CHAPTER 17 – The Return Home

The playroom door opened, and Jessie froze in place on the desk. She'd been sitting there gazing up at the gathering clouds. She was sure they were due a storm.

"Jessie?" She recognised Woody's voice, and turned her head just slightly, just in time to see Buttercup enter, with Woody leading the unicorn...and right behind them, was Buzz. He was dirty, and a little bedraggled, but it was definitely him.

Jessie forgot herself completely. "Buzz!" She screamed in joy. Her own dark mood vanished, and she jumped up from her place on the desk. Buzz looked up when she shouted, and he gave her a big smile, his cheeks tinting pink. Jessie went to climb down the chair leg towards him, but Buzz called up, "No, Jessie, stay there, I'm coming up to you!" He put his hands up to stop her, and Jessie stared at him.

"Is everything ok, Buzz?" Jessie called back, her voice shaking. Buzz simply nodded. Jessie watched as he came towards the chair and began to climb up towards her. She then noticed Woody and Buttercup had big smiles on their faces. She took a few steps back in uncertainty as Buzz jumped onto the desk next to her. She could see he was badly battered now from whatever ordeal he had been through. He hardly looked at her, but grabbed her hand and pulled her over to the window.

"Buzz?" Jessie was confused by how silent he was being, as he pulled her around in front of him.

"Jessie," Buzz whispered back, and before she could think, he was kissing her, right there on the windowsill. As Jessie closed her eyes, she suddenly remembered his promise to her a day and a half ago. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him closer, deepening the kiss, feeling him respond to her urgency.

When they finally broke apart there was a light smattering of applause and they both looked around embarrassed. Some of the toys were standing there still clapping, including Dolly, Chuckles, and Woody. Buttercup and Bullseye were also watching, with mouths open in surprise.

Jessie gave a shy little giggle and made to turn away, but Buzz stopped her and took her hand. "I promised you, Jessie that we'd kiss in front of everyone. I'm not going to turn tail and run away now. If you leave the desk, I leave with you. Hand in hand."

"Buzz, I'm shy," She whispered.

"You're shy?" Buzz grinned, "you're the most un-shy cowgirl doll I've ever met."

"How many others have you met?"

"In total?" Buzz asked. "None."

Jessie rolled her eyes at him. "I'm so impressed."

"You should be. I'm Buzz Lightyear, to-"

"Infinity and beyond. I know," Jessie finished with a smirk. She glanced down as Buzz intertwined his fingers with hers. "Are they all still watching?" She whispered to Buzz, and noticed him glance up at the room.

"No," he whispered back, and she squeezed his hand.

"Good. Cos I wanted to say this without anyone lip reading and what have you...but...I missed you," she looked up at him, and found his eyes locked onto her. Her face crinkled into a smile as he returned the sentiment. "Missed you too, Jessie."

She took a step back, brushing herself off and giggled, "You're all dirty."

"I know. I think I better go find those cleaning wipes Bonnie uses when she needs to wipe the computer screen," Buzz grinned. "Tell you what," he continued, "I'm really tired too, so I could use a nap. How about we pick this up later tonight, cowgirl?"

Jessie nodded. "Sure, spaceboy." She flicked her eyes up to his face and he was smiling at the name she used.

"Meet you at 9, by the tea table?"

She leaned up to kiss his cheek and reluctantly let him go, "I'll be counting the minutes."