And in record time Concern gets out the next chapter and the crowds goes Wilde! *cheering*

I recently got COVID which prevented me from working so, that allowed me to quickly crank out this chapter! For my COVID I basically got hit like it was a minor cold so I am okay. This chapter is the long awaited phone conversation between Jack and Vivian and I am glad I could get it done just a few days after I updated.

Seakard: What can I say, the two main characters are idiots. They'll snap out of it….eventually.

Wolfx1120: It's good to be back!

Wildefan23: yeah busy beta and an impatient me led to me hastily putting them up. Love triangle? I plead the fifth. Want to know more about Jack's parents? *subtly points downwards*

Vince Fangway: if you think I was spoiling y'all then…what must you think now!

So as always of you like the story please give me a like/follow/fav/kudos and please do leave a review/comment!

Vivian was super excited, today was her first day at work and Nick's first day at school. Currently, she was trying to get her little one up so he could get ready. Unfortunately, it was always a chore, her boy taking a lot to get woken up. She'd give him a coffee if she could, but he was still a bit young for it, so instead it was poking him until he woke up. "Come on Nick sweetie, time to get up. *poke"

Nick didn't budge and rolled over with a "mrmph."

Vivian let out a sigh, "Nicckkkyyy" *poke poke*

Nick curled up into a ball with an "mmph"

There was a reason Vivian made sure she got ready first. She was gonna play it nice only one more time. "Nicholas, you need to get up or I'm going to drag your tail out of bed." *poke poke poke*

His response was to let out a little snore. Vivian shook her head and said, "I warned you son." She then promptly ripped the covers off of her boy, grabbed his tail, and dragged him out of bed and onto the floor. That woke him up. "What the…ow…mom! Why'd you do that!?"

Vivian had to suppress a laugh at Nick's betrayed look and she replied "well my silly kit I tried waking you up the nice way but you wouldn't budge. You need to get up and get ready for school."

Nick got up and brushed himself off before saying "you could have tried shaking me away first mom jeez. I'll get ready."

With that, Nick shuffled over to his dresser to pick out his clothes for the day. Vivian shook her head in amusement and walked out of his room and into the kitchen, intent on getting breakfast going. She decided on eggs, toast, and turkey bacon, that would cheer her kit up. She began cooking humming a tune and pretty soon Nick shuffled into the kitchen dressed and looking like he was going to fall over. Vivian gave her kit a little look of concern and asked "did you not sleep good sweetie?"

Nick gave a so-so gesture with a paw as he climbed up onto a barstool at the island. "I slept…meh."

Vivian paused cooking a moment to turn and face her kit, "was it nightmares?"

Nick nodded. "Yeah..but it wasn't nightmares about me."

Vivian tilted her head. "Then who were they about?"

Nick scratched an ear as he replied "they were about Mr. Jack. I was having these nightmares that he was getting hurt..and killed."

Vivian came around the island and wrapped her son up in a hug "oh sweetie, you don't need to worry about him. He's a super-soldier, tough as nails, and he will beat ANY mammal who tries to touch him to a pulp."

Nick nodded in the hug and said "yeah you're right mom. Mr. Jack is invincible."

Vivian released her soon and went back to cooking, looking over her shoulder she said "yes, yes he is."

Vivian finished cooking breakfast and she and her son quickly scarfed it down. Skye had lent her car to Vivian for today so she could get to work and Nick could get to school. The one thing she had been yet to find was a car for herself, she was to…picky. Not only that the cars she found she did like the sellers or dealerships wouldn't sell to her, simply because she is a fox. It was really aggravating.

With breakfast done, Nick went to grab his backpack while Vivian quickly cleaned up breakfast and then grabbed their lunches out of the fridge. Once Nick came back in she handed him his lunch and said "let's go, sweetie. You excited for your first day?"

Nick fell in step beside his mom and said "maybe when I wake up more. How about you mom are you excited?"

Vivian smiled at her kit and replied "very."

