The first part is a quick introduction carrying on from Chris' departure, but then fasts-forward a week or so.


Chris had been relatively calm and collected about everything that had happened on his final day in Erinsborough, but on the plane with Lucy he couldn't help the tidal-wave of emotions that flooded out of him. He had woken up the previous morning with a boyfriend, a close group of friends and parents living nearby. Now less than twenty-four hours later he was single, broken-hearted and thousands of miles away from his friends and family. Lucy gazed at the young man sympathetically and rubbed his back gently as he let his emotions out on the flight to America.

Although New York was beautiful, Chris had grown up in the suburbs so it was difficult for him to get used to the huge city. However, what helped Chris to cope at first was remembering that by the time he got used to it, he would be heading back to Erinsborough anyway so that he could decide his next move. Admittedly, it was great to catch up with his friends Andrew and Tash, who were living just outside of the city and helped to take his mind off of his misery for a little while, but Chris still felt an emptiness inside of him that he wasn't sure if he could ever fix.

xxx

Chris panted as he came to a stop outside a garage. He had been going on daily jogs since he arrived about ten days earlier so that he could keep his fitness levels up and get to know the area slightly better. He glanced up and was taken aback when he realised that the garage he was in front of had a close resemblance to Fitzgerald Motors and he inwardly laughed at the fact that it also had a basketball hoop. Memories of his job as a mechanic flooded back as he slowly approached the building, but he was brought out of his trance by a basketball flying through the air and falling through the net. Chris jumped in surprise, having not seen anyone around. An attractive, tanned young man in a wheelchair picked up the basketball and glanced up at Chris, having sensed someone nearby.

The young man noticed Chris' shocked expression, "Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you" he apologised

Chris shook his head dismissively, "No, it's ok" he reassured the other man, "I just didn't see you there"

The guy glanced down at his wheelchair and the cars around him, which were taller than him, "Yeah, I get that"

"Do you work here?" Chris asked

The other man shook his head, "No way! I can barely change a tyre" he admitted, "To be honest, I shouldn't really be playing here"

Chris considered this, "Well the garage that I used to work at had a basketball hoop and you'd be surprised how many people went there just to play basketball, not to get their car fixed"

Jeremy chuckled, "Do you play?"

Chris nodded, "I used to be captain of the basketball team in high school, but I gave it up to be a mechanic. I can still shoot some pretty mean hoops though" he told him, "How long have you been playing?"

"According to my mum, it was before I had even learnt to walk. I used to be the captain of my basketball team too" he paused, "Well, the handicapped one"

There was a pause before the man grinned, "Head's up" he warned Chris

Chris extended his arms and received the basketball that the other man passed to him. Chris took aim and threw the ball into the hoop.

The guy looked impressed, "Not bad" he commented, "I'm Jeremy by the way, but call me Jem" he informed Chris as the ball rolled towards him.

"I'm Chris" he replied, then hurried over to where Jem was so that he could pick up the ball for him. However, Jem reached out to grab it instead and Chris looked surprised.

Jem smiled, "I'm more mobile than I look"

"I can see that" Chris replied, then cleared his throat, "Uh, do you mind me asking how you…?" he hesitated, not knowing whether his question would offend the other man

Jem caught on to what Chris was trying to ask him, "How I ended up in a wheelchair?"

Chris nodded and Jem thought to himself for a moment, "Well I'm not sure of all the medical jargon, but basically when I was a toddler I had a fit" he revealed, "Apparently that's quite normal early on in life, but I ended up paralysed from the waist down because of it"

Chris glanced away, "I'm sorry" he apologised quietly

Jeremy shook his head, "Don't be" he assured him, "It's weird, people apologise to me and feel sorry for me. But I'm not upset - I never was. I don't remember ever being able to walk, so I don't feel like I've lost out, you know?"

Chris nodded in understanding, "Yeah, you live a certain way your whole life so you don't know any different but that way"

"Exactly" Jeremy agreed, "I guess that's the same for quite a lot of my life. Like when I came out people were sympathetic, but I didn't really need it. All I've known is being gay, I don't know what it is to be straight, so I don't feel unfortunate or anything" he broke off sheepishly, noticing Chris' surprised expression, "Sorry, I have a habit of going off on a tangent sometimes"

Chris shook his head, "No, I totally get it" he reassured him. Jem sighed with relief as he realised what Chris was implying, whilst Chris smiled to himself at this surprising turn of events.

xxx

Once the mechanics from the garage returned to work, Chris and Jem decided to make themselves scarce and headed to a nearby park.

"So, apart from basketball, what else are you into?" Chris asked

Jeremy smiled, "Well I'm a professional tap dancer" he joked

Chris chuckled, "Wow, really? I had no idea!"

"I'm into food" Jeremy told him, "Not just eating - though I like that bit too - but cooking and baking"

Chris' eyes widened in disbelief, "Where have you been my entire life?" he cried, "I mean basketball, cooking, we're practically soul mates!"

There was an awkward pause as Chris sat down on a bench then realised how overenthusiastic (and slightly creepy) he sounded and tried to backtrack, "sorry, I didn't mean-"

Jeremy shook his head whilst smiling, "No, I get it" he assured the embarrassed man before clearing his throat, "I kinda fancy a coffee" he announced, then pointed at the general store across the road, "can I get you anything?"

Chris pondered this before jokingly replying, "Well I'm not the kind of person who passes up free refreshments-"

"Ah, you're that kind of guy" Jeremy teased, "Duly noted"

Chris scoffed, "I'll just have an orange juice, thanks"

"Anything else?" Jem asked

Chris pulled a face, "I'd ask for something to eat as well, but I don't want to suck you dry"

Jem nodded, "If you're sure" he replied, deciding not to pick up on the obvious innuendo and instead began to head off.

Chris stood up suddenly, "Do you want me to go with you?"

"I can cross the street and buy some drinks on my own" he assured Chris, "I'm not five, I don't need you to hold my hand"

Chris nodded, "I know, it's just with the pavement and-"

"Chris, I've been in this wheelchair for about twenty years" Jem interrupted, "I think I know how to control this thing by now"

Chris nodded uncertainly, "Ok, if you're sure"

"I am" Jem replied, then smiled gently, "But thanks"

Chris watched Jem worriedly as he crossed the road. Despite knowing that he shouldn't be concerned about him, Chris couldn't help the anxiety that he felt even after Jem had disappeared into the shop.

A few minutes later Chris spotted Jem on the edge of the pavement, holding their drinks and looking both ways. However, there was a car parked on his left which was blocking his view so Jem leant forwards, listening for any car engines. As he trundled across the road, a car sped around the corner in his direction...


Thanks for reading! I wanted to end the first chapter with a bit of a cliffhanger to try and tempt people to come back for the next one. I actually wrote this ages ago (before Chris even left) so thanks 'aphass' for giving me the inspiration to publish it properly otherwise it would have been forgotten about. Anyway, I'll have the next chapter up soon, but if anyone wants to put their own ideas in, I'll definitely take them on board. In the meantime, reviews are always welcome!