Chapter 6

"Ready?" Sasha asked, holding tightly to Payson's waist. She nodded, reaching up above her head, ready to grab the high bar as soon as her fingers touched it. Sasha bent his knees, bracing to lift her slight weight. "On three; one, two, three."

She jumped and felt him lifting her up, helping her reach the high bar. She held on tightly and started swinging her legs to build momentum as soon as he stepped out of the way.

"Okay, remember the timing of your release," Sasha warned. She grunted, swinging around the bar a few times. Timing was everything on this move, or Payson could break her neck.

Her grips scraped against the fiberglass. There was a sharp clang as she let go of the bars, leaving them vibrating with the force of her movements, and she twisted her body, reaching back out to catch it again. Her grips slapped the high bar, but her fingers were a fraction of a second too late in closing.

She slipped.

She heard a sharp cry and thought maybe it came from her. She couldn't help but flash back to her fall at Nationals. It felt like a lifetime ago, but also so recent that she was still a little terrified to fall. She imagined how it would feel to hit the mat, hard; she'd been passed out the last time. Would she be able to hear her back break again?

She never found out. Sasha's arms went around her, pulling her into his chest like something precious and fragile as his knees bent slightly, absorbing the impact. She thought she felt him shaking.

"You okay?" He asked. Payson nodded, clearing her throat.

"I'm okay," she promised. Still he didn't put her down. If anything, his grip tightened.

"Are you sure?" he asked, his voice gruff.

"I'm sure." Finally, he set her on her feet, but he didn't let her go. Pulling her close, he hugged her tightly. Payson felt safe and loved, like Sasha was her guardian angel.

After a moment the embrace changed. Electricity started to jump between them as Sasha's fingers flexed against her back, one of his hands drifting up to bury itself in her hair. He pressed a kiss to the top of her head and her temple before he buried his face in the crook of her neck. She could feel the heat of his breath on her skin, the silk of his lips brushing back and forth. She shivered.

Payson needed more, wanted more. She felt like he was teasing her, building up to something he wouldn't actually give her. Turning her head, she angled her face up for a kiss.

He obliged. At first it was just a brush of his lips against hers, soft like a breeze, before he kissed her a little more insistently and traced the seam of her lips with his tongue. She mewled, opening her mouth beneath his and gasping as his tongue swept inside.

He pulled her closer, even though there was no more empty space between them, lifting her slightly off the ground. Their tongues dueled, lighting a fire that burned low in Payson's stomach, warming her entire body, and she gripped his shoulders hard, trying to anchor herself.

"Bloody hell," Sasha swore, pulling himself away. Payson looked up at him through heavy lidded eyes. The absence of his lips against hers felt like losing a part of herself.

"Don't stop," she begged, weaving her fingers through his hair and guiding him back to her.

"I could drown in you," Sasha muttered against her lips as he claimed her once again.

Payson lost all track of time as they stood in the center of the gym, wrapped up in each other. She allowed her hands to explore Sasha's torso, slipping beneath his shirt to trace the lines of his stomach. She delighted in the way his muscles tensed under her touch, in the groan that rumbled through his chest as one hand drifted around to squeeze his butt.

For a moment, Payson forgot they were at the Rock. She wished he would pick her up and carry her to his room, lay her out on his bed…she felt herself blush. She had never thought about doing…that with a guy before but with Sasha, somehow it was all she thought about. Every time he kissed her like he was, she just wanted him to keep going. He never would, she was sure of it, at least not until after the Olympics. That was one of the many things she loved about him, his unwillingness to let her compromise her goals.

A low rumble reached her ears and for a moment she thought Sasha was making it. Then she heard the clang of the main doors and realized it had been Austin's motorcycle. And Kaylie had probably been on the back.

She jumped away from Sasha, wiping the back of her hand across her mouth and turning away so that they couldn't see her swollen, red lips. She didn't care about her hair, it always got messy when she was working so they would buy it.

"What…?" Sasha trailed off until he heard Austin's voice.

"Reporting for duty, oh captain, my captain!" Austin shouted. Payson snorted, even though her heart was still racing. She heard Sasha clear his throat.

"Get started with twenty minutes of cardio, both of you," Sasha said. There were a couple beats of silence and then Payson heard Austin and Kaylie moving towards the fitness center. Kaylie's laughter rang out and Payson figured it was safe to turn around.

Sasha looked like he wanted to jump off a cliff. He nodded towards the office and started moving without waiting for Payson. She hurried after him. Payson knew what he was going to say. She was thinking it too.

