A/N: As always, major thanks to GameBoy for his editorial assistance, even if he considers it to be minimal with the time restraints. (~,^)
Guest 1: Glad you're enjoying it!
Guest 1 (#2): Glad you're excited for the sequel!
Guest 1 & 1 (#2): Thanks for coming back for more!
GhostWolf88: Welcome to the insanity! =D
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Agent Wilde 2: Mountains out of Molehills
Chapter 1: Sweet Dreams and Waking Nightmares
Judy woke with a start, sitting bolt upright, heart pounding.
Just a dream. Lefty stated calmly, You're fine, they're fine.
She took a few calming breaths, "Yeah, I know..." she murmured, shaking her head as she banished images of a blood soaked Charlie standing amidst the doe's slaughtered kin, holding Judy's impaled body up like a sick trophy, blood dripping from the same sword Judy had buried in her shoulder.
"We can't stay long, there's bound to be someone out there still looking for us."
Under assumed names and hidden features. Righty chimed in, adding an uncharacteristically logical view.
Charlie was an exception, she knew about us before we went away in the first place. Lefty added, And she's gone, as is that particular threat.
Judy hopped off her bed and began dressing herself for the day, glancing at the clock currently reading just shy of 4am, sun still yet to rise.
"Dad should be up by now, he's going to be waiting." she told herself, exiting her room.
Nick nudged the gray bunny at his side as they approached their office door, "You okay, fluff?"
Judy's ears snapped up, broken from her apparent trance, "What?"
Nick cocked an eyebrow at the lost-looking bunny, "I asked if you're okay. You've been spacing out a lot since we took the case. You were nearly hit by a bus, you just about walked into one of the transport pipes for amphibious mammals, you haven't eaten unless it's been pushed right under your nose..." the concerned fox stated.
"I'm fine, Slick. Just wracking my brain on the case, is all." They'd been through everything they could get their paws on regarding agents who'd held a position with the bureau, with not one bearing the training or inclinations necessary to motivate or perform the act.
"You do know you're a terrible liar, yes?" Nick said as he ushered the doe inside, closing the door behind them, "Sit." he all but ordered. Judy had already
checked back out, foot tapping on the floor.
"Hey Jude!" Stuart Hopps immediately set down a weathered mug adorned with flora and 'worlds best dad' written inside a heart- the one Judy had made as a kit when she was taking arts and crafts, as he stood to greet his wayward daughter, the sight warmed her heart almost as much as seeing her father for the first time in what felt like ages.
She gave him a hug hard enough to crush a bear, "Hey dad! Harvest going well?"
The old buck waved a paw at the question, "As well as it always does, that's not important though. How you doing, Jude?" the tone and concerned look plastered to her father's face spoke volumes.
"Mom already fill you in, I take it?" she asked as they sat.
"As much as she could." he said with a chuckle, "So... been a secret agent all this time, eh?"
It was Judy's turn to laugh, "Not exactly, dad. More a paw-for-hire, recently."
Stu smiled awkwardly, "And uh... Bon mentioned a fox?"
Judy was expecting him to broach the subject quickly, and helped cut the fat, "Yes, he's very sweet."
Stu swirled the contents of his mug a bit, considering his next words carefully, "And you've already made a declaration of sorts?" this wasn't a question, so much as a statement of fact, he could make out the scent of the mark even now, the change in her scent and body language was also apparent when the fox was mentioned.
"I have." she said, quickly revising it to, "We have." Stu nodded, being an old-fashioned mammal, a mark was a serious move, and carried every bit as much sway as a ring, all their children were raised to follow that same logic.
He decided to jump straight to the point, "When are we going to meet him?"
"I'm not sure, yet..." she began with a paw brushing over one of his marks, "He actually offered to come with me, but I kind of wanted to keep it low key, for now."
Another nod from the buck, "I assume he's aware of the implications in exchanging marks?"
"I'm... not sure." Judy said with a bit of trepidation, "I haven't really touched that subject with him."
Stu tapped his mug with a dull claw for a moment before speaking again, "Will you be?"
Judy locked eyes with the buck, "Yes."
Stu smiled at his daughter, standing from the table he gave her another hug, "That's my girl. You keep your mom and I posted on how things go, okay?" the old buck pulled out an old pocket watch to check the time, "I need to get that old tractor started or I'll never finish before sundown." he stated before draining what was left in his mug and planting a kiss on her forehead, "We can talk more after dinner tonight... It's good to have you home, sweetie."
Seriously, I think we broke her back at the isles. his tail mused.
This is something else, and it's eating her alive. Nick countered.
