AN 1: Hey guys! Long time no see...well update. I've been on vacation, but I've managed to update. I've had this chapter planned almost from the beginning as far as the ending. It has to happen for other things in the story to happen. As far as the songs mentions in the chapter I don't own them nor do I own the artists who wrote and recorded them. The first song is Michelle Branches' 'I Want Tears' and the second one is Conor Maynard's 'Vegas Girl'. Both song's are really good and I'm somewhat paying homage to Sasha because he's British and so is Conor. As I said I'm not making money nor do I own the songs mentioned. So enjoy, ready, and review :)

Kelly sighed as she pulled a large box full of decorations into the Rock's banquet hall. She eyed the stage at the front of the room where all of the talent would be preformed later on in the evening and cringed. Even though she knew she was a gifted athlete she still had insecurities that rivaled the height of a mountain outside of the gymnastics world. She shook her head trying not to let her fears or her stage fright get the best of her. She surveyed the room and felt her heart leap when Austin's looming figure made its way towards the stage.

Across the room Austin and Carter were pushing the black speakers onto the stage with little effort. Austin sighed and leaned against the wall and surveyed the room. He tried to not notice Kelly pulling tablecloths and center pieces from a large box, but found his self-control slip. He stood mesmerized as her dark hair glimmered in the bright lights overhead. He only turned away when Carter elbowed him roughly in the side.

He scowled and rubbed his now sore ribcage before glaring at Carter. "Dude no need to poke me to death or anything."

Carter shook his curly mop of hair before smirking. "Well I wouldn't have to poke you if you'd just answer my question."

Austin huffed before shaking his head. "What question?"

Carter laughed and shrugged before lightly elbowing him again. "See man? You didn't hear a word I've said. I asked if you're excited about our act tonight?"

"Which one? The talent one or gymnast one?"

Austin watched as Carter rubbed his hands together in excitement before grinning. "Both."

Austin sighed and tilted his head back envisioning what everyone would think of the act that Carter and himself put together. He smirked when he remembered one other member of his act and turned to grin at Carter. "This whole thing is going to be epic. What I have planned and what we all have planned is going to be so freaking awesome."

Carter just rolled his eyes. "Dude the only thing we're doing is singing a song to all the lovely ladies out there."

Austin shook his head and smirked. "Uh no bro, we're going to be singing and surprising two special someones out there tonight. Some one has a little something, something from me and Emily has a special someone coming all the way from L.A just to surprise her."

Carter nodded before looking back at Austin with a slightly hopeful expression. "Wait a second. Who are you trying to charm now?"

Austin closed his eyes and tried not to cringe before looking back at Carter. "Just someone."

"It's not Kaylie is it? Because we were talking and she said you guys weren't together anymore."

Austin groaned before shaking his head, trying to erase the last time he spoke with Kaylie. What started out as a genuine heart to heart turned into a raging war that neither could stop. Kaylie started making accusations about his close friendship with Kelly, while he turned her insecurities and choice of friends into drama and betrayal. After an hour of yelling his throat raw trying to make Kaylie see reason he knew that they'd reached a point of no return. Her belongings vanished from his room and home as quickly as they appeared. In the weeks since then they'd barely looked at each other, avoiding each other at all costs. The hurt of loosing Kaylie turned into a dull ache while around Kelly, Payson, and Emily. Kelly more so than his other two friends. Knowing that Emily and Payson had different viewpoints on his dormant feelings for Kelly he tried not to think of Kelly like that often.

He sighed and shook his head, trying to clear his thoughts. He turned to Carter and felt a small almost nonexistent pang of jealousy at the hopeful look in his eyes. "No man it's not Kaylie."

Carter nodded and glanced at Austin as if he was wanting to ask something, but they were interrupted by Payson calling them back into the gym. The boys shook their heads and leaped off the stage and followed Payson into the training room to finish preparing for the open house.

