Scars and the Claws That Leave Them

by HakuroNoKage

William Grimm newly transferred to the ZPD from the Ulfhaven Sheriff's Dept. tries to move forward with his life as his past remains a burden that seems to haunt him at every turn. Rated M for everything under the sun, and Nihil Nove Sub Sole. Much love, and many thanks to Darkwolfslayer21 for a cover image for this story, and for so much more besides. It's Nodachi Time.

14. The Frontline

Brief A/N: So on a lark I looked up the usual word count for a novel, and came across the word counts for certain other series. Let's just say I've already written more than is in any individual book in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, or the Dune Saga [at least from Dune to Chapterhouse: Dune], but I'm actually nearing the total word count in Game of Thrones so yeah . . . and I'm not even halfway done with this. That said for all of you who are following this, or made it through to this little author's note I humbly thank you. You All Are Champs; though do leave a review since they keep my fire lit when it starts to cool. Also I think when I am done whenever that happens to be I'll begin a prequel following Will, and Layla through their time in the ZIA since I have so much fun thinking up anecdotal stories for them during that period of their lives.

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Wednesday [Week four, Day three]

05:30

'Some days I want to kill that fucking alarm with my own fangs too' Will thought to himself as his phone broke him out of sleep, and ordered him to start his day leaving the warmth of his bed with his vixen in it. He would've loved nothing more than to just stay put, and sleep till he couldn't anymore then still stay in bed as he enjoyed the more pleasurable aspects of her company. Not that he found her company any less pleasurable when sex wasn't involved, but after what she'd told him he had a new life goal 'get my mate pregnant'. If he were being reasonable he'd actually hold off on working towards that goal to allow both his testes time to recharge their load, and her own biology to give him a new target to aim for so to speak.

As he came fully out of the realm of slumber the 'more pressing' matters he'd incurred yesterday gave him the steam to get out of bed, and silence his phone which undoubtedly would need to charge in the car. The sound tormentor rendered inert Will dropped to all fours, and gave himself a good full body shake before still on all fours making his way to the bathroom for a much needed shower. He gave the cubicle of cleansing a good long stare wishing he could stay on all fours, and just issue the damn thing voice commands like he could back home in Ulfhaven. As he returned to his upright position on his hindpaws he thought to himself how when they had a free weekend he'd have to rig this bathroom to operate by voice control, handling the hardware while Layla handled the software; either of them could do the whole job, but it would be a fun, and worthwhile project for them to do together.

After he got the water turned on, and heating up his thoughts wandered to how else they might make this apartment of theirs suitable for a kit. No sooner did the thought occur that the guest bedroom would need to become the kit's room did he dispel it outright; their kit would for at least the first year, or two sleep next to their bed if not in it with them as a family in it's early stages should to build it's bonds. As he got in the shower, and under the wonderfully warm spray it almost bothered him he couldn't think of the kit that they would have as anything other than 'the kit, or our kit', but until Layla was pregnant, and far enough along for a gender to be determined there was nothing for it. While he got the scent-neutralizing fur soap in his paw he laughed at how already the knowledge that in this life he would be a father was changing him, and he laughed again when he smelled that he'd grabbed Layla's strawberry scented fur soap.

While he got his fur scrubbed clean from his shoulders down lest he disturb the mark of his mate that he bore he let his mind clear simply enjoying his morning ablution. When he got out onto the fur-drying vent-pad the faint scent of strawberries in his fur tickled his nose, and he cared not one whit that he smelled of a 'girly' scent; he never had cared about such trivial things, and had even used plenty of more feminine things just for the contrast against his own unhideable maleness they posed just for amusement at the reactions of others thrown quite through a loop by it. This of course got him thinking of the saturday halloween party, and his rocky-horror song, and dance number idea he'd had; he looked forward to just how his fellow coworkers would react because their surprise, and shock would be guaranteed, and so totally worth it.

Once he was dry Will walked back into his bedroom to get dressed, but before he got into his underwear drawer he walked over to where Layla still slept, and nuzzled into her muzzle before marking her again as his wife. Unfortunately for him his actions roused her enough that she wrapped her arms around his head then began chewing on the ear nearest her mouth causing his legs to give out, and for him to fall onto the bed though he managed to support his torso with his forepaws.

"Ah, babe I've got work. You need to let me go." Will said to her as the sensations of her fangs on his ear sent jolts of electricity through his body.

"Nope, this is the price you pay. I must have the power of the Okami-mimi." Layla responded proving she did what she was on purpose.

"I relinquish it all to you now please release me." Will begged unabashedly as his forelimbs began quivering.

Layla's answer was simply to move his muzzle against hers where she invaded it with her tongue, and his willingly met hers in contest as if that was the purpose for which it was made. When she did finally let him go Will met her gaze with the fire of his unbridled passion for her eliciting a gasp from his mate before he pressed his muzzle against hers overwhelming her with the energy that flowed from him into her through the contact. After Will parted from her so that he could get dressed he was quite focused on the task which kept him from noticing the tears that streamed from her eyes; Layla wept because of how long it had been since she'd really felt the fire of his love like that, and she was left too choked with emotion to utter a sound.

In no time at all Will had both his boxers, and uniform pants on along with a uniform shirt which he buttoned with well practised paws. He retrieved his gear from the previous day's uniform, and getting everything situated on his person took almost as long as getting dressed for work did. Once his badge, and aviators were in place Will walked into the living room where he swiftly wrote her his daily note for her which read 'Because in this life you have All of Me I think we should make it our wedding track. Let me know what you think.'

That done Will was out, and down to the ground floor where he got in his Shelby, and was off to work. While his mind turned to his vector of attack on the 'Viridian Nightmare' issue which was tracking down Terry's attacker he cued up Rammstein cranking the volume. The first track his phone's shuffle setting played was one of his favorites "Feuer und Wasser" though from this particular band he had several. Will knew he needed a plan for how to tackle his day, and while it would start with a trip to the ZRMC to check on Terry getting anything the hyena could tell him from there he weighed his options deciding to wing-it as necessary.

The next track to play, and it did the trick of getting Will pumped for the day was "Feuer Frei", and Will needed all the positive mojo he could get. Normally listening to music like this would get him irritated with any traffic in his way for simply being in his way, but with the windows rolled down, and speakers sharing what he was listening to with his surroundings while he was smoking Will was actually quite relaxed. As he neared the station "Liebe Ist Fur Alle Da" started up, and he was headbanging like the metal head he was albeit within reason since driving safely took precedence. Maybe he was a little lead footed on the gas, but he didn't pass forty-five not that he really cared.

While he was driving down the side road, and around the precinct his phone's shuffle gave him "Ich Tu Der Weh", and once he'd found a parking spot he replayed the song rocking out so hard in his car that his Shelby visibly rocked. Will was in his own world as his losing himself in the music dredged up his memory of seeing Rammstein live with Layla. It had been one of his favorite dates in their history of courting, and he could still remember the way they'd looked accenting their fur with black fur-paint which in his opinion she pulled off better since her fur for a fox was naturally a brighter red than what normally looked orange, or russet like Nick the handsome devil. Will chuckled inwardly at thinking of his pack-brother thus since Will himself was the real devil of the two of them, or any other mammal that dared compare themselves to him; that so many mammals around him would vehemently disagree with him should he assert this fact meant nothing to him for even Layla, who along with his love for her was his very reason to be a better mammal, knew the truth just as he did that they'd never see.

When the song was done Will came out of his reverie, and after turning off his Shelby unplugged his phone before getting out. As he headed towards the lift to get upstairs Joe stopped him only for a quick good morning, and to wish him a good day which he likewise returned to the mechanically inclined snow leopard. While Will was in the lift ascending the single floor he headbanged to the nameless metal that played in his head rocking the car with the force of his motion. Will wasn't 'Judy-level-upbeat', but for him he was damn close, and how could he not be with the love of his heart saying more than just yes to his desire to make her his in the eyes of the world they were incarnate in. His present, and future had gone from looking like the arctic tundra without even the aurora for light to an Ulfhaven spring with nature promising life's eternal renewal.

Will made his way first to Benji for not only a warm embrace, but someone with whom to share what he couldn't contain. When he got to his favorite cheetah Will was the picture of an excited wolf with his golden eyes open, and bright along with perky erect ears, and bushy tail wagging like it had a mind of it's own.

"Good mornin' Benji." Will said as he embraced his friend from behind where he sat at the front desk.

"Good morning Will. Someone sure woke up on the right side of the bed." Benji responded.

"We need to talk Grimm" a masculine third voice interrupted them.

"Is that savage Jack I hear? Hisashiburi da ne tomodachi." Will replied coming around Benji's right side so he could see the grey lapine buck with his unique black striped fur pattern.

"It is, and it has Beast." Jack said before promptly shooting Will with a tranq dart as he'd presented a clear target.

"Well that's a fine how do you do. You know it takes more than one of these to effect me, or did you just feel like shooting me?" Will retorted pulling out the dart from his chest.

"I believe Sky warned you last week to not make waves, and not only did you make an even bigger ripple yesterday you revealed something Sky tells me counts as a wave albeit isolated to canids, across the world. You're lucky it doesn't count as the kind of wave we were watching out for, and since now it's got global circulation you've inadvertently made it that much harder for a kill order on you to be issued. I may yet empty this damn thing into you" Jack told him gesturing with the tranq pistol he held in his right paw.

"Wait, what? I only revealed a certain something to my fellow canid officers. Did they wag their tongues like their tails? What happened that I missed?" Will asked confusedly.

"Hey! ZIA, or not you can't just go shooting a ZPD officer even if it is only with a tranq." Benji interjected at Jack frowning at the lapine buck.

"Considering I like Sky owe him for more than just the times he's saved my life, and her's not to mention our former working relationship I can shoot him with tranqs as I see fit since it keeps him calm. Now Will you really should watch the news every once in awhile." Jack responded pulling out his phone, and after swiping at it held it out for Will to see.

There was a paused video that Will tapped on to play before taking Jack's phone so he could see it better. Will watched as the news anchors for ZNN introduced themselves along with a female grey wolf who Peter Moosebridge said was a one Professor Ulfden an expert on mammal behavior specifically canid behavior, and body language. Fabienne Crowley addressed the audience saying Professor Ulfden was there to discuss ZPD Officer William Grimm.

"Thank you for having me. I'll answer what I can." Ulfden responded.

"Have you seen any of the videos of Officer Grimm?" Crowley asked.

"I can't say I have though I have heard he's quite the character." Ulfden answered.

"Well let's start with the first video where Officer Grimm displays what we all can agree is unique behavior." Moosebridge suggested, and subsequently edited footage of Will's misadventure in the mall played starting with the moment where Maria mauled him up to the point where Jade had him by the collar, and Will licked her claws.

Crowley visibly cringed seeing him do that while Ulfden simply nodded responding to the unasked question of what his actions meant.

"Ms. Crowley your reaction doesn't surprise me. Most felines these days wouldn't know what it means for him to do that, and to be honest that particular action's meaning changes subtly depending on context. As for him licking this older jaguaress' claws, well normally it is the kind of thing a lover in the old days would do to show affection particularly after a kill. From this particular context however I'd infer that he did that more to calm her down as well as throw her off her anger at him since it can be inferred that he's been intimate with her, and from her statement she suspected him of untoward behavior with that younger jaguaress. In all honesty now I'm curious as to the interpersonal relationships between them because clearly the younger jaguaress knows him very well I'd even say more so than this older jaguaress, and the way the older one said 'hermana' I'd assume she meant it more along the lines of 'fellow cat'." Ulfden explained.

"How would he even know to do that, or what it means?" Crowley asked still clearly off-put.

"Now that is the question isn't it? Only a mammal in my field, or with particular interest in certain behaviors would even know of it, but for a wolf to do that, and without hesitation? He probably has spent a great deal of time with a lot of different felines which raises it's own questions, but I'm not going to speculate about such things." Ulfden answered.

"Okay. This next clip is from last week, and most will already know it." Crowley said recovering her professional composure before they played the video of Will shielding the deer fawns then howling, and roaring. When it was done Ulfden was clearly wide-eyed, and her mouth was open in surprise at what she'd witnessed.

"I've only read ancient accounts of howls like that, and to actually hear it in the modern day . . . he actually roared . . . I didn't know we could even do that . . . Okay, for those who wouldn't know that howl is called the 'Howl to Induce Fear', and was according to ancient accounts something only an Alpha wolf could do, and was normally used to frighten prey so they were unable to move, or would run into a trap set by the rest of the pack. Just how he would even know how to do that I don't know because such a thing is essentially lost knowledge that if you ask me should stay lost. Just what manner of wolf is he I wonder. As for that roar because that's exactly what that was, it confirms that he has spent a lot of time around felines; enough so that he can actually emulate the sounds they make." Ulfden explained in response to what she'd been shown.

"So having spent a great deal of time around cats would also explain this next clip from the same day?" Moosebridge asked as they played Nick's recording of Will doing the 'Nyan Nyan' song, and dance with Mihoshi.

Ulfden actually laughed as she saw Will doing it in perfect time with his fellow lupine officer, but then his actual meow at the end shocked her into silence while Crowley couldn't stifle her laugh at hearing Will make such an obviously feminine feline sound.

"Can you please replay that last part?" Ulfden asked, and after they had she put a paw to her muzzle it being quite evident she was stunned by his ability to make such a sound.

"Okay it makes a certain sort of sense that the way we wolves can growl, and snarl that with enough practice we could manage something resembling a roar, but he actually meowed. Ms. Crowley I'm sure you can corroborate this that such a sound is normally only made by feline cubs, or if at all female adult smaller cats in this day, and age. I mean sure just as other mammals can imitate a howl to sometimes convincing effect we canids as well can imitate a mew with practice. I even have a colleague who did a full dissertation on how we mammals can imitate each other's natural vocalizations stemming from our shared languages, but that was a full on meow. If he were in a dark room, and couldn't be seen he could fool anyone that he was a cat." Ulfden said.

"I can confirm that, yes. It is most unusual that he can do that. This brings us to the last, and latest video we have that is from yesterday afternoon where Officer Grimm was instrumental in stopping an armed bank robbery. Everyone has been quite curious as to what his actions meant, and we were hoping you would enlighten us Professor Ulfden." Crowley said before they queued the footage they had of said event.

It started with a camera mammal capturing Autumn biting, and sinking her claws into Will before he howled then charged the building on all fours. It then cut to Will smoking where he sat on the hood of his Shelby until the wolves at the scene along with Nick, and Judy surrounded him in a semicircle. Ulfden's eyes visibly widened seeing the way Will dropped to all fours in a dominant stance, and subsequently all the canids around him visibly submitting to him even the fox. It took a moment before Ulfden managed to find her voice.

"I know many will think that what that tigress was doing to him is very odd considering the situation they were in, and to be honest I don't know for sure, but I think she was turning him on so that he could more effectively take out those robbers. Don't quote me on that though because to know for sure we'd have to ask him." Ulfden said placing a paw to the ankh pendant she wore before continuing "That howl is another lost wolf technique called the 'Pack Rally', and it's clear he used it for it's purpose we get from ancient accounts. I feel the need to clarify since it's only evident to canids that the way he assumed a dominant stance in front of his fellow canid officers was clearly a statement, and not meant to be domineering as other mammals would assume. That said their response especially the fox's is very telling, and it reveals just why he knows, and can use the lost knowledge that he does. I'm sorry, but I can't tell you any more than that, and no canid worth their fur will divulge just what it means either. As it is his secret so too is it ours to keep."

Ulfden then got up, and promptly left which is where the video ended.

Will took a long pause to parse what he'd seen before addressing Jack "Well fuck, Ototo. I see what you mean. Yeah if the director decides to put me back on the kill list then y'all are gonna get fucked whether you succeed, or not. If you succeed you'll have the global canid population hunting down the culprit, and if you fail I'll come after the agency with everything I've got; you can carry that little message to the director himself. This peace between us stays, and I'll uphold my end so long as I get left alone especially after what Layla told me last night which reminds me."

Turning to Benji Will asked "Have you seen my pack brother, and his mate yet? I really need to talk with them about something very important. I am soon to be married, and I want them in particular to be my witnesses before the judge. Also since I know you'll want to hear this first my friend there is at least one kit in my future; no goods in the oven yet, but I'm gonna get to bakin' if you know what I mean."

The responding squeal from Benji followed by the fluffy cheetah's trademark 'Oh Em Goodness' was enough for Jack to cover his ears tranq pistol still in paw. Benji then embraced Will with every ounce of strength he could which was surprisingly considerable. Benji didn't have opportunity to actually form a sentence however since again they were interrupted though this time by a female voice from behind them.

"You What!?" Sky shouted causing Will to turn in her direction seeing the clear, and utter bewilderment on her muzzle "How could you marry her? What's wrong with you? Aren't you betraying Her?"

