Okay, here's the next chptr!

Three human souls.

Gaster had counted them again and again and again, but no matter how many times he counted or how often he blinked they were still there. Floating aimlessly in the jars before him Gaster could feel his bones beginning to shake as he felt his sins crawling down his spine. True, he had no part in collecting these souls, but that didn't make it any less painful to look at them.

Years have passed by and in those years much has happened. New Home was finally finished alongside the core and its completion, and with those tasks completed monsters had moved into the city with no complaints. The whole underground was now finally with power, and with this new found energy Gaster had made an artificial light source to replace the sun and its cycle.

It may not be the surface, but monster were making due with what they had and it was good.

In the years that had passed more than just the Core and New Home changed. Gaster found himself in multiple situations he was not mentally prepared for and for many of those events it did not come out with flying colors. In fact, Gaster was willing to bet that more than half of what happened to him had come with a negative outcome.

The biggest blow to Gaster was that he and Grillby had separated. Gaster couldn't find it in his soul to blame the fire sprite, he was barely home a majority of the time, and when he was it was just to eat and sleep. Grillby had tried to make it work, Stars above he did, but they both knew a lost cause when they saw one. So it came as no shock to the skeleton when Grillby had said they should go their separate ways. It hurt, more than anything did it hurt, but Gaster respected the fire monster enough to know when to no longer kick a dead horse to get it to move.

They were still good friends, and periodically Grillby would stop by to drop some food off, but that was the end of it. Just friends…

The break up hadn't just affected Gaster though. Sans and Papyrus, now much older, had not taken to Grillby's leaving very well. Sans had gone as far as to lock himself in his room for a whole day, while Papyrus had rushed into the bathroom to cry. Gaster had tried his hardest to get the boys to come out of their respected hiding places, but after Sans snapped at him with 'this was his entire fault' he let them be.

Truthfully, Gaster wondered if Sans was upset about the break up or if the young skeleton was angry at something else. With Gaster not being around as much, Sans had become a bit bitter towards his father. The boy would speak with him, but it was usually with quick one word answers or heavy sarcasm mixed with a heated glare. Gaster had gotten onto Sans about this behavior in the beginning, but as the years continued the older skeleton gave up.

He couldn't blame Sans for being upset with him. With Gaster taking his time up back at the labs, it had fallen onto Sans to help raise Papyrus. Sure, before Grillby and Gaster separated the fire element was there to help, but after that Sans was on his own. Papyrus still loved his father dearly, and in a way Sans did too, but the boys knew each other better than they did their own dad.

It pained Gaster to know this, but…

Staring back at the souls, Gaster sighed. This life of his was made by his own choices and actions, set in motion long before he knew what he was doing. Did he regret the things he did; no, not entirely. Did he wish things had played out differently; yes.

This was his life now, and by the angel above he was going to live it and make it work as best he can.

"U-Um, Doctor Gaster?"

Turning around to meet the owner of the voice, Gaster found one of the newest members to the lab standing before him. She was a small yellow lizard monster, barely making past his hips, and her claws clicked together nervously as she stared up at the skeleton before her. She was a meek monster, Gaster had found that out rather quick, but that didn't stop her from being a brilliant mind in the ways of robotics and other scientific topics.

"Yes, Alphys, what is it?" Gaster responded as he turned to look at the shy little girl.

"A-Asgore called, he wants t-to know if you have finished s-studying the souls?" Alphys seemed a bit shaken up when addressed by the skeleton, but she knew that it was Gaster's fault for being so… stand offish sometimes.

Gaster glanced over at the clock and mentally kicked himself. He had taken the souls to do some studying on them five hours ago, and about three of those hours ago he should have returned them. It seemed as though time never was and never would be Gaster's friend.

"Forgive me Alphys; I did not realize the time." Gaster stepped away from the containment jars and walked briskly to the door. "You may return them to Asgore. I… have somewhere to be."

"B-B-But!" Alphys squeaked as she tried to catch up to the long legged skeleton, but once the door shut behind him it was useless. Gaster didn't want to be rude to Alphys, but he did need to be somewhere and having to take those souls back would take up more of his time.

