13 Visiting Stu

XxX

I realize that this chapter isn't very long, but I didn't really want to include it in the last chapter or in the next one, so I guess it is what it is. Enjoy!

XxX

Rising reasonably early on Friday morning, Nick and Judy have a leisurely breakfast, only slightly tense due to the upcoming visit at the Zootopia Regional Corrections Center to see Stu.

"You're sure you really want to do this?" asks Nick.

"Yeah, I guess. I'm thinking that this might be the last time I get to see dad for a long time. I know it probably doesn't make much sense to you, but he is my dad."

"Look Fluff, I know that he didn't mean to actually shoot you, but you never saw the pure hatred for me in his eyes when he pulled the trigger. And what's worse, even after he realized that he accidentally shot you, he blamed you … you, his own daughter, for getting shot because you were protecting me!"

"I know … but…"

"I said I'd go with you, I just don't like the idea. I hate to see you hurt, and I just can't see this ending well. I really hope I'm wrong."

"Me too sweetheart, me too."

After loading their meager luggage into the Chevelle, Nick and Judy head to the prison.

…

Can we stop here for just a second?" asks Judy as they drive by a Zaales jewelry store.

"Sure thing Fluff. Any particular reason?"

"I think I'm going to sort of take your tongue in cheek suggestion and run with it."

Noting the slightly confused look on her husband's face, Judy simply smiles and leads him into the store after they park.

Looking around the store, Judy sees exactly what she's looking for.

"May I help you?" asks the female German Shepard salesmammal, whose name is Maybelle according to her name tag.

"Yes, I'd like to see those ear studs please" indicates Judy, pointing to two sets in particular.

When Maybelle removes the items from the display case, Nick suddenly gets it! The two items are ear studs, one with a small emerald set and one with a small amethyst set.

"You sly bunny you." whispers Nick as he realizes that she is indeed going with his snarky comment on the day she was shot, but putting her own unique twist on it.

Placing the studs in the two holes in her ear caused when her father inadvertently shot her, Judy is satisfied that they aren't overly heavy and add a certain touch of class to her looks.

"We'll take them." she says to the salesmammal. "Pay the lady Nick."

"You do realize that those are genuine gemstones and are quite expensive. Four thousand dollars' worth as a matter of fact!" remarks the slightly aloof salesmammal.

"My dear" comments Nick taking out his billfold, "I carry that around in spare change." Which takes the mammal by surprise.

Returning to the car, Judy primps and asks "Well, what do you think?"

"Gorgeous, and the jewelry is pretty as well."

"Nick!"

"You look stunning Fluff … but, isn't that going to provoke you dad just a touch?"

"It-it might, but right now I don't care."

"Ok, onward to visit dad then."

…

After parking in the visitors lot and being cleared at security where they had to leave their keys, phones and pretty much everything except their clothes, the couple is led to the visitors waiting area.

With the short wait giving them just enough time to contemplate however the conversation might go, Nick and Judy are led into the visitation area, where the inmates and visitors are separated by a wall with bullet-proof glass.

When Stu is finally led to the cubicle, Judy notes his condition as she picks up the phone.

"Dad, what on earth happened to you?" asks a suddenly concerned Judy.

Stuart Hopps short stay at the prison has not been without consequences it seems.

While Stu sits and tries to get somewhat comfortable, Judy takes stock of the injuries that she can see: one ear is bent and the other is bandaged. Two black eyes and a swollen muzzle with one missing tooth are visible. Careful seating would indicate broken or at least bruised ribs and one arm and paw are in a cast and sling. Judy had also noticed a slight limp when her father was led into the visitation area.

Giving his daughter a weak smile while at the same time glaring at Nick, Stu elaborates a bit.

"Hey Jude, good to see you. Not so much for the pelt!" says Stu, the last part with as much venom as he can muster.

"DAD, what happened to you?"

"Seems like some of the other 'guests' here take a dim view of someone who almost kills their own kin, even if it was an accident."

"I'm sorry you're hurt, but like it or not, I love Nick and we are married. It's my life and my choice."

"But why? Why a pred, and why of all mammals a fox?"

