Edited by: Jeinu, Hunter715, LotharHex

Notes: I had some writer's block(again) for a little while, but I'm slowly ramping back up my daily word count so hopefully I can keep it up!

The next chapter will be from Sharla's point of view at Percheron. If anyone has any suggestions on what you'd like to see before the bad things start happening, please let me know! Mmm yes... bad things... I do believe I named chapter 5 trepidation days.

High School Days

Two years before Sharla's enlistment with the Unified Air Front

Wednesday, December 2nd, 20W9

Armadil Road, South Bunnyburrow

"Sh-Sh-Sharla," Gareth bleated rather nervously, "Are y-you sure this is a good idea?"

"Gideon hasn't been to school in almost two weeks," Sharla said, her voice hid a discernible amount of worry. "I just wanna to make sure he's alright."

Gareth walked with her to a point, but then, as if stopped by some unseen barrier, he would go no further. Because down this street was the house of a bully. A bully he had not seen in some time, nor a bully that had done much bullying recently. However, it was a fact that almost all the interactions that Gareth had with Gideon Grey were undesirable at best. Despite his sister's determination to head down the road and check on the troublesome peer, Gareth found himself hesitant, but he knew better than to try to stop her. In her teen years, Sharla had taken on a more assertive persona.

"W-well, maybe he just went on vacation, or maybe, uh…" Gareth paused, finding it odd that he would try to come up with ideas for what Gideon would do other than show up to school. He lingered behind, not willing to catch up with her even to converse. "What if he tries to b-beat you up?"

"C'mon, he hasn't beaten anyone up in years," Sharla shook her head, "We're all older now—"

"That you know of," he interrupted, his body language still displaying a strong urge for Sharla to follow him back home and away from this fool's errand. "I heard that he goes over to the community college to beat up other students there, since the others at our high school—"

"Gareth, stop." Sharla said sternly, "That sounds like a buncha nonsense."

"But it sounds like something he'd do!"

"How would you know?" She spoke louder, getting frustrated.

"How would you?" Gareth raised an eyebrow at her sudden defensiveness. "As far as I know you don't even talk to him, why do you care if he's comin' to school or not? How do you even notice that he's not coming to school unless you been…"

Sharla knew where that thought was headed, she suddenly lost the nerve to make eye contact and looked elsewhere. She wanted very much to just leave her inquisitive brother there and continue on without saying another word.

Gareth narrowed his eyes, "He's a year ahead of us, the only reason you'd even notice he was gone was if you been watchin' out for him. Why are you…?"

Sharla often found herself abandoned by her growing confidence from time to time. This was the case now, and she couldn't refute his claim. This did not go unnoticed. A brief moment of awkward silence surrounded them while he considered how to process this information. Sharla said nothing, only looking away and down the road toward Gideon's house.

"I'll, uh…" Her brother started, "I'll tell Ma that you'll be home a little late. Looks like it might rain so don't be t-too long." He paused for another beat, then started walking away, leaving Sharla on the windy road. The sun faded as an overcast sky came to blanket the sleepy countryside.

Sharla said nothing, she would deal with Gareth's questions later. It was time to see what happened to Gideon Grey.

As she made her way down the road, she had time to ponder. Why was it that she and she alone, at least in her circle of friends and peers, had noticed Gideon's absence? It was true, that since their little altercation with her backpack, and his subsequent apology and replacing of said backpack, they had a much more amicable attitude toward each other. Albeit, it was very limited interaction, but nonetheless…

She walked up the front porch of the Grey residence. It was a small suburban home, one fit for a medium-sized species family. Definitely not a property large enough for any sort of farming, like her own family's. It was well-maintained, but not much activity was apparent within.

