Disclaimer: I do not own Zootopia or any of its characters, they all belong to Disney.
Caught the Wind
Chapter 3
Nick pulled into the driveway and stopped behind Ben's car. He stared at the large house for a few seconds and popped his trunk. Then he got out, being the gentlefox he was, ran around the car and opened the door for his bunny. They went to the trunk, each grabbing a couple of boxes, and walked up the driveway to Ben's car.
"Come on, follow me!" the Cheetah said and led them to the back door.
The Cheetah fumbled with his keys, trying his best to get the key in the lock, and not to drop the box. Jill quickly slipped her box under his, steadying it. He looked into her beautiful purple eyes and smiled. When he finally got the door open he heard beeping. Quickly dumping his box on the kitchen table he punched in the code, disabling the alarm system. The last thing he wanted was for it to go off and then have to explain to the responding ZPD officers what had happened.
Then he remembered the last time it happened. He'd forgotten the number and sixty seconds later while he was searching for the code it went off. It was loud enough that it actually hurt his ears. He finally found the instruction manual where he'd written it and punched in the four digits. Then like clockwork ten minutes later two ZPD officers were knocking on his door. Of course he had to explain what happened. They tried not to laugh, but couldn't help themselves. They did promised not tell anyone. Apparently that only lasted till they got back to the station unlike the ribbing which lasted for several days afterwards.
At the same time the others squeezed by and put their burdens beside his. Ben closed the door and turned to his friends.
"Thank you helping us," Jill said before her Cheetah could.
"No problem," Nick said and put an arm around his bunny. "Ben's my best friend and you're my fiancée's sister. What else could we do?"
Jill hugged them both.
"Come on," the Cheetah said, retrieving his box, "let me show you my room."
It looked like a shrine to Gazelle, Nick thought and chuckled.
"Do you have Gazelle hidden around here too?"
"Maybe now he has something even better," the tall Rabbit said and looked at her Cheetah.
He remembered Jill's little red dress and then her performance a few nights ago. His ears promptly turned pink. Nick covered his muzzle, trying his best not to laugh.
"Come on," Judy said, trying her best not to laugh either, and turned and walked toward the door. "Let's get the rest of her stuff."
It only took only two more trips.
"You don't have all that much," Nick said, putting down his box.
"Just my clothes, my computer, and my Gazelle collection," she said and looked around the room. "I certainly don't need anything else since Ben's got everything else." She walked to bed and experimentally sat on it. "Feels good." She bounced on it a few time and then lay back. "Comfortable."
Purple eyes met golden ones and she winced.
"Remember we have to be at Precinct One by noon," Ben said, looking at nightstand clock and trying not the blush again. "We only have a couple of hours. I'll make some lunch."
"We will," Jill said.
Jill was quiet for a time while she helped her lover.
"You sure I can't help?" Judy yelled.
"We've got it," Ben said as he flipped another pancake.
"I'm sorry," she said and sighed. Ben looked at her and their eyes met. "I did it again, didn't I."
"Yes."
"Are you angry?"
"No."
"I love you."
"I love you too."
"I'm sorry," she said and hugged him.
He put a finger under her chin and lifted her head. Then he kissed her.
"Maybe I should check," Judy said and stood.
"Carrots, Ben said he had it under control," he said and leaned back in his chair. "Have you considered that they might want to have some time alone?"
"Nicholas P. Wilde is that all you think about?!" she said, her ears coming up. "Se..."
She cut herself off and her Fox smiled.
"You can say that word," he said and winked. "I've heard it before."
She growled and then turned and stomped off toward the kitchen. Only when she'd got close to the door did she notice that it had gotten quiet. Then she opened the door a crack and peeked in.
"Ben," she said when they finally came up for air.
He gently leaned her head back and licked her throat. A minute later neither of them heard nor particularly cared that the door squeaked.
Judy felt her face grow warm and her ears felt like they were on fire. She turned and found her Fox standing right behind her and jumped - literally.
"So," he said quietly in his smoothest voice and smiled.
"Nick!" she hissed quietly.
"Just what did you see?"
"Nick!"
"Were they...?" he asked and raised an eyebrow.
"No!"
"Are you sure?"
"Move!" she said and pushed past him.
"Maybe I should just check."
"Nicholas Piberius Wilde!" she said, quietly enunciating each word, and stopped, not facing him.
After a few seconds she continued and he chuckled and then followed.
They smelled something burning and Ben quickly tossed the smoking pancake into the sink and ran water on it. Jill giggled and then poured more batter on the griddle.
"I guess we got a bit carried away," she said and smiled.
"We did, didn't we," he said and reached for her. She stepped just out of reach and then touched her throat. "Did I hurt you?"
"Just checking."
"I was careful."
"Once I overheard my father tell my mother the same thing, but a few months later I had a few new brothers and sisters," she said and Ben laughed. Then he reached to her again and she swatted his hand. "Let's just finish making lunch before they start wondering what's happening in here."
Nick kept looking at the kitchen door and then back at his bunny.
"Nick, don't you even think of going over there!"
He smiled.
"Do you smell something burning?"
"No!"
"So just what did you see?" he said and grinned.
"Nothing!"
"And nothing made your ears turn red," he said and his bunny looked away. "Were they kissing?"
"No."
"Were they making love?"
"Of course not!"
"Then what exactly were they doing?"
"I don't want to talk about it!"
"Is it something we've done?" he asked, raising an eyebrow and smiling.
She turned back to him and her ears turned a cherry red again. He chuckled and then went to her.
"You just stay over there!" she said, but a moment later felt his arms go around her. "Nick!"
Then he kissed her.
Ten minutes later they finished cooking without any other "interruptions." They picked up the serving trays and pushed through the kitchen door. Jill came to an abrupt halt and since Ben was taller he saw the same thing and also stopped before crashing into his bunny. Jill glanced over her shoulder and both quickly and very very quietly retreated back into the kitchen. They both set their trays on the kitchen table and Jill buried her face in her Cheetah's chest fur, shaking with quiet laughter. Ben had to bite his tongue not to join her.
After a couple of minutes she looked into golden eyes and smiled.
"So," she said, her purple eyes twinkling.
"I wonder if..."
"My nosy sister," she said and smiled. "I hope she got an eye full!"
Ben's ears turned pink.
"Oh stop blushing!" she said and lightly punched him in the ribs. "It's not like she caught us making love or anything."
"It's still embarrassing!"
