Sorry for the long delay, the editor was being a dum dum and got all depressed and sick and had to rest or some other bullshit instead of edit. -totally not the editor why would you think that.

PS: Bobo and I (the editor) are doing a weird little thing, we want to talk to YOU the reader! If you want to talk to us, please pm either your kik or telegram username to Bobo!

So I figured this one would need a little disclaimer for content...

Not gonna tell you why, just to give y'all sensitive ones a heads up đź’š

Chapter 36

Judy POV

I stood alone in front of a crowd, dressed in black, and numb to everything around me.

It was all in the open, now. Everyone at the station knew about Nick and I, but that didn't matter to me anymore.

Nothing mattered to me anymore.

I was supposed to say something to my family and friends that had come here, but I didn't have anything to say. I couldn't even think straight. I hadn't been able to eat in two days, and this was the first day anyone had seen or heard from me in a week. I'd locked myself in my bedroom, and laid in our bed with Nick's pillow, breathing in as much of his remaining scent as I could while being torn apart every second of every day.

His scent was the only real thing I had left it him, besides fading memories, and the message he'd left for me on my carrot pen. The pictures were only painful reminders of the happiness I could have had, but then again, so was everything else. His scent was something I now needed to keep going, but every whiff ripped another part of my spirit away.

I looked around the crowd, most of which who hung their heads, except for the sympathetic stares of my mom and dad, and a few of the officers that looked deeply uncomfortable at the funeral.

Then, I looked down at the half of me that had been torn away, leaving me a broken animal, and an unfinished soul. I hadn't seen his body since the night he was taken from me in front of my own eyes, and seeing him now was just as painful as holding his lifeless body.

I didn't know I could still cry, but while I gazed at my sweet fox in his mahogany casket, my tears burned my cheeks, and seared my eyelids. I heard Chief Bogo mutter something to me from behind me, but my eyes remained locked to the orange fur of my still fox, the one animal I would've spent my life with, and with a soft cry of sorrow, I found my words.

"He was my best friend…" My voice was nothing but a hoarse whisper from the hellish week I'd spent in grief, but I wasn't willing or able to speak any louder, "He was… he was everything to m-me-"

My voice cracked, forcing me to stop talking, and to grip the podium I stood behind so tightly it hurt my paws. Quiet sobs began to shake my body when Nick's body became an orange blob through my teary eyes. I tried to wipe away my tears, but more kept coming, and when I couldn't see his face anymore, the pain eating away at my heart took over my body.

"H-he was-" A long cry escaped me, and I felt my legs grow weak from exhaustion, "M-my l-life! A-and I m-miss-"

A gut-wrenching sob took away my ability to stand, and I collapsed behind the podium to my paws and knees, weeping in agony as I had been every day since I lost my soul mate.

I didn't look to see who had rushed to me after I fell, but realized it was several of my family after I heard the voice of my mother, and the many voices of my siblings. She was speaking to me, but I couldn't understand a word she said over my own mournful wails, and when my parents tried to move me away from Nick's casket, I refused to move.

"I'm s-so sorry, N-N-" I shoved my palms into my eyes, choking on every word that left my raw throat, "Nick I shouldn't- I sh-shouldn't h-have let y-you go-" Someone's paws shook me urgently, and I took a gasping breath, the full weight of his loss bearing down on me, "IT'S N-NOT FAIR! NICK I-I'M SO SORRY! I DIDN'T KNOW! I- I WOULD'VE MADE YOU STAY- " My voice broke from my screams, but I wept on, fighting the paws that were trying to pull me away from my fox, "I… We h-had s-so m-many plans… I… I wanted… t-to… m-… marry you…"

Someone's paws shook me again, and I opened my burning eyes to see the deeply concerned face of my mother, instead of the red muzzle that I wished to see more than I wished to continue living.

My mom said something I didn't hear, and I focused on her blurry face.

"Hopps!" My mom yelled urgently, and shook me again, "Hopps!"

"HOPPS! GET YOUR SHIT TOGETHER!"

I jumped awake to find Mr. Black glaring at me from his seat, and vigorously shaking me with his paw.

"Ugh! As soon as Wilde gets back to the station, we are going to have a serious talk about whether or not I need you on this case anymore!" He shifted his glare to the screen that monitored Nick, and went silent.

"What happened!? Is Nick okay!?" I bolted upright, my heart racing in fear that I'd have to relive my dream, and watch him run for his life on his camera screen.

"You fainted, and he's fine." Mr. Black said coldly, annoyance saturated in his tone, "He didn't even take a hit. He's already on his second fight."

"He can't fight!" I burst out angrily, consumed by my worry, "He-"

"Shut up!" Mr. Black glared over at me again, and shot a puff of hot air out of his nose, "He can fight, and he will fight, so shut up, and do your job! He's not in danger, he's more of a weapon than any animal in that fucking place!" I opened my mouth to object, but was silenced after Mr. Black slammed his fist on the window beside him, "Stop Being so worried! It's insane! Do you want him to die!?"

"NO!"

"Then get your shit together!" Mr. Black yelled, his sharp teeth flashing every word, "Sit there, shut up, make sure he doesn't do anything stupid, and worry about him when you're at home doing God knows what you freaks do! 'Cause if you lose focus, and you aren't strong, you make him lose it too, and then you get to watch him get tortured through his fucking camera! Get! Your! Shit! To-geth-er!"

Mr. Black released another puff of heated air, turned back to his screen, and straightened his black suit, before calmly taking a long sip of coffee.

I stared at him, not knowing what to do, or what to think. So, I silently turned back to Nick's screen to see him dance with Carl and Nick after he shoved a giant wad of cash in his pocket. He'd already won his second fight. I didn't even know Nick had been in the ring again until I watched him look down at the unconscious coyote that laid twisted on the floor, bleeding from his brown muzzle.

