AN: Hey there! To whoever is still reading this fic, Hi! And I'm sorry it's been so long between updates. There's a lot going on and sometimes it's difficult to come back regularly.

That being said, things are gonna start get really interesting soon! So hang on to something!

For now, here's some more Gaster Family Drama!

Chapter 5

A Call to Order

Corbel let out a deep breath as he looked back at his parents sitting on the couch in front of him. That breath may or may not have had a bit of fire behind it as he tried to keep himself in check. With every second he sat looking at the "very important monster" in front of him, he became more and more ready to just shoot off at the mouth.

Exactly what he said he was trying to avoid.

Instead, Corbel looked between both of his parents, his father making direct and nearly piercing eye contact when he could catch him, as if prompting him to begin. His mother, on the other hand, seemed as if she was doing everything she could to avoid eye contact with him.

For now, he focused on his father who looked like he could be ready to pass judgement on him at any given second. He really did feel like he was on trial.

"Am I in trouble?" Corbel grumbled.

Gaster made a slight sound, "Hm? Why would you say that? Do you think you should be in trouble?"

Corbel rolled his eyes. Okay, therapy it was.

"Feels like I'm gonna get in trouble, no matter what. No matter what I say, there's no getting out of it. So, let's have it."

There was a brief silence during which the parents exchanged brief glances. After the moment passed, Gaster spoke again.

"Do you really feel as if you have such little power and influence in this house.?"

"Well, I . . . geez . . ." Corbel hissed, "No . . . ? Yes . . . ? Gah, I-I dunno, okay? I'm 'the kid' right? Since when does that title mean anything anywhere?"

"Whatever gave you that notion, son?" Gaster said softly, "Being our child . . . our son grants you unbelievable power. Surely, you know that everything your mother and I do is all for your -"

"Honey," Nyala interjected rather sharply. She raised her hand in order to quiet him. After a breath, she spoke to the whole room. "The reason for us meeting today is to make sure everyone's concerns are voiced and that everyone's feelings are heard. This means that no one person holds more power than the others. We are all on an equal level with each other. Please speak your minds clearly and freely. And it'll be the job of the other two to listen."

"In short, this should be an open forum where there should be no fear of judgement, prosecution, or retribution."

"A 'forum'?" Corbel scoffed, "Listen to you! This isn't a conference or a seminar you're attending. This is your family! Just talk normal to us!"

"Corbel!" Nyala jumped in again. "This goes both ways. You have to be willing to listen as well and make sure you refrain from making snap judgements."

Again, Corbel groaned, "Fine . . . and am I right to assume you want me to go first? I'm sure you two had a nice little chat about me last night."

"Actually." Nyala sighed, "I'd . . . like to volunteer to go first."

The other two were stopped in their thoughts and their attention was locked to Nyala as she sat straight-backed in her spot. She joined her hands together and placed them on her lap. Her eyes fell to watch them. It was easier to focus on them than to make eye contact with either one of the boys. She looked apprehensive to say the least as she began to wring her fingers together slightly and tried to find the best way to begin.

"So . . . Um." She began, "I've been thinking a lot lately and something about what happened last night really struck a chord with me and made me come to some realizations. Corbel, it was something you said. You mentioned my relationship with your father . . ." She looked off to the side for a split second, hoping not to actually catch his gaze, ". . . and I-I have a few confessions to make."

There was a sharp violent thudding in her chest that she struggled to ignore as she tried to figure out how to continue. She didn't have any way of knowing, but the other two could also feel a similar thundering in their chests as they worried about anything she could possibly say to follow that.

"I . . . have to say something. And I can't pretend that it isn't plaguing my thoughts. And I'm sorry, but it's not easy to say . . . and it's something you may not want to hear . . . but it is how I feel. And I can't deny it."

"Go on, dear." Gaster said softly, dreading the next words, "Don't worry about us. This is weighing on you so you have to get it off of you if you're going to feel any better."

