Owen speed walked as fast as he could away from the hall, his heart pounding as he went. What had just happened he did not know, but the tiny, seemingly innocent little cowboy had deeply stirred him. Owen couldn't explain the strange clash of emotions in his heart, and he couldn't understand why the cowboy had been so insistent.

Owen finally slowed down to a walk as he reached the stairs, casting a glance over his shoulder. He didn't see anyone around, and as he descended the first step, he sat down. His confusion had turned to something that felt like guilt. It churned his stomach as he felt the emotional burden of shame washed over him.

It had been evident that the little cowboy was suffering. And suffering was something Owen had never liked seeing. Even as a child, he understood the burdens and pains of suffering. Sure, he had never experienced suffering. But he had always been a man of empathetic nature and tendencies.

And the misery had been quite evident in the cowboy's eyes. Owen felt it wrong to just leave like he had. What if leaving instead of listening had hurt him more?

Owen contemplated whether or not to go back. Maybe he could find the cowboy, and get to the bottom of the weird mystery of who Octavius was. Maybe Owen could even help the little cowboy find who he was looking for.

Owen rose to his feet, intent on finding the cowboy again. He took a few steps back towards the exhibit, but before he could get far, he stopped. He recalled the uncomfortable, disturbing feeling he had gotten just a few minutes before. Did he really want to feel it again by his own choice? Maybe it was better to leave the cowboy alone. After all, did he really want to trouble himself with someone else's difficulties? He had his own problems to deal with.

As Owen turned away again, he felt the guilt almost at once, but decided to ignore it. He would ask Larry about the strange cowboy. Surely he would know. It would be better than subjecting himself to another confusing encounter.

Owen made his way downstairs, the sound of the soccer game reaching his ears as he descended lower. Everyone down below sounded so happy. Owen couldn't help but smile despite his misadventure upstairs as the ball was kicked along the floor.

One of the Huns kicked it towards him, and it landed at his feet. He looked around at the faces staring up at him. He smiled and kicked it back good naturedly.

None of them moved.

Owen frowned, and immediately felt his face reddening as every exhibit in the room looked in his direction, with various expressions on their faces. Some were judgemental, some were confused, and some were bitter. Owen desperately wanted to disappear at that point. He was about to leave back upstairs, when Larry spoke from where he sat atop the information desk.

"The Huns are still up by ten!" Larry yelled, waving his hands about at the two teams. "Are you boys going to stand for that?"

The other team, comprised of some of the Civil War soldiers, shook their heads quickly, and kicked the ball towards the Huns' goal. Immediately the Huns were on the defensive, and the exhibits' attention was turned back to the game.

Owen took his chance and quickly slipped past the crowd of exhibits, heading for the security office. He reached out to open the door, when he was stopped by a hand grasping his shoulder.

"Owen?"

Owen turned to look at his fellow night guard, noting the concerned frown on his face. Owen said nothing, and forced himself to smile.

"Hello, Larry." He managed to say, betraying little emotion.

However, being around so many exhibits with different personalities, Larry was a trained veteran when it came to detecting when something was wrong, what with having to play moderator and counselor for them all. He could tell something was upsetting Owen.

"Owen, what's the matter?" Larry asked, mild concern in his voice.

Owen wanted to tell him about the cowboy. He wanted answers. He wanted to know what was going on. But then he remembered what Larry had told him the night before, about not going into the miniature exhibit, which he had done. If Owen told him about the cowboy, he could lose his job for disobeying the rules. And if he lost his job….

"Nothing." Owen said quickly, turning away.

Larry sighed, and glanced behind them at the crowd of exhibits, who were now cheering as the Huns scored yet another goal. He then turned back to Owen, and gestured to the office door. Owen nodded halfheartedly, and slipped inside, Larry following.

Larry closed the door behind him, and pointed at the seat across from his desk chair. Owen sat down, gazing at his hands as he clasped them in his lap. He didn't want to tell Larry anything, and he hoped his discomfort wasn't too obvious.

Larry sat down. "Owen," He said quietly, staring at him.

Owen forced himself to lift his eyes, and meet those of the night guard's.

"I'm sorry. You'll have to forgive them. They're just...unused to you, that's all."

Owen gazed at the night guard in confusion for a moment, before he quickly realised what his coworker was talking about. Larry believed Owen's discomfort was due to how he had just been treated by the exhibits. He could let him believe that. It wasn't technically a lie, anyways.

"It's fine." Owen said, nodding. "I didn't expect them to like me."

"I don't think it's a matter of them not liking you." Larry said, repositioning himself so he was in a more comfortable position. "They're just not used to you. Don't worry; they'll get over it eventually."

"Yeah...I hope so."

Owen gave another unsure smile, before abruptly standing. He could feel the other night guard's eyes looking at him, almost peering into his soul, or so it felt. He needed an excuse to get out….

