AN: Thank you guys for your reviews and feedback. I wanted to get this chapter up ASAP because this chapter and the previous one go together and I didn't want you guys to be waiting for days to finish this part of the story. I hope I did all of the reactions justice in this, but please, feel free to comment and let me know what you guys think. Read and Review!

As I wait for Payson and her parents to get in I set the dog by the kitchen table. I reach down and tie the leash to the table leg so he won't follow me when I go into the living room. I pet his head before looking down at him.

"You only have to be tied up for five minutes...ten at most so no barking." I smile when he cocks his head to the side and his tongue hangs out at my words. I walk into the living room and stare around the newly decorated room. A big white and purple banner with the words 'Welcome Home' is hanging above the fire place; white and silver balloons are strew across the living room; and a small pile of gifts are sitting on the coffee table waiting for Payson to open them. As the sound of people walking up the drive way can be heard everyone tenses up waiting for Payson to come through the door. We only have to wait a few seconds before the door is opened and Kim walks in. She smiles and comes over to greet us while Payson s ushered in the house by Mark.

I smile when I see Payson's eyes light up at seeing her friends. I cringe when everyone goes over to her at once, not thinking of her delicate condition. Austin sees my face and shakes his head before grabbing Kaylie and Emily by the waist and gently yank them back.

"Hey! Austin let go." Both girls chorus in frustrated unison.

Austin shakes his head before letting go slowly. "Guys, you can't attack her you have to give her room to breath. She's here and she's home so we all can just chill and wait our turn."

Emily and Kaylie glare at Lauren as she saunters up to Payson to give her a brief hug. "Hey Pay. Glad you're home and stuff." Her greeting is short and to the point with barely any emotion in her voice.

As soon as Lauren backs away and sits on the couch, Kaylie steps forward to give her a hug. "God Pay, I'm so glad you're home. Now we can hang out more and have a sleep over. We haven't had one of those in forever."

Payson smiles and nods her head. "Yea it's good to be home. Although I'm not sure when we can all have a sleep over. Maybe when I get this stupid cast of my leg." She glares down at her leg with a frown. She looks up and when her eyes lock with mine they ignite with fire. She blinks and looks at Emily. Emily steps forwards and gives Payson a brief hug before sitting next to her on the couch.

"I'm glad your home Pay. It hasn't been the same without you." Emily realizes what she said because she looks around the room and her eyes land on the small pile of gift on the table.

"Hey Pay, we all got you stuff for when you got home and stuff to keep you occupied while you're stuck in the house." Emily grabs the gift on the top of the pile, which is from Lauren.

Payson looks at the gift in Emily's hand and takes it. She rips open the silver paper and finds a cd. She looks down at the cd and up at Lauren with a small smile. "Thanks Lauren. I've always wanted Celine Dion's first CD."

Lauren smiles and nods. "Your welcome Pay. My dad got it shipped in from Canada because that's where she's originally from so I wanted it to be more...authentic. That's the best gift you'll ever get Pay."

Austin snorts beside me and mutters under his breath about how self absorbed and snotty Lauren is. I look at him and roll my eyes trying to hold in my laughter. The next gift Payson unwraps is from Emily. Payson looks at the tickets she holds in her hand and smiles. "Emily...how in the world did you get 3 Doors Down tickets?"

Emily shrugs and looks at the floor. "Well I begged Damon to get them for me. I know that they're your favorite band and when I found out they were coming to Denver at the end of the year...well I had to get them for you...well Damon got them for you so you can give all the credit to him."

Payson smiles and pulls Emily into a hug. "Thank you so much Em. You'll be the person I bring with me."

Payson reaches forward and grabs the next gift, which happens to be from both Austin and Kaylie. She opens the box and her eyes light up when she takes out the leather bound book. She opens it up and reads the short message inside. When she finishes reading she looks up at Austin and Kaylie, who both step forward to give her a hug.

"How did you guys know that my favorite play is Romeo and Juliet? Not many people know that."

Austin and Kaylie glance at each other before looking at me out of the corner of their eyes. Austin shrugs and smiles. "You could just say a little birdie told us. You know I don't give out my secret service names Keeler. Where would the fun be in that?"

Kaylie rolls her eyes and smacks Austin on the arm. "Don't listen to him Pay. He's just being difficult. I told him, well I was the person to confirm the other person's word because Austin didn't believe me."

Payson shakes her head and laughs. "Well thank you guys, I love it."

"Well your welcome Keeler. Anything for my quasi-sister."

Payson smirks and leans forward for the final gift. I watch her face as she take the small box and shakes it. She looks at the name attached to it and looks up at me with raised eyebrows. I smirk at her and nod hoping she'll just open the gift already. I smile when she opens up the small box and pulls out a small tennis ball. She bites her lip and looks at me with confused eyes.

"There's a piece of paper in there Payson. You may want to read it." I look at her as she scans it quickly before looking up at me again.

"According to this, I'm supposed to ask someone to get me a glass of water." Payson trails of and looks at Austin who is staring at anything other than Payson.

