Chapter 25: Healing Part One

Sunday: 5:12pm

The pickup truck was on it's way to the hospital, twisting and turning down the long roads leading from the top of the hill where the shack was. The war with the hawks was over. "Feeding Day" was now a thing of the past, but would never be forgotten in Bunnyburrow. It would live on as horror stories told to little bunnies around camp fires. Nick, Judy and company had emerged victorious, but not without serious injuries, both mental and physical. Nick Wilde and Tom Redtail were in the front seats. Outside of a few small bunnies from the dozen-plus they saved, they were the only ones awake. Judy was knocked out from the dart. Gideon and Spots had passed out from blood loss. Nick was surprised Tom hadn't passed out as well after losing a good chunk of his arm.

Nick considered himself very fortunate. He had all of his limbs and no blood loss. His major injures like his shoulder occurred before arriving at the hawk's shack. While Judy had received no physical injures he knew that mentally, she would never be the same again. Going into the kitchen gave him only a glimpse of the horrors she saw with her own eyes.

Still, he couldn't forgive her for shooting and killing Skinner when he was defenseless. He understood why. The horrors she saw. What he had done. Was she just a common citizen, he would have been more than sympathetic and let it slide but she was an officer of the law. She had to be better than the scum they arrested, not sink to their level. Part of him felt betrayed by her actions. She inspired him to become better than he was. He wouldn't have become a cop if not for her and only recently had she inspired him to do better and be more professional. Could he forgive her? Should he? His thoughts were interrupted when Tom decided to talk after a fair amount of awkward silence.

"So ummm...I took the last shot out of the rifle and threw away the weapons. I didn't want the little ones to accidentally get a hold of them and hurt themselves."

"Good move." Nick replied.

"So...I'm the mayor now hunh? I don't know if I'm ready for such a responsibility!"

"Those who fear power are the most qualified to use it."

"Socrates?" Tom asked.

"..Wilde." Nick smiled.

"Yeah well...I'll keep my promise. I'll look into getting that dam destroyed first thing tomorrow. I have to take responsibility. After all, I didn't just come across the assistant mayor job by accident, I wanted it to keep an eye on him."

"Oh?" Nick asked.

"Yes. Some word did leak out. It was impossible for it not to, but it was hard for many to believe. I decided to move to Bunnyburrow to investigate it myself under the guise of wanting to get in on the fox initiative. They warned me at the gates that I wouldn't be allowed back out without special permission, but I decided to risk it. I found out the assistant mayor's job was open and lied on my resume' to get in. To my horror, he warned me to be 100% obedient because the last assistant who resisted him was eaten by his 'friends'. "

"Must've been a scary ordeal." Nick replied.

"Oh it was! But I played up the cowardly, selfish character for awhile to keep him on my good side. I took his verbal abuse with a grain of salt until I could find the right opportunity to back stab him. That came at the sheriff's office. Once I found people that were fighting back against the hawks, I knew I had to act quickly. I tricked him into locking himself in the cell with the others by using a roll of quarters behind his back like a fake gun."

Nick laughed. "That's totally something I would do! Great work! Y'know, you're an awful lot like me. I guess that's why Judy seems so fond of you."

"What do you mean?" Tom asked, then he instantly figured it out. "Are you her ex?!"

Nick nodded his head.

"Oooh boy! Look. I...I didn't know...I mean...I didn't mean to..it's just flirting! That's all!"

"It's okay." Nick said. "It's my fault things happened the way they did. I fell in love with this town and rushed into things. While we've known each other over a year, we were only a couple for 24 hours when I proposed we marry and live here. Pretty dumb hunh? I also rushed into adopting Cotton and now Spots back there, but...I don't regret it. They're great kids."

Nick continued. "Also..her mother accidentally blurted out that one her sisters was adopted. She was trying to figure out who, but it was obvious that it was her. Not just because of the black tips of her ears, but she was more ambitious and outgoing than all of her other siblings. I blurted out the truth during our fight. That had to have hurt her."

"Then...after a really awkward breakfast this morning, the hawk attack happened. And we found out the truth. When she saved me, we reconciled somewhat but now...after what she did, I...I don't know if I could ever feel for her the same way again. Part of me will always love her, but...I don't know if I could respect her as a cop anymore."

Tom gave it some thought. "Look, I don't wanna be known as the guy that broke you and her apart. I think she just likes me because I'm a lot like you."

Nick patted tom on the shoulder. "Look! It's okay Tom! Really! You're a great man and you sacrificed your arm to have her son's life. Her little brother's life. It's complicated. You're not like her sister Jenny. I almost mated her sister just out of spite. Felt horrible for it afterwards. But you, you're a great guy and...I want her to be happy."

