10:


"What an ugly home," Hamm remarked, looking around as he followed the others inside. The door swung shut just as Rex sneezed. "God bless you."

He sneezed again. And then a third time. "Sorry," he apologized. "Can someone cover my nose?"

"NO!" shouted everyone else.

Rex sniffled. He sounded stuffed up as he spoke. "I wonder why I can't breed all of the sudden."

"Because you're a toy, Genius," Potato Head griped.

"He said breathe."

"That's what I said!" said Rex. "Breed!"

Jessie had pulled down a trash can and was looking inside. "No Buzz in here."

"Or here," said Bo, looking behind the scratched up recliner.

Slinky stuck his face under the couch. "Or here."

Jessie put her hands around her mouth. "BUZZ!" she hollered.

The others cringed. "Are you nuts?" Potato Head cried. "Are you trying to wake up that lady?"

"I ain't afraid of no Grunch!" Jessie hollered again. "BUZZ! BUZZ, WHERE ARE YOU?"


Someone was patting Buzz on the shoulder. "Hey! Wake up!" Jody's voice rasped.

The Ranger picked his head up from where he was curled in the fetal position. "Hmm?"

"Listen. Somebody's calling you."

From outside the door, a voice shouted, "BUZZ! COME OUT COME OUT WHEREVER YOU ARE!"

Buzz groaned. "I'm dreaming again."

"What makes you say that?"

"Because that's my girlfriend's voice." Buzz put his head back down and closed his eyes.

"BUZZ!"

"Stop that!" said another female voice. "You're going to get us all caught!"

Buzz sat up. "Now I know I'm dreaming. Woody would sooner chew off his own tongue than let Bo…"

"You're not dreaming!" Jody interrupted. "There's really someone out there!"

Buzz got to his feet. His legs were still asleep and they wobbled under his weight. He clumsily fell against the door and knocked. "Hey! In here!"

In the living room, Jessie had taken a deep breath for another bellow when there was a rapping noise behind her. She turned toward it. "Buzz?"

"We're in here!"

With a sprightly bounce, Jessie hurdled herself toward the door. "Partner?" she called, pressing her hands to the wood. "Can you hear me?"

"Jess, is that really you?"

"Yes!" she cried, then turned to the others with a joyous smile. "Guys, he's here! Buzz's in the closet!"

"Shut up, Potato Head," Bo said instantly.

He looked taken aback. "I didn't even say it yet!"

"C'mon Slinky let's get him out!" Jessie stepped aside and let Slink jump for the knob. The closet swung open and Buzz stumbled out, blinking in the light.

"Hey you guys…" In a split second he was on the floor, Jessie on top and smothering him in kisses.

"BUZZY!" she shouted. "Oh Buzz, I was worried sick about you! Did the Grunch hurt you? I'll kill her if she hurt you! I missed you so much!"

"No, that's not necessary, and I missed you too," Buzz smiled fondly from underneath her.

Jessie beamed. "Lots and lots?"

"Lots and lots."

Jessie was about to kiss him again when she noticed someone. She let Buzz sit up, and for the first time he saw Jody.

She was his height, caked in dust, with curled bright yellow nylon hair in pigtails and chubby cheeks. She wore a white dress that had fringe around the bottom and white plastic boots. Even in the dim light, Buzz could see teeth marks on her arm from where Fergus had attacked.

Jessie glared at her suspiciously. "Who's she?"

Buzz stood. "Guys, this is Jody. Ms. Grunch put her in the closet too."

Jody waved. "Hello," she said huskily.

"What's wrong with her voice?" said Potato Head.

Bo glared. "Shush. Don't be rude."

"But she talks funny!"

"I said shush."

Jody looked at Buzz. "I guess my voice will come back once I get used to talking again."

Jessie moved closer to Buzz and put her arm through his, staring at Jody intensely. "We better get going if we want to make it home before dawn."

"Come with us, Jody," said Buzz. "You can have a new home with us." Jessie's mouth squeezed together tightly. "Andy will take good care of you. He's good to all his toys."

Bo had noticed the look of displeasure on Jessie's face. She quickly ushered Blythe forward. "Jody, my name is Bo. Why don't I introduce everyone to you properly?"

As Bo led Jody away, Buzz moved closer to his girl. "So where's Woody?"

"He's at home. I'm leading this mission."

"I thought about you constantly."

"You were with her all night?"

"Jess, she's been confined in that closet two years." Jessie's face softened. "That's why her voice sounds strange."

"Oh." She looked down. "So…nothing happened?"

"Jessie!" Buzz sounded shocked. "I would never cheat on you!" He slipped his arms around her waist. "You know my universe revolves around you!"

Jessie gave him a half smile. "I know."

"Besides, she's twelve."

She narrowed her eyes. "Oh great. Just because I'm forty-one and she's twelve, I guess that makes me an old hag?"

"No! I mean," Buzz tapped his temple. "She's twelve up here."

"Oh." Jessie looked sheepish as she gave an embarrassed laugh and rubbed the back of her head. "Well I feel stupid."

"Don't." Buzz moved his face toward hers and Jessie closed her eyes.

"Hey Lovebirds!" Potato Head suddenly interrupted. They looked toward him. "Are you two Mush Heads coming or not?"

Hand in hand, Buzz and Jessie joined the group. "Hey Guys!" Rex suddenly said. "I finally fibbured out why I can't breed!"

"Because the Jurassic Park scientists denied you a Y chromosome?" Hamm said dryly.

"No, I think I must be allergic to somefing! Like some type of carpet cleaner or a…"

"CAT!" Bo suddenly shouted.