AN: Hey guys . . . anyone who is still here! Thanks for being so so SO SOOO patient with me! I'm sorry it took literally forever to not even get anything out! Everything has been absolutely crazy and wrong and life sucks. But that's enough complaining!

Below is what I call a Skeleton outline. It's not really a fully realized chapter with detail and a lot of dialogue. Instead, it gives you the general idea of what is supposed to happen within the chapters via bullet-point format. I typically write these in the present tense until I go back to fix them . . . which unfortunately didn't happen.

Originally, I was supposed to go back and flesh this out, make the writing more concrete and dynamic, but every time I opened it, I couldn't focus long enough to get anything down. So, I'm sorry that this is all I have.

There may be one or two more chapters like this one in the future, so I'll give you a heads up when that happens.

Also, after today, I plan on uploading a chapter every week until I'm caught up with where I ACTUALLY am in writing. So don't worry, there is a LOT of content to read and it'll be coming out soon!

In the meantime, enjoy this bullet point style Skeleton chapter!

"Chapter" 8

Connect the Dots

It doesn't escape the Gaster family's notice that it was the first meal they'd eaten all together since that first night that Corbel started at the lab. It seems as if the other Skeleton's sudden appearance gave them all something to unite over. Of course Sans has no idea that he's had such an impact on that dynamic of the Gaster family. They ask him a few "getting to know you" questions and Sans answers to the best of his ability.

They are able to gather Sans' full name, his age, and the fact that he'd been sent by the Froggit and Vegitoid to find the Gaster family. Sans tells them about the cave-in and that he had been caught in the blast caused by men at the cave.

Corbel is fascinated by the idea that Sans actually SAW and SPOKE to humans whereas Gaster is visibly put-off by even the mention of them. He tries to hide it, but his whole body seems to tense. Nyala is . . . disappointed, knowing that there really hasn't been much advancement in the human's view on monsters. She thinks that maybe there really will never be peace with the humans ever again . . . maybe there was never really peace in the first place. She feels badly for Sans, having to learn that first-hand at such a young age. She even apologizes for the misfortune Sans had seen by the humans' hand. Sans insists that there's no reason for her to apologize.

When Gaster drives the conversation away from the humans and back to Sans, asking him where he grew up, about his parents and where he'd come from, the boy seems to clam up, shutting down and unable to find words to explain himself. He avoids eye contact with the doctor.
"M-my parents . . ." He stammers in a low tone. "Well, that's a loaded question . . ."

Nyala shoots a quick look to her husband. The understanding between them is mutual.
"Sans, honey. It's okay if you don't want to go into details, but . . . you've been alone for quite a while, haven't you?"
Once again, Sans is silenced by the observation and he turns his eyes away from anyone and everyone.

The thought makes Corbel stall as well. His eyes, however, remain glued to Sans. With as many times as he and his parents have butted heads over the years, he can't imagine what his life would be like if he suddenly lost them . . . No wonder Sans didn't want to talk about it. It must have been terribly painful for him.

"It's fine." Sans finally answers. "I'm getting by okay on my own."

"Except for the eating and sleeping regularly part." Gaster adds.

To the others' surprise, Sans actually laughs at that, "Well, you got me there."

The conversation continues until Gaster has to excuse himself from the table. After all, he needed to get to the Lab by 8:00 in order to meet the new intern and get him all squared away. Though he says that the intern's paperwork and "Orientation" will be the only thing he does at the Lab today and that he'll be back home in just a few hours. He gives Corbel the day off as well, saying that he's still got a few good birthdays left before he'll even have to think about working through them. Besides, it gives him more time with their guest.

When Gaster leaves, Sans expresses pure astonishment and admiration for the doctor saying (more to himself) that he still can't believe that he was the one responsible for the creation of the CORE. When his thoughts and his hypotheses become more solid and he becomes more outspoken, becoming lost in the "maybes" of the machine, Corbel raises a brow, listening to just how close Sans is to the actual truth. He's using many of the same ideas and even much of the same terminology as the doctor.

"Are you a scientific mind as well, Sans?" Nyala hums with a bit of a smile.

"Heh, well, yeah." Sans chuckles in response. "Actually I was supposed to be starting classes soon on scholarship with Physics as my major with a discipline in Astronomy."

"Astronomy, huh?" Corbel questions with a slight chuckle, "Not a very popular choice, I have to say. I mean, the stars pretty much all stay the same. And it's not likely that we'll be able to see the real ones anytime soon." He notices just how backhanded the comment sounds after he says it and he scrambles to try to amend himself, "But . . . but, I mean, Astronomy actually does sound interesting all the same." Corbel's chuckling becomes a bit nervous, hoping he didn't offend Sans or his interests.

