Chapter 6

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AN: So here we are, about to find out who-dunnit in the final chapter of this episode. There have been a good few guesses, but let's see who's right or wrong. Things have been hectic as of late with everything going on, but I've got into a good place to wait it out, best of luck to all of you guys too. But, for now, enjoy the conclusion to this highly eventful baby shower.

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Earlier that evening.

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Badger nodded, still not quite convinced about Judy's assurances to keep Mr Fox out of trouble, and then stepped away from the table. As he did so though he jolted, frowning as a weak voice piped up. "Have you seen my box?"

Badger frowned. "No," he said, looking down. "Phil. While you may be legally blind, please look where you're going."

"I'm sorry," the small mole croaked. "I'm just pacing. I need the bathroom, and the queue is long."

"You know," Judy offered. "The en-suite upstairs is open. I can take you there."

He raised his little black muzzle up as he tried to look Judy in the face, and he spoke up, pointing straight forwards to Badger. "I want my independence and dignity. Don't hit me with your culture of low expectations," he said, before walking off. He looked around, his teeth grinding a little. Where did he put it, where did he put it?

"Ah, there you are," he said, making out the shape of his box. Walking over to grab it off of the pile it was on, he couldn't help but feel that it was far heavier than before. Not sure why that would be though. Regardless, he walked over to the stairs and began using it to help him up as he went. As the bunny had said, the upstairs bathroom wasn't in demand, so inside he went. Placing the box against a shelf, he did his business before climbing up onto the sink to wash his paws.

As he did so, his eyes widened. "I left you by that chair, didn't I!"

Drying them off, he walked back out to reclaim his real box, the present left waiting inside.

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Back in the present.

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"So," Nick concluded, as everyone put away the last of the displaced items. "No bad guy!"

"And, though there was a slight increase of those aware of the problem, our issue is still under control," Mr Fox concluded. "So, I think that's a win all around."

His wife smiled. "Now that it's over, I must say that this was a very fun baby shower. One for the memory books certainly."

Judy nodded, breathing a sigh of relief as she put the last folded shirt back onto its shelf. "Yes. All wrapped up nicely." She looked on, noticing Jack and Skye working too, the jackrabbit seemingly putting his whole back into it. The last few bits were put away and, finally, everyone began making their way down.

"Any idea what she said to get him to do that, miss wonder ears?" Nick asked, coming up to his bunny. He smiled smugly as she blushed, before shaking his head. "On second thoughts, I think I have a good idea."

"Yup," she noted, her voice clipped. "Unless you know anywhere else where she hasn't groomed him before." They carried down a little bit in silence, before she spoke again. "Well done, I'm proud of you."

His mouth piqued a little, and he looked down at her, almost unsure.

"What?" she said, joyfully. She gave him a pat on the arm before grabbing his paw. "You did all that to help out, and you solved the case. Great job."

He relaxed, a smile growing on his face. "Thanks. It was nothing, just some sneaking about and such."

"Well, it's that kind of sneaking that I love you for, isn't it?" she said.

He looked down at her, his smile growing, before pulling her into a hug. "Just like I love you for your crazy do-good energy miss room wrecker," he said, before leaning down to kiss her on the top of her head.

She shivered slightly, before holding back until they were on the stairs going down, using the height advantage to reach the back of his jaw and returning the favor.

"Maybe we should find somewhere private," he said, as she smiled back.

"Maybe I could treat you when we get back home," she suggested warmly, grabbing Nick's paw and working a finger around his central pad.

His fur stood up on end a little, and he looked down at Judy smugly. "As you wish."

"As do you," she said, as they all came out into the living room. Judy and Nick watched Mr Fox slip down the present onto the pile where it came from, the bunny also looking over and making sure that Phil the mole was holding onto his actual box. She sighed with relief, before snuggling up next to him. "Phew… Yeah, do stuff at home, I'm still a bit too stressed out from my emergency search right now," she admitted, holding her new necklace tight.

"Still fizzling with justice energy I see," he smirked.

"Yeah, though it was more justice stress," she admitted. "I just got so worked up then, just thinking about how it was stolen, and all the things ever stolen… I could imagine some evil people stealing the book, -well, I guessed it was a book, out of a safe and tearing it up to take away. I had to do something, so much so I just rushed into it, again…" She sighed at the admission, gathering the concern of Nick. Before he could speak though, he noticed Kris coming over, the silver fox smiling.

"You know, I could help with that. I practice meditation, and I could teach you guys it."

Judy looked up and nodded. "Okay then. That sounds great! Are you in too, Nick?"

"To keep you going too overboard, certainly," he agreed. "It may be short notice, but how about tomorrow, two pm?" he asked Kris.

"I'm free," Judy said.

