Author's Note: Just as I'm beginning to wonder if I should just abandon this fic because of discouragement due to lack of reviews and wondering if anyone was reading it I get a guest review that proves otherwise and encourages me to continue. Thank you Ai. This one is for you.
Gilligan's health was taking a toll. His skin was pale and under his eyes were dark circles. His appetite had all but vanished. His smile was gone.
Roy wanted nothing more than to turn back the hands of time and kill Kinkaid the moment he stepped foot on the island. This wasn't their Gilligan.
Then again he was fighting. He was fighting for his life. The proof?
When he thought no one was looking he found the machete and just stared at it for a long time. What went through his mind Roy didn't know but he let out a relieved breath when Will narrowed his eyes and put it down.
"No. I can get through this. Give yourself a break Gilligan. Mr Howell found one son dead. He shouldn't have to find another. I can't do that to everyone."
That gave him at least a little hope.
One day he took Gilligan to a cave and gave him a piece of chalk. "Draw whatever you want Will. Art is the best way to get out what you can't say."
The boy winced. "I know I'm worrying you. I'm sorry. I'm trying to get better...honest I am."
Roy held his hands. "I know you are. You're a fighter. You prove that every day you get out of the hammock and face everything." He reached up and cupped his cheek. "What Kinkaid did to you was wrong. He hunted you down, trampled your dignity, and was nothing but pure evil. Everyday you get up, get dressed, and take care of yourself is everyday you're defeating that monster."
The sailor gulped. "I keep asking myself why me? Was it punishment for screwing up so much? Foiling rescues?"
"No," Roy said firmly. "He chose you because he thought you were an easy target. None of this was your fault. You are not at fault. Kinkaid is a wicked, evil monster and you stood up to him. You were the one harmed. You were the one chased all around the island with that maniac pointing a gun at you. You could have been killed but you weren't. You fought. You ran. You hid. You did whatever you could do to stay alive. For that I am eternally grateful. I don't want to imagine the what if."
Gilligan's eyes watered. "You were the one that stood between me and that gun in the end."
"I couldn't do anything less. I love you. If I recall you did the same when Kinkaid threw that knife."
"I...I couldn't…"
"Shh...I know." He pulled the younger man close. He felt Will return the embrace and for a moment they just stood there in their little cave as the world outside faded away.
Strong arms enveloped the first mate and for the first time in his life he felt truly and fully safe. He shut his eyes as for the first time since this nightmare began his mind finally slowed down from it's racing thoughts, his heart stopped fluttering like a hummingbird, and the gunshots were silenced.
After a moment he was finally ready. He pulled away and turned to the cave walls and began drawing scenes from the hunt.
Roy watched him silent and supportive. The scenes were fear inducing and proved more and more how strong this young man really was.
Once finished with the final scene he dropped the chalk and took several deep breaths.
Roy went over and put his hands on the younger man's shoulders. "Will, you alright?"
The sailor turned around and, to Roy's delight, he smiled for the first time since the hunt. "I'm ok."
They shared a kiss before returning to the others.
At dinner that night Gilligan surprised them all when he laughed at a joke told by Mr Howell. That laugh brought the Howell's to tears of joy for they had feared a repeat of their son's suicide. The women smiled relieved and the Captain let out a long, shaky breath in relief.
Roy only smiled.
Gilligan would be just fine.