Ray woke up shortly before breakfast, creeping nervously out the door and down to the bathroom. He didn't see any sign of Venkman and felt himself begin to relax as he took a shower and wrapped himself in a thick, fluffy towel. He strolled back into his office, humming a tune as he shut the door behind him-

"About time."

Ray felt his throat go dry and he blinked vacantly at Peter, who stood leaning against Ray's office desk with arms folded over his chest, eyes steely and unforgiving.

Ray squeaked and spun on his heel to wrestle the door open, but Peter moved like a panther and barrelled across the gap between them with barely a sound, hand snapping out past Ray's head and pushing the door shut. Ray turned, backing up against the door. Peter was literally on the warpath now….

"I'm not even going to ask what you were doing in THAT part of town-" Peter began, and Ray immediately tried to calm him down.

"I went to my shop after dropping Egon's friend home, I-I wanted the tax forms-" Ray babbled "I thought I'd take a shortcut back to where I parked Ecto-1. I didn't know there was a club there now, explains why the parking was so bad-"

A faint growl from Venkman cut him off and Ray wilted back against the door, unsure what else to do? He'd rarely seen Peter this upset, was he afraid-?

Peter was close enough that he could subtly see how Venkman's chest rose and fell rapidly, his body language didn't show the usual control Peter possessed.

Peter read the sympathy and curiosity on Ray's face, realised that the perceptive Stantz was going to work something out and glared at him once more, even as his heart slammed against his ribcage in panic.

"I suggest you forget whatever you thought you saw, Ray." he said icily, trying to ignore the plaintive look on Stantz's face, but part of him wavered, chiding him for leaning on his friend this way. He couldn't risk anything, not even bearing Ray's loyal nature in mind…

Ray didn't speak, just nodded. Peter stepped back, waiting until Ray moved away from the door and then stormed out of it.


Alone in his office, Ray felt a prickle of sadness. Did Peter really think he'd be so cruel as to blab about this? Peter was a natural cynic, but he'd never been this cold before. Something about this had him scared, was it because it was something so...intimate?

He felt sorry for himself, but part of him was also worried for Peter. A person didn't act that uneasy unless they were on the verge of panic.


"Where's Ray?" Winston asked, as he threw more bacon into the pan "usually the smell of food is enough to drag him outta bed."

Peter grunted noncomittedly, but inside his head he wondered if he'd been too harsh on Ray. He couldn't get that look of sadness out of his head. He knew it didn't justify a thing, but he knew he had to make sure the truth stayed secret right now, until he could work something out to cover his bases better.

He went to have a shower, running last night through his mind…


He'd gone to that new club he'd been hearing about from a friend at the bar where they'd all celebrated defeating that massive ghost. He'd heard it was a nice joint, where nobody asked questions and people made out in the shadowy privacy of the booths. He had been sitting at the bar for a while, before he seen that same guy from the other bar take up the seat next to him.

"Who are you?" Peter asked "You were staring at me at the other place, too. If you're looking for an autograph, forget it, I get enough of that crap on the job."

"I'm not after that." the strangers voice was like silk, and Peter fancied he could feel the man's eyes like ghostly hands as they travelled up his body.

Peter raised an eyebrow, the smoky interior of the club lending everything a surreal air. How best to handle this..? He wasn't in the mood for another fanboy right now...

"Heh, that's real cute kid, but you're barking up the wrong tree-"

"I'm not," the stranger smiled knowingly "I partied a lot prior to taking over this place and I recognise you from a couple of my favourite hotspots."

"You own this place? Pretty plush setup kid, gotta hand you that." Peter said absently, as he downed the rest of his beer.

The man gestured to the bartender and soon two glasses of expensive import beer were set down before each of them. Peter raised a cynical eyebrow and the stranger chuckled.

"At least let me buy you a drink, Dr Venkman."

Figures, Peter thought, the guy had recognised him from the magazines or TV. Yup, total fanboy, yet another guy wanting in his pants because he was famous-

He took a swig of his drink regardless, wondering how to let this one down-

"Just to make myself clear, don't mistake this for an attempt to get into your uniform, Doctor V."

He had to try not to laugh as Venkman nearly choked on his drink, it seemed he'd read the doctors mood like a book. He carried on without missing a beat, as Venkman recovered from the surprise.

"But I will admit that I've admired your work for quite awhile now. My old man used to study ghosts before becoming a bartender, he was obsessed with messing with the spirit world. I think it was an early mid life crisis to be truthful. But what you and your boys do, thats the real deal. Not screwing about with a oujia board-"

"Ugh, don't mention THOSE." Peter groused "we've had enough run-ins with those things, thanks to kids messing about and wearing the barrier between worlds even thinner. I feel like smacking them upside the head, but apparently that's a no go." he rolled his eyes and sighed.

The stranger chuckled, before holding out his hand to him "Ivan Rhodes."

"Peter Venkman, duh."

"Heh, I'm familiar with all of you Ghostbusters, you're the celebrities of the spooks or so I hear."

"Pfft,-" Peter snorted "most of them hate our guts. We ARE usually ruining their plans for world domination after all."

"There's something to be said for the thrill of domination, after all. Totally shameless flirting, by the way." Ivan said with a seductive lilt to his voice as he flashed a brazen grin. He seen Venkman flush just a little, could tell from the minor shift in his body language that he was interested. He pushed on, taking a sip of his beer and grinning inside when Venkman finally seemed to relax.

"That your thing is it, huh?" Peter challenged.

"One of many. I confess that I am drawn to the confident type and you, doctor, seem all but fearless."

Peter's heart jumped slightly, seeing the unfiltered way this guy looked at him. "Comes with the job. You cant let a spook see you scared."

"Fascinating.." Ivan smiled, using the charms that few men OR women could resist. "yet I must know; are the stories the papers tell true? Demons, elder gods…?"

"All of the above." Venkman said "and then some!"

