Disadvantageous

Chapter 3

"You alright, Miss?" The cabbie asked as Lydia slipped back into back seat.

She gave a nod, "I just had to deliver an unpleasant message, that's all. You can just take me home now."

The cabbie began driving to the spot he had picked her up from and Lydia began to worry about how to explain all of this to Liam. He knew how much she had cared for the detective, she had never tried to hide that from him, but now she was afraid that he would worry that she would break off the engagement or perhaps even start having an affair just to be with Sherlock again.

As her thoughts began to spiral, the cabbie dropped her off at her block of flats and she gave him the fare. He nodded at her and wished her a pleasant evening before driving off, leaving Lydia alone on the pavement. She took a deep breath before entering her block of flats and taking the stairs up to her lodging.

"You weren't gone long, I was half expecting you to be gone most of the night. Which would be quite a shame considering the promise you made me tonight in your dressing room," Liam greeted her, wrapping his arms around her waist.

However, she averted her gaze and muttered, "Liam, there's something I need to tell you. I promise that it will in no way impact my feelings for you or my desire to be in this relationship. But I'd rather this come from me so you don't have to find out through the papers."

"Of course, darling, what is it?" He inquired, trying to hide his nerves. She had assured him that whatever she needed to tell him wasn't going to affect their relationship, but he didn't like how worried she seemed.

"Liam, apparently-"

Lydia was cut off by a knock on the door, causing her to jump. Placing a kiss on her temple, Liam spoke, "hold that thought, dear, I'll get the door."

Perhaps she should have suspected something bad was about to happen, but Lydia was far too busy fretting. It was pointless, any objective mind would understand that, but Lydia was always afraid to lose the life she had built up after the last time she had lost what had been so near to her heart.

So, too lost fearing that her life would crumble once again, Lydia failed to realise that Liam had opened the door to reveal the very man she had been trying to warn him about. Liam immediately recognised him, both from the papers and the photos Lydia had kept of their time together. For a moment he thought he had gone insane, but there was no denying that the detective was alive and well, standing outside his and his fiancé's flat.

"Sherlock Holmes, I thought you died," Liam spoke when he finally got his voice back.

Sherlock, annoyed that his replacement had answered the door, brushed past him as he muttered, "got better."

Lydia spun around at the sound of his name being spoken, going pale at the sight of him in her home. "Sherlock, what the hell are you doing here?"

"You stormed off before I had a chance to explain myself."

"Explain yourself? There's nothing to explain, Sherlock! Did you or did you not fake your own death and fail to give me any sort of indication that you were still alive?"

"Well, yes, but-"

"And did you or did you not fail to contact me when you first got back to London, despite contacting others like John and Mrs. Hudson?"

"Lia, I-"

"Then I think I understand everything quite well. It's late and I'm angry, Sherlock, I think it best that you leave."

Despite Lydia's anger, Sherlock stood his ground, "I'm not leaving here until you listen to me."

"Then perhaps you should get comfortable because I am going to bed."