Chapter 29

Battle Strategies

After everyone dispersed for the night, Undyne stood at the bottom of the pit, still unable to really move. The words hit hard, sure, but it was the emotion behind them that hit hardest.

She pulled out her cell phone and dialed a number she'd recently saved.

On the third ring, Gaine's voice on the other line picked up.

"Aldrin." She addressed. He insisted that she call him by his first name.

"Undyne!" He greeted, a smile evident in his voice, "Is it time for another meeting?"

"Yeah." She sighed heavily.

"Hm? What's with that tone? What happened?"

"We've just got a lot to talk about, that's all. I'll be waiting at the diner on the border of Waterfall and Hotland. Meet me there."

Gaine gave a short affirmative hum. "Understood."

About a week later, the air around the lab was almost stifling. Corbel still hadn't returned to work and the others could feel the effects of his absence. They were beginning to catch on that there could be a chance that he'd never come back to work at the lab at all.

Though he already knew what was going on, those thoughts weighed on Sans, as well, in a way he never thought it would. For the past few months since the incident, he'd been holding onto the hope that with enough rest and Physical Therapy, Corbel would be cleared and able to return to be his lab partner once again. Corbel's presence in the lab was one of the things Sans loved the most about coming to work everyday. And with the idea looming over him that he would no longer be there, Sans started to doubt his own willingness to stay.

What he'd told Corbel about his reasons for working were true. He did feel a sense of accomplishment and he did feel like he was doing some good . . . But if he was being completely honest, without Corbel, he was really only just going through the motions.

During work hours, Sans had very short passing encounters with Dr. Gaster as they walked past each other in the halls or when Sans had a report or a completed assignment to turn in. For the most part, they avoided eye contact and speaking to each other at all. And when they did have to have an actual conversation, it was brief and straight to the point with only the most necessary information exchanged. They didn't even discuss Corbel to one another.

Even the subject of what happened that night at the Gaster residence remained undiscussed and untouched. They were both to blame for how that ended and each blamed himself for the result, yet neither blamed themselves quite as much as they blamed the other.

Sans did have to count his blessings, however, that Gaster didn't out and out terminate him. He supposed that was a good thing. Maybe he couldn't afford to lose his help around the lab and that's why Gaster kept him around. Despite the animosity between them. Sans was genuinely good at his job and he kept a steady pace with all of his assignments even through the absence of his lab partner.

And when Sans wasn't avoiding Dr. Gaster, it seemed he now had to worry about his coworkers. Namely, one of his coworkers.

Maltez and Baelin ultimately kept to themselves, working closely together on assignments and often leaving together as well. There had been a few times they came to Sans inquiring about Corbel and those conversations were usually pretty short, ending with a cheerful "Well, tell him we said hi." or, "We really should all go out sometime. Just let us know when. We never did have that welcome back party we talked about after all." It was pretty nice actually.

Ruddard always was one to work alone. It was how he focused the best and his results always spoke for themselves. He would make his presence known during lunch and after work, but never during the times he was actually on the clock.

Usually, Gaine was the same way, keeping to himself while on the clock and engaging in minimal chatter when he wasn't, choosing to only conversate with the others if they struck up the dialogue first. He was always stand-offish in a way that made him seem just a little cold on the surface. As Gaster's right hand, it made sense that he would have a lot on his mind. And even when they'd first started, Sans and Gaine rarely spoke unless it was work related. Gaine had been the one who stealthily tipped Sans off when he'd been apartment hunting and he'd given him advice when Sans first started to suspect that Corbel might have a crush on him. Though he was a bit of an independent spirit and a bit of a loner, Gaine had always been a pretty chill guy.

So it was a bit of a shock to Sans when he began to notice all of the sidelong glaring and tense interactions with him. At first, he thought Gaine was just in a bad mood for a while. But when it started happening more and more often, Sans knew something was up. What was bothering him so much and how was it his fault? They barely spoke and they almost never worked together on their projects. There was no reason for there to be any animosity between them. Unless somehow, Gaster's negative feelings toward Sans somehow rubbed off on Gaine. It wasn't that strange of an idea, actually.

It was with that in mind that Sans took a deep breath and entered the lab that Monday. For some reason, Gaine volunteered Sans to work with him on one of the larger projects he'd been assigned. That thought alone was strange enough for Sans to grasp. He barely had time to process what the actual assignment was going to be.