"And we caught them doing the same thing," she said and sighed. "So now we're even." Her ears came up and swiveled toward the door. "We'll just give them a few minutes."
Ben's ears turned red and the Rabbit rolled her eyes.
"Lunch is served!" Jill bellowed before pushing through the swinging door. "Sorry to keep you waiting, but things took a just bit longer than expected."
"That's OK," Nick said and looked at his bunny. "We... talked."
She set the tray on the table and glanced at the Fox. He grinned.
"Blueberry pancakes," she said and lifted the cover. "Judy tells me they're your favorites."
Nick looked at the stack and smiled.
"So what are you having?"
"A new Fox rug if you don't behave yourself!"
Judy burst out laughing and the tall Rabbit winked back at him. Nick looked at his best friend and the Cheetah only shrugged.
"We'll be back around eight," Ben said and hugged his bunny, "and go out for supper. Sorry to leave you by yourself."
"Don't worry," she said and smiled. "I'll just do a bit of exploring." Ben cocked his head and she made shooing motions. "Go on or you'll be late and from what you've told me about Bogo you really don't want to be late.
"I love you," he said and kissed her.
"I love you too," she said and pushed him out the door. "Go!"
Then she went to their room and put away her clothes and looked at his Gazelle collection. They had a lot of the same things and she decided to simply put hers together with his. Afterward she looked at the result and smiled. Then she looked at the clock – that used up an hour. Next it was time to explore the house.
Ben had told her that he'd inherited it from his Aunt about ten years ago. He'd always liked it went he was a kid and guessed that she'd figured it out. He'd only found out that it was his when her will was read. No one had been more surprised that he was at the time. She'd also left him enough money to pay the inheritance taxes and then some. The house – no this is a mansion, she thought – had eight bedrooms upstairs with a bathroom in each – four on each side of a grand staircase between. Downstairs was a library, game room, TV room, dining room, kitchen, hobby room, an office, a laundry, and a music room. She'd guessed he must've added the game and TV rooms himself after he'd moved in. Idly she wondered why he hadn't put his Gazelle collection in the hobby room.
She wondered about the large safe in that room and thought it must have something to do with a few stamps, coins, and the reference books about each she'd found scattered on the large table which sat in the middle of the room. Then she noticed more reference books in a large bookcase at the back of the room too. Taking a closer look he tried guessing what types of stamps and coins interested him, but the books seemed not to be on anything specific in either hobby. She herself still avidly collected stamps and wondered just what Ben might have. She also had a passing interest in coins and would ask him about those too.
Next she wondered into the game room and found a dozen of the old cabinet arcade games that she'd played as a kit. They all took a quarter and she searched in her pockets, finding she didn't have any change. Then experimentally she pushed the credit button on the first one and the game started. She played each of them – several two or three times – and only then noticed three hours had passed. She'd actually set the high score on several, entering her initials afterwards. She quickly went through the rest of the house and then went to their bedroom for her smartphone. Next it was time to explore the neighborhood.
Jill made quite sure that she had both her key and the code to disable the alarm when she returned. Then she set the alarm, stepped outside, and locked the deadbolt. The forecast said there would be a light rain later toward evening, but she took her umbrella anyway. When had they ever got the weather forecast correct? She chuckled and tried to decide which way to go. She looked at her smartphone for a moment and then started toward the business district.
Her phone did tell her about each business and she'd read some of the reviews beforehand, but wanted to see for herself. The business district was only about four blocks square and only ten blocks from the house. She made the walk in only ten minutes and first came to a grocery. There were three in the area and today she was going to have a look at all of them. She wondered in and went straight to fresh fruits and vegetables section. She inspected the selection and her sensitive nose pick of the scent of a nearby Wolf. She turned and looked down at the small wolf cub staring up at her.
"You're a bunny," he said and she smiled.
"I am," she said and dropped to her knees to be nearer to his level. "My name is Jill. What's yours?"
"Mike," he said, looking into her purple eyes. "Why are you so big?"
She knew this would happen eventually, but didn't think it would happen quite this soon. Unconsciously her ears came up and she watched his eyes follow them.
"It's just the way God made me."
"Will I be as big as you?"
"Probably bigger."
"Really!"
"Really."
Just then a female wolf came around one of the isles.
"Mike, I told you not to wonder off!" she said and then noticed the Rabbit. Jill watched her eyes widen. "Sorry if he's been bothering you."
"We've been having a good time."
"Mom, I found a bunny!" he said quickly. "Isn't she big?!"
The wolf cocked her head.
"I've read about you."
"Jillian Anne Hopps," she said, standing, and then extended a hand.
"The largest Rabbit in the world," the Wolfess said, taking the proffered hand.
"That's me."
"Sorry, I didn't mean to..."
"It's OK."
"I'm Mary Louve," she said and smiled. "Are you visiting?"
"I just moved to the neighborhood today and I'm just out exploring."
"Where'd you move in?" the Wolfess said unconsciously. "Sorry that was kinda nosy."
"No problem," she said and grinned. "1867 Oak Place."
The wolf looked puzzled for a moment.
"That's Ben's house."
"Ben and I," she began and looked at Mike for a moment. Then she looked back in the Wolfess' yellow eyes, "are friends."
"Oh," she said and then glanced at her son. "I remember you're Judy Hopps' sister."
"Twin, and as you may have guessed we're identical - almost."
They looked at each other for a moment and laughed. Mike looked back and forth between the two.
"I like Ben," he said, drawing their attention, and then looked at the Rabbit. "Does he love you?"
She looked at the cub's mother for a moment and saw her begin to speak.
"Yes," she said, dropping to her knees again, "and I love him too."
He looked at her for a moment.
"My mom is having cubs," he said and Jill had a feeling she knew what was coming next. "Will yours be bunnies or Cheetahs?"
She heard a sigh escape from his mother and smiled.
"Well I don't really know, but maybe a just little of each."
"Jill..."
"Maybe we can talk while we shop if you don't mind," she said and winked. Then she noticed the Wolfess' ears had turned a bit pink. "Just let me just get a cart."
They made it back to Ben's house just as the downpour began. So much for the weather forecast, she thought as she opened the door and heard the alarm begin to beep. At least the house had a broad porch so nothing would get wet while they made several trips to bring the grocery bags inside. She quickly punched in the code she'd memorized and the beeping abruptly ceased. She sighed and went to the kitchen, setting the first two bags on the table. The Wolfess was just behind her with two more. It took three more trips to bring in the rest.
