"No…no….no!"

2D was suddenly awakened by a loud sound. He immediately shot up and frantically looked around, forgetting where he was for a moment, even to the point of thinking he was back on Plastic Beach.

He looked to his side and saw Noodle. That's right. He was in Hawaii, at the beach house…

Noodle was sweating bullets and murmuring loudly.

"No…no!"

Suddenly, she began thrashing in her sleep; it was almost as if she was trying to fight off something. Her loud murmuring suddenly turned into full fledged screams, causing 2D to jump. He quickly put his hands on her shoulder and began to shake her.

"Noodle?"

She didn't respond, only screamed again. 2D shook even harder.

"Noodle wake up!"

Noodle opened her eyes and shot up, in a cold sweat. 2D looked at her as her body shook. If he wasn't mistaken, she was crying. He reached his hand out and barely touched her shoulder, when she whipped her head around and pulled her fist back.

"Noodle it's me!" 2D frantically put his arms in front of his face. Noodle saw this and immediately lowered her arm in time. 2D was still flinching, but after realizing that nothing further was happening, he opened his eyes and slowly lowered his arms, only to see a tearful Noodle staring at him, with tears streaming down her face.

"Noodle…."

Before he could even say anything else, Noodle had clutched the boy's shirt and buried her head in his chest, sobbing uncontrollably. 2D only sat there as she sobbed. He couldn't help but feel sympathy for the poor girl. He had rarely seen Noodle cry in his life, in fact, he wasn't even sure if he ever saw her cry. She had always been strong, and always able to take care of herself, ever since she was very young. He didn't exactly know how to deal with this for, once again, he wasn't exactly that good at comforting others. All he could do was just let her cry it out. He put his arms around her and held her close, letting her cry. He then began to sing, slowly and quietly.

"Starry, starry night…paint your palette blue and grey…Look out on a summer's day…with eyes that know the darkness in my soul. Shadows on the hills. Sketch the trees and daffodils… catch the breeze and winter chills in colors on the snowy linen land…"

Noodle's sobs began to soften, her breathing becoming steadier.

"Now I understand what you tried to say to me. And how you suffered for your sanity…And how you tried to set them free. They would not listen, they did not know how. Perhaps they'll listen now…"

Noodle lifted her head and wiped her eyes with the back of her hand, sniffling a bit. 2D didn't need to ask; he knew she had another nightmare, much like the one she had on the night when she had unintentionally hit him. He only continued to cradle her and sing.

Starry, starry night…Flaming flowers that brightly blaze. Swirling clouds in violet haze…reflect in Vincent's eyes of China blue. Colors changing hue. Morning fields of amber grain. Weathered faces lined in pain…Are soothed beneath the artist's loving hand."

2D continued to sing to her, Noodle knowing he was doing his best to comfort her. Though she felt like a fool in front of him after crying several times now in front of him, he seemed not to care. Still sniffling a little, she softly began to sing along with him.

Now I understand what you tried to say to me…And how you suffered for your sanity…And how you tried to set them free. They would not listen, they did not know how. Perhaps they'll listen now…

The two continued to sing softly to the tune, just holding each other for a few minutes, not really thinking much of it. 2D gently stroked Noodle's hair while staring at the wall as he continued to sing with her.

"For they could not love you…But still your love was true. And when no hope was left inside on that starry, starry night, you took your life as lovers often do. But I could have told you, Noodle…"

Noodle's cheeks went a bit red, noticing he replaced "Vincent" with her name.

"This world was never meant for one as beautiful as you."

Noodle, blushing like an idiot, managed to look up at 2D, who was smiling sweetly, quickly giving her a wink. This did, in fact, manage to make her smile, and even laugh just a little bit. The two continued to softly sing the song as Noodle leaned back, closer to 2D. They sang, swaying gently back and forth as they sat on 2D's bed and he held Noodle close. After a few minutes, Noodle was laying back down under the covers. 2D, being a gentleman, let her have the blanket so it wouldn't seem improper. Both were lying on their sides facing each other, when Noodle looked at him, her eyes still a bit puffy from crying.

"How you feelin'?" 2D asked, nearly whispering. He was getting a bit sleepy, as it was nearing 6 am.

"Better…thanks to you."

