Hi! So just a warning, this chapter will tend to be melodramatic. BUT, it'll probably be the most soap opera-ish chapter out of the whole story.

Edward Lightyear wiped his hands on his thighs as he watched the television at the top corner of the room. He grew familiar to the cold, sanitary environment and had an odd feeling in his chest. He observed the anchorwoman speaking and noticed the thin strip of phrases scrolling across at the bottom of the screen. A picture of Zurg was then shown followed by yellow letters that spelled out 'Zurg dead'.

was captured and killed by Captain Edward Lightyear last night at approximately nine o'clock. The Galactic Alliance have taken custody of the body and have yet decided what action to take next. We have spoken with General Porkham and he calls it a significant moment in history that he, along with his colleagues and soldiers, are proud to be a part of.

Zoning out the woman's voice, Buzz leaned his head back and blew out a slow breath through his thin lips. Deep down, he had always led to believe that somehow, against all odds, he could rectify his dysfunctional relationship with his father. He wanted to capture him but not for him to be killed, especially when he was responsible for the shot. Guilt overwhelmed him, from both the death of his father and the hospitalization of Jessie. Hearing his name, Buzz jerked his head up and found himself glimpsing into Woody's brown eyes. He noted the dimness around his russet orbs from exhaustion as a frown seemed to be etched onto his face. Buzz jumped onto his feet, wringing the ends of his jacket.

"How is she?" he asked. Woody swung his arms out and let them slap to his sides.

"Not good," he croaked, falling into a chair as he rubbed his face.

"I-I am so sorry, Woody," Buzz stammered, sitting next to his counterpart as he carefully shook his shoulder, "I-I should've done something. Anything. I was so preoccupied with the guerilla attacks when you told me she was missing, I should've done more. A-and it's all my fault for her being injured. I tried to stop him, but I was too late. I didn't even realize she was shot till she called out my name, I'm so sorry. It's…i-it's all my fault."

"No, no it's not…." his voice trailed off, uninterested to talk to the rambling space ranger. Buzz began to speak again and apologize, but he noticed his friend's defeated demeanor.

"Woody, get some rest," Buzz's low voice requested. The cowboy turned to him, giving him a disapproving look.

"I can't leave Jessie," Woody argued, "Not like this, she needs me."

"Woody, you've been with her for thirteen hours straight now, downing coffee and taking catnaps. Have some rest, it's not healthy for you to stay up like this." He continued to glare at Buzz. "As your captain, military leader, and friend, I order you to get some rest."

"What about you?" Woody questioned, "What are you going to do?"

"Well I just got back from the conference. I'm going to pay Jessie a little visit," he told him, "After dealing with my father's body, I need to face another thought that's been circling around my head." Woody planted and stretched his legs until he was standing and Buzz followed suit. Woody motioned Bo over from the desk.

"What is it, Woody?" Bo asked, glancing at the clock that showed the day was in its tenth hour in the morning.

"Status on Jessie's condition?"

Bo took a deep sigh. "She's not getting any better. Not getting worse," she spat out, raising her palm, "But she's not improving. The doctors have been looking in the labs at her blood samples and they have found traces of mercury. We are treating her right now for high mercury poisoning, which explains some of her symptoms. She also has third and fourth degree burns in her flesh that we are taking care of as well. However, there's another foreign substance in her blood that leaves the scientists baffled. Whatever it is, we are assuming that could be a large contributing factor to her condition." She turned to Buzz. "Captain Lightyear, you say she was shot by Zurg's laser gun?"

"Correct."

"Do you know what components are in the fuel cells that make up the beams in that gun? There's no gun fuel in our system that seems to match the substance in her bloodstream. It seemed as if what ever was it Zurg's ammo had dissolved into her system."

"I'm sorry," Buzz mumbled, furrowing his eyebrows, "I don't." A pause came between the three fiddling associates.

"Well, we'll continue looking," Bo informed, heading into the hallways. "Now if you'll excuse me, gentlemen."