"I'm glad you brought your cart," Jill said and smiled. "Thanks. I didn't even think about that."
"I think Ben has one around here somewhere."
"Do you want to bring in your bags in?" Jill asked, hearing the rain beating down on the roof.
"I don't live that far."
"You go out there now and you and Mike will be soaked to the skin in ten seconds flat even with my umbrella."
Mary looked out the window and then back at the Rabbit.
"When you're right you're right," she said and they started back to get her bags.
She didn't have as much as Jill and only had to put a couple of thing into the refrigerator.
"Now I'd better get cooking," he said and began unwrapping several of the packages.
"I thought you said you were going out to dinner."
"I'm sure they'll appreciate a home cooked meal instead."
"So what are we making?"
"We?"
"I see you've got some meats so I thought you might need some help."
"I've cooked meat before," she said and saw the surprise on Mary's face, "and even tried some." The Wolfess' mouth dropped open and she looked at the Rabbit like she might explode. "Didn't you know that Rabbits were secretly preds?"
Then she smiled and Mary laughed.
"You really ate meat!" Mike said wide-eyed.
"Yes and like really like little Wolf cubs," she said, lifting him into her arm, and pretending to nibble on an ear.
He giggled.
Jill looked at the clock – 7:34pm. Well they ought to be home pretty soon, she thought and smiled. Mary and Mike had gone home an hour earlier when the rain had finally quit. She knew that both fish and turkey tended to dry out if you weren't careful and the Wolfess had given her some excellent pointers on cooking them. She knew how to cook chicken since a friendly vixen in BunnyBurrow had helped her first time she'd tried. She went back to check the food and it was perfect. Then she went to set the dining room table.
Sensitive ears came up, hearing cars pull into the driveway, and a few seconds later their doors slammed shut. Then footfalls on the porch echoed through the house and she hurried to the front door. It opened and she went to her Cheetah and kissed him. Their kiss lingered.
"Well now I can't wait to be married," Nick said and looked at his bunny whose ears began to turn pink. "A beautiful bunny greets at the door and smothers you with kisses."
He looked back and grinned.
"Nick, stop staring!" Judy hissed.
They heard laughter a few second later.
"We don't mind," Jill said and winked at her sister.
"Is that supper I smell?" Nick said.
"A home cooked meal to celebrate my first day living with Ben," she said and looked at her Cheetah. "I know you said something about going out. I hope you don't mind."
"We didn't make reservations or anything," Ben said and hugged her. "It was just a walk-in place nearby."
"Well then let's eat!" Nick said, watching the couple still holding each other, "or would you two rather be alone."
Judy punched him the ribs.
Jill brought in the food and watched her sister inspect it.
"No carrots," she said and then watched her sister relax. "I swear."
Jill held up one hand like she was taking an oath and Nick and Ben chuckled.
"Good," her twin said and then sat.
"As you can see we have foods for both preds and prey," she said and looked at Nick and Ben. "I even got some pointers from a friendly Wolf named Mary."
"Her son and some other children come over once in a while," he said and smiled. "They seem to love those old video games."
"I spend three hours in there myself before I'd noticed."
"That's happened to me a few times too," Ben said, remembering being late to the station once and the consequences thereafter. "They can be quite..."
"Addictive?" Judy said and smiled.
"I even set high score on a few of them," Jill said, ignoring her sister.
"Really," Nick said and raised an eyebrow. "Maybe after supper we can have a little competition."
"OK," Jill said and winked at the Fox. "I hope you like losing."
Ben chuckled.
"I played those games for years."
"We'll just see about that," Judy said, getting into competitive spirit.
Shortly thereafter supper became a more hurried affair.
The other competitors followed Ben to the game room and soon stood before the arcade games. Ben continued to a closet and returned with a stool, setting before the diminutive Rabbit.
"The children use these when," he began and saw her face. Then he heard her growl, but only continued in lowering voice and a longer pause between each word, "when they come over."
Nick cleared his throat and Judy looked at him, her purple eyes blazing.
"Just one word Slick and you'll eat this!" she said, leaving a pause and thumping the stool between each word.
Nick first looked at Jill and then at his best friend, his eyes pleading. Jill simply walked over to the closet and returned with two stools – one tall than the other. She set the shorter one before the Fox.
"I thought you might need one too," she said, patting a red furred shoulder. "And I like to sit when I play."
"I'm good," Ben said.
Judy glanced at the Cheetah and he gulped.
"OK, here's the rules," Jill began, again ignoring her sister. "We each play three games on each machine and whoever gets the most high scores wins."
Nick was quite good. Apparently not all his time living on the streets of Zootopia was spent hustling, Jill thought. Judy was just a bit better, but Jill and Ben were phenomenal. It was tied and came down to the last game where they were playing against each other on the same machine. Jill reached the 256th board first, clearing it, and then the game returned to the first board. Ben was still on the 227th board and was down to his last five lives, but he continued doggedly on.
After clearing several more boards Jill positioned her avatar at one particular spot, before excusing herself. While she was away the others watched and the game's 'bad guys' simply ignored her avatar. When she returned, she cracked new knuckles, relaxed, and smiled at the others.
"What did you do?" Judy asked.
"Nothing," she said and smiled. "There's a bug in this game. On certain boards you put your avatar on a particular spot and it's invisible to the game."
"Where'd you find out about that?" Nick asked.
"Find out," she said and grinned. "I discovered it when I was thirteen."
"You played these games before," Ben said, sweeping an arm across them.
"Yes, of course," she said and looked over at her Cheetah. "In my misspent youth I played these and many others." She continued twenty more boards before she lost her avatar, but she had many more lives. They watched Ben clear a few more boards. "If you put you avatar here," she touched the screen, "you can take a break."
Ben immediately went for the spot, released the joy sticks, and flexed his fingers. Then he chuckled and looked at his bunny.
"Thank you," he said and pulled her to him. "I love you!"
Then he kissed her and Nick looked at his bunny and winked. Judy rolled her eyes.
"That was nice," she said and then noticed the clock across the room. "2:37!"
"We have roll call at 9am!" Judy cried. "Nick, by the time you take me home it'll be 3:30 before you get to bed."
"Well, we could just..." he began.
"There are eight bedrooms in this house," Ben interrupted and smiled, having a fairly good idea what he was going to suggest. "Just spend the night here."
Jill always was an early riser and glanced at the clock on the nightstand – 7:22. She'd set it for 7:30 and thought she might as well get up. She moved and felt Ben's arms tighten around her.
