A/N: ok, I'm far enough into writing this to feel okay posting some LOL Wish I felt more comfortable with the title, but that'll come later. As always, I own none of the characters. Hope y'all like it (if you do, kindly review and I will love you forever. Constructive criticism is welcomed, but don't be a troll or I'll banish you back under the bridge from which you crawled :-D). Oh also? Be aware that I have never actually seen BLoSC and I am shamelessly manipulating the characters from that for my own purposes :) Call it artistic license.

Chapter 1

Buzz Lightyear knocked on the door and was beckoned in by a gruff voice. "You wanted to see me, sir?"

"Ah, Lightyear! Come in, sit down, please." His commanding officer smiled broadly. "I know you have some leave coming up in a few days…"

"Yes, sir?" Buzz winced slightly with the feeling that was about to be changed.

Commander Nebula laughed, "Don't worry, I'm not about to take it away from you…not entirely, anyway. We've received intelligence that Zurg has a scout out in the West, near Bonneville."

Buzz sat up even straighter than he already was, "Bonneville? Woody's Bonneville?"

Nebula nodded, "The same. Seems Zurg's got his eyes on another hideout."

"It's remote enough, and I doubt anyone out would know of him out that way. Does Woody know?"

The older man shook his head, "I don't believe Sheriff Pride does, no." He grinned at his young Captain, who caught on to the ever so slight rebuff. "That's what I wanted to speak with you about. I've been asked to assemble and lead a small team and go to Bonneville with the objective of identifying and locating the scout, and the site if possible."

"Not apprehend them?"

Nebula shrugged, "If we can, but that is not the main objective. That's where you come in. I want you on the mission, as you're familiar with the area."

Buzz chuckled, "Not to mention the Sheriff and Deputy. Sir," he frowned at a sudden thought, "won't my being on this mission violate Star Command protocol?"

"I've cleared that with my superiors. They feel, as do I, that your relationships with Sheriff and Deputy Pride won't compromise the mission, especially since it should be fairly cut and dry. I want you to still leave as if you were heading on your scheduled leave of absence. The rest of us will follow a day or two later and we will rendezvous outside of town. As soon as the mission is finished, your leave will begin, and will be for the already approved length of time. Do you accept?"

He sat in thought for a few moments before he nodded slowly. If there was a scout, and if Zurg was setting his sights on a hideout near his friends, Buzz wanted to remove the threat. "Yes, sir."

"Excellent. Would you please contact Sheriff Pride and brief him on the situation? Make it clear that I ask for and welcome his assistance, and that he will be kept informed the entire time."

Buzz smiled as he stood, "I will, but I can tell you that he won't be worried about that and he will be happy to help out however he can. He's a different Sheriff than his father."

Nebula chuckled, "Understood. Old habits die hard, you know. Thomas Pride was a hard man to do business with. Dismissed, Captain."

Buzz walked back to his quarters. He sighed as he sat down at the desk, pressing the power button on the small, rectangular display before him. He knew the mission was important; Nebula would never have asked for his help otherwise. Still, it did little to lessen the disappointment in another delay of his leave. He had talked with Woody and Jessie in small increments here and there, and the last lengthy conversation he had with Jessie almost a year ago made him even more anxious to be with his friends.

Buzz had been in a remote area of the Beta quadrant, leading a mission. A cadet informed him of the incoming transmission from Star Command. In the small ready room, he greeted Nebula, "Hello, sir. Surprise progress check?"

Nebula's face was etched with regret, "Sorry, Captain. I'm afraid I have some bad news from your friend, Miss Pride."

Buzz was instantly alert, "Jessie? What is it? What's happened?"

"Sheriff Thomas Pride has been killed."

Buzz let the news sink in, "When? How?"

"A few days ago. He was killed by an outlaw known as the Kid. His funeral service was just held today, according to Miss Pride. I'm sorry, son."

Today? Buzz blinked But, why didn't I know until now?