Glancing at the crowd pressing in around them as the club grew busier, Ivan gestured to a private booth, asking if he might have Venkman's attention to himself?

Peter knew he was being hit on, 'Ivan' had made it very clear he found him interesting and something in him was drawn to the way this guy looked at him. He said he found power and confidence sexy, didn't he? Peter's ego couldn't help but respond to the attention, feeding off the fact the owner of the bar had zeroed in on HIM.

So he allowed himself to enjoy the seduction as they sat in the private booth, answering the curious questions about his job and gradually warming up to his new 'friend'. The gentle brush of a hand over his sent a jolt up his spine as Ivan moved incrementally closer to him. It'd been a long time since he'd entertained anyone, after all...

So when his new friend moved to kiss him, Peter didn't hesitate. The kiss was hot, passionate but also far more soft than Peter was used to. Normally these sorts of things were blurred by the influence of alcohol, as he and whoever he was with indulged in their baser instincts.

Ivan nipped at his lower lip and Peter groaned, that always made him shiver. He was let go a moment later, seeing the amorous gleam in his new friend's eyes as they parted enough for their eyes to meet. His hand moved to rest on Venkman's thigh, the featherlight caress only making Peter want more. He pulled Ivan towards him and returned the kiss with not a small hint of arousal, hearing the other man groan eagerly. As his tongue explored the Ghostbuster's mouth, Ivan's hand squeezed Peter's leg firmly, making him moan into the kiss-

"Sir."

Peter blinked, feeling a stab of annoyance as someone broke into their personal space, making Ivan pull back from the lip-lock. Venkman's lips tingled and he heard the anger in Ivan's voice as he addressed this interruption, felt it in the way the hand on his leg under the table tensed subtly.

"You're needed in back, I'm afraid it's serious." the guy in the suit said with a weary sigh, as if he was tired of looking after a playboy bar owner.

Ivan sighed, then turned back to Venkman, tracing the Ghostbuster's handsome features with a fingertip.

"I'm afraid I must leave you, dear doctor. I don't suppose you're off duty?"

"I wish." Peter snorted, rolling his eyes "tomorrow's another fun-packed day at the office, I'm afraid.

Ivan made a disappointed face, then flashed Peter a look that made him flush inwardly "still, there's always another night. Do come back soon, won't you?"

"I don't see why not, I do hate unfinished business, after all." Peter said with a smirk.

"Let me walk you out at least." Ivan shot his friend in the suit a glare and the other man grunted, shrugged and drifted away.

"Who's HE?" Peter asked, taking a swig from the bottle of beer, he and Ivan had shared quite a few already, but he wasn't near drunk for a change.

Ivan paused to shut the doors and tell the bouncers to go take a break. Then he returned to where Peter leaned against the wall outside. The roads were jammed with cars, his club was VERY popular in the fast growing gay scene and he was making a killing right now.

He snagged the bottle from Venkman, kissing him hotly and grinning inside at how delicious he was.

"That was my associate, he used to work with my old man. Didn't like suddenly becoming subordinate to a younger guy, it put his nose outta joint. Don't worry about him..."

Peter smiled, hoping this meant that next time, they'd be left alone…

Ivan kissed him again, asking was he SURE he couldn't persuade Venkman to take a day off and stay a little longer?

Peter was on the verge of replying when he seen something out of the corner of his eye, something that seemed oddly familiar. He broke eye contact with his new friend and glanced across the street.

There, frozen like a deer in headlights, was RAY. He looked out of place, wearing neatly ironed clothes and with his reading glasses perched on his nose.

Ray seen him, his eyes went wide and he took off like a dog with an ass full of explosives.

Peter somehow kept his demeanour upbeat as Ivan bid him goodnight, but once he was away from the club, panic and fury bubbled up. What the heck was Raymond doing hanging around a place like this? It didn't sit right with his quiet, innocent nature. Ray wasn't swinging that way, he was certain of it. He'd have noticed such a thing by now, right?


Peter sighed and let his forehead rest against the wall of the shower. Had he been too hard on Ray…? He shook his head, he couldn't risk the others knowing about this. Far too often in the past had he let people get close, only to be abandoned or betrayed. So he'd vowed to keep even those he considered friends at arms length. Even in the deep dive he'd taken into this other side of his appetite, he never sought out any kind of long term deal, just a night here and there to destress.

But something deep down protested at his reaction to Ray. That look of sadness, the way Ray had ducked his gaze, clearly hurt by the fact that Peter didn't trust him…

-Why did it have to be YOU, Ray?- he mused with a groan.


He didn't see Ray for the rest of that day, whatever the buster was doing, he was nowhere to be seen. But he wasn't the only one acting odd..

He came across Egon spacing out SO badly that he didn't react when Peter gave him the middle finger. Didn't even blink. So Peter went to the freezer, grabbed an ice cube from the tray and snuck up silently behind Spengler. Holding his breath, he tugged the doctor's collar back and-

"Yeaaargh! What in blazes-?!

Egon jumped about a meter in the air, frantically trying to dislodge the chunk of ice cold that'd suddenly appeared down his shirt. He finally dislodged the ice cube just as laughter reached his ears. He spun on his heel, glaring at- who else? Peter.

"That is NOT funny, you ass." he hissed. Peter held up a hand to say wait and kept on giggling away. Egon rolled his eyes and tapped his foot on the floor as he waited for Venkman to calm down.

"Finished?' he said crossly, after several seconds.

"Yes...no- pfftt...your face." Venkman was holding his sides, wiping tears of laughter away.

"Yeah Yeah, hilarious." Egon scowled "can't you find better things to do with your time?"

"No matter who asks, I will swear up and down it was WORTH IT."

"Ass." Egon snapped, turning back to the board, then thinking better of it and keeping Venkman in his sight.

"Whats crawled up YOUR butt?" Peter raised an eyebrow, this was uptight even for EGON. What was up with him today?

"Nothing has come anywhere near my posterior, Venkman, thank you very much."