It nearly even escaped his notice that when he'd gotten to his locker, there was a folded piece of paper sticking out of the top of the closed metallic door.

"What is this, high school?" Sans muttered to himself, taking the paper before opening the locker in order to stow his belongings and switch his jackets. He draped his lab coat over his arm as he unfolded the paper and read the short note.

"Come to my office before leaving for the day. There are things we need to discuss. - W.D.G."

"Well, I wonder that that could be about." Said another voice from behind.

Sans started, the stealthy approach and the sudden sound catching him off guard.

"Damn it, Gaine!" He breathed, trying to calm his nerves, "Don't sneak up on me like that."

Gaine held back a short chuckle and a grin as he grabbed his own coat from his locker.

"Sorry, Serif. I thought you saw me walk in."

"No. I've . . . I guess I was a bit distracted and didn't notice you sneak up behind me out of the... O-out of nowhere like that."

Gaine shrugged, and if he didn't know better, he could've sworn that there was a bit of a smirk to his expression.

"So, an official summons, huh?" He directed, pushing the conversation forward, "I wonder what he wants. He didn't say in the note?"

Sans shook his head. "I've got my suspicions. I caught the King and Queen's kids running around here not too long ago. It might be a follow-up to that report."

Gaine hummed, "Perhaps."

He continued gathering his things and buttoning up his lab coat.

"Hey, have you heard anything from Kid Gaster lately?" He asked, trying to fill the awkward silence, "Any word on when he'll be back?"

Sans shrugged, "Well, Corbel seems to be holding up okay. I mean, sometimes his limbs stiffen up on him and it's hard for him to move around, but he's getting better. But he's kinda been falling behind on his Physical Therapy sessions, so . . . But it's not really my business to put all his junk out there like that. It's his story to tell, not mine."

"I wasn't trying to pry." Gaine shrugged, "I just thought that since the two of you were so close, that maybe you'd have some insight. Not to mention that I miss having the little guy around. The three of us being the original interns and all. It's just not the same without him."

Sans nodded and released a short breath as he slipped his arms into his coat and the note into his pocket.

"Anyway," Gaine continued, "I heard a rumor that you two were actually dating now! Is that true?"

Sans hesitated, a smile hinting.

"Who told you?"

"I heard from Maltez. I guess you guys were together, then you were having some issues or something, but you've since made up and now you're officially dating for real? At least that's what the rumor said. Weren't you planning a double date with him and Baelin?"

Again, Sans shrugged, his clipboard in hand and at his side.

"So, it is true. Heh, I remember a time when you were so freaked out at the thought that he might have a crush on you. You immediately rejected him. So, what changed your mind?"

"When did you get so social, Gaine? You normally never get into stuff like this and never this deep."

"Well, to be fair, I'm usually working alone. There's no one to talk to."

Gaine seemed to back off a bit after that. Making sure he had his assignment binder and all the notes he had regarding their project.

"Well, as long as the two of you are happy, that's what matters, I suppose. Congrats, Serif."

"Thanks, I guess." Sans smiled.

From then on, it was work mode. Gaine had to get Sans up to speed on their project and find a good spot to get started.

Their project had to do with Souls. The working theory was that with enough soul power, they might just be able to breach the barrier. They might even be able to chip at it enough to break it down. The problem with this was that soul power was very limited and impossible to harness.

The alternative: create soul power. The idea wasn't to harness it, but to manufacture it.

"This would be so much simpler if we had a Soul to study." Gaine muttered, "A reference Soul, if you will."

Sans groaned at that, an odd reserved tone to his voice, "I dunno about that. Even if we could get a hold of a Soul . . . Just having it doesn't mean we'd be able to replicate it. Besides, Souls disappear the moment a monster dies and while they're alive, so much of it is being used to support them, that anything extra isn't nearly as potent. This is a really tricky dilemma."

"Yes, I have to admit, I've had similar concerns. For what we need them to do, a monster's soul is . . . too weak. And without a host, it isn't stable enough to maintain its form. But what if it wasn't a monster's Soul that we used?"

Sans frowned deeply, "What are you suggesting . . .?"

