(AN: Want to quickly thank everyone for they're patience in waiting for the next chapter. So where did we leave off. Ah, that's right. After a night of fun drinking, Judy woke up to some bad news. What was the news? Keeping reading to find out.

Read the footnote and the end for little hits at whats to come in the next chapter.

Lastly, if you enjoy reading this chapter, please leave a review. Or, if you hated reading this chapter, still feel free to leave a review. Again, thanks to everyone reading this.)

Ch. 9, The Big Picture:

The crack of dawn shined through the shaded windows as Nick stood in front of the mirror. He was adjusting his black suit and tie to look straight and proper. The funeral was not till later in the evening, but Nick figured it best to get up and get ready for the long day ahead.

Waking up so early had become part of his routine since Judy had gotten word of the terrible news. Since then, Judy became closed off and distant. Laying under the covers, sometimes not even bothering to get out of bed at all. Bogo even put her on administrative leave. Till Judy felt level-headed enough to return to active duty.

For the past three days, Nick had gotten up early to help take care of her; cooking and bring food for her. This morning his mother had come over to help. At that very moment, Marian was in the kitchen cooking a light breakfast for Judy and him.

Nick looked over at Judy, still curled up under the covers, facing the wall. She was awake but unresponsive. Nick went over and sat on the edge of the bed next to her. Putting a fox hand on her shoulder and giving her a light shake.

"Carrots...? Judy...? You have to get up so we can get going." Judy didn't say anything. She blinked and gave a slight nob that she understood. "Come on; let's get you some breakfast." Judy, wearing only her pajamas and a plain gray t-shirt, and helped out of bed. Nick lead her down the hall to the kitchen.

Marian had finished up cooking and laid everything out on the kitchen table. There was a plate of toast surrounded by butter, jams, and jellies to smear on the crunchy toast with a knife. There were two bowls, one of fruit and the other filled with steamed vegetables that Judy liked. Marian had even gone through the trouble of brewing up a batch of blueberry tea.

Marian looked up and saw her son, who guided Judy into the kitchen. She went over, embracing Judy in a comforting hug. "Judy," Marian said, "I'm so sorry for what's happened."

"Thank you, Marian," Judy said in a soft tone.

"We appreciate that you are helping out today, Mom," Nick said.

"Not a problem," Marian said, hugging her son and planting a kiss on his cheek. Marian turned back to Judy, who still looked as if her mind was in a whole different place.

"Judy, there's breakfast for you in the kitchen, please eat what you can," Marian said in a hopeful plea. "And I brewed some blueberry tea. I recommend you drink a cup. It will give you a warm, relaxing sensation, and provide you with the energy you need for the day." Judy did not answer her, but only nodded her head.

"You take care of her, son" Marian said with sweet care in her voice. "I'm going to catch the early train to Bunnyburrow. I want to help the Hopps with the funeral arrangements." Nick thanked her again, which she repaid by giving one more kiss on her son's cheek before leaving.

Nick continued to guide Judy to the kitchen and sat her down at the table. He made her a plate with two pieces of toast smeared with butter and blueberry jam. Nick added a few steamed vegetables to the dish as well. Judy only looked at the plate with disinterest. He also poured her a cup of tea, as his mother recommended.

Steam rose from the cup of piping hot tea. Placing the drink in front of Judy, Nick kissed the top of her head. He left her to enjoy her breakfast. If she could enjoy any of it? Nick knew Judy would hardly touch any of the food.

Nick headed back to the bedroom to lay out the black dress for Judy to wear. He called a car rental agency in BunnyBurrow to make sure a car was there waiting for them at the train station.

Once the car rental company confirmed the car would be there, Nick hung up. Sitting on the edge of the bead, Nick took a deep breath and exhaling at a slow pace, eyes closed. Nick buried his face in his hands. He needed a second. A second to figure out how he was going to make it through this day.

By the time Nick and Judy arrived at BunnyBurrow, it was a little past noon. Judy was wearing the black dress Nick had laid out for her. She had her ears drooped back and pinned behind her head.

