Disclaimer: I do not own Zootopia or any of its characters, they all belong to Disney. I do not own Halo or any of it characters, that are all belong to 343 Industries. Rated M for sexual themes.

Just One Small Spark

Chapter 6

With the addition of the new crew members the work to repair the starship was being completed at a much faster rate. Of course there was a learning curve, but Joan found that Rabbits caught on quickly. Joan kept watch over all the work and gave instructions and corrections as necessary. When it was necessary for work to be done outside the ship Mark and Kurt handled it themselves until they'd finished training some of the new crew to work in vacuum and zero G. Once their training was completed many sections of ship open to vacuum where sealed and brought back to normal pressure. The bodies of the human crew found in those sections were buried on the moon.

"OK. Let's pressurize this section and see if it holds," Mark said. "Take a break for 20 minutes people."

Leah translated, but most of the new crew understood. Mark sat against a wall and watched Leah and Rachael hand out water and snacks. He would have helped them, but he was beat. When they'd finished with the others they sat down beside him and snuggled. When he'd finished his food he put his arms around them.

"Leah, you're right he certainly likes to touch us."

"They like feel of our fur on their skin."

"Translation please."

"Forgot. Rachael said that you like to touch us," Leah said. "She told me last night that Kurt likes to do the same thing with Maria and he even brushes her fur every day. Would you do that for us too? We'd enjoy it."

Mark noticed that some of Rabbits were watching them, but most were interested in each other.

"Leah, when do you think the females begin their estrus?"

She sniffed the air.

"I'd say 4 days. We should give everyone a rest day before that. And then there's Judy's wedding. I think all the crew will be interested in that."

"How long does you estrus last?"

"That depends on the female. Of course we can have sex anytime, but it's more pleasurable then. Anyway, I heard of a female who was in estrus of a week. The poor buck almost killed himself mating when her for so long and often. But most females only two day."

Mark felt a bit worried.

"And you and Rachael."

"Neither of us had mates before and there are drugs we could take to damp down the urge, but not totally. It's like I don't how to describe it.

She translated their conversation.

"There's a need and there's nothing you do about it."

"An itch you cannot scratch," Mark said after the translation.

Leah whispered into her friend's ear.

The two females stared at each other for a long moment and laughed.

"Yes, Mark that the perfect description," Leah said and then kissed him. "But it'll be an itch only you can scratch."

She winked and tapped his chest. When their kiss broke Rachael leaned in and kissed him too. What had he gotten himself into?

"The pressure is holding," Joan announced and door opened to the newly repaired section. "I have no active cameras or power in this section. So be careful."

"OK. Let's get the lights and power up first before we enter."

The power came on after replacing a blown junction box and resetting a thrown breaker restored the lights. The compartment was fairly large, but some of its contents were damaged from its decompression and being open to space for over two years. The rabbits cleared the compartment with 3 hours. It had been used to store food and after some examination the food still on the undamaged pallets was still good. Everyone in the work crew jumped when a crash reverberated through the compartment and there was a rush of air. Mark hurried toward the noise and listened for the sound of escaping air. Thankfully he heard nothing.

He found part of the wall had collapsed exposing the adjacent compartment. None of the rabbits checking the structural integrity of the compartment was hurt.

"Bring some lights," he said and then heard Leah repeat the order in her language. "Thanks."

The lights were quickly setup illuminating part of the room. Mark moved the lights and saw cryosleep chambers."

"Joan, we found another compartment adjacent to this one with cryosleep chambers."

"According to ships layout there aren't any on that deck."

"I looking at them," he said and felt furry arms go around him followed by a white furry head on his shoulder. "Could you ask Kurt to come down here? Leah, tell everyone to stay away from that wall and that they're on break until Kurt gets here. Oh thanks. So what am I going to do with you?"

She released him and then spun him around. She cocked head and stared at him.

"Kiss?"

"So Leah has been teaching you English," he said and then kissed her gently.

"And you're teaching her biology I see."

"Just fulfilling my mate's request."

Leah grinned at him.

Kurt and Maria arrived to find Mark and his two mates kissing.

"Do all human males do is just thing about sex?" Maria said.

"I haven't heard you complain," Kurt said and smiled at her. "Well sometime we think about food too." Maria gave him the eye and he laughed. "You look so beautiful when you do that."

She put her hands on her hips and glared at him. He glared back at her and held it until she couldn't help smiling. Then he patted her on the flank and put an arm around her.

