Chapter One
Peter hurriedly began CPR, breath twice...check pulse...breath twice again...check again...five chest compressions...breath...breath....one....two...three.... four... five...," Peter's mind repeated the crazed steps, until he felt someone push him out of the way, he knew it was the medics. Feeling a pair of hands on his shoulders, Peter turned his head from Ray, and looked past Winston up at Egon. A gasp quickly escaped his lips, standing up he gripped Egon around the neck. The older friend had lost weight, and looked shaky and unhealthy.
"He have room for two other people, we'd like Dr. Spengler to come with us, one of you may also accompany us," a medic told them. Peter and Winston looked at each other. Peter saw the understanding in Winston's eyes.
"I'll drop by the fire house and pick up Janine, let her know what's happening, we'll meet you at the hospital. Take care of him guys," Winston said touching Peter's nervous shaking shoulder. ****
Winston and Janine arrived about forty-five minutes after they had found Egon and Ray. He had told Janine what was going on all the way to the hospital, including the CPR parts, she was obviously very worried about him.
Upon entering the ER, they didn't miss the two EMT's leaving. They looked at him and pointed towards the waiting rooms. Winston and Janine entered the waiting room, and quickly spotted Peter, sitting in one of the uncomfortable plastic blue chairs, bent over slightly, head propped up in his hands by his knees. His hair a disarray, his shoulders shaking, he looked paler than he had when Winston had last seen him almost an hour ago.
"Peter? Anything?" Winston asked moving towards him faster. Peter stood up and looked at Janine, taking her in his arms, he tried not to cry.
"How's Egon? Is he all right, is he alive? Oh Peter, I was so scared. What about Ray?"
"Calm down Janine, Egon is being treated in the ER right now, I spoke to the EMT's before they left, they said he'd probably be admitted for a few days as observation, he's showing early signs of pneumonia. I don't know anything about Ray as of yet, he's in the ER too. He coded in the ambulance too, that's the last time I saw him."
"When can we see Egon?" inquired Janine.
"As soon as he's settled into a room and set up with food and water," Peter said softly.
"How are you Pete?" Winston asked, placing a hand on his friend's shoulder.
"I'm okay," Peter murmured, as the three friends sat down.
"Excuse me, are any of you here for Dr. Egon Spengler?" Inquired a young looking African American nurse.
"Yes, we're his friends, family, can we see him?" Asked Janine, the young woman smiled softly.
"Yes, you may, but one at a time, he can't handle much more right now, he's suffering from exhaustion."
"Janine, you go first, tell him we're waiting for Ray, he'll understand," Winston said, knowing Peter would want to be there for both his friends.
"I will, let me know as soon as you know anything about Ray," Janine said touching Peter's arm, he slowly nodded and sighed. ****
Peter had at some point fallen asleep beside Winston, not really knowing when it happened. He slowly woke up and began to rub his eyes, groaning as he stretched out slightly.
"What time is it?" Peter groaned again.
"Ten pm, we've been here for nearly four and a half hours," Winston stated as he turned the page on his magazine.
"Have we heard anything yet?"
"No, a nurse did come out and say that Ray was still being worked on, and that they would be taking him to radiology and surgery," Winston said.
"How long 'go was that?"
"Probably an hour ago," Winston said softly.
"The longer he's in there proves he's still alive," whispered Peter. Winston nodded. It meant the doctors were still in there with him and that he was still alive, still putting up at least the smallest fight.
"Janine came out about thirty minutes ago and said Egon wants to see you as soon as you wake." Peter nodded and slowly made his way back towards Egon's room.
Egon was pale, an oxygen tube in his nose, helping him breath easier, two IVs connected to his arm, his face nearly the same color as the sheets covering his body, his eyes closed, but he was obviously listening to Janine as she spoke in light tones to him. Her hand holding his tightly, he was squeezing it in return.
Janine sat in Egon's room, talking to him softly, when she felt a hand on her shoulder, looking up she looked into Peter's emerald green eyes, which held fear and pain. She sighed.
"I'm going now Egon, I'll see you again tomorrow, take care and listen to the doctor's okay," Janine said kissing the man's cheek. Egon nodded and watched her go, he then looked up at Peter.
"How you doing?" Egon's scratchy voice came. Peter smiled softly, and reached for Egon's hand.
