"But my heart it is brighter Than all of the many Stars in the sky" — Edgar Allan Poe, For Annie

6 April 1942

Glancing down at his watch, Matthew frowned when it showed the same time it had hours ago. The blasted thing stopped working overnight and now he feared he was running late. As he approached the university, Matthew wove between throngs of students all the while searching for Alice's familiar red hair. Finally spotting her near a courtyard, he went to wave when he noticed the thundercloud of a look she was directing at the man talking to her.

(Well, at her it looked more like.)

Hiding her present (a surprise for passing the exam) behind him, Matthew drew closer to hear what the man was saying. Fortunately - or maybe unfortunately for him - Alice interrupted the man.

"For the last time, no, Fields. I don't need your help and I don't want your help in whatever form you can think of - which based on your latest results isn't much at all."

The man looked outraged and just as he was about to launch into a supposed tirade, Matthew grinned - she certainly was as feisty as his kitten - and swooped in to clear some of the tension (hopefully).

"Sorry I'm late, sweetheart," he smiled at her shocked (yet relieved) look and blush. Pressing a kiss to her temple, he slid an arm around her waist.

"How'd the exam go?"

"Good," Alice smiled even as her cheeks remained pink.

"Ace it as usual?"

When she nodded, he grinned and kissed her temple again.

"That's my girl."

"I'm sorry," the other man bit out, "but who are you to interrupt a private conversation?"

His tone hit a nerve in Matthew, and it made him want to punch the man; it helped that he had a very punchable face.

"Staff Sergeant Matthew Lawson," he offered his hand - still keeping the other behind his back with the surprise, "I'm Alice's beau."

"Beau? With her?"

Yeah, he wanted to punch this guy in the face.

"Harvey never mentioned you."

"Oh, we're keeping it private, only friends and family, so I'm not surprised you haven't heard. Always good to meet one of her classmates, though. Ready to go, sweetheart?"

Alice smiled and nodded before she tried to peer behind his back, "What have you got there?"

"Oh, this? I got these for you, they're part of the reason I took so long - my watch being the other - hard to find bottlebrushes around here for some reason."

She gasped when he brought the small bouquet of her favorite flowers out from behind his back.

"You remembered!"

"Of course."

Alice took them with a smile, "Thank you, Matthew. My bag's in Mac's office which means you can finally meet her."

"Oh good! I was bummed she wasn't at the wedding."

"She got held up at the hospital, but we can go see her now. Bye, Fields."

"Yeah, so long," Matthew gave her classmate an abrupt wave as Alice grabbed his hand and pulled him away. Once they were out of sight from Fields, Alice visibly relaxed.

"Not a friendly classmate, I take it? Who was he?"

She shook her head with a sigh, "Ian Fields. He's studying to be a surgeon and he's pompous, mean, and overly friendly - tries too hard to get into my bed… again. As if I'd ever make that mistake again."

"What happened?"

Alice sighed again as they slowed their walk and she looked down at their joined hands.

"I was young and stupid. He'd shown some interest, which I'd not gotten… ever by then, and I was flattered. Went on a few dates and ended up back in my room - this was before I was at Wardlow. Things… progressed, but, um…"

"He didn't assault you, did he?"

Alice shook her head and oddly enough looked amused, "No, but he couldn't um… maintain…"

She raised an eyebrow at him - a wicked sort of smile crossing her face when he cleared his throat.

"Ah. That."

"He was embarrassed and turned it on me, saying that I obviously wasn't attractive enough for him to… remain aroused. I kicked him out; I was irate, but I think I was more hurt than anything else. He wasn't my first, and he wasn't the last in my bed, but…"

"Rejection still hurts."

She nodded, "He's the one that started the rumor of me being a prude and an Ice Queen - it's all over most of the medical school and university and most people don't talk to me much since then."

"And yet he's still trying to get you to sleep with him?"

"Yes."

Her hand tightened in his when Matthew abruptly stopped and made to turn back and hunt down Ian Fields; she pulled a little - her grip so tight it started to hurt.

"Please don't, Matthew, I don't have much more school left and I don't want any trouble."

"He needs his smarmy face punched in, maybe more than the face."

"You'd likely get more in trouble than him, please, Matthew. Please, I can't have you in hot water because of me and my mistakes."

