Immediately following the killing of Caesar and Judy's captors, the wilding animals finally quit their yapping and constant movement, watching the bloody scene unfold. As the third animal fell, Nick let out a deep breath he only vaguely realized he had been holding. The night was cold; it came out of his mouth a light vapor in the air. It was then that all hell seemed to break loose among the wilders. With their king gone, there was now a vacuum of power which the clan chiefs all wanted to claim for themselves. It was only through Caesar's cunning and viciousness that he had been able to bring all the clans together, but it was that same cunning and discipline that had in the eyes of many tamed wilding. The entire point of wilding was to act on your instincts and do as you please. The rule had worn patience thin, and with their oppressor lying dead in a pool of his own blood and brains, that rule had finally broken.

Wolves snapped at their feline companions, which in turn rent their flesh open or took flight. Leopards snatched anything close to their approximate weight by the neck and drug them into the trees. Lions chased down a herd of ram that had joined in the fun. It was utter chaos, and the approaching sirens did nothing to disperse the raging brawl. Nick had a death grip on the revolver. While all this transpired around them, he helped Judy up and they hid themselves in the little alcove leading into the caverns they had entered the amphitheater from. Neither of them spoke, they simply watched the inferno rage around them. Minutes later, or maybe hours later, officers in SWAT gear swept through the area, tranquilizing any animals that hadn't yet fled the area. Nick took Judy's hand and led her back out onto the stage, then up the stairs. One of the officers saw them and called his sergeant over.

"Sir! Located the detectives!" A tough looking panther with a boxer's face met them at the top of the stairs.

"Detectives. Are you hurt?"

"…just shaken. Detective Hopps was almost raped. I discharged my weapon three times, killing three animals in self-defense." The panther's bright green eyes glared into Nick's before nodding his head in silent agreement with himself.

"Standard procedure then…for the moment, I'll need to confiscate your weapon as crime scene evidence. In the meantime, let's get you two medically examined." Nick glanced down at the pistol, unable to give it up. The sergeant grabbed it gently by the barrel and pulled it from his hands. Then he ordered two of his squad to escort them back to the perimeter, and radioed for a paramedic to meet them. Nick took Judy by the hand and they slowly walked to the South gate towards the flashing lights and yellow crime scene tape.

Chief Bogo leaned heavily on his desk. Across from him his second best detective sat quietly, waiting for the Chief to speak. Dozens of witness statements lay spread out on the large desk, completely covering the surface. Nick's revolver also lay on the desk sealed in a transparent plastic bag with a white panel displaying identifying numbers and letters.

"Go over it one more time detective."

"I've already gone over it three times."

"And you'll do it again or you'll be placed under arrest for obstruction of justice."

"Fine. We were pursuing a lead at Central Park that had been mentioned by several withesses…and yourself, Chief. Upon reentering the park, we were pointed in the direction of our lead, an animal named Caesar."

"Caesar, the cat you killed."

"Yeah. We stumbled across the suspect in the wooded area of the park copulating with an unidentified female. Upon initial contact, the suspect fled. Judy and I-"

"Officer Hopps."

"You know who I mean. Officer Hopps and I pursued the suspect through the woods and into the caves. Crossing the pathway I realized we were being herded, but was unable to stop Officer Hopps from pursuing the suspect into the caverns."

"What do you mean herded?"

"I mean there were hostile animals blocking all paths except the one leading into the caverns. The suspect fled the caverns through a maintenance door into the central amphitheater. Upon following the suspect through the door, it was immediately blocked from the other side. Officer Hopps and I found ourselves surrounded by wilders, and were confronted by the suspect."

"And you attempted to defuse the situation?"

Nick shifted uncomfortably in his chair.

"Officer Hopps interrogated the suspect about his involvement in the club attacks, to which he openly admitted. She then attempted to arrest the suspect."

"Officer Hopps tried to arrest a suspect in that situation?"

"Yes, as is our duty as officers of the law. We didn't have a choice Chief."

"A judge might disagree with you."

"A judge can go fuck himself. He wasn't there. We weren't getting out of that situation without violence."

"Sure. But you didn't try to either, did you?"

Nick glared at the buffalo but didn't say anything. He understood what was happening. The Chief sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose before gesturing for Nick to continue.

