It was about two hours after the meet against Pinewood and the three elite Rock girls were finally grabbing their gym bags to leave for the weekend. There was an aura of elation surrounding them despite the horrible meet they just performed in. Having Sasha back was beyond worth their most embarrassing performance.

Lauren sighed as she led the group to the front doors. "It'll be nice to have Sasha back, I can't believe we all ate mat so much today." She grimaced as she thought about every time someone fell today, which added up was more than they had ever done in any meet they'd had since they were kids.

"I can't wait to get back in here and start training hard again." Payson agreed.

"Well girls, I'm glad you all feel this way. Spend a nice relaxing weekend with your parents then pack a bag or two that will last you for a week. You three and Kaylie will be staying in the gym twenty-four seven starting Monday and ending Sunday." A familiar voice called behind them.

All three girls spun, their jaws dropped in shock at their newly reinstated coach. "What?" Lauren asked outrage written across her face.

"You heard me Miss Tanner. The three of you have lost so much focus and let your lives spiral out of control and taken your gymnastics down the drain with them. That ends Monday. You thought I made you eat, sleep, bleed gymnastics before? That was nothing compared to this next week." He crossed his arms staring at the girls daring them to challenge and oppose him.

The three of them looked back and forth at each other, coming to a silent agreement that they deserved this.

"Good I'm glad were on the same page then. If you'll excuse me I have a 'doctor' to speak to before going to the Cruz's house." He finished as he brushed past the girls and leaving the gym.

"Do you really think he'll keep us here for an entire week?" Emily's hesitant voice asked.

Lauren and Payson glanced at each other. "Well he's kept us here for a weekend before so…" Payson said with a shrug.

"In that case I need to go call Max and set up a spa appointment for tomorrow. No way am I going to be stuck in here for a week without these massive knots and bruises getting some major attention." Lauren said as she rushed out of the gym.

Emily and Payson stared after her in disbelief. "Uh Pay, didn't you have plans to run with Max this weekend?" she asked hesitantly, turning towards the blond.

Payson bit her lip and sighed in resignation. "Yeah… But you saw how much Lauren's been all over him lately. Plus I don't need a stupid boy to distract me and ruin my Olympic plans." She explained as if she believed what she was saying. Emily on the other hand knew her friend well enough to see through the façade, she had seen the way she looked at Max for the past couple of weeks and how the guy made her smile and laugh almost constantly.

"If you say so… I still think he's more into you than he is Lauren though." Emily responded as they slowly walked towards the exit.

Payson shrugged as she pushed the doors open. "Doesn't change the fact that nothing is going to happen between us. Either way, I still kinda like someone else more anyways." She said with a slight blush gracing her cheeks.

Emily stared at her friend for a moment as they walked into the cool air of the autumn night. "You still like Nicky?" It hadn't been a secret that Nicky and Payson had a thing going before her accident and his abrupt flee from Boulder. Even though the press and Lauren tried pushing the whole Kaylicky thing, everyone knew that Nicky only had eyes for Payson.

The blond girls head snapped towards Emily her eyes wide with shock. "Oh uhm yeah… Nicky." She seemed to fumble with her words for a moment. "I figured everyone would have forgotten about him by now." She laughed nervously. "He was my first crush and kiss and all." She shrugged. "Guess I just haven't gotten over that. Not that it matters, he's in Denver and I'll probably never see him again. Its for the best." She rambled nervously as she stepped next to the passenger door of her moms SUV.

Something seemed off to Emily as she processed everything her friend was saying. "Well you never know… If what Lauren was saying last night after you left is right, I'm pretty sure the Rock drama will seem like nothing compared to Denver Elite's drama to Nicky." She wasn't sure that Nicky was the best guy for Payson considering he'd slipped her illegal cortisone for her back, but if he made her happy that was all that mattered.

Payson nodded but didn't seem to be really listening. Suddenly the gym doors opened again as Chloe and Kim came out laughing and smiling. Payson seemed almost relieved at the chance to change topics. "Whats got you two so happy?"

Kim Keeler smiled at her daughter. "We were just discussing throwing a viewing party for the invitational that you girls will be attending in Hungary next weekend. None of the parents can go, so we thought it'd be nice if we could all at least be together to support each other while watching you girls."

Payson glanced from Emily back to her mom. "I totally forgot that the invitational's so soon. No wonder he wants us to stay all week in the gym." She rubbed her forehead in stress.

Chloe gasped. "What do you mean stay in the gym all week? Isn't that against the law?"

The girls shook their heads. "Honestly mom, we need the extra gym time. Did you not see how bad we were out there today?" Emily exclaimed.

