FADE IN
INT. 221B BAKER STREET – EARLY MORNING
JOHN WATSON is sitting in his chair. The appartment is quiet. He appears to be reading the newspaper, but as we zoom in on his face, we see that his eyes aren't moving. As the camera moves around the room, we see that the flat is relatively empty and lifeless. The Cluedo board that once stuck to the wall has been removed, as has most of the chemical equipment that used to turn the kitchen into a makeshift laboratory.
The camera snaps back to John as the sound of a car door slamming shut makes him jump. He puts away the newspaper and sighs, doing everything in his power not to look around the room.
JOHN
(mumbling)
Stupid mistake. Shouldn't've come back.
As he wants to get up out of his chair, the door opens and the camera swivels to reveal the tall, coat-clad figure of SHERLOCK HOLMES.
John faints.
FADE OUT
FADE IN
INT. 221B BAKER STREET – EARLY MORNING
Close-up of John's face. His eyes flicker as he slowly regains consciousness. He licks his lips. Camera moves back and reveals Sherlock offering John a glass of water. When his eyes focus on Sherlock, John presses his back into his chair, moving away from Sherlock. He stares at him silently.
SHERLOCK
John.
John does not respond – he just keeps staring. Sherlock puts the glass of water down and moves over to the mantelpiece, turning his back on John, who then slumps slightly in his seat.
SHERLOCK (CONTINUED)
I am sorry.
Sherlock turns around again, to face John.
SHERLOCK (CONTINUED)
I did not know this would shock you quite so much.
These words seem to get through to John . He gets up from the chair and walks up to Sherlock, breathing heavily.
JOHN
You're dead. I saw you. You jumped off a building. You- you're dead. You jumped – I saw you. I saw you.
SHERLOCK
You saw what you expected to see. John. It was a set-up. It had to be. In order to –
Sherlock can't finish his sentence because John has punched him in the face. As Sherlock gets up, John is visibly struggling with the urge to punch him again.
SHERLOCK
I suppose that was –
JOHN
Don't. Don't… say anything.
The appartment is silent once again, apart from John's erratic breathing. John closes his eyes for a couple of seconds, then opens them again.
JOHN
We buried you.
SHERLOCK
Molly took care of that.
JOHN
She knew?
SHERLOCK
She had to.
JOHN
And I didn't. Apparently.
SHERLOCK
You couldn't know. They would've killed you.
JOHN
(shouting)
THIS nearly killed me!
John takes a deep breath.
JOHN (CONTINUED)
Do you have any idea, Sherlock, what it does to a person? Did you, in your infinite wisdom, ever even think about the consequences?
SHERLOCK
(quietly)
The consequences of the other option were too definite for my taste.
JOHN
So you faked your own death.
SHERLOCK
Yes.
JOHN
You're alive.
SHERLOCK
Obviously.
John let's these words sink in, not taking his eyes off Sherlock. Without saying anything else, he then proceeds to throw his arm around Sherlock, who's body stiffens a little before easing into the slightly awkward one-armed hug. John's grip on Sherlock's shoulder tightens as his final doubts disappear. As sudden as he threw himself at Sherlock, John lets go of him. Without so much as a glance over his shoulder, he marches into the kitchen.
JOHN
Right. I need a drink.
SHERLOCK
It's seven o'clock in the morning.
JOHN
And you were dead for three years.
SHERLOCK
Fair enough.
FADE OUT