Hey guys Price here and welcome to Chapter 4 of Tooth and Claw! I hope you guys like this Chapter, because I'm going to try and show some parts of Lance I've had him discuss, but haven't had the chance to show. It'll sort of being like an emotional shut down, but it kind of isn't, as well. It's something I've been able to do for a long while, and it kinda freaks my family out how well I do it. They think it's weird, but to me it's natural. It comes easy. So yeah, look forward to seeing something that not many people I know are aware of outside of my family. This Chapter mostly focuses on the aftereffects of the hostage situation I began last Chapter and the emotional reactions Judy, Nick, and Lance have to it, with Lance being the specific subject of observation, though the last few hundred or so words are more focused on speeding up the story a little. Anyway, this is getting long enough, I think it's time to get...onto the story!
I sat on a step of the Zootopia Central Bank, my rifle strapped to my back and my arms crossed across my chest.
"Hey, Lance, you okay?" I looked up at the words, smiling briefly as Nick sat down next to me.
"Yeah, fine. Just thinking." I answered, though it was obvious Nick didn't believe me. He didn't say anything though. He knew I'd tell him if something was bothering me.
"Hey, you saved that hostage's life, you know." He said after a moment, and I glanced at him in surprise.
"Yeah, I know." I said blankly, Nick's forehead creasing at my tone, and he turned to me.
"You sure you're okay, Lance? You sound a little different." He said worriedly, and I smiled reassuringly.
"I'm sure. Just...processing it in my own way." I said, Nick falling silent at my answer.
"You don't need to handle this alone, Lance. I'm here for you." He said after a full minute passed in relative silence, resting a paw on my shoulder comfortingly.
"I know." I said, smiling gratefully at him to let him know I appreciated it. "I'll be fine, though. I knew this was part of the job when I signed up."
"Lance, I know it's not easy, okay? I've been through this before. I know how it feels." I felt my smile flicker briefly, and I could tell Nick saw it. He was observant. He saw things like that.
"Really, Nick, I'm fine. I promise." I said pointedly, glancing at my mate. He nodded slowly.
"Well, Bogo wants you to go to mandatory evaluation anyway. Everybody does it whenever they take a life." He said, and I sighed.
"Okay. Fine. When?" I asked, Nick hesitating in thought.
"Honestly, he'd prefer you go as soon as you can, so tomorrow, but he knows you probably need a few days to get over it." I scoffed at that, and Nick let a small chuckle escape him. "He worries, Lance, even if it doesn't seem like it."
"I would hope so. He'd be a horrible boss if he didn't." I remarked, Nick nodding in agreement. I let out a sigh and stood, letting out a small groan as my legs straightened. "So, what now?" I asked, turning to Nick.
"Bogo says you have the rest of the day off. Stress and all that." Nick answered, and I nodded.
"I...guess I'll see you at home then." I said, turning to walk away. I stopped as I remembered I still had the rifle strapped to my back, and I loosened the strap and pulled it off. I turned back to Nick and extended my paw. He took it and lay it down next to him, and I turned and only then noticed the small team of Operators that had gone in after the shot had been taken milling around their van. One around my size noticed me and tapped another smaller Operator next to them, then waved me over. I hesitated, then approached.
"You the one that took the shot?" The one my size asked when I approached, the other Operators turning at her words.
"Yeah. Officer Lance Whitney, first day." I said in greeting, the Operator around my size letting out a low whistle.
"Bogo really pulled out as many stops as he could if he brought a rookie to a hostage situation." The smaller one remarked, and I huffed in amusement.
"So, you know me, but who are you two?" I asked, the smaller Operator extending their paw.
"Operator Is Larsson, nice to meet you Officer Whitney." He said, and I shook his paw.
"Likewise. And you?" I turned my gaze to the Operator my size, and they reached up and gripped their helmet. They raised it, shaking their head when it was free. I stared in shock, not expecting to come muzzle to muzzle with an Arctic Fox Vixen.
"Operator Lumi Keto, pleasure to meet you." She said, extending her paw. I shook it, numb with shock, and she nudged Is. He pulled his own helmet off, and I was left even more numb at the sight of a Hare.
"So, how long you two been Operators?" I asked, my expression one of curiosity.
