On sore arms Judy lowers herself so that her quickly twitching nose almost brushes against the faded carpet before returning to a raised position. "Fifty-four," she whispers as she completes another push-up.

Nick shifts the laptop over and looks at her, a toothy smile on his muzzle. "Fluff, I'm not cleaning up if you hurl." They had finished eating not too long ago, the remnants of their take-out lying scattered on the table.

"Fifty-five," she states loudly and between breaths.

Nick is not dissuaded. "I must say, watching you is making this bed all the more comfortable."

She raises a paw up with only the middle digit extended and completes a few reps one-handed.

Nick's eyes widen and he nods his head in recognition. "Point made," he states with true admiration. She quickly returns the arm and continues. Nick's attention shifts back to the laptop and he glances over what he's typed thus far.

He sighs in annoyance. 'The Chief is not going to find this useful…'

There's no information he can add for Damon Maximus that the case file doesn't give. As for Sebastian Wilde, his only knowledge comes from distant memories of familial talk and gossip. Essentially, nothing of essence. Slowly and with reluctance his eyes move towards his cell lying half embedded in the white sheets of the bed he sits upon. 'Looks like you're gonna have to bite the bullet.' The phrase falls upon him like a hammer and he cringes. 'No, it's just a phone call. Nothing like… what happened.'

His reluctance stems from not wanting to worry her. 'If she finds out her nephew is missing and her son has a target practically painted on his head…' He shudders. It wouldn't surprise him if she decided to cleanse this city herself. 'But it'll just be a quick phone call and she only needs to know about Damon.' He chuckles quietly to himself. 'You know very well it won't be quick.' It never is. Not with her. Especially now that she's well into retirement. Like the younglings of traditionally nocturnal species, the elderly—with no work routine to follow—generally shift back to the sleep schedules most natural to them. 'She can literally stay up the entire night and talk to me if I allow her.'

"Carrots." Nick states as he plucks the phone from the bedding. She's switched to sit ups and halts against the ground.

"Yeah?" She pants, staring into the ceiling.

"I'm going to talk to my mother about Damon and, trust me, you do not want her to discover that her only son is a walking pile of gold. So, right now, I'm at my abode. Alone. And -"

"Got it." She smiles. "I'll keep quiet."

"Much obliged." He says, dialing the number. A few moments pass before it begins to ring. He holds his breath, unsure whether he wants her to answer or not. 'I just hope she can tell me some-.'

"Nick!" Imara Wilde's voice is delicately raspy but still strong. "How's my favorite son?"

He smiles. "Fine mom." 'Alright, keep it quick.' "Hey, what if I said you could help me out on a case?"

"Then I would ask, 'Unless a criminal has a weakness to arthritis medication, how could I possibly be of any help?'"

"And I would respond…" Nick sighs, breaking the act, his tone turning serious. "That this involves a family member."

She sighs, likewise shifting manner. "What stupid shit have they pulled now?"

"No-no, they didn't do anything wrong. Da-."

"That's a first."

"It is. It is. Damon Maximus ring a bell?"

Silence ensues. Judy tiptoes to her bed and delicately sits upon it. She crosses her legs and looks at Nick inquisitively, head tilted slightly.

"Mom? He's my cousin. And uh… a wolf, apparently. I've never heard of the guy."

For a long while, she doesn't respond. "Nick… I think this would be best talked about face-to-face."

His insides tighten. 'Quick excuse, stay simple.' "Mom, this information is important. I can't wait for-."

"I know, I know. Every moment counts on the force, right?"

"Exactly."

She sighs. "Well, how about the next best thing?"

They tighten further."Mom, a few bits of information on Damon is all I need, really. We can talk further at a different time. Promise."

"Oh, come now. You usually contact me by MuzzleTime anyways. Besides, I haven't seen my boy's face in quite some time."

Pangs of guilt berates his head and he winces. "I'm sorry. I really am. But the ZPD has been swamped an-."

"Buttons…" She interrupts.

Abruptly, Judy lets loose a sharp chuckle before slapping a paw over her mouth. Nick shoots her a sharp glare. 'Curse her sensitive hearing.'

