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Ray nodded at Lars as he entered the Paranormal Research Center. It was bustling, as usual, which made Ray happy. He was pleased and excited about this venture. This was what he'd hoped the Ghostbusters would eventually evolve into, and he was happy to have lived to see it, that the Ghostbusters were back, that it hadn't all been for naught.
And then there was Kate… She started working at his bookshop a couple of years ago. She'd come in regularly and talk to Ray for hours about paranormal and occult topics. He loved it, and he offered her a job.
When Winston started up the research lab, Kate expressed an interest in cataloging and doing all of the filing and paperwork needed on the items Ray would send there. Ray was sad to see her go. He'd gotten so used to her presence in the shop that he quickly found himself making more trips to the lab just to talk to her and be around her. And Kate always seemed so happy to see him.
Things between them started gradually, all the way back before she even started working for him. Ray wasn't a vain man, and he didn't delude himself into thinking he was God's gift to women, but he still picked up on the fact that Kate seemed to like him. As more than a friend. He had trouble believing it, but there it was.
He brushed it off at first as her just having a crush on him. But then he started developing feelings for her, too. Ray wasn’t exactly sure when it happened, only that it did. And then one day, at the lab, while Ray was there helping Kate with something — he didn’t even remember what at this point — she’d kissed his cheek. As a thank you, if he remembered correctly. All he could do was stare at her in awe for a moment before he moved on impulse, leaning forward and kissing her lips.
That had changed everything.
Things progressed slowly at first, with just kisses. Lots and lots of kisses. Like they couldn't get enough. Ray would come into the lab, make a beeline for Kate's office, and they might talk a little bit, but they always ended up lip-locked, their sighs and quiet hums accompanying hesitantly roaming hands.
Today would mark a change.
“Kate's not here yet, Dr. Stantz,” Lars said.
Ray paused. “Oh? But she's on her way?”
“She should be. I'm sure she wouldn't mind you waiting in her office. She said she had some questions for you anyway.”
“Thanks, Lars.”
Ray entered Kate's office, taking his coat off and smiling faintly when his eye was caught by the poster on the opposite wall, emblazoned with the Ray's Occult logo. She'd loved working there and made sure to show it.
He then paused to look at a framed photo hanging on the wall. It was of her, Ray, Winston, and Lars on the lab's opening day. She was the only one not looking at the camera, instead looking at Ray, her smile warm. She looked like she loved him….
“Hey, you're here.”
He turned and smiled at Kate, who shut the office door behind her.
“I was hoping you would be.”
Before Ray could ask why, Kate approached him and kissed him. He happily kissed her back, wrapping an arm around her waist. They slowly parted.
“Did you need me for something?” he asked quietly.
“I told Lars I needed to ask you something, but really, I…” Kate ducked her head, blushing. “Well, I just wanted to see you. I missed you.”
Ray smiled softly and tilted her face back up to his. “I missed you, too, sweetheart.”
He brought his lips to hers again, kissing her more deeply this time. Kate hummed, wrapping her arms around his neck and pressing her body to his. Ray was once again glad her office didn't have windows.
Kate pulled him with her back toward the couch. He quickly caught on to what she wanted and helped lay her down on the couch, settling over her. Even though he understood, he was still surprised. It made him smile.
“What?” Kate asked when he pulled away.
“Nothing. I just wasn't expecting this when I got your call earlier.”
She smirked. “Is it a problem?”
“No, it's just… When you say you need to talk shop, that's usually what you mean. This is… unusual.”
“What, you think I'm acting funny?”
“Oh, I don't know…” He trailed off, a sly smile coming to his lips. “Could be a possessor.”
Kate grinned up at him, a playful glint in her eyes. “You want to scan me to be sure?”
“Guess I should, just to be safe.” He grabbed a PKE meter sitting on the table by the couch and moved it over her face and shoulders. It didn't react at all, but he still frowned. “Hm… This doesn’t look good. Definitely a possessor.”
“What should we do about it?”
“We should… take care of it. We wouldn’t want it possessing anyone else.”
She shook her head. “No, of course not. In that case, Dr. Stantz. I’m entirely in your hands. Do whatever you think is necessary.”
Ray glanced up at the door. “Hold that thought.”
He got up and locked the door. When he returned to her, she was sitting up and chuckling.
“Just what do you have in mind that requires you to lock the door?”
“I’m going to have to do a—” Kate pulled him down to sit next to her before climbing onto him, straddling his lap. He cleared his throat, his hands hesitantly coming to rest on her waist. “A thorough examination.”
Kate’s fingers fiddled with the hem of his shirt. “Oh, I see… Guess that means you’ll need to… undress me?”
