Chapter 16

As soon as Payson left lunch, she had every intention of telling Sasha about Austin's offer. She sped back to the Rock, rolling stop signs and gunning through yellow lights with purpose. When she got into the parking lot, however, she seemed paralyzed in her car. Hands still on the wheel and eyes forward, Payson couldn't seem to make herself open the door and face him. It was silly, really. She knew she was going to turn down Austin's offer. There was no way she could leave the Rock now, especially with Sasha and the girls counting on her everyday. Nevertheless, she remained there motionless in her seat despite her internal protests. Payson Keeler had no idea why her brain wasn't communicating with her body. She was usually so good at that…

After some calming breaths and contemplation, she finally got out of her car with a fresh outlook. She suddenly felt silly for being so panicked in the first place. In way, there was no reason to tell Sasha at all. She would just call Austin later that night and respectfully decline his offer. It was that simple. No harm, no foul.

She smiled to herself and walked back into the Rock feeling more secure and confident than ever. She marched up to Sasha by the beam and stood by his side – perhaps closer than she usually did in public.

"Ally has a sleepover this Friday." She said with a beautiful, blunt approach.

Sasha Belov didn't turn his head. He was trying to fight his instinct – the male instinct that decoded that message with complete understanding and wanted nothing more than to react to it. Lucky for him, he managed some self-restraint. If he hadn't, Sasha would have startled the younger, more innocent gymnasts training at the Rock.

He cleared his throat, reminding himself to be charming and British. "Oh really?"

"Yes."

There was something about her voice – it was like butter.

"Do you still want to cook me dinner?" Payson asked.

"Absolutely." He answered without hesitation, pretending to be very interested in a nearby floor routine.

If someone had put a gun to Sasha Belov's head and asked him to identify the female athlete in his line of sight, he would've failed. His face was nonchalant, but his thoughts were quite occupied.

"I can't believe you made me stir fry." Payson said with amusement. She was perched on Sasha's kitchen counter, legs swinging playfully back and forth while he did the dishes. She tried to help him, but he refused any assistance. According to him, Payson was a mother and had probably washed enough dishes in her lifetime.

"I had all week to learn the recipe." Sasha pointed out. "I almost thought we'd never be alone again."

Payson sighed. He was right, unfortunately. Lately, life seemed to be getting in the way of her – well, life.

"You're worth the wait, though." Sasha added in for good measure.

"Why thank you."

Payson reached down in the sink and grabbed a dollop of suds with two fingers.

"You wouldn't." Sasha said, eying her hand.

The corner of Payson's pink mouth twitched playfully as she smashed the soap against Sasha's nose.

"Oh, you asked for it, Keeler."

Sasha took the detachable waterspout from his sink and splashed her. One thing led to another and soon he and Payson were partaking in a full out war. As they started to slip and slide around the now soaking kitchen laughing, Payson ironically noted the side effects of dating a man that was just as competitive as she was. That battle could've gone on forever.

Sasha was panting now, standing on the other side of the table staring at Payson.

"What?" she asked with amusement. She pulled her wet hair out of her face and into a messy bun on top of her head.

He paused, not moving except for the occasional blink.

"Sasha," she said hands on her hips now, trying not to display any insecurity under his gaze. "Seriously, you're looking at me like –"

"You're beautiful, Payson." he said abruptly.

A smile spread across the young woman's face, illuminating every feature and filling the room with a new sort of lightness.

"Even when I'm soaking?" she asked, walking toward him.

"Yeah."

"Even….when my mascara is running?"

'"Especially then."

"Even when –"

Sasha's took her breath away with a kiss. She opened her mouth willing and ready, excited by the prospect that they were finally kissing outside the boundaries of the Rock and inside his beautifully locked apartment.

Neither one was holding back. Sasha was being rougher than usual and Payson didn't mind in the slightest. His hands crept up under her shirt, resting securely on the bare skin of her curved waist. She gasped into his mouth. The old, slow burning kisses that they had previously stolen from each other in secret were replaced with a faster paced yearning. Payson had never been kissed this way before – desired this way before. Sasha and Payson sunk down on to the damp floor until he was positioned on top of her. He paused and stared at her again, trying to determine whether this was real or one of the many fantasies he'd shamefully constructed in his head. Payson's large blue eyes were locked on his, assuring him silently that it was reality. Her lips were swollen and expressionless, but he sensed a smile in her eyes. He loved that she could do that.

Then, while she distracted him with her gaze, Sasha vaguely registered her legs maneuver underneath him. Against the slick floor, her limbs repositioned to either side of his body causing Sasha to sink down closer to her. The skirt she was wearing suddenly dropped down to her hips as her knees bent upward and gravity took hold.

