He has to take another shaky breath, and then another long drink of brandy, as he considers the answer to this question. He realizes that it's a terrible moment in Watson's life, but it hadn't been anything less than traumatic for Holmes, either, and he isn't sure Watson's ready to hear that. Or worse, maybe he doesn't care.

Feeling numb, he steps toward the sofa and then hesitates, hazarding a glance at Watson, before he continues and sinks down onto it.

"The short version is that I climbed the rock face and hid on a ledge, and I waited there until everyone had left. Are you interested in the longer version?"