Jed took off his cowboy hat and wiped sweat from his brow as he continued to hammer off rock in the tunnel. They had maybe gotten six inches in, which was six feet in comparison to them... They had a long way to go. The Romans on the other end were doing their bit to help as well, using their own hammers and other tools. They had learned that dynamite didn't work, so hand tools would have to do the trick. Jed knew that Oct was on the other end, instructing his people. Thankfully, today, Lancelot was off somewhere else, maybe doing something with Larry or Teddy. Larry knew what the Romans and cowboys were up to, and he gave up trying to tell them not to bash through the museum wall.

"Why can't you just get Larry to use big tools to do this for us?" someone asked from behind Jed, and he turned around to face another fellow cowboy, Hal, and sweat dripped from his chin. It wasn't all that hot, since they were inside an air-conditioned museum, but this was hard work. It bothered Jed that he didn't just find Oct attractive, but he thought other men attractive as well. He definitely noticed that with Lancelot, and now, he noticed it with other men like Hal. Thankfully, there were no other men who were like him. Maybe. He had no idea, actually.

"Because he said he doesn't want to destroy any part of the museum and have that weirdo director dude on his back about it," Jed answered and put his hat back on. "He might even be busted because of what we're doin' here."

Hal set his hammer on its head, and he leaned on the other end of it with his hand, like a balancing stick. "Then why are we doin' this in the first place?"

"I've told you a thousand times—we're merging our territories."

"Just because you and Octavius are friends, doesn't mean the frontier folk have to be friends with the rest of those Romans."

Jed knew that some of the frontier people were against this idea, making a tunnel between the two exhibits, and Hal was one of them. "If you're so against it, then why are you helpin' make the blasted tunnel?"

Hal smirked and walked up to him, making the hammer and the stick it was attached to drop to the dirt. Jed took a step back and nearly rammed into one of the other of the dozen cowboys helping out with this job. "What do you think? I like the work, and some other things..."

Jed was starting to feel uncomfortable with Hal's nearness and the odd, alluring look he was giving him. He had seen Oct give that same look to Lancelot.

Oh crap.

"Other things?" Jed muttered, playing dumb. Or at least hoping that he was. "Like what?"

Hal took another step, and Jed moved to the side, avoiding the man behind him, but he still rammed into someone. He looked over and jumped. "Octavius, what in the name of Davey Crocket are you doin' here? You're supposed to be on the other side."

Honestly, he didn't want Oct to see that Hal was trying to make a pass at him. If that was what the man was doing.

"I came to see your progress." He folded his arms and aimed a displeasing look at Hal. "But it seems that a couple of you were doing other things."

Jed's pulse rose, and he desperately thought up a response. Or excuse. "We were just messin' around, Oct. You should get back to your people and supervise them."

Oct creased his brows, and hurt appeared in his eyes. "Oh, well forgive me for wanting to see my friend who wanted me to spend more time with him. My apologies."

He swiftly turned and Jed went after him. "Hey, wait, Oct, that wasn't what I..."

He was gone. Jed huffed and planted his hands on his hips. Hal came up next to him. "Sounds like a lover's spat to me."

Jed whirled around to face him, his pulse rising at the word 'lover.' "Now what you goin' on about, huh? Let's just get back to work."

Jed went back to the hammering and thought about Oct's annoyed expression when he saw what Hal was doing. Was it Jed's hope that Oct had any feelings for him? The man was into men, so was it possible that he could have feelings for his best friend?

Jed hammered against the rock, and some it shattered off of the tunnel wall. He shouldn't get his hopes up.

~ ~ ~

Jed really needed a break, a break away from the Old West, Rome, and everything else. He knew it was getting close to dawn, by maybe an hour, so he would go for a walk around the museum to clear his head and then return back. He climbed down to the floor and walked up to the massive bench where he would see Oct and Lancelot talk. He huffed in jealousy at the memories of their laughter and happy chatting. He should get out of the Hall of Miniatures as well.