As if reading his thoughts, Nebula cleared his throat, "She knew you weren't able to attend, that's why she didn't send word until now."

Buzz nodded; that sounded exactly like Jessie. "Sir, I know we're supposed to keep communications down, but – "

"Go ahead, Captain. And Buzz? I am sorry; I know he was like a second father to you."

"Thank you, sir. I will report back to you in a few days on the mission status." Buzz ended the transmission with Nebula, took a quick, shaky breath, and patched a call through to his friends. His heart broke a little more when Jessie's face appeared on the screen. Dark circles beneath her eyes marred her pale complexion, and Buzz could tell she had only recently stopped crying. "Jess," he greeted, emotion almost getting the better of him.

She smiled faintly, "Hi, Buzz. Guess Nebula's told you." He nodded and she sighed, "I'm sorry we didn't tell you before. Woody wanted to, but I thought – "

"That it'd be harder on me, since I'm so far away. You were right. I'm so sorry, Jess. How are you holding up? Is there anything you want or need?"

She shrugged, "Want? Thousands of things. Need? No. I'm holding up as well as I can, I guess. It's been crazy, so many people coming in and out of the house…all of the faces have just blurred together." She rubbed her hand across her forehead. "Everyone's gone now, so it's quiet. That's almost worse, though."

"Woody's not there?"

"No, he's down at the Mayor's office getting sworn in as Sheriff."

"A little soon for that, isn't it?" Buzz asked defensively.

"I guess not, he didn't seem too bothered by it. Woody, I mean. Besides, it'll be good for him, to stay busy, you know how he is. I'm sure glad he has Bo, too. She's been wonderful to him."

"Who do you have, Jess?" he asked gently, hearing the loneliness in her voice.

"Oh, a little of everyone, I guess. Folks have been so wonderful since…since Dad died," her voice faltered. She gave her head a little shake, "Sorry, still doesn't seem quite real."

Buzz made a decision, "Look, my mission is over in a few days. I'm going to talk to Nebula about getting an emergency leave of absence. Once we're done, I will leave straight from here; I can be there in a day or so."

"No, Buzz, I don't want you to do that, not for me. I'm all right… 'least I will be."

"You're not very convincing. I'm serious, Jessie."

She considered his offer, "Will it affect the leave you already have scheduled? I mean, I know it's only a few months down the road, but still."

Buzz thought and nodded, "It will most likely have to replace it."

"Then definitely don't. I love you for the offer, and more because you'd be here before either of us had to even ask. But it's already such a long time between your visits, and I don't want it ruined by sadness. Besides, things'll be less topsy-turvy then, be back to normal…or whatever normal is going to look like now."

"You're sure, Jessie?" He had to admit her reasoning was good, but he hated the thought of being so far away from her at the moment. You don't have to be all alone, he wanted to tell her, you always have me.

She smiled a real smile for the first time in days, "I'm sure."

"Okay, but one condition: if you change your mind or if you need someone to talk to, or if you want anything, I don't care what time it is or what's going on – "

"You're the first on my list, I promise."

Weariness was creeping into Jessie's voice and on to her face, Buzz noticed. "Go get some sleep, okay? I'll try and contact you once I'm back at Star Command. Wish I was there, Jess." You have no idea how much.

"Wish you were, too," she whispered sleepily. "Buzz? Thanks."

He smiled softly. "Be good, Cowgirl," he said, signing off the same way now for years when he talked to Jessie. "And tell Woody the same."

"I will. G'night Space Boy." The screen went black as the transmission ended.

A small chirp to signal half-past the hour broke into Buzz's memory and he dabbed at the tear that sat in the corner of his eye. He had known that being away from his friends would be difficult, but that instance had been the worst as he dealt with the mixture of grief and helplessness. He glanced at the clock, It'll be early morning, but someone will be up. Buzz entered the coordinates to connect to Pride Ranch.