Tamiri's note: Chapter 11! Sorry for the wait! Work and school are killing me. Guess who bought the official Zootopia art book? This gal! Ha ha ha! So freaking excited no more going online for information get it straight from the source!
Fox-in-the-hen-house: Oh Stu…be ruining moments…**eagerly stalks you for updates**
car213: I don't know whether to be offended or flattered. So I will say I am flattered by your comment? So thanks? I guess?
Cemsay: Thank you. I read one of your fanfictions, 'I make you a night howler'
Wierd-Feddish: I will tag everyone unless it becomes overwhelming then I won't. I like giving shout outs.
Ebolson: I actually re-read their fanfictions as examples for my work. Practice makes perfect.
Starfang-s-Secrets: I read your fanfiction at work…shhh…I am in chapter 11… But you are on chapter 28! So I have ways to go! Still working on my kinks in the grammar.
Story notes: The Patte family comes to claim Junior and a routine accident leaves Nick with more questions than answers.
Rating: PG-13 for depictions of death and language
Disclaimer: I don't own Zootopia Disney claims all rights in property and merchandising.
Chapter Eleven: Accident
That was really awkward. He had gone to the hospital and a number of questions asked were overwhelming. The questions became more intrusive when he had to admit he had sex with Judy. They wanted to bring her in. He had to draw the line. This was about him and it would kill Judy of embarrassment. He just wanted the all clear to get back to work; after all he had a mate and kits to care for.
Nick walked at a casual pace to the bus stop. He felt a tug on his pant leg and look down at a white angora kitten. She was wearing a pink dress and a bow on her head.
"Hello there," Nick smiled.
"Monsieur, Je suis perdu," the kitten said in a foreign language.
"Okay, sweetie. I don't understand but I take it you're lost?"
"Je veux ma mama et papa," the white kitten started to tear up.
"Now, don't cry. What's your name? I am Nick Wilde,"
"Je m'appelle Marie Bonfamille," the kitten dried her tears with her paws.
"Marie, that's a pretty name. Come on, I am sure your mother and father are worried sick about you," Nick took her paw and they both rode the bus to precinct one. Coming in he went to the cheetah behind the front desk. He sat happily eating a donut and his face was as if he were on cloud nine. "Hey, Ben!"
"Nick! You're back!"
"Yeah good as new. Anyone come about a lost kid,"
"Oh yes! Duchess Bonfamille is here! You know she is working with Gazelle on a duet!"
"Uh…no… thanks, Spots." Nick waved.
Nick spotted a well-dressed female white angora cat. She was talking to one of the officers. She pointed at a photograph and had a look of worry on her face. The little kitten beside him started to jump up and down, "Mama!"
"Go,"
"Mama! Mama!" Marie ran towards her mother.
"Marie!" Duchess turned around and ran towards her daughter. She picked her up and hugged her.
Nick smiled and the mother licked her daughter's cheeks. The female cat turned to Nick and walked to him.
"Officer, I am grateful," Duchess cried.
"No problem madam. Little Marie did the right thing in approaching an officer," Nick stared at the smaller mammal.
"Mama, ou sont Toulouse et Berlioz?" Marie questioned looking for her brothers. Two male kittens ran from the entrance. The black kitten pushed the pudgy orange kitten out of the way.
"Arret," the male orange cat sounded exasperated at the two boys. The cat smiled at Duchess and Marie. The looks of relief on his face at seeing his daughter made Nick think of his own kits.
"Nicky?" the male cat gazed, he was wearing a suit and with a green bow tie.
"Abraham?" Nick arched an eyebrow.
"Haven't heard my first name in years. You've certainly grown,"
"And you're…older…" Nick commented.
"Thomas, you know Officer Nicholas?" Duchess asked.
"Little Nicky here would hang out with me and the band all the time," Thomas remised.
Nick certainly recalled the Alley Cats, a jazz band that would play at clubs and bars whenever they had the chance. Nick was just thirteen when he would sneak in and watch them play. Thomas had taken a liking to the young kit then. He taught Nick how to navigate the streets of Zootopia. Thomas knew he wouldn't make it in the city, being a predator and all. He and the crew left to Europe. They landed a record deal and made off well for themselves.
"Little Marie is your kitten?" Nick asked.
"Yes, she likes to get herself into trouble," Thomas eyed his daughter, "But you Nicky an officer. Last I saw, you were hustling lunch money out of your classmates."
"That was long ago," Nick smirked.
"You made something of yourself Nicky. I'm proud of you,"
"Keep that kitten on a leash now," Nick joked. Marie was sticking out her tongue at her brothers.
