Deathtouched - Chapter 21

Warning: More dark and graphic content in this chapter, also marked with ******** prior to and after.

Zoe was asleep when Nick and Judy finally arrived, upset that they'd missed the births. Abby assured them that, by hospital rules, only one other mammal other than staff was allowed to be with the mother while she was delivering. So they would have to have taken turns anyway. It was a small consolation.

When Zoe next awoke she was happy to see her wives and husband in the room with her, each holding one of their children. Abby had Grace, Judy had Faith, and Nick had Aaron. Zoe felt a warm flood of love for her family. However, her boobs felt full and heavy and she was starting to feel a tingling sensation in them. Instinctively, she knew that it was time for the children to feed.

"Guys, as much as I love this family moment, my boobs are starting to hurt so I need to feed our babies."

Even as Abby and Judy brought the girls to Zoe with sad "Awwww's", they knew they were ready to have their own babies to take care of. Both girls had no issues latching on and hungrily feasted on their mother's milk. When they were done, Zoe handed them back to her wives, with Abby taking Faith and Judy taking Grace this time. Nick reluctantly let Zoe take Aaron, kissing his son before giving Zoe a deep, loving kiss.

When Aaron latched on, he sank his teeth into Zoe's nipple again and she yelped, making Judy and Nick ask what happened. Abby, who'd already experienced it, knew exactly what had happened. Zoe groaned.

"Like father like son." She stated, setting up the joke.

When Nick raised his eyebrows, she replied "He likes to bite."

There was a stunned silence for a second before they all started laughing.

"That's what I like to hear!" Doctor Abrahms walked in.

"Doctor! Thank you for everything! I'm sorry that I snapped at you." Zoe told her.

Doctor Abrahms snorted. "Don't worry about it, it's certainly not the worst I've ever heard directed at me, or the husband as a matter of fact."

As she said the last, she looked over at Nick who gulped.

"Well, I just wanted to check in on you and the babies. It was an interesting delivery to say the least." Doctor Abrahms checked the triplets and pronounced them in good health as well as Zoe when she examined her.

"Okay, we're going to want to see you and your babies more often than we'd usually set up appointments for, about once a month. It's only as a precaution due to this being the first ever predator/prey birth on record. Also, we have an appointment set up for you this afternoon with Doctor Grey, our resident Psychologist. He'll go over your recent trauma with you and help you deal with it." They thanked the doctor again as she left.

"Trauma? I don't have any trauma! I was just worried for my kits." Zoe protested.

"Baby, you had a nightmare that sent you into labor. Please talk to him, you might have hidden trauma." Abby pleaded.

"Fine, but only because you asked Love."

"Oh my gods! Did we call mom and dad?" Zoe suddenly exclaimed, not sure if it had happened or not.

"Gods! We haven't Z, not with everything else that had happened." Abby stated.

"We just need to tell them about the birth, the almost getting killed part they don't need to know. At least, not right now." Zoe said.

"Yeah, you're right about that." Abby said, grabbing her phone.

Nick and Judy had brought her stuff from the apartment, making sure it was clear and locking it. They weren't sure if Zoe's attack was random or if she had been targeted. The statement she'd given where the wolf had mentioned a master, indicated a mastermind behind the attacks. And she had been in the public eye a lot recently and, given her abilities, may have made her a liability to the 'master's' plan.

Zoe held the phone as it rang, waiting for her mother to pick it up. Then she saw her moms face on the screen.

"Mom!" Zoe exclaimed as a rush of relief flowed through her, not realizing until that moment how much she missed her parents. She felt tears begin to fall, wanting to be there with them right now, her and her family.

"Zoe? Why are you in a hospital gown?" Her mom started, then gasped. "You had them?! Let me see! Hey Stu! Zoe's on the phone, she had our grandbabies!"

Zoe giggled through her tears at her mom's enthusiasm. Abby handed Aaron to Zoe and took the phone from her. Zoe presented Aaron to her mom. "Mom, Dad, this is Aaron."

Bonnie and Stu were a little startled at Aaron's size, him being a newborn. Most of Bonnie's births had been relatively easy ones but she sympathized at how hard of a labor that Zoe had to go through. But they were entranced to see the infant. His eyes were still closed and what fur they could see was mostly dark like his mother's, with just his ears and a star marking between his eyes being the russet color of his fathers. Zoe kissed Aaron, handing him to Judy, then Nick handed Faith to her. "This is Faith, our firstborn."

