BEFORE YOU READ THIS FIC: This fic is NOT finished. This fic will never be finished. You are reading this fic, knowing that I haven't updated since May 2012 (and the update before that was Sept 2011!) and I've let you know that there won't be any more updates. You are reading this knowing there is no true ending* and that you may be dissatisfied by this fact once you get to the last chapter.

I hate to be harsh, but I really want people to know what they're getting themselves into and also I desperately need people to stop leaving "please update this" reviews.

If you would like to leave comments (and I would love for you to!), please keep them relevant to the content of the work and not of the "write more!" variety; it gives me huge amounts of anxiety and leads to writer's block. If you're having difficulties, I'd be happy to provide you with a guide via PM.

*UPDATE: When you're done, definitely check out the work mentioned in the author's note on the last chapter; even though it's mildly AU, it's the closest any of us are ever getting to an ending, myself included. Seriously, I am not writing more. Thank you for being understanding.

Chapter 1: The Space Between

He clenched his jaw as he tried to hold onto some semblance of control.

He knew Reid had no idea. Reid didn't understand that changing his clothes so unabashedly made Derek's own pants feel tight, that inappropriate thoughts invaded his mind every time Reid sucked those goddamn lollipops, that he felt jealous when Reid's graceful hands tightly hugged a coffee mug, that his hair was a temptation just begging to be pulled, or that the way Reid rambled gave him plenty of time to stare at those sensual lips...

One time, Reid had invited him into his bedroom. It was a few years back when the withdrawals had been too much to handle alone and Derek had slept on the floor, blocking the door. Obviously, it had been completely innocent, but the way Reid had asked, the desperate need completely naked in his voice - along with finally seeing the inside of his bedroom - had only added to Derek's fantasies later.

So when Hotch stated that they'd have to double up, he was quick to say, "I'm not sleeping with Reid." And as the words came out, harsher than he'd meant, Derek could have sworn Reid was actually offended, maybe even hurt. He was thankful Garcia called dibs so quickly. Their relationship was so playfully platonic that it took the focus off what he'd said about Reid and directed it towards a comfortable and familiar joke that made everyone chuckle. His muscles relaxed slightly. Derek wasn't in the mood for being profiled by one of his coworkers and Garcia had accidentally given him the escape he needed.

As Derek tried to sleep that night, his mind kept returning to the memory of the last time they'd shared a room. Reid had quickly stripped down to next to nothing. Well...down to tight, black briefs to be exact and they blatantly highlighted the area Derek was unsuccessfully willing his eyes to avoid. That time, there had been separate beds and thus, no risk of accidentally brushing Reid with an erection, no risk of Reid waking up to Derek's arms wrapped around him, no risk of fucking up and upsetting his best friend. He just couldn't risk losing control.

He decided if he couldn't get sleep, he needed his brain to go back to working the case. He needed the case to distract him from wondering what Reid's cum tasted like, among other things.

Garcia solved that problem too. Unfortunately for her, she did it by stumbling upon the unsub's latest victim, but his friend putting herself in danger finally brought things back into focus for Derek.

He'd tried to suppress it, but he couldn't help the pained and slightly embarrassed expression that briefly graced his face.

He knew. And he was quite positive that Morgan had dismissed the possibility that he knew, which angered him. Spencer could concede that compared to the others on his team, it was harder for him to read people if he wasn't trying and that it could take him longer to get certain aspects, but it wasn't impossible. If he wasn't able to read the most basic body language cues, he wouldn't be working at the BAU, much less be considered good at his job. The entire team had trouble remembering this fact, but he was far more offended when it was Morgan who forgot.

It was the lingering glances. They had made him slightly uncomfortable and thus, aware that his best friend might have sexual feelings towards him. The first time Spencer noticed, he had started "lecturing" to deal with the confusion and uncertainty, but this caused Morgan to stare more intensely, at his mouth no less. It certainly decreased his doubts, but in turn, increased his anxiety.

So to cope with his growing anxiety and excitement, he engaged in another calming activity - absorbing information. The more he read, the more he watched, the more facts he possessed...the calmer he began to feel.

But as of yet, this knowledge hadn't gotten him very far. He had easily deduced that Morgan liked his mouth, so he brought lollipops to suck on while working on paperwork. This had not resulted in Morgan slamming him against a wall like he'd hoped. If he had to be honest with himself, it seemed to have the opposite effect. Recently, they'd shared a room during a case and he'd attempted to seduce Morgan by stripping down to his underwear. Perhaps not the best timing, but Morgan had excused himself to take a walk and avoided meeting his eyes for the rest of the week.

Despite the popular belief regarding his own cluelessness, he had begun to suspect that Morgan was the one who had a problem with reading people and not the other way around.

But after Morgan's proclamation regarding sleeping arrangements, all he had was doubt.

He hated keeping Reid at arm's length since they had been exceptionally close friends for years now. They had leaned on each other for support almost exclusively, but he could see the distance growing, especially now that the case was done. He wasn't sure if Reid was giving him the silent treatment or if he was just preoccupied and the uncertainty bothered him more than he cared to admit.

"Hey kid, my car's probably faster than the train and far more comfortable. Why don't you let me drive you home?" he asked once they were off the plane.

Reid gave him an empty stare and sighed before straightening up.

"...if leaving at the same time, your car is actually 3 minutes slower, but the next train won't leave for another 12 minutes." Reid paused, licking his lower lip. "Only if you let me drive."

With that and a slightly lop-sided grin, Derek could only smile and agree to Reid's request. It ended up being a quiet drive and he didn't quite understand why. Reid had smiled, right? Because as Reid put the car in park outside his apartment, he just looked pained.

"Morgan? Come up to my apartment."

"I don't know...I didn't exactly sleep in Alaska and..."

"You left beer here last time. The new Star Trek movie arrived just before we left. Fu Gardens delivers rather late. Pietro's does too. I'll sleep on the couch if you get too tired and need to stay."

"Reid, I..."

"Just...please don't leave me alone right now."

He heard the faintest hint of desperation in Reid's voice and that combined with his recent shift in moods made him fear the worst.

"Okay kid, sure. Don't make me regret it," he joked, flashing his trademark smile. "Is General Tso's chicken okay with you?"

Reid relaxed. "Did you know that General Tso's chicken would actually be more accurately described as American food as it didn't originate in China, but most likely a restaurant in New York? And actually, there are many dishes served at Chinese restaurants that are misattributed..."

"...Pretty Boy."

"Yes?"

"What would you like to eat?"