Jessie gulped nervously as she settled in for bed. The skies had been overcast all day, light rain falling throughout. It had begun raining harder as night fell, and she knew that meant one thing; thunderstorms. It wasn't the rain she hated, it was the thunder and lightning. The bright flashes and loud booms had terrifed her throughout her childhood, and unfortunately she hadn't grown out of it as she reached adulthood.

On such nights she usually lay awake, too scared to sleep and too dignified to ask for help. But lately they had been failing more often, traveling further, and eating less. She was exhausted, and though she tried to fight it, soon succumbed to sleep, unaware of the low rumbling beginning as she closed her eyes.

...

Jessie woke in the middle of the storm, thunder booming around her. She sat up, trembling and fighting tears. A lightning flash illuminated the room they had managed to sneak into for the night, though it wasn't much of one. She could see James and Meowth sleeping peacefully and couldn't help the small snort that slipped out. Those two could sleep through anything.

She jumped at the next flash of lightning and crack of thunder, her sleeping bag finding its way over her head. She lay cowering for a bit, rendered immobile by the storm. Tears slipped unbidden from her eyes, wetting her pillow. There came a period of silence, the only sound the rain hitting the roof, and she sighed, emerging from her sleeping bag in belief that the storm was over. She found she was wrong when a large clap of thunder rattled their meagre shelter.

She screamed, in one fluid motion leaving her sleeping bag and joining James in his. He woke as she attached herself to his side, whimpering and hiding her face in his neck. Though drowsy, he realized something was terribly wrong and began to rub her back.

"Jessie, what's wrong? Why are you so scared?" he asked quietly. She mumbled something in response, though it was muffled as she had yet to reveal her face. "What?"

"Storm. Thunder," she whispered, lifting her face up just enough for him to be able to hear him but hiding again at the next flash.

Understanding washed over him like cold water. Jessie, his Jessie, the woman unafraid of anything and tough as nails, was afraid of a simple storm. He smiled gently, and had she been looking at him would have seen the love in his expression.

"It can't hurt you, I've got you," James whispered into her hair, pressing a kiss to the top of her head.

"I know it can't hurt me!" she snapped, though her anger was brief. "I just don't like it."

"Well I promise nothing will happen to you as long as I'm around." Gently, he tilted her head up, pressing a soft kiss to her lips and smiling as he felt her begin to relax. "See? Nothing to be afraid of."

She smiled at him, a small one, though it was progress. He frowned as he noticed her drying tears.

"You've been crying. Were you that afraid?"

"Yes," she admitted softly, embarrassed to have been caught in such a vulnerable position.

"Jessie, any time you're afraid, or hurt, or sick, or anything, I want you to know I'm here for you. I love you, and I want to be there for you when you need me, okay?" James said seriously.

"I know, and I love you, too. I just don't like feeling weak."

"You're anything but weak," James said, locking his eyes with hers. "You're the bravest, most courageous person I've ever known, and you're damn beautiful. Everyone gets scared, Jess, it's only human. So don't be afraid to admit it. I love you, and I know you aren't as unfeeling as you like to pretend you are."

Jessie smiled at him, leaning over and kissing him.

"What would I do without you?" she asked, settling back down with her head on his chest.

"Be at a loss without a punching bag?" he joked, laughing as she lightly slapped him.

"You're an idiot," Jessie yawned, "but you're my idiot."

"Mm-hmm, forever," James whispered, kissing her head again. "Sweet dreams, Jess."

The two slept through the night, storm forgotten, dreaming of success and the future.