A/N: THIS IS A BIG ONE!

Weeks bled by, and the height of summer was upon them. The temperatures hovered in the high 70s most days, and when she wasn't working up a sweat in the gym, JJ had found many ways to take advantage of the beautiful weather they were having. Her therapy sessions were getting further and further apart, meaning more of her spare time was able to be spent outside in the sunshine.

Will had enrolled into the Pittsburgh Police Academy, with a place confirmed for him for the September intake. The joy on his face when he had opened the confirmation had been indescribable, and unable to contain himself, he had promptly picked JJ up and spun her around the living room in celebration while Sandy laughed at the two of them.

The sixth and the eleventh of July had crept up on everyone, and this time, when JJ woke up feeling the same sadness and weight as she had all those weeks earlier, she knew exactly what it was. But, despite the fact it had been a year since Michael had passed away, and twelve since they lost Rosaline, she and her mom had banded together, making it through both days as best they could.

Just a week after Michael's anniversary, JJ's twenty-third birthday was fast approaching, as was the start of the 2017 US competition season, and the accelerating pace of life was being felt everywhere they turned. JJ had attended the last two national team verification camps, and had easily verified her routines, reactivating her place on the US national team and confirming her place at the national championships in August. She had already been prequalified as a returning member of the Olympic team, but it had felt good to prove herself to Valeri and the other girls that she was ready to compete yet again.

"Uh… JJ? These came for you," Will called out around midday on Thursday as he came back from the front door. JJ looked up from the magazine she was perusing as he came into the kitchen carrying a massive bouquet of flowers.

"Oh my god… they're beautiful! Who sent them?" she said excitedly, her face lighting up as she moved around the counter to stand beside him.

"No idea," Will said gruffly, placing the little plush bear that had come as well down beside the flowers. He shoved his hands in his pockets, frowning at the flowers. He had to admit they irked him a little. Sure, it was JJ's birthday in a couple of days, and she definitely deserved to be showered in love and affection… but any of her friends and family would have attached a card. He couldn't help but wonder if someone was trying to take advantage of their rough patch.

"Ooh, they're gorgeous!" came Sandy's voice as she came into the room. Dropping her purse on the table, she came to join the two of them as they looked over the lovely bouquet.

"Hey, there's a card!" JJ said happily, stretching up on her toes to pluck out the card that had been hidden at the very top of the bouquet. She was eager in the way she tore open the envelope, sliding out a glittery blue card that twinkled in the sunlight coming through the window. She flipped it open, her eyes scanning the handwritten message inside quickly.

Just moments later, Will and Sandy were taken aback when she dropped her head to her hand, a soft sob rattling through her as she removed her glasses.

"JJ?" Sandy said softly, placing a hand on her daughter's shoulder.

"They're from Dad," JJ said tearfully. As Sandy immediately wrapped her up in a tight hug, JJ handed the card off to Will, who took a deep breath before bringing his eyes to the message.

Happy birthday peanut! I can't believe you're twenty three. Tell me you're still five!

I'm sorry I'm not there to celebrate with you, but I wanted you to know that I will always love you, and I am always proud of you. I'm sure you knew that, but flowers are a nice way of saying it.

I have faith that you and your mom are doing just fine without me… but, my beautiful girl, if you ever feel scared, or overwhelmed, just look around. I'm always with you, everywhere, in everything, and I'm always looking out for my baby girl. That's a promise.

Have a beautiful day, princess. You deserve all the happiness in the world… I'm sure some of that is coming from planning your wedding! Just don't give Will too much grief - he has to live to see the day too!

I love you JJ. More than words could ever convey.

Love,

Dad

Looking up from the card, Will ignored the painful twist in his stomach at Michael's mention of their wedding. Passing the card to Sandy, he wordlessly opened his arms and beckoned JJ into his embrace as Sandy read the words her husband had penned over a year earlier. JJ folded into his arms, burying her face into his chest and allowing him to gently rock her back and forth.

He felt like an asshole for even considering that someone else would be trying to win JJ over. Had he not learnt over the last few months just how sorry JJ was for everything that had happened?

"What's the bet he's lined this up for the next ten years?" Sandy said with a watery grin, breaking the silence in the room. JJ lifted her face, giggling as she wiped away her tears and brought her eyes back to the flowers.

