Chapter 39:

Striking Out

Nyala walked through Waterfall, her umbrella clutched in one hand to fend off the perpetual rain. On top of the rain, she had to be mindful of the other people around and even of the Echo flowers lining the pathways. She had to make sure no one caught wind of the plans she and Corbel set up. Granted, it wasn't a crime to want to visit her son, and she said she would, but she also had a tendency to talk to herself when she walked, so to be safe, she needed to be aware of every little thing around her.

In addition to everything else, she was on a reconnaissance mission. She needed to be able to report to her son what was going on around the area. She paid attention to everything she passed, looking for the best places to go if someone needed to lie low for a while.

After tonight, everything was going to change. And it would change in a huge way! If everything went according to plan, this would be the last time she would be able to see her son in a long long time. Corbel was going on a solo mission to infiltrate the lab and break Sans out from where he was being detained. From there, they had to keep moving. They couldn't afford to let anyone catch up to them or else they could be tried in court, or worse. Nyala had no doubt that if Sans was caught, he'd be killed. Who knew what would happen to Corbel? They absolutely had to escape.

Nyala also had the perfect place in mind for them once they did escape. A place no one would ever look and they could live in peace. She would be the only one who knew roundabouts where they were and she would take that secret to the grave.

As she walked, she kept her free hand in her pocket and her fingers clenched around the confiscated artifact she kept there, her husband's spare key card. The literal key to their salvation. She had to keep it safe at all times. At all costs.

Finally, the little home on the border of Hotland and Waterfall came into view. Seeing it, Nyala had to stop for a moment. Just within those walls, her son was waiting for her. He was about to start off on the most incredibly dangerous venture he'd ever taken on. A prison break of a human fugitive!? Her baby was criminalizing himself for the sake of some boy. And she was assisting him in doing so! What kind of mother was she!?

She took a breath, realizing she'd said that last part out loud. When she released that breath, she was ready to press onward toward Corbel's home.

She knocked at the door when it was within reach and waited for a response. The whole time she was fidgeting with the card in her pocket and rocking back and forth on the balls of her feet to her heels. She was anxious, nervous and afraid for her son.

When it seemed as if she would have to knock a second time, the handle of the door turned and the wooden barrier cracked. From that crack, a cautious eye could be seen.

"Mom?"

"Who else would I be?" She asked, trying to lighten the mood a bit. If not for his sake, then for her own.

"You don't really want me to answer that, do you?"

Corbel opened the door completely and invited Nyala to enter. Nyala took a moment to look Corbel up and down. He already looked like he was ready to leave and the determined look in his eyes was set. The sight made her choke.

She crossed through the barrier and embraced Corbel tightly.

"M-Mom . . . ?" Corbel stammered, "Are you okay?"

Nyala huffed, burying her face in Corbel's shoulder.

"Of course I'm not. You know this whole thing is insane, don't you? Irresponsibly, recklessly, and completely insane?"

Corbel hummed thoughtfully as he held his mother back. "Yeah, I know."

"Are you sure there isn't some other way to do this? A way that doesn't involve the two of you risking life and limb out there? There has to be some alternative, right?"

Corbel drew and released several long breaths. It was as if Nyala's emotion was steadily flooding into him.

"Not one that spares everyone. We could report what Dad is doing to Sans at the lab, but that would mean not only outing Dad and possibly risking shutting down the lab completely, but it would mean outing Sans as well. In the best case scenario, they only arrest Sans for helping the last human fight against the royal guards. He'd still be imprisoned, but under tighter security. In the worst case scenario, they would learn where Sans really came from, in which case, he'd be killed on the spot in accordance to Asgore's decree. I can't risk that . . . I can't bear the thought of Sans . . ."

Corbel went silent, his grip tightening around his mother.

"Baby?" Nyala asked softly. She noticed just how tightly Corbel was holding onto her as well as the slight tremble to his grip.

"I-I saw what happened to Aiko." Corbel answered in a shaking whisper, "The fear and pain in her eyes as she was skewered. I saw when the life drained out of her and her body fell. I saw her Soul exit her body and left her as nothing but a ruined empty shell. I can't let that happen to Sans . . . I could never stand to see him like that! When I think about what could happen to him . . . that he could end up just like Aiko . . ."

Corbel couldn't finish his thought. He shuddered, but still fought to regain his composure. He'd promised himself that he wasn't going to lose himself today. He needed every ounce of willpower he could muster.

But of course his mother, after only saying a single word, had been able to draw it out of him.

Nyala shifted, adjusting her grip to support her son, keeping him up and holding him together.

"Geez. I'm sorry, Mom." Corbel said in a low chuckle, "This isn't how this was supposed to go. I'm supposed to be ready."

"Oh, honey. No one is ever really ready for something like this. Even with carefully calculated plans, there's always that 'what if' factor. Variables and circumstances that you could never possibly predict."

"Have you ever had to do something like this, Mom? Infiltrate enemy territory to save a friend?"

"I have . . . Though it didn't amount to much of anything in the end. I escaped . . . They didn't."

"Mom . . . ?"

