Hi! I'm back from camp!

Hey, um, if anyone is interested, I've got a fan comic going for Undertale. It's not related to this story, but I'm having fun with it. Check it out at :

getting deeper down with undertale . blogspot . com

Just take out the spaces. Enjoy!


"Ugnh...That was a big mistake..."

Sans knew better than to teleport over such a long distance. Especially when his natural suply of magic that his body so thrived on was low. He knew, but he had ignored that knowledge to an extent that bordered idiocy. So full of guilt and shame over his actions earlier that evening, he hadn't even given much thought over the consequences of his actions. And that, in every sense of the word, had been a mistake.

He was dizzy. Dizzy, and sick to his non-existent stomach. If he had had a stomach, and had eaten any substantial meals in the last two days, he was certain he would have lost it right there on the cold, tiled floors of the Institute. Over the years, and the resets, Sans had gotten very used to the bending of time and space, both through the resets themselves and his usage of 'short-cuts'. But, apparently, even he had his limits.

"Ehhhh...A-Alright...Let's see..." He opened his eyes, having not even realized he had closed them. He was leaning forward, panting with his hands gripping his knees, limbs shaking slightly under the strain of having used so much of his reserves. But he still hadn't used them completely, and, as far as he could tell, he was in no danger as far as his health went. As long as he didn't do anything foolish.

Again.

The first sight he got as he raised his heavy head was those cold, marble tiles stretching out from him, forming the hall he had traversed not long before. They seemed so much bleaker than they had earlier; so much more foreboding and sad, like a stain upon a beloved sweater might evoke feelings of regret. Sans had actually found comfort in this place only hours before, and now it was yet another place that made him feel ill. Made him feel dirty and useless. Hopeless.

It was dark, the only lights being those from the city streets outside shining through the various windows and pillars. It gave it all a very eerie, surreal feel to it. Now it truly did resemble the Judgment Hall, in a sense. Only this time, it was him who was in need of being judged.

How ironic.

Taking a tentative step forward, Sans started onward, his shoes making scuffing sounds that echoed all around him as he shuffled. It was so lonely and bare here. So desolate. Sans wasn't exactly sure what he had expected to find. It was late by this time, and everyone had gone home; even the police. There was nothing left but darkness and the pattering of his own steps; and yet, something drew him forward, like a call. He made his way down the long hallway, past the little fountain where his stone still sat in the bottom of its well. He walked past the oaken doors of the auditorium, his hand hovering over the handle a moment before he pulled it back. He couldn't face that room again. Not so soon. He backed away, planning to continue, when a voice, startled and quiet, stopped him dead in his tracks.

"...What are you doing here?"

Sans startled, blinking as he turned, feet positioned in the direction he intended to go, but his body refusing to listen to his conscience's cries to flee. He turned his head, filled more with dread than surprise.

Standing there, dark as the shadows that surrounded them, stood the long, lanky form of Professor Hornbern. His face was screwed up in a frown of unease, and...fear? But of course he was frightened. Sans had destroyed almost everything the human had striven for, just like he had with his friends. With one moment of lost control, he had broken the trust that they had all been working so very hard to bridge between their two races. Heck, Sans had almost killed him earlier! Almost incinerated the guy after everything the man had done to help all of monsterkind. His friends might find it in their hearts and souls to forgive him eventually, but Hornbern...Sans did not expect the man to be nearly as understanding. Still, Sans was relieved to have come across the professor rather than anyone else. The police, or any other scientist or student he might have been found by, would have ended everything in a heartbeat.

Sans shuffled his feet, the rubber of his sneakers squeaking awkwardly against the tiles of the floor. He suddenly felt very small, but in a different sense than before. He felt low, despicable; unworthy of even talking to this man. The man that had been so kind and friendly to his friends; his family. Now, instead of a smile, he bore a blank mask, with unease and nervousness leaking through regardless. Not that Sans could blame him. Sans really couldn't blame anyone for hating him after what he had done; not Hornbern, not Undyne; not anyone. And maybe Asgore was right. Maybe he truly was someone to fear.

Sans somehow found himself being the one to break the uncomfortable silence first, swallowing needlessly down his nonexistent throat before he answered in a small voice. "...I-I was hoping I'd find you..." he said weakly.

