A/N: I'm back guys! I deeply apologize about this long, long hiatus. I've been in college and I am currently in a very difficult major, but I'm trying my best and I wanted to show you guys that I am still a big fan of Make It or Break It. I was going to make this chapter longer, but I wanted to get things going again. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own Make It or Break It

"Hey Austin!" she says.

"Oh, Hi Hayden, what's up?" he asks.

"Nothing much, just wanted to get to know you better I guess. I'm a huge fan."

Austin chuckles, saying, "I'm flattered, but I'm really just a regular guy. Especially as Payson's cousin, you really don't have to treat me any other way."

"Is that what Payson tells you? That you're just a regular guy? To be humble? Goddammit Austin you're a many-time Olympic gold medalist. There's no reason to be modest."

"Nah, if anyone makes me feel special, it's Payson. But she also inspires me to stay humble. I may joke about being a big shot sometimes, but I think deep-down we both know that at the end of the day, all those medals mean nothing. "

Hayden smiles. He's different than she thought he was going to be. "So, six months, huh?"

"Six months."

She sits down next to Austin and when she does, it doesn't take her long to realize how uncomfortable he is. She connects the dots. "You know everything she told you about me what correct, right?"

Austin tries to act as if he doesn't know what she's talking about but Hayden isn't stupid and Austin is a bad actor. "Huh?"

"You don't have to lie to me Austin. I know she told you about our family drama over the years that has involved me and probably warned you about me. It's all true and you probably shouldn't trust me, honestly."

"Why did you do all those things?" he asks.

She bites her inner lip as she thinks to herself. "I don't know, Austin. I really don't." She pauses for a few seconds. "I'm not gonna lie, though, I was gonna try and pull a move on you today, but I decided against it."

"Why?"

"Because I know when two people need each other and love each other. And I knew it'd be a waste of time to throw myself at you. You love my cousin way too much; I can see it in your eyes."

Austin chuckles and glances at her. Hayden isn't evil at all. She probably just needs someone to talk to. "I didn't know you were such the love guru, Hayden."

"Oh, I'm certainly not. Hell no. I just don't know why I get this vibe that you and Payson are end game for each other. It's the real deal. She doesn't know this but I love my cousin way too much to mess that up, you know?"

Austin smiles. "You know you're a good girl, Hayden. You actually remind me a lot of myself."

"Oh yeah, and how am I anything like Austin Tucker, huh?"

"You're misunderstood. People call you the bad girl and point the finger at you, but nobody can see the other layers of yourself—your true self."

"Exactly, and what guy is going to want to be with a girl who's a 'bad girl'? I can't change who I am."

"Honestly? Nobody. But if there is anything I learned over these past months it's that it's not about changing who you are. I'm still the same Austin Tucker I was five years ago. It's about being the best version of yourself. It's only going to take one guy, Hayden, to truly bring that out. For me, there was really only one layer that showed, which was, you know, 'Mr. Kobalt,' but Payson is that one special person who is able to bring out the other layers of myself. So, yeah, in a way Mr. Kobalt is still here. In a way, the Bad Boy of Gymnastics is still here. But it's just transformed into the best version of Austin Tucker possible, and it's because of Payson."

"Hey don't give all the credit to Payson. You've transformed her too."

"No, I didn't. Payson has always been amazing."

"Yes she has, but not like this. Payson is happier. Payson is brighter. Payson is glowing, Austin. She's not the same. She's better."

…

Becca knows it is none of her business, but Payson is her sister, so screw that; it is her damn business. Hayden is their cousin, but that is no excuse. It's time for somebody to set it straight to her.

So, in a blunt-ish Becca fashion, Becca whispers to her older cousin to meet her outside when all the grandkids are all lounging in the basement. Nobody really notices that the two of them had left, and if they did, they thought nothing of it.

Becca closes the door after them trying not to make a scene. She clears her throat and folds her arms. "Hayden, what are you doing?"

Hayden furrows her eyebrows, hoping for some clarification. When her cousin didn't speak up she says, "Uhm, I was dragged outside to talk to you. I should be asking you the same thing, Bec."

"Just stop. Please. Don't embarrass yourself."

"Okay, Becca. As your older cousin, I'm going to give you a little piece of advice before you start to embarrass yourself in the future. When you talk to people you gotta give some form of clarification when you make statements like that. Okay?"

"Quit the bullshit and stop trying to hit on Austin. It won't work."

Hayden laughs at the irony of this situation. I mean, she understands why Becca would be skeptical. But, damn, was Hayden that obvious in the beginning for Becca to physically drag her outside, let alone get the balls to stand up to her older cousin like this? "Honey, please. I'm not going to make a move on your sister's boyfriend. So, if this is what you took me out here to talk about, then I'm going back in."

Becca grabs Hayden's arm when she tries to go back inside. "Hayden, I saw you in the kitchen with Austin," she says.

First, Hayden steps back and slowly nods her head, understanding where this is all coming from. But then, she starts to question this accusation and is frankly offended. "First of all, even if there was anything 'interesting' you saw, why jump on me first and not Austin?"

"Because Austin's track record does not match yours, Hayden. Stop playing games."

"I'm not playing any games, Becca. I'm just wondering why you didn't question the 'Bad Boy of Gymnastics' before questioning your own cousin. That's all."

"I'm not even going to answer your question. You know why."

"Look, in all seriousness, I understand you want to defend your sister. But I'm your cousin, and if there is any part of you that can believe me when I say that Austin and I were sincerely just talking."

Becca folds her arms on her chest again, skeptical. "About what?"

