Author's Note: Well this is the end folks. I enjoyed writing this far more than I thought I would. Thank you all for the wonderful reviews.
If you want to see a picture of Gilligan as a merman here's one drawn by my friend from DeviantArt named CooperGal24: art/The-Merman-Fanfic-Cover-441694104
She's done a few other GI pics for me. Even a Hunterpic.
Gilligan sat on the beach at the lagoon and leaned against a palm tree as his eyes stared over the beautiful lagoon. He sighed as his hand traced the book cover. He was honestly afraid of what the others had written. Was it like their diary entries when they had been mad at him and wrote their own version of the Japanese soldier?
He took a deep breath and opened to the first page. He had to smile a bit at the title page. The first story he read was the familiar Wizard and Merman story the Professor had told him. For some reason that story had come up time and time again during the hunt and it helped him fight.
The second was Ginger's story and that made him smile a little. He'd had no idea she thought that way about him.
May Ann's made him blush almost as red as his trademark shirt! He chuckled thinking that maybe...just maybe it'd be alright to try it out. He had always had a crush on her as well but had always been too shy to say. Maybe, after some time, he'd be able to talk to her about it. Maybe it was time to grow up a little.
The Howell's story brought tears to his eyes. Had he really taught them that? He remembered that week very well and yes he'd been unhappy but had tried not to show it so as not to hurt their feelings. As it turned out he shouldn't have worried. Not only had they understood but Mr Howell had actually deliberately pestered the Skipper just to make the first mate laugh. It had worked and the guilt that he had gotten had vanished. He still spent time with them and Mr Howell had even showed him how to balance a budget and help the Skipper run his business when they got back.
What really got to him was Skipper's story. He swallowed as he read it over and over letting the sentiments sink in. Tears fell freely. Skipper had been an alcoholic like his father? He'd never known! Yeah they'd go to a bar together in Hawaii from time to time but usually they only had one or two beers tops.
He smiled a bit at the dolphin part. Dolphin's were his favorite animal and he had hoped to see one out on the wild someday.
When it got to the part about the hat Gilligan smiled tearfully as he remembered that moment on the docks at the marina…
After his discharge Gilligan went to the marina where Captain Grumby had told him he would be. it hadn't taken him long to find his friend and the captain showed him around the new boat he owned: the S.S. Minnow.
Gilligan had admired it and when he turned the captain had a white hat in his hands and a smile. "Sir?"
He chuckled as he went over and put a hand on his shoulder. "I could use a first mate. What do you say?"
Gilligan had been stunned and when the Skipper had placed the hat on his head that stun had turned to pure joy and he threw his arms around him in excitement! "Yes! Oh Skipper thank you!"
The warm chuckle he got in return made him make a promise to himself that he would always be there for his Skipper and he would always work hard to please him!
It also gave him the strength he needed to tell his father to take a hike and the he'd been replaced! Replaced by Gilligan's hero.
The confession in the story that Skipper had chosen Gilligan over the alcohol hadn't gone unnoticed. Instead of feeling shame for the man's past he felt honored that he had been the one to touch him enough to change so drastically.
Gilligan closed the book and leaned back letting his tears fall and letting the pain go. He was in for a long road but he swore that he would bounce back. He may be a little wiser, a little bit changed but sometimes change was good.
What doesn't kill you makes you stronger after all. Nobody knew that better than himself.
He shut his eyes and the sun's heat as well as the sound of the gentle waves soon lured him to sleep.
And as he slept he began to dream…
The little mermaid smiled as he swam through the ocean surface and jumped over swells and waves with his dolphin friends. At one point a small magical light caught his attention and he swam up seeing the small fairy. She twinkled and sparkled as she told him that his friends were waiting for him on shore.
He nodded and made to follow her but was attacked by that same shark that had attacked him and the wizard! He fought it off again but this time did not come out unscathed. He finally was able to swim away but his energy was severely weakened. The current drifted him to the shore where he washed up on the beach battered and bruised.
Within seconds he was in strong arms and he felt the familiar sensation of his fins becoming legs. He opened his eyes to see the frightened faces of his human friends.
"Merman what happened?" the wizard asked worried.
"Shark," was all he could get out before he passed out in the arms of the captain.
He had been rushed to the castle where the king and queen gave him a warm bed. The maiden helped the wizard tend to the wounds while the captain kept watch and the fairy floated above them in tearful worry.
When the merman woke up and saw them he smiled as the captain gently squeezed his shoulder and the wizard finished healing his wounds. The fairy and maiden kissed his cheeks and the king and queen stood nearby relieved.
It took several days for him to recuperate and when he did he was dressed in a long shirt and pants as they went to the docks where they boarded the captain's ship. The crew was delighted to see him and they all sailed to where they knew his cavern was. The captain dropped anchor and the merman shed the pants and sat on the ship's railing. The wizard gave him back his tail and the merman took off the shirt.
The merman, the captain, the king and his queen, the maiden, the wizard, and the fairy looked at each other and smiled as the humans watched the merman jump off the side and into the sea where, even though it was very dangerous, he belonged.
Gilligan woke up from his nap and looked at the book in his arms. He looked at the lagoon and suddenly felt an urge to swim. He smiled as he stripped down to his boxers and and dashed to the water. The moment he got in he could swear that his legs became a tail as he swam, dove, and splashed feeling much like the merman in the stories!
For the first time in forever he felt free!
When he got out of the water he used his t-shirt to dry himself off before getting dressed. Gilligan looked at his sailor hat and flipped up the rim the way it had once been before putting it back on his head. He then pushed up his sleeves to his elbows before going to the water and looking in. He looked...more like he used to when they landed. All he needed was a haircut.
