Richard zipped up his jacket as he walked up the street. He was just heading out to pick up a few items, milk, butter, a loaf of bread, maybe a pack of digestive biscuits. He sighed, digging into his pocket for John's Tesco Clubcard. Why did things have to be so complicated? He liked John, John liked him. But clearly, John wasn't in the right frame of mind right now, after his argument with Mycroft. Richard wished for a moment he could recall what John had been like when they first met. Not in the hospital, what they had been like before the accident. Had they been friends? More than friends? He still felt sure that the hug by the swimming pool, his lone memory, wasn't something you'd do to just anybody.

He wasn't sure how he felt about what had just transpired. Yes, he felt good that they'd finally acted on their mutual desire, but now he felt worried for what life would be like, in 221B. Would John pretend it had never happened? Richard decided he wouldn't allow John to do that. They had to talk about this, like adults. They had-

"Ahem." said a voice behind him. Richard turned around, and gasped. He hadn't even realised there was someone behind him.

"You!" he said, one hand flying up to his collar.

"So it would seem," smiled the man who'd claimed to be his 'Guardian Angel'. "Shopping, are we?"

"About to. What are you doing here?"

"Looking for you. Not easy, I can tell you. Has Watson got you under lock and key or something?"

Richard sent him a dark look. "Actually, he's been brilliant to me. Are you here to kidnap me again?"

The man grinned. "No, Mr Brook, I'd never do that. Imagine it! Unthinkable!"

"I don't want to see you. Do you make a hobby of going around and following people about? Because I-" Richard raised his chin and managed to look the man in the eyes.

"I don't follow people around. Only you," the man said pointedly. "Anyway, you might not wanna be so rude to me, especially seeing how I've got a plan to help your little problem."

"My what? I don't have any problems except the one I'm looking at." He didn't know how he felt so brave. Perhaps it was his frustration about John that was tipping him over the edge.

"Listen," the man said. "I couldn't help noticing you rely on John for everything. Clothes, shoes, food. Don't you think it must be hard for him, supporting two people on his wage? What with rising food prices and all. One of these days, you'll have to pick between food and heating," He leant in, and said in a stage whisper. "Frankly, I'd choose food. You can spoon together for warmth."

"It doesn't matter. I couldn't get a job. I don't have a résumé, I don't know anyone, no one's going to employ me when I can't remember decades of my life."

"I'd employ you," said the man, to Richard's great surprise. "Only, you won't tell Johnny that you're working for me, see? You say you've bagged a job at the launderette, odd hours, shift work and all that. Never knowing when you're gonna be called in. Instead, you'll be doing things for me. And I'll pay you handsomely," The man looked Richard up and down, from the top of his head, to his white trainers. "Very handsomely." Suddenly, he seemed to snap back, looking a little shame-faced, as if he'd been caught doing something inappropriate.

"I'm not running around, breaking the law. I can tell you're bad news-"

"You would be in no danger, I assure you. You have my promise. I'd never let anything happen to you."

"I don't need to work, we have enough money, we're doing ok-"

"I didn't want to have to tell you this. But I'm well-connected; I can get access to all kinds of stuff. Like…people's bank statements. Richard, John's barely keeping you two. He's doing all he can to keep your heads above water but it's not enough. Now Sherlock, he brought in quite the pretty penny when he was taking on cases. But you don't work. Mycroft has been paying, contributing to the rent by putting money in monthly to John's bank account. But he's stopped. I know these things 'cause I've got my ear to the ground, you see. And Mycroft's had enough, so he's cut the cash. You and Johnny will wind up on the street. Believe me, sweet old Mrs Hudson will be glad to see the back of you. But then, she's never liked you, has she?"

It was true, Richard would hear Mrs Hudson and John chatting but it would cease the minute he entered the room. And he had noticed Mrs Hudson never allowed herself to be alone with him. He'd mentioned it to John once, but John had said "Don't be silly? Why wouldn't she like you? You're great." And then he'd distracted Richard by suggesting they watch a film. Richard faltered. He didn't know what to believe. But this man seemed to know so much about John and Mycroft- he had to be telling the truth.

"I'll do it," Richard decided. "To help John."

"To help John," His new boss agreed. "I'll let you know when I need you. But Richard? A quick warning. You may see some stuff; learn some things which may be surprising to you. But I know you can handle it. Have fun with your shopping. Oh, whoops," He lobbed something greyish up in the air, and Richard caught it before it could hit him in the face. He looked down at his palm to see a stack of ten pound notes, tied with an elastic band. When he looked up, the man was gone.