Nick peeled out of his wrinkled, sweat-stained uniform, sighing heavily as he stepped under the torrent of water from the shower head. The heat loosened his knotted muscles, helped relieve his thumping headache, but it did little to soothe his mind, the last several days looping through at warp speed. He'd woken up in a grieving room to Julia setting a bag of his clothes by the couch, the tigress wincing when she'd seen him sitting up. His first thought had been his family, and he'd begged her to tell him they were alright.

"Judy's going to be fine," she'd assured him, the barest hint of a smile on her face. But then it had faded, and his heart had dropped. "But I'm afraid Terry has pneumonia, very serious for a kit his age."

He'd gone cold then, barely able to get his next question out.

"H-How serious?"

The look on her face then had told him everything, but he'd still wanted her to say it.

"I-I'm afraid it's life-threatening," she'd revealed reluctantly. "But we're giving him the strongest antibiotics we can, and I am going to personally see to it that he gets all the care he deserves."

He'd just stared at her before collapsing back on the couch, biting hard on his lip as he'd fought a losing battle with his despair. His paws had trembled as he'd buried his face in them, giving in when he'd felt the weight of her paw on his back, the cushion sagging as she'd sat next to him. She'd prodded him closer, and he hadn't thought twice about burying his face in her side, finally giving himself over to the emotions storming through him, his claws just about tearing holes in her scrubs.

He shook so violently that the bar of cheap soap slipped from his fingers, his tail snaking between his legs as he bent to pick it up. He told himself that Alice and Nate had been arrested and were now under guard, that most of their accomplices had come forward and were willing to talk, if only to potentially lessen their own sentences. He'd been able to find his wife and son before it was too late, and now they were in one of the best hospitals in the city, if not the county. He could let the rest of his team handle this case, spend the time with his family that he should have from the start.

Who knows, he thought as he finished lathering up, his claws cutting into the wet bar. I might even retire after this, find a job that doesn't…No.

He shook his head, the soap dropping to the floor again as he pressed his claws to his temples. He couldn't just give up, not after everything he and Judy had been through. It was possible she'd understand, that this case had been too much for him, and she might even agree that he should find something else. Something less risky, less unpredictable, especially now that their son was in the picture. He knew Judy and the others would miss being able to work with him, that they also wouldn't try and pressure him into staying. He'd be disappointed in himself, though, as it would basically be admitting that he couldn't handle being a cop, that the job had beat him. And he'd already spent more than enough of his life feeling that way.

He'd give it some time, he decided, and if he still didn't feel like he could keep going, then he'd decide what to do. But right now, he had something far more important to worry about.

My family needs me, he rinsed the suds off and cut the water, grabbing his towel on the way to the fur dryer. And I'm not about to let them down, not this time.


Terry had never looked so tiny. He was fast asleep in NICU, tucked under a tiny crocheted blanket with a line in his paw connected to the bag hanging next to the crib. Gingerly, Nick reached down to brush the kit's forehead, some of the tension leaving when he felt his son's fever had already improved. His quiet breath was still raspy, and Nick hoped it was the drugs making him so still.

"It's still early," the alpaca nurse in charge whispered next to him, tapping a few notes into her tablet. "But we're confident he'll make a quick recovery."

Nick's tail flicked a bit at the news, her tone telling him that wasn't everything.

"He'll likely have some complications," she went on before he could ask. "There's a chance he'll have reduced lung capacity, or he may even develop asthma. But with the right treatment, he'd be able to live a full, normal life."

Nick felt himself relax further. That was all he needed to hear.

"Thank you," he couldn't keep his voice from hitching. He dragged in a breath before looking up at her. "Would it be alright if I…held him for a while?"

She smiled kindly, guiding him to the side Terry's IV stand was on.

"We belive physical contact with their parents can make offspring heal much more quickly," she took a few steps back. "I'll give you some privacy, Mr. Wilde."

She headed off, typing something else into her tablet. He swallowed before turning back to his son, reaching slowly down and cupping the kit in his paws, smiling at his son's soft whimper as he cradled him gently to his chest.

"I'm here for you, pipsqueak," he whispered, leaning down to gently mark him. Terry's tiny fingers twitched in his fur, and he turned instinctively toward his father's scent, one foot lightly kicking in his white onesie. He thought about singing the lullaby, but didn't want to risk waking the other babies, so he just let the moment linger until the nurse came back. He kissed his son's forehead. "I love you, Terry."

He set the kit carefully back in his crib, tucking him under the blanker like he'd been before. He quietly thanked the nurse before slipping out, sighing heavily when he reached the hall. He knew then that Terry would pull through, because he was too much like Judy to give up.

You really are too good for me, sweetheart, he thought fondly, taking a deep breath to steady himself before pushing away from the wall. According to Julia, Judy's room was on the next floor up, Yamal standing guard by the door. There was little chance one of the accomplices they hadn't found yet would decide to try something, but with how this case had gone so far, none of them were about to take any chances. He didn't try to stop the guilt that flooded him, that small part of him he just couldn't get rid of once again rearing its ugly little head.

I tried to warn you, it said. There's no point in trusting anyone.

He shoved open the door to the stairwell, biting hard on his tongue to keep from baring his teeth.

I'm through listening to you, he argued silently. Trusting Judy was the best choice I ever made, and my life has never been better!

You trusted Alice, it reminded him. And look where that got us.

He growled, burying his face in his paws, pressing his back to the wall when he reached the landing. It wasn't wrong.

She's the one who abused that trust, he thought. She tricked me, she tricked everyone!

And now eleven mammals are dead, maybe even more, it returned sharply. Your boss and best friend were almost killed, your wife's probably unconscious, and your son's barely hanging on!

