Work and real life have hit me hard. Super busy, so little time to update. Here's a bit to set up the final chapters. Maybe read the one or two before this too if you've forgotten, because some stuff in it will tie in with the last part of the fic.

"Oh, my God," Teresa said as she took in the figure stumbling out of the woods and into camp. "That's…"

Summer had gasped, putting both hands over her mouth. "That's Mister Jane!"

Teresa was already running. She flew out of her cabin door and lifted her dress to her knees so she could run. Others were coming, alongside and behind her, and several of them reached the struggling man before her. Pete was one of them, and he took Jane by the arm. "Don't lie down, buddy," he said. "Let's get you inside."

Jane mumbled something that Teresa couldn't hear, and several other men moved forward, blocking him from her view. "Let me through!" Teresa said, moving forward. "Let me through, he's my husband!"

Jane lifted his head weakly, and looked at her for a moment or two before recognition flickered in his eyes. "Teresa," he said. "Teresa, there was a fight…"

"Tell me later," she said, ducking under his other arm, helping Pete keep him upright. "Let's take him to my cabin," she said.

"Everyone's dead," Jane moaned from between them, his foot coming down unevenly and causing him to lurch to the side.

"Easy," Pete said.

They got him into the cabin, and Teresa eased him down onto the bed. "Father!" came a voice, and Teresa glanced briefly at Grace running into the cabin, holding her dress down, dropping to the floor next to the bed. "Mama, is he okay?"

"He's hurt," Teresa said honestly. "I don't know if he's had any food or water…" There was a weak shaking of the head from Jane.

Grace sucked in a breath, biting her lip and looking up at Pete. He dropped down next to her and drew her into his arms. "He'll be okay," he whispered.

Teresa looked to Pete, wondering how he was sure, and then Grace asked the same thing. "Because," Pete said, "no one in your family would marry someone who wasn't strong."

"I'm not strong," Jane said tiredly. "She didn't marry me because I was strong."

"Hush," Teresa told him.

"She married me because she wanted to save me." He looked up at her. "And you have, Teresa. Saint Teresa."

She found herself smiling. "I thought I told you to hush."

"Never was much good at doing what you told me."

"No," she said, her relief at finding him alive making her almost fond of their not so pleasant memories. "No, you're horrible at that."

Grace twisted out of her husband's arms and squeezed Jane's arm. "We'll leave you and Mama," she said. "Get strong, Father. Springtime means a lot of hard work out here." She looked to her mother. "Unless you would like help."

"No," she said. "Go make sure Summer has plenty of supper."

"I'll go with her," Pete said. "You know, in case there's extra supper."

When they were gone, Teresa looked again at Jane. "I'm going to get you some water," she said. "How's your leg?"

"It hurts," he said, taking in a deep breath.

Teresa picked up the bucket that she'd drawn the water with that morning and filled a ladle with it. Carrying it carefully back over to the bed, she sat down and lifted Jane's head with one of her hands, directing the water into his mouth.

"Teresa," he started.

"Stop talking," she said, a little more harshly than she'd intended. "God Jane, what happened to you?"

"You…just told me…not to talk," he managed, shifting his weight and cringing.

"Right," Teresa said, nodding. "Then you can tell me later. But you're safe now; rest a little bit."

Jane looked up at her, and then his hand moved, reaching for hers, finding her arm and sliding his hand down to where hand was. She closed her hand around his, closed her mind to any anger she had been harboring toward him, and closed her eyes to thank God that he was alive.

I know that was dreadfully short, but I wanted to get something up before I leave on vacation – I won't have my laptop then.

I think there will be three more chapters. Possibly four. Either way, I hope this will be done by the end of August. Thanks to anyone still reading.