I'd like to make everyone aware that the last chapter's situation ("they all need a bath after the night at the docks") came from Firebird 9, while this chapter's situation was suggested by D Sayers. Thank you, my lovelies! D Sayers, this took an unexpected direction as I wrote – I hope you like it, regardless.
IMPORTANT: For those of you who don't know, Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries is produced by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, which is a government-run and -funded station. No further seasons of the show have been confirmed. IF YOU WANT FURTHER SEASONS, please sign the 'Save Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries' petition on [change.]org and/or email the ABC to express your interest in the show continuing. The ABC produces great shows, but with a limited budget, they'll only proceed with 'Miss Fisher' if there is enough interest. Kerry Greenwood, along with several of the series' actors and production staff, have asked fans to support the show through these avenues. Please help!
"Christ, if we catch him I'll kill the bloody bastard," Bert growls, his injured hands tracing gently over the bruises marring Phryne's left side.
()()
He and Cec'd been alerted to the trouble at the Fisher residence as a pyjama-clad Mr Butler raced past them armed with a cricket bat. Following him back to the house, they'd been distressed to realise that when they'd left not five minutes previously, a burglar had already been lurking upstairs.
The moment they saw Phryne silhouetted in the light spilling from the front door, her hand clutching at her side, the two cabbies had carefully bustled her back inside. While Dot sought out arnica bruise lotion and Mr Butler secured the front and back doors, Bert and Cec checked upstairs to ensure no other surprises were waiting.
"He won't be back. He got what he came for." Unnoticed, Phryne had entered the bedroom and was leaning against the bed, a poorly disguised wince crossing her face.
"Show us," Cec demanded in a soft voice that managed to brook no argument. In response, he got a scowl and a shake of Phryne's dark head.
"I'm fine, Cec. Just a little banged up. You can't come running to my rescue every time there's a problem."
Unconvinced, Bert stepped forward and pulled up the hem of Phryne's blouse before she could protest. The sight of vivid purple bruises blossoming across the pale skin of her abdomen caused both men to suck breath in between their teeth in sympathy.
A set of calloused fingertips traced gently across Phryne's skin, raising goosebumps and a slight shiver of pain in their wake.
"He hurt you," Bert's voice – rumbling like gravel and deceptively calm – promised vengeance on any man who would raise a hand to any woman, but especially this one. As Bert turned Phryne towards him and bent down to get a better look at the bruising, Cec approached and wrapped his arms around her from behind. Phryne let her head drop back against Cec's shoulder as she mumbled, "I'm perfectly capable to fighting my own battles, you know. I'm not useless."
Cec snorted a laugh. "We know. That bloke, what was it, three weeks ago? The one who tried to Dot's handbag? And you…"
Bert broke in, face creased in a smile, "…you tripped him into the bougainvillea and threatened to stab him in the throat with your heel if he ever stole a lady's handbag again."
Phryne smiled in fond remembrance, but she was still annoyed that Bert and Cec seemed to feel that she needed them to swoop in and 'save' her.
Bert's eyes flicked up to Phryne's face before he dropped awkwardly to one knee and pressed a kiss against her blackening skin. His nose wrinkled at the taste of Dot's bruise lotion, but his lips never left her skin as he ensured that every inch of assaulted flesh was kissed.
"Mmmm….I never had you down as a romantic, Bert," Phryne's words were a little amused; her fingers loving as they carded through his hair.
Bert flushed a little as Cec laughed, but he sought his revenge with a well-placed nip to the skin just above her waistband on Phryne's uninjured side, earning him a breathy moan and a tightening of her fingers in his hair.
"Dot was very insistent that I should rest. She's convinced I've cracked a rib."
Cec tilted his head and kissed Phryne, careful not to cause her to arch her neck too much. "Is she right?" he asked against her mouth. His gaze was sharp. For all that he is usually laidback and cheery, Cec was a soldier once – a fact Phryne was reminded of as his face betrayed his anger against Phryne's unknown assailant.
