Chapter 6: Jack and Phryne Dream

This chapter contains individual points of view for Jack and Phryne as well as the two of them together.

Jack

Jack is nearly numb with weariness. His restless night is catching up with him, and he so wants to kiss Phryne goodnight, but he restrains himself, years of discipline coming to his aid. After he prepares for bed, he sits on the love seat, and rests his head against the back falling into reflection. He isn't sure what will or will not happen and he isn't used to indecisiveness in his actions. He knows he wants to be with her every waking hour of every day and all the nights in between, but he thinks that she might feel like a caged bird and lose her song. He admits that she saved him showing up at John and Lydia Andrews and butting into his investigation. How infuriating and intriguing he found her, and his attraction to her so immediate; he pushed her even harder for his own sake, not realizing at the time this just makes her more determined.

He would never be unfaithful to Rosie, but it was clear he was not solving the case of their marriage try as he might, and Rosie was going to leave him. It was a heady feeling to have an intelligent, beautiful woman show interest in him; flirt with him. He remembers how he continued to remain reserved as he tried to work things out with Rosie, his drinks with Miss Fisher interestingly providing him with the courage to try. He wasn't the same as before the war and Rosie, it seemed, couldn't handle who the war made him. He still cared about Rosie and would likely always have some concern for her, but Miss Fisher made him want to live again. Her zest for life in the face of all she had been through amazes him. He thought of her father locking her in a cupboard to break her spirit and wanting to strangle him. Could her father not see that for all her stubbornness, she is a delicate creature of deep emotion s and could be scarred forever? He thought of Rene Dubois with complete disgust. How could the man have ever hit her? The memory of the tears he saw glimmer in her eyes that day in Café Réplique when she confronted Dubois wrenched at his heart, but he also saw determination not to be held in the grip of fear, and her poise when Dubois grabbed her as hostage was magnificent. His Phryne is an incredible woman; no doubts on that fact.

Pushing himself off the love seat and getting into bed, Jack falls asleep dreaming of Phryne and smiling slightly, but he soon begins to frown as he is overcome by horrible memories. He sees as if in a movie, the horrors of the war all around him. The noise, the smell of death and the stench of blood assail him. Suddenly the dream shifts and he is searching for someone. Where is she? He is running along the deck of the Pandarus, calling for her. Where is she? "Phryne! Phryne where are you?" he keeps calling. If anything happens to her he will not be responsible for what he does to Sidney Fletcher or his former father-in-law. Jack is thrashing wildly now, but he can't wake up. His fear that she is hurt or dead is so intense, and he can't find her. He keeps calling through the salty mist for her; willing her to answer.

Phryne:

In her bed in the next room, Phryne is also in the grip of a horrible nightmare. Janey is missing, Murdoch Foyle is singing the song "you are mine Miss Fisher, you cannot escape your destiny; I am going to get you, it's just a matter of time." She thrashes, the covers twisting around her, she is trapped and there is no one to save her. She can't move; he will find her. How can she get away? Out of the shadows of the nightmare, she hears another voice, deep and melodic, "Phryne! Phryne where are you?" it called. "Please Phryne, answer me." She sees a faint light in the direction of the voice and she gathers her courage to run towards it, and with a shudder she awakes. Still fighting the palpable fear, Phryne realizes her face is covered in tears. She is shivering violently. She knows sleep will not come now. The fear of the nightmare returning is all it takes to keep her awake. She sobs, attempting to stifle the noise by pressing her face into her pillow, fisting the sheets desperately in her hands, wondering if the nightmares will ever end. In his room, Jack is suddenly awake; his detective's training immediately placing him on alert. He is covered in sweat and his bedclothes are all over the place. He is panting slightly as if he has been running, but he hears the noise that awoke him again. Someone is crying. He listens intently. The sounds are coming from Miss Fisher's room. Phryne is crying Jack realizes becoming alarmed.

Jack and Phryne

He has to go to her. As he quietly leaves his room, he is just closing the door when a whiff of her perfume comes to him on the night air. She makes no noise as she glides toward him. He can see the tears glittering in the moonlight. He pushes open the door and silently Phryne goes through it. As soon as she is in the door, before it is even shut, she launches herself into his arms saying tremulously, "Hold me, please Jack." His arms automatically reach around her and she buries her face in his neck, her body trembling with silent sobs. He can feel her tears soaking his pajama top. He holds her close. His arms are firm, but gentle, communicating she is in a safe haven. He murmurs nonsense words to her, in his deep bass voice, slightly husky from sleeping, rubbing her back with one gentle hand. "Everything is going to be ok. You are safe now. Shh, don't cry. I won't let anyone get you Phryne. You are ok. I love you Phryne. I love you."

