Sammy wasn't in any hurry to get changed, so it took them a good twenty minutes to make it down to the waterfront. The two were only wearing shorts – although Sammy was also wearing slip on shoes that were designed for being worn in the water (which he had no intention of doing).

"I should just stay in the cabin…" Sammy sad, hesitantly, as they rounded the main building and were now in view of the waterfront.

"You'll be fine."

"Really… I should…"

It was pretty clear that the boy was starting to panic now that he was getting close to the water, and he was pale.

Ian shook his head.

"Just stay beside me. You won't have to do anything you don't want to."

Sammy moved a little closer to Ian, which wasn't exactly what the New Yorker had meant. He didn't push him away, though. If the kid was that afraid, then it wouldn't kill him to let him glue himself to his side.

River was standing on the right side dock when they reached the small beach that ran between both docks that portioned off the swimming area. The Californian was soaking wet, mute testimony that he'd been in the water very recently. Shawn and the boys were all still in the water; most of them playing with Shawn and each other – splashing and making a lot of noise. Chance was on the left side of the swimming area with one of the lifeguards – obviously getting a swimming lesson from what Ian could see.

"Hey, Sammy!" River called when he saw them approaching. "How do you feel?"

Sammy dropped back, hiding behind Ian, who walked out onto the dock, but stopped after only a few steps. River frowned, concerned by the boy's behavior.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing," Ian said, turning and looking down at Sammy, gesturing for him to step up beside him. "What are you doing? Free swim?"

River was distracted by the question, and he grinned.

"We're just screwing around while Chance gets a swimming lesson." He pointed at one of the lifeguards, who had been standing on the far end of the dock – near what was the deep end of the water.

"Liam's ready to give you a swimming lesson, too, Sammy."

The boy shook his head, stepping closer to Ian, who put his hand on the boy's shoulder.

River noticed immediately, of course. He was shallow, but not stupid – and he knew little kids a lot better than Ian did.

"Not ready for a lesson, huh?" He asked, sympathetically.

Sammy shook his head, again.

"I don't feel good."

Since he looked positively green, River and Ian both decided that he probably didn't. Although Ian knew – and River suspected – that there wasn't actually anything wrong with him. Fear can make someone sick – they both knew it.

"Then you shouldn't swim," River assured him, putting his hand on the little boy's head with a smile. "You can watch me, instead."

River was always willing to put on a show, after all.

Relieved that he wasn't going to be forced into the water, Sammy nodded.

"Try not to hit your head," Ian said, sitting down on the edge of the dock and dangling his feet in the water. "I'd hate for one of the lifeguards to have to do mouth to mouth on you."

River grinned, watching as Sammy sat down tentatively next to Ian, so close that he was touching him.

"That one's pretty cute," the Californian said, under his breath, looking over at the only female lifeguard – who was watching Shawn and the splashing boys on the far dock. "I wouldn't mind if she-"

"Hayden."

Ian's annoyed interruption reminded River that Sammy probably shouldn't hear what River wanted the lifeguard to do – and River flushed just a little – although it wasn't noticeable under his dark tan.

"Well, you guys watch me," he told them, heading for the diving board that was on the very end of the dock – near the lifeguard River had said was named Liam. "I'll show you why everyone calls me squid."

"I thought everyone called you pee-wee?" Ian said, mocking his show off roommate.

River started to flip him off, remembered that they weren't alone, and ended the gesture without the single finger.

"Only the uninformed, Brooks."

Ian snorted, and smiled. Even Sammy smiled, although he wasn't sure exactly what the two of them were talking about. Which was just as well.

"Hey, River!" The boys who had been playing with Shawn noticed their counselor was heading for the diving board. They stopped splashing around immediately, and all of them turned to River – who grinned at them, raising his arms in a pose. Which might have been more impressive if his well-tanned and muscular chest and shoulders weren't spattered with bruises and a couple of scrapes.

"Do a flip!" Brian yelled.

"Do two!" Chad called.

The Californian nodded, and went to the end of the diving board. He bounced once, and then did a dive – and Ian had to admit that he was impressed. It was a double flip with a twist in it, and the entry was as good as anything Ian had seen from divers on TV – the few times he'd watched them, that was.

There were cheers from the boys – and even Sammy clapped his hands enthusiastically from his spot beside Ian.

River popped up a minute later, looking first at the boys, who cheered even louder, and then at the female lifeguard, who was smiling as well – obviously impressed as well. Then he swam over to Ian and Sammy, looking up at the two of them.

"See? Squid."

Sammy smiled, looking down at River, who was treading water near where his feet were in the water.

"I like Pee-wee better."

Ian snorted.

"Are we ready for our swimming lesson?"

All three of them looked up at the voice, and saw that Liam had walked over to stand beside where Sammy was sitting, looking down at them with a cheerful smile.

Ian could feel Sammy freeze beside him. He shook his head.

"Sammy's just going to watch for now. He's not feeling good."

Liam was an experienced lifeguard, who had dealt with little kids for many years – and had given swimming lessons to the most timid. He wasn't fooled for a moment, and knew that Ian wasn't fooled, either. Which meant that the counselor didn't want his boy to be in the water just then – and from the way the boy was acting, he didn't want to be in the water any more than his counselor wanted him to be.

The lifeguard nodded.

"Okay, then. You can sit and watch. And if you change your mind, just let me know. Okay?"

Sammy nodded, relieved, and River pulled himself out of the water and onto the deck with a practiced ease.

"I'll give you something to watch," the Californian promised with a grin. He headed back for the diving board, and Ian snorted again, looking down at his companion.

"Like we can see anything with the sun glaring off those shorts."

Sammy just grinned. He liked River's shorts.