"Shouldn't I be asking you that?" Peter said smiling softly, the first time he had smiled in weeks.
"Just answer the question," Egon stated lightly. Peter chuckled and picked up a glass, filing it with water he handed it to Egon.
"Drink this, it'll make your voice a little Egonish," Peter said, causing Egon to smile. Egon drank it slightly and nodded his thanks.
"I'm going to live, however, I'm worried about you, and about Ray, obviously. But I'll get there," whispered Peter.
"We'll get through this Peter, I promise you," Egon stated.
"I know we will, but I just can't help but worry that something is really wrong with Ray, I mean beyond the obvious. I just wish I could go back in time and..."
"Stop right there Peter, you and I both know, that none of this is anyone's fault."
"No, maybe not, but I'd give anything to not have to have Ray in such a predicament. How do you feel Egon?" Peter asked gently.
"I feel... Peter I feel like hell, I'm so tired. I feel, I feel like I could sleep for a year at least. Peter, how long were we gone," Egon asked.
"Roughly, three weeks. Worst three weeks of my life," Peter whispered.
"Mine too," whispered Egon.
"Scoot over big guy," Peter said gently. Egon did as told and smiled when Peter placed himself on the bed beside him. Wrapping an arm around Egon's shoulders he looked into the big blue eyes.
"It wasn't your fault Egon, it never will be your fault. If anything, Ray is alive because of you, because you gave him the will to continue going, from one day to the next for three weeks. Ray is strong, none of us are doubting that, but no one is so strong they could easily survive what you two did alone. Ray is alive because you kept him that way. Ray would probably be dead if it wasn't for you every time he returned from his living hell. I can't even begin to imagine what you two had to go through, and I don't think I'd want to Egon. You are stronger than me Egon, you always have been. You're always there for us, putting aside your emotions to keep us in once piece. I had a little taste of what it would be like without you or Ray, and I...I couldn't live without you two. I can't sit here and say I don't take advantage of your stability you give us, Egon, it's all right to cry, none of us will think any less of you for it. Let it go Egon, it's time you did," Peter said softly. Egon leaned against Peter's shoulder's, almost feeling as though he could give up. Peter continued to hold him close, as Egon buried his head in Peter's neck and began to cry, small whimpers at first, eventually turning into body racking sobs as his barriers finally broke down.
Peter continued to run a hand through Egon's hair, and down the back of his neck, as he held the crying man. "It's okay big guy, Petey has you now. Let it Go Eggy, let it all go."
"I don't know what I'd do without Ray," whispered Egon in a chocked, unprotected voice.
"Me either Spengs, me either," Peter said, hoping the use of Egon's nicknames would restore some normality they were all looking for. ****
Peter remained with Egon, holding him for nearly an hour, until Egon finally fell asleep again. Smiling Peter slipped out of the hold he had, and got Egon into the bed fully again, then covered him up, placing a hand on Egon's he smiled.
"I'll be back Egon, take care of yourself okay," he whispered, then slowly left the room. Winston met him about half way and tried to smile.
"Any news?"
"Yeah, the doctor just came out, wants to talk to us, come on m'man, I wanna know how Ray is now," Peter nodded and the two hurried back to the main waiting room.
There stood a tall man, with raven black hair and bright blue eyes, he was probably as tall as Peter. He was slim and smart looking. "I'm Doctor Nicholas Powell, I cared for you friend Raymond Stanz, and I'll be caring for Dr. Spengler as well."
"How is Ray?" Peter asked.
"Is he alive!?" Winston spoke the same time.
"Easy gentlemen, I think it would be best if we all had a seat and spoke about this," Winston and Peter nodded and slowly followed him to the chairs, sitting down, Dr. Powell sat across from them, he clasped his hands and looked at the.
"Mr. Stanz is critical in the ICU under close observation. Ray is suffering from severe dehydration, a skull fracture, broken wrist, four busted ribs, two fractured, punctured lung, bruised kidney, pneumonia, mal nutrition, exhaustion, hallucinations, high fever, withdrawal from PCP. We're watching for any signs of a cerebral hemorrhage."
"But he's alive?" Peter said, unable to say anything else.
"Barely, he's in a coma, on life support," the doctor stated sadly.
"Doctor, is...will he survive?"
"That's up to him at this point gentlemen, I've done my best. The rest is up to him and God."
