AN: Hello and welcome back! I promise, I haven't forgotten about you! I hope you're still enjoying the story! There's still a lot more tale to tell, so I hope you continue to enjoy as well!

As always, thank you for all of your support and your dedication to these stories! I really and truly appreciate every single person who comes to read. You have my thanks! ^_^

Until next time!

Chapter 18

Rise

Ever since that stressful day when Doctor Gaster, Sans, and Corbel came back from the Ruins with the human girl in tow, any progress in the lab seemed to have slowed significantly. With the doctor and Corbel both out of commission and Sans unable to fully perform his duties, the number of able bodies drastically diminished. Though Sans did report to work as scheduled and worked on his projects just like every other day, his attention was always elsewhere. He was like a ghost haunting the hallways, present, but intangible.

Still, mentally distracted and physically compromised, Sans continued to work.

Actually, physically, he wasn't that bad off. He still had a bit of a limp, but it was nothing he couldn't power through. For a while, he was using a makeshift splint and bandages to keep his leg in check while he slowly maneuvered through the hallways. It was better than nothing at all. And though it still hurt to put pressure on it, he was beginning to notice it less and less. Besides, from under his khaki slacks, no one would be able to see the makeshift cast anyway.

Mentally, however, it was an entirely different story. Ever since that first day, Sans found it difficult to focus. The conversations he had with the doctor, Mrs. Gaster, Alia, and Undyne . . . They all played simultaneously in his mind on endless repeat. It drained constantly on his waking energy and kept him awake at night. No matter what, he couldn't escape the voices and the condemnation or the blame they aimed toward him . . . Even if most of those voices were the product of his own perceived hostility.

The one that stood out above the others was definitely Undyne and her death threat. There was no denying that she did truly feel those things and she had said those words with such conviction that Sans' whole body ran cold whenever he thought about the encounter.

His life really did depend on whether or not Corbel would be able to recover from this . . . Which, at this point was still touch-and-go . . . Almost literally.

Corbel . . .

He hadn't been able to go to visit him since that day . . . It had been two almost three weeks. The family had been busy thinking of and testing out ways to help Corbel through. It was an extremely trying time for them and Sans had no place there. Though he'd hoped that maybe during one of the times that there was a lull in their work, he'd be able to at least come in and say hello. But so far, he'd had no such luck.

There had even been a time, about two weeks in, when Sans stayed after hours in hopes of going in to see Corbel. He'd gone down with the help of Baelin and her additional access card. When she'd returned back up, Sans had gone on toward where he knew Corbel's room was.

Unfortunately, Sans' timing couldn't have been worse.

He was stopped dead in his tracks at the sound of Corbel's voice in absolute anguish. His screams and cries flooded the halls and attacked Sans' ears with brutal force.

Just beyond his screams, there was the near frantic voice of Mrs. Gaster as she tried in vain to ease his pain. She spoke also to Dr. Gaster about what she was observing, most likely for the doctor's personal records.

The doctor was not easily heard as he worked directly on Corbel, moving him, inspecting him, and trying to find how best to help him. And beyond that, there were sharp popping and snapping sounds. With every pop or snap, Corbel's screams would intensify. We're those his bones breaking. What were they doing to him? Why would they have to have him awake for that!? He was in so much pain that it seemed to radiate outward, into the halls, and directly through Sans.

He stumbled backward, the force becoming too much for him. He shouldn't be here. He shouldn't be anywhere near this . . . yet, he still felt the need to stay. That was Corbel in there suffering so much . . . Wasn't there something he could do!?

He stayed rooted in his spot for a little while longer. Each cry was a pull, a call to action that he just couldn't take. And at the same time, he felt as if he was being pushed away, his common sense reminding him that this was not his place. There was nothing he could hope to contribute and that he was wasting his time by staying.

He really was at a crossroads between his head and his heart.

In the end, his head won and he stepped away, turning to head back up to the first level and toward home.

He hadn't been back down since.

Still, as time passed, just the memory of what he'd heard that day seemed to had frozen him. There was no further update from the doctor either. No word on Corbel's progress or if there had been any change in his condition at all. He had been fighting so hard just to make it this far. Surely something would have changed by now, right?

It was with these thoughts in mind that Sans was only barely able to get through the work day in a dense haze. And it was with these thoughts in mind that he was startled when the doctor's voice sounded off from the door behind him.

"Serif." He called, breaking Sans from the project he'd been working on with Ruddard.

"S-Sir!" Sans answered immediately, snapping up from his work as if shocked by a bolt of lightning. After so long without a single word or a check-in with him, the sudden appearance of Dr. Gaster was more than surprising. Ruddard's eyes went wide as well as his attention shot upward.

"Doctor!" Ruddard greeted, a hint of confusion in his expression, "What brings you topside? I hope all is well."

Gaster only partially acknowledged Ruddard with a terse reply of "Good afternoon, Ruddard." He immediately turned his attention back toward the other Skeleton. "Serif. A word. Now."

