Vengeance is Mine
By Steph
Summary--How far will a man go to get revenge on Peter? Kidnapping Egon and Ray seems plenty for this man. He captures and drugs Ray until the younger man in a complete drug addict, leaving Egon to tend to him until Winston and Peter come to their rescue. When Peter finds them, he feels guilty, but Egon convinces him now isn't the time to feel guilty or angry for that matter. They must bring Ray past his addiction and over come the pain they are faced with. This is mostly about the guys relationships, and to show how people can be affected by anger and hatred
Rated-R (for Drug use, and horrible images, this isn't a softy, you see how revenge can turn someone into a very scary and bad person)
Warnings-Bad language, graphic scenes of drug recovery ect. I'm not a doctor, however I recently took a health class and several people I know are nurses. I also volunteer in a hospital. I know the risks of drug use, I don't use. I wrote this story merely to get the idea out of my head, seemed like a good idea at the time, I hope this doesn't offend anyone, if it does I am sorry.
Prologue
1980
"The jury finds David Austin guilty of all crimes, including the attempted murder of Raymond Stanz. By the laws of the state of New York, you will spend ten years in the New York State Penitentiary, without parole, and then five years on parole," the judge stated as he stared at the smug looking man. The man before him was tall, with wicked green eyes and raven black hair.
"NO! You bastard!" screamed Peter Venkman, "No way!" Ray Stanz yelled, "He's a scumbag!" Hollered Egon Spengler. Other various voices were heard as the judge banged his gavel down on the desk to regain order. The man standing before the court smiled.
"Ten years is plenty of time Venky! I'll be back boys," growled David Austin triumphantly as the cops pulled him out of the court room. Egon looked from Ray to Peter, he had known Peter for three years, and Ray for two. He thought fondly and highly of them, and he also knew this guy had haunted every dream they had for the past two months.
"Let's go home guys," Egon muttered; the three shared an apartment just off campus. Peter was seething, Ray was ghastly pale and looked worried.
"Do...do you think he'll really seek revenge?" Ray whispered nervously. Peter looked at him as did Egon.
"Does Egon hate pineapples on his pizza," murmured Peter as the three friends left quietly.
1992
He ran desperately trying to get away, his legs carrying him fast, but it didn't matter, it wasn't fast enough. He could hear a voice calling to him, but it seemed very distant.
"Peter!" He cried out, suddenly his felt his feet slip and he hit the ground, fingers groping at the ground for something to grab onto, something to lever himself on. He looked up and saw Peter, and Winston up ahead, but just out of reach.
"Help, please!" He cried in utter desperation.
"Now you can die!" Yelled the hooded form.
"No, please don't!" He screamed in terror.
"Ray!" The voice became suddenly clearer. Slowly realization came to him, he had been dreaming. He was alive, and safe in his bed at Ghostbusters Headquarters. Looking around he saw Peter kneeling beside his bed to his left, Egon leaning over Peter's worried form, Winston was at the foot of the bed, also looking worried.
"Ray, buddy, it was just a bad dream. You're safe," Peter said as Egon handed Ray a glass of water. Ray sat up ever so slowly and began to breath slower, it had been so real, so very real.
"Raymond, would you like to discuss it?" Inquired Egon.
"Huh...ah no, no thanks, I um..." Ray bolted from his bed and slammed the bathroom door shut a minute later, the sound of his vomiting uneasy to all three men. Peter looked over at Egon and sighed, the youngest Ghostbuster had been having these kind of nightmares for nearly a week now, and it was really starting to get to him and everyone else.
"Damn Austin!" Hissed Peter as he watched and waited for the bathroom door to open. They were all uptight since they had gotten the phone call about Austin's escape from prison two weeks ago. Ever since none of them had been doing really well sleeping, Austin had been kept an extra two years due to some bad behavior then suddenly broke out.
"We knew it was coming Peter, even Ray. The fear has always been there, it's just been on the back Bunsen burner for the past twelve years," Egon stated.
"Someone should talk to him," Winston said softly, as the bathroom door finally squeaked open, but Ray didn't appear.
"I believe it may be my turn, you two go back to bed," Egon explained. Winston nodded, but stopped as Venkman just stood there.