"Hah, you said 'come'" Peter snorted, making Egon facepalm.

"Get out" he snapped "before I test my new acid on your hair."

"Fine, fine. But if you're gonna just stand there looking gormless, be prepared for shenanigans." Peter shot back before legging it out of there with a cackle. He was giggling anew as he bounded down the stairs, bumping into Eugene mid-way.

"Oh, hay, you came back for more! Good luck, its a madhouse." Peter snickered.

Eugene looked at how childishly giggly Venkman was and raised an eyebrow "Good joke?" he chanced asking. Venkman's dark brown eyes sparkled in amusement as he shared the details of his grand prank.

"Pfft...yeah. Egon fell asleep standing up or somethin', so I dropped an ice cube down his shirt! You shoulda seen his face!"

Peter slipped by Eugene, still chuckling "he's still in his lab, I think."

Eugene shook his head, Venkman acted like his mentality never left the frat house! He carried on up, faintly hearing Peter telling Janine what he'd been up to…


Egon wasn't in the lab, so Eugene tried the man's office next. He knocked but there was no answer, so he nudged the door open.

Egon was rifling through his drawer, one hand holding a book, the other rummaging for a clean shirt. He'd taken the other one off, as the cold water that'd soaked into it had become bothersome. Eugene couldn't help letting his eyes roam over Egon's slender shoulders, down his spine and over the curve of the man's hipbone where it was just faintly visible above his trousers.

Egon turned then, idly asking "is someone there?" He was still so deep in thought, he assumed he'd imagined it, but it paid to be thorough did it not?

When he was met with an awkward cough, he looked up quickly. He seen it was Eugene and felt his face try to flush bright red, but kept it to a minimum by biting on his lip, HARD.

"Eeg.." Eugene said, turning faintly red himself. "I uh...sorry. I didn't think you were getting dressed-"

"I was not paying attention, interruptions were not calculated." Egon said softly. He felt oddly exposed, dropping the book and clutching the first shirt he seen to his chest, trying to make it look natural.

"Eeg, are you-?"

"I'm fine!" Egon blurted "please, you don't have to keep apologising, I'm the one who should be apologising. I was rude, I should have been more supportive-"

"Egon, calm down." Eugene's hands came to rest on his shoulder and Egon couldn't ignore how warm his palms were. They were gentle hands, faintly calloused from all the sports he once played.

"I made you feel uncomfortable yesterday and it wasn't fair, that's why I wanted to speak to you. I was hoping we could still be friends, even with the whole...y'know, me-kissing-you-thing."

That kiss...

Egon bit his lip again, forcing himself to focus on anything but that-!

"It doesn't change who you are." Egon said at last "my opinion has not changed."

The sincerity in his soft-spoken voice made Eugene feel a little better. Egon had always been blunt with him, like he mentioned yesterday and it was why he liked the introverted genius. He reluctantly made his hands fall back to his sides, Egon was so close he was finding it difficult not to look at him in that way, seeing how achingly attractive he was.

Egon tilted his head slightly, glancing uneasily to one side as he struggled to say some pointless platitude that would only serve to highlight his insensitive manoeuvre of yesterday.

Eugene watched a lock of hair slip free from behind Spengler's ear and before he could stop himself, he was tucking it back behind the man's ear again. Egon's body tensed and his breath caught in his throat, so Eugene hastily stepped back before temptation got the better of him.

"Sorry, force of habit." he said weakly, then turned and headed for the door, leaving a speechless Egon alone once more.


He wandered back down the hall, hands shoved in his pockets and feeling pretty bummed out. He'd blown it, hadn't he? He'd frightened his sole remaining friend, all for a kiss…

"He's lying, you know that?"

"Gah!" Eugene spun round, seeing Venkman stood behind him in the hall. How did he DO that?

"I have no idea what you're on about." he said cagily, but Venkman just smirked, then beckoned Eugene to follow him. Sighing, but letting his curiosity get the better of him, Eugene trailed after Peter.

"Tip number one;" the brunette lectured "learn to close doors properly. Two: Egon's kind of clueless, you may need to use a chart, he likes those."

Eugene realised what the older gentleman was spelling out for him. There was only one way he could've known-

"You seen how much?" He said, wincing as his voice betrayed him by pitching slightly. But the guy seemed entirely unfazed, merely arching one eyebrow.

"I came across the open door right when you admitted to planting one on Egon, then I left by the time you were playing with his hair. I didn't think Egon was capable of blushing, so at least that answers one question about the guy."

"Well, I don't think any more of your curiosity will be satisfied- Peter, isn't it?" Eugene sighed "Egon was freaking out after yesterday and I don't blame him. It's obvious he doesn't, y'know..."

"Swing that way?" Peter filled in calmly.

"Yup." Eugene said with a sigh "now if you don't mind, I think I've embarrassed myself enough for a second lifetime, I'm gonna head home."

He turned to go, but barely had he made it three feet then he felt a hand grab his collar and tow him back.

"What the-?" he yelped, as Peter spun him round to face him again.

"Didn't you hear me earlier? I said he was lying. Egon, that is."

"Lying about what?" Eugene asked, frowning.

"About how he's actually feeling, duh." Peter said "You might've missed it, but it's crystal clear to ME; he's going all tense because he likes you, but he just can't deal with it. He's such a dorky little introvert, it's almost endearing in a vague sort of way. But seriously, you're gonna have to talk to him before he explodes, because I am not cleaning up that mess."

"How do you know all this? What makes you so sure you're right?" Eugene was staring at him in stunned surprise, he'd gotten all that from just catching a glimpse through a half-open door?

"I'm a psychologist, bub." Peter smirked, reading the other man's expression "I've talked my way out of many things, including but not limited to a demon possessing my body. So trust me; I know how to READ people."

