RIP, Mr. Denver.

Gilligan and Ginger

"…and doesn't Mary Ann look lovely?" Mrs. Howell asked, though it wasn't really a question, so Ginger didn't bother answering and Mrs. Howell kept happily talking. But it was true. Mary Ann looked beautiful in her wedding dress. She had even managed to outshine her – Ginger Grant!

And it was clear the Professor thought so, too. He hadn't taken his eyes off Mary Ann all night.

Ginger's thoughts and Mrs. Howell's running commentary were interrupted as a dapper Mr. Howell came up to them.

"Pardon me, ladies." He turned to Ginger, smiling. "Ginger, do you mind if I steal my wife away for a song or two?"

"Not at all, Mr. Howell."

Mr. Howell put out his arm and Mrs. Howell took it, nearly giggling at her husband's attention. There was a definite sparkle in both their eyes as they made their way to the dance floor.

Ginger smiled as he watched them step together seamlessly. A soft sigh escaped her mouth as her eyes moved from them to the newlyweds.

"Um, Ginger?"

Ginger turned to her friend. "Yes, Gilligan?"

"Would you, um…" He shifted nervously, rubbing a pattern on the dirt with his foot as he tried to get the words out.

Ginger watched him for a minute, enjoying his bashfulness. She finally took pity on him. "Like to dance?"

"Yes!" he grinned.

They walked to where the others were dancing. It took a few clumsy bumps before they settled into the rhythm of the music. Ginger tried not to laugh as Gilligan focused intently on his feet, not-quite-silently counting the steps.

"Gilligan, this would be a lot more fun if I could see your face," she teased.

He looked up and inevitably stepped on her right foot. Ginger winced from the pain and Gilligan opened his mouth to apologize, but she cut him off gently. "It's okay." He smiled.

And oddly enough, it -was- okay. She wasn't annoyed. She didn't feel like storming off. She was happy to be dancing with him.

With Gilligan.

She almost laughed again. Gilligan. He wasn't like the men she used to be seen with all around Hollywood. He couldn't dance (she noted again as he stepped on her toes for the second time). He wasn't witty. He wasn't rich. He wasn't famous.

But… he was sweet.

As the song ended, Ginger placed a kiss at the side of his mouth, smiling demurely. He blushed and her smile widened. "You're sweet," she whispered. And he blushed even more. "Thanks for the dance, handsome." She winked and left Gilligan standing there with a goofy smile on his face. He was in the same place when the Skipper came up to him a few minutes later.

"Having fun, Gilligan?"

Gilligan nodded vaguely, still smiling. "It's a great day, Skipper."

The Skipper looked around. The Howells were dancing cheek-to-cheek to the soft music. Ginger was talking animatedly to the Hinkleys. And the Professor still hadn't taken his eyes off of Mary Ann.

The Skipper looked back at his first mate and clapped a large hand on his shoulder. "Little buddy, you're right about that. It's a GREAT day!"

And it was.