The Professor, Skipper and Mary Ann were anxiously waiting by the communal table when Hurricane Ginger hit. They had no more warning than they did for the storm that had shipwrecked them. "Well, Ginger?" the Skipper asked eagerly. "What did you find out? Let me have it!"

"I certainly will!"

"Ow!" The Skipper reeled and felt his jaw to see if it was still there. "Wh-what was that for?"

The tall redhead's look would have frightened a headhunter. "That was for what you've been telling Gilligan! To think of gutting fish whenever I talk to him!"

The Skipper floundered. "Well, yes, but that was...I mean...ep...well, Ginger, you've got to understand, Gilligan's not himself! He's saying all kinds of crazy things!"

"Hmmph. Well, Gilligan thinks I'm crazy now, thanks to this silly idea!" She turned her dagger eyes on the Professor. "Your idea, come to that! And you're the one who told me to sweet talk Gilligan into confessing to me! He actually told me to disappear! I've never been so humiliated!"

"Ginger, please!" the Professor urged. "I know we've been grasping at straws, but we've got to try everything we can! Now what did Gilligan say about my theory?"

"Your 'jealous of the Skipper' theory? He laughed at me! He said it was ridiculous!"

The Skipper sighed in relief. "Thank goodness. I couldn't bear the thought of my little buddy losing his marbles because of me!"

"I'm not sure how many he had in the first place, Skipper! But you can try sweet talking him next time! You'll probably make more of an impression in a sarong than I did!" With that, the movie star spun on her high heel and stalked past them down the trail that led to the lagoon.

"Ginger, wait!" Clutching his hat with chagrin, the Skipper hurried after her.

A few seconds later the door to the crew's hut opened and Gilligan peeked out. "Is the coast clear?" he whispered.

Mary Ann couldn't help chuckling. "All clear. Oh, Gilligan, what did you say to the poor girl?"

"I didn't mean to hurt her feelings." Gilligan crept out and straightened up, relaxing when he saw that Ginger was gone. "She just misunderstood me, that's all."

The Lord Admiral, following him out, also visibly relaxed as he noticed Ginger's absence. "By Heaven. I'd sooner face all the pirates in Tortuga than that firebrand!"

Gilligan shushed him as unobtrusively as possible and slid onto a bench at the table.

The Professor looked carefully at him. "How are you feeling, Gilligan?"

"Okay, I guess. I'm a little hungry."

"I'm not surprised. Gilligan, I must ask you to forgive me for administering that sleeping potion without your knowledge. I hope you realize I would never take such a liberty except under the most extreme circumstances. The truth is, I feared you were temporarily non compos mentis."

The Lord Admiral winked at Gilligan. "Told you so. Non compos mentis. That's Latin, my boy. Means you're mad!"

Gilligan frowned slightly at the ghost, then turned back to the Professor. "Does that mean I'm crazy, Professor?"

"I'm still not certain as to the exact nature of your psychosis, Gilligan. It does seem to involve delusions and a deep-seated need for self-affirmation."

Gilligan shook his head. "I don't know what all that means, Professor, but I can tell you one thing. It's got nothing to do with the Skipper!"

The Professor shook his head in embarrassment. "I'm sorry, Gilligan, I should have known better. I'm just trying to explore every possibility, no matter how remote! But there is one thing we've all agreed upon."

"What's that?"

Mary Ann rested a hand on Gilligan's shoulder. "That we don't need to be afraid of you. We know you've done some strange things lately, but you're the sweetest, most gentle person we've ever known, and you'd never hurt any of us."

The Lord Admiral smiled. "Aye - she carried the day on that point. She convinced them all."

The Professor continued. "And the fact that you just now acknowledged your dilemma is evidence that your psyche is becoming stronger. Now Gilligan, please don't pretend to go along with me this time. Will you give me an honest answer?"

"Sure...of course!"

"Do you see your pirate ghost now?"

"No, Professor," Gilligan answered honestly, apprehensive of the next question. The Lord Admiral, as if sensing it, strolled casually behind the first mate.

"And do you see the Admiral?"

Gilligan brightened, heaving a sigh of relief. "No, Professor. I can't see him now either."

The Professor straightened, smiling. "Thank you, Gilligan. I think there's light at the end of the tunnel." He looked off towards the trail that led to the lagoon and chewed his lip slightly. "And now, I think I'd better try to make amends with Ginger."

"Oh...well, will you make amends for me, too, Professor? I feel real bad for hurting her feelings." Gilligan tried to avoid looking at the Lord Admiral. "I'm kind of beside myself these days."

He missed the Lord Admiral's amused grin - and so did everyone else. The Professor merely nodded. "Of course, Gilligan. Do you mind, Mary Ann?"

"Of course not. You go ahead."

"Thanks." He patted Gilligan on the arm. "Get something to eat, Gilligan. I think you'll find sleep and food will work wonders for you."

Gilligan, Mary Ann and the Lord Admiral watched him head off down the trail. "Gee - I sure hope Ginger doesn't stay sore at me."

