Chapter Three: Forgive and Forget
"Skipper, can I talk to you?" the Professor asked as he entered the supply hut.
"Sure Professor."
"Gilligan, stay here in case she wakes up," the Professor instructed.
When they were out of the hut and out of earshot of anyone else, the Professor began, "Skipper, forgive me if you find me meddlesome, but I must ask you to elaborate more on your relationship with this woman."
"She has a name," the Skipper answered with unexpected curtness.
Slightly flustered, the Professor apologized, "I'm sorry Skipper, it's just a rather awkward position the rest of us our in and"
"You think you're in an awkward position?" the Skipper asked incredulously. "What am I supposed to be in then? What's going to happen when she has to end up spending the rest of her life with us stranded, and her and I just happen to be the only single people on this island. But I suppose that wouldn't be anything for you to worry about since you happen to have a wife!" he finished, saying this last sentence with a curious mixture of resent in his voice.
This seemed to have thrown the Professor off guard, "What? What does my being married have anything to do with the present situation?"
"Oh nothing," the Skipper grumbled. "It's just that, well… oh never mind, you'll just think I'm being immature."
"No I won't, continue."
"Well, it's just that well I, I've always considered Gilligan to be, well like the son I never had. But then he got married; don't get me wrong Professor, no one's happier for him and MaryAnn then me. But now, now they have a son, and, well. Ever since they had that cute little kid, I've been thinking… a lot. But then I'd always encounter the fact that, I can never get married as long as I'm on this island. But now Joyce came along…" his voice trailed off.
"Were you to very close?"
"Extremely. Oh Professor, I've never felt the way I felt towards Joyce… We were made for each other. I remember then, one night, I think it was the last night of my service in the Navy. I went to see her in the nurses' ward. When I found her, I proposed," the Skipper sighed. "I had been sure she would say yes. But, she didn't. She seemed unable to speak, which seemed strange because I was sure she knew I'd be proposing any day. And then, there was another rap on the door, and Ed Talbert entered, carrying a bouquet of roses. He looked extremely flustered when he saw me, almost panicky. When I saw his eyes, I knew there had been something between Joyce and him. I left the room never to say another word to Joyce or Ed."
The Professor seemed to be searching for an appropriate response for the situation. "Well, Skipper. I, I… well I don't know what to say," he admitted.
"Don't say anything. I never was mad at Joyce and Ed; I just wanted her to be happy. And if he could make her happier than I could, so be it."
"Maybe you should talk to Joyce about this," the Professor suggested.
The Skipper didn't reply. The Professor walked back towards the supply hut, leaving the Skipper to his thoughts.
When he arrived at the supply hut, he found Joyce and Gilligan emerged in animated conversation.
"Oh hi Professor! I've just been telling Ms. Hill about everything that's happened to us since we've been marooned on the island," Gilligan said cheerfully.
"Oh Gilligan, please, call me Joyce; it sounds so much younger than 'Ms. Hill'. But Professor, it sounds as if your adventures on this little island are greater than many have ever had the chance to experience."
"We've had our adventures," the Professor agreed. "Gilligan, I think MaryAnn needed you for something."
After Gilligan had left the hut, the Professor turned to Joyce and asked, "So, Talbert isn't your last name?"
"He told you then," it wasn't a question, but a statement of fact. "Professor, I must ask you not to judge me too quickly. Things were not as they appeared that night."
The Professor examined her very carefully, and then decided to give her a chance to redeem herself, "I shall like to here your side of the story."
"Well. I hope Jonas told you how madly in love we were, because that's the honest truth. I've never met a man like him… he was always kind and thoughtful towards me; all around a real gentlemen," she paused to allow herself to remember. "Anyway, I suspected that he would propose sometime, because we'd been together a while now. But when that moment came, and he did propose, I was caught speechless. I knew I loved him, but I wasn't sure I was ready to get married, or if I'd be a good wife for him. Oh, if only Ed hadn't burst in I know I would have said yes.
"I know what it must have looked like, Ed coming to see me in the middle of the night, carrying a bouquet of roses. And Ed realized it to; the moment he saw Jonas, his expression turned from joy to horror in a flash. And then, Jonas said, "Oh, I see" in a voice that pierced my heart, and left the room. He was gone before I could explain.
"But, things weren't as they appeared. There was nothing going on romantically between Ed and myself whatsoever; you see, he's my second cousin. He had popped in to tell me he was about to propose to his long time sweetheart; he was being released the next day as well. He wanted me to wish him luck and instead he came onto the scene at exactly the wrong time," Joyce sighed, looking at down at the sandy floor. "I guess it's not the most plausible story, but well, it's the honest truth."
