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To Huskygirl1998: Yes...I know...I keep messing that up...don't worry something awesome will happen, read on! Thank you! Neat ideas! umm...hmmm...no idea, it's not mentioned in the movies at all Ahk's age, we just assume he's 18-20 because of looks wise, actor wise in the first film Rami Malek was 25.

To Avian: Here's the rest! Thank you!

To Avian (second review): Awesome idea! And I'll get distracted easily so...takes me awhile to bounce around between topics...

To NatM-Fan: well of course! I would not leave you all hanging! Tada! Thank you!

To EgyptianAngel: No! Don't punch Jed! Read on lovely reader/reviewer it gets better! Thank you!

To divergentlover523, Silent Phantom, TheTimeLady125, Kissy Heartbreak, Caillet, pianimissimopiper, WhySoSerious1992, alyssiusyouk, DancingKitKat, booklover7161, Lady Isaiah, Bijuui9, TEAMLEO4THEWIN, horsequeen1379, QueenPersephoneOfHades, BirdSpell, guardian of art and bravery, Carosylics, stephanieeisenstaedt, bowsie22, SilverShadowKat19, FlamyAngelwings, snakeyeslover2, TheLadyKnightOfEdoras, AwkwardHolmes, Tarica, LuciS39, 12HPfan7, Queen of Letters, YoukoMeh, paninya, DeidaraHoshika, Proud Olympian, Apol31, JustAGirlWithAnImagination, SaphiralovesTolkien, TraptWolf94, Stargazing Strangers, The Unforgettable Beauty, Ajhtrumpet, professor ita-chan, Kedi, Madame Reveuse, lealover1, MsMerlein, GrellSutcliffTheBloodiedRose, Little Juniper Tree, LoneAngel666, N3ss13, Rayven Lilith Sky, powergirl1, Lady-of-Stone, Radwoman, Robyn Flynn, Monar, XIII-Jinx-XIII, boasamishipper, ReaderRoo, Silver Cherry Bloom, XIII-Jinx-XIII, 2late2begin, AlectoRuby, Lovinglolipop0402, Ickypicky892: Thank you for the follows and faves!

***Here's to Mythicalnightguard for this awesome idea and collaboration!****

There's over 200 reviews are you kidding me?! Wow! Thank you so much!

Chapter Twelve

Breakthrough-Part Three

Xxx November

Larry Daley, night guard, hobby inventor, and sometimes a therapist/mediator between warring exhibits, could handle just about anything the New York Museum of Natural History threw at him. Yet he dragged his feet all the way to work that evening before sunset. Sitting in his locker was the wax figurine of Jedidiah, who would soon wake up again and Larry would have to figure out what the heck was going on. Least to say he wasn't looking forward to the full darkness of the night.

The desk only took a couple minutes to clear, anything that Jed could hurt himself on was moved somewhere else so the cowboy had space once he woke up.

Wax figurine on the desk one minute, three inch tall cowboy stretching and rubbing at his eyes the next. Larry had watched exhibits freeze before, coming to life was something he hadn't ever really watched. Bit strange to be hones, Jed's coloring both brightened to be more natural looking, and evened out to look less painted. The cowboy blinked in the bright light, rubbing as his face before looking around in confusion.

"Evening Jed...mind talking to me about what happened last night?"

The cowboy didn't answer right away, eyes narrowed as he stared at Larry, Jed looked the night guard over up and down, examining his uniform and looking around the security office in confusion.

"Uh Jed...Talk to me man, what's going on?"

When the blue eyes finally met his, the look on Jed's face shook Larry to the core before he even spoke.

"Who in tarnation are you?"

That wasn't good...

Xxx

Jed had gone off on a tangent about not knowing who the heck this guy was, and after five minutes the strange night guard was just as confused as the cowboy was so he interrupted the tirade by knocking his fist on the desk top.

