Hey guys, here's an update!


Well, he finally said it. Buzz pulled up his chair and collapsed back into it, bringing his folded hands to his forehead. Shoulders hunched and elbows on his knees, he resembled much like a tired old man. He could feel his forehead hotter than ever, and wished that it could get even more so, so that his plastic composition would melt and save him from further embarrassment. Ironic that how in the face of death-defying stunts or impossible heights, Buzz Lightyear would never permit a flinch… and yet in just confessing to the toy he truly, deeply cared for, he found himself seriously considering death by embarrassment.

He began to speak quietly, and at first Jessie didn't know whether he was addressing her, or just mumbling to himself. But actually, he was retelling to her the same story he gave to Woody about the Potatoheads. All those events occurred just this morning, yet it felt like months since he last consulted his best friend on what to do. Now Woody wasn't here to help out, therefore it was up to Buzz to provide the story in its entirety.

"… and when she asked why he was willing to help her so much today… It was because today is the anniversary of the Potatoheads. The day when Mr. Potatohead managed to woo Mrs.' Affections, and the day she told him she, erm… loved him…"

And the long-lasting presence of awkward silence that followed was to be expected. Buzz couldn't say that he was expecting much of a reaction… actually, he didn't know what to expect now. His plan was falling into pieces, but he knew he couldn't blame Jessie for all of it. It was probably his fault more than anyone else's, and it was that thought that made him most miserable.

He refused himself the prospect of raising his head, and instead took a glance upwards. Jessie's chair had been fixed upright, but it remained unoccupied. He couldn't blame her for that either.

"I don't know what I was thinking at the time," he admitted, not knowing whether she was still listening or not. "And before I knew it, I got Woody to help make all this possible… How stupid. I wanted everything to be perfect... And I don't even know why!" He suddenly reared up and brought a fist down hard on the table in confused frustration.

"Yeah," Jessie spoke quietly. "It was stupid."

This time, he didn't even make an effort to compose a comeback. She was right, either way. And thus, silence reigned supreme yet again.

Then he realized how odd that would make things be. He lifted his head.

Jessie had backed up all the wall, and discovered where Buzz hid Bonnie's iPod between the 'wallpapers'. She had paused the song that had been playing on repeat for the past hour, and now the cowgirl had both hands pressed lightly on the controls as she scrolled through Bonnie's playlist.

"I never really liked the idea of little girls walking around with all these electronic junk in their pockets," she confessed over her shoulder, aware of a pair of eyes on her. "But just this once, I'm gonna take it back. Besides, I always thought that kid had a dandy taste in music."

She found what she had been searching for, and punched the center button.

A slow soothing piano piece began to flow out of the built-in speakers. Satisfied, Jessie rose to her feet and returned the drape over the gadget, muffling the sound slightly, but still well-heard in the entire area. "It's called a 'waltz'," she informed Buzz amusedly. "Never heard this sort of thing in Andy's bedroom before, have ya? I thought of playing some songs from 'Hello Dolly', but it doesn't have quite the mood I'm looking for."

She cheerfully glided back to the table, purposely treading lightly despite her heavy cowgirl boots. She put her hand over Buzz's, gently pulling out his fingers out to relax. Buzz wonderingly stared down at her hand over his, neither moving theirs away from each other as the first few notes of the song played on. The look on his face seemed just like a child's, curious yet resigned, but trying hard to comprehend what exactly was going on. It was that same look that always made Jessie smile, and this time was no exception.

"Alright," she announced and suddenly closed that hand over his tightly. She tugged and tugged until he staggered to his feet, and then she let go and slapped both palms hands down on the table. She grinned impishly at his confused expression. "Help me push this, wouldya?"

They pushed the table and chairs into a corner, and in the next instant Jessie had grabbed Buzz again and had brought him to the center of the room. She faced him with a broad grin stretching her cheeks.

"Jessie, what exactly are you trying to –"

She pressed a finger to his lips. "Shush now, space ranger," she instructed warmly. "Just go with it."

Buzz nodded obediently, blinked a few times, and then blushed, the extreme transformation of the situation finally catching on.

She took his hands, placing one on her waist, holding the other an arm's length away. Both his eyebrows went up simultaneously and almost comically in surprise, and she sensed a bit of worry in there too. "Don't tell me that all you can do is tango!" she laughed as she placed her own hand on his shoulder.

She tilted her head slightly to the right, pulling off her biggest smile ever since the final time Emily played with her. It was a wonderful feeling. She breathed softly, and then asked, maybe just a teensy bit shyly, "Can I have this dance?"


Well, that's about it. This author's note won't take long – I've got to study for a Unit Test tomorrow. Oh, but since you're reading this, can I request some prayers for my grandma? She got surgery yesterday night – hang in there, lola! The battle's far from over, but don't worry! You can still win!