"There may be more to me than most others, but I'm still a flesh, and blood mammal here on this earth. So no it's not a betrayal. There wasn't any issue with me mate-bonding with Layla, and this is just that coming full circle my cousin. So now that you know who, and what I really am do you have a problem with that?" Will responded curtly.

"Ah . . . no . . . no I don't have a problem with that." Sky said backpedaling "I guess congratulations are in order, especially since you two can have kits I know that's never easy for couples like ours. Will you invite us to the wedding?"

"Hmm" Will snorted "Well to be honest we haven't decided on a ceremony though I hope Layla lets me handle it. It'll in all probable of probabilities take place next week so if you can get up to Ulfhaven at a day's notice I'll keep you posted. Your number hasn't changed yet right?"

"You're going to be in Ulfhaven next week?" Benji asked finally able to get a word in.

"Assuming I can get this whole 'Viridian Nightmare' issue under control enough for the rest of you to manage, yep I will be. The annual Grimm family reunion will take up the whole week starting on monday. In fact I need to talk with Nick, and Judy since I'm getting my whole pack together for the first time for the event, and Nick is mandated to attend with Judy likewise invited. Sage has already put in for the time off, and I still need to call Maria's school, and David's parents since they're in the same boat Nick, and Judy are in. Matter of fact assuming all goes well we'll have to start the drive up there as soon as our halloween party is over just to make it by noon that monday." Will answered looking like the weight of it all sank in as he spoke it.

At this point none other than the aforementioned dynamite duo walked through the front doors followed shortly after by Autumn.

"Kitsune-kun, Usagi-chan Ohayo! Ne, Ne I need to speak with you about pressing matters kochi, kochi." Will called out to them waving his paw as the japanese do to motion them over to where he stood next to Benji. When they made it over to the small gathering Will's first order of business was formally introducing Jack, and Sky.

"Alright Nick, and Judy this is Jack Savage, and since you haven't been formally introduced this is Sky Danger who was my handler in the ZIA, or to put it differently Kitsune-kun to Usagi-chan this is Usagi-kun to Kitsune-chan. Alright that's out of the way. Pack Brother, Judy I have a formal request to make of you: when Layla, and I are before the judge getting our marriage license made official we require witnesses which I'd like you two to be. Also, and this is not a request Nick you're coming to Ulfhaven with me for my family reunion since I'm getting my whole pack together for the first time. Judy as his mate, and since you were kind enough to invite me into your family home you too are formally invited as well. I'll get us the time off with the Chief, I already gave him the heads up last week though you should know that we'll need to get on the road up there after the halloween party, and Maria along with David will be with us." Will explained as if it was all a foregone conclusion something his partner felt compelled to comment on.

"That's a lot to lay on them partner, and you really think we'll have our current case handled by friday? I do believe after the big deal you made about that fear drug it takes precedence doesn't it? So Layla said yes? Congratulations by the way." Autumn said.

"For the next two days our case has my full focus barring my goal of impregnating my mate. She did, and thank you." Will replied with a curt nod.

"Congratulations, of course we'll be your witnesses, that's no problem right Nick? Wait, you can have a kit with Layla? Oh, I bet it's going to be just adorable." Judy managed to say since she was faster on processing what Will had said than Nick.

"Whoah, whoah there buddy. Congratulations on your engagement, and ability to have a kit with your mate. Sure we'll be your witnesses that's no problem, but not that I'm opposed to going how long will we be in Ulfhaven? You know my mom's always wanted to go." Nick finally said.

"Assuming we get there around noon monday we'll be there all of next week. Your mom actually mentioned that when I met her, um hmm . . . well as you are in my pack she's in it too as an extended member, but hmm . . . well you ask her for me, and if she decides to come she can fly up with Sage, and Holly since I can already guarantee that's how they're making it up there probably sometime sunday." Will answered.

"Alright I'll ask her, and yeah count me in." Nick said before adding somewhat snarkily "My alpha said it wasn't a request so what choice do I have? Who knows it might just be fun."

"It wasn't a request because for the first time I'm gathering my family in one place." Will responded bitingly before his tone, and facial expression softened "If only you knew how much I loathe that I can order you around as I wish, and that I would never issue you, or any other of my pack let alone any other canid any order without due cause."

"You really could order us around as you wish, and we'd be compelled to obey. To think I used to be the one issuing you the orders." Sky added before her eyes teared, and her voice choked with emotion "And you did what you did to save both me, and Jack those years ago . . ."

Will wouldn't let her continue as he with single swift motion embraced her lifting her clear off the floor since he was a good two feet taller than her saying "That rabbit was going to feed you Jack, and make you his sex slave. He got what he deserved. Now I don't want to hear any more on this subject; we're taking it to our graves remember?"

After Will set her back down satisfied she was recovering he continued "Besides someone has to have the strength to cross the lines everyone else puts in the sand in order to do the right thing when it needs doing. Who better than me to shoulder that burden?"

Sky shocked everyone except Will when she in response to his words jumped, and slapped him across the muzzle as hard as she could before telling him sternly while he simply rubbed his muzzle "Just because you're the only one who could do such things, and still be the good mammal that you are doesn't mean you ever needed to go that far. Don't think I don't know how many times you tried to kill yourself after that mission, or the different reasons why. Whisper talked; why do you think I insisted you get psych-evaled more regularly than required. Just how you kept passing I still want to know."

"I took enough psychology classes in high-school, and college, and am intelligent enough that it's pretty easy to fool a psychologist into writing me off as mentally sound since for the most part I am. Becoming one with my shadow certainly helped, and I'm not a suicide risk anymore; not when I'm going to be a father more than I already am." Will responded to her with a shrug.

"So what's this 'Viridian Nightmare' case you're working?" Jack asked changing the subject.

"Came across a veteran hyena dosed with the shit, probably saved his life since as you know I have experience with the shit." Will answered.

"Would you want us to lend a paw?" Sky inquired.

"Just keep an ear open, and if anything tickles your hairs let me know. My partner, and I are gonna get what we can from the guy, and hopefully use his movements yesterday to track down how he came into contact with the stuff which should yield at least a lead on who went after him. The Chief, and I already have the Narc unit with their noses to the ground on who would be a supplier here in the city; hopefully they come up with something, and SWAT, and I can mobilize. Though that reminds me if you catch more wind of mammal traffickers, or other undesirables let me know along with that MBI agent, and I'll take 'em out; I like staying in practice, and scum like that need to know that my city is off-limits." Will told her.

"You know it's crazy as shit seeing you as just a beat cop Will. I mean with all you're capable of saying you're overqualified for the position is an understatement. It makes sense though as something for someone like you to do while trying to lay low. I don't give a shit what the director says if you ever need us just call we'll come as fast as we can." Jack said to which Sky nodded her agreement.

"That's pretty fast wouldn't you say 'Rapid Reload'?" Will joked earning himself another tranq from the pistol the lapine buck still held.

"Okay 'Quick Draw' I get the point." Will laughed though this time Sky took the tranq pistol from Jack.

"I think that's enough out of you 'Commando'." Sky said with a pointed grin at Will before heading out of the precinct with Jack in tow calling out "We'll catch you later Beastie. Now stay out of trouble damnit".

After that Nick, and Judy made their way to the bullpen for their daily assignment, and Autumn followed Will back towards the motor pool. Once they were down at Will's Shelby they got in, and Will got on the radio to let Benji know that they were off to the ZRMC, and were taking his Shelby asking the fluffy cheetah to pass it along to the Chief since they'd skipped morning muster. That done Will got music going to continue the positive vibes he sought to maintain playing "Crazy Train" by Ozzy Osbourne before getting them out of the motor pool, and on the road to their destination. It wasn't until they were on the surface streets that Autumn voiced what was on her mind.

"What was that all about with you, and those ZIA agents?" Autumn asked him.

"What do you mean partner?" Will responded.

"That whole bit about a rabbit that wanted to do those things to them, and whatever you did to rescue them. There wasn't really a cannibal rabbit was there? I get that you're not going to tell anyone what you really did to that rabbit, but knowing what I do about you, and how Sky was talking about you crossing lines I assume either it was the first time you killed another mammal with your fangs, or you did something worse." Autumn said.

"Ya know with reasoning skills like that you'd probably make a decent ZIA agent yourself. Half of what we do is making cognitive leaps like that based on what intel we have on paw, or they do now that I'm not one of them. The other half of ZIA work is gathering said intel, or acting on it. In terms of gathering, and acting on intel Jack, and Sky as a team are the best. It's why when they formed the CLAWS unit to handle what those two couldn't themselves they made Sky our C.O." Will replied.

"That doesn't answer my question." Autumn responded.

"Okay. Fine. Yes, there was actually a cannibal rabbit who facilitated his tastes with mammal trafficking. As for how he got what he deserved at my paws, or what I had to do to get that close to the sick fuck I'm not saying a fucking thing. If I gave you my standard lie you'd know it was a lie from what you've already surmised. Considering what we spooks do is traffic in intel we lie through our teeth to cover our tails when we have to open our mouths at all, and my secrets . . . The ZIA director wasn't wrong to want me dead as far as I was progressing down the path I was, but he didn't need to sacrifice our unit to do it even if that's how he is known for operating. Yeah I understand, and can even agree with the decision he made because in this lifetime my very existence is a threat to the world even as I use that very threatening-ness to fight the good fight." Will told her.

"But so far you've done nothing, but prove you're not a threat to anyone with the way you risk yourself to save lives, and stand up for others when they get derided. How can you call yourself a threat when from where I'm at you're such an asset?" Autumn said.

"Because in the ZIA killing was my business, and business was good. That tiger I tore into for shooting Delgato is more along the lines of what I normally was doing, than say how I handled those robbers. For being the armed threat they were I'd have killed them all outright, and only used bullets on the ones on crowd control. My body shield would've lost his throat to my fangs just because that was the method of least resistance while the three down in the vault wouldn't have known what hit them." Will paused casting a wary glance at his partner since even if she technically needed to know what he'd been about to let slip he was about as willing to tell her as he was willing to let Judy find out what he'd really done to that sick rabbit. With a deep sigh Will shifted tack "That's just me spouting an example of a small scale incident. To get a better idea of what I'm really capable of you'd have to get your paws on one of the reports on one of the actual battles I was in alongside my unit, and I don't mean the official story that got spun for the rest of the world. I mean what the ZIA director keeps in his safe in a hidden compartment that you'd need his living paw to open since the biometric scanner checks for both pulse, and natural body heat; He can't even open it if he's got a cold hehehe."

"How can you be so blase, and nonchalant about all this?" Autumn asked adding "I get the feeling there's something you're not telling me. It still doesn't click that somehow you killing so easily with your fangs makes you a threat to the world as you put it, and I don't get the sense you're exaggerating about that."

"As my partner, and fellow vampire you have every right to know . . . it's just hard for me to tell you because I know how you'll react. Look let's get to the ZRMC then I'll show, and tell." Will told her adding "And I'm so nonchalant about all this because it's in the past; I've had a year to break away from that kind of field duty, and so long as this territory doesn't get involved in any civil war I won't have to cut loose like that. Fucked up shit can still happen though, and require me to respond with full lethality more so than when I rescued Sarah. Just don't think for a second that I'm not conflicted by how much blood I'm covered in, or is in me; there's a reason I enjoy eating vegetarian food when I can even if at the end of the day I still need some chicken, or fish since a carnivore cannot live on beans, and rice alone. Believe me I tried."

"Alright, but I'll hold you to it." Autumn responded allowing them to continue their drive in silence.

Will's phone's shuffle had continued playing tracks from Ozzy while they talked going from "Road to Nowhere" to "Waiting for Darkness". It wasn't much longer that Will had them at the city's largest, and the district's main medical center. Once he'd gotten them parked Will silenced the music "Flying High Again" being in the middle of playing. With his phone back in his pocket, and his partner out of his Shelby looking at him expectantly as well as curiously Will walked to the trunk, and opening it lifted the false bottom revealing the gun compartment. In the middle of the compartment Will used a paw to slide a panel open revealing part of the tsuka of his nodachi. With practiced movement Will drew the full length of the weapon out of it's place saya, and all turning as he did so side-stepping back to more easily get the full length of the weapon free. The six foot in overall length weapon was mounted shirasaya style indicative that it normally wasn't used for combat though it still could be. Naomi herself had by paw crafted the bamboo saya, and tsuka mounting which she'd lacquered black adding a simple red kanji on both sides of the saya by the koiguchi to mark it's location which read 'Blood' as a sort of in-joke between them.

"Touch the blade, and you will understand the real purpose of this sword" Will said to Autumn as he partially unsheathed it.

No sooner did she oblige him than a jolt of chi surged into her, and her eyes widened in surprise as her at the same time her pupils narrowed in what was for felines the feral set.

"I've heard of using steel, or silver objects to store chi, but just what was that?" Autumn asked as Will swiftly resheathed the blade, and got the weapon back in it's compartment.

"That is indeed the main use for which I put this blade though it has tasted blood. Thanks to the miko who made me the shirasaya mountings I don't need to be constantly mindful of it losing any of the chi I store in it, and as for just how much chi I have stored away . . . well . . . I've lost track of just how many lives I've taken with my nature, and it'd be a waste not to store the excess somewhere. Before I forged this with the help of that same miko's grandfather I used a more normal sized katana for the same purpose." Will answered.

"Wait. What? Did I just mishear you? You can't be serious you actually took a life with your fangs in that way." Autumn responded in shock.

"It started out just taking enough chi from a room full of mammals to drop them all to the floor, but eventually when situations were a lot more 'hairy' it just sort of became just another tool in my arsenal that made taking out the scum of the earth that much easier. At first it was a boon to the kind of work our unit was doing, and certainly got us all out of some pretty sticky situations. After a while though we all came to rely on my ability to take life in that manner to the point the trail of bodies could get specifically traced to us by anyone who managed to get enough of the puzzle pieces. It's the real reason the ZIA director decided to end my unit the way he did, and if Whisper hadn't fallen causing me to go berserk like never before I'd just be a footnote in the ZIA archives. Now you know what I mean when I say my existence is a threat to the world even if I'm not actually a threat to the world." Will explained his eyes glazing over as he stared into space thinking of just what he'd said. How there he stood about to be married to Layla, and with the chance to have a kit with her, yet if he'd never killed with his nature, or gone so far, or so many other things hadn't happened how they had he'd be dead, or CLAWS would still be a unit, or who the fuck could fathom what would be.

Will still with that thousand yard stare started walking towards the hospital entrance pulling out a cigarette from the pack he had in a breast pocket, and lighting it with his black flip-lighter. Autumn followed him in silence assimilating just what he'd admitted though he was only partially aware of her presence. They were a third of the way from the hospital doors when Autumn reached out a paw to his arm stopping him.

"Will, wait." Autumn said to him as she grasped his arm, and his gaze fell on the black, and white fur pattern on her arm. His eyes shifted up to her muzzle locking on to her still feral set eyes, and the way she tightened her grip on him only registered in him what she saw in his eyes.

"I . . . you . . ." Autumn tried to voice her thought dropping her paw from where she'd grabbed him "So what if you can take a life like that. You haven't given me, or anyone else reason to fear you. I know how in the throes of this need we share we can lose ourselves to it, but even if you went far enough to take lives you're still here. You could've fallen into that abyss, and truly been the threat to the world you claim to be fit only to be put down, but you didn't. You haven't, and you wouldn't have become a cop serving, and protecting others if you weren't stronger than your need like we all strive to be."

"I almost did that first real battle I was in after I'd first used my nature to take a life; if it weren't for Whisper I wouldn't have come out of it, and if it weren't for her I'd have probably succeeded in killing myself after too." Will said the light in his eyes that had dimmed seeming to go out before he shook his head as if to clear it, and when he looked back into her eyes he was back to his usual self.

"Enough. It's better I don't think about it, or I can put myself there, and I don't fucking want to be unless absolutely necessary which heaven forbid will never happen again. We've got a mission to accomplish so let's screw our heads back on tight, and fucking merc whatever is in our way." Will told her with growing resolution.

"That's right someone's out there with a lethal drug, and threatening our fellow mammals, but not for much longer." Autumn agreed the feralness finally leaving her eyes.

Together they crossed the remaining distance to the hospital entrance, and side by side strolled through the automatic doors. The main reception desk was helmed by a rather friendly cheetah whose sheer effervescence caused Will to joke she must've been related to Clawhauser as he inquired about Terry. This caused Rachel as her nametag read to remark that Will must be the "Hug-wolf" her brother Benji went on about. They shared a laugh about it as Rachel looked up Terry's info in the system, and after she told them where they needed to go she asked if she could get a hug from Will to see if her brother wasn't just exaggerating. Will unhesitatingly walked around the reception desk to oblige Rachel telling her hugs from her brother were good for his soul. When their friendly embrace was done Rachel remarked that her brother wasn't kidding going so far as to joke that Will needed a shirt that read 'This wolf is for hugging'. Will joked back that on the back it should say 'biting, and scratching too' with a wink which got a blush from Rachel, and caused Autumn to pull him towards the elevators admonishing him not to flirt with Benji's sister since he had a fiance.