Hesitating, her hoof hovered before the doorbell button. Was this it? Had she lost the nerve? Why did she even care if Gideon wasn't coming to school? He would probably start showing up again eventually and no one would ever speak of this again. She quietly cursed her brother for raising these doubts in herself, and frightening off her skittish spirit of confidence. Would she wait for it to come back before she—

She impulsively moved her hooved finger forward, pressing the doorbell button. In times like these, when she found herself hesitant or unable to make a decision, she had built the habit of quickly forcing herself into the action, before her higher brain functions could debate further.

She clasped her hooves behind her, listening as movement began to stir within. A much older fox finally opened the door.

"Yep?" The fox spoke, "What can I do for ya?"

"H-hi," She spoke, finding her voice had receded slightly, she cleared her throat, "I assume you're Gideon's father?"

He gave a warm smile, a smile that she wasn't accustomed to seeing from a fox. "You'd assume right, hun. And I'd assume you're here for Gideon?"

"Uh, mhmm," she hummed affirmatively, nodding. "I-i-if he's here, that is."

"That he is," the fox replied. It was strange, he appeared almost… grateful for her visit. "I'll go get him. I do apologize that I'm not inviting you in, it's a terrible mess inside right now. Can I get ya to wait out here?"

"I don't mind none," she said reassuringly, her confidence having since returned, "Thank you, sir."

The older fox gave her one last smile before closing the door.

"Gideon, boy, you got a friend here to see ya!" She could hear him call.

Despite it being rather dark due to the overcast, there were no lights turned on inside. She didn't have too much time to consider this, after a few seconds of shuffling, Gideon opened the door.

"O-oh," Gideon managed, surprised at the visitor. "Sharla, I-I wasn't expecting ya…"

"Were you expecting anyone else?" She asked, trying to gently get him to come out. He looked terrible. His muzzle looked damp and the fur on his head was un-groomed. His eyes were veined, tired, he had not slept well. "Gideon are you— Are you OK?"

Gideon suddenly became aware of his appearance, "I-I… shoot…" He hissed, "Sharla, whatdya want?" A subtle annoyance entered his voice.

"I was just wondering…" Sharla's confidence wavered once more, "Y-y-you haven't come to school in a while, I just wanted to make sure you were OK."

While Gideon would not open the door further, merely opting to stick his face out the small opening, she could see him well enough. "You…" He started, his look of mild annoyance faded. "You came to check on me?"

Sharla found herself concerned. What was Gideon crying over? Had he been crying, even? He didn't seem ill, nor did he seem in any physical distress from what she could see.

"Y-yeah," she spoke up, "I was getting worried. I didn't see you in the hall, o-or at lunch."

"You were…" Gideon seemed to be puzzled by this, "You were worried? 'bout me?"

Sharla nodded, "Uh-huh. Gideon do you wanna… come outside and talk with me?"

A moment passed between them. Gideon seemed comforted, albeit confused. But this quickly washed away.

"N-no," He said quietly, his face suddenly taking on a more sullen look.

"Are ya sure? Is everything OK?"

"Sharla, I… appreciate… you coming to check on me, but—"

"I-if something's wrong, you c-c-can talk to me about it—"

"No!" He hissed, almost baring fangs.

Sharla took a step back, caught off-guard by this. Her heart beat harder, and adrenaline immediately sharpened her vision. She fought to calm herself.

He realized what he had done, and returned to his sullen expression. "S-sorry. But you should go. D-don't… waste your time on me."

Before she could respond, he pulled back his face and shut the door.

"I— what… Gideon?"

"Go away!" his voice carried from behind the door. "I'll come back to school tomorrow just… just go away. Please."

She found herself hurt by this, but why? Gideon wasn't a friend, and he definitely wasn't someone her family cared much for. So then why did she find herself hurt that he had shut her out? There were no answers on the windy porch. The smell of rain started to carry.

"OK." Was all she could say, "Good night, Gideon."

Whatever had happened to Gideon Grey, Sharla would notice in the following years; he would never be the same.

As she walked home through the windy country streets, the rain began to fall. Sheep lacked wool coverage on most of their faces, and Sharla was no exception. Tiny cold drops began to touch down on her bare muzzle, her cheeks.

