Alrighty, my good friends,

First off, thank you all so much for following me and/or my stories. Writing The Thirteenth Step has really been such a wonderful experience for me. The sequel, which is titled The Constant, has become just as consuming. I swear it's all I think about. I have the feeling it will be just as good.

I'm posting here to help lead you guys to it. I will be posting it this weekend and I wanted to make sure the followers of this story know it's coming and to look for it.

When I post, I will probably let this (chapter! -not deleting story) stay up for a couple of days afterward and then remove it, since I think posting this is technically breaking the rules here.

Since I love you all, I'm providing an excerpt:

As Reid moved to pass Morgan at the doorway, Morgan gently grabbed his arm. Reid looked to their feet and then to Morgan's eyes. "I'm sorry. You know that, right?"

"I do. It's okay," Reid knew that wouldn't suffice.

"It's not okay." Morgan paused at the familiarity of the words being said. "I want you to be happy, Reid. What happened today was just a punch to my gut and I'm sure it's only one of many to come. You are… such a…" he wanted to say something nice like 'wonderful person', but he didn't finish his thought and only gave a gentle squeeze of Reid's arm still in his hand before letting out a sigh.

Reid squinted at Morgan, looking at him pretty hard and wondered what was going on. When Morgan licked his lips, the butterflies in Reid's stomach made themselves known. Standing so close to Morgan felt surreal and he could feel the tightness in his chest. He wanted to tell Morgan to step away or… or somehow get his own feet to move, but he knew none of that was what he really wanted. He tried to slow his quickening breaths; he knew this moment might change everything.

Morgan smiled just a little bit and shook his head. "Never mind," he said softly. Reid couldn't stop himself from staring at Morgan as Morgan stared back at him, obviously feeling that same connection. Morgan still had a hold of Reid's arm and was just beginning to loosen his grip. He looked at Reid's hair as he took a small step back. "Ya know… I never did like that haircut. I'm glad you're letting it grow out some." He continued to look Reid over and Reid was desperately trying to not think about how he had loved it when Morgan pulled his hair during sex.

Reid noticed immediately when Morgan's expression turned from slight disapproval to sad disappointment. He could see it coming; Morgan had to get something off of his chest. Reid braced himself knowing that anything Morgan had to say would be hard to hear. "You don't geek out anymore, you know… You're so quiet. I don't see that twinkle in your eye cuz you don't get excited much anymore… You aren't the same kid I used to know."

Reid licked his lips and let out a breath. "I, uhh… A lot of things have happened, Morgan. Neither…" he swallowed nervously, "Neither of us are the… same." Reid cocked his head as Morgan let him go and then he took in a deep breath. "Are you okay?"

Morgan slipped his hands into his pockets and lowered his head. He had a slight smile and his eyes held a subtle twinkle when they met Reid's again. "After, uhh… after everything that happened, we just sorta fell off the map, didn't we? We don't talk a lot … You don't go out into the field much anymore so we don't get partnered up." Morgan glanced away, toward the wall, nervous to spill, but he looked back at Reid and let his confession out. "I… I miss you, man."

It was obvious Morgan was trying to strain his words through his attempt to hold back the tears, tightening his throat. He wanted to be strong, but Reid could see right through him. He could hear how difficult it was for Morgan to say those last words and he squeezed his hand into a fist, trying to fight his own rush of emotions. He swallowed slow and hard as he tried to think of something to say, absolutely clueless. He had not only spent almost the last two years trying to get over Morgan, but he had been through so much personally and with his team at the BAU as well. Morgan was right.

"Are ya gonna say anything?" Morgan's face was so sad.

"Morgan, I-I," he couldn't stop the stutter and was thankful when Morgan cut him off.

"I can't stop thinkin' about you, Reid."

Reid just stood there. His heart began to ache as it tried so very hard to push blood through his veins. He could feel the sweat evaporating from his forehead and rubbed his hand down the side of his face. Why can't I let you go? He started to chew on his lips and he remained still, trying not to focus on how light headed he suddenly felt. The silence that followed was the kind that empties the oxygen from rooms. It was awkward as hell and so very suffocating. Reid told himself to stick to the plan. They weren't together and it was for the best.

I'm still editing so some things might change a little! See you this weekend!