"I'll put the hot chocolate on, because frankly, I don't think I'm going to be sleeping tonight," Peter stated and headed off downstairs towards the kitchen. Egon watched him head downstairs, and realized that Peter had probably been having a nightmare as well, and Ray had simply gotten to the worst parts faster.
"Let me know if you need me," Winston said, understanding that the three friends needed each other right now. It was really their fight, and while Winston was part of the team, he didn't know this David Austin, who had recently been let out of jail after ten years of incarceration.
"Winston, we do appreciate your being here," Egon said. Winston smiled and touched Egon's arm gently.
"I know you do, and believe me when I say I'm here all the way for you guys," Winston said softly. Egon nodded and watched the black man make his way back to bed. Sighing Egon slowly opened the bathroom door further, to see Ray huddled by the toilet, knees pulled to his chest as he tried to keep his composure.
"Raymond," Ray and Peter found it very ironic that Egon could make their first full names sound like fond nicknames.
"Please..." Ray began. Egon sighed again, moving forward he gently reached out, lifting his friend up on his feet. Egon had been having nightmares as well, maybe not about himself being in trouble, but about the other two in trouble. Austin had been plaguing all of them.
"Come Ray, Peter is making us some hot chocolate, let's talk about this," Egon said as he helped Ray down the stairs and towards the living room. It was obvious to Egon, if not Ray and Peter, that they all three needed to talk about this, for the benefit of each one's sanity. Peter smiled, walking in he carried a try and placed it on the coffee table, handing Ray a mug of hot coco.
"I shall return," Egon said heading upstairs quickly. Peter looked at Ray and sighed. Peter often said Ray was the heart of the Ghostbusters, and each of them knew that there was no denying it. Ray was enthusiastic about his job, and loved doing it, which sometimes drove his friends nuts. However, often times Ray's enthusiasm filtered towards each of the guys.
"I'll tell you about mine if you tell me yours," Peter said interrupting the silence. Egon came back down and smiled softly, he placed the cold damp cloth on the back of Ray's neck, causing the younger man to relax considerably.
"Thanks guys," Ray whispered. It felt good to know he had such amazing friends. He had met Egon and Peter at a crucial time in his life, and was glad to have them there.
"Any time Ray, any time," Peter stated the truth.
Chapter One
Winston slowly descended the stairs early the next morning to see his three friends fast asleep on the couch; Egon's feet were propped up on the coffee table, his head resting gently against the back of the couch, his arm around Ray's shoulder. Ray's head leaning against his shoulder, beside Ray was Peter, fast asleep against Ray's burley chest, his feet also propped up on the table, an arm on the back of the couch, as if both Egon and Peter were attempting to protect Ray.
Winston hated waking them, he understood how badly they all would need each other, for whatever this Austin fellow would throw their direction. He stood tall and strong, he would help protect them, his friends, his family. He wouldn't let them get hurt. He was about to wake them when the alarm for a bust went off, causing all four men to jump. Winston bolted down the pole, closely followed by Peter, then Ray and finally Egon, who still wasn't very fond of the pole.
"What bozo planned this," asked Peter as he took the slip of paper from Janine, their redheaded secretary who was a big help to all of them. Peter joined the others as he climbed beside Winston in the front seat.
"I'm not sure I really like this," stated Winston as he drove towards the harbors, where the warehouse was located.
The four men slowly climbed out of the Ecto and looked up at the large warehouse. Peter shook his head.
"Anything Egon?" Ray asked watching his friend's face.
"No, perhaps this isn't such a good idea," Egon stated.
"Now I know I don't like this," Winston whispered.
"Let's get out..." Peter begin.
"Wait, I'm picking up a class three, it's moving," Egon said as the antenna moved on the PKE meter.
"We were so close," whispered Peter as they made their way into the old must warehouse. Boxes covered the floors and area, big wooden crates.
"Remember, stay together guys, Ray your with me, Winston and Egon, you two watch each other like hawks," Peter said looking at his two best friends.
"Be careful Pete, Ray, don't do anything dumb okay, keep your head on your shoulders okay," Winston said, not wanting anything to happen to his friends.
The tall man smirked evilly as he watched the four Ghostbusters split up, they were doing just what he wanted. His grin turned into a sneer as another man approached him, the man had graying brown hair and looked at him.
