I can't believe that I have been SO inactive with this story.
I should be shot!

Chapter 23: I have to let you know how I feel...

Cosmo

I stood at the front door, leaning against the frame and staring at Rhanee. She was looking up at the pinky-red coloured sky and her ears and the tuft of fur on her head blew gently in the breeze.

She was so beautiful.

Wincing slightly, I made my way towards her and stood on the step.

She looked up at me. "Hey." She smiled

"Hey..." I grinned at her as I sat down beside her. "Are ya ok?"

She smiled. "Yeah, I'm fine. Are you ok? I'm more concerned about you. Everyone is."

I slumped my shoulders. "I know. It feels weird to have so many people ask how I'm feelin'. I finally got away from Jumba. He was determined to keep me in his lab under surveillance. I know he's just trying to patch me up and all, but I needed to...talk to ya."

Rhanee looked at me, her eyes staring into mine, and I felt the nervousness rising in my chest.

"I thought you were dead. After you fell...I thought my life would never be the same again. I felt like part of me had been ripped out of my body. I felt like I'd never smile again..."

I looked down at my feet. Wow. I didn't know she felt that way. Maybe she...Maybe she felt the same way I did.

"I'm sorry." I muttered. "I didn't mean for any of dat to happen. I just didn't want ya to get hurt. If anytin' happened to ya...I'd never forgive myself." I glanced up at her shyly.

She smiled at me, but said nothing.

I looked up at the sky, trying to figure out how to say what was on my mind. I'd never been good with words...unless they were insults. But this time, they weren't insults.

"Rhanee..."

She looked at me.

"Ya...ya know back in Hasterviel's ship how I wanted to tell ya sometin' important?"

"Yeah..." She nodded slowly.

"Well...What I told ya wasn't...wasn't exactly true." I scratched the back of my head nervously.

I felt Rhanee looking at me but I couldn't look at her. I was too scared.

Damn this cowardice!

"Da only ting dat was true was dat I've wanted to tell ya for a while now. If I wasn't such a coward, I'd probably have already told ya..."

Rhanee put her hand on mine. "You're not a coward! You fought Leroy to protect us." She smiled at me. "I don't call that being a coward. You're braver then you give yourself credit for."

I grinned. "Dat was actually a spur of da moment ting." I joked.

Rhanee raised an eyebrow at me, but laughed. Her laughter made me feel all warm inside, and I realised that I was staring at her with a gooney grin on my face, and I quickly looked down at my feet. There were a few minutes of silence before I spoke again. "How come ya always make me feel happy?"

"Huh?" Rhanee looked at me, slightly confused.

I ran a hand down my face. "I...I dunno." I could feel myself going red under my fur. "It's just dat...Whenever I'm wiv ya, I feel really, really happy. Even if I don't show it. I feel like...like..."

"Like your hearts beating at a million miles an hour?"

I stared at her. "...Yeah. How did ya know?"

She smiled, and I saw her cheeks redden under her fur. "Because mines doing it right now." She reached out and took my hand in hers before gently holding it to her chest

I smiled shyly as I felt her heartbeat, and I knew that I had to tell her now! I had to tell her how I felt! She had to know!

"Rhanee, I...I..." My tongue wouldn't form the words in my mouth, and my confidence was quickly disappearing. "Ya need to know dat I...I..." I frowned in frustration. "Why is dis so hard! Why can't I just say it!" I put my head in my hands and sighed. I never knew that those three little words would be so hard to say...yet, I never thought I'd ever be saying them. "Wait! I have an idea. If I can't say it, maybe I can show ya. I just need ya to...close ya eyes..."

Rhanee watched me for a second before doing what I asked, and I nervously slid closer to her. My heart felt like it had leapt into my throat and was beating like crazy. I swallowed nervously before slowly leaning forward. I don't think I'd ever been this close to her before. My nose was only centimetres from hers. I tilted my head to the side and closed my eyes, hoping that Rhanee didn't open hers. I didn't want her to see how stupid I probably looked.

My heart beating like crazy in my chest, I continued leaning forward until I felt my lips gently press against hers.

Shivers ran down my spine, and I could feel my spines slowly popping out, but I ignored them.

I felt Rhanee stiffen suddenly, and was about to pull away from her, when I felt her fingers link with mine, and I inwardly ginned.

I held the kiss for a few more seconds before pulling back and looking at her. "I love you..."I whispered shyly, blushing madly under my fur. "I've been wantin' to tell ya for ages..."

Rhanee beamed, and wrapped her arms around me. "I love you too..." She whispered, nuzzling me.

"About time!"

I jumped out of my skin and turned towards the doorway to see Lilo, Pleakley, Stitch, Jumba, and Gravy watching us.

Oh, great. Isn't it nice to have an audience?

