"It might be sunstroke," Wu Fei sniffed.

"We haven't been here that long," Trowa pointed out.

"Loosen up his clothes!" Duo exclaimed in a near panic. Crouching in front of Heero, he plucked at Heero's t shirt as if he were considering pulling it off of him. "He doesn't look like he's breathing good!"

"I don't think removing his shirt will help," Trowa replied as he inexplicably picked up a towel from their discarded street clothing and dropped it into Heero's lap.

"He's red in the face," Quatre observed as he bent to look into Heero's eyes. "Heero? Are you feeling ill?"

"Of course he is!" Duo exclaimed. "Just look at him. He's completely glazed over!"

"Heero?" Quatre called. "Can you hear me?"

Heero nodded, blushing, as he turned his eyes away from Duo. He replied tightly, clutching the towel to his lap, "There's nothing wrong."

"Nothing wrong?" Duo shouted at him, gripping Heero's shoulders in firm hands. "That's not what I saw, buddy! You looked like you were ready to take a nose dive right into the sand."

"You did, Yuy," Wu Fei agreed. "Perhaps you should sit under the awnings down the beach?" he suggested.

"I think you should," Quatre insisted.

"Perhaps a little cold water?" Trowa suggested and dipped his head to hide a very slight smirk.

Heero glared, and stood up, backing away from them and Duo. "I'm fine," he insisted. "Go ahead and swim, all of you. It's simply the heat, and going into it so quickly after the air conditioned car."

"That's it!" Duo agreed, looking relieved and then annoyed. "That car is like an ice box, Fei. You need to take that junker in and have the controls adjusted. I think I saw icicles on my damned nose during the ride here!"

"My car is not a junker," Wu Fei growled indignantly.

"Someone should sit with you, Heero," Quatre suggested. "Duo, maybe?"

"Yes, Duo," Trowa seconded, his tone amused and his smirk growing wider.

"No!" Heero replied quickly, and then more calmly, "That's not necessary. I won't ruin the outing for everyone."

"You heard, Yuy," Wu Fei said in support. "He wishes to be left alone. We came to the beach to swim. I suggest that we do that and not hover over a trained Gundam pilot as if he were an infant."

The others nodded, seeing his logic. Trowa and Wu Fei began to head for the water, but Duo paused to give Heero an intense look before following them. Quatre hung back, watching Heero watching Duo.

"He's grown since you knew him," Quatre said softly.

Heero started and then nodded as he watched a long, lean body, strong legs, broad shoulders, a length of swinging braid, and a red speedo enter the water. "It's been two years..." Heero barely found the breath to reply.

"I'm glad that you decided to come with us, finally," Quatre told him, eyed him with wise blue eyes, and then leaned in close to say, "He's never worn a speedo before. He always wears those very unflattering surfer shorts. Somehow, I don't think he wore them for us, Heero."

Heero shot a shocked look at Quatre and then he looked back at the waves and Duo with sudden hope and desire. "For me," he whispered, and then he was rushing for the water and diving in after a surprised Duo.