I stepped off the plane and walked towards the gate. Sebastian walked with me. We chatted as we waited for our bags to come off the carousel. When his suitcase came first, I expected Sebastian to leave with a kind goodbye and a smile. But he came back to stand next to me and waited till my suitcase and garment bag came around, I grabbed it. Sebastian and I walked towards the exit and stepped out into the London air. I breathed it in, it smelled like home.

"Like the smell?" Sebastian teased.

"It smells like home." I told him, making him crack a smile.

"Home?" He asked.

"I left home when I was eighteen." I explained, looking away from him. "Ran away. Never went home, this is the first time since I was eighteen."

"Then why are you coming back now?" He asked.

"I've caused enough pain. And it's Christmas, what better present could I give them?" I responded, finally looking him in the eye. He smiled.

"That seems like a wonderful present, Cor." He complimented, and I gave him a smile.

"Thank you," I looked back to the cabs milling around and smiled back at Sebastian. "I should probably go, check in to my, uh, hotel, but..." I frowned.

His eyebrows scrunched up in confusion. "But what?"

"I'm being too forward, never mind." I said and looked back towards the cabs.

"You've got me curious now, what would be too forward?" He asked and I looked back at him and surveyed his face.

"Good, if I've got your curiosity, you'll come looking for me." I backed away towards the cabs. "Sebastian, if you want to know, find me. Corwin Turner." I grabbed the handle of one of the cabs and opened it. I put my garment bag inside, leaning across to the other window and hanging it on the hook. The cabbie popped the trunk and I walked over and opened it. Sebastian came over and helped me lift the suitcase inside the trunk. We closed it together, then he fenced me in against the trunk.

"I want to know now." He demanded.

"Mm, I bet you do." I twisted away from him. "But you'll have to find me. You'd have no incentive otherwise." I slid into the cab, rolling down the window. He came to the window and leaned down.

"How could I possibly do that?" He asked.

"Use your military connections." I suggested. "Or a private investigator. You have my name."

"But-"

I smiled, rolled up the window and told the cabbie the address. And I left him standing on the curb, wondering and hoping.

My hotel room was on the nineteenth floor and had a beautiful view of downtown London. I could see the Eye, and the Thames, and Big Ben from the balcony. The bedroom had it's own room, as well as the bathroom. There was a living room in the front of the room where you came into through the door. I smiled at it. This would do just fine. At least till my brothers came to terms with me not being missing or even dead. Who knows what they think, I was even sure to change my name.

As I leaned on the balcony railing, I thought about Sebastian. I really wanted to see him again. I really did. He was kind, and sweet, and because of my, er, keen observation skills, I knew a lot more about him than I had any right to. But still, I wanted to learn what I could without cheating. And if he couldn't find me, well, I knew how I could find him.

I walked back inside and opened my garment bag. The dress at the front was an all white one I had bought for this specific occasion. The bodice was fitted and the skirt was flared, when I had tried it on, I had known it was the dress I had to wear on Christmas when I saw my brothers. It's been years. I remembered that day.

"Corry, you are not going anywhere!" Mycroft shouted. He grabbed my arm and my bag fell from my shoulder to my elbow.

"No! Let me go, Mycroft! You can't stop me, I am a legal adult, have been for a week, you can't make me stay!" I shouted, ripping my arm free.

"You can't stop her and you know it, brother." Sherlock's voice came from the doorway behind us. I looked at my brother and sucked in a breath to hold back to tears. I didn't expect Sherlock to care. He'd always been so withdrawn and emotionless. This was him showing he didn't want me to go.

"Exactly. Sherlock is right. As always." I growled, pulling the duffel back onto my shoulder.

They both stared at me and I bit my tongue. Tears sprang to my eyes and I pushed them back. Mum and Dad were out. Mycroft and Sherlock would have to tell them. I'd take my car. They couldn't stop me from leaving. They knew that.

I turned away from them and opened the door. "Corwin." Mycroft said. I turned back. "Don't go, please."

"I have to. I can't stay here." A tear fell down my cheek. "I'll miss you both." I looked at Mycroft, then at Sherlock. Who wouldn't look me in the eye. He muttered something I couldn't hear, but I could read his lips. Sentiment. He never did think it was important.

I opened the door and walked out. My hands shook as I opened my car door and climbed in. I didn't know where to go. I just wanted out. As I drove down the streets, at first with no real sense of direction, then I started recognizing where I was going. It was to Tilly's house. Tilly was my best friend and she lived with her aunt in a small apartment. I didn't have anywhere else to go right now.

Once out front of Tilly's building, I grabbed all my stuff and walked to the door. I took the elevator up to the top floor and walked to her apartment, tears falling down my face while I silently cried. I didn't want to leave. I wanted to stay, but it just wasn't going to happen. As I raised my fist to knock on the door, I let out a sob.

Tilly was at the door moments later and when she saw me, she pulled me into a hug and inside. "What happened, Cor?" She asked.

"I left. I finally left and I'm never going back." I let out another sob.

"It'll be alright," She promised.

As the memory faded away, I sighed and went inside. I fell back on the bed and closed my eyes. This would be difficult.