Chapter 10
Authors Notes: I offer to you another heartfelt 'thank you!' to the readers who enjoy this story, for your continued amazing reception of my efforts. Chapter 9 was a pure dose of fluff because you deserve it. And while many of you think that things are going to be just fine all the rest of the way through the wedding and honeymoon for our two lovers, think again. As always, this is T rated romance and intimacy, with some mild swearing, and threat of violence. I may not publish Chapter 11 until next Saturday. I have a week long business trip.
…Downtown District, Gaslamp Quarter…
Mayor Leodore Lionheart walked alone 20 blocks from his current apartment, in casual clothing and a well-worn tuskball hat, to be more inconspicuous. He'd argued with the head of his mayoral office security detail to walk alone, and had angrily reminded the puma that he was a lion and that he was still the top of the food chain even in an age of legally mandated herbivore behaviors for everyone.
At five minutes to 10 pm, this part of Savanna Central District was quiet, and it was very dimly lit. All his senses were tuned genetically to detect anything untoward. He had few political - or natural – enemies, but he had always to be careful as a public figure. The families that lived here were mostly settled in for the night. There were only a few businesses still open, one of which he was headed towards, seeing the glow of the old neon sign flickering ahead as it always did. He was one of the oldest areas of town, with lots of old brick buildings four to ten stories high, and narrower streets, with lots of inexpensive, older apartments and row houses. An ancient brick and stone high school was nearby, but was now used as a homeless mammals shelter, and was surrounded by newer glass and steel high rises. He was walking through one of several floral parks in the area that were blooming as spring began. Like the rest of Zootopia, this neighborhood was a contrast in old and new, traditional and eclectic, decayed and restored, constructed in various architectures reflective of the many species that inhabited the city.
He was trying very hard to remain focused on being the Mayor conducting late night business with a key business leader in Zootopia. In point of fact, he felt like he was a high school senior again, smitten with the prettiest girl in his class, Adeline, a tigress. That kind of relationship just wasn't attempted in those days, even among mixed related species, but they liked each other and kept their boyfriend/girlfriend relationship very discreet.
The memories of his days here, growing up in these neighborhoods as a young lion and going to school were burning in his mind, and Leodore allowed himself a moment to reflect. His memories of Adeline, kissing as high school sweethearts, were fresh. On the park bench he purposely walked by was one of those memories. He looked and smiled. The memory was there - his and her initials within the crude heart he had carved into one of the wooden slats - but many times painted over. He tenderly touched the sweet reminder of their youth with his massive paws, as if the many layers of paint would peel and the initials would become freshly cut into the wood again.
His and Adeline's initials were mainly hidden, but not gone, as were his feelings for her. The terrible pain was there again: of being left behind by Adeline for her dream of living a wild life in the bright lights of the entertainment world of Zootopia, and of a bitter breakup with her for the attraction of the rich and charismatic Joe Camel.
His stomach was in a knot like everything about those times happened yesterday.
The Mayor thought about Joe Camel: a billionaire businessman, who specialized in taking advantage of mammalkind at its worst. He made insane profits from those who wanted the raunchiest TV entertainment possible, who craved the most malicious celebrity news and yellow journalism, who desired hedonistic behaviors, and who reveled in bad habits. The camel's incessant smoking was just symptomatic of the immoral life style he led and encouraged. Some said Joe had connections to the underworld, and to strip clubs and prostitution. But the City Attorney had no evidence on Joe in that regard. Leodore worried that any detailed audit would land Adeline in jail, so the lion had resisted an aggressive investigation of CBS' activities. The City Attorney constantly reminded Leodore of the need to keep his personal feelings out of any inquiries, and to separate long lost feelings for pragmatism. He had a reelection coming, and dissatisfaction by the citizens of Zootopia about the Mayor's indifference toward mammals like Joe would damage his chances at serving again, with political opponents accusing him of favoritism and inaction because of his ties to the past.
He almost turned around from his appointment, but there as a soft paw on his shoulder. The feline smiled.
"Hi Leodore," Adeline said cheerfully, a familiar but now adult voice. Her face looked a lot sadder than the last time they'd been face to face at a Zootopia Business Roundtable. She was dressed casually too.
They weren't sure how to greet each other so they just shook hands.
She admired the carved initials, and traced them gently with her paw, "It's still there. You broke a claw doing that for us."
"You made me forget the pain with a kiss, Adeline," the Mayor recalled fondly.
"Yes. Yes, I did. But that's not what we came here for. Shall we go?"
"Yes. I was afraid the bar was closed."
The sign, in red neon, flickered. It said: The Cat's Meow. While the establishment would serve everyone, it was a nightclub that specialized in serving felines like them.
They entered. Leodore opened the door for Adeline politely. It seemed that nothing had changed or aged. Unlike the old days, it was nearly deserted, and couple of old lonely drunks about their age were sipping beer or cocktails at the bar or isolated tables. He scanned the faces to make sure they weren't classmates. Or media. Leodore knew every reporter in town. He reminded himself that half of them worked for her.
The bartender walked from behind the counter, wiped his hands an old, grimy apron, and asked, "Can I help you?"
"Two please."
"'Just letting you know. We close at 11. It's the city ordnance for bars in residential neighborhoods. Like we'd disturb anyone. I've been meaning to write a nastygram to the Mayor's office, but I know he won't do anything about it."