I sigh when no one takes the offer. I walk over to Payson and take the paper from her hand. "I'll get it Payson, just...close your eyes."

She huffs and crosses her arms over her chest, and rolls her eyes. "Alright fine, but only because I trust you Sasha."

I look around the room as Payson's eyes are closed. Mark and Kim are poised by the kitchen ready to take a picture of Payson getting her dog. No one else besides Austin has a clue of what's going on. After making sure Payson's eyes are firmly shut I walk into the kitchen and look down at the dog sitting next to the table. I bend down to take the leash off his color. I put the leash on the table and pick up the dog. I pet his head affectionately and hold him close to my chest.

"Okay buddy its time to meet your mommy. She's gonna love you so much. Just do me a favor and look after her for me when I can't." I smile when he cocks his head to the side and licks my hand.

I walk out of the kitchen and back into the living room where everyone is waiting patiently for me to come back. At seeing the dog all of the girls silently coo at how cute he is while Austin, Mark, and Kim are poised to take pictures. I sit next to Payson's left and slowly place the dog in her lap. As soon as the dog hits her body she opens her eyes.

"Oh my God...Sasha...is...is this for me?"

I look in her eyes and see tears in them. "Yea he's yours. Your mom and dad said you can have him. I told them that I'd help you take care of him while your still healing and everything."

"Sasha...I can't thank you enough. I love him so much already. Thank you." She wraps her arms around my shoulders in a tight hug. I smile into her hair when she holds on a few seconds longer than necessary. I pull back and look in her eyes before looking down at the dog in between us.

"Don't thank me Pay, it wasn't a big deal. I wanted to get you something so you would feel better."

She smiles and turns her attention to the dog in her lap. "You are a cute itty bitty baby you are. You are so tiny and precious. What should I call you?"

She looks at me for a suggestion. I think of how he got me wrapped around his little paw in the first few seconds of me holding him. "Bandit because I held him for about five seconds and I was already in love with him," I turn to look at Austin and grin, "so was Austin. You guys can ask him how eager he was to dog sit last night and how he talked to him."

I smirk when Austin glares and the girls start asking him questions. "Okay first off I was only doing Sasha a favor and secondly I did not talk to him in any certain way. I was just talking to the dog like normal thank you very much."

The girls grin and shake there heads. Lauren looks at the dog and offers a suggestion. "You could name the dog Buddy. You know like Air Bud?"

Payson shakes her head and looks at the dog again and smiles as he licks her nose. She laughs and rubs his tummy. "I think I like Bandit better because he already stole my heart. Yes you have you precious baby. I know where you're sleeping tonight. You are sleeping with mommy, yes you are."

My body tenses at her words. She sounds just like a mother caring for her baby. I furiously try to keep my thoughts from going to my usual day dreams of the family that we make together. My face must have gave away something because Austin smirks in my direction. I glare at him and he laughs quietly holding up a camera. Before I can even protest or change my facial expression he snaps a shot of us with Bandit in the middle. After a few minutes Mark and Kim usher everyone behind the couch to take a few more pictures. Payson and I are placed on the couch with Bandit resting on our laps while Austin, Lauren, Kaylie, and Emily are positioned behind the couch. After a few more pictures and well wishes everyone begins to leave to let Payson rest.

After Austin and Kaylie leave and the door is shut behind them Mark and Kim take a seat on the love seat across from us. Mark smiles at Payson who is oblivious to anything not concerning Bandit. Mark and Kim glance at each other before looking at us.

Kim breaks the silence when Mark nods. "Okay Payson, your father and I agreed that if Sasha got you the dog he would help you take care of him until you could get around better. So Sasha will help you with Bandit until further notice." She looks up at me and I nod. I look and see Payson smiling with tears in her eyes.

"Thank you mom, you to dad, for letting Sasha get me Bandit. It really means a lot," she turns to look at me with a big smile, "and you Sasha. Thank you so much. It's the best gift I could ever ask for. Since you like him so much you can come see him anytime."

I look in Payson's eyes and I'm pleased to some of the fire return to them. "It's nothing Payson. As long as you like it. That's all that matters."

Payson smiles and stokes Bandit's head. "I love him."

Mark and Kim smile before looking at me again. "So Sasha, what have you been up to, besides getting Payson Bandit?"

I lean back comfortably against the couch and smile. "I already told Payson this, but I haven't got a chance to tell you yet. Apparently my dad knows this guy named Serge who has a gym that he's willing to let me use rent free for coaching. It's on the other side of town though, but that really doesn't matter. I told him I'd take it because I have gymnasts at The Rock willing to come and train with me."

Kim smiles and runs over to hug me. "Oh Sasha! I'm so happy that you found a gym and decided to stay. So whose the gymnasts whose defecting to your gym?"

I smile when I think of the ones who have become like family to me in the past year. "Austin, Emily, and Kaylie when she gets the all clear from the doctor to start up training again. So for now it's just us."

