This story was begun over 30 years ago and has laid in the bottom of a desk drawer ever since. To preserve the time frame of the story, please keep in mind that the "Present" referred to in the scenes takes place somewhere in the 1970's.

Tatoo stood in the tower and watched as the seaplane circled the island in its final preparation for landing. As he had done so many times before, he pulled on the rope with all his might and listened as the bell announcing the plane's arrival sounded throughout Fantasy Island. In the loudest voice he could muster, he announced ... "THE PLANE! THE PLANE!"

From his vantage point high above the lush foliage of the tropical island, he could see the people scurrying to their assigned places. He practically bounded down the four flights of stairs to the porch of the Main House. Another fantasy was about to begin.

The driver pulled up to the dock and went around to the rear passenger door for his employer and his assistant. Roarke and Tatoo got out of the car and took their places on the pier. Within minutes, the red and yellow Fantasy Island Airways seaplane taxied up to the dock.

"Smiles. Everyone. Smiles." Roarke said cheerfully as the docking crew secured the plane to the dock. A costumed Polynesian combo struck up a lively tune as the door opened and a young man and an older woman emerged.

"The lady is Adrienne Carmichael." Roarke said with a happy grin on his face. "And the young man is her son, Paul."

"You know them, Boss?"

"Oh my yes, Tatoo. At least I know the lady quite well." Roarke replied. "It's been many years since I last saw her, but Mrs. Carmichael was one of the many refugees here on Fantasy Island during the war. She was also one of my most trusted advisors. Adrienne Charbonette ... that was her name then, was one of the fiercest and bravest guerilla fighters I gave ever known."

"The war? I didn't know Fantasy Island was even involved in the war. I thought it has always been neutral territory. A safe haven."

"You are right, Tatoo. Fantasy Island has always been neutral ground. But unfortunately, the enemy refused to acknowledge that fact. We were invaded and occupied like so many of the other islands in this area."

"Does the war have anything to do with Mrs. Carmichael's fantasy?"

"She did not say. All the form from the travel agency that booked her fantasy said was that she had lost something valuable when she was here the last time and now she wished to find it."

"What did she lose?"

"The form didn't say that either. But whatever she has lost, I'm certain she will find it again."

He took the glass offered by the hostess and raised it to the Carmichaels. "My dear friends. Adrienne. Paul. As you already know, I am Roarke. Your host. Welcome to Fantasy Island."

Roarke took a bottle of vintage wine from the serving cart in his office and poured several glasses. "You don't know how delighted I was to receive your request for a fantasy, Adrienne. I was very pleasantly surprised to hear from you after all these years. I am happy to be able to fulfill your wish."

He handed a glass to Paul and one to Adrienne. "You haven't changed very much since you left the island. You are still as beautiful as ever." He told her.

Adrienne blushed deeply. It was true. The years had been very kind to her. There were only a few wrinkles ... laugh lines she chose to call them ... on her face. She still had a trim figure and there was only the slightest hint of gray in her wavy shoulder length chestnut hair. Her hazel eyes only occasionally needed the assistance of light reading glasses. "It's good to know that Fantasy Island still works its special brand of magic." She said, taking the glass that Roarke offered. "Or is it you, Roarke, who has the magic?"

It was Roarke's turn to turn a slight shade of pink. "How is William?" He asked, quickly changing the subject."

A deep sadness came into Adrienne's eyes at the mention of her husband's name. "Bill ... is dead ... Three years ago ... Massive heart attack. One minute we were standing in the living room discussing where we wanted to go for dinner. The next thing I know, he was clutching his chest. According to the autopsy, he was dead before he hit the floor." She wiped away the tears that involuntarily welled up.

"I'm so sorry to hear that. He was a good friend."

"At least he did not suffer."

Suddenly, Paul doubled over as if in pain and began coughing hard. Adrienne held him close and gently rubbed his back until the racking stopped. The session lasted less than two minutes and when it was over, he slowly straightened up. He tilted his head back, gasping for air. "I'm all right now." He wheezed. "But I think I had better go back to the bungalow and get some rest."

"Do you want me to go with you?" Adrienne asked, her face filled with concern for her son.

"No, Mother. You don't have to cut short your visit on my account. I really am all right. And I'm certain that the driver will be more than willing to help me if I need anything."

"If you're sure ... "

"I'm positive. You stay here and visit with Mr. Roarke. It's been how long? Over twenty five years since you were on Fantasy Island? Enjoy yourself and don't worry about me."

"He hasn't been well lately." Adrienne explained. "Some kind of a lung condition. It's not cancer or any other readily identifiable disease or syndrome. Even the specialists aren't sure exactly what it is. They've ran every test imaginable and they all came back negative. They do know that whatever he has, it's extremely rare. They've only uncovered seventy eight cases worldwide in the past ten years with the same symptoms as he has.

I didn't want him to come with me. I didn't feel that it was the right thing to do to subject him to the hardships of the long flight and all the changes involved. I tried to talk him out of coming, but he was insistent. Even his doctors agreed with him that the trip to Fantasy Island might do him some good. I know when I am outranked and overruled. So I relented and let him come."

"If you wish, I will have our physicians examine him. We have one of the finest state of the art medical facilities in the world right here on Fantasy Island. Perhaps we might be able to help him."

"I would like that very much."

"Tatoo. Would you ... "

Tatoo was not listening. He was already on the phone with the hospital.

"And now, Mr. Roarke. Not to change the subject, but what about my fantasy?"

"It will begin whenever you are ready."

"I think I have been ready for the past twenty five years."

Tatoo hung up the phone. "Dr. Santiago the chief of thoracic medicine will be at your bungalow in a few minutes. If you want to begin your fantasy immediately, I will gladly stay with Mr. Carmichael until you return."

"Thank you, Tatoo. That would help immensely." Adrienne kissed the diminutive man on the cheek.

Tatoo blushed noticeably. "How long do you think you will be gone?"

"In actual time, probably not more than a few hours." Roarke replied. "But if her fantasy is what I think it is, we will be in for a very long journey. "

Roarke stopped the car near the entrance of a small valley situated deep in the mountain region of the island. He and Adrienne got out and walked to the top of a small rise and gazed at the verdant scene spread out before them. A small stream meandered through the area, and trees, bushes, and flowers of every size, variety, and description clung to every available space on the hills and the valley floor. Flocks of birds circled the area and loudly proclaimed their presence. They were answered by the whoops, barks, and calls of a myriad of other animals that made the valley their home.

Adrienne drank in the view. "It's hard to believe that this is the same place. It looks so peaceful and serene now. The last time I saw it, it was so very different." She closed her eyes and for a few moments she felt as though she were falling backward. Backward through time.

