Jenny looked up from the file on her desk when she heard the lift doors open. She smiled to herself as she saw who exited, and went back to her work.

"Good morning."

Jenny looked up once again. "Good morning, miss. How may I help you?"

"Oh, come on, Jenny! I haven’t been gone that long."

"Ah, now that I look at you again, you do seem familiar," Jenny replied before bursting into fits of giggles. "Good to have you back, Star. We’ve all missed you. How did your trip go?"

"It was great, Jenny. The folks adore Drew."

"Talking of whom…has he…?"

Star smiled and waved her left hand under Jenny’s nose. She grabbed it to hold it still long enough to admire the sparkling diamond engagement ring on Star’s finger.

"It’s beautiful, Star. I’m so happy for both of you. Would you like a cuppa?"

"I’ll make it. I need to get back into the swing of things."

After chatting for about half an hour, Star went off to her office. Four months was a long time to be away from work – she still couldn’t believe that that much leave had been granted, but Jenny said it wasn’t every day a girl got engaged so far from home and she needed the extra time to take Drew home to meet her family.

It was quiet in the reception area. Only Dee was on duty at the desk so there was none of the usual giggling that went on when Sandi was around. Jenny got on with her work until she heard whooping and hollering coming from the lift. She knew just who it would be and walked to the end of the reception desk to await the new arrivals. She winked at Dee and put on her stern face.

The lift doors slid silently open but no one emerged, although there was a lot of noise. Jenny walked down the corridor to the lift and looked inside. Jake and Shannon were both fighting to get out first, and were enjoying themselves ramming each other’s wheelchairs.

"And just what do you think you’re playing at?" Jenny asked, glaring down at them. They looked up at her like two naughty schoolboys, and when Jake put on his best sad puppy dog look, she couldn’t help but to burst out laughing at them. "Get down to the office and clean yourselves up, and if you’re lucky I’ll bring you in a cuppa."

"Thanks, mum," Jake muttered, wheeling sedately down towards his office. He looked over at the reception desk, but Dee had already sat back down so he couldn’t see her.

Showered and changed out of their gym gear, the boys made themselves comfortable on one of the sofas, after Jake had buzzed Jenny to let her know they were ready for their tea. A few minutes later she came in with a tray containing four steaming cups and a plate of cream pastries.

"Are we expecting company?" Jake asked, pointing to the extra mug.

"Yes, I’ve got someone I think you might be interested in saying hello to," Jenny smiled in reply.

Just then the door opened and Star came in. A look of surprise washed over her face when she saw Jake. She’d already gone on holiday before he came back from the farm, and this was the first time she’d seen him since he’d been shot.

"Jake!" she squealed in delight, rushing over to give him a hug. "Jenny told me she wanted to see me in private so we were going to use your office. I had no idea you were here. You look great!"

"Ta, luv; you don’t look too bad yourself. The long holiday seems to have worked wonders."

"I…I’m…sorry, Jake. I never intended to be away so long," Star replied guiltily.

"Oh, Star, don’t worry. Nobody minded you having an extended leave. You haven’t taken more than a couple of days off since you’ve been here. You were more than due," Jake reassured her. "So, you got something to show me?"

Star looked puzzled for a moment, then beamed at Jake as she held her left hand out for him to inspect.

"Hey, that’s one beautiful ring, Luv. I guess Drew will be putting his fees up now to cover it," Jake grinned as he kissed the back of her hand, then found himself smothered in a tight embrace.

"None of this would have happened if you hadn’t let me stay here in Sydney, Jake. It will take the rest of my life to thank you enough."

"And I dare say that Mike will be pleased to be able to use the western apartment when he comes down, once you and Drew are settled. Picked a date yet?"

"No, Drew was waiting until we could talk to you and Mike about everything."

"You’re not thinking of leaving us, are you?"

"Don’t worry, Boss. You don’t get rid of me that easily."

Jake breathed a genuine sigh of relief. Star was an important member of the team, and he didn’t want to think of the possibility of losing her any time soon. He smiled up at her and then winked. "I think it’s time to attack the cakes."

He was interrupted by Shannon clearing his throat. "Oh, sorry, mate. Star, I’d like you to meet my mate, Shannon. Shannon, this is Star, a valued member of my staff."

