A/N: Sorry for the wait... Life, work and technical difficulties delayed all my current projects heavily.

As always, big thanks to GameBoy for his assistance and editing!

Wildehopper: Glad you're enjoying it, and the reviews are appreciated! ...NOW GIMME THE COOKIE! \(,)/

Cimar: The bomb was likely planted well before then, however... I can't spoil the specifics. Glad you're still enjoying it!

Alrighty, enough of my insanity, IT'S TIME FOR EXPOSITION! (Not really, more shenanigans and the other side of the attacks.)

/)_/)
(b^,^)b

Agent Wilde 2: Mountains out of Molehills

Chapter 5
Rivalry Revisited

Jack and Skye were lounging on a wood-framed sofa in their den, it was a fairly large apartment at the top floor of a high-rise in the more upscale end of Tundratown, they'd had the forethought to hire a monthly cleaning service while they were away, and didn't need to do much of anything on their return. They had spent the last few days just enjoying their well-earned time off, as well as the ability to openly enjoy one another, their cover had been a bit restrictive in that regard, having spent a good deal of time in a crowded office building, if one could call it that, there wasn't really anywhere they could go for significant private time.

"Think they've made any headway?" the vixen asked with a yawn, "It's been complete radio silence since we met them in the park."

The buck considered things for a moment before answering, drumming a single short claw on the arm rest, it was sharper than the average bunny's, though not nearly so much as what one would find on their feet, "Hard to say... Nick was pretty worked up though, his heart was going berserk."

"Smelled like a flat out panic attack to me." the vixen replied, stretching.

"You hear about his little 'bunny hunny'?" Jack inquired.

"Hopps? She's got a history, that's for sure... good with a knife, too."

Jack's ears flicked, brow raising at the statement from his mate, "And how would you know that, exactly?"

"It was before we started working together, dear. Remember that story I told you about 'Purple Eyes'?" Skye asked wistfully, stroking over the scar hidden under the heavy coat on her tail.

"You've got to be joking... that was Hopps?" If Jack were recalling the right story, it was when Skye had encountered a particularly vicious counter agent on one of her first solo cases.

Skye Winter was standing on the deck of a massive oil tanker across from a grey doe with violet eyes glaring into her own icy blue, an insane grin adorning both faces.

"You're good, bunny girl... but you're not stopping me now."

The doe let out a light chuckle, flicking a short tactical knife with a dull claw, the blade letting out an eerie ring that hung in the air. "Funny, I was thinking the same thing."

Both females took off at a full sprint, Skye brandishing her odd weapon of choice for close quarters, it was a strange thing, it resembled a piece of hardened piano wire, it was light, whippy, and sharp as a razor. It lent itself quite well to her style, and it was very easily concealed.

If the doe were being honest, she would tell you she was flat out jealous, she wasn't without her own grace and finesse, but this vixen literally danced with the odd weapon in her paw.

She used her tail like a veil, obscuring her angle of attack until the very last moment, this was also enough for a seasoned fighter to read the telegraph of where she was headed with the wiry 'blade'. The doe was impressed with the tactic, but she'd been in enough rough fights to take advantage of it, after a few minutes of back and forth between the two, she caught the vixen's tail with the tip of her knife, blood spraying across her face as her adversary let out a painful, screeching yip.

Satisfied she'd made her point, she took a short leap back, giving the fox a little space and time to consider a proper retreat. She made one mistake.

"Good night." was the last thing the bunny heard as she noticed blood pooling at a pinhole in her shoulder, the same one a certain fennec fox had darted a long time ago.

"Aw... carrot sticks. Really?!" the doe growled as her eyes rolled back and she hit the deck, literally.

Skye wiped the weapon before running it through a very interesting salve, it was a heavy duty tranquilizer, just tacky enough to cling to the weapon, but not so much as to not dissolve on contact with blood. It wouldn't take down large mammals without more punctures, and much deeper at that. A bunny, on the other hand, didn't stand much chance at this concentration.

"Now... do I kill you, or not?" Skye mused aloud, crouching over the doe, "You did cut my lovely tail." she said with both annoyance and a professional's respect. She let out a sigh, "You're too damn good to waste."

Rocking on her haunches a bit, Skye made up her mind, she tossed the doe into one of the life-boats along with one of her burner phones before casting it off, if nothing else, she should be able to play up the 'frightened tourist gone shipwrecked' card if she were smart enough, and Skye got the feeling she was, having hidden her identity and motives from the vixen far longer than Skye could have ever anticipated.