Roarke stood at the table in his tent, going trough the stack of papers on it. His quarters were sparsely furnished, as were all the other tents in the compound. There was a cot, several folding canvas chairs, a trunk that doubled as a nightstand, and the table. A map of Fantasy Island was fastened to one of the walls with safety pins. Most of the areas of the island were colored in yellow, but several smaller areas were in red. Tacks of various colors with tiny multicolored flags attached to them were stuck into the map, probably denoting key places or people.

A dark skinned man of undeterminable ethnic origins stuck his head into the tent. "The patrol is back." He announced. "The scouting reports were right. There was a boat caught on the reef. It was only a dinghy, but from the looks of it, it had traveled a very long distance over open water to get here. It is pretty battered and beaten. Our men got to it only a few minutes before an enemy patrol came by. It is a good thing it was dark out. That helped them hide from the patrol long enough to get the boat off the reef and into the cove where they could camouflage it. The boat wasn't empty either. There was someone in it. A woman. She says her name is Adrienne Charbonette."

At the mention of her name, Roarke snapped to full attention.

"You know her?"

"Indeed I do, Jabal. Jaques Charbonette and his family have owned a small island about a hundred miles southeast of here for many generations. Over the years, I have been a guest at their plantation many, many times.

According to the best information we have received, the entire island was virtually destroyed when the enemy invaded. According to our sources, the entire Charbonette family was killed. There was no mention of survivors. Many of the islanders who worked for them were either killed or sent to forced labor camps. Only a small handful managed to escape. They are the ones who brought us the news."

"Apparently their information was in error." Jabal corrected. "Adrienne Charbonette is very much alive, although somewhat the worse for wear. She's with the doctor right now."

Doctor Chin was waiting for them outside the medical tent. "Our latest guest is suffering from exposure, sunburn, exhaustion, dehydration, and malnutrition. With just a bit of disorientation thrown in for good measure. Other than that, she is in relatively good health. Nothing that a hot bath, a generous amount of zinc oxide ointment, a few good meals, and a week or two of sleeping in a decent bed won't help immeasurably." He said as he led them into the tent. "I wish all my patients were like that. If they were, my job would be ever so much easier."

Adrienne Charbonette looked frail and weak lying on the cot. She was nothing but skin and bones, and her once long and wavy brown hair was now dirty and matted. Her eyes were dull, and her face was sallow. In several of the more severe areas, her sunburned skin was already blistered and peeling. Her lips were parched and swollen. Large black circles around her eyes bore witness to long periods without adequate rest or possibly even sleep. Her clothes were in no better shape than she was. Her shirt and pants were little more than tattered rags.

She looked at the man entering the medical tent, and a small spark of recognition shone in her eyes. "Mr. Roarke? Is that really you?" She managed to say. It sounded more like a croak than a voice. "I'm not hallucinating, am I?"

"You are not hallucinating, Adrienne. It really is me." Roarke took her hand. "You are on Fantasy Island. My men found your boat stranded on the reef and brought you here. You will be safe here. We were told that your whole family had perished, but that was six months ago. Where have you been all this time?"

"It was horrible, Mr. Roarke. They killed my father and my brothers, and forced me to watch while they did it. On orders from their commander, the soldiers lined them up facing the wall and then shot them one by one at point blank range in the back of the head. What they must have had in mind for me ... " She turned away. It was too horrible to even think about.

"They must have thought that a petite woman like me could not be much of a threat, because they only assigned one soldier to guard me. That night, the guard who was holding me captive took me out into the jungle. He was going to ... " She choked at the though of what almost happened. "They somehow overlooked a small paring knife

I managed to hide in my shoe when they first invaded the island. "I ... I stabbed him several times in an extremely sensitive place. When he went down, I took his rifle. I knew that the sound of a shot would bring more soldiers, so I used his bayonet to ... to finish the job." She buried her face in hands and shuddered visibly. "After I made sure he was dead, I ran into the jungle as fast and as far as I could.

I found the hidden cave in the foothills that my brothers and I used to play in when we were children. Nobody knew it was there, not even my parents. I don't know how long I stayed there. It could have been weeks, or even months. I survived by foraging for food at night. I lived ... if that is what you want to call it ... mainly on nuts, roots, and berries ... and an occasional rabbit or some other small animal I managed to trap.

Two nights ago ... Or maybe it was three ... Or was it possibly a week? Anyway, I managed to steal the boat. I pushed off the island and I just kept going. I rowed at night with a piece of board I found on the beach, and I navigated by the stars. I remember there was a tarp in the boat, and I used it to cover myself during the day. It not only shielded me from some of the worst of the sun, but it also hid me from enemy patrols. I guess they must have thought the boat was abandoned, so they didn't pay it much attention. I mean, how much of a threat is an empty rowboat drifting on the open sea? I don't remember much else until your men found me on the reef."

Roarke held her close. "It's over now. You are secure for the moment. This valley is our base of operations against the enemy. It's completely surrounded by mountains. Few people know of its existence and fewer still have actually been here. When you are stronger, I'll have some of my men take you to an island near here that is still in friendly hands."

"If it's all the same to you, Roarke, I'd like to stay right here. I don't want to live in safety while others are fighting and dying for the things that I believe in. I'm not exactly helpless, you know, and I certainly can take care of myself. I proved that by surviving in the jungle all this time using only my wits. I can handle a gun and a knife with the best of them. My father made sure we all learned that valuable lesson very early in life."

Roarke thought for a moment and then nodded. "Very well, then. You can stay." He stood and held his hand to her. "Welcome to Fantasy Island, Adrienne Charbonette."

"I was very apprehensive about letting you join in any of the more dangerous activities. I mean, it was one thing to let you help out around the camp, but for anything more than that, I was extremely hesitant." Roarke put his arm loosely around her waist. "I was very fond of you, and you had been through so much already. I did not want anything more to happen to you."

"I remember I had to fight you tooth and nail for every assignment."

Roarke, Jabal, and several other men stood around the table in Roarke's tent. Adrienne came in with a pot of coffee and cups for everyone. She studied the maps spread out before them. "Another raid?"

"They have just completed the bridge across the river ... here." Roarke pointed to a place on the map. "It is the only structure over the river for almost fifty miles. The only other way to get across is to ford the river ... here." He pointed to another spot on the map. " ... Or ferry troops and supplies across here." He indicated another place. "But either one of these options is a slow and difficult process and leaves them wide open to attack. If we can destroy the bridge, we can set them back at least a year ... Possibly two ... Maybe even more. Without that bridge it will be impossible for them to fortify the Western Ridge."

"Have you picked your team yet?" She asked as she poured Roarke a cup of steaming coffee.

