Christmas Eve...
In the back of the building, a crowd of officers were watching from behind the glass screens. Outside the courtyard, Chief Bogo had his back facing them, with Sapphire facing Bogo. Let's just say that Sapphire's sour expression was on par with Bogo's usual kind.
"This is like a stand off," Fangmeyer thought.
"I know," Delgato nodded, "I wonder what they're talking about?"
"Whatever it is," Nick implied, "its gotta be something juicy and shocking." By the looks of it, things were just like that.
"Do you know what kind of trouble you are in?" Bogo scolded.
"I said I was sorry on the phone," Sapphire sighed, "and all you did last night was send me home. Without a word. So can we talk about the elephant in the room, now? Excuse the pun..."
"I'm not finished."
"And I'm not finished with mine," she talked back, "you weren't being honest with me. You know who Master Kuma is, because you were the one who took me to get lessons. So what, you didn't want me to find out that I was trained by a karate master?"
"That's not it!"
"And how about that horse in suit I saw yesterday," she pointed at him, "apparently he found lost information about myself, and you didn't want to tell me? And let's not forget about the mayor knowing this secret, too. Care to explain, chief?" The buffalo paused. Sapphire put her finger on her badge.
"This badge says 'integrity, bravery, and trust'. How can I live up to those words if I can't even trust you to know what it is you're hiding. I have a right to know." Things went quiet for a while as they stared at each other. Chief Bogo put two hoof-fingers on the bridge of his nose and sighed.
"...You probably knew that you were an orphan, after your..."
"I know 'that'...but I need to know what this is about."
SLAM!
"!" Jabari was startled by a thud. He turned to see Manson, who gave a serious expression. The elderly buffalo looked down to see Manson's hoof on the file.
"I found this in dad's office. I know what's going on." Jabari gave a long sigh.
"I suppose I should tell you the reason behind this."
"It's not that I'm against it or anything," Manson implied, "in fact, I think this is a great idea." Jabari was a bit shocked to hear his grandson agree so quickly.
"But what I'm mad about, is that you kept this from her. Why didn't you tell Sapphire about this?"
"It was your mother and father's decision," Jabari implied, "after losing her parents, Sapphire was alone..."
Meanwhile...
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Bogo's POV
"So you were trying to find a home for me?" Sapphire sat next to me.
"Trying was enough. Despite what happened, no one wanted to give you a home because they were still uneasy of a human. I failed what I started...and after finding those documents, I thought maybe...sigh...You're still young...you have a son who goes to school, you take two jobs and try to make time. I felt that you needed someone to depend on if rough times ever came; a family."
"But chief, I have you and everyone else. All of you are family to me, and always there when I need it the most. Manson, Marcus, and now your father...it feels like I've known them for a long time. And since you were already acting like some overprotective father, I didn't feel lonely all the time."
"You think of me as a father figure?" I asked curiously.
"Chief...don't think that I don't appreciate what you're doing. I'm very grateful for what you've done for my parents, and for me. So in a way...you remind me of, them." She smiled. However, when she saw my surprised expression, she started to get nervous.
"Umm well...I mean, if that sounds weird— I'm really sorry about that...ahaha, weird, much...right?" She gave a sheepish smile, but didn't see me spacing out the other way.
"Chief!" Martin shouted as he approached us.
"What is it, Saber?"
"Follow me." We went to the lobby. The tv was on as some officers watched.
[Security officers were shocked when they realized the prisoner used a doppelgänger to escape. They suspect that he was gone for about three weeks...]
"Guess who it is," Martin pointed at the screen. It showed a familiar face that surprised everyone.
"Cal Leonard!?"
"He escaped?" I clenched my fists.
"Guys, guys," Ginger and Randal ran towards us.
"I found traces of fur and grass stains on the uniform. Turns out, it belongs to a guy named Cal Leonard. He was a former student of Master Kuma, before he was kicked out for getting out of line."
"We need to get to the city and..." Randal paused when seeing Cal's face on the screen.
"Oh... you already know. Good."
"What isn't is that he's involved in the mammal trafficking."
