Hello once again my faithful readers. Yes I'm back with a brand new chapter. While, yes this is the obligatory Christmas chapter, I chose to keep it part of the story rather then a separate, and possibly one off story. I know it's been a good long while since I have posted anything. And that was due to health reasons. I seem to have reached a point where I am doing far better then expected. This doesn't mean that new chapters will start being regular by any means, but I will try to get in one per month or so.
Holy Carrots! 6,991 Views! I just want to thank all you that have faithfully followed me this entire time, and those that expressed support for my desire to regain my good health. This chapter is for you.
As I'm sure you have noticed by now this entire story is very 'Nick and Judy' centric. The reason is that I wanted to tell a different story. One that perhaps mirrors my own life. One of devastating trauma, and the fight to regain what was lost.
And as always, a special shout out to my buddy Blkdragon7 for the editing and adding bits and bobs where my two brain cells simply wouldn't spark. If you haven't already, you simply MUST check out his ongoing story called A Friendly Hustle and companion story Wilde Card's: Savage Territory, and show him some love. You can also check out his original work and link to his writing Blog, Scribblings, where a lot of it lives by hopping over to ( Direct: dcballard (remove the spaces) and my writing blog, BearSpace, at: bearspace … because the forwarding is misbehaving.)
****Also I should note that Zootopia, Judy Hopps, Nick Wilde, and other associated characters are the Sole property of Disney Inc. I do not own the rights, save a few of my own characters and those will be noted at the beginning of their respective chapters. ****
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Chapter 15 - Ain't that a Kick in the Head
December had finally come to the continent of Animalia. The mammals that called Zootopia and surrounding areas home, found it a time of reflection on the year as it wound down to its end. For many, it was a time of family, celebration, and of course gift giving. All thirteen districts had something unique to offer the city's citizens this time of year. Many shops and malls were busy with customers of all species buying gifts for friends and family, along with that extra something special for that certain someone.
The busiest district this time of year was of course Tundratown. The only place it really snowed due to the meticulous management of the weather by the climate walls. Mammals from all over the city came to see the splendor of the snow, which reflected the lights and decorations, amplifying the beauty and splendor.
The Mule Parade was the highlight of the winter season for most mammals of the city and beyond. Brightly decorated floats, all done up gaily for Christmas, making for a spectacle that many waited all year for. Mammals would jockey for position along the parade route, going so far as to stake out spots the night before, while others would rather avoid the crowds and watch it on television. Of course Tundratown wasn't the only place to get snow this time of year, the mountains to the north received its fair share of snow, with most of the resorts filled to capacity by Ski Bunnies, who, unsurprisingly were all from the Tri-Burrows area.
At 1313 Mockingbird Lane, the holidays were just as festive. Its occupants had decorated both inside and outside. Twinkling lights hung from the roofline, shimmering like enchanted icicles, while the windows were all encircled with colored lights. The tree in the yard had its trunk wrapped in a coil of lights that seemed to chase themselves up the tree where sparkling, multicolored icicles seemed to drip from the branches. And standing proudly as the envy of the neighborhood, a seven foot inflatable Santa Claws along his helpers. Inside, a brightly lit tree shown through the bay window, festooned with more lights, ornaments, tinsel and garlands in shimmering silver and gold, while soft Christmas music played in the background.
A certain gray bunny sat at the table filling out greeting cards for several of the officers she had maintained contact with over the past year, many of which regularly came to visit either while on duty or after shift. Some would bring gifts, or a meal for her and Nick. Others, like Wolford, would regail the two with some of the more humorous cases that came across his desk. A few times Wolford had even brought cases to get her opinion on the facts as he had hit a wall and couldn't find any new clues. Judy seemed to have become proficient at seeing patterns in even the most obscure of clues.
Nick, on the other paw, was out with his mom doing some shopping. He had a whole list of gifts to buy for several of the other ZPD officers, including a bottle of Johnnie Wallabie Blue Label for the Chief. It had not been easy to find a bottle sized for the chief, but Nick had pulled it off after a dozen high end liquor stores and several calls to old contacts. It would be given to Bogo at the Christmas party in a couple weeks.