"It wouldn't surprise me," she said thickly, reaching out to touch one of the bundles within the arrangement. Sandy heaved a sigh, slinging an arm around her daughter's shoulders and giving her a comforting squeeze.

"There's no end to the love your dad had for you, JJ. For any of you. You kids were the absolute pride and joy of his life"

Friday morning dawned bright and early for JJ, who found herself being shaken awake by Will before the sun was even up.

"Wha… what time is it?" she yawned, rubbing her eyes as she untangled herself from beneath the covers. "Too early"

Will chuckled, tugging the covers back and taking her hands. "Come on sleepyhead. I'm takin' you away for the weekend"

"But I have t-training," JJ replied, yawning widely again. Pulling her hands free of Will's, she buried her face back in her pillow.

"Naw, I cleared it with Nick. You don't have trainin' again until Tuesday. Come on babe, we should get movin'"

"Coffee," JJ mumbled, making Will laugh as he gently tugged her towards the edge of the mattress.

"We can get coffee on the way. All you gotta do is get dressed, I packed a bag for you last night," he insisted. "Come on"

With a heavy sigh followed by another yawn, JJ sleepily dragged herself out of bed. Before too long, they were both dressed and heading out to Will's truck, ready to hit the road beneath a dark morning sky that was still littered with stars.

After stopping just after sunrise to get breakfast and coffee, they had hit the road. The route was familiar, and a little over two hours after they had left home, JJ was beaming as they pulled up to the front of Will's family cabin on the shores of Conneaut Lake.

Warm sunshine beat down on them as they carried their things inside. They moved carefully around the cabin, putting fresh sheets on the king bed in the main bedroom, taking the time to open up the windows and air the rooms out after many months of solitude.

After moving themselves in, it had been a quick change into swimmers before wading into the lake to enjoy some of the summer sunshine. It had not escaped JJ's notice that every bikini Will had packed for her had always been one of his favourites.

"You know, if you were floatin; the other way, you'd look like you were dead"

The comment broke the serenity around the lake, making JJ laugh and collapse from where she was floating gently on her back on the surface of the water. Opening her eyes, she found Will grinning at her from a few feet away. Flicking her hand out towards him, she sprayed him with some water, only to get an even larger spray in return. She shrieked, shielding her face for just a moment, but by the time she had opened her eyes again, Will had disappeared.

"Will?" she called out, frowning as she turned to look behind her. "Will! Don't you dare jump out and scare me or I'm gonna kill you!"

A pair of hands suddenly grabbed her waist, making her scream just before she was pulled down under the water. Knowing it was Will, she tried to push him away, but he held on tight, keeping their bodies pressed together as he popped them back up above the surface of the lake once more.

"You suck!" JJ exclaimed, slapping his chest as he burst out laughing. "I hate you!"

"Naw, you just say these things," Will chuckled, getting a grin out of JJ in return. "You're just so easy to sneak up on, it's like I don't even have to try"

Before she could argue in response, his hands were coming to cup her jaw, pulling her into a sweet kiss. Almost immediately, she melted into his touch, locking her legs around his waist and her arms around his neck.

"I love you," she breathed as they broke apart, lifting a hand to push his wet hair back from his face. Will chuckled, pecking her lips once more before he spoke.

"So much for 'I hate you'," he teased, getting a giggle out of her in response. "I love you too Jayje. Here's to a great birthday weekend"

After a delicious dinner and a hot shower, the two of them had ended the long day early by retreating to bed. With the curtains left open, allowing moonlight to spill into the room with a gentle summer breeze, it felt like they were the only two in the world. It seemed as though their tiredness from the day had vanished as soon as they lay down, for before long, they were entwined together, kissing gently in the half light of the room.

Resting above JJ, Will brought his hand up to rest gently on JJ's cheek. Her skin was warm and soft beneath his hand, grounding him right there in the beautiful moment they were sharing. Following his lead, JJ brought her hand up, placing it on top of his own. She just wanted to keep them right there, neither of them moving for that moment.

"Just fucking do it already!" she yelled through gritted teeth, taking a striding step towards him and looking up at him through floods of tears. "I know you want to, just FUCKING HIT ME!"

