I know. So sad. If you can, please keep reading. Yes, I've included some Buzz/Jessie shots.
Buzz opened the exit door and they all walked out of the warehouse into the night. "How are we going to get back to Bonnie?" Rex asked.
"We'll find a way." Jessie sighed.
"How about pizza?" Trixie suggested. All the toys blinked at her, bewildered.
"What are you talking about?" Buzz asked. "Trixie, there's a time to be serious and a time to be funny. Right now funny doesn't apply here."
"I wasn't being funny. Look." She tilted her head toward across the parking lot to the one of the company next door to the warehouse. Sitting there was a good old Pizza Planet delivery truck!
"Nice!" Buzz smiled. "Good thinking, Trixie. Come on!" The toys rushed to the truck and helped each other sneak into the back of the vehicle.
"What if we're spotted?" Jessie asked.
"Don't worry, Jessie. We're old hands at this." Buzz grinned.
"I definitely remember that." Potato Head remarked.
"Me too!" Rex chimed in.
"So do I!" Slinky added.
"What are you guys talking about?" Trixie asked curiously. "I'm a little lost." Buzz and the others told the story of how he'd driven the Pizza Planet truck years ago to save Woody, and unknowingly at the time Jessie and Bullseye, from being sent to Japan. Trixie was fascinated.
"What a great story! I sure wish I'd been there." She smiled.
"That ain't even the half of it." Potato Head said.
"Really? Oh, tell me more!" Trixie begged, very intrigued.
The toys were occasionally tossed back and forth as the truck drove along. No matter what occurred, Mitsy stayed close to Woody the whole time. She was glued to him. As they sat in the truck, he kept his arm around her, rubbing her shoulder, and patting her small head. She didn't say anything, though Woody engaged himself in the others' conversations. Slinky was right by the two of them. He was not about to leave their sides. The delivery man stopped at a gas station. Rex looked out the window and started screeching. "Everybody! Everybody! Guess what? Bonnie's in the car right across from us! Over there! Look! Look!"
"Really?" Woody gasped, wide-eyed.
"What?" Mitsy asked with a hint of fatigue in her voice.
"No foolin'?" Slinky barked.
"She is?" Jessie asked excitedly, rising to her feet.
"Are you sure, Rex?" Buzz asked.
"She can't be," Potato Head said. "You've got to be kidding."
"Guys, he's right. She is." Trixie corrected.
"Her aunt stopped to get some gas too." Buzz declared. "Let's go, guys." While no humans were looking, the toys snuck out the window of the bed of the truck, and when the coast was clear, scurried across the pavement. Buzz climbed onto Rex's head and popped the trunk, opening it only enough for them all to crawl in. Slinky, Mitsy, Rex, and Trixie hid in the picnic basket while Woody, Buzz, Jessie, and Potato Head climbed into the food tote bag that had a zipper on it.
Inside the tote bag, by the light of his green glow and the small bit of light they had with the zipper open, Buzz could see that Jessie looked miserable. She wasn't shaking or gasping for air, but she looked incredibly unhappy and lonely. He climbed over Woody, the containers of snacks, and Potato Head and leaned close to his wife. "Jessie, what's the matter?" Buzz asked. "Are you okay? Don't be scared. Do you want me to open the zipper some more? I know it's dark in here, but I'm here with you."
"No. It's not that, Buzz. I'm okay. Thanks." Jessie answered sadly. But her husband knew better. Normally, Jessie hated the dark, but this time she was grateful for it so that Woody and Potato Head couldn't see her dismal countenance and pester her with questions.
"No." Buzz interjected in a low voice. "Something's bothering you, what's wrong? Tell me."
Jessie looked down dejectedly, biting her lip. "I...I...I think Mitsy's angry with me." She whimpered.
"Mitsy? Angry with you? Why would she be?" Buzz sputtered.
"I think she's still upset with me, because of the things I said about Jack before."
"Oh." Buzz groaned. How could I miss that? He scolded himself. "Well, I think she's just overwhelmed with all that's happened, and who could blame her?"