Having found everything else on his list, Nick was looking for a special gift for Judy, and he wasn't sparing much expense. He had been gone for several hours already, and Judy really didn't expect him back for several more, so he was not in a hurry either. Judy would call him, but in the meantime, he would find exactly what he was after, even if he had to hunt half the city. He had already found the impossible, a cape buffalo sized bottle of Blue Label, after all.
Judy had finished with the cards and was about to start looking for that special gift for Nick online when her phone rang. Picking it up, she answered. "Hello … ... Yes this is Judy. Doctor Fast! … Oh! Thank you, Doctor, you have no idea how useless I've felt for the past year … well no, I mean not being able to make my own way and having to rely on others to do even the smallest thing ... I was really a pretty independent doe before the accident … Well yes ... Of course, I will do some shopping and see if I can find some kind of weight set … so that was ' ?' … ok great, I will talk to Nick as soon as he gets back … What? No. No, I'm fine till he gets back. I was just filling out greeting cards. He's out Christmas shopping. … Ok, thank you Doctor. And thank you for everything. ... You too, and Merry Christmas." With that she disconnected the call just as the song, 'Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer' began. Chuckling, she noticed she had missed signing one of the cards and quickly signed her name to the card for Officer Antlerentori, and her family, who just happened to be Reindeer. She would have Nick sign that one and the others later. Setting her pen down, and about to take a drink of her still cool lemon soda, her phone rang again. She smiled when she saw the name on the caller ID.
Answering the Muzzletime call, Judy grinned. "Hey Fru, Merry Christmas."
"Merry Christmas Judy!" Fru said excitedly in her squeaky voice. "How are you doing sweetie"
"I'm doing good, just filling out cards." Making a quick mental note to text Nick to pick up a card for FruFru and Mr. Big, while chastising herself for forgetting to get them one. "The doctor finally cleared me for exercise, I just got off the phone with him actually and was about to start looking for some exercise equipment to help. How are you and little Judy?"
"I am doing good, and little Judy isn't so little anymore. Here let me send a recent picture. Daddy asked me to call and see if you needed anything."
"Thank Mr. Big for thinking of me, but no, I think I'm good. Wish him a Merry Christmas and happy holidays for me though…"
Judy and Fru chatted for some time, as they had rarely spoken since the accident. The last time they really talked at length was several weeks before that fateful day. After they had caught up, Fru sent several pictures of Little Judy, who was obviously growing like a weed at almost 3 years old. Judy couldn't help coo at how cute she was in her tiny dress and even tinier bow.
After Fru had hung-up following a somewhat protracted goodbye, Judy opened her laptop and continued looking for the perfect gift for Nick . She was just about to click the "buy now" button when her phone rang yet again. This time it was the Hopps main number, calling on Muzzletime of course.
"Hey, it's my parents!" Judy chirped, actually happy to hear from them. Despite everything, she actually felt closer to them since the accident and their open acceptance of Nick.
Bonnie smiled warmly from the screen. "Hi Judy, dear. How are things going?"
"They are going well, the Doctor called earlier and finally cleared me for exercise!"
"That's wonderful dear. We miss you alot and were wondering if you, Nick, and Vivian were still planning to make it to the Burrow this year?"
Judy looked off to the side for a moment in thought. "Umm, as far as I know, we are going to be there. Nick is out shopping at the moment, but I'll double-check when he gets back and let you know for sure."
"We can't wait bun-bun, we don't get to see you nearly often enough. Your dad said to say hi. He is out in the shed tinkering on something 'special'." Bonnie said, making air quotes as she rolled her violet eyes.
"He's still trying to get that old beat up pickup going for Lonnie?" Judy asked with a laugh, thinking of the old pickup that had not run since before she could remember.
"Oh my stars yes, Lonnie's birthday is in February you know, 17 years old, and your dad said it was time for him to learn how to drive. I think your father is just tired of driving him around." Both Judy and Bonnie laughed at that.
