When Lilo finally woke up later that evening, I was right by her side. She looked at me groggily and sat up rubbing her eyes, making me perk up. Jumba had gone inside to have his dinner and left me with Lilo. The rest of us already had eaten.

"Stitch...?" she asked me and in response I gripped her hand. I smiled at her, before she broke down crying and I instantly pushed her to my chest.

"I'm fine Lilo," I told her. "No be sad."

It took her a few moments to settle down. "That was so horrifying! I thought you were going to die!"

"Naga. My body is designed to withstand ziz-ziz," I picked up a tear with a claw. "Isa glad was meega, naga yuuga."

She clutched at my fur. "I don't want to go back out..."

I nodded in understanding. She was quiet for a while, so I just rubbed her back.

"Old human from store visit. Chista natanaba zek kalostlya. Stitch nasa bakoota aba loocha et Naanee taga Lilo fooboo araimi shol chabata leeda."

Lilo wiped at her eyes and looked at me. "He did? But... how did he know?"

"Saw Lilo in Jumba arms. Saw me. Asked if Leelo okeytaka," she stared at me. "Stitch... Stitch nod when ask..." I told her softly and her eyes widened.

"Was he suspicious?"

"Ih. No ill intentions. Just worry about you."

Lilo let out a sigh at hearing that. "He's never really been mean. Apart from today."

She sat up slightly and patted to her lap. I lay across her knees on my stomach and she started to stroke my back. I knew what she was going to do.

Sure enough a few seconds later I felt her put her fingers on top of my head and apply pressure. I yawned as my antennae released. After that she ran her fingers down my back and then did the same just above the dorsal sheath for my spines.

"Barumba..." I warned her.

"I know..." she replied softly as I felt my spines slide out into the cooler air of the sleeping quarters. She gently scratched around the base and I shuddered slightly as my spines went stiff.

She giggled as I stretched. Her scratches felt nice.

"You're like a cat!" she giggled and started running a finger along my left antennae. I could barely keep my eyes open and couldn't stop myself purring.

Soon after she went back to stroking her hand down my back. I was always terrified she would accidentally scratch herself on one of my spines whenever she did this, so I purposefully flattened them downwards and away from her. She knew they were poisonous.

She noticed. "Don't worry Stitch, I won't go near them."

She was a child. As much as I knew she wouldn't, I couldn't trust her.

I turned my head to the side and looked up at her as she scratched me. She smiled at me.

"You're so cute..."

"Mertle thinks I'm ugly," I told her.

She sneered at that. "You know that's not true, Stitch..." she sighed. "What do these do exactly anyway?"

I flicked my spines upwards slightly and was confirmed with a "yeah!"

"Mostly for defence if Stitch attacked from behind," I told her.

"What happens if something hit them or lands on them?"

There was a reason I'd never told her. I looked at her at that and she stared back at me. "Well?" she asked.

"Painful death," I told her softly, looking away. "Very toxic."

"Oh..." I saw her pull her hand back slightly. "Why?"

I sighed. I really didn't want her to know this, but she pushed me back and forth. "Come on Stitch, please tell me!"

"I don't think you should know, Lilo."

She pulled on my ears and I had to swat her away. "Naga."

"Pleeeeeeeease?"

She 'hmpffed' at me and I narrowed my eyes at her as she crossed her arms. I had just laid my head back down when I felt her poking my tail. I growled.

"Tell. Me."

"Naga, Lilo!"

She kept poking me. Finally I had enough and kicked her away, sitting up.

"Feecha!" I told her reluctantly and sighed, sitting up. She smiled happily, stroking my head.

"Toxins spread... cause internal hemorrhaging all over body. Skin swells, very rapidly... no stopping it, no cure."

Her face dropped slightly. "W-what do you mean by that?"

I sighed. "You know what happens to balloon when isa blown up too much?"

