"Why me?"

Nick looked down at the bunny walking beside him as they made their way to the rally point. It was a nearly 20 minute walk and the first five had been quiet with both curious about this VIP who'd just flown in unannounced. Or rather that's what Nick had been thinking about.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, why take me with you to see this VIP? There are other officers who out rank me that would have been a better choice."

"Maybe, but none of them are from the Burrows. Whoever this VIP is, I'll need you to pass their message on to your troops here."

Judy nodded, seeming to accept his answer.

"And in the off chance it's someone from the Burrows here to tell you to turn on us I know I'm safe with you." Judy looked up at him, almost stunned that he'd put that much faith in her. She took this show of good faith to heart and truly appreciated it after everything that had happened.

"Thank you Nick, you won't regret it."

"Oh, I'm sure I won't. Even if you do decide to betray me, I know I have nothing to fear since you shoot like a bunny."

Out of nowhere a bunny's fist sized train seemed to derail directly into Nick's arm, followed immediately by the retort of "Jerk". The pain he tried to hide was almost enough to make him regret cracking the joke, almost.

The remainder of the trip was carried out in silence, more due to both mammals' anxiety about who this VIP could possibly be than anything rally point was a clearing amongst a grove of trees nearly halfway between the two parties and when Nick and Judy got close enough to hear raised voices, they shared a concerned look before approaching behind some bushes on the opposite side. In the clearing they found what both thought had to be the strangest sight they'd ever seen.

Skye was standing in front of what looked like a hair with black stripes and growling down at him. The hare was staring back with a stoic expression and no outward sign of being phased by her actions. Both strained to hear just what was happening but what stood out the most to both was that the hare was wearing the same camouflage uniform as the foxes.

"I said I'm fine." Skye growled out.

Jack just continued to stare back. "I never said you weren't. I just suggested you find someone to talk to about that mission. Clearly, whatever happened is causing you some distress."

"I don't need my head examined by some shrink."

"That's not what I'm suggesting." From their vantage point, the pair watching could not only hear the softness in his voice but also the way his facial features softened. "I'm only saying you should speak with someone you trust. Someone who understands."

"And who would that someone be? You?" She snapped back.

"If you wish." Was his instant reply, leaving the vixen with a surprised look.

Seeing her flustered look, Nick nudged Judy and the two exited from their hiding place.

"Alright!" Nick called as he stepped into view, causing both of the other two mammals to whirl on him raising their weapons. Once they'd both relaxed, Judy stepped out behind him and they walked up to the other two. "Major, who's your friend?"

Skye let out a huff before answering. "Colonel Wilde, this is Jack Savage of Burrowland Intelligence. He's got some rather interesting news to share." She motioned for the hare to begin.

"Wilde, who's this?" He motioned to Judy.

"Sir, Lieutenant Hopps, 43rd Military Police Battalion. I've been acting as Lt. Col. Wilde's liaison to our forces on the front." Jack looked her over for a moment before speaking.

"Very well, know lieutenant that everything we say here is classified top secret and is by no means to be shared. Do you understand?" His tone leaving no room for argument. Judy clinched her jaw at being berated like some cadet before letting out a seething reply through her teeth.

"Yes. Sir."

"Good, now, good news first. The war is over." Nick and Judy both reacted with widening eyes and surprise etched in their features.

"How is that?" Nick asked first.

"That's the bad news. Seems Vulpisia has expended ninety percent of it's arsenal of guided missiles all over Canisia. They've effectively crippled the entire country. They hit everything from radar stations to all means of retaliation that Canisia may have. Including major infrastructure sites such as bridges, railways and power plants. It all happened a couple of hours after your paratroopers left the airfield. From then until late last night Vulpisian negotiators were hammering the point that they had more missiles ready and waiting.

"But they don't." Judy commented, to which Jack nodded. He took a moment to study the reaction from the foxes. Both had looks of concern on their faces.

"Fortunately, the bluff worked as the forces on your borders along with reserves were mobilizing to make a push against them. Canisia blinked first and stood down. Their forces in this valley are pulling back to their border and negotiations are underway between all three governments."

Silence fell between the small group as everyone processed this new information. Jack had to give Nick a code word that verified the information was truthful. Their duty now was to push forward and ensure the canines truly left the country.

Where the canines were able to cover the distance in three days with their vehicles it took five for the foot soldiers to cover the same ground. Judy had been tasked out to command a platoon of rabbits and hadn't seen Wilde the entire time. Only communicating their progress and findings to his command staff. By the time they got to the border the canisian forces were waiting on their side with POWs to hand over. The fox forces spent a month on the Burrowland border before they were completely replaced by new or repatriated faces. As the battalion commander, Nick was one of the last to leave. Packing his small field office and disposing of any sensitive documents, he was interrupted by a rabbit making her presence known.

"Col. Wilde?" Nick looked up to see the Lt. from his first day standing there.

"Ah, Hopps, what can I do for you?" He resumed his packing.

"I heard you were leaving today." She said, a timid tone to her voice.

"Yup, leaving on the last bus tonight. Haven't seen you in a while, been keeping busy?"

"Mmhmm." She replied with a nod as she watched.

Nick paused in packing and gave her a curious look. "Did you need something Carrots?" The nickname drew a groan from the bunny.

Judy released a sigh and drew closer to him. "I just wanted to say thank you, for everything." She gave him an honest smile and held out her paw to shake his.

Nick smiled at the short bunny before shaking her paw. "You're welcome." He released her paw and watched as she took a step back and gave him a salute. He returned the gesture with a grin and watched as the bunny dropped her own salute and turned to leave. Calling out when she reached the door. "See you around Carrots."

She paused at the door, turning around and giving him a smile before disappearing.

A/N:

Well, that's all folks. There's an epilogue after this but this chapter concludes the war between the Fox and Bunnies.