Slinky twitched uncontrollably, writhing across Woody's torso. His eyes popped open and gazed up at the ceiling, darting back and forth, searching for a huge tool box to be dangling above his head. We're in Bonnie's room? He thought. That's right. We're home. But...His coils shivered, giving off a faint tinkling sound like small wind chimes. He burrowed his nose into Woody's shoulder, seeking warmth and protection. Woody was comatosed with exhaustion. He did not wake to reassure his pal, or speak kind words to him. But, most likely through natural instinct, his hand subconsciously found Slinky's head and held it closely. Still, he did not wake.
Slinky trembled, recalling being pinned under those heavy books, and the absolute powerlessness that had consumed him. He'd nearly died! Buzz had been lucky, throwing him away from that spot by fractions of seconds. If not for Buzz, he would be crushed to smithereens on that tile floor at this very moment! It was too much to swallow. Slinky nearly smothered his nuzzle deeply into Woody's side, clinging to him as he shivered.
Jessie lay on Buzz's chest, caressing his buttons. Now she was too excited to sleep, her heart soaring with hope that someday she and Buzz might become parents, like Woody and Bo Peep! Buzz was stroking her hair.
A horrifying scream shattered the peace of the room, startling Buzz and Jessie so suddenly that they nearly tumbled off the kitchen set. They regained their coordination, and Jessie cried, "Mitsy!" They both raced for the bed.
"WOODY! HELP ME!" Mitsy howled desperately. Slinky scrambled up on Bonnie's bed, hurrying to Mitsy's side. She just kept screaming and screaming. "No, please! Don't hit me again! PLEASE!" The frightened toy pleaded, shuddering against Jack's side. Jack was instantly awake, and pawing her hip to wake her.
"Honey? Wake up." He pleaded. Mitsy was pressing her head down into the bed, her hands clasped over her ears. She screamed and screamed. She didn't really speak coherently through her screeches, but just kept letting out that same strangled cry of absolute desolation.
"Wake up!" Slinky tried to yank her arms down so she could hear them. Buzz and Jessie finally made it up to the bed. Jack was trying to nudge Mitsy's head with his nose, but when he touched her, she buried her head further into the mattress, curling up harder into a fetal position.
"Ohhh," Jessie shuddered, kneeling down next to her friend. "Mitsy?" Jessie asked softly, gently touching her friend's hands. "Hey." Mitsy frantically clenched Jessie's wrists, digging her fingers into the cloth arms as hard as she could. Jessie winced, it actually hurt. Mitsy kept her head lowered, clenched Jessie's arms, kicking at the cowgirl's knees, and looked as if in her frenzied state, she was going to headbutt Jessie!
"No, Mitsy. You gotta wake up!" Buzz told her, gripping Mitsy's small wrists to make her release Jessie. Mitsy kept her eyes tightly shut, and frantically thrashed against his grip. Jessie's jaw was hanging open, and she looked heartbroken. Buzz firmly pulled Mitsy off of Jessie and got her on her back. She kneed him between his legs.
"Mitsy, wake up! It's NOT real!" Jack barked closely down to her face. He began profusely licking her.
"Buzz, let go of her!" Slinky yelled. Buzz was reluctant to do so. Mitsy could hurt herself or them. He didn't want that. But Slinky was right. The longer he didn't release her, the harder she fought. "Let her go."
Jack continued to lap his tongue over her eyes. Mitsy's eyes flew open, her breathing ragged. "It's not real." Jack said, licking her face.
"J-Jack?" She panted.
"It's not real. We're home. It's okay."
"Jack? A-are you r-real?"
"Yeah, Precious. I'm real." Jack placed his large paw on her shoulder.
"L-let go of me!" Mitsy winced, struggling. Buzz let her hands slip from his and she rolled onto her side, curling into a ball to protect herself.
"Sorry, sweetheart." Buzz said solemnly. "Didn't want you to get hurt."
"Mitsy, girl. It's me, Jessie." Jessie whispered, slowly approaching.
"Mitsy," Buzz's strong voice spoke soothingly, "It's okay. It's us. Nobody's gonna hurt you."
Mitsy lay there, shivering. Slinky curled right up against her, and she wrapped her arms around him. They lay there closely together like two frightened puppies. "A-are we home?" Mitsy asked shakily.
"Yeah. We're all home." Jessie smiled, rubbing Mitsy's back."It's okay."
"You're safe now, Mitsy. Try to calm down." Buzz said, patting her shoulder.