Parked outside BunnyBurrow's train station was the rental car. The rental was a cheap model. Nothing special about it at all. Nick figured they only needed it for a day.

Nick helped Judy into the passenger seat. Out in the distance, Nick could see dark clouds starting to form. The clouds were far away and should not cause any problem with the funeral.

Nick opened the driver door and slid in. He looked over at Judy, who was looking out the window with a dark blank stare. Nick leaned over to talk to her. "I thought it would be best if we went to the hospital first, before going to the funeral home."

Judy took her time before answering him with a simple, "Okay." Nick let out a soft sigh and turned the ignition in the car. Checking to see if he was clear, Nick pulled out and headed to BunnyBurrow's General Hospital.

The drive wasn't more than a half hour to the hospital. Once inside, and with help from one of the nurses on staff, they found the room they were looking for. The hospital room was communal with three different patients.

The room had that standard hospital look, with a bunch of light pastel colors. A dry erase board on the wall showing the date and that day's nurse in bold black Sharpie. Nick and Judy were there to see only one patient. In the hospital bed closest to the door, laying there hooked up to a morphine drip, pulse reader, and oxygen tube was Derek.

Derek laid there, eyes closed. Since the accident, Derek was in a coma for the past three days. Judy walked over and sat in the chair close to the bed. Leaning in and grabbing the rabbit hand of her comatose brother. Nick stood at the end of the hospital bed, looking at the state of Derek's horrid mangled body.

Derek looked like he had gone through a meat grinder. The rabbit's head, wrapped in bandages. His right eye, swollen shut and purple. Derek's right arm and left leg were both in a thick white cast. Small white bandages covered minor cuts and on his face. A few of the dressings on his face had faint red spots of blood bleeding through the white cotton. An oxygen tube hooked up to his nose to help him breathe, due to several broken ribs. The last thing Nick noticed, was the left wrist. Where on his wrist was a bright and shiny metal handcuff. The other part of the cuffs latched to the hospital bed.

A Porcupine in scrubs, a lab coat, and stethoscope around his neck entered the room, carrying a file under his arm. "Are you part of the Hopps family?" the Doctor asked.

"Yes," Judy said, jumping up to see the doctor. "Judy Hopps, his big sister. Is there any update on his condition?" Judy asked

"Well..." the doctor said, opening the file and pulling out what looked like a Xray print out.
"I've got bad news and even worse news. The bad news is that your brother has sustained significant cranial swelling." The doctor placed the Xray to the light so they can see. The Doctor pointed out on the Xray how Derek's brain was pressing up against his skull.
"Though the swelling will go down, It's going to take some time and bedrest. The worse news is that right now your brother is in a coma state and it's unknown when he will awake from it. Could be days, weeks, even months. Time will only tell."

"Thank you, Doctor," Judy said, dread in her voice. She went back to sit at her coma brother's side.

"Correct me if I'm wrong, but the both of you are of law enforcement?"

"You would be correct," Nick said.

"When the two of you checked in at the reception desk, we called the sheriff. We were told to contact the Sheriff if your names came up. He wanted to talk you about the incident. He's here now waiting at the reception desk."

"Thank you," Nick said. "Carrots you stay here with Derek. I'll go talk to the Sheriff." Kissing the top of Judy's head, Nick left to see the sheriff. It felt like a wave of relief to leave the room. Clear his head, even for a minute.

Waiting for Nick at the nurse reception desk was the sheriff of BunnyBurrow. Sheriff Oates was a tall and muscular dark brown mustang. Instead of the blue officer uniform Nick and Judy wore, Oates wore a brown and beige colored suit of the law. The sleeves on his uniform were long. On top of Oates' head was a large brown rim hat with gold-colored lacing around it. Oates took the hat off and placed in on the reception desk.

Oates' long mane of hair, pushed to one side. The last item noticed was the large reflective aviator glasses Oates wore. The compact reflective lens made it impossible to see his eyes. Nick felt it was stupid to be wearing those sunglasses, considering they were inside. As if there is some unwritten rule, making Sheriffs always wear thick aviator glasses.

