Hello all! Sorry this chapter is a bit late. We've had some technical difficulties, but trust me: Nothing can stop us from bringing you these next few beauties!

So: Behold! Chapter Ten!

-mariahills-capsicle

Sans awoke with Frankie next to him, the next morning. I should probably start filling out the paperwork to get him to school… Sans thought to himself as he carefully heaved himself out of bed, trying his best not to disturb the small skeleton beside him. Frankie remained asleep as Sans walked out of his room, shuffling his way down the hallway and to the kitchen. He began to brew himself some coffee, looking down at the forms Toriel gave him in order to apply Frankie for school.

"SANS?!" A panicked voice rang through the quiet house, the sound of rapid footsteps soon following.

"Frankie- it's alright, buddy. I'm in here." Sans calls from the kitchen, soon after, the skeletal child runs into his arms, shaking a little.

"I-I woke up and you weren't there…" Frankie murmurs quietly.

"I said I'd never leave you, kid- I meant that," Sans replies gently.

Frankie nods in response, calming down entirely.

"Why don't you get yourself some cereal, okay? I'm finishin' up your paperwork for school."

"oh."

"You nervous, kiddo?"

"A little…"

Sans kneels down so he's at eye level with the smaller skeleton, placing a hand on his shoulder,

"You'll do great, kid. And Frisk'll be there too, so you can hang out with them."

Frankie perks up a little,

"So I'll be in the same class as them?"

Sans' nonexistent eyebrows furrow. Will he?

"I'm sure we can work somethin' out."

Frankie seems content with this answer as he dashes off to the pantry for the cereal. While Sans sips at his coffee and finishes the paperwork. Alright. Last thing. At the bottom of the page was a line for a signature. "Parent Signature"... Was that was he was? Was he a parent? He shrugs, signing his name on the line.

There was a sudden pressure against his leg, he looks down to see Justice. She chirps happily up at him. Sans chuckles, kneeling down to pet her. Just as she seems to be enjoying herself, she dashes off. Cats are weird.

Sans stands back up, walking over to the fridge. It was weird to have food again. Of course, food wasn't what he was getting, as he reaches into the fridge for a bottle of ketchup. Oh, how I missed you… so glad we can finally… ketchup.

It had been awhile since he'd had ketchup, mostly due to the fact that he never went to the store, but he was going to savor this moment. Frankie looks over at Sans, who had just sat across from him at the table,

"Ketchup?"

"Yup."

Sans doesn't break eye contact with Frankie as he takes a swig of the ketchup. Frankie laughs.

"That's weird."

"I don't think you're allowed to say that until you've tried some. Mayo-be later, you can, if you can mustard up the courage." Sans challenges, taking another drink.

Frankie laughs at his puns,

"Well, at least you seem to relish it."

Sans looks over at Frankie in surprise. A whole new emotion washes over Sans. What was that? Pride. It's pride. The older skeleton chuckles,

"Nice one, kiddo."

"Well, Frankie, I just finished the paperwork." Sans said as Frankie finished his last bite of cereal. "What do you say we go walk down to the school to turn it in?"

"Umm…" Frankie stared down at his bowl with a frown. He was frightened, a little, but he knew that at some point he'd have to see the school. Seeing it with Sans seemed a lot better than seeing it alone. "Al...alright." He whispered. Sans frowned, quickly turning to look over at Frankie.

"Something wrong?" He asked.

"Just… I don't know. It's been a long time since I've been to school, Sans…."

"It's gonna be alright, kiddo. I'll be there this time and maybe you'll get a little tour so you can see what it's like." Sans frowned. "It's gonna be fine."

"I know." Frankie gave Sans a smile. "As long as you're with me Sans I know it'll be fine."

"Alright." Sans chuckled. "Why don't you go rinse out your bowl and we'll head out?" Frankie climbed down from his seat at the table and carried his bowl into the kitchen. He stared at the sink for a few minutes, trying to sort through his thoughts before he actually began slowly working on his chore. Last time I had any schooling was when mom and dad were still alive. That was a few months ago. Mom and Dad… He had used to talk to his parents all the time. He felt like they were somewhere, watching over him. It had been quite a while since he had. He still had nightmares, he still worried, and was nervous… but… he hadn't really been sad or angry- not in the way he had been the months before Sans found him. He had been happy. He had made new friends, and… now Sans was taking care of him. Maybe… maybe the way to heal a broken heart was time and…

"Frankie?" He looked up to see Sans standing in the entry to the kitchen.