Nick left to go on patrol after going through proper procedure to get back on duty and getting the 'Bogo treatment' for running out of the hospital early. He was glad to run into his old mentor, Tom. He had done well for himself. He is married to Duchess the opera singer and his old band mates were successful in their own right. He wondered if he had left Zootopia if would he have found success. Judy had told him, that on the night the twins were born she was mulling over the same thing. Leaving the country to seek opportunity elsewhere. He wouldn't have wasted all those years conning mammals but he wouldn't have met Judy. He missed his partner already. Driving the streets of Zootopia without her was lonely. Tonight though he would more than make up for it. He will have her moaning his name. He smirked at the thought.
"Come in Officer Wilde," Clawhauster's voice came from the radio.
"10-4 Wilde here," Nick said.
"10-53 at Floral Park Bay. They need you there to secure the scene," Clawhauster informed.
"10-4 on my way," Nick drove to the scene of the accident. He had a sinking feeling. A squad car from another precinct was already there, his worst thoughts becoming reality. A small compact car was crushed and burning. Any occupants of the car, he knew didn't have a chance of making it out alive.
"Nick," a voice called out to him.
"Ralph," Nick nodded at the Lynx, who tipped his hat in return, "What do we have here?"
"Single car crash against the concrete wall of the Zomax Realtor skyscraper. The structural integrity of the building wasn't compromised and the only fatality was the driver of the car," Raphael reported.
"Body recovered?"
"Not yet. We believe it was a suicide," Raphael gazed at the firefighters still battling the burning car.
"Suicide, what makes you say that?"
"From the aftermath, it looks likes the car was traveling at least 75 mph and then it purposefully slammed into the building," Raphael explained.
"Who's the victim?"
"Paul T. Skipper Jr., Zuber chauffeur," Raphael answer.
"I see…" Nick looked at the skid marks on the sidewalk. Something told Nick this wasn't a suicide. Of course, some mammals changed their minds last minute before killing themselves. However, his instincts told him otherwise. "Let's look up who Mr. Skipper was?"
Nick and Raphael looked up the name of the mammal; the photo of a brown furred middle age buck came up. It was a regular driver's license photograph with the same pale blue background he was accustomed seeing on everyone in Zootopia. His basic demographics came up like his address, date of birth etc. They found he was married with twenty-four kits, and 138 other siblings who lived in and out of the city. No criminal records, or outstanding debts to make him want to kill himself. Nick and Raphael did not know anything about his personal life, though. Out of curiosity Nick type in the name in Zoogle in the computer of the squad car and a news article dated the day of his children's birth came up First Rabbit Officer Saves Taxi Driver After Hit and Run.
"Officer Hopps met him before?" Raphael scratched his head under his hat.
"Carrots met Skipper Senior," Nick didn't like where this was going. His gut was telling him there was more to Skipper's death that meets the eye. Nick and Raphael waited until the blaze was contained. It was hard to Raphael to watch the remains of Paul be pulled from the vehicle. The body could not be recognized as a rabbit, the ears were long burned off, empty eye sockets, and burnt off blacken flesh. The lynx had to excuse himself to empty his stomach and even Nick cringed slightly. What a way to go. The Academy had shown them photographs of accidents, decomposing bodies, and crime scenes but it was different seeing it in real life.
Nick went to where Raphael was hunched over and placed a paw on his shoulder, "Come on we have to tell the widow."
"Yeah," Raphael nodded. Taking their respective patrol cars they headed to the address. The home was at the Meadowlands in the suburbs. It was an obviously prey only neighborhood from the looks both Nick and Raphael were getting as they got out of their vehicles. Knocking on the door a teen buck answered eyeing them suspiciously. They could hear the chaos of that came from a home with many rabbits.
"Excuse us, is Mrs. Skipper home?" Nick asked.
"Yeah, who's asking?" the buck rudely answered.
"I am Officer Wilde and this is Officer Pavese. We need to talk to Mrs. Skipper," Nick said firmly.
The teen rolled his eyes at the officers, "Ma a fox and a cat want to speak to you!"
"I'm not a cat," Raphael whispered to Nick, his tail flicked in annoyance.
"May I help you," an older doe came to the door watching the officers apprehensively.
"Ma'am, we regret to inform you that your husband Paul Skipper has past away," Nick solemnly said. They watch her brown eyes open wide in shock and her paw reach her chest. Her breathing became labored and Nick caught her just before she collapsed to the floor.
"What did you do to my mom fox?!" the teen buck screamed.
