Jack knelt down beside Phryne's shivering form. She looked up at him and made a brave effort to smile, but it turned into more a of a grimace.
"Well, well, Miss Fisher," Jack worked to keep his tone light, "It seems you have gotten yourself into another scrape."
Phryne made another attempt to smile. "It would seem so." She shifted slightly and winced.
Jack reached out and touched the bruise on her cheek. "What did they do to you?"
His voice came out softer and more gentle than he had anticipated. Phryne shut her eyes. She looked worn out, but she continued to make a valiant effort.
"Oh, the usual thug behaviors." she winced vaguely. "Although, I'm rather afraid I was poisoned."
Jack stiffened. He cupped Phryne's face, and shook her shoulder lightly. Phryne's eyelids fluttered.
"Well, in that case, Miss Fisher, it is imperative you stay awake. Do you understand?"
Phryne nodded slightly, but her eyes stayed shut.
"Phryne," Jack shook her again. Phryne winced but her eyes opened. "Phryne, what did they give you?"
Phryne's head lolled slightly and she frowned trying to think.
"I'm not sure." she murmured. "It was a white powder. And it…" she grimaced. "I can't remember!"
She sounded upset, her voice going on to a high pitch on the last word. Her breathing became faster and shallower.
"Phryne, Phryne," Jack worked to soothe the panicking woman, gently cupping her face. "It's alright. Don't worry about it. Just calm down."
Phryne nodded slightly. Then she groaned and curled up into a ball.
"Jack," she whimpered.
"Phryne, what is it?" Jack asked.
"Jack, I think," she breathed heavily, "I think I need-I need a hospital."
She bit her lip and moaned slightly.
"Hang on Phryne," Jack said. He shifted and slid his hands under Phryne's trembling body.
"Put your arms around my neck," he whispered softly in her ear.
Phryne obeyed wincing heavily and occasionally whimpering ever so little. Jack murmured comfortingly into her hair, encouraging her.
"That's it," he said. "Nice and easy. Easy, easy."
At last Phryne's arms were wrapped around his neck, her face in the crook of his neck. He could feel her warm breath on his neck and he shivered slightly.
"Alright, on three, I'm going to lift you up. Ready? One, two, three."
Jack lifted. Phryne arched slightly in his arms and moaned in spite of herself.
"Shh, it's alright." he soothed, his mouth pressed softly into her dark hair. "Just hang on. Easy, easy."
She breathed hard against his neck.
"Jack, my head-" she gasped.
"Easy, Phryne," he soothed. "Easy, it'll be alright. Just hang on a little longer."
She moaned softly, her breath fast and shallow. "Jack," she whispered, "I can't-I can't-"
She struggled to breathe, gasping slightly.
"Easy, Phryne," Jack paused and looked down at her pale face. "Easy, what's wrong?"
She winced, her face in a slight hazed grimace. Her mouth gaped ever so slightly as she worked to inhale oxygen.
"I-can't-breathe-" she gasped. She arched slightly, her face coming closer to Jack's neck. Her breath was far too shallow and agitated.
"Easy, Phryne, easy," he soothed. He tried to adjust her position in his arms. She winced again.
"Jack," she breathed.
"Shh, easy, easy," Jack soothed her again. He lowered his face so it was right beside her, his mouth right beside her ear.
"Just breathe, Phryne. It'll be alright." he whispered.
She gripped his coat, and nodded ever so slightly.
"Ready to go on?" he asked.
Again, she gave the slightest of nods.
Slowly, Jack carried her on. Constable Collins turned around and saw them approaching. He hurried forward.
"Miss Fisher-is she alright?" he asked.
Jack adjusted Phryne in his arms. "A little worse for wear. She seems to have been poisoned. We need to get her to the hospital right away."
Hugh's mouth opened and shut in his typical nervous manner. "Oh, oh-of course-yes, right away."
He turned and started ordering for a car to be brought round.
Jack walked on, looking back down at Phryne. Her eyes were closed and she seemed to have gone rather limp.
"Phryne?" Jack shook her lightly. "Phryne, wake up!"
Phryne stirred and opened her eyes. "What?" she murmured.
"Phryne, you have to stay awake." he told her. "You cannot fall asleep, alright?"
She closed her eyes again, heaving a characteristic sigh. "You're always so high-handed." she muttered grumpily.
Jack smiled lightly. "Nonetheless you must stay awake. Do you understand?"
Phryne nodded wearily. He shook her again and she opened her eyes, looking very annoyed despite her drooping eyelids.
"I mean it Phryne," Jack looked her dead in the eyes. "You must stay awake."