Once they were on the floor they needed to be on they checked in with that floor's reception for Terry's room number then headed down the hall towards it. It didn't take long for them to make it to their destination, and Will put on his best friendly smile before entering followed by his partner.

"Morning, brother. I hope you're up to answer a few questions for me." Will greeted Terry who was laying in a hospital bed that had been adjusted so he was in a comfortable sitting position.

"I'll answer what I can Officer." Terry responded smiling back at him.

"Well first things first. How are you feeling?" Will asked walking over to the bedside.

"I'm feeling much better now that the grogginess from the sedatives are fading." Terry answered.

"That's good to hear, buddy. Okay I just need you to go over your morning yesterday with me. Even if you think it's irrelevant any small detail will help me loads." Will said.

"Well after I woke up, and got ready to head to work like usual I had my usual bowl of Lucky Chomps. My drive to work was pretty normal too, and I honestly felt fine. I clocked in with my boss, and got to work normal as any day. I work over in the district's warehouse sector at one of the smaller distribution centers. Everything was going fine until out of nowhere my heart rate spiked, and I felt like I was back in the field under attack you know? I told my boss, and he told me to take the rest of the day off to take it easy. He's a vet like us, and really is understanding what we go through; he must've asked me three times if I felt okay enough to drive, and I honestly did, but I guess I wasn't." Terry explained.

"Hmm . . . okay, and what kind of work do you usually do there? Are you a forklift operator, or just one of the paws on deck?" Will inquired.

"Usually I'm just a paw on deck moving stuff around, fetching the smaller stuff to fill an order, or unloading the loose stuff from trucks." Terry answered.

"Well the stuff you were dosed with takes a minute to kick in, but when it does it kicks in pretty hard. I need to figure out how it got into your system so anything you can tell me about what you were doing before you started feeling out of sorts will help." Will said.

"My boss just had me moving around some of the smaller stuff in the back to make room for a couple new shipments we'd gotten overnight. How could whatever it was gotten into me?" Terry replied.

"That really depends. Normally I've seen it used in tranq darts, or capsules like that ewe was using to deliver that Night Howler serum. I've also seen it mixed into food, or drink, and when it's been tried to turn it into a street-drug it'll get mixed with meth, or coke. Considering how it takes longer to take full effect when inhaled, and how you were when I got to you I think from what you're telling me you breathed it in somehow." Will responded.

"Now that you mention it I did move this one box that seemed lighter than it should've, and when I put it down it kicked up some dust that was kinda purple, but I didn't think anything of it." Terry said.

"Shit! Okay Terry where is this warehouse I need to get there ASAP. Hopefully no one else has touched that box, but I can already imagine someone has, and is now dead. Ugh, this isn't your fault, and if it weren't for you I wouldn't know about this whole situation so don't worry about that, just rest up. I'll resolve this." Will spoke urgently.

No sooner did Terry tell Will where his work was than he was off on all fours down the hall back towards the elevators. Will was in such a rush that Autumn was forced to likewise run on all fours just to keep up, but where Will busted through the stairwell door not having time to wait for a lift to leap down the flights of stairs his partner slowed quite a bit. She was uncomfortable enough running on all fours like he was, and not used to moving in such a manner took the stairs awkwardly.

By the time Will had made it to his Shelby, and had in all haste thrown it in reverse tires squealing as he backed out before shifting it into drive gunning it to the entrance Autumn had made it through the doors running back on her hindpaws. While he gave her time to throw herself into the passenger seat Will got the emergency lights, and siren going. Will didn't even wait for Autumn to buckle in before he was off like a mammal possessed flooring it to their destination.

Will tossed his phone to his partner not even taking his eyes off the road telling her to plug it in to the aux cord, and get metal playing so he could focus. While Autumn just chose a band from the music players list at random Will cranked the volume on "The Shadow Knows" by Grand Magus remarking to his partner that he was glad most mammals obeyed the law by getting the fuck out of his way. Autumn for her part was just praying they didn't wreck since he was driving faster than what any other officer normally would in this situation due to traffic being what it was. When she couldn't hold back her vocal cringing at how he blew past red lights like they weren't there Will just laughed as he wove around any vehicles in his way.

It was only a matter of minutes before Will had them there where they needed to be, and he was still riding the adrenaline rush from the drive. Will looked at his partner after he'd cut the engine, and unplugged his phone giving her what he thought would be a reassuring grin after he silenced the music.

"Don't Fucking Do That Again!" Autumn yelled at him, and he just smirked a little wider in response.

"I can't make any guarantees, but hey like hell would I risk wrecking my baby. Now we need to make a concerted effort so take a deep breath, and listen. I'm going to rush in there, and track down that box if it's still there. I need you to get on the radio for backup then find the boss. Have him gather everyone, and if anyone runs tranq them for me to question later." Will said to her as he opened the door, and not waiting for her assent he took off again on all fours making it into the building through open cargo doors.

It didn't take Will very long as he ran to catch the telltale scent of the drug as he neared the back of the building that would only mean anything to someone who already knew what it was. His nose led him to a stack of boxes all clearly marked except for one under a couple other boxes, and he zeroed in on it. After he uncovered it he drew his bowie knife, and cut it open revealing a plastic sack of about a kilo of the shit that had somehow been busted enough for some of the light purple powder to slip free.

Knowing it wasn't safe to move the box itself without an airtight container to put it in Will got on his personal radio to let his partner know of his find before pulling out his phone to call Layla his watcher in the wings.

"Moshi, moshi" Layla answered.

"I need an update on your end, babe." Will said calming down as the adrenaline in his system worked it's way to more normal levels.

"Well I backtracked that hyena's movements to the warehouse where I assume he works. Considering footage of him when he entered, and when he left he came into contact with the stuff there." Layla responded.

"That he did, now switch gears and look for anything suspicious involving the building. I don't think this stuff got here by normal means; first thought that comes to mind someone stashed it here to come back for later. From the amount here I think this is just another turn it into a street drug attempt. Gods I hope so." Will said.

"On it. I'll keep you posted with what I find." Layla replied before hanging up.

No sooner was Will of the phone than Autumn's voice crackled through the radio informing him that backup was on the way, and all workers were present, and accounted for adding that none had made a break for it yet. Will told her to keep the fort on her end, while he likewise held his position guarding their evidence until they got back-up.

It wasn't long until said back-up arrived in the form of Fangmeyer, and Delgato along with Wolford, and Grizzoli. When they radioed in their presence on scene Will called for one of them to head to the back where he was with an evidence bag big enough to fit a couple kilos of coke. When Wolford was the one to bring him the requested bag Will motioned him over.

"Alright John just hold the bag open for me, and when I tell you take in a deep breath, and hold it; I'm gonna be as careful as I can, but last thing we need is you breathing in any of this." Will told him when he was close enough.

"What about you?" John asked as he opened the bag.

"I can handle it if I get a little up my nose though I too will be holding my breath." Will answered before seeing his fellow officer was ready saying "Okay inhale, and hold it like hitting a joint."

With a great deal of care as if what he was doing was defusing a bomb Will picked up the busted kilo doing his best not to spill any more of it, and set it at the very bottom of the evidence bag. Once he pulled his paws away rather gingerly Will let out the breath he was holding, and Wolford did the same.

"Okay brother here comes the hard part. Same drill inhale, and hold it when you're ready." Will said, and when John had done so Will did the same while pouring what had spilled in the box into the the evidence bag.

That done they made their way back to the rest of their follow officers where they were detaining the workers in this particular warehouse including the boss. Wolford left to secure the evidence bag in one of the cruisers while Will with the empty box in paw surveyed the workers.

"Which one of you is the boss?" Will asked sternly eying the mammals present for signs that would betray lack of innocence, but they were all equally nervous, and obviously confused.

"I'm the boss here. What seems to be the issue officer?" A boar said stepping forward.

"Yesterday morning you sent Terry home because he was unfit to work. The issue is the reason why he was rendered unfit. He moved this box." Will said holding up the empty box for emphasis before continuing "In so doing he was exposed to it's contents because the kilo of drugs inside somehow busted. I want to know how it got here so who normally has access to this building, and who would think that storage area in the back would make a good temporary stash spot?"

"I wouldn't know how it ended up back there, but the stuff that ends up back there are usually things that aren't due to ship out for a while, or got sent back, and we're the last return address." Will listened to the boar explain while he kept his focus on the workers.

"Who has access to this building after hours?" Will asked.

"Just me, and the owner." the boar answered.

"Has there been any break ins, or suspicious activity? Maybe signs a gang, or someone was casing the joint?" Will inquired his expression darkening as he went over possible scenarios in his head.

"Not that I've noticed." the boar responded, but one of the workers a coyote spoke up saying "The other day I was going out for a smoke, and noticed a rock had been thrown through the window in the back door. Remember boss I mentioned it to ya? We just figured it was some drunk, or a kid being a nuisance."

Will wheeled on the boar giving him the kind of unamused glare that would've made the Chief proud before saying "In a situation like this that counts as suspicious activity, and a possible break in. I'm giving the mammals present here the chance now. If you know anything come forward now, or I'll just hunt you down after I review the area's camera footage, and you won't like how I interrogate you."

For emphasis of his last words Will drew his bowie knife, but none stepped forward.

"As an officer of the law you can't just do that." Grizzoli said to Will giving him a stern glare.

Will just scowled back at her before saying "You're a good cop Grizzoli, but you're a fucking idiot. Even in the ZIA where courts mean squat torture is not a tool of our interrogations. A mammal will say anything to stop the pain, and we pride ourselves on getting solid actionable intel which apparently no one else here has."

After that Will walked out of the building towards his Shelby followed by his partner, and their fellow officers. Once Autumn was in the passenger seat Will having already started up the engine got them headed back to the precinct. Having gotten them on the road Will got on the radio giving Benji an update asking him to relay to the Chief that they were heading back to base. As they drove back to the station there was silence that was neither comfortable, or uncomfortable between the two other than the wind noise from Will having his window down that neither seemed willing to break. Will all the while off, and on drummed his digits rhythmically against the steering wheel as he thought over the implications presented by the kilo they'd recovered.

Back at the station Will parked out front not bothering to go all the way around to the motor pool in case he needed to book it somewhere else. Once he heard Autumn shut the passenger door he locked his Shelby with the key fob as he made his way towards the front doors. Standing next to Benji at the front desk the Chief was already waiting for them.

"Grimm what's the update?" the Chief asked.

"We found a whole kilo of the stuff. That hyena got exposed to it because the bag was busted inside the box it was in. It doesn't add up. Even though it's small that warehouse is fairly busy, and a fucking poor stash point. My gut tells me it was a plant." Will answered.

"That doesn't bode well. What makes you say that?" The Chief inquired.

"Do kilo bags of coke, or meth just bust on their own? My best guess as to why someone would do this on purpose is as a decoy, but we're not out of leads yet. I'm going to go over what camera footage there is just don't mind if I have to hack a couple networks to get it." Will responded.

"Get on it." The Chief said with a nod that Will returned.

Before Will could make his way to his desk next to Autumn's Benji stopped him.

"Hey, Will can I be there too as one of your witnesses?" Benji asked with his best cute kitten face.

"Of course you can buddy. You're one of my first, and best friends here. I'm sorry I was too focused on getting Nick, and Judy on board to think about asking you; the more the merrier." Will answered with a laugh.

From Benji's reaction Will could tell he'd just made his friend's day, and it did him good to feel the fluffy cheetah's positive vibes. Leaving the front desk Will made his way over to the workspace he shared with Autumn. They were halfway there when Will's phone vibrated in notification of a received text. He fluidly retrieved it from his pocket, and noting it was from Layla he promptly read it - "You are sappier than the trees in Ulfhaven. It's perfect. I was thinking Naomi could preside over the ceremony? Also I was already on it when you called; take it easy." - Attached to the text was a series of alphanumeric codes with timestamps.

Understanding the meaning of the attached file through the timestamps that what he was looking at were the system codes for the videos he needed from the system. Will couldn't help his responding grin, and chuckle before he picked up his pace towards their destination.

"What lit a fire under your tail? Should I be worried?" Autumn said towards him as she tried to catch up.

"The benefits of all the life, and death she, and I have been through my mate sometimes reads my mind; that she and I are strong empaths only reinforces things like that. You should see us spar." Will answered with a short laugh.

"Your spar with your sister was a horror enough. I don't want to see something like that ever again." Autumn responded with a shudder.

"They called me Beast for a reason, but no I don't go that far with Layla, or rather we go there differently." Will replied his grin broadening.

"I don't want to know." Autumn told him flatly as they reached their destination.

"It's not like what you're thinking, partner. I'll just spar with you then." Will responded neutrally as he sat at the desk next to his partner's, and logged into the system.

It took Autumn a good minute to process what he'd said before she said "What? No you won't."

"You don't know what you're saying; It'll be fun. Do not let fear be your mind killer." Will replied as he looked up the first footage clip Layla had sent him. In looking it up independently from her Will kept a chain-of-evidence that would fool Internal Affairs though if they had occasion to even need to go over footage of him Sky, and Jack would both know what he was really up to.

"You're crazy. I know very well just how much stronger than me you are, and to now know just why; I have every reason to fear fighting you." Autumn asserted more focused on her partner than getting to work, and while she picked up he was somehow finding the relevant recordings as if he knew right where they each were she was more concerned with what she hoped was just a joke.

"You forget that I don't have claws like you do, and you could easily kill me with them if you had to. Also it's a sparring match not a fight to the death." Will told her much to his partner's chagrin before adding "Once I have the footage we need I'm going to need a fifteen minute break for at least a cigarette, and some coffee after I get the muzzle-recognition program running. We must be patient for the intel we need though time is against us, and you should get started on our action reports; I'll have my half done by the time we clockout. It's not like I'm suggesting we fight immediately; just whenever we have a free hour just humor me."

"Fine, but we're wearing helmets, and gloves" Autumn relented as she turned to her terminal, and logged herself in.

"No we're not, or rather you can but you won't need them. I want to show you that you can trust me." Will responded as he studiously watched the third recording.

"Whatever." Autumn said reflexively before adding "I do trust you, but I have a very rational wariness of you."

"Which I am well aware of, and quite understanding of as well, but, and this is my point: as my partner you don't need to be." Will explained giving his arms a stretch as he began watching the fifth, and final piece of relevant footage.

Once Will was done with it he made sure he had good still shots of the unsub's caught on camera, and began running them through the precincts muzzle-recognition software which had access to all relevant databases excepting the military's, and the ZIA's. That done Will got up from his desk for another stretch ruffling the fur on top of Autumn's head while she was working on her half of their reports as he did so causing her to swat at him in annoyance much to his mirth before he headed back towards the break room, or at least that's where Autumn assumed he went as she got back to work.

In actuality Will took the lift down to the unused floor under the motor pool where he found a nice spot hidden by the shipping container full of dragon-skin vests where he promptly sat cross-legged, and lit a cigarette. Closing his eyes, and savoring the burn of the tobacco smoke in his esophagus helped him clear his mind to focus on the task at paw. He went over the puzzle pieces he had from the events of the past two days from encountering Terry to discovering the kilo of 'Viridian Nightmare'. The newest piece being the video footage of the warehouse that confirmed his suspicion that the drug had most likely been a plant; as busy as that warehouse usually was even on a slow day like yesterday someone had wanted at least one of the mammals working there dosed. Will was starting to suspect that Terry wasn't actually a specific target, and more of just an unlucky bystander. It still left the question of why, but that was a ball of yarn to untangle later. For now Will thought to himself about his plan of attack moving forward; obviously he was going to meet with the Narc Unit, and debrief them on what he'd uncovered while getting their input, but it didn't hurt to mentally prepare.

Setting those thoughts aside Will enjoyed what was left of his cigarette, before lighting another savoring the quiet of his hiding spot. He was about to light his third cigarette which being the 'lucky' was the last one he had when said quiet was disturbed by a truck driving down into the empty lot. Moving swiftly Will from where he was behind the shipping container jumped to grab the top, and hauled himself up doing his best to stay low on top of the container trusting in the intruders to be distracted by what they were doing thus not noticing him. The truck parked, and Will listened as both doors opened, but only one set of paws got out. One of the mammals called out asking for clarification on where to drop off the container that was in the bed of the flatbed truck.

