trashchildren | For Joan

At the statement that Sherlock wants to hang out with Henry, Ted gets the widest, warmest smile. That makes him so happy.

Ted gives Sherlock an appreciative nod. "Well, we have plenty of time to figure that stuff out before the summer."

Joan smiles at that, too. When she had been actively seeking to adopt, she had assured Sherlock that she would take care of everything, and Sherlock had offered to leave the Brownstone, to give Joan and the child the whole place free from his unusual influences. She had turned down the offer firmly. She would never kick Sherlock out of his home, and there's so much a child could learn from him, even if Sherlock himself is uncertain about whether he had anything of value to offer. So to hear him say he wants to be part of Henry's life...it warms her too.

She looks over at Ted, and the expression of happiness on his face is so wonderful that her own smile widens, feeling a deep happiness as well, even in the midst of her sorrow.

"Every kid needs a weird uncle," he adds, and looks over at Joan and gives her a smile, bumping his shoulder gently against hers. He puts his arm behind Joan, resting his hand on her back, just wanting a little bit of physical touch because he's happy, and he gets affectionate when he's happy.

Sherlock snorts, but it's more amused than dismissive, and it's clear to Joan and Ted that he's pretty chuffed by the "weird uncle" designation.

Joan takes the arm as invitation and leans against Ted with a quiet sigh. It's good to feel that little glimmer of happiness. It is far too easy within grief to believe you'll never be happy again, even if intellectually you know it's not true. Now she has solid proof that she can still be happy, that the pain won't last forever. It's also so good to be thinking a little further down the road. It means there's a future beyond this time of hardship, yes, but it also reassures Joan that her relationship with Ted is solid, despite their argument still being so fresh.

Ted gives her a little squeeze, and turns his head to kiss her hair.

"He's also nearing ten years old, so he doesn't need constant supervision or anything. He's pretty self-reliant," Ted points out. "And he's at that age where he enjoys learning really weird stuff." He's sure Sherlock has plenty to provide in that department.

"You'll love that," Joan says to Sherlock. "I know you enjoy teaching."

"A child is different from a protégé, Watson," Sherlock says.

"Not that different. You just need some extra patience. I've seen you train roosters. I'm sure you can manage a ten year old."

Sherlock scoffs again, and again it's more amusement than anything else.

"Just don't teach him how to pick locks," she says with a smile. "Or hotwire cars. Non-criminal activities, please."

"Yes, please," Ted agrees immediately. "And nothing his mom is likely to get mad at me for," he adds quickly.

Which of course mostly depends on making sure whatever Henry learns, he'll also learn to use responsibly. Self-defense is great, for example, but if he ends up breaking the arm of a bully, that's maybe not so great.

"Single stick might be okay," Joan says. "Knife throwing is right out."

Joan wants to try to maintain a decent if distant relationship with Michelle as well. She still hasn't met Ted's ex-wife in person, although they spoke briefly over the phone when Henry came to visit them, Michelle clearly wanting to check Joan out a little. Joan feels that exchange went well, and as the visit also went well, she imagines Michelle might be a little more at ease the next time Henry visits, whether in London or in New York.

That won't last long if Henry returns to Kansas throwing knives and jacking cars.

"You could teach me how to pick locks though," Ted adds with a playful smile. He's only half joking, and they all know why. It could've saved his life, or at least spared him a lot of pain.

"I believe I shall leave that to Watson," Sherlock says, looking at his partner. He knows that she often practices picking the locks in their collection as a way of soothing herself when she's stressed. Besides, if he wishes to learn how to pick handcuffs, which seems likely given his ordeal, teaching will require physical contact, and Sherlock thinks Watson would like that more than he would.

"Alright, summer workshop," Ted says with a smile. "You teach me to pick locks," he says, looking at Joan. "And then you teach Henry to..." he says, looking over at Sherlock and pausing for a second, considering. "Do you know to build robots? He'd love that."

"I'm afraid electronics are not my forte," he says, and looks to Watson. "Perhaps Mason?"

"Maybe. Not sure Mason would be the best of influences, though."

"Who's Mason?" Ted asks curiously.

He's also pretty sure Sherlock knows way more about building robots than Ted and Henry know combined, or at least could learn in less than an hour. But he'd like Sherlock to be able to teach something he considers fun himself.

"One of my Irregulars," Sherlock explains. "A cadre of individuals who are experts in fields where I myself am lacking."

"Mason is a computer prodigy," Joan says. "He also does things with AI and some robotics." She looks at Sherlock. "He's in college now, though, right?"

"At NYU," Sherlock responds. "Still available."

"Oh, cool," Ted answers, and he really does find it cool. It doesn't surprise him they have all sorts of people to consult for whatever areas they're not experts in. Fill out their knowledge holes.

"Do you have any musical theater experts? Cause I'd love to spend an evening with them," he says, again only half joking.

"I do know a Broadway producer who has produced a number of musicals," Sherlock offers.

"Is that Alistair's friend?" Joan asks. Sherlock nods.

"Really?" Ted asks, obviously kind of excited and not trying to hide it. "Like actual Broadway, not Off or Off-Off?"

"Some of the best shows are off or off-off," Sherlock says, his tone characteristically dismissive. "But yes, he has produced actual Broadway shows as well."

Joan smiles at Ted's excitement. She knows he loves musicals. If she had been aware that Alistair's friend produced musicals on Broadway, she would have told Ted before now.

"Well, sure, but they don't usually make it to Kansas, you know," Ted points out. He wouldn't be familiar with any of them. It's usually the big stuff that he actually ends up seeing. Plus, he probably enjoys the glitz and glam of big shows more than Sherlock does.

"I can introduce you to him if you like," Sherlock says. "He might be willing to get you backstage to something he's working on."

"I've met him, he's nice," Joan adds. Not that it matters all that much...Joan knows that Ted can get the good side out of just about anyone.

Ted nods enthusiastically. "I'd love that, yeah!" he answers, trying not to seem too eager. "Would be a cool thing to do this summer." Obviously not something he's going to think too much about right now.

Sherlock nods in acknowledgment. Joan gives Ted a slight smile before leaning into him again.

She takes a small bite of her sandwich.

Ted smiles back and gives Joan a slight squeeze. They have plenty of time to work through their sandwiches before it's finally time to board the plane.

He pulls out a book and stuffs his backpack under the seat and settles in for a long ride. By the time they finally make it to the Brownstone, it'll be well after bedtime, but maybe closer to local bedtime, so hopefully that works out.

Joan settles into her own seat to Ted's right and stares off, lost in her own thoughts.

Sherlock sits to Ted's left, and he's stiffer than usual. He's looking around, at the flight attendants, at the captain as he boards and is greeted by one of the attendants before going into the cockpit. His eyes dart around at the other passengers. He's extremely nervous.

Ted has expected Joan to be lost in thought, but as he looks over at Sherlock, the obvious nerves surprise him a little.

"You alright, Sherlock?" he asks softly.

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