Sex, Lies and Variables Chapter 10: Familial Connection, a ghostbusters fanfic

As they conferred, Alessa manifested herself above the group and cleared her throat, making them all halt and look up.

"My apologies for intruding, but its rather urgent…" she said in the silence that followed.

"What's up?" Winston asked "someone spot you?"

Ray had spoken at length with their friendly spook, saying that while THEY had no problem with her, not everyone was so kind. If she was spotted, there could be trouble, she he urged her to use caution.

"No, I have kept myself hidden well" Alessa shook her head at Winston's question, then turned her attention to Ray "I could not help but observe your partner in some distress. He ran right through me as I traversed the halls, looking about to collapse and proceeded to barricade himself inside the washroom. I tried to enter the room, but something is keeping me out…"

Ray went pale as he added all this together to form a bigger picture.

"Oh no." he squeaked, and with that they ALL ran off towards the communal bathroom. Sure enough, it was locked.

"Peter?" Ray rattled the heavy wooden door, but it wasn't budging.

"I'm fine. Go 'way." Peter's slurred voice reached them through the door after a moments pause.

"You sound like crap, man." Winston said with a frown "open the door."

"I've been sick worse than this after going drinking! I'm not going to break at the seams, you can GO already." Peter said sharply. But even as he said it, he was curled up against the cold tile wall, resting his forehead against it. Shudders darted through his body, he felt like he'd been hollowed out somehow…

"Peter, this isn't some kind of joke," Egon frowned as he heard the tone of Peter's voice "This justifies my concerns over this matter affecting your metabolism, this could cause serious harm-"

"Uuurrgh, are all of you out there?!" Peter whined, the room swaying and dipping as he struggled to his feet. He gripped the sink and waited for the room to settle before reaching for one of the glasses at the sink. His first attempt went wide and he knocked it to the ground. More flecks of blood from his injured hand decorated the sink, the red seeming glaringly bright against the cracked porcelain.

Outside, the others faintly heard a shattering sound and Peter swearing.

"Alright, everybody back up." Winston motioned them back.

"What're you gonna do?" Janine asked him, eyes wide. How was Peter enduring all this? She'd never seen any kind of illness that did this to a person. A glance at Ray revealed him to be white as a sheet, his glance darting between the door and Winston.

"I'm gonna use a little trick we used in the marines, simply known as "the supply rooms stuck again, let's kick the door down." Winston explained as they all moved back, focusing his attention on the door as he shifted his position.

"Pete, you'd better move away from the door if you're listening. This thing is going DOWN."

That said, he delivered a precision strike with his boot and as promised; the door was sent tearing off the old hinges with a screech of protest.

Peter was faintly aware of the door flying off its position to land roughly a few feet from him, but by then the room was hazing at the edges and all he could discern was some blurry shapes running towards him-

One of them was shouting his name, reaching for him. Peter tried to take a step towards them, but he couldn't fight any more and gave in to exhaustion, blacking out as the floor whooshed towards him….

"Sh-t!" Winston swore, diving to grab Peter before he added a concussion to the list of aches and pains he had. First thing he did was check his pulse, but while it was normal, something else wasn't.

—Geez, he's burning up. This isn't good…—

"Peter?" Ray said anxiously as he knelt down beside Winston. He placed the back of his hand against Peter's forehead, expression shifting to alarm when he felt how hot his skin was.

"C'mon, let's get him to bed." Winston said "something's seriously up with all this."

Eugene, Janine, Alessa and Egon watched from further back as Winston and Ray exited the bathroom, with Zeddemore carrying an unconscious Peter. He set Venkman down on his bed, Ray running off and soon returning with a first aid kit.

"What's doing this to him?" Janine asked as Winston quickly bandaged Peter's hand, noting the obvious impact damage from the man punching a wall. Why, though, that puzzled him.

Peter almost resembled a ghost he was so pale. When she'd given him that once-in-a-lifetime thank you hug, Janine had noted he felt far less substantial then his appearance suggested. That theory was adding ground by the minute, the more things went on…

"I don't know." Ray croaked as Winston set about using his medic training to check their unconscious teammate. "I thought things were getting better, it doesn't make sense-"

"Maybe it DOES." Egon said so softly Janine didn't think he'd even spoken at first, but she seen Eugene frown and Ray go tense as his gaze snapped across to land on Spengler.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Stantz said at last and Egon blinked, meeting Ray's unhappy gaze and taking a deep breath.

"I'm merely theorising that since the ritual those cultists were doing when we SWAT-ed the place was cut off, maybe this is a side effect? A loose end I haven't been able to put my finger on."

"You think it's trying to finish itself?" Eugene asked.

Egon sighed, he hated uncertainty "I had thought it unlikely, but when you factor in the spell circle from the last incident…."

Ray used the sort of language he normally reserved for Peck's visits, making everyone that wasn't Winston stare at him in surprise. Winston had long since asserted his ability to swear like a top-notch sailor.

"Then I was wrong, those nightmares he was having ARE some sort of precursor-?" he seemed to go even paler "oh no.."

Egon opened his mouth to point out dreams were hardly a reliable source of data, when Winston spoke.

"OK, Pulse seems normal, breathings fine. Everything else; he's running a fever of nightmarish degrees, and his body temperature is definitely not regular. In short; I've never seen someone decline this fast."

"He was fine when you guys came back from that crazy house incident…" Janine looked across at Eugene "was he acting weird, well, relatively speaking for doctor Venkman, when you guys went off on your own?"

Aware everyone was suddenly staring at him, Eugene thought back to just a few hours ago.

"Well, yes and no. He was spacing out, but that was because the ghost in the house was messing with him. Once he snapped out of it, he seemed fine."

"No blacking out?" Egon asked.

"Or complaining of headaches, nausea?" Winston added.

Again Eugene thought back, but shook his head. "We both felt it when that thing lashed out, it was like a sucker punch. I'll admit I was a little worried when it became obvious we didn't have time to try any other plan; that he'd have to open the door THAT way."

Egon recalled Peter's anger at them discussing the manner in which he'd destroyed the door to free them all. Of course, agitation was normal in that instance.

"I tried suggesting we try any other way, but he seemed adamant we didn't have time. I don't know how he got it to work, he insisted I keep a fair distance, guess he couldn't be sure which way the door would explode."

"I didn't think to check on him, scan-wise." Egon frowned "the imminent relief of the stalemate being over was overwhelmingly distracting."

"Me neither, I was...he seemed fine," Ray said, recalling the familiar smile and carefree attitude Peter had displayed as he confirmed he was back to work. They'd all been so happy, none more so then he'd been.

He blinked as something occurred to him. "He wasn't showing any signs of high body temp. Not like he is now."

"Hm, so it was delayed?" Egon suggested and Ray nodded.

"It never occurred to me there'd be backlash. This things taken up residence in his body and we haven't a clue how it works. I should've stopped him."

"No way you could've pre-empted this, either of you." Winston said as he stood "so drop it. Ghosts, sure. Nobody can outsmart you two. But this is a whole other kettle of fish- none of us got a bead on this. We're flyin' blind, none more so then Pete himself."

Ray thought back to Peter saying the dreams felt like more than just PTSD. Was he right, was there something more to this?

"How longs it been since the kidnapping?" Janine asked now, she'd been following their entire conversation and wracking her brains for any idea.

"About three weeks, give or take. Why?" Egon asked her.

"Well, if they wanted to finish what they started, why wait this long? It doesn't make any sense."

"She's got a point," Winston mused "if they were THAT set on finishing, they've hit the firehouse by now, if Pete was that important to their unique lunacy."

Egon appeared to relax a little "so we can assume they're not fixing to finish what they started. Which leads back to my main hypothesis; because the ritual wasn't finished, the levels of power they were dealing with aren't under any restraint. Its being housed in a human who has no idea what he's dealing with."

"Why is it doing…THIS to him then, Egon?" Janine asked "because he doesn't know how to control it?"

"That's my best guess," Egon nodded seriously "its demanding a level of 'fuel' and control that simply isn't possible, and as a result its taking huge swathes of resources every time its activated. It's like shock, theres often a delay before it kicks in."

"So if he hadn't set it loose on that door, he'd be fine?" Eugene winced "I knew I should've stopped him-"

"First off- stop Pete from having his own way? Good luck with that, pal." Winston managed a wry smile "second off- I think knew he was the only option we had. We would've been in serious trouble if that ghost had gotten tired of waiting and tried hollowing us out to use as halloween decorations!"

"Gross," Eugene laughed weakly, then sighed "yeah, he seemed to say as such. I hadn't a clue what else we could do, so…"

"As Winston pointed out, Peter is stubborn, you'd need further work stints with him to know when he won't listen. Which is most of the time, except if Ray is around to scold him." Egon said calmly.

"Hey yeah, that DOES work." Winston thought back, recalling several times when Peter had actually pulled up short due to Ray putting his foot down.

"I do NOT scold him!" Ray glowered at his teammates. Janine snorted into her hand, trying to muffle her laughter. When Ray gave her that look, she couldn't help laugh out loud.

"Oh please, you're the closest thing to impulse control that man has." She patted his shoulder "you deserve a medal, seriously."

Ray flushed, grumbled under his breath but didn't seem to have any real objections. The others chuckled to see him so flustered, there was a certain cuteness to the way those two looked after each other.

After a moments pause, Ray spoke again, all humour faded "There has to be something we can do?"

"Well, we need to find someone who's an expert on this sort of thing. So far my recommendation still stands." Spengler looked at Ray, who nodded.

"New Orleans?" Winston piped up and Egon nodded his agreement.

"I remember you telling about that woman you encountered, Egon" Janine spoke up, "you said she had expertise in fields you never heard of before. You think she knows about magic?"

"I'd bet on it."Egon said seriously, making everyones eyebrows raise 'of all the people I've read about; let alone MET, she stands out. It's a long shot, but we need to bring Venkman to her. At the rate he's going, he'll burn up and he risks systemic failure if this hits a critical point."

Ray looked about to throw up, but managed to keep his voice steady as he asked "I know he'll hate it, but maybe we should admit him to hospital? They'd have the resources to stabilise him, wouldn't they?"

"They would, that is irrefutable. But bearing in mind how bad it affected him when he woke up in a hospital last time, I think we should call a personal doctor. Yes, it's expensive, but it'll be a lot less jarring if he wakes up here where everything's familiar instead of the hospital again. If the surges affect the hospital like the first time, I wont be able to hide it. Things could get complicated…"

Ray nodded, he'd dig up whatever funds necessary to cover it. He just wanted Peter's nightmare to end.

He moved to sit on the edge of the bed now, watching the sleeping Peter. Even as Ray studied him, he seen Peter frown uneasily, saw his hands clench just a fraction more-

He moved his hand so it was brushing Peter's, hoping the contact would do something to help and by some miracle, it did. Ray sighed in relief as Peter seemed to slip into an easier sleep.

The other were discussing what to do next, besides calling a personal doctor to check Venkman over.

"I'll postpone the trip up to new Orleans-" Egon began, but Ray twisted round to stare in confusion at the genius.

"What if we don't have time for that?" He asked "its getting worse, you said it yourself, Egon-"

"I know what I said and I stand by it. But the fact still remains that Peter's in no condition to-"

"She's the only shot I have, isn't she?"

They all turned now, seeing Peter was half-awake and staring feverishly at them.

"Peter-?" Ray shifted so he was in Peter's line of sight, drawing the patients attention for a moment. Peter instinctively tried to sit himself up, but Stantz just shook his head and nudged him back into a prone position "You blacked out Peter, don't try to move right away.."

Peter glanced dizzily at Ray, then refocused on Spengler as he stepped closer to the bed "I'm right, aren't I? This can't...no, WON'T wait, will it?"

"That's true as far as my understanding goes, but it wont do your health any good-" Egon grudgingly agreed and tried to steer the conversation back to common sense as he saw it, but Peter only shook his head, wincing as the mere motion seemed to hurt him.

"Ah-! The longer this goes on, the more it's gonna drain my batteries. Eventually its gonna be the death of me if we don't do something, so if she can put a cap on it, then just dump me in the car and wake me when we get there."

Again, the others were surprised by how quickly and easily Peter had summed up the same conclusion. By himself and feverish as could be, he still seen right through it all.

Egon conceded he was right, but he wasn't in a fit state to move from that bed TONIGHT...

"OK, fine, we'll leave the day after tomorrow. Tonight, I'm calling the physician."

"I'm not even dead yet..!" Peter objected.

"Physician, Peter, not mortician." Egon shook his head. Ray chuckled and squeezed Peter's shoulder gently, Venkman's gaze falling back to him now.

"Hey," he said softly, so only Stantz would hear "you OK, Ray?"

Ray laughed softly, "I'M fine, Peter. It's YOU we're all worried about…"

The others filed out quietly, Janine and Egon went to see about the doctor, while Eugene and Winston went to go and make preparations to get the RV out of storage.

"I didn't know you guys HAD one of those!" Eugene remarked as he walked alongside Zeddemore, as they made their way to the warehouse were the larger items were kept.

"Yeah, Ray bought and fixed it up last year. We had to do a series of special request busts all across America, even into Europe too, so we needed something more longterm. Even if Peter drove us all nuts about the lack of space. In the end, we let him take Ecto-1 and follow behind us. It was either that or he drove us all crazy."

Eugene tried not to laugh, but the mental image was pretty funny. "I imagine Eeg was none too happy after a few days of that?"

Winston shook his head as he unlocked the security door "that's putting it mildly. If looks could kill, we'd have been stuffing Pete in the containment unit by day two. But you know Venkman, it all flies right over his head, he's perfected the art of obliviousness at will."

"Except when it's Ray."

Winston nodded, flinging the massive roll-up door open. "Except when it's Ray. EXACTLY. I don't think Ray knows the kind of power he has, being able to get Peter Venkman to shut up and behave himself for longer than 5 seconds."

Back at the firehouse, Ray was still fussing over Peter. He fetched him some water, wrapped him in extra blankets….basically anything he thought would help.

So when Peter seemed to be losing his voice, he naturally leaned in closer to hear him-

-smooch.

"Gotcha." Peter said weakly, closing his eyes and nuzzling his partners nose. Ray flushed, lips tingling from the kiss. Even stuck in bed, Peter still found a way to sneak in a quick gesture of affection…

His heart thudded anxiously at how hot to the touch Peter's skin was at this proximity. He felt Peter's fingers brush lightly across his neck, tangling in his hair. He chased his fear away so he could offer a comforting smile to Peter, returning the brief kiss from moments before.

"Is this ever gonna stop?" Peter asked wearily, exhausted eyes meeting Ray's. "i know its getting bad if Egon's willing to take the time to go to New Orleans."

"Peter…" Ray tried to think of a way to soothe his concern, but a flash of something in Peter's eyes told him he wasn't fooling anyone-

"Don't lie to me Ray, please…"

Ray braced a hand on the bed, their faces still mere inches apart. With his other hand, he brushed sweat-dampened strands of hair away from his partner's eyes.

"I'm not, I promise." He whispered "yes, it's getting worse. But that's why we're taking this trip, so we can find a way to stop this taking everything from you. We're not gonna let it make you sicker than it already has, and I for one refuse to let it cause any more hurt than it has."

"That's because you're adorable, Raymond." Peter whispered, something like a smile gracing his features as Ray's gentle hand stroked his hair. Ray smiled, even though he felt like crying, he hated feeling so useless when someone he cared about was in danger.

"It'll be alright, we'll make sure of it." He whispered, seeing Peter drifting asleep…

Peter managed one last smile before sleep swept over him again and he sank into a merciful darkness.

Once Ray was sure Peter was fully asleep, he carefully got up from his bed, heading for the main kitchen area. As he walked in, he heard the others down below and hurried to join them.

Winston gave him a list of things the RV needed before it was good to go and Ray nodded, saying he have it down by that evening.

Egon and Janine had managed to secure a doctors visit for later that evening. Ray looked ready to collapse in relief, so janine hugged him.

"He'll be better in no time," she said quietly "Ill even give it a weeks head start before I throw anything at him."

This caused a smatter of laughter, even Ray had to chuckle as he recalled how boisterous Peter usually was.

The doctor was concerned by Peter's low blood sugar, fatigue and fever. Egon fudged the truth as best he could, blaming it on an encounter with a ghost.

The doctor hooked the sleepy and disorientated Venkman up to a drip, warning Spengler if his condition worsened he was to bring him to a hospital asap. He left some medication with Egon, telling him the doses Venkman needed and advising against any strenuous activity. Egon assured him he would follow the instructions to a T, then wrote the cheque to cover the visit.

Peter was asleep again by the time Egon came back into the main bedroom. Ray was sat on his own bed, watching Peter with a deep-set look of worry on his face.

"You alright?" Egon asked as he set the bottles of tablets by Peter's bedside.

"I'm fine," Ray sighed "I just hate feeling so helpless. I don't wanna lose him, Egon, not after all this time."

"What do you mean?" Egon asked, handing Ray a bottled water he'd grabbed from the kitchen, since Stantz didn't seem inclined to move far from Peter. He'd shot through his list to make sure the RV was ready, returning to check on Venkman as soon as he was done. Winston was seeing to any final repairs, but thankfully the vehicle was still in good shape from its last trip.

Ray laughed, realising he'd let something slip there. "It's silly, but before I blanked out my memory in university, I-i had a total crush on him."

Egon tilted his head to one side "I must confess that I never expected you to say that, yet alone that you'd take such risks with your own mind."

Ray felt himself flush with embarrassment as Egon perched next to him on the bed.