She felt a sting in her thigh and whipped back around to find a very smug, wet doe begin huffing behind her, she was holding an epi-pen.

"Nice try, Foxy."

Skye's eyes went from the doe to the small watercraft drifting lazily away, to the pen, to where the doe pointed a claw- there was a similar injection lying where she'd originally picked up the bunny, and back to the doe.

"Adrenaline, not exactly a safe dose for a small mammal, but enough to counteract your nasty knitting needle." the smug look grew as the doe added. "Bunny, fast metabolism, hard to tranq for extended periods to begin with."

"You crafty little... I was giving you an out!" The vixen began, icy eyes glazing over, "Well played, Bunny. Just make it quick, and try not to stain my coat any further." Skye went to all-fours, knowing she would hit the ground soon enough, she made to minimize the resulting impact.

"Don't worry, I'll return the favor." Judy murmured, dragging the vixen along by her tail, she took her through the ventilation shafts, dropping the vixen off in one of the lockers deep inside the vessel. "I won't kill you..."

You sure this is a good idea? an odd but familiar voice asked.

She'll be fine, and I'm sick of this boat, Judy replied, I'm going someplace I can rest a bit before the next job rolls along.

We didn't technically finish this one.

Yes, I did. I 'Took care of the interloper'. the doe stated, They never said how they wanted it done, they never even said they wanted her gone, therefore my job is done. She's been 'Taken care of.'

...This is why you wanted the pay up front, isn't it?

Of course. I'm not killing anyone unless it's my only option, besides, if she's as smart as she seems, she'll have already notified the bureau and they're on the way with a full task force.

Sure enough, there was a ruckus already ringing out through the ventilation shafts.

That's my queue... the doe thought, before she bolted for her stashed belongings near the furnace powering the antiquated ship, she quickly threw all identification in alongside her current attire, popped in colored contact lenses, tore and dirtied a set of civilian clothing, as well as smearing her fur with ash and char for good measure. She pulled out a large, oddly heavy, stuffed animal- one that made her seem smaller by comparison, with a smile before putting on her act, hearing heavy hooves smashing into the metal floors outside the cramped room.

Prime the water works, aaaaand... ACTION! the voice called enthusiastically.

Fun fact about even trained mammals and smaller species, they weren't great at determining age based on size, as far as the strike team was concerned, the doe was just some terrified, crying, blue eyed kit, curled into a ball with her stuffed toy, begging for it all to stop, to go home to the countryside.

That same 'Kit' vanished from the infirmary, leaving behind nothing but the dirty clothing she'd been found in, and the husk of a previously stuffed toy.

Not one mammal took notice of the brown eyed bunny strolling toward the nearest jetport, small pack over her shoulder, complete with a new identity, and a new life waiting to be assumed.

"She could've killed me that day," Skye thought aloud, "can you imagine?"

Jack chuckled at that, "Never would've been put on our first case together." the buck stated, deciding he'd had enough of lazing about for the day, he dropped off the sofa and made for the bathroom, intent on taking a nice long shower, stopping at the door just long enough for Skye to roll to her side, tail swaying, eyes flashing in the dim room.

The buck casually tossed his shirt into the hall, a clear invitation for the vixen, who all too readily accepted, shedding her own garments as she did a perfect 'catwalk' to the door, leaning into the frame as he pulled towels out of the cubby in the wall.

That's when their otherwise quiet day went to hell, and their recent period of peace shattered in an ear-splitting, crashing storm of glass.

Jack instinctively jumped back, though as quickly as the event played out, it felt like it was taking place in a timewarp, everything moving as if through molasses.

He heard a click, the sound of gears releasing cables buzzing rapidly in his ears before the resulting impact that rolled through him like a clap of thunder as the shower's smoked glass doors were blown to bits.

Skye's ears rolled back, eyes screwing shut as several larger shards grazed her torso, one slicing dangerously close to her eyes, leaving a shallow cut across the bridge of her muzzle, a few smaller shards embedding themselves into her legs and outstretched paws.

Jack's leap sent him flying into the vixen, he took the majority of the damage, being next to the shower doors as it went off, as well as being dead-center in the impact zone, he had a couple larger shards hit him in the chest, several more evaded his form completely, only to be caught by the vixen in the doorway, yet more lightly peppered his ears and limbs. When all was said and done, the two were on the floor, looking far worse than they felt, staring at the shower as a large beveled panel was jolting with the residual energy of the release.