Approaching Oates, Nick dug into his pocket and pulled out his badge to show. Oats lowered his aviators for a better look at Nick's badage. Nick had been preparing to meet BunnyBurrow's Sheriff. Since hearing about the horrible event from Judy, Nick wanted to see if the loacal sheriff would be of some help. Being both mammals of the law, Oates extended his curtsy, giving Nick and Judy an inside look at the incident.

"Let me first say; my sympathy goes out to the Hopps family, for their loss." Oates pulled a file folder out from under his arm. "Here are the files for Hopps brother case, you asked for. We found significant amounts of narcotics, known as Blue Sky, in Derek Hopp's blood."

Nick opened the file folder and looked at pictures of the horrific crash. One photo showed Derek's truck, or what once was Derek's truck. The vehicle now was a twisted, crushed pile of metal with pieces scattered all along the highway. Another photo showed the other car. The one Derek crashed into head-on. Same condition as Derek's truck completely totaled.

Another picture showed the driver of the other vehicle. Nick didn't have to ask Oates if the other driver was alive or dead? The image revealed that answer, which was the ladder. The other driver was a possum. The picture showed the possum's head had caved into the steering wheel on impact.

"The family of the victim he crashed into, will be pressing charges for vehicular mammal slaughter. That's also on top the charge of driving under the influence. That is when he finally regains consciousness and comes out of his coma." Oates said.

Nick looked at the photos in the folder in disbelief at the wreckage. Derek should have never survived such a crash. Oates reached out and took back the police file.

"I won't keep you any longer. I know you, and Officer Hopps have a long day ahead of you. Good Day." Oates slipped his aviators and hat back on, leaving Nick there to ponder. Ponder at everything that was happening.

"What did I do" Nick whispered to himself, so no one could hear him. One constant thought ran through Nick's mind since hearing about Derek's wreck. Was Derek high on Blue Sky? No. Derek would not be so stupid and reckless. Would he?

Well, now he had his answer, and it made him all the sicker. Feeling as much responsible for what happened. Angry at Derek. Making him believe that Derek would get clean. He should have never been so trusting to Derek and gone with his gut, taking Derek to the hospital. Or, wishing he could go back and inform someone, anyone. Stu, Bonnie, least of all Judy for god-sake.

If only. If only Nick could have done something then, then all this could have been prevented. The sickening feeling tightened in Nick's stomach. It felt like either the room or his head, were spinning out of control. Nick had to sit down and get a hold of himself. Nick buried his head in his hands. What to do? Telling Judy would destroy her.

"Nick...?"

Nick looked up to see Judy standing beside him. "Hey Carrots," he said, trying to wear a gentle fake smile on his muzzle. "Everything okay?"

"As okay as things are going to get" she huffed. "We have to get to the funeral home."

"Sure thing Carrots."

Judy's entire family was there, packed wall to wall at the funeral home. The only mammals there that weren't bunnies were Nick and his mother. Everyone wore the appropriate black funeral attire.

The funeral home was small and having it so so packed made Nick feel claustrophobic. At the front of the funeral home was a podium, to let everyone know where to look during the sermon. In front of the podium, were three open coffins; side by side.

Judy started making her way to the three coffins. Nick grabbed her arm to hold her back. "Are you sure you're ready to see them?" Nick asked, worried.

Judy gave a gloom look at him, then towards the caskets. "I have to see them, and I would like you to be beside me," she said turning back to him. "It will be easier to see them if you are there. But you don't have to if you don't want to."

Nick wrapped his arm around Judy. "You know I'm always here for you Carrots." Nick led her to the three coffins in front of the podium. Nick wasn't so much worried about Judy as he was himself. Seeing the three dead bodies would be another guilty punch to the gut.

Approaching the caskets, Nick and Judy both looked in. In each coffin laid the bodies of Judy's younger siblings. Two of the deceased were her brothers, aging around ten or twelve. Nick couldn't remember their names. The funeral pamphlet would later tell him their names were Michael and Philp. Laying in the third coffin was the youngest of the Hopps family, Gracie. Nick remembers her well, as the little rascal wanting always grab at his tail and left her up.

