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]

They come back in the room, and Joan hands Ted the glass of water. She sits next to him and takes his free hand.

Sherlock sees the photo on the table, and leaves it there. He returns to the board and considers it for a moment before turning back around to address Joan and Ted.

"In the past," he says, "Rupert Mannion has escaped reckoning for his actions because of a lack of connections. It is only in extreme retrospect that it is clear that he is the influential older man Marion McCarthy's parents insisted was responsible for the rest of their lives. And while there was naturally some suspicion when his co-chairs were killed in a crash he conveniently avoided, evidence of sabotage was destroyed in the crash and even if there was sabotage, there was no way to connect Mannion to it. However...this time is different. This time we know what he did to set up the kidnapping. We know who he hired. We know how he paid. And...we know that his intent was left undone. And Rupert Mannion does not strike me as a man who will leave things undone."

[theodorelasso]

Ted accepts the glass with a quiet 'thank you', and gulps down half of it before setting the rest on the table. He wasn't even that thirsty, but doing it makes him feel a tiny bit better.

Joan's hand in his helps too, and he gives it a little grateful squeeze.

He listens to Sherlock speak, the anger still bubbling inside him, listening to how Rupert evaded repercussions. But he's right, they know more now, and that is encouraging.

At the last sentence, Ted actually huffs a humorless laugh. "That's a very polite way of telling me you think I'm going to be murdered."

[formersurgeon]

She squeezes his hand back. She knows this is hard, and she's worried about him, but what she told Sherlock is true. They don't have a choice. They have to deal with this. Pretty much for exactly the reason highlighted in Ted's response to Sherlock.

"I believe Mannion will try," Sherlock agrees. "While Moriarty is evil incarnate, in this she has given us a great gift. After what happened to Chapman and Perkins, it will be extremely difficult for Mannion to find anyone willing to take on the job. Which means..."

Joan sits up. She gets it. "He'll have to shop around."

Sherlock points at her. "And that cannot be done without making some noise. Noise that we are well placed to detect."

[theodorelasso]

Ted looks between them as Joan makes the connection. If things weren't so dire, it'd be kind of exciting to watch. It's still impressive.

"So... basically if he does try again, you'll catch him?" Ted clarifies.

[formersurgeon]

"I have associates embedded in the criminal underworld of London," Sherlock answers. "And Everyone is monitoring the deep web for any mention of a hit on your life. When Rupert tries again to have you murdered, we will have the evidence necessary to ensure he goes to jail for the rest of his life."

[theodorelasso]

"Alright, well... I think that's the first time I've hoped for someone to try to assassinate me," he says. He needs to inject at least a tiny bit of levity into this conversation, otherwise it gets entirely overwhelming.

[formersurgeon]

Joan squeezes his hand, giving him a small smile, trying to be comforting but also unable to keep her own worry out of her expression. They're essentially using Ted as bait, and she doesn't like it, but she knows it has to be done.

[theodorelasso]

Ted sees that worry, and he smiles back reassuringly. He's worried too, but he's got faith in the two of them, and he knows to be careful.

"But hey. He don't know that we know, right?" Ted points out. "Which means he's not going to be stupid about it, so as long as we're careful, I should be fine."

[formersurgeon]

"Absolutely," Sherlock says. "To that end, I would like to offer you one of my safehouses. You can stay there as this plays out. Watson too, if you like."

"Do you think his apartment isn't safe enough?" Joan asks with a faint frown.

"This is a man who successfully brought down an airplane," Sherlock points out.

[theodorelasso]

"Uh... I mean sure, if you think I should," Ted agrees. He definitely feels weird about it, but as long as he can stay with Joan, he'll put up with it for now. "What about the gala, though?"

[formersurgeon]

Joan is definitely not leaving Ted's side in all of this, and she knows Sherlock wouldn't expect her to. She's grateful for that.

"I believe you should attend the gala as expected," Sherlock says. "Lest we tip our hand. Hopefully by tomorrow evening we will have the information we need to have Mannion taken into custody."

[theodorelasso]

"Alright, so... What do I do, I mean. Do I not accept drinks from strangers, not go to the bathroom by myself, like. What level of paranoia should I be working with here?" he asks. The first part specifically because he knows that's what happened to Andrew.

[formersurgeon]

Her hand tightens in his at the mention of the drink, and she looks at the floor, trying and failing to not picture herself performing endless and useless CPR on Ted.

"I have arranged for there to be plainclothes officers in attendance," Sherlock assures him. "As long as you are reasonably cautious, you should be fine."

