A week had passed by and Ginger remained in a coma however her doctors were very optimistic. Her signs were improving and Dr. Sherwood in particular believed she could come out of that coma very soon. The baby was doing splendidly which was a big relief to the Professor. He did not want to lose Ginger or his son or daughter.

Right now he was watching over her in the room he had set up for her in their home. He believed it would be better for her to be in familiar surroundings plus it kept the press away. The Professor was none to happy to find a few obnoxious photographers attempting to sneak into Ginger's hospital room to snap pictures. He wanted none of that for his wife. She should be allowed to heal in peace. Not have busybody members of the press hounding her. His fingers brushed the hair from her forehead and he leaned down gently kissing her. She was everything in the world to him and he was going to make damn sure no one harmed her ever again. The Professor went so far as to double the security in their home and hired a full time bodyguard for Ginger. When (not if but when) his beloved starlet made it through this ordeal he wanted her fully protected and Eddie could certainly provide that protection being as he was an ex-Navy Seal and an expert on security. Roy felt much better knowing Ginger would be protected by good hands. Yes she would still carry her firearm around. No question about that. While it was true that one could not possibly be prepared for everything as this situation has proven but at least having a bodyguard on board would help in a big way.

Roy smiled at his wife as she laid in there on the soft warm bed. He gently touched her cheek before speaking. "My love you remember when we did that musical version of Hamlet? That awful Harold Hecuba treating you the way he did. Well he got what he deserved didn't he?" He was happy to find out that Mr. Hecuba was run out of town after everyone learned how he stole the musical idea from the castaways and up and left them stranded. Last anyone heard he was working in some theater in Europe. Good riddance.
"I recall seeing you on the stage as Ophelia. You looked so radiant. The way the light from the torches lit up your beautiful face. I wished I could have been up there with you."
The Professor's fingers then traced her chin. "I also remember when you as Cleopatra. I suppose the Skipper wasn't much of an Marc Antony. I supposed I could have spoken up and offered to take the role. I don't know why I didn't. My beautiful Ginger whenever you were on stage you looked amazing. You were always so captivating. Especially your musical numbers. I enjoyed them immensely. Your melodious voice would cut right through my soul. I love you so much. I have always loved you. Only you." He carefully put his arms around her and held her tight. "I just want you to come back to me. Please Ginger. Come back to me."

Gilligan stood there watching feeling blue. He wished Ginger would wake up and the Professor wouldn't be so sad anymore. If there was only something he could do. Anything. Slowly Gilligan approached the two. "Hi Professor." He greeted.

The Professor looked up seeing the first mate there. "Hello Gilligan."

"I just came over to see how Ginger was and to bring her these flowers." He said holding out a pretty bouquet of yellow roses. "I know red roses are her favorite but I thought she may like these."

"She would thank you Gilligan." The Professor said.

The sailor set the flowers down on the table and walked over to Ginger's bed. "Hi Ginger. It's me Gilligan. I brought you flowers. I hope you get better real soon."

The redhead remained silent in the bed. The monitors beeping around her.

Gilligan turned to the academic worried. "Professor you don't look so good. Maybe you should get out of here. Go to work or something."

Roy shook his head. "I'm not leaving." He replied. "I can do my work from here. Ginger needs me and I won't leave her by herself."

Gilligan wanted to argue but thought better of it. The Professor was smart. He knew what was best. And besides he couldn't blame him. If it was Mary Ann he knew he would never ever leave her side. Not once. Ever. Instead the sailor said something else. "I bet she will be up and on her feet in no time Professor." He said trying to be helpful. "And we can then all see her great movie and everyone will love it."

Roy smiled to himself appreciating the young sailor's efforts at trying to be positive. "I'm sure you are right Gilligan."

"I am Professor. Ginger is strong. She will pull through. If anyone can Ginger can."

He nodded and looked back down at his wife. "She is a fighter." He remarked.

Gilligan nodded. "She sure is. And…Professor I know she loves you. And she wouldn't miss spending her life with you."

"No she wouldn't." The scholar acknowledged.

"Everything will be okay. You'll see. Just hang in there."

"I will. I most certainly will."

"Well." Gilligan said. "I should get going now. I have to go help Skipper with his boat."

"Thank you for coming over Gilligan I appreciate it. And I'm sure Ginger does too."

"No problem." The first mate smiled before leaving the room.

