Ok sorry it took so long to get the chapter out. My computer crashed and then when I got it fixed I had lost everything I wrote for this chapter. I totally wanted to cry, but to make up for the wait, I wrote a little more than I normally do. As Always thanks to my reviewers. And a mucho grasias to Nancy- my wonderful beta, who puts up with and catches all my mistakes. Sorry to Mandy for not getting back to her yet, I am going to do that as soon as I am done studying.

Meg

Edward Pov:

I cursed under my breath. This was so not good. I clenched my fists in anger, pacing in the lobby of the Olympic gymnastics gym, when I should have been in the stands supporting Bella. But no, I just had to catch eyes with the last person on earth that I wanted to see. And he just had to intimate that he wanted to talk to me, in a way too clear to ignore. And I just had to remember how much of a schemer he was and how no good would come out of ignoring him.

"Hello Edward," a familiar, slimy voice had me turning quickly.

I nodded curtly to the new arrival. It was against everything that I was raised with, but this sleazy scum bag of a person didn't warrant my respect, or anyone's respect for that matter.

"Oh come on, Eddie boy, don't you want to greet an old friend?"

"What do you want James?" My patience was not to be tested and I tried to make that clear and by the look on his face, I inferred myself to be understood.

"That little girlfriend of yours is really something, isn't she?" I stared at him unwavering.

"Get to the point, James," I began to say, but was cut off.

"It's a shame that her knee is injured."

"Her knee has healed just fine, thank you very much," I said through gritted teeth.

"Yes, well it would be a shame if she somehow reinjured it and couldn't compete again."

I stared at him again, this time disbelievingly.

"What are you getting at?"

"Blow your next race, and your girlfriend can keep playing gymnast. Blow your record and your girlfriend will be fine. Win the race, and… well let's just say your girlfriend will be lucky to be walking around, let alone anything else." With that last malicious insinuation, he turned around and strode away leaving me standing there frozen in shock.

I slowly made my way back to my seat still processing. I had known James for years; having swum with him and I knew that he had been implicated in many shady illegal scandals. In fact the reason why he hadn't qualified for these Olympics was because of steroid use, but why he would want to fix these games was something I just couldn't fathom.

And would he really hurt Bella? What could be his motives? I ran my hand through my already tousled hair in frustration.

I would have to throw the race. I couldn't take the chance of him hurting her; she was way more important than any race, or medal or record. I decided this just in time to be able to focus on the award ceremony.

"You know Leanne, this is the first Olympics in more than twelve years in which a member of the Chinese team hasn't placed in the all-around. The Americans swept the gold and silver with Molly Brighton of the United Kingdom taking the bronze. What a triumph for the host nation, but even more of an honor for the Americans taking the gold and silver in the all around for the past two Olympics."

Just then the winning gymnasts reentered the arena to take their spots on the winners podium.

BEBEBEBEBEBEBEBEBEBEBEBEBEBEBEBEBEBEBEBEBEBEBEBEBEBEBEBE

Bella Pov:

Have you ever had a dream that felt so real that when you woke up, you couldn't believe that it was all a dream? Well I couldn't believe that this wasn't a dream. Every thing had taken on a dream-like quality as I changed back into my warm up suit back in the gymnast's changing rooms. Everyone was congratulating me and hugging Alice, Molly and I and it was all a blur. Alice seemed to be taking it all in stride, but Molly looked almost as shocked as I was.

In barely no time at all, Molly, Alice and I were herded back into the arena in that order to receive our hard earned for medals.

The cheering of the crowd, the deafening applause, and the flash of the press' cameras barely registered as we paraded in.

I watched in pride as Molly stepped up to the bronze medallist's block. I really liked the British gymnast and was so happy that she was getting her well-deserved moment to shine.

Then it was Alice's turn. I felt such admiration and love for my almost sister, for that was what she had become in these last few extraordinary days. My spiky-haired best friend danced around the back of the blocks to perform the customary acknowledgement of the other medallist. Hugging Molly and kissing her cheeks in the European style, Alice took her place as the silver medallist.

Then it was my turn. The world seemed to slow down as I walked to Molly, and hugged her tightly, kissing both her cheeks. I moved on to Alice and thought I felt a rib crack under the stranglehold of a hug she bestowed on me. "I so called it," she whispered to me. "One, two." A huge smile broke across my face and I hugged her tightly one more time.

I stepped onto the center, raised block and scanned the crowd looking for one person in particular. My eyes flickered over thousands of people before spotting some familiar ones. I saw the rest of the team waving some American flags before I spotted my mom and Phil. Next to them was Charlie. I started in surprise at his presence before the person next to him caught my full attention. Edward was sitting there with an unfathomable expression on his face. When he noticed me looking at him however, his face broke into my favorite crooked smile. I smiled back before turning my attention back to the medal ceremony in time to see Alice receive her medal.

It all hit me again and by the time the presenter reached me, a single tear was making its way down my cheek. It still hadn't fully dawned on me yet, but the enormity of what had just transpired was making its mark on me slowly.

"Don't cry," the kindly presenter told me. "You just won, the gold, no tears." I smiled and bent my head to receive the most important gold medal of my life. I received the bouquet of flowers and shook his hand.

I felt my heart swell as our national anthem was announced and played. Alice caught my eye and I felt a spark of camaraderie ignite between us.

It was the most incredible, indescribable, unbelievable, yet inescapably real feeling that I have ever experienced in my life. Beyond pride or humility. Above incredulousness and proven fact. Transcending everything else. It was every good feeling in the world combined unmarred by any insecurity. I had accomplished far more than I had thought was possible, but dreamed would come true.

In short, I was a Champion.

Everything was overwhelming, from the second we got off the podium, cameras were flashing and reporters were shouting questions. There was a brief press conference, but the official one would be tomorrow morning. Then there was signing a million autographs for fans, which was amazing, but after awhile your hand kind of hurts.

Alice was able to leave before me, but eventually I was able to leave the claustrophobic setting. I quietly made my way back to the changing rooms to grab my stuff. I decided to forego the car sent for me in favor of a walk. I texted the driver to let him know I was walking, and quickly slipped out a back door.

I pulled the hood of my sweatshirt over my head and hurried along back to the hotel. It was almost five thirty at night and I was just praying no one would recognize me.

"Hey, Bella," a voice I didn't recognize said.

I started in surprise.

"Oh, don't worry, I'm James, a friend of Edward's."

I nodded, still a little cautious. I didn't know why, but something about the guy gave me the creeps.

"Can you give him this note for me?"

I nodded again and took the offered folded piece of paper that he was holding.

"Nice to meet you, Isabella," he told me in a greasy tone.

"Nice to meet you too," I mumbled walking away. I could still feel his eyes on me and it gave me goose bumps. I walked faster and as soon as I was around the corner, I broke into a run. I knew it was irrational, but the guy gave me the heebie jeebies.

I made it back to my room in record time, and smiled as I saw a note with familiar writing taped to my door.

Ok, here is the deal. The chapters are getting less reviews lately so I have decided that if I get a certain amount of reviews, I will give a sneak peek- either of the following chapter such as chapter 30 when I post chapter 29. Or maybe a sneak peek into the possible sequel. Yes I said SEQUEL- anyone interested?
Meg