-Em: The secret grand opening-

All the lightbulbs had been replaced, the floors had been swept, and the once dusty warehouse store had transformed into a modern bar.

Now, all it needed was some patrons…

This was concerning because it was the grand opening and Echo was currently standing behind the counter, a look of concern on her muzzle as she looked out at her deserted bar.

She would occasionally glance over at the large black door, her teal eyes almost pleading for some kind of business.

"We should have put up fliers," Came a gruff grunt from a ram who trotted behind Echo as he busied himself with organizing the bottles of spirits behind the bar for what must have been the 3rd time.

Em, who was sitting on the edge of the bartop, glanced over her shoulder and gave Echo a sad smile.

She had a feeling something like this was going to happen. Afterall most bars had trouble on their first nights, even the ones who advertised. Echo, however, had not wanted the general public to know about this place. She had made it perfectly clear that this was a bar for first responders only. In a sense, it was to remain a secret.

With such a focused clientele though there were obviously going to be some problems. Especially if none of them knew about the bar.

Echo felt Em's gaze and turned to give the otter a hesitant look.

"You know it's not too late to start making calls," Em said as she reached over to her phone and began to unlock the device. "I have some friends who could swing by and start spreading the word. We could probably get some patrons here tonight even."

"No," Echo said firmly. She realized how she may have come across and took a second to collect herself before smiling at Em. "Thanks though Em. We will be fine, they are just running late."

Em returned the smile and nodded before placing her phone back on the counter and glancing back at the door.

"I'll tell ya what we should do," The gruff-looking ram goat grumbled.

"Oh this is going to be good," Em began as she stood up on the bar and turned, folding her arms before looking at her fellow bartender. "What ya got Mac?"

Mark "Mac" "McRam had been hired right after Em. The older goat had been a bartender for longer than Em had even been alive, something both Em and Echo loved reminding the old-timer of often. He, however, had a certain charm to him, even if he came across as a bit of a grumpy old ram sometimes. While he may not know how to make all the fanciest drinks he was a good bartender.

"Well, you have seen how at some of those new fancy bars they got dancers out front?" Mac began as he looked at Echo and then to Em.

The otter raised a brow.

"I am not going out-" Em began before Mac continued.

"Well not to brag or nothing but I have been known to strut my stuff on occasion," Mac said as he grabbed his suspenders and held them out slightly before allowing them to slap back on his white button-up shirt.

Both the girls burst out laughing at the thought of the old barkeep out front shaking his rear at passersby.

Em shook her head before she put a paw to her forehead peaking at her friends through her open paw. She had to admit that though tonight was looking like a bust she had never been happier at work.

After being hired Em had gotten right to work, organizing the bar and using her experience to help Echo shape the bar. What impressed Em the most was how Echo not only listened but eagerly sought out the otter's advice.

Some managers would have been a little intimidated. Echo, however, seemed to truly appreciate what Em brought to the table. So much so that she had Em sit with her during the other interviews. Afterall the bar couldn't just run with two mammals.

Mac had shown up the day after Em was hired, having seen the same online posting that had brought Em to the 10-7. As it turned out the otter and ram shared a lot in common. Mac having been a barkeep for longer than he could remember. He, however, felt that his time in this field was coming to a close. Too many mammals wanting fancy drinks to get drunk. Instead of back in the day when mammals came to a bar to clear their mind, sip at a pint, and chat with a friendly bartender.

There had been several new hires over the course of a week. A gazelle who needed work to save up for college, a panther who had been trouble finding the right kind of bar to work at, and even another painted dog who had recently been released from a private security firm who was down on his luck and looking for a career change.

Em was impressed with the mismatched and rag tagged team Echo had put together. Mainly because for all their differences they all seemed to embrace Echo's mission for the 10-7. Each of them bringing with them a story that would help shape the atmosphere of the bar.

"You know what Mac," Em began as she returned to the conversation the three were just having. "I think I would pay good money to see that."

Mac grinned and began to dance in place. The ram showing off his skills with an old-timey jig that Em and Echo had only seen in classic movies.

"That will be bringing them in for sure," Echo laughed as she grabbed a stitch in her side.

Mac, however, was undeterred and even threw in a little spin before striking a pose.

Just then the door to the 10-7 opened and the very first patron entered.

Delta came strolling in and much to the joy of the barkeeps he wasn't alone.

"It worked," Mac said with a grin which caused Em to give the ram a disbelieving look.

"Delta," Echo exclaimed as she hurried around the bar, opening her arms so she could wrap her littermate up in a hug. "I was getting worried."

"Worried? Why?" Delta asked as he gave his sister a pat on the back before taking a seat at the bar. He glanced over at Mac and gave him a salute before his eyes went to Em who gave the painted dog a smirk. "Em, looking good."