"Be quiet kid!" Nick snapped and laid the doe on the living room sofa.
"Mom!"
"Mommy!"
"What's going on?" several kits ranging from elementary to high school age came to their mother.
"No, no not my husband," the doe cried.
"You, send the younger kits away," Nick, pointed to the teens in the room.
"You can't tell us what to do?" the teen buck countered.
"Kid you best listen," Raphael glared at the boy. Doing as they were told. The older children sent twenty kits downstairs. Standing around their mother the teens looked as she crying in devastation.
"How?" she asked.
"Car accident. Suspected suicide," Nick answered.
"No my husband wouldn't kill himself. We were happy…oh goodness," Mrs. Skipper cried again.
"You're lying! You foxes are always liars," the teen buck said between tears. His brother and sisters looked at him with sadness.
"Then you wouldn't mind identifying the body in your mother's place," Nick said.
"Nick he is a child," Raphael said in shock.
"Ma'am I am sorry for your lost. The ZPD will keep you inform of any more details regarding your case," Nick finished.
Raphael and Nick departed from the home. Nick was annoyed at the whole situation. He guessed that Paul imparted 'good wisdom' on his kids about predators.
"I'll see you around Nick. Say hello to officer Hopps for me," Raphael said.
"Will do, thanks, Ralph," Nick gave a lazy waved. Afterward, he headed to precinct one, finished his report and headed home. He couldn't wait to go back and be with Judy it was one hell of a day. Turning the key to his home when he finally arrived. He smelled the heavenly scent of dinner being prepared.
"Welcome home," Judy smiled.
"I'm home," Nick went behind her and kissed her. His kits were on high chairs grabbing finger foods. "You shouldn't be up," he hugged her.
"I'm being careful. How was your day?"
"Horrible, I need sex therapy," Nick ran a claw up and down her tail.
"A-aa Nick!" Judy held onto the counter moaning. "Jerk! The children are watching!" Judy punched him.
"I can't help it when I have a sexy bunny in front of me," he gave her a lazy smile. "Anyways, Carrots did you know a Paul Skipper?"
Judy paused her preparations, "Yes he was the taxi driver who drove Nichole and Jacques on the day of the accident, why?"
"His son died today,"
"What? How?"
"He slammed his car into a building," Nick explained.
"Suicide?" Judy mused.
"I think it's strange, though,"
"Why?"
"He shares the same name as his father and almost the same profession,"
"Nick, are you implying someone wanted Mr. Skipper dead?" Judy held her paw over her chest, thoughts of the accident seven months ago coming back.
"Why would someone want such an unassuming rabbit dead? Unless he knew something he shouldn't have," Nick said. "Judy are you okay?" the fox watched her limp to the dining room table and sit down.
"They never caught the driver," Judy mumbled, her nose twitching.
"What are you talking about?" Nick raised an eyebrow.
"On the night the twins were born, the driver of the car that caused the accident wasn't prosecuted because he was a foreign diplomat…I still remember it. It was a black Pagani plates TS94LG," Judy lilac eyes looked at his filled with worry.
"You're going to your parents," Nick said.
"What?"
"If what we are thinking is true, they killed the wrong Skipper. It won't be long till they go after the father and then you. You are going to Bunnyburrow with the kits until I find out who's behind this,"
"You can't expect me to hide while you go at this alone? No way!" Judy got up.
"Don't be stubborn Judy,"
"I am not leaving. I am sending the babies over but I am staying put. You and I are partners,"
"Fine. Pack my dinner to go I heading back to the ZPD," Nick said and gave his girlfriend a smile. He kissed her again, this time more desire than before.
"Nick thanks for being so wonderful,"
"Fluff, the last thing I want is for something to happen to you or the kits," He held her close, relishing on her scent.
Was there such a thing as organize chaos? The following days were hectic at the ZPD after the death of Skipper Jr. The car's onboard computer revealed that it the rabbit had hit the brakes throughout his car's acceleration. It wasn't until the panic rabbit realized that he had the emergency brake that the car slowed down. But by then it was too late. Someone hacked into the car's computer and took over the controls. The Skipper family was relocated with the help of the ABI. Relocating hundreds of rabbits without arousing suspicion was a monumental task. They had no proof that the dignitary killed the buck. All they could do is keep their citizens safe.
"Have we found any proof these guys from Priderock did it?" Nick sat in the oversized chair across from Bogo. He could sense the guilt and disappointment from Bogo.
"No we need to keep looking," Bogo stared at Nick. Bogo was glad that the fox was under his command. Just like his partner, he was astute but it didn't take away that they both got under his pelt at times. "I know you are worried about Hopps."