Payson cringed when she saw her dress for the open house. She eyed the lavender silk dress with distaste and yanked it off the rack that was holding everyone's outfits. She stalked into the office and threw the dress on the small couch in the corner of the room before making her way over to Sasha's desk. She eased herself down into the cool leather chair before eying the framed photos on his desk. Her lips twitched up into a small smile as she eyed a framed photo of Emily, Kelly, Austin, and herself taken back when life was easier. She frowned when she felt a sharp kick to her side. She rubbed softly trying to ease the pain, if only a little. She glanced around at the other photos and smiled when her eyes landed on a picture of her and Sasha in Rio. Sasha had his arms wrapped around Payson's shoulders eying her as if he would never let her go. Looking at the picture made her think of her wedding. She was lost in the memories of promises made and soothing touches when the door creaked open.

She sighed and leaned back before giving the intruder a tired smile. "I was wondering if everyone forgot about me, but I guess I can't get that lucky."

The intruder chuckled before walking over to the couch. He picked up the lavender silk and held it out for Payson to take. "Bad day, love?"

Pyason rolled her eyes before shaking her head and swatting his hand holding the dress away. "Sasha really? I don't know what possessed Ronnie Cruz to get me a dress that...that...short. Not like I'll fit into it anyway."

Sasha dropped his arm before making his way over to the window overlooking the gym. He smirked as he noticed Austin talking animatedly to Kelly. He shook his head trying not to think of the drama those two could cause before looking back to his wife with a raised eyebrow. "Oh come on love. Have you even tried the dress on?"

Payson scowled before stalking towards Sasha with fire in her eyes. She poked his chest before her attention was taken up by Austin and Kelly. "What are they doing? I sear if Austin is trying to get with Kelly right after he broke up with Kaylie I swear I'll-"

Her tirade was cut short by Sasha's smooth accent. "Love, I don't think it's any of our business. Yea they can come to us for advice because we're their friends and all, but it really is none of our concern."

Payson whirled around and shoved past Sasha and snatched up the dress before making her way towards the door. "I'm going to try on this hideous contraption and then I'm going to talk with Austin."

Sasha shook his head and sighed before blocking her path with a raised eyebrow. "Really love, you're trying to get down into the gym and meddle with Austin and Kelly's love life."

Payson scoffed and rolled her eyes. "No I need to try on this dress to see if it fits, you know because I look like a whale now and all thanks a lot." She paused and glared before shaking her head. "Talking with Kelly and Austin will just be a bonus."

Sasha stared at her and blinked trying to get a grip on what Payson was saying. He stared in her eyes and knew that the woman before him was a mess of heightened hormones and emotions that was battling for dominance against her rational thinking. He smirked before taking a step towards her and backing her up against his desk. He lifted her up and placed her on the edge of the desk before taking the purple fabric from her hands and placing it beside her.

He swooped down and kissed her forehead before bringing his hands up to cup her face. "I'll give you a bonus love."

Payson shook her head before biting her lip, her sensitive body already responding to his advances. "No Sasha. I have to try on the dress and I do need to talk with Austin."

Sasha sighed and placed a kiss on her jaw before placing his lips where he knew she wouldn't be able to resist. As Payson felt him bite and suck her neck she whimpered before raking her hands through his hair, caving in to what her husband was offering.

Austin sighed as he glanced at his watch before making sure Emily and Kelly were in the gym preparing for their routines. He glanced around looking for Payson and Sasha and glanced up at the office before shaking his head. When he felt a hand on his shoulder her turned and was slightly surprised to see Payson in a lavender silk dress.

He raised his eyebrow before smirking and eying her dress. "Well, well look what we have here. Dress looks nice on you Pay."

Payson crossed her arms over her chest and glared. "Shut up. Look I'm not here to talk fashion with you, I'm here to talk about you and Kelly and how much of a pig you're being right now."