Her eyes were wide and worried as she pleaded with him. Matthew looked at her, then back towards the courtyard - willing himself to calm down.

"Alright," he sighed and kissed her forehead - feeling the tension leaving her body with that brief action. "What an arse."

"That he is."

"I still think someone should punch him."

"I know, dear, maybe someone will in the future."

"Mm," he kissed her forehead again and they continued their walk. Her hand was still tight in his and he tugged on it gently. "What is it?"

"You… You're not going to view me differently now that you know that I… that I didn't wait until marriage? That I've slept with people?"

"No, sweetheart… were you expecting me to?"

"It can be hard to gauge people, especially men in my experience."

"You're a grown woman able to make your own choices; you know the risks and are smart enough to consider them into your decisions - what you don't deserve is to be treated like Arsehole Fields did to you."

Alice leaned against his shoulder, her grip relaxing enough for her to twine her fingers between his - he smiled at her faint hum.

"Thank you," she finally whispered.

The brief visit to Dr. Macmillan's office went well; facing the doctor was slightly terrifying, however short she was compared to him, she meant business - and would fight anyone tooth and nail to protect Alice. Matthew already liked her from working with her at City South, but seeing the way she cared for Alice's heart and ambition made him like her even more.

"You take care of her, Lawson," Mac threatened, "or you'll find out just how skilled I am with a scalpel."

Smiling as Alice swatted at her mentor, Matthew nodded, "I promise, Doc. Any more classes for you today, Alice?"

"Nope," she put her things away in her bag - the bottlebrushes sticking out from the top.

"Fancy grabbing a bite to eat? I have a hankering for Moonlight Diner coffee."

Alice smiled and linked her arm with his as she waved goodbye to Mac; she directed him out of the warren that was the university's halls and towards her workplace. It was fairly busy when they walked in, but they managed to grab a couple of seats at the bar.

"Now this takes me back," he grinned at her giggles. "Does the diner have breakfast all day?"

Alice nodded, "It's Rufus' favorite meal, so it's always an option."

"Perfect, I've missed it."

They put in an order with the working waitress - a new one from what Alice told him - and Matthew was amused to note that Alice liked cheese in her scrambled eggs and lots of jam with her buttered toast. Her sweet tooth continued with the amount of milk and sugar she took in her coffee. She sipped at the sugary concoction as their food cooked, and Matthew saw her watching him out of the corner of his eye.

"Something on your mind, Almost Doctor Harvey?"

Smiling at her blush and the way she ducked her head with a smile, Matthew turned slightly on his seat to give her more attention.

"It's… it's what you said back at the university."

"Which part?"

"The part where you said you were my beau."

He felt his cheeks warm, "Oh… well, if that offended you, I wo-"

"No no, it didn't offend me," she interrupted him with a hand on his arm. "I… I actually liked it - the idea of it anyways."

"Really?"

Alice smiled and nodded, "It's… My feelings about you are still convoluted and confuse me, but I know I like you… and I guess I've been thinking about it more since catching Clara's bouquet."

"I know I told you the tradition, well, the superstition of the bouquet, but don't think that it absolutely has to come true, Alice."

"I know… I've just never really thought of it seriously - Marriage."

"Ah," he nodded. "So, what are your current thoughts about it all?"

"Seems nice, much nicer than I'd previously thought, but I didn't have a lot of good examples of marriage until I came to university. With the right person, I could see myself going through with it, but I don't know if that right person will come along… it's much more a precarious decision for me to make than say… you."

"Me?"

"Yes, you can retain more of your independence, you're still able to work and not be expected to clean, cook, mend, and pop out kids."

"That's true," he smiled. "I always liked the idea of marriage, especially after meeting the Collinses, but I'm also not in a rush. And I'm also not big on forcing my future partner into those expectations."

"Your mum doesn't pressure you?"

"Nah, she's got her fix of grandkids for now with Rose. She wants me to be happy and I'm happy to wait for the right person - not everyone understands being married to a copper."

"Oh right, long hours and unexpected call-outs."

"Yeah. So, the bouquet has you thinking about your feelings for me, and also about us."

Alice nodded, "I… I like you, Matthew… how much that I do, I'm still not sure, but I'd like to find out."

"Me too."

"Really?"