"Mom once told me that the heart wants what the heart wants, and my heart wants Nick. Why can't you just accept that? Don't you think I have a right to be happy? Nick makes me happy, and I can't see spending my life with a bunny just because you might want me to!"

Letting out a sigh, Stu tries to offer a bit of an olive branch "I-I apologize for the … wait! What are those-" pointing to her left ear.

"Ear studs dad. Nick tried to cheer me up after you shot me by suggesting that I put studs in the holes a going with a goth look. I decided that this was a lot more practical. They match mine and Nick's eyes, what do you think?"

"I think that they remind me of when I accidentally shot you instead of the pelt …" Stu says with a frown.

"Dad … really? That's all you can say?"

"That's it!" comments Nick as he stands and heads for the door "I'll see you in the waiting area Fluff."

"Nick …!"

"Let him go, I don't want him here anyway."

"Then I guess you don't want me here either." as Judy stands to leave, she decides that there are a few things that she needs to get off her chest first "But before I go, I need to tell you something … do you remember that you told me you only took in Gideon as a business partner because you were behind on your taxes?"

"Yeah, so?"

"When mom got home on the day of mine and Nick's wedding, you remember don't you? it was the day you tried to kill Nick, the sheriff was there along with several agents from the tax bureau. The tax agents gave mom one week to come up with all of the back taxes or they were going to take the farm. One week to come up with three and a half million dollars in back taxes or mom and all of your kits were going to be homeless dad."

Seeing the look of shock on her father's face, Judy continues her rant.

"Three and a half million dollars in a week dad. How could you have let the taxes go for so long? Did you really think that no one would notice?"

"I-I thought I'd have more time to-"

"To what dad? Where were you going to come up with that kind of money?"

Hanging his head, Stu has nothing to come back with.

"Do you know what happened dad? DO YOU?"

"… No."

"Then I'll tell you. Nick gave mom the name of some high-powered tax attorneys in Zootopia, and he and I paid off the tax debt, YOUR tax debt, and kept the family on the farm. Your wife and family would have been out on the street with nothing to their name but the clothes on their backs."

"Judy, I-"

"You what dad? Tell me? What?"

"I never thought that it would've gotten that bad." he admits quietly.

"Really dad? Really? Why on earth would you actually believe that?"

With no answer forthcoming, Judy turns and heads toward the door to the waiting area.

Just before opening the door, Judy turns and tells her father "Dad, just so you know, mom is having divorce papers drawn up. I'd advise you to sign them regardless of the terms. Good-bye dad, this is probably the last time that you'll ever see me. You won't accept Nick, so you won't accept me either."

…

Returning to the visitors waiting area, Judy suddenly finds herself almost ready to collapse.

Sensing his wife's distress, Nick is immediately by her side, gently holding her up and guiding her to the nearest chair.

"You tried to warn me…" Judy quietly confesses "but I wouldn't listen. I'm sorry Nick."

"It's alright honey" he says gently trying to calm her while setting her in his lap and stroking her ears.

"But it's not, not really. Dad still hates foxes, with you in particular, I guess for marrying me. While he showed some remorse for almost losing the farm and having mom and all of my siblings homeless, he didn't seem overly devastated by the news."

"I'm sorry Judy, but some mammals are just beyond caring for some reason."

"I'm worried for him Nick, I really am. If the other prisoners were this mean to him in only a little over a week, what'll happen to him in the long run?"

"Maybe they'll put him in a unit away from the other more hardened criminals, to keep him safe."

"It-it sounds so … I don't know, so harsh when you mention the word criminal. I guess he really is one …"

"Attempted murder is serious Fluff, you know that."

"Yeah, but it's different somehow when it's your own father…"

"I can't in all honesty say I understand how you feel, all I can do is try."

"I know Nick, I know. Let's … let's stop and get something to eat before we head out to see mom ok? I might not be able to hold anything down for long, but right now I'm hungry."

"As you wish my dear. I know this quaint little place-"

"I'm sure you do." she says as she rolls her eyes.

…

AN: FYI, I currently am working on a new chapter for LIfe is a Highway but it's kinda slow going. Please don't give up on the story, it's just taking a while to reacquaint myself with the story line I had in mind.