"Alright...alright...Let me take you back to the Hall of Miniatures at least...then the...uh other night guards will come and talk to you...just let me rake you back to your Diorama."

The cowboy sighed, running his hands through his hair before nodding, stepping onto the man's offered hand after a moment's hesitation. The argument between the two hadn't been pleasant to say the least and Jed just wanted to go hide in his tent for the rest of the night, he'd had a headache since the middle of the battle yesterday and just wanted to get some rest and hope it went away.

Riding on the new guy's hand was weird, Cecil or Reginald usually carried the miniatures by their collars or trapping them in their pockets, not showing this much kindness ever. It worried the cowboy...if this guy was anything like Gus or the others...it wasn't going to end well for him or the other miniatures.

This guy kept to his word though, carrying Jed quickly and safely to the Hall of Miniatures without any 'detours' or getting 'sidetracked'. Barry or Larry or whoever this guy was , was careful with his movements, especially on the stair case, he cupped his other hand around the one Jed was standing on to ensure the miniature didn't fall while the full size man moved.

Jed was starting to get really confused and worried, this guy had the night guard uniform and the set of keys, he obviously worked here...but there was no way he was this calm after being here for only a couple nights...Jed would know too, he was always finding ways out of the Hall even after lock up so a new night guard wouldn't have gone unnoticed. That and the other three night guards weren't shy in keeping everyone informed.

Jed was just getting comfortable enough to brace a hand on the new guy's thumb to remain standing as they moved when the pair reached the Hall of Miniatures, Jed stiffened a little as he looked around, the front gate was open as were all three glass Diorama panels, nothing was locked up.

The confusion didn't ease, but the new guy did honor Jed's request to be set down at the entrance instead of at the Old West Diorama.

"See ya later Jed…"

The cowboy nodded, waving half-heartedly as the night guard left to head somewhere else. Jed sighed, looking around the hall and seeing all three dioramas active and happy, songs drifted from the Old West, the familiar tunes easing his heart and mind as he smirked a little. The Mayans were relatively peaceful, some were watching him but otherwise ignored his presence on the floor. Rome was at peace as well, lines of soldiers marching in synchronized movements and chariots were being tended to with horses nearby. Yet like the Old West, Rome was missing someone, and Jed found the other lone miniature under the center bench.

Xxx

Larry rubbed at his face, walking quickly away from the Hall of Miniatures and heading to track down Ahkmenrah and Theodore Roosevelt, if anyone had any ideas on what to do with Jed, it was those two. Teddy for his experience with museum inhabitants, and Ahk for his knowledge on the tablet. Something was seriously wrong…

The president and pharaoh were lounging comfortably on the staircase, laughing and listening to Attila's story telling, the Hun making exaggerated hand movements as he spoke.

"...byatskhan shuvuu tunnii khumuusteisahk butsaj enkh taivny jims ni tuunii uur ruu nissen."

Larry clapped politely with Teddy and Ahk as Attila finished his tale, bowing a little at the waist as he chuckled, smiling widely as the night guard moved closer.

"Sain oroi shoniin kharuul."

Larry knew the last word in that sentence meant 'guard' so he assumed it was a greeting, smiling as he patted Attila's shoulder as he sat down next to him. "Hey Attila, how's it hanging?"

The Hun smiled, waving to them all as he stood and headed downstairs.

"Good evening Lawrence, how is the night faring?"

Larry sighed softly as he leaned back against the railing, "Not good Teddy...had Jed in the security office during the day so I could talk to him as soon as he woke up, he wasn't happy about it-"

"Well that's not surprising, none of us take kindly to waking up somewhere other than where we were when sunrise arrived."

"Teddy he doesn't know who I am."

The president's brow furrowed, Ahk shifting to lean closer to Larry as the night guard shrugged helplessly. "I beg your pardon?"