"Buzz, you saw what happened. It isn't the silence that's bothering me. That's to be expected with her loss. But...but didn't you notice?" Jessie looked longingly into the Space Ranger's eyes. "Why, she...she won't even look at me! Not at all. She won't face you either. Don't tell me she's just had a hard time. No. She's angry with us! I thought...I thought things were square between us, but I was wrong. What if...what if she never speaks to us again? We…" Jessie gulped and squeezed her eyes shut. Buzz gently rubbed her shoulder. "We almost lost her!" Jessie cried in a low voice. "She was almost killed! And now...now, I think we're losing her again: as a friend!" Jessie sniffled.
Buzz grabbed his wife's small hand. "It'll be okay, Jessie," he said soothingly. "She probably is disappointed with us. She's been terribly hurt by all of this. But I don't think that it will last forever. If I know Mitsy well enough, I'm sure she'll forgive us. I know she will. Remember? She didn't shove your hand away when you tried to comfort her. We just have to wait 'til she's ready. Right now, the best thing we can do is just be a friend to her, show her that we're here for her, just like we do for Bonnie when she needs us. You'll see."
"I hope you're right." Jessie said nervously, clasping his hand and holding it up against her face.
"I am." Buzz smiled and he lightly kissed her lips. "And I'm so glad we're still together." He whispered, thankful that nobody had really had a chance to attack his special cowgirl. She wearily rested her head on his shoulder and he set his chin on top of her face as she clasped his arm with both hands.
"He's right, Jess," Woody spoke up, looking at his two best friends. "That's the best thing we can do right now." Woody was sitting in the other corner, his arms folded across his knees. Why did this have to happen? It's horrible. I wish there was something, anything I could do to make it less hurtful! But there's nothing. When Bonnie decided to bring us with her on her road trip, I never expected anything like this! What can I do? Not much.
Potato Head didn't speak to anybody. He was consumed with his own guilty thoughts. I'm a rotten louse, that's what I am. I never have anything good to say. Next time I open my big mouth, anyone has permission to rip it out! Now I wish Woody had let her! Maybe this wouldn't be so bad. What a mess I've made of this whole thing! I was no help at all!
Meanwhile, inside the picnic basket, Rex was standing on the floor and Trixie was perched on top of the large thermos, sticking her head out of the lid. Mitsy was lying on the bottom of the basket, curled in a fetal position, with her hands clenched. Slinky was right beside her. Trixie wanted to know some more about Andy's former toys' other adventures, so Rex excitedly filled her in. Slinky gave his input once in a while, but wasn't really in the mood for thinking about some of their past quirks. He clasped Mitsy's hand between his paws and she looked at him gratefully, but her face so full of grief that it tugged at Slinky's heart. Eventually, the conversation died down, but the two dinosaurs and the dog could hear little sniffles. Trixie glanced down at the sad duo on the floor. She cocked her head. "Are...are you okay, Mitsy?" She asked quietly, unsure of what else to say. The princess didn't answer, she just moaned.
"W-we're...we're together," Rex said timidly, trying to give some sort of consolation. "We're all safe. Bonnie will be happy to see us."
"Yeah." Trixie sighed. "It's all right, Mitsy. We'll be home soon."
When Bonnie's aunt reached the apartment, she set the basket and the bag on the kitchen floor. "Bonnie, your mom's almost here." She said. "You need to gather your stuff." While Bonnie grabbed her coloring book and art supplies from the living room, her toys raced back to Jamie's bedroom and shut the door. Belle, Doc McStuffins, Cleo, Timmy, and the others came rushing up to them.
"What happened to you guys?!" Myles asked anxiously.
"You've been gone for hours!" Cleo exclaimed.
"Did anything happen?" Timmy asked. "I thought you all got lost or something."
"Listen, guys." Woody spoke up. "Bonnie will be here in a few minutes to take us home. Sorry we don't have time to tell you everything, but yes, we've had a very frightening experience."
"It's a miracle any of us made it back here!" Rex blurted. Jamie's toys gasped.
"And he's not exaggerating this time." Potato Head said.
"Oh, dear. Is anybody hurt?" Doc McStuffins asked.
"We're all still in one piece, but thanks for asking," Buzz sighed.
"Mitsy, are you okay?" Belle asked with concern when she noticed the pain-stricken countenance on the younger princess's face.
"You don't look well at all." Doc stated. "As a matter of fact, you look very sick." Mitsy opened her mouth, but no words came out. Slinky stepped forward a little.