Walking down the hall Gaster took note on how empty the lab was. With New Home and the Core basically being done, most of the scientists had taken to leaving the labs and the life of being a scientist. Sure, some had stayed, but most left to start a new life out in the new city. Gaster envied them. If he wasn't in the position he was in, he would have taken his family away, away from these bad memories, and start over himself.

But then again, he couldn't.

Finally reaching his desired destination, Gaster pressed his hand to the lock pad. After waiting for it to scan his hand Gaster heard the door unlock with a click. The lock had been put there in recent years after an incident with someone sneaking out when they shouldn't. Thankfully Gaster had managed to erase all the surveillance camera videos before anyone could see them. The punishment for that had been the locked door.

Pushing the door open, Gaster walked into his private office to find it like he always did. The walls were littered with drawings and pictures, and a few toys were scattered off in one of the corners. To anyone else, the sight of the large office space would have been a bit peculiar to look at, but to Gaster it was a relaxing sight.

"I'm back." Gaster called out as he shut the door behind him. The room was silent for a few seconds, but soon Gaster could hear something stirring behind his desk. Smiling softly Gaster slowly made his way towards the noise and the closer he got the clearer the sound of giggling could be heard.

Pulling his chair out, Gaster sat down before giving the secret panel behind his desk a soft knock.

"Hello My Child." Gaster said sweetly as he pushed the panel to the side to reveal it occupant.

Frisk giggled as she stared up at Gaster as her hiding spot was found. The small child's messy brown hair blocked most of their vision, but that didn't stop the girl from smile up at her care giver. Returning the smile Gaster reached down to brush the human's bangs away from their eyes. Those beautiful blue eyes, Gaster could still remember the day Frisk had been born and how he had fallen in love with her in an instant just with her eyes alone.

"How was your day?" Gaster asked as he allowed the child to climb up onto his lap. "Did you draw me anything special?"

Frisk nodded as she held out a piece of paper for Gaster to take. Taking the picture Gaster smiled at the crudely drawing of him and the little girl holding hands with bright stars dancing around them. It was like many of the other drawings on the walls, and that was sadly because Frisk had never seen anyone else besides Gaster. How was she supposed to know what to draw if she never saw it?

"It is very lovely." Gaster praised as he pressed his forehead against the child's. "You are getting better every day."

Frisk smiled happily as she hugged the skeleton. She had never been a very vocal child, at one point Gaster had feared the worst when she reached the age to be capable of speaking and didn't, but now he knew it was just that Frisk chose to save her words. She had spoken here and there, but it was only when she absolutely had to. After figuring out his child's chosen muteness Gaster embraced it and didn't push her.

"I apologize for being late. I got caught up in my studies." Gaster always apologized this way it seemed as of late. It didn't matter who he was apologizing to, Sans, Frisk, or Papyrus, his work and studies given to him by the king took up much of his time.

Frisk nodded and gave Gaster a tight squeeze before jumping off the monster's lap and racing over to the door that led to Gaster's small offside lab. The child waved for him to follow, which Gaster did, and soon she disappeared behind the door. Going in after Frisk, Gaster stepped into the small room to find the child trying to reach for a box of cereal on a counter.

Since Frisk lived within the lab's walls 24/7, Gaster had renovated his little workshop room into a kitchen; or as best he could anyway. He had found a portable stove which he used to cook Frisk's bigger meals, but he stocked the fridge with easy accessible healthy snacks for when he couldn't make those bigger meals.

"I am sure there are some left overs in the fridge My Child." Gaster chuckled as he scooped the little girl up and headed over to the fridge. "You can have cereal for breakfast, but I am afraid it's not a suitable dinner for a growing human."

Frisk visibly huffed in annoyance at not getting her desired dinner, but didn't argue with Gaster. Sometimes the aging skeleton found it difficult to read Frisk and since she didn't speak it made communicating all the more difficult. Over the years, Gaster had noticed that the bond he and Frisk shared was slowly fading and their little way of communicating had lessened and just about stopped. Gaster would admit he missed that special little gift he had with Frisk, but he had hypothesized that since she was growing old enough to take care of herself in basic ways there was no need for it.