Larry nodded, "Jed didn't recognize me, he knows who I am from last night when I stopped the fighting, but other than that he thinks I'm some new guard the previous guys brought in without telling anyone...he was scared of me...and kept asking what kind of prank Cecil or Gus was trying to pull on the Miniatures. I finally took him back to the Hall of Miniatures just so he'd calm down. Guys he doesn't remember anything about me being here…"

Ahkmenrah glanced to Teddy when the president groaned softly.

"Not again…"

"Teddy?"

Teddy sighed, pulling off his glasses and beginning to clean them, "Lawrence you know the Miniatures are easily damaged while in their wax day state, most of them have been replaced at least once due to just wear and tear of being so small. Jedidiah...has been replaced probably the most often out of all the miniatures. This doesn't really affect them besides usually being gone for a night or two. When they get back all fixed up or even completely new...they've always woken up relatively fine...seems the tablet restores memories."

Ahkmenrah nodded, speaking up when Larry glanced to him, "It is part of the healing, the memories that preserve the tablet are the memories part of those who are brought back to life each night."

"Unfortunately," Teddy sighed again as the pharaoh finished, "There have been the rather infrequent occasions where something hasn't gone quite right upon reawakening...some memories haven't always carried over…"

"How do we fix this? Jed's willing to lead war on Rome and not knowing who I am...this is bad…"

Teddy looked away for a moment, tone saddened and soft when he finally spoke again, "I do not know…"

Xxx

Gaius Octavius was a relatively calm man, he had to be when commanding legions of men who had to follow him into battle and most likely their deaths. And he also had to be calm considering he was only three inches tall in a museum filled with other exhibits several thousand times his size. Now he'd kept his cool while in battle against armies outnumbering his own by the hundreds, he'd kept calm when staring down the Roman Senate, he'd kept his calm dealing with rude and inconsiderate night guards, he'd kept his calm when aiding in saving the museum. Yet when it came to his closest friend suddenly wanting him dead…

Octavius was most certainly not calm…

Instead he sat against the center bench in the Hall of Miniatures, tucked by the far set of legs as he stared out over the floor, deep in thought. Being so small he could feel the floor vibrations when a full size person walked to the entrance of the Hall, judging by the sound of jingling keys it was Larry. Octavius didn't get up to meet the night guard, it would take a lot of effort on a good night for the guard to notice just one miniature on the floor halfway across the room, that and the Roman just didn't care at the moment. Larry made his rounds a couple times a night and always ducked his head into the Hall to quickly check on everyone, this was no different.

The night guard's footsteps faded away and Octavius sighed heavily, closing his eyes as he leaned his head back against the wooden bench leg as his fingers played with his helmet plume, tugging and straightening the strands.

Soft metallic clinks were coming closer, another miniature, Octavius didn't look up when they stopped a couple miniature yards away (really it was only about twelve inches).

The new arrival shifted a little, not speaking for several minutes, finally catching Octavius' attention when they cleared their throat a little.

The roman sighed as he opened his eyes, tilting his head enough to look at the blonde cowboy, "What is it you want Jedidiah?"

Jed didn't answer right away, shifting a bit in apprehension, Octavius didn't miss how the man's hand twitched as if to reach for a gun. "I...I came ta talk…"

Octavius hid his surprise, but his tone betrayed his thoughts, "About?"

"This…" Jed shrugged as he gestured around a bit helplessly, eyes still hard in defense, but his shoulders weren't tense like they had been last night.

"This what?"

"Why ya know so much 'bout me...for starters…"

Octavius sighed, shaking his head as he stood up, fingers sliding along his helmet tie and glaring at the blood still staining the leather. He managed to keep his voice from shaking when he spoke, but his tone was still hesitant and sad, "You...and I...we are friends...or I guess used to be…"

Jed snorted, hands that had been on his hips, crossed over his chest, leaning on one leg as he shook his head, "Right...so ya say…"

The Roman let the sarcasm be, knowing it was no use arguing about his own validity, "Jedidiah...you do not remember any of what I say for some reason...which I swear mist be the cause of this confusion you are experiencing."