What was it about seeing Gideon that had made her so unsettled? Was it his disheveled condition? Or maybe the way he almost snapped at her, getting her fight-or-flight reaction started. Whatever it was, another thought crossed her mind as she made her way home: perhaps the rain was not the only moisture on her face.

Present Day

Sunday, August 4th, 20X3

"Mouse couple over on table six left, Rice." Gideon said, drying his paws on a dish rag, the near scaldingly hot water from the sink already evaporating from his fur. "Ain't no one else come in for the last half-hour or so."

"Got it," Rice said as he re-tied his apron, "Thanks a bunch for watching everything. I'm sorry I had to run out like that."

Rice had just returned to the diner after running to the pharmacy a few streets over as it was closing hours for most other local businesses. His sister's medication, being a more time sensitive thing to worry about, required that Rice make a dash to acquire them before the pharmacy closed.

"Ain't no trouble," Gideon waved a paw at him dismissively, "'sides, diner doesn't get much traffic this time of night. Your sister's medical needs are a bit more pertinent than a few patrons anyhow."

Rice patted himself to make sure he looked presentable and tossed the paper bag of pills onto the counter in the diner's kitchen.

"Still," Rice said, "It's not something I plan on doing often. You wanna take your break? You could go call that sheep girl, see how she's doing."

"You mean Sharla? T-tonight?" Gideon's eyes grew slightly wider.

"Yeah, why not?" Rice smiled knowingly.

"Uh, I-I could!" Gideon scratched his scalp, as he was wont to do when he grew nervous, which was fairly often. "We-well, maybe tomorrow. I don't got much to talk about."

Rice shook his head, he reached up to a shelf to pull down a big stew pot. "You said that yesterday."

Gideon pulled a large sack of pre-sorted, dry white beans from a nearby cupboard, saying nothing. Rice was right, Gideon had said that yesterday, and the day before, and the day before that.

"You don't need anything to talk about," Rice continued. "Just talk! You're always talkin' about her, maybe you should try talking to her?" He laughed as he started filling up the pot with water from the sink, keeping the faucet low enough to allow them to keep talking. "Besides, you guys seemed to talk just fine while you were sitting face to face in the diner, sí?" Rice relaxed enough to allow his accent to show through.

Gideon heaved the beans onto the counter, cutting it open with a claw. "Heck, I dunno. It's always different on the phone, ya know? Plus I ain't never called her before."

"Judging from you guys' body language, neither of you have hung out much before either."

"Y-yeah… Me and her just kinda started… w-well I mean she was the one that uh…" Gideon stammered, not quite sure why he was having difficulty finding the words. He finished cutting open the sack and waited for Rice to finish filling up the pot.

"She the one who asked you out then?" Rice turned off the water.

Gideon choked, "W-what, I-I—"

"I'm just teasing ya, güey," Rice started to laugh, clacking the pot onto a large burner and motioning for Gideon to add the beans. "Hey, don't turn more red than you already are."

The bag of beans lingered for a moment, until Gideon collected himself enough to pick them up and began to pour them into the water. He said nothing further as the beans splashed toward the bottom of the pan.

"Hey, I'm sorry." Rice patted him on the shoulder.

"Uh, n-nah." Gideon shook his head, he crumpled the empty burlap and tossed it on the counter. "Do… do ya really think that though?"

"Think what?"

"That just 'cause a guy and a girl are hangin' out mean they gotta be interested romantically?"

"Hmm," Rice thought, he tapped his nose a few times "You got a point, but I really didn't mean to put you on the spot about it, yeah?"

"But, uh…" Gideon paused, "I suppose in this case…"

"Eh?" Rice pushed, his voice becoming giddy, "Got the hots for the buddy army sheep after all?"

"Do ya think she'd be, uh," Gideon nervously leaned against the counter, "Sh-she'd be interested in me? I-in a fox?"