"We ain't got time for explanations," Slinky hung his head, speaking up for his companion, "but she lost her best friend. He got killed tonight!"
"That's...that's just dreadful!" Timmy exclaimed, grasping his head with his flippers.
"Oh! Come here, dear. Let me give you a quick hug before you have to leave." Belle said softly, with her arms outstretched. Mitsy winced and ran to her, and Belle lovingly wrapped her arms around her.
"You sure you're all okay?" Doc McStuffins asked.
"Well, my head still does hurt some," Woody said, rubbing his forehead as if to confirm the point, "but I expect it'll go away."
"Oh?" Doc raised her eyebrows. "Here, let me take a look." And she stepped toward him.
"Oh on, no...it...it'll be okay, I'm sure," Woody protested.
"Nonsense." Doc replied. "Just kneel down on the floor for me."
"I'll be fine." Woody insisted.
"Let her help you, Woody," Buzz said. Woody sighed and complied.
"Can you take your hat off for me, please?" Doc instructed, and Woody did as he was told. "Ooo. You have a small but noticeable dent in your head." Woody winced. "Okay, this might hurt, but just sit still for me. Could you get down a little closer to the floor? I'm going to see if I can smooth it out." The doll firmly pressed on Woody's sore head and he grimaced a little. "Did you have your hat on when you were hit?"
"Uh-huh. Youch. Ah, that hurt." Woody groaned quietly. Buzz and Jessie looked at him with sympathy.
"There. That should be fine. How do you feel?"
"Uhm...better, actually. It only hurts a little bit now. Thanks." Woody grinned.
"It's a good thing you had your hat on when you received that blow," Doc said seriously. "If not, you could've gotten a concussion or worse."
"Eee. Well, thanks for the help." Woody stood up and put his hat back on.
Belle held Mitsy close and stroked her hair gently. Mitsy held onto her tightly, taking in the warm embrace and for a moment she was taken back through the years and it felt like Bo Peep's arms were around her again, comforting her again. "I'm so sorry, dear," Belle whispered sweetly. "I know how you feel." Mitsy slowly looked up at her and Belle smiled kindly. "You're not alone. You have an owner and friends who care about you." Mitsy nodded.
"Bonnie's coming!" Jessie announced. Belle quickly gave Mitsy another hug before letting go, and the toys became limp as they heard footsteps coming their way.
"Thanks for everything, guys. See ya." Woody said quietly, just before Bonnie opened the door and Jamie followed her. Her toys remained frozen as Bonnie packed them into her wheeled tote.
Inside the bag, the toys were curiously examining the souvenirs and prizes that Bonnie had gotten at the theme park that day. Mitsy was huddled in the corner, away from the others, sitting on Bonnie's folded pajamas with her knees drawn up to her chin and her arms wrapped around herself. Slinky was right there with her, ever faithfully at her side, refusing to leave. She'd been very quiet the whole time, with downcast eyes and looking so...so lost. It's not that the other toys were ignoring the tragedy, but they were trying to act normal, plus they didn't know what to say to her. Woody kept up his sharp vigil though, wondering if he should go over there and take her in his arms or just give her some space and leave her be. He couldn't figure out which she needed more of.
Buzz and Jessie were sitting together on a small pile of books, listening to Rex and Trixie jabber on about Bonnie's neat new stuff. They'd both been watching Mitsy, almost as much as Woody, Jessie not sure what to do but anxious to do something. Buzz whispered something to her and she stared at him questioningly. His grin was insistent. Jessie took a deep breath, smiled and tried to muster up a friendly voice. "Mitsy?" She asked cheerily. "Would you like to come over here and sit with me?" She patted the book she and Buzz were sitting on. Mitsy slowly raised her head and Jessie waited. Please say 'yes'. Please say 'yes'! Jessie pleaded inside. She wanted to help the princess so badly, but she'd felt a dismal distance had come between them since they'd found her mourning by herself. Mitsy nodded, which made Jessie's heart want to burst with relief and happiness. Buzz stood up, more than willing to let the princess have his spot as she walked over and snuggled up next to the cowgirl. She leaned on Jessie's chest and started to quietly cry a bit. Buzz sat down next to them and sympathetically patted the back of Mitsy's head while Jessie kept her arms protectively around her sisterly friend, glad to finally have the loving, needed contact with her. She and Buzz looked at each other with sadly furrowed brows but slightly smiled. Jessie hugged her friend tighter.
