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]

Joan is so weary, physically and emotionally, that when she falls asleep she sinks pretty deep. She stirs a tiny bit when he moves, her lips half-forming words that she doesn't voice, then settles again.

[theodorelasso]

Ted goes to find one of his tiny 'BELIEVE' signs, and props it up on the nightstand so she'll see it when she wakes up. He just stands there and looks at her for a second, before he heads out to go to the club.

He hadn't actually told anyone what the emergency was, so they're all a little bit worried when he shows up. It's a somber conversation, and everyone offers their condolences and asks if there's anything they can do.

And they're of course totally fine with him disappearing for a week - even if Ted can tell that Beard's a little worried about the team, with Ted being gone again. They go over plans for the next two weeks, and Ted promises to check in through his computer.

[formersurgeon]

Joan wakes up while Ted is still out, and the first thing she sees when she opens her eyes is that BELIEVE sign. It's the perfect way to wake up. She smiles and gazes at it for a few moments, just absorbing the significance behind it, a great deal of love and reassurance and hope. He took the time to make sure that even if she woke up alone she wouldn't really be alone.

She gets up and wanders barefoot into the kitchen to get a glass of water, then moves to the window, looking out as she drinks the water. She's not aware of it, but she's standing in the same spot where Michelle stood when Ted found her crying.

[theodorelasso]

Ted gets back to the apartment and heads inside quietly, not wanting to slam doors and wake her if she's still asleep. He goes to the kitchen first, then stops as he spots her standing there.

It definitely does bring back some painful memories. "Hey," he says softly, and he can't help keep all the sadness out of it.

[formersurgeon]

She's lost in thought when he comes in, so he startles her a little, and she turns quickly.

"Oh...I didn't hear you come in." She sees his expression, and her brow furrows faintly, adding concern to her grief. "Are you okay?"

[theodorelasso]

Well, at least she's not crying. Ted's shoulders sag, just a tiny bit.

"Yeah, I'm alright," he reassures her, giving her a small smile. He goes over to kiss her hello. At least he can do that.

[formersurgeon]

There was something there in his expression, but Joan lets it go. She puts the empty glass down as he approaches so she can wrap her arms around him to kiss him back, soft and gentle.

"Did it go okay?" she asks when their lips part, not letting go of him.

[theodorelasso]

"Yeah. Everyone offers their love," he answers, feeling that's the most important part to mention. "And Beard and I went over plans, so they should be alright without me for a week or two."

He hopes it won't be more than a week, so he'll be back in decent time before the next match, but he has absolutely no intention of making her feel rushed.

[formersurgeon]

"That's good," she says with a nod. She wants Ted to be able to do as much work as he needs, knowing that the team is extremely important to him. She'll try to get them both back to London as soon as possible. She would send him back on his own if things were going long, but she's pretty sure he wouldn't go, and she wouldn't want him to.

She leans in, tightening the embrace and laying her head on his shoulder, just to hold and be held.

[theodorelasso]

Ted holds onto her maybe a bit more tightly than he would otherwise, if he was just the one comforting her. He turns his head a bit to kiss her hair.

"I'm so lucky to have you," he whispers softly, his voice full of both love and sadness.

[formersurgeon]

Now she's sure there's something bothering him, but she's not going to pry. She just tightens her hold a little bit, almost protectively, and turns her head to kiss his cheek.

"I'm lucky to have you too," she murmurs, her voice likewise filled with love and sadness, although doubtless for different reasons.

[theodorelasso]

He holds her for a few moments more, then gently pulls back just enough to look at her.

"You want to head to the airport?" he asks softly. They have plenty of time, so there's no rush, but they might as well wait there.

[formersurgeon]

"Sure," she says. They have time, but they don't want to be hurrying at all. "We should swing by 221B and pick up Sherlock." They could meet up at the airport, but she feels like it's better if they go together.

[theodorelasso]

Ted nods in agreement. This feels like something they should do together. "Come on, then," he says, and gives her a soft kiss, before he pulls back so they can leave.

[formersurgeon]

She kisses him back and then goes to get her bags.

It's a lovely afternoon when they emerge, and Joan takes a deep breath, sighing it out and letting her shoulders relax a little before heading toward the main road to hail a cab.

[theodorelasso]

Ted follows along, glad to see her try to relax.