Payson slipped into the office and closed the door behind her. Sasha was sitting in his chair, his head in his hands.

"We have to stop this," Payson muttered, leaning against the sliding glass door. She was afraid that if she moved any farther into the office they would end up right back where they'd started.

"We almost got caught," Sasha agreed, his voice muffled.

"New rule: no more kissing in the gym," Payson suggested. Sasha snorted.

"So essentially no more kissing at all," he said. Payson shrugged.

"I guess. We just need to be more careful, Sasha. I wouldn't be able to stand it if your career was ruined because of me. And I need you here to coach me, not some drone the NGO would probably try to replace you with," Payson said. That made Sasha smile.

"Go join Austin and Kaylie in cardio. We'll keep working on the bars later, when there are witnesses." He winked at her. She wanted so badly to go over and kiss him but she settled for winking back.

"Right, witnesses."

#

"Good work today, ladies and gentlemen. See you bright and early tomorrow morning. Kelly, Payson, and Austin could the three of your please meet me in the office?" Sasha asked, a week after he and Payson were almost caught making out in the middle of the Rock.

The three of them were taking off the next morning for a long weekend of photo shoots and interviews, and he had some instructions for them. Just because they wouldn't be at the Rock didn't mean they were free of him.

"What's up, Sasha?" Kelly asked. They seated themselves on the couch in the office. Sasha leaned back against Kim's desk, closest to Payson. No matter what, no matter how careful they were trying to be, he always had a burning need to be as close to her as possible.

"The hotels may not have the facilities for you to work on skills, but you will not slack this weekend, got it? I want forty five minutes of cardio and thirty minutes of lifting every morning," Sasha demanded. They all nodded. He took a moment to look over them, to make sure that they were taking him seriously. He knew he didn't really have to worry; they were his three best gymnasts, the most dedicated and self directing athletes he'd ever seen. He knew they would work first and play later.

"Go home. Payson would stay just a moment?" He asked. He wanted a chance to say a more private goodbye. He saw Kelly hesitate at the doorway, looking back at Payson over her shoulder, who waved her away.

"Just wait for me at the car, I'll be right out," Payson promised. Kelly left, closing the door behind her. "She's staying at my house tonight, since we have to leave for the airport so early."

"I won't keep you then," Sasha said, reaching for her hand, brushing his thumb over her knuckles. "I just wanted to say goodbye and be safe this weekend. And have fun."

Payson smiled, and it made his heart stutter. He'd never been an especially sappy man, but Payson reduced him to mush every time she smiled.

"I will, promise."

"I'll miss you," he sighed. Payson took a step closer to him, leaning into his chest and reaching up to brush her lips lightly against his. She pulled away almost immediately, afraid they would get sucked in by their desire.

"I'll miss you too, but maybe this will good for us. You know?" Payson said, sounding a little unsure of herself. Sasha knew exactly what she meant; they need time away from each other, to get perspective.

"I know. Go, we don't want Kelly to come searching," he teased. Payson surged up to press one more quick kiss to his lips and then she hurried out.

Sasha stared after her, wishing he could have kept her with him forever.

#

"Ah, it's two of my favorite girls! Good morning!" Austin called from the top step of the private plane MJ had chartered to fly them to New York. Payson groaned. It was five o'clock in the morning, way too early for Austin to be as perky as he was.

"Shut up," Kelly growled beside her. Payson snorted out a laugh. They handed their suitcases to the man waiting at the bottom of the stairs and then climbed up, taking Austin's offered hands as he helped them inside. Payson smiled at his chivalry; he was a true gentleman.

"Morning, ladies," MJ's said in her smooth British accent. She was already seated near the back of the plane, in one of the plush leather chairs, face buried in her Blackberry.

"Morning MJ," Payson mumbled. She sank into another of the chairs, curling up and hoping to spend the two hour flight sleeping. Once they landed it would be non-stop interviews, photo shoots, and appearances until late, she needed to get all the sleep she could.

"Here's your itinerary for the weekend," MJ said, putting away her phone and handing small black binders to Payson, Kelly, and Austin. Payson didn't bother opening it, she knew MJ would run down their engagements. "As soon as we land we'll be taken to the Good Morning America set for an interview. After that there will be a lunch interview with People Magazine, then Kelly and Payson will head to a Cosmo photo shoot and interview while Austin goes to the GQ offices. Then we'll meet back for an appearance at FAO Schwartz, then dinner with reps from Longines. After that you'll be putting in an appearance at a gala and then it's back to the hotel for sleep. Saturday, Sunday, and Monday morning will be much of the same. Questions?"

