Chapter Two: Who's Afraid of the Big, Bad Traitor?

March 12th, 11:58 pm

A/N: Chapter two is only two days apart and I'm already well into writing chapter three! I haven't enjoyed writing a story this much in a long time. I don't have a lot to say right now, or I hope everyone has enjoyed the story so far. Expect it to be faster-paced than the fluff I wrote in the last story.

Judy and Bandit had arrived at the Wilde's home. Judy used her key to open up the door. "I'll get some blankets and a pillow for you. You'll be sleeping on the couch. Is that okay?"

"Sure! It looks comfy enough."

Finnick came out in a t-shirt and a diaper. "Keep it down, Judy! The kids are sleeping!"

Judy put her paw over her eyes. "Finnick!

"What?!"

"I told you before not go walking around without pants!"

"Hey! I'm wearing a diaper and a shirt! What more do you... who's she?"

Bandit pointed at Finnick. "That is one, ugly, deep-voiced baby."

Judy introduced them. "Bandit, this is my father-in-law, Finnick. He's a fennec fox in his forties and.. has a thing for diapers."

"It's not a thing! I'm just comfortable like this! Did you adopt another kid?"

"No! She's just staying with us temporarily."

"Bunny, please. I know how this works."

"She's under police protection and can't leave the house for now! I can't say why right now. Now, go put on some pants or go to your room!"

"Alright. Alright. I hate it when you bring your work home with you. Why were you so late tonight? The kids had to go to bed upset cuz they didn't see their mommy."

"I had to work a late-night raid that went bad. We were SO close to nabbing the Bigs, but we got the wrong building."

"I'll call Nick and let him know you're home... and that we have company. Welcome to the family, kid."

Judy looked at Bandit. "Sorry about that. He's famous, y' know? Ever head of Baby Grandpa or that Baby Fox song?"

"That's him?!"

"Yup."

"What a weirdo."

Judy laughed. "Outside of the diapers, he's a pretty tough guy. Here comes my husband."

Nick headed downstairs. "Hey, Carrots! What's up?" He looked over at Bandit. "Did we adopt another kid? I mean, I'm not upset. Just let me know in advance, okay?"

"No, Nick. She's helping me with my missing children's case. She's a possible witness."

"I thought you were on the Mr. Big case?"

"Bogo thinks they could be related, so he put me on this instead. He's so upset right now. The raid was a bust. Bad intel. Wrong building."

"And you have already lost some sleep. You still have to get up at six, don't you?"

"Yeah. Let me just..."

"Whatever she needs, I'll get it. Tomorrow's my day off from the parlor."

"Tattoo?" Bandit asked.

"Ice cream. I own my own ice cream parlor over in Bunnyburrow."

"Out in the sticks?! That's a long way to go to work."

"I take the train. Cuts the travel time down to one hour. Let me go get your blanket and pillow."

He came back with the linens and laid everything out for her. "Thanks," she replied. "So... A fox and a bunny, hunh?"

"Yup."

"Your kids are all adopted?"

"Yeah. Judy's sister married and bred with a fox and the hybrids gave her birthing complications, so Judy got herself spayed. We love our kids whether they come from us or someone else."

"Cool. My uncle kinda adopted me too."

"You're an orphan?!"

"Don't tell Judy. My uncle and the police, they don't exactly get along."

"None of my business anymore. Well... Goodnight, Kiddo."

"Goodnight. Hey, Ummm... tell Judy thanks. She could've just taken me to Juvi. It's nice to have someone who cares, y' know?"

Nick smiled. "Yeah. I definitely know. You have a good night and I'll plan some stuff to keep you entertained while you're stuck here. The kids will love to have company."

She smiled. "Good night."

Nick headed upstairs to bed. Judy was already in bed in her pajamas and on her laptop. Nick wasn't too happy about it. "Carrots! You need your rest!"

"Her real name is Wendy and she said her parents died in a fire."

Nick got into the bed with her. "Fluff, she hates all cops but you! You have her trust! Don't lose it by snooping in on her life."