Austin rolled his eyes and stared in Payson's dark eyes. "There's nothing going on, we're just friends. Nothing more and nothing less. So chill. And how in the hell am I being a pig? It's not like Kaylie and I are together anymore."

"Okay here's an idea how about you just stop playing girls for once. You first try to get with Kaylie and now that you've dated her awhile you're going for the untouchable Kelly Parker?"

Austin stared at Payson open mouthed before shaking his head. He ignored the accusations being thrown at him by his best friend knowing and hoping that it was from her crazy pregnancy hormones. He shook his head before blinking at her, knowing that his anger was getting the better of him. "Here's an idea: how about the next time you see me don't go throwing accusations and assuming my feelings and just not say anything to me at all."

Payson stepped aside to let him pass, but at the last second grabbed his wrist. "Austin, wait! I'm sorry, I don't know why I said that."

Austin grimaced and yanked his wrist out of her loose grasp. "Whatever, Belov."

Payson blinked back tears as she watched one of her best friends stalk across the gym and towards the mats where Emily, Kelly, Kaylie, and Sasha were standing preparing for the first part of the open house. She grimaced as she felt a familiar, but painful kick to her side. She sighed as she slowly made her way through the growing crowd gathering together to witness the infamous Rock Rebels preform their routines. She stopped in her tracks when she thought she saw her parents in the shadows, hiding behind the mass of people. She shook her head, knowing that no matter what happened in her life, her parents would never forgive her or Sasha and wouldn't come to the one place they would be sure to find them both. She pushed the painful thoughts of Tatiana not knowing her grandparents away as she made her way to the front of the crowd and taking a seat next to Emily.

Sasha tugged on his shirt color before sighing and undoing the top three buttons and rolling up his sleeves. He smirked as Kelly raised her eyebrows and shrugged his shoulders. He gave her the passing comment of him being a rebel and hated following rules as he made his way into the center of the floor. He pushed away the pleasant memories the particular apparatus brought him as he started the annual open house. He grinned at the crowd, but stopped for a split second when he thought he saw Kim's face in the crowd. He shook the feeling knowing that she really didn't want to see him, much less be in the same room as him. Sasha smirked as he charmed the audience and winked at Payson knowingly before introducing Kelly on the uneven bars.

Kelly glanced at Austin as Sasha called her name for her to take her place by the uneven bars. She walked to the chalk bowl and chalked her hands before forgetting everything else except the routine she was about to do. She glanced at Sasha briefly knowing that if she faltered and fell he'd be the one to catch her. She watched as he nodded at her to begin and exhaled before bending her knees to catch the low bar before swinging herself up to a handstand.

Austin rolled his head before rolling his shoulders. He ignored the applause and cheers as each Rock Rebel preformed their routine of choice knowing that as soon as he killed it on the rings, he'd have to run to the banquet hall's back stage to prepare himself for the talent show. As quick as lightning he heard Sasha call his name to the front. He blatantly ignored Payson as he walked past her knowing that if he met her eyes he'd feel guilty again and start to apologize for something that Payson unintentionally started. He growled as he stalked to the rings and turned to the crowd smiling and charming them like the player Payson accused him of being. He ignored her as he raised his hands and gripped the wood, bringing his body high above the mats below. No sooner had he raised himself in the air he was rushing towards the banquet hall's backstage to meet up with Carter and Damon.

He waltzed into the makeshift dressing room and smirked when he saw the outfit he chose along with the instruments he would need along with his two companions. He smirked at Carter as he watched him pick up the drumsticks and twirling them high in the air and catching them with one hand. He turned to Damon and shook his hand before bringing him into a very brief hug.

Damon nodded his head and shrugged on his leather jacket before glancing around the room. "So you so owe me big time for this Austin. I mean yes I get to see Em after weeks and weeks, but still I do have a record to make yet."

Austin smirked before clapping his hand on Damon's shoulder. "Chillax bro. You'll get to see Em in a couple more hours. And you're record and studio will still be in LA when you get back Monday."