"A more powerful source of energy," Gaine pitched, getting more and more swept away into the concept the longer he spoke, "A human's Soul is 100 times more powerful than a monster's. It would take every monster in the Underground to equal the power of just one human soul and even then, it wouldn't be enough. It took seven human Souls to put up the barrier, it only makes sense that it would take seven Souls to tear it down. Plus, a human Soul can hold its form even after the host is dead and it can even boost a monster's strength by untold proportions! If we had a human's Soul, there's no telling what we could learn from it!"

Sans hesitated, trying not to let on how uncomfortable this conversation was making him.

"But that's insane." He protested, "Even if we . . . How are we even supposed to get a human Soul?"

Gaine's ears perked up when Sans asked as if he'd been waiting for the question.

"How indeed?"

Sans found his frown once again, his mind coming to a conclusion.

"No." He answered solidly, "We're not pulling Alia into this. She's just a little girl, Gaine! And their other kid is off limits too!"

"Woah! Hold on there, Serif." Gaine defended, raising both hands, "No one said anything about your little pet. She's safe. And I have to say, the second human is a bit of a shock too. When the Royal Family announced that they'd adopted another human, at first I didn't know how to respond. Two humans falling into our little section of Underground ? What are the odds?"

"Not very high, I suppose . . ." Sans answered, a little unnecessarily.

"So who's to say that more won't make the same mistake? Who's to say that they haven't already and we just haven't seen them?"

Sans hummed, hesitating slightly, "I think that if there was a human running around aside from the two kids, we woulda seen them by now."

"I suppose you do have a point, Serif. If a human had already fallen, how on Earth would they have been able to hide for so long?"

There was something in the way Gaine said that and the way he tried to cover it up as he shot a glance at him that put Sans more on-edge than before.

Both assistants went silent for a moment after that, both seeming to contemplate that possibility.

"Anyway!" Gaine continued, sharply pulling them both out of that thought trail and back on topic, "Without a specimen to study, we'll just have to fiddle around with what we have until we can find something that works. Now, from what we know, Souls are pure power. Like a battery. Raw energy that is unpredictable. How better to get info on a force that is that powerful than to visit the source of the greatest amount of energy the Underground has to offer."

Sans and Gaine spent close to the rest of the day at the CORE, taking samples and marking down the energy readings in order to study the rate of deterioration. Their readings indicated that as soon as the energy was removed from the source, its power began to decline. Even when that power was being siphoned out and sent out all across the Underground, its potency dropped the further from the CORE it got. The two began to wonder if there was a way to retain that energy and stabilize it so it could be transported.

"Well, you said it was like a battery right?" Sans pitched. "And batteries can be transported in cells, right? So, what we need is a fuel cell that can maintain the energy's level until we can get it where we need it. Maybe some power bank that can be recharged?"

"That is an interesting idea, Serif." Gaine nodded, jotting something down in his notes. "But something like what we need, it would have to be absolutely MASSIVE! And we don't even know what kind of effect the CORE energy will have on the barrier. Is it comparable to that of a Soul? If we can find fuel cells sturdy enough to transport the energy, we will have to pay a visit to the barrier to test it."

"And if it isn't enough, then will shooting more of the same energy at it make any difference at all?"

"It's a start. And more of one than we had before. Maybe we can find a way to concentrate it and make it more powerful that way."

Sans nodded slowly. A tiny bit of hope taking root within him.

"If it works in our favor, there's a chance that we won't even need human Souls at all."

"Hey, here's hoping, right?"

"Yeah. Here's hoping."

When they arrived back at the lab, it was already time to call it a day. They compiled their notes and observations and, as head of the project, Gaine collected those notes to write the report he would submit to Gaster. After he reviewed it, the doctor would decide how to continue.

Until then, Sans and Gaine would resume work on their individual projects.

After handing off his work to Gaine, Sans shuffled his way back to the locker room to switch out his jacket and gather his things to go home. It was the moment he entered the room that he remembered.

Gaster . . .

He was supposed to report to his office before he went home for the day. After all, they still had "things" they needed to discuss.

"Would it have killed the guy to drop a hint so I knew what we'd be talking about?" Sans grumbled to himself as he closed his locker once again and tried to center himself enough for this meeting.

It would be the first time they had a lasting conversation since that night and just that thought made Sans uneasy about it. But perhaps enough time had passed that the intensity of that animosity had diminished a little since then. There was no doubt in Sans' mind that he was still bothered by the idea that he was dating his son, but if this was work related, then it shouldn't even play a factor in how this meeting went.