"It was a long time ago, honey and frankly, not something we should discuss right before you try something equally as dangerous and stupid. Are you absolutely certain there's no other way?"

"Mom . . ." Corbel sighed, "You know why I have to do this, right? You get it?"

"Of course I do!" She answered more sharply than she'd intended, shuddering in her speech and composure. She drew in a long breath, gathering her thoughts and calming her fried nerves. "So . . . The lab is enemy territory now?" She questioned softly. Slowly.

"Absolutely." Corbel affirmed with a solid nod.

"And is your father the enemy?"

"He made his stance perfectly clear from the beginning. And he only solidified that stance the moment he took Sans and started his sick experiments on him. And if he's against Sans, then he's against me too."

"You know, there are plenty of people, the majority in fact, that would say the same about you. That by aiding this human you're betraying your home and your people."

"I know that. But that's because they don't know who they're rooting against. They already know who Sans is and they all love him. They just don't know he's human. He doesn't deserve to die just because of that and that doesn't diminish all the good he's done while he's been here! Dad and the others are making a mistake! So, I have to stop them before things go too far. I have to go get him out while there's still time! I have to save him no matter what!"

"Even at the risk to your own life?"

Corbel had to stop for a moment, realizing how his mother's embrace refused to loosen. In fact, it got even tighter around him.

"Hopefully it doesn't come to that. I'll be fine, Mom."

"That's a terrible answer, Baby. And 'hopefully' isn't a strong enough argument. You know that don't you? This whole thing doesn't sit well with me. And the more I think about it, the worse it sounds."

"Maybe it isn't the safest thing, but it's definitely something Sans would do, isn't it? Risking everything for the sake of someone he holds dear? Heh, maybe he really did rub off on me."

Nyala sighed, finally prying herself from Corbel. She looked him up and down once again, studying her son and being sure to note every single detail about him.

"Well, I hope he's not rubbing off on you too much. Look where that reckless behavior landed him . . . Look, Baby, I know you have to go, but please please be careful out there!"

"I will be, Mom. I can promise you that much."

"And how am I supposed to know that you made it? How do I know you're safe?"

Corbel went quiet at that. There really was no way to know for certain without him coming back out, but that would risk someone finding out where Sans was hiding . . . Any communication from Corbel at all would put both of them in danger . . .

"I'll think of something. Somehow we'll get the message to you. It's okay, Mom. We've got this."

I certainly hope so, sweetie."

The rest of the evening, Corbel and Nyala went over their plan, discussing possibilities and potential pitfalls or hiccups in their operation. They went over the things Corbel was bringing with him, emergency money if they needed supplies and food in case Sans needed to replenish his HP, a spare set of clothing for him just in case, a jacket for Corbel for when they made it to their final destination, but that was about it.

Nyala assured Corbel that she would keep Gaster occupied so that there would be less of a chance of Corbel and Sans getting caught. She let him know that it was his night to cook dinner, so with any luck, Gaster would be out of the equation sooner rather than later.

"I'll send you a text when he's made it home. That will be your cue to get going on the rescue mission."

Corbel nodded at the plan, but there was still a last of him that was extremely apprehensive.

"Just because Dad's at home, it doesn't mean there's no threat. I'm sure he has security precautions in place and all that. Plus, who knows if there'll be anyone around standing watch or monitoring Sans . . . There are still way too many unknowns."

Nyala nodded in quiet agreement scooping something up from the living room table where the two of them were discussing the operation.

"I can't say that I'm particularly keen on sending you out with so few certainties, and if I'm completely honest, I'd rather you not do this at all . . . I mean, why not report the abuse and torture? No matter what his supposed 'crime' was, Sans doesn't deserve to be treated so cruelly!"

"This stopped being about being 'deserving' and 'fair' a long time ago, Mother. Right now, I just have to focus on getting Sans out of there no matter what." Subconsciously, Corbel's hand found his chest and lightly gripped at the fabric there.

"Has it been flaring up again . . . ?" Nyala asked softly, "His Soul."

Corbel nodded, that loose grip tightening, "I don't know what's going on, but he's been in so much pain for such a long time. Nearly two weeks now. And, he's still fighting back, but . . . I dunno . . . It feels like he's giving up. He's getting weaker."

"And how are you feeling, baby?"

"Hm? Me?"

"Yeah you? You can feel him, right? You just proved it, but is all of this affecting you too?"

Corbel hummed, thinking it over, "Well, a little . . . Maybe . . . ? It's kinda hard to tell. I know I've been anxious and worried, but that's typical. And I've been feeling tired and lethargic, but that's because I haven't been able to sleep. And even then, I'm not sure if it's because of my own nerves or if it's because of my connection to Sans."

"Well," Nyala hummed once again, shifting to stand, "If it is, that's not necessarily a bad thing, is it? It means that there's still a chance to save him. The two of you will be able to make it through this, like you've made it through everything else so far. I know you will."

Instantly, Corbel could hear and feel the shift in Nyala's tone. She was leaving, wasn't she? This was it . . ."

