AN: Thank you to everyone for the reviews and I am just glad you are all enjoying this tale. Trust me this one is not over yet, not by a long shot, no pun intended, but there is still the calm before the storm after this chapter. :) Now, on with chapter 6! Enjoy! :)

Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters.

The sun was up, apes shrieking, and someone was shaking him.

"Are we at the zoo already, Mom?"

"Gilligan, wake up!"

His eyes snapped open and he was face to face with Maggie. She had been trying to get his attention.

"Is that Maggie?"

He nodded at Mary Ann who seemed worried.

"I think there's trouble."

Maggie nodded.

"Kincaid?" Gilligan asked.

The ape nodded again.

"We gotta move and, Maggie, I want all of you to keep safe."

She went to argue, but he shushed her and looked at his watch.

"We've got four hours left, we'll be able to do it."

Maggie didn't argue as Gilligan jumped down from the tree and gazed up at Mary Ann. He reached out his hands to catch her, but she was hesitant when she heard more shrieking and then a gunshot. Everyone momentarily froze as the pair turned more than just a whiter shade of pale. She quickly glanced at the tree that now had a bullet hole in it and jumped into Gilligan's arms. He ran as fast as he could while carrying her, but knew a few of the apes would confuse Kincaid. He could hear her crying, it was another close call and he was determined to keep her safe as he thought of going back to the waterfall, but it was too far away. They were close to the munitions pit when he thought he had killed everyone, but how would they get back out? The rope wasn't attached anymore, it had worn off over time. He could have Mary Ann stand on his shoulders, but remembered she injured her ankle. He stopped for a minute and adjusted her that he was carrying her over his shoulder.

"If you see Kincaid let me know, okay?"

"You'll know if I spot him."

He took off again trying to locate a good hiding spot for the remainder of their time.

Those damn apes, he'd kill every last one of them if he had time, but he didn't want to waste any more ammunition. He grinned when he realized why the apes were being insufferable, one of his prey was injured which would slow them down. It must be the farm girl and he laughed knowingly, it was when she barely escaped his clutches that she must've injured an ankle or something to impede her from running. He knew that the young sailor wouldn't leave her unprotected and must've had his ape friends help out which was smart on his part, but would not help him for long especially if he had to kill these hairy beasts to get to the pair. Now that she was hurt he might be able to get both of them after all and followed their trail. He was unhappy that he missed the brunette, she was in his cross-hairs, but an ape had shoved his gun making him miss. By the time he aimed again they had taken off into the jungle and became a giant red blur. Time was running out for them and so were their hiding spots.

They entered a cave, it was the one where he had found the caveman tablets, and he set her down. He was exhausted from carrying her and she requested that he stop running. He plopped down next to her and greedily drank water from the canteen. He handed it to her and she drank a little, but not much since he was the one carrying her around. She wished she had watched where she had been going, but she had been panicking which trumped rationale.

"I'll be back."

She glanced up at him.

"Where are you going?"

"Breakfast."

"Be careful."

"I promise."

He cautiously exited the cave and she sighed in concern as well as a little frustration. She was a little hungry, but she didn't want him to risk his life. She just wanted to sit here and wait for time to expire, but she knew once they ate they'd have to move again, yet she wondered if she could convince him to take a brief nap if she stood watch.

Two hours left as she sat near the mouth of the cave and stared down at him, smiling. His head in her lap, snoring lightly, as she ran her fingers through his hair, he looked peaceful. She bent down and kissed him on the forehead when she heard rustling coming from the bushes. She didn't have to wake him, his eyes had snapped open, and he was on his knees. Kincaid was nosing around and he motioned for Mary Ann to quietly follow. They crawled out of the cave under the cover of the high grass and when Gilligan felt it safe he crouched in front of her. She wrapped her limbs around him as he piggy-backed her through the jungle and Kincaid heard them, chasing them mercilessly. They would not rest, he wouldn't let them. He had run out of ideas and wasn't sure where to hide, but he had to keep Mary Ann protected at all costs even from how he felt which at this moment was terrified. He would go back to his ape friends, but didn't want them to get hurt either especially after losing Gladys even though he knew they were capable of ripping Kincaid's limbs off which he didn't want the hunter to experience because Gilligan didn't believe in that and hoped that the justice system back home would deal with this man somehow. Right now he needed to focus on losing Kincaid and trying to find a safe place to hide.

Mrs. Howell had quite enough of these rugged accommodations and stood up going towards the bamboo prison door. She realized by the construction of it she could easily release herself and was inwardly cursing herself that they wasted time sitting around when they could've helped their friends out. She untied the vine and strolled out, but was stopped by Ramoo. The others heard her conversing with the native and watched to make sure she didn't get hurt.

"Oh, poo!"

She strolled away from him as he raised his spear, but the Skipper and Professor refrained him. Mr. Howell caught up with his wife, kissing her cheek.

"You were magnificent, darling."

"Thank you, Thurston, but I couldn't be cooped up any longer."

"Must be cave fever."

"That's silly, darling."

They tied Ramoo up as the Skipper ordered the Howells and Ginger to stay put in their huts while he and the Professor searched for the pair, if there was still a pair. Before they left the group they made sure there was an escape plan if Kincaid should come back to the hut area or if the pair should wander back. Ginger hugged and kissed the Professor on the cheek, fearful of what could happen out there before waving them off as she assumed watch at the window.

Fifteen minutes remained as Gilligan entered a clearing with Mary Ann still clutching him and she made him put her down. They were close to camp as she leaned against a tree and he drank from the canteen and offered it to her.