"Yes. Enter." Said the doctor's voice, taking Sans off-guard, but not so much to find that he'd knocked on the door to the office without realizing it.

Cautiously, he turned the knob on the door and peeked inside.

The doctor was sitting at his desk, making a note on some report or another. He didn't even look up from his work when the door opened.

"Ah, Serif. Is it that time already?"

"Uh, yes, Sir. You told me to come see you before heading home for the day."

"Yes. Take a seat. This won't take too long."

Sans nodded his silent response and entered the room.

It was another few minutes before Gaster lowered his pen and raised his head to look across his desk at Sans.

"Thank you for waiting. My son has forbidden me from taking any paperwork home with me, so whatever I finish has to be here. Whatever I don't finish has to wait until the next day. As a result, I try to finish as much as I can before day's end. I'm sure you understand."

Sans kept his eyes somewhere between Gaster's paperwork and his holed hands which he kept loosely folded at the edge of the desk. This was the most the doctor bothered to speak with him . . . And about something so trivial.

"Why did you call me here, Sir?" He questioned.

An actual smile seemed to creep at Gaster's face.

"Well, to start things off, I believe a follow-up is in order. I wanted you to know that I've decided to tighten security around here in light of what you told me. While I still don't believe much harm could have come to the lab or to the children if they did manage to explore the first floor, it is a bit disconcerting that they made it through without anyone noticing. I plan on adding an extra access point at the front entrance to the lobby. Only those employed by me will be granted access via their employee badges."

Though he didn't call attention to it, Sans noticed a minor thing in Gaster's explanation. He mentioned "they" and "their employee badges" as if Sans wasn't included.

Was that what he was leading to? Was that what this meeting was about?

Or was he overthinking things now?

"Now, I wouldn't have called you all the way here just to tell you that. Information like that could have easily been relayed using a printout in your assignment folder. No, there's something more we need to discuss."

Sans nodded, exhaling slowly. Here it comes.

"I'm sure you're aware that contact with my son has significantly diminished lately. He has been avoiding me recently. He hasn't called home and it seems that he's only talked to my wife a handful of times. On top of that, he's been neglecting his Physical Therapy regimen and I fear that if he continues, his condition may worsen. Though he hasn't spoken to me, you have been in contact with him, haven't you?"

"With . . . Corbel?"

The doctor heaved a long breath.

"You two are still dating, aren't you? Despite my warnings?"

"Well . . . Y- yeah."

"And you see him fairly often?"

"Yeah?"

"Then it's only logical that it is through you that I relay the things I need to say to him."

Sans could feel the frown creeping in to the edges of his expression. "Have you tried calling him? True, he hasn't been calling you, but has that stopped you from trying to contact him anyway?"

"I'm sure he wouldn't even bother to answer his phone once he saw that I was the one on the other line."

"Then leave him a message!" Man, these Gasters were so stubborn! "I've been urging him to contact you as well. I think some genuine and open communication will help both of you. And he really does need to continue his Physical Therapy. But in order for that to happen, someone needs to make the first step. If you both sit around and wait for the other to call, then nothing's ever gonna get done!"

"You certainly are opinionated today, Serif." Gaster replied, his tone level even as Sans' tone started to become more passionate. He continued, that smile returning to his face, "You've told all of this to Corbel as well?"

"I have. But it's still, ultimately, his decision. I can't force him into anything. It needs to come from him in order for any real good to come from it."

"Of course." Gaster sighed, "Well, I have to give credit where it is due. I appreciate your efforts and I hope that with your added influence, he will be more inclined to, at very least, continue his therapy sessions."

Sans' frown shifted, but didn't subside. Instead of the slight annoyance from before, it was a frown of confused astonishment. Did Gaster just . . . Thank him? Sorta? Did he just praise him for his efforts . . . ?

"W-well, I can only do so much." He admitted, "The real effort still needs to come from you and Corbel."

"Of course." Gaster repeated, shifting to fish something out of his desk, "But in the meantime, this still needs to be done and I can no longer wait for a face-to-face meeting." He placed a long, rectangular package, about the size of a pencil pouch on the desk between them.