"I'm not going to hit you," Will said as calmly as he could manage.

Grabbing his hand, JJ roughly brought it up to her cheek so it was resting against her angry red skin. "Do it!"

Breaking the kiss, Will pulled back with a soft gasp, his eyes immediately burning with tears. The memory had ripped through his chest like a knife… the fact that JJ had ever thought he would lay a hand to her was a fact that broke his heart. He may have been irreconcilably angry and upset with her at the time… but surely she had to know that he would never intentionally try to hurt her?

"You know… you know I would never hurt you, right?" he breathed, his thumb gently moving to stroke her cheek in soft circles.

"Of course," JJ said softly, removing her hand from his and lifting it towards his face. "Of course you wouldn't hurt me"

"I just… remembered that day… you askin' me to…," he trailed off, his voice catching in his throat as a tear escaped, dripping down his cheek and dropping onto JJ's collarbone.

"Don't cry," JJ whispered gently, bringing a finger over to wipe a second tear from his skin. "I knew you wouldn't… even though I was in pain, even though I said those things… I didn't actually want you to hit me. I only asked you because I knew you wouldn't… I knew I was safe"

He swallowed thickly, his heart giving a little gallop in his chest every time she gently wiped away a tear. Before he'd started dating JJ, he would've been mortified to be showing this much emotion to anyone, even though he knew he was more sensitive than most guys his age. But she had shown him the beauty of being open with his emotions… his therapist had also stressed the importance of allowing his emotions to come forth. He was glad he'd overcome that stigma. If everything he was feeling right now was rattling around unchecked inside his head, he knew he'd feel like a right mess.

"I love you," JJ breathed, breaking him from his thoughts as she cupped his face in her hands. He let out a soft laugh, breaking into a smile as he ran his thumb over her cheekbone.

"I love you too"

They fell into a soft silence, JJ's gaze falling to the open window, the room quiet other than the sound of the trees rustling outside.

"Whatcha thinkin' about?" Will asked softly, brushing her hair back from her face.

JJ sighed, breaking into a soft smile. "Being here... with you"

"This is the happiest I've been in a long time," he murmured, tipping his head and nuzzling her ear.

"Me too," JJ breathed, turning her head until she was looking him directly in the eyes.

They stared at each other for a moment, not entirely sure what was coming next. Somewhere in the distance, a bird cried out, breaking the silence of the night around them.

With barely another breath, JJ was the first to move, cupping Will's face in her hands and crashing her lips passionately against his. He barely flinched, reciprocating eagerly as he kissed her deeply. Almost immediately, something stirred deep inside him, a long forgotten need awakening like a snake after the winter.

He wanted JJ... he wanted every inch of her body that he could reach, taste, and touch... and he wanted it now.

They had been through hell... it had taken weeks before they had even been able to kiss again. Even now, they had only just gotten back to the level of emotional depth and sincere connection they'd spent years working towards. Sex had been on the radar for a while, a possibility, something for them to try when they felt ready. But the last time they had tried to get intimate with each other, he had clammed up. The anger, the hurt, the pain had all taken over and he'd pushed JJ away.

This time... he wasn't going to do that. This time, they would finally have their moment.

JJ broke away from their kiss, bringing one hand down to his chest. Chewing her lip in thought, she slowly traced out the contours of his chest, her fingers lingering every so often. When she flicked her eyes up to meet his, it took barely a second for Will to realize that they were thinking along the same wavelength.

"Do you want to do this?" she asked softly.

Cupping her chin gently in his palm, he broke into a lopsided smile."Let's just see where it goes"

Leaning down, he caught her lips in another kiss, communicating hunger, passion, and intense need in one fell swoop. Her lips were so soft... she tasted so sweet... he never wanted this moment to end.

Rising up, he pulled JJ with him, before turning so that his back was against the pillows and she was sitting in his lap. JJ took the opportunity to roll her hips ever so gently against his, making him stifle a groan as it rose up in his throat. He felt like a teenager again, so overwhelmed with hormones and feelings that he felt like just a single touch was going to make him lose his shit. JJ smiled, her eyes twinkling in the half light as she leaned in for another passionate kiss, her body now so closely entwined with his that it was hard to tell where they separated.

