Well, hello there. It seems my computer is dead along with the story I had been previously working on, so I decided to start this! I plan on it being at least eight chapters long. Hopefully this will be my longest story yet, I plan on taking my time here. I have the most of the plot written down, but as always I am open to suggestion.

Disclaimer: I do not own Night at the Museum, nor anything involved with Walt Disney or anything inside its parks.

After a somewhat relaxing weekend with his son, Nick, Larry Daley was ready to go back to the best job in the world. New York City never seemed more inviting then it did that very morning, and even those blasted pigeons that pooped on his new car didn't seem to matter. Sunglasses on the top of his head, a Starbucks coffee cup in his hand, getting into his night guard get up seemed more exciting than ever.

You see, Larry Daley was no ordinary night guard. He worked at the museum of Natural History in Manhattan and at night, the museum came to life. Normally, most people scoffed when Larry told them that, but Larry usually just shrugged. They had no idea.

He loved his job for many reasons, first was that he got to sleep during the day for as long as he wanted. Typically there was no work for him during the day. He also got paid more than most night guards for working in one of the most famous museums in the country, and for working there for nearly five years. He also made many friends working there, very unusual friends indeed.

He climbed up the many stairs leading up to the museum, two at a time. His jacket was slung over his shoulder and a certain swagger could be detected as he strode to the locker room where his uniform was stored.

The Museum wasn't as busy as Larry or his boss would have liked it to be at rush hour, In fact it was downright deserted. After they had begun their real life exhibits, it had been going pretty well for a while but people just stopped coming after the paintball building was made just down the block from them.

It was still beautiful, with all of its glistening floors and metal framed windows. Larry always felt like he was walking into the past whenever he went to work. There were stairs leading to the second floor, signs showing non- existent museum goers where to find the exhibit they were looking for. And Larry could never forget the giant T-Rex that invited outsider's right after walking through the revolving doors. Teddy Roosevelt was on the side on his horse, Texas, and the information desk was in the middle.

Suddenly, out of the corner of his eye, he saw Dr. McPhee, the museum director, walking towards him with a purpose in his step. Larry rolled his eyes and pushed his sunglasses up on top of his head. He stood, legs crossed and jacket over his shoulders, tapping his foot and waiting for his boss to come up to him.

The slightly pudgy man finally caught up to him, panting slightly. He then stood up straight, trying to be taller than Larry, who was already becoming impatient. The British man arched an eyebrow and crossed his arms.

When a few more seconds passed and Dr. McPhee still didn't say anything, Larry decided to speak up. "What did I do now?"

A brief flash of rage passed on his face, and the Doctor snapped back, "Nothing you little…" he paused in thought. "Why you impertinent…" he frowned. "You." McPhee pointed up to Larry. "You, in my office, now."

The small doctor began strutting to his office and when he looked back and saw Larry not following him, he sputtered. "And don't stand like that! You look like a… well, you look like a…" he frowned again. "Oh just follow me!"

Chuckling, Larry began to follow him into the office. When he got there, the doctor was already sitting in his large leather chair and looking rather worried. He gestured to a seat in front of him and Larry took a seat, crossing his legs and looking very disinterested.

While Larry looked bored and calm, truth was he was skimming his mind for anything he didn't clean up from the night before that he might have gotten in trouble for. "What's up, Doc?"

"Mr. Daley, I have some pretty big news that I would like to con- well, I'd like to te-, hm." The museum director massaged his temples. He pushed forward a piece of paper towards the guard. "Just read it."

Larry was truly worried by now, and braced himself for a pink slip. When he saw the Mickey Mouse insignia on the top of the page, confusion wracked his brain. This was not what he was expecting. "What?"

"Just read." The director still had his head in his hands and Larry looked down to start reading.

As he read on, the frown on Larry's face got deeper and the lines between his eyes got more refined. He looked up. "What does this mean?"

McPhee stood up and began to pace. "Disney World wants to bring our exhibits to them for a grand exhibition on world history. As far as I know we're the only museum that they asked, not the Smithsonian, not anyone. We never even sent any heads of the company any brochures or emails, and Disney never expressed any interest in it before. As suspicious as I find it, they are offering a decent sum of money, a sum that just may save the museum."

For years, the Museum of Natural History had been floundering, and Larry understood that this may be the last shot to take it out of debt before the government took it over. "But what does any of this have to do with me?"

McPhee paused and turned towards him. "The exhibits that Disney wanted are our most famous exhibits, and the loss of them would result in very little business. It would save money just to close down the museum until the exhibits return."

"What about the tablet?"

"That will be remaining here under close supervision."

Larry was beginning to understand. "And that leaves me…?"

McPhee sighed and retook his seat at his desk. "On less than minimum wage for six months."