"Well, I was too freaked out. I wasn't as outgoing as Peter was back then, yet alone as fearless. I thought if he found out he'd just NOPE right on outta there. So I found that book and eventually I was able to all but totally stop it from bothering me. I'd simply fabricate whatever stories it took to keep people of being suspicious as to why I never dated any girl for long.."

"That must have put a lot of strain on you." Egon said, frowning slightly. Ray winced as he flashed back to those days.

"At first, yeah, but before I knew it i'd developed a reputation as an eccentric and people seemed to stop wondering. It just because a part of me after that."

Egon nodded, then curiosity pushed him to ask "so, what broke the barrier? Ah, wait, you mentioned seeing Peter with that cult leader, didn't you?"

Ray went red again "y-yeah. I guess it kinda broke my brain a little, 'gon. He was so mad at me at first, I figured the whole mess in my head would calm down, but….nope. I couldn't very well say I was upset because I was jealous, he'd have gone berserk. Or laughed his sides off THEN gotten mad."

"I doubt it, he has always been protective of you, even if he makes it all but impossible to detect."

"I guess it was harder to deal with because it was ME that found out.." Ray said after a moments thought and Egon nodded.

"I feel like a total idiot.." Ray groaned, shaking his head at how he'd handled that whole thing.

"If it's any consolation, I very nearly destroyed things with Eugene at the start." Egon blurted at last, feeling briefly apprehensive. He'd never really talked about this, but of all people, he knew Ray was the most trustworthy.

"Y-you did?" Ray was surprised "what happened? I mean, you don't have to-"

"No, it's fine. It's something I have mulled over in the time since, a case study in how being too absorbed by my work can be bad." Egon said with a shrug. "Eugene was trying to tell me, but I kept blocking it out, never giving him a straight answer. The first time he kissed me I actually outright told him he should find someone better, then I shot out of the lab."

He sighed, stretching so his spine clicked back into place then sat forward with his elbows on his knees. "Eugene apologised the next day, but I told him it wasn't his fault, I shouldn't have acted the way I did. He smiled, but it wasn't a proper smile and then he left. I tried to distract myself from the pain in my stomach by scaling the bookshelf to get my old journals of medicine down, but then the ladder broke. I would've landed myself a concussion but for Eugene coming back that very second and catching me as best he could."

"Yikes." Ray said, eyebrows raised "I did wonder about that ladder sometimes. Then what happened?"

Egon smiled faintly, a smile that'd only appeared since Eugenes return. "I realised I was going to lose everything if I didn't start being honest with myself. So I told him I had been too hasty in the instances prior and, well; the rest is history."

Ray beamed, exuberantly hugging the introverted scientist, which startled him at first and made him go stiff as a board, but then he realised it was just Ray's way of saying "thats great!"

"You know," Egon said when Ray released him and sat back, still grinning ear to ear "I actually have Peter to thank for that."

"Really? How…?" Ray asked, bemused as to how Peter fitted into all this?

Egon chuckled dryly. "Eugene told me about it when you and Venkman left to get lunch after the tests. After he left my office that first time, Eugene was going to head home but instead ran into Peter. It seems Venkman had walked past the door and seen just enough to add it all up and come up with the right answer right off the bat. He told Eugene to go back and try again, said that I was just being stubborn and ignoring what I wanted. That was when he walked in and saved me from injuring myself."

Ray glanced from Egon across to the sleeping form of Venkman. He smiled softy, Peter really did have a heart of slightly tarnished gold under his wise cracking and buffoonery.

"I'm glad he did." Ray smiled at Egon "Eugene really cares about you."

"The night he vanished, he said he was going to tell me." Egon murmured, feeling an uncharacteristic heat warm his face "it must've been hard on him when I responded in such a harsh fashion. I just never treated affection as anything important, told myself I wasn't cut out for it, like other people are. I had grown accustomed to being viewed….differently."

He flashed back to hearing Eugene's friends, hearing their mocking laughter as they talked about the "ice prince on campus" and "the frigid freak.".

Ray sensed it was something from the past and simply nodded, musing-

"I guess we both got a bit of a surprise. Who'd expect someone special could be so close..?" He went pink "or that they'd go the same way-?"

"I admit it's not the sort of thing any algorithm of mine could narrow down. Humans are impossibly obscure at times."

"Yeah, but you love us really." Ray joked, making Egon glower at him.

"For the last time, I am NOT a space alien! Stupid Venkman." He cut off, realising that might've been a bit rude, but Ray just chuckled. He knew Peter could be a bit of a handful at times and being in love with him didn't totally excuse his shenanigans.

Peter winced in his sleep then, uttering a pained noise. Ray quickly sobered up, moving to check his temperature.

"Fever's down a little." He said as he sat back beside Egon.

"The drip should replace what he lost, or at least stabilise him. We'll find a solution, Ray."

"I know, I just want to get my hands on that a-hole father of his and throttle him!" Ray said balefully, hands clenching tightly. "what kind of parent does that to their own KID?!"

"Clearly the type that shouldn't be allowed to have kids in the first instance." Egon said quietly "He also had a mother who went to all lengths to protect him and keep him a secret, so at least he shares that side of his genetics."

Ray nodded, but after a moments pause, he blurted "I just wish we COULD erase that power. He hates it Egon, it took a miracle for me to convince him it didn't change how much he meant to me…"

"That morning with the pancakes." Egon nodded "I was surprised to see him leave the attic, let alone talk to us the way he did. Whatever you two discussed, it changed his mindset."

Ray blushed then, unsure how to say it'd all begun with his bedding Peter and talking hadn't factored into it, unless you counted whispered requests for more- Even the morning after had mostly consisted of comforting, snuggling and promising it'd be alright…

"Going by the look on your face, I'll keep any further questions to myself." Egon said dryly, snapping Ray out of his thoughts. He raised an eyebrow as poor Stantz could only turn even redder and facepalm quietly.

"Probably for the best." Ray squeaked at last, shaking his head in embarrassment. But a glance out of the corner of his eye showed Egon was smiling faintly and Ray felt a bit less flustered. Egon understood, if his explanation of him and Eugene was anything to go by.

"You…guessed, didn't you?" Egon said suddenly, feeling his curiosity peaking again "that first morning we met Alessa."

"I had a hunch," Ray said, smiling kindly "it was mostly in the way Eugene acted around you. He only had attention for YOU, even when Peter was being a smart-arse. Almost protective…"

Egon nodded silently, grateful for Ray's tact. Dealing with the fact he'd just made such a major change had been overwhelming enough for one day, he hadn't expected things would go so well after the awkward start he and Eugene had had, with Egon's guilt making him panic-

—But he didn't care, did he?— he thought, recalling Eugene with his legs crossed and eyebrows raised, pointing out there was a very real reason why he wasn't standing up!

He chuckled to himself before he could stop it, making Ray tilt his head curiously.

"Whats got YOU laughing?" He said smugly, almost mimicking Peter's grin as he ran through every idea he had-

"Nothing, I can assure you!" Egon folded his arms and attempted to glower Ray into deterrence. But he could see from the way Ray was grinning, that he had an idea…

"Peter's a bad influence on you." He grumped at last, making Ray let slip a loud snort of laughter.

"Hmnhh?"

They both froze, glancing guiltily at one another as Peter stirred. But all he did was curl onto his side now, his body tucked up as much as he could. Ray drew the blankets back up over him so he wouldn't catch cold and he and Egon left to let the sick man sleep.

"How's Venkman?" Eugene asked as Egon came to sit beside him on the couch. Ray had gone to his office to have a lie down, and give Peter some peace.

"Tired, fatigued- it's getting worse. As much as I hate to admit it, he's right, we DO need to get him to Madame Leveau's as soon as we can."

"You want me to help out here while you're gone?" Eugene asked and Egon blinked up at him, he'd totally forgotten about arranging cover for their absence. It made perfect sense, Janine had quite a bit of hands-on experience with the packs, so they'd be able to cover emergency cases together.

"That would be excellent, I hope it's not an inconvenience?"

"Nah, Dad'll be thrilled when I tell him. He really likes you Eeg. By the way, he TOTALLY knows about me being about as straight as the outside of a wheel."

Egon was caught between surprise that mr Visitor knew and laughing at the analogy. In the time he spent debating it, Eugene had wrapped him in his arms and kissed him. Egon sighed happily, almost feeling like he could melt into Eugene's embrace, it felt so good. One more kiss and it wasn't even a discussion any more, he was already pressing his body against Eugene's and returning the kiss with equal fervour.

"Mmm, I should make sure you're all set for your trip." Eugene purred, making Egon's heart race. Before he could speak, he was being carried to his office, Eugene managing to lock the door while still holding Egon in his arms.

He set him on his feet and kissed him deeply.

"We aren't leaving until the day after-" Egon began, but Eugene cut him off with the sort of kiss that made Egon's thought processes scatter to the wind.

"I know, but what is it you always say- it pays to be thorough?" Eugene teased, looking at Egon as if nothing mattered more then giving his precious doctor a good seeing to.

"I cannot argue with such logic," Egon said softly "one moment then, i want to make sure the alarms wont disturb us."

Egon reluctantly slipped free from Eugene's embrace, darting over to his desk even as his body objected strongly to his putting the pleasure on hold. A shudder of longing ran through him as he hurriedly flipped off the switches to the remote alarm relays.

He straightened up, feeling his back pressing against Eugene's firm chest. Those strong arms wrapped around him as Eugene kissed Egon's neck. Egon honestly thought he might collapse as one of Eugene's hands slipped up under his shirt and sweater, the other slipping down to teasingly cup him down there.

"Eugene..." Egon sighed happily, shivering in anticipation as those warm hands were slipping free from his clothing and he was picked up, sat gently atop the table.

Prior to now, Egon would've said a table was NOT the appropriate place for this, but before the words could even form, he was kissing Eugene with a fierce need he couldn't ignore. A need the man himself had awoken with just a few intimate touches. As he kissed him, Egon moved his hands down Eugene's sides, letting them rest at his belt for a moment before undoing it.

Going by the sounds Eugene was making as Egon kissed him, this was a very enjoyable course of action. Following his lover's example, Eugene skilfully unbuttoned Egon's shirt and his hands wandered down to ease Spengler's trousers and underwear off. Egon squirmed atop the table, helping free himself from the garments so they bunched up at his ankles.

"Where's-?" Eugene asked, and Egon knew what he was asking for.

"Bedside table, top drawer." He said softly, fidgeting as Eugene reluctantly left him to grab the tube. He bit his lip as the surge of desire returned, and it'd brought reinforcements by the feel of it, what was going on with him? Had talking to Ray about how he'd nearly lost all this only ramped up his already powerful longing?

Eugene stopped a moment to look at Egon as he turned back to him. Sweet merciful sanity he looked so cute like that, perched atop the table with his shirt unbuttoned and his once neatly pressed trousers puddled around his ankles.

Egon seen the dreamy lust in his partner's eyes and his heart slammed hard against his ribcage, what did Eugene see?

"This reminds me of that story you told me," Eugene whispered as he approached his lover, seeing Egon going all shy about how much of an effect he worked on Eugene's mind and body. He kissed Egon gently, listening to the eager moan Egon made, the faint fwumpf of his underwear falling to the floor, freeing him completely.

"Story?" Egon said absently as Eugene unscrewed the cap. He kissed Eugene's neck, feeling the fast beat of the man's pulse…

"Mm-hm, the one you told me that first night I got to make love to you…" Eugene murmured as he wrapped one arm around Egon's middle, holding him close as the other hand slipped between his partner's legs. His eyes met Egon curious grey ones, he looked so delectable "the one about you "testing" yourself that I said was incredibly hot- you told me you were sat on your bed half-undressed-"

Egon gasped softly as he felt warm, firm fingers push into him. His eyes never left Eugene's, caught up in this retelling of his own memories..

"- those talented fingers of yours just exploring, testing-"

Deeper now- Egon pressed into his hold and eagerly returned the quick, deep kiss.

"Yes, just…like this.."

His own voice surprised him as he pressed his hand against Eugene's, tangling their fingers together and guiding him in a way that was ever more reminiscent of those nights in his dorm room, exploring his own limits. This unexpected boldness made him feel almost light headed, but he liked it….

Eugene held him tightly as he and Egon teased and prepared the polymaths body- together, Soon, the tremors running through Egon became too much and he gave himself completely to Eugenes capable hands. Eugene was swiftly able to bring him over the edge, hearing Egon gasp his name sharply as the first, powerful climax hit him. He closed his eyes, focusing on that tsunami of pleasure as it came crashing down.

As Egon caught his breath, letting both hands rest at Eugene's shoulders now, he opened his eyes and-

"Your shirt!' He blurted, realising he'd uh, gotten some fluids splashed on it. Eugene chuckled, tilting Egon's chin up and kissing him lightly.

"It'll wash out, Eeg. Now…you ready for more?"

Egon kissed him by way of an answer, hearing paper flutter to the floor beneath the desk as Eugene laid him down, hands sliding down Egon's body to gently grasp his hips and lift him just enough…

It occurred to him later that they'd chosen the best table to do this on, it was a heavy, sturdy thing that barely creaked at all as they slipped into a hot, heavy rhythm. Egon gripped its edge, feeling the grain of wood pressing into his bare skin as Eugene took him. Strong hands gripped his slender legs, holding him positioned so that every thrust made Egon gasp his name…

Egon was faintly aware of more objects falling off the desk as they came, but it didn't matter right then. He'd clean it up later…

As the second orgasm faded, Egon rested back against the table, his own heavy breathing filling his ears. His heart raced so fast, every little touch was like a jolt of electricity..

"You amaze me, Eeg." Eugene murmured in his ear, making Egon lift his head to sleepily meet his eyes. He smiled and kissed Eugene, wishing he could bring HIS lover with him, but Janine couldn't be expected to handle the whole operation on her own.

Eugene gently pulled out, guiding Egon to a sitting position, then easing him onto the floor. Egon shivered as the cold floor met his feet, countering the sheer heat of Eugene's body as he pressed against him. He was just about to kiss him when he felt a certain sticky something trickle down the inside of his thighs and blushed, feeling suddenly awkward. He tried to free himself so he could surreptitiously wipe himself up- But in his usual fashion, Eugene didn't see a problem, just an adorable Eeg.

He held Egon's hands, asking him to let him "take care of it" before he guided Egon over to the bed and laid him down, telling him just lie back and let Eugene take care of everything…

Egon clutched handfuls of the covers as Eugene proceeded to clean up the overspill, slowly, TEASINGLY…

"Mmm, do you need more, my sweet Eeg?" Eugene asked as he admired the view before him. Egon flushed and biting his lip, but nodding. Spengler gave a happy little moan as his lovers tongue moved on to a certain part of his body, as the sensual clean-up had gotten the cute doctor all hot and bothered.

When Eugene finished, he sat back, licking his lips as he studied the gorgeous man laid out before him. He loved that look of utter satisfaction in Egon's eyes, how sexy he looked with his hair tousled and glasses slightly steamed up. He nuzzled Egon gently as he drew the covers up over them, imprinting the scent of the genius' body into his memory to occupy those days where his precious doctor would be off in New Orleans. Egon sighed happily, burrowing into his arms and murmuring his name softly…

Peter woke later that night, when everyone (bar Egon anyway) was already asleep in the other beds surrounding him. He seen the faint outline of his lover, curled up under the covers and clutching a stuffed toy dog. How adorable could one man be? He longed to drag himself across the distance and curl up in Ray's arms…

His head felt a bit less fuzzy compared to earlier and he soon realised the drip connected to his arm was most likely responsible for that. Ray had mentioned calling a doctor, hadn't he? Most of that evening was a haze of fever heat and small patches of relief in the form of dreamless sleeps. There was a glass of water on his bedside table, which he hungrily downed in just a few swigs as he sat himself up. He rested his head on his knees, letting out as quiet a sigh as he could so he didn't disturb the others and wondering if he'd ever feel normal again..?

A faint glow lit the room and Peter raised his eyes, seeing Alessa hovering before him.

"Hey…Sorry I charged through ya earlier," Peter said weakly "I read somewhere that's very rude to a ghost."

"It matters not. You weren't feeling well." She looked kindly at him "I shall remain here and look after the remaining two while you're all away, if thats acceptable?"

"Yeah, sure. They'd appreciate the company..." Peter closed his eyes, flopping back against the pillow now, feeling drowsy again "thanks."

She watched him, then relaxed as she realised he'd fallen back to sleep.

"Good luck." she said softly as she set a kindly hand on his forehead "I cannot help but foresee you'll need it. Yet you're stronger then you think you are."

Peter woke to an empty room, his fever much better. The room didn't seem to be spinning, so that was a bonus bit of progress. The next thing he realised was that it was very quiet in the building, he couldn't hear the usual cacophony that the average day contained. The others were obviously out- that or they were keeping quiet so his headache didn't get a headache?

Right as he thought this, the bedroom door opened and Ray came in. Seeing Peter was awake, his face lit up with relief and he all but ran to the bedside. He perched on the edge of the bed and nuzzled Peter's hair with a happy noise.

"Ray.." Peter said softly, grasping his hand and urging him to fully lie down on the bed beside him.

"Hey you," Ray said, gently aligning his body with Peter's and draping his arms around him. Peter snuggled as close to him as he could without disturbing the IV thing that was presumably helping him feel less like crap, while breathing in the scent of Ray's skin and the solid warmth of his body. Ray kissed him gently, making Peter sigh happily, it was worth being stuck in bed if it meant attention from Ray…

He kissed him back, relishing the sweetness of those lips as he traced Ray's side with his fingers.

"What's going on?" he asked Stantz, drawing back to study his expression after the third kiss. Ray smiled softly, taking in his bed-bound partner.

