Ch. 2

It had only been a week since he had packed up and moved all his things into Derek's rent house. Derek helped move his furniture out of storage, all he had to do was unpack and settle in. It was strange now, being away from Derek. Sure they still saw each other everyday, but it was different not being able to come home with him, each going their separate ways. The time apart did help him think about where they should go from here. It was almost like they were going backwards in their relationship. Derek called each night to make sure he was safe and ok. He couldn't stop hovering even if he tried, and Spencer had to admit he did like the attention, even though at times he pretended he didn't. Just less than a couple of weeks ago he was sure that he and Derek needed this space from one another, and now having the space, he seemed to miss him more than he thought he would.

Derek was at home, sorting through the closet, looking at all the space he had now and wishing that all these gaps were filled with Spencer's belongings. He knew it would be hard to make this adjustment to being apart, but at the time the idea of being apart really seemed like the best idea. They were starting to smother each other. They never imagined how difficult it would be to be with the one you love day in and day out, living together, and working together, it was like relationship over-kill. They needed to find some kind of boundaries so they both could breathe and not tire of one another. As they say absence makes the heart grow fonder, and he was living proof that those words were true. He never doubted his love for Spencer, but their relationship was becoming a chore when it should always be a joy. The good thing about the distance is that it made him cherish the time he did spend with Spencer. It made talking to him at night something to look forward to, which reminded him he hadn't checked in on him this evening. He picked up the phone and made his usual nightly call. The phone rang twice.

"Reid."

"Hey, Spencer. Thought I'd check up on you. Did you manage to get the water heater where you want it? I know how you like a hot bath."

"Yes, I did. Like you said I turned the dial up one notch and it worked perfectly. I just got done enjoying a nice soak only a moment ago."

"Well good. I'm glad everything is working. Don't hesitate to call if there's anything else wrong."

"I won't, but I don't plan to take advantage of your kindness too much longer, I'm already looking at prospective places I could move into."

Derek frowned at the words. He didn't want Spencer to make any permanent moves hoping that maybe in the near future he would be coming back to live with him.

"Spencer, can I be honest with you?"

"Of course you can."

"I really don't want you to find a place. I was hoping that you would just stay there till we figure out where we go from here. I miss the hell out of you right now. Clooney's whining, I know he misses you too."

Spencer feeling a little choked up responded. "Derek, I miss you too, and Clooney for that matter, but I don't want things to end up like they did. I just think we moved too fast with... EVERYTHING. After our first kiss, we jumped into bed. Within weeks of having sex I never left your place, and less than a month later I moved in completely. We never really even dated! It was all so overwhelming, and wonderful at the same time that I think we just burned ourselves out on one another and I don't want to do that again. I love you soo much Derek, but I don't just want to love you, I want to appreciate you as well. I definitely want you in my life, but I want to take things slow this time. Do you understand?"

Derek sighed. "Yeah I understand. And I know you're right. We did jump head first into this, but it felt so right, and it still does, but I know what you mean. We did over-indulge ourselves with one another. But I still want you in my life. So... (he paused) Where does that leave us?"

"We start at the beginning,... or maybe somewhere in the middle."

They both fell silent for a moment, then Derek finally spoke.

"Well, Dr. Spencer Reid, would like like to go to dinner with me Friday night? There's this place I have in mind that we both know and love, I would love for you to accompany me. How about it?"

Spencer grinned from ear to ear then responded. "I think I would love that."