"Yeah, sweetheart," he smiled at her blush. "When you wrote about that date last year, I got worried. I was worried about you getting a beau and him not liking how close we were in our letters; Lieutenant Collins found me worrying over the letter and the date, and he said you'd hold onto our letters with all you could - that any potential partners we had would have to understand that, and then he said the right partners we were looking for were right in front of us."

"Each other."

"Yeah. I like you too, Alice, and I'd like to find out more about you and us together if you're willing. I won't ask you to do any more than you want to - I know dating during a war isn't ideal, but…"

"You still want to."

He nodded.

"I'm not averse to it, Matthew. It'd just be another layer to our friendship and letters, right?"

"Right."

"In the very least Edith would stop picking dates for me," she teased as the waitress brought their food over to them.

Matthew chuckled, "Already seeing the perks in this, are we?"

"One last question."

"Just the one?"

Laughing as she swatted his elbow, Matthew nodded for her to go ahead.

"What other perks would there be?"

"You mean physical?"

When she nodded, he reached out to hold her hand in his, "For starters, we can hold hands, link arms, and you're already alright with hug-"

"Kissing, what about kissing?"

"Eager, Miss Harvey?"

That got him another - while she blushed bright red - swat to the elbow.

"However fast or slow you'd like to go with physical affection, sweetheart, that's how we'll go."

"Okay," she nodded.

Matthew reached up to cup her cheek with his hand - like the way he did in the library, but this time he lingered, his thumb brushing against her skin softly; Alice leaned into his touch with a smile, she inhaled as though she was going to say something when a gleeful shout echoed from the kitchen.

"Ah! Miss Allie, your lad has come back!" Rufus grinned at them from the window - even as Alice blushed deeply.

"I really like him," Matthew told her quietly and was rewarded with her bright laughter.

After their breakfast for lunch at the diner (and enduring some of Rufus' teasing as he came out from the kitchen to properly meet Matthew), Alice and Matthew strolled along towards Alice's favorite used bookstore. She still couldn't believe how today had gone - she'd passed another exam, stood up to Fields (again), and had a wonderful conversation with Matthew; and now they were dating, she could hold his hand the way she'd daydreamed of, and the future possibilities of more affectionate behavior loomed ahead.

"Doing alright?" Matthew asked her as they walked.

"Yeah."

"Not regretting our conversation?"

She shook her head with a smile, "I could never regret that."

He smiled and kissed her forehead, "Good. What book are we going to look for today?"

"Our next Austen."

"Have one in mind?"

Alice nodded, "Mansfield Park. Hopefully, they have more than one copy, I read this one initially from a library book."

"Is it a good one?"

She shrugged, "It… it can be hard, but I want you to read it."

"Why?"

She looked up at him - smiling when he simply looked curious, and it warmed her heart. How did this man come into her life, and how did she deserve him?

"It's… a lot of what happens in the book I can relate to from my past, and I think it's time you know."

"You don't have to tell me, sweetheart."

"I know, but I want to tell you; you make me feel safe, Matthew."

He stopped - in shock, in alarm, she didn't know, but Matthew was looking down at his feet, and she was surprised to see tears gathering in his eyes.

"Did I do something wrong?"

He shook his head and pulled her closer, the tears threatening to spill over, "I… I make you feel safe?"

Matthew scrubbed at his eyes, valiantly trying not to cry, "Christ, I'm sorry… not usually like this. It's just that no one besides my sister has told me that."

She stepped up to him and wrapped her arms around his neck, "It's true, dear. You make me feel safe."

Alice felt him wrap his arms around her waist and pull her in tight - his face buried in her neck, and her collar grew damp with his tears.

"Thank you," Matthew finally said. "Sorry for crying."

"Don't, everyone cries, even rough and ready soldiers like yourself."

"I'm still sorry."

Alice leaned up and kissed his cheek as he lingered in her embrace; it felt nice just being here in his arms and she liked that he felt safe enough to be vulnerable around her to cry. Smiling - and a little proud - when he drew back and brought out one of the handkerchiefs she'd made him for Christmas, Alice squeezed his hand.

"Bit better?"

"Yeah."

"I hope I don't make you cry every time I compliment you, makes a girl less confident in her complementing skills."

That got her a laugh, and a kiss on her cheek.