"No, you need it more."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, and I'm sorry."

"For what?"

"For panicking."

"I would've probably done the same thing."

"Maybe, but you wouldn't have hurt your ankle."

"Maybe, but if I did I don't think you'd be able to carry me."

"You probably weigh as much as me, I could easily carry you if I had to."

"You may have to," said a voice.

They heard his voice as he emerged and Mary Ann hugged Gilligan who was preparing to scoop her up.

"You're trapped now."

"Not necessarily."

"You run now and it'll be easy to shoot you since you've got a load to carry."

Kincaid stared pointedly at the brunette and the young sailor pulled her closer, hiding her to protect her. Gilligan gazed at his watch and was going to try to stall since time was almost up. He smiled down at Mary Ann bravely and placed a soft gentle kiss on her lips. She kissed back as tears ran down her cheeks knowing what he was about to do and he moved into the center of the clearing to face down Kincaid.

"Sacrificing yourself will not save her life."

"Maybe not, but at least I'm not a coward like you."

The man threw his head back and laughed jovially at the young man standing up to him.

"Killing innocent creatures for what purpose?"

"It's the thrill of the game, you wouldn't understand."

"No, I wouldn't, but I see the destruction it causes."

"Upset I killed your monkey friend?"

"She was family to me and what you don't understand is she had a husband as well as three young children that now are motherless! Do you know what it's like to grow up without a parent?"

"I could care less about a dead monkey and its family, they are nothing but easy trophies."

"What about a human? Are you really going to kill us knowing we have families and are part of a family on this island?"

"Your life means nothing to me. Are those your final words?"

"No."

He stared longingly into Mary Ann's eyes.

"I love you."

Her jaw dropped in shock and Kincaid raised his gun, aiming.

"How sweet and redundant."

Gilligan faced his fate when Kincaid's alarm went off. He sighed in relief, but Kincaid kept the gun steady on his quarry. He wasn't going to abide by his word and Mary Ann realized her worst fear was coming true. Everything moved in slow motion as she knew what had to be done. Kincaid pulled the trigger, Gilligan's grin wiped off his face, and then a force knocked him to the ground. Kincaid grinned triumphantly, but then realized he had missed the sailor, how in the hell did these narrow misses keep happening? He gazed down where Gilligan lay flat on his back and a certain brunette was on top covering his body. She was sobbing into his chest and clutching to his shirt for fear if she let go he'd vanish.

"I love you, too."

He wrapped his arms around her as he felt her tears wet his shirt and he kissed the top of her head. He noticed Kincaid was aiming his gun again and this time at the back of Mary Ann's head. He couldn't move quick enough, but to his amazement the Professor and Skipper came barreling at the hunter followed by all his ape friends. The Skipper grabbed Kincaid into a bear hug from behind while the Professor yanked the gun from his hands and Charlie knocked the hunter over the head with a coconut after he clambered up onto the Skipper's shoulders. He fell unconscious and the Skipper dropped the madman to help his friends up. Gilligan sat up with Mary Ann still clinging to him and crying quietly.

"How did you find us?"

"Your ape friends led us here," the Professor answered.

He stared at them, smiled, and nodded. They understood and went back to their homes, satisfied that their friend would be okay. The Skipper got down on his knees and hugged the two Castaways.

"Oh, little buddy, I'm so glad you're alive! We thought Kincaid had shot you leaving poor Mary Ann to survive by herself."

"How do you figure that, Skipper?"

"We were woken up by gunshots, screaming, and then Mary Ann crying out for you. We figured he killed you and that Mary Ann was the only one left."

The brunette clung to him tighter at the Skipper's words knowing that could've happened.

"Is that true, Professor?"

"Yes, Gilligan, we feared the worst, but are ecstatic that you are both safe and alive."

"He killed Gladys, those must've been the gunshots and screams you heard. She saved our lives."

They didn't say anything and helped the two up, but Mary Ann cried out in pain falling to her knees. Without missing a beat Gilligan scooped her up and began carrying her back to camp with the Professor following while the Skipper guarded Kincaid.

"Did you re-injure your ankle?"

"I think I made it worse."

"You shouldn't have done that."

"He didn't keep his word."

"You could've gotten hurt like Gladys."

"It was a risk I was willing to take. I meant what I said."

"I did too."

"That's why I tackled you."

"Remind me not to play football with you unless we're on the same team."

She giggled.

"I didn't hurt you, did I?"

"No, but you knocked the wind out of me."

"Sorry about that, but it was necessary."

They entered the camp as he set her down in a chair and sat next to her while the Professor let the others know before he went to release Ramoo. The others ran to them overjoyed and began hugging them.

Later, Ramoo was taking off with an unconscious Kincaid and the Skipper had fought the native to keep the gun, but Ramoo was stronger as he hit him with the butt of the gun. The Professor and Skipper watched the helicopter until it was out of sight.

"This is one time I hope we don't get rescued."

"I couldn't agree more, Skipper."

"I just hope those two will be okay."

"They'll be fine, but it might take some time before they are their normal selves. They've endured a lot together."

"I just want things to go back to what they were before Kincaid showed up."

"They will, just give it time, Skipper."

He patted the man on the back as they went back to camp where the Howells and Ginger were setting up for a party.

"Where's Gilligan and Mary Ann?"

"Gilligan is taking a shower and Mary Ann is in our hut taking a bath. Gilligan insisted she use his tub because she injured her ankle."

"Will you let me know when she's finished, Ginger, so I can examine her ankle?"

"Sure, Professor."