Sans stood, stricken, his heart sinking far into his stomach as his breath halted.

"Yes, Sir . . ." Sans nodded slowly, a sense of absolute dread flooding him from the feet upward. Soon, he was feeling cold where he stood. It was the same feeling he would get at the thought of Undyne and her threat.

He shot a look to Ruddard and down toward the table.

"It's okay." Ruddard answered to Sans' unasked question, "I can handle things here . . . Good luck, Serif."

With an awkward smile coupled with an even more awkward "thanks" Sans turned to follow the doctor out of the room.

Ruddard nodded in return as the door closed behind the two of them.

For a moment, as the two stood in the hallway, there was absolute silence. Every second that passed was another second that Sans' mind spiraled into a more dismal reality.

Until finally, the doctor made the first move and stepped forward down the hall.

"This way." He instructed.

Sans followed with his eyes trained downward to their feet.

It was silent again until they both entered the elevator and Gaster pushed the button for the correct floor. Once the chamber began its descent, Gaster let out a long breath.

"You stayed." He noted.

"I said I would."

Gaster nodded, "Indeed, you did. However, given the situation, I have to say I am surprised you actually had enough nerve to follow through."

"It's because of the situation that I had no choice but to follow through."

Gaster hummed now, gauging Sans' response.

"I see." He seemed to hesitate for a moment and looked out the corner of his eye to where Sans was trying everything not to make eye contact.

"I know what you did." He began again, his voice quiet, to the point that the statement nearly went unnoticed.

Sans frowned, his mind scrolling through the past few weeks. He couldn't think of anything that would merit that kind of response . . . Aside from the obvious.

"I'm sorry . . . What did I do?"

Immediately, the air in the elevator shifted and became tense. At first Sans went tense as well, preparing himself to retaliate, but if previous dealings with the doctor told him anything, it was that if the doctor were to initiate a true battle, it would be over before he could even register what was going on. No, this was a simple CHECK.

"As I thought. Your Max HP has been reduced. By five, it seems."

"Wai-What!?" Sans exclaimed, "When did . . . What!? How!?"

"You haven't noticed before now?"

Sans shook his head. "Well, I could kinda feel that something was a little off, but I thought that it was . . . Well, because of the situation. How does five HP just go missing like that!?"

Gaster dropped the fight scenario and the tense atmosphere along with it.

"Not 'missing'." He explained, "More like expelled. They were given. I thought you were aware of the process."

Sans shook his head, "What process? Doc, what's going on?"

The elevator chimed when they made it down and again, the doctor led the way.

"Well, that is interesting." He mused as he walked, "Especially if it was done unwittingly."

"Done what?"

"But what I don't understand is how did it trigger such a unique effect?" The doctor continued, Ignoring the questions. Instead, Gaster posed one of his own.

"How is your leg, Sans?"

"My wha- oh! Well, it's okay, I guess. I've been aggravating it a bit more than I should, but it's okay. Better than it was."

Again, Gaster hummed, "Is that so? Well, that is good to hear."

Better than it was . . .

So, it really was because of Sans. But the question was "how?" Regenerative bones. How incredible! He would have to look into just how something like that was even possible. But for now, he will take the good fortune where he can get it.

They stopped just outside of the door and Gaster turned around to face Sans completely.

"As I was saying." Gaster began again, "Though I don't know exactly how or why it happened, it did. And becauseit did, and because you really do seem ignorant of what it is you've done, I know that your feelings are completely genuine . . . You would not have been able to complete the process if they weren't. That being said, even though it seems as though the impossible has been achieved, it is still too soon to be able to breathe easily just yet. This is still an extremely delicate situation and I ask you to take the utmost care in your approach."

"Wait . . . Sir . . . ?" Sans replied slowly, still trying to understand. "What's going on? Why am I here?"

Gaster looked back toward the door for a second. His expression was set in a stern contemplation.

"Corbel is awake." He said almost robotically, "He's awake and he's asking for you."

Nyala smiled as she sat back in her chair. For the first time in weeks, she breathed a sigh of relief. Her son was still reclined on the hospital bed and he was still in no condition to move extensively. There was still too much of him that was broken for him to really be comfortable in any other position. But still, he was so much better than he was before.

He could finally breathe on his own and he could finally be awake without being in such extreme pain. The mask that had been covering his nose and mouth this entire time had finally been removed. And as he lay with his eye shut tightly in concentration, he tested his own limits, taking deeper and deeper breaths, feeling as his chest filled with air- so much more easily than before. He expelled that air slowly, testing his retention. He could draw in more air and hold his breath for longer than he'd ever been able to before.

No coughs came. There was no pain in his chest. He could really breathe again.

Such a simple thing, breathing. Often overlooked as a basic bodily function . . . Until that function becomes impossible.

He would never take breathing for granted again.

Nyala was thinking along the same lines as she watched the rise and fall of Corbel's newly completed chest . . . her baby could breathe, and he could do so in a way that he hadn't been able to for years! He could take full breaths without difficulty. And though it had been such a tough, painful, and draining process, Corbel had a full rib cage again after so long of living in fear that it would collapse on him . . . He was on the road to recovery and soon, Corbel would be able to live his life the way he should have been able to from the beginning.

