Chapter 4

Zoe awoke the next morning feeling refreshed. She stretched her entire body, enjoying the feel of her muscles moving under her skin before collapsing back onto the bed. Curious, she lifted her right hand up in front of her face. Okay, make that her right paw. So, it wasn't a dream, it really happened, she was a bunny rabbit now. She was getting out of bed when there was a knock on her door.

"Come in!" She spoke before thinking that she may want to get dressed first. The door opened to reveal a young girl bunny about five years old with dark grey fur and blue eyes.

"Mamma says you need to get up and have some breakfast."

The poor thing was staring at Zoe's eyes, but she didn't seem to be afraid. Kneeling down, Zoe smiled and said "Thank you for letting me know. What's your name?"

The little doe put her paws down in front of her skirt and said, "My name is Daisy, I'm five!"

"Daisy's a pretty name. I'm Zoe. Thank you for letting me know about breakfast. I'll be right out after I get dressed. How do I get to the place we're supposed to eat?"

Daisy said "Oh! That's easy! You just go down the hall there and make two lefts!"

"Thank you Daisy! You're a very smart bunny!" Daisy smiled and then skipped off leaving Zoe alone once more but with a lighter heart.

Zoe chose to wear brown pleated skirt that fell to her knees and a beige button up blouse. Once she was ready, she left her room. She discovered that there was no way to lock the door or that there ever had been.

As she walked down the hall, she noticed several other rabbits in the hallways. They would reach out and touch each other's shoulders, hug, or even kiss. It seemed that, at least as far as the Hopps family went, everyone was very touchy feelie. It was a wonder that anyone got to where they were going. Even though there was ample evidence of how close the family was, it was still a surprise when people started doing the same thing to her. Of course, she hugged back and even began reaching out to touch others as she passed them. The contact seemed to fill some inner need and she enjoyed the crap out of it.

Following Daisy's directions, Zoe easily found the cafeteria. And that's exactly what she found. It looked very similar to the cafeteria at her school with a serving line and rows of picnic style tables. There was even an area to turn in your trays to be washed. Zoe looked for and found her new mom talking to Stu, her new dad, at one of the tables. There were a few other bunnies sitting there, but she still had room to sit down. Stu was still a little shaken by her eyes, but he seemed to be getting used to it. Maybe he was just a little high strung.

"Good morning Zoe!" greeted Bonnie.

"Good morning Mom, Dad." Bonnie beamed while Stu was able to produce a weak half smile. Zoe mentally shrugged, she just needed to give him time.

"Zoe, why don't you go get some breakfast, bring it back here, and after you eat, we'll discuss getting you settled in okay?"

Zoe nodded "Sure Mom. I'll be right back."

Zoe got in line to be served and took a tray from the clean stack, slowly walking down the line looking at the offerings. Mostly it was just fresh vegetables to begin with. Zoe grabbed a couple of carrots. It may be a bit cliche, but Zoe actually liked the flavor of raw carrots. Further down her eyes widened when she saw pancakes and hash browns! After grabbing a couple of pancakes and some hash browns she grabbed a large, empty glass and went over to the drink dispenser. There were four different fruit juices and four different vegetable juices to choose from. Of course, Zoe picked her favorite, orange juice!

Zoe sat back down at the table with her new parents. There were two new rabbits there that had taken the place of the two that were now gone. She noticed that Stu still seemed a little uncomfortable in her presence, so she did the best she could to make him feel more at ease.

"Mr. Hopps, I'm sorry that my eyes make you uncomfortable, I can't help it."

Bonnie spoke up "Don't apologize for something can't be helped now." Bonnie elbowed Stu and then he spoke up "Oh, no indeed. It's just me."

"So," Bonnie continued "Stu and I've been trying to work out what chores to set for you. These will be done on the weekends and either before or after school. What do you like to do Zoe?"