Rice thought for a moment, although to Gideon, it appeared as though time froze. He had just affirmed, or insinuated at least, that he was interested in someone outside of his species. In a city like Zootopia, this is more-or-less commonplace. But in the countryside? Things like that weren't so black and white. Even in the company of friends, the unlikeliest mammal could always unpleasantly surprise you. And in this moment, Gideon held his breath to see what type of mammal Rice would end up being.

Rice let out an odd sound and tried to stifle an equally odd expression. It was a sound Gideon had heard only a few times before. As a lynx, Rice had an almost whiney laugh, as if he were gasping for air, so he often tried to hide it. But it was all too obvious to Gideon; Rice was indeed trying his best not to laugh.

"Wh-what's so darn, funny?" Gideon said, unsure if he should be relieved or offended. "F-forget it, forget I-I-I said anythin'." He started to walk away, toward the back door of the kitchen.

Rice gave up, allowing his cackling high pitched giggle to echo forth. "No! No! Gideon I'm sorry! I didn't mean—!" More cackling interrupted his speech, "You guys just look so cute together!"

"W-what?" Gideon was taken aback, he turned around to watch the giggling lynx.

"When you two were sittin' there in the booth," Rice began, trying to control himself, "The way she smiles at you, makes my heart melt. You tell me you don't see that look in her eyes, yeah?"

Was that true? Was the fire that Gideon felt when Sharla gazed at him truly something else? Surely it was just Sharla's strong will and self confidence… surely.

"Th-th-that's not…" Gideon stammered.

"Come, come," Rice waved a paw as he walked forward and passed Gideon, on his way to the back door. "Let's go outside."

The two made their way out of the kitchen to the rear of the diner. It wasn't much to look at, part of a parking lot, a chainlink fence that cordoned off the next-door warehouse and some trash cans of varying size. Rice crouched onto his haunches with his back to the garbage can while Gideon plunked himself down on the doorstep. He sighed.

"So!" Rice started, scratching his muzzle, "tell me what you got on your mind."

Gideon shook his head, it was almost frustrating how a conversation about what he should do on his break had turned into a session about what he felt towards a particular sheep. But maybe he was putting too much thought into it, as often he did.

"Uhh, I dunno what ya want me to say, Rice." He lifted his paws and let them fall back to his lap. "So, maybe she does like me, maybe I like bein' friends."

Rice shrugged, "Then that's that, eh?"

"Maybe," Gideon looked at the ground, spotting rocks or small cracks with weeds growing from them, as if that would help him think. "You… ya really think I got a shot with Sharla?"

"Why not?"

"Uh, I dunno. I ain't no sheep, if ya aint noticed." He grumbled.

Rice let out a shorter version of his laugh, "Ah, so that's what this is about! Look, if you're worried about me being against that kinda thing, everybody's got the right to be into whatever makes em happy, no?"

There was a shared silence as Gideon processed that. He let out a scoff shortly after, "Don't think I really 'decided' anything, I just kinda 'noticed' more like… 'noticed' that I kinda like a girl that I've known since we were kids, you know?"

"Whatchya like about her?"

"I…" Gideon started, knowing the answer, but not really how to explain, "W-well, every time I talk to her, she's got this confidence. T-this inner fire, I guess."

"Inner fire?" Rice said, confused.

"Y-yeah, well I d-dunno how to explain it. Says she wants to be an astronaut, girl won't take no for an answer. Whenever she looks at me, everything she does— Even when we was kids, she'd stand up to me— me! No way she'd let anything get in her way. She says what she means and she knows how to get what she wants. Darn it, that girl's gonna be an astronaut someday, I'd bet my tail on it!"

"Ahh!" Rice snapped his fingers, "Got her own machismo! Now I get it."

"M-ma… ma cheese mo?"

"So, that's why you went and signed up for culinary school." Rice nodded, grinning, "This girl's making a new mammal out of you, güey!"

