A/N: Thanks for all of the reads! If you like it (or if you have constructive criticism), please leave a review!

Chapter 14

The Rangers suited up and split from Woody and Buzz, using one of the sleds as transportation. Woody and Buzz were riding as fast as Bullseye and Buttercup could take them. They arrived at the mine and Woody held up his hand to stop Buzz, "I want to try and talk to Andy first. So, stay behind me a few steps; if he sees you, it might mean trouble."

"This is your show, Sheriff," Buzz said with an understanding nod, "but the instant things aren't going the way we want, I'm going to shoot. Especially if you or Jessie are at risk."

He stared at his boots for a moment. "You think she's alive?"

Buzz swallowed, "Trying not to think of it at all, actually. We're supposed to go into situations without letting our emotions get in the way. But, yes; I think she is."

Jessie was alive, they would have been relieved to know, although in ever worsening shape. After Andy ended the transmission with Woody, he struck her hard in the ribs and along the side of her face. "Think you're clever, saying my name. But it won't save him," he growled before he disappeared, leaving her free to give in to the pain. Her ribs burned with every breath and her shoulder felt as if it was on fire. She knew any attempt of getting out of her bindings would be futile; the smallest movement of her right arm sent fresh waves of nauseating pain through her body. How much time passed she did not know; she just knew the gunshot wound had just stopped bleeding when Andy reappeared, a small knife in his hand.

"Time to go, Red." He knelt in front of her and placed the knife by the ropes wrapped around her ankle. He paused and looked up, "And don't get any ideas. My knife could easily slip, and I don't think you want to lose any more blood."

"Andy, you don't have to do this," she pleaded. "We can work things out, just give Woody a chance to help you."

"It's a little too late for that, I think. You know," he mused as he began cutting her ankle free, "when I first ended up in Zurg's fortress, I was desperate to get back home. That's why I bargained with him. But the longer I was away, the more I realized that if your father or Woody had wanted to find me, they would have." Anger filled his voice, "They should have helped me when they had the chance."

Jessie's temper flared, "And just how d'ya think they were gonna be able to do that when you disappeared from the planet? You're cryin' about how no one helped you, but you were out of reach of anyone's help!"

In a flash Andy was standing and had the blade of his knife pressed against her left cheek. "I thought you'd be different, but you're just like them; so arrogant and sure. You'd better learn to keep your mouth shut; I'm a lot more tolerant than Zurg, but I have my limits. And it's a long trip back." He flicked his wrist, leaving a neat slice on her cheek before kneeling to resume cutting her bonds. "You have no idea what I went through to get to this point," he continued, "what it's been like. The struggle I had while at Zurg's compound, then here in the mines. I had to fend for myself; stole food when I had to, even tried to enlist help. Everything was against me…even those two idiots who were supposed to set the fire; in the end I had to do it all myself. But I'll prove myself, and everyone will see they were wrong."

As Andy droned on, Jessie's mind was racing furiously. Andy was beyond reason and all she wanted was to keep Woody and Buzz safe. She could try and escape once her wrists were free, but she only had one good arm and her muscles were sore and stiff. Even if she did manage to overpower him, she had no idea which way to run and would probably end up getting lost further in the mines. She had just decided it was still worth an attempt when Andy cut a rope that simply held her bound wrists to the chair. He hauled her roughly to her feet, his fingers digging in to her upper left arm. She swallowed against the hopelessness that was threatening to overwhelm her; there had to be something she could do. She realized what Andy had been saying, and her heart rate quickened as an idea presented itself. Jessie steeled her resolve; if that was what it took, so be it.

"It was you who broke into our place the other day, wasn't it? Why would you need to do that if Zurg sent you here? Or was he jus' tryin' to get you out of his hair?" Her speech picked up speed with their pace. "Seems like everyone's abandoned you, Andy. Dad, Woody, and I'm guessin' Zurg. He didn't even teach you well, else you'd know the importance of knowin' your enemy. Buzz Lightyear is loyal to Star Command above all else, so this trap you think you're settin' is doomed to failure. And Zurg? I'm bettin' he's just as like to kill you on the spot when you show up. But even if he doesn't, let's say he lets you come back here; you think you'll just come walkin' back in as some long lost son back from the dead? Folks around here know a coward when they see one; I guess that's one thing Zurg did manage to teach you. And they'll smell the blood on your hands, they'll find out what you've done. And they'll abandon you, too. Only two people won't, Andy, and that's the hangman and the undertaker."

Jessie gasped in pain as Andy slammed her up against the mine wall, his hand pressed right over her shoulder wound. She could read the murderous intent in his eyes, "You think so, Red? Let me make one thing clear: right now, I don't really care what Zurg wants. If I can cause Woody more pain by killing you now, I'll do it."

"Then why don'cha?" she challenged through gritted teeth.

"Andy." Woody's voice cut through the air.

