An idea I had which sprung from a desperate desire to know more about Jack's past. Enjoy :)

The name comes from a line in Antony and Cleopatra which I thought simply sounded beautiful.

Jack Robinson hadn't exactly entered The Honourable Phryne Fishers life willingly. No, entered was hardly even the word for it. Jack Robinson had been forcibly dragged headfirst into the whirlwind of existence that was Phryne Fisher, pulled in by the sheer magnetic energy of her being.

However, the same could not be said in reverse. For whilst Jack was undoubtedly a part of Phryne's life and Phryne's world, the same could not be said in reverse. Whilst Jack was a regular visitor at Phryne's home, she had never once stepped into the dingy bungalow he called a home. Jack knew Phryne's past in acute detail, Jack on the other hand had divulged sparingly the experiences of his past. Jack knew all of Phryne's family, and everyone she loved. Phryne did not know Jack's. And it had stayed that way for quite some time.

It was 10:37 am on the 12th April that Phryne Fisher decided, quite simply to become a part of Jack's life. In the same way she had quite simply decided to make him a part of hers. The realisation that she needed to be more within Jack's life had hit her quite suddenly and somewhat shockingly when Jack disappeared.

The last time Phryne had seen Jack had been the 29th March.

It was pouring outside when he came in, soaked to the bone and cold.

"Jack!" She exclaimed seeing him dripping at the front door. "Quickly come inside, I'll get Dot to grab some towels and a fresh set of clothes."

"Miss Fisher its fine" he began before involuntarily shivering. Phryne gave him a disbelieving look. She grabbed the Inspectors hand pulling him inside and into the kitchen. Jack willingly followed holding her hand tighter than was strictly necessary, for hands so small, they seemed to give off such heat as to warm his whole body, but maybe he was imagining things. "By the stove is the warmest place in the whole house" she declared.

Phryne tugged at the overcoat he wore constantly, relenting he began to shrug it off his shoulder's; she helped to pull it off him. He smiled faintly and she reciprocated the action before pulling on the lapels of his suit jacket, which was currently dripping enough water to fill a small bucket by Phryne's reckoning. The inspector took a deep intake of breath, inadvertently soaking in the scent of her French perfume. She was so close to his body that the scent was almost overwhelming, or maybe it was how close she was standing to him that was making his feel a little dazed. "I think I can manage this myself." He declared steadfastly, pulling away from her slightly.

Phryne nodded before saying, completely innocently, "well you know I just couldn't resist the opportunity to undress you. "

Jack swallowed much more obviously than he was intending to. Phryne pulled at the jacket, sliding it off his shoulders and down his arms before it was hung on the back of the kitchen chair near the stove. Even though there was no need to she returned to stand mere centimetres away. Reaching up for his tie she began to loosen the knot.

"This is becoming an alarmingly familiar position Miss Fisher" Jack said quietly. Maybe it was the stove but where moments ago he was shivering he was now starting to feel very warm indeed. Phryne looked up to his eyes, and he could've sworn for a split second they had flicked to his lips. But he blinked and her eyes seemed glued to his. He cursed himself for once again loosing track of reality around Phryne, it was becoming a frighteningly common occurrence. At that very moment Dot walked in, and squeaked slightly before composing herself before slowly stating "We have some clothes, they'll be a little big, but they should still fit relatively well." She tentatively placed them on the table before fleeing the room. Phryne grinned at Jack who picked up the clothes hesitantly.

"I probably shouldn't enquire as to why you have men's clothes which clearly aren't Mr Butlers should I?"

Phryne didn't respond looking steadily at him before finally declaring. "The ground floor bathroom is just around the corner; of course you know that, however, unless you have any intention of stripping in front of me it would probably be advisable to head there. Not that I'm object to the notion of seeing you change."

Jack opened his mouth to speak before thinking better of it and turning to get dressed. The clothes were indeed slightly too big, and somewhat more casual than the usual garments he wore. He couldn't help but feel naked as he sat in nothing but a shirt and trousers in Phryne's parlour, the suit and tie he constantly wore, almost like armour left to dry in front of the kitchen stove. However his discomfort was soon forgotten in Phryne's presence and Jack stayed for dinner, discussing all manner of things with Phryne, the world, crime, politics, art and literature. It was still raining at ten o'clock when he decided that propriety dictated it was no longer reasonable for him to stay.

