A/N: Howdy readers! I know it's been forever since I have updated this story, but I'm definitely still here! I'm not very confident in being an action writer so I have kinda been dreading the next part of this story. I know how it will end, but I want to actually give you the full story and not skip all the good stuff. I wanted to give you a little teaser to remind you that I still love you all!
A blaring alarm the next morning reminded Buzz that vacation was over and that it was time to get back to work. He shut off the alarm with a groan, not ready to face the morning yet, the warm body next to him reminding him why. He realized that making himself leave Jessie's side every morning was going to be difficult, especially since he had grown used to spending so much time with her at the farm. Giving her a gentle peck on the cheek, he finally managed to force himself out of bed and into the shower.
Jessie opened her eyes to a strange sight, and it took her a moment to realize where she was. She looked around for Buzz, but decided the sound of running water must mean he was in the shower. Jessie sat up, pulling the covers with her as she took in the room around her again, trying to remind herself that this was home and that she could feel comfortable here. It was a weird feeling for the cowgirl, having lived in the same house all her life, but she knew it was one that came with many rewards.
Buzz turned off the water and grabbed his towel, smiling at the open spot where Jessie's would soon be. He quickly dried off and made his way back to the bedroom, surprised to see Jessie awake.
"Hey, I didn't mean to wake you." He bent down to kiss her, relishing in the feel of having a home with her.
"Ya didn't. I think my internal clock did. I'm too used ta wakin' up early, even if the sun ain't 'round ta tell me how early it is." She gave him a smile and watched as he got ready for the day. It was her first time seeing him in uniform, and she couldn't help but giggle as he struggled into the purple bodysuit.
"Laugh all you want, but I can find a way to make you wear one of these too!" Buzz teased, starting to dress in his white armor.
"Alright, I'll be nice! I think I'd rather wear my hat as much as possible." She chuckled, shaking her head.
"I shouldn't be out too long today. I have a few briefings to attend and some paperwork to catch up on. Are you going to be good by yourself for a while?" Buzz was now placing on the last of his armor.
"I'll be fine! I'm gonna unpack, and maybe if I feel like I won't git lost I'll take a walk 'nd explore a lil." Buzz could read the excitement in her tone.
"I'm sure you'll be fine. If you do get lost, just ask any ranger for directions. Most of them are friendly, I can't guarantee all of them will be." He added with a chuckle.
"Well, I'll jist make sure ta avoid the folks that look extra mean." Jessie smiled, warming up to the feeling of making home with Buzz.
"I think you will be able to handle yourself pretty well." He bent down to kiss her forehead. "I hate to run out on you like this, but my first meeting is soon so I better get going."
"No sweat 'Captain'." Jessie saluted Buzz with a smirk.
Buzz turned and left the room with a chuckle, and moments later Jessie could hear gentle 'swoosh' of the outer door. She sighed and looked around the room, trying to figure out how she should start her day.
The room around her was strange. She was not used to having a room with no windows. She missed having the sun to wake her up, though it clearly wasn't necessary. She looked around the room again, trying to memorize its features. Jessie found herself drawn once again to the pictures on Buzz's dresser. She couldn't help but wonder what could have possibly turned Warp Darkmatter from his friends and his allies. Surely living as Zurg's right hand man could not be worth giving up the only life you had ever known. She replaced the picture back in its place and turned to pick up the one by Buzz's bedside. She smiled again at the memory, remembering at the time how much she wished she could call herself Buzz's girl. Looking back, it was clear that she already was; none of the other girls ever bothered to pursue him. Everyone knew they would end up together, it was only just a matter of time.
Jessie replaced the picture and turned around to pick her bags up off the floor. Buzz had a few empty drawers for her to place her things in, so it didn't take her long to get dressed and unpack. She took a small toiletry bag and her towel to the bathroom where she placed them in their respective places. She smiled, enjoying the feeling of making this place more like home. The last she she grabbed was her favorite coffee mug that she had packed without Woody knowing. She knew it wasn't necessary, but she liked having little knick knacks from home. Moving to the kitchen, she placed the cup in the small cupboard about the coffee maker.
