First, I want to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving, though it's still a few days away.

Yes! At last, this is THE story I've been waiting and waiting to share with you all! I've worked especially hard on this story, trying to make it right and to my satisfaction. I don't own Toy Story, or anything Pixar or Disney. I'm so excited about this one! It will be mostly about my OC Princess Mitsy (not in the heroine style that Jessie was in Toy Story of Terror or Trixie in Toy Story That Time Forgot), but it is a family/friendship adventure one, so don't worry, your favorite toys have their important roles to play. I've always wished that Pixar would put a young female doll in the Toy Story series who would be a daughter figure to Woody and a good pal to Slinky, but they never have, so I did in my fanfics. But don't worry. This story isn't only about her. Like I said, it's family/friendship.

All the toys tried to comfort Woody when Bo Peep left, but I wanted to add my input from my character's perspective. Hope you don't mind.

I have always loved Lad, the dog from Albert Payson Terhune's novels, so I hoped that comparing the great collie to someone in here would be speaking highly of that toy's character.

I know, I know: the toys have performed numerous acts of true love for each other in the series. So what makes this one so different? Well, you'll have to read it all the way through to find out!

This chapter is going to be from my OC's POV.

Please, PLEASE read and leave reviews. I hope you all enjoy this one. Here it is!

Andy Davis' toys had been living with their new owner, Bonnie Anderson for quite some time now. They were all happy with their new friends and relished in the love from their little girl who cherished them. Of course, there were days that they missed Andy, old friends, and special things they used to do. Sometimes it made them feel sad. Other times they all felt warm inside reminiscing on the fun and good memories they'd made. Woody, Buzz, and their circle of friends-family, really-had been through a lot together, through thick and thin, the good times and the bad, the arguments and the unity, the insults and the cheers. Out of all their adventures, the most memorable was the great escape from Sunnyside Daycare, especially when they all had nearly perished in a fiery pit. They'd learned many lessons in their walk of life: about love and hate, forgiveness and bitterness, about trust and betrayal, holding on and letting go, about joy and heartache, dreams and disappointments. In all of those, they'd become stronger, especially in their family bond.

Princess Mitsy often, mostly during the night, reflected on how happy and protected she felt, surrounded by such an incredible circle of love and care. Mitsy loved her whole family, even grouchy old Mr. Potato Head. She could never understand why he always seemed to be trying to point out the dark, negative side of things when she was just the opposite.

With all the good friends, there were a few that Mitsy held a special fondness for, ones she felt especially dear in her eyes, the ones who she believed made all their happiness possible.

Rex, the dinosaur was thought of in that group. He was timid, sensitive, and often seemed afraid to face practically anything. Yet, he basically just wanted to be safe, noticed, and feel that he belonged. He was easily frightened, but so friendly, lovable, and wasn't afraid to show his feelings, ever. He could liven up any party, even if it was an off-handed remark made out of fear. Life would be so dull without him.

Mrs. Potato Head also was a sweet old thing, when she wasn't moody. She was a kind, caring, gushing motherly or grandmotherly figure to many of the toys. She always enjoyed brushing Mitsy's and Jessie's long hair, though Jessie was always annoyed by it, preferring to leave it in the same braid it had always been (unless someone mentioned how Buzz would like it). She was crazy about her three mischievous, smart, but at times troublesome 'adopted' alien 'sons'. Mrs. Potato Head was a blessing to have around, ready to comfort someone who was sad, and she could bring out the softer, more friendly side of her husband who absolutely adored her. Mitsy was grateful for her presence, and was glad she herself hadn't arrived at Andy's before Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head got together, but after!

Bo Peep

She was no longer presently with the gang, but Mitsy still loved Bo Peep. Not only had she been sweet, kind, and gentle, but Bo Peep was lovely, in both appearance and manner.

She had been sold in a yard sale years ago, and all of Andy's toys still missed her. But no one sorely missed the radiant shepherdess more than Woody. When she left, the grieving cowboy became deeply depressed and everyone wanted to make him feel better, but didn't know how and he refused to be comforted. His heart had been broken and he just wanted to give up.