Larry stood up. "But Mr. McPhee, no one can live on that for a half of a year! Can I at least go to Disney with the exhibits, just to keep them from harm?"

The doctor's mouth turned into a thin line. "First of all, it's 'doctor', Mr. Daley, and second don't act like I haven't tried. The people at Disney seem to think they can handle a bunch of wax figures without any-, er, excluding…" he began to massage his temples again. "They can handle it okay? So, Mr. Daley, you're going to need to find a new job until the exhibit's return."

"But you can't just do that-"

"Get to work, Mr. Daley. There's nothing more I can do." McPhee stood up. "You have until Wednesday to find a new job."

Larry closed his mouth in a grimace and left the room, slamming the door behind him. He changed quickly into his uniform and looked out the window. What once was a beautiful morning had turned into a cloudy and cold sunset and Larry scowled. "Just when things were looking up…"

He spent the remaining half hour before sunset calling various restaurants and hotels, trying to find a replacement job for the time being. None in his general area were hiring, and Larry was beginning to lose hope.

When it was finally time to get to work, he put on his utility belt and locked the front doors. Checking his watch, he counted down from five. "Five… four… three… two…"

"Greetings Lawrence!" The cheerful voice of Teddy Roosevelt, twenty sixth president of the United States, brought a smile to Larry's lips.

"Morning Teddy. Had a good nap?"

The president, on the back of his horse, Texas, was beaming while the giant Tyrannosaurus Rex, nicknamed Rexy, wagged his long tail behind him. The rest of the museum was waking up, and several Alaskan explorers were seen strolling along the second floor.

This happened every night ever since the tablet of Ahkmenrah came into the Egyptian department, every night everything in the entire museum came to life from sunset to sunrise. If any stragglers remained outside by the time the sun rose, then they would turn to dust. No one besides Larry and the three other night guards that used to work there, Cecil, Gus, and Reginald, knew about this secret. That's why for the first few years Larry was cross that he was earning minimum wage.

"You seem upset, Gigantor." The cowboy miniature named Jedediah was riding in a toy car with his best friend, a miniature Roman general named Octavius. Larry had taken to hiding the car behind the Roman temple to make it easier for the miniatures to get to it.

"Yeah, Jed, I am."

"What's wrong, my liege?" Octavius got out of the car and bowed in greeting to Larry.

"You guys are taking a bit of a trip."

Rex whimpered and Octavius asked, "Where? It will not be like our last trip to the great capitol of Washington, will it?"

Larry shook his head. "No, you guys are going to Disney World."

"Wow, no can do, Gigantor. We ain't going nowhere without you. Not after last time," Jedediah crossed his arms and went out of the car.

"I'm afraid you guys have no choice. The Mouse wants you guys to be in a World History exhibit. Almost everyone's going."

Teddy raised his eyebrows. "And the tablet?"

Larry didn't want to hurt their feelings, but he felt that twisting the truth would hurt less than the actual truth. "I don't know guys, they don't tell me anything." He shrugged. "I guess you'll know on Wednesday."

Teddy crossed his arms in a similar gesture to Jed and stared at Larry through his glasses.

"Hey guys, at least it's not permanent this time!"

"Larry, lying to us will not console us for much longer. If you know anything, please tell us."

"I don't know guys, I really don't. If I do I'll let you know."

"I'm sure," Octavius rolled his eyes.

"I've got to lock up the lions…" Larry mumbled.

He had to pass the Egyptian department in order to get to the African Mammals exhibit, and while he walked by he failed to notice a dark shadow close to the sarcophagus and a large jackal nursing an injured paw.

The rest of the night passed in a solemn silence, and even Ahkmenrah seemed to be mad at Larry. Larry almost couldn't wait for the morning to come, even though it was one of the last days with his crew. When the morning sun shone through the windows and Dr. McPhee arrived, Larry walked home in a daze.

Much of the morning was passed at the job office, sitting down and discussing possible options with an interviewer. Unfortunately, his record made it difficult for him again and he went home empty- handed.

It was his day with Nick, so he stopped by his ex- wife's home. Larry had dark circles around his eyes and he was barely dressed appropriately, so it was no surprise when his ex- wife stopped in her tracks and frowned. "What's wrong Larry?"

Larry rubbed his brow tiredly and waved his hand. "Nothing, nothing, just bring Nick over."

"You didn't get fired, did you?"

"No!" Larry snapped, then sobered. "I'm sorry; I just didn't get any sleep this morning."

"If today's a bad time for you to see Nick then we could change it to tomorrow…" she began, hand on hip and a concerned look on her face.

"No, I really need to see him today," Larry told her stubbornly and walked past her into the apartment. "Nick, you ready?"

"Larry, I really don't think this is a good idea…" she followed her ex all the way into their son's bedroom.