"The suspect began lecturing us on social contracts and power and then ordered his men to restrain myself and Officer Hopps. He…then proceeded to…force himself on Officer Hopps. In order to save her I challenged the suspect to a duel. He accepted, and when I was freed I pulled my firearm and shot that fucking beast in the head."

Chief Bogo frowned.

"I appreciate your passion for protecting your partner, Nick, I really do, but if you want to come out of this without a criminal conviction you would do well to remember to control yourself. You shot Caesar, then what happened?"

"Then I shot the animals assaulting Officer Hopps."

"They were fleeing, Wilde."

"The situation was out of control already." Nick snarled. "I had to make sure Officer Hopps and I were secure. They had already assaulted a fellow officer and were accessories to her sexual assault. They had a number of conspirators readily available. I did not feel safe and acted to make myself so."

"Detective, this will be the hardest part of your case to make. There are at least five witness statements saying that those two animals were running gor their lives and you gunned them down out of anger. Just saying-"He said, trying to stave off the outcry from Nick. "-for your benefit, you'll want to work on your testimony. Anyways, from that point on, you and Officer Hopps hid yourselves for safety purposes while reinforcements arrived." Chief looked expectantly at Nick who nodded, not adding anything. The Chief set his hooves down on the desk.

"Very well. That's your story, and I'm inclined to believe it. However, all officers involved in a shooting are placed on paid administrative leave while the situation is investigated by internal affairs. Enjoy the break detective, and if I may make a suggestion…take Judy somewhere nice. Get her away from all of this." Nick looked quizzically at the big buffalo.

"She's hurt Nick. Not physically, but mentally. Not her usual sharpish self. You're her partner, she trusts you with her life." The Chief made an odd face at Nick and continued, "Sometimes I think she might see more in you than just a patrol partner." The Chief shook his head. "In any case, you're free to go. Leave your badge with Clawhauser, and gather any personal effects from your office and locker you might need." Nick thanked the Chief and left the office. Despite his rough uncaring demeanor, the Chief was surprisingly adept and Nick knew he cared more about his subordinates than he let on. It's why he was so tough on all of them. It helped cement the chain of command; mercy came from his Captains, discipline and strictness came from him. When everything was falling apart, this chain of command was what kept the precinct operating as an effective unit. Nick grabbed a few things from his desk, and headed for the round desk in the lobby where the flabby Cheetah was waiting for him. Unlike last time he had spoken to Clawhauser, this time the Cheetah was his typical cheerful self. Now that Nick and Judy weren't in immediate danger, he felt much less stressed out. He was still somewhat hurtfully oblivious however.

"Hey Nick! Congratulations on taking that baddy down!" The Cheetah exclaimed, polishing off a bear claw doughnut in one gargantuan bite. Nick sighed and slapped his badge on the cat's desk. Clawhauser choked the rest of the half masticated doughnut down.

"Whoa! They're making you quit? Oh, what a shame!"

"I'm not being fired Spots. Paid administrative leave, they're giving me a vacation for killing three animals." Nick snorted unhappily. Now that he had time to think, Nick began second guessing himself. He had the gun, maybe he could have controlled the situation, forced Caesar to surrender…no. Impossible…and it doesn't matter. What happened happened and can't be changed. And no matter what I think now, I'd do it again. Without hesitation. Nick shook the thought from his head and said his goodbyes to Clawhauser. Then he hailed a cab and gave it Judy's address.

Judy laid her head against the tiles of the shower. She didn't know how long she had been there, she didn't care. Even though the EMTs had given her a clean bill of health, in her mind she was still in that arena. She began shivering, even with the almost boiling hot water pouring down her ears and back. She remembered being grabbed by huge hands. Another shiver. She recalled how the dais looked from the ground, how powerless she was to resist her captors, to resist Caesar. The name made her shake uncontrollably. She remembered all too well what he felt like. How easily he could have taken her. She broke down and cried again, ugly, heaving sobs that racked her body and forced her into the fetal position. She had been powerless to save herself. Her badge, her uniform, her mind, her gun, even her body had failed to protect her. If Nick hadn't been there with her…if Nick hadn't been willing to kill for her…she felt the tears renew their attack. There were a thousand ways that Nick could've died. She was so stupid…she ran headfirst into a trap and didn't even have the instincts to know it until it was already sprung. She hit herself in the head, gently at first, then harder. Then she screamed. Or rather, she tried to. All that came from her throat was a croaking shriek more befitting a dying toad than a rabbit.

