Those Two Words

A/N: I was listening to Cele Doua Cuvinte (Those Two Words) and this was inspired, which is kind of strange because the song is actually really upbeat and catchy (and has absolutely no connection to what happens in this drabble other than sharing the same last line) and this, for the most part, is rather depressing and angsty.

I am thinking about turning it into a two-shot, but I'm not sure what to do with the second part. It just feels like it needs a second part . . . oh you'll see when you get there.

Disclaimer: I do not own Make It or Break It


Summary: In less than 24 hours she would be leaving Boulder – who knew for how long. What was there to lose? Payson/Sasha


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Those Two Words

"Sasha, could I talk to you for a moment?" she asked, pulling him away from the small group of adults gathered around him. They were fawning over him in a way that they hadn't in the three years he'd been at The Rock – of course, he hadn't been responsible for bringing four incredibly talented girls to the Olympics then so it was completely understandable how he wasn't worthy of his attention at the time.

"Of course, Payson," he said, sending her a warm smile. In her more ridiculous moments she liked to think that smile was meant only for her. The small fantasy made her smile, even if she knew it wasn't real.

He slipped away from the group, looking grateful for her interference. "What did you want to talk about, Payson?" he asked her concernedly.

"Can we . . . can we go somewhere a bit more private?" she asked him cautiously, biting her lip.

"We can head up to the office," he suggested, putting his hand on her arm to guide her in the direction of the freestanding stairs. She shook her head quickly, knowing that the gym office was the last place that she wanted this conversation to occur. He frowned at her but didn't question her refusal, instead changing direction and leading her outside to the empty carpark.

"Are you okay, Payson?" he asked gently, the hand on her arm squeezing her reassuringly.

She nodded, feeling increasingly nervous as the seconds passed. "I just . . . I'm leaving for that media tour tomorrow," she told him, avoiding his gaze. "I just . . . wanted to say a proper good bye."

His expression saddened, but he didn't question the sense of finality in her words. In less than 24 hours she'd be leaving Boulder – who knew for how long. They might never see one another again, and even if they did, they'd be nothing to each other. The thing that brought them together was over and this good bye was already a month overdue.

"I'm so proud of everything you've done, Payson," he told her lowly, not ready to say those two words just yet. "You are the greatest gymnast I have ever had the honour to coach."

She smiled weakly, tears forming in her eyes as he spoke. "It's you, Sasha," she told him, just like she had once before. "I wouldn't be anything without you."

She took a bold step forward, closing the space between them. "I love you," she told him quietly. That was all the warning she gave him before rising on the balls of her feet and catching his face in her hands, pulling him down to meet her lips.

He didn't push her away this time – she didn't give him the chance. It was only a brief kiss, just long enough to convey everything that she hadn't been able to say in words. He was her heart. He was her match. She would love him forever.

She didn't wait to hear his reply, stepping away with a strangled sob before he could protest or let her down gently. As long as he didn't say it there was still hope and she could go on pretending.

"Good bye," she whispered as she walked away. It was over.


She returned to Boulder, reluctantly, four months later for Christmas with her family. She felt uneasy and astutely avoided The Rock and anywhere she might run into Sasha. She felt a fool for what she'd done, even though it all made perfect sense at the time. She thought she had nothing to lose, but the truth was, he was never hers to gain.

"You should meet the new coach," Becca suggested happily only a few days before Christmas. "He's really cool."

Payson was momentarily stunned. "You have a new coach?" she questioned, sending her mother a confused look.

"I told you this, sweetheart," Kim responded. "Sasha left not long after you girls went on your exhibition."

Payson couldn't help but feel saddened by the revelation, and yet she wasn't really surprised. The only thing that had kept him in Boulder for so long was them – his rebels – and once they were gone, it wasn't all that surprising that he left.

But she let Becca take her to The Rock and introduce her to the new head coach all the same. He was, it seemed, an old friend of Sasha's from Romania – a former Romanian gymnast named Aurel Levandovschi whose career had been cut short before it had truly began. He didn't seem surprised to see her there and ushered her into his office where they could talk more privately.

"I was wondering when you would come visit, Payson Keeler," he said, his English accented. "This is for you." He opened one of the draws in his desk and pulled out an envelope with her name on it in Sasha's familiar handwriting.

"Do I want to read this?" she asked seriously, eying the letter dubiously as it was handed to her. She still remembered the last time that Sasha had written her a letter, and how she cried for days afterwards just wishing he'd come back.

"I do not know if it is good or it is bad," Aurel answered her, shrugging his shoulders. "All I know is that he wanted me to give this to you if you were to come back."

"And if I didn't?" she asked.

"I think he was hoping you would." He patted her gently on the shoulder and left her in the office to collect her thoughts and build up the necessary courage to face whatever lay inside the envelope.

It wasn't what she expected. Just two words on a post-it note and a first class ticket to Bucharest, Romania scheduled the day after Christmas.

Te Iubesc.