I've been totally blocked on this story, sorry it's been so long. I was thinking of giving it up but I picked up my two new reviews tonight and it inspired me to keep trying. Thanks for the feedback guys. I do love reviews – hint hint!

_ Chapter 9 _

Showered, changed and tired but happy, Jordan, Payson, Wendy and Colleen flopped lazily onto the sofas in the living area of their apartment and smiled at each other. 'Great work today guys,' said Payson. 'I can't believe we came first. I really hope we can repeat it tomorrow. When is Sasha coming over to tell us who's doing what?'

'Six-ish, he said,' replied Colleen. 'Hey Payson, I know I'm not the gymnast most of you are but I'd really like to compete on something tomorrow. Would you help me put a case to Sasha?'

'Of course I will. But there's no way Sasha will leave you out altogether Colleen, seriously. Your floor was awesome today and you never make mistakes. You're the most solid girl this team's got.' Colleen smiled her thanks but her eyes still looked a little sad. She had been the little sixteen year old golden girl in Beijing and getting older sucked. She flicked the tv on and the girls settled down to watch a basketball match between South Africa and Canada.

The game was just coming to an end when the apartment door was thrown open and Kaylie stormed in followed closely by Lauren. 'Kaylie, I swear I didn't say anything like that, I never would. Well okay, I once would but now I wouldn't. Seriously Kay, I love what you did today. I think you're nuts but it sure as hell worked.'

Kaylie threw herself into the seat next to Payson and glared back at Lauren. 'Well they got that crap from somewhere Lo.'

'Um, hello? What the hell …?' said Payson. 'What's wrong with you two?'

'Lauren,' hissed Kaylie, an emotion not far from hatred evident in her tone, 'has just been reported on BBC2 as having said that I am, quote, severely anorexic, emotionally volatile and totally unreliable, unquote!'

'Lauren!' gasped Payson, shocked at the apparent disloyalty to their team.

'I said nothing like that, seriously,' insisted Lauren, not far from tears. The reporter asked me why your routines were so unexpected today and I said you weren't feeling well during your vault so you felt you had to make up for it with something unexpected in the bars.'

'That sounds harmless enough,' Colleen said, moving to put an arm around Lauren. 'But was that really all? I can't see how even the most twisted reporter could get what Kaylie said from that.'

Lauren took a deep breath and looked anywhere but at Kaylie. 'He said that the rumour was you had stumbled on vault because you were starving yourself and he asked me if your eating disorder was back.'

'And?' said Kaylie. 'What did you tell him'.

'I burst into tears,' confessed Lauren. 'I left the interview.'

There was a long silence in the room that was broken by the ringing of Kaylie's cell phone. 'Shit!' she exclaimed. 'It's my Dad. Thanks a lot Lauren.' She stalked off into her bedroom, slamming the door hard behind her. Lauren looked after her, guilt and worry written all over her face.

'Christ!' breathed Colleen. 'Hey Lauren, seriously, don't blame yourself. You didn't say those things and hell, even if you had … you wouldn't exactly be wrong would you!'

_- Chapter Break _

Sasha arrived promptly at 6, his file in his hand and a serious expression on his face. 'I have never been prouder of you girls than I was today,' he began. 'But if we can't repeat tomorrow then it will all have been for nothing. Tomorrow we go for Gold and you will all have a part to play. Colleen, you had excellent scores today and came in 8th on floor. If it wasn't for the two per country rule you'd be in the event final. I'm sorry you won't get that chance but you will definitely be performing your floor routine again tomorrow.'

Colleen smiled. That was enough for her, she just wanted to feel a proper part of the team medal they all felt sure they could win.

'Lauren, you will be our front runner on beam. Your routine was outstanding; keep that up and I can't see you not medalling in it individually, let alone helping us to do so as a team.

Lauren nodded, grateful for the praise from the coach she had always felt ignored her in favour of Payson and Kaylie, but slightly disappointed only to be in the one event. The old Lauren would have made a scene and called for 'Daddy'. The new Lauren took the blow stoically and resolved to shine where she could.

Next Sasha turned to Jordan. 'You,' he said 'are one of the bravest young women I have ever met. To perform any move without practice, just because I asked you to, is impressive. To perform a move that has so much negativity attached to it for you and to perform it so well, took real courage, team spirit and trust. I was honoured to be your coach today. You will be leading the team on Vault tomorrow as well as performing on bars and beam.'

Jordan made a half hearted attempt to look nonchalant but failed to keep the smile off her face. She had faced some demons today and she felt strong, powerful and successful. It was good to have her coach validate her feelings and she felt a new warmth towards Sasha. Maybe, she thought, she was still capable of trust.

'Payson, your all around performance was excellent. Not only have you qualified for the all around competition next week but you are going into that competition ranked 4th. Medalling is a very real possibility for you. Be confident and proud. Tomorrow however, you still need to focus on your team. You will compete for us on bars, vault and, of course, floor.'

Payson gave a small gasp of pleasure. After everything she had gone through, after believing that her dreams were gone forever, they were finally coming true.

Sasha paused, looking anxiously at the small, dark haired girl sitting with her eyes fixed firmly on the floor. 'Kaylie,' he said at last. 'Kaylie, I really ought to pull you from the finals altogether …' Kaylie's head shot up at this and she gave her coach a wide eyed, agonised stare … 'but I'm not going to do that. I can't deny I'm both angry with you and desperately worried but, at the same time, we still can't win this without you. You will compete on floor, beam and bars – without the round off Arabian. You will never again make a decision like that that I have not cleared. Is that clear?

'Yes Sasha,' replied Kaylie in a small voice. 'But Sasha?'

'Yes?'

'I came in 7th on Vault.'

'You will not compete on vault. You're too weak for those high difficulty power moves and the risk of serious injury is too high.'

Kaylie closed her eyes, tears spilling out from under her lashes. She leaned against Payson who wrapped her arms around her friend, horrified at how bony she was. 'But Sasha?' questioned Payson. 'Who's coming in with Jordan and I on the vault then?'

There was another pause as Sasha looked over at his youngest gymnast with a compassionate smile. 'Wendy Capshaw,' he announced.

_ Author note _

I can't actually find any information on whether an alternate can be used in a final or not. But I really wanted to give her a chance, given that I've turned her into a reformed character.

Please let me know what you think and if you have any ideas/suggestions.