"Oh shit." Noodle muttered under her breath as she leaned up against the trunk of a shady palm tree. Her dress was torn from her shoulder to her hip.
"Yew awright Noods?" 2D was standing up, looking out at the sea, as if trying to see if there was anyone out there that could help them. He turned back around to see Noodle tearing off her dress forcefully. 2D blushed at the sight of Noodle in nothing but her bra, red short shorts and stockings. He had forgotten that Noodle was all, well, grown up now. He looked down at his feet; it was weird looking at her like that.
Noodle sighed and lifted herself up from the ground, only to feel a horrible sharp ache run through her right ankle and foot.
"Agh!" Noodle stumbled and grabbed onto the tree.
"Noodle!" 2D quickly went to her side and put his arms around her sides, helping her stand.
"Was' wrong?"
Noodle flinched in pain. "It's my ankle…but I'm fine 2D, really…"
2D only looked at her with worry and slowly removed his arms from around her as she tried to stand up straight again.
"Mmf!" Noodle's ankle gave out and she fell back onto the ground.
2D quickly knelt down beside her as she leaned up against the tree, her face in pain. 2D looked at her ankle and saw that it was purple and swollen.
"Noods I fink it's broken." 2D looked up with worry in his eyes.
"Most likely." Noodle grunted in pain.
They needed to find help, and quick. They couldn't't stay here. 2D removed his two shirts and wrapped his long sleeved shirt around his waste due to the heat.
"Here." 2D handed his red t-shirt to Noodle. "It's still a bit damp, but yew should cover up…sunburn blows."
Noodle looked up at 2D. "Thank you." She said softly and threw his large shirt over her head and onto her tiny frame. 2D crouched down facing Noodle.
"Ere', put yer' arms around me. I'll carry yew."
"2D, you must be exhausted, you don't have to carry me…"
"We need ta' get yer'foot fixed up…and we can't stay ere'."
Noodle sighed. "You are right..." She put her arms around 2D's neck as he scooped her up into his arms.
"Er, if yer' not comfta'ble wif me, I could carry yew on my back if yew wan'…"
"No, this is fine. Thank you." Noodle said softly as she closed her eyes and rested her head against 2D's bare chest as he began walking.
"You'll be awright love, I owe yew one."
Noodle couldn't't help but feel a flood of warmth run through her body. Even after all this time 2D treated her the same. He had a big heart; sure he was still as dim as ever, but he was being very brave throughout this whole situation. He still treated her like a little sister and was even trying his best to take care of her. She couldn't't help but find it cute. Noodle then managed to crack a small smile, without 2D noticing of course. It almost hurt her face to smile, for it's been so long since she has done so.
2D made his way down the shoreline, not wanting to wander too far away from the water, since he had a knack for getting lost. And Noodle was in too much pain, he didn't't want to bother her. The sun was barely lingering over the sea in the distance as 2D squinted at it. Half of it was still over the ocean, sort of reminding him of a cookie being dunked in milk…a really bright, orange cookie…?
Well that meant it was going to be dark soon…which somewhat worried him. What would happen once it got too dark? Would they keep walking? No, that wouldn't't be a good idea…what if they got even more lost then they already were? And what about food and water? And Noodle's ankle? It was already purple and swollen…
2D sighed. He hoped beyond hoped that there was civilization somewhere on this island…or wherever they were. He kept walking, making sure he paid attention to where he was, as well as he could anyway.
"Ow' yew holdin' out?" 2D asked softly after about 20 minutes of silence between them.
"My foot hurts…and I don't feel so well."
2D looked down at Noodle. She was practically limp in his arms. Her foot was swollen up like a balloon now. Poor thing…she was so battered and bruised…like the ocean had beaten her to a pulp. No…like life had beaten her.
"2D…maybe we should stop."
"Wha?"
"It's getting dark…and you need to rest." Her voice was tired and dry.
"I can go for a lil' longer…really…"
"2D please…"
2D sighed reluctantly. "Awright then…" 2D stopped and looked around. About 15 feet up shore was a very small cluster of palm trees. That would be good, not too far from shore.
2D carried her up to the trees and gently set her down into the soft sand as a small whimper escaped her lips.
She really felt embarrassed; being carried around like this, hurting because of an ankle injury…
2D sat down next to her and looked out at the sea. Night was falling now, with the moon beginning to rise. He sighed and looked down at himself. He looked like complete and utter shit. Then he looked at Noodle, who looked ten times worse. What was going to happen now? Would they ever find civilization? Would they have enough strength to go on again? And what would happen tomorrow?
