For Joan

[theodorelasso]

Continued from here.

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

Comments

[formersurgeon]

When the bell rings, Sherlock goes to answer it. He sees Ted and steps to the side, holding the door open. He imagines Ted will likely want to go straight to Watson in the bedroom.

[theodorelasso]

Ted gives Sherlock a somewhat sheepish smile once he opens the door. He's right in his assumption though, and Ted heads inside towards the bedroom.

"Hi. Sorry for disappearing," he says with a reassuring smile, going to sit down on the bed. He does at least look calmer now, if a little embarrassed and guilty for running away.

[formersurgeon]

She's relieved to see him and worried about whatever it was that caused him to flee.

"It's okay," she says, reaching for him.

[theodorelasso]

He takes her hand as she sits down, giving it a squeeze.

"You haven't shouted too much at Sherlock, right?" he asks. Ted did sort of blame him for this earlier. And sure, it's his doing, but not in a bad way.

[formersurgeon]

"No shouting," she says. "I asked him what he said to make you upset. He wouldn't tell me."

It's interesting that he's defending Sherlock after having been clearly angry at him earlier.

[theodorelasso]

Ted smiles softly and nods a bit. "He just... opened my eyes to some stuff," he explains quietly. "And everything's okay, but.. I'm not really ready to talk about it yet. Is that okay?"

He's trying to be as open and non-defensive as he can be. But he knows if he's gonna try to actually tell her about it, it won't be as nice a conversation.

[formersurgeon]

"Of course," Joan says gently, squeezing his hand. She's still curious and more than a little worried, but she's not going to force him to talk if he isn't comfortable.

[theodorelasso]

Ted smiles, and lets go of her hand so he can lean in and give her a proper warm hug.

"Sorry that I worried you," he says, squeezing her gently. "I just needed some time alone."

[formersurgeon]

She squeezes him back.

"It's okay," she says. "We've gone through so much. It's okay to take some time alone."

[theodorelasso]

Ted nods in agreement, pulling back to look at her. "You just let me know if you'd like me to get out of your hair sometime as well," he adds with a smile. "Especially since we've been literally watching you day and night."

[formersurgeon]

She smiles, both amused and grateful for his concern."At some point I'll want to take a long bath. And a long run, when that's possible."

She knows she can't do either right now. She doesn't have the strength to run, obviously, but taking a bath alone could be lethal if she happens to have a seizure, or if her weakness causes her to fall and she cracks her head on the tub.

[theodorelasso]

"That sounds good," he agrees. He looks over at the smoothie on the nightstand, looking mostly untouched. "Not very hungry, huh?" he asks gently. He can imagine his disappearance posed a bit of a distraction.

[formersurgeon]

"Hmm?" She looks over. "Oh. I forgot about this." She picks up the smoothie and sips it. It's a bit warm, but not too unpleasantly so. "Mmm...is there pineapple in this?"

[theodorelasso]

"Sherlock tweaked the recipe," he answers with a nod, getting up to go sit down properly next to her, adjusting the pillows to make sure his back is comfortable and leaning against the headboard. "It's good, right?"

[formersurgeon]

"Huh!" Joan knows that Sherlock's sense of taste is extremely sharp. She's seen him lick all manners of things during investigations. She's just never seen him use it this way.

"It is!" She takes another long sip.

[theodorelasso]

Ted picks up his smoothie as well, which still has about a third left of it. It's definitely room-temperature at this point, but it's mostly fruit, so it still tastes okay.

He picks up his phone to text Keeley and ask her if she and Roy would like to come over this evening.

"Hey, Sherlock," he calls to the door.

[formersurgeon]

Sherlock had returned to the living room and his laptop, giving Watson and Ted space. He's not certain if Ted will tell her what had been said that upset him, but either way he will defer to the other man's desires.

When Ted calls him he puts the laptop aside and heads to the door. When he gets there he glances at Watson's face. She has a hint of puzzlement about her. Ted hasn't told her.

"Yes?" Sherlock asks, turning to Ted.

[theodorelasso]

"We're having Roy and Keeley over for dinner today, figured you should know," he says with a smile. "You're invited too, obviously," he adds. He wants to make sure that Sherlock knows he's no longer upset with him. And he appreciates Sherlock letting Ted do things in his own time.

[formersurgeon]

Sherlock is glad Ted isn't upset anymore, if just because it will make things more comfortable for Watson if they're getting along. Of course, Sherlock himself is happier, but he pointedly doesn't focus on that.

"Watson?" he says, looking to his partner. There have been a number of times when Watson had friends at the brownstone and Sherlock had made himself scarce, not being the type to enjoy the banal social rituals that most people engage in. If she insists on his presence, however, he'll stay.

"It's up to you," she answers. "You might enjoy meeting Keeley and Roy."

[theodorelasso]

"It'd be nice to have you there," Ted says genuinely. "But, you know, if you get bored, you could always make up something about having to work on a case," he adds, giving him permission to bail, since he's got the impression it's not Sherlock's thing.

[formersurgeon]

Sherlock glances at Watson again, who gives a small nod. Sherlock is a difficult, acerbic person, but so is Roy, and they're all fond of the retired footballer.

"Very well," he concedes. "I shall join you, at least at first."

[theodorelasso]

Ted smiles, pleased. "And you wanted to try walking a bit, after you finish your smoothie?" he asks, looking over at Joan. Since she'll definitely need both of their help for that.

[formersurgeon]

"Mmm," Joan hums, downing the rest of her smoothie. "Yes," she says, setting the glass down. "Maybe out to the living room? Seems like it's a good distance to be a challenge."

She doesn't know how far she can actually go, but she knows that if she collapses Ted and Sherlock will be holding onto her.

[theodorelasso]

"Sure you don't want to try a little shorter at a time?" he suggests. He's barely seen her stand without aid, so he might be a little bit worried, even if she seems to be a long stronger. "Pushing yourself too hard right away doesn't really help." He's got personal experience with that. But he'll defer to her if she's certain.

[formersurgeon]

"A shorter distance might be advisable, Watson," Sherlock agrees gently. He knows she has a tendency of wanting to push herself hard, and under normal circumstances she can handle it, but now?

"Okay," Joan says. "I hear you. I can start with something shorter. Maybe...walking around the bed?"