I DO NOT HAVE TIME FOR THE FICS I'M ALREADY PUBLISHING WHY AM I STARTING ANOTHER?!

Because Phrack. That's why.

Updated 1/19/18 for continuity issues in narration.

For the 15th time at least that day, Jack looks to his right to check that Phryne is okay. Then he sighs. Because for the 15th time at least that day, Jack remembers that Phryne isn't fine. Wasn't fine. And as a result, he'd told her she should stay home. Or go on vacation with Aunt P. Or do something frivolous and fun with Dot. And because Phryne really wasn't all right, she had actually listened to him. But that she shouldn't be here, helping him take custody of nearly 60 girls who had been stolen and sold as children from Australia, finally returning home after this particular circle of men who traded in 'white gold' was discovered. This one hit too close to Phryne. Her sister's disappearance as a child, Jane, and the other girls, stolen by DeVere and that bastard Sanderson, Phryne had taken this case far too personally, and it wasn't even a murder.

When a diplomat had reached out to the Australian Police Force saying that over 50 girls who had been stolen as children over the past several decades were being returned, and needed transport and protective custody as they arrived back in a place they barely remembered, to reenter lives they never really had the chance to live, it had been in all the papers and Jack had seen the effect such a story had had on his Phryne. On Miss Fisher. She wasn't his anything. Well, no she was his friend, and confidant, and partner in solving crimes, and... but she wasn't his Phryne. He didn't think there was a man alive who could claim such a connection. Jane or Dot could probably get away with calling her 'their Phryne' but the sentiment was quite different from the meaning behind his own thoughts.

"Jack!" Constable Jones called out, motioning him forward. "They're here." The woman were being shipped in - the comparison to cargo in all of the memos about today was another reason Jack thought Phryne might take particular opposition to this event, and should stay away from the rhetorically disinclined men running the show - to Port Phillip, and staying in Melbourne until they could be parceled out to any remaining family, and given their 'options' if there was no one left to claim them. A large number of them were remaining in the Melbourne area and as such, his police force was well represented in today's efforts. Of course there were also officers and military groups for the other regions, ready to transport the woman as soon as they settled in a bit.

A horn sounded as the ship began to dock and Jack looked curiously at the women lining the deck, watching all the police men watch them. He saw several young girls, children, really, recently stolen away, but it was mainly young adults, women, kidnapped as children, and forced to continue in slavery for decades until one of them managed to get word to the outside and free the lot. Eva Wood. Now that was a woman Jack had every intention of meeting before the day was out. He knew there was no reason for it, but in his head, this heroic, headstrong woman, making the best of a horrible situation, saving everyone around her and leading them all to victory, she looked an awful lot like Phryne Fisher. Jack smiled wryly and didn't bother to waste his own time by wondering why that might be.

"You all know the plan." He said to the men gruffly. "As the ladies disembark, escort them to the waiting vans and mark their names off on the sheets so we can ensure no one is left behind. Now I know each and every member of the Australian Constabulary is an honorable one, and one that would never be anything less than a perfect gentleman, but I will still add this. These ladies have been through hell and back. They're likely not to trust you, or take to men very quickly. If I find out any of you has been less than the most gracious host or treat these ladies as anything less, I will personally ensure that you feel my displeasure, is that understood?" A series of 'yes, sir's filled the air as the men acquiesced and moved to their previously decided upon stations. Jack went to speak with the military escort that had accompanied the women on their trip.

The man took off his cap and they both stopped short upon seeing one another.

"Detective Inspector." His rough Australian accent sounded out loudly, as he tipped his head, very slightly.

"Captain Compton." He replied, equally coldly. "I did not realize you were-"

"Neither did I." Compton replied curtly. They both stood in silence, each waiting for the other to speak. Jack grew tired of the game first and sighed.

"May I assume that the voyage went well? That all the ladies have arrived safely and in no further harm than they left East Asia in?"