Ray leaned in to kiss her cheek. “If that’s okay.”
He was having a difficult time believing that they were actually about to do this, but they’d been dancing around it long enough. They both wanted each other, that much grew increasingly obvious every day. Now, it only felt… right.
Kate pulled her shirt off and let it fall to the floor, her gaze locked on his. Ray had to take a breath before he allowed himself to take in the sight of her in just her bra.
“Looks okay so far,” he murmured, letting his thumbs caress her waist.
She chuckled. “Oh, good.” She then reached back and undid her bra, letting the straps slowly slide down her arms before discarding it entirely. She then raised up just a bit, putting her breasts near his face. “How about now?”
Ray took a shaky breath, his hands moving on their own up her sides, his thumbs just barely brushing across her nipples.
“I think…” He paused to lick his lips. “I think I'll need to do a little more research.”
“Go ahead.”
Ray glanced up at Kate's face before leaning in and kissing her sternum, his hands fully covering her breasts now, kneading them. Kate gasped lightly and arched her back to push further into his touch. Ray hummed and kissed over to her left breast, replacing his hand with his lips, and took his fill of her. Between the taste of her skin and her response to him, Ray felt entirely intoxicated by her.
Kate held him to her chest by threading her fingers into his hair. Her hips were also subtly moving against his. His cock gave an interested twitch within the confines of his pants, but it would take more than this to get him fully aroused. But with Kate? Beautiful Kate, he thought and sighed against her skin, his hands caressing her back; with her, he'd get there in no time.
“Raymond,” she whispered against the top of his head.
Ray lifted his head to look at her. She was smiling softly at him, and she moved her hands to his cheeks.
“Touch me. Please.”
He nodded and leaned in to peck her lips first before letting her climb off him to strip off the rest of her clothes. Ray could only stare in awe at her, drinking her in.
“Sweetheart,” he breathed once she was fully naked before him. “Look at you…”
“Like what you see?” Kate asked. Her tone was teasing, but Ray sensed her shyness.
Ray's hands moved on their own accord. He needed to touch her, to feel her against him. He pulled her forward by her hips, guiding her back onto his lap.
“You're beautiful, Kate. Perfect.”
“Ray.”
He kissed her neck and let his hands wander over her newly revealed skin. When she lifted up a bit, he knew immediately what she wanted. He wasted little time in sliding his fingers between her legs. They both quietly moaned, Kate because he was finally giving her what she asked for, and Ray because of how wet he found her. He had done that. She wanted him so badly.
“Oh, yes, Ray,” she sighed as he began teasing her clit. “Yes!”
“Good?” he asked breathlessly.
“Great.”
He smiled. “How about… this?” He moved his fingers lower, teasing her entrance for a second before easing a finger into her.
Kate sighed and returned his smile. “Oh, yeah… Even better.”
Ray hummed and began kissing her neck again as he fingered her, reveling in the wet warmth of her walls. Her grip tightened on his shoulders and she gasped when he added a second finger.
“Yes…”
“Would you believe I’ve dreamed about this?” he asked, shifting as his pants started to get a little tighter.
“About fingering me in my office?”
Ray chuckled. “Well, this is part of it. I’ve wanted you, Kate, for so long… I never thought—” He broke off, shaking his head. Now wasn’t the time for self-pity. “I wanna make love to you.”
Kate rolled her hips against his hand. “I want that, too, Ray. God, I want that, too…”
Ray moved his free hand from her thigh and undid his pants, pushing them and his underwear down enough to free his cock. He stroked himself in tandem with his fingers moving within her, wishing he was already buried inside her. Kate tilted his face up to kiss him, moaning into his mouth. That was all Ray needed.
“Kate,” he mumbled against her lips.
“Need you, Ray.”
He slipped his fingers from her and used them to slick his cock. Kate watched him breathlessly. It was obvious from her expression and reaction to him just how much she wanted him. That gratified him more than anything.
Ray then lined himself up with her opening and locked eyes with her again, silently making sure this was truly what she wanted. He trembled slightly as he fought to control himself, his need for her great, but he waited until she smiled and nodded at him before pulling her down onto him.
Kate leaned against him as they both moaned at the feeling of him filling her. Ray kissed her shoulder and breathed harshly through his nose. God, this was exquisite… It had been too damn long…
“Oh, God, Ray…” Kate breathed, her grip tight on his shoulders once he was fully sheathed within her.
He nuzzled her neck and had to take a breath before he could speak. “You okay?”
He felt her nod. “Yeah.” She rolled her hips against his, making both of them gasp. “You feel so good.”