Agreed... Tail muttered, That's our job!
Yeah, it's a re-... Tail's statement finally hit home, Really?!
AAAhahahahaaa! Tail howled with laughter, Took ya long enough!
Not the time, pal... Nick groaned in response, We need to sort out whatever this is, she needs her head in the game. he scolded, And so do we!
Someone needs to stay loose, and she's gonna need that twisted sense of humor, if it's as serious as you're implying. Tail said, You know I'm right.
Fair point. Nick conceded, Now... Bunny, broken, fix.
Bunny, cute, fluffy. Tail replied, to which Nick rolled his eyes with a small grin.
Judy was still tapping away, so Nick lifted her off the ground with an 'eep!' and placed her on the desk, seating himself directly in front of his bunny, taking her paws.
"Talk." Judy finally looked at him, his features were drawn, and etched with all the telltale signs of a mammal lacking rest, much less proper grooming.
He needs to know. Righty said, Look at him!
Her own ears drew back as she really took stock of her partner, he was as much a mess as she was. His eyes were beyond tired, crusted over with lack of sleep. Behind the usual controlled exterior, they were screaming for answers.
"Please." he added, "I can't do anything if I don't know what's getting to you."
Dinner went off without a hitch, when all was said and done, Judy was exhausted after a final conversation with her parents, mainly regarding her plans upon her return to the city, Nick- naturally, being the focal point. They'd never expected Judy to settle on anyone, much less find a mammal that would be accepting of her choice of career, and they were- much to Judy's gratitude, quite alright with the current circumstances in light of everything she'd been through in her absence.
She retired to her old childhood room, still adorned with posters and paraphernalia relating to police work and spy films, a pile of stuffed dolls mounded up on her bed.
Flopping down on the bed, she let sleep take her, dreams of red leaves drifting over a veritable ocean of emerald green grass swaying in the breeze, slowly decaying into blackened stems and dead brown fields. She felt the earth beneath her dip as some unseen weight settled over her body. It wasn't uncomfortable, at first, but the weight increased until it was pressing the air from her lungs.
Wake up...
She ignored whatever the voice was, trying to shift out from under the rapidly worrying weight.
Wake up...
The weight was now accompanied by heated air ruffling her fur.
WAKE UP!
The doe's eyes snapped open, greeted with fangs gleaming in the darkness, the source of weight and heat now made clear. There was a small wolf hovering over her, claws dug into the bed, locking her in place with the blankets, she couldn't move.
Morning sunshine, we've got an issue. Lefty commented, now clearly known as the voice she heard moments before.
Judy stared death in the face, literally, as she both thanked and cursed the walls for being thick enough to silence an elephant trumpeting, "Who are you, and what do you want?"
The wolf snapped it's jaws, "I don't think you're in much of a position to ask questions, Hopps." snickering at the doe, he added, "I could always visit one of the other rooms. If you're not comfortable with having a visitor yourself."
Out of the question. Lefty deadpanned.
You think? Judy snapped.
Righty just snarled.
"Okay, okay..." Judy said, not wanting to trigger the invading mammal, "What can I do for you?"
Besides snapping his rotten neck? Righty chimed in, full of rage.
Cool it, we're still at a disadvantage here.
"Much better." the wolf commented with a toothy grin. "Word has it you've got an in with the ZBI. Is this true?"
Judy, thinking quickly, deflected the implications, it wasn't a complete lie, anyway. "I did at one point. I've long since been dismissed."
This statement got another snap of his jaws, she didn't even bat an eye. "Don't be coy, Hopps!" he growled. "The fox."
"The who now?" she countered,
The wolf then took a long, slow sniff at one of her cheeks, making her cringe slightly, "I can smell him on you, girl... I know it's Wilde."
Great, just great... she thought, I earnestly forgot I'm not the only one crazies will be after.
Just keep this weirdo calm, and away from the kits. Lefty interjected.
"...What about him?" she asked, keeping her voice calm and leveled.
"He's got a... special, place in the Bureau. One which our organization is very much interested in being a part of." the wolf stated, "We need you to help encourage him to cooperate. Off the record, of course."
"So... You're soliciting me for a business connection, then?"
The wolf smiled at the response, "That's a good girl... you accept?" Judy cringed at 'good girl', the way the wolf said it made her feel greasy, like she needed to scrub herself to be rid of the words.
Just agree, Lefty suggested, we can figure out who and why as we go, and they'll leave the family alone as long as they think we're working in their best interests.
Judy put on a look of disinterest, "Any pay involved?"
"Plenty."
"I never say no to a good paycheck."
