A/N: Hi everyone. This is my first MFMM fanfic; I have been planning it for some time, and I'm really enjoying writing it! Obviously I don't own the characters, and the title is taken from the beautiful reading Phryne does for Jack. Any advice/comments/criticism would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you, and I hope you enjoy this chapter.

HQ21

Four weeks after flying her father back to England Phryne Fisher returned to Australia, her mind and her nerves suitably recovered from the reunion between herself and her parents, which involved a rather heated argument in one of the most renowned restaurants in London which Phryne was grateful did not manage to make the evening press. The tumultuous weeks which followed involved Phryne attempting to fix the many financial and societal issues her father had caused, and to reassure her mother that all would be well. During her month in England Phryne had managed to help her parents establish a new estate, placate their frazzled staff and reintroduce her parents into London society by practically forcing them to accompany her to the various dinners, balls and galas that she herself had been invited to. At the end of the third week the rumours had died down somewhat (assisted notably by the Baron's recklessness with her own funds), and Phryne found herself in a position to be able to make arrangements to return to Melbourne.

Phryne spent the final week visiting friends, shopping and generally enjoying the London scene, as well as spending several nights with her mother. Phryne provided her mother with details to a bank account she had set up for her and her alone, which contained enough funds to rectify any future 'issues' or set her mother up quite comfortably for an independent lifestyle; and Phryne made sure that her mother knew that more funds were readily available to her. Mrs Fisher hugged her daughter tightly and placed a gentle kiss upon her cheek, running her hand across her cheek as she did when she was a child, and then leading her towards her chauffeur-driven car which took her directly to the airport. As Phryne stepped on to the plane which would carry her back to her home, she case a single look back upon the familiar land she was leaving, and allowed the weight of her concerns and anger at her father's misdeeds to fall from her completely; she stepped onto the plane with and sense of calmness and relief which she had not experienced in recent weeks, as she stared out of her window with a smile as the plane carried her towards her true home.

Phryne arrived in Australia shortly after five o'clock in the morning, an unholy hour which she firmly believed should be reserved only for sleep or dancing. But as she stepped off the plane to be greeted by the warm Melbourne air she could not help but smile, closing her eyes for a moment and allowing it to flow over her in several rejuvenating waves, before skipping down the steps from the plane like a child. She had not wished to trouble her household with her early morning arrival, but as soon as she had informed Cec and Bert of the time they had been quite insistent on collecting her personally. She had scarcely left the plane when she heard the familiar calls of Bert and Cec, who hastily approached her and gave her a very warm welcome, with Cec ringing his hat in his hands as he talked at a mile an hour, and Bert even removed the cigarette from his mouth to greet his employer.

"You have no idea how much I have missed you both" Phryne smiled, wrapping her arms across their shoulders as she led them from the airport. "There's a case of fine English whiskey for you both" she continued, which was met with a rapturous display of thanks.

"'ere, Cec, she's just butterin' us up cos we gotta carry all those new toff clothes and trinkets she's gone an' brought from England!" Bert declared, which was met with a laugh from Cec. Phryne chuckled in response as she leaned towards Bert.

"You know me so well" she smiled, as the sun blazed in the orange and pink sky, and she truly felt like she was home.

Less than an hour later Phryne leaned out of the cab window and stared up at her house, which she was relieved to find was just as she had left it. On the outside, at least. She bit her lower lip and smiled, before throwing open the cab door before Bert could open it for her, and rushing up the pathway towards the front door. Cec and Bert watched after her with a shake of their heads and a warm smile, before beginning to unload her mountainous luggage, which was so sizeable that Bert and Cec found themselves considering whether she had actually stolen the entirety of the Crown Jewels during her brief time in England, before correctly surmising that they were "too gaudy and bleedin' toffy" even for her tasteh (although they did agree that she'd relish the challenge, and immediately regretted having not put a wager upon it).

As soon as Phryne reached the front door she fumbled in her bag for her keys, eager to get inside and greet her friends who she knew for certain would be awake at this hour, meaning she could greet them without guilt. She smiled as she pulled the key from her bag, but before she had a chance to twist it in the lock the door was opened from the other side, and Phryne was greeted by the well-kept and paternal figure of Mr Butler.

"Good morning, Miss Fisher" he greeted with a reserved smile. "And welcome home."

"Oh, Mr B" she smiled, before launching herself forward and pulling him to her in a close embrace which quite took him by surprise. "It's so good to be home."

"We have all missed you, Miss" Mr Butler stated with unusual candour, which touched Phryne, who slowly removed her arms from him. "Miss Williams is coming over this very morning to see you. She will be here within the hour."

"Wonderful" Phryne smiled.

"Miss?" chirped the familiar voice of Jane, who had hurried down the stairs to greet her.

"Jane" Phryne beamed, turning from Mr Butler and walking briskly towards the beloved child, who was dressed beautifully in a lavender day dress which she had sent her from England. "Oh Jane" she repeated, pulling the girl into a tight hug. "My, you've grown" she stated, placing her hands on her shoulders and considering the smiling girl. "I've been gone for only a month and I could swear you've grown at least two inches."