"Just put it next to the one already there." Will heard Jade respond before there was the crackle of a radio, and Jade spoke presumably into it "Autumn, Benji, or whoever knows where the Beastie is I need him. I'm down in the lot under the motor pool."

Will had to suppress a snicker because he was right here, and so far no one knew. Will knew better than to try, and peek out to witness the goings on under him so he just listened. While the truck was backing into place Will used the inane, but useful beeping of the reverse indicator to mask his lighting his 'lucky' cig the smoking of which could potentially give away his position though he didn't really care about hiding all that much. It didn't take them long to get the container offloaded, and by the time they were done Will had just about killed his cigarette putting the butt out on the roof of the container he was prone on.

"Alright ma'am just need you to sign right here as proof of receipt as per our instructions from the Institute, and we'll need to wait here for signatures from Captain Eidolon, and Captain Grimm. Our orders were quite clear; we cannot leave until they do." Will listened to one of the mammals below him tell Jade.

"Alright well I gave Captain Eidolon as you call her a call so she should be here shortly, and the Beastie should be here sooner than that. They mentioned being in the service, but I did not know they held those ranks." Jade responded.

For a long moment there was silence since as Will was well aware most of the guards the Aurora Institute put in charge of delivering anything were ex-military, and knew better than to have loose lips. That silence was broken by one of the guards who apparently had quite the curious streak.

"Ma'am when you say Beastie you wouldn't be referring to The Beast would you?" the curious guard asked.

"Now 'Mack' you know better than to ask questions like that." the other guard said.

"I know, but what if it really is him? I want to know if the rumor is true that he took down 'Blood-Tooth', and his whole trafficking ring single-pawed." the curious one replied.

"If it really is him then I don't want to know. You may have heard the rumors, but I've seen his handiwork first paw. I remember like it was yesterday when they told us the Beast from the CLAWS had been sent in to clear out one of the more troublesome cartels in the golden triangle after they kidnapped a group of medics from Doctors Without Borders. Our orders were to go in to escort the hostages out safely once he'd secured them, and when we get there the Doc's were in the main building just fine, but that cartel . . . " the other guard trailed off.

"Oh, come on what'd he do to them?" the curious guard asked.

"A gentle-mammal doesn't talk about such things with a lady present." the other one retorted, and Will could hear the smack to the back of the head he gave the 'curious' one.

"Well I want to know what happened. He never talks about the things like that he did before he became a cop." Jade said which prompted Will to break his silence.

"There's a good reason I don't talk about those things. Go ahead, I want to hear your take on what I did to that cartel." Will said before sitting up, and making his way to the edge of the container he was on dropped back down to the floor.

The guards who were a pair of grey wolves looked at him dumbstruck, and not without a hint of fear on their muzzles.

"We saw the video on the news . . . you're him . . ." the 'Curious' guard stammered out.

"Instincts don't lie. You really are . . . him." the one Will considered the 'Stern' guard said.

"I am. Now none of that submissive crap, I'll have none of it. So you gonna finish telling these two what I did to that cartel, or shall I?" Will said plainly.

"From the looks of the place you sniped a good twenty of them before you came in for the wet work. It was plain enough you'd cut some of them apart, but others you . . . you killed them with your fangs. Throats don't get torn out like that any other way." The 'Stern' guard said succinctly.

"You're forgetting the smaller mammals I simply ripped the arms off of, or what I did to the leader. You'd remember him probably as the pile of parts I got a little creative with." Will replied causing the 'Stern' guard to visibly swallow hard, and look like he was about to be ill.

Will almost laughed seeing how the 'Stern' guard's tail tucked between his legs as he obviously remembered the grizzly scene he'd left as a message for the other cartels in the region, and the 'Curious' guard matched his comrade's body language. He refrained from doing so because though to him it was amusing he didn't want to belittle them. When he looked at Jade he was surprised that she looked indifferent, as if what she'd heard didn't really surprise her. She had just opened her mouth to say something when the sound of a motorcycle caught their ears. The noise of it got louder in telltale sign that it was approaching, and even though it wasn't as loud as it could've been the sound was still mildly uncomfortable for all four of them in the underground lot since it was somewhat of an echo chamber.

It wasn't long before down the same access ramp the truck had come down they saw the sport bike, and it's rider who Will automatically recognized even though their head was completely covered by their black helmet. It wasn't long after she'd stopped in front of them that down the same ramp she'd come Joe ran into the unused lot.

"Hey sexy." Will said as Layla took of her helmet. She was wearing her set of black fatigues with the field jacket only adorned with her name patch, and rank insignia; as Will has always asserted there was something to be said for the sight of a female in field trousers.

"Whoever you are you can't just trespass here!" Joe hollered out drawing his tranq pistol before she could respond.

"Actually she can Joe I called her here." Jade said to him.

"Keep pointing that tranq pistol at my mate, and you, and I are going to have issues Joe." Will said in warning that the snow leopard heeded.

"What's going on? Civilians aren't just allowed back here." Joe asked as he lowered the tranq pistol in his paws.

"That's why I wore my uniform Joe. I'm not a civilian, and I outrank you." Layla answered for herself.

"Joe this is Layla Will's mate; Layla this is Joe the Officer in Charge of the Motor Pool. She's here Joe because this shipment we just got isn't just for us. Some of it's contents are for her, and Will." Jade explained.

"Don't forget soon to be wife." Will added causing Layla to smile at the appellation.

"Wait. What?" came the chorus from Joe, Jade, and the guards.

"Well, we're gonna get this a lot aren't we?" Layla asked Will.

"It'll die down eventually even if we have to stab it a couple times first, hehehe." Will joked in response before adding "Okay guy's one at a time."

"Well it's certainly news to me that you have a mate Will especially as often as you've come to work with Jade here." Joe said clearly surprised.

"So you're marrying her? That's not going to change things much is it?" Jade asked apprehensively.

"We have an open relationship Joe, and as unconventional as that is it works for us. No Jade it's not really gonna change things though that reminds me next time you mark him I'm biting your tail." Layla answered.

"Well things are gonna be a little different for a bit. My new life goal is to get her pregnant after all." Will said nonchalantly before saying to the guards "What's with the silence peanut gallery?"

"It's not our place to question you . . . " the 'Stern' guard said lowering his gaze as he trailed off.

"Well I want to know more. It's news enough you're really the Father incarnate, but you're mated to, and marrying a vixen that apparently you can have cubs with. I mean it's not surprising you can have cubs since you're the Father after all, but what about you, and the Mother? How does that work?" the 'Curious' guard wagged his tongue until he was silenced by a glare from his colleague.

"Here, and Now I'm just a flesh, and blood wolf just like you. That's how it works." Will answered plainly.

"Also the Mother made a point of telling me that we have her blessing." Layla added before saying "Okay, we're here for business. Let's get on with it."

This brought them all around to the matter at paw. In short order the guards had Will, and Layla's signatures then were on their way out after giving the key to the shipping container to Jade. Once Jade had it open they all saw that it was packed with rather secure looking metal crates that were all labeled. In the very front were a series of black cases which had names painted on them indicating who they were for. The one on top read 'Hopps' which Will being the one tall enough to reach everything promptly gave to Jade. The one under that read 'Eidolon' which he gave to Layla before seeing that the next one read 'Grimm'. While Layla walked over to her bike which she rested her case on so she could open it, and verify it's contents Will was busy opening the case that had his name on it right where it was. Jade, and Joe who were watching Will curiously saw him barely seem to peek at what was in the case before he quickly shut it with a nod before setting it aside.

The next case was larger, and also bore his name so Will opened it. Seeing what was inside Will's jaw dropped while his ears went so erect they quivered, and his tail became a blur as it wagged. With a bit of a grunt with the weight of it Will set the case next to his other one revealing the crate that was at the bottom of the stack which simply read 'Grimm - Ammo' causing Will to actually jump up, and down excitedly.

"Hey, babe wanna toss me your keys so I can put this in the trunk of your Shelby?" Layla asked before seeing Will's antics added "Okay what did they send you?"

All she got out of him was his keys thrown at her which she deftly caught while he continued his excited jumping letting loose a Clawhauser worthy squeal of excitement.

"Joe would you mind helping me with my ammo crate so Jade can lock this back up? Jade can you call the Chief to have him meet us at the range? He's gonna want to see this." Will said rapid fire as he managed to settle his hindpaws back on the ground before handing the smaller case with his name on it to Layla asking her "Can you put this in the trunk too, for now? Thanks, love."

While Layla headed back up to the motor pool Joe, and Will got the ammo crate out of the shipping container then Jade locked it. Will, and Joe set the ammo crate down next to the shipping container with a huff from both of them due to the weight of it. That done Will picked up the case then waited for Layla to get back. Once she had Joe gave them a wave goodbye before heading back up the motor pool himself so he could get back to work. Jade, and Layla followed Will as he led them to the lift doors on the floor they were on so they could head up to the ground floor to take the separate lift to the underground firing range.

Will was tight lipped on what exactly the Aurora Institute had sent him despite Jade, and Layla both expressing their curiosity. While Layla was patient enough to let him show what it was when he was ready Jade was not since his Clawhauser impression had piqued her interest to eleven. When they finally got down to the range the Chief was there waiting for them.

"This better be good Grimm. I was busy. Who is she, and what is she doing here?" The Chief said as soon as he saw them approaching with his usual gruffness.

"Chief this is Captain Layla Eidolon my mate, and soon to be wife. She's here because the Aurora Institute sent some stuff for her, and I along with what they sent for the precinct. While neither of us are on active duty in the service she holds the same rank I do, and has the same security clearances which for the record outrank yours." Will responded plainly before adding with a knowing grin "Now then I wanted you here because you're going to want to see this."

Will walked past the Chief down to the very end of the range where at the last stand he set down the case he carried, and shielding it's contents with his body pulled out a medium sized booklet before shutting the case.

"Give me a second to read through the manual then I'll get on with the demonstration." Will said to them opening said manual in his paws.

"Demonstration? What's in the case Grimm?" The Chief asked clearly curious, but not in the mood for the waiting game Will was putting them through.

"Let's just say Chief that a couple years ago I donated a couple million into what was more of a side project by one of the Aurora Institute engineers granting him ability to make it an actual project. In return for the aid I gave him he promised me the first working version once it was out of the prototype stage." Will said as his eyes were glued to what he was reading.

"That doesn't answer my question." The Chief said not pleased.

"It wasn't meant to. Okay I've read enough. It was so nice of him to ship it ready for a single test fire right out of the box. 'Course he probably put it through it's paces enough as it is in the lab, and I have the world's only one." Will replied grinning from ear to ear.

Without any further delay Will opened the case this time not bothering to hide it's contents as he picked up out of it something resembling a rifle, but unlike anything any of the mammals present had seen. The weapon itself was shorter than say Will's .50 Anti-Materiel rifle, but it was much bulkier.

"Oh this is nice. Weight's on par with my .50 cal rifle, but the balance is better. Alright let's get her switched on, and warmed up. Gonna have to think of a good name for you." Will talked to himself ignoring the mammals around him as he flipped a switch, and an indicator light on the side of the weapon lit up first orange then turned green.

When it was ready Will shouldered it, and took aim through the attached scope at the concrete wall at the opposite end of the range. Layla who already had an idea as to what the gun in his paws was, along with the Chief, and Jade watched as Will like the trained sniper he was fell into steady rhythmic breathing. Layla who'd spent years as his spotter could clearly see when he was ready to take his shot, and right on cue he did. The weapon itself didn't actually make any noise when it fired, but the sound of the projectile it fired hitting the concrete wall was definitely heard. Will himself lowered the weapon as he looked at the impact site with satisfaction as the projectile had left quite the crater.

"Oh, yeah. This baby will stop a war elephant mmhmm." Will said in obvious satisfaction that was echoed by the movement of his tail.

"Okay it's quiet as hell, and does some serious damage. You still haven't told us what the fuck it is." Jade said to him exasperatedly.

"It's a coilgun." Layla responded.

"Gauss Rifle." Will corrected with machine-gun delivery.

"Same shit you Fallout nerd." Layla quipped back to which Will just stuck his tongue out at her.

"In words we can understand you two." The Chief said sternly rolling his eyes at their banter.

"It uses electromagnetic coils to propel a projectile at high velocity. The kind of set up your average amateur can cobble together is usually stronger than a bb gun, but a spitwad compared to a 9mm while what militaries try to come up with are proof of concept cannons like those naval railguns I'm sure you've heard about. This thing is right in the middle, and ooh does it hit the sweet spot." Will explained lovingly stroking the weapon.

"So what would you ever use it for?" Jade asked incredulously.

"More like where are you going to keep it? Compared to your B.A.R., and .50 cal. it's kinda overkill." Layla added.

"I'd probably only ever use it if I had to take out the ZIA director, or something along those lines. For now it's going in the trunk of my Shelby, and then my vault in Ulfhaven next monday; I'll probably have Sage fly the ammo crate up there when she goes." Will answered.

"I'm not sure how I feel about you keeping such a thing in your car." The Chief said warily.

"Well it's mine, and you don't get a say in the matter. Besides my Shelby is as secure as the precinct armory." Will responded.

"It's true. Though as with anything a determined mammal could steal it to get into it without the keys they'd need to literally cut off one of the doors. Plus Will put multiple GPS trackers in it in case of such a situation." Layla added.

"He's more dangerous than any weapon. Especially with his nodachi in his paws." Autumn said announcing her presence, having heard Will describe his new weapon, before adding "Chief I've got my half of today's reports done, and Will the Narc Unit is ready for that briefing. Also the muzzle recognition search you ran came back. I printed out the results, and they're on your desk."

"You showed her your nodachi, and told her it's purpose?" Layla said narrowing her eyes at Will.

"She's my partner, and had a right to know since she's a fellow kyuketsuki, and my workday leash minder." Will responded likewise narrowing his eyes at his mate before relaxing his expression, and saying to Autumn "Thank you partner for the heads up."

"Well time to pack everything up, and get back to work; no rest for the wicked." Will said promptly packing up his Gauss rifle then turning to his mate said to her as he ran his right paw along the top of her head, over her left ear, and down her neck "Layla, my love I'll see you after work. Alright."

Like the positive, and negative ends of two magnets they were drawn together in a parting kiss that caused the three other mammals present to turn away their gaze. When they parted Will simply stood watching Layla walk away his focus solely on her until she was out of sight. With a deep inhale then exhale Will picked up the case containing his Gauss rifle, and told his fellow officers that he was going to go put it in the trunk of his Shelby before heading back to the bullpen where the Narc unit was waiting pulling out his keys as he did so from the pocket Layla had deposited them during their embrace. Likewise getting back to work the Chief, Autumn, and Jade followed after him, and as he reached the lift first Will held the doors for them.

"Caldera I see you're carrying a case with Hopps' name on it." The Chief commented.

"Yes, Sir. It's a new uniform for her from the Aurora Institute. From what the Head Researcher told me it's on par with the kevlar-weave uniforms we're all going to have pretty soon though customized to facilitate her range of motion. He also mentioned they were also going to work on a tactical variant for her, and that he would be getting in touch with you about a proposal of some sort when I last spoke with him." Jade responded.

"If it's anything like what they've made for Layla in the past I can imagine she's gonna look killer in that tactical version." Will said with a grin.

"Grimm why do I get the feeling I'm not going to like your answer if I ask you if that vixen, and Whisper are the same mammal?" The Chief asked him.

"Chief I'm more than willing to have that conversation with you in your office later perhaps over a glass of scotch, or whatever you happen to have, but right now we're in a very enclosed space, and have more pressing matters wouldn't you agree?" Will responded.

While the Chief, and Will simply stared ahead of themselves not bothering to look the other in the eye being the stoic males they were Jade, and Autumn looked back, and forth between them nervously. Thankfully for the felines the elevator arrived at the ground floor, and as soon as the doors opened they both swiftly left heading their separate ways. Will, and the Chief on the other paw were much more relaxed as they got out of the lift with the Chief heading towards the bullpen, and Will heading down to the motor pool.

It didn't take Will long to get his Gauss rifle stowed in the trunk of his Shelby then get back up, and to the bullpen where his partner, and the Chief were waiting for him stopping along the way for the print out on his desk. As he made his way from his desk to the bullpen he looked over the papers in his paws. They contained a mug shot of the leopard that had broken into the warehouse along with a short list of the petty crimes the ZPD had arrested the cat for, and included mention of his affiliation with one of the local gangs in the area. Reaching the bullpen Will opened the door, and walked in taking up position standing at the front alongside his partner, and the Chief.

"Alright guys what've you got for me?" Will addressed his fellow officers getting into a tactical mindset.

"Considering we've barely had twenty-four hours to glean any intel? Not much." one of the lions present spoke up.

