CHAPTER 2: The Ride
WARNING, GUT PUNCH AHEAD...
Nick and Judy were up early the next morning, preparing for the 3 to 4 hour ride to Judy's parents home in Bunnyburrow.
Deciding what to pack so their belongings would fit into the 2 saddlebags and the T-bags attached to the sissy bar was a bit daunting. After deciding that 3 days worth of clothes was more than enough they finally took care of the space problem. Nick had already made sure the fuel tank was full, ZPD helmets and leathers were at the ready and the couple was nearly ready to go.
After a quick breakfast consisting of blueberry pancakes and coffee for Nick, and a carrot muffin and herbal tea for Judy and the couple were ready to start down the road.
As Nick warmed up the bike and turned on the bikes radio, a song came on that absolutely stunned them: 'Born to be Wilde' by Stepen Wolf... Nick and Judy looked at each other and started laughing, Yes, this was going to be a good day.
Needless to say, Judy was quite apprehensive at the beginning of the trip. However, once out of the city, with the steady rumble of the big motor, the wind in her fur and the rolling scenery, Judy became more at ease as the miles wore on.
Judy leaned forward and hugged Nick tightly. "Thanks Nick, I think this trip is exactly what I...we...needed. I love you, you know that, right?"
Nick's grin was the only answer that Judy needed.
About halfway to Bunnyburrow, there was a gas station and diner, so the couple decided to stop and take a break to gas up the bike. Since they weren't used to riding long distances on the road yet, it made sense to stop and rest for a bit. That and Judy might not be feeling well enough to go much farther, better safe than sorry.
Nick started filling the bike while Judy made a beeline for the ladies room. Just as Nick finished topping off the tank he heard Judy yell... "NICK..."
Nick headed into the station at a dead run where he found that 5 thugs, members of a Crypts gang (from their clothes and bandanas) had Judy cornered against an ATM machine.
"What the hell is going on here?" Nick shouted!
The largest of the group, a male badger pulled a switchblade knife "Fuck off asshole" said the thug. As Nick prepared to jump the animal, everyone heard the unmistakable sound of a large group of motorcycles pull into the driveway of the station.
As the group dismounted, Nick noticed that it was local chapter of Roaring Thunder, a veterans support group comprised of current and former military veterans.
Noticing the commotion on the inside of the building, the group, a baker's dozen strong, headed directly to the source. The leader, a large grey wolf, immediately strode up to the knife wielding badger. "Are you sure you really want to do this?" he asked.
The badger looked at the group of vets, swallowed hard, motioned for the rest of the gang to follow, pocketed the knife and headed out the door.
"Uh, thanks mammal, I'm not sure how things would have gone if you hadn't stopped" said Nick.
"No problem, helping others is what we do Officer..."
"Wilde, Nick Wilde, this is my wife Judy. But, how did you know I was a ZPD Officer?"
"Well, the helmet and jackets are kind of a quick giveaway, ya' know! You might think about getting different sets sometime dude."
Nick face pawed himself and exclaimed "Well shit, yea I guess so."
One of the other members of the group spoke up "Wilde, I've heard that name before. Are you the Wilde that help bring down the Nighthowler bunch? And would the bunny be Judy Hopps?" The Artic fox had a thoughtful but slightly sad look on his muzzle.
Judy spoke up "Yes, Hopps was my maiden name, why do you ask?"
"Ma'am, my name is Jason Silver, I served with a Ronald Hopps when I was in the Marines, would you by any chance be kin to him?"
A sad look came onto Judy's face as she answered with tears in her amethyst eyes "Yes, Ronnie was from an earlier litter, but he was my brother. His 'you can do anything you set your mind to' attitude was the reason I decided to become a police officer in the first place. He was also my inspiration to keep trying and to never quit"
"It was my honor to have served with him ," said Jason, "he died protecting me while we were on a scouting mission. I have something of his that I have been carrying for a long time, on the off chance that I might meet a relative of his. I would be honored it you would accept this"
The Artic fox removed a beaded chain containing several military ID tags from around his neck. He removed one of them and handed it to Judy telling her "This is one of Ronald's original ID tags, please accept it, I know he would want a family member to have it."
As Jason gently placed the simple piece of steel into Judy's trembling paw, Judy stepped up and hugged the startled fox tightly. Judy said softly "Thank you, it means a lot to have this."
Stunned at the unfolding events, Nick could only stare and wonder what other dark times Judy had endured, this making the clawing by Gideon Grey pale in comparison. The fact that there was absolutely NO spark of jealousy when Judy hugged another mammal so tightly and passionately was not lost on Nick.
As the two sets of mammals parted and went their separate ways, Judy noticed Nick staring at her quite intently.
"Nick, let's sit for a while so I can process this and explain things, OK?" They sat at a table in a secluded corner, with the saddest expression on her muzzle and tears in her eyes Judy started. "When mom and dad got the news that Ronnie had been killed, I was like 7 years old. What made things so bad was the fact that the military told us that there was literally nothing left to ship back to bury. I was devastated, more so than mom or dad, because Ronnie was my protector when I was little. I guess I just hurt so bad that I totally blocked it out until just now. I'm sorry, I never meant to keep anything from you, Please tell me you understand, ...please!"
When Judy looked up at Nick, she noticed a pained look on his muzzle that must have matched hers. "Nick ...What is it?"
As Nick looked at the sorrowful bunny, tears filled his eyes as he started "Judy, I guess we are pretty much in the same boat when it comes to blocking out painful memories. For years I thought I was an only kit until just before the Junior Ranger Scouts episode. One day I went into the kitchen and saw my mom holding a picture of two very young kits and crying. When I asked what was wrong, she hugged me so tightly I thought I was gonna quit breathing. When I asked who the kits were, she said that they were me and my twin sister, Angela. Mom told me that Angela had caught pneumonia at 3 months and never recovered. ...Judy, I had a sister that I never got to know. I guess I was in shock and never really processed it until now.
As the tearful couple consoled each other, Judy said "I guess we have a few names to toss around for our first kit, right?"
Nick gave her his best smirk and asked "Or kits?"
"Nick, do you know something that I don't?"
"No Fluff, it just never hurts to be prepared..."
"Sly fox"
"Tearful bunny. ...OW!" As Judy playfully punched Nick on the arm.
With that, a much happier Nick and Judy hit the road towards Bunnyburrow with the radio playing 'On The Road Again' by Willie Melson.
A/N: I just wanted to throw in a quick nod to my chapter of Rolling Thunder, thanks for the support guys.