"I bet you and Trixie will be glad to continue your game." Woody said to Rex, trying to chase away the heavy cloud that seemed to be sitting in the bag with them. Rex and Trixie started rambling on about their computer game. Everyone made small talk, trying to get some normal conversation, but Woody and Slinky both noticed that Mitsy didn't participate in it at all, which was not like her. Slinky walked over and sat beside Woody, his best pal. They looked at each other sadly. Man, I hate this whole thing! Woody's thoughts churned inside. It's not fair. This was a cruel blow in her life. I can't imagine the impact of pain she's going through right now. Oh, don't despair, Mitsy! His own throbbing heart called out. We're you're family, and we're going to do all that we possibly can to help you get through this! I'll protect you. I'm here for you. I'll look after you, for Jack. I promise! He gripped his sheriff's badge, which lay right over his heart, his caring heart. Slinky glanced up at him sadly, and Woody patted his faithful old friend's head.
"He was a good friend," Slinky whispered in an exhausted voice.
"Yeah," Woody agreed. "I'm just glad we've still got each other." He rubbed Slinky's ears as the dog quietly rested his head on the cowboy's knees. Woody leaned back against the wall and sighed heavily. It had been a long night for all of them. Slinky placed his paw on Woody's legs.
"Yep." Slinky whispered again. "I can't wait to be home again."
"Me too," Woody whispered, shaking his head. He was all in, but too concerned about Mitsy to even fall asleep. He wouldn't be able to rest at all until he laid eyes on Bonnie's bedroom again: home.
A short while later, Mitsy's head was tilting as she leaned on Jessie's shoulder, the cowgirl's arm wrapped around her. "Hey, you wanna rest your head on my lap? You can." Jessie sweetly offered. Mitsy nodded and signed 'thank you', then wearily lay her head in Jessie's lap like a little child, with the cowgirl stroking her hair. Woody smiled at Jessie who smiled back. He was glad for his sister, that her friendship with Mitsy had been restored, and Buzz smiled widely at his wife. He was standing now, but she leaned her head back against his chest and he lovingly gripped her shoulder. Mitsy was sound asleep when they reached the Anderson house.
After Bonnie set down her wheeled tote and left the room to take her bath before bedtime, Buzz unzipped it. Woody stomped out first, carrying Mitsy in his arms. She was still sleeping. Buzz and Jessie followed him, as did Slinky. "Ah, welcome back..." Mr. Pricklepants started to say, but stopped. He and the other toys looked bewildered. Their friends had just returned from an exciting trip with Bonnie, and none of them were happy or eager to talk about it. In fact, they all seemed disheartened. The other toys looked confused, but they all sensed that something was dreadfully wrong. "Sheriff, what's this?" Mr. Pricklepants asked.
"Something's really amiss here," Hamm commented lowly.
"What's wrong?" Peanelope asked.
"Woody, is everything all right?" Dolly asked as she came running up to him. He shook his head. "Is she hurt?" Woody bit his lip, trying to figure out how to answer that one. Mitsy wasn't physically injured, but in his arms, she was one limp bundle of sadness.
"Uh-huh. But not the way you're thinking." Woody groaned as he carried her to Bonnie's bed.
"What's going on?" Buttercup asked.
"The poor dear." Mrs. Potato Head cried. "Oh, Darling! What on earth happened?" Her husband looked very wretched as she gripped his arms.
"You'll find out." He muttered.
Dolly fluffed up Bonnie's pillow, then helped Woody tuck Mitsy in securely under the covers. Jessie and Slinky stayed nearby. Buzz groaned and turned away quickly on his heel. "Buzz?" Jessie asked, concern in her eyes and pulling on her braid.
"Guys, what is going on?" Dolly asked. "You're creeping me out."
"Dolly, I...we," Woody stammered.
"Everybody, come over here," someone announced from the middle of the room. Woody and Jessie glanced at each other questioningly, then towards the voice. It was...Buzz. "Everyone, we...we had a disaster," Buzz continued. "And...and unfortunately, this one claimed a life." The toys who didn't know about this all gasped.
