Hello guys. Welcome back To Stand Together or Not at All! I'm just picking up where last chapter left off. Expect lots of fluff. I hope you enjoy.

Chapter 12

Bunny Tank Commander

Chapter quote:

"Don't let fear stop you from doing what you love."

-Buster Moon

The outside world ceased to exist for Nick and Judy. All that mattered right now was what they felt for each other. At least for this small moment the world seemed perfect again for the two.

Knock knock knock knock.

That was the end of that moment. Nick turned to look at the door and saw a badger in a doctor's coat standing there. Nick rolled his eyes. Of course it's this guy. I don't know how he has such good timing. It's was the same doctor that had done the surgery to stop him from bleeding to death. He'd also been monitoring Judy. It was Doctor Clay Stone.

"Hey I see you're awake Judy. My name is Doctor Clay Stone but you can call me Clay. I'm just here to see how you're doing after what happened." His voice was deep but smooth.

"Alright what do you need to know?" Judy responded happily. After what she just learned about Nick nothing could ruin her mood.

"Well first thing's first. I need to know the extent of the damage to your back. Can you move your feet for me?"

When Clay mentioned this it reminded Nick of how high the possibility was that Judy could be paralyzed. If she was paralyzed she couldn't be a cop any more. It would break her. All this had a knot of worry forming in Nick's gut.

Judy on the other paw had a puzzled look on her face. "Yeah of course I can move my feet." She threw back the covers and wiggled both her feet. She smiled. "See they work just fine."

Nick let out a breath in relief he didn't know he'd been holding. He put a paw on Judy's shoulder and gave her a squeeze. She smiled sweetly back at him at the contact.

Judy looked up at the doctor as he wrote on a clipboard. "Is there anything else you need me to do?"

Clay was quite of a second as he finished writing. When he was done he looked up at the duo with a smile. "Actually I don't, other than the order not to overdo anything. You may need to wear a back brace when you move around to keep from hurting yourself. Other than that, that's all I need to know. I'll be back in the morning to check up again and run a few other tests." He paused to think for a moment. "Oh right. Nick we've gotten a bed for you. I'll have a nurse move it in here for you." He got up and walked to the door. "If either of you need anything just ask, we're happy to help. Good night." He said over his shoulder as he left the room.

Nick looked over and saw Judy giving him a hungry look. "Whatever you're thinking Carrots, stop thinking it."

"Not a chance Wilde. I don't think you'll be needing that bed."

Nick looked at Judy nervously. "And why is that Fluff." He already could guess what her answer would be.

"Because you're sleeping with me tonight. Let me tell you I can't wait to be cuddled up with you and be able to snuggle your tail to keep warm." The more she talked the more red her face and ears turned. But she just kept going on as if they weren't.

"Oh I thought you were talking about me staying on that boulder over there everybody called a chair. That's quite a relief Carrots." He gestured to the chair he had been occupying an hour before.

Judy finally broke eye contact and looked down at her paws in her lap. "Nick." She paused for a long second. "How long have you had feelings for me?"

Nick wasn't expecting this question to come up tonight. He knew it would eventually but not this soon. He sighed before answering. "Since the press conference. I didn't realize it until after I found out you left the city and it sunk in that I might never see you again."

Judy covered her mouth in surprise. "For that long? How could have I been so blind?" She bowed her head in shame.

"Because; 'never let them see that they get to you.' Remember?" Judy numbly nodded her head. "My question is how did I never pick up on how you felt? You're usually an open book; always wearing your emotions on your sleeve."

Judy looked up at him with a frown "Because; never let them see that they get to you." They were both silent for a long moment occasionally glancing at the other trying to gauge what they were feeling. After a second Judy broke the silence. "I'm so sorry I didn't tell you how I felt. How could have I been so dumb and not see that I was hurting you?"

"Nick placed his paws on Judy's shoulders making her look up at him. "Judy I'm sorry I didn't tell you too. I was blinded by my fear. Just like before I met you." He moved his paws from her shoulders to her cheeks and leaned in and rested his forehead on hers. "But that is in the past now. Yes we could have gotten a better start on this had we not been dumb, but that is not going to stop me from trying to catch up for lost time."

