Shorts, Ideas Going Nowhere, and General Brain Droppings

by Blkdragon7

This is where I will put shorts, when I have them, ideas that don't seem to be going anywhere, and other brain droppings. Some may take up a chapter or two, others be only a few paragraphs. This is basically just a place to dump that stuff, and give you a little extra something now and then. I do not expect updates to happen often. Rated M, just in case.

1. The Light

I have more ideas then I have time to write, and they often hit me when I have no way to write them or even jot down a note on them. They'll hit me while I'm in the middle of a meeting at the day-job. While driving down the freeway at 75mph. You get the idea.

When I get one that just will not let me go, that's going to go here. I don't expect them to be long. A few paragraphs, to a chapter or three. Depending on the idea in question. Anything that takes on a life of it's own the way A Friendly Hustle and Wilde Cards Savage Territory did, I will move into its own thing. I kinda hope I don't end up with any of that because I have so little time to write as it is.

So here's some obligatory.

I do not own Zootopia, it's characters, etc… Those belong to Disney, who… in my humble opinion… could be doing so much more with the property. Talk about missing an opportunity! The gods know there are some fics out there that would make some truly epic follow ups, and yet… we get nothing from them.

If I add any other properties, I make no claim to them, just as I make no claim to Zootopia. It is simply a reflection of my own love of the properties in question and my hope that you as readers will enjoy my work.

Therefore, on to the next chapters and on with the show.

Of course, please make sure you check out my fics: A Friendly Hustle, and Wilde Cards Savage Territory, as well as all the other great fics out there by the likes of WingedKatt, GhostWolf88, Tinbuzzard11, dwebus1020, Mikey2084, Bear678, Sapperjoe85, DrekkDeina, OberonTitanicusRex, LastEdge, Creativespirit0163, and so many others.

Make sure you leave comments, because that is the lifeblood of the writers, the fuel that keeps us working.

BlkDragon7 ( ) / BlkPhoenix7 (AO3)

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THE LIGHT

Inspired by the Song "The Light" by Disturbed

The first thing Nick felt and he clawed his way to consciousness was a numb pain across his left side, from his legs, up his side, his arm, as well as the left side of his face and muzzle. It felt a lot like when you go to the dentist and they numb you with Novocaine. You can still kinda feel the pain, it's there, and yet not, because you're also numb. Only in this case, it was most of the left side of his body.

His right ear twitched, couldn't tell if the left did or not, he couldn't feel it. There was a weird beeping. Beep… Beep… Beep… Beep… Beep… Beep… Beep… Beep… Beep… Beep… Beep… Beep… Beep… Beep… Beep… Beep… Beep… Beep… Beep… Beep… Beep… Beep… Beep… Beep… Beep… Beep… Beep… Beep… Beep… Beep… Beep… Beep…

It was really bothering him and it started to get faster as he woke up. He realized that was what was happening. He was waking up, and he felt like he had been through the ringer. There was the numb not-pain on his left side, the beeping, and the light in his eyes, despite them being closed, was absolutely blinding.

He heard someone enter through a door as he groaned. He heard the person gasp and the lights suddenly went down so they were not stabbing him in the back of the head with the brightness. That's what the smell hit him. Antiseptic, and a lot of it. Sterile. Where he was smelled sterile. He couldn't even really smell himself. Then the beeping started to get to him again.

Beep… Beep… Beep… Beep… Beep… Beep… Beep… Beep… Beep… Beep… Beep… Beep… Beep… Beep… Beep… Beep… Beep… Beep… Beep… Beep… Beep…

Groaning again as he heard someone enter wherever he was, Nick tried to sit up and real pain flared across his left side, his back, and he let out a loud yelp and whine. "Great Karma! That hurts!"

A quiet chuckle greeted that statement. "Good evening mister Wilde. I'm glad to see you finally waking up. Don't bother opening your eyes, there are bandages over them at the moment. Do you have any idea where you are?"

Nick took a deep sniff. Bandages would explain the odd sensation around his head. Nick tried to nod and yelped again, then let out a long whine from the pain as it flashed across his neck, face, and muzzle. "OH gods!"

"I'd suggest you not move, mister Wilde."

Groaning, Nick sighed. "Yeah, I think I got that message at this point. Based on the smell of antiseptic that permeates this place, even clinging to your fur. I can only assume you are a doctor and this is a hospital. Given that you are telling me I have bandages, I can only assume I was hurt. The last thing I remember was heading out to a major fire…"

The memories washed over Nick suddenly.

He was riding in the truck. Delgato was ribbing him about finding a vixen, or any female really. You're a fire mammal for gods sake, Nick. You shouldn't be single, at least not often. You have the body for it. I mean, they made you mister December. Shirtless. Shorts. Literally nothing but that damn grin of yours, and you had the ladies across species drooling over you, and some of the guys too. Hell, I overheard a rhino lady talking about how she wished you were bigger so she could make a play for you. A rhino, Nick. Wanted to, and I quote, break herself off some of that fine piece of tail."

Nick chuckled a moment at the memory washed over him. Then they approached the location of the fire. It was a low rent apartment fire, which made him feel sad. He'd lived in places like this for much of his life, and he could see the tears in the eyes of the residents as they looked on, what few belongings they had going up in literal smoke. He'd been there too. It was what drove him to become a fire mammal, despite being a fox. He now had the respect of his fellow fire mammals, and with him being smaller, they were able to save a lot of mammals that they would not have, because he was able to get into places others were not.

The memories kept going. They went in. They thought they got everyone out. Then one of the mothers was doing a head count. She was missing three. Two bunnies and a fox kit she was looking after for a neighbor who was working a triple according to her. Nick remembered that now, but at the time he only looked at his gauge, saw he had thirty minutes, asked her what apartment, and then took off. He vaguely remembered grabbing Delgato's spare bottle off his belt as he ran past.

He remembered the others yelling after him and cursing. He didn't stop, didn't even slow down as he dove back into the flames that were quickly overtaking the building. At this point they were just keeping it from taking out the neighboring buildings while they were evacuated. The kits were on the ground floor, near the back.

Nick remembered running through the flames as he secured his mask, feeling the fur on his cheeks singe slightly before he was fully covered. He was approaching the apartment and he could hear the terrified screams of several kits. The apartment was at the end, and Nick never slowed, he just dropped his shoulder and drove himself through the door into the apartment. Stopping briefly, seeing the entire apartment engulfed, he heard the screams coming from one of the bedrooms. Leaping over a fallen beam, he shouldered through the door.

Inside he found the bed fully engulfed. He remembered shoving it aside to clear a path to the closet where the kits were screaming from. Opening the door, he found not three kits, but six. Four bunnies, a red fox, and a silver fox. There was a sudden crashing and he turned to see beams blocking the door, and there was no window to the room.

Looking at the terrified kits who were already suffering from the heat and smoke, Nick made a decision. He ripped his coat off and quickly wrapped them up in it after putting the spare bottle he'd taken from Delgato in with them and turning it on the lowest setting. He remembered the pain as he felt his fur start to burn. He shoved them into the back corner of the closet, tossing everything else in there out into the burning room. He then wrapped himself around them as he said a prayer to Karma and Serendipity that they'd get there before the kits ran out of air in the spare bottle.

Nick gasped as he remembered the pain when the closet partially collapsed, the doors actually falling against him and since he was still alive and not crushed, it must have created a small safe pocket. Gasping again as he remembered the searing pain across his back and left side as the flames licked around the sides of the fallen door before he lost consciousness.

"Doc. You can tell me how I am in a minute. First, please tell me those kits are okay."

With a smile in his voice, the doctor replied. "Yes. They are all fine, all things considered. Some smoke inhalation, obviously. Bruises, minor burns, but your coat and that bottle you wrapped them up with protected them, along with your body I am told. When the closet collapsed, your body propped up the door and prevented them from being crushed.

You however, mister Wilde, suffered severe burns across most of the left side of your body, you have several broken ribs, your left arm is broken in three places, your right shoulder was dislocated, your left ankle was crushed and had to be put back together, along with a punctured lung, and other cuts, bruises, etc… Your captain was quite shocked that you were still alive. He was apparently under the impression, like so many in the world, that foxes have weak immune systems. I had to correct him that this was not the case, and that foxes actually have some of the strongest, they just can't get healthcare a lot of the time."

Nick sighed and gave a very slow nod which did not result in agonizing pain, just discomfort. "I see. So what is the treatment plan, Doc?"

"Right to the point, just as your captain suggested you would be. Well, we've done a number of cloned grafts which have taken well across most of your body. Legs will heal in time, and the cloned grafts successfully are growing fur. Same for your paw and forearm. You'll have artificial claws on the left paw. We just haven't quite figured out how to clone more complex structures like that, but they will be retractable, etc…

You did lose your left ear and eye, and the ear itself was damaged, which would have left you deaf and blind on that side. You've got a cybernetic installed and your crew did a collection to get you an upgrade, same with the eye. With the eye, it has what are essentially attachments that plug in, so you will have a lot of options and specialized eyes, once you learn to use it.

You are going to have some very obvious scaring on your left upper arm, shoulder, across your back, and your face and muzzle. The cloned graphs took well enough, but the fur growth didn't. It seems the damage to the underlying tissue was too great, so while you will have sensation, it'll be raw skin, and you'll look like you have a permanent snarl or sneer on the left side."

Nick gave a deep sigh. "I see. How long have I been out? With all of that, I assume that you have kept me in an induced coma."

The doctor chuckled again. "Also as intelligent and well informed as your captain implied you would be. Yes, you have been out for four months, and we were not sure when you would wake, which was why the lights were up like they were. Sorry about that.

Given your physical condition before the incident, you should still be able to walk and such, once we take the casts and such off in a few weeks. However, you are still going to have pain for several months, and then need to go to physical therapy. You will probably still also have some PTSD, along with ghost pains. This is because, while the nerves have been healed or regrown, your brain still remembers what happened as do the nerves that were not damaged but carried the messages.

The counseling and rehab you will undergo will help with all of that and with time, those phantom pains and the PTSD will reduce. They won't go away, but it will seem like it most of the time."

