Chapter 7-Forgiveness

Egon stepped through the doorway into Ray's room. Ray was now on a nasal tube, which calmed Egon down a bit, but he still had burns on his arms and one in his abdomen. Egon fought back the feeling to run out. He wanted to, but he didn't. He took a deep breath.

"Hey Ray." Egon said as he stood beside the bed, "You've probably noticed I haven't been here in the past couple of days. And it's because I haven't been a very good friend."

Egon felt his legs get shaky, and he knelt beside the bed. "The truth is...it's my fault you got hurt in the first place." he said as his eyes began tearing up again, "If I hadn't been so clumsy and stupid and had just watched where I was going, you wouldn't be in this mess. I'm the one who should be laying in the bed, not you Ray, but I'm not. And I'm sorry. I really am sorry."

Tears began running down Egon's face again. He thought he had let it all out, but apparently not. "Please wake up, Ray. Please. I'm really sorry. Go ahead and disown me because I deserve it." Egon place his head on the bed and let out a sob. Pain from being disowned and thrown out by his family made him cry even more. His life had been filled with so much pain.

But Egon didn't notice that Ray's eyes were flickering. Ray opened his eyes completely, and he was shocked to find Egon crying. He had apparently heard everything and felt bad. With enough strength, Ray lifted his hand and rubbed the back of Egon's head.

"Let it out." Ray said in a groggy voice, "I don't like seeing my best friend cry."

Egon lifted his head with tears still running down his face. "Ray?"

"Hey." Ray said slightly smiling.

"You're awake." Egon said with a small smile.

"Yeah. What happened?" Ray asked, "Last thing I remember was breaking free of those boards and hearing an explosion. I found my way out, and that's the last thing I remember."

"You collapsed and they brought you here." Egon replied.

"Oh. Others ok?" Ray asked.

"Yeah they're fine." Egon said, "I think they'll be by in a little while."

After a while, the guys and the women all came by Ray's room to see if he and Egon were ok. As they walked in the room, they saw that Ray was awake and talking with Egon.

"Ray! You're awake!" Peter exclaimed as he hugged him.

"Yes, I am. Now let me go." Ray said trying to push Peter off.

"Sorry." Peter said as he let go of Ray.

"Egon, why didn't you tell us?" Jenny asked as she kissed Ray on the lips.

"We thought we'd make it a surprise." Egon said glancing at Ray.

"Yeah, who doesn't like surprises?" Ray said with a smile.

"Glad to see you're awake." Janine said.

"Me too." Kylie said.

Egon hung his head and said, "Ray, the truth is...it's my fault you ended up in this mess. If I hadn't been clumsy and stupid and watched where I was going, you wouldn't be here. And when you told me to go, I ran like a coward. And I had said some hurtful remarks to Peter and Winston. The truth is...I'm a danger to the team. I almost killed you. And I'm really sorry. Go ahead and disown me cause I deserve it."

"Oh Egon, it was so not your fault." Ray said, "I should've watched where I was going too. And you are not a danger. And I am never, EVER, disowning you. You're my best friend."

"Thanks." Egon said.

"Come on, I don't get a hug from my BFF?" Ray asked as he opened his eyes.

"Of course, you do." Egon said as he hugged Ray.

A few days later, Ray was released from the hospital. A small party was held at the firehall. Even Oscar attended. The guys were still surprised at how much he'd grown, considering the last time they saw him, he was still a baby.

"Hey, thanks for all this guys." Ray said.

"You're welcome." Winston said. "Anytime."

"Hey guys." Egon said, "There's something I forgot to mention."

"What?" Peter asked.

"I wanted to say I'm sorry for the way I had been acting, and I'm sorry for snapping and saying mean comments." said Egon, "I was just really mad at myself, and I decided to take my anger out on the first people I could think of. Which was you guys. I'm sorry."

"It's ok Spengs." Peter said, "We know you didn't mean it. And we shouldn't have gotten up in your business."

"You better have." Egon said with a look, "Cause you can be pretty nosy."

"He's actually kinda right, Peter." Janine said, "You can, Dr. Nosy."

Everyone laughed, except for Peter, who didn't mind the remark. Throughout the rest of the party, Egon couldn't help but wonder why he still felt a little bit of guilt. But he decided to shake it off. The guys spent the rest of the evening in each other's company.

Unfortunately, soon, a problem would arise, and the others will realize that there's more to the situation than meets the eye...

The End.