"It's not snooping! It's investigating! It's part of my job! I need as much information as possible to solve this case. There are children's lives at stake! Now, look. Here's an article from two years back about a possum family who's apartment building had a huge fire. The parents died, but TWO children went missing! Both possums. A girl by the name of Wendy Canudiggit and her six-month-old baby brother, Charlie. She has a baby brother! That's what she's keeping secret!"

Nick folded the laptop and threw it to the floor. "Stop. Don't make her lose faith in you. I'm sure there's a good reason she's keeping that information from you. She'll tell you when she's more comfortable around you, but if you push it, you may lose her trust and this case!"

Judy pouted. "Fine!... Y'know, I don't think her uncle is biological."

"You don't say."

"She's probably a runaway and took her brother with her… GASP! That's it! She's stealing money to buy her brother back! She probably got taken in by some crook. The poor dear."

"Or she's just another con-artist, like yours truly."

"She's a pick-pocket, Nick. Anyway, I gotta get some rest."

"You got a long day ahead of you, fluff. Goodnight. Love you."

"Love you too."

Meanwhile…

Bogo came home. Tired, worn out, frustrated. He climbed the stairs of his small home and opened the door to find his lover, former coach Liz Friedkin waiting in bed for him.

The two had started seeing each other on and off a year ago after Bogo's marriage had gone south. It got more and more serious during the last few months. Shortly after Mrs. Bogo moved out, Friedkin moved in. She has retired from her position as head coach of the ZPD academy and has been helping train her replacement. In the meantime, she's still been using the ZPD Gym and locker room to help keep herself in shape. She's been the one person that could relieve Bogo's stress and worries.

"You look beat, baby." the polar bear said. "Had a rough day?"

Bobo slumped onto the bed. "It was a disaster. We thought we finally had Mr. Big and were tricked. Wolford won't stop hassling me lately about our treatment of wolves. Then there's this girl Hopps brings in with superpowers. It's been an insane night."

"Superpowers?! Like in those comic books?"

Bogo started taking his boots off, followed by his shirt. "Yes. Some sort of duplication power. She can make two of herself. We think she may be related to the missing children's case. Judy is good with kids. I'm hoping she can coach some information out of her."

"You look so tense. Let me massage your shoulders."

Friedkin rubbed gripped his shoulders tightly and rubbed them hard. "Gods! That feels so good. Thank you, Dear."

"You're welcome, my love."

"Still… As tense as I am, I don't know how I'm going to get any sleep."

Friedkin started moving her paws towards Bogo's lower region. "Well… I do know one thing that relieves stress."

Bogo smiled. "You don't say?"

Bogo took off the last of his clothes and got under the blankets with her.

7 am. The next morning….

Bandit was awakened to a boy kissing her paw. "Vell hello Yootiful."

"GAAH!" Bandit responded by slapping Joseph in the face.

"Oooh! She ees a feisty one!"

"Get lost!"

"I yam! In your eyes."

She then heard a voice from behind. "Daaad! Did we get a new sister?!" Greg asked.

Nick replied. "No. She's our guest. She's related to the missing children's case your mother is working on, now get ready for school!"

"But there's someone new here!"

"Get in the kitchen and have breakfast!"

"Okay, but I'm bringing it out here."

"I vill bring her breakfast!" Joseph said. "Stay right there, my dear."

Greg couldn't believe Joseph's brashness. "Joe. You have a girlfriend!"

"Girlfriends are like parachutes. Eef one doesn't work, you should always have a spare."

Nick came over to Bandit and pulled her up so she could sit. "Sorry about 'Pe-Pe Le-Pew' there. He's seven, going on thirteen. Do you need anything?"

"A glass of water would be nice."

"Okay, well I can…"

"I GOT IT!" Joseph shouted from the kitchen.

"He's got it."

"Why are you wearing a fanny pack on your chest?" Bandit asked.

"Oh, this?" Nick unzipped it. "This is my baby joey, Sugar. She's a sugar glider with no gliders."

Sugar gave a raspberry. "PPPPFFBBBTT!"

"It means she likes you! I think. She does that a lot."

Suddenly, Nick and Bandit heard a shout from the stairs. "NOOO! No big sisters!"

"That's my three-year-old, Penny. She's just a guest, Penny!"

Penny pointed at Bandit. "You ugly."

"That's very rude, Penny! Joseph doesn't think so!"