Nyala frowned. "I-I know . . ." She drew in a deep breath, "I know I'm not in a position to complain . . . and really, that's not what I'm doing. I'm not complaining. I'm calling attention to something that's troubling me deeply. Corbel . . . we did talk last night about what happened and about what you said about the nature of our relationships. And I have to say, you are absolutely right. Your father believes that you are under the impression that you are responsible for my happiness and well-being."

Corbel shot a look up to glare at Gaster. "Think you have me figured out, do you?"

"It was merely an observation."

"Really? Based on what evidence? When have you ever been around to 'observe' anything!?"

"Corbel, please let your mother speak. This is very tough for her."

Corbel's mouth fell open as his brows drew closer together. His face read as defensive frustration.

"Wha- are you serious right now!? This is my fault all of a sudden!? If there's anyone here who needs to shut up and listen-"

"Please! Please, both of you!" Nyala cut in yet again, "This is what I mean! I can't keep being the middle person between you! I can't! It's too toxic to be in the middle with all of the poison between you! I can't keep shouldering it to spare you when you come to vent to me! Wingdings, you're Corbel's father! He's needed you for a long time and with him growing as quickly as he is, the little bits of time and the half conversations aren't enough anymore! You can't just read a story anymore or pat his head like a puppy when he's asleep! He needs you in his life! Now more than ever before! You need to be more than just his father who sometimes shows his face. You need to spend more actual time with your son! Talk to him! Reconnect!

"And Corbel, I understand you're upset and you might feel that your father has neglected you, but I can say with absolute certainty that is not the case! Your father loves you very much and I know he would stop at nothing to see you happy! I know you might be reluctant to listen to what he has to say because you feel he may not know where you're coming from. But he's a lot more understanding than you give him credit for, Sweetie. Especially if you're willing to talk and keep an open mind."

"Well, yeah." Corbel responded, still a little on-edge both at the situation in general and the utterly solid and borderline harsh tone his mother's voice had taken on. "But it's not just me he needs to be here for. For way too long, now, I've watched as he's played with your emotions and tugged on your patience. Promising you one thing and when the time comes, pushing it off until later or canceling them completely. You're miserable! Even I can see it! But somehow he can't!? Tell me how that's fair to you!"

"Corbel? I can't deny . . . you're right. And I can't pretend any longer. I am unhappy. I think I have been for a while now . . . but Corbel, honey . . . that's not anything for you to worry about! Just like you said. Wingdings is not my child . . . but you are! You shouldn't have to burden yourself with whether or not I'm happy. Though I do find it incredibly sweet that you care enough about your mother's well-being to keep such a diligent watch over me . . . honey, it's not your job to take care of me. The only one who can guarantee my happiness is me. Not you and not your father. That responsibility is solely mine and I can't watch you do this to yourself for my sake. I love you . . . I love you both dearly . . . but please. Let me find my own happiness. And please, don't hinge your own happiness on mine. If I am going to succeed, it will have to be of my own making . . . without using either of you as a crutch or even as a security blanket."

There were several moments of uneasy silence where the other two took in every word she was saying. Finally, after removing his hands from his pockets and uncrossing his legs, Corbel sat forward.

"But, Mom . . ." He began cautiously, "The thing is . . . you shouldn't have to do it alone. That's the whole reason we're here . . . or supposed to be anyway. Something as complex as the concept of 'happiness' can't be obtained by just one person. Let us help. Not because we have to, but because we want to. I love you, Mom. You can't shake me that easily!"

"He's right." Gaster said. He held himself back from his first instinct of reaching out to take Nyala's hand in his. He did place his hand on the couch between the two of them. If she wanted, she could meet his hand there. "If you don't want us around as a security blanket, then let us at least be your safety net. Know that we are here if ever you should need us to catch you from falling."

"Thank you both. . ." Nyala answered more calm and more reserved than she thought possible for right then, " . . . but this really is something I need to discover for myself. I need to reconnect with myself and remember what makes me me!"

"But . . . what does that mean?" Corbel asked a little hesitantly, "A-are . . . are you . . . leaving?"