"Well, I used to enjoy singing and dancing, I like playing the piano, and cooking with my mother. I was going to start babysitting after our vacation to Disney, but..." Zoe waved her paws over herself.

"Did you have those white eyes before?" Stu asked before Bonnie hissed at him.

Zoe wasn't upset, it was something she knew about but it was like it happened to someone else. "I remember I had dark brown eyes, almost the color of my fur. I don't know why my eyes are this color, the only thing I know is that I'm supposed to be here."

Stu's eyes widened "You mean you're supposed to be here on the farm?"

Zoe shook her head "No. Here, in Zootopia. I don't know how I know, but I do. Things like that happen to me sometimes."

Stu and Bonnie just shared a look. "Stu and I will look over our chart and see where you can help out Zoe. Welcome to the Hopps family!" Her new parents had lots to do so they left Zoe at the table with a couple of other rabbits that tried their best to act normal around her, basically by ignoring her.

Zoe smiled. She remembered doing chores so that didn't bother her. She began eating and was halfway through her pancakes when, for the first time since she'd woken up in Zootopia, she felt 'The Nudge'. It was telling her to turn and look over to her left and, when she did, she saw a very pretty bunny staring at her from one of the entrances. The bunny in question had grey fur, which wasn't unusual. Her eyes though, that was a completely different story! They were bright purple. Zoe had never seen such an odd eye color. Well, other than her own. And her ears! She hadn't seen any other rabbit with dark tips on their ears.

The other rabbit kept staring at her, but not in fear or concern. But, with eyebrows raised in curiosity. Zoe couldn't break eye contact with the amethyst eyed doe as she began to walk toward Zoe. The doe would both initiate and accept all of the touchie feelie from other family members, yet she never broke eye contact with Zoe. Zoe just knew that this bunny was going to be important to her at some point.

Zoe started breathing a little faster the closer the doe got until finally the doe sat down across from her at the table. The doe extended her paw across the table to Zoe and Zoe reflexively put her paws in hers. The doe squeezed Zoe's paw and continued to hold it.

"Hi, I'm Judy."

Zoe's eyes were still locked onto Judy's, and she made no effort to move her paw. "I'm Zoe."

"I know, everyone's talking about you."

"Yeah, being an Entry and my eyes being what they are and all, I'm sure they are."

"I think your eyes are exotic, really."

"You do? Candace said she wished she had my eyes."

Judy's eyes narrowed slightly and squeezed Zoe's paw a little tighter. "If you're into girls, just be careful with Candace."

Zoe shuddered at the pleasurable memory of Candace licking her ear in the hallway. "Why?"

"Candace can be aggressive, and by that, I mean that sometimes she doesn't know the meaning of the word 'no'. She'll get it in her head that she wants something, and she'll just take it no matter what. Trust me, I speak from experience. I'm not saying don't enjoy yourself, just to be careful."

"Well, she did lick my ear and I liked it, but I like boys too."

Then she thought of some of the things she noticed and wanted to ask Judy but knew that, if she did that here, everyone would know. Zoe could hear all of the conversations going on around her, she just tended to ignore them unless she heard something interesting. Then her ears would swivel, and the conversation would come in much clearer.

"I'd like to ask you some other things but they're a little personal, so I don't want to ask them here. I still feel a little funny talking where everyone can hear what I'm saying."

Judy smiled and said "Sure, let's go!" and then she let go of Zoe's paw for the first time since she had sat down. She followed Zoe over so that Zoe could turn in her tray. As soon as Zoe had her paws free, Judy captured Zoe's in hers and pulled her through the hallways. Zoe was feeling lightheaded. This rabbit was a very take-charge kind of doe.

As they headed out to wherever Judy was taking them, Zoe saw one couple making out in the hallway. Judy seemed to pay them no mind whatsoever. As they reached the entrance of the burrow, Judy let go of her paw and dashed into a side room. Coming back out with a set of keys in one paw, she once again grabbed Zoe's, pulling her outside.