The wolf smiled. Before she could react, he jabbed her with a very familiar sort of pen, no doubt a tranquilizer as her vision began to swim almost immediately.
She heard those wretched words one last time before falling unconscious.
"Good girl..."
Judy let out a sigh, pulling on his paws, he didn't hesitate to draw closer as they brushed muzzles and she twisted a paw into the fur at his scruff. "Not here."
Nick gave her a nod, eyes getting a little more life in them at finally getting a response from the doe that was more than a deflection or simply 'what?'.
He grabbed his phone and tapped out a message to Clawhouser, bcc-ing it to Wolfard.
N: Taking the afternoon, back in the morning. LBKA.
"Come on, fluff. We're taking the back door." Nick said as he slid Judy off the desk, left the office with doe in tow, and took the stairwell all the way to the basement.
As he popped open a small hatch in the corner of the stairwell, he clawed a button hidden in an indentation within the vent, Judy heard a series of clicks echo through the shaft, while Nick replaced the hatch. He pulled out his phone to the ding of two responses.
W: Understand, LBKA.
C: Got it, LBKA! Have fun! =3
"LBKA?" Judy questioned.
"Something Benji started, 'Let Bogo Know After'. No real significance, beyond Ben being obsessed with acronyms, anyway." the fox replied with a chuckle.
Nick led Judy through a mostly empty garage, exiting through an emergency fire door, one that seemed to be malfunctioning as it didn't alarm when opened to a small flight of stairs going to ground-level, outside.
"That's what the button's for, if you need to make a quiet exit without dealing with anyone. Just so you know." Nick stated.
"Isn't that a security issue?"
"Only if you're the one that rigged it, and know about it." Nick replied with a grin.
Judy turned back to the door, then to the fox, and back again, "Nick!" she growled, boxing the tod's arm, "That's WAY outside regulation... You're gonna get dismissed if they find out!" the flustered, worn doe blurted out, "You could go to Elkatraz for that!"
"Bogo knows." He stated nonchalantly.
Judy was at a loss for words, so Nick continued, "I'm nocturnal, fluff. Some weeks are rough enough I need to be able to leave quietly, and konk out for a bit. Bogo's aware of that, and I've saved this place from being downsized more times than either of us cares to count. Bogo trusts me with more than the city would ever expect, he knows I'm good at what I do, and now he's extended that trust in the form of being a field agent, as well."
The sun was beginning to set as Bogo watched his newest pair walk off the grounds, his phone lying on the desk, fresh messages lighting up the screen.
C: Nick out, taking girlfriend.
W: Nick out, partner too.
Alongside a single sent message.
Get some rest, Wilde. You look like hell warmed over, sort out your partner by morning.
Nick pocketed his phone, not needing to respond to Bogo's message, he was going to find out what was wrong with his bunny, and she'd get a good night's rest if he had to tie her down and tranq her to do it.
"Where to?" Judy asked, having come to terms with their... interesting exit.
"Home." Nick stated, pulling out his keys, he unlocked his vehicle with a 'beep' before opening the passenger side and ushering the doe inside.
"You know the address, right?" she asked with a yawn, settling into the seat.
"Sure do." he replied, glancing over, she was already out cold.
How long do you think it's been since she slept?
Dunno... Tail replied, She seemed right as rain when she showed up at the office.
Guess we're not the only ones good at keeping things under wraps. Nick commented with a grimace as the engine roared to life at the turn of a key. He began driving, Judy's deep breathing calming his frazzled nerves, it was a fairly pleasant trip.
That is, until the doe woke with a start, nearly jumping out of her seat with a terrified... squeak? Causing the fox to swerve hard.
"Mangy hell!" Nick yipped out, correcting his course.
"What!?" Judy asked in a panic, "Are they back?!"
Nick let out a puff of held air, resuming the trip with claws digging into the steering wheel, relaxing after a moment. He glanced back to the doe, who still looked like she was having a heart attack.
...'They'? He silently questioned, Who is she so worried about?
Someone bad enough to give her nightmares? Tail commented, I know she doesn't have a mean bone in her body, but that's not exactly a reassuring thought, given what she's capable of.
No kidding. Nick agreed, Whatever's been going on, it's not good.
"Sorry... That's me on the left..." Judy said, embarrassed over her sudden outburst, as the Pangolin building drew closer, then began fading behind them.
"...Nick?"
"Whoops, missed it." He said, trademark grin settling over his features as his mind ran through possibilities regarding what had Judy so spooked.
