Chapter Fourteen: Phone Calls
Summary: Jim and Spots visit Wolford. Judy talks to Nick about Finnick followed by a heated conversation with her father which leads to Stu starting the road to his redemption.
3:45pm. The ZPD Medical Center
"Dad!" James shouted as he ran into the hospital room.
The wolf was under the covers and half asleep. "Hunh?...Izaat you kid?"
James ran over and hugged the top part of the bed. "Dad! Are you okay?! You're all wrapped in bandages like a mummy!"
"Jim?"
Spots was snickering in the background. James wasn't noticing what she was noticing.
"What happened to your nose?! And what's this weird growth I feel in the back of your neck?"
Tim Wolford peeked his head out from the foot of the bed. "That's my nads ya dummy! Yer huggin' my butt!"
Spots started laughing her head off and James quickly stepped back. "EEP! Ewww Gross! Gross! Sorry dad! Why are you backwards?!"
" 'Dey got my butt in the air ta help heal up 'da small stitches I got thanks 'ta those bats."
James reached over and hugged his father's head. "I'm just glad you're okay. At least your head injury didn't need wrapping."
James patted the top of his father's head and he yelped. "OW! Hey watch it! It still hurts! And no loud noises, please! Sheesh! I managed ta survive an explosion, TWO car chases, an army of bats and digging under a tunnel for an hour only 'ta be done in by a nine iron."
James rubbed his muzzle against his dad's. "At least you're safe. I think this has gotta earn you some time off of work."
"Not with 'dat blowhard Bogo in charge. He's gonna work me 'ta death!"
"No he won't." Said a voice from behind. It was Wolford's doctor. "Technically, you shouldn't have been going on such a dangerous mission after those burns you received in the first place. You're a very brave wolf!"
"Thanks doc. Does this mean I'm out of a job fer a bit?"
"I should say so! Just look at this list of injuries. A mild concussion, bites and scratches on the rump and that's AFTER the second-degree burns you incurred including singeing the fur right off of your tail and even a slightly torn sphincter."
"Yeeeah, let's not mention 'da torn sphincter okay?" Wolford asked.
"At any rate, these injures will keep you out of action for about oh...two weeks."
"TWO WEEKS!" Tim shouted. "Ow! My head! Best not to shout. Doc! 'Da Big Cheese's plan is supposed 'ta happen next week. I gotta help 'da ZPD!"
"You can't. Not in your condition. You need to rest. You can't even sit without air pads on your seat or else you may tear open your stitches. In fact, the two weeks I'm giving you are MINIMAL. "
"Crap! I hate bein' out of action fer that long. Can I at least stand around and walk?"
"Yes. But have someone close by just in case your concussion causes a dizzy spell. In the meantime, I want you to say in bed for at least another hour."
"'Dat's alright. I gotta wait for Burnie 'ta pick me up anyways." He looked over at Spots and smiled. "Soo...what's up with you two hunh? Become little love birds?"
Spots face-pawed herself. "Aww man! Not you too!"
James tried to explain. "Dad. We're just close friends. We...We can't be anyone more than that. It's not too bad! She's my 'kinda-sorta' girlfriend."
Tim was confused. "Say what?"
"It means we're PRETENDING to be a couple so we'll look more attractive to other girls. It'll be easier for us to fish out who likes us if they're comfortable around us."
"Unh...hunh. Spots? You mind leavin' the room fer a second?"
Spots was confused, but obliged. "Uhhh yeah. Okay."
She walked out and shut the door behind her. Tim let James know how he felt. "Jim, I don't like this."
"Why?! We love hanging out with each other, but she's lesbian so we can't really be romantic."
"...You SURE she ain't got any feelings for you?"
"I...I wish she did, but she's gay."
"Has she been following you everywhere?"
"Yeah. She's great! I ran off crying from the restaurant since it brought back memories of my mother and she found me and talked about her past when her parents died right in front of her and it made me feel better. She shared my pain."
"She sounds like a great friend."
"She is."
" 'Dats why I don't like 'dis 'kinda-sorta' crap! What happens when one of you finds a mate like this?"
"What do you mean?"
"You think you ain't gonna feel hurt if she ends up with another lesbian and leaves you in 'da dust?"
"It won't happen like that! She'd never just stop hanging out with me!"
"And what about if YOU get a girlfriend?! You think your mate would be happy with her boyfriend hangin' out with another girl?"
"Well...I mean, what if Viv gets a bisexual mate? Then we'd both have the same girlfriend!"
"Sounds like you been readin' too many 'o 'dem shonen mangas. Let me tell you how it's gonna happen. She'll find someone. You'll pretend you're happy for her. Even try ta fool yourself and tell yourself it's best like this and that you'll always be happy for her, but deep down inside, they'll be a part of you 'dat will never feel whole because you'll always love her. You'll always wonder what could have been."
"You're talking about you and Terry, aren't you? She gave me the same advice."
"...Yeah. And now, it's happening to you. 'Dat's why..I..."
