For Joan

[theodorelasso]

Continued from here.

(warnings: sexytimes. also, panic attacks, brutal violence, attempted murder, discussion of suicide and actual murder... )

Comments

[theodorelasso]

Ted nods, looking around the room. About as sterile and unwelcoming as he would expect. Ted doesn't generally like hitting panic (or snooze) buttons, but he's glad it's there just in case. He hasn't completely ruled out the possibility of him having a panic attack.

Though currently he feels reasonably calm about the situation. Despite the idea of being locked alone in a room with the man who abused him. He vaguely considered having someone else in there with him, but he thinks Turner is more likely to talk if it's just him. Even if it's to be spiteful, rather than open up, at least he might let something slip.

"Uhh, yes. I don't see why you would, but did you tell him about me and Joan?" he asks. "It was one of the things he was focused on, but I think it would just be a distraction if he finds out we're not together anymore."

[formersurgeon]

Sherlock and McCoy exchange a glance.

"It has not come up," McCoy says, looking back at Ted. "He is, as far as I know, unaware of how he was found and who might have been involved in finding him."

"How did Mr. Chapman focus on Watson?" Sherlock asks. It wasn't in the report of what Ted had told the investigators.

[theodorelasso]

"Oh, he didn't know who she was," Ted answers immediately, because he can guess what that makes Sherlock think. "He saw a text from her in my phone. And then he seemed real intent on letting me know no one could ever like a 'loser like me'. That's when he smashed the phone." Ted gives a shrug. Obviously it's not an insult that actually hits him. "Projecting, probably."

All that about that what people think of you says more about them than about you. He figures Turner doesn't have the greatest self-confidence ever, and is hiding it behind aggression and arrogance.

[formersurgeon]

If the man had known about Watson, it would have been clear evidence that she was at least part of the reason he had attacked Ted. But apparently he did not. Sherlock looks both relieved and disappointed by that news.

"We have not said anything about Miss Watson," McCoy assures him. "Whether you want to bring it up or not is up to you. If he brings it up, feel free to tell him or not tell him whatever you like." He gestures to the chair. "If you're ready..."

[theodorelasso]

Ted nods a bit, looking around and giving McCoy's shoulder a grateful pat. "Thanks. Oh, uh, could we have some water? For both of us," he says, making sure to clarify. And then he remembers another thing he needs to clarify. "Plain, not fizzy." He's made that mistake enough times.

Then he goes to sit down, putting his crutches on the floor next to his chair.

[formersurgeon]

"Certainly," McCoy says, returning the pat with an encouraging one of his own before going out to retrieve the water. Sherlock remains in the room, taking advantage of them being left alone for a moment to finish what he has to say.

"Watson is unlikely to tell you how much this is truly affecting her," he says. "She will care for you and neglect herself. I know this, personally, intimately. You need to know it as well."

[theodorelasso]

Ted blinks a bit at them continuing the conversation from before, but then goes right along with it.

He frowns gently at what Sherlock says. It's not exactly a complete revelation to him, but it is a good reminder. The last thing he'd want is for Joan to burn herself out while making sure he's okay. But at least he thinks he's reasonably well-equipped to handle it, being decently insightful, and eager to care for others.

"Thank you, I appreciate that," he answers softly, nodding to indicate he understands and that he takes that seriously. It also means a lot to him that Sherlock is looking out for her.

"And, hey, I haven't had a chance to tell you," he adds, still speaking softly, but now not out of secrecy, just out of sincerity. "I really appreciate you helping to find me. You probably helped save my life, and well, obviously that means a lot to me. And that you're helping me do this, too."

[formersurgeon]

Sherlock nods back at his acknowledgement of his insights on Watson. There's still tension in his expression, in his whole body, He's worried and sad and frustrated and here is this man who his partner cares deeply about and for whom has left London and Sherlock behind for who knows how long. And he's thanking him. Sherlock doesn't like to take credit for the work he does, turning down commendations and accolades and even payment. But this...this sincere gratitude from this good man who Watson loves...