They were all riding in Derek's truck, before the crash. Derek, high on the Blue Sky, trying to play it cool as nothing was wrong, and it worked. The three little ones had no idea that Derek was high out of his mind.

What Nick can only image happening, was Derek blacking out from Blue Sky. Then, the truck gradually steering into oncoming traffic. Nick, imagining the fear and panic the three rabbit kits had, trying to get Derek's attention. If there ever was a moment Derek did regain consciousness, it was too late.

The three kits all looked so peaceful and clean; one would think they were only asleep. The two boys wearing nice suits with white flowers pinned to their left chest. Gracie wore a beautiful puffy white dress that any little girl kit would love to wear. Clutched in Gracie's hands was a bouquet of yellow flowers.

Nick wanted to reach in and shake Gracie by the shoulders to get her to wake. Because that's all it was, they were just sleeping. Or better yet, they were all playing dead, and this was an elaborate hoax. Trying to hustle Nick, the hustler. Nick knew if he did any of that, nothing would happen. The three kits were not asleep, and this was not a prank. They were dead.

Nick, so lost in his thoughts of guilt, didn't even realize Judy was squeezing his hand with a tight grip. She was trying to keep her posture and not burst into tears, which she was failing at, as tears rolled down her cheek.

The sermon was starting to begin, and everyone was finding their seats. Nick and Judy found three chairs, two for them to sit in and the third one for Marian to sit next to her son. A Hedgehog Preacher climbed up a particular designed ladder to help him reach the podium. Climbing up to the top and stood in front of mic, beginning the funeral sermon.

When the sermon ended, and those wanting to say their last goodbyes had their say. The three caskets went into three separate black hearses waiting outside.

It was only a short drive to the cemetery. Members of the Hopps family carried the three coffins out of each hearse. Stu and Bonnie stood to the side and watched as their youngest kits, being lead to their final resting place. Stu held Bonnie close to him, helping her keep her posture and not collapse with grief. Nick could see that Bonnie was in even worse condition than Judy.

Out in the distance came the roar of thunder. Nick looked and could see the dark gray and purple clouds forming and moving in from the east. He could already feel the cold winds on his muzzle fur.

Once placing the coffins in front of their correct tombstone, they descended. Descending into the ground at a slow and stay pace. The Hedgehog priest read off some more bible verses. The verses he read off were the standard scripture for grieving mammals. How Aslan will help guide the departed to the heavenly garden of Eden. Shame, Nick thought. Where was Aslan before the crash took their young lives?

Bonnie, clutching onto Stu, bursting into tears. Her makeup smearing as she wept. Other than Nick, no one else noticed. Most were crying as well. Even Nick started shedding a few tears. Only it wasn't grief, but guilt that made such tears roll down his cheek.

Why didn't I stop him, he thought to himself with such disgust. He cared about Derek. He cared about the three young Hopp rabbits that now lay dead. He cared about the entire Hopps family and what happens to them. Assured that Hopps family thought and cared about him the same. Even if the Hopps family didn't feel the same towards him, it wouldn't matter. To hell, what they think. He will still go on caring of them if anything were to happen to them.

The funeral was over, and the roar of thunder had grown louder and was now right over them. Most took their leave before the rain hit. Some would be heading back to Bonnie and Stu's house for a reception with food and beverages. Nick and Judy had decided that they would not attend, but Marian volunteered to stay and help Bonnie and Stu. Imagining Bonnie not having the energy to try and entertain after today.

Once in the car and behind the wheel, Nick closed the door and sat there. He did not turn the engine on but sat there in silence. Judy looked out the window. If there were such a real thing as the five stages of grief, then this would be the stage of acceptance for Judy. Accepting the death of her young siblings and not knowing of Derek's drug use, everything. Judy accepted it and knew there was nothing she or anyone could do now. For Nick, this was not true.

Rain started to fall, hitting the roof of the car and windshield, making light, pup pup pup sounds. It wasn't long before the rain fell heavy, hitting and splatting against the car, the loud noise of PUPT PUPT PUPT.

