For Joan

[theodorelasso]

Continued from here.

(warnings: sexytimes. also, panic attacks, brutal violence, attempted murder, discussion of suicide and actual murder... )

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[theodorelasso]

Ted nods, agreeing what she says, and returns the smile.

"In her defense," he says, turning to Trent, still wearing that smile. "Her job often keeps her busy, and recently there's obviously been some stuff preventing us from focusing on football. She's a supporter though, don't worry." He has to sneak in just a little playfulness, just to avoid sinking into despair.

[formersurgeon]

"Let me rephrase," she says to Trent with a laugh and a smile. "I'm definitely a supporter and a fan. I just don't want to claim to be part of the family, seeing as I'm a 'Joanie-Come-Lately.' If Richmond will have me, then I'd be honored to be part of the Richmond faithful."

[theodorelasso]

Ted snorts gently at the 'Joanie-Come-Lately' pun. He always appreciates good wordplay. And to be fair, Ted himself still sometimes feels like he's a bit of a newbie to Richmond, though thankfully they have started to embrace him. Even after the relegation.

Trent seems to approve as well, though it's hardly a surprise she would be a fan, being with Ted. "So," he says, turning to Ted. "I take it you're not letting all of this scare you away from continuing as manager?"

"No sir, absolutely not," Ted answers immediately. "I don't quit things. I'm here to do right by Richmond, and I'm looking forward to getting back to coaching."

"And when would that be?" Trent asks.

"Next week, but we don't need to go around advertising that, I'm sure I'll have enough journalists to deal with without giving them my schedule. No offense," Ted answers.

[formersurgeon]

That joke was absolutely for him, so she's happy he appreciated it. Joan nods as Ted talks about going back and not wanting to telegraph his return. She can only imagine how thick the crowd of reporters and paparazzi would be if they were tipped off about Ted returning to work.

"We're also thinking of going to the game on Saturday," she tells Ted. "So we can face the reporters together before we'd have to face them alone."

[theodorelasso]

"And would you like this article to come out before then?" Trent asks. Obviously that's what he would prefer, to get it ahead of everyone else.

"Yeah, I think so," Ted answers with a nod. "Hopefully we'll be able to set the tone a little bit with it too, and then we can set some clear boundaries about what sort of questions we'll answer."

[formersurgeon]

Joan nods. It serves both their purposes, really. Joan and Ted get to set the narrative and Trent gets one hell of a scoop.

"Is there anything else you want to know?" Joan asks Trent.

[theodorelasso]

Trent considers, looking down at his notebook, mentally going through what's been said so far, trying to fill any holes, and sorting through what he's learned.

"How's the team taking all this?" he asks Ted. "Mannion being their former owner and all. Seems a bit like they're the child in a divorce case."

Ted's not a fan of that particularly analogy, though he gets the similarity.

"Oh, they're firmly loyal and committed to Rebecca, and me by extension," he answers, nodding. "They've been very supportive and protective of me in all this. I mean, you saw them at the match. Obviously it's shaken everyone up a little, but we're all dedicated to making the best of things."

"Do you think this could negatively impact their playing this season?"

"Oh, I think we're doing all we can to avoid that. In fact, they seem even more determined now to do a good job. So just like always, we're just gonna give it our best shot, and we'll see what happens."

[formersurgeon]

Joan's hand tightens on Ted's when Trent makes that analogy, knowing how sensitive Ted is to the subject. She has a high enough opinion of Trent that she doesn't think it was an intentional reference to Ted's difficult parenting situation, but she knows it still can't be easy for Ted to be reminded. She listens and nods with his description of the loyalty of the team. She would argue that their loyalty to Ted is direct and not through loyalty to Rebecca, but she gets what he's saying, and that he probably wants to focus on Rebecca as being the current owner.

Ted's optimism, his belief in himself and in his team and in everything turning out all right in the end, really shines in this moment. Trent was suggesting a rather bleak picture of the team struggling due to the horrible things that have happened, while Ted changes the darkness of terrible circumstance into the light of hope and fortitude and determination. It's wonderful.

[theodorelasso]

Trent seems to be thinking something similar, having always been an admirer of Ted's way of doing things. Though he's more of a pessimist, less convinced it's going to work out so easily.

"I think I have everything I need then," he says, nodding. "I'll contact you if I have any further questions or need clarifications, and I'll email you a copy by tomorrow evening so you can OK it."

"Sounds great," Ted answers with a smile, nodding, as Trent finishes his tea and gets to his feet. Ted stands as well, grabbing his crutches to walk him out. "Thank you for your time, Trent, we appreciate it."

"Thank you," he answers, and very obviously means it, shaking their hands.

[formersurgeon]

Joan stands as well, carefully, the first time she's gotten up without help, and gives Trent a smile as she shakes his hand. "Thank you," she says sincerely. Ted's trust in the man is definitely warranted, and she's grateful that Trent is handling all this with integrity.

[theodorelasso]

Ted definitely notes Joan standing up, and he smiles at her, glad to see her getting better every day. He walks Trent out, before returning to the living room.

"That wasn't too bad," he comments with a soft smile. He is, however, very glad it's over with. Part of him dreads reading the article, but he knows it can't really be avoided. They have to deal with the press at some point, and this way is probably better.

[formersurgeon]

She smiles back, so glad to see him happy and reassured by her returning abilities. She knows he's been worried about her, and easing his worry feels almost as good as getting better.

"Not at all," she responds, smiling back. "He's a good guy."

It will be strange to read the article, but she does feel this is the best option, especially considering the way the tabloids already take such glee in Rupert's salacious activities.

"Should we call Sherlock? See if he wants to come over?"