The otter gave the canine a playful eye wiggle as she turned to her side slightly, showing off her figure in a bright red shirt. The bar's logo hastily painted on. She had taken the time to cut the lower part of the shirt so she showed off her mid-drift. A pair of khaki short shorts clung to her body and showed off her supple figure in a way she knew would get her a few extra tips.

"Well because no one had shown up," Echo said with a sigh.

"Well, its shift change so what do you expect? We had to wait for the other squads to go active before we could call 10-7."

Echo put a paw to her head and let out a chuckle, "I totally spaced on that."

"You hose draggers are so forgetful sometimes," Delta said with a smirk before glancing around at the other members of the ZPD who had tagged along. "Brought who I could. Got some friends from Tundra Town on the way and a few from Savanna saying they will try to get over here once they are finished with paperwork. Also gave a call to the dispatch center so we may even get some of the comm mammals over."

"Thanks," Echo said, sounding relieved. She then took a moment to look at the new arrivals who were all getting settled in some seats around the bar. Her teal eyes went to her brother and a broad smile graced her lips. "So Delta, what can the first drink the 10-7 serves be?"

"I know how to mix just about anything," Em said, the energy in the room hitting her as she excitedly started to list drink suggestions to the painted dog. "Old fashions, cable cars, gin'n'tonics, maybe a martini…"

A pensive look came over Delta before he smiled and said, "Think I'll just have a pint of Mountain Abbey."

Both Echo and Em's eyelids drooped at the rather simple order.

"One pint coming up," Mac said excitedly as he hurried over to the taps and grabbed a fresh glass.

"Really?" Echo asked in an annoyed manner. "The first drink we served is a beer?"

"Its an import isn't it?" Delta asked with a chuckle.

"I can make you anything," Em grumbled as she crossed her arms. "And you order a tap drink."

Delta seemed unphased by the glares he was getting from the girls. He didn't even break eye contact with his sister as Mac slid a full pint down the bar. His painted paw reached out and caught the glass with ease. He then raised the drink to his muzzle and took a long swig before letting out a satisfied breath.

"Hate you," Echo muttered but her lips curled none the less.

"Gonna go see if anyone else has more sophisticated taste," Em said playfully as she reached the edge of the bar.

Delta reached out to the otter who looked at the canine before taking his paw, allowing him to help her down.

"Thanks, handsome," Em said with a sweet smile before she waddled out to the other tables to greet the other patrons.

Mac strolled from around the bar and headed over towards a table where a bear and elephant were currently chatting. He greeted the pair and began to take their orders.

Echo watched from behind the counter as her barkeeps went to work, a sense of pride swelling up in her chest.

Her bar was open and now serving those who protected and served the mammals of Zootopia.

"Well sis," Delta said as he raised a glass towards his sister who looked over, tears welling up in her eyes. "Proud of you."

"Thanks, Delta," Echo said with a happy sigh. She froze though as she watched her brother take several long chugs, draining his drink. Delta then placed the glass down and took a breath as his tail swished back and forth. "Seriously?"

"Think I could get another?" Delta asked with a playful smile.

Echo rolled her eyes and let out a laugh as she took his glass and headed towards the beer taps.

"Oh, and I know the owner so put it on the house tab will you?"

"Oh no, ya don't," Echo teased as she filled her brother's glass once more. "If anything I am charging you double."

The night went on and much to Echo and her barkeep's happiness the bar began to fill up as members of the ZPD arrived from all over the city to show their support.

"Lots of blue here tonight," Em said as she began to mix another drink behind the bar.

"Yeah, so glad they came," Echo said excitedly as she rang in a few orders to the register.

"Haven't seen any of those handsome firehouse mammals yet," Em pointed out which made Echo stop what she was doing before she looked around the bar and noticed how Em was right.

All the patrons were either from the ZPD or dispatch. One or two medics had managed to get in but for the most part, the ZFD was absent from the bar.

"Maybe they are just running late," Em suggested. She became a little worried about how her boss may take this information and began kicking herself for even bringing it up. Afterall Echo was former ZFD. They had been like a family to her. For them not to show up would truly hurt the poor painted dog.

Em finished mixing the drinks she had been working on and hurried over to a table where several ladies in ZPD blue line shirts waited eagerly.

"Here you are ladies," Em said as she placed the drink on the table and slid them to each of the officers.

"Oh thanks so much, ma'am," A cheetah said as she raised a glass to her lips.

"No need to be so formal," Em said with a smile. "Call me Em."

"Tammy," The cheetah said happily as she gave the otter a wink. "That's Ash and Samantha, our newest recruit."

A lovely she-wolf raised her glass at Em and gave her a nod.

