A/N: This chapter contains some moderate sexual content!

It was her mom who had initially suggested it. Redoing her room would be therapeutic, she had said. It would help her to move forward, starting a new chapter and give her something physical to mark the divide between the Olympics and life after it.

JJ had agreed after very little hesitation. She did like her room, but she couldn't help but feel it was time for something a little more grown up.

So it was out with the bright colours, and in with the muted palette. Together, she and her parents had pulled out all her furniture and painted the walls in a soft grey. They'd made a trip to IKEA, coming out with an entire new set of furniture for her room, replacing the furniture she had had since middle school. Another trip to Bed Bath and Beyond had seen them walking out with new bedding, including a geometric patterned duvet cover with grey, black, white, and pastel blue sections. JJ had fallen in love with it immediately.

"Ok, you have to close your eyes," Sandy said as she placed her hands on JJ's shoulders and steered her towards her room.

"Mom, I know what it's gonna look like," JJ laughed.

"I know… but your dad and I have a surprise for you as well," Sandy said with a smile. JJ immediately obeyed, closing her eyes as Michael stepped forward and opened the door.

With her mom guiding her into the room, JJ walked slowly forward. She felt Sandy gently turn her to face something, before her hands lifted from her shoulders.

"Ok, open your eyes," Sandy said. Slowly, JJ did so.

Her eyes refocused a little slower in the dim light of her room, taking in the new bed linen, the freshly painted walls, the way everything was so perfectly arranged.

Then her eyes flicked up, to a large photo on the wall above the head of her bed that hadn't been there before.

A photo of her team, the Fierce Five, cheesing for the camera and biting their medals after the team final.

She felt a lump rising in her throat as Sandy wrapped her arms around her from behind and gave her a squeeze.

"That was one of the proudest moments of all of our lives. You worked so hard for that, and you absolutely deserve to be proud of and remember that achievement," she said warmly. JJ smiled, leaning into her mom as Sandy pressed a kiss to her temple.

"Jayje," came her dad's soft voice. Pulling away from her mom, JJ turned around, her mouth dropping open when she realised how her parents had set up her TV. It was on a brand new sleek storage unit, with a row of shelves at the bottom beneath the TV and two tall columns either side. Beside each of these columns was a glass display case, each housing a selection of the medals she had won throughout her career. At the very top, her Olympic medals glinted in the low light, making JJ beam as she leapt forward and threw her arms around her dad in a tight hug.

"Thank you," she said happily, getting a chuckle from Michael as he gave her a squeeze in return.

"Anything for you Jaybird. I'm glad you like it"

After an appointment with her therapist that morning, JJ had come in out of the blustering cold to an empty house. Being the second week of January, normal life after the holidays was well and truly resuming, with her mom and dad both back at work.

The only difference, of course, was that she was home.

With Will only in classes four days a week, he had come over to keep her company. They had started out making lunch together, and afterwards, had graduated to watching Netflix on the couch. But, having a house to themselves with no chance of interruption for at least a few hours, their attention didn't stay with it for long.

JJ was trying very hard to concentrate on the screen, where Gossip Girl (much to Will's chagrin) was playing before them. But Will had snuggled right up beside her, his lips nuzzling against the side of her jaw. Every now and then, he pressed a soft kiss to her skin, ever so slowly inching towards her ear.

"Is this ok?" he breathed, making her shiver as his breath touched the sensitive skin on her neck.

"Yes," she replied back, her voice barely above a whisper. He brushed a ticklish spot, making her giggle and shrink away slightly. Will chuckled, moving his lips higher, pressing little kisses as he went.

JJ tipped her head, her eyes beginning to flutter closed as she focused on the sensations against her skin. Then, his lips brushed a spot just beneath her ear, making her gasp as her body seemed to hum with the touch.

"That's… good," she breathed, tilting her head further as he brought his lips back to the spot. "Yes… right there"

He pulled her closer, working on the sensitive spot beneath her ear for a few more moments before he pulled himself around to meet her lips. She eagerly reciprocated, turning her body towards him as he pulled her even closer. One of her hands snaked around to the back of his neck, holding him to her as her other hand went to his hip. His lips were so soft and gentle against hers, but suddenly, the intensity of the room was beyond even the most heated desires.

This was the first time they had had truly uninterrupted time together. It was also the first time they'd started to go further than just a lingering kiss, and JJ's heart was racing, simultaneously from excitement and the unknown of what was coming next. Her chest was heaving against his, both of them out of breath but never able to get enough.

