I'm not trying to drag this story out, but I'm trying to make things realistic, that they still need to recover from that. But I have other ideas I want to move forward, I just hope I can bring them into play without seeming like I'm rushing. My fanfic If You Keep on Believing takes place right after this story.

"Shh." Mitsy whispered to the other toys when they hopped on the bed at sunrise. She gestured toward Woody, indicating that he was asleep. Jack was stirring and Slinky slowly opened his eyes.

"He's out like a light." Buttercup remarked, staring at Woody.

"Aaaww, poor fellow." Trixie said. "I don't have the heart to wake him."

"Yeah, let the poor baby rest." Jessie suggested.

"Okay, everyone!" Buzz announced. "Bonnie's supposed to be back this afternoon. We need to let the sheriff rest. So, what are we going to do today, gang?"

"We're going to the playground!" Peatrice spoke up for the peas.

"So are wwweee," the aliens said together.

"Well, don't hurt yourselves." Trixie remarked, and Totoro saluted to tell everyone that he would keep an eye on them. "Anyone wanna watch Rex and me play our Dino Combat Melee game?"

"Count me out, fellas." Potato Head shook his head. "I'm gonna get some quiet time while I can."

"Come on, Rex! Let's go." Trixie bounced up and down excitedly.

Slinky rested his head on Mitsy's tummy, looking up forlornly at her. "Hey." She whispered, rubbing his ears.

"Hey." He mumbled.

"You okay?"

"I guess." Slinky shrugged.

"You know, Slink, what happened to you at the school won't happen here." Mitsy assured him.

"Yeah." Slinky grunted. "I just...don't want everyone staring at me, you know?"

"I do." Mitsy smiled sadly. "Perhaps they wouldn't so much if you tried to join them and try to act normal."

"You're right." Slinky nodded, pushing himself back up on his paws.

"Hey, why are you suddenly so worried about everyone watching you, Slink?"

"Because I...I keep thinking about what happened and-and-I don't want nobody thinkin' I'm chicken."

"Aww, Slink." Mitsy sighed sympathetically.

"Slink, no one's going to think that." Jack offered. "You had a hard time. It's natural to keep rethinking it." Bullseye nudged Slinky's head encouragingly. Slinky smiled slightly then shook himself.

"It's all good." He told them. "I'm good." He straightened himself and marched away, but tumbled off the bed.

"Whoa! Easy there, Slink." Buzz gaped.

"I'm alright!" Slinky barked defensively. "I'm alright!" And he trotted off.

"You can get up, Jack. It's okay." Woody mumbled sleepily.

"You sure?" Jack asked.

"Yeah. Pillow ain't as stiff as you." Woody yawned.

"Thanks." Jack muttered and rose to his feet. "Would you like me to stay?" He asked Mitsy.

"When I get off the bed." Mitsy said.

"You don't look so good." Buzz spoke up. Mitsy jumped.

"Ahh! Buzz! Where did you come from?" She gasped.

"I've...been standing right here." Buzz shrugged.

"Oh."

"Did you sleep at all last night?" Buzz asked critically.

"Uhm…"

"Rest up. Try to get a few winks before Bonnie arrives." Buzz said. "That's not a suggestion."

"Okay, Buzz." Mitsy said dryly.

"Hey, just looking out for you, Princess." Buzz retorted. "You stay there. You too, cowboy." With that, he turned on his heel and hopped off the bed.

Woody sighed heavily. "Bonnie's coming back...today!" He breathed.

"Yeah." Mitsy agreed. Woody glanced at her.

"Were you able to go back to sleep?" Woody asked. Mitsy shrugged. "I'm sorry."

"Don't worry about it." Mitsy smiled sadly. She glanced down at their friends on the floor. "Do you think we should make an effort?"

"Yeah. If we don't try, I'm not sure if I can keep my smile on even for Bonnie!"

"That's what I mean."

Woody slowly sat up, wincing. His body ached, but not nearly as badly as before. "I'm willing to try. You?" He asked seriously. Mitsy nodded. "Okay then." He gave an encouraging smile. Bullseye happily licked him. "Hey there, Buddy." He stroked the horse's mane.

Woody, Wheezy, Jiminy, and Jack played cards with Buttercup, both of them glancing at Mitsy, and Slinky. Chuckles asked the princess to read aloud to him-since they both enjoyed books so much-from one of Bonnie's library books. It was relaxing and quiet, and refreshing to Mitsy to become lost in a whole other world. Soon the peas sat at their feet to hear the story. Then Wheezy and Slinky joined Rex and Trixie on their video game, while Totoro brought art supplies to Potato Head so that he could make a special welcome home surprise for his wife. He'd really missed her, especially having to take care of all the kids. Jessie assisted him with her inspirational, female input.

"Hey, everyone! Why don't we all play a game of Apples to Apples?" Buzz suggested.