*Sparrowtail Industries, an hour later*

Vivian was settling into her first day at work. She had arrived on time and gotten set up at her desk getting comfortable as she awaited her first tasks of the day. She quickly familiarized herself with the computer and then organized it to match how her old one at her old job did. She had an efficient system she used. Pretty soon her first task had come when Demetri walked in. "Ah Vivian, good to see you getting settled in. How's my schedule looking today?"

It took three seconds to pull it up. "Good morning Mr. Wolfgang, let's see. You have a meeting at 11 with the division heads. At 12 a meeting with Distributions. At 1 lunch with COO Nozomu. At 3 a meeting with ZPD brass. That's everything, oh wait there's a special note on the lunch. 'If you're late again I will shave your tail.'"

Demetri chuckled at that and said "well then I'm glad I have you here to remind me. So I have a task for you to handle today, after work, you'll be paid for it of course."

Vivian nodded and said, "okay sure, what's this task?"

Demetri nodded and handed her a piece of paper with a phone number on it and a list. "This is a number to a mammal in the field overseas. They are field-testing several devices, that's the list, and we need the results. So around 9 or 10 pm I need you to call them and get the results, just for the top item. The mammal is working down the list so, if you don't mind, you'll need to call them daily for results."

Vivian looked over the list and replied "okay, so what do I have to ask him about these devices specifically?"

"Oh, he'll already know what info to give. So just take notes."

Vivian nodded as she folded up the piece of paper and placed it in her purse. "Got it sir."

Demetri gave her a nod. "Thank you Vivian. Please field all my calls, and seriously, remind me about lunch. She WILL shave my tail."

Vivian giggled and nodded in affirmative before settling in and Demetri went into his office. It was a few hours later that something other than simple work. She had answered a dozen or so phone calls, reminded Demetri about lunch, and ate her own. She was relaxing at her desk when she got a visitor, Jimmy. Jimmy came out of the elevator wearing a lab coat and sauntered over, "Hey Viv, how's my favorite vixen?"

Vivian gave Jimmy a grin and replied "that depends, how's my favorite flamboyant tod? I missed you at the party. Vince told me you had not been feeling good."

Jimmy gave her a grin. "Well I got nailed last night so I feel fantastic. And I know I'm sorry, I really wanted to hang with you girl but I got a little stomach bug that night. Luckily with some love and care from my Benny and I was feeling much better…then he gave me some LOVE that put me over the moon. So how are you?

"I'm good. Settling in nicely. I am wondering how my kit is doing though, today was his first day at Paragon Grove."

Jimmy took a seat on Vivian's desk and said "hey Nick is an amazing kit, he'll be fine. I'm sure by the end of the day he'll have the entire school in his paws."

Vivian gave him a small smile. "I know you're right Jimmy, but a mother worries."

Jimmy nodded and said, "of course. So, allow me to take your mind off it. A little birdie told me you got a date with my brother."

Vivian nodded. "Yeah, I do. It's on Friday."

Jimmy got a little giddy and said with an excited swish of his tail "Yesss! So are you excited?"

Vivian gave Jimmy an honest shrug, "I don't know really. When he asked me out I was surprised, but I agreed because I want to see if anything is there. But as far as being excited? I dunno. Vince seems like a great guy but I'm not gonna get excited until I see how the first date goes."

Jimmy nodded and said "I can understand that, it's not like you had the hots for him already. Like when Ben asked me out, I was head over heels for him but I didn't know if he was gay or not. So when he approached me and awkwardly asked me out I was swooning. But anyway enough about me, back to you. If my big brother is anything but the perfect gentlemammal let me know and I'll have my Benny kick his ass properly."

Vivian giggled a little and said, "why thank you Jimmy, I'll keep that in mind."

Jimmy leaned over and patted one of her paws before hopping off of her desk and heading back towards the elevator calling over his shoulder as he did, "just looking out for you girl!"

Vivian shook her head and with a small smile focused back in on her work.

