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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[formersurgeon]

Joan sighs comfortably in his embrace, enjoying the quiet moment.

Then when Ted shouts into the kitchen she smiles and shakes her head, rolling her eyes in amusement.

"Are you certain?" Sherlock shouts back from the kitchen. "Do I need a bucket of cold water to separate you two?"

[theodorelasso]

Ted shudders a bit at that joke, smile disappearing for just a moment.

"Well, that didn't work last time," he points out, and it's still a joke, but it might be a bit more grim. But it's accurate - it brought them closer together if anything.

[formersurgeon]

Joan cringes at Sherlock's words, and tightens her hold on Ted. His response is brave, and she presses a gentle kiss to his cheek.

Sherlock emerges from the kitchen, his expression one of startled realization.

"I did not mean to reference what happened to you," he says softly. "I apologize, truly."

[theodorelasso]

Ted's smile returns properly at Sherlock's apology. He hadn't thought it was intentional anyway, and the sincerity of the apology makes him feel immediately better. He's safe and warm, full of soup and holding onto Joan. The bad memories have no purchase right now.

"Thank you. It's okay," he answers, giving Sherlock a nod.

[formersurgeon]

The immediacy and sincerity of the apology makes Joan blink. Sherlock is rarely this considerate.

Sherlock returns the nod, then sits back down across from them.

Joan sighs and closes her eyes, resting against Ted, weary. Eating has taken more out of her energy-wise than she was expecting.

[theodorelasso]

Ted assumes that for Sherlock, there's a pretty big difference between being rude (no apology necessarily needed), and accidentally bringing up some recent and rather horrific trauma. Sherlock has said some pretty inappropriate things to Ted without remorse, but he was also very supportive and considerate when he came by the police station.

Ted looks over at Joan, rubbing her arm a little. "You wanna head to bed?" he suggests.

[formersurgeon]

"Yes please," she answers softly. She's actually having some trouble keeping her eyes open. Getting ready, leaving the hospital, taking a cab, and eating have actually been pretty strenuous for her still-fragile system.

Sherlock straightens, on the edge of rising. "How can I help?"

[theodorelasso]

"Well, you're probably better at carrying her right now than I am," Ted answers. "Is that okay?" he asks Joan.

They're going to have to cart her around a lot, but unless she's literally asleep and they still need to move, he intends to check in with her every time. It's bad enough needing the help, but he wants to make sure she feels like she always has a choice in the matter at least.

[formersurgeon]

Joan opens her eyes and looks over at Sherlock. "Are you okay with that?" she asks him softly. The two of them have had very limited touch in the time of their partnership, typically limited to Joan patching up Sherlock in one way or another, and occasionally with Sherlock doing the same to Joan. This seems more intimate than Sherlock is typically comfortable with.

Sherlock rises and comes to crouch in front of her. "As long as you are, Watson." Ted can't do it with his broken leg, and using the wheelchair will likely be more difficult and require about just as much physical contact.

Joan nods. Sherlock reaches out for her.

[theodorelasso]

Ted hadn't even considered that Sherlock might not be, even though he doesn't like hugs. The necessity of the task probably helps.

Once Joan has a tiny bit more strength, and is able to help a little when moving from seat to wheelchair (and from wheelchair to toilet), they should probably be alright. As long as Ted can plant his feet and doesn't have to walk, he's capable of helping out.

For now though, how he helps is by going ahead and making sure doors are opened, and the covers are drawn back on the bed.

[formersurgeon]

Sherlock gathers Watson into his arms in a princess carry. She's small and light, and he's exceptionally strong, so he easily transports her to the bedroom, laying her down on the bed after Ted pulls back the covers. He stands back, his posture awkward, looking down at her, worry in his expression.

Joan doesn't notice. Once she's laid down she sighs and closes her eyes, comfortable in bed, allowing her body to relax. She won't be awake much longer.

[theodorelasso]

Ted notices though. He can't imagine Sherlock is having an easy time right now.

"You can stay on the couch if you want to be closer tonight," he suggests softly. Ted wouldn't mind. Not like they're going to get up to anything private for a while.

Granted, he's just going nextdoor anyway, but given it's their first night back, maybe he'd like to be within yelling distance if something happens.