[theodorelasso]

Ted strokes her hand reassuringly with his thumb when her hand tightens. Honestly, he doubts Rupert would time something like this right before the gala. Maybe at the gala, if he wants to be dramatic. (Ted can't believe he's actually thinking like this.) But he's going to be cautious, and go to the safe house, and do everything they ask of him, not just for his own safety, but to make Joan feel safe. This is already hard enough on her.

"Alright, that's good," he answers, nodding. He gently pulls his hand from Joan's, but just so he can put his arm around her instead, holding her close and giving her a slight reassuring squeeze.

"So... I assume we're keeping all this very much at the down-low, right?" he asks. "Does Rebecca know any of this?" Cause while he knows it's important, he feels bad keeping her out of the loop. It's her gala, and her ex-husband.

[formersurgeon]

Joan leans into the embrace, resting her head on Ted's shoulder. They're going to be okay, she tells herself. They'll be careful. And they'll be together.

"Miss Welton is not aware, no," Sherlock answers. "I'm afraid that, for her safety, it shall have to remain that way."

[theodorelasso]

"Okay..." Ted answers with a nod, though it's obvious he doesn't think it's actually okay. He just understands that it's necessary and for the best.

"Um... Did Marion have any family who's still alive?" he asks. Sherlock made it sound like her parents had passed away, but in case there's a sibling or a close aunt or something like that, he wants to know.

[formersurgeon]

Joan knows Ted doesn't like keeping important things from Rebecca. "The minute it's safe to do so, we'll sit down with her and tell her everything," she promises.

"Marion had a younger brother," Sherlock answers. "He was ten years old at the time."

[theodorelasso]

Ted's heart aches at that. The poor guy... He doesn't say it now, just nods, but he makes a mental note to contact him when they've got Rupert. Even if they can't prove he did it, maybe it will help to just have someone believe them. Though of course, if he was just ten, Ted doesn't really know how he feels about all of that now.

"Alright, so... Anything else we need to know?" he asks. He's starting to be pretty done with this conversation. To say it's emotionally difficult would be an understatement.

[formersurgeon]

"Only a reminder that you must be cautious about ensuring no one knows your location at the safehouse. I recommend you notify one person you trust that you will be out of touch until the gala."

"Beard would be a good choice," Joan suggests.

[theodorelasso]

Ted nods in agreement at that. Beard has been a confidant and a pillar of support throughout this entire thing.

He looks at the time, and figures he might as well do that right now. He doesn't want to text though. If someone kidnapped him, they could easily take his phone and text people not to worry. (He really hates that he thinks like that now.)

So Ted calls Beard, who picks up right away, and yeah, he already sounds worried. Ted does his best to sound reassuring.

"Hey Coach, how's practice?" he asks, nodding a bit. "Uh-huh. Alright, that's good... Listen, I just wanted to let you know that Joan and I are going to take some time to ourselves until the gala, so I'm not gonna check my phone. ... No yeah, it's all good. We'll see you tomorrow, yeah? ... Alright, take care."

[formersurgeon]

While Ted is speaking to Beard, Sherlock leaves the room for a moment, returning with a phone that he hands to Joan.

"Emergencies only."

"Got it," she says, sliding it into her pocket. "Which safehouse are we using?"

"The one by the docks. Do you remember the evasive measures I taught you?"

"Yes. I take it we don't have time to go back to Ted's apartment?"

"It would be best if you didn't. And best if you left your phones here."

Joan sighs and takes out her phone and puts it on the table.

[theodorelasso]

Ted hangs up with Beard, catching the end of Joan and Sherlock's conversation. He texts Shaun as well, letting him know not to come by today, as he's not going to be home. After that, he puts his phone on the table as well.

"So, how are we going to do the gala thing?" he asks curiously. "I mean, I should probably wear a suit, and not.." he continues, gesturing to his rather more relaxed outfit.

[formersurgeon]

"Either I can have someone go to your flat, or you can tell me your measurements and I can purchase one and have it delivered." He looks to Joan. "Will the grey silk ballgown suffice?"

"It'll do." Joan turns to Ted. "Do you want to text Henry so he knows you won't be calling him tonight?"

[theodorelasso]

"Oh, no need to buy one," Ted answers immediately. He's assuming the danger is in him going home, because he'll be easy to trace, and not because there might be a bomb planted there or something like that, so someone else should be safe.

At the reminder of Henry though, Ted looks disappointed. Talking to him is such a matter of fact, it didn't even occur to him that he can't. "Oh... Yeah.."

He picks up the phone and texts Henry, letting him know that he can't talk tonight, but that he loves him very much and they'll talk soon. He definitely looks sad when he puts the phone down again.

[formersurgeon]

He looks so sad, and Joan wraps an arm around him, pulling him closer so she can kiss his temple.

"It'll be okay," she says softly, resting her forehead against his and cradling the back of his head. "You'll be able to talk to him soon."