Outlaw

by t.j.guard

Tally's returned to life as usual at the museum, save a few dreams she's been having lately which keep repeating themselves, but when a new transfer arrives, he comes complete with his own can of worms.

1. Prologue

Outlaw

Disclaimer: I don't own Night at the Museum.

Author's notes: Not set in the AU timeline posed in Revolution, set after Date with the Devil. Prologue and epilogue serve as episodic filler and bookends. AhkXOC JedXOct
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Prologue

Jedediah leaned against the tunnel which connected the Western display to the Rome display, watching Octavius train his men using Latin commands. Jed did wonder as to Octavius' extensive use of the language, and then he remembered that conversation he'd had with Octavius about how homesick the latter was.

After a few minutes, Octavius turned toward Jed and walked over to him. "Is something wrong?"

"I'd be askin' you the same thing," Jed replied.

"Why would that be?"

"Simple, you're always usin' Latin talkin' to your men and all the other Romans."

"Is that a problem?"

"I's just curious as to why, since y'all understand English, anyways, and I know you's get homesick sometimes."

"Of course I do. Don't you get homesick?"

"A guy like me's been all over, ain't got a real home. A guy like you's different."

"How so?"

"You actually got to settle down somewhere, have a life with somebody."

"I have a life with you."

"But you still miss the real Rome, don't you?"

Octavius sighed and lowered his gaze. "Swear to me that you won't think less of me, my love."

Jed pulled Octavius into him and whispered, "Listen, it don't matter what's wrong. I ain't goin' nowhere."

"I do miss Rome some days."

"'Sokay. I understand."

Octavius wound his fingers through Jedediah's hair. "I hate nights like this."

"Don't worry 'bout nothin', okay? Besides, you're better off here. Ain't no crazy folk to try and kill you off without you's knowin', and we're together."

"That's the biggest plus there is to being six inches tall in a museum," Octavius said with a smile. He pulled away just enough to kiss Jedediah sweetly. "As long as we're here and we're together, I really don't see how anything could look remotely bleak."

Jed cracked a goofy grin and slugged Octavius playfully, chuckling a little, and to their relief, the crouds gathered around the dioramas began to disperse.