Chapter Four
"Mom is with him now, he hasn't spoken yet, but I think she
can help him more than the four of us can by going in there and
scaring him beyond sanity. That won't do any good. He's scared,
doesn't understand what's going on. I don't think he has amnesia,
I'm positive about that, but I do think he's been scared to
silence," Peter stated as he sat beside Egon. Winston in a nearby
chair, and Janine was standing on the other side of Egon.

"Would a psychiatrist help?" Egon asked, unsure if he really
wanted someone talking to Ray without him knowing.

"I think it would help a great deal, and that may be your
only hope at getting him to talk for awhile," Nick said walking into
the room.

"So what are we supposed to do, just sit here and wait for
the doctors to bring out friend back to liking us?" Winston asked,
unsure if he understood.

"No, you are supposed to show him that nothing will change
because of this, and while things will be different, they don't have
to change radically. Ray needs to know you guys still love him,
still care for him, and will still back him up, with or without this
drug problem, because gentlemen, he will have a drug problem. You
don't get dosed up with PCP, nearly die and wake up without any
problems," Nick stated.

"We know doc, we've all seen or read about it," Janine
whispered. Even she knew PCP wasn't a good idea, her little brother
had messed with it for awhile, he was better now, but she remembered
how big a mess that had been.

"I suggest you arrange it so that one of you is with him
around the clock, there to support him and show him you do care. I
will tell the nurses your are allowed in there, Egon I'm discharging
you, but I don't want you staying with Ray for another three days.
You need rest as much as him, you're getting over pneumonia, you
don't need a relapse."

"He'll follow doctor's orders Nick, I promise," stated Peter.

"Good, and I plan to hold you all to that promise. It's
nearly six, go home, get changed, take a shower, one of you come
back here and stay the night with Ray," stated Nick.

"I'll stay," Peter said quietly. Winston looked over at his
friend.

"We'll call you tomorrow morning Pete," spoke Janine softly,
understanding how Peter felt.

Peter sat watching Ray, it was late, two in the morning
maybe, normally Peter would be sleeping soundly in his warm bed, but
generally Ray was sleeping in the bed across from him too. Instead
here he was sitting in a semi-comfortable chair, watching his best
friend wriggle around in the bed moaning and groaning. He never
muttered any coherent words, just jumbles of nonsense. Peter sighed
and placed a hand on Ray's head, as though trying to soothe him, it
worked for a few moments, Ray seemed to calm instantly under the
touch.

Peter ran his hand continually through the auburn locks as
Ray continued to moan and fight the withdrawal, his arms bound to
the bed, having attempted to claw at himself earlier when he had a
hallucination about bugs all over him.

"He...lp," whimpered Ray, making Peter's heart lurch, he
hadn't heard Ray speak in nearly four weeks, and the first words Ray
said were help. Unfortunately Peter was unable to help his youngest
friend.

"Shh, it's okay Ray, Uncle Petey is here now. I love you
buddy, just hang in there," Peter said softly. Ray continued to
dance in and out of awareness. When he slept nightmares plagued him,
when awake he suffered horrible cramps. One minute he was burning
with fever, another he was freezing cold. Peter and his friends
would sit through it, day in and day out. They would hold him while
Ray vomited, talking to him through the horrible pain of the cramps.

"Ray, do you remember when we first met in college? Egon
used to call me a bad example..."

1978
Egon watched from afar at the young eager student he had
come to know, Raymond Stanz, was an interesting subject. He was
quiet when around people he didn't know, with drawn from them, and
quiet. As though he was afraid they would hurt him. However, when
Egon spoke to him, or spent a study time with him, Ray seemed
excited, happy and out going.

"I'd like you to meet him Peter," Egon stated confidently
from where he sat at the pizza diner. Peter had a football game in
four hours, and Egon had offered him pizza if they won, Peter had
insisted upon the pizza before the game though.

"Egon, what makes you think I can help this kid on iota, you
said yourself, he's withdrawn from people he doesn't know, and I'm
the star on campus, the womanizer, the quarter back," Egon knew for
once Peter wasn't strutting, he was stating the obvious truth.

"Peter, your easy to talk to, and be around, Ray may find a
friend in you, if I did he certainly can!" Egon said. Peter looked
at him.

"All right, let's go find the kid," Peter said. Egon smiled.
They didn't have to walk very far, Ray was carrying his own books
right into the diner, as though to camp out and study while eating.
Peter nearly ran into him.