"Lovell, report this to the families immediately-" when I turned around, she was already gone.
"... Lovell?"
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Sapphire's POV
FWOOM!
I kept skating as I reached the neighborhood. When I turned the corner, I ran towards her house and banged on the door.
"George!? Mr. Saber, its me!"
"Sapphire?" George opened the door, letting me in.
I saw Kyle with Tojirou, and immediately hugged them.
"Sapphire," Kyle smiled.
"Oh, thank god."
"What's going on?"
"Cal Leonard escape prison. He's behind the kidnappings, I'm sure of it."
"What are you going to do?"
"Something-anything to stop him! I have to go...keep them safe." I ran outside, and then saw Martin's cruiser pull up.
"You're not going in alone this time!" I got in the car. Martin drove at an immense speed.
"So what's the plan?"
"Infiltrate is our best option. Call dispatch...I'll call Nick."
"Nick? Why?"
"Cause he and I have something in common. We know almost everyone."
Time Skip to 8:40
It was especially silent where in subway tunnel, down below. Not many mammals were present; just a janitor, a couple, and one child standing by himself. The little boy turned his head, unaware of what was lurking. He heard his subway coming up. However, just as he was taking two steps forward, a figure grabbed him from behind. The stranger swept him away to the other side before the subway could pass. They now exited a tunnel leading to an open cave and a group of mammals.
"It seems you found another one, Leonard." The figure took off his mask.
"You guys were getting sloppy that I had to take action. How's the preparations?"
"We are just about ready to go, Leonard." They looked at the crates; all children from the families and orphanages were accounted for.
"Put this one with Crate 3. I' heading out again." Cal walked back inside the cave.
"Yes, sir. Let's go kid." He was tugging on him, but the child protested and pulled his arm back.
"I said let's go."
KICK!
"Ow! Why you-"
"Get him!" They chased after the kid. Unaware to them, my partner and I were headed towards a sleepy guard, the keys dangling from a crate Martin carefully grabbed it with his tail and gave it to me.
"Go free the kids. I'll keep watch."
"Psst! Sapphire..." I heard a harsh whispered and turned to see Damian, Sammy and Gill (Snoweather, Mrs. Hefton and Ms. Lank's sons.) I quickly unlocked the crate an the kids lucged at ne with joy.
"No time for subtleties. Help me free the other." Each key had a certain lock. I manage to free alf of the group and was about to open another crate when...
"Sapphire!" Martin harshly whispered. I gasped when seeing the mammals grab a hold of the kid, but also saw us.
"They've escaped!"
"Sapphire!" I turned to see Nick, by another entrance.
"I'll get the others. Go-go-go!" Nick guided the group out as Martina nd I stalled for time. These mammals were quite the ninjas, almost throwing us off with every attack. Martin kicked two while I punched another. But when I ducked, he kicked me on my back and started strangling me.
"Hey!" Martin kicked him off of me. He helped me up.
"You okay?"
"I'm-Martin. behind!" We dodged a sword, held by that dirty-no-good Cal. Martin snarled as he shielded me.
"Do you really think you can attack us on your own?" In his other hoof, he carried the hooded-kid.
"Take another step, and he gets a scar down the middle."
"I could say the same for you."
"!?"
SLASH!
"!" Cal was able to dodge it, but got a long cut on his cheek. He stared at Sapphire, who had two samurai swords in her hands. She twirled them and stood before Cal.
"Never leave your toys unattended. Give up, Cal."
"Why should I?"
"Because it would be embarrassing if I humiliated you in front of your former master."
"And your pride is too great to let that happen." Cal turned around to see Master Kuma and Master Yin. Their students surrounded the place.
"You never were one for stealth, Leonard."
"And one more thing," Martin threw a punch, but Cal blocked it. He tried to do a low kick, but Martin stepped on his leg and did a side kick to his face.
"That's for messing with my partner!"
"And you can thank Mr. Finnick here for having a GPS chip on him." I patted the mammal.
"Heh...about time I drop the cute act," Finnick's deep voice rang, giving a smug look.
"Thanks for the help, sir."
