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]

"It might just be the three of us," she says softly. Because of course Sherlock will come. He knows how important this is to Ted.

"Have you ever been to a morgue before? Maybe when your father died?"

She says it very gently, and with a squeeze of his hand, knowing it's going to be painful to think about. She feels it's important to bring it up, though, because if he has associations it would be better to address them ahead of time.

[theodorelasso]

He knows others will come if he asks, to support him. He just doesn't know if he wants to. If they'll understand why he's doing it.

He shakes his head at her question. "No, I didn't deal with any of that stuff," he answers. Which is not completely strange - he was 16, after all.

[formersurgeon]

He might not have dealt with it, but he might have still gone with his mother, to support her. Apparently not, though, and Joan won't push further.

"If anything happens," she says, "I'm always just a phone call away, okay?" She knows that if Ted has a panic attack the first thing Sherlock will do is call her, but it's important that Ted knows that so maybe it can help him keep calm.

[theodorelasso]

Ted smiles and gives her hand a grateful squeeze. "I know. It'll be fine," he reassures. Ted figures she's more thinking about whatever unexpected thing could happen, not whether or not he has a panic attack. As far as she knows, he's only had one, and that was when he was outright attacked.

[formersurgeon]

She smiles back and squeezes his hand. That might have been the only full-blown panic attack, but he had definitely started to panic when he was being questioned by the police. This situation upsets him greatly, and she wants him to know she's here for him.

[theodorelasso]

He definitely won't deny it upsets him, but he can keep it together and get a nice long hug from Joan afterwards. Besides, there's stuff to do, and having a purpose makes things a little bit easier.

He's about to say something else, but then the doorbell rings, and Ted smiles at Joan and gets to his feet, grabbing his crutches so he can open the door.

[formersurgeon]

Joan smiles back, excited, and turns in her chair so that she can watch him heading toward the door. Sherlock enters carrying a tray with a french press, a couple mugs, and a plate of biscuits. He sets it down on the table and straightens to look toward the door as well.

[theodorelasso]

Ted opens the door and greets Beard, who's his usual calm self, and shows him inside. Beard gives a polite nod at both Joan and Sherlock, and Ted ushers him to go sit down and have some coffee.

Beard doesn't ask how Joan is doing, figuring she'll have more than enough of that particular question.

[formersurgeon]

Sherlock nods back, but Joan positively beams at Beard. She's fond of the taciturn man. "Hey! It's so good to see you! How are you doing?"

[theodorelasso]

"I'm doing alright, all things considered," he answers with a nod. "You look like you could say the same," he observes. Which is a compliment, really. She looks like she's doing well. The last time he saw her, she was in the hospital and it was apparently still pretty touch-and-go.

[formersurgeon]

"Can't complain," she says with a smile, totally getting the compliment. As understated as her words are, her smile tells him that things are actually pretty good right now. He's here in part to make sure she's okay, but she's definitely focusing on this also being an opportunity to see someone she's come to consider a good friend.

"How's the team?"

[theodorelasso]

Beard gestures with a wobbly hand, indicating the answer is so-so. "Personally? I think they're alright. Professionally? They're still struggling a bit."

It doesn't exactly come as a surprise to Ted, but it is sad. Then again, would it be better if they suddenly started kicking ass while he was gone?

[formersurgeon]

"I'm sorry to hear that," Joan says. "It must be hard with everything going on. Not having Ted, then finding out the man they used to play for tried to have.him killed. I mean, if there's anything that can put a damper on a team's morale, that would be up there."

Sherlock looks at Ted. "Whenever you are ready to go," he says.

[theodorelasso]

"Well, it's actually built up a rather protective streak," Beard answers with a nod. "They're gonna be alright once it settles." Having only two coaches isn't necessarily helping. And Ted's not there to be motivational.

"Yeah, alright," Ted answers Sherlock, pulling on the sweater he's been carrying over his shoulder. "Alright, I'll see y'all later," he says, going over to Joan to give her a goodbye kiss before leaving with Sherlock.

[formersurgeon]

Joan smiles as Ted kisses her, touching his cheek gently, then catching his hand as he pulls back, giving it a squeeze before letting go.

Sherlock heads out as they're saying their goodbyes, skipping the cuteness in order to flag down a cab.

[theodorelasso]

Beard is actually smiling a bit as he watches them - it's good to see Ted be happy. He's watched Ted for years having problems with Michelle, culminating in the divorce, and it makes him sad because Ted deserves to be happy.

Ted smiles as Joan's touches of affection. He appreciates her making sure he knows she's there for him.

"Alright, gang, peace out," he says, heading for the door. "Stay out of trouble."

[formersurgeon]

"No ragers," Joan answers playfully. She smiles at him all the way out of the apartment, and when the door closes behind him she sighs a little and turns her smile to Beard.

"He's doing okay," she says, figuring Beard would want to know.

[theodorelasso]

Beard nods in approval. No small thanks to Joan, he's sure. Everyone's been very supportive of Ted, but he doesn't always show when he's hurting, so it's good to know he has someone close enough to him that it would be difficult to hide.

"What about you?" he asks. "If you want to complain Now they're not here to fuss over you."

He knows Ted's positivity can make if difficult to vent. And heck, she might even have frustrations about the two of them that she wants to get off her chest. Beard certainly won't tell.

[formersurgeon]

She laughs a little and shakes her head. "Still can't complain," she says with a smile. "I've been so lucky to have Ted and Sherlock here. They've done pretty much the exact right amount of fussing. The two of them have also gotten pretty close, which is near miraculous with Sherlock."

[theodorelasso]

"Good," he answers, pouring them both some coffee. And of course Ted has befriended Sherlock. He befriends everyone. It's just his way. "I'm sure caring for someone has helped him too. Lets him feel useful and avoid focusing on his own problems."

[formersurgeon]

It's true, it's practically Ted's superpower, and in this case it's amazing to behold.

"Mmm. He does that a lot, doesn't he?" she says quietly, watching Beard pour the coffee.

[theodorelasso]

"You've noticed that, have you?" Beard asks, giving her a wry smile. He holds stuff in so much it's a wonder he hasn't imploded.

He sets her coffee cup close to Joan, and picks up his own, taking a careful sip.

[formersurgeon]

"Every once in a while," she says dryly with an answering wry smile, reaching for her cup and carefully wrapping her hands around it to hold it steady. "There's a lot he keeps hidden," she says, lifting the cup to her lips. "I know what happened to his father," she say softly, and takes a careful sip of coffee.

[theodorelasso]

Beard raises his eyebrows. "Then you know more than me," he says. He doesn't ask, though. If she wants to tell him, he supposes that's her prerogative, but if Ted hasn't said, then Ted probably doesn't want Beard to know. Or, he simply doesn't want to talk about, which is definitely true in either case.

[formersurgeon]

That surprises her. A lot. And it shows on her face. She knows Ted and Beard have been working together for a really long time, and for Ted to have never mentioned it to Beard...

"I don't think it's so much that he wants to keep it a secret as he doesn't want to deal with it at all," she says. "Ted didn't tell me. He doesn't know I know. And I'm keeping it that way, until he brings it up himself. I'll let you decide if you want to know. I researched it so that I know what's going on and can help if something happens to trigger the memories, but you don't have to know if you don't want to, or you feel uncomfortable knowing without him knowing you know."