A/N: So Very sorry it took so long to get this chapter out. Muse seems to take frequent vacations and generally leaves me hanging. And as I dont seem to have any real creative ability with out my muse, Im often left without any real direction when it comes to writing. But anywho please Enjoy the next best chapter since chapter 9.
And as always, thanks to my buddy Blkdragon7 for the editing. Go check out his ongoing story called A Friendly Hustle 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 own writing blog, BearSpace, at: bearspace … because the forwarding is misbehaving.)
Also I don't own Zootopia, Judy Hopps, Nick Wilde, or other associated characters are the Sole property of Disney Inc. I do not own the rights
Chapter 10
While Judy chatted with her parents, Nick busied himself with checking his email. He responded to several, and then noticed one that he had been almost literally holding his breath for. A reply from Madge. She wanted to meet with Judy at their earliest possible convenience, and to either have Judy or himself call her to schedule that meeting.
Nick jumped up and motioned to Judy that he needed to make a call and slipped out of the room. He quickly walked to the surprisingly empty waiting area, looked at his phone for a moment to collect his thoughts, then dialed the number. It rang several times.
A surprisingly deep, yet feminine voice answered. "Hello, you have reached Madge Honey Badger, I can't …" Nick was just about to leave a message when his call waiting chimed, he quickly looked and realized it was the number he had just dialed. Switching over, he answered, "Hello?"
"Hello, Is this Mr. Wild?" The voice on the line asked.
"Is this Miss Honey Badger?"
"Yeah, yeah... sorry about missing your call, I was on the phone with a colleague. I received your email and would like to schedule a meeting with Miss Hopps, at her convenience of course."
"I'm sure the sooner the better, as her surgery is in just a couple of weeks from today."
"I see, how about tomorrow morning, that will give me time to consult with her and then later her doctor."
"Sounds good, I will let her know, thank you ever so much. Oh and by the way, what will this cost, as I'm sure you're not going to do this pro-bono."
A clear smile in Madge's voice. "We can worry about that later Mr. Wilde, I need to see what her diagnosis is, see ex-rays and the like, so I know what we need to do. I'm sorry to cut this short, I have an appointment of my own in just a few minutes, I will see you both tomorrow morning."
"Thanks for calling, see you in the morning." With that the call ended. Nick had a huge smile on his muzzle, his plans to help his bunny were coming together nicely. With Madge's help, Nick was sure that Judy would walk again.
Nck slipped back into Judy's room just as she was finishing the call with her parents. They were of course ever the worry warts, especially Stu. She assured them as always that she was doing as fine as circumstances allowed, and reminded them that her surgery was in a little under two weeks. With that she said her goodbyes and ended the call. Sighing, she looked up at Nick and gave him a small smile. He knew what kind of conversation she had just had, and he gave her a hug, petting her ears to calm her frayed nerves.
"Soooo, what was your call about?" she asked.
"Hmmm? Oh, Madge Honey Badger returned my email, wants to meet with you tomorrow morning to go over what she can do for you, what her input could potentially be, and then she wants to consult with Doc Fast in regards to procedure."
"OH OH," she fairly gushed and would have been bouncing in excitement had she been able to. "OhmygoshOhmygoshOhmygosh! I can't believe it, she agreed to help? Thank you Nick, thankyouthankyou! Oh my gosh, I can't wait!" she squeaked out as she reached for a hug with "grabby paws"
'By the gods she's too adorable for my own good! I'm going to die of cuteness. Oh gods! I can never say that out loud or I will die from cuteness!' Nick thought to himself, as he chuckled at her antics and his own thoughts. She had been in better spirits of late, and even more so now that it seemed that Judy may in time walk again. Nick held her close, snuffling between her ears, breathing deeply in her scent. He closed his eyes and prayed to the gods to once again help her. Apologizing of course for asking so soon after they brought her back to him.
As Nick held Judy close, he noticed a change in her breathing. It had started to slow, but remained steady. Looking down, her eyes had drooped shut and she was softly snoring.
'Poor girl' he thought to himself. Judy had been through huge trauma and personal tragedy. Had basically lost everything in a matter of seconds. All her dreams had been crushed along with her spine in that accident, and Nick hoped and prayed again that Madge and her inventions could help Judy reclaim her dreams and her optimism. That optimism that had so ensnared his heart, and dreams for which he would chop off his own tail as tribute to any god that would listen and help her if it would help.
