Days had passed since Jamison's near-death incident and Jesse felt at ease that he hadn't seen the kid around the beach since. He had hoped the experience had taught him a very important lesson, or at least inspired him to sign up for swimming lessons.
McCree sat on his post, taking a big swig from his water bottle. Scanning across the beach, he saw Jamison and almost spit his water out. What was the kid doing? Why, of course he was running towards the water!
Jumping down instinctively, he ran towards the other with his arms waving in the air and shouting, "Stop! Stop!"
Jamison halted in place, turning to the lifeguard with a goofy grin.
"What do you think you're doing?" Jesse asked, out of breath.
"Goin' for a swim, mate. What's it look like?"
Jesse glared, whipping his glasses off before he got a good look at Jamison's getup; the kid was wearing a pair of orange inflatable arm bands, and an even better sight, a yellow duck floatie strapped to his back.
The kid came prepared.
"Well I'll be darned, look at that. Now you're thinkin'." Jesse smiled and pat Jamison on the head, which would have bothered the Aussie, but after Jesse saved his life it didn't bother him much anymore. He owed the cowboy his life.
McCree couldn't find it in himself to be upset anymore. Jamison was making an attempt, at least. But, he couldn't let him go out in the water alone, not yet. "How 'bout I join ya? My shift is about over anyway, we can get a li'l group goin' and play some water polo!"
Jamison's eyes lit up, an usually devious grin spreading across his face, but Jesse could see his eyes light up. He wasn't always the best when it came to making friends, the only person who gave him the time of day was Roadie. It was rare when anyone outside his extremely tight circle of friends invited him to do anything, because, well, people just didn't understand him. This was an opportunity he wouldn't pass up.
"Sure, mate! I'd love to!" He exclaimed, jumping up in the air excitedly.
Not only would McCree get to keep a closer and more careful eye on the Junker, but he might be able to see through the kid's explosive personality.
Wrapping a strong arm over his thin, shoulders, he gestured towards the volleyball nets and said, "Come on, I think I saw Lucio and Hana playin' over there. Let's go ask 'em if they're up for a game or two."
And so, the Junker and the Cowboy set off, thus sparking the beginning of one of the wildest friendships McCree ever had.