Author's Note:

Sorry for the long wait. I was very busy and wrote this partly on the bus, then at school, then on my iPod, than on my computer, and then I did final edits of the iPad. Here's a long chapter to make up for it.

For this chapter and the next few I'd just like to mention for those of you who haven't read the books that Sherlock gets excited, very very excited when he is on a case. Doyle's descriptions are priceless. The first very good one is in The Boscombe Valley Mystery in my opinion. Here is an excerpt:

"Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, impatient snarl in reply."

Also please note that it's almost impossible not to have withdrawal symptoms and to quit like Sherlock did but in the stories and the show to a certain extent he is always portrayed like this. He wants his mind running and at work and when it isn't he takes drugs. If he's working he doesn't seem to need them as much, although he sometimes takes them to help him think. So basically, Sherlock is magic.

I have also thrown the scientific method out the window. This is in no way how you actually conduct research. I mixed up the steps quite a bit.

Previously:

"Than you would not mind it if we commenced?"

"I- Umm... what? Now?"

"Yes."

"I'd love to, but... Can I get dressed first? Wash my teeth. You should wash up too. I probably have some clothes that will fit you. And you should eat. You probably haven't eaten in days."

"Mmm, yes, I agree. I also need to get some things quickly. I'll be needing a notebook, some nicotine patches, painkillers for my rib, it's starting to hurt again, and a few other things."

"A notebook, for what? And nicotine patches... Sherlock..."

"I will need a notebook to record my observations. As for the nicotine patches, on other occasions I have noticed that you dislike being around smokers. You cringe slightly at the smoke."

"You're going to record how you feel?" Molly tried not to laugh.

"How we both feel. I am a test subject too. I would like to compare our experiences. Speaking of which, I would also like to conduct an observation of you. To give you a room in my mind palace. Will you agree to that also?"

"I suppose, and why didn't you say so?"

"Why didn't I say what?"

"That we were both test subjects." That this is really just you trying to convert a relationship into empirical data.

"I thought that was clear."

"Oh, forget it, now I know it's just you being well you and trying to analyze everything to death. I'll be in the bathroom. Think about telling John you're safe please. Even if it's only a text message. I'll even talk to him if you want."

"I'll text him."

"Good." She stroked the hand that was holding her than slipped away.

I'm at Molly's. I'm fine. -SH

Three seconds later the phone was ringing. Sherlock looked at it and sighed. He hated, hated talking on the phone. He'd sent a text. John would have to make due with it.

"Why aren't you answering?" asked Molly from the bathroom door. It actually sounded more like "Wha ashnt chu answeing?" as she was still brushing her teeth, but Sherlock understood.

"I have already texted him. You said that would be sufficient."

Molly washed her mouth.

"Oh, give me that... It's Molly. He came back. Everything is fine. He's just going to stay here for..." Molly looked at Sherlock.

"...a few days?" asked Sherlock softly.

Molly nodded, "...a few days."

"What about the drugs?"

"It's under control. He'll be back in no time John."

"What, you mean I can't come?"

"I think it'd be best if you didn't."

"Keep me updated than?"

"Yes, of course." Molly hung up. "Was that really so complicated?"

"I dislike speaking on the phone. It's very hard to deduce people from just their voice." He grabbed his coat. "I'll be leaving now then."

Sherlock wasn't back. It had been an hour. Molly was starting to worry. Had she really been so stupid as to let him go out alone and without his phone. He'd left it on the bed.

Another half hour passed and just when she was about to call John and go look for him again there was a soft knock at her door.

Molly ran to it and looked through the peephole. It was him!

She gave a sigh of relief and opened the door.

"Where have you been?"

"Something took longer than expected."

"You're not back on drugs are you? I trust you, but I need to check."

"No, but go ahead, check."

Molly stuck her hands in the exterior pockets. Nothing. She slipped her hand inside the coat and checked the secret one. Sherlock shivered slightly at the contact. He wasn't used to being touch.

"Nothing, but will you take it off?"

Sherlock closed the door and hung his coat. Molly took his hand and rolled up his sleeve, checking for recent injection sites. There were none but in their place there were 2 nicotine patches. She frowned at them then took the bag in his other hand and looked inside. Nicotine patches, over the counter pain killers, condoms. Molly blushed. And beneath it all, oh, he'd brought Chinese. And no drugs. She left the bag on a nearby table and rolled up the other sleeve. This arm was more used and she cringed at the scars, but none of them were fresh. Last, she padded his pant pockets. He was clean then.

