AN: So I found a small break in between my finals and tons of book review/reports to write this little one shot. I was watching some clips of season 3 (since I haven't watched any new episodes yet) and found one of Payson and Sasha and it inspired this little piece. I'm keeping this at a one shot for now because I have a ton of stuff going on. If I would add anything it would be only one more chapter. On a side note I loved Neil's longer locks in the episode. It took me a few minutes of staring before his longer hair grew on me. So anyway read and review guys...it helps me through my stressful times of studying.

She watched him as he walked away from her for the last time with an aching chest. She clasped his gold medal in her hands trying to hold on to the memory of his touch, the tender look in his eyes. She tried to remember the way his longer hair fell to the side of his handsome face and the way his familiar voice soothed her. She sighed as his parting words tumbled through her mind.

Tag, you're it.

Her breath caught when she unraveled the red ribbon only to find a single piece of paper discretely placed in between the medal and ribbon. She bit her lip as she glanced over her shoulder to meet her team mates eyes. She could see the sadness in their eyes at being away from the only gym they've ever known and the only man they'd admit to being their coach. She knew the look because she had it in her eyes whenever she was away from him to. Although for her it was more personal and heartbreaking. She sighed as she tucked the gold medal and the newly discovered not in her jacket pocket for later.

She tossed her jacket on her bed before grabbing her shower bag and towel. She walked past Kaylie as she made her way into the bathroom. She stopped when she felt Kaylie place a hand on her shoulder.

She turned to see Kaylie looking at her with a look of pity in her eyes. Payson rolled her eyes and raised her eyebrow. Sensing that Payson was wanting to get a shower, Kaylie took a deep breath before meeting her friends' eyes. "You won't have to be without him forever you know."

Payson bit her lip trying to stop the tears. "It feels like it."

Kaylie stared at her trying to calculate what she meant before smiling sadly and letting her get her shower. Once in lounge pants and a Liverpool t-shirt Payson cuddled under the covers before pulling her jacket towards her. She glanced around and sighed in relief when she was alone knowing that whatever Sasha wrote her he would want it to be read in private. She yanked out the red ribbon before gently taking the note in her hands. She trailed her finger tips over the familiar writing and inhaled the only thing left in her possession that had his woodsy and ceder smell. She opened up the note and began reading the words that couldn't be said with an audience.

Payson,

When you read this I'll be back coaching in Boulder and you'll be working hard to achieve your dreams of Olympic Gold. It won't be the same without you, love. I know that I've probably told all three of you to forget about The Rock and everyone in it for the next eight weeks, but how can I ask you to do something that I can't even do myself? I won't forget you Payson. I won't forget the way your eyes light up when you've nailed a new routine; I won't forget the way you smile when you're presented with a new challenge that could make you better; and I won't ever forget the way you look at me when we were working together.

I'm going to miss you so much Payson. I'm going to miss the way you make me feel. Bloody hell, I miss you and it hasn't even been twenty-four hours yet. I made a promise to myself months ago that when this Olympic cycle in London was over and I was no longer your coach that I'd grab you and take you somewhere to tell you everything I've wanted to say to you for the past year. That can wait. I can wait. You're dreams, however, can not. To reach your dreams without me you need to trust your new coach like you would me. I do expect you...all three of you...to give him the same respect and the same attitude you would give me or any other Rock coaching staff member. I don't want my rebel reputation to rub off on you.

When all is said and done and you're on that podium under the blinding lights, I promise I'll be there waiting for you Payson. After London we can do anything you want and anything you could possibly dream of. I'll take you to Romania and give you tours of the country side instead of that Olympic Bar and maybe even let you see the quiet life in London. As long as I'm with you...anyplace is home. Until then my gold medal is yours along with my heart. I do, however, expect to get my medal back when you've got your own. Although my heart is yours for the keeping. I'll be waiting Pay, four months from now at the Tower of London. You're it Payson. You're it in gymnastics and you're it for the rest of my life.

Stay strong and remember what I've taught you.

Tag. You're It Love.

Sasha

Payson looked up from Sasha's letter and wiped the tears from her eyes as she began to process what all he wrote. She didn't know what the next eight weeks would bring, but she knew that no matter what happened a part of her future was already set in stone. She put the note along with Sasha's medal in her gym bag before pulling out her laptop. She got directions to the Tower of London and bookmarked it for later reference before putting it away again. She pulled the covers over her head just as Kaylie and Lauren came back in. As soon as it was quiet again she let her mind wonder to daydreams of the Romanian countryside and the quiet side of London.