Turning Tides

Dr. Cunningham slouched forward on one of Jack's black chairs in the dining room. Jack and Nick listened from the couch just across from him as he spoke about the effects of the Midnicampum drug.

"The effects of the plant will vary based on several factors. Some species have a serious reaction to it. Cats and dogs take to the drugs effects well. Bigger animals like the ursidae also take to it well."

"Is this because of how potent the drug is?" Cunningham dangled the glass of water in his paws, entertaining himself with the weight of the glass.

"Probably. We think that the greater your body mass, the more likely you could handle the drug. But in contradiction, rabbits deal with the drug exceptionally well." He looked at Jack and continued, "Perhaps because of where you're from. You're attuned to the environments where these plants grow. Though this means that you will respond to the drug quicker than other mammals, it also means that you are at lower risk of serious health consequences from the drug." Jack smirked. He noticed Nick suddenly staring at him, and tried to pinch the smile away.

"Thinking about juicing up there, Jack?"

"Nope."

"I wouldn't blame you if you did though."

"Foxes, on the other hand," Cunningham said loudly, turning to face Nick, "we do not yet know what happens to foxes when they're infected."

"Actually, there was one black fox that was infected. His hair fell out and he went completely nuts after a while."

"Is there an antidote?" asked Jack.

"Yes," Cunningham gladly said. "McHorn's sample was enough to help work out the details. Judy gave us the exact species of plant used. We isolated the ingredients in the lab and figured out most of how it works and are on our way to mass producing a counter drug." Jack turned to Nick as he listened to Dr. Cunningham.

"Nick."

"Hmm?"

"I want a word with you. Dr. this is good news, thank you. Would you excuse us a moment?" Cunningham shrugged his shoulders,

"Your house, Mr. Savage."

"You're a bundle of manners, Jack," teased Nick.

"See me in my room, with Judy." Nick glanced at Cunningham then gave Jack a perplexed look. He stood up and silently walked to the room, led by Judy. Jack waved a paw to Cunningham, saying,

"Oh, it's nothing bad." Dr. Cunningham shrugged in response then turned his attention to the television in the main room. Jack followed after Nick and Judy to his bedroom, closing the door behind him.

"Please, have a seat." He gestured to his bed. Nick stepped back until he bumped into the bed, then sat. His nerves were clearly getting ahold of him as he nibbled on his claws. "I want you to add your testimony to my case against Big. Write down everything you know and remember. And be honest." Nick's slack-jawed expression of surprise was tempered by Judy calmly holding his paws as she sat next to him. He squeezed hers in response and it forced Jack to fight back an irrational pang of jealousy.

"But wouldn't this incriminate me? I'm not interested in going back to jail."

"You said you wanted to help. I can get you cleared. Of everything. We can convince the court that you were forced into your actions and that you had no freedom of choice in the matter. You will be fine. And there might even be some temporary benefits after the case to aid you."

"Nick, we could use this," said Judy. "Fangmeyer is out there right now, alongside McHorn doing their part to bring in Big's people. They're making their assault on the climate wall as we speak."

"Help us maintain integrity in our system. When it is found out that you were illegally released from jail for the Rainforest Docks heist, you'll be questioned again. But at least this time, you will have the right people behind you. Nick, you have friends here. Trust us." Silence enveloped the room. Nick nodded in thought. His scowl was discouraging, but before Jack could try another tactic to influence him, Nick finally said,

"Fine." Relieved, Jack firmly shook his paw saying,

"Rest, friend. And gather your thoughts." The troubled fox looked to Jack, then to Judy. He motioned to speak but stopped himself. He stood up, gave a smile, then left Jack's room. Judy sniffled on the bed, a smile across her face.

"We're going to do this, aren't we?"

"Yes," said Jack, almost immediately. "I have good and not so good news. The not so good news is that it was Assistant Mayor Dawn Bellwether supporting Big. The good is that I just got the green light to investigate her and I will be storming her office. And..." Jack paused; he looked at Judy. In the dim light of his room, her vulnerability was concealed, but she was certainly in a weakened state physically. And there was no telling what emotional frailty she hid from him after the attack she endured. Hints of it occasionally revealed itself to him.

