A/N: Whoa, guys! Thanks to everybody who reviewed the last chapter; you've all been such a big help. And don't worry;I'm doing fine with the writing and I know where this is going now, at least for the next couple of chapters. Again, a BIG thank you to EVERYONE who reviewed, and I do have a few particular shoutouts to a few people who helped make this story (and more specifically, this chapter) happen.

My Melissa, who lent me her copy of National Treasure that sparked the obsession in me. Also for helping me along the whole way, and that one suggestion she made at camp that got me out of yet another rut. (Even though you didn't officially review chapters 6 & 7, I was kinda there when you read the chapters, kinda making it pointless for you to review to me and on the computer. That didn't make any sense at all. I'm gonna shut up now.)

BG Sparrow, whose story, Another Clue, inspired me to finally put my own story on paper. And for her encouragement along the way. (I will eventually take you up on that offer to help with ideas. Probably when I actually get to the plot part of the story.)

daisyduke80, who has reviewed every single chapter so far. Thanks for the enthusiasm!

crazyinulover, thank you for your review. That was exactly what I needed to hear that day. I was getting worried because my story wasn't one of those "they annoy each other before going on a treasure adventure and then they fall in love!" kinda stories. I'm glad to know people like it the way it is.

Kurea14 and Dimonah Tralon, for the name suggestion of Larry. I kinda took it a little farther than just the name. But you two get the points and cookies, 'cuz that's the name I picked, and the name that inspired a whole new part to this story.

And everyone else, too! Don't feel bad just because I might not have mentioned your name specifically. It doesn't mean your review didn't help; EVERY review helps, ALOT.

Disclaimer: I own, like, squat, m'kay? Anything National Treasure-ey belongs to Disney and whoever (whomever?) else it belongs to. The song excerpt (slightly modified, changing "he" to "she") belongs to Vertical Horizon.

Okay, I'm done yammering now, ENJOY The Long-Awaited Chapter 8!

3 days earlier

"You, there! Night guard!"

Honestly, I've had this job for a year now; you'd think by now Dr. McPhee would at least remember my name.

Whoops, sorry! I guess I should introduce myself. I'm Larry Daley, night guard for the Museum of Natural History in New York. Dr. McPhee is the uptight museum director; also known as: my boss. He's not really a people person.

I headed over to where my boss was standing, praying Jed and Octavius hadn't done anything stupid last night. "What's up?" I asked, and instantly regretted it. You never say 'what's up' to Dr. McPhee. I braced myself…

"'What's up?' You want to know 'what's up?' I'll tell you 'what's up.' This-this-" He handed me a letter, shaking his head.

I scanned the notice – addressed to me, I might add. Why on earth my boss was going through my mail is beyond me. Anyway, apparently there was some party deal going on this Independence Day at the National Archives Building in D.C., and the people holding the event needed some extra security – especially since so many people were taking the day off that night. The job for that one night paid more than I make in a week, and I had been "highly recommended" as a good candidate.

"You do realize that now they'll expect you at this-this-?" Dr. McPhee waved his arms around, eventually gesturing at the letter in my hand. His voice was going all high-pitched and he was having trouble finishing his sentences, a sure sign that he was really wound up. "You can't go off signing up for things like this without consulting me! You have a responsibility here! Do you know what 'responsibility' means? It doesn't mean…." He flailed his arms around again. I guess he doesn't know what he means either.

By this time Rebecca had noticed something was up, and she hurried over to see if she could help calm things down. I tend to respond to pressure with sarcasm and a smart mouth, which usually only makes the museum director even more mad. Rebecca always seems to know when to step in and how to smooth things over.

She took the letter from me and read through it quickly, then smiled sweetly at our boss. "Well, this shouldn't be a problem. It's for the Fourth of July. Larry has that night off anyway, don't you Larry?" I nodded silently, trying to hide my shock. She was lying through her teeth! "I'm covering for him that night, Dr. McPhee, don't you remember? Maybe you need to lie down. Are you sure you're feeling okay?" The director nodded uncertainly, then turned and just walked out of the museum, mumbling to himself.

"Thank you," I said to Rebecca once he was gone. "I think that's the hundredth time you've saved my butt since I started working here."

She shrugged. "Hundred and twenty-seventh time, actually, but who's counting?

I grinned. She really was a great friend. It's too bad, really, that we didn't work out as a couple, but there just wasn't that spark, you know? Anyway, there aren't any hard feelings between us, and we've managed to stay really good friends.

"So," I asked her, "are you responsible for this?" I pointed at the letter from the people in D.C. that she was still holding.

Rebecca shook her head. "No. Well, actually, I knew about it, but it was Cecil who set it up. Kind of an apology for everything he put you through your first week here."

And probably also a thank-you for not ratting them out, but I didn't mention that out loud. Rebecca still didn't know the whole story of what happened that night, and I intended to keep it that way. "Yeah, I suppose," was all I said before changing the subject. "So, are you sure you can hold down the fort while I'm gone? It's a whole lot calmer lately, but Jedediah and Octavius still like to get into mischief. And don't even get me started on that monkey…"

Rebecca laughed. "I think you are the only one who has a problem with Dexter. He's perfectly civil to me–for a monkey." I scowled at her, but she ignored me. "Actually," she continued, "I do have a bunch of questions–especially about the Hall of African Mammals. And Rexy, too. Maybe we could get together later and grab some coffee?" I was just about to object–didn't she remember that we'd been down that road and it didn't work?–when she added, "Just a colleague-to-colleague, information download sort of coffee." She was struggling desperately to hold back a grin, and I could tell she was mocking me. Whatever.