The cowboy only shook his head, glaring daggers at the other man, "There ain't nothin' confusin' 'bout a Roman who's lost his mind."

"If I had lost my senses, why or yet how even would I know who you are?"

Jed was getting frustrated, throwing his hands up in the air as he started pacing angrily, "Cause ya got spies all 'round, I know it! They're all 'roud, watchin' me an' my men an' gatherin' info'mation ta aid ya in this stupid trick yer playin'!"

Octavius took a moment to keep his composure, ensuring his voice was calm and steady, "And have you proof of this espionage?"

"Well...well...no...but-"

"The what have you to say to explain this?"

Jed spluttered for a moment, eyes narrowed at Octavius' calm demeanor.

"Well...aw nothin'! But I ain't buyin' yer tall tale 'ere!"

"Jedidiah," Octavius sighed, rubbing at his face in exhaustion before shoving his helmet back on his head, "I beg you just listen to me. Something is very wrong. You are not you. You are changed somehow. But I do not know why or how, and cannot tell you-"

"What the hell are ya talkin' 'bout?! See...spies or somethin'! How would ya know what I'm like?!"

That did it, Octavius could maintain his cool when someone was questioning his own honesty, but when it came to his men being threatened, nothing held him back, his calm demeanor vanished as frustration and concern took over, his tone harsh and angry...and desperate.

"Because we are friends! You know me as well as I know you. You must know-you must feel it! By Jupiter Jedidiah, you must remember something! Anything for the gods sakes! Even a small, seemingly nothing memory in back of your mind...or just a feeling that something isn't right with how you are acting...

Jed started to back away from him, hands held out defensively as he shook his head, he'd tensed again, body tight and angry as he glared, "I-I don't know what yer yakkin' 'bout...I don' know you...I never did! And I sure as heck ain't friends with no lyin' Romans!"

Octavius groaned, tossing his hands in the air in exasperation as he started to pace away. His mind was racing to help his friend, yet even his heart was beginning to be weighed down with dread. What if he couldn't help Jed remember? What had that stupid tablet done to cause this? It was supposed to heal them...revive their historical selves to live again at night...tablet...Ahkmenrah…

His voice did shake this time as it came out barely a whisper, "Ahkmenrah."

Jed scowled, hands on his hips when the Roman turned back around, "What? Ahken...who?"

"Ahkmenrah...he is the owner of the tablet, perhaps he can make you remember…"

The cowboy snorted, almost laughing as he shook his head in disbelief, "The mummy?"

"No! No, the pharaoh. He can help us-"

"Us?" Jed's interruption was fast and sounded like he thought Octavius was crazy, "Ain't no us...sides ya gotta be crazy. That screamin' an' hollerin' mummy has been locked up since the first night."

Now Octavius was starting to get as confused as Jed was already, "No...he's been let out every night for years now. You were there when he was freed. You fought alongside him when the old night guards tried to steal the-"

Jed stepped forward, hands balling into fists, "I sure as heck never fought beside no monster mummy...an' I don' know you. That mummy's been locked up fer years. An' those ole night guards...don' know where in hell they got to...got some new guy walkin' aroun'-"

"You mean Larry? Jedidiah, he's been here at the museum for two years now, the others retired-"

"What?!" Jed tossed his hands into the air, growling as he stalked away angrily, stopping after a few steps and spinning around. "Retired...no way josé...those nuts ain't gone no where…"

The cowboy started to walk away again, only stopping after a moment when Octavius' hesitant voice stopped him.

"Jedidiah…"

"What?"

The roman's tone was confused, eyes not meeting Jed's as his voice shook, "What year is it?"

Jed groaned, rolling his eyes as he glanced over his shoulder, scowling at the Roman, "1998...has been for eight months now…"

Before the cowboy could continue the Roman was at his side, grabbing his shoulder and spinning him around.

