Again...

[V]

Caveat: I have not done anything like this in years and years. This probably sucks. Sorry.

"So," Jack said, "This is the copy room over here. And this is the kitchen." He indicated another door. "This is where we keep the supplies."

Lena nodded, her focus intent on her new boss. She knew there was no way she was ever going to remember all of this: the layout of the office, the names of all of the new people she was meeting today, the timetracking system, and everything else that was being thrown at her all at once, but she tried nonetheless. Jack droned on, pointing out this and that as he led her down the long corridor to the office she had learned she would share with two other people.

She had never been good with words or with new people and this was not going to be an exception. Painfully shy, if left to her own accord she would always hover on the fringes of a crowd, speaking to no one unless she was addressed first. In close quarters with two other people, she knew this wasn't going to fly. She was going to have to make an effort here. The idea made her intensely uncomfortable.

They had come to the end of the corridor, and Jack stopped talking for a moment to smile at Lena. "Do you have any questions?" he asked.

She returned the smile as well as she could. "Not right now, no," she replied, her voice a little weak. "I'm sure I'll have some a little later, though. When everything sinks in." As she spoke, she fidgeted, smoothing her hands over her skirt compulsively.

He chuckled. "I know, it's a lot to take in all at once, but you can always ask Carl or Miles if I'm not around. Speaking of, you probably want to meet the rest of your team."

A wave of nervousness passed through Lena as Jack swung open the door to the small, but well-lit office. Steeling herself, she peered inside. Her gaze fell almost immediately on the most intense grey eyes she'd ever seen.

[BA]

He had looked up, directly at her from behind one of three identical cubicles in the small, but pleasant office space. He was absolutely stunning. A shock of light brown hair fell over one eye and he brushed it away and absently straightened his tie. She noted how the deep blue of the tie seemed to make his eyes look like pewter. She felt herself flush deeply and suddenly felt a wave of panic overwhelm her.

Lena had always had difficulty with people in social situations. There was really no reason for her to have such a phobia. With her honey blonde hair, soft blue eyes and willowy figure, she had always been told that she was beautiful. She was also quite smart but loathe to believe in her own abilities. Her social phobia had left her with a very limited social life. It was with the help of Xanax that she was able to take the major step of getting to this new job today and she took several deep breaths. She didn't want to blow it, but she couldn't get her mouth to open to even say hello.

He looked at her expectantly, questioningly. Was it possible maybe she was hard of hearing? He knew from experience that Jack was keen to hire qualified workers from the disabled community and was very willing to make any adaptations needed. There were 4 people that he knew of who had physical disabiltiy issues and one who was visually impaired. Maybe this new, very pretty lady was joining the fold. He had shared this office with Sandra for 3 years now. Together they'd joked and called it "crip corner" as Sandra and he both used wheelchairs. She'd been born with Spina bifida and had never walked. He had walked and run and avidly played all manner of sport until just 5 years ago. He was still adjusting to the changes in his life. Sandra, with her wicked sense of humor and boundless energy, refused him any sympathy. When he was morose, he would argue that he got the rotten end of the deal because he had done all these things and now he couldn't. Sandi would play an imaginary violin and he'd have to end up laughing.

Now he was looking at one of the loveliest women he had ever seen and her eyes were locked onto his, but her expression was far away. She looked upset and the high color in her cheeks from just moments before had vanished. She was quite pale.

He sensed what was coming. In his "prior life" he had been an EMT/paramedic. It was voluntary, but he had loved helping others. Lena staggered forward a few steps. As if in a coordinated dance he quickly maneuvered his chair out from the cubicle and towards her side.

He had time to put on only one break and by reflex thrust his arms out as Lena sank down into a faint. The angle of her fall didn't allow him to catch her completly and he felt himself pitch forward out of the chair onto the carpeted floor. Her head was still cradled in his arms.

[V]

AB, I love you.

[BA]

I love you back V. See what good material you really have?

[V]

Thanks.

[Lee]

AB, you've been hiding your talent...

[alice]

Miles automatically fell back into his role as an EMT. "Can you tell me your name?"

"Lena," she breathed, swiping honey blond wisps from her face.

Good to know, he thought. "Can you tell me where you are?"

Lena blushed. Miles's concern was only deepening her embarrassment. "I'm at my new job."

"And what is today's date?"

"It's October 4, 2005," Lena answered.

Alert and oriented times three, Miles thought to himself. Lena was going to be fine--she had probably just skipped breakfast that morning. Miles had seen his fair share of dieting women on the ambulance. Back in those days, he had earned more than a couple of dates while working his magic on the field. There was no better aphrodisiac than saving a woman's life.

As he casually checked Lena's radial pulse, he regretted having to give up that work for life in an office. But there was simply no room for a guy in a wheelchair in the back of an ambulance. In a trauma situation, people would just be tripping over him. He gracefully retired from his job.

