A/N: This one's a fun one!

The week following the anniversary of her sister's death had seen JJ adding a weekly visit to a therapist into her already busy schedule. She'd attended one session so far, and already, Will and her parents had visibly seen a weight lift from her shoulders.

It was now the weekend before her 21st birthday, and Aly had come down from Boston with her mother to help celebrate. Seeing as the two girls would be in Chicago for the US Classic on the actual weekend of JJ's birthday, it was decided they would have to celebrate the week before. With a lot to do before all her family and friends arrived, Lynn had taken Aly and JJ out to the local mall, while Will helped Sandy in the kitchen, and Jason and Michael took to setting up the backyard.

"Where would you like this?" Will asked as he picked up a bowl of salad they had finished preparing.

"Wherever you can make space in the refrigerator," Sandy chuckled, loading a few of their used dishes into the dishwasher. "Michael will need that roast out shortly anyway, so you can take that out to make room"

Nodding, Will did as instructed, removing the large cut of roast meat and putting the bowl of salad in its place.

Turning around once he'd closed the refrigerator once more, he stood for a moment, watching as Sandy rinsed dishes beneath the tap.

He had so many questions burning into his brain, but he was also terrified of overstepping boundaries. JJ's parents were nothing but welcoming to him, making him feel completely comfortable in their home... and he didn't want that to change.

"Sandy... can I ask you something?" he asked quietly, moving closer to the counter and resting his hands on the freshly cleaned surface.

Turning to look over her shoulder, a flicker of curiosity crossed Sandy's face. Reaching out, she shut off the faucet, setting the dish in the drainer before turning her whole body around to face her daughter's boyfriend. "Of course," she replied, a gentle warmth in her voice that instantly made Will feel all the more relaxed.

"You and Michael... you've noticed lately that JJ's having a rough time, haven't you?" Will asked.

Sighing, Sandy nodded, setting her dish towel down on the counter beside her. "We have. It's been quite up and down in this house... for all of us, not just for her"

"Do you think she's going to be alright?"

Sandy nodded again, folding her arms across her chest. "I do. She's a lot stronger than most people give her credit for. If she wasn't, she wouldn't be where she is today in any regard. This sort of thing happens to some degree every year, but this year has definitely been the worst. She will be alright, she will come through it, but it's just going to take time"

"That night she stayed at my place... it scared me," Will admitted. "There she was, in the middle of the night, throwing up, crying more than I've ever seen her cry before... I've never seen her like that... ever. And it really freaked me out"

"And I understand why it would," Sandy said. "Michael and I are no stranger to that... it's been a very long time since she's been that rattled, but the weeks after Rosaline died... that was our night, every single night. And you know something Will? No matter how many medals JJ wins, how many podiums I see her standing on... every time she's up there with another result, I don't see the incredible gymnast who's worked so hard to be where she is today. I still see the little girl who woke up every night screaming and crying, the little girl who lost what was left of her childhood when she was ten years old"

Sadness had crossed into Sandy's eyes, and Will was suddenly overcome with it all; JJ had been through what sounded like hell and back... her midnight breakdown was starting to make more sense.

"The loss she's experienced is always going to be part of who she is. It's a testament to how strong of a person she is," Sandy added quietly. "It'll always be there, every year... but she's going to be fine. I know she is, because what she's been through has shaped her into who she is now. She's got a heart the size of Canada, and she loves fiercely and without abandon"

Will smiled; JJ's heart knew no limits. She cared so deeply for everyone in her life, it was admirable.

"Just promise me something Will," Sandy said, breaking Will from his thought. "Keep an eye on her. Look after her. If you're concerned about her, please tell us. And please... I don't think you ever would, but please don't add to the hurt she's already experienced"

"I love her too much to hurt her," Will replied. "You have my word"

Sandy broke into a smile, stepping forward and beckoning Will into a hug. He accepted the embrace, before stepping back and smiling at his girlfriend's mother.

He would do everything in his power to make sure the darkness from JJ's past never became her future.

"Can I have everyone's attention?" Michael called out over their now filled backyard.

