She regretted those words as soon as they came out of her mouth.

"Don't you understand that Andy doesn't need you anymore?"

Why did she have to say this? This was supposed to be a happy day, something incredible happened for Woody and she ruined it!

However, that didn't change the fact that Woody acted recklessly. Wasn't he thinking at all?

But now was not the time or the place for apologies.

They had to avoid some huge legs that could crash them, but eventually they reached the desk without anyone noticing and hid behind it.

"I hope you are happy now, sheriff!" the porcelain shepherdess sighed when they realized they couldn't reach the keys under the desk.

"We'll find a way. Give me your stuff. Maybe I can reach them with it" he persisted.

Woody didn't wait, not even a second, for her to hand it over. Instead he grabbed it notably impatiently. He tried once again to reach the keys, but with no success.

Bo Peep took a deep breath. Her cowboy was more worried than she had ever seen him since he came back to her life. He used to act that nervously back on Andy's room, when he was about to leave for camp with him, or whenever Andy's mom came into his room with a black bag to throw away stuff.

"Listen, Woody" she squeezed his shoulder. "I know you feel like it's your responsibility, but it's not. You are the most loyal and caring toy I've ever met, but this time you just need to step back".

"Got 'em!" he celebrated in whisper and presented the keys to Bo Peep, without giving any attention to what she said.

Bo sighed. She knew he was as stubborn as she was, and once there was something in his mind, no one could prevent him from doing exactly what he had planned.

"Very well, Woody. You helped Andy. Now leave the keys in plain sight for him to see and let's return to the vent!"

"I can't just leave them on the floor! Someone might steal them! I have to make sure they get to Andy" he declared decisively. "Maybe if we find a way to return them to his pocket and—"

"No need, Woody!" she interrupted him. "He's already looking for them. He'll be fine! Just leave them there already!"

"Don't you see?" he shouted really loud.

"Shh! Stop yelling! They will hear us!"

"I don't care! It's the first time in years that I can do something for Andy and I can make sure he's fine and not just leave and wonder what happened! I will never have the opportunity to do that again, do you realize that? Never! So don't you try to take this away from me. Just don't!"

Bo didn't know what to say. Maybe Andy didn't need Woody anymore, but a small part of Woody still needed Andy.

Woody's breathing calmed down.

Bo Peep now was not mad at him.

"I saw him carrying a box with his stuff" the cowboy added. "I think I'm just going to place them in there".

He took a step ahead, but before he could make another, Bo had already wrapped her arms around him.

"I'm with you" she whispered softly. "I'm sorry. I don't always understand, but I'm with you. Go help your kid".

He hugged her back. Tight and warmly. Just like he did on the carousel, when he decided to stay with her.

"Thanks, Bo" he said.

She adjusted his hat and caressed his cheek, giving him her own kind of encouragement to go on that mission.

His eyes closed at her touch. And when he opened them again, Bo Peep saw only love in them.

And then he was off to Andy's box.

Bo Peep's eyes never left him. He had to be fast and elusive, but no matter his age he was in a good shape indeed.

"Watch out!" she whispered, as if he could hear her, when he almost stumbled on a stair step. The keys looked really heavy.

But after a while he was finally there. He quickly left the keys inside. But he did not return. He just stood there.

"What is he doing?" the porcelain doll thought.

Until it hit her. Maybe the keys were not the only things that were going to wind up inside Andy's box. Woody wanted to get in there too.

Imagine Andy's face, seeing him again after all those years! And somehow he would know that it was exactly him, the very same cowboy doll of his childhood and not just another one toy of the line. Woody didn't have his badge or his voice string, but Andy would recognize him either way.

Andy would put him in his desk proudly. From up there he could see him every day, learn about his news, share his joys and sorrows! It would be just like when he was a small boy, like not even one day had passed. And maybe in the future, Andy could show him to his kids, let them play with him, pass him on to them.

And all of that would be absolutely amazing.

Bo Peep looked at her sheriff's troubled expression and she was sure that that was what he was thinking.

He had already chosen Andy over her once. Why wouldn't he do it again?

She would be okay. It would hurt, but she already knew how to live without him. It wouldn't matter, because that would be what he truly wanted. Bo Peep only wanted Woody's happiness, and if it was with Andy she'd accept it.

At least their last words were not bitter.

Then Andy started walking towards his box. If Woody wanted to jump inside, he would have to do it now!

But he didn't.

He run and returned to Bo Peep.

"Mission accomplished" he declared with a trying-to-sound-happy tone. "Let's return to Bugs, we've left her alone too long".

"Honey?" Bo stopped him by grabbing his arm.

He turned and looked at her. She didn't know how to say this, or if she even should say it at all. But she had to.

"If you want to go inside Andy's box, you can".

Woody's eyes immediately dropped to the floor. His expression at an instant became darker.

"Oh Bo…" he sighed heavily. "I'm so sorry".

"It's alright" she reassured him. "If that's what you really—"

"No" he cut her off by placing his finger in front of her porcelain lips. "I mean I'm sorry that I made you feel like you aren't enough for me".