"Pleased to meet you, Star. Where has Jake been hiding you?"

"I’ve been home to America. I took my new fiancé to meet my folks."

"Lucky bloke, your fiancé. I hope he’s a good man."

"I happen to think so, " Star smiled.

"Shannon introduced me to wheelchair footy, Star. You should come and watch us play."

"I’ll be sure to do that, Jake. If I may say, it seems to have perked you up a lot."

"Yeah, I think I’m finally out of that dark hole I dug for myself. Shannon showed me that just because my legs aren’t working, it doesn’t mean I’m dead!"

Star looked round until she saw the two chairs behind the sofa. "That’s a neat set of wheels, Boss. Leave it to you not to have a run of the mill model."

Jake and Shannon both said in unison, "We feel the need…the need for speed," and burst out laughing.

"As you can see, Star, Jake hasn’t grown up while you’ve been away."

"I noticed," Star replied, putting her mug back on the tray. "Now, I really think I should get back to work. Jake, I’ll see you later, and Shannon, it was good to meet you." She got up and shook Shannon’s hand before leaving the office.

"Nice girl," Shannon remarked as the door closed behind Star.

"She certainly is. Would you believe that when she first joined the company in Chicago she was too shy to even look people in the eye when they spoke to her?"

"Ah, the Aussie air has worked wonders on her then," Shannon grinned. "Well, I must be off, too. Ta for the tea and cake, Jenny. This is getting to be a better place to drop in than the doc’s office. All I get there is bikkies."

"You’re welcome any time, Shannon, and we always have cakes in the fridge."

"Then you’ll be seeing a lot more of me from now on," he grinned, hauling himself into his chair. "I’ll catch you tomorrow, mate."

"See ya," Jake replied.

"Did you have a good day, darling?"

"Yep, Star’s back."

"Fantastic! I’ve missed her. How is she?"

"Glowing."

"Really?"

"Yeah, and listing a bit to port," Jake added with a wink.

"Jake, what ARE you talking about."

"She’s got this rather tasteful rock dangling from her third finger, left hand."

"She’s engaged?"

"That’s one of the reasons I love you so much…you’re quick."

"Watch it, mate, or I’ll put your brakes on."

"Dare ya," Jake responded, wheeling out of Angie’s reach.

"We should take them out to dinner to celebrate. I’ll give Drew a call."

"No worries, Angel. I’ll pop along and see if he’s in."

Angie smiled as Jake headed to the door. She still couldn’t believe the change in him since he’d met Shannon. She didn’t think she would ever be able to thank the young man enough for what he’d managed to do for her husband.

Shannon was quiet after the training session. He was well below his best, and he expected to hear the worst when the team was announced. Jake wheeled up to him and waited for him to speak.

"I’m burnt out, Jake. I let everyone down today."

"Mate, it was only a training session."

"But coach was watching everyone very closely for the team places. I’ll tell you the truth, Jake. Right now I don’t think I care if he drops me. It may be just what I need to get me back on track."

"Why the long face then, Shan?" Jake asked.

"Shit, Jake. You know what me da’s like. He lives his life through me, always has. If I’m dropped he’ll take it real bad…and real personal."

"Bugger. Ya want me to talk with him, if you’re dropped, that is?"

"Better not. He’ll take his anger out on the first person he sees."

Heads up! Coach is ready," Jake interrupted.

Five minutes later and the news wasn’t good. Not only had Shannon been dropped, but his place on the team had been taken by Jake. He congratulated his friend with a smile.

"I couldn’t have hoped for anything better for you, Jake. You’re more than ready for the first team. Just do me a favour and keep clear of dad for a while. Let me try to keep him calm."

"No worries, Shan. Right now I think I have enough to worry about without going head to head with your dad. I have to make sure that I don’t let everyone down."

Everyone showered and changed and made their way out to the car park. Shannon groaned when he spotted his dad leaning against his wheels. "Fuck! I was hoping that I’d at least have a quiet drive home before I had to face him."

"Tell you what. How about you give me a lift back to the wharf and between us we might be able to keep off the subject."

"That could work, Jake. He doesn’t like to talk ‘tactics’ in front of anyone. Ta, mate."

