Like many folks in the states I'm holed up at home, snowed in for the next few days. But at least that means more time to write. So here's some winter-themed fanfic to keep you warm and toasty. Stay safe, all, and as always do let me know your thoughts!

"Uncle Gadget? Uncle Gadget, wake up…"

Gadget was aware of his niece's voice before he was fully awake. But then, he had always been mindful of his niece's safety and wellbeing on some level, even if it was more unconscious than not. His enhanced senses had long ago learned the cadences of her breathing, the rhythms of her heartbeat, the tones of her voice and he instinctively knew that something wasn't quite right.

He rolled over to see both Penny and Brain standing next to his bedside, watching him anxiously.

"Penny, what are you doing up?" He paused and glanced at the clock, his bionic vision easily making out the numbers of the small clock on his nightstand. 2:02am.

"Did you have a nightmare?" It had been years since Penny had woken seeking his comfort after a nightmare but that didn't assuage Gadget's worry.

"No, I'm f-fine, Uncle," said Penny.

Gadget caught the slight stammer in her voice and frowned. Sitting up in the bed, he immediately noticed that it was much, much colder in his bedroom than it should be. He wasn't as sensitive to temperature changes as Penny was but it was still enough to make even him shiver.

Cold. She was shivering from cold, not fear, he realized.

"The t-thermostat's broken...the p-power's gone out...I tried to fix it…"

Gadget pulled his bathrobe on over his t-shirt and sweatpants and stepped into his slippers. "Say no more, Penny," he said as he stood, switching on a lamp as he spoke. "I'll have it fixed in no time!"

He started to head downstairs but stopped suddenly as if remembering something. He turned smartly on his heel and walked quickly back towards Penny. Before the girl could blink Gadget scooped her up and deposited her in his vacated spot on the bed. It wasn't much warmer but it was better than nothing and Penny instantly felt better when Gadget grabbed the bedsheets and wrapped them around her shoulders.

"Wait here and warm up, Penny. I'll be right back. Brain, here boy!" he called to their dog, gesturing towards the bed.

Brain needed no second bidding. He jumped onto the bed and quickly curled up by Penny, providing some additional warmth.

One hour later it became clear that the power was out not just at their house but across Metro City. Gadget, Penny, and Brain had been listening to the news on Gadget's built-in radio all morning. Most of the city and surrounding areas were shut down but emergency services were busy helping stranded motorists and getting downed power lines and trees out of the roads.

It was no surprise, then, when Chief Quimby called Gadget, telling him to report for duty to help with clearing the roads of debris.

"Be careful, Uncle Gadget," said Penny as she watched her uncle wrap a scarf around his neck.

Gadget adjusted his hat at a jaunty angle and gave his niece a confident smile from underneath the brim. "I'll be fine, Penny, don't worry!"

Nodding, she watched as her uncle disappeared out the front door. "I always worry," she said softly, stroking Brain's head.

Penny's worry only grew throughout the day as the weather continued to deteriorate. She had tried reading but couldn't concentrate and had forced herself not to stare out the window at the icy mix of sleet and snow. Her uncle hadn't said how long he would be gone but it was already dark out.

Just when she was thinking of calling Chief Quimby to check on her uncle she heard the front door unlock. Penny hurried towards the foyer, Brain right behind her, a relieved smile breaking across her face. "Uncle Gadget, you're back!"

"Hello, Penny," said her uncle, giving his niece and dog a tired smile. He was covered in snow and dripping from the brim of his hat to the edges of his coat. Penny quickly grabbed a towel and handed it to him.

"Wowsers, it's cold out there!" Gadget exclaimed as he hung up his hat and coat to dry. "I might have to go back out tomorrow if this keeps up," he added, peeling off his soaked gloves. He wrapped the towel around his neck, rubbing at his damp hair.

Penny frowned. "But Uncle, you've been out all day, and your hands are like ice!" she added as she reached forward and took hold of both his hands in her own. She felt annoyed with Chief Quimby - no one else would have been asked to stay out in this weather for so long, she thought.

She tugged on Gadget's hand and led him into the living room where she had lit the fireplace earlier.

"I'm always on duty, Penny, you know that," Gadget chided her gently as he sank heavily onto the sofa. Despite his words he sighed in relief as he stretched his long legs towards the heat from the fireplace.

"I know, Uncle," said Penny. She watched as Gadget yawned and stretched. "Are you feeling any warmer?"

"A bit, thank you," he said. Penny touched his hand again and frowned at how cold it still felt. She knew her uncle had a lower body temperature than that of a regular man but it didn't ease her worry.

Knowing how proud and stubborn her uncle could be, Penny sat on the sofa next to Gadget. She leaned forward and wrapped her arms around his neck, resting her face against his neck.

She felt Gadget stiffen but he didn't pull away. "Penny? Are you alright?"

"Yes," she said, shifting closer to him. "But I don't think you are," she added softly. "You're freezing, Uncle Gadget."

Gadget shrugged, his eyes studying the flames. "The cold doesn't bother me, Penny."

Somehow, Penny knew that Gadget was referring to more than just the cold weather but she didn't press him. As she had gotten older Penny had begun to realize that there were some things her uncle didn't feel comfortable talking about, but at least she could do this.

"Well, I'm a bit cold," she said after a moment of silence.

Gadget did turn to look at her then, a small smile tugging at his mouth. He wrapped his arms around Penny's torso and pulled her closer, resting his chin on top of her head.

Penny smiled. It had been a long time since they had sat together like this and she relaxed further against her uncle, trying to share as much warmth as possible.

Gadget heard a whine and raised his head to see Brain looking at him expectantly.

"Alright, come on up, Brain," he said. The dog happily complied, curling up against Gadget's side after leaping onto the sofa.

Smiling, Gadget leaned back into the cushions, finally warm again.