AN: As the chapter title may suggest, this will be the last little bit of filler before we get back to the main story. So this will act as a bridge between the two sections. After this, the story and excitement will only rise. For now, use this time to reacquaint yourselves with the characters and with what's going on in the story.

A little housekeeping: Just letting you know, I plan on uploading the rest of the story in significantly shorter intervals, with the finale coming no later than the end of next month. At times, this may mean several uploads within the span of one day. It will be a lot of content in a short amount of time. Read at your own pace, but know whenever you are ready, this story will be here.

Thank you everyone who has continued to come back! I really do appreciate every single one of you for your continued support.

Thanks and stay safe! ^_^

Chapter 32

Make a Way to Get Back on Track

From that day onward, Toriel kept the three children away from the class field trips. Once again, she had to apologize profusely to Corbel for the conduct of the children and promise him that 1. It wouldn't happen again, and 2. That she would handle the repercussions.

As a result of the incident, however, Corbel and the school had to put a hold on the class trips altogether, until further notice. Corbel used the time to make sure the students understood the severity of what happened. Partially, as a form of punishment, but mainly to fill in the now empty time, he had his students write out two pages explaining why it was important to follow all directions, both verbal and written. Some of the students were quick to blame those were directly involved and those who were involved were quick to turn that blame on the human.

Corbel was just as quick to shoot down that behavior, telling them that even if it was Chara's suggestion, that didn't mean everyone had to follow and it was ultimately their decision to ignore the warning sign.

To the students who whined about having to write even though they weren't involved, Corbel explained that the class was a team. Like the team of scientists in the lab. When one fails, it's reflected on everyone. It's also the job of the team to support each other and help each other when faced with trials.

The students mumbled through their assignment while Corbel got a head start on grading their latest test.

Those students who were directly involved, however, served detention with him during breaks for the next week and were not allowed to go out during recess or lunch. He hoped that would help solidify how seriously he took the situation.

After a week, the kids definitely got a good understanding of that.

The hold lasted well into the next month and much to the disappointment of the students, the next trip was completely canceled. Many of the students complained about missing out because the next trip was supposed to be the bay area near Waterfall. Now, because of the incident at New Home, that outing was ruined.

Again, the students involved faced scrutiny from their peers and once again, Corbel deflected the comments.

He tried to make up for it by having an event day in class. It had mixed results. The kids seemed to have fun in class with the Experiment Bingo stations he had set up around the room. And the pizza party they had at the end made for a good treat, but it wasn't the same as going out and getting away from the school for a day.

Corbel went to the lead faculty and requested that the trips be reinstated. The lead faculty denied the request saying that it was still a bit too soon, but they would notify him when the all- clear was given.

Corbel left, trying to come up with another entertaining experiment to do instead.

At home, a little of that frustration seemed to carry over through dinner and into the night. He did his best not to let it affect Sans too much, but of course, he caught on when Corbel poked at his food more than he ate it.

When he asked about it, Corbel was shocked out of his thoughts for a moment, apologizing for being so distracted. Sans told him not to worry about it too much, but if he needed to vent, to just let him know.

It was around that time that Corbel noticed something a bit off about Sans as well.

He'd been pretty stressed since the thing at New Home a few weeks ago as well, and he kicked himself repeatedly for what happened. In his mind, it was his lack of judgment that led to the shock that blew all three of them back. If he'd been thinking about it, he wouldn't have approached the kids at all and would have only touched them once they were away from the barrier. He shouldn't have gone up to them. If he hadn't, then they wouldn't be in the situation now.

Corbel assured Sans that no one blamed him in the slightest. That even if he'd done it differently, the trips would be postponed because of rule violation and . . . Lack of supervision. Sans was just doing his job and he was doing it well. He wanted to keep the kids safe and removing them from the barrier was what anyone would've done.

Sans agreed that yes, anyone would have, but not everyone could have. He approached the barrier on his own when every other monster, including Gaine and Gaster, are physically unable to do so. And the reaction didn't happen until all three of them were touching. He'd just written a note about how much stronger the Souls resonated when there was physical contact. He could've given himself away with what he did.

Corbel shook his head, assuring Sans that no one was paying attention to that and they were all more concerned about the kids.

