It was when everyone was asleep, Buzz sneaked out from the house.
He had to leave. There was no point in staying or leaving with Natalie. Buzz needed to be with Jessie.
Buzz hadn't seen Jessie for five years now. There were so many scenarios that could have happened. Every day he could almost feel her emotions. She missed him and needed Buzz by her side.
What would she say about his relationship with Natalie? He didn't have to tell her, but he couldn't lie to her. She always knew when he was lying. What if Jessie asked if he loved Natalie? Buzz knew he didn't love her, but it was all so complicated.
The moon was full that night.
It almost looked as if it were following him. He always wondered why the moon did that. Buzz hardly ever walked on his own during the night. For that matter, not even in the day time.
It was interesting. The world was really big.
Where was he going to go? He was going to spend his life having to hide all the time. If he knew where he was then he could go to Sunnyside.
He should have said to Jessie, that last night they were together, they should leave together. They'd run to a solitary place where they could be alone forever.
But, that's a toy taking the easy way out. Toys were meant to be played with and that was that.
Why was he out here?
Why was he doing this?
This was insane.
He didn't know how to live a life on his own.
Finally he noticed someone up ahead.
And stopped dead in his tracks.
"Woody?"
"Buzz?"
The toys stared at one another trying to gather their thoughts together. They finally shook one anothers hands. They hadn't seen each other in so long.
"What are you doing out here?" Buzz asked.
"I was just going to ask you the same thing, space ranger. Out for a midnight stroll?" Woody asked.
Buzz looked to his feet. "I'm running away."
Woody wasabout to berate him, but stopped. "Me too."
"I've been seeing someone else. She wants me to go away with her, never to be owned by a kid again."
"Do you love her?"
Buzz shrugged.
"If you did then you wouldn't be out here on your own."
"I need to find Jessie, Woody. That's why I'm out here."
"She's out there somewhere, but you need to wait."
"I can't wait any longer. I need to tell her how much I love her. I wasn't supposed to have fallen in love again. She's being sold in a yardsale tomorrow and she expects me to go with her."
Woody put a hand on his friend's shoulder. "Buzz, let her go. I kow everything seems really hard right now, but with more time maybe you and Jessie will meet up."
Buzz smiled, letting that advice sink into his chest.
"Aren't you enjoying your life back with Andy?" Buzz asked.
Woody let out a long sigh. "It's not the same."
"Are there other toys?"
"Yes?"
"Do they treat you unfairly?"
"No, they're like family. And I'm their leader."
"Is it Andy's kid?"
"No, he's great. He's just like Andy."
"Then what's the problem?"
"I'm alone."
Now Buzz understood. This is the first time he was split up from his family. He wanted Dolly.
"We're still all here in spirit, Woody. Go back home."
"There's nothing there."
"What's out here?"
"A big world."
"The world is no place for a toy to be alone. Lonliness is not what you want."
Woody still wasn't convinced. It wasn't the loneliness that was truly bothering him. "What if we're put in the attic instead of going to Sunnyside?"
"Don't you think that, Woody. That isn't now."
Both toys agreed and they shook hands. They parted ways not knowing when the next time they'd see each other would be. All they knew was that they were brought together for a reason.
Woody jumped on the windowsill only to hold off for a moment.
"It's true, he's gone. Woody left last night." Smithy said with clear worry in his voice.
"Why didn't you try and stop him?"
"I couldn't, he didn't say where he was going."
"What are we going to do now?"
"You can stop worrying."
Daniel's toys bounced around Woody. They were so happy to have him back. How could he have left? His job was to look after his family.
"Sorry, Smithy. I won't ever leave like that again."
"Glad to hear it, cowboy."
Buzz peaked into the windowsill and saw it was all clear.
"Buzz, where have you been? I was worried." Natalie said throwing herself into his arms.
"I was just thinking."
"You got back just in time. We need to..."
"No, Natalie. I'm not going with you."
She looked at him with a disgraced look. "Why?"
"Because, I love Jessie."
"She's gone. You can't..."
"It doesn't mean I'll never see her again. I'm staying here."
Natalie was enraged, but accepted. "Fine. Suit yourself." She said walking passed him.
"Natalie, you need to go to that yard sale."
"Why?"
"Out there is a big empty world. No place for a toy. You'll be happier if you sell yourself. Please, for me."
Natalie stood surprised. She no longer looked angry.
She agreed and Sarah came to take her away.