It was the feeling of lethargy that was my first awareness. A weakness that seemed as if it had eaten its way into my bones, and into my heart. Sometime it seemed that breathing itself was an overwhelming, but slowly, ever so slowly I began to surface. For many days my mind was filled with indistinguishable images and distorted sounds.

I was cognizant of fragments reality, a moment here, and a well known deep voice resounding close to me. Well remembered arms restraining me in the midst of my ravings, arms that were as tender as they were binding. I raged at it, holding it responsible for the unspeakable agony I had suffered, I cursed Mr. Rochester and the day I met him.

Once, being thrust from my sleep by another nightmare I cried out in misery and in that moment something miraculous happened. In a moment I was enclosed in an embrace and a murmured soothingly in my ear. In an instant I was transported, I knew whose arms grasped me, and knew the voice issuing comfort. With a cry I turned my head into his chest. I tried to formulate words but nothing intelligible came out, though of course he understood me.

"Hush now, darling, do not try and talk right now. You are safe. "

My resentment towards him dissipated, it was but a fevered emotion, born of disease that ate away at my reason.

It was bliss indeed to be in the arms of my beloved. I slept.

It was different the next day, The days were dim and dark to my perception, my heartfelt empty. I did not wish to associate with people again; I had had enough of this world and the pain in it. I had grown past the need, the hunger for human companionship that I had suffered from. I now saw it as the beginning of my undoing, had I not felt the sinful restlessness and listened to its siren call I would not have suffered so. I would have been better off cloistered off in Lowood school teaching dull girls.

I began to come more into my reasoning, I was now in a hotel instead of a ship. The last of my blind anger and hatred began to subside like the tide. I was aware of the activity of nurses and a doctor

I chafed under the position I was in. A helpless dependent, I might as well have been a courtesan for all the self respect I felt at the moment. At the moment I was too weak to remedy the situation, but soon enough, if I paid attention to my health that would change and I could be free to pursue my own path among the too limited options allowed to a female for self –sustainment.

During these morose musings I had been alone except for the physician and his nurse; now that they had left the room I was alone. I attempted to sit further up on the bed but. Failed, my strength was depleted utterly.

Then, the door opened and my Master walked in.

I turned towards him as best I could; I thought to speak but no words passed my lips.

He was smiling as he looked down on me, a smile I had not often been privileged to see, it was as if a spring wind had come and cleared the dark and brooding sky, leaving radiant and pure sunlight.

He sat beside me.

"Well, Jane, Do you know me?"

"I do."

My voice was ragged and rough from disuse, it did not sound as it had been me to utter those words.

He turned to the table at his side and procured a glass of water.

Then he placed a supporting arm behind me and raised me to where he could help me drink. The water was cool and refreshing, it seemed as it was procured from the springs of Arcadia itself.

When the draught was done he did not release me, still retaining me in his grasp.

"Wha, what happened?"

His arms tightened.

"What happened was, my little bird, you flew away. Too far and found your wings could not bear the flight."

I looked up at him, "I do not understand sir, and you will have to speak plainly."

He did. In the fullest detail he relayed everything he had deduced about my absence, how he had traveled to the farther ends of the earth to find me and had come just in time to rescue me. When he was done with the narration the light shining through the curtains was turning red, the tale had taken most of the afternoon. I had been gratified to learn that Jaspreet had been brought with me. My eyes grew heavy; I was still clasped firmly in his arms. It was hard to take in the fact of his wife's death; it seemed as if I could not fully grasp the momentous news. I was becoming drowsy again, illness was pulling at me, and I suppressed a yawn and focused on Mr. Rochester's voice.

"I was so afraid; I did not know what to do. I could not face the thought of loosing you."

"But you are weary; I will retire and allow you to rest."

In that second I realized I did not want to be separated from him again. I reached out my hand and clasped his in a mute appeal for him to stay.

In an instant he had clasped me closer; I could feel his lips brush my hair. Impulsively I turned my face up towards his and he leaned down and pressed his lips to mine.

With wonder I noticed my face was wet with unaccustomed moisture. He noticed it to and drew back slightly.

"No, sir, do not misunderstand me, it is because my heart is so full that these tears come, not sorrow."

I was engulfed deeper into his arms.

"Jane, Jane, Jane!" Was all he said, it was enough. I knew I had found my final resting place at last. I was home.