A/N: Wasn't really sure what to use for a chapter title. Day 5/Tuesday in Bunnyburrow.
Chapter 41: Heartfelt Reconciliation
I wake up and see Judy asleep in my embrace. I stroke her ears with my paws electing a moan from her. She mumbles in her sleep. "Nick, I'm sorry… please forgive me."
I don't know what to think. The tale that Frostfang told yesterday was highly disturbing towards me. Have I been expecting too much from Judy? I don't know if it's me who should accept who she has become or her that should change in accordance to what I want.
Judy finally wakes up from her slumber. She says, "Nick, I am so, so sorry about the way I acted. You are completely right in every way. I should try to change so that you are happy."
She agrees with me but it doesn't feel like it's something she truly wants. I think I've broke her spirit in trying to bring her back to sense. I finally reply, "I don't want you to be submissive towards me Fluff, I want you to be you again."
"Why isn't anything I do good enough for you?" She cries into my chest. I stroke her back to calm her down. I wasn't prepared for her reaction at all. It catches me by surprise. I never considered that my reply could cause such an extreme reaction.
My attempts at comforting her were successful. I reply, "I want you, to be you. I don't want you to simply do what I want. It's difficult you know."
"I tried being myself. I shocked you and you scratched me… to what extent do I get to do what I want? What happens if you are wrong and I am right?" Her reply gives me a lot to consider. Am I wrong? Is she right?
Seeds of doubt are planted in my mind. Am I the one that's wrong? Is she the one that's right? I remember when I scratched her. I remember the rage I felt towards her… I remember the regret. I remember the actions that my desires forced me to take. She didn't stop me and we reconciled. This tale of Frostfang makes me worry, what happens to us?
It's not easy for me to give an answer. I simply enjoy the moment by delaying the response. I can feel her soft fur against mine. She asks, "Am I wrong to embrace perfection?" This strikes a chord with me. Perfection, she wants a perfect society, and I suppose I want a perfect version of her. I finally give my reply after much consideration. "Judy, I don't think you're wrong entirely to try. I realize now that while you wanted a perfect society, I wanted a perfect version of you." I move on to a more pressing topic. "Tell me, tell me why did you lie to me about Olivia? What's the point?"
Judy takes a long time to respond. I wonder if I'm being too demanding. Should I have asked that? Judy replies finally, "Do you want the truth? Of what I think happened? Even I'm not sure if I believe myself." Her tone is sad and full of confusion. "Promise, me that you'll not get mad?"
How could I say no to that? "Of course." I wait for her response. I continue petting her back to let her know that everything is okay. Everything, will be okay, I won't lash out at her again. I wonder what the reason actually is.
"I didn't lie about Olivia, I apologized for my lie because of that story Frostfang told. I really, think I am telling the truth but…. but when Olivia didn't confirm it, how could I let it stand the way it is?" She cries, my fur absorbs her tears.
"It'll be okay." I try to comfort her and guide her through this.
She continues. "I… I said I lied, so that wouldn't happen to us… I want to be with the actual you, not a perfect version based off of my expectations." She takes a deep breath. "Forgive me."
If she was telling the truth… then did I really scream at Olivia and forget about it? What else have I forgotten? Is there anything else that's missing from my memory? It terrifies me. I manage to reply, "I believe you." I do believe her, it's better than believing that she's actually lying. She wouldn't do that to me, would she? I cry, I'm overcome with emotion and doubt. "If that actually happened, what else have I done that I don't know? I am so scared."
Both of us cry into each other's embrace. A bunny and a fox seeking comfort in one another. Is she telling the truth? If she is, what else have I done? If she is lying then what are we? What incentive does she have, I have to believe her, the very thought terrifies me but it's better than the alternative. Judy replies through her sobs. "I like to believe that I'm telling the truth. If not, have I lost grasp on reality too? Nick, tell me, am I insane?"
"You are not, Carrots. I have to believe you… we should be a team and working together," I reply. She's uncertain of herself, I am uncertain of myself.
"Together," she says, and I completely agree. We are a team. We should support each other, flaws and all.
"Together," I respond in agreement.
We enjoy our time in the shower, there's no rush. It's a chance for us to have quality time again, this time, it's clearly consensual.
Apparently, we've spent an hour inside there. We get dressed and set off for breakfast. I wonder what surprises today will bring. The kits are already off to school. Partaking in eating food both because it's an enjoyable activity and because it keeps up the appearance.
Chief Bogo calls, "HOPPS, WILDE, are you aware of the trouble you've caused?" The phone is on speaker and both of us can reply.