Hornbern looked apprehensive, taking the smallest of steps backward. "Why?" And Sans hated to hear just how real that tinge of fear was in the human's voice. Almost as an afterthought, Hornbern looked around him, taking another step back. "You're taking a big risk in being here."

The skeleton took a deep breath, forcing himself to struggle out what he had come to say. "...I know I'm taking a risk. I came because I wanted to...to..." Why was this so hard? Why couldn't he just open his stupid mouth and spill it all out. Let out all the shame, and self-anger, and regret. But all that was forth in coming was an unsteady sentence that barely covered any of his feelings on the matter.

"I came to...a-apologize."

The words tasted bitter in his mouth, no matter how much he owed it. And he owed it. Oh man, how he owed it.

Professor Hornbern seemed surprised by the skeleton's words, freezing and sizing Sans up properly for the first time since he had spotted the skeleton walking cautiously in the shadows. Sans let him, expecting his apology to be met with a sudden change to hostility and rejection. But Hornbern only stared, thought clear in his eyes and posture that told that he really, truly was considering the skeleton's words. Finally, the professor took a step forward, though he kept his distance noticeably.

"You...have come only for that?" He seemed perplexed; thrown off by the pure intention of the monster's return. "Even though you are risking your safety and freedom to do so?"

Sans felt himself blush ever so slightly at the man's choice of words. It was a little more heroic than he would have liked to consider it. He gave a weak shrug. "Yeah." He saw Hornbern preparing to open his mouth and decided to gather his courage, cutting the human off.

"Listen, I came because I can't stand to let this all," he waved around him vaguely, "crumble away. Not again. Not after things were finally going right." He numbly realized that the professor would have no idea what he was talking about, but pushed on regardless. "It's my fault that everything went wrong earlier today at the meeting; I couldn't...I couldn't control my magic. Something went wrong..." He grimaced, his bony hand reaching up to pinch the bridge of his nasal cavity. "It's all just so messed up, and I don't want it to be. I don't want the Negotiations to fall just because I wasn't strong enough to hold back. I...I'd never forgive myself for it. Not after all the work you and so many others, including my friends and family, have put into it."

Sans' voice now held a hint of desperation. "There has to be something we can do; something I can do, or anyone can do to fix this." He raised his head, falling silent, having run out of things to say without repeating and sounding like he was begging. Though, at this point, that was not an option he had abandoned just yet.

Hornbern blinked slowly, his anxiety now blanketed by confusion. "You didn't mean to attack us at all, did you?" he asked uncertainly.

Sans shook his head, trying to seem as sorry and guilty as he felt.

The professor gave a sigh, one that spoke of conflicted emotions almost as strong as Sans' own. He held a hand to his forehead, sweeping it downward slowly as he worded his own thoughts rather shakily.

"I too want all to be as it was. We have all worked too long and too hard to let everything fall through now." His gaze returned to Sans' anxious face. "And...I may not have known you long, but I cannot see you having acted as you have on purpose. Monsters, after all, are made of love, hope, and compassion." He shook his head, a little more confidence in his tone. "And you are no different."

Sans felt rather uneasy at the professor's extensive knowledge of his kind, but merely nodded, as though that would somehow prove his innocence.

"But...you did so much damage..." He seemed almost concerned now, and Sans felt himself relax slightly. "What happened?"

Sans lowered his gaze, the lights in his eyes fading even dimmer. "I...I don't know." He clenched his hands into fists at his sides, pushing his guilt to the back of his mind for a moment at least. "But it won't happen again. I want to fix this, and I need your help."

Hornbern blinked. "How?"

Sans began to pace, more at ease now that he knew he and Hornbern were on the same page. "I...haven't really thought that far ahead. To be honest, I didn't think I'd make it this far." He paused, his gaze returning to the great, oaken doors of the lecture hall. "We have to mend the rift I made, but I really don't think anything my friends and I say now will do any good. You humans aren't going to trust us no matter how much we try to explain this whole incident away."

"But I trust you," the professor commented, before adding hesitantly. "To a point."

