The Butterfly

When Scott was headed back to his tent after a pre dawn trip to the latrine Monday morning he was surprised to see Laura in an open section of camp. Standing on her brace with what appeared full weight she was performing some kind of exercise that appeared to be a mix of Tie chi, Ballet and something more. What caught Scott's attention was what appeared to be a large butterfly perched on her fingers. At first glance the butterfly looked to be real in its movements as it sat on her fingers, but it was four or five times larger than any butterfly Scott had ever seen. What Scott really couldn't believe was that a live butterfly would stay on a person's hand while they danced. Scott found a hiding place in the shadows and watched as Laura danced around moving her arms and hands so delicately as the butterfly's wings fluttered so naturally. As the first rays of morning stretched over the mountains Scott could see that the colors on the butterfly were as unnatural as its size and the designs on the wings looked more like, like, well like scribbles.

As the morning light grew brighter, Scott decided that the butterfly must be made of paper and was then able to just enjoy the dance, or whatever it was.

True to her promise Laura went back to work. She let others do the across camp running to save her leg but she did everything else.

The next morning Scott arose long before sunrise and found himself peeking out of his tent off and on watching for Laura. When He saw her shadowed form limping it's way across camp he quickly dressed and covertly found his hiding place in the shadows. Where he watched in wonder as Laura danced so gracefully even with her leg in a bulky brace.

How many cultures had she interacted with? How long had she lived this lifestyle? How long did she plan to keep it up? Did she have room in her life for— -What was he thinking? In a few short weeks he would be going home and they would likely never see each other again. Yes, he would be going home to his family and his superman life with the fast aircraft and big powerful toys. The home where he was needed, where he would continue to save lives and fulfill his father's dream and the security plan didn't allow for bringing a girl home to meet the family.

Since Laura was back to work Scott was back at her side learning what he came to learn. Life in camp was everything but usual after that. The first of the hospital modules arrived and several of those he had worked with moved on to their home countries to help their own people and new ones came to take their places.

Doc got his scheduled fracture a week later than he reserved it. He was on his way back to camp after delivering a baby when he got too close to a kangaroo that leaned back on its tail and gave him a swift kick in the arm. Scott was allowed to use his new skills and set the arm under Laura's supervision.

The next week the assembly crew arrived and Scott's duties included operating a winch to pull the modules into place and then helping Laura calibrate all of the new equipment. It was learned that the modular hospital system was a product of the Mikealson Foundation and that this was one of many that Laura had aided in assembling.

While helping Laura with the last of the calibrations Scott was asked to retrieve a piece of equipment from Laura's bag when two paper butterflies came with it.

Scott held them in his hand and marveled. They were simple construction paper, colored with crayons and colored pencils.

"Those were gifts from the children in South Africa," Laura explained when she saw Scott looking them over. "They gave them to me during a good-bye party. That's when we got trapped in the basement."

Scott looked at Laura in awe once again. He marveled at the joy that she found in such simple treasures.

"The one with the fireworks and swirls on the wings," Laura spoke tenderly, "That was given to me by the little girl that we carried through the tunnels."

Scott marveled at Laura's words and looked at the butterfly in his hand once more. It was no longer just a piece of decorated construction paper.

"It's nice to look at it and remember a victory, I like thinking of her as free as a butterfly now." Laura concluded and Scott smiled humbly and nod to show he understood.

Laura then went back to work and Scott reverently placed the butterflies back in her bag before going to work himself.

It was only two weeks after the new hospital was open for business when Gordon arrived to take Scott to his last Doctor's evaluation and then home for the holidays.

A large number of the staff gathered at Scott's tent after breakfast and blessed him with tokens to remember them by. There were crocodile tooth necklaces from the nurses that he helped pull out of the ravine, Carved ostrich eggs, kangaroo skins, boomerangs and other native items either from Australia or the homeland of the giver. Scott placed them all in a large bag that had arrived at camp full of medical supplies that were now used up, that's when Laura walked up with her good-bye token. Silently Laura handed Scott one of her beloved butterflies, the one from the little girl they had carried through the tunnels in South Africa.

Scott was speechless as he held the butterfly in his hands and looked into Laura's eyes.

"Now we can both remember the victory." Laura spoke, her emotions trickling into her voice. "go get'em superman."

"Where will you go from here?" Scott asked finally finding his voice.

"Home for a while," Laura answered. "Got 'a make sure they remember who I am."

"Maybe we'll see each other around sometime." Scott added.

"I hope not," Laura smirked, "Cause if you're there it's some kind of a huge disaster and I've had enough of those in my lifetime."

Scott was trying to think of something more to say when Laura was summoned elsewhere.

"Take care of yourself," She said as she turned to leave.

"Yeah," Scott answered, "You too."

Scott watched Laura walk across the camp then looked at the butterfly in his hand. As Scott placed it carefully into his medical bag Gordon looked on in confusion.

When Scott started placing his belongings outside the tent several in the staff picked them up and transported them to the plane, just like when supplies came, only in reverse. Before he was really ready to leave, the plane was off the ground and Scott got his last look at Laura as he waved to her from the air. At that moment he wasn't sure which he wanted more, the life he was returning to or the one he was leaving behind.