"Not exactly. There are several people I am considering."

"I want to go."

"It is very dangerous."

"I've proved myself on dozens of scouting missions. You forget, I was on the observation team that brought you the news that the bridge was almost finished. In fact, I was one of the ones who continually monitored their progress from the time they laid the first beam. It's one thing to sit on the top of a mountain and watch the enemy through a pair of binoculars and another thing entirely to actually fight them. You said we must all carry our load. So far, all you've let me carry is this." She held up the coffee pot.

"You are going with us."

"I'm quick. I'm strong. I'm tough. And I can handle myself as well as ... What did you say?"

"I said you are going with us. You're on the team. You are right. You have been in the relative safety of the compound and observation posts long enough. It's time you got the chance to prove your self in battle. I had decided that you were coming with us even before you made such an impassioned plea."

They crouched in the relative safety afforded by the bushes at the edge of the river. A runner came to Roarke and whispered something to him. Seconds later, Jabal and Hikaru Matsubiko came scurrying up the bank. Hikaru handed two wires to Adrienne. She hooked them to the posts of the detonator.

"The beams at the base of the bridge have been cut nearly in half." Hikaru reported in a hushed voice. "Each support has three sticks of dynamite taped to it."

"I also planted explosives every fifty feet along the road leading to the bridge." Jabal added. "Just for the fun of it. We had some dynamite left over. Why waste it? Give the word, Roarke, and the bridge and the road go ka-boom. When we're done, the road will have some pretty big potholes in it, and the pride and joy of the Imperial Occupation Forces will be nothing but a gigantic pile of kindling wood."

Adrienne put her hands on the plunger and prepared to push it. Roarke put his hand on top of hers. "Not just yet." He whispered. "The messenger that came here a few minutes ago informed me that there is a convoy headed this way. They weren't supposed to leave until the early hours of tomorrow morning, but apparently the garrison commander decided to get a head start on the Western Ridge fortifications. If we wait, we can destroy the bridge ... and the convoy as well. We can, as they say, kill two birds with one stone."

All eyes were riveted on the road. After an eternity, they heard the faint sound of engines in the distance. It seemed like an even longer eternity before they spotted the first vehicles coming into view around the curve in the narrow road that ran along the ledge cut into the hills to the river. The column was huge. At least a quarter mile of vehicles in double row formation. Another eternity passed before the majority of the cars, trucks, and tanks were on the bridge.

At last, Roarke gave the signal and Adrienne pushed the handle to make contact. A millisecond later, there was a deafening explosion. The road was all but obscured by the wall of dust created by it, and the bridge, like so many fiery matchsticks, tumbled into the river.

"Get out of here!" Roarke yelled. "ON THE DOUBLE! It will only be a matter of time before the survivors are on our tail."

It only took several minutes before the first enemy soldiers were headed along the river bank toward where Roarke and his team had been hiding. "GET OUT NOW!" Roarke shouted to the last few rebels still there. He opened fire on the advancing troops. Adrienne crouched beside him and she too opened fire. As soon as Roarke saw that everyone was safely out of harm's way, he motioned for Adrienne to join them. He fired a few more rounds and then started after her. Suddenly, he gave a cry of pain, and when Adrienne turned, she saw Roarke sprawled on the ground. She took aim at the soldier who was about to plunge his bayonet into Roarke's back and squeezed off several rounds. Her aim was true, and the soldier crumbled to the ground. Dead.

She could see that another group of soldiers was rapidly approaching the spot where Roarke lay. Adrienne grabbed Roarke's arm and dragged him into the cover of some nearby bushes. He pulled her down beside him and held her tightly. She started to say something but he covered her mouth with his free hand. "If you value your life ... and mine ... " He whispered into her ear. " ... You will not move or make a sound. The soldiers will see and hear only what I want them to see and hear, but I must have complete concentration. Even the tiniest distraction will be the last." A distant, trance like expression filled Roarke's face.

The squad passed within inches of their position, and apparently none of them saw or heard anything out of the ordinary. One soldier even stopped and lit a cigarette directly in front of them. He flicked the burned out match barely an inch from her face. Adrienne did not move. She barely breathed. Finally, another soldier called to the first and he threw his cigarette down and crushed it out. Again only inches from her head. Then he joined his companions. A few minutes later, they were replaced with another squad. Then another. Gradually, the time between the patrols increased, and eventually after about an hour, there were no more at all.

They waited several more eternities until they were absolutely sure that there was no one else in the area. Finally, Roarke slowly relaxed his grip on Adrienne. The distant look faded from his face and was replaced by one of intense pain. He clutched his left leg. Blood flowed from his thigh and covered his trousers.

Quickly, Adrienne removed her knapsack and searched through it for the emergency first aid kit that was included in everyone's supplies. She broke the sterile bandage pack open and wrapped the dressing tightly around the wound.

"What did you do to them?" She said as she tied the ends of the bandage. " I could have sworn that one of the soldiers was looking right at me, yet he acted like he didn't see anything."

"Actually, he did not see anything." Roarke wince as she secured the dressing. "I told you they would see and hear only what I wanted them to see and hear. I did not want them to see or hear us, so they did not see or hear us."

"But how did you do it?

"The how is not important. Suffice it to say that I was able to do it." He stood up with great difficulty. "We will not be able to return to the valley tonight. It is too far and even though there is no one here at the moment, I am certain that there will be more patrols looking for the persons who blew up the bridge as the night goes on. There is a cave about two miles from here that we use as an observation post. You have been there on many occasions, I am certain."

Adrienne nodded. It was the same post she and her companions used to watch the bridge being constructed.

"Then you know we can spend the day there and continue back to the camp tomorrow night."

Progress was agonizingly slow. With Roarke's wounded leg hampering them, they could not travel very far or very fast. The area was thick with troops, and they had to spend much of their time in hiding. At times, advancement was measured in yards and sometimes only in feet.

The first slender tendrils of pink that signaled the approaching dawn were beginning to show in the eastern sky when they finally reached the cave. Roarke was barely conscious, and Adrienne had to almost literally drag him the last twenty feet or so.

Once inside, she propped him against a large boulder and took a quick inventory of her surroundings. The cave was stocked with a small but adequate cache of food and other supplies. Adrienne found some blankets and a fairly sizeable medical kit. She spread one of the blankets on the ground and gently lowered Roarke onto it.