One day not long after that fateful yard sale, Mitsy had picked a small bunch of white dogwood flowers and silently brought them to the heartbroken sheriff who was sitting by himself on the windowsill in Molly's bedroom, his and Bo Peep's special spot. He looked at the sympathetic princess glumly, his countenance saying that he just wanted to be alone and turned his head away. Mitsy stared sadly at the floor, set the bouquet next to him, and quietly left the room. After several moments, he glanced down at the thoughtful but rejected gift and took them up in his hand. He inhaled their fragrance which brought a lump to his throat and began to pick the petals off one by one, mourning over his lost love. One would think it was impossible with so many other toys around, but Woody felt so terribly, painfully, incredibly lonely...lonelier than he ever had in his whole life! Nobody understood what he was going through, nobody! Later, after Molly had gone to bed, Mitsy sadly found the petals scattered on the floor, and trampled too. She was disheartened that Woody had treated her gift so thoughtlessly, but Barbie reminded her that he was hurting deeply and came up with another idea.

Two days later, Mitsy finally caught him alone on the stairs and nervously approached Woody. He huffed in annoyance when he heard footsteps that signaled his solitary pondering was being interrupted. Mitsy stopped when she heard his sigh and her heart sank. He slowly turned his head and was startled to see her there with her hands behind her back. His stomach filled with butterflies as he wasn't sure what she wanted but assumed that Mitsy was going to tell him how much he'd hurt feelings by crushing her gift. He was sick with guilt, and she looked as sad as he felt. She cautiously approached him but said nothing. He gritted his teeth. The princess bit her lip and reluctantly put her hands in front of her, which revealed a flower clasped in her fingers! But this one was different: it had a firm pipe cleaner stem and the petals were made of white sheet paper, folded upwards so that they spread out when opened. The cowboy grimaced and stared at the floor, unable to look into her eyes. She was a young woman but this act of love reminded him of an innocent little girl. His heart was all at the same time touched and pierced. Mitsy slowly came closer and held out the blossom, offering it to him. Woody couldn't stay angry at her. He was defeated by her pleading face and gently received it. He ran his fingers around the makeshift petals then faced her and slightly smiled sadly. He reached out his hand to her and she came to him. She stood next to him and he wrapped his arm around her waist like a father and patted her elbow. She looked down at him, still sad but grateful. I'm so sorry, Big Guy. We miss her too! The princess signed with her fingers in Sign Language. Woody nodded and pulled her close for a hug where she wrapped her arms around his neck. When they pulled back, Woody was smiling sadly.

Thank you! He signed back. And...and I'm sorry. I'm really sorry about...about the flow...Mitsy nodded, letting him know that he was forgiven, patted his shoulder, then started to walk away.

This one was Barbie's idea, She responded. And we all know you're hurting. But we still need you! Woody gulped and nodded. Mitsy smiled weakly, then left him alone. But this time, he tenderly stroked the flower, then lay on his back on the stair, clenching the blossom in his fist and staring at it in the sunlight. The broken sheriff was convulsing with the major infection of losing the light of his life, and he felt cruelly cheated. Not all the hugs, words of comfort, or acts of kindness from well-meaning family members in the whole world could fill the heavy, gashed void in his heart. At least not right now. But as he gazed tenderly at the make-shift blossom, he slowly realized that he would have to force himself to accept his dear friends' good intentions, though they couldn't understand his pain, they did it because they cared about him. And he gradually needed to let them know that he still cared about them.

Bo Peep had been there when Mitsy first came to Andy's, and they had shared Molly's bedroom. Mitsy recalled the many late night conversations the two girls had had together, and how pretty she'd always thought Bo was. Bo wasn't just a good friend, and Woody's beloved girlfriend, but she had been the closest thing Mitsy had known to a mother. Bo was firm but kind, soft-spoken yet so wise, pretty and elegantly ladylike, but most of all, so understanding. Mitsy remembered how Bo had sweetly sang to her when she had nightmares, and hugged her warmly if she needed comfort. Also, Bo's heart was always open for new toys. She'd welcomed Jessie without reserve, and tried to help the cowgirl too when she had restless nights also. Yes, Mitsy missed Bo as much as everyone else did, save Woody, and hoped that someday...someday the cowboy's dream would come true and the shepherdess would be reunited with Woody!

Jessie

Of course, Jessie was absolutely included in Mitsy's range of closest friends! Sweet, energetic, mischievous, cute, beautiful, sneaky, tough, friendly, feisty, caring Jessie was a sisterly ray of sunshine to Mitsy. They shared many secrets together of their inner feelings, bathed in the fun and happy times of life, were linked together with an indescribable kinship as they'd both come from tragic pasts, rejoiced in each other's successes, of course teased each other, and did their best to comfort each other when it was needed. When the cowgirl had first come to Andy's, Mitsy had been ashamed that she felt secretly jealous of all the welcoming attention that Jessie was getting from the other toys, but especially Woody. The feelings had crept up on her before she knew what was happening. She'd kept telling herself, "Be sensible, Mitsy. Come on. You're not being fair to Jessie. You had your turn already! Now it's hers, and she's going to need kind toys to make her feel at home." But Jessie had never detected it at all-she was too busy enjoying her new life out of storage, plus chasing after a certain Space Ranger!-, and Mitsy did her best to be as kind, warm, and friendly as possible. Soon, the feelings had evaporated and the two dolls' fond relationship had been secured.