Bandit was fidgeting. "Where is your bathroom?"

Left from the kitchen, just past my mom and pops room.

Greg and Joseph came back into the living room just as Bandit was standing up. Once she stood, she realized she had to go worse than she thought, as she started to run, she tripped and her power activated, splitting her into two.

"WOAH!" Everyone shouted.

"Aww, dangit! Dupes! Hurry up and go!"

Bandit's double ran for the bathroom. "Why do I always get stuck with the full bladder?!" Everyone else stared at Bandit in shock and awe. "Umm… The cool thing is that I can have her go to the bathroom for me, so I don't miss any TV. Heh-Heh!... Heh!... I think I have to explain a few things."

Meanwhile…

The meeting room was fully packed with officers both veteran and newer recruits. Word had gotten out that the traitor had been discovered but not yet arrested. Judy, Wolford, and Fangmeyer were all sitting at the same table together. It was both a tense and exciting time.

Judy looked over at Wolford. "Who do you think it is?"

"I dunno, Wilde. But whoevah it is should have 'da book thrown at 'em!"

"I know this is wrong to say, but I hope it's one of the newer ones. I'd hate to think that one of the people I consider a dear friend could betray our precinct."

The room fell dead silent as Chief Bogo entered. He slowly walked over to the podium. "One of you amongst us, has been in communication with the Big mafia. Telling them our plans and supplying us with false leads. We had no clue who it could be… until now. Snarlov. Wolford. Please stand.

Judy saw the confused and worried look on Wolford as he stood up.

"It was indeed a wolf who has been in communications with the Big family."

Wolford interrupted the chief. "Hold on, Bogo! I know Snarlov is an arctic wolf and 'dat Mr. Big hires mostly arctic mammals, but I've worked wit' him fer years and 'dere's no way he'd betray our…"

"It was you, Wolford!"

There was stunned silence. Some murmuring in the background and Wolford looked more confused than ever. "What 'da hell are ya talkin' about?"

"We tracked messages and communications going on in our servers. We even had to go deal with VPN services to find where those communications were coming from. It was from your computer, Wolford!"

"'Dat's impossible! I ain't been communicatin' wit' nobody."

"That's a double-negative which means you HAVE been communicating with somebody!"

"Don't bring my bad grammar inta' this! 'Da only bad thing I've been doin' with my computer is occasionally lookin' at some naughty websites! 'Dat's all!"

"Officers… Arrest him."

As much as they hated to, officers Pennington and McHorn were approaching Wolford. Fangmeyer stood in front of them. "I won't let you take him! Judy, help me!"

Judy just sat there. Confused. Frightened. She didn't know what to do. She finally shouted. "Chief! It's not him! I swear!"

Wolford shouted to everyone. "Wait! 'Dose henchman Big has… 'Dey got a snowflake tat on 'der left shoulder under 'dere fur, right? Wolford pulled the fur away on his arm. "Look! I got nothin'! What about smell?! Maybe someone used my computer?!"

"We had our K-9 unit sniff over the computer. All we found was your scent and some cheap cologne."

By this time, McHorn was holding onto a kicking and screaming Fangmeyer as Pennington put the pawcuffs on Wolford. "Fangs! Babe! Don't resist! I'll fight 'dis! I'm innocent! Bogo! While you got me behind bars, 'da real traitor is runnin' free! Think about 'dat! Think about it!"

Pennington started taking Wolford away as a screaming and crying Fangmeyer was being held down by McHorn. "I LOVE YOU!"

"I love you too, Fangs! I'm innocent! You'll see! You'll all see!"

Judy was tears running down her cheeks as well! "Chief! I know Wolford! He's my partner! He couldn't have done it!"

"Really?! Who's been arguing with me fang and nail lately?!"

"I HATE YOU!" screamed Fangmeyer.

"I told you! I told everyone not to get romantically involved at work!"

"I QUIT!"

"You wanna quit?! You wanna quit?! Fine! But see me in my office first! Hopps! You also need to calm down. Go home and watch over the girl. Gain her trust and get as much info out of her as possible!"

Fangmeyer ran out of the room crying. Judy started to storm out. "You mean use her like a tool, right? I have faith that she'll tell me what I need to know in time. Because that's what we're supposed to have with each other! Faith!"