"Let's get the box!" Slinky bard happily. Most of them really enjoyed the word game. They gathered on the floor and participated in a full game, which Jack ended up winning, breaking the tie between himself and Bullseye with their stash of green cards.

With some help from Bullseye, Chuckles decided to pick some flowers for Bonnie, and set them in a pink cup of water atop her windowsill for a surprise. Jack and Jiminy assisted Woody and Buzz in getting together a schedule for their friends to live by once the routine of life at the Anderson's resumed.

2:30 P.M.

"They're home!" Buttercup announced, from his designated spot in the hallway. "Bonnie's coming!"

"Yeehaw! She's back, Bullseye!" Jessie cried excitedly, hugging her horse.

"Places, everyone!" Buzz ordered.

"Hey, guys! I'm back!" Bonnie exclaimed happily as she burst into the room. She scooped up all the toys that she could fit in her arms and flopped down on her bed. "Oh, we had fun, but I really missed you guys. And don't worry: I didn't leave anyone behind! I brought your friends back. What?" She eyed Jiminy and Wheezy curiously.

"New toys?" Her eyes lit up, and she tentatively picked up Jiminy in her right hand and Wheezy in her left. She stared at them, confused but pleased. "I know who you are!" She said to the cricket. "Pleased to have you around, Mr. Cricket! You can be the new judge in town!" Then she looked at Wheezy. She squeezed his rubber body and he squeaked. She giggled with delight. "Oh, no! Look out, everyone! The Mad Scientist has returned!" She waved Wheezy back and forth in her hand. "He's cooking up an evil plot to form an army of buttons. Only they aren't buttons. They're bombs! Gasp! With recorder chips, so he can steal their info, and-"

"Bonnie! Come help us unload the van!" Mrs. Anderson's voice rang from the living room.

"I gotta go. But I'll be back, then we can play!" Bonnie dropped Jiminy and Wheezy then dashed out the door.

Mr. Pricklepants, Dolly, Hamm, and Mrs. Potato Head hopped out of the suitcase. "Ahh, home again." Mr. Pricklepants mused.

"Well, hey, welcome back." Woody greeted warmly.

"Ooohhh, darling. I missed you so!" Mrs. Potato Head ran to her husband.

"Not as much as I missed you." He smiled.

"Mmommmyyy," the aliens said together as they ran to her.

"Whoa now! Someone tell me I'm still shaking off the guacamole from last night." Hamm said. "Wheezy, that you?"

"Hey." Wheezy smiled, waving. "Didn't think I'd ever cross paths with you again!"

"Well, whatcha doing here?" Hamm smiled.

"He's Bonnie's new addition to the gang!" Jessie blurted.

"Really?" Mrs. Potato Head gushed. "Ohh, sweetie. What happened to you? Well, you're safe now." She hugged the penguin.

"It's good to be back with the gang." Wheezy nodded, still feeling uncertain that this was real.

"Ohh, and uh, this little feller too." Slinky said, eyeing Jiminy on top of his head.

"Jiminy Cricket, at your service." The cricket bowed.

"Well, well, I know we could use an extra pair of sharp eyes around here!" Dolly shook his hand.

"How was your trip?" Trixie asked.

"Great!" Dolly answered.

"So, what kind of trouble did y'all get into while we were gone?" Hamm chuckled sarcastically.

"Yeah, what kind of wild adventure did you have behind our backs this time?" Dolly teased with her hands on her hips.

Mitsy's face fell, and she didn't say anything. Jack came to her side. "Well," Woody began, but wasn't sure what to say. Slinky sat dismally at his side. Jessie placed her arm around Mitsy. Mitsy leaned into her and started shaking.

"We had some...turbulence." Buzz spoke up.

"Oh?" Dolly cocked her head.

"The Spikes' Gang varmints were back." Jessie spat. "They kidnapped Woody and Mitsy, and beat them something awful!"

"What?!" Mrs. Potato Head gasped.

"Okay, that was certainly not what I expected to hear!" Dolly covered her mouth with her hands.

"It was pretty bad." Jiminy added, and Wheezy nodded.

"Ohh, you poor dears!" Mrs. Potato Head cried. "Oh! What happened to your shoulder?" She asked Jack, noticing his stitches.

"Oh, that." Jack's eyes fell. "It's nothing. Just a scrape."

"We've had a rough couple days." Woody spoke up.

"She's comin'!" Slinky barked.

Bonnie eagerly returned, and picked up Wheezy and Jiminy. "Hey, guys. These two are your new friends! And you'd better be nice to them." She grabbed Woody and rendered his voice, "Hey there, little fellas. Welcome to our city! I hope we'll be good friends."

Bonnie happily played with her toys for hours, and didn't stop until dinnertime that evening. She immediately resumed playtime until it was time to get her pajamas on, and she instantly fell asleep after Mrs. Anderson tucked her in, and she gathered to herself the toys she wanted to sleep with.