"Are you alright?" Noodle's voice was quiet and horse, probably from a lack of water.
2D looked down at her again."I'm…I dunno…" he sighed.
Noodle gently took his hand and managed to crack a smile.
"It will be okay…"
2D shut his eyes, feeling a headache coming on. He then fell back onto the sand next to Noodle, staring up at the sky. The moon was higher now, and very beautiful.
"Fank yew…" he spoke up.
Noodle turned her head and blinked.
"Fank yew fer'…savin' my life…"
Everything was quiet for a moment, aside from the waves lapping against the shore. After not hearing a response from Noodle, 2D turned his head, only to see Noodle scooting closer to him, and then lifting her head and resting it onto 2D's chest.
"You scared me you know…" she whispered. "I thought you had drowned."
2D continued looking up at the sky.
"Well…we 'fought yew had crashed…wha' appened?"
"I got lucky I suppose…"
"Yeah, you said tha'...I 'fought yew were gone..."
"I suppose I should have called huh?" she said, half joking.
"Yew 'fink?" 2D managed to let out a laugh. At this point, he didn't care about what happened five years ago. All he wanted to focus on was the now; Noodle surviving now and getting to safety. He noticed her face. She was in so much pain, obviously trying to hold back tears; trying to be tough.
"Here..." 2D sat up and unwrapped his long sleeved shirt from around his waist. He ripped off one of the sleeves and began to wrap it around her ankle.
"Agh!" a moan of pain finally escaped her lips. "Don't touch it!" she was frustrated.
"Noods yew gotta at least wrap it up..." 2D felt bad that he was contributing to her pain, but if her ankle really was broken, it was best to keep it in place best they could.
"Mmmf!" she whimpered as 2D finished wrapping it tight, but not too tight that it was unbearable.
2D leaned up against the tree Noodle was laying under. She laid her head in his lap again, this time looking a bit worse then before. After a minute of calming down, she relaxed a bit more.
"Where did you learn how to do that?"
"Do what?"
"The little bandage job there..."
"Oh, uh, well when ya' live wif' Murdoc ya' kinda hav' ta' know how ta' do these 'fings..."
"Oh...it must have sucked huh? Being stuck on that little island all day..."
2D didn't even want to think about the last two miserable and wasted years of his life.
"Er, yeah, well, I'm jus' 'appy it's over..."
"Life is funny...You think you have all the control, when in all actuality, you really do not.. By some miracle you are still alive, only to be stuck on some beach with no sign of any civilization to die anyway." Noodle didn't move, only continued to stare up at the sky. 2D wrinkled his forehead, not quite sure how to respond. It was not like Noodle to be talking so darkly, but then again, she seemed to have changed a lot.
"Ey...come on, dun' say that...s'gonna be awright. You'll see..." 2D gently pushed the fringe back from over her eyes as she looked up at him with tired eyes.
"How 'bout yew get some sleep, 'kay? Yew look beat."
"Yeah...I guess so..." her eyes were heavy, and it wasn't long before her eyes were closed and she was slowly dozing off.
"S'gonna be awright..."
In truth, 2D had no idea whether or not things were going to be alright, whether they would live or die. He only said that to help Noodle feel somewhat okay...to lighten the dark situation they were in, have been in for years now.
2D's stomach began to grumble. He hadn't eaten in a couple of days. He leaned his head back against the tree. His feet were finally starting to hurt, sore from walking barefoot on the hot and rocky beach. Were they on another deserted island of sorts? That's what it seemed like. And if that was the case then they really didn't have much hope.
2D tried to stay awake...alive. They both had fought death and won today, but for how long? Was it all in vain? Maybe the sea should have swallowed them both; it would have been better than this.
As much as he tried to stay awake, he was soon out like a light.

It didn't even feel like twenty minutes when 2D's eyes shot open. He gasped and whipped his head forward. The sun was high in the sky; it must have been noon, or very close to it anyway. The only sound heard was the lapping of the waves on the shore and the seagulls overhead. 2D quickly looked down. She was still there, her head in his lap. She was breathing softly, still sleeping heavily. 2D glanced at her foot. It looked way worse than yesterday. 2D's eyes drooped with worry. For a while, he just sat there, trying to think of what more he could do. The heat was unbearable at this point, even with what little shade they had.
"Bloody hell..." he grumbled, sitting up more. At that point, all he did was stare out at the water. Miles and miles of the deep blue, the calmest he's ever seen it in a while. Minutes passed, his eyes still fixated on the ocean. He must have been spaced out for about ten minutes before something caught his eye. Something out of the corner of his eye as a matter of fact. 2D turned his head, looking dazed and confused. "Huh?"