"If you want to head over there…" Woody yawned, pointing to the patients' rooms. "Room 158." Watching his friend push the door open to let himself out, Buzz steered himself into the hallways, finding himself facing a variety of nurses and doctors rolling around patients and supplies. Dodging the rushing staff members, he finally spotted the nameplate that shown the number '158'. He gradually swung the door open and saw a meek body swallowed by the white covers on the hospital bed. The back of her head faced him, exposing her crimson hair that was spread out on the pillow she laid on. Stepping softly over to her hospital bed, he quietly called out her name apprehensively. There was no response. Trying it again, she didn't reply so he caressed his hand on her pale arm. Startling her, she whipped her head around, her eyes wide and recoiling in slightly.

"Jessie, it's me," he whispered, his face falling. Her scared expression had not been vanishing from her visage, "Captain Lightyear." He watched her blink furiously as she pushed herself slightly to straighten her posture. As he reached for her hand, she withdrew it and placed it on her chest. "It's Buzz."

"W-where's…" she moaned, her eyes darting around the room, "Where…where's Woody? Or Bo?" Buzz dropped into a squatting position to make himself eye-level with her. Her once vibrant emerald eyes had currently a bloodshot, hazy appearance that gave them lifelessness. Buzz noticed her skin hugged her bone structure more taught than usual, giving her a dehydrated aspect. Licking her insipid, chapped lips, Buzz tenderly swiped off a stray hair from her forehead.

"Jessie-" he broke off, watching her close her eyes as she clenched her jaw. His second attempt to hold her hand was successful. "I hate seeing you like this. I never wished for any of this to happen. I feel terrible." He breathed out a nervous chuckle. "Words are nothing." Her eyes shot open and she turned her head to him in one fluid movement.

"Why didn't ya stop him?" she inquired, her voice weak, "It seemed as if you didn't care that he caught me. You just stood there pointin' your gun at him." Buzz's eyebrows drew together in shock.

"Jessie, I was terrified. I tried to shoot that gun out of his hand, preventing him from hurting you, but I was too late. I didn't want him to know how important you were to me. Everything happened so fast, all in a flash. I didn't realize how long I had been standing there, or if it was even a long time at all. I didn't want to make any sudden movements with Zurg, I couldn't trust him." Jessie turned to face the window on the opposite side of the room, squeezing his hand to let him know she was still listening. He heard her muffle the word 'fine', her torso collapsing. "You're angry at me for other reasons. Jessie, what else is on your mind?"

"Your father had a conversation with me before your arrival." She turned to look at him, the expression seeping back into her eyes. "He said that you would neglect me and focus on your job here. Just like he did with your mother." Buzz stroked the back of her hand with his thumb.

"I will not neglect you. I'll stay here throughout you hospital stay, your service time-"

"I've only got one more year, Buzz," she interjected impatiently, "One more year of service and I'm flyin' back to Texas." She took a pause and swallowed hard. "If I even make it out of this damn hospital."

"Jessie, please don't say such a thing. We have the most skillful scientists figuring your problem and finding a solution to it."

She gritted her teeth. "Are we goin' to write letters to each other for the rest of our lives? How will that be a meaningful relationship?" Jessie saw the pained look on Buzz's face and closed her eyes in shame. "I want this to work. Believe me, I do. But how will it work, Buzz?" He slightly opened his mouth, pondering of what to say next. "I know I'm not in any position to tell you this, but you should resign from your position."

"W-what?" he replied.

"You got Zurg, Buzz. That's what you've been fighting for your whole time here. You never had a childhood. You deserve a good life. To be outside and not callin' out orders. It'll be good for you, good for us."

Buzz pressed his lips together as he played with the medical bracelet on her arm and traced his eyes to her IV.

"I'll see you later tonight, OK?" he blurted out, "We can talk about this another time." He leaned in to kiss her on the cheek but she shifted her head away from him. "Jessie?" She turned to look at him again, her eyes glistening as she inhaled uneasily.

"You can't just woo me, Mr. Lightyear," her shaky voice told him with a grin. "We've got important things to talk about. So bring your A-game next time you come by, you hear?" Buzz emitted a hearty laugh.

"Yes, ma'am." She watched him walked out and heard the door close. A tear rolled down her cheek into her hairline with Buzz's word's still ringing in her mind.

I never wished for any of this to happen…

*Facepalm* Cheesy, I know. Leave a review.