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]

"We'll just do it the other way for the rest of the evening then," Ted answers and steps closer, looping an arm around her back, for the extra security and support. He's very glad Joan pays attention to her own limits, and lets him know, so they can be careful.

[formersurgeon]

She loops her own arms around his neck to hold on more firmly.

"Once it's just us," she says. Bad enough to be wheeled around in front of their guests, being carried is right out.

[theodorelasso]

Ted wants to point out that it's not like they would judge her, but he gets that it's not about that. The potential worry and pity might be just as frustrating for her.

He helps her over in the couch and makes sure she's comfortable. "You want me to put the chair away in the bedroom?"

[formersurgeon]

Worry and pity is exactly it. She wants to have as normal a time as possible, just friends hanging out and sharing a meal, and the best way to do that is to not have her present difficulties evident.

Like the wheelchair.

"Yes please," she answers, now that she's safe and comfortable on the couch.

[theodorelasso]

"Alrighty," he answers, taking it back in there, and making sure he has his phone and everything he needs, before returning with both his crutches now. He's going to be good and not try to do everything, and let Sherlock bring them drinks and all that, so he heads for the couch to sit down and text Keeley.

[formersurgeon]

Sherlock had been staying in the kitchen and out of the way. Now that Watson was settled, he comes out and sits in one of the chairs.

"Being the most mobile of the present company," he says, "I imagine I can be of service."

"It would be really helpful," Joan says. "Thank you."

[theodorelasso]

"I'd appreciate that," Ted agrees. "I could run around and fetch things, but I probably shouldn't. He's done enough walking today."

His phone buzzes. "Alright, Keeley and Roy will be over soon. She said they're good with anything food-wise."

[formersurgeon]

"Definitely stay off your feet," Joan says with a smile. She knows he's been pushing the envelope, and he can't keep doing that if he wants to heal and be back with the team.

"What food should we get?" Joan asks, pondering. "We've had Thai recently. We could go Szechwan, or Japanese. There's Indian and Greek places nearby, too..."

[theodorelasso]

"Oh, I haven't had Greek food in forever," Ted answers, opening up a map on his phone to track it down and find a menu. "Do they have stuff you can eat?" he asks, glancing over at Joan.

[formersurgeon]

"I can give it a try," she replies. "Avgolemono is good. I can try some suvlaki and rice. As long as I take it easy I should be fine."

[theodorelasso]

"Worst case, we can whip up another smoothie," Ted says. "You know, I make a decent moussaka. Potatoes though, not eggplant. What about you, Sherlock, what do you want?"

[formersurgeon]

"I'd love to try that!" Joan says. She loves it when Ted cooks for her. He's really got a knack for it, and Joan knows it makes him happy. It's another way he can care for people. A way he can care for her.

"A gyro is sufficient," Sherlock answers. "Perhaps with a side of salad."

[theodorelasso]

"Alrighty-doo, Mister Magoo," Ted answers, texting Keeley again and telling her to pick something off the menu. After a moment she texts back, and Ted calls the restaurant to order their food. Then it should be getting there just after Roy and Keeley do. He gets both himself and Joan suvlaki and rice, since that sounded yummy.

[formersurgeon]

When the buzzer announces the arrival of their guests, Sherlock gets up and answers the door.

"Welcome," he says to Roy and Keeley. He's familiar with them both, as they've both been something of celebrities in London for quite some time. He finds it interesting that they are together, considering their personalities, especially Roy's.

"Please, come in. Watson and Ted are waiting for you in the living room."

[theodorelasso]

"Hey, you must be Sherlock, it's nice to meet you," Keeley greets enthusiastically. Roy grunts, but he does also nod in greeting in they head inside.

"Hey y'all," Ted says happily once they make it to the living room. "Pardon us for not getting to our feet."

"Oh, don't worry about it. Hi, Joan!" Keeley says, immediately going in for the hug with Joan, while Roy trails behind.

