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CH.7

The water was stupid. He'd purchased three cases on impulse at the front desk simply because she'd said she liked it, and while that was stupid giving it to her had been a stupid idea of epic proportions. He couldn't even figure out why he wanted to give it to her other than the fact that she had enjoyed it so much on their trip. And that, he had to stop thinking of it as their trip it was his getaway trip. The one he'd abandoned about an hour after she'd made her getaway.

The sole purpose of the trip had been to excise her from his mind and that notion dissapated the moment she had shown up and then left him with the ghost of Payson past. He couldn't even wile his time away at the lake partaking of his favorite past time as that too had been tainted by her precense. Her scent lingered on his jacket, everywhere he looked he saw her smile or heard her laugh. This excusion to the woods had proven to be an exersice in futility. No matter how far he ran she always seemed to find him. Now he was holed up in his office castigating himself for giving her a bottle of overpriced water. He glanced down at the unopened cases on the otherside of his desk. What had he been thinking. Luckily she hadn't noticed anything when he handed her the bottle her intense focus working in his favor.

He listened to the smack of feet against the runway and knew that he would have to return to the floor to spot her more difficult vault. Shaking his head he decended the stairs again, he had alot more to worry about today than a misguided bottle of water. He had recieved a call from Marty Walsh last week and the gym would be recieving two male transfers from Denver later that morning now that he was back. He was sure their precense would effect the atmosphere of the gym and not in a good way but his pride wanted to stick it to Marty that he was the better coach, and poaching from his male roster was a sure fire way to do it.

As he approached the vault he observed Payson. With the additional twist she sat down on two out of three ofher attempts leading him to tell her that she like Lauren would need to work on strengthenig her shoulder muscles in order to perfect the trick. All in all it was coming along well it wouldn't be ready for competition for another month at the very least, but that would be plenty of time for their next international meet which was be scheduled in the early part of next year in Greece just a month before the American Cup.

By the time the other gymnasts began to trickle in they'd worked through every apparatus and he'd given her his critiques. It was easy enough even though he hadn't worked with her directly he had kept close tabs on her progress via Mandy.

Lauren smiled brightly at him when she arrived and began warming up. She had really blossomed in the months since Worlds and he was amazed by her progress. She was showing herself to be a true contender, it made him even more wary about the new additions to the roster from Denver. He really didn't need anything to shake her newfound focus.

He watched as Emily who's confidence had grown by leaps and bounds started training a new bars dismount with Jake. She was finally displaying all the promise that everyone has seen in her. Then there was Payson she was waiting in line to work on the floor the event that she now owned. Payson who would go down as one of the all-time greats in the sport. She took a sip of water from her bottle looked down at it and smiled. He felt inordinatly pleased that his small peace offering had made her happy.

It was because he was so busy preening that he didnt notice the new arrivals until he felt a hush fall over the gym and then Laurens voice ran out loud, clear and full of disbelief, "Carter,"

It was followed closely by Payson's not so loud and slightly breathy, "Nicky," he cut his eyes to her and raised an eyebrow at her expression, that was new.

Walking over he greeted the two returning gymnasts with a handshake and started to escort them to the office when the door burst open again and a tiny brunette with a smirk stepped in between the duo holding a Denver elite folder with her name on it.

"Good Morning Coach Belov, I heard the Rock was accepting new gymnasts."

He heard Lauren again, "What the hell is this some sort of hostile takeover?"

Followed by a softer voice that sounded like Emily "You have got to be kidding me." He secretly seconded both sentiments.

Smiling in what he hoped was a warm way he let his gaze travel between her face and the folder she was clutching in her slightly trembling fist. "Ms. Parker what a pleasant surprise." He gestured for her to preceed him up the stairs along with the two young men.

Once they reached the office doors he asked her to wait outside. He gave Carter and Nicky a review of the policies and procedures at the rock with emphasis on the no dating policy. It took about five mins and then he asked them to send Kelly in. He took her folder and placed it on his desk without a second glance.

"Why are you here Kelly?"

''My ankle is better, and I'm ready to train.''

''You are the one of the best gymnasts in the world you could train anywhere. Why are you here?''

''To train with you.''

He narrowed his eyes at her and didn't speak.

She continued ''I meant what I said at Worlds before those girls started training with you I was the best I should have been able to beat Tanner and Kmetko with my eyes closed and a broken ankle.'' She finished with a huff.

''And Payson?'' He asked honestly curious as to how she felt about her one time rival.

''My pacecar. To be the best you have to work with the best. Right now you, Payson Austin...'' She trailed off, ''Right now you are the best, and I'm losing my edge in Denver. Maybe I'm in need of a little inspiration.'' She finished with her eyes downcast.

He could tell that wasn't the entire story but there was an edge of desperation and defeat to her tone that made him think she didnt have any ulterior motives. "I don't play games Kelly and I don't allow underhanded tactics and manipulation here at The Rock. We are all on each others side, we are a team, a single unit, and we work as such. How my girls treat each other is very important to me. We help each other, we protect each other. No one person is more important than the whole I won't allow this gym to become the Kelly Parker show or the Jerry Springer show. I know you haven't always gotten along with the girls nor have they always been fair to you, but after today they will be your girls just as much as you will be theirs. Learn to love it. Are we clear?"

"I got it. Play nice."

"Wrong. Be nice."

"Baby steps, Belov."

He gave her an unimpressed look.

''Coach Belov I mean.''

''Go, dress out and warm up. You can work with Payson today.

"So I can stay."

He raised his eyebrows and gave her an expectant look, he watched as a small smile bloomed across her face and her shoulders sagged with relief she hoisted her bag and headed to the door.

''Oh and Kelly," she glanced back over her shoulder, "Welcome to the Rock

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