"Are you going to start the car?" Judy asked, not even taking her attention away from looking out the window.

"No," Nick said. "Not right now."

Nick took a sec, taking in a deep breath and trying to find the right words to say what he had to say. "Judy..." he said with pause in his voice. "I'm sorry... I'm so sorry. I should've told you. Should've told someone."

"Tell me what?" she said in a soft voice, paying little attention to what Nick was trying to say.

"About Derek."

Hearing Derek's name got her full attention. "What?" she asked confused.

"I... I knew... knew about Derek," Nick said, trying to find his words. "I knew about Derek's drug use. I should have told you." Nick turned to look at her. "I'm so sorr-" Judy gave a hard slap on the side of Nick's face.

Nick could feel the stinging hot pain from Judy's hard slap. Nick did not crack a joke, or make sarcasm of how she slapped like a bunny. He instead welcomed the pain, feeling it well deserved. Nick could see the heaving anger on Judy's face as she delivered another slap across his face. Then another, each time faster and with more frustration. Judy continued hitting at Nick till she became too weak with emotions to strike at him and burst into tears. Slamming herself against the window.

"Why didn't you tell me?!" Judy wailed in tears.

"I..." Nick, thinking how to explain himself. "I... I don't know. When I found out, Derek promised me that he was going to get clean. A-a-and I wanted to believe him. I wanted to believe him so bad." Nick cried, wiping away the tears rolling down his face, Judy doing the same for herself. She didn't want to look at Nick, knowing she would try and slap him again if she did.

"You were right Judy."

"What?" Judy said in disgust.

"When Jack and Skye propositioned me for the undercover operation. You told me that I wasn't looking at the big picture. You were right. I wasn't concerned or didn't even care about anything, other than you and me. But I realize now. It's not just you, or me. Derek. Your parents. All your siblings. My Mom, our friends, everyone one that's connected to our lives. They are all apart of that picture."

Nick took a deep breath before saying his next words. "Judy... I'm going to do it."

"Do what?"

"The undercover operation. All this, here, is due to my failure to act. I have to do this. For... You know... For the big picture." Judy looked at him, not knowing what to think or say. "Besides, you said it yourself. If anyone can pull this off, it's me."

Skye laid in bed, naked, looking at Jack's bareback. Or more specific, she was looking at all the burn scars on his back. With a fox finger, she traced over his burn scars.

"Do they still hurt?" she asked.

"Sometimes," Jack told her. "Though, Doctors believe most of it is a phantom pain. It feels the worse around this time of year."

"They don't prescribe you any drugs?"

"They do, but I don't take them. Dull's the senses."

It was odd seeing Jack like this. When she heard the knock on her hotel sweet and saw Jack through the peephole, she figured it was business only. But, when opening the door for him, he asked if he could stay with her tonight. Before, it was always Skye to be the one to insinuate sex.

Though the both of them did have sex, Jack told her he was there because he did not want to be alone. Skye could tell something was off with him, even during their act of intercourse. Afterwards, Jack laid on his side in a fetal position. Giving her a good look at the burn scars on his back.

Reaching back and grabbing Skye's hand, Jack brought it around in front of him. Wanting something that he could hold for comfort.

Wanting to press for answers, Skye had to know what had Jack acting so... bizarre, so... vulnerable like. But, seeing him curled up beside her, now was not the time to ask such questions. Instead, Skye moved in closer to Jack, spooning him from behind and embracing him in a firm, comforting hug. Skye nuzzled the back of Jack's neck with her snout.

"Skye," Jack said. "You know how you always ask to keep things between us a secret? Well, do me a favor this time. Don't tell anybody about this."

"Of course" she whispered in his ear. Skye planted a kiss on the back of his ear, then another on the back of his neck.

Jack's phone on the nightstand in front of him, started buzzing and vibrating. Jack heard the phone but did not want to answer or respond to it. Whoever was calling could wait.

"I got it," Skye said. Reaching over and grabbing the phone, she answered it. Jack laid there listening to the conversation between Skye and the mystery caller. Jack felt the phone pressed against his ear. "It's Nick," she said, "he said it's important that you talk to him."