"So am I," Kris agreed. They quickly agreed on a place to meet up, before parting ways again. It was then Skye and Jack's turn to come up to them.

"About earlier," she began. "Would you still be interested in meeting those two friends or ours?"

"The hyena and red panda?" Nick asked, before looking down at Judy. "Well, if Fluff here is…"

"Sure, it sounds great!"

"-Which it will be, so why not?"

"Yeah," Skye said happily.

"Better share details, find out a time or place," Judy said. "Anything you might want to do?"

Skye paused, ever conscious of her bad foot paw. "I'm not sure."

"I could probably work something out," Nick said, thinking. "What about those two?"

"I'd have to ask them."

"-You could watch my dress rehearsal."

There was a pause, as all eyes turned to Jack.

"What, it's on tomorrow at six, and it needs a small audience for participation. You could watch it, then we could go out."

They all turned to each other and nodded in agreement, all agreeing on it then and there.

And so, with a meditation lesson and a triple date planned for the next day, Nick and Judy could just chill out for the rest of the night, together.

Were it not for Kylie asking for Nick to go down to the office, that was.

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Opening the door, Nick looked around for a second or two before leaning forwards, switching on the light switch and revealing Mr Fox in his chair, microphone on his lap desk just as before. The older vulpine frowned a bit and picked up the microphone, speaking into it. "You're ruining the effect, you know?"

"Do I know that?" Nick smirked, sitting down at the waiting chair. "Yes, yes I do."

"Right then," Mr Fox agreed, before pulling out a remote control and plunging the room into darkness.

"Huh?"

With a click, the desk lamp came on, revealing Mr Fox in his chair, complete with a lap desk and microphone. He held it and spoke into it, smiling as he did so. "So, the day is saved, thanks in no small part to you."

Nick relaxed a bit and shrugged. "Well, there was help from some other fine vulpines."

"There most certainly was."

"Indeed, who could think that one angry vixen could lead to such inspiration," Nick teased, Mr Fox taking it in good humor.

"Someone who's been married to one for fifteen years," Mr Fox countered. "Though keep in mind that this debrief is mostly in your honor."

Nick settled back, smiling. "I think I shall."

"Good," Mr Fox said, leaning forwards. "This was an enlightening and invigorating experience, having to go toe to toe with another highly talented vulpine as we pursued a common cause. Along with deciphering the mystery of the missing present, I also believe that this operation turned out to be a highly effective bonding exercise, in which we came to appreciate each other's talents, viewpoints and styles."

"I'lldrink to that – if you have any more of that cider, of course."

Mr Fox gave a smug smile before opening up a drawer in his desk, bringing out a new pair of bottles. Both Nick and Mr Fox took one, undid the tops, and clinked them together before taking a long swig.

"Aaaah," Nick said. "Good thing that Judy's driving."

"Yup," Mr Fox agreed, before putting his drink down. He kept his gaze fixed on Nick, to the point where it started to become uncomfortable.

The fox cop paused, tilting his head slightly. "I know this job was fun, and we may make a pretty good team, but if you've got another job it'll have to wait a little bit."

Mr Fox nodded along. "Well, maybe not so much a job, more a reward…"

"Is it the supplier of this stuff?" Nick asked with a smile.

"No," Mr Fox replied, trailing off a bit at the end. Nick put his drink down, his eyes narrowing as he studied the other vulpine. He was up to something… "It might be something a bit bigger."

"I'm fine, thanks," Nick replied, waving Mr Fox off.

"Let me rephrase that, something very big."

Nick paused, his ears lowering slightly. "It was just a little help," he said. "If you really want, a keg of that cider would do for tonight."

"Well, it's not just for tonight."

Nick paused, before smiling. "Mr Fox, if you're referring to my help with Ash…"

"Which I am."

"Then that was what I do in the ZPD," he said, "and the ZPD does have a few rules about rewards and stuff. Irritating, I know, but…"

"-Mind if I start over," Mr Fox interrupted, Nick pausing before nodding in agreement. The older vulpine smiled but fidgeted slightly, looking down at his microphone before picking it up and dropping it on the floor, a squeal ringing out.

"Oooh, mic drop," Nick noted.

"Yes," Mr Fox said frankly. More frankly than Nick had ever heard him before. The fox cop looked forwards, into the other fox's eyes, and saw them tinge slightly with sadness and worry and all sorts of other things he wouldn't expect from the otherwise all-confident fox. "I think that was warranted," he said, before breathing out. "Nick, when I heard that my son had almost killed himself, it was the greatest shock in my life. As far as I knew, everything was fine, everything was good, and then everything was turned upside down and I realised that I knew nothing. Nothing, other than the fact that it could have been worse. The only reason it wasn't was because of you.

