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]

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?"

[theodorelasso]

It's not even a matter of handling it, so much as it's not necessarily the best way to heal. Though she would know that a little better than he does, probably. (Ted's medical knowledge is very sports specific, after all.)

"That sounds good. And hey, if you fall, you can aim for the bed," he says jokingly. Of course they would catch her rather than let that happen.

[formersurgeon]

She smiles at the joke, knowing that it wouldn't come to that.

"Okay," she says, sitting up. "Let's do this."

Sherlock goes to her side, and helps her slide her legs over the edge of the bed.

[theodorelasso]

Ted joins too, using only one crutch, so he can hold Joan's arm and be prepared to catch her. He also makes sure his good leg is the one closest to her, so he can take the weight in case that does happen. It's not like they're gonna be walking very quickly though, so he can be careful with his own leg.

[formersurgeon]

Joan knows to put most of her weight on Sherlock, but having Ted on the other side to steady her is still important.

"Okay," she says, taking a breath and tightening her hold on Ted and Sherlock. "Standing on three. One...two...three."

With their help she rises to her feet...and immediately wavers as the blood rush makes her dizzy.

[theodorelasso]

Ted holds his arm as steady as possible as she holds onto them, ready to catch her. He smiles when she stands up, but the smile fades a little as she clearly sways a little bit.

"You okay? You wanna sit back down?" he asks, though he waits and just supports her, in case she's able to adjust.

[formersurgeon]

"Watson...?" Sherlock says as he tightens his hold on her to steady her.

"I'm okay," she says, holding on tight to them both but leaning on Sherlock. "Just...just a little dizzy. It's okay." She closes her eyes, takes a couple deep breaths, allowing the room to stop tilting and spinning. She opens her eyes and nods. "Okay. Let's walk."

Holding on tight, she starts carefully moving forward.

[theodorelasso]

It was probably a good idea for them to limit themselves to this room for now. They can work up to longer distances.

She does recover though, and after a moment she seems a lot steadier. She's holding most of her weight, they aren't lifting her. And she's managing to keep herself up while lifting her feet to walk, even if she leans on them.

"Hey, there you go," Ted says, excitedly supportive, no matter how slow-moving it is.

[formersurgeon]

Joan smiles at him, grateful for his encouragement. She speeds up a tiny bit, starting to walk instead of taking step by step. It feels nice. Nice enough that she keeps going a little too long. they've almost gotten to the other side of the bed when her knees buckle.