Leodore added, "He is a do-nothing jerk."
Adeline stifled a laugh.
The barkeep, a possum, shook his head, "Sir, don't get me started."
Leodore noted, "We won't be too long. We just need a quick one."
The possum grinned in a sharply toothy smile, "If you don't mind me sayin', you two make a handsome couple. I've never seen you around here before."
Adeline blushed, "We heard this was a nice place."
The Mayor stated, "We were just passing through. Thanks, bartender. How about back there in the corner under the TV?"
The latest tuskball game was on, they were about to lose again. It had been a bad year for the home team.
"Sure."
He seated her.
An older waitress came over, a cougar, and was overweight, and pretty well-worn. All the cute young felines were at all the upscale bars and nightclubs.
She stood with a note pad and pen, chewing on some gum, and asked, "What are you having tonight? It's almost last call."
Adeline asked, "How about Zootopia-tini cocktail? I hear you make a good one here."
"We do. No one does them better."
Adeline confirmed her order, "Sure, then. It's still my favorite."
Leodore told the waitress, "Two of those please, ma'am."
She went away the two of them were essentially alone.
Leodore remembered with amusement, "As soon we were of age, you couldn't wait to try one."
"You were a gentleman and bought it for me. The celebration later in your apartment was even nicer, Leodore," she smiled.
"Those were the days," he recalled.
"They can be again," he placed her paw gently on his.
Leodore reacted more stiffly than he expected to, "Adeline, please don't just show up after all these years and use me, like Joe used you, to get yourself out of trouble. We've taken different paths. This is a business date. I have a city to run. Besides how can I trust you? What about all the one-sided editorials, the hate ads, and that CBS even endorsed my opponent? Tell me you couldn't have influenced those decisions."
Angered by the accusations, she shook her head, "Look, Leodore, I was angry for a long time about our breakup and the embarrassing way you tried to win me back, when at the time, all I could see was Joe and the future. I did some really stupid things."
"That's for certain," he agreed but instantly wished he hadn't.
She withdrew her paw from his, and sighed sadly, "Same old Leodore. Always thinking you're right. That's why we broke up. It's all city business all the time for you. No time for romance or to consider things that are more important that streets and buildings and budgets and what to do with tax revenues. Well I'm a CEO now. I have a corporation to run. That's just as important as being Mayor."
Knowing that he just blew it with her again, Joe fumbled with an apology, and tried to move the conversation forward, "I… I'm sorry, Adeline. Reminiscing 'what could have been's' and rehashing old arguments isn't why you invited me here."
She didn't take that well and bristled, "All right, have it your way. Business, Leodore. No, I didn't invite you here for just a date for old times' sake. As you know, I had a recent job change."
He genuinely complimented her, trying to recoup his mistakes, "Yes, I saw the Walrus Street Journal article the other day. Congratulations! You have excelled, Adeline. I'm proud of you. But what happened to you at Camel Broadcasting Service? I thought Joe created that Executive VP job just for you?"
"Thank you, Leodore. Yes, that was my job with Joe for as long as I wanted, but I resigned. I left him. ZTV recruited me for some time, and it was… well… way past time to leave there. Leodore, I haven't been in his bed even longer. It's over. It wasn't love. It was college girl infatuation. Infatuation that lasted too long. That was the one thing I did learn from Joe. How to lie. How to 'fake it 'til you make it'. But along the way, I did learn how to run a business, and now I'm really good at it, after… I learned… well…"
"How to succeed in the 'couch sessions'?" Leodore suggested quietly.
The conversation, long overdue, had turned back to them. Not a word was said between them after the breakup, and that was more than a decade ago. This really did have to come out before they could do business together.
"Yes, Leodore. I don't blame you for being angry. You know you were my first. And the best, dear. Joe only thinks he was first, just to have something over you. Joe mesmerized me into thinking those two humps were attached to his… equipment."
That both laughed nervously.
Leodore, knowing her heartfelt regret seemed genuine, and hurtful to admit, turned the conversation back to the original reason for meeting, "So why are you here?"
"It's important. As CEO of a legitimate company, I'm always ready to compete against peer companies, but I want to compete on a level playing field. Joe has never played by the rules, unfortunately. I finally saw that, because I was directly involved in him skirting every rule and regulation he could, by whatever means he could find to do so."
Leodore confirmed that, "It's my job as the Mayor to create a proper business environment for businesses like yours. Waste, fraud, payoffs, kickbacks and all the other shady dealings are illegal last time I checked. You know what you are admitting to me, right?"
The new CEO of ZTV calmly stated, "Yes I am. Nonetheless all that goes on all over Zootopia. I have something that I have acquired about CBS you might want to examine, Leodore. I would like to turn it over to the right people in your Administration."
"Even if it incriminates you?" he asked.
Adeline confirmed, "Even if it incriminates me. Somewhere along the way, I have to get my conscience back. Even if I have to pay for it."
She took his paw again, and this time he held it, and squeezed. They exchanged happy glances.
"So how do you want to proceed?" he asked.
"You have a couple of top investigative detectives. I want them to lead the investigation. I want to know Joe is going to get his due."
