A/N: Middle scene contributed by Jordon!

Enjoy!

She'd finally bitten the bullet. Tired of hanging around the house all the time, and wanting to start her journey back to the top of her sport, JJ had battled through the snow to get back into the gym.

Nick had been excited to have her back, but firm about his expectations. He wanted to be sure she was serious about coming back to the sport, and wasn't just going to rely on natural talent and previous achievements. He had to know she was willing to work harder than she had ever worked before without him driving her every move.

So that was how she found herself in the back corner of the gym, hanging from one of the training bars on the wall as she repeatedly pulled her toes up towards her hands. Nick was working with the small group of young girls who were looking at potentially moving into the elite ranks in coming years. They were the first group since JJ that had decided to make the jump into training for elite, and Nick was still working out how to reschedule his day around everyone who needed his guidance. Every now and then, one of them would look over towards JJ, clearly a little starstruck that they were really training alongside an Olympian.

Already, she knew it was going to be tough. She had grown, not much, maybe only two inches, but it was enough that she was going to have to adjust some of her skills. She'd gained a little weight and filled out a little more in her chest and hips. None of it was bad, she was knew it was normal. But it all meant she would have to adjust. The nearly five months she had spent not doing elite training were the longest she had spent out of the gym since she had started this journey. Her muscles were already protesting, having liked their time off, but she was determined to push through it. Getting back to the level of fitness she needed was going to take time and hard work. And for the first few weeks, it was going to be all on her. Nick wanted to know she was serious, and she would show him she was.

With the kitchen cleaned after dinner, Sandy had settled down beside Michael to read her book. JJ and Will had retreated upstairs, with everyone aware JJ was on the verge of falling asleep after her first day back in the gym.

Sighing softly, Sandy turned the page in her book as the sounds of the TV played around her.

"You gonna tell me what's on your mind?"

Sandy looked up from her book in surprise. "What?"

Michael used the remote to turn the volume down on the TV. "You've sighed four times in twenty minutes. What's wrong?"

She marked her place and slowly closed the book. "I've just been thinking."

"About?"

"JJ and Will."

He raised his eyebrows in surprise. "Did something happen?"

"No, not... it's more what hasn't happened."

"Sandy, what are you talking about?"

"Have you noticed that when they're together, they don't really touch? And when they do, even if it's just a brush of their hands, JJ turns bright red"

"I don't think that's something to be upset about, I remember several times when Jason started dating when he would practically be making out at the table," he chuckled.

She waved a hand. "No it's... it's different. It's like JJ's scared to show him any affection."

"Sandy, you're just-"

"Michael." She waited until he looked over at her. "I'm being serious. I mean maybe it's just her being shy and it'll get better as she gets older and is more comfortable, but I'm worried about her."

"I really think she'll be fine," Michael told her gently.

"What if she's not? What if she doesn't come into her own? I really like Will. I think he's good for her. And I would hate it if they didn't work out because she's scared to be affectionate."

"You don't think you could be reading into it a bit?"

"I can see it on her face, Michael. She's fine and then as soon as she realizes that someone's nearby or watching her, a flash of panic crosses her face and suddenly she can't get far enough away from Will. And if she can't get comfortable being with Will, who's so lovely, and obviously cares very deeply for her... what if she's never able to have a healthy relationship? What if she's never able to find what we have?"

"Honey, you're getting yourself worked up." He leaned forward. "JJ's going to be okay, San. I promise. They have only been together a couple of months, and JJ's probably still wrapping her head around all this dating and relationship stuff, I mean… Will's the first guy she's ever dated. But I mean, if you're really concerned, maybe it's a conversation worth having with her."

She gave a tiny nod. "Yeah. I don't know, I just..." She took a deep breath. "I want her to be happy."

He gave her a small smile. "I know. I really do."

It was warm beneath the blankets as her hands gently traced the contours of Will's muscles. His lips were on hers, soft and gentle as they kissed deeply in the darkness of her room. He was staying over again, having come over to hear about JJ's first day back in the gym.

Will pulled away, kissing a trail down the side of her jaw until he reached her ear. He brought his lips to the spot between her jawbone and her ear, making her gasp as he began to kiss the side of her neck.

"That's… oh, that feels good," she breathed, tipping her head to allow him better access. Her eyes fluttered closed as he worked his magic, her body humming with the new sensations. One of his hands slipped between her legs, stroking her gently through her shorts and her underwear. Naturally, she let her legs fall further apart, practically begging him to touch her more.

"Can I take off your shirt?" Will murmured, pulling away from her neck. JJ's heart leapt in her chest, butterflies suddenly swirling up in her stomach. After a short hesitation, she nodded, following him up into a sitting position as his fingers came to the hem of her t-shirt.

He was going to see her topless for the first time. She couldn't say she wasn't a little nervous about it.

The shirt came up and over her head, leaving her skin bare to the cold air in her room. Will immediately brought them back to laying down, pulling the blankets up over both of them as he did. He stopped for a moment, gazing down at her as he brushed a loose strand of hair back from her face.

"You ok?"

JJ nodded, her eyes flicking down to where their bare chests were touching. Her heart was pounding, and she was sure Will could feel it.

"I think you're beautiful, Jayje," he said softly, before bringing his lips back to hers. She allowed herself to melt into his touch, willing her body to relax.

This was normal. This was part of being in a relationship. She loved Will, and he loved her. He had never given her a reason to feel unsafe with him around.

Then it occurred to her. The next step from here was sex.

That was where this was heading.

For reasons she couldn't pinpoint herself, panic began to rise up in her throat. Will was kissing his way back down to her chest, his lips coming to the top of her breasts. Her breathing quickened, her heart feeling as though it was going to pound right out of her chest.

"Wait… I… Will," she stammered out, making him lift his head.

"You ok?" he asked again.

"I… where this is going… I… I'm not ready," she breathed, flicking her eyes up to meet his.

"That's ok," Will said gently. "It doesn't have to go anywhere"

"I'm sorry," JJ said. Will gave her a small smile, bringing his elbows either side of her head so that he was lying directly above her.

"What are you apologisin' for?" he asked softly. "You don't have to apologise for not being ready. The decision is entirely yours"

JJ let out a heavy breath, bringing her hand up to wrap around his forearm where it rested beside her head. "I feel like I'm blue balling you"

Will chuckled. "JJ, you don't owe me anything because we got each other a little hot and bothered"

JJ stayed silent, her eyes dropping away from his as he gently ran his fingers through the hair at the side of her face.

"JJ, if you never want to go any further than this, that's ok. We don't owe each other anything. If you want to have sex one day, then great, you've made that decision for yourself and only yourself. If you never want to have sex, that's ok too," he said, his voice just above a whisper. "I'm with you because I love you. I love who you are… you make my world a happier place. I don't care if you never want to have sex… I just like being with you, because you make me so happy"

JJ smiled, a lump forming in her throat at his sweet words. She quickly swallowed it away, lifting a hand to cup his cheek.

"I love you"

"I love you too Jayje," Will said with a little laugh. "Now… do you want your shirt back?"

JJ hesitated for a moment, before slowly shaking her head. "This is… nice. I wanna stay here"

Will smiled, leaning down and pressing a kiss to her temple, before rolling to the side and pulling her into his arms. She tucked her head into the crook of his neck, closing her eyes as he traced gentle patterns along her back.

Everything was fine.

She knew one day she would get there. It was just going to take a little more time.