"Jedidiah! Please! Listen to me! Something is wrong! You must understa-"

"No!" Jed almost ended up smacking Octavius across the face as he jerked free, backing away angrily, "I ain't listenin' ta nothin' ya'va gotta say! Now ya listen to me...I don't know who ya are, an' what sorta fan'asy ya've got 'side that tin can'a yers, but I'm sick an' tired of these lies! Now git' yer sorry butt outta here 'fore I shoot ya dead right here!"

Octavius slumped, sighing in defeat as he nodded, backing away to show he was complying with the request before turning fully.

Jed roared out in anger, and the Roman turned to watch the cowboy punch the wooden bench leg beside him before stalking towards the Old West Diorama, muttering under his breath angrily as he rubbed at his temples like he was in pain.

The roman watched him leave, groaning softly as he rubbed at his eyes in exhaustion, tired to his very core. The roman glanced over to his Diorama, ensuring all was well by judging the flags flying, glad everyone had established codes to communicate. As his eyes scanned, they fell on a black object tucked by the bench on the floor, to a passing museum visitor or employee it could have easily been just a piece of trash to be swept up if they even saw it. To the general...it was the most monumental thing he'd seen all night.

Jedidiah's Black Stetson

Xxx

Hearing the sound of the RC truck Larry had most recently gotten for Jed and Octavius coming up behind him made the night guard turn from where he was looking over the tablet with Ahkmenrah and Teddy. The car skidded around a corner and almost flipped, barely making into the Egyptian exhibit. Teddy even had to lean down to physically stop the car when it approached his foot.

Octavius stumbled out of the driver's side door and into Larry's waiting hand, a little shaky on his feet as a hand went to straighten his helmet, the other held tightly to a black cowboy hat.

"My apologies...I am not as proficient as driving the automobile as I thought."

Larry smirked as he shifted his fingers so Octavius could brace himself properly, "What's up Octavius?"

"I have some news...Jedidiah does not remember you, my liege, at all-"

"Yeah I got that earlier tonight when he was chewing me out-"

The general shook his head, interrupting the night guard, "No you do not understand...he does not remember you because he does not know what year it is...he believes it is August in the year 1998...not November of 2007. He still believes the three former night guards work here..."

Larry's eyes narrowed as he glanced up at Teddy and Ahkmenrah, the pharaoh looking just as confused as the night guard. The president on the other hand had his eyes shut and was rubbing the bridge of his nose as he muttered under his breath.

"...-gust nineteen ninety eight...summer...President Clinton was in office...Hurricane Bonnie...power went out...Great Scott!"

Octavius flinched in Larry's hand when Roosevelt snapped his fingers, the sharp noise making the miniature groan loudly in pain.

"Teddy?"

"Oh my sincere apologies Octavius my good man, that was not intentional-"

"None taken-"

"-Lawrence, August 1998 Hurricane Bonnie hit New York, the museum was under maintenance at the time and lost power for several nights as it was not a priority to be restored at the time..Something about the power grids and switching over, I really have no idea. In those dark nights, the Hall of Miniatures was under constant lock down, most of us were for that matter for our own safety. But one of the nights when they were released before sunrise as normal, some of the rowdier ones went exploring for a bit, causing a fight to break out, in the chaos of calming them down by flashlights as sunrise hit the museum, one of the night guards dropped Jedidiah after he'd been frozen for the day-"

That made Larry stiffen slightly in anger but Teddy quickly calmed him down as the president continued, "It was better Jedidiah fall as wax and not flesh Lawrence, it would have been much worse. Furthermore Jedidiah as wax was sent to be repaired, as was usual in the situation, and was returned a few days later no issues. Now in 2004, a similar situation occurred and Jedidiah was replaced fully this time-"

"Teddy, what does that have to with Jed right now?"

