So sorry about the delay. I'm gearing up for a much needed surgery, and the "to do's" and "whatfore's" got in the way for a bit. But I'm back. Thank you so much for all the views. Almost 4600! I never expected this story to gain any traction, much less that much. So thank you all. Thank you for the reviews. It may not seem like much, but reviews help us as authors. So again, thank you all.

Also, I still don't own Zootopia, Zootopia Universe, or any character besides my own, musch to my increasing dismay. -sigh- C'est La Vie.

Anyhoo on with the show as they say.

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Chapter 13 - Homecoming

At the end of a street, oddly enough called Hare Lane, sat a modest three bedroom home. Well modest for a wolf anyway. The sun was just beginning to set over the small lake to the west. As the sun just started to touch the lake, two cars pulled into the driveway. One was a newer Suburrow TRX, and the other was a much older, and well used National Harvester pickup. As a fox exited the Suburrow, and began to remove a wheelchair, two bunnies exited the Harvester.

The fox then moved the wheelchair to the passenger side, and helped yet a third bunny into the wheelchair. Wheeling said bunny to the middle of the driveway, the fox removed the red bandana from the bunny's eyes.

"Welcome home Fluff!" the fox exclaimed.

Squinting slightly as Nick quickly pulled the bandana from her eyes, she let her vision clear before looking around. From her seat, she could see, what to her, was a huge home. It was predominantly smoke grey, which closely matched her fur. The outer doors were done in an off white that was somewhere between the color of her and Nick's belly fur. There were flowers in a planter outside that were deep purple, green, and a dark orange. Taking all this in, all Judy could do was sit there with her muzzle hanging open.

Nick, seeing her reaction, could only chuckle.

"Well Judy, Whataya think eh?"

Judy had finally gathered her wits. Nicholas P. Wilde, you absolute shi-"

"JUDATH LAVERN HOPPS! Don't you dare finish that sentence young lady!" Bonnie chided.

Judy snapped her muzzle closed, her ears growing flush with embarrassment. She let them drop behind her head to hide them, all the while glaring silently at Nick. Raising a digit, she waggled it at Nick, "We will discuss this some other time mister." She said with a slight smirk.

Chuckling quietly' "I'm sure we will," said Nick.

"Well", said Nick. "How about the nickel tour of the outside before we lose light, or would you like to see the inside and wait till tomorrow to see the back yard?"

"Let's go in Nick, I really want to relax in something besides this chair." Judy said.

Wheeling Judy to the ramp, Nick paused near the door and pressed a section of the siding. With a click, a small door popped open, revealing a 16 digit pad. Quickly keying in a code, A113, Nick waited but a moment, when there came a soft beep. There was a sharp snap of a lock disengaging, and with a soft hiss the door opened. Judy's muzzle dropped in surprise as Nick pushed her chair through the door, only closing automatically after Bonnie and Stu passed through.

The entryway was done in complementary wood colors, dark and light wood. one wall had a mural done in dark walnut, depicting the harmonious gathering of mammals. The other wall had a large coat closet with a place to put wet paw wear. Further into the house the hallway ended, with an archway to either side. To the right, the archway led to the Kitchen, and laundry room toa door leading out to the garage. From the kitchen, another archway to the left led to the dining room, with a sliding glass door leading out to the patio, and then to the living room. Another short hall led back to the entryway. Off of the living room was a hall that led to the master bedroom, with its own bathroom. A door connected it to the next room that was a good bit smaller. On the other side of the hall were the other two bedrooms, with a second bathroom between. As Nick pushed Judy's chair through the house, he smiled at her wide eyed wonder at the craftsmanship that had obviously gone into each room. The entire house had been renovated to accommodate not only her and Nick's smaller size while maintaining the size of the house itself, making the house seem huge. It had also been designed to accommodate Judy's new need for assistance with her personal needs. As realization set in, the tears began to flow. The stress of the last nine months flowing from her deep purple eyes. Judy looked to Nick, who simply wrapped her in his arms, holding her close. "There there," Nick soothed. Winking at Bonnie and Stu, Nick chuckled, "Bunnies, so emotional." Judy thumped him in the chest and giggled softly

" Ya know Carrots, bunny snot is murder to get out of fabric."