Coming around one of the rocky cliffs was a small boat. 2D shook his head and rubbed his eyes. It was a boat. He could make out a few tanned men on board with dark hair. Something else came around the cliff.
A huge man.
"Russel?" 2D couldn't believe his eyes. He went to call Russel's name, but his throat was so dry that not much came out. He looked down at Noodle, who was still sleeping.
"Hey...hey Noods!" he gently shook her shoulder.
"Mmm...huh?" Noodle squinted, trying to open her eyes. "2D, what's wrong?" she asked, tiredness still in her voice.
"We gotta go!" 2D quickly stood up, stumbling a bit at first, then scooping Noodle up in his arms.
"Mmmf! 2D! What's going on?" she asked, flinching in pain as her body ached and pain shot from her ankle through her leg.
"Dun' worry, I gotcha." he said, hurrying down to the shore.
"Wha?" Noodle turned her head towards the shore and saw the boat, as well as Russel.
2D coughed and tried to clear is throat. "EYYY! OVER HERE! RUSSEL!" 2D managed to yell, his voice scratchy.
Russel looked 2D's way and saw them.
"Over there!" Russel pointed with his large index finger in 2D and Noodle's direction. One of the three men turned the helm of the boat in their direction. 2D jumped up and down, still holding Noodle in his arms. He had a huge smile on his face as well as a very noticeable look of relief. He really wasn't sure whether or not they would get out of this alive, but there they were, getting rescued. Noodle barely turned her head towards Russel, who was wading his way over to shore. She looked back up at the sky as the sunlight washed over her.
It was over. Finally, it was all over. She could finally rest.
"Noodle!"
A voice made it's way into her head. She opened her eyes to see 2D, smiling big, despite his beat up face full of cuts and bruises. He moved his mouth again.
"We're saved Noods! Did ya' see!" 2D smiled big, showing the gap in his teeth.
Noodle smiled at him. It was a very tired smile, but sweet. And one of the most real smiles he's seen on her since they first met again. But then her eyes closed, and her head rolled back. Suddenly she was much more heavy in his arms. 2D's smile quickly faded away as he tried to shake Noodle awake. All of the sudden it was like slow motion.
2D was mouthing the words, but felt like no sound was leaving his lips. He kept saying her name over and over again, shaking her, trying to get her to wake up.
He ran out into the water, wading out as far as he could while holding her tight. As the boat came out to meet him, so did Russel.
"Russel, Noodle needs help!" 2D squeaked, a bit out of breath. Russel looked down at Noodle, his face full of worry, and even a bit of sadness.
"Is she dead?" 2D held out her limp body to Russel.
Russel looked at her, still feeling horrible.
"No. But you're right D; she does need help." he held out his large hands as 2D set her body into his palms. He quickly but gently handed her to two of the men on the boat. They set her inside the boat below on a cot out of the heat. 2D climbed on, leaving watery footprints traced with some blood on the deck. His feet were really stinging now due to the open cuts and blisters mixed with the salt water.
"2D."
2D turned to Russel, who sounded as worried as ever, yet could still manage to keep a straight face.
"Stay by her, ya' know, until we reach where we need ta' be?"
2D only nodded quickly and went below deck where Noodle was laying. 2D sat in a chair next to the bed, relieved to be off of his feet. He felt pretty fucked up right now, and probably looked it too. He didn't know where they were going, or how Russel just so happened to be in the same vicinity as they were, but all he knew was he couldn't wait to see civilization again. But more then anything, he wanted Noodle somewhere safe where she could get help.
"Poor kid..." 2D brushed the fringe from her eyes again. He looked at her. She wasn't a kid anymore. Not a little girl, but a woman. It was weird seeing her all grown up, as if time just skipped over.
He rested his arm on the side of the bed, his hand close to hers, where he sat in the chair, just sitting and waiting. Suddenly, he felt something. He looked down at his hand to see her little one barely grabbing onto his. He quickly looked at her. She was looking right at him, her eyes barely open, the bruise on the side of her face more visible now.
2D quickly enveloped his big hand over her tiny one and gave it a reassuring squeeze. She barely squeezed back before shutting her eyes again.
"Toochi..." was all she whispered.
Memories flooded back to him. She hadn't called him by that nickname in years. No matter how grown up she was now, she would always be little Noodle.
He held her hand until the reached their destination.