That cry is enough to snap Ned out of his reverie, and when he whips around, he doesn't see Daneel. It's as if the bottom has dropped out of his stomach. Without a second thought, he plunges under the water and opens his eyes, sting be damned. It takes him a moment to spot Daneel, and then he is rushing over, half-swimming and half-running, against the pull of the wave as it comes back out. He moves quickly, and yet it feels like an eternity before he is there, grabbing Daneel and hauling him above the water, getting him upright. Ned doesn't stop there - keeps his arm around Daneel's back and walks him towards the shore, not stopping until they are on dry sand.

"I'm sorry," he says in a rush, "I'm sorry, I'm really sorry, are you hurt? Did you hit your head?"