A/N: So, the words in the beginning are the same as in the episode, but the tone and actions will be different. Go with me. Also, this is the very first MIOBI fic I've written, so I'm not sure if Payson and Sasha are OOC or not.

This is meant as a one-shot, but if a few or more people want to see what happens next, I can keep going.

#

Sasha watches Payson as she dances across the mat. His heart swells with pride and joy and something he can't, or won't, name. She's finally connecting with her piece, and Sasha can feel the energy flowing out of her, energy he hasn't ever seen in her, even before her injury.

As she folds herself down into the starting position, he looks from the tiny camcorder to her.

"That was it," he says softly. Her head snaps up, her eyes meeting his as he jogs out to meet her. She stands up as well and throws herself into his arms. He tries to ignore how perfect, how right she feels there.

"That was it," he repeats. "That was fantastic! What you just did, the story you just told…it was inspired, Payson."

He sets her down on her feet and holds her away from him so that he can see her beautiful blue eyes, and he almost frowns when she steps back, out of his reach.

"It's you, Sasha," Payson says, her smile growing. Sasha's heart leaps at her words. "You inspire me."

For a moment, they're both silent and still. Sasha clenches his fists, trying not to reach out for her, trying to remember that he's her coach, and she's only sixteen. But Payson makes the move for him, reaching forward and grasping his face in her hands before pushing herself against him and kissing him.

Sasha's hands go to her waist, intending to push her away, to tell her that he's her coach and that they can't do this, but instead he pulls her closer and wraps his arms around her. He lifts her up, just a little so that her toes barely brush the floor, and deepens the kiss.

Her lips are smooth and soft, and she tastes like cinnamon. Sasha knows she's inexperienced, but he's more than willing to teach her, so he slows down and lets her take the lead. Payson isn't timid, taking the reigns gracefully, nipping at his lips and exploring his mouth with her tongue, although Sasha supposes he should've known. She approaches making out with her coach the same way she used to approach gymnastics; confidant, and unafraid.

Sasha moves one hand to her hair and takes it out of the picture perfect bun as gently as possible, desperate to see if it's as silky as it's always looked. He sifts his fingers through her hair, twirling some strands around his finger before Payson makes a sound; half moan, half sigh. That sound pushes him over the edge and suddenly the hand in her hair is grasping the back of her neck and the arm around her waist tightens. He maneuvers them across the room without breaking the kiss and presses her against the wall, delving further into her mouth.

Her hands are everywhere, on his shoulders and chest, fingernails scraping down his back and lingering at the base of his spine. He shudders, trying to keep some semblance of control. He doesn't know how far he should push her, where he can touch her. He promises himself that he will let Payson make those calls.

She seems content just to kiss, and Sasha finds he is okay with that too. He forgot long ago how wonderful it can be to just…make out.

Finally, they need to separate and catch their breath. They do so slowly, and Sasha wonders if she's cursing their need for oxygen as much as he is.

"Payson," he whispers, pressing his forehead to hers. She swallows thickly, and Sasha smoothes his hands over her hair and then brings them beneath her jaw, tilting her face up to his. He presses a soft, feather-light kiss to her lips and then takes a step back.

Payson looks like a girl who's been thoroughly kissed. Her hair is mussed, her lips are swollen and a brighter pink than usual. It's then, seeing her look so perfect and vulnerable, that Sasha truly realizes what he's done.

"I…I'm sorry," he whispers, frowning. Payson frowns too, confused.

"Sorry?" She echoes. Sasha nods, taking another step back.

"I shouldn't have done that."

"Done what?" Payson asks. The glaze over her eyes is rapidly clearing and is replaced by fire. Sasha knows she isn't going to make this easy.

"Kiss you. I shouldn't have kissed you. Payson, I'm your coach," he says, trying more to reprimand himself than explain anything to her. She already knows.

"Actually, Sasha, I kissed you," she murmurs, biting her bottom lip. It takes every ounce of gymnast control that Sasha has not to kiss her again.

"But I should have stopped it. This is completely inappropriate," he groans, rubbing his hands over his face.

