Days turned into weeks. Sans himself had no real concept of the days passing. He slept so often and at such random times that he had no idea when it was day or night. He's never seen the sun or moon. Papyrus was better at keeping track, and started writing down tallies in their notebook. Their time together consisted of words, drawings, and stories. The artificial Monster loved the stories that Papyrus told about places outside of the lab. Sans's days consisted of magic injections and testing. He got injections practically every time a Doctor came for him. They always made his magic feel slightly warmer after. The rest of the time was spent in fitful bursts of slumber. He was just so tired; he's tired all the time. Sans doesn't know what it feels like to not be dragging himself along.

     The Monster's combat training continued after the first. Santos came nearly every evening to work with him. Something was very different from the first, though. Santos's smile and rare praise didn't seem to quite reach his eyes anymore. The Sargent stopped using Sans's name or saying anything but instructions to him. Santos didn't even touch him besides when he attacked. Sans had to walk, exhausted, back to his room after each session. Still, he was improving. Sans could dodge an extra attack or move a little quicker as each day passed. What didn't change was his low capacity for magic. He couldn't summon his magic more then a few times before he was too tired to continue. Most of the longer sessions consisted of relentless dodges while the Monster only offeres Mercy. Sans doesn't freeze at an incoming attack anymore.

Papyrus was always happy when Sans told him about a chance to attack that the Monster didn't take. They both have a similar mentality when it comes to that. Sans feels like Papyrus is the only person he can talk freely with. Papyrus isn't keeping any secrets from him. All the other humans around Sans just want to prod and poke at him, looking for what makes the Monster tick. The two of them are always growing closer. Sans's sleep is often fitful and broken. He's tired, but his body often jerks awake for no apparent reason. This happens less when Papyrus sleeps with him. Sans will often fall asleep with his adoptive brother laying against his chest. Papyrus likes to bury his face in the fluff on Sans's hood. The Monster usually wakes up alone.

Today, he wakes up with a familiar prod to the shoulder. Sans jerks awake instantly. He looks around for Papyrus for a moment before remembering that Pappy doesn't appear around anyone but him. Doctor Gaster straightens back up when he sees the Monster awake. Sans is a little confused to see Gaster. He's gotten used to seeing the different Doctors on a set rotation. Gaster had just been watching another combat session a few hours ago. When the Doctor starts to talk, Sans quickly summons his magic to a low hum. The Doctors sign less and less now that Sans can reliably use his magic. It's easier for them, but harder on the Monster.

     "You have to come with me now. I have a few more tests that I want to run", Doctor Gaster explains. His creation obediently slips off the bed. It's learned to leave the blanket behind.

Sans follows Gaster down the hall and into the office. He's usually excited to be in here, but something quells his excitement. Doctor Gaster has never taken him in here. It's always been Murphy or Alister. The cozy room suddenly feels cold and cramped to Sans. The desk's messy surface has been replaced by a few neatly stacked folders. Doctor Gaster gestures for it to sit, and Gaster sits down on the other side.

      "Doctor Alister says that you've learned to write extremely quickly. Write out your name a few times, here", Gaster says. He hands the Monster a pencil and slides a blank page across the desk.

     "My name. Okay", Sans nods. That's easy. He's been learning a lot of words that are bigger then his name. He writes it down a few times in a straight line.

     "Very good". Gaster takes the page to include in his notes. "Now Sans, this is important. Is there anything you want to tell me before we begin? Is there anything wrong with you that I might not know about?". Doctor Gaster doesn't let his face reveal anything.

"No..... I don't think there's anything wrong. I feel fine". Sans shifts on his chair. He doesn't know how to answer the question. Besides being tired, nothing hurts or feels bad. In fact, Sans thought he was doing better. Doctor Gaster and the others seemed happy that he was learning to fight and read for longer and longer amounts of time. He thought they were happy with him, but now, Gaster is acting like he isn't so happy anymore.

"Let's try a different question", Gaster says. He opens up one of the folders and pulls out a picture. The doctor then hands it the Monster. "Do you recognize this person?"

Sans takes the photograph and can only stare at it. He does recognize the boy in the picture, but he doesn't know if he should admit it or not. Something makes him pause. The picture is of Papyrus. He looks a little younger, and he's sitting with his legs crossed on a hospital bed. Sans doesn't like how a hospital gown looks on his brother. Papyrus is looking up at the camera with a small smile. His orange scarf is sitting in his lap with a bow on it.

"His name was Papyrus. He just turned seven years old a few days before he passed away", Doctor Gaster continues speaking, "His parents decided to donate his body to this project as a way to pay for the last of his medical bills. There were not many people willing to donate, knowing what was going to happen to the soul. Guardians or the donor themselves had to consent. Half of Papyrus's soul is now half of your soul. I want to know if his picture is familiar to you".

"Yes...... it's familiar", Sans answers. He doesn't want to lie, but he also doesn't want to talk about this. Papyrus should know what's happening.

"How so? Do you remember him from somewhere? Is he in your dreams? Does Papyrus....... talk to you?" Doctor Gaster asks the last question more slowly, not entirely wanting the answer.

Something tugs on the Monster's sleeve, but he doesn't look, because he knows that he won't see anything. "Sans? It's ok. You don't have to be scared to answer", Papyrus says. Gaster doesn't react. He can't hear the voice. "You can tell him if you want to. You can tell him what he's doing to us".

     "He's my brother". Sans looks away from Gaster. "I don't dream. Papyrus isn't a distant memory like you want, either. He talks to me. Pappy doesn't like you or the other doctors. He doesn't like this place".

     Doctor Gaster doesn't say anything for several minutes. His worst theories have been confirmed. Some part of the human soul remained intact enough to coexist with the artificial Monster's consciousness. "To what extent? You say Papyrus can talk to you, but can he do anything else? Can you see a manifestation?"

"I can only see Papyrus when we're alone, but he never leaves me. He likes to help me with my writing". Sans squirms under the doctor's gaze. This is the only secret he's ever had. Pappy was okay with it, but Sans still wishes that he denied it.

"I see.......", Gaster quiets in though for a moment, taking in the information, "I have one last question. Earlier, you referred to the child as 'my brother'. Can you explain that?"

"He is my brother. Pappy asked if I would be his new one since his old one was mean", Sans says this much more happily. Doctor Gaster is even more unsettled. Not only is the human soul not empty, but it's sentient enough to make new experiences such as adopting a brother.

"Sans, listen to me. You are to tell no one anything about Papyrus. They can not know you see or hear him. If you disobey, and inform the others, I'll have no choice but to terminate you and start over", Doctor Gaster stands up, looking down at the Monster as he speaks. It would be a disaster if word spread about this. Papyrus's family would have the project disbanded if they knew his soul was still functioning. Multiple laws forbid testing on human souls that haven't faded completely.

Sans quickly shakes his head back and forth, fiddling with the hem of his coat in nervousness. He doesn't know why Papyrus has to stay a secret. Gaster's threat is enough to spook him silent. The Monster is taken back to its containment room after that. Sans and Papyrus talk about what had happened for several hours before falling asleep in each other's arms.