Chapter 17

"It is with pleasure that I welcome all of our gym parents and families to the Rocky Awards. Every year on this night we celebrate your children's hard work and accomplishments. We also honor you! Without your support – the dues, the carpools, the filled observation rooms – none of this would be possible. Also, I wouldn't have a job…"

The crowd chuckled at Sasha's joke. He noticed that the stage parents he usually loathed and avoided were being oddly civil. He had a sneaking suspicion that it was the open bar.

"Thank you for your attention tonight. Please sit back, relax, and enjoy your dessert. In just a few minutes we'll be giving out the final award."

When he finished his speech, Sasha descended from the beautifully decorated stage, observing the wonderful interactions filling the room. To the left he saw Nina in her element. Usually a loner at the gym, she was now beaming and surrounded by a cloud of rowdy siblings – a baby sister on her knee, twin brothers running around the table, and a few others scattered close by. Her parents looked pleased, but flustered at the chaos they'd brought into the fancy event. Sasha smiled and waved, hoping to reassure them that their family chaos was more than welcome at the Rock.

Just beyond the Harts' table (yes, they took up an entire one) were the Mr. and Mrs. Rudolph with Jessica, the Rock's Gymnast of the Year. Jessica was positively glowing – a refreshing sight. Sasha remembered with fondness how she had reacted to the news of her title.

"Why?" she had asked seriously. "Is this a joke? Is Keera Donaldson hiding behind something, ready to jump out and punk me?"

It had taken a few minutes for him and Payson to convince Jessica of her worthiness. Just a few months ago she had been a thorn in everyone's side, including Sasha's. Today she was a braver, more team-oriented gymnast who - now that Keera had retired - was arguably the best in the country. In less than a year, this young lady had blossomed into a role model almost without noticing.

Emily Kmetko's face also stood out to him in the crowd. She was sitting near the Harts' table with her husband Damon. Judging by the massive amount of food on her plate, he guessed that her pregnancy cravings were in full swing.

With a satisfied smile, he took a seat at his destination: The Keeler table. Kim, Mark, Payson, and Ally were all in attendance. Even Becca had found time to come visit for the weekend and enjoy the event with her family.

"This place really hasn't changed." Becca said, marveling at the decorated interior. "This is exactly how I remember it."

"So do you miss gymnastics?" Sasha asked.

"Well, I do club gymnastics in college…"

Payson rolled her eyes. "That's not real gymnastics." She mumbled.

"Yeah, but we have great parties." Becca beamed.

"Rebecca Keeler!" her father said with a warning tone.

The college student shrugged and turned back to her little niece Ally who was on her left. Ally had stayed close to her young aunt all evening and Payson noted with amusement how she desperately tried to mimic everything Becca did – from the way she sat to the way she played with her hair. It was rather adorable.

"You ready?" Sasha asked Payson after a few minutes of mingling and dessert. He grabbed Payson's hand under the table.

Payson looked at him, her blue eyes sparkling more than usual. It might have been the gorgeous midnight blue cocktail dress she was wearing. Then again, it might have just been Payson.

"You bet."

The pair stood and walked up to the stage, ready to present the last award of the evening.

"Ladies and gentlemen," Sasha said with style. "Before I let you go for the night, I would like to hand the microphone over to Payson Keeler to present our final award."

He stepped aside and led the welcoming applause as Payson took her place with confidence. After the press conference, presenting an award seemed so easy.

"It seems like only yesterday I was sitting where you are today." She began. "I used to look forward to the Rocky Awards like normal children would look forward to Christmas. I loved that one night each year when I felt special. Ask any athlete in this room – their choice to get up each morning and dedicate their lives to this sport is a sacrifice as well as a gift. The awards we give out tonight are uplifting and encouraging."

"I'm presenting this award tonight because, as many of you know, it was named after me and created by this man standing to my left." She looked at Sasha fondly. "It is meant to go to the girl who embodies the championship spirit. When I received this cup, I was recovering from an injury and the last word I associated myself with was 'champion.' Champions, however, are not made on the mat or on the beam. They are made and broken within our hearts."

The room was silent. Everyone was captivated, leaning forward in their seats handing on Payson's words.

"The winner of this year's Championship cup proves that size is no indicator of power and age is no indicator of wisdom."

Even though Payson hadn't uttered the name yet, half the people in the room correctly glanced at Nina Hart. The young girl's cheeks turned crimson.

"This young lady makes daily sacrifices to train at the Rock, but you'd never know it by the way she behaves. In the time I've known her she's never uttered a complaint or discouraging word. Her class is well beyond her years. As our youngest elite and the youngest member on the National Team, she not only displays a shocking amount of potential, but a mature attitude and excellent work ethic. This year the Champion Cup goes to Nina Hart."