"Oh my!" Nyala jumps in to save the conversation a bit, "University!? At your age? That's incredible!" The phrase 'supposed to be' didn't escape her notice, "What happened to that plan?"

If anything, the interjection choked the conversation even more as again, Sans went quiet, dialing back his enthusiasm a bit and looking back to the table. He stands to take and clean his bowl in the sink. It was the least he could do after everything the family had done for him. Before he can follow through, however, Corbel stands as well, taking Sans' bowl as well as his own.

"You know . . ." He said, "If you're not going to that university . . . if you have no other plans . . . I mean, if you'd be willing to stick around here a bit longer, Dad's been looking for more interns to help out in the Lab. You would still be earning credits and you'd get to put that enthusiasm and passion of yours to good use. If-if you want, I could talk to Dad for you. Maybe he'd at least be willing to interview you."

"And, of course, you are more than welcome to stay with us." Nyala added, also standing and taking her bowl as well as the two boys'. Even if Corbel was trying to be a good host, it was still his birthday, and there was no way she was going to make him clean all the dishes on his birthday. "Our home isn't very large, but it's open if you should need it to be."

Sans insists that he couldn't impose on the family any more than he has. They don't have any extra room and he couldn't possibly continue to use up their couch. Corbel does say he doesn't mind sharing his room and they could find some sort of arrangement that works for both of them. It would be like an extended sleepover. Sans chuckles at the idea, but shakes his head all the same with an amused, "Thanks anyway, kid."

Nyala huffs, her expression becoming stern, "Sans." She begins solidly and Sans has no choice but to straighten up and listen, her authority becoming evident. "I understand your apprehension. I can feel it coming off of you. And I know you say you don't want to bother us. But I can tell you now, on behalf of the entire family, my husband included, that you are not bothering us or inconveniencing us. In fact, it would be much more of a bother if we were to let you go out there with nowhere else to go. And as a teacher, if I see a child in need and I am in a position to help, I personally CANNOT let him go without doing everything I can for him."

Sans stalls and looks openly at Mrs. Gaster, shocked by her resolve. He's never been shown this level of concern before by anyone and he doesn't quite know how to handle it. And even Corbel is slightly taken aback by his mother's assertion. He wants to stand and applaud her for it and for voicing his concerns as well, but he confirms the sentiment with a smile and a nod instead.

When Sans responds, it's with a slow humming tone as he thinks through his internal conflict. Of course, the thought feels too good to be true that, at least for a bit, his wandering is over- that a family is actually offering to take him in . . . and they do seem like a really nice family . . . but, at the same time, no matter how nice they seem and how much they offer, it just feels wrong for him to accept that level of generosity . . . he's never been one to accept charity and that's not what he wants this to be. He doesn't want to become a charity case. He's made it this far on his own. He can handle himself. Mrs. Gaster even said it herself, "a child in need" that's what she sees him as . . . but that's never what he's been.

But still . . . they are offering to share what they have with him . . . even though he's done nothing to deserve it.

"And let's face it." Corbel adds after a moment, "We Skeletons should have each other's backs when we can, right?"

And it's this kid's birthday . . . damn it. Of course this had to happen on his birthday. When he should have been enjoying his day, he was spending it worrying about some stranger instead. Damn it all.

Sans sighs with a quiet chuckle, "Thanks for the offer." He responds softly with as much of a smile as he can muster, "But I can't do that to you and your family. Thank you for everything. For saving me and for letting me stay and for the amazing meal. You've all already helped me so much, so, please don't worry about me anymore."

"Don't be stupid!" Corbel speaks up again, "There's no way we could-"

Nyala reaches out and touches Corbel's forearm gently with a sigh. Her eyes, reading Sans' expression. When she does, she realizes his resolve and understands. Her stern tone and her look from before dissipates and she concedes to the wishes of her guest. Corbel, on the other hand, is still torn, trying to make sense of the silent exchange. When his mother's grip tightens, he at least understands that they will not oppose Sans any longer. He lets out a long breath as well.

"But . . ."

"This is his decision, sweetie. We can't force him. If he wants to go, we have to respect his wishes."

"But I . . ." Corbel breathes, defeated, "At-at least . . . at least let me talk to Dad for you. Think about the internship. I think you'd be good for it."

Sans turns his attention back to the table and thinks it over. If he was going to make a new life for himself in this Underground monster society, he would have to start somewhere . . . may as well be somewhere he could at least somewhat pick up where he left off . . . he could build something here if he just opened himself to it.

"This internship . . ." He says slowly, "Is it a paying gig?"

It's agreed that Corbel would bring up the idea of interviewing Sans for the remaining intern position with Gaster. After explaining Sans' interest and his enthusiasm from breakfast, Gaster agrees to give him a chance and sets up an interview time.

