Trisha: Facing the past

"Are you sure I can't bring you any bread or appetizers while you wait?" The lovely otter in the white blouse and black slacks asked as she topped off a glass of water from a pitcher in her paws.

"We are fine, thanks Sam," Em said as she took a moment to adjust her black blouse, running a paw down her side to make sure the fabric was adequately tucked into her khaki slacks.

While Em looked calm and collected her tablemate was anything but.

As soon as Sam was finished topping off the glass of water a paw or brown paws scooped it up and immediately began to drain the ice-cold water.

The waitress, who was about to leave the table at peace instead stood and watched as the water she had just filled was gulped up.

"Well someone is thirsty," The otter said gleefully as she adjusted her glasses and raised the pitcher. "Can I top you off?"

"You have anything stronger?" A certain bunny with bright blue eyes asked as she set the glass down, one of her legs thumping away nervously under the table.

"I…uhh…well we do have a nice wine collection and-" Sam began as she looked over at Em who shook her head slowly.

Em then looked across the table at her friend, her expression was one of kindness but had a firm undertone.

"You need to be cognizant and I know drunk you, she is not who needs to be here right now."

The bunny across the table looked down at her empty glass and slowly slid it to the edge of the table so Sam could refill it.

The doe let out the longest of sighs before looking back up at her friend.

Sam gave the two a friendly smile before excusing herself so she could check in on her other tables.

"Sorry…just so…nervous…" The bunny grumbled.

"It's going to be ok Trisha," Em said sweetly as she reached across the table and scooped up her friend's paw in her own, giving the bunny an encouraging squeeze. "Trust me, ok?"

Trisha nodded before she noticed how her friend was looking at something just over her shoulder.

"They're here?" The bunny asked as her ears shot up.

Em slowly nodded before looking back at the bunny who looked as if she was going to either throw up or dart away.

"Remember, they wanted to see you and you NEED to see them."

Trisha felt her heart racing as she took a moment to adjust her olive green button-up shirt, making sure her jeans were creased just right and also that the window on the other side of the restaurant was still open in case she needed to throw herself out of it.

Em watched as her friend started to shake with anxiety, her heart aching for the poor bunny who was about to face her past. The otter glanced back over Trisha's shoulders at two approaching mammals but raised a brow in question as only one of them came to the table.

A lovely fox walked right up behind Trisha and placed a black paw on the doe's shoulders, causing the bunny to wince and tense up.

However, it was what happened next that made Em relax.

The vixen took a knee so she was at eye level with Trisha, giving the bunny a shoulder squeeze as the doe slowly turned to look at the predator.

"Hey Trisha," The vixen cooed as she gave the bunny a saddened smile.

"Hi, Amber…"

"So ground rules," The vixen began before anyone else could speak. "He gets very tired easily so you are required to accept what he says, no arguing or getting his heart rate up ok?"

"Amber I just-" Trisha began before she was cut off.

"He is still in a wheelchair but that's not who he is ok? He is not a wheelchair, he is my brother so you will treat him like the mammal he is and not some defenseless pup."

The words came out rather firmly which told Trisha and Em they had little choice in these conditions.

"He is not 100% and they aren't sure he ever will be but to us, he is still Hank, you, me, and your sweet friend Em here are going to be fixed points ok? We will treat him like everything is alright just like he wants us to."

Both Em and Trisha nodded before Amber looped an arm around Trisha and pulled her into a hug.

"Hank and I don't blame you for this so no tears or sobs of apology ok?"

Trisha just nodded into Amber's shoulder, doing her best not to burst into tears.

The vixen stood up, smiling at Em who nodded before Amber turned and hurried back to her brother.

While the pep talk had helped Em could tell Trisha was still on the verge of losing it but she had to admit she was very proud of her bunny.

Here she was, seconds away from meeting her past again and she was still sitting, shaking but willing to face whatever happened next head-on.

Trisha had her eyes closed, her ears up as she listened to something wheeling up behind her.

"One more condition," Came a familiar voice that made the doe's lips curl into a small smile. "This doesn't count as the date you owe me.."

Though the words came out softer than before and with some heavy breathing in between Trisha felt her heart sore as her friend's voice filled her ears.

