AN: Yay, I'm back! I am so happy to be working on this series again. I know it's been a few months and I sincerely apologize for that but I had a lot of things I had to work out in my life. Now, though, I should be able to update this regularly. As of now, I am aiming for weekly updates on Fridays. That way you'll have something to look forward to for the weekend ;) Depending on how motivated I stay I may even do a double update once in a while (two chapters a week instead of one) but we'll have to see about that. There will be one a week for sure though and I'm not planning on leaving you hanging again.

With that said I think this chapter has one of my favorite scenes I've written for this story so far. I love how it turned out and I really hope you do as well. Thanks so much for sticking with this and I look forward to hearing what you think of this chapter.

Disclaimer: Nope, the game this fic is based on does not belong to me. You have Toby Fox to thank for that.

Sans walked through the empty house towards the room he shared with his daughter. It was dark, night had fallen, and every other resident of Snowdin was fast asleep in their beds. Passing Papyrus' room the smaller skeleton paused, listening intently for his brother's soft snores. Once he was satisfied that everything was as it should be he ventured further down the hall, coming at last to his own door. Letting out a jaw cracking yawn the comedian let himself in and began making his way towards his bed, freezing in his tracks a moment later.

'What's going on here?' He thought as he spun around searching every nook and cranny of his room. 'Where's Frisk!? Why are her things gone? Even the crib's missing!'

"Frisk?" The slipper clad monster called, fiercely hoping his three-year-old would answer. "Frisky, come on out. This isn't the time to be playing hide and seek."

But nobody came.

"If this is a joke it isn't funny, kiddo," Sans petitioned, letting out a nervous chuckle.

Taking one last look around the room he bolted for the door, certain that if she wasn't here she would be downstairs in her play area. Taking the steps two at a time the worried skeleton made it to the living room in record time... only to find it empty. The silence felt like it was going to swallow him whole as his knees began to tremble.

"The kitchen," He said aloud, desperation leaking into his voice as his eye lights became nothing more than tiny, white dots. "she's gotta be in the kitchen."

Upon finding no one there Sans fell to his knees, his head landing heavily in his arms as sobs tore from his throat. He seemed to sit there for hours, the tears trailing down his face as his voice grew hoarse from the constant cries. How could he have let this happen? Where did his baby-bones go? Did someone take her? All these questions and more circled in his mind, taunting him with the thought that he had failed to protect the child who meant more to him than his own life. His sobs turned to hiccups and still, he sat there, unable to muster the strength to rise. Instead, he closed his eyes, letting the darkness take him with the hope that this was all just some terrible nightmare.

"SANS?" A voice cried out, rousing him from slumber. "SANS, WHAT ARE YOUR DOING SLEEPING ON THE FLOOR?"

Blinking the blurriness from his eye sockets the confused twenty-seven-year-old glanced around. He was, in fact, curled up on the hard tiled floor of their home's kitchen. Moments after that thought crossed his mind the jokester launched himself at Papyrus, grabbing hold of his brother's battle-body with both hands and gazed up at him with desperate eyes.

"Pappy, please, have you seen Frisk? I can't find her anywhere!" He wailed, tears once again streaming from his sockets as he stared imploringly up at his older brother.

"Sans, what is wrong?" The taller skeleton asked, wrapping his arms around the smaller being in a supportive hug. "Who is it you are speaking of? Are they a friend of yours?"

Blinking in surprise the comedian's tears began to slow as suspicion filled his mind.

"You know, Frisk, my daughter?" He stated, slightly sarcastic as he watched for any recognition in his bro's eyes. "Your niece who you've been helping me raise for the past few years? Any of this striking a chord?"

"Brother..." Papyrus spoke hesitantly, uncertain how to address his concerns. "You don't have a daughter. This 'Frisk' person doesn't exist."

The hoodie wearing skeleton felt as if he'd been punched in the sternum, all the air seemed to leave him as he fell to his knees once more. He curled into a ball on the floor, his knees pulled up to his chest and arms wrapped around his head. His brain couldn't comprehend what his sibling had just said. How could his child suddenly cease to exist? It wasn't possible!

