Egon helped Ray halfway to his room.

"Go on Raymond," Egon whispered.

Ray nodded weekly. He was feeling a little weaker than before, but he didn't like being monitored all the time either. He felt lucky the doctor's let him out of bed to see Peter today. Ray turned as if he were going to head to his room, but then he saw Egon pull the doctor aside. Ray wanted to hear this. He had to know how Peter was going to bed. And if he knew Egon as well as he did, Egon was going to flat out ask him. Ray was right.

"Doctor, I need to know, what are Peter's chances of walking again?" Egon asked.

Steve sighed, "I would have to say 50/30 Egon," he said.

Egon's face turned pale, "50/30? I won't believe it...." He whispered.

"Then don't," Steve put a hand on Egon's shoulder, "They are only odds, and most patients don't have the same support from their friends that Peter does. I told Peter it was 50/50, to give him a little more hope, I know you will do the same Egon."

Egon nodded, "I will Steve, thank you."

Steve nodded, "I must go, I have another patient to attend to," he said.

With that he left. Egon leaned against the wall too shocked to say or do anything. Since Ray was also listening, he too leaned against the wall in shock. He tried not to loose it. A few tears came, but he was able to stop them. Egon turned around when he heard Ray try to hold down a sob.

"Raymond?" Egon asked. "You are supposed to be in bed."

Ray quickly wiped his eyes, "I-Is it true Egon?"

"Is what true?" Egon whispered.

"I-I heard what the doctor said..." Ray gulped.

Egon sighed. He put his arms around Ray and helped him back in bed.

A few hours later Dani was back in the room with him. She looked well rested for now. Ray smiled weekly.

"Hi," he said.

"Hi," she rubbed his hand,

He smiled a little, "Thanks Dani, I appreciate it."

Dani smiled, "Only for you," she said, "Are you feeling better today?"

He shook his head thinking of Peter, "No, I'm not, but then, Peter isn't either..." he sighed.

"Ray, tell me your not making yourself sick over Peter," Dani said, "Listen to me hon, this wasn't your fault,"

"She's right you know," Steve walked in looking at Ray's charts, "And all this stress your putting on yourself is not helping you any Raymond."

"See?" Dani smiled.

Ray sighed, "But it is my fault, I was in front of the stupid..." Steve put a thermometer in Ray's mouth. "Bus..." he managed.

Steve sat next to Ray and put a blood pressure cup over his arm, "I heard what happened, and there was no way either one of you could have avoided the incident, Raymond, there is no since in blaming yourself for something that didn't happen. I strongly believe this is why you have not gotten better yet, because your putting all this stress on yourself that doesn't need to be there."

Ray sighed. Steve took the thermometer out of his mouth and read it as 103.

"You shouldn't have a fever, yet you do. Ray, I'm going to have the nurse give you a cool bath, not cold because it would give you hyperthermia, then I'm going to give you some antibiotics, to bring down this fever. I don't like that you still have one. You need to talk to someone about this Raymond, it isn't going to just go away, and I'm pretty sure you haven't spoken to Egon, or any of the guys." Steve said.

Ray shook his head, "If you're too uncomfortable with them, then I will suggest seeing a psychologist, however I don't think we need to go there. But if you're not better by tomorrow, I am going to grow quite concerned. I am going to monitor your heart rates and everything tonight to see how you do, alright? If your fever is gone by tomorrow, I will release you, if it isn't, then I'm going to keep you and suggest you talk to somebody about whatever's bugging you, because literally you are making yourself sick and I do not like it," Steve said.

With that he glanced at the chart one more time and left. Ray closed his eyes out of stress.

"He's right Ray," Dani said, "You were doing so much better yesterday, well I mean, at least you were improving, you should have been improving by now..." she whispered rubbing his hand, "Do you want to talk?"

Ray shook his head, "Nothing to talk about Dani," he muttered, "This thing was my fault, and Peter may be bed ridden the rest of his life because of my recklessness. I don't know if I can even face him again."

"You can," Dani said, "You can because he doesn't blame you, and there's no reason you should blame yourself Ray. If Peter knew you were making yourself sicker because of this, he'd come in here and kick your butt, wheelchair or no wheelchair, and you know it. In fact, I may tell him tomorrow if you're not better," she smiled a bit.

