Hello! Here's the next chapter!

Twelve

A Cute Couple

The ladies had fallen behind him, chatting while they continued winding through the sculpture gallery. The Smithsonian sure had a vast collection of, well, everything.

"Why do you keep denying it?" Amelia asked suddenly.

Nat was confused. "Denying what?"

"That you're a couple."

"Oh. Well, we're not... We dated for a little while, but then Larry's company took off and he had to focus on that. I'm happy for him, and didn't want to hold him back."

"But you wish to be." A statement, not a question.

"We were happy together. But I don't know, I guess life just kind of took us in different directions. Funny, how it does that."

"Well, I say you should talk to him. Go on, I'll stay behind." She winked.

Nat knew that the pilot was genuinely trying to help. "So, a pitch at Walmart?" She appeared at Larry's side. "That's pretty cool."

"Yeah, for my latest product, the Glow-in-the-Dark Flashlight."

"Oh yeah, I saw it advertised."

He sensed something in her voice - disappointment maybe. "You okay?"

She gave a little shrug. "I don't know I guess I just thought - hoped - that after all this you might rejoin us back at the museum."

"Oh, Nat I-"

She shook her head. "Wishful thinking, I know." She looked up at him. "It just wasn't the same there without you - you changed so much there. And we missed you." Then she leaned in and whispered, "Even McPhee." Smiling, she continued on, leaving him standing there, sighing.

Amelia appeared at his side again, looking back and forth between him and the retreating Nat. She'd heard the exchange between them.

"I think I've really blown it," he said.

Smack! Suddenly, her hand shot out and she struck him across the face.

"Ow! Why?" he demanded.

"Honestly Mr. Daley! That woman over there is in love with you, and you're in love with her, and don't you try and deny it like you have been all night! Men," she scoffed. "You always miss things! Now I'm just trying to help you set things straight before it's too late. You'll thank me later." With that she stalked off in the opposite direction.

"Hey! Where are you going?"

"Giving you a little bit of help! Giving you the push you need!"

"What?"

"Giving you two a moment!" With that she disappeared around a corner.

Well, now he was trapped. There was no way out. He had to deal with this now. Slowly, he approached Nat. "Hey."

She smiled at him, looking up from where she was trying to figure out the tablet. "Hey."

"So, I was thinking-"

"Me too."

"Yeah, about that kiss-"

"Yeah, me too."

"Yeah."

"Yeah. It was nice," she said.

"Yeah, it was. A little sudden maybe, a little rushed. A little late, too, perhaps..."

"It's never too late." There was a pause. She chuckled a little, looking back down at the tablet. "I feel kind of useless, to be honest. I mean, here I am, I've studied Ancient Egypt, I just wish I could be more helpful."

"Hey, no you've been helpful, really helpful. You translated those symbols, you told off that Ivan guy, and you flew all the way out here to help me, me who hasn't been there for a long time." He paused. "I really appreciate it Nat."

She smiled too. Before either could say anything more, gentle music lifted into the air again. Looking up, the two saw the stone cupids from before at the fountain.

"Oh great, these guys again," mumbled Larry.

The cupids continued as before, singing more romantic music, this time the Titanic theme.

"Oh, great, love theme from Titanic."

The cupids started making kissing noises.

"Look, could you just fly away, please-" Larry was blushing now. Nat giggled.

"Thank you boys, that was lovely," chimed Amelia with a grin, re-entering the room. She smiled at her two companions. "So, shall we? I saw an exit this way." Larry and Nat followed her down the hall and around the corner. Larry used Brundon's ID badge to unlock the door and they slipped out into the night.

"And so the adventure continues," said Amelia. "To Air and Space!"

As they were making their way across the darkened courtyard, they heard distant shouts and saw Ivan the Terrible's guards running about, no doubt searching for them. They ran and hid behind a map sign.

"Criminy, we're jimmy-jacked!" hissed Amelia.

"Jimmy-jacked? Really?" said Larry.

"It's the way I speak," explained Amelia.

"Yeah, I know, but that one sounds made up, even for you."

"Oh no, our path is being blocked by bad people - what's the good in that?!" She nudged him. "The point is, we're not getting into Air and Space right now."

"Oh, yeah, you're right. We are, jimmy-jacked." He tried the term out.

"I've got an idea," piped up Nat. "Head for the Lincoln Memorial. Amelia, you first."

The pilot nodded and ran, taking cover behind a cluster of bushes up ahead, watching the guards. Nat and Larry watched her, Nat with her back pressed up against the sign, he facing her. He was staring down at her.

"What?" she asked, smiling.

"Nothing." He shook his head. "You next."

She nodded and took off after Amelia, crouching behind the bushes. When they made sure it was clear, they waved him over. Then the three headed over to the Lincoln Memorial.

"We should be safe in here," Nat said as they ducked behind one of the columns.

Suddenly, Amelia gasped. "Great Gatsby!"

The others looked to see the giant statue of Lincoln stretching awake.

"Blast these pigeons!" he cried, shaking off the pigeons who had perched on his arms. Then he rose from his chair and started walking forward; the ground practically shook with each great step. The three jumped in his path, calling to him.

"Oh no! Mr. President if you go out there you're going to freak a lot of people out!" cried Larry, waving his arms and blocking the president's path.

"Freak?" repeated the statue. "I assure you sir I am no freak."

"No I didn't mean you're a freak I just meant that-" But he was cut off as Lincoln plucked him up by the back of his coat and brought him up to eye-level.

"In fact, if anyone is freakish I'm afraid it's you sir. The truth is, you are very small, and I mean even for a regular-sized human!"

"What?"

"I must be honest."

"Oh right, 'Honest Abe'. Great."

"Um excuse me, Mr. President," called Nat, trying not to giggle as she watched Larry dangling by the jacket collar. "We'd really appreciate it if you could put the little man down, thank you, and we'll be on our way."

"You have a polite, can-do attitude, and I shall do as you ask." The president nodded and set Larry down.

"Thank you," Larry said as he was placed back on the ground, smoothing down his jacket.

"You know, it's that can-do spirit that has defined this remarkable nation of ours," Lincoln began, striding back over to his chair and sitting down again.

Nat noticed them first, the guards charging across the courtyard. "Streltsy!" she hissed, and she, Larry, and Amelia scurried to hide behind one of the pillars. "Excuse me, Mr. President!" she called. "Sorry to interrupt but we need you to hold still now."

Lincoln paused in his story. "What?"

"Abraham, freeze!" commanded Amelia.

The statue struck and held a pose just as the guards raced past.

"Thank you!"

"You're welcome," Lincoln said warmly.

"Come on," said Larry. "Let's get to Air and Space."

"If I may, you two make a lovely couple," Lincoln told him and Nat. "The truth is you two are adorable together!"

"I completely agree," said Amelia with a smile.

"Um, thanks," said Larry, past the point of denying it any further.

"I never lie!" Lincoln reminded him.

"Right." Larry turned to the ladies. "Alright, let's go."

The president waved. "Farewell lovely ladies - and small, little man..."

Aww they're so cute and awkward! ;) Haha! And I love that scene with Lincoln! Thanks so much for reading, bye for now! :)