"Come on let's get over there before we have to through a bucket of water on them."

She tapped on her pad for a few seconds and then laughed.

"So you've found something interesting other than each other?"

"And this from the man who can't keep his hands off a certain gazelle."

Maria blushed, felt her mate petting her back, and then laughed.

"So Mark let's just see what you've found."

"Apparently a secret room with the cryosleep chambers which Joan knows nothing about. We didn't go in and I kept everyone away from that wall."

"Well let's have a look at the wall first," Kurt said and moved the lights to shine on it. He walked back and forth staring up where the wall met the ceiling. "No wonder it fell. Whoever did this did a crappy job. First thing we need to do is pull this down before it falls on someone."

They tried to ease rest of wall down, but half way it cracked and came down in pieces.

"So you want to get in there?"

"No, we'd better given them a hand with this mess."

"Yea, I guess you're right," Kurt said and slapped Mark on the back.

"So how is married life?" Mark asked and winked.

They both stooped to pick up pieces of the wall and tossed them into the bin giving him time to think.

"Well, having a marriage with someone of a different species is interesting as you'll probably find that out," he said returning the wink. "Oh, we aren't perfect. We've had disagreements, but not any fights. We just talk things out and it usually just works out." He threw another piece of rubble into the bin. "We've worked together and when I'm flat on back breathing hard she's still going hardly out of breath. Maria is just all muscle. There's hardly an ounce of fat on her." He smiled and tossed another piece of the wall. "She's …"

"Kurt, I'm glad everything's worked out well for you two," Leah said and smiled.

"So," he began and lowered his voice, "how are you and your bunnies doing?"

Mark tossed in another chunk.

"They are very affectionate," he said. "It kinda …"

"If you males about done talking about us," Leah said and tapped an ear.

Both men winced. Maria gave her mate the eye and he grinned.

"Do you think that will work every time I get annoyed with you?"

"Will it work this time?"

"No!" Maria said and took a playful swing at him.

Kurt caught the arm and threw her. She came in a fighting stance.

Mark stepped between them and looked into her eyes. He saw something odd about her.

"You don't want to do that here. Someone could get hurt. After we get done here we'll go down one of the gyms and you can toss you husband and me all you want. OK?"

He put an arm on shoulder and felt her flinch. Kurt came over touched her face and she exhaled loudly.

"Maria, did I hurt you?" he asked and put an arm around her. "I didn't mean to throw you so hard. I'm sorry." A few seconds past. "Are you angry with me?"

"I was, but I'm OK now. Come on there's something we need to talk about."

Mark watched them go and wondered what happened to Maria.

They walked out of the compartment and into a smaller room she'd seen earlier. She closed the door and sat against the wall. Kurt sat beside her and put an arm around her.

"Maria, you know I love you. I know something happened in there. You can tell me anything and that won't change."

"For a moment I was back in damned alley ten year ago. I can really close to losing it."

"Tell me what happened."

Ten year ago I killed someone," she said and reached into right knee boot withdrawing her blade, "with this." She twirled the blade. "I put it in his right ear and pushed until the blade came out the other side."

Kurt couldn't believe what she'd just told him.

"You were what 13 years old? Please tell me the whole story."

"It's ugly."

"Just tell me."

When she finished Kurt's rage was white hot, but none of it showed on his face. He put an arm about her and pulled her to him. He took her face in his hands.

"I guess I should've told you this before, but I was afraid that you think that I…"

Kurt kissed her smothering her words.

"You're the strongest person I've ever known. You got out of a hell hole, get into college, became a famous singer, get kidnapped by aliens, learn their language, fall in love with one, and marry him, and fix the alien starship. Do you think I love you any less because you defended yourself against a rapist when you were a child?"

She smiled and touched her forehead to his.

"Aren't you curious about what Mark found?"

"Yes, let's go."

Mark saw his friends return and still wondered what happened with Maria. She looked better now.

"So you have it all cleaned up now," Kurt said. Sorry we we're here to help."

"No problem," Mark said and patted his friend on the shoulder. We'll have the lights on shortly."

"You still want to go to the gym and let me throw you two around after were done," Maria said and smiled.

"Sure, why the hell not!" Mark said and then smiled. "We'll take all the Rabbits to just for fun."

All the lights came up and they approached the cryosleep chambers as the rest of the crew spread out to check the rest of the room. They walked down the line of chambers to find each one empty except the last.

