That final detail; the next day

Phryne awoke in the early dawn. She could see the light through the crack between the curtains. Beside her, Jack was still sleeping. He was on his back, one arm above his head, the other across his chest. His face looked peaceful, unlined; his brow smooth, his hair tousled. Phryne smiled at him, and considered waking him. But first, she needed to use the bathroom.

She considered her options of clothes. Her garments were all over the floor, Jack's shirt was ripped, and she could not see any dressing gown to borrow. A thought struck her and she slid her hand under Jack's pillow. Groping as carefully as she could, she withdrew her hand holding Jack's pyjamas.

Smiling, Phryne donned the shirt, and slipped out of bed to find the convenience. She was sure it was not located in the bathroom inside. As thought, it was an addition to the laundry, off the back verandah.

Business done, Phryne returned to bed and snugged down into Jack's warmth, intending to try to get more sleep. However, Jack's arm came across her and his voice rumbled against her hair, "You have a cold arse!"

"Your toilet is not heated" she returned, "in fact, it's not even inside!"

Jack pulled her closer. "That's what you get when you wear only my pyjama top outside!"

"I thought I was suitably covered" she said as she wriggled around.

"No. I could see the most delightful rear end heading out the door just now!" muttered Jack, nuzzling her neck.

"I thought you were asleep" breathed Phryne; his hands finding their way under the pyjama top.

"Someone tried to push my head off my pillow, in an attempt to steal my pyjamas" said Jack, attempting to push Phryne onto her back.

"I tried to be gentle" she said, "but, apparently I woke you up! But I can tell you're pleased to see me!" Phryne; in turn tried to manoeuvre Jack to lay back.

Jack thrust his thigh between hers, one hand on her rear, the other around her shoulders. The resulting kiss was long, with mingling tongues. Phryne hooked her thigh over his hip and his hands caressed her buttock, warming it nicely. His hand trailed across from buttock to the back of her thigh and he held it in a firm grip, before moving his fingertips around to her delicate folds. His fingers positioned so he could stoke and tease. Phryne moaned and moved her leg higher, to give him better access. His fingers probed gently, stimulating her desires. She felt a thrill move through her.

"Oh, Jack, you do that so well" she gasped, reaching up to him, kissing him and changing her position slightly. He chuckled, pausing in his ministrations to battle with her tongue. At that point, Phryne overpowered him and finally succeeded in getting him on his back. She immediately straddled him, grinning with her success.

"Right" she said, "Let's see this body in full glory then!" She threw back the covers and viewed Jack's torso. He displayed a healthy body with well-toned muscles. He was not overly beefy but not thin either. His hand went to cover one of several pitted scars on his body.

"Shrapnel wounds; you should wear then with pride" said Phryne, running her hands over them and the beautiful chest that lay beneath her.

"Not everyone finds them glorious!" remarked Jack, but he let Phryne inspect them for a fleeting moment, before he brushed her hands away. "But you are" he breathed as his hands moved from her thighs, up to her breasts. He kneaded them gently before suddenly lurching himself into a sitting position, Phryne caught in his arms. His mouth took in her nipple as his hands held her firmly, his erection bumping against her buttocks.

Phryne lost interest in his old scars; she could feel something more interesting. She wriggled a little, as Jack changed breasts, the morning growth on his chin rasping across her chest. "Jack" she moaned as she pushed back against his arousal.

Jack released her and laid back, his hands gripping her hips. Phryne positioned herself so ensuring Jack could feel her moist excitement. She moved her wet curls along his erection, pausing at his tip, and then moving back again. Jack moaned her name.

Phryne slid down his thighs, and cast kisses down his abdomen, before cupping his testicles and stroking them. Jack wound his hands into Phryne's hair. "Oh God" he managed.

But Phryne wasn't finished. She took his length in hand and worked it gently, before closing her mouth over it. Jack's grip on her scalp increased, "Phryne" he groaned, but she continued to administer to his manhood. He gave a gasp; "Phryne, I need you here" he ground out.

Phryne left his member and kissed her way up his chest, her hands caressing him as she went. Jack grabbed her behind her head and pulled her into hot searing kisses. His arm came around her lower back and clamped her pelvis against his, rolling his hips against her.

Phryne broke the kiss and pushed herself upwards once more. She shifted, rising above him, and lowered herself onto his shaft. Jack's hands dug into her hips as she began to move, his head thrown back, eyes closed.

Phryne looked down on Jack as she rode him. She loved the sight of Jack looking tousled and uncontrolled. She could see that his climax was rising; his fingers were digging into her hips harder. She reached down and started to stimulate herself, adding to her own pleasure, wanting to bring Jack to peak in time with her.