"Chief Bogo has a whole department of them. When you come to the police for help, you can't ask for officers by name. It doesn't work that way."
Adeline insisted, "Well, that's the condition of my turning a document over to you. Two detectives shine above the rest. The same two that CBS wronged so terribly – on Joe's orders to me and I carried it out on our ZooMTV show. I want to make things right with them privately at the same time I give you 'the goods' on Joe."
Leodore assented, "I think I know who you have in mind. They're on medical leave now, and will be until mid-next week, according to the Chief."
She agreed, "Next week will be fine. It's in a safe place now. We'll arrange a time and date and place to meet with them."
Knowing that the business part of the conversation was done, Leodore noted, "Adeline, umm… I was harsh with you earlier. I'm so sorry. I am a meathead about personal relationships with you, and I messed things up pretty badly between us then. Enough that I drove you away. Can we meet here again, and maybe see where it goes?"
She smiled tenderly at the Mayor, and said quietly, "Yes, Leodore, I would like to come back here. Dear, remember I left you, not the other way around. Being a meathead helped me rationalize leaving, but it was mostly me dumping you just to spite you."
They actually laughed.
Leodore raised a very bushy eyebrow, "I'm just glad you're brave enough to try again."
Adeline continued, "What about you, Leodore? You don't mind me being 'damaged goods'? Or a felon? How will you and me going out together look on the front pages of 'Zootopia Today' – which Joe also owns - or the lead story on ZooMTV? Joe would be all over that juicy little story. Especially since he hates mixed species relationships – other than the one he had with me, which I will never figure out. Maybe we should stop this right now."
He smiled and squeezed her hand tighter, "I didn't get to be Mayor by not taking risks, Adeline."
Adeline gave her ex a broad smile, "I was kind of hoping you'd say that. I promise, dear. No dirty tricks. I swore I would never use anyone like Joe used me. Especially using someone I should have realized always cared for me. I already made that mistake too many times."
Leodore considered, "Thank you Adeline. So… here we are again. Starting over…"
"Gluttons for punishment I guess," she mused.
Their laughter and apologies sounded genuine to each other. They clinked glasses, finished their drinks and gathered their jackets to leave.
Adeline made a big decision, "Here's my personal address now and my unlisted phone. It's not a penthouse, but it will do. And Joe does not live there."
Leodore looked at the street address, winced, and noted, "Well that would be a penthouse on a mayor's salary."
They laughed.
Just outside the bar, they stopped, knowing they had to go separate directions. They started to shake hands, but hugged instead. She kissed him on the cheek. His cheek felt very warm. They turned face-to-face, and without hesitation on his part or resistance from her, they kissed on their muzzles. They smiled wordlessly, released their hug and departed their separate ways.
Leodore walked by the park bench, touched the carving, and walked home. He knew that kiss had been real, because she would have never wanted one of her paparazzi around when that happened.
Across the park, a pair of binoculars was lowered, and a basset hound cursed, "Shit!"
He punched the quick dial on his cell, and whispered, "Boss?"
"Yeah? This better be good, it's past midnight."
"I've been tracking her like you asked."
"And?" the voice inquired impatiently.
The canine winced, "You will never guess who she just had a drink with. And kissed."
"Who?"
"The Mayor."
"Shit," exclaimed Joe Camel.
…Nick and Judy's Apartment…
As the week progressed, each morning the pair woke up together, and they were getting very excited about their upcoming simple wedding. They were simultaneously anxious about extent of their recuperation, even though the healing process seemed to be going well. They maintained the doctor-prescribed routine of three times daily bandage-changing procedure, and their reliance on the sedatives waned. They were glad of that, as some of the meds were very addictive if taken too long.
More importantly, their relationship deepened with each day of being together and grew more tender each night, as they rolled on their sides to hug, kiss, and sleep, since they were allowed to slumber that way. They wondered if the doctor hadn't wanted it this way for them on purpose. The feeling of fur against fur was incredible and they couldn't get enough of it, but they weren't so tempted to try anything after resisting that first day, especially with the wedding day so very close, when everything they wanted to do with each other would then be possible. Besides, their full time nudity had its humorous side benefits and snarky humor.
They were busy every day. When they ran out of wedding plans, or got bored of the TV, they played board games, cards, did crossword puzzles, or battled in two player video games on their phones. They never tired of each other's simple company, and there were many little smiles, winks, sweet kisses or pecks, and frequent paw holds that passed between them. They cherished each other's attractive bodies.
They healed more thoroughly and faster than they thought. Despite all the desire for this very private togetherness, they were active mammals, and they were going stir crazy. They felt well enough to go out, so they called the Doctor's office to get some advice.
His head nurse put him on the phone, and Judy told him, "Doc, we feel pretty good. We're healing well, thanks to your therapy."
He grinned over the phone, "Told you."
She chuckled, but asked, "We want to know if we can go out. Just to shop."
The doctor considered it, and suggested, "Tell you what. Your place is on my way home. I'll make a good old fashioned house call. Then we'll decide."
A knock came a few hours later. The doctor, a very handsome raccoon, smiled when Nick opened the door in only his lower scrubs, "Hello Nick. I see you're still following doctor's orders."
"Welcome doctor. Yep. We are."
Judy remained lying in their bed nude, and Nick joined her.