2D only let out a small and bashful smile.

"I think I can sleep now…" Noodle said, now not as shaken up as before. "You must think very low of me now, huh?"

"Hey…now, you stop that'. I would never fink low of you, no matta' what…and…" 2D exhaled. "Dun' worry. No one's ever gonna hurt you again…awright love?"

Noodle only looked at him, feeling her face definitely flush. Nobody, not in her entire life, had ever said something so caring to her. She had forgotten how sweet the blue haired boy was. He went through all of this trouble the past week just to make sure she was okay and taken care of…to show he cared. Somebody on this island, no, in this world, actually gave a fuck.

About her.

Of course she knew Russel cared. He had really helped her in many ways since they had met up again, but 2D was a whole different story entirely. They just clicked on a whole other level that was hard to explain. They've always had this sort of friendship, which they both had believed to be a Zen bond. The two were close, and seemed to have a deep spiritual connection to one another as well as a deep friendship. There was a saying about two souls being bound together through love or friendship…some Japanese saying that Noodle couldn't quite remember at the moment, and frankly didn't really think about until now. The fact that her and 2D clicked after all these years reminded her of the special friendship they shared.

"Thank you." She whispered as she closed her eyes.

She slept peacefully for the rest of the morning.

A few hours later, 2D had awoken and immediately turned over to Noodle, who was still facing him. She was bundled up in the blanket, sleeping soundly. She looked so peaceful as she slept, almost as if she had been fine all along. 2D only stared at her for a few moments, looking over her delicate features. Doing this only made him feel a small twinge of guilt once again, knowing the poor girl had gone through so much alone. She truly did not deserve it…

He slowly sat up and stretched before standing up and heading over to the dresser, where he pulled out a new t-shirt. He shed the old shirt he fell asleep in and pulled the new one over his head. He looked in a mirror that hung on the wall, where he tried to smooth out his blue locks with little luck.

"I need a haircut…" he mumbled to himself before taking one last glance at Noodle, who was still asleep. He decided not to move her and left the room, quietly closing the door behind him.

He walked to the kitchen, noticing Murdoc was sprawled out on the floor in the hallway, snoring loudly with a near empty bottle of Bacardi in his hand. 2D quietly slunk against the wall, carefully avoiding the hung over bassist. In the kitchen, he prepared some coffee for himself as he lit up a cigarette. It was around ten in the morning as he sat at the table, sipping at his coffee and smoking a few fags. He had been smoking more excessively lately…maybe he should finally quit….

2D blew out a cloud of smoke. Maybe he should do a lot of things. He shrugged to himself and took one last sip of coffee before standing up and heading out the kitchen door. He walked outside barefoot, letting his feet sink into the warm sand. It was another sunny day, with only a few clouds in the sky. It was going to be another warm day though…

He walked around, not really going anywhere, just walking around for the hell of it. After a while, he noticed some pretty plants that were growing on the side of the house. They were weird flowers, something that was probably only found on tropical islands like this. He immediately thought of Noodle, as how she'd probably love to see these. He perked up and began to pick a few. After he gathered up a pretty good bunch, he headed back inside, proud of his discovery, when he suddenly stopped short of the front door.

Flowers?

He blushed. He was such a dork. And then that cheesy line he dropped last night? Singing to her? Why was he feeling this way? He never felt embarrassed around her…he quickly shook off the feeling and shoved it away in the back of his mind, as he did with most thoughts that confused him. It was better to just ignore that stuff, at least that's what he's always thought.

He headed back inside.

Starry, starry night…paint your palette blue and grey…Look out on a summer's day…with eyes that know the darkness in my soul. Shadows on the hills. Sketch the trees and daffodils… catch the breeze and winter chills in colors on the snowy linen land…

Noodle's eyes slowly opened, 2D's voice fading away into another's. She turned her head and looked at the clock radio, which was, coincidently, playing the same lovely tune the two had sang the night before.

11:45 am.

Noodle sat up and yawned, seeing her reflection in the mirror on the wall. Her hair looked atrocious, to her, all of it sticking up in tufts. She needed a shower. As she turned to get out of bed, she was suddenly face to face with an assortment of colors. Behind the clock was a large purple tumbler filled with tropical flowers. Noodle let out a small gasp. She wasn't really into things like flowers, but just seeing them there was a lovely site, for she had never seen flowers so pretty before.