Nina rose from her seat slowly as if in a daze. It also took her a while to walk up on stage with younger siblings hugging her and clutching her limbs in affection. Nearby, her sponsor Emily Kmetko stood and whistled with pride. Mrs. Hart was in tears.

"Here you go," Payson said, handing her gymnast the heavy gold cup. "Would you like to say a few words?"

Nina smiled and nodded. Payson stepped aside and let her address the crowd.

The young girl read her name on the award with awe, then looked up and began to speak with a shaky, nervous voice.

"When I was little and just starting gymnastics, one of the first things I remember was watching the 2012 Olympics. You can ask my mom…when Payson won her gold I turned to her and said, 'That's it mom. I want to be just like her.'" Nina's voice cracked. She turned to Payson. "I feel really honored to receive this award…especially from you."

Nina ran over hugged her coaches, one arm around each of them, bringing Sasha and Payson closer. Payson Keeler didn't realize she was crying until Sasha handed her a fresh tissue from his pocket. Clearly, he had planned ahead.

A few minutes later everyone was bustling around, grabbing coats and gathering up family members. Payson escaped to the side hallway to collect herself. She didn't have a mirror, but she was fairly positive that Nina's words had affected her eye makeup as much as it had affected her heart.

"Coach Keeler?"

She turned around and saw Mr. Rudolph coming toward her. His hand was extended in a friendly manner – something she didn't see from him very often. The scandalous Payson Keeler hadn't been his favorite person at the beginning of the year. She took his hand and returned his grip kindly.

"I just want to thank you again for everything you've done for Jessica. We've really seen a change in her these past few months and it's obviously not a coincidence that you arrived when it all started." he said appreciatively. "I know she trusts and respects you."

'Well thank you, Mr. Rudolph." She said, feeling touched. "It really means so much that you –"

"And I've discussed everything with my wife," he continued. "I want you to know that our family will follow you to Boston if that's what it takes."

Payson blinked slowly. "Uh – I'm sorry, Mr. Rudolph. I think I heard you wrong."

"Oh no, you heard me right." He assured her. "Jessica loves Sasha, but we think you might be a better for her, so –"

"No," Payson interrupted. "I mean I think there's been a misunderstanding. I'm not going anywhere."

"Oh really?"

"Mr. Rudolph, what made you think that I was moving to Boston?"

"Payson," Mr. Rudolph said, giving her a look at reminded her remarkably of Steve Tanner. "You of all people must know that it's almost impossible to keep secrets in the gymnastics world. Did Austin not offer you a job? Am I incorrect?"

"No, he did…" she said, trying to understand. "but I'm not going to accept it. Did Austin tell you about this? Did he approach you about training in Boston?"

Her last questions spilled out of her mouth with a mixture of desperation and disappointment. Just when she felt she could count on Austin Tucker, the last bit of news she wanted to hear that it had all been a recruitment tactic of bait and catch – Payson being the bait and Jessica being the new top gymnast in the country.

"No!" Mr. Rudolph said, causing Payson to sigh in relief. "No, not at all. We haven't made any contact or arrangements yet. I just wanted to let you know that we are invested in you Payson."

Payson smiled weakly, knowing full well that he was trying to be nice to her. In theory he was, but in reality the man was just unnerving her.

Jessica's father finally left her in peace after thanking her and shaking her hand one more time. Payson exhaled and groaned into her hands. She walked up to the nearby staircase and leaned against its side. Then, out of the corner of her eye, she realized that she was not the only person there.

"Sasha…" she said, standing up straight and staring through the side bars of the stairs. He was sitting on a step with his eyes cast down and face unreadable. Payson rushed up to him and sat down. She wasn't sure what to say. Luckily, Sasha was the first to speak.

"Boston…" the city's name came out of his mouth like a confusing, unfamiliar vocabulary word.

"I'm not going!" she said quickly. "I didn't see a reason to tell you or worry you. I've already made my decision."

"So you've called Austin, then?" Sasha asked, looking at her. Judging by the defeat in his eyes, he seemed to already know the answer to the question.

"Well, no…" Payson admitted with shame. "I hadn't gotten around to it."

Sasha cast his eyes down again.

"Sasha?" she asked, touching his knee. "I'm not going anywhere."

He placed his hand on top of hers now, feeling her smooth skin. "Are you sure about that?"

"Why don't you believe me?" she asked with annoyance now.

"Because I saw the look on your face while you were watching Ally and Austin."

His brutal honesty hung thickly in the air. Sasha himself couldn't believe he had just articulated his the roots of his worst fear.