The Professor analyzed her once more then announced, "I believe you."
"You do?" she questioned in relief.
"Of course I do. And I believe you still love him very dearly as he does you," the Professor noted. "I suggest you two talk immediately so you can both stop suffering."
"Where is he?" Joyce asked nervously, getting to her feet.
"Right here," the Skipper announced as he walked through the door, startling both the Professor and Joyce.
Quickly, the Professor exited the hut to leave the Skipper and Joyce to talk.
"Joyce… I had no idea…" Jonas announced softly, after a short period of awkwardness.
"Did you here everything?"
"Everything important. Oh Joyce, I shouldn't have jumped to conclusions so quickly… I, I guess I behaved childishly," he admitted shamefacedly.
"No, don't think that. I would have thought the same thing. The important thing is that now you know the truth," Joyce finished.
"Oh Joyce, do you forgive me for being ignorant?" Jonas asked quietly, taking her hands in his.
"Of course I do…" she replied, throwing her arms around him. "I still love you," she whispered into his ear.
Jonas couldn't recall being happier. "I've missed you so much Joyce… I've tried to forget you, but I couldn't," he replied, pulling her away from him so he could look into her eyes. He forgot how beautiful and captivating they were…
"Jonas…" Joyce began gently, her lips inches away from his. "Is that marriage proposal still open?"
Jonas stared deeply into her eyes and thought carefully before answering. "I think… that we should wait a little while. I mean, catch up a bit, just to make sure," he responded wisely. "But not to long," he added with a smile, leaning into kiss her.
"Okay…" Joyce agreed before she leaned into Jonas's kiss, realizing it had been to long since she felt that wonderful sensation of complete bliss and ecstasy fill her from head to toe.
Gilligan walked into the hut at that moment to see his big buddy and Joyce kissing. "Oh, um, whoops, sorry Skipper!" Gilligan apologized, hurrying out of the hut quickly.
Chuckling, Jonas and Joyce separated slowly. "Oh my little buddy has the worst time with timing," Jonas joked.
A brief period of silence followed, however this time there was no trace of awkwardness in the air; rather one of content and joy.
"So… Ms. Hill, may I have the pleasure of your company tonight for a walk along the beach?" Jonas inquired civilly.
"I think that would be very nice Captain Grumby," Joyce responded happily.
"Until tonight then, I shall meet you at your hut."
"But Captain Grumby, I'm afraid I don't have a hut of my own," she admitted.
"You can have mine; I shall sleep in the supply hut. It is no inconvenience for your sake," he declared, kissing her hand then leaving the hut.
Gilligan was waiting in the Skipper's hut when he arrived, humming happily.
"Why hello Gilligan."
"Uh, hi Skipper. Um, sorry about walking in when you to were kissing," Gilligan said uneasily going slightly pink.
"That's okay Little Buddy," the Skipper replied cheerfully, "Nothing you do today could make me angry."
"Oh, that's good, cause I kind of sort of accidentally…"
"GILLIGAN!" the Skipper barked as Gilligan ran out of the hut. Shaking his head and figuring he'd find out what Gilligan did soon enough; the Skipper began to tidy up his hut as best he could.
"Well Gilligan?" the Professor inquired as Gilligan reached the supply hut.
"What? Oh yeah, I um, well I went over to the hut and well, I walked in on them, uh kissing," he admitted uncomfortably.
"Oh Gilligan, couldn't you have knocked?" Ginger questioned, with a slight trace of amusement in her voice.
"I forgot?" Gilligan suggested.
"Well regardless, the fact that they were indeed osculating implies that they have indeed made up," observed the Professor.
"Indeed," Gilligan agreed. Then, noticing the Professor seemed to have some sort of experiment in front of him, he asked, "What are you working on Professor?"
"I'm glad you asked Gilligan, because actually, I need you to find some items for me."
"Okay, but what is it?"
"Well, I'm trying to concoct a crude but effective substance we can use to send out a distress message along the beach; similar to the substance you most unfortunately swallowed. You see, if Joyce was on a boat with other people, certainly they'll try as best they can to locate her. This substance, I believe will prove more effective than a fire and will hopeful be able to be seen from a good distance away," the Professor explained.
"Oh, that sounds like a good plan Professor," Gilligan said as he took the list of items from the Professor.