Peter hurriedly began CPR, breath twice...check pulse...breath twice again...check again...five chest compressions...breath...breath....one....two...three.... four... five...," Peter's mind repeated the crazed steps, until he felt someone push him out of the way, he knew it was the medics. Feeling a pair of hands on his shoulders, Peter turned his head from Ray, and looked past Winston up at Egon. A gasp quickly escaped his lips, standing up he gripped Egon around the neck. The older friend had lost weight, and looked shaky and unhealthy.
"He have room for two other people, we'd like Dr. Spengler to come with us, one of you may also accompany us," a medic told them. Peter and Winston looked at each other. Peter saw the understanding in Winston's eyes.
"I'll drop by the fire house and pick up Janine, let her know what's happening, we'll meet you at the hospital. Take care of him guys," Winston said touching Peter's nervous shaking shoulder. ****
Winston and Janine arrived about forty-five minutes after they had found Egon and Ray. He had told Janine what was going on all the way to the hospital, including the CPR parts, she was obviously very worried about him.
Upon entering the ER, they didn't miss the two EMT's leaving. They looked at him and pointed towards the waiting rooms. Winston and Janine entered the waiting room, and quickly spotted Peter, sitting in one of the uncomfortable plastic blue chairs, bent over slightly, head propped up in his hands by his knees. His hair a disarray, his shoulders shaking, he looked paler than he had when Winston had last seen him almost an hour ago.
"Peter? Anything?" Winston asked moving towards him faster. Peter stood up and looked at Janine, taking her in his arms, he tried not to cry.
"How's Egon? Is he all right, is he alive? Oh Peter, I was so scared. What about Ray?"
"Calm down Janine, Egon is being treated in the ER right now, I spoke to the EMT's before they left, they said he'd probably be admitted for a few days as observation, he's showing early signs of pneumonia. I don't know anything about Ray as of yet, he's in the ER too. He coded in the ambulance too, that's the last time I saw him."
"When can we see Egon?" inquired Janine.
"As soon as he's settled into a room and set up with food and water," Peter said softly.
"How are you Pete?" Winston asked, placing a hand on his friend's shoulder.
"I'm okay," Peter murmured, as the three friends sat down.
"Excuse me, are any of you here for Dr. Egon Spengler?" Inquired a young looking African American nurse.
"Yes, we're his friends, family, can we see him?" Asked Janine, the young woman smiled softly.
"Yes, you may, but one at a time, he can't handle much more right now, he's suffering from exhaustion."
"Janine, you go first, tell him we're waiting for Ray, he'll understand," Winston said, knowing Peter would want to be there for both his friends.
"I will, let me know as soon as you know anything about Ray," Janine said touching Peter's arm, he slowly nodded and sighed. ****
Peter had at some point fallen asleep beside Winston, not really knowing when it happened. He slowly woke up and began to rub his eyes, groaning as he stretched out slightly.
"What time is it?" Peter groaned again.
"Ten pm, we've been here for nearly four and a half hours," Winston stated as he turned the page on his magazine.
"Have we heard anything yet?"
"No, a nurse did come out and say that Ray was still being worked on, and that they would be taking him to radiology and surgery," Winston said.
"How long 'go was that?"
"Probably an hour ago," Winston said softly.
"The longer he's in there proves he's still alive," whispered Peter. Winston nodded. It meant the doctors were still in there with him and that he was still alive, still putting up at least the smallest fight.
"Janine came out about thirty minutes ago and said Egon wants to see you as soon as you wake." Peter nodded and slowly made his way back towards Egon's room.
Egon was pale, an oxygen tube in his nose, helping him breath easier, two IVs connected to his arm, his face nearly the same color as the sheets covering his body, his eyes closed, but he was obviously listening to Janine as she spoke in light tones to him. Her hand holding his tightly, he was squeezing it in return.
Janine sat in Egon's room, talking to him softly, when she felt a hand on her shoulder, looking up she looked into Peter's emerald green eyes, which held fear and pain. She sighed.
"I'm going now Egon, I'll see you again tomorrow, take care and listen to the doctor's okay," Janine said kissing the man's cheek. Egon nodded and watched her go, he then looked up at Peter.
"How you doing?" Egon's scratchy voice came. Peter smiled softly, and reached for Egon's hand.