"He's her father, Sasha…" She said gently and logically. "Of course I want them to be together. That doesn't mean we have to move across the country. Austin said we could all work something out. I am staying at the Rock."

Payson moved up to the step he was perched on. In one fluid motion she touched his chin, brought it towards her and kissed him gently. Her eyes were shut tight. She was begging him to believe her.

Sasha let Payson guide him away that night. They returned back to the main floor and met up with her family. The pair put on a happy face and brushed aside their conversation for the time being.

Sasha knew very well that Payson Keeler hated acknowledging her internal conflicts. She'd always been like that. Years ago, sitting on the same staircase, he had found Payson Keeler crying during the Rock Awards. Still recovering from the back injury and the changes in her body, sixteen-year-old Payson had stolen a moment alone to let her emotions spill over. When Sasha was her coach and she was his gymnast, he could sit there and force her to confront those issues she tried to keep hidden. Now, that authority was unfortunately gone. He could no longer push her to face what was so obvious to him now – namely, that there was a piece of Payson Keeler that did want to go to Boston.

"Nina, come here."

Nina Hart jogged over to the edge of the floor where National Committee member Ellen Beals was waiting for her.

Another National Team practice meant another test for the Rock girls as they continued to prove their worth and muscle. Nina was feeling the pressure now especially. She had wobbled after a few of her more challenging tumbling passes that day. She could tell just by looking at Sasha's expression that she wasn't doing her best.

"Yes, Ms. Beals?" she asked politely.

"You need to work on the height of that last pass."

"I know…I'm sorry. I promise I'll get it."

"Well," Ellen Beals said, lowering her voice and marking something off on her clipboard. "That might be easier if you conditioned more…maybe made your body more aerodynamic."

Nearby, Jessica Rudolph clenched her fists. Sasha Belov, however, spoke his mind without hesitation.

"If you so much as pressure any of these girls into an unhealthy body image I'll kick you out of my gym." He looked down at Nina. She was avoiding eye contact with both of them out of embarrassment. Suddenly, she reminded him a great deal if Kaylie Cruz. Even the thought frightened him.

"Calm down, Belov." Ellen Beals hissed with annoyance. "Honestly, you're reading too much into this. We've been so peaceful so far this practice. Let's not break the streak, uh?"

She turned away sharply and made her way over to the uneven bars to observe more routines.

Sasha stared after her with a tense stance and crossed arms. Strangely, she was right. Little to no conflict had ensued between him and the National Committee for quite sometime. Not only that, but not a word of reaction was released after Payson's media frenzy. At the time all of them were too busy to give a damn what Ellen Beals thought, but now that life had calmed down, Sasha's curiosity was growing.

He glanced over at Payson who was working with Jessica on the beam. She didn't seem bothered by the Committee's lack of involvement. Sasha, however, didn't know which was a worse sign – interference or complete silence. The fact that they didn't respond to Payson's scandal and press conference was not just strange…it was unsettling.

The thoughts festered in his mind all day, partially distracting him from practice.

"You're not yourself today, Belov." Ellen Beals commented as the girls were leaving at the end of the day. "Is the rebel going soft?"

"No." he answered firmly. "I just don't like having you at practice."

"And why not?"

He raised his eyebrow. Was she kidding?

"You're one of the most manipulative, untrustworthy people I've ever encountered in my life." He answered simply.

She sighed. "I'm sorry you feel that way, Sasha. I think for the first time our interests are in line. It would a shame to waste an alliance."

Sasha Belov was baffled. He had no idea what this woman could possibly be referring to. Since when did he and Ellen Beals ever agree on anything or even want the same things? None of this made any sense.

"You're insane…" he mumbled.

He turned away from Ellen Beals, convincing himself it was best not to humor a crazy person. There wasn't much to look at. The Rock was almost empty except for a few gymnasts lingering near the door. He was fairly sure he saw Payson head to his office. He looked through the windows to see if he could spot her.

"She's up there." Ellen Beals said.

Sasha looked back towards her. "Excuse me?"

Ellen Beals smirked at him. "I'm surprised how you continue to underestimate me, Belov. After all, I'm absent for most of the month, but I'm far from stupid. I know more than you think."

"Oh really?" he asked sincerely doubting her self-confidence.

"Of course." She said smugly. "So tell me, exactly how long have you been seeing Payson Keeler?"

Sasha froze.

"I don't see how that's any of your business." He said coolly.

"Oh, it's not." She admitted. "And frankly I could care less about who you sleep with, but when it impacts my job I make it my business to know."

"And what the hell does my personal life have to do with your job? Payson and I have been 100% professional."

"I agree."

Sasha paused in confusion. He wasn't used to Ellen Beals agreeing with him.

