Just as Lieutenant Gilligan was beginning to float off into infinity, another figure in a space suit appeared in the capsule next to Major Tony Nelson. The astronaut now occupying Gilligan's seat was a blond woman wearing a form fitting space suit. And she definitely had the form for it. The name strips read "Jeannie" and "Persian Air Force." Seeing the figure floating away from the capsule, Jeannie automatically blinked. The tether now attached Gilligan to the capsule.

"Thanks, Jeannie," Tony said, "your timing is excellent."

Jeannie replied, "You are most welcome, Master, I was with Colonel Healey in Vietnam listening to the mission on the radio. He said to check on you because Eva is the most difficult part." With a little Jealousy she added, "Is that Eva out there?"

Tony laughed, "Eva's not a woman. EVA is short for extra vehicular activity, or space walk. Wait! Did you say Colonel Healey?"

Jeannie smiled, "Yes, Master, Roger got a, how do you say it, a meadow promotion to Lieutenant Colonel. I wish you would let me blink him here."

Tony corrected, "You mean a field promotion. Roger deserves it. They really need helicopter pilots in Vietnam, and he's one of the best medivac pilots they got. I would like nothing more to have Roger here with me, but I also have to think about all of the troops he is saving. If its his destiny to be there, that is where he belongs. We knew the risks when we enlisted."

Looking out at Gilligan, Jeannie postulated, "Maybe it is not Colonel Healey's destiny. Maybe that tall leprechaun cast some sort of spell. It just doesn't seem right."

Tony said, "Jeannie, Lieutenant Gilligan isn't a Leprechaun. That is just his Navy nickname because he is of Irish decent and has incredible luck. When he was a young seaman, he saved his captains life, and was recommended for the Naval Air Cadet Program. He became the youngest Navy pilot since some WWII flyer named Bush. Gilligan went on to fly an F4 Phantom in Vietnam, earning all sorts of medals."

Jeannie said skeptically, "Very well master. But it still doesn't feel right."

Tony replied, "Its normal to have those sort of feelings, but just in case, we'll still keep you a secret from Lieutenant Gilligan."

Actually Tony agreed more with Jeannie than he let on. A lot of this just didn't add up. He did some checking up on this Gilligan kid. He barely made it through boot camp and was a mere seaman's apprentice whose dumb luck saved his captain. By age 21 he was flying some of the most sophisticated technology the military had, by 23 he was an ace with a distinguished flying cross, and by 25 he was in space. That may have been possible in the early days of the space program, but now most active-duty military astronauts were majors or lieutenant colonels or Navy lieutenant commanders or commanders. By rank and age, Willie Gilligan was by far the most junior of the astronaut corps.

One advantage of Gilligan's youth was that he definitely was enjoying himself out there. Tony had to smile when he saw Gilligan mock "swimming". Tony could hear Gilligan's whoops of joys. Gilligan startled him by looking strait into the portal. Fortunately Jeannie popped out of the capsule, otherwise there would be a lot of explaining to do.

Gilligan was relieved to find the tether attached around him. His suspicions that he got a little extra help were confirmed when he saw his genie in the capsule. For some reason her hair was blonde, though. Fortunately, Major Nelson was looking at him, otherwise there would be a lot of explaining to do.

When Gilligan got back in the capsule, Major Nelson asked, "Enjoy your stroll?"

Gilligan was grinning ear to ear, "Yes, sir!"

Both men had the same thought of the other, he doesn't suspect a thing.

Gilligan noticed a photo of an Army major posted on the console, "Is that Major Healey?"

Major Nelson answered, "Its Lieutenant Colonel Healey now, I take his photo along since we flew so many missions together. Nothing against you, Lieutenant, but I feel more comfortable with Roger along for the ride."

Gilligan, having a close buddy of his own (or at least he had one), understood. "Where is he now?" Gilligan asked.

Major Nelson looked at Gilligan strangely, "Did you get enough O2 out there? You know Roger Healey is flying choppers in Vietnam."

That hit Gilligan like a punch in the stomach. For the first time he realized he was living somebody else's life. "Wow, Vietnam."

Tony totally misinterpreted Gilligan's reaction and apologized, "Oh, hey, Willie, I'm such an idiot. How could I forget the time you served there. I can understand why you would want Roger to be in a safer place."

It was a quiet trip back through splashdown. The two astronauts were taken to an anti submarine warfare (ASW) aircraft carrier, where they were poked and prodded by Navy doctors, who in turn were under close supervision by an Air Force Colonel named Alfred Bellows. Gilligan spied a familiar figure walking into sickbay.

"Skipper!" Gilligan called out.

The startled chief corpsman cried out, "Admiral on Deck!"

Rear Admiral Jonas Grumby playfully growled at Gilligan, "Mr. Gilligan, have you been around the Air Force so long you have forgotten how to recognize naval rank?"

Dr. Bellows immediately started brown nosing, "I am so sorry sir, I will talk to the Lieutenant."

Adm. Grumby smiled, "Easy, Colonel, Lieutenant Gilligan and I go way back As a matter of fact, if it wasn't for him, I'd be down in Davey Jones' locker years ago. Besides, since I just put these stars on a couple of months ago, I still answer to Skipper more readily than Admiral. I'd like to have a few minutes with Gilligan, if that's all right with you."

When they were alone Grumby told Gilligan, "Way to go on stealing that EVA, Little Buddy. You're picture's going to be all over the new 'Fly Navy' recruiting posters. By the way, you can call me Skipper when its just you and me, but when others are around-- it needs to be Admiral."

Gilligan replied, "I'm sorry sir, I was just happy to see you. Congratulations on making flag rank. I guess it beats skippering the Minnow."

Admiral Grumby looked puzzled and said, "I didn't realize how much I talked about retiring and buying a small charter boat. I'm really surprised I told you the name I had picked out. I do miss having a ship of my own. I am command of this ASW flotilla, but each captain is responsible for his own craft. I can make decisions like picking up my little buddy who floats around in space, but I'm not the skipper. I spend more time at my desk than on the bridge." Jonas laughed and added, "This admiral business is so new to me, I feel like I'm living somebody else's life."

Gilligan quietly said, "I think I know the feeling."