"I am glad we were able to find you in time," he responds.

McCoy returns carrying two paper cups of water. One he hands to Ted ("Still water, as requested") and sets the other on the side of the table where Chapman will soon be chained.

"Anything else?" he asks.

[theodorelasso]

Ted smiles softly at Sherlock's reply. He has a feeling that kind of thing doesn't come easy from him.

When the water arrives, Ted thanks McCoy and takes a sip of it, before setting the rest on the table.

"No, thank you, I think I'm good," he answers, leaning back in the chair. Well, as much as you can lean back in these chairs.

[formersurgeon]

It most certainly does not come easy. Sherlock does not typically open up to people emotionally. But Ted has a gift. And Sherlock is uncertain how to feel about that, whether to put up his guard or to give in and allow the man over his walls.

Luckily he doesn't have to decide right now.

"All right," McCoy says. "Mr. Holmes and I will station ourselves, and then the guards will come in with Mr. Chapman. It will be just a moment."

He nods at Sherlock, and the two of them leave the room, closing the door behind them.

[theodorelasso]

Ted watches them go, and once the door locks behind them, he takes a deep breath. It is actually a little bit nerve-wracking, sitting here. Even if he's not the one about to be chained to the table and interviewed. He finds it impressive that both Joan and Sherlock do this all the time. Though usually not with people who terrorized them. (Though, from what he's heard, maybe a few times.)

He sits there, looking around the room as he waits, as if he'll find something to entertain himself. Obviously there's not much. He's sitting back, hands folded in his lap, his fingers laced together. His cast is visible - he may have intentionally refrained from covering it with his sweatpants, so that Henry's doodlings on them would be visible.

[formersurgeon]

A moment later there's a soft knock on the glass, to let Ted know that Sherlock and McCoy are in place.

Then a moment later the door opens, and two guards enter guiding a prisoner. The man between them looks surprisingly small, dwarfed by the large, muscular guards and wearing an oversized orange prison jumpsuit. He has shackles on his ankles and his wrists. He shuffles in and the guards sit him down, then attach his wrist shackles to the ring on the table. Then the guards leave and the door locks behind them.

The man's face is pale and drawn, but the instant he gets a good look at Ted his eyes blaze with the same psychotic look Ted saw in the basement.

"Bloody Ted fucking Lasso," he seethes.

[theodorelasso]

It actually makes Ted quite sad to see Turner like this. He certainly doesn't look particularly frightening. He's not a weak guy, for sure, which Ted knows both from intimate familiarity with his feet in particular, and the fact he's apparently a construction worker. But right now he looks very small.

...And yeah, he definitely still hates Ted. Ted doesn't think they're gonna end up squaring away their differences or anything like that exactly. But he doubts intimidating him has worked either, since he's clammed up.

"Hi, Turner," Ted answers calmly. Almost sympathetically.

[formersurgeon]

The gaffer knows his name, huh? Turner begins to laugh.

"D'you think just cause you know my name we're gonna be pals? That I'll go all soft? That I won't see you for what you really are?"

Suddenly he jumps toward Ted, making it halfway over the table before the chain of his handcuffs catch on the metal ring with a clang.

Behind the glass Sherlock flinches

"You may be sitting there all high and mighty," Turner screams, "but you're still a fucking loser!"

[theodorelasso]

Ted flinches a little too, despite kind of expecting it. He was also expecting the screaming, but it doesn't make it any more pleasant to deal with. Especially given the last time he heard that particular voice shouting at him.

Still, he remains calm, at least outwardly.

"There's worse things than being a loser," he answers mildly. Something he very firmly believes. "How are you doing?" It's a genuine question, though he doesn't expect an actual answer.

[formersurgeon]

Sherlock is impressed by how calm Ted is, how steadfast in his kindness toward a man who almost ended his life in a truly hellish way.

"Should we shut it down?" McCoy says. Sherlock shakes his head.