"But that's because you want to believe this is all true," Sans replied. "There's already plenty of people out there, a majority of people out there, who didn't trust us to begin with. And now, I've only given them a reason to distrust us monsters all the more."

Hornbern nodded sagely. He lowered his gaze in thought, while Sans finished another few steps of pacing. The silence of the hall was once again only broken by the squeaking of the skeleton's shoes against tile. The break seemed to last forever, both monster and man thinking deeply. Finally, an idea surfaced in Hornbern's mind and he held up a finger in proposition.

"What if I spoke on your behalf? As a human myself, they may listen to me. Then I could explain what happened and give some sort of evidence that what happened was all an accident."

Now it was Sans' turn to be adamant. "How? How can you prove that it was all a mistake when even I can't answer to my own actions?" He looked down at his hands, a hint of hopelessness drifting into his voice. "How can you prove that a monster isn't a monster after he's done so much damage?"

Hornbern's face softened to a look of pity. Or maybe it was compassion; sometimes it was a hard thing for Sans to distinguish between the two. After his breakdown about the resets, he had become very familiar with both, and still could not tell the difference between them. He stepped forward, his hesitation now all but gone as he knelt down in front of the diminutive skeleton. Sans fought the urge to step away, finding the gesture invasive and uncomfortable. Belittling, even though that was clearly not Hornbern's intention.

"If it is as you say, that you couldn't help what happened, then it is not your fault." He frowned. "But I see what you are saying. You're loss of control, intended or not, has only fueled the fire, so to speak." He paused, removing his hand but stayed kneeling as he was. "There is one possibility."

"...And what is that?"

"I could...do some tests. Study your magic," Hornbern said slowly, trying to gauge Sans' reaction. The skeleton's discomfort with the suggestion was clear.

"I...don't much like that idea."

"Nothing of any extensive length, I assure you," the professor added quickly, hands held up in a calming gesture. "It's just that, if there is truly something wrong with your magic, there must be a physical sign as to why, right?"

Sans nodded slowly, reluctant to give in to the idea, even so far as just listening to it.

"But, an expert on the ways of monsters though I may be," Hornbern continued, "we know so very little on the nature of monsterkind and the power that drives them. If I can understand how you work a little bit better, maybe I can find proof that what happened today was really and truly not your fault. Then I might be able to sway enough people to your innocence, of all monsters' innocence, to allow the Negotiations to continue."

Sans backed away a step, feeling even more uneasy. That irrational fear that had plagued him a few days earlier in Alphys lab had returned, full force, and he had no memory or reason to attach to it. It made him ache inside, even though he had no knowledge as to why.

He did not like Hornbern's suggestion. At all. But he was unable to come up with anything better. The professor's logic was sound. A better understanding of his magic might help, seeing as even monsters could not help much in that area. Magic and souls had always been a given. Very few studies existed, even among the research from the Underground. It was always considered a topic better left alone; believed in and respected, but not fully understood. There was no reason to fully understand it.

Until now, it would seem.

"I know you don't like the idea," Hornbern said carefully, ducking his head almost respectfully. "I can see that easily enough even if you hadn't said so; but I really don't see any other way to accomplish what you are asking. What we both want."

Sans gave a short nod, not quite dismissive, but certainly stiff with indecision. The longer he thought the professor's words through, the more strongly he felt against the suggestion at all. But he had to admit. There really was no other way.

Not doing so meant that the Negotiations would fall apart. Monsters would have to face the wrath of humankind once again, which probably would mean being trapped beneath Mount Ebott once more; or maybe even eradicated altogether. Many already saw them as vermin to be gotten rid of, and now they had more than enough reason to back up their prejudice. They were walking a tightrope. One that even now was threatening to snap. Frisk had promised never to reset again, but if faced with the death of so many she cared for...What good was a promise to the dead? Frisk would reset. And Sans would find himself trapped back beneath the mountain and...and...

"I know these negotiations between monsters and humans are already really shaky," Sans sighed deeply, pushing his snowballing thoughts to a standstill. "And I can't let what happened because of me shut down everything you and my friends have been working so hard to accomplish." He winced, remembering the hurt in the eyes of those who were practically his family. "I want people to know that my actions were simply a fluke of my powers. That my actions were no one else's blame but my own. I don't know what happened, but I won't let it happen again. My friends had nothing to do with it, nor any of the other monsters. It was my fault. Even if I didn't mean to do it."