Ray smiled a little more too. At that moment they were interrupted by a nurse coming inside. Ray groaned. He didn't want a bath by a complete stranger. Dani smiled teasingly.

"I can always help you know," she kissed him.

Ray blushed profusely. The nurse smiled and shook her head. The nurse helped Ray out of bed and into a wheelchair. The nurse noticed the expression on his face as she wheeled him down the hall.

"Your friend will be okay Raymond," she said, "We all have faith in him, you should too."

"How did you..." he sighed, "Never mind. Look, let's just get this over with."

She helped him in the tub, "Ray, just so you're more comfortable, I am married with two children. I have been doing this job for 15 years, I've had everyone from five year olds to old men, so you have nothing to worry about young man," she smiled at him.

Ray relaxed and started to feel better. If it were Peter, the old Peter, Ray thought, Peter would have been hitting on the nurse who was bathing him. Ray might have even joined him in it; there have been times where they were in the hospital together and trying to make the best of it, like now. But this time, there was no making the best out of anything. Peter was never going to walk again, and that was all Ray's fault. Ray shivered as the cool water was coming down on him. An hour or so later he was back in his bed feeling not much better. He hoped he would have, but he just couldn't seem to get his spirit up.

The next morning Ray woke up almost feeling 100 percent better. He tried to sit up but he still had his head ache. He sighed as the doctor came in. He saw Dani yawning from the chair in the corner of the room. And also Egon was next to her. Ray smiled.

"Hello Raymond," Steve said to him as he took his pulse.

Ray smiled at him and kept quiet until he was done.

"So, do I get to go home?" Ray asked.

"I don't know yet, let's take your temperature," he smiled and stuck the thermometer in Ray's mouth. He also took Ray's blood pressure.

Ray patiently waited until he was done. Steve nodded smiling.

"Yes Raymond, you may go home today," he said. "But you are to rest so if you want to be with Peter, you must not do too much here. If you'd like you can use the cot we set up in there so you boys can stay with him. Perhaps you can stay with him so you can give one of the other's a break."

Ray nodded, "I'd like that..." he muttered.

"Ray," Dani repeated, "I know that tone, you're blaming yourself again," she said. She kissed him, "You have to stop that Ray," she said.

Ray blushed a little but nodded. Egon smiled.

"I want you to come in once a week for the next three weeks Ray for checkups," Steve said, "You will most likely be here anyway, however you do have some bruised ribs, and if you do have a relapse you'll need to be admitted again, we will be watching you closely the next few days," he glanced at Egon who nodded.

"We will watch him," Egon confirmed.

Peter Venkman tried to smile as the guys walked in. He also tried not to be envenoms.

He wished he were the one walking in. Unfortunately that wasn't the case. Ray still looked pretty bad, and Peter felt awful, but he actually felt a little happy about it. He had always known that if Ray or any of the guys were to be in trouble, Peter would be the first one there to jump in and help them, the problem was he just never pictured this.

In a way, he was furious at Ray for not paying attention as he usually didn't. Peter tried to get those horrible thoughts out of his head. He knew he couldn't be hateful towards Ray, that would not help anything, and according to his doctor, he needed his friends support. Besides, if Ray knew Peter was holding something against him, it would kill him. Peter knew the kid was already blaming himself.

Peter had heard Ray might be spending the night with him. Peter wasn't thrilled about that. He just wanted to be alone right now, but of course, the guys wouldn't let him. He tried to sit up a little as Egon, Janine, Ray, Dani, and Winston entered the room.

"Hi guys," Peter muttered.

"Hi Peter," Egon smiled.

"Hello Peter," Janine kissed him on the cheek.

"A kiss ha? That's a first, Egon old buddy, you better watch out, I think Janine's changing her feelings here..." he tried to make a joke.

Janine pretended to slug him, "Not on your life Dr. V, you deserved that for saving Ray," she smiled.

Peter smiled a little too. Ray and Egon were the only ones he had really seen. The doctor didn't want a lot of people around him the first few days he was in the hospital. Egon was worried sick about him, Peter could tell.

