Gerhard sat at his desk reading over the latest production reports from the enrichment facility. It was long past sundown and the only light on in his office was the desk lamp which left much of the room in shadows. Reaching to his right he lifted the glass, filled with two fingers of whisky, and leaned back. Looking into the glass he watched as the amber liquid moved within the cup. Without looking up from his cup his ear flicked, and he smirked. "Natalia, I do hope you have good news for me."

Natalia didn't have much of a wardrobe in Gerhards opinion. Always the black slacks, black button-down collared shirt with jacket, and silver pendant necklace. If she were disturbed by the fact that he had noticed her entrance she didn't show it. "Some." Natalia moved closer to Gerhard's desk until she was more visible in the limited light from the desk lamp. "The sister is gone. The brother however had escaped our view. He was seen boarding a sea plane and we have not gained knowledge as to where he went. The plane returned a few hours after with some damage and only the pilot and copilot aboard."

Gerhard sipped from his glass before leaning forward and placing it on his desk directly in front of him His eyes locking on Natalia's. "Elizabeth Forest is dead?"

"Da" The squirrel female said without emotion and without hesitation.

"You are sure this time Natalia? It was a sure thing last time you attempted this." Gerhard nearly growled as he remembered the last disappointment.

"Da General." Her voice left no question in her opinion. Her best operative had gone to Zootopia, she even verified the body. "My mammal, she checked the morgue sir."

"Good, as for Leon, you said a sea plane? Probably left in the late morning?" Gerhard smirked as his finger circled the rim of his glass."

Natalia tilted her head with a raised eyebrow. "Da," this time her tone betrayed her. She wondered how he had known that without her telling him.

"Our border defenses reported shooting at a plane along the border. Patrol thought they were just skimming the boarder. They quickly went back." Shaking his head. "It would appear Leon has come home." Smirking. "Natalia. Perhaps you could send him a welcome party.'

The squirrel smirked. "Da" She said with a cold joy, snapping her boots together before she turned on her heals and walked towards the door.

"Oh and Natalia." Gerhard picked up the glass and brought it to his lips as the squirrel turned to look at him. "Don't fuck this up again."

Gerhard's voice was calm, but Natalia understood the threat. "I will go my self." Turning around she marched out of the door and down the hall.

"Good, and Natalia, don't bother returning if you fail." As he watched her leave, Gerhard smiled and sipped from his glass. Once he was sure Natalia was well on her way he picked up the phone on his desk, dialing a number and waited through three rings before the line was picked up.

"Commander, that plane that you reported as being shot at, I believe it requires more looking into. I want you to double the patrols and send a group to investigate … " Gerhard shuffled through the reports on his desk before finding the one he was looking for. "Seeseite. Report on your findings directly to me." Without waiting on a response Gerhard hung up the phone and leaned back in his seat.

Taking a few more sips from his glass before he returned to the reports on his desk. There was still much to look over and the night was already late.

*oOo*

Gwendolyn returned with rolled maps, the male skunk who had greeted them and brought them here dragged a large wooden table into the middle of the room with one end facing the older woman's chair. The table's legs were made of white birch logs with the white bark still wrapping them. The top was stained hand carved planks.

"I will be back with the coffee when it is done." Gwendolyn straightened up after opening the maps on the table and walked back out of the room.

"Thank you my dear." Looking over to the maps, Grandmother picked up the cane that was leaning against her chair and pointed to a town by a lake on the southern edge of the map. The town was marked as Seeseite "This is where we are." She then moved her canes tip to the north and west to a spot on the map with a star marking it. "This is where you want to be. Our reports say that Gerhard stays in the capital for the most part these days."

"Paranoid about an attack?" Jack asked.

"No, more than likely catching up on field reports and managing the government. He is still building up the government and separating it to mammals he trusts."

"That is good, it means he is not at full strength, but we would do well to not underestimate him." Leon said while scratching his chin. Butch to his left grunted in agreement as they all looked at the map. "Any reports on checkpoints or roadblocks.?"

The older woman nodded, "Yes, so far the main roads have roadblocks set up every fifty miles or so. You will need to provide your papers and submit to a search if requested." She looked up when Gwendolyn came back into the room with a cask of coffee along with cups, a sugar bowl, and milk. "Ahh good thank you Gwen."

When the coffee came in Meredith followed Gwendolyn over to the corner table where she put the items down. One of her long ears at full attention and focused behind her to listen in on what was being said around the table. She took two cups and made one to her own liking, and as she started to make the other, she glanced up to see Gwendolyn staring at her. Meredith couldn't help but raise her lips in distain at the look and her tail flicked with the growing agitation she was feeling. "What?"

