Ok, this chapter kicked my you-know-what. I literally wrote and rewrote it three times with separate ideas and approaches. Omg. I honestly feel like Buzz sometimes, analyzing way too freaking much. So, if this chapter stinks, I'm really, really sorry. ^^U

Thank you so much again to my reviewers. Remember, if you have an idea, don't hesitate to write it down! You never know what it'll turn into! ;)

DISCLAIMER/SPOILER: See chapters 3, 2, and 1.

Obstacles

Honestly, Jessie could not tell what was and was not real. She could not fully determine what or who she faced, especially not the cooperative Buzz Lightyear that stood gaping in front of her. In the hour that she endured in the tight darkness of The Box, her fears had conditioned her state of mind, even her personality. Disillusionment conquered her thoughts, creating formidable and unsightly images and scenarios. The order of events that led to her imprisonment in The Box cycled over and over again in her mind. Nothing felt right and comfort seemed like a distant memory. Everything around her wanted to harm her, to enclose every inch of space she had until she could no longer breathe through her non-existent lungs. Especially him.

Only a few moments ago, the world brightened and released its hold on her. A familiar figure opened up her cage and gave her a source of light and a sense of protection. He handled her just as gently as always and stuttered only in her presence. Her Buzz had rescued her from the bottomless pit the darkness opened up beneath her.

Yet, something felt different. She did not recognize his posture, his voice, and his actions. Then Jessie realized she had fooled herself. No, that wasn't him; he wasn't hers. The deluded space ranger could never be the Buzz she knew and loved.

Yes, he had freed her and brought her safely back toward the prison, but she could picture an assault from Lotso and his gang occurring and as they gleefully tortured her, Buzz would watch proudly and smugly. She didn't know what the ranger planned to do with her or where he intended to take her, but wherever that location was, she refused to follow. This Buzz wanted to traumatize her further, just as he accomplished before.

"J-Jessie, I…"

Buzz tried to speak, but found the task surprisingly difficult. He should have expected such a reaction from the cowgirl, but the fierceness integrated into her refusal to follow him caught him off guard. He searched his memory banks to remember her personality better. From what he could recall, anger rarely influenced her actions, let alone her thoughts. However, rarely did not mean never. He gulped silently, realizing he better put out at least some of the wildfire he ignited.

"L-look, I understand why you're upset," Buzz began slowly, "and I know what I did was unforgivable, but I promise you I–"

"No you don't." Jessie snapped, not willing to listen to the rest of his comment. "You don' understand anythin'."

Even her voice sounded vicious, like an animal's growl. The ranger could only stare hopelessly into her hardened eyes, trying to find a trace of the softness they displayed back in the Caterpillar Room. As he looked closer, however, he noticed a heavy cloudiness dimming the emerald shine her eyes normally exhibited. Buzz could instantly tell her thought process was not fully collected or sensible. She wasn't in her right mind. Some things had altered her mannerisms since her punishment and the ranger couldn't help but suspect her phobias were the culprits. He would have to handle the conversation carefully.

"No, I don't understand." Buzz admitted, his shoulders slumping slightly. "I truly don't. But you have to believe me when I say I'm not proud of my decision."

The cowgirl gazed at him suspiciously. He still did not act like her Buzz. He admitted defeat too easily and too confidently for her tastes. Jessie narrowed her eyes. She refused to fall for whatever game he tried to get her to play.

"Do you think I'm some sorta fool?" She growled. "Don't try to win me over. I won't fall for it."

"I'm not trying to–"

"And you keep trying." The cowgirl threw up an arm, exasperated.

Buzz grew increasingly frustrated, gritting his teeth and balling his hands into fists

"I want to help you!" He cried. "I didn't disobey my commanding officer because I felt like what he did to you was right! I might have agreed with him previously, but I realized I was wrong!"

The whole event that started the night's escapade felt as if it occurred years ago. With so many new memories pouring into his mind as of late, the ranger could barely remember what he truly thought when Lotso had him determine Jessie's punishment. His beliefs and point of views had changed drastically since then, though. Why couldn't she understand that?

"I don't believe you!" Jessie ignored his refutes. "You think that a change makes everything all better, huh? During his playtimes, Andy taught me well enough that things don't always appear as they seem. For all I know, you could be takin' me back to that darn jail cell again to rot. I can't trust you!"

Her last declaration pierced his heart. Her words cruelly abused him, but her expression hit him mercilessly. Fear colored in the ire lining her features, a fear, not of the darkness or of closed spaces, but of him. She feared him. Before, her horrors did not have a definite shape, but now, whenever Jessie would feel frightened, she would see his face. Not Lotso's, not Big Baby's, his. Buzz did not want to believe he could cause such pain, but he did and not to just anyone, but to the girl he had begun to utterly adore. Only then did he realize what he had truly done when he agreed with Lotso's decision.

"Y-you're right." He had to force the words out of his clogged throat. "Y-you can't t-trust me. You shouldn't. I-I don't…I don't d-deserve it."