I glanced at Mr. Black again, and hung my head. I hated that agent more than I did anyone else I knew. Except for Nick's idiot friends, maybe. He had caused me to fear for the loss of my one and only. He tried to drive me away from my fox. He made our lives hell.

I shook my head, and shoved every once of the crushing amount of worry I held for Nick's life into the back of my mind with a long sigh.

I hated Mr. Black, but I couldn't lie to myself about this.

He was right.

Nick POV

"Yeaaahhh!" I howled in victory with the crowd around me, my head spinning wildly. The colored lights flashing around me caught my attention, and I spun in circles to keep up with the revolving lights.

My third opponent laid in a pile on the floor of the ring, a fox, broken beneath my powerful fists like the others had been.

I looked around me at the faces of cheering predators, any worry I had about tonight completely erased.

I felt amazing.

Then again, it could be the weed…

I giggled at the thought of drugs, thankful that I couldn't feel any pain in my head at all, and cheerily took the huge wad of cash from the bouncer. Carl never mentioned that with consecutive wins, my winnings were multiplied. I smiled to myself, and planned on buying Judy something incredible with all this money.

I hoped my little bunny was okay. She was quiet in my ear, and the communication between us kept getting turned on and off. However, I knew was watching, and hoped that she was feeling better after seeing go undefeated. I also hoped she wasn't mad at me for having such a good time here.

I also hoped to get more money.

Fighting these untrained animals was ridiculously easy. Sloppy punches, faulty footing, no good tactics, or any sort of tactics at all; I hadn't taken a single punch.

I giggled when I saw Carl and Nick make their way back to me, and skipped over to them, wanting my next match to be with an animal that would give me a true fight.

"You're fuckin' crazy." Carl chuckled after I tripped over my own hind paws, punched me in the shoulder, and handed me a beer, "Comin' down yet?"

"Huh? Where… where am I going?" I cocked my head to the side, and wondered what else I had to do tonight.

"Way up in the skyyy." Nick grinned at me, and I suddenly realized what Carl had asked me.

"Ooooooooh… Oh… Nooooo." I giggled, still feeling my body float above the floor, "I'm gonna… live up here."

"What?" Carl made a questioning face, "You wanna live here?"

"No… no I think he meant like… I don't know…" Nick hunched over, and caused me to laugh along with his wheezing laughter.

"Oh noooo…" Nick whimpered, and I almost collapsed into Carl, both of us unable to control our laughter after Nick spilled his beer, and let out a sorrowful whine.

I heard a sigh in my ear, probably from Judy, and decided I needed to talk to her. She must be having a problem with something.

"Hey I'll… be right back… toilet thing…" I flashed finger guns at Carl, who shook his head with a grin. I turned around and bumped into a lion, before I continued to stumble through the crowd.

"Don't get lost on the way!" Carl yelled after me, and I giggled to myself, wondering if I could really get lost in here.

Wasn't it just a big room? I looked around me, and scratched my head. Where could I go to get lost?

With a shrug, I continued into the bathroom, and locked the door behind me.

"Hey you… you aren't mad at me, right?" I frowned into the mirror, hoping Judy still had her mic on to reply.

"Hm? No, Nicky…" She replied quietly, and I immediately knew something was wrong.

"You're mad at me…" My heart fell, along with my ears, "I'm sorry I didn't… I didn't know what was in… in the things…" I used my paws to act like I was lighting a cigarette.

"The cigarettes?" Judy sighed.

"Yeah… Those things." I nodded, and heard another sigh from her.

"Honey, don't worry, I'm not mad at you. I'm just stressed about this whole thing..." She replied softly, and gasped when I pulled out all of the cash I had won, "How much is that…?"

"Uh so… uh it was one for the first one… then two an then three… uh six? Right?" I counted again to be sure, but found it hard to focus on adding anything in my head.

"Six thousand?" Judy quickly burst out, "Nick, I don't think you get to keep that..."

"Why not?" Mr. Black spoke up, "We already know where the money comes from, we just can't risk shutting it down, less we lose our shot at taking out the entire operation."

"Awesome." I giggled to myself, surprisingly glad to hear Mr. Black in my ear piece for once, "I'm gonna… gonna go make it… uh… ten."

"Don't get careless, Nicky…" Judy said somberly, and I nodded in the mirror.

"I won't, I won't. I have a promise to uh… to keep, remember?" I smiled while I spoke, knowing she would be smiling on the other end of the line. Letting her know that I still remembered what I promised would, at least, ease her nerves a bit until I was actually home with her.

"I remember…" Judy replied softly. I could tell she was smiling, which caused my tail to go nuts behind me, and my heart to leap at the thought of her beautiful smile.

"Good." I smiled into the mirror, and then looked at the bathroom door after hearing a loud cheer, "I think I uh… uhm…" I scratched my head, finding it hard to focus enough to speak, "Gotta go back."

"You do. It's near sunrise, they'll shut down soon." Mr. Black spoke up out of his silence, "Go get that last fight in, if you wish."

"I can do that!" I giggled, and made finger guns at my reflection, before blowing a kiss for Judy, and walking out the bathroom.

I walked back over to Nick and Carl, who were watching whoever the two lions were that were fighting in the ring. Apparently, it was a big match. Nearly everyone in the building had their eyes on the two predators.

"Heyyy." I greeted my friends, and after Carl handed me a beer, I motioned with my free paw to the ring, "Who's those… uh lion guys?"

Carl pointed to one of the lions, "The one with the dyed ears is Theo, he's one o' the big guys here. That other one's a rookie he's testin' for the next level shit. You're next, by the way." He winked at me, and took a swig of his drink.

"I getta fight a lion!?" I said excitedly, and Carl nearly spit his drink out.

"What!?" Just burst out in my ear, but I couldn't respond to make her feel better right now.