"Want me to stop being friends with her?"
"NO! Just 'da opposite! Fight for her love! Ya got a barrier ta break through and I think ya got a chance. I'm as straight as an arrow and I wuz in love with a tiger who was born male. I love Burnie 'ta death, that's 'da truth, but part of me wonders what would have happened if I had just pushed past them blasted pheromones of Terry's."
"Don't tell Burnie this stuff." James replied.
"Aaah she knows, Jim. She's a wonderful gal 'dat way. I can tell her everything. Tell me, do you love her?"
"...I dunno, I...Yeah. Yeah I do."
"Then don't give up on her. I'm sure there's some part of you she's attracted to."
"Well...Me, Viv and Nick had to scare off these hyenas that were harming these two pigs. I let out my big roar. You know? That time I roared at those rams?"
"Yeah! That was awesome!"
"This one was even bigger and louder! And Mr. Wilde said that Viv let out some pheromones when that happened."
"No kiddin'? She got a bit turned on hunh? Oh man! If she ends up yer girlfriend, you should write a book! "I Turned A Lesbian Straight: By James Catmull". Ha-Ha!"
"You mean Wolford."
"Right. About that, ummm... now 'dat ya know ya got blood family still around, you sure ya wanna stick wit' 'dis old bum?"
"Are you kidding?! You're my dad! I love you! You were there when I needed someone the most! I'll never leave you and Burnie!" With that, James hugged his dad's head again.
Spots knocked at the door. "You guys done talking crap about me?"
James laughed. "Yeah! Come on in!"
Spots went back inside. Tim talked about his adventure with Judy and James told him about his adventure at the mall. Truth be told, Spots heard every word of their previous discussion. She wasn't upset by what Tim had said and she at least understood where he was coming from. There was a part of her that loved James very much, but not physically and she didn't know what to do about it. It tortured her inside.
Meanwhile...
Judy Hopps was finishing the last of her reports. She was writing down the events of what occurred, checking off the necessary boxes and faxing them through the machine back to Clawhauser. "They need to update this." She thought to herself. "Who uses fax machines anymore?" She was wanting to hurry up and get done since Bogo would be going to the press about Finnick soon and she wanted to tell Nick in private about his friend. It was nearing 4pm. She had no choice. She'd have to call him and talk to him on Yipe chat.
She managed to get a hold of Nick on the phone. "What's up Carrots? You on your way home soon?"
"Yes Nick, but... I have some bad news. Can you go somewhere private?"
"What's wrong? You sound like someone we know has died."
"In a way, yes. Can you please go somewhere private?"
"Sure Fluff. Hey Terry! Can I borrow your room for a sec?...Yes, I promise I won't touch anything. Hold on Carr-AAAHH!"
"Nick! Are you okay?!"
"DANGIT SUZIE!...Yeah I'm fine. I just have a problem with this young giraffe who I think is trying to kill me. Well, I'm alone. What's up?"
"Well, you know me and Wolford got Batrov."
"Yeah?"
"Bogo went rough on him. Too rough! The bat might have tinnitus now."
"Youch! That's not like Bogo! However, I'm pretty sure that's not why you called me."
"Right...ummm..We found out who the Big Cheese's right paw mammal is. Nick...I don't know how to tell you this but..."
"SIGH! It's Finnick isn't it?"
Judy gasped in shock that Nick figured it out. "Yes! How did you know?! Is it on the news already?!"
"No. Just a guess. The name 'Big Ears' was a pretty big giveaway. He's changed Fluff. When I last saw him and he was calling you a roach, I saw some anti-prey propaganda in his van. It's not just you he hates, it's all prey! Those propaganda flyers? He had tons of copies. The handwriting on the flyers was his. His! He wasn't collecting them from others, he was making them and distributing them around! I never let on that I knew and I tried to talk some sense into him, but he wouldn't hear it. Finally, he left with Honey. He said he was running scared and that the people he was involved with were after him."
"So he's on the run?"
"No. He's laying low somewhere I'm sure. I know when he's acting and he did a poor job that day. Still...Big Ears...DAMMIT!" Nick started to break down. "Judy, he...SNIFF!...he was my best friend. My surrogate father!"
"Nick, I'm so sorry."
"It's...SNIFF!...It's okay Judy. I now have confirmation of what a lowly scumbag he has become. You were right when you said someone died today, because he's dead to me now!"
"Nick, I...I don't...Look. Don't lose hope. He's lost right now. Lost in hatred and anger. You can bring him around! I know you can!"
"You're too good for this world Judy. I'll try. If I can find the bastard, I'll try to bring him around but I don't know if I can."
"What happened to him? I mean, he didn't get along with me that well during Christmas, but it wasn't TOO bad! We had fun at times."
"When I officially became a cop, everything changed. I wasn't there for him like I used to be. He's a tiny predator and lot of those cons we did stopped working. I guess the world just shat on him."
"But he had Honey, didn't he?"
"Honey's a paranoid nut who hates the world and herself. She probably dragged him down into her madness."
