Twelve: Present

Jarrambah was waiting for Lofgun at his usual spot near the docks, cloak covering his face in case any of the men from the lab were searching for him. He watched as his Captain and the crew unloaded from the ship and stalked towards him, lethal in just their walk. He smiled. He had missed Lofgun and the others immensely over the time he had been imprisoned. Now, he was home.

"Jarrambah!" Wong greeted in his usual fashion and then came the group hug. Even Lofgun joined, though Jarrambah could see the disappointed look on the Captain's face when he saw no sign of Butterfly.

Soon, after questions were hailed at him and celebratory cheers went up, Lofgun held up a hand and everyone went silent. Smiles turned down into alert flat lines, then, soon, those became frowns. "Tell us," Lofgun said softly.

Jarrambah did, from the moment he and the others were taken to the point up until he was being tortured in front of Butterfly. He faltered then, unable to go on. But he could see the hope washing away from his friend's face, so he forced himself to say, "She tricked him, Lofgun. Told him to get his personal map. Once he was gone, she…" he swallowed and looked to Rinnowra. "Let's just say your lessons helped a lot."

"They're dead?" Dalgoring asked.

"The guards, yes."

"Where is she? Did she stay behind again? Did you get her out? Jarrambah-"

"Slow down, Wong," Lofgun said, but asked him, "Is she still there?"

Jarrambah began to cry, shaking his head. "She's out! She's out, and she is searching for the stones."

At this, another round of cheers rose up. But not from Lofgun, as he knelt before the sobbing Jarrambah. "How is she?"

"A fucking saint!" he hissed and took a deep breath, then looked him in the eyes. "She's strong, Lofgun. She's a badass too. She said she will try to be back after the first stone, but I told her about the other Bulldogs."

"What about them?"

"They're alive." Jarrambah closed his eyes, feeling like he might cry again, so he hurriedly said, "She wants us to rescue them, then burn it to the ground. If we do not see her, then to go to each location of the stones. She said that if she finds them all, she'll wait at home. For us."

Lofgun bowed his head and half prayed, half cursed.

Lofgun felt as if his heart might beat out of his chest, it was beating so hard. But, Butterfly made it. She kept her promise. Now, they just had to meet either by chance or by luck. He knew she wouldn't stop until all the stones were found. It was who she is, how she was born. He couldn't and didn't want to stop that side of her. It's what made her unique.

"I think we should wait until morning to begin rescuing the Bulldogs," Lofgun said, thinking furiously. "I need to plan this out carefully."

He stood and walked into a nearby shop, buying a large beer. But when he got to the counter to pay, the man looked at him and blinked, lip trembling. Lofgun was utterly confused. "What's wrong?"

The man sputtered. "It's you! The girl-I didn't believe her-but it's you!"

Now, Lofgun leaned forward with interest. "Who?"

"She didn't give her name, but she gave me something to give you!" The man rushed into the back and returned a moment later with something wrapped in cloth. "She said that you'd recognize it."

Lofgun took the item and unwrapped it. A familiar knife gleamed back at him, turning black and smoking softly. "When was she here?"

The man looked at the clock. "An hour ago, I think."

"Thank you!" Lofgun took the knife and hurried out, glancing around. Where would she go tonight? Could she be here and hiding? If so, why hide from him?

"Butterfly, come to me."

He waited, looking slowly about the docks, the shops, the alleys, but saw no sign of her.

"I'm here for you. Come so I can see you for myself."

He felt someone watching, listening and looked harder.

"Butterfly, it's me! I'm waiting for you, as you requested."

Nothing.

He sighed, about to drag himself back to his crew, when he heard feet running away. He spun and followed. His heart racing. Ahead, he caught the sight of someone disappearing around a corner. He ran faster, turning and…

Nothing.

"Butterfly!" he called.

No one came out and answered him. But someone did listen. As Lofgun trudged away, Coolyala sighed, hidden behind a garbage she only barely managed to get behind before he saw her.

Why did she run and hide?

It was Lofgun, the same man who protected her for nearly a year, gave her a home, made her laugh and helped her with all the plans before they caught her. It was Lofgun, who came and had waited for her.

Even though I purposely kept myself in that lab for another four months!