"What!?" Nyala's features went wide as she finally looked up to look directly at her son, her eyes catching pointedly with his, "No, baby! I'm not going anywhere!" She pushed herself off of the couch to cross the way to where Corbel sat, his hands fisted over his knees. She sat on her knees in front of him and took both of his hands in hers. Her gaze never left his even when they started to go watery.

"Part of what makes me whole is you! I love you so much that I just . . . there's no way I could ever leave you! I love you with all my soul!"

With his gaze locked with hers, Corbel nodded slightly, his own vision starting to get misty. He lowered his head moments later.

When a gentle hand touched his face, thumbing over the sensitive spot on his cheek, his eyes lifted again.

"I'm so so sorry for what I did last night, baby." Nyala said softly, "I was on edge and upset and maybe a little defensive . . . but none of that can excuse what I did . . . I acted impulsively and no matter what you think, you did not deserve that! I know I can't take it back . . . so instead, I'm asking you to forgive me."

"Mom . . ." Corbel whispered, ". . . Please stop crying. Y-you're gonna make me cry too and that's s-so not cool. I've still got stuff to say and I can't say it while I'm crying like a baby!" A tiny smile pulled at his mouth as he lifted his hand to thumb tears from his mother's face, "You don't need to apologize. I understand and I'm sorry for going off on you last night. It was loud and tactless . . . And you shouldn't have had to deal with that on top of the rest of your night. It does make sense, and I'm sorry I backed you into that corner."

Nyala hummed a quiet laugh, shaking her head slightly, "You're apologizing to me? When you were the one who got hurt?"

"I'm not hurt." Corbel said, "And even if I was, it's only physical. You're dealing with something a lot worse. Let's take care of you!"

"Oh, my baby!" Nyala cried, taking the boy in a full embrace, holding tightly onto him as she kissed his cheek firmly, "When did you grow up to be such a sweet and considerate young man!?"

"Heh, I don't know about all that, Mom." Corbel chuckled, returning the embrace, "I've still got a bit to get off my chest. You might want to save your judgement until after everything's out in the open."

"Either way, you're still my sweet little boy! You always have been. And you always will be." Nyala pulled away to look back at her son. She gave him a slight nod which he returned.

"Alright then. I give the floor to you."

"Thanks, Mom."

With that, Nyala stood again to reclaim her seat on the couch across the way. She took Gaster's hand with one of hers, softly and silently acknowledging him and thanking him for what he said. With her other hand, she took her tea, now only coming in at just above room temperature, and took another long sip as she focused her attention fully on Corbel. She sighed quietly as she relaxed in her seat. She really did feel a lot better now that she'd said everything the needed to. She only hoped it would have the same therapeutic effect for her son.

"Actually," He began in much the same way she had, with his hands in his lap and his eyes lowered, "I'm kinda glad Mom went first. She had so many great points and brought up a few things that I wanted to say. Not only that . . . but I think I'm actually ready to do this now." He lifted his eyes and finally looked across the way to Gaster. Gaster noticed that when he met his son's eye, a bit of his anger had dissipated. He was still quite obviously upset, but the impulsive fury that had been there before was gone and Corbel had been able to sort through what he wanted to say, at least somewhat.

"So, I guess since the floor is mine now," He began with a deep breath, "I'll start here . . . Dad . . . there's a lot I want to say to you. But first, I want you to know how absolutely friggin' proud I am of you!"

Gaster had to take a moment to blink through his confusion. Okay, he hadn't been expecting that. He thought for sure that the first opportunity Corbel got, he wouldn't hesitate to rip him a new one. So this oddly paternal declaration of pride was a little shocking.

"Thank you, son." He said quietly, not to interrupt, but to acknowledge what he'd said.

"I'm so proud of you, Dad. And I'm proud to be your son. I was talking to my friends last night about everything you've done and how many people you've already helped and how incredible it is that your work lets you do all of that. And it really is . . . it's amazing the things you've accomplished . . . the things you're gonna accomplish . . ."