"Do you like em?"

Noodle nearly jumped out of her skin as she looked up, seeing 2D leaning against the doorway.

"Where did you get these?" she asked.

"I actually found em' 'round the house." 2D scratched the back of his head nervously. "I 'fought you'd uh…you know…like em'…"

Noodle smiled sweetly. "You got these for me?"

2D shrugged, trying to look cool and not like an idiot. "Well, you know…"

Noodle only smiled at him before standing up and walking over to him. She got on her tip toes and wrapped her arms around 2D's neck, giving him an affectionate hug.

"They are beautiful. I love them." She said softly.

2D stiffened up a bit, his heart racing all of the sudden. Feeling his face feel a little hot, he began to stutter.

"Uh, hey, there's some shit going on over on the boardwalk t'day…you wanna check it out?"

Noodle unhooked herself from him and looked up.

"Okay, sounds like fun."

"Is your ankle awright?"

"I'm fine. I think I just need the brace today. Let me just get ready real quick okay?" she smiled one last time before heading past 2D and to her room.

After about twenty minutes, Noodle emerged from her room in a pair of short cargo shorts and a white tank top. She had pinned her hair back, with the exception of her long side fringes. In her hair was one of the flowers 2D had picked for her. He smiled at the site of it. The two stepped outside as the lovely Hawaiian sun shined down. 2D shielded his eyes as he looked out at the water. It was definitely hotter then he thought it would be today.

"Well hey there sleepyhead."

2D turned and saw Russel talking to Noodle.

"Sleepyhead?" Noodle giggled and smiled, which only caused Russel to smile as well.

"Well, I'm happy to see a smile on your face." He then took notice to the flower in her hair.

"That's a weird lookin' flower. Where did ya' find that?"

"Oh this? D-san brought me a bunch of them this morning."

"Oh really?"

Noodle nodded. "You don't have to worry, 2D has been taking care of me."

Russel glanced up at 2D, who only looked up and waved.

"We are going to the boardwalk. Do you want to come with?"

Russel somewhat shrugged. "I don't know baby girl. I'm too big and in the way…"

"Nonsense! I have barely seen you! You should get out more anyway."

"Yeah, come along Russ." 2D spoke up.

Russel thought about it for a moment. "Yeah, alright. It's better then stayin' around here all day."

Noodle gave an excited smile as Russel stood up, his shadow towering over them, shading them from the sun. It was right then that Noodle and 2D remembered how big Russel actually was, and felt bad for him again. At that moment, a hung over Murdoc staggered out onto the porch, nearly falling on his face, which revealed a nasty bruise.

"Was' all this then?" he muttered. "Aw look at all you, going on a family outing?"

Noodle only rolled her eyes at his sarcasm.

"Yeah, you wanna come or what?" Russel asked.

"Fuck no." Murdoc took a swig of rum and belched. "But you go, I got some, uh business to attend to."

"Whatever." Noodle muttered.

As the three began to walk along the beach to the boardwalk, Russel spoke up.

"So, y'all still sore at each other?"

Noodle only let out a huff.

"I'm guessin' that's a yes?"

"Man, you shoulda' seen her yesterday! She busted his shit so bad!" 2D blurted out, sounding proud of Noodle.

"Oh really?" A grin crossed Russel's face.

Noodle's frown slowly turned up at the praise she was getting. "I didn't hit him that hard."

"I swear I 'eard somefin' crack!"

"That's why his face looked so fucked this morning!" Russel let out a huge laugh, causing the trees around them to shake a bit.

The three continued on with their walk, with Russel taking unintentional huge steps, causing stares from some and pictures from most. He only let out a sigh.

"Well, at least the locals have gotten used to me."

"Is it weird?" 2D asked.

"No shit, of course its weird man. But hey, I guess on the bright side I'm gonna be in some book of world records." He shrugged.

"Don't worry Russel…I am sure there's a way to get you back down to normal size. I mean, there has to be." Noodle looked up at him.

"I sure hope so. Cuz' I've been askin' and lookin' around and can't find nothin'."

Noodle frowned. Apparently the trauma left from Plastic Beach was still upon all three of them. Maybe it was a good thing that they got out today.

