The Ghostbusters had several calls and an interview later that afternoon, so Peter didn't have a chance to make good on his promise. The next day, Janine didn't come in a all. Aggie took over the duties for that day; but except for the assignments, each man kept to themselves, finding something to occupy their minds. No one wanted to think about what was going on or how bad it could get before it ever got any better...if it ever did.
The following morning, Peter was up early and at his desk, finishing off the billing Aggie had started the day before. He didn't get much sleep that night, and he knew Egon didn't get any. He'd seen the blond scientist in the lab when he'd finally gotten up. He heard the front door being unlocked, and the sound of shoes crossing the reception area. He knew it wasn't Aggie. She had an audition early this morning, and she would've called first to see if they needed her. He waited until she was settled, then called out to her.
"Janine, could you come here please?"
There was silence, then Janine peeked around the file cabinets. "Yes, Dr. V?"
"Come in here a minute."
She stepped into his small office, and stood there. He glanced up at her. Today she was wearing an off the shoulder blouse and a long skirt. Her hair was in it's ever present braid. He'd seen that outfit before. She'd worn it once since the attempt. Sighing he got up, and leaned against the edge of his desk.
"Look Dr. V, " she started, before he could say anything. "I'm sorry about yesterday. If you want, I'll work overtime to make up the work, and..."
"Janine, we know Christopher's here," he interrupted. She froze. He sighed again. This wasn't going to be easy.
"Aggie and Ray saw him two days ago. They told us," he continued.
"All of you?" The words came out of softly he barely heard her. He nodded. "All of us."
She sank down in one of the chairs, her eyes not leaving his. "I don't, I mean, I didn't want..."
"Why is he here Janine?" he asked. "Why did he come here?"
She looked down at her hands. "He saw me try...he thought I was dead," she swallowed nervously. "He came to see if I was alive."
"That's all?" he asked. He knew there was something else she wasn't saying. A man didn't make a trip through hell just to see of someone's alive, then leave. There was something more.
Janine shook her head. "He wants me to return to Wintergrove with him," she half-whispered. Peter nodded. Bingo!
"Janine," he started, pushing off his desk to pace. "You can't. You don't belong there."
"I know," she cried out. He stopped pacing and turned. She was standing up, hugging herself, her eyes full of unshed tears. "Don't you think I know?" she repeated, her voice hitching. "I've thought about that, God, that's all I've thought about since he asked me. I would love to return to Wintergrove, be it whatever, but I can't leave here; my family, my friends, you four."
"Do you love him?"
Janine looked up at Peter startled. She wiped her eyes, and glanced down. "I don't know," she told him. "My entire time there I didn't know and I still don't now. I don't know if I love him because he looks like Egon, or if I love Egon because he reminds me of Christopher. I've woken from dreams where I don't know who is with me. But I need him Peter," She looked back up at him, silently pleading with him to understand. "I need someone to take care of me, to spoil me for a change. Christopher does that. I can't lose it."
Peter watched her, wondering what happened in Wintergrove in those fourteen months to change their feisty Bronx secretary into the vulnerable young woman now standing before him. He couldn't chose for her. She had make this decision on her own. If she didn't, then no amount of therapy would save her. Frustrated, he ran his fingers through his hair. "All right, I'll make you a deal."
Janine looked up at him questioningly. "Bring Christopher in tomorrow. All day. Spend all day with him and Egon and if they manage not to kill each other, then make your choice and we will stand by it."
Janine laughed, wiping her eyes again.
"Actually, Christopher has been asking me to bring him in. He wants to see the men who look like his brothers."
Peter grinned. "See, it'll be an educational experience for us all."