"You're okay, cop. Hey you..." Finnick glanced at Martin.
"You got one heck of a girlfriend, here," he smirked. Both Martin and I smiled at each other. Just as Cal was getting up, his head met a gun, with Bogo glaring right at him.
"Don't. Even. Move." His officers arrested the others and freed the kids.
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Fast Forward
"Mommy/Mom~!"
"Sammy!"
"Gill! Are you okay sweetie!?"
"Dad! Mom!" The families were greeting their children with tears of joy. They were in the lobby of ZPD, where the officers were watching them.
"Everyone is here," Judy beamed, "we did it..." She looked at Nick, who gave a smile.
"Don't forget NCIS," Randal fist bumped Late.
"Thanks, pal. You too."
"What about them?" Daniel asked. He pointed at the orphans who were with Ginger.
"We can find an orphanage near Savannah Central," Jabari thought, "maybe find good homes if we're lucky."
"Sapphire," Ms. Snoweather came up and hugged me.
"Thank you so much," she cried.
"Happy to help, ma'am. Oh, I almost forgot." I clapped my hands.
"Everyone~...before you head home, I'd like to give a Christmas present from me to you. Come on in!" Coming inside the doors, it was none other than pop star Gazelle, along with her backup dancers, Raja, Will, Zane and Garett, dressed in Santa outfits. The kids beamed as they rushed towards Gazelle.
"Merry Christmas everyone~"
"Gazelle!?" Judy and Clawhauser's smiles widened.
"I'm glad you came."
"Its the least I can do," Gazelle gave me a hug.
"Alright, kids, ready to get your presents?"
"Yeah!"
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Bogo's POV
The tigers passed out a gift to each of them. The others began to join in, too. On the sidelines, my dad and I were watching, seeing the atmosphere light up with happiness. The elderly buffalo put a hoof on myshoulder.
"Doesn't that remind you of something?" I knew exactly what he was thinking.
Flashback
"Hi-yah!"
Bang!
"Oof!" Sapphire (age 5) fell back after kicking the punching bag. She sat up.
"Aww~ it didn't move," she pouted.
"It weighs a ton. It won't be that easy." A younger version of myself approached her.
"Mr. Bogo," she happily smiled as she jumped on me, giving a hug.
"Come on," I carried her on my shoulders, "you have another lesson with Kuma."
"Its Master Kuma," she corrected, "Mr. Bogo, are you going to come watch me?"
"I'm sorry, but I have to work."
"But I want you to come," she said in sadness, "you always say you're busy." I sighed, put her down and kneeled.
"Alright...as soon as I finish, we can play once we get home."
"Okay," she smiled sweetly. Her tiny hand held my hoof as we walked together.
"Maybe I should become a police officer, too." Her statement made me laugh.
"And why would you want to be a cop?"
"So I can keep the city safe," she said triumphantly, "also...I wanna be your partner. That way, we can see each other all the time."
"Is that so," I smirked, "then you better work hard."
"Yes, sir! I'll do my best!" Sapphire giggled as we saluted each other.
End of Flashback
Sapphire laughed with her friends.
"Sapphire," Martin smiled, "how about we wrap this up?"
"Sure thing. Everyone~ we have one more gift. Officer Saber and I will sing a song for you. So I hope you enjoy it." Martin rolled out a portable piano while Sapphire had a guitar. Everyone gathered as they began.
[My Song for You by Bridgit Mendler & Shane Harper]
As they sung, I turned his to my father.
"Are the boys at home?"
"Nope," Jabari grinned, "they're right over there." I looked to where Manson and Marcus were. However, I realized that Manson was holding the file in his hoof.
"I think its time you settle this matter, Darius." I stared at him, and then at Sapphire.
"Yes...I will."
"That's my, boy." We smiled.
'Chase...Jade,' I said to myself, '...I finally understand what I must do.'
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No One's POV
In the neighborhood, everyone was enjoying themselves. George left early, while Kyle and Tojirou were eating marshmallows and hot chocolate inside Martin's house. Sapphire sighed as she leaned on the now; new extended porch that connected to her and Martin's house in the middle.