She thought for a moment and then her eyes widened. "It pops. Wait... you mean...?" she stared at me wide eyed and reeled back from me.

"Ih... isa why I did not want you to know."

"Oh gosh," she responded to that. She looked a bit frightened and I retracted my spines, curling away from her. It just reminded me of my past. I didn't want her to see my eyes starting to water.

I felt her get up and leave and I felt very sad. But I realised she wasn't leaving when instead she crawled around the bed and up to face the side I was lying.

I stared at her and she noticed me crying slightly.

"Oh Stitch..." she said gently, pulling me up and hugging me as tightly as she could. "I'm sorry... it's just scary to know that's what you're capable of. Let alone being electrocuted. You really are invincible compared to us."

"No, I'm not Lilo," I told her.

"I know you're not a monster Stitch..." she said to me. "It's not your fault Jumba created you with them..." I looked away from her in shame. I knew that wasn't true. She put her hand to my head and turned it back to face her.

"I love you. You're my o'hana. And I know that you'll never hurt me."

I couldn't answer her. I felt more tears building. I just took her hand into my own before sitting up and wrapping all four of my arms around her. I hugged her as tightly as I could.

She laughed slightly in surprise "Stitch!"

"Love you. Never hurt you," I said to her over her shoulder. I felt her put her hands on my back, but when I did not pull away she tapped me on the shoulder. I never wanted to let her go.

"Uh... Stitch? Is everything okay?"

I couldn't bring myself to let go. She remained still and went quiet, just gently rubbing my back in an attempt to comfort me. Eventually I felt her begin to struggle slightly and she pushed at me. I let her go.

"You're acting weird, Stitch," she told me, but she put her hand on my cheek. "Normally I'm the one all sad and clingy. Anyway... I'm hungry. What time is it?"

I just rubbed at my eyes. I took her up into my arms and carried her back inside quietly.

Later that night, Lilo sat on Nani's lap on the couch. Jumba was on his laptop but I was also curled up on his lap. Pleakley was in his and Jumba's bedroom, talking to his mother. He would be on the phone for hours, knowing him and her pressure of him finding a wife. David had gone to his parents house for dinner, so for the time being, it was just the four of us.

Lilo was chewing some popcorn. I occasionally reached across and chewed some. Each time I reached over, Jumba would scratch my ear. Lilo and I were wearing matching pyjamas that Nani had bought us recently. Nani thought it was cute and Jumba had laughed at me when he first saw them. They had spaceships and planets all over them.

Lilo was engrossed in the movie we were watching, but Nani seemed distracted. I wasn't really paying attention to the movie. I kept thinking about what had happened earlier today. Lilo ended up getting off Nani and sitting cross legged in front of the television when Nani and Jumba started to converse quietly. Jumba was sitting on the floor against the couch and Nani was on the edge of it, so they were near each other. They were talking about Lilo's dance recital.

"It's still scheduled to go ahead. The school wasn't affected by the storm," I heard her say to my father.

"Good," he responded. "626 is looking most forward to dancing with little girl."

I had my eyes closed at that point. They took it as me being asleep even though I was just resting.

"Lilo's excited too. But I think something might be bothering her."

Jumba knew what it was. I'd told him earlier that night about how Lilo was scared of punching Mertle and embarrassing us. I wondered if he would tell Nani.

He did.

"626 told me about that. She has been dealing with mean girl picking on her. More than usual. Is afraid of losing control on night and attacking her, embarrassing not only herself but 626 too."

"Stitch told you? Did she tell him?"

"Must have. 626 told me just before."

Nani sighed. "I wonder why she didn't tell me."

"She did... well, she was mentioning at least. During dinner. Remember?"

"Yeah, I do Jumba. I will give Mertle's mother a call in the morning."

Jumba grunted in response. I felt him scratch my ear again. Nani must have been watching.

"I know... this might sound a bit weird but, how do you find being a parent?"

I knew why she asked this, but Jumba didn't. I could tell he was surprised.

