"So, what else do you want to know?"

Anything. Everything. Whatever you're willing to tell me. So many questions then ran through his mind that he had a hard time settling on just one. Finally, he settled on the one that he most wanted answered. "What does love feel like?"

If she was surprised at his question, she didn't show it. Instead, she smiled gently. "Believe it or not, that's something everyone wants to know before they feel it themselves. There isn't one definite answer, love feels different for everyone. You won't know until you're in it."

"What does it feel like for you?"

"To be honest, I don't think I've ever truly been in love. I've fancied, I've liked, I've lusted, but love? Real, honest, selfless love? It hasn't happened yet."

Khan could feel his heart sink. She doesn't love me. But then how could she? She's only known me for three days. But still, I would think she felt something.

Molly smiled at him fondly. "Promise me you'll never play poker."

He raised an eyebrow. "Why?"

"Your emotions are all over your face right now." She took his hand and squeezed it gently. "I like you, Khan. A lot. I'm drawn to you like I've never been drawn to anyone. Like a moth to a flame."

"And you fear I'll burn you?"

She nodded. "I know you'd never hurt me intentionally, but, well, things happen."

"You think I'm going to leave you."

"I think the universe will pull us apart."

"I won't let it," he said firmly. "You must promise me that you won't let it either."

"Khan…"

"I love you." He said the words quickly, he couldn't hold them back any longer.

She shook her head in disbelief. "You just said you didn't know what it felt like."

"It's not that I didn't know – I wanted confirmation. I want to spend the rest of my life with you, however long that is. I want to take you in my arms and make love to you for hours. I want to tell the world that you belong to me and I belong to you. Is that not love?"

Molly stared at him. "That's … um … that's one definition, yes."

He grinned at her. Now I must wait for you to feel the same.

Molly woke to arms wrapped around her from behind and her back pressing against a firm chest. She sighed softly, remembering how she had offered him a chance to stay. At least he's a gentleman.

After a moment, soft lips nuzzled her neck and she let out a low moan.

"Good morning," he murmured against her skin.

"Good morning, Khan," she murmured.

One hand moved up to stroke her jaw. "Wouldn't it be nice to wake up like this every morning?"

"It would," she agreed, "but it would also greatly increase the chance of me jumping you."

Khan chuckled, the deep, rich sound going straight to her core. "You say that like it's a bad thing."

She slowly turned in his arms to face him. "It's not bad, I just… You told me how you feel and it would be wrong for me to be with you until I feel the same."

He gazed at her for a moment then murmured, "You are a remarkable woman, Molly Hooper. Very well, we'll wait," there was a wicked glint in his eyes, "but I refuse to stop kissing you."

"I can live with that," she said, grinning.

She reluctantly left Khan to go to work an hour later, the thought of the slight pout on his gorgeous lips making her smile through her entire commute. Thankfully, there were no autopsies that day, just meetings and paperwork. It was just as well – she couldn't go more than ten minutes without thinking about her almost-lover.

The end of her shift finally came and Molly was walking out of Bart's front doors when she spotted a very familiar figure waiting a few yards away. The smile that spread across his perfect face did little to affect her annoyance.

Molly marched over to him and murmured, "What the hell are you doing here? You were supposed to wait for me."

Khan murmured, "I was tired of waiting." He offered her his arm.

"In other words, you were bored," she said, taking it and leading him to the curb. "Aversion to boredom is in your DNA, I should've realized it sooner."

Khan hailed a cab then helped her into it before climbing in himself. "Every highly intelligent person is averse to boredom."

"Well, as long as you don't start shooting the wall…"

He smirked. "No promises."

Khan watched from the sofa as his progenitor and the love of his life argued. He couldn't keep the amused smile off his face and he was glad Molly hadn't given him more than a passing glance once the argument started – he didn't think she found the debate as amusing as he did.

"What if someone recognized him?" she asked Sherlock, her arms crossed in front of her chest.

"They'd think he was me," Sherlock said. "He's me with straight hair."

"And twenty pounds of muscle," Molly added.

"I would have said fifteen, but you've seen more of him than I," he drawled.

Khan's smile faded in an instant. Sherlock wouldn't dare to insult Molly, especially in front of me, would he? One glance at his girlfriend told him she was thinking the same thing.

"And what the hell is that supposed to mean, Sherlock?" she demanded.

"Please," Sherlock scoffed. "Do you think I can't tell you're shagging? All the signs are there. I suppose I should be flattered – he is my clone, after all."

"What?" Molly asked, almost as shocked as she was angry.

"I suppose you'll tire of him once you've gotten me out of your system."

She looked ready to slap the man but all she did was turn and grab her bag. "Khan, we're leaving."

Khan immediately rose then followed her out of the flat. Neither of them said anything on the way back to her place. As soon as they walked in, Molly set her bag down then stormed into the kitchen and started making dinner, banging as many pots, pans, and cabinet doors as she could.

He took a moment to feed a protesting Toby then leaned against the counter, watching her. "Is it possible Sherlock is jealous?"

Molly took a deep breath then looked up at him. "Oh, he's jealous, but not in a romantic sense. He's jealous of anything, or anyone, that takes my attention away from him for too long." She turned back to chopping up vegetables. "He's a child and I wish he'd just grow the hell up."

Khan smirked. "I can deal with his childishness if it means he's not a rival for your affections."

Her dazzling smile was all the reassurance he needed.