"I'm s-sorry." Mitsy began to sob. "I'm sorry I w-woke you up."
"No, no, Sweet thing." Jessie said affectionately. "It's okay." Mitsy was still shaking with fear. Jack settled himself down around her and Slinky, and placed his large paw across her small body. She reached a hand out and clung to his soft leg. Slinky didn't speak. He looked shell-shocked himself. He just kept his paws clasped around her arm.
"Honey?" Woody spoke quietly. They all looked up. Woody was standing behind them, his shoulders drooping like leaves in the rain.
"Woody…" Mitsy whimpered. The cowboy came and sat down up against Jack's side. Mitsy shakily crawled over and leaned on his shoulder. He held her closely. Slinky, still scared himself, rested his head in Mitsy's lap and she vigorously rubbed his ears. Buzz and Jessie sat down together in front of their friends, watching carefully.
"I'm sorry, guys." Mitsy whispered wearily.
"Hey, I've been getting the bad dreams too." Woody said.
"Everybody does sometimes." Jessie told them, drawing her knees up to her chest. "I know I still do!"
Woody looked drained. Slinky was afraid to leave his spot. And Mitsy glanced anxiously from window to window. Jack's ears lowered sadly. Jessie was worried about Bonnie's return home tomorrow. Would they continue to wake up in the night screeching, even once Bonnie was back? How would they deal with that? She shared a questioning glance with Buzz. He reached down and gripped her hand reassuringly.
They suddenly heard a familiar squeak. Buzz and Jessie turned back and saw Wheezy there, with Jiminy on his shoulder. "Sorry." Wheezy averted his eyes, looking down at the bed. "Just wanted to make sure everything was alright."
"You can't sleep either?" Buzz asked.
"No." Wheezy shook his head. "I suppose I'm really nervous about meeting Bonnie."
"Aww, come here, Wheez." Jessie said, patting an empty spot on the bed.
"I don't want to disturb anyone."
"Forget it, Wheezy. I already did that." Mitsy said dryly. Wheezy sat on Jessie's right, and Buzz scooted closer to her left. Bullseye appeared, and lay down, sticking his head between the two of them.
"You too, boy?" Buzz ruffled the horse's mane. He huffed and nuzzled his head against Jessie's knee.
Mitsy cringed. When she was upset and needed comforting, she only wanted her closest friends nearby. She didn't want to draw a crowd! But...Wheezy did have a big day tomorrow, with Bonnie seeing him for the first time. And he'd been evasive on the details of his life since he'd been sold. Maybe he'd had to deal with these kinds of sleepless nights, maybe many times! So instead of asking him to leave, she just repositioned her head on Woody's chest.
"I reckon it's gonna take a while to return to normal, huh?" Jiminy sighed, crossing his legs.
"Yeah. It's not exactly like it's something new for us though." Jack said.
"I'm really looking forward to seeing Bonnie." Jiminy said. "Is she very imaginative?"
"Are you kidding?" Buzz gaped.
"She's a great kid." Woody said quietly with pride.
"She has a wild imagination!" Jessie agreed.
"Yeah. Never know what make believe stories she's going to come up with next!" Buzz added fondly. "In fact, one time she pretended I was Master Yoda, but because my buttons only speak my lingo, she ran with it and said that I'd developed amnesia!"
Wheezy chuckled, so did Jiminy. "I remember that." Woody slightly snickered.
"Yeah. That was a good one." Mitsy whispered. "It was all we could do to remain inanimate and not laugh our sides off."
"Was pretty funny." Slinky croaked.
Some foolish driver outside zoomed loudly down the road, obviously speeding at this late hour. The sudden noise from outside startled all of them, especially Mitsy. She clung to Woody harder. "It's okay." He whispered. "I think the idiot's gone by now." Mitsy shivered again.
"I don't know how I'll ever be able to make myself ride in the car again." She said nervously.
I think you're wrong, Mitsy." Buzz said. "You love car rides just as much as the rest of us."
"Until yesterday." Mitsy corrected him.
"I think that is one thing we're going to have to face, despite our feelings." Woody said, thinking about trips into town or wherever with Bonnie.
"Slinky?" Jiminy cocked his head. "I noticed today that you kept staying clear of the bookcase. And, every time someone dropped something by accident, you became rather jumpy." Slinky drooped his head away from the onlookers and placed his paw on Mitsy's leg.
"Must you bring that up in front of everyone?" He groaned.
"Sorry. It was just an observation." Jiminy said.