"A parent?" he asked.

"Yes."

I felt him shift aside the laptop. "Well... is challenging, but also very rewarding. 626 was good 'infant' as you put it. Of course, he did lot of things that upset me. Bad behaviour, but that was expected. Still is bad, like yesterday for example when he snuck into my bedroom without me knowing!" I felt him slap me gently across the back of my head and in return I bit him on the finger.

"OUCH!"

Nani laughed slightly. Jumba just growled at me and went to flick my ear but I curled up into a complete ball. He continued.

"He was good kid, regardless. Did everything I told him to do... even... even if it was over the top and was my fault," he sounded distant at that. I clutched the material of his pants.

He just put his hand over my head.

"But if one thing, he has never disappointed me. Has always made me proud."

Nani was quiet for a few moments.

"You two are so alike but so different. How come he's not a 'true' Kweltikwanian, like you?"

"626 was experiment. While he is the same species as me, his genetic traits are different because I sourced templates of other creatures to create him. I wanted to create him to be strong, intelligent and superior. He is the pinnacle of my years of genetic research and I, as you say, poured a lot of blood, sweat and tears into creating him."

Nani had gone quiet. I knew she was likely staring at me. She jumped slightly when I opened my eyes and looked directly at her, but she didn't say anything.

"He's perfect, Jumba," Nani said shortly after that.

I could tell Jumba was elated to hear that. He knew I was awake so he uncurled me and sat me upright in his lap. I yawned and looked up at Nani again.

"Thank you, Nani," he responded. I noticed he used her name. She nodded in response.

"626 brings me much pride and joy. Especially after dealing with nasty ex-wife. He got me through each day. I had him to look forward to."

"That's very sweet," Nani responded to that and Jumba cleared his throat in embarrassment.

"Well, as I mentioned. He was making Jumba very proud. Am looking forward to seeing him dance."

"I am too," Nani said, looking back to the movie but rubbing her hand across her stomach. Jumba did notice this but he said nothing about it. I could tell he was making connections though with what she had asked before. He looked at me and I looked up at him.

"Achiba nakbashta hunuga?" he asked me.

I sighed and looked away. "Chi chabada nel tuuga. Naga selcha."

Nani watched us curiously. She had heard. She knew what 'chi chabada' meant so she was eyeing me. I avoided eye contact with her.

Jumba just gave a nod. He put me aside and stood up, yawning. "Pleakley better be of that phone," I heard him mutter as he picked up his laptop. "Kept me awake until 3am last time. Jumba was not happy."

I smirked at him as he left the room. Nani picked me up and placed me onto her lap. It took me by surprise but I relaxed when she started stroking the back of my head.

"He knows, doesn't he?" she said to me quietly.

I sighed. "Soka. Stitch really did not tell. Jumba smart."

"It's okay. I have to tell them eventually. I just wasn't ready to straight away," she sighed. "David doesn't even know."

"Really?" I asked her. "Why not?"

"Because he has enough stress right now worrying about his job. Before the storm his hours were cut. He thinks the shop might be letting him go. I don't know how I'm going to afford this baby with him on top of all the finances I already have."

Lilo was still engrossed in the movie but I could see her looking back at us. I knew Nani didn't want her to know so she picked me up. "Lilo baby, I'll be right back. I just need to talk to Stitch quickly."

Lilo looked alarmed, but a scream from the movie quickly caught her attention and she turned back to the TV.

Nani carried me to her bedroom and shut the door. She sat down on her bed after placing me down. I stared at her from the floor, but felt sad when I saw her look as though she was about to cry.

"Naanee?" I asked quietly. I jumped up beside her.

"I just... it's already hard enough as it is right now with my work being cut due to the storm. If David loses his job, everything will depend on me unless he can find another. It's why I only told you. I knew you'd pick up on it straight away, but... you're the only one I can trust with this right now."