'click click click...'

"You okay?" Skye asked as she pulled her eyes away from the device to look at her mate, he was pulling one of the shards from his chest with a groan while he looked her over, it was shallow, stopping quickly in the bone, but it looked painful.

"Yeah... you?"

Skye nodded, flicking away one of the pieces that had caught on her paw. "Hold still." she quickly plucked out all the pieces she could see before Jack did the same for her.

They weren't hot on the idea, but they weren't about to run around covered in blood. After brushing the glass on the floor aside, they turned the shower on full blast, and rinsed out what they could before throwing styptic into a blender in the kitchen, throwing the dense powder onto the floor, rolling in it after they'd painfully toweled off. It wasn't great, but it'd stem the bleeding for the smaller wounds.

They went about bandaging the rest, Skye wrapping the buck's first, as he simply had less area to cover, once he'd done the same for the vixen, they threw on the first thing they saw in the closet, pulling a fake panel loose to retrieve two prepared packs and a large duffel bag containing some basic necessities, a more significant means of first-aid and a modest assortment of weaponry.

They were ready in minutes, and paused only briefly at the door, the buck looking forlornly back into the apartment.

"What is it?" the vixen asked, clearly ready to leave.

"We've got laundry in the wash." Jack stated, as if it were obvious.

"Jack. It'll be fine, we'll take care of it later."

"What if we don't come back soon enough? It'll get that nasty mildew-y smell!"

Skye's nose scrunched up at the statement, she hated that smell...

"They'll grow MOLD, Skye." The buck insisted.

"We'll just replace them, Jack. Now's not the time."

Jack was clearly torn, he desperately wanted to argue that they take care of it now, but he knew the look in her eyes, he wasn't winning this one.

He took a deep, steadying breath followed by a slow exhale as his eyes pinched shut, "Okay, you're right." he conceded with a glance toward the laundry room, a lone tear rolling down his cheek which was quickly flicked away. "No... no tears." he whispered, steeling himself against the thoughts of a very nasty load of laundry awaiting them if they didn't return in time.

Nick and Judy gave a brief statement to Bogo, he didn't need much, having witnessed the end result himself. After grabbing some snacks and drinks in the small cafeteria on the ground floor- post media mayhem, they settled down in their office, and quietly ate, at least until there was a rapid knock at the door, Nick knew who it was just by the profiles in the textured window, two round ear tips poking just above the frame, a clearly vulpine outline next to them.

"It's open, Fuzzball." he called at the barrier, to which the door swung open to reveal Skye and Jack, both sporting fresh bandages, looking quite exhausted.

"That name ever get old, Nick?" the buck asked with less enthusiasm than he'd intended, they were just too tired to perk-up to appropriate levels.

"Nope!"

"Okay boys, playtime later, we've got business to discuss." the vixen interjected. Judy felt like she'd met her before, something about the eyes, but she couldn't quite place it.

"Carrots? Meet Jack Savage and Skye Winter. The only other fox and bunny team in the bureau." Nick stated with a smirk, "They're also the only two that don't know Halloween is on another day, in another month, and came in with very poor mummy costumes."

"Oh, har har... That was so damn funny, I really did forget to laugh." Skye countered, Jack snickering at her side.

"Seriously though, what happened to you two?"

"Not a bomb, thankfully." Jack grumbled scratching at one of the bandages before Skye slapped the paw away. They'd been rushed to the infirmary on arrival, having started bleeding through the bandages by then, and had the larger wounds sewn shut, others only needed a good cleaning and fresh bandages to prevent infection, they weren't on light duty, but they were told to be mindful of the stitches for at least a good week.

"Rough day all around, eh?" Judy quietly chimed in, something about Skye was making her extremely uncomfortable, and it was gnawing at her that she couldn't figure out why.

I've met her before... the doe thought, I know I have.

Probably just a case of mistaken identity. Lefty offered, White vixens aren't that uncommon, and you've had to put a few on the ground in the past.

But those eyes are way too familiar, and they're usually yellow or brown.

It'll come to you. Lefty said in dismissal of the thought.

Judy wasn't satisfied, but she figured it was best to drop it for the time being.

"So," Skye began, "You must be the new old recruit... pleasure to meet the famous Judith Laverne Hopps." she finished with an all too mischief laden tone, extending a paw toward the doe.

