Even though some part of her gut told Payson that the person on the other side of the doorframe posed no threat, the shock on Kaylie's face pushed her forward quickly. However, Payson felt the tension in her shoulders fly away as she recognized their visitor.

"Jordan!"

"Why didn't you tell me Jordan was coming?" Kaylie squealed, half turned towards her boyfriend, one arm draped around the other woman. By now Austin had raised himself up from the couch and joined the former gymnasts in the entryway.

"Because until two days ago we didn't think I could make it," Jordan grinned. Payson smiled back. After the Olympics all of them had led busy lives thanks to their success but Jordan had followed the most unexpected path. She had risen to capture silver with a powerful vault, and then her charisma during the following interview had caught the eye of a TV producer in Canada. She had been hesitant to take on such a different challenge but after finishing the tour of Champions with the other girls, had packed two duffel bags and headed north. She was signed to a guest role, just part of one story arc that she kept secret from everyone. When those episodes aired in the States several months later, Jordan surprised anyone who tuned in. Most of America was awed by her amazing acting ability. Having seen Jordan perform exceptional impersonations during team bonding time, her Olympic sisters were not surprised by her skill but her choice of a role. Jordan had played the part of a teenaged victim of abuse.

"I thought you were brave, continuing to compete in gymnastics after what your coach did," Kaylie spoke up in a group call among the former Olympians minutes after the episode finished.

There was a pause, and then Jordan replied, "I was able to be brave because I had you all to support me. You showed me that I wasn't permanently broken or ruined. There are too many young women out there who think that the abuse has shattered anything they have to offer. That they deserve to be in such a bad place. The chance to reach out to them and give them hope was what drew me to this show."

"You chose the character because of your similar pasts?" Kaylie asked the question the others were thinking."

Jordan's line was quiet again for a moment. "I had the chance to read her whole arc before deciding if I wanted the part. I saw in her the chance to begin to tell my story, how I overcame the abuse to become an Olympic champion."

"You're going to use this part to bring your story in the public eye," Kaylie realized the truth faster than the other women. The team had kept a lot secret in those months leading up to and following the Olympics. Light ones like Lauren's budding relationship with a bronze-winning wrestler. Dark ones like the abuse Jordan had suffered at the hands of a once-trusted coach. Jordan had known that her background would come to light as the criminal case slowly crept forward but the others had thought she was content to stay out of the spotlight. However, Kaylie had caught hints of a restlessness in Jordan's eyes, always fleeting, but she had recognized the expression. She had worn it herself when trying to figure out how much of her battle with anorexia to reveal to the public.

"Yes," Jordan answered, this time firmly, no hesitation.

That guest role had turned into a recurring character. Jordan had recorded a Public Service Announcement that briefly touched on her own personal experience and then given hotline numbers to call for help. The PSA aired right after the episode that broadcast less than 24 hours before her criminal case went public. Since then, Jordan had juggled a growing Hollywood career along with becoming a powerful spokeswoman against abuse.

"You're in the middle of filming right now, right?" Kaylie asked.

Jordan nodded. "We've just spent the last three weeks working on some scenes for the movie. We had gorgeous weather and wrapped up those scenes early, so I could meet you all here. Kay, you're right, Jamaica is gorgeous!"

"Movie?" Emily asked.

"Jamaica?" Lauren spoke up. Payson realized that she was more interested in the two questioners than Jordan's answers. Emily's face was full of open curiosity. Not knowing Jordan personally, she wanted to know the fun details about the other women's more unique job. Lauren's face on the other hand, showed a jealousy at the exciting location that Jordan had visited. Luckily for Lauren, only Payson caught the fleeting look of envy; the others wanted to listen to the actress.

"I don't want to give anything about the movie away since we still have quite a bit of filming and definitely a ton of editing to go," she replied, "but we have gotten some really good shoots on the island."

"Oh, so you've been really busy," Lauren said. "I bet you didn't get a chance to do any sightseeing, visit anything besides the set for your movie."

"Are you going to play nice, Lauren?" Payson thought to herself. The shorter woman had asked the question in a pleasant-enough tone, but Payson suspected Lauren just wanted to knock down Jordan's experience, make it seem like any other work trip to a skyscraper-filled city in the United States.

"We found some free time to be tourists," Jordan grinned, "and I would love to chat about it, but right now I am starved. What's the dinner plan?"

"Well, we've got three choices basically," Austin entered the conversation. "One, we can order pizza from room-service. Two, the resort has its own restaurant, Olivia's Café. Three, we take a boat and head over to Disney Springs and pick from one of the many restaurants over there."

Jordan's eyes lit up at the idea of traveling by boat but then she twisted her lips. "How long does it take to get to Disney Springs?"

Austin shrugged, "Depends on how long we have to wait on the boat really."

"I've got my bag of peanuts from the plane ride," Luke spoke up from behind Payson, and it took all of her self-control not to jump at his unexpected closeness.

"Perfect!" Jordan reached towards him, Luke's hand brushing Payson's shoulder as he handed over the small red bag. She turned slightly, and their eyes caught. He didn't glance away but held her gaze until Jordan spoke again.

"Let's go, everyone! These peanuts won't hold me over for long!" The group flowed out the door, Payson and Luke separating in the movement. However, she played the moment over again in her hand as they headed towards the Hospitality House and the boat dock. Occupied in the memory, Payson missed the dark look that crossed Lauren's face as Jordan linked arms with Kaylie and started talking about Jamaica.