The Professor was going to share the sailor's optimism. Ginger was going to come through this. She would. He would not let go of that. That he was holding onto. No Ginger was not going to be taken away from him and neither would his child. Their child. He placed his hand on her stomach where the precious life was growing. He could not wait to meet him or her. Would they be just like Ginger? Just like him? A combination of the two of them? What traits would they inherit?What Roy did know for certain was that his child would have a terrific mother. There was no other woman that he could ever envision being the mother of his children. Children. Yes plural. They would have lots of children.

Feeling tired he rested his head against her pillow and drifted off to sleep. He wanted to block out everything but Ginger. Didn't want to hear Barbara nag him about going to the office how he had to continue on with his life. It wasn't healthy. She even went as far as the threaten to cut him from the company to which he replied he really did not care. Ginger was way more important. It was a constant battle to get Roy Hinkley out of that room and out of the house to work. The blonde refused to budge telling him he needed to focus on something else.

How could he do that when Ginger needed him he would argue. Barbara would get exasperated and throw her hands in the air shouting that he needed to get a grip. Ginger's doctors and nurses were wonderful. She was receiving excellent care. He on the other hand needed to go about his life. Yes it may sound harsh but that's what he needed to do. It did no good for him to stay glued to the movie star's side 24/7. Ginger most certainly would not want that of him. Plus Barbara knew he wasn't eating like he should. She could tell he lost a little bit of weight. So she and Jessica took turns coming over cooking meals for him and making sure he ate them.

The one thing he absolutely would not under any circumstances give up was sleeping in Ginger's room. He set up a small bed beside hers. Roy promised he would never spend one night without her and he was going to live up to that promise. The others let him be.
They supposed it didn't hurt for the man to be near his wife at night. As long as they could get him out during the day. Well today was not one of those days. He ordered both Barbara and Jessica out of his house and stated firmly he was going to stay with Ginger and that was final. Both women reluctantly agreed to leave him in peace. As long as Roy could be around his beautiful starlet that was all he needed. He was content knowing that she would know he was by her side and loved her like no other.

Theater

Helena sat with several other actresses in the auditorium. It wasn't a big time Broadway play they were trying out for but it wasn't no small no name thing either. The director was pretty well known in Hollywood and the writer had won a few awards for his work. All were there to audition for the part of Judy Leonard. She was the lead female role in the play. Helena wanted this part so much. She studied and studied so hard. She had to land the role. She just had to!

"Helena Burns." The director called out.

The blackhaired woman jumped up from her seat and hurried on the stage. "Hello. I'm Helena Burns. I'm here to read for the part of Judy."

"Let's see what you can do." The director stated.

Helena placed her hand on her hip and began her line. "Why? Why do I let them walk all over me! What is wrong with me! I'm better than that!" She then walked forward. "I deserve more than this. Much more. For five years I've given all I can and this is how they pay me? I will not stand for it! I won't I…"

"Cut Cut!" The director said. "I'm sorry is this your first time on a stage?"

Helena wanted to snap something at him but kept in check. "Was there a problem?"

"Yes. You were the problem. Next." He said as he looked over his list for the next actress.

"Oh please." Helena said. "Please…you have to let me try again…."

"No can do sweetheart."

"But…Please I know I can do this….If you would just give me a chance…."

The director frowned. "You did get a chance. You blew it. Next."

The wannabee actress sulked off the stage in defeat. Why wouldn't anyone see her potential! Surely she had to have some! No one would give her a break! This was so unfair! She stormed out of the theater and to her new car. She got in slamming the door. What was she going to do now? She needed work. Her cash was running low. A couple of more months she could get by but after that it would be tough.

Starting the car, she drove off trying to devise a plan. There had to be something out there for her. Anything. She needed to get people talking about her. Right now they were still talking about that stupid Ginger. The bitch was in a coma and she still hogged the spotlight. Well one way or another she would inch into that very light.

Helena pulled up to a bar and got out of the car. She went inside and sat at the bar counter ordering her drink. She lost her agent Charles so she was pretty much on her own. She could not afford to pay him any longer so he ditched her. Helena saw a newspaper sitting there and she scoured the want ads. Maybe she could find an job like the one she had a few years ago. At some talent agency. Surely that would help her figure out what acting jobs were available. What better way to get the inside scoop than a talent agency! With any luck, they would see her talent and…well she wasn't going to get ahead of herself. First thing was first. Landing the job. Then she would go from there. If she had to start out at the bottom so be it. She would work her way up and be a household name. She deserved it. As for Ginger, she did not care what became of her.