She tried to keep herself from crying in her joy and her relief.

A knock on the door ripped them both from their thoughts. Corbel's eye shot wide open and the sharp breath he took this time was involuntary as he turned his attention toward the door.

Nyala turned around quickly and shifted to stand.

"They're here." She announced, "Come in."

The door opened slowly.

Immediately, Corbel tensed. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea. He knew that he was the one who requested Sans, but . . . that would mean he'd see him like this, unable to even sit up in bed . . . Maybe he shouldn't have . . .

"Hello . . .?" Said a slow and cautious voice.

"Sans." Nyala and Corbel answered simultaneously.

He was okay! He really had made it out of the cave! He was safe . . . and he was here!

"Mama Gaster." Sans acknowledged as he entered the room completely, followed by the doctor, who stayed near the door.

With a soft smile at the name and a small nod, Nyala acknowledged Sans once again.

Immediately after, Sans' attention shifted to the figure lying in the bed. Finally awake and not screaming in pain.

"Corbel . . ."

"Sans . . ." Corbel repeated quietly, his previous trepidation melting away slowly, "You made it."

"Yeah. Thanks to you." Sans answered, stepping further into the room and toward Corbel's bed. Nyala moved out of the way to give him access to the chair, but Sans didn't notice. It was as if nothing else mattered and his eyes could only see one thing. Corbel was alive and he was awake. They could actually talk to each other now.

Near the door, Nyala joined her husband, taking his arm and holding onto it. She leaned her head on his shoulder and let a smile spread across her face.

"Thank you, honey." She said in a near whisper.

"What for?"

Nyala shook her head. "All of it . . . Everything. You did . . . everything that was necessary to make sure he had a chance. Even if it was difficult for you or you didn't quite agree, you did what was best for him. You worked so hard and toiled so long so he wouldn't have to suffer any longer than he did. You kept watch over him and protected him, pushing aside your own fatigue and discomfort for his saved our boy . . . And even now, you fulfilled Corbel's request and brought Sans to him . . . even though I know how you feel about that situation."

Gaster shifted, taking his arm from Nyala's grip and instead, used it to embrace her. He wrapped it around her shoulders and brought her in close, holding her steady.

"I didn't do any of that alone, you know." He said softly to her, "You were right here too. You did so much more than I can even list. You kept him company this entire time. Kept his spirits up. Kept his mind and senses stimulated. You monitored him and healed him. And when he needed it most, you were here to listen to him and provide. I could see just how much all of this was hurting you . . . and yet, you pushed through for his sake. You are worthy of just as much praise as I am and more. We wouldn't be here now, if not for you."

Nyala hummed with her head still resting on his shoulder. "I don't know about all of that . . . but thank you. I know we're not done just yet, but this is a huge step. He's well on his way."

Gaster leaned in and placed a gentle kiss to the top of her skull, being sure not to loosen his hold on her even a little. His wife . . . his family really was a marvel. They'd been through absolute Hell and somehow still managed to pull through with smiles on their faces. They weren't through it yet, but he had absolute faith in them. He knew that they would be able to stand and face this too.

At Corbel's bed, the two younger Skeletons were wrapped in their own conversation. Sans had taken the seat without thinking and was sitting forward with his hands fisted over his knees. Corbel still looked so tired and worn and his smile was thin, but he was awake. He was right here.

And he'd asked to see him.

"I still can't believe you actually made it out of that mess." Corbel said quietly. He was still fighting to use his voice.

"I almost didn't." Sans admitted, "If you hadn't acted when you did, we all would've been . . . well . . ."

"You would've ended up like me?"

Sans hesitated, "Not in so many words."

Corbel chuckled at that. He relaxed again soon afterward and let out a sigh.

"I'm glad you didn't." He said.

Really . . . ? Even after all of this . . . Everything he'd been through. All of the pain he'd endured . . . all because he'd saved him. All because Corbel had put his safety before his own.

A bit of a frown crept up onto Sans' face. "I'm so sorry, Corbel."

Corbel hesitated now, mimicking Sans' frown, "You're sorry . . . for what?"

"You warned me." Sans explained, "You gave me alternative solutions. You kept trying and kept trying to push me in the right direction and I ignored you and went against you and because of that . . . because I was stupid and childish and I didn't take the situation seriously enough, you ended up like this! You nearly died . . . and it would've been my fault. I should've been the one under the mountain. I should've been the one to protect you. I should be the one who . . ."

"Sans, no." Corbel interjected, "Stop that. You're gonna bum me out. And besides, this isn't your fault at all. It's not your fault there was a cave-in or that there was a human who needed help. And as far as . . . protecting me . . . What in the world gave you the idea that that was your job? It's not up to you to protect me."

There was something very familiar about this conversation. Hadn't he had it before?

"But I'm your lab partner."

