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."

Chapter Two
Peter slowly began to enter the room, his eyes upon the lone
figure, looking so ill, so vulnerable. Machines were hook up all
over Ray's body, what wasn't covered by sheets and bandages were
pale white. Peter didn't think he had ever seen his best friend so
still in his life, so thin, so young.

Sighing, Peter leaned over the bed, and laid a hand against
Ray's fevered cheeks, another hand running through Ray's sweat
matted hair. A action that would normally bring comfort to Ray and
make him move closer to the comfort, brought out no reaction out of
Ray at the current moment.

"I can't lose you Ray. Don't die on me pal, I need you here
with me. I'm really sorry this had to happened to you, I guess I
should have been watching closer. You're the best friend I could ask
for, I know the guys would agree with me. You're an important part
of this team Ray, I'm sure you know that, but we should probably
tell each other more often, You've always been there for me, mom
once referred to you as a little lost boy trying to find his way
home. I'd hoped you had found it with us. She said you would just
wait for me, no conditions, nothing to look forward but me, nothing
but me. No taking advantage, just being there as a friend. Love is
unconditional Ray, friendship is give and take, knowing the other's
faults but being there anyway. You taught me that Ray, you and Egon
taught me how to trust people. Don't' leave me Ray, please we won't
survive it, I won't survive it."

"Dr. Venkman, visiting hours are over, and Dr. Powell would
prefer no one spent tonight with him, so that he isn't more open to
infections. You are more than welcome to stay with Dr. Spengler
tonight however, seeing as how it would probably make you all feel
better at this point," the beautiful African American woman spoke
with a smile.

"Thank you Cheryl," Peter had already gotten to know three
of the nurses, because of night shift for Ray, and Egon as well as
day shift for Egon. Cheryl was Ray's evening nurse, Patty and Kathy
were Egon's day and night nurses.

Nicholas Powell looked at Ray's form as it convulsed in pain
and fever, he shook his head, as he and other doctors and nurses
tried to stop it. He placed a face mask over Ray's mouth a nose,
forcing oxygen into his lungs again.

"How high is the fever now?" Called Nick as he looked up at
one of the nurses.

"103.2, any higher and it'll cause brain damage, we need to
get his temperature down now," called a nurse.

"Where's that cooling pad, I need the saline! He's seizing,"
called Nick.

"His heart's stopped," another doctor called.

"Crash cart!" yelled Nick, he watched the crash cart rolled
in, and quickly grabbed the paddles.

"Dammit Ray, don't make a liar out of me!" Nick
yelled, "CLEAR!" He cried as he placed the paddles on Ray's chest,
Ray convulsed.

"Still no pulse."

"Clear!"

"I've got a rhythm, it's a weak one though, bag him!"

Nick walked into the room quietly, his shoulder slumped, he
had never felt so tired in his life, and the fight had only just
begun. He looked at Egon asleep on the bed, and Peter by his side in
the chair, feet propped on the bed, head lulled off to the side.

"Dr. Venkman," spoke Nick. Peter flinched then looked up at
Nick. Looking over at Egon he was quickly satisfied that the older
man was still asleep and headed outside with the doctor.

"What's wrong Dr. Powell?" Peter asked, rubbing his eyes.

"With everything we're going to go through, you can call me
Nick," Peter nodded.

"You can call me Peter, what's wrong?" Peter said.

"Raymond's fever is incredibly high, we're currently
watching for a cerebral hemorrhage. We're also watching any brain
activity, and hopefully this won't cause any problems."

"Are you saying he may be brain dead?"

"There's that possibility. If Raymond has any family
members, or you have anyone you feel you should notify, now would be
as good a time as any," Peter nodded.

"My mother, she would wanna be here,"

"Very well, we'll watch him all night, and run some tests
early tomorrow morning."

Peter sat in front of the phone, picking up the receiver he
allowed his mind to wander back to the first day his mother and
Raymond had met. A smile crossed his handsome features, yes that had
certainly been a moment worth remembering for Peter Venkman and all
involved.

1978
Meeting Egon Spengler and Peter Venkman had probably been
the best thing to ever happen to Ray since...well in all of his life.
He had known them for six months now, but there were still things
they didn't know about Ray, and probably a few things he didn't know
about them.

However none of that mattered, because Ray had found
friends, ones that seemed to really care about him, he hadn't been
sure at first, and it had been a rough ride in the beginning, but
now he was sure they cared about him, and even more wanted to be
around him. Egon seemed to share his interest in the dead, while
Peter lied about not having any interest.

The younger man hurried towards the lab he helped in, he
worked for Egon, for a few extra bucks at the college, so he could
pay his way through college. Meanwhile he got to know Egon and Peter
better, being around them most of the time. Being his usual
enthusiastic self, Ray threw the door open to the small office,
without noticing or thinking who would be in the office.

However when he noticed three heads swivel in his direction
he came to an abrupt stop and snapped his mouth closed. The third
person, who Ray didn't recognize, was a thin looking woman, with
graying brown hair, and bright green eyes, she looked to be in her
fifties, she had a bright smile, that made Ray a little nervous.