"We're getting ready to go, Egon's outfitting the RV again so we can just head direct for New Orleans. We're bringing the drip with us, Winston picked up another refill for it from the hospital this morning. Oh-! The doctor advised you not get too much exercise or wear yourself out, so-" he stroked Peter's cheek gently, smiling softly "you need to stay put, no wandering about."

"Damn, that's every plan I had for you down the tube then." Peter grumped, making Ray blush and lose track of what he was supposed to be telling Peter as he thought about the kind of plans Peter often came up with.

"When you're better." He promised at last, once he'd recovered his wits and received a kiss for his efforts. Peter sighed when they parted, nestling his face in the curve of Ray's neck.

"How're you feeling?" Ray asked now, gently rubbing his back, relieved to feel Peter's skin temperature was back to something more normal now.

"Ehh, tired?" Peter shrugged listlessly, still tracing patterns on Ray's skin through his shirt "feel kinda weird to be honest. My head hurts a little."

"Don't worry Peter, we're going to find a way to help you." Ray assured him, kissing his forehead gently. Peter smiled, feeling safe and happy, he had his Raymond and for the moment it was all that mattered. He was about to drift asleep when Ray nuzzled his nose and urged him awake again.

"I almost forgot- Egon said you need to take some tablets, the doctor prescribed them. I know you're exhausted, but the medicine will help." Ray murmured, hating to disturb him or even release him from his hold. Being able to physically hold Venkman at least made Ray feel like he was doing something to help the man he loved.

Peter allowed himself to be kept from sleep long enough to down the meds with a glass of water. Ray tucked him up in the blankets again and Peter asked him to stay a little longer..please? Having gotten a taste of sleeping next to his partner, he didn't want to be alone. Even though he was supposedly to be helping with the RV, Ray couldn't say no to that familiar pout and curled up on his side next to the bundled-up Venkman, speaking softly to him until Peter drifted asleep again. He was starting to get drowsy himself by that point and vowed he'd just close his eyes for a second-

He snapped awake a few minutes later and tried to galvanise himself by re-tucking the blankets around Peter, but it was only a momentary delay before his worry-addled mind gave in to the temptation of sleep…

That was how Winston found them; Peter cozily wrapped in blankets and Ray snoozing atop the covers next to him, with one arm draped protectively over Peter's body. They looked so peaceful he decided not to wake Ray and silently crept back out. Although not before taking a photo on his phone to annoy Peter with if he ever teased him about Tiyah…

"We almost set?" he asked as he entered the RV, seeing Egon working on the portable containment unit built into the vehicle.

"Just a few last diagnostics to run." Egon said, pushing his goggles up off his face and frowning as he noticed Winston had come back alone "Where's Ray?"

"Taking his task VERY seriously." Winston chuckled as he told Spengler about how he'd found Ray snoozing atop Peter's bed, he'd obviously gone to make sure he took his meds and decided to keep him company until he fell asleep. Egon smiled faintly as he walked over to the coffee machine.

"I would never have matched them in such a manner, yet this is the happiest I've seen Peter, Ray too."

"Yeah, I know what you mean, Egon. But I really think Ray can prove to Pete that the worlds not to be given up on."

Egon nodded, putting his toolkits away. "Ray's always cared about him on a subtle level, I guess it makes sense it'd evolve beyond that eventually."

That night, Egon and Eugene once again retired to Egon's office to spend the night together before they were separated. Egon had subconsciously dressed in similar clothing to his university days, as Eugene had seemed SO very turned on by the recollections they'd shared last night…

When his alarm went off the next morning, Egon grumbled at it and tried to ignore it, burrowing back into Eugene's arms. Eugene had gone all out last night, lips and fingertips touching and caressing every sensitive part of Egon's body- which was most of it, to be honest. He'd more then fulfilled his promise, that being to "give him a night he wouldn't forget for a week."

"Mm, you're very adorable Eeg, but you're needed downstairs." Eugene murmured, kissing Spengler's neck and nibbling lightly on the skin. Egon groaned, a shiver running down his spine and waking him up properly. He reluctantly took a shower and got dressed, with Eugene not far behind him.

"We shouldn't be away too long- I mean…" Egon flushed "I-I don't want to be away for long."

"It'll be fine, Janine and I will manage while you boys are away. Just take care, OK?"

Egon nodded as he finished buttoning his shirt, and Eugene stepped on to plant a kiss on his lips.

"I will." He whispered, snaring another kiss before they reluctantly finished getting dressed and headed downstairs.

"You took your time, Egon." Winston joked and Peter arched an eyebrow at Eugene. Who suddenly couldn't meet his eye, staring very intently at the ceiling.

"Goodness, what were you to up to all nig-"

"Venkman-!" Egon snapped "not one more word out of you."

Venkman pouted, but finally shrugged and fell silent. He leaned back so he was resting against Ray's shoulder, causing Ray's attention span to short out. Egon sighed and rubbed his forehead, but soon got back to business in outlining their trip. So he missed Janine tilting her head to one side, a knowing grin on her face. Eugene seen it, seen her raise an eyebrow as if to say "you've been rumbled".

They piled the proton packs into the RV, along with other bits of equipment Egon had guessed they might need. While Winston set the IV line and connected it to its oddly subdued patient, Egon went back out to speak with Eugene and Janine one more time.

"Don't forget, Ray's modded the phones, so you should be able to call regardless of reception in the area. Tell Peck to deal with me or Winston if he gets a particularly large bee up his butt, to borrow one of Peter's many phrases."

"We'll be fine," Janine hugged him goodbye "I've had experience with his worship before and this guy here is apparently catching up to the rest of you when it comes to a proton pack."

"Years of sports finally pays off." Eugene joked and Egon smiled at him, hating to leave the two of them alone like this.

"Don't worry about it," Eugene told him "we'll be fine. The others need your expertise with this, especially Dr Venkman. Just shoot us an update if anything happens and don't forget to visit at least ONE bar in New Orleans, I've seen some seriously cool documentaries about that place!"

Egon nodded and was just about to open the door when he heard Eugene's footsteps behind him. He turned, asking had he forgotten to tell him something?

"No. Just one final reminder for ME." Eugene said huskily, then pulled Egon against him and kissed the man passionately. Egon's heart nearly stopped, Janine was right there- but he was already pressing back into the kiss, hands braced against Eugene's chest as time seemed to stop to allow them this precious moment. They parted at last and Eugene winked at him "off you go, Eeg. Take care, alright?"

Egon nodded, fiddling with the cuff of one sleeve as he opened the door. He glanced back, unable to refrain from wondering how that must've looked to Janine.

She caught his eye and to his surprise, gave him a big grin and winked. Somehow understanding that meant she was all for the two of them, he shot her a grateful nod and shot out the door.

"Well then, let's get started." Janine said as Eugene turned away from the door and the sound of the RV faded.

"On what? Paperwork? Lunch?" He asked cluelessly. Janine shook her head, a cheeky grin making its way onto her face.

"Noo, you're going to tell me a story; namely the one of how you came to snag Egon. I want ALL the juicy details."

"Guess I kinda gave the game away back there, huh?" Eugene felt himself flush, yet also seeing a trace of melancholy behind her teasing "you…really liked him, didn't you? I'd have expected you to be more angry at me, to be honest."

Janine chuckled "you're good, kid. Yeah, you're right; I had a thing for Egon for the longest time, he was just so…unique and handsome to boot. Although he's never been distant or rude to me, in fact he's always been a perfect gentleman, I just got the feeling I wasn't what he wanted."

"I'm not sure Eeg knew what he wanted at first, he was like a cat on a hot tin roof for a while. Jumped a mile in the air every time I came near him. Well, that and that one time Peter dropped an ice cube down the back of his shirt…" Eugene mused.

"That man, honestly, sometimes I swear he never grew up." Janine rolled her eyes, then paused " but then I see him acting NOT like an idiot around dr Stantz and- Dah, I give up!"

Eugene chuckled as he perched on the edge of her desk. "He's a mystery…"

"Anyway, focus. You and Egon, spill." Janine teased.

"I nearly kinda fumbled it at first, in fact I honestly thought I had screwed up entirely and attempted a butchered apology before legging it. I explained to Egon about the whole "i think you're gorgeous, even if it's kinda late to tell you" thing and he looked like someone just told him science wasn't real. I think it was too much for him, especially since he blamed himself for my disappearance that night."

"Why would he blame himself for that? What happened was an accident, right?" Janine asked "you just happened to see a spirit of death and outfox it. While years passed on our side. How is that his fault?"

"He felt bad for being the only one there when it happened, I think he believed if I'd been hanging out with my "actual" friends, they'd have been able to save me. I told him that was nonsense, but it was obvious he hated not being able to solve the matter. What he did do really helped my dad while I was gone; he's grown very fond of Egon."

Janine wanted to hug him right then, it was a sad story after all. And poor Dr Spengler, carrying the burden of guilt by his own choice, because he wanted to get his friend back.

"I tried to talk to him, but I think I scared him when I uh, told him I liked him and then kissed him. I thought he was, y'know, OK with things, but then he suddenly panics and babbles about being incapable of understanding any of it and the next thing I know he's gone. I tried talking to him, but it was awkward as all get out, so I figured I'd cut my losses and leave him alone. Hopefully, he wouldn't hate me, y'know? That was when dr Venkman scared the daylights outta me by suddenly appearing from out of thin air somewhere behind me and saying "he's lying."

Janine arched an eyebrow "wait, Peter's involved with this?"

Eugene chuckled, flushing faintly "Yep. It's actually thanks to him things are as good as they are."

"This I have to hear." Janine arched one eyebrow whilst trying to imagine Peter somehow bringing a sheltered polymath and a long lost friend together. WITHOUT embarrassing both parties for his own amusement, that is.

"Well, I chickened and tried to run, but he pulled me into the kitchen and basically sussed out the whole situation, all from having seen just one glimpse as he walked past the door."

"Yeah, he scares me sometimes with how astute he is." Janine shook her head, then nudged Eugene to continue.

Eugene flushed and ran a hand through his hair "Well, he all but tows me back to the office, shoves me in the direction of the door and bluntly tells me to 'come out with it.' So I went back in and everything I was preparing in my head- it just vacated it when I seen Egon about to fall from the bookshelf. The ladder had broken, and I was just able to catch him before he injured himself. It was mental, he was right in my lap and I don't know what to say to him."

"That's quite the romantic rescue." Janine teased, making Eugene flush again, but he looked happy..

"It was amazing and disheartening at the same time, since I thought he still disliked me on some level. But, even as I tried to say I was sorry again, he seemed to reach his own conclusion and HE kissed ME."

"Daww." Janine said, patting his arm "that's adorable. I guess doctor Spengler was just a little gun-shy about letting someone get close."

"Thats part of why he panicked, he explained, he wasn't sure he understood the process and didn't want to mess it up. I told him I hadn't planned beyond telling him and hoping he didn't kick me out of his life! I figured we'd work it out as we went along…and that's pretty much everything."

"That's about the cutest thing I've ever heard. I'm glad he's happy." Janine smiled kindly "I often wondered if having some more romantic companionship might help him, but he never seemed to react to anyone who flirted with him! He was more in love with his work from what I could see."

"Hey, I wasn't sure I stood a chance either, but here we are." Eugene chuckled "Honestly? If Venkman hadn't seen right through me, I would've just run off and probably never been able to speak to Eeg for fear of him hating me!"

"Oh trust me, if I'D found out, I'd have given him a right proper scolding and forcefully dragged him to your house to sort things out." Janine huffed, earning a chuckle from Eugene.

"I'm glad you're OK with this whole thing, I kinda knew you cared a lot for him from day one."

"I'll admit I was and still am a little, jealous. Egon's gorgeous, no question. He's been so much more relaxed since you arrived, this explains why he was becoming so much more outgoing, compared to his usual introverted responses."

"Yeah, he's calmed down a little since the initial get together. Also, dr Stantz managed to stop Peter from relentlessly teasing Eeg, that helped a lot. I DO have one question Janine," Eugene had to ask "how did you guess-?"

"About you two? Well, the first giveaway was that adorable nickname. Egon gets huffy if anyone calls him anything other than his proper name, not even Peter can try it without getting the look of death. But you're running around calling him "Eeg," and he's not batting an eyelid. That's when I guessed you we're something special to him. But, I didn't know for sure until Alessa accidentally revealed how she'd come to be here and the rest was just maths."

Eugene nodded, that made sense.

"Just when I thought I'd had the biggest surprise of my working life- I later find out about Ray and Peter." Janine sat back in her chair.

"I was a little surprised myself, Venkman hides things uncannily well, so I never guessed they were THAT kind of close until Egon told me. I came round and heard the news about the kidnapping, about how worried dr Stantz was. I could see the damage Egon referred to when he abruptly showed up at the firehouse that day."

He recalled Peter being a faint shadow of himself "Eeg was spending so much time trying to find a way to help, that Winston legit calls me up and insists I abscond with Eeg for a day, before the guy wore himself out searching for an answer."

"So THAT'S where he went, makes sense." Janine nodded "he does get a little too into his work, doesn't he?"

"Yeah, he's painfully smart, is Egon. But Dr Venkman seems back to normal, or at least he seems happier. Im guess dr Stantz finally got to sit him down and talk, huh?"

"That or he hugged him into submission." Janine shook her head with a fond smile "Ray's always been close to him. No matter how much trouble Peter causes, Ray never gives up on him. Sooner or later I'm gonna find me a man who'll do that and more…"

"He can't hide forever." Eugene joked and Janine grinned knowingly at him.

While they talked….

Egon had bounded onto the Rv, shutting the door and feeling the engine start up as the big vehicle pulled away. He passed by the kitchen, where Peter's eagle eye dint miss a beat and he called out;

"You're red as a tomato, Spengs."

Egon swore in an ancient language and Peter giggled to himself. Ray sighed, a vocal reprimand that made Peter sulk briefly, but he soon gave up being cross and settled for a kiss from Ray instead.

When Egon sat himself down in the passenger seat, Winston did a double-take too.

"Why is your face so red, my man?"

"It is NOT." Egon glowered childishly at him, which made Winston crack up laughing.

"Alright, alright, I'll just blame Eugene and leave it at that. Cool?"

"Thank you." Egon replied sarcastically, glowering at the instruments on the dashboard now. But he soon felt himself calm down and sighed softly, letting himself relax against the padded seating as a faint smile toyed at his lips.

Peter was busy being the focus of his sweet young mans attention. Right that moment, he was demolishing a plate full of pancakes Ray had just made him on the RVs stove. The man himself was sat beside him, the warmth of him almost as delightful as his cooking.

The copy of Spates catalogue that'd grown the extra page was open before him and Peter found himself staring at the half-complete magic circle he'd somehow dredged up from his memory. He shuddered suddenly, he hated that book, he decided.

"What do you think is, Ray?" He asked as Ray turned those gentle eyes on him, concern regarding the shivering written all over his face. Peter leaned against his lover as Ray slipped an arm around him and rubbed his back.

"I'm not sure, Peter, I've never seen anything like this. While it's true we've seen demons and spirits using magic of their own, so to speak, we've never directly encountered it this way. All Egon and I can do is go through the entries in the database and see if anything reads as similar to your case."

"Okayy…" Peter sighed theatrically, closing his eyes and just enjoying the warm that was Raymond. After a few minutes, Ray ushered him to the beds at the back of the RV and Peter curled up on the bottom one and fell asleep in seconds. Ray smiled, tucking him up in the covers and kissing him on the forehead.

"We'll find a way Peter, I promise." He said softly, hating to see the normally vibrant and relentless spirit of his best friend being treated this way. Checking his watch, he figured the should go take his turn driving, Winston had been at it for awhile now…

Peter blinked, bolted awake by what? he didn't know. He was curled up on a cold, hard patch of ground and light seemed to seep from all around him, highlighting where he sat. He uncurled himself from the ground, clearing his throat;

"Ray? You here? Egon? Winston?" But his voice was just swallowed up in the darkness.

Just as he was about to panic, something began to glow in the endless dark ahead of him. As he stood there, he seen the same partially-complete magic circle that was in Spates, assembling before his eyes.

But it didn't stop there.

As he gawked at it in bewildered shock, the centre part began filling itself in, more intricate writing he hadn't a hope of reading or understanding filling in the blanks. Then it stopped, almost two thirds finished. It pulsed faintly, as if awaiting some input from HIM.

Peter stared, only capable of shaking his head in confusion.

"I don't understand." He cried to the void around him "what is this thing? Why is this in my head?"

But there was no answer and Peter felt his shoulders slump as he reached out a hand to touch the markings- maybe that would tell him something?

He bolted awake in the real world this time, with a desperate and muted gasp, falling out of the bed and staggering to his feet.

—It must be finished..— a voice whispered, but it wasn't that same voice from his nightmares. This one was female. It soothed this aching head and begged him to find the book.

—I'm here with you..— it promised and Peter felt strangely at ease, like he knew the voice…

So he willingly settled into that strange autopilot he'd been on during his interactions with Spates before. He didn't even notice when he pulled free from the drip, it barely registered in the cotton-like daze he was wrapped in.

He strode into the seating/kitchen area, seeing the book still lay on the table where he and Ray had abandoned it. Egon was sat across from it, demolishing a box of cheese crackers. He made a noise like "mmmf-ff?" That was presumably a question of some kind- but Peter didn't respond. He instead swiped Egon's pen and sat down in front of the book. Egon stared at him incredulously, still with a mouthful of food, like a perplexed hamster. Had Peter been in his usual frame of mind, he'd have laughed his ass off. But he was entirely fixated on the task at hand.

Egon frowned, reaching out to grab his pen back when he seen just what Venkman was doing. The man silently opened Spates to the exact page the incomplete circle was on and without hesitation began filling part of it in with the pen.