Using the knife from her belt, she cut off the blood soaked bandage and slit the fabric of his pants from around the wound. She carefully examined the injury and was both relieved and worried to see an exit wound. That meant that the bullet was not lodged in his leg, but it also meant that he had lost far more blood than she first thought, and his injuries were much more extensive than she had imagined. She took an ampoule of morphine from the medical kit and injected it into the leg for the pain. It wasn't much, but it was better than nothing. Carefully, she cleaned the wounds and sterilized them with the sulfa powder from the kit, and then put fresh bandages on them. Carefully she checked him for other injuries. There were none, but his forehead was hot, and he was tossing fitfully. Fever had set in. She wiped his face with a cloth soaked in water from the supplies, and covered him with another of the blankets. She settled in beside him. The vigil had begun.

It was dark outside once again. Close to midnight. When the sun went down, she draped several blankets over the mouth of the cave to keep any light from escaping, and built a small fire to warm the cave. She knelt beside Roarke and once more wiped his face and neck with cool water. She had been doing this most of the day except for a few brief periods of not more than an hour or two when she had finally given in to exhaustion. She studied his face in the firelight. He was a study in contrasts. Strong, yet soft. Hard, yet gentle. Proud, yet humble.

She put her hand to his cheek. It was cool to the touch. The fever had broken, and he was asleep at last. He stirred slightly and opened his eyes. He took her hand in his and put it to his lips.

"Hi there." She smiled. " I am Adrienne, your host. Welcome to Fantasy Island." She said in a very bad imitation of his accent.

"You really must work on your greeting." He returned her smile. "That was atrocious." His face turned solemn once more. "How long have I been out of it?"

"All day and most of the night. How are you feeling?"

"Weak."

She went over to the fire and poured some liquid from a pot into a metal cup. "You lost a lot of blood, but thank heavens the heavy bleeding finally stopped sometime around four this afternoon. By now, it is only minimal. Your fever broke about nine." Gently she raised him and put the cup to his lips. "Drink this. It will make you feel a lot better."

He took a sip and started sputtering and choking on it. "What is the world is this?" He made an exaggerated sour face. "It tastes like it was filtered through a pair of dirty gym socks!"

"It's a potion of medicinal plants and herbs. I was in luck. Most of them happened to grow within ten to fifteen yards of the cave. It would taste a lot better with some sugar or honey, but there isn't any here, so you'll have to drink it plain. There was no way I was going to risk my life to find a beehive just so it would taste better." She poured him a second cup. "Our housekeeper on the plantation taught me the recipe. She claimed it was good for everything from dandruff to athletes foot. And if you should happen to run out of gin, she insisted that it could be used to concoct a fairly decent Martini as well." She laughed.

The brew was hot and bitter and it did taste vaguely like cheap gin. But it warmed him and after a few more sips, he could feel his strength starting to return. He cautiously pulled himself to a sitting position. She waited until he finished the drink and doused the fire and removed the blankets from the entrance. A welcome cool breeze flowed into the cave.

"It's such a beautiful night." Roarke commented as thee two of them sat on an outcropping just outside the mouth of the cave. The observers used this to watch the activities in the valley below them. From here, they could see but not be seen. "The air is clear and the stars seem so close that you can almost reach up and touch them. This is a night for making love, not war. There should be couples strolling hand in hand through the village square talking of romance. Instead, there are tanks and armed patrols. From where we are in the forest, the air should be heady with the aroma of bougainvillea and orchids. Instead, there is the smell of gunsmoke and death."

"Sometimes when I close my eyes, I can almost pretend that this is all some horrible nightmare." Adrienne replied. "I can nearly imagine that I'll wake up and I'll be back at the plantation and in my own bed. I can sometimes visualize that it's a bright, sunny morning, and any minute now, Papa will be calling from the bottom of the stairs to tell me that breakfast is ready." A look of melancholy covered her face. "Sadly, I am all too aware that it is the dream, and this ... " She pointed to the battle scarred landscape before them. " ... is the reality."

He put his arm around her and caressed her softly. "Someday this will truly be over. Someday, the bougainvillea and orchids will once again bloom on the hillsides. Someday there will once more be lovers strolling in the plaza." He pulled her close. "When that day comes, and I assure you that it will happen, I will stroll through the square with you. I will hold you." He nuzzled her cheek. "I will kiss you." He placed a line of soft kissed on the side of her face starting at the hairline and ending at her jaw. "I will whisper to you the things that only lovers can know." His voice was husky with emotion.

"Roarke." She said softly when the kisses finally ended, the same huskiness in her voice. It wasn't a question. It wasn't a statement. It was an invitation. Still showering her with kisses, Roarke led her back into the cave and gently lowered her onto the blanket. Eternity stopped and the war was a universe away as Roarke and Adrienne showed the depth of their feelings for each other.

The sun was bright in the sky when Roarke awoke. He looked around the cave. Adrienne was nowhere in sight. He heard an alnost inaudible noise outside the cave and grabbed for his rifle.

Adrienne entered and raised her hands. "Don't shoot! Don't shoot! It's only me." She said, holding her gun high above her head.

"Where have you been?" He asked angrily. "And what were you doing outside in broad daylight? You could have gotten yourself killed doing a stupid thing like that."

"I was very careful. I made sure no one saw me. As to where I was, I went shopping for breakfast." She took off her backpack and dumped the contents on the floor. There was a variety of fruits, nuts, edible roots, and even two coconuts. "Give me a few minutes and I'll turn this into a first class gourmet feast." She studied the pile of food for a few moments. "Would you by any chance settle for something that is at least nutritious and non poisonous?" She asked with a silly grin.

She was right. A gourmet feast it was not, but the meal was tasty and satisfying.

"Adrienne." Roarke said. "About last night ... "

"You don't have to say anything. It's all right. I understand. It was just something that happened. I needed you as much as you needed me."

"No. It's not all right. And it wasn't something that ... just happened. At least not for me it wasn't. It was so much more than that. I meant everything I said. I do love you and after this is over, I have every intention of asking you to marry me."

Adrienne looked deeply into his eyes. She saw the same love there that she had in her heart. She leaned into him and kissed him deeply. "And when this war is over, I have every intention of saying yes."

He drew her close to him, but their embrace was interrupted when they heard the faint sound of footsteps approaching the cave. They both leveled their guns at the entrance.

"Don't shoot!" Jabal called out, his hands high in the air. "I have become quite accustomed to having certain of my body parts securely attached to the rest of me, and I would like to keep them that way for a good while longer." Behind him were several men, including Dr. Chin.

"Sorry we took so long getting here, but the island is crawling with patrols. I knew that if you were still alive, you'd eventually wind up here, so this was one of our first

destinations. I'm glad I was right." Jabal explained as Dr. Chin examined Roarke's leg. "You know, we must have done a lot more damage than we thought we did when we blew up that bridge. According to our informants, that convoy consisted of most of the vehicles from the third battalion. Without transportation, they are effectively out of commission. General Double Ugly of the Imperial Occupation Forces has upped the bounty on your head to sixty thousand. Personally, I think he's a piker. You're worth at least a hundred thousand if you're worth anything at all." He looked at Dr. Chin. "How's he doing?"

