Author's note: I'm neither a physician nor a chemist. I did do the necessary research to support this chapter, but any mistakes are mine entirely. Just know that this is all possible and I'm not taking a creative license.

It's only fear that makes you run

Alex grinned as Agent Reid's eyes glazed over and he passed out. He reached into his other pants pocket and removed his second kit, which contained a syringe and a new needle. He fixed the syringe, and then carefully removed the tiny vial from his jacket. This was part of the reason he needed the gloves: the poisonous liquid could be absorbed through the skin so he couldn't take the chance of spilling it on his hands. Alex filled the syringe with the full dose-he'd actually only acquired a small dose but he had been assured it would be more than enough to be fatal.

With one hand he lifted the belt slightly to reveal a vein, and he deftly injected the contents of the syringe using his other hand. The entire procedure took less than a minute. A glance at his watch told him he was quickly running out of time. He gathered up all of his paraphernalia and walked around the living room, pulling books off of shelves and pushing papers to the floor. Alex spent nearly two minutes faking a robbery before he hurried to the front door. He stopped long enough to put on his shoes and make the door look as if it had been picked in a more traditional manner. A peek into the hallway told him the coast was clear, and he casually walked into the corridor after closing the door gently behind him.

He took the stairs all the way to the lobby and exited through a side entrance. He took a longer way around the building before crossing the street to his car. Alex hurried into his car and locked the doors behind him, checking the street for signs that anyone was on to him. The street was just as empty as it had been when he left. With a satisfied smile he sat back in his seat to await the arrival of Agent Morgan. His better judgment told him that he should go ahead and leave, but his curiosity made him sit and watch the apartment building. I'll leave when the police show up. By then it'll be too late anyway!

Morgan hurried down the hallway to Reid's apartment. The trip to the pharmacy had taken less time than he thought, but he hated leaving Reid in pain any longer than necessary. As he pulled out his key to the door, he glanced at his watch. Twenty-five minutes. Not too bad considering the distance. Fortunately there wasn't any traffic or hold-ups along the way. He entered the dark foyer, pausing only long enough to lock the door behind him and set the alarm. Morgan moved quickly into the dimly lit living room and slowed his pace as he saw the sleeping form of his friend stretched out on the couch. He must be asleep-he's never that still. Morgan didn't want to wake him up, but he knew Reid wouldn't sleep long if he was hurting. His decision made, he called Reid's name as he approached the couch. He frowned when Reid didn't respond, but as he got close he saw something that made him stop in his tracks.

Reid was lying on his back on the couch, a thin belt wrapped tightly around his neck. Even in the minimal lighting Morgan could see that his skin was pale and his lips were blue. Panic overrode all thoughts as he practically jumped on top of Reid and fumbled with the buckle on the belt. He pulled it so forcefully that the large buckle flew up and smacked him in the eye. Morgan barely noticed as he felt Reid for a pulse and put his ear to Reid's lips to listen for breathing. He nearly fainted in relief as he heard tiny, wheezing breaths come from his friend. He shook Reid and pushed on his chest to make him breathe deeper. "Reid! Wake up man! Come on Reid, wake up!" Morgan shoved his hands below Reid's ribcage, forcing him to inhale.

Reid's eyes flew open and met Morgan's. The terror clearly evident in them nearly knocked Morgan over. He tried to speak but all he managed to do was gasp for breath. "Hey, hey! Calm down Reid. Just breathe man. Just breathe!" Morgan held Reid's face to keep his eyes-which seemed to keep drifting-focused on his face. After a moment Reid was calmer, but he was still breathing shallowly. Morgan climbed off of the couch and turned on the nearby lamp. He was shocked and frightened to see that Reid's skin, though unusually pale, had a slightly pink tinge to it. The fact that Reid was cold and clammy to the touch made that discovery even more alarming.