Nick didn't say anything in response at first, though he did grunt in acknowledgment. After several moments, he let out another tired sigh. "I guess that's why I'm tired, because I haven't gotten any real sleep. I'm going to guess that I'm probably going to wake up screaming for awhile from the pain and terror of the dream, followed by the pain of stretching and possibly tearing the still healing flesh. I'm going to just guess here, but the muscles were damaged as well. One of the reasons for the physical therapy. I guess I'll catch a nap, or three, until you can remove the bandages and I can at least see out of my right eye. Covered it up too so I can't see just how bad it is, right?"

"Part of it, yes. Also to protect you since the drugs will make you more light sensitive than you already were as a fox, and the fact that we had the lights turned up for the nurses."

"Thanks for being straight with me, and not giving it too rosy a hue, Doc."

"I'll let your captain know that you have woken up, but will probably sleep for the night. They'll probably be here in the morning when you wake up. At least one of them has been here every day. Actually just got chased out with visiting hours over. Some big lion."

"That'd be Delgato. Good guy, probably blames himself."

"Overheard something about not being able to stop you."

Nick chuckled. "Yeah, not like I really gave him the chance to follow me either. It was into the smaller mammal area of the building. I am the only one that fit unless they called in Hendrixson from the Canyonlands area. The coyotes would have had to stoop, but they could have done it."

Nick woke up a few times over the next few days. Had a conversation with a few of the guys who happened to be there when he woke, but he was extremely tired. Doctor said that was to be expected as his body, now that he wasn't in the induced coma, was able to properly start to heal. There was only so much the healing assistant treatments could do without the patient's own body being able to contribute to the effort.

They talked about fires they had responded to over the past few months, who won the cooking competition since Nick wasn't able to participate, someone else was finally able to win. The consensus was still held that Nick's chilli was and would forever remain the hottest. He never committed to what he put in it, only that it wasn't pure capsaicin.

The truth was that he put nearly a dozen Carolina Reapers, half a dozen Trinidad Scorpions and Ghost Peppers, as well as Chocolate Habaneros. He also had a hookup for Dragon's Breath, which had recently unseated the Carolina Reaper, and had a hookup for a designer pepper set to unseat the Dragon's Breath called the Furgone Conclusion. The minimum rating was supposed to be 3.2 million Scoville, and based on his last batch of chilli, that was no lie. He then used baking chocolate to smooth all that heat out, making it hotter than the surface of the sun, burn the fur off your tail, hot, but also a flavor bomb. He even made a vegetarian version for the prey guys to enjoy, and enjoy it they did. Yet with all that, the guys and Nick avoided discussing his injuries or the fire that caused it.

Two weeks after he woke up, they finally took the bandages off his head. Since they had needed to cut into his skull to fix several skull fractures, add some metal plates, and install the cybernetics, it took extra time to heal. When they finally revealed his right eye, they had the lights turned down so that his eye could adjust, giving him the remote to the lights to turn them up as slowly, or as quickly, as he could stand.

After a few minutes, Nick had the lights up to what he would call a dull roar against his retina. He was able to focus and see his leopard doctor. He'd known that from talking to him, but seeing the doc was nice. The room was actually pretty full. Nick smiled up at seeing his captain, his best friends Delgato and Wolford, and a few other friends, along with a rabbit he didn't recognize. Clearly a doe, and just about the most striking and beautiful female he had ever laid eye upon.

"Well, hello everyone. Nice of you all to come and see me, and it is also nice to see you." Looking at the doctor. "Doctor, it's good to officially see you as well, though clearly I'm only seeing through one eye. Didn't you say I was getting a second one?"

The doctor smiled and nodded. "You are, and it is installed, but you still need to do some rehabilitation and then train to learn to see out of it. Which is why Miss Hopps is here." Motioning to the doe.

The doe gave Nick a bright smile. "Hello Mr. Wilde. I'm Judith Hopps and I'm going to be your rehab specialist and physical theripist. I'll help you rebuild your strength, learn to use the cybernetics, which as you can hear me means you are already using the auditory implants. That's a good sign."

Nick smiled, feeling the flesh on his muzzle pull, which caused him to frown for a brief second. "It's very nice to meet and see you. I look forward to getting a better view once my new eye is working." Giving a smirk from the side of his muzzle not clearly scared.

Judy smiled back at him. "Don't worry yourself about that, or anything else, Mr. Wilde. That's what I am here for. I'll be visiting you daily while you are still recovering here in the hospital, and then I will be meeting with you daily during your main rehabilitation."

Nick lost himself in her amethyst eyes for a moment before shaking himself. "I look forward to it." With that, the doc and Judy left, leaving just Nick's co-workers and captain. Looking up at his captain, and the Fire Chief who had somehow hidden himself in the shadowed corner of the room. "Sir…"

The large Buffalo shook his head. "Nick. I'm so very glad that you survived and even more proud of you in the sacrifice you made to save those kits. You have always embodied the absolute best of the ZFD. I don't know if you are aware, but there is video of what happened. One of the other residents was recording it on their phone. They got the mother letting you know that there were still missing kits, she never even told you what species they were, only that they were missing. They were actually foster kits, it was Del she told the details to as you ran past him. The video shows you grabbing Del's spare, and running back into the building like your own tail was on fire.

Based on that video, you were put up for a commendation. Based on how we found you, which there is also video of, the mayor has asked the governor to award you a medal. These were all awarded in private ceremonies while you were asleep. It's already known that you are a fox, they didn't want to bring you more attention than needed. So those are awaiting your release. However, due to the prognosis of your recovery. Even though they expect you to recover, you are being retired, and with the Mayor and Governors sign off, you are being given your pension as if you had served a full thirty years and attained the rank of captain, effective the day of the fire.

It is my hope, that once you recover, you will come back to us. We need mammals like you to help train new blood. To show that sometimes, others must be before self, which is why we all do this. When you are ready, I've been assured that the 10-7 plans to hold a proper party for you."

Nick wiped away a tear from his eye. "I didn't want all that. I just wanted to save those kits. You know why I joined the ZFD. It was an apartment fire just like that one. Shoddy, cheap construction work, and over-priced rent to mammals like foxes and others who couldn't afford to live elsewhere, or who weren't welcome. I lost two of my best friends in that fire because they were trapped and no one was willing to go in after them, just because of what species they were." Giving his captain a pointed look. "I still remember you, sir. I remember you being there, and I remember your voice most of all. The only voice demanding that you do something, that you be allowed to try and go in. But by the time you got past the others, the building started to collapse. I… I also remember their screams, and how they were just suddenly not screaming anymore."

Del and Wolford looked at Nick in horror, Del shaking his head, his mane swishing. "Wait. That's why you joined?"

"I never wanted to know that someone else had to go through that. It destroyed their families. They were both only-kits. Jeff's dad killed himself in his grief. Don't know where his mom ended up. Eric's mom and dad split up. Jeff's mom was a leopard and his mom was a bobcat. They lived there because being inter-species, even both felines, they couldn't get anywhere else to live. They were both career mammals that made really good money, but had to live in squalor because of who they loved. Eric was a fallow deer. His dad was injured on the job and got screwed over by insurance. His mom worked three jobs to try and support them because his dad couldn't work. It was hard for him to do what he did around the house, but he looked after us kits, cooked for us, and tutored us all. He was such a smart mammal, but he just kinda imploded after the fire.

I never wanted to see that happen to another family. I guess I heard her say that they were foster kits, and all the more reason for me to do it. They had already lost everything else, they didn't deserve to lose their lives too. Probably considered problem kits because of acting out. The system never gives kits the support and counseling they need, which is why I'm sure they were placed with someone who lived in a place like that. It wasn't even a decision. I simply was not going to let it happen again. I knew I might not succeed, but I wouldn't have been able to live with myself if I hadn't tried."

The chief nodded. "That is exactly why you deserve what you are being given. You didn't do it to be a hero, you did it because it was the right damn thing to do, and that is something a lot of mammals need to learn. I know that I can never hope that you will speak out publicly."

Nick chuckled. "No amount of video, or anything else, is going to change the fact that I am a fox. How long did it take you guys to warm up to me and understand that I was there for good reasons? How long before you trusted me? Mike? It wasn't until I pulled you out of that house that you started to look at me with anything other than disdain and contempt. None of you believed I should have been allowed into the ZFD, and if it hadn't been for Belweather's MII, I wouldn't have been. But now look at you all." Smirking at the three mammals. "You're all my friends, my co-workers, and standing there sad that I won't be standing beside you anymore. Mike, Del. This doesn't mean I won't still come by to harass you guys, especially on poker night. I can't let you two go without cleaning you out every so often."

This got a chuckle from the mammals, Mike sniffing. "Okay. Just no using the new eye to see through our cards."

Nick laughed. "Who needs to see through your cards when you both have tells that tell me exactly what you have in your hands, and no, I'm not telling you what they are."

The chief chuckled. "Okay, enough of that. Once you are cleared to go home, come to the station. Your stuff is stored there. Sadly, being a hero; and you are, like it or not, you're also a fox and they evicted you before we were even sure if you'd survive. To say that the guys were less than pleased would be an understatement. I have to ask though. Why were you living there? Surely you were paid enough to live in somewhere better."

Nick rolled his eye with a tired sigh. "Chief. I'm a fox. Hero or not, I don't have a lot of options for places to live. Though I really appreciate you guys saving my stuff. Will I be allowed to stay at the station for a week or two until I can find a new place?"

The chief nodded. "You are welcome for as long as you need."

The fire Cheif grunted. "As far as I am concerned, you can live there permanently."

Del nodded. "And if you want to get out of there, you know I have several extra rooms you can also stay in as long as you need."

Nick shook his head. "Not getting between you and Jeff." Looking to Mike. "And I'm not getting between you and Lizz either, so don't bother. Still don't know what that tiger sees in you, but she loves you for some reason. I know both of you and your mates would happily welcome me, but I will find a new place. With the pension, I'm sure I will be able to find a decent apartment."