Setting the little girl at the small table Gaster had placed in the room the old skeleton went over to the fridge to find something worth eating. There wasn't much to pick from at the moment, Gaster would have to make a grocery run soon, but that was a matter for another day. Grabbing a plate that had some vegetables on it Gaster figured these would be a good dinner for tonight.

After a quick reheat on the stove, the veggies were warm enough to eat and Frisk was quick to eat them. As Frisk was mid bite, she suddenly held her fork out to Gaster with a large piece of broccoli on its end. She made humming noises at the skeleton in a way that showed she wanted him to take a bite, but Gaster shook his head. He never ate with Frisk, seeing as he had to eat at home with Sans and Papyrus.

"I'm sorry Frisk, but not tonight." Taking the fork from Frisk's hand, Gaster turned the broccoli back towards her with a smile only a parent could give to their child. "Perhaps next time."

Frisk seemed displeased with this, but did not argue as she opened her mouth and ate the green vegetable. She rarely argued with Gaster, why should she was her reasoning. He took care of her, gave her food and shelter, and as he countlessly reminded her Gaster kept her safe. The first time the two had argued was when Frisk had first tried to sneak out of the office. She had made a big scene in front of the skeleton, tears, screams, the works, but it did nothing to change Gaster's mind on letting her out.

Frisk was smart for her age, ungodly smart, and it was those smarts that Gaster had underestimated when Frisk had managed to sneak out the first, and last, time. After the fight, Gaster had left the room the go talk with someone and after that… the memory was still engraved in his mind.

He wasn't sure what he had been talking about or with whom, but when a high pitch scream rang throughout the lab it made his soul skip a beat. He dropped everything at that moment, he could recall the monster he had been talking to calling out to him, but he didn't care. He knew that scream anywhere and knowing that he was hearing it outside his office filled him with such a dread that it felt like his feet were moving faster than his mind was processing.

What he had found was Frisk, petrified with fear, as she stared down one of his older projects. The machine was indeed a bit terrifying to look at, it had the appearance of a misshapen skull, and its purpose was just as disturbing. That didn't matter though, Frisk had screamed loud enough for this whole part of the lab to hear. He had to get her out of there and fast.

It had taken longer than Gaster had wanted it to, getting to Frisk and bringing her to his arms, but his magic was quick to react as he managed to teleport them back to his office before anyone saw them. From what Frisk managed to tell him, she had snuck out and had wandered around in the dark corridors until the light sensors went off and revealed the machine that had startled her.

… after that Frisk was afraid to go out of Gaster's office and Gaster had installed the lock so no one could get in or out without his say so.

Once finished with her meal, Frisk took her dishes over to the dishwasher and placed them inside. Something inside Gaster felt bad that Frisk was the way she was. No child her age should be this self-sustaining, but with how Gaster balanced his time here at the lab and being back home… it was out of his control. Besides, Frisk understood, somehow, that Gaster was a busy man and that had caused her to grow up a bit more then she should be.

"I have to be going soon." Gaster sighed as he stood up and walked over to Frisk. "I am sorry I only was here for a short time… tomorrow I will put some of my work on hold and we can do whatever you want, I promise."

Frisk beamed up at him with a big grin and nodded. Her care giver barely made promises he couldn't keep, so hearing this she knew she could trust him to keep his word. Holding her arms up, Frisk allowed Gaster to pick her up to start their before bed routine. Setting Frisk down on the counter, Gaster grabbed a wash cloth from the sink and started on washing Frisk. Gaster knew that he would have to install a tub or shower in here someday, but with Frisk still being small enough to wash with a hand cloth it would suffice for now.

Once all cleaned up and ready for bed Frisk raced out of the workroom and back into the main office space. Gaster was right behind her and as he closed the door behind him, he saw Frisk already snuggling under her blankets in the space behind his desk. Frisk had outgrown the makeshift crib from so long ago and after a bit of work he had managed to turn the open space under his desk into a hide away/bed for Frisk.