Hornbern nodded, knowing that Sans was trying to come to a conclusion to a very difficult choice. He did not push.

"But I also want you to know that what you are suggesting is very..." Sans faltered, uncertain as to how to express what he wanted to say; an occurance that was rare for him. He always knew what to say. He sighed again. "One's magic is very...private. It's not something to fool around with. It's...us. My magic is me. Understand?"

Again, Hornbern nodded. "I understand."

"It's not something I would ever agree to willingly under normal circumstances," Sans continued. "But, like you said, there doesn't appear to be another way. These aren't normal circumstances." He sighed again, trying to bury the nerves that were tingling through him. "On that ground...I guess we have no choice. I agree to it under the terms that if, at any time, I see it as crossing the line, we will stop. Immediately." He held out his bony hand, stiff and obviously still wary. "Deal?"

The professor gave him an encouraging smile. Firmly, he took Sans' hand in his own, giving it a hearty shake. "Deal."

Then they separated, uncomfortable and awkward.

Feeling the need to speak, Hornbern cleared his throat and voiced his thoughts. "The Negotiations are on hold at the moment, but I might be able to use the influence I already have to ease up any of the charges against you and your friends. I can let the council know that I will be initiating the investigation myself, and that on a oncoming date I will relate my findings to them. That might buy us some time."

Sans quickly agreed. "Sure. I'll make certain that I keep myself scarce in the meantime."

"That might be wise." The professor looked worried once more. "The police will still be adamant about doing their own investigation."

"I know. Undyne might be able to help me there." At least, Sans hoped she would. "We'll all just have to hold on until we've got enough proof to show this was all just a fluke. Monster magic isn't usually so...unstable."

Hornbern's frown deepened. "All the more concerning in your case." He scratched the back of his neck, reflectively, before his eyes seemed to light up with a sudden thought. "Come with me."

"...W-What?"

The man stood up to his full height, half turning away toward the far end of the hall. He paused at Sans' confusion, turning back with a renewed sense of purpose. "Come with me," he repeated. "We are on a tight time frame as it is. Since you are here, maybe we can start our study tonight." The concern resurfaced in his voice as he took in the skeleton's expression. "That is...if you are willing?"

Sans was startled by the abruptness of the human's decision. Yes, he knew they were pressed for time, but this hardly gave him a moment to mentally prepare. "It...Uh, what are you planning to do...exactly?" A fair question, since, in this case, he was the subject under observation. He had a right to know.

Hornbern's expression softened at the obvious anxiety in Sans' tone. "How about we just take a look at your stats. I've got an office downstairs, private and no one will disturb us, with equipment to take the readings. If it's alright with you, that would be a good place to start."

"I...guess." Sans took an uncertain step to follow. "Only my stats tonight, right?" he confirmed.

"On my word. Only the stats."

Sans hesitated a moment longer, his mind battling between the trust he wanted to put in this man, and the lack of trust he seemed to instinctively have. There was no force in Hornbern's actions, merely invitation. This was his choice, not the professor's. All he had to do was decide to trust, or distrust. While his demeanor was harmless enough, Hornbern's calm, almost at-ease attitude was rather unsettling, somehow. It made Sans feel uncommonly like he was being cornered, even though he could see no danger in the human standing before him. There was no threat, other than Sans' own fears, which he kept telling himself were irrational. His mind was disagreeing strongly, but, despite his mental warnings, the skeleton's need to fix his mistake was far stronger.

Sans took a single step forward. "Okay. But I have to be back home before daybreak."

"Noted. Follow me."

Hornbern gestured with his hand, a smooth, gracious movement that was by no means unfriendly. Sans, though still distinctly wary, gave a slow nod of his head. If complying with the professor's instruction somehow mended what he had done, Sans would risk it. The Negotiations were too important a political matter to let a simple misunderstanding tear it all to shreds. The monsters needed this; they needed to make peace with the humans. If they didn't, what was to stop everything from falling apart again? Nothing. It was worth a little of Sans' time, surely; maybe even a little stepping outside of his comfort zone. And the small skeleton was okay with that. Mostly. Sort of.