"You're sure about this sir?" The man asked. Austin rolled his eyes and smacked the man harshly in the shoulder.
"You twit, of course I'm sure, it's time to get revenge on Venkman and Stanz for what they put me through, and I'll be damned if I'm going to allow them to get away. Get the van ready!" with that he disappeared into the dark hallway.
"Damn we lost him again!" Hissed Peter as he and Ray continued to wander through the long almost catacomb hallways that seemed to twist each and every way.
"Peter, slow down," Ray called, he knew it would do no good for them to run themselves ragged. Although he was quickly wondering what they were still doing here, he hadn't picked up any readings since they had split up. Something was very wrong here, and he didn't know what yet.
"How you doing Tex?" Peter asked, as he moved ahead another corner. Suddenly Ray felt a hand clasp his mouth tightly shut and pinch his nose closed. Spots danced in Ray's vision as his brain and lungs were deprived of their oxygen. He had no time to yell out and he wanted to warn Peter.
"Hiya Ray, remember me? You're worst nightmare? Of course you do, you had one of me just this morning didn't you?" Ray's eyes grew wide as the words penetrated his fogging head.
"Let's go find Petey," the man spoke in a menacing tone, his deep voice shaking him to the core, unlike Egon's deep voice which only brought comfort. Ray shook his head wildly, hoping to dissuade this man from the idea, no such luck.
"Oh trust me, I've got all this planned out Raymond, I have for nearly twelve years."
"AUSTIN!" Yelled Peter, from just in front of them, Ray had no time to react, a minute later Peter was on the ground, bleeding from a wound on his temple, and Austin was holding a smoking gun.
Peter had been horrified at the sight of Ray being captured by David Austin, he glared at the man, eyes full of a different rage, a protective rage.
"Payback's a bitch Venky!" With that Austin withdrew a 9mm, keeping Ray directly in front of him, he took aim and pulled the trigger.
Egon and Winston jumped at the sound of a gun discharging. They both looked at each other in horrified expressions.
"Peter!" They heard Ray's scream.
"Oh god!" Egon yelled taking off at a run. Winston taken by surprise.
"Egon wait we..." he didn't get any further words out, a second later the butt of a gun slammed into his left temple, causing darkness to enthrall his world.
"Damn, my head is killing me," Winston stated as he slowly opened his eyes, only to find himself in a vertical position, the familiar smell of disinfectant pointing out that he was located in a hospital, somewhere, on a wing. Nothing was making sense to him, he tried to look around, but moving his head brought new bouts of pain he wasn't aware of existed until now.
"Winston?" Janine's soft and worried voice helped clear his fuzzed mind.
"Where?" He had yet to establish long sentences, other than his first.
"Oh thank goodness you're okay. Dr. Powell said you were hurt, he wasn't sure if you'd be all right. He said you didn't have a skull fracture but you'd have to wake up before we knew if there was permanent damage."
"Well...other than a permanent headache, I'd say I'm fine. What...I heard a gunshot! Egon, Ray, What about Peter? Are they all here too? Are they all right!?" The escalating pain didn't help him because he was quickly feeling ill.
"Slow down, all I know is, I got a phone call five hours ago from some cop saying you and Dr. Venkman had been found, unconscious in a warehouse. The police are searching, they haven't found Egon or Ray yet. Dr. Venkman is going to be fine, the bullet skimmed the side of his right temple, no real damage, they'll let him out tomorrow if he isn't running a fever. They said the same about you if you woke up today."
"Janine, did they find any sign of Austin?"
"No, nothing, don't worry Winston, we'll find them, we have to. We couldn't do the job without them," Janine didn't say the unspoken thought, but it was obvious what she was thinking.
Chapter Two
The sound of the insistent groaning was what brought him back to the real world. From his dream like state, it was soon however, that he discovered the groaning was his own. Opening his baby blue eyes he took his first few looks around.
He was sitting, bound he guessed in a large room, underground he would guess, since it was rather cold down there, above him and to his left and right were windows, he quickly figured it was probably a basement in some sort of building. Continuing to look around he noticed a cot, not far from him, with a moldy looking mattress that was probably crawling with overtly disgusting containments that Egon would prefer to study than get near and touch. He also noticed a small bathroom like area, a small sink that was dirtied to blackness, and an old fashioned chamber pot. There were a set of stairs off to one side, leading up somewhere, but Egon didn't much care.