*Vivian, 9 PM*

Vivian had just finished doing the dishes and cleaning the kitchen when she noticed the time. It was time to call this mammal in the field and get their input on these devices. So Vivian grabbed her phone and a notebook and pen to take notes before heading over to the sofa to get comfy. Once she was situated she dialed the number. Six seconds later her heart stopped when the line was answered and a familiar voice answered "Hello?"

Vivian was frozen in place, there was just no possible way….."Jack?"

There was a long pause over the line before a shocked voice responded. "…Vivian?"

At that moment it was confirmed for both mammals, they were each talking to the mammal that they couldn't get out of their head. There was another long pause over the line as Jack quickly went to his door and made sure it was locked. Once that was done Jack asked, "how…how is this possible?"

Vivian shook her head in disbelief as she answered "Demetri gave me this number and told me that you were a mammal in the field testing devices. He told me to call and get information. I got that job you told me about, I'm his secretary."

Jack put a paw on his face. "Demetri, of course. What schemes are you playing at you old wolf?"

Removing the paw from his face Jack said " hey that's great! I knew he'd hire you, but of course he didn't tell you it was me. Great, I'll be having a talk with him don't worry….it's good to hear from you Vivian. Really. So…did you use the other stuff I gave you?"

Vivian smiled a bit when Jack said it was good to hear from her. "Thanks, and oh you won't need to talk to him. I'll just tell Sarah what he did and she'll take care of him. (Jack chuckles) It's great to hear from you too, Nicky was worried about you." "And so was I."

Jack straightened up a bit when he heard Nick's name. "And how is he? I've been thinking about him a lot. Worried about how that incident with the scouts has been affecting him."

Vivian smiled about Jack's care for her son and replied the smile showing in his tone "he's doing very well. Today was his first day at Paragon Grove and it went great! When I picked him up he was so happy, he's already made a friend. A wolf pup named Ralph Wolford. His dad is someone you know actually, Detective James Wolford, he's one of the mammals that responded to the scout incident. Oh and his wife is Head of Admissions at Paragon Grove, did you know that? As far as the incident goes…it's been affecting him a bit, some nightmares and when he first met Ralph he flinched away from him unconsciously. His ability to trust other kits had gone down a lot."

"I knew he'd get admitted to Paragon Grove! So I take it that means you put what I have you to good use. It's good to hear he's made at least one friend, that was something I was concerned about. I figured his psychological trauma from the scouts incident would make his ability to trust other kits difficult. It's going to be even worse with any prey kits that want to befriend him I'm sure. But he's going down the right track. It's just going to take some time…but he could benefit from speaking to someone about it, like the guidance counselor at his school for instance. I was actually unaware Wolford's wife was Head of Admissions there, honestly, but that coincidence definitely worked in your favor."

Vivian conceded the point. "True it certainly did help things along. And yes I did use everything you gave me. I joined Sahara University, my classes start next week and I also got me and my kit out of Happytown. We moved into the Sable Ridge Apartment complex, nice cars by the way I really like the Chevelle….why didn't you tell me you lived at the complex to Jack?"

Jack's entire body stiffened up, his hackles raised, and his tail poofed out. "Uhhh." Jack didn't know why he never told her he lived at the complex, maybe it was because he was so anal about his privacy, and kept his life in general so private. But either way regardless, she had a right to know.

"I'm sorry…I don't know why I didn't decide to tell you that I lived at the complex too. I had no reason to at all, it was unnecessary. I guess…I've always played my cards close to my chest, even when I didn't have to. Again, I'm sorry"

"It's okay Jack. So, what's been going on with you? How's Afuristan? Tell me everything."

Jack scratched the back of his neck. "It's incredibly hot and violent. That's the description for Afuristan. As for what's been going on…well soldier stuff honestly, go out on patrol, shoot some insurgents, cover my team, head back to base, rinse and repeat….one thing though..it happened today and I'm still trying to wrap my head around it…"

Vivian sat up a little bit with concern. "What is it Jack? You can tell me I'm right here."