"Then why didn't you?" Her question is so soft he barely hears it. He looks at her and sees that his answer is important to her. He needs to be honest. Slowly Sasha approaches her, taking her hands in his and rubbing his thumbs over the soft skin on the back of her hands.

"I should not tell you this, Payson, but I don't think I can hold it in any longer. Not only are you the most beautiful woman I've ever seen, you have determination, courage, strength, and the heart of a warrior. It's impossible not to fall in love with you," Sasha whispers. He feels her hands shaking in his and hopes he hasn't come on too strong. When she looks at him with tears shining in her eyes, he knows it's exactly the answer she wanted.

"Really?"

"Really. Payson Keeler, I love you and I would do anything for you," Sasha promises. Payson smiles at him so brightly, he's sure he'll be blinded. Then her smile falters.

"We'll have to keep this a secret, won't we?" She asks. Sasha sighs, he doesn't want to have this part of the conversation.

"Actually, I think its better there's no…this," he says, motioning between them. "Until I'm not your coach anymore."

"And when will that be?" Payson asks, not sure she wants to hear the answer.

"Probably not until after the Olympics."

"Two years?" Sasha pulls her in for a hug, savoring the warmth of her body and the smell of her skin.

"I know it seems like forever, Payson, but it will fly by. And it will be better for your training if you're not distracted by…this."

"I know." Payson takes a deep, shuddering breath and pulls back. "You're right."

#

They try to stay away from each other, they really do. But inevitably they stay later than everyone else and end up alone in the gym. And that always leads to something. Each time it's harder and harder for Sasha not to carry her out to his trailer and make her his, but somehow he resists. Payson seems to enjoy torturing him, teasing him all through practice with feather light touches, suggestive looks and whispers.

"Payson, we should stop," he whispers a few nights after their first encounter. His hand is beneath her tank top, feeling her smooth skin burn beneath his fingers. She arches into his touch, urging him on, but he pulls away. "We need to stop."

She pouts.

"Payson," he says warningly. She sighs.

"Fine," she huffs, looking every bit the stubborn sixteen-year-old she is. Sasha thinks it's adorable. "Sasha, it's so hard to stay away from you."

"I know," he whispers, tracing his fingertips over her cheekbones. "It's hard to stay away from you too, but we have to."

"I don't want to. I want to be with you, Sasha, and I don't care what anyone says." She reaches up to hold on to his wrists, digging her blunt nails in just a little to make her point.

"Payson, if people found out it could ruin you. You could still get to the Olympics, if you could ignore the whispers and stares from your friends, but they would throw me in jail and we would be over before we even started," Sasha explains. Payson shakes her head.

"I don't care what happens to me, Sasha. And technically we're not doing anything illegal, so they wouldn't put you in jail."

"I care what happens to you, Payson. This has to stop, I have to learn to control myself." Sasha sees Payson's eyes flash with indignation.

"This is a two way street, Sasha. I need to learn to control myself too," Payson says. Sasha wants to argue, to tell her that he's the adult and that makes it his responsibility, but he knows it isn't worth it. Arguing would only make her more determined.

After Payson leaves the gym for the night, Sasha sits in the office, staring out across the gym at the floor, thinking about the look in Payson's eyes as the routine finally clicked.

He decides then, even though it isn't the decision he wants to make; he will see her onto the World's Team, and then he'll leave. It's too dangerous, too risky for them to be around each other.

Taking a pen and paper from the drawer, he begins to write.

#

Payson,

I know you're probably confused right now, maybe even angry with me, and that's okay. It's okay because I love you, Payson Keeler, and I would do anything for you. Even if it makes you angry. I hope you understand why I'm gone, why I can't stay at the Rock. I love you too much to let you take a risk like being with me. I know you think you're invincible, but a stigma like that doesn't go away. It will wear you down and break you, and I don't want that for you.

I meant what I said, about being together after the Olympics. I know it sounds like forever, but I'm willing to wait, if you are. You don't have to wait, you know. I want you to be happy. So in the meantime, date, have fun with boys your age. And if one of them captures your heart, then don't give me a second thought.

I will love you forever, Payson. And I know that you are going to do incredible things at the Olympics. I'll be watching.

Love,

Sasha