"Nice of you to join us in the land of the living Dr. Spengler," hissed the familiar booming bass voice which belonged to David Austin.
"Where are my friends!?" Demanded Egon, he knew this man, he was a sick and twisted freak, who took pleasure in other's pain.
"Wouldn't you love to know," snickered Austin as he stepped down the stairs towards Egon, who was sitting in a corner, curled up, bound at the feet but no where else.
"What are you going to do?" Egon asked, quieter this time. His voice was steady, void of emotion, unwilling to show fear this man placed in the very pit of his stomach.
"To you? Not a damn thing. I was to get revenge against Ray and Peter, not you, although you are an added bonus."
"What did you do to them you bastard!" Egon yelled, he wasn't a very emotional man, but when his friends were involved and possibly in danger he quickly became slightly high strung.
"Ah, Dr. Spengler, you've been holding back. After all these years I thought you were still that quiet and calm one. I suppose things can change a person, make them want things badly. Maybe even drive them to kill for something."
"I wouldn't kill anyone, no matter how much I hated them, I'm not you."
"Yes, well, we shall see, you're friend Venkman, on the other hand...he's different. He and Zeddemore shall live, I imagine, I don't believe the bullet was very harmful to Peter. As for Stanz, he's currently undergoing out beginning stages of a very special program."
"If you hurt...."
"Don't worry Spengler, you shall see him in time, meanwhile, just relax, you're going to be here for a very long time," with an evil cackle the man headed upstairs. Egon watched him leave and groaned; he brought his arms in front of him and gently untied the binding on his ankles. Then continued to look around; the walls were made of stone, the floor solid concrete seemingly glazed to make it smooth.
Looking down at himself he quickly assessed what he looked like, he was wearing a pair of jeans from the day of whenever he had been taken, and a undershirt. Looking over himself he saw no blood, nothing looked to be protruding from his skin, he looked pretty healthy minus a few bruises and aching muscles. His mind could only wander from here, leaving him with nothing better to do, he tried not to imagine all that his friends were going through.
Fear gripped his heart when his thoughts turned to Raymond. What were they doing to him, Egon knew they were probably hurting him, and knowing Austin, it was probably with drugs. He knew that would destroy Raymond, Ray was a good man, a good young strong man, he had no desire to lose what he had, and drugs might do that to him.
Peter's first thoughts when he woke up was that it had all been a dream, he looked around and groaned aloud as he felt a hand touch his brow, at first he was sure it was Egon, his best friend, the person who's touch could calm him in moments. Then he realized the hand belonged to someone else, looking up he met the jade green eyes of Janine Melnitz. She looked worried about him. That was strange because Janine rarely worried about him, she loved Winston, Peter and Ray like brothers, but she adored Egon, differently.
"Peter, how are you feeling?" She inquired gently.
"I'm okay, I guess, my head hurts, what happened? Oh...where's Ray!" He said suddenly sitting up, instantly regretting the act, as his world began to spin and his stomach churned.
"That wasn't smart," he murmured as he held his head in his hands and watched a basin put in front of him. A second later he was throwing up any breakfast he had left from whenever the accident had happened. He felt the comforting hand on his back, rubbing up and down, much like Egon would if he had been there. She seemed to know for once what he really needed.
"You okay?" Janine asked gently as she helped him lean back against his pillows. He took a deep breath, the color in his face gone.
"Ugh, I feel horrible...where's Ray, and Winston and Egon?" He asked weakly, more than usual. Janine sighed, and gently wiped his head with a wash cloth.
"Winston is two rooms down sleeping right now, his father is with him, I'm here."
"What...what about Iggy and Ray?"
"We don't' know right now. The police are looking for them. We don't think they've been hurt but we're not sure yet. Peter, I'm sorry I didn't want to have to tell you, but I know you would want to know."
"Thank you Janine, um, could you call my mother?" He asked gently.
"I already did Dr. V, she's unable to get out here right now, but she says she'll be on the first plane when she can. I also called Mrs. Spengler, and spoke to her, I wasn't sure if you would feel up to calling her, and I wanted her to hear it from one of us before she heard it from TV." Janine explained. Peter looked at her, tears threatening to over flow, crashing down her face. He reached out and gripped her hand gently.
