Chapter Text
“Hello, Jack.”
He looked up when he heard her voice. He was sure his surprise was plain on his face, and her slow smile seemed to verify that it was, indeed, obvious.
“Phryne. When did you arrive?” He’d known she was on her way back to Melbourne from England, but he hadn’t known to expect her today. Jack stood up as she sashayed into his office.
“Just last night. I telephoned, but you were at a crime scene.” Phryne threw a small pouty look his way. “I thought about surprising you there, but it turned out I was quite tired from the flight. I made a rather early night of it, which is how I happen to be here at this terrible hour.” She’d posed herself in her usual place on the corner of his desk by this point. It took all of his self control not to reach out to touch her. She was so close now, and after months away with only a few letters and telegrams between them, he missed her more than he wanted to admit.
“It’s not even half nine, Miss Fisher,” he said with a smirk. This is what he missed most. The playfulness they shared. He didn’t have this kind of playfulness with many people. Well, he didn’t have it with anyone else if he was being honest with himself.
She gave a small smile with a shrug. “I missed you, Jack,” she said quietly. She met his gaze with an open vulnerability she didn’t often show. Jack lifted his hand to her cheek, and Phryne’s eyes fluttered closed for just a moment before they opened again to meet his. Looking for consent in her eyes, he leaned in to press his lips to hers. She responded immediately. Her hands moving to touch him on his chest and waist. The kiss was slow, perhaps a bit cautious as they were both uncertain about the next steps and where they might lead. But it was full of emotion. They had both become quite certain of how they felt about each other in their time apart. Their letters had come close to sharing their hearts, but not quite. Jack was far too measured and cautious by nature to write his love for her the way he wanted to, and Phryne was still trying to understand how she had fallen in love at all to be ready to write the words so freely.
As they broke the kiss, Phryne murmured, “Kissing in your office, Jack? I wasn’t sure you would.”
“Don’t have me pegged yet, Miss Fisher?” he asked with a smirk.
“My never-ending source of mystery,” Phryne smiled widely and straightened Jack’s tie, which had been perfectly straight to begin with. They stayed like that for a moment, each willing the other to understand the depth of their feelings without words, each thankful that it seemed they could still communicate so much without speaking after the months apart.
A knock and a hesitant voice turned their attention away from each other. “Pardon the interruption, sir. The photographs from the crime scene have arrived.” Hugh Collins wore an apologetic look as he brought the manila envelope into the room and handed it over.
“Thank you, Collins,” Jack stated by way of dismissal as he took the envelope and emptied the photos on his desk. Phryne leaned over with a curious eye. “Anything interesting?” she asked. He smirked at her. It was good to have her back, he thought.
They spent the next couple of hours poring over the photographs and discussing the details of the case. As usual, Phryne would offer her theories, and Jack would throw out questions to possibly refute her. He didn’t think he was imagining the sparkle in her eyes as they went about their back and forth, and he thought that she went out of her way to brush her hand against his casually as they passed photos and notes back and forth. After the third time, he was sure of it. He leaned back in his chair and didn’t bother to hide the fact that his eyes were drawn to her legs. She was smiling when he dragged his eyes up to hers again.
He tilted his head in question. “I think this merits another visit to the crime scene, and perhaps a discussion with our victim’s business partner.” Jack stood to pick up his coat and hat from the stand near his desk. “Will you be joining me, Miss Fisher?”
Phryne sighed. “I wish I could, Jack, really. But I’m due at Aunt Prudence’s for luncheon.” She rolled her eyes. “I’m quite sure she just wants to press me for details on my parents’ reunion and regale me with the latest in Melbourne society gossip I’ve missed over the last few months. Trust me, a crime scene and an interview with a potential murderer would be much preferred.” She stood, still close to Jack. Neither moved away. “I’ve promised my evening to Jane. I actually do want to hear about what I’ve missed with her.” Pause. Her hand on the lapel of his overcoat. “But if you’re free later this evening, Jack, I’d love for you to join me for a nightcap. You could update me on the case.” Her sultry look made it clear that she didn’t intend for the visit to be completely professional
“Of course,” Jack said with that small smile of his that she loved so much. “I’ll see you later, Phryne.”
She smiled and sashayed out of his office. She threw a look over her shoulder on her way out to see if he was watching her. He was, of course.