As the child got comfy Gaster smiled as he sat down in his chair before holding his hand out. Frisk instantly grabbed onto it, and gave it a tight squeeze. Frisk had a hard time sleeping without Gaster there, so as a compromise the two had set up this little ritual. Gaster would stay as long as Frisk held onto his hand and after that he'd wait until she was breathing deep enough to be in a deep sleep.

It didn't take long for Frisk to fall asleep, her grip slacking off before she slowly pulled it back, and then the sound of her soft snoring signaled to Gaster that she was out like a light. Getting up out his seat, Gaster bent down and gently pressed his forehead to his child's before pulling the blanket over her shoulders.

"Sleep well Frisk." Gaster said as he quietly left the room after shutting the lights off.

.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.

The boat trip home was peacefully quiet. The River Person offered him no advice when he boarded, which was a bit odd, but it wasn't too out of the ordinary. As the air slowly began to get colder Gaster pulled on the scarf he had gotten as a gift from Grillby some holidays ago. It had been one of the few gifts from the fire sprite he treasured after their breakup, and since their breakup Gaster only held onto a few select items from those days.

As the boat suddenly came to a stop Gaster realized that they had made it to Snowden. Saying his thanks the skeleton got off the boat, but before he could leave the River Person's voice spoke out; sending chills through Gaster's body.

"Tra la la… enjoy the time you have with your loved ones."

Gaster had spun around to question the mysterious monster's words, but the River Person's boat was already leaving and disappearing from view. The River Person had never sounded so… serious like that before, the tone of voice it had used was so unsettling that Gaster didn't want to stick around any longer then needed.

Making it home, Gaster found that the living room was empty and so was the kitchen. Strange, it wasn't that late for Sans and Papyrus to be in bed already so where were they? Ascending the stairs as quietly as he could Gaster soon began to hear something come from his sons' room.

"YOU CAN DO IT SANS! I BELIEVE IN YOU! DAD WOULD BE BLIND TO NOT ACCEPT YOUR OFFER."

"I don't know Papyrus, He's been so busy lately he may just forget about it and say we never brought it up. I'm not surprised he forgets about us some days."

"THAT'S SILLY SANS! DAD MAY BE BUSY MOST OF THE TIME BUT… but he hasn't forgotten about us."

Gaster's soul dropped at hearing the little conversation between his sons. He hated that he made them think he forgot about them, he never did, but… he still did make them think that.

"BESIDES BROTHER! THIS WAY YOU'D BE CLOSER TO DAD AND THEN HE DEFINETLY WOULDN'T FORGET ABOUT US!"

… what were they talking about? With his interest peaked, Gaster knocked on the door and was a bit shocked at how quiet it had become.

"May I come in?" Gaster asked, but instead of a response he was greeted with a sour look from his eldest son. Sans had been gifted with such an expressive face that it was a bit startling at how easy it was to see how ticked off the boy was.

"You're late; again." Sans pointed out as he blocked the way to get into the room. "What was it this time? No, wait, don't patella me, work got busy or one of your experiments needed your attention, right?"

"… no, I was merely late today." Gaster saw no reason to lie today, especially when his son was already upset with his lateness. "but that doesn't answer my previously asked question."

Sans stared up at Gaster a few moments longer, a mix of shock and curiosity written in those wide sockets, before the boy shrugged and stepped away from the door.

"Sure, whatever; it's not like I can stop you."

Even if Sans did have a point, Gaster liked to give his sons the choice and privacy on letting him in their room or not. Pushing the door the rest of the way in Gaster was greeted to a bit of a… mess to say the least. Papyrus side of the room was spick-and-span, bed made and toys all neatly stacked on his bedside table, but Sans side was basically the definition of havoc.

The boy's bed was unmade, in fact the sheet was gone all together, socks were all over the floor, and the dirty laundry basic was overflowing with dirty clothes. Gaster knew his sons carried different aspects of himself in them, he had just wished Sans hadn't picked up on his disorganized habit. No use arguing about it now though, it was late, and bringing up the mess would only make Sans even more upset.

"I couldn't help but over hear what you were saying as I was coming up the stairs." Gaster went straight to the point as he saw no reason to hold it off any longer. "You wanted to bring something to my attention?"

