A/N: It was fun writing this chapter, so I hope everyone likes this chapter as much as I do. Thank you so much to all my readers out there! It's good to know my stuff is getting read! R&R
I don't own Toy Story!
It had been a week since Andy's toys faced the fiery inferno at the dump, and while they could have made a life for themselves in the attic at the Davis house, they were more than thrilled at the idea of having another kid so soon. Andy trusted Bonnie with his cherished toys, and they even got one last playtime with their old owner, so now it was time for them to make a life for themselves here with the Anderson's. Most of the toys were settling in well, finding a friend of equal interest among the original inhabitants of Bonnie's room. Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head became like surrogate parents to triples Peaty, Peatrice and Peanelope; Woody and Dolly were creating a wonderful co-leadership of the room; Rex and Trixie spent most days together at the family computer trying to defeat Evil Emperor Zurg; and Buttercup and Hamm found comfort in each others sarcastic and witty nature. Buzz was happy to make friends with everyone in the room, and was always there when someone needed assistance, but his thoughts always seem to end up on one particular toy. Jessie.
I said I would tell her, but now I just can't find the words. Buzz found himself leaning against Bonnie's bed, watching Jessie and Bullseye interact across the room. Hearing her laugh made his heart skip a beat. He had been so ready to tell Jessie that he loved her when they were about to meet their end together in the incinerator, but now he found himself just as shy as ever. It wasn't that his feelings had diminished, in fact, they were stronger than ever; but after learning about everything that happened at Sunnyside, Buzz wasn't sure if he was worthy of her love any more. How can I claim to love her and want to protect her, when I can't even seem to protect her from myself?
Buzz watched as Jessie and Bullseye ran off out of the room. I wonder what they are up to. He would have loved to sneak off after them and find out, but was interrupted by Totoro, who needed his help.
After Buzz was sufficiently distracted, Jessie and Bullseye snuck back into Bonnie's room with a CD player and a carefully picked CD. Jessie was the one who sent Totoro to distract Buzz so that she could pull off her plan without him finding out. She knew that Buzz was planning on checking out the damage to Bonnie's spaceship, so it would make the perfect distraction from her little plan. All she had to do was set up the CD player without him noticing. If this doesn't git him to admit his feelin's, nothin' will!
Buzz took his time inspecting the spaceship before him, careful not to miss any minuscule damage that could cause problems later. He was pleased to see that the ship was mostly fine, only in need of a small amount of repair. "Hmm, cosmetic damage, nothing a little duct tape can't fix." It would be easy work for him to do, something he was more than happy to do as contribution to his new family. Though I might look into making a few modifications, with Bonnie's imagination this ship could use a little reinforcement.
Suddenly, Buzz heard the beginnings of an upbeat Latin song. His hips began to sway of their own accord and he found himself spinning to face the source of the music. Jessie? What is going on?
Still unable to control his feet, Buzz twirled and strutted towards Jessie, calling out uninterpretable words as he went. Oh no, please don't let me do something stupid. He reached the opposite side of the boombox, spun one last time, and stuck a pose and reached to pull Jessie into his arms.
"Hehe, I-I ah, don't know what came over me." Buzz looked at Jessie's face for any sign that she was mad at him. Instead, she looked rather pleased. Before he could further assess the situation, Jessie spun them around so that he was the one who had been dipped.
"Just go with it Buzz." Jessie's voice was almost seductive and Buzz found himself smirking back at her. No wonder my delusional-self called her a 'temptress'.
As the two of them twirled apart and started to dance, Buzz couldn't help but get wrapped up in watching her. Since his body was in control of his movements, it left his mind open to wander and enjoy the feeling of having Jessie in his arms. Maybe she does forgive me. Maybe after everything she still thinks that I am worthy of her. Why else would she want to dance with me, especially something as romantic as this?
Buzz spun Jessie around, pulled her around his arm next to him and gave her another seductive look. He could feel his confidence growing the more his plastic came in contact with her cloth.
A crowd was starting to develop around them, and the other toys in the room were soon cheering them on and swaying to the music as they watched. But to Buzz, Jessie was the only other toy in the room.
Jessie was more than pleased with how her plan was playing out. As Buzz dipped her over his knee, she saw the crowd around them and smiled. Normally Buzz would never be this romantic towards her, especially in front of the other toys. She had hoped to inspire the Spaniard side of Buzz, and that it would encourage him to be more confident and forward around her. She had not expected him to pull her into a beautiful, unchoreographed dance, but she was more than delighted to follow his lead if it meant that his attention was fully on her.
Buzz felt electrified, and he was doing his best not to give Jessie a dorky look like he normally did when she was so close. Every time she looked deep in his eyes, his heart skipped a beat. I wonder if she knows just what she does to me. He was becoming more and more aware of the toys around them, but he found it hard to care. He was having fun and nothing else seemed to matter.