"This was meant to have gone to Corbel quite a while ago. But he never returned. If I give it to you, will you assure me that he gets it?"

Sans eyed the package, sizing it up. There was a part of him that wanted to refuse and tell the doc to do it himself. Take the initiative and talk to his son! But, knew he would be risking insubordination. After all, the two of them weren't on the best of terms either.

Well, maybe this could be the start of repairing that relationship as well.

Sans reached out and put a hand on top of the package.

"Understood, Sir." He nodded once.

"Thank you, Serif. You are dismissed."

Sans nodded a second time and shifted to stand, taking the package with him. As he moved from the chair to push it back into place, there was a ringing of Gaster's desk phone. His direct line. It must have been an important call. Sans saw it best to take his leave as quickly as possible and let Gaster answer that.

It was as he was making his way back up to the atrium that he heard the voice.

"Yeah, I'm here. Do you have a minute? There are some things I need to talk to you about."

Corbel!? Talking to someone on the phone? Was he the one who called!?

"Your office? Yeah, I'm on my way."

Sans stepped out from his hallway to see.

"Hey, Daydreamer!" He greeted, a grin spreading at the sight, "You made it!"

Corbel snapped his head up, shocked at the sound. He ripped the phone away from his ear, quickly hanging up.

"Sans!" He nearly gasped. "I thought you would be . . . Umm . . . Hi."

Sans caught Corbel around the waist. "You came! And it sounded like you're here for your old man this time!"

Corbel looked off to the side, lowering his eyes. "Y-Yeah. I'm gonna try. You were right. This is ridiculous. I'm just . . . I'm gonna tell him how I feel . . . About all of it. I just don't . . . I don't want it to be a repeat of last time. You know?"

Sans sobered for a moment, sensing the trepidation in Corbel's voice. "Do you want me to go with you . . . ? I just came from there, but if you need moral support . . ."

"No!" Corbel answered, a little sharp in his reply, "I mean, thanks, but no. I think it should just be Dad and I who talk. And if it does end up a repeat of that night . . . I don't want you anywhere near that . . . But . . . Even so . . . Do you mind waiting for me?"

Sans stepped forward even more, tightening his embrace around Corbel. He rested his head for a moment on his chest, listening to the quickened pace of his pulsing Soul. He must have been incredibly nervous.

"Of course." He answered, "And hey. You're gonna be great. Just speak your mind and don't let him, or me, or anyone get in your way. That being said, don't forget to listen too. Try to see things from his perspective as your Dad. He loves you and he cares about you. If he didn't . . . Well, I wouldn't have you now."

Corbel returned the embrace, keeping an arm around Sans' back and another cradling his skull to keep him close.

"Yeah." He sighed, "I know. I think about that a lot, actually. Without Dad . . . I would've died when that mountain came down. I really do owe him. And you. Without you, I'd be dust. They never would've stabilized me and I would've been comatose until my HP finally gave out. Both of you sacrificed so much for me. The least I could do is talk to Dad and keep you in mind when I do."

"That's my Daydreamer." Sans hummed, "And I'll be here when you're done."

"Yeah . . . Thanks, Stargazer."

Sans chuckled softly at that, still not completely used to his nickname. He struggled halfheartedly against Corbel, pulling away from him with a faint blush.

"Damn it." He muttered.

Corbel's brow raised as he loosened his grip. "Hm? What happened?"

"N-Nothing," Sans unconvincingly stammered, "Just . . . Why the heck are you so tall anyway? It's not good for my . . ." He trailed off.

Corbel smirked, catching on. "For your what?" He pushed, "Now, I'm curious! Does this have to do with those 'roles' you were talking about? Are you suddenly put-off by the fact that I'm younger and taller? Besides, I'm only about six feet. Dad's taller."

"Y-Yeah." Sans grumbled in all of his 5'4" glory, "Only. A-Anyway, I should let you get going. The doc's waiting for you."

Corbel looked past Sans and down the hallway behind him. "I guess so. But before I do . . ."

Corbel lightly frisked Sans' left side. The was something there that felt a little off when they hugged. "Hm? Thought so. What's this in your pocket, Sans?"

"N-Nothing!" Sans repeated, his smile returning, "I'm just . . . Really happy to see you."

Corbel's brow furrowed now in confusion. "Okaay . . . ? What?"

Sans shook his head and let out a defeated sigh. Yet another joke that fell flat.