Moments Later…

Fangeyer was still sobbing as Bogo entered his office. "I know how hard this is on you, but…"

"You have no idea how hard this is on me!" she yelled back. She then threw her badge on Bogo's desk. "I QUIT! I know Wolford better than anyone! Yes, he'll argue back, but that's because he has a lot of passion! He loves this precinct an-"

"I believe he's innocent too."

"... What?!"

"Do you want your badge back?"

She quickly scooped it back up. "PLEASE explain to me what's going on!"

"I had to arrest someone today and all the evidence I have points at Wolford. It's indisputable. But… it's TOO indisputable! I know a set-up when I see one. He's been with me for years and like you, I believe he's innocent."

"Then why did you arrest him?!"

"I had no choice! As I said, all evidence in the investigation pointed to him, so there was no choice but to make the arrest. However…"

"Yes?"

"If he's not the one, then whoever has been communicating with the Big family is now under the impression that they're no longer being watched."

"... So they're more likely to slip up!"

"Right. I mentioned that they sniffed out cheap cologne on purpose. After the meeting three of my men walked hastily back to the locker room. Grizzoli, Snarlov, and Growlson. He's fairly new. Now, they may have forgotten something or needed something out of their locker, but if one of them took a quick shower…"

"Then he might be trying to wash off the scent!"

"Right. Everyone always prepares for the day BEFORE the meeting. If they are showering afterward, they must be hiding something. I want you to keep up the sobbing act and wait near the exit. Smell out the men from a distance. If one of them smells freshly clean, he may be our man. Also, we need someone on the outside to gain their trust. Someone they see as morally grey."

Bogo shuffled through his drawers until he came across a badge. "I had a feeling I might need this again someday. I'm glad I kept it. Here." He handed Fangmeyer the badge. "I need officer Wilde back on the job! Oh, and Fangmeyer?"

"Yes?"

"It's just my gut, but I believe there's more than one traitor out there."

Moments earlier at the Wilde's home…

Everyone surrounded the two Bandits. They were all burning with questions.

Joseph was excited. "She ees the perfect girlfriend! You can date both and eet still isn't cheating!"

"Shut up!" Bandit shouted.

Greg had questions. A lot of questions. "Are you a superhero?! Can you make more than one of you?! How do you do that?! If your duplicate pees her pants and absorbs back into you, are your pants wet?"

"I'm not a superhero! I don't know how my power works exactly. I'm not going to dignify that stupid pee question with a response. I can only make two of me. Watch." Bandit snapped her fingers again. "See? Nothing happens."

"What if Dupes snaps her fingers?"

"That's not gonna work!"

"How do you know? Have you ever tried it?"

"Well… no. Dupes?"

"Stop calling me Dupes! I'm you!" She snapped her fingers and there were now three Bandits. "WHAT?! I didn't know I could do that!" the third Dupe snapped her fingers There were four, five, six Bandits.

"AWESOME!" Greg shouted.

Penny's jaw dropped. She looked at her own paw and started snapping her fingers. Nothing happened. "Aww poop!"

Bandit thought to herself. "This is it! If I can make a ton of duplicates of me, I can duplicate as much money as I want!" I can sucker the mob into giving me Smokey back and they won't know they've been had until I'm long gone!"

Nick put a stop to it. "That's enough! We only have so much room in this house. Bandit, can you absorb them?"

"Sure. C'mon, mes." They all walked over to each other and absorbed into one. "Woah! I'm remembering this room from different angles all at once! That's a bit of a headache."

Nick sat next to Bandit as she ate her waffles. "So I'm assuming this is why you're under police protection?"

"It's because I'm helping Judy with her case. How come you're not freaking out?"

"It's too long to go into detail, but last Christmas, I found out that the existence of the afterlife is real, so nothing surprises me anymore." Nick then made a decision. "Kids, I'm gonna call Rachel. You're not going to school today. I'll tell her you have fleas."

Greg was upset. "What?! Why?!"

"Because you'll tell them all about Bandit! She's in protective custody. We need to keep her and her powers a secret."

"I won't tell Clem or Billy!"