"Not as bad as he could be doing." The doctor replied. He looked at Adrienne and smiled broadly. "He's got a good nurse."

"Chin was right. I did have a good nurse." Roarke said as he lightly squeezed her waist. "Thanks to you ... and that awful tasting bathtub gin of yours ... my leg healed in record time."

"But you still bear the remembrance." She touched his leg gently. "The limp. It's barely noticeable, but I saw it when we first arrived here.

"A small price to pay. The bridge was the key to the defense of the whole island. If they had been able to fortify the Western Ridge, the Allied invasion might have turned out very differently."

Roarke, Jabal, Adrienne, and several other rebel leaders sat in Roarke's tent awaiting their guest. The flap opened and a Navy officer entered, escorted by several of the guerilla fighters.

"Lieutenant William Carmichael, U.S. Navy, reporting, Sir." Carmichael said, stiffly saluting Roarke. He handed him a folder " My orders, Sir."

"Lieutenant." Roarke said as he opened the folder and read the papers. "You do not have to salute me. And you do not have to call me 'Sir'. This is not exactly a military operation here. We are all civilians. We do what we have to do out of necessity, not by choice. We are anything but formal."

"Yes, Sir ... I understand, Sir ... I mean Mr. Roarke." He corrected himself. "As those orders state, I have been sent by the Admiral as a liaison to coordinate the efforts between your forces and those of the Allied Forces in the upcoming recapture of Fantasy Island."

Roarke held out his hand to Carmichael. "Welcome to Fantasy Island, Lieutenant. May I introduce my staff. This is Jabal, my chief assistant, The others are Miss Adrienne Charbonette, Dr. Li Ho Chin, Mr. Homu Kolomo, and Mr. Hikaru Matsubiko."

"Matsubiko? ... But he's a ..." Carmichael began.

" ... A citizen of Fantasy Island." Roarke finished. "His family has been here for over six generations. He is one of my most trusted aides."

"While I may share the same ancestry as the occupation forces, that does not mean I consider myself one of them." Hikaru explained. "Fantasy Island is my home. It was the home of my father ... and his father ... and their fathers before them down through the centuries. I have fought the enemy as fiercely as any man here. Maybe more so. My wife and two of my daughters were executed for no other reason than because of what they were. I joined Roarke's forces and have been with him since the beginning. Another daughter and two of my sons are here as well. Another son fights with the Australians."

"I believe you Mr. Matsubiko. And I'm sorry for what I said. I do not doubt for a moment that you are a loyal and trusted friend. It's just that I was taken aback to see you here."

"I understand." Hikaru replied. "And I will not hold anything against you if you will not hold anything against me."

"Deal." Carmichael held out his hand to the oriental.

"Deal." Matsubiko replied, shaking the Lieutenant's hand eagerly.

"Mr. Roarke." Carmichael continued. "The plans for the invasion are also in that folder. As the Admiral explained when he first contacted you, it is set for three weeks from now." He went to the map pinned to the wall. "It will consist of a two pronged attack. The Marine forces will come ashore here ... " He pointed to one of the beaches. " ... and the Army will land here." He indicated another section of beaches. "My primary mission is to disable the ammunition storage depot located here." He referred to a compound located well within the yellow section of the map. "Without adequate reserves of ammunition, they will be hard pressed to mount a full scale counter attack. The destruction of the dump will also serve another important function. One hour after the dump goes, The attack will begin."

Roarke scrutinized the map where Carmichael had pointed. "You realize that you have chosen probably the most difficult target on the island. The depot is heavily fortified and is almost impregnable. Believe me, I know. We have tried to destroy it many times but with only minimal success. Unless ... " He studied the map again. " ... Why didn't I see that before! It just might work!"

"See what before? What might work?" Jabal echoed.

"We've been trying to attack the ammo dump head on and we've been getting nowhere fast. What if we attack the gasoline storage area first?" Roarke took a pen and circled the cluster of fuel tanks about a mile from the dump. "If we make them believe that it is our main target, they could conceivably pull enough troops out of the ammo depot that one or two persons might be able to get in and do the job there. Also, with the gas gone, they would not have enough fuel for their tanks and vehicles either. Once more we could kill two birds with one stone."

Jabal studied the map. "You might be right. I don't think it would take too much to blow those tanks. Just a small starter explosion should do the trick. The chain reaction that followed would take care of everything else. I think maybe ten sticks of dynamite would do the job very nicely. I could place five of them here ... " He pointed to one of the middle tanks. " ... and the other five here." He pointed to the largest tank.

"No, Jabal. It's much too dangerous.' Roarke objected. "I cannot ask you to do that. We will mount a full scale attack on the tanks."

"And what? Lose eighty to a hundred good men? And risk the chance that it might fail? I can be in and out of there before anyone even notices. You know I'm the best explosives man around. I've always wanted to see how big a bang eighty thousand gallons of gas would make anyway. Besides, you didn't ask me. I'm volunteering."

"Not without me you don't. I volunteer to go too." Matsubiko said, good naturedly cuffing Jabal on the arm. "After all, you're going to need someone to show you which end of the fuse to light."

"Okay. You can come too. But only if you bring the hot dogs. When those tanks go up, we're going to have the biggest weenie roast Fantasy Island ever saw."

"Me? I brought the food the last time. It's your turn."

"I'll make you a deal. You bring the marshmallows. I'll bring the franks."

"Okay by me. I got only one question. Who's bringing the beer?"

The duo left the tent discussing explosive to force ratios and delayed reaction times, interspersed with friendly debate over potato salad and pickle relish.

"How can they be so nonchalant about all of this?" Carmichael asked Roarke. "Don't they realize that this will most likely be a suicide mission?"

Roarke lowered his eyes. "We are all aware that this entire operation is little more than a suicide mission. Although they make jokes about their work, there are not two more dedicated or courageous men in the entire world that Jabal or Hikaru. I owe my life to them many times over. Everyone in camp does, too."

"I'm sure you do. Friends like that are hard to find."

"I will handle the ammunition depot." Roarke said.

"No, you won't." Carmichael argued. "It's my assignment. That makes it my responsibility. I'll take care of that part of the plan myself."

"And probably get your fool head blown off in the process." Roarke countered. "I know this island better than anyone. If anyone can get through their defenses, it will be me."