And here it comes, the "but" in the speech. As his son spoke, Gaster could feel the encroaching "but" and he prepared for it. He took a slight breath and his hand tightened even more slightly as he steeled his nerves.

"However," Corbel said through a deep sigh ". . . Sometimes I wonder if you really know how much you're sacrificing to do it. Sometimes I wonder if it's worth it. Is it worth it for you to see us crashing to the point of needing a meeting like this before we all fall apart? Would it be worth it if you came home one day to an empty house?"

Gaster's eyes widened for a moment despite himself and his resolve. He remained silent to allow Corbel to speak. After all, that's what this meeting was for . . . though it still stung to think about.

"There were times . . ." Corbel continued, "Times where I wondered why Mom didn't leave you. You were hurting her so much, disappointing her so much that I was sure that we'd just pack up and leave some day . . . part of me wanted to. Just to get away and see how well we could do on our own. Maybe to prove to you that we could make it and that we didn't need you . . . that maybe Mom would even be happier if she wasn't wasting her life away waiting for you to come back to her. Maybe if she could move on from this . . . she wouldn't have to cry anymore every time you let her down. The two of you were supposed to go out last night, weren't you? Mom got all dressed up and everything. She looked like she was really looking forward to it . . . and you let her down again. You even came home early and still couldn't make time for her. I wish you could've seen the look on her face last night when I came home and she was sitting here drinking alone."

Nyala looked back at Corbel, her brows lifted and her mouth slightly parted.

"I noticed the look." Corbel confirmed, "I always notice when you're upset about another cancelled night out. It breaks my heart. And the fact that it happens just about every time now, doesn't help . . . it's part of the reason I got so upset last night. It was . . . it was my breaking point. Dad . . . Mom is a wonderful lady and she doesn't deserve the pain you put her through. She doesn't deserve having her hopes built up like that and then have you crush them under higher and higher piles of stone and rubble.

"She loves you so completely, more than I could ever begin to understand. And she puts herself through so much for you that it's maddening! Every time she chooses to believe in you is like adding another stone to that pile and it's one more stone that crushes her when you disappoint her again. Sooner or later, she's going to break all together. So much that nothing you do . . . and nothing I do will be able to help anymore . . . and from what I've seen . . . it'll probably be sooner . . . S-she doesn't deserve you. And if I'm being completely honest, you don't deserve her! She deserves someone who is just as devoted to her as she has been to you . . . and once upon a time, I thought that was you. Now, I'm not so sure anymore."

Corbel lowered his head again, wiping at his eye. He'd managed to get this far without raising his voice too much, which surprised even him. Maybe it was because his mom had gone first and burned through all of the anger that had been boiling near the top. Maybe because he'd been able to think through most of this last night and he knew what he wanted to say. Maybe it was both: that he knew what he wanted to say and because he mother had gone first, he was able to say them not from the burning point but from a lower, more subdued layer.

"It sounds like you've felt this way for quite a while, Corbel." Gaster stated calmly, his hand still firmly on Nyala's as he stroked her knuckles with his thumb. She was trembling. "About when did you start taking note of this?"

Corbel hummed as he thought it over, "I think it was when I was about 8. You two had made plans to go out for a birthday or anniversary or something and the same thing happened. I wasn't feeling very well so I took a nap before the babysitter came, but when I woke up, the sitter still wasn't there, but Mom was . . . she was crying. She'd been looking forward to that night. She'd been smiling, and singing, and dancing around the house all day. She'd been so happy, but suddenly she was just so hurt that she just broke down. I stayed in the hall for a while. I didn't know what was going on or exactly why she was so upset, and I didn't know what I could do to help so I just sat there watching and listening.

"Eventually, I walked over and just asked her what was wrong and she pretended everything was alright. She even put on a smile for me. All she said was that you were going to be spending the night at the lab and that you wouldn't be home until the next day. But it was okay because you'd go out 'next time'

"And then 'next time' came and it happened all over again. Only this time, she cried for even longer before putting on another fake smile. And then it kept happening over and over again until she just stopped crying altogether. But that wasn't all. She stopped dancing in the kitchen and she didn't sing nearly as often as she used to. It was as if she'd just accepted it and maybe she began to expect it. I was so afraid that you'd broken her . . . I hated it . . . and then, I guess I began to hate you too. For all of the times you made her cry and all the times you broke your promises to her. I didn't even care about the promises to me that you broke because 'something came up' or you 'lost track of time'. Yeah, I missed you, but I still didn't care about any of that. I cared about what you were doing to her."