"Da one time I wanted some privacy, I have people watchin' me!" I couldn't help smiling.

Jumba grinned down at me. "So, 631 is finally showing his true feelings for 399. Was taking long enough, eh?

I rolled my eyes. "Instead of replyin' wiv some sarcastic smarty pants comment, I'm gonna say yes to dat."

Stitch grinned at us. "Cousin Buchee-Bu!" he clapped his hands happily.

Rhanee grinned at me and I wiggled my eyebrows, making her laugh.

"Cosmo..."

My ears pricked up and I looked over at Lilo. "Yeah?"

"Umm...We're just wondering...Now that you are Rhanee are together...Will you still be staying with us?"
I stared at her in surprise at her question. Yeah..." I answered slowly. "Unless...ya want us to go?"

"NO!" Lilo ran forward and hugged us both, making me wince. "I want you to stay here with us!"

I laughed, and looked up at Jumba. He had a huge smile on his face. After Lilo let me go, I walked over to him, and he bent down to my height.

"Am very proud of you, 631."

I tilted my head. "Uh, why?"

"For everything you have done. And you are proving that you are truly a Good Experiment from the start! Jumba was right...and deep down...was always believing that." He ruffled my hair, grinning.

That wasn't a lot of words, but I knew that what Jumba had just said had come from the heart, and I felt tears welling up in my eyes. "Tanks Jumba..." I choked out, wiping my eyes.

Pleakley stared down at me. "Cosmo, are you...Crying!"

"No!" I lied. "I just...I'm allergic to Jumba's words."

He looked at me sceptically.

"Alright, fine! Yes, I'm cryin'! What Jumba said touched me, ok!" I grabbed my ear and rubbed at my eyes madly. "No big deal!"

Before I knew it, I was in the centre of a group hug. I wasn't one for hugs and stuff like that, but I couldn't help grinning. "OK, ok. I got sometin' to say before I start to tear up again." I cleared my throat. "I know dat ever since I've been activated, I've been a bit of a pain in the keister..."

Jumba scoffed. "A bit!"

I grinned. "And everyone's had to put up wiv it, so I'm gonna try and give a little bit back as my way of sayin' 'Tanks'." I turned to Jumba. "Jumba. I am now your Official Torment Buddy. I tink we can Tag Team with tormenting Pleakley."

Pleakley sighed. "Oh, great."

I chuckled. "But, only now an' den." I turned to Pleakley. The skinny alien looked down at me, eyebrow raised and a surprised look on his face. "From now on, I will try and stop callin ya 'Pleakers'. I know ya hate it. I'll try and call ya by your proper name."

Pleakley sniffed. "Thank you, Cosmo." He wiped at his eye.

I raised an eyebrow. I didn't think that calling him 'Pleakley' was such a big deal.

Apparently I was wrong.

"Now, Lilo." I scratched my head, wondering what I could do for her, and I grinned as an idea popped into my head. "Lilo. As part of dis Ohana, I'm goin' to take up da role of your dog, and your Cousin. So when dat annoyin' little Red-Head starts pickin' on ya, I can help ya out."

Lilo smiled, and exchanged a huge grin with Stitch, who's eyes narrowed, and a cheeky look spread across his face. "Agata, meekatoo pon da cheeky..."

Jumba chuckled. "Am having to agree with 626. Little Red-Head would be making very good lawn ornament..."

Pleakley glared at him. "Hey! Don't be giving Cosmo ideas. Knowing you, you'd somehow talk him into doing something that involves Mertle."

"Actually, he wouldn't have to talk me into anytin'." I piped up. "I'd do it of my own free will."

"But she is being hurtful to Little Girl! She is deserving to have something done to her!"

"I know what she does to Lilo, but that doesn't mean you can go and...and tie Fire Crackers to her or anything! Her mother would not approve of that!"

Jumba scoffed and rolled his eyes, muttering something under his breath.

Pleakley glared at him again. "Dont you mutter at me, Jumba! I know how much she fancies you!"

"And you are knowing how embarrassing that is." Jumba muttered, blushing madly. "And now you have told everyone."

I grinned evilly. "Aah, so Jumba has a little special someone in his life, eh?"

My creator frowned. "Am showing no interest in the Edmunds Woman, 631."

"Sure ya aren't." I made kissy sounds, and pretended to hug an invisible lady.

Jumba stepped down to my level, his eyes narrowed. "Am suggesting you are stopping that, 631, before Jumba is finding some Evil Genius way of preventing you from kissing 399."

His voice held a faint hint of sarcasm, but I decided not to push it.

Isn't it great how people can threaten you?

