. "Stitch here was helping meega with something. Meega got home as soon as meega could."
"Stitch?" Sara looked over Spectrum's companion, slightly confused for a moment. "It is you! You look different…. Taller."
Stitch chuckled at her comment. "Youga do too." He said as he rubbed the top of her head, gaining a big smile from her.
"Wait." She began looking around desperately. "Is Lilo here too? I haven't seen her in so long!" Not seeing her, she looked to Stitch and saw the sad look on his face. "Where is she? Is she okay?"
"She's fine." Stitch said as he changed back to his smile. "Meega not with her right now."
"Why not?"
The girl's curiosity was rather astounding. It reminded Stitch so much of Lilo when she was Sara's age. He hesitated for a moment on how to answer. He couldn't say what had really happened, not all of it anyway. "Meega did something Nani doesn't like. Meega and Lilo can't see each other, and I'm naga allowed home for a little bit."
Sara was too young, but Spectrum could hear the great pain behind Stitch's words. She really did wonder what it was that had happened. She didn't even question why he wasn't at home anymore. All she had cared about was making sure he was okay and spending some time with him while she could.
"Do you need a place to stay?" The young girl asked, to the shock of both Spectrum and Stitch. "We have some room. I'm sure daddy wouldn't mind. You wouldn't mind, would you Specy?"
"N-naga. M-meega naga mind."
"Taka." Stitch said, genuinely happy to have such a caring family. "Meega already have a place to stay."
"Are you sure?" Stitch nodded, and while Sara was a little sad he wouldn't be staying with them, she was happy he had somewhere to stay. "It's still sad you and Lilo can't see each other. If only you had your own place like we do."
Our own place? The thought hadn't crossed Stitch's mind before. At least not in this situation. He had dreamt of when they lived in their own place in the future, but not as they were now. What if….?
"Meega have to go." Stitch said suddenly, suddenly filled with energy and excitement.
"So soon?" Spectrum didn't want to see him leave already. She could tell something had changed in him though.
"Ih. Meega have an idea. Taka, Sara."
Before they had a chance to ask, he had already started running off.
"What did I say?" Sara asked as she looked to Spectrum. Neither of them knew what his idea was, or what had brought it on. They just hoped he would be happy in the end.
"Lilo!" Victoria called as she was getting dragged. "Lilo! I can't go this fast."
Lilo slowed down, not realizing how fast she was actually running. "Sorry." She said as she let go of her friends hand, watching her rub her arm. In an effort to get away from Myrtle, she ended up moving a little too fast.
"It's okay." Victoria smiled. "I'm okay." She shook out her arm showing she wasn't actually hurt or anything. "Did something happen with Myrtle? Is she already causing problems? Ugh. I knew it was too good to be true."
"No, no, no. It's nothing like that." Lilo chuckled. "I just messed up. Almost let it out that me and Stitch are…together…"
"Oh… You've been really good about that so far."
"I know. I guess it's just all this stuff that's happening." Lilo slumped against a nearby tree, falling to the ground. "I really do need to be more careful. We don't need more problems."
"What kind of problems?" A voice suddenly said, startling the two, almost making Victoria jump in the air. "Anything I can help with?"
Daniel had walked up behind them, completely unnoticed. The only thing he had heard was the last thing Lilo had said, and it made him worried. He hadn't spoken to her since she had brushed him off the day before, and had been worried he was the one that had upset her.
"Don't do that!" Victoria punched him in the arm lightly. She absolutely hated being scared like that. Horror movies were one thing, she could handle those, but people walking up on her was another.
"Sorry." The boy laughed. He looked down to Lilo. She seemed to be a lot better than she was the day before, but she still wasn't as happy and bright as she usually was. I hope I didn't cause this. He got down on one knee, rubbing his hand through his hair out of nervousness. "Hey, Lilo. I'm sorry about the other day. I really hope I didn't upset you, I wasn't trying to or anything."
"You didn't." She said much to his relief. "This is about something else… I can't really talk about it."
There was a slight silence for a moment, but Daniel understood that it would be best not to press any further. He made that mistake once, and wasn't willing to do it again. With that out of the way, Victoria told him that they were just going to meet up with Keoni and asked if he wanted to join them. He was more than happy to join, but asked Lilo if it would be okay first. She agreed, and the three headed off together, ready to enjoy the last bit of their summer vacation.
