A/N This story is close to coming to a close. I'm glad you all are enjoying it.
A little more to go and then it will be done. Enjoy this chapter!

The remaining castways stood on the beach watching the ship approach the shore. Their belongings were packed up and they were ready to say good-bye to their little island.

The ship came to a stop and a man in his late fifties stepped down and greeted them. He had silver hair and blue eyes that one could see were filled with wisdom. "Hello. I'm General Justin T. Adams, U.S. Marines."

"Hello." The others greeted.

"It's a pleasure to meet you all." The General said. "I assume you are all ready to set sail for Hawaii."

"We certainly are sir." The Skipper replied.

The General spoke to three other Marines who had joined them. He ordered them to take the bags and other belongings of the castways aboard the ship. The Marines nodded and took the bags.

"Okay." General Adams said. "Follow me. And we will soon be on our way."

Mary Ann took Gilligan's arm as the two young castaways boarded the ship. They were followed by Howells and then Skipper. The castaways were all shown to the quarters they could sit and relax in while they sailed for Hawaii.

The Howells were glad take the General up on his offer. The Skipper wanted to check out more of the ship. Gilligan and Mary Ann decided to stand on the deck watching as ship pulled away and their island grew smaller in the distance.

Scott watched the two. He hoped that everything worked out for them. He had heard Mary Ann talking with Mrs. Howell about how her family may not understand all of this. Scott could understand why they would probably feel that way but he hoped they could see what a great guy Gilligan was. He wished he could be as lucky as Gilligan. Like Edward, he had not had much luck with relationships.

At first, the woman would be excited to be dating such a "brave and handsome Marine" then quickly get annoyed at the length of the deployments and then. "I'm sorry I can't do this." And it was over.

When he had met Mary Ann, he had thought she would be different. She was so sweet. But her heart was with Gilligan.
That was just his luck. At least she wasn't with some jerk who would break her heart in two. He sighed looking out at the water. Maybe someday he would find his Mary Ann.

Skipper walked up to Scott. "Hey there."

"Hey." Scott smiled. "Happy to be heading home?"

"Sure am. Looking forward to being back in civilization."

Scott nodded.

The Skipper sensed something. "You alright?"

"Yeah…I just…I wish that…Now don't get me wrong, I like Gilligan. I'm happy for him but.."

"But you wish that Mary Ann took an interest in you."

"Yeah something like that."

"I know how you feel."

"You do?" Scott asked.

"When we were first shipwrecked on the island…I was…let's say drawn to Ginger."

"She is a beautiful woman." said Scott.

"Yes she is. And very…vivacious. But…I knew that I had no chance."

"You did? How?"

"I saw the way she looked at the Professor. I knew there was no chance she would ever look at me the same way. There was always…something between them. I think we all saw it."

"I see. So how did you handle it?"

The Skipper sighed. "I just learned to accept it. I could have tried to get her interested in me but I knew that would be futile. She wasn't interested. Yes she was flirtatious, but it wasn't like with the Professor. It was more….intense with him."

"So she never knew…"

"Ginger knew. Believe me, she has great instincts. In her own way, she let me know she was flattered but the Professor was who had her heart."

"So did you ever get over it?"

The Skipper nodded. "Eventually, I did."

"I wonder if I will ever get over this." sighed Scott. "I'm trying to be the nice guy, let Mary Ann be with who she wants to be, tell myself that she's happy with Gilligan. I even agreed to go to their wedding."

"Scott, you are a good guy. You are stepping back and not interfering. I can tell you right now that Mary Ann appreciates that. I know that she would not want to be involved in any love triangle. She would hate for anyone to get hurt."
"I gathered that." Scott said. "I guess I will find someone someday."

His eyes went back to the young castaways, laughing at something they saw in the ocean water as the Skipper walked away. Would there be another girl like Mary Ann out there? He sure hoped so.

Gilligan had excused himself to get something to eat leaving Mary Ann there. She continued to stand there looking out at the water.

Scott walked up to her. "Hey."

"Hey Scott." She smiled. "I can't believe I'm actually heading back home!"