"Three years. Don't worry, Nick and Judy get to keep their titles." Lumi said, and I let out a chuckle.
"What's next, a Rabbit ZIA agent?" I asked sarcastically, Lumi shrugging.
"Maybe one day." She said, and I nodded. Silence fell between us for a moment, and I finally turned to walk away when she spoke again. "Hey, Whitney. You're a hell of a shot." I dipped my head in thanks at her praise, then turned and walked away. I stopped by the S.W.A.T. van and said goodbye to Wolford and Fangmeyer, then headed for home.
When I arrived, I closed the door behind me and let out a heavy sigh, suddenly feeling weighted down as I was finally alone.
I stepped into the bedroom, closing the door behind me and pulling my shirt off. I needed to take a nap, and the cop uniform probably wasn't comfortable. I changed into a pair of pajamas, then crawled into the bed and lay down after laying my phone on the nightstand next to the bed.
I fell asleep quickly, though it was far from peaceful.
I stared into space, the fur under my eyes damp with tears, as I rested on my knees. In front of me lay my mate of twenty years, Nick Wilde.
'This...this is all my fault.' I thought, my ears still ringing with the crazed laughter of the Wolf that had done all this.
I continued to stare into space even as Officers stormed the building and found me. I continued to stare into space even as they guided me outside and into an ambulance.
The spell was only broken when I was finally alone in the back of an ambulance, and the paramedics that opened the doors at the hospital found me with fresh tears in my eyes.
I startled awake, my chest heaving and my eyes wet, and I immediately reached for my phone. With shaking paws I scrolled through my contacts until I found Nick's number. I clicked it, pressing the device to my ear as I tried to get my panicked breathing under control.
"Lance, you make it home alright?" Nick asked from the other side, and I glanced at the clock. I hadn't even been asleep for five minutes.
"Yeah. Listen, Nick..." It must have been my tone, because I heard the sound of a chair being pushed back.
"Hold on Lance, I'll be right there." Nick said, and I smiled briefly at his concern.
"No, Nick. I don't want you getting in trouble over something so trivial." I said, Nick scoffing.
"Lance, if something is bothering you, it is not trivial." Nick admonished, and I felt a quick flash of guilt at his words.
"Really, Nick, I can wait until your hours are done." I whined softly, and I heard a door open on the other side.
"Judy, tell Bogo I had to leave. Something's come up." I heard Nick say, and Judy's faint "I will" was barely audible. I heard a door close. "Lance, I'll be there in a few minutes. And when I do, I want to hear about what's wrong. I don't care what it is, just tell me." I sighed in defeat, knowing Nick wouldn't relent until I did.
"Okay. I will." I said softly, letting out a stuttered breath as I began to calm down. "Love you, Nick."
"Love you too, Lance." I felt my chest grow warm at the words, hoping I never stopped hearing them, ever. I hung up, setting my phone down on the nightstand and leaning back against the headboard.
My breathing hitched and my eyes moistened suddenly as I thought back to the dream, knowing I would never forget it. Oh I would try, but I'd never be able to forget it.
A few minutes later I heard the door open, and I waited.
"Lance!?" I heard Nick shout, and I stood with a small groan. I wiped my eyes and approached the door.
"In here!" I called as I opened the door, Nick approaching quickly. I stepped back so he could enter. "Hey, Foxtrot." I said gently when he entered, wrapping my arms around him in a hug. Nick hesitated, likely not expecting the action, before hugging back.
"Hey Lance, how are you?" He questioned softly when he pulled back, and I smiled at him.
"I'm good. It was just a stupid dream, really." I answered, stepping aside and sitting on the bed. Nick joined me, placing a brief, tender kiss on the side of my muzzle as he did so. I smiled at him thankfully.
"Tell me about it. I'm already here, might as well listen." Nick remarked, and I laughed. Not sure why, I just did.
"Alright, but I'm certain it was just a stupid dream. Didn't mean anything, just my mind messing with me." I warned, Nick shrugging.
"I don't mind if it was." He joked, and I snorted.
"Funny." I remarked with false sarcasm. "But, I guess I might as well tell you. I'm not really sure what it was, I just remember being in a building. I was...covered in blood. And you...you were in front of me. I don't know for sure, but I think...I think I killed you." My breathing had begun to hitch again, and Nick was quick to press himself against me comfortingly.
