I do not own Lilo and Stitch.

Bonding

Nani's patience had been stretched rather thin since the alien additions to her family, and although she had quickly grown fond of them, they often exasperated her. But she could tolerate Jumba stealing the electronic appliances for his inventions. She could even stand Pleakley borrowing her clothes, since it meant she got to borrow from his own wardrobe whenever she wanted.

Then there was Stitch.

The little blue experiment got into everything. He tore through the garbage, took bites out of the countertop, left deep gouges in the ceiling with his nails, and did a thousand other things that drove her crazy.

Nani tried to keep her cool. She knew he was trying—he really was. Watching his ears droop with guilt and shame whenever she snapped at him made her feel equally terrible. But he was still Jumba's creation. His evil creation. The naughtiness and mischievous streak would always be there, and Stitch would always struggle to fully behave.

While their relationship had some bumps to be smoothed out, they did love each other, and Nani made sure he knew that.

But that wasn't quite enough for Lilo.

She felt certain that her beloved 'ohana wasn't spending enough quality time together. Nani knew Lilo treasured her family more than anything, and Nani felt the same way. So when Lilo approached her, eyes bright with excitement, and declared that she and Stitch should have a bonding day, Nani found herself agreeing.

While Lilo spent the day with her alien aunt and uncle, Nani would take Stitch to work with her.

As the blue experiment lounged on the shelf holding the flippers, Nani tended to the customers. Every once in a while, Nani shifted her gaze to ensure he wasn't messing with the products. But Stitch stayed in place, fidgeting and kicking his feet, determined to behave and not cause Nani any trouble.

"Bored!" Stitch whined. He peered at Nani with hopeful black eyes. "Stitch help?"

"No, I think I got it," said Nani quickly. "It's slow today, anyway."

Stitch's chin dipped, disappointment filling his gaze. Nani glanced at her watch and said, "I'm on break in ten minutes. We can go do something fun, if you'd like."

Stitch perked up instantly. "Ih! Let's have fun!"

Ten minutes later, to the second, Stitch grabbed Nani's hand and pulled her out of the rental shack. Smiling at his enthusiasm, she asked, "What do you want to do?"

Stitch jumped up and down. "Bungee jumping!"

"Er…how about something else?"

"Parasailing?"

Nani shook her head. "I don't think we have time for that."

"Surfing?"

Nani hesitated. "You can't swim."

"Nani can."

Stitch pulled on her fingers, his puffy tail wagging eagerly, and Nani relented. "Okay. Just keep a good grip on the board, all right?"

"Okie-taka!"

Nani popped back into the shack to borrow a surfboard. She carried it over to the shoreline, the ocean rolling over the sand and lapping at her toes. Stitch promptly climbed onto the board and Nani eased it into the water. Soon they were paddling out towards the waves, where other surfers were dotted against the bright blue curls.

She caught a medium-sized wave, her skin seeming to absorb the splash of water and salty breeze. She closed her eyes, contentment washing over her, and she raised her arms into the air with a joyful whoop.

Stitch copied her actions, and when they slowed to a stop in the flat water, he clapped his hands. "Again!"

Nani laughed. "All right. We've got a few more minutes to surf. But then we have to get back to work."

Stitch pouted. "Nani skip work."

"I wish. But I gotta make money to support my family."

Stitch peered up at her. "Nani do good," he said softly. "Works hard for 'ohana. Takka."

Nani found herself blinking back tears. "Thank you for saying that, Stitch. But I'm not the only one who works hard. I couldn't do it if I didn't have all of you to help look after Lilo."

"We love Lilo," said Stitch happily. "We love Nani."

Yes, Stitch could be destructive. But he was also incredibly sweet and caring, and Nani resolved to try and remember that the next time he ate her toothbrush.

"I love you too, Stitch," she said, petting his head, and Stitch beamed at her.

"More waves?"

Nani winked. "I think we can squeeze a few more in."

The surf was starting to get rough, but it was far from the worst Nani had handled. But the same could not be said for the other surfers sharing the waves. As they were riding the barrel, a teen, unable to control his board in the harsh wave, wiped out and collided with Nani and Stitch.

Nani struck the lukewarm water hard. Body stinging from the impact, she spluttered to the surface. "I'm sorry!" the teen cried, swimming over to her. "Are you okay?"

"Stitch!" Nani said urgently. "My dog! Did you see my dog?"

"I—no, I'm sorry, but I didn't—"

Nani ignored him and immediately plunged below the surface, panic bubbling in her chest. Her blurred vision caught sight of a dark blue blob slowly sinking into the ocean's depths. She swam towards Stitch, grabbing him by the waist and hauling him to the surface.

"Stitch!" gasped Nani. "Stitch, can you hear me?"

Stitch did not respond. His body was limp in her arms, his head lolling to the side. Nani dragged him to the sand, her eyes beginning to burn from frantic tears rather than the saltwater. She placed Stitch gently against the sand and pressed her ear against his chest. His heartbeat was steady, but he was still unconscious.

"Stitch, please wake up!" she pleaded.

I can't lose him I can't lose more family please let him be okay—

Before she could try CPR, Stitch coughed, water spurting out of his mouth. He sat up with a soft groan. "Nani?"

"You're okay!" Nani soothed, stroking his wet fur, a relieved laugh bubbling out of her. "Everything's fine."

Stitch took a few gulping breaths. "Nani okay?" he asked worriedly.

"I'm fine." She ran her thumb over his nose, feeling it twitch beneath her touch. "I'm sorry, Stitch. I should have been more responsible. I should have given you a lifejacket."

Stitch shook his head hard. "Naga. Stitch okay. Nani great surfer. Others are choota."

He crawled into her lap and Nani pulled him close, tucking her chin against the top of his head. "Next time, lifejacket," she said firmly. "You scared me, you hairy blue dork."

"Stitch fluffy!"

"Tell that to the shower drain," teased Nani. She stood up and peered out at the ocean, wrinkling her nose when she realized the borrowed surfboard was no longer within sight. "Looks like I'm going surfboard hunting after my shift."

"Meega help," Stitch insisted, pulling on the hem of her soaked T-shirt.

"Thanks. I'm going to need it." She peeked at her waterproof watch. "We better get back. I've gotta change."

Stitch tilted his head. "Change?"

Nani grinned at him. "You think this is the first time I've used my break to go surfing? I always bring a change of clothes with me. When the surf calls you, sometimes you gotta answer."

...

It was late by the time Nani and Stitch made it home, their surfboard search and rescue a success. Nani had just climbed out of the Jeep when her six-year-old sister shot out of the front door and tore down the steps.

"I had so much fun!" Lilo said with glee, enveloping Stitch in a hug and looking up at Nani. "Did you guys have fun?"

Nani smiled fondly at her little sister. "We did. Hey, I have an idea. Why don't we order a pizza and have a movie night?"

"Yay!"

Lilo and Stitch each grabbed one of Nani's hands and dragged her up to the house, excitedly talking about possible pizza toppings. Nani regarded them, and then at Jumba and Pleakley, who had come to wait for them on the porch, their eyes filled with adoration, and Nani's heart swelled with an intense love.

A strange family, but I wouldn't change it for anything.