He hugged the book and made his way back to camp and sneaked over to the crews hut. He peaked in not seeing the Skipper. He grinned. Good! He went over to the mirror and shaved his face before taking the pair of scissors and giving himself a trim.
He looked...and felt...better already. He put his hat back on and stood up straight before saluting the mirror with a grin.
"First Mate Willy Gilligan reporting for duty!"
Boy were the others in for a surprise!
Gilligan sneaked out and into the jungle. He kept the book with him and reread the stories. feeling love well up in him for his island family.
That evening he returned with the book hiding his face and sat it down on the table but kept his head down. The rim of his hat was back down to conceal his appearance. as he approached the Skipper who was setting the table.
"Skipper…"
The captain looked at him concerned. "Are you alright Little Buddy?"
Gilligan kept his voice meek. "C-can you get the others?"
He nodded as he gently rubbed the first mate's arm before calling out to the others and bringing them out. They gathered nervously behind the Skipper.
"I read all of your stories and...and I got something to say.."
"Of course Gilligan…" the Professor said.
Gilligan reached up and flipped the rim of his hat back up before he looked up grinning and snapped a salute! "First Mate Gilligan reporting for duty!"
Their eyes went wide before they cheered! The Skipper proudly returned the salute. "Welcome back sailor!"
They then cheered as Gilligan embraced the Skipper. "I love you Dad," he whispered into the old sailor's ear. "I swear I'll make you proud."
The Skipper held his little buddy close and smiled as he fought back tears. "I love you too Son and I'm already proud of you."
"By George Gilligan let us get a good look at you!"
Gilligan pulled away and they shared a smile before turning to the Howells.
Mrs Howell smiled and nodded approvingly. "Dear boy you look marvelous! What prompted the change?"
Gilligan smiled as he picked up the book. "I think I read these stories fifty times this afternoon. After the first time I fell asleep and had a dream that we were the characters in these stories. I'll tell it to you during dinner. When I woke up I went for a swim in the lagoon and I was reminded how much I loved the water. I swear I became the merman! I realized that I had forgotten why I had joined the Navy in the first place and lost who I really was at some point during our lives here. When I came out of the water I felt better then I had in an awfully long time. I had given up on myself but not anymore." He smiled at them all. "This is me. Yes I'm a klutz. I admit it but it's mostly because my foot was crushed when I saved Skipper's life while we were in the Navy. It gets weak every now and then. I got a medal for it." He took a deep breath. "I had a lot of trouble in school because my father was an alcoholic and he would take his anger out on me. He didn't even come to my award ceremony because he chose to go to a bar instead."
Mr Howell looked as it he'd been punched and his wife wasn't any better. The girls had hands over their mouths and the Professor stood shocked as he stared at him. Only Skipper wasn't surprised but instead of being angry he was smiling proudly at his first mate.
Gilligan looked at each of them. "My life changed for the better when I joined the Navy and afterwards when I became first mate of the Minnow. My father was replaced." He grinned. You can guess by who!"
They chuckled and smiled.
"I won't lie to you all. The nightmares will still come. It's not over by a long shot for me. Just bare with me for a little while." He looked at Mary Ann and smiled shyly. "Just...give me some time. When I'm ready I'll let you know. I promise."
She blushed and nodded with a smile. "You're worth waiting for."
That got everybody grinning. Gilligan scowled and looked at the Professor. "I don't know what you're grinning about Professor! I'm gonna lock you and Ginger in a cave until you finally admit you like her!"
Roy blushed and glared at the first mate as the others laughed! Ginger sauntered up to him and the Professor glared at Gilligan. "I'm going to use you as a guinea pig!"
Gilligan just grinned. "You'll have to catch me first!"
The Professor smirked as he darted towards the first mate but Gilligan dodged him and made a mad dash around the huts with the Professor hot on his tail while the others laughed and cheered the two on!
At one point Gilligan went around one way and the Professor waited. When Gilligan ran by he tackled him before pinning him to the ground!
The sailor looked up at him and gave him a lopsided grin that immediately melted the teacher's heart. "Thank you...for everything."
Roy smiled and ruffled his hair before letting him up. "You're welcome."
"Now if you hooligans are done playing I suggest we eat before Mary Ann's delicious meal gets cold!" Mr Howell said sternly but he was grinning.
"Oh quite right Thurston! I think both boys need a lesson in manners!" Mrs Howell said with a giggle
The Professor and Gilligan exchanged an "Oh Crap!" look before sitting down like chastised schoolboys.
The Skipper shook his head grinning and the girls giggled as they ate.
That night Gilligan put the book in his knapsack for safe keeping. He smiled when a pair of familiar hands gently grabbed his shoulders and he turned to face the Skipper.
"I'm real proud of you today Little Buddy. I knew that young man that saved my life was still in there somewhere."
Gilligan smiled. "Thanks Skipper. He's been out of commission for far too long."
Skipper chuckled. "I agree. Let's get some sleep."
Gilligan nodded as he got into his hammock. "I could sleep for a week!"
Skipper smirked as his eyes twinkled in the moonlight but Gilligan couldn't see it. "Well be well rested because we get up bright an early at dawn tomorrow!"
"Oh come on!"
Skipper laughed. "Thats an order Sailor!"
Gilligan groaned but smiled. "Aye Aye Skipper!"
The captain chuckled as he settled in his hammock and was soon sawing logs.
Gilligan listened to him for a moment as his own eyes shut. He dreamed he was swimming happily under the sea and had been joined by his human friends.
Gilligan smiled as peace resumed on the small island paradise.
The End