And as always, a huge thank you to my biggest supporter, friend, editor, and all around stellar dude, Blkdragon7 for his editing skills and additions that I just simply could neither think of, nor had the time to.
And as also always … This is a work of fiction based on a movie aka Fan-Fiction and should be treated as such. I neither own said movie or the rights to it. Zootopia obviously belongs to Disney Media Associates.
So on with the pain.
Chapter 17
Steps were made, tears were shed
It took several weeks for Judy's hind foot, and confidence to heal, leaving her with a lot of time on her paws to reflect on what happened. Not having a clue as to how the device on her back really worked she simply chalked it up to what Madge had said was a much faster then normal nervous system, faster than a normal bunny or hare for that matter. And certainly much faster than most any other small mammal. She wished her rate of healing were as fast. 6 stitches on the inside to close up the muscles, and 12 on the outside to close the gash she gave herself when she kicked the glass insert in the almost antique coffee table her mom Bonnie had given Judy and Nick as a housewarming gift. It had been her great Grammy Laverne's. Judy never knew her but loved listening to Nana Hopps, and later her mom, tell stories about how kind and nurturing she was, and the shinanigins she would always seem to instigate with her siblings.
After several more visits from Dr. Badger, who it seemed had all but perfected the device she now dubbed Neural Impulse Bridge or NIB for short, enabled Judy to finally walk with only the assistance of crutches. This in turn allowed her to work on regaining her leg strength. 6 long months with weekly visits from Madge, to learn how to walk again. And several more in physical therapy to fully learn how to walk again, with nightly workouts at home.
x⁰X⁰x
Two Weeks Prior
"Ok, Judy you have made excellent progress the last few weeks. Your motor control has, if you will, improved by leaps and bounds, and with any luck, you'll soon be doing that too."
This last got a chuckle out of a very tired Judy. The nightmares had gotten worse over the past few weeks and it seemed the only way she could even get a couple hours of sleep, was to have Nick sleeping next to her. It had gotten to the point that a larger fox sized queen bed was purchased and set up in Judys, well now their room and Nick's room was turned into a guest room. While neither complained about the recent change in sleeping arrangements, Judy was often angry with herself that she still needed to rely on Nick for so much. Judy had once voiced her irritation at this, and Nick's only reply was "that it made it easier to cuddle and be able to respond faster to anything she needed at night."
Two Days Ago
"Ok Judy, today is the day we go for all the blueberries. You have made far better progress then, I think, anyone anticipated. You have demonstrated the ability to retrain your muscles to work with the NIB, and I think you are more than ready to try walking on your own."
Judy gave Dr. Badger a nervous look, then looked to Nick for words of encouragement, only to have him give his patented smirk and a wink. Dr. Badger disconnected Judy from the laptop seemingly for the last time. "Ok Judy, the rest is up to you. Nick if you please?"
Helping Judy down once again he let her hold on to his arm for a moment, before she took a shaky breath and let go. With a look to Nick, and a confident smile that almost felt forced, Judy set her crutches aside and took a small step. Then another, and another. After several shuffling steps around the living room, she tried for a bit longer stride. Soon, far sooner then she realized, she was striding normally, if a bit slowly, around the front room. Feeling a bit bolder, Judy decided to range a bit farther, with Nick trailing behind her incase she needed help.
Several hours later, Dr. Badger was packing up to leave, Issuing some last minute instructions to Judy while cables and cords and wires were wound and stashed in a separate carryall. With tearful hugs from both Judy and a grateful Nick, Dr. Badger left the Hopps/Wilde residence for perhaps the last time. Madge pulled away with both Nick and Judy waving bye as she made her way down the block and around the corner
x⁰X⁰x
For the next sixteen weeks, Judy found herself in physical therapy almost daily, learning how to not only walk properly again, but also retraining her mind and muscles to work with the NIB seamlessly and fluidly, allowing her to run for short sprints, as her lower body muscles had become weakened by simple atrophy due to her inability to use the them. The days Judy was home, she spent much of the day in the home gym doing some cardio, and a whole lot of strength training. She was becoming faster and stronger daily. Her body getting used to being used again. Her muscles were now responding faster and easier than before the incident, almost two and a half years earlier, that rendered her almost completely paralyzed from the hips down.