Not really.

After the slightest form of final hesitation, Sans followed.

Together, the two started to shift silently away from the place they had been standing throughout their discussion. They moved further into the shadows, the moonlight coming through the windows no long able to reach them. Hornbern led the way down the enormous hall a ways, constantly looking back or pausing to make sure Sans was following. The skeleton in question was visibly uneasy, but pushed onward despite it. Both of them feared running into any other individuals, regardless of the fact that, as far as they could tell, they were alone. But one could never be too careful.

Hornbern followed the big hall for a distance before turning off into a much smaller one off to the side. It was still tiled, but of a different, older design. Sans realized that they were venturing into some of the more ancient parts of the structure; ones that were still yet to be renovated. This hall, in turn, led to a door that required a key card of some kind. Sans watched in fascination as the professor deftly swiped his identification in and out of a slot. There was a soft buzzing sound, followed by a high pitched beep, and then Hornbern led the way through the opening door and onward. It was an even smaller hall now, normal sized, if not a little smaller. It was darker here, and unnaturally silent. Sans could not help feeling uneasy when the door shut and sealed behind them.

"What is this place?"

Hornbern did not even turn as he answered, his stride quick and determined. "These are the office and research facilities. Heavily safe-guarded, naturally. We keep everything for the Negotiations in my office, which is just over here."

Something about this felt wrong. Sans came to a halt, feet braced uncertainly, as though some instinct within him was telling him to run. "Uh...Listen, Professor, but don't you think this is a bad idea? I mean, I did technically attack this place earlier. Won't you...you know, get in trouble? For letting me in here?"

Hornbern reached a door a few paces away, unlocking it before turning back and giving the skeleton a gentle smile. "Well, you took the risk in coming here to try and fix what happened. It only seems fair that I should do the same for you. Besides, all of this 'secret information' isn't really secret to you. We got most of this research from Alphys. Surely you know all about it."

Sans shrugged, peering hesitantly behind Hornbern to the dark room beyond. "To a degree."

The professor nodded, pushing the door open and stepping aside. "Then I wouldn't worry about it. Now, won't you come in?"

He swept a hand toward the semi-dark room, his eyes and smile never once leaving the hesitant skeleton. Finally, after several seconds of staying put, Sans walked forward, entering the room and quickly being followed by Hornbern.

With a flick of a switch the lights came up, and Sans was left blinking in the light of a very crowded room. Papers, folders, and boxes of papers and files littered every corner. There was a desk, though that too was covered in paperwork, almost hidden. Shelves lined with books and articles made the place seem even more cluttered, and there was only a definite path through the objects in which the monster and human could stand.

"Sorry about the mess," Hornbern muttered, stepping around Sans to try and clear a little more space. "When one is in my line of work, one has very little time for such luxury as being organized."

Sans chuckled. "You should see my room."

Fishing about a moment in one of the various boxes, Professor Hornbern finally stood, a device that Sans recognized held in his hand. "This is a stats scanner. Of Doctor Alphys' design, and quite safe. Are you familiar with it?"

Sans nodded, still looking uncomfortable. Alphys had used the thing on him only a few days before, after he had passed out at the dinner table. It was not a pleasent reminder.

"Good." Hornbern switched the device on, checking to make sure it was working before he gestured for Sans to take a seat. "I am not as skilled in this as I would like, but, skilled or no, I know that reading stats is completely harmless, correct? Even if I did it wrong, it would not hurt you?"

Sans shook his head, nervously opting to stand rather than sit. "You just hover it over my soul," he directed.

Hornbern now looked slightly uncomfortable, some of his vigor from before diminishing. "Are you sure this is alright? You seem very...reluctant."

Sans shrugged, trying to act like he didn't care, and not quite succeeding. "Naw, it's just...well, this isn't normal."

"Normal?"

"Asking to see my stats is like...like asking a human to open up their chest and expose thier heart. Like asking a human to allow someone to fool around with something so vital...a simple slip up could be fatel."

That didn't seem to settle well with Hornbern. He swallowed, all his enthusiasm gone. "You don't have to do this, you know. You could just say no, and walk right back out that door." He gestured the the closed door to emphesis.

