A/N Hello and welcome! Thanks for stopping by to read my story! This was also published over on OA3, so if you read it there, it's the same tale here.

This idea has been rattling around in the JazzyMuse brain for a while. I am pretty sure there are excerpts contained herein which are completely unbelievable...

I beg of you to suspend your logic and reason for a little while for this fic. The JazzyMuse was very insistent on writing it, no matter how unlikely the events. I don't know how easy it was to telephone between Britain and Australia in 1928-ish; I don't know if the flying times represented here are accurate in the least; I don't know if the adventure on which Jack sets out was even a thing… I was just along for the ride as the Muse took over, which is why I ask you to do the same.

I haven't written anything since May; I've been battling a bit of depression and I'm hoping this snaps my dry spell!

A little drama, a little light angst, with a healthy dose of sappy romanticism to follow….

Disclaimer: I, of course, do not own anything related to MFMM or it's characters. I am simply enjoying placing them into this little tale woven by the JazzyMuse.

Phryne rolled her eyes in frustration, barely biting back a spike of anger as she slammed her book closed.

"Mother, I didn't fly Father halfway around the world just so you could play matchmaker! I am perfectly capable of finding company on my own, when and if I wish."

"Well then, why don't you, dear? You've been in London for three weeks and I have it on good authority that you've turned down no less than seven invitations from gentlemen of suitable standing. Honestly, darling, I never thought I'd see the day when, instead of accepting the invitations of fine, properly-matched gentlemen, you'd rather sit in the library and read a book."

"I've been to four galas and two luncheons in three weeks, mother! I've mingled, played nice, socialized with the right people and have yet to scandalize anyone!" Her book slipped to the floor as she pushed to her feet, angry at her mother's interference. "The fact that I'm not jumping at the first opportunity to bed the next Lord or Viscount who bows before me, offering champagne and a healthy bank account, is hardly cause for panic. Besides, I thought I made it perfectly clear that I'm not staying in London," she raised her chin defiantly. "Why would I set out to make a permanent bond with anyone here?"

"Since when are your bonds permanent, darling?" Her mother leveled a pointed stare at her normally flirtatious daughter. When she received no response, she simply arched an eyebrow and sighed. "We're having a small gathering for supper this evening, Phryne. Lord and Lady Harold Barrow and their son James, as well as the Count and Countess Haag and their sons Walter and Byron. Please do be on your best behavior, darling."

Growing angrier by the moment, Phryne folded her arms and shifted her weight to one hip. "Impressive, Mother, a veritable buffet of suitable bachelors, then?" Phryne loved her mother dearly, but the more time she spent in her company, the more she remembered exactly why she felt so compelled to get the hell away from her in the past, having jumped at the chance to join the Ambulance Corps in 1916.

Impatient with her daughter's negative and ungrateful attitude, she grew serious. "Phryne, you have had your chance at fun, you have revelled in your aimless traveling and foolish adventures. It's time you think about settling down and living up to our familial expectations as a member of the Fisher family. There are certain societal standards that must be upheld."

"Oh, what rot, Mother! A month ago you were prepared to file for a formal separation from Father because of his gambling and philandering! The only reason he is here is because I flew him back! I left my home, my family and friends-"

"We are your family, Phryne," her Mother interrupted. "This is your home. Why must you always be so difficult and so contradictory? You've had opportunities that your sister never had and you're just turning your back to them!"

Inhaling sharply, she fisted her hands at her sides. This was not the first time in the past several weeks that her Mother had tried to make her feel guilty for loving a full life while little Janey was buried in the family plot. While her mother had always been a challenge, she hadn't been so cruel. Bending over to collect her book from where it landed on the floor, she flipped her hair sharply. "I have to bathe for dinner. I'm not discussing this again."

Margaret watched her eldest daughter storm up the staircase, her own temper nearing its limit. For a brief moment, she remembered the sweet girl that Phryne was before the loss of Janey shattered their family. After Jane had been snatched mid-day, never to be seen again, Phryne had begun to rebel, to lash-out against authority, to challenge the rules until they bent to her will. It seemed that all the time she'd spent on her own had disillusioned Phryne into believing that she didn't have responsibilities to her family, that she was free to do as she wanted with her life. Margaret Fisher knew she would have to yield a heavy hand to rein in the free-spirited young woman if there was any hope at all in the Fisher name continuing.

~MFMM~

Gaining control of her emotions, Phryne refrained from throwing her novel across her bedroom when she slammed the door shut. She had no real desire, however, to damage the book that she hoped Jack would also enjoy. Sitting at her desk, she quickly penned two notes before ringing for her young chambermaid. Phryne hastily shoved the messages into a single envelope, sealed it and pushed it into the girl's hand, along with several coins.

"Marie, I need you to take these down to the telegraph office straight away. I cannot go there myself as I must prepare for what will surely prove to be an insufferable supper. Inform the telegraph operator that the sending details are contained within, and I want you to wait there for a confirmation that they've both been received." She met the girl's wide eyes. "I suspect you'll receive a response from one of them straight away… If, when you return we are dining, please feel free to quietly interrupt with any confirmations or return telegrams... and you may keep the leftover money from the fees."

"Miss," Marie was confused as she was ushered from the room with the same sense of urgency with which she'd been summoned. "Do you not need my help dressing?"

"What I need is for you to do what I just requested. Take these quickly, before the office closes. It's all very urgent." With nothing more to say, she closed her door and leaned against it, steadying her breath. She knew that her treatment to Marie was unfair, but she didn't have the patience for kindness in that moment. Grabbing the newspaper that still sat, unread, on her bedside table since that morning, she flopped down onto her chaise lounge and started flipping the pages angrily, a plan forming so seamlessly that she reprimanded herself for not doing it sooner.