Something about his body language convinced Eugene this wasn't a joke and he sighed heavily, thinking back to that first kiss. This guy already knew, how much worse could confiding in him make Eugene feel? He sighed and shrugged his shoulders;

"He seemed OK with it, but then he suddenly tensed up, like he changed his mind."

"Ah, yup. Classic Egon, he doesn't like uncertainty, it drives him nuts. And since HE'S the one feeling unsure, he's having a meltdown in that little brain of his. Explains why he's been so spaced today. Huh."

He grabbed Eugene's shoulder and began towing him into the hall. Once there, he shoved Eugene so he faced towards Egon's office.

"It'll only get more awkward the longer you leave it and I can't have Egon being such a spaz he gets us all blown up. Geniuses are the worst for being lovesick, so deal with it, why don't ya?"

Eugene stared at him warily "you're scary, you know that?"

"Yeah, but I've learned to live with it. Bonus for me though; it means people cant pull the rug out from under me, if I nail it to the floor."

Trying to outthink this guy was making Eugene's brain hurt, so he conceded this one to Venkman and set off for Egon's room. He couldn't deny the truth of the man's words, he DID like Egon and he'd been so sure Egon had been enjoying the kiss. Before his abrupt heel-turn, anyway…

He stood outside Egon's door, taking a deep breath and was about to knock when eh heard a clatter and a yelp. He pushed the door open and stared not in admiration this time, but in panic.


Egon had been using a rickety old stepladder to reach the very top shelf of the bookshelf that dominated the room, but it had given way and now Spengler was left clinging to the top of the bookshelf with his fingertips. As Eugene watched in silent horror, Egon lost his grip and fell-

He darted across the room, hearing the door slam behind him as he reached for the doctor. He succeeded in catching Egon in his arms, but the momentum sent them both sprawling back onto the floorboards.

Egon tensed up as his grip failed, only to feel a warm body wrap around his and they hit the floor in a tangle of limbs. Silence rang for several seconds, with only the soft patter of books falling to the floor from the shelf to fill the silence.

A heart was beating fast next to Egon's ear, he drew a shaky breath as he raised his head, opening his eyes and meetings Eugene's worried gaze. Of course it'd been him-

"You OK, Eeg?" Eugene whispered and Egon felt his excuses fade and die the longer he studied that look on Eugene's face. It was true, honest concern. He looked at Egon as if fearing he'd been hurt, while protectively cradling Egon in his arms. The way they'd landed meant that his legs were either side of Egon's body, even their raised posture seeming to be an extra effort to support him.

Egon nodded, eyes wide behind his glasses, he didn't trust himself to speak at that precise moment.

He glanced down, noticing one hand was resting on Eugene's chest and he moved it now so that his fingertips rested over his friends heart. It was still going so fast..what was the reason?

"The danger is over, I'm fine." he whispered "why hasn't it calmed down?"

"Because-" Eugene's voice faltered, then he carried on in a rush "Because you're so close, Eeg, when I know you don't really want to be."

Egon looked up sharply, realising what he meant. He was intimately embracing Eugene, yet Eugene was acting as if he'd already decided to let go of his feelings in light of Egon's reaction yesterday. Egon felt an acute sense of loss, as if he only now realised the potential of what he'd pushed away, because he'd been unable to face how strong the sensation was-

So he moved now, before his courage failed him and he lost this last chance.

Eugene was caught off-guard when Egon suddenly pressed closely against his chest, dark lashes contrasting against pale skin as Egon closed his eyes and placed his lips against Eugene's.

Eugene didn't know what to do for a second, was he dreaming? Had he hit his head on the floor and this was just a very pleasant concussion?

When Egon brought one hand up to tangle it in Eugene's hair, his slender fingers brushing his scalp and keeping them entwined, he knew this was no dream. Egon's kiss was halting, shy, but undeniably sweet. He couldn't deny himself nor Spengler, so he wrapped the genius in his arms and returned the kiss with a gentle fervour, one hand coming to rest between Egon's shoulder blades, the flat of his palm pressing against the doctor's neatly pressed shirt. Egon uttered a breathy little gasp as they parted for a moment, then Eugene kissed him again, a little heavier this time as his hand brushed slowly up and down Egon's back.

He let Egon go, or did Eeg let go of him? He wasn't sure, but there they were, looking at one another as they caught their breath. Egon licked his lips, chest rising and falling quickly as he looked up at Eugene.

"So...do I take you out on a date now, or..?" Eugene blurted out the first thing that came to mind, feeling himself blush straight after, uttering a pained groan. Could he have sounded any more pathetic?

Egon watched the myriad of expressions on Eugene's face, seeing he really was being earnest. His stomach fluttered as he contemplated the idea...

"If it's possible, I would like that." he said at last, a shy smile tugging at his lips. Part of Eugene's mind was still convinced this was just a result of a bump to the head, could he really be this lucky?

"Then…?" He faltered, wanting to be absolutely sure.

Egon nodded, "Yes, I'd like to go out with you. I didn't intend to push you away from me before, I just don't have any understanding of such romantic principles."

"Don't worry about it Eeg, neither do I. I hadn't really thought beyond just tell you how I felt that night and hope you didn't deck me."

Another cute tilt of the head, Egon's grey eyes full of curiosity and questions. But before that, he felt he owed an explanation to his friend.

"I told myself that you should have someone who would deserve your kindness and reciprocate it in turn. I didn't think that I could do that satisfactorily and it seemed cruel to deny you."

"Well, we can figure it out together, if you like?" Eugene said nonchalantly. Egon smiled again, catching his eye and flashing Eugene that same sweet smile from the night he'd disappeared.

"Deal." he whispered and his reward was another sweet kiss, which sent a fresh shiver of longing up his spine, making him feel lightheaded. He closed his eyes, mentally dissecting the taste and feel of those lips...

Eugene seen how dazed Egon was when he released him and figured he'd probably given the introverted doctor enough to think about for now, so he helped him to his feet and asked was he hurt?

"I should be asking you that." Egon said as he adjusted his glasses "I landed on YOU, after all."