"Pfff! No! You're fuckin' crazy, bro." He laughed at me, and hit my shoulder after my ears fell, "Nah, but you're fightin' another rookie that won a bunch today. The big guys like you already, too, but they gonna wait a while to see if it's just some first nights luck or somethin'."

"Awesome." I grinned, and sat down next to Nick, who was staring blankly at a light on the ceiling with his mouth slightly open. I nudged the hyena with my elbow, and chuckled when he jumped, and looked around as if he didn't know where he was.

"'Eyyyy…" Nick grinned at me sleepily, and opened his jaws in a wide yawn, "How's it be?"

"It be good." I caught Nick's yawn, realizing how tired I was. I'd see if I couldn't head back home after the next match. Maybe I'd ask Carl to drop me off at a jewelry store to get Judy something extra to match her Christmas present.

"Ooohhh!"

I snapped my head to the ring after the crowd let out a loud groan, and saw the rookie lion bleeding heavily from his mouth, but standing victorious over his opponent.

"Lookit that!" Carl chuckled, "I didn't see that one comin'."

"So what happens for that guy now?" I asked the fox, pointing to the lion left standing.

"He's gonna get a call tellin' him where to go for the next time that ain't here. He's gonna see some bigger bettin' crowds now- oh hey! You're up! Get out there!"

Carl slapped me on the back, and I jumped in excitement, before rushing out to the circle of predators.

"Nick, be careful…" Judy reminded me quietly like she had been all night, "You're still hurt…"

I couldn't reply, but while the bouncer in the ring was announcing me, and my opponent, a caracal wildcat, I made it a goal to avoid being hit at all.

It shouldn't be that hard, I thought to myself with a grin. I'd avoided every single punch thrown at me all night, and after thoroughly examining my tall opponent for weaknesses, I was confident I could win this in no time.

I stretched my paws, feeling the adrenaline take over my body, removing the effects of the drugs I'd unknowingly smoked. After checking over my sharp claws, I glanced over my opponent's stance while the bouncer collected bets, and made note to see what else I could gather from him.

The caracal had no extensive training from the way he carried himself, but he was a natural fighter.

A challenge.

I grinned, and bent my knees slightly, keeping my weight on the front of my hind paws. This cat would be fast, but I didn't even need the wolf in my head to beat him, and to my relief, I hadn't heard it's cruel whisper all night.

I took off my shirt, needing to be able to beat the speed of my opponent without anything getting in the way. I couldn't risk fighting too long, and I couldn't get hit in the head at all if I wanted to avoid a lengthy stay in the hospital, or worse.

I glanced at Nick and Carl, who were cheering at the front of the crowd now. They pointed wildly to the bouncer, and I looked at the large jaguar just in time to see him raise his paw high in the air, and drop it down.

Ding!

"Woo!" I giggled, barely dodging a punch that would've caught my muzzle straight on. This guy was faster than I thought, but I was still having a great time.

I stepped aside as another punch came my way that left the cat's stomach exposed, and I made him pay for his mistake by driving my knee sharply into his sternum, causing the wildcat to double over with a loud wheeze.

I stepped back, and watched the cat suffer for a moment with a frown, patiently waiting for him to regain himself so he could actually give me a challenge. I could end this fight right now with a single strike to the back of his head, but this was my last match for tonight, and I wanted to have a little fun.

So, I waited a little while longer while the wildcat clutched his chest, disappointed that this fight would be won so easily.

Until the cat lunged at me from his hunched over position, and caught my leg with needle-like claws before I could jump completely out of the way.

"Ss!" I gasped in pain, and bared my fangs while I drove my fist down into the middle of the wildcat's back, satisfied at the loud grunt of pain my opponent released.

His claws removed themselves from my skin, and I used my other leg to kick the wildcat in the ribs with all my might, causing my opponent to drop to the floor.

I looked at my bleeding leg while the cat struggled to breathe on the ground, fuming that I was being so careless. The crowd cheered around me, ringing my ears, and causing my head to burst into agony. I needed to end this.

I focused on the caracal, who had stood up again, and was snarling at me. His fist shot out at my head, grazing my ear as I stepped aside, but his arm quickly fell limp after I slammed my fist into his armpit, and brought my elbow across his short muzzle.

However, instead of dropping to the ground, the cat spun around with outstretched claws, barely missing my face.

I recoiled backwards, needing to slow my opponent's assault if I were to get out of this without any more injuries.

What am I thinking!? I screamed at myself in my head. I should've just broken him after his first punch!

I growled at the wildcat, and ducked under another punch thrown at me, before digging my claws into the flesh of his thigh, and ripping through his skin to pay him back for clawing my leg.

"Agh!" The cat gasped, and swiped at me again in a frenzy. I easily dodged all but one, and felt his claws catch my forearms as I held them in front of me to block my head, causing my blood to run to the floor.

"Ugh! Enough!" I snarled, dodged his last swipe to break his nose with my fist, and repeatedly drove my fists into his jaw.

The wildcat fell to his knees, but threw out one last swipe I couldn't move out of the way for.

His claws pierced deep into my right side, forcing a sharp yelp out of me, and rage to burn through my body, turning everything in my sight bright red.

"Break…"

I heeded the wolf's whisper in my head, and grabbed the cat's paw that had dug into my side. I ripped it out of my flesh, and slammed my palm into his elbow, smiling at the loud snap that followed his breaking arm.

"Kill him…"

"AAGGHH!" His screams brought pleasant chills up my spine, and with my left paw, I clutched his throat, laughing after his screams turned into frantic gurgles.

My ear twitched at it's laughter in my head, and I squeezed my enemy's throat as tight as I could, laughing with the beast in my mind at the wildcat's panicked expression.

The crowd cheered louder while the cat clawed at my wrist with his remaining arm, his eyes pleading mine while my own claws drew blood from digging into his neck.

"KILL HIM!"

I raised my free paw high into the air, giggling while I made a thumbs-up to the crowd.