Finally through many tears, buckets of sweat, and even a little bit of blood, (Judy gave herself a large blister on her hind paw trying for a 5 mile run on the treadmill). She pushed herself harder and farther than she ever had, harder than she did before the academy, and way harder then while she was at the academy. She was bound and determined to get back into shape, both physically and mentally, in order to return to the work she loved. To make the world a better place. But to do that, she herself had to get better, not sit on her tail feeling sorry for herself. Which is exactly what would have happened if Dr. Badger had not been able to pull off, to what Judy considered, was a miracle. Without her, Judy would most likely never have been able to walk again.
Things improved for both Nick and Judy's relationship as well. Dates were had. Long walks in the nearby Meadowlands Community Park were taken, and they just generally became closer to each other, in just about every way. Nick even returned to full time duties at Precinct 1. There was even hopes that Judy would be able to follow shortly after. Judy knew she had a lot more work to do, but she was more than ready to put in the effort required to make it happen. That was for tomorrow. Tonight though … Tonight she had something else that she desperately wanted to do.
x⁰X⁰x
It started out as simply cuddling, Judy wanted more. And she made herself quite clear about her intentions, when she took her top off, and captured Nick in a rather passionate kiss, filled with intent, and desire. "Judy, Judy, hold on, stop, are you sure this is what you want? You know that if we go through with this, that's it, we are mated. For life."
"Yes Nick, I do. I have wanted this for a long, long time. I know I am a broken bunny, and that's why I held back for so long. I want this and I want you more than words can express, but I think I know at least one way to show you," she said with a sultry voice.
x⁰X⁰x
The next morning found Nick and Judy happy, if not a bit sore, and more than a little used up. After showers, a bit of fun, and a good hearty breakfast, which included a protein shake for Judy, to help her rapidly rebuild and regain muscle strength and mass. After breakfast Nick got ready for work, and Judy got ready for her own day of errands. Namely to get all of the reinstatement paperwork, and to obtain not only her medical release from her doctor, but to schedule an appointment with Dr. Chasey, the clinical psychologist for the ZPD, in order to make sure she was mentally ready to return to active duty. She felt she was ready, but only the good Dr Chasey could approve of her return to duty, as per policy regarding any officer injured in the line of duty.
Two Weeks Prior
Well Judy, your vitals are better than I expected. Your muscles seem to have adapted better to the device.."
"The NIB. That's what Dr Badger calls it."
"Right, your muscles seem to have responded well to the NIB. Your lower body strength has far exceeded my expectations. Your speed far exceeds what you logged before the accident, and nearly outpaces the fastest recorded lap on the books, which was set by none other than my nephew, Hank. As is, with what I see here, I see no reason you can't return to work as soon as you are able. I think it would do you a world of good to be out and about."
I couldn't have done it without you and Dr. Badger." Judy said with moist eyes. Jumping up she gave Dr. Fast a patented Hopps hug and soft kiss on the cheek.
"Thank you doctor. More than you'll ever know."
About an hour later found Judy headed to pick Nick up from work.
x⁰X⁰x
A couple days later saw Judy waiting to see Precinct 1's resident psychologist Dr. Lane Chasey, a soft spoken wolf who welcomed Judy into her office with a warm smile. After offering Judy something to drink Dr. Chasey got down to business.
"I have gone over your file with a fine toothed comb, as I'm sure you are aware, policy. I'm not looking to disqualify you in any way. I want to make that totally transparent right from the start. My job at this point is to make sure that your accident, and the mental and emotional trials you have faced over the course of the last 28 months have not left you mentally unfit for service. To that end my questions will only pertain to the accident, your hospital time and subsequent recovery.