When Corbel began to shift as well, his expression falling drastically when he realized what was going on, Nyala almost couldn't bring herself to leave. But as she contemplated excuses to make it so she could stay, she knew that the time had come. She needed to be there in order to make sure this half-baked plan actually took off. She had a role to play and she intended to play it if it gave her son a chance at success.

She was well beyond apprehensive about this parting, knowing and anticipating what was coming, she had every reason to be.

But if she believed in nothing else, if she believed in no one else, she believed in her son, in his abilities, and his drive to get this done.

He would be okay. They both would be.

She had to believe in them.

"M-mom . . . ?" He asked timidly and almost forcefully making Nyala flashback to a time that simultaneously felt like a lifetime ago and just last week. She couldn't help but imagine him as a very young toddler, scared that his mother was going to leave him at the store. She'd completely let go of his hand and he was truly alone in a huge space for the first time he could remember.

That same baby looked at her with the same scared pleading expression. He was silently begging her not to go. And it was about enough to make her listen.

"I have to go, baby. I'll be sure to text you when your father gets home. That's when you make your move on the lab. You're all packed, you've gotten everything together. You're ready for this. You can do this."

The two of them met in the center of the living room, both with tears threatening to overflow as they looked at each other. They each held themselves back for the sake of the other.

"Corbel, honey . . . I'm so proud of you." Nyala praised in a quietly wavering voice, "I'm so incredibly proud of you and I love you so much. Never forget that. Never forget how much I love you!"

Corbel drew in several staying breaths, painfully fighting to hold himself back.

"I love you too, Mama." Corbel choked. He forced a smile on, "I promise that I'll find a way for us to get back to you. I promise that I'll come back!"

"I know you will, baby. You'll come back to me safe and sound. But until you do . . ."

Nyala gave Corbel another long solid hug, almost crushing him with her iron grip. Immediately, Corbel returned the grip, linking his fingers behind her back.

"Stay safe out there." She instructed, "Remember that your safety is the most important thing. Yours. You understand me?"

Corbel could only nod, his voice having completely left him.

"If you're going to promise me anything, promise me that you won't forget that you're my son first before anything else! My little boy. I love you with everything I have and everything I am. You've grown up to be such a selfless, kind, and caring young monster that you can sometimes forget to take care of yourself. Promise me you won't forget."

Corbel nodded again, taking in her every word. He kept his eyes tightly shut even against the tears. When Nyala began to pull away, Corbel held on even tighter. But still, his mother was able to take a step back, brandishing a piece of red-orange cloth. His name was embroidered in gold lettering. His bandana! The one she'd given him for his 21st birthday. The one she'd made using pieces of his baby blanket. His oldest possession and his reminder of her.

"To make sure you don't forget." She said again add she tied the fabric around his neck, driving the instruction home.

"I'll never forget, Mom." Corbel breathed, "I promise."

Finally, Nyala pulled away completely, reaching out to cup Corbel's cheek and wipe any lasting tears away with her thumb. When she looked at him, it was through a prideful watery smile.

"There's my boy."

Sans stumbled to a stop just in front of the wall when he was thrown back into his cell after another lengthy session. He nearly tripped over his own feet and crashed to the floor, but was able to right himself at the last second, much to the dismay of his captor. That captor scoffed as he looked along.

The other assistants had been sent home for the day and Gaster had gone home as well. Something about date night or something, so that just left him. Looking over the prisoner. On a Friday night.

There were quite a few other things that he'd rather be doing besides babysitting this poor excuse for a creature. As gung-ho as he'd been before, how eager he'd been to get to experiments surrounding the human, he had to admit to himself that even he was starting to get burnt out.

He needed rest.

He glared at the human for a moment. He was weak, stumbling over his feet and using the walls in order to remain standing. It would've been difficult for him to pull anything even if he was at full power. With him in this compromised state, as weakened as he was, there shouldn't be any issue with Gaine taking the night to rest up.

"Consider yourself lucky, human." Gaine prodded, "You get the night off."

"Oh gee thanks." Sans droned, muttering through his discomfort and fatigue, "And here I thought you didn't care anymore."

"Don't push it." Gaine spat, "If you have that much energy, maybe you can go another round right now."

Though Sans' face remained neutral, he drew in a sharp breath at the suggestion. His shoulders stiffened and he could feel the drop as his heart fell into his stomach.

"What? You don't like the sound of that?" Gaine continued, a smirk pulling at his eyes and lips, "C'mon, what happened to all of that sass from a second ago?"

Sans ignored Gaine and shuffled to his bed, sitting on the edge with a long sigh.

"That's what I thought. Be ready to go first thing in the morning."

"Yep."

With that, Gaine took his leave, setting the barrier up and inputting the lock code for an added layer of security. The human wasn't going anywhere, perhaps he would be able to step out for a few hours. It couldn't hurt.

Besides, the experiments had yielded a bit of a breakthrough he actually was excited about. He wanted to tell someone. Someone, without whom, all of that progress would have been impossible. Plus, talking to her was the best way for him to wind down after a shift like this one.

He dug into his pocket and dialed Undyne's number.

When he was sure Gaine was gone, Sans laid down completely flat on his back and stared up at the ceiling. Again, his chest went tight as he drew several deep breaths.