"No more tears, sweetheart. Not for a while, it's a nice day and we're going to enjoy it."

"With buying books first."

"Right."

She swung their hands between them as they walked on and could see Matthew's amused look as she did; she felt her cheeks warm, but she didn't stop (and he didn't stop her either, so that told her he didn't mind).

"Matthew?"

"Yes?"

"Since we're dating… does that mean you're my boyfriend?"

"It depends. Just dating, I don't know, but if we're understood to be exclusive, then yes. Do you want me to be your boyfriend? Yours and only yours?"

If possible, Alice's cheeks warmed even more, but she nodded.

"Then, yeah, I'm your boyfriend."

"And I'm your girlfriend?"

"Yeah," he lifted their joined hands and kissed the back of hers.

"And we'll go on dates?"

"As much as we can for the rest of the week."

"In that case, we'd better get you a new watch - can't have you late for them," she tapped the still broken watch that he was wearing out of habit.

"You don't have to, sweetheart."

"I want to," Alice kissed his cheek. "Think of it as a better Christmas present and an early birthday present now that I know when that is."

"Okay, okay… on one condition."

"What?"

"I get to help you buy that camera."

"Matthew."

"It's an investment," he insisted even as she laughed. "I'd get just as much enjoyment out of it as you would. I know you've been saving up for one, but if you buy me a watch, then I get to pitch in on the camera."

She laughed harder but nodded. "Books first, then watch, then the camera. How's that sound for you?"

"Perfect."

It didn't take them long to find the books - Alice was very glad to see they had more than one copy of her next Austen pick - and they found a small jeweler that had watches Matthew liked not far from the bookstore; Alice held onto Matthew's hand as he debated between the watches she could afford, and once he'd made his choice, she shooed him away to speak to the salesperson.

"Do you do engravings?"

"Yes we do, would you like one on this watch?" he asked her, smiling when she nodded.

"What would you like? It will be available to pick up in about an hour - we have a slight queue ahead of you on engravings today."

"That's perfect, we have another place to go to today anyway." Alice wrote down what she wanted to be engraved on the back of Matthew's watch and paid for his gift before joining him by another counter. Her soldier was idly looking at bracelets and earrings when she approached.

"Getting ideas?"

He looked very adorable with pink ears, but Matthew nodded. "I was thinking something like this for Mum or Vera or Rose… these seem a bit extravagant for your taste, I think."

Eyeing the sparkling pieces beneath the glass, Alice had to agree - she liked more subtle jewelry, and Matthew's locket from Egypt was her most prized possession these days.

"He said the watch will be ready in an hour, shall we go searching for a decent camera?"

"An hour?"

"It's a surprise for you, dear, you'll find out in an hour what it is."

Matthew chuckled and nodded, "Alright, I'll be patient. Let's go get you a camera."

One hour on the dot (with a new camera and some film for her to experiment with), Alice was back in the shop - Matthew opted to stay outside and enjoy a little more of the autumn sunlight - and picked up the watch.

"To your liking, Miss?" the salesman asked.

Smiling down at the short engraving she'd asked for, Alice nodded, "Thank you so much, it's perfect."

"Happy to serve. If it gives him any trouble, don't hesitate to come back."

"I'll keep that in mind," Alice smiled - though she doubted they'd come back any time soon. The watch was well made and who knew when Matthew would return to Melbourne after his leave was up.

"Here we are," she presented it to Matthew outside of the shop.

"What's the surprise?"

"You're the copper, not me."

Matthew harrumphed a little at her laugh, but she took the camera box from his hands so he could turn the watch over and read the cursive "Courage, Dear Heart" engraved on the back.

"Oh…" he bit his lower lip and for the second time that day tears gathered in his eyes. "Oh, sweetheart."

"Do you like it?"

"It's perfect," he removed the broken watch and immediately replaced it with the new one. "It's absolutely perfect, thank you."

"It's… it's a reminder for you… when times get tough."

Matthew tilted her chin up and his thumb brushed against her jaw before he leaned in and tentatively pressed his lips to hers; warmth filled her - slowly settling in her belly alongside the fluttering butterflies (she finally understood that phrase) - and she ceased to think of anything else as Matthew kissed her.

Alice didn't want it to end.

He drew back and rested his forehead against hers - both of them soaking in the kiss.

