Fred limped through the surf, slowing as he neared her. He raised his head and looked at her smoke smudged face. She was a pillar of fortitude, only confirming what he had always known… he loved her. Not a conventional love like the love between a husband and wife, but a love that was born out of complete respect and admiration. She had accomplished what few men had ever done or even had the guts to try. She was a pioneer and he knew it. He was proud to be with her, even if that meant never seeing civilization again.

“This is all I could find…I am afraid the plane flipped over as she settled on the bottom.”

A small bag of canned meats and a few simple tools is all the he could retrieve, at least for the moment. He was exhausted and Amelia knew it. It would have to do for now.

“They will be searching for us soon, I am certain of it.”

Amelia tried to smile but it didn’t come without difficulty.

“I know” she said, reassuring him the best she could.

As they sat near the fire, warming from its glaring flickers, Amelia’s thoughts drifted back to the old woman. She could still see her eyes, as bright and clear as the South Pacific sky she now gazed upon. Her hand had felt frigid when she touched her on the cheek, trying to convince the aviator to stay. But she couldn’t and deep down she knew the old woman knew it as well. She was Amelia Earhart after all. Setting precedents as she had came with a price, but she also lived for the moments when a cheering crowd would shout her name, pushing her further and further into the realm of immortality. She peered at Fred and chuckled silently thinking it was curious that her name would always be remembered because she was lost. Would they ever find them? She had her doubts.

Amelia smiled at Fred like a school girl and stoked the embers. He smiled right back.