So just to recap, this story is still Emily centric, I've just had to centre a few chapters on the Rock but don't worry we'll get back to her soon. Also for those who were wondering, in my universe the Worlds were 2011 so before the Olympics we have the Rock rankings, then nationals then Olympic trials, then finally the Olympics. Also Emily had already qualified for nationals before she got pregnant, just in case you were wondering.

And to those of you who were wondering what Payson was going to ask Sasha, all will be revealed. Anyway back to the story.

Chapter 11 Invictus

Steve was enchanted with Kelly Parker's mother. She had the same drive to win that he did. Sure she was slightly intense but it was nice to talk to someone who was his equal in that regard. She was also very well connected. While they were watching their girls they exchanged numbers. Lauren saw them and felt like she'd been slapped. Lauren had long ago accepted that her father saw her mainly as a trophy daughter, but Lauren had always been ok with that because her father had been behind her all the way: just as determined as she was. Because of that she'd been able to overlook the fact he didn't really care about her as a person, but since he'd started dating Lauren realised how lonely she was.

She watched Rachel Jameson, the first in their rotation salute the judges before her vault. She had been ranked sixth last year and Lauren barely acknowledged her existence. She landed a simple vault cleanly and went to hug Ellen, one of the assistant coaches and wave to her parents who were cheering her on enthusiastically. Lauren seriously contemplated kicking something. She spent the next few minutes fuming before Payson nudged her.

"It's your turn Anne Shirley."

"Huh?"

"You looked like you were daydreaming. You're up." Payson rolled her eyes; with Emily gone no one understood her pop culture references anymore.

"Whatever." Lauren was not in the mood to be nice to anyone, not even Payson who was almost impossible to be mean to. She ran up to the springboard preparing herself for her double twisting yurchenko but instead of visualising it all she could see was her father flirting with Sheila and the way he had spoken to her before the competition. Consequently she almost overturned and she only barely landed on her feet, she took a big step backwards and she was way off centre. She went through the motion of saluting the judges but she really couldn't care less.

She watched Payson, the girl she'd always been jealous of, do a flawless double yurchenko. The same vault she had done. It had a much lower degree of difficulty than the Amanar she'd been landing flawlessly but Sasha had wanted to save that little trick for nationals. Lauren scowled again. She had more power than Payson but Sasha hadn't even considered doing and Amanar with her, let alone coach her incessantly to master it. Payson came over to hug Lauren before they moved onto the

XXX

Sasha watched his girls perform nervously. He had the most talented athletes in the country but on days like these he was reminded that they were only teenagers. Something was obviously getting to both Kaylie and Lauren. Lauren had scowled through the entire competition. She was nowhere near a medal in beam and she was lucky to get any ranking at all in the rest of the events. It was a huge drop from the girl who was second behind Kaylie last year. He looked over to Ellen Beals, her face was expressionless as usual but he could tell that she was busy trying to figure out the rankings in her head. Normally a club meet wouldn't mean much but because it was the first non international meet where Kaylie, Kelly and Payson were all competing together since their respective times away, there was a lot of interest.

Finally the rankings were put up on the big screen. Sasha wasn't surprised by the top three but he was gobsmacked at who made up the second string. He looked over at Steve Tanner – his face was deathly pale and he looked like he was about to explode. Sasha smirked, he knew it was juvenile but it always made him happy when that man didn't get what he wanted. He looked over to his girls. Payson and Kaylie seemed happy, Kelly had her fake smile on and Lauren was nowhere to be seen. He knew she would be volatile especially since Kaylie had taken the gold on beam. He remembered what Payson had said about Becca losing her passion for gymnastics. Sure enough the younger Keeler girl didn't look happy with the fact she'd qualified for nationals. She just looked tired. Sasha sighed and went to collect the bouquets he was to hand out. Gym rankings always caused drama, but the Rock bet any other gym he'd ever coached at in that respect.

Rocky Mountain Gymnastics Training Centre

All Around rankings for the 2012 season

1st Payson Keeler (1st FX, 1st UB, 2nd BB, 4th VT)

2nd Kelly Parker (1st VT, 2nd UB, 3rd BB, 2nd FX)

3rd Kaylie Cruz (2nd VT, 3rd UB, 1st BB, 3rd FX)

4th Rachel Jameson (3th VT, 4th UB, 6th BB, 5th FX)

5th Shauna Riley (6th VT, 8th UB, 5th BB, 6th FX)

6th Petra Cochran (7th VT, 6th UB, 7th BB, 4th FX)

7th Lauren Tanner (4th VT, 8th UB, 4th BB, 7th FX)

8th Rebecca Keeler (8th VT, 5th UB, 8th BB, 8th FX)

XXX

"Do you just want to explain what happened out there?" Steve asked Lauren furiously. "I warned you that you were in danger of being overshadowed by the others and instead of picking up your game you come seventh. I have never been so disappointed in you Lauren."