"That's what Miss Dorothy thinks too" she chuckled. Phryne smiled down at the sweet child, running her hand down her tight plaits and gently across her tender cheek.

"I can't even begin to describe how much I have missed you" Phryne stated.

"And I you" Jane returned. "But we have almost a whole week before I'm due to go back to school, so we-"

"- will have the best of adventures! Yes. Absolutely" Phryne replied, cupping the girl's chin with her palm. "You can count on it" she added. The sentimentality of their reunion had touched all parties, and was making Phryne herself feel quite emotional. "Here" she stated, exhaling sharply as she dug into her bag and removing a large bar of chocolate, which she handed to the beaming teen. "It's your favourite brand, directly from England" she stated. "I smuggled it in for you" she added with a whisper and a wink. Jane giggled.

"Thank you, Miss Phryne" Jane stated, unwrapping the bar and offering some to Phryne, who declined. She never liked eating straight after travelling.

"You enjoy it, Jane. There's plenty more where that came from" she stated, as the sound of Bert and Cec carrying her luggage up the pathway could be heard from outside.

"Chocolate?" Jane asked.

"Presents" Phryne corrected, waving her arm theatrically towards the open door. "But all that can wait, Jane" she added, placing her hand upon the girl's upper back and guiding her into the parlour. "I'm sure we have much to talk about" she smiled, as Mr Butler hurried into the kitchen to bring the refreshments.

Dorothy arrived a short while later, and was greeted by the excitable Phryne in the very manner which she had anticipated, before being ushered into the parlour to enjoy a light breakfast, and inform her employer of 'simply everything' that had happened on her honeymoon to Italy (which had been a gift from Phryne to the newlyweds, after Hugh had unintentionally revealed their desire to go one day). After what felt like ten minutes but had in reality been over two hours, Aunt Prudence arrived quite unannounced, and greeted her niece with reserved but sincere happiness, and attempted to elicit as much gossip from her as was humanly possible in relation to Phryne's parents and London society. Phryne gave guarded answers and even provided a few joking responses, which Aunt P did not seem to realise were in jest, must to everyone's silent amusement; even Jane rolled her eyes at how shocked the older woman looked when Phryne announced she had 'taken herself and the Prince to a well-known club of questionable reputation in Soho, dancing the night away and teaching him to use his teeth to untie –my-', at which point Aunt P hastily commanded her to stop, which she did so gladly, lest she should give her gullible aunt an aneurysm.

Unfortunately the early afternoon was passed with Aunt Prudence's own acquired gossip about her close circle of friends, including the supposedly scandalous (but probably highly exaggerated) tale of how Lady Ambrose had being 'carrying on' with a member of her financier husband's banking staff. Phryne quickly tired of the subject, which amplified her travel-induced exhaustion, and hastened to change the subject; but after the revelation that the Ambrose's youngest girl was a schoolmate of Jane's, that seemed absolutely impossible, and so Phryne resigned herself to the fact that she would have to endure the conversation for at least a short time longer. However, just a few short minutes later there was a confident knock at the door, and Phryne sprung from her seat and walked hastily from the parlour, much to the annoyance of her aunt, who stated that Mr Butler 'was more than able to answer the front door'.

Phryne breathed a sigh of relief as she departed the stifling room, exchanging a brief look with Mr Butler, who smiled at her sympathetically, as she swept past him and threw open the door, willing to greet whoever it was with the hospitality they truly deserved. As soon as the door was open and she took sight of the person standing before her, Phryne felt her whole body tingle and a small gasp of surprise escape from her cherry-red lips.

"Jack" she greeted breathlessly, her smile growing wide as Jack Robinson looked up at her from beneath his hat.

"Miss Fisher" he stated in the low, captivating voice which she had missed desperately, as he took another step towards her and placed a tentative hand upon her waist. "Welcome back" he grinned, tilting his head to the side slightly, which she responded to immediately, humming slightly in response as she closed her eyes and angled her lips towards his.

"Is that you, Inspector?" called the voice of Aunt Prudence from just behind the door, whose bat-like senses had detected the Inspector's tone.

Phryne felt Jack tense slightly as he moved away from the kiss, cleared his throat and took a step back, standing a respectful distance from Miss Fisher just as her aunt appeared in the hallway. Phryne mouthed the word 'coward' at him and smiled mischievously, as Jack nodded towards her aunt and offered a polite smile.

"Mrs Stanley" he greeted. "How nice to see you" he added, and Phryne suppressed a small laugh. "Are you well?" he enquired, as Phryne bit her bottom lip.

"Quite, thank you" Aunt P responded, a little too formally than necessary. "Would you care to join us for tea and a light lunch?" she enquired politely, "providing, of course, my niece allows you to enter the property" she added. Phryne rolled her eyes.

"Of course, Aunt P" she responded in an overly-chipper manner, before standing to one side to allow Jack to enter. "Won't you come in, inspector?"

"Delighted" he replied, removing his hat and stepping into the hallway. "Thank you" he added, directing his gratitude towards Phryne and then to her aunt, whose suspicious gaze lingered on them for a moment, before she headed towards the kitchen to inform Mr Butler of their latest guest.