Again Corbel wiped at his eyes, using his wrist to wick away tears. In the past two days, he swore he'd cried more than he had in his entire life.

"Damn it . . ." he hissed under his breath as he tried to clean his face, but the more he tried to stop them, the more tears he shed, "This isn't how this was supposed to go."

In his spot, Gaster turned his face away, mainly to hide the shame from his son. He really had no idea just how strongly Corbel felt about all this . . . or how long it had actually been going on. He had been the first-hand witness to all of it. He'd watched this descent and could only just now find his voice to express it . . . It took him exploding to see just how bad everything had become.

By his side, Nyala, who had seemed more content than she had in a long time, had her eyes covered. Even she didn't know the extent to which this pain was rooted in her son. And it had been going on for so long. Seven years since he first noticed something was wrong and since then, he'd been doing everything he could to keep her happy. It was a burden he never should have had to have taken on . . . Maybe now he can be relieved of it. Maybe now that the issue had been addressed, they could work toward fixing it.

"Since you were eight, huh?" Gaster said in a quiet defeated voice. Even his tone had a slight waver to it. So the robot did feel. Corbel marked it as a start if nothing else. "It sounds like I've got a lot of time to make up for. But . . . I can't do it alone."

"You sure messed it up pretty well on your own." Corbel grumbled before he could stop himself.

"That . . . that's true. Maybe I should rephrase that. It'll be extremely difficult to do alone . . . you see, I had an idea for an opportunity to start moving in the right direction again, but this situation seems a bit more severe than I thought before.

"First of all, I need you to know that I love both you and your mother with everything I am and that when I work, the two of you are at the forefront of my mind at all times. You are my drive to keep going and my inspiration. My motivation. But I've missed so much that everything around me has shifted and I need to find my footing again. So, instead of the proposition I had before . . . I'd like to ask you a favor, Corbel."

"A-a favor?"

"Yes. I'd like for you to help me. Please. I've lost track of so much And I was so close to losing everything. If not for you . . . this might never have been brought to light. And I plan on making this right again, but I need your help. I need you to speak up more often and help keep me on track . . . don't let me lose sight of it again." He chanced a look toward Nyala. When he saw her, with her face still covered as she let out her remaining tears, something inside of him shook with uncertainty. If everything Corbel said really happened . . . then he was right, she didn't deserve him. And he certainly didn't deserve her. Just the mere fact that she was still sitting by his side was a miracle.

"The idea is to hire on a few extra hands to help around the lab." He continued, "Individuals who know what they're doing. People who can assist me in my experiments and add their input when snags arise. They will be instrumental in making sure everything stays on track at work. And with them helping at work, that will free up time for me at home. I can be here more and I can start making up for all of the years I missed."

Corbel's jaw dropped as his eyes went wide, "Wha . . . really!? A team? I-I mean, yeah, if you had the extra help, your days would be shorter and you could work a more stable and consistent schedule. That sounds incredible!" Corbel thought a bit more on this and what he'd said before. That he'd had a proposal and this favor he'd asked of him. "But, what's that got to do with me?"

"Well, this first step in building a new team is going to be tough to say the least and there is no doubt in my mind that I will need help in this as well. So I have requested a summer internship program for the department. Just two or three slots to get started. These people will be the first on board and will earn college credits as they learn the ins and outs of the lab and assist where they are needed. And when the internship has ended, they will have learned enough to take either full time or part time employment at the lab as assistants. Of course since you are still a high school student, you would take the part-time option, or perhaps I can extend the internship so it will be easier to work around your school schedule."

