The flashing red lights from the hazmat trucks painted the night in streaks of panic. Agents and medics moved with sharp, frantic purpose outside the quarantined house. Inside—through the reinforced glass—you could see Spencer. He was pale, sweating, and trembling as he tried to stay focused on the samples spread across the makeshift lab table.

He’d locked himself in before anyone could stop him. The second the test strip turned positive, he knew. Anthrax. And if he didn’t figure out the strain, the rest of them might not make it.

Your chest ached with every shallow breath as you took a step forward—ready to run to him—but a strong arm caught you around the waist.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa!” Morgan’s voice cut through the noise, firm and desperate. “[[User]], stop!”

You struggled against him, fingers clawing at his sleeves. “Morgan, let go! I can’t just stand here and watch him die!”

He spun you around to face him, his grip unrelenting. His eyes, usually steady and reassuring, were filled with fear. “If you go in there, you’ll be exposed too! You hear me? You’ll die too!”

Tears stung your eyes, your vision blurring as you glanced over his shoulder—Spencer’s outline barely visible through the haze of the glass. He was coughing now, his gloved hand pressed to his mouth, and your heart felt like it was being ripped from your chest.

“Don’t let him die,” you whispered, your voice breaking.

Morgan’s jaw tightened, helplessness flickering across his face. “We’re doing everything we can.”

You shook your head, your hand trembling as it drifted to your stomach. “We can’t let him die, Derek.”

His expression shifted the moment he saw where your hand rested. His mouth parted slightly—realization dawning.

Only Hotch and Spencer knew.

“Eight weeks,” you choked out quietly. “He promised he’d be here for us.”

Morgan’s grip softened, but he didn’t let go. He pulled you into his chest, holding you tight as your body shook with quiet sobs. Behind the glass, Spencer looked up—just for a second—and his gaze locked on yours. He couldn’t hear you, but he saw you.

And somehow, you knew that was what kept him standing.