Slow Dance

The barn was overflowing that night with guys and gals from the whole town. Lights were strewn across the ceiling, thanks to Dolly's inventive decoration skills, and the music flowed through the atmosphere. Everyone was dancing together with smiles on their faces, having waited eagerly for this night to come.

Dolly, Mrs. Tate, and some of the other women in the town had been excitedly planning a dance for weeks, so that the adults could relax for a bit. They were sitting around one day, gossiping as usual, when they decided a little free-time to themselves was just what they needed, and thus, a party was at hand. No one could deny that they were, in fact, needing a little time to enjoy themselves, and a dance sounded like the perfect way to do it.

In one corner of the barn stood two friends who were, with no doubt, inseparable when together. Sheriff Woodrow Pride-or Woody as everyone called him-stood with his back against the wall, arms crossed, and a look of content on his face. He wore his best shirt with a black vest (in place of his usual cow print, fit for work), a pair of dark wash jeans, black cowboy boots with brown accents, and his infamous chocolate brown cowboy hat.

At his side leaned Buzz Lightyear. After Jessie persistently begging him to come, he finally gave in and took a short leave from Star Command's demanding hours to come down and visit. As he stood watching all the fun take place, he mentally thanked Jessie for her diligence-not that he could ever resist those big green eyes pleading him for anything. Those darn communicators, why did they have to show who you were talking to?!

Even though Buzz was not necessarily one of the locals-let alone from their planet-he was still quite used to the usual attire. He stood dressed in a black button-down shirt, black jeans, and black cowboy boots with silver accents. He also wore silver cufflinks to accompany his accented boots, and his dirty blonde hair was very neatly slicked back away from his face.

"So you think Bo will convince Jessie to actually wear a dress this time?" Buzz joked. Although, he had always wondered what Jessie would look like in something other than her usual jeans and button-down shirt. Woody laughed at the idea of his sister resisting Bo's attempt to stuff her in a dress.

"Ha, yeah. When cows fly!" The two men laughed in unison, bent over at the waist.

"Well, aren't you boys enjoyin' yourselves," a lovely voice interjected as they wiped the fake tears from their eyes. Woody shot upright when he realized who it belonged to, and Buzz followed suit.

"Well, hello there, Miss Peep," Woody greeted as he removed the hat from his head.

Buzz nodded his head politely. "Ma'am."

"How come you two haven't joined the party?" She asked, with a charming smile.

"Well, uh-" Woody began, however, he was interrupted by a voice directed to Bo.

"Miss Peep, could I have this dance?" Rex stood with his hand extended out. He was a big guy, too shy for his own good.

"Why, sure Rex. How sweet of you. If you’ll excuse me, gentlemen," Bo took his hand and they went to find a place on the dance floor. Bo looked over her shoulder at Woody and Buzz, giving a quick wink.

Woody mentally slapped himself in the face for letting the opportunity slip. He was itching to ask Bo to dance, and he had been for a while. He felt Buzz elbow him in the side.

"Ow! Buzz-!" He was about ready to get him back when he saw a very familiar redhead approaching them. Her curly red locks cascaded down her back and over her shoulders. She wore a red dress with green stitching patterns along the bust and the bottom of the skirt.

So, the cows had flown. . .

"Wow, Jess, what happened?" Woody finally broke the silence that had awkwardly passed between them. She quickly shot him one of those "if-looks-could-kill" glares-anything to avoid a certain pair of cerulean eyes gazing back at her.

"Well, I was gonna go out on a whim, here, and actually tell you ya look nice. But, I guess ya went an' blew that too, huh partner?"

By then, Jessie's attempt at an innocent demeanor switched back to her usual tomboy-self. Woody chuckled in response, before clearing his throat and nudging Buzz in the side. Poor space ranger was at a loss for words.

"Wow, Jess. You look," Jessie's eyes lit up with suspense and all he could do was stare at them even more. "B-Beautiful." He finally stuttered out. Jessie's smile deepened and they continued to stare into each other's eyes.

Woody noticed Bo across the room with a couple of her friends; a perfect time to dip out and let Buzz take it from here.

He went and stood by the refreshment table admiring Bo's brilliant smile as she gently threw her head back and let out a laugh like chiming little bells. She was so beautiful with her blonde curly locks, those big blue eyes, her pink-stained lips. Bo Peep was the only thing capable of making the sheriff melt right at her feet.

It wasn't long before he realized the room had been dimmed and the ladies were dragging their significant others to the floor for a slow dance. He looked over to where he left Buzz and Jessie and found that they too were already walking hand-in-hand to the dance floor. He smiled at seeing his little sister and his best friend so happy together.

"Hi, Woody." There it was. That voice. He looked up and realized Bo was approaching him.

"Bo! Hi, how are you?"

"I'm good, just thought you could use some company over here all by yourself." She smiled that dazzling smile.

"Heh, yeah-" He wasn't sure what to say next, but he had to ask her.

"They look so happy together, don't they?" Bo smiled at Buzz and Jessie dancing across the room. They were silently giggling to each other.

"Yeah, they do." Woody grinned at watching Buzz being his old, timid self again. At work, he was a completely different person, but with Jessie there was no way around it.

He suddenly felt a small hand grasp his and found himself being dragged to a spot on the floor by Bo as she gave a swift 'Come on.'

When they found a good little spot in the crowd, they faced each other and assumed the position for a slow dance. Bo smiled as she placed one hand on his shoulder, sending a shiver down his spine. Woody slowly raised his hand and she placed hers in his. As they gently began to sway, Woody felt the tip of his boot hit something. He realized he had stepped on her foot, and immediately a flood of apologies spilled from his lips. She simply giggled that lovely bell-like laugh and pardoned him for stepping on her toes. Woody was not the best when it came to dancing, being as he was not, how one would say, light on his feet.

Maybe a few lessons with Buzz are in order, Woody thought to himself as he glanced toward his best friend dancing so fluently with his partner. Woody was more the type for a good, old-fashioned square-dance. Anything else was taking a risk.

As for now, it was perfect; the sheriff and his shepherdess sharing a little dance. He was not sure how he managed to actually get to this moment, but he would hold onto every minute of it.