"I'm not so sure about that . . ." Sans groaned, his head in his hands as the two of them sat on their couch that night. As it so happened, Gaine was starting to become quieter around him as if he was studying him. And when he was talking to him, he was prodding, obviously trying to dig more information out of him. Trying to get him to make a mistake and let something slip.

"I think he's on to me. I think he might have figured out what I am . . . Or at least what I'm not."

Corbel frowned, listening. Sans was sending himself into a panicked spiral. His leg was bouncing uncontrollably and his hands were gripping tightly at his skull. He even seemed to be struggling to breathe.

In response, Corbel grabbed a blanket and brought it to the couch, sitting down and laying back with his back against the arm rest. He held the blanket open behind his back, like a pair of wings.

"C'mere, Babe." He instructed. "Right here."

Sans looked up from where his gaze was trained to the floor and he gave Corbel an incredulous look.

"Let me help." Corbel insisted.

Still not able to do much more than frown, Sans shifted to sit closer to Corbel, turning so he was sitting back between his legs and leaning against his chest.

Once Sans was in position, Corbel wrapped the blanket around both of them and held Sans still, hoping that rooting him in place would work. It felt as if he was about ready to shatter and though he fought to hide it, it was evident just how scared this whole ordeal made him. Sans allowed himself to be held as they both took deep long breaths to try to calm his nerves. For the most part, it seemed to work, though Corbel could still feel Sans' anxiety through his nearly constant sighs.

"You know . . ." Corbel suggested in a voice close to a whisper, after having the time to really pick apart the situation in his own head, "I know you said you liked working at the lab. That it was fulfilling and you feel like you're making a difference and all . . . But . . ."

Sans sighed again, his arms crossed tight over his chest as he held Corbel's arms and the blanket close.

"If this is what it's doing to you. If the cons are outweighing the pros. If you don't feel safe at work, then . . . Maybe it's time to call it. Duck out and consider a career change."

Another long sigh as Sans considered the suggestion.

"You do have a point there. Maybe it is time. Especially if Gaine is gonna be houndin' me. And your old man . . . Well, he's been avoiding me for a long time now. But if those two start talkin . . . I'm screwed. Maybe you're right. Maybe it's finally time to bow out."

Corbel's embrace was warm as he leaned in to press a kiss to Sans' temple.

Sans released yet another sigh, though, it seemed, he was starting to calm down quite a bit. "I'll look around to see who's hiring around here. I won't be makin as much, whatever it is, but . . ."

"But that doesn't matter. We'll make due. I want you safe, got it? I want you away from there."

Another sigh. Sans laid back completely, closing his eyes as he finally began to relax against Corbel's chest.

"I'll get started tomorrow."

It didn't matter to Chara one way or the other whether or not they were allowed on school trips anyway. The three of them didn't even go to that school! Toriel was their teacher, so they didn't attend any of the classes. He wasn't friends with any of the other kids and he didn't care whether or not he saw them ever again.

It did kinda suck being grounded. He couldn't remember the last time he'd been grounded. Probably his own mom . . . ? Her jerk boyfriend . . . ?

Whatever. None of that mattered.

The only thing that mattered was what they learned that day.

Souls are stronger together. If his and Alia's souls plus the monster soul of that Mr. Serif guy were strong enough to do that to the barrier, imagine what they could do if they had more humans, more souls.

It took seven human Souls to break the barrier completely. And it took one human Soul and one monster Soul to cross to the surface. But it wasn't enough for them to just both be present. It seemed like the souls really did have to be one . . . And the only way for that to happen was if a monster absorbed a human soul.

And if that happened, they might actually be able to get this barrier broken and set the monsters free on the surface world!

But human Souls were limited. Just him and Alia . . . Alia and him? He and Alia were the only two humans in the Underground.

So that meant, in order for this plan to work, one of them would have to be the figurative sacrificial lamb. Perhaps Alia could "sacrifice" her soul for this. And if he could find someone to take her soul, then that's half of the plan already! The other half was to go back to their town, "sacrifice" at least six other deserving humans and bring their souls back to the Underground. Then, they could set all the monsters loose on the humans so they could reclaim the surface!

Monsters deserved the world more than the humans did. THEY knew how to coexist and be accepting. THEY knew how to be supportive. THEY would make better overseers of the world.

If anyone deserved eternity trapped in a pit, it was the humans who put them here.