"She won't budge and is staying in Zootopia," Nick said.
"That's Hopps for you. We are sending patrol to your area to keep an eye on things,"
"Thanks, chief," Nick jumped from the chair and departed for the day. He had been working non-stop and was finally dismissed. Leaving the precinct, he felt his phone vibrate in his pocket.
"Hey carrots,"
"Nick are you still at work?"
"No, why?" Nick yawned.
"Come home please,"
"What's wrong sweetheart?" Nick immediately started to pick up his pace.
"They're coming to Zootopia, the Patte family. They want Junior," Judy sobbed over the phone.
"They can't just come and claim our son after rejecting him! They had their chance! Hold on I'll be there," Nick ran.
When he arrived at home Judy sitting and talking to her parents. Bonnie was holding the Nichole while Junior was being held offscreen by one of Judy's siblings. Bonnie was reassuring her that everything would be all right and that her adoption was fully recognized. Judy thanked her mother and hung up the muzzle time application.
"Nick,"
"What's going on?" Nick asked.
"We got this letter in the mail," Judy handed him the white piece of paper that already had tearstains on it.
Nick scanned its contents of legal talk and when the approaching court day. He growled, how dare they. First Nichole and now its Junior, will they've ever be left alone. "Damn it! They didn't want him! Why the sudden interest?"
"I don't know. But we can't afford a lawyer and go through a lengthy court process Nick," Judy said.
"Michelle would know," Nick started to dial her number.
"Slick what's up?" the vixen answered.
"Michelle you're on speaker. The Patte family wants the custody of Junior. Any ideas as to why?" Nick asked.
"What! Those assholes! They hated Nicki! Well, Junior does look like Jacques but no…Pierre has children of his own," Michelle mused over the phone.
"What is it?" Judy asked.
"Pierre is Jacques older brother. He has three daughters and from what Nicki told me he had been trying for a son for years. His wife has trouble conceiving and he is lucky to have those three girls. They have this patriarchal tradition in his family that only sons can inherit the family name and business,"
"So…he wants Junior to inherit the business?" Nick asked.
"I mean it makes sense. Maybe his wife couldn't have that son he wanted and he saw as junior is his only choice,"
"He will adopt his brother's son and keep the business within his side of the family. My baby is going to be used for something like that!" Judy exclaimed.
"The babies are healthier now Judy. When they were born they probably thought they wouldn't survive,"
"Junior still needs to follow up for his cardiac problems and even more surgeries. If anything Nichole is the healthier of the two," Nick pointed out.
"But Nichole is a girl and he doesn't need her. With the amount of money those people have don't you think they can afford the best doctors. Heck they can even buy the baby a new heart,"
"How are we going to face them in court?" Judy groaned.
"Judy have faith. You've been a great mother to those kits,"
"Thanks, Michelle, we'll keep in touch," Nick said ending the call after they said their goodbyes. Judy disappeared upstairs after their conversation was over. Nick found her in the nursery sitting in the rocking chair. She held green blanket that he had seen her wrapped the twins with many times.
"Come on carrots," Nick picked her up and carried her to bed.
"I miss them," Judy stared at Nick.
"They are in good paws," Nick brought her closer and held her.
"I know mom and dad will keep them safe. It just hard to keep being optimistic,"
"We will get through this somehow," Nick held her paw and wrapped his tail around her.
Notes:
Thomas, Duchess, Toulouse, Marie, Berlioz- The Aristocats (1970)
According to the Disney Wiki Thomas O'Malley's full name is Abraham DeLacey Giuseppe Casey Thomas O'Malley. Try saying that ten times fast.
In this story, Thomas is the biological father of the kittens however they don't have his last name.
Thomas was a mentor to Nick when he was a child. Thomas was twenty-five while Nick was thirteen. He taught Nick how to navigate the streets of Zootopia and how to get into places he really wasn't suppose to be getting into. Oh Tom, what a good 'role model' you were.
10-53 NYPD Vehicle Accident
Tamiri's Notes:
I gave away who killed the twins' parents from chapter one. Hint the car's plate.
By the way, I use google translate for the French so if I butchered it sorry.
For the car accident, I first wanted to use the old cliché of the car breaks being cut. But in my research, I found that the driver would know before getting out the driveway. So I was like darn you Hollywood! Then I remember an NPR episode where they hacked into someone's car and I was like 'yeah I can use that.' Further research, yup you can hack someone car and kill them. My browser history is questionable…
See you in chapter 12!