"Well, then," she said slowly, beginning to fade once more, "persuade me to stay awake."
Jack smirked. "And I'm the high-handed one!" he quipped.
Phryne smiled slightly, but it turned to a grimace. Her grip on his coat tightened again.
"Jack," she whimpered.
"Easy, Phryne," he soothed. "Just hang on."
The car came over, and Jack approached it. Hugh opened the back door and Jack gently placed Phryne inside.
Phryne winced and once let out a muffled moan.
"Hang on, Phryne. Easy." Jack slid Phryne in as carefully as possible and then slid in after her. He situated Phryne so that she laid on his chest.
"Drive on," he told the constable at the wheel. The constable nodded and began to drive.
Jack turned his attention back to Phryne. She lolled on his chest, her eyes shut, breathing a little too shallow for Jack's taste.
"Phryne," he shook her again. "Come on, Phryne, I told you to stay awake."
Phryne groaned and opened her eyes. "Jack, I'm too tired. It hurts now."
Jack frowned, concern furrowing his brow. "Where does it hurt?"
She turned her head and let it fall back against his shoulder. Her eyes were shut yet again, and a slight sheen of sweat coated her brow.
"My head," she whispered, "and my chest."
"Alright," he said. He lowered his voice and kept it calm and soft. He reached up and tenderly stroked her forehead. "Alright, just hang on."
Phryne nodded and let her head fall back against Jack's chest.
The rest of the ride to the hospital was fairly quiet. Jack worked to keep Phryne conscious, talking to her and occasionally giving her a shake.
They finally arrived at the hospital. Phryne was barely awake, eyes refusing to open. She only groaned in response to Jack's words, her body limp and her breathing barely perceptible.
Jack tried to stay calm, but he was more than a little worried now. He had no idea what drug Phryne had in her system, no idea if there was anything that could be done for her. He only prayed that she would be alright.
"We're here, sir," the constable said.
Jack nodded and shook Phryne. "Phryne, Phryne wake up. We're here."
No response.
"Phryne!" Jack shouted, shaking her even harder. He murmured a curse under his breath as he pulled her limp form into his arms.
"Hang on, Phryne, just hang on." he said, practically jogging into the hospital.
Several hours later, Phryne lay in the hospital bed. Jack sat beside her. Her stomach had been pumped and an antidote administered. Dr. Mac had been able to diagnose the poison and address it quickly. She said that Phryne would pull through, but would have to take it easy for a bit.
"For Phryne, that treatment will seem worse than death." she had said with a wry smile.
Jack could only agree. Miss Fisher was not one for rest. She got fidgety after only a minute of forced rest. It would certainly be a challenge to get Phryne to take it easy.
Phryne stirred in bed. Jack leaned forward and took her hand, for a moment not caring about the intimacy of his action.
"Phryne," he whispered.
Phryne shifted in bed and her eyelids fluttered.
"Phryne," Jack's voice was a teeny bit louder and more coaxing.
Phryne's jade eyes opened. Jack smiled.
"Jack?" Phryne looked confused. "Where am I?"
"Well, Miss Fisher," Jack's tone was bantering, "It would seem you got a little too close to the flame."
Phryne smiled at the reference to one of their earlier conversations.
"I can't help it, Inspector Robinson," she said. "it's the flame that's attracted to me."
Jack grinned and so did Phryne.
"I assume I will recover?" she asked.
"Yes," Jack smirked slightly. "But only after an extended period of rest."
Phryne lifted her head. She winced slightly, gasping at the pain in her stomach.
"Easy," Jack told her. "Take it easy."
Phryne fell back with a groan. "Take it easy? Jack, that's a fate worse than death."
Jack laughed. He had been up all night by her bedside, worried sick and now, in the light of day, he sat laughing. Only Miss Fisher, after being kidnapped and poisoned, would be horrified by the prospect of rest.
Phryne seemed miffed. "I don't see what's so funny."
Jack, still chuckling, bent over and placed a quick (but loving) kiss on her forehead.
"A private joke, Miss Fisher, one that I think you would find hardly amusing."
Hey everyone! I am a new member to the site, though a long time reader and follower. I've been writing fanfiction for my own personal enjoyment for about a year or so. This is the first time I've ever share any of them. I have recently discovered and fallen in love with Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries, and these two characters and their relationships in particular. There is so much depth to their characters and their relationship. It fascinates me and they make me smile. I posted one earlier today as well called "Fears and Confessions." If you like this one, please check it out! I would be grateful for any and all reviews. Thanks for reading!