Though Sans doesn't have any clothing for the interview and doesn't quite look the part, when they talk, Gaster can see the same spark that Corbel saw in him. Gaster agrees that Sans could be a good fit for the lab with his physics background. He decides to give him a chance . . . a trial run to see how he fits. And at the request of his wife, Gaster offers a discreet deal as well. He knows that at this point, Sans is homeless and that he won't stay with the family . . . but maybe he would agree to stay on his own. In one of the rooms of the lab. He could grant Sans access to one of the rooms just until he can get on his feet. Gaster explains that if Sans passes the trial run, he'll be hired on as permanent staff at either a full-time assistant or a part-time assistant.

Sans muses on this and comes to the conclusion that if he gets a full-time job at the lab, he could afford an apartment somewhere and that would end this roaming stint for good! He agrees to the terms and decides to accept the offer to stay in the lab until then, under the condition that it stays between the two of them. Somewhere in the back of his mind, however, he already knows that the rest of the Gaster family would find out one way or another anyway, but as long as the word didn't expand beyond them, he supposed it would be okay.

Life in the lab goes smoothly. Gaine notes that if Skeletons were supposed to be really rare, it's interesting to see so many in one spot. He says it jokingly.

Sans is tested on his general knowledge and work ethic, working on a few tasks with Gaine, a few tasks with Corbel, a few tasks with the doctor himself, and even a few tasks alone. Gaine has found his flow and his niche, and at this point, so has Corbel, so Sans needs to find his in order to make the workflow steady. He finds his flow most easily with Corbel. The two get along great and they motivate each other, questioning, challenging and pushing the other far beyond what either of them could accomplish alone. Not only this, but they become fast friends. For the doctor, it's great to see for his son and he tells Nyala of the development as well. She's so happy that everything is working out so well.

Even outside of the lab, Corbel and Sans begin to hang out more and more. Corbel introduces Sans to Undyne and the Blooks, bringing him around when the friends all meet up. Sans hits it off splendidly with Metta and Napstablook and they find him endearing and funny. Undyne, however, is more skeptical. There's just something about him that rubs her the wrong way. Why would there suddenly be a new Skeleton now after so long without hearing anything about them? Where has he been this whole time? And he refuses to talk about anything in his past. It just seems so weird and off to her. But if Corbel thinks he's good people, then she supposes she can let it slide for now.

The days fly by and the end of summer comes quickly. Too quickly for Corbel. He can't believe that he already has to start school again. It feels like he only just started at the lab. Part of him doesn't want to go back, but he knows that he has to prioritize and maybe after he graduates, he can work at the lab as well. Until then, however, he will continue being an intern, working after school when he can. He won't be paid for it, but it's experience he can use.

Meanwhile, both Sans and Gaine are granted full-time positions as assistants at the lab and they work closely to keep the work flowing now that Corbel won't be around nearly so often. They find their flow and continue to work well. Gaine still has no idea that Sans has been living in the lab, which is exactly what Sans wants. And now that he's officially on the payroll, Sans has begun to save his money so he can get an apartment. He's currently looking in and around Hotland to make the commute to work easier. He considers Waterfall as well so he can be closer to the Gaster family . . . he feels connected to them.

Meanwhile, there have been a few changes here and there with the Gaster family as well. Gaster has been much better at keeping his schedule from getting the better of him. He sets alarms for himself now that Corbel isn't around as much and he keeps to his son's "rules" so that he doesn't start a project that would prevent him from leaving at a decent hour. It seems as those observations have really been helpful, if a bit restricting.

Nyala is happy that she sees a lot more of her family now and even those at work have noticed a change in her. She seems more energetic and more motivated and at the end of the day, she's excited to go home where she used to sigh and drag her feet as if she were dreading it. It's a nice change in her as well.

And Corbel has been acting differently as well. He trusts his father a lot more than he did before, so he doesn't have to keep such a close watch on him. He knows that now he's going to start his junior year, he doesn't have to worry so much about his father neglecting his duties at home. Undyne and the Blooks notice this drastic change instantly and they're glad that Corbel and his dad are on better terms than they were at the beginning of summer.

But they notice something else as well. They notice that Corbel is spending a lot of his afternoon time back at the lab, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. After all, Undyne is spending quite a bit of time training and Metta spends his time practicing his entrances, with Napstablook as his test audience. But something about Corbel's enthusiasm toward the lab seems a bit different than the others. They wonder if there's something else going on. Whenever Corbel mentions going to the lab, his spirits rise about two-fold and a smile crosses his face that will not fall. He seems distracted and watches the hands tick by in his pocket watch while the rest of them are trying to hold a conversation with him. It's like he's counting down the time until he can go back. They wonder why that is.