Owen cleared his throat awkwardly. "I uh, I've got to….e the restroom. Where is it?"

"Oh." Larry said, standing as well. He pointed out the door of the office. "Right across there."

Owen gave a quick nod of thanks, and rushed out of the office, ignoring the looks he received from the other exhibits.

As soon as Owen disappeared into the restroom, Larry stood, and left upstairs.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Larry stepped as quietly as he could into the hall, careful not startle the miniatures within. Ever since the whole new night guard business, the tiny people had been skittish of the larger giants that roamed the museum. Unfortunately, that included Larry. But once they saw who it was, they would settle and go back to their nightly lives.

Larry smiled as he stepped up to the Roman diorama. Everything seemed to be going okay. Rome had been greatly effected after the loss of its leader. The people seemed to have recovered, but none of the men were happy. Most of the citizens were unhappy too. But they somehow managed to carry on.

"Good evening, Larry."

Larry looked down to see Marcus, who had once been Octavius' second in command, and who was now in charge of Rome, standing near the edge of the diorama. Larry knelt down on his knees to be level with the man, and offered a smile of greeting.

"Hey, Marcus. How are you?"

"I have been better." Marcus said with a sigh. He glanced over his shoulder at the city, then back at Larry. "We have all been."

"Has everything been okay down here?" Larry asked, looking over the exhibit with his careful eyes.

"As okay as it can be." Marcus sighed once again, and he hung his head, allowing his shoulders to slump. "Octavius was so much better at leading than I. It is hard, Larry. I have not yet been able to master the role of leader. I cannot give the people the leadership they require." He sighed again, and raised his dark green eyes to meet Larry's. "I wish with everything I am that Octavius was still with us."

"I know." Larry said gently, bowing his head for a moment. "But he isn't, and we have to carry on. Okay?"

"I know." Marcus said, straightening up. "I suppose all we can do is hold on to his memory. I pray to the gods he is somewhere happier. Now. I would assume you are looking for Jedediah, are you not?"

Larry nodded quickly. "Yeah. Is he here?"

"I am afraid not." Marcus said, shaking his head. "But he did pass through here earlier. I think he went to his exhibit."

Larry's gaze moved to the Western exhibit, and he indeed noticed that Jed's tent flap had been moved. He turned once again to Marcus.

"Thanks."

"Larry,"

Larry paused, before turning around to look at the Roman once again.

Marcus looked at his feet for a moment and shuffled uncomfortably. "The men and I were wondering about who the new night guard is."

"New guard?" Larry asked, raising an eyebrow. "What about the new guard?"

"Nothing." Marcus said quickly. "We were just wondering if you had found one yet."

"I have." Larry said icily. "But he's flighty and not yet ready to meet you."

"Oh." Marcus said, frowning. He cleared his throat, and clasped his hands in front of him. "I see. Forgive me, Larry. I was curious."

Without another word to the Roman, Larry left to the Western exhibit. He hadn't meant to be so rude to Marcus. He too was still trying to cope with the loss of Octavius, just as everyone else was. And that was the reason Larry could not let Owen meet the miniatures. Not yet, at least. Marcus and the other Romans would have to live without knowing for a while. At the moment, the most important among the miniatures was Jedediah.

Larry casually approached the Western diorama, giving the cowboys gathered there a small wave. They waved back, all of them in just as solemn a mood as their Roman neighbors. Larry decided to make his questioning brief.

'Hey, guys. Has Jed been through here?" Larry asked.

"He's in his tent." One of the older cowboys said, pointing towards his leader's tent. "Said he'd be in there awhile. Wouldn't tell us why. He ain't been happy since….ya know."

Larry nodded, and gave his thanks to the old cowboy. He moved to the other side of the exhibit, and tapped the side of the tent gently. No response came. Larry felt concern rise in the pit of his stomach, fearing what the cowboy could have done.

Larry tapped again, and was relieved when Jed's tiny head popped out from the flaps. Larry smiled, but his happiness was short as he saw the despondent look on the cowboy's face.

"Jed?" Larry whispered gently, reaching his hand towards the tiny cowboy.

Jed looked up at the night guard with cloudy eyes, barely visible tear stains evident on his face. Larry it his lip, his heart breaking at seeing his tiny friend so upset.

"Jed, come out." Larry said, reaching for him again.

Jed didn't move. He just gazed at Larry, his bottom lip trembling as he struggled to contain his grief. After a moment of stillness, Jed finally stepped out of his tent. Larry gently picked him up. The little cowboy felt light in his palm, lighter than usual. And for the first time Larry saw the gaunt expression on his face. The blank, emotionless depths of his pale eyes. This Jed was far from the lively one Larry had known so many years ago.