"Exciting I know." He said. "Looking forward to seeing your friends and family?"

"Oh most definitely." Mary Ann said. "I miss them so much."
"You got any single friends out there in Kansas?" asked Scott half joking.

"Scott." She said gently. "I know that it's not easy for you. Seeing me with Gilligan. It must hurt."

"I'll be honest. It does hurt. But I am happy for you. I really am. I really do like Gilligan. I think we could be friends."

"Gilligan has a way of growing on you." Mary Ann smiled. "He's so sweet and kind and generous."

"And you love him." Scott smiled.

"Yes I do. Very much."

"Well." Scott said leaning over the railing. "That's all that counts."

"I do think you are a wonderful man Scott." Mary Ann said. "I would like to be your friend too. But if you don't think that would be enough…"

"It's enough Mary Ann." Scott assured. "If I can't be your boyfriend…I can settle for being your friend. I mean it."

Mary Ann gave him a peck on the cheek. "I'm glad." She said to him.

Gilligan returned with some food that he also handed to Mary Ann. "Scott…you want a donut? They are really good! I haven't had a donut in so long!"

Scott laughed. "I'd love one."

He took the donut from Gilligan and began to eat it. Maybe he couldn't have Mary Ann as his girlfriend. Maybe Gilligan was luckier than him. But he was glad to have them both as his friends. He thought they were both great.

The three spent the remainder of the trip laughing and talking. Gilligan filled in Scott on yet more of his many Skinny Mulligan tales. Told the one about the record setting kiss. Six Hours. Twelve Minutes. Thirteen Seconds.

He then launched into Ginger and the Professor's long kiss in the movie they did.
Gilligan went on how he was sure they were going to break that record. He didn't think they were ever going to stop kissing.

Scott was amused by this and asked Mary Ann if Gilligan was stretching the story a bit and she assured him he wasn't. It was a very memorable kiss. Mary Ann remarked how she was fairly certain that both Ginger and the Professor forgot they were acting and really sunk into the kiss enjoying expressing what they were feeling deep down. Gilligan said he didn't think that he could hold his breath as long as the Professor did.

They finally arrived at Hawaii and the castaways were overjoyed. They thanked the General and the rest of the marines on board the ship. Mr. Howell even tried to tip them!

Mary Ann stepped off the boat and gasped. Standing on the dock waiting was none other than Ginger! She ran over to the movie star hugging her. "Ginger! Ginger! I'm so happy to see you!"

Ginger returned her hug. "I'm happy to see you too!" She said. "I missed you."

"I missed you too!" Mary Ann said tears in her eyes.

"Oh don't cry Mary Ann." Ginger scolded jokingly.

"I know…I know…" The farm girl said wiping away her tears.

"I have some news." Mary Ann then said. "Gilligan and I are engaged!"

"Oh Mary Ann!" Ginger said throwing her arms around her again. "I'm so happy for you!"

"Thank you." Mary Ann said stepping back. She looked over her friend. "Wow Ginger you are getting big."

Ginger laughed. "It's twins remember?."

"You look beautiful. I bet you are excited. Only a few months!"

"Yes I am. Come on…Roy is waiting…you and Gilligan can stay with us tonight."

"Oh no Ginger we don't want to impose."

"Mary Ann, you and I shared a tiny hut for about four years. I think you can share an apartment for one night."

"Well if you insist.."

Mary Ann called Gilligan over. He hugged Ginger saying he was glad to see her. The Howells came over and greeted Ginger.

She thanked them for the money they gave her and the Professor. Ginger made lunch plans with Mrs. Howell and Mary Ann for the next day. Ginger hugged the Skipper as well telling him she was glad to see him and wished him the best.

The three then headed to the car that Ginger and The Professor were renting. The Professor greeted the two castaways and congratulated them when Ginger announced they were engaged.

Gilligan was a chatterbox on the way going on and on about the ship and how amazing it was. Ginger and the Professor smiled at each other glad to hear Gilligan's chatter again. Mary Ann was quieter looking out the window of the car thinking about what was ahead of her now.