"What Officer Prydwen means Grimm is that next to no one has heard of this 'Viridian Nightmare', and if they have their not talking to us. At best we could take shots in the dark, and try busting some of the larger known suppliers in the city, but without solid evidence against them there's no way we could get the warrants we need. Our paws our tied." one of the tigers present clarified.

Will glanced at the Chief before turning back to the officers in front of him saying "Well we're cops not ZIA agents so that's sort of a given isn't it? Can't even really do what needs to be done given the protocols for due process. So I guess I'm the only one with an actionable lead? Fine then."

Will took a deep breath before continuing "So far all I've got is a kilo of the shit recovered from a warehouse where the hyena I came in contact with yesterday came across it more coincidentally than anything else. My tingling spook-senses tell me this was a plant because that's the only way it makes sense for the drugs to be in an active commercial building which doesn't bode well. Thanks to security camera footage I've got an I.D. on the mammal who put it there who has ties to one of the Savannah Central gangs who call themselves the 'Crooked Tails'. So, game plan is this since it's almost lunch, I have some phone calls to make, and the Chief, and I need to have another heart to heart; I leave it to you to see if anything new shakes loose, and whoever among you feels so inclined I want the locations of this gang's main haunts on my desk after lunch so SWAT, and I can come up with a plan to bag the leaders for me to put the screws to."

Turning to the Chief Will added "That sound good to you boss? 'Cause I am not in the mood to pussyfoot around."

At Will's comment the felines in the room including Autumn didn't look very keen on his use of the term as evidenced by the expressions on their muzzles, and when Autumn didn't hesitate to give Will a back-pawed smack to the shoulder her fellow felines all grinned in vindication. The Chief of course gave a snort at that which was about as close as he would come to showing amusement openly in front of his officers not that he was truly an unpersonable mammal.

"You heard Grimm. Dismissed." The Chief responded to Will's statement adding "And Grimm, my office, now. For that heart to heart as you so eloquently put it."

With the Chief leading the way Will followed him to his office. As they rode the lift up to the third floor the two were silent, both saving their words for when they were in private. Once they were in the Chief's office the stern cape buffalo sat behind his desk where he opened one of his desk drawers pulling out a bottle of dark amber scotch, and a single drinking glass which he filled for himself as Will sat in one of the chairs in front of his desk, and waited for his superior to make the first move. The Chief took a sip from his glass then stared Will in the eye his expression even, yet stern.

"I'm not a fool Grimm, and I didn't become the Chief of Police without proving worthy of the position. So are you going to tell me the truth, or not?" The Chief asked finally breaking the silence as he continued to stare at Will.

"You want me to confirm, or deny if my mate, soon to be wife, and as I found out last night the eventual mother of my cub is in fact Whisper. What incentive do I have to be truthful with you? We've been over this before, and I was quite clear about the lengths I would go to protect Whisper." Will responded not giving an inch.

"I just want the truth Grimm. I'm not going to press any charges, or come after her. At this point the most I want is to know if she's a potential threat, or asset." The Chief answered him.

"Then yes Chief she is Whisper, but bear in mind that sparring match I had with my sister, and know that to keep my Layla safe there is no line I won't cross." Will said his expression as serious as his words before he added "If anything you should consider her a civilian asset to the force. Think of it this way - with me under your command you have the main force multiplier from the CLAWS unit at your disposal, and she is my auxiliary. That said me putting it that way should stay between us; the last thing either of us need is the ZIA director getting such a bug in his ear. Though there is a truce between me, and the agency it wouldn't take much for it fall apart."

"Very well then Grimm." the Chief responded adding "Get out of my office, and back to work."

"Well, after lunch" Will replied with a smirk as he got up, and reaching the door turned to the Chief giving him a salute before exiting his superior's office.

Will's words echoed in the Chief's mind bringing his thoughts back to the visit from Agent Danger he'd received that morning. She'd wanted confirmation that Will's combat prowess wouldn't be used by the ZPD as the ZIA had used him so that should the ZIA director consider otherwise she could assure him that the Chief was a sufficient commanding officer, and that Will was indeed shackled by the due process of law. She had admitted knowing how Will regretted the extent to which his paws had become covered in blood though he didn't regret the reasons why, but had also stated that Will's own reluctance to go back down that path was not enough to reassure the ZIA director of anything. The Chief had assured her that as per Will's own request he wouldn't be used for anything more than backup for SWAT unless the MBI came calling like they had which seemed to satisfy her. What she had said before she left however, had stuck with him about how all it would take is the right misinformation in the wrong paws to cause agents to be mobilized against him, that those agents would fail, and then Will would retaliate against the Agency to devastating effect. The look in her eyes as she had told him that she'd seen first-paw what Will was ultimately capable of had been full of a mixture of sadness, and fear the Chief wasn't soon to forget.

After stepping out of the Chief's office Will made his way downstairs via the lift set on finding his partner, and enjoying his lunch hour with her company. That said with his stomach, and nose setting his current priorities his first stop was the precinct cafeteria. That the precinct much like a hospital had it's own cafeteria was something Will enjoyed, and found most practical since it allowed the mammals who worked there to stay in building in case of emergency. Admittedly the food wasn't quite as good as at the one in the ZIA HQ building, but he'd never really made use of the cafeteria there instead making do with a ready supply of MRE's. His thoughts touching on the subject he put a reminder in his phone to call one of his friends who worked at one of the companies that supplied the military with said rations about getting himself a pallet, or two of them. Some mammals weren't exactly fond of them, but Will wasn't one of them; he loved that each one came with a little something different other than the menu options listed on the package.

When he made it to the cafeteria it was an added bonus that he found his partner, and after he'd gotten for himself some delicious smelling boneless fried chicken he sat across from her where she was relaxedly picking at a piece of salmon Will couldn't help eyeing until Autumn gave him a glare in warning to not touch her food.

"Say, partner how do you feel about MRE's?" Will asked with a smirk at which her expression relaxed.

"Never really had any before. Why do you ask?" Autumn responded.

"Eh, was just reminiscing about my time in the ZIA when basically they were what I ate if I wasn't able to cook, or go out. If you ever have to eat them regularly make sure you chew the gum they come with, and take my word for it they're not half bad though some are better than others." Will answered.

"What's so special about the gum?" Autumn inquired taking a healthy bite of her fish.

"Well thanks to the preservatives in MRE's they can leave ya blocked up so to speak if you have to eat them on a regular basis, and the gum is a mild laxative." Will explained before digging in to his own food.

"Please, can you not talk about such things while I'm eating." Autumn pleaded with an imploring expression on her muzzle.

"You'd be surprised just what I can discuss during a meal, and keep eating while everyone else loses their appetite." Will responded with a laugh though for his partner's sake he didn't elaborate.

"And thank you for not elaborating" Autumn replied around a mouthful of fish before asking "So how'd your talk with the Chief go?"

Will narrowed his eyes at his partner in response before saying "It went fine. Better than I would've normally anticipated all things considered. You're only asking though because you want to know Whisper's real identity."

Will hadn't exactly made an attempt to hide his response to his partner, nor did he shout it, and he took notice of how those within earshot paid a measure of attention to the discussion he was having with Autumn.

"I . . . I would be lying if I said I didn't want to know, hell we all want to know. Can you really blame us though? That said I find it hard to believe Layla your mate, fiance, and eventual mother of your young would be the same mammal to do what Whisper did. Speaking of young would your offspring with her be a cub, or a kit?" Autumn responded.

"Can I blame you for your curiosity? No. Can I hold against you your potential reactions to the truth? Yes, and I do." Will said loud enough that the eavesdroppers got the message before continuing at a more normal volume. "That said now including the Chief there are four mammals working here who know Whisper's identity. Maybe I will tell you partner since you already are in on a secret that if you leak will put me back on the ZIA's kill list, but at the end of the day it doesn't really matter who Whisper really is. So what if she drugged me with something that could've pushed me into a berserk state in which I could've killed everyone in this building? The casualty count from that little incident is still zero which should be the end of the matter. And to answer your other question my future son, or daughter will be a kit."

Autumn understanding what he meant about her being in on a secret that could get him killed, and how he could kill everyone in the building decided to continue eating her lunch in silence regretting that she'd brought up the matter. Those who had been eavesdropping were certainly given something to chew on with what Will had said on the matter, but as Wolford, Delgato and Fangmeyer made their way over to where the two sat it became apparent that a different bit of news would be making the rounds.

"So you're going to be a father?" Fangmeyer asked heartily congratulatorily clapping Will on the back.

"Well I got to get her pregnant first brother, but it's my new life goal." Will answered with a grin.

"So who is the lucky she-wolf?" Delgato inquired as he stood next to Fangmeyer while Wolford simply sat next to Autumn across from Will, and stared at him passively.

Will had been about to respond when John beat him to it. "You must not be past that cold Del. He bears her mark plain as day, and she's not a wolf; she's a vixen. So Will just how does that work out between you two considering Who you are?"

Will just looked at John evenly before responding "Alright I'm going to get real tired of repeating myself, so if you can brother spread the word. I actually don't mind that you feel at liberty to question me considering Who I am, and though I likewise shouldn't have to explain myself to any fellow canid I will. On this earth I'm as flesh, and blood as you are; that my vixen won my heart is no different than if a mammal won yours brother although the meaning is a bit heavier in the fact that she gets to say that 'My heart is in her Paws'. If I didn't have the Mother's blessing I never would've mate-bonded with my Layla let alone asked her to marry me as I did last night. It still stands that the Mother, and I are what we are, and share what we do."

At that John lowered his head submissively, and Will in response rolled his eyes. From how John was interacting with him Will knew he'd need to address these things to a wider canid audience just to clear the air if nothing else, but it wasn't something he really wanted to do. At least not publicly if he could help it, but that route would cover more area, and likely be the one to take.

"Say pride brother you mind clueing us in? What's up with every wolf in this building acting like that at the mere mention of you?" Jason asked gesturing towards John.

"Why don't you tell us more about this vixen of yours? How'd you meet her? How long you been together? I thought you, and Jade sort of had a thing going." Anthony asked with friendly curiosity trying to give Will an out to avoid what obviously was something personal between him, and every other canid they worked with.

"Well be patient with me as I try to answer all that you two." Will responded with a laugh "For starters pride brother the Great Mother of Cats is my sister, and now thanks to that damn news broadcast most canids across the globe now know it so there goes my cover as 'just-another-wolf-albeit-bigger'. As for how I met my mate? Well we met in college where we both were making use of the military offering us the chance to further our education post training. For the record we're both ex-special forces, and hold the same rank, and security clearance. We've been together what almost four years minus this last year because of things . . . Jade, and I are better than friends I'll say that much, and we'll continue to be even after I'm married."

"What Will means by that Jason . . ." John began as he noted the look of confusion on the lion's muzzle before pausing, his eyes darting between him, and Will until Will motioned for him to continue his thought "He's not just any wolf, he's the Alpha above all other alpha."

"That said I'm not here to rule, or conquer anyone, and want nothing more than to be considered just another wolf. Also in case you're wondering the Great Mother of Cats is also out here just like me." Will added.

"You're kidding." Jason responded while Anthony made the sign of the cross.

"Nope, not kidding. But she is more reluctant to have others know that about her than I am; she really values her anonymity." Will replied.

There was a long moment of silence after Will said that which Anthony eventually broke "So, uh Will what does this vixen of yours look like?"

"Well you'll all be meeting her this saturday at the halloween party, but you really want to know?" Will asked in response thankful for the subject shift.

"You know you want to show off your girl." Jason said with an encouraging grin.

"Oh, alright give me a sec." Will said as he pulled out his phone, and opening up the photo gallery scrolled through it.

"Hmm... can't show you guys that one" Will muttered to himself as the most recent photo he had was of Layla's sleeping muzzle on his chest as she slept in the crook of his arm.

"Or that one." he continued as he got to what had been his last photo of her when she was in a hospital bed just over a year ago.

"That one's classified . . ." he mentioned as he paused seeing one of the few group photos of what had been the CLAWS unit his muzzle expression turning sad in recollection.

"Ah, here we go." Will said before turning his phone for Jason, and Anthony to see. It was a picture of Will in his usual civilian attire with Layla, and Maria similarly dressed.

Autumn couldn't hide her amused grin as she saw their eyes widen, and when John perked up trying to see from across the table in curiosity she chuckled a bit.

"Wow, she's really pretty. You lucked out brother." Jason said teasingly.

"And tall. What did they feed her as a kit? So that's the jaguaress you call sister?" Anthony asked.

"She is probably the world's tallest fox, and yes that is our little sister Maria." Will answered before turning his phone for John to see.

"Holy . . . whoa, she's as tall as me." John said his eyes widening in surprise.

"Yep, at an even five feet she's exactly a foot shorter than me, and Lola. Now wouldn't it be a quirk of fate if our kit ended up Nick's size." Will mused with a chuckle.

"Somehow I don't think that'll be the case. Say since your kit will be a fox/wolf hybrid will it be a wox, or a folf?" Autumn joked.

"Really?" Will responded his expression unamused before he burst out laughing "That is just too absurd. Though hey, partner why don't you show them a picture of you, and Nicole?"

"No." Autumn responded firmly before adding "It will ruin the surprise of our halloween costumes."

"Hmm. You know as to what Layla, and I will be going as I got no hint other than apparently a lot of fur dye will be involved. She just won't tell me." Will said with no small amount of chagrin.

The five of them continued to chat amiably until Will, and Autumn were done eating. After they'd excused themselves they made their way back to their desks to kill what was left of their lunch hour. Once he was back at his desk Will got on the phone first calling the school where Maria went to clear with the principal the week for which he'd be taking her up to Ulfhaven. The principal wasn't exactly pleased that one of her students would be missing a whole week of school, but agreed nonetheless to it since it was Will doing the asking. Will used the opportunity to get David's parent's contact information which took a minute since the principal had to call Autumn to confirm his last name which was Woods. It was fortunate for Will that he was able to obtain said info through her because that happened to be a fairly common lupine family name. Once he bid the principal a good day he called David's father, and after explaining his intent to have David accompany Maria as her plus one to the Grimm family reunion David's father was quite amenable to the proposition assuring Will he'd call the school to get his son cleared for the upcoming week out of school.

No sooner did Will get that bit of business done than one of the officers from the Narc unit found him, and delivered a printed out map of Savannah Central with the known locations of the 'Crooked Tails' hang-outs clearly marked. After clarifying with the wolf who brought him the required intel which of the locations was the gang's main haunt Will studied it before calling Benji at the front desk to have him notify the SWAT team on duty to meet him in the bullpen then calling the Chief to give him the update. Once he was off the phone with the Chief Will asked his partner if she was up for the raid he'd be helming on the gang's main haunt, or if she'd rather help coordinate the raids on the few outlying gang hangouts. Autumn for her part was adamant about having Will's back to which he nodded before leading the way to the bullpen.

Within fifteen minutes the precinct SWAT team had gathered in the bullpen looking like they were all itching for some action. With only ten mammals present besides himself, and Autumn Will frowned since there weren't enough mammals to really actualize the multiple simultaneous raids he would have opted for to leave the gang no quarter. Will paced at the front of the room as he considered his options given the mammal-power available to him.

"Alright guys we're going after this street gang called the 'Crooked Tails'. I'm putting all my eggs in one basket which means we're all raiding their main base of operations which hopefully will nab me their leader, or leaders." Will spoke to the gathered officers as he continued his back, and forth pacing.

"It's a run down apartment building here." Will said pointing to a spot on the map of downtown he had projected onto the wall behind him. "I'm going to have six of you surround the outside, and tranq anyone who makes it out through an exit. The other four of you are going to be with me, and my partner storming the building. Those of you on the perimeter I want in place, and out of sight before I go busting down the front door hard, and fast. The four with me I want you to split into two-mammal teams to tase, or tranq any hostiles you come across; get them cuffed, and out of the fight then move on. If you encounter armed resistance I want you all to fall back to the entry, and hail me over the radio if you can't take them out. From the entrance Autumn, and I will take the center; I leave it up to those of you tackling the interior with us to choose which flank you take. Any questions?"

"So who's handling the perimeter, and who's going in with you?" a jaguar asked.

"Do we have a layout of the buildings interior?" a cheetah asked.

"Aren't you spreading the interior team a little thin?" Brushfire inquired.

"I'm leaving it up to you who handles what since you all know your strengths, and weaknesses. If you really are the city's best SWAT team on more than just paper then you can handle this op as I'm giving it to you. Normally a layout of the building would be necessary, and so would more than just you lot, but not today. Just keep yourselves safe as you do what you need to, and I'll handle the rest." Will answered them finally coming to a stop, and staring them down adding "I'm the heavy on this op, and you all are essentially my support. I want to see just what you can handle, but if you'd rather I hold your paws then I'll just solo this damn thing like I did that robbery yesterday."

