IC Inbox (v1.0)

[jumpthegun]

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

Comments

[jumpthegun]

[And they're back to this, John wanting to fix it, and Alfie telling him he can't. The doctor grits his teeth.]

They're just suggestions to try to help. I know we can't solve it. We can make it more bearable, though.

[devoutish]

Mm.

I won't talk to you about these things in the future, if you'd prefer that.

[jumpthegun]

That's not what I'd prefer. I just... I want to be able to do something for you when you're feeling this way. I want to listen.

[And he wants to solve it. Is that so wrong?]

[devoutish]

Then listen. I haven't asked you for anything more.

[jumpthegun]

Talk, then.

[John is biting tongue and schooling his tone not to be snappish. Alfie really does drive him up the wall sometimes. Even Sherlock isn't this reticent when it comes to having John try to help him or play the knight in shining armor.]

[devoutish]

I did. Not much more to say that I haven't already said.

[jumpthegun]

[He runs a hand over his face.]

Okay. Keep safe, then, and try to keep your mind on other things. Let me know if anything changes for you.

[Since Alfie lost his light.]

[devoutish]

Yeah. All right.

[He goes quiet. He sets his tablet aside. He shuffles around the room... and then he comes back.]

We'd tell Emily stories at night. Big fuck-off collection of children's books, we've got here. Eight, nine, ten of 'em; Royce might have more.

How old's your little one, again? Just a few months, was it?

[jumpthegun]

[John thinks the conversation is over until Alfie speaks up again. It's not really a subject he wants to get into, but he'll deal with.]

A bit over six months, edging on seven. Royce told me about Mercy.

[devoutish]

Did he?

[That's a surprise. And even though he's distracted and off his game, there's a part of Alfie that realizes that this is a purposeful, clumsy subject change. But he rolls with it, rather than picking at it.]

He's a good dad.

[jumpthegun]

Sounds like he's trying to be. [And trying is important.] I can't imagine what it must have been like finding out he'd had her after years of not knowing.

[devoutish]

I would've been angry, myself. But he's not.

[jumpthegun]

Gwen had her reasons for doing what she did, by the sound of it. It's amazing the things you'll forgive for the people you love.

[devoutish]

He told you about Gwen, too?

[It's like he's a whole new man.]

[jumpthegun]

[John shrugs unconsciously to himself.]

Just that she'd kept Mercy a secret so Royce wouldn't quit his mission halfway through. Hell of a thing.

[devoutish]

Yeah. I'm glad he found her, after. I'd worry about him, otherwise.

[jumpthegun]

[Isn't Gwen dead, though? John's not sure whether he's told Alfie that. Well, he must have done, but it's Mercy they're talking about. He'll stick to that.]

Mm... Maybe once we get out, he could bring some of those stories back for Mercy. Found a book about princesses a little while ago. I can add it to your collection the next time we meet up. Didn't realize you were keeping a library.

[devoutish]

For Emily. Yeah.

[She probably wouldn't have been too into the princess book, but it's the thought that counts.]

[jumpthegun]

Keeping any books for yourself?

[It's another clumsy segue, but John's trying to keep Alfie from dwelling too much on what's lost.]

[devoutish]

I haven't found any that I'd like for myself.

[jumpthegun]

What sorts of books do you like? I can keep an eye out. Maybe for some Tom Sawyer.

[devoutish]

When I do read, when I have time - oh, I dunno, some history, I suppose. Tom Sawyer, yeah, I'd read that again.

[jumpthegun]

History and adventure. Not a bad set. I think you'd like Tom Clancy. Popular novelist in my time who does sort of historical fiction. Real events, but fictional people in them. Most of his stuff is centered on the American military, but the Yanks have got the biggest one. What are you gonna do?

[devoutish]

If you find some Clancy, send it over to me.

[jumpthegun]

Will do. If you see spy thrillers, toss them my way. Love a good mystery or secret mission thing.

[Which may not be surprising.]