The celebrations so far had gone off without a hitch. JJ's family and closest friends were all happily together in one place to celebrate her upcoming milestone, and JJ had been showered in affection and love from all of her relatives, most of whom she very rarely saw.

Now it was time to deliver a kind sentiment, and Michael was more than prepared to tackle the task.

"If I could just steal your attention for five minutes," Michael said with a smile as the noise died down. Lifting an arm, he gestured to JJ to join him. She did so, smiling as she leaned into his side, her mother joining them at her other side.

"Thank you all so much for coming tonight and helping us celebrate our baby girl's twenty first birthday... I know it's not until next weekend, but, you know, elite gymnastics can often interrupt one's schedule," Michael said with a chuckle. "Sandy and I can't quite believe we're here today, celebrating our youngest's twenty first, I mean... it feels like just yesterday we were bringing her home from the hospital! It's all gone so fast, but it's been an incredible twenty one years, that's for sure"

Looking down at JJ momentarily, he smiled, before looking back up towards their family.

"We're so proud of JJ, for everything she's achieved in her life... I mean, how many people can say their daughter is the most decorated gymnast in America? Although... I think she's had a little bit to drink tonight, so I don't think we'll be getting a beam encore"

Laughter filtered around the space as JJ blushed, a huge grin crossing her face as her dad squeezed her shoulders.

"It's been an incredible privilege to watch her work hard to achieve her goals and ascend to the highest heights her sport has to offer, and we're just as proud of each achievement that comes as we were of the last. But not only that... she has grown and matured into an incredible young woman who we are proud to call our daughter"

Turning and looking down at JJ, Michael smiled. "JJ, honey, you've become such an amazing young woman... your determination and passion for everything you do just blows me and your mother away. We are so proud of you, every day... don't ever change, and don't ever give up. We love you endlessly... happy birthday sweetheart"

As he pulled her into a hug amidst applause and few drunken cheers from her uncle, JJ had tears in her eyes. She was beaming through them, even as she pulled away and turned to be wrapped in another tight hug from her mom.

As lowkey as it was, it was special. She couldn't have asked for more.

"JJ, you're really workin' against me here"

It was past midnight, and quite a few people still remained, happily drinking and partying the night away down in the backyard. Will and Aly on the other hand, were working very hard to get JJ upstairs and into bed; the hours following her father's speech had seen her level of drunkenness increase, to the point where she had knocked over a small bar table, spilled her drink, and collapsed against Will in a heap of infectious giggles.

Switching on the light as Will half carried JJ into the room, Aly moved over to the bed and pulled the covers down.

"Woah," JJ giggled as she stumbled over her own feet, grabbing at Will for purchase.

"Ok, you need to lie down," Will chuckled, easily laying her down on her mattress and reaching down to pull her shoes off.

But before he could even touch her shoes, JJ had grabbed him by his shirt and pulled him back up towards her, pressing a deep kiss to his lips as Aly giggled on the other side of the bed.

When her fingers started drunkenly trying to undo the buttons on his shirt, Will pulled away.

"JJ, no, you're the one who's meant to be getting undressed, not me," he reminded her.

Starting to giggle uncontrollably, JJ grabbed him again, pulling him down on top of her as her fingers fumbled against the buttons.

"JJ... JJ stop," Will chuckled, gently guiding her hands away from his clothing as Aly laughed again while searching JJ's drawers for a shirt for her to sleep in. "I'm not having sex with you tonight"

"Why not?" JJ pouted, her lower lip sticking out impressively.

"Because you're drunker than a sailor at Mardi Gras, and Aly's here as well, it's not right," Will said.

"Aly won't mind," JJ whispered loudly.

"Aly will mind," Aly whispered back just as loudly. "Aly will mind a lot"

Unable to suppress his laughter, Will pulled JJ up so she was sitting, before helping her out of the dress she'd worn that evening. It took both him and Aly to get her into one of his old T-shirts, but before long, she was passed out beneath the covers with the promise of a pounding headache come morning.

Exhaling heavily, Will looked over at Aly. When they caught each other's eye, all they could do was laugh.

Jennifer Jareau and alcohol proved to be a very entertaining mix.