"Yes." He replied curtly. "We had some worries about the younger girls and how they would fair, but all in all, they were quite capable of caring for themselves, and when they were in need of assistance, the older ladies, that is to say, their elders seemed to have it well in hand. I ensured that there was no interaction beyond the necessary from my men. These women have dealt with men for long enough, they didn't need any reminders." Jack ground his teeth, a bit anxious that the Group Captain's thought process had been so similar to his own.

"Indeed. I have instructed my men likewise." The Captain did not seem any happier at that realization than Jack had been. The captain looked around warily.

"I see that our mutual acquaintance did not join you." Of course he was hoping to see her. Jack had to unclench his jaw to reply.

"This hit a little close to home. I suggested she remove herself from the anxiety."

"I must admit, I am a touch relieved." Jack frowned, that hadn't been what he expected. "Not that she isn't... only... it's a damned awkward business." Jack struggled for a response to that descriptor.

"I suppose that's one way to label the mass slavery of young girls."

"No! Not this! I would certainly expect her to be championing that fight, I mean... personally." He looked incredibly uncomfortable now. "Of course I'm certain she's told you everything and I needn't repeat such intimate details, but it was quite a surprise, not really what a man expects in the middle of... that especially from a girl like Phryne and I... well we haven't spoken since then and I find myself feeling a touch anxious myself, at the thought." Jack was lost. What on Earth did that mean? What did any of that mean?

"I see." Jack said, lying through his teeth.

"Not that I'm not happy for her - for both of you of course! - it's just awkward. I'm sure as a man you can sympathize." Jack wished he had the capacity for that just now, but not knowing what on Earth they were discussing, he couldn't manage that particular emotion just then.

"Hmmm." Was all he said.

"Well that's it on my end, it looks to me as if you have things well in hand, Inspector Robinson. And again, I wish all the best for you and Phryne. My congratulations." And so ended the strangest conversation Jack had ever been involved in.

He should have known she wouldn't have gone far. Phryne (and Dot) were waiting at the station for him (and Constable Collins) when they arrived, with tea, and biscuits for the whole station. The women were all being put up at the Grand - Jack knew that the recent upgrade from the modest hotel the government had been planning on utilizing all along had a large part to do with a recent contribution from from two illustrious ladies. A detective and her Aunt, if he wasn't mistaken.

"Jack." She all but purred, handing him a cup of steaming tea. He took a sip and sighed. Constable Collins had better marry that girl or someone else would, and then her tea making abilities would leave City South and Jack really wasn't sure what he'd do if that ever happened. "How did it go?"

"Very well. They are all comfortably ensconced in very nice rooms at present," He said eyeing her accusatorily. She just smiled as he continued. "Tomorrow we will debrief with them and begin to work out their homes and families." She beamed at him.

"I'm so proud of you, Jack." He all but choked on his tea, his face flushing brightly.

"Sorry?"

"Oh don't act all humble, not in this. I know how hard you've worked to make this happen, and how hard you will continued to work to see to their needs and to ensure that they are safe, and can get home, and I thought you should know how proud I was of that. Of you." The flush in his cheeks was not going to be leaving him any time soon.

"I... thank you, Miss Fisher." She nodded brightly and refilled his teacup from a large green thermos.

"How did your new Junior Constable do?" She asked. "I hope Constable Collins didn't terrorize him too much. I can only imagine how difficult he could be as a superior." She said, her eyes twinkling with laughter.

"A humorous statement. He did quite well actually. I barely noticed we had a trainee there." Although that probably had a lot to do with my loss of focus upon seeing the Military presence. "By the way, Miss Fisher, I ran into an old friend of yours." Her face went white.

"Who?!"

"Not one of the victims, I'm sorry I should have said." Instantly the color returned to her cheeks and the worry left her brow. "Their military escort, in fact. One, Group Captain Compton. Although by the stripes on his jacket, he's been elevated since we last saw him."

"Oh." She replied, swallowing nervously. Nervously. Phryne Fisher was nervous. It was now or never.

"Indeed. He and I proceeded to have the most confusing conversation I have ever engaged in... well... with someone other than you of course."

"Of course."

"Perhaps you might be able to enlighten me as to why he was pleased not see you, and in fact, was hoping to avoid seeing you altogether while in Victoria. Or why he offered me his congratulations." She chewed her lip as she ruminated on an answer.