"Well it better be damn well worth being away from your families for an entire week." Chloe said with a disgruntled tone. Emily knew her mother wanted her to succeed, but sometimes her mom just didn't understand just how much gymnasts had to sacrifice to be the best.

Kim nodded in agreement with Chloe's statement then headed towards her car door. "Well we better get you home Pay, so you can pack and spend as much time as possible with Becca and your dad before Monday."

Payson and Emily waved to each other as they both got into their cars and went their separate ways to prepare for possibly the hardest week of their lives.

Sasha had never had the slightest bit of patience for psychiatrists. His father had tried to send him to one when his mother passed on and he had hated every moment of it. It happened a few months before Sasha moved to England to train with Nicolai. His mother had gotten into a car accident on her way to the team Nationals for Romania. Hearing of her death effectively killed his mental game making him lose horribly. After that his father forced him into seeing a therapist three times a week after practices and then the therapist told his father that it would be best if he sat out on the next international meet. That was when Sasha put his foot down. He knew he hadn't been completely consistent but he was getting better and his father refused to listen to him not wanting to take any chances.

The therapist had been a complete robot; telling him things he already knew and making him feel like a little child when he was already nearly 18. Nicolai however, worked with him through his grief, allowing Sasha to break down when he was ready and helping him rebuild himself. Deep down he knew that was what Kaylie needed right now. Someone to be there for her when she was ready to admit to her problem and to help her get past it. Not someone who pretends to understand what she goes through when all they do is sit behind a desk all day.

As he knocked on the therapists' door he briefly worried that Alex Cruz would be upset with him for doing this. Hopefully at the end of the day, he would see Sasha had her best interest at heart.

"Ah Mister Belov correct?" A balding man in his mid thirties asked as he shook Sasha's hand and allowing him inside.

Sasha nodded as he sat down on the couch across the chair that the older man was now sitting down in. "So you are Kaylie's coach correct?" Sasha nodded again, knowing the therapist didn't want him to speak yet. "I've heard quite a bit about you. Mrs. Cruz tells me that you came to them one night asking about Kaylie's weight? Did you realize she was starving herself?" he inquired.

He glared at the man for his accusatory tone. "Yes I did come to them one night, after someone had pointed out to me that Kaylie wasn't looking as healthy as she should be. I realized then that she was most likely trying to drop an unhealthy amount of weight to be able to do a certain move to raise her DOD. Her weight was normal though, so I didn't push it again."

The therapist cocked his head slightly with a curious look on his face. "You never noticed on your own that she seemed to be having issues? I mean, you spend more time with these girls than their own parents do, don't you?"

"Excuse me, but are you saying that its my fault that Kaylie became an anorexic?" Sasha demanded, his anger rising.

"What I'm saying mister Belov, is that perhaps you should have noticed a bit sooner that your gymnast wasn't healthy before anyone else had." He said crossing his hands over his clipboard.

"You're correct I should have noticed before anyone else did. I was so busy trying to make one of my gymnasts comfortable with a completely new style of gymnastics for her that I did indeed neglect the other girls more than acceptable. I realized long ago that I should have been there for all of them more than I was, but I can't take that back now. All I can do now is bring Kaylie back into the gym and keep a closer eye on her which is exactly what I plan on doing next week." Sasha declared, his nostrils flaring in anger at the therapist. Most of his anger was towards himself, but it was so much easier pawning it off on this foolish man.

The other man chuckled humorlessly. "Excuse me, but I think I misheard you. You plan on bringing Kaylie back to the gym next week?" he clicked his tongue disapprovingly. "I'm afraid I can't condone that, Kaylie isn't at a safe place in her treatment."

"Yes well, excuse me if I don't agree with you." Sasha stood. "She's been away from gymnastics for how long? Over a month now, and out of rehab for three weeks. I think by now she's probably more than ready." He left the room without even saying a good bye and shutting the door with a slight slam. Now for the hard part, convincing Alex Cruz.

Kaylie sat on her bed frowning at her cell phone re-reading the text that Lauren had just sent her. She knew the blond girl could be intentionally cruel sometimes but this was just too much.

Be prepared Sasha's back and as strict as ever. An entire week stuck in the gym, how horrible is that? – Lo

She couldn't understand why Lauren was shoving this in her face. Considering she'd been out of the gym for weeks now she was itching to get back and hearing that the girls were going to spend an entire week doing nothing but gymnastics made Kaylie more envious than she had ever felt in her life. Who was Lauren to complain about having to do nothing but the thing she loved most in the world for a week without distractions? Kaylie would have given anything in the world to be able to do that.