"Let meega talk to Jumba. Sure he can help?" I asked her.

"How? You guys can't work, you're aliens."

I shook my head. "Kuakini."

"What?" she stared at me.

"Isa human that is aware I am not dog. But, no ill intentions. I can tell. Was not lying to Stitch today."

"But... what are you getting at Stitch?"

I put a paw on her knee. "When store is repaired, Stitch will go to older human. Ask for job."

"WHAT?!" Nani said, standing up. "No! I won't allow it, Stitch!"

I looked at her sadly. "Want to help?"

She sniffled and pulled me against her side into a hug. "It's a thoughtful notion, but people can't see you working there Stitch. They'll know something is up."

"But... what else do, Naanee?"

"We'll think of something," she sighed. "Something that doesn't involve you risking yourself."

I shook my head. "Meecha, Stitch can help secretly."

She looked at me strangely. "What do you mean?"

"Naga work around humans. Do stock rotation. Out back. Work early, late. That way, isa nel risking identity?"

Nani smiled at me. "Stitch, it's a silly idea. It won't work."

"Why not?" I asked her. "Stitch capable."

"What will Lilo think?"

I sighed. I knew straight up she wouldn't agree to it. Neither would Jumba.

"If people saw you, what would they say? Dogs cannot do half the stuff you do."

I was annoyed. Frankly it was irritating when my ability to help others was impacted because of my appearance. "Naanee. I am not dog."

"I know you aren't," she responded softly. "But here on this planet, you are identical to them. You look like a dog so everybody assumes you are one. You know this."

"Nota," I responded. "Isa very annoying. Stitch want to help you. Is forced not to, because he look like dog."

She looked sad. "Well... as I said, we'll figure something out, okay?"

I just nodded sadly. "Okeytaka..."

She picked me up again and carried me back out to Lilo. The movie was nearing the end, so I sat beside Lilo this time as opposed to the couch. She put her arm around me.

I looked over my shoulder at Nani. She just gave me a smile and left to go back to her bedroom.

Once the movie had finished, Lilo and I were the only ones left in the lounge room. She looked around. "Oh. Was the movie really that bad?"

I shook my head. "Naga."

"Where is everybody?"

I shrugged. "Safiya? Meecha just preoccupied with other things?"

Lilo gave a nod. She picked up the bowl of popcorn and carried it out into the kitchen. I helped her reach up to place it on the counter next to the sink.

"What was Nani talking to you about? I heard her and your dad talking before."

"Isa just family stuff, they happy to see dance!" I said, hoping this would be enough to stop her probing for more information.

She smiled. "Oh yeah! Kumu rang before apparently. The dance is still going ahead."

"Yay!"

"He rescheduled it for Friday evening. So we have another day to prepare."

"Okay!"

Lilo took my paw and led me back up to the dome. "Want to practice a bit again now?"

"Shooga." I told her, pulling off my pyjamas to put on my costume. She watched me for a moment before doing the same and pulling on her own costume.

She stared at me for a moment as I stared back at her. I tilted my head. She walked over and fixed my mask so that it was on straight before we started to dance. I tripped over during the first attempt and she fell against me during the second try.

We both tripped on the third.

"Oof!"

Lilo ended up with her face literally on top of mine. She pulled away in embarrassment. "Sorry..."

"Meecha tu fooboo?" I asked her and she nodded before yawning. It had been a long, hectic day.

"Yeah. We have the rest of the week to practice. I don't know... I just really can't seem to concentrate. Can you?"

"Hmm... naga."

She sighed and pulled off her mask, setting it aside. I pulled off my own mask and put it beside hers. We looked at each other for a moment or so before Lilo went over and pressed the button to open the top of our dome. I looked up as the night sky opened up before us. Lilo lay on the floor and I lay beside her.

"The rain has stopped," she said quietly. "Do you think the storm is finally gone?"

"Naga," I shook my head. I pointed up. "Sky. Akare asaid."