Helena circled a few promising looking jobs. She tore the section out of the paper and was going to fold it back up when she noticed a new column from that Connie Pearson. Knowing that Connie hated Ginger, she read it and a smile came to her face. It went on about how it was possible Ginger would not recover from this latest ordeal. A void would be left in Hollywood that would need to be filled. Just like there would be in the Professor's life. What lucky lady would claim his heart? Ms. Pearson wondered.

Now everyone else who saw this was horrified and thought Ms. Connie went too far. Poor Ginger was fighting for her life and this person had her in the ground and her loving husband looking for a replacement. What a cold blooded monster she was! But to Helena it was Connie Pearson's best article yet. She wondered if by chance this Connie would happen to see her in something and then start the rumor that she could catch the attention of Roy Hinkley. Oh wouldn't that be just dandy!

Skipper's boat

As Gilligan hurried around getting things in order, Jessica had arrived to talk to the sea captain. She was of course worried about her sister but she was always worried about her brother in law.

"I don't know what to do." She stated to Jonas. "Every single day it's a battle to get him to live his life."

The captain sighed. "I know Jess." He stated. "It's rough. You just have to keep pushing. Just don't push him too hard. He loves Ginger a great deal."

The older Grant sister smiled a bit. "I know he does. She did herself good landing a terrific man like Roy. I wasn't so lucky."

"You weren't? What do you mean?"

Jessica sighed. "I was married once. A long time ago."

"What happened?"

"We found out that I couldn't conceive children." She replied.

"So he left you? That's awful." Skipper frowned. "What kind of a guy does that?"

"It wasn't all Ryan, that was my husband, it was part me too. I just felt worthless. Like a failure. I can't really explain it but that's how I felt. I wanted to give him a child so much. I know how much he loves kids but I…I couldn't. Eventually it drifted us further and further apart and it was over. He remarried and has three kids. I on the other hand have nothing."

"I wouldn't say that." The Skipper stated. "You are a terrific woman. You can always adopt kids. I bet there are a million kids who would love to have you as their mother."

"That's sweet of you to say." Jessica smile. "But before I do that I need to find a husband to help me take care of that kid. And I haven't been so lucky. Most of the men I meet want to get close to my sister. Not that I blame them. I mean she is gorgeous. You know that, you were attracted to her."

Skipper sat down. "Yes I was. But it was superficial. I was attracted to her beauty and her charm. Not her. I didn't know it then but I know it now. In fact Mrs. Howell helped me see that. Ginger belongs with the Professor. He loves everything about her. Always had. I could never be a part of that Hollywood crowd. My life is the sea. Ginger would never understand my world and I would never understand hers. The Professor, he gets it. He wants to be in her world."

"I suppose you are right." Jessica relented. "But it's not easy. Sometimes I feel like I live in her shadow. Now don't get me wrong I love my sister and I'm very proud of her. Ginger worked her butt off to get where she is now. It's just that well when it comes to men I feel like they don't see me, they see Ginger Grant's sister and see me as a way to become famous and get into the limelight. I never know if I can trust them. I sound nuts don't I?"

"No." Jonas stated. "You don't but Jess you need to learn to how to trust. Yes you are right there probably are some men who want to use you to get near Ginger but I think you are smart enough to weed those ones out. I'm telling you I know there is a man out there who will have eyes only for you and make you very happy."

Jessica laughed. "You are very wise Jonas." She smiled. "How come you don't have a woman?"

"I have a woman." He stated standing up puffing his chest. "She's called the sea!"

The strawberry blonde shook her head. "Funny. Say how about we take this boat out on that sea!"

"Aye aye!" He replied as he went about his way.

Jessica thought about what he told her. Maybe he was right. She was going to have to learn to trust someone. Not all men were going to be louses. And perhaps that special man was out there for her. Somewhere.

Professor and Ginger's Home

The Professor was not in a deep sleep but felt like he was dreaming. He dreamed that Ginger was running her delicate fingers through his hair. It was a dream he did not wish to wake up from until he realized he wasn't dreaming.

Slowly he lifted his head to see a beautiful set of green eyes staring back at him.
"Ginger?" He said carefully. This wasn't a dream was it? Please tell him it wasn't a dream!

"Roy.." Her weak voice said.

"Ginger!" He was overjoyed.

"How's the baby?" She asked of him.

The Professor smiled at her. Of course she knew. She was going to surprise him. He knew it. "Our baby is just fine." He answered.

"I'm glad." Ginger said. "I was going to….sur…surprise you…"

"I love you." The academic said to her. "I love you."

Ginger managed a weak smile. "I…love….love you too…"

He kissed her lips and held her tightly. He sent a silent thank you up to God for returning his beloved redheaded starlet to him.