Judy smiled up at him. "I guess that means I can do this." She reached up and wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him. Nick tensed and then relaxed into the kiss in the same instant.

When they pulled apart Nick looked at Judy with caring eyes. "I'm gonna have to get used to being able to do that."

Judy's smile was broken by a big yawn. This made Nick yawn too. "Looks like some bunny is tired."

Judy buried her face in Nick's chest "Shut up." Then she wrapped her arms around him and laid back. "I'm going to sleep and you are too. I know you haven't been sleeping well."

Careful not to accidently hurt her Nick laid down beside Judy. "So Bonnie told you about that?"

"She just said you haven't been sleeping well." She said with another yawn.

"That's good; don't need her revealing any of my other foxy secrets." Nick's eyes were closed and his talking was going down in volume and speed.

Judy smiled as she looked at his relaxed face. She could only recall a pawful of times she had seen Nick this relaxed. She could not believe her luck. Nick loved her back! How? What force put them together? It was as if they were meant to be.

They went from barely tolerating each other, to working together, to friends, to partners, and now they were something more. She didn't dare question it. Rather she was going to make the best if it. Then it struck Judy. Did Nick want to date her? They didn't really say that they were officially a couple. Then another thought crossed her mind. They weren't in any kind of hurry. They had all day tomorrow to figure out what they wanted.

Judy snuggled up to Nick's side. He was so warm and soft. She rubbed her face into his arm enjoying the feeling. "Good night Nick. I love you." He didn't hear, he was already asleep. Judy rested her head on his arm and relaxed. Eventually sleep found her too.

Twenty minutes later a pair of nurses came into the room with Nick's bed, one a panther and the other a ewe.

"Hey Cody look." The ewe said gesturing at the fox and rabbit cuddling in the bed.

"See I told you Amber there was more between those two." Cody the panther said.

"Yeah you did. It's just kind of odd, don't you think?" Amber asked.

"Nah, Love is a strange thing that works in strange ways. Who am I to question it much less frown upon someone that had found it? Come on let's take the bed back and give them some quiet to rest."

"Alright Cody."

The pair quietly wheeled the bed out of the room. And once again silence was supreme.

Three days later

It had been three days since Judy had woken up. Nick had been allowed to leave the hospital that morning but wasn't allowed to return to work. Amazingly Judy had been pretty well entertained for being stuck in a bed most of the time. The only times she was allowed to move where when she went to physical therapy, which started that same morning, and when she went to the bathroom.

Since Nick wasn't allowed back at work he had nothing better to do than to stay with Judy. But since he was allowed to leave Judy begged and begged him to get her lap top from her apartment. Nick had eventually given in and made the journey to her tiny home.

It had taken him a while to find what she had asked for she was very specific about the mouse and head phones. What was she going to need those for?

It had been forty minutes since he had gotten back with her stuff. So instead of sitting around and trying not to fall to sleep from shear boredom, Nick decided to get the rabbit and himself some lunch.

It was taking longer because he had stopped to talk to Judy's physical therapist.

"Like I said before Mr. Wilde she is very hurt and it's going to take a long time to heal, months even."

"There isn't anything you guys can do?" Nick asked worriedly. According to the therapist Judy was still too hurt to start therapy and needed more time to heal, which meant more time in the hospital.

"I'm sorry there isn't anything more we can do and if we rush this it could hurt her worse, possibly paralyze or even kill her."

Nick felt a faint feeling come over him at the mention of that. He didn't want to lose her again so he quit pressing for solutions that weren't there. "Alright. But when will she be able to come home? Being stuck here is starting to make her a little stir crazy.

"We'll see how she's doing in a few days."

"Alright, thanks doc."

"No problem Mr. Wilde."

When Nick walked back into his and Judy's room he was met with a sight he never in a million years would have expected.

