Chapter Five

If Egon had guessed correctly, they had been gone for two or three weeks, at some point time had become nothing but a light and dark reading, but Egon guessed they had been there for a good two going on three weeks. He could also guess that he was probably starving, he was thirsty, and his breathing seemed somewhat raspy.

Ray was in the same shape, only about ten times worse. He guessed from certain obvious hints, that Ray had a broken ankle, broken wrist, probably four broken ribs others cracked, a severe concussion, if not a skull fracture, blood loss, possibly pneumonia. Egon knew it was probably true and was very worried about his youngest friend. If Ray didn't get help soon, he would die, and Egon didn't think he could handle losing Ray on top of everything else that was happening.

"No, don't...please NO!" Screamed Ray, trying to fend off, whatever it was attempting to kill him. Egon held tightly to Ray, as he fought wildly against the binding arms.

It was torture for Egon, to watch his friend shiver, vomit in dry heaves until he collapsed into the blackness of exhaustion. It was hard to watch his friend suffer, and know there was nothing he could do for him, nothing that would comfort Ray, or make him feel better. Watch him loose the mind games against Austin, as Ray's sanity probably made a break for a nearby window. A wonderful mind trapped in such a horrible predicament. He kept hoping that by some miracle of God, Ray wouldn't remember any of what he had been through these past two weeks. That Ray wouldn't remember being unable to control his genius mind as it slowly died away, that Ray would forget the lack of control he had over his body and his bodily functions.

It had been a long time since they two had spoken, since Ray had even been capable of speaking. Ray was only vaguely aware of the continuous needles plunged into his arms day in and day out. Vaguely aware of the laughter surrounding him as the drug took him out of whatever reality he had left. Attacking his functioning brain cells and attacking any motor skills he had left. Egon wasn't even sure that Ray wasn't balanced already somewhere between life and death, and teetering over the edge towards death.

Egon was quickly discovering that no matter how much Ray's gung ho, forget safety attitude bothered them sometimes, that he missed Ray's spirit, he missed everything about Ray. Peter had always been right. Ray was the heart of the Ghostbusters, and if the heart died, so did the rest of the body.

"Please hurry Peter, please, please hurry," Egon whimpered as he bowed his head towards Ray's unconscious figure, and slowly felt himself breaking down into horrible soul shaking body wracking sobs. Everything taking it's toll on him. He was only vaguely aware of a pair of weaker arms sliding around his middle and holding on tightly.

"They're comin'...'gon," came Ray's very shaky and weak voice. Egon wrapped his arms tighter around Ray as well, and together the two cried out whatever it was they had left.

Peter stared over the shoulder at the computer screen as several fingers flew across the keyboard. He had been here all day, and was tiring quickly.

"There are ten clusters of apartments, and five house that have been vacant for ten years. That's in the decent neighborhood's, do you want the bad ones too?" inquired the woman cop as she looked up at him.

"No, this Austin guy wants us to think of places no on would look. If I know him, he'll be hiding out in a good decent neighborhood, where people's children ride bikes everyday without the fear of a man like him. It'll be the best damn house in the neighborhood too. This man is no idiot, believe me, he's a psychopathic genius," stated Peter.

"Peter, we've been looking through the file, he had two older brothers and a father, tell me if you recognize this, the brother's name was Freddy Austin, also known as Freddy Valen, died in prision in 1992, after he was convicted or two accounts of murder and one account of attempted murder. Want to hear who he killed?" Peter looked at Winston and Frump, who stood near him.

"No, but tell me anyway," Peter murmured.

"Katherine and Jackson Stanz, attempted murder of Raymond Stanz; Mr. Valen, aka Freddy Austin was fifteen years older than his younger brother, but was close to him."

"That would explain why Austin is after Ray. He wants to finish the job his brother did on Ray's folks. Did it say why he killed Ray's parents?" Peter remembered only a few months back when Mr. and Mrs. Stanz's ghosts showed up warning them about something, Ray had dug deeper and discovered his parents were murdered, but hadn't known the murder by any other name than Freddy Valen.

"Do you think Austin will hurt both Egon and Ray?" Frump asked. Peter sighed and shook his head.

"I don't really know, I doubt it, if his issues are with Ray, my guess is Egon is for my benefit. He's trying to get revenge against me from college, so he takes Egon, but Ray is personal. No, Egon won't be seriously hurt, maybe sick, and scared possibly psychologically damaged slightly, but other than that, he'll be fine. I've got a friend, she's really good psychiatrist, I'd like to give her a call, she if she would be willing to talk to all of us, we're going to need her, and she won't have a personal connection to them," Peter spoke.