It was the first time in a few months Larry had been able to hold the cowboy, and he felt a pang in his heart at his current state. It was clear that the emotional wounds of losing Octavius had never healed. But there was something more to his heartache than just loss.

"Jed?" Larry said again, holding him up eye level. "What's-"

"He was here…." Jed said in a choked voice, tiny, wet tears beginning to drip from his eyes. 'H-he w-was just here an'...an' he...h-he didn't...d-d-didn't…"

Larry held Jed close as he broke. He could feel the cowboy's despair as he sobbed, the burdens of pain and remorse too much for his tiny shoulders to bear. As Larry hugged the cowboy to his chest, he knew what must have happened. Jed must have seen Owen. It was the only explanation. It made sense, considering Owen's confusion a while earlier after coming back downstairs.

Larry sucked in a deep breath to still his own nerves. He would have to explain to Jed that Owen was not Octavius. He didn't know if Jed's little heart could take any more grief. But there was no avoiding it.

"Jed," Larry whispered gently, stroking the cowboy's blonde head with his finger. Jed looked up, his eyes wet and gleaming. Larry took another deep breath, and began to speak. "Jed, I'm sorry. That wasn't Octavius. That's… that's Owen. That's who you saw."

Jed sniffed, forcing himself to calm down before speaking. "B-But he….he looked so much like 'im…."

"I know." Larry whispered sadly. "But he's not him, Jed."

Jed closed his weary eyes, and took a breath as his shoulders trembled. His confusion only grew at Larry's explanation. But there was nothing else Larry could say to comfort him.

"I-I don't un-understand…wha...why'd he..." Jed choked, his eyes alight with confusion and anguish. "It's gotta be 'im I….I saw 'im an-"

"Jed," Larry said, a bit more forceful than he had meant to be. "He. Was. Not. Octavius. Okay? I'm sorry, but Octavius' never coming back, Jed. You gotta let go sooner or later."

For a moment Jed gaped at Larry, taken aback by what the night guard had said. Larry let out a gasp of shock at his words, and immediately regretted what he'd said.

"Jed, I'm sorr-"

"Put me down." Jed managed to say, wiping his eyes on his sleeve. He looked at Larry with emotionless eyes. "I wanna go back in my tent."

Larry went to protest, but there was nothing else he could say. He slowly put Jed down, and watched in stunned silence as he hurried into his tent. Larry wanted to say more, wanted to apologize for his words, but he knew Jed wouldn't listen.

Larry turned away, wiping his own eyes as he heard strangled sobs come from Jed's tent. It took every fiber of Larry's being to keep himself from turning around. He had to let Jed come to terms on his own, as much as the night guard wanted to help him.

Before he realized what was happening, Larry's sadness turned to rage, and he barged out of the room. This was the final straw. He himself still had doubts about Owen. The other exhibits had tried to accept him, but it was obvious no one wanted him around. Jed's reaction was the final opinion Larry needed. If Jed was going to suffer at the unwitting hands of Owen, then Larry did not want him at the museum.

"Lawrence?"

Larry did not pause when he heard the familiar voice of Teddy. He did not even looked at the President. Larry ignored him and stormed on, his strides lengthening. He did not wish to speak to the President. He did not wish to speak to anyone except Owen.

"Lawrence?" Teddy asked again.

Larry glanced beside him to see Teddy keeping pace with him. Teddy's face shown with confusion, and he reached out to gra Larry's shoulder. Larry shrugged away and tried to walk fast.

"Lawrence!"

Larry finally stopped, sighing in annoyance. "What do you want, Teddy?" He asked impatiently.

Larry noticed the frown on the President's face, and gave a sigh of defeat as his shoulders fell limply.

"Lawrence? What's going on?" Teddy asked, deeply concerned. His concern then turned into worry as a horrendous thought occurred to him. "Was it Jedediah?"

Larry shook his head. "No...yes...sorta…"

"Lawrence." Teddy said again, grabbing Larry's shoulders. "Is Jedediah okay?"

"He is. He is." Larry said quickly. Teddy sighed with relief. "But he saw Owen. Thought he was Octavius. Now he's crying in his exhibit."

A great sadness shifted into Teddy's eyes, and he sighed softly. "Jedediah was bound to discover Owen sooner or later. I had hoped not this soon, so close to...you know."

Larry nodded. Very soon, Jed's birthday would be upon them. And the museum would be plunged into a somber, joyless night of grieving. And Jed would be the worst off, unable to ever feel joy on his day of birth ever again.

"Owen can't stay." Larry decided allowed. He saw the expression of surprise on Teddy's face, and spoke before the President could protest. "He can't stay here. Jed can't take it."

"Lawrence, Owen is a good man. He cannot help it if he looks so much like our dear lost Roman friend." Teddy said in defense. "Besides, he's not in a good spot. He needs this job, Lawrence. You can't make him leave, lad."