I will not be asking questions about your family or love life, if any. That is not the scope for today. Is that acceptable, Officer?"
Smiling slightly, Judy nodded.
"Good, now as I have stated, I have read your reports, and all available documents pertaining to your situation. But please, if you will, tell me, from your perspective, what happened that day.
After about two hours of answering a series of questions about her feelings, hopes and desires, and general experience through the recovery and learning to walk and run again using the NIB. Dr. Chasey started to wrap up their time.
"Well Officer, I have given you every attempt to fall on your face here, and you held true to your words and feelings. I am impressed at your resolve and your will power to walk again. I simply can find no reason to either disqualify you or any need to see you again for any reason, unless you decide to come see me first. I will be forwarding my findings and conclusions to Chief Bogo this afternoon and you should hear from him by the end of the week.
Do you have any questions?"
"No ma'am, it's been nice to get some of this out in the open as few others know what even happened."
"My pleasure Officer, now if you'll excuse me I have a 5 o'clock appointment I am obligated to attend to. Thank you for coming in to see me today."
Making her way out of the office Judy headed home for the rest of the day. She was looking forward to some time with a certain vulpine heart-throb she knew.
x⁰X⁰x
Parking her Suburrow in a spot near the entrance of ZPD Precinct 1, Judy shut the engine off and stepped out of the car. It almost felt like the first time she stepped into the imposing building over 2 years ago. At that time she was just a rookie, and wore rose colored glasses. She had learned a few things since then and had a largely different view of the city. She still held to her original desire to make the world a better place, which was what brought her back to this, her beginning.
Walking up the steps, Judy entered the imposing edifice. Almost immediately there was the high pitched sound of a tea kettle at full boil. This of course caused the more sound sensitive officers to wince in pain and look for the source of the disturbance. Noticing Ben baring down on a small rabbit, that some knew.
Looking up she saw Benjamin Clawhauser in full waddle headed her way. Gathering herself up she launched herself at Ben, and impacted with an audible thud against his rotund physic. Hugging Ben as hard as she could. Hopping down Judy gave Ben her patented 100,000 watt smile.
"OMG! Judy it's so good to see you up and about! It's been what, 2 years since you have graced these halls with your smile?
"2 years, 5 months and 13 days. But who's counting?" Judy replied with a wink.
When are you coming back to us? Ben asked breathlessly.
Well that's why I'm here. I have a meeting with the Chief, "checking her watch, "...in about 5 minutes."
Right, I'll let him know you're here.
Waddling back behind the central reception desk, Ben picked up the phone, poked a few buttons and waited.
"Chief. Officer Hopps is here for her appointment … Right I'll send her right up"
Hanging up the phone "Chief said to send you right up" Ben said as he hooked a clawed thumb behind him.
"Thanks ben." Judy said as she trotted toward the staircase and bounded up then 2 at a time.
Judy reached up and paused. It had been a long road to get to the point where she could knock on this door again. With a deep breath, she rapped on the door and immediately got an "Enter" that almost sounded… Happy? If that were possible.
Opening the door, which now had a handle at her level, Judy walked in. "Chief."
With a nod, he indicated the usual chair, even though there was a size appropriate one against the wall. Judy chuckled, and using her new found mobility, leapt easily up into the large mammal chair. Getting situated, she appreciated the nostalgia that the old, wrong sized, chair provided.
Once he saw she was situated, Bogo set the papers he was reviewing down and slipped his glasses down his nose so he could look at her over them. "Hopps. I must say, it is truly good to see you up and about, under your own power. That…" Glancing back at the papers "NIB, is a truly amazing thing. The department is dumping a huge grant into Doctor Badger's work on the NIB and some other technology she is working on. If the rest of her inventions have the potential that the NIB has proven with you, there are a lot of good officers that we may be able to bring back into active service, or like you, not lose permanently."
