A/N
Hello everyone. This is proving to be quite popular, much to my pleasure as the author. I love hearing how much y'all enjoy this dalliance of my muse.
Of course, I do not own Zootopia, and can therefore make no claims to Zootopia or its characters. I only make claim to my own OC's included herein as needed. Though I think I could do more with it than Disney is at the moment. So many awesome ideas that they could use, and they're sitting on their asses.
I blame Bear678 for this.
Anyway, on with the show.
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Wilde Cardz - Savage Territory - Chapter 19
Nick woke late the next morning, wrapped in the scent of his mate, he was content. At least until his brain started working and memory kicked in. Then he remembered that while he had found where Judy had been, she was not there, so he needed to get up. Rousing himself, Nick wiped a stray tear.
NO! I am not going to fall apart now. She was alive and lived here until recently. She left that adorable kitten behind, and there is no way Judy wouldn't come back if she told him she would, and she did. So pull it together, Nick. You know where she is headed, and is likely there already. Stop acting like a kit and get it together.
With a deep breath, taking in Judy's scent again, Nick nodded to himself and collected his things, as well as the fur in the evidence bag. He then jumped down to the lower level, surprising many mammals who were gathering there for breakfast.
Giving his usual lazy salute. "Morning, all."
David ran up and gave Nick a hug. "Good Morning, Mr. Nick."
Smiling down at the kitten. "Well, good morning to you there, buddy. What brought this on?"
Giving Nick a bashful smile. "You slept in mamma Judy's room, so you smell like her and you."
"You don't mind my scent I take it?"
Shaking his head, David grinned. "No. Everyone smells stronger now cause we don't get to shower like we used to, before. But you don't smell bad. You smell like violets."
Herald walked up. "David, there you are. Oh! Nick, good morning. Did you sleep well?"
Nick nodded with a slightly sad smile. "I really did. Waking up and remembering that I still haven't found her, even if I'm closer, spoiled it a bit. Anyway… What's for breakfast?"
"Breakfast is eggs, a veggie medley, and there is some meat. Not chicken."
Nick nodded. "I see. Okay, well… Let's get to it then. Hopefully the delegation from Busston will be here soon, and your leaders can let us know your decision."
Herald gave Nick a smirk. "I'm sure you already know what that decision is, or is going to be. We want what the rest of you want. To reclaim some semblance of what we had before. It is going to take work, and probably many generations of mammals before things even pretend to get back to a semblance of the normal of things from before. We will get there, and the only way to do that is to join together into larger and larger groups. And more importantly, to walk away from the prejudices that brought me to the city; that drove Bellwether, and those that came before her."
Nick smiled with another nod. "You are right about that, Herald."
Herald ushered Nick and David towards the common area. Once Nick had some food, he sat with Herald, Linn, David, and his current team. Herald looking up at Nick. "Nick. Linn and I would like to get married. But we need actual witnesses. Would you be willing to stand for us?"
Fin chuckled. "I pretty much already agreed, Red. But it is your call, and Linn will stand for Amy and I. We're looking at a double ceremony."
Nick put his fork down, threw back his head, and laughed. Hard. Then gave Fin a hard look. "You really want me to perform a Wilde ceremony?"
Fin nodded. "I do. There is even a stone embedded in a tree that is part of this community that would work, if I remember what you told me correctly."
Nick nodded. "I know that you know what you are asking, and I'm sure you've explained it to Amy." Turning to Linn and Herald. "But do you understand what it is you are asking for? What it is, you are signing up for?"
Herald shook his head. "Not a clue, but I love Linn in ways, and with a depth I didn't think was possible. Just the thought of not having her tears at my heart."
Nick nodded. "And you, Linn? You're a fox. I assume you have at least some inkling."
Linn nodded. "My parents told us many stories. They told us about the marriage ceremonies of various fox species, and foxes in general, and how each has their differences, but how red foxes stood alone. They told how the bond of a red fox is unbreakable, and how losing a mate usually results in the survivor following them into death. I can only assume that because you didn't know for sure that she was dead allowed you to hang on."
Nick nodded. "I'll admit. It was close a few times, but I could never disappoint Judy, and giving in, even if I knew she was dead, would have disappointed her."