"Yeah?" Frankie sighed.

"I know you don't want to go, but it's going to be okay-"

"Sans." Frankie said. "I just…" He looked down again at the bowl he held in his hands, above the sink. And thought about how his parents were slipping from his mind. Just like this bowl covered in soap could so easily fall… He couldn't remember his father's laugh, and he could hardly see his mother's smile. The bowl slipped from his hands and clattered at the bottom of the sink. The faucet turned off. Frankie turned to see Sans looking down at him with worry.

"What's bothering you, kid?" He whispered. Frankie felt tears threatening to fall. Sans knelt down in front of him and pulled him into a hug. "Is it about school?" Frankie slowly shook his head. "Let's go sit down and talk." Sans carried Frankie to the old orange couch and set him down on one end. The older skeleton sat on the other, scooting Justice out of the way to do so. The cat gave Sans a glare, and the curled up behind Frankie's shoulder on the arm of the couch. "What's wrong, Frankie?" Sans said, gently patting Frankie's kneecap. "You can tell me anything." Frankie looked away, towards the window that faced the front walkway. It was snowing again, lightly. The sun was hidden behind gray clouds.

"I can't remember my parents." He whispered. Thinking about it made tears fill his eyes again. "I mean… I remember them, but… I can't. They're… going away."

"Hey…" Sans reached out and turned Frankie's chin so the little boy was looking straight at him. "You never forget someone. Sure, you might forget the way they tilt their head when they ask a question, or the way the smell or felt, but you'll never truly forget them. They'll always be in your heart."

Sans is right. Frankie thought. I loved my mom and dad, I'll never forget them. And it is time to let them be at peace. Even though he'd felt this way for a little while, he knew his parents' death would still plague him in his dreams.

"Something's still wrong?" Sans asked gently.

"I… My nightmares, Sans." Frankie said. "They… no matter what I do they won't go away. It's because… it's because of mom and dad."

"Why?" Sans asked. Frankie took a deep breath. How am I supposed to tell Sans about this? His bones were trembling as he looked up at the skeleton who had taken him in and became his friend.

"My mom and dad, they worked really hard, but they didn't want me to go to a human school. Not until things were better." He said. "They taught me at home. I had to read lots of books and work on problems on my own. One day I decided I wanted to work in the park down the street. I knew other monster kids who played there and I thought this older kid could help me with some of my math homework. I… I wasn't sure how long I'd be so I left a note for when my parents got b-back from work. I was g-gone for… for a long time. I did my homework at the park and then I played with the other kids for a few hours. When I w-was going… when I started going…" He paused, trying to wipe away the tears that were beginning to fall. "It was… it was already getting dark. I went up to our apartment. And…" A shudder ran through him at the thought, tears were falling freely now, "The door… the door was open. W-when I went in… they were gone… they were…"

"Frankie…" Sans whispered.

"They…. they…" Now he couldn't hold back the sobs. His breath came in shuddering gasps as he tried to explain, "They were d-dead. The- the- the… The anti-monster people… they killed them and destroyed ever-everything in the a-apartment. That's why… that's why, Sans, I keep- keep having n-nightmares." He paused to take in another gasping breath, "B-because I'm so afraid!" He wailed, "I'm so afraid that- that if I l-leave, if I go away for a little while, everyone I l-love will be gone when I c-come back!" He burst into tears again, but didn't look away from Sans. The older skeleton looked shocked, but also there was something else… recognition? Whatever it was, Frankie saw that Sans understood completely. He didn't even say a word, he just pulled Frankie into his arms, wrapping him in a warm hug.

"I am never going to leave you, Frankie, I swear." He whispered. He tightened his grip, as Frankie sobbed into his shoulder. "I love you, kiddo." They sat there on the couch, with Justice staring at them contentedly, until Frankie's sobs had calmed to hiccups.

"I love you too, Sans." He murmured, his face still buried in Sans' sweatshirt.

