Hours after Andy's friend had left, Jessie played with Buzz. She'd forgotten all the tension of the afternoon. The two ran around in the Davis's backyard as they took turns chasing each other. The butterflies that Jessie usually felt in her stomach when she was with Buzz were flying all around them, gaining altitude when they would come nearer. Jessie laughed as Buzz wrapped his arms tightly around her from behind. She whirled around to face him and her heart pounded wildly in her chest when he leaned closer to her. She closed her eyes as his face drew closer to hers and puckered her lips slightly in anticipation. She smiled when she felt his mouth cover hers, and she pressed her hands against the back of his head, pulling him closer. When they finally came up for air, she took a deep breath, expecting his minty scent to fill her nostrils. A new scent took over her senses and she opened her eyes distractedly. She covered her mouth with her hands and gasped loudly when she saw Woody standing in front of her.
"Where's Buzz?" She asked worriedly.
Woody took her in his arms. "Sssh, it's okay," he murmured. "We were meant to be together." He clasped her hand tightly in his and began to pull her towards the house.
Suddenly, a tingling sensation began in her other hand and shot up her arm. She turned around and smiled when she saw that Buzz had taken her other hand, but the look on his face was menacing. "She's coming with me," he told Woody.
"Oh no, she's not. She's coming with me," Woody insisted as he pulled her towards him.
Buzz tugged her back, but Woody pulled harder. Jessie squeezed her eyes shut as she felt herself being torn between her two friends. "Stop it, stop it!" She pleaded. Each toy pulled harder in turn and neither one of them gave up. Jessie's arms were spread out as far as they could go, but Buzz and Woody continued to pull harder. Jessie could feel the seams at her shoulders starting to tear…. "NO!" she shouted.
Jessie's eyes shot open and she sat bolt upright, breathing heavily. Only a dream, she reminded herself. More like a nightmare. She rolled over on the nightstand. Less than six inches below her, Buzz lay asleep on Andy's bed. Woody was right beside him under Andy's arm, also asleep. She looked to her left where Bullseye was positioned next to her on the nightstand, laying on his side. She crawled over and cuddled up to him, holding him tightly. Bullseye stirred slightly and licked her face before drifting back to sleep.
The next morning, Jessie found to her relief that all the toys went about their business as usual, without making any references to Woody's Roundup or yesterday's events. She brightened, hoping that all really was forgotten and things could go back to normal. She looked over to where Woody was playing a board game with Bo, Wheezy, and Slinky. Woody looked up and winked at her, tipping his hat. Jessie grinned. Her heart leapt into her throat when Bo looked up and saw her, but the other doll just smiled warmly at her and waved. Jessie waved back, smiling happily. She hugged Bullseye around the neck before wandering off to find Buzz.
Buzz found her first and he took one of her hands in both of his. "Can we talk?"
Jessie nodded and she let him pull her into a corner.
"How did you sleep last night?" Buzz asked with a look of concern plain in his eyes.
"Not very well," Jessie admitted. "But my imagination was getting the best of me. It looks like everything is back to normal, just like you said," she smiled.
Buzz thought for a moment. "I heard you say his name in your sleep," he said quietly.
Jessie's smile froze on her face.
Buzz continued. "Look, Jessie. Woody is my best friend and I care far more about you that I have for any other toy I've ever met." He leaned against the leg of Andy's desk chair.
Jessie sighed. "It was a terrible dream," She confessed. "You and Woody were fighting over me."
Buzz nodded. "I don't want that to happen for real."
"Neither do I, but it won't," she said.
"You're right," Buzz said. "I would never take something that belonged to Woody."
Jessie frowned. "But I don't. Bo Peep does."
Buzz looked up. "What if you two really are meant to be?"
"We're not, Buzz! It's just a tv show!" Jessie insisted.
"I know that. But yesterday's discovery obviously stirred something."
Jessie reached for him. "But I like you," she whispered.
'Buzz held her close. "I like you too. A lot. You know that."
Jessie nodded.
Buzz stroked his fingers through her braid. "It's okay if you're confused," he continued.
Jessie's eyes grew wide.
"I know that the whole incident upset you. Maybe we should postpone our date tonight until you're feeling better."
Jessie shook her head vigorously in protest, but Buzz held her face in his hands and gently steadied her. "It's okay," he repeated. "We can go out later, after you've had a chance to clear your head and get things back to normal with Woody."
"I don't want things to be awkward," she said quietly. "Woody is my oldest friend in this room."
"I know," Buzz said. He placed a soft kiss on her forehead. "That's why I think you should take today to figure things out."
Jessie nodded. "Maybe you're right," she agreed. She looked into his eyes. "Why do you always have to be so rational?"
Buzz laughed. "Yesterday you were grateful for that. Besides, someone has to."
"Well, I'm glad it's you," She whispered. She leaned closer to him, but Buzz held her at arm's length.
"Later," he said gently. His heart nearly broke at the look of hurt that flickered across her face. "I'll be here," he promised.
Jessie nodded. She stayed right where she was until he walked away to join Rex and Hamm in playing the Buzz Lightyear video game. With a sigh, she stood up and wandered out of Andy's room and into Molly's.
Woody walked over to Buzz after Wheezy had won the board game and the other toys had moved on to something else. Buzz handed his controller to Rex before moving a few steps away with Woody. "What's with Jessie?" Woody asked.
"She'll be okay. I told her to skip tonight's date and take some time for herself."
"Why on earth would you tell her to do that?" Woody shouted.
"Because she's confused. And I think you are too." Buzz knew he was right when Woody didn't say anything. "Woody, as your friend I'm telling you that I don't want to see you get hurt."
"I appreciate that, Buzz. But I'm fine. I just hope Jessie's not too bothered by this whole thing. I'd hate for things to get awkward between us."
Buzz placed a hand on Woody's shoulder. "Then go talk to her. She's feeling vulnerable right now and she needs to see that nothing's going to change your friendship."
Woody sighed. "But I don't know what to say." He lowered his eyes.
Buzz frowned. "You always knew how to talk to her before," he pointed out.
"But things are different now," Woody mumbled. His eyes shot up when he realized how that must have sounded. "Sorry," he muttered.
Buzz thought for a moment. "Should I be worried?" He asked.
"What? No!" Woody yelled. "I would never steal your girlfriend."
Buzz looked at him. "I want you to answer something honestly," he said.
Woody shook his head. "Of course."
Buzz hesitated only a moment before asking, "Have you ever… you know, thought about whether or not something would have happened between you and Jessie?"
Woody froze. "Bo and I have been together a long time."
"I know that. That wasn't the question."
"I told her last night that the answer is no."
"And is it still no?" Buzz asked seriously.
Woody put his head in his hands.
"I thought as much," Buzz said quietly.
Woody looked gravely at him. "I meant it when I told her that," he said, with a hint of pleading in his voice.
"I know you did," Buzz said. "This obviously bothers you as much as it does Jessie."
Woody shook his head. "You're right. I'm going to go find her." He turned back to look at his friend. "I really am sorry, Buzz."
Buzz was silent as he watched Woody go.