"Vladdie?" Jack's question penetrated the myriad of machines and tubes that surrounded his best friend and college roommate.
"Jack…" a weak voice called out from the center of the mechanical mess.
"I'm here, Vlad. I'm here to see you."
"Thanks for coming, Jack…You and your family…"
"It was nothing, V-man. You're a part of our family too, you know. And we'd do anything for you. Anything." He began sobbing uncontrollably.
"It's okay, Jack…let it out…" Vlad lay patiently as Jack let his emotions get the better of him. The bear of a man eventually quieted down enough to hear his friend speak.
"I'm so sorry…Jack…"
"Sorry? What have you got to be sorry for? I caused the accident that made you like this. I should be apologizing to you."
"That's the thing, Jack. All these years I blamed you for the accident, and I did horrible things to you because of it…"
"Don't be stupid, Vlad, you've never done anything to me…"
"I did. You see, in addition to giving me this cancer, the lab accident also made me part ghost."
"No…"
"Yes. It was a side effect of the ecto-acne... I blamed you for the incident and used my powers to get back at you... You remember the Wisconsin Ghost?"
"Yeah…"
"That's me in my ghost form."
"So you…tried to kill me?" Vlad sighed.
"I did. Again, I was disillusioned and blamed everything on you. I can't begin to tell you how sorry I am…"
"Why are you telling me this now, V-man?" Jack asked softly.
"Because I don't want to come back as a ghost and so I need to get rid of all of my unfinished business now. I'm tired of using power for personal gain; I've finally seen the error of my ways and I want to try and make amends for all the horrible things I've done."
"Vlad, I…" Jack's voice trailed off.
"This must be a lot to process. I know it certainly was for me that night in the hospital, when I found out what the accident had truly made me. Go outside for a bit, and send Maddie in. Oh, and Jack?"
"Yeah, Vlad?"
"Once again," a tear welled up in Vlad's eye. "I'm so sorry." Jack silently turned around and left the room. He re-entered the hallway with tears streaming down his face and whispered to Maddie that she was wanted next.