Faith had, almost down to the hair, the same color fur as her dad. It remained to be seen if she'd have the same emerald eyes Nick did, but Zoe had hopes. Nick took Faith from Judy and Judy handed Grace to Zoe. "Grace." Grace was a mix of her father and mother in coloration. Her fur was mostly reddish, but she had black fur on her ears and her muzzle. The other places couldn't be seen since she was bundled up in a baby blanket.

"They're gorgeous Zoe! Congratulations to all of you!"

"Um, mom?" Zoe asked hesitantly.

"Yes Sweetie?" Bonnie answered, noting the tone of Zoe's voice when she asked the question.

"Would it be okay if I came home for a little bit? Just a week or two?" Zoe asked, her heart yearning for home. Her wives and husband were a little startled since she hadn't mentioned anything to them. Nick and Judy were a little hurt, but only because they wouldn't be able to go with them with the Cannibal Killers still out there. Abby was already thinking about taking time off to go with her.

"Sweetheart, we'd love to have you and the little ones come visit!"

"Yeah, we've kept your and Judy's room open for you!" Her dad said, the joy he felt reflected on his face. Her dad had always worn his emotions on his sleeve as they'd say. Zoe sank into the bed in relief, nudging her back and reminding her of her stitch's. Doctor Smalls would chew her out if she popped a stitch by not being careful.

"Thanks mom and dad! I love you guys and we'll see you soon!" Zoe said, tired now from the ebb and flow of emotions she'd gone through. Everything seemed to be hitting her now and, while she fought it, her eyes began to close and she drifted off to sleep.

********** Dark and graphic content warning

"Nnnnooooooo!" Zoe cried out as she got out of her car. Not again! Please not again! she thought to herself. Unable to stop herself from walking down the sidewalk to her apartment. She desperately tried to get back into her car, but her body refused to respond to her wishes.

"Kill"

Zoe screamed and it echoed down the deserted street. There weren't even lights on in any of the apartments around, only the rustle of the wind could be heard as it playfully pushed various paper debris and leaves along the street.

"Eat"

Zoe sobbed, she knew what was coming and she was helpless to prevent it. It's not real! It's just a nightmare! LEAVE ME ALONE! And she felt the claws score her back once more. Instinct overrode everything as she tried to protect her kits still housed within her.

"Master says kill."

Zoe tried kicking the undead mammal, fear and terror morphing into anger but it didn't make a difference. The wolf was decaying now, his eyes glowing from rot. The jaws dripping with drool, blood, and gore from a tongue half eaten away.

"Master says EAT!" Once more Zoe felt the pain of the jaws clamping onto her swollen stomach, ripping both it and her children out of her. Faith, her oldest, was half hanging out of the wolf's mouth, her paw outstretched toward Zoe, her emerald eyes wide with fear. "Mama!" She cried as the jaws snapped shut and her torso fell to the concrete as the wolf chewed and swallowed the rest.

"NNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" Zoe screamed, her soul screaming for her babies as the wolf leaned down for another bite. She felt the wolfs muzzle push itself into her open abdomen, seeking more of her organs. Zoe lay there unresisting, letting the wolf have her, not wanting to live if her babies couldn't. She felt the teeth dig in and she didn't even whimper in pain as more of her body was ripped away.

Zoe woke, screaming, flailing around in the darkened room, seeking her babies to make sure they were alright.

"Zoe! It's okay, you're having a nightmare." Abby's voice in her ear. Vague shapes moved in the dim light, her husband and wives. Zoe felt relief until she looked at her wife to thank her and wondered how Abby could be talking with her throat ripped out. Panicking, she looked down at herself to see the gory hollow that existed between her rib cage and hips.

"AAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!" She screamed as the speaker that the nurse talked through sounded. "Zoe! You're having another nightmare! Zoe, wake up Baby!" Judy's slightly mechanical voice came over the speaker.

********** Dark and graphic content ends

Zoe sat up screaming as paws tried grasping her. She fought them off, trying to get out of bed and find her kits. She felt a sharp jab in her arm, making her scream again as she tried pushing them away. Everything was blurry and she recognized no one as she fought, but soon she just didn't have the energy to fight them anymore. She could die again, she wasn't afraid, she just wished she could see her children, wives, and husband before she went.

Abby was crying as she helped lay Zoe back down on the bed. Her wife was hurting and there wasn't much she could do to help. Nick and Judy weren't trained for anything other than first aid, plus they were still working on the Cannibal Killers case.