"Up," he whispered against her lips. She obliged, lifting her arms up and pulling back just far enough for him to pull her t-shirt over her head, leaving her in his lap in nothing more than her underwear. As he cast it aside, she brought both her hands up to cup his jaw, pulling him back in for another kiss as he snaked his arms around her lower back. He brought one hand up, splaying his fingers across her warm skin, savoring the smooth rippling muscles beneath his touch. His heart pounded emphatically in his chest as she slipped her tongue past his lips for the smallest of moments, before sucking lightly on his lower lip.

Nothing in this world had ever felt so right. He'd missed this, so much. JJ's warm skin beneath his fingers, how she tasted on his lips, the way his heart seemed to race with every move she made against him. He swept his tongue lightly across her bottom lip, nipping it gently between his teeth. The touch elicited a soft groan from her as she seemed to melt under his hold.

Pulling back just enough to break the kiss, he made no hesitation in bringing his lips down beneath her ear, gently kissing the sensitive skin on the side of her neck. She sighed, tipping her head to allow him easier access. With deft fingers, Will lifted his hand up into her hair, holding her close as her eyes fell closed. He pressed his lips to the spot below her ear, sucking gently as she let out a breathy sigh. He sucked a little harder, just enough to leave a mark on her skin. She pressed her hand to the back of his neck, clutching at him for grounding.

"Keep doing that," JJ gasped as he slowly kissed a trail down her neck. "Right there"

"Right... here?" Will whispered, nipping at a particular spot he knew was quite sensitive. When she shuddered at his touch, he broke into a small smile, pressing his lips down again and returning to his earlier actions. Keeping one hand in her soft golden tresses, he slowly brought his other hand around to her chest, gently cupping her left breast. His thumb gently circled her nipple, making her groan a little louder than she had before. Carefully pushing her back, he lifted his lips from her neck and moved them down to her breasts. Latching them around her nipple, he sucked hard. JJ moaned breathlessly, sliding a hand down her stomach and down between her legs. Through the fabric of her panties, she gently stroked herself as Will continued to tease and pleasure her breasts, kissing and sucking a trail across the valley of her chest.

"You know... I really think you're just far too clothed for my liking," he murmured after lifting his mouth from her skin. She giggled, rising up off his lap enough to slide her panties down her thighs. Will continued pulling the fabric down her legs, casting them aside to join her shirt on the floor. As he went to pull her back into his lap, she tugged at the waistband of his boxers, indicating to him that it was time to take them off. He wasted no time in rising up on his knees, pushing the silky fabric down, allowing his erect penis to come free. As he negotiated his way out of them, JJ rose up on her knees in front of him, pulling him into another deep kiss as one of her hands wrapped around him and began to slowly stroke up and down.

Somehow, they made their way back to sitting, JJ straddling Will's lap, her hand still between them, maintaining a steady pace as Will let out a breathy groan. He tipped his head back, prompting JJ to lean forward and start kissing a trail along the column of his throat, leaving a fiery trail against his skin. His hands were gripping her ass, kneading her skin beneath his strong fingers as he tried not to completely lose his shit.

JJ paused, pulling back far enough that she could see Will's face. Neither of them made any immediate move, and for just a moment, they simply looked at each other. They were more aroused than they'd ever been before, but in this moment, they were also the most unsure.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" JJ breathed, her muscles suddenly tense against him.

Will swallowed thickly, his eyes drifting down her naked body perched so perfectly in his lap. She was right there... they'd come this far, and just like the last time they'd been at the cabin, he was suddenly overwhelmed by how much he loved her.

He would love her right... and then he'd make sure they never broke apart again.

"I'm sure," he whispered, wrapping his arms around her and turning her over. With strong arms, he lay her down on her back, before sitting back on his feet and positioning himself between her legs. His hands remained strong against her hips, holding her down on the bed before him. He leaned down, pressing a kiss to the top of the line of hard muscle that ran down her stomach, starting a trail down towards where she wanted him the most. She was practically shaking with anticipation, a soft gasp leaving her lips as he dipped his tongue briefly into her navel. And then he was dropping lower, his hands gently pushing her thighs apart, allowing him room press more featherlight kisses to the inside of her leg.

