Farrah. Farrask. She went by both, leaving the server confused as to what to call her at Mettaton's. The move she made wasn't exactly taken as elegant by other monsters. But Sans could safely take care of his brother.

"Umm. This feels odd," Papyrus had to say. "Do we all need to be on a date together?"

"I don't want anyone to look any less choosable," she said.

"That's a Farrah statement," Sans said. "Still? Could probably divide up, and it wouldn't be a bad idea? I mean." He waved as another couple looked suspiciously at them. "I don't think every monster really appreciates the double brother dating. Not a-"

"Sans!"

"-a little bit," Sans said after Papyrus. Neither were in the best mood. "Besides, I should be off and doing something else more important. You know? Things that could really help our situation?"

Testing. It was true. At the same time? If it fails, then what am I supposed to expect. And why do I keep thinking out loud? Shoot.

"I get that, Farrah," Sans answered. "Truth is? I'm down to the basics. If it don't work. Then you guessed right, I am not letting Papyrus do this.

I knew it. You should have said something.

Hey, I thought maybe love would bloom.

That was a lazy way to think of it after this long.

That is me.

You could have told me. All this time, I was trying to get closer to Papyrus, when I should have been getting closer to you.

Eh. We got a natural closeness. That developed better without pressure.

Well? Now what?

Now, we only have a couple options left. If they don't work? Then we'll have the best ever 'how dad got with mom' story for the kiddos.

"Sans, are you speaking with Farrask right now?" Papyrus asked. "She does not have kind eyes toward you. You should at least open her mind up a little to others. It is offputting."

"No can do," Sans said. "She has no filter on and her thoughts can get real dirty. Makes my cheekbones wanna burn blue."

"That's not true," she protested.

"Can't believe your complaining," Sans countered. "I mean, you are dating two brothers."

I did not want you to lose your brother. I saw it as the only option.

Yeah, I know and thanks.

Thanks? You haven't seemed thankful.

Nah, I am, but if this experimenting doesn't work, you'll be mine. So, think of it as advanced training.

Uh?

You'll be with the number one comedian in the Underground. Gotta work on your anger management.

I have anger management problems?

Nah, not yet. I am working on it.

Then, Farrah couldn't help a small smile. There was no way he could get his wish. His comedy is like air to the lungs. Even mild irritation soon turns into a smile. I don't think I can ever be exactly what you are hoping for, Sans.

"Uh?" Sans didn't answer back right away, but Papyrus said something.

"Oh my. I thought Sans was kidding about the dirty mind," Papyrus said, "but it must be true! Sans cheekbones are burning blue. Farrask! You must have less dirty thoughts in your head."

She ducked her head down. That in no way helped her image at all.

Sans stood up."Come on, Farrah. Two is company but three's a crowd. Papyrus has had plenty of dates. Let's go on our own." With a snap of his finger, he led her away to a different shortcut. "Go ahead and aeat, Bro. If you're up to it, you can head on home, Pap, otherwise wait for me. Watch out for flowers."

Sans had zapped them to the back of his house. It was the work station where he must have been working at.

Sans went straight to work again. "I am lousy at planning my own dates. Gotta get stuff done though. Your tooth is tricky, it is hard to get it to work. I may need a couple more to fuse together."

"Can't I get a dinner and date first before you start extracting bone from me?" Farrah watched his reaction. Had she given a good joke?

Sans didnt answer at first, then glowed a bit blue in the cheekbones and chuckled. "You are sooo lucky I only heard that. It was less of a joke to skeletons than you think."

Hm? "Oops."

"Only an oops if you were going to be my sister," Sans remarked as he fidgeted around with some kind of microscope.

With that info, Farrah knew he wasn't the only one with color in the cheek region.

"Anyhow, it might be a little improper for a first date but I need some of your soul," Sans said. "Reason why I had to pull you away. We are down to my last ideas."

Oh. "How are you going to get my soul?"

"A little bit of Grillbys and a dance should help me strip it," he said.

Oh! At least I didn't know I was talking dirty.

"I'm not." Sans reached into each side of his jacket, and pulled out two Grillby burgers. He gave one to her.

Whoah. Sans had given them out rarely. Once to save her life before Papyrus' cooked food that would have killed her. Grillby was not in the Underground. He only had as many as he could take. So the offer was really . . . Sweet.

Oh, did it taste good. Most days she ate Papyrus' cooking, and even though nothing killed her, it didn't change the taste to miraculously good.

"Easy, I know it's good, but you are on a date with me, not the burger," Sans teased her.

Farrah couldn't help a small laugh, she knew what he was talking about. She enjoyed the burger without making as many sounds of pleasure. After she finished the burger, Sans took her hand.

Holy heck, he wasn't kidding. He actually did want to dance. Only? "I don't know how to dance."