Zoe was going to miss her appointment with Doctor Grey this afternoon, the sedative she'd been given would make sure of that. But Zoe needed help and, for all her ties with the gods, they didn't seem to be doing anything about it.

Abby was sitting in one of the chairs she'd pulled up next to the bed, crying, and holding her wife's paw as she slept. Abby stared at her poor wife, a haggard expression on her face even in her sleep, Zoe's ears limp against her pillow. To Abby, Zoe looked like mammals that had simply given up on life and were waiting to die. So engrossed in watching her wife, Abby didn't notice someone calling her name at first.

"Nurse Hopps." The voice said softly. Abby gasped and turned to the voice to see Doctor Grey, a ferret, standing just inside the room.

"I'm sorry Doctor. I'm just worried about my wife."

"Completely understandable I assure you. I know she won't make our appointment, but I wanted to check on her anyway. Maybe you could help me out so that I can better understand what's happening for when I finally do get to talk to the Priestess."

Abby sighed. Maybe she could help Zoe heal faster, maybe she could get her old Zoe back.

"I think she keeps having the same, recurring nightmare. The wolf is dead, but still coming after her. It ends up tearing out her stomach and eating her babies." Even as she said it, Abby's felt her gorge rising.

Doctor Grey nodded, a tired expression on his face. "I'll have to talk to the Priestess, but initially is seems like she's suffering from PTSD. I've read the report of her attack and if she's reliving it with such a horrible outcome, she will probably need regular sessions for a while."

"She want's to go home to Bunnyburrow for a while and spend some time with our family."

"Hmmm. That might not be a bad idea. Normally we don't recommend medicine for simple nightmares, but for one's associated with PTSD, we can. I'll prescribe some sleeping pills for her while she goes and visits. I'd recommend that you go as well."

"I was planning to."

"Good. Have her make an appointment when she gets back. In the meantime, here's my number. Call me if her nightmares continue and I'll head out to see her."

Abby felt intense relief as a tremendous amount of stress left her. Zoe would be okay, she had to believe that.

oooOOOooo

The small, self-aware part of her knew that she was sleeping. At least, she thought so, it was hard to tell. She had no sight or smell, not even taste or sensation, she was just... floating. The only thing she could hear was a soft, rhythmic thrumming noise. It was comforting, the thrumming, it reminded her of when she was upset and her mother would hold her and rock her, softly singing to her. For the first time in years, she felt the deep sadness of being apart from her parents. But she was a parent now, she had babies of her own to take care of and they needed her. Her husband and wives needed her.

Her surroundings turned misty gold, like a light shone through a fog.

Accept your destiny

It was a melodic male voice she heard in her mind. Destiny? What destiny? I just want to serve my goddess and take care of my kits. But then the fog turned blue.

You are Chosen. Accept your destiny

A female voice, silk over steel. Chosen? There was nothing in the lore mentioning a 'Chosen' that she'd read about. Why me? Why do I have to be the Chosen? Can't I just live a simple life as a Priestess, wife, and mother? The mist turned lavender.

Life is never simple. Your destiny incorporates that and more. Accept your destiny.

Another female voice, this one felt of home and hearth.

Zoe whimpered. She didn't want more, she was happy with what she had. Suddenly, she was enveloped in white.

Daughter, come to me.

Zoe knew that voice and she eagerly willed herself in the direction she sensed it was coming from. Reaching out, she felt her paw grabbed and then pulled. She appeared in a garden, standing on white marble flagstones, an elegant crystal fountain in the center. And standing in front of the fountain was a doe that looked like she was half Zoe and half Abby, black on one side and white on the other. Zoe could feel the love for her emanating from the figure.

"Melinoe!" Zoe gasped, just before she knelt on one knee, her head bowed as she greeted her goddess, fighting the urge to run to her and hug her.

"Lady Melinoe. Am... am I... dead? Again?"

No daughter. You are here so that we may talk. And, if you wish a hug child, then come and receive one.

Zoe didn't need to be told twice. She lurched to her feet and ran to her goddess, feeling Melinoe's arms wrap around her and she relaxed as her goddesses presence suffused her very soul with love.

"But, why? I just want to be your Priestess, I don't even really care to be a High Priestess. I didn't ask for any of this but I'm happy serving you and being a wife and mother."

Yes... service. Tell me, why did you choose to become a police officer?