Zoe didn't mind being led around, not by Judy at any rate. She just had the feeling that this is what she should be doing at this point in time. It wasn't until they were sitting in one of the Hopps Family Farms trucks for it to occur to her to ask where they were going.

"Where are we going?"

"Tri-Burrows Public library, it's about twenty minutes from here."

"Oh. Okay." As they took off Judy prompted Zoe

"So, you had some questions."

"Oh, yeah. Um, last night, after I took my shower, I came back to find stuff in my bedroom. The clothes and stuff were great and all but then I looked in the paper bag."

"The clothes and stuff are hand me downs from other members of the family. I mean, we make a lot of money, but we do have a big family. The other stuff is bought in bulk for whoever needs it."

"I can understand that, and I'm grateful. But there were some things that confused me."

"Like what?"

"Um, like, no tampons or pads?"

"What are tampons?"

Zoe was shocked silent for a few moments. Judy looked to be a few years older that her. about the same age as Sam. Zoe had started menstruating last year so Judy should be going through the same.

"Um, you put them up your, you know, vagina? To stop the blood from going all over your clothes and such? For when you have your period."

Judy looked confused until her face lit up in recognition. "Periods! Okay. No, rabbits don't have periods, like ever!"

Zoe was elated at the news, no more acne break outs, no more sore boobies or headaches. No more cramps! Judy continued while Zoe reveled in the fact of no more visits from Aunt Flo.

"Of course, that means that we're fertile all the time starting from about the age of 13. So be careful if you have sex with a boy."

"That explains the condoms. But I'm only 13, I'm not supposed to be having sex yet! I'm not supposed to be doing that until I'm 18!"

Judy smirked "You mean you weren't supposed to be having sex until you were 18 where you are from! In Zootopia, it's gauged on your species. Being rabbits, it's common for us to have relations starting at 13. It's why Candace hit on you, you're considered of age for a rabbit. You can get married right now if you want. But you still can't hold a non-farm job or have a bank account until you're 16 or a government job until you're 18."

Judy pulled into the parking lot, and they started toward the large, modern style, building.

"What about all the touching, hugging, and kissing?"

"Rabbits are very affectionate, especially with each other. It has a calming effect on us as we're usually very high-strung mammals, it comes from being prey. Having a relationship among the family isn't unusual, although if you're in the same litter it's frowned upon. They prefer you to be at least two litters away."

Judy glanced over at Zoe as they walked through the door "You could get married to Sam if you want." Zoe choked. On air. This caused Judy to snicker.

They spent several hours going through the bookshelves. Judy looked through a variety of books and magazines while Zoe mainly looked through current affairs. After all, it would be nice to have an idea of where she was and the culture she was in.

They broke for lunch and ate at the little in-house restaurant. Judy chose the cucumber sandwich combo with sweet tea and Zoe had the same but with orange juice to drink. It wasn't as good as the stuff at home. While they ate, they began to stare into each other's eyes. Everything else was on automatic. Neither one realized they had finished their meal, both just sitting there, staring.

That is, until someone cleared their throat, loudly. Both looked up to see a middle-aged ram holding his meal with a grumpy look on his face. When Zoe looked up at him, the ram's eyes widened, and he adopted a horrified look on his face. Zoe was very Zen at the moment so, in a calm, quiet voice, she said "We're sorry sir. We'll be going now."

"N... no, it's okay, I'll go sit outside and eat, it's a nice day anyway." he stuttered as he turned and rushed out the door, bumping into an ewe on the way out, who protested the rude move.

Zoe looked back at Judy and said, "I guess we should get up in case someone else wants to eat."

Judy smirked "Or, we could have you stare at them and frighten them away."

"Do I frighten you?"

"No. You interest me. I think I like you. And yes, I mean in that way."

Zoe was both a little startled and pleased "I think I like you too Judy. But there's something else you need to know about me first."

"Like what?"