Linn smiled warmly. "That shows the love you have for her. My parents also said that, amongst reds, one family stood apart. That their ceremony was one of the oldest, and demanded the most. That their traditions date back to the ancient fox empires that rose and fell before most mammals were more than nomadic tribes and villages. A level of commitment few are willing to commit to.
They said that the Wilde's commit to their mates not just in this life, but the next. That this is recorded in stone, and that so long as they are truthful and faithful in their commitment to each other in this life, they will be drawn in that next life to that stone. They will meet there, and some legends even say that at that moment…"
Nick picked up from there. "That their previous lives together will reveal themselves. That they will again commit to each other, and the souls of those two will go down through all of time, together."
Linn nodded. "That is what they say."
Nick grinned brightly. "Well. I believe it. I believe that Judy and I have been and always will be together. We did commit to each other, in this life and the next. We have a small stone that we carved, each of us carrying the one carved by the other. If we ever find the Wilde family stone, our stones will be placed there with it, and we will add our names to the list carved into it. The only thing that would be better, would be to find a true Ancestor stone. There are lots of false ones out there.
What you are asking is that you will join the family, Wilde. To have such a ceremony is more than just binding you to each other, it makes you family. That you will join together with your mate, not just in this life, but in the next, and together forever, though all of time."
Linn nodded. "I love Herald. I love him for his faults and his triumphs. I love him for who he is, not what he is. If I lost him, I would lose a part of my soul. I feel we are already bound like that already, I just want to make it official."
Nick nodded and turned to Fin and Amy. "What about you two?"
Fin looked up at Amy with a grin. "I loved Clair, and yet… The love I had for her holds no candle to what I feel for Amy. I told you before, Nick. I always thought you and Cottontail were nuts. The love you showed for each other I just couldn't understand. Then Amy happened to me. Now I get it. The desire to drown in her touch, her scent, in everything that is Amy. When we are together, there is nothing else but Amy. I get it now, Nick. I really do."
Amy grinned at Fin with tears in her eyes. "That's how I feel too, Fin. When we are together, the rest of the universe just goes away." Pulling Fin into a deep kiss that he happily returned.
Nick nodded with a brilliant, happy grin. "Excellent! Then we will get things arranged. I need to see this stone you are talking about. You will need to pick a small stone that you will present to each other. Something that will fit in the palm of your paw, but has enough flat surface to be carved. We will need some chisels, flowers of your choice, etc…"
Fin nodded. "Most of that is already being worked on. We have our stones, though I don't think Herald and Linn knew what they were for, we had them pick them out. Just like Amy and I have had our stones for months. I had hoped that we'd run into you again so I could ask, but if nothing else, I was going to do what I could from memory of what you described. You could tell as they were looking that they were kinda pulled to specific ones."
Nick nodded. "Excellent. That is a good thing. I'm done with breakfast, so show me this stone. Hopefully we can be ready by the time the Busston delegation gets here."
Herald grinned as he stood up. "They got here about an hour ago and have been talking with our leaders and were just waiting for you to show. I'll take you there. They're holding the meeting right near the stone in question so you can take care of two birds by the one stone."
Nick groaned and his ears folded back. "Herald… That was terrible."
Chuckling as he walked away, Herald nodded. "I know. Was totally worth it."
"No. It was not." Shaking his head, Nick followed Herald around the tree and across a series of clearly recently refurbished bridges. After nearly a dozen bridges, finding themselves much deeper in the forest, guards at each end of each bridge. They come to a much larger community of mammals, hundreds, living across a network of at least thirty trees.
"Herald… This is a much larger community than I I thought."
"Judy's design. There is the introduction area, and then the real area where we all live. The mammals that live in the introduction area rotate, with the exception of those like Judy who put themselves on permanent watch. We have a few of what she called sentry trees like that one."
Nick grinned. "Smart girl."
Herald nodded. "So much more than I ever gave her credit for."
Making their way deeper into the community, Herald leads Nick in a spiral showing him most of the community among the trees. Once they arrive at the center, they meet up with the others who were led there by Linn. Nick looks over the small collection of mammals, a table set up with the rodents from Busston on it. Nick noted all that, but his focus was on the stone embedded in the side of the tree.
Laughing out loud in joy, Nick steps past everyone and approaches the stone. Passing his paws over it carefully, almost lovingly. Looking it over carefully, Nick grabs one edge where the stone meets the tree, and using his strength rotates the stone so that a new face of it shows. That newly revealed face covered in writings. The collective gasp behind him doesn't even register.