"You kidding? It's a fantastic idea!" Larry exclaimed over- enthusiastically. "Hey kiddo, you done?"

Nick Daley, now nearing his teenage years, leaned on his door opening and nodded to his father in greeting. "Hey dad, I'm all ready," he gestured to his shoulder bag.

"So I'll be bringing him back be seven, then?" Larry turned to Nick's mom and she sighed.

"Yes Larry, you know I don't like it when you keep Nick out too late on a school night."

Nick rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah mom." He bent down to kiss her and began to walk with Larry out of the door. When out of earshot, the boy turned to his father. "What's up dad? You look really tired."

"I'll tell you later. Do you want to see a hockey game?" Larry was trying desperately to change the subject, and Nick saw the look on his father's face and decided to drop it.

Their nights together were spent the same as always, Larry would take Nick to watch a hockey game, then take him out to dinner at one of his favorite pizza restaurants. As they sat down at a window booth and opened their menus, Larry decided to tell his son what was going on.

"These nights out may be coming to a stop soon."

Nick brow furrowed in confusion and he cocked his head. "Why, dad? Did you get fired again?"

"No, I didn't get fired! Why do you people always assume I got fired?", he snapped loudly and the restaurants occupants stared accusingly at him. "Sorry," he apologized softly. Turning to Nick, he began again in a whisper. "No, I'm not fired, the museum is going to Disney and I'm going to be put on temporary time, nowhere near enough to support myself let alone hockey games every week."

"Okay, okay I get it!" Nick put up his hands in defeat. "Have you found another job yet?"

"Unfortunately, no. My past escapades are coming back to haunt me in that department," Larry sighed and turned the pages of his menu.

"Do you think we should be doing this then…?" Nick trailed off and Larry glared at him.

"Shut up and eat your damn pizza." Nick grinned and looked down at his menu.

After the dinner, Larry proceeded to bring back Nick to his apartment. With a whispered, "Good luck dad," from his son, Larry was off to work.

This time when he climbed the marble stairs a sense of foreboding swept past him and a grave looking Dr. McPhee met him at the door. It took a lot for the Doctor to meet him when he directly entered the building and Larry sensed that he was in major trouble. Like yesterday, the doctor looked him up and down and gestured to his office. "You, me, now."

In a repeat of yesterday, Larry was sitting in a leather chair with his boss glaring at him. "Mr. Daley, were you or were you not on guard duty yesterday evening?"

Larry was confused. "Yes, sir, you know I was."

Dr. McPhee sighed. "Then you would know of the disappearance of a certain Ahkmenrah tablet?"

Larry stood up, suddenly furious. "What? The tablet's gone?"

"I was afraid you'd say that," the doctor muttered quietly and stood up. He walked up to the night guard and stared straight in his eyes. "Did you do it?" He pronounced every syllable clearly.

Larry was seething, clearly insulted that his boss would ever accuse him of such a thing. Through clenched teeth he muttered, "No."

Dr. McPhee looked him in the eyes intently and then nodded. "I believe you, Mr. Daley." Larry exhaled loudly through his nose in relief. "But," the doctor began again. "The authorities don't. I'm afraid I can't…" he frowned, unable to get the sentence out. "They won't let me… Strictly speaking you've put me in a difficult…" he sighed again. "You're fired Mr. Daley."

Larry stared at him with an open mouth. "But surely Dr. McPhee you can't do that-"

"I'm afraid I can, Mr. Daley," the doctor interrupted sadly. "Until the tablet is restored, I have every intention of letting you go." The doctor held a sad confidence that Larry had never seen before. "If the tablet is not back by the time the exhibition comes back from Disney, the authorities will consider you to be… well, you'll be the… you'll still be in trouble, okay?"

Larry was still fuming, but he did understand the position that Dr. McPhee was being put into. "Yes sir."

"You're dismissed Mr. Daley."

Larry turned to leave, but as he opened the door he turned back. "Can I have one last night?"

The doctor exhaled loudly once more and thought. "It pains me to say this but… well it just wouldn't be… no, no you can't."

This blow hit Larry particularly hard and he rushed out of the building. He just needed to get away… how could he have been so blind? So stupid? So careless?

And he didn't even get to say goodbye.

He was going to get that tablet back and take his family back home. And while he was at it, teach a lesson to whoever had the guts to ruin his life and take his tablet.

Even if it meant spending lots of money he didn't have and going to the happiest place on earth.

Night at the Museum Night at the Museum Night at the Museum

"Nick, I've talked to your mom. We're going on a trip." Larry Daley strode into his son's room with a purpose, and he looked very intimidating. Nick was lounging on his bed with one ear bud in his ear and reading a book about eighties music while chewing gum and his father frowned down at him.