The medical raccoon asked, "So how are you young mammals doing?"
"We feel great, Doc. We're off the meds."
He nodded in assent, "Good. We don't want you dependent on those."
The doctor made a thorough examination of his surgery work, and seemed very satisfied with the healing. He asked, "So you want to go out? Bored with my indoor therapy?"
Judy answered enthusiastically, "Oh no, doctor. This is wonderful. We're just getting a little 'cabin fever'. And we have some plans for the weekend."
"Oh, what?"
Judy beamed, "We're getting married!"
The raccoon smiled, "Well, congratulations you two! I certainly don't want to slow you down on that. Here's my advice. I think you've progressed enough to go out, and this weekend should be no problem, as long as you two are very careful. Take elevators instead of long stairs. Walk slowly. Wear sweats or loose shorts with nothing underneath for a few days, then see how loose fitting clothing and underwear feels. You should be able to wear whatever wedding clothes you want by Sunday. You two should able to return to your normal routine probably mid-week next week based on what I see."
"The middle of next week?" Nick said with surprise.
The doctor grinned, "Yes. I'm telling Bogo to give you a few more days off. That's my wedding present to you. You can go back to work next Wednesday – with just administrative work for a week after you return. No chasing bad guys for a two more weeks. Understood? I am writing a doctor's order for that to give to Bogo and your scheduler."
Judy was very pleased, "Thanks, Doc."
Nick asked, "And… uh… how about relations, Doc?"
Judy blushed and grasped his forepaw.
The doctor smiled kindly, and answered, "Yes of course, as newlyweds, you may do that too, but no sooner than the weekend though. Just don't do anything crazy."
They both smiled at him and each other.
The raccoon got up to leave, "I have to go now, Judy and Nick. One of my cubs has a soccer game. Umm… Listen, you two, I admire you both for your courage with the porcupines and being an interspecies couple. I'm married to a sweet raccoon, but we both believe in equality of the species like you do."
Judy blushed and said, "We kind of guessed that when you… um… discussed that with the intern."
He laughed, "Whether you wanted to hear us or not."
All three had a gentle laugh.
"Thank you. From both of us," Nick added and shook the doctor's hand.
"You're welcome. That's why I really wanted to do the house call, to tell you what I and my family believed. You are remarkable mammals."
"Thanks Doc," Judy noted, and started to rise to see him out.
"Rocky, please. Don't get up. Rest. I'll lock the door on the way out," he grinned, and departed.
After he left Judy turned to Nick and snickered, "I never guessed that kind, gentle doctor as a 'Rocky'."
"Me either. So, Carrots, what are we waiting for? It's time for a 'Wilde' day on the town."
Playing along, Judy added, "Yes, it is, and now we have to 'Hopps' to it."
"Attagirl," Nick grinned at their complementary puns, and the pair exchanged fist bumps.
Nick and Judy gingerly got dressed in some comfortable clothes – just some loose, but not revealing, shorts and tees, since they couldn't wear underwear yet. They really didn't worry about any having any pretense at privacy around each other as they got dressed, and actually helped each other, especially with getting the clothes safely over their bandages. They enjoyed glancing at each other in admiration, although neither could resist playing with each other.
When Nick had carefully helped Judy get her shorts over her bandages, he pulled back the elastic band, and let it snap on the back of her pretty, narrow waist.
"Ow!" she exclaimed, "Nick! You big jerk."
He looked off into space as if nothing happened, "My paws slipped. Sorry."
"I bet you are…" she said doubtfully and wondered when she could retaliate.
"Wow, Carrots. You look just as good in clothes as you do naked," he complimented. It was a compliment she would have never ever expected to receive from anyone, including her fiancé. But it was a sweet comment.
"Thank you, Nickie, dear. So… Are you ready? Besides taking just a nice walk together, let's get some groceries. I have a few errands, too. I have to buy an nice outfit to wear for the wedding," Judy stated.
"Sure. We need refills on everything. And I think the milk has gone bad."
"Yeah. Milk is not supposed to have lumps…" she joked.
They laughed, exited and locked the apartment to head out. Judy turned and put her arms around Nick's neck, and gave him a big kiss and a satisfied sigh.
Nick felt dizzy and responded, "Wow! To what do I owe that?"
Judy cooed as she took his arm in hers, "Simple. I'm going for the first walk with my fiancé."
He nodded his head in agreement, "That you are. Me too."
"A stunning coincidence, don't you think, Nick?" Judy kidded. Their banter now extended to their romance.
"'Can't disagree, Carrots."
She added more seriously,"One thing more, dear. Do you think there will be crowds?"
"If I had to guess, I don't think so. We're yesterday's news, and the controversy seems to be over. If so, we deal with the police way. 'No comment'."
She nodded her head in agreement. They proceeded to the elevator rather than the stairs, and gingerly moved down the stoop stairs, holding each other arm-in-arm to steady their descent. They carefully strolled the sidewalk slowly, as ordered.
It was like night and day when people encountered them on the street.
Almost everyone greeted them cheerfully, and congratulated them on their bravery. They shook their hands, or at least smiled as they passed. Several wanted autographs or pictures. There were still a few folks that shunned them, or seemed to look at them with scorn, but there were only a few, and they said and did nothing. But they weren't mobbed by paparazzi or crowds. Life felt almost normal.
