been there and done that as well. not just with leo friends, but others as well. I also feel strange when people say they get worried when i dont call or anything, I always toss back, well you know you have a phone and know where I live if you are that concerned. :) gets em everytime.

lol yah thats what the quotation marks were for. I could have said we try really hard not to be embarased. nice has nothing to do with it necisisarily.

Now that I think about it I do this...I tend to hangout with people for months and then disappear into my cave and come out a couple months later and do the same thing..Its nothing personal, its just sometimes I wanna disappear dont know why but i do.........

I think you hit the nail on the head.. humiliation is a Capricorn's worst nightmare. Even a threat of potential embarrassment can make me shut down and find another way.
I think calling it being "self-absorbed" (in one of the previous posts) is a little misleading because that implies that Caps are thinking only about themselves, but actually, they're thinking more about how their actions will frame the future or affect others' perception of them. Caps are certainly more complex than people think, but they don't know it because we don't let people see our weaknesses. It's safer to go into hiding than to air issues in public.
So, when a Capricorn you know goes into hiding mode, (most of the time) they're striving for perfection and are figuring out how to not make a mistake or say the wrong thing. Or they could just be ignoring you.. :)

I am a Cappy and I certainly have times to be social and times when I have to focus to keep a balance to all the weight I have (or saturn has) put on my shoulders.

I have to say as a young adult with new freedom I was not so considerate in letting people know I was OK, I had to learn that. I am not one that would be offened if this was done to me, however, I **would** worry about that person so I try not to put others in position to worry about me.
I have learned to communicate the intentions behind my behavior and also the value I hold in my friendships so they understand me better. It seems to work just fine.

I also have 2 very close Leo friends (of about 12+ years) and yes they are balls of endless energy.
When I am not around, they keep each other busy...And they understand that I go into my cave when needed and it is nothing personal. They are both pretty supportive actually.
They respect my time and will not interrupt it but at the same time know in emergency I will be there.
Infact, more recently, one of them texted me (not call, since it was not emergent) and said "I need you".
She NEVER interrupts me so I stopped what I was doing and called her immediately.

As far as the amount of time I spend alone/focused on my goals...
With age I have an increasing awareness that time is limited with the people I love so I do not take them for granted. I still have to do what I need to do as I work, but with the emphasis of 'quality over quantity' when it comes to sharing time and I do not forget to catch up/make time.
My friends and family give me space and I intern accomodate them as they are too.
I do not put expectations on them, but I do try to give them the things that 'they' need when I am present/or not.
And Aquarian poster (somewhere above), you are correct, we are not the only ones that dissapear.

I have many Scorpios AND Cancers in my family/circle of friends that need alone time...
So for me, the disappearing act is not such a bad thing. It can be managed as we become more aware...

As for Scorpio's disappearing, I have a stellium in Scorpio (Mars/Venus/Jupiter) in my 7th house of relationships and when I disappear in/from that respect, I certainly am gone for good.
I never look back either. In fact, I can complete forget that person at will. And I do.
But that has happened only 1 time so far in my life and it was a good call.