Judy nodded with a smile. "It is truly amazing. So, what's the determination, chief? When can I come back?"
Bogo managed to chuckle warmly and shook his head with a genuine smile. "If I had my way, I'd tell you to go home, put on your uniform, and I'd have your partner back here by the time you got back. However, the final approval is out of my hooves. You have my approval, the psych eval cleared, etc… but the medical liaison has final say. They have everything, it's just a matter of time. Given what we know of the NIB, your ability to move around, the last reports on the unit from Doctor Badger, your psych review, and everything else? Well, with any luck I'll be calling you to set up your first shift, which will honestly likely be nothing but paperwork for the first week. You have been out for over two years."
Judy's ears dropped behind her as she nodded with a sigh. "Yeah. Nick told me all about how bad it was. But if it gets me back doing what I love. I'll do it, happily."
Bogo nodded. "So, keep your phone on. I'll call you as soon as I hear something."
"Sounds good, Chief. So, how are the calves?"
Bogo frowned. "I think you know. Whatever you do, don't become a parent."
Judy laughed. "I'll remind you, Chief. I'm mated to a fox, so the likelihood of that is really low if possible at all. Besides, I helped raise, I don't know how many of my siblings, little cousins, etc… Rabbits… So I get it. You're doing fine. Teenagers are, well… teenagers."
Bogo nodded. "That's the truth. Okay Hopps. I have work to do. I'll call you as soon as I hear anything."
With that Judy hopped down, gave a wave and a smile that Bogo actually returned and headed home. Making sure to slip through the squad room on the way through and give a shout out to everyone that was there.
x⁰X⁰x
The following Thursday afternoon saw Judy out getting the mail. It was a bright and cheery late spring day, and the bees were busy doing bee things. The air was warm and redolent of the multiple flowers and trees in bloom.
Hopping up the steps with several letters, bills and ads in paw, Judy made for the dining room table, where she typically went through the mail. Noticing one with the ZPD letter head on it, she hurriedly opened it and began to read.
Medical Liaison Department
Zootopia Police Department
Precinct 1
Selma Johnson, Head Medical Director
To: Judeth L. Hopps
Miss Hopps,
Upon thorough review of your medical case and history, the Medical Liaison Department of the ZPD has come to the determination that despite your obvious deeds to this city, and your valiant attempts to rehabilitate after that horrific accident, we feel that your condition, in regards to your experimental surgery, and subsequent experimental prosthesis, you are not at this time qualified to reenter service as an officer of the Zootopia Police Department.
We are deeply sorry to have to disqualify you in this manner, as you have been a fine officer and an asset to the force.
With warmest regards, and deepest apologies,
Selma Johnson
Head Medical Director
Medical Liaison Department
Zootopia Police Department
x⁰X⁰x
After reading the letter 3 more times, to make sure of what she was actually seeing, Judy spent the rest of the afternoon angry and holding back tears as she made so many calls that she ended up standing next to the outlet to charge her phone while on hold, again.
Her first call was to Chief Bogo. "Hopps, what's up?"
"Chief. I just got a letter from the Medical Liaison. I've been disqualified. Why didn't you call me?"
Bogo was clearly irritated. "Hopps. Judy… I don't know what you are talking about. I haven't gotten anything about that. Disqualified? Why? For what reason?"
Picking up the letter off the counter. She was standing next to the breakfast bar. "In regards to your experimental surgery, and subsequent experimental prosthesis, you are not at this time qualified to reenter service as an officer of the Zootopia Police Department."
Bogo snorted. "That's dung! Hopps. Don't worry about it. I will get to the bottom of this. There is no medical reason for this, given everything in your file."
Judy nodded and sighed. "Thank you, Chief. I know you will. I'm going to make some calls as well. This needs more explanation than just this one page, one paragraph letter. I'll send you a copy of it."
"Please do."