"Well, tell dad hi for me. He really should check with Nick and see if he knows someone that might be able to help. If there is one thing about Nick, he always seems to know a mammal. Mom I hate to cut this short, but I do need to go, the little bunny's room is calling me, too much lemon soda."
"All right sweetie." Chuckled Bonnie. "You take care, and tell Nick hi, won't you?"
"I will mom. Have a great week, and we will see you next weekend. Love you."
"Love you too, Bun bun."
With that Judy disconnected the call and slowly wheeled herself to the main bathroom. It took her some time to accomplish this and she was almost too late. After a short string of vegetable laden curses, she made it, just in time. She had only been back at the table for a short time when she heard the garage door rumble open and then close a short time later. As Nick walked through the door from the garage, he made a beeline to Judy, wrapped his arms around her and kissed her softly between her ears. It had become a habit of his to greet her this way after they had finally moved into the house.
Judy wrapped her paws over Nick's arms and nuzzled them with a big smile on her muzzle, "Hey Slick, how was shopping, did you get everything you were looking for?"
Nick's muzzle was still resting between Judy's ears as he nuzzled the top of her head lightly. "Most of it won't be in till next week, and one is special order so won't be available till the 22nd or 23rd."
Judy's eyes widened in mild surprise as her ears drooped slightly, "Wow, talk about cutting it close."
"Yeah, but you can't rush perfection, and I have been given assurances." Nick said with a smug grin.
At that Judy's ears perked to attention. 'That must be her gift,' she thought to herself.
They chatted while Nick made them both a snack of fruit and some kind of whipped spread that was flavored with Hopps Family Farms™ brand blueberries. 'Because of course it is' Judy thought to herself laughing inwardly. Judy let him know that her mom was expecting them at the Burrow for at least the 24th and 25th. To which Nick stated that he already planned for and made arrangements to be there for the entire week. Remembering an earlier mention of a special gift being available by the 22nd or 23rd. 'He must be having it delivered to the Burrow' she thought to herself, thinking she finally outfoxed the fox
"Oh by the way, my Doctor called, I've been cleared to start exercising again, upper body only of course," Judy said with an excited grin.
"That's awesome Fluff, have you given a thought to what you want to do about it?" Nick asked, his trademark smug firmly pinned in place.
Judy knew Nick well enough by now to know he had more up his sleeves then just his furry arms. "I was thinking maybe a gym membership, but that can be a pain in more ways than one, and kinda gross if mammals don't clean up after themselves. Maybe some sort of home gym. I was just about to look into the Total Gym™, you know the one endorsed by Chuck Taurus?"
"The actor? Yeah that would be a good one but I have a better idea, and one I think you will 100 percent like."
Judy raised a disbelieving eyebrow. She knew he was up to something with certainty, but enjoyed playing along with him. It had become one of their things, even before the accident. "Oh really? This I have to hear."
At that Nick stepped in behind her and began to wheel her to the front of the house. "Not hear. See." He said, with his signature smirk in place, if not slightly smugger than usual.
Judy stayed quiet, waiting to see what Nick had in mind. He pushed her to the front hall and stopped near the built in China hutch.
"Ok, I mean the China Hutch is one of my favorite places to show off the plates, but what does that have to do with exercise?" asked Judy.
"Second drawer down, press the circle inlay on the right." Nick instructed, while pointing.
Semi expecting this to be some elaborate joke at her expense, it wouldn't be the first time with her fox, she slowly reached out and firmly pressed the indicated spot. With a soft click, the front of the hutch popped open. Stepping around her, Nick gave the hutch a small push, causing it to swing open easily but gently on silent and perfectly balanced hinges. With the hutch/door now fully open, a space was revealed that could easily fit 4 or maybe 5 foxes the size of Gideon, or 3 wolves Wolfords size. Judy's eyes opened wide and her ears flopped back. She gave Nick a quizzical look. Pushing Judy into the space he turned and closed the front of the hutch. As it clicked into place a small light clicked on, bathing the space in a dim, soft light.
