1: 2003


The bedroom was dark. From downstairs, Woody could hear Andy's familiar laughter, riotous and loud as the family watched a movie. It had used to be that he, and Buzz too, had joined Andy for every Family Movie Night, but those times were becoming more and more infrequent. In fact, he and Buzz had been left up in the bedroom during the past three movies.

Woody frowned. He wondered if being left behind like this was beginning to bother Buzz as well. There was no way his observant Ranger friend couldn't have noticed that trips and time with Andy were starting to, slowly but surely, peter off. They would have to have a talk about it…

But not tonight, Woody thought. Not in front of the Guys. Tonight, he would make the most of things. Besides, he knew what movie Andy had been dying to rent and it wasn't one he especially wanted to see. He didn't even like that screaming SNL goober that all the kids were into. Andy I love ya, but your taste in actors…

Andy's toys had gathered themselves on top of the desk, where the outside light poured in from the window. As the Cowboy climbed from chair to surface, he could hear them, chattering and laughing among themselves.

Potato Head and Hamm were huddled off in the corner, playing a game of "Connect Four" while Rex and the Missus watched. Slink was lying down with his eyes closed, apparently already asleep.

In front of the window, Jessie sat Indian style, her hat thrown off to the side as her hair fell loose around her shoulders. "You know you're the only one I'd ever let do this."

"Don't you ever get tired of the same old thing?"

"Nope!" Jessie answered cheerfully.

Little Bo Peep smiled as she took Jessie's yarn hair in her hands. With a plastic paddle brush, she gathered the strands together from the front and sides. Turning she spoke to the Toy behind her. "Buzz, can I get your opinion?"

Buzz Lightyear had been sitting on the windowsill but at the sound of his name he startled. "M-me?"

Bo held out a few clips for him to see. "What kind of barrette should I use? Teal ribbon, yellow birds, pink poodle…"

"Don't put no pink poodle in my hair!"

Buzz turned slightly pink. With a smile he said, "I, uh, I like the yellow birds. They match her top."

"Good choice." Deftly, Bo snapped the barrette in place. Fluffing Jessie's hair, she turned the Cowgirl so Buzz could see. "There, all done. Doesn't she look beautiful, Buzz?"

Buzz flushed crimson. Looking away, he didn't answer but began to chuckle awkwardly.

"That's a yes."

Jessie giggled. "I know." Looking at each other, the two women broke down into peals of laughter.

Woody had been observing all of this from a distance, but hearing Bo's laughter suddenly filled him with warmth. She was standing directly in front of the window, her porcelain luminous with blue moonlight.

Before he even knew it, the Sheriff was standing in front of her. He took his hat off and bowed. Bo smiled and offered him her hand.

Straightening up, he put his hat back on and said, in a voice not like his own, "Miss Bo, it's a beautiful night and you're going to enjoy it with me!" He bent down and scooped her into his arms, eliciting a cry of surprise from her. As he carried her away, his fellow toys stared in shock at Woody's uncharacteristically cheeky behavior.

"What's gotten into him?" Hamm asked.

"That's not how that scene goes!" Jessie yelled after them.

"Has he been sniffin' the scented markers?" said Potato Head.

"Quiet all of you!" squealed Mrs. Potato Head. "Let the two of them have a moment!"


At the opposite side of the desk, Woody cradled Bo tightly in his arms and planted kisses all over her face and neck. "Woody!" she cried in delight. "What's gotten into you? You're not usually this bold!"

"Well, you're not usually this beautiful…" Woody stopped dead. "Aw, jeez! That's not what I meant! What I meant was, you look beautiful, more so than…I mean, you're always beautiful but tonight…"

"Shhh," she placed a finger to his lips. "I know what you mean. It's the moon isn't it?" She looked down at her arms. "It does something to my porcelain and makes me turn blue."

"Mmm," Woody nodded dreamily, holding her tighter. "Just like our first night together."

"Ah, so that was it. That's why you finally decided to kiss me."

"Here's another one." Gently this time, he tilted her chin up and pressed his lips to hers.

Letting go, Woody sighed and placed his head on her bonnet. "My blue eyed girl…" he murmured. Looking down, he could see Bo was resting her head on his shoulder, but she was staring off into the distance. Her eyes seemed to be glazed over. "What's wrong?"

Whatever trance she was in broke. "What?"

He frowned with concern. "Sweetie, are you okay?"

She smiled, but it seemed almost melancholy. "I'm fine," she said, brushing his cheek. "Do me a favor, Cowboy?"

"What's that?"

"Let's…make the most of tonight, okay?"

Almost the exact same thought he had had earlier. Reluctantly, Woody placed her back on the desk. "Is there something the matter?"

She shook her head. "Not when I'm with you." Grasping his hands, she gave them a squeeze. "Now come on, Sugar. I think we've left our friends long enough…"

Woody would have rather spent more time alone with her but he allowed her to lead him back to the group anyway. There would be plenty of time later for just the two of them.