"Never mind. I'll tell you when you're older. Anyway," He pulled out the package Gaster gave him. "This is from your Dad. He wanted me to give it to you. You wanna take it now before you go in there?"

The frown became contemplative as Corbel studied the small package in Sans' hands.

"No." He answered, "I think you should hold onto it for now. I'll take it afterward . . . Just in case things don't work out, I can't "defiantly leave it behind" or anything."

"Heh. Guess that's fair. Any idea what it is? The doc said he was supposed to give it to you a while ago. I think it has something to do with your therapy sessions."

"Yeah, I have an idea . . ." Corbel sighed, "Just keep them safe for me? I'll meet you in the atrium after it's over."

"Aw don't go like that!" Sans jeered, "Not after all that work I put in to cheering you up!"

"Is that what you were doing?"

"Hey, It worked for a little bit." Sans smirked.

"Well, either way. Thanks, I guess." Corbel finally released Sans completely and sidestepped him to walk past and toward the hallway, "Alright, I'll see you later."

"Wait! Before you go!" Sans called after him.

When Corbel turned again, Sans was there with a demanding look.

"Get down here, tall man!"

When Corbel obliged with a bit of a smirk back on, Sans was there with a swift kiss.

"Okay, now your good to go."

Corbel knocked on the door to his father's office. It seemed like it had been forever since he was there. It did feel a bit strange to be back actually. He hadn't been this far into the lab since he was discharged and it'd been even longer since he'd been to this office. He felt as if he should have been carrying a clipboard or a folder and wearing a lab coat.

The memory was shattered, however, when instead of the familiar "Enter" the door began to open on its own, revealing a tall Skeleton monster with widened eyes.

"Corbel!? You're here!"

"Hey, Dad." He answered, "Been a while."

"I'll say." Gaster confirmed, "Come in, have a seat."

The doctor took a step back and opened the door completely for his son. There was a bit of energy within him, however that seemed to be stopped up for the moment, though it bubbled close to the surface.

Corbel felt it immediately and he knew exactly what it was. He kept his eyes lowered, deciding if it was the right time or if it was something he needed to hold back on for a while.

Eventually, Corbel closed the gap, giving in, and colliding with his father's chest.

The initial shock was immediately evident in Gaster. His body stiffened and he drew in a sharp breath. He stayed this way for a moment or two, completely frozen in place before his arms moved to encapsulate his son.

"This doesn't change anything." Corbel clarified in a low mutter. "I'm still upset with you."

"I know." Gaster replied, the embrace tightening, "I understand. Your mother still seems to be upset with me as well. She is extremely vocal and doesn't hesitate to let me know that I'm the reason you haven't been home or called since that day."

"Gee, I wonder why." Corbel bit sarcastically, "It's almost like she's right."

"It seems to be a common trend." Gaster conceded, releasing Corbel and standing in front of him instead, "However, in spite of that, Corbel, I'm glad you're here. I hope that we can find a way to move past what happened and reclaim some semblance of normalcy."

"Well, that's gonna depend on you. I'm not budging on my stances. And . . . There are still some pretty serious issues we need to go over."

"Then, by all means, please have a seat. The couch is free, and how about some tea? I know you like it more than coffee."

The next half hour or so was used to catch each other up with the minor things. The results of some of the assignments that Corbel had been given before he could no longer continue. Corbel informed his father that he'd finished the master's program and was graduating the following month.

"Of course, you and Mom are invited to attend." He offered, "Though Sans will be there too, so I expect everyone to be on their best behavior."

He had to admit that it was incredibly embarrassing that he had to talk to his own father, and his best friend for that matter, like they were in preschool. "Stand in line and don't push. Keep your hands to yourselves, or else no treat at break time."

Words for four-year-olds, not full grown monsters.

Gaster nodded like he had several times throughout the conversation. He could feel the irritated aura emanating from his son and it was as if he could tell exactly what he was feeling.

"Understood." He responded, as an assistant would to him.

Corbel looked skeptically across the room, "Really?"

"Indeed." Gaster nodded again, "The last thing I want is to miss out on such a milestone simply because of the guest list."

"I see . . ." Corbel answered slowly, "Well, thanks."