Mike frowned. "Nick. You said your last place was a decent place. You lived in what I can only call a hovel. It was a utility room. There was mold. I checked. Despite being right next to the hot water heater for the building, as well as the boiler, you did not have hot water. Your bed was a pallet laid over a sump pump cover. How can you call that a decent place?"

Nick shrugged. "It was also in walking distance to the station."

Delgato frowned with a growl. "Walking distance? It was five miles. That is not walking distance."

Giving a smirk, Nick shrugged again. "For a fox, that was a decent place. It had running water. It had a door that locked. It had a shower and I was able to set up a portable fur dryer. It didn't have leaks, that were from anything but the pipes, and even then, there were only three, and it only dripped enough to fill a bucket once a day, and only during the summer. There was actual air conditioning, both heat and cooling. That place was a major step up from my previous place. I can only hope to get something at least as good."

The captain shook his head. "Anyway. Like I said. You're welcome to stay as long as you need at the station. We'll let you get some rest and will see you when they release you."

"Roger that, captain. Stay safe, guys."

WIth that, they left Nick alone in the room to his thoughts. Thoughts that were quite violently interrupted when his body was wracked with agony, feeling as if his flesh was on fire and crisping as it burned. He screamed, causing the others and the doctor to rush into the room. After several seconds of agony, the pain subsided, leaving Nick panting and tears staining the fur of his face.

The doctor held up some water to him. "It's alright Mr. Wilde. That was just a neural memory of the pain from when you were injured. It's very much the same phenomenon as phantom limb syndrome experienced by amputees. You may have been unconscious, or even been conscious for some of it, but the reality of the pain your body endured is still etched into the nerves that were not destroyed. It will take some time, but it will lessen and eventually stop, unlike the phantom limbs of an amputee. Your system just needs to work through the sensory overload that is still hanging over it a bit like the Sword of Damocles. Bouts of pain like you just experienced are your body's way of working through it without overloading itself."

Nick nodded. "Good to know, and considering I'm on a drip that I'm quite certain has some strung stuff in it, no amount of painkiller is going to overcome it. Am I right?"

The doctor nodded. "Yes, I'm afraid that is the case. I've worked with a few burn cases like yours, though not quite as extensive. The first few are the worst. The agony will lesson and you will reach a point where it won't be utterly debilitating. You should sleep to help recover from it."

Nick nodded again. "Yeah, that sounds real good right now." Without looking at the others, Nick curled up with a slight whimper and was asleep, or appeared to be a moment later.

The chief, Delgato, Wolford, and the doctor stepped outside the room, Nick's ears focusing in on the conversation.

"Doc. Is he really going to be okay?"

"I don't know. It's really on him and his work with his Physical Therapist. Miss Hopps is the best. She's been where he is, so to speak. So she understands and can help him better than anyone I can think of."

"Do you think he'll be alright?" The voice of Wolford asked.

"In time, if he is strong enough. Yes."

The voice of the chief responded. "I've never known anyone stronger. He may be a fox, but he has proven to be a better mammal than most I know."

Delgato responded. "Yeah. I've learned that most foxes are, we just don't give them the chance."

"Yeah, what Del said." Wolford responded.

With that, Nick didn't hear any more of the conversation as sleep truly did claim him, insulating him from the ghost of the pain still singing along his nerves like some twisted, dark symphony."

Over the next week, Nick was able to stay awake for longer and longer, and had one more incident with the phantom pain that left him panting in shock. Judy happened to just be arriving when it hit him and was able to talk him through it. It didn't lesson the pain any, but her voice soothed him as he rode out the agony. If anything, he felt that her voice actually lessened the pain somewhat, or at least it seemed to help take the edge off.

In the end, he ended up with her wrapping him in a hug that he eagerly returned. Though it confused him why the hug felt so good, after it ended, he found himself craving it. A feeling he quickly shook off

"It's okay, Nick. You'll be alright. Just take slow, deep breaths. Imagine the pain flowing out of you with each exhale…"

Taking a few deep, shaking breaths, Nick sighed as the pain subsided. "My gods. If anything, that was worse then the first time."

Judy nodded as she released him. "Yeah. The first dozen or so are going to be bad like that. Some will be worse than others, a few will just be little twinges of pain, no worse than a bruise that is almost healed and you bump. Others will make you wish you could black out just to stop it. I promise, they will get better though. You just have to make it through."

Nick nodded. "That's what the doc told me." Thinking about what he overheard the doctor say, he watched her closely. "So, what are you here for today?"

Giving Nick a nearly blinding smile, with a wicked edge to her eyes. "Today is your first day or torture. I've come to beat you up and make you scream, in real pain."

Nick leaned back nervously. "You don't say…"

Giggling, Judy nodded. "Got you! Yes, it is probably going to hurt though, and you are going to be sore, no question. However, it isn't going to be that bad, and after what you just went through, you'll probably consider this as barely a little uncomfortable."

Nick chuckled. "Did you just?"

Giving Nick another grin. "Maybe. Now come on. Get off that bed and into the shower. Get cleaned up, you smell like three week old fox. Then put on the shorts and t-shirt I brought. We'll beat you down for about an hour, and then you can shower again before I massage your muscles out. Note, no matter what, you are going to be stiff, but I'm going to make sure it is just stiff and not immobile."

Still giving her a weary look, Nick nodded and slowly got up, nearly falling as he tried to put his weight on his damaged leg, only Judy and the bed rail keeping him upright. "Careful Nick. You've been in bed for a long time. Take it slow. That's what I'm here for."

Judy helped him walk over to the bathroom where he saw the shorts and shirt already waiting for him. Adjusting the water he looked down at the gown then at her, causing her to giggle and smile at him. "Just use the stool." Pointing. "I'll be right here if you need me, but I won't look. Not that you have anything I haven't seen before."

Nick chuckled nervously. "Right." Holding the wall as she stepped out of the bathroom and partially closed the door.

"Just don't push yourself, Nick. I'm here to help you, and if that means getting to see all of you, well, that's part of the job. I won't take it personally. All I ask is that you don't push yourself, fall, and hurt yourself, as that will look bad on me. If you do, then I will have no choice but to supervise you in the shower, on the toilet, etc… until I am convinced that you can do so safely, and I'm sure you don't want that."

Nick laughed as he carefully lowered himself down on the stool. "No. No one wants that. I will be careful and I will ask for help if I need it."

Judy nodded, not that he could see that. "Yes, and I have been fully informed of your injuries. I have to be so I can properly help you, so don't be shy or embarrassed by them or the scars. I assure you that I've seen worse."

Nick sighed. "In that case…" Glancing towards the door and seeing her back, but an ear turned towards him. "Uhm… Could I ask you to wash my back? I just tried and… I lack the strength and flexibility to do it right now, and there isn't a back brush in here."

Judy turned slowly with a nod. "Of course. I'll be happy to." He watched over his shoulder as her eyes ran over his body. He looked down at his leg, arm, etc… Tears stinging his eyes so he turned his face into the warm spray. Judy did not however miss that and gave a sad smile. Picking up the shampoo, and pouring some into her paw as she started to work it into the fur of his back that was still here. "So… When you are picking shampoo from now on you are going to want to make sure that they have skin conditioners. As you are going to have large swaths of exposed skin now."

Nick sniffed. "I'll do that… Do you have recommendations?"

"I have a few, and I'll bring you some to try so you can decide which one you like best. Everyone's skin is a bit different. You'll also notice that your scent is going to be different. More intense in some ways and muted in others. Just some things to think about."

Nick nodded as he looked down at himself and his clearly mangled limbs, shocked that they worked at all. "Yeah…"

Judy watched him and knew all too well the thoughts going through his head. Choosing not to attack them right at the moment, knowing he needed some time to work through things in his own head. Instead she reached out and started rinsing him, chuckling when he flinched. "Yeah, you'll notice that you are super sensitive too. You're not used to having sensation directly against the skin, so that will also take some getting used to."

Nick nodded as he rinsed his front off. Glancing back at her and seeing the small smile on her face. "You're… You aren't repulsed by the scars? I don't know what to make of them."

Judy shook her head as she finished. "No, Nick. I am not repulsed by the scars. Not at all. I think they are beautiful, because they are a testament to your resilience as a mammal, and the heroism you showed. I know what you did. Those kits would be dead, and have died horribly, if it were not for you. You saved their lives, without question. These scars." Running a soft paw over his back scar. "These are something you should be proud of. They speak of the sacrifice you were willing to make.

I'm not going to lie. There are going to be mammals that will judge you on these scars without knowing you. Who will assume the worst of things about you because of them. Others that will be scared by them. You have to learn to ignore them, to… never let them see that they get to you. I'll help you. Teach you how to brush it off. How to turn the other cheek, as it were, and if you really want to, how to confront them. That's one of the final lessons, actually."

Sighing, Nick nodded again. "Okay. I'm about done, so time for me to dry off. I will be careful and not push myself too far. Thankfully there is a fur dryer in here."

Judy nodded and stepped back out of the bathroom. "No problem, Nick. Let me know when you are done and if you need help at all."

"I will. I promise." Giving her a smirk. "We can't have you forcing yourself on me, now can we? That would just be inappropriate." His eyes sparkling with humor that wasn't there a few moments before.

Judy laughed. "Oh, you're going to be a cheeky one, aren't you? I look forward to the challenge. And trust me, you are not packing even a fraction of one of my other patients. Not to make you feel inadequate or anything, but he's a bull elephant, and a member of the Oasis."

Nick groaned with a laugh. "Damn, Fluff. Way to deflate a guy's ego."

They both laughed knowing the absurdity of comparing a fox to a bull elephant. Once Nick was dry, he managed to brush out some of his fur and this caused him to yelp. Judy was back in the room in an instant, then laughed upon seeing why. "Yeah, that'll happen for a while. You get to grooming and forget about the fur-less sections. The brush feels really weird. Also glad I brought you one of those. You're going to want to make sure that all your brushes have those little beads on the ends of the tines, otherwise… Lets just say you don't want to use one without them. It can turn out rather painful, and potentially bloody."