"I felt it would be the best job in which to use the abilities I have to help the most people."

You chose service to others. You chose to serve me, and you chose to serve your husband and wives. At least most of the time.

Zoe pulled back to look at her goddess to see a slight smirk on the divine beings face. Her goddess had just made a joke! Zoe couldn't help but smile.

You have no choice daughter, you are Chosen and you must accept your destiny. It is time for you to awaken child, go now with my blessing.

Zoe felt her goddess kiss her between her ears in the exact same spot that Abby tended to kiss her. She was still musing that implication when she noticed it getting brighter and noises began to intrude.

"Zoe." She heard. It was spoken softly, at least that's the way she interpreted it seeing as her head felt like it was filled with marshmallows. Mmmm, marshmallows! With graham crackers and chocolate! S'mores, she wanted S'mores!

"Zoe, Baby? Love? Can you hear me?" Abby, the voice was Abby's. The flood of love she had for her wife flooded through her and threatened to overwhelm her.

"Abby." Zoe whispered, surprised she was actually coherent. She slowly opened her eyes and took in her surroundings. She was still in the hospital and Abby was right next to her, leaning over the bed with a heart wrenching look of worry and concern on her face, tears running down her cheeks and dripping onto the bedding.

"Oh Baby! You're okay! Thank the gods you're okay!" Zoe opened her arms and Abby was there instantly, holding on to Zoe the best she could while Zoe was only able to weakly hug Abby. Abby didn't care, her wife was awake and seemed better. Zoe released Abby and ran her paws over her wife, checking for bite marks or missing pieces before, only noticing a healing black eye.

"Abby, how'd you get a black eye?"

Abby looked a little sheepish as she answered. "Love, when you woke from your nightmare, you were having a panic attack. You were trying to get out of bed and you were flailing around. You didn't mean to and I'm not angry, we're all just worried about you."

Zoe teared up. She'd hurt her wife. She hadn't meant to, but that only made her feel slightly better about having done it. Now she had no choice but to admit that she'd suffered trauma from the attack. "Baby, I'm so very, very sorry!"

"I told you Love, you didn't meant to."

Zoe motioned her wife close and when Abby leaned over, grabbed the back of her head and kissed her. It was soft and loving, slow and passionate and it was making both Zoe and Abby's toes curl. When they finally let the kiss go, both doe's were breathing heavily. Abby could feel her libido singing and while Zoe only felt a deep satisfaction, her body and mind not ready to accept more just yet.

"Mmmm. Water please Baby, my throat's very dry."

"I don't doubt it Z, with as much screaming as you did." Abby said as she poured some water in a glass and added a straw. Zoe took the glass and kissed her wife's paw in thanks. Sipping the water is tasted like the nectar of the gods as it went down her strained throat.

"What happened Love?" Zoe asked, her words clearer now without the rasping sound.

"You had a bad nightmare, the same one you've been having I think. You kept screaming 'No!' and 'Not my babies!'. You woke up in a panic and we had to sedate you. You've been out for four days. The doctor's wanted to keep you down that long to allow your body to recover. How do you feel now?"

Zoe took stock of her body. Four days, no wonder her back wasn't hurting as much. She felt better rested physically, mentally though was another thing. The dream. Or, was it a dream? Did she actually meet and talk to her goddess? Dream? Vision? Hallucination caused by the drugs they had her on? She wasn't ready yet to figure it out. All she wanted now was to get her kits and go home for a little while.

"I feel better, at least physically. I still feel a bit... confused... mentally. Are our babies okay?"

"They're fine love. We've been feeding them formula since the drugs you were on would get into your breast milk and affect the kits. We've also been pumping your breasts to help get it out of your system. You can go back to breast feeding the day after tomorrow. And, just so you know, Aaron's already chewed through 28 nipples."

Zoe chuckled. "At least mine heal."

"So," Abby segued, "That nightmare you had, want to talk about it?" Zoe shuddered. She didn't want to remember it, just the horror she felt from the memory of it made her feel panicky. But, with force of will, she pushed her panic down. Her wife deserved to know why she'd awoken flailing about.

********** Warning: Description of dark content.

"It was almost the same. Only this time when he ripped me open, Faith was halfway in his mouth with her paw outstretched toward me, calling out to me for help, her eyes wide in fear." Zoe choked at this point, tears running down her cheeks. She almost couldn't continue. "She had Nick's eyes Abby! Then the wolf bit down and cut her in half, then chewed and swallowed her!"