"And I'm going to overrule the both of you." Adrienne interrupted. "As I see it, the easiest and safest way into the compound is to go through this storm drain." She circled a small area about ten feet from the northern boundary. "From what our surveillance reports show, there's only a simple grate welded across the entrance. Since the drain is only about eighteen inches in diameter, they probably didn't think it needed to be too heavily barricaded. A pair of bolt cutters should do the job very nicely. Unfortunately, both of you are much too large to crawl through there easily or with any speed. I, on the other hand, being smaller and faster, am the only logical choice for the job."

"I can't let you do that. It's too dangerous." Carmichael said. "The chances of any of us returning are slim at best."

"I've faced danger many times before, Lieutenant Carmichael." She said defiantly. " I spent six months evading the enemy on my father's island before coming here. I lay my life on the line every time I go out on patrol. And I can handle a stick of dynamite as well as anyone else can. With the obvious exception of Jabal ... or possibly Hikaru." She crossed her arms stubbornly in front of her.

Roarke took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "Although it goes against my better judgement, I have to agree with her. We are both too large to squeeze through that pipe very easily. Adrienne is the only logical person to do it. We will all go."

He turned to Kolomo. "You will be in charge here. When the invasion begins, I want you to take the majority of the fighters and attack the troops stationed in the village. Your job will be to delay them as long as possible in order to give the Allies a chance to establish a firm beachhead. This is just as critical as any other mission to the success of the invasion."

"You know you can count on me, Roarke. You know I will do everything in my power to keep them bottled up in the village as long as I can."

"I know. That's why I gave the job to you." Roarke cleared a space on the table and took out several map cases and pads of paper from his trunk. "Now that we have our assignments, we have a lot of work to do and not much time to do it in."

Adrienne sat on a tree stump at the crest of a small rise near the top of one of the mountains that ringed the valley. From this elevation, she could clearly see nearly the entire island. She liked night watch. In the darkness, the scars of war were nearly concealed. The checkpoints and guard shacks could easily be mistaken for tollbooths, and the barricades could be merely construction sawhorses. Even the lights from the enemy encampments seemed less hostile. It was as though they might simply be the glow from so many small villages.

There was an almost inaudible sound behind her. Instantly, she was in a crouch and her rifle was at the ready.

"Friend! Friend!" Bill Carmichael said softly as he held his hands high above his head.

"Lieutenant Carmichael!" Adrienne stated angrily as she stood up and lowered her weapon. "Don't you know that sneaking up on someone in the middle of the night is not the wisest thing to do? Especially in wartime? It's a very good way to wind up dead. Didn't the Navy teach you anything about survival in basic training?"

"I'm sorry. I only wanted to get a breath of fresh air. I was positive this was the way back to camp. I must have gotten turned around somehow. What are you doing out here in the middle of the night anyway?"

"Keeping idiots like you from getting their asses ventilated with lead, that's what! If I'd have been the enemy, you'd be dead by now! But to answer your question, I'm standing night watch!"

"But that's not a job for a woman."

"No one is exempt. Everyone takes their turn. Cooks and clerks as well as guerilla fighters. Even Roarke does his shift."

"He's a most remarkable man, your Mr. Roarke. According to our intelligence reports, he's a superb general. I've been watching him while he's been mapping out the plans for the invasion. Some of his strategies are positively brilliant! I can see why the resistance forces here on Fantasy Island are so well trained and so deadly in battle!"

"He is no general! And these people aren't professional soldiers! If it weren't for this insane war, Roarke and the inhabitants of this island would be the gentlest, most peace loving people you'd ever want to meet! They fight solely because they have to. Fantasy Island is their home, and they are defending it with their lives, if need be!"

"And what about you, Adrienne? Why are you here? You're not one of the islanders. I heard you refused to go to a friendly held island, and instead decided to stay here and fight. You deliberately chose danger over safety. That's not the way it's supposed to work. You don't belong here. You belong in a gingerbread house with a white picket fence, not in a tent. You should be wearing a calico dress with a ruffled apron. Not fatigues. And you should be taking care of a gaggle of children and a dog named Skippy, not commanding a squad of guerilla fighters."

"That's a beautiful dream Lieutenant."

"Bill. I've told you before. My name is Bill." He gently put his arm on her shoulder.

"It's a beautiful dream, Bill. In a way, that's what I'm fighting for. Someday, it may come true. But for now, that's all it is, merely a dream."

"I know where there's a gingerbread house with white picket fence a dog named Skippy. It's in Peoria Illinois, and I own it. Someday, when this is over, I'd like to take you there and show it to you. Maybe I could even persuade you to stay there and work on that gaggle of kids. What do...?"

He was interrupted by a strange noise. It sounded like a bird, but not exactly.

Adrienne repeated the call. " My relief is here."

"Would it be all right if I walked you to your tent?"

"I think I had better be the one to walk you to your tent. That way, I'll be sure you don't wander off and get yourself used for target practice. Some of the people standing watch tonight aren't as considerate as I am. They shoot first and don't even bother asking questions."

"Touche." He said as he took her arm and started down the hill toward the camp.

He stopped at her tent and took her in his arms. "I know we've only known each other for a short time, but in war, that can be a lifetime. In that time, I'm certain I have fallen in love with you. I know you don't feel the same way about me, but I think there's some genuine feeling for me in you, too. It's very possible that by this time next week, we may all be dead. If, by some miracle we do survive..." He drew her close and pressed his lips to hers and gently led her inside.

Roarke, Adrienne and Bill crouched in a small depression at the entrance to the sewer. A light fog had settled in, and in the pre dawn darkness, everything had taken on an eerie cast. In a sense, that made their job easier. In the ghostly shadows, it was much simpler to camouflage their movements. The three of them were dressed in black, and their faces were smeared with charcoal mixed with grease. For all practical purposes, they were invisible. A few yards in front of them, the guards patrolled the perimeter of the ammunition depot, unaware of what was about to take place.

Roarke checked his watch. "Something has gone wrong. The gasoline tanks should have been blown up by now." He whispered to his teammates.

"Roarke." Carmichael whispered back. "I know that the schedule is tight, but we do have a little bit of leeway."

As if that were the cue, a huge ball of bright orange flame rose from the gasoline storage area, followed in rapid succession by numerous other balls of flame. Less than a second later, an ear splitting wall of sound rolled over top of them, nearly flattening everything in its path.

Roarke felt almost like cheering as Adrienne hugged him. Then the thought of the cost of those explosions hit him almost as hard as the wall of sound. Jabal and Hikaru were almost certainly no longer among the living.