A groan escaped her lips as she grabbed her journal to write out her feelings. It had become a knee jerk reaction ever since Damon had given her the journal. After hearing him explain how much it helped him deal with everything he went through she figured it couldn't hurt, and after a day of trying it out she had become addicted to it. Writing everything out, even just simple words and sentences sometimes made Kaylie feel free and unburdened.

Before grabbing her pen though she slid her cell keyboard out and typed out a quick reply to Lauren knowing the other girl would get annoyed if she took too long to respond and start asking if Damon was with her again. Ever since Kaylie let it slip that she and Damon kissed while recording the song they sang at the Shack together a week ago Lauren had been constantly talking about how they made the cutest couple ever. Kaylie resisted the urge to roll her eyes at the memory. Lauren had always been completely for any relationship that would help her get the guy she wanted to have. Currently she was after Max whom as far as Kaylie knew, was completely crazy about Payson. She shook her head. Everything had become so complicated in the past year or so.

Wow sounds so awful. At least you'll see Max more? –Kay

Lauren surely wouldn't sense the sarcasm in the message and if she did she'd just dismiss it as jealousy and end up feeling like she got the high end again. Frustrated Kaylie opened her journal roughly to the next clean page and started writing her pen digging a bit deeper in the page than she intended. Before she could write more than a page though her cell started vibrating again.

I'm guessing Sasha hasn't gotten to your house yet then? –Lo

Kaylie's brows furrowed in confusion. Why in the world would Sasha come to her house today? She was just about to type out a response asking what in the world Lauren meant when she heard the door bell chorus throughout the house. Her eyes widened thinking it was too much of a coincidence, but regardless she jumped out of bed and ran towards the door. When she finally reached the bottom of the steps near the foyer she saw her father staring at Sasha with his arms crossed. Sasha's eyes flicked towards hers, his expression was just as determined as he normally looked just before a competition.

"Whats going on here?" she asked confusion and annoyance clear in her voice.

Sasha and Alex glanced back and forth between each other a moment before Alex let out a sigh. "Kaylie I think we should move into the den, will you lead Sasha the right way while I call your mother? I think she should be here for this too." Shooting a last glare at Sasha, he went towards the kitchen his phone in hand.

Kaylie glanced up at her ex coach and nodded her head in the opposite direction leading him towards the den. "I'm guessing that you wouldn't tell me why you're here even if I asked?" she inquired.

Sasha smirked slightly at her. "I'm fairly certain your dad would get extremely upset if I discussed it without him and your mum present."

Kaylie rolled her eyes in humor and nodded. Ever since she'd gotten home from rehab it seemed like her parents didn't like any adults talking to her without at least one of them being present. Hell they even nearly flipped a lid when they found out that Payson had stayed the night the weekend before. As that particular thought crossed her mind Kaylie looked up at her ex coach and narrowed her eyes slightly.

Payson had seemed so sure and heartbroken that Sasha would never step foot in Boulder again. But here he was in her den, sitting down on their Italian made love seat looking around the lavish room taking in all the details as they waited for her parents to join them. What had made him change his mind in such a short amount of time? Everyone knew that once Sasha Belov's mind was made up it was a done deal. After everything that had happened in the past couple of months, and especially after him refusing Payson last week… everyone had lost any hope of him ever coming back.

Sasha's eyes flicked to Kaylie's and she blushed slightly realizing she had rudely been staring at him the entire time. "I'm glad you're looking so healthy Kaylie, you have no idea how worried I've been about you."

Her eyebrow quirked, "You're right I haven't had any idea, considering as far as any of us knew you were long gone and didn't give a crap about any of us anymore." She let the pent up anger she felt towards him flow out easily and looked away but not before noticing the look of shame on Sasha's face.

"I know, I should have been there for you girls, but I felt like everything was my fault and that you would all flourish without me there." His voice was low, apologetic.

Kaylie sighed. "We know that's how you feel but in reality Sasha? We were becoming better thanks to you. But after Payson broke her back and then had her surgery suddenly she had all of your attention. Someone had to tell you that I was becoming anorexic, you never noticed that Emily was having problems or that she went to jail, and you didn't bother to see that Lauren was feeling neglected by everyone in her life and spiraling out of control emotionally. I love Payson, and I understand why you were paying special attention to her. But Sasha, you completely forgot about the rest of us." She stared into his eyes seeing nothing but guilt and self hatred in them.

As he opened his mouth to respond her parents walked in and sat on either side of her on the over sized couch and both looked at Sasha apprehensively.

