"Well, not just you," the nurse went on outside. "He's forbidden anyone on the force from seeing her."

Well, that's not exactly what I said…

Darwin glanced up from the book in his lap, not that he was paying much attention to it. It was just either stare blankly down at that, or be forced to stare at his wife, lying silent and small in the bunny-sized hospital bed, her thin chest barely rising and falling with every soft breath that rasped from her lungs. She hadn't even woken up yet.

He knew it had been under-pawed of him, keeping her friends from work from seeing her, but the last thing she needed right now was any kind of reminder about that case. She'd start feeling guilty, knowing all those kids were still missing, their families still waiting and hoping for even the smallest bit of closure, and she was stuck in a hospital bed because he hadn't been careful enough. He hadn't been able to protect her.

Having been born in Zootopia and never left, he hadn't heard of Judy Hopps until that disaster of a press conference after she and Nick had found the missing, savage mammals. He'd known a rabbit had finally become part of the ZPD, of course, but he hadn't paid too much attention until then, mostly because it was when his own parents had started heavily hinting that it was time he got married and had a family. He was already twenty-six, after all. Judy had slipped from his mind after that, once he'd started having to come up with excuses for why he couldn't settle down, at least as soon as they'd wanted him to.

He was just like her in that respect, putting everything he had into achieving a dream he'd had since a kit. Even though a freelance graphic designer wasn't nearly as noble as being the first bunny in the ZPD, it was the only job he'd had in his life that truly made him happy, even if it didn't always pay the bills. That was what the night clerk gig at the hotel on the next street was for. There was one other career he wanted, though, but this one wasn't something he could get on his own.

He wanted to be a father, to have the large family his own parents hadn't been able to. His mother had been told she couldn't have children, and when she finally had gotten pregnant, after almost ten years of trying, the only ones who'd survived from the seven-kit litter had been him and his brother Daniel. The heartbreak from having to bury five babies had been too much for her, so despite having always wanted a big family, she'd gotten herself fixed, and to this day could still barely look at the kits of any species without breaking down in tears.

But Judy didn't want a family right now, she'd made that clear from the beginning. He got the feeling she'd never even thought about having kits before, having been single-minded in her desire to become a cop. From the sound of it she hadn't even been on a date before, and now here she was, married to a bunny she barely knew, because her parents were so worried she'd waste that part of her life if they didn't intervene. He hadn't been thrilled when he'd heard it from his folks, either, but he'd figured it was better than having them constantly on his tail about it.

But then he'd seen Judy walk down the aisle, wrapped in a soft cream gown and long matching veil that had glowed in the torchlight. Her smile, tight and unsure as it had been, had been as bright as the full moon overhead, and he was sure her ears had gone a shade darker when she'd looked at him, with those large eyes that put the purest amethyst to shame. Her paw had been soft as silk when she'd placed it in his, and when she'd spoken, her sweet, shy voice had pulled him completely under her spell.

Guess love at first sight really is a thing…

He turned back to his wife, setting his book aside as he reached out to take her paw. How could he not have noticed how sick she had gotten? Thinking back on it, he realized she must have been hiding it from the start. He'd seen bottles for red-away eye drops in the trash more than once, same with pain pill bottles, how she'd flip between almost binge-eating and nearly starving herself. He'd chalked up that and her mood swings to the stress and sleep-loss brought on by the case, not the fact she'd been carrying his kits whilst also suffering from tape worms.

They'd barely had a chance to talk since they'd gotten back from their honeymoon, much less make love, and she'd spent most nights on the couch since they'd gotten back because she didn't want to wake him up, that and he couldn't keep his ass from sprawling across the whole bed at night. Not that she was much better about that, having spent so much of her life forced to share her space with hundreds of siblings, while he'd only had to share with one. They still had so much to learn about each other, and now she was nearly at death's door because he hadn't paid enough attention, hadn't picked up on just how much she was suffering.

I'll change that now, though, he thought, his paw tightening on hers. I'll do whatever it takes to protect you, Judy, I promise.

Nick glanced around as subtly as he could, making sure none of the staff would notice as he slipped into Judy's room, instead of whatever witness he'd claimed to be there to see that morning. Part of him was amazed how much using his shield like that had bothered him, when just about a year and a half ago he wouldn't have thought twice about abusing whatever authority he had, as long as it had gotten him what he wanted in the end. He really was a changed fox.

Once the door had shut behind him, he froze, barely able to process what he was seeing. Strong, vibrant, beautiful Judy Hopps, lying still and pale in a hospital bed, still in a grade three coma, if he'd overheard her doctor correctly. He padded to her bedside, doing his best to keep his claws off the floor until he knelt down next to it. He rested his crossed arms on the safety rail, laying his chin on them as he let a few tears drip from his eyes.

I still can't believe I never noticed how bad it was…he let the thought trail off. It had already kept him awake the two nights she'd been there, even more than the case their fellow officers were still investigating. I hope they find those kids soon, or at least something…

Fangmeyer and Wolfard had promised to keep him up-to-date, but so far there hadn't been any real headway. The only thing they'd been able to learn was a rough pattern with the victims: each group had been half pred, half prey, all of varying species. Was that the message the perp wanted to send, that the two classes shouldn't be friends, much less even associate with each other? Or was that just some kind of sick coincidence? He honestly wasn't sure which idea scared him more.

It's happened too many times to just be coincidence, he pulled out his phone and glanced at the time. Fifteen minutes with her would just have to do for now. He tucked his phone away and got to his feet, slightly numb after having knelt for so long. He leaned down and kissed her forehead, the lightest brush of his lips against her fur. It wasn't nearly enough to sate his need for her, but it was all he would allow himself.

"I love you, Judy," he voiced almost silently. "Even if I can't show you the way I want to, I still want you to know."

He saw her nose twitch briefly in response, and could've sworn the barest hint of a smile touched her thin lips, already much more pink than they'd been before her collapse. She would beat this, he told himself, just like she'd beat everything else. And when she did, he'd do everything he could to be there for her, even if it was only in spirit.

We'll get through this, Carrots, he paused just before he touched the door, glancing back to smile over his shoulder. I know we will.