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]

He smiles and gives her hands a squeeze. "And hey, I'm sure I'll make friends with the locals around here soon enough too," he adds with a chuckle. Soon as he feels okay leaving Joan on her own, and as long as it's not too far for him to walk with his crutches.

[formersurgeon]

"Oh, definitely," she says with a smile. "They're going to love you." That's just generally true. He's won over so many people in his time at Richmond, from the players to the fans, that she honestly can't imagine anywhere he would not eventually be beloved of many, if not most, of the locals.

[theodorelasso]

"And hey, maybe fewer people here will insult me too," he adds playfully, before turning turning to look at the stove-top as something sizzles loudly. "Oops, gotta go," he says, lifting her hand to give it a quick kiss before hurrying off to avert disaster.

[formersurgeon]

"Almost certainly," she says. The people in Richmond have reasons for yelling insults at Ted, as completely misguided as they are. Joan can't imagine anyone in central London having reason to insult Ted.

She releases his hands and smiles as she watches him hurry back to the stove. "It smells good," she says.

[theodorelasso]

"Hopefully it tastes as good," he answers, rescuing the food and continuing to prepare stuff. He frowns a bit, pausing to rub at his lower back. Yeah, he's definitely been on his feet too much today.

[formersurgeon]

She notices that, and winces a little. She can only imagine the strain being on his feet so much must have on his back, and the rest of his body, for that matter.

"Do you think Sherlock could help?" She's almost certain the detective would be willing, if it would help.

[theodorelasso]

"Hmm?" he asks, not sure what she's referring to right away. He knows Sherlock doesn't cook.

"Oh, nah, I'll probably spend just as much energy telling him what to do. Besides, I'm almost done," he answers, waving it off. He rubs a bit at the back of his thigh. "I think walking around with uneven legs is giving me a little big of sciatica or something, it's no big deal."

[formersurgeon]

"You could sit down while you tell him what to do," she points out. "It would be good for you to rest for a while."

He's been spending so much time taking care of her and disregarding the damage he might be doing to himself. It worries her.

[theodorelasso]

"I'll rest when I'm..." he says, then pauses, frowning gently. "Actually, never mind, let's not go with that one, huh?" he amends with a soft chuckle. "How about when I'm done cooking?"

[formersurgeon]

She knows how that one ends, and she finds it interesting that he backed off of it. She wonders what it means. That he's afraid it would upset her? That the suggestion, however jokingly, of his own death distresses him after what he's been through these past couple weeks? Maybe something deeper and older?

"When you're done cooking," she affirms. "After we eat we'll go to bed and stay there, okay?" She frowns. "Although if we're going to sleep, Sherlock needs to watch me..."

[theodorelasso]

Given they've both almost died recently, he'd just like to put sayings like that on the shelf for a little while. He doesn't like to make jokes that could upset someone - including himself, honestly. Besides, it's untrue anyway. Ted very much sees the value of rest.

"As much as I can't say I'm excited to have Sherlock be the Edward to our Bella, given the circumstances I'll allow it," he quips.

[formersurgeon]

She can't help but chuckle at the reference. "That's unfair," she teases. "Edward was way creepier."

She can understand wanting to put morbid humor aside for a bit. Being a doctor and detective, a dark sense of humor is practically a necessity, but that's to deal with the things involved with the job. It's different when it's personal.

[theodorelasso]

"Alright, the Angel to our Buffy then," Ted answers, checking on the rice. "They did it first, and mildly less creepy. Point is..." He pauses, frowning for comedic effect. "I forgot my point. Sherlock's a vampire?"

[formersurgeon]

She full-out laughs now.

"I've never seen him sparkle in the sun, and believe me, sex does not turn him evil. So not in either the Twilight or Buffy sense." She narrows her eyes for comedic effect as well. "But you know what's weird?" She lifts a hand to faintly gesture toward her throat. "I've had these two red spots on my neck..."

[theodorelasso]

Ted jumps back a little, making a cross with a spatula and a fork and holding it out towards her, protecting himself. "Shoot, I knew I should've put garlic on the chicken," he says dramatically.

[formersurgeon]

She laughs, then narrows her eyes and tilts her head down, sultry and playfully threatening. "Foolish mortal," she says dramatically. "Resistance is futile. You will be assimilated."

That's right, she just threw a Borg reference in there, whatcha gonna do about it?

[theodorelasso]

"Oh, see now, you know I can't resist that," he says, starting to head towards her, then turning back to the stove from a dramatic bubble from the rice, as he quickly turns the heat down. "Actually, rain check on my assimilation, I gotta keep an eye on this stuff."

[formersurgeon]

At that she laughs so hard her sides hurt, smiling so wide her face hurts, her heart overflowing.

"God I love you," she says, absolutely beaming at him.

[theodorelasso]

Ted grins broadly, quickly checks over everything to make sure nothing is about to explode, then quickly hops over to her to give her a happy kiss. The feeling is very much mutual.

[formersurgeon]

She kisses him fervently, reaching up to rest her hand on the back of his neck. She's so full of joy and it's all because of this amazing man. Even when they're going though something rough and frankly terrifying, he still makes her so very happy.

[theodorelasso]

Ted puts his hands on the arms of the armchair to support himself, just enjoying the kiss and how happy Joan is. It makes him feel so fulfilled, to make her feel such joy.

In the end it's his leg and back that ends up cutting the kiss short, not the food. "Ooh, ah," he exclaims softly, straightening up and rubbing at the back of his leg. "No, I know, I know," he says before Joan can say anything about it.

[formersurgeon]

Joan winces. Dammit. "Sorry," she says softly. She should have thought of that. The last thing she wants to do is cause him pain. At least they'll be able to rest soon. If the smell has anything to do with it, the food will be delicious and is just about done.

[theodorelasso]

Ted blows her a kiss instead, before he carefully hops over to the stove, using the counter for support. He checks a few cabinets before locating a few bowls that look big enough to prevent spilling of food while in bed.

Soon enough he can start piling stuff into the bowls, and there's even a bit leftover. He erred on the side of too much, since he wasn't sure exactly how much the recipe would end up making.

He turns towards the door to the living room. "Yoohoo, Spike-- I mean Sherlock. Dinner's ready." Yes, that's another vampire reference. The English one this time! More appropriate.

[formersurgeon]

She blows him a kiss back and watches as he fills the bowls. She's glad there are leftovers...it will hopefully give Ted a bit of respite if the food can just be heated in the microwave, something even Sherlock is capable of.

When he calls to Sherlock she can't help but snort a little at the reference, giving Ted a playful roll of her eyes.

Sherlock comes in from the living room, where he has been pointedly NOT listening to them, except to note that Watson was laughing quite a bit, which makes Sherlock happy and grateful to Ted. Orgasms aside, laughter and joy really is beneficial to one's health.

"Where do you wish to consume dinner?" he asks.

[theodorelasso]

"Bedroom. We'd like to get up as little as possible at least until tomorrow," he answers, heading over to Joan to let Sherlock transport the food, while Ted transports Joan.

"Also, I know that's not your thing, but personally I wish to enjoy dinner, not just consume it," he says, giving Sherlock a playful smile as he starts wheeling Joan towards the bedroom.