Chapter Three: A bad case of HERPES

A/N: Wow! I actually got a chapter done in two days! When the hell did I become so productive?!

WARNING! Talking about your feelings chapter ahead! If you read the chapter title and expecting a sex scene, sorry to disappoint.

In this mostly Nick chapter, Nick is forced to come to terms with his feelings about having children with Skye while Dawn confronts a bunch of snooty women, which leads to some self-reflection.

Nick looked at his friends gathered together at Joe's Bar and Grill with great suspicion. "What did I do to need an intervention?!"

"You're not moving on with your life," Judy replied. "You've been dating Skye for over three years and that's a very, VERY long time for foxes to date without a firm commitment. You mate for life."

"That's kind of a myth, Carrots. It's not like I'm playing the field, I'm just taking it slow. I mean, you and Jack are just now having kits and I don't see your family and friends harassing y-"

"It happens at least twice a year."

"Pardon me?"

"Six months into my relationship with Jack, my parents were trying to wed me off to him. I wasn't ready then. I am now."

"Well, great for you. But I'm not ready myself."

"Why?" Jack asked.

"Why don't you mind your own business, Double-O Bunny?"

"Because Skye was a close friend of mine before you met her. Not close enough that she would tell me she was pregnant before you, but…"

Judy was a little upset. "Jack…"

"I'm sorry dear, I'm just a little upset that the whole precinct found out before I did. Especially your ex-boyfriend."

Wolford looked over at Nick. "What happened 'dere anyway? I mean, you two are still tight as a drum, but everyone thought you wuz gonna stay an item."

Nick took a sip of his soda. "Judy and I love each other very much. Her family is like my family. I owe her my life. But when we tried to get romantic, it… How can I put it?"

Judy finished. "It felt wrong. Like we were siblings trying to make out."

"Yeah. I don't know if it's a species thing or not. We're the best of friends, but romance just wasn't in the cards."

Clawhauser then spoke up. "Oooh! Like Jerry and Elaine!"

"Jerry and who?"

"From Swinefeld! Jerry and Elaine started as a couple. It didn't work out but they stayed close friends!"

"I guess that's as good an example as any. Take Jack here. When he started dating Judy, I never once got jealous. I love this guy! He's an agent for the Feral Bureau of Investigations. How cool is that?! And now we'r- I mean, he and Judy are gonna have kits! I'm gonna be an uncle and I couldn't be happier for them. I still don't get what this is all about. So I'm not ready to have kits yet. Is that such a crime?! I'm still in my prime! I feel like my life is just starting."

Judy looked at Nick with concern. "She's been crying, Nick."

"... What?"

"Skye's my best girlfriend and we talk all the time. She thinks you don't really love her."

"That's nonsense! I love her very much! I spend my days off hanging out at her garage."

"And the days you get off work early, you hang out with me and Jack."

"Well…. Yeah. I like to relax and unwind after work."

"You can't do that with her?"

"She's usually busy with work at the shop. I don't want to bother her. And what's wrong with hanging out with my best friend?"

"Nothing! You're basically part of my family!"

"Thank you!"

"But that's also the problem. Nick, you attended my second youngest nephew's birthday party and got him a present."

"What's wrong with that?"

"I can't even remember my second oldest nephew's name!"

"It's Morty. And shame on you, he's a great kid."

"I have a dozen nephews, Nick! I have over a thousand relations and I don't have time for all of them! i'm happy you love my family so much, Nick, but you are too involved in my life!"

"What? Are you saying you don't want me around?"

"No!... Yes... Kind of!"

"Ouch."

"You almost said 'we're' earlier."

"What?"

"You had a Freudian slip and almost said 'we're going to have kids'. As in you and I and Jack."

"Oh. Well, ummm…"

"I love you Nick and I know how much you love my family. But I want you to have a family of your own!"

"I want to have one too, but… I'm just not ready. My life really didn't begin until I met you and became a cop. Before that, I was wasting my life away being a grifter."

Finnick looked upset. "And what's wrong with that?"

"It's fine for you Finnick, but…"

"You shouldn't listen to them Nick! Don't be dragged down by being a husband or father. Look at me! I'm free to do whatever I want, whenever!"