"Because of you, I could go back and learn about the mistakes I didn't even know I'd made and fix them. I realised that I'd been failing, and set about to succeed. I love my son, but I took that for granted, just like I took the idea that he loved me for granted. Now I know better and always keep an eye out, I always try and show it, and it seems to be working. Things will be okay for him, and for my new kit as well. A new kit who wouldn't have his big brother were it not for the fox sitting in front of me. The fox who my son looks up to, the fox who saved the city, the fox who could make a pretty damn good partner if the need ever arose. More than a partner, even. Nicholas Wilde, my family will forever be in your debt, and all we can offer you in return is the invitation to be a part of it. You, Nicholas Wilde, will always be a member of our family."

Nick looked on, paws over his heart, and nodded. He then let a warm smile grow on his muzzle. "To be there, as a family friend… I like the sound of that reward."

Mr Fox smiled, before raising a finger. "An official member of the family, not just a mere friend."

Nick looked on, his mouth piquing a little. "Well, I could think of one way of making that happen, but my mother really isn't Dr Silverfox's type you know."

Mr Fox snorted a little before shaking his head. "Unusual option, creative, but not quite what I had in mind."

"Which is?" Nick asked.

"You're going to like this."

"You're going to drag this out, aren't you?"

"Naturally."

Nick smiled back. "Well, you have to hype up your Fox family membership certificate, don't you?" Closing his eyes in a warm smile, Nick opened them again, and saw Mr Fox looking at him, his face etched with sincerity.

"As I said before, you helped our current son and you'll almost certainly look out over him and my new kit, being a role model that they will always look up to. You're the kind of mammal that will care for them, protect them, and love them, even though they're not your own. Which is why I'd like you to be my new kit's godfather."

"I…" Nick began, before his throat hitched.

He was speechless.

He felt overwhelmed and unworthy and scared and full on blindsided, but as the shock receded and he looked into Mr Fox's confidant eyes, shining confidence at himself, he swallowed it down. He closed his eyes, took a breath in, and let other feelings rise up. Surprise and joy and hope and one more than any other.

He leant forwards and took Mr Fox's paw. "It would be an honour."

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Back up in the main room, Judy smiled as Nick and Mr Fox emerged, looking up as her boyfriend walked over. She couldn't help but see the giddy happiness on his face. He looked like he'd just been given access to a swimming pool full of blueberries. "Guess you heard some good news then," she said, smiling.

Despite his joy, he managed to pull down a sly mask. "Yup."

"And what is it exactly?"

"Oh, you'll see," he said, as they turned to see Kris and his father walk up to a waiting Felicity. The teenage silver fox went first, giving his aunt a small present which she carefully unwrapped, revealing a homemade baby book, beautiful little images painted onto the cardboard. She smiled as she looked through it.

"I remember you reading it to me over the phone," she said, looking at her nephew.

"I remember my mom reading the original," he said. Felicity nodded, before looking down and stroking her baby bump, reading from the book as she did so.

"Little foxes, with their bushy tails,

little foxes, with their pointy ears,

little foxes, across the world,

little foxes, all different types.

There's a sandy one, in the desert,

With his big ears, he's a fennec.

There's a white one, near the north pole,

Brown in the summer, she's an arctic.

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And in Africa, there are tan ones,

With many different types.

Like the fennec, they have big ears,

But they're not all the same.

There's a cape one, and a pale one,

And even the Rüppell's fox.

And in Arabia, there's the Blanford's fox,

And all have bushy tails.

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And in Asia you have more foxes,

They all have sandy coats,

And little kits that love to play,

Every single day.

There's a Tibetan fox, with a square face,

Who lives near the corsac fox.

While in India, there's a Bengal fox,

All with bushy tails.

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And in America, there's the swift fox,

And his friend, the kit fox,

And in Europe and everywhere,

You can find the red fox too.

But sometimes, his fur is grey,

And sometimes it is white,

Or it's many colours, or marbled,

But all have bushy tails.

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Little foxes, little foxes,

All across our big wide world.

Little foxes, little foxes,

With pointy ears, and fluffy tails.

They all have kits, that love to play,

And love to pounce, and dig things up.

Every single day.

Little foxes, little foxes,

Different colours, but all the same."

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Nick looked down and smiled as he saw Judy bring her paws to her heart, gushing over the cuteness of it all. He and she looked over, spotting some of the pretty illustrations that Kris had painted or drawn on.

Then Kris's father walked up and handed over his present. Holding it with great care and attention, Felicity slowly unwrapped the paper to reveal a hard-covered sketchbook.

"So, it was a book," Judy noted, Nick looking down. "I imagined it was one… -though I also imagined a silver fox head cut-out on the front for some reason."

