A/N This idea came from a chapter I wrote in Princess of the Island. I thought it would be fun to turn it into it's own story. Enjoy!
Another warm tropical day on the island. Blue skies and a gentle breeze with the sun shining down brightly making everything appear more bright and colorful.
Mary Ann emerged from the jungle with Gilligan behind her carrying a large load of laundry. One of the drawbacks of being on the island was the lack of modern conveniences however the brunette girl from Kansas didn't mind so much when Gilligan was helping her. It was fun to listen to his tales from back home and also his vast stories of his days in the Navy with Skipper. The hijinx those two got into sometimes was quite comical. Especially that story about Skipper hustling a game of pool from some unsuspecting soul and winning almost $200! Gilligan made a wonderful companion when it came to doing the laundry. She was glad that the Professor had requested the assistance of the beautiful Ginger Grant for whatever scientific thing he was working on. It meant she could be with Gilligan. It wasn't that she didn't enjoy the movie star's company but listening to story after story about how the Professor looked at her that way or said this to her and how he brushed against her when he passed her wherever got a little tiring. It was fun to hang with Gilligan.
Mary Ann picked up the vine she normally used and handed part of it to Gilligan. "Here tie that end to the other tree." She instructed.
"Sure thing." He said cheerfully as he fastened the end of the vine tightly. He looked over the basket. "Wow there was sure a lot of clothes to wash. It was strange how the Professor had a lipstick stain on his collar. I wonder how that got there. I know he doesn't use lipstick. Maybe he was using it for some experiment. Funny it looked just like the shade Ginger wears."
Mary Ann stifled a giggle. "Oh Gilligan." said. "Forget that. Just help me hang these clothes. You know how Mr. Howell is about his expensive polo shirt. I want to make sure it dries as quickly as possible."
"Oh yeah that is true." He said finding the said garment in the basket and handing it to Mary Ann to hang on the line.
As the two worked they did not notice a canoe paddle to the shore. A bronze skinned male stopped the canoe and stepped out. His female companion followed along with a younger male. They walked on the sand and to the jungle clearing where the spotted the young castaways. Gilligan glanced over and said a hello before he did a double take. His eyes went wide and he yelped a yikes before dropping a blouse of Mrs. Howell's on the ground. Mary Ann was puzzled. "Gilligan what is…" She stopped when she saw the tribal family standing there. She wanted to run but her feet were stuck in place.
The older tribal man spoke. "Greetings." He said. "I am Takai. This is my wife Lana. Our son Maliko."
"It's uh…nice to uh..meet you." Mary Ann managed to say.
"We come in search of wife for our son." Lana said point blank. "We here of young woman on this island." She looked Mary Ann up and down "You perfect for our son."
"Me?" The farm girl squeaked. Quickly she ran over to Gilligan clutching him from behind. "I…I can't be someone's wife."
"You make perfect wife." Takai said.
Maliko smiled at Mary Ann. "I like her." He said.
Mary Ann gulped still clutching Gilligan. "I…I'm sorry I…I can't…I mean I am flattered but I….I don't think…I mean I'm sure there is another girl who would be a better match for your son."
The tribal family either didn't hear or were not interested in Mary Ann's opinion of the situation. Lana spoke. "We have wedding in one week. In that time you get to know Maliko and the ways of our tribe."
Mary Ann's brown eyes were filled with fright as she whispered to Gilligan. "Do something!"
Gilligan didn't know what to do or say. He was afraid of making the family angry and if they got angry they may hurt Mary Ann. He didn't want that but at the same time he couldn't allow Mary Ann to be married off to this young man who she didn't know. "I'm sorry but your son can't marry Mary Ann." He said as an idea formed in his head. "She is already set to be married."
"Who is this person she is to marry?" asked Takai. "I wish to speak with him."
"It's Gilligan." Mary Ann said quickly.
"Me?" Gilligan said turning his head to the farm girl who pleaded with him to go along with it. He then turned back to the family. "Uh yeah that's right. Mary Ann is going to marry me."
Takai took his wife and son aside and they spoke. "What are they doing?" asked Mary Ann who still had not let go of Gilligan.
"I don't know. You think we should get Skipper?" He asked.
Before Mary Ann could answer the family came back. "Maliko still wish for young lady to be his bride." Takai said. "There only one way to settle. You fight."
"Fight?" Gilligan said in a high pitched voice his eyes bulging.
"Yes." Lana said. "It only way. Who ever wins get to marry young lady."
Mary Ann looked at Gilligan. "What are we going to do?"
"I know what I'm going to do. I'm going to faint." With that the sailorman hit the sand.
Mary Ann bent down to revive him. "Gilligan…Gilligan…wake up….Gilligan."
Twenty Minutes Later
Mary Ann and Gilligan were back at camp along with the tribe family who were apparently from the Lakana tribe. The other castaways arrived to meet their new guests. Everyone was relived to hear from the Professor that the Lakana tribe was a peaceful. Mrs. Howell looked them up and down and was less than impressed with their attire. Mr. Howell explained they were just a tribe and most certainly did not have access to the latest fashion from Paris. Skipper was less than concerned with the tribe's clothing choices and wanted to know what they were doing on the island.
"We come in search of bride for our son." Takai explained. "We had heard of young lady on island." He pointed to Mary Ann who still had not left Gilligan's side. "We wish for her to marry him.
Ginger couldn't believe her ears. They wanted to marry their son off to Mary Ann! How could they overlook her! It irked her for a minute before she realized it was silly to get upset about. She wouldn't want any tribal man wishing to marry her. Although it would be nice to see if the Professor would get jealous and forbid it to happen. How romantic! She sighed thinking about it for a second or two before her mind snapped back to reality. Her dear friend was in peril. Some strange young man from some tribe wanted to make her his bride. They couldn't allow that to happen! Something had to be done. But what? Then an idea came to her. "Mary Ann can't be your son's bride. She is going to marry Gilligan." She said. "Isn't that right Mary Ann?"