"Who Tex, easy there," Peter said smiling. Ray looked up and
stuttered, then blushed.

"Hello Raymond," Egon said gently. Ray looked up and was
unsure what to say.

"Dr. Spengler!" He said, go he had just made a fool out of
himself.

"Easy Raymond," Egon said smiling.

"Gosh, I'm sorry...I didn't know you were...."

"Raymond, you don't call him Raymond do you? Sounds like
your reprimanding him. Hi Ray, I'm Peter Venkman," Ray said nothing
and blushed further.

"I know....your our quarter back," he spoke in a small voice.
Egon tried to hide his smile, so did Peter.

"Yeah, I am, You must be Egon's prize student and apprentice
he keeps telling me about," Peter said smiling. Ray blushed crimson
red.

"I...I'm just helping in the lab, for a little money,"
whispered Ray. Peter nodded, yes, he knew all about the little money
the kid was raking in, and even more he knew some of the reasons as
to why.

"Peter and I were just about to come looking for you
Raymond, wondered if perhaps you'd like to attend the foot ball game
today?" Egon asked.

"Ah...sure," he whispered.

"Don't worry Tex, I don't bite, I'm a nice quarter back,"
Peter said.

"Although he does bite, sometimes," Egon said smiling.

"Only the women," Peter poked. Ray watched, he hadn't seen
Dr. Spengler friends with anyone like Peter, he hadn't...that made him
feel bad.

"What's wrong Ray?" Asked Peter.

"Well, to be perfectly honest Dr. Spengler, I don't see you
being friends with anyone such as Mr. Venkman, no offense sir,"
Peter chuckled as they made their way across campus.

"None taken Ray, I'm a jock, Egon is a scientist, and not
many see us as anything else. What do you see when you look at Egon
Ray?" Peter asked. Ray stopped and thought about it.

"Someone who believed in me, for the first time...since I was
ten, a teacher, a genius, a man who looks at things logically, and
interpret them. A man who...whose..." Ray stopped.

"Who is interested in the supernatural, just like you?"
Peter said smiling. Ray looked up and nodded.

"What do you see when you look at me?" Peter then asked.

"A...quarter back, a ladies man, someone who...doesn't study, I
guess," Ray whispered ashamedly.

"Well good, you see what I want you to see. Want to know my
major?" Peter asked, he wasn't trying to hurt the younger man, he
was trying to show him there was more to someone then what you see.
You have to look deeper.

"What is your major?"

"Psychology and Parapsychology, and I met Egon through a
parapsychology class my sophomore year, we didn't hit it off.
Believe me, actually I went to Egon for help studying. He actually
did willingly help me, and soon he grew on me like his mold. We soon
found out we had more in common than we thought. We both have the
same interest in supernatural and things like ghosts and sprits. We
are going to be sharing an apartment next year. Ray, do you live on
campus?" Peter asked suddenly, he didn't know what it was about this
kid, but he really liked him, almost wanted to protect him.

"Yes, my roommate...doesn't like me very much though,"
whispered Ray.

"How would you like to share our apartment Ray, I mean it
would be easier for all of us on rent, and it would cut down some of
your spending for room and board?" Peter asked. Egon was slightly
shocked, but hid it quickly. He had the feeling Peter got the same
feeling around the young man, as though he had to protect him from
the world.

"Really!?" Ray said with excitement.

"Yeah, you wanna live with us? Egon snores, and I get home
late, and neither of us are perfect...but,"

"Are you kidding, you guys are the best...wow I've never
really had friends before, thanks!" Ray said, suddenly blushing.
Peter chuckled and pulled the kid in for a quick hug, not caring
what anyone thought.

Peter looked at the sleeping form of Ray, never in a million
years would he have guessed that twelve years later they would have
been practically bound like brothers. He hadn't really thought about
the future and his friends, part of him had been sure he would have
ended up like his father.

That was another thing he owed to Egon and Ray, without them
he probably would have. Egon had come and made a difference in his
life, then Ray came along and gave him unconditional love, something
Peter seemed to need a lot of.

Just then there was a knock on the door, Peter looked up at
a nurse, she was very pretty, and if Peter had been in the mood he
probably would have hit on her.

"Yes?" He said.

"There's an officer Frump out here to speak with you," she
said. Peter nodded and looked at Ray.

"Don't worry, I'll stay here with him," she whispered.

"Thank you, what's your name, I've never seen you before?"
He asked her.

"Carla," she said smiling. He nodded.

"Thank you Carla, I'll be right back."