Gwendolyn's expression didn't change other then to tilt her head to the side. To Meredith it was like looking at a realistic but expressionless mamakin in a store. "You are not a skunk, you are not even just a fox or a bunny." Sniffing the air around Meredith, Gwendolyn leaned in to catch the scents around Meredith as she did.

"Yes and you're point?" A low growl started in her throat it wasn't heard so much as felt but that was the intention. It was the clinking on the cup with the spoon she held in her paw that had her straiten up and calm herself down with some effort.

"Leon is a Skunk." Gwendolyn's voice was as always devoid of emotion which made this conversation both difficult to read and increased the frustration Meredith was experiencing. Though Meredith thought for a brief moment in those four words she had heard something different.

Meredith calmed with a smirk as she decided to test a theory. She dropped the volume of her voice and smirked. "And he is a very handsome and strong skunk too." When she said that she noted a very slight twitch in Gwendolyn's tail, which had her previous feelings melt away. This skunk had no issues with her species or hybrid lineage. That feeling however was replaced with a possessive feeling she wasn't used to and that had started within her very recently. "It was good talking to you Gwendolyn."

Meredith turned, both coffee cups in her paws, and walked back to the table where the others had continued their planning. One of her ears remained subtly focused on Gwendolyn as she walked up to Leon and handed the cup of coffee, she had made for him. Once Leon took the cup of coffee, she draped her tail over Leon's and with that action she heard behind her the almost inaudible sigh from the female skunk that made Meredith smirk before focusing back on the planning.

"Ok, so we will be traveling the main road. Leon and I will be in the front vehicle with Meredith as well as one of your mammals," Jack spoke indicating Grandmother would be adding one of her own to their group, "who will be our driver. Zoe, Evie, and Butch will be in the second vehicle. You are sure these vehicles will be able to hide our gear from these searches?"

"Yes Jack, as I said we have outfitted them with areas to stash your equipment in that will shield them from the searches. We also have a few good mammals within their ranks to assist with this, but you cannot count on them being at every checkpoint." The older skunk looked up and frowned. "Gwen leave them alone."

Meredith had stopped paying attention to the female behind them but now turned to see the expressionless teenager back stepping a few steps before leaving the room much the same as she had entered. When Meredith turned back to the table there was a mischievous smirk on the older skunk before she continued with the information. "Jack, as we discussed before your arrival we have the fur die for you."

This information got the attention at almost everyone at the table. Jack sighed before responding, "I've been here before, and thanks to a particular skunk," Jack glanced at Leon. "My pictures are available and circulated on a particular deck of cards."

Leon smirked at the fact that he brought up the card deck with the most wanted mammals pictures on them. Leon chose to speak up, dripping in mirth "Yes I believe queen of hearts." This brought a rumble of laughter around the table

Jack cleared his throat, "Right, either way I need to change my appearance. I believe we can all agree that my particular patterning is distinct." There was a chuckle from Jack's left but he didn't respond. "Now I believe we have all of the information we can take in tonight. We leave tomorrow morning so every one get to bed. I want everyone in uniform and ready to move out," Jack looked at his wrist watch, "05:30, that gives you about six hours of rack time."

The elderly skunk nodded, "Gwen will show you to your rooms. I wish you all good luck."

Meredith's ears perked up, "You aren't going to see us off?"

Grandmother smiled, "Oh I'd love to see the look on your muzzle when you see your outfit tomorrow but that is far to early in the morning for me. I need my beauty sleep after all." Laughing as she slowly stood up, leaning heavily on her cane. "Good luck, and on behalf of all the people of this country, thank you." The mammals in the room all moved to give her space as the Male skunk from before assisted her.

Once the pair of skunks had left the room Gwen stood in the doorway. "This way please." Gwen lead the way around towards the front of the home to a set of stairs that brough them to the second floor and a long hallway. Turning left she pointed to a door on the left, "Jack and Butch." She continued down the hallway pointing to her right, "Zoe and Evie." She continued to the end of the hallway and turned. "Leon and Meredith." Her head tilted and looked between the two. "Good night." Gwen then walked down the way they had come and past the stairwell to a door which she disappeared into, the faint click of her door closing and locking just after.

"Shes an odd duck." Meredith couldn't help but look down the hallway to where Gwen had disappeared.

Leon was opening the door when he looked to Meredith. "She had it rough." Walking into the room and looking around. Their gear had already been brought up at some point and was propped against the far wall. Leon's uniform was hung on a hanger along an iron pipe that had been fashioned to the wall. Along with it was a garment bag with Meredith's name on it. In the far corner, just under the pitch of the roof that outlined the room, was a queen sized bed with a flower print comforter, pastel blue sheets and pillow cases.

Meredith looked around before walking over to the bed and pushing into it with a paw. "Are you going to elaborate, or do I have to ask?"

"Well much like my sister and I she lost both of her parents at an early age. Her's however were killed in front of her. She like's you, though I think she is also a bit jealous of you as well. She was around a lot when I started to work with Grandmother. We used to have late night ice cream time." Leon smirked.