-What's he doing?— Egon thought, watching the circle gain further detail as Peter silently worked. He waved a hand in Venkman's face, but he may as well have been invisible for all the reaction he showed. At last, Peter set the pen down, staring blankly at the page. Then his eyes fluttered closed and he would've crumpled to the floor had Egon not swiftly leaned across to grab his shoulders and steady him.

"Peter? PETER." He said sharply, wondering if he should call for Ray, was Peter ill-?

But right that moment, Peter stirred, slowly opening his eyes.

His head felt at LEAST 17 different kinds of weird, which was oddly precise for him. Normally he could sum up his mental state with various four-letter words. That was when he noticed he was being propped up by somebody and he raised his head, blinking fuzzily at a familiar face.

"'Gon?" He mumbled drowsily "what're you doin' in here? Wait, where is here? Why is this NOT bed?"

Egon waited until he was sure Peter wasn't going to give in to gravity and topple over, then sat back in his seat.

"To give an exact description; you came in here in a hurry, grabbed my pen and began drawing in the book. Then you snapped out of it and nearly encountered the floor."

Peter blinked at him, then down at the book in front of him.

"Dah!" He yelped, instinctively shoving the book away from him, towards Egon. He reminded Egon of a cat, the way he arched his back as if trying to claw his way free from the seating "Why did you bring that thing, Egon? It's crazy!"

"Because it's rare for a book to somehow tap into secrets hidden in a human mind. Also, its the only lead we have and I need to show it to Madame LeVeau. I can't stop it from reaching out to you, Peter. Sorry, but I just don't know enough to put a block in place."

Peter sighed, folding his arms and resting his head atop them so only his tired dark brown eyes could be seen, glowering at the book.

"I'd advise you go to bed," Egon began to lecture him, closing his eyes and yawning briefly before opening his eyes and reaching for the pen Peter had grabbed. "I'm sure Ray can be persuaded to escort you back there if you ask nicely-?"

A muffled snore answered him and he blinked, glancing across at Venkman.

—Seriously, he's asleep already?— Egon scratched his head with the pen, unsure what else to do.

He sat there, hovering between poking Venkman awake with the pen or calling Ray, when Winston came in. Egon could only assume they'd played "Chinese fire drill" with the drivers seat at some long-stay traffic light, not the safest of methods if you asked him.

Winston opened his mouth to ask where the coffee was when he spotted the snoozing Peter, and raised an eyebrow at Egon.

"The book did it again," Egon said "He came out here suddenly, didn't say a word and drew this bit of the circle." He tapped the biro markings on the Spates page "then he just…fell asleep."

"Huh." Winston said, peering at the circle "does it make any further sense?"

"Sadly, no. Although I do recognise some of the smaller markings, it's still incomplete. Like an anecdote without context, I cannot figure it out with pieces still missing like this."

"Dang." Winston studied Peter a moment "normally i'd leave him, given he's such a grump when he wakes up. But sleeping sitting up wont do him any favours and we cant be sure he wont suffer another collapse like last time."

"Best not to take any chances, I suppose." Egon mused, then leaned across and jabbed Peter with the pen. Venkman groaned and murmured something neither could understand. Another poke and he bolted awake this time.

"Huh? What?!" He asked blearily, blinking at the two "what'd I miss?"

"The bed." Winston snorted "go lie down already."

"Ugh, I'm bored of sleeping," Peter groaned as he wobbled to his feet with a sigh.

"Too bad," Winston said, all but pushing him towards the sleeping area "gotta reattach that drip too."

"Urgh.." Peter whined, but did manage to stay still long enough for Winston to do his job. That done, he curled up again and fell asleep in seconds, despite his claims of boredom.

Later on, they pulled into a rest stop to get some supplies, with Ray grabbing whatever junk food and drink he imagined Peter needed.

When he entered the sleeping area, Peter was awake but still curled up under the covers.

"Hey," Ray said and Peter perked up instantly, sitting up and tugging Ray's sleeve so he would come sit with him. Ray set the bag containing the take out on the floor by his feet and just as well, for Peter's appetite was more pressingly concerned with his heart, not his stomach. He kissed Ray, slipping his arms around him as he did. Ray couldn't refuse him, so happily kissed Venkman back, running his fingers through the man's hair, down his spine and finally letting them settle on his hips.

"Hungry?" Ray said with a smile, indicating the bag as they parted. Peter looked cute like that, hair all tousled and shirt rumpled up just enough to show a glimpse of bare skin. Peter gave him a "and not just for food." smile that made Ray blush brightly, then he nodded, settling back against the headboard of the compact bed. Ray settled himself so he was sat opposite and unpacked the contents of the bag.

He was relieved to see Peter was eating properly, his appetite seemed to be growing back.

"I.." Peter made it halfway through the contents of the meal before he cleared his throat then continued "I had another run-in with that book, Ray."

"I know, Egon told me, he showed me the new piece you added." Ray assured him, letting one hand rest atop Peter's. Venkman squeezed it gratefully, unsure what else to say. Was he losing it?

"I know it probably feels like you're going crazy right now," Ray whispered softly, startling Peter by hitting the nail so precisely on the head "but you're not, I promise. We'll be here when you wake up from those 'sleepwalking' incidents. Let us worry about deciphering them, you just need to sleep and stay in bed. Be as lazy as you like!"

Peter chuckled, loving Ray for the way he made everything sound so cute. He leaned forward, tangling his fingers in Ray's hair and kissing him lightly.

"Alright, since you put it so nicely." He purred as he let his lover go, seeing the relief and happiness in Ray's eyes that made him want to everything he could to justify the man's faith in him. He polished off the remaining food quickly, drowsiness sneaking up on him as the food warmed him. Ray made sure he was comfortable then sat on the floor with his back against the side of the bed, talking until Peter's replies trailed off into silence. Ray kissed his forehead, checked the drip, then went to throw the empty wrappers away.

"Pete OK?" Winston asked, with Egon having taken over driving now. Ray nodded, putting the rubbish into the bin and managing a small smile.

"Yeah, he seems a little more energised, he should be Ok to move around by the time we get to the hotel tonight."

Due to New Orleans being a 19 hour drive on a good day, they were taking it in two long bursts, staying at a hotel in-between.

"That's good, seems Egon was right and that little return to work taxed him a little too much with regards to that magic of his."

"Feels strange calling it magic, doesn't it?" Ray said after a moments thought "its a pretty generic term, but its the best one for it, I suppose."

"I bet I can guess what Pete would call it if we left it up to him." Winston snorted, and Ray chuckled softly.

"F-?" He suggested.

"Probably, or-" from there they began suggesting crasser and crasser terms Peter likely referred to his unwanted ability as.

"Hm, I like that last one." A sleepy but amused voice spoke from behind Ray, who let out a startled yelp and whipped round. On seeing a sleepy, bed-headed Peter Venkman standing behind him, he relaxed.

"Peter?!" He wheezed as he shook his head "you scared me!"

Winston frowned at Venkman as the sleepy doctor watched Ray "what're you doing up?"

Peter blinked sleepily, gaze slipping from one to the other and looking bizarrely confused.

"Don't you ever need to pee?" He asked at last, then shook his head and stumbled towards the bathroom.

Ray facepalmed and Winston snickered.

"Even half-asleep he can still get the drop on us. That takes skill, man." Winston laughed.

Peter emerged a few minutes later, mumbled something about being bored and snagged Ray's shirt collar. Even after spending most of the day in bed, he was still strong enough to tow Ray behind him. Ray flushed, hearing Winston snickering smugly at Peter's single-minded determination.

"Try to keep your clothes on!" He teased, resulting in Peter flipping him off without even looking back and Ray turning beet red and glowering at Winston.

"I make no promises." Peter winked to Ray once they were out of sight, making him blush.

All jokes aside, Ray was more then happy to curl up with Peter in his arms, talking about whatever crossed their minds. Mostly they just shared sweet, lazy kisses with Peter all but sitting in Ray's lap by the end of said kisses.

"Ray?" Peter murmured cozily as he rested against his lover's chest.

"Mm?"

"When this is all over…I'm taking you out for a date. Or three. Three seems fair.." Venkman rambled, yawning at the end of his sentence. Ray chuckled softly, kissing his forehead.

"You don't have to do that, Peter-"

"Yeah I do." Peter countered "you…you deserve it, cutie."

Ray's heart thudded happily and he kissed Peter on the lips softly as Peter turned those hopeful eyes on him "alright then, if it makes you happy."

Peter smiled, sitting himself up and leaning in for another kiss-

"Well, you're still dressed, my eyeballs need not melt." Winston's voice made them both halt as they looked around for the man himself, before realising he was still on the other side of the door.

"I'm right, aren't I? Please tell me I'm right…"

Peter snickered, an evil grin making its way across his face as he prepared to get his revenge.

"I'd love to but- huh, how'd those trousers get over there-?!"

"Agh! Peter!" Ray squawked, trying to hit him with a pillow he'd been using as support for his back "will you cut that out? He's JOKING, Winston!"

Winston stuck his head into the room, seen Ray trying to hit Peter with the pillow and Peter darting away with an impish grin. He rolled his eyes and shook his head.

"If you two are done being goofy, we're gonna be at the hotel in a few, so grab what you need for the night."

Ray opened his mouth to ask if they were bringing the Proton packs or were they leaving them in the RV- when strong arms hooked around his middle and he felt Peter press against his back.

"Ok, I'm all set." Peter snickered smugly.

"Peter! Be serious?!" Ray bleated, which made Peter giggle evilly.

"Yeah, good luck with that Ray." Winston said as he left them to their shenanigans. In reality though, he was glad to see Peter feeling better, it was obviously his way of coping with the madness surrounding him.

"What was all that racket?" Egon asked "or do I even need to ask?"

"Probably not," Winston reclined in the passenger seat with a grin "Pete's making Ray go red as a tomato and being a smug little whatsit."

"He's definitely feeling better then." Egon said dryly.

When they got to the hotel, they had to split off into two rooms, each with two single beds and the usual facilities. Naturally, Ray and Peter were bunking together, what else?

Egon stepped outside to call his partner, heart pounding as Eugene said how much he missed him, he couldn't wait to see him come home…

"I miss you already, Eeg." Eugene murmured.

"I miss you too," Egon said, heart jumping briefly at saying something so personal over the phone. Yet, he rather liked it…they spoke awhile longer, with Egon feeling the absence a little less. He still found himself missing the warmth of Eugene as he shut the door behind him...

"They doing OK?" Winston asked when Egon returned, phone in hand and expression oddly content.

"Quiet well, yes. Thankfully, today has been quiet. Hopefully nothing big will go off until we get back…"

"We can hope, my man, we can hope." Winston said and Egon nodded. Rarely were they ever that lucky.

While those two were getting ready to sleep, Ray and Peter had other plans…

As Ray was getting undressed, Peter came to stand behind him, resting his chin on Ray's shoulder and nuzzling his neck. Ray jumped slightly, Peter was near soundless when he moved….

"P-peter?" Ray whispered now, heart racing with the temptation. He was so close and so WARM…

The IV had been disconnected for the night, left safely stored away in the RV. Peter seemed much stronger now…much more himself.

"You're not gonna leave me to sleep alone, are you?" Peter asked huskily "the bed felt FAR too empty the whole drive here."

Ray turned to face him then, hands pressing against Venkman's sides.

"Of course not, I'm not leaving, remember?" he whispered, kissing the older man and seeing him smile softly as he stepped back from Ray, tangling their hands together and leading him to the closest bed in the room. Without a word, they snuggled up together atop the sheets, taking the privacy they had to indulge in hot, heavy kisses and let their hands roam one another's bodies.

Peter was therefore surprised when Ray yelped and stammered incoherently when he slipped his hands below the mans underwear.

"Ray?" Peter asked, a little confused at being rebuffed. Ray flushed and kissed him in apology as he sat up.

"Sorry, it's- I shouldn't be taxing you, even though I-i…." He cut off, facepalming and blurting out the truth "I want to go against every rule the doctor set and let you do everything you're thinking of."

Peter raised an eyebrow, was that an invitation?

"But I'm worried it may strain you too much.." Ray finished sadly. Peter thought a moment, then grinned and kissed Ray hotly, a solution forming in his mind.

"Well, I'm sure it'll use a lot less if I let YOU take the lead. It worked just perfectly that night in the attic, did it not?"

Ray felt about to explode from how enticing Peter was. "W-we don't have the…y'know" He trailed off, Peter's expression suddenly registering "…you brought it with you, didn't you?"

"Duh, cutie." Peter winked "as if I wouldn't try to find a time and place to whisk you off to bed and hold you captive until you're completely spent. Silly, you know how irresistible you are…"

This compliment swayed Ray's already frail willpower, he could feel his body stirring with every kiss, every touch of Peter's gentle hands as they trailed down his back. The urge ramped up to 10 when Peter slid onto his lap, prompting Ray to instinctively set his hands at Venkman's hips…

"I miss you, Ray.." Peter whispered as he pressed against Ray's chest, tracing his fingers along his collarbone "you're the one thing that lets me feel normal."

Peter's face was mere inches from his, those deep brown eyes catching the lamplight to shine faintly. His lips were parted, hair falling over his forehead…

"I need you." Peter spoke softly, yet the words somehow drowned out the frantic pounding of Ray's heart. "Please, Raymond?"

Love trumped the doctors orders and Ray kissed Peter hungrily.

"Yes, a million times yes." He whispered as they parted, earning a kiss from Peter that left him near breathless, then the other was reluctantly sliding off his lap and reaching for his bag. He sat himself back up, leaning into Ray's embrace and pressing the tube into his hand.

"Let's forget about the rest of the world, it's just us tonight.."

Ray's eyes settled on the necklace as he gently laid Venkman down, and Peter smiled knowingly, kissing Ray and whispering in his ear;

"Don't you want it to be the only thing I'm wearing, sweet Raymond?"

Ray's response was to slip Peter's shirt off over his head and kiss him firmly. He heard Peter groan urgently, arching his back to press into the kisses Ray left as he blazed a trail from his throat to his stomach. Each little kiss was like a shock to his system, one he enjoyed greatly.

Ray ceased his dizzying affections for a moment as he expertly opened the tube Peter had handed him. Feeling the slick liquid coating his fingers, his heart pounded. That night in the attic, he'd never imagined he could be so bold…but hearing Peter call his name, there was nothing quite like it.

But there no sensation of nerves now as he kissed Peter, slick fingers caressing the man briefly before plunging into him. Peter's arms wrapped around his shoulder as Ray leaned in to kiss him while he worked. Ray was half aware of his lovers body as he worked him, half aware of his OWN longing.

Peter loved Ray more then he could explain in that moment, as Ray's fingers explored him, readying him for the sweetest act. That feeling of innocence Ray created, it was just as amazing as it been in the attic, more so now with Ray's increased confidence. Their eyes met as Ray stilled now, leaving a teasingly arousing heartbeat before setting BOTH hands on the bed, looking down at his partner. Peter pressed up against Ray's body, slid his hands down as the other knelt over him, cupping and squeezing that nice firm rear as he nipped at Ray's weak spot. When combining this with having his ear nibbled on, Ray was barely able to focus, he needed the other right NOW-

A heavy shiver of need hit him then and Peter looked curiously at him as Ray blushed.

"You OK?" he asked.

"I-I just….I've been thinking about this all day." Ray confessed at last "every time I kissed you, i- damn it, I just wanted to undress you and-"

Peter kissed him, tracing the inside of Ray's thigh with one foot, making Ray shiver heavily, his eager moans making Peter crave him even more. He uttered a near feral growl as Ray positioned then entered him now, the heat of him chasing away any lingering worry of the day. All that mattered was this, the intimacy he clung to in the midst of the nightmare.

"Mm, yes, that's my Raymond.." Peter praised, holding tightly to him as Ray started a gentle, slow pace that soon picked up the more Peter urged him on, bracing himself against the bedsheets and letting Ray's rhythm warm him. He kissed Ray, whispering his name as his partner hit that sweet spot with each deep thrust-

"Mmm, I'm all yours, cutie-" Peter groaned, feeling the peak starting to build. He dug his feet into the bed, toes curling into the once pristine sheets as pleasure hit him hard and fast. He was so dizzyingly close to orgasm-

"Peter-!" Ray gasped his lovers name as he could hold back no longer and with one final thrust into that hot, firm body-

Their voices mingled together as one's climax triggered the other's. Peter closed his eyes, relishing in the sensation as it nearly made him light-headed from its intensity. His chest was rising and falling rapidly as he caught his breath amidst the crescendo. Ray gently laid him back against the coolness of the pillow, shy but passionate eyes meeting Venkman's.

"Mmm, exemplary as always, my dear Ray." Peter purred and Ray blushed, still unused to being praised for how he uh.."performed." Peter caught the blush and placed a finger under Ray's chin and tilting his head to meet his gaze once again.

"You should be proud of yourself, Raymond. You've become so bold and it's incredibly sexy, you hear me?"

Ray nodded, biting his lip but smiling all the same. He gently pulled out, pulling the covers over them as Peter settled against him, just like they had in the attic.

Peter drifted asleep in mere minutes, all his energy used up. Ray heard the doctors orders echo in his head: "no over-exertion". But Peter looked so thoroughly content that Ray couldn't feel THAT guilty for satisfying his lovers needs, or his own for that matter. So he just lay awake, watching Venkman sleeping soundly in his arms until sleep finally overcame him.