Peter approached Frump and looked at him seriously, normally
Frump avoided the Ghostbusters, so whatever he had to say was
nothing to joke about.

"Venkman," he said looking at the man.

"What's going on Frump? You didn't come down here to check
on Ray, or ask me how I'm fairing."

"You're right on the second account, however I do care about
Stanz, he was in bad shape, and I hope he's going to be all right,
we need more of his kind. However, you're correct I didn't come here
just for that. Austin died in prison today," stated Frump. Peter
felt his head spin, dead...Austin was dead.

"Are you sure?" Peter asked.

"Positive."

"How?"

"Beat to death, doctors said he bled to death," Frump
explained.

"Hope the bastard died slowly," Peter said vehemently.

"My guess is he did Pete, look tell your friend I hope he's
going to be okay. To be honest, I wish Austin wouldn't have been
beaten to death, I would have liked to see him face the injection.
However, that's not how it happened, get over it and help your
friend. I'll see you later," with that Frump left.

Peter glared after the man as he walked away and sighed, he
then headed back towards his friend's hospital room, trying to think
of a way to tell his friends.

Chapter Five
She was medium height, had long brown, her eyes huge puppy
brown, she had a skinny figure, but well built as well. She walked
with confidence as she strode towards the room, a briefcase on one
hand, and a file in the other. Looking to the side of the room, she
saw room 4102 on the board and nodded, this was the room, ICU,
tower.

Inside the room lay her patient, quiet, staring into space,
an older woman, probably the mother, sat off to one side, and a
younger man, probably a little older than her patient, sat his feet
propped up on the bed, reading a magazine.

"Hello," she said, drawing the three people's attention,
Peter stood up, staring at her, obviously taking in her looks.

"Hi, I'm Peter Venkman," he said, the woman smiled and shook
his outstretched hand.

"Lydia Patton, I'm the doctor you called yesterday," she
said, unsure how the patient would react to talking to a
psychiatrist. She looked over at Raymond.

"Ah, yeah, Dr. Patton, this is my mother Margaret Venkman,
and this is Ray Stanz. I have two other friends you'll meet at some
point named Egon Spengler and Winston Zeddemore," he explained
smiling. She liked his smile, but planned to only like him as a
friend and nothing further.

"Hello Ray, I'm Lydia Patton, you can call me Lydia or Dr.
Patton, which ever your more comfortable with, I'm a psychiatrist,"
Ray just looked at her, she knew he probably registered it, but
didn't feel ready to speak.

"He hasn't spoken yet, believe me, usually once he starts,
we can't stop him," Peter moved towards the head of the bed and
looked down at Ray, "I know you know me buddy, and I also know you
have always trusted me. I spoke to Lydia, and I have friends who
highly recommend her. Ray, you and I both know I could easily help
you through this, but right now I'm too close. You understand that
don't you buddy?" He watched for a reaction. Ray said nothing. Peter
sighed and ran a hand through his friend's soft hair.

"Ray, I don't know how hard this is for you, but I can only
guess, I understand you're scared, but believe me when I say the
guys and I stand behind you, we don't think any less of you because
of this. Please believe me Tex," Peter said.

Lydia could see how deeply their bond must have been, for
while Ray didn't speak, she could see the trust and faith in his
eyes, she could feel it coming from him.

"Lydia is going to talk to you for about an hour okay, we
don't expect you to talk or anything, we just want you to get better
okay. I'm going to take mom to get some food and check on the guys,
we'll be back in an hour all right?" Ray looked at him. Part of
Peter wasn't even sure his friend heard him, another part was sure
but afraid.

"Hang in there kiddo, we're here for you," he whispered then
looked up at his mother. Maggie moved over and smiled at Ray and
Peter, gently she ran her hands through his hair.

"Be good, we'll be back," she whispered pressing a soft kiss
to his forehead then they left.

"Hello Raymond," she said. Ray just looked at her, unsure
what to say or do.

"How about we start off with a little about me, all right,
I'm twenty nine, surprising right, I'm engaged and have a two year
old daughter. I've worked with many people. Ray, my goal isn't to
hear all your secrets or make you feel like an idiot, my goal is to
help you overcome something horrible that happened, because you're
friends are worried about you, and they want to know you'll be okay
eventually."

Ray continued to just watch her, as though memorizing her
every move, memorizing who she was and what she was all about.

"Ray can you physically speak?" She finally asked, no anger,
or frustration in her voice, just a blank expression, much like
Egon.

