The next morning, Sebastian woke first. Molly still lay on his pectoral, but now she was curled up since the blanket had slipped in the night. He covered her fully, lightly rubbing her back as he thought about their next move.

We'll be fine once we get to the safe house, then I'll figure out the best way to confront Jim. His mobile chirped. Careful not to disturb Molly, he reached over and grabbed it.

The formula isn't permanent. SH

Seb raised an eyebrow.

How do you know that? Seb

I tested it on a lab rat. We just have to wait for it to run its course. Probably another day or so. SH

You're sure about this? Seb

Positive. Molly will be her proper size soon enough. SH

Seb set the phone down then looked at his girlfriend. That word feels so right. "Molly?" he murmured, stroking her hair. "Wake up, Tiny."

"Mmm, don't wanna," she murmured sleepily, her eyes still closed.

He chuckled. "I have news from Holmes."

That was enough to get her to sit up. He couldn't help a smile when she modestly covered herself with the edge of the blanket. "What did he say?"

"The formula will wear off in a day or two. You're going to be fine."

Her face lit up. "Oh, Seb!" She leaned forward to kiss his chin, the blanket slipping from her hands. "Thank you!"

"Don't thank me, Holmes and a lab rat did all the work." He lightly stroked her hair, his eyes never leaving her face. "We should get going."

"Can't we stay a little longer?" She kissed his chin again. "I like spending lazy mornings in bed with my lover."

Sebastian could feel himself getting hard. "Molly…" He was trying to sound annoyed but it came off as desperate.

"Yes?" she asked, grinning mischievously.

"You're trying to kill me, aren't you?" he groaned quietly.

"Whatever gave you that idea?" she murmured as she kissed the corner of his mouth.

"God… When all of this is over, you and I aren't leaving your bed for a solid week."

Molly grinned. "I love the sound of that, but what will we do in the meantime?"

"Die of frustration," he muttered.

She kissed his cheek. "I'm glad to know I'm not the only one affected."

He lightly stroked her hair. "Believe me, Tiny, you've got me more worked up than any woman I've ever met."

"Mmm… I just hope you're not disappointed when it's finally time."

"You could never disappoint me, Molly."


They arrived at the safe house without incident but Molly could tell that Seb was on edge. Even after he checked first to make sure the modest house on a residential street was clear before he took her inside, she could see his entire body was tense. The reason suddenly struck her. "You were expecting an ambush," she said as he set her on the kitchen table.

"Honestly, I'm surprised he hasn't found us yet," he admitted as he entered the walk-in pantry and started checking expiration dates on the shelved food.

"What will you do when he does?" she asked carefully. Some evil little voice whispered in her head, You're worried he'll hand you over to Jim, admit it.

Seb must have heard something of that in her tone. He grabbed a package of spaghetti noodles and a jar of marinara sauce then set them on the counter before coming over to her and sitting down in the closest chair. "I'll die before I let him take you, Molly," he said firmly. "My loyalty to Jim ended the moment I saw what the dart did to you." He held out his hand to her. "Please believe me."

She swallowed hard. "I do," she said as she sat down in his hand and held onto his thumb as he brought her closer. "I'm sorry, you've done nothing but support me, it's wrong for me to suspect for even a moment…"

"It's alright, Tiny," he murmured. "You haven't known me long, you're bound to still have some doubts." He lightly kissed her hair. "Let's get dinner started."


Sebastian woke up in a cold sweat, the last images of his nightmare replaying in his mind. His heart was racing and if he didn't control his breathing soon, he'd hyperventilate. Desperate to reassure himself she was alright, he turned to Molly. She was asleep on the other pillow, using a linen handkerchief he'd found in a dresser drawer as a blanket. He watched her breathe for several heartbeats, forcing himself to calm down.

She's alive, Moran. Jim didn't kill her. She's alive and she wants to be with you. Needing her closer, he gently picked her up.

Molly opened her eyes, blinking sleepily as he settled her on his t-shirt-clad chest. "Seb? What's wrong?"

Might as well be honest with her. "Nightmare," he muttered. "You were too far away."

"Do you have nightmares often?" she asked gently.

"More than most men, probably." He reached up to lightly stroke her hair, the tension finally leaving him. "Not as many as Jim, though."

"'No rest for the wicked?'" she guessed, smiling weakly.

He grinned back. "Exactly. Holmes sleeps like a baby, I'm sure." One more reason to hate him.

"I wouldn't know." She scooted closer to kiss his neck. "And I'm not going to. The only man's sleeping habits I want to know are yours."

He chuckled softly. "Am I that transparent?"

"About Sherlock? Yes." She moved back so he could see her properly. "You're the man I want, Sebastian Moran. Sherlock is just a friend."

Seb smiled weakly. "I guess we're both full of doubts tonight."

"Yes, but I hope we've laid them to rest. I trust you, Seb."

"And I know you're all mine, Tiny." He lightly caressed her cheek with his finger.

She smiled at him happily. "Do you think you can sleep now?"

"Absolutely, if you stay where you are."

"I wouldn't dream of moving." She laid down on his pectoral and he pulled the blanket over them both, keeping a protective hand over her.

They were just drifting off when Seb's mobile rang.