This whole thing was getting harder and harder to deal with and there really wasn't a whole lot he could do about it except groan and grit his teeth and bear it. Maybe at the beginning of all of this, he could have fought back and gotten away . . . but they were threatening Corbel. He couldn't risk Corbel's freedom for the sake of his own rebellion. And now . . . well, Gaine still liked to hang that over his head every once in a while to make sure he stayed in line, but the more he did, the more it seemed like an empty threat. There was no way Gaster would allow them to arrest his son. He'd find some way around it one way or another, so it wasn't working nearly as well as it had been before.

But even without that threat, Sans couldn't fight back. He didn't have the energy anymore and his strength had been nearly depleted as well. The longer sessions had taken a lot out of him and even though he wanted to fight back, there really was nothing left he could do.

He had to come to terms with the fact that this would be what the rest of his life was like now. Just this. He allowed them to rip his Soul to pieces and put it back together time and time again, day after day for a chance of finding something usable against the barrier. If there was any comfort in any of this it was that somehow he was being useful.

Though, even if they did find something in his Soul that could help break the barrier, for which he'd once been so excited, the monsters who would be breaking free now would be doing so with the agenda of revenge against the humans who killed their prince. If they escaped now, there would be another war . . . and once again, the monsters would most likely be defeated. They might even be completely obliterated if the humans got a second crack at them.

And if that was the case, was helping these experiments along really a good thing? Did they really know what was waiting for them if they did manage to escape? If they got to the surface now . . . They'd be killed. They'd all be wiped out. Ruddard, Alphys, Baelin, Maltez, their daughter . . . Corbel, Mama Gaster. They'd all be killed.

At this point . . . It might actually be safer for everyone to stay here. Was there any way that he would be able to do that . . . Sabotage the Soul experiments . . . Or at least delay them for a while?

Would they listen to the reasoning? Would they understand why they had to postpone experimentation? Most likely not . . . Most definitely not . . .

If he refused to help anymore . . .

Would they force him?

Would they kill him and take what was left of his Soul to continue on schedule?

Sans let out a long breath and let his eyes close.

What the Hell was he supposed to do?

When Nyala left, it was a hesitant and reluctant goodbye for the both of them. She passed another encouraging hug to her son and held him close for a few long moments before kissing his forehead and finally pulling away completely. Corbel's chest tightened, knowing that this goodbye meant that the two of them would be separated for a long time, longer than he'd ever gone without her.

His mother assured him that it would be okay. She believed in him and she was proud of him and that wasn't going to change any time soon. They would see each other again sooner than he knew. With a hesitant nod, Corbel agreed and saw his mother out. Their mission was starting.

The rest of the evening, Corbel was absolutely restless, pacing the home, checking, double checking, and quintuple checking the items he was bringing along with him, making sure his bandana was tied around his neck and tucked into his shirt so the color wouldn't draw too much attention.

He considered trying to eat something, or sit for a bit with a little tea to calm his nerves, but he began to get anxious even thinking about that. He needed to be ready to go at the drop of a hat. If he tried to make himself relax, he could miss that important text from his mother.

So he paced.

And he rechecked the items he brought, adding some quick healing items just in case they needed them. They would be living as fugitives, who knew if they would need to make a quick stop to rest or if they would need emergency healing.

It wasn't until several hours later that he felt the vibrating in his pocket as well as the ping of the alert.

His father was at home and they should be sitting down for dinner soon. If things went the way she planned them to, they would have a good two hours before he passed out completely for the night. Now was his chance to get going.

When Nyala returned home, the house was lit and there was a pleasant scent permeating the area surrounding the door. Gaster was already home and he was already getting dinner ready. Huh . . . he was ahead of schedule. She thought for sure that he was going to be late again. It was typical for him, so this was . . . a pleasant surprise.

She sent her text to Corbel before heading inside, telling him it was time to set the plan in motion.

When she opened the door and stepped inside, she was welcomed by a deep voice coming from the kitchen.

"Nyala, Dearest. Is that you?"

"Y-yeah." She stammered, "Sorry. I didn't expect you to be home so soon. I didn't mean to keep you waiting."

"You didn't keep me waiting. Not at all. In fact, you're right on time."

Gaster wore a grin as he set the last of their meal on the table. Nyala had to admit that it was an impressive spread. Garlic mashed potatoes, grilled asparagus, prime rib!? It must have taken him at least three hours to set all of this up.

When did he get home?

And he'd just set down a bottle of her favorite wine. Two sparkling glasses sat there waiting for them already, filled and waiting to be imbibed.

"What's the occasion?" Nyala muttered in complete shock.

"Nothing really." Gaster hummed, stepping from the kitchen and scooping up both glasses in hand, "It's been a while since we've had a proper night in and I, for one, want to enjoy it with my wife."

When he reached Nyala, Gaster presented her with the wine and a soft kiss. That combined with his sweet smile was almost enough to make Nyala blush. It had, indeed, been quite a while since he'd done anything like this for her and the gesture left her cheeks warm and her heart pounding.

Even as she accepted the glass, she found it difficult to look away. Her husband had a certain charm that even after all these years, still worked wonders on her.