"Sapphire."
She looked behind to see Martin on the bench. Luckily it had cushion to make it comfy. Martin reach into his pocket and pull out a small rectangular box, wrapped in a blue ribbon.
"Open it," he gave it to her.
"You know I shouldn't break the rules," she joked
"I know," he chuckled, "but I couldn't wait. Go on..." Sapphire shook her head as she unraveled the ribbon and opened the lid. She softly gasped as she gazed at it. It was a sapphire and diamond accent necklace. The sapphire gemstone was shaped into a tiger's paw.
"Martin, its beautiful."
"It took a while to get enough money..."
"That's why you were taking all those night shifts. Martin...its wonderful. Thank you." She hugged him. She let the tiger put the necklace on her.
"And thank you."
"For what?"
"You sung that song for me...it was my present...?"
"Hehehe...that was 'part one'. This...is the rest..."
She put a hand on his face and kissed him on the lips. She pulled away before he could react. Sapphire pointed up, which revealed Tojirou holding a mistletoe while Kyle laughed.
"I'm liking my present so far," he smirked. Sapphire giggled as they all huddled up.
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Christmas Morning
The ZPD officers were doing last minute assignments, before heading home later on to spend Christmas with their families. Clawhauser was sitting at his desk, until he looked up to see Sapphire walking.
"Morning Sapphire."
"Morning Ben. Have you seen the chief?"
"Yup. He's in the bullpen." Sapphire thanked him as she hurried inside the room. After greeting a few of her friends, she went up to Bogo.
"Good morning, chief."
"Morning, Lovell," he responded, "did you need something?"
"Actually, its a little late, but..." she revealed her hands holding a gift bag.
"I was your secret santa, so...Merry Christmas." Bogo took the gift from her.
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Bogo's POV
"Thank you," I nodded. I picked up a scarf made in navy blue; it had the ZPD badge symbol on one side.
"Since I couldn't find something to buy... I thought I could make something instead. Do you... like it?" I saw how anxious she was, making me smirk.
"I did need something for the cold weather. Its lovely. Thank you."
"Um...yes...well," I cleared his throat. I don't know why I'm nervous.
[You can do this.]
"Since we're on this topic, I-uh..."
[Come on, Darius.] I pulled something out of the podium. I gave her a red envelope with a white ribbon tied to the corner.
"Chief...are you...?"
"I'm also your secret santa."
"Thank you chief," she smiled. I went back to the files, but kept an eye on her actions. She opened it carefully, and reached in. I saw her smile at the bracelet, around it was a paw print, blue gem in silver boarder, and a badge.
Then, she looked inside again and pulled out the papers. As she read them, her eyes widened and almost gasped out loud. For a while, she was quiet, and not saying anything or moving from her spot. I saw Judy and Nick coming towards her with curiosity.
"Sapphire?" When Judy looked up, her ears went up in alarm. I almost did the same after what we saw.
Sapphire broke into tears with her hand over her mouth. Her cries started to become loud enough for the others to hear. Martin and Randal were concerned about her, but Daniel put a paw out before they could do anything.
"She'll be fine."
"How do you know that?" Randal asked. Daniel smiled to himself.
"I-I'm sorry, Judy," Sapphire wiped her tears, but they kept coming, "don't worry about me..." Unconsciously, she let her hand drop to her side. Nick sneakily grabbed the papers, and I swore his mouth dropped to the floor.
"No...way..."
"Nick?" Judy came over and peeked.
"Gasp~! Is that-"
"Oh, yeah," Nick nodded.
"These are legal adoption papers!" Judy shouted so loud, everyone gasped.
"What!?" Martin and Randal exclaimed out loud. Everyone was in an uproar as they looked at each other and back at Sapphire.
"Chief," Nick turned his head, "this is your name...did you just..."
"Yes, it is," I firmly bellowed, "I have no shame in admitting it, nor speaking about it in public."
"...But chief," Sapphire choked on her words, "I...I don't get it."