Ray lifted his head and let his lips brush against hers. “So do you. Fuck, so do you.”
Kate started moving as he said that, making him end the sentence with a strangled moan. Ray held her hips to help her move up and down on him. From the way Kate was biting her lip, he could tell she was trying to stay quiet. There might not have been windows in her office, but that didn’t mean it was soundproof.
Ray wanted to hear her. More than anything, he wanted to see her let loose and hear her cry out his name at the height of her passion. But that wouldn't happen today. Still, just hearing her quiet moans and heavy sighs was enough at the moment. It was… everything. Ray was so totally and completely in love. The words threatened to fall from his lips, but he held back. The love he felt scared even him.
And he couldn’t help but echo her. She was making him feel so good, too.
“Raymond,” she quietly moaned. “Oh, Ray…”
Ray kissed her, doing his best to pour his love into that kiss as they moved together, each striving to bring the other to their peak, muffling their moans against each other’s lips. They came together, each other's names falling from their lips. Ray hoped Kate realized just how much he loved her, even if he didn't say it.
That was only the beginning of the physical side of their relationship. Ray and Kate stole moments anywhere they could. Sometimes, she would come to his shop after closing; sometimes, he’d go to the lab. He never asked if they could go to her place, and she never offered. Kate did mention once that she thought this sneaking around was exciting, and Ray had to agree. It made him feel like a teenager again.
Whatever they had wasn’t defined. It didn’t need to be. At least, not until Garraka.
As Ray stood in the freezing Firehouse, getting ready to face the horned, ice-cold god, he found that all he could think about was Kate. He had no idea where she was, and that scared the shit out of him. What if she was hurt? Or what if the cold had gotten to her? Despite the danger, Ray was thrilled to be back in uniform and excited to try out the new proton packs, but that excitement was tempered by his worry for Kate.
Ray was currently gazing down at the particle thrower in his hands, lost in thought when Winston approached him. He should have known Winston would realize something was wrong.
“Hey, Ray, you okay?”
“Yeah. Yeah, I’m fine,” he managed to say, though his voice sounded strained, even to his own ears.
“You don’t look fine.”
Ray glanced up at his friend before frowning down at the particle thrower. He couldn’t tell him… Could he?
“This is about Kate, isn’t it?”
Ray looked up sharply, making Winston smile.
“I’ve got eyes, man. I know you two are sweet on each other. You’re worried about her, aren’t you?”
“Of course I am, Z. I should be out there with her! Or have her here with me…”
Winston shook his head. “Now, you know that’s a bad idea. She’s probably safer out there than here.”
“Maybe you’re right… But, Z… I never told her I love her.”
“Why not?”
Ray looked away sadly. “I was scared to. What we have… I didn’t want to lose it. And I was scared telling her that I loved her might do that.”
“You don’t think she loves you, too?”
“Maybe she does,” he replied with a shrug. “I hope she does. But maybe she didn’t want this between us to be serious. Love makes it serious… Doesn’t it?”
“Yeah, I guess it does… But, Ray, when we get out of this…”
“I’ll tell her. I have to.” Ray sighed, tightening his grip on the particle thrower. “We gotta make it through this, Winston.”
Winston gave his shoulder a reassuring squeeze. “We will. We always do.”
But not long later, Ray was doubting his friend. As the ice encased him, Ray’s only thought was of Kate and how much he loved her. And now, he’d never get to tell her…
Ray could hardly believe they’d made it. After the ice had melted off them, and he and the others had helped trap Garraka, all he felt was relief. They’d done it. They’d saved the world again. The warm sunlight had never felt so good. Ray stood a moment amidst the cheering crowd, simply enjoying it. Even in the warmth, however, he still felt the bitter cold of the death chill. Fortunately, they hadn’t felt the full brunt of it.
Ray watched the Spenglers hug, celebrating their victory and safety, and smiled somewhat sadly. He felt… alone, even with everyone here. It had been so different back in the day when it had been the four of them, together, facing unknown dangers. Now… He was proud of the new team, sure, but he was the outsider now. He wished Kate was there with him. He hoped she was okay. God, I hope she’s okay…
“Ray!”
He frowned, looking around the crowd. It was Kate’s voice; he was sure of it, but where was she?
“Raymond!”
He turned and finally saw her making a beeline toward him. In the next instant, she practically tackled him with a hug.
“Ray!” she exclaimed again, this time in obvious relief.
“Sweetheart,” he breathed, holding onto her tightly. He was unsurprised to feel genuine warmth seep back into him.