The president pointed to the miniature black stetson in Octavius' hands, and the Roman turned it over to reveal a date etched into the felt in the inside, "That is the only remaining piece of Jed from 2003, this newly replaced Jed is just as the 1998 one...remember how we were discussing that the tablet ensures memories are maintained...that is why we wake up with knowledge of the museum each night instead of just as historical figured in the wrong time."

Larry nodded, "Yeah, and even when an exhibit is repaired they still maintain that."

Ahkmenrah spoke up at last, realization dawning, "If they are in one piece upon return, everything is fine. In 1998 Jed was completely replaced, in 2003 the damage was mild and did not need the wax mold. The tablet, when ensuring our memories are restored, focuses on the most recent piece of us as that is what the tablet recognizes. With the Jed walking around tonight being made from the old wax mold, and the hat having not been part of the repairs, the memories are split. The hat that has been part of the museum since your arrival-"

"And Jedidiah from 1998."

The pharaoh nodded as Larry understood, sighing as he rubbed at his face with his free hand.

"So...give Jed his hat back and everything will be fine?"

Teddy shrugged, Ahkmenrah no different, "Essentially yes that would work...I cannot guarantee it though...it may be Jedidiah needs to be replaced fully with all the pieces at once."

With a nod the night guard quickly left Ahk's exhibit, helping Octavius stay balanced on his hand as he walked back to the Hall of Miniatures.

"My liege?"

"Sorry Octavius, gotta get this figured out..."

xxx

Jedidiah wasn't pleased to be woken up. After his...discussion...with the roman general Octavius, his headache was so bad he'd retreated to his tent in the Diorama and just about collapsed on his cot, not even bothering to climb into his bed roll. His head was still pounding even when about an hour to sunrise Will came and woke him up, saying the night guard wanted him.

The cowboy groaned as he sat up, blinking as Will lit a lantern in his tent so he could see enough to pull his boots on. Jed rubbed at his face as he stood, stumbling a little as a painful throb to his head made his vision spin.

If the night guard crouching at the edge of the Diorama cared that Jed was only in his jeans and unbuttoned shirt, he didn't say anything, merely gave a half smile as the cowboy stopped in front of him.

"Whadda ya wan' now?"

"Came to return this, it was found on the floor and I figured you would want it back."

Jed watched the stranger night guard hold out his open hand, extending it slowly so Jed stood beside the outstretched hand with the cowboy's stetson on his palm.

Hesitantly, Jed took the hat back, holding it carefully in his ungloved hands before nodding in gratitude, the night guard gave a slightly wider smile before standing up and leaving without another word, waving to the couple of Old West miniatures who called out farewells and good mornings.

"Boss, you alright?"

Jed turned to Will suddenly standing beside him, nodding as his friend patted his shoulder, "Yeah...'m alright...gonna turn in, kinda tired."

Will nodded in understanding, and Jed trekked back to his tent, sighing as he slid past the heavy flap.

His rough cot never felt better as he laid back down, stretching out with a soft wince as his head pounded. Whether common sense or Will's knowledge of his boss kept the others away from his tent and the Diorama relatively quiet, Jed didn't care, he didn't fall asleep for a long while, barely making it into unconsciousness before sunrise touched the museum.

xxxi

xx

xxx

Waking up was just like normal, feeling the loss of the stiffness that took over during the day fade into a warmth the flowed energy through his veins...almost something he couldn't describe.

He grimaced as he sat up, swinging his legs over the side of his cot to sit properly. His clothes slid back on with ease, leather chaps creaking a little as he buckled the familiar straps around his waist and legs. He stretched slowly, checking his guns in his holsters before grabbing his hat off the wooden chest at the back of his tent.

Jamming it down over his blonde, messy hair was so familiar he didn't even realize he did it.

Until Jed collapsed to the ground...

xxx

Octavius was just completing his semi-weekly inspection of the barracks, and returning to work in his private quarters, when the sounds of someone making their way through the Rome Diorama rather loudly and obnoxiously made it to his ears.