Jessie's eyes opened wide as Andy spun around, pushing her in front of him. His right hand closed around the front of her neck, holding her in place. With his left, he aimed the odd firearm at her brother. How did Woody know where she was? Her eyes flitted behind him, but she saw no sign that anyone else was there. She looked back at him, but his eyes were firmly locked with Andy's.

"I see little sister gave me away, after all," Andy smirked.

Woody shook his head, his pistol leveled at Andy, "You gave yourself away. No one else has ever called her 'Red'. Now let her go."

"Clever of you to figure out where I'd be hiding. I guess nostalgia is getting the better of me. And she stays where she is unless you get rid of your pistol. If I let her go, you'll shoot me, and that's not much incentive."

"I can shoot you, anyway. You know that."

Andy tilted his head, his weapon and his gaze steadily pointed at Woody, "That's true, you always were the better shot. Well, Sheriff, whichever you're going to do, you'd better do it; Jessie can't have much air left."

Woody's gaze shifted to Jessie and he could see what had gone unnoticed; Andy's hand was squeezing her throat, the pressure increasing with the passage of time. He could see her eyes becoming unfocused, even as she shook her head, pleading with him to keep his gun. He hesitated; he could fire his gun, but there was no guarantee that Jessie would remain out of the line of fire.

Through her blurring vision, Jessie watched as Woody lowered his gun. She heard Andy tell him to throw it away, "We don't want any last minute heroics." He threw it towards the tunnel he must have used as an entrance and she heard it ring as it hit the ground. Andy eased the pressure around her throat, although his hand remained in place. She bent forward slightly, coughing and taking in deep breaths. She could hear Andy and Woody's argument, but the exact words were muffled by the sound of her pulse as it filled her ears. Her eyes looked back toward the tunnel entrance and her breath caught in her throat. Buzz stood in the shadows, hidden from Andy's sight. He was watching the scene intently, and she could see he had a pistol in his hand. Why doesn't he fire? The question passed through her mind as his eyes met hers and she saw the conflict reflected in them. Then she knew: he did not have a clear shot. To get one would mean moving into Andy's line of sight, which would mean Woody's death. He was pinned down and there was no way for him to shoot Andy without hitting her. Woody's shout rang clearly in her ears, "You were lost to us, Andy! And it seems you still are," he added in a quieter tone.

Andy shrugged a shoulder, "Fine words, but that's all they are. Tell you what, Woody, for old time's sake… when Zurg finally does get around to killing her, I promise it will be quick." He extended his left arm, his weapon pointed right at Woody's chest. "Happy trails, Sheriff."

Jessie felt fear rush through her body and she did the only thing she could think to do. She shoved against Andy with all the strength she had. His hand released her neck as he stumbled off balance. His weapon discharged and she looked in horror as Woody sank to the ground. He was holding his right thigh, his face contorted with pain. He managed to look up at her and called her name, his brown eyes wide with alarm. She turned back to Andy just as his weapon collided with her head, right by her temple. She fell to the ground hard, her body sliding a few inches from the momentum.

Andy pointed his weapon at the unconscious cowgirl. "Enough of this," he snarled. Woody yelled in protest, but before Andy could fire, the sound of three pistol shots echoed through the cavern. He looked in surprise at the blood spreading across his abdomen, then at Woody, but the sheriff was unarmed. As he staggered back against the wall, Buzz came out from his hiding place. Andy stared at this stranger, his weapon sliding from his hand.

Buzz kicked the ion pistol away, although there was no fear Andy would be able to use it. He grabbed a fistful of the outlaw's shirt in his fist and pulled him up. "If we're making promises," he growled so only Andy could hear, "here's mine: Zurg will never get his hands on my friends."

Realization crossed Andy's face and he let out a hacking laugh. "Zurg will do anything to get to his son," he choked out haltingly.

Buzz's brow furrowed in confusion, but he would receive no explanation. He watched the life fade from Andy's eyes and he released his body, letting it slump to the ground.

"Buzz!" Woody called over. "Help me!" He had crawled his way over to Jessie, discovering a pool of blood forming under her right shoulder.

Buzz hurried over, kneeling down behind her so he could untie her wrists. With immense gentleness, he lifted her up just enough to be able to move her so she lay on her back. He pressed fingers to her wrist, relieved to feel a steady pulse. He watched as Woody hastily untied his bandanna, pressing it to her shoulder which had begun bleeding heavily after the fall. The square of thin fabric soaked with blood quickly, ineffective in halting the flow. "Where's your communicator?"

"In my holster," Woody nodded towards the device.

Buzz removed it from the holster and flipped it open, "Nebula, Booster, Mira, come in."

Nebula's voice returned the call, "Buzz! Have you caught the scout?"

"That threat's been neutralized, sir," his eyes flicked over towards Andy's body. "We need medical attention, fast."

There was a moment of silence, "Looks like we're about two-hundred yards away from your location. Sit tight, we'll be there as quickly as we can."

