Vlad returned to the camp to see five of the castaways sitting at the communal table. "Something wrong?"

The Professor crossed his arms. "Skipper I'm going to ask you a series of questions. You will answer them all."

The Russian looked around nervously. "Where's Gilligan?"

"Safe," Mr Howell said glaring. His wife put a hand on his arm to keep him calm.

"What is your term of endearment towards Gilligan?" Roy asked.

Least he knew this one. "He's my Little Buddy."

The Professor's jaw clenched. "How did you meet?"

"Why are you asking me…?"

"Just answer," Roy said angrily.

Vlad glared back. "I don't have to!"

"Could that be because you don't know?" Mr Howell said standing up hands clenching. "Who are you?!"

"Oh I know! I just don't answer to any of you!"

"You better answer and it better be correct!" the Professor glared. "The Skipper would NEVER lay a harming hand on Gilligan like you have!" He marched over. "I saw the bruises you left on his body! He tried to DEFEND you!" He stood eye to eye fearlessly against a man that could possibly kill him all for a boy he loved as a little brother. "If you really are our Skipper than you could not only tell the story but tell it with pride! I ask again: how did you meet?"

Vlad realized he had to come clean. He remembered what his captive had said. "My name is Vlad Romanov. I am spy for Russia."

"What do you want?" Roy demanded as he took the machete out of his belt and held it up threateningly.

Vlad just put his hand on the blade and pushed it down. "Answers. My son, Viktor, came to island. He had surgery to look like Gilligan."

Everyone's eyes went wide!

"He wasn't lying…" Mary Ann said swallowingl

The scholar frowned. "What were you told?"

"Dat Gilligan killed him."

"I swear I didn't."

Vlad turned around as Gilligan stepped out from behind the supply hut. "He got away on his boat. Left in an awful hurry. He dropped his gold pocketknife."

"Dat pocketknife could do 200 dings!" he said.

"As I figured out," Roy said. He then glared. "Where's the Skipper?"

"Tied up in cave. Not hurt."

"Where?" Gilligan asked.

Vlad took a deep breath and pointed. He watched Gilligan limp away. "Don't understand. Commandant said…."

"He obviously lied to you to get you angry. What was Viktor's mission?" Roy asked warily.

"His mission was to interrogate Americans. Learn why you were here."

"We were shipwrecked by a dreadful storm," Mr Howell said trying to keep his temper in check.

Vlad clenched his hands. "I see…"

Meanwhile…

Skipper looked up when he heard footsteps.

"Skipper?"

Skipper's eyes went wide when he saw Gilligan come in. "Mmmph!"

Gilligan limped over and undid the gag! "Are you ok?"

"I'm fine! Oh God Gilligan!"

Gilligan undid the bonds with shaky hands and was soon enveloped in the older sailor's arms. He hugged back and let out a shuddery breath. "I knew something wasn't right…"

Jonas swallowed. "I'm so sorry Little Buddy! I'm so so sorry you had to go through that!" He held the boy close as tears came to his eyes. "Oh when I get my hands on that…"

Gilligan looked at him. "No Skipper he's not bad. He misses his son."

"I know but he hurt mine!"

Gilligan blinked! "Skipper?"

The captain pulled away and put his hands on the boy's shoulders. He looked his first mate dead in the eyes. "Gilligan...I couldn't love you more if you were my own flesh and blood…"

Gilligan stared at him with wide eyes before he swallowed and threw his arms around him burying his face in the Skipper's shoulder. Large arms that promised protection wrapped around his thin frame. "I love you Skipper."

The captain smiled tearfully. "I love you too Son."

They stayed that way for several minutes before finally pulling away and heading back to camp. Once there Gilligan looked at the Russian. "I promise you I didn't hurt your son."

Vlad met the boy's eyes and knew he was telling the truth. He clenched his hands and let out a Russian curse!

Gilligan went over to him. "Hey. He's like me. Stubborn. In fact, I bet he knows you're here and is heading this way!"

Vlad looked at him. "You believe dat?"

Gilligan nodded. "Stay a few days and you'll see."

"Boy not afraid?" Vlad asked completely confused.

Gilligan met his eyes and the Russian felt as if he'd been hit in the gut. "I forgive you. No parent should have to go through what you've been through. I get it."

It took the spy a few moments to speak. "Alright. I stay for few days."

"Fine but not here!" Mr Howell said growling. "You've proven that you can't be trusted."

'Vhat are you going to do?"

"We have a makeshift prison. You will be held there and fed three meals a day," the Professor said. "You will remain locked up."

Gilligan looked at him. "But Professor he could…"

Roy held up a hand. "I know Gilligan. He could rescue us but I highly doubt he will. He's a spy an spies tell no one their secrets." He held up the machete. "We will hold you for a week. If your son comes before then we'll let you both leave unharmed. If he doesn't you will leave alone. Start walking."

The castaways lead Vlad to the jailcell and the entire time he could feel the blade against his back. These Americans meant business.

Once the door shut he turned and watched the complicated knot that the Professor was tying the vine with.

Then everyone but the Skipper left. He met the eyes of his double and glared as his hands clenched. "Your kid comes you better hope Gilligan is around because I might lose my temper and do to him what you did to my Little Buddy!"

Vlad growled. "Do and vhen I get out of here you vill regret it!"

"I'm not afraid of you," Skipper growled.

"Neither am I of you!" Vlad growled right back.

"You better be in here and that knot still there this entire week or I will not hesitate to hunt you down like an animal. Gilligan won't kill but *I* will!" He stepped to the bars and glared dangerously. "And then, your kid comes, he's next."

That flash of fear the Skipper saw in his eyes was all he needed to see to know that his message had gotten across. This was the side of Jonas Grumby that Gilligan never knew because, thanks to his Little Buddy, he was able to let the pain the war had caused him go. Now he could use it.

That evening when they were alone in the hut Skipper asked to see Gilligan's wounds. With heavy reluctance Gilligan took his shirt off. His expression darkened as he took in every bruise.

"I know I should have fought him off…"

It was spoken softly but the Skipper heard it loud and clear. He swallowed his anger before pulling the boy to him in an embrace. "No Gilligan. There was no way you could have fought back. He's a lot bigger than you and much stronger. You are NOT at fault. You didn't ask for it and you didn't deserve it."

Gilligan let out a shaky sigh before nodding.

For the longest time the duo stood still in the quiet hut as the sun set. Both relieved that at least this ordeal was over, or would be soon.