"Exactly." Corbel pressed, "My partner. Not my keeper. And just like any partnership, we're in this 50/50. We watch each other. We protect each other. I got you this time . . . next time, maybe . . . Well, let's hope it's nothing like this again."

Sans held his breath for a moment and turned his face away, shaking his head clear and fighting against his own emotions.

"I just . . . I wish you didn't have to do something like that . . . for someone like me."

Corbel stalled once again, his frown deepening. What did that mean? What happened to Sans that he was talking like that?

"Hey, Sans?"

The other Skeleton broke out of his thoughts and turned his attention back to Corbel. He looked focused as if trying to deduce something.

"What happened to the human? Her name was Alia, right?"

Sans hesitated for a moment and lowered his eyes once again.

"She didn't make it . . .?" Corbel questioned in response.

"Wha-? No, she's fine!" Sans answered, showing Corbel a small smile, "Actually, they took her to the Capital the day after we found her. The King and Queen have her now. She's a guest in their home. You saved her life too."

"Then . . . why are you so down, Sans? What's wrong?"

Again, Sans was slow to answer. "What about you?"

Corbel's expression contorted for a moment. From the frown, confusion and curiosity took over, "What do you mean?"

"This whole time, you've been asking about me and Alia . . . but we weren't the ones who were hurt. You were. This should be about you. How are you feeling? You . . . really had me scared, you know? And not just me. Your parents, the others here at the lab, your friends. We all thought that . . . we thought we were gonna lose you . . . and now, you haven't even said a word about how you are. How can you possibly think of literally everyone else besides yourself at a time like this? Why do you always put yourself last?"

Corbel looked at Sans for a moment before turning his eye away to stare upward at the ceiling. His own expression fell and he drew in a breath.

"I guess I . . . never really thought about it before . . . but you're not the first person to say that to me. The first time, I just said "that's what it means to be a hero" Heh, I was six. But now . . . heroism isn't what's important. I want to take care of my friends. It makes me happy to know they're happy . . ."

Corbel chanced a look toward the door. His parents had left sometime during their conversation. Perhaps they just wanted to give them a little room to talk freely. May as well take advantage of it.

". . . and besides, it's a lot easier than dealing with my own problems."

Sans didn't take his eyes away from Corbel and he didn't turn away from the new dour tone his voice had taken on.

"I just- I really don't like talking about my issues, because once I start, I just vent and no one wants to hear that."

"I do." Sans jumped in without hesitation, "Everyone has issues, and some are better dealt with as a group. And it's like you said. We're partners and we take care of each other. Well, part of taking care of each other is helping each other through whatever problems we come across."

"That's a bit more than lab partner work.'Personal problems have no place in the workplace' and all, right?"

"Well, then, as your friend . . . let me know what's going on. How are you, Corbel?"

The smallest smile pulled at Corbel then. Woah. Sans had never shown an interest like this before. It was actually a bit refreshing that he wanted so badly to help . . . but still, this was a familiar song . . . one that only those who knew the truth about him, would sing.

And when he saw the look on Sans' face now, he saw that same expression. The same thing he saw one everyone else's face.

"Damn it," Corbel growled, "Not you too . . ."

Sans was slightly taken aback. "What do you mean, 'not me too'?"

"I guess it was inevitable. You know about my 'condition' now and that's why you're so concerned about me all of a sudden."

"Don't be ridiculous!" Sans almost snapped, "You had a friggin' mountain fall on you! Of course I'm concerned!"

"But it's more than that!" Corbel explained, "It's the look. You have the exact same look as all of the others. Like they're all waiting for me to fall apart at any second. I see that look from everyone. My parents, my teachers, my friends . . . you were the only one who ever looked at me like I was normal! And now . . ." Corbel scoffed.

"I don't need those looks." He muttered, "I don't need to be watched after and babied my entire life . . . I don't need your- that's what this is, isn't it!? It's 'pity'!"

"Is that what you think this is?"

"That's what I know! That's been my entire life until now! Ever since the damned coughing started. They've all been waiting for the day I cough myself to death. And really . . . I've been waiting for it too. I knew it was coming and yeah, it scared the shit out of me, but I had to continue on. I didn't want that to be what defined me. I wanted to make a difference. Find something that was mine and leave them with that . . . Like Dad's CORE . . . I didn't want to die as just 'the kid with the disease'."

Sans sighed. "Look, I'm sorry. That's not what I meant by this at all. Try to get where I'm coming from on this. Where the rest of us are coming from . . . If I really am just one in a crowd now . . . Regardless of whether or not you're battling with your condition. You're very important to us and when something happens, we wanna make sure you're okay. Not because we think you can't handle it, or that we pity you, which is not true, by the way, but because we care about you and . . . we lo. . . well . . . I . . ."

Corbel could feel a pull in Sans' words. Something he was still struggling to process himself. It was different from before. As he tripped over his words, Corbel turned his attention away from the ceiling and back to him.

"Sans?"

"I-I hate to see you so worked up about things like this! You . . . you shouldn't have to worry about all of that on top of everything else . . ."

