That evening the Professor returned to the lagoon and watched as the merman swam around slowly. He frowned in concern before it dawned on him.

It was something that hit them all from time to time. Homesickness. Normally they could all talk about it with each other and then they'd throw a party to cheer themselves up. It always worked because they weren't alone.

In a way Urchin was. Sure the castaways were there but they were just mirrors to his family back home.

Urchin surfaced and spotted him before smiling and swimming over. "Hi Professor!"

He sat in the sand with a smile of his own. "Hey Urchin. I thought I'd come down and keep you company."

"Thanks. I appreciate it. I haven't been alone since Corla and Erik saw me three years ago."

"How did you meet them? I have noticed that you talk of Erik more often than the others."

Urchin nodded. "He's become my big brother. He saved my life when Romas killed me by putting me in a magically induced sleep."

"What happened?" Roy asked as he drew in a breath.

Urchin recounted the story of the battle with Romas and waking up in the room in the castle that the king and queen had made for him.

Roy rubbed his chin in thought. "Are you certain Erik has the ability to travel worlds?"

"I have faith in him...much like Gilligan has faith in you."

The Professor blinked. "I beg your pardon?"

"He told me that he wishes he was more like you. He could use a big brother...heh although things are changing between him and the Skipper."

"I'm not sure what you did to those two but they have indeed become much closer. More like how they used to be," Roy said smiling a bit. "Skipper revealed what you both had found. Thank you for finally laying to rest a large burden."

"Of course," Urchin said. "I'm glad I could help."

After a moment the academic frowned. "You must miss your home."

The look he received was reminiscent of the one Gilligan had whenever he was feeling sad about something. "Yes and...and I'm worried about Corla. What if the baby comes while I'm here?" He looked down. "We were both shocked when Erik told us she was pregnant. We didn't think it was possible! A fairy and a merman having a baby...it's unheard of. What if something goes wrong?"

"You said you had faith in Erik's abilities. Has he been watching her?" Roy asked with a knowing grin. If Erik really was anything like himself…

Urchin grinned. "She about set him on fire during one visit when he kept asking her if she was ok!"

Roy laughed! "Well if Gilligan and Mary Ann ever get together and she get's pregnant I might become the same way!"

Urchin laughed right along with him and shook his head. "Hey thats mild compared to what Corla's done to me during a moodswing. She grabbed my hunting spear and threw it at me! I managed to dodge her thank goodness but I had a feeling I'd better hightail out of there fast!"

The Professor chuckled! "What do you think the child will look like?"

"I'm not sure. Like I said this kid's going to be half merperson/half fairy so nobody can really know what's going to happen. It could be born with both wings and a tail. Or one or the other." The merman swallowed. "What if it doesn't have a tail and can't swim? I can't be human for more than two sunsets or I'll die. I don't want to be separated from my family...a-again…."

Roy was quick to place a reassuring hand on the merman's shoulder. "You won't. Everything will be alright. You'll see. If Erik is anything like me he will work on every solution he can find to help you. Not because he expects any kind of compensation but because he cares and holds you as a very high priority. I can say that because it's how I feel for my friends here...especially Gilligan."

Urchin grinned a bit in mischief. "And Raina...or Ginger as she's called here."

Roy blushed! "Well I…"

"You want to know what I think? I think you need to shut your brain off and just let yourself feel. It's not easy for someone who's mind doesn't shut off from the moment he wakes up to the moment he falls asleep but if you don't you might miss your chance."

The Professor stared at the young merman for quite sometime as he let the advice sink in. "I don't know how."

"Yes you do Professor. Look her in the eyes. Listen to what she says. Before you know it you will both be talking about all different kinds of things. Raina's not only beautiful but she's very smart. I bet Ginger is too but because she's a girl and very beautiful men don't take her seriously." He frowned. "I bet she's had her heart frozen like Raina's was. I'd like to help her if she'll let me."

"Would you like me to get her?" Roy asked.

"Don't make her Professor. Let it be her decision."

He nodded as he stood up. "Alright. Good night Urchin."

"Good night Professor."

The Professor watched as Urchin dove underwater before heading back to camp.

When he got there he talked to Ginger but to his surprise she only smiled.

"My heart was melted when Gilligan worked so hard to put the Cleopatra play on for me. When I asked him why he said that it was because he wanted to cheer me up and hated seeing someone upset. When I asked if he wanted anything in return he just said no. He didn't do it because he wanted something in return. He did it because he cares about me." Ginger smiled. "That showed me that yes...there are gallant men out there." She held his hands and met his eyes. "Professor I've always held feelings for you but I never pushed because I wasn't sure if you felt the same. You're smart, handsome, but above all you are kind. You are patient. I feel safe with you around." She took a deep breath. "I understand if you don't reciprocate."

The Professor swallowed. "Ginger I…" He shut his eyes for a moment as his thoughts raced. He concentrated and was able to slow them down until they stopped for a moment and he was allowed to feel. He opened his eyes and met beautiful warm green eyes. Without thinking so much he was able to let his heart guide his actions.

Ginger stood still as he raised a hand and cupped her cheek. Her heart fluttered as his other arm went around her waist and pulled her close. She raised her arms and wrapped them around his neck and allowed him to pull her closer until their lips touched in a sweet kiss.

Roy's eyes slid closed as he held the actress. When they pulled away he smiled at her. "How was that?"

She grinned at him. "I think we need to repeat the experiment Professor. See if the results match."

He grinned back and happily complied.

The next morning Mary Ann and Gilligan brought Urchin one of her famous coconut cream pies. The merman loved it.

Mary Ann giggled! "Yeah I'd say you two are the same!"

Gilligan grinned. "Well you'd have to be evil not to love your pies!"

The farmgirl blushed with an eyeroll.

Urchin listened to their banter and even though he smiled his eyes betrayed his sadness.

He really wanted to go home.