She doesn't tell a lot of people this story. Her own sense of guilt has eased over the years, in no small part due to Sherlock pointing out the simple truth that Joan had been unable to accept...that it was an accident. But it's still painful. She also worries about what people will think of her when she tells them, and Ted's kindness is a relief. She turns towards him and lays her head on his shoulder again.

"I was sued for malpractice. There was a trial, where my actions were dissected in minute detail and the wife testified that I was a terrible doctor and a worse person and I had stolen a husband and father from his family. In the end my malpractice insurance paid the settlement and my license was suspended. It was only for three months, but I couldn't even imagine picking up a scalpel ever again. So I let my license lapse."