Judy replied simply by gathering a paw full of his shirt and blew her nose, loudly. Bonnie and Stu looked at each other and started giggling, which caused the other two to start as well. From there it devolved into laughter, the remaining stress of the day seeming evaporating into the evening. Getting Judy settled in a wolf sized chair, Nick went to the kitchen and retrieved 4 bottles of water. Handing one each to the three bunnies, Nick asked if anyone was hungry.

"How about Panda Empress?" Nick asked

Oh that sounds lovely Nick," said Bonnie

Taking his phone out of his pocket he opens Zoogle, finding Panda Empress's website, Nick orders 3 vegetable noodles with lemon sauce for Judy and her parents, and a teriyaki chicken with noodles for himself. A short time later the doorbell chimed. Opening the door, Nick saw that it was the delivery driver with everyone's food. Paying for the bill and giving the driver a generous tip, Nick made his way to the kitchen, and set out all the plates and silverware while giving Judy a few moments with her parents. Listening to her tell her parents all that she could remember up to the accident made Nick's heart clench.

Making his way back to the living room, Judy was excitedly telling Bonnie and Stu what she knew from what Madge had told her and the possibility of walking again. Leaning up against the door frame Nick smiled as Judy laughed and giggled at the stories her parents told her about some of her more, adventurous, siblings.

Coughing gently, Nick said "Ladies and Gentlemammal, dinner is served," while gesturing to the dining room. Bonnie and Stu made their way to the table as Nick gathered Judy up and carried her, stealing a quick kiss as he went. Setting her in a special chair made especially for her, Nick made sure she was comfortable, and belting her in, explaining the belt was there to help her stay upright till her muscles healed and she gained strength in her core muscles. Giving Nick a half hearted glare, Nick reminded her that she had been laying down for almost a year. Her core muscles were less able to hold her up right. Conceding, Judy gave a huff, and began eating.

She knew Nick was only trying to help her get settled, but it still irked her to no end that she wasn't able to hold herself up without help, not even mentioning trying to walk. Ears drooping back she picked at her food, not really feeling hungry. She pushed her plate back and simply sat there playing with the hem of her shirt.

Setting his fork down, "What's wrong Carrots?" even as the tears began to slip from her eyes. Standing up he went to her, wrapping her up in a hug. Judy buried her muzzle in Nick's chest and silently cried. Smoothing her ears, Nick simply held her. He knew the day had taken its toll, and the last 10 months had to have been hell. Presently Judy's breathing changed, and began to slow. Looking down, Nick realized she had cried herself to sleep. Gently picking her up, Nick headed to her room.

"I'll be right back, I'm going to get her to bed, it's been a long year."

Not bothering trying to change Judy into sleepwear, she was wearing sweatpants and a t-shirt after all, Nick laid her in bed, on her side to take pressure off her back, which was still healing. Going to the bathroom he got a glass of water, and set her painkillers next to it on the nightstand. Turning on a small lamp shaped like a carrot of all things, it wasn't very bright, but for Nick with his natural night sight, he could see clearly. Kissing Judy between her ears, Nick whispered an "I love you Carrots," as he did so. She lightly snuffled, her nose twitching slightly. Closing the door most of the way, Nick made his way back out to the dining room, only to notice that his two guest haf seemingly already cleaned up, put the leftovers away and the dirty dishes in the dishwasher. Heading to the living room, Nick found Bonnie and Stu Sitting on the couch quietly talking.

Sitting down, "You didn't have to clean up you know." Nick said.

"We know," said Stu. "But you're gonna have your paws full till Judy realizes that this is her new home, and that you are going to be there for her."

"Besides," said Bonnie, "It's really the least we can do for letting us stay for a few days to help you and Judy adjust to this new chapter of your lives."

Stunned, Nick sat there, muzzle partly open as he tried to formulate a response. His muzzle opening and closing a few times.

"Thank you, both for being there for her, '' Nick said. "She's been through hell this last year. I have a feeling that she feels like her life is basically over. Career down the tubes. A job I know she loves. She feels lost. I can't help but wonder if I'm mammal enough, or the right mammal to help her heal."

Bonnie looked Nick square in the eye, a hard penetrating look, born of years of being a mother to literally 100s of kits. "Now you listen to me Nicholas, you are exactly what Judy needs to heal. You stuck by her side this entire time, only leaving when you really had to. You are every bit as strong now as you were before the wreck."