Corbel hummed low as he listened. "If you say so . . . well anyway." He let out another sobering breath, "That's what happens when I talk about myself . . . I tend to lash out . . . so I'm sorry. I didn't mean to take it out on you . . . You don't deserve that either."

"What? No. You don't apologize. Not in this situation. You don't apologize, got it?"

For a moment, Corbel couldn't help but stare back at Sans, but at the firm intensity behind the declaration, he felt a bit of a smile pull, despite himself.

"If you say so . . ." He repeated, "Well, to actually answer your question . . . it's kind of a mixed bag of emotions right now on my end . . . I mean if you can't tell already. But since you do know about my condition now, I guess it might be a little easier to explain . . ."

"I'm torn . . ." He admitted, "The cave-in completely crushed my body . . . which didn't do me any favors with that condition and all . . . my hand . . ." He raised his arm slightly, displaying where his left hand ought to have been, "My foot . . . several ribs, parts of my legs and my . . . my pelvis were all fractured or broken. It doesn't hurt so much right now because Mom used some of her healing magic to dull the pain . . . I did the same thing to your leg back in the cave so you'd be able to make a run for it if you had to. But . . . It won't last forever. Now, Dad told me that he's been working on some prosthetics that should help . . . and he said it had been your idea to use the prosthetics as grafts . . . so . . . thanks for that. Thanks to that idea, I now have a brand new set of ribs . . . and they're a perfect fit . . . and it doesn't hurt to breathe anymore."

"But you don't seem too happy about them." Sans noted.

"Well, here's the thing. They're mine now. And I get that. I should be grateful . . . a-and I am. Dad put in a lot of work to make them perfect and Mom . . . well, she had to go through a lot when they were being grafted . . . I don't remember much of it . . . but apparently, I didn't handle the process very well."

"As well as can be expected, I'd say."

"Y- you heard . . . ?"

"I . . . may have . . . come down to visit at a very inopportune time. But hey, no one can blame you. They had to break away damaged bones to clear a way for the new ones. That's rough stuff. Of course it would be painful."

Corbel's expression fell once again. "Well that's embarrassing."

"It shouldn't be."

"Well, anyway. Long story short. New ribs. They say they're mine . . . But it doesn't really feel like it at all, you know?"

Sans' expression shifted as well, "I . . . can't really say I do."

Corbel sighed, "Of course not . . . They don't really feel like mine because . . . Well . . . I can't feel them at all. They're not part of me and I can't really say I can remember what it feels like to have a full set anyway. It's been about 14-15 years. But . . . that's not the whole thing."

"Then, what's the whole thing?"

"Just because Dad puts these prosthetics in . . . Even if he grafts them, that doesn't mean I'm cured. I may last a little longer than before, but this disease is still an issue . . . E-eventually, I'll lose more of my body, and when that happens, does he plan on just making more prosthetics? At what point does it become too much? How long will I still be able to feel anything . . . ?" Corbel drew in and let out a shaky breath, raising his hand and looking to his fingers. He wiggled them a little, "I-I-I think that's what scares me the most . . . I'll go to sleep one night and wake up as . . . S-something completely different. How long will I still be me? What happens when there's nothing left of 'me'? What will I be then . . .? The thought absolutely terrifies me!"

Corbel made a fist and let it fall heavily to the bed. He released a long breath and clenched his jaw as he fought to keep the water from spilling over from his eye.

From his spot, Sans' shoulders fell forward and he frowned further as he watched Corbel. What could he say . . . ? What could he possibly say that will comfort him right now? He did ask how Corbel felt- how he really felt and he got his answer . . . Now to act on it.

Swallowing his nerve and forgetting to come up with an actual answer, Sans reached out, across the bed to take Corbel's hand. Sensing the movement, Corbel instinctively made to pull away.

"What . . . ? S-Sans?"

That did bring Sans back to his senses for a moment, but in the end, he looked back to Corbel and to his hand.

"J- just . . . Here." and he snatched up Corbel's remaining fingers, holding them gently but firmly, just as he had when he visited the first time.

Corbel's eye went wide for a moment. What the heck? Why would Sans . . . His hands!? They didn't freak him out!? They didn't put him off!?

. . . This feeling . . . The warmth . . . How were his hands so warm? And this motion, the soft circles . . . His mom and his dad both had a sweeping motion if and when they held his hand. His mom would stroke his knuckles and the top of his hand while his dad held his hand near the wrist.

Sans was the only one who used this small circular motion . . . but then . . . why did it already feel so familiar? And still there was that warmth . . .

"Corbel." He said softly, "I can't pretend to understand everything going on in your head right now. And I can't sit here and tell you I know what you're going through, but if I can. I'd like to help . . . maybe I can add my two Gs?"

Corbel focused again on Sans, still trying to understand just why he would want to hold his hand . . . but he supposed he'd take it.

He nodded his response.

"Alright." Sans began again, "We've known each other for five years now, six?"

"Something like that."