As predicted, there was great confusion in the ammo compound as trucks and cars filled with soldiers and sped toward the site of the explosion. Roarke quickly cut the grating from the drain, and Adrienne slipped inside. Ten anxious minutes later, she reappeared. "Piece of cake. Your plan worked perfectly, Roarke. The place was almost deserted." She announced in a whisper. "Let's get out of here. Fast. The dump will go up on another ten minutes."

They scrambled across a small clearing toward the woods. Just as they were about to disappear into the underbrush, one of the guards that had been left behind spotted them and opened fire. They zigzagged in a defensive pattern, a hail of bullets dogging their footsteps. Suddenly, one of the bullets found its mark, and Roarke doubled over. Immediately, Bill and Adrienne were at his side. Without breaking stride, they locked their arms around him and half dragged and half pulled him with them. They did not stop until they had reached the relative safety of the foothills.

In a rocky niche, Adrienne eased Roarke to the ground. She and Bill studied their watches. Nine and a half minutes had passed. As the second hand passed the twelve mark, a second series of explosions duplicated the ones from the gas depot, and the ammunition dump was little more than another huge orange ball of flame.

"Head for ... valley ... fast ... you can." Roarke gasped. "Trail begins ... other side ... of ridge."

Adrienne slid her hands under Roarke's shoulders and started to lift him, but he resisted her efforts. When she pulled them away, her hands were covered with blood.

"No." Roarke whispered hoarsely. "Don't waste ... time ... on me ... can go ... no further."

"Then we'll carry you." Carmichael said as he too started to pick Roarke up.

He shook his head. "Time ... is essence ... I only ... slow down ... Invasion ...start shortly ... Return camp ... help Kolomo ... coordinate attack ... village." He took Adrienne's hand and pressed it to his face and then drew her close and kissed her tenderly. "You must ... go alone ... from here." He gently pressed her hand into Bill's. "I am ... entrusting ... her ... to you ... Take good care ... She is very ... special."

Bill swallowed hard. "I know that, Roarke. You can count on me. I'll take very good care of Adrienne."

"Take only ... essentials ... Leave rest ... with me ... I hold ... them off ... long ... I can."

They left their rifles and all the ammunition they could spare, and kept only their sidearms and a single clip apiece.

"Go ... quickly." Roarke said as they carefully positioned the cache where he could reach it easily.

As they started up the trail to the ridge, they could hear the sounds of heavy gunfire behind them. They topped the ridge just as the sharp explosion of a grenade rent the air. A column of smoke billowed up from the spot where they had left Roarke.

Adrienne gave a muffled scream and started to go back, but Bill grabbed her and held her tightly. "He bought us time with his life." He whispered as she buried her head in his shoulder and racking sobs filled her body. "Let's not waste it."

In the distance they could hear the booming of the huge canons on the warships anchored in the waters off the coast. The invasion had started.

Adrienne buried her face in Roarke's chest as the memories of that day started to fade.

"There was a rock ledge that shielded me from the worst of the grenade." Roarke explained. "Sometime later, I don't know how long, a squad of Marines found me more dead than alive. They took me to a hospital ship that was anchored with the fleet. Eventually, I was sent to a military hospital in Hawaii, and from there to a series of civilian hospitals. It was many months before I was well enough to return to Fantasy Island. By that time, the war had ended, and I was kept busy cleaning up and rebuilding the island.

When I finally had the time to search for you, no one on the island had any information on where you were or what had happened to you. I looked for almost a year, but all the leads I came across were dead ends. I did manage to find a marriage record for you and Bill in San Diego, but by that time your trail had become cold and very muddled. Eventually, I had no choice but to give up."

"We never made it back to the camp." Adrienne continued. "We were ambushed by a patrol. Bill was wounded, although not nearly as severe as you were. He was unconscious, and I escaped being killed by smearing some of his blood on me and playing dead.

We were rescued by an army patrol, and Bill and I were also taken to the same hospital ship to have his wounds treated. Ironic, isn't it? We were all there at the same time and none of us knew about the other. Bill was transferred to a stateside post when he was well enough, and I went with him. Three months later, we were married and after the war, we settled in Peoria. He really did have a gingerbread house with a white picket fence, and a little brown and white Jack Russell Terrier named Skippy. Unfortunately, the gaggle of kids never materialized. Paul is an only child.

A few months ago, I happened to read an article in a magazine about Fantasy Island. That was the first indication I had that you had survived. I immediately booked a flight through the travel agency mentioned in the article. I had to be sure that it was really you. When I told them that I had left something here and that I had to find it, they were very understanding and helpful in arranging for a fantasy."

"And I was your fantasy, wasn't I?" Roarke took her gently into his arms. "I was what you had lost."

She nodded. "There's more. I have a confession to make. I had an ulterior motive for wanting to find you. It's Paul. He isn't just sick. He's dying. Even though the doctors don't know exactly what is wrong with him, they do know that his condition is rapidly deteriorating. If whatever he has continues to progress at the rate it has been going, in six months he will probably be dead." Desperation was written on her face. "You must save him, Roarke. You're his last hope."

Roarke held her tightly and slowly shook his head. "Adrienne." He said sadly. "I have many powers at my disposal, but the power of life and death is not one of them. That power is reserved only to The One Who Is Above All Others. I wish I could grant you this part of your fantasy ... for your sake and for Bill's ... but there is nothing I can do."

She drew back and stared, horrified, at him. "But you have to do something!" She screamed. "You have to save him! Those other cases I told you about. They were all fatal. Didn't I make myself clear enough? Our son is dying!"

Roarke looked at her with surprise and bewilderment. "Our ... Son?"

She lowered her head and stared intently at the ground. Yes, Roarke. Our son. Yours and mine." She said barely above a whisper. "I did not know I was pregnant when I left the island. Everyone thought you were dead. I told Bill the truth about you and me, and it did not make any difference to him. He loved me and was willing to marry me anyway. By that time, I had fallen in love with him as well. The baby needed a father, and Bill was more than eager to be that father. He could not have loved Paul any more if he had been his own flesh and blood. I'm so sorry, Roarke."

"Does Paul know?"

Adrienne shook her head tightly. "No. He doesn't know. We thought it best if he didn't know the truth. At that time, and even to some extent today, a child ... like that ... has a very difficult time growing up. No one knows or even suspects that Paul isn't Bill's child. Only Bill and I knew ... and now you know. That isn't to say we didn't tell him all about you. In fact, we gave him your name for his middle name. As far as he knows, you were a wonderful, courageous man and a good friend who gave his life to save ours. As I said before, until just a few months ago, we all thought you were dead."

"You did the only thing you could do under the circumstances. After all, I did give you to Bill to cherish." He blinked back a tear that was trying desperately to escape down his cheek. "I wish I could help you ... now even more than ever, but this still does not alter the facts. I still do not have the power to control life and death. Even for my own son. I do promise this, though. I will do everything with whatever powers I do have to find a cure. I will get the best doctors. The finest research specialists. I will see that every possible avenue is explored. If there is any way to save him, I will find it. I swear."