Kneeling, Nick bows his head with a paw over his heart and the other on the base of the stone, in a spot clearly worn down by many previous paws in that place. "Ancestors. I thank you for revealing to me the Ancestor Stone of all vulpines. I pray you hear my plea and lead me swiftly to my mate that we may be reunited. We are bound in this life and the next. Please protect this settlement and all the mammals of all species that make their home here, for they are here by the grace of my mate who recognized your stone for what it was. Great Karma and Saren, bless these mammals who look after and protect the stone that you set as an anchor to your blessings upon this world."
Fin saw the stone and the writing and started crying, walking shakily over to stand next to Nick as did Linn, tears in her eyes as well. "Nick? Red? I know this is an Ancestor Stone. They only thought it might be one, but the writing? Can you read it?"
Nick nodded as he stood with another joyous laugh. "Fin, this isn't just an Ancestor Stone, it is the Ancestor Stones. It is the basis for all others, the first." Looking up at Herald and the others. "I know Judy made you set up your community around this tree. This stone is why. She has set this community with a literal sacred duty.
There are things known to ancient families like the Hopps, the Wildes, the Helketta, the Cheth, and others like them. Stones like this one are one of those things that is known. This stone is older than mammals having minds, it existed before we were no more than the savages that now roam this world again. Karma and Saren set this and other stones to help bring mammals up from their savage ways. Or so the legends say.
They also say that it was around these stones that mammals congregated, drawn there by the peace and power, and were taught how to think as more than just mindless beasts. There is another stone, like this one, at the center of the Oasis around which Zootopia was founded. There is a chamber there where one can view and pray upon the stone, if you know the way and feel so inclined. There are others out there as well, in hidden places, just on the edge of mammal civilization, or what was mammal civilization.
The power of this stone will help protect this settlement, though you must work yourselves to do that. It will help you and make those that protect the settlement, the stone, and the mammals that live here, more effective if you have to fight, more perceptive when you watch, and more inspired when you seek to improve and expand the settlement."
Both Fin and Linn put their paws on the stone, heads bowed silently. Fin finally spoke. "May Karma and Saren smile and bless us all. For we are their children in knowledge. Be you ever as clever as Karma. Be you ever at peace with all that transpires like Saren."
Linn speaking and mirroring Fin. "May Karma and Saren bless us all. For we are their children in knowledge and mind. Know the cleverness and guile of Karma, know the peace of Saren. May they support us and give us the strength to see through the difficulties of life."
Herald stepped up next to Linn. "The stone of the tree… It's… It's real?"
Nick nodded. "It is very real, as are the others. Judy and I both know where they are, and we even went to see the one in the Oasis hidden chamber on one of our dates. Do you, Linn, Fin, and Amy, still wish to be joined here? Doing it here is a lot more than just symbolic."
Herald nodded. "It would be the greatest honor if you would join us, especially here." Stepping forward to the stone, he placed his own paw upon it. "Ancestors. Great Saren and Karma. Bless this community and the mammals within it. Help them grow in wisdom that we may not repeat the mistakes that brought this world to its current state. That we may move and grow beyond the prejudice and hate that filled me before you brought Linn into my life. Bless us as we strive to reclaim the gift of civilization that you gave us so long ago."
Fin nodded. "What he said."
Nick nodded again with a smile. "Very well." Nick turned back to the stone. Grabbing it, he turned it again to show a third face with more writings. Those standing next to him noticed that there were in fact slots he was slipping his claws into in order to rotate the stone, just barely hidden by the bark of the tree and easily missed unless you knew to look for them. A wide grin took over as he laughed deep and joyously. "Judy, my love. I taught you too well."
Extending an index claw, Nick kneeled again in front of the stone, placing his other paw on the stone. Speaking in a language none of them had ever heard, and yet every mammal present understood. "I pledge myself to you, Judith Laverne WildeHopps. In this life and the next. Until the stars burn out, the tapestry unravels, and time itself ceases. I will follow where you lead and protect you against all harm. I am yours now, forever, and into whatever existence may come after." Nick then carved a set of symbols next to what was clearly a recent carving of other symbols.