"I would have given up my arm to save any one of those children. I do like her, but I want her to like me as Tom Redtail, not Nick Wilde 2.0. I'll make a you deal. You look me in the eyes and tell me it's completely over between you two, then I'll court her, but if you think there' any sort of possibility for you two, I'll back off."

Nick couldn't look Tom in the eye's. "I'm driving down a windy hill! Not exactly a good time to look at someone. Look, I want her to be happy. She could be sheriff here! Sheriff Hopps and Mayor Redtail!"

Tom chuckled. "Yeah. I guess I could make that happen."

Nick still couldn't look at Tom, but Tom could see the tear swelling in Nick's eye. "Tom, I want you to keep courting her. It's obvious she's no longer happy with me, so if she were to go with anyone, I...I'd want it to be you. You're a good fox, Tom."

"Okay then." Tom replied. "You're a damn good fox yourself Nick."

"You're also not fooling me." He thought to himself.

The rest of the trip was met with awkward silence with the exception of some restless little bunnies who decided to sing. Nick and Tom joined along. It made the ride more bearable.

Sunday, 5:56pm

Nick parked the truck right in front of the hospital. EMT's rushed out and got Gideon, Spots and Judy on a stretcher. Another doctor went and got Tom a wheelchair and got him in. Two more grabbed the boy with no limbs and the other boy who's ears were sliced off. Nick shouted to the children.

"If anyone needs medical attention, PLEASE let me know now. Otherwise, stick with me. We'll get you back to your parents first thing tomorrow."

Stu rushed out. "Why didn't you call me on Gideon's phone?!"

"He passed out from blood loss and I didn't know his password.."

Stu look worried. "Oh no! Is he gonna be okay?!"

"I don't know."

Stu wept on Nick's chest. "I-I I'm so sorry! I owe him so much! He was such a good son-in-law and I treated him like dirt! Well...SNIFF!...from now on, it's no longer 'Hopp's Farms', it's 'Stu and Sons' and his face will be plastered on the boxes right next to mine!"

"All he wants to do is go back to being a simple baker. Have you ever thought of opening a chain of bakeries he could oversee and work at?"

"Y'know..Stu thought. That's not a bad idea!" Then he remembered why he came outside. "OH! I ended the quarantine, are the hawks gone?!"

"Two dead. One fled." Nick replied.

Stu raised his arms in triumph. "Whoo-Hoo!" He yelled back to the folks at the hospital. "You hear that folks?! The hawks are gone! The nightmare is over! I gotta go get Bonnie and the family!"

"Make sure you bring Petey too!" Nick said. "Spots loves that kid and I wanna make sure she wakes up with him on her lap." He then picked up Michael. "And you'll see your mommy as soon as she wakes up."

Cotton tugged on Nick's shirt. "Can I see Spots too?"

"Of course sweetie! You're not scared of her anymore?"

"No!" She replied. "She fought to protect me and the other bunnies with only one foot! She's so brave! I'm glad she's gonna be my big sister!"

Nick had a large smile on his face. Just then, another medical staff member came and tapped Nick on the shoulder.

"Sir. You have some injuries too. You need to be seen to."

Nick sighed. "Okay. Can the lamb and blind bunny come with me? She's my foster daughter."

"Sure." The nurse said as she put him in the chair.

"Stu, can you watch these bunnies for me? I'll watch Michael until Judy wakes up."

"Is Judy okay?!" Stu said with worry.

"She's in better shape than the rest of us. At least, physically. She...she went kinda savage and I had to tranq her with the dart gun. She's asleep but otherwise, fine."

Stu looked relieved.. "I forgot that I have the limo. I gotta go pick them up." He knelt down at the little bunnies. "Who wants to come home with me in a stretch limo and have a big supper?!"

The little bunnies all cheered.

"I'm making another big decision. Any kits who's parents are not found or refuse to take back will live with me and my family!"

Nick smiled. "Good for you Stu!" He put Cotton and Michael on his lap and looked up at the nurse." Okay. Let's roll!" She then pushed him into the hospital as Stu took off in the limo with a dozen bunnies in tow.

Sunday 7:30pm

Gideon was stirring awake in his room. An IV bag was attached to his arm and an oxygen mask was placed over his muzzle. He could hear the beeping of the EKG. He also felt something soft and warm pressing against his right paw. His eyes were still blurry and he was trying to focus.

"Julie"? He asked.

"Not quite." Judy replied. She was finally awake and Gideon was the first person she went to.

