A/N: Short compared to the last bunch. Might get a little dry from here on for a while, but I'll do my best.

|catalinaponors|

I want to personally beat the living daylights out of Jack Hamilton, how cruel of him to do that to JJ on live television!

|jareaumanar|

I'm starting a donation page to raise money. We're getting Nick a trip to fucking Bora Bora or something with his wife, because he literally deserves the world for punching that bastard, WE DON'T DESERVE THE CINNAMON ROLL THAT IS NICK ROMERO!

|istanromeros|

Niiiiiick. My maaan.

|flipflytumble|

never did I think I would live to see the day where a USA Gymnastics coach punches out a Fox News reporter at the OLYMPIC FUCKING GAMES

|from-london-to-rio|

I hope JJ knows we got her back. I hope Nick knows I think he's a motherfucking LEGEND

"JJ?"

Simone's voice was quiet… which was unusual for the younger girl to say the least. She was looking around the doorframe as JJ sorted through all her things, slowly packing them one by one into her bag. She looked up at the sound of Simone's voice, a tired smile crossing her face.

"Hey. Where were you this morning?"

Simone bit back a smile, pushing the door open further and coming into the room to take a seat on the edge of Aly's bed.

"At Team USA headquarters with Aimee… they wanted to ask me something," she said softly, picking absently at the duvet on Aly's bed.

JJ lifted her head slowly, her hands freezing halfway to her bag. They were three days away from the Closing Ceremony. She herself had been called to Team USA House in London… three days before the Closing Ceremony.

"I've been selected to carry the flag in the Closing Ceremony," Simone said, her voice thick with emotion and pride as the smile she'd been fighting back finally made its way onto her face. "I haven't told the others yet because I haven't seen them… but I knew you'd understand what a big deal it is"

Getting up, JJ was smiling as she pulled Simone up to her feet and into a hug. "Simone, that's amazing," she breathed. She hated how forced it sounded; she was genuinely thrilled for her friend. But the previous day's experience had left her feeling physically and emotionally drained.

"I wanted to tell you now, because I know you're heading home, and I wanted you to hear it from me rather than social media… I don't know, it's just more exciting that way," Simone said warmly as they broke apart. At that, JJ managed a small chuckle.

"Yes, it definitely is," she agreed.

"Do you need any help packing?" Simone asked.

"Uh, no, I-"

She dropped her sentence immediately as a thought occurred to her. One of her best friends was going to have her moment in front of the entire world audience, and here she was, effectively running away.

From what though? She was going to get home and it was going to be the same. People would ask inconsiderate questions. She was still going to grieve, she was still going to hurt. Nothing was going to change between Rio and Pennsylvania… except for the fact that in Rio she had her teammates to distract her. She had the festivities of the Olympics to provide an outlet.

"JJ?" Simone said, breaking JJ from her thoughts with a confused frown.

"Where's Nick?"

Simone shrugged. "No idea, I've only seen Marta and Aimee today, we were gone pretty early. Why?"

"I need to… he's going to change our flights, I don't want him to anymore," JJ said hurriedly. "I want to stay for the Closing Ceremony"

"JJ," Simone said gently, reaching out to steady her friend. "Don't stay just because I'll be carrying the flag. If you want to go home, you should go. You need to be with your family right now"

"It's not just that… no matter where I go, this… pain, it's going to be the same, in fact, it's probably going to be worse at home… I shouldn't make a snap decision based on one dickhead," JJ replied, getting a giggle out of Simone.

"Besides," JJ said softly, "you guys are my family too"

Simone smiled. "That's really sweet Jayje… but if you want to stay you better move your ass and go find Nick, because he's not here, that's for sure"

Xxx

After much mad running around, JJ had managed to locate Nick in time. They were remaining ticketed on the United Airlines Olympian flight leaving Rio on August 22nd.

"What are you doing?" Aly asked curiously as JJ tapped away on her laptop after dinner that evening.

"Taking risks," JJ replied flatly, getting half a laugh out of Aly.

"Ok… seriously, what are you doing?"

"I decided to take a gamble… I'm opening my ask box on Tumblr," JJ replied, looking at Aly with a grin. "It'll either be really fun or a total disaster"

"Do people even know you have a Tumblr?"

JJ shrugged. "Yeah, I think so. I mostly just lurk to see what they say about us. But I'm gonna start making some posts that clue them in for sure"

Aly laughed. "Oh you are evil. They're gonna realize it's you and have about fifty heart attacks"

"Only if they've been shit talking me," JJ giggled.

Coming to sit beside JJ, Aly gave her a warm smile. "You seem better today"

Nodding slowly, JJ closed her laptop.

"Mostly just… savouring what's left of this. I'm going to have a hot mess to deal with when I get home… so I'm enjoying this while it lasts"

Without warning, Aly wrapped her arms around JJ, giving her a tight squeeze.

"You'll be fine. I know you will. You're Jennifer Jareau, you're tougher than any of us put together"

Smiling, JJ leant her head onto Aly's shoulder.

"Thanks Aly"