The sun continued to rise higher in the sky, with the heat really blazing at this point. As the three reached the boardwalk, 2D and Noodle began to walk up the steps as Russel remained on the beach due to his size. As the two made their way up the steps, Noodle tripped slightly, causing her to accidentally fall into 2D, who quickly caught her.

"Dun' worry, I got you love." Thinking it was her ankle causing her trouble, he helped her stand up straight with one arm around her and the other holding her hand. Not realizing this awkward position until now, 2D and Noodle were very close face to face as Noodle looked up at him. He smelled good. Like butterscotch and cigarettes. After a staring at each other for only a fraction of a second, Noodle's cheeks flushed red. She squirmed away from 2D.

"I'm not helpless. I can walk just fine 2D…" she mumbled, still blushing. She walked ahead of him, leaving him looking at first dumbfounded, before smiling sweetly and shaking his head. She's been trying to act so tough lately, but 2D wasn't buying it.

2D hurried up the stairs to meet Noodle, who was fanning herself with her hand.

"It's hot! Let's get some ice cream." She smiled.

2D nodded in agreement as they walked along the boardwalk. They spotted a small ice cream cart and walked over.

"Aloha! What can I get for you today?" the vendor asked.

The two looked at each other and smiled. They didn't hesitate to get the best damn ice cream cones available. The waffle cones were stacked high with chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, candies, sprinkles; the works. Of course it was so hot out that the ice cream immediately began to melt. Noodle quickly walked over to the other side of the boardwalk and up to the railing, where Russel was standing. Of course the ice cream cone was only bite sized to Russel, so he only opened his mouth as Noodle tossed it in, almost like feeding a fish to a whale. Noodle and 2D tried to quickly eat the ice cream as it continued to messily melt down the cones.

"Can I try yours?" Noodle asked.

2D shrugged and handed her his cone, which she only licked and smiled. This caused 2D to grin. Was it possible for someone to be that cute?

Noodle held out her ice cream as well.

"Taste." She smiled.

2D leaned down to taste the sweet ice cream, when Noodle slightly pushed the cone up to his face. 2D let out a strange noise as Noodle laughed. 2D licked the ice cream from around his mouth, but Noodle was still giggling.

2D raised his eyebrow. "What?"

Noodle pointed to her nose. 2D then realized that there was, in fact, a glob of ice cream on his nose. He stuck his tongue out, trying to reach the ice cream on his nose, only making Noodle laugh even more. After a few minutes, the two finished their ice cream and talked amongst each other. It wasn't long before Noodle let out a sigh.

"It's too hot today guys."

"It is a little hot…" 2D wiped the sweat from his brow.

"I think we should go for a swim. What do you say?"

2D and Russel looked at her. Even though she was still a little injured, that didn't stop Noodle. After everything that had happened, and considering both Noodle and 2D had almost drowned not too long ago, one would think that they would steer clear of the ocean. But, after thinking it over, 2D had never exactly got to relax on the beach in a while. Though he was stuck on an island for two years, it wasn't exactly a vacation, and the chunk of garbage wasn't exactly glamorous. Not to mention he was barely let out of the house. Maybe it would be nice…

He looked at Noodle. He couldn't help but feel a little worried about her; but maybe it would be alright. As long as they didn't swim too far out it would be okay.

2D looked at Russel, who nodded in agreement.

"Yeah sure. What the hell." 2D smiled.

The two found a swim and surf shop near the boardwalk. 2D picked out a pair of plain sea green swim trunks, which he changed into with a plain white t-shirt. Noodle was in a fitting room changing into her swimsuit. 2D leaned against the check out counter and pulled a pack of cigarettes from his pocket. He opened the pack and popped a fag into his mouth before fumbling around to find a lighter.

"I'm ready!"

2D looked up at Noodle, and his somewhat bored expression suddenly changed to a shocked one. It was not even a second before he realized his mouth was hanging open with his cigarette falling out. He clumsily caught it before it hit the ground. He slid the unlit square behind his ear casually, trying not to look the fool he was a second ago. But, as a full grown man, he couldn't help it. For Noodle, their "little" Noodle, was standing before him in a two piece lime green bikini. The top tied around her neck and the bottoms tied on both sides of her hips. It was a tiny thing, and she was a tiny girl…but even so she was by no means "little" anymore. This is the most 2D has ever seen of her since meeting again, once again confirming that she was, indeed, a full grown adult woman. 2D tried not to stare as he clearly noticed that Noodle did have boobs now. No, they weren't big, but they were there nonetheless; along with the other womanly curves she had developed.

