Nestled closely together inside the cave of their neighbor's trunk as the car sped along taking them back home, the band of toys were finally able to take some much needed deep breaths. To get their minds off their trauma, Jessie and the others all told Woody, Mitsy, Wheezy, and the other hostages about their journey and how they'd come to their rescue. Woody and Mitsy actually found themselves laughing, especially at the part where the geese had mistaken Potato Head for food.

Mitsy hugged Jack's leg, while Woody remained close to her and Slinky lay in the cowboy's lap. Wheezy was next to them. Buzz was lying back against Bullseye's side, with his arm around Jessie as she leaned safely on his chest. Katan babbled on excitedly about his grand adventure but soon dozed off, curled around Matthew's shoulders. Matthew barely heard any other conversation. He was just so glad to have his two best friends, Fox and Link, back! And, he was so relieved that Mitsy was going to be all right, physically anyway. The fear he'd felt when he'd heard she was badly hurt and then the way he'd seen her, tortured had been anguishing for him. He watched her closely. She leaned on her dog's strong leg, with a drained smile. She look so shaken, but at least the smile was there.

Wheezy couldn't wrap his head around his wonderful new reality, being safe with his old friends, but there wasn't anywhere else he'd rather be!

Mr. Simms finally pulled into his own driveway, and the toys quickly hopped out of the trunk. "Well, this is where Combat Carl must take his leave." Combat Carl sighed.

"But we'll see you again, won't we, Carl?" Jessie asked, disappointed.

"Aww, sure thing, cowgirl." Carl smiled knowingly. "If ever you're in trouble, Combat Carl is ready for action! Just slip us a ring if you ever need help again."

"We will." Woody smiled gratefully. "Thanks, partner, for everything. It was real good seeing you again." He shook hands.

"Combat Carl's pleasure, Sheriff." Carl nodded. "Glad you're all in one piece!"

"Pfft. Yeah." Jack rolled his eyes.

"Say? Think you could give us a lift back to our place?" Daisy asked.

"Sure thing, Rabbit Ears." Combat Carl Jr. spoke up.

"Daisy? Thank you...for, you know, saving my life." Mitsy whispered as Buzz held her in his arms.

"Aww. That's okay. It was my pleasure, Your High...I mean, Mitsy." Daisy shrugged. "We should be thanking you! It was your friends that rescued us. They're pretty great, right?"

"Yes." Mitsy agreed.

"Hey, what about me?" Hank whined. "I did some saving too, you know!"

"You sure did, Hank. Thank you." Wheezy added.

"Wheeze, sure ya don't wanna go with us?" Hank asked in disappointment.

"Thank you, but I'm sure. These guys are my oldest friends. I want to be with them." Wheezy replied quietly.

"Well, we can't all win, huh? Take care of yourself, Wheezy. I'm sure we'll be seeing you around sometime." Hank sighed.

"Definitely." Wheezy nodded. Daisy nuzzled up next to him and kissed him.

"Get a good night's sleep, soldiers." Combat Carl commanded. "It's been a grueling day."

"Thanks, Carl." Jessie beamed. She threw her arms around his neck and hugged him! Carl was taken aback and gaped, unsure of what to do. Woody snorted while Buzz bit his lip. Jessie lightly kissed Carl's cheek.

"Well, Combat Carl will certainly recuperate just fine after this!" Carl exclaimed.

"Aww, cut out the mushy stuff." Potato Head rolled his eyes.

"Thanks a lot, Carl. We couldn't have done it without you!" Buzz declared.

"Same to you, Space Ranger." Carl smiled with a salute. Then he looked down at Mitsy. "Take it easy, Your Highness. And you can count on Combat Carl to help if you're ever in a dangerous jam again!"

"Thank you." Mitsy said tiredly. "And it was good to finally meet you." Carl pinched her cheek, then Combat Carl Jr. hopped onto his shoulder.

"All right, troops! Let's move out!" Carl declared.

"We'll see ya, Jiminy!" Daisy yelled.

"You bet!" Jiminy Cricket waved as he stood on Slinky's head.

"Woody, Buzz, guys...thanks for getting us out of there!" Fox spoke up.

"No need for that." Buzz shook his head. "We owe you a debt of gratitude. You came in right when we needed a helping hand!"

"Yeah." Woody agreed. "That's what friends do."

"Well said, Woody." Link nodded. Matthew was cradling the dozing lion cub in his arms.