Morgan pulled out his cell phone and called for an ambulance from the base hospital. "Hang on Reid, I'm getting help for you. It'll be ok man." I'm not quite sure who I'm trying to convince here! He sat back down on the couch next to Reid and held his hand. Then he speed dialed Hotch and barely got his sentences out coherently, finally just ordering Hotch to get there quickly and to call for police and a CSU. He then turned his attention back to Reid who was barely conscious and seizing slightly. Morgan knew for sure he'd have fainted if he hadn't been sitting down already. His basic first aid knowledge failed him as he studied his friend. The only thing he could think of was CPR, but Reid was breathing so that didn't help. He tried desperately to remember anything that could be useful, but he settled for rubbing Reid's wrist and murmuring meaningless words of comfort. The pounding on the door sent him jumping two feet in the air before he realized it was the paramedics.

Morgan tripped over the coffee table and stumbled down the dark hallway to fling open the door, nearly ripping it off of it's hinges. He yelled at the paramedics in wide-eyed panic as he pulled them inside the apartment. "My friend, he's having trouble breathing! I don't…I can't…he's not getting better!" He found it hard to form complete sentences as he ran into the living room followed closely by the two Marine medics. He stopped at the couch and allowed them to pass.

"Do you know what happened here, Agent?" one medic asked while the other checked Reid's pulse.

"I don't know. I came home to find him with this wrapped around his throat." He held up the discarded belt as he spoke. "I removed it but he still didn't catch his breath. He kept drifting off and it looked like he had a seizure." Morgan's rapid discourse left him winded, but he didn't miss the worried glances exchanged between the medics. "What? What do you think? What is wrong?" The panic was coming back in full force.

"We can't be sure," the second medic stated as he pulled out an intubation kit. "I have a hunch but there isn't anything we can do except intubate him and get him to the hospital quickly."

"What do you think it is?" Morgan yelled frantically as he paced the floor near the coffee table. Neither answered his question as they relayed information to each other and to the base emergency room. Once the intubation was finished, the first medic pumped air into Reid's lungs while the second moved the coffee table and pulled the stretcher close. They efficiently transferred him, and then one medic turned to Morgan.

"Agent, did you touch him at all?" The tone of voice sent lines of fear down Morgan's spine.

"Yes, of course I did. Why?"

"I need you to go wash your hands in hot water. Now! Use hot water and a lot of soap. Go!"

Morgan didn't pause to ask questions, but his worry and confusion grew. Less than a minute later he returned. The medics had already stripped Reid completely and bagged his clothes and sling. He was covered with a blanket on the stretcher while both medics hurried to the kitchen and washed their hands thoroughly but quickly. They started out the door with the stretcher while Morgan trailed behind them. He pulled the door closed but left it unlocked for Hotch's arrival.

"What's going on here? What's with the decontamination?" Morgan demanded an answer as the medics used an emergency key for the elevator. They waited until the elevator doors closed before responding to Morgan's frantic inquiries.

"We think he may have been poisoned, possibly cyanide. We can't know for sure until he gets to the hospital, but it can enter through the skin so we have to eliminate any chance of contaminating him further or ourselves."

Cyanide poisoning? How is that possible? How can he even still be alive if that's the case?

"I thought cyanide was instantly fatal." Morgan's voice clearly showed his fear and confusion.

"It can be, depending on the dose and the method of exposure. It's too soon to know anything for sure, but ensuring proper oxygen flow is vital at this point." He indicated his partner, who was continually pumping air into Reid. Morgan noticed that Reid's lips were still blue and his eyes were closed. To Morgan's horror, Reid's body started seizing again, more violently than before. The medic stopped administering the air and instead held Reid still to avoid him causing anymore harm to himself. The seizure passed after a minute, and the medic went back to the oxygen. Finally the elevator arrived at the ground floor, and all three hurried out to the waiting ambulance. The driver opened the back door and helped load the stretcher inside. The two medics climbed in with Reid, and the driver turned to Morgan.

"I'm sorry Agent, but there isn't enough room for you to ride. You'll have to follow us to NHCQ."

Morgan nodded, unable to think of a proper response. He stood rooted in place as he watched the ambulance speed out of the parking lot. He didn't even realize that he hadn't moved until Hotch ran up to him.

"What happened, Morgan? Where's Reid?" The worried, breathless question snapped Morgan back to attention.

"I…I don't know what happened Hotch. I came back and found…I don't know how it happened, who could have done this…he could have died!"