But she couldn't allow herself to lose focus here. There was something she was supposed to be doing . . . Somewhere she needed to go so she could . . .

She was supposed to be distracting him, keeping his attention so that Corbel could sneak into the lab and bust Sans out.

She had a plan. Eat dinner, drink and get him loose, send him to bed full and drunk, keep that coast clear for her son.

Instead, she came home to be wined and dined by her target. Courted and swept away in a game she hadn't played in almost a hundred years. Longer even.

What was happening? It was almost as if the roles were reversed and he was the one trying to distract her.

"Okay, honey. You're really laying it on thick. I did say it was your night to cook, but this? I mean, I can't say I'm against it, but a girl can't help but be curious."

Gaster raised his brow, his smile not fading in the slightest. "Do I need a reason to treat my wife now?"

"You do! You haven't made this kind of effort since our wedding. What are you hiding, honey? What is this really about?"

"Nyala, my love. My hummingbird. You lovely, inquisitive, beautiful, brilliant, skeptical monster of mine."

"Flattery now?" She smirked.

"I love you more than I could ever say and I'm sorry that I ever gave you a reason to doubt me. You are absolutely right. It's been far far too long and, despite promises and schedules, I've been neglectful. Let me make it up to you?"

"Isn't that what you've been saying for years now? Ever since our son pointed it out? You're a broken record, darling. You're stuck in a loop."

"Perhaps I am. You really are much too patient with me, Dearest. Too forgiving." Gaster mused through a sigh, "And once again you are absolutely right. I must break away from this rut. But tonight, since we're both here, won't you let me treat you to dinner?"

For a moment, Nyala looked from her husband, to the drink in her hands, and finally to the table where their meal was starting to get cold. When she looked back up to her husband, it was with a soft smile.

"I suppose it's a start . . . Again."

He carefully made his way from home, being mindful of his surroundings, just as his mother suggested. He tried to avoid being seen or recognized, though being one of the last Skeletons in their entire community, and the son of the Royal Scientist, it was pretty difficult to lay low. He learned that lesson early in life.

But tonight, it was an absolute necessity. He had to lay low. He had to get to the lab without anyone knowing.

So he stayed to the shadows. His mother should've been keeping his father distracted right about then. Distracted enough for him not to be concerned about the lab at all. And it was pretty late in the evening, so the other employees should have headed home for the evening as well. So it should be pretty simple to get in. He had his father's key card and he knew where he'd set up security features . . . All he had to do was avoid them.

What he wasn't prepared for was the heightened security in the streets surrounding his home and heading toward Hotland. He supposed he should have expected it, with what happened with Aiko and Prox. People were still on-edge about that and it hadn't completely blown over yet. After all, it had only been about two weeks ago. But he'd been on house arrest the entire time and he'd only just been taken off of their surveillance. Still, it was enough to make him a bit paranoid.

Just like last time he did something like this, he was hyper aware of the people around, those who might see him, those who might be off-duty Guardsmen, those who could be watching him. Yes, it sounded paranoid, but in his mind, in situations like this one, it was better to be paranoid and assume everyone was watching than to be negligent and risk being caught off guard.

Just as that thought crossed his mind for the millionth time, he picked up on a pair of footsteps approaching. Hearing it, he ducked into an alleyway and into a section where the stoop of someone's back door formed a barrier to anyone looking in. He stayed hidden there until he heard those footsteps pass.

He was about to let out the breath he had been holding when he saw something across the way. Someone in the dim light. He couldn't quite see what they looked like, they were hunched over and clutching their arm. The more he looked, the more he could tell that the someone was pretty similarly shaped to him, a fleshy Skeleton . . . a human!

His eyes widened and something caught in his chest. Shitshitshit . . . This was NOT in any contingency plan! This was more than just a minor inconvenience. This was nightmares made real! He was NOT prepared to deal with more humans!

Lucky for him, the human didn't seem as if they'd seen him yet. But unluckily for him, he was now trapped in this alley with this human and no way for him to get out without being noticed at all. The moment he moved and drew attention to himself, it would be over. His cover blown and his mission compromised.

There had to be something . . . something he could do . . . somewhere he could go . . .

If only he had his father's quick-travel skills, he could get out of this mess in the blink of an eye. But now . . .

The human lifted their head to scan the area. Their curly brown hair was tied up in a bun and a few stubborn locks framed their face. They looked over their dusty glasses with frightened green eyes and met his. They gasped, forcing back a surprised shriek.

Instinctively, Corbel quickly raised both of his hands, silently pleading for the human to stop. With one hand, he made the universal shushing motion, placing a single finger to his mouth, as his eyes darted to either entrance to their hideout.

It was when he looked back at the human that he noticed the blotches of red spattering their clothing and the way they held their arm . . . there was quite a bit of red there too. He lowered his hands when the human seemed to be past their initial shock and no longer looked like they were going to scream and give away their position.

"You're hurt . . ." He whispered across, hoping they could hear him without having to raise his voice anymore.