Jake waved goodbye as Shannon pulled away from the front of the wharf. He wondered how the chat with his dad would go down. He hoped that Shannon could at least get home before the shit hit the fan.

He went to chat with the bloke on door duty in front of the Blue before wheeling through the main doors and heading for the lift. For some reason he didn’t feel like going down the boardwalk to get home, so chose to go through the hotel café and passed the admin offices before reaching the glass security doors. He watched them slide open as he ran his tag over the security pad, and wheeled slowly through, looking up at the walkways before calling for the lift to take him up to the top floor.

Angie was in the kitchen when he came through the door and put the kettle on. "Hi, AJ. Want a cuppa?"

"Please, Luv," he replied, reaching up to accept the kiss she offered in welcome.

"Bad training?"

"On the contrary, I’m in the team for the weekend."

"Oh, Jake, congratulations. Shouldn’t you be a bit happier?"

"They dropped Shannon."

"Ah."

"He doesn’t really mind. He said he’s feeling burnt out and could do with a break."

"So why the long face then, lover?"

"It’s his dad. He’s like the worst pushy parent ever. He basks in Shan’s success. He’ll go ballistic when he gets the news."

"Poor Shannon. It would be better if he wasn’t with his dad 24/7, wouldn’t it."

"I think that’s just what he’s thinking. Have you seen the way he looks round this place when he comes to visit?"

"Maybe he’ll make the break and get a place on his own."

"Maybe," Jake mused.

Match day arrived and Shannon was there to cheer the team on. He was delighted when they won 30-10, and joined the others in celebration. When Jake asked how things were with his dad, Shannon just shrugged and said that they weren’t speaking. Jake was sad about that as family was very important to him.

"Coach has arranged a day out tomorrow as a team reward. You’re coming, too, aren’t you, Shan?"

"Just try stopping me, Jake. I’ve been on one before and they’re always good fun. Pick up at the wharf?"

"I think so."

"Yeah, it usually is. Last time The Blue did us a nice reception before we headed out. Wonder what they have planned for this time."

"Great," Jake grinned. "I can have a lie in then. See ya in the morning, mate."

The trip was good fun. They took the steam train special down to Illawarra in the morning, followed by a barbeque in Centennial Park and an afternoon at Randwick racecourse before heading back to the city. Shannon joined Jake and Angie for a coffee in their apartment and they enjoyed the early evening cool breeze. They decided it would be fun to wheel down to the end of the wharf. It was almost deserted for a change and they raced up and down the paved area a couple of times before Shannon said it was time for him to go home.

Shannon had parked just along from the wharf near the Domain steps. Jake went with him along Cowper Wharf Road. They were talking about the footy and Shannon stopped to make a point. Jake turned his chair to face his friend, his back to the road. All of a sudden there was a sharp report, as if a car had backfired, and before Shannon knew what was happening, Jake crumpled forward and fell out of his chair in a heap.

"Jake!" Shannon cried, seeing a patch of red spreading across Jake’s shirt.

People were rushing from the wharf and Shannon shouted for someone to call triple zero and get the police and an ambo. As he slid out of his chair to cradle Jake’s head on his lap, he noticed a dark blue van pull out of Bourke Road and speed off through the tunnel.

Shannon noticed Jake’s cell phone and picked it up. He checked the contact list and hit speed dial. Angie answered on the third ring.

"Hello, Luv. When are you coming home?"

"Angie, it’s not Jake. It’s Shannon. Can you come down to the front boardwalk? It’s Jake."

Angie rushed to the balcony and looked towards the road. She could see a crowd gathering and dropped the phone. She ran down the stairs, not waiting for the lift, and was soon fighting her way through the onlookers. She fell to her knees next to Shannon when she saw Jake lying in his arms, not moving.

"What happened?"

"I think he’s been shot, Angie. The ambo is on the way."

Angie checked Jake and looked around for something to use to put pressure on the wound. Shannon handed her his shirt and placed his hands on top of hers, enabling her to hold Jake’s hand while Shannon kept pressure on the wound. They both looked up when they heard the sirens, and Jake was soon in the ambulance, heading off to the nearest hospital. Shannon was helped back into his chair and then asked to give a statement to the police before they gave him a lift to the hospital.