Reaching forward he pressed the down arrow on the small panel inlaid into the wall. A slight lurch was felt, and then the odd feeling of slowly falling.
Judy gasped. "There is an elevator in our house‽ Why don't I know that there is an elevator in our house‽" Reaching back and grabbing Nick by the tie and pulled him over her shoulder to look him in the eye. "Nick, what else are you keeping from me?"
Nick smiled with his signature smirk, giving her a quick peck on the nose. "It wasn't important until now, and it came with the house. There is a lot about this house that you haven't seen yet, but now that you can work out, there is a part of it that I think you will get a lot of good use out of."
The feeling of falling only lasted a moment when there was a small bump as the movement stopped and the panel in front of them popped open, swinging to the left. Wheeling Judy out and to the right and then immediately right again, lights began to turn on revealing a large basement that appeared to be filled with exercise equipment. Judys eyes widened yet again as her ears snapped upright with an audible pop.
There were both small and medium mammal sized workout equipment. Free weights, butterfly machines, weight benches, leg press machines, and one she didn't recognize right off the bat. After she made mention of it, Nick went on to explain that that particular machine was designed to help return proper circulation to her legs, and to help keep her joints limber, given they had been more or less immobile for the last year. Looking over her shoulder, Judy flashed Nick an ear to ear smile, which was quite a feat, considering Judy's a bunny.
"Nu-uh, not today Fluff, you have your first in-home with Madge in..." Pulling out and checking his phone and sliding it back in a pocket. "...about 15 minutes."
Judy's ears laid back as her smile disappeared with disappointment. Stepping around her chair and kneeling in front of Judy, Nick takes her petite paws in his much larger paws.
"Judy, love, there will be plenty of time to try everything..." Chuckling slightly at his pun. "...down here. Right now you have a chance to get back on your feet, so to speak. I for one want to see you walk again, perhaps even as much as you do. And Madge may be the only mammal in all of Animalia, perhaps even the world, that can help. I promise, tomorrow we will spend part of the day down here, we both need to get back into shape."
Nodding, Judy gave him a slightly sad smile. She knew he was right, but it was still frustrating. She felt so useless for the past several months, and now that she was cleared to get some much needed exercise, she had to wait yet another day.
"Your right Nick, it's just been so long since I've felt like I'm useful, that waiting even another day kinna sucks"
"I know Fluff, I know. But think about it. You have been useful, just by being you. Look, you helped James with several cases he couldn't crack, even with a jack hammer. You swooped in, found that one teeny tiny clue that everyone else missed, and dropped a bomb on it, blowing the case wide open. I mean, you helped put a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad mammal in a cell for the rest of their life, and what did it was that teeny tiny eency weency little clue that absolutely nobody else noticed. I'd say you've been plenty helpful. Maybe after today you will walk down here instead of being in that chair. If that happens, isn't that possibility worth the wait?"
With a deep sigh Judy said. "You're right, let's go, Madge hasn't failed yet. Just don't let it go to your head, fox." Reaching up and caressing his cheek. "Even you, like a broken clock, can be right every so often."
There was the usual feigned drama from Nick at the slight, after which they laughed. Nick then wheeled her back to the elevator, and back up-stairs to the living room. A few minutes later saw Nick, Judy, and Madge, discussing what was to happen during the visit. Suffice to say, it left a certain bunny almost vibrating with excitement.
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A short time later saw Judy perched on a tall stool next to the breakfast bar with a few cushions around the stool, just in case Judy happened to lose her balance due to her weaker muscles. Once everything was set up, Madge began to explain the procedure.
"As you are aware, there are 4 small small studs that protrude from your lower back at the point where the most damage to your spine is. There is a small fur color matched cover that keeps the studs from snagging on clothing, bedding and from getting too wet while your back healed."