"Nick, who is that?"

'Great. Just great. No worries, easy cover-up.' "Officer Hopps, mom. We're finishing up some paper work at the office right now."

"At ten-thirty?"

'Is it really that late?' A glance at the monitor confirms it. "Uh, yeah. As I said, the ZPD's been swamped."

She doesn't respond.

"Mom?"

"Get on MuzzleTime, Nick."

"I'm at the off-."

"You've MuzzleTimed at the office before."

"You know, you're technically impeding an investigation."

She laughs sarcastically. "Oh and what are you going to do? Arrest a poor old vixen? That wouldn't make a very good image for the ZPD, would it?"

Nick leans back against the headboard in defeat and sighs. "Fine. Fine, you win. I'm hanging up now. See you in a few." He taps the screen and tosses the phone back into the sheets.

"Buttons." Judy says, laughing.

Nick locks a half-lidded, unamused glare on her.

Through a few chuckles, "Nick, I'm sorry. I couldn't help it." She nods towards the wall. "That could closely resemble our office with the right angle. I doubt she'll know the difference."

"I guess we're going to find out. Hey, are all bunnies this inept at stealth?"

"Now, don't make this a species thing."

"Yeah, you're right. It's just you."

Judy rolls her eyes.

Hopping from the bed, Nick grabs the laptop, places it on the table, and positions a seat in a calculated way. He pulls up MuzzleTime and, making sure the camera only catches his face and the empty white of the wall behind him, he clicks his mother's name. Similar to the phone, it "rings" a moment before her face appears.

As is usual with Vixens, her head is more V-shaped and smaller. Gray can be seen creeping up her muzzle from her purple-black nose. The vibrant red-orange of her fur has faded through the years. What hasn't changed, however, are her green eyes. They are just as lively as they've always been.

"Are you satisfied now, mom?"

"Oh shush."

Abruptly, Judy lands beside Nick and gives the camera a wide smile. "Hey, Ms. Wilde!"

"Officer Hopps! Would you please smack some sense into my son?"

"I've tried, Ms. Wilde. There is no hope for him."

She chuckles.

"Yes, yes, I'm the troubled one. Mom, what do you know of Damon?"

"I'll tell you as soon as you tell me why you aren't at the ZPD."

Judy freezes.

Nick's elbow, out of sight of the webcam, nudges her ribcage. "If that's what you want to believe, Mom. Can you please just answer the question?"

The vixen smiles a devilish grin, her fangs showing under the dim light of her apartment. "Show me your office and I will."

A lull in conversation follows. Judy looks away from the camera and quickly taps her foot. Nick knows it's no use but thinks of something anyways. "What, you don't trust your only son?"

"No, actually. I don't."

Judy breaks. "Nick, it's futile. Ms. Wilde, you're right. But we can explain."

Nick closes his eyes and places his head in his paw.

The grin has left Imara's face and her eyes have softened significantly. They are cast downwards. When she speaks, her voice shakes a little. "I was hoping this wasn't the case but it seems as if it is. Why are you pulling this stunt?"

Nick looks up at the camera, his face scrunched in confusion.

"I thought you would trust me enough..." She continues, tears beginning to form.

"Mom? What are you talking about?"

"Do not play stupid, Nicholas. You will not repeat what he did, do you understand-?"

"Mom!" Nick shouts. "Mom, believe me, you're not making sense."

Judy, panicked at the sudden collapse in mood, interjects. "Ms. Wilde, who are you talking about?"

Imara pauses, thinking. She studies their faces and postures, specifically Judy's who she has, at this point, guessed isn't as good a liar as her son. They both are awaiting eagerly for her next words. Eventually, she breathes a heavy sigh. "You really don't know, do you?"

"No, mom. We don't."

"Then, please, tell me. Where are you and why is Officer Hopps with you?"

Nick opens his mouth to speak but Judy jumps in.

"We are currently at a hotel, Ms. Wilde. An unknown criminal has placed a bounty for our capture and, thus, it is currently unsafe for us to return to our homes." She breaks the formal tone. "Basically Nick here didn't want to worry you. That's why the secrecy. I'm sorry."