"Despite what you said, I still believed you needed something more. When I knew that no one wanted to take you in," I walked towards her, "I knew that the only reason was because... you already had us. My sons, especially my father, are fond of you, so you have their full support. And...if you have time after...they would love to see their big sister for Christmas."
Everyone was speechless. Even so, Sapphire didn't know if she should cry or smile. Without a word, I was the one to step in and show my kind side, embracing her as she cried. Everyone started to clap and cheer. Randal and Fangmeyer pulled her into a group hug, as Judy and Nick gave a thumbs up. Martin quietly went up to me.
"Congratulations chief," he smiled, "you made a good decision." I smirked to himself, but inside, I couldn't be any happier. Its as if the guilt was pulled right off my shoulders, feeling lighter than ever.
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No One's POV
It was 6 pm, and the day was becoming slow. And it was no secret when other officers started to spread the news, and then they would congratulate Sapphire afterwards. Sapphire was now at the front desk. Though, she was being crushed by Clawhauser's 'hugs of excitement.'
"Congratulations Sapphire!"
"Um...t-thanks, buddy. Can't breathe..." He released her as she gave a small smile.
"I can't believe he did that for you. I never thought the chief would show that side of him."
"Neither did I."
Just then, the chief was walking in their direction.
"Sapphire," he said, "are you ready?"
"Yes sir."
"Have fun," the cheetah waved goodbye before they left the station.
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Fast Forward
Inside the buffalo's house, Darius, Sapphire, Tojirou, Manson and Marcus had just finished eating. Sapphire volunteered to do the dishes while Marcus helped her. As they did, Manson was chatting with his dad in the living room.
"I'm glad you did this," the young buffalo said, "plus...I never saw Marcus look so happy, even more than skipping chores."
"I'm glad you feel that way, son."
"What made you change your mind?" Manson asked, which Darius answered immediately.
"She was already a part of our family," he smiled, "as I was to her's." Manson grinned in agreement.
"So does that mean she can call you 'dad' too?"
"... Only outside of work..."
"Oh, in that case, I agree with your compromise! Thanks dad!" Sapphire shouted. Manson was laughing at his dad, who became flustered by the casual word.
After the dishes were done, Manson led Marcus upstairs to sleep for the night. Sapphire was on the living room couch, hugging Tojirou as they watched the snow fall outside from the window.
"You should stay for the night," Darius brought her a blanket and pillow to sleep with, "the snow might be too thick to drive in."
"Okay," Sapphire wrapped herself with the blanket, with Tojirou right beside her. Just before Darius could leave, Sapphire stopped him.
"Hey chief...I never got to say it, but...thank you. This was the best gift I ever had."
He smiled without Sapphire noticing.
"Merry Christmas, Sapphire."
"Merry Christmas, Darius. Goodnight." She let herself lie down, Tojirou cuddling close as they drifted to sleep. The buffalo stared at her. For some reason, he looked back at what she was before; that small girl who always smiled without a care, and never made his day boring or dull. He reached down and rubbed the side of her head gently.
"I'm the one who should thank you," he whispered. He quietly left the room and went upstairs. When he was out of sight, Sapphire slowly opened her eyes and smiled softly.
'I know...' she thought to herself. She went back to sleep that night, only to have good dreams. Seems like they both got what they wanted, and what they 'needed' this year.
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Bonus
"Its still mind-blowing that that grumpy old buffalo would act like his non-self in front of everyone."
"You're being too honest, right now," Sapphire was wary of him, "you might wanna lower the sarcasm before he hears you."
"Sapphire, we're fine. We're on the rooftop. How w-"
"Standing a foot away makes a whole difference." Nick turned around, looked up with his ears down in regret. Behind him was the buffalo himself, as he gave an unamused expression to the fox.
"If you're done chatting away, Hopps needs you on a new case."
"Uh...y-yes sir." Nick scurried away before the chief said anything else. Sapphire tried not to laugh, as she was alone with her boss/adopt. dad.
"He was just kidding, dad."
"As if I need his ego to be any bigger," he scoffed. Sapphire shrugged. Somehow she felt her life was getting adventurous, but at the same time, comical and hilarious.