Undyne gently shushed Sans, trying to sooth his trembling as she carried him in her arms. “H-Hey Punk… come on man, calm down now, alright?” Undyne urged, sweat breaking out of her blue skin.

Sans sucked in a breath struggling to control his breathing but it was obviously not doing much. He was sweating, his soul glowing weakly in his chest. His breathing was still uneven, making his chest heave up and down unsteadily. “‘m f-fine….” Sans replied weakly and Undyne felt her guilt crawling on her back as she gently patted the skeleton’s trembling form.

“Is he seriously going to freak out EVERY time he sees me??? It wasn’t even. ME!!!” Flowey complained angrily and Frisk shushed him frowning a bit as she kept the flower as far away from Undyne and Sans as she could by several feet. “Well, it wasn’t...and he’s being annoying!”  Flowey said with great emphasis around the last word.

“I know Flowey, just...Shush. okay?” Frisk scolded and the flower sulked more, burrowing itself into the boot it was sitting in. Frisk gently placed the boot on the ground and carefully walked to the two, where Undyne was unsuccessfully trying to keep Sans calm.

Undyne looked down at the child with an expression clearly seeking help. She wasn’t good at this and Frisk looked at her with sympathy, reaching up to gently pat Sans back. Undyne bent down, sitting on a rock so she’d be closer to Frisks height. Sans flinched again to the touch.

“Sans?” Frisk tried, trying to call his attention to her and slowly he started to calm, focusing on Frisk through hazy vision. 

“s-s’rry...kid.” Sans uttered weakly. And Undyne also patted his back slowly.

“You’re REALLY messed up inside aren’tcha? Y’gotta pull yourself together Sans.” 

Sans shuddered slightly against her, “‘m trying…”

“Why do you freak out so much over Flowey anyways? I mean- ugh, nevermind. Actually, it’s understandable why you hate him…” Undyne facepalmed, somehow forgetting the fact Flowey had been the one to break and crack Sans SOUL.

“I. WAS. POSSESSED!!!” Flowey screamed, hearing Undyne’s comment and getting angry. “UGH, You’re BOTH so annoying!!”

“oh, ‘m s-s’rry, how silly of me. s’not like you just cracked my soul or anythin’ or ever possessed my bones. or done some other questionable things, why wouldn’t i trust ya?” Sans gave him a weak half shrug. 

Frisk gasped, and Undyne just looked confused as she watched the two go at it at one another.

“ It’s not like I’m trying to trick you or anything right now!! And that-that wasn’t ME who possessed you, you smiling idiot!! That was that demon that was possessing ME that possessed you!! You’re overreacting!! And besides, I could never touch you before!!” Flowey shouted pointing a vine at the skeleton accusingly.

“oh so that just makes it all so much better then huh? i should jus’ let my guard down now right? problem solved?!”

“WHY YOU-!!”

Frisk held their head as the other children hid behind undyne terrified as Frisk suddenly screamed out, “STOP FIGHTING!!!” 

The two arguing monsters and flower turned their heads quickly towards Frisk in alarm. 

“P-Please, no more fighting. Your SOUL….” Frisk started, worried that Sans may have worked himself out too much as she looked at the two of them pleadingly.

Sans breathing was heavy, but slowly he forced himself to calm down, seeing the other children were scared and he didn’t wanna freak anyone out further. “f-fine….”

“I...I’m sorry. I think..I think I’m still kind of Flowey inside. You know?” Flowey apologized, looking down at the ground sadly, “I’m remembering more and more what it’s like to have compassion and mercy again, but...sometimes, the old me? Flowey? He sort of...slips back in. I’m sorry Sans…”

Sans looked at the flower, trying to control his breathing still and thought about it for a moment, slowly he looked back towards his own bandaged hands. “sure...whatever. it still doesn’t change things between us. doesn’t wipe away the past.” Sans replied harshly, a hand gripping at his shirt, as his SOUL ached.

“I-I…” Flowey stuttered, his eyes widening at the harsh remark. “No...No you’re right...it really doesn’t…” Flowey sighed, his eyes closing as he fought back tears.

Undyne patted Sans back more, feeling Sans trembling return as he continued, “ g-good…’m glad we understand one another…” Sans breathed, his SOUL aching more as Sans slid himself out of Undyne’s lap and tried to walk. “n-now let’s see if we can- hrnk!” Sans wheezed, when his knees had buckled, clearly not ready yet to start moving around on his own. That earlier fight having stressed him out too much as he started to fall.