Sans seemed to consider it, his eyes flitting in that direction, lingering there uncertainly. Then, gaze full of comptenplation, he looked back to Hornbern, who was standing patiently before him. Hornbern was such a kind, trustworthy soul. The kindest, most trustworthy soul the monsters had encountered aboveground. If Sans couldn't trust him with this, who could he? And how else would he fix the mess he had made?

"Thanks for the offer, Professor...But it's okay. I trust you." He gave a somewhat bitter chuckle. "And that's really say'n something, bud. I don't trust very many people these days."

Hornbern nodded, looking down at the divice in his hands once again, with far less enthusiasm still. "Can you...um...summon? Is that the right word? Summon your soul?"

The skeleton gave a sigh and a breath, gathering his rattled nerves before nodding. He closed his eyes, concentrating on the part of him that was hidden. He felt the warmth and glow of his soul as it activated, and then the pure vulnerability as it fazed from his chest to hover before him. He had always hated that feeling.

Hornbern gave a slight gasp in surprise, despite the fact that he had known what was supposed to happen. "That is...It's...I have read of this...but I have never witnessed it."

Sans gave a dry chuckle, slightly strained. "That's 'cause we don't just pop our souls in and out at every beck and call. You think you can hurry this up, professor? I...I'm a little worn out, and I can't keep this up for long."

"Oh. Sorry. Of course."

The professor lifted up the scanner before carefully holding it up to the pale, white, inverted heart. He was too far from it at first, having to step a little closer before the scanner lit up in recognition of its subject. It gave a hum, glowing all the brighter on its makeshift screen when Sans' soul brightened in kind. Hornbern shifted his feet, as though bracing himself against what he was doing, sending a quick glance at the monster's face.

"You alright?"

Sans gritted his teeth. It didn't exactly hurt, but he was trying to fight against his own instinct to hide his soul away, and that was taxing. "Fine. Fine, just fine. Are we almost finished?"

Hornbern licked his lips nervously, glancing back down at the device, sensing that Sans was in more discomfort than the skeleton was letting on. "Almost...Just a second or so more...There."

The skeleton called back his soul far quicker than he had brought it out, sighing in relief when it had disappeared back where it belonged. It still felt terribly exposed; its imprint still recorded on the device held in a human's hand before him.

Professor Hornbern was studying the readings with a curious frown, his excitement over his findings now exceeding his observations of Sans. He quirked an eyebrow at the high power level that the device indicated, but then frowned deeply.

"You have an HP of one?"

There it was. Sans had been reluctant to go through with the stats reading for that very purpose, among other things. He didn't exactly like the prospect of advertising his biggest weakness, especially to a world that could very easily turn against him at any moment. He had only entrusted Hornbern with the belief that he had no choice. And that still stood. But it didn't mean he had to be happy about it.

"Yes."

"...Isn't that...very low? For a monster?"

Sans tried not to let his annoyance show. "Yes."

Hornbern shook his head in bewilderment. "But that means all it would take to dust you would be-"

Sans felt his thin layer of patience break. "Yes, Yes," he snapped uncharacteristically. "All it would take is someone looking at me cross-eyed and I'd be dead. I know that, and now so do you. Hooray for us." He gave a tired sigh, closing his eyes for a moment to regain his composer. When he looked back up, Hornbern was giving him yet another look of pity. Or compassion. Whatever it was. Sans' anger morphed into an apologetic smile.

"Sorry. I just don't really like...people knowing."

The professor nodded slowly, looking at the readings again. "That is...understandable. But, please, I don't understand. How can you have such a low HP, and yet be capable of so much power? Your performance earlier today speaks of incredible reserves, and yet, according to this, you barely have any at all."

Sans shrugged. "Magic doesn't take up space. It doesn't really have any mass or volume. The reason why you can't determine it from inspecting a soul is because it only appears when initiated. Only when it's in use." The skeleton suddenly felt rather ill, exhaustion beginning to settle in. "Not to mention that I used most of my reserves earlier..."

"Oop!" Hornbern helped steady Sans as the monster stumbled forward. "I'm sorry, we should not have tried this now. You're still weak. You should go home."