Zoe was sobbing now, Abby along with her. Abby couldn't believe the complete horror that Zoe had gone through with the nightmare. Still, Zoe continued through her sobs the best way she could. "And... and then... I woke up... but I really didn't. You were tell... telling me that it... it... was okay, and th... then I looked at you a... and your throat... your throat was torn out and then I... I... I... looked down and my st... stomach was... was g... gone."

********** Description of graphic content ended

Zoe broke down at that point, sobbing hard. Abby pulled her into a hug, being mindful of Zoe's back, but crying just as much. Zoe cried from the horrifying memory for her nightmare while Abby cried for the pain her wife was going through. Abby vowed to do what ever she could for her wife, the doe that had changed her life into the dream it was.

Both doe's cried themselves out, Abby able to pull herself together first. "Oh, I guess I should tell you, Judy gave birth yesterday."

That news cut through the remainder of Zoe's misery, leaving her both elated and sad that she'd missed out of Judy giving birth. "Oh! I missed it! How are they? Are they okay? And Judy? Is she alright? Did she have an easy delivery?"

"Whoa there Baby. Here." Abby pulled her phone out and showed her the pictures that Nick had sent of Judy and the babies. Most showed a tired, but beaming Judy holding two bundles in her arms. Both were rabbits in shape, but more fox in coloration. One had pointed tips to his ears, hinting at his fox blood, while the other had patches of grey mixed in among his red fur.

"The one with the pointed ears is Nick, jr, and the other is Derek."

"Oh gods! They are adorable!" Zoe praised, suddenly missing her kits.

"Abby? Can I get my kits? I need to see them!"

"Of course Baby."

****** Flashback

Judy sat at the desk and was very unhappy about it. Not just that she was driving a desk, especially during a crisis, but her stomach was so large now that she had a hard time reaching the keyboard for the computer. She'd been tasked with coordinating all of the information they'd been able to discover about the Cannibal Killers and trying to find any commonalities.

Other than all of the killers being predators, and having 'glowing blue eyes', nothing really matched. Some had been reported missing while other's hadn't. It was uncomfortably close to the Night Howler case and that made Judy very nervous.

"Hey Judy! Anything new?" Judy heard Wolford ask her. Startled, she glanced up at the wolf, having been so engrossed in what she was doing she hadn't noticed when he and his partner, Swinton, had come in after patrol.

"I'm not sure, I think that all of the mammals may have been kidnapped. Some of them have been reported missing while..." Judy stopped talking as a strong ripple ran from her ribs to her hips. "While others..." She stopped again, Wolford now giving her a concerned look. For his part, Wolford saw Judy's expression changed to a surprised look and she grasped her stomach. Judy stood up from the chair and looked up at Wolford.

"Judy? You okay?" Wolford asked. Judy didn't answer him as she felt another, stronger, ripple.

"Oh Sweet Cheese and Crackers." Judy whispered as she felt liquid gush from between her thighs and splash onto the floor.

Judy was in the middle of another huge contraction, her legs spread wide with her heels in a pair of stirrups, pushing for all she was worth. Meanwhile, Doctor Abrahms sat between her legs waiting for her firstborn to crown. She was focusing as hard as she could through the pain. The pain turned to anger since Nick still hadn't shown up yet even though she knew it would take time for him to get here, but she was in no mood to be reasonable.

Her contraction over, Judy fell back onto the bed trying to catch her breath. She had more love and respect now for Zoe that ever before, Zoe had to go through this THREE times! And Aaron was a big baby, even if he was only slightly larger than a hare in size.

"Where's Nick? Where's my GHHHAAAAAA!" She screamed out when another contraction hit, pushing without being told to do so. She was going to strangle that fox when she saw him! She collapsed back onto her pillow, already tired. Even as fit as she was, this was a lot of work.

The door to the room suddenly opened and Nick, dressed in cap and gown, came striding in heading directly for Judy. At least he did until he saw Judy's head snap in his direction and give him a glare so hostile it made him stop in his tracks. If looks could kill, he'd be a pile of ash right about now. Doctor Abrahms words came back to him and, swallowing hard, metaphorically girded his loins and went to face the dragon.

"Ah, Nick, Baby, you made it!" Judy gasped. "I wouldn't miss this for anything Carrots." Nick said, using the affectionate nickname he'd given her before he'd professed his love. He was rewarded with a wane smile from his wife. He gave her ice chips which she greedily took to wet her parched throat.