He drove a few more minutes, Judy falling asleep again shortly after passing her apartment building, he pulled into a small gas station, pumped some gas and pulled around for a second stop at a small restaurant. It was a family owned joint, and they knew the fox well enough they were surprised when he requested two meals, Judy had come-to long enough to see the fox get back in the car and pass her a bag with two containers, filled to the brim with Chinese.
"F-O-O-D." The fox stated plainly, getting a small laugh from the bunny, who promptly fell unconscious once more, the added warmth from the containers not helping her case.
Reaching their destination, he prodded the doe lightly, "Hopps..." thankfully, her return to the waking world wasn't violent this time, the containers she clutched were spared disaster.
"Come on, we're here." he said, taking the bag. Judy all but stumbled out of the vehicle.
Think she can make it up the stairs? Tail questioned.
I don't think she could make it through the doors right now.
This thought was immediately followed by the doe tripping over her own feet a bit, ears turning red as she looked to Nick, who was watching the bunny with a great deal of concern.
"I'm fine." she said unconvincingly, followed by 'meep!' as Nick wrapped an arm under her own, hoisting her up to his chest, a pair of keys dangling in front of her twitching nose.
"If you wouldn't mind unlocking the door?" he said with a smirk.
"I'm perfectly capable of walking." she weakly stated, knowing this was a losing argument.
"Your feet would beg to differ, Fluff." he replied with a chuckle. "You get door duty tonight."
Wait a minute. Judy thought. Where are we?
Nick's place. Lefty stated, If the keys are anything to go by.
SCORE! Righty screeched.
Hold on, I thought you guys could see stuff when I'm unconscious?
That's situationally relevant. Lefty explained.
...What?
Don't question it. Lefty deadpanned.
Judy was far too tired to argue any further, and resigned herself to being toted through the doors to the elevator. Nick cleared his throat after stepping into the lift, jiggling the bunny slightly as he faced the buttons, getting a giggling response, "Which floor?"
"Seven."
Judy punched the button, shaking her head as another small laugh escaped her, "You're Incorrigible, you know that?"
Nick gave her another jiggle as he replied, "Absolutely, one hundred percent."
They reached the landing moments later, and Nick made his way down the hall, Judy couldn't help but consider the fox's previous offer on the extra room as she took in the building.
Upon reaching his door, he looked down at the doe, "Yeah, yeah... I know." she said with a tired smile breaking across her face, she flicked through the small set of keys, finding one bearing the number on the door and unlocked it, turning the handle, she gently pushed with her foot, the door swinging smoothly and silently inward. Nick turned to the right, positioning the doe in front of a switch, which she gingerly flicked, turning on the low lights.
Judy may not be nocturnal by nature, but she was always a fan of soft lighting, it just felt cozy. She took in the den area as Nick carefully placed her down on the carpet, it was simple and inviting, conservatively furnished, but no wasted space to be seen.
Somehow, I'm not surprised... She thought, Nick watching the bunny with baited breath as she carefully strolled into the room, the scent of her fox permeating the space, she felt quite at home already.
Foxes and their dens, Lefty began, They really do put a lot of care into it, don't need to be a vixen to appreciate that.
It's so... warm. Righty commented, Can we just stay here? He already offered...
I know, but- Judy began, only to be cut off by Righty, But what?
...
No witty retort? Lefty asked, amused.
We'll talk about it.
She means 'yes', Righty chimed.
Judy realized Nick was still watching her as she softly sat on the plush love-seat on the closest wall, and she couldn't think of anything beyond a heartfelt smile she was incapable of stopping and two sincere words, "It's lovely."
The fox's tail started slowly swishing as he passed her, heading for the kitchenette.
She likes it! Tail purred, Think she'll stay?
Dunno, but it'd be nice to have a roommate.
You mean to have her as a roommate. Tail replied with a smug tone.
Yeah, yeah... Let's just get her relaxed enough to talk about whatever's driving her insane, okay?
Might be easier than you think. Tail said, Take a look.
Nick set the bag on the counter, and sure enough he was greeted with a sleeping bunny on the small sofa. He went to the extra room, grabbing a blanket for the doe before hitting the bathroom for a shower. He emerged a little while later and found her sleeping soundly, grabbing a fresh towel and one of his shirts from his room, he gently shook the doe.
"Wha?" Judy blinked a few times, eyes adjusting, he held the items out for her, gently nudging her off the seat, and directing the sleep deprived female to the bathroom. She didn't need to be told twice, she stripped down, put her clothing in the small hamper and gladly went about taking a good, long, hot shower.
Working the suds into her short coat, she couldn't help but smile while her mind drifted off to the fox in the other room.
Think he still wants us to move in?