Imara's eyes have widened and her lower jaw hangs open. She closes her eyes. "I'm not sure if it's better or worse than what I presumed. I'd say worse."

Nick straightens. "And what did you presume, mother?"

"In a minute. I need to know more. Are you absolutely sure you two are safe?"

"Yes, mom. This joint is in a completely different part of the city. No brainless crook will expect it. We haven't even been to work today."

"How long has this been going on?"

"Since…" he checks the calendar on his phone. He himself doesn't believe it. "…only yesterday? Judy, is that right? "

"Actually… yes, it is." From her tone of voice, she doesn't either.

Imara seems satisfied at this answer.

"See?" Nick states. "I can never keep secrets from you for long."

"No and you never could. Are you going to work tomorrow?"

"Yes."

"I don't think-."

"Mom, we'll be fine. A big, strong cop will pick us up in a nice, strong cruiser."

"But-."

"And the route we'll take is nothing like our usual ones."

"Alright, fine." She sighs. "Just please be careful, Buttons." Nick feels a jet of air on his neck as Judy attempts to hold back a laugh. "And you too, Officer Hopps."

Judy nods her head.

"By the way, he got that nickname because he used to collect buttons. I think he still has them at his apartment"

"I think it's cute." Judy says.

Nick rolls his eyes. "Alright, enough. Let's get back to business."

Imara smiles gently. "Very well. So, you want to know about Sebastian-."

"No-no-no. You aren't getting off that easily. Mom, what had you presumed?"

"This ties into it."

Nick's eyes narrow and an eyebrow of Judy raises.

"You'll see. Anyways, what was I saying? Oh yes, Sebastian and Damon." She clears her throat. "There's a reason you know so little about them, Nick."

Judy begins to inch away.

"Where are you going Officer Hopps?"

"Oh, uh. Well, I was just thinking. This seems deep in personal family issues. Nick can fill me in on the important parts later."

"Judy." This is the first time Imara has referred to her by her first name. "You've been responsible for saving my boy's life on more than one occasion and in more ways than one. Anything we discuss can be said in front of you."

She smiles and her ears fold. "Thanks, Ms. Wilde. I appreciate it."

"You can call me Imara from here on out."

Judy nods, a warm spot in her chest.

"Anyways, Sebastian and your father, at one point, were very close. Growing up as the eldest two in a country household with twelve other siblings, it was difficult for either to feel truly loved. Their parents, though nice foxes, were constantly busy with not only making a living but rearing the young ones. So, for companionship, he and Sebastian bonded, bonded fiercely. Your father used to tell me loads of stories about the mischief they would get into." Imara chuckles lightly. "One day while babysitting, they gave the younger kits the idea of putting paint in the water guns to play 'war.'"

Judy snorts.

Nick grins but doesn't react much. He'd heard the story before, albeit long ago.

"Let's just say they didn't do much babysitting after that. White and red paint was everywhere—spewed across the sides of the barn, the trees, the grass and, the one that really pissed your grandparents off, one of the trucks." She laughs. "But, I digress. Point is. Sebastian and Rhys grew up together and were the best of friends. It only made Sebastian's later actions all the more worse.

"Your father and I were married by the time Sebastian pulled his little stunt. I think he and your father were…" She pauses. "…in their late twenties at the time. You were only two and, let me just say this, nobody could have predicted that the little ball of fluff that zipped through our apartment would grow up to be such a shit."

Judy snorts again.

"Ah, yes. Funny." Nick deadpans.

"Well, during that year, Sebastian began to fade. He didn't contact your father as often and, when Rhys tried to make plans with him, he would make an excuse. Your father berated himself. He'd thought he had done something. He pleaded with Sebastian to tell him what the matter was but he simply shrugged it off. One day, Sebastian simply disappeared not only from Rhys's life but the lives of every family member. Rhys went to the police and they started a search. Within a day or two, Sebastian was found. Normally, Rhys would be joyous but what Sebastian told the cops would forever haunt him. Sebastian stated that he didn't want his location to be given to any of his family—not your father, not your grandparents, not even friends. He said that he would contact them if he chose. See, as an adult, you're legally allowed to disappear. Of course, as cops, you two probably know that. Anyways, besides stating that Sebastian was alive and well, the police could tell Rhys nothing more. He begged, of course, but it was futile. Seeing how it affected your father… well, it broke my heart.

