A/N: So if you read "A Proper Send Off", pretend you didn't, because this chapter was supposed to come first LOL I obviously need to try and be more organized about what I have posted and what I haven't. Anyways, enjoy this almost-missed chapter!

Jessie came in to the house, leaving her long coat in the mud room where it dripped, creating a puddle on the floor. She bent forward, consumed by the coughing that had plagued her ever since the Halloween party. With November only a few days away, it seemed that winter had come for an early visit. She knew working in the damp and chilly air was not healthy, but she had a ranch to run and it was just a sacrifice to be made. She heard Buzz call her name and she looked up to find him in the doorway that led into the kitchen from the hall.

"I'm okay," she smiled even though this fit had brought tears to her eyes.

"Why don't you come watch tv with me? Get you warmed up."

She nodded, "I'll be right there. Just let me get some tea heating up." She filled a mug with water and set it in the microwave, pressing the "boil water" button. She set out the honey Bo gave her to use as a sweetener and to help her throat. The microwave still had a few minutes on it so she decided to join Buzz.

He held up the blanket for her, "C'mere, Cowgirl. Just watch out for my glass on the table."

Jessie could feel her eyes drifting closed from the comfort of the warmth given by both Buzz and the blanket. Her head fell against his chest and she felt his arm close around her. She was so tired; with the weather turning, the horses needed to be rounded up into the stables and there was a lot of winterizing to be done. The head cold had left her feeling utterly drained from the constant need to cough. Buzz had expressed his concern and suggested she see a doctor, but Jessie assured him it was not that severe and she would be better in a few days. What she really needed was a day simply to rest, but if she was not making sure everything was getting done, who would? Just as she was about to slip into the deep waters of slumber, the microwave alarm beeped cheerfully. Jessie groaned and pulled her head up reluctantly. She tried to stand up only to feel a wave of dizziness wash over her. She pitched forward and caught herself on the coffee table with her free hand. Buzz's glass wobbled before tipping over; the beer inside pooled across the table and dribbled onto the floor.

"Jessie!" Buzz jumped up in a flash, pulling the blanket away from the spreading liquid. "I told you to watch out for the glass!"

Tired though she was, her temper flared, "It's not like I did it on purpose! Geez, Buzz, it was an accident!" The coughing returned with her agitation.

"Just look at this mess! Now I have to clean it up." He threw the blanket on to the couch and picked the glass up, his eyes flashing with anger.

"I'll take care of it," she protested. "I'm the one who spilled it. By accident," she added pointedly.

He waved his hand dismissively, "I'll do it. You'll probably just make a bigger mess. Just… just go somewhere."

Jessie stared at her fiancé, stung. "Fine, ya know what? I'm just gonna go to bed. You can stay tonight or go home, I don't care." She plodded up the stairs to the angry sounds of Buzz slamming the cupboard doors in the kitchen and muttering.

Buzz cleaned up the spilled beer, the entire time mumbling an irritated diatribe under his breath. Honestly, he had warned Jessie about the glass and it was like she had not even listened. Now there was a large mess and he had to get it cleaned up before any of it dried and left a sticky residue. My last bottle of that pumpkin ale, too, he lamented.

As he threw out the wad of wet paper towels, he could hear Jessie coughing upstairs. His eyes fell on the microwave as it beeped once as a reminder that the food was done and he immediately felt chagrined. Way to make an ass of yourself, Lightyear, he shook his head ruefully. He knew Jessie had been under the weather, and he felt horrible for being so upset over something as trivial as a beer, especially since he would be leaving in three days for a six-month long mission. He reheated the water and made her tea, heading upstairs as soon as it was finished.

Jessie had changed into her pajamas and was sitting on her bed rubbing a medicated ointment onto her chest when she saw Buzz in the doorway, a mug in his hands. "Somethin' else for me to knock over, or are you doin' the honors this time?" she made a face and turned away.

He came and sat on the bed next to her, "It's a peace offering. I'm sorry, Jess; I don't know why I overreacted. It was stupid…no, I was stupid. I know you're not feeling well and I shouldn't have yelled at you; well, I shouldn't yell at you anyway, but especially not when you're sick and still working so hard. Forgive me?" He gave her a small smile.

She suppressed a cough and smiled, "I s'ppose so."

"Here, trade you." He took the small jar from her hands and replaced it with the mug of tea. He climbed on to the bed and knelt behind her.

Jessie sipped the hot beverage as she felt the cold ointment on her back. Buzz's hand rubbed her skin gently and she leaned back into his touch. "You may still want to head home; I can't guarantee you'll get any sleep tonight with my stupid cough. I'm sure I've been keeping Woody and Bo awake, too."

He set the jar on his nightstand and wrapped his arms around Jessie's waist, "You just let me be the one to worry about that. Is Woody going to relieve you tomorrow?"

"Mmmm, I dunno. I didn't ask him. I know it's his day off, but I feel bad about taking those away from him by askin' him to help out on the ranch."

"Jessie! You know he said any time you need him… besides, you need to take a day off and rest."

"I know, I know," she tilted her head back to rest it against his. "There's jus' so much to do."

"And others who can help do it. He and Bo should be back from their date in a few hours…promise me you'll ask him."

She nodded and set the mug on the nightstand, "'Kay. In the morning, though; this cowgirl's mighty tired."

"I'll talk to him then; you get some sleep." Buzz pressed his lips into her hair before he shifted to let her under the covers, "G'night, Jessie."

"Night…an' Buzz?"

"Yeah?"

"Stick with the bottle next time. They don't spill quite so fast," she gave a sleepy laugh.

Buzz chuckled and ruffled her hair as she settled into sleep, "I'll try and remember that."