"How many days?" Em asked as she put her drink tray under one of her arms.

"First day out of field training," Samantha admitted before taking a sip of her bright green drink.

"Well, it's our first day too Samantha," Em said with a sweet smile. "Looks like we have a tradition in the works."

"Oh, I like this idea!" Tammy exclaimed in a way that made the other ladies nearly jump. "Every year we have to come back and celebrate the new girl."

"Every year?" Samantha asked as she set her drink down. "You kitting me if Em is making my drinks I am coming back every night."

"Looking forward to it Sam," Em said with a smirk followed by a wink.

The otter excused herself and made her way through the bar. The way the otter managed to weave through the crowd and all the different sized tables and chairs made it look like some kind of well-practiced dance.

Echo would occasionally catch herself watching Em and how she moved with such confidence even when surrounded by such large mammals. Most of them carrying with them some kind of authority. The otter, however, treated everyone with the same kind of warmth and friendliness as if they were old friends.

Em arrived back at the main bar. The otter climbing up a barstool and then onto the bartop next to Delta. Echo had told Em early on that the otter was allowed to climb wherever she needed if it meant getting the job done. Something that the otter had started doing since she started at the bar.

"Well hey there," Delta said with a chuckle.

"How ya doing handsome?" Em asked as she strolled down the bartop, glancing at the canine's half-empty glass.

"Oh Echo has been very attentive," Delta said with a smirk.

"Well don't hesitate to call for me if ya need," Em began. "I can be very attentive as well."

The otter put a little sway in her step as she strolled away from the canine who almost had to pick his jaw off the bartop.

"Oh I like Em," Delta said as he glanced back at Echo who gave her brother a knowing look. "What?"

Echo reached over and gave Delta a quick flick of the nose which caused him to nearly fall off his seat.

"Ack! Echo what the heck."

"Look but don't touch," Echo said firmly. "I really like that girl and I don't need you chasing her for a little game of painted playtime."

Delta held up his paws innocently, "I have no idea what you are talking about."

"Amber?"

"So?"

"Nicole?"

"Alright, she was just really sweet and only looking-"

"Kristy?"

"Oh, you had to bring her up."

"Casi?"

Delta froze and his eyes went wide as he looked at his sister, "She told you?"

"What?! No, she didn't! You just did!" Echo shouted as she reached over and grabbed her brother by the arm so she could bring him close as she began to pelt him on the top of the head. "You and Casi?! Oh my gosh! Really?! I can't believe you! She is my best friend!"

"Ack Echo! Stop!" Delta barked as he tried to cover his head. "Officer needs assistance!"

A few officers in the bar looked up at the scene but most could tell Delta probably deserved it so they simply went back to their drinks while the painted dog was smacked around by his sister.

"She came onto me though," Delta tried to explain.

Echo however covered her ears and began to shake her head, "Nope. Not listening. Lalalalala."

What saved Delta from further punishment from his sister was a rather rowdy arrival of new mammals over at the entrance to the bar.

The door to the 10-7 seemed to burst open and all eyes went to a group of rather annoyed looking firefighters. A russet tinted painted dog at the front with fire in his eyes.

"Alright donut munchers!" The painted dog began as he scanned the room. "Where is he?"

Several officers began to chuckle as the fire mammals spread throughout the bar. Some of them joining a few of the tables while others greeted a few friends at the bar. Being first responders meant many of them had met one way or another while on the job.

"You looking for something hose dragger?" Came a laugh from somewhere in the bar.

"Hey Engine 72, the scene is safe!" Came a shout before many of the patrons burst into laughter. The joke being that on several occasions the ZFD would not respond until the ZPD had declared that the scene was secure and safe for them to work.

A smug smirk was on Delta's lips as he turned in his seat and raised a glass towards the other painted dog, "Bravo! Was getting worried you weren't going to make it."

Bravo's amber eyes went right to Delta and dilated as he began to stomp over to his brother at the bar.

"You!"

"Me," Delta said as he took a swig from his glass.

"Ya, you!" Came an annoyed females voice as a lovely panther made her way through the crowd and arrived at the bar, crossing her arms as she stood next to Bravo and glared at the happy painted mammal in front of them.

"You!" Echo joined in as she pointed at Casi before she pointed at Delta. Casi, however, was too focused on Delta.

"My truck had a parking boot on it," Bravo said aloud.

Delta tried to look innocent as he put on a fake surprised expression that fooled no one, "Really? Well sounds like you should take that up with the parking authority."

"I know it was you," Bravo growled as he grabbed Delta's shirt and brought him close.

"Yeah," Casi said as she leaned in.

Delta looked over at Casi, his breath reeking of beer, "Oh by the way Echo knows."