Buzz closed the communicator and took a look at the wound on Woody's leg. "Second degree burn. Nasty, but could have been much worse." His eyes slid to Jessie and he assessed her injuries from where he knelt. He could see the large blood stain that marred her blue blouse, freshly wet from the recent aggravation. Loose strands of hair fell across her face, her normally pale complexion worse for the blood loss and it contrasted sharply with the bruises. He saw the cut on her cheek, the fresh gash on her head, and her neck was already beginning to show the trauma caused by Andy's hand. While he whole-heartedly agreed with Star Command's stance against revenge, he found himself wishing he had not killed Andy quite so quickly. The thought of Andy brought his words back to Buzz's mind and he felt the crushing sense of guilt that all of this was his fault. He looked over at Woody at the sound of his name.

Woody was looking him steadily, "This wasn't your fault."

The acknowledgement of his internal struggle threatened to demolish the already unstable wall of reserve Buzz was desperately trying to hold up. He felt the heat of shame cross his cheeks. How could Woody say that? Of course this was his fault! He opened his mouth to retort, but quickly shut it as he heard the voices of his fellow Rangers.

"Lightyear! You down there?" Nebula's voice called from the lift tunnel.

"Yes,sir!" He held Woody's gaze for a bit longer, knowing that this was just a temporary reprieve.

"Where's the device to get us down there?"

Woody explained how to operate the lift and Buzz hurried over to it. Confusion crossed his face as he saw the chair, but flashed to anger when he saw a light splatter of blood and the ropes and realized that was where Andy had kept Jessie. He tossed the chair aside, taking satisfaction as it smashed against the stone wall. He pulled on the rope like Woody had instructed until he heard Nebula tell him to stop. Once he had the signal that all of the Rangers were in the lift, he lowered it to their level.

"Great galaxies," Nebula exclaimed quietly as his eyes fell on Andy's body. "Who is wounded?"

"Over here," Buzz led the trio to Jessie and Woody.

"Nova, you tend to Miss Pride; Booster, the Sheriff. Lightyear can fill me in on what happened."

As the Nebula and Buzz walked away, Woody shifted to give Mira more space. Booster knelt beside him and gently pulled the ripped denim fabric away from the wound. "Nasty burn, Sheriff. I'm going to put some ointment on it, to help it heal quickly." He reached into the medical kit and pulled out a small blue jar.

Woody nodded as he watched Mira gently probing the back of Jessie's right shoulder. "I can't find an exit wound; the bullet must still be in there. Boost, sorry, can you hand me the sedative?"

He nodded and pulled a small hollow cylindrical instrument and a metal canister. After checking the label, he slid the canister in the tube until it clicked into place. "Here you go."

"Thanks. Don't want her waking up while I do this," Mira pressed the top of the instrument against Jessie's neck, causing the cowgirl's eyebrows to dip in discomfort. There was a brief hiss and Jessie's face relaxed as the sedative took effect.

Woody watched in amazement as Mira's hand faded from view.

"It's called 'ghosting'," Booster told him as he smeared the salve onto Woody's leg.

"They teach you that in Star Command?" He sucked in air as the coldness of the medicine clashed with the heat on his skin.

Booster apologized, "No. It would be useful, though. That's a natural ability of the Tangeans, Mira's kind. You don't want to get her mad at you," he added with a chuckle. "They have this move called the 'Tangean Brain Squeeze'. It's not pleasant, as Buzz can tell you."

"He deserved it," Mira muttered, her hand reappearing from Jessie's shoulder, a bloody bullet held in her fingers. She dropped the ammunition on the ground and quickly pressed a thick bandage over the wound. Nebula and Buzz had rejoined them and she looked up, "Commander, I need to get her back to the ship; she's lost a lot of blood and I can't do a transfusion here."

He nodded, "Booster, assist Nova. You can use the sled. Lightyear, the Sheriff, and I will finish things up here. If you're up for it," he inclined his head towards Woody who nodded in assent.

Booster had pick Jessie up with more gentleness than his appearance would suggest and Buzz sent the lift up once they were ready. He joined Nebula as Woody was relating the story of Andy's disappearance.

"I'm sorry, Sheriff," he offered as Woody looked down upon the body of his old friend. "It must feel like losing him all over again."

"No," he shook his head. "The Andy who was my friend was gone; I didn't know this one."

The three men scouted around the surrounding tunnels, discovering that one had collapsed in on itself, creating a small cavern with an opening to the sky. In the middle sat a small spacecraft with Zurg's logo. It had served as a shelter for Andy, although when Buzz checked the fuel gauges, there was a small amount left. "Probably enough to get him back, but just barely," he observed.

"Here's his communication center. It's been well used, but there are far more outgoing transmissions than incoming, just like Booster's scans suggest. I'll send a message to Star Command later; they'll take care of removing the ship, Sheriff. With your leave, I'll return to the ship to get that process started."

Woody nodded, "I think we're done here. Buzz and I will get the horses and meet you back at your ship."