"Oh, one second," he says, setting down his suitcase and disappearing into a shop - specifically a bakery. He reappears minutes later with a big bag of sandwiches, as Joan has managed to get a cab. "Better than airport food."

He is well aware that Joan still hasn't eaten much.

[formersurgeon]

Joan loves how Ted is so thoughtful and caring. She knows he's aware that she hasn't eaten much. And he's right, these sandwiches will be miles better than the fare they're likely to find at the airport.

Once they're in the cab Joan texts Sherlock to let him know they're coming, and Sherlock texts back in his usual txtspk that he'll be ready when they get there.

That done, Joan puts her phone away and leans against Ted.

[theodorelasso]

Ted puts his arm Joan's shoulders, leaning against her as well, continuing his gentle nattering on. He spots a nightclub with a strange name, which for some reason reminds him of Dirty Dancing, which then leads him to consider Patrick Swayze's career. He can do this sort of association game all day, if she needs.

Although he'll probably tone it down once Sherlock's there. Or maybe actually engage Sherlock in conversation, and she can listen to that if she wants instead.

[formersurgeon]

The gentle nattering is soothing, and Joan is able to relax a little more, the physical ache of her grief easing just a bit.

When they get to 221B Joan texts Sherlock, and the detective comes down to meet them, putting his bags in the trunk of the cab and then joining them in the back, Joan sliding closer to Ted to make room.

"Did you print out the tickets?" Joan asks.

"I did." Sherlock affirms. "Your choice of seating assignments are acceptable for a Boeing 787-9. A choice of emergency exits."

[theodorelasso]

Ted smiles with amusement at that being Sherlock's main concern. He supposes it's comforting, to know one in their party is always considering how to deal with potential problems. Ted does too, he supposes, they just have wildly different priorities. Ted considers whether they'd get hungry or bored, while Sherlock considers emergency landings. Between the two of them and Joan's medical expertise, they should be pretty covered for most eventualities.

"Why's their numbering convention like that?" he asks. "787, 747, all that."

Ted's always curious to learn things, but mostly he's asking to let Sherlock cover the talking for a bit, and with Ted asking questions, they should be comfortably able to fill the silence till they get to the airport, and Joan can engage as much or as little as she wants.

[formersurgeon]

Joan smiles, knowing exactly what Ted is doing, and knowing Sherlock will be more than happy to show off his knowledge.

"The numbering is particular to the Boeing aeronautic manufacturer," Sherlock answers. "In addition to passenger airliners, they also make everything from fighter planes to missiles. Each category has their own number range. Military aircraft were assigned the 300s and 400s...missiles were the 600s...and passenger jets were the 700s."

[theodorelasso]

Ted does end up learning a lot, being friends with Sherlock. How much of it actually sticks is another thing, but he enjoys hearing about it nonetheless.

They make it to the airport with plenty of time to spare and no need to rush, getting through everything, until they finally settle at the waiting area for the gate.

Ted pulls out the bag of sandwiches and offers one to Joan. It's gonna be a long flight, and he's very persistent about getting her to eat more than a bag of chips.

[formersurgeon]

Joan isn't hungry, but she knows she should eat, and knows that Ted will worry until she does. She accepts the sandwich and starts eating it bit by bit, tearing little pieces off.

Sherlock watches her for a moment. He can see her grief in every single thing she's doing, consciously and unconsciously, from the way she's picking at her food to the particular angle of her head. It worries him. But there's not much he can do about it, so after a minute he takes a breath and refocuses on Ted.

"Will this be your first time in New York?"

[theodorelasso]

Ted sets a bottle of water next to her as well.

"Mm? Oh, no, but it's been a while. And just a couple vacations you know, a little bit of sightseeing, some shows, that sort of thing," he answers. And then he pulls out a sandwich and hands it to Sherlock. (Of course he got him one as well.)

[formersurgeon]

Sherlock accepts the sandwich but doesn't eat it, setting it aside. He is particular about food, so it could just be that he doesn't feel like eating right now. But there's more to it too. He's even more guarded emotionally than Watson, even if it's hard to tell because he becomes rude and acerbic instead of going silent and still, but Ted knows him now, better than anyone save for Watson, and he can probably notice that Sherlock is grieving as well. With his partner and friend, yes, but also for a woman that he knew well and liked, as well as for the loss of his own mother so long ago.