Disclaimer: Don't own them. No money no sue.

A/N: This is a prequel to the show. My version for how the Skipper met his first mate.

Jonas stood stoic as the admiral admonished him for his drinking...again. The night before he had had a nightmare from seeing his ship...the S.S. Arizona...go up in flames in Pearl Harbor. Lately those horrid flashbacks were getting worse. The only way he got any sleep was to down a at least a half of a bottle of whisky. Only problem was that he'd be hungover the next day and it affected his work.

The Admiral sighed. "Grumby what's it going to take to get through to you?"

"I'm fine Sir," the captain said.

The older sailor frowned in concern. "Captain Grumby you are one of our finest sailors. I know war was very unkind to you but if you went to see the psychiatrist I know he'd be able to help you."

"It would ruin my career."

"This will too if you don't shape up."

Jonas bit back a sigh. "Yes sir."

"You're dismissed."

Jonas left and went to the mess hall. Once he sat down with his food he looked around at all of the young recruits they had gotten in just recently. All kids...just boys who had no idea what they were in for.

His eyes scanned the room and he noticed one particular sailor sitting in a corner eating alone. The boy had dark hair and deep blue eyes that were currently in a well worn book. One thing that stuck out was that this kid was SKINNY!

"Yeesh Gilligan did it again today! That kid is a walking disaster!"

Jonas glanced over at a table of larger and much more muscular men before looking at the boy again and seeing his name tag: Gilligan.

Uh oh. He sensed trouble.

"How about we teach him a lesson? He'll thrown himself overboard by the time we're through!"

Jonas glared at them. "Leave him alone."

One of them looked at him. "But sir! Today he broke our formation after stepping in a pail of water!"

Another nodded. "Yeah! He's nothing but trouble! I don't give him a month!"

The boy, Gilligan, looked up and something in the boy's eyes hit something within him. The captain watched as Gilligan stood up and walked towards the door.

He didn't get very far when he slipped on a wet spot and tumbled into the stack of serving trays!

The entire mess hall erupted in laughter and taunts as the boy picked himself up and practically ran out.

Jonas had seen the book cover.

"Robinson Crusoe"

Jonas didn't laugh when the kid fell. He did smile a bit at the book.

It was one of his favorites.

After he finished eating he went went in search of the boy and found him sitting in his bunk with the book open in his. He stood at the door and watched him for a moment before stepping inside.

Gilligan looked up before jumping out of his bunk and standing at attention with a snap salute!

Jonas chuckled as he saluted back. "At ease Sailor. I saw you fall. Wanted to see if you ok."

The boy blushed and dropped his salute before standing at parade rest. "I'm ok Sir. I fall down a lot."

"So I've heard. Listen, I overheard some guys talking and if they try anything come find me. I work on deck."

The boy gave him a shy and sweet smile that just melted the war torn heart of the captain. Eyes met and it was as if this boy...this recruit...could see that there was still good in him that Grumby thought was long gone. He felt a smile tug at his lips. "Robinson Crusoe huh?"

Gilligan nodded. "Yes sir! Its one of my favorites! I've always wondered what it would be like to be marooned on an uncharted desert island."

"Heh you're not the only one kid. I haven't read that story in a long time. It used to be one of my favorites as well."

Gilligan smiled as he grabbed the book and held it out. "You wanna read it? You can borrow it if you like."

Jonas reached up and took the book. "You sure?" At his nod he traced the spine of it. "Gosh...thanks. I'll bring it right back. You have a lot of books?"

He nodded. "Treasure Island" and "Gulliver's Travels"."

The captain chuckled! "I'm sensing a theme here!"

The boy ducked his head with a grin!

He shook his head at the young recruit. "Well maybe one day you'll live on your own island."

Gilligan sighed. "I wish."

That made him frown. "Everything alright?"

"I'm fine Sir."

Jonas only nodded. "Alright. Thank you for the book and I will return it."

He left and went to his own quarters before pulling himself a glass of whiskey and opened the book. For the first time he was so into the story that he didn't even think to drink. He returned it the next night.

A few days later he discovered that those large sailors had taken all three of Gilligan's books and had thrown them overboard to teach him a lesson! Then, to his anger, he overheard them talking about the warning they had given Gilligan.

They had touched him inappropriately in a closet in the middle of the night. He watched in dismay as the boy's accidents got worse due to being so scared.

He went straight to the Admiral and told him what he had overheard.

The Admiral was stunned at the man's demands for justice for the recruit. "I'll look into it Captain. I swear something will be done." He studied the captain in thought. "He means a lot to you doesn't he?"

"Sir I…" Joans stopped thinking. "I'm not sure when that happened."

The old man smiled a bit. "When was the last time you took a drink?"

"I...well a few days ago," he said surprising himself

"I'm putting Seaman Recruit Gilligan under your direct supervision. A young man like that could learn a lot from you."

For some reason that made him happier than he had been in a very long time.