Disclaimer: I do not own the Toy Story franchise.

Rated: T to be safe


Move

"It's your move."

Woody frowns. "Don't rush me."

"It's been almost five minutes," Buzz points out, raising an eyebrow. "I don't think that's considered 'rushing it' for tic-tac-toe."

"Depends on your perspective…"

"Oh?"

"Yeah. I might be trying to take you by surprise."

The space ranger shakes his head. "Woody, you have three options. Top left, bottom right, or bottom center. And no matter which one of them you pick, I'm going to win. There is nothing to surprise me with."

Woody is saved from having to come up with a witty retort when an interruption in the form of a red-headed cowgirl doll tackles Buzz from the side, knocking him over flat. The space toy gawks up at his captor as Woody looks on in amusement.

"Surprise …"

"Howdy, boys!" Jessie grins down at a very flustered Buzz. "Whatcha playin'?"

The space toy opens and closes his mouth, but nothing comes out. Woody decides to rescue him.

"Jess..."

The cowgirl glances up. He gives her a look. It's a gentle warning not to take this tackling obsession too far, and she knows it. She rolls her eyes and lets Buzz up, then examines the magnetic game board.

"Tic-tac-toe? Ain't that kind of a quick game?"

"We're playing a tournament," Woody explains, seeing that his best friend hasn't quite got his voice back yet. "Best five out of seven."

Jessie immediately turns back to Buzz, green eyes wide. "Can I play the winner?"

"S-sure," he gulps.

"Great! Gimme a holler when you're ready!"

She darts away, her red braid bouncing against her shoulders. Buzz takes a deep breath and looks down at the game. Woody grins.

"Good thing you're winning, eh?"

The space ranger doesn't reply. He's staring down at the little magnetic x's and o's, fiddling with them, rearranging them. Woody sighs.

"Time to make a move, pardner."

Buzz frowns in confusion. "But you still haven't taken your t-"

"Buzz," Woody interrupts, looking his friend square in the eye. "I was not talking about tic-tac-toe."


*grins* It's funny the things that pop into my head while driving to work in the morning. Some of the transitions here feel a bit rough to me, but otherwise I'm happy with it.

Thanks for reading and I'll see you tomorrow! ~Owl