[formersurgeon]

Sherlock nods without a word, without looking away from Joan, his partner and friend who nearly died and isn't fully out of the woods yet. He certainly intends to stay a close by as possible.

"You all right, Watson?" he asks softly, wanting the reassurance before he leaves the room.

Joan nods without opening her eyes. "Just tired," she murmurs.

[theodorelasso]

Ted smiles softly at Joan, and steps past Sherlock to pull the covers over her, then lean down and kiss her forehead, stroking her hair a bit. "I'm gonna go brush my teeth, I'll come to bed in a second," he promises quietly.

[formersurgeon]

Joan smiles softly as he kisses her forehead and strokes her hair. "I'll be here," she murmurs.

Sherlock sits carefully on the edge of the bed to keep an eye on Joan until Ted gets back.

[theodorelasso]

"Yeah, don't go anywhere, you hear?" he answers teasingly, smiling at his peaceful she looks.

Ted feels so reassured having Sherlock nearby. He doesn't feel like he has to spend every waking moment watching and worried about Joan, because they can help each other with it.

He goes to brush his teeth and get ready for bed, though he doesn't stay away too long anyway. He does make sure to bring the bag that has his medication with him. He wants to keep track of if just so he's sure Sherlock doesn't need to get tempted.

He smiles at Sherlock once he returns, going to settle in next to Joan. "She asleep?" he asks quietly.

[formersurgeon]

Sherlock is glad to have Ted as well. There aren't many people he would trust with Watson's life and wellbeing, but he trusts Ted completely, in part because he knows Ted will immediately let him know if something goes wrong.

"She appears to be," Sherlock answers quietly as he carefully rises from the bed. "Do not hesitate to call if there's anything you need."

[theodorelasso]

"I will," he answers. "See you in the morning, yeah?" Hopefully they won't actually need anything though. They could all do with some very uneventful days.

He lets the door stay cracked open, before he crawls in next to Joan. He doesn't cuddle up too close, wanting to give her room, but he does drape his arm gently across her stomach.

He sleeps pretty soundly probably desperately needing it, but he wakes up a couple times, and makes sure Joan is doing alright. He finally gets out of bed around seven, carefully sneaking out of bed, and heads to the living room to find Sherlock.

[formersurgeon]

For most of the night Joan sleeps peacefully. Sometime in the early morning she twitches in her sleep for a few moments, but it passes and she continues sleeping.

Sherlock is asleep on the couch, in his clothes minus his shoes, a cushion under his head.

[theodorelasso]

Ted heads over to him, and knocks gently on the table. "Hey, Sherlock?" he says softly, trying make sure he doesn't think there's anything wrong.

He does not do what Joan would, waking him up in some ridiculous way.

[formersurgeon]

Sherlock opens his eyes, blinking for a moment, then pushes himself up to sitting.

"Ted," he says, rubbing his eyes. "Everything all right?"

He assumes the man would be more panicked if something was seriously wrong with Joan.

[theodorelasso]

"All good in the hood," Ted nods. "She's still asleep, but the grocery delivery gets here soon, so I gotta pack that away, then make breakfast, and I thought you might like to sit with her in the meantime."

It's probably not necessary, given how she's calmly slept all night, but if he's going to be busy for more than an hour, well. It's for their own reassurances too.

[formersurgeon]

"Certainly," Sherlock nods, getting up from the couch yawning as he heads to the bedroom. Joan is still sleeping peacefully, so Sherlock carefully sits on the bed to watch over her.

[theodorelasso]

Ted goes to do morning hygiene and grooming - he's only gotten to shave every other day or so lately, and it's one of those things that helps him feel a lot more human. He does remember to take his pain meds this morning, at least.

The groceries arrive shortly after he's finished, and the delivery person helpfully agrees to carry it all the way into the kitchen for him. Ted thanks him and starts unpacking everything.

He's been looking up recipes for easily digestible healthy smoothies, since he figures that's both easy and yummy, so he starts preparing some of that for all of them, for whenever Joan wakes up and gets hungry.

[formersurgeon]

At some point when he's making smoothies, Sherlock enters the kitchen.

"Watson is awake," he tells Ted. "She needs to use the toilet, but she doesn't want my help."