"Hey, Lance, it was just a dream. I know you'd never do something like that." Nick said, and I turned my gaze to him from where it had been staring down at the floor.
"But, Nick, I killed you." I said softly, my voice nearly breaking at the words. "I...I'm scared that...what if it's not just a dream?"
"Hey, of course it was just a dream. You have nothing to worry about, Lance." Nick said reassuringly, and I smiled briefly.
"I hope so, Nick. I...I like having somebody believe in me. Someone to love me. I only just recently got you, Nick. I don't think I'd be able to take losing you." Nick looked surprised at that, but it faded quickly.
"You're a lot stronger than you give yourself credit for, Lance. You're handling what happened much better than I did when it was my turn." I shook my head, looking away.
"But I'm not, Nick. I'm not handling anything. I don't deal with things that hurt me, I shut down. It's always been that way. I just emotionally shut down for an indeterminate amount of time until my mind has a chance to get over it." I said, my voice cracking under emotion. "So no, I'm not strong. I never have been. I'm too weak to handle these things, so my emotions get shut do-" I was cut off by a sudden pain to my cheek as my head jerked to the side, and I blinked in shock as I slowly raised my paw to feel it. I turned my gaze to Nick in hurt questioning. His eyes burned in anger at my words.
"Don't you give me that, Lance. You are so much stronger than you let yourself be."
"How do you know!?" I cried, Nick gripping my shoulders roughly.
"Because you rose up when others tried to shut you down. You didn't give up, even when society tried to make you." Nick said, and I laughed dryly.
"But I did give up, Nick. I dropped out of High School, couldn't even get a job after that, and the only reason I'm here where I am is because you believed in me. You gave me something to fight for, Nick. So yes, I did give up. I gave up and nobody tried to stop me. Do you have any idea how that feels? To have your own family say you aren't worth the effort?" I questioned sharply, and Nick blinked in defeat. "I don't deserve any of this, Nick. I didn't earn this. But I got it because I felt like somebody finally believed in me, and I tried. I couldn't even do anything with my life until somebody told me I could, and meant it. I am and always will be a failure."
"You aren't a failure to me!" I sucked in a breath in shock at the words, and it was Nick's turn to speak. "I don't care that you dropped out, Lance. You did your best, and that's what mattered. Your own teachers were against you, but you did what you could. And I love you for that. I don't care that you failed, I care that you tried. You didn't give up, Lance, you acknowledged that you couldn't continue." I looked away in shame at Nick's words, knowing they were true but still unable to accept them as such.
Silence stretched between us for an unknown amount of time, and I felt myself growing tired as it got later.
"Nick...?" My mate looked up at me, his expression curious. I steeled myself and quickly lashed out, gripping him by the shirt and flipping him over onto his back. "I'm bored." I stated matter of factly, Nick blinking in surprise.
"Well, there are other things we can do to alleviate that..." Nick trailed off when it became obvious I wasn't interested in those 'other things' and sighed in defeat. "Very well." I suddenly found myself pinned to the bed with a smirking Nick on top of me.
"Hm, I did promise you that you could do whatever you wanted next time." I said, Nick tilting his head.
"No you didn't." He stated, bending down and placing a kiss on my muzzle. "But I appreciate the offer."
I groaned as I slowly opened my eyes, blinking slowly as I glanced at the clock a foot or so away. There was substantial heat behind me, and I shifted myself a little so I could glance over my shoulder. I decided to roll over and lazily draped my arm across the prone form of Nick.
"Hey Foxtrot." I said tiredly, Nick shifting slightly himself.
"Hm, hey Lance." He slurred, and I chuckled lightly. "What time 'sit?" I glanced over at the clock.
"Just eight thirty." I answered, rolling back over to Nick only for him to spring upright.
"Eight thirty!?" He exclaimed, and I nodded. He moved to get out of the bed and ended up falling as his hind paws tangled in the blanket.
"Oh wait." I suddenly said as my mind fully awoke, realizing Nick went in at nine. He rushed out, then skidded to a stop.
"Don't forget that you gotta go see the Officer Spook today." He said, and I waved in confirmation.