"Thank you," Matthew whispered, smiling as he softly kissed her again. "I'll cherish it forever."

"Good, I'm glad… thank you for… well, I don't know, just thank you."

That got her the boyish grin she remembered from the pier - and another soft kiss - before he laced his fingers with hers and led her away from the store; as they made their way back to Wardlow, Matthew asked if he could take her to the foreshore tomorrow after classes.

"And the cinema?"

"If you want to try it, we can aim for the night of the eighth… dinner and a movie, maybe?"

"Sounds perfect. And do you want to come to any of my lectures? Mac teaches tomorrow."

"I'd love to, sweetheart."

"Just no distracting me from my notes."

He kissed her forehead, "Never, sweetheart. When's your next exam?"

"Next week."

"How about another study picnic? Have any classes on the ninth?"

"None, but shouldn't you be spending that time with Vera and your niece, Matthew?"

"I've been spending time with them, Alice. But to make you feel better, how about a compromise?"

"Alright."

"Study picnic with you during the day, and maybe dinner with my sister that night? Would you be alright with me telling her about you? About us?"

Alice felt her cheeks warm - she'd not met many of her past relationships' relations, but that was then, and this was Matthew. Matthew, who was already vastly different (and a vast improvement) from her past. Matthew, who'd told her about his family and they sounded much like her own found family at Wardlow. So long as they didn't try to pry too much into her past, Alice reasoned that she could handle it.

"Well… I suppose now that we're dating and your mum already wants to meet me, it would probably be a good idea."

"I'll be right there with you, Alice."

She nodded and smiled when he kissed her cheek again; she couldn't remember feeling this happy.

7 April 1942

Matthew smiled as he and Alice walked along the boardwalk; it was a little too cold to go out and enjoy the water, but the sun warmed them enough for them to still enjoy the afternoon.

"Want to go on the Great Scenic Railway?" he asked her.

"Mm… not a fan of the screams."

"What about the Ferris wheel?"

That got him a fond smile and shake of her head, "Matthew, I don't need to go on any rides, I like just spending time with you."

"Just trying to help you experience some things, sweetheart, that's all."

"Eventually I will, but a lot has happened this week and I'm…"

"Feeling a little overwhelmed?" he squeezed her hand.

Alice squeezed back, "Yeah. Maybe only one or two new things each leave you get, hm?"

He chuckled and nodded, "Can do, sweetheart."

"Thank you," she kissed his cheek. "I like trying new things with you, though… in case you were worried about that."

"I know, and I was a little, but I like the reassurance."

That got him another kiss to his cheek, and out of the corner of his eye, he spotted something interesting: a photo booth. Matthew smiled and pointed it out.

"I know you said only one or two new things a leave, but… can we?"

Alice bit her lower lip, but she eventually smiled and nodded. "We should get some updated photos."

"Yeah, should get one for your locket."

She giggled and nodded again, "I've never done one of these before… is it fun?"

"Depends on who you're with."

She looked adorable when she blushed, Matthew mused; it was a tight squeeze in the photo booth, but they both managed to fit and while it took a few tries to get worthwhile results, the photos turned out great.

(Matthew especially liked the one of Alice's grin that showed off the small gap between her front teeth as he kissed her cheek.)

Alice smiled as she flipped through the photos, he watched over her shoulder as they settled on which ones he'd get and which ones she'd keep.

"This one," she held up one of them smiling at each other.

"It's nice."

She swatted at him with the photo, "For my locket, you silly man… I like it. It's very… sweet."

"I think you're sweet."

"Flatterer."

"Only for you," Matthew kissed her cheek. "I do like it, but I prefer the one with your grin."

"Then that one's yours."

"And that leaves us two more each, perfect."

"Maybe we can take some more next leave."

He smiled at her genuine glee and kissed her forehead; it was still hard to believe that he was here with her and that he could hold her and kiss her the way he'd thought about when overseas. Matthew could rest a bit easier wherever he ended up knowing that they'd at least talked of their feelings, so if anything happened to him Alice knew how he felt about her and he knew how she felt about him.

The day he was leaving loomed ahead of him, and try as he might to stave it off to spend more time home - more time with Alice exploring them - he knew that day would still come; so, if Matthew couldn't stop time he'd make the most of it instead.