"Infamous would probably be the better term." Judy said with a nervous chuckle, taking the offered paw.

"Ooh... she's a keeper, Nicky. Got a sense of humor, and less ego than I'd expected, being around you." Skye said with a giggle, waiting for the bunny to take the bait.

"Aw, he's not that bad..." Judy said with a grin and a sidelong glance at her fox.

Nick grinned back at her before making his counter attack. "Besides, I don't spend three hours brushing my tail every morning. My ego is well within acceptable limits."

Skye pouted at that as Jack stifled his laughter with his paws, only to break into uncontrolled laughter when the aforementioned tail whipped into his face. Said laughter ended abruptly when the vixen leaned over to whisper what she thought nobody else would catch, she'd momentarily forgotten there were two bunnies in the room.

"That's the only 'tail' you're getting tonight."

Judy broke into a veritable fit of giggles as her ears turned red, Jack's own fell down his back, face dropping to a state of 'Aw crap' as Nick raised an eyebrow at his bunny, wondering just what she'd heard, he could make several educated guesses.

Judy composed herself long enough to say, "I'll have to remember that one for later." she tapped a claw on her chin for a moment before adding, "Though, I can't exactly use my tail like that."

"You'll figure something out, I'm sure." Skye said with a wink.

Nick's grin fell as his face drooped slightly, "Wait. What? What did you say?" he looked between his bunny and the vixen rapidly, wanting to know exactly what pact was just forged between the two. Whatever it was, he didn't like it.

He did, however, like the sight of Judy interacting with a fellow female beyond trying to kill each other.

Well, that was easy, good to see them get on friendly terms this quick. Nick thought.

Yeah... You'd think they'd met before, quick as that was. Tail commented.

Yeah, a little uncanny, isn't it? Nick added.

Yeah... Tail agreed once more.

Yeah... Nick reiterated in an awkward monotone.

"You two eat yet?" Judy asked, which immediately garnered a growl from Skye's stomach, "I'll take that as a no." she stated before tossing a bag of dried fish her way, getting a very confused look from the vixen, she hadn't realized what the doe had in her paw.

"You... eat meat?" Skye asked, bewildered, to which Judy let out a somewhat embarrassed giggle.

"It's fish! it doesn't count!" she defended, now looking down out her paws, ears turning red.

"Don't look at me, she needs her protein." Nick said, chuckling at the apprehensive vixen.

"I'm just a bit surprised, is all." Skye said with a curious glance at Jack, currently munching on a pack of mixed veggies before they got warm, he simply shrugged.

"So, do we have anything new on who's trying to kill us?" the vixen asked.

Judy and Nick exchanged a glance before the fox turned to their counterparts, explaining the whole of what had transpired prior to their arrival.

Jack couldn't help but laugh over the whole 'Mole' thing, but he and Skye had seen enough crazy he wasn't going to discount the possibility. "Think the drive's got names or bases of operation?"

Nick frowned a bit, responding, "We don't know for sure, yet. We may have had intel regarding precisely whom stumble upon us this afternoon, but Wolfard's currently trying to crack it."

They'd long since gone through what they'd brought up in the way of foodstuffs and were far from satiated. After a few discussions between the four regarding what they were interested in so far as something substantial, Jack and Nick broke off to get coffee and pick up an actual meal downstairs, the fox had a few questions for the buck, and it was a good opportunity to ask them outside earshot of Judy.

They took a seat on a bench in the cafeteria, waiting for their order when Nick finally let out a long breath.

"How do you two deal with it?"

Jack's ears flicked toward the fox as his expression went from the usual calm to inquisitive, "Deal with what?"

Nick gestured vaguely in the air, "Mammals trying to kill you, it was one thing when it was just me, but when that car blew up... all I could think of was losing her." the fox finished, looking far worse for wear than he had in the office.

Jack hadn't been expecting that, but he was well acquainted with the feeling.

"We don't."

It was Nick's turn to don a confused look, "What do you mean? Isn't it kind of a constant thing?"

Jack took a moment to ponder his words before responding, "We don't 'deal with it' in an active sense..." the buck paused briefly, "It's just a fact of life, we might lose each other at a moment's notice."

Nick considered the statement, looking exhausted, "So, what... you just accept it and move along?"

"Not exactly, no. We recognize it as a possibility and make the most of every moment we have together, rather than dwelling on what could happen."

"I think I get what you mean." Nick said after a pregnant silence, "I still can't help but worry about the possibility of losing her, but we can make the time we have together count as much we're able." he said, brightening a bit.