"That's a human female," Leah said as Kurt knelt to check the chamber.

"This chamber is in process of defrosting her."

"How long?" Mark asked.

"Ten minutes."

A rabbit brought the medical supplies they had with them.

"Thanks," he said and patted her on the shoulder.

In return he received in return a very enthusiastic hug and lick behind the ear. He heard giggles behind him and felt himself blush. The rabbit stared at him for a moment and then returned to her work.

"Rachael, we'd better keep an eye on him or some doe might drag him off."

She said this in English just to needle him since Rachael didn't speak the language well enough yet. He ignored them and saw Kurt smiling to him.

"So is it working OK?" he asked and gestured to the chamber.

"Sure," Kurt said. "Just a few more minutes. I spoke to Joan and she's sending some more help and equipment."

"Do you know her?"

"No."

"Me either."

"How did this get here without Joan knowing about it?"

"I was probably built before she was installed and not connected to the rest of the ship."

"You know what it sounds like to me?"

"ONI," they both said simultaneously.

"She'll probably freak when she sees the crew," Mark said.

"I didn't."

"Either way we ought to clear everyone out until we can explain."

"You're going to need help," Maria said and indicated Mark's mates. "We three will stay out of sight until you're ready."

"Hi guys," Judy said coming to the compartment. "So Joan said you found another human and female! I'm so excited!" Judy was actually hopping up and down.

Nick moved closer to the chamber and looked at the human female. A little smile crossed his face and then he heard his bunny's foot tapping behind him.

"Human females are quite a bit different than the males," he said in Zootopian, turning to Judy.

Judy glared at her Fox and he only smiled.

"How much longer?" Judy asked.

"About one minute," Kurt said and picked a robe that Judy and Nick brought.

"Come on," Judy said. "We do not want to scare her."

"I'll bet she'd find me quite handsome," he said and smiled.

Judy rolled her eyes and pulled her Fox away.

The chamber opened and Kurt climbed up to check on the woman. He touched her face and skin wasn't as warm as it should be, but that was to be expected. He covered her with the robe. He patted her face and she stirred. Then she yawned and eyes opened. Blue eyes met blue eyes.

"Good morning sleepy head. Time to rise and shine."

She frowned and sat up and robe slipped. She pulled it backup.

"Where am I and who are you?"

"You're aboard the UNSC Destroyer Dark Star and I'm its Chief Engineer Commander Kurt Muller. Mark."

"I'm Commander Mark Johnson commanding ODST contingent aboard this ship," he said and thought that only meant himself and Leah. "Ma'am who are you?"

"I'm Dr. Elizabeth Rawlins. Why am I here?"

"Ma'am we haven't any idea. We were in the process of repairing the ship when we found this compartment. You were in a cryosleep chamber and it automatically brought you out of suspension when we entered this room. I need to tell you several things before we take you to sick bay. First, you have been in suspension for more than two years and we are only two humans aboard." Only two people? She thought. "We are currently over ten thousand light years from UNSC space. Fortunately we came out of slip space within an inhabited solar system with intelligent life forms. None of these species are from the Covenant." New intelligent life and more than one! She thought excitedly. "We have recruited a large number of individuals to help us. In fact they resemble life forms from Earth. Do you want to meet one?"

"Yes."

"Maria."

Maria came into view and smiled.

"You look like a Thomson's gazelle."

"That's the first thing my husband said to me when we met."

Maria watched the human mouth the words and then it came to her. She first looked to Mark who pointed to Kurt.

"But…"

Kurt smiled with the memory.

"Dr. Rawlins, I looked into those soft brown eyes and that was it."

"And I looked into those blue eyes and our souls touched."

Kurt had climbed down and went to his mate. They touch foreheads for a moment and kissed her gently.

"You see Doctor it's not what's on the outside, but what's on the inside of a person. Of course, I'm luckier than most since she is beautiful on both the inside and outside." She poked him in the ribs. "And wait to hear her sing. She's known as the 'Angel with Horns'."

That earned him a hug. Then they heard crying and a voice in alien language.

"Oh fluff," Nick said "You bunnies are so emotional. Come on the humans don't want to see you crying."

Maria translated.

"Leah … Rachael … come on out," Mark said helping Elizabeth down. "These are my mates to be."

"And you're Rabbits."

