Chapter Twelve – Party Time

This is filler fluff. You've been warned, lol.

"So what do you think about my ideas for the performance tonight? " Rochelle linked her arm through Jessie's cheerfully as they departed the room for the TV lounge. Buzz had left Jessie's side to help Woody set up the radio and TV for entertainment purposes later on, so the two girl dolls were alone in the playroom. "I thought I might try and make it a bit special."

"How?" Jessie asked softly. She was still dressed in the red dress, her hair falling around her shoulders.

"Well, I thought we might have some live music, me performing, naturally, and I also managed to work out the radio function on the stereo downstairs so we can all dance. And we'll have the TV too, if we get bored."

"That sounds fun but..."

"But?"

"Dont you think that maybe we should do something other than just music?"

"Like what?"

"Well, Bonnie has sparkly lights round the wall mirror that we could take downstairs and switch on. I also saw one of those free standing retro lights on the shelf downstairs."

"Great idea," Rochelle grinned. "I'll get Buzz to he-" she stopped mid sentence. "I mean, if it's okay with you. I'll ask Buzz to help me get it down?"

Jessie smiled fondly at Rochelle. "Sure."

"Really?"

"Yeah." Jessie's smile was genuine.

"You made up then?" Rochelle gave the cowgirl a knowing smile.

"Yes," Jessie blushed. I think we're on the right track anyway."

"So it's a celebration?"

"It sure is," Jessie smiled.

Five minutes later the two dolls joined the other toys in the lounge. Woody was sitting on the sofa with Buzz watching the other toys dancing around to rock music playing from the TV. When Jessie and Rochelle walked in though, Woody jumped down from the sofa to greet them.

"So, Miss Jessie," he addressed the redhead, "Looking good." Jessie grinned and put her arms around his neck giving him a big hug.

"Thanks Woody," she said shyly. They drew apart. "Did Buzz tell you it was me?" She asked curiously, and Woody grinned.

"Yeah. I can honestly say I wouldn't have believed it was you otherwise. I'm so used to seeing you covered in paint or mud," he chuckled, and Jessie pouted at him.

"Thanks a lot. Even I can look good dressed up, you should try it sometime," she ribbed him, and Woody laughed.

"I don't think red's my colour," he said drily, and Jessie rolled her eyes at him. Besides her Rochelle gave her a little poke in the ribs as Buzz came up behind the little group, looking as awkward as ever about his approach. Jessie's eyes met Buzz's and she gave him a shy little smile too.

"Hi." She mouthed, and he grinned back at her.

"Hi."

There was a comfortable silence before Rochelle hissed, "I'll get lost. Come on, Woody," she intoned brightly, walking over to the cowboy doll and dragging him out of the way of the two lovebirds.

Buzz looked over his shoulder watching Rochelle and Woody go, and as they walked off Rochelle glanced over her shoulder and gave him the thumbs up. Buzz coughed and turned back to look at Jessie, who had stepped forward a little again. She held out her hand. "There's music now, you wanna dance, Buzz?"

"I'm not sure," Buzz fidgeted. She sighed.

"What have I told you before? Just go with it...Buzz," she added seductively, her green eyes twinkling. Hesitantly Buzz put his hand into hers and looked up to meet her gaze. Suddenly a smile drifted over his face as he looked at her, then he spun her around in a circle under his arm quickly and pulled her into his arms.

"Like this?" He asked, as she gazed at him. She raised her hand to his cheek and nodded.

"Just like that," she responded.

Without another word he held her out at arms length, then pulled her back to his chest again. He dipped her over his arm and back up. Her face was flushed with excitement at dancing with him again, he noticed, her curls bouncing around her face. He paused and put his hand up to her face this time, brushing the ringlets out of her eyes.

"You're so beautiful," he whispered. "I don't know what I was thinking. I couldn't bear to lose you, Jessie. I only just found you."

"Stop it," she whispered, closing her eyes and looking down.

"No." He put his hand on her chin and raised her face up to look at him. She opened her eyes as he spoke. "I was stupid to go running off after Rochelle. I was stupid to say anything about her being wonderful in the first place. She's not that wonderful, Jessie. Anyone else would have run a mile from the whole situation, but you were just there, always...in the background. And you shouldn't have been in the background. It should have been you on centre stage for me, not her. I'm sorry I put you through so much." He apologised, his other hand rising to hold her face in his hands. "You're the brightest star in my sky." He ran his hands through her curls and put his hand on the back of her neck, drawing her face close to his. She put her hands on his shoulders, expecting him to kiss her, but instead he lifted her up into the air above his head, and she shrieked in joy. He lowered her back to the floor again, and she stood giggling in his arms.

"Don't do that."

"Don't do what?" He teased her.

"That lifting thing."

"You mean this?" He picked her up above his head again and she squealed.

"Buzz! Put me down!"

He obeyed and lowered her to the floor, where she gave him a dirty look. "You know I can't fight while I'm wearing a dress," she complained, and he grinned.

"Interesting," he pondered out loud, and lifted her a third time. She kicked in his arms, protesting vehemently. He merely laughed, but this time when he lowered her he pulled her close once more, and his mouth found hers.

Her irritation passing suddenly, happiness swept over Jessie and she couldn't contain it any longer. She lay her head on his shoulder as he cuddled her into him, swaying her to the beat of the music that met their ears as they stood together. "Yodel-lay-hee-hoo," she sang softly , relishing this moment where she belonged – in Buzz's arms.