Seeing Khan soon became the highlight of Molly's week. She had yet to get him to open up but she knew the day would come. Khan seemed to enjoy their time together too – he visibly relaxed when she entered the exam room, and though he rarely responded, he seemed to like listening to her ramble on while she drew his blood.

At least, he never tells me to stop.

When her geriatric cat Toby finally had to be put to sleep, the last thing she wanted to do was see Khan the next day – she didn't want him to see her while she was an emotional wreck, but it she knew it was her duty. She was still nowhere near a cure and as long as Khan was willing to help her, she had to try.

Molly put hardly any thought at all into her clothes that day, she just grabbed trousers and a blouse and prayed they were clean then put them on. It took all the willpower she had to leave her house but once she was at the compound, seeing Khan reminded her that some things didn't change.

"Good morning, Khan," she said quietly.

"Dr. Hooper." He paused, looking her over. "Where's your yellow?"

She stared at him. "My what?"

"You always wear something yellow."

He noticed? She had started wearing her favorite color daily when her mother died, as a reminder to herself to find something good about every day. Molly looked down at herself. "Oh…" He's right, no yellow. She raised her eyes to his, swallowing against the lump in her throat. "I … um … my cat, Toby, had to be put down yesterday. I guess I'm not in the mood to wear yellow today." She tried to smile, but it was weak. "How is your morning going?"

"Fine," he said, as always. When she started to draw the blood, he murmured, "Tell me about your cat."

Molly blinked in surprise then she smiled weakly. "He was an ornery pain in the arse, and I loved him dearly." She proceeded to tell him all about her beloved pet, and he actually paid attention. When she was finished with both the story and his blood, she murmured, "I needed that, thank you, Khan."

"You're welcome."

The next time, she walked into the exam room only to find it empty. He's always here before me. Something must be wrong. She was about to go look for him when she saw something on the counter sparkle. She went over and picked it up.

It was a small heart-shaped pin made of hammered gold. There was no note, there wasn't even a maker's mark on the pin, but she knew exactly who it was from. Khan. He made this so I would always have something yellow. How can a man who's so cold do something so … sweet? She felt her eyes welling up and brought a hand to her mouth, trying to force them back down. It wasn't working.

The sound of someone clearing their throat behind her made her jump. She turned around to see Khan standing there, and her tears started to fall down her face. Khan looked like he had no idea what to do so she smiled at him weakly. "Don't mind me, I'm just overemotional, I guess." Seeing his relief, her smile widened. "But I want to thank you for this, Khan." She held up the pin so he could see it. "It's perfect."

"So are you," he blurted.

He really thinks that? Molly thought, blushing. "Um, thank you. So are you. Not just genetically, I mean." God, he must think I'm an idiot now.

He grinned at her. It wasn't a "haha, you're an idiot" grin. It was more of a "I like you and now I know you like me" grin.

She couldn't help grinning back.

For their next visit, Khan already had his sleeve rolled up when she walked in. Molly smiled a bit.

"Actually, today I'm going to need some different bodily fluids, if that's alright."

Khan raised an eyebrow. "Which fluids?"

"Urine, saliva, and sweat."

"It's a good thing for you I'm well-hydrated." He took the offered specimen jar and went into the tiny washroom, closing the door behind him.

There was one more fluid she wanted but didn't have the courage to ask him. How in the hell do I ask the hottest, sweetest man I've ever met for a semen sample without turning into a blushing, stammering mess?

He came out a few minutes later and handed her the full jar. She in turn gave him an empty test tube, which he spat into then gave back to her.

Molly smiled a bit as she put the top on the test tube. "I don't know about the last one, I have yet to see you break a sweat." Am I flirting with him? Oh God, what if he thinks I'm flirting with him?

Khan raised an eyebrow. "I require much more physical exertion than the average man before I start to sweat." He looked her over then murmured, "Do you think you can provide that, Dr. Hooper?"

She stared at him. Oh God, is he flirting with me? No, he can't be. "I … um … there has to be a treadmill around here somewhere."

"Really, Molly, is that the best you can think of?" he murmured, amused.

Her eyes widened. "You … you've never called me Molly before."

Khan smirked. "Today promises to be full of firsts, then."

She was about to say something when Khan took her in his arms and proceeded to snog her breathless. Molly kissed him back as soon as she got over her shock, her hands clinging to his biceps as her knees weakened. Khan held her flush against him and she could feel his arousal pressing against her stomach. Between the kiss, the lack of oxygen, and his cock, Molly was getting dizzy.

From hardened steel to bold as brass, she thought.

Khan must have sensed that – he broke the kiss and gazed down at her, smiling a bit. "Forgive me, I forgot that I can hold my breath far longer than you can."

Molly gaped at him. "Why would you do that?"

"Forget that we are, physiologically, very different? Easy to do in the heat of the moment."

"No, kiss me."

"I've wanted to do that since we met." He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, his expression turning serious. "You are the only person here who treats me with respect, why wouldn't I be grateful?"

"That's … um … a heck of a thank you."

Khan chuckled. "I've only just begun."