"I'm fine, I played sports, I can handle a full-body tackle from a gorgeous genius. Football players, they're the ones you gotta watch out for, its like punching a ton of bricks!"

Egon chuckled softly, which made Eugene grin.

He escorted Egon over to his bed, where they sat side by side in companionable silence.

"What do you plan to do now?" Egon asked at last and Eugene paused to think.

"Well, a first date seems appropriate- what d'you fancy?"

"I-I meant with regards to your fresh start." Egon coughed, a faint tinge of pink still in his cheeks.

"Oops." Eugene said glibly, winking at the doctor "that? Well, I honestly don't know yet. I guess I'll get caught up on all the stuff I missed while I was gone then get a job. I want to help support my father, this whole business has been hard on him, too."

Egon nodded in understanding, he liked Eugene's father, the man had always been nice to him. "If I can assist with employment matters, tell me. I'm sure we can find something suitable."

Eugene smiled, wrapped an arm around Egon and nuzzled into his hair, sighing happily. He couldn't believe this was really happening, after everything had seemed on the verge of falling apart just a day ago.

Egon felt a little jolt running through him as Eugene's hand rested on his side once more. Feeling Egon twitch, Eugene tiled his head to study the doctor's oddly flustered expression.

"Ticklish?" he asked and Egon coughed, making a noise that sounded enough like a confirmation that Eugene didn't press the matter.

Eugene asked him how the old college they'd attended was doing and Egon admitted that he honestly didn't know, he hadn't been back there since Eugene's disappearance. He'd been transferred to university and that was that..

"We could always take a trip down there, if you wanted to start your acclimatisation by seeing it?" He suggested helpfully.

"Sounds like a plan," Eugene smiled "but it can wait for now, I don't want to be distracting you from your work-"

"Nonsense, I have a load of days off that I have repeatedly failed to utilise. The others can manage without me. If anything comes up, Ray is more than capable."

Eugene nodded, revelling in the moment. He had officially asked Egon out after waiting all this time and he couldn't be happier.


Right that very moment, Ray was finding himself very INCAPABLE at one thing. Dealing with the whole incident with Peter. He'd defaulted to trying to avoid everybody, which was easier said than done when you all stayed in the same building a large amount of the time.

Eventually, he had a flash of inspiration: his shop! He could fake needing to do business work, he WAS a bit behind in his records after all and nobody would suspect anything. Quickly, he gathered up all his notebooks, a novel to read, some spare clothes and a uniform then bolted out of the station, pausing only to call over his shoulder to Janine, telling her where he was going. If they needed him, they could call on the shops landline.

As an afterthought he shot back and grabbed his proton pack and trap, slinging them onto his back without breaking stride.

Janine blinked as she was left in the aftermath of hurricane Raymond, it was rare to see dr Stantz acting like that, he was usually mr level-headed!

Winston walked in seconds after, looking back over his shoulder with a bemused frown "whats up with Ray? He just ran past me like a greyhound with a bum full of dynamite!"

"Beats me, all I caught from his frantic babbling was something about his bookstore. I'd guess he forgot to submit something again and now has to do all his paperwork in one go." Janine yawned, shrugging.

"Huh, usually thats Peter's department."

"What's my department?" Peter came strolling downstairs from where he'd been taking one of his many naps in the main bedroom.

"Being a lazybones." Winston smirked, earning a middle finger from Peter

"Where's Ray?" he asked when the snickering had died down "I need to talk to him, now."

"Well, you just missed him, Pete. He did a roadrunner act out the door, something about paperwork and his store? Sounds like he forgot something major." Winston relayed what Janine had told him.

Peter shrugged, saying it could wait, as he didn't really feel like heading out, then wandered back upstairs.

"Wow, feels like he's giving even LESS of a crap then he usually does." Winston raised an eyebrow, Ray wasn't the only one acting a little strange it would seem…


Alone in the silent bookshop, Ray paced amongst the shelves, listless and with a headache brewing. Part of him still felt bitter about Peters cold shoulder, that he seemed to trust Ray so little that the first thing he did was get heavy-handed. But that gentle side of him wondered why Peter was so uneasy, he couldn't surely think the others would be cruel? Egon likely wouldn't even shrug, that kind of thing wasn't a big deal to him, Winston was level headed enough that Ray knew he'd be considerate and Janine? Well, she'd probably wind Venkman up, but what else was new?

He tucked himself into a corner, surrounded by books and a cup of coffee sat beside him. He watched the steam curling up from the dark liquid. It'd been a secret he'd been hiding for so long he'd almost erased it from his mind. While he'd been studying at university, he'd developed a crush on one of his classmates. It'd started as a small thing, feeling himself go a little lightheaded if they happened to so much as smile at him. After some particularly steamy dreams, he'd eventually had to face the fact; he liked guys. Armed with this knowledge, he'd….done nothing. He hadn't a clue how to go about finding someone like him and he was too nervous to tell his friends, even Peter, who'd known him for years, nothing seemed to phase HIM.

-But it wasn't just that you were afraid Peter would laugh, you're leaving out one vital fact...- his traitorous brain piped up and he groaned. With the realisation of where his interests lay, he had started noticing little things about Venkman. The way his lips curved when he smiled, how he looked when he was in mid-speech, the gleam of cunning in his eyes when he realised he'd found out an opponents weak spot…

Ray had eventually used meditation and some other mental exercises to make the thoughts less easy to focus. It'd worked, he'd become absorbed in his metallurgy work and finding a joy in chasing the paranormal with his friends. He'd fabricated targets he'd had a crush on to throw anyone off the scent, providing just enough evidence that nobody questioned anything.

But now, presented with the stark evidence that Peter apparently DID go that way, he was conflicted. Part of him was actually a little jealous of that stranger Peter had been making out with, but the other part of him knew Peter probably wouldn't buy the truth if Ray told him now. He'd likely assume Ray was making it up to stop Peter being so angry at him.