"So not looking forward to that." I groaned, Nick flashing me a sympathetic smile before disappearing. "See you later!" I called, Nick echoing it right before I heard the bathroom door close. I lay back down, staring at the ceiling as I wondered if I should wear my uniform to the Shrink. Probably.
Nick came back in about ten minutes later, dressed in his uniform and sexy as always.
"The meeting is at ten, by the way. Bogo should be calling or texting any time to let you know who it is." He said, and I flashed him a thumbs up from where I lay. He walked out, and I was left alone with my thoughts as he rushed to make it on time. We didn't live that far from the Precinct, but Judy liked him to be there at least ten minutes early just in case, and he had to stop in order to get a small coffee to wake him up until he could get something better for him that could do the same.
fifty minutes later, my phone buzzed and I picked it up. It was a text from Bogo.
"Officer Whitney, you'll be meeting with Doctor Honey. She keeps an office downstairs from the main Precinct, room 113, Sub-Level A." It said, and I placed the device down on the nightstand as I stood, stumbling towards the closet and pulling a spare uniform from its rack.
When I was dressed, I pocketed my phone and stepped out the door, locking it behind me and setting off towards the Precinct.
I arrived roughly ten minutes later, and I waved to Clawhauser as I headed towards the elevator. He waved back, his expression one of sympathy.
I stepped into the elevator, pressing the button for Sub-Level A and crossing my arms across the small of my back as I waited for the doors to open. When they did, I stepped out immediately and glanced around before heading right.
'110...111...112...ah, there, 113!' I knocked on the door, and it opened a few seconds later.
"Ah, you must be Officer Whitney. I'm Doctor Honey, come on in." The Honey Badger that greeted me said, stepping aside so I could step inside. I did so, and I glanced at her before taking a seat at her nod of approval. "So...Officer Whitney. According to the report Bogo sent me, you were the one that shot and killed the Leopard yesterday during the standoff. Both the report and your spotter Hasan, no last name indicated, say that you received orders to do so. Is this correct?" She asked as she sat down behind her desk.
"Yes. I was told in no uncertain terms to take the shot." I answered, the Badger nodding as she scribbled on a little notepad.
"Any...dreams regarding the incident?" She asked, looking up at me. I hesitated, unsure if my nightmare the day before could be regarded as caused by the shooting.
"No, I don't think so." I answered, and the Honey Badger kept her gaze on me for a moment longer before lowering it so she could scribble some more.
"Uh huh. Anything else that may have been caused by the shooting?" I shrugged, not really sure how to answer that.
"Not really. Can't say I've really thought about it too much." The questions continued on and on, and I would answer them as best I could. After about an hour or so, she sighed.
"Officer Whitney, it seems to me that you're not being entirely honest with me. I've not met a single cop in three years who hasn't been affected by taking the life of a civilian, even if the civilian has a hostage." She said, and I smiled briefly.
"Well, as strange as it may sound, I've always been a little too good at handling trauma. Nothing has really affected me emotionally – at least not negatively – in almost fifteen years." I paused, thinking. "Well, except during mine and Nick's first 'date'–" I used air quotations at the word date "–when I kissed him in a sort of heat of the moment thing. Though that was more mortification, since it was really just us getting to know each other to see if we liked each other." The Shrink looked interested at that, and they leaned forward a small bit.
"Ah, so you're the one I've been hearing about. The one that kissed Officer Wilde at the graduation a week or so ago. I was wondering if it was just a coincidence." She said, and I smiled awkwardly.
"Yep, that was me." I said, the Honey Badger opening her mouth to speak when her clock chimed.
"Ah, it seems our time is up. I want to see you next week, see if you feel like telling the truth then." I growled lightly in annoyance, and she glanced at me.
"I am telling you the truth, Doctor. You not believing me is the problem." I said, the Badger sighing.
"Look, Officer Whitney, I can't believe you aren't affected by this because it's absurd. Nobody just kills a mammal and isn't bothered by it at least somewhat. Now, I'll see you next week." I sighed in defeat, then nodded. I stood and stepped out of the office, slamming the door shut behind me.