"Like the fact that I tend to know things sometimes. If someone has lost something I tend to know where that thing is. I sometimes know things are going to happen before they do, like if a water pipe is going to burst and flood a building. Like I know that you're going to be important not just to me, but to others. I know that you want to be a cop, and that is what you're supposed to be doing."

Judy just looked at her "Everyone knows that I want to be a cop."

"True, but how do I know that you have three scars on your cheek that you got from defending your friends from a fox when you were younger."

"Someone could have told you that story."

"Did you tell them that the fox was Gideon Grey?"

At this point Judy was giving Zoe a wide-eyed expression. Judy had never told anyone how she had gotten the claw marks on her cheek. They could probably tell it was from a fox, but she never said who had done it, just saying she had gotten into a fight. She also knew that none of her friends had told anyone either.

"Okay." Judy said, stretching the word out.

"Still interested?"

"Yes. I haven't changed my mind Zoe."

"Okay, then you get the great reveal. Can you handle someone who can speak with the dead?"

"Now you're pulling my leg. There's no such thing as ghosts."

"I can tell you different. I've seen them, and I've spoken to them."

"If you want to believe that then okay, you believe it. That doesn't bother me. I'm still interested in you."

Zoe sighed. She hadn't really expected Judy to believe that she could speak to the dead. She was actually surprised that she believed that she just knew things. Both doe's continued to browse through the books.

Zoe began to get another one of her nudges, giving her the urge to exit the library. There was something outside she needed to... see? Do? She walked out one of the doors and stood at the top of the steps.

Close by was a typical playground for kids. There were slides and climbing nets, a little playhouse on stilts, teeter totters, and swings. There weren't very many people at the park, a couple of sheep and goat kids playing tag on the other side of the sand box that a small cougar child played in while being watched by his mother. Sitting on one of the swings was a little rabbit boy that looked about five years old. He had light brown fur but with a small white stripe going from his nose up his forehead.

Zoe walked over and stood in front of him, trying not to startle the little one. Zoe had just been talking to Judy about the dead and one showed up. It broke Zoe's heart that one so young had died. The boy looked up at her and Zoe could see his light green eyes. Those green eyes widened when he noticed her. Zoe just smiled and said "Hi! My name's Zoe, what's your name?"

"You can see me?" the boy asked in amazement "No one else can see me, they won't talk to me, either. How can you see me?"

"Well, you can see that I have white eyes right? It's my superpower that allows me to see people like you."

"People like me?"

Zoe slowly moved over to the swing next to him and said "Yes. But you haven't answered my question. What's your name?"

"Uh, Billy. Billy Hopps."

"Ah. Well Billy, tell me about the last thing you remember before people stopped being able to see you."

Billy thought for a moment "I remember waking up by the river over yonder." he said, pointing off into the distance behind the library.

"What about before that?"

"I'm not sure. I remember Kevin and I wanted to go see the river because it had rained so much. It was awesome! The water was so high, and it had waves! We went to the bridge to get a closer look." Billy seemed to get confused "I don't remember anything else until I woke up next to the river. Kevin must have gone home because I didn't see him anymore."

Billy started swinging back and forth a little while he talked.

"Billy? What year is it?"

Billy looked at her like she'd grown another head. "I'm serious Billy. What year is it?"

"554. How come you don't know that?"

"Billy, I need you to listen to me. I promise, I won't lie to you, but you need to trust me."

"Okay." He had stopped swinging when she asked what year it was, but he started swinging again when he'd agreed to listen.

"My family and I were on vacation and driving down the highway when our car was hit by a drunk driver."

Billy looked at her in shock "But you're okay, you're here so you must be okay."

Zoe shook her head "No, Billy. I died. I died and went to someplace nice. It was bright and warm, but I was needed here, in Zootopia. So, I woke up here, just the other day as a matter of fact."

Billy jumped off the swing and stood staring at her, his jaw agape "You mean you're a ghost!?"