"No shit." They answered, using their voice. They weren't very loud, but it was enough that anyone listening would have been able to tell what they were saying, "That kinda happens when you're attacked for no reason!" They lowered their eyes once again, heaving a sigh, "Damn monsters . . . I should've never have come here . . ."

"Will you quiet down? Do you want them to find us?"

The human frowned in his direction. "You don't? You're not gonna tip them off and turn me in or something?"

"Does it look like I'm trying to draw in anyone's attention right now? I would've preferred I didn't even draw yours."

The human hesitated, their glare locked onto Corbel. It turned studious the longer they looked.

"What are you hiding for? You're a monster too, aren't you . . . ?"

There was a nervous silence that took over the two of them.

"Aren't you?" The human pressed, seeming pretty curious about the answer.

"What's it look like?"

The human hesitated, becoming even more cautious. "Well you look like a Skeleton, but if you're hiding from the other monsters then . . . Let me ask you this: Do you know who I am?"

Corbel's brows pulled together in his confusion. "What the . . . ?"

"Do you know my name?"

"Why the hell would I know your name? You never gave it to me. I've never even seen you before."

The human's eyes widened for a second in realization before they fell in disappointment.

"I see. You can't be him then."

"What are you even talking about, human? Who's 'him'? Are you looking for someone . . . someone who looks like a Skeleton?"

"That's my business." The human snapped, "And none of yours. Now, if you'll excuse me, I've gotta get going."

"Fine. I was gonna say I could heal you. At least get you back to full HP, but if you'd rather not, then more power to you. Good luck out there, human."

The human halted once again, turning skeptical eyes back toward Corbel.

"What the . . . You know . . . You're the first monster who hasn't immediately tried to kill me. You're talking to me and you're offering to heal me now? What's your deal?"

"Well, as you so expertly put it: That's my business and none of yours."

The human sighed, stepping off of the stoop they were standing on, "Okay, look. I think we might've gotten off on the wrong foot. I shouldn't have assumed . . . Especially after you didn't attack me right away." The human reached out one of their hands. "I'm Ava. You?"

Corbel was dumbstruck for a moment as something seemed to click into place. This human's name . . . and they were looking for a 'him' who looked like a Skeleton, but somehow wasn't.

"Ava . . . You're Ava? Sans' Ava?"

Ava's eyes widened once again as she stood frozen to look at Corbel.

"You do know who I am . . . ?"

"I think I do. If you're the same Ava I think you are, he talks about you. I've heard about you from Sans." Corbel took a step from his stoop as well to meet Ava in the middle of the alley. He took her hand to shake, noting how strange it was to feel the plushy softness of her skin. As unnerving as it was, he tried to ignore it to make his introduction. "I'm Corbel. I'm Sans' . . . um . . . I'm . . . a friend of his."

"You know him!? You said he talks about me?"

"Yeah . . ."

"Where is he? Do you know where he is now?"

Corbel hesitated now. This was yet another complication he hadn't been prepared to deal with. How the hell was he supposed to prepare for Sans' girlfriend showing up in the middle of the mission . . . ?

And of course he couldn't just leave her now. If she really was the same Ava, then that meant Sans would definitely want to see her . . . it would make for quite the reunion. He had to keep her safe until he could bring them together again.

Great . . .

Corbel nodded in answer to the question.

"I was on my way to get him now. But . . . it's complicated. You see, there's . . . kind of a lot going on, Ava. So, for now, let me heal you. Then, we'll get going. I'll explain as much as I can on the way."

Cautiously, Ava released his hand and studied him as well as his intent. After a few moments, she nodded her compliance.

"Alright, Corbel. Let's do this."

The evening wore on surprisingly smoothly, the two of them small talking their way through dinner and reminiscing on their shared past. They retold and re-lived their stories. They remembered times when they were younger and life was a lot more simple. Before Gaster became the Royal Scientist and he had so much more time to spend with her. Back when they were able to run around without consequences. They could stay out all night and talk about their dreams and their plans. They didn't have much since the war took everything from them, but they had each other and for the longest time, that seemed to be all they ever needed.

Despite knowing in their bones that they were destined to be together for as long as the both of them were alive, they waited a surprising amount of time before they decided to wed. Almost 30 years. They wanted the timing to be perfect and it seemed as if that time was slowly tip-toeing its way to them. At first it was "wait until we find a way out" but when that became less and less likely, the plan switched to "wait until we find careers where we will be able to live comfortably," then finally, they caved, saying, "it doesn't matter where we live or how much money we're making, as long as we're together."

Even after that, it was a long engagement. About 5 years more. Though they said that it didn't matter to them where they lived, Gaster was adamant about providing for his wife and making sure she was happy and comfortable, so he worked and he saved and he pinched pennies where he could in order to give her the wedding she always envisioned.

She was absolutely beautiful in her flowing dress. White would have washed her out completely, so she wore a shimmering pale blue and even among the echo flowers, she seemed to glow with a brilliance that outshined them. Gaster was truly fortunate to have her and that day, it was made official. Mr. and Mrs. Gaster, bound in law, in love, and in life. The happiest they'd ever been.