"Nick!? What are you doing!?" Judy burst out in my ear, and for once, I ignored her.

The predators around me raised their paws as well, and when they turned their thumbs downward, I clenched my fist, and brought it down with every ounce of power I held.

CRACK!

My senses rushed back to me, the redness faded from my vision, and I took a deep breath to calm the adrenaline rushing through my body.

I held on to the throat of the unconscious wildcat for a moment longer, staring blankly at his limply hanging jaw, before I let his body slump to the floor.

"What did I do…?" I muttered to myself, ignoring the cheering crowd, and feeling sick when I realized what exactly I'd done.

"What did I do!?"

I knelt by my fallen opponent, wishing the voice in my head hadn't made me take it so far. I should've just ended it quickly, instead of maiming someone for life…

"HAHAHAH!"

I shook my head, and clenched my fists, trying to block out the wolf's vicious laughter in my mind while I stared at the broken wildcat's jaw. Judy and Mr. Black were speaking in my ear, but I couldn't hear a word they said over my beating heartbeat, and the roar of the crowd around me.

"What did I tell you?" The wolf giggled in my head, filling me with sorrow when I realized that it was right.

I really was just like it…

"I'm sorry…" I whispered, feeling as if I were going to vomit at the amount of blood on my paws.

"Bro! That was awesome!" Nick's voice startled me, and I snapped my head up to see my friend reach his paw out, "You a'ight?"

"Yeah, I'm good." I put a smile on while I grabbed my shirt, and winced when Nick helped me up by my shoulder, "Ugh, geez… He got me good."

"Fuck yeah he did, but you got him a whole lot worse." Carl chuckled, and pointed to my side, "You're bleedin' everywhere. Let's go get that shit wrapped up."

"Yeah…" I nodded, and reluctantly took the huge wad of cash the bouncer handed me before I followed Carl out of the ring.

"That's a cool tattoo, by the way." Nick grinned down at me while we walked, pointing to the giant, black paw that had been dyed onto my back.

"Thanks." I grinned back, and grabbed the beer the hyena held out to me, wishing I could drink myself into oblivion to forget what I'd just done, or at least be able to curl up with Judy soon.

Carl took me to a cheetah that, after applying a healthy amount of rubbing alcohol to torture my wounds, wrapped my injuries in gauze, and sent me on my way to tend to the wildcat I'd broken.

I looked over my shoulder to see if the cat had woken up, but he remained limp on the table the cheetah had set him on, his jaw still opened wide, and bent at an odd angle.

I quickly turned away before the stress I felt made me vomit, and decided that I needed to go back home.

"You uh… ready to get outta here?" I asked Carl, who was yawning loudly beside Nick.

"Yeah, let's go. I gotta be at work in like an hour." He groaned, and I shook my head, wondering why on earth he'd stay up all night to hang out here if he had work the next day.

After Nick gave me his number so we could meet up some time, he stumbled away from Carl and I, and headed out the back of the warehouse. I watched him walk away for a second, hoping he'd make it home alright. He was in no way at all sober right now, and I knew he'd still end up driving home despite being heavily intoxicated.

I frowned slightly when Nick walked out of the door, and walked with Carl outside to his car.

The sun shone bright in the sky, and worsened the throbbing headache I had. I didn't know if I could come to this place much more, especially if every night ended like this one had. I needed to get out of being a rookie as soon as possible, so that I could end this entire assignment, and finally be free from all this stress. Maybe I'd even retire after this, and move out of the city with Judy to live with her in the country. If that meant she and I could have peace and quiet, I'd gladly leave the city behind.

The roar of an engine pulled my thoughts to Carl, who had started his car, and unlocked the passenger door for me. I got into his car, too tired to make conversation, and feeling too hung over to keep my eyes open for very long.

I felt the car move, and while looking at the blood soaked gauze that covered my left wrist, my eyelids grew too heavy to keep open anymore, and I allowed myself to fade away into sleep.

Judy POV

I waited in mine and Nick's office, tapping my foot impatiently on the couch I sat on, and worried out of my mind.

Nick had asked Mr. Black how to turn his camera off after he'd gotten back to his truck, and disappeared to do something I didn't know.

I sighed heavily, and checked the locks on our office door again to make sure that no one could come in. Mr. Black had tried to talk to me when we arrived back at the station, but I wouldn't ever risk being alone with him again. I didn't know what all that agent was capable of, but while I massaged my aching paw, I knew he was capable of hurting me.

I'd already spoken to Chief Bogo about what had happened last night, and what Mr. Black had been doing to us, hoping to free Nick and I from the agent's reign. Unfortunately, Bogo said that it may take a few days for his word to make it all the way to Mr. Black's boss, and that I'd have to stick with him for the time being, but as long as we were rid of the agent soon, a few days didn't seem so long to wait.

I pulled my phone out, hoping to see any kind of message from Nick. I frowned when I realized it was almost 11:00 am, and that I hadn't gotten anything from my fox.

"Where is he…?" I muttered to myself, exhausted and more than ready to go home. I groaned after I remembered Nick still had to talk with Mr. Black to get that stupid camera out of his eye, and depending on how severe the cuts were on his body, I might have to take Nick to the hospital.

I shuddered when images of his last fight shot through my mind. Seeing how violent he could be through his own eyes was unsettling, and seeing his flesh get ripped into by that wildcat's claws made me sick with worry.

Then, I remembered how Nick laughed in the face of that cat while he dug his claws into his opponent's throat, and violently broke the cat's jaw.

My foot tapped faster while I struggled with my memory, refusing to believe Nick would do anything like that on his own.

How could he? It was astounding to see how tender he was with me on a daily basis, and every day I grew closer to him, knowing without a doubt in my head that I'd be his alone for the rest of my life. He even teared up every time I cried around him, and refused to let me go until I was better. How could he be so gentle with me, and then turn around and brutalize someone like that?