"Oh, how absolutely tragic!" Mrs. Potato Head cried out. "That's horrible!" She clung to her husband.
"I can't believe it." Buttercup responded, shaking his head. "That's just terrible."
"How awful!" Pricklepants exclaimed. "Positively heart-wrenching."
"What does Mr. Lightyear mean by that? What did he say? Why is everyone upset?" Peanelope asked Trixie.
"It means that someone died," Trixie answered somberly. The little peas all gasped and huddled together. Buzz told them about Jack and that Mitsy wasn't going to be herself for a while. Slinky stayed on the bed with the princess while Jessie, Dolly, and Woody climbed down. Bullseye slowly walked over to Jessie and nuzzled his nose under her arm. She sadly smiled at him and wrapped her arms around his neck. Woody came and stood next to Buzz.
"Look, guys," Woody began. "We appreciate your concern, and we all know you want to do something to help. Right now, we need to keep the atmosphere in here as normal as possible. Try not to stare at Mitsy all the time, that will overwhelm or make her uncomfortable. Just be considerate of her. Just be friendly. And...and it would probably be best if you don't talk much about this situation with her. Unless she opens up about it, don't say too much. Give her space too. There's probably going to be times when she'll want to be alone. This isn't going to an easy time, but if we all work together and let her know that we care about her, just like we do for Bonnie, I think that will help our princess more than anything."
"Woody's right, folks." Buzz added. "We've had a really rough night and need to recuperate. We'll explain later what all happened tonight, but Bonnie's going to come to bed soon, so let's make sure she doesn't find us wearing long faces." As the toys began to go their separate ways, a hand touched Woody's arm.
"Is there anything I can do?" Woody turned to see Chuckles staring at him with a forlorn look. "Is there something I can do to help?" Woody weakly smiled at the clown.
"Be a friend, Chuckles." Woody said quietly. "Just be a friend."
During the night, Jessie could hear crying from her sleeping spot in the bean bag where she and Buzz had been dozing. She gingerly freed herself from his embrace and shimmied off, and quietly hopped onto the bed, being careful not to wake their owner, and tip-toed to the foot of the bed where Mitsy was sitting halfway up against the board, half-asleep and weeping softly. Jessie leaned down and cradled her friend in her arms. "I'm here, Mitsy. It's okay. It's going to be all right," the cowgirl said softly.
From his sleeping spot close to Bonnie's hand, Woody heard something and instantly woke up. He would be there if someone who had trouble sleeping needed him. He sat up, looking around. He saw Mitsy, safely wrapped up in his sister's arms. It sounded like Jessie was quietly, gently crooning to her. Then he became distinctly aware of the the song was finished, Woody cautiously stood up and slowly approached the two dolls. He hesitated, not sure whether to give his sister a hand, or leave them be and let her have this alone time with the princess after the small wedge in their relationship earlier. "Jess?" Woody whispered, when he was only a few inches away. The cowgirl slightly turned her head toward him. "Jess? You all right?" She nodded sadly. "Do you want me to sit with you?"
"If you want," Jessie whispered back, shrugging her shoulders. "But you don't have to."
Woody still wasn't sure what would be the wise thing to do. He bit his lip and knelt down next to Jessie, who still had her arms clasped around the princess. Mitsy was almost asleep, but still whimpering softly. Woody reached out his arm and gently rubbed Mitsy's back, underneath her wavy hair. "Shhh." He whispered softly. "We're both here, Mitsy. It's okay. We're gonna get you through this...somehow. We love you." Mitsy still clung to Jessie, but she seemed to relax when even in her drowsy state, she sensed Woody's presence. Her feeble cries started to die down and her breathing started to become even as she lapsed into sound sleep. Jessie smiled and Woody put his arm affectionately around the cowgirl's shoulders. He squeezed her arm and smiled back. Jessie rested her head on his strong shoulder, savoring the strength that came from his support. "You gonna be okay?" Woody asked her lowly.
"Sure." Jessie grinned sadly. Woody started to stand and patted her arm. "Thanks a lot, Big Bro. You're such a comfort to me." Jessie looked up at him gratefully.