[wheelie37]

love this story very realistic Can`t wait for the next bit

[BA]

The cobwebs that Lena felt in her eyes and head were slowly beginning to lessen their hold and a tidal wave of embarrasment swept over her. There was half of the office looking at her. Her new boss, two other managers, a girl in a wheelchair...and the face of this beautiful man above her. It was all too much attention. She struggled to sit herself up but then realized that she was being held back by strong arms.

"Not yet, Lena", he said. "I want to make sure you're ok."

"Are you a doctor or something?", she asked, still a bit groggy.

"No, I am Miles, your co-worker. You fainted when you came in the office. I was the only one here and I saw you going down. Did you eat anything today?"

Lena looked up at Miles. A flicker of a thought crossed her still hazy mind. "But the only person in this office was a man in a wheelchair."

She didn't even realize that she had said it aloud. She felt so confused and helpless that she wanted to cry. How did this man get on the floor to help her? Why didn't he call somebody else? Look at what she put him through! She now felt both humiliated and guilty.

As if reading her thoughts, Miles softly spoke to her.

"It's ok. I am trained to do this. Really, it's ok. It happens. This is a tight office space and you probably didn't eat because you were nervous about starting a new position. It could happen to anybody." Then his voice got a bit louder. He addressed the onlookers.

"Ok guys and gals, show is over here. I think that Lena is fine and that we should all give her some space and let her get herself together a bit."

They dispersed with hushed chattering and whispers. Miles looked down at Lena, he brushed a wisp of hair away from her eye gently. He looked at her with concern.

"Lena, it's really ok."

How did this man know how she was feeling? How was it that he understood how much she needed to hear that. She turned her face up towards him. She felt a wave of electricity course through her belly, down to her feet and their eyes locked. She averted hers first and sat up quickly, regaining her composure.

"I am so sorry, Miles."


"Don't be, Lena."

"Is this your wheelchair?", she pointed to the uprighted chair that had been pushed about 4 feet away from them. She started to stand up and Miles pulled her back down.

"Don't get up yet." He said it firmly and definatively. "Wait until I get back in the chair and then I will help you up."

Miles straightened his legs out in front of him with his arms and smoothed his trousers, then he turned slightly to his side and dragged his legs behind him. Lena sat with her mouth agape. How could she have put this poor man into such a position? He was so strong. How did such a thing happen to him? She felt compelled to help him but knew he wouldn't accept her assist. She watched as he lifted himself from the floor into the chair. It was a graceful and expert movement. Strong as he was, as he hoisted the dead weight of his lower body she could see his shoulder and neck muscles strain with the effort. Her only desire at that moment was to thankfully kiss this selfless man.

[V]

She watched as he arranged his legs with the careless sort of grace that only came with lots of practice, then unlocked the brakes and pushed himself toward her. Acutely self-conscious, she averted her eyes. She wasn't sure about disability etiquette at all, and as she'd already embarrassed herself in front of him (not to mention possibly hurt him), she had no desire to do so again. She felt her cheeks burn.

A strong hand entered her field of vision, and she lifted her head to meet those deep grey eyes.

He smiled at her, reaching for her hand. "C'mon," he said, that reassuring tone still there. "I'll help you up."

Her hand trembled minutely as she placed it in his. He gave it a little pull, his other hand gripping the wheel of his chair, and she got to her feet. He told himself he held onto her hand that extra second longer than he needed to because he wanted to make sure she wasn't going to fall, wanted to give her time to find her balance, but really it was because he felt a spark when he touched her. She was blushing again, and seemed uncomfortable. He wondered if it was the chair. Dragging himself across the floor didn't particularly flatter his physique, he knew, but that was life. Not much he could do about it.

"Are you feeling okay, Lena? You didn't hurt yourself, did you?" He looked up at her, now, instead of the other way around.

Lena shifted her weight and shook her head. She still couldn't believe she'd fainted. On the first day of work. It was exactly the type of thing she had nightmares about. "No," she squeaked. "No, I'm fine. I just.. I just felt a little dizzy is all." She tried to smile, but it was an effort. "Are you okay? I didn't... hurt you, did I?"

[V]

Apologies that my bit isn't nearly as good as everyone else's. Also, you guys are all rocking.

[BA]

V, you are your own worst critic. I really like the way you write. Remember, this is an exercize in fantasy, not in anything remotely resembling modern fiction.

[noonz]

Im not much of a writer but here goes nothing.