Noodle waved her hand in front of his face. "Hello? D-san?"

"Huh? Wha?"

Noodle crossed her arms and frowned. "It looks stupid. The color is too bright isn't it? I knew it…"

2D shook his head frantically, trying to hide his blushing cheeks in the process. "Not at all! You look great…" he spluttered.

"Really?" she smiled. "Great, because I really like this one." She looked in a mirror nearby and turned around. 2D thought he was going to lose it. The back was just as gorgeous as the front, with a slight curve in her back and…

2D had to look away, for he already felt like a dirty pervert. The girl's infamous cheeks were slightly visible…not fully like a thong, but slightly, like most modern swimsuits all the young ladies were wearing nowadays.

Damn, that girl had a nice bum…

2D hunched up even more.

Pervert. Dirty fucking pervert….

"I'll take this one!" Noodle set the price tag on the counter in front of the clerk. "And I'll wear it out please." She winked at 2D, and pointed at the price tag, knowing she got a good deal on the suit, and was completely oblivious to 2D's wandering eyes and conflicted emotions about said swimsuit. But who could blame the man? The last time he saw Noodle in a swimsuit she was a child splashing about in some full piece with a yellow inflatable ducky inner tube around her waist. Which was why it was hard to believe this was her he was looking at. As Noodle was paying the clerk, 2D looked up and noticed he wasn't the only one with wandering eyes. A group of young men, who looked like surfers, entered the shop and immediately started giving Noodle the up-down. The looks on their faces…they looked like ravenous wolves.

Oh hell no.

2D quickly took Noodle's hand and nearly dragged her towards the door.

"Alrighty! We'd best get back to Russ, he's still waitin' ya know!" 2D practically squeaked, and a little too loudly at that.

"Toochi! Hey! My change!" Noodle looked at him dumbfounded as they made their way outside.

2D and Noodle made their way to the beach where Russel was waiting. He had taken the liberty of laying out and catching some rays, even though he took up a large portion of space. He spotted the two coming down from the boardwalk. Noodle was holding 2D's hand and leading the way. 2D was still trying to get rid of the flush that overtook his cheeks. Russel saw Noodle's little swimsuit of choice, and it was clear that he did not approve.

"What took you guys so long?" he asked.

"Sorry Russ, that was all me." Noodle laughed. "I was the one taking forever."

"It's all good…so, uh, that's the one you picked out huh?"

"Yep! Cute isn't it? I wasn't going to get it, but 2D reassured me that it was the one." She smiled.

"Ah. Really?" Russel turned to 2D and shot him a horribly threatening look. A look that pretty much said, "How could you let her walk around in this?!"

2D looked horrified and threw his hands up in defense, giving Russel a look that said, "It's not like I could have stopped her anyway!"

"It's just a little…well, revealing…don't you think?" Russel asked.

"Oh Russel. Cut it out." Noodle laughed as if it was a joke, when it clearly wasn't to Russel. He only sighed and let it go. There was nothing he could do about it anyway.

After a few minutes, Russel was laying in the sand again with a beach blanket over his eyes to block the bright sun. 2D was standing at the edge of the beach, where the water lapped up onto shore. He only stared at his feet, and then looked up out at the water. For some reason, he was very nervous about getting into the water. But it was very hot. And the water did feel good on his feet. He looked up again to see Noodle emerge from the water. She wiped the water from her face and looked in 2D's direction.

"Come on! It feels nice!" she waved to him.

Regardless, he was still a bit hesitant. Noodle rolled her eyes and stood up. She walked up to shore.

"What's up?" she asked.

"Nofin'…jus' building up motivation…"

Noodle stood next to him. "It's boiling out. Isn't that motivation enough?"

2D shifted.

"2D, there are no whales. At least not this close to shore. Well, here anyway."

2D blushed immediately. "I'm-I'm not afraid of that!"