"SANS!" Pap exclaimed, bending down to place his hands on the other monster's shoulders as he tried to shake him out of his dazed state. "Sans... I'm sorry but I think it would be best if you try to forget this vision you've had."

"No..." The worried father growled, slowly moving his head up to meet the other's gaze as determination filled his soul, eye lights dark in his sockets.

"NO, I won't accept this!" He screamed, voice filled with resolve to find his missing daughter as he slowly rose to his feet, causing Pap to take several steps backwards. "She is real. MY LITTLE GIRL ISN'T JUST SOME FANTASY I DREAMED UP!"

"I'm sorry brother, but you give me no choice." The larger monster replied before summoning a cage of blue bones around his sibling. "If you try and get out your HP will be depleted, as you well know, but I have calculated so that it will not kill you. Instead, you will be left weakened and most likely unable to move. If you still insist that this delusion is real I will be forced to admit you to the hospital until they deem you mentally stable."

"You think I'm crazy, Papyrus?" Sans spoke quietly, hurt audible in his voice. "How could you... we're family! Doesn't that mean anything to you anymore?"

With that, the normally laid back monster charged the cage. He didn't care if it hurt, heck, he didn't care if it killed him. If all the time he'd spent with his baby-bones really was just an illusion he may even prefer if it did. His body collided with the barricade and he felt his HP dropping, yet even so, he pushed on. He had to know, he just had to. So with a final shove, he broke through the bone cage and headed towards the stairs. He was dizzy and felt as if he'd pass out at any moment but, somehow, he managed to reach his room.

"Frisk!" He called out, voice hoarse, as he pushed the door open.

-XXX-XXX-XXX-

There was nothing here but darkness. No light, not even a speck, was able to find its way into this place. Where was she? The little human had no idea. All she knew was that she had to get out. She had to find a way back to the ones who cared for her. Frisk closed her eyes, blocking out the darkness as she tried to remember what had happened. The last thing she recalled was stabbing herself with the knife, Sans crying over her as he life slowly faded away. Was that it then? Was this death? All the stories she'd heard had always said there would be a bright light for the person to walk through but this wasn't like that at all.

"I don't like it here." The child said fearfully, her voice seeming to echo endlessly in the nothingness. "I want Sans."

"Oh don't worry..." A familiar voice spoke, sending shivers down her spine. "I've got Sansy right here. Though he may not be the same as you remember him."

"Chara! What have you done?" Frisk demanded, looking around desperately for any clue to the demented soul's location. "Please, don't hurt him."

"I'm afraid it's a little too late for that." Chara mocked, materializing out of thin air beside the living human.

(I'm sorry...)

Frisk thought she heard something in the back of her mind but passed it off as her head playing tricks on her.

She was shaken from her thoughts as a cage suddenly seemed to appear out of nowhere and inside, lying on the blood covered floor, was the unconscious form of Sans. His hoodie was shredded and one slipper was missing but that wasn't the worst part. Frisk fought back tears as she took in the condition her skeletal friend was in. There was blood leaking from multiple cuts all over his body, the worst being a large gash across his sternum. She could clearly see the Femur of his left leg was broken as was the Radius in his right arm... not to mention all the small cracks on his skull. Looking closer, Frisk breathed a small sigh of relief, she could see the short monster's chest rising and falling as he took in ragged breaths.

The small child ran to her friend's side, glad to see that the prison was unlocked, and she was able to carefully pull him out into her arms.

"Why?" She cried, gently moving Sans so that his skull rested in her lap. "Why are you doing this? You tried to take over my body, kill my friends, and destroy everything I care about but you've never once offered an explanation other than wanting to destroy the world and I don't buy that."

"Why should I tell you? It's not like it would change anything." The spirit taunted, shrugging as a smirk appeared on her lips. "What's the point in explaining myself to a weak, little girl like you? Really, it would just be a waste of time."

(I never wanted this...)

Again the human child thought she heard a faint voice but she refused to acknowledge it.