"Oh...ah,...jeez I'm really sorry....I'm," Ray stopped himself
from stuttering as he looked at them, his face flaming red.

"No, come here; Ray, this is Margaret Venkman, my mom. Mom,
this is Raymond Stanz, he's a freshman here," Ray could tell by the
smile on her face that she was obviously very proud of her son. Visa
Versa with Peter, Ray could tell he held the highest respect for his
mother.

"Oh...hi, Mrs. Venkman, I...I'm Ray Stanz," whispered Ray. It
was amazing how shy he could become and how quickly. Egon and Peter
had been there to get Ray away from that painful shyness. They had
become more used to the enthusiastic side they saw generally. Six
months had been spent curing him of some of those insecurities,
although Peter knew Ray would probably always be horribly shy from
time to time.

"Hello Ray, Peter and Egon have told me a lot about you.
Please call me Maggie," she said shaking his hand.

"Yes ma'am," Ray whispered. Egon, who had gotten to his feet
by this time, touched Ray's shoulder.

"You wanted to tell us something, Raymond?" Egon asked,
which caused Maggie to smile. Only Egon could use someone's entire
first name and make it sound like a fond nick name.

"Ah...it...it's nothing, sorry, didn't mean to," he didn't get
to finish, Peter rolled his eyes and gently gripped Ray's elbow.

"Out with it Tex, you didn't come in here like you were
being chased by a bunch of naked girls for nothing. What's got you
so excited, or scared?" Maggie smiled, yes, as much as she was sure
Peter was good for Raymond and Egon, she knew they were just as good
for him.

"Nothin', just...just that test I was tellin' you guys bout
yesterday, it's nothing I can't tell you later, honest,"

"You mean that psychics test Egon had to take his junior
year in college?" Peter asked, he remembered hearing about that
test, when he had first met his dearest friend. He knew the truth,
it was the hardest test around, and only two kids usually passed it
with flying colors, last year only one had barely skimmed by with a
passing grade.

"The one that had everyone studying for three months, the
one Egon scored almost perfect on," Peter stated. That was saying a
lot when Egon didn't even get a perfect score.

"Yeah, that one," whispered Ray, as he held the paper in his
hand.

"Well, how did you do?" Egon inquired, not that he doubted
Ray got anything less than perfect. Ray was a genius, no denying
that point.

"Yeah, tell us so we can take you to dinner and celebrate
Tex," Peter said, using his nick name for Ray.

"I got a perfect score," Ray said, smiling as Egon and Peter
took the paper, both letting out uncharacteristic whoops' for joy.

"All right Ray!" Peter said clapping the younger man on the
shoulder, causing him to blush. Egon smiled, his eyes full of pride.

"Congratulations Raymond, you beat even me. You should be
proud, I know I am," Egon said, Ray returned a genuine smile.

"Excellent Tex, I'm proud of you, I knew you would do it.
You're as smart as Spengs here," Peter said smiling.

"Nah," Ray quickly denied the thought of it.

"Quite the contrary Raymond, you are as smart as me, if not
smart in many ways," this caused Ray to both beam with pride and
blush. Peter smiled and ruffled the kid's hair.

"You, me, mom and Spengs are going to dinner, a good one,
and celebrate. I'll even buy," Peter said smiling.

"Don't turn him down Ray, you may not get a chance like this
again," Egon said winking at the younger man. Ray beamed.

"Gosh! I've gotta go get ready!"

"Be back at the apartment by 6 RAY!" Peter called out the
door towards the youngest friend. Peter turned and chuckled as he
sat down beside his mother again.

"He seems a little, lonely," she said softly.

"Oh no, here it comes," stated Peter with a smile and roll
of the eys.

"What?" Maggie said looking at her son.

"That mother thing you do. You're going to take him in, just
like you did with Spengs here," Peter stated, a thumb shifting at
Egon.

"Best thing I ever invested my time in," Maggie said
touching Egon's hand, causing the older man to blush.

"Thank you Maggie, however I must warn you, Raymond is or at
least was painfully shy for a very long time. The glimpse excitement
you saw today, is rare, and up until two or three months ago, we
didn't see it very often. It's not that he doesn't trust, it's that
I'm not sure he knows how, or more if he's afraid of being hurt. We
don't know too much about the young man's past. All we really know
is he's a foster child. We don't really know more than that."

"What happened?" Maggie asked.

"We don't know mom, he doesn't say much. We hear names here
and there, mostly about an Aunt Lois, but not much more," explained
Peter.

"He knows about us, Peter and I made it a point to tell
Raymond about our lives, as children and as adults, so he felt he
knew us. We didn't pressure him into talking about himself or his
past. He knows about my mother, and father, Uncle Cyrus, my two
brothers Eugene and Eric. Peter talks about you a lot, and from time
to time..." Charlie Venkman was an issue in the young Venkman's life,
but Peter shrugged.

"And dad, sometimes," Peter murmured.