I do not own MIOBI nor its characters

CHAPTER 13

Sasha had allowed her to take a break from practice so she could calm down a bit, but she is wandering around outside the Rock, not knowing what to do or where to go. How could Lauren have done this to her? They have been friends since she moved to Boulder, they went through hell and back, always supporting one another. Now all of that doesn't mean a thing anymore, now all those years of a supposedly strong friendship are gone. Again tears are building up, she can't remember the last time she'd cried so much and curses herself for letting it get to her. She sits down in the grass behind the building, knowing nobody ever comes here.

'God, I'm so stupid.' Payson mutters to herself.

'Why is that?' She hears Sasha ask softly, his sudden appearance spooking her. He sits down next to her, but keeps a bit of distance between them.

She sighs and closes her eyes for a moment. They are hurting from all the crying and with her eyes still closed she answers him. 'I should have known it was Lauren all along, who else could have done it. I mean, the tape showed how you pushed me away.' The both flinch at that thought and Sasha is glad she still has her eyes closed so she can't see him. 'If any other gymnast had found it, none of this would have happened. They would have been freaked out, may even have teased me, but they wouldn't have send it to Ellen Beals. But knowing what happened I shouldn't have been surprised, but for a minute I still was. I just couldn't believe my supposedly best friend could do this to me. How could she, Sasha? I just don't understand what made her do it.' She turns to face him, again tears are streaming down her face.

'I cannot answer that, that's something only Lauren can. The more important question right now is, can you still train in the same building? She took away a lot from you, but I will not allow her to take away you dream.' He'd unconsciously closed the bit of space between them.

'So what could you do about it? We are both on the National Team, that won't change.'

'I know, but there are more buildings to use, like the one when we were working on your comeback. I cannot turn my back on Lauren, I promised her I'd forgiven her and I'm still her coach, but training at the Rock isn't necessary for you to achieve your dreams.'

'You'd let me train somewhere else? Without my teammates, without the teambonding?' She asks him, her tone letting him know immediately what she thinks of that idea.

'I'm just trying to make this easier for you, but I'll admit I'm new to this. So if you have any suggestions, I'm willing to listen.' He offers her a little smile.

'I don't know, but for now we don't really have a choice. The Invitational Tournament in Amsterdam is just around the corner so we don't have time to waste anymore trainingdays by looking for another space to train, and with that, who would train me? You can't leave the other girls alone.' She breathes in deep, trying to control her emotions again.

'Okay, but if you need anything I'm here for you.' He brushes his thumb over her cheek, catching the last of her tears. Instantly the atmosphere changes around them, she looks up at him and he doesn't look away. She slowly turns her whole body around, facing him full front now. Taking her hand in his he pulls her in. His other hand travels to her collarbone, tracing skin until he reaches her cheek. She swallows harshly, nearly drowning in his stormy blue eyes. Then she remembers they're outside and pulls back.

'So you are new to girl problems?' She asks to break the tension, remembering his confession of not knowing how to deal with Lauren. 'After all those years training teenage gymnasts?'

Sasha seems to be confused for a moment, but after he takes in their surroundings he realizes she just saved them from a possible disaster. He leans back a bit, allowing fresh air to clean his clouded mind. 'Well, I'm used to some girl problems, like the normal ones, but the hurricane named Lauren is a force even to strong for me at times.' The both laugh then, but he never lets go of her hand. They sit for a while, minding their own thoughts and enjoying the wind blowing around them.

'Are you okay to go in again?' He asks a lot later then he should have. He couldn't let her go just yet, but they need to get back or other will go look for them.

'Yeah, I'll be fine. Just keep Lauren away from me.' She says as they both stand up, he pulls her in for a quick hug and presses a kiss to her forehead.

'I think I can manage that.'

#

'Alright people, that's it for today. Get changed, dinner will arrive in twenty minutes.' Sasha bellows from his little platform. He looks around, seeing little groups of friends appear. Spotting a large group around Kelly Parker surprises him. He is amazed how easily Kelly had made friends with everybody. Well almost everybody he thinks when he sees Lauren standing alone at the far end of the gym. Today hadn't been easy for a lot of people, including Lauren. He couldn't feel sorry for her though, she got what she deserves. She'd trained alone all day, none of the other girls wanting to even come close to her. He had a slight suspicion Kelly was to blame for that and he was once again happy for teaming those two up in the beginning.