"Please," she breathed, rocking her hips upward in anticipation.

"I got you babe," Will replied, his voice barely above a whisper before he dipped his head right down between her legs, his tongue darting out and running ever so agonizingly slowly from the bottom to the top of her folds. JJ let out a moan, prompting him to pause on her clit and flutter the tip of his tongue against it.

With her head tossed back against the pillow, and one hand buried in Will's hair, JJ felt like she would explode with just how intense everything felt right now. She hadn't had an orgasm in months, and her body was begging for a release. On top of it all, her heart was pounding with the love she had for Will.

Yes, they had broken. But right now, they were healing.

Letting out a guttural cry, she came with one last flick of Will's tongue, her thighs shaking around his head. As the waves ebbed through her body, she felt Will crawl over the top of her, his weight settling between her legs. Breathless, she looked up at him through her lashes, her face relaxing into a happy smile as she brought a hand up to rest against his cheek.

"You ok?" he asked gently, resting his arms either side of her head, his fingers coming to tangle in the loose strands of her hair. JJ nodded, looping her other hand around his bicep, lifting her head up just enough to pull him into a deep kiss. As they stayed locked together, Will began to shift, his aching erection lodging at JJ's opening. He could feel how ready she was, and the gentle touch of him resting between her legs was enough to send another rush of liquid arousal down towards him.

They broke apart for a moment, staring at each other. JJ was sure he could feel her heart pounding in her chest. She was nervous; it had been a long time since they had had sex, and a lot had happened. Right now, they were intimate, and both in incredibly vulnerable positions.

But she was ready.

"You sure about this?" she asked, her blue eyes staring up at Will in complete sincerity.

"More than I've ever been," Will breathed, pressing his lips to hers once more. Gently, he pushed into her dripping heat, both of them groaning in unison as their bodies finally came together. Will felt like his entire body went slack, his eyes closing tightly as he renewed the memory of what it felt like to be inside JJ.

When he eventually opened his eyes again, he took a moment to appreciate the moment. They were so tightly entwined that it was hard to tell where one finished and the other began. But it was beautiful. Every inch of her was perfect, from her slim legs currently wrapped loosely around his hips, all the way up to her arousal flushed cheeks and lust clouded eyes fixated on him in the soft light of the moon.

"Oh... you are so beautiful," he breathed. "You're like silk around me, cher"

Already feeling breathless, JJ let out a deep sigh, her arms coming up around his shoulders as he started gently rocking into her. She closed her eyes, her mouth falling open as she let out a pleasured moan. So long... she'd waited so long for this. It was achingly, tantalisingly slow... but it was worth it just the same.

Pushing himself up slightly, Will kept his pace, sliding a hand down between them and gently teasing her sensitive nub. She let out a loud groan, flinging an arm up behind her head in search of something to hold onto. Her fingers scrabbled at the headboard, finding nothing more than a few divots in the wood.

"Open those eyes baby," Will said softly, his voice breathless. "Let me see those beautiful eyes"

Doing as she was told, JJ flicked her eyes open, just as Will hit the perfect spot with his thumb, making her clench the hand that was still resting on his back. She cried out, bucking her hips up towards Will as her eyes fell closed again.

"No, no, keep them open," Will insisted. "Come on baby... look at me"

With a deep breath, she opened her eyes, fixing them directly on Will as he slowed his pace for just a moment. She used the hand on his back to tug him down for a deep kiss, sweeping her tongue across the inside of his lower lip, eliciting a groan from him as his hips stuttered against hers.

"I love you," JJ breathed against his lips as they broke apart.

Will returned the affirmation with another deep kiss, suckling gently on her lower lip as she lifted her legs higher around his waist and pulled him deeper inside her.

He rolled his hips against hers, a low groan rattling in his throat as she tipped her head back onto the pillows. Her mouth fell open, a breathy gasp of pleasure escaping as he rolled back and thrust forward again. His face remained just millimeters from hers, his eyes boring into hers as he found his rhythm once again.

"Will... god!" JJ gasped, bringing her arms back up around his shoulders and clutching at him as electrifying jolts ran through her entire body.