Soon, they heard the throaty roar of a pumped up sports car. It honked at them. They turned. It was Flash. Laboriously and agonizingly slowly, stopped beside them in his sports car, Flash stated, "Hey… Nick… hey… Judy. Nice… seeing… you… two... well. I… think… you… make… a... won…der…ful… cou… ple…. together."
Priscilla was in the seat next to him, leaning into him, smiled at Nick and Judy, and nodded in agreement slowly, "Me… too…"
She caressed her really round belly in the way only expectant mothers can do. It wasn't a normal round sloth belly. She was very pregnant. Judy's eyes widened in surprise.
The cars behind Flash honked and drivers yelled. The light had been green ten times in the time Flash took to simply greet the pair.
Nick pulled out his badge and held it up to the angry drivers, "Be quiet. We're on police business here."
He normally didn't take advantage of his police status, but this was worth it.
Flash winked and finished the conversation, "See… you… guys… later….! Gotta… go… late… We're… late… to… the… movies….'
As soon as the light turned green, the tires burned on his fancy car and he and Priscilla peeled out like there was no tomorrow.
It was such a contradiction to see him drive and hear him talk. As usual, it made Nick and Judy chuckle.
Judy observed, "They are so cute together. But Nick, is she…?"
He nodded, "Yep. She is. I heard about that the other day."
Judy worried, "But the wedding announcement was just in 'Zootopia Today' a week ago. Sloths are very moral creatures. They weren't…"
Nick explained, "No, of course they weren't. The article said that their wedding was six months ago."
That caused them to really laugh.
Judy kidded, "But are they ever on time to anything? She could be late to her own delivery."
"If their cub isn't weeks late deciding to be born."
They both laughed.
Nick wondered if they'd be on time this weekend, but didn't want to spoil the surprise for his fiancé.
They turned the corner, and Judy halted. She fretted,"Oh, no."
It was Finnick and his girl, doing what appeared to be something moderately illegal.
The tiny fox gave them an angry look, "Oh. You two."
Judy had been the most offended by his nasty insults, but said kindly, "We mean you no harm, Finnick, we're just taking a walk together."
The female held his paw and ribbed her boyfriend hard in the ribs.
Finnick sighed, "Um. A word before you go."
Judy was very defensive. Nick said with an edge in his voice, "OK. What do you have to say to us?"
Finnick sighed and looked both right in the eye, "I'm… uh… really sorry I was so cruel the other day. It was… well… uncalled for. 'Friends again?"
A genuine smile came across Finnick's face. Judy had never seen Finnick smile once in all the time she had known him.
The two foxes shook hands, and Judy and the female exchanged a hug, who noticed her ring right away, wondering when Finnick was going to steal one for her, "Congrats you two. When did this happen?"
"About a week ago, right after we apprehended the porcupines," Judy simply stated. She saw that Finnick had noticed her ring too. She reflexively protected the ring with her right paw. Finnick was a thief.
Nick invited, "Do you two want to come to our wedding this weekend? We're at the Lookout Point lodge up in the mountains Sunday."
The little fox scratched his chin and considered, "Wow, you too aren't wasting any time. Hmm. We'll think about it. That's a pretty long way to go. Tina and I are going to the Blossom Fest."
'To pick pockets' was left unsaid, but having done so with him in the past, Nick knew.
Nick noted, "I know it's short notice, Finnick."
"We may surprise you. 'See you two around," Finnick noted, and went back to his latest street swindle.
Walking around the corner out of earshot, Nick wondered, "Wow, I never expected that."
Judy agreed, "Me too. But my dear fiancé, you have that effect on people. No one can really stay mad at you long."
Both reflected on that time before they were friends and lovers and yet were drawn from the start to each other.
"I was thinking Finnick apologized because of you, Carrots. Who can ever be mad at a bunny?"
She kissed his cheek and told him, "I'm going to refill our meds and get another set of bandages - the lighter ones that we can wear under clothes."
"Oh, you're not happy with seeing me all the time? Bored with my body already?" Nick teased.
She rolled her eyes, "Far from it, Nickie. Clothes are to be worn only outside the apartment. Ever. Inside, there's a new 'no clothing permitted' rule in our apartment that goes into effect after our 'mandatory convalescent nudity' prescription runs out."
They laughed heartily, and Nick responded, hoping she was more serious than joking, which was true, at least in the bedroom, "I really like that idea."
They kissed and walked arm-in-arm, drawing a number of happy looks and comments as they walked.
While Nick went in to the pharmacy, which appeared to have an enormous line for refills, she saw the B. Dingo Booksellers store across the street, right next to the Koalas Department store. That was her real destination, and having the department store next door was a plausible excuse. She was also really looking for a nice outfit to get married.
She went into the book store without being seen by her fiancé. There was enough time to do both errands, and Nick would never know.
Fox anatomy fascinated her now that she was engaged to Nick and had firsthand very close up knowledge. She was a little daunted by Nick's size, though after that special moment earlier in the week she was sure they were compatible. She knew nothing else about fox sexuality. While marriage was a lot more than just sex, she knew it would be important to him because boys always thought sex was important. And frankly it was to her too. She was a rabbit, and rabbits did have legendary desires.