Felicity, meanwhile, ran a pad along it and peaked in closer, only to freeze. She sniffed a few times, holding back the tears, before she came in close with her nose, taking some deep breaths. "It still smells like her," she whispered, her eyes glistening. Opening it up, she gasped as she saw the pencil drawings or paintings done within. There were plenty of ones with motorbikes or cars to begin with, along with a fair few pretty vixens, but as she went through the pages a familiar face began appearing. Dr Silverfox looked far younger and healthier in them, unhurt by the ravages of time, grief and illness. But, as she filtered through further, a new face appeared. A tiny grey cub, his first appearance being cradled by his mother, the self-portrait showing her in her hospital bed and gown alongside her mate. More sketches followed, showing the tiny kit grow up into a toddler, before ending with a shining photograph of the young family. Tears trickled down Felicity's eyes, her husband hugging her side, while her brother in law leant in and pulled the page over. She gasped as she saw a new picture, the style change evident, which showed Dr Silverfox and Kris. There was another of the teenage fox and his cousin, before the next page held a small bit of writing. 'Dear Felicity. I hope these memories serve you well, as they have done me. In the future, you need only ask and I or my son will be glad to carry on adding to them. Love, your brother.'

"Thank you," she whispered, gently putting the book down before stepping up to hold him tight.

He patted her back, before she settled down, a paw rubbing her bump.

Mr Fox, standing up, nodded and spoke out. "I'd like to thank you all for coming today, and for all your generosity. You all have our thanks. On behalf of my new kit, his or her parents, brother, cousin, uncle and, as of today, godfather." He pointed over to where Nick was standing, several gasps coming from the crowd as he nodded his head, before they began clapping.

Judy naturally trying to beat them all. "Oh my gosh oh my gosh!" she buzzed, ecstatic.

Nick looked at her and smirked, about to make a witty comment but receiving a high-pressure bun hug around the waist before he could manage. He turned down and stroked her ears a few times, before looking up and smiling. "What can I say, our host has taste."

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The rest of the evening went quickly, Skye and Jack coming over to congratulate him. Skye in particular was ever sincere, and, when she left, she told Nick that she was deeply looking forward to meeting them again. Farewells were given, paws were shook, and the bunny and fox duo got in their car and began making their way home.

"So, Mr Godfather," Judy said, glancing at him as she drove. "How does it feel?"

"How did it feel when you became a godmother?" he asked.

"So, pretty amazing then," she said, nodding at him before turning her eyes back to the road. Slipping through Nick's neighbourhood, she couldn't help but sigh as she remembered what became of the mammal who made her into a godparent.

She breathed out. If little Judy or Fru Fru ever needed any help at all, she would be there for them. She'd make sure of it.

And so, they arrived home, Nick letting them in as they settled down. It was too late to do anything other than get ready for bed, and Judy reflected on that as she dumped her things onto his couch.

The godfather's couch, she noted, spotting him turn a corner, his tail flicking out as he did so. He was the fox that had swindled her, and insulted her, and tried to make her life a pain. But he'd turned around for her, reformed for her, tortured himself for her and saved her life. Saved many lives, to the point where a family was going to trust him to help raise their new kit, and help out their older one. A family who trusted him on their very own little mission.

And through it all, her boyfriend was sweet and kind and funny. He'd been there and helped out, solving today's mystery, much more effectively than she had she noted.

He was amazing, and then and there she realised how much she loved him. How much she cared for him. How much she loved his smile and wit and touch and his big bushy tail. How much she loved her fox, her boyfriend, and how much she wanted him. She may have started this relationship out to see how it went, she may have only just begun to really enjoy it, but she was a goner now.

A complete and total one.

Her fox filled her mind, filled her soul, and she felt herself crave and itch for him. She wanted him, then and there, and nothing could stop her anymore.

Stripping all her clothes off, bar her crop top and underwear, she walked up to his bathroom and knocked on the door.

"Just a sec and I'll be out."

"Good," she said, "as I want to see my foxer in his boxers."

The door opened, and Nick looked out, blinking at the site of Judy before a mischievous grin grew on his face. "Hello there."

"Hello," she said back, leaning forward to stroke up the front of his one item of clothing with the back of her paw.

His body shook a little, his tail bristling out behind him. "You really want this?" he asked, beginning to breath faster.

"Are we the best dressed mammals in all of Zootopia?" she asked, as she breathed in, picking up his musk.

Nick saw it and cradled the back of her head, pushing it deep into his belly fur and smushing it around. "Maybe not today," he gasped, as she pushed her body forwards and up. "But for next time, I know a place that sells some real -LONG stockings! Oh that was sly, my sly bunny."

"You know you love me," came her fox muffled voice. She broke off from him and looked up into his eyes, both sharing the same longing, hungry, untameable, untrappable, lust filled predatory look.

There was no hope of holding back.

Not any more.

He slipped a paw beneath her rear, pinching her tail as he prepared to carry her off and smiling as he did so. "Oh, do I…"