Author's Notes: Finally, a longer one! Thanks so much for everything!
Despite their late night conversation, Bo and Jessie arose optimistic the next morning. After milling around in their quarters for a while, the two decided they would go to breakfast.
To their surprise, the halls were flooded with activity. Rangers chatted avidly, some wounded and others showing lack of sleep on their eyes, and yet they were all extremely energized.
It was when they noticed Bo come out into the hallway when all noise exploded, and suddenly she was surrounded.
"How did you escape?"
"What are you going to do now?"
"Are you scared?"
"Scared of what you big varmints? Can you back off please?" Jessie said shoving the crowd out of the way. As they started to enclose Bo, the cowgirl grabbed her hand and pulled her through the wave. The blonde was extremely grateful for Jessie, as Bo had been completely stunned.
A certain overzealous ranger tried to stop her, and suddenly Bo lost her footing and her hand whipped out of Jessie's grasp. She threw her hands out in front of her as she went down, but before she hit the ground a gentle hand caught her and pulled her up. It was Woody.
"That's enough!" Buzz's voice shouted above the crowd. "Clear the hallway, now!"
The crowd slunk away reluctantly, but they didn't dare argue with Buzz Lightyear.
"What was that all about?" Bo asked as Woody released her and straightened her up.
"Go get your things, we're leaving right away," Woody said directly.
Bo and Jessie exchanged looks. "What's going on?" Jessie asked.
"Porkchop, he escaped custody," the cowboy replied solemnly.
"Woody wait, do you really think we should leave? Isn't Star Command more guarded?" Buzz asked, clearly exasperated with his friend.
"He hacked through the comms systems, he knew exactly where Bo was, he almost killed her, and Star Command didn't have the chance to do anything about it," Woody responded cooly.
"Is Earth going to be that much more safe?"
Bo and Jessie were uneasy. It was not often that Buzz and Woody differed in opinion. They almost never even argued, and when they did it was a big deal. From the way the conversation was going, the women could tell that they had already discussed and disagreed about the issue.
"It's Bo's life, she should be the one to decide," Jessie stated before they continue arguing.
The blonde felt all eyes fall upon her. She took an automatic step back as they searched her for a solution. She did initially agree with Jessie, that it should ultimately be her decision, but she was extremely uncomfortable coming between her boyfriend and his best friend.
Before she could say anything, however, another ranger with a large physique and presence stomped up to them in the hall. It was like he was human, but unusually large.
"Ms. Peep?" he asked in a booming voice. She nodded. "Your presence has been requested on the command deck. Follow me."
Bo exchanged looks with the others, and they all began to follow the figure until he whipped around. "JUST Ms. Peep," he bellowed.
Woody looked extremely uncomfortable. Bo sighed, and walked up to him, placing a cold hand on his cheek.
"I won't be gone long…" she said before pulling him into a hug. But before she released she whispered into his ear. "Please don't let them keep you away from me." She kissed him on the forehead and turned to the brutish ranger.
"Follow me," he said again, bluntly.
Bo tried to keep up with his large and awkward gait. Not once did he look back at her, but she did appreciate that with him there other rangers had no chance to mob around her. She took her walk of silence as an opportunity to ponder on why everyone was making a big fuss. Sure, Porkchop escaping was a big deal, but until now they hadn't really seemed to care about her presence at the station.
They finally reached their destination, where an orange creature with several black beady eyes and protruding long teeth sporting a stylish black suit greeted them, as well as another politician with an enormous mustache who was eyeing her carefully and constantly tugging at one of his pant legs.
The orange man extended a claw. Bo stared at it for a moment before she realized she was meant to shake it.
"Ms. Peep, I don't believe we've met. Secretary of Defence Carter McNairy. I understand you've had the chance to catch up with your friends. That was one heck of an experience you went through there on Porkchop's ship," he spoke in a gravelly voice.
"Yes, Secretary at this point all I really want is to go home," Bo stated smiling briefly.
"Well, see that's what we're here to discuss… Ms. Peep why don't you take a seat," he replied gesturing to the small square table in the middle of the small room.
Bo suddenly understood what was going on. She was being interrogated.
McNairy picked up on her discomfort, and he dismissed the brute ranger that has escorted her to him, although she suspected he was guarding the door. The mustachioed politician remained in the corner. With as much charm as an eel, the Secretary pulled the blonde's chair out for her.
She sat down hesitantly.
McNairy took his place on the other side, resting his claws on the table surface.
"Now Ms. Peep… may I call you Bo?" he started.
"Bo is fine, sir," she said evenly. In her head she was furiously putting together a strategy for the questions she anticipated him asking.
"Bo… Are you aware of the true reason Porkchop abducted you?" McNairy asked in a sympathetic tone.
"He took my blood," Bo said, shivering at the thought.
"Yes, but do you know why he took your blood?"
She paused, and then shook her head. "It's what my brother wanted too. I don't know why." Bo didn't know enough about the Secretary yet, and she didn't feel right telling anyone about the Black Star lest the info be leaked somehow.
McNairy waited for a moment, as if tempting her to continue talking, but she remained silent so he stood up and leaned on the edge of the table.
"I want you to know a few things about me, Bo," McNairy stated casually as if in response to her inner thoughts. "During the war I watched a lot of good men die defending the ideal that comprises Star Command. I vowed that if I were given the chance to take office that I would do everything in my power to prevent that from happening again."
He leaned closer towards her. She knew he was trying to make her look at him, but she refused. "I don't think Buzz Lightyear would appreciate what you're doing right now…" she said stiffly.
"I don't give a crater what Buzz Lightyear thinks. Just because he's the face of Star Command, I outrank him. He obviously isn't as dedicated to the work as he was, anyway. He won't be able to prevent me from holding you for obstruction of justice." Obviously she had hit a nerve.
"Shouldn't you be worrying about Porkchop?"
McNairy stiffened. "You need to keep your allegiances in check, Ms. Peep. Need I remind you that Star Command saved you from Porkchop? If you know about a weapon and are withholding information-"
Bo stood up. "I'm finished here," she said sternly and turned for the door.
McNairy quickly blocked her path. "This is only the beginning, Porcelain. Sit down."
She glared at him and did not lower, but she couldn't go anywhere either. "I don't know what you think you know about me Secretary," she said with a quiet intensity. "But I would suggest that you refocus your efforts on finding the man that tried to kill me instead of wasting time. When you catch him you can ask him what he intended on doing with my blood."
The Secretary looked like his head was about to pop off. He started to raise a claw threateningly, but Bo did not flinch. Before he could make any swift action however, there was a stiff cough from the corner. The mustachioed senator still standing there raised a thick eyebrow.
McNairy glowered at him, but the senator didn't seem phased by it either. "This isn't the place for this Secretary, you know that," he said evenly. "We'll call a council meeting like what had been discussed…"
The Secretary slammed his claw on the table. "That will take too LONG! If we can actually manage to get through the darn roll call without a century passing, everyone is too frightened anyway!"
"Then listen to my advice darnit! We'll build a smaller committee like I've been suggesting," the Senator said angrily.
"How do I know I can trust you?" McNairy hissed. "You're still loyal to Lightyear…"
The Mustachioed Senator's eyes flashed a warning towards Bo, who McNairy had forgotten was still in the room. The Secretary grunted. "Nebula, would be so kind as to take our guest to her new quarters?"