Hayden shrugs her shoulders. "About being yourself and finding yourself and finding that special person who makes you better! That's it, Becca!"

"Are you sure? You know that I can't stand see Payson getting hurt," Becca says, "She may not show it, but she loves you alot, Hayden. And if you stab her in the back, she'll be crushed," Hayden's little cousin admits, tearing up, "I can't… I can't stand to see that happen."

Hayden embraces her little cousin. "I know. After talking to Austin, I can assure you that I won't mess this one up. I promise." Becca nods her head as she releases herself from the hug. "Besides," Hayden continues, "I have a strong feeling Austin won't let anyone mess this up."

Becca chuckles. "Mhm. I have a feeling he won't either."

…

The next morning is an interesting one. Payson feels as though she can't control her emotions. Despite it being semi awkward at her grandmother's house, it was actually nice seeing her family again. But now that she has been able to fully sleep on everything that happened, it's mind blowing to her and really starting to hit her hard. A baby is on the way, and it's her little sister's.

It's like she doesn't even have time to wrap her head around what Austin has been doing; every time she tries to think about both she gets lightheaded. So, going on a run is the only thing that can actually help her clear her head.

She practically tiptoes out of the house by around six, trying her best not to wake anyone. If nothing else, she needs time to be alone and think things through.

Payson puts her headphones on and runs through the brisk air of Minnesota, getting lost in her thoughts and emotions. As the huffing and puffing builds with each stride, she thinks deeper about her life. She loves Austin; she really does. If not, then she has no idea what the feeling she gets every time she sees or even talks about him is.

She's certainly not in a rush for marriage and kids; after all, she's 25. She's never been a Kaylie Cruz or Lauren Tanner who were both in a rush for the ring. Besides, Jordan and her were gonna be the dynamic duo who were last to get married and have kids in their gymnastics group. They were going to take over the world together. Then Austin came into the life picture and then there she was imagining a future with a man that she doesn't even know wants that type of future to begin with. She was imagining a future where she could still take over the world, not necessarily married, but having the love of her life in her corner, planning their future together. Now Austin and Payson have been together for six months and she has no clue what this man wants. That's what's killing her. She doesn't want a ring or children right away. She just wants clarity.

And then throw in her baby sister who is having a child so young and with her whole life ahead of her. Payson knows that Becca looks up to her for advice, but Payson doesn't know what to tell her. It's not up to her.

As Payson is reaching nearly two miles, she hears someone huffing and puffing behind her. She rolls her eyes, knowing that it's some obnoxious runner wanting to pass in front of her. She slows down so the runner can just surpass her already instead of running so close to her. But instead of running past her, the runner slows down as well and strangely begins to run along side her. Payson has a confused look on her face as she looks up at the runner.

Of course, the runner is Austin.

She stops and he follows suit. "Austin what," she says and then pauses, catching her breath, "What are you doing up?"

"Good morning to you, too, babe."

She puts her hands at her hips, waiting for an answer.

He puts his hands at his hips as well, waiting for a greeting. When she doesn't say anything, he taps his foot on the ground.

"Fine, good morning. What are you doing up?"

"There was nobody in the bed next to me. I immediately checked for your running shoes, and when there were none, I put two and two together. So, I quickly put on my running gear and came out to look for you. I've actually been following you for a while, but I thought I'd hold off calling your name. Let's just say I had a pretty nice view from where I was if you know what I mean," Austin says with his signature smirk.

"You better not let my father hear that, Mr. Kobalt," she says in a typical Payson retort but this time without her usual laugh or smile. "I just thought I could use some time for myself."

"Well, I thought we could use a talk," Austin says.

"There's nothing to talk about. I'm tired of going back and forth about everything, okay? I just need some time to think and I really think we could spare another argument."

Austin immediately thinks of the worst and assumes that she means that she needs time to think whether or not she wants to be in a relationship with him. "Payson, I really think we should talk."

"For the last time, I don't want to talk," she says as her volume escalates.

He raises his volume too when he half-yells, "We need to talk, Payson!"

"No!"

"What is wrong with you?"

Payson is immediately taken aback. "Excuse me?"

"You heard me. Payson, I've tried to be cordial with you. Why the hell are you so damn pissy this morning?"

"How dare you! You have no idea what's going on with me, okay?"

"Well then talk to me, Payson! That's all I'm trying to get you to do. Talk to me!" Austin says pointing to his chest. "Is it because I won't tell you where I've been going? Did you not have fun last night at your grandmother's? Or did your parents piss you off? Goddamn, Payson, let me in!" He says, yelling loud enough that the neighborhood could probably hear.

"My baby sister is pregnant! Okay?" She yells.

Austin furrows his eyebrows together, almost speechless. "What?"

"Becca is having a baby. There. I told you," she admits in a calmer tone. "So, excuse me if I'm 'so damn pissy this morning'."

After she left it at that, she leaves Austin, shocked, and continues to run faster in the cold, Minnesota morning air.

Author's Note: I forgot to mention how proud I am at MIOBI fan fiction. I really thought it would have faded out by now and I was so pleasantly surprised that it is still running well. So happy! Can't wait to read some of the amazing ones out right now.

So back to the story : I'm going to try and update again within the next week while I am on break. Meet the Keelers is coming to an end soon actually :( BUT there are still two MAJOR events that are going to happen very soon, so get very excited! Somebody from the past is coming back to stir up even more drama, but everything eventually comes together with no open ends. Within the next two chapters things are going to pick up, and we will delve deeper into Payson's past, Becca, and of course, Paystin.

Please Review!