Chapter 4:

The date

Dec. Dec 2,3,4 2000

At the restaurant Peter spotted a pink Volkswagen on the street. He knew that Janine was here already. I hope that Egon's not here yet. I want to see the whole thing for myself. As Peter handed the taxi man his money he saw Janine get out of her car. She hasn't even made it in yet. Great I haven't missed a thing. Hey she looks pretty tonight. She was wearing an emerald green blouse and her famous black Mini skirt with black high heels. It looks like she went all out for him just like he did for her. Peter said to himself.

"Your change doll face. Let me join you and show you what you are missing." Called the cab driver as he leaned out the window of the cab making kissing sounds with his lips.

"No thanks." Peter responded as he walked away from the cab. He felt like barfing all over the place.

"Your no fun." The driver called as he pulled away from the curb back into the main stream. Peter stood outside staring at the fancy restaurant before. Do I have the right place? Egon went all out this time. He slowly pulled open the door. Peter had to walk down five small steps when he entered the place. He noticed Janine was standing at what looked like a speech podium waiting to be seated. A waiter led her to a table and pulled out her seat for her. She nodded and then sat down. She didn't really know how to act; this was not what she was expecting on her first date with Egon. Peter looked around, he saw a dance floor in the far left corner and to he's right there was a bar. He decided to sit at the bar so he could watch both Janine and the door. A waiter came up. "How many ma'am?"

"I think that I will sit over at the bar."

"Very well," Peter sat on a stool facing the doorway. The bartender placed a green napkin down with a glass on it.

"What can I get you ma'am?"

"Scotch on the rocks, please."

"Coming right up." The waiter poured his drink while Peter looked over at Janine. She smiled at him witch make him feel uncomfortable. She was tapping her fingers on the table. Where is Egon? She looked at her watch. He should have been here by now. What's taking him so long? A bad thought came to her mind. What if he stood me up? He wouldn't dare do that. Peter glanced over there just at the right time to catch her make an evil grin at that idea of being stood up. What if he was in a wreck? She grabbed up her purse and was about to get up and leave. The door opened and Egon walk forward. He was carrying her favorite flowers in his arms. Wow, how far will he go with her? He never did that for any of us before. Peter said to himself, as he got up to find a table next to theirs so he could watch it all. He walked right past Janine, again who just smiled at him.

"For me Egon?" Her eyes began to shine in a way Egon thought was a bit worrying. She smiled at him and he felt embarrassed. He could feel the diminutive danger of getting trapped in her tracking beams and never being let go. He felt like a ghost being trapped by the guys. Well, he thought this was what a ghost goes though when he busts them everyday. He knew that he was to close to the fire and that he might get burned again. He finally broke from her beams and was able to sit down. He was facing Peter straight on. Peter was hoping that he was paying more attention to her to realize that he was watching them. Egon had a knack for recognizing Peter when he dressed up.

"Their beautiful. They are my favorite roses."

"No you are. You look wonderful tonight." He should not have said that. He scolded himself but that was going to change how he felt about her inside.

"Thanks Egon, you look handsome like you always do." She looked up at his face. "You must really care about me staying on as a Ghostbuster."

"You know I care about you. I care about all of the Ghostbusters. I wouldn't know how to act without you guys. You guys are my family." He smiled.

"Yeah, I know but you would never have ask Peter or Ray on a date and bring them to a fancy restaurant like this one or even buy them flowers. It shows that you really care about me."

"You know I do. I would save you without any hesitation, like I did this morning. I was protecting you." At that point he felt like a million ants crawled under his skin and were biting him. His heart was pounding so violently that he was so certain she could hear it on the outside. The waiter came up to them with some menus. He opened them and handed one to each of them. Janine hid her face bind the leathery folder.

"Would you like a minute sir?" The waiter said knowing that they were new to the place.

"Yes sir." The waiter smiled and then left to help Peter.

"Would you like any wine?" Egon asked.

"Well, sure I guess. How about red?" Janine finally looked up at him. "I want to get the Gina's special."

"Waiter." Called Egon as he waved his hand in the air.

"Yes sir. How may I help you?" The same waiter asked them. He knew that Egon was nervous.

"I would like some red wine and two things of Gina's special."

"Very well sir. Good choice." He left again. A good slow song came on the overhead radio system. It was relaxing Egon. He began to get a warm feeling in him just like when he was with Christina. He really wasn't sure what was coming over him. Was he falling in love again? If he was, he wondered how far he would fall from the cliff in his mind. Just how hard was he going to hit the ground? His mind was full of disappointments that he couldn't shake. He kept telling himself that this was going to be different. He wanted to believe that. Then he was reminded what Peter said to him about never giving up on love. "Peter's right, for once." He said to himself. He couldn't tell if his pulse was wild because of the unlimited discomfort, or the excitement of the situation was getting out of hand. He had avoided this for so long, since the first moment that they laid their eyes on each other. He seemed alarmed with her to far from being relaxed. Janine knew that he was fighting demons inside of him. She liked that she could awake so strong feelings out of him though. She wanted it to be warmth not in terror as she read in his eyes now. She believed that soon he would get over it. Right now, at this moment in time, long or short, he was all hers. No guys around them, just the two of them. She noticed that his hand was resting on the table. She slowly slid her hand towards it. She tried to embrace his fingers but he pulled his hand back. He wanted to get closer with her but didn't know it he could control the situation with out running away in fear. She wasn't surprised with his actions for she knew he was still scared. The waiter came with their food. He placed it in front of them, poured wine in the glasses and left again. They ate slowly. Egon never looked at Janine the whole time. After they finished he thought of the song playing and was wondering if Janine wanted to dance. He had to ask anyway.