Zoe shook her head sadly and then knelt down in front of him, so they were closer in size "No Billy. I think you're the ghost. I think you drowned in the river. That's why no one but me can see you. You said the date was 554. It's actually 624."

Billy was shaking his head in denial. "I... I... ca... can't be dead! I don't feel any different! I don't walk through walls or... or rattle chains!"

"I didn't feel any different either Billy. And ghosts don't do those other things. Well, they can walk through walls, but the rattling chains thing is a myth. Mostly ghosts continue on like they did before, doing the same things they did when alive. I need you to think Billy, remember back to when you and Kevin walked onto the bridge. Describe what you were doing."

Billy thought back and began reciting "The river was so high, it looked like it was going to overflow. We were told to stay away but Kevin and I wanted to see what it looked like. The water was moving so fast! We saw branches going by so quickly that they were a blur! Kevin wanted to get a closer look, so we went down to the old cart bridge. The water was hitting the bottom of the bridge and splashing up over the top of it. We could feel the branches bumping into the bridge, making it jiggle a little. I was a little scared, but Kevin bet me I wouldn't go onto the bridge, so I did. We were laughing when the water would spray us."

Billy looked at Zoe and finished "I don't remember anything else."

Zoe looked Billy in the eyes and said "You do, it's just that you find the memory too much to deal with. It was the same for me, when I first woke up, I didn't know what had happened, it wasn't until I woke up here in Zootopia that I had a flash of memory about the accident. Think Billy, you and Kevin were laughing on the bridge, tell me what happened."

Billy was breathing hard, his chest rising and falling "We... we had turned to look upstream..."

"It's okay Billy, I'm here for you. I know it's hard but try."

"There... there was a... a tree. I could see the roots heading for us. I froze. Zoe! I froze! I couldn't move! An... and the tree, the tree hi... hit the bridge! I fell in the river!" Billy was crying and Zoe felt so bad because she wanted to pull him into a hug and comfort him but knew that she couldn't.

Billy looked up at Zoe and wailed "I'm dead Zoe!"

Zoe gazed at Billy; her face filled with compassion "I know Billy. I felt the same way when I finally realized I was dead. But I know that you can live again, like I have. That is, if you want to."

"I can?"

"Yeah. I don't think you'd remember being here and dying though."

"But you do!"

"True, but I think it's because I've always been able to talk to ghosts."

"Oh. So how do I do it?"

"You've got to understand that you're dead and have a desire to move on. The afterlife isn't something to be afraid of."

"Do you think I'll see my parents?"

"I don't know Billy; my parents survived the car crash."

"Oh, I'm sorry."

"It's okay Billy. So, concentrate, okay?"

"Okay."

Zoe watched as Billy closed his eyes and then faded away. She felt both happy and sad. She wasn't sure how long she knelt there, looking at the place where Billy had been, when Judy's shocked voice broke in. "You really can talk to ghosts!"

Zoe stood up and turned to face the amethyst eyed doe. Judy's expression showed both shock and awe. "How much did you see?" Zoe asked calmly.

"I saw you walk out the exit, so I followed you. I was on the steps when I saw you start talking to yourself, at least I thought you were. Then I saw the swing start moving. There was no breeze, and you weren't touching it, but it was swinging. Then I saw it stop. And then start back up again! Then I saw it twitch like someone had jumped out of it, you got out of yours and knelt down, still talking. That's when I started walking up to you. Were you really talking to a ghost?"

"Yeah, his name was Billy. Apparently, he drowned in the river back in 554."

Judy froze for several seconds before asking Zoe, in a very quiet voice "What did he look like?"

"He had light brown fur, pretty green eyes, and a white stripe that went from his nose up his forehead."

"I don't know" Judy whispered to herself. Zoe heard it anyway. Her ears could pick up so much more sound now it was amazing. Judy grabbed Zoe's paw and tugged her back to the library. "C'mon, let's get our books checked out, it's starting to get late."