"And of what happens next? Have you given any thought to when you wanted to come back to the lab? I know you haven't yet been cleared for lab work, but it really should be something we get back into soon. After all, you have been falling significantly behind on your Physical Therapy. Once you have been cleared, however, you could even come back as a full time associate! Now that you have finished the Master's Program, there will be fewer distractions and other engagements to demand your attention. That is, of course, unless you want to start on your doctorate right away."

Corbel went quiet, sinking back into the couch. There it was. The map of his predetermined destiny laid out before him once again. And his father spoke with so much conviction that there was little room to counter. Come back to the lab, finish therapy, sign on as full time, eventually go back to school and become Dr. Corbel Gaster.

No . . . Though, it was a solid plan, one that would ensure his success if he stuck to it, one that promised stability, revenue, and security, it just wasn't him. None of it sounded like what he wanted to do.

He had to do it. He had to tell his dad. And he had to do it now.

He lowered his cup onto the table, his hands clasping tightly from there as he began to wring his fingers together, his old childhood habit resurfacing as the nerves caught up to him.

Gaster took note. It was something a younger Corbel would do when he was afraid of being scolded, reprimanded, or punished. Gaster always thought he would aggravate his small brittle fingers by doing that and speed up their decay.

That aside, why was Corbel so nervous now? The last time he was this nervous was the day he brought Sans home for dinner.

So, it wasn't the news, but his reaction to what he had to say.

He would have to be exceedingly careful with those reactions. If he wanted to avoid repeating that night.

"Dad . . ." Corbel began softly, his eyes lowered toward his hands. He just knew this was going to turn out exactly the same way. His father would blow up at him. He would criticize his decisions and shoot them down. Corbel drew a long silent breath, wishing that he'd taken Sans up on his offer to come for moral support. Just his hand right at that moment would have been so much help.

"Corbel . . ." The father acknowledged. He wished his son would look him in the eye, "I know you're nervous, maybe even afraid to tell me something. Considering what happened last time . . . I . . . I can't blame you. I understand where that fear is coming from and I remember what it's like. And I understand that there is no one else to blame for that but me."

Corbel lifted his eyes to finally make eye contact with Gaster. There was a strange mix of expressions on his face. Understanding, empathy, humility, shame, and caution, mixed with a bit of both encouragement and disappointment. Through it all, there was a small smile in place.

"I see the question on your face." Gaster continued, "How could I possibly know? There's no way I could ever know what you're feeling or what your going through. And you're right. I don't know exactly what you're going through . . . But I do remember what it's like to be you. To be exactly where you are now, facing your father with news you're absolutely certain he won't like. I know what it's like to feel so strongly about it, knowing that you'll have to fight for it. I remember feeling terrified of the outcome to the point of it making you sick. In my case, it went incredibly poorly. My father was so rigid and unmoving that, when it all came to a head, it resulted in a physical altercation. I left. I ran away, cutting ties with him and my grandfather to pursue my passion."

Corbel frowned, listening to every word.

"But . . . I thought you were proud of the Gaster family name. That's why you kept that pocket watch for so long right? And why you gave it to me?"

"Oh, I am proud. Don't get me wrong. The things this family has been able to accomplish is absolutely astonishing. But I didn't realize how much it actually meant to me until after it was too late. My father wanted me to join the Royal Guard as an active member of the military, just like he did and just like Grandfather Kozuka. They wanted me to drop all distractions and only take steps to pursuing that end. When I was a child, I thought my father was the strongest and coolest monster in existence. I suppose every young boy thinks that about his father."

Corbel nodded slowly.

Gaster nodded as well. "I did want to be like him. An inspiration not just to his family, but to everyone. He was a natural leader and he always knew just what to say to get the troops to rally together and follow him. But I never thought I even could join the Royal Guard because of . . . well the disease. It skipped Harrington, you see. Lucky bastard. Grandfather Kozuka had it, but he was such a private man that we didn't know until it was too late to do anything. Anyway, I'm getting off-topic.

"Grandfather Kozuka was a very disciplined Monster. Everything was regulated and stringent. He was carved of stone and nothing could budge him. And it was from that same stone that he carved my father. He was just as unmoving and solid in his ways and in his beliefs. Though he was strong, I could sense that he also felt trapped. And, I suppose, it was evident in how I was raised. I had a lot more freedom to explore and experiment. Granted, it was all preparation for the inevitable switch into military life, but I was allowed friends and connections that would serve as my reason to join, fueled with the desire to protect them.

