Non-smutty, a little tag to Game, Set & Murder, based on a cocktail called Game, Set, & Match. Convenient! Mostly Jack POV.

-j&p-

"Game, set…murder solved, then," she said, her eyes and lips smugly amused at her clever joke. In contrast to her her pale clothes and skin, her cheeks were flushed, a result of the exercise no doubt. His hands were still safely behind his back, and he couldn't help but rock forward on his feet a bit in her direction. Her eyes tracked the movement, and the flush on her cheeks moved down her neck in a way that ensnared him prettily.

"I think we should stop playing games, Jack," she was saying, and he quickly met her eyes, blinking in confusion.

"But…well, I…I had fun," he motioned with his head toward the tennis court. He had had fun, enjoying the activity and being competitive with her, surprised that she was not a sore loser. Except now it seemed she might be. "Surely losing a small match isn't grounds for-"

"I don't mean actual games," she replied, and her fingers came up to rest gently on his chest. Even through his sweater, he felt the soft pressure. "I mean…us, between you and me. I think…" her words trailed off for a second, and she tilted her head to the side. "I think it's gone on long enough, don't you?"

Her tone was soft with a teasing lilt, but he also heard the serious question in her voice.

"I see," he considered. He swallowed at the notion of what she meant, to stop the teasing and really be together. "Well, I suppose we could, but…well, you see…" he cleared his throat and imperceptibly let himself lean more into her touch. "I'm having entirely too much fun with it to quit just yet."

Immediately, her eyes sparkled, as if the word fun set off a trigger inside. "Fun?"

"Yes," Jack replied, feeling a warmth crawl up his neck to his cheeks. He let his eyes roam over her face; she really was truly beautiful. "I've never really been able to do this."

She stared at him for a moment. "Oh," a small nod accompanied her response. "So, even with Rosie…"

He acknowledged with a tilt of his head. "Nice, and fun at times, youthful of course; we were practically kids. And of course we loved each other, but I don't know…it was somewhat neat and arranged, I guess. Once she had her sights on me and her father approved, there didn't seem much reason to put up a fuss, and…"

"And that was it," Phryne finished.

"Yes." Jack smiled at her, allowing two fingers to skim against the soft edge of the fabric at her shoulder. "I didn't have to do much pursuing. So this is new for me, the game, as it were," he conceded to her terminology. "And it's fun." You make it fun, he thought.

"It is fun," she agreed, letting the tips of her fingers curl just a bit into his sweater.

Jack bit his bottom lip between his teeth. "And, I confess," his mouth dried up for a second, but he knew he had to soldier on. She'd taken a risk by even bringing this up in the first place, putting words to the dance they'd been doing with one another. "I confess," he started again. "That it also feels like it will be the last time I'm ever in this position." You're it for me. He wondered if she could read it in his eyes. He wasn't ready to verbalize it yet, and he hoped she'd understand what he meant. It was crazy to think of ever being in a position to move on from a relationship with her, when they hadn't even started one to begin with. But he somehow knew that she had ruined him for anyone else. And in that moment, he was fine with that truth. If she wanted to take things to the next level, he would be all in, but for now…"So I'd like to enjoy it while I can."

"Logical," she added, a teasing note to her voice.

Jack couldn't help but smile. "Always."

She laughed at that and skimmed her hands down his chest. Then, surprisingly, she took one of his hands in hers. "I'll agree with this arrangement, with one exception."

He murmured for her to continue as she traced his palm with her fingers.

"There have been several instances where I thought for sure you were ready to move…forward," she met his eyes and smiled. "But then you pulled back." Her fingers tightened on his, as if her words would make him pull away. "So how am I supposed to know when you're done playing the game?"

One of her eyebrows arched, and he took the initiative, moving his hands until he was clasping both of hers. "You'll know."

"Jack," she started, and he pressed one finger against her lips for a quick second, as she'd done to him before. But he had to admit she had a point.

"Fine," he conceded. "You'll know, because I'll say so."

"You'll say so?" her eyes narrowed.

"Yes," he smiled and stepped back, putting safe distance between them again.

Phryne crossed her arms in front of her chest. "So you'll just…say or do something, and then what…just declare, 'oh by the way, that was a romantic overture!', then?"

Jack laughed. "Sure, yes. That's exactly what I'll do."

Her eyes narrowed even further, if that was possible, and he saw a new competitive streak in her stance. "Fine," she agreed, and turned to walk away to gather up her tennis racket. "But you never know," she called back over her shoulder. "I may have some romantic overtures of my own!"

Jack smiled and murmured to himself. "Game on, Miss Fisher."

-j&p-

Game Set Match:

50 ml. Vodka

5 strawberries

20 ml. Vanilla Syrup

150 ml. Cranberry Juice

Place strawberries in a glass and muddle them.

Add vodka and vanilla syrup to the glass. Add crushed ice and stir; top up with cranberry juice and garnish with strawberries.