"Ben, time to get up," she said and turned toward him.
"Couldn't we just stay in bed all day?"
"We could, but I bet Chief Bogo wouldn't be happy."
"But I would," he said and she chuckled.
"And what about me?" she asked and he only grinned.
"Well, I think I could make you happy too."
"Really."
"I could call in and say I'm..."
"You could and Bogo wouldn't believe you," she said and sighed. He lay back in bed. "You get yourself ready and I'll make breakfast." She leaded over and kissed her Cheetah. Then felt his arms go around her. "We don't time to that!" She wiggled out of his grasp. "Time for you to get up!"
She stood, put on a robe, and went to wake up the other two sleepyheads.
Judy woke first at the knock on the door and moment later so did her Fox.
"Can I come in?"
"Yes," Nick said.
"No, we're in bed together!"
"As you may recall she's already seen that," he said and the door opened.
"Its 7:30 and you need to get up and get ready," she said and smiled, noticing her twin's pink ears. "I'll have breakfast ready in fifteen minutes. Be there on time or I'll eat it all myself!"
They both quickly got out of bed hurried toward the bathroom. They both stopped at the door and stared at each other. Jill smiled.
"There is another bathroom the bedroom next door, you know."
Then they both glared at her and she laughed.
Exactly fifteen minutes later breakfast was on the dining room table. Jill was glad she'd made extra those pancakes yesterday or she couldn't have gotten breakfast done quite so quickly. All she had to do is warm them up, beat and fry a dozen chicken eggs, drop a few pieces of bread in the toaster, and make a large salad. She'd do better tomorrow, she thought when she had more time. A minute later she heard them coming down the stairs.
"Well, I was beginning to think I really would have to eat it all myself!"
"Thanks Jill," Nick said as he sat.
"I hope you all slept well."
"I'm sure glad you noticed the time last night," Ben said and smiled. "You're sure we can finish up the game tonight?"
"As long as the machine doesn't die we can start just where we left off," she said and returned her Cheetah's smile. "Tonight I'll be cooking dinner if you want to come."
"I want to see you win," Nick said.
"Don't be too sure Ben's pretty good!" Judy said.
Jill only raised an eyebrow and smiled.
She walked through the house from top to bottom again. Admittedly Ben was a very neat Cheetah, but she got out the vacuum cleaner anyway. It took two hours to finish and she only had to empty the vacuum four times. Not too bad, she thought and started washing the kitchen floor. She'd changed the sheets and made the beds while she was upstairs and another hour passed, looking at the clock while we put away the mop. The wash had finished and she tossed it into the drier. Then she spied an air intake for the central heat and air. She opened it and the filter looked brand new. Ben must have just changed it recently, she thought and began looking for the others. She found the other four and only had to change the filters in the two in the hallways upstairs.
Then she heard the drier buzzed and folded and put everything away. She looked at the clock and it was lunchtime. So she warmed the leftover vegetables from dinner and made a salad, even tossing in some of the leftover chicken. Thirty minutes later she finished and washed the dishes. Then she went out to finish exploring the rest of the business district. When she got home she started dinner since they would be home at the latest 5:30. Almost on the dot she heard the car doors shut and a minute later her Cheetah was in her arms. They had dinner and then went to the game room where she beat the pants off Ben. Judy and Nick spent the night again and the next morning she made breakfast. Once they'd left she looked around the empty house and made a decision – she needed to find a job soon! As she walked back to the kitchen she saw that day's Zootopia Times lying on the living room coffee table and snatched it up. She sat at the kitchen table and started reading.
"I'd like to speak to the mayor," she said and after the Deer finished typing he looked up.
He continued and finally met her eyes. Jill first saw surprise on his face and then recognition. She smiled.
"You are?" he said automatically, even though he knew exactly who she was.
"Jillian Anne Hopps," she responded and smiled again. "Please let her know I'm here. I'm fairly sure Catherine will see me."
"Please have a seat," he said and pointed across the room, "and I'll send her a text."
Jill took a seat, but she didn't have to wait long. She glanced at the clock as the door opened and the Fox stepped out. Two minutes and ten seconds – that was quicker than she thought it would be. She stood and met the vixen halfway. She'd extended a hand, but Catherine had other ideas and hugged her. Jill returned it and then chuckled.
"We need to talk," she whispered in the vixen's ear.
"About?"
"Could we go to your office?"
"Of course," she said and led the way.
This was going to be easier than she thought and grinned.
Catherine sat behind her desk and Jill continued to stand.
"Please have a seat."
"I will, but first let me show you something," she said and reached into her backpack. She laid the pistol on Catherine's desk and heard a few intakes of breath behind her. Only then did she sit. "You need bodyguards and better security." She heard someone behind her tapping on a phone. "I'm also a reserve police officer on the BPD."
"How'd you get in here with that?!" she asked and picked up the pistol, noticing that it wasn't loaded.
"It was easy," she said and held out her hand. Catherine returned it to her and she began to dissemble it. "It's mostly plastic and uses caseless ammunition which is also plastic. Only the barrel is partially metal."
"So the metal detectors didn't work," she said and picked up the barrel.
"That didn't matter," she said and laid a second pistol on her desk. "This one isn't plastic."
"How?"
"Let me show you."
They rode the elevator down to the public parking level and then walked outside to the rear of the building. Jill looked at her watch – 11:30.
"Now watch," she said, pointing to a nondescript handless gray door.
A minute it popped open and two animals walked out, turned away from them and toward the main street at the end of the alley. For the next ten minutes they watched as twenty other animals came out signally and in small groups.
"So that's how you got in."
"Yep," she said and grinned, her ears coming up. "Let me show you." They walked down the next block to the main street and then back down the alley. She pointed up. "Look the camera's been moved." They walked up to the door and Jill took out a short crowbar from her backpack. She shoved it between the door and its frame. Then she gave it a push and the door popped open. "See the latch bolt has been jammed in." She pointed to the latch which was being held back by a small piece of metal. "This is a maintenance room."
"Which looks like it hasn't been used in decades," the Mayor said, first looking in, and then entered.
"I thought exactly the same thing," the Rabbit said, first removing the small piece of metal with a pair of needle nose pliers and then pulling the door shut.
She made sure it would now lock.
She started to the room's other door that opened onto a dingy hallway which ended at an service elevator. Jill pushed the button and the doors immediately opened. They entered and she pushed the 'up' button. The elevator began to rise and twenty seconds later it stopped. The doors opened onto another dingy hallway.