Sasha never knew that a man could simultaneously experience both bliss and terror. History and present were bleeding together in his mind in a series of images – his gold medal around her neck, the frightening amount of beauty glowing from her during the Worlds floor routine, the sight of her when she finally returned to the Rock again, and - in the very back of his memory - their very first unassuming encounter.

"You can't leave! We need you." She'd said, running after him.

Something about her voice had made him hesitate and turn around.

"You're Payson Keeler."

"Y-You know who I am?"

His breath caught in his chest. In that moment, Sasha Belov forgot that he had four gold medals. He was just a humbled man in the presence of a perfect woman.

"Sasha…" she said softly, she tilted her head to the side, looking up at him without an ounce of tension on that usually strong facade. She'd softened her expression for him and let down her walls. Had she even done that for anyone else before?

She reached up and ran her fingers through his short, wet hair.

He opened his mouth in awe. "Payson, I – "

A loud buzzing was coming from the counter top above. Payson's cell phone was going off.

She closed her eyes in frustration. Once again life was getting in the way. For a second, Sasha contemplated trapping her beneath him anyway. He gave in, however, which ended up being a good thing. It turned out Ally was on the other end of the call.

"Sweetie…" Payson said gently into the phone. "Where does it hurt?"

Sasha stood and started to load the abandoned dishes into the dishwasher. He kept an eye on Payson as she spoke soothingly to her daughter.

"Don't worry. There will be other sleepovers…I'm on my way."

Payson pressed the end button and looked up at Sasha with apologetic blue eyes.

"It's fine." He said kindly before she could even explain. "You're in demand. I couldn't monopolize your entire evening."

"I wouldn't have minded." Payson admitted honestly with a smile. "but motherhood calls."

"I hope Ally is OK." said Sasha.

"It sounds like it's just a stomach ache, thank goodness." explained Payson. She looked down at her now dark, heavy blouse. "Sasha…do you think I could borrow a shirt?"

He laughed. "Of course."

A few minutes later Payson reappeared out of his bedroom. She was halfway through buttoning up one of his white collared shirts. Sasha sucked in his breath as he caught some new flashes of skin as she finished dressing. He wasn't sure whether Payson knew just how difficult she was making this for him.

Then, Payson Keeler walked right up to Sasha Belov, took the belt off his jeans, and wrapped it around her waist without breaking eye contact.

Oh yes, Sasha thought with admiration as she left, she knows exactly what she's doing.

"OK, Ally." Payson said, holding the door open for her little girl. "Let's get you in bed."

It was strange to see the color and spunk drained from Ally Keeler's face. She trudged along slowly into the apartment. This little girl certainly was certainly wearing her misery on her face.

Payson looked at Ally with pity, then walked by her to grab a glass of ginger ale to settle her stomach. Out of habit, she pressed the blinking light on the answering machine and let her missed messages play.

"Hi Payson. It's Austin."

Payson paused, ears alert. Ally, who was on her way to her room, stopped with interest and smiled. She crept slowly back into the kitchen.

"Sorry if it's late, but I thought I'd try anyway. Just wanted to let you know that things are going well in Boston. Call me whenever you're ready to talk – no pressure. I just haven't heard from you in a while so I thought I'd call. Oh, and if you're listening to this Ally, I hope you have sweet dreams. I miss you and I'm thinking about you."

Ally beamed with as much happiness as she could muster in her current physical state. "Save the message, mom!" she urged. "Save dad's message."

Payson's heart jumped, not ready for that word.

"Is something wrong, mom?" Ally asked curiously at her mother's blank expression.

Payson shook her head. She quickly pressed the save button on the machine. "No, sweetie. Uh – why don't you go to your room? I'll be there in a second."

Ally did as she was told while her mother continued to stare at the telephone. Just a few days ago she had been so sure of her decision, but that certainty it had been easier to postpone the confrontation and go on with her life, conveniently forgetting that she was standing in front of a crossroads of sorts. Now, at Ally's request, reality was ringing in her head and saved on her voice mail.

All week she'd kept telling herself it wasn't a hard thing to do, but there was a tiny voice in the back of her mind challenging: "Well if it's so easy, how come you haven't done it yet?"

That was a very good question.

Payson picked up the phone. Her fingers started dialing, but by the fifth number the earpiece was down again.

"Ally," she called, turning away from the machine completely. "Do you want me to read to you?"

A/N: OK, I have to ask - Did anyone else almost lose it at the end of this week's episode when Sasha and Payson were both crying? Holy crap!

This is a warning – Ellen B. shall be making an appearance in the next chapter. Prepare yourselves.

One last thing…it has come to my attention that there are several other stories currently sporting the title "The Heart of a Champion" or one similar to it. Seeing as I was never emotionally attached to the title, does anyone have a suggestion for a new one? It's just about the only thing I haven't figured out...