By the look on Egon's face, he hadn't slept the past few days. Peter wondered if Egon knew something more that he didn't. Like maybe the doctor told him something worse about Peter's condition. Peter scratched that thought. He didn't think doctor's could do that, they had to tell the patient everything, but then....Peter began thinking that he might have moved the odds to 50/50 to get Peter's spirit up. It didn't matter, 50/50 or 10/50 Peter knew deep down he would most likely never walk again.

"Yo Pete, you get any more lost in thought, we'll have to scream in your ear," Winston smiled as he sat on the corner of the bed.
Peter smiled back, "Sorry Winston, I was just thinking about something the doctor said to me."

Winston nodded, "Pete, that's fine and dandy, but you know, the Pete Venkman we all know and love, is not a quitter, and that's something you need to think about."

"Well things change Winston," Peter whispered.

"Your not giving up," Winston said, "We won't let you."

Peter smiled a little and let it go at that. He decided that there was no point in arguing.

"Okay gentlemen and ladies," nurse Brown said walking in, "Visiting hours are almost over, now

I've been instructed to let one of you stay."

"Yes, that's me," Ray said weekly.

Peter cringed but tried to hide it. It would be the first time he would be alone with Ray. Peter just hoped he wouldn't let his feelings slip. Egon mentioned that Ray had actually been acting like he wanted Peter to blame him.

Ray was refusing certain medical treatments, as if he almost didn't deserve it, and Egon had also explained that to Peter one evening when it was just the two of them. Peter would normally be sympathetic towards Ray, but this time he just didn't feel it in his heart. And he hated himself for it. Ray was his little brother, and he met the world to Peter, but Peter had hardened his heart with what had happened.

He knew that their relationship would be forever changed if Peter wouldn't be able to walk again. Peter thought about trying to fix their relationship too, but he just couldn't see it happening. He just prayed that he would be able to walk someday.

The guys were slowly starting to leave. Peter sighed, they really hadn't been there that long. He knew he shouldn't complain, but he also knew that the doctor was going beyond the rules by letting them in the room in the first place. There was really only supposed to be one person at a time. Egon held Peter's hand.

"Goodbye Peter, rest well," Egon smiled, "We'll be back tomorrow to pick you up for therapy."

"Yeah, some good that'll do," Peter muttered.

Egon sighed glancing at Winston.

"Pete, I'm just going to level with you," Winston said, "As your thinking, keep thinking about what I said to you, the Peter Venkman we know and love, is not a quitter. We know you can beet this thing, the odds are for you, not against you. We're all behind you man, okay?"

Peter nodded, "Thanks pal," he whispered holding Winston's hand.

It was weird, but Peter liked how everyone was grabbing his hand. It was as if they were reminding him that he still had feelings and sensations in his upper body, but he just needed to work on them in his lower body now. Peter sighed happily as Janine squeezed his hand also.

"You better get well soon Dr. V," she smiled, "I'll expect you in the office messing up my desk, but not for too long." She winked.

Peter smiled. Dani sat next to him and hugged him.

"Thank you for saving Ray's life Peter," she whispered and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

Peter smiled, "Anything for a kiss," he teased.

She pretended to slug him, "Get some rest Peter, you'll need it tomorrow."

He nodded. He watched as the guys left. Ray was sitting quietly on the other bed. Peter didn't say anything. He just was starting to close his eyes.

"Peter?" Ray whispered.

"Yeah kid?" Peter asked.

"Rest well," he said.

Peter nodded, "You too, get some sleep." He ordered.

"S-Sure," Ray turned around and pulled the covers over him without even putting his pajama's on.

Peter sighed.

The next morning he woke up to a squeaking sound. He slowly opened his eyes and saw Nurse Brown walking in with a wheel chair. Egon, Winston, Janine and Dani were behind her.

Ray started to get up out of his own bed. The nurse took all the monitors off him and she was smiling as she was.

"You get to go to physical therapy Peter," she said as she checked his temperature, "All your vitals are normal, so now you get to start learning how to use your legs again."

Peter wished he could say a smart remark, but since he had a thermometer under his tongue he couldn't say a thing. He only sat there giving the guys a look.

"Everything is normal," the nurse announced as she was finished taking his vitals, "Okay Peter, I'm going to help you get in the chair now,"

Peter only stared at it, "I am not getting in that thing," he snapped.

