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]

She stares at him for a long moment. She would think this was a joke, but Ted doesn't joke like this. That pain he's showing is real. And Ted isn't a fool, so if he thinks this is true...

"Paid people," she repeats, her voice barely above a whisper.

[theodorelasso]

Ted nods softly, not taking his eyes off her.

"Not while he was married to you," he adds, because he wants to reassure her that... Well, that she was never unwittingly party to anything like that. It's awful enough knowing the man she loved was - is capable of that.

He could add more details, but he's not going to unless she asks. He wants to burden her with as little as possible, honestly. Or at least give her some time to process.

[formersurgeon]

Part of her wants to ask him for those details, who and when and why and how. But a larger part of her doesn't want to know, at least not right now. Right now what matters is what he did at the gala.

But it wasn't just the gala, was it?

"My god," she whispers under her breath as things begin to fall into place. "Are you saying he paid someone to kidnap you?"

[theodorelasso]

Ted nods sadly. Well, near enough. Technically he paid someone to get someone else to kidnap him. (He worries that that distinction might get him off on that part, which is why it was important to get him at the gala.)

"I've known for almost a week now. We were expecting him to try something last night, that's why the cops were already there. And I'm real sorry that I couldn't tell you, and ruined your night."

[formersurgeon]

"Oh my god," Rebecca says, standing up, her hand over her mouth. She paces back and forth. "So he paid someone to poison your food?" she says, her voice strained as she's keeping her emotions buttoned down. "And they got mixed up and poor Joan wound up being the one who was poisoned?"

[theodorelasso]

"Um... No, Joan had a hunch and switched the plates without me knowing," he admits quietly.

He still feels guilty about it. But perhaps it's better - it was a choice she made, knowing the risks. He still doesn't agree with the choice itself, but at least she wasn't forced into harm's way.

[formersurgeon]

Rebecca turns, her mouth open at that. "Oh." She shakes her head, thinking about it, and decides that, no, that isn't actually that surprising. "Of course she did," she says. "You didn't see her when she was trying to find you. She charged through Scotland Yard like a fucking herd of elephants to get them to help, then told off the SWAT team until they let her go into that man's house with them. She would do anything to keep you safe."

[theodorelasso]

Ted smiles emotionally, eyes shining. It doesn't surprise him either, but it's still touching to hear. "Yeah, I think she would," he agrees. He just wishes dearly that it wasn't necessary, and that it hadn't put her in this position. If she's going to be going around risking her life, he'd like it to be because she chooses to as her job, something she could walk away from, not because he's being a damsel in distress.

"But, I am safe now, so at least there's that," he adds.

[formersurgeon]

"Safe because Rupert has been arrested," she says. "Ted..."

She comes to the couch again and sits so that they're on the same eye level, her eyes stricken.

"I am so sorry," she says. "I put you in this position. I made you a target. If it wasn't for my stupid attempt to hurt Rupert by destroying this club, this would have never happened, to you or to Joan."

[theodorelasso]

When she apologizes, Ted is confused at first. When he realises what she's apologising for, he immediately shakes his head and stops her.

"No no no, Rebecca, listen, this is not your fault, okay?" he tells her firmly, reaching out to put a hand on her hand. "It's no one's fault except Rupert and the people he hired. Heck, if I was a better coach, he probably would've loved me," he adds, though it's mostly a bad joke.

[formersurgeon]

Rebecca takes his hand, gripping it.

"You're an incredible coach, and a better human being, and that's exactly why he hates you," she says. "What happens now? I've heard he's been denied bail."

[theodorelasso]

"To tell you the truth, I'm not sure," he answers. "We haven't talked about that yet. I assume they'll... you know, gather evidence, interrogate him, then eventually a trial will happen."

He gives a shrug. "I don't know if they'll want to talk to you, since none it happened while you were together."

[formersurgeon]

"Well. Anything they need from me, they shall have my full cooperation."

It's the very least she can do. She has wanted to see Rupert suffer, but now? Now she wants justice.

And for him to suffer.

She glances toward the door, frowning.

"Does anyone else know?"

[theodorelasso]

"Not yet, no. I wanted to tell you first," he says. It's going to be fairly public soon enough, so he'd rather they have the story from him first. "How'd everything go last night after I left?"

[formersurgeon]

She nods when he says he wanted to tell her first. She appreciates it. He has always been so considerate...caring, really...and this is so emblematic of that.

"Umm...it was awkward. No one was in the mood for the auction, especially since Rupert was supposed to be leading it. I tried to salvage as much as I could, asking for donations, but most people left without donating." She gives a mirthless smile. "Not our best year."

[theodorelasso]

"Yeah.." Ted answers with a sad nod. "But hey, maybe you can get Keeley to spin the publicity somehow, get some donations outside of the gala."

That's Ted, always thinking optimistically.

[formersurgeon]

"Perhaps. If there's anyone who can do that, it's Keeley."

She isn't holding out much hope, though. The club's social capital is seemingly in free fall, even before Rupert was arrested.

[theodorelasso]

"Yeah.. Though, for her to do that, I guess I'd better go tell her and the rest," he says. He's not looking forward to it, but at least this conversation went better than he'd feared. "They're all waiting downstairs for me. You can come along if you'd like, but.."

Well, she's probably going to be getting a lot of looks if she does.

[formersurgeon]

"Oh. No, I don't think that's a good idea."

She'd give any number of reasons, but those looks she's certain to get are on the top of the list.

[theodorelasso]

Ted nods in agreement and gets to his feet. "Alright, boss, catch you on the flipside," he says, mildly more cheery after this conversation, given her support. "Thanks for being you."

[formersurgeon]

"Give my love to Joan," she says, remaining seated on the couch, her drink in hand. She has a lot to ponder over.

[theodorelasso]

"Both yours and mine," he promises, heading out and down the stairs.

When he gets down to the office, he stops outside and takes a deep breath. He has a feeling this might end up a tad more chaotic. Then he steps inside, with a "Hey y'all."

[formersurgeon]

"Hi Ted," says Keeley, who is sitting in Ted's usual chair with Roy behind her, his hands on her shoulders. The rest of them are silent. Beard is standing against one wall with his arms crossed, Nate is sitting on a table and fidgeting, and Higgins is in the other chair, looking concerned and a little lost.

[theodorelasso]

"Oh boy, tough crowd," Ted quips with soft smile, looking around at them all. "Joan sends her love, she's doing alright," he says, because he figures that might be high on their priority list of things they're worried about.

[formersurgeon]

Everybody visibly relaxes a little, with Beard and Keeley looking the most relieved.

"Oh good," Keeley says. "When they took her away in that ambulance...I was so scared."

"What happened?" Beard says pointedly, his tone making it clear he's not just talking about Joan.