But there were some flaws in this plan. Ways that it could all fall apart. Alia was . . . too soft to carry something like this through . . . Too moral. There was no way she would agree to a plan like that. In fact, if she heard anything about this plan, it was possible that she might try to stop him.

He needed another way.

And if she wasn't going to be an asset, then she'd just be in the way.

He'd have to do something about that.

And supposing he could get the barrier broken, monsters were too nice to do anything else but get killed off by the humans and trapped underground again. If they were gonna reclaim the world, they needed a reason to fight! Something to jumpstart them and get them to rally.

He grumbled to himself as he scribbled in a sketchbook. If he was really being honest . . . He still didn't know which monster to transform. None of them showed the spark he'd been hoping for . . .

Asriel was the most likely candidate, but again, he was too soft. Too nice.

And besides, he was more of a friend to him than anyone he'd ever known. He didn't want to transform him and risk losing him forever.

But still . . . There had to be a way.

He'd have to put a bit more thought into this plan.

Sans looked around town, trying to find a place that was hiring and that offered a decent wage. He needed something that would help Corbel maintain their place while still being able to treat him every once in a while. Corbel deserved it. A life where he didn't have to struggle or worry. And if there was a way to give that to him without risking his secret being exposed, then he was gonna do it.

All the while, he was sure to avoid Gaine and Gaster when he could. He couldn't risk them finding out he was looking for other employment until it was time to quit and there wasn't anything they could do about it.

But until then, he did his best to dodge and deflect any suspicion. He gave only the most generic answers when Gaine asked him questions and he was sure to keep all of Corbel's Monster Lessons in mind when he spoke, so he wouldn't slip any weird sayings in. Those lessons really did save him once or twice and Sans couldn't be more grateful.

He had to keep those same lessons in mind as he interviewed around. Plus, he didn't have much experience in anything besides lab work, which was impressive on its own, but one thing on a piece of paper was less impressive than a page worth of experience. Even if that one thing was "Lab Technician under Dr. W.D. Gaster."

Corbel suggested he try the administrative route. Maybe work clerical or data keeping.

Or maybe he could even start his own business! A Taco Stand somewhere!

It was nice of him to make suggestions, but he really was just spitballing ideas, hoping something landed.

In the end, Sans was able to find something at Kaiju, the bar he and Corbel went to on his birthday. He worked there weeknights, learning mixology as a barback in order to become a bartender. He was even allowed to create new and interesting cocktails with a science lab flare to them. The customers seemed to like it and they tipped him well for those drinks. They became his signature cocktails.

But he saw the most work when he took over hosting open mic nights which was now every Saturday instead of just once every month. He opened with a short routine to get the ball rolling and he introduced each new act with his own style. He quickly built a good rapport with the performers and soon they were like good drinking buddies!

Once he was sure the gig was stable, it was time to go through with what he'd been planning to do from the beginning, the reason he'd taken the bartending job at all!

Up until now, he'd been working both jobs, sometimes only sleeping two or three hours before shifts or during the lunch hour. It was definitely good money and having the extra cash flow was nice, but it came at a huge expense. He was almost never at home and he almost never saw Corbel.

At first, Corbel was understanding, knowing that it was important to be sure he was settled in before resigning, but when the "settling in" lasted three months, Corbel was right there to contest, pressuring Sans to just suck it up and do it. He recognized the behavior and had seen it enough to know when to put his foot down.

So, at Corbel's firm instruction, Sans stood in front of the lab, dressed in his usual work attire (just in case he didn't have the balls to do it today) his key card in his hands as he turned it over.

It was still early in the morning and he hadn't even been to sleep after working in the bar the night before. None of the other assistants were present yet, but he knew Gaster would be there early to prepare the assignments and get everything ready to go.

He took a few deep breaths and reached out to swipe his key card at the newly installed security panel and unlock the door.

Inside, the lights were on, but dim in the lab's energy saving mode. Gaster was definitely here.

"You're early, Serif." Said a voice from down the hall, "You're not scheduled to start for another hour and a half."

"Sir." Sans acknowledged with a nod.

Gaster hummed in thought as he approached as if trying to discern the intent before speaking about it at all, as if he could glean from Sans' posture and demeanor and other various context clues.

"Are you here to resign, Serif?" Gaster asked in his signature even tone.

Sans all but froze. How the heck was he able to . . . ?

As if sensing the unasked question, Gaster explained.

