CHAPTER 14 - Secrets and Fights

"So how did you get tangled up in Jessie's melodrama anyway?" Woody queried, as they began the walk back to the gate.

"Uh..." Buzz stammered. "I'm not sure."

"Come on Buzz. The others were rescuing you and Jessie from outside. You both went out of the window."

Buzz rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. "She was freaking out over what I said last night...I kind of told her it wasn't true, and..."

Woody stopped dead. "I'm sorry, what did you just say?"

"I said..." Buzz started.

"You just said you didn't mean what you said last night to Jessie, didn't you?" Woody was livid.

"Well, yes, but..." Buzz started again, but Woody was furious already.

"You told my little sister you liked her , and now you're telling me you went and told her you didn't – THE VERY NEXT DAY!" He yelled, and even Buttercup recoiled.

"But Woody..." Buzz tried in vain to make himself heard, but Woody was having none of it.

"You know what? I'm sorry I rescued you! Really, I am! You're so selfish! You don't ever change!" Woody hollered, storming off.

Buzz dropped his head, and Buttercup nudged him. "Come on, Buzz," he whispered, "I'll get you home. Don't worry..." he paused and Buzz looked over at him. "Jessie's ok."

"Really?" Buzz looked happier at that moment.

"Yeah," Buttercup nodded. "She cried after you got taken."

Buzz blinked and coughed. "She...she did?"

"Yep." Buttercup reaffirmed, and Buzz shook his head sadly.

"Poor Jessie. I hope she's ok..." he started, and noticed Buttercup's look. "I mean, I'm sure she's fine, just had a bit of a shock, thats all."

Buttercup grinned. "You don't have to hide it from me, Buzz."

"Hide what?" I mean...I'm not hiding anything," Buzz stuttered.

Buttercup merely laughed again. "Okay...okay, whatever you say."

Woody, storming off ahead of the two others, climbed through the gate and jumped into the bushes. As he was sitting there fuming to himself, he remembered his promise to Jessie, and frowned. "Why is she so keen for me to bring him back?" he wondered suddenly. "She's got a crush on a toy who doesn't even reciprocate her feelings."

At that moment, Buttercup appeared, with Buzz trailing behind him.

"Woody," Buttercup whispered, "Let's not fight."

"I'm not fighting with anyone," Woody snapped. "I don't particularly appreciate other toys treating my baby sister like she's a nothing!"

"Woody, please," Buzz tried to apologise, but Woody's eyes snapped up to meet Buzz's.

"Shut up," the cowboy doll hissed, "Just shut up!" Buzz recoiled at the raging cowboy.

Buttercup looked from one toy to the other, then his ears pricked up. "What's that?" They all heard the noise at the same time. A low syllabic noise...coming from the bushes between them. "There's one thing my mother taught me," Buttercup muttered, "Never trust a talking bush."

Woody got up from his seat on the floor, and as they all stared at the bush, it rustled and something came out. To their horror towering over them was a fox. It smelled the dirt on Buzz and leaned down to sniff him, and Buzz jumped. Without another glance the fox grabbed the space toy and made off with him. Woody and Buttercup yelled but the fox was long gone.

"Great. Just great. Now we have to re-rescue him," Woody grumbled, folding his arms. Buttercup nudged him.

"The fight can't have been that bad, then." He pointed out.

"I don't want to rescue a toy who betrays my little sister's feelings. But I made a promise to her that I would bring Buzz back." Woody sighed, torn between his conflicting interests and emotions.

"Ok, catch me up when you're ready then," laughed Buttercup, and started to walk in the direction the fox had scampered.