A/N: I guarantee nothing but tears after this chapter.

"Whatcha watching?" Will asked conversationally as he came into the room and dropped down beside JJ on her bed. It was their last day together before Trials; JJ and Nick were flying out early the next morning, Monday, to San Jose. Will, Nandy, Jason, and Katie would follow on Thursday afternoon, and Will's parents were flying in on Friday morning with Lani and Clayton just a couple of hours behind them, much to JJ's surprise. Sandy wouldn't be in attendance, instead watching from home as she and the home care nurse cared for Michael and made sure he was comfortable.

"The 2004 Olympics… Carly's one tumbling pass away from the gold medal," JJ said softly, leaning into his embrace as he wrapped an arm around her shoulders.

Falling silent as he watched the slight young girl in the patriotic red leotard, Will found himself oddly captivated by her performance. She was dancing away to the upbeat music, precision in every movement as she went.

"She kinda reminds me of you," Will said with a smile, nuzzling JJ's ear. She giggled softly, her face lighting up in a genuine smile, even though her eyes never left the TV.

With the defiant stuck landing that was the hallmark of earlier years of gymnastics, Carly finished her routine and struck her final pose, beaming from ear to ear as she did. They stayed silent, watching as she ran to her coach, Yevgeny Marchenko, getting a tight squeeze that could only come from a coach whose life's work had paid off.

Barely minutes later, the crowd was screaming as the commentators yelled down the microphone, for Carly had won the all-around title, the first American gymnast to do so at a fully attended Olympic Games. She was in tears, being embraced by Yevgeny as cameras swarmed around them.

"Apart from Shannon Miller, Carly was the first American gymnast I ever idolized. I watched live as she won her title… that was the moment I decided I was going to go to the Olympics too," JJ explained as the joy and victory unfolded before them.

Sighing, she finally tore her eyes away from the screen, tipping her head up towards Will. "I've been in two minds about the Olympics all season… I just don't know if I'm doing the right thing, and… I thought if I watched the moment I first decided I was going to be an Olympian… it might help me figure it out"

"JJ… you're telling me you haven't been one hundred percent into this all season, and yet you're still the second best gymnast in America and qualified to the Olympic Trials?" Will asked in disbelief.

JJ let out a chuckle, dropping her gaze down to her lap. "Yeah… sounds kinda crazy when you say it like that"

"It is," Will chuckled, pulling her a little closer. "So… has Carly helped you make up your mind?"

Letting out a long breath, JJ nodded, sitting up straighter and turning to face Will.

"I'm going for it. I didn't realize… under everything else that's happened since Worlds… just how badly I want to go back. I've wanted to go back since I landed my last pass in London. And nothing would make my dad happier to see me going for it again… so I'm going to give it everything I've got, and I'm going to make that damn team"

Falling silent, she bit back a grin at the odd expression on Will's face.

"What?"

"Nothing," he said softly. "You're just really hot when you get all stubborn and determined"

At that JJ had to laugh, prompting Will to grab her around the middle and throw her down on her back on the bed, pressing his lips to hers in a deep kiss.

"One last time before I leave?" JJ breathed when they broke apart, their faces barely an inch apart.

"You know I'll never say no to you," Will said huskily, getting another giggle out of JJ before he pulled her back into the kiss.

They wasted their last few hours together making gentle, beautiful love, never really wanting to let each other go. When they bid each other goodbye at the front door late in the evening, Will pressed a lingering kiss to her forehead, noticing when she relaxed completely beneath him.

He knew she could do it.

As he walked back to his car, JJ watching his retreating back, his heart was pounding emphatically in his chest.

This was it. In a week's time, they would know the team. And he was so certain she was going to be on it. It was almost making him giddy, to think that the next time he saw his beautiful girl, she was likely going to be going back to the Olympic Games.

It was such a contrast to 2012; time had flown so quickly since then. Back then, they had just been friends (friends harbouring feelings from each other nonetheless), and watching her through the Trials process and at the Games had been a completely different experience to what he was feeling now.

All he knew was if he was this jittery… he certainly did not envy JJ right now.