Dressed, Nick slowly hobbled out of the bathroom under his own power, and Judy's very watchful eye. "Very good, Nick. Now, let's see you walk from that side of the room to that one." Pointing. "Do it as many times as you can, but I want to see you do it at least four times in both directions. It's okay to rest if you need to, but get at least four laps done, okay?"

Nick smiled with a nod. "You got it, Fluff."

Working his way slowly from side to side, Nick made three full laps before he needed a break. After a few moment's rest, he was able to finish two more before Judy stopped him. She then got him up on the bed, and went through a bunch of stretches. "My gods, you are an evil rabbit! It's like you are trying to tear my newly healed skin to shreds."

Judy chuckled. "Actually, I'm trying to prevent the skin and underlying muscles from becoming so tight that they would tear. You're still healing, so now is when we need to make sure you have and keep the range of motion. If we don't, you'll end up barely able to move and have to go through corrective cosmetic surgery and then a repeat of this to give you even a fraction of your normal range of motion back. Doing it now saves you time, and pain later."

Nick chuckled. "I know, Carrots. Just gotta give you a hard time. There is no way I could get through this and not bust on you, at least a little."

Giving Nick a frown. "What did you call me?"

Thinking a moment, Nick laughed. "I called you Fluff earlier, and Carrots just now. It's one of the things I do. Everyone gets a nickname of three, and since I'm Nick, they're Nick-names." Grinning at the eye roll from Judy. "I saw your lunch. Carrots, some other veggies, and shrimp? Given the slight accent, I'm going to guess you're from somewhere out in the sticks. Podunk or the like. Family is probably farmers, carrot farmers even, and you… Well, you seem to have far more ambition and drive than to be a simple carrot farmer. Though I wonder how you ended up as a Physical Therapist of all things. If I didn't know better, I would have half expected you to be a cop."

Judy chuckled and shook her head. If Nick didn't know mammals as good as he did, he would have completely missed the sharp pain that passed through her eyes before a mask as good as any he had ever worm slammed down on her face like a guillotine. "Good one, Slick. If you get to call me Nick-names." Emphasizing the word the same way he had. "Then I get to call you some as well."

Nick nodded with a smile. "Works for me. Carrots." His smile became a grin as she smiled a genuine smile in return and rolled her eyes. "Shall we get back to abusing me?"

Judy nodded. "Sounds good."

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Over the following three weeks Nick saw less of the guys from the station, except Delgato and Wolford who visited at least twice a week. Wolford even stopped by with his mate and pups on the day before he was to be released so they could see that their uncle Nick was still around and improving.

Nick listened carefully and turned to Judy who had been waiting for them to leave before starting their session. His ears folded flat and his tail slumped. "I'm glad I don't scare the pups. I don't know if I could handle them being scared of me because of the scars."

Judy nodded with a smile. "I wouldn't worry about it, they were clearly more concerned that their uncle Nick was still their uncle. They'll get used to the scars and it will just be part of Uncle Nick. If anything, they'll be better adjusted because they won't as easily judge mammals with scars just because they have them, because of your influence."

Nick nodded. "I sure hope so." His ears and tail perked up as he smiled, taking off the ZFD sweat pants and shirt off that he had worn for the visit. "So, what is on the agenda for today? A walk around the hospital grounds?"

Judy shook her head. "Are we going for a walk? Yes, yes we are. Will it be around the hospital? No, no it will not. Today we're going to the park." Seeing Nick flinch. "It's okay, Nick. I'm going to be there with you, and this is a good chance to put the, 'don't let them see that they get to you,' into practice."

"That obvious, huh?"

"I've only been working with you for a bit over two months. So yeah, it's obvious to me, but I doubt anyone else would have noticed. The pups and Mike were clearly unaware of your worries. Now come on. Put your pants on."

Smirking and wiggling his eyebrows. "What? You don't like what you see?"

Judy's ears fell behind her as they flushed slightly as she pointed a finger at him with a deadly glare, despite the hint of smile on her muzzle as well. "Wilde. You are on thin ice."

Giving a cheeky grin, Nick reached over and pulled on his pants. "Touchy. You know you love me."

Shaking her head and heading towards the door. "Do I know that? Yes. Yes I do. Now move that tail, Slick. I do have other patients."

Ten minutes later they were entering a nearby park, Nick's tail twitching nervously at the tip, though the rest he managed to keep swaying calmly behind him. Judy watched him closely. "So, Carrots. We've talked about me, but never talked about you."

"That's because I'm the PT and you are the patient. The focus is on you, not me. I still cannot believe you wore that shirt."

"What? I figure it's is so loud it'll distract mammals from the scars on my face and arm."

"Yeah, it'll do that for sure. They'll be so repulsed by your fashion sense that they will never get a chance to realize you're a scared monster."

Placing a paw over his heart and taking a stumbling step back, Nick gasped theatrically. "Carrots! You wound me."

Rolling her eyes with a grin, Judy laughed. "Ever the drama fox. Come on, Slick. You're just stalling."

"Okay. Okay. Lead on my good rabbit."

They entered the park and started walking a circuit. Nick's shirt succeeding in distracting many mammals from his on display scars, though clearly to Judy's eyes, not all were affected. There were plenty who were clearly aghast at it, and some that confused her a bit. Looks of anger and disgust, but directed at Nick, and not appearing to be a reaction to his scaring.

About half way through their circuit of the park, they were stopped by several rabbits and a ram, the ram speaking. "Hey, fox. Get away from the rabbit."

Nick looked up with a raised eyebrow. "Excuse me?"

Reaching out and shoving Nick, causing him to stumble back several steps, the ram continued. "I said back off the rabbit, fox. Damn scared freak that you are." Looking to Judy. "We'll protect you from this freak. You don't have to…"

The absolute rage and very predatory growl coming from Judy shocked everyone, especially Nick. "Listen you overgrown moron. He is my friend. We are out here for a nice stroll in the park to get some fresh air, not to be harassed by idiots who don't know how to mind their own beeswax. So back off!"

One of the bucks stepped forward and grabbed Judy by the shoulder. "Calm down. It isn't all that. We're just looking out for you. He can't hurt or threaten you anymore."

Judy looked down at the buck's paw, then back up and him and spoke in a deathly cold tone. "You'll want to remove that paw, before I do it for you. Because if I do, you'll need the services of a doctor."

The buck pulled Judy towards him and the other rabbits. "Hey. We've got this, and that pelt…" The next sound the buck made was a scream of pain as Judy grabbed the offending paw and twisted it into a wrist and arm lock. The scream cut off suddenly as she drove a foot into his gut, blasting what air was in his lungs from him.

Dropping him she turned to the rest of the rabbits and ram looking on in shock. "I do not need your help or your protection. You have exactly ten seconds to collect your friend and run faster than I can, or I will put all of you in the hospital, and then have you all arrested upon release for harassment and specist threats. For your information, that carries a mandatory minimum sentence of two years if convicted, and considering that this park has full camera coverage, with audio pickup, I think you can see where I am going with this."

They didn't wait. The ram picked up the fallen rabbit and they ran as fast as their feet could carry them out of the park. Judy threw her head back and let out a very un-rabbit like roar before deflating. Nick catching her as her legs gave. He quickly carried her over to a bench and sat down with her in his lap. Clutching his Pawaiian shirt, she sobbed a few times before trying to pull away.

Nick shook his head and held her in place. "Nope. It would appear that I'm not the only one that needs to talk about a few things. What was that, Carrots? Judy? Talk to me. You said I was your friend, not patient. More than that, those were some impressive moves. More like I'd expect from a cop taking down a perp."

Judy sighed. "Fine, but not here. You buy the pizza, I'll provide the place, and we will talk. However, I'm not the only one that is going to share. You've been holding back too, so if I'm going to share, so are you. Deal?"

Nick grinned down at the rabbit in his lap looking up at him. "Deal, Fluff. Veggie with Shrimp and pepperoni from Salazars?"

Judy nodded with the ghost of a smile, though it was genuine. "Yeah. That sounds about right."

Nick nodded and took out his phone as they got off the bench and followed Judy back to her car. He placed the order and got the address from her when he needed it. They were walking up to her building as the pizza mammal arrived. Nick quickly paid for the pie and then followed Judy into the Grand Pangolin Arms.

Nick laughed as they walked up the stairs, the elevator broken and seeming to have been that way for a long time. "My gods. You live here?"

Judy shrugged. "It's centrally located. I was going to move here before… Well, let's get inside." She led him to a door with the muffled sounds of yelling coming from inside and from next door.

"You shut up!"

"No. You shut up! Listen!"

"No. You Listen!"

Judy growled. "BOYS! What have we talked about?"

There was silence for several long seconds as Nick took in the tiny room, setting the pizza box on the small desk/table. The first voice responding. "That yelling at each other is not communicating."

The second voice picking up. "That we love each other, and if we want the relationship to last, we need to communicate. That means not screaming, but talking, and giving our mate the chance to speak."

The first voice sounding again. "That we need to listen to each other, and take turns."

Judy nodded as she glared at the wall the voices were behind with her arms crossed and foot tapping the floor. "Right. Now, I have a guest that I need to have a conversation with. And, given what I was hearing as we walked in, you two need to go for a walk and talk."

Nick swore he could feel the nods as Judy rolled her eyes. "Guys. I can hear you, but I cannot see you, so speak."

The first voice chuckled. "Right. Right. We'll go for a walk."

The second voice sounded. "Hey, be good to the rabbit. She's helped us out and probably saved our marriage."

Nick chuckled. "I get that feeling. She's right, too, you know."

The voices were farther away, and then in the hallway walking away, the first one speaking. "Yeah, she really is. Later Bunny Cop."

The second voice replied. "Dude, you know she hates that name. It was her dream."

"You're right, but did you hear that? She's got a guy in there. Think she's finally found someone?"

"Don't know, but I sure hope so…." The voices fading to a point of no longer being understandable.

Nick turned to Judy with a curious smile. "Bunny cop?"

Judy groaned and sat on the bed, pulling a beer from the case they had also bought. "Long story, and part of my confession. However, you have to go first, Slick. If you want to earn that story."

Nick nodded, grabbing a beer of his own then handing her a slice of pizza before taking one for himself. "Sounds good. But first, I think we both need a few slices and a few beers before we're going to be ready for that."