"Shouldn't I be asking you that?" Peter said smiling softly, the first time he had smiled in weeks.
"Just answer the question," Egon stated lightly. Peter chuckled and picked up a glass, filing it with water he handed it to Egon.
"Drink this, it'll make your voice a little Egonish," Peter said, causing Egon to smile. Egon drank it slightly and nodded his thanks.
"I'm going to live, however, I'm worried about you, and about Ray, obviously. But I'll get there," whispered Peter.
"We'll get through this Peter, I promise you," Egon stated.
"I know we will, but I just can't help but worry that something is really wrong with Ray, I mean beyond the obvious. I just wish I could go back in time and..."
"Stop right there Peter, you and I both know, that none of this is anyone's fault."
"No, maybe not, but I'd give anything to not have to have Ray in such a predicament. How do you feel Egon?" Peter asked gently.
"I feel... Peter I feel like hell, I'm so tired. I feel, I feel like I could sleep for a year at least. Peter, how long were we gone," Egon asked.
"Roughly, three weeks. Worst three weeks of my life," Peter whispered.
"Mine too," whispered Egon.
"Scoot over big guy," Peter said gently. Egon did as told and smiled when Peter placed himself on the bed beside him. Wrapping an arm around Egon's shoulders he looked into the big blue eyes.
"It wasn't your fault Egon, it never will be your fault. If anything, Ray is alive because of you, because you gave him the will to continue going, from one day to the next for three weeks. Ray is strong, none of us are doubting that, but no one is so strong they could easily survive what you two did alone. Ray is alive because you kept him that way. Ray would probably be dead if it wasn't for you every time he returned from his living hell. I can't even begin to imagine what you two had to go through, and I don't think I'd want to Egon. You are stronger than me Egon, you always have been. You're always there for us, putting aside your emotions to keep us in once piece. I had a little taste of what it would be like without you or Ray, and I...I couldn't live without you two. I can't sit here and say I don't take advantage of your stability you give us, Egon, it's all right to cry, none of us will think any less of you for it. Let it go Egon, it's time you did," Peter said softly. Egon leaned against Peter's shoulder's, almost feeling as though he could give up. Peter continued to hold him close, as Egon buried his head in Peter's neck and began to cry, small whimpers at first, eventually turning into body racking sobs as his barriers finally broke down.
Peter continued to run a hand through Egon's hair, and down the back of his neck, as he held the crying man. "It's okay big guy, Petey has you now. Let it Go Eggy, let it all go."
"I don't know what I'd do without Ray," whispered Egon in a chocked, unprotected voice.
"Me either Spengs, me either," Peter said, hoping the use of Egon's nicknames would restore some normality they were all looking for. ****
Peter remained with Egon, holding him for nearly an hour, until Egon finally fell asleep again. Smiling Peter slipped out of the hold he had, and got Egon into the bed fully again, then covered him up, placing a hand on Egon's he smiled.
"I'll be back Egon, take care of yourself okay," he whispered, then slowly left the room. Winston met him about half way and tried to smile.
"Any news?"
"Yeah, the doctor just came out, wants to talk to us, come on m'man, I wanna know how Ray is now," Peter nodded and the two hurried back to the main waiting room.
There stood a tall man, with raven black hair and bright blue eyes, he was probably as tall as Peter. He was slim and smart looking. "I'm Doctor Nicholas Powell, I cared for you friend Raymond Stanz, and I'll be caring for Dr. Spengler as well."
"How is Ray?" Peter asked.
"Is he alive!?" Winston spoke the same time.
"Easy gentlemen, I think it would be best if we all had a seat and spoke about this," Winston and Peter nodded and slowly followed him to the chairs, sitting down, Dr. Powell sat across from them, he clasped his hands and looked at the.
"Mr. Stanz is critical in the ICU under close observation. Ray is suffering from severe dehydration, a skull fracture, broken wrist, four busted ribs, two fractured, punctured lung, bruised kidney, pneumonia, mal nutrition, exhaustion, hallucinations, high fever, withdrawal from PCP. We're watching for any signs of a cerebral hemorrhage."
"But he's alive?" Peter said, unable to say anything else.
"Barely, he's in a coma, on life support," the doctor stated sadly.
"Doctor, is...will he survive?"
"That's up to him at this point gentlemen, I've done my best. The rest is up to him and God."