Lena was so flustered and was nervously pulling lint from the carpet. Being under the scrutiny of the most gorgeous pair of caring blue eyes didn’t help either. She began to shake her head from side to side since she was at loss of words. She tried to take a few steps forward but stumbled and managed to ram herself into Mile’s footrest. Upon impact, his right foot slid off the footrest and was hanging limply in mid air, the tip of his loafers ever slightly touching the ground. She felt the all too familiar rush of blood to the cheeks and this time bent down on impulse to help Miles. Halfway down, she stopped and thought to herself “what are you thinking you twit? It would be so inappropriate to help him like that”. Almost at the same instant, a surprised but quite composed Miles bent down to forward slightly and placed both hands beneath his right knee, gently lifting his misplaced leg and crossing it over his lap. The two’s faces were only inches apart. Lena froze. She was at loss of words. She finally managed to mumble “it seems that I am the one who is hurting you, what a way to make a first impression”. Miles let out a sign of relief as he mistook her silence for disdain for the chair and a half functioning body. He chuckled goodheartedly and gently put his arm on her shoulder “Lena, believe me, I’ve been through much worse” he said with a mischievous twinkle in his eye. She only managed to blush again. Miles bent. He gripped both wheels and rolled backward slightly, and with a swing of his left arm, brought over a chair to Lena’s side. “Maybe you should sit and rest a bit”. He stared at her intently. She held his gaze for a moment and then lowered her eyes as she accepted the chair from Miles. Her heart was pounding so loudly she was almost afraid he would hear it. There was a knot in her stomach, not from fear but as a result of his handsome blue eyes burning a hole in her head. She has never been so attracted to anyone in such a short period of time, let alone a complete stranger. Somehow, they had connected subconsciously because she felt that he was really taking care in making her feel comfortable and understanding what she was going through. He broke the silence “It does get better you know, I was terrified on my first day, especially after this.” He pointed to his chair and lifeless legs. He remembered his first day, he had laid out his clothes the night before and carefully packed his briefcase. He had had a sleepless night , partly due to uncontrollable spasms and partly because he was too nervous. What will people think? How will they react to the chair? It was his first job as a para, and he wanted to fit in. He had wheeled into the doors of the company, briefcase in his lap, trying as much as he could not to cause any attention. As soon as he passed the front desk, he heard the shrill sound of the security detector. A few people stopped what they were doing and were staring at him. It was as if time had stopped for a moment and all eyes were fixated on him. A guard hurriedly was at his side and asked to frisk him. Annoyed, Miles told him that it was his wheelchair that caused the machine to beep and explained to him that he was late for his first day on the job. After much discussion, the security guard had left him pass, but by this time Miles was so embarrassed and so humiliated to have attracted so much attention that he could hardly wheel himself. Shortly after that, the spasms began and were so violent that he felt like he was shaking in his chair. They often came when he was nervous or upset and seemed to intensify with every passing minute. He had gotten to the elevator and backed up in a corner. His leg was still bumping up and down on the footrest causing a rhythmic symphony of clanking. It didn’t help that the elevator was packed either. One spasm was so strong that it knocked him and his briefcase out of his chair. He had landed on a middle aged woman who was staring at him in utter disgust. He shuddered and focused back to reality amused at the fact that he had fallen again, this time on an absolute Goddess. He stared at her again. She seemed to be lost in her own thoughts. “Are you strong enough to take a walk?”. She looked at him uncertainly. “I.. I guess so” She tried to get up but felt a wave of nausea hit her as she slumped back down in her chair. He looked at her with concern “Lena, it’s no joke you really have to get something to eat, what do you want me to bring you from the cafeteria?” She began to protest, little did he know that it was his effect on her that was making her feel this way. Because of her phobia, her reaction to him was exaggerated. “im not taking no for an answer, in fact, you are going to come with me come on, I’ll help you” he said in fatherly way. He wheeled closer to her so that when she got up she was millimeters from his legs. He tugged at her arm slightly and gently placed his hands on her hips and pulled her downward in a seating position on his lap. She yelped in surprised and he asked whether she was comfortable. She blushed “Aren’t I hurting you?”
“I promise you I cant feel anything. Besides, you are too weak to walk yet and we cant have you faint again on your first day”, he winked at her. “ I will escort you, my lady to the cafeteria and you can sit back and enjoy the ride” He tried his best to take a bow mockingly. He couldn’t help but smile at him, and she suddenly felt more comfortable. She felt her emotions building up again as she stared into his blue eyes. The were so caring but if you look closely enough you can see sadness. They were soft and expressive and looked like they have endured life’s unfair events. She felt like she was floating as he started wheeling towards the door, never taking his eyes off of her. She was completely engulfed in his gaze. She leaned forward instinctively and closed her eyes. Her brain turned to mush as she felt the contrast between his well toned strong upper body and his thin spasming legs. She was more aware of them now that they were shaking strongly, despite her weight on them. He looked embarrassed and felt awkard. Feeling her emotions taking over and as if to reassure him, she kept her eyes closed and let his smell guide her to him. She was so close she could almost feel his breath on her nose, lips, and chin. He had stopped wheeling now, but she was still bobbing up and down. She was finally half a centimeter close to his face. She just froze, taking in his aura and enjoying his closeness. She found his lips and touched them ever so slightly only to feel him on hers. They touched lips for about 5 seconds before her cupped her small head in his arms and began to push his lips against hers. She opened her mouth and returned his kiss with all the force and the passion that she was feeling inside. She was in heaven.

[rollerboylover]

Oh ... very nice! Maybe we should have them stop the elevator, LOL! Or maybe that would be too corny. More please.

[wheelie37]

maybe the cafateria is closed and they go back to his place as he lives narby, for something to eat