She immediately used the ZPD document app to scan the letter in and email it to the chief. It wasn't evidence, but at the same time, it was the fastest way to get it to the chief, and if it became evidence, this gave it an earlier timestamp than it would otherwise have.
With that, Judy commenced making calls, and quickly found herself in a call tree clearly designed to frustrate the caller. She was however too pissed to care and slogged through it. Eventually she got someone, but after pulling up her file, she was quickly put on hold.
From there she got transferred to a supervisor, who put her on hold, then transferred again, and again, and again. Then the call dropped. She didn't believe that for a second, but that put her back in the call tree again.
That was the cycle for about three hours. Call, call tree, hold, transfer, hold, transfer, hold, transfer, call drop. After the second call dropped, she started writing it out in a log. She knew when she was getting the runaround.
Judy finally got a hold of someone who could, supposedly, review the file and give her answers. She even had their direct extension, so that was at least marginally promising, assuming the extension was legitimate. She was, however… on hold, again, and had been for some time. The muzac was grating on her nerves. It was too happy, too chipper and had her just short of grinding her teeth.
The music suddenly cut out with a click. Judy was about to pull the phone away to check and see if she was disconnected when a voice came on the line. "Officer Hopps?"
"Yes?" A clear, frustrated edge to her voice.
"I'm very sorry for the wait. I had to make a few calls on my side and verify a few things. So this is what I found. The medical review, while amazing regarding your recovery and regaining of mobility at all, given the damage shown, also shows significant concerns. There is the experimental spinal cage that replaces the vertebrae in your back, the strength of which when put through the rigors of a ZPD officer cannot be guaranteed. In addition, the Neural bridge device."
"NIB"
"Right, NIB, is about as experimental as it comes. In addition, it appears to need recharging every few hours, and that simply is far too often, given the needs of the position of an officer of the ZPD."
Judy growled. "That was true, at least twenty versions of the unit, ago. I don't actually have to recharge it more than once a month at this point, and I make a point of doing it weekly. There is even a port where, if needed, I could give it a boost from my phone, a portable battery you'd use to charge your phone, etc…"
"Interesting. Well, the documentation I have shows as I stated. If that is out of date, you can put in an appeal for re-evaluation. Though you'll also want to get an approval from the ZPD insurance carrier before doing that, as the higher premiums they quoted, based on this information, is not insignificant."
"How old are those files? We just submitted everything, with current files, last week. If the information is older than a week, then you're making this determination off of records that are very out of date."
"I apologize, Officer. I don't have the ability to see that. I can only see the data as entered into our system. Given everything I can see, I'm surprised that there are so many approvals on the file. However, the director is the one who, given the evidence, has to make the final decision, regardless of recommendations. Which I believe, given your call, you received a letter about."
"I did." The hard edge in Judy's voice could not be missed, though the mammal on the other end seemed to ignore it.
"I'm truly sorry, and wish to personally thank you for your service to the city. But at this time, the determination stands. As I stated. You can submit updated information, approval from the ZPD insurance carrier, and other information you believe will assist in a reconsideration. However, until then, the determination stands."
Judy just growled and hung up. She called the union rep and left a message, but it was late so she didn't expect a call back. Checking over her log of everything, she uploaded those as well.
Calling Bogo again she explained what she was told and he groaned. "That's the same information I've gotten. Something seems out of whack here. I know we provided updated information. I'll chase it as much as I can. If you haven't already, call your union rep as well and let them know as well."
"I did."
"Good. Unfortunately, I have additional bad news. For the same reasons, they've removed you from the inactive rolls already, effective two days ago. I'm sorry Judy, but for now, there is nothing we can do. We will keep digging. The only reason you were able to upload those things is because that system is separate from everything else, and IT hasn't gotten around to working the ticket. So If you have anything else, upload it as soon as possible, otherwise you'll have to email or deliver hard copy."
"I know you will, Chief, and I understand. Only the call log showing the run around I was getting in the call tree. I've got nothing else. We both know that they're making this decision off old data, and while suspicious… Anyway, I'll let you go, Chief. Thank you."