She needed more than just the hope of walking again and Nick knew of at least two solutions. Gently laying her head back he watched her sleep for a moment before sliding off the bed and making his way to his chair. Opening Zoogle, Nick looked up some dealerships. Judy was going to need a vehicle at some point, as he was sure there would be Countless doctors' visits after she was finally released. She needed something that was comfortable and had space for a wheelchair he knew she would be in for some time. Not to mention roomy enough for Nick to drive.
Checking his bank account quickly he noticed that the settlement had posted. Nick was still in mild shock with how much he now had, he could effectively never work again and still live comfortably off just the accrued interest alone. 'Perfect' Nick thought, and went back to car shopping. After several different websites Nick found exactly what he was looking for, a newer Suburrow full size SUV. This one she could actually drive too, as it was set up with hand controls. Power everything, including heated and cooled seats. And it had enough interior space for a wheelchair and for Nick to either drive or ride. It was perfect.
Nick forwarded the vehicle listing to his lawyer and requested that he make it happen. It was to be registered under Judys name, fully paid lock stock and barrel, with all fees and insurances paid for many years to come. With that done, Nick went house shopping. Someplace out in the Savanna Central suburbs.
'Someplace …. (1 hour of searching)
'Someplace like … (2 hours of searching)
'Someplace liiiike … (3 hours of searching)
THAT!' Nick smiled to himself with almost as much excitement as Judy would have. Taking the virtual tour, the house was a single story ranch style, grey with white shutters, and a massive 3 car garage. There was a glassed-in rear deck with a huge back yard, and what appeared to be a large shop or shed in the back. Large well kept hedges surrounded the property, giving some privacy, and here and there were bunches of russet colored Dahlias and amethyst colored Irises. The inside was a whole different story. It appeared that the previous owner was in the middle of a remodel and as per the description, had passed away after an accident. Nick suddenly got an odd feeling, but quickly shook it off. The house was also exactly what he needed for Judy as well as himself.
Due to the interior being unfinished, as well as a partially finished full basement, Nick felt the asking price was more than reasonable. Forwarding that listing to his lawyer, requesting that he make it happen as well, Nick feels a sense of fulfilment, offering up a quick prayer of thanks to Karma, Nick picked up the room phone and orders dinner for Judy and himself.
It had been a semi long day, and now that he had basically conquered the two biggest hurdles outside of Judy's up-coming surgery, Nick was feeling very accomplished. It occured to Nick as he waited for their meals to arrive, that he had never really much worried about prayer. Sure he felt there was … something … out there that started all this, but it seemed to him that his prayers while Judy was in a coma had had an effect, he felt he might should start being a little more mindful of who was looking out for Judy, and seemingly himself.
Judy woke when a nurse arrived with their meals, giving them both a smile. Nick and Judy ate in semi silence, as there was a good movie on the room TV. Soon after they finished eating it was decided to turn in early as tomorrow promised to be a long, and possibly emotionally charged day.
~x⁰X⁰x~
Waking early the next morning they ate a light meal, and waited for Madge to call
Nick and Judy discussed many possible outcomes, what Madge might say, with Nick even interjecting some of his patented snarky humor, getting Judy to giggle and eve a snort or two. Shortly after they finished, the room phone rang, giving them both a start. Reaching over and answering, "Hello," says Judy.
"Miss Hopps you have a Madge Honey Badger here to see you, she wasn't on the visitors list so I wanted to make sure she was ok to send up."
Judys ear snapped straight up, and almost jumped off her head at the mention of Madge's name. "Y-yes .. send her r-right up." Judy stammered slightly, and hung up the phone. With a smile on her face and some trepidation showing in her eyes, she looked at Nick, who gave her a look of curiosity. "That was the nurse's desk, Mad-" A knock at the door interrupted her, "Come in," Judy said.
Through the door walked Madge. "Long time no see, Miss Hopps."
Judys heart dropped. This was The Madge Honey Badger that she arrested during the Missing Mammal case, along with the now ex Mayor Lionheart. Judy tried to sink further into her bed as she realized that Madge also recognized her. Noticing Judy's delema, Madge said "Miss Hopps, water under the bridge. I actually want to thank you for arresting me, it helped spur me into the field I'm in now."
Giving Madge a look of incredulity, "Wait, you forgive me? But I ruined your career and .."
