Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters besides Laura, Kayla and Steven.

Summery: Just as Laura's trying to get through her last year in high school and forgetting about her ex boyfriend Steven, she goes job hunting for anything. Desperate for a job, she's hired as the second Night Guard at the Museum of Natural History. Working along side of Larry as history comes to life each night, she finds herself falling for Larry...and someone else. But only one of them ends up feelings the same way for her. Will she end up breaking from her heartbreak and let herself be happy once again while trying to help Larry keep peace and order in the museum?

Author's Replies to Reviews:

Grim 1989: I'm glad you like it. :)

ShelteredBrokenHeart: Glad you like it! :D

Pixyxjellybean: Yeah...I wanted Larry to blurt it out sooner or later. So I was thinking, why not now? :D Glad you liked it. :)

A/N: Countdown till this story's over. Two more chapters, people. :) And depending on how it ends, there just might be a sequel. So hopes up, everyone. This is a really dramatic chapter...so fair warning.

Chapter Ten ~ Taken by Surprise

I felt my body freeze as I sat in one of the leather chairs facing Dr. McPhee's desk. I sighed after feeling like I had been holding my breath forever. Dr. McPhee searched my face for any signs of a reaction or reply.

"You...want me working the day shift now?" I finally spoke.

He nodded his head and sat back in his office chair. "I've seen how tired you've been and I really don't want you tired for school, being that you're a Senior. Most important year of your life, I suspect," Dr. McPhee replied.

I sighed and looked down. Something about this felt De ja-vu-ish. "So...how many days do you want me working then?" I asked as I folded my hands before me and looked down at them.

"As many as you can. You can work after school for four hours a day," he replied.

"And what about Larry?" I asked.

"He'll be doing what he's always been doing. Night shift," he replied, shrugging his shoulders.

I sighed and nodded my head. "Alright. I can work five days a week," I replied.

I heard happiness in his voice. "Thank God!" he said as he clapped his hands together once. "I hated that we had to lose Benjamin..." was all he said as he got up and motioned for me to leave.

"So you'll start Monday," he replied as he motioned for me to leave once more.

Thank God it was Spring Break was all I could think about. I wouldn't be loosing any sleep. I got up and walked out, thanking Dr. McPhee for this promotion. I left the museum heading into town to do some long-awaited shopping.

..::( ~ ~ ~ ~ )::..

I sighed as I stared at my strawberry banana smoothie before me in the food court in the mall. In the chair beside me sat a big Hot Topic bag with two tee shirts and a necklace, a Claire's bag with three pairs of earring thanks to their constant buy 2, get one half off sale, and an American Eagle bag. I really hate that store and people who shop there, but their jeans are the best fitting jeans I had ever found. I went through Hot Topic, Vanity, Khols, JC Pennies, and even Old Navy. All were just not right. American Eagle was my last hope for jeans my tenth grade year in high school.

I sighed and stirred my smoothie, thinking about my new job. I would have to talk to Larry and Ahkmenrah...I wouldn't be able to see them at night for a while. While Larry would be working a the museum would come to life, I'd be back at home, fast asleep. Dead, you can call it.

This is not good.

Not good at all.

A person sat down before me. It was Steven. And next to him, sat down Jake. I sighed, rolled my eyes, and grabbed my cup, getting ready to get up and walk away...far away from them. But then Steven spoke up. "Oh, come on, Laura. Don't run away," he said with a short chuckle.

I rolled my eyes and grabbed my shopping bags as I got up to leave. "Go to hell," I murmured as I got up and left, hearing their laughs like nails screeching against a chalk board.

Every time I'm ready to be okay with things, he has to show up. Every time.

I got home an hour later as I unpacked everything I bought. Mom hung in my doorway. "So a new position, eh?" she asked after she heard my conversation with Jamie on the phone. I looked at her and nodded my head.

"Why so down?" I suddenly heard her ask. I looked up at her, surprised, causing her to laugh. "Don't be surprised, dear. I know when you're upset about something," she said as she sat next to me on my bed.

I shrugged my shoulders. "Just...going to miss being out at night," I said as I looked down at my empty shopping bag pile at the edge of my bed.

She just nodded her head. "So, pizza for supper?" she asked.

I groaned and rolled my eyes. "Mom! How many times a week are we going to have pizza. Get something else that you're too lazy to go out and get that you can get delivered. Like Chinese," I replied as I plopped my head down on my pillow.

I heard her laugh as she got up from my bed and and walked out. "Chinese then," she said.

..::( ~ ~ ~ ~ )::..