[formersurgeon]

Sherlock nods politely to Keeley's welcome. "You as well." The grunt from Roy earns a slight raise of the eyebrows, but Sherlock nods to him as well. The anti-social gruffness is something Sherlock can understand.

When Keeley comes in for the hug Joan beams at her and returns the hug as best she can. "Hey Keeley! It's so good to see you!"

[theodorelasso]

"It's amazing to see you too," Keeley answers, and she gives Ted a quick hug too. She was nervous when she walked in the door, but it's evident she's extremely relieved to see Joan looking more or less alright. What happened at the gala was pretty dramatic, after all. Even Roy seems to breathe a slight sigh of relief.

Keeley sits down in the chair closest to Joan, while Roy sits next to her, giving Ted a nod which he returns.

"You look a lot better," Keeley says to Joan. "I mean, of course you do. Are you doing alright, after everything? I mean, if you want to talk about it - it's okay if you don't!" She's very clearly a little bit nervous but also very eager to make Joan feel better.

[formersurgeon]

Joan picks up on Keeley's nervousness, and it makes total sense. Joan had nearly died that night, right there in front of everyone. She can imagine Keeley was afraid Joan would be in worse shape than she is.

"I'm fine," she assures Keeley with a gentle smile. "My strength is coming back." She smiles at Ted. "And I have wonderful guys taking care of me."

[theodorelasso]

"Yeah, we've mostly just been snuggling up with movies and napping a lot," he answers with a smile. "Definitely worse things to spend our time doing."

[formersurgeon]

"Definitely," Joan agrees. She looks over at Sherlock, who's surveying the room with a slightly sour expression. "We couldn't do it without Sherlock. He's been really helpful so we can rest."

[theodorelasso]

"Awww, that's so nice," Keeley answers, smiling at Sherlock, clearly unfazed by the expression. (She's used to Roy and Beard, after all.) "You're a detective like Joan, right?"

[formersurgeon]

Sherlock is not one for socializing, but he knows this is important to Watson, so he makes an effort.

"I am in fact the one who trained Watson to be a detective," he answers with a small, stiff smile, as friendly as he gets with strangers.

[theodorelasso]

Ted is very proud. It's more friendly than Sherlock was to him when they first met. (And even then, Ted is pretty sure he could've been significantly more rude had he wanted to.)

"Oh, that's so cool," Keeley answers excitedly. Roy looks mildly interested. Ted wonders vaguely if him and Sherlock will say a single word to each other. He feels like they should have a bet going.

Sherlock is however saved from any follow-up questions by the doorbell ringing at the arrival of the food.

[formersurgeon]

Joan is happy, knowing the effort Sherlock is putting into being friendly. When it comes to Ted, in Sherlock's defense he had not expected visitors when he first met Ted, and Ted was taking the attention and presence of Sherlock's partner and best friend. Keeley and Roy were expected and he isn't going to lose Watson to them.

Sherlock would have gone on, but the doorbell rings and he rises. "I shall return," he says, heading to the front door. Joan watches him go, smiling fondly.

[theodorelasso]

Also in Sherlock's defense.. Ted hadn't even found him that rude. He just seemed like someone who wasn't ready to socialise at the time.

"What about you two?" Ted asks. "Roy, how's your coaching gig going?" He's heard from Keeley that he's coaching girls' soccer, and he's obviously excited to hear about it.

"Fine."

"Oh yeah? How's the team?"

"Fine."

"...Alright," Ted answers, obviously a little amused. "Keeley, how about you, how's work?"

"Oh, uh, fine!" she answers with a smile that might be a little awkward.

"Uh-huh," Ted says with a smile, raising his eyebrows at the both of them with amused curiosity.

It's Roy who speaks up first, presumably to save Keeley from having to. "She's scrambling to manage PR after the gala and everything that's happened lately."

Ah. Ted nods, feeling a little twinge of guilt, even as he knows it's not really his fault. "Mmm. That makes sense, yeah."