"Morgan, slow down," Hotch commanded as he placed his hands on his agent's shoulders. "Tell me everything as we walk." He started toward the lobby, but Morgan didn't follow.

"We have to go to the hospital. They're taking him to the base. They suspect cyanide poisoning, Hotch! We have to go with him!"

The news stunned Hotch momentarily, but he quickly made a decision. "You wait here for the CSU Morgan and I'll drive to the hospital…" he held up a hand to forestall the protests. "You are the only one who has a clue about what happened. You can tell them what you know and maybe they'll find something to help the doctors. Besides, I'm Reid's emergency contact so you won't get anywhere without me there. Call the others and have them meet you here. Once CSU is done you can all join me, unless I call for you sooner." There was no need to say why Hotch would call earlier. The unspoken implication was enough to make both agents sick.

Hotch started toward the parking lot, but he turned back to Morgan. "Derek, wait in the lobby until PD gets here, just in case whoever did this is still around."

Morgan nodded his agreement and hurried inside. Hotch sprinted to his SUV to follow the ambulance transporting his agent.

Three long hours later Morgan, Emily, and Rossi trudged wearily into HNCQ's emergency care. JJ and Garcia were still in route to the hospital with food for everyone. None of them could believe that they were in this position for the second time in less than a day. Morgan wanted to run in issuing orders, demanding answers, and waving his badge in front of the appropriate personnel, but his exhaustion prevented him from doing so. He settled for a heavy sigh and a speedy walk toward the front desk. Before he reached the desk, a man in a suit with military decoration approached the group.

"Are you the BAU team here for Agent Reid?"

"Yes we are," Rossi answered as he stepped forward. "Were you expecting us?"

"Lt. Daniel Fox. I've already spoken with Agent Hotchner, who informed me of your impending arrival. I'm here to escort you to him. I believe the doctor has already spoken with him."

"Thank you," Emily replied as the group headed down the hallway.

Lt. Fox opened the door to a small waiting room and gestured for them to enter. Their anxiety level grew as each one caught sight of their normally composed supervisor sitting slumped over with his head in his hands. They practically tripped over each other to stand near Hotch. Morgan's voice shook as he spoke with rapidly increasing volume.

"Hotch! What happened? Is he ok? Please tell me he's ok!" Rossi's hand on his shoulder stopped the furious flow of words.

"Aaron? What is the news?" Rossi somehow managed to speak calmly yet firmly. Hotch looked up at them with tired, concerned eyes. He let out a heavy sigh and indicated the chairs in the room. Once all were seated, he filled them in.

"They still suspect cyanide poisoning. The blood tests won't be back for several hours so all they have to go on are symptoms. He had a couple of bad seizures on the way here. They found an injection site on his neck; we're estimating that the belt was probably covering it," he glanced at Morgan as he spoke.

"I thought cyanide is usually fatal. How could he be poisoned with it and still be alive?" Emily's face showed a mixture of disbelief and fear.

"The doctors think the solution was diluted somehow. There's no way to know until the lab results come in, but time is critical so they've started treating him for it anyway."

"What kind of treatments are there for something like this?" Morgan asked as he stood and stalked around the room in frustration.

"They started administering pure oxygen in the ambulance and he's been on it ever since. There are a few antidotes approved to treat cyanide poisoning, and they're hoping that these will work. The process for using the antidotes is rather difficult and can be dangerous if the diagnosis isn't right. He'll have to be admitted to an ICU once the treatment is complete." He paused to let the information sink in before continuing. "Even with the quick response and proper treatment, he could still have serious complications as a result of the oxygen deprivation or from the poison itself."

"What kind of complications are we talking about here?" Emily asked worriedly.

"It's hard to say for sure. It depends on a lot of factors. Problems from moderate exposure can be headaches, convulsions, low blood pressure, respiratory arrest, comas, brain damage, even death." Loud gasps echoed through the room. "If he had an acute exposure it's unlikely he'd still be alive, but even a mild dose can be fatal if the right conditions occur."

"So we basically have to wait and see?" Morgan growled.

"Yes, that's all we can do for now. It can take weeks for secondary effects to take place, so even if all goes well now, he'll have to be monitored for several months."

Silence filled the room as the weight of Hotch's words settled heavily in the air.