"Satisfied?"

She looked up and was met with a pair dark steely eyes. She almost couldn't see the surrounding blue with how dilated they were. She gulped, "Yes." God, he was gorgeous, and now he was in his reach. It was almost to much. This couldn't be real.

Sherlock though about touching her, kissing her. Her pupils had just dilated slightly. But no, he had to prepare the experiment. He had to wash up. She probably wouldn't like it much if he was this dirty. Hell, he didn't like it.

"Those spare clothes you mentioned?"

"Ah, yes, I'll go get them."

Molly came back with a pair of old blue men's pajamas and a thin gray henley shirt.

"Don't forget the lock doesn't work. I won't come in but... yeah, if you want you can put a chair on the other side."

"It won't be a problem."

Sherlock took a quick shower than proceeded to set up his notebook while Molly heated the food.

"On a scale of one to ten, how strongly did you feel about me when we first met?"

Molly gave him a sad smile. "Sherlock... I- I don't know. Sentiment is hard to measure. I don't think a scale of one to ten will be of any use. Time passes and I forget or I embellish memories. It's always felt like a ten. How about we start at 0 and then we increase of decrease points as necessary?"

"That's brilliant!" Sherlock beamed. "How have I never thought about that. Oh Molly, sweet Molly." Sherlock grabbed her shoulders and shook her excitedly. "It's perfect. this might even be the reason why my previous experiment led me to a false conclusion."

Molly beamed at his confession.

"If we start as zero then when you first met me than will you guide me as best as possible through any changes?" Sherlock was flushed in excitement. His eyes were sparkling and it brought a joy Molly had very rarely experienced when she saw him like this. The feeling had never been so strong. This was why she'd fallen in love with him. His mind. That incredible mind. Not that his body didn't help, but she'd give up all his looks just to seem him like this in his element. So happy.

"Well, I guess that day after I met you it went down to a -5. You were a bit rude. But then I saw you. You were helping Lestrade, making some deductions. I couldn't help it. I instantly had a crush. I think that might be a five. It stayed like that for quite some time. Grew over the beginning of the year I would have said I'm at a hundred, but honestly... maybe 30, 40. I tried to forget you recently. To move on. But I probably only managed to get things down to a twenty. And then just now I think I just hit 50 and it's quite indescribable."

"Just now?"

"Well today, and a bit of yesterday."

"Oh. Has anything in particular cause this?"

"Well you told me what was wrong. You trusted me. You kissed me. But those were just a few points. You clarified I wasn't just an experiment. You made my day. You have improved. You seem to be quitting the drugs, and then... Just now..." Molly licked her lips and clenched his shirt in her hand. She hadn't even noticed she'd been gripping on to it. "Just now, you're all excited and happy and in your element."

Sherlock moved one of the hands on her shoulder to stroke her cheek with his thumb.

"Regret is an odd thing. I rarely regret, but... I regret not doing this earlier."

Molly thought he would kiss her now but he didn't move. They just stayed there starring at each other. It seemed like an endless moment, and it was. Molly would certainly never forget it, because what he did next was arguably better than a kiss.

"I'm sorry Molly, for everything, but it was the only way I knew how to cope. Will you forgive me?"

"Yes," she squeaked.

"Good, shall we eat then?"

"Uh... yes..."

They ate in relative silence. Sherlock's hunger had come back and he would be lucky if he didn't accidentally cut and swallow the Styrofoam plate in his haste. Molly hadn't eaten in a while with the whole mess and while she wasn't eating as fast, she had less food so she finished first.

"So, how will this work? Are we going to date?"

"I had the impression that dating was meant as a tool to get to know one another and get comfortable. I've known you for more than a few years. I think that has been sufficient time to get properly acquainted."

"Dating isn't just about that. Married couples sometimes still date. It's about going out having a bit of fun."

"I would not know were to take you. You are of course welcomed to come along with me on cases."

"That would be great but maybe we can try one date. I'll plan it and we'll see how it goes?"

"That would be... agreeable."

"What are we going to do now? I had plenty of vacation time gathered so I called in to work and told them I'd be taking the week off."

"Well, let's clean up the table and then we can commence with the experiment."

The table now cleaned Molly moved to sit beside Sherlock on the couch.

Sherlock leaned leaned forward but stopped short when he felt a sharp pain in his rib. He groaned and leaned back on the couch.

"What's wrong?"