He stepped up to the wall and leaned a hand heavily against it, rubbing his temple with his other hand. Jessie's features did not soften, but she did not respond to his comments. An uncomfortable silence encircled them as the cowgirl studied the space toy closely. His voice had sounded strained and dejected, as if a wave of depression suddenly consumed him. Yet, he still stood tall. Even as he propped himself on the wall, he did not slouch or slump his posture. His legs kept him standing and his balance never wavered. He did nothing to emphasize his dismay. It appeared only on his countenance. His actions surprised her. They paralleled those of the old Buzz, almost exactly.

It didn't occur to her at first, but Jessie could suddenly feel her fears beginning to dissipate. Her raging heart and bewildered mind slowed to an eased pace, functioning normally once again. Her sight cleared and her breathing evened out as the enraged fire that burned within her began to weaken. The heavy shadow that veiled her mind finally lifted, all because of a certain realization.

Buzz had never changed. Yes, his disposition and his purposes differed, but the deluded Buzz and the old Buzz shared so many characteristics. His personality and attitude stayed true and Jessie convinced herself that, given enough time and effort, the space toy could return to his normal self. That ability would remain absolute within him, no matter how deluded he became.

The cowgirl carefully walked toward Buzz's form, twiddling her fingers together nervously. With her mind cleared, she could feel an onslaught of butterflies tickling her stomach. Taking a deep breath, she placed a hand tenderly on the ranger's shoulder.

"Buzz…" Her quiet voice barely broke the silence.

He didn't move, continuing to massage his forehead. Pursing her lips, she tugged his shoulder lightly, trying to get him to turn toward her.

"Buzz, I didn't mean…" Jessie raised her volume. "I didn't mean what I said. I was just…confused, upset, and–"

"Afraid?"

Jessie paused, her mouth open. She furrowed her brow.

"Yeah, but I'm not anymore. I overreacted."

She could tell he would not forgive himself easily. Her other hand proceeded to tug at his arm until he willingly let her rotate him in her direction.

He kept his gaze far from hers. He couldn't understand why she suddenly wanted to talk to him, why she was apologizing when he started the whole mess that occurred earlier. He silently refused to hurt her again, though. Looking at her would only break his morale further.

The ranger froze when her hand touched his face. In a mere second, his guilt and dismay shifted into nervousness and embarrassment. Forgetting his personal vow, he gazed upon her face. Fully flushed and enlivened once again, he gladly watched her features curve into a small smile. Buzz returned the gesture for a moment, but frowned confusedly when he felt an unusual heat rise to his cheeks. Jessie giggled at his reaction. This only caused the flushed color of his plastic to deepen, but he soon grew serious. He was delighted by the change in the mood, but one thing needed to be settled first.

"I still feel I should apologize immensely for my previous actions toward you." Buzz spoke up before something else distracted his apology. "I am sorry for hurting you."

"You didn' mean to." Jessie corrected pointedly. "I was just so afraid I had lost my…the old Buzz."

The old Buzz, the toy he was supposed to be. He could not help but envy him a bit. He seemed to have everything figured out, especially with Jessie.

"But I was wrong to take that out on ya." The cowgirl continued, oblivious to Buzz's thoughts. "I mean, there's not much of a difference between ya both. You're still one in the same."

And for the second time that night, Buzz heard Mrs. Potato Head's voice in his head.

'…you're love for her would remain absolute…'

Only then did he understand what the elderly spud meant. His growing affections for Jessie were based upon the love his old self felt for her. Was it true though? How could he know for sure?

The blush on his cheeks deepened and his eyes widened all of a sudden. Jessie immediately noticed his antics and gave him a questioning look. He quickly gave her a wide grin, trying to dissuade her suspicions, but the cowgirl would not be left out. Before she could open her mouth, however, Buzz's lips smoothly covered hers.

That time, her eyes widened. Jessie could not entirely register what was occurring before she involuntarily kissed him back. Her instincts encouraged her to savor what she waited ten years to experience. He boldly wrapped his arms around her waist as she kept a hand on his cheek while the other leisurely slid up his arm. The kiss remained gentle, but so much passion and understanding transferred between the two.

Jessie knew this Buzz would always be her Buzz. Buzz knew this cowgirl would always be his love. No obstacle would ever come between them.

The area was suddenly enveloped by an intense beam of light. The toys jumped apart, squinting against the bright luminosity that surrounded them. His defensive instincts kicking in, Buzz pulled Jessie behind him and prepared to firmly, yet blindly, stand his ground against their assailants.

"Well, hello there." A deep voice chuckled mockingly. "Isn't it a little late for you two to be havin' fun?"

There stood Lotso, the Sunnyside warden himself, silhouetted against a Tonka truck's headlights. His face twisted into a malicious grin.

"Take her inside." He called to a group of toys behind him. "I'll personally deal with the traitor."