Frankie was thankful when Sans called Toriel instead of deciding to continue with their plans to go to school. The older skeleton, as he spoke on the phone, kept glancing back at Frankie with worry. Frankie sat on his bed fiddling around with his rubics cube and Sir Barkley for a little while. Then he got bored and slowly made his way out to the living room again. Sans had sort of half-cleaned up the living room and kitchen, and then collapsed on the old orange sofa to watch TV. But Frankie found him fast asleep. The little skeleton smiled. Poor Sans. Looks like the coffee didn't do such a good job. A while ago Sans had mentioned he got nightmares too. Maybe he wasn't sleeping well.

"Don't worry, Sans." Frankie said. "I'll protect you from the bad dreams! Just like you protected me!" Frankie returned to his room and pulled the extra quilt off of his bed. He dragged it behind him, Justice chasing the end as he walked. When he reached the old couch again, he pulled it over Sans, who stirred but didn't wake. When the deed was done, Frankie climbed under the covers and leaned against Sans, wrapping his little arms around Sans' big one. Sans shifted a little, but still remained asleep. Frankie watched commercials on the TV speed by, and all the while Sans didn't wake. "I won't let the bad dreams get you, Sans. They'll be too scared of me. I'm awake, and see I'm holding on to your arm so the dreams don't dare come any closer!" There was suddenly a knock on the door. "Oh." Frankie pulled himself out of the covers, making sure Sans was still safe and soundly underneath.

Frankie decided to check the window first. He didn't want to open the door to a stranger, not without Sans awake. What he saw outside made him smile- a little cranberry red car. Toriel! He opened the door to reveal that it was indeed Toriel with Frisk.

"Frisk! Toriel! You have to be quiet! Sans fell asleep."

"Oh!" Toriel chuckled. "We'll be quiet!" She leaned in and whispered, "He's quite the lazybones, don't you think?" Frankie giggled.

"I heard that!" Sans shouted from the livingroom. Frankie and Frisk both laughed this time, and together with Toriel they made their way into the living room. Sans was still sitting on the couch with the quilt spread out on top of him, but in only the few moments that Frankie had been gone, Justice had spread herself across Sans' lap. Frisk immediately hurried over to the cat, pulling the poor feline into a huge hug. Justice was not pleased. "What are you two doing here?" Sans asked.

"It's our lunch break." Toriel replied. "We figured we might as well come and pick up Frankie's paperwork." Justice was struggling to get free of Frisk's grasp.

"Alright." Sans pulled himself up from the couch, tossing his blankets aside.

"Do you wanna see my room?" Frankie asked Frisk. Frisk nodded quickly, dropping Justice, who quickly slid under the sofa out of sight. Frankie happily led Frisk to his little room. He showed Frisk his things, and especially his new stuffed animal Sir Barkley.

He's cool. I like his name. Frisk signed. Frankie nodded with a grin.

"Sans liked it too."

So SANS is signing you up for school? Frisk asked.

"Yeah! Do you think we'll be in the same class?" Frankie said excitedly.

I don't know. Frisk replied. They looked thoughtful for a moment. You're not ever going to leave SANS, are you?

"No." Frankie replied. "I love Sans."

Good. Frisk nodded. I would be sad if you left, FRANKIE. You're my best friend.

"You're my best friend too." Frankie grinned.

You know… when I came up with everyone from the Underground I stayed with Toriel.

"Yeah?" Frankie asked.

Toriel adopted me. Do you think Sans will ever adopt you? Sans? His Dad?! Frankie frowned. He'd never thought of it. Dad… He thought, trying to picture Sans' face with the name. No… That's just weird. He still saw his dad's face with that name. Sans was a friend, not his dad.

"I don't think so. It's weird."

I am just glad you are staying. Frisk said.

"Should we go see what Sans and Toriel are doing?" Frankie asked.

Sure! Frisk and Frankie made their way back into the living room where Toriel and Sans were sitting on the couch talking about something. Toriel seemed excited. Sans seemed… pretty serious.

"You can come by with Frankie anytime to learn more about your duties, and meanwhile Frankie could get a tour of the school!" Toriel smiled.