8 April 1942

"Dot!" Alice's slightly panicked call rang out throughout Wardlow and Dot exchanged a knowing smile with her employer as both of them went upstairs to Alice's room.

"What do you need, Miss Alic-"

Both of them stopped short at what seemed like the entirety of Alice's wardrobe scattered around her normally incredibly neat room; it looked more like Miss Fisher's room after a particularly active night with the Superintendent. Alice herself stood in her slip, stockings, and smalls as she worried her hands in front of her.

"Help, please," she begged both Dot and Miss Fisher.

"What's got you worried?" Miss Fisher asked her charge as Dot started to neaten up the clothes. "Big date with Lawson?"

"Dinner and a movie… and nothing seems right!"

"Don't fret, we'll find something that'll work. Now, is this just a dinner and movie, or are we expecting more?"

Dot coughed to cover her laugh at Alice's wide-eyed look and furious blush in response to Miss Fisher's teasing.

"Miss."

"Too soon? You did just start dating this week, I suppose. Alright, just dinner and a movie. Hm… what do you think, Dot?"

Between the two of them, they narrowed down Alice's choices to just a few different dresses, but it became clear that her bottle-green dress with a subtle floral pattern was the favorite. Alice's smile couldn't be contained as she twirled in it, and she even sat still enough for Miss Fisher to apply a bright red lipstick that was all the rage these days during the war. Dot's employer left them to finish getting ready (not without some more teasing on Alice's behalf of course).

"What movie are you going to see?" Dot asked as she styled Alice's hair

"Jungle Book."

"Sounds like fun, have you read the book?"

"A long time ago with my sister."

"Then that should be nice and nostalgic for you, Miss Alice."

"I hope so… I've never been to the pictures."

"Matthew will help you through it, I'm sure. And if you're worried about the dark and all those people, don't be afraid to reach out to him if you need to."

She met Dot's smile in the mirror with one of her own - the faint blush from Miss Fisher's teasing remained in her cheeks, but she was certainly happier than before.

The muss and fuss over what to wear to her date with her soldier was also worth the shocked (yet very approving) look Alice got from Matthew when he picked her up that night.

The movie was a success, or at least he thought it was a success based on Alice's childlike wonder as she watched the screen; he barely remembered any of it as he was too busy watching her from the moment her hand slipped into his. Matthew knew she had been worried - knew she didn't like crowds or strange places in the dark from her letters and on how cautious she was as they entered the cinema - but she'd taken a chance and Matthew hoped they could potentially do this again.

"Well?" He asked her quietly as the other patrons got up to leave.

"I… I liked it."

"You did?" Matthew smiled when she nodded. "Oh, I hoped you would."

"I still don't like the dark… or the people, but I can see why people enjoy the whole experience."

"Would you like to do this again?"

"With you, sure," Alice squeezed his hand as they exited the theater, "by myself? No, I don't think so… is that weird?"

"Absolutely not."

"Really?"

"Yeah," he kissed her forehead. "Not everyone likes everything - makes the world interesting."

"Also makes the world dangerous if people don't agree on everything, as we see right now."

"Wars happen whether we like them or not, sweetheart."

"True. I liked this date, my dear Matthew."

"Good, I'm glad you did. And if you're still not completely comfortable with the cinema, we can find other dates to go on - there are more things to do around Melbourne than the pictures."

She smiled and kissed his cheek as they approached Wardlow, "Thank you."

He led her up to the front door where they'd left the porch light on for them - luckily tonight wasn't one of the blackouts - and pulled her in by her hands; Alice ducked her head, but stepped closer as his hands came up to cradle her face.

"Is this where we say goodnight?" she teased him.

"It is… though I don't really want this night to end."

"We'll have other nights, dear."

"True," he smiled and leaned in for a kiss - only to get interrupted by the porch light turning on and off at a steady pace.

"Jack!" Alice groaned even as Matthew laughed. "Honestly!"

"Time to say goodnight, Missy!" his former boss called from inside the house.

"Five more minutes!"

"Jack, leave them be, we got up to much worse out on that front step!" Miss Fisher's voice joined in and Alice ended up burying her face in Matthew's shoulder.

"This sounds familiar," he whispered to her as she shook her head. "Sounds a lot like the teasing I get from my sister."