Noticing Nick had tears sliding down his cheeks, wetting his fur. "But I couldn't keep her from getting hurt, I've failed her," Nick said quietly as he stared at the floor.

"Now listen here Son," Stu said. "There was no way you could have. You were thrown from the car. How can you expect to have saved her? Everything happened in the blink of an eye?"

At that Nick began to cry, deep wracking sobs. Bonnie and Stu pulled him into a strong hug and let him cry. Bonnie stroked the fur between his ears and down the back of his head. Some time later, Nick began to calm down, as his emotions began to slow down, and he began to think clearly. Wiping his eyes and nose, Nick got up, checked on Judy, then helped his guests get settled in the guest room. Making his way to his own room, Nick layed down, let out a sad frustrated sigh, closed his eyes and slipped into a deep sleep.

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Present Day -

"You ok, Carrots?" he asked.

"Hmm?" Looking up at him, shaken from her thoughts by his voice. "Yeah … I guess. I was just thinking. Guess my muzzle betrayed me again, huh?" she smiled.

"Only just a lot, what were you thinking about my bunny?" He smiled his signature smile.

At that she blushed as her ears flopped over her eyes, almost subconsciously, in an effort to hide her couldn't help it, she loved it when he called her "his bunny."

"Nothing really, just bunny stuff," she lied.

Chuckling softly, Nick knew that meant she didn't really want to talk about it. "Ok Carrots, you know I'm here when you're ready."

He went back to reading his comics and Judy went back to her thoughts. She opened Zoogle on her phone and did a search for the incident she was involved in, in a vain attempt to recall what happened after that fateful night. There were multiple articles and stories that detailed the aftermath, and even a few shakey or mostly blurry videos on Ewetube, some even appearing on ClipClop. She just wished she could remember all the details of that fateful afternoon. She'd seen the photos from the scene taken by the responding officers. It left her to wonder sometimes how they survived at all.

"Nick?" she said quietly, "I hate to bother you, but I really need to use the little bunnies' room."

"You're never a bother, fluff." Nick said as he smiled down at her, giving her a soft kiss. Getting her settled in the washroom, he gave her privacy and waited outside for her to finish up. When she finished, she called for him, and Nick carried her back out to the living room. Judy nuzzled Nick's neck for a moment as he carried her to the front room. After making sure she was settled and comfortable in her chair, getting all of her pillows just the way she liked them, Nick went into the kitchen and started lunch, A couple of cricket burgers for him, and a vegetable wrap for her. As they ate, they chatted about this and that, memories and regrets, as had become their habit for the better part of the last two months. They did almost everything together, even before the incident that essentially ended both their careers. And while Nick could still return if he chose, with the Chief's permission of course, he didn't want to. Judy still wasn't able to get around on her own. She had not been released from Dr. Swift's care yet, and he adamantly requested that she do anything physically strenuous till then. Judy had a small rabbit sized weight set to keep her arms strong and tone. Nick had said he had a surprise waiting for her when she was finally cleared to exercise, but refused to tell her what, even when she used her ultimate weapon against him, Bunny Eyes. Not even when she doubled down and let her bottom lip quiver ever so slightly. She pouted for a short time after that.

"Anyone ever tell you how cute you are when you pout?" Nick had asked, smirk firmly in place, earning him a still solid box to the shoulder. "Ouch, that hurt, but sooo worth it." Nick started to chuckle, to which Judy rolled her eyes, but not without a small smile.

"So what movie do you want to watch?" Nick asked as he plopped down on the couch. "And please, for the love of blueberries, no "fluff" movies. This house already has ample supply of that."

Judy was about to say something when she realized how close to Nick's "season" it was. She hadn't really noticed, but upon second thought it did seem that Nick's coat had begun to thicken.

"Your's or mine?" She asked with a very Nick-like smirk. Giving Judy a sideways glance, Nick barked out a short laugh.

"I have been a bad influence on you rabbit." Nick said

"Well you are a fox. You snuck in and stole my heart." Said Judy

With a laugh Nick picked a random movie, gathered Judy up and sat her in his lap. Together they watched a couple movies, both falling asleep in the middle of the second movie, Attack of the 50 Foot Vixen.