Lauren glared at her father. She was a ball of rage and her no hoper of a father was sure as hell not going to stop her today. "One, screw you and two – Sheila Parker? Really, you sure have a thing for tacky don't you? Maybe if you spent more time actually being a father and encouraging me this wouldn't have happened." She shoved the bouquet Sasha had given her into Steve's hands and stormed off to find Ellen Beals. She had too much competition as it was, she couldn't afford to have Kmetko coming back.

After what seemed like an age Lauren found Ellen Beals. She had just finished speaking to Rachel and Becca who had blown everyone away with their shock performances. Lauren crossed her arms and tapped her foot loudly. Finally the NGO member turned around.

"Oh Lauren, how are you?" She asked falsely before turning again to wave over some other gymnast to get her photo taken for the nationals promo she was compiling. Lauren grabbed Ellen's arm tightly, causing the older woman to grimace.

"We need to talk." Lauren said.

"I'm busy, I have to look after the successful gymnasts." She said.

"You'll want to hear this, trust me."

"All right but this had better be good."

Lauren smiled and led Ellen out into one of the back rooms. "Well this is very Draconian, Lauren. What is so important? I'm a busy woman."

"Oh I'm sure you are. And I'll tell you but first I need to know if you're in the clear, from the photo."

"I am, no thanks to you."

"So you'll be listened to? I want to make sure this news goes to the most influential person, not just to some nobody off to the side."

Ellen glared at the short girl in front of her. Lauren Tanner was only five feet tall but she could manipulate, backstab and just barge her way into whatever she wanted. Ellen would never tell anyone this but she loved Lauren for it. The young gymnast reminded Ellen of herself. She too had been overshadowed by better gymnasts, but she'd used her cunning to get her where she'd wanted to go. Well almost anyway.

"Don't mess with me Lauren, as far as you're concerned I'm the messiah of the NGO, now what did you want to tell me?"

Lauren savoured the words before she spoke them. She knew they were about to send everyone spinning. "Emily Kmetko, didn't just fade into the background and go away. She's making a comeback."

"Don't talk crap Lauren, I thought she had her kid."

"Yes she did." Lauren said through gritted teeth. She knew that better than anyone, she had to put up with seeing that stupid baby around the gym almost every day. "But she gave it up for adoption and Emily is making a comeback. And if she does the image of gymnastics will be ruined. We can't let that sort of girl represent our nation."

"Lauren, I need proof."

Lauren smirked "I thought you'd say that. I've got this I hope it's enough." She handed Ellen Kaylie's phone that she'd 'borrowed' earlier. "I'll need the phone back though." Lauren said.

Ellen didn't answer her: she was too transfixed on the video. Emily had always been good: a rare mix of raw talent and passion, but what had kept her off to top of the podium was her lack of consistency. And this routine, albeit simple had the makings of greatness. If Emily had time she would undoubtedly be named on the national team. She sent the video to her own phone and handed it back to Lauren.

"Well, thank you for bringing that to my attention Lauren. You really are an asset to the sport, you're right gymnastics needs to portray a positive image." She patted the girl awkwardly on the shoulder and turned to leave. She hesitated before opening the door "oh and Lauren? Don't change your routines too much: there might be some unexpected news being announced." Lauren just smiled sweetly in return. Sure the others might have higher degrees of difficulty than her but she had Ellen Beals in her back pocket, and that was worth a lot more.

XXX

Kaylie was happy with third place. A few months ago she would have been horrified at the thought of being comfortable with that but she'd changed. She knew she had done her best without hurting her body: Payson and Kelly weren't recovering from eating disorders and she had won beam, which was definitely a highlight. Alex on the other hand didn't seem as pleased. He wouldn't ever say anything but ever since worlds trials where she'd collapsed, her father seemed slightly disappointed in her. He'd become used to her being a champion and he didn't like the fact that she was vulnerable.

"Not bad Kaylie, that was an impressive beam routine, but if you get your DOD back up again you can beat Payson and Kelly. You've just got to work for it. Besides neither of them has your charm." He pinched her cheek in a fatherly way and Kaylie had to use all of her self control to not push him away.

