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]

Ted gives a heavy sigh. "This stuff is complicated. I can't wait until you're here and then we can just let things be simple for at least a little while. Just you, me, food and drink, and somewhere comfortable to relax," he muses dreamily.

[formersurgeon]

"I'm looking forward to that," Joan says. "Honestly, if we don't get out of bed at all for that first day I wouldn't complain."

She's weary, physically and emotionally, and cuddling and snoozing together for a while sounds absolutely heavenly.

"I should text Marcus and Gregson. Let them know that I'm leaving New York."

[theodorelasso]

Ted hums happily at the prospect. Going somewhere nice sounds fun, but yeah, a day of zero responsibilities, hidden away from the world? Sounds perfect.

"Ooh, yeah, that might be smart. Definitely text me when you board the plane though." He will TRY not to excitedly check on the flight, and actually get some sleep, but he's not making any promises. There's a chance when Joan arrives, Ted will just immediately want to go to sleep next to her. But then Joan might be dealing with some strange jet lag too, so it might just work out.

[formersurgeon]

"I'll do that," she promises. If she had nothing else to do on the plane besides wait to reach London and Ted, she'd be obsessive about the time too. But she's going to spend the time going over the files on Perry Perkins's murder so she can pass it off to Sherlock when she lands. She'll be busy. Which is in and of itself a small blessing.

"I love you," she says. It's probably the last time she'll say it over the phone before she sees him in person.

[theodorelasso]

"I love you too. See you soon," he says, feeling slightly giddy at getting to say that. He can't wait.

[formersurgeon]

"See you soon."

She ends the call and texts Marcus, telling him she's going back to London and she'll tell him more later. Then she downloads the files Sherlock sent to her.

When she arrives at the airport she has to run to catch her plane, and she gets there just before they close the door. She pulls out her phone and sends a quick text to Ted.

On the plane. Love you.

The plane pulls away from the gate, and within minutes she's in the air. She pulls out her laptop and connects it to her phone to transfer the files. Then she settles in to review the evidence Sherlock sent. It's not pretty. Joan had been right that they wouldn't find the body in one piece. The crime scene was spread out all over West London.

She does as much analyzing as she can as the plane speeds away from New York and toward the man she loves.

[theodorelasso]

Love you too. Safe fight!

It is borderline impossible to get any proper sleep after that. He does eventually doze off a little bit. But then he wakes up and checks the time. And repeat.

This lack of proper rest does nothing to dampen his excitement. He's up bright and early, practically bouncing in the cab, much to Beard's enjoyment.

When they wait for her at the airport, Ted's even got a silly little sign that says 'Joan', with a big heart drawn next to it. And then Beard has to deal with Ted going "Oh, is that her??" about a dozen times. Until finally Beard replies, "That's her."

[formersurgeon]

Once the plane lands Joan sends Sherlock her analysis. Then she closes her laptop and puts it away, fully intending to not open it again for a couple days at least.

She only has her carryon roller suitcase, so she doesn't have to go to baggage claim. She walks as quickly as she can, scanning the people ahead, looking for Ted.

Then she sees him and Beard standing together, and her heart swelled with so much emotion. She hurries her steps, getting as close to an all-out run as she can in heels. She drops the handle of her suitcase just before she's in his arms, throwing her arms around him as well.

[theodorelasso]

Ted quickly hands his crutches off to Beard, and if he could run to meet her, he would. But seeing her running towards him fills his heart so much, and he practically yells hello to her, to the surprise of people around them.

He only barely has enough forethought to catch her around her waist, so that she can wrap around his shoulders, and his ribs are protected. They still twinge a bit as the two of them crash together, and he has to steady himself to not just fall over, but Ted is so beyond caring. He's so happy to see her, to hold her.

He even lifts her a tiny bit off the ground, just for a moment, though he definitely shouldn't be doing that. Then he pulls back from the hug just enough to kiss her.

[formersurgeon]

She kisses him back with a small sound of both need and relief. When their lips part she buries her face into his shoulder, still holding onto him tightly. There are people streaming past them on both sides, but as far as Joan is concerned, they don't exist.

"I missed you," she whispers.

[theodorelasso]

Ted buries his face in her hair, holding onto her just as tight, hunched over slightly just to be as close as possible to her.

"You too. It's so good to see you again," he whispers back. He is in absolutely no rush to let go of her, but eventually they do pull apart, at least enough to look at each other. And when they do, Ted just.. has to take a moment to do just that, just look at her. It hasn't even been that long since they've seen each other, but it feels like an eternity.

