AN: Thank you guys for your reviews. They meant a lot to me. I wanted to show you the funny moments with Austin and Sasha along with the moments that hint at the struggle Sasha is going through concerning his feelings for Payson. Please let me know what you guys think by reviewing!

When I pull up to the pet store I smirk when I see Austins' Indian Chief parked in the center row and him leaning against it. As I cut off the engine he pushes off his bike and puts his sunglasses at the top of his head, making his way over to the truck.

"Hey Sasha."

I shake me head as I remember last night. "You're a dead man."

I smile when he backs away a couple of steps. "Uh...why?"

"I told you not to tell anyone...anyone...about the book. What do you do? You go and tell Payson." I scowl as he he smiles.

He shrugs his shoulders and smirks. "Oh yea..that. Well I couldn't tell her about the dog so I had to tell her something. I was bored. Would you rather me tell her about the gift or the book?"

I shake my head and make my way to the door, but Austin decides to be a two year old and runs past me. As he enters the store he looks at me over his shoulder to offer an explanation for his quick pace. "I want to have witnesses when you kill me."

"Just keep walking Tucker." I glance around the store and take in the different animals behind the cages. I walk over to a glass wall and observe the snakes that are curling and twisting around the enclosure. I motion Austin over and smirk when his face pales.

"What the hell? Are you trying to freak me out Sasha? If you are it's working. I hate snakes with a passion." He backs up as he's speaking and doesn't notice the display of bird food behind him.

"Austin look out!" My warning comes about one second too late. The display comes crashing down with a loud bang. I cringe as an employee comes rushing out from behind the far counter.

"Do you need help with something gentleman?" We both cringe as she gives us a glare.

I speak up since I'm the one getting the dog. "Yea actually. We're wondering if you have golden retrievers."

"Yes we do. We just got a shipment of them at the beginning of the week. I'll take you back to look at them when I find someone to clean this mess up."

Austin looks at the floor and back at the woman with a sheepish smile. "I'm really sorry. Me and my friend were talking and I saw the snakes and freaked. So I can clean this if you want me to...it's the least I could do since I did knock it over."

The saleswoman rolls her eyes and shakes her head. "Just go with your friend and come with me. I'll call someone to clean it."

Austin and I look at each other before trailing after the saleswoman. When we reach the dogs we stop and look around. I step around Austin to get a better look at them.

"Are these all of the golden retrievers you have?" I indicate the two larger dogs and the five small puppies behind the glass.

The woman purses her lips and nods. "Yes. The two bigger ones is the mom and dad. There are three girls and two boys."

I nod as I turn back to the glass. I smile as the smallest one tries to climb over one of the bigger ones to get to a little ball in the corner. "Can I see the smallest one please?"

I watch as the woman goes behind the enclosure to get the dog. A few seconds later she comes back out with the small ball of fluff in her arms. She places it in my arms and steps back.

"It's a boy by the way. I don't know if you want a boy or a girl, but the little guy you're holding is a boy." She smiles as I rub the dogs small head with my fingers. I smile when he nips at my hand.

"I'm getting this as a gift for a friend of mine. She loves golden retrievers and always wanted one."

The woman smiles before stepping forward. "Well my suggestion is to get another one besides the runt. The runt is always so much smaller than the others and develops a little slower."

I frown at the words, but glance down at the puppy in my arms. I've only held it for a minute or two and I'm already attached to it. I look up and see Austin walking by the cat cages and call him over.

He saunters over and smirks. He reaches out his hand to stroke the ball of fluff and smiles when it licks him. "Hey little guy. You're so cute, yes you are. You the bestest doggie in the world."

I raise my eyebrows at his baby talk and clear my throat. "Remember the dog isn't for you, it's for Payson. So do you think she'll like this one?"

"Uh I think she'll like any thing from you, but yea I think she'll like him. He's so tiny." He turns his attention to the dog again. "You a little bitty baby yes you are. Can I hold him? I can hold him and you can get the stuff he'll need." I look at him and back at the dog in my arms.

"Alright fine, but don't drop him." I hand over the puppy and follow the woman to fill out the papers.

Once the dog is paid for and papers are filled out I walk through the store looking for the items he'll need. In a matter of a few minutes my arms are full with a dog bed, food, dishes, toys, a collar, and a leash. Once the items are paid for I carry everything out and place it in my truck bed. I turn towards Austin to see him still playing with the puppy.

"Having fun?" I walk towards Austin who is stooped low on the ground with the dog running around him.

He looks up and smiles. "Yea. I kinda wish I could keep him. He's so cute and adorable, but I have this coach who makes me practically live in the gym so a dog is a no go for now."

