Excusing herself from Janine's room Dana walked over to the elevator and pressed the 'call' button. In the time she had known Peter the two had become very close and learned to trust one another completely. Despite being married and enduring many unusual situations together Peter was still a very guarded person. The inability to trust his conman father and losing his mother as a young child had left Peter feeling alone and unwanted. Shortly after being wed Peter told Dana of his less than ideal childhood and how befriending Egon and Ray in college provided him with a much needed sense of family and belonging.

The doors to the elevator opened and she stepped into the unoccupied car. Pressing the button to reach the top floor Dana took a moment to process everything that had happened during that very unusual day. Egon seemed like such an indestructible presence, seeing everyone so worried about him was enough to shake even the strongest core.

The doors opened and Dana found herself on the top floor of the hospital. Roaming the corridor she found the door granting roof access and tested the handle. It was unlocked. Knowing that Peter was hiding out on the roof she pushed open the door and joined her husband as he kneeled down on the edge, his back to the door and his forehead still pressed against the cold concrete ledge.

"Peter?" She softly called his name and rested her hand on his shoulder. "Are you okay?"

"Dana," he turned his head and used his sleeve to wipe away the tears on his face. "how'd you know I was up here?"

"Because I know you." She released her grip and sat down beside Peter. "Whenever you have a bad day or get stressed out you retreat to the roof."

"I do?" Peter turned around on his knee so his back was against the ledge. Sitting down he pulled his knees up to his chest and rested his arms on top of his curled up legs. "Never noticed."

"Aren't you the one who told me people are unaware of their own bad habits?" She nudged him lightly with her elbow. "Like me and my nail biting."

"You're not starting that again are you?" Peter looked at her fingers. "You're a musician, you can't afford to damage your hands."

"No, I'm biting my nails again. And you're trying to change the subject." Taking his hand in her own she laced their fingers together and held tight. "Are you okay?"

"Fine." Peter answered with a blunt, quick response.

"No, don't do that. Don't shut me out. I know you're worried about Egon, we all are."

"If you already knew the answer then why'd you even ask?"

Dana was stunned by his biting remark and the hurt in her eyes was apparent.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean that."

"I know."

"It's just... I never thought I'd ever see any of my friends, let alone my best friend... Dana, you weren't there. You didn't see him."

Leaning her head against Peter's shoulder she ran her other hand up and down his arm in a comforting manner.

"If he doesn't make it I don't know what I'll do."

"Egon is like your brother."

"Until I met you Egon and Ray were the only family I had. Egon always watched over my like a big brother and I always watched over Ray like a little brother. Egon was never close with him family, hell, they disowned him when he chose to pursue a career in the paranormal instead of medicine! And Ray... Ray lost his parents when he was still young, his own siblings abandoned him to take care of their own selfish desires."

"You needed each other." Dana looked at Peter with a true sense of understanding and compassion in her dark brown eyes. "And you still do."

"When I saw Winston carrying Egon's body... I just... I never felt such rage before." A lone tear rolled from Peter's eye and dripped down onto his chest. "I held him Dana, I held onto him as tightly as I could but he still kept slipping away."

Dana tightened her hand around his as he told her what he had seen.

"And when Egon stopped breathing..." He trailed off, his voice quivering with mournful pain.

"Peter, didn't the same thing happen to your mother?" Dana dared to ask.

Nodding subtly another tear rolled down Peter's face.

"You were with her when she passed away. I can't imagine the pain of a child losing their parent."

"I was there..."

"But... You never told her goodbye, did you?"

"I can't take it Dana. I can't take losing my best friend." Bowing his head into his arms Peter began to silently weep.

"You won't have to." Wrapping her arm around his shoulders she hugged him as tightly as possible. "Egon will make it, you just have to hang onto hope."

Winston had returned to the waiting room and taken a seat in the corner, while Ray stayed with Janine. Tired, worried and completely frustrated he closed his eyes and tried to think about anything but Egon. It wasn't long before a police officer was shaking his shoulder lightly.

"You're friend is still in surgery, huh?"

Opening his eyes Winston looked into the compassionate face of the same cop he spoke with earlier. "Yeah... He's suffering from some pretty severe internal bleeding." Clearing his throat Winston eagerly changed the subject. "Did you find the bodies?"