Phryne could feel her muscles beginning to contract; she ground down on Jack. He gave a grunt and managed to bend his knees. In quick movements, he bucked into her, casting her forward. The change in position altered the stimulation to her core and as Phryne tilted forward, she climaxed dramatically. Jack called out her name in a mangled cry, as his seed filled her in turn.

Panting, Phryne lay over his chest, as his arms circled her back and held her. They were still for some time, as their pulse rates returned to normal, and then they rolled to one side, arms entwined.

Jack was so still that Phryne thought he had fallen asleep again. But as she changed position, Jack rolled over to look at his watch that he had left on his dressing table. He gave a small grunt. "I can't dally too long" he said, "I have to face going into work!" But he turned back into Phryne and buried his face in her hair.

"And you have to take me home" said Phryne, "You promised Mr Butler."

Jack grunted again, not moving.

Phryne adjusted her posture, "Jack, is something wrong?"

Jack's arms tightened around her and he did not reply.

"Jack, Sweetheart; talk to me!" she said.

Jack sighed and rolled onto his back. "Yesterday morning, George Sanderson was the deputy commissioner. By lunchtime, he was district commissioner. By midnight I had arrested him for being involved in kidnapping and being part of a human trafficking scheme. He was my boss and he oversaw my station." Jack fell silent.

"He is also your ex-father-in law" stated Phryne.

Jack focused on the ceiling. "All hell is going to break loose Phryne. The whole station will be interviewed. I will be investigated as part of the process."

"But you've done nothing wrong!" she exclaimed, sitting up in bed.

"And I did not suspect sooner!" said Jack, "I should have followed up more after the death of the Gentleman's Club hostess earlier in the year."

"You can't blame yourself for that Jack; George Sanderson closed that case himself."

"And there you have it!" said Jack. He paused. "I may be temporarily suspended while the investigation works its way through the process. Temporarily disgraced!" he finished.

"You'll not be disgraced Jack, You'll be cleared in no time" declared Phryne.

"Police investigations take time Phryne." He fell silent again.

"Is that what's worrying you Jack?" she asked.

"My marriage to Rosie will cast a shadow on my loyalties even now" he eventually said.

"You are divorced Jack, and Rosie was betrothed to Fletcher! You are a free man, not tied to George Sanderson by family anymore."

"Mud may stick" he muttered. He looked at her. "Phryne, last night I asked if you could bear being with me for longer than a dalliance. But now, on reflection, I withdraw that request. It may be a long time before the water is clear, and I can't ask you to risk your reputation in the meantime!"

"Just a minute Jack Robinson," said Phryne indignantly, pulling herself onto her knees. "I did not spend the night with you on a whim. I did not make a declaration to you, just to be thrown aside because you changed your mind. I said I was making a commitment to be with you, and I stand by that. I am not deserting you for the sake of my reputation!"

"Are you sure about that Phryne?"

"Absolutely! I said during the year that I was on your team, and I stand by that. No man of your integrity and nobility should have to go through the indignity of unjustified suspension, without a fight on his side. And, you know I can afford the best lawyers."

Jack smiled at her wanly. "It won't come to lawyers Phryne; it will be an internal investigation. It will be long and drawn out, but my professional reputation will be under scrutiny. There may be times when I am not any use to you as a policeman, until the matter is cleared up."

"Then I will wait for you to be in the clear, because I know you will be cleared of all allegations. And in the meantime, I will be there as your fullback!"

"Will you be there Phryne, at the end of the day, after I have a gruelling session in front of an investigative committee? Will you be there when all I want to do is sit by the fire and hibernate? How about if you want to go out to a society function, and I'm still in disgrace?"

"I'm sure all those issues will be resolved" said Phryne firmly.

"You have every right to leave if things get difficult" returned Jack.

"I will exercise that right if I see fit" said Phryne as she lay back next to him, "but we haven't got anywhere near that yet."

Jack smiled at her. "Phryne Fisher," he said stroking her arm, "My firebrand friend and my staunchest ally."

Phryne put her arms around his neck, "Jack Robinson; the man who actually has got me the closest to making a commitment, and have me promising to stay around through the hard times!"

Jack managed to push her down onto the bed. "It will be a difficult few months at least. As long as you have the heart for it! You will have every right to leave me to my misery and bottle of whisky, whenever you feel the need." He settled over her and buried his face in her neck.

Phryne smiled as he nibbled her jaw. "I think my heart can stand up to it!" she said. "So, investigative committees, slave trading pirates and fierce aunts won't be able to keep me away!" and she welcomed him in.

The end

I don't know anything about Police Investigative procedures, so I could be wrong on so many points!