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]

"Oh boy, tough crowd," Ted quips with soft smile, looking around at them all. "Joan sends her love, she's doing alright," he says, because he figures that might be high on their priority list of things they're worried about.

[formersurgeon]

Everybody visibly relaxes a little, with Beard and Keeley looking the most relieved.

"Oh good," Keeley says. "When they took her away in that ambulance...I was so scared."

"What happened?" Beard says pointedly, his tone making it clear he's not just talking about Joan.

[theodorelasso]

"Well, that's a long story, and hold onto your butts, cause it's a doozy," Ted says, and he turns around and grabs the office chair from Nate's office, pulling it in so he can sit down as he tells it.

Here's one challenge though - with Rebecca he could tell it in a sort of haphazard order, because she would make connections that he would follow up on, but with a group, they're not all gonna make connections at the same time. So he's going to try to tell it in a more logical order rather than answer questions.

"Alright. So," he says, sitting down. They're all waiting on him with bated breath. "After I was kidnapped, when they were talking to Turner - Mr. Chapman - they found out that he'd been.. working with someone, or set up to do what he did. Now, Joan was worried it was because of her work. That's why we "broke up"," he explains, doing the air quotes. "We didn't really, but if someone was targeting me because of her, we needed people to think we did. So, first of all, sorry about lying about that to y'all."

[formersurgeon]

Beard knows this part of the story, and is nodding along. Nate and Higgins are following, taking it in. Keeley covers her mouth with her hands, and nods when Ted apologizes for lying.

"It's all right," she says. "It must have been so hard to be apart."

"You did what you had to do," Higgins says.

"It wasn't her, though?" Nate says. "That's why she came back, yeah?"

[theodorelasso]

Ted smiles at their answers, glad they're not upset by that part at least. Ted hadn't liked doing it.

"That's right," he answers Nate. "I'm not gonna bore you all with the details, so I'm just going to skip straight to, uh, the big bombshell reveal," he says, rubbing his chin a little. "Which is that we found out that, uh.. Well, the person who had paid to try to have me murdered was Rupert Mannion."

[formersurgeon]

Beard didn't know that, and his eyes go wide and his jaw drops. Higgins goes white as a sheet. Nate's brow furrows and he blinks in disbelief.

"Bloody hell," Roy swears under his breath.

Keeley looks shocked. "Oh my god," she breathes. "Does Rebecca know?"

[theodorelasso]

Ted nods. "I just told her," he answers. He looks over at Higgins in particular, who's been working for the man for many years. "You alright, Higgins?" he asks softly.

[formersurgeon]

Higgins gags, then clears his throat, then shakes his head. He looks faint.

"He never...I never knew of..." He swallows, hard, trying to steady himself. "I wasn't always proud of what I did for that man, but it was never anything like that." He looks at Ted, his expression miserable. "But I cannot say I don't believe it."

[theodorelasso]

Ted nods sympathetically. "Yeah.." He had a hard time believing it himself, but he does now. He doesn't plan to go into the other murders Rupert ordered. He might tell Higgins in private later, but not until he's found out how long Higgins has been working for Rupert. If he was working for him back then - which isn't impossible - then... Well, that'll be tough.

He clears his throat. "Anyway, uh, we didn't really have enough evidence. So Joan and I laid low for a bit, and... Well, that's why we went to the gala." He pauses heavily.

[formersurgeon]

Everyone frowns at that, putting the pieces together on what he means, why they would go to the gala, how that would give them evidence.

Beard gets it first. He blinks. "You were bait?"

"Oh my god," Nate says. "He was going to have you killed at the gala? A little public, isn't it?"

[theodorelasso]

Ted gives a shrug at Beard's realisation. It wasn't just that, but also that they wanted to pretend like everything was normal. And Ted wanted to face Rupert. But yeah. He was also bait.

"I think that was the point by then," he answers Nate.

"Anyway, Joan had a hunch something was wrong with the food, so without me knowing, she switched our plates."

He gives a 'there you have it' gesture.

[formersurgeon]

Beard presses his hand to his mouth, now worried about Joan a whole lot more than he was before. Nate blinks, absorbing the significance of that.

Higgins spells it out. "He tried to poison you and Joan wound up being poisoned," Higgins says, shaking his head in distress.

"Oh god, Joan," Keeley says in horror. "But she's all right, yeah? You said she's all right."

[theodorelasso]

Ted nods affirmatively, first at Higgins, then at Keeley. "She's alright, but... It was pretty close for a minute there," he admits quietly.

On the one hand, he doesn't want to worry them, but... He doesn't want to pretend like everything is just fine either. They've both been through a lot lately, and he wants to acknowledge that.

[formersurgeon]

"Oh, god, Ted, I'm sorry," Keeley says. "Everything you've been through, that you've both been through..."