Austin watched as Damon relaxed and grinned. "You're right. I should enjoy this little vacation I have with Emily. I don't get to play music for fun much anymore. It's all about how much money I can make for the studio."

He grimaced as he pulled his clothes out of the bag and grimaced. "That would kinda suck man. You still have a say in the type of music you make though right?"

Damon adjusted his leather wrist band before meeting Austin's eyes. "Sometimes. If the studio sharks don't think it will make money they'll toss it, but otherwise if they think its profitable they go with it."

Austin shivered before shaking his head. "That is exactly why I like gymnastic, no pressure on your skills and abilities artistically. Either you have the talent or you don't."

Damon grinned before grabbing the electric blue guitar and strumming the chords to their song slowly. "So you got the song down Tucker?"

Austin shrugged and nodded. "Yea." He rubbed his hands together gleefully before adjusting the wireless mic. "This is going to be so freaking epic. I can't wait to get out there and just...wow everyone. Everyone thinks I only do gymnastics, but they're going to be so awed by our awesomeness."

Damon frowned and shook his head. "Don't get too cocky just yet man. If you go out there too confident, you'll freeze and mess up." He turned to Carter and smiled. "You ready for your drumming debut Carter?"

Carter adjusted his wrist band and fixed his shirt before grinning. "Yea cuz I don't have to sing. The only thing me and you have to do is just play the drums and guitar. It's all up to Austin to sing and wow 'em all."

Austin gulped before making the mistake of peeking behind the curtains. When he saw the banquet hall filling up he groaned and turned to Damon. "How bad is it, singing in front of hundreds and all?"

Damon grinned and shrugged. "It depends. The first ten times I was terrified. After that it slowly got better, but only slightly. The fear never does quite go away if that's what you're asking. Think of it like gymnastics. You're usually somewhat nervous even after all these years, it's kinda like that."

Austin glanced at the ceiling before shaking his nerves. "You're right Damon. We can totally do this." He paused before swallowing roughly. "Just right after I make a quick pit-stop."

Kelly grimaced as she walked back stage to see Austin hugging a trashcan. She shook her head hoping she wouldn't get that nervous before pulling out her flowing white dress. After she slipped it on and walked towards the curtains she spotted her acoustic guitar leaning against the wall. She hummed the melody of her song before lightly strumming the chords in tempo with her melody. She began playing faster until she felt a hand on her shoulder.

She glanced up and saw Payson staring back at her. She smiled before shaking her head. "Look Pay, I know you mean well and all with trying to help and talk with me and Austin about everything that's going on, but can you just step back...please. No one judged you and Sasha when you two got together so why should Austin and I be any different? Besides...we're not even together."

Payson swallowed back tears before nodding. "I was just letting you know that Sasha is on stage introducing the talent show. I just wanted you to know so you'd be ready because you're up first."

Kelly instantly felt bad for jumping allover Payson so she smiled and squeezed her shoulder. "Thanks Pay." She paused before lightly exhaling. "And I'm sorry for snapping at you just now. It's just that Austin told me about you're talk earlier."

Payson sniffed, trying not to let Kelly's words cut her too deep before nodding. "Yea it's okay. I'm just trying to be a good friend and help."

Kelly nodded before stepping away and started pacing, waiting for Sasha to call her name on stage. Once he did she gripped her guitar and slowly walked to the stool provided for her. She climbed on and shakily placed her guitar in front of her. She bit her lip before tapping the mic. She cleared her throat before speaking softly. "Many people look at me and think of the she-devil and stay away. When I was younger I loved to write. Anything really: poems, stories, even songs. But when I learned about the world of gymnastics everything changed. Gymnastics became my first love and music my second." She bit her lip before trying to find Austin and cringed inwardly when she couldn't place his face in the crowd. "Um...a few weeks ago some things happened and friendships changed. In the midst of the drama and heartache I began to write. When I put down my pen this is what was in front of me."