Judy nodded. "Absolutely. One hundred percent."

A good forty five minutes later, both mammals were feeling much better with Nick feeling especially tipsy despite only starting on his second beer. "Carrots… Should I really have been drinking with the meds I'm on?"

Judy giggled, a musical sound that made Nick's heart flutter in response and confused him greatly. "You're fine, as long as you don't drive. I already texted the hospital and told them you might not be back tonight, or at the very least, very late."

Nick nodded. "Okay. I guess it's story time then. I get to go first, right? But you promise to explain?"

Judy nodded, her ears drooping. "Yeah. I will. It's about time you actually talk it all the way out. You're never going to get over the nightmare and the guilt." Seeing Nicks look. "Yes, guilt. Survivors guilt, Nick. So talk, fox."

Nick nodded, there had always been something about the rabbit that just made him trust her without question. He wasn't sure what it was about her, but he felt drawn to her, and he never once felt like he needed to hold back from her. "Okay. But don't get too weepy on me. It's not a pretty story, nor an overly long one."

They were both sitting on the bed, as other than a small, bunny sized chair, it was really the only place to sit other than the hard floor. Scooting back so he was wedged into the corner, Nick looked down at his beer, ears splaying to the side. "I guess I'll start at the beginning. When I was six, there was a fire in the apartment complex where we lived. It was me, my mom, dad, and sister. We all got out, but a couple of my friends didn't. I've told this part of the story, but only the chief knows the rest, because he was actually there. None of the fire mammals would go back into the building. Heck, they never went in to begin with. It was mammals like my father that got the other residents out. He had gone back in one last time, because we could all hear the kits screaming. My friends. It wasn't but a few moments after he went back in that the building collapsed in on itself.

The screaming rose in terror for just a brief moment, and then just… stopped. They never even bothered to look for bodies once the fire was out. They just bulldozed the building and built a new one, just as shoddily made. It burned down a few years later. Rinse repeat. The laws still don't require certain safety requirements or building requirements when the building is listed as going to be rented out to foxes and others like us. It's actually an exception in the law to the safety regulations. You don't even have to get the building inspected. Not that an inspector would actually bother to show, and if they did they'd sign off no matter how bad it was. I know this, because I've seen it.

Anyway. So we lost dad, and then KS took my sister. They showed up while the fire was still burning and just took about a third of the kits. I still haven't been able to find out where they took her. That left just me and mom. We got by, barely. I tried joining the Ranger Scouts, but that backfired spectacularly. Wouldn't let me join. Which I suppose is a blessing, because several of my school bullies were members of the troop they would have assigned me to.

I decided that I wasn't going to let what happened to me and my family, to my friends' families, to all the mammals I knew at the time, happen again if I could stop it. So I was going to become a fire mammal myself. I would prove that foxes could be more than we were told we were. I studied, got A's, went to community college and paid the fox price."

"What's the fox price?"

"Simple. A fox wants to rise above his station, they have to pay the fox price. If a credit would cost you 25 Z's, it'll cost a fox 250 Z's. Basically, if you are a fox, raccoon, weasel, skunk, and the like, add a zero to the cost. I worked my tail off, and I admit that much of the money was made in hustles. Nothing that hurt anyone or was actually illegal, but certainly a few that were just barely the legal side of the border. Not that I ever felt all that guilty about scamming mammals who would curse me, call me a stinking pelt, etc… the moment they thought I couldn't hear them."

Judy sighed. "As I know your hearing as a fox is almost as good as mine, that's a lot farther than most mammals realize."

"Yes… Yes it is. I used that to my benefit, and again, given the things they would say about me, I never felt all that bad about it. So I got my degree in fire science, paying the fox price to get there. Then I got into the academy, but only because of the MII, finished top three in my class. I really believe I was top, but there was no way, and the head instructor told me as much, that they would ever let a fox finish top and I should feel lucky that they let me graduate at all.

That's when Chief Bogo, he's actually the Chief of Police's brother, did you know that? Anyway, the Chief assigned me to some out of the way station that was neglected to say the least. I busted my tail. I straightened things up. My dad had been a tailor, so I knew how to sew and all that. I used those skills to repair the uniforms of the fire mammals stationed there. I scrounged up parts and got the engine running again, fixed the pumps or replaced them with what I could scrounge. Even managed to score us some second hand SCUBA gear, not the diving kind, but the firefighter kind. It was old, but unlike the stuff they had when I got there, it actually worked. One of the guys knew how to weld, so we just modified things when it wouldn't fit. I wasn't the senior guy, but after a few months, they all looked to me.

Most of the area we served was in Happytown, and the hydrant coverage is severely lacking, and even those that are there do not always have water to them. So I worked out a tank system on a trailer that we towed behind the engine. That way we actually had enough water to deal with a decent number of fires, and could be refilled by dragging hoses from nearby buildings and houses and filling the tank that way on site.

We were understaffed, under supplied, and only had one working O2 bottle when I got there, with no way to fill it. It was where firefighters that were on the outs with the higher ups were sent, or little guys like me got sent there because no one in the big stations thought we could cut it. There were several guys that were drunks, and I suppose for good reasons. They'd been in fires and watched others burn. A few had refused orders during a fire and saved some mammals, not caring that they were undesirables, and then got sent there as punishment for making a captain look bad. That sort of thing. I worked with the guys, my mom came in and worked with the ones who were drinkers. She's a councilor at a shelter part-time.

After a few months, we had a working team who were sober, had equipment that worked, even if it was mismatched and out of date, but it worked. We got the usual calls, and handled them, which went unnoticed by the higher ups because no one cared about our station. Well, the arson investigation team took notice, because our reports were spot on and clean. Something the lead investigator thought was a breath of fresh air. Sadly, he really couldn't do much to help us, but he did manage to get some funding redirected our way. It wasn't a lot, but when we were barely functioning on anything beyond covering our paychecks and the bills, and no money for OT, so if we worked it, we didn't get paid. You take what you can get when things are like that.

I mean, I managed to work with the community we served and got us stuff like a fridge that worked, things like that. Most fire mammals can cook, and cook well. So we arranged barbecues for the community. They brought the food and we'd cook it up. When the community realized that they actually had a station that cared they started to care too. One morning I got up to go on my morning run and I found the otter that owned the local gas station with his fuel truck there. He was filling up the stations tanks that we filled the engine with. Never charged us either. Then one morning I found a pickup out front. The nearby junkyard had scrounged up the truck, the mechanics in town had all given time to get it running. It wasn't new, or all that pretty, but it was ours, and it ran like it was new, so we didn't have to use the engine to make supply runs. You get the idea. Cosmetically, we were not the prettiest station, and our equipment was beaten, but we were a team, and the community supported us.

Then luck struck. You remember that huge fire. Big gaudy building that was supposed to rival the palms? So many corners cut that it went up like a roman candle? Well, they called in everyone, even us. My team and I showed up before all but the closest stations, so the news teams got a good look at us. When asked where we were from, I only answered the station number, so I did nothing wrong. Not my fault the reporter was from the area and started making calls as soon as he got done with the story on that fire.

He and several others watched as my motley crew went in and got mammals out. Yeah, we were mostly smaller, coyotes, lynx, and other smaller mammals. Me being the smallest. Our biggest guy was Delgato. He was on the outs with management because he punched out his captain on camera, told him off about murdering mammals and what species they were shouldn't matter, then went about taking over and ensuring no one died in that fire. Would have killed a good dozen skunks, a few raccoon's, etc, if Del hadn't done it. Not that management cared."

Judy shook her head. "My gods! How is Bogo still in charge?"

"Because it wasn't in his control. He wanted to give Del a medal, but he made his captain look bad, on camera, and the rest of the higher-ups wanted him out. So Bogo sent him to me. Similar thing happened with my buddy Wolford. Though he was doing his best to drink himself into an early grave. Failed to save several cubs at an orphanage fire. The ceiling collapsed on them. There was nothing he could do, but he blamed himself for a long time. Mom finally got him to talk it through. He saved dozens of kits that day, but he isn't Super-mam, so what was he supposed to do? The other guys had to literally drag him out. He got sent to my station when it was clear he was on the downward spiral, instead of getting him some help.

Which is another thing the community helped us with. There were a few councilors that worked with homeless mammals and such, along with my mom, and they came to the station and gave the guys free counseling. Their way of saying thank you after we stopped the fire before it could burn down the shelter.

When the reporter started poking around about our station, he found out what I had done and how I had gotten the station into a functioning state, despite the conditions and lack of funding. Only, he kept digging. It seemed our station was one of the most well funded, on paper. That money never made it to the station, instead ending up in the pockets of a lot of those higher ups that pushed mammals like Del and myself there.

The expose he wrote rocked the city a few years ago and forced all sorts of reforms. It seems that Bogo had wanted more smaller mammals in all stations, because we could get into buildings and places others couldn't. With us, places that they would just have to let burn and spray with water from outside, could be gone into, lives saved, and property protected. Smaller hoses could be employed that wouldn't just drown the mammals in places like Little Rodentia. A rhino or a tiger can't go in there, and using a hose they would use is going to do more damage than good. But a fox or a coyote, while large in Little Rodentia, can use a small hose and get up close and personal with a fire. Sure, we can't get in the building, but we can actually get to the building.

After things shook out, and a bunch of the old guard went to jail, things changed. All of a sudden, the funding we were supposed to be getting landed in our laps. We had new equipment, a new truck, new kitchen in the station, and a surplus of cash on hand. We spent it on the community. They had supported us, so we turned that around. Now, we couldn't just give it to the community, but we could spend it on fire extinguishers and having them placed in buildings. I could give them away to any family that wanted one for their home. I could cover the tuition of some of the homeless mammals that wanted to go to the fire academy.

When Bogo got wind of what I was up to, he just showed up one day, and not in uniform. For a buffalo, that mammal can be damn silent when he wants to be. Jack, a stripped jackrabbit who graduated in the class after me and got sent there for the same reason I was, didn't even hear him approach. We were in the common room discussing how to spend the last of the money for that cycle. We had a reserve already set aside. A new truck, a new pickup with tool boxes and such, kitchen was remodeled, bunk room redone, etc… and we still had cash on hand. I suspect Bogo started out enraged when he heard us. At least until he heard the ideas we were discussing on how to spend it.