Judy had the laptop on her lap and the head phones on. It looked like she was playing some game. "You guys ready? Hector, Erma, Emma, Floyd, and Saul. I want you to go into B8 and 9 and give support as soon as we light them up. Derrick, Paulette, Felicia, Allen, and Myra take your tank destroyers to the 0 line and try to do a wide flank you have an overlook of that whole side of the map from there. Frederick Melvin, Maureen, Mattie, Sammy, and Philip take your heavies down the B line into the town. Be ready to brawl and use your armor. Bridget, Paulette, Natalie, Verna, Lucy, and Lola take your lights where you think they'll be most needed. Erick I want you down with the heavies. Joe and Jon go with the Tank destroyers defend them if they get flanked. Daisy, Winston, Nathan and Jorg with me to the center! Remember guys we're here to have fun but also to try to win the day. Who are we?"

Over the head phones on Judy's ears Nick could hear a yelled response of 'Hopps!'

"What are you doing Carrots?" Nick asked from the door way still with the trays of food in his arms.

Judy looked up and smiled. "Oh high Nick! I'm playing World of Tanks." As soon as she finished talking she went back to her game. Nick was shocked. He would have never imagined that Judy Hopps would ever play any game. Other than maybe Super Bash Mammals, which she had talked about playing when she was way younger. Still trying to comprehend what was happening to his partner he set her food down on the table and sat down to eat and watch what Judy was doing.

Judy was quite throughout the game only every once and a while giving orders to her teams mates to push up or fall back to support another flank. Other than that she was quite with the face of pure concentration.

After the battle was over Judy bayed her family good bye. To their complaints and protests. "Don't worry guys I'll get back on some time in the near future." She was quite as she listened to their good byes. "Alright guys I love you all! Good job today!"

After Judy took the head phones off she looked at Nick who was staring at her as he ate.

"What?"

Nick swallowed and whipped his mouth on the back of his paw. "I would have never guessed that my perfect bunny cop partner would play computer games."

"What's wrong with that? I've played this since I was fifteen. And its tournaments time I thought the Hopps could try and win the world title again."

"I never said there was anything wrong. I'm just sort of surprised is all. You've never mentioned it or anything."

"Well this is the first time I've played since about a year before I started the academy. I'd forgotten about it until my brother called and asked if I wanted to play."

"So how does it work?" Nick asked.

"The game is all about battling tanks with your tanks to the death." She stated happily. "Tanks come in ten levels or tiers; one is the weakest and ten is the strongest. There's also different makers of the tanks there's the Gray Wolves, the Bison, and the Pandas, the Siberian Tigers, and the Lions just to name a few. There are a few more like the Roe Deer and the giant Hornets. Lastly there are also five different types of tanks you can play: light, mediums, heavies, tank destroyers, and mobile artillery." She made several paw gestures as she explained.

Nick gave Judy an amused look. She was really getting excited about this. "You've put a lot of time into this haven't you?"

Judy's ears drooped and she blushed "Maybe. Alright back on subject. Lights are the fastest and most mobile tanks. They usually have the best view range too. They're they eyes of the battle field.

Mediums are the all-around vehicles. Okay armor and okay guns and decent mobility. Their roll truly depends on how the battle is playing out. They can brawl, defend and attack. Pretty much what is needed most, they need to be.

Then there is the heavy. They have great armor and big guns but slower movement speeds and bad view ranges. These guys are the ones that fight their way through to victory, dishing out the hurt but not receiving much in return.

Then there are tank the destroyers they can have impenetrable armor and some of the larges guns in the game, but bad movement speeds. Or they can have no armor at all and smaller more precise guns and better movement capabilities. They also lack a fully traversable turret, some have them but not many. So they can get flanked very easily. In all they're the snipers of the game.

And last but not least there is the SPG or self-propelled gun or artillery for short. These glass canons have the largest guns in game and can shoot them all the way across the map, raining down fire from above. But they can only shoot what they can see, and they have really long reload times. So they rely heavily on the rest of the team to spot for them and a good hiding spot. They also have no armor to speak of so they are usually easy targets for lights and mediums."

"That's a lot to remember Carrots. How do you remember it all, is there a book I can read?" Nick paused as he seemed to come to a realization. "Come to think of I don't think I've ever seen you nerd out on something other than how to grow plants and be the greatest cop there ever was."

"I am not nerding out over tanks! You're just imagining things! And I don't nerd out over plants, those are boring!" She sighed "I do have to admit defeat about the cop thing though." She mumbled the past part, but Nick still heard.

