A/N: Writer's block has a grip on me like a vice but I AM going to keep fighting through it.

Having hardly slept, JJ felt like a wreck as she shuffled into the gym the next morning, her hair already escaping its ponytail as she dropped her gym bag on the table by the front door. Will followed a few paces behind her; he had kindly driven JJ to practice and was prepared to drive her back home again if they weren't going to train.

It was quiet in the space, normally alive with music as the coaches got prepared for the day ahead. JJ slowly made her way through the foyer, pushing on the door leading out to the gym. A few yards away, Kate was sitting cross legged on the edge of one of the trampolines, Nick sitting opposite her on a foam block. Not needing to announce her presence, JJ simply closed the distance between them, hopping up beside Kate and giving the younger girl a squeeze while Will posted up at the end of the trampoline, leaning against it and watching the two athletes with their coach.

"I know yesterday was rough and you guys want to know what's happening with Clem," Nick said softly, his voice much weaker than JJ had ever remembered hearing from him. "I spoke to Clem's mom this morning. She's got two fractures in her neck, one in her C4 vertebrae and one in C5. The higher one is more severe and it looks like it has damaged her spinal cord. At the moment, Clem has no feeling or movement below her waist"

Kate crumpled, burying her face in her hands as the tears made a fresh return. JJ immediately put an arm around the fourteen year old, giving her a comforting squeeze as she fought for her own composure.

"She had an emergency operation last night to temporarily stabilize the two broken joints, and she's going in for spinal surgery tomorrow to fuse that part of her neck"

"Is she going to be able to walk again?" JJ asked in a small voice.

Nick let out a heavy breath. "At this stage… it's not looking good. Her doctors are hopeful that because she's young, her body will heal and adapt… but it's a significant injury"

JJ chewed her lip anxiously, squeezing Kate's shoulders a little tighter.

"Teags and Elliott are going to run the classes this morning, so I thought it might be nice for the three of us to go and visit Clem at the hospital. Her mom said she's up for visitors, and I think you guys might benefit from seeing her and talking to her. She sounds like she's in good spirits," Nick said with a small smile. "What do you think?"

Kate lifted her face, her wet eyes rimmed red as she nodded weakly. "I wanna go see her"

"Alright. Grab your jackets and we'll head over"

Just moments later, they walked out into the parking lot, a saddened crew unsure of what lay ahead of them. While Nick locked up the gym, securing Teagan and Elliott inside as they got the gym ready for the day, JJ turned to Will, burying her face in the soft fabric of his shirt as he wrapped her in a tight hug and pressed a kiss to the top of her head.

"I'll call you later," JJ said softly as she pulled away, her pale face fraught with exhaustion. Will nodded, pressing another kiss to her forehead and lingering for just a moment.

"Let me know if you want me to come and get you," he offered gently. "I love you"

"I love you too," JJ said, managing a small smile. She stretched up on her toes, kissing Will's cheek, before crunching her way across the gravel lot towards where Nick and Kate were getting in Nick's car.

The corridors of the hospital seemed endless as Nick led the two girls towards the ward where Clem was. Given that it was a children's hospital, the corridors somehow managed to emanate brightness and joy, with coloured pictures and posters plastered all over the wall.

Then they rounded the corner, their eyes falling on the mousy brown hair of Clem's mom as she stood against the wall, absently stirring a coffee.

"Kathleen," Nick said, just loud enough to catch Clem's mom's attention where she stood in the hallway outside her daughter's room. She looked up, her face softening into a tired smile when she saw the three wan faces coming towards her.

"Nick, hi," she said softly. "You didn't have to come out here so early, you could've gotten some rest"

"I was up early anyway… gym clock," Nick said with a chuckle. "JJ and Kate wanted to see Clem, and I thought it would be nice for the three of us to come out and see her"

Kathleen gave both girls a warm smile, her hand clutching the coffee cup she was holding like a lifeline.

"How's she doing so far? Does she know everything that's happened?"

Kathleen nodded. "She may not even be thirteen yet, but my girl is stubborn and strong willed as they come. She wanted to be involved in every discussion with the doctors last night, and she took it all like a champ. Certainly much better than how I feel right now"

"Is Clem in pain?" Kate piped up in a small voice.

Kathleen smiled sadly at Kate, reaching out and placing her free hand on the young girl's shoulder. "No sweetie, she's ok. The doctors have her on the good stuff. Why don't you come in and see for yourself? She's still the Clem you know and love"

Turning, she pushed open the door to the hospital room, leading them into a small, dimly lit room. The blinds were still drawn, the only light coming from the reading light above the bed.

"Clem? You have some visitors"

Slowly, JJ and Kate made their way into the room after Kathleen, Nick just behind them. Still fighting off her sleepiness, Clem took a moment to focus on their faces. But when she did, her entire expression lit up.

"What are you doing here?" she exclaimed in a happy voice. Suddenly, despite the neck and back braces keeping her immobilised, and the extent of medical equipment around her, JJ could just see Clem. Bright, bubbly, wonderful Clem.

"We wanted to come and see you," Kate said, her smile wide and her eyes bright. "Are you ok?"

"I've been better," Clem said sarcastically, earning a little laugh out of everyone in the room as Kate headed over and gave her a small half-hug, being careful not to jostle her friend. "I can still use my hands. Last night, I didn't have so much feeling in them, but it came back today, the doctor says it was just swelling and inflammation. So at least now I can play on my phone and stuff"

Nick snorted. "The important things in life"

Clem giggled. "Tweeting is super important, Nick!"

JJ and Kate began to relax, the three girls starting to engage in light, fun conversation while Nick and Kathleen chatted softly in the corner. The room was soon filled with giggles and joy, a stark contrast to the somberness that had hung over them that morning.

"Promise me you won't let what happened scare you?" Clem asked softly after about twenty minutes, looking up at the two blondes sitting either side of her bed. "Please? I wanna see y'all in Tokyo"

JJ heaved a deep breath, before nodding and giving Clem a smile. "I promise. Also I'm not going to Tokyo, that's Kate's job. But you have to promise to watch all our meets."

"Oh that's a given, how else will I tell you that your Moors sucks?"

"Clem!" Kathleen admonished as the three girls laughed.

"Tell that to my Olympic gold medal," JJ shrugged, only furthering the laughter in the room.

However small, it felt like the weight had lifted. Clem was still Clem. And despite the significant physical challenges she had ahead of her, it seemed assured that nothing would take her spark away.