"I better finish up here so I can be home with you soon. Nick, I'm so sorry."
"I know Carrots. I love y-..what's that?!...Cotton's walking without crutches?!"
"What?!"
"I gotta see what that's all about. I'll see you soon. I love you!"
"I love you too." With that, she hung up. She only got a few tears out when her phone rang again. "SNIFF! H-Hello?"
"Hey Jude the dude!"
"Dad. This is a REALLY bad time! I've had the worst day."
"Oh. I'm sorry Pumpkin! I just wanted to let you know me and Bonnie will be a the reception party tomorrow along with Gideon, Julie and some of the kids. The more grown kids are gonna have to babysit and manage the house. It's a struggle to take turns on who gets to visit the city."
Judy started rubbing her head in frustration. "Is there something major you wanted to tell me dad?!"
"Hey now! You show some manners! You're not old enough that I can't take you over my knee!"
"I already have someone for that."
"Cheese Louise! Kids and their language these days. Look, I'm just letting you know we're gonna have a film crew with us."
"Film crew?! Why?"
"Because we got so many people getting married in our barn next month that I thought 'Hey! We could make it into a reality T.V. Show!' "
"Oh my God. Are you kidding me?"
"Nope! I talked to one of the major networks. ABC! Thew Animal Broadcasting Company. We're gonna make a fortune off of this deal! Maybe we can make it into a yearly thing! You know any other couples?"
"I really don't have time for this right now dad."
"Sorry Jude, I just thought..."
"YOU JUST THOUGHT OF YOURSELF! Look, I gotta go. Why don't you go...trick another one of my siblings into being eaten or something? You seem to be the expert on that!"
There was silence for a moment and Judy instantly regretted what she said. "Oh God! I am so sorry daddy! I just...I'm having a bad day and.. "
"..I understand pumpkin. You were right."
"Dad, no! I..."
"I'm a coward! I'm a big, fat selfish coward and I always have been! I don't deserve the wonderful life I have."
"Dad! Please! Don't listen to me! I was in a bad mood and I took it out on you."
"I'm glad you took Michael. I don't deserve him. How is he?"
"SNIFF! He's doing fine. There was a Santa at the mall and he asking him if he could get sight so he could see my face. Can you believe that? He's getting closer with Nick and is calling him 'daddy' now."
"Oh...That's...That's good! Nick's a great man. He risked his life for other people's children while I...SNIFF!...I.."
"Daddy I'm sorry! I didn't mean to hurt you like that!"
"It's okay Pumpkin. I just wish I could do something to make it all up."
"I'll be fine. Michael will be fine too. I've been doing some serious thinking...I think I'm going to donate one of my eyes to him."
"WHAT?! You can't do that! Think of your career!"
"My family, my children are far more important to me than my career. Anyone who puts their success over their family should be ashamed!"
"...Judy, just think about it. Don't do anything rash."
"I know, it's just...I want him to have the best life."
"That's all any parent wants for their child. I gotta go Jude. My boys just can't run this place without me. I'll see you tomorrow."
"I'll see you dad. I love you."
Meanwhile, in Bunnyburrow...
"I love you too Pumpkin." Stu replied as he hung up the phone. "Bonnie, we have to have a talk with our little Judy. She wants to give up one of her eyes for Michael."
"She can't do that!" Bonnie replied. "It won't work!"
"What do you mean dear?"
"Look, I studied up on what he has on Zoogle. He needs a special kind of coronary transplant and it's tricky. Genetics actually play into it. The eye of a donor who isn't blood related only has a 30% chance of success."
"I still don't get it. Why wouldn't Judy work?"
"She's adopted, remember? We love her and she's part of our family, but she's not blood. A transplant from a blood member has an 80% chance of success. She'll just have to forget it. It's too risky!"
Stu looked at himself in the mirror. He saw a rabbit in desperate need of redemption and may have found his answer. "You're right. She can't do it...Eighty percent hunh?"
Meanwhile, back at the ZPD...
A tired and sad Judy was dragging herself out of the locker room in her civilian clothes when Clawhauser caught up to her. "Judy! Purrrfect timing! You ready to head back to my house? We can bus together."
"Unh-Hunh." Judy replied. She didn't even lift her head to look up at Ben. Clawhauser knew something was wrong. "You okay bunny-girl?"
"Yeah."
"...You had a rough day?"
"...Yeah."
"...You want a hug?"
"YEEEESS!" Judy sobbed and lifted up her arms like a child wanting to be carried.
Ben picked her up and wrapped his big, fat arms around her. "Awww honey! It's okay! It's okay. I've had a few bad days myself. Let's go visit Wolford on the way out and see how he's doing. Okay?"
"SNIFF! O-Okay."
"Here. I'll let you sit on my shoulders." The two of them left the station and headed towards the medical center. Ben chuckled. "Just don't let my wife see us like this. She might moon us again!"
Judy laughed back. "That's alright! She's got a pretty sweet a-"
"Judy!"
"Tee-Hee! Sorry."