Frisk and Undyne were fast catching him from falling, grabbing his humerus and easing him back slowly. Sans groaned in response as Frisk turned towards the 4 monsters hard at work getting food out as fast as they can to the others.

“hngh… ‘m…’m f-fine…” Sans stuttered, gasping weakly.

“No. You’re not fine.” Undyne worried, rubbing his back. She could feel it, his battered soul beating weakly against his ribs. Undyne gritted her teeth. It made her want to tear something apart, thinking of how Sans had been violated and hurt, in a way no monster should endure, let alone survive. “You need something in you soon… hopefully your brother and the others will have something for you done soon…”

“d-don’t worry…’b-bout me...i can hold...on a bit...l-longer…” Sans insisted, his breathing hitching slightly as he spoke. And this only made Undyne look even more determined to make sure Sans was okay. 

“I- maybe I can go get Alphys to give you something for now to hold you off until they're done.” Undyne thought for a moment, and when Sans only squeezed his shirt tighter and made some weird gasping noise, she wasted no time, picking up the injured, weak, trembling skeleton, letting him latch himself onto her hip, one hand on the back of his spine as she then marched forward. Walking as fast as she could right on over to Alphys’ tent. 

Sans buried his face into her shoulder once he was lifted, a desperate, pained sound sounding deep in his throat. Out of worry, or maybe as a means of comforting herself, Undyne kept rubbing his spine, increasing her speed to a fastwalk instead of a jog. 

“Easy, punk. Easy…” Undyne assured him, she stomped across the camp as quickly as she could, passing by at least 10 tents before she got to the one belonging to Alphys and she stretched out an arm, throwing open the tent flap. “HEY ALPHY!!!”

“EEEK!!” Alphys jumped, throwing a beaker up in the air full of some mysterious liquid she was carefully measuring when she jolted. Undyne was fast on her feet, reflexes kicking in as she then sprinted right over to Alphys’s side, balancing Sans in one arm and outstretching a hand to catch the beaker before it could even fall back on the desk. 

“Sorry babe.” Undyne apologized, as half the liquid had spilled out of the container. “Er, did I just cost you your-”

“N-No. I-It wouldn’t have b-been any b-better than all the o-others…” Alphys breathed, as Undyne carefully put the container back on the desk, while careful not to accidentally drop Sans. She placed a hand on Alphys shoulder. “I-It’s j-just… I d-don’t understand any of this.”

“Uh, any of what babe?” Undyne asked her carefully, gently soothing the back of her lizard girlfriend.

“Th-THIS!! I-I thought the Surface Sickness was si-simply just that! A s-small def-deficiency that c-could be r-remedied, but-but it- but it m-mutates !!!” Alphys screamed exasperated, as she pulled off her glasses and rubbed ar the spot between her eyes, “E-E-Every t-time I get c-close to f-finding a cure , it changes on me and b-becomes w-worse!!!”

“It-It’s l-like a living, breathing th-thing, or-or like an att-tack that gets st-stronger the w-weaker we b-become!! It’s l-like for-for every st-step forward, someone’s al-always th-three steps ah-head, ready to-to make me fail!! I-I just...don’t know what to d-do. I’m s-sorry Undyne, Gerson and Sans are in b-bad shape… Th-the k-kids are s-soon going t-to be right beh-hind him and….”

“Hey, hey. Alphys come on.. quit that.” Undyne calmed, rubbing her shoulders more, “Come on, I’m sure you’ll figure it out. You got this, and I got you! This isn’t like what happened with the Amalgamates anymore, you got friends here to help and we’re all counting on you babe.”

“I-I just...I’m w-worried I’m only m-making things worse…” Alphys sighed, frustrated before turning around in her chair to look Undyne in the eyes who had taken a step back, easing one hand back to Sans back.

“You got this, Alph.” Undyne repeated gently, “And if you need help, you can always just ask. You’re not alone anymore.”

Alphys sniffled a little, smiling at the Captain. “O-Okay… Y-You’re right.. “

“Of course I’m right babe!! Ya big goofball!” Undyne grinned, showing off her yellow fangs and Alphys face had turned red in response. 

Sans made another pained sound escaping his throat, though it sounded like he was trying to hold it back as Undyne felt his hold on her tighten the slightest bit.