Indeed, Larry knew, Owen did need this job. Without it, there was no way Owen could pay off his rent. But Larry also knew he could not subject Jed to more pain. If he had to chose between Jed or Owen, he would, and had, chosen Jed.

"Teddy, he's hurting Jed more by being here. The other exhibits don't like him either."

"It's not the right thing to do, lad." Teddy said softly.

"So letting Jed suffer is okay?" Larry spat, anger rising in his voice.

Teddy opened his mouth to reply, when a chorus of scared and horrified yells erupted from downstairs. Larry exchanged a worried look with Teddy, and both men rushed over to the stair banister and gaped in shock as one of the rhinoceroses burst from its exhibit, charging into the crowd. And then one terrified voice rose above the others; Sacagawea's.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Owen jumped in surprise at the sounds of the screams, throwing open the door to the men's room. He had been hiding in there for a little over two hours. He'd been thinking about the little cowboy and trying to understand what could have happened to make him so upset. He hadn't found an answer, and had eventually fallen asleep. He had just woken up from his short slumber, only to find what appeared to be a rhino charging through the crowd of exhibits watching the game.

Owen ducked his head back inside the restroom in fear. He peeked out to watch the beast, feeling powerless to stop its run of terror. Owen was sure someone would stop the behemoth creature, but there was no one in sight. Where was Larry?

Owen looked around but could see his fellow night guard nowhere. It was then he heard an earsplitting cry, and noticed with a jolt of shock that the rhino had suddenly changed directions, charging down the Native American woman he had spoken to the night before.

Owen knew he had to act fast. Although the nimble, fleeing woman was keeping ahead of the beast, he knew she could not outrun it for long. He had to do something.

"Come on come on come on…." Owen said, trying to think of a way to stop the rhino before it caught up with her.

It then occurred to him that the chase was going to pass right in front of him. Owen took a deep breath and counted down from ten, waiting for the rhino's head to be in front of him. The Native woman tripped with a cry, and at the last second owen flung open the heavy door, slamming it into the rhino's head.

The jolt sent Owen sideways into one of the stalls, and sent the rhino sprawling onto its side. Owen quickly recovered his wits and hurriedly stepped out of the restroom. He stood panting, looking down at the rhino. The beast was once again rising to its feet, shaking its head. The crowd around them stood in suspenseful silence.

Owen moved in front of the Native woman, raising his hands in defense. The rhino stood fully, swayed on its feet, and fell heavily on its stomach. Owen's breath caught in his throat for a moment, fearing that he had hurt the rhino. If he had, Larry would surely fire him…

Owen moved forward to touch the rhino's head, and as soon as his palm touched the mighty horn on its nose the crowd of exhibits burst into cheers. Owen looked around, greatly confused. What was so great about what he'd done?

Before he could question himself further, he felt a presence behind him, and was mildly surprised as arms wrapped around him, hugging him. The crowd closed in about him as they cheered, even the Huns seeming happy.

When the arms released Owen, he turned to see the Native woman smiling at him.

"Thank you." She said, bowing slightly.

"It was, uh, no problem…" Owen stammered. He then turned to look at the fallen rhino. "Is um...is it okay?"

"What, him?" The Native woman gave Owen a soft smile and made a swatting motion with her hand. "He is fine. He is a rhinoceros, after all."

As she said this, the rhino once again rose to its feet, and gave a grunt as its tail swatted at something flying around it. One of the Huns suddenly reached out and grabbed the bug, crushing it in his hand. Owen winced.

"I...suppose he was bothered by the bug.' Owen said, shrugging.

"Sacagawea!"

'

The heads in the crowd turned as Larry and Teddy quickly ran over to the ones in the center. Teddy immediately grabbed Sacagawea in a tight embrace, rocking slightly as he hugged her.

"My dear, are you alright?" Teddy asked urgently, looking her all over for any sign of injury.

"I am fine." Sacagawea said softly, smiling. "Owen saved me."

Teddy turned to look at Owen, who stood awkwardly with his hands clasped behind his back. Before Owen could react, the President stepped forwards and embraced him as well.

"Thank you for saving her, lad." Teddy said, his voice sincere and meaningful.

"Again, it was nothing." Owen replied. He then pulled away from Teddy, and smiled. "Yeah."

"Owen?"

Owen turned to see Larry standing there as well, his arms crossed. Owen gulped, and looked from him to the rhino.

"I'm sorry about the rhino….I didn't see you….and I thought I should do something…...nobody else was…."

"Owen, you saved Sacagawea." Larry said, his frown turning into a smile. "You reacted exactly how a night guard should."

Owen couldn't help but smile, and for the first time that night he felt good. Until he remembered once again the tiny cowboy.

"Larry, I have to tell you something…." Owen began.

"I know." Larry said, raising his hand to stop Owen. "It's almost sunset. We'll talk then."