I laugh as he speaks of my dad. "Try being raised by the man. Not fun"

"Yea. So how are we getting it into Payson's house?"

"Well when I go to the hospital to see Payson tonight they're going to give me their spare key. I'll have him set up in his new home by the time she gets in tomorrow. Everyone is going to be there to see her when she gets in." I give my explanation as I pick the dog up from the ground. I open the door and place him in the passenger seat. I turn to look back at Austin and give a grin.

"I have a favor," I roll my eyes when he groans, "when I'm visiting Payson tonight I don't want to leave the dog alone. So could you watch him for me until I get back?"

I sigh when Austin groans again and starts complaining. "How long are you staying? According to what Payson says you're usually there for hours at a time. I have plans with Kaylie tonight. Since this is her last week in the rehab center she gets to go out every night to get acclimated to the 'real world', her words not mine. So I can only stay till like seven-ish."

"Alright fine. I'll be gone until seven-ish, no later. I'll text you when I'm leaving the hospital."

He nods before climbing on his bike. "What time do you want me to be at your place?"

I glance at my phone to check the time. "If you're not busy, right now would be good."

I smirk as his jaw drops. "Seven hours? What the hell do you two do for seven hours? I mean you obviously can't kiss her or anything."

"Not everything with a woman has to be physical Austin. I could sit and talk with Payson for hours."

Austin frowns and crosses his arms. "You mean to tell me, that you sit with Payson and talk and you don't feel any physical pull towards her whatsoever?"

I groan and lean against my truck as images of Payson above me cloud my thoughts. I'm lost in images of Payson underneath me when I hear Austins' voice through my lust induced haze. "What?"

He smirks at me before shaking his head. "You staring off into space just answered my question. Alright I'll watch the dog for you. It'll be fun."

"Thanks."

As I drive to the lake the dog tries to climb over the armrest. I look down and can't help, but feel a warm spot in my chest for him. I sigh and put up the seat so he can climb in my lap. He lays down as soon as he finds a comfortable position and within seconds he's fast asleep. A few minutes later, I'm in front of the airstream with Austin trailing behind me on his bike. I gently lift the puppy off my lap and hand him to Austin who just appeared with waiting arms to take the dog. I smirk when I hear him talking to the dog again. I grab the bag of items from the pet store and make my way into the trailer.

I turn to look at Austin. "Alright the things he'll need are in that bag on the table. Call if something happens..God forbid it does."

Austin smirks as he nods. "Chill out. It's not like anything can happen to him while he's here. He's in the hands of Austin Tucker after all. Go be with the wifey, your kid will be safe with uncle Austin."

I turn to glare when he makes that snide comment. "First off were do you get the wife and kid thing at?"

"Let's see here, you go get Payson a dog; you go take care of it for her when she can't; you like her, she likes you. So you and Payson are the mom and dad while the dog is the kid. See? Smart huh?"

I shake my head and scowl. "Just watch the dog 'till I get back, then you can have fun with your 'wifey'."

I walk past the table and lean down to scratch the dog behind his ears. "You be good for Austin."

I scowl when I hear Austin's failed attempt at keeping his laughter silent. "See you later dad."

I shake my head and ignore Austin's comment and make my way back out to the truck. Within minutes I'm in my usual parking spot and traveling up to the fifth floor. I scan the hall and waiting room for Mark or Kim, but can't seem to find them. I go into Payson's room and smile when I see her sitting on the edge of the bed.

"Payson..."

She turns to look at me with a small smile. "Hey. You're running a little late you know."

I smile and shrug off my jacket and sling it over the back of my chair. "Yea well I was talking with Austin. He says hi by the way."

She laughs before looking up at me. "Yea he was texting me earlier."

I sit in my usual place by her bed and take in her appearance. Her hair is brushed in loose waves down her back; her dark blue eyes are shining bright; her face has color and only a bruise is marring her beautiful face. I watch as she raises up to stand. On instinct I go over to her and hold her waist so she won't fall. My heart pounds furiously as I hear her quick intake of breath. As I look at her, her dark eeys meet mine. My eyes dart to her full pink lips before snapping back up to stare in her eyes.

"I don't need help you know. I was just wanting to stand for a second." I drop my hands from her waist as if I've touched fire. I smile when she's showing her independent side.

"Right. I just didn't want you to overdue it or anything." I sit back down as Payson holds on to the desk to keep herself propped up in the standing position.

"I'll be fine Sasha. No need to worry about me, I'm not made of glass." I frown when she starts her small rant.