"We're now on the second floor," Jill said and Catherine sighed.
"Bypassing security."
"Let's go back to your office and chat," the Rabbit said and put an arm around Catherine. "I'm hungry. How about you?"
Fortunately the Mayor's office had a small kitchenette with a refrigerator and microwave where Jill could warm the leftovers from the previous night's dinner.
"You're a good cook!" Catherine said and then took another bite of chicken.
"Thank you," she said and took another sip of soup. "Let me ask you a something." The vixen's eyebrows rose. "Did you actually serve Judy carrots?" The vixen nodded and Jill chucked. "God, I wish I would've been there!"
Catherine rolled her eyes.
"Now tell me how you figured out how to get into this building."
Jill took another sip and then smiled.
"I'm a clever bunny."
"And a smartass."
"Thank you," she said and winked. "Well..."
The vixen held up a finger, silencing the rabbit.
"Before you do let me make a call."
Ten minutes later City Hall's security chief knocked on the Mayor's door and waited.
"Come."
The Jaguar entered and a saw a street person sitting in a chair across from the Mayor. He couldn't even tell if the person was male or female nor even the species of Animal since the old clothes covered the person's body from head to toe.
"Mayor Wilde, is there a problem?"
"Yes," she said and then indicated the other chair. "This is my new body guard Jillian Anne Hopps." The name rang bell, but he couldn't remember where he'd heard it. "Today she was able to break into the building twice with these." Two pistols appeared from under the person's clothes and were laid on the Mayor's desk. "And she made it all the way to my outer office without anyone stopping her. Although she did change her clothes once she broke in the first time." He heard a snicker from the pile of clothes. "The second time we both broke into the building." He felt himself wince. "Jill."
She threw back her hood and smiled at the look on the Jaguar's face.
"Once upon a time there was a clever bunny," she began and Catherine sighed.
Jill made it home just in time to start dinner and greeted her Cheetah with a kiss. Then Nick being Nick swept up his bunny and kissed her too. Ben looked at them and then at his bunny. She smiled and they walked toward the kitchen.
"So are we giving them some privacy or do you have other things in mind?" she asked and watched his ears turn pink. Then she kissed him and it lingered. "Well, am I the predator now?"
He laughed and then hugged her.
"I have an idea."
"Several no doubt," she said, feeling his body pressing against hers.
His ears turned a just bit pinker.
"It's about Nick and Judy," he said and her eyebrows rose. "I was thinking of asked them to move in with us."
"You think all four of us could fit in your room."
Ben laughed.
"It is the largest bedroom in the house," he said and this time she laughed. "Both their apartments are dumps and this house has plenty of room. Would you mind?"
"Ben, it is your house."
"You live here too," he said and she kissed him again. "Is that a yes?"
"Sure."
The next day they moved in after work. Neither of them had that much and like Jill all their possessions fit in Ben and Nick's cars. They took the bedroom farthest from Ben's and were settled in within an hour. Fortunately Judy's lease was up at the Grande Pangolin Arms at the next month and Nick's landlord was an old friend who'd simply let him out of his.
"So," Jill said after sinking the 6 ball.
"Ben seems to be a good landlord so far," Nick said and winked at the Cheetah, "but we really do want to pay you something."
"Please Ben," Judy said, giving him her best wide-eyed look.
"OK... OK... you pay half the utilities and for half the food then," he said and shrugged. "OK?"
"And I'll help with the cooking and we'll both help with the cleaning," Judy said, crossing her arms and bouncing on her toes.
Jill looked dubious at the prospect.
"So has mom been..."
"I can cook, can't I Nick."
"Of course," he said and looked at the other couple and smiled.
"Since we were helping you move I haven't cooked anything, but I'll order some pizzas."
"And tonight's movie night!" Judy said.
"Well then let's go pick out one," Ben said and led them to the TV room.
Although Mayor Wilde had only given her a week arrange for her security she did go City Hall each day after the others had left, continuing to probe the building for security problems. Just to show the Jaguar that she was correct she walked the plastic pistol though the security checkpoint at the main entrance and set it on his desk. He just stared at her and she smiled.
"These are harder to get than metal guns, but they are not too hard to make with a 3D printer," she said and shrugged. "Either you'll need to get more sensitive scanners or you'll need search everyone."
"We'll end up with lines out the door if we hand search everyone!" he said and thumped his desk.
"Then you have your solution," she said and shrugged again. Then he leaned back in his chair and sighed.
"On a brighter note I haven't found another way to sneak in... yet."
"I'm sure you will," he said disgustedly.
"Me too," she said and turned to the door. "I'll let you know when I do though."
"Just get out!" he said and she chuckled.
The Rabbit went back to Catherine's office to work, finalizing the personnel for the mayor's security detail. They would arrive from BunnyBurrow in two days as would the specialized equipment she'd ordered.
On time two days later they pulled up at Ben's house in the partially modified SUV.
"Mike, Rose, it's good to see you!" she said as they stepped out and hugged them both. "Mike, the rest of the stuff for the SUV arrived a couple of hours ago and I had them put it in the garage. It's around back and it has all the tools you'll need."
"Thanks Jill," Mike said.
"And good to see you too," Rose said and hugged her. "You're my favorite bunny."
"Being told that by an apex predator is just a bit unnerving."
"Don't worry I'm a tame Cheetah," she said and giggled.
"Most of the time," Mike said and quickly ducked as she tried to swat him.
"Tame huh," she muttered and then she looked at the other three. "Red."
"Jill, you causin' trouble again?" the vixen said.
"Of course," she said and held out a hand, "and that's why I thought of you first."
The vixen chuckled and hugged her as the fourth person joined them.
"Rebecca, good to see you too," she said, looking up at the tall reptile.
"I must've been second one you thought of then," she said and winked.
"You got in one!" she said and they both laughed.
The final member of her team stood at the back of the SUV watching and she went to him.
"Saber," she said, looking up at the tall feline. He only inclined his head. "Thanks for coming."
"Anything for you Jill," the Smilodon said. "Come on let's go inside."
They arrived on time at 5:29 and parked beside the kitchen door. Ben shut off the engine and stepped out. Immediately his sensitive ears picked up noise coming from the garage and he started toward the back of the house. Judy and Nick soon follow closely behind.