"The last time he and I... interacted, things became a touch awkward."

"He intimated as much. He also seemed to think I'd know all about it, that you would have told me."

"I don't know why he would assume that." She said, refusing to meet my eye.

"Phryne, did he hurt you?" Jack asked lowly, clutching the hem of his own suit coat, willing himself not to get too angry in front of her. She didn't need to be reminded of Dubois ever again, and certainly not by him. Phryne's eyes shot widened and she finally met his gaze.

"Oh Jack! No! It's nothing like that! Actually, I quite think he was the hurt party at the time. His pride, anyway."

"Phryne..." He began warningly, raising one eyebrow, and wordlessly demanding she finish the story. She threw her hands up in the air and huffed.

"Fine!" She exclaimed haughtily. "Do you recall when you and Collins broke into the military base and nearly got yourselves shot for all your trouble?" She asked, her voice sounding angry now.

"Yes."

"And I saved your life?"

"I hardly think you-"

"I did! They were going to shoot you and they only stopped because I came running out and told them to."

"Ah. Yes. I'd forgotten you controlled the Australian Military. That does certainly put a spin on the story." She rolled her eyes adorably and continued.

"You were... upset at my state of dress." She reminded me. Jack stiffened. Of course he remembered. Vividly. Red painted toe nails, sticking out from beneath Captain Compton's overcoat. He too, similarly undressed. Had it been weeks earlier, before Jack had realized how much he was falling for her, it likely would have amused him, to see her toes, wiggling in the grass. The whole situation had been so utterly Phryne-like he might have laughed even, if he hadn't been so damned jealous. Judging by the turmoil happening in his chest, he was still rendered irrevocably jealous by the memory of the incident in question.

"I recall."Jack returned stiffly after a few minutes, prompting her to continue.

"Well... the captain and I had been reminiscing."

"You had said."

"And my mind sort of... wandered." She added, pursing her lips, and looking decidedly away from Jack once more. "Fantasizing, one might even say." Could this conversation get any more uncomfortable? Jack asked himself with a sigh as she continued. "We didn't get that far. You might have noticed he was still rather fully dressed. But he was..." She flushed and didn't speak for another moment. "Being rather nice to me, and I repaid him by calling out someone else's name."Her last sentence was spoken so quickly, Jack had to repeat it to himself a few times to get even a base understanding of what she was intimating.

"You called out..."

"Another man's name, yes."

"Has that ever-"

"Happened before? No. I'm usually quite content whomever my current partner may be, and it certainly had never happened to Compton. He was rather... well we stopped, anyway, but before I could put on my clothing, we heard yelling and I heard your voice and assumed you were in trouble so I put on his coat and ran out to help you as best as I could."

Jack's mind was reeling. He should be jealous right now, he decided. He certainly had been in the past when thinking about Phryne and another man - Compton in particular - doing intimate things. And the idea that there wasn't just Compton to worry about, but this other man who seemed to trump even her closest connection he'd witnessed to date... that should have frustrated him, reminded him that there was another shoe just waiting to drop, something!

Jack burst out laughing.

"It's not funny Jack!" She insisted as she fought to keep her lips from turning up into a smile. "Jack, stop!" She implored him, biting her lip.

Jack laughed for another 5 minutes before he could be settled. It was only a minute in when she joined in his gaiety and the pair laughed together, tears brimming in Jack's eyes at her story.

Two miles away, Eva Wood looked out the window of her hotel room and squinted, trying to remember the sights around her. She'd never spent that much time in the city, never strayed that far out of Collingwood to be honest, until she'd been taken. She had only been 9? 10? She couldn't quite remember. The details were all fuzzy now. What wasn't fuzzy were the people. She could still picture her sister, her neighbors, the girl down the street who used to nick food for their lunches, and taught them all how to look innocent when they were caught. She wondered what ever had happened to those people, or if she'd recognize them now if she saw them. It had been decades, but Eva was home. And she was going to be able to lead a new life, a better life...

And she was going to find the man responsible for this and make sure he paid for his crimes.