"You know you've got me intrigued I might try playing a game or two."

A big smile appeared on Judy's face and she clasped her pawn in front of herself. "Really Nick? You mean it?"

"Only on one condition, I get to be on your team." Judy nodded her head so furiously that her ears made flapping sounds. "Oh one more thing: You didn't think I wouldn't figure out what you were trying to do did you? You were trying to get me to play with you the whole time."

Judy tried to hide her smile but couldn't. "It worked didn't it?"

"Did it work? Yes, yes it did." Judy smiled and leaned in and gave Nick a quick kiss on the lips.

Much later that Night

"Okay Nick angle your armor and wiggle your turret! Hide your weak spots!" Judy squealed in excitement.

Nick was sweating as he tried to follow Judy's tips while in battle. "I'm trying Carrots." He grunted. "You see unlike you I don't have a million battles under my belt."

"Quit your whining foxy. You're doing great! You're already almost to tier six and on your first day too. I didn't have my first tier ten until I had almost ten thousand games."

"This isn't going to become a regular thing is it? I don't want my bunny cop to lose her job now." Nick shot back.

"No it's not just while I'm stuck in this super boring hospital." She countered.

They had been playing for several hours together because they didn't really have anything else better to do; it was a good way to pass the time. They had been interrupted once by Bogo who had come in to tell Nick and Judy that Ryan and Grant had disappeared from the Zootopia prison the night before.

"I regret to inform the two of you this but Ryan and Grant have disappeared at some point last night. We've been keeping tight surveillance on them to see if they tried to make another move. And we were trying to keep our distance so whoever is letting them out might not notice and we'd be able to identify them. Unfortunately that seems to have failed".

"Why are you telling us this?" Nick asked in an agitated tone.

"You both deserve to know after what happened."

Judy perked up in excitement. "So does that meant that we can keep working on the-"

"No! Not until you're doth healed up and cleared for duty. Until then I don't want you anywhere near this case. Understood?"

"Yes sir." They said in unison.

"Come on 'Wildecard' they're taking our base!" Judy commanded happily.

"Roger that 'Bunny Cop' I'm right behind you." Nick had to admit this was fun. This was a side to Judy he didn't know even existed. What other secrets do you have?

There was a quiet knock at the door. After a second Bonnie stuck her head in to see what was going on. "Hey Bun Bun."

"Hi Mom." instantly Judy's attention went back to the game.

"Hi Mrs-" Bonnie's glare stopped him dead in his tracks. "I mean Bonnie. How are you doing on this fine evening?" Now I know where Judy gets it from.

"I'm doing fine. How are the both of you holding up?"

Having finished the match Judy set her computer aside. "We're doing fine. Why do you ask?"

"Oh I'm just wondering like any mother would." She paused. "I have to go back home Judy."

"Right now? It's the middle of the night." Judy asked in surprise.

"The train tickets are slightly cheaper during late hours of the night." Judy's parents had originally come into Zootopia in their truck but Stu had taken it back when he left. So that left Bonnie taking the train home.

Bonnie walked over to Judy's bed and hugged her daughter lovingly. "Is there anything I can send you when I get back?"

"No mom I think we'll be fine." Judy reassured.

Bonnie noticed how Judy had said 'we'll' and smiled. "Is there anything I can send you Nick?"

Nick was surprised she was asking him. He was not expecting this in the least. "Um, would you mind sending me some of your blueberries?" His voice was uncharacteristically shy and timid.

"Sure I'll have Stu send a whole crate."

Nick looked at Bonnie with eyes filled with gratitude. "Thanks Bonnie."

"It's the least we can do Nick." Bonnie returned her attention to Judy. "I know it's still a while away, but do you think you can make it home for Thanksgiving?"

"Yeah mom, I think I'll be healed up enough by then to come. Would you mind if I brought Nick too?"

"Sure he's always welcome at the Hopps home."

Nick couldn't believe his ears. He didn't even need to ask. Judy already wanted him at her house for thanksgiving. And Bonnie didn't have a problem with it. How many other perks came with dating a bunny?

Bonnie hugged Judy again. "I gotta go." Judy hugged her back.