"G-guess she is." Gideon agreed.

"Then hold on to that girl and don't let her go!" Rice said in a tone that implied what he said was the obvious answer. "'The best companions in life are the ones that compel you to reach new heights', or however that saying goes."

"I-I'm unfamiliar with that saying…"

"Whatever! The point is, you got a winner there, and she likes you back, don't even try to deny it."

"Well…" Gideon was comforted by what Rice was saying. Maybe Sharla did have feelings for him like he did for her. Either way, it was too soon to tell, at least for Gideon Grey. But, "I j-just don't want my feelings messin' anything up."

"How do you mean?" Rice said. Despite their friendship, Rice sometimes found Gideon's thought process enigmatic.

"Thing is… I know I wanna be friends with Sharla. Like you said, she 'pushes me to new heights'…"

"Right?" Rice gently pushed him to continue.

"I just don't want my feelings for her to mess anything up, m-maybe I'm thinkin' too far ahead but… A-a-anyway, interspecies familial troubles aside—"

"You've obviously looked into this to some detail, no?"

"You gonna let me talk?"

Rice made an apologetic expression and waved his paw in gesture to continue.

"Like I was sayin'," Gideon took a few moments to recall, "Sharla and I're both busy, she lives off in Ibexan land chasing her dreams of going up to the stars. And me? I'm just some plump country fox learnin' from an expensive recipe book. 'Sides, maybe we'll be OK as friends."

"Is that what you want?"

"What'dya mean, 'is that what I want?'" Gideon scoffed at the simplicity of the question.

"Look, buddy." Rice stood up and dusted his apron a bit before walking over to Gideon. "Wasn't a trick question."

"That really matter?"

"Hmph," Rice crouched down again, this time next to Gideon. "If there's one thing I learned from hearin' about your sheep friend, you might have feelings one way or the other. But in the end, it really is your choice isn't it?"

Gideon raised an eyebrow at that.

"Haven't you learned that much from her yet? You tell me she moved away from home as soon as she was able and started learning some crazy science, breo-meka-nicks—"

"Bio-Mechanical Engineering" Gideon corrected.

"Uh huh, that thing. On top of that, she joined the Air Front. And being a sheep in Ibexas? That isn't exactly the easiest career path."

Gideon gave a skeptical look while he gazed off nowhere in particular.

"It wasn't a 'feeling' that made her do those things." Rice gave a short laugh, "Whatever feelings you have right now, and whatever feelings you have between yourselves down the road. Whether you stay good friends or something more. What happens in the end really depends on the choices both of you make. No?"

Rice patted Gideon on the arm and stood up, making his way around him and into the kitchen.

"H-hey, Rice?" Gideon said.

Rice paused in the doorway.

"You mind if I make a phone call?" Gideon asked sheepishly.

"I'm pretty sure I can handle an empty diner on my own," Rice grinned. "Go call your sheep buddy."

Hey, Gideon!

Howdy, Sh-Sharla.

You called at a good time, I just got back to my room. How are you?

Oh, uh, well, you know, good as always, I just, uh… didn't have classes today, on account of it bein' Saturday.

A day off finally?

Naw, I'm, uh… I'm still workin' at the diner. I'm just on my break.

Don't you get any days off?

N-no… not really I k-kinda work over the weekend then I get mid-week off from the diner, but then I go to school on them days.

Gid, you work too hard.

Ahh… yeah, maybe. Uh… I-I, uh…

Hmm?

I, uh… I guess I didn't really h-h-have nuthin' to t-talk about.

Hah, Gideon, that's OK.

R-really? C-c-cuz I-I don't wanna bother you or nothin'. I suppose I shoulda had somethin' more interestin'—

Hey, hey, calm down. You know you talk really fast when you're nervous.

A-ah… I do? Well, I'm sorry, I just—

And you apologize when you don't need to.

Uh, y-yeah… I guess I do.

