June 2nd 2009
"Okay Rexy-boy, just breathe in deeply and let it rip!"
Jessie was in the corner of Andy's room with Rex teaching the dinosaur how to roar. She breathed in deeply with him and he let out a huge roar that could be heard all throughout the house; meanwhile knocking Jessie's hat off her head.
"Woooweee that was amazin' Rex!" cheered Jessie.
"I did it! I did it! Thanks Jessie!" Rex jumped up and down and the cowgirl gave him a huge hug. "Buzz used to help me with this all the time when he first arrived."
As Rex talked about the space ranger, Jessie frowned and looked down at the ground. She really didn't want to bring him up at the moment; hence is why she was hanging out with Rex. In fact, she hadn't hung out with Buzz much in the past months since Bo was sold. Sure they still talked and such, but they weren't as close as they used to be. And it's all my fault, thought Jessie.
A year later and Woody was still coping with the loss of his girlfriend and Jessie made sure she was there for her brother every time he needed a shoulder to cry on. She spent more time hanging around the other toys and avoided situations that would lead her and Buzz to be alone. The cowgirl knew that deep down, Buzz was hurt. She could see it in his eyes when he would invite her to watch a movie with him and she'd decline his offer. He kept asking until he finally gave up after about four months of Jessie declining his offers. It hurt her to know that she was disappointing the man she loved, but how could they be together when it would wind up with them being separated in the end?
Deep down she thought Buzz knew. Woody would throw hints about how the space ranger was scared of losing his family and how everyone should stick together from now on. Buzz was the first to check up on her every day to see how she was and she would quickly respond with a one-worded answer and a quick smile. They flirted occasionally still; Jessie still loved making the space ranger stutter and grow flustered. She missed the tickle fights they used to get into, snuggling up to him at night, and surprising him with an occasional kiss on the cheek that would leave him speechless.
"Jessie?"
Jessie shook her head as Rex's voice interrupted her thoughts. "Sorry, what did ya say?"
"I just wanted to say thank you for helping me practice."
"Oh it's nothing Rex ol' buddy!" Jessie slung an arm around the dinosaur's neck and scouted out Bullseye. On the way, she passed Buzz and she smiled at him. He nervously laughed and waved to her and kept walking at a faster pace to hide the blush Jessie barely caught. Walking up to her favorite horse, she nuzzled her face into the horse's neck.
"Howdy Bullseye!"
Bullseye neighed and brushed his face against her's, sensing something was off.
"I'm alright, boy. Let's go for a ride, huh?" Jessie swung up onto his saddle and met eyes with Buzz from across the room. He smiled that kind of smile that was only reserved for her and she couldn't help but grin back and tip her hat.
One day, she dreamed of overcoming her fear of abandonment. One day, they would be together and not have to worry about being separated. One day, he will be her Buzz Lightyear.
Just a short chapter to introduce what's next to come. Stay tuned!