She perused the travel section for a little while looking for something new on Atlantea, but the 'Sex and Health' section of the book store beckoned her. She was trying to get enough nerve to go there.
She looked both ways to make sure no one was looking who knew her, and noticed that Nick was making little progress in line at the pharmacy across the street. She sighed, and walked across the store, and stood before the huge aisle of mammal sexuality literature.
She thought, "Good grief. What's a country girl like me doing in an aisle like this?"
She skipped the section about Camel-Sutra positions and a lot of other dubious explicit books that were far too kinky for her tastes, and hopefully his too.
She was suddenly confronted by an entire section that was covered with a hundred different species-specific versions of white-covered book entitled: "The Joy of Mammal Sex".
She tried to scan the species quickly. She saw the sign showing five minutes free reading limit. This was overwhelming.
She nearly jumped out of her fur when a salesperson came up behind her and asked cheerfully, "'New to this kind of thing?"
Tentatively, Judy answered, "Yes. I just got engaged. We're trying to figure things out when we get married."
The pretty armadillo recommended, "I have just the thing for you."
She leaned over and pulled out 'The Joy of Lagomorphic Sex'.
"There," she said in a perky voice as she handed the volume to Judy, "Everything to know about him and how to make him – and you - happy."
Judy hesitated and chewed on her lip, admitting, "My fiancé… um… isn't a rabbit."
Without hesitation or judgment, the armadillo asked, "Oh, well… OK, then. What is he? Wait… aren't you…?"
With anxiety, not wanting to have to defend herself on an otherwise happy day with her Nick, Judy answered, "Yes, I am."
"Well Officer Hopps, I have just the thing for you," she chirped, "Foxes are a special variety of canid… Vulpus... Ah. Here you go."
The book she gingerly put in Judy's hands was entitled: "The Joy of Vulpine Sex". It had sections on all species of Fox.
The helpful sales person advised, "Take all the reading time you need. You're a heroine to me and to my whole family, Officer Hopps. I hope you and Officer Wilde will be very happy together."
"Uh… Thank you," Judy said with some embarrassment.
She flipped through some pages. Her lavender eyes widened as she saw the picture of a male fox fully ready for intimacy hovering over an equally excited vixen, positioned to receive him. The male's image stared back at her. It could have been Nick, with the pose and the smirk. And the size. Judy did reflect with a feeling of feminine superiority that she did look a lot better in the nude than that vixen. They had no tops to speak of any curves at all.
Judy looked at that special part of the male and looked at her own shorts.
"I can do this. I want to do this," she whispered.
She thumbed through pages and pages more of the male and female foxes in various positions together, and her lavender eyes got bigger and bigger. Some positions looked like amazing fun, but others turned her stomach.
She gulped when she saw the section on Fennec Foxes, and quickly moved past it, but having seen the picture of a fully excited male Fennec, she knew she'd never be able to unsee that image again, especially if she encountered Finnick.
"And I thought his ears were enormous," she muttered.
She didn't see the shadow behind her.
"Boo!" the shadow whispered in her fully upright ears.
Instantly, Judy jumped three feet in the air and shrieked. Customers all around her in nearby aisles were startled.
She landed out of breath, clutching her book to her bosom, and demanded, "Who did that…?"
She saw a mischievous grin on Nick, standing in an innocent pose. He examined his nails, and admitted, "Umm. Me."
She pointed her finger and glared at him, "Don't you ever sneak up on me again like that, Nicholas P. Wilde."
"A little jumpy aren't we, here in the Sex and Health Section?" he casually observed, making fun of her reflexive leap.
"Shut up, Nick. Besides, what are you doing in this aisle?"
"I dunno. Nothing. I was curious why you were here and not in the Department store like you said you'd be."
"Well, I wanted to pick up another book on Atlantea," she defended herself weakly, but knew she was lying. A sex manual about foxes was exactly what she was here for.
He peered over her arms, "So… what have you found in your latest reading materials. Action adventure?"
She almost laughed out loud with the pun. He knew what was going on, but she stammered, "Uh.. no…"
She clutched the book, praying he couldn't read the title. But she just stood there nervously. She was caught red-handed. Or actually gray-pawed.
He slowly pulled the book cover from under her clutched paws, paged through, and raised an eyebrow, "Thanks for thinking about me, Carrots."
Judy was happy and embarrassed at the same time, but noticed something that also had a white cover that Nick was hiding. It looked like her book, with an important difference, "Wait, Nick, what's that behind your back?"
Suddenly Nick was on the defensive, and backed up, not so smug anymore. He lied, "The prescriptions and bandages?"
Her eyes narrowed and she accused, "No, Nick, the book…"
She reached desperately around on one side of her fiancé and then the other, and time after time he dodged her, and he kept her at bay. She was flustered and laughing and angry at the same time.
"Darn you, Nick Wilde. Let me see your book!" she declared.
She slid underneath his legs, jumped up behind him, and snatched the book from his grasp. She held it away from him and she gasped.
"'The Joy of Lagomorphic Sex'? Nickie… how sweet," she grinned.
He stammered and looked everywhere but right at her.
"Uh well… You see, Judy, I don't know anything about girl rabbits… and I want to really please you… and you're just so beautiful. I wasn't sure what to do the other day... I thought… uh…"
She gave him a loving glance and soothed his forepaw, "I know, Nickie. I want this to be so right with you too. That's why I came here."