[formersurgeon]

She gazes up at him, just taking such joy in seeing his face again. She reaches up and cups his cheek, brushing her thumb against his skin.

"I love you," she says softly, and god it feels so good to say that to his face again.

[theodorelasso]

"I love you too," he answers, feeling the same way. This is exactly the kind of lovey-dovey obnoxiousness he was looking forward to engaging in.

There is a new bruise on his face, on the opposite side from the others, one that she hasn't actually seen before. But it's smaller than the others at least, and a couple days old now.

Beard is just patiently (and happily) waiting, holding onto Ted's crutches and the sign, and making sure no one runs away with Joan's luggage.

[formersurgeon]

She sees that bruise, and a faint look of concern crosses her face. She knows what it's from, and from the look of it she can tell it's healing, so she doesn't say anything about it. Instead she kisses him again, then finally pulls back, squeezing his hands before letting go. She would happily hold his hand as they walk, but she knows he needs the crutches.

[theodorelasso]

Ted is reluctant to let go of her, but the sooner they get back home, the sooner they can cuddle up.

"Welcome back," Beard says with a smile as he hands Ted his crutches.

He leads the two of them out of the airport, getting them all a cab. Probably a good thing he's taking the lead, as Ted is too distracted just looking at Joan to really pay attention to his surroundings.

[formersurgeon]

Joan absolutely gives Beard a huge hug once he's handed the crutches back to Ted. "Thank you," she says, and those two words mean so much. Thanks for the welcome. Thanks for holding their things. Thank you for bringing Ted to the airport. Thank you for taking care of him, and for being there for both of them.

Joan's attention going to the cab is also predominantly on Ted, so Beard's shepherding is also appreciated. Once they're in the cab she immediately leans against Ted, resting her head on his shoulder.

[theodorelasso]

The hug catches Beard by surprise, but he obviously hugs her back. Ted gets all emotional just watching. He loves seeing people he cares about getting along.

In the cab, Ted takes Joan's hand, lacing their fingers together.

"How is it you still look amazing after spending hours on a plane in the middle of the night?" he asks fondly. Of course, he's probably biased.

[formersurgeon]

She laughs a little, squeezing his hand. "It might have helped that I didn't sleep, strangely enough. I'm also just so happy to see you."

She's tired, but her joy is definitely carrying her.

[theodorelasso]

"Well, both of those things apply to me too, and look at this," he says with amusement, jokingly pointing at himself.

He definitely doesn't look the most presentable he's ever looked: mildly disheveled, stubbly, tired eyes (not even counting the fading bruises), wearing sweatpants (they're easier with the cast). But the joy at seeing her is definitely cancelling a lot of it out.

[formersurgeon]

She looks at him and sees how rough he looks, sure, but she also sees the man who laughs with her, the man who sees so much joy in the world that Joan would otherwise miss, the man who holds her and makes tender love to her.

The man she loves.

"You look great," she answers with a smile.

[theodorelasso]

"Eh, you're biased," he says dismissively, then laughs and squeezes her hand. "Oh! Wanna see how cool my cast looks now though?" he asks, letting go of her so he can reach down and pull up the leg of his sweatpants, revealing his cast covered in colorful doodles from Henry.

[formersurgeon]

"Terribly biased," she agrees, squeezing his hand back. She leans down to look at his cast. "Oh hey!" she says with a pleasantly surprised smile. "That's wonderful! I definitely recognize Henry's handiwork here from the dinosaur you showed me."

[theodorelasso]

"Yeah! Beard here made sure we were equipped with markers in the hospital," Ted says, and Beard gives a silent affirming nod.

Ted smiles fondly, looking at the drawings. "Yeah, I just like the idea of when you get hurt, you patch it up with reminders of the people who love you, and then you'll heal stronger for it, you know," he muses.

[formersurgeon]

Joan can't help but think that maybe Ted doesn't just mean the doodles on his cast. The both of them have been emotionally hurt, but they love each other, and their love will patch them up and they'll be stronger together for it.

"I like that," she says softly.

[theodorelasso]

She'd be right. The doodles are just a metaphor, a visual reminder. The gentle caresses and kisses on his bruised cheeks, those are the same. Symbols for something deeper.

Ted smiles and takes her hand again, leaning over to give the side of her head a soft kiss. Then he yawns. "Oh boy, we're definitely taking a nap."

Beard smiles at them and looks out the window. "We're there."