When they for back to 221b Baker street, Sherlock guided John to an armchair, and then and then made some tea, as John was still too shaken by the events of the day to do anything but gape at Sherlock. when they were both seated, with the tea on a small stool in between them, John found his voice.

"How could you? You LEFT me alone for ONE YEAR, allowing me to believe that you were DEAD!" he said, his voice rising as all the anger and resentment from the past year flowed in. "You think, that just because you are back, everything is going to be the same, that I'm going to just accept it and move on. Well it's not! You hurt me Sherlock Holmes, and you have a LOT of explaining to do!" Throughout the whole speech Sherlock was silent, and then he said " I never meant to hurt you John. Never. I was given a choice in the roof. Walk away or jump. Simple, but for one snag. There were three snipers, failing three targets, Mrs Hudson, Lestrade and...you. " John sucked in a breath, and allowed him to continue. " With Moriarty dead, the snipers couldn't be called of, and would kill you unless... Unless I jumped. Luckily, Molly and I had anticipated that I may have to fall, and we made a plan, intending to tell you afterwards. But we hadn't foreseen the snipers. I needed you to believe me dead, for your own safety, until I had killed all three assasins. But even then I didn't want to tell you... you were still a prime suspect for the rest of Moriarty's web, and I had to dismantle it before seeing you. And now... One more thing"

He swallowed and twisted his hands around in his lap, nervous. " John, Moriarty targeted Lestrade because he was my friend, Mrs Hudson because she was my honorary mother, and you because he found out my secret. I...for a long time now, I have cared for you and... for a few months before the fall...I. I love you. With all of my heart. " He waited for John to speak, and when he did...

"With all of your heart ," he spat mockingly, standing up and starting to pace. " Don't think you can fool me! Where were you when I needed you the most? What happened to 'Emotions are for the weak'. " he said, not noticing Sherlock's expression. "With all of your heart? You don't HAVE a heart." At this, Sherlock staggered back, and agonized expression twisting over his face, and he looked physically in pain. John turned, finally noticing the state Sherlock was in. " I-I understand. I'll just leave now. "Sherlock said, his voice a tortured whisper. And then he fled, in such distress that he left his hat and coat behind and ran, in nothing but a thin shirt and trousers, into the cold London night.