7:


It was a warm evening out in deep space. In Buzz's space cruiser, the Space Ranger sat with Jessie next to him. Before their eyes a million twinkling stars dotted the dark purple sky. Jessie leaned forward. "Gosh, those stars are amazin'! It's like I could touch them!"

"Well, it is my favorite spot in the universe."

Jessie smiled coyly. "Yeah, well, I bet you just bring all the purdy girls up here, don'cha?"

"Only the very special ones," he answered, rubbing her hand as he took it in his.

Jessie's smile faltered a little. "Oh." The two sat back and stared out the window.

"You know," said Buzz. "I bet we're the only two people in the galaxy who've ever gotten a view like this."

Jessie looked at him in confusion. "But I thought you said you bring very special girls up here."

"Well, including you, there's been about…" He held up his fingers as he silently counted. "One." Jessie's cheeks turned pink as her bottle green eyes sparkled. Buzz turned toward her. "Jess…"

"Buzz…"

For a moment they just stared at each other. Then with a grin, Jessie leapt out her chair and tackled Buzz, knocking him to the floor. "Oof!"

Suddenly there was a loud growling meow and a thump.


Buzz jolted out of his dream. He rubbed his eyes and sat up. "Jessie?"

"Just me," replied a voice. The memories of that day suddenly came back to the Ranger and he realized sadly that Jessie wasn't with him.

There was another thump. "What is that?"

"Fergus is trying to get in," said Jody. "He might've heard you talking in your sleep."

"Sorry."

"It's not your fault," said Jody. "You were saying the name 'Jessie' over and over, though that's probably none of my business."

There was silence. "She's my girlfriend," Buzz said finally.

"Oh. I figured as much."

"What about you? Did you have anyone before…"

"No, but I'm kind of young. I'm only supposed to be twelve, though I've been around much, much longer." Buzz was stunned. Jody was a child? "But I didn't care. As long as I had Randy, everything was okay…"

There was an ugly scratching sound and then a bang as though something was thrown. "Quit clawing that door, Stupid Cat!" Fergus yowled.

Buzz lay back on the floor, his arms behind his head. I wonder what she's doing right now, he thought as he stared into the nothingness. Poor Jessie, she must be so sad and heartbroken…


"Second verse! Same as the first!" Jessie hollered as the skateboard rolled down the street. "I'm Henery the Eighth, I am! Henery the Eighth I am, I am! I got married to the widow next door! She'd been married seven times before! And everyone was an Henery! Henery! Henery the Eighth I am, I am! Henery the Eighth I am!" She stopped singing and took a deep breath before shouting again, "Second verse! Same as the first! I'm Henery the Eighth, I am…"

"Jessie, you've sang the same thing eighty seven times already! Give it a rest!" Potato Head shouted from where he was sitting between Rex and Hamm.

"I'm just tryin' to keep you guys awake! You all look like you're 'bout ready to doze off!" It was true. The rest of the toys were struggling to keep their eyes open. Bo had her face resting on Jessie's shoulder blade. Even Bullseye was almost sleepwalking.

"Well find a new song! Or just wake us when we get there!"

"We are there." As the board halted, everyone looked at where Hamm was staring: A street sign that said Caraway Lane.

"Yee hah!" Jessie cheered. She snapped the jump rope. "Ride like the wind Bullseye!" He didn't move. "Bullseye?" There was a snore. Bullseye had fallen asleep.

"Maybe you should sing to him." Rex suggested.

Jessie hopped off the skateboard. "C'mon Bullseye, wakey wakey, eggs and bakey!" She rubbed his muzzle. He blinked. "Good boy! We're almost there, but you gotta stay awake just a little while longer, 'kay?" The horse gave a sleepy smile and nodded. "Great!"

The Cowgirl climbed back in front of Bo and once again grabbed the reins. "Giddy up!" As Bullseye turned onto Caraway, Jessie could be heard shouting, "We're coming for ya, Buzz!"