"I uh…my dad was…he was….erm. I'm a hybrid Vivian, my dad was a wolf, and an Ethiopian wolf specifically. A doctor here ran my blood work after they thought some wolf blood got mixed in my bloodwork. But it turned out it wasn't a mistake. I uh, searched through my childhood memories and found one where I found some orange "paint" in my parent's bathroom. So that means it's true, Ethiopian wolves look like fox wolves. So my dad dyed his fur to look more like a really big fox. I don't know why he did it, maybe because of how taboo interspecies relationships are. But I don't know."

Vivian let out a "huh." Honestly after seeing a picture of Jack's father she wasn't to surprised by this revelation. He had looked like in the photo a fox wolf. "So…Wox or folf?"

That shook Jack out of his thoughts. "Huh?"

"The name of your species combination. Wox or folf?"

Jack tilted his head a bit as he thought about it. "Ummm….Wox I think then. I'm half-wolf and fox but my appearance is foxier..so with that in mind have it be the most dominant species traits get more…prominence? If that makes sense?"

"Oh, it does Jack. So you're a wox, how does it feel?"

Jack shrugged. "I dunno honestly, finding out the image you've had of your father all this time wasn't exactly what you thought it was is a little jarring. Not to mention finding out that I am half-wolf. The implications that it has, like for example…there's a Hunter wolf pack. Are those my relatives? And if they are do they know I exist? Could they have saved me from going to that orphanage? Everything after? It's…a little daunting to think about, and I'm trying not to…not while I'm overseas at least. So…how about you? What's been going on with you this past week?"

Vivian wanting to pry and ask Jack more questions but she remembered what Demetri told her, to tell stories about herself. So she decided she would talk about herself for a bit in the hopes of loosening Jack up. "Well it started with me and my best friend, an Arctic vixen named Skye, met Mr. MO to tour the apartments. He's uhh….an intriguing character to say the least."

Jack chuckled, "if by intriguing you mean nuts then, yes. But he's got DID so you can't blame him."

Vivian tilted her head. "Did he tell you that?"

"Nah, it's kinda obvious. Two different personalities, shift throughout the day, etc."

"Well, you're not wrong on both counts. He took us on a tour of the place and showed us the vacant apartments. My BFF Skye chose an apartment on the fourth floor and I chose one on the sixth, 11A."

"Heh, you're just down the hall from me. I'm in 16A."

Vivian feigned surprise. "Wait really!? Oh, my kit is going to be ecstatic when he finds out."

Jack smiled a bit. "I'm sure he will. So how did the move go?"

"It went great I had a bit of a moving party. Skye and her boyfriend, who I finally met that day helped me pack up my old house and Mr. MO plus three tods and they helped me unpack at the apartment. Oh and of course my kit was there too. There was pizza and all the adults had beer, it was a really fun day. Especially because everyone kept geeking out over Skye's boyfriend…me included actually. But it was a Nick that was the most ecstatic."

Jack tilted his head, "is there a punchline to a joke I just missed or something? Why would everyone be geeking out over who your best friend is dating?"

Vivian couldn't wait to hear his reaction. "Oh because he's Jack Savage."

Jackson hadn't seen that coming. "Your best friend…is dating Jack Savage…..the striped jackrabbit….movie star?"

"Yep."

Jackson nodded once. "Huh, neat. I figured he was an inter, but I bet it surprised you that your best friend was."

"Yeah there was an initial shock, I've known her since middle school and I've never once gotten the impression she was an inter. But still, she's my best friend and I've always believed that love is love, so I would never shun her for who she chooses to be with. It'll be the same if my kit comes to me one day with say a bunny as his girlfriend. The initial shock, followed by acceptance."

"That's a good way to look at it Vivian. I'd be the same way if I ever have any kits of my own…kinda have to now that I've learned I'm the product of an interspecies relationship."

Vivian giggled and replied "yeah that'd be a bit hypocritical if you did have a problem with it. You know I gotta admit I'm surprised you're not geeking out about Jack Savage. Not a fan?"