"Alright," I agreed, looking at my watch. Oh, no! It was 3:15 already! I groaned. "I forgot that it's Friday. I'm supposed to pick Nicky up from school today, but I'll never get there by 3:30!" My car was in the repair shop, and it was a 45-minute walk from the museum to the school. Even if I took the train, I'd never make it.

"You know what? I don't have another tour for an hour. I could take you to the school to pick up Nicky, and then he can come with us. I'm pretty sure he knows more about half these exhibits than you do." Rebecca, always the problem-solver, had saved the day yet again. "And maybe we should make it ice cream instead of coffee," she added.

She is perfect. I mean it. She'd be perfect for me, perfect for Nicky. So why don't I like her that way?

She's everything you want, she's everything you need

She's everything inside of you that you wish you could be

She says all the right things at exactly the right time

But she means nothing to you and you don't know why

Present

After plotting several matchmaking schemes to get Kelsie and Riley together – each idea more ridiculous than the last – Melissa and Abigail had finally decided to just leave things alone for a while. Of course, their decision definitely had absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with the stern lecture they'd received from Ben, detailing every single reason they shouldn't meddle in other people's business. No, it had nothing to do with that. They had just gotten around to talking about other things and realized how much they had in common. They even looked alike; they were both tall and slender, and they both had curly, dark-blond hair and pretty, blue eyes. They could easily pass for sisters. The two had quickly become fast friends.

Abigail was sitting on top of her desk, kicking her legs childishly while Melissa spun around in Abi's desk chair. "So, how are things with you and Ben?" she asked.

Abigail's legs stopped moving. She looked down at the watch on her wrist; a birthday gift from Ben. It was a slim, silver piece with 12 diamonds encrusted around the edge, spaced around the numbers around the watch face. "I don't know, exactly," she said slowly after a short pause. "We've been going out for nearly a year, but lately he's been so secretive. I'm starting to get a little worried, actually."

Melissa stopped spinning and stared at Abigail. "You think he might be seeing someone else?" she asked, shocked.

Abi bit her lip nervously. "I don't think so; or, at least, I hope not. I don't really have any real reason to think he is, but like I said, he's been so secretive. He'll be talking with Riley, and then they'll both go silent when I enter the room. He got a call the other day while I was there and I answered the phone. It was a woman's voice and he took the call in the other room."

"Oy!" Melissa let out a breath and allowed her head to fall back onto the chair. "You know, Abi, what you really need to do is go talk to Ben. Don't get mad or he'll get defensive, but you need to get this out in the open. It's possible this could all just be a big misunderstanding."

"You're right," Abi agreed. It just frustrated her that this bothered her so much. She was Abigail Ann Chase! She did not need a man to define her; she had everything she wanted. And most of all, she certainly did not need Benjamin Franklin Gates to make her happy!

So why did the thought of being without him hurt so badly?

"You could go talk to him now," Melissa suggested.

Abigail nodded. "I could, yes. Yes, I think I will. I'm going to go talk to Ben. Right now." She scooted forward and pulled open the top drawer of her desk – forcing Melissa to scoot back in the chair – and pulled out a hair tie. She pulled her thick blond curls out of her face and secured them with the elastic in a no-nonsense ponytail. Abigail slid off the desk, closing the drawer as she stood up.

Melissa rose to her feet as well, and gave her new friend a quick hug. "Good luck," she whispered.

"Thank you for listening," Abi replied. "You have no idea – I had no idea – just how much I needed to talk to somebody about this. I feel like I've known you my whole life."

Melissa wrinkled her nose. "Alright, alright, don't get all 'pineapple' on me." She grinned. "Save the mushy stuff for your boyfriend, okay?"

Abigail grinned back as she slipped out the door. Now slightly bored and restless, Melissa wandered around the office, looking at all the mementos and pictures Abi had decorating her workplace. She smiled at one picture of Abigail and Ben. It was a candid shot – the couple didn't seem to know they were being photographed. They were walking through a garden side-by-side; Ben had his arm around Abi's shoulders and her arm was around his waist. She was smiling at the flowers but he was gazing at her, a lazy grin on his face. They both looked very happy. Somehow, I think they'll be OK, Melissa thought. She slipped outside and walked slowly down the hallway, studying the pictures on the walls.

"HEY, THERE!!!" came a voice from behind her.

Melissa whirled around and came face-to-face with a tall, dark-haired man in a security uniform. Uh-oh, she thought.

"I don't think you're supposed to be here," he said sternly.

A/N: A'ight, whaddya'll think? Oh, and ignore the pineapple part. That's an inside joke. Of course, if enough people review, I might explain it. I might also explain hiccups. Just never announce that you have hiccups when you are on a date. That probably makes no sense whatsoever, and maybe I'm just giddy that I've finally got this chapter up, but trust me, it's funny when you hear the whole thing.

Okay, everybody! REVIEW!!!! Please!!