That day was only matched by one other that came decades into their marriage and after Gaster finished his education, becoming "Dr. Gaster." He had a distinguished career and was able to provide well for the two of them. They finally had that home where they lived comfortably. Nyala was teaching art to the young children of Waterfall and they loved her it seemed. She was happy. They both were. It was at that time, about 20 years into their marriage, that Nyala came to Gaster with a "request."

"I want to have a baby. A little one of our own. Can you imagine!? A baby Skeleton running around!? Maybe even two or three!? You'd be a DAD!"

To Nyala's chagrin, Gaster had been extremely hesitant about it all. She knew that he'd always been nervous about children in their talks before, but he'd always ended their conversations with, "Perhaps sometime in the future." But this time, for some reason, he seemed to be completely against the idea of having children. Perhaps it was because of his own upbringing and his troubled relationship with his own father. Perhaps he was afraid of what kind of father he would be . . . In addition, there was the Degenerative Bone Disease. He didn't want to risk putting a burden like that on a child.

It wasn't until years later, after he'd become the Royal Scientist, that Nyala was finally able to make him reconsider. They were in a good place in life and she was ready. She was beyond ready to expand their family. After some convincing and some compromise, they decided to try their hand at parenting.

About a year after that, Corbel was born, a perfect little boy. He was so tiny and the spitting image of his father. Nyala had never cried so much in her life as she did the day she saw Gaster with their son for the first time. He was so nervous and cautious when he held him, afraid because of how small he was. But when Corbel began to fidget and make tiny sounds as he yawned, Gaster's eyes went wide. Something inside him sparked to life in that moment and he smiled. Softly at first, but the longer he looked, the longer he held the baby, the greater that smile became, and before he could stop himself, tears began to flow from his eyes.

"Look at you." He said in a gentle murmur. "You have your mother's eyes . . . Incredible . . . You're already so strong too! Just look at those little hands! You know, you were giving your Mama kind of a hard time just now. Were you ready to come out? Ready to say hi? Well, hi there. It's nice to meet you. I'm Wingdings . . . I'm . . . your dad. I wonder who you'll be."

That had been nearly 23 years ago. The day they came together as a single unit. The day they became a family.

Since then, so much happened. So much. That baby was an adult now, he was living his own life, paving his own way.

"You went to see him today, didn't you, Hummingbird? How was he?"

Nyala sighed heavily, leaning forward with her hands folded on top of the table.

"Well, he's a complete mess, as you might expect." She answered, frankly and with little filter. She was a bit louder than she normally was and she was feeling a bit fuzzy now that she'd had a few glasses of wine. "He's been suffering through exhaustion and fatigue, nightmares, anxiety, depression. I mean, the love of his life just vanished without a word or a trace! He's worried sick! Of course he's a mess!"

Gaster hummed, "I see. So he still hasn't returned?"

Nyala shook her head, "There's been no word at all."

"He's returning to his old habits, it seems." Gaster muttered in a low tone as he lifted his own glass of wine. He was running low. Time for a refill. He reached for the bottle, their second of the evening.

Nyala stalled for a moment, raising her brow, "What was that?"

"You seem surprised." Gaster continued, swirling his newly refilled glass, "But this just proves that his pattern still holds true. Once again, at a moment of stress and turmoil, he has chosen to disappear. And from the sound of it, Corbel is once again left in pieces after the departure."

Nyala's eyes narrowed. "It's not like he just ran away!" She combatted, "Sans is a good boy! He's a good boy! He wouldn't just abandon our baby! Something must have happened to him! Something that prevents him from coming home."

"You said that they were first separated when they came face-to-face with the humans . . . And at least one of those humans was violent in their actions. Have you considered that perhaps Serif has met with . . . An unfortunate end at their hands?"

"Hmm . . . Unfortunate, indeed." Nyala muttered into her own glass, draining it.

"What was that?"

"Nothing really. Just that whatever it is that's keeping Sans from going home is contributing directly to Corbel's current condition."

For a moment, Gaster nodded, reaching out to refill Nyala's glass as well.

"You know, during that time, there were rumors circulating saying that there was a monster helping the last set of humans. That the monster was arrested and detained. Perhaps that was Serif. And his disappearance is absolutely his own doing."

Nyala chuckled, "Since when do you buy into rumor, Honey? You never spread information around unless there's evidence to back you up."

"But you can't deny that it fits his past actions. He has gone off in aid of humans before. Perhaps this time, he was smarter about it and left Corbel out of it."

"Still," Nyala hummed once again, "It worries me that there's been absolutely no word on him since that night. They released the names of the five who were killed . . . But nothing on him. I dunno, honey, the whole thing just reads wrong to me. Almost like someone's trying to make him disappear. Cover him up and get rid of him quietly, you know?"

Gaster went quiet, setting the bottle back down on the table. His eyes focused narrowly at the woman across from him as she swirled her wine around in the glass and took a long sip from it.

"You know . . ." She continued, her voice dropping a few notes, "I heard a rumor too. Apparently, Sans was taken into custody, but he'd been killed while he was detained."

"Is that what they've been saying?" Gaster asked, suppressing the hint of bitterness that was beginning to settle in his voice.

"They are. That particular rumor absolutely crushed Corbel when he first heard about it."