"We thought you left for good?" Ronnie asked clearly confused by his appearance.

Sasha ruffled his hair in frustration knowing this would come up over and over again with each parent of the Rock and probably the NGO and everyone else involved in the sport. "I'm back, and I want Kaylie to come back with me."

Payson's eyes widened as she read the text that Kaylie had just sent her. She knew Sasha could be persuasive when he wanted to be, but this was just amazing. Everyone had assumed that no one would get Alex and Ronnie Cruz to budge about letting Kaylie return to gymnastics yet. But yet there were the words right in front of her.

OMG Pay! I'm coming back to the Rock for real! Cya Monday –Kay

She shook her head in wonder, that man never ceased to amaze her. Setting her cell down on her bed side table she went back to packing her bag. True it was still only early Saturday morning, and she wouldn't be going to the Rock until Monday but she wanted to make sure she had everything packed for the week and her international bag ready as well. Payson was so beyond excited to get into the gym again and get back to real training, making her muscles ache pleasantly, landing new routines that would up her DOD, her body was buzzing in anticipation for it.

Suddenly her phone buzzed again. Her eyebrow raised slightly in confusion, no one else should be contacting her the rest of the weekend. Everyone had made plans as soon as they got home and jam packed their weekend seeing their loved ones as much as possible. She walked over and picked up the phone her heart immediately as she saw New text from: Sasha and quickly opened it gasping at the contents.

Change in plans, be at the Rock at 6 pm sharp Sunday night for the sleepover week extravaganza or consider yourself off the team.

Lauren sighed in contentment as the masseuse dug the heels of her hands into her back deeply. "Mmm this was the best idea I've had in ages I swear."

People often considered Lauren bossy and spoiled, and in reality they were probably right. She knew right now the other girls were probably spending time with their families and getting packed for the next week but right now she honestly couldn't be bothered. Last night her and Max went on a long walk around the park, which she supposed was over rated and way too girly for her taste… something someone like Emily or Kaylie would fawn over. But it was needed, with Sasha back the no dating rule would most likely get set into place again soon and she needed to lock down things with Max before that happened, and if going on a moonlit walk was the thing that would seal the deal, then she'd go on as many walks as he wanted.

It was still beyond obvious that there was something about Payson that Max wanted that Lauren didn't possess, but she couldn't figure out what exactly it was. Max was always taking pictures of Payson and drooling over her natural beauty or whatever. Lauren didn't exactly see what he meant, Payson was pretty of course, but she was nothing compared to herself. A cute little deer whose eyes were wide in headlights compared to the sexy confident tigress.

Lauren let out a huff as her masseuse reminded her to relax. A few minutes later however her cell phone buzzed from her purse. "Hold on a minute." She ordered as she reached down to get her cell, hoping for Max to ask her out to dinner tonight. They had briefly mentioned doing something together again this weekend, and personally Lauren felt the sooner the better. But as she looked at her inbox she frowned seeing a new text from Sasha. Wondering what he could possibly want on a Saturday morning she opened the text quickly, nearly screaming at the contents. He couldn't be serious! That cut out an entire night that she could be spending making Max hers!

Furiously she went through speed dial and called Max, desperate to make plans for today. With an entire night cut out of her last bit of freedom, she needed every moment possible with him.

"Lauren?" his voice answered after four rings.

"Well good morning to you too handsome." She replied

"Er right, sorry you just caught me by surprise. I'm actually on my way out right now." His voice sounded slightly panicked, like he'd been caught in the act.

Laurens eyes narrowed suspiciously as she sat up, wrapping the towel around her. "Oh? Well, I was just wondering if you had plans tonight because Sasha changed—"

He cut her off "Yeah sorry Lauren, I'm pretty much busy all day, I'll see you tomorrow though okay?" he sounded like he was in a hurry.

"Really now? And who are you oh so busy with today?" she snipped at him.

She could practically see him hesitate biting his lip before answering. "Uh Payson and I kinda have plans to go running and stuff today. Sorry."

"Right well you have fun with your buddy then." She snapped her phone shut rage building up inside her as she threw the towel to the side and grabbed her clothes hastily getting dressed.

Who the hell did Payson think she was taking an entire day with Max from her? She had made dibs on Max already, and Payson was normally the type of girl to not hang out with guys ever. The only exceptions being that Ike guy from her brief high school days and… Nicky.

She picked her phone back up from where she laid it in her purse and flipped through her contacts till she found the one she wanted. "Hi, Nicky Russo? I'm sure you remember me, Lauren Tanner. I have a small proposition for you…" she smirked.

