Disclaimer: Own nothing.

AN: Wanted to explore the Professor's relationship with Gilligan. Many times he's shown how much he cares for him in the show.

Sickness is one of the constant threats on the island. Until now we've all been pretty healthy. I say until now because Gilligan is now lying on my cot burning from a fever. For the past few days he's been sick with pneumonia. I was able to make a crude antibiotic but I'm not too sure it's working.

All we can do is take turns taking care of him. Skipper is by his side the most and only leaves when we make him go rest. He tries to stay strong but the worry is evident on his teddy bear features. The sound we heard last night coming from the crew's hut was full of worry and pain as he prayed for his little buddy to be well again.

Speaking of teddy bears I went over to Gilligan and tucked Mr. Howell's teddy bear closer to him and smoothed the blanket before taking my place beside the sick young man. Using a damp cloth I patted his still way too hot brow and just looked at the boyish features I had come to know so well.

I feel my eyes begin to burn as I tried to cool him down. He wasn't getting any worse but he wasn't getting better either. I was worried…no I was scared.

We each have our role to play in our little family. I'm the brain, Skipper's the brawn, Mary Ann's the heart, Ginger's the morale, and the Howell's are the wisdom…

Gilligan is the soul of our little group. He keeps us alive.

Gilligan groaned and grimaced as his head turned away from me…well from the sunlight coming through the window. I knew his head was probably hurting him and he was achy all over.

I'd give anything to take it all away. All I could do now was adjust my position to block the light. He relaxed a bit.

I sighed as I put one hand on the cloth on his forehead while the other clutched the sweaty one trying to keep him from slipping away. I rubbed my thumb across his eyebrow and he relaxed even more. Could he sense who was here with him?

As if to answer my question his head turned towards me. His eyes opened slightly in half sleep. "Prof'ser…" he said groggily.

"Shhh," I said soothingly. "Just rest. That's all you have to do Gilligan. We're taking care of you."

He smiled a tiny bit as his eyes slid closed in sleep. "Always do…"

I smiled softly at him. I'm glad he knew how much we cared about him. As clumsy as he was he always had his heart in the right place. No matter how many times he messed up we always forgave him…and more importantly he forgives us each time we inadvertently hurt him.

I'll never forget how horrible I felt after he ran away that one time during the magic trick fiasco. I felt no better than the bullies that used to bully me in school. And when he turned around and was willing to blow himself up to protect the women…

I winced at the unpleasant memory. How many times had he put himself in danger for us in order to protect us? Countless times and we hardly ever thanked him.

I bit back a grin. Well…except for one Mary Ann Summers. The only one who doesn't know about her crush on Gilligan is the object of her affections! One day he'll figure it out and do something about it but until then she's happy with their butterfly hunts.

I shook my head a bit and gazed down at the sleeping boy again. Gilligan has become many things to all of us. I can't speak for the others but for me he has become my student. I love teaching him different things and watching his eyes light up in wonder. He's not stupid by any means. Just had a rough time in school. If anything he's wise beyond his years. The best example of that is when he burned the mind reading seeds. We were all honestly proud of him for doing it. He saved us all from ourselves that day.

He's also helped me in my own studies. I have been able to get close to all of the wildlife on this island thanks to his gift with animals. He talks soothingly to them and can gain their trust quickly. And why not? He's the gentlest person I've ever known. He draws you in and eventually you want to protect him from any and all danger!

I stare at the wall as I remember the one time none of us could help him…the hunt. Jonathan Kinkaid had locked us all up in our old jail during the hunt. In that entire twenty four hours none of us slept. We jumped at every gunshot we heard and waited praying that we wouldn't see Kinkaid walking up to us with Gilligan slung over his shoulder limp and cold with death. I'll never forget that one horrible moment when he fell into the fresh water trough. It's a good thing for Kinkaid Gilligan WAS alive…Skipper would have killed him and I myself would have helped get rid of the body!

I looked back at him and softened as I gently squeezed his hand.

"How is he Professor?"

I turned around to see the Skipper. "No change yet."

He sighed and nodded as he entered the hut and came over to us. "Will he be alright?"

I stood up and let him take my place beside him. "I'm sure he will be. The antibiotic just needs time to work."

He just nodded and I went to the door before turning around. I looked at the boy that meant so much to me…to all of us and sent up a silent prayer that he'd be alright.

We can't lose him. We need him.

I need my student…I need my little brother that I had adopted in my heart. There are too many things about this wondrous world to teach him. He's too young and too good. Knowing him is a privilege in and of itself.

Please don't take him. It's not his time. He dies and we'll all fall apart.

Whoever is listening to my prayer…don't take my brother…please…