Both Sans and Papyrus shared a quick glance, the older looking a bit nervous now and the youngest trying to give the former a positive smile. Sans sighed as he dug in his coat pocket and pulled out a piece of paper. Papyrus was bouncing happily in his seat on his bed as he waited for Sans to speak. Whatever it was they wanted to talk to him about must be something big.

"… At school they had a pamphlet tacked onto the bulletin board. I took a look at it and saw that it was offering a job and…" Sans sighed as he held out the piece of paper to Gaster while looking away.

Gaster took the offered paper and as he unfolded it he slowly recognized what it was. As he should, he had been the one to ask Alphys to make these and post them in public places or wherever she regularly frequented. And apparently the young lizard monster took his words to heart.

The paper was one that was trying to interest people into coming back to the labs and science fields, but also offering internships and job opportunities. So far no one had contacting Gaster on the offers listed on the pamphlet, and truthfully he had forgotten about them until now.

"So… Can I?" Sans voice broke Gaster from his internal struggling as he had to look back at the boy to make sure he had actually heard him.

"Ex…Excuse me?" Gaster must have been hearing things, this couldn't be what Sans wanted to talk about. This had to be one of his son's jokes! Any minute now, Sans would jokingly say a pun and lighten the mood only to have Papyrus get annoyed and scream at his older brother for plaguing him with such punnery…

"I want to work at the lab with you dad." Sans spoke firm this time as he stood up from his bed and shoved his hands into his pockets. "I know you have openings, Alphys told me today in class."

… So this was what Sans wanted to talk about. Gaster felt his bones starting to get clammy as he held onto the piece of paper and unintentionally crinkling it up. Gaster wasn't upset that Sans wanted to go into the science field, he knew his son was a bright kid, but Gaster had just figured that the boy wanted nothing to do with anything that reminded him of his father.

"I…" Gaster wasn't sure how he should respond. If Sans joined him at the labs it would give them more time to bond, to actually be able to talk to each other and be like a father and son, but it also meant that Sans would be close to the reason why he was never home; Frisk. He trusted his son would never hurt a living soul, but he was afraid how Sans would react on how Frisk was the one taking Gaster's time away. He also worried about Sans safety. The more people who knew of Frisk's existence, the more likely she was to be discovered. Monsters had already collected three souls; nothing would stop them from taking Frisk's.

"PLEASE DAD?" looking over at Papyrus, Gaster saw the boy looking up at him with a pleading gaze. "SANS AND I HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THIS FOR A LONG TIME, IT WILL BE FUN! YOU TWO CAN TALK ABOUT YOUR SCIENCE MUMBO JUMBO AND I CAN LISTEN."

Dear sweet Papyrus, the boy was too good for this world. Gaster's youngest son was always looking for ways to make everyone happy, and then putting himself second. Even now, when he knew that he wouldn't be able to go work at the labs, he still wanted his brother and father to be happy.

"WHO KNOWS? MAYBE WHEN I AM OLDER I CAN WORK THERE TOO!" Papyrus beamed proudly as he stood up on his bed and struck an impressive looking pose. "I CAN BE THE BEST ASSITANT THERE EVER WAS, OR MAYBE BE A MESSANGER LAD."

"You would be great at either of those Paps," Sans chuckled. "Let no one patella you twice or I'll letter them know they're wrong."

"SANS! YOU RUINED THE MOMENT WITH YOUR SILLY PUNS!" Papyrus face scrunched up in disgust as he turned to face his sibling. "HOW IS DAD TO MAKE A DECISION LIKE THIS IF YOU FILL HIS HEAD WITH PUNS?"

… How was Gaster to decide? There were so many factors to consider here, and while there weren't as many negatives to them there were still a few. It wouldn't be as dangerous as when he made the decision to keep Frisk a secret, but Gaster still worried. The lab was not the safest place; he had the scars and still healing bones to prove it.

So… What was he to do?

Allow his son to come work for him, take a chance to rekindle their relationship, to start anew, but also chance Frisk's freedom and safety… or allow his already crumbling family fall to pieces by saying no?

The choices were stacked against him… and Gaster was never good with hard choices like these.