~Collaborative Fic. Matthew/Alice. One-shot.
There is no doubt that Matthew would give any man a stern talking to during the day whose eyes were lingering just that second too long, whose passion would set everything aflame around him, who'd look at a lady like he was undressing her. There was a right time and place for that, and only if the object of desire was aware of it. And late in the day, in the middle of the station and with an oblivious Alice Harvey finding herself unknowingly being coveted was definitely not it. - cookie-moi
The Sergeant visiting from Bendigo had no idea what hit him when Lawson bailed him up in the hallway of the watch-house and said, in no uncertain terms, that any conduct of that nature was not welcome in Ballarat, do I make myself clear. It spread like wildfire around the station, of course, and while two young Constables were pondering what had prompted such an outburst, Alice walked past and quickly put two and two together.
She was mortified, but not surprised. She had come to expect that sort of thing. Her own dirty laundry was aired in that very station about the kind of conduct she had been subjected to in her career, and though it still cut deep, she knew how to heal those wounds quickly and move on.
But it was sweet to hear that Matthew had gone to bat for her so vehemently. He was a good man; a little rough around the edges, his spirit battered after the accident, but nevertheless he was a kind and thoroughly decent man. She told Matthew as much, having no idea the exact words the Sergeant had said, when they walked out of the station late one afternoon, both headed to the Blake home for dinner.
A man should only say that sort of thing to your face, he said, watching the ground in front of him as he teetered on his cane. And only if you're okay with it.
She watched his face, with its frown of concentration and consternation; watched him gesture her to walk ahead of him even as he struggled with a step; she watched the easy way he insisted she be treated with respect even when she wasn't in the room. Under the friendly guise of taking his arm, she helped him the rest of the way, offering support whether he needed it or not, just as he had done for her.