Nick stared down Greg. "Okay, okay. You know me too well. I totally would. Hey Bandit!"

"What?"

"You said you share the same memories with your duplicate?"

"Yeah? So?"

"Make one of yourself! I have an idea."

"Ummm… Okay." She snapped her fingers and Greg pulled her by the paw. "C'mon! Follow me!"

They ran out the door and around to the backyard. "Where are you going?!" Nick asked. "She has to stay in the house!"

"Just around the backyard! I'll stay on the property!"

Joseph got up and was angry. "Where ees he going weeth my new woman?!"

The other Bandit was furious. "I'm not your woman!"

Within five minutes, Greg was back in the house with the other Bandit. "You have a nice backyard, Mr. Wilde," the duplicate said.

"Don't say anything!" Greg shouted. "Now, absorb back into yourself."

"What's all the loud noise?" Nick's mother, Vivian asked as she came out into the living room in a bathrobe. She watched as the two Bandits absorbed into one. "AAAH!" She passed out and crumpled to the floor.

"MOM!" Nick shouted as he ran over to make sure she was okay.

Moments later, Nick's mom was awakened and Nick put her on the couch. "Sorry about that," Bandit said.

Vivian was still confused. "Did… Did I see what I think I saw? Who is she?! Nick!"

"She's Bandit. She's a guest and she has a superpower that allows her to duplicate herself. Also, I made waffles."

"I'm shocked! You actually made breakfast?!"

"I'm still in the middle of an experiment!" Greg shouted. "So, there's only one of you now. Can you tell me everything you saw in the backyard?"

Bandit thought about it. "Let's see… Two swings, a slide, a tricycle, a big, plastic pool, and a really nice koi pond."

"And what was the secret I told you?"

"That Joe is a bedwetter."

"I yam not!" Joseph shouted.

Greg laughed. "I know! I just said that for more detail. It's amazing! She absorbs the memories of her duplicates!"

"I bet a year seems much longer to her," Nick replied. "All those extra memories. I'm sorry Greg keeps grilling you, Bandit."

"Oh, I don't mind," Bandit replied. "He's helping me discover things about myself. I never knew there could be more than two of me!"

"... Can I see it?" Vivian asked.

"Okay, but don't faint again." Bandit snapped her fingers and there were two of her. The duplicate snapped her fingers and there were three. "Neat hunh? They can only be separate from me for an hour or else they'll dissolve." She then heard another thud. "What the?"

"Oh, that's my husband, Finnick. He must have seen you and fainted too."

"Is he okay?"

"He'll be fine. When you're that low to the ground, no drop can hurt you."

Meanwhile…

Fangmeyer was sobbing near the outside of the men's locker. She shed crocodile tears. "BAWW-HAAW-HAAAW!"

As some of the men left the locker room, Snarlov went over to her. "I'm so sorry for what happened to Wolford."

"SNIFF! Thank you, Snarlov."

"For what it's worth, I believe he's innocent too. Call me if you need to talk to someone,"

"O-Okay, Snarlov. I-I just might. SNIFF!! I'll see you later."

"Later." Snarlov walked away.

With her fangs bared, Fangmeyer said quietly. "I might end up calling you… to jail, you freshly-washed traitor!"

Fangmeyer caught up with Judy who was waiting by the train station. Judy was surprised to see her. "Fangmeyer! You're out of uniform. I knew it. You quit!"

"Judy, I…"

"I don't blame you. I believe in Wolford too!"

"Can we get some privacy?"

Judy was confused but spurious enough to play along. "The train rents a cabin for $50 if you're traveling up north for hours and hours. I'm only traveling for ten minutes to Foxden."

"Ten minutes is all I need. I'll pay."

"... This isn't a sexual thing, is it?"

"Wha?! No!"

"I mean, I'll admit, I'm very curious, but I'm happily..."

"Please stop!"

They got on the train and went into the cabin. Judy was a little nervous. "If this is about me and Wolford, I assure you, we're just par-"

"Bogo also believes Wolford is innocent, he wants Nick temporarily back on the force and Snarlov might be the traitor!"

She gave a stunned Judy Nick's badge. "I need to go to your house and have a talk with him."

"... You really did need only ten minutes. Even less."