He couldn't. I thought firmly, reminding myself of how he acted after the fight. It must have been whatever he smoked that messed with his judgement.

Or something that whispered in his ear…

Which reminded me of something I'd asked him to do for me after he saved me from those two thugs at that gas station in Happy Town. I'd make a call about it tomorrow. I needed to know he was safe first, and then I needed time to be natural with him to forget about what we'd both had to go through last night.

I pinched the bridge of my muzzle, and closed my eyes to fight off the dull headache I'd gotten from staying up for so long. Hopefully Nick would come back to me soon. It was getting unbearable to be apart from him for this long, especially since I didn't know he was safe or not.

Tap tap tap.

My ears perked after I heard the light tapping on the office door, and I hopped off of the couch, wanting nothing more than to see Nick outside our office. However, I didn't want to answer the door for anyone else, so I remained silent as I walked to the door.

Stealthily, I pulled the blinds beside the door open slightly to see who it was, but they were standing too close to the door for me to see anything.

With a sigh, I undid the locks, and opened the door to find Mr. Black.

"Ugh, why are you- grk!"

I frantically grasped the paw that shot out at my throat, terror immediately flooding my senses.

"Didn't you remember I needed to talk with you?" Mr. Black said calmly, locking the door behind him while he ignored my frantic pleas.

"Help…!" I managed to squeak out, kicking my legs in panic, desperate to free myself from the fox's crushing hold while he dragged me by my throat. I dug my nails into his wrist, tears streaming down my face while I frantically struggled for air.

"You've caused me a great deal of trouble, Miss Hopps." He whispered close to my ear, and slammed me against the front of my desk, smiling in my face while he lifted me off of the floor.

He released his grip just enough for me take a gasping breath, but quickly tightened his paw again, snickering after I locked my terrified eyes to his to plead him to stop.

"I've decided to allow you to remain on the case." He whispered, caressing my cheek with his free paw, "Of course, you'll have to do something for me, in return. You see…"

I kicked him as hard as I could, but lost all my remaining breath after he slammed his fist into my stomach, and threw me to the floor.

"As I was saying," The fox continued softly while I gasped on the floor, and then pulled my ears tight, forcing my neck backwards, "I've been left quite unsatisfied at the absence of my lost partner…"

"NICK- MMMMMMF!" I screamed out in panic, but was cut off by Mr. Black's cruel paw around my mouth. He put the weight of his body on my back to force me to the floor, and yanked my paws behind me.

I fought for my life with everything I had, sobbing wildly, and thrashing on the floor after I felt steel handcuffs lock my wrists behind my back.

"MMMHMHMMM! MMMMHMMM!" I screamed through his paw, trying to bite into his flesh, until he forced my neck backwards again, and wrapped his tie around my head.

NICK!? WHERE ARE YOU!?

"Shhh…" Mr. Black shushed me gently after gagging me with his tie, the feeling of his hot breath against my neck freezing my body in terror, "Don't you worry about Nick... I'll deal with him when he comes back so he won't have to live with a soiled… little… bunny."

"MMM!" I screamed in pain as he lifted me off the ground by the handcuffs, feeling my shoulders twist in their sockets. His laughter filled my ears, and he yanked my body around, slamming the breath out of me as I landed onto my back.

Dazed, I stared up at the agent in horror, weakly kicking my legs on the ground to escape him while he calmly removed the belt from his slacks.

NO! PLEASE!

His paws grasped my kicking legs, his claws ripping through the fabric of my pants while he tore them off of me, and tossed them aside.

I writhed beneath him in agony, his bared fangs an inch away from my muzzle, his claws cutting into the skin of my breast and thigh while he forcefully pulled my hips closer to his.

"The more you struggle, the longer it takes…" He whispered into my neck, drawing his tongue across my throat. I kicked wildly in vain, unable to think, unable to breathe, screaming through my gag for Nick, anyone to save me!

NICK!

SOMEONE!

HELP ME!

Thud Thud Thud!

"AH!" I burst out as I snapped awake, and I immediately held my paws over my heart to calm my frantic heartbeat, panting where I laid on the couch.

"Carrots!?" I heard Nick's voice through the door, and ran over to let him in, needing to feel safe with him close to me.

I swung the office door open, and immediately jumped into Nick's arms, burying my face in his neck to breathe in his comforting scent.

"What happened!? What's wrong!?" He asked me urgently, pressing his muzzle firmly to my soaked cheek while holding me tightly to his chest.

"Oh Nick, it was awful! I f-fell asleep and had this-" I froze, instinctively gripping Nick's fur in my paws for safety when I noticed Mr. Black standing calmly behind my fox.

"What happened?" Nick looked at me with a puzzled expression after I went silent, and set me down gently.

"Nothing…" I said quietly, trying to suppress the fear crawling up my spine. I didn't want to speak at all if Mr. Black was with us.

I knew Nick had gotten my silent message when he nodded slightly, and softly pressed his lips to mine, before moving out of the way to let Mr. Black in our office.

"My apologies for the interruption, but I needed to speak with the both of you." Mr. Black stood in front of us after closing the door, and I shifted myself to stand slightly behind Nick. I noticed the agent's left eye was almost completely swollen shut, as was his cheek.

"If you're wondering, Miss Hopps, I informed your partner of everything that occurred last night." Mr. Black pointed to his cheek, and I ran my paw along Nick's tail to thank him for paying the agent back for what he did to us.

"Now, I'm going to keep this short. I've already mended things with your partner, and now I need to discuss matters with you." The grey fox looked at me, and flattened his ears, "I'm… sorry. I shouldn't have lied to you, nor should I have laid a paw on you in retaliation…"

I stared at the agent, and he released a long sigh, "I'm asking for forgiveness, if you'll grant me it. Last night was a disaster, and could have easily been avoided if I were honest from the very beginning, and hadn't treated the both of you so unfairly. So…"

The grey fox held out his paw to me, "Will you forgive me?"

