Chapter 3
"What did you do Payson?" he asks.
"I had a couple extra shots of cortisone" she replies.
"You did what? How in the hell did you get extra shots of cortisone Payson?" demands Sasha.
"From a friend" she says carefully.
Sasha pulls her into the office and shuts the door behind them.
"What friend Payson?" he demands.
"I'm not saying okay but he wanted to help, he knew how much this meant to me, he understood" argues Payson.
"Nicky Russo, it was him wasn't it?" demands Sasha.
Payson looks away guiltily.
"How'd you know?" she asks.
"Because it was plain as day he was nuts about you, and he wanted this as much as you did Payson and his father is a doctor, god do you know how dangerous that was, if something had gone wrong no one would've known why" snaps Sasha.
Payson bites her lip again.
"After your vault I saw you wince, you said you needed the bathroom, but you went to have another shot of cortisone didn't you" it isn't phrased like a question but she answers anyway.
"Yes, but I didn't" she replies.
"Why not?" asks Sasha.
"Because I saw Kelly getting a shot and when I asked why she'd given me such a hard time, she said we all lie, and I realised that wasn't me, so I threw the shot away and the rest you know, and yes I know it was stupid and risky but I wanted it Sasha, it was everything to me, not boys, not a social life, not my friends, gymnastics and I was desperate to keep it, but given how things have turned out I wouldn't change anything but at the time I didn't know what I'd do if I lost this, my dream has been to stand on that Olympic podium and win the gold and I thought I was going to lose it" admits Payson her eyes filling with tears.
Sasha sits next to her and pulls her into a hug, he knew how much Payson had wanted it, and she had lived, breathed and bled gymnastics it was everything to her.
"Are you still mad at me?" she asks.
"I am so angry with you right now Payson it is unbelievable but I know why you did it" sighs Sasha.
"It's kind of pointless for you to be mad at me for something that happened two years ago" offers Payson.
"I know but still" he mutters.
"Besides if I hadn't had my accident I never would've become who I am now, I might not have everything I have, I might not have my medals, my friends, my boyfriend and a job I love, I was so focused on gymnastics I was in a box and it wasn't healthy and I see that now" says Payson.
"I suppose since I'm not your coach anymore I can't really be angry with you besides I forgave Lauren for sending the picture and what you did was never meant to cause harm, but please Payson do not ever hide something like that from me again, I've almost watched you die once, I have no intention of seeing it happen again, understood?" asks Sasha.
"Understood, you know we should probably get back to the kids" says Payson.
"You go ahead I've got some paperwork to do" he replies letting go of her and standing up.
"Okay" she nods and walks out.
Sasha watches her head back onto the floor and start working with the kids, she really was a natural, while she could be strict and tough she could also be so caring and loving, she reminded him so much of Kim it was almost funny and she would make a great mom someday.
A/N so I hope you guys are liking this, though it is a Payson/Sasha fic it'll be slow burn because I just think Rigo is such a sweetie, also please review :)