He growled again, throwing his fist into the wall, a series of loud cracks resounding as his paw gave way.

You think I don't feel guilty enough about all of that? he demanded. You reminding me isn't going to fix anything!

It scoffed.

I shouldn't have to remind you in the first place, it said. You're the one who threw out everything he'd worked for just for some cute little bunny tail. None of this would've happened if you'd just let her screw herself over in the first place!

"Enough!" he slumped against the wall, tears leaking down his cheeks. He clutched his injured paw to his chest, his heart twisting when he saw that he'd dented his wedding band. He also couldn't remember seeing Judy's when he'd found her, but then it'd been the last thing on his mind.

I'm not going to let some imaginary voice bitch at me like this, he glared at the painted brick across from him, the wall scattered with scribbles. After a few more minutes, he pushed himself to his feet, swiping an arm across his eyes. I'm done listening to you, so go to hell!

When he was sure it wouldn't start up again, he walked out to the hall, trying to ignore the subtle glares some mammals, both patients and staff, were sending his way. No matter how long he wore the badge around his neck or how much good he did with it, there would always be some who couldn't look past his species.

"Um, excuse me," he walked to the desk, standing back enough so the older moose at the computer could see him. He swallowed. "I'm here to see Judy Wilde."

She looked him over from behind black wire glasses.

"Visiting hours just ended," she said flatly. "And you can only visit patients on this floor if you're family."

"My name's Nick Wilde," he answered calmly. It wouldn't help anyone if he got worked up. "I'm her husband."

Her eyes widened for a fraction of a second, then fell back to their hooded, uninterested stare.

"And you expect me to believe that?"

Nick sighed internally, holding up his paw so the un-dented side of his ring glinted in the overhead lights.

"We've been married for almost two years," he tried to reason, wondering if he should just pull out his badge, though it was likely she wouldn't believe that, either. He brought down his paw, putting both on his hips. "How about you page Dr. Bogo? She'll know if I'm telling the truth or not."

He saw the cow's eye twitch, but she picked up the phone and hit the intercom.

"Paging Dr. Bogo to the ICU, please," her voice echoed slightly across the tiled floor. "Dr. Bogo to the ICU."

It took a few minutes for Erin to stroll up, a small smile tilting her lips when she saw the fox waiting by the desk.

"We have to stop meeting like this, Sergeant," she looked to the moose, and her playful tone vanished. "What seems to be the problem, Clara?"

Clara sank back a bit under her gaze, nothing a mammal would see if they weren't looking for it.

"There's no problem, Doctor," she said evenly, glancing down her nose at Nick. "This fox was just requesting to see Judy Wilde, and is claiming to be her husband."

Erin's frown deepened at the other cow's haughty tone, she wasn't even trying to hide it.

"If their last names weren't enough of a clue, my husband and I attended their wedding ourselves," she said bluntly. "And even if we hadn't, you'd just have to look in their records to confirm it."

Her eyes narrowed.

"So, I ask again, Clara, aside from a nurse who's already on thin ice refusing to do part of her job, what seems to be the problem here?"

Clara visibly flinched this time, sighing in resignation before getting to her feet.

"This way, please…Sergeant," she stepped out, walking so quickly down the hall Nick had to run to keep up. She abruptly stopped at room 418, her ears folding further back when she saw Erin had followed as well.

"I'm just here to ensure a respected member of law enforcement is treated fairly, regardless of species," she nodded once to Yamal before turning to Nick, her smile eerily bright. "You will call me if you have any other problems or concerns, won't you?"

Swallowing, Nick nodded.

"Y-Yes, ma'am."

"Good," she reached over and opened the door. "Now, I believe your wife is expecting you, I'll have a cot brought up shortly."

His twitching tail puffed, Nick headed through, stopping cold when he saw Judy lying in the bed. She was asleep, flat on her back with her head thrown to the side, her ears splayed across the thin pillow. Her arm was bent, a thin line at her elbow connected to an almost empty bag of blood hanging from a stand. He didn't know how long he stood there before forcing himself to move, slumping in the oversized chair pulled close to the bed, reaching out to stroke her cheek with a tender, trembling paw.

"This is all my fault, Judy," he whispered, his voice cracking. He wove his fingers through hers, his heart thudding when she didn't respond. "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry…"


Yamal tried not to make it obvious he was eavesdropping, looking down at his phone with his ears barely tilted toward the pair of quietly arguing females.

"There's no way he didn't force her into it," the moose hissed. "Foxes can't be trusted, and bunnies are too stupid to know any better!"

"I'd advise against any more speciest remarks, Clara," Erin returned. "I'm sure I don't have to remind you what will happen next time you're reported."

He barely held back a snicker when he caught a glimpse of Clara's face, her open-mouthed shock was just too perfect.

"Y-You can't honestly believe there's nothing wrong with their relationship," the moose sputtered. "Prey with their natural predator? It's just sick!"

Yamal stepped aside when Erin suddenly tugged her toward the door, forcing her to watch through the gap in the blinds across the window as Nick all but collapsed in the chair by the bed. He held Judy's paw before burying his face in his arms, openly sobbing.

"Does that look like a male who doesn't care about his mate?" she demanded softly. Her tone grew colder, a hard smile fixed on her lips. "And please tell the staff that if anyone calls any kind of hotline about those two, they'll have to answer to me and the Chief of Police. Do I make myself clear?"

The moose just glared at her, then shoved out a breath, tugging her arm from Erin's grip and straightening her scrubs.

"Yes, Dr. Bogo, I understand."

She turned and stormed back to the front desk. Erin shook her head before going off the other way, the look on her face telling him she hoped she wouldn't have to follow through on her threat.