"You also live in a van and grift others to make money. You're making their case for them. And Judy, why do I have to become a dad just because you're becoming a mom now?! Is this some sort of race?! You two dated almost just as long and Skye and I did before Jack got you pregnant."

Jack spoke up. His ears drooped. "Actually… we've been trying for over a year. I've… I've been shooting blanks."

Nick felt bad upon hearing the news. "Aww, Jack. And here I found out Judy was pregnant before you did. I'm sorry."

"It's not something I like to tell others and as long as I keep firing, they'll be some bullets in the chamber. So you feel your adult life didn't really start going until you met Judy. Is this some form of mid-life crisis you are having?"

"No! I just don't want to quit my job, okay?!"

Everyone looked confused. "Quit your job?!" Wolford asked. "What does bein' a father have to do with any of that."

Nick stood up and started to leave. "Look. I gotta go. Thanks for all of you coming down and harassing me on a subject that's none of your business. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to hang out with Skye since the Hopps obviously don't want me around! See you later!"

Nick stormed out and went back to his car. "I just need more time! Why can't they mind their own business?!"

He went to adjust his mirror, only to see Jack Savage staring at him from the back seat. "AAAH! Dammit, Jack! Damn fast and sneaky bunnies! You almost gave me a heart attack! Would you get out?!"

"I will after you answer one question."

"What's that?! Why I said I'd have to quit my job if I had a kid?"

"No. I already know the answer, just like I know the answer to this. Nick, what I want to ask you is, why are you afraid of having children with Skye?"

Meanwhile…

Dawn had the snooty ladies of the "Herdville Equine Regal Patrons Exclusive Society" all sitting on the couch. She brought them each coffee and tea and began to talk with them. "Now ladies, I know Mr. Weaselton can be a bit… uncouth, but I don't understand the hostility you have towards him."

Harriet spoke first. "My dear, Bellwether! You above all else should know how a filthy pred, even a tiny weasel can bring the property value down! Why Mary Grassmuncher had a hard time flipping her house she bought. People don't want vermin near their property. Besides, look at the way he kept your house while you were gone."

"So, he's not neat and tidy. Did he ever threaten you?"

"No."

"Swear in front of others?"

"No."

"Have you been observing him while I was gone?"

Clara the cow spoke up. "Yes! I've spied on him."

"What does he do?"

"Well, he stays in the house most of the time. Then, he walks out of the house and over to the local grocers for about four hours, then comes home."

"... Anything else?"

"Sometimes, he has small, paper bags with him. He gives them to these homeless bums hanging outside of the store. I only see them eat food, but there might be drugs in the bag too! Oh! He sometimes comes home with paper bags full of who-knows-what!"

Dawn couldn't believe what she was hearing. "They're groceries. He works at a grocery store."

"You never know."

"I KNOW! Look, Duke, is a smelly slob with no manners, but I haven't seen a single bit of evidence of any drug-taking since I've been here. He's clean… in that regard anyway."

Harriet spoke up again. "That reminds me. If you're back home WHY is he still living here?! What's going on?!"

"I… hired him as my housekeeper. That's why he's been here this whole time."

"Th-That's n-not what I he-e-e-eard!" said Millie the sheep. "Y-you're sha-a-a-a-cking up with hi-i-i-im! It w-was all o-o-o-over the news toda-a-a-ay!"

Dawn was infuriated. She had enough, but she also knew it was wise to keep appearances around these women as they could make her and Duke's lives hell. She had to be "Dawn, the villain" once more. She got up on the coffee table and got in the other sheep's face. "Are you idiots trying to ruin my plans?! Of COURSE I want the press to believe me and that smelly weasel are an item! He works for me! He's my personal housekeeper and bodyguard!"

The women all looked at each other and went "Ooooh!"

"Damn right, 'Oh'! Of course, I don't want more preds in my neighborhood, but I have to keep up appearances!"

Harriet smiled. "Wonderful! Now, you're acting like a Bellwether!"

"Shut up, Hump-Day! I come home not only to find out my personal housekeeper was letting the place go, but a gaggle of hoofers was harassing him simply for existing! Now listen here, I'll deal with Duke myself! He's my problem, not yours! Oh, and when you say 'final warning', you damn well better MAKE it final! It sends a message to any other pred trying to move in. Now, get out of my house! I can't be seen with you if I'm to get my political career back! Can't have any HERPES in my home."