Phryne is clinging to him like a drowning person to a life ring cries silently, her body shaking with the effort not to cry aloud. She will embarrass herself. She is an independent woman. She doesn't need a man, and yet, in her hour of distress, who did she come to? Her Jack, paragon of honor, the most trustworthy soul she knows other than Dot and Hugh. She cries harder, the nightmare is still so fresh in her mind's eye. She shudders and with great effort realizes that Jack is speaking to her. She can't tell what he is saying; she wants to hear it. Slowly she quiets; the tears are overcome by her curiosity. Jack is speaking words of comfort to her; words of love and she becomes aware of his hand rubbing her back, filling her with warmth. This feels so right. She snuggles into him, burrowing like a kitten, but realizing as she does that Jack is trembling slightly also. He is wet she realizes, and not just from her tears. His pajama top is soaking wet in the back as well. She lifts her head. Jack stops his ministrations at once.

"Jack, can I stay with you?" she asks in a tremulous voice. "Miss Fisher, you do realize that would be most unladylike," he questions quietly. He isn't letting her go anywhere else in this state. He needs to assure himself that she is ok. He thinks briefly of awakening Dot, but dismisses the idea. There is no need for three of them to be awake all night. His eyes shadowy from his own dream he looks down at her, and in the soft moonlight filtering in her eyes look like two giant black holes and her skin is so pale, she appears to glow. Her face is still damp from the tears; she is looking up at him with such trusting look that Jack murmurs softly "How can I say no to you? Regardless, I am tired of pushing you away." He gently brushes the remaining tears from her face, his fingertips feather light on her skin.

"Wait here", he says as he places her on the love seat while he goes to straighten the covers. He is feeling unable to cope with any challenge, his nightmare still fresh, but he manages to get the bedclothes into a passable semblance of order. He returns to Phryne, who is still shivering, goose bumps on her arms. It is freezing in the room. Jack is freezing too realizing just how wet his pajama shirt really is. He holds out his hand to Phryne. She grasps it and gracefully rises from the couch to follow him to his bed. He motions her into it and she obeys sliding in and pulling up the covers. "Thank you, Jack" she says in a small girl-like voice still laced with fear. "Don't thank me yet Miss Fisher," Jack says with a wry smile, "I haven't ruled out ravishing you." At this Phryne gives him a smile, some of the fear leaving her eyes at last, "Ravish away Inspector; ravish away".

Sucking in his breath, Jack looks at her for a brief moment and then strips off the wet pajama top. Before Phryne realizes his intentions, he joins her in the bed, pulling the covers tightly around them. "Come here Miss Fisher," Jack says in a whisper. Phryne comes to him, her silk nightgown slipping smoothly over the sheets, and he pulls her into his arms. She put her head on his shoulder and releases a soft sigh. She feels like she is home. This is a new feeling for her. Usually she uses men to help keep the nightmares and shadows at bay; she certainly doesn't feel like she is home with them. This is very different somehow, but she isn't in a state to analyze the feelings.

"Are you going to tell me what's going on?" Jack breathes into her ear. It tickles and Phryne smiles her sweet smile for the briefest moment. She is feeling warmer now and she can feel the thudding of Jack's heartbeat, its rhythm soothing her. Whispering to him Phryne says, "I had a nightmare." Closing her eyes and frowning slightly she continues, "Murdoch Foyle is playing cat and mouse with me. He is in the shadows and I can't see him. I have them almost every night." She shudders violently as she admits this piece of evidence of her vulnerability to him. "When I finally woke up, somehow I knew you would be awake, and I could come to you and let Dottie sleep. I think I heard you calling me to safety in the dream." Knowing that it cost her to admit she needs him, Jack holds her more tightly to him for a moment. Then propping up on his elbow so that he can see her, their faces merely a few millimeters apart, he stares into her eyes, his long lashes sweeping his face when he blinks. Finally he speaks. "I have a confession to make," the words so softly spoken she has to strain her ears to catch what his deep voice says, "I had a nightmare as well. I am in the trenches during a major battle and then I am on the Pandarus searching for you, but I can't find you," his voice hitching convulsively at the confession.

Instinctively Phryne reaches to place a now warm hand on the side of his face. Her thumb brushing against the stubble of beard on his jaw she speaks quietly. "I'm here Jack; with you; safe. You found me. You saved me." She places her other hand on his chest, brushing the hair that curls there and nesting her hand in its warmth. Jack growls and kisses her, drawing her to him and pulling her on top of him, not breaking the kiss. This is heavenly. She tastes so sweet. They both begin to deepen the kiss and passion warms them as their blood rushes through their veins and their mouths fuse. Jack, his hands running up and down her sides, finally breaks off the kiss panting slightly and placing his forehead against hers. "Phryne, we can't do this. I will not take advantage of your vulnerable state" he says firmly. "Let's talk instead". Phryne sighs, but knows that Jack's resolve is not to be tested. "Snuggle me" she says simply.