Sans gave a moan that he couldn't suppress. "Heh. Home's a long way from here, bud."

"Well, how did you get here?"

"Magic." Sans gave him a tired, side smile.

Hornbern frowned, knowing what the skeleton was thinking. "And now you can't get back. Not enough magic."

"You got it."

The professor frowned, feeling more and more of the monster's weight, slight as it was, relying on his hold. "And it's too far to walk," he concluded. "Very well." He reached forward to his desk, taking up a ring of keys. "Come on, then. I'll give you a ride."

"A...ride?" Sans realized he was really starting to fall out of focus. Man, that was awful fast. All he wanted to do was to sleep.

"Yes, Sans." Hornbern helped the skeleton back to his feet so the monster could walk, a hand still holding fast in case he fell. "In my car. I'm not letting you walk all that way in the middle of the night in your condition. Not to mention, again, that the police would not be happy if they found you wandering the streets."

"...M-Makes sense..."

"Good. Then come along."

To say that the trip back up through the many halls of the Institute was pleasent or easy would have been a lie. Sans was in an almost drunken state, at least as far as his inability to stand or walk without at least a little assistance. He had no idea where he was headed, and relied completely on Hornbern's guiding hand.

They had to duck out of sight once or twice, coming across a few night-time strollers on the way to the parking lot where Hornbern's black car was parked. It was hard to see it in the dark, and Sans didn't even truly notive it until the professor was placing his bony hands against its smooth surface. Before long, Hornbern had helped him into the front seat, got in himself, and they were off.

Cars were still something Sans wasn't used to. The short time Papyrus had owned one, Sans had only riden in it a total of maybe three times; possibly four. The speed of the street machines was unnerving, and the fact that he had once almost been hit b one had not strengthened his ease around them. But now, exhausted magically, mentally, and physically, Sans sank into the cushioned seat of the professor's chair. The sound of the world flying past, mixed with the soothing feel of the air conditioner blowing on him from the car's various vents, put him to sleep almost instantly.

It seemed like only a moment later that someone was shaking his arm.

"Sans...Hey. Wake up." Hornbern's voice was gentle and hushed.

Sans slowly sat up a little, blinking blearily. He felt a little better, having napped the whole ride, but only marginally. "...Nnnyeah? Wassup?" he slurred.

Hornbern chuckled. "Your home."

"M'home?" Sans blinked again. He looked out the window, seeing the sillohette of Redemption outlined by moonlight not far from them. He gathered himself, snapping out of his daze. "...Right." He started unbuckling his seatbelt, preparing to get out of the car,

"Sorry I couldn't get you closer," Hornbern apologized. "I figured you'd rather not have anyone notice you gettong back."

"Yeah. Thanks." And Sans meant it. From the looks of the house's dark windows, he guessed that his friends and brother had gone to bed. Good. That meant they hadn't missed him. He wasn't sure whether he should feel relieved or bitter.

Hornbern unlocked the lock with a click, the little tab on Sans' side of the door popping up. "Think you can make it?"

Sans gave him a smile. "Yep. Thanks, bud."

"You're welcome." Hornbern suddenly gripped the sleeve of his jacket, stopping the skeleton as he opened the car door. Sans startled at the action. "Um, hey, when do you want to continue our...study?"

At the moment, the thought of eaven walking the short distance to his bed made Sans want to curl up and die. He was so tired. But he sighed, rubbing a hand against the side of his head in a frail, exhausted motion. "It'll take a few days for my magic to be back up to par." He shrugged. "Wednesday?"

Hornbern seemed pleased. He nodded in confirmation. "Wednesday."

"See ya then?"

"Most assuredly."

" 'K then. Bye."

Sans opened the car door the rest of the way, slipping out of Hornbern's now slack grip. He closed the door quietly, not wanting the sound to awaken anyone in the house. He was a little wobbly on his feet, but he knew he could managed. He gave Hornbern a thumbs up, waiting until the professor's car had disappeared into the night. He sighed, turning back to face his home, which suddenly seemed so very far away.

By the time he made it inside, he was too tired to make it up the stairs to his room. He fell asleep, drapped across the cushions of the couch in the living room. No one had been awake, just as he had figured, and for that he was grateful.