She squeezed her eyes tightly shut. Despite this, she couldn't keep Nick out of her head. She saw him, standing on the dais, illuminated by the lamp posts and flood lights. She saw him rip the revolver from its holster on the small of his back. She saw him thrust his hand forward, saw the snarl on his lips as he pulled the trigger. She saw his vicious features cast in sharp relief from the explosion emanating from the barrel. It was in that moment that she realized she loved him. His fierce visage was for her. He killed for her. He would kill for her again. It was a perverse thought that sprouted like a weed, yet it thrilled her. The emotion that now choked her was more welcome, although she was sick of crying. She finally felt well enough to turn off the water and get out of the shower. Except when the water stopped, she heard someone knocking on her door.

Nick heard the shower running through Judy's thin front door. Almost as soon as he stopped in front of the door he heard the water cut off. So he rapped on the door several times. He heard something shifting around, and then saw the light in the peephole disappear.

"Hey Carrots! I brought you some Chinese food." The light disappeared, the chain lock rattled, and the door opened slowly. Judy was only wearing a soft looking white bathrobe hanging perfectly from her figure. Nick's eyes shot wide in surprise. This was…unexpected, but not unwelcome. Judy gently grabbed Nick's tie by the tip and gently led him inside, only just managing to close the door behind them.

"Glad to see you're doing okay Ca-!" He began, and was quickly cut off when the rabbit pulled him down by his tie and kissed him deeply. He was still surprised by her directness, but let his questions go and returned her kiss. She tugged on his tie, spinning him around and pushing him onto the bed. She quickly and quietly took the food from him and set it on her desk, then turned around to face him again. Nick decided to let her make the first move. She shrugged her robe daintily from her shoulders and sunk to her knees between his. She painstakingly undid his belt buckle and fly, unhurriedly she tugged his pants down to uncover his foxhood.

Nick put his hands behind him to support his back, and let the rabbit take him in her mouth. The feeling of the cool apartment and her warm mouth on his shaft tortured the fox with a variety of pleasant sensations. Her body was somewhat hesitant, having never done this for a boy before, but Nick could tell she was determined to do well. He was confused, this mood didn't parse with what Chief Bogo told him…but as she took him to the root, he remembered he didn't care. He opened his eyes and saw her watching him with a slight smile on her face that made her front teeth just lightly dig into Nick's soft flesh. He groaned, and seeing his reaction very carefully drug her teeth across the surface of his skin. He shuddered, and pulled his hips away from her. She slid him out of her mouth.

"No you don't fox." With that she pushed against his chest and he knew to lie back so that he was lying on the bed sideways. His member was now fully extended, and Judy used him to pull herself onto his lap and hovered over him.

"I love you." She said simply, before stabbing him into the wet flesh between her legs. Without a sound she slowly slid down his shaft until she felt him bottom out against her womb. Nick groaned obscenely, unconsciously grabbing her hips and trying uselessly to put more of himself into her. When Judy felt comfortable, she began thrusting her hips back and forth in a rocking motion that produced a sent lightning bolts pleasure through her abdomen. Nick grabbed one of her hands and locked fingers with her, allowing her to ride him at her leisure. As she fell into a steady rhythm the shockwaves built in severity, became more amplified until she felt herself shatter into hundreds of quivering pieces. Nick let her ride out her first orgasm on him, using all his willpower not to finish himself then and there. When her legs quit shaking so uncontrollably he rolled over so that she was resting on the bed. Weakly she wrapped her legs around his waist. Nick began thrusting himself into her at a faster pace, digging his feet into the carpet next to the bed for leverage. He felt a pressure building in his groin and when it felt as if he would explode he gave one final deep push and let himself finish in her. As he did, his knot slid into her vagina and swelled up, tying them together in that final embrace. His sudden increase in girth and moaning was more than enough to push her into her second orgasm. He collapsed on top of her, then carefully picked her up and flipped them over again so that she was lying on his chest.

"Do I know I love you? Yes. Yes, I do." Judy chuckled but was too exhausted to answer. She just wrapped her arms around him and settled for feeling him slowly grow soft inside her over the course of the next hour.