"You're not any older than me! Stop acting like you're so high and mighty!" Frisk yelled before carefully wiping a smudge from Sans' cheek. "I don't understand how you became so... evil... Chara. I've heard the story of your time in the underground. You were kind and compassionate to everyone you met and you loved your monster family with all of your heart. Toriel, Asgore, Asriel... they all cared for you so very much. What happened to make you choose the path you did? Was your life on the surface so terrible that you would willingly give up the new life you'd been blessed with just to get revenge on the humans who wronged you? I don't understand how you could hurt them like that!"

"You know nothing of what I went through on the surface!" Chara screamed, flinging a knife towards the other child's chest.

(I made a mistake...)

The whisper came once more but there was no time to dwell on it as the weapon rushed towards her.

Frisk closed her eyes and braced for the impending impact... but it never came. Instead, she felt herself flung to the side. She rolled a couple times before catching herself, gaining several scrapes on her bare legs. As she picked herself back up Frisk glanced over to where she'd just been and her heart throbbed painfully in her chest. All that remained of her best friend was a dust covered, blue hoodie and a pair of pink slippers. Tears welled up as the small human sat frozen in shock. She hadn't even noticed him wake up and now Sans had saved her at the cost of his own life! When was this cycle of death and determination going to stop? Couldn't they just get the good ending for once? Why was Chara so hellbent on not letting them be happy?

"That comedian really needs to learn to butt out of things that don't involve him." The spirit child sneered, her red eyes seeming to glow in the darkness as she kicked dirt at the skeleton's remains.

(Please, save me...)

"You... you MONSTER!" Frisk screeched in anger, too enraged to notice the voiceless plea hanging in the still air as she flung herself towards the slightly taller girl. "You're nothing but a demon in human form! I've watched you kill my friends over and over again using my body but I won't stand for it anymore. I won't show mercy this time... YOU DON'T DESERVE IT!"

Before her attack could connect a blue aura wrapped around her soul and pulled her back. Frisk struggled, trying in vain to reach the evil child that had once again taken her friend from her. It was only when she felt a pair of boney arms wrap around her from behind that she finally gave in and let the tears fall. Sobs wracked her small form as she rested the back of her head against his shoulder, taking comfort in the familiar smell of hot dogs and fast food. The arms tightened for a split second, as if to say that everything would be alright now, but she couldn't believe that... not when she could still see his dust settling mere feet away from where she stood... not when the arms that encircled her were already starting to fade as the last of his magic disappeared from this world. Yet, even so, she would go on. She would not let this taint her soul. His final wish for her would not be in vain. Frisk would not succumb to the darkness that had tried to take control, she would let the merciful spirit within her guide her actions as she always had in the past, and she would meet him once again in the next loop.

"Thank you, Sans." She spoke in a hushed whisper glancing over her shoulder to send one last tear filled smile towards the fading being still holding her in his arms. "See you next time, my friend."

With a silent nod, the phantom dissipated into a shower of blue sparks before vanishing completely.

-XXX-XXX-XXX-

"AAAAH!"

"AIIEE!"

Two separate screams rang out through the small room as the occupants awoke simultaneously, both gasping in fear as tears fell from their eyes like rain. Sans soon got a hold of himself, choking back the sobs that threatened to escape as he glanced frantically around the room. Everything was back to normal! His daughter, although she was frantically screaming for him, was safe and sound in her bed. Swiftly flipping on the bedside lamp he plastered a soothing smile on his face.

"Shh, it's alright Frisky." He called as he stood up, catching her attention. "I'm right... oomph... here."

Frisk had catapulted herself out of bed and collided full speed with his sternum, effectively knocking the air out of him as they both tumbled backwards onto the floor. Soft sniffling was heard as his three-year-old snuggled her face into his shirt as she clung tightly to his side. It broke his heart to see his little girl so distressed and he softly began humming a soothing tune, rocking her in time with the lilting melody.

"SANS WHAT IS WRONG? I HEARD SCREAMING!" Papyrus' voice sounded as the door swung open with a mighty crash, effectively startling both smaller skeletons.

"It's okay, Pappy," Sans said, still trying to calm the former human. "We both had bad dreams, that's all, go back to bed."