I looked at his outstretched paw, unsure of what to do. He'd done so much against Nick and I, and my paw still hurt from his crushing grip. I didn't know if I could ever really forgive him of anything.

I felt Nick's tail wrap around me, and I sighed heavily. I could tell Mr. Black was being sincere, and if Nick could forgive him, I could at least try. It would help Nick and I work better with the agent we were stuck with, which that meant it would help Nick's chances of coming home safely to me after every mission, and being able to spend my life with Nick mattered more than anything else.

I nodded slightly at the agent, still not wanting to speak around him right now, and shook his paw.

For the first time since I'd met the grey fox, he gave me a genuine smile, and clasped his paws behind his back, "Thank you. I look forward to working with you both upon your return. You have the next few days off to recover."

With a final nod at Nick and I, Mr. Black left us in our office together, and closed the door behind him.

As soon as the door closed, Nick was upon me, showering my muzzle with kisses, and forced all of my fear to vanish at his touch. A giggle escaped me when his paws grasped my bottom, and he lifted me into his strong arms, his muzzle dancing around my neck and face while he showed me his love.

"My sweet fox, I'm so glad you're safe…" I whispered into his ear, enjoying every second my fingers ran through the course fur on the back of his neck, "I was so worried…"

"Me too…" He murmured, his nose pressed into the fur of my neck while he took long sniffs, and occasionally drew his tongue up my neck to groom me, "It was okay at first but…"

I tilted my head to the side to let him groom me, and relaxed my head to rest it on his shoulder, my concern growing after he brought up his last fight, "What happened in there…?"

He didn't reply to me, and stopped his grooming to bury his face in my neck. I caressed and massaged his ear, holding his head close to mine while I waited for him to open up to me.

"I don't know…" He spoke softly, his voice cracking, "I was just playing around and… Judy I… I didn't mean to hurt him-"

"Nick, it's okay…" I lifted his chin and held my muzzle tightly to his after he sniffled, but he slowly pulled away.

"It's n-not, Judes… it keeps telling me things and… and I really h-hurt someone... It wasn't just a fight like the others, Judy…" I pulled his muzzle back to mine to calm him, feeling his sorrow as I felt his tears on my cheek, but he pulled away before I could speak, "I didn't m-mean to hurt him! Laughing like… like a monster-"

"Nicholas P. Wilde you are not a monster!" I held his cheeks firmly to make him look at me, more alarmed than upset that he would even say something like that, "That wildcat was trying to hurt you first! Nick, what do you think he would've done to you if he had won? He was trying to cut you apart! Honey…" I eased my hold on his cheeks, and gently held my nose against his, "I know you're not a monster. A monster wouldn't be upset that he hurt someone else, especially if that animal were actually trying to hurt him first. I've told you time and time again that you're the sweetest, most amazing animal I've ever met, and that'll never change for me, Nick. You're the farthest thing from a monster."

I gazed intensely into the eyes I loved, hoping Nick could see exactly how highly I thought of him and that he'd stop thinking so lowly of himself. Why couldn't he see what I did?

I heard the swish of his tail, and he sighed, a small glimmer of happiness growing among the glittering emerald in his eyes, "You're way too good for me, Cottontail."

"That's too bad, 'cause you're perfect for me." I smiled, and so did he, before he nuzzled his way into my neck, and took a long sniff in my fur.

"Thanks, little bunny. Let's go home… I need some time with you."

"Hold on, my love." I lifted his muzzle to softly lock my lips to his, and taste his tongue with mine, feeling complete in the presence of my other half, "We need to go to the hospital and get your cuts looked at-"

"Already done." Nick smiled, and kissed me again, "Already got the ones on my side glued together at the clinic when I got back here."

"Great!" I hugged his neck tightly, overjoyed that we could go straight home.

Nick set me down with a final kiss, and wrapped his tail around me after we started to walk out of our office. I welcomed his affection, not caring if the officer's at the station saw us right now. I wanted the world to see how happy I was that the love of my life had come back to me.

"Hopps!"

I turned around at Bogo's booming voice, and saw the buffalo walking towards Nick and I.

"Wilde, it's good to see you in one piece." Bogo said with a nod towards Nick.

"It's good to be in one piece." Nick grinned, and a Bogo snorted in reply, before the chief turned his attention to me.

"I made that call you requested I make about Jeremy to his superiors. He's received a final written warning. Let me know if he continues to harass the two of you, and I'll make a call to end his career."

"Oh, he just got done apologizing to me and Nick about his actions…" I raised an eyebrow, growing suspicious that everything the agent had said was to save his job, rather than to mend things between us.

"That's unlike him to apologize..." Bogo muttered, looking surprised.

"Maybe he was ordered to…" I sighed, feeling that my suspicions were right.

"He wasn't ordered to apologize." Bogo furrowed his brow, and crossed his arms as he did when he was in thought, "Only to uphold a strictly professional demeanor, and to cease all personal attacks directed at the both of you."

"Hm…" Nick grunted beside me, probably thinking exactly what I was.

Maybe the agent had actually made a change. Maybe Nick and I wouldn't have to suffer so much anymore, and have someone to guide us through this horrible assignment.

Then again, I could never tell what that grey fox was thinking. Only his actions would let me know if he changed or not, and if he didn't, I'd have his job.

I glanced at Nick, and then back to Bogo, "Thanks for helping us. I didn't know how much more we could take…"

"I understand." Bogo have me a faint smile, "I don't know how long I could remain civil with that fox, either. Go get some rest, I must attend to my station."

With that, the buffalo walked away from us, and after Nick wrapped me in his tail again, we started walking out of the station together.

"Do you think Black did all that to keep his job…?" Nick asked me quietly after we walked outside into the bitter cold, and headed to our car.

"I w-was thinking the s-same thing…" I muttered, shivering while I clutched Nick's warm tail close to me.

