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]

Ted lets go of her hand with one arm, wrapping that around her instead.

"How's your legs? You want to try again in a bit, or is that good for now?"

[formersurgeon]

Joan slips her arm around Ted's waist.

"I think I can try again in a minute." She looks over at Sherlock, who is sitting patiently beside them. "Are you up for that?"

"As long as you are," he says. "I would caution not to put undue strain upon yourself, however."

[theodorelasso]

"Yeah, you might want to save some energy for dinner later," he points out. She doesn't need to be walking for that, but she does need to be conscious, and able to eat and drink.

[formersurgeon]

"That's true." She considers that for a moment. "How about I walk back to my side of the bed?"

It's short and practical.

Sherlock nods. "That would be a satisfying way to conclude your first walk," he says with a slight quirk of his lips.

[theodorelasso]

"Sounds good," Ted agrees, giving her shoulders a squeeze. He can imagine it's frustrating, not being able to even walk across the room, but her progress is really fast, so as long as they're a little bit patient, she'll soon be able to.

[formersurgeon]

Joan knows intellectually that her recovery is going really well, but that doesn't entirely alleviate the frustration. She wants to go for a run, and she can't even make it across the room. But being here with Ted and Sherlock makes it bearable. They love her and support her without being saccharine or pitying about it.

"Okay," she says, psyching herself up for the return trip. "You guys ready?"

[theodorelasso]

"Heck yeah," Ted answers, softly enthusiastic. He gets to his feet and gets ready to help Joan to her feet, and to steady her if she gets dizzy again.

[formersurgeon]

Sherlock also stands, taking Watson's hand and elbow to help her up.

"Okay," Joan says, taking a deep breath, then another. "Ready? One...two...three."

On three and with their help she gets to her feet. This time there's a tiny bit of dizziness, but it passes quickly. "Okay," she says. "That was better than last time,"

[theodorelasso]

"There you go, like the least memorable song on the Sergeant Pepper album, it's 'getting better all the time'," Ted quips, holding onto her and getting ready to support her while walking.

[formersurgeon]

"Even forgettable Beatles is still great," Joan says with a smile, tightening her hold on their hands. "They're the pop music equivalent of pizza."

She starts moving, going slow this time, step by step by step.

[theodorelasso]

"That's a perfect analogy, I can't believe I'm unable to high five you right now," Ted answers, grinning as he watches Joan's feet as they walk. He's glad she's taking it a bit more careful this time.

[formersurgeon]

"I'll take it as a reward when I reach the other side of the bed," she says with a smile. She's taking it slow and easy. As she nears the spot where she started she can feel her legs beginning to tremble, but she's able to make it at sit down without them completely failing her.

"Yessssss," she hisses in triumph with a small fist pump.

[theodorelasso]

Ted gives a whoop of celebration and excitement, so happy to see her happy and progressing.

"Here you go, as promised," he says, holding up his hand for a high five. Sherlock is definitely not as effusive about this sort of thing, but Ted is easily making up for it with his level of enthusiasm.

[formersurgeon]

Joan happily gives him a high five, albeit not with the force she would otherwise. Her hands are shaking again as she returns them to her lap, but she barely notices.

Sherlock watches the two of them interact with some wonder. Watson isn't typically an effusive sort either, but Ted brings it out in her. It's fascinating, seeing this part of her that is largely unfamiliar.

[theodorelasso]

There's almost certainly parts of Joan that Ted will never personally experience either. How she reacts in a dangerous situation, for example - hopefully he'll never have to be in a situation where he could see that, no matter how impressive Joan might be. For example, Ted would gladly go his whole life where the only guns that ever get shot at him are water and nerf.

He leans over and kisses her cheek happily. "You wanna sit back and just chill for a while now?" he suggests.

[formersurgeon]

Joan sincerely hopes Ted never has to see that part of her either. The fear that Ted will be targeted because of her is only part of her worries about how her dangerous occupation will put him in danger as well.

She smiles at the kiss. "That sounds perfect."

[theodorelasso]

Ted gets up and heads over to his side of the bed, then makes sure she gets comfortable as well.

"We could watch a movie or something," he suggests. Not sure he can get Sherlock in on that though.

[formersurgeon]

Sherlock helps get Joan back onto the bed, then pulls over the chair so he can sit next to her without taking up bed space.

"We can!" She turns to Sherlock. "Did you buy another TV."

"I did," Sherlock affirms. "However, it won't be delivered until this evening. If you like, I can relocate the television from the living room."

[theodorelasso]

"We can just use my laptop if we want to be lazy," he suggests. "But the TV is probably easier to watch stuff on."

[formersurgeon]

"If you will give me a moment..." Sherlock leaves the room. He's gone for a couple of minutes, then returns hauling a rather sizeable flat screen TV. He sets it on the dresser and takes a moment to plug it in.

"I ensured access to several streaming services," Sherlock says, turning the TV on then offering the remote to Ted.

[theodorelasso]

While Sherlock is fetching the TV, Ted gets comfortable and snuggles up with Joan.

"Thanks," he answers, accepting the remote. "What are you in the mood for?" he asks, looking over at Joan.

[formersurgeon]

Joan snuggles in as well, taking Ted's hand and threading their fingers together. When he asks what she's in the mood for, she considers for a moment before smiling.

"We could watch a romcom," she suggests, knowing Ted loves them.

Sherlock sits in the chair and at the suggestion of a romcom gives Joan a sour look but holds his tongue.

[theodorelasso]

Ted catches that sour look, and smiles with gentle amusement. If Sherlock doesn't like Joan and Ted being lovey dovey, he probably won't enjoy that. Ted doesn't really have any idea what Sherlock would like when it comes to entertainment though.

"I don't want to chase Sherlock away," he says with a smile, flipping through suggested films. He isn't really in the mood for anything heavy though.

"Hey, how about that?" he asks, as Spirited Away is suggested. Simple and fun, but not too simple and saccharine, and no schmoopy romance.

[formersurgeon]

He's being so considerate of Sherlock, with Sherlock continues to be somewhat taken aback by and Joan continues to be grateful for. The suggestion of Spirited Away is delightful, and Joan looks over at Sherlock to get his reaction. He shrugs, which is probably the most enthusiastic reaction they're going to get.

"That sounds great," she says, turning back to Ted with a smile.

[theodorelasso]

Sherlock is also being very considerate of Ted (in his own way), and has opened his home to him, and helped him with all the stuff with Rupert -- of course Ted is going to be considerate. Especially when it costs him absolutely nothing.

He turns the movie on, then rests comfortably against Joan. It's a very slow and mellow opening, so within the first 10 minutes, the lack of sleep and the various physical exertions seem to catch up with him, and he dozes off, snuggled up against Joan. It helps that Sherlock is there so Ted doesn't feel like he has to be on alert.