There was a certain calm in the early morning. Just after dawn when the sun was rising but the air was still cool and crisp.

Spencer loved the mornings. He'd never been one for team sports. Always too small and slight, thanks to being six years younger than his classmates. Track was the only thing he was allowed to participate in, given the lack of contact with his teammates. Cross country was his speciality. He loved it because he could just let his mind go and focus on his stride and his breathing for miles. It was his meditation. Even when the team was out in the field, he'd try to find a half hour to run. It let him clear his head, energize. And it didn't hurt that it kept him in shape if he ever needed to chase down, or out run, an unsub.

That last detail was the same logic Danny had given for taking daily runs, as well as working out at the local gym. Normally Spencer preferred to run alone but the FBI academy was located on a Marine base and their military brethren weren't very cool with visitors hitting the trails alone. So Spencer had volunteered to be Danny's running buddy so his friend wouldn't be shot on sight.

And it was nice in a strange way to have someone there. Danny made him push a little harder. Unspoken sense of competition. After four mornings, he was going to miss the companionship.

"You okay?" Spencer dropped a few feet to pace himself with Danny.

"Yeah, I'm good."

"Handle another half mile before we turn back?"

"Bring it on." Danny grinned.

Spencer lead the way further down the path. He usually ran to the old checkpoint just before the marine drill area and back. It was a solid five mile run and even taking it easy, he could cover the whole thing in less than an hour. Plenty of time for them to shower and have a nice breakfast with the others before Danny and Don's flight home.

Minutes later, they were looping around the checkpoint and turning back. As they made the turn, something caught Spencer's eye. He slowed, jogging off the trail.

"Oh my god." Danny said as they reached the object.

Spencer pulled out the phone he had to keep on him even during his morning runs.

"This is Special Agent Spencer Reid. I need a crime scene detail at marker 12, south side. We have a DOA." He informed the dispatch officer. He dialed a second number. "Gideon. It's Reid. You better get down here."

Within minutes there were several vehicles in the area. Don and Morgan climbed out of a car with Gideon.

"What's going on?"

Spencer pointed to the body. "It's Carson."

"Damm." Morgan hissed under his breath.

"You know the guy?" Danny asked.

Spencer nodded. "He was a BAU agent."