'So what do you want to do tonight?' Kelly asks Payson as they walk towards the showers. Most of the time the girls hang around and gossip while the boys hang out in the office, playing videogames on the television. 'We could go bother the guys.' She adds with a grin.

'No that's okay, I think I'll go to bed early.' She says with a sad look on her face. When she and Sasha had gotten back to the Rock she'd but her brave face on, pretending everything was peachy again. She didn't want to give Lauren more satisfaction of destroying her life, but it took a lot not to start crying again or to go over to her and punch her in the face. She sighed heavily and looked at a disappointed Kelly. 'Alright, I'll go with you, but only for a little while, I really am tired.' Kelly's face instantly brightens.

'Great, well let's get ready for dinner then, if the boys get there before we do nothing will be left.'

'I hear that.' Payson agrees laughing. They get their shower necessities and quickly claim two shower cabinets. Payson lets the water run over her body and feels her muscles relax instantly.

'Okay Keeler, get a grip.' She mutters to herself. There is no time for personal drama's. All that matters now is focussing on the invitational is just around the corner and she needs to be perfect. Her floor is good, solid. Her bars never fail her, but vault and beam are still tricky. The new routines Sasha made up are not what she's used to, but he is certain she can do it.

'Hey PK, are you drowning in there? The boys are already gobbling up everything that's not nailed to the table.' Kelly yells on the other side of the door.

'I'm coming, you can go if you're hungry. I'll be right there.' Payson answers, she isn't yet ready to face everybody now nobody has practice to distract them from the drama that's wrapped around her.

'Suit yourself, just so you know, I'm not saving you anything.' Kelly laughs.

Payson can't help but smile at that, Kelly may have been a bitch before she came here, but that changed rapidly. That's the only good thing that happened since Sasha introduced boothcamp. Well there is of course her developing relationship with Sasha, but it's not like she can go out and tell everybody. Sometimes it would be so much easier if she would only focus on gymnastics, just like before. She shakes her head, it may have been easier, but she wouldn't be happy, not truly. And without everything that happened she wouldn't have been able to become the worldclass gymnast she is today. In the end the trouble and sorrow is worth it, she gets so much for it in return. She will never be able to forgive Lauren, she almost ended Sasha's carrier and her dream, but sending the picture to Ellen Beals did bring Sasha closer to her. Even thought he left he had done it for her, to save her dream, she could never be mad at him for that. She wonders what would have happened if Lauren hadn't send the picture, would Sasha have fallen in love with her if everything hadn't happened? She sighs heavily, she doesn't want to think of it, because before you know it she should be thanking Lauren. She shudders at the thought, no way that's ever going to happen. Quickly she turns of the shower, if she allows her thoughts to roam free any longer she's sure she'll go crazy.

'Well, that's about time.' Kelly greets her as Payson walks back into the gym.

'Just needed to think a bit.' She answers softly as she goes to sit next to her.

'I thought as much. Here.' She hands her a plate of food. 'I could save some last bit before those monsters got a hold of it, had to guard it with my life so you owe me.'

'Thanks.' Payson smiles. Kelly Parker, her friend, who would have ever thought.

#

'Okay, I've had enough.' Payson utters after yet another game of Guitar Hero.

'Are you sure? We are just getting started, it's going to be a lot of fun.' Max says, looking at her with his puppy eyes. She inwardly rolls her eyes at him. After their 'talk' he had left her alone for most of the time. But every once in a while he would try it again. Like he ever had a change to begin with.

'Yeah I'm sure, but you all have fun.' She addresses the last part to Kelly, who's being way too familiar with the game for a elite gymnast. Kaylie sits next to her, trying not to laugh. They had been playing the game for the last two hours, Kaylie and Payson mostly trying to understand why the guys even liked it, but Kelly had been playing with them from the beginning. She had even won a game or two from Austin, the Guitar Hero King, as he liked to be called.

'What, everybody has a hobby.' She defends.

Payson holds up her hands in surrender. 'I didn't say anything.' Kelly rolls her eyes at her and shoos her out of the office. Payson walks down the stairs and looks around. The other girls are already hurdled together, probably gossiping. She spots Lauren sitting in a corner, reading a magazine. She sighs, she's not really tired yet, but seeing the scene before her, she doesn't want to join any of the other girls. She makes sure nobody is watching her before she sneaks out of the gym.