We were going to spend some of it on the local school. It was way out of regulation for fire safety. There would be new sprinklers put in, fire alarms, smoke detectors, fire doors would be fixed, etc… All the work done by mammals local to the community when and if we could.

The local clinic would get the same treatment. If we accidentally bought desks for the kits, or a few new beds for the clinic, who was going to complain. I think I commented something to the effect of the desks being fire related since it would eliminate the old, fire-hazard wooden desks they had, and how the beds would be the same, and the fact that they patched us up, so why shouldn't we have nicer beds? Bogo was just suddenly standing over me and everyone froze."

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Nick looked up from his clipboard to the mammals who had all suddenly gone silent to see looks of absolute terror on their faces. The fur on his neck standing up and his ears folding back, he slowly turned to look behind himself, seeing the Fire Chief standing there. "Hi Chief. Can we offer you some water? As you're not in uniform, maybe a beer?"

"No. I'm here to find out what the hell is going on with this station. Where all the money that it has been getting is going to, now that it is not going into the pockets of the corrupt leadership, such as the commissioner, since he's now enjoying a jail cell."

Nick nodded, doing his best to right his ears. "We've done quite a bit with the money sir, now that we actually have access to it. The station has been updated and remodeled, we now updated our engine and bought a new truck for the station. After that, we took the excess and applied it to fire related community projects. Which was what you heard us discussing. There is a local clinic that is so far below fire code that it is actually kinda sad, and they do not have the money to bring it up to code, yet that clinic is the only one in the area that the community has unless they're going to cross half the district to the main hospital. So, we're using the money to get them up to code. Since it is fire related and community outreach, as well as that clinic being where all the mammals of this station are seen when hurt unless it is something truly major, it's also a bit self-serving for us."

Bogo glared down on the group, especially Nick. "And why are you the one speaking, Firefighter? For that matter, how did a fox get through the Academy?"

"I graduated top of my class, sir. I was assigned here because no one wanted me in their station, and most believed that I didn't earn that position but cheated somehow. I did not."

The actual station chief spoke up, a very old bear. "Chief Bogo, Sir. Nick is speaking because if it were not for him, none of the upgrades, none of the fixes, would have happened. He managed to get us gear that we didn't have. It was old and out-dated, but it worked. Before he showed up, we only had one SCUBA that worked and only kinda. Nick organized community barbecues where the community could bring donations towards fixing up the engine, the junk yard donated the truck and the local mechanics donated time to get it running. It's not pretty, but it runs like new."

"I saw that monstrosity outside. Configured for a smaller mammal. Him." Pointing at Nick. "I assume."

The station chief nodded. "Yes sir. Nick drives it most of the time, now that we have a new one, now that we are actually getting the funding that is supposed to be coming to us. It's a model year old, but otherwise brand new, and as such, Nick got us a deal so they could get it off the lot."

"Would that be why you recommended a fox of all mammals for early promotion?"

All the mammals at the table shared a hopeful look that Nick didn't catch, his ears popping forward at the statement. The captain nodded. "Yes sir. We have all discussed it while he was out running errands. If there is one mammal here that deserves it, it's Nick. We were able to respond to the huge fire and actually help out because of Nick. He led training and drills, updated our rotation so everyone is always fresh. He worked out volunteer training and community fire awareness training. CPR training's for the community. And the list goes on. He is the reason that things are better for the community we serve, and why they honestly love us so much."

Bogo looked down at Nick. "Is this true?"

Nick nodded nervously. "It is, sir. I couldn't just waste away here. I joined the ZFD to make a difference to the community I served. I joined to prevent a repeat of what happened to my family, my friends, when the apartment we lived in burned down and no one would do anything."

Bogo frowned. "I see. Well then, Lieutenant, I expect you to keep up the good work. I expect that the next time I visit, you will not be out of uniform?"

It took Nick a moment to recognize what just happened, and then he grinned. "No sir!"

Bogo nodded. "Excellent. Now, why don't you take me on a tour of this station and the community."

Nick leapt up. "Of course sir. This way."

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"I then did just that. Took him around, showed him the upgraded station, as well as the old engine. We kept it as a backup and in case there was a larger fire where we needed the extra power. The pumps we used to fix it were old pumps off a ship, so they were factors of magnitude more powerful than the original ones. He was always hard to read, but I think he was impressed with the mammal-rigged modifications we made to it. It actually had better pumps and water capacity than the new engine. Though that was because we added a large water tank on a trailer like I said. Something we found in the same junk yard that the truck came from. Considering that any station that had water access issues suddenly had water tank trailers added to their equipment suggested that he was imporessed.

I explained how important that was because so many of the areas of the community we served were lacking in sufficient hydrant access. The tank let us get the community to help. They'd run their household hoses into the tank, which our pumps would then draw from to put out the fire. We even developed some new techniques to address the fact that we were always going to be water-poor when it came to fighting most fires.

From there, things escalated. I got farmed out to other stations to maximize their use of the funds they were getting, help them train better, and pretty soon, the team I built in that throw away station where they put misfits and the unwanted became the standard by which all other stations in the city and beyond were held to.

Things went like that for several years, until recently. I got to know other fire-mammals. I made friends outside of my team. Even Bogo became a friend, when we were not in uniform or anywhere near a station. He is the chief, after all. Then this most recent fire happened.

It was just like when I was a kit, save the fact that we were actually trying to do something other than watch it and the lives of the mammals that lived there, burn. When the older doe said there were still kits inside, well… I didn't even hesitate, but then we got trapped as the building started to collapse."

Nick wiped tears from his eyes. "I… I didn't even hesitate. I took off my coat, stuck the SCUBA bottle I took from Delgato in with them, and wrapped them up. I then wrapped myself around them. It was so hot. I didn't expect to live. I made peace with that as I felt my fur start to singe. I…"

Judy wrapped Nick in a bone crushing hug. "It's okay Nick. You did live, and you did save the lives of those kits. They wouldn't have survived without you, and you know it. You were willing to give your life to save them, to give them the chance they wouldn't have otherwise had, and that is the bravest and most selfless thing I have ever heard of.

So now I guess it is my turn to tell a story. It isn't as long, or as complicated, but it will show you why I get where you are coming from. You see. Ever since I was little... well... littler that is. Stop laughing.

Anyway." Rolling her eyes, hard, at Nick's snickering. "I wanted to be a cop, preferably in Zootopia. I even performed in a skit when I was nine about how I was going to be a cop when I grew up. I trained and studied, got my degree in Criminal Justice, got all the certifications I could, but I wasn't going to be allowed to be a cop because I was a rabbit, and therefore I was too small. At most I was going to be able to become a volunteer deputy for the county, and I was going to be happy with that. At least I told myself that. Maybe I would become a Private Investigator and Bounty Hunter. Then the MII got passed, and I applied one last time.

While waiting for the response to my application, there was a fire and collapse in the burrow. I went in because there were kits trapped. I was working on a digger team to dig them out when the ceiling started to give because of the fire in the burrow tunnel above us. I was so much stronger than the others because of all the training I did. I managed to hold it up until they got the hole big enough for the kits to crawl through and get out along with the other diggers. When I went to try and move. Well, I was the only thing keeping the ceiling up, so when I went to move, it collapsed. It crushed my leg and buried me under burning debris.

By the time they dug me out, they expected me to be dead. All the training actually saved my life because I was in such better physical condition than any normal rabbit, but I was ruined. The day I got out of the hospital, still in a cast and bandages, I got the acceptance letter. I called the doctor and they confirmed my worst fear. Even though they expected me to recover, I'd never have the range of motion, no matter how strong I got, to be able to meet the demands of the ZPA. Not even the updated ones they had passed while I was in the hospital to make sure smaller mammals could actually pass.

To say I was crushed is an understatement. Funny thing though. After that skit as a kit, I caught one of the local bullies stealing the tickets from my friends. It was at the Carrot Days festival. So there were rides and such you needed tickets for in order to ride. Well, I confronted him, still in my cop outfit. He pushed me down. I kicked him in the muzzle and bloodied his lip, and well…" Brushing aside the fur on her cheek. "He clawed me and said I would never be anything but a carrot farming, dumb bunny. He was a red fox. We're close friends now and he is dating one of my sisters. It was him that caught my scent and dug me out.

I probably wouldn't have survived had the mammal that had once been my bully not had such a good nose and stopped by to drop off pastries. Instead of continuing on his way, he threw himself into helping and that good predator nose of his saved countless lives, including my own.

That's how I ended up becoming a Physical Therapist. The insurance covered a lot, then there was an investigation and the contractor that did the work, it was a new expansion of the burrow, got found out for cutting corners and doing shoddy work. With that money, I went back to school, after moping around for about a year. If I couldn't be a cop, I damn sure could help out cops and other first responders who got injured in the line of duty. My strength gave me the ability to work with much larger mammals than mammals my size. I am actually certified to work with mammals as large as Tigers when it comes to actual PT. I can work with any mammal with other issues such as PTSD therapy and such."

Nick nodded with a smile, though there was anger in his eyes as well. "I see. I guess I'll have to forgive this fox that hurt you. If it wasn't for him, I wouldn't have you now to look after me. Still, bully or not, there is no justification for clawing a kit in the face."

"He's a baker now, and apologized profusely. Not that I think he needed to. I think locating and digging me out of the collapsed burrow, as well as all the others he saved that day, more than made up for a few scars you can't see without moving my fur."

Nick nodded, still bothered by it. "Fair enough. So now what? I think I get you so much better now. I assume you have scarring?"

Judy looked away. "I have a lot of scarring. The hospital I was in didn't have access to the skin graft cloning tech that they used on you. Thankfully it's all either beneath fur, or clothing. Would you like to see it?"

Nick smiled warmly. "Only if you want to show me. You do not have to, at all."

