I'm so sorry folks... I know it's been awhile but I've just been swamped with work for my up coming GCSE's. I've got brand new timetable so I shouldn't leave you hanging again but no promises. Anyway on with the story...

Chapter 9

"I love you Phryne," he breathed out.

"I love you too Jack," Phryne replied.

As small sad smile graced his lips, Jack's breath stopped and his chest fell.

Phryne's cries could be heard for miles around that dark summer night. The pain that flowed through her as she held onto Jack's limp body was indescribable. The numbness that coursed through her as Hugh gently pulled her away as Jack was carried away.

Jane's cries were worse than Phryne's; the utter scream that escaped her innocent childhood lips as Phryne collapsed on the floor of dining room silenced everyone. The way she screamed at Phryne as she promised her he would come back and he hasn't, broke Phryne's heart into a million pieces. Jane clawed at the marks on her skin as this had all started with her and she blamed herself; Phryne had to haul herself of the floor and over to he-their daughter to stop her and she held like a mother would a new-born.

The cries of Dot in Hugh's arms and tears down Mr. Butlers cheeks spoke volumes. The City South officers in the room worked silently and quickly to gather any trace of the case and quickly leave the family alone, all with remorse in their eyes.

The cause of death was confirmed as infection from his wounds and that dreadful night is spent in silence much like the coming days.

The days are spent with a stream of visitors offering their condolence each are turned away by Dot and Mr B. Phryne and Jane stay up in Phryne's room not venturing out; the day spent in small talk or silence both just comforted by each other. The nights are always first awoken by Jane's cries of pain in her sleep as Phryne gently wakes her and rocking her back to sleep only later for Jane to repay the favour when Phryne's screams echo through the room; Mr B comes in with mugs of hot milk and sits guard in the chair next to the bed for the rest of the night.

The once bright blue sky is dark and grey and the heavens open the day of the funeral. Phryne doesn't remember much of the day only the constant warmth of Jane's hand in hers. The only moment that is clear, is an elderly woman walking up to with eyes that matched the ones that made her smile and holding her tight as she cried. Behind them a man the spitting image of her past love looked her in the eye, offers a small smile and the pair walk away never to be seen again.

The weeks past and the marks on Jane's skin disappear however the marks on their hearts didn't. Dot officially moved out with Hugh as her services were no longer needed as murder is no longer solved in the house. The tan overcoat hangs untouched in the hallway and his hat lays on the piano.

His name isn't spoken as the pain is too raw, it will always be too raw.

So, that's it, what do you think?

Nahh I'm not that cruel, it was tempting.

So just keep scrolling!

Phryne woke with a sudden start as her heart raced in her chest at an un-Godly speed. A scream escaping her lips into the silent room.

He's dead, he's gone

She was dragged from her thoughts by the soft moaning as Jane cuddled up into his side. Him being Jack.

I'm in the hospital, he's not dead, he's alive. It was just a dream

She was sat in an uncomfortable chair next to the bed and she must have fallen asleep after the doctors left her earlier. Yes, the doctors had told her his wounds were infected and his arm servilely broken in serval places and they didn't have much hope for him to recover, let alone open his eyes one last time.

But he would, she brought him back in the warehouse; her years as a nurse in the war had taught her many things and it brought him back. Even if they didn't think he would live, she knew he would.

Jack was laid on the hospital bed, a tube attached to his health…er arm giving him fresh clean blood to help him fight off the infection and the majority of his upper body was covered in bandages. Phryne moved a stray hair of his forehead before settling back down in her seat. She wasn't a religious woman but that night she prayed, she prayed her terrible dream would never come true.

Jack and Jane looked like a right pair with matching bruises and bandages on their bodies. Phryne felt terrible that she came away without a scratch on her except the imprinted memories of the past few days and the darkness her dream left on her heart. Jack and Jane would heal, they would recover, they were her soldiers in her life.

With one last glance at Jane cuddled close in Jack's side and the steady rise and fall of his chest she drifted back off into sleep.

Not long to go now. Next update coming soon!

Heidi x