“Oh! Th-That’s right, hey Alphys, ya got anything to help this little punk? At least for now ‘til the others are done cooking?” Undyne asked.

“W-what’s wrong with h-him?” Alphys inquired, as if just now realizing Undyne had even brought him in the tent, and motioned Undyne to lower him so she could inspect the smaller skeleton.

“I dunno, I think his SOUL is bothering him again...I mean, it’s been bothering him but, it only got worse just now when he freaked and then got in an argument with Flowey.” Undyne stated, getting to one knee, she gently pried Sans away from her front, turning him around slightly to face towards her.

Sans eye sockets were shut tight, his hand still firmly clenching the front of his own shirt as he breathed, tiredly. His body was twinging, his small chest heaving in short little spurts like he wasn't getting the air he needed. 

“Oh, d-dear…” Alphys said after a couple seconds and she immediately turned around grabbing something from her desk. “H-Here, I uh, h-have some p-painkillers that c-could help. Give-give him one d-dose with a g-glass of water or-or something. It’ll h-help ease the p-pain for the m-meantime.”

“Thanks babe.” Undyne smiles, leaning over and kisses her on the forehead, “If you still need help later, I’ll swing by once Paps has come back for his brother okay?”

“UH, DUH-WUH- U-Uh-huh!!!” Alphys stuttered, her face was tomato red. And Undyne grinned at her, painkillers in hand. 

“And thanks for the meds!” Undyne thanked her and left the tent, passing by Asgore who was also on the way to see Alphys. “Hey King Fluffybuns,” Undyne greeted in earnest, carefully balancing Sans on her hip and waves at him with her free hand.

“Ah, hello Undyne. How are you doing today?”

“Ah,” Undyne gave a half-shrug, “Alright. Glad the others are doing okay. I’m on babysitting duties right now.” Undyne motioned to Sans who was starting to doze off on her shoulder, still breathing weakly and clutching his chest where his SOUL was.

“He’s still hurting isn’t he?” Asgore observed, sadly.

“Yeah but I got some painkillers from Alphys. So...hopefully he will be alright again soon.”

“Hm. Then I suppose I’ll let you have at it then.” Asgore patted Undyne’s back, then gently placed a furry hand to the back of Sans' skull in a soothing manner to which Sans flinched but was too weak to pull away. “And I’m sorry I cannot do much more for him. WIth the Sickness and all…”

“Hey, hey… it’s alright Asgore, we understand. Alphys is hard at work trying to figure it out. I just talked to her earlier actually. Um, if you’re going to ask her about it, go easy on her okay? She’s hard at work in trying to figure it out and… I’m not saying you’ll stress her out but… just go easy on her.” Undyne informed, reassuring the King at the same time as well.

“I will Captain. Don’t worry.” Asgore smiled at the two and went inside the tent and Undyne continued on her way carrying Sans to go and join the kids again.

Sans was too delirious to really care at this point as Undyne sat on a boulder, and took out a water bottle she’d packed. She gently gave Sans the pill of painkillers and put it near his teeth so Sans could absorb it then gave him the bottle of water after imbuing it with some magic so that Sans could absorb it as well. She watched with bated breath as she watched the green particles glowing past his teeth and leading down to his SOUL, though a few still managed to escape and float uselessly into the air.

“There we go. Easy.” Undyne soothed, taking the water away when he refused to drink anymore. She could see he didn’t look to be as in pain as a few minutes ago, and she smiled seeing as the painkillers were finally taking effect. “There we go. You feeling alright now you little punk?” She asked, and Sans nodded a little, now that his SOUL wasn’t bothering him as much as he used to though he was still weak and still injured.

“Well, great. How about we check on your br-HEY!!” Undyne startled, when the 3 dog monsters had finally returned from visiting the encampment. Dogamy and Dogaressa were hurrying as they walked by, roughly bumping into Sans, Undyne and Monster Kid who happened to be nearby, with Doggo in tow, half dragged right in between the married couple. Monster Kid fell flat on his face, and Undyne gripped onto Sans harder to make sure she wouldn’t drop him as the skeleton hissed in pain from the rough treatment, his trembling returning tenfold.

“S-Sorry, hey watch it next time!!” Undyne shouted angrily at the Dog monsters who gave her a curt ‘sorry’ but continued on their way to Alphys’ tent where the two married Dogs had just seen the King enter.