"We did." The officer confirmed as he sat down in the chair across from Winston. "The coroner estimates the time of death somewhere in the late 30s or early 40. Gunshot wounds to both bodies. The bullets match the gun of the infamous crimelord 'The Executive' who was also killed around the same time. Looks like you guys solved a coldcase for us."

"Did you find anything else?" Winston asked, trying to keep the details of the story he and Ray told without including the ghosts.

"Well, we found marks on the ceiling from where those chains you mentioned could've been suspended. Aside from boots prints that match you guys there was no sign of the sick freak who attacked your friend."

"I'm not surprised..." Winston stared down at the floor as the deceitful act made it uncomfortable for him to look the officer in the eyes. "I just wish we could've gotten to Egon sooner."

"Well, what's important is you found him and he's being take care of." The officer extended his hand to shake respectfully. "If you ever feel like donating your equipment to help us find other missing people don't hesitate to stop by."

"Thank you. We appreciate all your help." Winston shook his hand. "...Are the bodies going to be buried?"

"Yes. As soon as the coroner can confirm the identities they'll be given a proper burial."

"That's good. At least something good will come of this mess."

"Take care, and give my best regards to your friends." The officer rose from his seat. "You guys helped out my aunt a few years back, she's been a lot happier ever since."

"I will." Winston leaned forward in his seat and pressed his tired face into his hands. "Too bad Egon won't be able to hear it."

"Yes he will." Ray walked into the waiting room as he pushed Janine along in a wheelchair. "Egon's a lot stronger than most people give him credit for."

Winston looked up and gave Ray an approving smile. "You're right."

Ray put the wheelchair beside Winston and took the chair that officer has recently vacated. "I just wish we didn't have to wait so long to get an answer."

"Well, according to the R.N. at the nurses station Egon is still in surgery."

"Still?" Ray looked down at his watch and counted the hours that had passed. "Five hours on the operating table... Do you think he's strong enough to endure such extensive surgery?"

"I don't know. Egon was very weak when we found him and he just got worse... If he's managed to hold on until now it's possible he'll pull through. But everyone tolerates surgery are different levels, there's really no way to know."

Peter and Dana had finally rejoined their friends down in the waiting room. Peter's eyes were puffy and red from crying but no one said a word as he seated himself beside Ray. Dana took the seat beside Peter and gave Janine a reassuring nod.

"Any word?" Peter asked quickly.

"Still in surgery." Ray replied just as quickly. "We don't know the full extent of his injures. Yet."

"And we're not leaving until we know what's going on." Peter decided. "Try to get some sleep guys, I'll wake you up when there's an update."

"No way." As tired as he felt Winston wasn't about to let Peter stay up all night alone. "I'm going to get some coffee and we'll wait together."

"I'll help." Ray rose from his seat and made his way toward the small area containing vending machines and the coffee. "And I'm buying."

Dana snuggled into Peter's arm and closed her eyes. "Everything will be okay. You'll see."

Without a word Peter kissed the top of her head and stared at the floor despondently. Doubt still weighed heavily in his heart despite his desires to keep hope alive for the sake of Egon.

As night gave way to early morning Ray and Winston had fallen asleep in their seats, the coffee providing no aid in keeping awake. Janine had also fallen asleep in her wheelchair, her head leaning against Winston's strong arm as she dozed. Dana was still cuddled up against Peter, who was the only one still awake.

"Excuse me?" The same doctor who had met the Ghostbusters outside the hospital returned. "Are you the Ghostbusters? Are you associated with Dr. Egon Spengler?"

"Yes." Peter answered somewhat loudly. He was torn between letting his friends rest and waking them up to hear about Egon. "What can you tell us? Is he going to recover?" Careful not to jostle Dana Peter rose from his chair to greet the doctor at eye level. "Is he... Is still with us?"

"First off let me confirm that your friend survived the surgery." Her voice was soft and melodic as she spoke. "I'm Dr. Sydney Scott," she introduced herself politely before continuing. "but he's also in critical condition."

Ray had heard the conversation taking place and roused from his slumber. "Egon?" He asked as he too stood up with a bolt of adrenaline. "Egon made it?"

Winston, Janine and Dana woke up and stared at the tall blonde doctor explaining everything to Peter and Ray. The three listened intently awaiting the answer.

"Yes." Dr. Scott reaffirmed sincerely. "But as I said, he's still in critical condition."

"How bad?" Peter dared to ask, his bright eyes intense and focused. "Don't sugar coat it, we need to know."

...to be continued...