After Gilligan had exited the hut, Ginger sat down next to her husband and asked, "Can we talk?"
"Aren't we doing that now?" Roy mused, examining a liquid filled test tube.
"I meant can we take a walk together a talk."
Still focusing on the various test tubes in front of him, Roy asked, "Why? Is something wrong?"
"Does something have to be wrong for us to take a walk together?" Ginger replied with a slight note of vexation in her voice.
"Um, no," he replied, mixing to of the liquids together, causing them to fizz slightly.
"Can you forget about science for one minute and look at me when I'm trying to talk to you?" she sighed angrily.
Finally, Roy sat the test tubes back in their holder and looked his wife in the eye. "Something's wrong."
Ginger stared hard back at him then stated almost bitterly, "Brilliant observation Sherlock." Then, her expression softened ever so slightly and she added softly, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to get annoyed. It's just that, whenever I need to talk to you, you're always up to your ears in science."
Roy wasn't entirely sure how to respond. "Is that what it feels like; that I don't have any time for you?"
"Sometimes…" she mumbled back.
He stared back at her in mingled disbelief and incredulity. "I'm sorry you feel that way. But what you must understand is"
"Oh never mind what I must understand. Try talking to me when you don't have science at the center of your thoughts," Ginger retorted, storming out of the hut angrily.
Roy was left thoroughly confused. What had he done to make her so upset? He was about to go find her when Gilligan entered the hut carrying the needed supplies for the experiment.
"Oh, thank you Gilligan. That was very quick," he said less than enthusiastically.
"Something wrong Professor?" Gilligan asked.
Slightly surprised that Gilligan had picked up on the note of despair in his voice, the Professor answered, "Um, not really Gilligan. It's nothing big."
"Uh, okay. Do you need any help with the, um stuff," Gilligan asked, not having a clue what to call what the Professor was working on.
"I don't think so… I just need to mix the ingredients to the correct proportion, and then the 'stuff' must set for several hours."
"Oh, so will we still be able to set the signal up tonight?" Gilligan guessed eagerly.
"Yes, with any luck we'll be able to set the signal up around," the Professor checked his watch, "nine thirty."
"Oh boy! Wait till I tell the others the good news!" Gilligan said, exiting the hut to find everyone.
Gilligan saw Mr. and Mrs. Howell lounging outside of their hut, sipping cocktails so he decided to tell them first.
"Hello Gilligan my boy," Mr. Howell said jovially.
"Gilligan dear, do sit down; there is something dreadfully important I need to ask you," Mrs. Howell announced.
"What do you need to ask me?" Gilligan questioned curiously.
"It concerns the Skipper and Joyce. Now, did you really walk in on them kissing?" Mrs. Howell inquired.
"Um, yeah I did," Gilligan answered, wondering why everyone couldn't just let that fact drop.
"Are you quite sure they were kissing?" Mrs. Howell persisted.
"Uh, yup, pretty sure," Gilligan replied in some confusion.
"Oh poo! They don't need my help at all. Oh and I was looking so forward to a bit of matchmaking. It's been such a long time…" Mrs. Howell sighed.
"Oh well, sorry Mrs. Howell. They um, seemed to have made up," Gilligan stated.
"Gilligan, must you always bring us bad news?" Mr. Howell asked.
"Well I do have some good news. The Professor thought of another way to get us rescued!" Gilligan informed them happily.
"Oh good, you know, we must do something for that egghead," Mr. Howell decided.
"We're going to try to get the attention of whoever's searching for Joyce," Gilligan informed them. "I got to go tell every one else, see ya."
Dinner that night was a curious affair. An excited feeling filled the air, as it always did before a rescue attempt. Then there was a combination of awkwardness and joy with Joyce's presence. And finally, there was a noticeable tension that still remained between The Professor and Ginger; and the Professor still had no idea what he had done wrong.
Afterwards, everyone went his or her separate ways until the time came to set up the signal.
The Skipper, who hadn't been so jittery or nervous for a very long time, checked his appearance one final time then headed off to meet Joyce at what had become her hut. Upon arriving, he knocked on the frame of the hut and waited for her to come out.
"Hello Jonas," she said, smiling happily.
"Hi," he replied as he took her hand. "I thought I could just show you around the island and we could talk; catch up you know."
"I've missed you…"
"I've heard…"
Their hands drifted together automatically, it was so natural, even after all of this time…
Gilligan and the Professor were out on the beach setting up the distress signal with the dye the Professor had concocted.
"Oh boy Professor! Let me help set it up, huh?" Gilligan asked hopefully.
