2 weeks later:
Janine had just swept up the last piece of glass, when two girls, a blonde wearing blue pants and a jacket and a short black haired girl wearing a black skirt, black tights and a purple jacket walked into the fire house. Their hair whipped around their heads from the wind outside. The door closed with a loud thud. Since they had to fix up a lot of the fire house they started with putting grease on the hinges on all of the doors. They really saw no reason to. But as they say, "start small."
"Sorry we're closed until-" began Janine before she realized who it was. "You wanna see the guys?"
Eleanor nodded.
"They're in the lab," said Janine.
Eleanor thanked Janine. Eleanor and Charlotte walked down to the lab. On the way they passed many tools scattered everywhere. A bucket of plaster was in the far corner. Charlotte lowered her head in shame, knowing this was all her fault.
She thought of Ray. How he had helped her. How he trusted that it wasn't her doing all of those horrible things to all of those people. She hated those children. She didn't think violence was the answer. But things you don't believe in have a way of haunting you.
Charlotte looked down the dark staircase. There was a light at the bottom and she heard them talking. Eleanor and Charlotte walked down the stairs. Charlotte's heart wept that this was the last time she would be walking down these stairs. However the sun shined in her eyes knowing she would get to see Ray one last time.
The Ghostbusters had all of Charlotte's file spread out on the table. They were trying to recap and close the case.
"The priest and Charlotte were only used as tools for the demons biding," explained Egon.
"Well he was a tool," quipped Peter.
"They would have used up all her powers," said Egon. "She would have withered up and died. Then they would find the next chosen one."
Anger rose up again in Ray. But was forgotten when he saw her.
The pale girl appeared at the end of the stair case. She was smiling. But it was a bitter sweet smile. Also she had a purple headband that pulled back her hair. You could never tell how really pale her face was until the curtain of black hair was pulled back.
"Charlotte!" greeted Ray as he got up and pulled her into a delicate, bear hug.
"Hello Ray," said Charlotte in a lighter tone then she would have said three weeks ago. It wasn't exactly peppy or even happy it was, relief. She wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him back.
He held her at arms length. "Nice hair."
"Thanks," said before turning to the team. "For everything."
"No problem," said Winston.
"Now about the bill," said Peter.
Charlotte raised an eyebrow at him.
"Saving the world is pay enough ma'am," said Peter in a superhero type voice.
"How are your powers?" asked Egon.
"My ghosts have not come back. And since Spot is staying with me, everything has been… normal. I think," said Charlotte.
"I'd like to run some more tests," said Egon getting the yellow cap.
"I'm afraid there wont be enough time," explained Eleanor, who was there the whole time. And was just recently noticed. "Our plane leaves at seven."
"Plane?" asked Ray.
"We're moving to Seattle with my parents. I got a teaching job there," said Eleanor. "Charlotte wanted to say good bye."
Charlotte stepped forward. "I wanted to thank you for helping me. I will miss you all," her voice cracked before she ran up stairs.
Ray ran after her. He would miss her too.
"Guys could you give me and Egon a minuet?" asked Eleanor.
Winston and Peter nodded and walked out of the lab and into the basement/ game room.
When Eleanor and Egon were alone, Eleanor began. "Egon I really like you, but Charlotte needs a normal life. And I don't think I can handle a long distant relationship."
Egon walked up to her. He looked her strait in the eyes and gently pressed his lips to hers. "I understand. But if your ever in New York." He turned and walked down to the to the basement.
Peter walked from the corner was behind. "You know, I don't mind long distant relationships."
"Peter!" shouted Egon.
"Good bye Eleanor," said Peter smiling and he walked down the stairs.
When Charlotte reached the top of the stairs, Ray caught her by her arm.
He turned her toward him. She was crying, not like when they were in the cavern. They were silent tears. But still tears.
He pulled her into another hug. He gently rocked her from side to side. After a few moments Charlotte looked up.
"I'm going to miss you, a lot. You're the greatest friend I've ever had."
"I'll miss you too," he said.
"I don't want to go," she cried.
Ray sighed. "You have to go. You've got to have a chance at a semi- normal life."
Charlotte gazed at him with her big blue watery eyes. He was going to miss that too.
"Will you remember me?" she asked.
"How could I forget." He wiped away another tear as it fell from her eye.
Eleanor came walking up the stairs. "Time to go."
Charlotte gazed up at Ray one last time. She took his hand in hers and squeezed it. "Good bye Ray. I will always remember you."
She gave him a sad smile before running up the stairs.
Eleanor gave a nod of recognition before following Charlotte up the stairs.
He waited for the front door to close. He walked up the rest of the stairs. He stood at the front door. He waited for the taxi cab car doors to slam shut. The roaring of the engine. And the sound of it fading in the distance. He wiped a single tear from his eye. His hand was still wet from wiping away Charlottes tears.
"Good bye Charlotte," he whispered to himself, with his hands still wet with tears. And headed to the front desk to fix the buzzer.