The first thing he'd noticed was a strange SUV parked in the garage with a pair cheetah's legs sticking out from under it. The next was a furry chest, blocking his view. Ben looked up and saw two large fangs. He felt his mouth drop open and unconsciously took a step back.
"You must be Ben," he said and held out a hand.
"And you must be one of Jill's friends," he said and saw his hand completely disappear into a much larger one. "Hope you had a good trip."
"Just call me Saber."
"I can see why," Nick said.
"Nicholas Piberius Wilde," Saber said, turned his attention to the Fox, and smiled. The Fox gulped and stood closer to Ben. "And you must be Judith Laverne Hopps. You're just as cute as your sister."
"Do... thank you," she said, giving a fake laugh, and moved a bit closer to her Fox.
"Hey Mike!" he bellowed, making them all jump. "They're here!"
The Cheetah rolled out from the SUV and hurried over."
"Ben, Judy, Nick, good to see you!" he said and shook their hands. "I see you met Saber."
"Well I guess it must be time for dinner," the Smilodon said and unconsciously licked his lips.
For just that one moment golden eyes met purple ones.
"I'm a bit hungry," she said, looking at her Fox.
"Me too," he said, quickly turning to led the way with his bunny close beside him.
Dinner turned out to be an interesting affair all things considered. Saber turned to be the most popular person that evening since none of the others had ever met a Smilodon other than Jill. Saber Toothed Cats were scarce and tended to live away from the rest of civilization.
"So how did you meet Jill?" Rebecca asked.
"I was hunting her," he said and chuckled at the looks on other faces. "I'd never seen such a large Rabbit!"
The others only stared at the large feline.
"It was kinda interesting to be hunted," she said and gave him a wink, "and I'd never seen such a large feline."
Now the others looked at the Rabbit like she'd simply lost her mind.
"And I almost caught her too," he said and laugh, "and then she started throwing pinecones at me!"
"You climbed at tree!" Judy said.
"Are you kidding?" she asked and smiled. "Everyone knows that Rabbits can't climb trees!"
"Well that one can and the pine tree was too dense for me to climb after her."
"It just goes to show you that sometimes bigger isn't always better," she said smugly. "Also I have two announcements. First, I spoke to Gazelle today and everyone is invited over to her penthouse this coming weekend for fun and games." She heard Ben's intake of breath. "Second, on Monday the six of us start our new jobs."
"Jobs!?" Ben said even more surprised.
The next few days went by quickly and by Friday Mike and Saber had completed the modifications to the SUV. Friday afternoon Red pulled it around front and everyone put their luggage in the back. By himself Saber took up the rearmost seat as did Rebecca the third one. Jill, Ben, Rose, and Mike sat behind the driver's seat and Judy and her Fox sat in front beside the vixen. Of course Judy sat between them.
"Everyone buckled up?!" Rose asked and everyone said yes.
Rose put it in drive and squealed the tires, pushing everyone back in their seats.
"I'm so excited!" Ben exclaimed and hugged his bunny. "Thank you so much!"
Then he kissed Jill and everyone looked anywhere else, but at the two lovers, as Red pull unto the street. After a minute Nick looked at his bunny and winked. Judy giggled and poked her Fox in the ribs. He platonically gave her a peck on the cheek and she rolled her eyes. Nick struggled mightily, but could no longer hold it in.
"Ben, Jill, I'm sure that we could stop and Saber would swap with you two so you could have just a bit more privacy."
Judy had seen Ben blush before many times, but it had been a very long time since she'd seen Jill. She chuckled and that set everyone else off. Jill buried her face in Ben's shoulder and shook with laughter too. Red just rolled her eyes and continued to drive.
Gazelle's penthouse was located on the top floor of the tallest building in Zootopia, owing to the fact that it was her skyscraper. Rose pulled into the VIP entrance and stopped at the checkpoint. The guard who just happened to be a Tigeress stepped out and looked at each Animal in the SUV and finally stopped one in the rearmost seat and then lingered on the larger feline. Of course she'd seen pictures, but had never seen a Smilodon before now. Then their eyes met she smiled and felt herself begin to blush. The corners of his mouth turned up ever so slightly and she finally looked away. Then she returned and picked up her phone.
"You may go ahead," she said as the door began to rise. "Please park near the elevator and you'll be met there."
Rose drove through the entrance which immediately closed behind them. Since there were very few cars she was able park only a few spaces over from the elevation. As soon as she opened her door there was a ding and the elevator doors opened. Out marched four Honey Baggers and waited while the guests retrieved their bags.
"Do you have any weapons?"
"There in the SUV," Mark said.
"Any personal weapons?" he asked since he knew some of them were ZPD officers.
"Only the ones I was born with," Saber said and smiled.
The lead guard's smart phone beeped and he spoke into it.
"Ma'am," he said and listened. "Yes, ma'am. Please follow us."
They just fit in the elevator. Both Saber and Rebecca's heads brushed the ceiling, but he had to actually bend forward a bit. Thankfully the ride was short and the doors opened on the penthouse floor. Gazelle stood there waiting.
"Jill," she said and hugged the large Rabbit. "I see you brought some interesting friends." Her eyes looked over the group and finally settled on Saber. "I have haven't met one of your people since I was a teenager."
One eyebrow rose on the great feline's head and he stepped closer. Maria was tall for Gazelle, being a bit over six feet, but he dwarfed her, making the Gazelle resemble a child in comparison.
"Where are you from?"
"The far to the south near the tip of the southern continent," she said, looking through him and remembering. "My father and brothers were all fisherman. I use to walk in hills behind my town and one day when I ran into him - literally."
"He let you."
"I know, but only figured it out a bit later," she said and he smiled.
"He was teaching you a lesson," Saber said, looking into her soft brown eyes. "So what did you learn?"
"To always be aware what was going on around me."
"You didn't do that right away, did you?"
"No not for a few months later."
"Let's talk more."
"Just look at them," Judy said and looked at her Fox. "It's just like they're old friends."
"I guess it's like the old saying," Jill interrupted, putting her arms around the couple. "You can't judge a book by its cover."
Just then Maria's smart phone rang. She listened for a moment and then smiled.
"Our final guests have arrived and dinner is ready too."
Two minutes later the elevator dinged and Mayor of Zootopia stepped out.
"Mom?" Nick said and went to hug the vixen.
Then the next person stepped out of the elevator and the Fox stopped and stared - another Smilodon, but this one was female.
Maria noticed his nostrils flare and then he looked toward the elevator. She followed his gaze and was surprised to see another of his kind with the mayor and three skunks. He stood and she followed.