"I've noticed you haven't been sleeping well recently, and you look especially exhausted today. You haven't rested at all from the look of it. You didn't come ready to work despite how you may be dressed. You're holding your key card in your hands instead of wearing it around your neck, keeping the responsibility it entails away from you instead of owning it. Why do that if not to relinquish it altogether. And I can count how many times you've shown up early to work on one hand, and those times are only because I instructed you to do so, or you were worried about Corbel after the incident. If you're here so early in the morning, it must be to talk to me about something and you gave us ample time to discuss it before the other assistants were scheduled to arrive. You don't want to make a scene."

Sans looked back at Gaster as he explained. A part of him was shocked. Okay, maybe he could tell just by looking . . . But another part of him expected as much. Gaster was a master of deductive reasoning after all.

"U-um, yes. Y-yes sir. That's . . ." Sans cleared his throat.

"And you decided right this second was the best time to do that?"

"W-well, when we have to call out from our shifts, you tell us to give you at least an hour notice."

"Yes. When you call out from a single shift, which, I'm sure you realize is vastly different than leaving all together."

Gaster drew and released a breath, settling himself once again.

"To be completely honest, I'm a bit surprised. I thought that you would have decided to leave far before now. I thought with certainty that the discomfort of the two of us working together would cause such a strain on you that it would hasten your decision."

Sans shrugged. "If I let something like that get in the way of working then, I'm not much of an assistant. I was telling Corbel the same thing, actually. The job itself was fulfilling, so it didn't matter whether or not we got along personally. I mean, yeah. I kinda wish we were able to work out our differences, but even though we never really did, I really did enjoy my time here. It was a great opportunity, and I will always be grateful to you for it."

"Is that so . . . ?" Gaster hummed once again, seemingly searching for another answer, "If that's truly the case, then, why, might I ask, have you decided to leave us?"

"Oh . . . Well, I . . ."

A short beeping sound went off near the entrance of the room and the front door opened slowly to reveal a tall Cat monster. Gaine had arrived early for his shift as well. Though, for him, that behavior was typical.

He surveyed the room for a moment, a frown of confusion painting his expression as he tried to figure out just what the heck was going on. His expression fell on Sans and his eyes narrowed in suspicion. Eventually, reading the mood, he passed them to enter the locker area.

Sans watched after him. He'd been hoping to finish this before he arrived, but it seemed Gaine was even earlier than usual.

Once he was out of sight, Sans turned back to face Gaster. Right, he was in the middle of answering the question.

"I . . . I'd rather not get into that right now."

Gaster's expression narrowed as well as he studied Sans and shifted his face back toward where Gaine disappeared.

"Could it, perhaps, be a strain on some of your other professional relationships?" Gaster questioned, his voice lowered. "If that's the case, we do have a system in place that helps to resolve such disputes."

"I know." Sans answered, "But, really. I've made my decision. Things will be fine without me here, better even. Less stressful for you. Less stressful for me. Less stressful for him."

"So, it does involve Gaine." Gaster hummed, hinting that it probably wouldn't end here. That he'd follow up with the Cat later.

Sans face widened, "N-no!" He stammered, trying to come up with a convincing lie, "That's not what I meant! I mean . . . I've been working two jobs the last few months and it's really been stressing Corbel out. He . . ."

"He's trying to make sure you don't make my same mistakes. It would be wise for you to heed his warnings, Serif."

Sans nodded, "Yeah. That's why . . . Here." He held out his key card. Gaster reached out to take it with a bit of a nod of his own.

"Thank you again for the opportunity, Dr. Gaster. I learned so much while I was here."

Gaster inclined his head in a short single nod. "Take care, Serif. Perhaps, we could . . ."

"Let's not force anything for the sake of the situation. If we . . . When we meet again, it'll be as acquaintances. If anything more comes of that, we'll have to see."

"You're dating my son." Gaster said plainly, reminding Sans exactly what "the situation" entailed. "You're living with him now."

"Then we'll have to be sure to be courteous to each other." Sans shrugged.

"Hm."

Gaster held the key card for a moment. Looking back at Sans before stowing the lanyard away in his pocket.

"I'll have to remove you from the payroll, which means this next paycheck will be your last and it'll reflect this week as well. Please be back in two weeks to pick up your final paycheck."