Pleakley chuckled, and I looked up at him. "What's funny?"
"Nothing."
I furrowed an eyebrow. "C'mon, Noodle-Boy. You're chuckling at sometin'. What is it?"
"Nothing's funny. It's just that some of us always thought that you and Rhanee would make a perfect pair, but we never thought there'd be a day when you actually became one...If that makes sense."
I shrugged, which resulted in me wincing. "I guess it does." I muttered to no one in particular before turning to Jumba. "I think that painkiller stuff is wearing off."
Gravy tilted his head. "That's bad, right?"
Jumba stepped forward. "Somewhat, yes. 631 is having high tolerance for pain, but with the amount of injuries he sustained from Leroy, am not wanting him to be pushed over his limit." He scooped me up in his large hands and turned in the direction of his Lab. "631 will be undergoing more pain treatment. Will be back later tonight."

As we made our way towards the path, I turned to wave to Rhanee, only to see that she was following us. Grinning, I held my good arm out to her, and she jumped up and grabbed hold of my hand, letting me pull her up.
She snuggled down next to me. "I just thought I'd come along. In case I need to hold your hand." She smiled at me.
I grinned at her and wrapped my arm around her, pulling her close, and resting my head on hers.
As she cuddled into my side, I suddenly felt complete. Like I'd found a missing piece of me. It felt wonderful, and I inwardly made a promise to myself - That I'd always be there for Rhanee. To love her. To protect her. To give her someone to talk to. To be the best person I can be.

I was pulled out of my thoughts as Jumba placed me on the examination table, and I watched as he pulled a syringe out of a small case. "Dis is da part where I go all groggy, and don't know what I'm sayin'. So if I say anytin' stupid, don't pay any attention to it."
"399 won't be staying, 631. Last time I gave you this, you fired out reams of insults. Ones that were not being very nice at all."
My ears drooped, but I didn't say anything.
Rhanee shrugged, and punched me playfully on the shoulder before climbing down the table to the floor "Guess I'll see ya later." She waved, before disappearing out the door.

I sighed, pouting. I didn't want Rhanee to go, but if I was going to fire out a stream of insults, I guess it'd be better if she wasn't here. At this point in time, I did not want to say something I would seriously regret.

"Now, you will be needing several more treatments to stop the pain and any infection." Jumba turned towards me, holding the syringe in front of his face, and taping it with a finger.
I stared at him. "Infection! No one said anytin' about any infection!"

"Am not saying there is infection. Is just a precaution, 631." He moved towards me, and I held out my arm, allowing him to ruin my fur with one of those annoying alcohol wipes.
I hate those things.

They make the needle hurt more. Stupid waste of time even inventing them.

Jumba tapped the needle again, and I shivered.
Why is it that I have this high tolerance for pain, but I freaking despise getting needles!
"This may be-"
I glared at him. "I swear, if ya say 'Dis may hurt a bit', I will seriously fill Pleakey's bed wiv spiders, and you can deal wiv him screamin' and chuckin' a fit, and tryin' to climb into your bed!"

There was a moment silence where Jumba stared at me, dumbfounded. "...Ah, well...I wasn't going to say that. Am not even giving you injection and you are already getting cranky."

"Shut up and give me da needle. I wanna get it over and done wiv!" I flattened my ears against my head, glaring at the far wall.

Suddenly, my arm surged with pain, and my eyes shot open in shock. I instantly went to pull my arm away, but Jumba had it in a tight grip, a frown of concentration etched on his face.
Apart from the pain, I don't know why I go to move my arm. Jumba always has it in a death grip. And I should know from the previous time that it hurts like hell. Apparently it's the serum that makes me burn.
"Jumba, ya kow dat I really hate ya." My words were slow and slurred, and I could feel my muscles starting to relax. "Really. Alot."
Jumba nodded, not really fazed by my insult. He acted as though he didn't ever hear it.
"Don't...Don't ignore me." My eyes started to droop, and I dropped to my knees as a wave of nausea rushed over me. "I don't...feel dat good."

"Is just the serum, 631."

"It weren't dis bad...last time, ya big oaf!" My eyelids got heavier, and everything was starting to fade. I could feel slight panic welling up inside me. This nausea feeling didn't happen the last time.

"Are you being ok, 631?" Jumba's voice had a tone of slight concern, and it made me panic more. If Jumba was concerned, then something must be wrong!
I swallowed the panic what was rising in my throat. "Jumba, if dere's sometin' wrong, fix it now!" I felt my body collapse onto the table, causing Jumba to spin around.
As his eyes landed on me, they widened, and he yanked open one of the cupboard doors and pulled a vial of lime green liquid out.
A shiver ran through my body, and my eyes started to close. Every time I tried opening them, my vision became fuzzy, and the last thing I saw was Jumba running towards me, another syringe in his hand.

Honestly, I'm seriously shocked at how inactive I've been -.-
If there are still any readers, I apologize for my lack of progress.