Everything was fine now, wasn't it?
Buzz Lightyear sat under Bonnie's window, the glow of sunset washing the bedroom in a red blush. A new home, a new owner, and by some miracle, they were still all together. Yes, everything was as it should be.
So what was gnawing at him?
Two hands covered his eyes from behind. "Guess who?"
Buzz smiled. "Evil Emperor Zurg?"
"Argh, Destroy Buzz Lightyear!" Jessie intoned dramatically as she uncovered his face. Cheerfully she plopped next to him. "Howdy!"
"Hi."
Jessie's happy grin disappeared as she searched his face. "You okay, Partner?"
"Well…"
Gently, she placed a hand on his arm. "C'mon, what's eatin' ya?"
Buzz shrugged. "Jess…I think I may have done a bad thing. In fact I'm sure I did."
Jessie raised her eyebrows in confusion. "What do ya mean?"
Sighing, Buzz looked away. "At Sunnyside…"
"Oh. Oh Partner, we don't need to get into all that…"
"No, just listen. I don't remember, well, anything after they held me down and opened my battery case…"
Jessie's face darkened. "Lousy bunch of varmints. I'm sorry that they did that to you, Buzz."
"The next thing I do remember is waking up in that dumpster. But between then and when I was reset…" he looked at her. "Did I…hurt you?"
Jessie began to fidget. "Well you did get a little rough…"
Buzz's shoulders slumped. It was exactly what he hadn't wanted to hear. "But it wasn't just me! You jumped everybody!"
"That doesn't make me feel better."
"It wasn't your fault!" She watched as he got up and began to pace. "Buzz?"
"This isn't right," he muttered. "I need to make this up to you. To everybody."
"You saved me in that dumpster, Buzz. Even if you don't remember it, I'd say we're Even-Steven for life."
Buzz shook his head. "No, no. There's only one way." He stood in front of her. "I need you to hit me."
Jessie reeled back in shock. "What?"
"I need you to hit me," he said again. "In the face."
Jessie stood up. "Don't you think you're being a little ridiculous?"
"No," Buzz took her hand. "And it has to be you. I may have…'jumped' everybody, as you put it, but you're the last person in the universe I would ever want to hurt. So if anyone's going to give me what I deserve, it should be you. Besides," he added. "You're the only one who can actually throw a punch."
Jessie stared at him in shock. "But Buzz…"
"I'm ready," he said, closing his eyes. "Give it to me."
Jessie continued to stare. Then she slowly smiled. "Well, if that's what you really want…"
"I do," he said. "And don't hold back."
She took a step closer. "And make sure you get me good in the face…"
"Oh I will…"
There was a moment of silence. No punch came. Buzz opened an eye. "Jessie? Jess…" His voice was muffled as he suddenly found lips being pressed against his. "Mmff!"
Jessie grinned at his shocked expression. "But I thought…You were supposed to…"
"Shhh," she placed her finger on his mouth. "You sweet Spacetoy, I ain't gonna hit you."
"I don't get it."
"Why would I wanna hit you? I love you."
"Even after everything?"
"Especially after everything." As she leaned in to kiss him again, there was a cough behind them. They turned. Bonnie's toys, new and old, were all staring, huge grins on each of their faces.
Buzz frowned. "Woody's right. That is annoying."
Jessie leaned into his earbud. "I got an idea…" she whispered.
Walking through the crowd (And ignoring the chorus of "Oohs") Buzz carried Jessie to the door bridal style. She grinned as she held onto his collar. "So romantic!" she giggled. "It's just like 'An Officer and a Gentleman'!"
"Which one am I?"
Jessie sighed and shook her head with a smile. "Oh Buzz…"
