Hi guys, so thanks for all of the follows, I really hadn't been expecting that. I'll hopefully have the next chapter up soon. Please share your thoughts. I hope you enjoy

Miss Fisher drove home after visiting the station with even more fury than usual traumatising no less than four innocent drivers on Melbourne's roads as they nearly collided with her speeding vehicle. Phryne didn't even blink. Jack was a deeply private man, she knew that. And she had known that he had a sister, Anita, she recalled the name. He had only ever mentioned her fleetingly, Phryne had never even thought to ask about her, one of many things that Phryne had never thought to ask about. She cursed herself now for the fact. Phryne of course knew she had faults, but more often than not she didn't realise what they were. Now she drove along, engrossed in thought and self-loathing as she realised she had been so obsessed with herself, and superficial witty banter that she had never even thought…never realised that Jack Robinson's life existed beyond his work and her.

When she got home she raced up the stairs without even calling a greeting to the household. She quickly went to her wardrobe pulling out a change of clothes and some nightclothes. Dot entered the room worriedly. "Miss is everything alright?"

"Not really Dot but there's nothing you can do about it so don't bother yourself. Would you mind grabbing me two blouses please." She replied simply.

"Are you going away Miss?" Dot questioned as she obeyed her orders.

"Something has come up Dot, I can't really explain it to you right now, I have to go away, it's a fair way from here and I don't know how long I'll be, I could be home for dinner or I could be gone a week."

Dot simply nodded and pinched her lips as Phryne quickly closed her bag and began to descend down the stairs. "I'll call back here tonight and let you know what's happening." Phryne said. Mr Butler meanwhile had appeared in the hallway looking calm as ever, nothing would faze that man. He held open the door for her as she walked to the hispano "I look forward to your return Miss." He said cordially giving her a small smile before ushering Dot back into the house as Phryne jumped into the car. "Mr too Mr Butler, me too." Phryne said before revving the engine and racing off down the street.

It was a three hour drive to the house, it was located in a fairly rural area. The long drive gave Phryne plenty of time to think, she hated it. The more she thought the more miserable she became and the more she grew frustrated with herself. She would remedy this though. After what seemed like a lifetime she pulled up in front of the house. It was every bit the quaint English style rural property, but Phryne had no time to admire architecture. She practically leapt from the car and walked up to the front door and raised her fist to knock on the door.

And for the first time in what might've been years Phryne paused and began to doubt herself. She thought for a moment that she might've made a mistake in coming, that she would hurt Jack or upset him somehow. She shook her head, she had resolved to come and she would be damned if she was going to turn back now. Trying to re-establish her normal bravado she confidently knocked on the door. It was several moments before the door was opened by a man who she knew was Jack but the haggard expression on his face made him barely recognisable.

"Phryne" he said softly in surprise, shock etched across his face.

"Jack" Phryne whispered in response he eyes wide with worry as she took in the sorry sight. They stood staring at each other for a long moment, each not quite believing what was in front of their very eyes. Finally Phryne spoke "may I come in?" she asked tentatively. Jack gave a small nod and opened the door for her.

"Please, sit down." He murmured offering her a chair in the living room which she accepted graciously. Jack took a place in the chair opposite her, however he did not relax, sitting on the edge of his seat like he was ready to flee at any given moment.

"I…what are you doing here?"

Phryne opened her mouth to speak but no words came out. Why had she come?

Because she felt like she might die if she didn't find him, know him, because an irrepressible tug at her chest had pulled her here.

Because there was nowhere in the world she wouldn't go for Jack Robinson.

But she couldn't say that. "You've been at least a single pillar of the world for far too long" She inhaled slowly "you don't need to carry the weight of the world all by yourself…" Phryne trailed off. "I just thought you might need some help." She finally finished meekly. Jack studied her. His pride told him he should send her away, waltzing into his sister's home uninvited, intruding in affairs which were none of her concern. He wanted to get mad. He was so tired and the exhaustion ached in his bones, he just wanted this to be over. But he looked up at Miss Fisher, so unlike her usual self, none of the usual bravado, a quiet gentleness. He looked at her and knew he couldn't send her away. She never listened to him anyway, he thought to himself with a sigh. Finally falling back dejectedly into his seat.