"Oh stop. I don't blame you. But it's okay, I promise." She gently took his hand. "Now come on. You are sweating bullets." She laughed.

2D hunched up as Noodle slowly led him into the water. She let go of his hand and one again submerged into the water. When she came back up, 2D was still slowly walking out farther.

"See? It isn't so bad now is it?" Noodle asked.

"I-I guess not…" 2D stuttered, trying not to sound like a pansy but failing.

"Well then come on, you slowpoke!" Noodle laughed and splashed at 2D, causing him to jump a bit.

"Hey no splashin'!"

Noodle only smiled mischievously and splashed him again. 2D jumped back again, the cool water causing goose bumps. Noodle was walking towards him now, looking like she was about to cause trouble. On purpose!

2D put up his arms. "Noodle I swear ta' god…"

He did not like being splashed. And she knew that too. But she ran at him nonetheless, and just like that, pushed him into the water. 2D went under, unprepared. The warm salt water went up his nose and stung his eyes. For a moment, he began to freak out, with the memories from what had happened not to long ago flooding back into his head. He emerged from the water, coughing and shaking his head. It took him a minute to realize that he was still in shallow water, and Noodle was right across from him, laughing up a storm.

2D only stared at her for a moment. "What the hell Noodle?" he squeaked.

"Oh come on, I was just messing with you!" Noodle laughed.

"Seriously!" 2D stood up and shook his hair out before turning his back and crossing his arms over his chest.

Noodle stopped laughing. She had upset him….

"2D?" she walked up to him. "2D? I'm sorry…I didn't mean to…"

2D turned back to her. "I warned you, you know."

Noodle raised an eyebrow. Before she could respond, a gappy grin crossed 2D's face. He wrapped his lanky arms around her and picked her up, literally tossing her over his shoulder. This really took Noodle by surprise. She didn't realize 2D was strong enough to actually pick her up like that. And on top of that he was super tall, so it was a bit scary.

"Hey! Put me down! 2D!" Noodle shrieked, half freaked out and half laughing.

2D carried her out to a deeper spot. "Oh, put you down huh? Okay sure."

"2Deee!"

2D tossed Noodle into the water, her shriek causing others to stare. 2D doubled over, laughing hysterically. Noodle came up out of the water, gasping for air before laughing as well. She splashed at 2D and shook her head.

"You little fucker!" she laughed and began chasing after him. 2D began running away from her, laughing like an idiot.

"Stay away from me you psycho!" he yelled back at her, still giggling.

"You are going to get it!" Noodle dove into the water and 2D looked back.

"Shit…" 2D looked around, not being able to spot her anywhere. It was a good minute before 2D was about to freak out. Where was she?

"Didn't anyone tell you to never turn your back on a psycho?" Noodle's voice came from behind him.

Before 2D could react, Noodle had bounced onto 2D's back and wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him back into the water, nearly on top of her. After a moment, they both emerged from the water, laughing like idiots.

"You're crazy." 2D gasped, trying to catch his breath.

Noodle only smiled mischievously.

The two just stayed in that spot for a moment, treading, as they went out farther then they thought. The water went up to the top of their chests, and their faces were actually very close…and 2D was just realizing it. Noodle playfully went under the water again, but only halfway, as her eyes, nose and the top of her head was still exposed. Her green eyes were staring up at 2D, smiling. For some reason, 2D's heart skipped a beat…at least, that's what he thought. At that moment he, once again, felt his face grow hot.

Noodle emerged again, this time, moving very close to 2D. Every inch she made towards him only made his face feel warmer. What was she doing? Noodle was about an inch away from his face now.

"…Noodle..?"

Noodle smiled big before…spitting salt water all over 2D's face.

2D shook his head. "Ughhh! Gross!" he spat.

Noodle laughed maniacally and swam away.

"Noodle!" 2D called. She only kept swimming towards shore, still laughing.

2D couldn't help but laugh as well. He slicked his hair back and only looked after her while smiling. What a little trickster…. Apparently some things just don't change. He looked at her again as she stood up and walked up to shore, her bum cheeks once again in plain sight.

2D blushed.

Again.

"Toochi! Are you coming or what?" she called out to him. 2D sighed and began to wade back to shore, trying to hide his blush.

Some things never change…while some things change drastically apparently….