1 - Eliza

I had never been more ready to close up the shop than I am tonight. A big movie has been filming down the street the last few days and of course everyone and their brother had to go down to try and catch a glimpse of the actors. It wasn't a bad thing, I didn't mind the extra sales it was bringing in but it made for a long tiring days and it was nights like this one that made me grateful to live in the apartment above the shop.

I cross the floor, turning off the lights as I made my way to the door to flip the sign to 'closed'. I had meant to do it when I'd locked up but I'd forgotten, too ready to escape upstairs and the hot soak in my tub that awaited me. I reach the door and am about to turn the lock when a figure catches my attention. It is lying on the bench outside my shop, illuminated by the street lamp. It wasn't uncommon to find a homeless person on the benches that lined the street but something seemed off with this one. Looking closer I notice how nice his clothes are and how shiny the shoes are; that was clearly not a homeless person.

"Please don't be a dead body." I mutter as I exit the shop, looking up and down the street.

A few cars pass by but there is no foot traffic in sight. I walk over to the figure and smell the alcohol several feet away. Whoever this was they'd apparently had a bad night.

Judging by the clothes and size the figure was a man. He wore dark slacks and blazer over a simple white dress shirt with shiny black shoes and crumpled up under his head like a pillow a black overcoat, his arm thrown over his face. The night air is crisp and judging by the heaviness of it rain wasn't too far away. I knew I couldn't just leave him there, though it would certainly be easier. I'd call him a cab once he woke up.

"Excuse sir. Are you alright?" I ask, nudging his shoulder lightly.

He mumbles something I don't understand and tries to swat me away. Rolling towards me and the back of the bench and I catch my breath. I was looking down at Tom Hiddleston, one of the lead actors in the movie filming down the street; but what is he doing out here, and apparently as drunk as a skunk?

"You need to get up sir. I can call you a cab."

I nudge harder this time and he looks up at me with unfocused eyes.

"Where am I? Who are you?" He slurs sitting upright and looking around.

"You...fell asleep on the bench outside my shop. You can't stay out here, it's about to rain. Can I call you a cab?"

"I can't go back to the hotel. She'll probably be there packing her stuff up. Let it rain on me, I don't care."

He goes to lie back down but I catch his arm coming around to stand in front of him. He really couldn't stay out here, no matter what he said. If he didn't want to go back to his hotel there was surely another one he could stay at for the night.

"Come on, I can't let you stay out here. Which hotel do you not want to go back to?"

"I can't be seen like this at any of them. Just leave me be."

"That's not happening hun. My apartment is on the second floor here; you can stay with me until you sleep off your bender."

"Do I know you?" He looks up at me again, though I'd wager he couldn't actually make out my face.

"No sir. But if you stay out here much longer someone other than me is going to see you. I'll carry you like a sack of potatoes if I have to."

I wasn't completely sure I could've actually done it but luckily I didn't have to find out. He stands up and immediately sways on his feet.

"Whoa there!" I gasp, ducking under his arm so it rests on my shoulders.

"Thanks." He slurs, smiling down at me.

"No problem." I chuckle, shaking my head.

He is considerably taller than I am meaning this wasn't going to be easy. I was seriously considering trying the potato sack idea as voices drift down the street. Grabbing his coat with my free hand I wrap my other arm around his waist and start inside. It takes longer than I like but we manage to get inside and close the door just before the men pass the storefront. I spot the cameras in their hands and breathe a sigh of relief. That could've, and would've been bad. I didn't follow the tabloids but I knew people who did and I had no doubt they'd have a field day if I'd have just left him there.

"I need to lock up. Do you think you can stand here for a minute by yourself?"

"Sure."

Seeing him sway as soon as I let go I doubt the truth of that but having no other choice I let go and quickly turn the lock. To my surprise he does stay on his feet despite the swaying. I chuckle and loop my arm back around his waist as he drapes his arm over my shoulder and studies me.

"Why are you helping me?" He asks, a crease forming between his eyebrows.

"Because you look like you need it." I say smiling back, "Now let's get you upstairs."

Stumbling through the living room and through the sliding French doors to the bedroom I sit him down on the edge of the bed. I'd debated on the trip up where I should put him and had come to the conclusion there was no way his tall frame would fit comfortably on my couch. He starts trying to shrug his suit jacket off and gets frustrated when it doesn't work.

"Here let me help you."

I slip the jacket off easily, laying it across the foot of the bed. He falls back with a groan onto the bed leaving his legs where they were. Giggling I slip his shoes off and place them on the floor at the foot of the bed under his jacket. I help him sit back up so I can get him into the bed correctly and pull the covers up over him.

"Thank you." He mumbles sleepily, catching my hand as I turn away.

"You're welcome." I say softly, squeezing his hand gently, "Good night."

He mumbles something I don't understand and lets go of my hand. I pull my pajamas out of my dresser and close the door bathroom door behind me. By the time I finish getting ready for bed and walk back into the bedroom he is softly snoring.