"Understood." Sans nodded, a weight off of his shoulders, "I'll see you in two weeks, then."

The two separated and Sans hesitated for a moment before heading into the locker room to get the rest of his stuff that he kept there in case of emergency.

As expected, Gaine had been waiting in there for him.

"Serif." He said with a nod.

"Gaine." Sans answered in a similar fashion as he began to remove the overnight essentials bag and spare set of clothing.

"You're leaving."

"I am."

"You gonna follow Kid Gaster and become a teacher? Show all the kids there wonders of science, including the explosive power of the barrier?"

Sans breathed deeply, trying not to let the comments get to him. "No. Nothing like that. I've got my own gig lined up."

"Well, that's good at least. What'll you be doing?"

"Working." Sans answered plainly.

"Of course."

Sans finished gathering his things and turned to face Gaine, holding out his hand in a moment of comradeship.

"Take care, Gaine. See ya around."

"Yeah." Gaine sighed, completing the gesture with a hand shake, "And then there was one."

"One?"

"I'm the last of the big three. The first apprentices. You, me, and Kid Gaster. Now that you two are gone . . ."

"Then, you're just gonna have to hold the fort. You're Gaster's right hand man. You got this."

Despite himself, Gaine actually allowed a smile to escape.

"See ya, Serif."

With a final nod, they parted ways. Sans turned to exit the locker room and head for the front door.

He might even be able to make it back home with enough time to see Corbel off to work before he passed out for the rest of the day.

In the meantime, Gaine exited the locker room as well in order to head to Gaster's side.

"I believe you might be on to something, Gaine." Gaster began once the door closed. "He was being oddly secretive. And when I mentioned your name, he got even more quiet about it. He even used Corbel to lie to me."

"So what happens now?" Gaine imposed.

"Well, since he is no longer my employee, I have no jurisdiction over what becomes of him."

"So, you're just going to let him walk away?"

"You didn't let me finish. I am also no longer under any obligation to protect him should any misfortune befall him."

"Really . . ." Gaine contemplated, "And Corbel?"

"Corbel . . . Will ultimately be better off. Maybe not at first, but over time, he will realize that it's for the better."

Gaster sighed.

"So there is no suspicion, unfortunately, nothing can be done immediately . . . We have to let them live as if nothing is wrong. And before anything else is to be done, we need to be absolutely positive. Are you certain of what you told me? About the incident at the barrier?"

"Sir, I'm sure of what I saw. Three glowing souls after Serif approached the barrier on his own, to get the human children. The reaction occurred directly after he made contact with them. There is no mistake."

Gaster's hands tightened around the binders and notebooks he was carrying. His face falling into a scowl.

"To think, I have been playing host to that thing this entire time. To think that it stayed in my home with my family and worked here in the lab as an employee! To think that it ensnared my son into believing that it was in love with him. My son!"

Not for the first time since Gaine relayed his report, Gaster envisioned an image right from his nightmares.

The dark shadow inviting Corbel in with open arms and consuming him only to deliver the killing blow by stabbing him directly through the Soul with a dagger.

"Gaine. I don't care what you have to do. Eliminate the human threat."

Gaine nodded, a slow grin spreading across his face.

"Understood."

It took four resets. But finally, it all worked out.

Approaching Asriel alone and convincing him not to tell Alia about their plan. Presenting it in a way that it would be a surprise for her too, to be able to finally go home and be with her real mother and father again.

Making sure Alia didn't find out about it and stop them or tell the King and Queen who would immediately put a permanent stop to their plan by destroying the garden.

Keeping Asriel on board with it for the entire duration. Telling him that it was the only way to free everyone and that even if the two of them wouldn't be able to play anymore, they would always be together, because Asriel would have his Soul. They would be inseparable. And once they were on the surface, they would only take the Souls of humans who were already on the verge of death.

That sounded fair enough to Asriel to get him to cooperate.

Four was the magic number.

The sickness was hell to go through each time. And finding the right amount . . . And dosing Alia's food as well. This wouldn't work if there were any humans to prevent the inevitable rampage. She had to go.

But, she couldn't die until after he and Asriel left. The Goat Prince could never find out about that part of the plan, or else he would never agree to it.

Chara poisoned her slice of pie so she would get sick later on in the night.

Everything was in motion.

Even as he began to slip away, Chara was wearing a soft smile.