He wasn't exactly expecting to find a rather tipsy Jed stumbling towards him while being supported by Marcus and Will.

The blonde cowboy was on the edge of being hilariously tipsy and roaring drunk, where in the heck he'd gotten the keys to the Mayor's secret stash was a question Octavius would never find the answer to. Right now he had to help his and Jed's second in command steady the cowboy on his feet as he swayed and almost face planted on the general's door step.

"What is the meaning of this?"

Will just shrugged, "Dunno sir, found the boss like this little while ago, knockin' back bottles fast'r than a man should be drinkin'. When I tol' 'im ta stop he demanded ta come see ya, so I reckon I better come too...not sure what got in his head to drink this much...made sure ta remove his guns this time."

Octavius nodded, grumbling as Jed just about fell forward after having stood on his one for a full minute, the general caught the cowboy as he went down, rolling his eyes in annoyance and shaking his head when Marcus moved to help his commander.

It took the roman a moment to get positioned properly as Jed struggled, then Octavius realized the cowboy wasn't fighting him...

Especially when Jed moaned softly, almost quiet enough Octavius didn't hear him, but the cowboy was clinging to the roman's arms like his life depended on it.

Not exactly what Octavius was expecting all things considered as of late.

"Thank you William, and Marcus. I can take it from here."

"Are you certain my liege?"

"Yes Marcus, I am sure. William, I will endeavor to have Jedidiah back within the Western Diorama by sunrise."

The brunette with the dusty tan hat chuckled, nodding before heading back to his camp with a wave. Marcus was hesitant to leave as well, but Octavius merely motioned for him to get moving, slinging one of Jed's arms over his shoulders and began to drag the stumbling cowboy inside. At least Marcus shut the door behind his commander, giving Octavius the privacy required for what he was about to do.

Which was dump Jedidiah on his butt as soon as he reached the lounge in his bedchamber.

The cowboy grunted as he landed on the lounge, struggling to sit up and only succeeding in getting dizzy and collapsing back against the cushions.

Octavius left him for a moment, returning with a pitcher of water, which was then up ended on Jedidiah's blonde head with little dignity.

At any other given time, Octavius would have at least cracked a smile if not even laughed at the way Jed spluttered with the water suddenly drenching his upper body. He thrashed enough as it was and fell off the lounge to hit the floor with an ungraceful thud.

He coughed, choking for a minute as Octavius set the empty pitcher on a nearby table, crossing his arms as he stared down at the cowboy in stony silence.

"...'m sorry Ockie..."

That wasn't expected...Octavius jumped a little as he watched Jedidiah, the cowboy wasn't looking anywhere but at the floor in front of him as he wiped the water from his eyes.

"I beg your pardon?"

Jed sighed softly, still not looking up as he managed to twist to lean up on an elbow, "...Said 'm sorry...screwed up..."

"No...no, after that?"

The cowboy finally looked up as Octavius crouched in front of him, "What? Ockie? 's what I call ya..."

The general stared in a mix of confusion and hope, hand gripping Jed's shoulder carefully as he spoke hesitantly, "Wha-what do you remember?"

A soft groan, Jed grimaced as he looked away again, "...e'rythin'...'speci'ly last couple a' nights...ne'er shoulda done that...Ockie I'm sorry..."

"It worked..."

"What?"

Octavius couldn't bite back a smile, "By Jupiter, it worked!"

Jed didn't hide his grunt of confusion as Octavius suddenly grabbed him in a hug, but at least the roman wasn't wanting to kill him for what the cowboy had done, so Jed merely smiled a little, hugging back good naturedly and meeting Octavius' gaze when the roman leaned back after a moment.

"We did not think this would succeed..."

"Alright..." Jed's eyes narrowed a little and he rubbed at them, grimacing at how much his head was spinning with the alcohol in him, "I know I musta done somethin' but what the hell happened Ockie?"