Grinning, he turned to the others. "Judy had already carved her half. I just needed to add mine to it and our ceremony is now completed." Taking a small stone out of his pocket, he pressed it into a depression right next to one that was already occupied. There were dozens of paired impressions on that face of the stone, many with stones already in them and carved symbols next to them, others empty and no symbols.
Turning to the others. "You have a choice. You can do a simple Wilde family ceremony, carve and exchange your stones, or you can up the ante. You can complete the bonding as I just did with Judy. You see, according to the legends, if your love is pure and true, you will be able to carve your true names into the stone. You then place each other's personal stones into the depressions. Once completed. No matter what happens to either of you, or even the stone itself, you will be bonded for all of existence, this life, the next, and beyond. However… If your love is not pure, if it does not transcend, then you will be unable to carve your names. While your bond in this life is safe, there is no guarantee that you will find each other in the next life. So what will it be?"
Fin turned to Amy. "I know my heart, and I know I love you with all of it. I know also that I want to find you in the next life."
Amy nodded and pulled Fin into a hug and kiss. "I feel the same Fin." Looking up at Nick. "A Wilde ceremony is enough for us."
Linn looked to the stone and shook her head. "Herald, like Fin said. I know my heart, and I love you with all of it. I also know that this is the first time we have been with each other. I want to be with you, in this life, and the next."
Herald nodded with a loving smile. "I feel the same. I love you with a strength I didn't know existed. I think I understand the love my parents experienced for each other. I know also, as you said, that this is the first time for us. Let us do the Wilde family ceremony. Perhaps in a few lifetimes, our love will be cemented and we will add our names upon this stone." Turning to Nick. "We'll do the Wilde ceremony."
Lizz and Mike stepped forward to Nick, Mike speaking. "Uh… Nick… I know that neither of us are foxes, but would we be able to join like you and Judy, or how the others are going to? We never got the chance to have a wedding, but we were only just getting together. I mean, we were together, just not openly."
Nick smiled up at the two. "Well, I would be happy to, but you have to understand. If you do this, you become members of the family, Wilde." Looking pointedly at the others as well. "That means you too. You need to be one hundred percent sure." Getting grins and happy nods from all six mammals, Nick shugs. "So be it. Do you all have your stones?"
Six paws hold up six stones. Nick looked them over and smiled. "Excellent. Stand before me. Amy and Fin, Herald and Linn, Mike and Lizz. You will be exchanging vows. Speak from the heart. The only requirement is that you commit yourself, and speak as much to your mate, that you are theirs, as they are yours, in this life and the next. Once that is done, You will use either a chisel, or your own claws, and carve your true name into the stone. You will then give that stone to your mate. Try your claws first, and claws or chisel, let your heart guide you, for your true name is not necessarily what you are known as in this life. That pretty much completes the ceremony. It isn't flashy, there are not a bunch of bells and whistles, and it is quick, but trust me, if your love for each other is true you will feel your heart led to the perfect words. When you are all ready, I'll start."
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A few minutes later, everyone is assembled and watching in anticipation. From the whispered conversation, some understood what was happening, mostly the canines, others were unsure and asking what was going on. All however seemed to instinctively understand the gravity and weight of the moment.
Once everyone confirmed they were ready, Nick rotated the Ancestor Stone to yet another face with far less writing on it, though this appeared more like a paragraph. Placing his forehead against it, Nick said something that no one else, not even those with enhanced hearing, could make out. He then carved three symbols into that face, then rotated the stone one last time to show the original face all the mammals of the community had known up to that point.
Nick spoke to the stone, though more than loud enough for those gathered to hear. "Ancestors. Karma and Saren. Bless these mammals that I am about to join. Bolster their love and their bond, that they find each other in the next life as they have in this one. Bind them to each other, and bind them as WildeHopps, for I accept them as my family for now, and all time."
Turning, Nick gave the group a grin. "Ready?" Getting six nervous nods, he steps up between Amy and Herald. Taking their paws with the stones into his, he looks up to the heavens. "Ancestors. Bless these two mammals as they commit themselves to each other as members of the family, WildeHopps. I accept them as family and welcome them as WildeHopps, without reservation. Karma, guide them to be their best selves. Saren, guide them in their love for each other. Ancestors. Watch over and protect them from those who would seek to break up their love." With that, Nick pressed their paws together and moved on to Linn and Herald, then again to Lizz and Mike, repeating the same thing each time.