"Well, if you are certain..." The elder brother trailed off, doubt audible in his voice. "If you need someone to talk to I'm here and willing to listen."

"I know," Sans spoke, eyes softening as he saw how worried his older bro was. "Thanks, Papyrus. I'll be sure to take you up on that offer if I have another nightmare."

With that said he turned his attention back to Frisk, barely noticing as the other monster nodded seriously before leaving the room. The girl's cries had calmed while he was talking to his brother and she seemed to be listening to something. He glanced around, trying to hear what had caught her attention, but he couldn't make anything out other than the normal nighttime noises.

"You feeling better now, baby-bones?" He asked, planting a tender kiss on her forehead as he brushed her straight, brown hair out of her face. "You had quite a fright there, do you remember what you dreamt about?"

She glanced around the room as if searching for something he couldn't see before her gaze settled back onto him. She pulled back slightly, putting a small bit of distance between them so that she could see his face without having to tilt her head up at an awkward angle.

"A little." She said quietly, voice trembling slightly. "There were red eyes. They kept staring at me in the dark... it was so scary."

"I know, I know." The comedian murmured reassuringly as he patted her back. "It's alright now. I'm sure that must have been really frightening for you but I'm here now. I swear I won't let anything hurt you."

"Okay," Frisk muttered, still not completely reassured. "Pompa said that since it was a dream it couldn't hurt me."

"Pompa sounds very smart. I'd like to meet him one day." Sans replied, playing along. By now he was completely used to Frisk mentioning her imaginary friend.

"Nyehehehe," Frisk laughed softly as she glanced at something beside her father. "Pompa says you already know him."

"Welp, I guess I do. You did introduce us after all." He laughed along with her.

The twenty-seven-year-old really needed to remember to set up a play date with other monster kids so that Frisk could make friends with people her own age.

"We'd better get you back to bed since you're feeling better." He stated, putting that thought aside as he lifted the skeletal child into his arms. "Tibia honest, kiddo, you get kinda cranky if you don't get enough rest."

"Can I sleep with you daddy, please?" Frisk pleaded, eyes gazing longingly up at him in her famous puppy dog look.

"Guess I have no choice, I can't say 'no' to that face." He said, pretending to be upset moments before a huge smile burst onto his face. "Come on Frisky time to settle down and close those pretty eyes of yours."

He pulled back the covers of his bed with one hand while supporting her with the other. Then he settled them both on the bed before pulling the blanket back over them. Finally, he levitated the stuffed tabby cat that had once been his over to the bed, smiling softly as Frisk snuggled it close to her as she stuck one thumb bone in her mouth and began sucking. She was asleep within minutes. Sans lay there, arm wrapped around his daughter's midsection as the smile slipped.

"Red eyes, hmm?" He said contemplatively, watching the girl's peaceful face as she slept. "Was it really a nightmare... or was it something more?"

With that thought, the skeleton spoke no more, content to keep a silent vigil over his child. There wouldn't be anymore sleep for him that night. No, he needed to be able to see her, feel her snuggled against his side. Anything to make sure she wouldn't suddenly disappear like in his dream because if that were to happen, Sans was certain that his soul would shatter into a million pieces.

The next morning saw the skeledad sitting at the breakfast table, yawning tiredly as he scrubbed Frisk's face free of the syrup she had managed to spread all over it. He himself had ended up using his pancakes for a pillow until his brother had shaken him awake. Frisk had thought it was all too hilarious but apparently 'Pompa' had been as worried as Papyrus according to what his daughter told him as he washed the sticky substance off her bones.

"Sans, why don't you go take a nap," Pap suggested as he finished cleaning up the dishes. "I can watch Frisk for a while, I've been wanting to show her the new puzzle I've been working on."

Blinking wearily, it took the jokester a few moments to comprehend what the older monster had said, then he shook his skull.

"Nah, that's okay bro." He replied, barely keeping his sockets open. "I'll be fine, no need to worry about me. I'm just gonna take Frisky up to the room so she can play with her toys."

"If you say so, brother." The scarf wearing skeleton agreed reluctantly.