Peter was of course extremely reluctant to leave the bed when the alarm went off, but he was like that on a regular day anyway, so Ray didn't bat an eyelid. What he DID do was kiss Peter and coax him out of said bed by asking did he fancy sharing a shower with him? The promise of more naked canoodling worked wonders and Ray was soon helping Peter wash last nights evidence off his body.

Peter glanced down at the scars on his wrists as they exited said shower, his skin still tingling from Ray's gentle hands. The man was nothing if not incredibly thorough...

He tried not to look at his scars, he just...he hated what they represented, a night of torment and pain, a fear greater then he'd ever known.

So his stomach pretty much sank when he realised that in his haste to pack, he'd grabbed one of his short-sleeved shirts instead of the long-sleeved one. Why did so many of his shirts share similar colours?!

"Peter? You OK?" Ray asked, seeing Peter frowning at the shirt in his hands "is something wrong?"

"Could you do me a favour, Ray?" Peter sighed "could you run to the RV and grab one of the other shirts I packed?"

"Why? Are you cold?" Ray asked, checking his temperature and looking so abruptly anxious that Peter felt compelled to tell him the truth.

"It's not that, I just prefer the longer sleeves." He said this softly, guilt and shame warring in his gut as he glanced at the clothing in his hands.

Ray studied him a moment, then his eyes moved to Peter's wrists and suddenly it all made sense. He lifted one of his partners hands, placing a kiss over the scar tissue before Peter could ask what he was doing. He heard a faint intake of breath from Venkman, glancing up in time to see he was slightly flushed, seeming enraptured by Ray's action.

"Don't let those marks define who you are," he urged, rubbing his thumb over the marred skin "don't hide away, Peter..Please?"

How could Peter refuse a plea like that? The way he'd kissed the scar said a million things to him that all led to the same feeling; love. So he nodded now, shrugging the shirt on before he wussed out and started formulating excuses. He smoothed the fabric down, feeling the scars itch briefly, then the sensation was gone.

"That's better," Ray whispered, wrapping his arms around Peter and kissing him softly before finishing packing away their stuff. They stepped out into the semi-balmy air, heading for the reception of the hotel. Egon and Winston were already there, ordering breakfast.

"You guys sleep OK last night?" Winston asked, seeing Peter looked more awake then he'd expected.

"Yeah, it was pretty uneventful. Nice to find a hotel thats not surrounded by constant noise." Ray said as he scanned the menu.

Peter ordered a fairly big breakfast, he was starving. As he handed the menu back to the waitress, he heard her make a barely audible noise. One of surprise-

Peter fought to keep his composure as he quickly glanced down, seeing her eyes were trained on the scars. She whispered a faint apology when she realised the man had caught her staring, darting away before he got upset. She'd seen enough thriller movies to recognise restraint marks, and felt a strong sense of sympathy.

Peter's stomach roiled, although he expertly kept it hidden from the others. Ray however, being sat next to him, felt the tension in his body as the waitress left and knew exactly what he was thinking.

Peter started to push to his feet, only to feel a hand stealthily grab the back of his shirt and pull him straight back down. He yelped softly as the slightly-too-hard padded seat encountered his rear end once more.

"Ow! What gives?" He snapped softly.

"The food'll be here in a minute." Ray said calmly, but his eyes said something else. Pleaded subtly with him to stay…."we don't want to be behind schedule."

Peter glowered at him a moment, then sighed loudly and slumped back against the seating. "Fine." He grumbled, folding his arms over his chest. To their credit, the other two didn't say anything, Egon was nose-deep in a notebook anyway and Winston seemed to be focused on his phone screen. Both could guess why Peter was so annoyed, they'd been surprised to see him wearing the short sleeve shirt; for as Ray had noticed, Peter had been making every effort to hide his scars since leaving the hospital.

Peter stopped sulking long enough to shoot a glance at Ray, who smiled thankfully at him. He managed a small smile in return, but soon found himself staring moodily out the window behind Ray. Was he going to be getting that look for the rest of his life? Were people going to assume he'd inflicted it-

He was cut off by the waitress returning, this time with the first of their orders. While the others zeroed in on the fried breakfast like they hadn't eaten in days, Peter found himself a little slower to join them. But eventually appetite won out and he polished the whole plate off in no time.

"I'm gonna go pee." Ray said "no offence to the RV, but that bathroom should only be used in emergencies. Or if you REALLY want claustrophobia."

"It's not THAT bad," Peter chuckled "honestly, I've seen worse. That RV is a palace compared to the caravan my foster parents rented. I was honestly convinced the manufacturer designed it using a stick insect as a model."

This made Ray laugh, which in turn only made him need the bathroom even more. So while he darted off, Egon and Winston went to do a snack run. Peter just shrugged and said he was going outside...

He took a deep breath as he stepped into the balmy morning, finding a secluded little spot where he could just prop himself against the wall, arms folded over his chest. Again his eyes landed on his scars and he sighed angrily.

He felt the marred skin start to crawl unpleasantly and had to dig his nails into his palm to stop from scratching away…

Footsteps close by made him jump and to be fair, the other person looked just as surprised to see someone else so obviously trying to hide. It took Peter a moment to recognise her as the waitress from earlier…

He made to leave, but-

"Please, wait!"

Peter halted, hands shoved in his pockets as he glanced back at her over his shoulder.

"I'm sorry," she said truthfully "I didn't mean to stare, I have a friend who's studying to be a trauma nurse and she leaves her books all over the place. I probably know more than half the first aiders in there-" she indicated the rest stop she worked in. "and i'm rambling. I'm really sorry, I got scars I know id hate if people could see...so I get why you're angry."

She looked pretty down in the dumps, and Peter got the distinct impression she really hadn't meant to stare.

"It's fine," Peter shrugged stiffly at last "I just don't like the idea of people gossiping about why the marks are on my wrists. I mean, its not my fault ghosts are capable of shredding your skin when they're angry enough. I learned that the hard way!"

"Ghosts..?" She trailed off, then the pieces clicked into place. Her eyes went wide- no way-?

"Peter Venkman and yes, Ghostbusters." The man said to her as she stared at him. How could she not have recognised him?! She'd watched this same man on TV dozens of times. All four of them in fact...she facepalmed at how clueless she'd been. Flashing back she recognised all their faces now…

Hearing a faint chuckle, she looked at Venkman. Out of the uniform he seemed a different person, and she couldn't deny he was pretty cute when he smiled. He turned to face her properly now, running a hand through his hair.

"Relax, without the uniforms it can sometimes take a minute. They make a big impact on peoples subconscious, lets us sneak under the radar if we dress incognito."

"We don't usually tend to see anyone even approaching a celebrity around here," she laughed "my flat-mate is gonna be so jealous, she's always drooling over you four."

"Well the other three stooges should be here any sec- speak of." Peter whistled as the other three exited, drawing their attention over to where he and the awestruck waitress were standing.

Ray greeted her with his usual enthusiasm, but soon as he had a spare moment he glanced at Peter. Peter caught his gaze, mouthing "later." meaning he'd give them the full explanation when they were on the road. Ray again thanked his decision to learn lip-reading, itd proven useful at more than a few busts.

Peter found himself able to give the waitress a "forget about it" smile as they left, leaving her clutching her order book which held all four of their signatures (twice, so she could give one to her flat-mate). As they drove away, Peter seen her waving the book at a co-worker while grinnign all over her face.

Ray smiled at him as he turned away from the window, placing a soft kiss on his lips as the RV drove down a quiet street, heading towards the highway.

"Thank you, Peter."

"For what?" Peter asked, surprised "I didn't ask her to apologise, the kid insisted on it, I don't think she meant to be rude. Apparently she's learned about that sorta stuff from that other girl she lives with-." He shrugged, what else could he say?

But Ray simply kissed him again and explained "thank you, for not giving in. I'm very proud of you, Peter."

This simple praise hit right to the core, made him think about how Ray had kissed the scar not an hour ago, begged him not to think of them as bad things.

"For you, I think I can put up with them." He said at last, making Ray flush happily and hug him tightly. Well, as best he could while they were sat side by side at the table. It mainly came down to snuggling as close to Peter as he could.

"Not even gonna ask." Winston said wisely as he walked by to get to his suitcase in the storage cupboard.

"Good choice." Peter said with a grin as Ray let him go. He ruffled the younger mans hair, earning a happy grin.

When he returned, Winston reminded Peter he needed to reattach the IV. Peter sighed, but did reluctantly accept he should go lie down and let the thing work. Ray watched him go, heart aching happily at the subtle progress Peter had made.

Winston studied the grumpy Peter as he changed the needle on the IV. There was Peter's usual not-giving-a-damn in there, but it was counterbalanced by a deep-set exhaustion and apprehension.

"We'll be there by tonight. We'll fix this-"

"What if it can't be fixed, Winston?" Peter said bluntly, making Zeddemore blink at him in surprise. As he opened his mouth to fire a response back, Peter raised a hand to stop him.

"Before you say it, it's not pessimism. Much like my comment at breakfast all those days ago, I'm not gonna hide the issue. I wasn't destined to survive this EITHER instance of the ritual-" his voice hardened and he closed his eyes before delivering the final sentence "what if I still don't?"

Silence reigned as Peter let his hand rest back on his lap.

"Right, okay. My main question is this; do I slap you for saying that, or should I get Ray in here?" Winston said at last, folding his arms. Peter's eyes snapped open and he glared at his co-worker. Zeddemore snorted and shook his head.

"You can't BS a BS-er, Peter. You think I can't tell this is draining you, that you're as rightfully goddamn scared as anyone should be?"

Peter flinched guiltily, but Winston wasn't finished.

"We don't leave a man behind in the marines, even if they're completely losing their marbles. We stand by 'em, end of story. Get 'em out of action if needs be and find a way to fix it, becaise we're a unit, a family. Me and Egon aint giving up on tracking down those nutcases, and Ray? He'll go work for Peck before he gives up on you, never mind what he'll do if he realises you're giving up on yourself AGAIN."

Peter looked like he had a whole tirade ready to unleash, to try protect the facade he'd built to shield himself. But abruptly the fury seemed to die off, and he leant forward so his elbows rested on his knees, chin resting in his hands.

He had halted his anger based on one thing; the doctors advice during that one session Ray had coaxed him to attend.

"I can't stop you guys from being involved can I?" He asked softly.

"Hell no, numbnuts." Winston snickered and seen Peter smile thinly. "why do you ask?"

"Ray persuaded me to go talk with that same doctor he was visiting the day you drove us to the guys office."

"Oh, you mean Dr Silverstream?" Winston remembered seeing Ray leaving the office, how worried Stantz had been...

"Yeah, the guys an expert on trauma, had an incident of his own a few years back, so he told me." Peter stared down at the IV, rubbing a thumb lightly over the point where it was piercing his skin "he said there was no point in trying to stop you guys from getting involved, you already had been since the abduction and werent going to be deterred simply by me sulking. Not his exact words, but who's checking..."

Winston had to chuckle at Peter's flippant and amused tone. It briefly brushed aside the frantic unease that had been at his core since the incident.

"He's right. We don't abandon our own. I get why you tried to go solo, it's an instinct humans have to try stop someone else getting hurt. But we've all worked together for far too long for that trick to work. For all the times you act like a pain in the ass, Pete, we wouldn't have even gotten started if you hadn't convinced Ray to give it a shot. Never mind talking us out of no less then 57 different fines because you flirted with anything that moved and was female."

He added that last part so Peter wasnt left in stunned surprise. It took a moment, but Peter's sarcasm caught up and dusted itself down.

"Oh it's much higher then that, and I'm not just talking about the ladies." Peter smirked, making Winston stare intently at him, like a role reversal of the scene at that breakfast with the pancake.

"Right." Winston said "let me make a deal; YOU tell all about who and what you inferred in that sentence and I'll tell you about the wild nights out on base."

Peter chuckled, "Deal." He said dryly and gave the former marine a quick salute. Winston laughed, leaning back against the wall.

"My squad leader woulda called you a 'wildcard', y'know? The type that even their own men would have trouble outfoxing, forget the enemy! A sitch like this? I think even the best of us would be hard pressed to say they can easily shrug it off, so stop being so hard on yourself…" he glanced at the narrow door the opened out onto the rest of the van "I'm honestly surprised Ray's worry radar hasn't sent him in our direction."

Peter smiled softly "I don't want him to worry himself sick, but I can't stop him, can I?" he sighed, dragging a hand through his hair as he flopped back onto the bed, the softness of the pillow rapidly drawing him into sleep "as it is, I feel like I'm going to go crazy every time I let him outta my sight…zz.."

His sentence ended with a faint snore and Winston smiled faintly before slipping quietly out of the room to let Venkman rest. He understood what that last drowsy sentence was saying though; the comfort and compassion of Ray's presence helped keep the panic and uncertainty at bay.

They made a couple of stops throughout the day as they travelled and Peter watched the others run off all energetic and ready to start blasting spooks. He, meanwhile, was stuck in the RV and the damn IV line was REALLY starting to make him itch. He was fine, he felt much better compared to yesterday! Not even the delightful roll in the hay last night had taxed him all that much…

—Because Raymond took charge, you goof. Guy's a natural at this..—

He sighed, drumming his fingers on the kitchen table, the ticking sounds the engine made as it cooled seemingly obnoxiously loud.

—Im so BORED.— he let out a loud groan and face-planted onto the table before him.

He was attempting to chew the IV tube off when the others returned.

"Seriously Pete, what're you doing?!" Winston asked dubiously. Peter's eyes flicked up to him, and he tried to talk around the transparent tubing.

"Getgf thish fing ouffa meh-"

"Was that even english?" Winston asked, making Peter release the tube and glower at him petulantly.

"I SAID, get this thing outta me. And that's definitely not what HE said."

Ray snorted at the crude humour and the other two just rolled their eyes.

"Well, I suppose we can remove it early." Egon looked at the remaining liquid in the bag "resume later, perhaps?"

"Anything you want, just get this stupid thing outta me before it drives me crazy. Sitting here doing nothing is already making headway on that." Venkman whined as he slouched down in his seat with his trademark pout.

Ray sat himself next to Peter as he sulked, nudging him in the side and smiling warmly, which seemed to blunt his frustration a little. Egon removed the drip while the two communicated via an exchange of glances and Peter automatically scratched at the spot it'd been in, which resulted in Egon slapping a band-aid over it and telling him not to do that when Peter glowered at him.

Winston took over the next driving shift and Egon went to sit in the bedroom and study the Spates catalogue. He initially tried joining the other two at the table, but while he didn't seem to care on the surface, Peter kept involuntarily tensing up whenever Egon turned a page and Spengler correctly deduced he was wary of it after the last incident. So, to spare Peter's mental state and read uninterrupted, he'd secluded himself in the sleeping area. Ray, taking advantage of the time alone, immediately snuggled up closer to Peter and kissed him softly. They remained that way for awhile, propping one another up as Ray read a book and Peter watched random videos on Stantz's laptop.

When Ray began yawning, Peter chuckled and nuzzled behind his ear, telling the sleepy young man to go take a nap. Ray snuck one last kiss before deciding to take said rest and ambled off to the sleeping area.

He greeted Egon and curled up on his bed, falling into a light sleep in minutes.

It was getting dark when Peter wandered up front to slump in the passenger seat as Winston drove.

"Hay, how ya doin'?" Zeddemore asked and Peter gave a shrug.

"Better, still feel a bit weird, but its' an improvement over two days ago."

"That's good, man you gave us all a fright when you suddenly collapsed like that."

"It's this...this weird energy. It's as if its trying to devour me from the inside out! It's messed up, Winston!" Peter laughed bitterly, gripping the armrest so tightly his knuckles were turning white "y'know, most kids inherit facial features from their parents, or certain traits. Me? I inherited a demons power."

"We don't know for sure-" Winston began but Peter shook his head stubbornly.

"It's a demon, trust me. That a-hole formerly known as Ivan made THAT very clear. The creature my father bargained with was a full-on demon, so it's gotta be demonic, hasn't it?"

"Maybe, maybe not? Personally, I'd say it's all in the hands of the one controlling it. Bad things can sometimes do good, ya get me? In the right hands, any weapon can be a force for good. Why would you be any different?"

"Heh, it sounds like one of Rays fantasy stories, Winston. But it's a nice thought, I wont lie." Peter mused it over as they drove, watching the lights flicker past. He seen his reflection in the window, wondering if he looked any different since getting this magic. Inside, he felt like a mess, but outside- was it visible?

He was starting to drift asleep when an alarm on the dashboard began beeping loudly, startling him awake, nothing making any sense for several befuddling seconds. Egon came haring in, leaning between the seats to look at the dials.

"What's goin' on?" Peter asked, rubbing his eyes and reminding Ray of that first morning he'd seen Peter wear one of his shirts. He'd just woken up, stumbling to the kitchen in search of coffee…

He wedged himself on the chairs other side to catch Peter's eye, asking was he feeling OK? Peter nodded and they conversed softly as Egon checked the dials.

"We're picking up strong signals, it's from up ahead. Winston, next turn." Egon said briskly.

"Whatever it is, I'm coming with you." Peter said stubbornly. Egon frowned, opening his mouth to say Peter needed to rest but Peter shot him a desperate glare.

"I've been stuck in bed or attached to a drip for nearly two days solid, Egon! I need to stretch my legs or I'll go stir crazy." Venkman whined, looking very bummed out at the thought of being left behind again. Egon weighed the condition of Peter's physical state against his mental state and decided in favour of the excursion. A frustrated Peter would only result in him annoying them all the more bored he got. Not even Ray could distract him forever.

"Fine, for the sake of our collective sanity's, I can't see the harm." Egon said with shrug, ignoring the glare boring into him from Peter's direction. Winston snickered and returned the middle finger Peter aimed at him. Ray just watched them and chuckled happily to himself, they made for an interesting little unit.