Fin looked up slightly into Amy's eyes. "Amy… You know I'm not so good with words like this, and emotions have never been my strong suit. Except maybe anger. Being a fox, I never expected anyone to see me as anything more than that unless I found another fox, and I sure as hell wasn't looked after by my family. Then Clair found me, and I was happy for the first time in my life since I was a kit. Truly happy. Something I didn't think was possible, being a fox.
I had a job that mammals actually respected me for, and I got to work with the mammal I loved. I was finally seen for more than my species. Then she got sick and I was lost. I didn't know what to do. I was angry, sad, hurt, but I never showed that to her, even though I know she knew. I think I knew she was dying from the start, but I didn't want to know it. It is clear now that she knew she was dying.
At the time I didn't understand why she called you, of all mammals. I didn't even know you were friends. Then again I didn't know many of her friends at all. Looking back on it, I see what she was doing. She knew she was dying and that I would give up if I didn't have someone to help me through it. She made sure we saw a lot of each other. Asked me to put you up in our place and pushed me into your arms. I was so broken I didn't even realize what was happening.
It was her last day. I think we all knew it, and I was sitting next to her bed, holding her paw. She was so weak. She looked at me and told me that it was okay. That she picked you for me, that she loved me, and that I deserved to be loved. She told me that she knew I had grown feelings for you and that I should act on them. That I should not push you away. She kissed me. Told me again that she picked you for me again, and then closed her eyes. She never opened them again. Not in this life. You walked in moments later, having heard what she said. Karma and Saren know, I might have done something permanent if you had not been there.
I look back on that, and I cannot be more thankful for Clair, because she brought you into my life. I know it is strange, but Karma as my witness, I think Clair was brought into my life so that I could accept your love when you confessed your feelings for me. I know it isn't some romantic story, and strange to boot that my dead ex is the one that brought us together, but that's the truth. A truth I am eternally thankful for, because I love you with a depth I did not know was possible.
Amy Henrietta Hopps. You own my heart and it is something I willingly gave you and have never, nor will ever regret doing. You are my home, and no matter where I am, what I am doing, or how the world changes, so long as I have you. I am home. So I pledge myself to you, in this life, and the next."
Amy grinned, tears flowing freely down her cheeks. "Finnick Tyrone Dessertail. You were one of my best friends, mate. She called me the day she found out she was sick. Told me that she needed to see me. I hadn't heard from Clair in years, not since she moved to the city. She told me that she couldn't wait, so I rushed to her side afraid it was something serious. The gods know, it surely was.
We had spent several hours talking about you. She told me all about this amazing mammal she knew that was perfect for me. How you were an amazing cook, but also an amazing mechanic. She was dying, so I humored her. Then you walked in and I felt my heart leap. Was this the mammal she was talking about? She knew what she was doing. I just thought you were a friend. I didn't figure it out until weeks later that you and she were mates, even if you never made it official.
I talked to her near the end, and she admitted to knowing she was sick for much longer than she let anyone know. She didn't tell you, or anyone else until it was clear that none of the treatments were going to work, and she wasn't going to go for the more drastic treatments that kill a mammal as often as help them. She didn't want to do that to you. It is why she always dodged your attempts to take your being mates to the next level.
She loved you deeply, Fin, but she also knew you. She knew if she let you take that next physical and emotional step, you would never recover. Instead, she brought me in and played matchmaker. Rather successfully, I might add. I confessed to her that I had grown feelings for you and how guilty I felt. Like I was betraying her friendship and trust.
I expected that sly bitch to be angry with me. I expected her to yell, or do a dozen different things." Any chuckled softly. "You know what that crazy coyote told me? She told me that was a good thing, and that I should act on those feelings, even before she passed. She told me straight up that she brought me in because the two mammals she loved more than anything deserved to not be alone. That she was about to leave you alone, and doing so would be her only regret in life. So she brought me in for so, so she could die without regrets, because she knew you would have me to support and love you.
So I too believe that Clair was brought into both our lives, because if I'm being honest… I would have never even given you a second look. She talked you up so much without ever mentioning your species, so it was hard for me to see you as just a fox when we met. You just being you cemented in my head, and my heart, that you were not a fox, but a mammal.