Nick popped a bubble, stuck a bookmark in his page and sat up in bed. "Where?" He arched a suspicious eyebrow. "Why?"

"Disney World. Never mind why, just pack your things. We're going to hit the road tomorrow morning at five." With that, Larry turned on his heel and stormed out of the pre- teen's room. Nick was stunned for a second then regained his senses and caught up to his dad.

"Wait, we're driving?"

"Yes, we don't have enough money to go on a plane," Larry muttered as he reached the door.

Nick rolled his eyes. "Oh yes, but we clearly have enough to spend at a theme park with you on minimum wage!"

Larry shrugged and made a face. "Well, not exactly. I expect you to be fed and ready for me to pick you up in the morning, understood?"

"Yeah but dad-"

"Goodnight Nick!" Larry said in a very singsong tone and closed the door in the boy's astonished face.

The way home was spent muttering and cursing about wayward shadows and thieving sons of a Hun. His apartment seemed smaller than ever after he packed his minimal bags. He put everything in boxes, just in case his landlord decided to evict him with a note addressed to his ex- wife. He didn't leave a phone number.

He was steaming the whole night, and even at one o'clock in the morning he was still mad as the urge for sleep overcame him and he passed out.

Not four and a half hours had passed before his alarm on his cell phone woke him suddenly. Not even bothering to change his clothes from the day before, his car was packed and he was on the way to his son's apartment in the nicer part of town.

Nick was already waiting for him when he got there, bumming on the sidewalk and looking as confused as ever. Larry noisily popped open the trunk, threw his son's bags in while Nick got in the car. After Larry got in, he slammed his door so hard a cat screeched in the background. "Oh, shut up," he muttered and put his car in drive.

After a half an hour of silence, Nick finally gathered up his courage to ask, "So, what's up?"

"Oh, I don't know," Larry answered sarcastically. "What's up with you?" Nick opened his mouth to speak but Larry talked over him in an obnoxious voice. "I've just had all of four hours of sleep in the past two days, I'm fine. Just dandy, matter of fact. I can't wait to spend my life at a kid's theme park!"

"Dad, if you don't want to go, then why are we going?"

"You know Nick; you don't have to know everything all the time. Sometimes you have to just sit down and smell the damn roses!" Nick knew better than to talk to his father when he was like this so he figured on just keeping quiet.

It would be a long two day trip.

Night at the Museum Night at the Museum Night at the Museum

"Hey Nick, stop being such a lazy ass and help me get the luggage into the hotel room!" Nick had been right; it was a long two days. Instead of stopping for a hotel, Larry decided to save on expenses and pull the car off to the side and sleep right there. It was no surprise to Nick when they got woken by a cop rapping on their window.

So instead of sleep making Larry better, a ticket and six hours of sleep made him even grumpier.

The hotel in Florida that they were staying at was probably the grubbiest one Nick had ever seen, and he lived in Manhattan. It cost them fifty dollars a night for the two of them and Nick suspected there were rats living under the beds.

It was shaping out to be a terrible vacation indeed.

As it was, Nick was starving. Larry's idea of dinner on the road was protein bars that he had taken from Nick's mom's house a few weeks ago. It came as a relief when Larry announced that it was dinner time.

A Ruby Tuesday's was just down the road and a table for two was set up for the pair. As they sat down and opened their menus, Nick decided it was time to take matters in his own hands.

"Dad?"

"Yes Nick?" replied an overly friendly and overly sarcastic Larry Daley. His eyes skimmed over the menu and frowned. "I think you should order the salad. It's the cheapest thing on here and since it's a salad bar we can keep going back for more."

Nick rolled his eyes and put down his menu. "Sure dad whatever, but why are we here?"

Larry scowled and threw down his menu. "You want to know why we're here? It's because Mr., Dr., British Man fired me and accused me of stealing that cursed tablet and now we're going to go broke and die on the street like a bunch of hobo's." He said all that in just one whispered breath, spitting on Nick in his madness in the process.

A disgusted Nick wiped the spittle off his cheek and leaned in. Then he said loudly, "Then why didn't you say so in the first place!" Several people looked at them and Larry banged his head against the table.

"Will you keep it down?"

"We're going after it right?" Nick asked excitingly, only lowering his voice slightly. "That's why we're going to Disney, right? To get it back?"

"Yes…" Larry spat through clenched teeth. "Now sit down and keep quiet if you know what's good for you!"

Nick, satisfied, ordered his salad and waited for the next day to come.

That night, after his father collapsed on the dingy bed at half past seven, Nick crept to his alarm on his phone and shut it off.

Tomorrow would be a big enough day as it was, he didn't need his father being all grumpy about it.

;) And…? This is going to be so much fun guys!

Was this too long, too short, or perfect? I combined two of my chapters by accident!