A/N: Updating manically now, we're almost at the end of pre-written chapters, and then this story is going to get REAL interesting!

This Olympic team is like… the most diverse team the USA has ever sent to the Games. An African-American girl, a Hispanic girl and a Jewish girl make up over half the team!

Yeah, and then they're joined by two of the whitest white girls I've ever seen.

"This just in… you and Maddie are apparently 'two of the whitest white girls' ever," Aly giggled as she scrolled through Twitter on her phone. "People get so hung up on this crap"

"I don't know," JJ mused, holding out her arm against Laurie's deep olive toned skin. "I'd say I'm pretty goddamn white"

The girls laughed. They were all sitting in a huddle on the floor of the boarding lounge at George Bush Intercontinental Airport, stretching as they talked and laughed amongst themselves. Around them were a mixture of other Team USA Olympians and coaches, as well as a multitude of excited tourists who were clearly heading down to Brazil to watch the Games live.

In roughly half an hour's time, they would board the United Airlines flight that would take them to Rio de Janeiro, the beginning of what would be one of the greatest months of their lives.

"Eww," Aly groaned, wrinkling her nose as she looked up at JJ. "I'd, uh, stay off Tumblr for a little while"

"Why?" JJ frowned.

"Someone's decided to make comments about your sex life," Aly muttered under her breath, just loud enough for the girls to hear. "And they've picked the worst context to frame it in"

"Let me see that," JJ said, reaching out and taking Aly's phone from her hands.

|gymfanconfessions|

"With all these allegations against Larry Nassar, it makes you wonder about some of the current national team members… I mean… JJ is (presumably) sexually active, wouldn't that be something he would've preyed on?"

|jareaumanar|

Uh, GFC, what the actual fuck? Who's moderating these? Confessor… you're a fucking creep. Whether JJ is or isn't sexually active isn't any of our business, and mentioning that in relation to Larry Nassar is just grossly inappropriate. Jesus fucking Christ.

Even shrouded from the world at the Olympic camp, the girls had been aware of the growing whispers about the former national team doctor, Larry Nassar. JJ knew she was lucky enough to have never been treated by him, but even so… knowing people online were casting speculation was enough to unsettle anyone.

"It gets clearer every day that that website is filled with teenagers. And people with zero tact," JJ said darkly as she handed the phone back. "But I'm sending Leilani flowers"

Aly laughed, shaking her head as she set the phone back down beside her.

Half an hour later, the eight girls were leading the charge down the jetway towards the plane, their huge backpacks slung over their shoulders.

"Hey girls!" Simone called out from the front, holding her phone out in front of her as she recorded a Snapchat video. "Where are we going?"

"TO THE OLYMPICS!" the others all shrieked, getting a cheer from some nearby tourists who were also clearly heading to Rio, as was evident by the bright American flag T-shirts they were wearing.

Soon enough, they were all seated on board the plane; Simone, Laurie, and Maddie on the right hand side, Aly and JJ in the middle with Nick on JJ's left, and the rest of their coaches and travelling staff filling out the rest of their row and the row behind them. Marta was on the window on the far left, and to JJ, it looked like she was already hard at work scrutinizing potential lineups for the competition.

Not too long after that, the plane was taxiing down to the runway, and there was a murmur of excited chatter amongst the girls.

"Cabin crew to takeoff positions"

"This is it," Aly whispered excitedly, reaching over and squeezing JJ's hand. JJ could hardly contain her grin. Memories of the flight to London four years ago were bringing all the excitement rushing back.

With a roar, the engines came to life, propelling the plane smoothly down the runway. Less than a minute later, they were in the air, Houston fading away into nothing but twinkling lights beneath them.

Settling into her seat, JJ closed her eyes.

In eleven hours time, they would be in Rio, and they would be one step closer to making those dreams come true again.

"Ladies and gentleman, this is your captain speaking. Welcome to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The time is 11:03am on July 26th, and it is a beautiful day outside. I would like to make a special mention at this time. We had the pleasure today of flying some Olympians from the United States National Team, who are obviously heading to Rio to compete in the Olympic Games and represent our country. It gives us great pride to have been able to transport them to Rio de Janeiro, and we wish them all the best in their athletic endeavors"

The plane broke out into applause as Simone leaned over and looked at JJ and Aly with a huge grin on her face.

It was real. They were in Rio.