Will's hands stayed resolutely on her waist, but she could tell from the strength of his grip that he really wanted to roam further. And, she thought as he broke the kiss to go back to pressing hot kisses down the side of her neck, she really wanted him to.

In a moment of heated anticipation, she lifted her leg and swung it over his lap so that she was straddling him. Will broke away in surprise, looking at her with a cheeky grin.

"Is this ok?" JJ asked in a breathless whisper.

"This is definitely ok," Will reassured her, before pulling her back in for another kiss.

As his tongue pushed its way into her mouth, sweeping against her lower lip and eliciting a soft groan from her, JJ grabbed his hand with her free one, pulling it up beneath her shirt towards her breasts.

He responded exactly how she'd hoped he would, cupping her breast through her bra with a warm hand. She melted at the touch, pulling away from the kiss and tipping her head back as a breathy sigh escaped her mouth. Then his lips were against the exposed skin of her neck, leaving a heated trail as he gently circled her nipple through her bra.

Instinctively, JJ ground her hips down against his, not even realising that she was doing so. Will let out a loud groan, tipping his head back as he shifted beneath her. Not really knowing what to do next, she leaned forward, capturing his lips in another deep kiss as she lightly rolled her hips again. She really had no idea what she was doing… but whatever she was doing felt incredibly good.

"JJ, I… oh Jesus!" Will gasped, suddenly bringing his hands to her waist and lifting her easily out of his lap. He leaned forward, trying to catch his breath as one of his hands hovered near his crotch.

JJ felt a flash of fear race through her; had she done something wrong?

"I'm sorry," she said quietly. Will looked up at her, his eyes filled with something that looked strangely like sadness.

"You didn't… do anything wrong," he said thickly. "In fact… you did everything completely right. Maybe a little too right"

JJ's brow furrowed as she tried to work out what he meant. And then it clicked, her cheeks flushing red. "Oh"

"I'll be back in a sec, ok?" Will said stiffly, awkwardly pulling himself up off the couch. She watched as he made his way across the lounge room and out into the hallway, before disappearing around the corner towards the bathroom.

Her heart hammered in her chest. They'd barely been together two months, and suddenly, all these… things, were happening. If she'd guessed correctly, then Will had gotten where he was going, so to speak.

But did that mean he was ready to have sex? She certainly wasn't. Kissing, touching, a little making out, that was all ok, but she definitely wasn't ready to go all the way just yet. What if Will was? Would he get bored? Exactly like she had feared? Would he try and make her have sex even if she didn't really want to?

'No,' she scolded herself mentally. Will wasn't like that. He was sweet and genuine, and he'd never given her a reason to feel unsafe.

She heard the bathroom door click, and looked up as Will walked sheepishly back into the room.

"I, uh… sorry to cut this short, but… I'm gonna have to go home and change," he said quietly, his cheeks flaming red as he spoke. "I can come back… if you want me to"

"That's fine… I… I actually have some things I should probably finish off today," JJ said feebly. She knew by the look on Will's face that he knew she was lying, but neither of them said anything.

A few minutes later, Will was on his way home, and she was alone in the house again. She had no idea why she had suddenly clammed up at the thought of Will coming back… realistically, it would be completely fine. But maybe she just wanted to avoid any awkwardness that would potentially follow.

Feeling the worry already spiraling in her chest, she reached out and picked up her phone. As if on autopilot, her fingers tapped out a series of commands, before she lifted the phone to her ear. It rang for about ten seconds before her intended recipient picked up.

"Hello, this is Katie"

JJ breathed a sigh of relief as she heard the dogs barking in the background. Not only was Katie not at work that day, now she wouldn't have to awkwardly dodge her brother. Even when she called Jason or Katie specifically, it was a 50/50 as to who would actually pick up the call – they both had a tendency to answer each other's phones.

"Hey Katie, it's JJ"

"Oh hey JJ! Sorry, I didn't look at the caller ID, otherwise I would've realised it was you," Katie laughed. "Is Jase not answering his phone again? I honestly don't even know why he has one, it's a glorified paperweight"

JJ let out a giggle. "Actually… I was hoping to talk to you"

"Oh! Sure! What can I do for you?"

"Well… is Jason actually there?"

"No, he's out walking the dogs"

"Ok good," JJ said, heaving a sigh.

"Is there something going on that I should be concerned about?"