Phryne could contain her amusement no longer, and laughed at the nature of the interruption, her bright expression causing Jack to smile in return.

"Oh, I'm sorry Jack" Phryne chuckled, regaining her composure as she took his hat and then helped him out of his coat. "She's been taking over the household ever since her arrival this morning" Phryne stated in a whispered voice, hanging up the hat and coat and turning back towards the Inspector, who was watching her with bright eyes, and an expression she could not quite define. "What?" she asked, perplexed.

"Nothing" he replied in a low voice. "I've missed you" he stated sincerely, hoping that she would understand the true meaning behind those three simple words; her soft eyes and gentle smile confirmed that she did.

"And I you, Jack" she responded, before stepping closer to him and adjusting his slightly-crooked tie, her fingers dancing lightly upon his chest and over his heart, which beat strongly beneath her touch. "Very much" she added, her voice heavy with emotion, and causing Jack to lean in towards her and capture her lips with his own in a heated and passionate kiss, which lasted for far less time than it ought to. The kiss caught Phryne by surprise, but she responded to it immediately, pressing herself tightly against his chest as she attempted to deepen the kiss, the taste of him taking her back to that afternoon on the airfield.

Seconds after the kiss was broken Aunt Prudence emerged from the dining room closely followed by Mr Butler, who was carrying a tray of freshly-prepared sandwiches, quiche and a selection of fruit and cheeses.

"I hope you're hungry, Inspector" Aunt Prudence stated, leading Mr Butler towards the parlour as though he'd never been in Phryne's house before.

"Indeed he is" Phryne stated under her breath, before leading Jack into the room, where Phryne found herself feeling immediately revitalised, knowing that the afternoon would be far more enjoyable. And, indeed, it was.

With the arrival of Jack, the conversation subject was soon changed to current affairs in Melbourne, prompting a lively conversation between the majority of people in the room, which Aunt P clearly found to be less enjoyable than gossiping about her rich friends and their clandestine meetings with staff. Phryne brightened at the conversation, and was further amused by the arrival of Dr Macmillan, who had just finished at the hospital. Phryne greeted her warmly and led her into the room, where her friends were discussing a play which Jane would be acting in in school, which Jack seemed to have acted in in his own youth. Phryne smiled as she watched the pair interact, observing how Jack's normally reserved composure melted away slightly, and the carefree and whimsical nature of the actor slowly crept through. Mac pressed a glass of whiskey to her lips and smiled at her friend, wondering if she knew the precise nature of her affections towards the inspector.

Unfortunately for Jane (and perhaps more so for Phryne), Mr Butler came into the parlour a short while later to announce that Detective Collins was on the phone for the inspector, and that it was an urgent matter. Phryne tried to ignore the sinking feeling she felt as she watched Jack flash her an apologetic glance as he excused himself from the room, before returning to announce that he was required at the Police station. Under unusual circumstances Phryne would have asked if he needed assistance, but considering she had only just returned and her house was full of her closest friends, it simply was not possible or appropriate.

"Of course" she replied amiably, smoothing down her dress as she stood up from her chair. "I'll see you out."

"Thank you" he stated, as she crossed the room and reached his side, before accompanying him into the hallway.

"Is it anything interesting?" she enquired, as she reached the coat rack and removed his items, which had become somewhat hidden beneath everyone else's.

"Always on duty, Miss Fisher" Jack commented lightly, in a manner which was neither a question nor a statement, causing Phryne to smile as she recovered Jack's hat and coat from beneath Mac's coat.

"Always" she smiled, as she helped him into his coat and placed his hat upon his head. As she looked at the man before her, who was dressed and ready to leave after an agonisingly brief visit, she found the rational part of her brain overriding the rest of her. "We should talk" she stated simply, her voice low and engaging.

"We should" Jack agreed. "And indeed we shall" he added, his gaze flickering back towards the parlour door, which was emitting a gentle yellow light and the sound of Cec and Bert doing some kind of impersonation. "Perhaps when you have less guests."

"Perhaps you're right" Phryne replied, a small smile upon her lips.

"Indeed" the Inspector stated, a small smile upon his lips, as he gazed upon her with gentle eyes. Before Phryne could say anything Jack Robinson leaned towards her once more, this time placing a chaste kiss upon her soft cheek, which left her more breathless than she recalled experiencing before. "Goodnight, Miss Fisher" he breathed against her cheek, his breath lightly grazing her ear as he leaned back.

"Goodnight, Jack" she replied, stepping past him and holding the door open for him, as he smiled gently towards her and adjusted his hat, before disappearing down the steps and into the darkness.

Phryne lingered in the doorway for a moment, casting her curious eyes across her street, as the cool evening air soothed her burning skin. Despite spending a month away from Jack, her focus had been almost entirely upon her parents, with the question of their relationship forcing itself upon her in those brief moments she allowed herself to be alone. As she stared at the deep orange sun which was setting over the sea in the distance, she found herself realising with a sense of frightening reality that her most pressing issue remained as yet unsolved.