[theodorelasso]

"One sec," Ted answers, walking over and resting his crutches against the couch, before he wraps his arms around her and kisses her. It's just nice to get some of the overly affectionate feelings out of the way while Sherlock's not there. He's so grateful to have her by her side during all this.

[formersurgeon]

She smiles as he approaches, and hums into the kiss, wrapping her arms around him. "I love you," she murmurs before kissing him again, lingering a moment before pulling back enough to see his face.

"You okay?" she asks softly, wanting to check in and make sure he's doing all right after all that.

[theodorelasso]

"Yeah, I'm all right," he answers, nodding a bit, grateful for her checking in. It's still a bit of an emotional roller coaster, but even with a journalist in the room, he still felt pretty safe to try to tackle what's happened to them. It helps to try to do something useful with it.

He's definitely reaching the point where he just doesn't want to focus on it anymore though. He knows that won't be possible quite yet, but they'll get there.

[formersurgeon]

She mirrors the nod, smiling. She'll be so glad to move on from it too. And it's coming. She's getting stronger, he's healing, and soon they'll both get back to their work and their simple life together. It will be wonderful.

She gives him one more quick kiss, then carefully sits down and texts Sherlock to let him know they're done and he can come over if he likes.

Media and Match Day

[theodorelasso]

Trent sends them the article as promised, and it's both as good and as emotionally uncomfortable as expected. It doesn't cover anything they didn't want covered, nor does it paint either of them in a tragic martyr-like light or anything like that. What bits there are about the struggles they've had to face though, it's still strange and uncomfortable to read about in the paper.

It also definitely doesn't paint Rupert in a very flattering light. Of course Rupert has only been charged with plotting to kill Ted, so the article can't necessarily claim anything else, but it does bring up the plane "accident" from years ago and its suspicious circumstances, not outright pointing any fingers but definitely alluding to how convenient it was for Rupert.

All in all, it's both uncomfortable and a relief. And judging by the articles that come out afterwards from other sources, they seem to have at least somewhat managed to control the narrative, and avoided encouraging too much trauma porn for Ted and Joan's experiences. Though Beard does text Ted to let him know that there are paparazzi outside Ted's apartment afterwards, which makes him glad they're staying at Baker Street.

And soon enough it's time for the match. Ted wears the same exact thing he would wear as if he was there as a coach, except of course for the cast. He also spends a fair amount of time considering which sort of questions he's going to actually answer, though to some extent he ends up stressing himself out a little just considering what things they could ask, going down a little bit of an anxious spiral even when he tries not to.

In those moments where he's not actively interacting with Joan and Sherlock, he finds himself tense and preoccupied, mingled in with the excitement of actually getting to watch a match, as well as remembering how strange it is to be sitting up in the owner's box where he has zero control over what's happening. It's not the first time, but at least this time he'll get to watch with Joan there next to him.

[formersurgeon]

The article is pretty much as Joan expected, too. Trent was respectful of their requests and didn't sensationalize their situation. Or at least didn't make it any more sensationalized than it was already. He portrayed the two of them and their relationship with a good balance of honesty and sensitivity, not making them out to be heroes or fawning over their suffering, but also showing them as brave and determined and their relationship as solid and loving. It's a good article, and makes Joan feel a little more comfortable about facing the press that's bound to be at Nelson Road.

Joan is wearing a Richmond jersey with a pair of jeans, along with a navy windbreaker, a Richmond cap, and a Richmond scarf. She figures that if she's going to go to a match on the arm of the coach, she should probably go all in with the fan accoutrement. She's excited about the game, and about seeing people like Rebecca and Keeley for the first time since the gala, but she's noticed Ted's anxiousness and is being sure to keep an eye on how he's doing so she can be there for him if things go south.

There aren't any reporters around when they get in their cab, but she knows that's going to be completely different when they arrive at the stadium, and she's steeling herself for that.

[theodorelasso]

Once they get settled in the cab and are on their way, Ted reaches out to take Joan's hand, giving her a little smile.

"This is a very good look on you, by the way," he says, a compliment, but definitely a slightly playful one. He definitely feels supported though, very much so.

[formersurgeon]

Joan smiles back, slipping her hand into his, and laughs a little at his playful compliment.

"I might have overdone it a little," she says. "At least no one will mistake me for a fan of...who are they playing?"

[theodorelasso]

"Coventry City," Ted answers. "I believe they wear red and black when they're playing away, so it should be pretty easy to tell who you're supporting," he agrees with amusement. "If you want to load off a little bit, you can give the hat or the scarf to me. I mean, how are they gonna tell who I'm supporting, right?" he says with a chuckle. Never mind he's wearing a Richmond patch right on his jacket that he wears every day.

[formersurgeon]

"Anyone who doesn't recognize you as the Richmond manager probably doesn't care who you support," she notes with a smile. "But if you're cold I'll be happy to give you my scarf or my hat."

She's not sure what the temperature will be like at the stadium. She knows she's seen people in the owner's box bundled up before.

[theodorelasso]

"Nah, you keep it, I'm used to the cold," he answers, squeezing her hand. He's got a lot more padding than she does, and he's spent many a day out in colder weather than this. Up in the stands, they're shielded from the wind too, so it shouldn't be too bad.

[formersurgeon]

She squeezes his hand back with a smile, then leans against him, resting her head on his shoulder.

"Are you ready for the reporters?" she murmurs softly.

[theodorelasso]

Ted sighs at the question, obviously not excited for it. Usually he doesn't mind reporters, especially because he's gotten to know them a little, so he knows what to expect. This is a little bit different.

"As ready as I'll ever be, I suppose," he answers. "There shouldn't be too many, not before the match. And we're heading in a back way, away from the crowds. It's afterwards, once they know we were at the match, that we'll have more to deal with."