"Sasha," she said, uncharacteristically using his first name. "Let's get right to the point, shall we? I'm sure you found out by now that Austin Tucker has offered Payson a full time job at Boston Elite."

Of course she knew, he thought bitterly. "Yes."

"And I think that we are both of the opinion that she should stay here at the Rock."

"Is this a joke?"

"I'm being serious." said Ellen Beals gravely. "Did you know how many articles and television segments that Payson has inspired in the last month alone? Do you know how much web traffic and buzz this has produced? We're not even in the Olympic season and everyday Americans are getting more daily news about the gymnastics world than they are about some mainstream sports. We're on ESPN, Entertainment Tonight, national news – everything."

"I don't understand –"

"That doesn't surprise me…" she interrupted, rolling her eyes at his ignorance. "If Payson Keeler can sustain this much interest and media attention then networks will be fighting to cover every gymnastics event from now until the Olympics. More unanswered questions, the more distance between her and Austin, the better. Oh sure, reporters would find her moving to Boston charming and family oriented. They'll follow her and snap some pictures of the reunited parents, but then they will lose interest. Conflict is always preferable to peace in these circumstances, Belov. There's more long term potential for a story. Each time Ally visits her father and each time Payson and Austin coach competing gymnasts at national and international meets, the media won't be able to help themselves. Plus, Payson staying here to date her old coach and yet another ex-Olympian here in Boulder…." She snickered. "Well, Sasha I couldn't have planned it better myself…"

Sasha was speechless. So this is why the Committee didn't respond to Payson's news. They were silently celebrating, waiting in the wings, and letting her generate interest like a soap opera product placement for the sport of gymnastics. He felt physically ill.

"So now you see my point." Ellen Beals said, incorrectly pegging Sasha's stunned silence. "We both want the same thing here. You don't want your girlfriend to leave and I don't want her to play house. If we work together we can both get what we want."

His breathing was deep and his fists were clenched at his side. Sasha's eyes averted to the window of his office. He spotted a familiar streak of blonde hair near his desk.

"Do you understand, Sasha?" Ellen Beals asked condescendingly.

"Yes, I understand completely."

Payson bit her lip with excitement. From out the window she spotted Sasha walking toward the door.

Ever since their tense conversation at the Rockies, Payson had been eager to renew their spark and assure Sasha and she wanted to stay in Boulder with her whole heart. She racked her brain for days trying to think of a way to express her unwavering dedication. Then, like a lightening bolt it had hit her. Now, all she had to do was wait for him to come through the door of his office so he could see for himself.

Sasha entered the room with purpose. In four strides he walked by Payson and behind his desk. She deflated a bit when he didn't greet her with a kiss, but she quickly brushed that aside and sat down.

"Well…." she said, her eyes going back and forth between his desk and his stern face. "That was a good practice, wouldn't you say? Jessica was on her mark."

Sasha didn't say anything. It was starting to make Payson nervous.

"Look Sasha," she started babbling. "I know you must still be angry with me about Austin's offer. I thought about it and I agree – I should've told you right away. I did hesitate, but it had nothing to do with you! You have to believe me. I came here to coach, but I'm staying here for you."

Sasha looked up sternly. Payson was startled by his expression.

"I…uh." She shook off his confusing reaction. "I have something for you…"

She motioned toward the surface of his desk. Sasha suddenly noticed the new addition to his stack of papers.

Humbly sitting on top of some disorganized forms was one of Payson Keeler's gold medals.

Sasha couldn't help himself. He picked it up and examined her name etched in the back. He didn't get to see her receive it in person as he had always planned. Seeing her name permanently cast into the gold disk was right. It's how it was meant to be.

Payson smiled as she watched him examine it. "It's for you."

"What?"

"Well," said Payson. "You gave me your medal to show the faith you had in me. I'm just doing the same for you. I want you to keep it and know that I'm staying here. I'm not only invested in these athletes and in this gym, I'm invested in you. I'm willing to take a leap for you, Sasha. I'm giving this to you because I know we're going to make it. I have faith in us."

He dropped the medal like it was on fire. Running his hands through his hair like a mad man, he leaned back in his chair, separating himself from the object and what it represented.

Payson furrowed her brow. "Look, I'm not sure what's wrong here, but can you please communicate with me? I'm really trying Sasha and you're not making this easy. Please, can't we just kiss and make up like a normal couple? This is so –"

"Payson," he finally spoke up, his voice slightly horse.

She sat up straighter. "Yes?"

Leaning forward and avoiding eye contact at all costs, Sasha Belov spoke his peace.

"You're fired."

A/N - Thanks so much to everyone reviewing! I love feedback! I'll update as soon as I can...