What a time to have a life-long secret be his only salvation.

-Dammit, I can't outfox a psychologist! What was it Winston said to me? 'You have the trait of most basically honest people. You're a CRAP liar.'-

"I'm doomed" he groaned, face-palming before knocking back half the coffee in one go, the scalding liquid making his eyes water.

He eventually dragged himself upstairs and crawled into bed, still fully clothed.


He was woken quite rudely the next morning by his phone ringing. His head pounded as he picked it up, but he snapped wide awake when he heard Peter's voice.

"Peter-?"

"We got a major call, Ray. Get your ass outta bed, we're swinging by your place in 10."

He hung up, but Ray was already out of bed, hopping and stumbling around and looking for his uniform and pack as the handset clattered back into its cradle.

He was sat on the railing that ran along the outside of the shop when Ecto-1 careened into view. He dove in, buckling himself in and asking where they were going? Winston told him the address and Ray nodded, already pondering what they'd see there?

Thinking he could feel someone's eyes on him, Ray glanced up and met Peter's unflinching gaze. He blinked, then pretended to be interested in the PKE meter in his lap, what else could he do?

Peter could see Ray's efforts to avoid him clear as day, so he shrugged it off and resumed staring blankly out the window. He told himself he didn't care, but that last bastion of giving-a-shit he liked to think he had protested against seeing Ray so depressed.


At the days end, Ray asked he be dropped off back at his shop, he needed to finish a few more things. Winston frowned, wondering if something was bothering him? But when he asked Ray, just as the man scrambled out of Ecto-1, Ray seemed to startle and lost his footing, crashing onto his face with a thud. He scrambled up, laughing weakly and saying he was fine. He ran inside quickly, leaving his very confused friends in his wake.

He locked the door behind him with trembling hands, grateful for its tinted glass as he slumped against it, feeling his head pulse and pained tears prickle his eyes. He teetered on the edge of letting it all spill over, but then he shook his head and pushed the feelings of embarrassment down deep enough that he was able to regain composure and go fetch some ice for his forehead.

"Hm. He's worried about something serious." Egon said pointedly as they drove away.

"Ray, worry?" Peter said, wincing internally at how fake his own voice sounded to him "Ray's mr happy-go-lucky!"

"Which means its gotta be serious, this is about as spaced as I've ever seen him, he'll be getting restraining orders from NASA if he keeps this up!" Winston shook his head "something must be up with the shop."

"If it's mathematical, I can ably assist him." Egon frowned, tapping his chin with his pen "I'll enquire when next I see him, his distraction is not making for optimal efficiency."

Peter yawned at the mere mention of math, earning a miffed glare from Spengler. He tuned them both out and watched the streets blur past the window. Once again, however, his thoughts shifted to Stantz.

-Dammit Ray, why are you doing this? It's not your job to give a crap about me, you barely seem to be looking after yourself!- he pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed loudly, making the other two shoot inquiring glances his way.

"Don't ask." he grunted, and heard noncommittal noises in reply.

The bright light at the end of this tunnel was that he was intending to go back to the club that night. He was so tense, he needed- no, WANTED a shameless, no-strings-attached night and he'd been imagining a continuation since bidding Ivan farewell.


"Doctor, it's been too long."

Barely had Peter walked into the club then Ivan seemingly materialised from his right, setting a hand on the small of Peter's back, drawing intense stares of curiosity and jealousy from the other patrons.

"Work got in the way." Peter felt a surge of adrenaline and relief at being away from what bothered him back at the firehouse. This time, he didn't hesitate when Ivan offered a drink, a private booth and his undivided attention.

After a couple of drinks and several increasingly passionate kisses, Ivan leaned in and whispered in Peter's ear.

"Might I be selfish and have you all to myself, dear doctor?"

"Are you saying you want to sleep with me?" Peter teased, knowing full well that was what Ivan's request meant.

"Oh, you won't be sleeping much, Doctor."

Peter's response was a kiss strong enough to make Ivan grin and he wanted to send the empty glasses and tablecloth to the floor and just nail Venkman right there on the table..

But he reigned it in, ushering the Ghostbuster over to the 'employees only' door and up the stairs, the heavy door closing behind them and cutting the roar of noise from the bar down to a distant babble. He pulled Venkman into his arms mid-way up the metal steps, letting his hands roam down and grab the doctor's ass. This seemed to spur Venkman on and it was only through sheer willpower that Ivan resisted throwing him over his shoulder and stampeding up the stairs. Goodness, Venkman was a firecracker, wasn't he?


Peter wasn't sure if it was the booze or just the novelty of having someone THIS infatuated with him, but he happily gave Ivan a hand in getting him out of his clothing. The bed was sumptuous, the sheets crisp and cool against his skin.

He swiftly learned that Ivan knew a LOT about stimulation as his slender fingers roamed Venkman's body while his lips snared the other man's over and over, or brushed against his throat.


Ivan felt a surge of triumph as he held the Ghostbuster close, feeling the shudder of pleasure that ran down Venkman's body as they finished. He was even more lively then Ivan had been imagining since that first meeting…what a pleasure it was, to finally hear the doctor call his name. He'd been admiring him from a distance for quite some time, after all.

He kissed his partner's neck, feeling Venkman's rapid pulse fluttering under his skin.

-You're mine now, dear doctor..- he thought with a grin.

Ivan heard Venkman sigh softly as he pulled out, and kissed the mans lips gently.

"Are you alright, doctor? Still feeling tense-"

Peter cut him off with a kiss and in a swift move had him pinned to the bed. Ivan grinned, tracing a hand up over Venkman's chest and stomach, oh he was gonna enjoy this-


He watched Venkman sleep as night drew in. The Ghostbuster was quite a prize, all that tension kept him wound like a spring, and that had equalled a very hot night spent sating the doctor's appetite. He hadn't had a bed partner like this one in quite some time, maybe there'd be more nights to come?


