AUTHOR'S NOTE - Just a quick note to say that some of you have been wondering about the whole Charley/Alex business, so I'm probably gonna get to that in the next drabble.

DISCLAIMER - Nah.

THUNDERSTORMS

- August 1999

A bright line lightened the dark, late August sky and a loud, frightening noise followed several seconds later. Jenny buried her head deeper in her pillow, groaning quietly as she kicked the light cover off of her body. Suddenly, a strong arm found its way around her waist, pulling her closer to the warm body lying next to hers.

"You okay?" – Gibbs murmured quietly into her hair.

"Mmhmm. Am now," – she whispered back, a smile gracing her lips before she placed a soft kiss on his bare chest and closed her eyes again.

Just as she was beginning to drift off, a loud crash was heard from the outside again, followed shortly by a loud cry coming from the room across the hall.

"Mooooommy!"

Jenny could hear the tears in Charlotte's voice. She pulled herself from Gibbs's tight embrace swiftly and made her way to the door, when it crashed open, a four-year old girl running straight into her legs. Jenny scooped her up in her arms, cradling her daughter's head on her shoulder, the girl's tears soaking her T-shirt.

"I'm scared, Mommy," – Charlotte sobbed quietly.

"I know, baby, I know. But Mommy's got you now. Okay?"

She could feel the girl nod her head rapidly, silent sobs still shaking her little body.

Jenny moved back to the bed and placed Charlotte in the middle, the girl immediately crawling into her Father's waiting arms. Gibbs and Jenny exchanged quick looks before she, too, crawled close to the two of them, allowing herself to be pulled into Gibbs's arms.

Several moments of silence later, Charlotte turned on her back, a smile spreading on her face.

"What's so funny?" – Jenny asked quietly.

"I like your bed," – Charlotte stated mater-of-factly.

"Oh yeah?"

The girl nodded her head, a mischievous glint in her eye.

"Don't be cheeky or you're going back to your bed," – her Father mock threatened and little girl's eyes grew wide.

Jenny was just about to reassure her when a loud noise filled the room again and Charlotte jerked, burying her head in her Mother's chest, hugging her tightly.

Jenny pulled the girl closer and placed a kiss on her hair.

"Shhh," – she soothed, rocking them back and forth. "It's okay, Charley. Mommy's here."

Gibbs moved closer to his girls, sandwiching Charlotte between himself and Jenny, kissing the back of the little girl's head.

Another thunder followed and Charlotte jerked again, gasping loudly.

Suddenly the loud splatters let them know the rain started and Gibbs realised the storm was nearing them.

"Hey, Alex," – he said quietly, moving his hands to her waist and turning her to him. "Wanna know something interesting?"

The little girl nodded hesitantly, fear still clouding her eyes.

"Did you know that you can tell how far the storm is by counting between the lightning and the thunder?"

"Really?" – Charlotte asked in awe, her eyes widening.

Her Father nodded his head.

"Wanna try?"

The four-year old nodded eagerly, her fears forgotten.

Jenny smiled as Gibbs lifted Charlotte up and walked to the window, moving the curtain to the side.

"Look," – he said, pointing to the lightning in the distance. "One. Two. Three."

Charlotte hid her head in her Dad's neck, but peeked soon after, the curiosity getting the better of her.

"Nine," – Gibbs said as the crash filled the room.

Charlotte gasped, her arms tightening around her Dad's neck, but she looked at him, waiting for his answer.

"That means the storm is about two miles away."

"That's far, far away," – Charlotte said, relieved.

Gibbs smirked, not having the heart to correct her.

"Can we go to bed now, Daddy? Wanna sleep," – the four-year old yawned.

They moved back to bed, Charlotte crawling into Jenny's embrace once again, burying her face into her Mother's hair, identical to her own.

"Good night, Mommy, Daddy," – she whispered, sleep already heavy in her voice.

"Night, baby," – Jenny replied, kissing her daughter's head and reaching for Gibbs's hand.

"Night, Alex," – he said, entwining their fingers.