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]

It breaks her heart all over again that all of this happened to Ted, that he's ever had to even think about the horrible things people can do, much less have them done to him. She wishes it never happened. And she wishes it was over. But it's not.

"Right," she says grimly. She looks at the note and the photo, lips pressed as she considers what to do.

"I don't think we can go to the police with this."

[theodorelasso]

"Only if you found a way to actually track the money," Ted agrees. If they know who it belongs to, maybe it's easier. "Or find some proof they talked."

[formersurgeon]

"We tried to find out where Perkins got the money," she says, thinking out loud. "We could try coming at it from the other side. Try proving that Mannion deposited twenty five grand. But I don't know if that's any easier. And we can't ask Perkins."

[theodorelasso]

Ted growls angrily, rubbing his hands across his face. "Ugh, heck!" he exclaims, actually displaying outwards anger, which Joan hasn't really seen him do before. Not directed at her, just... everything. "I mean, what am I supposed to do with this?"

[formersurgeon]

It's a little alarming, seeing that anger come out, but Joan doesn't blame him one bit. She's not afraid of him so much as she's afraid for him, that things are so bad that it's brought out that anger.

"We need to talk to Sherlock," she says, maintaining her calm to ground him.

[theodorelasso]

Ted nods in agreement and sighs, tired and frustrated and unable to actually do anything about all this. He feels so stuck and helpless, which are some of his least favorite ways to feel.

He doesn't say anything more for the moment, just sits there leaned forward in his seat, staring ahead.

[formersurgeon]

"Hey," she says softly, reaching over to gently rub his back. "We're going to figure this out together, right?"

She wishes she could give him more.

"Do you want me to ask Sherlock to come over?"

[theodorelasso]

Ted shakes his head a little. He'd rather not be dealing with any of this. He doesn't know how to help with this investigation. And he's honestly not in the mood to be around anyone but Joan.

"Can you just ask him to look into Rupert?" he asks quietly.

[formersurgeon]

"Of course." She stands up and kisses his head gently. "I'll be right back."

She goes into the bedroom, takes out her phone, and calls Sherlock.

"Hey. We've got a problem."

[theodorelasso]

Ted nods a little and sits back. He wants a drink, honestly, but all they have is wine. So instead he just sits there, waiting for her to return.

[formersurgeon]

Joan comes back in and sits next to him, taking his hand in both of hers, threading their fingers together.

"He's going to look into it," she says.

Joan had suggested to Sherlock that there must be some sort of trail if Moriarty knew Rupert was the one to hire the hit on Ted. To which Sherlock pointed out that she could have gotten the information from Perry before he was murdered and dismembered and scattered to the winds. Joan's not going to say that to Ted, though.

"He did say it's unlikely that Moriarty is lying."

[theodorelasso]

Ted squeezes her hand gratefully, and gives a nod. He hadn't really thought it was a lie. Because... well, it actually makes sense. Ted doesn't want to think it, that someone he's looked in the eye, someone who wants the same exact thing Ted wants (when it comes to the team), someone who's laughed at his jokes, and smiled at him... could not just want him actually dead, but go through with making it happen.

He knows Rupert isn't a good man. Knows that Rupert chooses to do cruel things. Knows that Ted has stuck it to him, prevented him from seeing the games in person. But it's still so difficult to imagine him going that far. This isn't a desperate young fan acting out of emotions. It was cold-blooded. It's easier to imagine some far-off criminal masterminds doing that.

Ted sighs sadly and leans over, resting his head against Joan's shoulder, closing his eyes for a moment. Leaning on her, both physically and emotionally.

[formersurgeon]

Joan wraps her arms around him and holds him close, stroking his hair, her heart breaking for him.

"I love you so much," she murmurs. "I'm so sorry this happened."

She'll do everything in her power to get justice for him, but she's worried her power is limited.

[theodorelasso]

Ted just takes a moment to sit and breathe, to let Joan comfort him and hold him. After a moment he wraps his arms around her too, holding onto her like he's a kid with a teddy bear.

After a minute or two he finally sits up, still holding onto her, sitting close. He hasn't cried, but his eyes are a little bit glassy.

"Uhh.. So there's a thing on Saturday," he says, which might seem like a subject change, but is definitely not. "A benefit gala Rebecca hosts. I'm invited, with a plus one." He nods to indicate her. "I haven't mentioned it, cause, you know, so much happening, I wasn't sure if I was gonna end up going." He takes a breath. "Rupert is probably going to be there."