Tears rolled down her face. It was stupid to hide. He wanted to see her, wanted to know if she was alright, despite Jarrambah telling him.

She cursed, running out and around the corner, looking for Lofgun. She saw the crew, the magnificent ship, and other strangers killing about.

She choked back a cry and stepped back.

"Butterfly?"

Coolyala spun and put a hand to her mouth, eyes wide. He was there, watching her with the same surprised expression she probably had. "Lofgun?"

For a moment, he just stared at her, but then he smiled. "You're here!" he breathed.

She ran into his arms, crying in relief and sorrow and pain and joy. He held her, arms about her in a fierce embrace that could have crushed bones. Behind them, it went silent, as if others were witnessing their reunion, but neither cared.

"Spend tonight with me, Butterfly. I swear, I'll let you go on your own come morning, if you wish."

She nodded, because even though she knew it was not in her plans to see him yet, she couldn't wait any longer.

Lofgun carried her aboard the ship, not once glancing at the others, though he knew they were all as happy as he was to be seeing her alive and well. He carried her to his quarters, where he proceeded to hold her as he had done many times before, as he had done every time she ran into his arms crying. He held her for hours, crying himself at the long suffering they both endured for the six months she was imprisoned.

Finally, when their tears were spent and the night moon was lowering, he spoke. "You willingly stayed there, letting them hurt you, even though Wong could have gotten you out."

"I was trying to get information on the stones," she whispered. "I was about to have some that day, but Wong was too soon. So, I stayed."

"Did you gain anything?"

She shrugged. "It was a mistake. An experiment gone wrong. But they wanted to use it." She snuggled closer to him. "Besides that, I only got the satisfaction of seeing Milbaral's frustration and wrath."

Lofgun was quiet a moment. "You weren't going to come see me, were you?"

Coolyala tensed. "It isn't because I didn't want to see you, Lofgun. I just wanted to go get the stones, have them in hand and safe, before I relaxed even a little."

"What made you then?"

Coolyala sat up and Lofgun saw wariness in her eyes. "I couldn't keep away. I also wanted to make sure Jarrambah found you and was safe." She hesitated, looked away.

Lofgun tilted his head to the side. "Butterfly?"

She reached into her pocket and pulled out a red stone, as beautiful as the first time she revealed it to him.

"You found it!" He reverently took it and held it up to the light. "Which one is this?"

"Riebcoprite." She took it back and played with it in her lap.

"What is it, Butterfly?"

"I'm scared, Lofgun. What if they find them before me?"

Lofgun cupped her face. "They won't. I'll help you if you let me."

"I want you to save the Bulldogs."

"And I will. I won't leave them behind, Butterfly. But you don't have to journey alone. You don't have to be alone, anymore."

A tear fell. "I am being selfish, Lofgun! I want you to come, but also don't want to see you hurt!"

He chuckled. "It takes a lot to hurt me. Besides," he whispered. "Wherever I go, my crew comes with. They will always follow me."

She smiled, knowing it was true. "I know. They're loyal to the end."

"Which is why they are with me. They also want to help you. They are the ones who dispersed them."

Coolyala nodded. He watched her think, almost able to see her brain working. Then she smiled. "Save the Bulldogs. Jarrambah has a bottle of medicine to heal them. It takes only an hour to work through. Then, start coming after me. I plan to just go in a circle until I end up back here. It should only take me two weeks max to retrieve each stone. If I leave one spot, I'll leave a clue for you."

He shook his head. "No. Not seeing the stone is clue enough."

"But what if it wasn't me who found it?"

"Boom or Jin will be able to sense it."

She nods. "Okay. If by some miracle I finish before you catch up, I'll summon you."

He narrowed his eyes. "You aren't supposed to know that."

She smiled shyly. "I watched and heard Jarrambah."

Lofgun chuckled. "My beautiful Butterfly!"

She giggled, then continued. "Just meet me at home if you get my summons."

Lofgun nodded, but turned grave. "And how will I know if you are taken again?"

"Then, I will leave a clue," she said firmly. "Something one of you will recognize that's me."

"Don't get captured, Butterfly!" he hissed.

She laid down and snuggled into him once more. "I don't plan on it, Niatpac."

And for the rest of the night, the two stayed comfortably in each other's arms, at peace for a few more hours, trying hard to forget the time for departure and separation.