"I'm sorry that I barged in on you like this." Phryne said

Jack looked at her a mixture of awe and frustration.

"Don't be remorseful, it only confuses me." He quoted himself, tiredness overwhelming him. Phryne gave him a soft smile

"I thought if I called you would send me away. Or order me not to come." She tried to explain

"I probably would have."

"But you aren't going to now are you?" Phryne asked in a voice uncharacteristically timid.

Jack confessed "I don't think I have the strength or the willpower to right now."

Phryne breathed a little easier.

"You look like death" Phryne murmured. Had this been any other day is would have been a harsh comment, the product of her scathing wit. Instead, miraculously the blunt statement had somehow become an expression of sympathy.

"I feel a bit like it too" he confessed.

"How is she?" Phryne asked tentatively "Anita?"

Phryne could've sworn she saw Jack age ten years then and there. "I'm doing all I can, the doctor says he suspects influenza, which he has no power to do anything about. She's…she's not good right now…but she's strong and the doctor said that there's a good chance she'll get better of her own accord." He tried to look cheerful. He failed. Rubbing the bridge of his nose he squeezed his eyes shut. "I'm sorry…I haven't slept in two days."

Phryne felt overwhelmed with sadness seeing Jack, a pillar of strength, her pillar of strength in such a state.

"May I see her?" She asked softly.

Jack looked up worriedly before nodding and standing to lead her up the stairway to Anita's room.

Anita was laying on the bed propped up by some pillows. The first thing that Phryne noticed was her eyes. They were so like Jacks, there was the same intelligence, the same resolute strength in them, but there was a subtle gentleness too. Had she been well she would've been striking to look at. Phryne smiled at Anita who feebly returned the gesture.

"You must be Miss Phryne Fisher" she said softly, her voice hoarse and weak.

Phryne blinked and tilted her head in surprise.

"Who else could you be?" She tilted her head slightly and her eyes scanned over Phryne. "You're every bit what Jack described you as."

Phryne looked over at Jack, had circumstances been different, she would've taunted him. But it wasn't the place or the time. Jack's eyes flickered of a split second to Phryne before returning to his sister. She followed suit giving Anita a broad smile. "I'm so glad to finally meet you Anita."

Anita opened her mouth to respond but was overwhelmed with a sudden fit of coughing. A pained expression crossed Jack's face. He moved to the bedside to re-arrange her pillows and Anita fell back onto them with a sigh.

Phryne bit her lip "I'm sorry I should let you rest." She quickly exited the room closely followed by Jack. When they were outside the room Jack slumped up against the wall exhausted.

"Jack…" Phryne began, she mourned internally to see Jack this way, it hurt her more than she cared to- or would ever admit. "Why don't we go down stairs? My skills don't rival Dots but I can make you some tea." Jack simply nodded and trudged down the stairs. Phryne half expected his legs to give out on him. She wondered if he had been drinking. The only time she had seen him anywhere near this state…when he had thought her dead. Jack had drowned his sorrows in alcohol.

Still he managed to make it down the stairs and he sat down on the long couch in the living room. Phryne upon finding the kitchen began the process of making the tea. Something, if she was honest she hadn't done for years. After fifteen minutes she returned out into the living room.

Jack was asleep.

Phryne watched for a while; you could see the stress dissolve from his face as he slipped into the world of the unconscious. Phryne marvelled at his trust, falling asleep in her presence and leaving his sister in her care. The thought made her smile. She went and found a blanket in one of the cupboards affectionately draping it over him. She noticed his hair, normally slicked back had fallen out, a curl coming to rest on his forehead. Phryne tentatively approached crouching down before gently smoothing the curl back. She allowed her hand to caress the side of his face before she even realised what she was doing. Mentally berating herself she withdrew her hand.

Deciding it was no good to lose track of the world whilst she watched him, beautiful and safe in sleep. She left the room, switching off the light as she smiled. Maybe, just maybe Jack was willing for her to enter his life as he had entered hers. Just maybe.