[formersurgeon]

They cling to each other for that moment, and Joan closes her eyes, breathing with him. When he sits up she keeps her arms loosely around him. She tilts her head as he tells her about the gala, then raises her eyebrows when he says Rupert would be there.

"You want to confront him?" she guesses.

[theodorelasso]

Ted shrugs, but not in a way that implies 'why not' or 'I guess', but rather that he actually doesn't know.

"I don't want him to scare me out of going," he answers. "And I want to be there for Rebecca." He pauses thoughtfully. "And I guess... I do kind of want to look him in the eyes."

He doesn't want to let him know that he knows. But he wants to see his reactions. And maybe... just maybe there's a little bit of spite in him too.

[formersurgeon]

"We should definitely go," she says. They can't hide away forever, even if the person responsible for Ted's attempted murder is still at large. "I'm sure Rebecca will appreciate it. As for Rupert...very few people are able to lie, or even just hide the truth, without exhibiting some common tells. If we talk to him, and he did do this...I might be able to see it."

[theodorelasso]

Ted huffs with amusement. "Well, I'm glad I have very little reason to lie to you," he says with a smile. Honestly, most of the time he would lie to her, he wouldn't even mind if she saw through it, as long as she assumed he was lying for a good reason. Generally for protecting privacy or feelings. Ted is very honest the vast majority of the time.

"Anyway, I'm not sure if he'd even try to hide it that hard. Speaking from prior experience," he adds grimly.

[formersurgeon]

"One of the downsides to dating a detective, I'm afraid," she says with a shrug. Joan trusts Ted, and would absolutely assume he had a good reason for lying. It didn't mean she would never call him out on it, but she'd at least not suspect he was hiding something she really should know.

"However you want to handle this, it's up to you," she says. "I'll follow your lead."

[theodorelasso]

It's not really much of a downside. Her being insightful is a good thing, it means she's more easily aware of his needs and wants, even when he himself might not be.

Ted nods a bit. He... doesn't really have a plan. He's not even sure how he'll feel in the situation.

"You know, last year, it was Rebecca's first time hosting on her own," he says, wanting to provide some context for Joan. "Rupert RSVPed no, but then showed up in the middle of her speech and joined the speech. He also practically admitted to me that he got the entertainment, Robbie Williams, to cancel just a few hours beforehand. And then..." Ted lets out a soft, almost bitter chuckle. "Rebecca's fundraising goal was 800'000. So he pulled out a check for a million. Just to upstage her. You know, I'd never seen someone manage to make donating a million to charity be a purely selfish move..."

Ted has already indicates before today that he doesn't much care for Rupert, but it takes quite a bit for him to actually sit here and elaborate on the reasons. It's extremely rare for Ted to talk badly of anyone.

[formersurgeon]

This is a man who wouldn't even speak ill of the man who kidnapped, tortured, and almost murdered him, so Joan took his words extremely seriously.

"Do you think he might try something similar this year? Or would he up the stakes?"

[theodorelasso]

"I don't know," Ted answers. "Could be he wanted to go all in because it was the first one, and he'll tone it down this year." He pauses thoughtfully. "Or he might find some way to take things out on me instead."

Last year Ted was an afterthought. If Rupert really did do this, then surely its failure will bother him. Or maybe he hopes he can scare Ted away without having to actually kill him.

[formersurgeon]

The thought of that is painful, and Joan gently pulls Ted to her again, holding him close. It would make sense for Rupert to target Ted, she thought. He was close to Rebecca, he was beloved by Richmond the way Rupert once was, and he had humiliated Rupert before.

"We can get ahead of this," she says softly. Then softer still, "I won't let him hurt you."

[theodorelasso]

Ted smiles, touched by her protectiveness. And reassured by it, too. Joan is a formidable lady, and he absolutely believes she would do whatever she needs to do to protect him.

"See, there's one of the upsides to dating a detective," he answers softly, only partly joking, then leans over to give her a grateful kiss.

[formersurgeon]

She smiles at that, and kisses him back, gently, cupping his cheek.

"Do you want to work more on this?" she asks when their lips part. "Or would you like to go back to bed and start fresh tomorrow?"

She's still weary, and would bet he is, too. A rest might make it easier to make plans. But she would also understand if he doesn't want to rest until they have a more certain solution.