"Eh I mean I've seen his movies, but I've never been one to go nuts over celebrities. They're famous sure but at the end of the day their still just mammals. So I treat them as such. If or when I meet him I'll shake his paw, give a compliment, but other than that I'll treat him the same."

Vivian had to admit, that seemed like a Jackson answer. "I gotta admit, Jack will probably find your reaction refreshing."

Jackson tilted his head at that, "okay this is going to get confusing. My name is Jack, and we are talking about you're best friend's boyfriend. Who's name also happens to be Jack. So I think I'll tell you that my full name is Jackson. I don't like it but It'll read easier."

Vivian had to feign surprise. "Jackson huh? It suits you, makes you seem more dignified."

Jackson groaned. "Nooo, I hate it."

Vivian giggled and asked, "why do you hate it JackSON?"

"Ugh. I hate it….because only my parents ever called me Jackson. My mother had wanted to name me just Jack, but my dad pushed for a more dignified name. Like Reginald for instance."

Vivian snorted at that. "So you could have been a Reggie?"

Jackson scrunched his eyebrows and said with a stern tone. "Vivian, never again."

Vivian began laughing as she said, "what are you going to do about it, Reggie?"

Jackson took on a mock dangerous tone and said "oh you'll find out when I get back stateside."

Vivian replied in a mock scared tone "Oh I'm positively shaking in my fur."

Jack let out a huff. "Anyways. Naturally, my mother HATED that name and they finally settled on Jackson to satisfy them both. So whenever I got in trouble, which was a lot because I was a little troublemaker, I'd hear a stern Jackson. So my full name I always associate with getting in trouble, and now that my parents are….you know..the memories turn..sad."

Vivian let out an aww. "Jack if that's the case I'll refer to Jack Savage as just Savage. I'm also sorry for making jokes about it."

Jack smiled a bit. "I appreciate it Vivian, I really do. This is one of those things I need to get over. I'll bring it up to my therapist."

Jack didn't know why he told Vivian about his therapist but he felt for some odd reason that she deserved to know. He really couldn't finger why but he was past caring at this point, he was honestly just happy to be talking to Vivian again. He thought he would have to wait until he got stateside again to do that, so months in the future. Just talking to her was putting him in a good mood, the light pleasant conversation easing his tensions.

Vivian took a concerned tone as she said "you're seeing a therapist?"

Jack absentmindedly scratched and ear as he responded. "I mean does that surprise you? I got a loootttt of bad baggage. A lot of trauma is trapped in my fractured mind Vivian. It's a lot of stuff I need to get through and get over so I can start acting like a normal functioning mammal again…and not what I have been these past few years… but anyways we're getting off-topic, what else happened with you during the week?"

Vivian wanted to sigh when Jack deftly deflected back to her, but she wasn't surprised. But they did make what she would call progress, he told her a few personal things about himself before putting the spotlight back on her. "Well I got me and my kit settled and then next up was getting Nick enrolled in Paragon Grove. Thank you by the way for that recommendation and endorsement letter, it was very touching. Wolford's wife called it the most compelling letter she'd ever read."

Jack gave an awkward chuckle after receiving such praise. "Well, it came from the heart."

Vivian smiled "I'm sure it did. The other sponsorships I got was Demetri Wolfgang, Detective James Wolford, and Lieutenant Adonis Bogo."

Jack snorted at that, "really I'm surprised you got that water Buffalo on board. I may trust him with my life, but he does t seem the touchy-feely type to come in and endorse a kit."

"I found him to be very sweet actually. He was also very nice to Nick."

"Well in that case I retract my statement, please continue."

"As far as the whole process goes there's not much to tell. After your letter the others didn't feel like making speeches of their own, they all stated nothing was going to top what you wrote. Then I proved I could pay and that was it, my kit was in."

Jack bobbed his head, "well I did try and make it a smooth and easy process for you. I know you would have got him in on your own but I tried my best to take away some of the hurdles."

Vivian smiled again. "I appreciate it Jack, I really do."