His words had the intended effect of encouraging them to prove their capabilities, and Will smirked in satisfaction as they swiftly decided who would do what. While they were occupied Will left with Autumn in tow heading for the armory to get geared up.

"You know partner I'm not exactly SWAT qualified." Autumn informed him as they we were walking.

"All you've got to do is watch my tail." Will responded.

When they made it to Jade's office they ran into the Chief as he was leaving. Will paused to give the Chief a quick update letting him know he had the SWAT team essentially handling their duties autonomously since he wanted to see what they were capable of. The Chief raised his eyebrow at this, but nodded his approval in understanding of where Will was coming from. After the Chief headed back towards his office Will, and Autumn entered Jade's office where she greeted them happily informing Will that according to the Chief the Aurora Institute had requested permission to use the precinct's SWAT team as gear testers for improvements they'd been working on of standard riot gear.

Will grinned in response to her upbeat attitude, and joked that with the militarization of the precinct they'd have to compensate for it by doing more community outreach though as he mentioned that prospect his tail wagged broadcasting his own enthusiasm for it. Autumn countered his joking by saying they in that case couldn't use his mug for a friendly face of the ZPD campaign. Will openly growled at her in response before laughing with Jade, and Autumn likewise laughing.

It didn't take long for Will, and Autumn to get outfitted as necessary with Jade's assistance. While Autumn used Jade's office for some privacy as she changed into the SWAT tactical gear that was her size Will as ever had no qualms about changing right where he was in the armory. Once he had his gun-belt re-situated on his person, and his bulletproof vest on he loaded up with as many tranq darts as he could carry opting to use a semi-auto tranq carbine modeled after the standard infantry rifle over his tranq pistol. When Autumn returned to the armory where the two still were Will likewise passed her a rifle like the one he'd chosen as he complimented her on how the gear suited her. He went so far as to say she even looked sexy, and asked her to pose for a photo for Nicole as he pulled out his phone handing her his aviators to complete the look.

Within the hour the rest of the SWAT team was likewise outfitted, and down in the motor pool the twelve of them split off into groups of four with two of the groups taking unmarked squad cars while Will went for his Shelby along with Autumn followed by Brushfire, and the cheetah who'd wanted a layout of the building who introduced himself to Will as Nathan Swift. As Will led the small convoy out of the motor pool Swift went over the buildings layout with Will, and Autumn that he'd already gone over with the rest of the team, and Will complimented him on his initiative. Swift also informed Will that after going over the layout the SWAT team had opted to adjust their numbers on the perimeter since the only exits to the three story building were the main entrance, and the fire escape which gave the breaching team an extra two mammals.

In under half an hour they'd reached their target with Will playing some Metallica to get the four of them pumped after they'd gone over the modified plan of attack starting with "Master of Puppets". Keeping in contact over their radios Will, and the driver of one of the unmarked cars hung back to give the perimeter team time to get in position. Once the perimeter team confirmed they were set, and ready to rock Will drove for the building's front parking on the curb in front of an adjacent building so the duo watching the front had clear line of fire on the doors.

Once they were all out of the cars Will with a nod led the breaching team through the front doors with Autumn on his tail. Past the entrance Brushfire, and Swift broke right to clear that section of the first floor, while two others broke left, and the final two along with Will, and Autumn stormed up the stairs to clear the second floor.

Against such a concerted effort the 'Crooked Tails' were caught quite with their pants around their ankles, and Will was definitely pleased with how well the two teams on the ground floor pressed the advantage of surprise to quickly gain control of that floor in time with the team with Will, and Autumn securing the second floor. As per Will's orders the gang members they came across were tranqed, confirmed out of commission then each two mammal team moved on. It was unorthodox for the SWAT trained officers, but the speed such tactics allowed them to move at maximized their element of surprise. Once the breaching team had confirmed the all clear on their floors Will called the ground floor teams to rendezvous with him in the stairwell where he led the final push to capture the third floor. By this point though the gang members had caught on to what was up, and those occupying the top floor deigned to resist.

While they were in the stairwell pausing before their final push to finish what essentially was their takeover of the building Will informed the mammals with him that he'd take point. No sooner did they show their agreement than Will charged through the door to the third floor his tranq 'assault' rifle at the ready with Autumn, Jack, and Nate the first ones on his tail. On this final floor the remaining gang members did their best to fire from cover, and on that account down the hallway that was the field of engagement they had the advantage. On the other paw in terms of combat training, and experience Will alone had them absurdly outclassed not to mention the training, and experience his fellow officers possessed.

Will had chosen to take point because he trusted in the protection of his vest, and didn't exactly care about getting shot having long since gotten over his nervousness over taking a stray bullet to the head; from being shot at as often as he had been in the ZIA he'd learned that only in charging assailants on all fours did he expose his brains to become wall decoration since center-of-mass shots were by far easier. On that account as Will reached the first doorway which was to his left the gang member that had been blind firing, and missing managed to land one successful shot with his 9mm to Will's vest before Will fired a tranq straight to his throat rendering the feline unconscious. That hostile taken care of Will pulled the pin on a smoke grenade, and threw it down the hall before ushering the three fellow officers behind him into the dilapidated apartment they swiftly cleared taking out one more of the gang members with a tranq to the chest.

With the adrenaline rush of battle in his veins Will had a brainwave, and grinned wickedly as he spoke into his radio for the rest of the SWAT team to fill the hallway with all the smoke grenades they had telling them to throw them at will. Encouraging the three others with him Will insisted he wanted the hall filled with smoke as he tossed the remaining grenades he had, and motioned for them to give him what they had for him to throw. Soon enough the easily two dozen smoke grenades choked the hallway to the point that even if the rest of the SWAT team had wanted to move from the stairwell disregarding Will's order for them to stay put they wouldn't have been able to. Will likewise ordered Autumn, Nate, and Jack to stay put before he stepped casually into the smoke filled hallway.

All according to Will's on the spot plan there was so much smoke in the hall that it spilled heavily into the apartments on the third floor. The cloak of obfuscation the smoke offered him allowed him the time he needed to stretch out his chi to feel for the remaining hostiles, and once he had their locations he went after them with surgical precision. In under five minutes the entire building was officially under their control, and Will was on the radio for reinforcements to help haul back the gang members to the precinct as soon as he'd tranqed the last one of them. When Will made it back to the apartment where he'd left Autumn, Jack, and Nate he lit a cigarette, and made himself comfortable on the sofa in what passed for a living room.

"Alright guys take five, hell take ten you earned it. When the clean up crew arrives we can get back to work." Will said over the radio to the rest of the SWAT officers with him who were still at the ready in the stairwell.

"How can you be smoking when you just had us flood the whole floor with smoke?" Nate asked as he opened a window coughing all the while.

"I can be smoking Swift because I don't really notice the smoke from grenades anymore, and more specifically I need to chill so follow my order, and take a load off your paws. You did good work." Will answered as Jack bummed a cig from him, and Will noticed on the coffee table in front of him there was a pipe for cannabis along with a healthy amount of said cannabis so Will went about helping himself.

"Seriously, partner? You're going to get stoned now in the middle of our shift?" Autumn asked incredulously causing Will to pause in the middle of packing a bowl.

"If the Chief finds out you're high on the clock he's gonna have your tail." Jack added before Will had a time to respond to his partner.

"You two clearly don't understand how a mammal can function not exactly sober particularly ones that are heavy users. I've got nothing but time to kill until some of these fucks wake up for me to interrogate, and by the time I'm well, and sober again they'll be waking up." Will said with a sigh before adding "What part of 'I need to chill' seemed foreign? Either I diffuse, or I'm going to be stuck itching for some real combat the rest of the day."

"Want to pass that my way after you spark it?" Nate asked as he sat on the couch next to Will.

"Seriously Swift?" Autumn asked incredulously.

"What she said. It's bad enough he's ignoring the rules." Jack added.

"When do we ever get action like this Jack? Unlike you I've seen live combat. I know where Will's coming from on this." Nate responded while Will very audibly took a hit from the pipe before passing it to Nate.

Will held the smoke in his lungs until Nate took his hit then exhaled saying "So special forces Jack hasn't seen real combat? That sounds like a story to hear over a couple beers. So Nate what battles you been in?"

"After the dust hit the storm if you know what I mean those damn insurgents had a lot of the wind clawed out of their sails, but still caused some issues. I was in the company mobilized to put the rest of them in the dirt; I wouldn't say I was actually in any real battles, but I know what it's like to be itching for more combat once you've had a taste." Nate responded as he passed the pipe back to Will.

"No shit? Hehehe I was the main CLAW shredding their sails. Ya know it's funny most preds I know who've been in combat grow as averse to it as you'd think prey would be; guess you, and I are some of the rare ones. That's one thing I wish I could tell more mammals about especially after this city went through that night howler shit - how from taking out 'Blood Tooth' I learned first paw how prey can be more vicious than any pred." Will said before taking a hit from the pipe.

"Wait you were in the CLAWS? All I ever heard were rumors . . . a special forces unit that took on missions no mammal would be expected to survive, and left nothing but bodies in their wake." Nate replied.

"You took out 'Blood Tooth'?" Jack asked his shock plain as day on his muzzle before adding "You should've heard the stories that made the rounds in special forces, Nate."

"What kind of name is 'Blood Tooth'? I know I probably shouldn't ask, but . . ." Autumn trailed off.

"I know not the most inventive, but that sick fuck earned it that's for sure. The whole op is classified as hell, but I can tell you this much. 'Blood Tooth', or rather Bucky Bouncer known as the 'Bloody Bucktooth' was a half rabbit, half hare buck who made his money trafficking mammals, and had a taste for flesh particularly that of rabbits - go figure. He met his end rather violently at my paws which is to say I tore off his arms, and fed him to sharks." Will told them using his normal obfuscation to prevent further questioning on the matter.

Will, and Nate continued to smoke the weed that had been left on the coffee table while they waited for assistance to arrive with Jack joining them on the sofa. When the rest of the SWAT team radioed up word that the vans were there to haul into the precinct the gang members they'd taken out Will was the first up, and out of the apartment they'd made themselves comfortable in. After they'd drug the gang members on the third floor into the hall which they could finally see though again Will using a fire-mammal carry picked up the largest of the unconscious felines, and bid his partner, Jack, and Nate to do the same before making his way down stairs. It wasn't exactly fast going down the stairs considering the weight they were carrying, and gravity being a heartless mistress, but the four officers made it where likewise their fellow officers were carrying out more of the unconscious gang members.

Within half an hour they'd loaded up the paddy-wagons with their haul of criminals like as Will joked fish in a boat which earned him some laughter from those who heard him though mostly it was just Swift having a fit of the giggles. Will had started chuckling himself at Nate's continued giggling as they all got back in his Shelby with Autumn riding shotgun while Jack was in the back behind her, and Nate was behind Will.

Back at the station once all the arrested gang members were booked, and in lockup for Will, and Autumn it was a waiting game they filled with reports, and paperwork. The Chief had stopped by to congratulate Will on his success in essentially eliminating one of the districts gangs informing Will that there was enough evidence in the apartment building to see the gang members they'd brought in put away for a while. Will just shrugged in response to the cape buffalo, and mentioned that if they really wanted to put an end to the gangs they'd focus on resolving the reasons why mammals joined them in the first place like legalizing, and regulating drugs instead of prohibiting them, and putting effort into improving the socio-economic status of those neighborhoods where gangs spawned. When the Chief looked at him like he had sprouted a second head for mentioning legalizing all drugs Will laughed, and told his boss that if they took away the forbidden fruit aspect of certain drugs, made the soft stuff like psilocybin, and cannabis as regulated like booze and put things like MDMA, and LSD back in the paws of psychologists mammals would have enough of a variety in their recreational relaxants that honest efforts in education in regards to the harms of hard drugs like amphetamines, and opioids as opposed to the prohibitionary fear-mongering more commonly used would work pretty well to quell interest in such things. Will did add that there would always be mammals that went for the hard stuff, and caused problems, but emphasized that shifting these things out of the paws of hardcore criminals would free police forces to stop filling jails with so many users, and instead put away the real criminals.

While the Chief couldn't exactly argue with the soundness in some of what Will was arguing he still shook his head at the clearly impassioned wolf before he headed back to his office to get back to his duties as Chief of Police. Autumn all the while that Will had been going on, and on was shaking her head in her paws unable to truly parse that her partner would so freely speak to their boss about what he was. Between the diligence with which Will, and likewise Autumn soldiered through their daily paperwork, and the near philosophical waxing of Will with the Chief the time that the first of the arrested 'Crooked Tails' awoke from their induced slumber almost snuck up on the two.

Much to Will's appreciation it was Grizzoli who informed him that the first gang member that was ready for interrogation was already waiting for him in the 'Silent Cell'. The way Will smiled back at her when she told him this made Grizzoli take a step back in trepidation; his muzzle expression, and body language may have been nothing, but friendly yet there was a certain something she couldn't put her paw on that made her nervous. Will of course noticed this clear as day, and laughing clarified with her that she should take the time to get more in tune with her instincts which at the moment were telling her that he found her attractive. With an easy grin Will freely told her that it was the husky masculinity in her voice that he found undeniably sexy adding that she could read him the phone book, and still probably get him hard though he amended his statement with the clarification that he was merely being honest with her, and wouldn't actually make any advances towards her since he had enough tail with his wife alone never mind the other females in his life.

When Will entered the 'Cell' to question the leopard seated within while Autumn observed from the adjacent room through the one-way mirror he was indeed no longer high, but still entered the room with an almost lazy gait.

"You're probably already thinking to yourself that you're not going to snitch on your friends, but I only have one question for you, and you will answer it." Will said to the leopard plainly.

"Like I'm going to tell some ass-sniffing wolf cop shit. Go eat a donut." the leopard responded venomously.

"Hahahaha" Will laughed like a hyena in response before saying "As much as I love eating donuts, and I do. I'm much more partial to pussy friend, and I only want to know who the fuck your boss is."

"Fuck off." the leopard replied.

Seeing how obstinate the felid was being Will knew just how to get him to open up like a bivalve. Will grinned ear to ear, and turning his thoughts towards the kind of fun he used to have when Layla was there to turn him on then set him loose Will's eyes easily slipped into their feral set.

"Oh, you can play hard to get all you like tomcat, but like I said I'm partial to pussy, and it's just you, and me in this room. You're all tied up, and no one will hear you scream." Will said to the leopard drawing his bowie knife, and licking the cat's face for emphasis.

"If you're trying to scare me it ain't gonna work. Like hell am I gonna give you shit about the boss." the leopard said adamantly, but Will could see the cat beginning to get uncomfortable so he pressed on.

"Oh, you're going to talk. I mean all I want is a name, species, and basic description. It's your boss I want to really interrogate, but if you'd rather have some alone time with me here well then why don't I oblige you?" Will asked as he walked behind the leopard running his nose along the back of one of the cat's ears before licking the other ear.

It took a while, but with Will alternating between staring the leopard in the eyes with his best predatory muzzle expression enhanced by the feralness in his eyes, and moving around the cuffed leopard licking, biting, and touching suggestively the leopard grew uncomfortable enough that he did divulge what Will wanted to know. After he'd been told all he wanted to know Will lit a cigarette right where he was, and took a couple drags before offering it to the still bound leopard holding it to the cat's mouth for him to take a couple drags.

"See now was that so hard?" Will asked as he killed the cigarette adding "I hope that was as good for you as it was for me. Just remember when you're locked up not to drop the soap sugar."

With that Will left the interrogation room, and entering the adjacent observation room he yawned in Autumn's general direction as he mentioned needing a nap. Autumn of course was not exactly thrilled with how Will had gotten the information he wanted, and said as much. Will's first response to her was a yawn before he explained that for acquiring the intel he wanted his methods had been sufficient since it wasn't a confession they were after reminding her that enough evidence had been retrieved from the 'Crooked Tails' base to put the whole gang in jail. While she went to retrieve the gang's leader since she'd overheard the jaguar's description Will left heading towards the break room where once there he borrowed a clean tiger size coffee mug, and filled it with coffee which to his fortune was cold allowing him to chug it heartily. The brew that was left over from the morning was as to be expected from those mammals capable of drinking coffee at the station; it might not have been night-shift levels of dark which would've been right up Will's alley, but it certainly did the trick.

After Will had cleaned the mug, and had put it away he left the break room feeling ready for the final push for the end of his day. Reaching the 'Silent Cell' he was just in time for Autumn to haul the jaguar known as 'Crooked Tail' Jackson into the interrogation room. This time however, Autumn insisted on being directly present as Will questioned the feline. While Autumn got 'C.T.' situated which included making sure his paws were cuffed to the table Will sat across from the jaguar setting the manila folder containing the relevant evidence in front of him. Once Autumn was seated to his right Will spoke to the up till now silent jaguar.