Harriet and the other ladies stood up. "I understand perfectly, Miss Bellwether. I feel better knowing you have that scraggly mutt on a leash. Tell your mother that we apologize for kicking her out of the club. It was nothing personal. Let's go ladies."

As they were leaving, Clara said. "We REALLY need a new name for our organization."

After they left, Dawn closed and locked the door behind her. She breathed a sigh of relief. "Was I ever THAT bad?!.. Oh, who am I kidding?"

She went back to cleaning the kitchen. She looked around the food pantry. Almost everything was old and expired. The fridge stank with expired fruit. "How can anyone live like this! I better clean this out and go to the grocery store. Maybe say 'Hi' to Duke."

After cleaning the rotted fruit from the fridge, she was ready to head to the store. She called Nick. "Officer Wilde?"

"SNIFF! Wh-What is it Bellwether?"

"Are you crying?!"

"NO! What do you want?!"

She was a little startled by his yelling. "I-I need to go to the grocery store to pick up some items. Can you turn my anklet off?"

"Y-Yeah, but remember, it has a GPS tracker. I can still follow your every move. Understood?"

"Yes, sir. Umm...Mr. Wilde?... "

"Yes?"

"Am I a bad person?"

"Yes."

"..."

"... Sorry. That was mean, but I had to be honest. Why do you ask?"

"Some horrible ladies from the Herdville Equine Regal Patrons Exclusive Society came over. They've been harassing Duke to leave the neighborhood for years. They don't want his kind around. He's been doing nothing but minding his own business, and they've been sending him threatening letters! Isn't that terrible Mr. Wilde?!... Mr. Wilde?!"

"Hee! Hee! Hee! HERPES?! That's hilarious!"

"Heh, heh. Yeah. Thing is, I absolutely HATE these women, but…"

" 'Buuut?' "

"But I realized I'm not much different from them." Dawn started to tear up. "I don't want to be like them!"

"I'm glad you feel that way. Dawn, the first step towards salvation is admitting you have a problem in the first place."

"SNIFF! B-But what if I'm just feeling guilty out of pity? Why do I suddenly care about this weasel just because others were treating him horribly?!"

"I'm going to tell you a little story. I became a vegetarian at the age of ten."

"What does that have to do with anything?!"

"Listen! As you know, the only animals that have evolved in the past millennium are mammals. Fish, reptiles, and birds are all still in their primitive state, so us predators still eat meat like chicken and fish."

"Right. So? Why are you talking to me like I don't know this stuff?!"

"It's exposition and worldbuilding for the readers. Anyway, when I was ten, my class went on a field trip to a chicken meat processing plant. They said the chickens were free-range and grain-fed, but when I was there, the conditions they were in were horrible. They were bunched all together, wallowing in their own filth. Their feathers plucked out through stress until they were marched up and put through a meat grinder. It was horrifying. I realized if they were doing that to chickens, they were probably doing that or worse to fish. I swore off meat entirely."

"What's that got to do with me and Duke?"

"I saw that my actions, while small, were contributing to other living creatures suffering. I couldn't realize that until I saw it with my own eyes. Right now, you're going through the same thing. You're seeing another living being suffer and knowing some of your own actions have helped contribute to it."

"I get it. I feel bad about Duke's life being miserable, and it might be because of things I did while I was in power. I pity Duke. He doesn't have a friend in the world."

"Well, Pity is a form of empathy. I'm proud of you, Dawn! You're taking your first steps into actually being a decent person."

"I know you mean that as a compliment, but it sounds like an insult."

"Can't it be both? Also, I think you're right. All I could smell around the house was you and Duke. Oh! And another sheep, but the scent was very faint."

"That was my mother. She left the house years ago."

"That's right. Anyway, if you want to take another step forward, why not try to be the friend he's missing in his life?"

"But we're so different! Except…"

"Yes?"

"Well, we both enjoyed 'The Alpha'. We sat together and watched the season finale last night."