"Oh yes you are Peter," Egon smiled, "We are not going to leave you in bed all day, that is for certain."
"Yeah m'man," Winston said, "There's five against one, no way you can outsmart us,"
Peter gave them a look.
"Don't look at the wheel chair as your enemy Peter," Nurse Brown said, "Look at it as temporary transportation."
Peter sighed as she mentioned the word temporary. He knew that wasn't the case, but he didn't dare say so in front of the guys. Peter let Ray push him down to Ecto. He would be going across the street for physical therapy. He would also be staying there as well. Peter didn't want that, he just wanted to go home, but the doctor recommended it. They could watch him more closely.

Dr. Spengler never thought they would see the day when they were wheeling Peter Venkman to physical therapy to learn how to walk again. He was trying to keep his composure, but it was hard. He knew he would have time to himself later though. Ray was being quiet as well. In fact, it was a quite ride as they pushed Peter across the street.

Nobody was saying much of anything, and Egon guessed it was mostly because they were still in shock. Egon was looking at all the people at the pedestrian crosswalk. How lucky they were, he thought. None of them had to wheel their best friend to physical therapy. He was envious because he was uncertain that Peter would evereven have the chance to walk again.

He glanced down at Peter and noticed Peter was avoiding eye contact with the people. Egon saw that some were giving him looks as if they recognized him, and were wondering what was going on. Egon sighed. He knew this would crush Peter's spirit. They didn't need this. Egon wanted to shout and say something but he knew that would just cause more of an uproar.

Egon started pushing the chair faster. The nurse was by his side. Peter glanced at Egon as he was pushing the wheel chair faster. Peter put his hand on Egon's as if to thank him. Egon tried to smile. When they got to the office Egon pushed Peter in the corner of the chairs that were in the waiting room.

The nurse sat next to him and Egon walked over to the counter. Egon noticed there was a small black child in the middle of the room. The child was in a wheel chair. Egon looked a the blonde haired receptionist.

"My name is Dr. Spengler, I'm here with..." he said.

"Peter Venkman," the nurse said, "Yes, we all knew he was coming." She smiled, "The doctor will be with you momentarily."

Egon nodded. Peter was pretty popular, even around here. Egon tried to smile as he sat down next to the nurse. The others were standing around. Winston was gazing out the window. Ray was looking at the different degrees on the walls, Dani was quietly sitting in the corner, and Janine was sitting next to her reading one of the magazines they had next to the chairs. Egon sighed as his friends were all around them.

He realized how lucky Peter was, some people didn't have anybody. As he realized this, he also realized Peter could have more hope than Egon knew. As he glanced at Peter, he noticed Peter was watching something else.

Egon let his gaze follow the younger mans, and it led to the little boy. The boy was in his wheel chair, and there was a small kitten in the corner of the room. The boy was trying to get it. Peter suddenly wheeled himself over to the little boy and picked up the cat. He handed the orange tabby to the child.

"Thank you," the child whispered.

"You're welcome," Peter smiled a little.

"Wow!" the child said, "Your Dr. Venkman!"

"Yeah kid, used to be," Peter muttered.

Egon raised his eye brows. He didn't like the tone in Peter's voice. He sounded as if he were giving up already.

"What's your name kid?" Peter asked.

"Jason," the kid answered, "What happened to you?"

Peter explained the accident.

"I'm sorry, but you'll get to walk again," Jason smiled.

Peter smiled back, "What about you? Why are you here?"

"Oh, I'm paralyzed for life," he said, "I got shot."

"Oh..." Peter was silent.

Their conversation was interrupted by a taller man in a suit with dark hair and a mustache. He walked out of the room with a young black woman who looked to be around Peter's age.

"Well Jason, I knew you'd be making friends here," the man said.

"Thanks Gary," Jason smiled, "This is Dr. Venkman."

"I know," he said, "Nice to meet you."

Peter nodded, "A pleasure," he said with little enthusiasm.

Egon sighed. This was not like Peter. Usually he had a way with people. Egon didn't like the way Peter's attitude was going. If Peter stayed like this, he might have given up all ready. The young black women was smiling at Peter.

"So your our hero of the hour," she continued to smile as she shook his hand.

"Uh, I guess, and you are..." he asked.

"You're physical therapist of course, I'm Katherine, but most people call me Kate," she said enthusiastic.