She is in desperate need of some alone time and the Annex is still part of the Rock so she won't be breaking any rules Sasha made. Surprisingly the lights are already on, did somebody forget to put it out she wonders. Carefully she opens the door, maybe somebody had the same idea and went for a late practice. Only the centrelight is on, so she can sneak around the edges without being seen. Then she hears the sound of somebody on bars, the noise echoing through the almost empty space. A second later she sees a familiar figure working out on the even bars. She sneaks closer, not wanting to break his concentration. When she is close enough she can see how focused he is, like he used to be when he was still competing. She recognizes the stern look, some had called it arrogant in the past, but she knows now that's it's pure concentration. Of course his behaviour outside the gym had everybody believing he was a cocky selfconceited young gymnast, an attitude he still likes to out sometimes when his Rock Rebels are performing. Then she look past his face and it leaves her gawking, never has she seen Sasha without a shirt and boy she isn't disappointed. She silently watches him doing push-ups. His broad shoulders flexing with every movement he makes, the muscles of his upperbody tightening from the pressure he puts on his body. All the negative thoughts and happenings disappear from her mind the moment he lowers himself to the ground and turns around.

'Were you planning on standing there the whole night or…' He asks as he dries himself with a towel. Her mind is clouded by the picture he's presenting her, making her miss his question completely. Seeing the look in her eyes he changes his composure immediately. He knew all day long she needed him, but beside the little talk they had behind the Rock he couldn't comfort her. He makes his way over to her, brushing his fingers over her bare arms. She shivers at his touch, closing her eyes at the contact.

'Will they miss you?' He whispers, voice thick with longing.

'No, not for a little while.' She answers him as she leans in closer. She knows Kaylie will be too involved with Austin and Kelly won't abandon her game before it's bedcheck and Lauren is having a pity party by herself so she won't go wandering around any time soon.

'Good.' Is the last thing he says. He brushes his fingers to her shoulders and up to her cheeks. Caressing every bit of skin he touches. Taking her hair out of elastic band he runs his fingers through her golden locks, taking in her scent. Payson traces his muscles with her fingers, making him shiver just as she had. She smiles at him, liking the way she makes him feel. He cups her face and leans in slowly, relishing every second of the moment. They don't have enough time together, so Sasha is determined to make every time count. When his lips devour hers she moans softly and he feels her relax in his arms. Guiding her down to the ground he hovers over her body for a moment before turning them into a seating position. Sitting across his lap Payson never stops kissing him, her arms tightly secured around his neck, fingers running through his hair. He pulls her in closer, arms around her waist before resting his hands on her hips.

'Sasha.' She whispers when they finally allow each other to breath again, the meaning clear in her voice. He smiles wickedly at her, shifting her so she strangles his legs. Lowering his head he spreads wet kisses on her neck, her shoulders, down the valley of her breasts. Her hands pull him closer the lower he gets. He knows what she wants, but it's not the time. He slowly makes his way back up, going past her neck, to her cheeks. Kissing them before he kisses her lips gently. Taking her face into his hands.

'I love you.' He murmurs. She smiles brightly at him. The first real smile he has seen all day.

'I love you too.' She says as she lays her head against his chest, hearing his heartbeat slow down. 'I probably should get back.' She mentions when she looks at the time. 'It's almost bedcheck.' Sasha nods and the gets up. They both try to calm down a bit before walking back to the main area. They walk hand in hand for as long as possible, but arriving at the door Payson reluctantly pulls back, Sasha smiles up at her and takes her hand one final time, brushing his lips on her knuckles.

'Detii inima mea.' He whispers and then pushes open the door. 'Alright people, fun's over, bedcheck.'

Little did they know somebody was watching them, Payson may have thought about all her close friends, but she forgot one very important person… a person none to happy with the developments in the Annex.

A/N yes I re-used the shirtless Sasha from one of the episodes, I didn't like that it was a Sasha/Summer scene, so now I've made it into a Sasha/Payson scene. Also I'm taking the girls and boys to the Netherlands. Bringing them to my country and even though I live in Utrecht I decided to keep it to our capital, because more people know it :D but there are some problems lying ahead. Who's the mystery person who saw our sweethearts together? and if you hadn't noticed, I really really dislike Lauren :P

TRANSLATIONS:
Detii inima mea: You own my heart