He took a seat next to her, and as he feared, she curled her shoulders in fear before relaxing. Her trauma was too raw. Too new. But for her to continue on as did... Is she trying to fight this by herself?

"Jack? What is it? You stopped at, 'and.' What were you going to say?"

"I want you to be with me. Let's do this together. Tomorrow. We'll find a way in early." Judy shuddered a breath as she leaned on him, wrapping her arms around his shoulders. She remained quiet, but the wetness on Jack's neck pinned him in place as he embraced her. "I know I'm being selfish and I can't possibly know what it must be like for you right now. I'll do anything to help you get through your experience. If you would rather go home, I won't argue. I can't tell you to be happy or be brave. Just do what you think is best for you. I'll stay close if you want me to. Always."

"Stupid," she sobbed. "Of course I'll go with you." He sighed and squeezed her. The ringing of a bell interrupted them.

"Oh! That must be my delivery." Jack side smirked at Judy and hurried to the front door.

"Agent Savage, delivery as promised," said a cheery chipmunk as she gestured to a large seal behind her. The bag strapped to his back was almost as large as he was.

"Selene!" Jack hugged her and pulled her into his home. The seal walked inside with lumbering steps. "Gregory!"

"Good to see you, Sir." Jack looked at Selene and shook her by the shoulders,

"Are you alright? What's been going on with you?" She chuckled and turned her gaze away.

"It's a long story. I've been told to help out. I couldn't carry the stuff myself, so I had Gregory help. He's bigger anyway." With a heavy sigh of relief, Gregory bent forward and gently dropped the large bag.

"Phew! What do you have in there?"

"Everything we need to fight back." Judy approached from behind, slipping her paws around Jack's waist. Gregory smiled and saluted at her,

"Ms. Hopps! Good to see you."

"Hi, Gregory!"

"Would you all excuse me a moment? Hotel Savage is open for business, make yourselves comfortable," He rolled his eyes, inwardly exhausted with all the guests, pleasant or not. His ringing phone gave him the perfect shield to avoid socializing. He was ecstatic to see Selene safe, to see Greg, and get all his equipment. Now if only Bellwether and Big would throw themselves down at his feet and beg for mercy. Alright, that's definitely not going to happen.

"Jack!" Bogo's voice grated on the other end of the line. "It's done. Thomas has been secured. McHorn suffered some injuries but nothing major. We're returning soon." Jack thrust a fist to the air.

"Great!"

"Oh, Jack?"

"Yes, Sir?"

"When I return, we'll have to talk about the illegal security equipment you have installed in your home." Jack froze. He automatically responded with another "Yes, Sir." He tried to force out an excuse in his defense, but the alarms in his head weren't letting him. It wasn't until he heard the phone go silent on the other end that he sputtered,

"You're welcome for keeping you safe!" And then he shut off his phone.

The hacker that plunged the city into darkness was captured. Duke was captured. Though he lost Finnick Brone, Jack reunited with two allies. With no want to spare any second, he made his rounds in his home checking in on everyone and examined the requested equipment. Two rifles and matching scopes. Two sets of mics. Four armored vests and an assortment of medical supplies. And surprisingly enough, he found a note from Mayor Lionheart in the bag:

"Here is everything you requested, and some extra. Also, I heard about your talk with Jason and Sedgewick. We'll talk soon. – Mayor Go Fuck Myself." Jack shook his head and cursed Sedgewick.

The rest of the night left Jack heavy with thought. He noted the grieving Nick and did his best to be sensitive to his situation. He owed Nick for protecting Judy and was trying to find a way to express his gratitude. But it was an issue that needed to be put on hold while the main task drew near. Tomorrow morning, He and Judy would make for the Mayor's office with a warrant and badges marking clearance for search and seizure. Nick was expected to be working on his side of the story to be included into Jack's swelling report.

As he laid next to Judy, he fantasized about the end of his investigation. His home city was transformed into a bizarre warzone because of the neglect of his government. A shame. And he was going to make it right. He prided himself on his diligence, tenacity and dogged intelligence. But the most wonderful part was how he came to be introduced to so many good mammals capable of working together to fight alongside him. This was nothing like his team with the MIC. Though his past allies were close to him in spirit, it was this team here in his home thrown together by pressure and urgency, that left him with a warm buzz that escaped explanation.