"You're the best, Carrots."
Judy got very close to him and said, "But you know, Nickie, maybe we can enjoy our times together the most if we just try something and ask each other how it feels, and keep trying until we get it right."
"Right enough for us," he added affectionately.
They started to put the books back but then looked at each other and exploded in laughter, and said simultaneously, "Nah!"
The cashier gave them a very strange stare, but she said nothing as she rang up the books, they paid, and left the store.
The ground hog cashier's colleague one position down – a beaver - asked very curiously after the lovers departed, "Was that…?"
The ground hog said, "Yep, and you'll never believe what they just bought."
Stifling laughter after her colleague told her, the beaver cashier noted, "I'm so happy for them. They deserve each other… if only my boyfriend would pay that much attention to my needs."
Still chuckling, the ground hog cashier said to the impatient customers in line, "Next in line please!"
They went next door to Koalas Department Store and shopped for outfits for their wedding. Nick plopped down in a chair while Judy looked. Normally not a very finicky dresser, Judy tried on a dozen different outfits. But passing the swimwear aisle, something else caught her eye too, and it made her smile as she bought the items and hid them for their trip to Atlantea.
"Our honeymoon in Atlantea," she whispered to herself.
While all this was going on, Nick sat on a chair near the fitting rooms, yawned, and stretched. He fiddled with a video game on his phone. He checked his watch. Several times.
She walked up with a couple of bags of already purchased clothes.
"So show me," Nick said with amusement. The bags were as nearly big as she was.
She defended her bags, "You know the fox wedding tradition. The groom can't see the bride's outfit. So now let's get you fixed up. I'll make sure it complements mine."
He teased, "Sure. You really are into this fox-style wedding, Carrots."
"Don't you want me to, Nickie?"
"Well sure," he noted. He was very proud of her.
…
The laughter in their bed that night was entertaining and amusing, as they lay side-by-side as usual and showed each other things from their books that seemed interesting. They made a list.
But Judy warned, "Nicholas P. Wilde: this is a list that does not ever go on the refrigerator!"
Nick hadn't thought of that and wondered how to get away with it, but agreed, "Of course, dear."
Cuddled together, they were having a lot of fun. He adored the sight of her beautiful body so willingly given and displayed before him every day.
Judy warned, "Page 65 is just not right. You are never going to be this little gray bunny to do that with you, Nick Wilde."
He looked and his nose wrinkled in disgust, "I would never even ask, dear. But how about page 48 in my book?"
She admitted with very wide, desirous eyes for her fiancé, "If we weren't keeping our promise to wait Nick, I'd try that right now with you. Put that on our list."
"Or really? Well… just the other day…" he suggested in jest.
She cautioned, "Not so fast, hot shot. I agreed with you. We should wait. I have some areas a little tender. Do want me to pop a stitch a few days before our wedding night?"
Nick was adamant in his agreement with holding back, "No. Absolutely not!"
They cuddled, savoring their embrace and the promise of their joys to come, and kissed goodnight. Nick dreamed of what was going to happen together on Sunday.
…Joe Camel's Penthouse...
Joe Camel stood in his penthouse suite in his library, whose floor-to-ceiling windows allowed him to look out over the vast skyline that constituted the Zootopia Downtown District. He had an evil smile, contemplating the future of the city that he knew would soon be his to rule. He was ready to enter the race for mayor. Joe knew he had many advantages over Mayor Lionheart, and would leverage his vast control of the media to embarrass the mayor and his lack of action and indiscretions. Joe could easily exploit Adeline's and the Mayor's indiscretion and rekindled relationship. A mayor had to be above reproach and have no conflict of interests. With the Mayor romantically involved with the CEO of the biggest business in town gave Joe tremendous license to destroy them both. He could - in one effort - take down the Mayor and his biggest competitor.
Adeline's departure had truly hardened his heart, and now permitted Joe to be able to concentrate on species purity. Adeline's dumping him was a great example of how cross species relationships could go wrong and were to be shunned. Joe smiled as looked to the future beyond becoming Mayor. He knew he could fire Bogo and put his own compliant Police Chief in charge, co-opt the Zootopia National Guard, and gain control over the District Environmental Administration to slowly turn all of Zootopia into the xeriscape of the Sahara Square District. A desert environment would truly allow him to exert his control over the water and food supply, and would make for the survival of the fittest of the species. As a Bactrian camel, he was one of the best survivalists. If weaker species died off with the coming transformation to a desert landscape, so be it. It was natural selection. Rodentia could be plowed under with all the citizens' tiny desiccated bodies as an amusement park for desert animals.
Joe's continued efforts at discrediting the hero fox and rabbit cops were backfiring terribly. His assumption of mainstream pent-up hatred and anger was dead wrong. Since his character assassination campaign was not working, he planned for outright assassination of Officers Hopps and Wilde, leaving no trace of his involvement in any of it.
Joe planned to take full advantage of species hatred that lurked in the shadows. Many others still harbored those feelings besides him, and he knew they were all behind him.