The alarm rang, startling Peter awake before he realised it wasn't in fact an alarm, but a telephone perched on the bedside table. He sat up, running a hand through his hair as Ivan yawned and picked up the handset. While he sighed and grunted his way through the conversation, Peter went on a fetch quest for his clothing.

Ivan let his eyes wander as he was put on hold, watching Venkman dress. All that running about chasing ghosts had given him a nicely toned body, as last night had more than demonstrated.

It took him a second to realise his co-owner had come back on the line, and muttered an apology as he reluctantly tore his gaze away from Venkman.

"If you could please refrain from eyeballing 'that guy', sir" the older man's voice sounded icy and Ivan yawned, did he have to be such a stick in the mud? "your 'Uncle' wants to see you today."

Peter seen Ivan sober up as whoever was on the line finished the call and his partner of last night set the phone down.

"Bad news?" Peter asked, sitting on the edge of the bed. Ivan seen how the monogrammed shirt Venkman wore fit just so snugly and shamelessly admired him as he reclined back against the pillows.

"Yes, my uncle wants to see me. It's a dreadful bore, but he has been supportive of my business, given the nature of it. I cannot afford to upset him just yet."

"Right, gotcha." Peter nodded, looking at the clock and sighing crossly "Unfortunately I must return to HQ before the shift starts, these days we've had ghosts out the wazoo!"

"That's too bad, for I would happily hold you prisoner for as long as I could get away with. It has been awhile since I captured someone as energetic as you. Your stamina is impressive, doctor."

Peter flushed, but felt himself grin at the compliment.

"I'm sure I can demonstrate just how long I can go for next time?" he offered, knowing he'd succeeded when Ivan grabbed his collar and kissed him.

"I fully intend to take you up on that bet, doctor Venkman." Ivan grinned, before letting the man leave.

Peter couldn't help grinning to himself as he swanned down the same stairs he and Ivan had stumbled up last night, lips pressed hotly together, hands wandering over one another-

Just as he set his hand on the handle of the door that led back into the bar, it was pulled open from the other side and Peter nearly stumbled into the same guy who'd interrupted him and Ivan the first night. The older man's eyes narrowed and he eyed Venkman as if he was a nuisance, which put Peter's back up. If he'd looked closer, he'd have seen the phone hidden carefully at the guy's side, but he was too busy smirking smugly at this obstacle.

"You gonna just stand in my way, or do I have to fetch your boss up there?" Peter jabbed a thumb over his shoulder at the stairs behind him. The other man sneered softly, but moved aside to let Venkman by.

Peter fancied he could feel the stranger's gaze boring a hole in his jacket as he swanned out of the club and into the morning sunlight. He walked back towards HQ, his route taking him right past Ray's bookshop. It was locked up tight with no sign he was still there, so Peter shrugged and walked on. Maybe he was back at the firehouse?


Sure enough, Ray WAS back at HQ. He didn't glance up when Peter walked in, despite the fact that he was the only one in reception. Peter stood there tapping his foot, but Ray still didn't acknowledge him.

"Ray." Peter said, his frustration building the longer Ray stayed silent.

"What? I'm very busy, Peter." Ray muttered, pushing himself up from the chair and making to slip by his friend.

"I have work to do-ah, hey?!"

He trailed off with a startled squeak as Peter moved like a flash of light and planted himself between Ray and the stairs. His hand came to rest on Ray's upper arm, pulling him so they were face-to-face, with Venkman's distant brown eyes boring into Stantz's hazel ones.

Ray gripped his ledger tightly and finally broke the deadlock, his gaze darting to rest on the floor just past Peter. This close to him, beneath that scent was just PETER, there lingered traces of wine and cigarette smoke.

"We need to talk." Peter said at last, for a lack of anything more subtle.

"Oh, really?" Ray said, suddenly defiant. He adjusted his reading glasses and met Peter's gaze, this time with all the determination he had "do you want me to be silent, or do you want me to talk? Pick one, already!"

Peter blinked, legitimately taken aback by Ray's sudden ferocity. Taking advantage of this rare moment, Ray pulled free from his grasp and jogged up the stairs without looking back.

The sour feeling Peter was left with took the edge off the night of fun he'd just come back from and he sighed, running a hand through his hair. Had he taken Ray for granted once too often?

He tried on and off throughout that day to pull Ray aside and talk to him, but the other man was always able to give him the slip. This game of cat and mouse went unnoticed by the others, as the day wore into evening.


Egon drifted downstairs as the phone rang and was just setting a foot on the top step of the stairs leading to the basement when Janine called his name.

"Call for you, dr Spengler! It's Eugene."

Egon's heart thudded a little quicker at the mention of that name. Keeping a straight face, he nodded, sitting down in Janine's chair as she went upstairs to give him some privacy.

"Hey, Eeg." the warm, comforting voice made him feel as if the mess of events that'd been work was far away now.

"Eugene." he smiled ever so softly "are you alright?"

"Heh, I'm fine Eeg. I have a question for you, however."

"What question is that?" Egon asked, curiosity piqued. He tucked his legs under him, resembling a stick insect with impeccable hair and glasses.

"You free on Saturday?"

"Yes, I'm scheduled a day off. Usually I would remain here and further my research-" he stopped, then coughed "but it's not a priority right now."

On the other end of the phone, Eugene smiled and prepared for the next question in line.

"You fancy going out with me? Just us. In the real world. Like a-"

"Like a date?" Egon finished.

"Yup, that's the one. Whaddya say, Eeg?"

Egon found he was quite intrigued by the scenario and told Eugene as such.

"You have the cutest way of saying "yes", Eeg." Eugene grinned widely, he was taking his cute little genius on a first date!

Egon flushed and face-palmed. Good grief, he sounded awkward didn't he?

As if reading his mind, Eugene added;

"Don't you dare change, Eeg. I'll see you then, say, at 11?"