Jack turns onto his side and holds out his arms for her. To his surprise Phryne turns on her side with her back to him and snuggles against him. His manhood jerks slightly in response to being so close to a warm beautiful woman; the woman who is like air to his starving soul. The woman he loves as he has never loved before, and is sure he never will again. He groans; Phryne smiles as Jack wraps his arm around her waist and pulls her closer, her head pillowing against his shoulder; the rest of her body touching his and feeling engulfed by his strength. She can feel his body's response to her through the silk of her gown, and even in her current state revels in the knowledge that he wants her.

"Jack, she says, finally feeling completely warm and safe, "Thank you" and Phryne closes her eyes, pushing back against him wanting to be as close as possible to his warm, strong body. Jack strokes her cap of silky black hair and grins. He has her in his arms and it feels better than anything his imagination has supplied. He feels as if he is cradling a small bird. "Anytime, Miss Fisher, anytime," Jack whispers in her ear and he too closes his eyes, no longer worrying about his body's reaction to her; enjoying the feel of her body touching his, the silk of her nightgown soft and smooth against him. In each other's arms, Jack and Phryne did not move the rest of the night. They have a dreamless, restful, healing sleep all warm and cozy under the blankets of Jack's bed. They didn't wake until a knock on the door and Constable Collins voice calling to Jack bring them out of their dreamless sleep. They awake at the knocking, each remembering the events of the night before and smiling. Phryne turns to Jack with a wicked grin, "Shall I answer?" Jack's look says don't you dare. He puts a finger to his lips, and then touches his finger to her lips and slides out of the bed.

"What is it Collins?" Jack asks thickly, opening the door a couple of inches, his body shielding the view of the room. "Sir, I think I'll go down to the police station and see where they have gotten with the information we gave them. The ladies are still asleep, and I want some fresh air as well." "Good idea, Constable" said Jack "I'll stay here and wait for the ladies. We will meet you for breakfast at, let's say, half past ten." "Yes, sir" Hugh responds, grinning at the thought of going to the station,"I will be back then sir."

Jack closes the door quietly when Hugh leaves and pads back over to the bed. He isn't ready to give Phryne up just yet. He know she needs to return to her room before too many of the inn's guests begin moving around, but he enjoys her company so very much, and who knows when he might have her in his bed again? It might never happen if their past is any indication he thinks wryly. Jack slides swiftly back under the covers pulling Phryne against him. She is so soft, so warm. He knows that she can feel his response to her pushing against her, but he has to hold her close. Phryne moans softly, pushing back against him. "Miss Fisher, Jack begins, only to have his words cut off as Phryne smoothly turns to face him and plants a soft lingering kiss against his mouth. He responds instinctively, hauling her closer to him and falling, falling into her kiss, his eyes locking with hers.

Jack desires her so very much, needs her so very much, and her smooth skin and deepening kisses are testing his resolve to the limit. He isn't sure he will be able to stop if they continue kissing. He drags his mouth away from hers. "Phryne" he pleads, "I want to do the right thing and making love to you at this time is not the right thing. I do want to hold you close for a few more minutes before we have to meet Hugh and Dot. Can you understand? Is it an acceptable compromise?" Phryne sighs deeply. She does understand Jack's honor and nobility will make it very hard for him to have any type of casual encounter, and she knows she hasn't fully thought through the ramifications of making love with him. She does know that she has never felt so safe and warm and…she admits to herself with trepidation, loved. "Jack," she says playfully, gracing him with her mischievous smile, wanting to lighten the moment and avoid her revealing thoughts, "you kissed me back!" "And I'm not apologizing, Miss Fisher", he growls as he throws her own words back at her with a slight smile, though his eyes are very serious.

"Phryne, I...," his voice trails off and she places a finger to his lips to stop his speech. "Not now, Inspector. We don't have time to engage in this discussion, so instead let's just," she says grinning very wickedly at him, "misbehave." Jack's eyes shining at the memory of their duet to the song Let's Misbehave, pulls her into another kiss, running his hands softly over her silk clad body, deciding he is resolved not to ravish her, but he isn't giving up the feel of her just yet. He feels safe and warm and, for the first time in he can barely remember when, loved. They spend another half an hour just basking in each other's warmth, Phryne's head nestling on his chest, Jack's hand stoking her back with gentle pressure, not talking aloud, but their heartbeats communicating as though they have been soul mates since the beginning of time.