"No… I just… something happened… and I kinda… I needed to talk to someone about it because… this is all so new, and-"

"JJ, slow down," Katie chuckled. "Did something happen with Will? Something you don't really want to tell your mom about?"

"Yeah," JJ said sheepishly. "It's just so… it was so embarrassing when it happened… and I'm worried things are moving too quickly"

"Tell me what happened," Katie said gently.

JJ took a deep breath. "Will and I were watching a movie earlier today and we… we started kind of losing interest in the movie and… gaining interest in each other"

Katie laughed. "Generally how most movie watching goes when you have a partner"

JJ managed a grin. "Anyway, we were like… totally making out, I don't know if you need to know that-"

"I have a feeling what I'm about to hear is way more TMI than that, so go on"

"After a while… Will kind of had an issue… in his pants"

Katie paused for a moment. "Like… an erection?"

JJ cringed. "Think a little further ahead"

There was silence.

"Oh… oh… he… you mean, he had an orgasm?"

"Yeah," JJ breathed.

"Does that bother you?"

"N-not really," JJ stammered, but even she could hear how feeble it sounded. "Ok, maybe a little, but not because of… that itself, it's just… we've been together for like two months, Katie, I'm not ready for all… that stuff, I'm not ready to have sex"

Katie let out a little laugh. "It's ok, JJ, you absolutely don't have to be. But you guys are eighteen, and if I remember eighteen at all, it's basically just straight up raging sex hormones. He's dating you, and you're absolutely gorgeous inside and out, JJ, it's only natural he might get a little excited from time to time… especially if you're getting a little handsy on the couch"

Silence fell between them while JJ contemplated what she had said.

"JJ… he's not pressuring you into anything is he?"

"No, of course not," JJ said quickly. "It's just… a lot to take in"

"I know. I was the same when I first started dating. Just remember that those things are normal, and healthy. You're young, you're exploring your sexual side, it's ok for these things to happen. Don't be ashamed or embarrassed about it, ok? It's no-one's business but yours and Will's, so don't worry about people judging you"

Taking a deep breath, JJ settled back on the couch.

"I wish I wasn't such a freak about this sort of stuff," she said sadly.

"Oh JJ. Sweetheart, I know how it feels. Don't you worry. Sex? It's kinda scary. When you've never done it before, and you don't know what it feels like, or what happens, or how it's going to make you feel emotionally? It's a lot for those teenage emotions of yours to handle. And there's not really anything you can do or say to make that fear of the unknown go away, because it's natural. Humans are generally just wired to be anxious about things they've never experienced before. But what you can do? Is communicate with your partner. And make sure that whatever you're doing, you're doing it with someone you trust. Someone who loves and respects you and will listen if you tell them to stop. Because you can say stop. At any time. One of my best friends had six stops before she finally felt comfortable enough to have sex, and that is completely ok"

JJ let out a long breath, closing her eyes as Katie's words washed over her.

"Basically what I'm saying is… you're not a freak. You're experiencing a natural human response, which is probably heightened by the fact that you've never really had the time before to date or fool around with boys behind the caretaker's shed at school"

JJ cracked a laugh. "That sounds like personal experience right there"

"Yeah, you know what? Your parents are probably glad you didn't have time for boys until you were eighteen because you are way less likely to do some of the dumb bullshit I did with boys as a teenager"

Laughing, JJ pushed herself up and pulled her knees up to her chest.

"You and Will are good kids. Smart kids. Thankfully. I promise you, you're completely at liberty to explore this relationship without judgement. Nothing bad is gonna happen. And if it does? You call me, or you talk to your mom. It's never gonna be the end of the world"

JJ smiled. "Thanks Katie"

"Any time. I mean it. If you need to text me at 3am, do it, I'm usually awake because Jason snores"

Giggling, JJ shook her head, before letting out a sigh. "I should probably call Will and let him know everything's ok. I think he knew I was a little freaked out"

"Yeah, and you know what Jayje, he's probably just as freaked out. No teenage boy wants to cream their pants, it's just super embarrassing for them"

"Yeah. I felt kinda bad for him," JJ chuckled. "I'll let you know how I go"

"Alright. I'm gonna hold you to that"

"Thanks Katie," JJ said again, unable to stop smiling. She ended the call, sitting back on the couch as she let out a long breath. Sifting through her thoughts with her sister-in-law had made her feel a lot better. She knew she still had a ways to go before she was completely comfortable with the physicality of being in a relationship, but at least today was a little start.

Picking up her phone again, she sighed. Time to smooth things over with Will.