"We were smaller, but a virus has infected and changed us. And there's another rabbit - Judy. She and Nick will be here in a moment."

"Nick isn't a Rabbit."

"No."

Everyone chucked and the last two made an appearance.

"Hi, I am Nick," he said his arm around his lover. "This is Judy. We are going to get married tomorrow. Would you like come to our marriage …no… wedding? Sorry my English is not good … so good yet."

"It's fine. I can understand you. Is a Fox and Rabbit marrying unusual?"

"Yes. Nick loves Judy and Judy loves Nick. Soulmates. Are you marry … married?"

"Nick, that personal," Judy said.

"It's OK Judy. No, I'm not married"

"Soon many Fox and Cheetah come to be crew. You might find someone you like. Mark and Kurt did. Judy and Nick help you. Nick lonely until Judy love me. Judy will be wife tomorrow. Nick is a lucky … very lucky Fox."

"Thanks. You are good friends. I don't want to be alone either. You introduce me to a Fox or Cheetah."

"How about one of each."

Elizabeth laughed.


Since the original chapel was too small to hold everyone one of the flight decks was decorated to serve. Joan had officiated at many marriages over the last few days and this was the final one.

The Wedding March began and Nick and his son stood facing the door. Mark entered with Judy on his arm followed by Leah, Rachael, Maria, Elizabeth, and several other bridesmaids. Judy wore white wedding dress that Maria made and Joan appeared behind the altar.

"Nicholas Piberius Wilde and Judith Laverne Hopps please approach the altar." Nicholas serving as best man and Nick approached from one side and Judy and Mark from the other. "Who gives this Rabbit to be married to this Fox?"

"I do," Mark said and sat beside his mates Leah and Rachael.

"Please repeat after me," she said and looked at Nick.

"I, Nicholas Piberius Wilde, take thee, Judith Laverne Hopps, to be my lawfully wedded Wife, to have and to hold, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part."

"Please repeat after me," she said and looked to Judy.

"I, Judith Laverne Hopps, take thee, Nicholas Piberius Wilde, to be my lawfully wedded Husband, to have and to hold, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part."

"The ring."

Nicholas handed his father a gold band and Nick placed the ring on the Judy's finger.

"Please repeat after me."

"With this Ring I thee wed."

"If anyone objects to this marriage, let them speak now or forever hold their peace."

A few moments passed.

"By the power vested in me as Captain of the Dark Star, I now pronounce you husband and wife."

"You may kiss the bride."

Nick lifted he veil, took his beautiful bunny into his arms, tilted her head back, and kissed her tenderly. The kiss lingered until they were both breathless.


The reception was held for everyone who gotten married over the last few days. Nick and Judy were special since they were the first predator/prey couple to be married in recorded history of their world. It seemed like everyone came to congratulate them, but as time passed the guests tended to drift way. Soon only family and friends remained except one large buck with three does. He was largest and most heavily built and was one of leaders of the rabbits. He and his mates came forward and stood before the group.

"I have come to speak for all of us. First, we thank you for getting us out of that place. Our peoples will fight on our world and free it from those who rule. We will help you repair this ship and crew it. We will welcome the others from our world regardless of gender and species." He knelled before Judy and Nick so they would be at eye-level and put a large hand on her shoulder. "You have changed our world. Soon we will become what we should have been long ago."

"Along with our Fox brothers we will become more than we would be separately. In the future when we are all dust and we are all forgotten the name Judith will be remembered as the spark that gave us the will to change and showed us that we could be more than we thought."

He lifted her into his arms and hugged her to his chest. She returned it and then he placed her on her feet before Nick.

"Nicholas Wilde keep her safe. She is important to our people and our world. But in time she will become the person that bring together all peoples Humans, the Covenant races, and our peoples.

Nick looked into the rabbit's eyes and knew what he'd said was true.

"I shall."

He stood and turned. His three does came forward and touched their foreheads to her and squeezed her shoulder and then left. Leah and Rachael came and sat beside Judy and then all others gathered around.

"Judy, you are not alone. We all will help you and stand behind you. If fact when we leave here we've all agreed that we want you to lead us with Nick beside you as you're first officer."

"You want me to be captain of this ship!" she said her voice squeaking at the end.

"Yes, Judy that's the reason I brought you and Nick here," Joan said appearing with them. "I saw you have the potential to be a leader. Nick will be the rock that you can lean on in the times of crisis. And you'll have your stepson and daughter-in-law to help you. I'll train you all. So what will you decide?"