Casi's eyes went wide, "Knows what?"

"That you have low standards," Echo shouted as she waved her paws about. "I mean Casi really?"

"Wait hold up!" Bravo said as he looked at Casi, a broad smile now on his muzzle. "Oh, no way."

"Shut up!" Casi growled, her tail flicking slightly behind her.

"Well it's about time some mammals with class showed up," Em said as the otter arrived at the bar, an empty drink tray under her arm.

"Oh yeah, we got a ton of class," Bravo scoffed, still holding onto his brother's shirt as Delta took another swig from his glass. "How ya been Em?"

"Pretty good cutie," Em said sweetly as she hopped up on the bar. She then glanced over at Casi and gave the feline a warm smile. "How is my sweet Casi doing tonight?"

"Oh think she is spoken for," Echo snorted which caused Casi to look away, the predator obviously a little flustered.

"Oh that obviously has a story behind it," Em said happily. "Maybe a drink to loosen those lovely lips?"

"As long as it's on his tab," Bravo grumbled as he released his brother and took a seat next to his fellow painted dog who leaned against him.

"Oh yeah, put it on my tab," Delta said as he winked over at Echo.

"You are not going to drink free forever you painted pain in the butt," Echo grumbled.

"Oh he isn't," Em said as she grinned over at Delta. "He has to at least tip me."

Delta nodded and raised his glass before he drained the contents and set it down.

"So one more for my handsome boy in blue," Em began which got a smirk from Delta. "What about my favorites from the firehouse?"

"I'll have whatever the meter maid is having," Bravo chuckled which got a gentle shove from, his brother.

"Same," Casi managed to get out as she sat next to Delta.

"Aww," Echo began as she leaned on the bar top just in front of her best friend. "You two have the same drink preferences too?"

Casi closed her eyes and slowly looked over at Delta who did not dare look back at the panther who was easily a head taller than him.

"We are going to have words about your loose lips later," Casi growled.

"You weren't complaining about my lips the other-" Delta began before a large black paw covered his muzzle.

Both Echo and Bravo let out a laugh, the female painted dog having to excuse herself as a series of snorts came from her nose.

As the scene played out Em watched from the beer taps. Filling several glasses with a local special. She glanced from her task and couldn't help but let a smile grace her lovely lips. She slowly scanned the large bar with her brilliantly green eyes and took everything in.

It was amazing how much things had changed. At the start of the evening, the bar was empty and she had been worried that Echo's little experiment had failed. Now they had a bar full of thirsty patrons.

There were mammals in different half uniforms from all over the city. This being a bar meant that most of them couldn't drink in full gear. Most of them had removed their uniform tops and replaced them with different department shirts.

Em began to play a little game in her mind as she checked off all the different departments, firehouses, detachments, and specialty unit shirts she saw.

At first, the 10-7 had just been filled with mammals from the ZPD. Now though there were folks from ZFD, ZEMS, dispatch centers, and even a few nurses. Em had a feeling that if tonight was any hint as to what was going to be ahead for the 10-7 then she would see many more different mammals of all shapes and sizes from all over the city.

She then looked back at Echo. The painted dog standing behind the bar, her eyes closed as she continued to laugh at her brother's hijinks.

Em glanced down and looked at the metal leg that had brought them all here. If it hadn't been for what Echo had been through then none of this would have happened.

Even the darkest of events could bring forth something so bright and wonderful.

Em finished filling up the drinks for the three thirsty mammals in front of Echo and sauntered over. Passing out the glasses to the grateful first responders.

The small otter then did something a little odd. She turned around and beamed at Echo who smiled back at the small mammal in front of her.

Em opened up her arms and leaned forward, wrapping her small arms around Echo who seemed surprised at first but was more than happy to return the affection she was receiving.

"Congrats boss," Em whispered as a tear rolled down her cheek.

"Thanks, Em," Echo said softly as she closed her eyes and placed a paw on the back of Em's head, holding the otter close. "For...well...everything."

"Well ain't that cute," Came a gruff voice from behind Echo as Mac slid by. "No no, don't mind me. You two just keep cuddling and I'll run the whole damn pub myself."

Em and Echo both chuckled as they parted, the girls needing a moment to compose themselves.

"Alright, "Echo said as she took in a deep breath and put her paws together. "We better get back to work. Looks like we are getting a little full."

"Correction," Em said as she stood up straight and looked out at the sea of mammals. "We are full boss...Your bar is full."


The Bar is open!

I had so much fun working on this one. I know its a bit focused on our lovely painted owner but Em preferred it that way so she could focus on her patrons. The next chapter will have a lot of focus on our sweet bar otter. While we are stuck inside I am trying my best to keep the chapters coming. In the meantime, you all stay safe out there.

-Blue