"There are," she agrees, her voice soft and a little sad. Joan has been known to have her own maladaptive behaviors to protect herself. One of which being to shut down and distance herself, which Beard has seen in all it's heartbreaking glory. One might think she's punishing herself, not protecting herself, but isn't that a twisted sort of protection? Punishing herself so that others won't punish her? Or...worse...forgive her?

"Sherlock usually pushes people away. Ted just refused to be pushed."