Chapter 4 "A Call For Help"
As Janine made her way to her car, she kept replaying the conversation she just had with Dr. Spengler. "It's a shame he didn't ask me out," she thought to herself. Then, she started to think back to their first date. "But, he wasn't exactly that talkative. Although he is quite handsome. Yet, if he can't hold a decent conversation, what hope do I have for a nice date?" She got in and started her car. "But, we did just have a nice chat? Hmmm, maybe I can get his number from Barb? She is dating his friend after all."
Little did she know that she was going to need Dr. Spengler's number sooner than she realized.
A week later, Janine arrived at work. She had a strange feeling that something wasn't right. As she put away her things and started up her computer, she couldn't shake the feeling that she was being watched. She kept turning to look around but saw nothing.
An hour later, her boss arrived. He stopped by Janine's desk, leering at her. "Morning Janine, you're looking quite lovely today."
She glanced up at him over her glasses. She hated the way he stared at her, his eyes scanning her breast area again. She adjusted her cardigan around her a bit tighter. "Morning, the file with your notes for your meeting is on your desk."
He smiled. "Thanks. Let me know when the clients arrive."
"Yes sir," she replied.
Fifteen minutes later, Janine greeted the clients and was about to escort them to the conference room. Suddenly, her boss abruptly opened his office door and came running out screaming, "OH MY GOD! OH MY GOD!"
"WHAT?!" Janine shouted back.
Gregory ran blindly past her, his shoulder colliding with Janine's so hard, she almost fell down. The clients stood there confused.
Janine walked into his office and came face to face with a bright green blob floating in midair! It just stared at her. Frozen in fear, Janine tried to scream but the sound wouldn't escape her lips. She heard the other people in the office screaming and running out. After a few seconds that felt like hours, she gathered her senses and backed slowly out of the office. She closed the door behind her. She ran to her desk, grabbed the phone and the operator came on the line.
"How may I direct your call?"
"GHOSTBUSTERS! I NEED THE GHOSTBUSTERS!"
Peter was sitting at the front desk; it was his turn to answer the phone. Since their last secretary had quit, they had decided to take turns until they could hire another one. The phone rang. "Ghostbusters, Dr. Peter Venkman speaking."
"PETER! YOU'VE GOTTA HELP ME?!"
"Who is this?"
"Janine! Barb's friend!"
"Oh yeah! You got hooked up with Spengs!"
"Enough damn chit chat! I've got a ghost here at the office!"
"Oh! Ok. What's it look like?"
"Like a bad sinus infection hanging in midair! Please, HELP!"
"Ok, try to stay calm. We'll be right there. What's the address?"
He wrote down the address and tried to reassure Janine it would be ok. Once he hung up the phone, Peter slammed his hand on the alarm. As Egon, Ray and Winston ran downstairs, Peter smiled at Egon. "We've got a call that's gonna give you a chance to be a real hero!"
Egon looked at him blankly. "What are you talking about?"
Peter waved the address in front of his friend's face. "You're getting another chance to see Janine!"
Egon's eyes widened, a smile forming on his lips. Then, his expression changed to concern. "Is she alright?"
"Yeah, just rattled. She's got a ghost at her workplace."
"Then let's GO!" Egon responded, hurriedly putting on his jumpsuit.
Within a few minutes, Ecto-1 arrived at the address. Egon led the way as they entered the office where Janine worked. Just then, they heard a female voice scream out.
"JANINE!" Egon shouted, running into the office.
They saw Janine lying unconscious on the floor with a green blob hovering a few yards away, grinning.
"HIT IT BEFORE IT MOVES!" Peter ordered.
They fired at the ghost, capturing it in the streams. Ray threw out a trap and they lowered it inside. Once trapped, Ray smiled. "That one was easy!"
"Thankfully! I'd hate to have ruined this office! Very nice setup!" Winston replied.
"Yes, art deco I believe," Spengler drily replied and rushed over to aid Janine. He shut off his pack and removed it. Egon knelt down and gently slid his hand underneath Janine's head, lifting it slightly. A brief grin crossed his face as he felt her soft tresses.
"Janine," Egon gruffly whispered," are you Ok?"
Her green eyes fluttered open, and he observed her long eyelashes as she weakly whispered, "E-e-Egon?"
"Yes, we're here. We just captured the ghost. You have a bruise on your head."
"I…I…was trying to get away. That … thing came after me!" She then began to cry
Fluttering her eyelashes, she saw none other than Dr. Egon Spengler hovering over her with a preoccupied look on his handsome face. Janine felt a tingle flow through her body as their eyes met.
"Uhm, I think so. I must have fainted," she admitted with a slight blush. Carefully, her attractive hero examined her head and body for any bleeding or cuts.
"May I help you up?"
Janine nodded, and as the man shyly offered her a hand up, she felt a warmness that she couldn't account for.
Meanwhile, her knight in shining Ghostbuster gently took Janine's petite hand, and gently pulled her up. Egon led her carefully to a chair, and said something then peered at her expectantly.
"Oh, yes, there's some ice in the freezer," Janine finally replied after a delay when she processed his request. Her brain wasn't working at its average speed right now due to the dull aching in her head.
Gradually, Egon withdrew his hand from hers with an adorable timid smile before he went in search of ice. Janine, giggling, shut her eyes for a second at the ironic situation- of course, the next time he would see she would be a hot mess. However, Egon didn't seem to mind.
Leisurely, Janine raised her hand to the tender area and grimaced, "Ow."
"Here let me put some ice on it," Egon offered, pulling a chair up to hers. With caution, he shakily lifted the ice pack up to Janine's head.
