A/N: Usual disclaimer, I own nothing!
PLEASE REVIEW! and thank you to my three fantastic reviewers! I LOVE YOU GUYS! (too far? Okay) but really it means so much that you took the time to tell me what you thought! I hope you like this chapter! Still not 100% sure where the story is going and whether or not it will be just fluff or if I will add a crime etc to this! I would very much like to but depends on where the story takes me!
Did I mention review? Pretty please with a Jack on top? ;)
"Phryne" Jack whispered, almost groaned and pulled back, "I don't know if I can do this, after Rosie, I don't think I could take another heartbreak, I care for you too much to lose what we have, I may not be able to come back from it."
"Shh" Phryne hushed him, "I have no intention of playing with your heart Jack, you mean so much more than just a dalliance to me," she leaned into him, breathing in his musky scent, "I've grown quite used to your company Jack Robinson," she stepped away and then looked into his eyes, "you mustn't think you mean so little to me, but I'm not a conventional girl. I can't give up my freedom for the sake of one man"
She sat down and poured herself and Jack another drink. She was going to need it if they were going to have this conversation.
"Nor would I ask you to Phryne, but it's not going to be easy."
"Nothing that matters is easy Jack"
He smiled at that, remembering a similar conversation he had had with her many years before, regarding Jane. He knew that if Phryne set her heart to something, lord help anyone and anything that got in her way. He hoped that in this circumstance it truly was finding a way to make their modern relationship work. He raised his glass to her, to toast.
"Then here's to us, may we find enough balance in our lives to make this work."
She stood up and clinked glasses with him. Knowing that the subject was closed for the night was comforting. She decided to enjoy the moment, and put aside her worries for the future.
As they finished their drinks, "Dream A Little Dream of Me" came on and Jack swept Phryne up in his arms, and began to dance with her, a slow waltz, weaving her around the room. A gesture simple, and yet so meaningful. They would take their time with this romance. Not let it get away from them. Tonight however was about living in the moment.
"I didn't know you could dance Inspector" Phryne teased.
"There are many things you don't know about me Miss Fisher, despite your very well honed skills as a lady detective, I like to think I still have a few secrets up my sleeve"
"Well then," She replied,"I look forward to uncovering these secrets, one by one" She said as she inched closer to him, leaning in to kiss him a second time.
They heard a giggle from nearby and broke apart swiftly.
"Jane" Phryne said "You can come out, we can hear you giggling over there... what, may I ask is so amusing to you?"
Jane blushed profusely. Clearly not planning on getting caught, and walked out from behind the wall separating the dining room and the parlor.
"I'm sorry Miss Fisher, I didn't mean to spy, I just had a bet going with Ces and Burt and Hugh, I bet them each 5 pounds you two would finally get together tonight, and I won." She said with embarrassment.
Phryne was too amused and happy to be angry with Jane. "Lucky girl, why don't you go collect your winnings from Cec and Burt, while I distract the inspector, so he doesn't arrest you for gambling"
Bright red, Jane rushed off upstairs to go find her two conspirators and avoid getting a stern reprimanding from Jack.
"Well there goes all plans of discretion," Jack smiled, feeling no real anger, just a longing to have Phryne in his arms again. After waiting so long for her to be ready to be with him, he was not eager to have her far from his reach. He pulled her close again, and wrapped her up in his embrace. "What now" he asked, not knowing if it was appropriate for him to spend the night.
"Why don't we go upstairs and find out for ourselves"