Jack let loose a small smile. "Anytime Vivian, anytime."

Vivian then continued her story, "so with everything good that had happened there was a call for a celebration. So I attended one of the rooftop parties, with some new friends I made and Skye of course. James' wife Cassandra, Sarah Nozomu the COO of Sparrowtail, and Annabelle Remington Mr. MO's wife."

Jack whistled. "Damn Vivian, making friends in high places I see. The Head of Admissions for the school your kit attends and the COO of the place you work. Color me impressed."

Vivian giggled, "yeah, we drank, we talked, we danced, you know girl stuff. Then I got a date."

Vivian cringed hard the second the last sentence left her maw. She didn't know why she blabbed that out, it wasn't like Jack had a right to know or anything. So why did she tell him? At the same time, why did she feel so guilty for telling him? Like her going on a date with a mammal was somehow wrong. It didn't make any real sense.

Jack for his part couldn't pinpoint why those words stung so much hearing them. Hearing the fact that Vivian had a date with a mammal, he knew he had no shot after all. So why did hearing those words hurt? It's not like she was his, so why should he care this much anyway? "Oh..hey good for you!... I happen to have a date too, with a female lynx. So who's the lucky mammal?"

Vivian didn't know why the words stung so much when Jack told her he had a date as well, and with a different species to boot. It wasn't like he was hers or anything, hell she told him she had a date first. So why did hearing those words hurt so much? "Even if I wanted to date him…which I don't…I wouldn't even have a chance, he's an inter."

"Oh…hey that's..great! I didn't know you were an inter. What's her name? And the mammal that asked me out is Vincent Wolverton."

Jack let out an awkward chuckle. "Well, I've never cared about species…or gender for that matter. I've never really had any preferences. But that's not to say I wouldn't date a mammal of my species…well..species plural I guess now. Fox and wolf. So I would date a vixen or a she-wolf. My date's name is Lyla, she works in the armory. Oh, Vince? Well, you could certainly do worse than him, he's a good guy. Vince's dad is actually in charge of the base I'm at, he actually mentioned Vince and Jimmy a couple of times…I hope it works out between you two, you deserve happiness…and Nick deserves a good father figure."

Vivian let out an awkward chuckle of her own. "So you're bi? Good for you…really, that's cool, Vince will be glad to hear his dad is thinking of him…and…I hope things work out between you and Lyla…really. You deserve happiness too. A lot of it."

Both mammals realized at that moment realized they sounded like a broken up set of lovers wishing their exes the best in life. They also realized that for some reason it felt a bit appropriate. Jack's smile had long since dissipated and there was no emotion in his tone when he said "thanks Vivian, really."

There was a little bit of an awkward silence between them, each not really knowing what to say to the other. But each was desperate for a subject change, Jack was wracking his brain trying to think of something to ask when a question popped in his head. "Hey Vivian?"

Vivian almost jumped hearing Jack's voice over the line again. The line had been silent for so long she was half convinced Jack had walked off. "Yeah Jack?"

"If I'm not prying too much, are your parents still around? You haven't mentioned them and I would have assumed they would have been ones to endorse Nick."

Vivian's parents was always a touchy subject, but she would answer Jack. "Yeah they're around, but I haven't spoken to them since my Nicky was born. They're super super traditionalist, so when he who shall not be named knotted me and ran when I was 16 they shunned me. They called me tainted, a whore, and other things. They wanted me to get rid of Nick so I could be saved and find a tod. Well, I wasn't going to do that, so they cast me from their home. They haven't even met Nick, and I don't think they ever will."

Vivian heard a very angry growl over the line, Jack was furious. The absolute NERVE Vivian's parents! They cast her out of their home at 16 for a simple mistake! It's not like Vivian wanted the tod that knocked her up to knot her and knock her up! And it's not like she expected the tod to run! Oh if I ever run into her mother she's going to get an earful! Her father on the other paw…I'll play how many teeth can I knock out with him too! I can't believe some mammals would be like this! And poor Nick, he's got no grandparents to speak of!"