Would he have brought us here if he didn't? Lefty shot back.
Fair point.
Plea-se? Righty begged.
I'll bring it up.
Look at it this way. Righty began, You have that nightmare before he woke you up?
This question brought her paws to a halt as the water slowly rinsed away the shampoo she'd been massaging into her coat.
...
See? Righty continued, We're safe here, you can't argue you don't feel the same way.
She couldn't, but she did have a response, It's not just us I'm worried about. You know that.
You can't do much when you're dead on your feet all day. Lefty interjected, At the very least, you'll be able to sleep enough to keep your head straight.
Okay! Okay. I already said I'll bring it up! she replied in exasperation, If I didn't know better, I'd think you two just silently conspire on this stuff all day.
We do. both voices replied in harmonious glee.
You two are gonna kill me one of these days. she stated with a sigh.
Judy turned off the water, thankful the fox had a fur-dryer installed as the warm air blew away the moisture she couldn't press out of her coat. After toweling off the dregs, she lifted up the proffered shirt, it was just about big enough to serve as a nightgown, tail poking through the split in the back. She buttoned it up and stepped out of the bathroom, her nostrils were immediately assaulted by the smell of food and tea. Nick had apparently taken to warming the takeout and plating it up, he looked up to see the refreshed doe waltzing into the space.
She's wearing our shirt! Tail howled, flailing excitedly.
Easy boy, it's not a big deal. he replied with a chuckle, he wasn't about to say it aloud, but it was one of those things he'd always looked forward to at some point, having a female walk out in one of his shirts, he was quite pleased with the result.
"Better?" he asked,
"Much." she replied with a contented sigh, "You're quite the host."
Nick gave a flourish of his paw and a small bow, "Welcome to Casa Del Wilde." he pushed a nearly overflowing plate toward her, loaded with noodles, rice and veggies. He took a seat next to the doe and poured two cups, Tail wrapping around the doe. They ate in a comfortable silence, Judy steadily demolishing her plate, Nick just happy to have the company.
They finished their meal, and took their tea to the den, settling into the love-seat, Nick- unfortunately, had to break the relaxed mood.
"Ready to talk?" Judy gave him a reluctant nod, and explained what had transpired at the burrows.
Nick's expression slowly darkened as she finished her tale. "Do you know who they are?"
"No clue."
"Why haven't you said anything to Bogo?"
"I couldn't be sure if they actually had anyone watching the building or not. Can you think of anyone that would have inside information on what you do?"
"Nobody I wouldn't trust."
Nick tapped his mug with a claw while he processed what she'd told him, "I'll get something set up with Bogo on the sly, we can at least keep your family safe until we can find whoever's calling the shots, and put a stop to it."
Nick stood, motioning for Judy to follow. "For now, let's just get some sleep... can't have you walking in front of a bus again." he stated with a grin. He directed her to the spare bedroom, and hit the lights once she settled into the bed.
"Night, Fluff. See you in the morning... We'll figure this out."
"Goodnight, Nick..." He went to close the door, and was brought up short, "Hey, Nick?"
"Yeah?"
"Thank you."
The fox smiled, nodding as the door closed. Judy closed her eyes, and slowly drifted off.
Nick quickly followed suit in his own bed, having made a mental note to speak with a few choice mammals in the morning, he was enveloped in the welcoming milky blackness of sleep.
At some point, the void slowly morphed from blackness into a field heavily peppered with gemstone purple flowers, a stormy gray sky looming above, it was familiar, and calming.
At least until a butterfly, white as fresh snow, landed on his belly. The tickling sensation drawing a chuckle from the fox, he brushed the insect away, only to receive a rather powerful kick to one of his shins from some unseen force, causing him to wake up.
The source was quickly identified as a fuzzy gray invader, a smile adorning her face, tail steadily flicking in her sleep. He wasn't sure when she'd ended up there and- given her lack of rest in general, doubted she was aware of the change in scenery herself.
Smiling at the welcome intrusion, Nick simply didn't have the heart- much less the inclination, to wake her. He opted to shift himself a bit, wrapping an arm over her midsection, trapping the twitching appendage on his chest. His own tail taking its preferred spot, laying up and over the doe like a furry blanket.
The motion caused her to wriggle back into the fox with an adorably contented sound he could only describe as keening, he gently tucked his muzzle over the top of her head, resting his nose between her ears.
Settled into place, the odd pair slept peacefully.
A/N MkII: I HAD to end on a fluffy note... Don't get used to it though! There will be happenings of varying sorts, to specify of which would spoil the surprise.
...VIOLENT KINDS!
Aw man... I spoiled it.
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