He wasn't going to last much longer, he was sure... but he always wanted JJ to come first. He always wanted her to orgasm first... not only because of how good it felt for him when she finally tipped over the edge... but because he would always put her first.

No matter what.

He was moving quickly now, beads of sweat forming along his back as he gritted his teeth and let out a loud groan. JJ was breathless beneath him, her hips bucking every so often to match him, her eyes clouded over with pleasure and desire.

The coil in her belly tightened even further, a rush of blood going straight between her legs as Will's movements became quicker and more erratic.

"Uh… Will!" she gasped, tightening her legs around his waist as he dropped his head to the curve of her neck, a grunt of pleasure escaping his lips.

"Come on baby… come for me," he murmured in her ear, his lips finding sweet purchase against the skin of her neck.

She dragged one hand up the back of his neck, her fingers disappearing into the soft waves of his hair. Her other hand stayed grounded against his back, the ripples of his muscles solid beneath the palm of her hand.

"I… OH! Oh!" she cried out as her muscles began to tense, her fingers instinctively curling against Will's skin. "Will!"

With one last guttural cry, she fell over the edge, her eyes falling closed as her orgasm pulsated out from her very core. Her nails dug sharply into Will's skin, the stings of pain a sharp contrast to the pleasure he was feeling himself. She was contracting so tightly around him that she forcibly brought him to orgasm as well, and with one last thrust, he sank entirely into her, unable to stop the loud groan that escaped his lips as he emptied himself completely. Rocking his hips slowly, he coaxed himself through the sexual high, moaning softly against JJ's skin with each rolling wave.

Breathing heavily, he stayed right where he was as the tranquil silence of the cabin began to wash over them again. JJ was moving ever so slightly beneath him, her sweat slicked skin sliding easily against his own. She pulled her arms down, sliding them under his and clutching him closer as she buried her face in the crook of his neck.

Moments later, a quiet sob broke the silence. It permeated the air, seeming to immediately draw up a huge lump in Will's throat. Squeezing his eyes shut, he tucked his face right down beside her head, the sweet smell of her apple shampoo meeting his nose as his body began to shake with gentle tears.

They would be ok. He knew that for sure now. For so long, he had been unable to move past the anger and hurt she had caused him on that horrible night in Los Angeles. For so long, both of them had been like strangers, speaking civilly to each other, but nowhere near the level of emotional intimacy they had once had. The last few months had been hard, harder than anything Will had experienced before, but just as he secretly hoped it would, it seemed returning to Conneaut Lake had been their good luck charm. They certainly hadn't planned this beautiful moment. Just as it was supposed to, it had snuck up on them all on its own.

Moving slightly so he was no longer on top of JJ, he pulled the sheet and blanket up over their naked bodies. Settling back on his side, he pulled JJ into his arms as tears cascaded down his cheeks.

'Just let it out,' he reminded himself. It was, after all, demanding to be felt.

No sooner had that thought crossed his mind than JJ began to cry in his arms, her face now buried against his chest. Even though he was sure it wasn't out of sadness, her sobs were only serving to further break down his emotional barriers he was so used to holding up all the time.

"Hey," he breathed, bringing one hand up and tipping her chin up with his finger, tears beginning to spill over his cheeks as he did. "You're ok"

"I'm not sad," she breathed, flicking her teary blue eyes up to meet his. "I'm not, I promise... it's just... we've been through so much... I honestly didn't think we would ever get back to this"

"I was more nervous for this than the first time we ever slept together," Will admitted quietly, his voice catching in his throat as he spoke.

"You're crying," JJ said, her voice filled with what sounded like surprise. Will took a deep breath, trying to steady his voice before he spoke again.

"I've loved you for as long as I could remember, JJ... and these last few months... even though I was angry, and I was hurtin'... I was also terrified that we would never work this out and that would be the end of us," he said softly, his heart thumping in his chest as JJ wiped her cheeks with the back of her hand. "I'm just so happy... and so overwhelmed... that we're goin' to be ok... I know I've said it before… but now I know it's real. We're goin' to be ok"

At his words, JJ let out a choked sob, clutching him tightly as she dipped her head back down towards his chest. Will simply held her closer, pressing his lips to the top of her head as a few more solitary tears spilled over his lower lashes.

He and his girl... they were going to be just fine.