IC Inbox (v1.0)

[jumpthegun]

You've reached Dr. John Watson. Please leave a message.

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[plundering]

[Well, Fiona doesn't trust Luna with this. It's just principle, really, not anything against Luna herself—Fiona wants to be there, just in case someone screws up.]

I'm changing the terms of our partnership officially. You're... medically unsound, you can't argue.

[That sounds vaguely official, and it's a lame attempt at joking, at least.]

[jumpthegun]

[It's a lame joke, but John laughs lightly.]

Right. Next time you're out for the count, I'm taking advantage of those medically unsound rules.

[plundering]

Whatever, John.

[But, back to being serious.]

Are you going to tell me what happened?

[jumpthegun]

[She can't see him, but the awkward silence as he rubs the back of his neck mostly speaks for itself.]

He was coming south as I was heading north toward the clinic. Didn't realize who it was at first. When I did, I told him to turn around and head back north. Didn't want him going anywhere near you. I asked him more than once to just go north, and he refused. He's got a fireplace poker with him. Knew I'd need to get that away from him if I was going to have a chance wrangling him. I was really just trying to chase the bastard north.

[John sighs.]

Didn't quite work out the way I'd planned.

[plundering]

Anywhere near me.

[Oh, Watson. Fiona is quiet for a moment, and then finally she sighs.]

He hit you with the poker?

[jumpthegun]

You, Solomons... other people in the area, too. [Mostly her.]

He hit me with the poker a few times, yeah. Got in some hits myself. Think I managed to slice his arm open. Probably could have just gotten him at the start, but I didn't want to kill him.





...Solomons mentioned it'd be a bad idea to kill him, and I'm agreed on that. The Joker's injured, several ways. Better not to have him come back healed up to full if he comes back.

[plundering]

Good.

[She says it a little fiercely. She's glad Watson gave back as good as he got.]

You think he'll try to come after you?

[jumpthegun]

[By god, did he try. Apparently, Joker's face and head are made of steel.]

I'd prefer he did over anyone else.

[plundering]

[Listen, John, she stayed up all night freaking out over you!]

Why? Hoping you'll lose part of the other ear and match?

[jumpthegun]

Well, I do prefer to be balanced.

[He knows she's upset.]

Look, I'll be more prepared next time, Fiona.

[plundering]

What are you planning on doing? Tying him up and dragging him around town with you?

[jumpthegun]

[It's the same question Alfie had asked him, and John doesn't have a better answer today than he did that night.]

I dunno. I... We can't just leave him to go roaming free. There's too much chance he'll run into random people and hurt them.

[plundering]

John, seriously, there's no way he'd stay in custody for long.

[jumpthegun]

We could... figure something out. Maybe a rotation for volunteers who want to help? I don't know, Fiona. I wish I had a good answer. Leaving him alone puts people in danger, capturing him puts people in danger, killing him puts people in danger. Having him corralled with limited people might have a chance of fewer casualties, at least.

[plundering]

They tried doing that with Jack, too. Didn't work.

[jumpthegun]

What d'you think we should do?

[He sounds honestly earnest, if a little frustrated.]

[plundering]

I don't think you're going to like my answer.

[jumpthegun]

Leave it alone? Avoid him and don't look back?

[Just at a guess.]

[plundering]

I don't want you to get hurt.

[jumpthegun]

I don't want everyone else to get hurt while I'm running.

[plundering]

Look, I'm not saying you have to just sit by and watch if you think he's up to something, but you can't babysit him. It isn't realistic.

[jumpthegun]

How are we supposed to protect people if there isn't someone marking his movements? Letting other people know to keep clear?

[plundering]

[She sighs, her voice turned clipped and short.]

Hey, you come up with a reasonable plan to keep track of him without getting murdered, and I'll listen to it.

[jumpthegun]

Don't suppose Rhys and Angel could rig us up a tracking device?

[It's a half-hearted suggestion.]

[plundering]

I wouldn't be surprised.

[She sighs.]

This doesn't have to be your responsibility, John. Just let Stark and Romanov handle it, if they're so eager to.