"Julie and the others will be here soon. Nick told me. I...wanted to see you before she got here."

Tears were swelling in her eyes. "I'm so sorry Gideon! I messed up so bad!"

"It was an accident darlin'." Gideon said with a weak voice. "Yuh didn't mean fer it to happen."

"I should've been more careful! I kicked you and the hawk right into that spike!"

"And now the hawk is dead and ah'm alive. That's all that matters. Doctor said ah was real lucky. Didn't hit any vital organs. Had to get a tetanus shot fer that rusty spike though. Luckily, I was under when they gave it to me."

Gideon chuckled. "Heh! Guess you can consider us even now fer them scars ah gave you as a child! Now I'll have this big-ol scar on mah side fer the rest of muh life!"

"Not quite even." Judy said. She got up above Gideon and removed his oxygen mask.

Gideon was confused. "Jude..what the heck are you.."

"Shhhh!" She said. "I need you to understand. I'm not afraid of you. Not any more"

She pressed her lips against his muzzle. He pressed back. The moment lasted for only five seconds, but it seemed like an eternity to Gideon. His eyes rolled back and he enjoyed the moment. Finally, she let go.

"Now we're even! Make my sister happy and give her a huge family." She hopped down off of him.

He was still reeling from the kiss. "Oooh man! Ah can scratch THAT off muh bucket list!" He chuckled. "But give a fella a warnin' next time! Ah'm engaged y'know?"

"I wanted to end that little chapter between us. Just chalk it up to a delusion brought on by the morphine." Judy replied.

"Judy, ah gotta tell you somethin'"

"Yes, Gideon?"

"Yer a good kisser, but you ain't got nuthin' on Julie!"

They both laughed.

Sunday, 8:10 pm

Spots started to wake up. Just like Gideon an IV bag was attached to her. She was really woozy as the morphine was kicking in pretty hard. She felt something on her lap. She looked down to see Petey and Cotton sleeping. Seeing Petey there made her incredibly happy. Also, like Gideon, she felt a paw pressed against hers. She looked over. It was Nick. While fairly bandaged up, the doctors had treated his wounds and was allowed to roam freely and long as he didn't overdo it.

"Hey sweetie. You feelin' okay?"

"I feEL AWEsome!" The hyena was a bit high from the morphine. "Look DaddY! PeEEtey's here! Cotton TOO! She's on my laPP!"

"I know." Nick chuckled. He then looked somber. "I'm so sorry Spots. You lost your foot because of me!"

"HeEEeey! No!...NnnnnnoO! I knewW the risks goiNG IN! So did YOU! Thish...ish..a smALL price to payee! Hey. I can shtill feel my fOOt!...GASP! Did it grOw bacK?!"

"That's called phantom pain. You're brain hasn't figured out that your foot's gone yet." Nick peeled off the blanket where her foot was. She had a metal spike with a curved, shoehorn-like metal attachment where her foot was.

"It's normally for replacing a bunny leg, but since you only lost a foot and just above your ankle, it was enough to make a replacement foot."

"COOL! I'm a cyborg!" She giggled. She looked at Nick with curiosity. "Can it shoot LAYzorz?!"

Nick laughed. "No, honey. No it can't and don't put any weight on it for a little bit unless you REALLY wanna feel pain."

Cotton had woken up from her nap. "Spots! You're awake!" Her exuberance and loudness also woke up Petey. Cotton got up as best she could and gave Spots a big hug.

It woke Spots up a bit more. This child who had feared her for so long had finally embraced her and accepted the hyena as her foster sister.

Tears filled Spots' eyes. She was trembling. She closed her eyes, took her long arms and wrapped them tightly around Cotton."Y-y-you're not afraid of me?"

"No! You're awesome!" Cotton shouted. This just made Spots hug her tighter. They let go just in time for Petey to give her a big hug.

Spots had to apologize. "I'm sorry Petey. Gideon got the angry side out of me so I'd be ready to fight, so..I did cuss a little. I know I promised and...and SNIFF! I'm trying real hard not to but...when I get so angry it just comes out!"

"It'th okay!" Petey said. "It doethn't HHHNNGGH! have to be all the time!"

"Yes it does!" She sobbed. "If I make a promise, I should keep it no matter what! Also...this way, whenever I almost swear and hold myself back, I'll think of you and...you'll do the same...okay?"

"Okay!" Petey said and gave her a huge hug.

Cotton jumped up and down, all excited. "You should have seen her Pete! The hawk bit off her foot and she continued fighting him! The hawk had Gideon pinned down and...and with only ONE foot, she leaped into the air off the truck and kicked him in the face!"