"Yeah." He swung her arm lightly. "Neither do I." He shrugged "We'll wing it. Watch the feet."

They both barely shifted their feet. "I am no pro, Sans, but I think people use music for dancing."

"Eh." He looked around and grabbed a CD. "Ten hours of the best of Mettaton?"

"Nevermind, just . . ." Perfect moment, perfect joke. She couldn't help another smile. " We'll wing it, like you said."

He put down the CD and approached her again. He held her hand and they both stepped together. "Need some kind of music. How about an old tune?"

How was he doing that? "You are whistling?" Impressive and she laughed again. They were dancing to the tune of super Mario Brothers. Even that game had to cross the borders.

Then, Sans choose simpler tunes. It felt almost familiar.

"What is that?"

"Just a traditional tune," he said. "Trying to keep the beat. I am going to turn you in a bit."

How was she supposed to turn? He let go and she tried to turn-

- then she was trapped in an encounter and sliced, spared and -

almost fell to the floor. Sans caught her.

Ouch. He really hated to do that. He wouldn't be able to block all of the pain, but he had no choice. Things we're getting sticky between Papyrus, the humans, and even Farrah and him. It was time to get this done.

It wouldn't be as painful as bone, but losing soul wasn't easy. Even Papyrus who had magic said it felt like something ran straight through his marrow. Equivalently, it probably felt like half the pain of being cut. Maybe. From the way she was now, it definitely hurt. "Sorry."

She couldn't even speak, but tears were filling her eyes. She was trying hard not to scream, and she finally said something. I know it was necessary. Thanks for the burger. This hurts like hell!

She was trying to keep it together. Sans held her closer, trying to put some more power over her to help. It's okay, it'll pass. At least I didn't lie? She knew something was coming, but she didn't know exactly when or how painful it would be.

Dating Papyrus hurt a lot less.

"Yeah, but with me, you got a burger. Cut your soul in a surprise encounter, but a burger."

Then, even though she was hurting like hell, she smiled. Even when I hurt, you have to make the world laugh. I know this hurt you too.

Not making the world laugh, I just want you to feel better, Farrah. If he could put in more magic to make her feel better, he would. "I can't do much else."

Anything you can do, I'll gladly take.

Sans chuckled. "Hey, if I could do what would take all the pain away? We wouldn't need to even be experimenting, if you get my drift?"

"Oh." At least she was speaking out loud.

"It won't last long," Sans assured her. "Promise." He kept her close though. He hoped once he added some of the soul, it would all come together.

Freddy, Jason, Catty, and Bratty all watched Papyrus eat from a distance.

"Nothing works," Bratty complained. "It just won't, forget it. Papyrus isn't into her. Sans left with her, and Papyrus doesn't even care."

"We should flip," Catty agreed. "Give Sans some of it."

"Nah, it is still too obvious," Jason disagreed. "Sans pulled himself in because Papyrus was too off. Even if it is just a petal, it's still too much."

"What we need . . . Is like a tenth of a petal," Freddy agreed. "It has to mostly be Papyrus or Sans."

"Well, he is eating right now. Let's try Papyrus." Freddy took what was left of the petal and only put a small amount in his girlfriend's paw. "Just walk by and let it float on his food."

Hopefully, this one would do the trick, but hey. They weren't exactly masters at it.

Sans and Papyrus' House

Sans helped Farrah into her room to lie down. Least he could do after sacrificing a part of her soul. "Need any more help?"

"No. I will get dressed for bed when I feel up to it," Farrah answered.

"Can't help there for you?" He teased.

"Well after the Grillby burger and dance? Maybe if you hadn't cut my soul," she said right back.

"Heh. I'll give you time. I need to check out the whole combo soon for the barrier." Sans left her room and headed downstairs.

Papyrus walked in, but he didn't seem as cheery. Sans went over to him. "Hey there, is something up?"

"Uh." Papyrus looked upstairs. "No."

Uh uh, no his bony pelvis. Sans knew his brother. "Come on, Pap. Share. What is it?"

"Well? I don't really like Farrask as much as I should," Papyrus answered. "But? But. I still." He whined. "No, nevermind. Please, let's drop this."

Huh? No way, his brother was hiding something. "Hey, come on. You can tell me. What's wrong? Tell your bro." Poor Papyrus. "What is it?"

"Um." Papyrus clearly wanted to say. "I can't. It doesn't matter. You can't really help. Not. Really."

Sans would be the judge of that. "Then just get it off your rib bones. What is it?"

"I just . . . I think it would be nice." Papyrus sighed. "To not just be two skeletons anymore. I know its terrible to say, but I really . . . I guess."

More than two? What? "Pap? Are you saying, you want to be a dad?"

"Well? I mean. Oh, I told you this wasn't something you can help with," Papyrus insisted. "Besides, Farrask and I? Well. She is more of . . . Farrah. She likes you. I think."