"Well, that's something! Look, I really have to go. I'll turn your anklet off right now. By the way, why confess so much to me?! Why not a clergyman or your mom?"

"My Mom is still very biased against predators. You're just… I dunno someone I feel I can trust. I know you can never forgive me for what I've done, but… I really do like you, Mr. Wilde. You're a good person."

"Wow! I'm not sure how to process that right now. Thanks! Anyway, I'll turn it off now. See you later!"

"See you!"

Dawn felt better for getting her feelings out. She watched as the anklet went off. She went outside, locked her door behind her, and started walking. "It's nice to get out for a bit."

Earlier, in Nick's car…

"Why are you afraid of having children with Skye?" Jack asked Nick.

Nick was getting very upset with the buck. "Well, FBI Boy! If you know the answer, why don't you tell me?!"

"You don't want children because you're afraid of dying and leaving your son with no father, just like when you're father died and left you and your mother."

There was a moment of silence. Then Nick finally broke. "BAAAAAW! HAAAW-HAAAAW! I can't do that to her! I JUST CAN'T! BAAAWW!"

Jack realized he went too far. "Oh boy! Oh dear! Nick? Nick, are you okay?!"

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!"

"Aww crap! He snapped!"

Jack leaped from the back seat and over to Nick. "Hey! Hey! It's okay! Everyone has that worry. Myself included!"

Judy opened up the passenger side seat. "Jack! What the hell did you do?!"

"I think I broke Nick!"

"Hug him!"

"What?! No! We're two grown men!"

"You broke him, you hug him! Do it now!"

"Okay, fine!" He stood on Nick's lap and wrapped his arms around the fox as best he could. "There! You happy?!"

"Hold up. I want in on that action." Judy moved Jack over and they hugged Nick together. The fox started to calm down.

Jack tried to comfort him. "Nick. What happened to your father was an accident. Just a random chance. It doesn't mean you'll die too and leave your children behind!"

"Is that what this is about?" Judy asked.

Nick sobbed. "Y-Y-You don't understand! My father wasn't there when I rebelled as a teen! My mother couldn't handle me! I-I ran away from home and muh-made a life of crime w-with Finnick! I messed up so bad! I can't let Skye go through the same thing! That's why I'll have to quit the force!"

Judy tried to ease Nick's pain. "Nick, you fell through the cracks because of the way society treated you. Your father being gone had nothing to do with it!"

"Judy's right," Jack said. "And Skye is one of the toughest foxes I know. You've seen the way she handles the more rowdy customers! She's way too tough to let some teen rebel against her."

Nick was calming down. "SNIFF! That's true. She's a fighter."

Judy smiled. "Sure she is. I know our line of work puts us in a bit of danger, but that doesn't mean we're going to die any time soon! We make the world a better place. No matter what happens, our children will always see us as heroes. Even if we die, the actions we leave behind will inspire them to do better."

Nick finally calmed down. "You're right. Th-Thanks, Carrots. Thanks, Stripes."

"Please stop calling me that," Jack replied.

"B-But it's not just all that. It's you too, Judy."

"How's that?"

"Ever since you made me your partner, you've been my rock. The one I can count on if things go bad. It's part of the reason I'm always around you two. I feel... SNIFF! I feel like I'm a kid at the shallow end of the pool. I feel safe. But, if I'm to ever fully grow, I need to go to the deep end. You're my shallow end. Skye's the deep end."

Jack smiled. "So there was a bit of a mid-life crisis in there!"

Nick chuckled as he wiped his tears. "Heh! I guess so."

Jack put his paws on Nick's shoulders. "Then it's time to go to Skye, Nick. Go deep. REAL deep."

"Dude!"

"Oh! Uhhh... Yeah. I could have put that better."

Nick chuckled. "Oh, I'm gonna go deep alright!" He wiped off some tears. "SNIFF! N-Now, you two bunnies hop on outta here! I gotta go knock up m-my girl."

They opened the car door and hopped out. Judy looked back at Nick. "Are you gonna be okay, Slick?"

"I-I'll be fine Carrots. Thanks, you two."

Jack and Judy left Just as Dawn called Nick. "SNIFF! Oh, great! What does she want?"

Next Chapter: Getting to Know You