"I should be off" he stated quietly

Phryne nodded somewhat sombrely "you know…you know you don't have to." She almost whispered. After a moment where neither of them spoke and the silence became nearly overwhelming she added "Our guest bedrooms are made up and quite ready to be used." Jack paused for a long while, he dearly wanted to. But he was a gentleman and still subject to a certain degree of tradition. Admittedly most of it had been dashed to pieces by Phryne, but he wasn't entirely sure he could trust himself if left alone in her home, so close to her.

Hesitantly he refused her offer. Phryne nodded. "You weren't planning on walking home were you?" She asked.

He shook his head "My car isn't too far. I'll try not to get soaked on the way there." He said with a smile which didn't reflect his dismay at having to leave."

Phryne gave a half-hearted smile in return. Jack opened the door, stepping away from the light and warmth of Phryne's home. "Dot can launder your clothes for you" She said, if you pop round tomorrow you could pick them up, or anytime really, there's no hurry."

Jack nodded his head. Muttering a grateful "Thank you" he slowly, regretfully turned on his heel. Taking a moment to strengthen his resolve before he strode into the pouring rain. Phryne waited in the doorway watching him go, it wasn't until the rain and darkness had completely encompassed his figure before she turned and closed the door behind her.

The next morning Phryne eagerly awaited the inspectors return. But he did not come that day, or the next, or the one after that. Phryne grew impatient and restless. With no murders she couldn't justify to herself going to the station or calling him. After a week she decided to enquire at the police station.

"He's on a case Miss." Collins said. Phryne could tell he was lying but no matter how hard she tried Collins didn't relent and tell her the truth. Phryne wondered when he had gained such resolve. Frustrated Phryne hung up. She dropped into the police station the next day "he's out Miss" one of the constables told her. Phryne returned home and barely spoke for the rest of the evening.

Another week passed. The truth was Phryne was frightened. She wondered what on earth had happened to make him disappear. The irrational part of her brain started to wonder if he had been kidnapped, whilst her heart began to panic that maybe it was something she had done. She was almost, almost relieved when she found out the true nature of his disappearance. Finally deciding she could wait no longer at 10:30 exactly on the 12th of April she marched into City south police station, quickly hunting down Constable Collins.

"Hugh you need to tell me where Jack is, it's an emergency." She declared hoping some exaggeration (though not as much of an exaggeration as she'd care to admit) would make him reveal the true nature of Jack's whereabouts.

"If this is about a case Miss the inspector said…" Hugh began shakily

"Hugh!" She exclaimed exasperatedly

"I'm not supposed to say" he looked quite upset.

"This isn't about a case, this is personal!" Phryne declared boldly.

"Miss Fisher the inspector has made it very clear that any and all matters can wait until he returns."

"And when will that be?" Demanded Phryne angrily

"Um, well his absence is indefinite…" Hugh said meekly

Phryne sighed exasperatedly before storming into Jacks office, which was conveniently unlocked, she thought to herself and sitting herself down in his chair. "Constable Collins. I am not leaving this station until you tell me where Inspector Robinson is." She demanded

Hugh gaped at her um-ing and ah-ing for at least a full minute.

"For God's sake Hugh just tell me where he is!" Phryne exclaimed.

Hugh bit his lip. "He's going to be so angry" he muttered under his breath; however Hugh's judgement said it was the right thing to do. Hugh didn't know the specific nature of the inspector and Miss Fisher's relationship, but they undoubtedly shared a bond which went beyond the bounds of a business partnership. Though sometimes he wondered whether even they realised it. And besides Dottie had said that over the past two weeks Phryne had been a wreck, and was now becoming unbearable. He was sure that if Miss Fisher was being affected, whatever was going must've been serious.

"He said that should there be any absolute emergencies you could contact him at this address." Hugh said handing her a small piece of paper.

"Thank you Hugh." She said relief evident in her voice. She turned to leave feeling as though a weight had been lifted off her shoulders.

"Miss Fisher" Hugh called out. She turned back to face him.

He looked hesitant and was barely audible as he spoke. "It's his sister's address." Phryne's brow furrowed ever so slightly. "She sick Miss, very sick." He whispered. Phryne nodded solemnly before almost charging out of the door.