"It does..." Lilo responded. "Like a big bad mist that's going to consume us all. Maybe turn us into flesh eating zombies!"

I giggled. "Lilo thinking of that movie?"

"Uh... no?"

"Liar."

Lilo slapped me across the nose. I rolled away from her before standing up and going over to her pile of drawings across the room on our desk. I picked them up and looked through them, Lilo sitting upright and watching me.

Her drawings were mostly of our family, but the bottom of the pile were all drawings of just me. I tilted my head slightly as I passed through them. She noticed.

"You're interesting to draw."

I looked at her. "Really?"

She nodded. "I like the colour of your fur."

I smiled. I stared at the drawings before I looked at her again. "Lilo nal Stitch robaapaskit zooch?"

"You want to learn? Did you have fun drawing that picture of Jumba?" she asked me, smirking.

I flicked my ear in irritation. "Ih."

"Well, maybe tomorrow I can teach you," she walked over to me and pulled me into a hug. "I promise I won't laugh this time."

"Okay Lilo," I responded, ducking as she tried to scruff the top of my head. I did it back to her, messing up her hair.

"Hey!" she cried, starting to chase me. I grinned. "Feeboogoo!"

"Oh you bet I will!" she yelled, tackling me onto my bed. We rolled around laughing and ended up pulling the entire quilt off the bed. Lilo threw it over my head.

Instead of taking it off I pretended to be a ghost and chased her around the room with the blanket over my head.

Until I heard a loud crash.

I paused and pulled off the blanket slowly. Lilo was staring at the floor. I walked up to her and realised what had happened. Nani wasn't going to be happy. Sure enough, we heard her coming up the stairs.

"What did you two break now?!" she cried as she approached us.

"Stitch did it!" Lilo was quick to retort to that, sounding angry. I lowered my ears.

Nani glared at her before she gasped and put her hands to her cheeks in shock when she saw what had broken. "Oh Stitch, you didn't! Not that one!"

I grinned sheepishly and Lilo just looked at the floor. Nani growled at us and bent down to pick up the shattered pieces of what was once our hula lamp.

"I'm sure Jumba can fix it tomorrow..." she sighed. "Just go to bed you two."

"Stitch soka..." I said to her sadly as she started to leave. Lilo didn't say anything. Nani just gave me a heartfelt look and then shook her head at me as she left.

Lilo remained as she was. I put my blanket around her. "Accident."

"I know," she responded, jerking away from me slightly. "Just... that lamp was a gift from dad."

"Oh... I... I'm really sorry Lilo."

She gave a nod and pulled away from me, going over to sit by the window. She closed the roof.

I started to go over to her but a slight twitch from her made me think she didn't want me near her. Anything from her parents was special to her as it was all she had left of them. I felt awful. I was only trying to make her happy, not make her sad.

Respecting that she likely didn't want me near her at that point, I just turned and crawled up onto my bed. I heard her finally move about twenty five minutes later and realised she was going downstairs. I heard the door shut softly.

Now I just felt like I was the worst friend in the world. Sighing, I jumped from my bed and pushed open the dome window, crawling out and down the side of the dome. I headed for the ship, where I knew Jumba would be. The door was locked. I shuddered in the wind as it was quite cold and knocked hoping he would open the door, but there was no response. Great.

Lilo didn't want me near her so I couldn't go back inside. I continued on from the ship and headed into the woodlands behind our home, eventually coming upon the small clearing I'd slept in after I'd realised how much I'd destroyed Nani's chances of keeping Lilo and ruining their already broken family.

No matter how much I tried to channel my destructive tendencies, they always came back to haunt me in someway or another. I'd upset Lilo from breaking her lamp, I could only imagine what would happen if...

I sighed. I needed to see Jumba. At least then I could try to fix it myself.

I curled up on the ground into a ball to keep warm and eventually drifted off to sleep.