It wasn't exactly the most attractive premise, resigning oneself to the idea of losing their mate, but it made sense, in their line of work.

Hell, even outside work, mammals get hit by cars, fall off of construction sites, heart failure, seizures... Tail commented, You never know what's going to happen, and worrying about unknowns isn't going to change it, so where's the point in doing anything other than cherishing the time you do have together, even when things get rough?

Well, that was a bit unexpected from you. the fox countered.

I have my moments, remember... LITERALLY INSIDE YOUR HEAD.

Fair point.

Nick had a genuine smile flash across his face, something the buck wasn't expecting, as he finally spoke again.

"Thanks, Jack... that actually makes a lot of sense."

"Don't mention it. It's not exactly an easy thing to come to terms with, but it's necessary." Jack's face darkened momentarily as he added, "And the last thing either of you needs during a case is to let that stop you from making the right decision, particularly when your mate's life is on the line."

"ORDER UP, Wilde! Savage!" rang out across the hall as two bags hit the counter top, which they retrieved before making their way back to the office.

Judy and Skye were having a very different conversation while their respective males were off 'hunting'.

"So, how was the last contract?" Skye asked as soon as the door clicked shut, her features growing slightly dark.

"Contract?" Judy replied, apprehensive in light of the vixen's tone.

"Don't say you don't remember me, bunny girl."

"I haven't the slightest clue what you mean." Judy's face twisted into a grimace, she didn't like where this was going.

Skye reached into the duffel bag they'd brought from home, pulling out a slender, sickeningly familiar, wire-like weapon.

Uh-oh... Lefty remarked.

Sweet cheese and crackers. Judy thought, she recognized the odd 'blade', and she knew why the vixen made her so uncomfortable. Skye was an effective relic of her past, one that was less than pleasant.

Think she's still mad? Righty questioned.

"We have a bit of a score to settle." Skye said, brandishing the weapon at the doe. "Don't you think?"

Judy made a very calm response. "This isn't exactly a good place for this."

Well great, now she wants us dead.

Could be worse, Lefty commented, she could've just killed us already.

"There's enough space." Skye stated with a very mischievous grin, tossing the doe a knife.

"You're going to pop a stitch."

"I'll be gentle."

"They'll be back soon." Judy replied, rising off her haunches, bringing her nearly eye-to-eye with the vixen.

"Let's make it quick, then."

Nick and Jack walked back into the office to find Skye and Judy on the floor, sleeping.

"Well, can't say I blame them." Nick yawned, "Help me set up the cot?"

"Sure."

The two went about unfolding the metal monstrosity, it was designed for much larger mammals, and would provide more than enough space for both pairs to be fairly comfortable on opposite ends, they were a bit surprised that neither female woke on the number of occasions they dropped cross-bars, resulting in ear-splitting amounts of noise, but they were far too tired to question it.

Nick helped the buck heave Skye onto the cot before situating Judy on the other end, Jack pulled a blanket up over his mate and himself after adjusting her head to rest across his chest, her tail reflexively flipping up over her mate. Nick curled around his bunny, the food would keep until they'd all got some proper sleep.

Fox and bunny were both short of breath, staring each other down from sitting positions on opposite sides of the office space.

"You haven't missed a beat." Skye stated with a grin.

"Are you satisfied, now?"

"Very!" Skye said with a bark of laughter, they'd been a flurry of limbs mere moments before, neither giving any quarter, though they didn't intend to injure one another, this was simply to see who would give in first when faced with a controlled environment.

At least, for the most part.

Judy finally stood, moving to take a seat next to the vixen, handing back the knife. "Good, so are we done with this?"

"More or less." Skye replied, jabbing the doe with that damned pen.

"Oh, come on!" Judy keened, though with a grin.

"I win, bunny."

"It's a draw, actually." Judy giggled before flopping over.

"What...?" Skye then saw an identical pen roll from the doe's, now slack, paw.

"Really?!" the vixen all but shrieked as she stuffed everything back into the bag before her vision gave way, and she went down next to the doe, tongue lolling out one side of her maw.

A/N MkII:

Yep... Not sure what to say here. Next chapter is in WIP status, decent chunk of it is prepped.

I should have it out soon, and yes, I AM still having fun with this, just had a perfect storm of issues converge on my position, resulting in a massive loss of productivity. xD

...Still waiting to get that cookie.