He walked on out of the hall and into the rest of the museum, trying not to get stepped on by the other exhibit animals, people and other things. He walked along the hall for some time, and he was greeted by the other exhibits. He simply held up a hand and said "Howdy," and others ignored him. Good. He wanted to be ignored at the moment. Oct was angry with him since he didn't bother to come back after he stormed off. Jed didn't blame him. Jed was in a huff that Oct was always away with Lancelot and was never coming to see him. Now that he did, Jed pushed him away. He should go back and explain things, not walk around the museum. Never let the sun set on an argument. Or, in their case, don't let the sun rise on one.

"Let's head on back flapjack," Jed said to himself, but he stopped short when he suddenly saw his reflection. He looked up and saw a metal shoe and leg, then up more to a metal body. Then he saw the blonde hair. "Oh, for the love of..." he muttered in disdain at knowing very well who stopped him.

"Jedediah, am I correct?" Lancelot asked in his accent. He had noticed that it was a similar accent to the director's and others in London. The accent was British. Well, the man came from the British Museum after all.

"Yeah, that's right, Metal Pants."

Lancelot smirked, but not happily. "You don't like me all that much, do you, little man?"

"Hey, who are you callin' little?"

"I take that as a yes. I heard some things from Octavius."

Gosh darn, that friend of his, blabbering everything to this knight. "Is that right? What kind of things?"

Lancelot knelt down so his face was closer to Jed. Jed found himself being picked up by the back of his shirt. "Hey! Put me down! I don't like to be man-handled!" Lancelot stood up and started walking with Jed, and Jed struggled. "I said put me down, Goldie Locks!"

"Will you calm yourself for a moment? I'll put you down eventually."

"I want to be put down now!" Lancelot held Jed right in front of his face, and Jed had no choice but to see those blue eyes up close. He didn't want to admit it, but they were actually... hypnotic, like Oct said they were. And it irked Jed that Oct was gazing at those eyes while he and the knight talked.

"Patience really is not a virtue with you, is it?" Lancelot asked in a chuckle and then walked on a little more and sat down on a bench facing the new Medieval exhibit. He set Jed on the arm of the bench.

"Thank you," Jed said, straightening out his shirt, vest and bandanna around his neck. "Now, don't you man-handle me again."

"Then how will you return back to your exhibit before the sun rises? I will be happy to bring you back, unless you want to walk back and miss the curfew."

If this man wasn't so attractive, Jed would be very annoyed with him right now. He just couldn't stop looking at those blue eyes. "I'll take my chances. Now, what has Oct told you about me, huh?"

"Just about everything. How you both met, how you fought, and how you became enemy-turned friends. Quite the touching story, actually."

Jed felt his irritation disappear. He wanted to be sure. "Oct really talked about me?"

"That's all he talks about, actually, aside from my blue eyes and golden hair."

Some of that irritation returned. "Huh. So, why'd you drag me here?"

"Because I wanted to talk to you about Octavius. I figured I would be able to get some information from you and not ask Octavius himself because that would seem... awkward. And I suppose it would be awkward for me to talk to anyone about this, but... as soon as I find out what I need to know, I will set things straight."

Jed folded his arms. "What are gettin' at, Goldie Locks?"

Lancelot leaned in, and Jed couldn't help but stare at those blue eyes again. Lancelot whispered, "I want to know something... Is Octavius interested in men?"

Jed's eyes widened, and he feigned being shocked. "Now why are you askin' a loony question like that?!"

"It's just as I said before—he speaks of my eyes and hair, and I heard him call my eyes hypnotic back at the British Museum. I just want to know if my assumption is true."

"Then what? You're gonna to tell 'im you're not interested in that way? That you're waitin' for that Gwenevere gal?"

Lancelot smirked. "Precisely."

Jed thought for a moment. If he revealed Octavius's secret, then Lancelot would tell Oct to leave him alone. Hopefully. "What if I told you that he was?"

"Then I would say that I'm flattered, but unfortunately, I'm not interested in him in that way. Friends I can be, though."

"That will break his poor little heart, you know. The guy's kinda crazy about ya."

"Yes, but I must do as I must. It is not that I'm against men with men, but when it's me that is the object of another man's affections, it's... strange. And uncomfortable. Are you uncomfortable by it, being friends with such a man?"