"Right. And during that time, from the very first day I came here, if there's been one major thing that I've learned, it's that none of that physical shit matters. Not in the slightest. You're afraid of losing yourself to prosthetics? I can see how that would be daunting. But let me ask you this: Do you feel any less like you right now? And I don't mean physically. Do you feel any less like Corbel in the terms of who you are, what you stand for, what you treasure? Has any of that changed for you?"

Corbel went quiet for a moment.

"Sans . . . ?"

"It hasn't, right? Not at all. Because your body is only physical. And prosthesis can't touch what makes you you! It doesn't have a thing to do with your Soul! That's the part of you I love! And when it comes down to it, that's the you that matters. Not your hands or your ribs, but you! Your heart. Your Soul!"

Corbel listened as something within him shifted. It became just a little bit harder to breathe again, but this time, it had nothing to do with his ribs. For a moment, his hand also tightened a bit within Sans' grip. His head was spinning as he took in those words. He must have felt pretty deeply about it if he was lecturing him like that about this.

And within that lecture, he'd said something truly impossible. Did he hear him correctly?

No! That wasn't the point in the speech just now! Sans was being encouraging! Focus on that!

After all, he did suppose that it was nice that Sans could see him as more than just a broken monster with a disease . . . he knew him as a person . . . and he seemed to be attuned to his Soul as well . . .

But then . . . Was there really more to what he just said after all? If something about his Soul resonated with Sans' then . . .

No . . . Don't read too much into it! He already gave you his answer, remember!?

Sans released a long breath, successfully taking Corbel out of his thoughts once again.

"Believe it or not," He continued, his voice going quiet, " I can actually relate. Not quite at the same level maybe, but . . . you'd be surprised."

Corbel shifted his gaze again to look back at Sans with a curious expression, "Really?" He said with a light scoff, "Care to elaborate?"

Sans hummed with a slight, but undeniable, real smile in place. "Maybe one day . . ."

As he said it, his grip over Corbel's hand got slightly tighter and he hesitated in his circular motions. Obviously, it was something he didn't talk about and he was still building up the . . . courage(?) to actually discuss it with someone else.

Guess they both had their secrets . . . Corbel could respect that.

"Anyway," Sans continued, his second hand joining the first, "For now, you really should focus on getting better. I know it's gonna be a lot to adjust to, but please try. And don't forget that . . . if you need me, I'll be here for you . . . no matter what happens."

Corbel had to frown again at that. What was with that tone? And what did he mean "no matter what happens?" What happened!? Was there a reason for Sans to doubt he'd be around?

"I see your wheels turning." Sans smirked, "Don't worry so much. It'll be okay. Just focus on recovering. And besides, there's . . . still something I want to talk to you about. But that can wait for now."

With a bit longer of a studious glare, Corbel finally released a sigh.

"Fine . . ." He answered, "I'm feeling kinda drained anyway." He hissed as he attempted to shift in bed, "And-and I think Mom's magic might be starting to wear off . . . Maybe later really would be better."

"You want me to go get your folks?"

"Eh, they're probably waiting around in the gallery. After something like what happened, do you really think they're not gonna hover like flies?"

"Heh, I guess you do have a point." Sans scoffed, shifting to stand from the chair, "In that case, lemme just get out of their way."

"Wait!" Corbel's grip remained firm and his expression was intense as he called again for Sans. "Just . . . Don't . . . Please?"

As he stood with his hand still holding the other's, the smirk in Sans' expression softened and became a smile once again. Even without the actual, request being asked, Sans was able to pick up on exactly what Corbel meant. He was asking him to stay close by. He still wanted to see him and he didn't want Sans to be deterred from coming to see him again. Even though his parents' presences might be a little intimidating.

"I understand . . . I promise."

With that, they let go of each others hands and Corbel watched as Sans made his way out toward the door of the Observation Room. There was still a little bit of a limp to his step, but he really did seem to be doing well since the cave-in.

"Hey, Sans . . . ?" He called before the other Skeleton could leave.

"Hey, Corbel?" Sans mimicked, much like he had before this whole thing started.

Corbel smiled, "I'm really glad you're okay."

Word got around the lab that Corbel was awake and recovering and there seemed to be a collective sigh of relief from the assistants. They knew how much stress having Corbel's life in a constant state of limbo was on the Gaster family and they could all feel it too. So just the fact that there was no longer the scare of imminent death seemed to do wonders for the crew. There was a tiny bit of a semi-playful jab Gaine took at Sans as they passed each other one day. With a quick smirk and a quick words, Gaine noted that it looked like Sans "didn't quite break the kid after all." Though Sans caught the joke and the familiar words, he didn't find it quite as entertaining.

Undyne and the Blooks had been contacted once again and told the good news as well. Of course, they stopped by to see just how Corbel was doing and the patient seemed to fall into a state of actual happiness when they were around. His childhood friends could almost always find the perfect ways to cheer him up.