"Ribs hurt. Can't turn." He said breathing in short gasps to help the sudden pain.

"Maybe we shouldn't do this now."

" No!" There was a hint of panic in his voice. "It's okay." Molly had never seen him look so determined. "There are other ways to kiss aren't there?"

And with that Sherlock pulled her to him so she was straddling his hips. Molly bit back a moan. This was really happening.

"Molly," Sherlock whispered.

He slipped his hand to the back of her head.

"May I?"

Molly nodded and Sherlock released the clip letting her hair cascade down her shoulders.

"I... like it better this way," he said as if the fact surprised him.

He ran his fingers through her hair. Once. Molly gripped his shirt. Twice. She leaned into him, her eyes fluttering shut. Sherlock recorded each observation in his mind palace.

Three times. "Mmm... that feels-"

He pulled her hair slightly. He didn't know why he'd thought to do that but the result proved incredibly interesting.

"Ah," she gasped and ground her hips into his.

"You like that." It was a statement. "Fascinating."

Molly whimpered. It was too much and he hadn't even kissed her yet.

"Do people normally like that?"

"I wouldn't know. Everyone is different about what they like."

"Will you do it to me?"

"Uh..."

She threaded her fingers into his hair, combing the side than the nape of his neck. He closed his eyes. She gave a small tug but there was no reaction. She soothed the spot, scratching his scalp gently with her nails. He froze at the sensation. His body went absolutely stiff.

"Sherlock?"

"Again," he pleaded in a hoarse voice.

Molly complied. Sherlock hummed softly. It was almost as if he was purring.

Molly was absolutely fascinated by this discovery. Sherlock had become incredibly aroused. She could feel him stirring beneath her and his face was flushed. She just held his neck with her right hand and felt his pulse thrumming away beneath his skin. It felt so good to know she was capable of doing this to him, giving him pleasure.

Sherlock's eyes opened and he pulled her forward so that they were only an inch away. His eyes flickered to and forth across her face as if looking for something, and then he closed them and pressed his lips to hers.

This time Molly moved her lips against his but the result was not exactly what she was expecting. His lips moved but in really, really slow motion. Molly licked his lip lightly than tried to slip her tongue into his mouth to see if perhaps...

Sherlock pulled back, breathing heavily.

Molly frowned. "Sherlock..." He didnt reply. "You don't have to answer if it makes you feel uncomfortable, but... Are you a virgin?"

Sherlock shook for a second, but not in a yes or no. He did it more to clear his head than anything. It was all so much to take in.

"I...uh...never gave it much thought. I suppose so if intercourse is a requirement."

"Have you kissed before?"

"Yes, several times, but it was never like this. There is so much information to take in. It's quite exhilarating, but..." He trailed off.

"Did you go any further?"

"Sort of..." But he did not elaborate.

"Maybe you should stop trying to take in every little detail. Just relax a bit, you can recall it later and organize everything into more... tangible data."

"But the data won't be as accurate."

"Yes, but if you analyze everything to death it's not going to help either."

"If you thinks its best than I will try."

"Just copy me, follow my lead, okay? And tell me if its too much."

Molly leaned forward again and kissed him. She started out slowly, moving her lips against him, scratching the nape of his neck lightly the running her hands down his chest. A spark of arousal suddenly shot through her at the feel of his toned chest beneath the thin skin tight cotton Henley. He wasn't that defined but he was hard as a rock. And the muscles rippled and flexed at her every touch.

Molly held back a moan and broke the kiss. She didn't want to risk deepening it again so instead she started placing small light kisses along his jaw and to his neck.

"Is it okay of I unbutton it?" Molly murmured against his skin. He had such soft skin. And that mole beside his adam's apple. She gave it a lick.

"Mmm..." Sherlock nodded.

Molly unbuttoned the three buttons and nibbled at his collarbone.

"Ah... don't, too sensitive."

"Sorry," Molly soothed the area with a kiss and went back to his neck.

She gave him a small nibble there and he seemed to react to that much better.

He pulled her forward roughly and buried his head into her neck intending to reciprocate but he didn't anticipate the consequences of his actions. He moaned into her neck as a sudden wave of arousal consumed him.

His pants had suddenly become unbearably tight. He felt the heat in his cheeks as they reddened in embarrassment.

"Sherlock?"

He stayed hidden in the crook of her neck.

"Hey, what's wrong?" Molly pulled back to try and look at his face but he tightened his grip around her waist and wouldn't let her budge. She could feel him try to take deep even breaths.

