A/N: I seem to think up my best stories while lying in bed with insomnia. *headdesk* Needless to say- even though I barely got any sleep last night, I hope you enjoy.

Disclaimer: I do not own Night at the Museum. If I did, I would have far too much fun. xD

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Jedediah surveyed the expansion of stairs ahead of him warily. It was almost dawn, and he and Octavius were struggling to return to their spots in their exhibits. Unfortunately, Larry had been busy working out an accident involving Dexter and a lighter, so the two miniatures were unable to catch a ride. And so, the leaders had no other choice but to climb the stairs, as the elevators were of no use to them in their small size.

Exhausted, Jed finally collapsed on the twelfth stair, taking his hat off and fanning himself with it. Octavius took his chance and sat down as well.

"Ya know… I've been a-thinkin'," Jed began, glancing at Octavius. "Wouldn't it be just dandy if we were big for once, like Gigantor? Think of all o' the things we could do!"

"Do you think often?" Octavius replied snarkily, a small smirk on his face. This remark received a mock punch from Jedediah, who was smirking as well.

"But really. We wouldn't have'ta climb these here damg stairs whenever there isn't someone around ta carry us."

"Yes, that would be nice," Octavius took off his helmet and ran an arm across his forehead. In all his years of battle, it ended up being stairs that fatigued him the most. How ironic.

"We could walk around without a-worrying if'n someone will step on us…," Jed whispered melodramatically, staring misty-eyed into the distance.

"Or participate in the weekly soccer games," Octavius added, rolling his eyes a bit and sliding his helmet into its place on his head.

"We wouldn't be man-handled," Jed placed his own hat into its original position, preparing to begin the climb again.

"We would be able to acquire someone's attention without needing to yell," Octavius stood as well. He leaned against the wall of the stair prevailing them, nonchalantly adjusting his breastplate.

"Ya know, we would overall jus' get the damn respect we deserve," Jed grumbled, grasping the top of the stair and pulling himself up with a grunt. Octavius followed suit and nodded, but remained quiet.

"But what am I sayin'. You're a Roman general, for cryin' out loud. You get all the respect ya want."

"That is not true. There are many inhabitants of this museum that do not display reverence to me as my men do," Octavius struggled up the next step, then turned around and held out a hand for Jedediah. "Besides, your men admire you more than my men do me. They chose you as their leader; however, mine did not have a choice."

Jed eyed the hand doubtfully, but then took it and allowed himself to be heaved upwards. "Ya got a point there, partner."

"All things aside, it does not matter, anyway," Octavius tackled the last step, then stood triumphantly at the top, fists on his hips.

"Oh yeah? And why's that, Toga-boy?"

Octavius turned around and looked down, staring Jedediah directly in the eye.

"Because I like you just the way you are."

With that, Octavius spun on his heel and made his way to the Diorama Room, sandals clicking on the tiled floor.

Jed finished climbing the last stair, stood, and watched Octavius' back as it retreated into the distance. He then adjusted his vest cockily, grinning to himself.

"That's what I thought."