The meetings continued for almost five months, during which I was restricted to desk duty or helping Clawhauser at the front desk. Eventually, I told her about the dream I had had after the shooting, and she agreed that it was likely just stress expressing itself or something similar. I also learned her name was Madge Honey Badger, though everyone just called her Honey or Madge. Apparently, she had been on the psychology aspect of the Night Howler Conspiracy with former Mayor Lionheart, but had applied here after being released. Good behavior and all that, she had said.
I sat at my desk in Precinct One, the cubby only a few down from Nick and Judy's. Bogo had decided to keep them partners and assign me to somebody else. I wasn't sure who, since he refused to say, but he had said it was somebody I knew.
I contemplated laying my head down and going to sleep when the door opened. I turned, expecting to see Nick, Judy, or Bogo, and blinked when I saw a different mammal.
"Hasan?" I questioned, the Sumatran Tiger freezing in surprise.
"Huh. I was wondering why Bogo wouldn't tell me anything about my new partner." He remarked, and I smiled briefly.
"Come in, come in. Close the door behind you, please." I said, Hasan nodding and closing the door as he stepped inside. I gestured for him to take a seat at the desk opposite of me, and he hesitated briefly before doing so. "So, Bogo made us partners then?" I inquired, Hasan frowning in thought.
"I mean...I guess that's what this means." He said, his tone unsure.
"Great. At least I know I can trust you." I said cheerfully, Hasan nodding.
"So, if I may ask, how'd your evaluation go?" He suddenly inquired, and I tilted my head in thought.
"Eh, pretty good. Got cleared yesterday, likely able to go out tomorrow." I answered after a moment, Hasan frowning.
"I still can't believe they had you take the shot." He said, and I scoffed.
"I was the only one with a clear shot. There was no other choice. Hell, even Nick couldn't talk him down, and he could charm the nuke codes from the president if he wanted. Well, hopefully not, but you know what I mean." Hasan nodded at that, and he suddenly perked up.
"Speaking of Nick, how're you two going?" He asked, and I smirked.
"Still pretty gently for now." I said, throwing Hasan a suggestive wink. He choked off a snort.
"Okay, mental image rising." He remarked, and I snorted.
"Yeah, have fun with that. So, Bogo tell you about anything he wanted us to do?" I asked, Hasan shaking his head.
"No, sorry. I guess we're on desk duty until then." Hasan answered, and I nodded before turning in my chair. I tapped my claws on the desk lightly as I thought about what I could do for a few minutes, only stopping when he spoke again. "How...do you deal with it?" He asked gently, like he didn't want to offend me. I sighed.
"To be perfectly honest, Hasan, I don't." He made an inquiring noise, and I huffed lightly. "I've always...had the ability to emotionally shut down in these types of things. So far, only my family and you know." I turned to see how Hasan took the information, and was pleasantly surprised to see an understanding look on his muzzle.
"So you haven't told Nick?" He questioned, and I let out a quiet bark of laughter.
"I did say my family knows." I answered, Hasan frowning slightly at the answer before understanding dawned on his muzzle.
"Oooooooooooooh." He said, letting out a small laugh as he realized what I meant. "Yeah, I forgot you two were mates. Sorry."
"It's fine. So, how you and Amelia coming along?" I inquired, Hasan flushing slightly at the question.
"Good, good. Her family likes me, at least." He answered, and I smiled.
"Good to hear." I said, feeling happy for my friend. He'd met the Tigress two months prior, and I could tell he really liked her. They were still being careful, though, and weren't technically dating, just in case something happened. I kept telling Hasan he needed to get his tail in gear and just tell her he wanted to be serious, but he seemed to think she was nervous about dating a cop. Personally, I thought he was being a...well, a cat.
An hour passed in relative silence.
"So, quick question, but how do you figure out who's the dom in a relationship?" Hasan suddenly asked, and I spun to face him, finding him doing the same.
"It depends." I said after a moment, Hasan arching an eyebrow. "I mean, with me and Nick there isn't a defined one, we just kinda go with it. So far, though, it's been me two out of three times." A pause. "Sort of."
"Uh huh. So it just depends on personality?" Hasan questioned, and I scoffed.
"Hasan...you know me. Do I look or act like a dom to you?" I asked, the Sumatran Tiger hesitating.
"Well, you've become a little more forward since the Academy started..." I snorted.
"I've always been forward. I'm just not social." I corrected, Hasan shrugging.