"You need to get some sleep too." He answered.
"I will," Jessie said, but it was clear that she wasn't ready.
"You're a good friend, Jess. Bless ya." Woody smiled. Then he lied down again, close to Bonnie. He softly stroked her hand, yet hoping it wouldn't wake her. In her sleep, she wrapped her arm around him tighter. It was so good to be home again, with their kid, and all together. He started to fall asleep, but looked up to check on Jessie. She was still where he'd left her, and was gently rocking Mitsy back and forth in her arms. Woody smiled wearily, and lay his head back down. Mitsy was in good hands tonight.
"Thanks, Jess," Woody whispered warmly.
Buzz leaned over on his side in the bean bag and reached over to stroke his wife's hair. His subconscious state instantly snapped to full alertness when he didn't feel the cowgirl's presence. He opened his eyes wide and sat straight up. Where was his wife? "Jessie? Jessie?" He whispered loudly. After the frightening experience tonight, he was filled with worry wondering where she was. He stood up and after a few awkward steps, dismounted from the comfy cushion. He tip-toed around on the hard wood floor, hoping not to disturb the other toys. "Jessie?" Then he stopped when he thought he heard a voice, and not just any voice...her voice.
"Shh. We're safe now." Jessie whispered from somewhere up above Buzz's head. Buzz snapped his fingers then quietly climbed up the comforter. He sighed with relief: there she was, sitting up straight, hugging the emotionally broken princess doll. But her own head was swaying to and fro and her eyes shut. Buzz quietly stepped forward. Jessie suddenly jerked her head up and fluttered her eyes open, but barely. Buzz could see the worn care and emotion on her face. She opened her eyes wide, staring at him. "H-hey," Jessie sighed.
"Are you all right?" Buzz asked as he faced her.
"I'm fine. I just want to make sure she is." Jessie responded, then yawned. Buzz briefly took his eyes off the cowgirl and gazed at the princess. She was sound asleep, but her arms limply hung around Jessie. Buzz came forward and knelt down in front of them.
"Looks like you're doing a fine job," he smiled. "But, I think it's time you came to bed." Jessie glanced at him sadly.
"Buzz, I...I can't leave her," Jessie shook her head. "I just can't. She needs me." Buzz smiled at her caring manner and concern.
"You've served your purpose tonight, Jess. It's been an incredibly rough one and we need some sleep. You need your rest. Come on. Mitsy will be fine. And we'll just be right over there. We can hear her if she needs us during the night." Jessie hung her head. Buzz snapped his fingers again. "I'll be right back."
When he returned, he was grinning widely. "Okay, Jess. Let's go to bed. Bring her." Jessie tried to shift her position and stand up, but her legs and feet had gone to sleep from being in one position for so long. She grimaced. "Here, let me give you a hand." Buzz came forward and held the dozing princess in a standing position with one arm, and firmly gripped Jessie's with his other hand. He pulled her up.
"Ugh, thanks," Jessie sighed before another yawn took over her face.
"Hey, Mitsy? Come on, Your Highness. Come with me. I'll be back for you, Jess." Buzz said, trying to wake Mitsy. He shook her face a little, and she grunted. He helped her down from the bed, then walked her over to the cot he'd placed on the floor for her, made from an afghan he'd taken from the closet. It was right beside his and Jessie's spot: this way, Jessie could be at Mitsy's side tonight if she had trouble sleeping. "Here you go." Buzz smiled. Mitsy drowsily dropped to her knees on the cot and fell forward. In less than 3 seconds, she was out again. Buzz gently placed her cape around her shoulders. "Rest well, princess." Then he came back for Jessie. She was sitting on the edge of the bed, her long legs dangling over the side. She was doubled over.
"Thank you, Buzz," Jessie whispered in a smile before she closed her eyes and fell forward! Buzz scurried over and caught her safely in his arms before she hit the floor. Jessie was exhausted from all the horrible trauma that had happened tonight, they all were, really. But Buzz was glad that it was finally all catching up to her and now she was getting some much needed, overdue rest. She sleepily gripped her arm on his chest plate and leaned her head comfortably back against his shoulder. She sighed contentedly, then was out completely. Buzz smiled and kissed her forehead before he lovingly, steadily carried her back to the bean bag.