"They're not planning on anything too…sexy for the Cosmo shoot are they?" Payson asked. She and MJ had discussed keeping her image as American Sweetheart as possible and Cosmo didn't exactly fit the bill.

"No, I've already discussed guidelines with them. The photo shoot that will accompany the interview is going to be relatively small, and then you'll be shooting another with Austin for a fashion spread, though that shoot is on Sunday," MJ explained. Payson nodded, setting her binder aside and closing her eyes.

"Mk," she muttered. And then she was asleep.

Payson didn't wake up until the plane was about to land. Austin reached over and rubbed her arm, waking her gently, and then reached out with his foot and nudged Kelly's shoe. It was safer to keep your distance when waking up Kelly Parker, she usually came out swinging.

"If you touch me again I'll rip your head off," Kelly growled. Austin chuckled.

"We're ten minutes from landing, Kelly," MJ said. Kelly sighed but still didn't open her eyes. Payson sat up, rubbing her eyes and shoving her feet back into her flip flops.

"So we're going straight to Good Morning America?" Austin asked.

"Yes. Wardrobe and Hair and Make-up will be taken care of once we get there," MJ said. The plane gave a jerk as it started descending to JFK airport.

The next hour or so was a blur as they left the plane, piled into a limo, and were ushered into the Good Morning America offices. Hair and Make-up artists descended on them, pulling at Payson's hair and painting her face. She was certain she would never get used to that part of being a "celebrity;" the constant fussing by other people, the costumes. They put her in a conservative but trendy outfit, a sailor-style dress and boots, her hair twisted into a braid. Kelly got an edgier look, but still conservative enough that she was a perfect role model for little girls.

"Ready for our adoring public?" Austin asked, leaning against the door of the dressing room in a dashing suit.

Payson was standing, ready to leave with Austin and Kelly, when her phone chirped from its place in her purse.

"One second, I'll catch up," she promised. Austin and Kelly exchanged a look, but went ahead. Pulling her phone out, Payson pulled up the unread text message.

S: It's cold here.

There was a hidden meaning behind those three little words; code for he missed her. She smiled.

P: I'm sure it will warm up in a few days.

#

"Now Kelly, Payson, you're both beautiful girls, how does a social life fit in to all this training you do?" George Stephanopoulos asked, flashing his bright smile at the girls. Kelly and Payson exchanged a look.

"Well," Payson said, taking the lead. "The Olympic Trials are so close and we're working so hard, very few of us have time for much of a social life."

"So no boyfriends?" Kelly laughed.

"No, George, no boyfriends. There's a firm no dating rule at the Rock," Kelly explained. Payson stifled a giggle as she imagined Sasha watching and snorting. There was still a no-dating rule, but nobody followed it.

"But I thought…Austin, aren't you dating fellow Rock gymnast Kaylie Cruz?" George asked. Austin flashed his trademark smirk and winked at the cameras.

"Secret's out. Yes, Kaylie and I are dating but we have the permission of our coach and I'm sure that if it were distracting either of us from our goals, Sasha would put an end to it," Austin teased. George seemed to think Austin was joking, but instead of pressing the issue he changed direction.

"Speaking of Sasha, Payson there was quite a bit of controversy surrounding your comeback because of him, isn't that right?" George asked. Payson felt heat rise in her cheeks at the same time that Kelly stiffened next to her. Austin nearly lunged out of his seat but Payson plastered on a smile and pinched him hard in the side, so the cameras couldn't see.

"Sasha has been an incredible coach to me. When I broke my back, everyone said I was done. Even once I had my surgery and managed to come back, they said I would never be competitive again. Sasha believed in me before I could believe in myself. The relationship between a gymnast and their coach is something very few people can understand, so of course there were whispers. But Sasha was never anything but the picture of professionalism," Payson explained, all the while thinking how she wished she was wrapped in his arms.

"And how is your back feeling now?" George must have sensed the waves of rage rolling off of Austin and decided to change course yet again. Payson gave Austin a smile, silently thanking him for being so protective of her.

"Better than ever, George."

"And Kelly, your ankle? It's been giving you some trouble recently, hasn't it?" Kelly batted her eyelashes at him.

"I'm in top shape, George, ready to take on the competition."