They rode in silence and Zoe knew why; Judy had a lot to process. Zoe liked Judy and wanted to see what would happen between them. She knew that Judy would be important to her since she kept getting nudges. But she wasn't sure if Judy would be able to handle this latest development.

When Judy pulled off the main road onto a dirt one, Zoe had to ask, "Where are we going?"

"To my favorite spot, it's not far."

Now that they seemed to be talking again, Zoe asked "Help me out. At thirteen, I'm considered 'of age' but not able to be on my own."

"Like I said, you're considered mature enough to get married, start a family, and so on. At sixteen, you are considered a legal adult, but you can't get a government job such as cop until you're eighteen. Two more years and I can apply to the, it's based on species. Elephants can't get married until after the age of 25."

"So, what's our lifespan then? Seems to me the younger you mature, the shorter your lifespan."

"I don't know about that; I know that we average about 80 or 90. Great grandma Evelyn Hopps died at the age of 108." Zoe felt better about that. Even though she had an idea of what lay on the other side of the veil, she was in no hurry to be there again.

Judy parked and got out of the truck. She led Zoe along a nearly invisible trail off the side of the road. The woods were fantastic, Zoe felt her spirits lift just being out in nature. They broke out of the trees into a small grassy area on top of a small hill and Zoe gasped. Down the hill Zoe could see a beautiful lake. The light wind was causing a slight chop on the surface. There was a small boulder off to the side near the trees. Zoe stood there soaking in her surroundings and feeling more at peace than any other time since she'd arrived a little more than 24 hours ago. Zoe took a deep breath and grinned.

"Beautiful!" Zoe breathed.

Judy, who was still holding Zoe's paw said "Yes, you are."

Zoe, still grinning, looked over at Judy "You think so?"

Judy smiled and nodded "Yes, I do."

"I haven't scared you off?"

"I admit that I was startled, but I realize that you are who you are, just like me. I'm not usually this forward with others, there just seems to be something that's pulling me to you."

Zoe's eyebrows rose "You do? Because that's what's happening to me too! And the feeling that you're important to me, personally."

Judy began to walk forward, causing Zoe to take steps back "I don't really have that feeling. What I'm feeling is... more intimate."

Zoe gulped as she instantly understood Judy's meaning. She was shocked when she felt her back hit the boulder and Judy pressed up against her. Zoe was both nervous and excited. This felt so very right, yet, also, wrong. "J... Judy. I, ah, I... don't think that I'm, um, ready for this. Yet. Right now."

Judy continued to look at her with her eyes half lidded "No? Then I suppose that I can wait until you're ready. But I want you to be mine. Would you be my girlfriend?"

"M... me? You want me to be your girlfriend?"

"I just asked you, didn't I?"

Zoe's heart felt like it had just exploded in joy. It felt right so her answer was obvious. "Yes! I'd love to be your girlfriend!"

Judy's smile grew into a huge grin before she leaned in towards Zoe, laid her grey furred cheek against Zoe's midnight black one. Zoe was starting to tremble, and her breath was coming fast. She wasn't sure what Judy was doing, but she did promise that she'd wait before doing that. She was still feeling nervous, but her level of desire had increased a lot since she'd agreed to be Judy's girlfriend.

When Judy's lips were right next to her ear, she whispered "You may not be ready to go all the way yet, but what about kissing? And, maybe, some caresses in some not so intimate areas?"

Not trusting her voice, Zoe nodded as she closed her eyes. This was something she wanted to do. Judy's cheek had barely left hers when she felt the other doe's lips on her own, Judy's tongue pushing inside her mouth. Zoe couldn't help the low hum of pleasure from sounding in her chest and mouth as she wrapped her arms around Judy's neck. She could feel Judy smile into the kiss they were sharing.

