The week pressed on, Rosalie going through some physical therapy with the Dr, walking with a crutch first around her room, then on a cane. Nellie and Nora preparing her by telling her the mornings headlines and gossip, nothing to do with the professor however, she longed to hear at least something… Nellie and Nora continued to smile and make the girl so happy, but on the inside… hurt and conflicted.. never known by anyone.

Soon the day arrived, Dawson had cleared Rosalie to go home. Nellie waited by the stairs "This is so exciting! I can't wait to see her finally come down the stairs on her own." Dawson grinned "Yes, it is.. we've been practicing all week. Basil had a hard time getting her to rest!" they shared a chuckle.

In the guest room, Rosalie finally prepared herself, dressed in a dark pink longsleeve gown. With ruffles at the end of the sleeves, as she finished the twist in her hair and slipped on Victoria's handmade earrings the girl made for her. She sighed, although looking lovelier than ever, she noticed her bandage covering part of her chest now. She looked in the mirror, and sighed, the life she chose was in front of her. Taking her cane, she started down the stairs, careful and cautiously. Nora grinned "Oh look at her! She's stunning!"

"Quite, indeed." Dawson chuckled, noticing his rosy blush.

Basil helped her down the very last step, to which Rosalie declined "I can do it myself..Thank you." She spoke a little bitterly. Basil rolled his eyes "Whatever.."

Nellie clasped her hands together, her blue eyes shining brightly "Ready my love?" Rosalie nodded and they smiled widely. She turned to the doctor and hugged him "Thank you Dr. Dawson.. I wouldn't be alive if it wasn't for you." She kissed him gently on the cheek and the Dr. stammered "N- Nothing of it my dear, you did nearly all the work, you pulled through." He patted her shoulder "Now be sure to use that cane for the next couple days, just to adjust to walking on your own, best of luck my dear."

Rosalie smiled and then turned to Basil. She curtsied as best as she could with her cane "Thank you Basil.. I'm able to go home in one piece with my family." She shook his hand and he slightly smiled "You're quite welcome Miss Hampstead. Best of luck to you." Nora took her arm "Now let's get going Rosie."

Dawson turned to Basil as they begun to leave "Quite a headstrong girl.. I'm surprised she survived that shot."

Basil sighed heavily, feeling a bit of guilt in his heart. Dawson turned to watch his friend near the fireplace, Basil staring at the portrait of his adversary on the wall. "Do you ever feel a twinge of guilt that comes with doing the right thing?" Basil sighed as Dawson walked to the couch, the Dr. sat on the opposite couch "Whatever do you mean Basil?"

Basil sighed "I don't know.. I just.." he stopped and headed to the stairs "I'm going to turn in a little early.. I'll be in my room."

Charlie happily opened the door, Nellie carried her large bags of Rosalie's clothes and smiled "Welcome home my dear!" Rosalie smiled as she saw the house lavishly decorated once again, workmen finally placing in the last part of glass from the windows. Even the workmen smiled and waved, seeing Rosalie finally walk into the house. The twins met her at the bottom of the stairs, both hugging her as tightly as they could. She looked around the house as Nellie smiled "They've been working tirelessly since the accident! It was a pure tragedy what this home went through."

Rosalie nodded, looking around and softly smiling. Her cane helping her gain support. Nora stepped forward and motioned to the stairs "I know this seems a lot right now… let me help you upstairs darlin'. Maybe you'd like to rest for a bit.. catch your bearings."

Rosalie nodded "Yes.. it's a little too much right now."

As they continued up the luxurious staircase, Nellie noted "Rosalie, remember we're having a ball tonight to celebrate your homecoming! It'll be loads of fun."

Rosalie nodded quietly and went to her room to rest. As she walked slowly up each step, her thoughts of her captor still rang through her mind.. what was he doing now?

Bill stood outside his boss's door, nervous to knock on the dark brown door. He tried a little meekly. An answer from the other side "Yes Bill?"

"Sir… I don't mean to bother you.. but the paper just came in.." he opened the door. His Boss sat with his back turned. Bill saw his boss more melancholy than usual. The fire on low, with the coals and embers. Bill grinned awkwardly "I thought you'd like to know about Miss Hampstead.. She's woken up! She is now home with her family. Nellie is planning a celebration for her arrival tonight..… Is that good?"

His boss said nothing. Bill laid the paper down "Here it is if you need it." As he quickly closed the door, the room once again fell silent. The boss took Rosalie's gold necklace out of his pocket, and smiled slightly. Then quickly shoved it in his pocket.

"And in my twisted face
There's not the slightest trace
Of anything that even hints of kindness.."

He rose up, walking to the fireplace

"And from my tortured shape
No comfort, no escape
I see, but deep within is utter blindness.." Taking a step to the door, he quietly walked into the music room, the piano for Rosalie covered with a white muslin sheet. He took a deep breath, and looked around, the stained glass above him starting to collect dust…

"Hopeless
As my dream dies
As the time flies
Love a lost illusion.." marching out of the room, he begun his somber walk towards the sewers, the children watching sadly behind a barrel.

"Helpless
Unforgiven
Cold and driven
To this sad conclusion."

Ratigan stopped in his steps, slowing and pulling the picture out, as if bidding goodbye to her, the woman who had stolen his affirmations of love.

"No beauty could move me
No goodness improve me
No power on earth, if I can't love her
No passion could reach me
No lesson could teach me
How I could have loved her and make her love me too
If I can't love her, then who?.."

The mood became dark, he begun to think of his past mistakes, all of his shortcomings, digging deeper into his own doubts and fears.. marching further physically into the dark sewers.

"Long ago I should have seen
All the things I could have been
Careless and unthinking, I moved onward.."

He took the secret passage again, up and up onto the uptop of London. He marched up the large stairs, spiraling and stopping at the top, he latched open the door and saw the deep and bright colors of the sky, the sun dipping to the west and landing into a beautiful sunset. Night was approaching. He felt his heart swell, still holding the photo ripped from the newspaper.

"No pain could be deeper
No life could be cheaper
No point anymore, if I can't love her
No spirit could win me
No hope left within me
Hope I could have loved her and that she'd set me free
But it's not to be
If I can't love her
Let the world be done with me."

The photo swept out of his hands, flying in the breeze, and floating in the air. Forever lost to the world..