Nick sighed, "Well, as long as he's not such an asshole anymore, I don't care... But if he puts another paw on you I'll break his ne-"

"Honey, it's okay." I said quickly, noticing the fur start to raise on the back of my fox's neck, "I'm n-not going to work alone with him anymore."

"Good." He wrapped his tail tighter around me, and opened the passenger door for me, "But still, let me know if he does anything-"

"I will, my sweet fox, don't worry." I held the end of his muzzle, and gave him a gentle kiss, "Now get in the car. I want m-my Christmas presents."

I smiled when Nick laughed, loving the sight of his happiness, and after we both sat down in the car, Nick started to drive us home.

.

I ran my paw through the fur of Nick's chest while we laid in our bed, my body laid upon his without clothing, or anything between us.

The first thing we'd done when we made it home was get as close as we could to each other, and unwind from all of the tension and stress we'd had to go through last night.

Tenderly, I drew my tongue up his neck to groom him, drawing in as much of his scent as I could. Nick had already dozed off from grooming me, but I didn't mind at all. I'd wake him up to give him his present in a little while. I was exhausted, but I knew he was even more so, and I'd happily stay awake to gently groom him so he'd have a peaceful nap without any nightmares. He always seemed to have them after he went on those assignments, but so far while I massaged his chest and groomed his neck, the only sounds he made were quiet snores, and soft hums when my tongue reached his jawline.

He'd even mumbled my name in his sleep a few times, which caused my heart to jump with joy knowing that I was his one and only, even in his dreams.

"My sweet fox…" I whispered into his ear, and moved my paws up his neck to massage his ears, my desire to be his bride and lifelong mate overflowing my thoughts, "Please ask me soon… I'm already yours."

I quickly closed my mouth when he shifted his head to the side, and buried his muzzle in my neck, humming quietly in his sleep. I smiled to myself when he took a long inhale in my neck, embarrassed that he might have heard me, but deep down, I hoped he did.

Careful to not disturb his sleep, I moved his muzzle out of my neck, and started to draw my tongue around the base of his ear, humming softly while I groomed him.

Nick stirred beneath me after several minutes of my grooming, and I felt his warm arms wrap themselves around me.

"Sorryyy…" He mumbled while yawning, and gave me a soft kiss, "I didn't even know I fell asleep…"

"It's fine, my love." I caressed the top of his muzzle, shifting my body more onto his left side to avoid the cuts he'd suffered last night, "We can do gifts tomorrow and sleep now, if you'd like?"

"No, it's okay." Nick smiled, and locked his sleepy, green eyes to mine, "I have an extra surprise for you, little bunny."

Nick sat up on the bed, and I slid down onto his lap to straddle him with my arms around his neck, "You do?"

"I do." He gently pressed his lips to mine, and moved me off of him so he could slide out of bed, "Hold on, I'll be right back."

Curious, I admired Nick's muscular body while he dug around in the jeans he'd worn last night, and then watched him leave the bedroom after he'd taken something from the pocket of his jeans.

While he was out of the room, I took my chance to get my present for him under the small Christmas tree in our bedroom, and hid it under the covers behind me after I sat myself back on the bed.

"Close your eyes!"

"What?" My ears perked after Nick poked his head in the bedroom doorway with a sly grin, and he rolled his eyes at me.

"Close your eyes." Nick repeated, and with excitement rushing through my body, I closed my eyes.

I heard him slowly walk closer, each step he took towards me causing my anticipation to skyrocket.

His paw grasped mine, and he lifted my right paw to place it on his chest, where he placed something cold around my wrist.

"Nu uh!" He said quickly after I opened my eyes to look at my wrist, and closed them again, giggling while I felt him struggle to fasten whatever it was he'd bought me.

"Aha…" Nick muttered, sounding pleased at the small click coming from the thing around my wrist, "Merry Christmas, Cottontail."

"Oh, Nick…" I smiled lovingly at my fox, and held up my wrist to examine my gift.

A thin, brilliant band of silver wound with several others to make a tiny rope that wrapped around my wrist, parted every inch by small, diamond carrots that glistened brightly in every direction I moved it.

"I love it!" I snatched Nick up in my arms, and firmly pressed my lips to his, smiling through our kiss.

Oddly, his paws left from holding my cheeks while he kissed me, and shortly after, I felt him bring something around my neck that rested just above my breasts, and latch it behind my neck.

"What is- oh my God…" I gasped after I lifted the necklace he'd put on me, unable to think of any way to express how I felt.

In my paw I held a solid ruby heart about the size of nickel, partially wrapped in a web of white gold that held small, sapphire studs throughout the weaving gold lines.

"Nicky…" I looked at him in shock, and back down to the thin, white gold chain that supported the ruby heart, "It's so beautiful…"

He beamed at my words, his tail swishing wildly behind him, "It's got nothing on you, my gorgeous bunny."

I blushed heavily at the love in his voice, and the intensity of his gaze while he locked his eyes to mine, leaving me completely stripped of words. He must have paid a small fortune for this necklace alone…

Suddenly, I had an idea of where the fortune might have come from. He must have bought this necklace for me when he disappeared this morning.

I touched my nose to his, and held his smiling cheeks, debating on whether or not I should be upset that he may have used the money he'd won from fighting. Mr. Black said he could keep it, but knowing where it came from bothered me. Using that money seemed wrong, but I couldn't figure out why it did.

Still, I didn't know for sure if that's what he did, but I did know I needed to ask him.

I released the necklace to let it rest between my breasts, and ran my paws through the fur of my fox's neck to bring him closer, softly pressing my lips to his while he pulled my body to his by my waist.

"Nicky… it's so wonderful but… how did you afford all this?" I asked him quietly, and nuzzled slowly against his cheek, already knowing what his answer would be when his warm paws stopped tenderly exploring my back

"Oh uh… I saved for a while and just now had enough for both."