"That won't be necessary…" he replied, thinking of all the other times Gilligan had 'helped' him.
"Please, I'm not as clumsy as I used to be," he pleaded, tripping over a loose stone.
The Professor gave him a look that clearly said "Thanks, but no thanks."
"Well, can I at least set up the logs to say SOS?"
"I suppose," the Professor sighed, examining the dye carefully.
Gilligan went off to find some logs with which to perform his task.
"Oh hello girls," the Professor said as they emerged onto the scene (MaryAnn holding Jacob). "Did you tell the Howells we were almost ready?"
"Yeah, they should be hear soon; they mentioned something about changing into the proper attire for sending out a distress message," Ginger informed him.
"Of course," the Professor chuckled.
"Where's Willy?" MaryAnn asked.
"He went to find some logs with which to make the base of our signal," he explained.
MaryAnn went off to find him, leaving Ginger and Roy alone.
An awkward silence lingered for a moment or so until Roy asked, "May I inquire as to why you are angry at me?"
"It was nothing…" she muttered distractedly.
"I'm not so positive," he mused, touching her hand.
"Don't worry. I just… got agitated, over something I shouldn't have. I'm sorry," she replied, smiling slightly. "I suppose I was annoyed with myself more than you; it just happened that you were there at the time."
"Would you like to delve further into this?"
"I'm… I'm fine now," Ginger replied trying to sound reassuring. Roy however detected a trace of worry lingering in her words yet did not press on any further.
"Ah hello there you two. Has the rescue plan been put into action?" Mr. Howell inquired.
"Not quite," the Professor responded.
"Not quite? Why do you realize how many board meetings I've missed since we've been on this island?" Mr. Howell demanded.
"And that's not to mention all the social benefits," Mrs. Howell added.
"I assure you, we are trying our best. But you must understand, we can't set up the signal until Gilligan returns with the logs."
"Hi Mr. and Mrs. Howell!" Gilligan said, carrying as many logs as he could manage, staggering under the weight. Dropping the logs unceremoniously onto the sand, Gilligan bent down to start assembling them into the correct letters. "Um… hey Professor… how do you-"
"S-O-S, Gilligan."
"Thanks. I always forget that," he muttered.
After the logs were assembled correctly, MaryAnn said, "I wonder where the Skipper and Joyce are."
"They probably just lost track of time," Ginger replied with as slight smile.
"Perhaps they got lost," Mrs. Howell suggested.
"Well, I don't see why we can't apply the dye without them," the Professor said as he began brushing the dye on the logs with a palm frond brush. "There, now, we can all take turns keeping watch for any signs of a rescue ship."
"I think we're lost," the Jonas said with a smile.
"I hope so…" Joyce replied, leaning her head on his shoulder.
"It's getting late," Jonas noted, noticing how dark it was for the first time.
"Oh that's right, we were supposed to meet everyone to set up the signal."
"If we head straight we'll eventually come to the beach."
After walking for awhile, they heard the waves crashing and walked out onto the sand.
"Look at those stars! Oh let's stay here for a little bit Jonas; this is so romantic," Joyce whispered.
Jonas held Joyce in a hug and stared into her eyes as the moon light danced upon them. He took her hands in his and kissed them, then he kissed the tip of her nose, and finally her lips. She wrapped her arms around his neck and felt that the sun could have fallen out of the sky and she could have cared less.
"Maybe," Jonas suggested, "we should go find them now."
Later that night, around eleven-thirty, Gilligan switched watch duties with the Professor, who was now sitting out on the beach, determined to stay awake. He was still worried about what Ginger had gotten sore at him for, but couldn't come up with a
viable answer. He had just stifled a yawn when he heard a branch snap and whipped around to see who it was.
"It's me," he heard his wife say.
"Oh, you startled me," he said as she sat down next to him.
"I'm sorry. I couldn't sleep, so I decided I'd keep you company.
They sat in silence for awhile until Roy asked, "Um. Ginger, are you sure there's nothing wrong. Nothing you wanted to talk to me about."
"…Actually, there is," she said with a smile. Taking his hands she said, "Oh you're so cold!"
"A bit, perhaps."
"Let me fix that," she whispered, leaning towards him.
They kissed gently at first and then more emotionally. As their lips parted ever so slightly, Roy said, "Okay, I think I'm warmer. Now what was it that you needed to tell me?"
Ginger smiled again, inhaled, breathed out slowly, and then announced, "Roy, you're going to be a father."