A/N: Sorry for posting so late, I was having internet trouble.

Chapter 3

The castaways were dumbfounded. Eva and Lydia explained to them, as simple as they could, that the keys of the boat would be theirs. On one condition, they leave them alone on the island. Forever. Of course in the mind of the castaways, leaving these two would be a moral wrong. Although with the suggestion of sending help later, threw Lydia and Eva into a heated rage.

"I don't like it Skipper." The professor said.

Night had fallen on the island, Skipper and Gilligan's hut provided a safe haven for discussion.

"Well I don't like it as much as you do," The skipper sighed, "But I also want off this island, and if it means letting those two stay here, we might just have to."

"Oh now Skipper, that's inhumane!"

"Well what do you suggest we do professor?" The skipper crossly hit his fist on the table.

Gilligan, who was fiddling with the lit candle, made a surprising suggestion. "What if we try to fix them?"

"Oh come on Gilligan, that would never work."

"No no, Skipper. He might just be onto something!"

"Huh?"

The professor leaned in his chair, "If Mary Ann and Ginger are able to get these girls to a more desirable position, we might just all be rescued."

"Hey! That is a great idea! Good thinking Gilligan!"

The boy smiled, then promptly yelped as a drop of hot wax hit his hand. "Gosh that hurt."

"Stop tinkering with it then!" Skipper swiped the candle out of his hands, only to spill more on his hands. "Ye-ow!"

The professor drooped his head trying to ignore the fiasco between Gilligan and the Skipper. "Well gentlemen, I think I'll head to bed."

"Have a goodnight professor." The Skipper continued to rub his sore hand.

As the morning rose, so did Mary Ann. She soon emerged to start the routine breakfast for everyone. The professor suddenly pulled her to the side. "Oh Professor! You scared me."

He held a finger to his lips and whispered, "Mary Ann we might just have a plan to get everyone off the island."

"That's wonderful, but why are you whispering?"

"So Lydia and Eva won't hear."

"Oh…" She widened her eyes, "...go on."

"If you and Ginger can straighten out Eva and Lydia, then we'll have a really big chance of rescue."

"Professor, that's genius!"

"I won't take credit for this idea though, it was Gilligan who suggested it." He nodded in respect.

Excitedly, Mary Ann began skipping away. "That first mate is going to get one heck of a pie tonight!"

"But first please teach Lydia to cook breakfast." The professor muttered to himself.

Mary Ann hadn't opened the windows yet for the sake of Ginger, she could be cranky sometimes. Eva and Ginger had stayed up all night talking. Not really talking loudly considering Mary Ann still slept well, but you knew they were there. Mary Ann stirred the snoring Lydia, "Huh..?"

"Good morning Lydia!" She stared down at the half asleep girl. "Want to help make breakfast?"

After a big stretch, Lydia scowled, "I'll burn the food."

"Well with me around, I'm sure you won't burn anything. I can teach you a thing or two along the way."

With hesitation and suspicion, Lydia stood up and followed Mary Ann out the door. There were bowls already set out, fruit to be chopped, and a fire to be started. It was more primal than modern cooking, but it would have to do. "So Lydia, what experience do you have in the kitchen?"

"I should have a lot, I listened to my mother, but something is off in me."

"Sometimes skill grows slowly, but to speed it up means a lot of practice."

There were bowls already set out, fruit to be cut, and a fire to be started. It was rather primal to modern cooking, but it would have to do. Mary Ann grabbed a handmade knife, ready to teach and all. Thank goodness there was another knife so that it would be easier to teach Lydia. "Hey, grab that knife. This will be your first lesson."

She seemed shocked that Mary Ann suggested that she pick up such a dangerous food, but she responded with a shaky, "Alright."

All through the hour, Lydia just sliced cautiously through the fruit. First with bananas, then mangoes, then finally papayas. "What now?" She wiped her sweaty brow, mainly from nervousness.

"Lesson two! I think we'll make oatmeal. We can't use too much because we grow it ourselves and the new crop hasn't ripened yet. Anyway, could you get a pot with water?" Mary Ann began to enjoy ordering Lydia around. It meant more time for her to sew, craft, or tend to the garden. "Add a pinch of salt, then put it over the fire."

Lydia inched her way over to the flame, "Ok. Ok. I can do this."

It was a long minute or so, "See? That wasn't so bad."

"What if it burns?"

Mary Ann laughed, "If you can burn water, I'll consider that a skill."

She was joined with nervous laughter.

"Just wait for it to boil. We can relax a bit." Mary Ann leaned onto the counter. "Actually I can't, but you can."

She skirted for the storage hut and promptly came out with a big wooden bowl. "What's that?" Lydia inquired.

"It's bread dough." Mary Ann flopped it out onto a cutting board. "I have to knead this stuff."

"Can I try? I helped my mother with this much at least."

"Certainly." Mary Ann split the dough in two.

Now this was one thing Lydia was good at, the rhythm of beating dough just suddenly clicked in this supposedly untalented girl. "Hey, I think you got a knack for dough kneading!"

"You think so? Do you think I could braid it?"

"Knock yourself out."

She definitely had a knack for dough, in no time the dough was split in four strips and already being formed into one beautiful loaf. It almost shook Mary Ann to her roots, she couldn't even get a loaf to look that good, not in an artisan style anyway. There was something suddenly really unsettling about Lydia, but nothing you could really place a finger on. Well, as long as she didn't out bake Mary Ann's scrumptious pies, all would be well. For a time.