The bunny had been looking down at the table, her eyes closed but when her friend was finally wheeled up next to her she opened those brilliant blue eyes and looked over.

"Hey, handsome," The bunny said softly, her eyes looking right into a pair of orange ones.

Hank, while not fully healed, still looked as Trisha remembered him.

He had obviously lost weight from his time in the hospital and while part of his face was drooped he still had that handsome smile he had shown her when they first met back in college.

"I wouldn't go with handsome, maybe mildly ok looking," Amber teased as she walked to the other side of the table and sat down across from her brother.

"You are supposed to be nice….to…me…" Hank reminded his younger sister as he slowly looked across the table at the vixen who stuck out her tongue. His words were labored but his smile was genuine.

"That was not listed as one of the conditions," Trisha pointed out which made Hank slowly turn to the bunny before rolling his eyes.

The fox then looked over at Em who gave Hank a sweet smile.

"You must….be…Em," The fox said as he reached up and placed a paw on the table, it looked frail but Em didn't pay any mind to that, she instead placed her own small otter paw on it and squeezed gently.

"Nice to finally meet you, Hank," The otter said as she tilted her head. "Heard you have some fun stories about Trisha that I need to hear."

The fox's eyes immediately brightened and he let out a wheeze mixed with a laugh.

Trisha's ears drooped, knowing of one story the fox had she would never want to relive, but she sat there and listened all the same, preparing for the worst.

"Heard about the calendar?"

Trisha's eyes went wide and she immediately scooped up Hank's other paw and squeezed.

"Calendar?" Em asked with a raised brow, her lips curling as she looked across the table at the bunny who had panic in her eyes.

"Oh yeah….she and…some of our friends…posed for a fundraiser…"

"Posed how?" Amber asked as she looked over at Trisha.

"In a way that sold many… calendars…" Hank began. "Trisha was practically na-"

Trisha then did something rather surprising.

She stood up in her seat and placed both paws on Hank's muzzle, shutting it close before looking over at Amber.

"Poor guy is delirious…"

Hank closed his eyes and began to let out a series of wheezes mixed with laughter as Trisha patted the side of his muzzle before sitting down.

The four mammals settled in and relaxed, Sam returned after a few minutes with a few menus and another pitcher of water which she happily served to the new arrivals.

As they sat Em was secretly ecstatic to see how Trisha's appetite had returned, the doe ordering some lunch along with Amber.

Hank apologized when it came to his turn to order.

"Afraid I will…have to…pass…" The fox wheezed.

Sam gave him a look of saddened concern but nodded before hurrying away to put in the orders.

There was a silence at the table which Hank quickly handled.

"Ate before we came….doctors have me on a new diet," The fox said through several labored breaths.

Trisha's ears immediately drooped, her stomach knotting as her appetite began to vanish.

"They are actually really happy with Hank's improvements," Amber announced as she sipped at her water, glancing from Em to Trisha.

The doe however kept looking down at the tablecloth, her eyes shimmering as she held back tears.

"Heard you finally graduated," Hank said with a smirk, his words less labored this time.

Trisha's ears went up and she looked over at her friend, her expression warming as their eyes met.

"Yeah…didn't walk though."

"I plan to," Hank said firmly as he smirked down at Trisha. "Did amber tell you? They are giving me a free ride when I get back. Whatever degree I want."

The fox in the wheelchair leaned over and smiled at Em.

"You know the whole reason I even volunteered for Dr. Salt's crazy experiment was to help pay for books, now look, I got my whole education covered."

Em beamed before glancing across the table at Trisha.

The otter noticed how the bunny stared at the fox, her smile was warm but her eyes held a glint of sorrow for the predator.

"So when are you planning to return?" Em asked, wanting to keep the conversation going.

"Not sure…" Hank admitted.

"We are going to be out of town for a bit," Amber chimed in, a hesitant smile gracing her lips. "There is a specialist outside of Zootopia who is interested in Hank's case and believes they may have a way of helping him. They couldn't promise he would be 100% but they do think they can find a way to make things manageable."

"You…your leaving?" Trisha asked as she looked back at Hank, her ears drooping slightly.

Hank sighed and nodded, "One of the reasons we wanted to come and see you. We leave in a week…mom and dad are-"

Trisha tensed up and looked down at the table, a serious look on her face.