"No Judy, you actually saved me, that line of research was going nowhere fast, I was only there because I was the only scientist that was willing to work with 'ol Lion fart. He had a mean streak a mile wide and for a pred, that's saying something. So no, you saved my name and gave me the opportunity to work in the field I'm in now and that's micro surgery and robotics."
Setting her case down on a nearby table Madge opened and withdrew what appeared to be a spine of some sort. Turning around, Madge wakeed over to Judy.
"As I understand it from what Mr. Wilde told me in his email, your spine was crushed just above the pelvis? That's these bones here, they are partially responsible for your lower body flexibility. They also provide an anchor point for your core muscles, that's the muscles that help you stay upright .. "
After twenty or so minutes of talking to Judy and explaining several different options, Madge has Judy sign a consent form and a release of information form, allowing Madge to consult with Dr. Swift, and coming up with the best way to handle the surgery. Shaking Judy's paw, and once again reassuring Judy that there was no ill will between them, Madge bid them good afternoon, and slipped out the door, leaving both to their thoughts.
Nick looked over at Judy, her ears drooped, as she looked off into some distant scene only she could see. "You ok Fluff?" Nick asked.
"Hmmm? Oh .. yeah, I can't believe she just forgave me so easily. I basically ruined her Career."
"You did hear the part where she thanked you for that, right?"
"Well, yeah but .."
"No buts Judy, I have a feeling that she wouldn't have given you the time of day if she hadn't forgiven you long ago. In fact .."
Suddenly Nick's phone rang. Looking at the caller ID, Nick answers, "Hey Ron give me a minute," he says as slips out the door and heads down the hall till he was out of bunny earshot. "Sorry Leon, I didn't want a certain ball of fluff to hear this as it's a surprise. No, that's perfectly fine, tomorrow? I'm sure I can come up with some excuse to leave the hospital for a bit. She's doing well actually. Yup surgery is scheduled for next friday. Oh excellent, no way, that soon? You are the mammal! No no you certainly earned your pay on this one, did you happen to find out what happened to the previous owner? You're kitting me right? Seriously‽ By Karma but doesn't she move in mysterious ways! Yeah a bit creepy but Judy never needs to know does she? No, that's fine. Thank you Leon, I owe you big for getting this rolled up so fast for me, for her. Sure, and thanks again."
Hanging up, Nick texted Judy that he was going for a short walk to burn off some nervous energy. Heading down to the main lobby, Nick sees a delivery truck pull into the mostly empty parking lot. A smaller brown bear wearing blue coveralls, climbs down from the cab of the truck. As Nick walks over, the bear notices him.
"You Wilde?" he asks in a gruff voice.
"Yeah that's me, this for Judy?"
"Yeah here is all the documentation, as well as the title and registration forms that your lawyer requested be paw delivered with the vehicle. If you'll sign this form here," pointing back at the truck with a large, sharp claw. "I'll get this unloaded."
"Hey great, thanks." Nick says as he signs the indicated line and hands it back to the bear, noticing the name sewn into the coverall, 'Bob'.
"Nick Wild … Nick Wil … hey ain't you the partner of tha' bunny cop, what was injured in a bad accident a few months ago, what was 'er name Julie, Junie .."
"Judy." Interjects Nick.
"Yeah that's her, how she doin', ain' been much in the news about the accident.
"She's doing better than she was," Nick stated, not wanting to give more information then needed to the overly chatty bruin. The bear finished unloading the car and pawed Nick all the paperwork to the car as well as the keys.
"Thank you Mis'r Wilde, And thank Judy for me, She's done a lotta good for a whole buncha mammals." The bear smiled with a nod as he climbed back into the truck and waved as drove away. Getting into Judy's new car and starting it, Nick was pleasantly surprised at the full throaty sound that the car had. Revving it a time or two, he took it for a quick spin around the block. It handled well, and was set up for both normal mammals as partially disabled mammals. The hand controls were easy and intuitive to operate, and the car being a 6 speed automatic, ment no need to manually shift gears. The engine and transmission operated smoothly, gliding from one gear to the next. So smoothly in fact, that the normal bump that one associates with a gear change was almost non-existent. Only the sensation of a smooth but rapid increase of speed. Pulling into the parking space that they were assigned to, Nick went back inside, registered the car with the main desk and headed for the elevator. Making his way to Judy's room, he waved at Jen whom it appeared was working the evening shift. Stopping at the door to Judy's room, he paused a moment to get his smirk in place, and went in.