The farm girl was stunned that Ginger came up with the same idea as her but was glad she did. "Yes that is right. I had told them I'm marrying Gilligan so there was no possible way I can marry their son Maliko. But they said that Gilligan had to fight."
Skipper looked over at the two young people. "Fight?"
Gilligan nodded. "Takai here said that I had to fight his son for Mary Ann." He pleaded with his at Skipper to think of something to get him out of it.
Ginger fumed to herself. Not only did they overlook her now they wanted to fight for Mary Ann. It was not fair! Why couldn't anyone…She looked over at the Professor wondering if he would fight anyone for her. He would wouldn't he? Did he think she was worth fighting for?
The science man spoke up. "I'm sure there is a way to solve this situation without resorting to fighting." He said.
"No." Lana said firmly. "It is way of the tribe. Must fight. Shows honor."
"Skipper." Gilligan said to his big buddy. "Do something. I don't want to have to fight."
The sea captain stood up. "Now look here. No one is going to fight my little buddy. And it may be the tradition of your tribe to fight but it's not our tradition."
Takai narrowed his eyes. "You insult tribe." He said.
Mr. Howell stepped in. "No one is wishing to insult your tribe my good man.," He said smoothly. "We just happen to do things more civilized than you. Now surely you don't wish for your son to fight Gilligan. The Professor is right. There has to be a way to resolve this matter. I tell you what. I'll give you $500 and we forget the whole thing."
"No." Takai said.
Mrs. Howell was scandalized. "Thurston they turned down money!"
"They really are savages." He said under his breath.
"We fight." Maliko said.
"Now just hold on." The Professor said. "Gilligan does not wish to fight. There really is no need for anyone to fight. Mary Ann does not wish to be your son's bride. I am sure you can understand. You can't just force her."
"We fight!" Maliko exclaimed undeterred. "We fight!"
"Skipper!" Gilligan squeaked. "What am I going to do!"
"I guess you are going to have to fight." The sea captain said. "They won't listen to reason. Besides I don't think you have much of a choice."
Gilligan gulped looking at the young tribal warrior who grinned at him evilly.
Professor's Hut (Later)
"Professor we have to do something." Skipper said. "We can't let Gilligan fight this Maliko. You know how those tribal warriors can be. How skilled they are when it comes to these things."
"That is true." The academic conceded. "They are highly trained in the art of war. Who knows what tactics they will use in a fight."
"I'm dead. D-e-d dead." Gilligan said forlornly.
"Now don't worry Little Buddy. We'll think of something." He assured.
Mr. Howell spoke. "Maybe Ginger can help."
"Ginger? What can she do?" Skipper asked.
"Perhaps she could use her charms on the unsuspecting Maliko to convince him to not fight." The millionaire answered. "If anyone could it would be Ginger."
"That is true." Skipper said. "Maybe we could ask Ginger.."
"Now just a minute." The Professor interjected. "No one is using Ginger for anything. What if Maliko decides that since Ginger took an interest in him that he should marry her instead of Mary Ann? I won't have Ginger be put in that situation. You will just have to think of something else. Leave Ginger out of it." He stated firmly. He was not about to allow that Maliko to think the stunning redhead was at all interested. Not a chance.
"You do have a point Professor." Skipper said. "It would just make things worse. They find out they were tricked it would just anger them."
"There is only one solution." The academic said. "Gilligan is just going to have to fight."
"But But I can't…" Gilligan protested.
"We will have to teach you." The Professor said. "Surely Skipper you know some techniques Gilligan can use."
The sailor sighed. "Well I did use to be boxer back in my Navy days I suppose I could show Gilligan some moves."
"Good." The Professor said. "I have a book on martial arts perhaps that could be of use to."
"I'll help coach." Mr. Howell said. "I do know a thing or two about combat. I have been in the business world for years. Been through many battles. The key is to psyche out your opponent."
"I don't know if I can do all that." Gilligan said.
Skipper patted his shoulder. "Don't you worry Little Buddy. We will whip you into fighting shape in no time."
"I hope so. Otherwise we are going to have to think of a wedding present for Mary Ann." He sighed.
Girl's Hut
"Ginger I can't believe this is happening! I don't want to marry Maliko!" Mary Ann shrieked.
"You won't have to." Ginger assured. "I know Gilligan will do everything to make sure that doesn't happen. I bet the men are giving tips right now."
"The thought of having to be the bride of some tribal man...I didn't sign up for that when I boarded the Minnow." Mary Ann said.
"I know you didn't." Ginger said sitting down next to her. "Everything will be okay. I promise. Gilligan won't let you down. I know he won't. He is just crazy about you you know."
Mary Ann smiled. "You're sweet Ginger." She said wiping her tears. "I bet the Professor would fight tooth and nail before he let anyone snag you away."
"Well." Ginger began. "I have to admit I was a little miffed that the tribe overlooked me. Not because I wanted to marry Maliko mind you, I just wanted to see if Professor would get jealous and forbid it to happen. I know it is silly to get upset about that but I couldn't help it. It would make a good movie you know."
"That is true." Mary Ann said.
"However this is not a movie. This is real. And I know that there is no way Gilligan is going to let that warrior beat him. He may not be the smartest person in the world that is true but he can be very clever." Ginger said.
Mary Ann nodded. "Yeah he can. Just look how he outwitted that Japanese sailor. That was pretty darn clever if you ask me."
"It was." Ginger said. "He won't let you down. He will think of something. You won't have to be the bride of any awful tribal man."
"You are right." Mary Ann sniffed. "Gilligan won't let me down. He will find a way. He can do it."
