AN: Drum roll, the chapter we've all been waiting for. I hope you enjoy it, it took a few days to map out the plan for where the story would go from here.

She slid the hanger door closed and saw his figure laying on the cot across the room. She knew in an instant that it was him. Her heart swelled. Her breathing shallowed. She found being back in his presence intoxicating and without realizing that something had been missing over the past two weeks she felt whole in an instant. Being so far away from home, for the first time in as many days she felt at home in this hanger because he was here with her.

It appeared as though he was napping, so she slowly and carefully walked across the room towards him, hoping to get the jump on him. His eyes were closed, but he thought he heard a creak in the loop boards. He took a deep breath and caught a whiff of french perfume, her perfume, he must be dreaming again.

She knelt by the edge of the cot and gently placed a kiss on his lips. As she started to pull back his lips seized her back and he kissed her passionately, longingly. His eyes still closed he wrapped his hands around her face drawing her closer to him.

She could taste the whisky on his lips as he drew his tongue to hers. Enjoying the taste and his sudden dominance in kissing. He knew he needed to open his eyes to make sure it was real, but was afraid of breaking the spell. As their lips finally parted they both slowly opened their eyes and put their lips together once more through hooded eyes, neither one wanting to separate.

"Hello" she said softly.

"Hello" he replied grabbing the bottom of her lip with his teeth. She smiled brightly and looked at him seductively. God how her smile made me feel weak. Some may have found other attributes more sensual, but to him seeing her smile, making her so happy was what he found to be the most attractive. She had so much heartache that it always surprised him that she could be that happy again. It warmed his heart and his loins, but more importantly gave him hope that perhaps he too could find such happiness amidst the darkness.

She could see in his eyes that his mind was drifting off, "I've missed you" he whispered. She barely heard the words, "what did you say?" "A romantic overture," he paused "would you like me to improve upon it?" Without hesitation she replied "most definitely."

Jack brushed a lock of her hair behind her ear and held his hand by her face. He stared at her with soft but hungry eyes. He gently stroked his fingers along her jaw line and down her neck to her scarf and gave it a tug letting it come loose. Phryne lifted her chin to expose more of her neck to him and leaned closer, hoping he might get the hint. He did and placed a gentle kiss below her ear. He felt her shutter. She felt her heart skip. He is being so gentle and yet so passionate. It was driving her wild. He moved down and placed another kiss at the base of her neck. Pulling lightly at her collar hoping to expose her clavicles.

"Jack" she moaned, "you came after me."

"Mmm hmm." was all that he uttered while continuing his ministrations on her neck.

She was drinking in every moment, the seconds feeling like minutes ticking away. "But how on earth did you find me?"

"Well I am an Inspector Miss Fisher," he gave a teasing grin. He tilted her head in the opposite direction to put the other side of her neck to memory.

She smiled back at him, "But I just sent the telegram this afternoon. How on earth did you get here so fast."

"You doubt my skills?" He said still maintaining his position on her neck. She gave out another little groan of approval. She moved towards his tie to loosen it and give him the same attention she was receiving. He moved his arm to provide her with better access and a nod of approval. Glad that he wanted this as much as she did.

"But Jack…" she felt him tense and in that moment she knew she had pushed the issue too far. She could feel him closing off to her. He removed her hands from his tie and moved away from the cot, wanting to put as much distance between himself, her, and any flat surface that he could be tempted to take her on. He could feel her eyes burning holes into his back as he began to pace. Finally he turned towards her and recounted the tale of hearing about a plane crash and fearing that it was her. His mind flashed back to the car wreck and the overwhelming sensation of losing her. "You sent no word. I was going to phone a station here in Perth to find out who it was, when I finally got word that it was a military aviator. But the worry sent a chill down my spine. You sent no word." he repeated more frantically the second time. Sensing his panic Phryne moved to say something, but he interrupted her, "I finally decided to take the train to Perth to get some answers."

"Jack." She said softly, her eyes conveying all the tenderness in her being. She stood up from the cot and moved towards him placing an arm on his shoulder to calm him, but he shrugged off his advance still wanting to maintain distance. For clarity sake he told himself. Worried that he would fall into bed with her without saying what was on his mind, what was hurting him.

"And then I come here and see you flying off in the distance yet again." he paused, "always too late" he muttered.

"Jack, truly I am sorry." He looked at her and nodded. He could see the tenderness in her eyes, it was so hard to stay truly mad at her. But then she continued, "You know how I get when I'm working on a case everything else tends to slip away," She turned away from him "I get so focused on the task at hand…" her voice trailed off.

He felt his anger rising up once again, she couldn't leave well enough alone. He might be able to calm down on his own if she just stopped. He knew how she got on cases, he was much the same perhaps one of the many reasons he was drawn to her. But his jealousy prevented him from seeing clearly on the matter, she was so focused on her missing pilot that she couldn't be bothered to let him know if she was okay or not. He turned his back and let fling the next barb, "Especially when the case involves a certain old friend."

She immediately picked up on his tone and bit her lip, she held back her knee jerk response knowing that Jack was hurting, but the way he had said old friend stung.

"Jack I'm assisting in the search. His plane went down and…"

"You can stop. I know that the RAAF has called off their search, they no longer think there is hope that he could still be alive, and yet you keep searching." His voice elevating and without thought he blurted out "I'm not sure why I came. You could never settle for just one man. I play second fiddle to a dead man."

Now she was getting quite annoyed she admitted that not sending word was inconsiderate wan worth of a small tongue lashing but this was beyond reproach.

"Jack!" She hollered out "I will not be railed against for looking into a dear friend that could be in trouble. Yes it is true that the military has called off his search, but I'm unconvinced that he is dead. Compton was well trained at survival and if he did survive the crash he could still be out there, and I will continue searching until there is proof to the contrary. And just because I am out looking for him does not mean that I am in love with the man. As I have said on repeated occasions there is nothing between me and Compton."

"I have trouble believing that after your last evening encounter with your dear old friend," he threw another barb at the unsuspecting target. He moved towards the whisky on the floor and took a long drink, another attempt to calm himself.

"How poorly you know me Jack. I'm not sure why you came after me either, if you are so insistent on fighting with me and showing a complete lack of trust in me why come? I can take the gossip in the papers and even the disapproving glances from my aunt, but you, I never thought you could be capable of inflicting such hurtful words."

Jack turned around to say something but nothing came out.

"May your drink keep you company, it does seem to be your regular bedfellow." Then she turned and walked out of the hanger. Jack started after her but he knew it wouldn't do any good.