Amber immediately sat up and reached over, placing a paw on the back of Trisha's chair.

"They…umm…well they.."

"Still blame me?" Trisha sniffled.

Em sat up a little straighter at this news. Everyone she had talked to about the incident always said the bunny was not at fault. It would appear that not everyone agreed with that sentiment though.

"Ignore them," Hank said firmly as he looked over at Trisha.

"Ignore them?" Trisha repeated as she looked back at Hank. "I…Hank look what I-"

"Stop!" The fox said, all signs of frailty vanished in a second as the fox sat up in how wheelchair. The frail fox that had arrived seemed to change back into his old self, even if it was just for a second. "I am the only one allowed to place….blame…and it is not with you or Dr. Salt.."

Trisha remained silent as tears freely rolled down her cheeks.

"If my parents blame you so be it, we can't….force them…to think otherwise. I however do not and mine is the only opinion that matters…"

As Hank spoke he looked as if each word took more and more effort until he was sweating.

Amber immediately stood up and grabbed a napkin, she came to her brother's side and began to dab at his forehead as she glared at Trisha.

"What did I say?!"

"I'm sorry!"

"It's fine…" Hank wheezed, "I am fine.."

"You promised you wouldn't get worked up," Amber mumbled as she scooped up a glass of water and held it to her brother's lips.

Trisha went back to looking at the table as Em took a deep breath.

"So after treatment, you plan to return to school?" The otter asked, trying to steer the conversation back to something more positive.

After a few seconds, Hank returned to some semblance of normal and nodded.

"That's the plan, but not sure if I will keep my current degree."

"What would you take instead?" Em asked.

"Not sure, but I heard the girls who take Quantum Theoretics are kind of cute," Hank said before glancing back at Trisha.

The doe was still staring at the table but her lips curled into a smile as a rosy blush went up her ears.

The conversation grew a bit lighter and when the food finally arrived everyone was happily chatting and laughing, mainly at Trisha's expense as Hank regaled them all with stories he had heard about the bunny while in college.

When they had finished eating the conversation returned to a slightly less fun topic.

"So I spoke to Dr. Salt….he said he scrapped the project…" Hank began.

Trisha sighed and nodded, swirling her half-empty water glass and watching its contents swirl.

"The school did…" Trisha said with a sigh. Hank reached over and rested a paw on Trisha's which seemed to give the bunny strength. "Dr. Salt was put on administrative leave…I was…well…"

All eyes were on the bunny who tried to think of what to say.

"I guess you could say I was placed under house arrest…"

Amber let out a sad sigh as Hank seemed to wince.

"It's ok, it could have been a lot worse. Doc did his best to take the blame and if it wasn't for him I think I would have been arrested…he kept saying it was his fault."

"It wasn't. As I told him over….the phone…"

"Yeah well…it sure felt like someone was at fault. If not doc then me for shooting you…"

"Whatever happened to that gun you made?" Hank asked mater a factly.

Trisha turned slightly in her chair and looked at Hank in slight disbelief.

The way he asked wasn't in an accusing tone or one of anger. He was legitimately curious as to what had happened to the very gun that had shot him with the pellet that paralyzed him and put him in such a state.

"It was…well confiscated.."

"But you built it," Hank pointed out.

"It was too dangerous…"

"No, it wasn't."

Trisha leaned down and began to wave her paw up and down Hank.

Em smiled at glanced over at Amber who gave her a similar look, the two happy to see Trisha and Hank carrying on in such a silly manner.

"Hank it did this to you."

"Technically genetics did," The fox shot back happily. "Doc said it was a rare genetic disorder. Had someone else been hit with the pellet they would have probably been fine."

"So what you are saying is the only faulty equipment in the experiment was you?" Trisha asked one of her ears going up and staring at the fox.

The two remained silent before Hank let out a laugh, and Trisha soon followed.

When they calmed down Trisha carried on with her explanation, her paw still wrapped up in Hank's.

"They took all my files and drafts on it and even interviewed the mammal who helped me machine it. Think it's collecting dust somewhere in a storage locker which is fine by me…"

"It really was a brilliant design. I remember before the experiment how Doc kept bragging about you and how you made it."

Trisha sighed as her cheeks warmed.