"I don't care what you think about the situation you find yourself in. You are going to tell me what I want to know. I'm not here to offer you a deal, and neither is she; in fact she's only here because she wants to keep me from doing what I did just to get one of your underlings to tell me which one of you sorry sacks was the leader." Will stated flatly.

"If you're not here to offer me a deal then what's in it for me if I talk? Like I'd tell you shit anyway; I want a lawyer." Jackson responded flippantly.

"Haha cute. You want a lawyer. I just want to know why a kilo of 'Viridian Nightmare' wound up where it did at the paws of one of your flunkies. Now we can do this the easy way, or the hard way." Will replied slightly baring his fangs.

"You raided my whole building just to ask me that didn't you? Well I can't keep track of all of my boys. If you got proof who did it ask them." Jackson said giving no quarter.

"He asked for a lawyer we can't keep questioning him." Autumn admonished Will.

"If it were a confession we were after he'd get one, partner. If I leave this room without what I want to know I'm going to come back, and show this fuck why 'Viridian Nightmare' got it's name; remember I know how much is a safe dose, and I'll even do some with this prick." Will told her staring down Jackson. Will kept his expression stony as he noticed the slight reaction his statement got out of the jaguar.

"Partner, due process is due process. Can I talk to you outside?" Autumn insisted.

"No. Now Crooked Dick if you don't mind I'd like you to answer me. Why did one of your guys put a kilo of that shit where someone would get exposed to it? It's obvious it was a plant, so who wanted it there?" Will goaded.

"What if I say I don't know?" Jackson countered though his ears twitched in irritation.

"Then you tell me what you do know, and sooner rather than later. I'm still willing to do this the easy way if you'll let me, but then again I've always been partial to the hard way. It's always fun finding ways to convince a mammal to loosen his lips without resorting to torture. I mean where's the fun in causing a mammal pain when they'll say anything to make it stop?" Will responded with his best maniacal grin.

"So you're not going to torture me? As if you could copper. You'd lose your badge." Jackson said trying to mask his growing unease.

"No I'm not, but that just means I get to get a little more creative than the kind of mammal that'd already have used this" Will replied drawing his bowie knife before finishing his thought "To declaw you for a warm up."

Will kept his bowie knife in his paw, and let his eyes shift back into their feral set reinforcing the seriousness with which he spoke. Autumn hearing his words reflexively closed her paws feeling a sense of horror at the mere mention of being declawed.

"So what'll it be Chicken Tail?" Will asked Jackson seeing that he was getting to the felid.

"Alright, fine. I really don't know who wanted us to put that shit where it'd get found; they kept their muzzles hidden, and must've bathed in scent neutralizer. They paid us a grand to do it, and said they'd give us another kilo we could cut with molly to sell for bank if all went well. That's all I know just stop looking at me like you're going to eat me; I don't want to end up as wolf shit." Jackson broke.

"Thank you" Will said his eyes shifting back to normal as he got up, and waving for Autumn to follow him left the interrogation room.

"That's it?" Autumn asked once they were out of the interrogation room leaving 'C.T.' for the officer in charge of the holding cells to retrieve.

"For now. Yeah it sucks we're back at square zero, but all we can do now is keep our ears open, and hope we get lucky. Look it's time for us to call it a day. I'm gonna go give the Chief the heads up, and clock out. We come at this fresh tomorrow maybe something will shake loose." Will responded before heading to Bogo's office.

On his way to the Chief's office Will's phone vibrated with a text, and checking it saw the message was from Layla telling him she'd meet him at the base of operations Adam had set up along with the address. When he entered the Chief's office Will ran his paws over his muzzle unable to hide his tiredness from the long day he'd had that still wasn't over. Once he'd given the cape buffalo the rundown on how the interrogation of 'C.T.' went he saluted his boss then left to clock out.

When Will made it to his Shelby he sat for a long moment in the driver's seat leaning his head back against the headrest with a sigh. Taking another deep breath Will started his beloved muscle car the throaty roar of the engine giving him a sense of comfort as he plugged his phone into the car charger, and aux cord then turned on the radio, and got the music going with "The Frontline" by Circles. With the driver's side window down the track filled the motor pool with sound, and as he drove out he waved to Joe. Thanks to zoogle maps gps feature Will kept himself heading in the right direction checking his phone at red lights as necessary.

As he cruised along the shuffle setting on his phone played through the recent playlist he'd made of other artists who were on the same record label as Circles shifting from "The Frontline" to "Celestial" by Sky Harbor a band he'd been pleasantly surprised was like Slain from India. Metal may have had it's origins in, and mainstays from England, and America, but it was bands like Aliaj, Angband, and Kahtmayan from Iran that Will loved to tell others about. That there was so much beautiful art from around the world was the biggest reason Will felt that the sometimes fucked up to all hell world mammals called home was worth fighting the good fight for. Others could say what they would about needing genuinely good mammals like Judy, and he agreed that they were the real backbone that kept the good fight alive even when they made mistakes, but he knew that fang, and claw tips like him were no less vital.

Like an echo to these thoughts that went through his head as he drove the next song to play was "Atlas Hour" by Intervals. Hearing the lyric "A greater purpose will be served within this life, and the next" Will couldn't help the grin that came to his muzzle in expression of the hope he had that when he was gone better paws would see his footsteps, and take a lesson from all the blood that filled them; doing a better job of doing what needed to be done by finding a better way, and not sinking to the levels of brutality he had. He couldn't help vowing to himself that if he taught the kit he would have with Layla nothing else it would be that just because sometimes the only way to fight fire is with fire it was still better to try preventing fires in the first place.

When he pulled in front of the warehouse he chuckled as one of the metal doors rolled up as if he was expected since he was, and the roar of his Shelby's engine accompanied by the metal blaring through the rolled down window definitely announced his presence. After driving in to the warehouse Will parked, and silencing the music turned of his Shelby before getting out. Stretching as he shut the door he noticed his lovely vixen heading towards him with Adam the both of them casually sipping bottles of beer.

"You got one of those for me?" Will asked jovially "I've certainly had a day, and could use a reprieve before I have a night hehehe."

"Yeah we got plenty down in the war room." Adam replied raising the beer bottle in his paw in greeting.

"Well lead the way." Will responded with a grin as he embraced Layla nuzzling into her neck fur.

"By the way my love nice taste in bikes." Will added after he released Layla, and followed them to the stairs that led to the basement.

"Thank you Wolfie Baby. I've had fun modifying them for our purposes, but I'm not done yet. It's nice having a project to work on while you're out, and about during the day." Layla responded wrapping her free arm around him.

Once they were down stairs Will scanned the area noting that where the floor above wouldn't arouse suspicion with it's stacks of crates, and organized gear for working on vehicles the basement was obviously where the fun was at. Anything they were likely to need was organized neatly in the corner to his left from ammo crates of tranq darts to a nice rack full of semi-auto tranq pistols, and carbines, and longrifles. Past that still on the left side was a small array of servers, and computer terminals with workspace for intel gathering. On the right was the array of interrogation implements, and a lone chair though it was all more for intimidation factor than anything else since Adam was one of the best interrogation experts Will knew of. At the back of the floor was a walled off section that while meant for an office which allowed for space maximization of the ground level was undoubtedly the war room.

When they reached the door Adam walked through it easily, and Layla headed in behind him while Will took a deep breath to ready himself to face Kat who he hadn't seen in well over a year.

"O-Tora nee-sama hisashiburi da ne." Will greeted the white siberian tigress as he entered seeing she was already seated at a table with a map of the city spread out before her.

"That it has brat volk" Kat replied neutrally before adding with a smile "It is good to see you two together again. I must tell you I was pleased when Layla told me of how she got you back for leaving her as you did. When she came to me those months ago I couldn't believe you who had massacred that whole mob compound to rescue her had done such a thing. I tell you I was quite upset for her even if it was plain you did what you did out of love for her."

"I did deserve it sestra" Will said.

"She also told me you are going to marry her. I didn't believe it when Adam told me. I expect I will be a krestnaya to your kit." Kat said looking as if she dared him to tell her no.

"I would be honored, sestra" Will responded bowing his head to hide the emotion welling in his eyes.

"One last thing before we get to the business at paw. Layla tells me you are gathering your whole pack together for the first time; I trust the jaguaress you work with will not be in attendance." Kat said looking at him sternly causing Will to meet her gaze the water in his eyes evident.

"No, she is not one of my pack, but you are, and I want you to be there." Will responded keeping his eyes on hers as he resisted the urge to blink away the tears that had formed in proof of his seriousness.

"Good, she is one of mine, and I will be there my brother" Kat replied before her expression softened, and she added "I forget that in this life as much as you are the only family I have left that so too am I a part of your family. Thank you."

"Okay now on to business, yeah?" Adam asked bringing the two larger predators back to the matter at paw.

"Yes, you've filled this map with targets so let's get started" Layla added enthusiastically.

"Well first order is to decide if we start small, or not since we're only going to be able to get some action in tonight, and tomorrow night." Will said.

"Since you're the main field operative in this that's mostly up to you. Adam, and I put together a short list of drug traffickers you might like to raid if you want to start small, but knowing you as I do you'll want to hear first about the mammal traffickers that are active in the city." Kat said professionally.

"How actionable is the intel on those flesh merchants?" Layla asked.

"Pretty solid, and luckily enough for us there aren't actually that many such groups in business in this city. Only two to be exact not counting the foreign operation you took out with the MBI Will." Adam answered.

"On that front Layla, and I were discussing how to keep our little shadow ops off the ZIA radar. The MBI gives us a solution so I think anonymously giving them that intel will do. In fact make sure it gets in the paws of Special Agent Anala, and she'll call me in which solves things nicely." Will said with a grin.

"I think that will work quite well, and no one else will be the wiser to our orchestration of events. Doing it that way also will help keep heat off of us as we take care of what are essentially small fry." Kat nodded her approval.

"Okay then. There's also a couple gun running operations throughout the city that might interest you if you're up for something more middle of the road." Adam said.

"Hmm . . . I kind of like the idea of sinking our teeth into something a little meaty. How about you babe?" Layla asked Will.

"Less guns in the paws of criminals means less of my fellow officers getting shot at not to mention civilians, and after the street gang I took out this afternoon I could use a light challenge. So what sounds better taking out some of one of these groups' caches, or cutting the head off of a snake?" Will asked his mate in return.

"Since we only have two nights for now to do what we do it may be better to knock over a couple stockpiles. We throw off one of these gun runners maybe something new will shake loose." Layla answered.

"On that front then there is a group that've been making a thorn of themselves in Big's side. Putting some pressure on them would help solidify our agreements with him." Adam suggested.

"It would be a start." Kat added.

"Well here we go getting somewhere. Where are they located?" Will asked.

"They've got stash points here, here, and here." Adam answered pointing at three different tacks which marked their locations on the map.

"I say we hit this one that's farthest from our current location." Layla suggested gesturing to one of the markers Adam had pointed out.

"Okay so once you have the guards, and other lackeys tranqed how do you want to proceed?" Kat asked Will.

"We'll probably load up what we can take back here with us to augment our stores then give you guys a heads up to tip of the ZPD to let them handle the rest." Will answered.

"Yeah if I did my normal way they'd know it was me after what I pulled, and if Will did it that'd be a conflict of interest so to speak wouldn't you say, babe?" Layla added.

"Done. I think that's about it. Yes?" Kat replied.

"Actually just one more thing. We'll be using the mobile signal jammers I put in our bikes to stay off the traffic cams, but anyone smart enough will think to track the black-outs in the footage across the city, and track us back here so we need to plot a path." Layla said.

"Speaking of anyone smart enough do we have anyway of knowing if the ZPD, or anyone else has any of these groups under surveillance? Last thing we need out of the gate is to roll over an undercover op, and get caught with our pants down." Will added.

"As of right now we don't know, but I can get to hacking the ZPD, and MBI tomorrow though they might not keep everything concerning undercover ops in their systems. We'll just have to risk it tonight, babe." Layla told him before studying the section of the map covering Savanna Central.

It didn't take Layla long to plan out a sufficient route in her head, and with a nod she said to Will "Alright wolfie baby let's get geared up, and head out."

Will nodded in agreement, and headed out of the war room with her just behind, and Kat, and Adam following. While Layla handled weapon selection opting for a pair of tanq submachine guns modeled after the H&K MP5 Will handled loading up with as many magazines as he could carry, and a half dozen sleeping-gas grenades. That done the four of them headed upstairs with Layla leading the way to the Shelby's trunk where she fished out the keys from one of Will's pockets to open it since his paws were full. Getting into the trunk she pulled out the case the Aurora Institute had sent her, and the smaller of the two that were Will's. While she opened them on a nearby crate to pull out their contents Will deposited the non-lethal munitions he carried into the still open trunk to free his paws. When he turned to see what Layla had been intent on retrieving he was surprised to see what looked like a new, and improved version of the kind of tactical bodysuit she used to wear on ZIA ops as well as a larger one that obviously was his size.

"So the Institute guys just so happened to send us those?" Will queried his mate with a raised eyebrow.

"No, I made a call, and asked them to include these alongside the other thing that's in my case which happens to be your christmas present so no peeking." Layla answered as she handed him his bodysuit.

Will just shrugged in response as he accepted the outfit, and laying it across the rear fender of his Shelby went about removing his duty gear, and uniform depositing it all in the trunk. After looking over his bodysuit seeing that once in it, it would zip up from the front like most jumpsuits Will went about putting it on. After he got his legs through where they went, and that half pulled up it took him a moment of slight struggle to get his tail through the hole in the rear, but he managed, and giving his tail a few purposeful wags found that it was not unduly uncomfortable. He even spared a glance back at his rear appendage, and for shits, and giggles started grabbing after it turning in a circle as he did so much to the amusement of Kat, and Layla who both laughed at his antics.

"Do you, uh need any help there babe?" Layla asked as she continued laughing.

"Nope, just wanted to hear you laugh." Will responded without missing a beat.

Seeing as his mate was already dressed Will stopped his fooling about, and getting his paws through the bodysuit's armholes shrugged it over his shoulders then zipped it up. That done he couldn't help the way he looked as he tested out his motility in it by lifting his legs rather comically as he walked in a full circle then went through a series of simple stretches. The form fitting article wasn't nearly as loose, or comfortable as the fatigues he was used to wearing for ops, but for as form fitting as it was loose, and comfortable enough for his purposes. Satisfied that he would live wearing the thing, he patted himself down to familiarize himself with the pockets, and noted that it came with a built in harness that would allow for the attaching of extra gear pouches on the front, or more armor if necessary though the built in scale armor over the limb, and torso sections would be sufficient for most situations. For the final test of motility Will dropped to all fours, and did a small lap around his Shelby at an easy lope before going full tilt down the warehouse, and back.

"Are you satisfied?" Layla asked with an amused smirk as he stopped back at his Shelby, and got back on his hind paws.

"It's no set of fatigues, but it sure beats a tux." Will answered matching her smirk with one of his own.

"Hey, you look killer in a tux." Layla said adding "Especially in a tux."

"Agreed, but I still fucking hate formal wear. It just doesn't move right. There's a reason I only own one, and I nearly killed the tailor." Will replied.

"I remember. You nearly drove him mad with your insistence on being able to perform a jump kick in the trousers, freely swing your arms, and run on all fours without having cuffs in the way. How many times did he have to tell you that 'A civilized mammal does not do such things in a suit'?" Layla chuckled in response.

"Which is why I nearly killed him. I'm particular about certain things for a raisin, and with a porpoise." Will said flatly.

"Don't you mean reason, and purpose?" Kat asked.

"If you knew about that old world blues you'd understand Katarina." Will answered.

"It's from a video game series he nerds-out over." Adam clarified.

"Hey, at least I don't fan-girl." Will quipped.

"Oh, I've seen you fan-girl hardcore." Layla countered.

"Uso-tsuki!" Will retorted.

Their banter coming to a close Will, and Layla finished getting their gear situated with Layla stowing their tranq. SMG's in a messenger bag along with their grenades while Will had enough pocket space for the full mags they'd need, and then some. That done Layla retrieved Will's motorcycle helmet which she'd finished working on along with her own that she'd identically modified. After Will put his on a sensor started up the HUD which was displayed along the inside of the visor, and invisible from the outside thanks to the mirrored finish.

"Ooh, this is nice. So how does it operate?" Will asked his mate.

"There's a touch wheel, and button from a Carrot C-Pod under the left ear. The ears pull double duty as noise filters so you can hear things farther away, but at the same time you could fire a gun, and not get tinnitus. Also since I know you it can bluetooth to your phone, and you can rock out without oversharing with a city-block. There's also a voice modulator in the mouthpiece." Layla answered.