"Yes," came the soft whisper, surprising Lydia to no end.
Almost to the point where she thought she'd fall out of her chair.

"Why don't you talk around your friends, and let them know
you understand, or at least Mrs. Venkman, she seems to know you
well," no answer.

"Was it Austin, did he do something to scare you so much you
averted to speechlessness?" again no words.

"Ray, do you want to get better."

"Yes," the voice came again.

"Let's start simple, how old are you Ray?"

"Twenty-seven,"

"Raymond, what do you remember from before you were taken?"

"Not much, I...remember being grabbed, caught, scared for my
life...I remember seeing the gun go off, Peter slump to the floor,"
she smiled and nodded, he had said more than he meant to, but
obviously when something would come out, she knew it was going to
come quick.

"Now Ray, Peter and Egon will be here any minute, I want you
to remember what I said, take your time, they're here to help you
and so am I. I'll be back next week if you're up to it, maybe by
then you'll be well enough to move out of here. Start small Ray,
that's easier," she said smiling at him. He nodded and watched her
walk out.

Ray looked up at the ceiling and sighed for a moment,
thinking about the horrible memories he had, they were currently
running him on detox when they could, flushing whatever was left in
his system, his worst moments were when he was trying to sleep, he
would have flashbacks and hallucinations, both from the days he was
being drugged and from other things.

"Hey Ray, how do you feel?" Asked Peter as he walked in. Ray
looked over at him with a small attempt at a smile, it never reached
his lips though, or his eyes. Peter tried to smile as well and
dropped a hand to his friend's shoulder.

"I've got a surprise for you, I know a few days ago you
weren't up to it, and neither was he, but I've got someone here who
wants to see you really bad," Peter turned and allowed Ray a glance
up at Egon. Ray felt his breath catch in his chest. Egon tried to
smile and stepped closer to Ray, for the first time they saw a real
reaction out of Ray, as he sat up gently and wrapped his arms around
Egon's broad shoulders.

"Hello Raymond, how are you," Egon whispered hugging the
younger man tightly. For a moment both me were sure the younger man
would say nothing, give no way to show he even knew who they were,
but after a second Ray wrapped his arms around Egon's shoulders and
clung to him tightly, as if believing finally he was home safe and
sound.

"Egon," he whimpered as he rested his head on his friend's
shoulder.

"I'm here Raymond, I'm here, we're all here," Egon whispered
as he held his friend tightly. Peter tried to hide his sadness, to
watch the two friends show affection so easily was unnerving. Egon
was the silent type, hid his feelings until he was so confused or
frustrated that he broke down, usually in Peter's presence, or until
Peter finally caught on, and would speak to him about it.

"Hang in there kid," Peter whispered and touched Ray's cheek.

"He's not read to go home yet Peter, has it dawned on you
he's only been awake three weeks, his injuries aren't all healed, he
won't even talk, what makes you assume he's capable of walking. He
hasn't even been out of bed yet, I'd really like to keep him at
least one more week, he's still going through withdrawal. Granted
he's getting better, but this takes time Peter," Nick stated, Peter
shook his head.

"I know that Nick, but he wants to be home, you've said
yourself the worst is probably over."

"He's only seen Lydia four times, is he comfortable with
her?"

"She says he is, and that he's getting better, very slowly,
he's still very quiet, but Lydia says he's strong, you've said it
too."

"Peter, moving him right now could kill him," Nick stated.

"Or could help him, Nick he's scared here, thinks Austin
could randomly come out and kill him. He'd know he's safe at the
firehouse. Maybe he'd be more open, more comfortable. Look the only
way to find out is try it."

"Peter, I don't like it..."

"Lydia thinks it might do him good, help him get stronger
sooner, he doesn't need the machines, and he's eating better too. I
know he's still real quiet doc, and he's still injured, and he's
still fighting the drug problems, but he's getting better."

"Peter..."

"Nick, please, for Raymond, it may be the only way to get
our Raymond Francis Stanz back," Nick sighed and rubbed his
forehead, groaning. He looked down at the charts for Raymond. It was
true, Ray was physically well enough to go home, his withdrawal
symptoms were quickly fading, due to Ray's healthy body before the
capture. His ribs were healing nicely, his other broken or fractured
bones.

"All right, two more days, Saturday evening, if his fever is
completely gone, you may take him home, I'll be calling every week
for a check up, if anything happens you call me, or the hospital.
Lydia will arrange times with you after he leaves."

"Of course doc," Peter smiled and left, they would be taking
Ray home.