Judy smiled with a hint of embarrassment. "Meh. I would be kinda hypocritical if I didn't show you mine, given I have seen all of yours. It's how I know that the phantom pains will get less, and that you will get used to the sensitivity, and possible sensation dead spots. Also why I was able to talk you through the panic attacks and PTSD episodes."

"For which I will be eternally grateful."

With that, Judy took off her blouse to reveal the extensive scaring across her chest, side, stomach, and back. She then removed her leggings to reveal more of the same. "As you can see. Most of my body is scared. About two thirds in total. A quarter of that has fur grown over it, the rest, well…" Indicating herself. "But it is like I told you, Nick. These scars were earned saving the lives of fifteen kits and four diggers. One brother, two sisters, and a cousin. I don't even know if the kits were brothers, sisters, cousins, or nieces and nephews. They got to safety and survived. That's all I cared about. Just like giving those kits the best chance you could, even if it cost you your life, was all you cared about."

She pulled at Nick's shirt until he let her take it off him, tracing a paw over the scars visible across his upper arm. "These were earned saving the lives of kits. Something no one else would have been able to do, because no one else there was small enough to get to them. No one else reacted fast enough to get to them. If you had not been there. If you had not been willing to give up your own life to save theirs, they would have died just like your friends and father. If you want to look at it that way, one could say that your father protected you just like he tried to protect those kits he went back in after."

Nick shivered at the gentle touch of Judy's paw. "Judy… You're beautiful."

Judy gave a sad smile. "Thank you for saying that, Nick, but it isn't true. I'm proud of these scars, but no buck will look at me now." Taking off her bra to show that one breast was actually missing and the other had visible scar tissue. "I'm just not attractive. I have predator curves because of how I trained my body, and the scars make me unlovable. But thank you again for saying that." She then turned back to pick up her leggings.

Nick reached out, taking her shoulder and turned her back around. "Judy. I am not lying." He then leaned in and placed a kiss on her lips that had her ears snapping up fast enough to make a popping sound. Pulling away, Nick looked deep into her amethyst eyes. "Judy. You are beautiful. Inside, and out. You're right. These scars." Running a paw over her side, causing her to shiver. "These scars are something to be proud of, just like you said. They just make you more beautiful. More so now that I know what you did to earn them."

Judy leaned over and pulled Nick into a much more passionate kiss. Releasing the kiss and looking him in the eyes, clearly desperate to know if he was just being nice or meant what he was saying. "Do you really mean that Nick?"

"I do. One hundred percent." Pulling her into another kiss. They both lost themselves in the kiss and came back up for air gasping and grinning. Nick chuckled. "Judy. I have to say, I found you attractive from the moment I saw you in the hospital introduced as my PT. My feelings for you have grown. I have to know, because where this feels like it is going is something far more important than just casual. Foxes don't do casual."

Judy smiled warmly. "I know. My sister has complained a few times that Gideon hasn't gone past making out with her yet. Something about it being on their wedding night."

Nick chuckled lightly. "More to the point, for us red foxes, it is the wedding. We can hold a ceremony and all that, but we have issues getting venues or having our weddings not interfered with, so for us, it is just between the two mammals. We claim each other, which is a bite that leaves a permanent mark. It's not something I would even be able to control, it's pure instinct. So if you are unsure, if we do this, as much as I want to, I need you to understand. There is no going back, no divorce, and there will never be any other mammal for me. If you die, I will very likely, unless we have kits, follow you within days. It's that serious. Of course, if I have misinterpreted things, I am very sorry, extremely embarrassed and will leave and hope you will be willing to give me a recommendation to a new PT."

Judy took a clearly shocked step back. "Oh… Wow! No wonder Gid is so adamant about waiting." Looking Nick over, a shy smile crosses her face. "Nick. You have no misinterpreted things. To be honest, you are the first mammal who has ever gotten my heart beating. I feel drawn to you and have since I saw you on that hospital bed. I have been pawsy because I crave your touch, and have struggled to keep things professional as we have grown close as we worked together. When we had that two weeks off, I suffered the way I've watched my sisters suffer when they lost their mate.

You see. Rabbits may play the field, and test drive our potential mates, but once we choose one, we don't divorce. We bond with our mates, and we know it. When it happens we will find ourselves with an almost irresistible urge to mate with them. Not just to have sex, but to lose ourselves in the other. It's why so many are pregnant on their wedding day. We don't actually start ovulating until we find that one mammal, we have heats and the rest, but we don't ovulate until we are with that mammal. I can say without question that I have those urges for you, and they have gotten harder and harder to control. I want to fold myself into you and lose myself in your scent, your taste, in the feel of your fur and flesh against mine."

Nick gave a somehow shy yet wicked grin. "I feel the same, Judy."

The two of them fell together, the rest of the very universe itself ceasing to exist as they made love. The neighbors, who had returned just as they started, left horribly embarrassed by the sounds of passion coming through the wall. A wall through which their own sounds had drifted on many occasions, and now realized just how their neighbor must feel. They left and got themselves a hotel, leaving their friend and neighbor, and her new mate to what privacy they could have.

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The following morning, late…

Nick woke, and he was sore, but it was a soreness that put a grin on his muzzle. He also found himself wrapped around a gently snoring pillow. A pillow that, as his brain came back online, he realized was Judy. Glancing at her shoulder, he saw his mark and sobbed as the pain in his own shoulder where she had bitten him asserted itself. A pain he welcomed with his whole being. Sure, it wasn't the mark of a vixen, but he didn't care. It was the mark of his mate.

He chuckled in between sobs, looking down at his bunny, pulling her tighter. Judy looked up at him, woken by his sobbing. "Nick?" A look of pure love, acceptance, and concern on her face that only made his tears flow more. "What's wrong? You can tell me."

Smiling, he kissed her deeply. "Nothings wrong, my love. Everything is right, actually. Perfect even. I don't know what I am going to do, and I don't know what the future holds, but I know we have each other. I'm just so happy. For a fox like myself, finding a mate… It means more to me than I think I can express. I never expected to find one. Most vixen's I've met don't want a todd with a job like I had. Then after the fire, I felt like you. That I could not be loved. It feels kind of like we were destined for each other, Judy."

Judy nodded, tears in her own eyes. "I can't disagree with you there, Nick. It seems like we were pulled together. My gods, I have never felt like that before. Your tongue… Oh gods. I'm a rabbit, a foxes tongue should not feel that good, and that's just the 3rd best thing about you." Giving him a smirk.

"Oh, and what's the first?"

Hugging his tail. "Your tail. Totally your tail. It is so fluffy! And it makes a perfect comforter that smells like you."

Flicking his tail tip to tickle her nose, Nick laughed and rolled onto his back, pulling her with him. He looked down at his bunny, scars and all, as she stretched out along his body. "Well, you kinda smell like me too, now. And a lot more than when we've worked out together. I think I may have gotten a bit carried away with marking you."

"That might be my fault, because save for your tail, you kinda smell like a bunny now."

Nick grinned. "No. I smell like you, my mate, and I couldn't be happier about that if I tried."

Looking up at Nick with watery eyes. "Do you mean that, Nick? Do you really mean that? That I am your mate? Now and forever?"

"Like I told you when we performed that little ceremony. You are the light of my world. I am yours, now and forever. In this life and the next. Until the stars themselves burn out. So long as you will have me, I am yours, for there can and will never be anyone else for me."

Judy broke into sobbing of her own, clutching herself to Nick's chest. He petted her ears until she calmed down. "Nick. That goes for me too. You are my light in the darkness. I am yours, now and forever. In this life, and the next. For so long as you will have me. There will never be anyone else for me. You own my heart and didn't need to steal it. I give it to you willingly and without reservation."

After sharing a long, passionate, kiss. They made love yet again, before finally allowing themselves to wake up and seek breakfast, both of them finding themselves utterly famished.

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Sitting in a small diner down the street from Judy's apartment. They give a nod to the neighbors who look at them with some trepidation before approaching. Bucky giving a nervous wave as Pronk spoke. "Hey, guys… How are you doing this morning?"

Judy blushed but smiled. "We're good. Better then good, really."

Nick nodded. "We appreciate you guys not making noise last night. We were a bit… preoccupied."

Pronk nodded. "Yeah, well… I guess we kinda learned what it has been like for Judy these past few years. Uhm… We're actually going to be getting a house, and some formal counseling, like you have been suggesting, Judy. You're right, we need to communicate better. We actually did that last night and it was…" Giving a slightly embarrassed smile. "It was good. It was like when we first met and fell in love."

Judy grinned. "That's great guys. I suspect that I'll be moving here in short order as well. I mean." Looking at Nick. "I did a bit of reading, and we're technically married now, aren't we."

Nick nodded. "As far as foxes are concerned. You are my wife, now and forever. You can't even get rid of me if you die. I'll just follow you into death and on to the next life."

Judy grinned wider. "I wouldn't have it any other way."

At that moment the waitress spoke up. "Hey, they're doing that interview with the firefighter that saved those kits."

Confused as none of them had heard about that, Nick and Judy turned towards the TV while the waitress turned it up. a very confused Nick says, "There were more kits saved?" Glancing at Judy.

Judy shrugged. "Not that I heard, Nick."

Pronk nodded, turning as well. "Yeah. Several months ago. A lion firefighter dug them out of a burned down apartment complex. He's been refusing to do interviews, but ZNN managed to get him to come on because the kits he saved will be there too."

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Fabine Growly smiled into the camera. "Hello Zootopia, and everyone watching everywhere. I'm Fabine Growly, and this is ZNN Focus. Today we have a special interview. We have the kits who were saved form that horrific apartment fire that has led to Council Members Meadowlaw and Therance resignations. Along with the kits, we have the fire mammal that, while refusing to take credit for the save, is the one credited with it. Fire mammal Lieutenant Eric Delgato."

Fabine turned to face the nearby couch as the camera panned out to show the set with Delgato and three small kits, two foxes and a rabbit, sitting on a couch facing her at an angle. Fabine in a comfortable looking chair also at an angle to the camera. "Lieutenant Delgato, welcome. Kits, welcome. To assuage any concerns of the audience, the kit's parents are just off camera. Lieutenant. Before we get to the kits, I'd like to ask you about how you saved them, if you wouldn't mind."