"Catherine," she said and the vixen turned, coming face to face with him.
"So you must be Saber," she said and smiled. "Jill told me you'd be here." He looked passed her. "So I thought you might like to meet an old friend of mine." They were already looking at each other. "This is..."
"Amanda," the three of them said simultaneously.
Maria saw surprise on the vixen's face. Then she quickly stepped back as the two felines rushed together and hugged. Conversations died as everyone turned to watch the reunion.
"It's been..." she began.
"Ten years," he said and rubbed his face against hers. "It's so good to see you!"
"So you finally got out of the Marines."
"I was bored."
"Well that's what happens when there hasn't been a war for a thousand years."
They both laughed and he touched her face. Then she hugged him again.
"There were always a few pirates and Animals to rescue," he said and stoked her fur. "You live here in Zootopia?"
"In Foxtown with all my friends," she said and looked at Catherine and the three skunks. "At least now there are two of us. Let me introduce you." She released him and turned to them. "Of course you know who Catherine is and this is Jesse and her sisters Ann and Rachael."
"So how'd you two meet?" Jesse asked and smiled.
"Let's talk about that over dinner," Maria said and grinned.
Since most of her guests were predators the majority of the food was chicken, turkey, and many types of fish. There also was a large variety of vegetables, grains, and nuts for the prey. Once everyone had their fill coffee and deserts were served back in the living room.
"I'd still like to know who you two met," Jesse said, raising an eyebrow. "You've been evasive all through dinner."
"Your people have always been persistent especially the females," Sable stated.
Jesse looked at him for a few moments and then laughed.
"So you must've had many dealings with skunks."
"Yes," he said and looked at each in turn. "I've always found your people to be honorable and trust worthy."
Jesse and her sisters beamed.
"Thank you," she said and gave him a wink. "Of course there are a few."
"That's true for any species," she said and put her hand on one his much larger ones. "But now you've delayed enough. Please tell us how you two met."
Saber sighed.
"Persistence is its own reward," he said and looked at Amanda.
"He and I were shipwrecked together," she said.
"Alone?" Jesse said and grinned.
"Yes," he said and then sighed.
"Now tell us the story," Jesse said and sat back in her chair, "and please don't leave out any of the juicy details."
Amanda saw him stiffen and put a hand on his arm.
"We were there on the island for only two months," she said and glared at the skunk, "and I'll admit we grew to have feelings for each other, but we weren't mated!"
Jesse made a face, seemingly oblivious to the two large felines' annoyance.
"How unfortunate," she said.
Maria saw, felt, and scented everyone's tension.
"Jill, tell us about your new job," the Gazelle said, quickly changing the subject.
Other than telling them that she and others had found jobs she'd been somewhat vague about the details, but now felt like it was an excellent time to explain.
"Well we'll be working for the Mayor as her bodyguards," she said and smiled at the looked on her Cheetah's face.
"Jill was able to find several security problems at city hall," Catherine announced, "and she thought and I agreed with her that I need some security with me when I go out in the city. Jesse, her sisters, Amanda, and someone from Jill's team will be staying with me whenever I'm at home."
"I thought that the ZPD provided you with security," Nick said and looked to Ben and Judy for conformation.
"Well they do send some officers with me went I go out, but they aren't really are dedicated bodyguards and I do feel that's what's needed."
"Mom, Judy and I could..."
"Nick, you're my son, and you and Judy are excellent police officers and don't take this the wrong way, but really I don't think that close family should be involved in my personal security."
"But..."
"I'm sorry, but that's just the way I feel it has to be," she said and went to sit by her son. She put an arm around him and he laid his head on her shoulder. "You understand?"
He was quiet for a time and Judy snuggled up to him.
"Sure mom," he said, looking up at her, and then kissed her cheek.
"Nick, I do hope you understand our position," Jill said, coming over to them. "If you're too close to the protectee then your decisions could be influenced by your emotions and not what's the best way to protect them. So is everything OK?"
"Yes, Jill."
"Judy."
"Sure."
"Good."
After some fun and games and a movie Gazelle showed everyone to the guest bedrooms of which there were more than enough. Judy and her Fox snuggled together in the large unfamiliar bed.
"So," she said and felt his hands stoke her fur. "Just what do you think you're doing?"
"Oh nothing much."
"Just touching my innocent young body."
He licked an ear.
"mmmm..."
"Do I taste good?"
"Always," he said and she began to giggle.
"You just be careful," she said and then nibbled the ear. "I'm just a delicate young bunny."
"And that's the best kind," he said.
"So you have 'experience' with bunnies?"
"Well not until I met you."
She giggled again.
"Just what kind the bunny do you think I am?"
"The beautiful kind," he responded and rolled onto his back taking her with him.
"You're so smooth Slick," she said, looking down on him, and he gave her a foxy grin.
"Well thank you Fluff."
"So you think that was a compliment."
"Where I come from it certainly is."
They both laughed.
"Are you happy?"
He ran his hands down her sides with the tips of his claws just touching her skin and felt her shiver."
"I certainly am now," he said and grinned. "How about you?"
She swatted him and he chuckled. Then she leaned down a kissed him and after a time it became more passionate. Eventually she broke the kiss and looked at her lover.
"Now tell me what's wrong," she said.
"Nothing... nothing at all."
"Nick, how long have we known each other?"
"Long enough I suppose."
"Certainly long enough that I can tell when something's bothering you."
"Yea."
"Your mother?"
"Why couldn't she have come to me!?"
"She probably didn't even think about it until Jill..."
"Stuck her nose in."
"That sister of mine certainly has a knack of stirring things up."
"You can say that again!"
"As much as I hate to say it I do think she has a point and so does Catherine."
He sighed.
"My mother is always right!"
"Slick, that's just the short definition of mother."
He looked at his bunny and then they both burst out laughing.
Breakfast was served at 8:30am on the dot.
"So did everyone have a good time yesterday?" the Gazelle asked and there were nods and a few yeses from around the table. "Good, but today we're going to do even better."
"Maria, just what do you have in mind?" Judy asked, her ears coming up.
"You'll see," she said and grinned. Later one of her staff pushed in a cart stacked with boxes. "Please change into these clothes." She indicated the cart. "Each box has one of your names on it," Maria smiled, "and these clothes must be in direct contact with your fur."
"But..."Judy began and her Fox grinned.
"And with nothing in between," he whispered in her ear which then promptly begun to turn red.
