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.
Dinner was pleasant that evening, Maggie was telling her
favorite stories about Peter as a child. Ray devouring them like a
toddler listening to their father or mother read a new book to them.
"You will tell Janet I said hello, won't you Egon," Maggie
said smiling. Egon nodded with a smile. Maggie had only met Janet
Spengler once before, and found her to be as wonderful as her son.
The two had hit it off immediately and Janet had found it most
comforting that Egon and Ray had each other.
"Of course, mother loves to hear from you. You two should
come up for Christmas next month," Egon suggested with a smile.
"I would love too, if you'll have me of course. Ray, why
don't you ask your parents to join us too, so we can meet them,"
Maggie suggested. There was an uncomfortable silence that fell upon
the table, as Ray became pale and toyed with his food.
"Ray?" Peter asked gently, sitting the closest to the
younger man.
"My...my parents...are dead," Ray muttered. Peter looked at
Egon, worry and sadness filling their eyes.
"Jeez Ray, we had know idea....when?" Peter asked, curiously.
"I was ten, my folks had a miscarriage after me, I was an
only child. We were heading somewhere for something, I was angry
because they didn't want me visiting a friend's house. I argued
until dad finally got angry and let me go, we were driving to my
friend's house..." Ray stopped, turning paler, "I began to move
around, most of the time Aunt Lois tried to care for me, but I
wasn't hers, and I was in foster homes too," he explained, feeling
Peter's hand on his shoulder.
"I'm sorry Ray," Maggie said touching Ray's hand.
"It's okay. I've got Peter, and Egon now, that's enough for
me," he whispered, eyes shining with unshed tears. Maggie looked at
the young men and smiled, she knew the two men felt the same.
"I can see that, but incase you ever need that mother touch,
call me...my door, ears, eyes, heart and arms are always open. Egon
and Peter can vouch for that," Maggie said smiling. Ray felt tears
on his cheeks.
"Its' true Raymond, I speak to her every weekend, and Peter
every evening practically," Egon said smiling.
"Thank you Mrs. Venkman....Maggie, I may take you up on that
offer from time to time."
Ray had too, within the next few years, Peter's
self "adopted" brother Ray, became Maggie's self "adopted" son.
Peter hadn't realized he had been dialing while he had thought that,
until he heard the voice on the other end. Her voice, sounding so
confident and loving. He wanted nothing more than to curl up in her
arms and listen to her tell him how everything would be fine.
However, it wasn't her voice that could bring the real comfort he
wanted, only Ray could do that.
"Mom," Peter began, his voice unsteady, Maggie had caught it
too.
"Peter, honey, did you find him? Baby, how is he?" Maggie
asked almost frantically.
"I need you mom, he needs you, please hurry," Peter began to
lose his composure. Maggie had taken in Winston as soon as she had
met him as well, and loved him like her own, she had congregated her
own family of Peter's friends.
Chapter Three
Nick had told Peter one week, and then they would have to
decide whether to pull the plug or leave Ray to possibly live on
machines for the rest of his existence. They had run three brain
scans on Ray and all had shown little activity in his mind.
Peter lay awake in his bed, at the firehouse, he couldn't
sleep, his mind surrounding Ray and Egon. Egon would be heading home
in a week, as soon as they got him back up from a danger zone,
meanwhile Janine was remaining by his side. Winston had offered to
be with Ray this evening, leaving Peter alone in the oversized
firehouse that seemed so lonely. As if they had never even found the
guys. His mother would be arriving tomorrow, but Peter's guess is
that would just mean Winston and Peter came back here at night, or
Janine and Maggie, at least until Egon came home.
Peter rolled over on his side, and attempted to drift to
sleep, his mind however filled with fears, thoughts, and memories of
Ray and Egon. While Peter lay in bed wide awake, Winston sat near
Ray's bed, keeping vigil over his friend, holding his limp hand, and
talking quietly to the sleeping or dead man.
"Ray, I know I'm always the strong one, always level headed
and calm, but I just want you to know, the past three weeks I've
been worried sick about you and Egon. Peter too, poor guy, he needs
you Ray. I don't think we tell each other often enough sometimes how
much we depend on one another. It's true though, you guys have
become my second family, and I love and adore you three. I know
Peter feels the same, maybe even more so towards you and Egon some
times. I understand he respects and loves me, and would be worried
about me just like I would about him, but I also understand that you
three have been friends forever, well at least since college, and
you've got something special. I've always known that, I wouldn't
even consider feeling bad about that. Hang in there Ray, not just
for Egon or Peter's sake, but for mine as well."