Turning to her bag, Madge pulled out a fairly chunky laptop, several long, thick cables, and a strange looking device that was almost as large as Nick's paw. Stepping in behind Judy, who had her shirt pulled up to give access to her lower back. Madge deftly pressed the cover in a couple places and removed it with a slight click, setting it aside. Attaching the new module was a bit tricky due to it being a prototype. Eventually, after a few tries and with a couple of clicks, the module finally locked into place. Madge then attached several cables into various ports on the module, explaining that once everything was attached, the laptop would be able to read the neuro-impulse strength to Judy's lower extremities.
"It will take several minutes to analyze the neural-impulses, and calculate how much signal loss there is at the point where we know your spinal cord was severed. Then it will take some time to calibrate how to amplify the existing signal in order to return even some movement to your legs. And, before you ask, no you will not, in all likelihood, be walking today. This process will take time, likely several months before I expect you to be walking, mot likely with some assistance. I do expect that we will be able to get some movement and sensation today though."
Seeing the disappointed look Judy gave her, gave Madge's heart a hard squeeze. She knew then how important it was to her small patient that she help her walk again.
"Ok how about this," Madge said, "you promise me to work those legs daily, and I will do my best to have you on your feet as soon as is mammaly possible. That will mean weekly visits, possibly two visits per week. I am making you my priority right now with a promise that someway, somehow, you, Judy, will walk again. You may not run, but you will walk. Mark my words." Madge said, while dramatically pointing a digit to the sky, as she looked to a now freely weeping bunny.
Nick had pulled Judt into a hug as she let out all the pent up emotions that she held in for only Saren and Karma knew how long. Smoothing her ears, and resting his muzzle on her head he slowly rocked her until she had calmed down. "There there, let it all out," Nick said. "Oh you bunnies, so emotional. That's it, let it go." Nick continued to smooth her ears. Judy gave a loud sniff. "Oh boy, you do know bunny snot is murder on clothes right?" Nick asked, earning him a shot in the chest from a now laughing rabbit. At that a beep from the laptop caused all three mammals to snap their attention in that direction.
"Well, that took longer than expected," Madge said as she typed away at the keyboard for a moment."You have some really complex neural-impulses. Some of which seem as of yet unknown or uncategorized." Mused Madge, her voice dropping as she spoke almost to herself as she studied the data and tapped a bit more at the laptop. Then perking up, Madge smiled and clapped her paws eagerly. "The pack is now ready to be programmed. I need you to hold completely still. No movement whatsoever, even the smallest twitch of an ear or eye could corrupt the programming."
With that Magde turned around and
tapped the screen a couple times. As she did so there was a muted thump followed by a startled "EEEEP" from Judy. Looking down in shock, Nick sees Judy lying on her back, her right hind paw pressed firmly to her muzzle. Quickly gathering her up he sets her back on the stool, while trying to get her leg to move.
"Hold on. Stop Nick, you might injure her. Her muscles are locked from an errant impulse from the pack. Just let me ..." Madge moved quickly behind Judy and removed the pack in its entirety. As the pack disconnected, Judy's leg shuddered slightly then went limp in Nick's paw. "There, sorry about that."
Looking at Judy with a smirk on her lips. "You moved didn't you?" Madge asked, trying to hold back a chuckle.
The inside of Judy's ears turned red and she looked down at the offending leg. "I tried not to, but I guess even thinking about wiggling a toe was a bad idea," said Judy with a slight pout.
"Yes it would seem that your neural-impulses are extremely fast, far faster than most mammals your size I've worked with that have had similar procedures such as yourself. I'm unsure if that is just because of your Lagamorphic physiology, or if it's just you specifically, but your 'thought to action,' time scale is less than one- one-thousandth of a second. To put that in perspective, that is almost a thousand times faster than any other bunny, or hare for that matter, that I have tested. Which has been quite a few of them in preparation for working with you."
Nick scrunched his brow, keeping a paw on Judy's shoulder for support. "What does all that mean, I'm no scientist, and hardly a mathematician."
Madge didn't turn around as she worked on the computer. "Well, that simply means that she can move almost before the thought of any given action is complete."
"Hmm," said Nick, "That explains how she is able to react so quickly, and is so agile, or rather was. Do you think she has any possibility of regaining her agility?"