He didn’t care that they had an audience, and neither did she, apparently. They were both too relieved that the other was okay to care. She suddenly pulled away, took his face in her hands, and kissed him soundly on the lips. Ray hummed in surprise but fervently returned the kiss. Ray could hear cameras snapping around them, but he paid them no mind. The woman in his arms was far too important. And he had something important to tell her.
“Kate,” he murmured.
“I love you,” she whispered before he could say anymore.
Ray let out a relieved sigh and rested their foreheads together. “Oh, sweetheart, I love you, too. God, I thought I wouldn’t get a chance to tell you.”
Kate shook her head. “I didn’t think I’d get a chance either. I was at your shop, cowering behind the counter. Ray… I was so scared.”
“I’m so sorry… You shouldn’t have been alone.”
“Not for me. For you. I knew you were out here, doing what you do best. I was scared you wouldn’t make it, but here you are.” She smiled and kissed him again briefly. “You’re a hero again, Ray.”
“Well, it was more than just me.”
Kate shook her head. “You’re all I care about. I mean, I’m glad everyone is safe, but you… You’re the only one I love with every fiber of my being. If anything had happened to you—”
Ray reached up and caught her tears with his thumbs. “I’m okay, I’m safe. We’re safe. You and me.”
“You and me,” she murmured, covering his hands with hers. A cheer went up near them, drawing their attention. Kate smiled sheepishly at Ray. “I guess I should let you get back to it. Your adoring fans await.”
She started to pull away, but Ray didn’t let her get far. She frowned a bit.
“Ray, what—”
“Stay with me.”
“But… I thought we—”
“No. No more hiding. No more sneaking around, being glad there are no windows. I want you by my side.”
Kate smiled tearfully at him. “There’s nowhere else I’d rather be.”
Ray kissed her temple and turned to face the crowd. A few people rushed up to him, wanting an autograph. He happily signed and talked and even gave a brief interview to some of the press. He kept an arm around Kate as often as he could, letting the whole world know that she was his and he was hers. There would be no doubt now.
Once Phoebe and the others left to chase after two of the ghosts that had escaped, Ray drew Kate to the side and kissed her temple again.
“Let’s go home.”
“Home?”
“My place. If you’d like for it to be…”
She nodded enthusiastically. “Yes! I would!”
Ray led her back into the Firehouse, away from the crowds and cameras. “You know… Winston said to me that I should find a new way to do all of this that won’t kill me,” he said, gesturing to the Firehouse. “We had a pretty good thing going, I think.”
“Ray… Do you want me back at your shop?”
He looked at her and smiled a bit sadly. “You love working at the research lab. I couldn’t ask you to leave—”
“Do you want me back at your shop,” she asked more emphatically.
Slowly, he nodded, tears in his eyes. “Yes. More than anything. That’s how I want to spend my golden years, with the woman I love at my side, doing the work that we both love.” He took her hands and kissed the backs of them. “I don’t want to waste any more time.”
“Then we won’t,” Kate whispered and softly kissed his lips. “You’re far more important to me than the lab.”
Ray took a steadying breath to keep his tears at bay and kissed her again, drawing her into his arms.
“I hate to interrupt…” The pair broke apart to look toward the door. Winston stood there, smiling a bit sheepishly. “But I’ve got something for you, Ray.”
He stepped aside, and Lars wheeled in the last thing Ray expected to see.
“The Ecto-C!” he exclaimed, letting go of Kate to rush over to the motorcycle. It looked brand new with a fresh paint job, no dents… No sign of it having been attacked by a giant stone lion. “I thought it was done for.”
“Can you believe it?” Winston said with a shake of his head. “Even with all this going on, the garage still got it fixed in record time.”
“Hey, the end of the world is just another day for New Yorkers,” Ray quipped. He then held out a hand to Kate. “Come on, sweetheart! We’re going home in style!”
She happily took his hand, beaming at him. He handed her a helmet. As she put it on, Winston caught Ray’s eye.
“Hey,” he said quietly and glanced back at Kate. “All good?”
Ray grinned. “Yeah. Great.”
Winston returned his smile. “Good. Keep it that way.”
Ray nodded and climbed on. Kate got on behind him and wrapped her arms around him.
“Thanks again, Winston!” he called as he started the motor and revved the engine.
He turned around in the garage before zooming off through the parted crowd. Cheers followed them as Ray gunned it down the street, still smiling. Everything had worked out better than he’d hoped. Garraka was gone, the Ghostbusters were free to continue busting ghosts, he’d told Kate he loved her and she loved him in return, he got his bike back… And now he felt as free as a bird with the wind in his face on a warm summer's day and the love of his life cuddled up behind him, her head resting on his shoulder.
It might not have been how he envisioned his golden years to go, but this was better than he could have imagined.