On their way back out, Undyne and Sans inevitably crossed paths once again. Neither one of them spoke to the other, but there was a very meaningful exchange of glares. Sans was alive right now because Corbel allowed it. At the same time, Sans had gained a bit of vitality since their last meeting and if they were going to have words at the moment, he wouldn't stand down like he had last time. Undyne acknowledged this with a slight nod and kept walking.

During the next week and a half or so, Sans went down a few more times to see how Corbel was progressing and each time, he seemed to be doing just a little better.

The second time, he was sitting up in bed and he waved at Sans with a complete right hand. His left arm was in a sling and it still didn't have anything at the wrist. Corbel did say they would most likely be attaching the left hand later that afternoon.

The third time, Corbel was testing his control of both of his new hands. Trying to hold a pen and write, fastening various clasps, zippers, and buttons, folding paper, opening packaging (that seemed to be the most difficult task) and typing. Though he was slow to move, he was still able to complete nearly every task.

He did get a bit frustrated when the new fingers didn't behave the way he wanted them to, when he dropped an item or it slipped through his grip, or when he was unable to open a bag of chisps. He sat and fumed at himself for a while until his parents and Sans reminded him that not only were the prosthetics new, but it was a different style from his old cuffs as well. He would have to adjust to the way they worked, gauge how much magic it took to control them and how to make them work for him.

He took a little time to himself after that to calm down. He needed a break . . . And maybe some food. He was feeling a little hangry if he was being completely honest with himself.

He and Sans had lunch together that day. They talked about everything except physical therapy.

The fourth time, Sans had been on his way down to Corbel's room, (Nyala and Corbel both insisted Sans be given access so he could visit without a second assistant. Gaster reluctantly agreed, saying that it would be on a temporary basis. After all, this way, he didn't have to drag someone else away from work in order to do it)

He made it down the hallway toward the elevator before there was a chiming sound and the door opened up.

Inside was a very determined looking young Skeleton leaning on a crutch. He was dressed in a very casual looking ensemble, a T-shirt and a pair of blue plaid pajama pants, and he seemed to be fighting hard with himself to stay stable as he balanced. The bandages had been removed from his eye and the entire right side of his face, revealing a single scar leading from his right eye down his cheek. He wasn't looking up, but instead, he was studying his feet as he attempted to walk. Both of his feet.

"Oh!" Sans nearly gasped in his surprise. He took a step backward to give the other room to exit. "Wow, look at you!"

Corbel snapped his attention upward.

"Sans!" He answered with a bit of a smile.

"Where are your folks?"

"Somewhere close by, I'm sure. They let me out so I can take the new equipment out for a test run. Where did I end up?"

"Heh, you weren't paying attention to where you were going?" Sans scoffed, "You just took the elevator to the atrium. Actually, I was on my way down to come see you."

Corbel looked around the lobby and had to squint to see further away, probably a lasting effect of the damage to his eye.

"I guess I was on autopilot there for a bit." Corbel explained, his grin still in place, "Well, since we're here . . . do you wanna . . . maybe . . ."

Corbel was broken out of his thoughts by a voice further into the room.

"Hey! It's Corbel!" Baelin called, shock and excitement in her voice.

"What? Really!? Oh! Holy sh . . . Welcome back, Gaster!" Maltez followed suit from Baelin's side.

"Kid Gaster's back?" Gaine called from down the hallway behind them. He had his messenger bag over his shoulder and his outfit suggested he was done with work for the day and was prepared to go home . . . as a matter of fact . . . no one was wearing their lab coats and each of them seemed as if they were on their way out.

He'd really picked the perfect time to wander up to the atrium, hadn't he?

"Hey, look who it is!" Ruddard joined in, completing the set, "How are you feeling, Corbel?"

As Corbel looked out at them all, he couldn't hold back the full smile. The others, his coworkers had been worried about him too? Had they been waiting for him to return? Had they actually missed him? He found it odd to think about. Yes, they were his friends as well . . . but he only ever really thought about them as friends in the professional sense.

"I-I'm working it out." He replied to Ruddard's question, "Definitely better than I was."

"Yeah, you didn't look too good that first day." Maltez jumped in.

"I'm so glad you're feeling better!" Baelin added.

"Heh, thanks."

"So, when can we expect to see you back?" Gaine asked casually with his hands in his pockets.

Corbel gave a bit of a shrug, "Eh . . . I don't really know." He answered, deflating a tiny bit, "If I'm being honest, I don't know how long it's gonna take to finish PT and after that, how long it'll take me to . . . get used to myself again. So . . . probably not for a while yet."

"So, that means, you'll be pulling double duty for a while longer, Serif. Think you can handle it?"

"Pshh. What do you take me for?" Sans smirked.

"As someone who's been so distracted and falling behind to the point that others needed to come in and dig you out of your ruts so you can finish your assignments." Gaine answered without missing a beat.

Sans' smirk faltered, "That was a rhetorical question, Gaine . . . besides, that was weeks ago. Things are different now."

Still, Corbel had heard everything he needed to. Sans was struggling in his work because of his absence . . . ? He'd been falling behind because he'd been distracted . . . because he'd been too busy worrying about him . . . ?

