While Gilligan was having his conversation with Ginger and The Professor in the latter's hut, Skipper walked by and saw Mary Ann standing outside, crying, and overhearing what was being discussed inside.
Skipper apprroached Gilligan's girlfriend upon seeing her.
"Come on, let's talk," Skipper said, leading Mary Ann away to an area not to far away from camp, but with just enough distance so they could talk in private.
Actually, Skipper knew about the conversation Ginger and the Professor had intended to have with Gilligan, though Skipper kept things to himself, not even telling Mary Ann, Gilligan, or even The Howells of their plans.
"Why are they having that conversation with Gilligan?" Mary Ann asked.
"This is something Ginger felt she needed to do…to clear the air with Gilligan" Skipper said.
"But why?" Mary Ann replied.
"During the Kincaid ordeal, she really began to feel bad about how poorly she had treated Gilligan over the years, which is something we are all guilty of having done at one point or another during our time here on the island," Skipper said.
"Well, that is true," Mary Ann admitted. "Even I am guilty of having done that, at times. And that is what makes this hurt even more."
"Even more so, for you, now that my little buddy is your boyfriend," Skipper said.
"Yes. And I am feeling his pain more than ever. When he hurts, I hurt," Mary Ann admitted.
"That's because you love him," Skipper said.
"Yes, I do love him, Skipper. But I don't just love Gilligan…he's the man I love!" Mary Ann said.
"Which is why she is having this conversation with him right now," he said.
"Because we are a couple?" Mary Ann asked.
"Particularly because of what happened with Kincaid," Skipper said.
"And what all does Kincaid have to do wtih all of this?" Mary Ann bemused.
"Well, it was from the time we were in the cave, when Ramoo was guarding us," Skipper explained. "Ginger was very unsure that Gilligan would even survive the chase."
"What!?" Mary Ann explained. "I never had those thoughts about Gilligan!"
"Well, she did," Skipper explained. "She had her doubts about Gilligan, as we have all had, throughout our years here on the island. But it was in the cave where everything changed."
"How so? I was there, too, Skipper, and I don't remember her showing any remorse about Gilligan while we were in the cave," Mary Ann recalled.
"Well, it was what happened after you were taken out of the cave by Kincaid which chaged things," Skipper said.
"Really?" Mary Ann asked.
"Yes. See, after you left the cave, Ginger just fell apart and started crying—hard," Skipper said. "Then, as she was being consoled by the Professor, she just went mad."
"She did?" Mary Ann asked.
"Yes. She then started laughing hard…really hard. She then went at Ramoo, madly, yelling, how Kincaid was about to lose and that Gilligan was going to get him for threatening Mary Ann, saying, if Kincaid thought he had a chance…he just lost it by taking the one thing Gilligan loves the most."
Mary Ann, puzzled, answered, "she said all that for…and about…Gilligan!?"
"Yes. She put some serious fear into Ramoo. I saw it in his eyes. I had never seen Ginger that enraged about anything in our time here on the island," Skipper explained. "I guess the hunt brought out certain emotions about Ginger I don't think any of us thought she had about Gilligan…let alone herself."
"I wish I had been around to see that" Mary Ann admitted.
"Well, it was something to see all right," Skipper said. "And then, once Kincaid was defeated, Ramoo left, we heard the helicopter depart, we all shouted in victory and then, Ginger and the Professor, in all the celebration, gave themselves a victory kiss!"
"Yeah, I bet…like it was her man who was being hunted…instead of mine, who was hunted," Mary Ann said, in a flipant, sassy voice more reminicent of Lena Horne rather than that of her own.
"Huh?' Skipper said, surprised by how Mary Ann's voice slipped out with one other than the one Skipper was accustomed to.
"it's just that…it was as if they needed another reason to kiss," Mary Ann said, rolling her eyes while speaking more in her familiar voice.
"Well, be that as if may…she was very happy to see you and Gilligan together afterward. Aside from her relationship with the Professor, I had never seen her more happier than to see Gilligan…or the two of you, together" Skipper said.
"You don't say?" Mary Ann said, genuinely surprised.
"Yes. Ever since then, she has been nothing but nice, not just to Gilligan…but to Gilligan…and you, together, as well" Skipper assured.
"Really?" Mary Ann asked.
"Yes," Skipper said. "And I have to tell you…it is all real…she has a newfound respect for Gilligan…as a man…and as your boyfriend, as well. We all do."
Mary Ann was genuinely touched.
"I never realized Ginger ever had that much respect for Gilligan," she said.
"Well, she does now," Skipper said. "That is why they are talking at this moment, in the Professor's hut. This way, moving forward, we can all be even closer than ever...together."
"Yes. And may we all be closer as a result of this near-death experience my Gilligan and I had," Mary Ann said, pointing out how she was directly theatened by Kincaid, all the same leading to the climctic conclusion which followed. "I also want to see to it that Gilligan is respected for all of who and what he is—as a man and, particularly, as my boyfriend."
"You got it," Skipper said. 'He is, after all, my little buddy."
"I know that…but now he's my man, as well…which means I will be standing by him more than ever…even if it means having to stand against you" Mary Ann seriously said, pointing her index finger at the Skipper, in the process.
"And you do that. If you ever feel the need to say anything to me, even about our Gilligan, do not hesitate to say so," Skipper promised.
"I won't" Mary Ann promised.
And on that note, Gilligan emerged from the Professor's hut, his meeting with Ginger and the Professor concluded. He spotted Mary Ann and the Skipper seated where they were and walked towards them.
"Hey, honey…hi ya, Skipper," Gilligan said with a happy smile on his face.
"Hey, little buddy," Skipper said. "How are you doing?'
"I have never felt better," Gilligan replied.
"Oh, my dear, are you all right?" Mary Ann asked, as she rose to hug him.
"Never better" Gilligan said, kissing his woman on the lips. "I am so very happy to see you." Mary Ann, however, looked away, briefly, having tasted some lipstick on her boyfrend's lips which were more like what Ginger, herself, wore.
"We are happy to see you as well, Gilligan," Skipper said. "How was the talk?"
"It went well…wait, you knew?" Gilligan asked him.
"Yes, they told me what they wanted to do" Skipper said, "and I am glad you had that conversation with them."
"So am I. I did not know…but I am glad they spoke with you, as well" Mary Ann smiled back at Gilligan.
"Well, that's good. This way, we were able to clear the air and make sure there are no further misunderstandings going forward" Gilligan said.
"And I promise to do my part, Little Buddy" Skipper said.
"Me too, baby," Mary Ann concurrred to her Gilligan, in another Lena-esque tone. Skipper's eyes were startled once more.
"You got it, honey" Gilligan responded. "I don't know about the two of you…but I am sure feeling hungry."
"Then let's go get started on dinner," Mary Ann said, in her more familiar voice.
"You got it, dear. Let's go," Gilligan said. Arm-in-arm, he and his girlfriend headed back to begin to get dinner going for the seven of them. The Skipper walked beside the couple back towards the main area. In unision they were, although the retired WWII Navy veteran was wondering what all was really beckonning between this Kansas farm girl and his little buddy in their relationship, as if a certain aspect of Mary Ann's personality was beginning to emerge as a result.