Jessie was a good friend, like an older sister, and it was so difficult for Mitsy to recall what life had been like before Jessie, the Texas Rose had ever entered it! She was a truly much needed delight, definitely a kindred spirit.

Buzz Lightyear

It was difficult to put into just the right words what a pillar to the clan Buzz Lightyear was, not just in Mitsy's life, but also to the whole gang. Everybody respected Buzz tremendously, how could they not? He was strong, courageous, sincere, level-headed, considerate, caring, thoughtful, very loyal, and protective of those he cared about. In the midst of chaos, Buzz could calmly call order with his firm but caring voice.

Mitsy trusted Buzz's judgment on things and usually looked to him for guidance when Woody wasn't there to offer it. Mitsy had always felt like he was an uncle figure in her life. She nicknamed him "Super Agent" because he was so smart and always seemed to know just what to do. His affection for her was demonstrated in his smile at anything that made her happy and how he tried to help her through the challenges of life for a toy. She always felt warm inside when she saw him and Jessie together, especially since they'd gotten married.

But Mitsy also was grateful to Buzz for the time he came to her rescue and saved her life. She'd never forget the day that Andy was playing outside with his toys in a friend's backyard and the friend accidentally tossed Mitsy over a chain-linked fence into the next door neighbor's yard. Andy was about to retrieve the small princess doll when the boys were called inside for lunch and left. Mitsy had landed on the neighbor's patio and ran for her life when a huge pit bull that ate and demolished anything and everything he could dig his teeth into, had chased her toward the fence when she tripped and fell. The monstrous dog was right above her, his mighty jaws wide open and drooling. And she'd almost fainted from fright when a baseball hit her would've been killer right in the head: Mitsy opened her eyes and saw Buzz, practically standing on top of her, blocking the dog's attack with a tennis racket! He tossed the ball and the dog ran after it, and the next thing Mitsy knew, Buzz had swiftly lifted her off the ground, carried her to the fence, and told her to start climbing it while he started in, whacking the pit bull left and right with the racket. Woody helped her across the top of the fence as Buzz climbed up. Then the dog had grabbed him! But he clomped down hard on the dog's head with his weapon, which freed him, then he'd hurled himself over the fence to safety. Never giving a thought to his own comfort, the fearless Space Ranger just wanted to make sure his little friend was safe, for which she'd looked up at him shyly with a grateful smile and said a very soft, "Thank you, Buzz."

He just rubbed her arm and grinned, "No problem!"

Slinky Dog

And then there was Slinky Dog! What a gem he was to Mitsy. Slinky was her all time side-kick, friend, tag-a-long, confidant, pal, and companion. They did so much together, and would do anything for each other. She thought he was cute and adorable, but ever since he'd found her behind Andy's toy box, his friendliness, down home charm, and loyalty had instantly captured her heart, and they'd become inseparable. They looked out for each other in so many ways: if she was hiding in a secluded spot seeking solitude from sadness, trying to hide anger or whatever, she didn't know how he did it, but Slinky was always the one able to find her when no one else could; the dog relished in the way that Mitsy stroked his ears and rubbed the top of his head when he was down in the dumps, the kind caress always a refreshing pick-me-up; he didn't care how small he was, if she was harassed or attacked by anyone, he would step in to defend her, no matter what; she would adamantly give a piece of her mind to anyone who made fun of the dog for his size, age, build, etc.; he enjoyed the special attention and her encouragement to put his canine skills to good use; Slinky was always there if she needed a friendly paw to hold onto or an encouraging, friendly dog lick on the cheek; sometimes after a stressful day, Mitsy would scratch his coils, making him laugh and happily wave his paws in the air; he might have been old, not the huskiest or most glamorous blockbuster action figure, but she loved him for who he was. To Mitsy, Slinky was worth his weight in gold, however little that was. They would do anything for each other! They were the best of friends.