He looked back to Sans then, trying to figure if any of that had been showing through when he'd come to visit . . . come to think of it, they never talked about work when he came around. Maybe Sans did seem a little worn, but he never pried for answers.

Was this the reason why? Was his work suffering so much because he'd been unable to work? Was this his fault?

"Sans?"

"Everything's fine." Sans insisted with a wink and a hand on Corbel's shoulder. "Didn't I just say things were different now?"

Still, Corbel watched Sans with a studious glare.

"Anyway," Baelin giggled, "Corbel! Don't leave us wondering. Are you okay? Why don't you have a seat and we can catch up a little."

Corbel shrugged, "I've spent the last few weeks sitting and lying down. I really should keep moving for now and build my strength up again. Maybe later?"

"Of course he wouldn't want to talk about it right away, Baelin." Maltez pushed with a bit of a smile of his own. He fitted an arm around her and leaned in to speak, "Let the guy recover first."

"Oh, of course! I'm sorry, Corbel. Just let me know when you're up to it!"

"No, don't apologize. It's fine. And I really am looking forward to catching up. I missed you guys."

"Then, we'll make an event of it." Gaine suggested, "A welcome back thing for Kid Gaster . . . When he's up to it, of course."

Again, a small smile pulled at the corner of Corbel's mouth.

"Thanks. Sounds like fun. Actually, I'm just surprised you'd think to do something like that for me."

"Why wouldn't we?" Gaine shrugged, "And I'm sure everyone here agrees that it feels like the right thing to do."

All around the room, the were words of agreement and nods of approval.

"So, we'll wait for your word." Gaine concluded with a nod of his own, "Until then, take your time, and get well soon . . . And Serif."

"Hm?"

"Be careful. Look after him. Make sure he doesn't overdo it."

Corbel's eyes went wide as he lifted his hands to protest.

"No- no. It's-"

He started to wobble once he wasn't leaning directly on the crutch. He still was not used to balancing solely on his new foot and his "patchwork" legs.

Right away, Sans ducked in and caught Corbel before he had the chance to fall.

"I got it, Gaine." He answered immediately. "You guys have a good night. And a good weekend."

From his side, Corbel tried to situate himself. Try as he might, he had to rely on Sans for the moment. His face flooded and began to feel warm.

"Take care, Gaster." Maltez waved with a little bit of a smirk to his expression. He left with Baelin who nodded her goodbye with a smile.

"Take care of yourself, Corbel." Ruddard nodded, making his way out as well.

Corbel nodded back, somehow unable to respond any other way.

Once the others were gone, the two were able to relax a little.

Still, Sans held onto Corbel as he struggled to right himself.

"Don't worry, Corbel. I've got you."

"S-Sans . . ." Corbel stammered, "Sans, I can stand. That's why I came up here in the first place!"

"Heh-heh. Of course." He answered, releasing Corbel and only offering up his hand for him to regain his balance and situate himself once again on his crutch.

"Better?"

"Yeah." Corbel responded, keeping his gaze lowered in an attempt to hide his still- warm features, "I- I'm fine."

For a few moments as the two stood in the hallway, there was a bit of an awkward silence that hadn't existed between them in quite a while. Perhaps it was their surroundings or maybe it was because of the appearance of the other assistants that threw them off . . . either way, it was a tension that needed to be broken.

"So . . ." Sans tried, maybe a little louder than he'd been hoping. Anyway, it helped to break that silence, "Before the others came around, you sounded like you were gonna say something. What's on your mind?"

"I-I did . . . ?" Corbel hesitated, trying to think back on what they'd been talking about before. He was still trying to center himself after the conversations and tripping into Sans and everything else he'd been doing. So it was a little difficult to retrace his thoughts and his words.

He'd been in the elevator, making his way through hallways until he ran into Sans on this level . . .

"Oh! Yeah! I was just saying that I was out testing my new additions . . . And maybe you could help. Maybe . . . if you wanted to . . . you could take a walk with me . . . ?"

For a moment, Sans was silenced as he looked back at Corbel. He was still situating himself, grabbing onto the crutch as if it were a lifeline.

Such a simple request- an innocent invitation, and yet, he wasn't quite sure exactly how to respond. Had he come up here specifically to ask him to accompany him on his walk . . . ? Or was that purely coincidental?

Well, he'd been going down to visit Corbel anyway and if this invitation had come along in his room, then yeah, he would've gone without much thought . . .

Then why the hesitation now . . . ?

"I don't see why not." Sans answered before he could think too much into it. Turning and gesturing to the side, Sans guided the way to the hall off to their left. "Well then, shall we?"

With a slightly shocked, but satisfied grin, Corbel nodded, taking a few steps to follow Sans' direction.

"So, are Maltez and Baelin dating now!?" He began as he fell into step beside Sans.

They walked together for a long while, talking again about random subjects and laughing with each other as if it were just a normal day back in the lab.

And for the first time in a long while, it actually did feel that way.