Spots and Nick smiled watching Cotton getting so excited. "And then, she landed on her three limbs like a tripod and said 'I'm a one-legged girl in a butt-kicking contest!' She's so cool!" This made Spots giggle with delight.

"Wow!" Nick said. "I was busy with Zeke so I kinda missed all of that. Still, that's crazy! Especially after losing your foot doing almost the same move!"

Spots bowed her head. "Yeah, I know, but me and Gideon were a tea-heeyy! Wait a minute!" She was looking down at her shirt. It was pink and full of glitter with a unicorn on the front. "What's this crap?! Where's the cool, bloody shirt Tom gave me?!"

"Calm down." Nick said. "We had to throw it away because it had his blood on it. It was a health hazard. In the meantime, we got you this replacement."

"But I liked it cuz it was covered in blood! It made it bada...cool! This one is so...girly girl! That's not me! What the heck is 'My Pretty Unicorn'?! You owe me a blood-stained shirt!"

Nick rolled his eyes. "Sorry I kept you from going topless again! I'll take you to Hop Topic tomorrow. In the meantime, sit tight and I'll look in the gift shop for something."

"I take a feline medium. Just get me...anything but this!" She gestured to her current top.

"Alright freckle neck. In the meantime, watch these two until I get back."

Nick left the room. On the way to the gift shop, he walked past Judy who was holding Michael. The meeting was awkward to say the least.

They couldn't even stare into each others eyes. Nick talked first.

"Hey."

"Hey."

"How...how's Michael holding up?"

"Fine...fine. Thank you for watching him while I was out. He was a little traumatized by the incident, but since he can't see, I don't think he could comprehend how bad it was."

"I was scared." Michael said. "Mommy and Mr. Redtail saved me! He lost his arm though."

"Yeah, I know." Nick replied. "He's a very good man."

"Speaking of, he's just waking up from surgery so...we're gonna see him right now."

"Surgery?" Nick asked.

"Ummm..yeah. They're attached a claw to his arm so he can still grab things."

"Cool...cool."

"Look Nick, I wanted to...to thank you actually, for darting me. I almost went too far."

" 'Almost?!' "

"Now don't get me wrong. I don't regret Skinner's death. Not one bit!"

"You mean when you blew his brains out in front of the bunnies and his own nieces and nephews and my own daughter, even though he was cuffed and tied?!"

"He was a sadistic maniac and he was still coming towards me! I had every right to defend myself!" Judy calmed down a moment. "Tom told me what happened before he went into surgery. I just...I may have taken things a bit too far when I aimed the rifle at Zeke. I almost pulled the trigger again. I would've regretted that. He had his children there and I almost took their father from them, so...thank you for stopping me."

Nick gritted his teeth. "I shouldn't HAVE to stop you! You're an officer of the law! Somewhere along the way, you forgot that! That hawk was tied, cuffed and no longer a threat to anyone! There was no reason! No...reason to use deadly force! That's always a last resort!"

Judy burst into tears. "I WAS SCARED! You didn't see the horrors I saw in that kitchen! The awful things he did! He almost killed my little boy! When he started inching toward me I...I panicked okay?! At the end of the day, I'm still just a mammal like everyone else!"

Nick looked at her sternly. "You're not just a mammal, you're a cop! We've been trained for this. If you can't handle an intense situation, then you have no right to call yourself an officer!"

Judy was getting upset. She bared her teeth. "Like YOU can talk! I was the muscle behind our little partnership. You led them to me and I attacked and subdued them! So what did you do out there? You let Zeke and his kids go! Made friends with the serial killer! Fed them pie!"

"The pie was Tom's idea."

Judy just rolled her eyes. "You know what your problem is? You're too soft. You try to play the nice guy and take it easy and real life isn't like that! Me? I get the job done no matter what!"

Nick looked down at her in disgust. "I heard someone else use almost the same words earlier today. His name was Skinner."

Judy turned to walk away. "I'm going to see Tom. At least he understands me! And you know something else?...You were right. You're not good enough for me."

Nick was livid, but he remained calm. "No. I was right when we first met...you're not a real cop." He then walked away.

That last part hit her hard. Judy's anger was swelling within. She almost cussed in front of Michael, but caught herself. "FFFFFF!"

"Ow! Mommy! You're squeezing me too hard!" Michael yelled.

She eased up her grip. "Oh geez! I'm sorry baby! Mommies just upset."

As she passed by Spots room, she heard the hyena yell for her.

"HEY! Hey you! Hey! Killer bunny!"

Judy sighed. She was already in a bad mood and didn't feel like dealing with this wild child. "What do you want?"

"Got a minute?"