Jessie found herself being spun around on the floor and through Buzz's legs, she was sure that she had never had this much fun in her existence. As he lifted her off the ground, she spotted Woody with a rose in his hands, and before she knew it she was flying through the air, catching the rose in her mouth. She turned back around to Buzz and gave him her best 'come hither' look, and thought he had failed to acknowledge the look in the past, this time he seemed to be drawn to her like a magnet. She felt her heart flutter as he wrapped an arm around her and began to spin them around the room. I wonder if he knows just what he does to me.
The Space Ranger felt a warm glow rise in his toy body, another effect of having Jessie so close to him. I'm gonna do it. After the dance I'm going to tell Jessie I love her. I want to hold her in my arms whenever possible. I don't want to miss out on making memories with her. He wanted to pull her closer and never let go, but his body told him that wasn't how this dance worked. While he wasn't exactly sure how his Spanish side was coming through without taking control, he couldn't argue with the outcome it had produced.
The duo could feel the song coming to an end. Letting go of Buzz, Jessie gave him room to do his last few twirls ending on one knee. He reached one hand towards her and as she moved to close the gap between them, she felt his hand around her waist, only to flip her around his body. Jessie nearly swooned from having his hands all over her, along with the rush she felt from dancing with him. Together they struck their final pose as the toys around them began to cheer.
Buzz looked down at the redhead in his arms and smiled. Now is your chance, take it! Buzz didn't really want to let go of Jessie, but he was sure she must be uncomfortable, so he wrapped both arms around her and helped her stand. Instantly she was pulling him into a warm hug and he felt his heart slamming against his chest.
"That was so much fun!" Jessie whispered against his ear, holding the hug a little longer than normal.
"Jessie, I l…" Buzz started, but was cut off by the crowd around them closing in.
"Guys, that was amazing!" Woody spoke up, cutting him off.
Buzz let out a frustrated sigh as Jessie pulled away to face their audience. Really Woody? After all the times you've pushed me to share my feelings you are the one to interrupt me? Buzz gave a look to his best friend, who was paying little attention to the space man. Taking another deep breath, Buzz put a smile on and stepped into the excitement around him.
"Oh, that was so romantic!" Mrs. Potato Head wailed
"Did you get dizzy from spinning so much?" Asked one of the Peas
"How long have you be rehearsing?" Pricklepants chimed.
The questions were coming faster than Buzz or Jessie could answer them. They looked at each other and back at the surrounding toys, when finally someone came to their rescue.
"Alright guys, I'm sure Buzz and Jessie need to catch their breath after that. Why don't we give them a little room." Dolly smiled at them, and they both returned her smile appreciatively.
The crowd started to disperse and Buzz turned to grab Jessie's attention again when he felt a tug on his hand.
"That was a truly marvelous display," said the overdramatic porcupine. "I must say Mr. Lightyear, I am thoroughly impressed. I would love to have you be the choreographer for my next musical."
"I mean, I would have to ask Jessie…" he started, rubbing the back of his neck. He wasn't really comfortable with the idea.
"Nonsense. Everyone knows that it's the man who leads a dance such as that. You are the one with the true talent." Spoken like a true director.
"Thank you. But I don't think that is completely true." Buzz tried to remind himself that Pricklepants was not insulting Jessie, but he couldn't help but become frustrated.
"Just think about it and get back to me. Together we could make a wonderful team!" With a flourish of the hand the porcupine toy was off and Buzz was left stumped.
Turning back around, Buzz began to survey the room for any sign of Jessie, but had no luck. He walked towards the bed where he found Woody, Hamm and Buttercup still discussing what they had seen.
"Hey, has anyone seen Jessie?" He interrupted.
"I think I heard someone say they were gonna throw a dance party in the living room while the family is still out." Buttercup nodded towards the door.
"Those were some pretty impressive moves there, partner. Are you gonna finally tell Jessie how you feel about her now?" Woody teased him, as expected.
"That is what I was trying to do before we got interrupted." Buzz gave Woody another frustrated glare, which he caught this time.
"Oh." Was all Woody could muster as a response, knowing he was partially to blame for that.
Without another word Buzz turned and walked away from the group and headed to the living room to find Jessie. As he walked, his anger towards Woody melted into nerves again. What if she doesn't actually like me and she just wanted to dance. If she liked me, wouldn't she have stuck around or tried to ask me what I started to say? Maybe this is a bad idea, I just got all worked up from dancing with her and being so close to her.
From where he stood, Buzz could see the dance party happening in front of the couch. The toys had turned on the radio and were having a great time twirling and showing off their best moves. Buzz could see Jessie, and she was easily the life of the party. He watched mesmerized as she moved about the room, dancing with each and every toy. The longer he watched, the more entranced he got. But he also got more dejected. Jessie clearly enjoyed dancing with everyone. She had a huge smile on her face, and he could hear her yodel from time to time. Craters, is she beautiful.
Buzz slowly made his way to the dance party, no longer driven to tell Jessie his deepest secret. For now he was just happy to see her smiling. After everything they had been through, after everything she had been through, she deserved to be happy. Buzz still wasn't sure if being with him would make her happy, but he knew he was happy as long as he was around her, and for now, that would be enough. But just for now.
Bonus points for anyone who can tell me what inspired the chapter title!