Kim purses her lips and nods. "So Lauren is staying at The Rock. I should have know it wouldn't have been any different with her. If you need any help at all Sasha with anything at the gym please just let me know. I'd be more than happy to help out when I can. I know with me working at The Rock, it would be difficult at times, but Sasha, you're kind of like family now. So don't hesitate to ask."

I smile and lean forward, but stop when Bandit claws at my side to keep me in place. I lean back and continue. "Actually Kim, I'm not trying to take you away from The Rock, but I was going to ask if you would help manage my new gym. You do a wonderful job at The Rock and you, like me, have the gymnasts best interest at hear."

Kim and Mark look at each other before looking back at me. "Hallelujah! I can get away from Steve Tanner and his ridiculous, self-absorbed, inflated ego. Yes Sasha. I can start as early as next week. I just need to get my things from The Rock and let Steve know I quit, thank God."

I smile as she talks about Steve Tanner and his ridiculous ego. "Take all the time you need Kim. You can start work whenever you can."

Kim smiles and leans back in the cushions. "You know Sasha, you're probably going to be getting Becca to. If you have a new gym she's going to be wanting to train with you. She's snapped at Steve on a daily basis these past few weeks."

"Good. I can add her to the list of original members then." I glance at the clock above the fire place and sigh when it reads five-thirty. "It's getting kind of late. I think I'm going to head back home, but if it's okay with you, Kim, I'll be back tomorrow to help Payson with Bandit."

Kim nods as Mark speaks. "Of course it is Sasha. You're welcome here anytime...you know that and thank you...for everything."

I sense his alternate meaning in his words as he glances at Payson. "It wasn't a problem Mark. I would have done it again if I had to."

Mark smiles as he walks past Payson and moves over to shake my hand. "I know you have Sasha."

I nod as Kim comes over to hug me. "Thank you Sasha so much."

"Not a problem Kim. Oh before I forget I got all the things that Bandit will need. The food is on the kitchen table for him and his bed is by the couch where he can be close to Payson tonight."

Kim smiles and pulls me in for another hug. "Oh Sasha...you thought of everything."

"Well Austin helped me get the stuff so it wasn't just me."

Payson shift on the couch and locks eyes with me again. "You mean Austin knew about Bandit? Since when?"

I go over to stand at the back of the couch. I smirk when Bandit tries to climb up the back of the couch to me. I appease him by stroking his head. "Yes Austin knew since the beginning. Don't kill him though Pay, I persuaded him not to say anything by threatening him with a grueling work out session if he ruined the surprise."

Payson smiles and holds Bandit close to her chest. "Well I can't blame him then if he was threatened by a hard work out. No worries he didn't say a word about Bandit. Although he did mention Jane Eyre though." She snickers as she looks at me. I can't help, but smile along with her.

"Yea well he went looking through my stuff apparently. So I could still give him a workout."At seeing Payson's glare I relent in my empty promises. "Okay I won't do anything to him. Promit frumos."

Her eyes flash to mine as I slip into Romanian unintentionally. I cringe when I realize my mistake and as I see some form of comprehension dawn in her features. If I keep slipping up, even just slightly, she'll figure out that she wasn't dreaming in the hospital and she'll know it was me who was speaking to her. I sigh and smile hoping to play it off as casual, but Payson being Payson is still giving that heated look. I swallow as I imagine those eyes staring at me in my bed with that much fire and passion. I mentally shake myself from my thoughts as I look down at Bandit.

"You be good for your mom buddy." I stroke his soft fur just as Payson's hand reaches up to scratch his ears. Our hand connect for a split second. In that second my whole hand feels like an electric current went through it. I hear Payson's sharp breath and knew that she felt the same thing. I push it aside as I pet Bandit one last time, before looking at Payson.

"I'll be by tomorrow Payson. Just give me a time and I'll be here."

She smiles and raises her eyebrows. "You're on dog duty with me tomorrow so around eleven? My mom is going to The Rock around ten thanks to Steve and dad is leaving for Minnesota in the morning before dawn."

I smile and lean forward. "That's fine with me."

Payson smiles and reaches up to hug me. I stoop down so she doesn't have to get up. She kisses my cheek before whispering in my ear. "Thank you so much for being there Sasha. I couldn't have done this without you."

My heart flutters at her words and the burning imprint of her soft lips on my cheek. "Payson, I'm not leaving you...Boulder again. I promise you that."

She smiles before squeezing my forearm. "I know that. Good night Sasha."

I squeeze her hand before nodding and letting go. "Good night Pay. I'll see you tomorrow."

After I bid Mark and Kim a good night I make my outside I look up at the clear night sky. I smile as I see a shooting star in the air. I make an impossible wish before climbing into my truck and heading home. Once I'm home I climb into bed and stretch out under the covers. As I close my eyes my mind wonders to Payson as it usually does in the dead of night. I roll over to my side to let sleep claim me as my mind begins to conjure up images of Payson and Bandit and the wishful thinking of my subconscious reality.

Translations:

Promit: Promise

Frumos: Beautiful