Maggie arrived early the next morning, Peter and Winston
drove to pick her up from the air port, it had been the first time
she had been to see Peter and Winston since her husband Walter had
died eight months back. She was in mostly decent health, the
occasional thing here and there, but still showing no signs of
illness any longer.
"Mom," Peter whispered when he saw the woman, her hair was
grayer now, wrinkles more definite, but she still looked like
Peter's mother, and Peter was still the spitting image of her.
Maggie reached out for her boy instantly and felt the strong
trembling embrace. She rubbed his back and kissed his cheek.
"Hello sweetheart," she whispered attempting a smile at him.
Peter tried to return it, but he still wasn't feeling a hundred
percent secure.
"Hi mom, how was the trip," he inquired. Although he knew
that she was worried about Egon and Ray just as much as the rest of
them.
"Would have been better if it hadn't been under such
horrible circumstances," Maggie said sighing, "how are they
Winston?" She asked hugging the taller African American man. He
kissed her cheek.
"Well, Ray did considerably well last evening, and Egon is
hanging in there, he really just wants to go home," stated Winston
with a soft smile.
"I'd like to see both of them," she said. Peter nodded.
"We knew you would, we'll even give you a ride in the Ecto,"
he said smiling at her.
"Egon," came the gentle yet loving voice, causing the blond
man to look up, a smile spreading across his features.
"Maggie," he said as she embraced the younger man.
"Thank God you're alive and all right, are they treating you
all right. How do you feel? Are you all right?" She asked. He
chuckled softly.
"Yes, tired, and I will be," he replied to her questions.
"Anything I can do to help honey," she asked.
"Unless you can bring Ray out of the coma by some random
chance, no, I'm afraid not."
"Have you spoken about it to anyone Egon?" Maggie asked,
Egon smiled softly.
"I spoke with Peter once, and I feel a little better, but as
I've said, knowing Ray is alive and going to be all right will make
me feel ten times better."
Peter was fast asleep holding Ray's hand, his head resting
near Ray's side when the golden brown hazel eyes slowly slid open,
filled with pain and fear. He allowed his gaze to wander as much as
possible, sudden fear as he realized he wasn't breathing, but
something else breathing for him.
He felt every pain hit him anew, nausea rising to his
throat, the pain from his body needing their drugs. He attempted to
shift, trying to find some position that didn't cause pain, but even
that seemed hopeless, and caused him to whimper. The figure to his
side jumped at the feeling of movement. Peter looked down at Ray,
not seeing the fear in Ray's eyes.
"Ray, oh thank God you're awake!" Peter ran to the door,
throwing it open, "Nurse! Doctor! Someone come quickly!" He called.
Returning to Ray he frowned, the younger man had attempted to curl
into a fetal position, tears trailing down his face.
"Well young man, you've given us all quite a scare," Nick
spoke. Ray looked between the two, his eyes showing no recognition,
only fear.
"How about we remove this tube, you want to give me a cough,
and we'll take it out, see how you do," Ray again said nothing, made
no movements, but did give one mighty cough when the doctor went to
remove the tube.
The first few breaths were labored, and harsh, but soon he
found it easier to draw the breaths in, Peter moved towards him, and
he instantly tried to scoot away. Peter almost instantly noticed
this, and felt his heart break in two.
"Ray, it's me Peter, don't you remember me? Uncle Petey,
you're best friend since college?" He said trying to reach out
again, but once again Ray drew away from the hand, away from the
gentle touch he knew was awaiting him.
"Peter, why don't you go get the guys, I'm sure they'd like
to see Raymond awake," Nick said, watching Ray as Peter slowly
nodded and walked out of the room. He noticed Ray almost seemed
relieved when Peter was gone.
"Ray, do you know your full name?" Ray nodded, but said
nothing.
"Do you remember what happened?" He noticed the tears slide
down Ray's cheeks as he nodded slowly again.
"You remember your friends?" again a nod.
"Ghostbusters...Hi Pete, what's wrong?! Oh my God, that's...yes
of course, we'll be right there, thank you," hanging up the phone
Winston smiled.
"Janine! MAGGIE!" He called up the stairs, and watched the
two women come down the stairs, worried looks on their faces.
"Winston?" Janine began.
"He's alive, Peter just called, Ray just woke up."
Faces floating around him, tormenting him, yelling, laughing
and talking about him. Why wouldn't they go away, and quit bothering
him, he covered his ears, but they just kept coming, big fuzzy heads
floating.