Delgato, looking sharp in his clearly freshly pressed dress uniform, glared at Fabine for a moment then grunted. "Well, I'm probably going to get in trouble for this, Fabine. It's a pleasure to meet you in person by the way. Anyway, I may be the one that dug them out of the rubble, but these wonderful kits are still alive because of Lieutenant Nicolas Wilde.

When we found out that they were still in the building, he rushed in without concern for himself. If it wasn't for him, these kits would be having memorials, not birthdays."

Clearly taken aback, Fabine glanced off camera, something very uncharacteristic for the leopard. "I'm sorry, I'm afraid I do not understand. Was it not your SCUBA unit that the kits were using to breathe?"

Delgato nodded. "It was. Nick grabbed it as he ran past me. It was my spare unit and had been hanging from my belt. I am way too big to have gone back into that building for these kits. They were in the small to medium mammal section of the building. A wolf would have had trouble going in there. Even the coyotes from the Canyon Lands district would have had to stoop, especially wearing all their gear.

No. Only Nick was the right size to get in there, and he ran back in without a second though. When Nick found himself and the kits trapped with no way out, he took off his coat, wrapped the kits and my fire-bottle up in that coat. The then wrapped himself around them with the seam of the coat against his chest, ensuring that even when he died, the fire wouldn't be able to get past him to those kits. He knew that we would dig him out and find them. He did what he had to to make sure these kits had the best chance of making it out.

Thankfully, Nick survived, though he was severely injured and was transported to the hospital once I dug him out." Seeing Fabine's shocked look. "That's right. The heavily burned fox you saw put into an ambulance was Nick."

"I find it hard to believe that a fox is a fire mammal, let alone willing to sacrifice themselves like you suggest."

Delgato got a very dark look, his voice dinged with very clear anger. "You know absolutely nothing about Nick, or foxes in general for that matter. I know I thought like you before I got to know Nick. He is the most selfless and giving mammal I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. I've since learned that foxes, if you bother to get to know them and treat them with respect, are some of the most reliable mammals you could care to know."

Finally the rabbit kit spoke up. "Yeah, lady. Nick is the one that saved us. Like mister Delgato said." Pointing at Delgato. "He wrapped us up in his big fire mammal coat and promised we would be okay and get to see our parents and friends again." Starting to cry. "Then he put that air thing in with us. We could hear him crying and could smell his fur burning, but he never screamed. He just kept telling us…"

One of the fox kits held the bunny into a hug, even as tears ran down the kits cheeks too. "He kept telling us that it was all going to be okay, to stay still, not to panic and breath slowly. He whimpered a few times, then he was quiet after a big crash. Something pressed against us and pushed us harder up against him. He didn't say anything after that. But if he hadn't given us his coat and the air thing, I wouldn't be having my birthday next week. My mom and dad would'a had to bury me. Jenny's mom would'a had to bury her and her sibs wouldn't have their big sister anymore. So why you gotta make it like Mister Wilde didn't do anything? Why is it so hard to think he would save us, just cause he's a fox? Am I not a good mammal, just cause I'm a fox?"

Fabine looked on aghast. "I… I'm so sorry. I only had the information from the reporter on the scene at the time. I didn't know that the fox was a firefighter."

Delgato nodded. "Then you should perhaps interview the residents of the apartment complex, or the fire mammals stated at the station he and I are stationed at. Or any of the mammals in the community we serve." Looking straight at the camera. "Nick. If you are watching, or when you see this, we know who you are. We know what you did. We. The team, the captain, and I, will never doubt you. So never let what others say about what happened get to you. We know. These kits know. You're a hero, Nick. Even if the higher ups, other than Bogo, don't want to acknowledge it."

Fabine shook her head. "I'm sorry Lieutenant. What was that?"

Delgato turned his attention back to Fabine as he shifted over and pulled the crying kits next to him, his tail visibly wrapping around them. "Simple. Because Nick is a fox, all the higher ups other than Chief Bogo, decided that while they would give Nick a medal, I would be the one that they would point to. That the story would be about me, and that they'd give me a medal I don't deserve so you have a story to run with. They believe that because Nick is a fox, the media like yourself and the general population wouldn't accept that he was the real hero.

Well. I've been in trouble before. The station I am stationed at is in the condition it is in only because of Nick. I was put there because it was where problem mammals or mammals the higher ups didn't want around, were sent. Those same mammals made sure that our station was massively funded, but also made sure that the money went into their pockets. WE didn't know that, we only knew that we had a frayed piece of string as a budget to work with. Our engine was all but inoperable and wouldn't start half the time. We had no utility vehicle. Our equipment was out of date or just non-functional, if we even had it at all.

Nick changed that. He was assigned there, because he was a fox and no one wanted a fox in their station, so he got sent to us. He arranged community outreach. He worked with the local mechanics, they worked on our Engine for their journey mammals in training. He arranged barbecues for donations to the station. When the money got freed up after the massive scandal a few years ago, he made sure that the station got fixed up, we got new equipment, a new engine, but he also made sure that the excess got spent on the community.

You want to know what kind of mammal Nick Wilde is. Just talk to the community that loves him. Just look at these kits. Kits that are alive because he gave them the coat off his back ready to burn to death to make sure they survived." Tears streaming down his muzzle. "He's my best friend and Zootopia is worse off because he is no longer able to be a fire mammal due to his injuries."

The kits looked up, the bunny speaking. "Yeah. When I grow up, I'm gonna be a fire mammal, just like you mister Wilde." The other kits nodding along. "It's just like mamma says, It doesn't matter what fur you wear, it matters what kinda mammal you is inside."

Delgato nodded. "You're right about that, kitto. You're right about that, and more of us need to recognize that."

Fabine looked on in shock. "Well. I think we'll end this here, before I stick my foot further in my mouth and start chewing. I think we need to do some more research and find out what is really going on. Thank you, kits. Thank you, Lieutenant Delgato. Your honesty and humility tells me that even if you don't think you deserve that medal, you really do. You're still the one that dug them out, and I remember the video of the scene. I have to suspect that Lieutenant Wilde wouldn't still be alive if you hadn't gotten to him in time."

Fabine turned to the camera. "Well, Zootopia. I have to say, I feel a bit embarrassed. It would seem that ZNN has failed to do our due diligence on this story. We will go back and do as Lieutenant Delgato has suggested. We will talk to the community he serves, and we will find out just what actually happened with that fire. Lieutenant Wilde, if you are listening. I want to thank you, and apologize for the assumptions I made. Maybe all of us here in Zootopia need to rethink some of the long standing prejudices we carry with us and assume are true about our fellow mammals.

Until next time. I am Fabine Growley, and this has been ZNN Focus."

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The show logo displayed and then went to commercial. Judy turned to Nick and found him crying silently. She wrapped him in a bone crushing hug. "Shhh… It's okay, Nick. It's okay."

Nick nodded. "I know. It's just… Del didn't have to do that. Those kits. I haven't seen them since I wrapped them in my coat…"

Pronk and Bucky looked down at Nick in shock. Bucky shaking his head. "No way! You really did that? You were willing to give your life for them?"

Nick nodded. "Better me than four kits with their whole lives ahead of them. There were actually four of them, I guess the parents of the fourth didn't want to put their kit on TV."

The waitress spun around. "Wait! Are you telling me that whole thing was true?"

Judy nodded as Nick sobbed against her. "Yes, it is one hundred percent true."

Nick finally took a long shaky breath. "Sorry. It was just… A bit overwhelming to see those kits and Del support me like that. I knew the guys respected me, but I never thought that any of them would put their own career on the line like that."

Pronk smiled. "Well, I know Fabine from college. I can promise you this. She'll keep tabs on your friend, and if the higher ups do anything untoward, she'll have it in an expose about ZFD management punishing a hero fire mammal for speaking the truth."

The waitress nodded with a smile as she walked by taking the check but leaving the card. Nick saw this and picked up his card. "Ma'am. You forgot the card."

The waitress laughed. "No, I didn't. Your money ain't no good here anymore. No mammal willing to give up their lives to ensure a bunch of kits had a chance at living is going to be paying for their meals while I'm on shift. Now, did you want some pie?"

Nick glanced at Judy who gave him a smile. "How about blueberry, ala-mode, and two spoons?"

Grinning, the waitress walked away. "Coming right up."

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Three weeks later, ZNN Focus aired an extensive expose on how and why the fire happened. They confirmed the story that Nick was in fact the reason that the kits had a chance to be saved. They also had interviews from the community talking about how once Nick became a part of their local fire station, the whole place turned around. She even had both Chief Bogo's on to discuss both of their reluctance to have smaller mammals on their forces and how they had both changed their tune and reconsidered that and their opposition to the MII.

Judy and Nick had a small, for a rabbit, ceremony at the burrow. Bonnie and Stu were a bit nervous at first, but after a lengthy discussion with Gideon, they changed their tune quickly. Gideon explained how Nick's very life was now tied to Judy. He couldn't hurt her even if he tried. Realizing the bond that Nick and Judy had, and seeing just how much love the two showed in a simple look, Uncle Nick was soon welcome in the burrow without question.

Judy continued as a PT and was able to join the ZPD as well, just not as an officer. Instead, she became an instructor, and working specifically as a physical and academic tutor to the smaller mammals joining under the MII to ensure they could meet the standards needed. Nick stayed with the ZFD, thanks to the interview by Delgato and how he put the ZFD leadership on blast. Nick became an instructor at the fire academy and an arson investigator. His modular eye giving him an edge when looking into any fire that no other investigator could match.

Two years after they were married, Judy gave birth to three kits. Two boys and a girl. The girl they named after Nick's mother, the boy's after Nick's and Judy's respective fathers. Two years further on, she gave birth to one more kit, a girl they named Laverne, after both Judy and her mom's middle name, and whom they affectionately nicknamed Light for her smile that outshone even her mothers.

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I hope you enjoyed this short. Please drop a comment and let me know what you think. I don't usually do shorts, so I hope this one comes across well.