"What were those addresses," Winston asked.

Peter looked at the house, he had been correct, it was in a beautiful neighborhood with wonderful people. It fit perfectly with Peter's MO of Austin. They had been watching the house for three days now, and were ready to go in.

"Stay here Venkman," Frump stated.

"No, I'm going in there Frump, those are our friends," Peter said.

"Look, you aren't a cop, you have no right to go in..."

"No RGIHT! Frump, let me ask you a question, what would you do if one of your friends, or wife were stuck in that house, possibly going through what Egon and Ray are going through. Would you stand back, like some idiot, and watch them, or would you bust in there behind the posse and catch the son of a bitches' ass?" Peter said staring at Frump's round face. The man looked at him as well, it was as though battle of the wills was on, but Peter didn't plan to be the loser.

"You wear a bullet proof vest, and you stay behind us at all times, you got that Venkman," Frump said slamming the vest into Peter's chest.

"Anything you say Frump," with that Peter began putting the vest on.

"Peter, we'll be right behind you, I'm going to wait until they've got Austin, then I'll be in, hold onto them okay."

"Ray, I've got another dose of this great stuff," called Austin as he held the syringe up. He smiled when Ray almost reached out for it, his heart telling him no, but his body begging to get away from the pain filled hell.

"Would you like to administer it Raymond?" Inquired Austin smiling, Ray simply nodded and watched in fascination as he pushed the plunger home. His mind screaming as it coursed through his veins, mixing with his blood.

"Congrats Stanz, you're an addict," Ray's eyes grew wide as he finally comprehended what he had just done.

The laughing was all round him, as he pushed the plunger in, the giant heads swarming around in a circle, all of them laughing at him, yelling at him, the heads of the only people he had ever loved.

"Look at the druggie!" Howled Winston's head, laughing.

"Nothing but a useless piece of crap," laughed Peter loudly.

"We called him a genius," cackled Egon. Ray squeezed his eyes closed wildly, trying to close his mind off to the images, he didn't want to remember them anymore, no god please no. All he heard next was a loud crack, a pain shoot through the side of his head, then nothingness.

Austin pulled the trigger right as Frump pulled his, sending Austin to the floor with a bullet in his right shoulder, as Austin's bullet hit Ray's temple, at an angle. Peter paled at the sight, and ignored the crumpled body of Austin, screaming out Winston's name and Egon's he dropped to the floor near the crumpled form of his best friend. Ray lay on the carpet, bleeding from what looked to be a slight flesh wound above Ray's left temple.

"What the hell happened!?" Demanded Winston as he raced in and dropped beside Peter.

"Ray's, been shot," Peter whimpered.

"Does he have a pulse," Peter reached his hand towards Ray's neck, the dread Winston spotted in his friend's eyes, said it all. Ray had no pulse, his chest wasn't moving.

Prologue
He opened his eyes slowly and looked around, he was surrounded by a beautiful mountain side and a river between him and another part of the beautiful landscape.
"Hello son," a rough voice called to him. He turned around and gasped at the sight before him, his parents, smiles on their faces, and a look of content in their eyes. They hadn't changed, not since the last time he'd seen them as ghosts.

"Mom? Dad?" Ray whispered in a strained voice.

"Hello sweetheart," Katie said as she moved towards her young son and hugged him tightly.

"My baby, Ray all grown up now. We've been watching you, obviously. We're sorry things happened the way they did, but we loved you Ray." Katie whispered.

"I missed you, Aunt Lois, she did her best, when she could, but she could never tell me the truth of your death, I didn't know until a few months ago you had been murdered. I was in foster homes, I think they knew, they saw me as trouble and dangerous."

"We know son, you've come so far, thank goodness for your friends. We're so very proud of you."

"I'm ready to come home though, to join you," Ray stated.

"No, your aren't Ray, I know you've been through so much pain. You're scared, hurting, but you need to be there, on earth with your friends."

"Ray, please...breath damn you!" came the voice, Peter's voice.

"I just got you back, I will not lose you again!" He cried as he closed his lips around Ray's and breathed in yet another breath into Ray's lungs.

"I can't do it mom," whimpered Ray.

"No Ray, you must face this. We love you, but we want you to fight this, so do your friends."

"Why?"

"Because you are going somewhere Ray. You've got a wonderful future ahead of you, and maybe it won't be coming tomorrow, but it will be coming soon. You're friends will always be there to help you."

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."