We don't really need anything to talk about. And you don't bother me, it's just nice to hear from someone back home.

Y-yeah… It's, uh… it's nice hearin' from you too. Th-that is— I-I mean—

Gideon, calm down. It's just me, remember?

R-right right. You make it sound so easy, darlin'… If I recall, y-you used to be the timid one.

I wouldn't say I'm not timid anymore, exactly.

Really? I'd say that's pretty close t-to the truth. Y-you sure sound more confident in your speech than when we was kids.

When I'm talking to you, maybe. I mean, uh… I'm comfortable talking to you now.

… I-I guess I'm not s-s-sure what to make of that, honestly. I mean, I'm glad for it. B-b-but I guess talkin' over the phone's just a little bit of a different creature for me. I d-don't mean to say you make me uncomfortable or nuthin'…

I get it. You're just nervous talking on the phone, it's nothing I take offense over.

Th-that's good. S-so you don't speak like this with other mammals, then?

I do with you, and some of the others I work with. Like some of my subordinates, my commanding officers, especially Captain Daviden. He's been so nice to me since I became an officer.

Ah, I-is that so… This Daviden fella sounds like he's been treatin' ya well! But uh… is he…

Hmm?

N-nuthin', I just… Uh— Anyhow, I'm glad you're doing' so well. I had no idea you were an officer! Although y-you might have told me that when you was here… What's an officer?

Heh, oh, Gideon. Well, I'm only a second lieutenant, which is the lowest rank for officers. Normally, I would have had to complete my bachelor's degree first before I would've been considered for the promotion, but sometimes they make exceptions for those who are attending the school that's on-base. And thanks to Daviden, I managed to finish my officer's training and become an Engineering Officer a bit early.

Aw heck, that's amazin'. You always were the early achiever, real bright.

Gid, don't flatter me! What's that you always said about not flattering you? S'not fair you doin' that around on me.

H-hey now! I say that 'cause I ain't nothin' worthy of bein' flattered.

Gid, that ain't true! I reckon you got as much worth as me, learnin' how to become a master chef an' all.

It's real cute how your country drawl comes in every now and then, darlin'.

O-oh…

I-I— Wha- I didn't mean… I'm sorry, th-th-that just kinda slipped out— I mean. Oh, heck…

So, um… uh…

Yeah… s-sorry…

I uh… H-how's your schooling going, G-Gid?

Uh-uh, it's goin' real well! Been practicing cookin' dishes here at the diner… The owner here lets me use some of the stock ingredients we got here; he's been really accommodatin'.

That's great! I really like your cooking.

Ahh, my cookin' ain't any better than any other chef 'round here. B-but I value your appreciation.

I mean it. I look forward to your cooking every time I visit. And… it didn't take me long to eat those cookies you sent home with me last time. Not long at all.

I'd cook those for ya anytime, you just say the word n' I'll send em' your way. I'll bake up a batch and send em out to you tomorrow, actually.

Oh, I don't want to impose if you're busy…

Never too busy to do ya a favor, consider it done, Sharla.

Thank you, Gideon. I can't tell you how delicious those cookies are.

If what you've said about 'em is any indication, I think I got a good idea. Heh. I'll even make some more on your next visit.

Speaking of that, um… my next visit might not be until the end of next year.

End of n-next year?

Yes…

That's such a… long gap.

I know, but… I've just been so busy with my school work, and starting next spring I'll even be leading my own engineering project. It's really a great chance for me to prove myself!

Well, that's great news! I-I mean, if that's what you need to do, then I'm in favor. Reckon we can always keep in touch in the meanwhile through phone calls and textin'.

Of course!

Well, nice chattin' with you darlin'. Rice is askin' me to come help make the soup-of-the-day, our beans finished boilin'.

Oh, Gid before you go…

Y-yeah?

Um… n-no. It's nothing.

O-okay, if you say so.

I'll… give you a call sometime?

Anytime's a good time, Sharla. G'night.

Bye, good night