"So Dad who is your friend?" Kaylie asked addressing the elephant in the room, albeit a skinny elephant in killer heels.

"Honey this is Alice, she's a model turned event planner. She's the most organised person I know. I would love for you to join us for a weekend sometime." Alex said, but Kaylie could tell that he didn't really care either way. She bit back tears: she'd always been Daddy's little girl but ever since Alex had found out about Ronnie and Marty he'd regarded Kaylie in a different light. He still loved her, Kaylie knew that, but it seemed like he had given up on his family. Kaylie suspected that he'd put so much energy into them all that he couldn't face doing it a second time just to be hurt again.

"I'd like that Dad. And it was really nice to meet you Alice, I hope you weren't too bored." Kaylie said politely. Unlike Lauren she didn't feel the need to attack a potential future step parent. Being catty wasn't her style, but neither was becoming BFF with some woman who was distracting her father from her. She smiled and walked over to Lauren who was waving madly at her.

"What? You look like you've won the lottery or something." Kaylie said, surprised that Lauren was so happy after such a disastrous meet.

"Well I finally told Ellen Beals that Emily is coming back and she's going to fix everything."

Kaylie was silent, she looked into Lauren's eyes and saw that the girl wasn't even slightly guilty. "Fix everything? What exactly do you mean by that?" She said quietly and angrily.

Lauren was a bit taken aback. She would have thought Kaylie would have liked her competition to be eliminated. "Duh Kaylie we won't have to worry about her beating us, it will bring us closer to the Olympics."

Kaylie wasn't a violent person but she seriously considered slapping Lauren, instead she just dug her nails into the palms of her hands to clam herself down. "Does the fact that Emily is our friend and former teammate mean anything to you?"

Lauren squirmed, she knew people thought she was a bitch but Kaylie seemed completely oblivious to the fact that she was helping both of them. "Kaylie – we are best friends and teammates: Emily was just an intruder. She doesn't matter."

"Lauren can I ask you something?"

"Uh sure"

"Did you send the photo of Payson and Sasha to Ellen? Because if you did, I will never talk to you again." Kaylie could not believe Lauren. Kaylie valued her teammates above everything except her family and Austin and she certainly valued them above herself. She didn't know how Lauren could be so selfish.

Lauren forced herself to keep a straight face. "Of course not, I cannot believe you think I would do something that horrible. Payson is my friend."

"And so apparently was Emily" Kaylie said before turning her back on Lauren. She really couldn't be bothered with her anymore.

XXX

"Summer have you seen my girls?" Kim asked her co-manager who was cuddling her son in the managers' office looking happier than she'd ever seen her.

"I think Becca went outside and Payson followed her." Summer said, she was about to tell Kim how she thought Becca was losing interest in gymnastics but thought the better of it. If Becca wanted to say anything, that was her job. Since she'd become a parent Summer was beginning to realise how annoying she'd been by interfering with the girls.

"Thanks Summer" Kim went out the side entrance – the main one was flooded with people, Kelly of course was playing the media like a pro. Kim wouldn't be surprised if her girls had fled outside to avoid all the hype. She hoped Becca was ok about being in the spotlight: her youngest was confident but the media could be daunting, especially if you were only fourteen and used to being in the shadow of your older sister. Kim made her way around the back where there were a couple of old oak trees. She saw Payson at the food of the tree with her arms around Becca who seemed to be crying. That shocked Kim, she thought she was quite an astute person and she hadn't noticed Becca being miserable, sure she was a bit quieter than usual but she'd assumed that she'd just been focusing. Quietly and cautiously she approached her girls.

"Becca, honey what's wrong?" Up close she saw that Becca wasn't just crying slightly. These were full blown tears. Kim hadn't seen Becca cry like that in a long time, she was a pretty happy kid.

Becca didn't want her Mum to know what was going on, she had enough on her plate as it was so she wiped her eyes and smiled "it's nothing Mum, I'm just a bit overwhelmed by the result that's all. I'm going to go find Dad, he promised me an icecream after this." She walked off quickly before Kim could even stand.

"Becca! Wait" Kim called, she turned to Payson "ok she was lying, what is really wrong? Becca hasn't been that upset in a long time."

Payson sat quietly for awhile and Kim didn't push her, she knew her daughter was weighing up what she should say. Finally her eldest spoke "I don't want to feel like I'm betraying her but I'm going to tell you because she's my sister and I want her to be happy."