Papyrus knew that his younger sibling had said he'd be fine but that didn't make him any less worried. He stayed downstairs, pacing, as he tried to come up with an idea to get Sans to rest. Usually, the younger monster had no quarrel about sneaking a nap here and there. Yes, he'd been doing it less often since Frisk had arrived, especially when his higher HP brought about more stamina for the skeleton. But that didn't mean he couldn't benefit from one now when it was clear that he hadn't slept well the night before. Deciding to go check on the two the spaghetti lover made his way upstairs. Quietly creeping to the door, he peeked his head inside and a fond smile found its way onto his face. Sans was stretched out on the bed, fast asleep, as his daughter played beside him. It made such a cute scene that Pap raced to his room in order to grab his phone so he could take a picture. Afterwards, he slowly approached the toddler, holding one of his phalanges to his mouth in the universal sign for quiet.

"How about we go look at those puzzles and let your dad get some rest?" He said as quietly as he could manage. "He's had a long night and I think that nightmare may still be bothering him. It would do him some good if he could sleep soundly for a while without having to worry about you getting into things."

With that said the girl's uncle scooped her up onto his hip bone and made his way out of the house, stopping only to dress the child in her winter clothing. He then headed through town and out into the woods in the direction of his puzzles. There was a new one that he'd been working on for weeks now and it was finally ready to be tested, he was certain Frisk would have a lot of fun trying to figure out which snow sculpture went on which pedestal.

Meanwhile Sans lay slumbering at home. This continued on for awhile before his eyes snapped open and he whipped his head around, searching in vain for his daughter.

'No...' He thought, eye lights shrinking to pin pricks. 'No, this can't be happening!'

Jumping from the bed he raced downstairs only to find it devoid of life. Neither Frisk nor Papyrus were anywhere to be seen. He teleported back up to the second floor and knocked on his bro's door... but no one answered. Where could they be?

"Okay, okay, calm down. You need to think logically." Sans said, trying to calm himself, even if just the slightest bit. "Pappy said he wanted to show Frisk something, now what was it?"

The skeledad wracked his brain, attempting to remember what the older monster had said. Truth be told he'd been so out of it that morning that he couldn't even recall most of the conversation. He began panicking somewhat, uncertain whether he should go out and look for them or wait at the house till they got back. He decided on the later. Surely Frisk would be safe with Papyrus. In his head, he knew she would be but his soul still trembled with anxiety as he remembered the nightmare from the previous night. He sat on the couch, pulling his knees up to his chin and resting his skull on his arms, continuously looking at the clock. He wouldn't move, he'd wait right here until he knew for certain that his daughter had made it home safe.

Nearly an hour later he heard the click of the front door being opened. Turning his tear stained face in that direction he was met with the sight of his baby girl safely resting in her uncle's arms as he stepped through the entryway.

"Brother?" Papyrus asked, stopping short as he noticed the condition his younger bro was in. "What is wrong, why are you crying?"

Sans raced over, snatching the three-year-old from the other male and holding her close as a hiccuping sob escaped him. He knew he was overreacting, he knew he should have talked about the nightmare when his brother had asked him, he shouldn't have been so stubborn. The slipper wearing monster had been certain that he could handle it on his own but he'd been wrong and it had lead to unnecessary panicking and worry on his part. This could all have been avoided if he'd have just talked about his fears instead of hiding them away like he always does in these kinds of situations.

"Sorry, Pappy, that nightmare just rattled me more than I'd thought." He admitted, taking a deep breath as he met his brother's worried gaze. "If the offer to talk is still open I, um, I think I'd like to take you up on it..."

The 'if that's alright' was left unsaid but Papyrus could see the question within the shorter monster's eyes. At the moment Sans looked so vulnerable and he couldn't help but remember all the times he'd comforted his younger sibling after a nightmare during their childhood.

"Of course, brother." He declared, smiling brightly to help ease the other being's worries. "Why don't we go up to your room? That way Frisk can play while you tell me all about it."

"Yeah, that would be great." The comedian answered, relief already filling his soul as he gazed lovingly at his small family.

AN: Well, that's the end of this chapter. I really hope you liked it as much as I did. Please leave a review to let me know what you thought, thanks :)