"Alright mom. I love you." She kissed her mom on the cheek.

"I love you too, be safe now." She stepped back and gave Nick a look that just read. 'take good care of her.' Nick nodded his head.

After she left the room Nick and Judy were quiet. "So Thanksgiving huh?"

Judy looked up at Nick after he spoke. "Sorry I should have asked you first. You don't have to come if you don't want. My family can be pretty crazy."

"No Carrots, I don't mind. In fact I'd love to tag along." He smiled at her. Not a smirk a real and genuine smile one he only gave her. "Come to think of it you just saved me the trouble of asking you if I could come."

"You already wanted to?" She asked.

"Yeah I thought maybe it would be a good time to spend together."

"Oh Nick that's so sweet."

"Oh no where's the carrots pen? You'd only say something like that if you had that pen."

"No Nick I mean it." she reached forward and grabbed one of his paws in both of her smaller ones. She pulled on it and he scooted closer to her. He wrapped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her in even closer.

"So do you want to keep playing?" he asked.

"Nah I'm getting pretty tired." She was getting more relaxed by the second.

"Is the little bunny ready for bed?" He cooed. She looked at him tiredly rolled her pretty eyes and nodded. Nick held her a little tighter as he readjusted her pillows so she could lie down. "Alright scooch forward a little, now lay back, there." Judy's eyes were already drooping closed.

Nick stood up and was about to leave but a soft paw caught his tail stopping him. "Don't go." The fox turned to see Judy holding his tail and looking up at him with pleading eyes. "Don't leave me."

The pain killers Judy was on had a tendency to make her a little loopy. They must be affecting her in her tired state more that they normally would. Nick cupped her face gently with his paw.

"It's alright Carrots. I'm not going anywhere." She looked up at him with those big beautiful eyes. "I love you too much to go anywhere." He leaned down and kissed her on the top of the head right between the ears. "Just sleep now Carrots."

After a few minutes she was out. Slowly Nick stood up as not to wake her. "Don't worry Carrots I'll be right back." It was the second Saturday of the month and he needed to talk to a friend over a couple of drinks. "I love you Judy." Almost as if she heard she cooed in her sleep in an adorable way. He bent down and kissed her in between the ears.

Olvido bar

Sal stood behind the bar watching Finnick nurse his drink. The muskrat sighed to himself it was the second Saturday of the month and the little fox's friend hadn't showed up. Sal was about to ask what had happened but was interrupted when he noticed Nick walk in through the front. He also noticed that his arm was in a sling and the bulge of bandages under his shirt.

Nick sauntered up to the bar and sat down next to Finnick. "You're late." stated the small fox.

"Sorry Finn I had a little trouble getting out of the hospital." Finnick who had been so focused on his drink and his own thoughts didn't realize what Nick said. Nick paused for a second seeming in thought. "Hey Sal how about you get me and Finn here a drink."

"You know you're going to have to pay for it this time right." The muskrat warned.

"Yeah I know." Sal's glair didn't dissipate in the slightest. "Scouts honor I'll pay this time."

Finally Finnick looked up at Nick "Look Nic-" but what he was going to say got caught in this throat as his eyes landed on Nick. An uncomfortable silence fell between them as Finnick looked Nick over. But thankfully is didn't last too long, it sure felt for a long time though. "What happened?"

"Do you remember the Snowlence brothers?"

"Yeah they were killed by the Silent Hand."

"No Finn, they are the Silent Hand. And they're the ones behind the missing equipment at the observatory." Finnick was completely silent a look of shock on his face.

"But they're locked up." He tried to reason. Nick just shook his head. Finnick looked Nick in the eye then across the bar and then into his drink trying to contemplate. "How?"

"I'm not sure. There is something bigger going on here. Ryan told me it was their job to take the equipment. That someone was letting them out and putting them back before anyone even knew they were gone."

"Why would he tell you that? You'd just turn 'round and bust eim."

Right before Nick could answer Sal came over with their drinks. "So Nick what happened to you? You look rough. Is it a new look for your bunny friend?"

Nick had known Sal for almost as long as he had known Finnick. Sal was always wondering how they were doing. And somehow always had some sort of advice to give about any subject.