"I'm sorry Janine, we'll get him back, I promise," she looked at him and nodded gently, a few tears escaping. Peter sat up best he could, much slower this time and leaned over, enveloping her in a tight and secure hug. He was hurting he knew that much, but so was Janine, because not only did she love Ray as a younger brother, but she loved Egon, more than life itself.
"Thank you Dr. V."
"You're welcome Janine, if you'd like a day off, I'd understand,"
"No, I want to help you two, you can't look for them alone, and I want to be there when you find him. They're my friends to," she said, her voice catching slightly. Peter smiled and touched her cheek.
"Don't worry Melnitz, we'll find them, I promise you that." She nodded softly.
"Janine, please just stay here for awhile, I don't feel like being alone," he asked gently. Janine felt more tears in her eyes but said nothing. She gripped his hand and sat down in a near by chair.
"I'm always here."
Egon found himself pacing quietly around the small foul smelling room, which currently incarcerated him. It was the lack of noise that would drive him mad first, he wasn't big on silence. When working in the lab he would often have some type of music playing, or Ray would be there to keep him company.
Egon guessed by the sun light, streaming through the window, it was probably nearing seven in the evening, if he had to guess it had only been a day since they had been taken probably. Least it felt like it, although he had no way to account how long he had slept, but his guess was awhile.
Egon found himself wishing for Peter's dirty laundry instead of the dirty mattress lying over in the corner, it reeked of god only knows how many foul smells and he had no desire to touch it, let alone use it in any form. If he had spent as much time as he believed pacing the room, then he was quickly becoming worried for Ray, and wondering whether he was still alive or they had injured him. Suddenly the door from upstairs swung open, shielding his eyes from the light filtering down he glared up, to see who it was coming down.
"Brought you're friend thought you might like to see him," came the rough voice, one Egon didn't recognize, a second later there was a groan as he saw a heavy set form pushed down the last four steps. Landing hard on the concrete below him.
"Jesus Ray! What have they been doing to you," Whispered Egon as he knelt beside the fallen figure of his best friend. From what he could see, Ray was pale, his breathing labored, and coming in gasps, he seemed to be in pain, his eyes glazed over, he was shivering, but as Egon placed his hand to Ray's head he was running a fever.
"Ray, buddy, talk to me," Egon said softly, like Peter would, hoping to get something out of his friend.
"Raymond, its Egon. If you can hear or understand me, answer me. Raymond, I'm not joking respond right now," he was very worried about Ray's lack of response.
"He won't be waking up any time soon, Dr. Spengler," came the booming bass voice. Causing Egon to jump, he glared at the evil man who had done this to his best friend.
"What did you do to him!?" Demanded Egon. Anger surging through his veins, he wouldn't ever kill, but the feeling he had right now was probably as close as he'd ever get.
"Testy aren't we?" Egon looked at him, this man was out of his mind, and dangerous.
"What did you do to my friend!"
"Just a little experiment, my friends and I were wondering how long it took to get someone addicted to PCP so we tested it. I guess not long, but it really screws the person up, did you know that PCP is so addicting that most people only need two doses and they're hooked. It's amazing what you can reduce someone to. You're friend there isn't big on pain, watch his ribs, I think my goons may have broken a couple, or maybe just cracked them," the man said laughing. Egon said nothing, trying to control all his ragged emotions.
"We'll be back, you're friend is in for another dose of our program in an hour or so, but as you can see, he is alive." With that the door closed behind Austin's retreating form.
"Raymond, please, if you can hear me and understand me, blink once," Egon waited, as Ray continued to try and breathe. Egon didn't realize he had been holding his breath as well until he saw Ray's eyes slowly close then open.
"Ray, are you cold, blink once for yes, twice for no." Again there was a long pause, then Ray closed his eyes and reopened them.
"Ray, can you sit up?" this time he got no answer as Ray just continued to look at him. Sighing Egon gently levered Ray up slightly, so he could place Ray's head in his lap.
"I'm here Raymond," whispered Egon as he ran his hand through Ray's sweaty hair. He didn't know what else to say to his youngest friend, what else would calm him, and help him feel safer.