"Everyone here knows who you are Dr. Venkman. You saved this young mans life, not to mention many others. And boy, we better get you up and going on your feet again, I want to see that cute behind of yours, especially if your going to be out saving the world again soon."

Peter gave the guys a glare. Janine was holding in a laugh.

Ray smiled a little and turned to Egon, "Egon, she's perfect for Peter," he whispered.

Egon nodded smiling himself. This woman seemed to know how to get people's spirits up. She brought Peter back in the physical therapy room.

Peter stared at the room around him. There were people working on different machines. Some kids, some adults. Peter had to wonder what happened to those kids. He knew about Devon, and how he got shot. Peter wondered about that, what would have possibly been so bad for the boy to have him get shot? Peter hated to think about it.

Later that afternoon the guys had left for the day except for Egon. Kate was helping Peter by holding his leg and moving it up and down for him while he lied down in the bed. Egon was reading a magazine. Peter kept staring at the wheel chair remembering when one of his friends Eddie was put in a wheel chair for life.

1980

"Hey Eddie," Peter smiled as he came in his room.

"Hey Pete," Eddie whispered.

Eddie Robinson was Peter's good friend from the frat. He had been a police officer and was shot in the abdomen. Somehow he had a spinal injury as well though. He was trapped under a car and one of the other officers had to move him before the car exploded.

"Eddie..." Peter stood at the end of the room.

"Hey Pete...." Eddie whispered, "Do me a favor man."

"Sure pal, anything," Peter smiled, "Tri Cuppa Bru, we do what we can do..." he started singing their song.

Eddie didn't join them. He wasn't laughing. Peter hadn't known exactly what was wrong with Eddie then. He just knew that he was hurt, severely.

"Will you shut up Pete?" Eddie asked.

Peter nodded, the words hitting him painfully.

"W-What can I do for you Eddie?" Peter asked.

"You can take that wheelchair out of the room," he whispered. "I don't want to see it again."

Peter stared at it scared now. He knew something was wrong. Horribly wrong.

"You know what I wish?" Eddie whispered.

"What?" Peter asked.

"I wish that bullet had killed me," he said and started crying.

Peter held Eddie for a while, then he took the chair out of the room and sent for Eddie's doctor. The doctor had told Peter that Eddie was paralyzed for life and there was nothing more that could be done. Peter remembered the long talk he had with Egon later that night when they were sharing a cup of coco together.

"Eddie was...a different person Egon," Peter whispered.

"He will get his spirits back," Egon reassured Peter. "With the help of his friends, he will."

"Egon," Peter had said, "I don't know what I would do if that were ever me. I just...I don't know if I could keep on living..." he whispered.

Egon put a hand on Peters shoulder and smiled reassuringly, "You would keep on living just as much as Eddie will. With the help of his friends, he will move on, and with the help of yours, you would move on as well Peter." Egon smiled.

Peter remembered the whole conversation. At that time, he agreed with Egon. But when they were talking, Peter wasn't in that situation. Now he was, and he wished the bus had killed him. He didn't dare tell it to the guys though, but he knew they probably knew what he was thinking. Kate looked at Peter.

"Peter, that wheel chair is not your enemy," she moved his leg up and down.

Peter sighed, "What do you know about it?!" he snapped.

She put his leg down easily and looked at him angrily.

"What do I know about it?" she asked, "I've worked her for 15 years. I've seen old men, kids, and young adults come in here with different kinds of hope. I've seen people who have been told they wouldn't walk again, walk again. It all has to do with hope Peter, if you give up on that, then you might as well give up on life." She snapped. "You know what I think? I don't think it's your legs giving you the problem, I think it's the yellow line going down your back!" she walked out upset.

Peter sighed and continued to stare at the wheelchair. Egon stared at Peter. He tried to hide his own worry. Peter was not acting like himself and Egon knew it. Peter knew Egon knew it. Peter didn't care. He sighed.

"Egon?" Peter whispered.

"Yes?" Egon asked.

"Can I be alone a minute?" he asked. "I just...I want to be alone..."

Those words hurt Egon more than Peter would know. Egon stood up, "Of course Peter." He left.
Peter stared at the door as his friend left. His eyes started to water and he let them. He just sat there and cried.