With a heavy sigh, Jack grabbed the phone and held it up to his ear. "Hello?"

"Jack, it's Nick"

Jack could hear lots of commotion going on in the background. It sounded as though Nick was at a train station. "Is there anything I can do for you?"

"Jack..." Jack could hear hesitation and worry in Nick's voice. "I've come to a decision. And... and I'll do it."

Jack sat up, wanting make sure he heard correctly. "What do you mean 'you'll do it?'"

"The undercover proposition. I'll do it. But listen, I have three requests if I'm going to do this."

"Okay. We'll see what we can do?"

"No. There's no barging to these terms. They have to happen. First off, if it's uncertain how long I'll be undercover for, Judy is going to need help paying for our new place. When I'm gone, she won't be able to pay for it on her own."

"Understood."

"Second, Judy's brother, Derek, is in the hospital, comatose. They don't know when he might wake up. I want his hospital expenses covered. Third and final, when Judy's brother does finally wake up, he's going to have charges of vehicular mammal slaughter put on him. Along with other charges. So, I want to make sure he has a good lawyer to help him."

"Okay," Jack said. "I'll pull some strings and see if I can make any of that happen. I recommend you and Judy meet Skye and me at the precinct tomorrow, and we can get started."

"Fine. We'll be there."

With that, the dial tone went dead. Nick must have hung up. Jack turned to Skye, who had her head propped up with a fox hand and arm. Her breast exposed for Jack to have a good look at. "We should get some sleep. Tomorrow is going to be a busy day."

It was almost midnight when Nick and Judy finally arrived back to Zootopia. The train ride back to the city was most an uncomfortable experience for Nick. Judy stared out the window and would not talk to him. Whenever he sat next to her, she would get up, so quiet like, and sit somewhere else. It was clear that she was still mad and upset at him.

Entering their apartment, Nick turned on some lights and took off his black dress coat. Food, Nick thought. He could cook something for Judy. She had not eaten anything since that morning.

Do you want anything to eat?" he asked. No answer. Nick turned to see Judy heading off down the hallway. He followed in pursuit.

"Judy...?" Still, she would not answer. Judy entered their room, and before Nick could take a step in the bedroom, the door slammed shut in his face. With a loud 'CLICK,' Nick could tell that Judy had locked it on him.

Nick stood there stumped, not knowing what to do, for a good second or two. He wanted to knock and call out to her but knew she would not respond. Putting his fox ear to the door, Nick could make out soft whimpering sounds on the other side. The best thing he could do for Judy at this moment is to let her be, and not bother her. He had done enough damage for the day.

Nick turned and left, hoping a stiff drink would help him find refuge. Nick grabbed a small blanket and pillow from the hall closet and tossed them both on the couch. Next, he went to the kitchen, grabbing a glass and a bottle of Buck Daniels they had stored in the cabinets. Usually, Nick would add ice in his liquor, preferring a chilled drink. This time, at least for tonight, Nick would welcome the firey gut burner.

Flopping down on the couch, he took a look at the bottle. "Well, looks like its just you and me tonight," Nick said as if the bottle of liquor was something that understood him.

Nick unfastened the cap on the whiskey bottle and poured a massive amount of liquor for himself. The whiskey stench was strong, making Nick's stomach turn a little. Gulping down the shot making Nick shiver. He tilted his head back, feeling the burning sensation traveling down his throat. He let the feeling settle before pouring himself another drink for that night.

(AN: So...? Yeah. A lot of big stuff happening. The Hopps family is in shambles, Nick has decided to go undercover, and Judy is madder then she's ever been at Nick.

Will Judy and Nick be able to make up? Is Nick really willing to go through this whole undercover operation? And why was Jack acting so weird? All... or at least most, will be answered in the next chapter titled: Ch. 10, "The Long Hustle."

Again, please fill free to leave a review. Did you love it? Did you hate it? Too much Telling and not Showing, or vice versa? Let me know. Till next time, Sir_RedFox.)