"I did notice that too, Slink." Jack chimed in.
"Yeah, well, you would too if you'd been trapped under a pile of heavy books, and nearly splattered to smithereens!" Slinky barked.
"Hey, take it easy, Slinky." Buzz said defensively. Woody rubbed the dog's head.
"We're not trying to offend you, little buddy." Jack said. "We're just worried about you."
"Well, you don't have to be." Slinky snapped and looked away.
"Slink?" Jessie looked sadly at her friend. This was not like him! Did he think they saw him as a coward? That was so stupid! Slinky was brave. Was he ashamed to admit that he was still scared out of his wits from his experience with Buzz saving him from going splat?! He shouldn't be! We all have our moments of being afraid, especially me!
"Don't be ashamed, Slink." Mitsy whispered.
"Just...let me alone." Slinky gritted his teeth. Mitsy felt like crying. What had happened to her good pal? She held him closely, caressing his head.
"Are you sure we're safe?" Mitsy gulped.
"Yes, princess. You can stop worrying." Buzz smiled reassuringly.
Jack readjusted himself so that Woody could lounge back instead of sitting upright. Woody sighed gratefully. "A little better, Sheriff?" Jack asked.
"Yeah. Thanks, partner." Woody nodded. Mitsy stayed at his side, while Slinky snuggled between them, seeking protection. Mitsy ran her small hand over his coils. "It'll be okay, Slink." Woody stated.
"Yeah. Bonnie will get back and things will be better. You'll see." Jessie piped up happily. Slinky ignored them.
Why was Buzz holding me down? Why would he do that? He'd never hurt me! What the heck was going on? "Jessie?" Mitsy started to sit up straighter and gazed at her friend wide-eyed.
"Yeah?"
"Did I...when I was waking up, did I...did I hurt you?" Mitsy asked in a scared voice.
"Nah. You didn't." Jessie shook her head. "But you were thrashin' up a storm when we tried to wake ya, so Buzz was just trying to make sure you didn't hurt yourself by rolling off the bed or anything."
"Ohh," Mitsy breathed in mortification. "Was I really doing that?"
"Yep." Jessie nodded quietly.
"Oh, Jessie, I'm really sorry!"
"It's okay, Mitsy girl. Like I said, you didn't hurt me."
"But if I had...that would be awful!" Mitsy cried, starting to scribble her hand through her hair. What is happening to me?! What has happened that I would be so out of touch with reality that I would treat my friends like enemies? Am I losing my marbles?!
"Well, you didn't. And I don't expect you will." Buzz lied. I hope not! This might take a while.
"Ya'll need a goodnight's sleep." Jessie said. At that, Jiminy began to yawn and so did Bullseye.
"Jess is right." Woody whispered.
I don't know if I can! Mitsy shuddered. I don't want to wake up like that again. I don't want to hurt my friends, even if it was an accident!
"I'll keep an eye on them." Jack said. "The rest of you go hit the sack."
"Sounds like a good idea." Wheezy said uncertainly.
"Would you relax, Wheez?" Jessie spoke. "You'll see. You'll be glad you came to Bonnie's room!"
"I'll take your word for it." Wheezy feebly smiled.
"Well, you and the princess rest, Sheriff." Jiminy bowed. "But I'll be around if you need something."
"Thanks, little fella. But you don't have to do that. We're pretty well looked after for tonight. You have a big day tomorrow." Woody smiled.
"Right. Well, pleasant dreams." Jiminy yawned again then hopped off the bed.
"Goodnight, Woody." Wheezy said.
"Goodnight, Wheezy. I'll see you in the morning." Woody smiled with exhaustion.
"You guys really gonna be okay?" Buzz asked his friend.
"We'll be okay, Buzz." Woody nodded, pasting on a brave smile.
"Jess or I can sit up with you. It's no problem." Buzz persisted.
"Thanks, but you two need a break. We'll be fine, really." Woody said.
"Okay." Buzz shrugged uncomfortably. Woody looked as if he could barely hold his head up.
Buzz felt a sudden pang in his chest, watching the way Woody embraced Mitsy, and the way she was glued to him. He'd felt this way before, but not like tonight! He wished for a little one of his own to protect and nurture like that. Someone he could comfort from bad dreams, who would see him as their universal hero and go to him for guidance and love. He longed to have a kid to hold and carry and throw through the air. His arms felt an ache that he hadn't realized was there. He supposed that actually opening up about desiring children with Jessie had brought his deeper, long buried feelings to the surface. It was so unexpected that he felt a lump in his throat for what he and Jessie did not yet have together.