Turning to face the rest of the room, Jessie smiled and placed her hands on her hips. She was unpacked and this was officially home. She could feel herself getting used to the idea more and more, and soon it wouldn't sound so hard to believe.
"Well, I guess a self guided tour couldn't hurt nothin'" She adjusted her hat and headed to the door, sure she was going to get herself lost.
After managing to navigate herself through several halls and open rooms, Jessie was sure that she could herself back home, but it turned out to be trickier that she though. She found herself in a large room with windows for the ceiling, and she couldn't believe the amount of stars she saw. She couldn't help but be mesmerised by the sky before her, and though she knew she should stop walking, she was too distracted to use her better judgement. Before she knew it, she ran into another person, much harder than she would have thought possible.
"I'm sooo sorry!" Jessie cried as she adjusted her hat.
"Don't worry about it Jessie, I know how distracting looking at all the stars can be." Smiled back the familiar face of a fellow red head.
"Mira! It's good ta see ya! You aren't at those borin' meetin's Buzz hasta attend?" Jessie giggled.
"No, I got lucky, those are only for Commanding Officers. So I thought I would sneak away from the boys for a while before we started going off on missions again." Mira rolled her eyes at the thought of XR and Booster driving her nuts.
"I know that feelin'." Jessie giggled. "I usta need ta sneak away from Woody ever' once in awhile. Sometimes a girl jist needs a minute ta git away and not be one of the guys." She smiled at Mira, glad to have some common ground to bond over.
"Thank you! Finally someone who gets me!" Mira offered a big smile, knowing it would be good to have another woman around in her close circle of friends. Sure, there were other women rangers, but she was never able to bond with them the same way she could with the fellow red-head in front of her.
"I guess spendin' time with all fellas can get to a girl after 'while. And Booster and XR seems to be a little harder ta handle than your average male." Jessie hoped she hadn't said something offencive.
"Oh man, like you wouldn't believe! The giant child and the robot that overcompensates for not actually being a real guy! It's good to have Buzz back because he normally deals with their moods much better than I do!" Mira folded her arms over her chest and rolled her eyes, exasperated just by her memories.
"Buzz's always been good with characters. Not sure if it's 'cause he is always so calm, or 'cause he has such a high tolerance for other people. But he is definitely the kind of person you want to have by your side." Jessie couldn't help but blush while thinking about him.
"I know I definitely like having him around, though, I'm sure he is going to be more than thrilled to have you around. I'm glad things finally worked out for the two of you." Mira offered a warm smile.
"Trust me, I am too! 'nd I'm really excited ta be here with him. It's gonna be very diff'rent and it's gonna take some gettin' used ta, but I know it's fur the best." Jessie looked up at the stars again, accepting those as part of her new life.
"Like I said before, just let me know if there's anything I can do to help." Mira offered.
"Thank you Mira…" Jessie started, but stopped as the ground underneath them shook. Both women were caught off guard and had to steady themselves to stay balanced.
Mira looked around her, trying to figure out what may have caused the building to shake.
"I take it that's not a normal thing around here?" Jessie asked, slightly worried.
"Not usually. That felt like there was an explosion somewhere." Mira suddenly regretted not wearing her suit so she could have access to her radio.
"An explosion?" Jessie's worry began to grow, especially because she was separated from Buzz.
"Unfortunately. I should probably get you back to your quarters and get my suit on. I doubt that it's a coincidence this happened the same day Buzz returned to duty." Mira's eyes were constantly darting, trying to find signs that anything was amiss.
"Ya think this' Zurg?" Jessie guessed.
"Maybe, I might be jumping to conclusions, but I would rather be safe than sorry. Let's get out of here." Mira stepped to leave, but heard a crash around her. Both women looked up to see several of the windows and some large pieces of rubble coming their way. Before they could react, the rubbled had covered them both, knocking them unconscious.
To Be Continued...