"Sherlock?"

"I can't do this. I can't... think. I didn't even try to think ahead. I didn't think...Urgh."

Molly stroked his dead softly. "It's okay if you stop thinking for a bit. That's the point partly, like I said. I don't understand what you're saying about thinking ahead though..."

"I made a rash move and now..." Sherlock kept trying to get his body under control with deep breaths. "Stop please..."

Molly's fingers stilled. "Sherlock, it's okay. We're bound to make mistakes, bump noses, fall unceremoniously to the floor. You shouldn't be ashamed. It's just me here. No one else will know. Ever. Even if it doesn't work out. I promise. This is just between us. Please don't feel embarrassed around me."

Sherlock continued his with his deep breathing but did not loosen his grip on her.

"Are you doing deep breathing exercises?" Molly managed to pull him away from her to see his face, but he would not look at her.

"Trying to... calm down... Wasn't supposed... let it get to this..."

"There isn't a set way to this. It's okay to go offtrack. We can just sit and talk for a while if you want. You said you wanted to spend time with me too."

"Is that what people do? Talk."

"Well yes. They talk about there lives, share their feelings or-."

"I don't want to talk then." Sherlock interrupted.

"...or," Molly continued, "we can just share things we like, talk about simple unimportant things."

"Why?"

"Because... I don't know. It's nice to share, to know others enjoy what you do. It's a way to connect."

Sherlock looked up. His eyes had lit up.

"Can we talk about my cases?"

"If you want," Molly tried to contain her excitement, "It's a start I guess." A really, really good start. God how I love when you make all those deductions so quickly.

Molly moved to sit next to him again, cuddling into his side. Sherlock didn't know what to do with his arms at first, but then he settled for wrapping one arm around her waist.

"Which would you like to hear?"

"Whichever one you want... Oh, wait! That one time you came in with the riding crop, what was it for?"

"Ah! A simple matter in the end, but it took quite a great deal of running around to solve." Sherlock paused then. He turned his head toward her, than turned it back, than turned to her again. His eyes looked her over, looking for something in her expression. "Molly..." he started much like that one time he'd clarified to John that he wasnt interested. "Why the riding crop? Molly do you enjoy-"

Molly flushed red and clamped her hand down on his mouth. "We were going to talk about your cases. No personal stuff." Sherlock raised his eyebrow.

"Mmmvery mmmwell," Molly removed her hand and he continued. "Then, as I recall..."

Author's Note Continued:

If I can think of a case involving a riding crop (Any Suggestions?) I'll write out what Sherlock tells Molly, if not, well I'll skip forward in time. I also encourage you to have a guess as to what took Sherlock so long.

... Also I think Molly might have a kink... oooh. I've seen a few fics were Molly is into BDSM a bit but she's usually a sub. If I decide to go into that subject at some point, she probably won't be. I much prefer sub Sherlock, whether it be with John or Irene. I have a thing for virgin!sherlock, in any subject matter.

I'm pretty sure most of you know what a henley shirt looks like. 99% percent of the people on here seem to be girls (Any guys reading this? I feel so weird.). It is a guys shirt, but anyways. I'd die to see Sherlock in one. Look it up if you haven't heard of them. Dexter (the serial killer) wears them if you remember. Also Bill in True Blood if you've watched that. It's a tight, collarless long sleeve with a few buttons on top. I'm pretty sure you'd all die to see Sherlock in one too once you know what I'm talking about.

I'm concerned about all the dialogue. Can you guys easily differentiate between Molly and Sherlock? Are their speech patterns different enough. I hate dialogue tags and prefer not to use them, but if they're necessary I'll put them in,

Replies:

Thanks for all the reviews as usual.

Ssmill:

I let her react a bit in chapter 4, hopefully both Sherlock and Molly's views on the experiment have been cleared up in this chapter.

243TypesOfTobaccoAsh:

Awesome Username, first of all. Thanks for the great critique. I think I've grown more comfortable with writing and posting this on here so I'm being more descriptive. In general I like to vary how much I describe to increase or decrease the pace. I dislike books that describe only either too much or too little. So yeah.

I think the same about Sherlock. And in this case I think he wants to give pleasure but isn't quite sure how, but what makes Molly a perfect fit is that she understands this. Understands how hard it is for him to even be in a relationship. She can't expect him to actually call it one.

As I said to Ssmill, this chapter hopefully cleared up how Molly feels about being a test subject in an experiment, but the issue is bound to come back.