Payson laughed at the joke Max had just made and sped up a little. "You don't have to go easy on me you know." She chastised him.

He shrugged lightly. "I'm not in a big hurry but if it's a race you want…"

She smirked. "Meet you at the picnic table!" suddenly she burst off leaving him stunned for a moment before he ran after her smiling.

Payson was unlike any girl Max had ever met before. She kept him on his toes at all times, and never seemed to realize how amazing she truly was. Even without the career comeback of a lifetime she was still the most unique person he knew. Most gymnastic girls in the gyms he'd trained in were relatively the same. So wrapped up in the drama of families, boys, friends that they often didn't reach their potential. Payson on the other hand refused to let anything get in her way of getting what she wanted gymnastics wise. He had been genuinely shocked at how much she faltered at the competition the day before.

He sped up a bit to try to catch up with Payson even though she was good few yards ahead of him now. Honestly he was a bit frustrated at her unwillingness to be with him even after he confessed his feelings to her. Of course he understood her reasoning completely, but it didn't make it any easier to just be her friend now especially since he had the sneaking feeling that she felt the same way about him.

She slapped her hand down on the picnic table that had just barely come into view and he groaned slowing his pace down as he reached it as well. "Fine you win." He huffed as he tried to catch his breath.

She smiled and laughed in victory, her face was so angelic it took all of his power not to lean over and kiss her. Instead he sat on the closest bench of the table and Payson took the other side. "In all fairness I did have a bit of a head start, so its pretty much a tie."

Max shook his head. "You beat me fair and square Pay." He watched as she took two bottles of water out of the cooler they had left at the table when they started their run. They'd done a full circle around the park going up and down the hilly area working out muscles that Max forgot he had. Generally he only ran on treadmills but Payson refused saying that running outdoors was so much better for them.

"So.. I'm guessing that Lauren already told you all the National Team members from the girl side are staying all week at the Rock?" she asked innocently. Max heard the slight awkwardness in Payson's voice as she said Lauren's name though.

Max nodded. "We uh, had a date last night and she ranted about it. I think it's a pretty good idea though. You guys have fallen apart as gymnasts and as a team lately."

She sighed and looked up towards the cloudy sky. "Yeah I guess. Everything feels so weird now you know? A year ago we were all best friends, telling each other everything, training together, cheering each other on. Now its like… I don't even know them." She frowned and twisted her bottle cap back and forth.

Max looked at her with sympathy as his hand automatically reached out and covered her hand that was nervously twisting her bottle cap. She looked at him and they stared at each other for a moment before she broke away sliding her hand from his and clearing her throat. "We should probably get going if we want to get lunch before the rain starts."

Max got up, resigned. "Lets get going then."

Kaylie Cruz had never felt this giddy in her entire life. Perhaps she had when she was a kid going to her first real gymnastics lesson, but she couldn't really remember. It was Sunday evening and her bags were packed. Her parents and Sasha had agreed that she would be joining the girls in the week long sleep over at the gym, but wouldn't go to the invitational in Hungary. She wasn't so disappointed about missing the competition because she was too happy that she would finally get to go back to the Rock.

She dragged her two bags down the stairs as her mom reached the front door. "Sweetie are you absolutely sure you're ready for this? You don't have to go yet if you aren't." she had said this about a hundred times since Sasha left on Friday night and Kaylie still hadn't changed her mind. The Rock is where she needed to be now. Damon completely agreed with her when he came over on Saturday to finish their recording.

"Mom please, you know I've been wanting to go back. Besides Sasha told you he'd watch out for me and make sure I was eating properly. Now that he knows its actually a problem hes not going to let me get away with doing it again." Ronnie nodded and opened the door for Kaylie.

A few minutes later they were pulling up to the gym. It looked like they were the first to arrive as Kaylie requested being dropped off a half an hour early so she could have a moment to herself to get used to being back in the place she craved to be the most. She waved to her mom as she got out of the car and walked up to the doors.

Taking a deep breath Kaylie opened the doors and walked into the entrance, not pausing before walking into the gym itself only to see she wasn't the only one who was already at the gym. She gasped as she saw Sasha in the middle of the floor kissing someone who was blond.

AN: Gosh so glad I finally was able to finish this chapter. Life has been a pain in my side lately so I haven't had the mental energy to write. But here it is! And its easily the longest chapter I've written for fanfiction thus far. I hope it didn't get too confusing with jumping from perspective to perspective but I really wanted to get a good look at everyones mind set right now. It'll be pretty important in the next chapter which will be the week long slumber party! Hope you enjoyed! x