"It's OK," Jill said and smiled.
"Just how would you know?!" Judy said.
"I've been here before," her twin and winked. "Remember?"
"Are you dressed?" Judy shouted from the bathroom.
"Of course."
"Yea, I've heard that one before," she said and he chuckled. "You'd better be!"
She was so naïve sometimes, he thought. Then she opened the door and peeked out.
"So whata ya think?" he asked, his arms held wide in the skintight plastic-like one piece suit.
"I..." she began and then stepped out, wearing a towel over herself.
She looked at him a bit more closely and looked away. Then promptly began to blush and he chuckled.
"I think it feels interesting," he said.
"And doesn't hide a thing!" she said, still averting her eyes, and he took a step toward her. "You just stay over there and stop staring at me!"
"I think to looks good on you," he said and took another step, "of what little I can see."
She pulled towel tighter around herself.
"It's just being at the Naturalist Club!"
"But Judy those animals were all naked," he said and chuckled, remembering.
"I'm not leaving this room!" she said adamantly. "You just go."
"But it won't be any fun without you," he said and pulled her into his arms.
"You just go and have fun with everyone else."
"No, since you feel uncomfortable I'll stay."
For a time they just stared at each other and then there was a knock at door.
"Come in," he said automatically.
The door opened and in strolled Maria and Jill. The taller Rabbit took one look at the scene and had to bite her tongue not to laugh.
"Well everyone else is ready," Maria said and looked at Nick and then Judy.
"I'm staying here," she said and finally looked at the new arrivals.
For his part Nick looked at Gazelle and she caught his eye and smiled. Her suit looked so tight he wonder how she could possibly breathe and then he looked at Jill. Her fur hid a muscular body and then he idly wondered how much she worked out. Judy was right about one thing, he thought, these suits do leave nothing to the imagination.
"Judy, you can wear a bathrobe of you like," she said and got one out of the bathroom closet, "but you will have to take it off eventually."
Judy gazed across the room and it looked as if it was filled with gray metal coffins, but of course she knew that's not what they were. They were the last two left and she finally removed her robe.
"Are you ready?" Maria asked as she swung up the machine's lid.
"I suppose," she said, climbing in and laying down.
Then Maria helped the Rabbit attach and adjust the helmet. She shut the lid and then Judy heard the hiss of air in the helmet and liquid begin to flow in, filling the machine. Judy felt herself floating and closed her eyes. A minute later she found herself with the others.
"Nick!"
"Carrots!" he said and hugged her. "We're actually inside the game!"
As Gazelle explained it their minds were interfaced directly with the computer, allowing them not only to just play the game, but to actually experience it with all their senses.
"OK people," Maria said and pointed to the Lion behind the desk, "let's get our equipment."
"Name," the Lion said.
"Gazelle, Maria."
He went into the backroom and returned with large cloth bag. Maria took it, slung it over her shoulder, and walked into the next room.
"Next," he said and the Fox stepped forward. "Wilde, Catherine."
This continued until everyone had joined Maria. Judy could see the weapons in the rack lining the wall behind the Leopard.
"Name."
"Gazelle, Maria."
She was handed a compact machine pistol with six magazines. She loaded the weapon, safed it, and put remaining magazines in her bag.
The next two rooms were locker rooms where they changed into their battle dress. Afterwards they assembled outside and Maria led them to a shooting range.
"Let's get familiar with these," she said, holding up her machine pistol, "but first let me show you what we're fighting."
They followed her to concrete block building and a wall rolled back, reveling bars. Maria banged them and primal scream of rage echoed from inside. Then a moment later something threw itself against the bars and screamed again. Judy saw something that stood on two legs without any fur and rotting pale flesh hanging off its bones. Catching its smell she took several steps away. She pulled back the bolt on her machine pistol and flipped off the safety. Then she smiled.
"Level one cleared!" the group heard over their radios and started back.
Nick relaxed and looked at Ben and then the two Rabbits. The Cheetah raised an eyebrow.
"Rabbits are..." Nick began.
"underestimated."
"I was thinking more of the word scary."
They'd all killed a large number of 'things', but between Jill and Judy they'd exceeded the number of kills of all the others combined. Catherine wasn't too far behind.
"Where'd your mother learned to use one of these?" Ben asked, holding up his weapon.
"I have no idea," he said and looked at the vixen.
"Nick!" she said.
He turned and his bunny hopped into his arms. Then she took his face in her hands and kissed him hard.
Ben looked at his bunny and only smiled. Jill rolled her eyes and then kissed him in much the same way. They heard a few snickers and ignored them. Saber watched for only a moment and turned and walked away. Amanda followed and put a hand on his arm only when they were alone.
"Saber?" she asked and he looked at her. "Too many old memories?"
"Yes."
"We did kiss a few times on the island."
"But I wanted to..."
"And you think I didn't," she said and smiled.
He looked into her eyes.
"But..."
She pulled his head down and kissed him. Then after a short time he returned it.
"My handsome male," she said later and touched his face. "Why'd you leave so quickly after we were rescued?"
"You know I was still in the marines and still had my duties."
"You know I would've come with you."
"I wasn't..."
"What?!"
"I was just an ordinary male and you..." he began and she cuffed him.
He looked at her surprised.
"Just an ordinary male that saved my life and then kept me alive for those two months!"
"But your family."
"You know why I live in Zootopia!?" she said and he shook his great head. "My father said I'd disgraced my family with you and then he took away my name!" She watched the anger build on his face and cuffed him again. "Whatever you're thinking you're not going to do it! I never want to go back!" She watched several emotions flicker across his face within a few seconds. "I'd much rather stay here with you."
She pulled him into her arms.
"But."
Then Judy came running through the copse of trees that hid them.
"Come on guys we're starting the next level!"
The conclusion of the weekend was a banquet on Sunday evening which featured prizes for the winners of the various games they played over the weekend. The final prize was for the person who won the most of the games. It was close, but Catherine and Judy tied for second with Jill was just ahead of them by two victories. Saber went with Amanda to stay at Catherine's house and would ride in with her in the morning.
"So are you excited about starting your new job tomorrow?" Ben asked, running a hand down her back.
"What happened to that innocent Cheetah I met in BunnyBorrow?"
"He got to know you."
"Well to answer your question I am," she said and he leaned over and kissed her. "We have to get up early tomorrow so we'd better get some sleep."
"Right away?" he said, resting a hand on her hip.
"Well maybe not right away," she said and they both laughed.