I released a small puff of air, and held his muzzle with both paws to make him look at me. His ears pinned back after I raised my eyebrow at him in a slight glare, and he sighed heavily.

"Sorry…" He mumbled, his ears now as flat as they could be, "I didn't know if you'd be mad that I used the money, but I saw it and I thought of you and I thought you'd love it and-"

"You big dummy." I held the end of his muzzle to cut off his rambling, and held my nose to his, "I'm not mad at you for using the money, but stop lying to me about little things like that." I shushed him with a kiss after he opened his mouth again, and pressed my nose to his more firmly to make sure he'd pay attention, "Nick, I want you to tell me things, even if they'll make me mad. There's probably nothing you could do that would make me love you less, but if you lie to me about stuff, it'll just make me upset. Okay?"

"Okay… Sorry, Cottontail…" He muttered sheepishly, and I smiled at him to cheer him back up from my gentle scolding.

"But you were right, my sweet fox…" I murmured, my lips brushing his while I pulled him back into an embrace, "It's the most beautiful thing anyone's ever given me."

"I knew you'd love it." He grinned smugly, and I rolled my eyes at him, before I covered his eyes with my paws.

"Keep 'em closed." I ordered playfully, tapping his nose when he tried to peak at the gift I had pulled out from under the covers.

With care, I placed the flat, gray necklace I'd bought him around his neck. The thin segments were held together with a single link of chain, and complete with an inscription on the inside of the necklace that read 'To My Sweet Fox'.

It wasn't anything as expensive as the necklace he'd bought me, but it was something I hoped he'd cherish, and that he would bring with him wherever he went as a reminder that I'd always be there to love and support him.

It took me a moment to screw the end of the necklace together. I'd made sure to buy something for him that wasn't easy to break, and as soon as I'd gotten the necklace on, I released him with a deep kiss.

Nick immediately reached for his necklace, and I snickered at the face he made while he struggled to look past his muzzle to see it.

"So, we have this thing called a mirror..." I giggled, shaking my head at him after he stuck his tongue out at me, and hurried over to the mirror on top of our dresser.

He leaned closely to his reflection, and stared at the necklace without a word. Nervousness pricked at my heart as he remained silent, and after his ears pinned back, my ears fell.

Does he not like it? I asked myself somberly, and shifted anxiously on the bed, before I hopped down to walk over next to him.

"You know I'm never going to take this off, right?" He smiled at me after I placed a paw on his back, causing all of the worry I had to vanish again. I raised my chin to invite a kiss from him, and after his lips met mine, he returned to fumbling with the necklace in the mirror, "But what's it say on the inside?"

"To my sweet fox." I flipped the necklace around for him to see the cursive engraving, "And it's titanium, so you can wear it anywhere without having to worry about it breaking."

"Perfect. I'm never taking this off." Nick repeated happily, his tail wagging behind him while he scooped me up into his arms, and buried his muzzle into my neck.

"Thanks, Cottontail. I love it." He murmured with his nose in my fur, his hot breath causing a pleasant warmth to rush through my entire body, and my heart to burst with love for him at each soft kiss he planted along my neck.

I lifted my chin to welcome his kisses, and wrapped my arms around his head to hold him closer, beyond grateful that my other half had come home safely to me.

A wide yawn interrupted his tender affection, and caused me to yawn as well.

"Ugh, I'm exhausted… Let's try and do Christmas before I have to go and risk my life next year." Nick teased, and I rolled my eyes at him while he walked me over to the bed.

"Hopefully we won't have this problem next year…" I mumbled, also hoping that by next year I'd be married to him, "Or I'll go completely insane."

"Me too." Nick agreed while he laid me on the bed, and I piled the pillows behind me to get comfortable, "I guess we'll have to be crazy together."

"I'm fine with that." I smiled up at him, and beckoned him to lay on top of me so I could massage his head. He hadn't mentioned his head hurting, but I knew it was. He'd been wincing every time he looked towards a light.

"Oo, careful!" I winced myself when I watched the bandage on his side get stuck on the covers, but he quickly reattached it, and rested himself on top of me.

"It's fineee." He yawned, nuzzling his warm muzzle into my neck, and wrapping me comfortably in his arms, "Mmmmh… you're so soft, Judes…"

I rolled my eyes at him, and placed my necklace and bracelet on the night stand. They were too fragile to wear to sleep, but I'd make sure to put them back on first thing in the morning.

Nick yawned when I started to massage the base of his ears, and began his nightly routine of grooming me before we slept by drawing his tongue up my neck. He paused every so often to sniff around my bosom, and kiss along my jawline, before his tongue returned to it's soothing rhythm that had already begun to entrance me.

Before long, I couldn't even keep my head up, but I continued to run my paws firmly along the back of his neck, doing as best as I could to ease his stress as much as he was easing mine.

However, after a little while longer, I couldn't do anything but squeeze my paws in his fur, and start to drift away.

"Go to sleep, Cottontail." Nick whispered into my neck, and planted a long, soft kiss on my lips.

"Are you sure? I was trying to help your heaad-" A yawn cut me off, and Nick let out an amused puff of air.

"I'm sure." He grinned, and replaced his muzzle to my neck, "Besides, this helps my head, too, and I've been antsy for two days now 'cause I haven't had much time to do this with you. So…" He pressed his lips to mine more firmly, and caused my eyes to flicker in pleasure when he slowly filled my mouth with his tongue, "Get some sleep, I know you're exhausted. I love you."

"I love you too, Nicky. Goodnight." I rested my head back down with a content smile, and ran my fingers through his neck fur.

Nick returned to grooming my neck, which immediately caused my eyelids to grow heavy, and close on my eyes. I tried to stay awake for a little while longer to enjoy his rhythmic affection, but soon it became impossible, and while he continued to put me under his loving trance, I drifted away to sleep.