"Is that so?"

Nyala nodded, "He was devastated. He nearly fell apart over it. He nearly gave up." She took another sip before setting her glass down as well and looking across the table. "Here's the thing though. Corbel is your son. He knows not to take rumors at face value. While the shock of it was enough to stall him for a moment, he needs proof before he can fully accept it. He's a strong-willed boy and he's not giving up just yet."

"He always was inquisitive. It seems that tenacity has served him well. Tell me, Dearest. How exactly does he plan on sussing out the truth? The two of you are so close, I'm sure he's told you."

Nyala giggled to herself, lifting the glass once again for another drink. So that was his plan. Get her loose, get her talking, hoping she'd let something slip.

So maybe she'll do just that.

"Not a clue," She grinned, "But he did seem awfully determined to find out. I wouldn't be surprised if he wanted to go directly to the Guard and ask them straight up what was going on."

"The Guard, huh? That's right. Doesn't he have an old highschool friend who's in the Guard now?"

"Ah, yes! Undyne! I actually haven't seen much of her at all recently. I wonder if the two of them have kept in touch. You know, she was the one who brought Corbel back home after the whole human fiasco, but I haven't spoken to her myself in years."

"Then, it would make sense that he would go to her, wouldn't it?"

"That's what I was thinking!"

"It does make sense." Gaster sighed, sitting back in his seat, "And I do wish that was the truth."

Nyala stalled at that, glaring over her glass. "What do you mean by that?"

"You're lying to me, Hummingbird. Do you think so little of me that you can't trust me with the truth?"

Nyala's smile remained plastered on, though her scoffing chuckle conveyed her disbelief.

"I love you with my entire being." Gaster continued, "By now, I know all of your tells and your inflections. It hurts me to think that you believe you need to lie to me about something like this. About our son."

He leaned forward over the table, his eyes locking with hers in challenge. Nyala rose to that challenge, the smile fading and becoming cold.

"Fine. I confess. I did lie. But so did you! You've been lying every day, Wingdings! You know full well that Sans wasn't killed and you've been hiding it from me and from our son! In fact, I'm sure you know exactly what happened to him, don't you?"

Now Gaster hesitated, his eyes focused forward in the staring contest against his wife even as his breath caught for just a split second. As minute as it was, it was his tell.

"Where is he?" Nyala pressed, "What did you do to him?"

"ATTENTION ALL CITIZENS! A HUMAN HAS BEEN SIGHTED! LAST SEEN HEADING TOWARD HOTLAND! LATEST INTEL STATES THAT THE HUMAN HAS ALSO TAKEN A HOSTAGE! FOR YOUR SAFETY, WE ASK THAT YOU PLEASE REMAIN INDOORS UNTIL THE THREAT HAS BEEN NEUTRALIZED! I REPEAT. PLEASE REMAIN INDOORS UNTIL THE THREAT HAS BEEN NEUTRALIZED! ATTENTION ALL CITIZENS! A HUMAN HAS BEEN SIGHTED AND HAS TAKEN A HOSTAGE . . ."

Both Nyala and Gaster stopped in their motions, expressions widening in shock.

Nyala broke eye contact first, ripping her eyes away and shooting them toward the front door.

"Corbel . . ."

Gaster watched his wife, convinced now that she knew a lot more than she was letting on.

"Nyala, Dearest." He pressed quietly, but firmly, "This is of the utmost importance. We have an infestation on our hands and I fear what could happen to our son. Please, if you know something about this, tell me. Let me know!"

Nyala looked back toward him, her widened eyes beginning to water.

"Where is our boy?"

There was a high pitched screeching coming from the doctor's pocket. Though the alarm was no longer directly connected to Corbel's vitals as it had been in the past, it still gave him all of the information he needed when he fished out the old pager and looked toward the screen.

There had been a security breach at the lab. Someone was inside and was making their way toward the lower levels.

When he looked back up and toward his wife, she looked as if she'd been caught halfway through a wire fence with the cutters still firmly in hand.

"I believe I may have just located him."

Undyne and Gaine sat around with drinks in hand when the announcement was made. They were both pretty far into their third drink and the alert caught both of them off guard.

"Shit!" Undyne hissed, shoving the table forward and springing to her feet, even as the world spun around her, "What's with all of these fucking humans falling! I swear, it's fucking raining humans out there!"

"Don't I know it!?" Gaine grumbled, "And of course they show up now of all times. Well, I guess I gotta get back to the lab then. Get back to monitoring that specimen. You going after the new human?"

"Is water wet?" Undyne grinned, her face flushed red. "Of course I'm going after the human! I've already taken one down! Can you imagine if I get this one too!?"

Undyne released a loud guffaw and nearly stormed out of the door. The human was headed toward Hotland, so Hotland was where she was going.

Gaine stood, using the edge of the table for momentary support. He would be heading toward Hotland too . . . But Undyne had stormed off before they could pay their bill, or even before a proper goodbye, not that he minded much. She was focused on her task, and he was planning on picking up the bill anyway.

Once everything was taken care of, he shuffled out and back toward the lab to get back to watching the prisoner.