Noodle stares at the rainstorm through the window of her bedroom. The sound of thunder makes her very nervous, now that she's gotten her memories back. She had been taught that the sound of explosions is cause for one's guard to be up, and apparently thunder wasn't an exception, much to her dismay. Really, it shouldn't bug her. It never had before, so why now?

Another clap of thunder shakes the foundation of Kong. Noodle shrieks, covering her ears and curling up on the floor. Eyes squeezed shut, she keeps her ears plugged as tightly as she can. It's unfair that she's now fifteen and has to be afraid of storms, really unfair. Pathetic, too. So of course she's not going to go crying to her boys, she isn't ten anymore.

Though, at this point, she wishes she was ten again. It was much easier, then. Another rumble sounds, and she tries to curl into herself further, though it doesn't really work. This is just ridiculous. Forcing herself to unfurl her limbs from each other, Noodle slowly sits up. She does so as quietly as she can manage; just to be safe.

Once she's made the progress, however, the loudest boom of thunder yet makes her go right back into the position she'd been in before. The girl stays like that for what seems like an hour, but the thunder won't let up. It seems to be getting worse, really. The sound of rain outside is so loud, she can't even hear herself think!

So, she doesn't hear the knocking on her door; nor the footsteps approaching her. She's still got her ears plugged, after all.

So when she suddenly feels arms going around her to pick her up, Noodle panics. Yelling, she flips out of the grasp and does a fighting pose once she's on the floor again, eyes blazing.

"Noodle, luv, it's only me," Stuart's voice is raised over the sound of the rain pounding against the studio.

Noodle, before she can react how she wants to, is startled again by another loud rumble of thunder. Shrieking, she slouches down, shaking.

"Oh, dear," Stu mumbles, again going to and picking her up. This time, however, she appears to melt into his arms, completely terror-struck. The bluenette immediately begins going to Russel. He has no clue what to do in this situation other than hold her and ask Russ what else to do.

Noodle doesn't make any sounds, completely embarrassed by herself. Not only that, she doesn't think she could move if she tried to, she's just too afraid.

"Noodle, luv, I've got you, okay? Don't be afraid." Stuart tries, pecking her head. He doesn't like that she's afraid, especially over nothing but a storm.

Opening Russel's door, Stuart finds him reading a book while snacking on some crisps. "What you want?" Russ demands after seeing who it was. However, he now notices the state of the girl in Stuart's arms. "What happened?" Russel asks, immediately standing up and reaching for Noodle.

Stu pauses, thinking this over. "Well-well," he stammers, "I was just checking on her, since I hadn't- hadn't seen her for awhile down in the studio." He sighs shakily. "She was lying on the floor, all balled up like she was very unhappy. Um. Scared."

"Did she say anything?" Russel presses, cradling the tiny girl in his arms.

"Hmm, no, don't think so. But-- but she screamed when it thundered. Very loud." He explains, gazing down at Noodle nervousty. "I didn't know much.. Much else to do about it but find you." Stu rubs the back of his neck, a little embarrassed.

Russ is silent for a moment. "You got any headphones?" He asks the singer, glancing at him.

"In my room, yeah. Why?" Stuart seems very confused by this.

The drummer rolls his eyes. "Just get them. You'll see why in a moment."

Nodding, Stuart rushes out of the room as quickly as he can. It's not very fast; by no means is he a runner, but the thought counts. He decides that he'll grab a fag, too, since he's been wanting one for a bit.

"Noodle." Russel says, eyes fixed on her face. "Are you okay? Don't seem very well."

Noodle's brow furrows slightly. "Uh. The thunder is.. Is no good. It is making me afraid."

Russel nods at this. "Thought so.. Just hold on a moment, see, I've just sent Dee for some headphones."

The teen sighs. "I. I was hoping that no one would find me.. It is not like I am ten anymore; I should not be afraid of something as petty as a thunderstorm."

"Baby-girl, it don't matter that you're afraid of a storm. You shoulda come and found one of us, we woulda made it better. Being alone when you're afraid of something makes it worse. You don't gotta deal with that by yourself, it ain't right." Russ lectures, though his voice is gentle.

"Still.. I should not be dependant on--"

"Shush. None of that. You can't think that you ain't allowed to ask for help from us; you know that. We're family, it's why we're still around after all the shit that's happened." The large man points out, pecking her forehead. "You're still my baby, I don't care if you're fifteen or twenty-three."

Noodle smiles despite the looming fear. "Okay, I will try to remember." She promises.

Russ returns the smile as Stuart arrives back in the room with his headphones in hand. He's got an unlit cigarette in his mouth. "Here are the headphones, um. Do you have a lighter in here? I can't find mine. It keeps disappearing like it has its own two legs! I bet it's decided to go to shop or something."

Noodle laughs at his antics. "What would your lighter be doing at the store, Toochee? Buying its own fags?" She asks.

"Dunno, I've always thought it was a rebel. You know. Sometimes, it won't even light when I want it to. Which is silly, it's the one job for a lighter to have!" Stuart hands the headphones over to Russel.

"Did it take your money with it?" Noodle wonders, sitting up in Russel's arms.

"Hmm, that's the thing. I lost my wallet a few days ago, so it might have. I don't think it can use my cards; I can hardly use them. I can never remember the pin number, I always have to ask Murdoc if he can remember it. Then again, the lighter is already smarter than me."

Noodle giggles. "Well, it looks like we will have to get you a new lighter, yeah?"

As Stuart nods, thunder sounds again. Noodle covers her ears, squeezing her eyes shut. "Well, I guess it's time for those headphones, hmm? Yo, Dee. Hand me the transistor radio on the dresser, will ya?" Russel requests.

"Oh-oh, yeah." Stuart responds.

Noodle whimpers, her face burrowing into Russel's nightshirt. She's started shaking again.

Russel sighs, petting her hair. "Alright, baby. Here we go, let's get these on you." He gently unwraps the girl's limbs from himself just enough so he can ease the headphones over her ears. Stuart hands the transistor to Russel, who takes it and plugs the headphones into the jack. Visibly relaxing, Noodle opens her eyes to look at whatever this sound is coming from.

"Ooh!" She exclaims, picking the radio up from Russel's hand. Immediately, she begins playing with the dial, her tongue sticking out as she concentrates.

"Well, that worked well!" Stuart exclaims. He seems relieved. "I wonder why it scares her so much. The thunder. It didn't use to, remember the tornado? There was lots of thunder then."

"Maybe her memories. Something before us, ya know?" Russel suggests, smiling slightly when Noodle lays back into his chest. "Either way, she's just fine now."

Stu grins. "Yeah! Much better."

Noodle's hand gestures for Stu to bend down. He does so without a second thought. She pecks his cheek, smiling widely. "Good Toochee. Thank you for helping me!"

He involuntarily blushes. "Of course! Anything for you, luv!"

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Hello, all! I'm crazy busy, but I'm doing my best to keep you all updated!

Can someone draw a comic series of Stu Pot and the Runaway Lighter? I'd about die if you did. But not really, because I still need to update. Can't do that if I'm dead, yeah?

More reviews and story ideas are very much requested. I'm running low on ideas!

Until next time,

Liz