I love you more than anything, Fin. You are my home, and while I may own your heart, you own mine in equal measure. There is nothing I would not do for you. I pray with my whole being that this oath is real, and that there is another life after this one that I will get to spend with you. Because, I pledge my love to you Finnick Dessertail. I am yours. In this life, and the next. May we meet sooner in the next life, because I do not want to waste any time living and not loving you, and I will love you in this life for as long as we have."
Linn looked into Herald's eyes with a smile. "Herald Jason Hopps. I'm not so eloquent as they are, but they have said things that reflect my feelings for you in ways I didn't know how to express until now.
You are my home. My heart is yours, and I do not want it back. When I saw you that first day, I didn't feel anything for you, I just saw a mammal in need of help, and I was raised to do just that. Being a fox, mammals have always looked down on me, so stepping up and helping without expectation was my little way of trying to change that. I figured, do that enough, impact enough lives, and just maybe, mammals will start seeing foxes as more than scum. Yet, once that was over and we were talking that night, something shifted inside me. You explained why you were there and I was shocked and horrified, yet you still admitted to it, to a fox of all mammals. It was clear you were expecting me to kick you to the curb at that point.
At first I saw someone that needed a friend, and you proved that, despite the reason you had come to the city, you were reliable. You saw past my species, and wasn't that something? As we worked and made our way through the city, we talked at length. You learned just how terrible the things you had been taught were and how horrible a mammal you had been.
I remember the day I realized I had started to have feelings for you. It was the day you apologized to me. I was confused at first until you explained how you couldn't apologize for all the horrible things you had said, done, and thought, but felt you needed to say it to at least one mammal. You did not expect forgiveness and didn't feel you even deserved my friendship.
I remember hugging you, and didn't that make my heart flutter in ways it had no business doing. Then we found this community and were welcomed in with open arms. You ready to defend me as a mammal if they saw me for only than my species, only to find your sister here.
We don't have some star crossed lover romantic story. We just spent time with each other, learned about each other until I don't think either of us even noticed species at all. Then one day you told me that you had fallen in love with me, and didn't that shock me. You weren't looking at me, you told me and then walked away. Fully expecting me to be revolted.
I dragged you into a kiss that ended the next morning in my quarters. Since then I have grown to love you more and more, to the point that thinking of life without you in it physically hurts. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I pledge my heart to you, Herald Hopps. In this life and the next."
Grinning, Herald wiped away a tear. "Linn Jacobs. You hold my heart, and I do not want it back. I love you with every fiber of my being. You are the home I have always sought. Being with you, I am home in ways I never was back in the burrow.
I am nothing special, and that you accept me, despite my past, makes me love you more than I know how to express. I'm not good with words, but that wraps it up for me. I pledge myself to you, Linn Jacobs, in this life and the next. I pledge to love you, and show you every day of this life, and the next, just how special you are."
Lizz looked deeply into Mike's eyes. "Mike. We have spoken vows to each other several times in private, and have sworn ourselves to each other as partners, lovers, and mates on many occasions. I am part of your pack. I am your mate, and you own my heart. You are my home. My one true love. I love you so much, one life truly is not enough to express it all. So I pledge myself to you, Michael David Wolford, in this life and the next."
With a wide grin, Mike kissed Lizz's paw. "Lizz. As you said. You are my pack, my mate, my partner in all things. When we are together, I know that nothing can stand against us. We have pledged and promised many things, but none of that feels are real as this moment. My love for you transcends this life, and one life truly is not enough to show you how much I love you. So I pledge myself to you, Elizabeth Ann Fangmeyer, in this life and the next. That I might have the chance to prove to you just how much love I have for you."
The four mammals then took their stones under Nick's direction and carved several symbols into them, feeling their paws guided by an unseen force, their claws cutting easily into the stone as if it were sand. Their grins matched the cheers of the assembled mammals as they exchanged stones. Each shocked by the sudden warmth they felt, as if the stone had been heated.
Much later that night, Nick sat on the porch of what was Judy's apartment looking out into the forest. A lot had happened since the world ended and he lost his bunny. A lot had happened since he was finally able to start hunting for her, especially today. He had just added five mammals to his family, as he had long since considered Fin his brother. Nodding, and knowing that there was much more to come before he found her. Nick turned with a sigh, and a smile on his muzzle, into the apartment and crawled into the bed. Taking deep breaths of Judy's scent in the sheets, he was again quickly asleep.