There was a price for his dogged determination to vilify cross species relationships. He was starting to lose subscribers to CBS and associate cable networks, commercial sponsors, and ZooTMZ was loosing viewer in droves. CBS was in trouble. Deep financial trouble. And to make matters worse, Adeline had taken… no, stolen… the book that would make matters even worse. He was amazed he hadn't gotten he blackmail call from her yet.
His number one priority was to get that book back. Then everything else would fall into place. And the next step to make that happen was arriving soon.
His anger spilled over and he yelled to no one, "Damn you that you were right, Adeline. You shared my couch, and for awhile, my bed. I can't believe you became a real business mammal. You weren't that smart."
An expected knock came on his study, and the butler said, "Your guest is here, sir."
Joe ordered, "Send him in."
A nervous wolf tentatively entered his penthouse home on the top floor of CBS tower.
With a broad smile, Joe welcomed his guest, "Simon, thank you so much for coming."
The wolf was intimidate with the wealth before him, "Y-y-you're welcome sir. You have quite a view up here. It's like being in the police helicopter."
Joe mused, "Without the fear of flying, though. Come. Share a drink with me."
Simon noted, "I'm a little nervous sir, I've never seen a place like this before. My entire apartment isn't as big as one of your rooms.
Joe tried to assuage his anxiety, "Everyone has a home Simon, mine's just a little bigger than most."
"Well that's good to look at it that way, sir," Simon said more calmly.
Pouring a long drink of a 20 year old Scotch, Joe sounded sympathetic, "Simon, I'm sorry that you lost your job with the Police Force."
Simon barely contained his anger, "'Bunch of jerks. That Board of Inquiry was a joke. I didn't have a chance. It was a kangaroo court."
He had a point. No less than 4 of the 7 board members were kangaroos, known for their harshness in 'sticking to the book' on regulations and protocols, and enforcement of behaviors on the ZPD.
Simon reflected, "I'd sue for wrongful termination, but I can't get a lawyer I can afford. Is this about that, sir?"
The billionaire worked on the former police officers emotions, "Joe, Simon. Call me Joe. While I support your position and what you did as a dispatcher to rid the force of interspecies relationships between colleagues, Simon, we have more important things to discuss, This is about security. My security and yours."
Simon offered, "As a former cop, I'm well qualified to be a guard at CBS."
Joe responded, "This isn't about being a guard, young wolf. No, this is about getting even with Chief Bogo, and the abomination to mammalian society we call Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde."
Simon smiled, "Keep talking, sir. I'm interested. Very interested."
"How are your investigative skills, Simon?"
He bragged, "Better than most. They wasted my talents on dispatch. And I wasn't even lead dispatcher. I couldn't stand that fat bastard Clawhauser. Have you ever operated a radio with icing and crumbs on the knobs and buttons? Disgusting…"
Joe led him down the logic trap, "Simon, I want to take advantage of your vast investigative skills. Have you ever investigated burglaries?"
Knowing what Joe wanted, he implied deliberately, "Joe, I'm so good at that I could probably do one better than the criminals we catch. A robbery that couldn't be traced. Even by precious Nick and Judy."
Simon smiled and put his arm around Simon's shoulder, "Good, young mammal, because someone very near to me betrayed me and took something with her that is really important to me. And I want it back. She stole it."
Simon committed himself to his first crime, "I can do that easily sir. Just tell me where and when."
"That's wonderful, Simon. If you do that job for me well, we'll talk about me doing something for you, because we care about mammals that get hurt like you. We call it 'getting even'."
"I like that a whole lot better, Joe. What do I have to do?"
"Well, son, here's a number I want you to call. His name is Duke. Tell him I approved of you, and he'll tell you what to do next."
They were both very pleased at how the conversation had concluded.
Simon expressed his appreciation for the second chance with a very powerful mammal, "That was a fine drink sir, and I'm looking forward to helping you. I really like that you think of my needs over yours. Most bosses don't do that."
"I'm not like other bosses, Simon."
"I can tell," Simon said in admiration of his new mentor.
Joe gave the wolf the drink glass, "Keep it son."
Joe then gave the wolf the $1000 bottle of single malt scotch, and stated, "Take this too. I want you to enjoy it on me, as down payment on a long professional association with me. If you have someone you like and want her to get drunk, it'll work fast and you can do what you want with her then."
Simon gave an evil grin, "I do. And I will. Thank you sir."
"My pleasure."
The butler escorted Simon to the long elevator ride to the street.
Joe rubbed his paws with glee and said to himself, "This is going to be sweet revenge. For both Simon and me, Mayor. Remember, I had her first. Enjoy her now, because if I can't have her, neither can you. And since she stole from me, she has it coming."
His glee was short lived though. His cell rang. It was him. Joe gulped.
"Yes, sir?"
The unmistakable voice of Mr. Big coldly ordered, "I'm sending a limo for you. We must chat. Privately."
"It's late, sir."
"What I have to say to you cannot wait. You cannot refuse my offer."
He swallowed even harder than before, "Yes sir. I'll be ready."
"The driver is 10 minutes out. Don't make him wait."
Joe grabbed his overcoat. The camel knew it was going to be very cold there and from Mr. Big's tone, it might be colder in more ways than one.
While he was nervous, Joe knew he had no solution yet for Mr. Big to consolidate his power. If he survived this face-to-face meeting, he'd have to think of something.