Ray gave Peter a hand with his Proton pack, glad to see the spark of excitement in his partner's eyes again. Peter caught Stantz staring and snagged a quick kiss that made Ray flush. They joined the others outside and Peter took a deep breath of fresh air. He was feeling mostly back to normal, with all the things he was being dosed with, both food and medicine, he could almost pretend this was just another road trip.

Ok, so he felt the weight of his pack a little more now. His strength wasn't back to how it'd been before, he'd have to be careful...

He strode ahead, feeling his muscles rejoice in this big open space after being stuck in the RV all day. They appeared to be an abandoned trading town, nothing but shells of buildings remaining. Off to the left of the huge road/town was a dense forest where little light seemed to reach. It reminded Peter of that house he and Eugene had investigated, where they'd rescued their friends and a bunch of students. That place had messed with his head, only to get its ass handed to it once Peter realised.

He didn't feel the eyes on him as he walked ahead of the others, feeling oddly enraptured by the skeletal remains of the town that surrounded him, didn't sense the invisible line that'd been drawn on the road; but those waiting did and they surged into action. A jolt ran up Peter's spine and he swore, whipping round in time to see a shield made of a strange reddish energy crop up between him and his friends. It was mostly see through, rapidly encircling him and him alone in a fairly wide radius.

"Peter!" Ray shouted, racing over with the others in tow. Peter met them at the shields edge, pressing his hand to where Ray's rested on the surface of the other side.

"It's alright Peter, just take a deep breath-" Egon began as he reached for his PKE meter.

"This isn't ME doing this, Egon!" Peter pounded franticly on the shield "I don't know how to do this-! Get me outta here, now!"

Egon looked concerned, but he accepted Peter's statement as soon as he seen the clear lack of humour from Venkman. The man looked scared, not a look Peter had ever worn often…

"The packs?" Ray asked and the other two nodded. Proton beams had proven capable to punching holes in ghostly defences before…

"Open Fire!" Winston yelled once they were in position and they put the packs to full stream and aimed them all at the shield, away from where Peter stood, as he seemed too stunned to move away from the edge of the barrier.

For a brief second, a crack appeared in the shield, then it shimmered and with a flash, reset itself.

"Cap 'em." Winston said, shaking his head as they seen it'd made no difference.

"Now what?" Ray whispered as they shut them off "grenades?"

"Right here." Egon pulled one from his pocket, then raised his voice "stand back, Peter. We'll blast a hole and you'd better be prepared to run-"

"Oh? Stay awhile, won't you?" a disembodied voice said and Peter whipped around sharply, glancing all around the vast, empty dome that the shield had formed. Egon froze, grenade still in hand as he too tried to narrow down the owner of the voice.

"Who's there?!" Peter shouted, reaching for the neutrona wand, but his hands were shaking too hard, what was wrong with him? "Who are you?"

The sense of unease continued to press down on him, he felt his breath catch in his throat.

"Who..?" He croaked.

A portal opened up mere meters before Peter and a man wearing a set of intricate robes stepped out. His face was hooded, but there was something evil in the smirk he wore. He stepped towards Peter, who never took his eyes off him, his weaponry apparently forgotten.

"My, how you've grown." the man mused as he regarded Peter, who blinked, jolted out of his daze by such a bizarre statement.

"What're you talking about?" He asked, then the pieces slotted into place. NO, it couldn't be..?

—Really?— his mind piped up, taking advantage of his shock to put its two cents in —Ivan did say he was behind your kidnapping. He was behind it all.—

"You remember, don't you?" The hooded figure laughed, then in one swift movement, threw the hood back. All four Ghostbusters stared in mute shock, briefly unable to comprehend what they were seeing.

This guy was older, with slicked-back brown hair interspersed with grey. The shape of some of his facial features, an air of confidence…even the way he smirked echoed Peter's familiar mannerism. He exuded power and control as he coolly regarded his son, not a flicker of concern in his eyes.

Peter stood in silent shock, head pounding and eyes fixed on the figure before him.

"THAT'S his dad?" Winston hissed, eyes darting briefly to look at the other two.

Egon looked about to throw up, his expression one of sheer disgust.

"He's a monster." Stantz hissed, hands shaking as they clenched at his sides. This was the man who'd staged the whole kidnapping, who'd paid Ivan to sleep with Peter as if he was nothing more then an object to be used and thrown away. The man who'd caused such pain to Venkman that Ray had feared he'd lost his lover, best friend and fellow Ghostbuster.

"You cant be here." Peter said, feeling close to being sick as he recoiled from this strange man, THIS was his father?

The older man smiled calmly, as if he was addressing a small child "I can and I am. I thought it high time I meet my son again, after your mother so heartlessly abducted you-."

"Abducted-? You tried to kill me, you insane breadbasket!" Peter yelled as his mind caught up to all this "she got me away from your twisted little schemes! Give me one good reason I shouldn't just fry your eyebrows off!"

The robed man chuckled as if Peter was a mere child threatening him with an imaginary weapon. His son's hand hovered by that energy gun, but the force he was exerting on the 'Ghostbuster's' mind rendered him immobile from fear.

"You have no memory of who you were, do you?" he said, none of this evident in his amused and almost jaunty tone.

"Venkman-" Egon began, looking from his PKE meter to their friend "the readings- they're changing fast!"

"Oh, that's right. That's what they know you as, I almost forgot." Peter's father finally took his gaze off his stunned son, a smug sneer crossing his face as he regarded the others that stood outside the shield.

"It's what I AM, you nut loaf." Peter hissed, again feeling the weird fog on his mind slip enough to let his real self out.

"Oh? You think 'Venkman' is your real name?" His father let out a short, sharp laugh, the sound echoing around the vast space around them "my dear naive child, it's nothing but a cover-up."

"What?" both Peter and his friends said at once.

"Indeed. Your mother was crafty enough to know that I'd find the both of you in a heartbeat if she kept your original names. So she ran to someone to make fake documents, made up a phoney back-history and left you with an adoption agency. I must commend her thoroughness, it took great digging to find the few details I have on what she did. She obviously hired a hypnotist to erase any knowledge of what happened that night, leaving you utterly unaware for most your life."

He removed something from under the collar of his robes. It was an amulet bearing what looked like a jagged 'A' framed by ominous black wings. He threw it to Peter now and the stunned Ghostbuster caught it on instinct, staring at it in shock.

"Don't you recognise this? Its the family crest. The facsimile 'Peter Venkman' is just a story, its nothing compared to what you really are. Your mother named you, your REAL name, that is." he stepped closer to Peter and his gaze never left his son's as he approached.

"She named you after her brother, whom she lost when he was involved in an accident the year before she had you." he was right in front of Peter now, extending one slim finger to tilt his son's face upwards so their eyes met. "the false name, the false life she allowed you to live- it's all worthless. You have a heritage many would kill for- Tobias Ashwood."

Peter stared blankly at him, mind reeling from all of this. Ash...wood? Thoughts uncurled in his mind, bright lines reaching out to form a faintly familiar shape…

"Impossible-!" Egon said in a hushed voice, from somewhere behind Peter.

"What is?" Winston asked and Egon glanced at him.

"I know that name! Ashwood, it's mentioned in many of the volumes that I found discussing arcane magic-"

Egon looked suddenly hesitant and Ray knew with a sinking stomach that the history of that name was nothing good. He turned his attention back to the shield, seeing Peter frozen on the spot, staring up at his dad. His hands were clenched so tightly that blood ran in thin trickles down his palms from the force of his grip.

"You must remember something about your past-" the older man said curiously "or did she scramble your memory far more effectively than I gave her credit? Really, she could be so petty when she wanted her own way-"

That was when Peter moved with sudden speed, punching his father with such force it actually sent him flying back several feet.

"Hell yeah!" Winston said, "that's what you deserve, a-hole!"

"Remember?" Peter spat, "all I remember is a monster I thought was just a nightmare. Why in the name of sanity would I want to remember someone who tried to KILL ME. Twice! Screw you!"

He unhitched the neutrona wand, trembling hands pressing the switch to activate it.

"And don't you DARE insult her, you lowlife! As far as I'm concerned, she's my ONLY parent."

His father picked himself up as the hum built in intensity, seeming unfazed. He didn't even seem fazed by Winston's insult, in fact he'd barely acknowledged the other Ghostbusters at all so far.

"I daresay I deserved that, and ill let your defence of your mother slide, she erased all knowledge of me, so it's understandable. But I don't have all day, so let's dispense with the theatrics-"

He gestured with one hand and translucent hands grew out of the ground around Peter. They restrained his wrists and ankles, forcing him to stop the proton pack.

"Let me go!" Peter cried, his panic rising at being restrained. Energy crackled around his hands as he fought desperately and he finally managed to tear a few of the phantom limbs off him-

He stumbled forward, free at last- but then another hand speared out from the ground and clamped tightly around his neck, forcing him to go still, lest it crush his windpipe. The wand clattered uselessly to his side as he scrabbled at the icy fingers around his neck.

The others froze, Egon's finger hovering over the grenade.

His father stepped round to behind him, even as Peter tried to get free again, pulling a ceremonial knife from his sleeve and slicing through the proton pack's straps at if they were made of butter.

"Hm, an interesting little toy, but you don't need this thing, not with your capability." He looked at it with disdain, then threw it through the shield. It hit the pavement with a clatter as the hands released Peter, giving him a hearty shove so he crumpled to the cracked asphalt at his father's feet, coughing heavily.

"You're right, it WAS my intent to sacrifice you. But perhaps that was a mistake. When your mother interrupted the ritual, she left you with a taste of power and I daresay it's been stretching its wings since Ivan and his idiot cronies failed to account for your rabid ghost hunting friends and thus made it impossible for me to take the power I wanted."

Peter felt one of the ghostly hands brush his ankle and made a faint gagging sound, kicking at it as he scrambled back, the cracked asphalt scraping the palms of his hands. But another arm just sprung up from the dirt and hooked around Peter's neck, pressing hard enough that he couldn't speak a word. More clamped hold of his wrists, their sharp points digging into his skin. His vision blurred, urgent panic ripping his heart apart as he silently watched his friends face off with his father.

"Drop the act, before I take care of it myself!" Egon barked, holding up the grenade "you don't want to know what I've crammed into this. Once your shield falls, it's open season."

Ashwood senior frowned, then began to laugh softly.

"Oh, that's just priceless." He said "you didn't think I'd let that fly a second time, did you? Bad enough Ivan and those morons failed to account for you pests the first time. No, I bided my time so you wouldn't be able to interfere. My intel informed me you were heading for New Orleans, so I set this little stage and sent a signal I knew YOU-" he pointed at Egon now "wouldn't be able to resist. It's all you concern yourself with, isn't it? I knew if I made enough noise on your radar, you'd bring him right to me!"

Egon's stomach felt hollowed out, he tried to form the words to object-

"Nice try asswipe." Winston snapped, stepping in for the mute Spengler "This has nothing to do with Egon, you just set this up so you could gloat. We ruined your little summoning party last time, after all! This was a chance, nothing more, you couldn't be certain we'd stop."

"Ah, you're the military one. Explains all that common sense, its been drilled into your head from day one, hasn't it?"

"Forget just your jaw, I'll break every other bone in your body!" Ray snarled, feeling close to vomiting as he watched Peter try to wriggle free, only for the arm that was locked around his throat to tighten and digs its nails into his shoulder. Peter coughed and Ray seen tears sparkle in the light generated by the shield.

"And that just leaves the emotional one.." Ashwood snr glanced at his son, then back at the three standing on the shields other side. Seeing Egon regaining his focus and moving to press the grenade, he spoke one simple command;

"Deal with the outsiders,"

The trio outside the forcefield blinked, who was he talking to-?

Barely had the thought crossed their minds then there came a faint greenish glow in the air above them. Fighting to breathe, Peter looked up, stomach sinking as he seen dozens of ghosts from all eras surrounding the shield now. Had they been hiding here all this time?

As he watched, even more ghosts seeped out of the ground and the buildings and his friends were quickly forced to turn their attention to the spooks, their proton beams lighting up the night. His father spoke again, making Peter's attention snap back to him.

"I must admit, I was surprised to see you again, I truly expected you to have been lost or dead after this long, much like your mother. But then there you were, appearing on TV and touting some ghost-removal service. After that it was just a matter of setting everything up and finding out the life you'd led since your disappearance."

Peter took a gamble then, ripping at the hand around his neck and forcing himself to his feet as fast as he could. It worked, the translucent arms tearing and disintegrating into sparkles of dust.

He backed away, keeping some space between himself at his father-

Too late, he realised his mistake when his shoulders bumped the shields edge, he'd been facing the wrong way-!

More arms snapped out and lashed around him, rendering him almost immobile. His father approached, still wearing that same calm, distant expression.

"You can't have power like this and just walk away, child. So, I'll make you an offer. You rejoin the REAL family you were born into and I will let your friends go free. Forget them. Whatever you want, I can get it for you. Money? Fame?"

He glanced across, outside the shield to where Ray stood, valiantly fighting off ghosts and casting desperate glances back at Peter- his knuckles were bruised and bleeding and there were tears in his eyes. This was the one who'd pressed his hand to the shield, feelings of empathy radiated out from him. So this one was important to his son?

"The most attractive partners you could want-"

"Didn't your little crony update you?!" Peter spat out, laughing bitterly "I ditched that lifestyle after realising what a creep he was. Nothing you offer me could make me abandon those guys. Go crawl in a ditch and perish."

"Is that so?" His father smirked, then turned his attention to the others…

Ray cried out as a hand snapped out from the shield, disjointed and twisted. It grabbed his wrist, pulling him to his knees beside the shield. He cursed and swore, trying to free himself but the hand only responded by tightening its grip. Egon and Winston turned, but Ray shouted at them to keep fighting, they had to keep them at bay-

"Ray-!" Peter choked out, feeling about to vomit in horror. His biggest fear, that who he was was putting his friends at risk-

"Then how about I put what you have now on the table?" his father sneered, watching Peter closely as he stared at Ray, how his tear-filled eyes never left that young man. He seen the hope in his son's eyes as the one outside the shield managed to pry one translucent finger away from his wrist.

"So, it's love, is it?"

Peter's gaze darted to his father in time to see the true malice within him. The older Ashwood snapped his fingers and-

Ray's scream of pain echoed around the space as the hand gripping his wrist put enough pressure on it to fracture the bone. Peter seen pained tears sparkle in Ray's eyes, seen how it hurt him as he met his eyes-

"Leave him alone!" he shouted at his father, rage building inside. His father lifted his hand to command it to crush and liquify the bones, but Peter's fury had reached its peak by then. There was a loud crackling sound mixed with a near feral scream of anger as Peter tore free from his bonds, catching his father off guard as he lunged for him.

-I underestimated you, child.- He was forced to release Ray to deal with his son, letting Stantz slump to the ground. The searing heat of Peter's power surprised him as he narrowly avoided a solid punch to the face again, and he grinned. Oh, this was perfect.

Egon and Winston raced over and pulled Ray away from the shield, even as he kicked and struggled, refusing to abandon Peter.

Ashwood snr grabbed his son by the neck and drove an elbow into his stomach, then threw him several meters away, seeing him hit the ground and come to a halt in a crumpled heap.

"Peter!" Ray screamed hoarsely, heart in his throat as he watched this unfold inside the shield.

Peter coughed and gagged in pain as he tried to pick himself up, blood trickling into his eyes from a cut on his forehead as he looked back at his friends.

Outside the shield, even more ghosts appeared, forcing the Ghostbusters back even further, trying to corner them and tear them apart. Even with his wrist in agony, Ray was refusing to give up-

"Time to make a choice." his father looked disturbingly calm as he gestured at the battle going on outside. "I can spare your friends, even your pathetic lover. All you have to do is join me, we're the same, you and I."

"You're crazy." Peter rasped "I'm nothing like you."

"Oh but you are, you have the same strength, the same refusal to be beaten. You're a lot like me, child. You've always wanted more but life always denies you..."

"No!" Peter cried, shaking his head, he wouldn't be swayed now. He had to nip this in the bud-

Behind his eyelids, that same pattern emerged, lines of light drawing what looked like a set of scattered runes-

It hit him then just what it was and he felt a small spark ignite. He bit his lip, HARD, using the pain to remind himself who he was, not to fall for his father's lies. He didn't see the single drop of blood run down his neck, soaking into the piece of jewellery that bore such significance.

He drew in a shaky breath, more fragments of subconscious thought stitching together as he sat there. He felt a dampness on his face and realised he was crying, he couldn't stand to see this happen to the people that'd rescued him. For that brief while he'd been safe, happy and in love with a man too good for him..

Ashwood senior turned from watching the battle, casting a brief glance at his son. It seemed he would have to break him quite throughly, he was too much like his mother…

"You have power, boy, don't deny it! You're an Ashwood, pure as can be, that can get you whatever you want in the world."

"You don't get it.." Peter coughed "I HAVE all I want. Even if I took it for granted at times, it was always there.."

"Those pathetic fools? You really are deluding yourself." His father laughed coldly. "such commoners shouldn't be what an Ashwood keeps as companions!"

"Why won't you leave me alone?" Peter spat, wiping blood out of his eyes.

"Why ask questions you already know the answer to? Because you're mine, MY son. You're never escaping me again."

Peter tried to drag in a single deep breath, but his lungs felt too tight and spots swam at the edge of his vision. He coughed and retched, huddled over with one hand pressing to his chest-

There, beneath his shirt. Something pressed against his chest, the metal cooling his skin.

