A/N: This is kinda of a crazy year for JJ now that I think about it - lots to come!

Letting herself in the front door of the LaMontagne house, JJ shouldered her training duffel a little higher. She could hear Janine's voice carrying from the main living area, her distinctive accent seemingly even thicker within the familiarity of her own home.

As the door clicked shut behind her, she toed off her shoes, leaving them in the pile by the hallway table.

"Is that you JJ?" came the older woman's voice.

"Yeah," JJ said with a smile, walking through to the next room. Janine beamed, immediately making JJ feel welcome as she always did, but even so, her expression could not match the way Will's face had lit up upon laying eyes on his girlfriend.

"Hey, look at you... you're so pretty," he said happily, making JJ laugh as she leaned down and pecked his lips.

"And you're still doped up on pain meds," she teased, patting his cheek. "Because after four hours of training in a gym that feels like a sweatbox, pretty is not the first word I would be using to describe myself"

Janine chuckled. "He's been in 'n' out of a daze ever since he came home from the hospital. But hey, as long as he's comfortable, he'll be able to heal up better"

"Do you mind if I take a quick shower?" JJ asked as she straightened up.

"Yeah of course you can, hon! Go on up, help yourself to anythin' you need, you know where everythin' is up there," Janine said warmly. "Are you hungry? I was about to make some lunch for the two of us, happy to make somethin' up for you too"

"Um... yeah, actually, that would be great," JJ said, smiling gratefully at Janine. "Thanks!"

"No worries at all my love"

Twenty minutes later, JJ made her way back down the stairs, letting her hair down from the bun she'd pulled it into for her shower. When she poked her head back into the living area, she found it quiet, the TV now turned off as Will slept soundly on the sofa. She smiled, taking a moment to stare at his peaceful face, before heading into the kitchen, where she found Janine.

"Bet that feels better," Janine said with a chuckle as JJ walked in.

"So much better," JJ agreed. "Can I help with anything?"

"No, hon, don't be silly, you've been workin' in that gym all mornin'!" Janine gushed. "You have a seat up there, and it'll be ready in just a sec"

Obliging, JJ climbed up onto the counter stool, watching as Janine bustled about fixing something to eat. Just a few minutes later, she had slid a plate in front of JJ piled with eggs, avocado, bacon, toast, and cooked tomato.

"I was in the mood for breakfast food," Janine said with a grin. JJ laughed.

"I'm not complaining, it looks delicious"

After placing Will's plate in the oven to keep it warm, Janine took a seat beside JJ at the counter, the two of them digging into their food. From the first bite, JJ realised just how hungry she was; she must have worked harder than she thought at practice.

"So tell me JJ... everyone tells me my son is a gentleman... but I wanna hear it from you," Janine said with a chuckle. "Is he really as much of a gentleman as everyone says he is?"

"Oh, a hundred percent," JJ said with a giggle. "He's the sweetest. He just wants to dote on me and protect me all the time, which is nice-"

"But you also don't need it," Janine chuckled. "You're a strong young woman in your own right, for sure"

"I don't mind being treated like a princess every now and then though," JJ said with a shrug, looking at Janine with a grin.

"Ah, it reminds me of when I met William. William wasn't the best with women, certainly not like Will, but he had this sweet nature and this gentle kindness... it sucked me right in, and next thing I knew we were married with children!"

JJ grinned. "I think that step is quite some time off for me... for us"

"Oh of course, you guys are so young, enjoy the freedom and take the time to explore the world. You've got your whole life ahead of you to settle down! Part of me still can't believe you guys are already in your twenties... I still remember the first time you two met, and my little guy left school with a broken foot"

JJ blushed as Janine laughed; it was a well told story, and one that never failed to make the rounds somehow.

Janine sighed as she sank down onto the end of Will's bed, watching wearily as doctors milled about the emergency room around them. Beside her, Will tapped his good foot happily, his eyes closed as he bopped along to the beat of whatever song he was singing in his head.

"Why are you so happy, my little crazy person?" Janine chuckled, bringing a hand to rest on his uninsured leg. "You've got a broken foot!"

"I'm just happy Momma," Will said with a smile. "There's a pretty girl in my class. I think she and I will be good friends"

Janine laughed softly to herself. Her youngest son was such a ladies man, with a heart full of the kindest intentions. "That's very sweet Billy… but you still didn't tell me how you broke your foot on your first day at a new school"

"I was playin' around and I kicked a wall," Will said flatly.

"Why did you kick a wall?"

Will shrugged. "I don't know Momma, I just did"

"Billy, are you being truthful?"

"I am, I kicked it"

"But why?"

"Because I'm dumb?"

Janine laughed, shaking her head at the questioning look on her son's face. "Oh my boy… there are a million words for you out there, but dumb is not one of them"

"Momma, do you think Jennifer will want to be my friend?"

Janine smiled. "I don't know sweet boy. Is she the pretty girl?"

Will nodded enthusiastically.

"She called me Will… not William or Billy like everyone else"

"Will," Janine repeated softly underneath her breath. It sounded so foreign to her, like a completely different child to her little Billy sitting before her.

"I like it"

"Of course you do," she chuckled. "Well, Will, if you're your sweet, friendly self to Jennifer… I think you two can be friends"

"Good," Will said contentedly, sitting back against the bed with a happy smile. Janine grinned knowingly.

Like a lovestruck puppy.

"He had it so bad for you," Janine chuckled. "Still does"

As if summoned, a shuffling noise behind them made them turn, finding Will dragging his tired body into the kitchen.

"Food?" he asked blearily, making JJ laugh as his mom rolled her eyes.

"I kept a plate for you," Janine said with a grin, patting her son on the shoulder as she hopped off the stool and headed over to the oven.

"How are you feeling?" JJ asked softly as he came to stand beside her, one arm naturally draping around her waist.

"Look, I'm sore, and the pain meds are taking me for a goddamn ride, but... I'll be alright," Will said gruffly, clearing his throat as he finished speaking. "You come to nurse me back to health?"

JJ giggled. "I can try, but I can't promise I'm any good"