Corbel's widened eyes magically grew even wider as he tried to soak in everything his father was saying. Eventually, he turned a look to his mother, who had since dropped her hand and was looking with eyes just as wide between him and his father. When she met his eyes again, there was a expectant smile in place. And moreover, it was genuine as if she'd been waiting for something like this for quite a while.

"Wait . . ." Corbel sighed, trying to keep his head from spinning too much as he filtered through all of the new information. "You-you want me to be your intern!?"

"In a way," Gaster nodded, the new excitement in Corbel shining a certain sense of hope through him as well. He really was on the right track with this. "Your job would be a little more important than just working in the lab. You will be in charge . . . of me. You will make sure that I don't get too caught up in my work and stay too late. You will be the one who keeps me focused on the most important things. You will keep my schedule and you will monitor me. If need be, you will give me a good kick and remind me to get my butt home. And . . .to help with that . . ."

Gaster took his hand back from his wife and dug into his pocket for a moment. He pulled out a silver something connected to a thick chain. A round something that looked as if it could fit easily in his . . . what would have been his palm. As Gaster stood, Corbel did as well, eyeing him and the silver thing in curiosity. The two met off to the side of the coffee table where Gaster presented Corbel with the gift: A gleaming pocket watch. It looked old, yes, like maybe it had been brand new about a couple hundred years ago. At the same time, with the quality and the beautiful upkeep, it was still in fantastic condition for being so old. On its surface was the Delta Rune of the royal family and intricate etchings decorated the edges of the outer casing.

Gaster opened the watch for his son so he could see the open clockwork within. The face was clear glass so the inner workings would be protected while the gears spun inside. The time was told in roman numerals with bold flourishing numbers at the 12:00, 3:oo, 6:00 and 9:oo hours. On the inside cover were engravings.

"'Showing your true face means you can never be caught in a lie'." Corbel read aloud. At first a bit of confusion painted his expression until he thought about it a bit more. "Okay!" Reading a bit more he saw names . . . written in other fonts. Other Skeletons!

KOZUKA

Harrington

WINGDINGS

Corbel

"This has been passed down through our family since before the war against the humans." Gaster explained, "and starting from Grandfather Kozuka, each one of us has offered our service to the royal family in some way. He and your grandfather, my father, Harrington, offered their services to the Royal Guard. Grandfather Kozuka was a General in the army and my father was an infantryman when the humans attacked. Through the war, he came to be Lieutenant, then Captain, then Major until he and his men were ambushed.

"I was about your age when we were driven underground. I was originally in the army too as a medic and when our numbers started dwindling, I took up a weapon as well and fought against the humans. We were nearly wiped out and I was badly injured . . . not to mention I'd been battling this not too long beforehand." Gaster lifted a hand and flexed his fingers to indicate the same disease Corbel had been fighting nearly all of his life, "My body was still stabilizing from the treatment.

"When I came to, the monsters were already sealed away under the mountain and there were so many of us that had been injured or lost to the battle . . . It was . . . a really hard blow. While I was recovering, I was told what happened to my father and given this. This watch is the only thing of his I have. It's helped keep me rooted all of this time and reminded me just why it is that we fight. What's really important in this world is family and community. And now, because of you, I see they meant time as well. The time we spend. The time we have. The time we give to those who are important to us. Now that time is yours to do what you will. You already have such a strong sense of self, of family, and of community and I'm eager to see what you do with your time."

Corbel took the pocket watch in his fingers and balanced it so he could see. "Dad . . ." He whispered. He'd never heard any of this before. His family's military background, his own father's brief period as a soldier, where he fit in with the history and the war. It was all news, but when he held the watch, he somehow felt connected to the rest of his family, and to his own father. He felt as if he understood the guy just a little bit more than before. He certainly understood the drive and the thirst of wanting to live up to the history behind the watch. Just knowing that the Skeletons who held this before him went on to do great things . . . and every one of them had seen the surface . . . it gave him hope that maybe he'd do something too that would merit having his name engraved in the watch.

"Thanks, Dad." Corbel said through a soft smile. "I'll do my best."