~MFMM~

The dinner conversation was pleasant enough, as long as she ignored the constant posturing of the single men strategically seated around her. In a different time, in a different place, she may have appreciated the abundant attention. Between her mother's meddling, however, and the sheer fact that she could finally admit that her heart was no longer her own, she found herself more than a little impatient with the whole tedious affair.

"Begging your pardon, Miss," Louis, the butler, spoke quietly to Phryne. "Marie was quite insistent that she was instructed to interrupt you. I felt it improper to allow her entry to the dining hall, though, as she is still dressed in her errand clothing. This is marked Urgent."

Phryne smiled and accepted the telegram envelope. "Thank you," she replied softly. Ignoring the disapproving glare from her mother, she ripped the envelope open, holding it low in her lap, and quickly read the response. Perfect, she thought with relief as she tucked the note back into its protective sleeve and slipped it under her napkin. Everything will be ready at dawn… It pays to have friends at the Lower London airfield.

Following the dessert course, and finally having had enough of the not-so-subtle suitability hints coming from her Mother, Phryne primly folded her napkin from her lap and placed it on the table. With a saccharine-sweet smile, she rose to her feet, smoothing her palms down the front of her skirt as she glanced around at the faces watching her curiously.

"I want to thank you all for the wonderful company this evening, and I beg your forgiveness for not joining you in the parlor for after-dinner-drinks." She picked up her telegram. "It was lovely to share a meal and such... stimulating conversation on this, the eve before my departure. I really must bid you all adieu, however, as I have an early day tomorrow and an arduous journey ahead. I'm sure you understand."

Confused expressions stared back at her from their guests, and her parents simply gaped, their mouths falling open in unison. Her Mother spoke up, but her Father wisely kept his thoughts to himself.

"Leaving? Tomorrow?" Margaret also rose to her feet, her shoulders squared in preparation for a stand-off with her daughter. "What are you talking about, Phryne? You never said anything about leaving so soon. We have accepted invitations to a charity balls and galas in the coming weeks!"

"You accepted invitations, Mother, not I." Taking a slow, cleansing breath, she didn't let her eyes waver. "I must be getting back to Melbourne, to attend to urgent matters."

"What urgent matters?!" Her mother demanded. "Let me see that," she motioned to the envelope fisted tightly in her daughter's hand.

"I have to tend to some… important issues…"

"What could possibly be so urgent in Melbourne that you can't deal with through the most modern channels of communication," she motioned to the telegram. "Even telephone conversations can be accomplished for business these days! Besides, you are the one always claiming to be a thoroughly modern woman, Phryne, why not utilize thoroughly modern technology?"

Phryne bit the inside of her cheek… she should be ashamed how easily the fib was forming in her brain… "I have many logistical concerns to see to... before my impending nuptials."

At that, Henry Fisher squared his shoulders and stood so quickly that his chair nearly fell backwards. "Nuptials!? What the hell are you talking about?" He ignored the gasps of surprise from their guests at his outburst and pointed to the telegram she clasped close to her body. "What's in that bloody telegram?"

"Nuptials to whom!?" Margaret met Phryne's stubborn expression with one of her own, ignoring her husband's outburst.

"I'll be sure to send you the formal announcement once it's been made public. For now, however," she smirked, feeling good about her hasty departure, if only to escape future hellacious dinners such as the one she'd just endured, "I must simply say good night." She turned once again to their guests, proud of herself for having the upper hand. "Thank you again, for such a riveting evening."

~MFMM~

"Phryne," Margaret followed her daughter out to the curbside, where a black cab sat waiting. "You can't leave like this. It's not safe for you to fly alone and unwise to accept a proposal from a man who hasn't even had the decency to speak to your father first, requesting your hand in marriage! You are not even telling us who it is! We need to confirm suitability."

Rolling her eyes at her Mother's obsession with suitability, she took a slow breath and handed her carpet bag to the driver. She stood at the open door of the motorcar and looked at her mother in disbelief. "I don't need anyone's permission to do anything, least of all Father's! I, and I alone, will decide who is or who is not suitable for me… I can't believe how ungrateful you are after I've gone to such lengths to bring Father back, to save your marriage. To think that I was so naive to be concerned about your wellbeing if he didn't come home… What a fool I was."

"Phryne, m'girl," Henry stepped forward, simultaneously surprised and not at all, at the turn of events. He thought he had a pretty good idea to whom Phryne had promised herself. "Don't leave like this, not in this state of mind."

"My state of mind is as clear as it's ever been, Father. Much, much clearer, even, than when I came up with the crazy scheme to bring you home." Licking her waxed lips, she truly felt more at ease now that she'd made up her mind. "Goodbye, Father. Goodbye, Mother." Seeing her mother's stoic expression, which still bordered on anger, she was determined to remain strong to herself. "I'm sorry I'm such a grave disappointment to you." When her mother folded her arms across her breasts, clearly not willing to contradict the declaration, Phryne finally truly believed what she had always suspected. "I guess you really do wish that it had been me, instead of Jane…"

She didn't wait long enough for a response, throwing herself into the back seat and demanding that the driver leave immediately. Without looking back, she rode away from her family home in London, more content than she'd ever been at the possibilities that lay ahead.

Postscript A/N

So, I don't really know what Phryne's mother would be like - she might be the sweetest person in the world, but for my purposes, I needed Phryne to be angry enough to up and leave London without further delay. I have never read the Phryne books, so I don't know if there if reference in there to her mother; I mean no disrespect if I'm misrepresenting her!

I'd love to hear from you.

peace and love, my friends,

~jazzy