"Sister is different from your landlords," Alice grumbled.

Matthew laughed and kissed her styled hair, "They mean well, sweetheart."

She grumbled again, but lifted her head as he kissed her forehead; leaning up, he caught her smile before she kissed him.

"Sleep well, sweetheart."

"You too. See you tomorrow?"

"Yeah," he smiled when she kissed him again, "study picnic and then dinner with my sister."

The porch light flickered again - much to Alice's annoyance by the frown on her face, but Matthew still thought it amusing; sneaking in one last kiss before she entered Wardlow, Matthew smiled when he heard her complaining to his former boss (who gave a hearty laugh in response). Alice didn't sound too upset, he could hear her laughter join in with Superintendent Robinson's as Matthew stuffed his hands in his pockets and started back towards his sister's house.

10 April 1942

Alice held on tight to his hand as they walked into the train station; it was bustling with other military men and women saying their own goodbyes, and Alice could see the Collinses up ahead - Dot and their three children huddled around Hugh as Matthew pulled her over to a quieter corner. She cleared her throat and straightened the lapels on his uniform - he'd been newly outfitted in a darker green for the new campaign in the Pacific, she thought it looked sharp and better than the khaki she'd first met him in; her hands lingered as she picked at imagined fluff.

Matthew's hands silently came up to cover her own and Alice's lower lip began to tremble.

"Sweetheart," he whispered, kissing her forehead as a few tears slipped down her cheek. "Everything will be alright."

"You don't know that," she sniffed even as Addy leaned over from Matthew's shoulder to nudge her cheek. "Anything could happen in this damned war."

"Yeah, but right now I'm just going back to Queensland, I can still write, I'll still be in Australia and not halfway around the world."

"But you're not here."

He tilted her chin up - brushing away her tears with his thumbs - and kissed her softly; Alice clung to him - he'd be leaving at any moment.

"I may not be here physically, but I'm here… know that I'm here with you, Alice. I don't know how long this war will last, or when the next time I'll come home will be, but I want you to know something."

"What?"

"I'm going to come back, I'm going to fight to come back here… to you."

More tears fell and she tried not to get any of them or her makeup on his uniform jacket as she held onto him and Matthew kissed her again; Alice drew back, drawing her lower lip between her teeth and she softly wiped away his tears before she turned to the feisty kitten on his shoulders.

"You keep him safe, Miss Spitfire, or I'll be cross with both of you."

Adelaide meowed - causing both of them to laugh - and she leaned into Alice's hand before the train whistle started to sound.

Holding onto Matthew's hand as long as she could before he got onto the train, Alice leaned up for one last kiss before they were separated ("Courage, sweetheart." He'd whispered to her). Dot and her children came up next to her - all of them at various stages of loss, ranging from holding back tears (Jack Collins) to outright crying for their father (Abbey) and Alice felt for all of them; Dot's hand slipped into hers and Alice held on tight as they waved to their men - the train's wheels starting to squeal as it left the station.

"Come on," Dot tugged on her hand, "let's go home and get some tea."

Wordlessly, Alice followed Dot and the children, jumping slightly when the middle Collins child latched onto her; Beth was quieter than Jack or Abbey - a lot more like Dot than the other two, and just as curious as her mother. She'd tagged after Alice before, so it wasn't much of a surprise that she'd come to her now, but Beth was still a child and Alice didn't have much experience with them.

"Are you sad too, Miss Alice?" Beth asked her.

"A little."

"Because of Daddy?"

"Of him, but also because my friend has gone off to war too."

"Is he a friend like Aunt Phryne and Uncle Jack are to each other?"

Feeling her cheeks warm at Beth's astute observation, Alice didn't shy away from her question.

"Yes, we've been friends for a few years and decided we liked each other… that's why this goodbye was harder than the last one."

"Will we see Daddy again?"

"I don't know, Beth. I hope so."

"I hope so too, Miss Alice, and I hope you can see your friend again."

Squeezing Beth Collins' hand, Alice let the girl swing their joined hands as they made their way back home.

Lord knows what would come next in this war, or how long it would go on for, but Alice knew she'd hold onto the hope of seeing Matthew again; in the meantime, their letters would continue and she'd work on finishing her degree - it would make Matthew proud to know his girlfriend finally became a pathologist.