"Janine would you," a small pause in his voice. "Like to dance?"

"Wow!" she looked at him with a shocked look in her eyes. He knew with that expression, he hit a nerve. "I would love too." And with that he got up and held out his hand. She took it and they walked to the dance floor. Peter almost fell out of his chair. He couldn't believe what he saw.

"Janine," he started.

"What is it Egon?"

"I don't really know how to dance that well."

"I'll show you, don't worry. I'll lead just follow." She grinned at him. Peter got up to watch this. She put her hands around Egon and showed him were to put his. He was started to get nervous again and she knew it.

"Your tensed Egon, relax. Go with the flow." Was her advice for him. She slowly moved and finally he got the hang of it. He felt good. He couldn't remember how long ago he felt this way.

"That's it?" He questioned feeling like an idiot.

"Yeah, nothing to it. It's not hard, not hard at all." She put her head on his shoulder and he did the same. He felt safe in her arms. All the disappointments left him. He felt to good about himself to worry anymore. They danced awhile. Peter knew that he was finally getting over his fear of women. He was pleased at that. He smiled. Egon closed his eyes. He never wanted to leave. When he opened them, he noticed that they were the only two people on the dance floor. That made him embarrassed for a minute. Everyone clapped at them. Janine loved all the attention she was getting. She felt like she was important again and that made her feel good inside. They went back to their seat and drink some more. They talked forever Peter thought. Janine was really pleased that he had opened up to her after all these years. She didn't want to lose the moment. She just wanted to hold he tight all night long. She felt something special between them. Yeah she dated, even Peter, but she never felt this way about any of them. Her mind told her to take it slow with him or she might scare him off.

"Want to go walk on the beach?" she asked.

"Sure, if you want too." Egon just agreed because he didn't want this warm feeling inside him to end.

"Ok let's go then." Egon paid the ticket and then they left the building. Janine jumped in the car. Egon hesitated for a few seconds, and then got in her car. Peter took a cab. It was the same guy as before.

"Follow that pink car to the beach." He said.

"Sure thing honey." The cab driver smiled. Peter felt like barfing. Janine took Egon by the arm. This time he didn't resist her. When Peter walked onto the beach, they were walking hand in hand. Peter sat on the pier of rocks that was built. It was more like a pile of rocks. The darkness hid him. Janine took off her shoes so she could feel the wet slippery sand under her feet. That's why she liked to walk on the beach. She made Egon take his off. He did and stepped on a rock. He yelled out in pain. Peter accidentally called his name out. Egon looked around in confusion. Janine heard it too. She thought it sounded like Dr. Venkman's voice. They sat in the sand to look at his foot.

"I heard my name being called." He committed.

"I heard it too. But I don't see anyone." She wasn't going tell him that she thought it was Peter. By this time Peter was laying flat on his stomach on the rock pile. He hoped that they wouldn't come over there.

"I don't see anything but rocks over there. Unless they can talk to me."

"That's ridicules Egon, rocks that talk? Yeah, right." She gave him a Band-Aid for his foot.

"That should do it." They walked closer towards the rock pile. Peter held his breath. He tried not to blow his cover. So far things were going good. The wind was blowing his wig in his face. He really had to sneeze but held it back. Egon put his arm around Janine. He noticed that she was cold. He took off his jacket and put it around her. She smiled up at him and cuddle closer with him. "This is a good story now I know they are in love with each other." Peter said to himself.

"I'm glade that we can be alone." Janine started.

"Yeah, me too. I'm still somewhat nervous."

"Really you seem calm." Only if she was inside me he thought. He felt his heart pounding in his ears and his blood was gushing though his veins. He felt like he was a volcano ready to explode. He knew that he was as red as cherries.

"I never get to see the gentle side of you Egon. I like this side."

"Really." He sounded like a little kid. "Its getting late maybe we should call it a night." He said as he looked at his watch. It was 10 minutes after 11.

"I suppose you are right." She sighed. He knew that she didn't want it to end and neither did he. They walked right passed Peter. He stood still. He thought for sure, they would say something to him.

"I've got it. Let's go to my house for a cup of hot chocolate." She insisted.

"Sounds interesting but….." He voice trailed off into the night.

"Please Egon." She gave one of her convincing looks up at him. He knew that he was hooked and couldn't say no.

"I guess. I could come in for a few minutes." She knew she could always make a guy do anything that she wanted to with her convincing look. It always worked and she loved it.

"Egon, will you drive this time?" as she handed her keys to him.

"Sure if you will let me?"

"Yeah, I think you can handle it this time." He got in the driver's seat and drove. On the way to her house she somewhat dosed off. Now he knew why she wanted him to drive and was glade. He just smiled at her. Peter was still on the hunt after them. He wasn't going to miss this for the world. He thought that if she got Egon into her house he would stay the night.

To be continued………………………..