With anger laced in his tone Jack said "do you happen to have their address? I just wanna talk to them, I swear."

Vivian laughed at that, "as much as I would love to see you beat the snot out of my parents for abandoning me and their grand kit. It's not worth you going to jail over, and they're not worth the effort."

Jack still had a growl in his voice as he replied "that's a matter of opinion Vivian."

Vivian shook her head at his antics and decided to see if she could get some personal information about Jack. "Hey Jack….if I'm not prying, what were your parents like?"

Jack took a deep breath and said "they were amazing mammals. My father was a scientist, he did most of his work from home, always doing projects and experiments. He was so big and strong but so, gentle and kind. He always so careful like everything around him was fragile. He was stern with me but fair, and never hesitated to pause whatever he was working on to help me or play. His eyes were so piercing like he was staring into your soul 24/7. Heh, and he was attached to my mom by the hip, and that's not a knot joke…even though they were trying their best to give me a sibling. My mom was a stay at home mom, fully dedicated to being my mother. Always taking care of me and keeping me entertained. She loved focusing on family rather than a career, saying having a family was her dream. She always said she wouldn't change a thing, even up to the end."

Vivian smiled at that. "They do sound amazing, definitely a step up from my own."

Jack gave a sad smile. "I miss them terribly, but I know they're watching me. I doubt they are happy with some of my choices in life, but I'm working to amend that."

Vivian scoffed and with a fake snooty tone said. "Oh poppycock, I bet they're so proud of you no matter your choices in life."

Jack let out an amused snort at that. "Poppycock? Really?"

Vivian took on a mock offended tone "are you judging my vocabulary good sir!?"

"Oh definitely."

Vivian scrunched her eyebrows, "why you!"

Jack and Vivian bantered back and forth for a good 20 minutes, with Vivian laughing for a lot of it. It was this laughter that roused Nick from his room. His bedtime wasn't till 11, and it was only 10:45, so he ventured to see just what was so funny. He was surprised to find that the tv wasn't even on and his mom was on the phone. With a curious tilt of his head, he walked over and tugged on his mom's skirt, gaining her attention. "Is that Aunt Skye?"

Vivian nearly jumped out of her fur when she felt a tug on her skirt. She hadn't even noticed her kit walk up to her, too enraptured with her conversation with Jack. But upon hearing her kit's question she was going to respond, but Jack came over the line. "Is..is that Nick?"

It made Vivian's next choice that much easier. Addressing her kit she handed him the phone and said "find out for yourself sweetie."

Nick gave his mom a quizzical look before taking the phone from her. Putting it to his ear he let out a questionable "hello?"

Jack let out a rare grin as he evenly replied "hello little one."

Nick lit up like a Christmas tree. "Mr. Jack!"

Jack laughed. "Yes little one, it's me. Your mom's boss gave her the number to my phone here to call. So she did, of course not knowing it was me. So how are you?"

Nick climbed up onto the couch next to his mom and took a seat next to her. "I'm doing great! Today was my first day at my new school and it's soooo much better than my old one. We don't even have homework!"

Jack whistled. "That's awesome! Homework was invented as a punishment after all! So have you made any friends yet?"

"Yeah one friend, his name is Ralph and he's a wolf my age! He promised to introduce me to his other friends too! So far we have a lot of the same classes, but since it was my first day he didn't have time to do it! I'm even looking at joining the track team, and drama class!"

Vivian gave her son a look, he hadn't even told her about this. Looking at his mom Nick gave her a shrug before Jack said "well now, track team eh? I take it you must be a runner to wanna join the team!"

Nick nodded vigorously. "Yep, I love running! I'm fast too! Ralph is on the team so he will put in a good word for me!"

"Well, I'll bet you'll be the fastest one out there little one. And drama? Want to brush up on your acting skills, be like Jack Savage eh?"

Nick shrugged. "I dunno. I want to at least check it out. Will I join I'm not sure, and as far as becoming the next Jack Savage..I don't think I want to become an actor when I grow up."