Judy replies, "No sir, what have we done?"
"It just so happens that your order is incredibly effective now every city is demanding their services."
I comment, "How is that a problem?"
"You know why, you and the prices you've been charging."
"It helps with our ambition, we need a lot of money to succeed in our project."
"What happened to being part of the ZPD?"
"You did, this is goodbye Chief."
I hung up on Bogo. Judy is extremely pleased. "You believe in me! You support this."
"Yes, I do, it's a worthwhile goal and one we will achieve together."
We have regained the trust we lost in each other. I'm still afraid of my own actions, it feels good to have the support of my partner once again. We spend time cuddling just enjoying each other's presence. "I believe it's only fair that since I have to talk to Jennifer later today, you need to talk to Vivian, your mother," Judy says, that request shatters the moment.
Family, it's been a long time since I last spoke to family. I ask, "Is it okay if you don't talk to Jennifer and I don't talk to my mother?"
"You're not getting out of this one Nick, we're going to both deal with our problems."
"But… isn't it something you don't want to do?'
"It is the right thing to do, so we're both going to confront our problems."
"It's unfair, you have no idea how difficult this is." I didn't really leave my family among the most… peaceful circumstances.
"Did you meet them at all before you rescued me from prison?"
"No, why would I? Is that a problem?"
"You realize then, their last image of you might be me severing your half in half in a hospital then."
"That's why I shouldn't talk to them, they already think I'm dead. They don't need to know that I'm alive."
Judy loses patience with me. She reaches for her remote threateningly, "Now, are you going to do what's expected or do I need to force you to comply."
"I'd rather get shocked than talk to either of them." I give my honest answer.
"Fine." She wasn't bluffing, she actually shocks me and pain courses through my body. "Now, you still have to call both of them."
Such independence, such determination, that's the Judy I know but now that I actually have her back, I really don't want to go through with her request. "Is it too late for you to be submissive and completely subservient to my whims?" I nervously ask.
"You wanted this. You're going to go through with it!" She demands.
I decide that's too far. I raise my remote in preparation for shocking her. "That's out of line."
She immediately backs down from her stance. "I'm sorry Nick. You don't have to do anything. I will go through with your plans."
No, this isn't what I want at all, my slight protest shatters her confidence. "I'm sorry, it's my fault." I give an apology and hope that she returns to her fiery demeanor.
It has the desired effect. Judy says, "You admit your mistake. Call one of them NOW!"
At least, she allows me to call Vivian alone and allows me some privacy. I go into an empty room and she waits outside. I dial Vivian, my mother. She answers the phone. "Mom, how are you? It's been a while."
Vivian rants into the phone. "YOU, YOU WERE ALIVE AND DIDN'T CALL AT ALL? I THOUGHT THE WORLD WAS LYING." Her outburst give way to sadness. "Every day, I told myself, that it couldn't be true. I saw you die in front of my very eyes."
"I'm sorry."
"Now, why did you call?"
"Uh, a certain bunny made me do it, literally forced me to do it."
"Where is she?"
"Gone, away, not here, not here at all."
Judy overhears this and decides to step into the room. She points the remote at me threateningly, "Nick, hand me the phone or put it on speaker."
Vivian finally gets a chance to see Judy. Vivian says, "You, you're the one that killed Nick and got arrested for murder."
"I told you back then that he's immortal just like me," Judy replies, her tone is filled with aggravation and annoyance. "Now, Nick called you because of me, he was going to put it off forever but it just won't do especially, with who he's expecting me to talk to later today."
Vivian asks a straightforward question, "Nick, what's your relationship to her?"
I reply, "She's holding me hostage and I have to comply with whatever she says."
Judy exclaims, "You dumb fox, I am your mate, bonded to you for life!" She shocks me in the process. I shake off the pain.
"What did I tell you? She's holding me hostage and very cruel."
Vivian laughs in amusement. "Nick, you're very lucky to have found her."
"She might kill me."
"That didn't stop you the first time. Be a dear, and drag Nick home sometime, won't you?"
Judy replies, "Of course." She hangs up.
Doom! I am doomed. I try to strike a bargain. "Can you muzzle me instead?"
A cruel glint appears in her eyes. "Maybe, when you go there you should be muzzled. I wonder if your mom would approve." Oh no, what have I done? How could this situation spiral out of control so quickly? She spells out my next task. "Now, call Finnick."
A/N: Was thinking it could either end there or go on for a lot longer.