Jed shrugged. "Nah. Octavius is my best pal, and I like 'im the way he is. Nobody can help who they love, anyway. I don't judge 'im for it."

Lancelot smiled, and Jed's eyes widened at the sight. "You are a good friend to him. I could tell that you two have a special relationship, from what Octavius told me. You two have been through a lot together."

Jed nodded, and the memories of the past few years flashed by in his mind's eye. "We have."

"It just makes me wonder if the man thinks anything special of you. I mean in a romantic sort of way."

Jed put his head down and tipped his hat so Lancelot couldn't see his reddening face. "That's absolute crazy talk. Octavius is crazy about one person and that person is you, Metal Suit." Oh, how he hated saying it out loud.

Lancelot nodded. "I see. Well, like I said—I'm flattered."

"Now, can you take me back to my exhibit?"

"Absolutely. And thank you for the information."

Lancelot stood up, and Jed was lifted by his shirt again, but this time, Lancelot placed him on his metal shoulder. Lancelot didn't say a word as he walked, thankfully, and Jed took a look at his reflection in the metal he was sitting on. His face was still rosy red, and it was getting redder. Some of Lancelot's blonde hair flew passed him, and Jed got a whiff of the clean scent with a hint of pine spice.

No, he needed to stop reacting to this hunk of a knight. Having feelings for one man was enough. Also, he didn't want to have feelings for Lancelot!

"Well, here we are," Lancelot said, and Jed jolted out of his thoughts. He saw that they were standing in front of the Roman exhibit! Jed's heart pulsed when he saw Oct standing by the one of the Roman buildings, his hands on his hips and he was glaring up at Jed. He knew that jealous look, mainly since he himself had it before.

"Octavius, I would like to have a word," said Lancelot, and Octavius's facial features softened.

"Really? Well, by all means, let us have a word." He grinned, and Lancelot brought his hand down and Oct stepped onto it. He eyed Jed. "Jed, what are you doing on Lance's shoulder?"

"I was out for a walk and he offered to give me a ride back," he half-fibbed. "Now put me back in the Old West, Goldie Locks," he ordered of Lancelot.

"As you wish."

He went over and took Jed off of his shoulder and set him down near the railroad tracks. He watched as the two left, and he huffed. He didn't want to watch them talking on that bench. He turned and went back into his shack, not caring that he would freeze into a piece of plastic inside of the small structure. He could feel the time nearing—he always got tired when the time came close.

Jed threw off his hat and collapsed onto his bed and stared at the ceiling. Maybe ten minutes passed, and Jed bolted up from someone slamming open the door. A very unhappy Oct cantered into the room and faced him.

"How dare you reveal my innermost secrets!"

Jed saw this one coming. He got up and stood in front of his fuming friend. "Look, Oct, Goldie Locks just wanted to know..."

"Wanted to know if I am interested in men, and if I am in love with him? That's what you two were talking about before I saw you on his shoulder?"

There was no point in lying. "Yes. He asked and I answered. But c'mon, Oct, everyone knows you're like that, and everyone heard your comment about his eyes. Why are you gettin' mad at me for somethin' that everyone already knows about, huh?"

Oct's brown eyes flamed, and he stepped up to Jed. "Because he told me that he's flattered by my affection, but there is no possible way of returning it since he's not interested in me in that way. He said that we can be 'just friends'." He used air quotes.

"I'm sorry, pal."

And he truly was. Really. He hated seeing so much hurt in Oct's features and eyes.

"Somehow I feel that you really aren't that sorry."

Jed's brows creased in confusion. "Now why wouldn't I be sorry?"

"Because there is always intention behind every action. What was your intention in telling Lance about my feelings for him?"

Jed remained silent.

"Do you not want me to be with him? Or anyone? Do you really just want me to yourself and no one else?"

Jed's pulse rose higher than it ever had. The man knew Jed more than he thought. Jed stood his ground and took in and let out a large breath, preparing himself to blurt out the truth of Oct's words and of his feelings for him.

"Alright, alright, Oct. I'll come clean. I said all those things because—"

The dawn approached and the two mini men froze in place.