Chapter Text
Janine had been working for the Ghostbusters since they started the business five months ago. Since then, Dr. Egon Spengler had slowly become aware that he was developing an attraction towards her. It’s a feeling that he hasn’t dealt with since college. He had dated a young woman during his junior year but it ended badly. She was more the party type where he was very much the nerdy bookworm. The experience had left him feeling vulnerable, a feeling that he did not like and did not want to repeat. However, Janine is different. First of all, Egon is a grown man now and Janine is a grown woman. Sure, there are still hormones in action but not as worrisome as the ones in college - at least, not yet.
He was presently sitting at his work table in the lab staring at a busted ghost trap.
Peter was walking by and stuck his head in. Once he saw Egon, he entered the lab, smiling as he approached his friend. “Hey Spengs, what’s on your mind? Cause it’s obvious it ain’t work!” He laughed as he pointed to the trap.
Egon sighed. He knew eventually he would be forced to discuss this with Peter. He only hoped that he wouldn’t tease him the entire time. “I’ve become aware of certain …… feelings….feelings that I haven’t had in a very long time.”
Peter sat down at the table. “Wait….are you saying you’ve got the hots for a girl?!” He smirked.
Egon frowned. “I knew you wouldn’t take this seriously!”
“No, wait Spengs! I’m sorry; come on, talk to me. Who is she? How did you meet?”
“You’ve met her!” Egon replied, one eyebrow arched. “In fact, you were the one who said she needed to be here.”
Peter thought for a moment, then his eyes widened. A wicked grin formed across his lips. “You mean……ah man! You’re hot for ….. JANINE?!”
“Be quiet!” Egon urged softly. He anxiously watched the lab door; he halfway expected to see Janine running in. A few moments passed. Once he was satisfied that she hadn’t heard Peter, Egon looked back at Peter. “Yes, I have feelings for her…..not proper employee/employer feelings. I mean, I did have that one relationship with that grad student a few years ago, but nothing like this!”
“Spengs, that wasn’t a ‘relationship’ you had with that grad student; you just had casual sex with her for a while. Unless, you actually took her out?”
“No, we just met up for coitus.”
“That’s what I refer to as a ‘quick fuck.’ It’s my guess that you want more with Janine?”
“I don’t really know what I want. I have….feelings…,”
“Do you think she’s attractive?”
“Yes.”
“Do you want to get to know her better as a person or just get in her pants?”
Egon frowned.
“I’m being serious! If we’re gonna figure out exactly what feelings you have, I’ve gotta ask these questions! Do you have just a physical attraction to her or does it go deeper than that?”
Egon thought for a moment. “I would say it’s deeper than that. The thought of having any kind of relationship with her outside of office hours scares me!”
“Why?”
“First of all, I have no idea if she feels the same about me? What if she doesn’t? If I ask her out, she says no and feels uncomfortable, she might quit! Then we’ll have to find someone else!”
“Ok, forget about that for a minute. Suppose she does feel the same way? What next? You’d ask her out?”
“Yes, I would begin a slow courtship if she is comfortable with that.”
“What else worries you?”
“Isn’t there some sort of sexual harassment law against this?”
“Only if it’s not consensual. And I know you - if she turns you down, you’ll stop.”
“That’s the other issue - I’m not sure I can handle rejection……again.”
“Look, Ashley was a real bitch! Who knows how long she had been seeing other guys while dating you? She just wanted to party and have a good time. Once she saw how devoted to your studies you were, she said sianara - I don’t see Janine as that kind of woman.”
Egon nodded, his shoulders relaxing a bit. “So, what do I do?”
“Let me ask some generalized questions - feel her out and see if she’s currently dating? I’ll see what I can find out and let you know.”
Egon smiled brightly. “Thank you, Peter.”
Peter stood, giving Egon a friendly pat on the shoulder. “Anytime, pal!” He then casually left the lab and headed downstairs.
As he approached Janine’s desk, she looked up from her work. “Can I help you, Dr. Venkman?” She smiled slightly.
He flashed his charming smile and sat down on the corner of her desk. “I’m going out this Friday with a date. We were supposed to meet up with a buddy of mine and his date, but he bailed on me! I’ve already made plans for two couples at a restaurant. Are you currently seeing anybody?”
Janine sat back in her chair. “No…..I actually haven’t been dating for the past few months. My last relationship ended badly and I’m not ready to get back out there yet.”
Peter showed deep, genuine concern. “What happened? If you don’t mind me asking?”
She shifted slightly.
Peter quickly added, “I’m sorry, it’s just the psychologist in me. I can’t help it; I like to help fix people.”
“Oh no, it’s ok. It’s just a little….embarrassing.”
“You can talk to me. I am your boss,” he lightly chuckled in hopes of relaxing Janine.
She smiled. “Ok….we had been dating for two months before he started hinting that he wanted to move things to the next level. I had already….well, let’s just say that wouldn’t have been my first time.”
Peter smiled and nodded.
Janine continued. “I wasn’t sure if I liked him that much, ya know? I don’t sleep with every guy I go out with! So, when I wouldn’t go along with what he wanted, he got….physical…..one night after our date. He tried to push his way into my apartment. I didn’t wanna hurt him so I tried pushing him back out. But he pushed me really hard, knocking me down onto the floor! He tried pinning me down - he held my wrists above my head with one hand while he used his weight to straddle me at the waist. He used his other hand to unfasten his pants and then he tried to start taking off my skirt. I guess my neighbor had heard me screaming - the next thing I knew, he was jerking the guy off of me and punched him in the nose! Then, he practically kicked him out the door! The neighbor helped me up and had his wife come sit with me until I calmed down.”
Peter could hear the emotion in Janine’s voice. “Did you call the cops? Make a report?”
“Nah, I just didn’t see him anymore. I didn’t want to start a lot of crap. He didn’t call me anyway. So, I’ve been taking a break.”
“I don’t blame you! But, what if you meet somebody else? Somebody more mature and - you know - nice?”
She smiled. “I’d think about it. I realize not all guys are sex crazed assholes like that guy! But, he’d have to really sweep me off my feet!”
Peter stood. “Well, I’ll let you get back to work. I’ll just call and change the reservations to one couple. Glad to hear that the experience didn’t traumatize you!”
“Nah, I’m just sorry I missed the opportunity to kick him in the nuts!”
Peter grinned, unconsciously crossing his legs for a second. He walked over to his desk to look more casual. Once Janine left to go downstairs for the containment unit check a few minutes later, he rushed back up to the lab.
Egon anxiously looked up. “Well?”
Peter gave him a weary smile. “She’s single, but you’ve got your work cut out for ya!”
“What do you mean?”
Peter gave Egon a quick summary of Janine’s last relationship. Egon’s expression fell to one of sadness. “Don’t worry, Spengs! You’re just gonna have to sweep her off her feet! And with my help, you’ll get her in no time!”