Still half-kneeling in front of her, Bert added in a voice like thunder, "Christ, if we catch him I'll kill the bloody bastard."
)(
So now Phryne sighs and steps sideways out of both men's grasps.
"You both need to stop. I am alright. I don't need to be treated like a porcelain statue that should be left up on a shelf!" She's aware that her anger seems unwarranted, especially after their recent adventure at the docks, but damn it! She's fought bloody hard for her independence and paid a high price for it. As much as it warms her that there are people in her life who will watch her back, she needs to make sure that Bert and Cec understand that she will not sit back from danger and adventure just because she is a woman.
"Doesn't mean you should go galloping headlong into peril like a bloody idiot!" Bert climbs to his feet and sets his jaw, ready to have it all out. "You coulda been killed."
"Any one of us could die at any time, Bert. We can't stop living our lives the way we want just in case something goes wrong!"
"No, but a bit of common bloody sense wouldn't go astray," he retorts. Cec nods his agreement, shoulders back and chin jutted forward.
Phryne crosses her arms over her chest. "So if you'd been here, you wouldn't have gone upstairs to confront the intruder?"
"Yes…no. I would have, but that's different. I'm…"
Phryne's lip curls in contempt. "What, a man? Stronger? What makes it alright for you to do, but not alright for me, Bert?"
"Because we can't stand to see you hurt, alright? I've lost two good mates already and I'm not about to lose another one!"
Standing in the middle of the room, hands balled into fists, Bert's face is honest and broken. All the fight leaves Phryne in an instant as she realises that while she may not like the way Bert and Cec sometimes act as if she can't do something herself, it is their way of showing their admiration and fondness for her. For Bert, his physical strength is a gift he can offer in her service; while Cec's street-smarts and ability to wheedle information from people are skills he often uses for Phryne's advantage.
And she'd just acted like none of it mattered.
"Oh Bert, come here." She steps forward and wraps her arms around his still form, ignoring the pain in her side as she waits for his muscles to slowly relax under her touch. As Bert's anger begins to dissipate, Phryne reaches out with her right arm to pull Cec into the hug too. The younger man grudgingly allows her to embrace him, his frown only really easing when Phryne presses a kiss to each man's cheek along with a whispered apology.
After a few minutes locked together in this odd tableau, Bert clears his throat and manages to work a touch of licentiousness into his voice: "So, do you feel well enough to offer a full apology?"
"Bert!" Phryne whacks his chest in mock outrage, but she giggles as Cec worms a hand down the back of her trousers. "I think I can be persuaded."
Bert walks her backwards towards the bed, his mouth on her neck keeping her attention fully focused. As such, Phryne is caught unawares when Cec slides onto the bed behind her and catches her with gentle hands as she drops into his lap.
"'ello," Cec smiles, all arguments forgiven. Avoiding her sore side, Cec turns Phryne on his lap so she sits with her right side pressed against his chest and her legs hanging off the side of his lap. In this postion, she is able to capture Cec's mouth in a deep kiss. He slowly falls sideways onto the bed, taking Phryne with him. She lies on her uninjured side, Cec pressed against her back, his hands exploring her breasts through the silk of her blouse. As Cec bites and sucks at Phryne's neck, she arches her neck and presses back into his warm, firm body.
"I'm so sorry," she whispers. Cec responds with a soft kiss on her temple and the delving of one hand beneath her waistband to caress her sex. Phryne's soft noise of enjoyment spurs Cec on and he begins to work on unbuttoning her trousers.
"Lemme help." Bert steps forward from where he had been watching and again drops to his knees, this time beside the bed. He leans forward to brush a kiss across Phryne's brow, then fumbles with bandaged hands to undo the fastenings of her trousers. As he pushes the fabric down her legs, Bert offers a smile of forgiveness and Phryne reaches out with one hand to trail her fingers across his cheek.
"Thank you. For caring." She says even as the movement of Cec's fingers cause her eyes to squeeze closed.
A genuine smile crosses Bert's face as he climbs onto the bed to join his best mate and the woman they will always protect.