Woody

But the one whom she admired for his selfless leadership skills, the one who made her feel cared for with a kind word when she needed it most, the one whose loving arms usually sheltered her when she was afraid or hurt, the one who gave Mitsy the feeling that she was safe when she held her small hand in his big one, the one whose genuinely gentle, caring eyes made her feel comforted and whose compassionate manner sent her heart on fire to love others and be a good friend, was Woody! Ah, wonderful Woody. To Mitsy, he was a diamond in the rubble. He reminded her so much of someone she once knew and cared about very much, that's what drew her to the cowboy: his character. His kindness, compassion, care, tenacity, and determination to make things right was a shining role model to her and inspired the princess to be the best toy that she could be. She wanted to please him, and above all, she hoped to be just like him someday: seeking the best interests of his friends, to be dependable, to do anything to protect those he cared for-whatever it cost-to be there for their kid, that was what she wanted to be like.

Mitsy liked to call him "Big Guy", that was her nickname for the beloved sheriff. She looked up to Woody as a kind, sometimes frustrated and sometimes flawed, but ever so faithful and caring, loving father figure.

Years ago when Andy's mom had bought her from Goodwill and the toys got to know her, Woody grew to sense a special responsibility to her. Buzz was his best friend, hands down; Jessie was his wonderful little sister whom he would always look after, Bullseye was Woody's happy-go-lucky, dependable horse, and Slinky was his loyal companion. In the human-esq roles as toys, Woody thought of Mitsy as "the little one" of the family (partly because of her short stature), thus earning her the nickname "Little Bit", given to her by and only used by Woody. If Woody made himself available, if Mitsy was very sad or scared, she knew that she could run to him where he'd receive her with open arms. He would sit down with her, and listen as she poured out her troubles, and do the best he could to give the advice or consolation she needed. To Mitsy, Woody was the hero.

Jack

Boy, did Woody remind Mitsy of Jack. Oh, Jack! Jack had the most special place in Mitsy's heart, one that no toy on earth could replace. And although Woody's and Slinky's spots in there were right in line with Jack's, Jack's was much bigger. Jack was a stuffed German Shepherd dog who had been owned with Mitsy by the same sweet little girl but sadly, she'd been killed in a car accident and then the two toys had become separated when the house burned. Jack had been Mitsy's very first friend she'd ever had, and not only that, but according to Mitsy, he was also the best one. He had been wise, gentle, caring, brave, steadfast, and kind, the best stuffed dog any child could ask for. He would never, ever harm anyone unless he saw them doing it to another toy without a reason. He was very protective and unlike other toys, he had an advantage over possible enemies: he was large, muscular, and strong. He was also smart as a whip: many humans and toys sometimes couldn't place faces with names, but Mitsy's big dog had an untainted, steel memory and could easily remember even a new acquaintance for days on end. Most importantly, he'd had a caring heart. He was her dog, and she would always love him, no matter what! In Mitsy's eyes and imagination, he was Sunnybank Lad in the flesh...rather, the cotton in this case.

It had been a lifetime since she and Jack had been together on that last day, and she still didn't know whether he was even dead or alive. She still carried a faint glimmer of hope that maybe...maybe there was just a possibility that he could be alive? But that was one very long shot. She'd asked Bo Peep several times in the past if it was worth it for her to hope and dream of being reunited with Jack someday, since she didn't know for sure if he still existed. Bo Peep had always smiled and given her the same answer. "Keep dreaming and hoping, dear." Bo had always said so kindly in that motherly manner that Mitsy had cherished. "We don't know what happened to him. But you have to dwell on the good in that. Maybe someday you'll see him again. Until you hear different, keep on dreaming. Never let go of that hope! Not ever!"

Mitsy thought about her beloved dog every day and how much she still did miss her very best friend. Jack would've been so happy to know that she was living with a wonderful child and of the great and marvelous friends she had.

Jessie had been left behind by Emily, Woody had first lost Bo to a yard sale, then Andy gave him up. Bonnie's toys, old and new, were a family and stuck together. They realized that life is precious, and through the years they all felt a special warmth and assurance being near each other, knowing everyone was safe especially after the various perils they'd been through together. They'd had many hardships, some very painful, but there was one that they hadn't actually experienced yet involving a friend, though they'd certainly come to very close encounters with it. There was no way they knew what lay ahead...not Hamm, not Buzz, not even Woody could foresee it. None of the toys, none of them could've known at one point just how much the princess would desperately need the security of their love, friendship, and care as they tried to help her cope through a harsh crisis that deeply crushed her...

"And so it begins..." I hope your curiosity is rising!