"It just wasn't meant to be I guess…Who knows, maybe one day someone will come across it and put it to good use."

After they finished lunch and paid their tabs the four mammals made their way outside of the restaurant and into the warm afternoon sun.

Sadly they had to part ways. Amber explained that she promised Hank's doctors she would have him back for some examinations soon and they had some packing still left to do.

Before they parted though Hank asked to have a private word with Em.

Trisha and Amber exchanged looks before nodding and giving the fox and otter a little space.

Em watched as the two chatted on a park bench before glancing up at Hank.

The fox reached out to the otter who gently took the black paw.

"She will always blame herself…" Hank began with a sad sigh.

Em looked to the ground before back up at the fox, "Yes, but today helped."

"I won't be around to remind her it's not her fault," The fox continued. "So I need a favor from you."

Em closed her eyes and smiled.

"To remind her she isn't to blame?"

"That and to keep her from burning the city down. I kind of like this place and with no one keeping her in line it will only be a matter of time," Hank added.

Em let out a laugh and shook her head.

"Hank the world needs more fox's like you," The otter said with a sigh as she looked into the vulpine's brilliant eyes.

"And the world needs someone crazy like Trisha," The fox added as he glanced over at smiled at the bunny who was chatting with Amber. "Please keep her that way."

Em sighed before looking over her shoulder at Trisha at well. The doe noticed how both mammals were staring at her and stuck out her tongue.

"You sure we need that much crazy?"

"Eh…maybe try and get her to dial….it back 10%."

When it was finally time to part ways, Trisha was gushing how she planned to send Hank all sorts of postcards and singing telegrams while he was treated outside of the city.

The fox would turn to his sister and remind her not to give Trisha their mailing address which was met with laughter from the three ladies present.

Em received a hug from Amber who whispered her thanks to the otter for arranging the reunion. The smaller mammal insisted it was her pleasure.

When it came to Trisha and Hank though the farewell was rather moving.

Em and Amber did their best to give the two a little privacy as they waited for Em and Trisha's Zuber to arrive.

The otter however couldn't help but watch the touching farewell from the corner of her eye.

In true Trisha fashion, the bunny had forgone all forms of personal space and clambered up onto Hank's wheelchair.

She stood on the chair, her feet on either side of Hank's legs as she held the fox's chin.

Hank muscled his strength and placed his paws around the bunny's waist, their foreheads were pressed together as they spoke in hushed whispers.

"Can I just say it once?" Trisha asked in the slightest of whispers.

Hank nodded, a tear rolling down his cheek.

"Hank I am so sorry I pulled that trigger, I wish every second of every day I could go back and stop it all from happening."

The doe was not sobbing, instead, a single beautiful tear rolled down her cheek, it carried with it all the doe's sorrows and regrets from that fateful night.

The two remained silent for nearly a minute before Trisha spoke once more.

"Thank you for forgiving me."

While Hank could have reminded the doe she did not need forgiveness he could tell this is what she needed to heal.

"Of course Trisha."

"Promise you will get better?"

Hank just nodded, his forehead still pressed to the doe's.

"And that you will write me?"

Again the fox nodded.

"Thank you."

With that, the doe gently lifted the fox's chin upward and leaned forward.

When their lips met the doe's eyes fluttered close as another tear rolled down her cheeks. Hank seemed to regain his strength even if it was momentarily as his arms gently looped around the doe's waist and held her close.

Em smirked as she watched for just a second before focusing on Amber, doing her best to keep the vixen from turning around and witnessing the scene playing out behind her back.

Trisha tilted her head slightly as the kiss continued before finally pulling away.

The kiss between the two, though short, carried with it so many emotions that Trisha and Hank could not put into words. Instead, they remained silent, their foreheads pressed together for a moment more before Trisha straightened up on Hank's wheelchair.

"Stay out of trouble Trish," Hank whispered as he slowly opened his eyes and looked up at the bunny who lovingly smiled back.

Trisha gave the fox one of her familiar smug smirks, her blue eyes shimmering as her eyelids drooped.

"Make me."


So there it is.

Trisha and all the madness that led her to the 10-7 bar.

We have one more chapter left. That's right, we are coming up to the finale!

Excited?

I know I am.

Got some fun plans ahead.

-Blue