"Yes! I'll do it!" Judy said and felt the first touch of her estrus. "But now I think Nick and I should started on our honeymoon."

They started for the door.

"Judy, Nick, that's wrong way."

"But our cabin this way," Nick objected.

"But that's not where you'll spending your honeymoon," Kurt said and pointed to the other door. "You now have a new cabin, Captain Judith Laverne Wilde and First Officer Nicholas Piberius Wilde. Come with us."

They took two different elevators and a couple long walks to a part of the ship they'd never been before.

"This is it," Maria said. "This door is keyed for only you and Nick."

Judy touched the pad and it opened and started through only to be stopped.

"Sorry there's and old human tradition that must be followed here."

"Tradition?"

"On the first night that the bride spends with her new husband he must carry her over the threshold," Mark said.

"That sounds romantic," Judy said and held out her arms to her fox.

With no effort Nick lifted his bride into his arms and she kissed him.

"Can't you wait?" he whispered. "They're all watching us."

"Nick, the way I feel now I do not care. So let's go."

She smacked on the butt to get him moving. He carried her though door and set her down. She kissed him again.

"Look Nick there's a real bed!" she said and jumped face first onto it.

Then she rolled over and looked back at her fox.

"Nick," she said and patted the spot beside her.

"Nick, there is a kitchen which is fully stocked for a predator who needs to keep up stamina," Mark said and winked.

"Have fun Nick," Leah said and grinned.

The door closed and he sighed in relief. He walked over to the bed and sat on the edge.

"Nick, are you nervous?"

"A little."

"Shouldn't I be the one who's nervous? You've at least…"

"Made love. Yes, but not to you. And before you were smaller and I thought might accident hurt you."

"Nick, we've been together for years. But for now I want to hold me and just sleep together."

"I thought you started your estrus."

"Yes, but it's not too bad yet. I just wanted to be alone with you."

"I'll be back in a minute."

He returned and lay down beside her. She'd snuggled up against him and he wrapped his arms around her.

"So being Captain is big responsibility."

"I know you can do it."

Judy drifted off to sleep and Her Fox soon followed her.


Judy woke and sat bolt upright. Her estrus had taken her full force.

"Nick!" she shouted and shook his shoulder. "Wake up!"

"Carrots! Are you OK?"

"I need you right now godamnit!" she said surprising herself.

"Judy, I'll be back in two minutes," he said and ran for the bathroom.

Judy laid back and panted. She'd never felt like this before. Of course, I've never been in estrus before either, she thought. She thumped her own forehead. Where's Nick? She reached down at touched her sex. Her back arched and she bit her lip. She felt a trickle of blood run down her chin and she wiped away. Then she saw Nick was back and hovering over her. She felt his jaws close on her neck and screamed. When her Fox released her she found to her delight and pleasure that they were now connected in a new and more intimate way.

"My clever Fox."

"My beautiful bunny."

Nick licked her throat just to make sure he hadn't broken the skin.

"Nick!" she cried. "Please!"

He felt his bunny's claws press into his back and he thrust forward. Her legs went around his hips as she pressed him into her.

"Nick!" she cried again and bit down on his shoulder hard.

He growled from the pain and then heard Judy giggle.

"Who's the predator now?" she asked and arched her back lifting them both off the bed.

A moment later Nick found himself on his back with his bunny staring down at him. Then she forced herself onto his knot making him moan with pleasure. He thrust upward meeting his bunny on the way down. They continued until he felt Judy's internal muscles squeeze his erection so tightly that he almost cried out. He felt himself release and his bunny shuddered then slumping onto his chest. She was panting and her position pulled on his erection so that it just on the threshold of being painful. Then she tightened on him again.

"Damn Judy!" he snarled and released a second time.

He opened his eyes and Judy's back was arched with hands resting on the bed. Then she tightened on him the third time. This time he couldn't tell the pleasure from the pain and he release again. A few moments later he felt Judy's weight on his chest. He could feel her heart beating so fast that he couldn't tell where one beat ended and the next began. Then he put his arms around her to make sure she was alright and not having her try that a fourth time. He felt if she did that she might break something – him. Then he chuckled remembering that he was afraid that when made love the first time that he might hurt her.

"Nick."

"Fluff."

"That was wonderful," she said and propped herself up one elbow. She stared at him and winked. "Let's do that again!"