Beard comes over to Ted and puts his hand on his shoulder, giving it a squeeze. "She's strong," he says quietly. "You both are."

[theodorelasso]

Ted smiles up at Beard, so grateful for all his support. Would've been a lot harder without him, that's for sure.

"So... That's about it. Not sure what happens next, but I assume there'll be interrogations and eventually a trial," he says. "Though I think Joan and I are just gonna focus on getting better for a bit."

They haven't been interviewed by the cops about the gala yet, but he's sure that'll come soon. But since the cops were already in attendance, and doing all the investigation, it's probably not as pressing.

[formersurgeon]

"Take all the time that you need," Nate says. "We'll hold down the fort, right Beard?" Beard nods in agreement.

"Do you two need anything?" Higgins asks. "There's a casserole my wife makes for people when they're in the hospital or just had a baby or just lost a loved one. I understand it's good enough that people actually see it as a silver lining."

[theodorelasso]

"Thanks, Higgins, that sounds great," Ted answers, touched. In general he's so touched and grateful for their support.

"I'm, uh... not entirely sure what we should tell the team," he points out. Many of them were here when Rupert owned the team in the first place.

[formersurgeon]

"Tell them the fucking truth."

Everyone turns to look at Roy.

The retired footballer shakes his head. "It's not like they're not going to read about it in the press. Former team owner tries to murder current manager? The press is going to be all over it like flies on shit. You can't hide it. All you can do is be honest. They deserve to know. Most of us know that Rupert was a fucking prick. And most of these boys...the ones I know at any rate...will be fucking horrified to learn that anyone tried to kill you, much less fucking Rupert King of Pricks Mannion. Tell them the truth."

[theodorelasso]

Ted blinks in surprise at Roy speaking up, but by the time he's finished, Ted's smiling, and he nods in agreement. He'd like to shield people from all this awfulness, but at a certain point you can't really do that. The team don't even know how bad it got with the kidnapping.

"I guess I'll stop by on Monday morning," he says. "But, for now I'd like to get back to the hospital, so..." he says, getting to his feet, but leaving the crutches for the moment.

"I'm gonna need all of you to come give me hugs," he says decisively, holding out his arms. He knows they won't object. Well. "Keeley, you better give me a good one, since I doubt Roy will indulge me."

[formersurgeon]

"Absolutely," Keeley says, the first to come and hug him, tightly, and she tops it off with a peck on the cheek.

Beard is next, since he's closest, and he gives Ted a hug that's a little longer than he normally would. Nate stands up and awkwardly gives Ted a hug, patting his back quickly before letting go and backing up. Then Higgins gives a similarly awkward hug, due mostly to his general stiff British-ness.

"Oh what the hell," Roy says, and comes over to clasp Ted in a forceful embrace. "Okay, we're done," he says a moment later, backing up and returning to Keeley. She beams at him. He rolls his eyes.

[theodorelasso]

"Ooh, careful with the ribs," he tells Keeley, who adjusts immediately. It is a very good hug though. As is Beard's, but Ted is familiar with that.

Ted makes sure to hug Higgins a little extra tightly, since he's sure he'll have a lot to process regarding Rupert, and Ted wants him to know he holds absolutely nothing against him, and doesn't trust him any less.

He obviously doesn't expect the hug from Roy, but that makes him appreciate it even more, even if he's barely had time to wrap his arms around him before Roy pulls back again.

Having these conversations have drained him quite a bit, but he feels a little recharged from the hugs.

"Alright, y'all," he says, picking up his crutches again. "Take care, and text me if you want to come visit us. I'm sure Joan would appreciate it, just gotta make sure she's up for it."

[formersurgeon]

"Bye Ted," they chorus, Keeley and Nate and Higgins waving and Roy back in his grumpy silence.

Beard follows him out to make sure he gets to the cab okay.

[theodorelasso]

"Hey, so.. I'm not sure how everyone's gonna be taking it, especially Rebecca and Higgins, so will you make sure they're alright for me?" he asks softly. He's sure they're putting on brave faces of support for Ted, not to mention that it's going to take a little bit to process it fully.

He knows he's not in the best position to look after them right now, not just because he won't be present most of the time, but he needs to focus on Joan, and he himself has been through a lot lately.

[formersurgeon]

"I'll keep an eye on them, don't worry," Beard responds just as softly. He figures Ted wants to balance his concern for the effect this is having on his friends with his need to rest and recuperate with Joan, and Beard is happy to assist. "Take care of yourself. And take care of Joan."

[theodorelasso]

"I will," Ted promises. He gives Beard another hug, before he gets into the cab and asks the driver to head back to the hospital. He sends both Sherlock and Joan a text letting them know he's on his way back.