They held each other closely. Each crying silent tears for their son. Then they slowly started down the hill toward the village.

Tatoo and Paul sat on the bed in the bungalow, a lap table between them. On it was a deck of cards. Tatoo drew a card, looked at it and discarded it. Paul picked it up and melded it into his hand. He laid out the cards. "Gin."

Tatoo tallied the points of the cards remaining in his hand. "Fifty eight." He announced.

"And I believe that is game as well. How much is the tab now?"

"As of now, I owe you $14,718.39."

"Want to go double or nothing?"

Just then, Roarke and Adrienne came into the bedroom.

"You're back." Tatoo said with just a little too much relief in his voice. "Did you fulfill your fantasy?"

"Yes I did." Adrienne said smiling. "I definitely found what I came here for."

"Tatoo." Roarke said solemnly. "If you don't mind, we'd like to talk with Paul. Alone."

"Mind? Certainly not! If I keep playing cards with him much longer, I will be in debt to him for the rest of my natural life. That is, unless I can get a small advance on my salary."

"I have already given you too many advances as it is. If I wanted to enforce all of them, I would not have to pay you a single penny until November of 1993." He said with a big smile.

"I look at it this way, Boss. At least I'm assured of a steady job until then." Tatoo picked up the cards and put them in his pocket. Then he folded the lap table and tucked it under his arm. "I'll be in the living room if you need me."

Roarke sat on the edge of the bed. "Your mother has told me all about your condition. I made a promise to her and now I'm making that same promise to you. I will do everything that is in my power to help you."

"That was your real fantasy, wasn't it, Mother? The real reason you came to Fantasy Island. It was to get Mr. Roarke to cure me." He turned his gaze to Roarke. "Did she tell you everything, Mr. Roarke? Did she tell you that you are my father?" There was no anger in his voice. Only concern.

"What are you talking about, Paul?" Adrienne said, frightened. You know full well that Bill is your father."

"It's all right, Mother. I've known the truth about my parentage for a long time. About eight years ago, I was cleaning out the attic, and in one of the corners under the eaves, I found Dad's old footlocker from his Navy days. It was almost hidden under a bunch of boxes and bags full of childhood toys, clothing, and unused Christmas stuff. The metal parts were rusted, and when I went to move it, the latch broke off. Out of curiosity, I opened it and started rummaging through the contents. In the bottom I found your diary from when you were on Fantasy Island. It wasn't too difficult to read between the lines and figure out the things you did not write."

"You've known all this time, and you never said anything?"

"What was there to say? I was angry at first, but then I realized something very important. We loved each other and we were a family. That was the only thing that mattered. In fact, after I read the diary, I loved Dad even more. He raised me and he loved me. Bill Carmichael was the only father I ever knew, and it didn't make any difference to him that I wasn't his biological son. So why should it make a difference to me that he wasn't my biological father? Nothing against you, Mr. Roarke, but I couldn't possibly have asked for a better father than William Carmichael."

Roarke took Paul's hand. "If I had any doubts that you are my son, they are gone now. I have told your mother and I am now telling you. I cannot save you. That power is not given to me or to any mortal. At best, I can only delay the inevitable for a short period of time. And when the time does come, I can make it as peaceful and painless as possible. Who knows? Perhaps in the extended time I can give you, science will be able to find a cure."

They stood on the grassy knoll in the Fantasy Island Cemetery. In front of them was a fresh grave. The headstone read 'PAUL ROARKE CARMICHAEL BELOVED SON.'

"I'd have given anything ... even my life if it would have done any good ... to have this end differently." Roarke said softly.

"You did all you could have done." Adrienne answered. "That was ten times more than anyone else could have possibly done. As the saying goes ... We are born ... We live ... We die. Unfortunately for some of us, that cycle is much shorter than it is for others."

They stood for a long time in each others arms. Then Roarke reluctantly led her to the car.

The car pulled up to the dock. Roarke helped Adrienne out and walked her to the waiting seaplane. "You know you do not have to leave Fantasy Island." Roarke said. "You are welcome to stay here as long as you want."

"I know that. And I am grateful for everything you and everyone here has done for Paul and for me. But I have to go. I cannot stay. The memories are much too fresh and much too painful. Perhaps when the passage of time has dulled the pain a bit and rounded off the sharp edges a bit ... Perhaps then I will come back."

"It is I who am grateful." Roarke put his arm around her shoulder. "You have given me a son, if only for a short time. During these past months, I have come to know and love Paul as a father should know and love his son. Even though he did not survive, he will always live in my heart."

"Goodbye, Adrienne." He said softly. "No. Let's not say goodbye. Rather let's say ... Hasta la vista ... Ciao ... Auf weidersein ... 'Till we meet again. And we will meet again. I am certain of that."

Their parting kiss was filled with happiness, sorrow, and memories.

Roarke stood at the very end of the dock and watched until the seaplane was no more than a tiny speck on the horizon. Slowly, he turned and started back to the waiting car.

Tatoo was waiting for him. "Boss." He said almost apologetically. "This is something I think you ought to read." He held out an envelope to Roarke. "It came by special messenger right after you and Adrienne left to go to the cemetery to say your goodbyes to Paul. I ... ah ... er ... sort of ... read it. I wasn't snooping ... exactly. I had to see if it was anything important. In my opinion, it is very important."

Roarke took the envelope without opening it. "I already know the contents, Tatoo. These are the results of the blood tests that were performed on Paul, Adrienne, and me. They prove conclusively that I am not the father of Paul Carmichael. That he is in fact as well as in deed, the son of William Carmichael."

"That's right, Boss. But how did you know that? And why did you let Paul and Adrienne believe that you were his father?"

"I've known the truth almost from the start. Just as Paul could not tell his parents what he had learned because he loved them, so I could not tell them what I knew for the same reason."

"You mean these past months have all been nothing but a lie?"

"Oh, no, Tatoo! They were anything but a lie. Both Adrienne and Paul truly believed that I was his father. Because of that belief, they came to me for help. I could not save him, but he did not die in vain. Because of him, the doctors have made great progress in identifying and treating others with the same symptoms as Paul had. In fact, they've even named it the Carmichael syndrome. Perhaps ... probably ... one day, they may even find a cure for it, or at least an effective treatment that will allow patients to live a long and productive life."

He took the envelope and tore it into small pieces and scattered them over the water. "You were wrong, Tatoo. This is not important. This is just a piece of paper. It is not important at all. It never was."