Zoe had no idea how she'd ended up on her back in the grass next to the boulder. She realized it when Judy had taken her paws and placed them above her head, holding them there with one of her paws while she lay atop Zoe and continued to kiss her. Judy's other paw was sliding down her until her paw was resting on her hip, stopping there and squeezing.

Zoe was beginning to regret her decision even though she knew that it was the correct one. Meeting Judy made her forget all of her plans. However, Judy gave no indication that she noticed. Zoe broke the kiss with a gasp, it had gotten hard to breathe through her nose. Judy didn't seem to mind as she took the opportunity to lick the edge of Zoe's ear just like Candace had done. Zoe's ears started feeling warm and she felt heat pooling in her center. "Oh gods!" Zoe breathed.

"No, just Judy." Judy mumbled jokingly.

Zoe wished that Judy wasn't holding her paws right now. She desperately wanted to run her paws over Judy's fur and ears. A wonderful scent reached Zoe's nose. She sniffed the enticing aroma and discovered that it was coming from Judy. Zoe gasped as she realized that she could smell Judy's arousal! The fact that she could be turning Judy on, and that Judy could smell Zoe's own arousal made Zoe's desire spike.

Judy continued licking her ears, causing her to moan out Judy's name.

"Oh gods, Judy. What..."

"Feels good?"

"Yeeeesssssss" Zoe hissed.

Suddenly Judy stopped, making Zoe whine in protest. Judy kissed her on the lips again, this time chastely "I think that we need to stop, or we will go past your comfort zone."

Zoe was breathing hard, regretfully agreeing with Judy's decision. Judy released Zoe's paws and laid down next to her, pulling her into a cuddle. They lay there for a while, both trying to regain control.

Zoe was finally able to ask, "Why does it feel so good when you to lick my ears?"

Judy chuckled, "Rabbit ears are very sensitive. Not quite an erogenous zone. If you weren't interested in girls, all that would do was to make you feel warm inside and extremely relaxed. But, since you are into girls, this excites you. It seemed to excite you when I held your paws above your head. Did it?"

It took only seconds for Zoe to admit that Judy was right, it did make her more excited. "It did, yes. Even though I desperately wanted to stroke your fur and your ears."

Judy smiled. Zoe wrapped her one paw over Judy's stomach and nuzzled into her shoulder fur. Judy spoke up "Now that you're my girlfriend, do you want to move in together? It's the normal thing to do."

Zoe was thrown for a loop. So much had happened in such a short period of time. "Can we wait? I mean, I just woke up here a little over a day ago, found out I was an Entry, got adopted, found you and became your girlfriend, discovered I'm considered of an age to be intimate with others, been hit on by Candace, and helped a spirit move on. Now you want me to move in with you. This is bit much to take in, everything is happening so fast."

"I understand. You haven't had a chance to catch your breath yet."

Zoe nodded.

"Well, we can revisit the offer in a few weeks after you've had a chance to settle in, does that sound okay with you?"

Zoe was amazed, and thankful. "Thank you. I'm sorry, I just need to gain my balance before I start going forward."

"I understand, believe me. Anyway, it's getting late, and we need to head home for real."

Judy stood and lent a paw to help Zoe up. Judy draped her arm over Zoe's shoulders while Zoe wrapped her arm around Judy's waist. They were walking back to the truck when Zoe heard a young voice call out.

"You lied!"

A/N: Shipping Judy and Zoe came a little sooner than I expected. But, like I've said before, I have an overall idea for the chapter and then, when I start writing, the story takes on a life of its own.

I'm lowering Judy and Nick's ages since it fits into my story better. In canon, Judy is 24 and Nick is 32. At the time of this chapter, Judy is 15. For this reason, even though I've set 13 as the legal age for relationships, there will only be implied encounters until Zoe is at least 16. This is a personal preference of mine and I'm sorry if it disappoints anyone.

To anyone who is worried about the Judy/Nick dynamic, remember I said this would be a polyamory fic.

Speaks With Spirits out