Nick looked at Sal and smirked. "How about I get the drink free and then I'll talk about it."

"No way! I've given you enough free alcohol." Before he could continue he heard someone call for a drink. "I'll think about. But this is the last time." He said before he left to serve another drink.

Nick and Finnick were quite. Finnick took a sip of his drink while Nick swirled his around the glass. The clinking of the ice in it was the only sound between them.

"He was going to kill us."

Finnick looked up at Nick in shock. "What?"

"Ryan was going to kill us so no one would know what was going on. He almost succeeded." He spoke in a haunted whisper.

Finnick looked at his friend with concern in his eyes. They may not have been the greatest friends ever but they had been through a lot and did care for each other. "What happened?"

Finnick saw Nick flinch. "I almost lost Judy." Finnick rolled his eyes. This was a common subject between them. Finnick had already told Nick to just mammal up and tell her how he felt several times. He was about to give Nick the whole speech again but was interrupted. "She's in the hospital right now. Every rib in her body is broken. Her back could have serious problems later. And I'm not even sure if she is going to make a full recovery."

Finnick didn't know what to say, so he stayed quiet. They both stayed quiet for a while. The only sound was the chatter of the other patrons around the bar.

The inside of the building itself was very simple. Of course there was a bar that ran most of the length of the wall across from the door. There were also a couple of pool tables and several other tables scattered around the room. It wasn't a very popular place but every one that frequented it did so because it was quiet and relaxing.

Nick sighed as he saw Sal coming back towards him and Finnick. "Uh oh here he comes. Look out Finn." Nick chuckled.

Finnick shook his head and chuckled too. "You know Nick, you crazy."

"I am not."

The rest of their guys night out went well. Nick retold some funny stories of being a cop. Finnick talked about the news on his new little business he wanted to start. And Sal was always there to throw in some comment that would make every one laugh. Eventually Nick said he needed to go. Right before he left Finnick had asked about giving him a ride, which Nick gladly accepted.

Now the old friends quietly sat in front of the hospital. "Thanks for the ride Finn, I appreciate it." Finnick nodded.

Nick opened the door and slid out. "Nick." He paused not sure what to really say. "Are you ever going to tell the rabbit how you feel?" He was genuinely concerned for his friend. Hiding something like that could only cause problems.

Nick smiled a small but real smile. "Don't worry Finn, I already did. Good night." And he slammed the door shut before Finnick had time to say a word.

The little fox watched as Nick walked away. He shook his head. "I tried to tell him. That fox is crazy."

AN:

Hey everybody! How are you all enjoying the New Year? I hope it's treating you all good. What did you think on my latest chapter? Did I put enough fluff in it? I'm not very good at it yet.

Here I am sitting at a McDonalds using the free internet. It's my birthday today I'm finally eighteen, yay! This is my gift to you. (That makes total since. XD) Hope you all liked it. Also I'd like to thank everyone for their continued support and interest in this story. Thank you ALL so much! I'd also like extend my thanks to Camoss again for the birthday wishes. He's a way better author than I am so go read his stories they are amazing!

Alright first off Sal belongs to PullTogether. He's my first barrowed OC. It you want to see more of him check out PullTogether's story 'How Many Ways can a Fox and a Rabbit Fall in Love?' Sal is an amazing character in that story. Thank you so so much PullTogether for letting me use Sal for this chapter!

Since I'm mentioning other people's work I feel I need to say this again. This story is a prequel. I was inspired by the amazing author Sophie Ripley's story 'Traditions Among the Stars.' She was kind enough to let me write this. If you wish to read Traditions Among the Stars I only say one thing; spoiler alert. I want you guys to read her story don't get me wrong. I'm just saying that it will ruin the huge reveal later in this story. It's your choice.

How many of you were shocked to find out what Judy did in her free time when she was younger? Does it seem fitting? If it wasn't already obvious already I use to play World of Tanks. And I was really nerding out there when Judy was explaining the game to Nick.

The question of the chapter is: What are my week points? What in my writing seems weakest to you? I really want to get better at this and any tips are like gold to me.

Any way that's all for now. I hope you all are having a good day or night where ever you are. Reviews are always appreciated *wink wink* XD Bye!