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[jumpthegun]

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

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[jumpthegun]

So, I don't expect you'll be wanting to visit is all. Is that about right, love?

[He still remembers you calling him treacle at the beginning of this conversation, Alfie.]

[devoutish]

I'll be in the area, sweetie. I expect we'll see each other once or twice.

[jumpthegun]

Should we leave it to just seeing? I said I'd not bother you.

[devoutish]

I'm not so easily bothered that just talking to you is enough to do it.

[That's not entirely true - but he's at least calmed down a little from when he'd told Fiona I cannot be in the same house as that man. In a terrible way, him being in such bad shape now helps with that.]

[jumpthegun]

[As evinced by this conversation. A part of him wonders - hopes? - that Alfie contacted him out of some level of concern. That's incredibly stupid, though. John brushes the thought away. Alfie called because he's worried about himself, Fiona, and his other companions.]

All right. I'll see you when I see you, then, unless there's something else? Like I said, I'll let you know when I hear anything from Ms. Romanov or Mr. Stark. Or you're free to contact them directly. Expect they'll have some sort of update by the end of the day.

[devoutish]

One more thing.

I'm not gonna hurt you.

[He'd told Fiona that, when he'd first found out what really had happened to Royce. He'd purposefully not told Watson, and even insinuated a little that he might someday. But now, he'll tell him the truth.]

We've got a friend in common. Someone we both care for very much, yeah?

[jumpthegun]

['For what happened to Royce,' is how that sentence should finish off. John has no delusions about Alfie promising to give him free license to avoid threats or injury for other things in the future.]

Yeah. All right.

[And much as it pains him to say this...]

And I'll... try to stay out of your business, whatever it is. For her sake. Won't make promises, but I'll try.

[Mainly because he wants to give himself some room in case Alfie does anything truly egregious.]

[devoutish]

You'll try, yes. We both know you see yourself as not having any choice in the matter.

If you want to say it's for her sake, do better than just trying.

[jumpthegun]

I'll spare you the 'when men of good conscience' speech, shall I? [His tone is dry.]

You're right. I do have a choice - I did have a choice and I always will. Doing what's best of her will influence that choice. It's not going to be the only thing, though.

[devoutish]

As long as you do not hide behind not having a choice.

[jumpthegun]

I won't. Does that make you feel better?

[Two can play the game, Alfie.]

[devoutish]

[Good. He likes it when you play with him, Watson.]

It does. Yeah. Appreciate you asking, mate; thank you.

[jumpthegun]

No problem. [Why, they're sounding downright chummy again. John takes the sarcasm down a notch.] If that's all, then?

[devoutish]

Yeah. That's all.

[jumpthegun]

Stay safe, then. And good luck.

[devoutish]

[He grunts, before cutting the feed.]