"You've picked the wrong profession, then. Don't get me wrong, you seem like a good cop. You're definitely a good shot, as well, but cops tend to have social calls every so often." I nodded slowly, then clapped my paws together for no real reason. Another thing anybody could find out by spending five minutes alone with me is that I'm spontaneous.
"I'll let you handle the civvies, then. I'll...I don't know, do something to occupy myself without seeming bored." Hasan chuckled at that, and I smiled briefly. The Tiger was certainly attractive, but even if I felt that way about him I wouldn't be able to do anything. Once a Fox finds their mate, they are done for when it comes to casual relationships that go beyond mere friendship.
"Yeah, well, you could maybe pretend to check in with dispatch or something. Maybe just stand there and make things uncomfortable by staring at one of them." Hasan suggested, and I chuckled.
"I'll do the dispatch thing with social calls. The staring I'll do when we're actually arresting somebody." I said, Hasan nodding. "You think I'd make a good interrogator?"
"Well, you have that neutral expression you're so good at. That would be handy. You're also pretty decent at breaking somebody down." I scoffed at that, and Hasan grunted.
"Me? Good at breaking down others?" I questioned, not really believing the Tiger.
"Remember Gray?" Hasan inquired, and I frowned in thought. I snorted as I recalled what he meant.
"Okay, first of all, that guy was way too soft to be a co-instructor. Second, I had no idea that would happen." I pointed out, Hasan rolling his eyes playfully.
"Alright, alright." He said in sarcastic defeat, earning an amused snort from me. "Hey, what time is it?" I spun my chair and glanced at my clock, then spun around again.
"Seven thirty. We clock out at eight. We should go ahead and make sure the nightshift is comfortable." I said, standing up with a groan. Hasan did the same, and we set to work on setting up the cubicle for the night shift. When we were done, I glanced at the clock again. Seven fifty eight.
Me and Hasan stepped from the cubicle, and I dipped my head in farewell as I approached Nick and Judy's own cubicle a few rooms down while Hasan headed for the exit.
I knocked, and two seconds later the door opened.
"Hey, Lance, how're you?" Nick asked, and I smiled.
"Good. Slow day, obviously, but fine. Hey Judy." I said, the Bunny waving from her chair. "Don't be staying late again. You need your sleep too."
"She isn't gonna listen. If she isn't gonna listen to me, she isn't gonna listen to you." Nick said, and I shrugged.
"Might as well try. You ready?" I questioned, Nick nodding.
"Yeah, coming. Give me a sec." He said, stepping out of view for a moment before reappearing. I stepped aside, allowing Nick to exit. I walked beside and a foot behind him as we headed towards the exit, Nick checking something on his phone.
I waved farewell to Clawhauser, the Cheetah waving back before returning his attention to his phone. He was bouncing side to side slightly, and I let out a soft laugh as I realized he was probably playing that Gazelle app he always seemed to be on when he had nothing else to do. Honestly, if I didn't know he was into males I'd have thought he was in love with the Gazelle pop star.
Me and Nick arrived at our house without a problem, and I stepped into the bedroom briefly to plug my almost dead phone in. When I turned back around, Nick was standing in the door frame.
"Yes?" I inquired, Nick remaining silent, though he began to approach. His expression was neutral, not giving anything away, and I suddenly felt a tad bit nervous.
I gasped in shock when he suddenly grabbed my uniform collar, but that turned into a soft moan when he pressed his muzzle to mine.
"I'm bored." He finally answered when he pulled away, and I smiled weakly.
"I know just the thing."
And that does it for Chapter 4 of Tooth and Claw! I hope you guys enjoyed the Chapter, because I know I did. I was originally gonna have it focus on the hostage situation and next Chapter be the emotional aspect of it, but the flow was horrible in it and I just wasn't satisfied at all. So I scrapped it and rewrote it into this thing. Next Chapter will be set in the future timeline, so I can give more development on Blake and Lance's relationship which, as of right now, is only intended to be platonic. I know that won't stop the shippers, and the fact that I'll likely include little teases for comedic purposes probably won't help. So yeah, I hope you guys are enjoying this story, I'm gonna go work on Zootopian Assassins for a bit because I'm getting behind on that. Anyway, I think this is getting long enough, I'll see you guys...next update. Word Count: 5,402