She'd never felt more confused and unsure. She could always read through him, but right now she had no idea what he was saying.

"I'm not saying that I didn't consider it" Woody continued. "Of course it crossed my mind. But I know where I truly belong. And I wouldn't lose what we have for anything in the world. I'm sorry I don't show you enough how happy you make me. Yes, I miss a lot of things, Andy, Buzz, Jessie… But that doesn't mean that I regret the decisions I've taken. My place is with you".

Bo leaned against his chest. She would remember those words for the rest of her life. And now she really understood for the time. All those years back when he chose to stay with Andy instead of getting inside the box with her, it wasn't because he loved Andy more than her. He had done exactly what he did right now: he knew what his place was.

And that made her appreciate him a bit more. He didn't make a choice for his own happiness. He suffered, but he did what was right. Because he was loyal. The most loyal toy she had ever met. And now she knew with all of her heart that he was loyal to her, and she would never had to doubt him again.

They met a worried Bugs up on the vent.

"Oh, thank dear God! I was so anxious!" the love bug said. "What happ—"

"Listen, Bugs. Molly won't be playing with you again" Woody interrupted her.

That was sudden. Bo noticed Bugs' expression changed immediately and she would swear that she was going to cry.

"What?" she asked in a trembled voice.

"It's not your fault, it's not something you did. It's just that these times passed" Woody replied calmly and sat down beside her.

"B-but if she saw me again-"

"Bugs, she's leaving for college!" he stressed. "She's not meant to play with toys anymore. I know it's sad that you have to let go, believe me, I really get it. Toys are meant to be there for children, and you did that! But Molly is not a child anymore. You did your best, you gave her beautiful memories, but now it's time to move on".

Bugs didn't seem able to speak at all. Bo sat down on her other side.

"I… I don't think I can do that" she managed to say between sobs.

Woody moved closer to her.

"Can I tell you a secret? No one thinks he can. It's hard when you were with the same kid for so many years. His room is your whole world and you know nothing besides it. I'm not saying it's not scary, but it's the right thing to do. Trust me on that. When you see a new child smiling at you, you'll know it was all worth it".

Bo gently squeezed her hand.

"And that girl… Ellie… Do you think she'll play with me more?" Bugs asked hesitantly, but full of hope.

"No doubt! She loved you, she's searching the playground all the time since you left. I believe you'll make her really happy. No, I don't just believe it. I know it. With all of my heart".

"How are you sure?"

"Because that smile she had when she was holding you… I have seen it before. I recognize it. It means that to this kid at this moment you were the whole world! It means that she'll take care of you, that all of those crazy and incredible adventures she'll have she wants to spend with you. That smile, Bugs, will be your most sacred treasure, and every time you see it your heart will light up".

Bugs seemed to understand more.

"That was the smile Andy used to have?"

"Yes" Woody admitted wholeheartedly. "And I wouldn't let that smile down for anything in the world. So, please, don't you do it".

"But… but what if Molly one day looks for me and doesn't find me? I thought I was supposed to be there for her".

"You'll always be" he reassured her.

"Bugs, you've taken enough care of Molly" Bo Peep added. "Maybe it's time to start taking care of yourself. I don't want you to return in the car. I don't want you to be left all alone. I just can't stand the idea. There's someone else out there for you. The belonging you seek is not behind, but ahead. Molly is ready now to let go. You should be proud of how much she's grown up, not sad. And she'd be happy to know that you finally found your place. You did, right?"

Bugs burst out in tears of freedom.

"You guys are really professional at this helping-toys-find-their-place thing!" she said crying and made her two companions chuckle. "We've got to hurry up!" she added in agony. "Maybe Ellie left the playground! I have to catch her!"

"Right, let's go!" Bo said and they quickly left the gallery, but not before Woody could take one last look at Andy's drawing of him.

Fortunately, Ellie was still there.

"There you were!" the girl shouted as soon as she laid eyes on Bugs and run to her side. She held her up and hugged her tight. "You didn't hear me when I called you, right? It's okay, sometimes I don't hear well either. But I'll try my best to listen to you every time you need help. So, what happened to you? Did pirates abduct you or…"

The little girl walked away with the stuffed love bug in her arms.

Bo and Woody, hidden under a bench, melted at the sight. They may have witnessed thousand similar scenarios, when a toy finally finds the kid it belongs with, but it never stopped being touchingly beautiful in their eyes.

"We did that" Bo sighed in delight, while not able to keep her look away from Ellie and Bugs.

A sound of a car engine starting sounded a little further.

It was Andy.

Molly was getting inside the car. They didn't have much time to notice her, but she had grown up so much. A fine young lady. Ready for college, ready for any adventure in the world! Bo couldn't help but smile.

Andy's mom sat in the front seat. Bo and Woody weren't that close to notice any wrinkles or grey hair, but they did notice that she looked happier, more relaxed.

They only grasped a quick look of Jacob, but they saw mom's happiness, and it was the same.

And Andy… He was still the same boy that loved playing with Woody. Nothing could ever change that.

Andy drove away.

"So long, partner" Woody whispered and his eyes followed the car until it turned left and was gone.