"Well from what I see here, there is a possibility, but it's going to require some very sophisticated programming and a completely over complicated neural-impulse amplification module to accomplish that end. But, luckily for you Judy, I just happen to know a mammal." Madge said with a smile. Nick and Judy shared a knowing look between them at the old inside joke, sharing a laugh. Which only garnered them a raised eyebrow from Madge.
Judy seemed lost in thought for a moment as she digested all of the new information she had just received. With a very vulpine smirk that was a passable version of Nick's own smug, Judy glanced at him, "Ain't that just a kick in the head."
With a laugh, Nick said, "Fluff, leave the puns to me, that was bad even by my stan- 'OOOF!' OW! geeze Carrots, easy with the ribs!" Judy glared at him, even though the twinkle in her eyes gave her away.
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The following week was a very busy time for our favorite duo. With shopping and cooking, baking, wrapping presents, the list seemed to be getting larger the closer Christmas Eve became. Then there was the Christmas party that both were to attend. Food and drink were plentiful as was the camaraderie. Everyone was pleasantly surprised, and happy that Officer Hopps had decided to come. Awards and promotions were handed out, most notably to both Officers James Wolford and Lizz Fangmayer, both receiving the rank of Lieutenant.
What nobody suspected was the promotions of both Nick and Judy. Not for meritorious service, as Wolford and Fangmayer, but for ongoing integrity as becoming an Officer of the Zootopia Police Department. Which of course brought a tear to many eyes including the ever stoic and stalwart Chief of Police, Adrian Bogo. It was a night that Judy swore she would never forget, as she hugged Nick, much to everyone's delight, especially a portly cheetah. It was the perfect end to a very trying and emotionally packed year for ZPDs first bunny cop.
There were also many presents to open, with Bogo going last. And while no one could be sure, and even those that knew would take the truth to their graves, the gift to Bogo may have just brought a tear to his ever stoic eye. It was however very clear that the buffalo was affected by the gift as he was found staring at it several times. Several officers asked Nick and Judy where and how they managed to find a size appropriate bottle of Johnnie Wallabie Blue Label, to which Judy just shrugged and pointed to the fox, who in turn refused to say.
Nick and Judy were informed at that point that they were also invited to a New Years eve party that was a bit more exclusive, at the Wolford residence, one they had no option of declining. "Bring beer, wine, food, snacks, and especially money, it's the annual poker game," said Wolford. The last of course got Nick's attention, as his lids slid half closed and his smug on full display.
As the night wound down, a very happy bunny and a very tired fox, said their goodbyes, wishing every mammal a very merry holiday, and prosperous new year. On the drive home Judy reflected upon all that had happened since the accident. While she was sad that things were as they were, she knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that many mammals cared about and for her, but only one had expressed his love. It was to that arm she clung as they made their way home to what was hopefully many new beginnings in the coming new year.
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A couple days later, saw Nick up before the sun and oddly enough up before Judy. Poor bun was nursing a bit of a headache due to a bit too much carrot wine and hard cider. They had had their own bit of private celebration the following day after both receiving promotions to Sergeant. Nick had bought a bottle of carrot wine and a 12 pack of Hornsby's Hard Cider. Judy may have drank more than a few of the hard ciders. Much to Nick's amusement, Judy had become a bit of a ragdoll as she lost what little upper body strength she had the more inebriated she became. She promptly passed out after Nick got her into her bed, and was lightly snoring even before he had her blankets pulled over her.
Nick had left a couple of aspirin and a bottle of water for her on her nightstand, with a note saying he should be back soon, as he was picking up the ordered presents, and didn't want to wake her. He had left the car outside last night in preparation for this very morning, as they were to leave for Bunnyburrow later, and Nick had washed it. Not wanting to get the inside of the garage wet, he left it out to fully dry, so he said. Nick made it home just after 9am, after picking up his mom, and soon he, Judy, and Vivianne were on their way out of town, settling in for the 4 hour drive to Bunnyburrow.