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]

"Hey," he answers back, giving her a smile. "You alright with flying?" he asks. She doesn't seem nervous at least, just the same kind of sadness as before.

[formersurgeon]

"I'm good," she answers softly, then leans forward a little to look at Sherlock. "Is he nervous?" She's familiar with how Sherlock can freak himself out, especially when he's already emotionally compromised.

[theodorelasso]

Ted makes a slight face and wobbles his head a bit to mean something like 'a bit but not too much'. He'll have the distraction of a book. And then afterwards maybe they can discuss it.

"Wanna talk, or would you rather have some quiet time?" he asks her. He's been filling the silence for a lot of the day today, so he figures she might actually like a little bit of quiet at some point.

[formersurgeon]

She sees the book and can't help a small smile. She loves how caring and attentive Ted is, even to Sherlock. Especially to Sherlock.

"We can talk," she answers. She wants to keep him company. And it would probably be good to have a little distraction.

[theodorelasso]

"I've got a book too, if you get sick of me," he says with a playful smile. Obviously he means if she wants to just sit and think, or maybe nap a bit. "Or, I guess, if you would like to read too."

[formersurgeon]

"I'll never be sick of you," she says softly, squeezing his hand. She knows what he means, but also knows he can at times couch painful truths in humor.

"You're going to love Sherlock's library."

[theodorelasso]

There's a tiny part of him that doesn't quite believe her when she says that. Not because she doesn't think it's true now, but because things can change. Maybe it was already on his mind because just earlier today he had seen her stand where Michelle stood less than a year ago, when she told him that she was trying so hard to feel the way she used to feel, and she just couldn't...

"Oh yeah?" he answers, smiling. Not dwelling on those kinds of thoughts. "I look forward to seeing it. I don't get to read enough, honestly."

[formersurgeon]

"I'm sure Sherlock will enjoy recommending things to you."

"I already have a few in mind," Sherlock says without looking up from his book.

Joan smiles faintly. "See?"

[theodorelasso]

Ted turns to look at Sherlock, smiling with amusement and appreciation, before looking back at Joan. "What about you, what do you like to read? For fun, not work," he asks curiously. They watch a lot of movies together, but they don't often discuss books. And he still wants to know everything about her interests.

[formersurgeon]

"Most of the time I read it's for work," Joan admits. "You should have seen the pile of books Sherlock would leave outside my door when he was training me. I still wind up reading a lot of books on forensics."

"The pursuit of knowledge is perpetual," Sherlock comments, eyes still on his book.