-The necklace, the one Ray gave me.- A broken sob tore from his throat as he recalled everything Ray had done for him, the way he'd felt as he trusted Ray to overwrite the fear of contact with his gentle hands. Ray had said he'd refused to give up because he loved him and Peter believed it, believed that a soul as sweet as Ray could see the good in him.

-There are other ways to control it..- Egon's words flashed through his mind next. So far, his anger acted as catalyst because that was all he'd been, angry and scared. But now….he was determined. Determined to see his father fall, or at least dragged down a peg or ten. Determined to save his friends and the man he'd fallen for.

What was it Winston had said? "In the right hands, any weapon can be a force for good?"

He fumbled with the necklace, tearing the chain with one tug and clutching it tightly in his fist.

In his head, the fragments of that magic circle his sleepwalking fits had been slowly piecing together merged together now, shining brightly against the blackness of his eyelids.

"Get up." his father's voice speared into the safety of his mind and Peter's eyes snapped open.

Ashwood glared at his son as the young man just sat there, almost catatonic, one hand clutching his chest. Was he suffering a heart attack? It wasn't uncommon and it could be fixed by magic, he'd done it himself that night, after all…

"Join me, they can ALL live. Your lover will go on to lead a normal life, all you have to do is let him go..."

Peter stared brokenly out at his friends.

"Peter-!" Ray could hear most of this, and what wasn't audible he was lip-reading even as he fought "don't listen to him! You're better than this-!"

"Yeah! Tell him where to shove it!" Winston cried, blasting another ghost as he did.

"With a broom handle, no?" Egon cried as he ducked an overhead swipe, lobbing the ghost grenade in the air whereupon it eradicated a large swathe of spooks.

Ashwood scowled and with a further gesture, the ghosts went still and the trio faltered, what was going on?

Hands lashed around their necks from behind, their grips like iron.

"I'm through playing games. Take your rightful place, Tobias, before I run out of patience and snap all their necks!"

Peter shook his head, but then heard them cry in pain. He seen the fear in Ray's eyes, knew he couldn't sacrifice any of them-

"Peter, don't you-" Winston began, but gasped dizzily as the hand tightened its grip and he began to black out-

Egon was already on the edge of giving in, he wouldn't last much longer-

"Alright!" Peter caved at last, voice hoarse and ragged "I'll do it! Just let them go!"

His father laughed coldly, dismissing the spell as he stepped back to appraise how thoroughly broken Venkman was.

"Never let it be said I didn't show you mercy, my wayward son."

Peter didn't respond, just watched the barely conscious forms of his friends. He seen Ray lift his head, uttered a gasp of relief when he seen they were all breathing…

"On your feet," his father said almost gently and Peter staggered drunkenly upright.

"Come here, child. Take my hand."

Peter stared at him in shock, unable to speak a word as he took tentative steps to where his father stood before the same portal he'd emerged from.

"P-peter?" Ray coughed, pulling himself up in time to see Peter stepping towards his father, who was holding out a hand to him.

"Peter, don't!" he gasped, crawling over and slamming a hand against the shield as fresh tears of panic blurred his vision "you're more than just a name, please..."

Egon stirred along with Winston and they watched alongside Ray in sinking horror as Peter stepped closer to his father.

"Peter, cut that out right now!" Winston bellowed in his best marine instructor voice.

Peter looked back, his expression was that of someone so beautifully broken.

"I'm sorry." he said dully and his father smirked. But Ray seen Peter's lips move quickly, spelling out three words.

"What'd he say?" Egon asked desperately, seeing Ray mouthing something.

"Please, trust me." Ray said, voice cracking as he tried to understand what was going on.

They watched in horror as Peter set his hand atop his fathers. Spell lines began to etch themselves around the duo and it seemed like they'd lost their friend for good.

But just as it seemed like Peter had switched sides, the tide shifted and the air crackled with a different light.

Ashwood laughed in triumph as his son's hand came to rest in his, the world narrowing to this long-awaited victory. He could see the broken young man had no more hope left. He couldn't have hoped for better-

Ashwood snr began the spell to bind Peters' mind, to make him more pliable- reaching out to his untrained power. He grinned, there was a bounty of magic lurking within him, and it HIS for the taking- Peter- no, Tobias, began to lapse into a semi-conscious state, eyes fluttering shut as the spell continued its path.

His sons grip tightened, that when he felt something digging into his palm, felt something hot jab the skin, like spikes.

-What?-

Behind closed eyes, Peter envisioned the spell circle that was now complete in his mind. He seen himself stood on it and extending his arms out to the ghosts that hovered in the void around him. Silently, he begged them to join him, stop his fathers cruelty and save the lives of his friends. Ghostly hands brushed his and he felt the force of their anger, felt their sorrow flood him like an inky mass.

The shield began to fluctuate, the ghosts outside unfroze but began screaming in a different tone. Anger, not hunger. The green tint of the spell used to control them began to flicker like static on a TV screen.

Too late, Ashwood realised he'd been tricked.

"NO-What have you done?!" He tried to tear his hand free from his sons, but chains suddenly materialised and locked their wrists together.

Peter's eyes snapped open, and gone was that look of subjugation, of loss. There was an undeniable strength there now, how was this possible?

Then his son spoke.

"Taken control. This is MY world, YOU'RE the intruder here."

"Intruder? I'm offering you a near eternal life, all you have to do is join me and we can ride out the years as this pathetic world collapses-"

"There's no point digging up the past if it doesn't give something to the future. Even I know that. All you've ever done is take away and I won't be complicit in your crimes, I won't let you destroy what I protect."

His father stared down at the chains binding them together "how? You know nothing of magic-!"

"Maybe I don't, but my mother did." Peter said "it all makes sense now; the message, the fragments of the spell- they were safeguards. She must've known her plan wasn't foolproof and left me a greater gift then linage could ever give. Love."

Ashwoord snr gritted his teeth, trying to rip the chains off with his free hand, but whatever was holding them in place burned him. How had Minerva been able to hide something so significant?!

Peter continued, he wasn't done with the revelation that'd finally freed his mind.

"Those chains are born of a gift from someone who had enough faith in the world for both of us, even when I was at my worst. The same person who worked himself to the bone to give me something you can't take away; HOPE. You cant beat me in a mind game, didn't you do your homework?"

He winced as he focused on ramping up the pressure, feeling the bones in his hand ache but hearing his father snarl in pain was worth it.

That same pattern that the book and his dreams had shown him flickered on the ground around them now, growing brighter and brighter while it began to fill itself in.

"What's that? Whats he doing?" Ray gasped, grabbing Egon's arm tightly.

"I don't know!" Egon shook his head "I've never seen this before.."

Peter closed his eyes, feeling the markings on the ground diverting every bit if power within him to completing themselves.

His father finally realised what was happening as he tried to free himself, but his son's grip was too strong. Peter shook his head, his eyes meeting his father's with no fear; it sent an uneasy chill down Ashwood's back. How had the man hidden his true intentions so well?!

"This kind of power cannot be allowed to remain. That includes our family, it includes YOU." Peter spat, tasting blood in the back of his throat, but he didn't waver. He knew the spell would trap him too, in that instance his father was right, he WAS too inexperienced. A numbing feeling was spreading up through his body and going by his fathers cursing, he was feeling the same.

"This is for the best."

The threat behind his words sunk in an Ashwood roared in fury, trying to exert control again, tendrils of magic crackling over the chains, brushing against Peter's mind. He seen the young man flinch, but he didn't even budge, just smirked even as his head pounded painfully.

"I kicked a class 7 spirit out of my head, what makes you think you're getting in there?"

"You fool!" his father screamed now "You destroy me, you'll destroy yourself in the process!"

Peter felt a jab of pain at the thought of never holding Ray again, but realised this time HE needed to save THEM.

"Maybe I will, but its a price I'm prepared to pay." he closed his eyes, telling the spell to finish. It began to flash at their feet, getting faster and faster- he didn't know what the spell would do to him, but he had no choice.

"It's a detonation sequence!" Winston cried as the rhythm increased.

"Peter, no-!" Ray cried.

But they couldn't do anything to stop it. The chains that bound father and son shone brightly, red and pale blue light entwining to form a swirling vortex of magic between them. The shield grew hazy, blotting the sight before them before the sphere of magic around their hands expanded in a rush, blotting the world out in blinding light-

Peter closed his eyes, feeling the rush of power swell out and encompass them both. He kept the image of Ray in mind, recalling that sweet smile he'd given Peter as they'd cuddled together.

-I love you, Raymond.-

An abrupt chill swept up through him, and he opened his eyes to see a swirling grey outline surrounding him now. There were FACES in the shield that now surrounded him-

Then the blast went off and he was torn away from his father, sent crashing to the ground.

He lifted his head, hearing flames crackling. Heat tore at his lungs and he froze at the sight before him.

All the ghosts he'd reached out to when he unleashed his patch-job spell hovered before his father now. They were free, no longer glowing with that almost radioactive green tint, but filled with a soft grey light. A dozen were holding his father in place, the others hovered nearby. His father had taken the brunt of the blast Peter had unleashed, how had he himself come out virtually unhurt?

-A shield. With FACES.- his shock-rattled brain had the courtesy to point out.

"Oh." he said softly, aloud.

The ghosts were all gazing unflinchingly at Ashwood, not one spared a glance for the injured Peter as he dragged himself to a sitting position against a piece of broken fencing, coughing in the smoke.

As Peter watched this ghostly court, the one that seemed to be in charge reached a transparent hand into his fathers chest, withdrawing a gleaming ball of energy. Just looking at it made Peter think it weighed more than an entire planet, such mass did it seem to exude. His father fought and cursed, then blacked out as the ghost floated back, holding the shimmering orb.

"Centuries.." the voice seemed to echo around the ghosts, spoken by one and many at the same time.

"We have suffered."

"Bound to a monster."

"Yet now we are free, our torment is over. But this magic cannot remain in its owner, one must bear it."

They all turned then, focusing on the battered and bleeding human huddled by the shields edge. Peter shrank back, a frantic sound clawing at his throat. Were they going to kill him, for being related to that man-?

"The son." one ghost said.

"Yes, a direct heir."

"He is...different. Not like the father." They began to drift closer...

"No, stay back-!" Peter cried, and the head ghost dissipated-

-only to appear before him. Peter uttered a strangled cry and tried to scramble back, but the ghost grabbed his wrist with surprising force, turning Peter's hand so his palm faced upwards.

"It cannot remain with him, let it be reborn within you instead." the old ghost said and before Peter could even ask what the hell was going on, the ghost placed the hand clutching the orb over Peter's palm and it began pushing into his body. Intense pain fired along his arm and he tried desperately to get free, pleading with the ghost to stop this- It felt like his body had caught fire, and he tried everything to pull away but other ghosts floated over to hold him down. He even faintly felt one of them brush away tears of agonised pain that the pain of transference caused...

Their voices reached his ears over his own cries of pain.

"He is family, but the apple falls far from this tree."

"We will see, if he passes."

"It's in his hands now."

The ghosts released him and Peter slumped to the broken ground, curling into a ball and clutching his chest, breathing raggedly. He opened his eyes, seeing ghosts through his tears, shock rendering him mute.

"We will take him now." The elderly ghost said, and he pointed at Peter's father "you gave us back control, your gift will not go unappreciated. Farewell, young one, for now."

All Peter could do was watch in silence as the ghosts now dragged his father back through the swirling portal, which snapped shut with a finality he felt deep in his bones.

The rest began to glow a bright white, there was another corona of light and he had to shield his eyes-

With a loud pop, noise flooded in to fill the silence, the sudden rush of air extinguishing the flames and letting cool night air settle in.

Opening his eyes as his ears rang, Peter seen markings carved into the asphalt and dragged himself over. His hands shook as he traced the spell he'd somehow created. Had it been enough? Was his father stopped for good?!

Sparks leapt from the marking to his hand and he was given a reminder of the ghosts parting gift. Why had they done that, was it punishment for being an Ashwood descendant?

"Why?!" he croaked "why didn't you destroy it? Destroy ME?!"

Silence.

"What sick game are you playing?" he screamed this at the sky, as if the ghosts could still hear him, but only silence met his ears. He uttered a broken cry, then he heard footsteps-

"Peter..?"

Ray's voice sounded so heartbreakingly sweet as it approached through the smoky haze. Peter twisted round, seeing all his friends emerge from the smoke. Ray's eyes settled on him and he looked ready to cry. Peter tried to talk, but his whole body felt like it was burning up, he felt dizzy-

Seeing Stantz take a hesitant step forward, Peter pushed himself to his feet, body screaming at him to give in to exhaustion but he refused to listen.

"Ray, get back." Peter said softly as he felt the power rake at his frail hold on it, he didn't want to hurt Raymond. But Ray shook his head stubbornly.

"Nope, nope nope, that's a whole lot of NOPE, Peter. I'm not leaving-" he strode forward, reaching for him-

"Don't come any closer, you don't understand what he did-!" Peter shouted, his hoarse voice making Ray freeze mid-step. Peter had never raised his voice like that, why..?

"What're you talking about Pete?" Winston said, relieved to see him alive but concerned by how strange he was acting "Look around you. Your dad's gone, you're free, my man."

Peter shook his head, uttering a broken laugh at how naive his friends were right that second.

"He's gone, but his curse isn't over." he laughed bitterly "stopping him left ME with his power, Winston and it feels like it'll tear the world apart if I don't do something to contain it. It's as ruthless as my dad and it'll go after all of YOU. I can't stop it!"

Egon raised the PKE meter, stepping closer as he glanced from the meter to his friend-

"Just wait a moment Peter, we can help-"

"Not one more step!" Peter said sharply, clutching his head in his hands as pain lanced through him. The ground shook and fractured between him and them, toppling them all to the pavement.

"Yeow, who summoned an earthquake?" Winston asked blearily, vision clearing in time to spot the shock, guilt and fear in Venkman's expression as he sat himself up.

"Pete, just wait-" he began, but Peter scrambled up, his desperate mind telling him to run.

He threw himself in the direction of the forest, tripping down a slight incline before plunging into the cool dark of its crowded firs. This was like a nightmarish coffee overdose, every muscle burned with energy that couldn't release fast enough, like undetonated explosives that'd just been lit. He knew at some level he wasn't being rational, but the power that churned inside made him feel sick with disgust, it'd belonged to his father-!

"Peter, wait!" Ray was up next, racing after his lover.

"We have to get to him," Egon said as he and Winston got their bearings and followed in Rays wake "he doesn't know what he's saying! He's in severe shock and in possession of more power then before!"

"He was prepared to destroy himself just to save us, we're NOT giving up on him now." Winston said in determination "man's got more moxie than most recruits I've trained."

They blundered around in the forest, trying to track where Peter had run to- but the PKE meeter was going haywire, there was too much fallout from the spells explosion to get a lock on their errant team member.

As Ray was on the verge of collapsing from desperate panic, there was a loud boom and a pillar of red crackling flame lit the sky not far ahead. They ran for it, recognising that colour-

Peter's flight instincts led him on a blind run through the forest, cutting his hands on branches and bruising his knees on stones as he stumbled. He was like a beacon burning bright and something woke from its slumber, sensing him as he crashed through the undergrowth.

Finally, Peter came to a sprawling heap in a spacious clearing. Sweat dripped into his eyes and he couldn't keep a thought in place for a single second, the whole world was tilting beneath his hands.

The trees around the prone figure rustled in a non-existent breeze, voices whispering-

"A mortal one."

"He is but a child."

"Let us feed."

Peter opened his eyes, lifting his head to see a whole mess of spirits gather from the trees, then coalesce into one ragged and sickening entity. It raised a hand with claws like tree branches, swiping down at the somehow still conscious figure of Venkman.

Peter ducked, silently screaming in his head for it to get away- he didn't want it near him!

The overflow of power manifesting in him after the defeat of his father saw an outlet. Flames burst from the ground, but they were a deep crimson red and ripped through foliage without burning a single leaf. Supernatural fire...

The ghost staggered back, swiping at itself as large chunks of its legion-like body burned away. Peter scrambled back on shaky legs that could barely support him, keeping an eye on it as it bore down on him, mouth open and drooling dark, sticky sap-

Three blasts of light tore through the trees, lassoing the forest creature and hauling it back with a crash. Peter stumbled back, tripped and landed sprawled at the base of a tree. He watched in numb shock as he hauled himself to his feet, using the tree for support. His whole body shook from exhaustion, but these were definitely his friends, come to his aid once more. All this time, he'd taken this 'family' of his for granted...

There was the sound of ghost traps slamming shut and the noise cut out. He slumped against the tree, shivering from cold.

Ray sighed in shaky relief, unclipping his pack and looking over at where Peter stood. Wether he was even aware they were there was uncertain, had the power affected him?

"Careful Ray," Egon murmured "he may unintentionally release further surges of power, if what he said is true and he DOES have all of his fathers power now. If he can recognise it's you, we have a chance..."

"I know." Ray said softly, then began walking towards the tree Peter was sheltering under. It felt like the longest walk he'd ever taken.

"Peter...can you hear me?"

Peter opened his eyes, lifting his head to see Ray approaching. He'd removed his proton pack and any other equipment, offering only himself as he approached his lover.

"It's alright. We're safe now and we'll get you to madame LaVeaus right away."

Peter stared at him, struggling to make sense of anything he was saying. It all felt too surreal to him right now and he edged back a step, shaking his head to try clear it. Ray mistook this as fear and felt his stomach cramp.

"Please." Ray whispered as he closed the distance as slowly as he could. Peter stood stock still, almost unaware of Ray...

"I'll have faith enough for us both," Ray whispered so only he'd hear "please just trust me, Peter. I'm not leaving- I love you, remember?"