Kim gripped Payson's hand "honey please just tell me, I'm worrying myself sick here."

"Well, Becca's sick of gymnastics. She's been working hard but she's not passionate about it and it's not fun for her anymore. And since Eilish and Maria left she's been lonely, she wants to cut back her hours and go to school. But she didn't want to tell either of you because of all you've sacrificed for our sport. And I guess today's results just made things boil over. She's now a serious contender for nationals, especially on bars and all she wants to do is be a normal girl." Payson finished and looked at Kim as if pleading her not to be mad.

"I can't believe her! Does she honestly think your father and I would be angry if she wanted to give up gymnastics? All your Dad and I have ever wanted is for both of you to be happy and healthy, that's a thousand times more important than you being good gymnasts."

Those words, for some reason brought tears to Payson's eyes. She hugged Kim tightly "I love you so much for saying that."

XXX

Darby stared at her computer screen. The email had to be a prank, if it wasn't then Emily's dream had just been ruined.

Dear Coaches

We are writing to inform you that the 2012 National Championships have been moved forward to the 13th of March due to sponsorship requirements. We apologise for any inconvenience. If you wish to inquire further about this please contact us. We look forward to seeing you at the Championships.

Darby wasn't a violent person but she wanted to punch the screen. That was in six weeks, nationals: Emily's only shot of making the national team; there was no way she would be petitioned in later – not after all the bad publicity from her conviction. But in six weeks Emily wouldn't make the national team. She was about to call her friends to see what was going on when her phone rang.

"Hello?"

"Darby. Good I caught you, just thought I'd tell you that your pathetic plan has failed. I don't know what you see in Emily Kmetko and now no one else will either. There's no way she'll be ready in time."

"Ellen – piss off. You really need to get a hobby, changing nationals, really? Are you that threatened of her?"

"Of course not, but the image of our sport needs to be protected."

"Screw the image, what about determination and sacrifice. If you only knew how hard Emily worked, you wouldn't be doing this."

"I've coached her too Darby and I know a failure when I see one." Ellen said abruptly before hanging up. Darby swore, she hated that woman so much. If only there was some way to get rid of her.

"Who was that on the phone?" Emily asked, she knew her coach well by now and she could tell that Darby, usually so sunny and smiley was rattled.

Darby didn't say anything, instead she printed out the email and handed it to Emily. Emily took it and read it, and then reread it because she couldn't believe what she was reading. "What do we do Darby?" She asked in a small voice, hoping that there was some way around this.

XXX

When Sasha had announced the date change in nationals most of the Rock girls had started to panic about their routines but all Payson could think of was Emily. Her bars routine had been good, but it wasn't great and Emily had to be great to be in with a shot, she had to prove that she was a whole new gymnast. And she was not going to be able to do that in six weeks, not with Darby anyway. She was trying to think of what to do when Kaylie joined her at the chalk bucket. "We need to help Emily."

"I know, I've been wracking my brains and I can't think of any way we can get nationals moved back to the original date."

Kaylie rolled her eyes "I have a better idea, why don't we convince Em to come back here, she'll have us to motivate her, Sasha to train her and besides she'll be around James and that will just motivate her more."

Payson's face broke into a huge smile. One that Kaylie hadn't seen on her in a long time. "Want to come convince Sasha with me?"

Kaylie smiled "I think it will be best if you talk to him alone, play on the whole we came to get you from Romania and we let you back when you gave up on us, so you should give Emily a second chance."

"Ok, wish me luck" the blonde gymnast said. She walked over to Sasha who was supervising the level sevens. He looked like he wanted to bang his head against the wall. "Straight arms ladies I mean it."

Payson tentatively tapped him on the shoulder, Sasha turned around irritated, but his expression softened when he saw it was Payson.

"Can we talk?"

"Of course" Sasha said, motioning for one of the assistant coaches to take over. He followed Payson to the empty locker room. "What's up?"

"You know how I said earlier that there was something I wanted to ask you, but I wasn't ready yet?"

"Ye-e-es" Sasha said nervously.

"Well it's time to ask it, and it's a big favour, and before you say no I want you to remember that you'd be doing it for me." Payson wasn't sure why she added that last bit on the end but it made Sasha perk up so she figured it worked.

"Anything Payson, within reason of course."

"I want you to invite Emily Kmetko back to train at the Rock."

A/N – so Ellen is back, don't worry her time will come when the whole world will really see what she's like. And next chapter we will be back with Emily and Damon a bit more. Please let me know what you thought =)