Egon agreed to the date and fancied he could hear the excitement in Eugene's voice as he hung up. It was infectious and he found himself looking forward to spending a day with the friend he'd begun a relationship with, as he resumed the task he'd been working on.

Janine did a double take as Egon strode by her later. Was she hallucinating, or was he smiling just a fraction?


Ray thought he was safe when he darted into the shared bedroom to grab something from his bedside locker. Nobody else was in there, he'd checked.

But when he straightened up and turned round, he was suddenly face-to-face with Peter. He bit back a shriek of fright and likely would've stumbled back and fallen on his ass, had Peter not grabbed his shoulders tightly to steady him.

"Ray. I need. To talk. To YOU." Peter said sternly and Ray went tense.

"About what?!" He hissed, feeling his face flush in embarrassment. Why wasn't Peter over this? "I haven't said a word and I'm not going to! So you can cut out the intimidation routine, I'm not in the habit of stabbing my friends in the back- eep!"

Peter seen a flicker of something else in Ray's eyes and instinctively pulled him closer to get a proper look at him. This left them mere centimetres apart and Ray squeaked, unable to keep from blushing just a little as he was brought closer to Peter then he ever anticipated, even if it was in anger.

Peter blinked, his psychologist brain reading the momentary signal and he stalled, was he reading this right?

Ray seen Peter falter, a look of surprise registering as he seen something in Ray's expression.

- - Oh no, please-!- - Ray's gut feeling went from flustered to frantic and he pushed free from Peter, running towards the door, speaking rather abruptly as he wrestled with the door handle.

"Just let it go, Peter. I don't want to deal with this." Then he was gone, slamming the door behind him.

Peter stood in the silent, empty bedroom, his head spinning.

-Is Ray into men?- Peter thought over that brief drop in Ray's defences. He'd blushed, that was obvious, but was it because he was too close to Peter, or just plain scared-?

If what he suspected was true, Peter had a terrible feeling he'd made an even bigger mess then he'd first thought.


Things between them stalled after that, further days passing during which they kept up appearances so as not to alert the others, but Ray kept his distance from Peter. He found himself making more and more excuses to spend time at the shop, even successfully diverting Egon from showing up to "help" with the "finances". Ray couldn't help but notice that it seemed to take less effort to deter Spengler then usual, but he wasn't about to question it. He had his own mess to take care of!

Egon was a little puzzled by Ray's spaced-out ramblings, but eventually ascertained Stantz did not seem to require his help. On a normal day, he'd have persisted like a dog with a bone, but he was distracted by his own personal life, pondering what kind of date Eugene had planned? In this instance, he found himself rather enjoying the anticipation of the unknown.

Winston privately wondered what the heck was wrong with the other three? Each was acting just subtly ODD, making him wonder if there was an underlying thread that linked them all?


Peter was spending as much time as he could at Ivan's club. More drinks and shared embraces amidst the smoke and lights helped him forget about the business with Ray, for the time being. That first night was soon followed by another romp in Ivan's roomy bed, feeling the excess energy that'd been brewing inside him be finally spent.

Two days later, he lay back against the pillows, scrunching the sheets beneath his hands as Ivan laboured diligently between his legs, that silver tongue of his showing its other talent. He was GOOD at this, very good. Peter arched his back as he felt the peak approaching and groaned sharply, murmuring his partner's name-

Ivan grinned as he brought the doctor over the edge, listening to the sultry sounds he made as he came. He sat back once it was over, licking his lips as he sat up. His eyes raked over Venkman's body as he lay before him, lamplight gleaming off sweat-dusted skin.

"Exemplary, doctor Venkman." Ivan purred, leaning over Peter and planting a kiss on his lips, sharing the man's sweet taste with him. Peter returned the kiss with his customary desire and pressed enticingly against Ivan's body, hinting at offering more..

To his relief, Ivan didn't miss the hint, seamlessly positioning his body to take the Ghostbuster beneath him..

Curled up in the expensive sheets with the aftermath of pleasure warming him, Peter felt like he could forget about the lingering doubt and guilt about Ray. His body thrummed with a faint energy as the echoes of the night ran through him, but this felt GOOD, not like the stressful surge of manic energy the last week had left him with.

But as he drifted asleep, his mind flashed back to that brief glimpse beneath Ray's facade. The way he'd blushed, lips parted and those wide, innocent eyes locked on HIM. How could he have missed this about Raymond, if it WAS true? He'd known him for most of his life, worked at the university with him and now as a Ghostbuster. Either Ray was a master at hiding that certain secret, or this was a recent thing.

Another out-of-the-blue thought occurred to Peter then; had Stantz really been at his bookshop, or had he been trying to work up the courage to enter the club?

He finally drifted asleep, thoughts fading into oblivion.


Ray wasn't faring so well since that last close contact with Peter and the matter was now haunting his sleeping mind. Only, the dream world took it even further, toying cruelly with Ray's wistful feelings. Warmth wrapped around him and a gentle voice said something that Ray couldn't make out. When he tried to ask, he was silenced with a kiss-

Ray bolted awake from where he'd dozed off at his office desk, knocking a stack of books to the floor. He shook his head, rubbing his eyes as he got his heart-rate under wraps, this whole affair was getting out of control! He was stressing out because the easy-going comradarie he'd had with his friend was all but ready to snap apart now and he felt like he couldn't do a thing to stop it.

—If I could just forget...wait!—

His eyes widened as he recalled the method he'd used to curtail his nervousness back when he'd first discovered the truth about himself. The meditation techniques, of course! He shook his head, wondering how he'd been so clueless. It'd worked once before, had it not?

Feeling hopeful, he bounded up from his desk in search of the book he needed, he knew he still had a copy around here somewhere. He'd clung onto it in a fit of nostalgia, even after it'd seemingly outgrown its usefulness. Now it was like a beacon in the dark, a way to put a stop to this awkwardness and get back to enjoying his work and friendships...

Even if it meant feeling like he was breaking his heart.