"She is actually a very emotional girl, if she knows you. When she doesn't know you, well you've seen how she acts." Walking over to the bed and sitting down next to Meredith. "Before I left on the mission at the refinement plant, she was very clingy and didn't want me to leave."

"And then you came back, but with a woman in tow." Meredith chuckled, "Leon you were her first crush." Giggling about how cute that was.

"I suppose and that would make you her first rival." Leon smirked and glanced at Meredith, "You proved it to her with that little growl."

Meredith blushed, pulling her ears over her eyes. "You heard that?"

"Skunks can't see all that well, but we can hear and smell just fine." Leon chuckled. "She's a good girl, and maybe when this is all over she can learn to relax and express herself. Perhaps find herself a good mate and live a good life."

Meredith placed a paw on Leon's shoulder before leaning against him. "Leon, doing this isn't going to solve all of this country's problems. It will only remove one of them. Hell, before my parents could marry they and hundreds of other couples had to protest until laws were changed. Even with laws changed they to this day still get dirty looks and comments when they aren't looking. Even I hear comments about me when I'm not looking. They forget," pointing towards her ears after she spoke.

"Radar dishes, right." Leon chuckles when he is gently pushed by his mate.

"Yes yes, thanks Dad." Rolling her eyes at the common comment made about rabbit ears in her household.

Leon laughed and wrapped his arm around Meredith. "Love, I do hope that was not meant to be an insult. Your father is a good mammal and I'd be happy to be even a little bit like him."

Meredith looked up and directly in his eyes. "Really? You mean that?"

"Of course." Leon answered easily.

"Even after … " Meredith grew quite when Leon held up a paw, a soft smile on his muzzle.

"Your father was overprotective, and maybe even understandably. It's not like I'm some skunk you met at the bar. I was your patient, whom for a while couldn't remember who he was. Then, turned out to be an operative from another country who may or may not have been trying to resist that country. The mammal was protecting his kin. I will not now nor ever fault him for that. It's obvious to me that you and him are the closest of your siblings."

Meredith smiled as she thought about how much of a daddy's girl she is. "Yah. As beautiful as I look in a dress, I was the tomboy and the first. Mom always said I had his personality too."

Leon thought for a moment, they did share some attributes of personality. In particular their ability to boast about how amazing they are with a level of snarky that he very much enjoyed. "Part of how he reacted was because he is afraid, he is going to loose that little girl that he used to bounce on his knee, or do whatever you two did together. We know he won't it's part of who you are, but it's a fear I'm sure he is feeling. Your father is a great mammal as is your mother. I'd never take it as insult in being compared to either of them."

Raising an eyebrow Meredith questioned, "How did you get so insightful?"

Leon laughed, "Psychological training, I'm the big bad secret skunk spy." Using his paws to tickle her sides, Leon enjoyed the jovial laughing he got in return. "Enough talk, we need to get some sleep."

"Right," Sitting back up from the bed where she had fallen over during the tickle attack she planted a gentle loving kiss on Leon's lips, making a contented sound when it was returned.

Leon stood up and undressed down to his birthday suit which had a wonderful feeling begin in Meredith's belly which she mentally put a fire hose on. They didn't have time for that, they probably wouldn't have time for that until they got home. This thought brought a whimper from her as she too stood and removed her cloths for bed.

The whimper from his mate caught his attention before he turned to climb into bed. "I know m'love. But we will be together soon. I promise." Leon held the blankets open as the cooler air became more evident with less of a barrier between it and their fur. His eyes enjoying the view of Meredith's beautiful fox patterned fur with strong bunny legs. Though he had noticed before it became more evident that though she had her father's color pattern, the fur type was shorter and thus offered her less protection from the cold. "Get your beautiful bunny tail under these covers before you freeze."

"I'll have you know this tail is quite a bit longer than a bunny's" Flipping her tail as she dove for the bed, much like a fox would for dinner. Her aim was perfect as she slide slightly into position next to Leon, whom promptly tossed the blanket over her and wrapped her in his arms. "Give me your tail, if I can't have you, I want to get a full on night snuggle."

Leon chuckled and moved his tail over and couldn't help the contented sigh when he felt her slide her back up against him, and then gently cuddle with his tail at the same time. "Good night Meredith." Leon said as he nuzzled the top of her head, gently renewing the sent marking he had left there the night before.

"Goodnight Leon." Meredith yawned, the warmth from Leon making her realize how cold she had been, but now she was starting warm up. She felt safe, and she felt loved, which helped her to quickly fall asleep. Meredith didn't catch the sound as she had fallen asleep, but Leon heard the slight creek of the door hinge as their bedroom door was closed, even after he was sure he had closed it earlier.