"Not until we have to."

In the room Turner is staring at Ted in disbelief. He certainly did not expect the yank to be so fucking calm. And how are you doing? What is this shit?

"How am I doing? Why in the bloody hell do you want to know that?"

[theodorelasso]

Being calm in the face of people screaming at him is something he is actually very used to. He's had hundreds of people angrily calling him a wanker in unison. It's not fun. But if that's all he has to face, then he can probably keep his composure until he's out of here.

It's the threat of violence that actually rattles him a bit, that he has to very consciously remind himself that Turner can't hurt him.

Ted actually smiles a bit at the question. "Well, you're probably not gonna believe this, but it's actually because I care," he answers, genuinely. "You're a Richmond fan."

Ted fears Turner a bit. He's bitter about the hurt he dealt Ted, and whatever drove Turner to do it. But he doesn't hate him. Not that it wouldn't be easy to. Not that he doesn't even kind of want to. But he's made a conscious choice not to hate him. It's a difficult choice to make, but it's also important to him. He hasn't forgiven him. But if Turner ever repented, he might.

(He still absolutely believes he should be behind bars, of course. For the safety of both himself and others. Ted's not a fool.)

[formersurgeon]

"Richmond?" he spat out, angry and incredulous. "If you gave a shit about Richmond, first you would quit, then you would blow your fucking brains out!"

He's still leaning over the table, straining at the handcuffs like a vicious dog strains at a choke chain. The cuffs are biting into his wrists.

[theodorelasso]

Ted frowns, both with concern for just how deranged Turner is behaving, and also for the disturbing nature of the suggestion. It makes him really desperately sad. He wants to try to have a conversation, not this.

But Ted is patient. And eventually Turner will wear himself out. Whether that will actually lead to anything remains to be seen. Either that, or just keeping him talking and yelling will eventually lead to something.

"Well, I think you're the only one who thinks that would actually help," he points out.

[formersurgeon]

"Then you're fucking blind as well as stupid, mate," Turner taunts. "Nobody likes you. You're a fucking joke."

Behind the glass, Sherlock is glad Watson isn't here. It would hurt her to watch this man saying these things to Ted.

[theodorelasso]

"Well, if I'm a joke, then at least I can make people laugh," Ted quips, though he doesn't have the cheery grin that would usually go with a comment like that. His purpose honestly is maybe more to annoy Turner into giving up on comments like that, since they're pointless. Ted's rubber, Turner's glue, all that. Besides, being a little bit snarky helps maintain his patience.

[formersurgeon]

Turner stares at Ted, a mixture of outrage and confusion on his face. In the basement he had the gaffer screaming and begging and cowering. It made Turner feel powerful, in control. Now, though, the yank is joking with him, and it makes him feel angry and desperate.

"They're not just laughing, you tit. Everyone wants you gone. I'm just the only one with the balls to do something about it."

[theodorelasso]

"Nah," Ted answers, obviously entirely unconvinced and unbothered. "You're just the only one desperate enough to. Because you think I'm ruining the last connection you have to your dad."

It's not the gentlest way of making a connection with Turner. But he wants to show that he's not just sitting here to take his verbal abuse, that he's not just a moron. It's definitely gonna piss him off, but, hey, not like he isn't already.

[formersurgeon]

Now Turner is stunned.

He drops heavily into the chair and stares at the yank.

"What the fuck did you just say?" he growls.

[theodorelasso]

Oh good, he shocked him into calming down. Well, a little bit. Ted's immediately going to take advantage of the moment of shock.

"You know, I used to go to a sports bar with my dad every Sunday for years," he says, conversationally, but speaking pretty quickly, so that Turner can't collect himself enough to interrupt. "All the way up until he died when I was sixteen. I wonder sometimes if he were still alive, if I'd still ended up as a coach, if I'd ended up at Richmond. I mean, we all do some pretty crazy stuff for the people who are important to us, even if they aren't around anymore, don't we?"