"Including your friend Payson?" Kelly laughed and looked at Payson.

"Including my best friend Payson."

"Bring it on. My DOD is higher than yours," Payson said, winking to take some of the sting out of it. Kelly elbowed her gently and they laughed together. Payson loved that she and Kelly were on the same page. With Lauren and Kaylie, talking about DOD and competition always became something hostile, she felt like she had to walk on eggshells to keep from causing a fight. But with Kelly, it was what it was. Her DOD was higher, and Kelly had no problem admitting it. They were both just going to go out and do their best, and whoever won was meant to.

"Sounds like we have a challenge," George laughed.

"And you'll all just have to wait until London to find out who wins," Kelly said.

"How about you, Austin? The second ranked Men's gymnast is Russia, do you find yourself challenged at the Rock, and on the National team?" George asked. Austin nodded and Payson could see he was trying to come up with a diplomatic answer. The truth was there wasn't a male gymnast in America who could even compare. Not Max, not Nicky, not Carter.

"The Men's National team has a lot of depth, and I have incredible teammates at the Rock, but I've always pushed myself harder than any competitor can push me. I think the only person who pushes me as hard as I push myself is Sasha," Austin said. "And that's probably because he sees a lot of himself in me."

They shared a laugh. It all felt very forced to Payson. She hated television interviews. Print was different, it felt more like a regular conversation, but when thirty cameras were pointed at you all the genuineness went out of it.

"Well that's all we have for now. After the break we'll see just what these gymnasts can do," George said, looking straight into the camera. A few seconds later the producer yelled out that they'd gone to commercial and Payson, Kelly, and Austin jumped out of their chairs. They were ushered back to the dressing room to change for a demonstration.

Payson's phone was blinking.

S: Don't you dare hurt yourself. Tell Kelly and Austin the same.

The text had been sent just moments ago. Payson smiled; he was watching from the office.

"Sasha says we'd better not hurt ourselves," Payson announced. Kelly snorted.

"What's he doing, shutting himself in the office to watch our interview?" Payson shrugged, even though she knew that was exactly what he was doing.

"Must be, I guess. Come on."

#

Three and a half exhausting days later, they were on a plane back home. Payson couldn't wait to sleep in her own bed, and to work in her own gym. She missed the thin mountain air, the crispness.

"I have an idea," MJ said, breaking through the silence. Payson groaned, her agent was apparently already planning next month's weekend.

"Yes?" Austin drawled. Payson could hear the exhaustion in his voice. He put on a good show, but all the whirlwind publicity took as much out of him as it did Payson and Kelly.

"Well you know that there's an exhibition being held at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs in a couple weeks…" MJ started

"That meet the hopefuls thing?" Austin asked. MJ nodded.

"Yes. Sports Illustrated is covering it, and I thought it might be beneficial to bring them to the Rock the week before to do a 'day in the life' type of piece," MJ suggested. Payson blanched. Reporters in the Rock never ended well, ever. And Sasha hated it; he would go ballistic if MJ even hinted at it.

Payson looked over at Kelly and Austin and knew they were all thinking the same thing. Not only was Sasha going to freak, but they also didn't really want to taint the sanctity of their gym. The Rock was a sacred space where they were free to suck, free to mess up, and free to fall, but if they let the people at Sports Illustrated into their sanctuary they would have to posture, they would have to be perfect.

"MJ, I don't know if that's a good…" Austin started.

"Let me rephrase, Austin. I've already spoken with Sports Illustrated, and they love the idea. This isn't me asking you, it's me giving you fair warning," MJ said. Payson and Kelly traded a skeptical look.

"Have you asked Sasha about this yet?" Kelly asked. MJ shrugged.

"No," she said. Her tone said that she didn't think Sasha would be an obstacle. Clearly, she didn't know him as well as she thought she did. Payson snorted.

"Maybe you should let us talk to Sasha about this," Payson suggested. MJ quirked an eyebrow at her.

"You can broach the subject with him," she conceded. "Just make sure he knows that no isn't an option."

Payson scowled. She was not looking forward to that conversation.

A/N: I LOVE you all so much for your reviews. Seriously, this chapter came so easily because of you So, many thanks to threewishes6716, aladkinson, Kissin Concern, elliemarie84, Ida-cullen, LauraW89, and poppetrussell. You guys are amazing!

Hope you all liked (or loved) this chapter! We have a lot of fun and drama coming for Payson and Sasha, so stay tuned! And you know, reviews make me write faster! ;)

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