"Oh, I'm sure she'll get over it. Ginger really does care for you, Gilligan - we all do."

"Yeah, that's what she...said..." Gilligan's voice petered out as he looked up into Mary Ann's gentle, dark eyes. He suddenly thought the tropical sun felt very warm

and tugged at his collar. Fortunately, the delicious smell coming from the large pot simmering over the campfire provided a welcome excuse to change the subject. "Uh...what's in the pot over there, Mary Ann? Is that soup?"

"Oh, yes, it's the clam chowder from lunch. I kept some hot for you. You haven't eaten all day; you must be starving! Let me get you some."

"Boy, that'd be great. Thanks, Mary Ann."

The Lord Admiral watched with great interest as Mary Ann ladled out a bowl of soup and set it and a spoon in front of Gilligan. As the young first mate tucked in, his ghostly ancestor propped a booted foot on one of the benches and grinned. "Well...you're a lucky devil, and no mistake!"

"Hmmm?" Gilligan murmured, mouth full of soup, swallowing hastily as Mary Ann turned around with a questioning look on her face. "Hmmm--mmm! That's good soup, Mary Ann!" Gilligan fanned his tongue, trying to smile at the same time. "Nice and hot!"

"Oh, I'm sorry, Gilligan. I'll get you a drink."

As she hurried to the supply hut the ghost shook his head in delight. "I declare, I envy you, my boy!"

Not daring to openly acknowledge him, Gilligan ducked his head over his soup and muttered into his spoon. "Why? Because I can eat?"

The Lord Admiral threw back his head and laughed outright. "What? And to think I thought your shipmates were blind! I'm talking about the pretty milkmaid, you sea-cow! She's smitten with you!"

Gilligan jumped and nearly choked. "What?"

"It's in the blood, lad. The ladies never could resist us!" He leaned over to peer at Gilligan's left hand. "No ring, eh? So the little lass still stands a chance! Huzzah!"

"What are you talking about?"

"Don't be so modest, lad. She flutters over you like a butterfly drawn to nectar. And she defends you like a lioness. I heard her."

"Yeah, but—" Gilligan was no longer whispering. "But that's just the way she is. She thinks of me as a brother!"

"Tchah! And I'm Lady Hamilton!"

"Who's--" Gilligan had to gulp back his words as Mary Ann appeared with a bamboo tumbler. "Here you are, Gilligan." She set it down next to him and smiled. "Gee, I remember the day you found that cavern full of water. You saved all of our lives."

The Lord Admiral flashed a triumphant grin.

Gilligan tried to ignore him. "Oh--thanks." He took a quick drink but found his hand was shaking...and there was nary a pirate in sight. "And…thanks for what you said before, Mary Ann," he ventured. "I'm really glad you're not afraid of me. I'd never hurt you. I'd never let anything hurt you."

"That's sweet, Gilligan."

"Oh…well…not half as sweet as…" he faltered and blushed. "Gee..I better eat this soup before it gets cold!" He bent his head and scooped up spoonful after spoonful as the Lord Admiral rolled his eyes.

"Oh, for pity's sake, lad! Faint heart never won fair lady! Ease up on the rations and ask her to take a turn with you! Ain't there any pleasant prospects on this desert isle? Some romantic spot where you could sweep her into your arms and—"

"Aaaagh!" Gilligan dropped the spoon into the bowl.

Mary Ann was concerned. "Is it too hot, Gilligan?"

"Yes! I mean no!" Gilligan blinked and collected himself. "No, no, it's just fine, Mary Ann. I- I bit my tongue, that's all. Could I have a bit more water, though?"

"Of course." She looked searchingly at him for a moment, then took his cup and headed back to the supply hut.

Gilligan glared furiously at the Lord Admiral. "What happened to sailing under false colours, anyway! Are you trying to get me put to sleep again?"

"My apologies, lad. Just trying to put the wind in your sails."

"Well, you're going to take the wind out my sails at this rate!" He saw Mary Ann emerging from the hut. "Look, if I ask her, will you let up on me?"

The ghost brightened. "With the greatest of pleasure! Best of luck, my boy!"

Mary Ann didn't seem to notice anything was wrong as she handed him the cup. "Did you want any more soup, Gilligan?"

"Uh, no, Mary Ann. I wasn't really very hungry. It was great soup, though." He paused, drained the cup in one gulp, and made the plunge. "Mary Ann, would you like to go for a stroll with me?"

"A stroll? You mean right now?"

"Yeah…it'd be nice to talk with you alone."

She looked around, puzzled. "But we are alone!"

Gilligan winced and almost groaned. The Lord Admiral winked at him. "I think that's my cue to vanish, lad. Smooth sailing!" He rippled smoothly out of sight as Gilligan stood up.

"Oh yeah. Of course we are! But the others might come back any minute. I need a walk to clear my head - and there are lots nicer places on the island than this. Come on."

She smiled, intrigued. "All right."