He saw it when another contraction hit Judy and, like a switch had been flipped, his tired, loving wife morphed into a towering rage monster. Amethyst eyes full of fire bored into his own and she growled out "Nicholas Piberius Wilde! Look what you've done to me you son of a bitch! It wasn't good enough that you had to knot me! No! You had to go and knock me AAAARRRGGGGGGHHHHH!"

Nick's eyes widened, not just from the words coming out of Judy's mouth, but her grip on his paw was excruciating. He knew his wife was strong, but this was ridiculous! He actually whimpered as he felt the bones in his hand grind together as she pushed again, trying to give birth to their son.

"I love you Carrots." He said, trying once more to lighten the moment. He could practically hear the 'snap' as her head tilted in his direction, her eyes narrowed.

"You'd better! These are your sons I'm trying to give birth to!"

"I know Baby, and I love you even more for it. You're such a strong bunny, the first ever to join the ZPD and I know that you can do this!" He said encouragingly.

"Oh, you know it huh? YOU try pushing a watermelon out of your ass and see if you think you say that then!"

Nick sighed. It seemed that no matter what he said, it would be taken the wrong way. Long, trying, minutes later, their firstborn arrived with Judy laughing and crying at the same time. "Nick, his name is Nick." Judy called out.

He would be named after his father. Nick never expected to have kids, but having a 'Junior' around seemed particularly cruel to the child. However, Judy and his other two wives ganged up on him and forced him to relent. He had to admit that, with the pointed ears, Junior did seem to look like him, poor kid.

After the weighing and measuring was done, the staff placed the baby in an incubator while waiting for the birth of their second baby. This time Judy seemed to have an easier time of it and the birth was both quicker and smoother. Finally able to relax a bit, her body still feeling weird now that she was no longer carrying her kits inside of her.

When they presented her babies to her, Nick saw her entire being light up with joy and it made everything worth it. Nick gently kissed his wife and told her what a fantastic job she'd done bringing their sons into this world. Judy, pride in her tired voice replied "You better damn well believe it!" Nick eagerly took pictures on his phone and sent them to his wives, the Hopps, and the entire ZPD.

When Clawhouser confronted Chief Bogo about the pictures in his usual, over the top manner, Chief Bogo just commented "At least Wilde did something right." However, when the Chief got to his office and closed his door, he sat at his desk and pulled up the picture of Judy with her kits. A happy smile pasted itself on his face and he felt his heart moved at the sight. Well done Carrots Chief Bogo thought using Nicks name for Judy, Well done.

****** Flashback end.

The sad thing about not being able to breast feed, Zoe thought, is that I can only feed one at a time. Currently it was Aaron. And Abby had been right about his biting, he was already on his third nipple. Zoe wondered how long it would take to break him of that habit, otherwise she'd most likely end up with nipples that would look like a chew toy for the rest of her life. Maybe it would be better to keep feeding him with bottles. After all, the hospital said they'd give me a breast pump.

Abby had said that she'd already packed their bags and were ready to head for Bunnyburrow as soon as she was released. Zoe was in her regular clothes and she couldn't believe how happy she was to be wearing the same pants she'd worn before she'd gotten pregnant. Zoe had told Abby to throw away her maternity clothes, but Abby had washed and put them away instead. Just in case.

They stopped by Judy's room to say goodbye and get some last minute hugs and kisses from her and their husband. Of course it had to include passing all the babies around for cuddles. Nick told them that the house they'd seen was now theirs, that he'd signed the paperwork that morning. This surprised his wives as they'd expected a mortgage for years to come. He simply shrugged, gave them a sly smile, and said "Former con mammal."

Zoe had convinced Abby to stop by Temple Square so that she could see Aaron and show off the babies. Abby helped carry Grace while Zoe carried both Aaron and Faith. It took forever for them to get to the Temple of Melinoe as it seemed that every priest and priestess wanted to come and see the babies. When they finally made it to the temple, one of the acolytes proudly announced them and opened the door ot Aaron's office.

Aaron rose to greet them and made a big fuss over all three infants, treating them all equally. Whether by luck or providence, the kits fell asleep within seconds of each other as Aaron, Zoe, and Abby sat down to tea.

"Father?" Zoe said, startling Abby a little since she hadn't heard Zoe address the High Priest of Melinoe that way before.