"You'll never amount to anything!"
"You're a waste of time!"
"You're such a loser!"
"Fatty here wants to join us!"
"Incompetent!"
1965
"Stupid lump!" Screamed one of the boys as the others
laughed, pushing the chubby six year old auburn haired boy to the
ground. His round red cheeks burning.
"He wants to play ball with us guys! Can you believe that,
fatty here wants to join us!" screamed the eldest child, a fifth
grader. The younger boy tried desperately to conceal the tears
threatening to over flow.
"That's right baby, go home and cry to mommy!" Screamed
another boy. Ray got up and ran the opposite way, right towards his
mother.
"Ray, sweetheart what's wrong?"
"Nothing!" Cried Ray as he ran past her and towards the
house.
"He hasn't spoken yet, he's a little jumpy, and in some
pain, but his vitals are getting stronger. I believe he's on the
mend," Dr. Powell explained as he accompanied the three to Ray's
room.
Upon entering the room, they saw Ray curled up on his bed,
as far from Peter as he could seemingly get. Peter stood opposite
him, humming softly to him. Never touching him, almost as though
Peter knew Ray couldn't handle it yet.
"Hey, look there Tex, it's our friends, Winston, Janine and
my mom. They've come to visit you buddy. Egon would come, but Dr.
Powell wants to keep him in bed another day," if anything Ray seemed
to curl into a tighter ball, as though to protect himself.
"He's scared, but I think inside he knows we wouldn't hurt
him," stated Peter. He looked down at Ray, and watched Janine and
Winston walk towards him.
"Hey Ray, it's us, you remember us, right pal?" Winston
asked. Ray tried to scoot away, but saw Peter on his other side and
began to squirm, it was apparent to Maggie and Nick that Ray was
afraid, and while Maggie was sure he knew them, she was also sure he
wasn't ready to face them.
"Out, all three of you now," Maggie stated, holding no
anger, but warning in her voice.
"Mom..."
"Peter, I said get out, please honey," Peter looked at her,
while he was a Psychologist he also guessed no one would figure Ray
out better than a mother. Peter nodded and was followed by the other
two.
"We'll go tell Egon you're awake," Janine said gently and
left.
"Nick, may I have a moment with him alone, I promise I'll
try not to rile him up," Nick nodded.
"Of course Maggie, I understand, I'll be in my office," he
said as he also left the room.
With a sigh, Maggie pulled a chair over towards the side Ray
was leaning at, his eyes closed now, sweat on his forehead, and
tears on his cheeks, she placed it far enough away that he could see
her and know she wouldn't hurt him.
"Raymond," she called gently, at first she got no response,
and had to restrain her urge to go and hold him. Touching him
wouldn't work, not at that second, she knew that. She smiled when
his eyes slowly opened and looked at her, fear was in them, but also
recognition.
"You remember me, don't you Ray?" He nodded. She smiled.
"I understand, you're frightened, it's okay sweetheart, I'm
not here to hurt you, I'm here to help. Can you talk?" Ray looked at
her, he wasn't actually sure, he hadn't spoke a word yet, afraid to.
"Never mind honey, are you in pain?" He shook his head
gently yes.
"You're scared aren't you? I understand that feeling Ray,
and while I didn't go through what you went through, I have a small
idea of that feeling, I was at the hands of an alcoholic father for
nearly eighteen years," she spoke in soft tones, watching him hang
on her every word. She took a small step towards him, he didn't inch
away.
"I know it isn't the same, but it is scary. You're afraid
you'll never be Ray Stanz again right?" He nodded, another step.
"Afraid to talk to the guys because you think they'll judge
you?" another nod, and another step closer to the bed.
"Austin is in jail again Ray, you're safe," she said, he
shook his head no, as she took a small step closer.
"Do you know how long you've been gone, and how long you've
been out?" He shook his head gently, she was only an arms length
from his bed now.
"You were gone three weeks, and in a coma for nearly another
week," she whispered, "the guys were so worried about you, they're
just glad to see you awake, glad to know you're going to be all
right," one more step closer and she stood beside his bed, but he
said nothing, nor did he move away.
"Ray, I'm not your mother, but I'd like to help you through
this," she said, reaching down and gently placing a hand on his
shoulder. He didn't flinch, he looked at her.
"May I hug you?" He nodded, and lifted slightly, she wrapped
her arms around his shoulders and felt him cling tight. He began to
cry, harder and harder, until finally he was breaking down in her
arms. Where he felt safe, and understood in those arms.
