Anote: thanks for all the encouragement. you are all the most wonderful people.

Chapter 21- Tea at the hostel part 2

'Do you want to talk about what's on your mind?' John prodded, as the other man leaned against the wall and studied his face, in a way that was a bit unnerving.

'I do, but I sense your mood had shifted,' Sherlock remarked, as he turned the matter over in his head.

The doctor drained his cup, 'I won't worry about that if I were you…go on and have a go.'

'I read your letter,' Sherlock began plunging straight into it now, 'If I figure out the rent conundrum, will you reconsider being my flatmate?'

'What?' the small man cried in surprise, 'you haven't taken on a new flat mate as yet? What happened?'

'Clearly I haven't,' the detective replied testily, 'do answer my question.'

'I don't understand what you mean,' the doctor answered with a flush of anger, wondering what new scheme was simmering in his colleague's hyperactive brain, 'I don't want anyone's charity.'

'You can view it anyway you want,' the detective responded blandly, seemingly oblivious to the man's aggressive tone, 'but I need an assistant who I can count on. I find it hugely inconvenient that you live across town. I would consider it a personal favour if you reconsider.'

'Sherlock,' John said patiently as he massaged his temples, 'I am flattered that you think of me as a person to count on, but this won't work. You need to find a permanent flat mate who can pay rent.'

The detective closed his eyes and took in a deep shuddering breath. 'If I start charging for my services, I can cover the entire rent. Money is not a problem. Naturally, this is one of the areas you will be in charge of. I may murder someone if I had to negotiate a fee like a seller of tomatoes in the market.'

'You don't normally charge?' John spluttered incredulously, eyeing Sherlock's expensive coat, watch, shoes and tailor made suit. 'Don't tell me…. you've assisted a dress store owner in the past.'

'Several in fact,' Sherlock replied, opening his eyes with a small confused scowl, as John's teasing remark sailed straight over the top of his curly head, 'why do you ask?'

'This is the most insane idea I have ever heard,' John grumbled.'How do you come up with these mad suggestions?'

In response to his skepticism, Sherlock flipped a personal cheque infront his face, 'Five thousand pound consultancy fee. Not all of my clients can pay but some can. Problem at the bank last night…a very unusual break in.'

Astounded, John leaned over and snatched the cheque out of his hand, 'This could cover the rent for months!'

'Quite, I told you that money was not a problem,' Sherlock reminded him in a calm voice, 'John what do you say? This is what I want, for you and for me. I am not so good at this sort of thing, but here it is.'

The doctor turned his head away, as he slouched against the wall and absently memorised the ghastly wall paper of his room.

'Don't think, just say yes,' Sherlock drawled in a casual sort of way, as if he was asking the man to do nothing more than buy a newspaper.

'This had nothing to do with rent,' John informed him quietly after a long moment had passed.

'I know that too,' the detective replied just as softly.

The two men stood there in silence; one hopefully expectant and the other heart sore and completely bewildered. John could not understand why Sherlock would not leave him alone with his pain. The doctor had given him a way out and still the man had returned for more. Why did the detective want to be dragged down by all his problems? Nobody else seemed that interested.

'Sherlock, why me? Why do want me so bad? ' John pleaded in a loud voice; seeking to understand this strange relationship they had fallen into.

Sherlock rolled his eyes in sudden irritation. 'What is the point?! You won't believe me so my words are meaningless.'

'Your words are never meaningless,' John remarked tactfully, in that gentle way of his that endeared him to all.

'The truth is never meaningless,' Sherlock corrected impatiently with his usual lack of tack, 'and the truth is that you are brave, intelligent and kind. The truth is that you are an exceptional human being and that is why I want to be your friend. I don't understand why I have to tell you these things. Don't you know all of this already?!'

John stared up at him in stupefied silence. People didn't talk so honestly to each other anymore, even though perhaps they should.

'Come John, and bring your gun,' Sherlock cried out suddenly, as he buttoned up his heavy coat and sprinted for the door. 'We can figure out living arrangements later. There is an urgency about this new case that we can not ignore. We have a missing banker to find!'

The doctor, half laughing and half huffing in exasperation, scrambled madly for his coat, keys and brand new firearm, 'here we go again!'