"So it's a teddy bear with new stuffing. I like it." Will answered before reaching up his left paw to feel for the touch wheel, and going through the settings listed in the HUD. Intuitively he pressed the center button which selected highlighted options, and holding the center button the HUD vanished. Holding the center button again brought back the HUD which allowed him to go through the setting again this time to activate the ones he wanted.

"For now it's just some basic functionality for low-light vision enhancement, and admittedly rudimentary but passable thermal optics." Layla explained her voice coming through as that of a male in example of the modulator.

"Rudimentary, but passable is right." Will answered his voice likewise modulated so he sounded feminine adding "You did this all on your own? I'm almost tempted to tell you to keep this idea for yourself even if it'd be cool to see how the Aurora cats run with it. Fuck, you're gonna have a hard time getting me to shut up speaking through this thing; I sound like Grizzoli . . . it's kind of a turn on."

"Turn off the modulator, and switch on the comm. so we can sync up will you. She another piece of tail you want on the side, hmm?" Layla responded slightly irritated.

"Ha!" Will said as he complied "The only tail I'm pushing for the foreseeable future is yours honey-brush."

Layla didn't respond until the comm. was synchronized, and her voice came in clear through both his ears "That's the right answer, but are you just saying that because it's what you should say?"

"I'm wounded you would even think that. My paws would be full enough with just Sage, and Jade not to mention Mihoshi. I said that because it's the truth, and as I have gladly told some of my fellow officers my new life goal is getting you pregnant."

When his words were met with silence Will added "Rudimentary, or not I can see you getting warmer in all the right spots."

"Oh, fuck you!" Layla retorted likewise flipping him the bird.

"You know I love you." Will said as he used his left paw to get the vision modifier switched to the low-light amplifier which as a rule he prefered over thermal-optics then asked "So if someone decides to use a flash-bang we'll be protected from the bang, but how will we counter the flash?"

"If the light sensor gets overloaded it will auto-shut off, and hopefully the visor itself will be ample shielding. That's actually half the reason I am tempted to send the specs to the Institute to see what they can come up with. I also wouldn't mind if they could implement visual magnification, and scent receptor enhancement, or even an integrated gas mask. You're not the only one who has fun in the wasteland." Layla responded.

"Even if they can't the very ideas are worth exploring. It's how science fiction becomes science fact; I mean plasma sabers, and warp drives are theoretically possible not to mention in our lifetimes we should see prosthetics become cyberized as neural interfaces advance alongside robotics." Will waxed philosophically his tail wagging excitedly.

"So are you two ready to head out, or not?" Kat asked trying to get them back on track.

"Seriously, Will. Like how many times did you go on about Kokaku Kidotai, and wanting an android girlfriend?" Adam added.

"Hey, hey, hey. Nothing beats being able to sink my fangs into actual flesh, and you can't tell me it wouldn't be cool to befriend an A.I." Will responded.

"Uh-huh, and next you're going to try to say that if they made an anatomically correct android with only sufficient personality subroutines you wouldn't be one of the first to buy one?" Layla said, and knowing she'd have him cornered with her next statement added "And you'd buy one with the physical parameters of an adolescent."

Will openly growled proving he was indeed cornered, but he still attempted to shimmy his way out of it saying "Like I said nothing beats flesh, and blood. Besides what kind of example would that set for our son, or daughter?"

He then tried to add under his breath "Though it wouldn't be illegal."

Thanks to the mic in the muzzle of the helmet Layla heard him clearly, and without missing a beat she responded "What was that?"

"With an android it wouldn't be illegal" Will admitted openly before adding with sincere honesty "But this is a moot point because I have you, and you're all I need; I'm not whole without you. I wasn't before I fell for you, I wasn't after I left you, and if you were gone I would never be again."

There was a long moment of silence after Will had spoken with the two helmeted figures of him, and Layla staring at each other seeing only the helmets that hid their whole heads while Adam looked at Will with surprise, and Kat stared at the both of them more in mild irritation that they hadn't left yet. Then there was slight motion from Layla as she thumbed the screen of her phone, and with a tap a recording filled the space with Will's words "I'm not whole without you. I wasn't before I fell for you, I wasn't after I left you, and If you were gone I would never be again."

"You better hang on to that so I can work it into my vows, and not have to paraphrase myself." Will said without even a glimmer of sarcasm, or glibness.

"I'm going to hang on to it because . . ." Layla managed before audibly sniffling " . . . that's the most . . . " she sniffled again "romantic, meaningful thing anyone has ever said to me . . ." a sob escaped her " . . . and you, you of all mammals were the one to say it . . ." she sobbed again " . . . and you said it to me . . ."

By the time the second sob escaped her Will had his helmet off, and was halfway towards her, and when she finished speaking as she began crying outright he had her helmet off, and his arms around her. While she cried into his chest the emotions flooding her demanding their catharsis Will comforted, and reassured her by rubbing the scent glands in his cheeks along all of her head that he could reach.

On the sidelines Adam was understandably speechless while Katarina commented to no one in particular "This is what it means to have won the heart of one of us."

It was a long five, or so minutes not that anyone was counting before Layla managed to regain her composure. As the scent of her mate's marking saturated her olfactory senses into near blindness she pulled his head down to her level, and marked every inch of his head that she could reach as ardently as she could. When she was done she rested the top of her head against his, and they stayed that way for a long moment before separating. In unison they donned their helmets, and with a nod to each other mounted their bikes then after starting them, and giving Adam time to raise the door enough for them they headed out.

As she was the one who had their path to their target mapped out Will let Layla lead him through the loose network of nearby alleyways. At the end of an alley a good quarter mile from their base of operations when Layla stopped, and motioned with her paw Will pulled alongside her. When her left paw went to the controls on the side of her helmet Will mirrored her actions knowing she was wanting to reactivate their comm. link. Once they were synched Layla told him how to activate the traffic cam. jammer that was housed alongside his bike's gauges, and he jokingly asked if it was using the raspberry earning himself a backpawed smack to the shoulder that was worth it because he knew he nonetheless got a smile out of his mate. That done they both switched their visual modifiers to the low-light amplifiers, and turned on their voice modulators so that if anyone overheard them they'd think their genders were the opposite of what they really were. Before they got going again Layla used the kickstand on her bike so it wouldn't fall over as she dismounted, and mentioning she'd forgotten because of them getting to talking she pulled out of her messenger bag two bits of black fabric that matched their suits.

Once Will had likewise used his kickstand, and dismounted Layla had him present her with his tail which she then covered with one of the pieces of cloth she had in her paws. Functionally it was essentially like a fur-net albeit made of a thicker, and darker material, and shaped to fit a tail. It was likewise just as simple to put in place, and once Will's tail was masked Layla presented her tail to him so he could do the same for her after she gave him the 'tail-net'. Their 'tail-nets' in place they both definitely looked funny wearing them, but were essentially unidentifiable other than the obviously canid features of their helmets. Only Will's size had a chance of giving him away, but that alone wasn't enough for a positive identification, and despite the unusualness of his height for a canid there were in fact some grey wolves around the world who were of a similar height; maybe not in Zootopia specifically, but the argument for doubt that he was himself could be made attired as he was.

As they continued on their way Layla explained over the comm. that the two-way radio she'd put in their helmets had a range of a mile until she made improvements to the built in antenna, and the frequency they used while on a standard military wavelength was encrypted such that only a hacker of her skill level could eavesdrop on them though if someone wanted to use a supercomputer that'd do the trick too, but they both agreed that it would be unlikely for such a resource to be used even by the ZIA. She also explained that as per the specs of their suits they were naturally scent masking, and she'd tried to implement a similar feature in their helmets, but after how heavily they'd marked each other recommended they use a topical scent neutralizer which she'd already had packed in her messenger bag.

While they made their way to their target with Will maintaining a comfortable distance behind Layla they were essentially invisible to all but naked eye observation, and since the roads they were using had no pedestrian traffic, and essentially nonexistent vehicle traffic to speak of there were practically speaking no eyes to observe them. When they reached their target they parked their bikes close enough to reach the warehouse on foot quickly, but far enough away to not arouse suspicion, and only removed their helmets for long enough to apply the scent neutralizer to each other's heads.

Once they were ready they made their way to the warehouse their submachine guns locked, and loaded. They infiltrated through a side door that was left unlocked since as evidenced by the number of cigarette butts littering the ground the mammals inside were smart enough not to smoke around crates of live ammunition since no gun runner stayed in business selling weapons without ammo.

They were like shadows flitting through the building taking out the mammals they came across as soon as they sighted them. While Will maintained his use of the low-light vision amplification setting of his helmet Layla had switched to the thermal-optic setting which allowed them that much extra force maximization. Compared to the speed with which they'd carried similar operations when there still was a CLAWS unit to speak of they set a new record in how quickly they'd cleared the building of 'hostiles' not that they even spared effort to consider that fact. It helped of course that the warehouse was guarded by a skeleton crew since the gun runners who used it were as unsuspecting as civilians as actual law enforcement was a bigger threat to business.

After they'd double checked that the building was secure they picked over the mammals they'd tranqed policing their darts which since the rounds stayed with the targets was cubs-play compared to policing brass after a live fire engagement. That bit of standard operating procedure complete they took their pick of what wares were on paw making use of duffle bags they'd found on site. They even lifted what cash they found on the mammals they'd tranqed which would no doubt add insult to injury. Only when they were back at their bikes did Will make the call to Katarina, and Adam to tip off the ZPD suggesting they say it was a break-in, and robbery which would at least be enough to get one squad car out there within the hour; to increase the chances that responding officers would actually enter the building they'd left the door they infiltrated through wide open, and though that opened up opportunity for a random passerby to investigate it was unlikely given the area, and lack of traffic.

Will, and Layla were halfway back to their base of operations when through Layla's phone that she'd synced with her helmet Katarina contacted them to inform them that she'd been monitoring the ZPD chatter over a scanner, and the responding officers had called in backup to handle their 'find'. The rush from their success was undeniable for the both of them, but consummate professionals that they were they didn't likewise rush back to base.

When they got back their base Adam who had been keeping an eye on the security cameras was already getting the door up to let them in when they pulled up to it while Katarina had a pair of cold celebratory beers waiting for them in one paw, and beers for her, and Adam in the other. By the time Adam had closed the door behind them Will, and Layla had their bikes parked, off, and had removed their helmets gladly accepting their beers from Kat. The mood between all four of them was definitely controlled exuberance since though their success had been swift, and undeniable they all knew it was a dangerous game they played where overconfidence would skull-fuck them over. When Kat offered them dinner of borscht that she'd made Will, and Layla gladly accepted.

Before they sat to eat Will, and Layla both availed themselves of the washroom on the ground floor to get the scent neutralizer off their heads, and changed out of their bodysuits though Will only bothered putting back on his uniform trousers, and remained shirtless. While they ate their conversation stayed light as they reminisced about better times when they were active operatives of their respective agencies recounting what humorous stories they had. For Will, Layla, and Adam while most of those stories involved 'Dagger', and 'Rambo' it was painful, but nonetheless therapeutic to remember their fallen comrades which was something Katarina didn't fail to notice, and she made a point of toasting the fallen which the three former CLAWS heartily joined in; there was a measure of solace Layla, Will, and Adam each took in knowing the memories of their friends lived on in them, and their deaths had not been for nothing despite it all.

When Kat offered Will, and Layla the extra bed she had down in the basement they both declined with Layla expressing desire for her own bed, and Will not wanting to keep the other two up half the night as well as allowing him the alibi that he had spent the night at home just in case. It was with fondness that the two canids bid their feline comrades a good night before getting into Will's Shelby, and heading home.

It was nearly twenty-three-hundred when they parked in front of their building, and Will still shirtless left his gear in the trunk as he made his way to their apartment alongside Layla. After the day, and evening he'd had Will let his tiredness grip him as soon as he crossed the threshold, but Layla who hadn't had quite as taxing a day had other intentions than sleep as she led Will to their bed as soon as she'd locked the door behind them. Will had enough wherewithal left to take of his uniform trousers, and collapse onto their bed, but Layla wouldn't let him fall into sleep without expressing physically the passion she felt for him not that he would ever complain, and he stayed awake enough to not simply lay uselessly under her. By the time she was done with him it was midnight, and he was dead to the world while his mate content, and tied to him made herself comfortable on him the warmth of his body lulling her to sleep as post-coital tranquility was oft to do.

---

Post-Chapter A/N: And with that this long overdue chapter is done, and I have a second wind so I hope the next chapter will be done sooner. I should've written down what else I wanted to say here while it was still in my head, but oh well . . . Oh, Yeah! First, and foremost a thanks to Darkwolfslayer21 because his kind words in his latest chapter of 'Monsters and Animals' really helped put the fire back in me to work on this, and not be distracted by interesting youtube videos [Darn you Oxhorn, Shoddycast, Asynchrony, and others lol]. Also since when other authors mention stories they find worth reading, and I read those because reading is what I do - like literally my motto should be "Don't bother me, I'm reading." I am going to mention some authors, and stories I've recently read/been following that I would simply be remiss not to.

"Love's Tales" by MinscLovesBoo - Laughter is the best medicine so it is said, and this story here is just what the medicine man ordered.

"Thanks for the Fox" by sarsis - This one here folks gets the Oh-Em-Goodness seal of Oh-Em-Goodness; need I say more? Yes, read everything else by this author because you should.

"Nothing to Fear", "New Directions", and "Cry for the Children" by selaxes - Read them in that order because chronology [the logic computes]; I finished reading "New Directions", and was like I want more of Finnick, and Chryssie [my honest to gods reaction], and whoo boy is "Cry for the Children" . . . well I cried damnit, and am proud to admit it because even if it is fiction it is prime example of why the good fight is worth fighting - if you read it to the end you'll understand.

"Zootopia: Thicker Than Blood" by aemx - I'm a proponent of the WildeHopps slowburn because it's more organic that way, and this one is currently right in the middle of that sweet sweet slowburn; also I can't get the first chapter's title out of my head because the between the lines meaning in it resonates with me.

"Savage" by HavocHound - This one might not update the fastest, and there's not much of it yet, but you should read it; you don't have to, but you just should alright.

"Derailment", and "Old Arrangements" by Zanrok - Read them both just for the author's notes alone that's how worth it they are.

There's so many other stories, and authors I should be mentioning here because they deserve it, but I think I've rambled on enough, and in all probable of probabilities I will mention them in future chapters. If you haven't noticed I'm one long winded okami [looks at current word count again - no it's not obvious at all ^.^]. Tonikaku demo nya, recommend me things to listen to, or read and I can pretty much guarantee I will do just that. Until next time, sayonyara . . . Or not . . . forgive my stream of consciousness I reread a review, and so as per request a thingy dingy, I mean character list plus some supplemental info.

The following constitutes all available information regarding the 'CLAWS' unit as obtained by informant 'Redacted' - current whereabouts unknown.

William Grimm a.k.a. "Beast" - Age: 26, Species: Arctic Wolf; Brief history: Age 18-19 - member of Ulfhaven Conservation Corps. Age 19 - member of Ulfhaven Forest Rangers for six months then joins special forces. Age 20 - makes use of military college scholarship obtains degrees in computer programming, and linguistics. Age 22 - recruited into ZIA by Sky Danger for Project-CLAWS serves as sniper/infiltration specialist. Age 25 - CLAWS "Disbanded".

Layla Eidolon a.k.a. "Whisper" - Age: 25, Species: Red Fox; Brief history: Age 10 - adopted by Underland family. Age 18 - joins military transfers to special forces after showing aptitude. Age 19 - makes use of military college scholarship majors in computer engineering. Age 21 - recruited into ZIA by Sky Danger for Project-CLAWS serves as spotter/electronic warfare specialist. Age 24 - CLAWS "Disbanded".

Adam a.k.a. "Revolver" - Age: 27, Species: Ocelot; Brief history: previous military service classified. Age 22 - joins ZIA serves in MamInt division. Age 23 - requested for Project-CLAWS by Jack Savage serves as in-field Intel Analysis/Interrogation specialist. Age 26 - CLAWS "Disbanded"

Jack a.k.a. "Dagger" - Age: 25 [K.I.A.], Species: Grey Wolf; Brief history: Age 18 - transfered from basic training to special forces training for aptitude. Age 22 - recruited into ZIA by Jack Savage for Project-CLAWS serves as marksmammal/demolitions expert. Age 25 - K.I.A. see report 'REDACTED'

John a.k.a. "Rambo" - Age: 28 [K.I.A.], Species: Bengal Tiger; Brief history: Age 18 - joins military. Age 19 - joins special forces. Age 25 - recruited into ZIA by 'REDACTED' for Project-CLAWS serves as heavy gunner/guerilla warfare specialist. Age 28 - K.I.A. see report 'REDACTED'