"Pay I'm just worried." I glance down at her leg encased in plaster and grimace. "You can't exactly walk right now. When you can go without a wheelchair you'll have to use crutches and you can't use those until all of your ribs heal."

I grimace when she scowls in my direction. "Trust me Sasha...I know what is wrong with me. I don't need you to reiterate everything I have going on right now. I have doctors doing that every day."

I notice she has tears in her eyes as she speaks. I walk the three feet to her and place me hand on her shoulder. "Payson...you need to sit down. You don't need to over exert yourself."

I sigh when she slowly moves over to the bed. "I'm not sitting down because your asking me to. I'm doing it because I'm sleepy."

I raise my eyebrow as I drag my chair closer to her. "Yea?"

She crosses her arms over her chest and nods. "So how's Jane Eyre? You never answered my text after that."

I groan as I feel my face heat up. "I told Austin not to say anything."

She laughs softly before stating the motto that's attached itself to Austin courtesy of Kaylie. "You tell him to do one thing, he does another. Preferably the exact opposite."

"Yea I gathered as much recently. Um...the book is really good actually. I'm only at the part where Jane meets Mr. Rochester though."

I smile when she laughs. "You're getting to the good parts Sasha. All the action and secrets start coming into play."

I groan when she gives me small hints of the future in the book. "Secrets? I love secrets."

She snorts before looking at me. "I bet you do. You like keeping them to."

I look in her eyes and I know she's implying something. What she's implying though, I'm not quite sure. "Every one has their secrets."

She shakes her head and looks down at her lap. "If two people love each other, there should be no secrets between them."

I cringe when I remember the things I'm keeping from her: my feelings for one and my potential coaching job. To appease myself and comfort her I tell her some of my secrets.

"I'm staying Payson. I'm not going anywhere. I'm actually looking for apartments here in Boulder." I smile when her eyes shine and her face lights up.

"So you're not going anywhere?"

I look at the floor, then back up at her and smile. "I'm not going anywhere. Promit."

My smile slips off as soon as I see her confused expression. "What?"

She shakes her head and smiles. "Nothing. Just...the last word you said..promit? I...I've heard that before."

My heart sinks as I remember the promise I made to her in my native tongue when I thought she was sleeping. "Uh...I don't know where you heard it from Payson. A dream maybe."

She shakes her head and looks at me. "No. I heard that word before. In fact I heard a lot of things in another language when I was out. It was just one line of words meshing together and it ended with promit." She stops for a moment and breathes in. "It was beautiful."

I swallow harshly as I remember the words I spoke to her. I know that if I uttered them to her now she would know it was me; she would begin to piece together my growing feelings for her. "I don't know Payson. You were out for awhile so maybe it was just that...a dream."

She sighs before looking back up at me with bright eyes. "I don't know. So tell me, you and Austin are hanging out?"

I smile. "Yea he's coming to me for advice and I gave it to him. Since then he's been hanging out with me, which isn't too bad."

She smiles and shakes her head. "No. He's a good guy. Have you...uh...have you been to The Rock lately?"

I snap up and look in her eyes to see suppressed pain hidden behind curiosity. "Yea, but I'm not going there too much," I pause thinking of Payson's earlier words of secrecy and decide to tell her of my plans, "actually when I can, I'm going to start a gym here in Boulder. Whether or not anyone will come and train with me will be the question."

Her smile falters for a second and tears spring up to her eyes, but she blinks furiously to keep them at bay. "That's great Sasha. I'm sure you'll have a lot of gymnasts racing to train with you. You are the best coach there ever was."

I smile sadly at her compliment. "You're biased Pay. There are plenty coaches far better than me."

She sighs and covers my hand with her small one. "No Sasha. You are a wonderful coach. You're a good guy. Anyone would be honored to call themselves your gymnast," She smiles sadly before continuing, "I know I would be."

I look at her and see a single tear run down her cheek. Before my brain can catch up to my heart, I reach up and wipe it away with my thumb. "Payson...you had that honor. You'll always be one of the best gymnasts I've every coached. No matter what."

I look to see her crying now and I cringe thinking I've said something wrong. I'm taken aback by the force as she places herself in my arms. "Do you mean it?"

I smile into her hair as I push her away from my chest. "Of course I do. You are the embodiment of a true champion. You're so brave Payson and you're strong. You'll get through this...I know you will."

"You think so?"

"I know so. I'll be here with you Payson...every step of the way."

As I hold her in my arms, for a moment, I pretend that we're together. As I sit here holding her I know that I'll keep my promise to her...no matter what.