Mrs Howell sat at the table while her husband paced in thought.

"We could be a traveling king and queen," Mrs Howell said.

"No no the captain will more than likely have that theme. No ours needs to be different. What message do we want to convey to Gilligan?"

Lovey sighed as she looked at the blank sheet of paper. "Perhaps we meet him as a human and later find out he's a merman? Or come up upon him at the beach?"

Thurston looked out the door and spotted the boy walking out to the jungle. He got a good look at the first mate's lost and haunted expression. The millionaire frowned worriedly as his mind flashed back to when he had gone to bribe Kinkaid. That same look had been on Gilligan's face when he had been forced to leave him. He and the others were thankful that the Professor had been able to stay with him and watch over him that night. He leaned against the frame in thought.

What DID he want to tell Gilligan? That he had softened the hearts of a lonely rich couple? That he had taught Thurston Howell III that the way you treat people is far more important than working them to the bone to make you richer? That he had reminded him how important his wife was to him? That he had rekindled their want for a child that had been denied them?

That Gilligan had taught him the true meaning of love and what it means to care for someone so much that you were willing to let them return to where they truly belong?

Lovey went over and embraced her husband. "Thurston?"

"Lovey I'm not so sure I can convey how much that boy means to me in one simple story."

His wife smiled gently. "What he means to US Thurston."

He smiled at her and nodded. "Right."

After a moment Lovey returned to the table and Thurston sat on the bed to resume their story planning.

The two thought over their time with him and quite a few instances came to mind that they could draw from.

The couple looked at each other and smiled as they finally realized just what they wanted the first mate to read.

"Once upon a time there was a king and queen who had no children of their own. Their hearts grew cold and greedy and they drifted apart as a married couple while the king worked and the queen had her social obligations. One day they heard the story of a merman and ordered him captured to that they could see the creature. The merman was captured that night and in the morning the king and queen looked in a large tank that was housing the young merman. Though the merman pleaded to be released the two refused wanting to show their prize knowing that people would pay a high price to see a mythical creature. The merman's tears of despair did nothing to soften them. The next day the wizard came begging for the merman's release from his prison and said that he would give him legs so that the merman would not be able to be used for their greed!"

Thurston went over and wrapped his arms around his wife. He watched her elegant handwriting fly over the pages.

"The king agreed but when the merman was turned human they ordered him into a high tower and forced the wizard away. They then went to the tower and told him that they wanted to him as their son. He'd be a prince. The merman agreed only because he felt he had no choice in the matter. The king and queen taught him how to act and dress like a prince. He worked hard to please them and even though they were happy he was miserable. One day the queen found him staring out of a window at the sea. The queen was touched by the tears that trailed down his cheeks and asked him what was wrong. The merman wiped his eyes and said that he was fine but she wasn't fooled. She spoke with her husband about her concerns."

She looked up at him and silently stood up. He sat down and she put her hands on his shoulders as his own precise handwriting took over.

"The king watched through a window as the merman walked through the garden and to a fountain. He watched as the merman took off his shoes and put his feet in the water. A small smile appeared on the merman's face and it was then that the king realized what he was doing. He didn't belong there. He belonged in the ocean wild and free. He thought back over the past several days and for the first time he felt his heart melt. The lad hadn't smiled once. It was then that he made a decision that for once was not out of greed...but out of love. After dinner they took the merman to the beach and met up with the wizard. The queen kissed his cheek and thanked him before returning to the carriage. The king reached up and took off the crown before doing the same to the rest of his clothes. Once the boy was stripped the king apologized for trapping him and thanked him for his hard work. When he met the boy's eyes the look of gratitude was overwhelming and he pulled him close for a long moment before he walked him to the sea and the wizard gave him his tail back. The king watched the merman swim away and for the first time in his life he felt content that he had done the right thing. He was sad to see him go but glad that he now knew he could love someone enough to let them go. He returned to the carriage and rode back to the castle with his wife. From then on the king and queen opened their hearts to their people and became even richer in heart and love than they ever were with money. They decreed that the ocean at the beach was sacred and to never be fished or harmed in any way in order to protect the sweet merman. Every chance they had they would visit the merman and always leave him be in his own home where he belonged. The more time they spent there the more they changed for the better and the kingdom prospered. All because of the merman whom they affectionately called "The Sea Prince.""

Mr Howell put the pen down and let out a breath. "Darling will you take this to the Professor?"

She nodded and kissed his cheek before gathering up the papers and leaving.

Mr Howell stood up and left the hut looking for the first mate. When he found him he asked him if he wanted to golf. Gilligan smiled a little as he followed him. After an hour he put a hand on the boy's shoulder. "Gilligan do you remember when you were our son?"

He nodded. "I sure do Mr. Howell."

The millionaire smiled. "You may no longer be G. Thurston Howell IV but we never stopped loving you and being proud of you."

Gilligan swallowed as he hugged himself. "Th-thanks Mr Howell…"

The millionaire pulled him close and just held him for a long moment. "You're a treasure Gilligan. You truly are."

The first mate returned the embrace.

Neither said a word. Mr Howell looked up and met the eyes of the Skipper. The captain only smiled and nodded to him before leaving the two alone.

Mr Howell smiled as he cradled the boy who had become a part of his family.

The Professor added the new story and smiled approvingly. "The Sea Prince" was a true testament to how a humble first mate could give a couple that had everything the one thing they wanted.

He also noticed in amusement that the wizard, himself in a way, was present in every story so far as a bit of a translator between the merman and the others. He hoped they didn't think he could translate Gilligan-logic! Sigmund Freud would be thrown in a loony bin if he tried!

He shook his head with a gentle laugh. That boy would make a great scientific study!