What are you talking about? Frisk asked.

"I… guess I got a job now." Sans frowned, as if he wasn't sure exactly what just happened.

"You'll be working at my school?!" Frankie gasped.

"He is."

Sans… has a job? Frisk frowned.

"What are you talking about kid, in the time you've known me I've had plenty of jobs." Sans chuckled.

My mistake. Sans has a real job?

"Ouch. Geez, kid." Sans groaned. Frisk offered Sans an angelic smile.

It'll make more money than fried snow. They signed. Frankie had no idea what they were talking about, but it was funny anyways.

"I guess you're right. I'll have to make you my business partner." Sans said.

You should make Frankie your business partner. Frisk signed.

"You think so? What do you say, kiddo?"

"Well… I might be a good banker, like in Monopoly."

"Sure-"

"But… I would probably lose interest." Sans blinked. Toriel laughed out loud. Frisk groaned. Sans grinned.

"Frankie, I've gotta admit. You've left me pun-founded."

As soon as Frisk and Toriel left, Sans let out a sigh. He hadn't had a job for some time, and he hardly felt ready for the responsibility. Janitor, huh? Well, I can give it a shot.

While Frisk and Frankie were in the other room, Toriel had told Sans about her school's need for a new janitor, since the old one had retired the previous week. As soon as she offered it to him he figured why not? He needed a job anyways,in order to support Frankie. So he'd accepted. He knew the basic duties of a janitor. Cleaning. But he wasn't sure about everything he'd be expected to do. Oh well. I can clean. He almost laughed a little at his own thought, thinking of his room. Frankie was probably better at cleaning than he was.

But this is for the kid. Sans thought. He watched quietly as Frankie played on the floor with Justice and Sir Barkley. The former had come out from hiding once Frisk left, and Frankie had found a string to drag across the floor for the cat to chase. Sans found himself content to just observe the child. Something still stirred within him. He was proud of Frankie, and that feeling remained. It felt so strange, and different.

What is it about this kid? Sans frowned. What was it that made him turn back on his own principle to not get attached?

"Sans?" Frankie looked up. Sans was snapped back to the present.

"Yup?"

"Justice has gotten bigger."

"Yeah, that means she's healthy." Sans replied. "She was pretty thin when we first got her, huh?"

"I'm glad she's not sick anymore! Now she can be happy!" Frankie smiled, he pulled the cat into his tight embrace. The cat's eyes widened as it struggled in vain to escape. Sans chuckled again.

What does it matter? The cat's just gonna be out on the streets again soon. And we'll all be back underground. Far away from helping it, and far away from helping ourselves. Repeating the same lines, recalibrating the same puzzles… over and over again in an endless circle. Shut up!

This was why. That was why he needed Frankie. Frankie was an anchor. I have to do this. I have to shut out my thoughts, kill my mind, in order to stay sane. In order to help him. In order to be here for him and with him when he needs me.

"Sans, do you wanna play monopolop with me?" Frankie asked.

"Monopoly?" Sans grinned. He loved this kid. Dammit. That was one thing that he couldn't change. Just like he loved Papyrus. He loved his friends. He loved this kid. Dammit Sans. "Well, you better prepare yourself for a bad time, kiddo." Sans said jokingly. Frankie turned around with a shake of his head.

"You should prepare yourself." He said.

"Why's that?" Sans asked as he stood up from the couch.

"Because you're gonna be dice-appointed." Ohmygod. Sans grinned.

REVIEWS FOR CHAPTER NINE:

Shadefeather682: Riley, CALL THE FREAKNG COPS! Also, go and tell your new monster friends what going on. Just do something that isnt avoiding them! THAT WILL ONLY END BADLY!

Yes. Very, very true. We shall see what comes next... NYEHEHEHEH! *secrets, secrets hush hush hush*

Starbee24: Riley need to realize that anyone who messes Sans and his family is gonna have a bad time. And how much do we wanna bet that these red X wackos are the same ones that killed Frankie's family

Mmm... bad time... definitely. *secretsssss* ;)

GenuineGreenTea: I think this fanfic is incredibly well written!

Thank you! I'm glad you like it!

Thank you all so much for the reviews! See you again for chapter eleven!