Judy hung up and then collapsed in sobs, holding her heart. She didn't know what to do. All the work to get back on her feet. To be better than she was before. Stronger. Faster. All for nothing.
Later that evening, Nick entered the house. "Hey Fluff!" His voice happy to be home and able to see his bunny. It quickly changed to a worried tone. "Fluff?" He came around, smelling her tears to see her curled up on the couch staring into space. Tear tracks still clear in her fur. "Judy!" Nick leapt to her side. "What's the matter? What happened."
Judy looked up, clearly spent. She held out the letter gripped in her paw, which Nick took tentatively from her. "They've rejected me. I can't be a cop anymore. All that work. I'm just a broken bunny that no one wants anymore."
Reading the letter Nick sighed. "I'm sorry, lover bun." Pulling her into a hug. "I know you called them, so what did they say?"
"Nothing important. Things about insurance costs. Experimental surgeries and devices. They don't care that they are using old data and information. They have been looking for an excuse, and now they have it."
"I won't lie, and say I'm surprised. But we will start an appeal. Did you talk to Bogo? We'll get Ben in on it."
Judy missed the rest of what Nick said as she pushed away from him. "What do you mean, you're not surprised?! You mean you were expecting this? You think I'm just as broken as they do, don't you?" Fresh tears wetting her cheeks.
"Judy? What? No! That's not what I mean! It's bureaucracy! We will fight it. I'll call the lawyer. If they are using bad data, or there is someone biased in the chain, we'll find it and deal with it!"
Judy growled and pulled away from Nick. Standing and pacing. "What's there to fight? After everything. What the point‽ They don't want me. Never did, and now they can be rid of the bunny who thought she could be a cop for good."
Nick was suddenly terrified. He hadn't seen her spiraling this bad since very, very early on. "Judy! No! We'll fight it. I'll call Fabiene and we'll get them looking into it too."
Judy shook her head and walked towards the hallway to the bedrooms. "No, Nick. I'm done fighting. I'm done holding you back."
"What!? What do you mean, holding me back? What are you talking about?"
"I'm just a broken bunny and a lead weight around your neck. I… I'm sorry Nick. I… I just need to be alone."
"Judy!" He chased after her, but she had already closed and locked the door to their bedroom. Tears leaking from his own eyes. "Judy. Please. You are not alone. I'm here. I'll always be here."
Judy responded through the door, clearly crying herself. "Go away Nick. I'm just a broken bunny. I don't need your sympathy."
Now Nick was getting angry. "Judy! What are you talking about? I love you, you dumb rabbit! What is wrong with you?"
"Exactly! Dumb, broken, rabbit. I just need some time, Nick. Please."
Dropping to his butt in front of the door. "Judy. I don't understand."
Judy didn't respond and Nick cried himself to sleep, curled up on the floor against the door. He woke late that night, leaving the door to the guest room open, and crawled onto the bed, staring at the door until he again fell asleep.
3am that same night while Nick sleeps.
The door to Judy's room slowly and quietly opened. Glancing into the guest room, she saw Nick asleep and still in his uniform. Shaking her head, Judy quietly padded out to the kitchen with a sheet of paper and placed it on the counter next to the coffee maker. She wanted to be sure that Nick saw what she had written. Making her way quietly back to her room, she shouldered a small backpack, then walked to the front door. Activating the code from the inside panel, the door swung silently open, admitting the cool early morning air.
Judy walked out to the street, turned around in time to catch the door close. She then turned, and with a sniffle she walked out to the waiting Zuber, and got in. As her ride started to turn the corner a thick mist rolled in, seemingly off the Meadowlands, and mostly obscured her sight as she turned to take one last look at the home she and Nick had shared for the past two years. With tears in her eyes she buried her head in her arms and silently sobbed, as the Zuber drove on into the early morning fog.