"Well, we'd better get back to our owner!" Fox exclaimed. There were many handshakes and more declarations of thank-you's. "'Kay, boys! Let's go." Fox and Link began treading to their beloved owner's new house. But Matthew lingered behind, still holding Katan. He gazed at Mitsy who looked so small, and exhausted-frail in his eyes. He wanted to make sure she was really going to be all right! How could she possibly sleep tonight after all the trauma from today? He just wanted to stay near and offer whatever consolation he could. "Matt!" Fox hissed, for the fourth time of trying to get his attention.

"Oh, r-right. Comin." Matthew stammered.

"Go ahead, Matt." Woody said. "We'll be fine."

"Sure." Matthew said quickly. Jessie had seen everything. She smiled coyly and crossed her arms. She knew what was going on! She doesn't even know I'm alive! Matthew thought in defeat. Well, at least she's alive. I can still see her sometimes. He was showered with hugs and not too lightly kisses from Iris as she sprang into his arms as he reached Bobby's yard.

"Matt, you're a hero!" Iris announced.

"You found your friends!" Alice the elephant gushed, hugging him with her trunk. "You were so brave, dear."

"It was nothing...really. They saved me." Matthew protested.

"I'd say it's a fair exchange." Link winked wryly at his friend.

"Ohh, I missed you soo much! I was soooo worried about you...baby." Iris smooched, rubbing the back of his head, and leaning on his arm. She wasn't about to let go!

"Thanks." Matthew said, and pasted on a feeble smile.

"Well, shall we go, fellows? I really wanna meet this kid Bonnie you all keep raving about." Jiminy Cricket chuckled. Bonnie's gang quickly raced up the sidewalk passed the two houses to Bonnie's home. Trixie, Rex, Totoro, Buttercup, and Chuckles were in the living room watching a movie while six green 'young ones- toys were tucked in bed. Slinky jumped up to the window sill and tapped on the glass with his nose, as did Jiminy with his umbrella. Rex screeched and keeled over while Trixie and Buttercup clambered up to the window sill and let their friends in.

"You're all together!" Buttercup gasped.

"We sure are!" Jessie squealed. "Whatcha all doin'?"

"Watching a mystery," Trixie answered. "Mitsy, Woody! You're back! We were worried about you!"

"Thanks," Woody smiled wearily. "Oh, it's so good to be home!"

"Yes!" Mitsy sighed heavily. "There is no place like home!"

"Hey, fellas! Look who we found!" Jessie yowled.

"Oh, oh, oh, oh my goodness! Wheezy! Is that really you?" Rex blurted out, wringing his arms. "Are you real? You sure you're not a ghost?"

"Get it together, Lizard Legs." Potato Head grumbled. He was ready to hit the sack, but with relief that his friends were all back safely.

"Yes, Rex. It's me." Wheezy said shyly. Trixie and the others gave introductions and Jiminy Cricket presented himself.

Chuckles looked deeply into Woody's caring eyes amidst the excitement. Yeah, sure, he smiled but the cowboy's eyes were worn with worry, heartache, relief, and exhaustion. To the clown, the sheriff looked drained, and he knew that Woody had gone through a heck of a lot tonight. Chuckles had known that Woody would take care of Mitsy, yet he'd been worried about her. He enjoyed watching the happy little princess live life fully, despite her own sad memories. When Woody had told him about the false accusations his friends had made against Jack two months ago when they'd thought he'd betrayed them to be captured by Spikes' Toy Gang, the wise old clown was happy to learn that the harsh words were unfounded. If only the same could be said for his old friend, Lotso!

"Are you all right?" He asked Mitsy as she wearily passed by.

"I'm here." She sighed. Chuckles took her small hands in his larger ones.

"I'm so glad you're safe, Your Highness," he said. "You're really lucky to have such good friends. And you all have a very faithful sheriff. I'm just thankful you're back here."

"Me too." Mitsy said with a crack in her voice. "We do have great friends!" She hugged the veteran clown.

"Oh, am I glad to see you, baby!" Potato Head gushed in exhaustion as he flopped down on the small yellow doll pillow from the closet. He had claimed it for himself and Mrs. Potato Head and he just couldn't sleep properly without it.

Jessie leaned on Buzz's shoulder as he lovingly wrapped his arm around her. "It's been a long night." He said.

"Yep. But we made it!" Jessie agreed, very tired but too emotionally drained to even think of sleeping.

"That's my brave cowgirl." Buzz said proudly, cupping her chin. "I'm proud of you, Jess. You were very brave." He gripped her hand.

"Aww, thanks, Buzzy." Jessie brushed his nose with her index finger. Jessie was the only toy allowed in the universe to call him Buzzy! "We're safe at last."