Nevertheless, being the brave space ranger that he was, he cleared his throat and came over to them and patted Mitsy's shoulder. "You guys take care for the night, but you know we'll be around."
"Yeah. Thanks, Buzz." Mitsy said quickly. Buzz looked down sadly at Slinky. That rescue must have effected their little buddy more than they'd all thought. He reached out and rubbed Slinky's head, but the dog didn't stir.
"Take it easy, Slink." He said then rose back to his feet. "Goodnight, guys."
"Yeah." Woody sighed. Jessie kissed Mitsy's face and gave Woody a noogie.
"If you need us, all ya have to do is holler." She reminded them.
"Mmm-hmm. Goodnight, Jess."
"Right." Jessie winked then followed Buzz to the floor. As soon as they were out of sight, she whispered, "I don't really think they're okay." Buzz put his arm around her.
"I know. It's gonna take time. Remember how hard it was for you to actually believe you were finally home with Andy?" Buzz suggested.
"I sure do." Jessie nodded. "I just hope Mitsy doesn't have panic attacks like I do, now every time Bonnie takes us in the car."
"I don't think she will. Like I said, it'll just take time." Buzz said confidently.
"I hope you're right."
"Come on, Jess. We need some sleep."
"You two comfortable enough?" Jack asked.
"I am." Woody replied.
"I'm fine, Jack." Mitsy said.
"Slink?" Jack prodded. Slinky didn't answer, he just lay there between the princess and the sheriff.
"Poor Slink." Mitsy sniffled.
"You think you can go back to sleep, Little Bit?" Woody spoke to Mitsy.
"No. I don't!"
"Shh. Can you try?"
"I really don't think so, Woody." Mitsy shook her head. "Was...was I really going crazy? Was I...violent?" She began to breathe rapidly.
"Aww, honey." Woody groaned.
"Slightly." Jack said grimly.
"W-what?" Mitsy gasped.
"We tried waking you." Jack explained. "But you were pretty disoriented. When Jessie tried, you...you wouldn't open your eyes. I guess you thought she was one of the gang, because you flexed defensively. Buzz thought you might unintentionally hit Jessie, so...he kept you restrained until you came to."
"Jack." Woody scolded.
"I did?" Mitsy trembled again.
"Hey, hey." Woody shushed her. "You were dreaming. You thought you were being attacked." Mitsy covered her face in her hands, and curled in on herself. She was hyperventilating.
"I'm sorry, dear." Jack's ears lowered. "But I felt you should know the truth."
"Yeah, well, you could have said a bit more delicately." Woody growled. Mitsy huddled against Woody, clenching her shaking hands.
What is happening to me? Is this going to keep happening? Am I becoming a danger to my friends? Mitsy's thoughts raced. Woody placed his hands over hers and pulled them down from behind.
"Calm down." He said quietly.
There's only one thing to do! I cannot sleep, at all! I won't go to sleep. That's the only way to prevent this, Mitsy told herself. Jack reached over and licked her face.
"Don't worry about it, Precious." He whispered. "I'm sorry I upset you." Woody rubbed her shoulders until the shaking finally went away.
"Shh. Don't think about it." He told her. "Think about Bonnie's return. And we have new friends to help feel welcome. We helped bring Link and Fox back home to Bobby, and Hank and Daisy were able to find their way back. Think on those things, Little Bit." Woody encouraged her. "That's what I do."
"I'll...try." Mitsy breathed.
"Come on. Let's try to sleep." Woody said.
"R-right." Mitsy nodded. Jack swooped his large, long tail around her small body like a thick blanket. It really did help soothe her body at least. Slinky was silent, but he placed a paw on her hand. She wrapped her hands around it, and gently rubbed his paw.
"It's okay." Woody smiled weakly. His eyes were languid as he struggled to keep them open. Mitsy's heart ached for him. He had had only-what?-An hour's sleep tonight? And then she'd disturbed him, stealing the rest of that much needed slumber from him. She felt horrible.
"Goodnight, Woody." She said. "Have good dreams."
"Mmm." Woody grunted, then his eyes fell closed.
Don't worry, Woody...Dad. This time, I'll watch out for you. I'm not going to sleep anyway. You really need it. Get some rest, Big Guy.
Outside of Bonnie's house, perched up on a high branch so he could peer inside through the window, a small action figure rose from his squatting position and stretched. "Well, my watch has ended for the night." He sighed. "I'll need to get back."