"What my father didn't realize was that I would discover something I wanted more than that. I fell in love with science . . . And with your mother. We were young. Looking back, perhaps too young, just like he said. But she inspired me in ways I never thought possible. An artist, so full of ideas and expression and creativity. It was incredible how free she was, even in the midst of her bullying. We grew close and she told me that I could do and be whatever I wanted. It was the first time anyone had ever told me that. Until then, my whole life was planned out for me. I had no choice. I was going to join the Royal Guard and serve my people. But your mother showed me my other options and I was thrilled to discover what those were.

"Of course, my father was less than thrilled. When I told him my new plans, he shot them down immediately and forbade me from ever seeing your mother again, claiming she poisoned my mind. He tried to tell me that living a life like that would only get me killed. He insulted her, her family, her life and me for falling in love with someone like that. He discouraged me, telling me it was a phase, that there was no way it was going to last. That she would never amount to anything of worth and she was only going to dilute the family line.

"I wasn't going to stand for that. So, I fought back. A little at first, just to emphasize my point, but it escalated into a real fight. I lost, of course. I didn't have my father's training or strength and he overpowered me, confining me, forbidding me to seek her out again. He'd given me too much freedom, it seemed, and he'd have to beat that out of me if I was ever to join the Guard at that point. I told him I'd rather die. Do you know what he said to me?"

Corbel sat, his eyes narrowed in focus as he listened to his father's story. He shook his head.

"'Be my guest.'" Gaster scoffed, "It was an invitation to defy him. Perhaps he was trying to remind me of his power or prove a point that if I did leave, it really would mean death. But I took it as him telling me that I'd failed as his son. That I was useless to him as I was and that instead of having a weak Gaster like me in the family, that I was better off dead. I was determined to prove him wrong; prove everything he said wrong; so I left. I didn't look back and I never saw my father again."

"Then, how did you . . . ? What happened after that? How did you get the pocket watch then? Did he give it to you before all that?"

Gaster shook his head. "No. Not long after that, the war started in a country far from here, but it spread like wildfire. By the time it reached us, everything was already chaos. It was the end of days . . . And we were the final stand before Monsters were wiped out completely. We were losing numbers quickly. Thousands by the day. I tried to find them again, my parents and grandmother, but I never could. In the end, just like they wanted, I joined the Royal Guard to fight in the war. At first, I was just in the support reserve. An apprentice healer. But when our numbers got too low, we took up arms as well and ran to the front lines. Never did I wish I had my father more than on that day. But I promised him that I would find my way home again and make amends. Try again.

"I was struck down on the battlefield and left for dead, but the remaining monsters found me when we were forced underground and they brought me with them. I woke to the news that we lost the war and we were all prisoners to a curse set on us by the humans. They killed so many of us, drove some of us into extinction . . . And they told me that I was the last Skeleton. The very last of my kind. It was the General who had the pocket watch. He gave it to me in my father's stead. His final wish before he turned to dust.

"I lost everything. I was never able to keep my promise to my parents or make amends and that pain is still just as sharp now as it was then."

Corbel looked off to the side for a moment, releasing a long breath before focusing once again on his father.

"The one small comfort that I had was that I was finally able to find your mother again when the census came around. The last two Skeletons. How fortunate we were to find one another again in the aftermath of that Hell. In the end, I did get everything I wanted. I married the love of my life and pursued my dream career . . . but in order to do it, I lost so much more. Now, as you're sitting here in front of me. My greatest miracle, my son. The one who showed me there is hope in this future. I find fear. I can feel the rift, the trench forming between us and I cannot risk losing you to it."

"Then, you'll listen . . . ?" Corbel questioned, "Really listen? To understand and not just to respond."

"I will. In exchange, I ask you to understand where I stand as well."

Corbel nodded. "I'll do my best." After everything he'd just heard and everything he and Sans discussed about expectations, Corbel felt he really was ready to face this.

"Alright then, Son. One final thing before we begin. Do remember what the inside of the pocket watch said?"

Corbel nodded again. He spent days looking at that phrase and the names of the others etched inside. "Showing your true face means you can never be caught in a lie." He recited.

"I want you to show me your true face, Corbel. Don't hold anything back."