"It's going to be a shock," the handsome physicist warned before it touched her skin. His own skin felt feverish as he was in close proximity to Janine, the only woman who simultaneously intrigued him and provoked fierce emotions.
Despite Egon's warning, she gasped and then to her embarrassment, she commenced weeping. It was all too much- the green goblin ghost thing attacking her, and her asshole boss Gregory running away like a wuss, and leaving her to deal with the ghost all overwhelmed her causing the overload of her emotions. Tears flowed down her face, and she turned downward to hide.
"Shh, it will be ok," Egon comforted. Again, she felt a warmth from him as he tenderly placed his large hand over hers, and it provided a sense of comfort to her. Egon's voice, his attempts to stop the pain and his hand on here endeared him even more to Janine.
"But when will he ask me out?" She inwardly wondered.
Despite herself, Janine gave him a slight grin and she shrugged her shoulders in an embarrassed way.
"You have had a paranormal disturbance for the first time. It is perfectly normal to react this way," Egon reminded, peering into her pretty face. Janine nodded and wiped her tears away hoping she didn't look like a dumpster fire.
The two made small talk for the next seven to ten minutes until Janine realized that her head no longer hurt but they were still holding hands. Reluctantly, Egon let go of her hand and stood up. He hoped that Janine now saw that he indeed cared for her as it was always awkward for him to confess his feelings in words. Egon contemplated his next move as Janine gradually rose from her chair, cooing in a sultry voice,
"You are my hero, Egon Spengler,"
Feeling the blood rush violently through his body, his pulse quickened as she inches closer to him and he felt his palms sweat. A deep red blush came upon his cheeks as he made an incoherent response, "Uhm.."
"Should I kiss her?" He thought.
Janine desperately wanted to hug or kiss him for the service he provided her, and she was very determined to do it.
Flirtatiously, she asked how she could repay him.
"Uhm, I-I don't know," Egon stammered as she accordingly put her hands on his chest and snugly pressed her body against his own.
"I can think of atleast two ways, Dr. Spengler," Janine teased, leaning a little further into his chest. Her mouth was seven inches from his, and her right hand caressed his chest. Gradually, Janine's hand crept toward his face as she puckered her inviting lips, and Egon swallowed heavily, not being able to remove his eyes from her.
"Uhm, sorry to interrupt, Janine, where's your boss?"
A bemused voice behind them requested..
Peter Venkman of all people had to interrupt, and Janine let out an aggrieved sigh before giving him a dirty look. In return, he gave her a knowing grin that indicated he was aware of her intentions with his stoic friend. Janine backed away from Egon a little and removed her hands, which were now rolled into little fists by her side.
"Gregory, that son of a bitch ran out like a frightened four year old. I'm quitting as soon as I can find another job. I have had it with that asshole," Janine spat out.
"Whoa, Red! Fiery little thing aren't we?" Peter joked, giving Egon a wink. As a result, Janine gave Venkman a go to hell look. Ray and Winston had joined the balding Ghostbuster, watching the scene unfold with interest.
"Iggy, lets do one more sweep for any paranormal activity with the PKE," Ray suggested, poking him in the ribs to recapture his attention.
"Good idea," Egon cleared his throat, wincing as the chubby Ghostbuster chuckled. The two men wandered around the office with the device, checking for disturbances.
"We do need a secretary," Winston helpfully suggested to Peter.
"What do you say, Janine? We can match your salary here with possibilities for raises every six months if business is doing well," Peter inquired.
"Sure!" Janine excitedly exclaimed, unable to believe her good luck.
"When do I start?"
"How about tomorrow?" Dr. Venkman responded thoughtfully.
"Ok, let me retrieve your payment and write a receipt," Janine eagerly rambled, jumping up from her seat and hurrying to the back of the office.
"I like her spunk," Winston admitted with a smile as Janine scurried off.
"Yep, she will be a good addition to our motley crew," Peter quipped.
Returning within a few minutes, Janine handed a stack of crisp one hundred dollar bills that she gave Venkman.
"Is this enough to cover the services you performed today," Janine handed Peter the money. He immediately counted it, nodded and thanked her.
While Janine wrote a receipt out for the Ghostbusters. Peter wrote the firehouse's address for their new secretary on a piece of paper he found on her desk. He was excited about Janine, not only for Egon but because their business needed a secretary. Plus, he hated answering phones.
"Thank you guys for coming so quickly," Janine happily gushed, " and for the new job. What time shall I be at work tomorrow ?"
"Nine would be great, Janine. Are we all clear, guys," Peter asked Ray and Egon, who returned quietly.
"Yes, all readings are normal," the bespectacled genius reported.
"Ok,let's rock n roll," Ray stated, grabbing his keys from his pocket. He and Winston slowly walked away from the group.
"I'll let you two, Ahem, say goodbye," Peter finally commented after Winston reminded him to leave Janine and Egon alone.
For their part, the two lovesick individuals were quietly chatting and didn't hear any of the teasing.
"You never let me repay you, Egon," Janine purred, walking towards him.
"That's not necessary," he nervously stated.
"Ah, but it is to me."
Janine waltzed over to him and pressed her lips against Egon's. The delight and exhilaration that she felt made it very difficult to withdraw, but she managed despite her own wishes.
Unknown to Janine, Egon had put his hands on the sides of her waist during the kiss. He was glad he had because her knees buckled a little when she withdrew. Egon wanted the kiss to last forever and felt overall lovestruck.
"Regrettably, I must go," he whispered as he released Janine.
"Don't be a stranger, Egon," she wistfully remarked as the guys cheered from Ecto One.
Nodding, he turned away to rejoin the guys.