"You were damaged my friend, well your day wax self...again I might add, and I believe your hat was knocked from your person at the time...when you were repaired-"

"Missin' my hat so missin' most a' the memories...Had the same thin' 'appen ta the Mayor couple years ago...man was he a doozy til his wife tucked that damned neckerchief back in right."

Octavius rolled his eyes, "So you are aware of what happens when someone is missing a piece during repairs?"

Jed nodded, "Yeah...not uncommon on my side...ferget ta put things back on all the time and it messes with repairs...bound ta happen ta me one a' these days...er...nights."

His somber tone made Octavius' mood drop as Jed looked away again.

"Jedidiah-"

"Dammit...Ockie I'm sorry...ne'er shoulda aid any a' that...damn what in the hell was wrong wi' me? Didn't e'en listen ta Will and Caleb...let alone Gigantor! Aw man, I really screwed up!"

"You remember all of the last few nights?"

"Not properly...remember the night we had the big soccer game in the lobby..."

"That was Tuesday."

"What night is it now?"

"Saturday."

Jed groaned, "..'member Thursday...an'...the fight...oh for cryin' out loud I started a damn war!"

"Jedidiah! Calm down...what else do you remember?"

"I think Gigantor yelled at us...or at least me...that's a bit fuzzy...kinda think I woke up in the guard office...then las' night...had a bad headache...hurt to even blink...we talked for a spell didn't we?"

"Yes, and you told me the year was 1998."

Jed nodded, "That explains why it makes no sense...las' couple nights are real damned fuzzy...don't reckon I remember Wednesday at all."

Octavius sighed, "That was the night you were being repaired, or judging by the turnout your wax self was replaced, Larry delivered your missing hat to you last night before sunrise."

"Mhm...didn't put it on til tonight after I woke up...hurt like blazes for awhile but e'erythin' made sense again...damn I messed up..."

The roman only shook his head, grinning as he helped the cowboy to his feet.

"It is no use dwelling on the past my friend. But, might I ask why you decided to come to me heavily intoxicated?"

"I guess...I needed...no...*sigh*...drank ta make sense a' my head...tryna figure out what happened wi'out goin' aroun' lookin' the darned fool...only made it so I'll get a bigger headache 'fore sunup..."

The roman smirked a little, "I bet if you ask nicely Ahkmenrah will aid you in that."

"Aw shucks! Tell me I didn't say Ahk was a monster in front of him?!"

"No...I was the only one who heard that bit."

Jed sighed in relief, closing his eyes as his hands went to his face again, "Thank the Lord almighty on that one...dammit...I'm sorry Ockie."

"Jedidiah...I forgive you, this was not your fault all things considered, now come get cleaned up and we shall go speak with Ahkmenrah, and let Larry know you are alright. Though preferably see our resident pharaoh first seeing as you are quite unpresentable."

The cowboy glanced down as his more rugged than normal appearance, "I ain't that ba-"

*crash*

Octavius crossed his arms as Jed picked himself up off the floor again, having run into the table in front of him.

"Jedidiah...as you have put it to me before, you are 'drunker than a lizard in the liquor bottle'...I am impressed you are able to speak coherently."

Jed smirked, tugging his shirt back into place and knowing he had to at least try and clean up before going with Octavius to find their night guard and pharaoh, "That's 'cause it takes more than a few drinks ta get me that far gone."

"Oh my friend, I believe you've had more than a few..."

"Hey!"

This is open to suggestions/ideas as well if you lovely readers want to, just stick your thoughts in the little white box below! I take them and work with them as I get them and insert the drabbles as they fit with the series, trying to keep in order with the movies but will see how long it lasts.

Mongolian translations:

"...byatskhan shuvuu tunnii khumuusteisahk butsaj enkh taivny jims ni tuunii uur ruu nissen."

"...and the little bird flew' back to his nest with the peace fruit to share with his people."

"...Sain oroi shoniin kharuul."

"...Good evening night guard."