She looked down and began to strum the familiar chords of the introduction and visualized Ausstin sitting in front of her. With his face and smile in her mind she began to sing 'I Want Tears'.

Austin perked up and slowly stood up from the trashcan when he heard Kelly singing softly on stage. He shoved past Sasha and ignored Payson as he moved to the curtains obscuring his view of Kelly. He stared in awe as she sang of love and pain. He watched as she sang the melody of her heart and his own heart soared as he watched her put her emotions on a very rare display. Watching Kelly preform gave him the courage he needed to do his own act. He motioned for Damon and Carter to join him in his observations of Kelly and grinned when they both came closer to watch her.

As the song ended and the applause ripped through the stunned silence Damon elbowed Austin in the ribs. "Dude, she's good. She wrote that song herself and she can sing. After the Olympics she could be a singer with a record deal and everything."

Austin rolled his eyes and shook his head. "I don't see Parks being the type to go on tours and selling out to anyone. She walks to the beat of her own drum."

Damon shrugged and nodding. "Maybe. I guess time will tell."

Austin nodded and grinned as he watched Kelly place her guitar against the wall. He slowly crept up behind her and placed his hands on her shoulder. He grinned at her crookedly before wrapping his arms around her. "Damn Kell, that was really good. You were amazing out there."

Kelly snuggled into his friendly embrace and inhaled his scent of pine and soap. "Thanks Tucker."

Austin smiled as he pushed her at arms length away. "I'm not kidding Kelly. That was amazing because you wrote that on your own and you put the melody together and everything. Not to mention you have a brilliant voice."

Kelly blushed as Austin continued to compliment her singing and writing skills. He was cut short of his praise when Sasha came over and announced that Austin was next. She watched as he went slightly pale and swayed on his feet. He turned towards Carter and Damon before nodding and walking towards the stage with them behind him.

He gulped as the blinding lights glared down on him and glanced at Damon and Carter for some shred of support. He watched as Carter took his place on the drums and Damon nodded before grabbing his guitar of its stand. When it was silent Austin raked his hands through his hair and glanced towards the front row. He was relieved when he saw Kelly sitting next to Emily. If he stayed focused on just kelly he'd be perfectly fine.

He adjusted the mic before staring out into the audience. "How's everyone doing tonight?" When the loud cheers and whistles died away he nodding and smirked at the crowd. "From the sounds of things I take it you're all enjoying the show. Me and the boys are going to be speeding tings up a little bit. Not that Kelly's song was bad because on the contrary it was one of the most beautiful things I've heard. I kind of heard this song on the radio not too long ago and thought I could do a cover of it. So we got Carter Anderson rocking out on drums and we got my boy Damon Young jamming it up on the guitar. And me of course will be singing." He paused as he took in Emily's surprised and exited face at seeing her boyfriend and smirked at her knowingly. He cleared his throat before continuing. "The song is actually done by a British artist. The song's 'Vegas Girl' by Conor Maynard so I hope you guys enjoy our version."

As Carter started the beat and Damon began the intro Austin looked out into the crowd and sought out Kelly and grinned when he found her. As soon as he found her, he found the courage to begin singing. Once he stared he couldn't stop for anything. The thrill of being on stage and entertaining a crowd took over and he began to sway and move to the music. When the song came to an end Carter tossed his drum sticks into the crowd while Austin jumped into the crowd marveling in the cheers and applause that him and his two friends could bring.

Once he was backstage he began to put his things away before glancing at the time. He smirked when he felt a presence behind him. He turned and was pleased to see Kelly before him.

He raised his eyebrow and grinned at her. "So whatcha think?"

Kelly smirked and shook her head before rolling her eyes. "You acted like some crazy rock band in the end. What with you jumping into the crowd and Carter tossing his drumsticks into the crowd like some maniac. Over all you guys did okay."