"A year later, Rhys, by using those sites where everybody posts what they're doing… the name… it's uh…"

"Social media?" Judy asks.

"Yes, thank-you. Social media. He used that and what he found put him through the ringer once again. The reason for Sebastian's disappearance? To elope." Imara sighs and reaches for something off screen. It's a glass of water and she takes a sip. Nick can sense that she's nervous about further discussion. She sets the glass back down. "There were pictures of a large and beautiful wedding. In every single one, Sebastian was the only fox." She pauses. "Well, you see. He, uh, eloped with an artic hare… a doe."

Like the tumblers within a safe's lock successfully aligning, pieces within Nick's mind fall and clang into place. They click and shift. Heat rushes to his face and his heart rate quickens. "Mom…" he breathes. "…you thought…?"

Imara looks away from the camera and points her nose towards the floor. "I was jumping to conclusions out of fear."

From the corner of his eye, Nick sees Judy shift her weight. He dares not look at her. The pressure within the room has tripled. It feels as if a tower made of lead has been placed upon his shoulders.

"I'm sorry if I embarrassed you two. But you must admit you do spend a lot of time together."

"Mom… please. We're partners on the force. That's going to happen."

"I know. I know... but still."

"Mom…"

"Especially when you're together this late."

"Mother!"

Judy lets loose a nervous, forced chuckle. "It's okay, Imara. I mean, we are sharing a room right now. Out of context, that has to look weird."

"I was just afraid you'd do to me what Sebastian did to your brother all those years ago." Imara dabs away tears from her shining eyes using her red blouse.

"I would never do that to you, mom."

"I know... But a scared mind thinks crazy things." Abruptly, she lets loose a heavy sob. "The worst part is they never made up before your father passed." She heaves. "Their last interaction was a fight that escalated so far that Rhys had grabbed Sebastian by the scruff and slammed him into a table. The impact had broken his snout."

Judy had death as a possibility for the fate of Nick's father but hearing it stated out loud, turning the possibility into fact, shook her. She was unable to imagine what losing a parent would be like. Even further beyond her imagination was what it'd be like to lose a beloved spouse. "Imara…" she whispers "…I'm so sorry."

"Don't be, Judy. For anything. Ever." She sniffs and wipes her eyes again. "You've done so much for my son and for this city. I've never given you a formal thanks."

"Imara, please don't. I appreciate it. But Nick helped me just as much as I helped him."

Nick scoffs, forcing down his turning anxiety. "Yeah, you were a complete mess without me."

Imara chuckles between sobs. "As I said, 'such a shit.'"

They all burst into a shaky, nervous laugh—the type that only comes directly after sharing an emotionally-charged experience, one that closes the gaps between the souls involved. Into the night, they continue to converse, Judy and Nick easing back into the conversation as the thoughts about Imara's presumption fade into the back of their minds. For now, at least.

Unfortunately, Imara knows little about Damon. After Rhys had died, she never could bring herself to forgive Sebastian and they had gone their separate ways. All she knows of Damon is that he was an artic wolf that Sebastian and the doe had adopted due to the inability for them to bear offspring of their own. The three of them had moved to Tundratown most likely because that was where Damon and the hare were most familiar. Imara had met Damon only once when he had arrived at a family reunion alone.

Once as much information is gathered as possible, they say their goodbyes and Nick shuts down the laptop. For a moment, neither he nor Judy move.

"Well." Nick says, eventually. "That was eventful."

Judy rubs the back of her neck. "It was."

Another moment of silence passes.

"Well, I don't know about you but I'm going to bed."

"Yeah." She begins walking, slowly, towards the bathroom. "I guess I'll take a quick shower."

Nick watches her from his peripheral. He sees her turn back to look at him, briefly, before quickly entering the bathroom. Nick slumps in his seat. 'Oh boy…'