It was a sunny Wednesday afternoon. In the Anderson living room, Buzz and Jessie sat together on the sofa watching TV.
Jessie's little fists were curled into balls as she leaned forward, staring intensely at the screen. "C'mon, c'mon…" Then loudly in disgust she said, "Lookit at that guy! Who made him runnin' back? He couldn't be slower if he were a rockin' horse with wooden planks nailed to his feet!"
"I think you're being a little harsh," said Buzz. "This is a high school game. From 1983."
"No excuses!" Jessie shouted.
Buzz just smiled and shook his head. Jessie settled into the back cushion as the game paused and went to modern day commercials. As a jingle played, she tapped her hands on her knees and began to sing along under her breath.
With a dreamy look on his face, Buzz propped up his cheek on his hand and watched her.
"TripleDent Gum will make you smile…" Jessie stopped singing and looked over. "What?" Buzz was still lost in his fog as he continued to stare, a wistful smile on his plastic face. "What?"
Snapping to reality, he shook his head. "S-sorry."
"Why are you starin' at me like that for?" She grinned and gave him a push on the shoulder. "Do you think I'm purdy?"
Buzz laughed, embarrassed. "Actually…" he stopped and looked away. "No, no forget it."
"What? C'mon, tell me!"
Buzz looked down at the sofa cushion as he spoke. "Actually, I was just thinking about how much I like you."
Jessie looked taken aback. "You…like me?"
Finally looking up, he answered, "I do." Jessie seemed confused so he went on, "I mean, I like your hair…"
"My yarnful of hair, you mean?" she said with a wry smile.
"Right," he smiled back. "But it's more than that. I like…how excited you get when we watch sports, but that you like science fiction too."
Jessie shrugged. "A gal's gotta be open minded."
"I like that you're the best dancer I know."
"Shoot, you ain't so bad yourself," she teased.
Buzz sat forward, hands folded between his legs. "I like that you want to play with every animal you see, even the ugly ones. I like how happy you make Bonnie when she plays with you, and how happy you made Andy and Molly. I like that you're always ready to try just about anything. I like that you're outgoing and feisty and funny…" he paused and looked at Jessie. "I like that you play with your braid when you get emotional."
Quickly Jessie dropped her ponytail from between her fingers. "Is-is that it?" she asked.
"Well no," he said. "I guess…I like everything about you, Jessie. And if I like everything about you, that means I love you."
Jessie stared at the Ranger, almost speechless as the breath caught in her throat. "Buzz…"
Buzz had turned back to the TV. "The second half is starting." She nodded quietly and sat back, leaning in close to him. There was a moment of quiet as they watched the players line up.
"So…is there anything you like about me?"
She grinned. "Your head's purple!"
Buzz smiled. "Oh really? Thanks…Whoa!" he cried as Jessie dove onto his chest. She snuggled in deep and turned her face away so Buzz wouldn't see her getting misty eyed.
"Thank you, Buzz."
