You're FIRED!... Possibly

AN: Hello, everyone. This is my first go at writing a Night At The Museum fic, with the smallest of spoilers for the ending of the third movie, where Doctor McPhee discovers that the tablet of King Akmenrah brings the exhibits to life at night. However, what if he found out much, much earlier. Shall we say, as early as the first movie?

I don't own anything unless stated otherwise. Much later on, there will be exhibits that weren't in any of the movies, but for now, let's begin this story.

SJS

Excited about the prospect at visiting his dad at work, Nicky, along with his friends Robert and Carl, trooped into the museum. However, Nicky's friends weren't massively keen on the whole idea of being there.

"No one comes here anymore," Carl said disdainfully, whilst Robert, nodding in agreement, added, "I took this tour in second grade, Daley."

Nick, however, was undeterred, as with a smile, he said, "I'm telling you, my Dad's gonna hook us up."

However, any "hooking up" that Larry might have been doing was immediately squashed by the sharp, authoritative tone of Doctor McPhee, the museum's director.

"Mr. Daley," he called sharply, causing Larry, who was just passing the bust of Columbus, to look up, and say "Yeah?" in what he hoped was both polite and professional.

In response, the director gestured to the Neanderthal display, and said, "Foam."

Larry nodded. "Yes, I know," he said.

McPhee stared at him, and said, "In the Neanderthal display."

Larry nodded again. "I know, I know. There was an incident last night with the fire extinguisher. I was literally on my way to go clean it up."

McPhee shook his head. " Okay, don't bother. You're fired!" He snapped and walked away, Larry staring after him.

Nicky felt sick to his stomach, and it didn't make it the situation any better when his friends pointed out that, because Larry was fired, they were not going to get a tour.

Larry, feeling terrible, was suddenly struck by an idea. If it worked, he wouldn't get fired, and Doctor McPhee was going to remember his plan for years to come.

"Excuse me, Dr. McPhee," he called out to him as he followed.

Catching up with him, he said, "Can I talk to you for a moment about this?"

Getting no answer, he added, "Sir?"

Annoyed, Dr. McPhee spun around and snapped, "What?"

"I know I screwed up, but I think I know how to do this job," he began.

Still walking, the doctor huffed, "You obviously don't. That's the point."

"No, I didn't, but now I do," he said, and then added, "Do you want to know why that foam was there? Or indeed, the reason why the Roman miniature was stuck in the stocks of the Western Town display?"

Doctor McPhee stopped. There was a peculiar note in the younger man's voice which made him pause for a moment.

"Why?"

"Well, I can't exactly tell you, but provided that you let me keep my job, and come back here tonight just before sundown, I can show you," Larry told him with a smile.

Again, the doctor paused, and considered Larry's words for some time, before coming to a decision.

"Very well, Mr. Daley. I'll give you one more chance. But if nothing happens tonight, you are fired tomorrow for not only making a mess but also wasting my time. Do we have an understanding with each other?"

Larry couldn't help but hold back his grin. "Yes, Sir," he said with a delighted smile.

PAGE BREAK

However, there was clearly something very wrong when he went to see Nicky and Erica. The latter opened the door looking worried, and after they had said "Hello" to each other, Larry asked what was wrong.

"Maybe you should ask Nicky," she said, so Larry went into his son's room, to find that his son was sitting cross-legged on his bed, reading a book.

"Hey, buddy. What's going on?" He asked.

"You got fired," came the disappointed response.

"What are you talking about? I didn't get fired," Larry said, walking in.

Glancing up, Nicky said, "I came to the museum this morning. I saw your boss yelling at you."

"Why didn't you tell me. Anyway, it's fine, we just had a little misunderstanding," Larry said comfortingly.

"Why?" Asked Nick, somewhat confused.

"It's hard to explain. You wouldn't bel-" He cut himself off, and then said, "You know what? Let me show you."

"Show me what?" Asked Nick.

"Come with me to work tonight," he said.

He smiled at his son, when Erica called his name.

Larry glanced over at her, and she said, "Can I talk to you for a second?"

Following her out into the hallway, he leaned against the wall and asked, "Am I in trouble," with a hint of a smile.

Erica stared at him. "Larry, what are you doing?"

Larry smiled. "I just want to show him what I do, that's all."

"I love that you want to share that you wanna share that with him," Erica began, "But," she added, "I gotta tell you, I don't think Nicky has any room in his heart for more disappointment."

"He won't be disappointed," Larry said cheerfully.

"Larry," she sighed.

"He won't be disappointed," He said with another smile.

AN:

I really hope you enjoy this. I'm going to write the next chapter. Also, the original ending to this chapter was rather abrupt, so I added some more.