Austin smirked before grinning. "You didn't think I could sing huh? Just admit it."

Kelly huffed before crossing her arms. "Okay fine. I didn't think you'd be able to hold your own up there, but I guess I was wrong for once."

He smirked before nodding. "It's cool Parks. Quite honestly though, I think I'll stick to gymnastics until 2012. I have a gold medal to win and all."

Kelly laughed before shoving his shoulder. "You go do that Tucker. I'll be outside with Em when you get done. Maybe we can do something with Em and Damon after you get done in here, yea?"

Austin nodded and grinned. "Sure thing Parks."

Kelly watched with Emily and Damon as the crowd began to dwindle in the parking lot. She glanced at her phone and grimaced at the time. She looked up towards the doors and bit her lip as Austin stalked out of The Rock with Payson trying to keep up with him, but her pregnancy was making it really difficult. She backed up against the wall as she watched with Emily and Damon in horror as a terrible scene unfolded before their eyes.

Austin raked his hand through his hair as he was standing with Payson in the middle of the parking lot. He refrained from yelling at her, but his anger was slipping through his tone. "Damn it Payson. We already talked about this. Stay out of my love life. Yes I know you're just trying to help and yes I know that you don't agree with some of the things I do, but hell you knew that when you chose to be my friend."

Payson bit her lip and sighed. "I just don't think it's wise to be seeing Kelly so soon after you broke things off with Kaylie. Not only is it messing with you, it's messing with the team as well."

Austin growled before shoving his hands in his pockets. "Wow. I think I liked you a lot better when you were an emotionless robot thinking and breathing about nothing, but gymnastics."

Payson tried not to let the tears fall, but her emotions betrayed her. "I'm only trying to help. I'm just trying to be a good friend here."

Austin grinned and laughed humorlessly before shaking his head. "Well Belov, you're doing a pretty sucky job in the friend department. You aren't even listening to what I'm saying. First off we are only friends. There is nothing going on between us right now. Could there be something more? Sure in the future when things are calmed down and after the Olympics maybe. You're just being too judgmental to see that. You're only seeing and thinking what you want."

Payson inhaled before shaking her head. "Austin I'm trying I really am."

Austin shook his head before closing his eyes. "Maybe you should try a tad bit harder and until then how about you not talk to me the next time you see me."

He was too focused on looking at Kelly over Payson's shoulder to see the bright headlights heading in their direction. He felt everything as if in slow motion. He didn't hear Payson yell for him to look out nor did he feel her shove him out of the speeding car's path. He felt the asphalt beneath him and looked at the night sky dotted with bright stars. As soon as he got his breath he rolled over and pushed himself up on his hands and knees. He heard Kelly crying while frantically talking on the phone shouting out directions to The Rock and watched as Damon tried holding Emily back in his strong arms. He shook his head and glanced over at the car that sped towards him and Payson only seconds before. His heart sank in his chest when he thought of Payson. He glanced around frantically for Payson and shivered when he didn't see her. He watched as Emily and Kelly raced forward towards the front of the car and he slowly got to his feet intending to call them. When he finally reached Emily and Kelly his heart almost stopped at the sight before him.

There on the ground bloodied and unconscious was Payson.

AN 2: Well I don't think I've left you guys a cliffhanger in awhile so I figured you guys were due for one. So as you can see the open house went well, but tensions and relationships were kind of under pressure. Payson and Sasha seemed to be doing fine until the end of the night. Obviously. I hope you remembered when I said Payson's parents weren't gone. Well the ending scene is the reason. They'll be back next chapter in all the drama and heartache. They'll get to see first hand just how much Payson and Tatiana mean to Sasha. So that might open the doors for reconciliation. Austin is going to be in a rough place over the next few chapters because of what happened between him and Pay. As you can see things were said and things aren't pretty at the moment. So review my little rebels and let me know what you think. It will make Sasha a little better knowing that you're pulling for him and Pay. Just sayin :)