Jack hummed and said "well then, what do you wanna be when you grow up? Have you gave it any thought?"

Nick shrugged again. "I mean..not really. All I know is I want to help mammals, but as far as a job goes…I dunno."

Jack nodded, "well little one you're still young, and you got a lot of life ahead of you. But, it's still something to think about."

"Okay Mr. Jack I will! So how's it over there!? Getting the bad guys!?"

Jack chuckled "yes I'm getting the bad guys. But it's more important to watch over my team and make sure they stay safe. They are the main ones getting the bad guys after all, so I watch their backs."

"That's cool..but it also sounds kinda boring."

Jack chuckled again and said in a whisper "between you and me…it can get kind of boring." Then in his normal voice, and after Nick's giggle said "but, in some instances boring can be better than a lot of action. Especially in this setting, if it's boring it means everyone is safe."

Nick nodded, "yeah I guess…so have you killed anyone!?"

It was at that point Vivian took back over. "Okayyyy Nicky that's enough of the probing questions, it's your bedtime as it is. So say goodnight to Jack."

Nick let out the classic "awww do I have to!?"

It was Jack that answered. "Listen to your mother little one. She has my number here now so we can speak again, with your mom's permission of course."

Vivian could hear what Jack was saying over the phone so she said loud enough for him to hear, "I see no problems with it."

Nick pumped his fist and let out a "yes!" And Jack's tail settled for an incredibly rare almost never before seen wag and his maw settled for a very rare genuine smile on it. Nick still excited about the prospect of speaking to Jack more tried to calm himself down as he said "goodnight Mr. Jack!"

"Goodnight little one, sleep tight."

With that, Nick handed his mom back her phone and scampered off the couch and quickly went into his room. The quicker he was asleep the quicker tomorrow would be here and maybe he could talk to Mr. Jack. Vivian giggled at her kit's antics and put the phone back to her ear. "Sorry, my kit is easily excitable."

Jack laughed at that. "It's fine really. It was nice to hear his voice again. I promise I will avoid answering that last question of his though."

Vivian smiled at that. "I appreciate it."

Vivian and Jack spoke for another twenty minutes before it was time to wrap things up. Vivian had work tomorrow and Jack was about to be due to go out on patrol. So she quickly got the information she needed for actual work before setting up a schedule to call him. Penciling in the last bit of info Jack had to give she said "Okay so, I'm supposed to call you everyday basically…so does the time I called work for you or?..."

Jack thought about it for a moment before saying. "Eh…if I'm honest it's not the best of times, I'm going to have to rush to get ready to go out. But calling at this hour sometimes is fine, the best time for you to call would be around 12 to 2 pm."

Vivian tilted her head. "Wouldn't that make it 12 to 2 am over there?"

"Yep it would, but I'm always awake around those times. On top of my team doesn't do any night ops, we aren't one of those specialized teams."

Vivian let out an "oh" before a yawn slipped out from her mouth.

Jack chuckled at that and said, "someone's getting sleepy."

Vivian snorted and said "oh shove it…but yes I'm tired. So I think it's time to wrap this up."

Jack chuckled again and replied "fair enough, I do need to start getting ready anyway. So you have a goodnight Vivian."

Vivian smiled. "Thank you, and you stay safe out there today. I'll call you tomorrow during my lunch hour to make it easier for you. Goodnight…er morning? Ah whatever talk to you later."

Jack laughed. "Talk to you later." With that, the call ended.

And done!

Are Jack and Vivian idiots? Yes. Are they oblivious to their feelings for one another? Yes. Will they figure it out? Eventually. Until then this love…square will endure!

I hope y'all liked this chapter, I even snuck Nick in! What did you think I wouldn't? What's the title of this story!? I deliver what I promise!...most of the time.

So I'm not going to spoil anything for the next chapter, but please stay patient as my other story A True Brother needs some love! So if you read that story to stay tuned for it! And if you haven't read it…read it!

Okay so that's all I had so until next this is TheConcernedF0X signing off!