Yeah. Even Papyrus caught it. "Maybe."

"So. She'd never pick me, and I am just not into her. Still? Another little one." He shrugged. "Sorry."

"Nah. Um." Papyrus was really growing up. "Heh. Getting all used to my baby brother really growing up. First you get a mate, and then a girlfriend. Now you? You want to be a pop."

Papyrus didn't answer right away. "I think I would have been good at it. Being a papa. Raising a family. If only I had liked her. Or? If she had liked me, like she likes you. I think? I feel funny. I want to go to bed."

Another skeleton. Sans watched him walk past him. Another skeleton. He always did anything it took to make his brother happy.

His brother wanted a kid. I am doing everything I can to get Farrah out of here without a babybones. But. He always took care of his brother. Gave him anything he could give him.

Nah. He had to choose a moral ground. Help Farrah. But? He never left his brother unhappy. Ever. Sans even made Farrah bend for him to be his brother's mate.

Sans continued down the stairs. It's not like Papyrus likes her or wants to get with her in that way. She's not into him either, she likes me. She likes my jokes and my attitude, I can literally feel her heart sore when I play with her.

And it felt good. I . . . I like her too. But, I? Sans would find a way to save her or? She was gonna be mine. Papyrus didn't have chemistry with her.

Papyrus wanted to be a father though. Sans? He didn't exactly know if that was something he would particularly be good at. He would probably suck at it. Papyrus had a lot to teach and pass on.

Sans . . . didn't. Kay. Well? Weird thought. Strange thought. I am going to do my best for her. I have to. But if it don't work?

Then, maybe . . . But . . . Nah, quit. Work on the experiment first. It comes first. Limited amount of time left, I don't have much longer to tweak it. That comes first.

"Sans? Is Papyrus back?"

Sans turned around and saw Farrah. "You just got your soul cut, what are you doing out of bed?"

"I'm okay, it is just a weird tingle now," she assured him. "I'm guessing that was nothing close to bone."

"Guessed right, " he insisted. Farrah moving out of bed just to check things out. Great girl. Nice smile. Thirsty for jokes and life. Pretty. Liked him.

Top. Notch. Spirit.

"Why are you looking at me strange?" Her blazing smile seemed to disappear. "You never look at me like that."

Huh? "I'm a skeleton, I don't really got looks."

"I've lived with you long enough to know that's not true." She seemed nervous."Is that a good look or a bad look? It shouldn't be a bad look. None of . . ." None of the monsters ever cared about my scars. Only humans. It's all they ever cared about.

Oh. She had picked up on the different look, only she didn't understand it. Humans must have bothered her a lot about her scars. "No worries. I don't even have skin, why would I judge that?"

"So that was a good look?" She asked.

"Yeah. It was a good look," Sans insisted. "Sorry."

"It had to be done," Farrah agreed. "I understand."

"Nah, I mean sorry for interrupting the date, but I only got so many tweaks left."

"Yeah. Only so much time. I really do get it," she said.

"Alright. Kay." Sans looked away. "I gotta go check on that thing now. So. I want to remove your microchip."

Yes you may! "Do you know how?"

"No. I mean, I'm figuring out the barrier. Then, I want to work on it. I don't want you left behind."

"Well, I'd love to come back up," Farrah answered. "No one wants to be left alone."

"I don't want to leave you alone. I know I said family wouldn't be left behind, but even if there isn't a babybones? I still want to stay down here with you. I won't quit until I get that microchip out."

"Sans." Farrah had a brilliant look on her face. "You don't have to ever feel like you have to stay down here for me. But? If you do. I would be grateful for the rest of my life. Thank you."

"Eh. I was always used to this," he answered. "I better go do that thing now." He turned away and took a shortcut out.

Did . . . Did it? Recognition! It was faint, but it was there! He kept messing around with the proportions, until he started to see what he had to do. His proportions were wrong. All I have to do is get a bigger chunk.

According to what he was getting . . .

He messed around with equivocal calculations, making sure that what he asked for was possible without killing her. But the best he could get . . .

Farrah relaxed on her bed and waited to hear if it worked. She heard a knock on her bedroom door. She answered it and saw Sans.

He looked . . . Sour. Depressed. Confused. Upset. Everything pointing out it didn't work. "Sans?"

"So it works, I got a signal." That was a surprise coming from him. "Pretty sure I can make it work."

What? "Then what's wrong?"

"Proportions," he said. "I got the proportions wrong."

Proportions?

"I won't sugarcoat it, Farrah. I need bone, way more than a finger, and I need 5 percent of your soul." Honest. Bluntly honest.

Five percent of her soul, and a lot of bone. "How much bone?"

"Ever heard the expression I'd give an arm and a leg for something?" Sans asked. "Well, for you? It would be an arm or a leg."