He held his hands out now, barely three feet from his lover. Peter looked ready to collapse, he was covered in blood and sap from the tree, his uniform torn by a hundred branches and stones.

Peter stared at the hands, seeing the parallels again. Last time an out-held hand had nearly spelled his end at his own fathers hand, but now it represented hope. And the one offering it was Ray..

Memories flooded his head. Laughter, affection, taste and touch...

So he took one final leap of faith as Ray's hands brushed his arms, stumbling into his arms and clutching handfuls of his jumpsuit as the man's warmth chased away the cold in his bones.

"Ray…" he croaked "I'm so sorry…"

"For what?" Ray whispered, holding him gently as he let his arms encircle Venkman. "you saved us."

"He hurt you." Peter hiccuped "because of me."

"Thats a standard evil guy trick, goofy." Ray said softly, stroking his back gently 'he's gone, I'm fine. You can relax, it's over now."

"Ray.." Peter hiccuped, "my Ray.."

"Always, Peter." Ray whispered, moving his uninjured hand to stroke Peter's hair.

The others approached, so Peter was soon surrounded by ALL of his friends. Hands rested on shoulders that ached from fighting back, the last of the cold faded away and Peter felt human. He gathered the strength to lift his head, open his eyes...

"At ease, my man" Winston said, nodding as he caught Venkman's eye "it's all good, you won."

"Exactly," Egon said "we're safe, thanks to your efforts, you don't have to keep fighting."

"Let's go," Ray said lovingly "We got this."

Peter nodded, closing his eyes and resting against Ray's body. He felt curiously leaden, like what little strength he had was rapidly draining out of him. He was too tired to speak, or even stay standing, so he closed his eyes and let oblivion take over.

"Peter, are you- ack!" Ray yelped as Peter suddenly blacked out, his grip loosening as he went limp like a rag-doll. He quickly knelt down, checking his pulse.

"He's unconscious, I guess he wore himself out." he said shakily and Egon looked about to faint with relief. He removed his glasses, swiping a sleeve over his face, skin streaked with dirt and minor scratches.

"Let's get him out of here," Winston said "tear arse back to the RV and head for New Orleans!"

Ray stumbled along after Winston, who was carrying Peter as if weighed next to nothing. The man remained unconscious and didn't even stir as he was set down on his bed.

Egon recovered Peter's proton pack, then they put the pedal to the metal to finish their journey asap.

Ray cut away sections of Peter's uniform, cleaning and bandaging as many of the cuts and scrapes as he could. Egon rummaged in the cupboards, bringing bowls of water and helping Ray shred a spare shirt of Stantz's to use as makeshift bandages.

Egon reattached the IV bag as Ray worked on cleaning the remaining cuts, hoping the little left in it would help Peter.

"Is it over?" Ray said with a hiccup as he sat back, their meagre supply of aid items (actual and makeshift) cleaned out.

"I hope so, that monster of a father is destroyed, Peter's alive...all we can do is work to make the variables fall in our favour. We'll figure this out, Ray."

Peter stirred before Ray could answer, uttering a low moan of pain. They fell silent, unsure how he was going to react…

-Who am I? Where am I?- the man thought, wincing as he opened his eyes to bright blazing lights overhead. Two faces came into focus, one kindly and soft, the other serious and slim. They were sat beside his bed, scattered boxes and torn fabric around them.

"Can you hear us?" The kind one asked and the man thought something was familiar about him but...he couldn't recall…

"Who...are you?" he asked and both men switched from concerned to horrified.

"W-what do you mean? You know who we are, Peter!" the serious one said, adjusting his glasses.

The name didn't sound quite right either.

"Peter?" the dazed man asked "W-who's Peter? M'names….i-i think its Toby?"

"Oh no." The kind one said, looking about ready to hyperventilate.

"This is bad!" serious one said, fidgeting with a machine he held in his hands that was beeping and flashing.

The kind one looked about ready to cry, and surprised the man by kneeling beside where he lay...and kissing him. He tensed up at first, but that faint thread of familiarity began to weave a memory-

"Maybe try some sedatives-" Egon blinked as Ray chanced kissing the addled Peter, but it WORKED. Peter's eyes fluttered closed and he lifted one bandaged hand to grip Ray's sleeve weakly as the kiss ended.

Ray held his breath, praying he'd triggered something in Peters memory. Peters eyes opened slowly, and he focused on the familiar man kneeling above him.

"R...ray?" Peter croaked, his head clearing now, snatches of reality filling the gaps. This was Ray. HIS Ray.

The other...was Egon. He dimly wondered if Egon knew why Ray was kissing him?

"Hey, you know this guy?" he indicated Ray "he's adorable. Also, mine."

Then he passed out.

"I have no explanation for that." Ray felt himself chuckle weakly. Egon's hand patted his shoulder silently, then the doctor left.

"Oh thank goodness." Ray wiped his eyes as he watched Peter sleep "we're almost there, Peter, just hold on OK?"

"How much further?" Egon asked Winston as he reached the front of the RV.

"About another hour or two. How's Pete?"

"Fluctuating. He just woke up and asked who we were, Ray and I. He seemed convinced, albeit briefly, that he was the 'other him' his father alluded to." Egon informed him, seeing Winston go pale.

"Aw hell no, tell me that ass of a father of his didn't mess with his head?"

"I fear the encounter may have caused some overlap. He seemed to recover a little after Ray kissed him, so I guess the contact helps. We won't know what the damage is until we get to Madame LaVeau's."

"Geez, I can't believe his father set all this up just to catch Pete. Lying, kidnapping, drugging, and then there's that pervert that he paid to manipulate him into bed!"

"I wonder if, had I known more about Peter, would I have seen the warning signs?" Egon asked after a pause as he sat in the passenger seat, tucking his knees under him.

"You cant start thinking about that sort of thing Egon," Winston shook his head "You may be a genius, but you're not omnipresent. Im guessing it stems from his muddled childhood, but Peter just wasn't given much reason to trust the world at large, so he kept it at arms length. But, when it comes to a certain member of our team, I think thats changing.."

Egon managed a faint smile "I've only seen glimpses, but the way he looks at Ray, he actually seems pretty...happy."

Winston looked back out at the road, silence falling a moment before Egon piped up again.

"You seem oddly unfazed by all this."

"By all what?"

"By.." Egon coughed and in a momentary glance, Winston seen Spengler was actually turning slightly RED "by half the people you work with either dating each other or their long-lost university friends!"

Winston chuckled, Egon's flustered response was a rare sight for the normally unemotional polymath.

"Well, like I said that day in the park; it's not something I'm into, but it doesn't mean I need to be an ass about to those that do. Besides, Ive known you guys for years, this changes nothing. Peter always flirted with anything that had a pulse, and I always thought you'd stumble across somebody who can compete with your research for your affections, someday."

Egon went red again, drumming his fingers on his thighs.

"Everyone deserves to be happy, thats what my ma always taught me. It aint our place to judge, y'know? You do you, to quote an old buddy of mine."

"That sounds impossible. And weird."

"Are you covering innuendo duty while Pete's unconscious?" Winston asked, trying so hard not to laugh. Egon blinked at him, scrunching his nose in confusion as Winston shook his head.

But the brief levity couldn't last, as they heard a faint moan of pain from the back. It was backed up by Ray's distant, soothing tones and soon things fell silent again.

"Not much longer, buddy," Winston murmured as he checked the map "just hang on, Pete."

Madame laveau sat with a cup of tea before her, eyes closed as she listened to the spirits around her.

Suddenly, she opened her eyes and summoned her assistant, a man named Thibodeaux.

"Go have the staff prepare one of the state rooms right away, we have a guest incoming who needs urgent care." she said "I sense many injuries that will need tending to, I will need my books."

Thibodeaux nodded, he'd long since learned not to second guess Marie LaVeau's intuition. If she said guests were coming, he would prepare for such.

Barely had he finished fetching what she requested then there was a heavy knocking on the door. It'd begun to rain in the interim and stood on the steps was a soaked young man with glasses, that looked very familiar.

"Dr Spengler of the Ghostbusters, correct?" Marie said as she stepped into view. Egon looked at her, eyes wide behind his glasses.

"Madame LaVeau, we need your help, urgently-!"

"I know child, bring your injured one in here."

Egon gestured to the bulky RV parked down the drive. It shut off and two figures emerged, one of them carrying a human-sized shape wrapped in a blanket.

The spirits had hinted at a casualty, but even Marie drew a sharp breath as she caught a glimpse of the pale, drained figure Winston carried.

She stepped close as Thibodeaux clsoed the door behind their guests, brushing her hand over Peters forehead. He flinched in his sleep, uttering a faint sound of pain.

"This is bad," she whispered "he's very weak."

"He's been like this for a few hours," Winston said "we drove here as fast as we could, may have annoyed the local cops by using the siren on the van."

"Don't fret about it, I shall clear any misunderstandings." Marie swept the issue aside "your friend is the priority."

She guided them upstairs to a comfortable state room. On the bed, a thick cotton sheet had been laid atop the bed, no doubt to soak up any blood as she patched Peter up.

Winston set Peter down atop the bed, removing the rain-soaked blanket, which one of the staff took to set before the fire. She tutted in sympathy as she seen the cuts and scrapes Ray had fixed up already and the others they hadn't had bandages enough to cover. The man's uniform was slashed and soaked, blood, dirt and ectoplasm from the tree ghost staining it beyond recovery.

Marie's assistant stood by the door, closing it behind the staff as they left, so only the remaining Ghostbusters plus Marie and the unconscious Peter were left.

"These injuries, they all but scream arcane forces.." Marie murmured, checking for any broken bones. Satisfied there weren't any and Peter's injuries were mostly cuts and scrapes, she sat down and opened a basket that had been set by the side of the bed.

"We encountered a monster. He had magic, lots of it, more than enough to control a platoon of ghosts to keep us from stopping his plans." Egon said tersely "Peter, he- he took the chance it might kill him, all so he could take him down."

He took his glasses off, his fingers so cold he didn't even notice when he dropped them. His head ached and he sighed softly "he nearly died trying to save the rest of us."

"Spengs, please don't tell me you're blaming yourself for this- that a-hole was-"

"He was RIGHT, Winston!" Egon hissed back, voice cracking just a fraction "If I hadn't insisted we stop every time we got a signal, we-"

"We probably would've run into him anyway, or some of his flunkeys. You heard him, Egon, he wasn't going to let Peter get to New Orleans. He was convinced Peter was a piece of property he had to reclaim, because he was family-"

"It troubles me to hear so," Marie said as she uncapped a bottle of some unknown mixture and soaked a cloth in it. "that his own blood relative would commit such cruelties."

Ray was surprised by how calm she seemed, given how wild the story sounded.

"He was a monster, and he was taken down as such. He's gone now, but Peter is..." he felt about to be sick "he's forgetting who he is, who WE are."

Marie shook her head as she pressed the cloth to a cut on Peter's head. He flinched, uttering an uneasy moan.

"Easy now, child." Marie said softly as she watched him, setting a hand over his wrist and pressing lightly "we're not your enemy. This is a safe place."

Peter relaxed, sinking back into his exhausted slumber. Marie paused as she seen the scarring on his wrists, examining it closely and frowning sadly as she shook her head.

"He attempted to hurt this one once already, but it failed?" She said aloud.

"Yeah, we stormed the hideout where his crazy little cult had taken Peter and destroyed the ritual. We were too late to stop them hurtin' him bad." Winston sighed. "It took weeks for him to recover.."

Egon, still convinced the encounter could've been avoided if HE'D just paid better attention, turned to leave but forgot he'd removed his glasses. He didn't even come close to the door, slamming face-first into the wall.

"Man, what're you trying to do?" Winston asked, grabbing Egon's shoulders and steadying him before he fell over.

"Who moved the door?!" Egon blurted.

Ray spotted Egon's glasses where they'd almost skittered under the bed. He scooped them up, walking over and plopping them back on his face. Egon looked like Ray felt; exhausted, cracking at the seams and in need of reassurance.

"The only one to blame here is that a-hole father of Peter's. If you hadn't told Winston to pull over, I likely would have. We're Ghostbusters, we bust ghosts. Its in our nature, and job description. Along with every infomercial we've ever made…" he squeezed Spengler's arm kindly "theres no cause to blame yourself for that. I doubt simply ignoring that signal would've held him off for long, Winston is right, he was hellbent on catching us somehow."

Egon opened his mouth, paused, then fell silent. Finally, he nodded. "Thank you, Ray.." He said softly.

"It's fine." Ray assured him.

"Yeah, Ray's right. This isn't the first time a ghost has been used as a lure, remember that ghost from my military days? He used a kids ghost because he knew I couldn't turn my back on an innocent child." Winston shook his head "ghosts can be jackasses, just like the living. End of."

Marie listened to them talk as she tended to the open wounds on Peter's body, the poultice she was applying would clean the wounds and encourage healing. But this was just the start. She raised her head, catching the eye of he loyal servant, who'd been watching the fella with the glasses, wondering if they'd need another first aid? He turned his attention to Marie now, silently awaiting her request.

"Could you fetch some clean clothes, I'm afraid I will need to further rend this uniform to access the deeper injuries." Marie looked at her assistant, who nodded. He could guess Venkman's measurements, he was fairly lean..

Marie looked at the other three Ghostbusters, sensing their worry.

"You boys should rest, you've had a long trip. You're safe here, you've done your part in bringing this poor soul to me. He will requite significant care and you are all exhausted."

Winston didn't say a word, just grabbed Egon's collar and pretty much towed him out of the room. From there, a maid showed them to where they could sleep.

Marie heard two of the three leave as she turned back to Peter, but one remained.

"You will not rest?" she asked.

"No, ma'am." Ray said, massaging his aching wrist, it still hurt from the fight "I promised him I'd stay with him, so if I can help, I will. Otherwise I'll just sit and wait, but I can't leave him."

She turned to him now, smiling kindly.

"You have very strong feelings for him, don't you child? Neither of you were aware the last time we met."

"Yeah," Ray blushed despite his exhaustion "we, well…it only happened recently. I just want to tell him I love him..but what if he doesn't-?"

Marie got up then, seeing the poor young man on the verge of crying. She took his hand in hers and squeezed it reassuringly.

"Don't be saddened, we will heal his injuries and you will be able to tell him. Love is a powerful medicine in its own right and he will need a steady supply. Rest your feet, he will need your kindness very soon."

Ray sat down on Peter's other side, lacing his fingers in Peter's and squeezing his hand lightly.

He asked Marie if she needed help but she just shook her head for the first wave. Once she'd finished patching Peter's physical injuries, slicing the jumpsuit almost beyond recognition, she summoned one of the staff and whispered something to her. The girl nodded, bobbing her head and darting away.

"I have asked she fetch the special soup I brewed earlier. It will help restore his spirit and give him a peaceful sleep. But I'm afraid we must waken him to ensure he consumes it."

She pulled a bottle from her sleeve, uncapping it and waving it close to Peter's face. He groaned uneasily, faint twitches running through him as he struggled to make his body obey. Thinking ahead, Ray gently wrapped an arm around him, letting the semi-conscious Venkman rest against his chest.

For a moment it was like waking back up in the hospital, he was wrapped in warmth, there were people nearby and someone was holding him. He almost drifted asleep again, then his memories came flashing back and he felt a jolt of panic run through his exhausted body. He forced his eyes open, trying to rally what little strength he had to escape. His father was- Ray and the others were in danger-!

"Ray-!" He gasped weakly as he pushed against whoever restrained him now, still in pain but it was much duller. He gripped the sheets, trying to make his vision focus properly. Where was he? Had his father won? Was he a prisoner?

Then lips brushed his, the short, brief kiss silencing the alarm bells in his head. Only one person could kiss him like that...

The one holding him drew back to let him see their face.

"Ray?" Peter said weakly as his vision cleared enough to let him see that this WAS his Raymond. He lifted one shaking hand to press it to Ray's cheek, relief flooding him when this didn't turn out to be an illusion.

Ray nodded, letting Peter rest against him once more as he caught his breath, hand dropping back to his lap..Venkman didn't know how or why, but they'd escaped the forest, arrived...wherever here was. He was alive, his father was….gone?

"The others?" he asked now "that monster?".

"They're fine." Ray assured him "we're all fine. And he's gone Peter, he's gone."

"Where are we?" Peter croaked, feeling about to crack into a million pieces but he was too tired to break down. He felt Ray kiss his forehead gently, further reassuring him it was over.

"We're at madame LaVeau's. You're alright, she's patching you up. Theres some medicine you need to take, then you can sleep as much as you like."

"Can she...get rid of this power? I don't want to become a monster like my father..." Peter said weakly, too exhausted to move, otherwise he'd have asked the lady herself.

"You wont, Peter." Ray assured him and Peter smiled weakly, then nuzzled against his lover's neck, starting to drift asleep. He'd saved his friends, they were free...

Ray gently nudged him awake as the girl returned with the soup Marie had requested. Only then did Marie approach the side of the bed where Peter was curled against Ray's chest. He started slightly upon seeing her, but with the warmth of Ray's embrace, he didn't feel panicked.

"Drink this, young man." Marie said gently, pressing a ceramic mug filled with a delicious smelling something into his hands.

Peter took a tentative sip, feeling his stomach stir at the rich taste of it. He let himself lapse into a semi-aware state, focusing his energy on drinking the liquid, the rest of his limited awareness on the warmth of Ray's body.

Marie studied the exhausted Venkman, a worried frown on her face, as if she could read the twisted story his silence hid. Once he'd managed to finish the herbal remedy soup, Ray let him lie back down, stroking Peter's hair back from his face and promising him everything'd be alright. Peter smiled very weakly, then fell back into a deep, much needed sleep.