I was there before Larry got there. This was the first time he was probably late. I sat in the lobby, swinging around in the chair behind the information desk. Then after twenty minutes, Larry finally arrived. I stopped and looked at him. He gave me a grief look.

"You heard," I murmured as he approached me. I got up from the seat and came out from behind the desk. He nodded his head as he hurried over to me. "What's the rush?" I then said.

Before I knew it, I felt him push me up against the edge of the counter behind me, his hands on my hips. My eyes widened, curious as to what the hell he was doing. His hands were on my hips and before I knew it, his lips crushed against mine. My eyes never closed as I tried my hardest to push him away. Even though it didn't do anything, I felt myself tempt to melt away in his arms.

When he noticed me trying to push him away, he took a step back, taking his hands away and resting them at his sides. He wiped his mouth and sighed. "I had to do that. This is basically the last night we'd spend together," he said, putting his hands on his hips and shrugged his shoulders.

"So that gave you a reason to kiss me!" I exclaimed, suddenly angry. What in the hell gave him the thought that he could do such a thing when he knew I was taken!

He looked at me, searching my face. "You-you're angry at me," he said as he shifted his weight awkwardly.

I put my hands on my hips in an angry way. "Duh!" I said as I rolled my eyes, snorted with a sly laugh, and walked away. The sun was just setting in the foreground.

Ahkmenrah was just putting on his crown when I walked in. Cleopatra was off yelling at Octavious. I chuckled at them. Ahkmenrah saw me and smiled, so happy to see me. "My princess!" he exclaimed as he hurried over to me, wrapping his arms around me in a caressing embrace I loved so much. "It's so good to see you. I've missed you so much!" he exclaimed.

I smiled and hugged him back. "I've missed you too," I replied. And when he sat me back down on my feet, he looked at me, searching my face.

He read the sadness so easily. "You're upset...whatever is the matter, darling?" he asked me.

I looked down at the tiled floor. The lighting, as always, was of a dull fiery color. But Ahkemanrah could read my expression so easily. I placed my hands on his chest and looked up at his chocolate brown eyes. "There's some news you should know about..." I murmured.

"News? Well go ahead and do tell!" Ahkmenrah said. I could tell that he was trying to lighten up such a dreary mood.

"Dr. McPhee has gave me a promotion," I said.

"Promotion?"

"A better job," I replied in a voice just above a whisper.

"And what's that?"

"I'm to start Monday...as a guard for during the week," I said...trying my best to choose my words carefully.

"I'll be able to see you more often now!" Ahkmenrah exclaimed.

I chuckled, shaking my head as I looked down. I sighed. "No...Ahkmenrah...my love...I'm going to be a guard during the day," I replied as I took my hands away and folded them before me.

I looked back up at him and then saw his smile disappear. "So...I won't see you anymore?" he asked in a very disappointed way.

I crossed my arms over my chest. Once school's over, while I'm searching for a college, I'll be able to come and visit when I can, which will be often," I assured him.

"And how much longer will it be until schools over?" he asked me, looking deep in my eyes.

"About three months," I murmured, looking away.

"Three months! That's a lot, considering that I'm only awake four eight hours a night," he said suddenly looking a bit frustrated as the light from one of the torches hit his face.

I sighed and looked down. "I know...I know," I murmured.

"And what will happen when you find a college? For all I know, it would be out of state!"

I sighed and looked down, suddenly feeling hurt. He didn't understand. And I wasn't sure I did either. I took a step away, ready to walk away and find someone else to talk with. Maybe Sacajawea or Teddy. But I guess Ahkmenrah finally understood the situation and my feelings at the moment. I felt him take a step forward and gently grab my wrist.

"I'm sorry this is the way it is, my princess," he murmured in a cautious way.

"I knew this wouldn't work out," was all I said as I ripped my hand from his grip and hurried out of the room and down the hall to where Sacajawea was.

They turned to me, as if they knew what was going on...which I'm sure they did know. "Good news sure travels fast," I scoffed as I looked down, shaking my head.

"I'm sorry it's this way," I heard Teddy say.

I snorted and shook my head. "Everything was so perfect. I had a refuge and someone good to love me back...but as usual, it's all too good to be true," I murmured as I shrugged my shoulders and looked up at the two. "I'm taking tomorrow off. This will be the last time you guys will see me," I murmured.

As the night went on, getting closer and closer to ending, I said my goodbyes to everyone. They said their goodbyes in return, adding on their best memories with me. I was sad to the fact I wouldn't see them until summer vacation, but all good things come to an end, right?