"Yes daughter? There's something troubling you?"

"I'm not sure. I mean, I remember the dream from Apollo, and I had something similar happen to me when I was sedated. I've been having nightmares about the wolf getting to me and eating me and my children. The last time it got so bad that they had to sedate me because I got violent. But, while I was out I had... visitations... I'd guess you'd call them. There were voices, each with it's own color, telling me that I'd been Chosen, and that I needed to accept my destiny. I don't remember learning about anyone called the Chosen during my studies, have you?"

"Visitations you say? Who visited you my child?"

"From the colors I'd say Apollo, Athena, and Hestia. And then our goddess called me and we talked. Well, after she hugged me."

"You say you talked to her, you actually saw her?" Aaron asked, his voice a little awed. Zoe was astounded.

"You mean you've never seen her?!"

"No daughter. I've felt her presence and I can feel her guide me as I do her bidding, but I've never actually seen her."

Abby was stunned by what they were talking about. If what Zoe was saying was true and not a drug induced hallucination, then she'd not only talked to an actual goddess, but touched one as well.

"She looked like a rabbit to me, half white and half black just as she's depicted. I told her I was happy simply being her Priestess, a wife, and a mother, and that I didn't even really want to be a High Priestess. But she told me that it wasn't my choice, I was Chosen and that I must accept my destiny."

"If she told you that, then you must accept your destiny child. It is the will of the gods, not just ours."

Zoe sighed, defeated. "But, how do I know that it was a true vision and not something my mind dreamed up while I was sedated?"

"What does your heart tell you?"

Zoe's face fell. "That it was real. Then, how do I find out what my destiny is?"

Aaron laughed. "Daughter, each person must learn that for themselves, no one can tell you your destiny. No one knows and the gods won't say. Every hero needs a quest."

"Hero? I'm no hero."

"Are you not?" Aaron said, 'looking' at her.

Zoe stared at her father. She remembered helping Gideon with that sorry excuse for a father of his, helping put Greg in jail. And her current situation, helping the police with the Cannibal Killers case.

"But when I was attacked, I panicked. I almost died as well as my kits. If it hadn't been for Officers Wolford and Swinton, I wouldn't be here. I have PTSD that gives me nightmares. I relive the attack and see horrifying things." Zoe didn't want to tell Aaron everything, it had been bad enough telling Abby.

"Who said hero's are brave all the time? Especially when they begin their journey? Hero's aren't born Zoe, they're made."

Zoe felt as if the walls were closing in on her. The mental map she had of how her life was going to be was now in shreds and she was scared. She wasn't any happier about her circumstances, but she felt better sharing her thoughts and hearing her spiritual fathers advice. Zoe got up and walked over to Aaron, letting him pick her up and pull her into his lap where she curled up. He put his paws around her and she soaked up the comfort he gave her. A few minutes later she straightened a little and kissed him on the cheek. He smiled and kissed her between her ears.

"You know, in my vision, Melinoe kissed me there when she blessed me."

"Did she now?" Aaron said with a knowing grin, making Zoe wonder exactly how much he'd already known about her vision. It wasn't until they were outside of Zootopia that she noticed that Aaron never answered her question about the Chosen.

Zoe drove to Bunnyburrow, worried that Abby might go into labor while behind the wheel. Abby asked about her PTSD, but Zoe pointed out how it only seemed to affect her when she was asleep. As a precaution, they called ahead to the Tri-burrows hospital and informed them of their itinerary. As they approached the turn off to the farm, Abby called ahead and let their parents know they were arriving.

They were surprised by the shear number of family members who came out to see them, at least 75. Bonnie and Stu were in front, as well as Candace and Gloria both looking like they'd swallowed a beach ball. Surprisingly, Gideon and Darla were there too. After the round of hugs and kisses and showing off the new babies, the older rabbits adjourned to one of the TV rooms to talk.

Much had been made, all positive, of the infants, the color of their fur had been well received, which had been a private worry of Abby's. In the quiet of the TV room, as the kits settled in for a nap after being fed by their grandparents, Stu, Bonnie, and Darla, Zoe spoke up.

"Mom, Dad... guys. I need to talk to you." Zoe said.

A/N: Okay, lots of darkness in this chapter. Zoe has more things to deal with in the next one as her path becomes a little clearer. Yes, there will be more twists and turns coming up. I borrowed and modified a quote from Christopher McDougall "Heroes are made, not born."